Saturday, February 27, 2010

On the YSL Site

Courtesy of YSL

It was a lovely surprise when I went to the YSL Manifesto site and saw my picture as a part of their collage. The original post is here.
自分の写真がYSLマニフェストのコラージュの一部に(小さめですが)。
元の記事はこちらからどうぞ。

Friday, February 26, 2010

high fashion


A
nother sad news concerning magazines...it was announced that high fashion will stop printing after the April issue. high fashion has been in print since 1960, and has been a leading fashion magazine in Japan. In the official statement, the publishing company states that in times of difficult situations in the publishing industry, changes in the market, and the diversification of information sources, it has decided to close the magazine. The publishing company is still in consideration about running a part of the magazine on their site.
Their last issue is a 60-page feature on COMME des GARCONS. Also, there will be a special exhibit in March called "high fashion" The 50th anniversary. It will feature the photographs that will show the history of the magazine.
The whole "print media is dying" issue has been around for a while now, with many newspapers and magazines closing down. It's true that nowadays a lot of the information comes from the internet, but it makes me sad whenever I hear about magazines closing down. I like the feeling of excitement of going to a bookstore to buy the latest issue of my favorite magazine, and flipping through the pages of a magazine isn't something that can be substituted by the internet. I unfortunately don't have the money to buy every single fashion magazine out there, but I'll be buying high fashion's last issue with the hope that more magazines will stay in print.
What do you think? I'd love to hear everyone's opinions.


雑誌に関する、また悲しいニュース。4月号をもってハイファッションが休刊となります。ハイファッションは1960年の創刊から日本のモード誌をリードする存在でした。文化出版局からのお知らせでは“厳しい出版状況が続くなか、市場環境の変化や、情報ソースの多様化などにより、一つの区切りとして『ハイファッション』は平成22年2月26日発売の4月号をもちまして、休刊させていただくことになりました”と説明しています。雑誌の内容の一部は、サイトで配信することを検討しているとのことです。
最後の4月号はコム デ ギャルソンの特集。また、3月に「ハイファッションに見るファッションの50年」展が開催されます。写真や記事を通してハイファッションとファッションの50年間の歴史を辿ります。
PINKYなど、最近国内外で雑誌や新聞の休刊が目立っていますね。インターネットからたくさんの情報が得られるなか、雑誌を買う人は減っています。でも、大好きな雑誌を本屋さんに買いに行ったり、雑誌をパラパラめくったりするのは私にとって幸せな時間です。欲しい雑誌を全て買うのは難しいけど、インターネットは決して雑誌のかわりにはならないと思います。皆様はどう思われますか?ぜひ意見や感想など聞かせてください!

All photographs from Amazon

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Element

I was totally blown away when I went to see the exhibit "Element", a collection of works by structural engineer Cecil Balmond.
週末にオペラシティーアートギャラリーで開催されている展示「エレメント」構造デザイナーセシル・バルモンドの世界を見に行ってきました!



Born in Sri Lanka, Cecil Balmond is described as one of the most daring and innovative architects today.
スリランカ生まれのセシル・バルモンドは冒険的、革新的なで建築家として知られており、数々のプロジェクトに関わってきました。

Image from here

This exhibit features pieces that are inspired by the nature around us. Balmond focuses on not only the outer beauty but the order and rhythm hidden beneath each object, and develops that into geometry. I admit that sounds pretty confusing and as math and sciences are not exactly my favorite subjects, it was hard to understand all the meaning put into each piece. Nonetheless it was inspiring to see the way Balmond thinks and how so much can come out of, for example, a single leaf.
バルモンド氏の作品の発想の起源は音楽や数学・数字からきているそうです。今回展示されてあったものも自然の表面の美しさだけではなく“その内側に息づく秩序(オーダー、リズム)を探しだし、それを幾何学へと展開”した作品でどれも奥深く、一つ一つ飲み込んで理解するのが難しかったです。


The booklet with descriptions on each piece. Try wrapping your head around these!
作品解説。家に帰ってからも読みなおしています。

