Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Kazuo Ohno






I know I'm a bit late, posting about haute couture when the next fashion week is around the corner, but please bear with me as I get used to the fast-paced blogging world!
Anyways, I'm sure you've seen how beautiful and intricate the dresses were at Givenchy so I won't go into that. What I do want to share is the dancer that inspired this collection, Kazuo Ohno. A person I knew was involved with planning Kazuo Ohno's performances and I had this DVD of his works I hadn't watched, so I thought this would be a perfect time to do so.
Kazuo Ohno was a legendary figure in a form of dance called butoh, which is recognized as a mix of Japanese tradition and avant-gardism. It is inspired by both Japanese and foreign literature, explores taboo topics, and involves playful and grotesque imagery.
This was my first time watching Kazuo Ohno's works, and though I'm far from being able to understand each dance, each action, I was taken at how expressive his hands were. They were captivating--it makes you feel amazed that so much can be conveyed with just the hands.

I think Kazuo Ohno's words sum up my feelings best: "It is not important to understand what I am doing; perhaps it is better if they don't understand, but just respond to the dance".

Givenchy image from the Fashion Spot

Friday, July 30, 2010

The World of Yoko Sueyoshi

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When I stopped by a store called Loft a couple months ago, there was an art event going on called Pop Box. It's an annual event where each artist has a small box (=booth) to display his/her artworks inside the store. I was especially captivated by one of the boxes...
毎年ロフトで開催されているアートのイベント、ポップボックス。たまたま寄ったときに開催されていて、思わず立ち止まったボックス。


















The artist's name is Yoko Sueyoshi. I am in love with the world she creates and am enchanted by the boys and girls that appear inside her artwork. The children in these pictures aren't just innocent; I feel like there's a lot hidden inside their expressions. Wouldn't you love to slip into this world? The scenery is breathtaking.
彼女の名前は末吉陽子さん。末吉さんの世界観がすごく好きで、こんなところに住んでみたいと思った。純粋だけどどこか不思議な表情をしている男の子と女の子たち。お話してみたくなります。

I had the chance to see her at a live painting and it was incredible to see her works come to life. She was a lovely person, just like her artwork.
ライブペイントを見る機会があったんですが、とにかく見とれてしまいました。終わったあとには葉書にサインをしてくださって、とても素敵な方でした!

For more of her artwork, here's the website (go look at more lovely drawings!) and she has an exhibit, POP SPACE (which I think is similar to Pop Box) going on right now. Details are below, those who are in Tokyo should definitely go have a look!
末吉さんのサイトにもっと絵が載っています。そして今POP SPACEで展示が開催されています!詳細も載せておくので、東京にいる方、とてもおすすめします!!

POP SPACE part 2
Shinjuku Marui One (Department Store) 3F
3-1-20 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3354-0105
Hours: 11:00-21:00, Holidays and Weekends 11:00-20:30
Exhibit: ~8/20

POP SPACE part 2
新宿マルイワン
東京都新宿区新宿3−1−20
TEL: 03-3354-0105
開館時間:11:00-21:00, 日曜・祝日 11:00-20:30
展示: ~8/20

All images courtesy of the artist

Friday, July 16, 2010

after the rain

Photo from a past editorial in SO-EN at the famous Hachiko

During the time away from blogging, shopping, reading magazines, etc. the resort and couture collections have ended and stores are already stocking pre-fall clothes. How time flies...I haven't even found the perfect summer dress yet!
It's finally summer and I'm definitely hoping more blogging and more effortless days. Hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Mixed Matched Media ✕ Tokyo Identity

One of the things I wish I was good at is art. Going to a museum is one of my favorite things to do and I think art history is fascinating, but I just can't put my thoughts and inspirations in a drawing or painting.
So I was really excited when the talented CC Wai of Mixed Matched Media offered to translate my concept and ideas into a drawing for my blog! If you haven't seen her blog, definitely go have a look. The Vivienne Westwood and Miu Miu are some of my favorites, I love how she captures each collection perfectly but still adds a touch of her own uniqueness.
美術館に行ったり、美術について学んだり、アートに触れるのは大好きだけど、どうしても自分では何も作り出せない。デッサンとか、粘土とか、最強に苦手です。
そんな私と正反対なCC Waiさんが私のコンセプトを元に絵を書いてくださる、と言ってくれました!CC Waiさんのブログはいつも素敵な絵や写真でいっぱい。特に好きなのは、コレクションからインスパイアされた絵。そのブランドの個性を再現しつつ、CC Waiさんの独特の絵に仕上がっています。

mintdesigns, maothu photos from Fashion Snap
It was hard for me to think of an idea, but I definitely knew I wanted the drawing to be set in Tokyo and for the girl to have a bob. This is a photo I sent to her for reference. I love how time seems to be passing slowly on this street, despite it being right in Tokyo. CC Wai suggested that she refer to some of my past posts for inspiration, and to my surprise, she drew two of my favorite pieces from the mintdesigns and matohu collection!
とりあえず描いて頂く絵は東京の設定、そして絵の中の女の子はボブがいいと思いました。でも久しぶりに絵のアイディアを考えようとすると、意外と難しい...CC Waiさんの提案で私が東京で好きな場所の写真を送ることに。写真は書いてある通り、夕方のキャットストリート。なんだかここに行くと落ち着き、そして色々な意味で思い出深い場所です。
絵の中の女の子は私がブログに載せたものを参考にするとのこと。mintdesignsmatohuが好きと伝えたのですが、なんと私のお気に入りのルックを描いてくださって、本当に嬉しい!


Isn't it gorgeous? I think