I really wish I had photographs to show how incredible each of the pieces were, but this is something that should be seen in person! They had little cushions around on the floor so that viewers could relax and really take in the pieces and try to understand the meaning.
残念ながら写真撮影禁止だったので載せられるものがないのですが、この展示は生で見るからこそ魅力的だと思います!床においてあるクッションに座って一日中展示を見ていたかったです。


For those of you who can't make it, photographs of the exhibit are posted at the official website (it wouldn't allow me to repost the photographs). Please please go take a look! My favorites are #3, 9, 13, and 17.
足を運べなさそうな方はこちらからぜひ写真を見てみてください!個人的に3、9、13、17が好きです。

Element Cecil Balmond
Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery
3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Exhibit: 1/16~3/22, 11:00-19:00 (Fridays and Saturdays until 20:00)

エレメント 構造デザイナーセシル・バルモンドの世界
東京オペラシティーアートギャラリー
東京都新宿区西新宿3−20−2
展示:1/16~3/22, 11:00-19:00 (金・土は 20:00まで)

Saturday, February 20, 2010

YSL Manifesto S/S 2010

YVES SAINT LAURENT SPRING/SUMMER 2010 MANIFESTO
Image courtesy of YSL

Today was the distribution day in Tokyo among other cities around the world. The times and places weren't announced until right before the distribution started, but it was the same as last year: Ginza, Daikanyama, and Omotesando.
今日はYSLのマニフェストの配布日でしたね!直前まで場所と時間が発表されませんでしたが無事代官山でいただきました。

The YSL crew preparing. Their black hightops were adorable!
YSLの皆様。黒いハイトップが可愛い!

She definitely has a fashionable future ahead of her :)
将来のファッショニスタ?

This year the manifesto was in a paper bag and a tote bag.
今回はトートバッグの他にマニフェストが紙袋に入っていました。



The manifesto this year is really big in size, like a newspaper. I loved the vivid pink background and of course Natalia Vodianova is stunning. I think I'm starting to like the strawberries...
今年のマニフェストは新聞ほどの大きさでした。背景が色鮮やかなピンクがいつものサンローランとちょっと違った印象で、いちごにも愛着が湧いてきます。ナタリアも素敵!何故かマニフェストのサイトが見えなくなっちゃってますが(私だけ?)ムービーなどまた見ないとです!

Put together two strawberry paper bags to make a complete strawberry!
記念撮影。いちごの紙袋を二つあわせると一つの大きないちごになるんですね。

I'm really excited to see their new collection in Paris!
パリコレで新しいコレクションを見るのが楽しみです!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

I love Marc and I love Tao

Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear
Photos from style.com

Marc+Tao+Long Sleeve Jumper=Perfection.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Preen A/W 2010

Preen Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Preen Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear
Photos from style.com

I am again so far behind on watching the collections, but I really love Preen this season. The way the turtlenecks were incorporated is really fresh and original, and I'm excited to see how it works into the A/W 2010 trend. One of my favorites is the dress on the right. The contrast of the delicate fabric on the center of the dress and the strong shoulders with the turtleneck is striking. Oh and I would love to own one of the floral bustiers...!
Any favorites so far? Which collection are you looking forward to the most?
ニューヨークファッションウィーク始まりましたね!まだ全然見ていないんですが、今のところ好きなのはPreen。特にタートルネックの着こなしが新鮮で、秋冬のトレンドにどう影響するか楽しみです。コレクションの中でもお気に入りが右のドレス。中心部分の繊細な素材とタートルネック・肩の強いラインのコントラストがとても印象に残ります。

Sunday, February 14, 2010

all you need is...

     

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Friday, February 12, 2010

The Chocolate Craze

Valentine's Day takes on a whole new meaning in Japan. It's celebrated quite differently from other countries--it's the girl giving candy/presents to the boy. On Valentine's Day, it's a tradition to give the person she likes some kind of handmade sweets. The boy returns the gift on White Day on March 14, which is like another Valentine's Day but reversed. It is a huge deal here, I think it's the biggest event after Christmas.
Another tradition is tomo-choco, where valentines are exchanged with friends. This is mostly girls giving each other chocolate or what not, so I think every girl comes home with at least 10 handmade sweets on Valentine's Day.
Whoever the valentine is for, a lot of Japanese girls work very hard for this day. I went to a store called LOFT today, and it was absolute chaos. 
今年はバレンタインがいつもより早くやってくる気がします。個人的にはまだ一ヶ月くらい先な気がしちゃうんですが、もう明日ですね。今日ロフトに行ってやっと気付きました。すごかったです、女の子たち!みんな一生懸命。海外ではホワイトデーもないし、日本のバレンタインはかなり特殊ですよね。

The window decorations. I love how one of the phrases say "Girls be Ambitious". Notice how all the girls have LOFT bags.
今年のロフトのデザインは可愛い!相変わらず音楽は...だけど。




Some of the cute kits and bags. There's a huge variety of these kits, ranging from brownies, truffles, macarons, cookies...
最近のキットは本当に可愛い!全部作りたい。でもなかなかパッケージ通りに仕上がらないのです。

Are you planning anything special for Valentine's Day? Whatever you're doing, I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
皆様も素敵なバレンタインになりますように。私はこれからお菓子作りに励みます...

McQueen Forever



Photograph taken from here

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

NORITAKA TATEHANA & Hotel Gluttony

Selected works from NORITAKA TATEHANA's 2010 Artisan Collection and Hotel Gluttony's 2010 Royal Suite Collection is on display at combine Daikanyama.
NORITAKA TATEHANAの2010 Artisan CollectionとHotel Gluttony(ホテル・グラトニー)の2010 Royal Suite Collectionがcombine Daikanyamaで展示されています。


NORITAKA TATEHANA is a Tokyo based designer, and this collection consists of his handmade dresses, handbags, and shoes. His skyscraping shoes like the one above were especially incredible. 
Hotel Gluttony is a "lifestyle brand that images styles of people who gather at [the] fictional 'Hotel Gluttony'". Pieces from Hotel Gluttony might look familiar, as Lady Gaga has worn it for a Vogue Hommes Japan editorial.
NORITAKA TATEHANAは東京を拠点とするデザイナー。このコレクションは手作りのドレス、ハンドバッグ、靴などがあります。特に上の写真のような靴がとても印象的でした。
Hotel Gluttony(ホテル・グラトニー)は”架空のホテルに集う人々のスタイルをイメージしたライフスタイルブランド”。あのLady GagaがVogue Hommes Japanのエディトリアルで着用したブランドです。



The exhibit itself is small, so I recommend eating there too (combine Daikanyama is a restaurant/bar with an exhibit space). They had a whole list of desserts that I would love to try.
展示自体は小さいので、そこでお食事もするのがおすすめ(combine Daikanyamaは展示スペールがあるレストラン/バー)。食べてみたいデザートがいっぱいありました。


NORITAKA TATEHANA & Hotel Gluttony Exhibition
Phone: 03-3770-3309
Exhibit: 2/7~2/21, 12:00 (PM)-4:00 (AM)

NORITAKA TATEHANA & Hotel Gluttony Exhibition
渋谷区猿楽長28−10モードコスモスビルB1F
展示:2/7~2/21, 12:00 (PM)-4:00 (AM)

Monday, February 8, 2010

mook



It is true that print media is not selling well--popular Japanese magazine PINKY has stopped printing and I'm sure this is the case in a lot of countries. But there's one publisher, Takarajimasha, who is doing very well with their "mooks".
"Mook" is magazine and book put together (I know, great naming) and the recent ones feature a magazine and a supplement. There are so many different kinds of mooks today--Marc by Marc Jacobs, YSL (cosmetics), SEE BY CHLOE, Vivienne Westwood, A BATHING APE...the list is endless. A typical magazine inside a mook for example, the Marc by Marc Jacobs one, consists of the full collection, a look at the individual pieces, an editorial, and more. The supplement is almost always surprisingly well made, and I use my Marc by Marc tote almost every day. All this, and the price is under about 20 dollars. 
雑誌が売れない中、非常に人気があるのがムック本。最近は人気のマーク BY マーク ジェイコブス、SEE BY CHLOE、イヴ・サンローランなど、ブランドのファンにはたまらにものがぞくぞくと販売されています。日本の付録は高品質だし、もちろん雑誌の部分も読み応えたっぷりでその上お手軽な値段。しかも外国では雑誌に付録がつくのは少なく、日本限定のものが手に入ったりします。特にマーク BY マーク ジェイコブスなど、海外でも人気のブランドの付録を海外で持ち歩いているとうらやましがられる、なんて話も聞いたことがあります。
The latest Mook to be released on March 3 is the Marc by Marc Jacobs 2010 S/S collection.
こんなにメジャーな海外ブランドがムック本になるのはちょっと抵抗があったけど、安さと可愛さに負けなんだかんだいって購入してます。そんなムック本の最新がこちら、3月3日発売のマーク BY マーク ジェイコブス2010年S/Sコレクション。



The supplements this time consists of a make-up bag, a handkerchief, and a mirror. All this for under about 15 dollars sounds pretty good to me...and I've been pleased with the past mooks so I'm considering buying this one too. What do you think about mooks? Would you buy it?
今回の付録は書いてある通り、ポーチ・タオル・ハンドミラー。これで1500円以内なら、また買っちゃうかも...

To see a complete list of mooks, go here.
今まで発売されたムック本のリストはここからどうぞ。

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Seeing Double

Today I indulged myself with two magazines, InRed and SO-EN (my favorite). Musician Sheena Ringo is on the cover of InRed and singer Kaela Kimura is on the cover of SO-EN. Now I think we all know that stripes are going to be everywhere this S/S season, and unique trousers have been popular too. 
今日はちょっと贅沢して2冊同時にお買い上げ。大好きな装苑と大好きな椎名林檎が表紙のInRed。今年の春夏シーゾンは引き続きおしゃれなズボンやアレクサンダーワングのランウェイでも見かけたボーダが流行りですね。



But even so, I was surprised to see practically the same styling on the cover of the two magazines! The striped shirt and accessories are quite different, but the jeans are from the same brand, FACETASM.
それにしても、ほぼ同じスタイリングになるとは...!ボーダーの太さやアクセサリーは違うけど、ズボンは両方ファセッタズムのもの。かぶるものですね。

     

Sheena Ringo is older than Kaela Kimura, thus the more simple and polished style with heels. The younger Kaela Kimura's styling is more fun and playful, with big ribbons, necklaces, and star-print shoes. I think the styling fits their personality and age, but which do you prefer?
林檎ちゃんはやっぱりシンプルに、そしてヒールを履くことによって大人っぽくまとめていますね。カエラちゃんは大きなリボンやじゃらじゃらネックレス、星の柄の靴で遊び心たっぷりのコーデです。両方とも個性や年齢にあっているなぁ、と思うけど皆様はどっちの方が好き?個人的に林檎ちゃんのヘッドピースをした姿も見てみたいです。何でも似合っちゃうので。

Friday, February 5, 2010

Blog Award!

I am honored and excited to receive my first blog award from the lovely pilcuis of Oh my Dior. Thank you pilcuis and make sure to check out her blog!



The rules: To accept the award, you must post it on your blog with the name of the person who has granted you the award, and add a link to their blog. Then pass the award on to others, no more than 7.

I pass this award to these bloggers who never fail to inspire me:

Oh my Diorから初めてのブログ賞をいただきました!とても光栄です...ありがとうございます。
この賞のルールは賞を授与された方のブログをリンクし、自分の好きなブログ7つまでに賞を授与します。
上記の7つのブログを選びました。Oh my Dior含め全部素敵なブログなのでぜひ見てみてください!

Supermarket Fantasy









Monday, February 1, 2010

The Lady in Red


Bursts of color among the gray and dreary winter brightens my day.
どこか寂しそうな冬の景色のなかに、生命力溢れる赤。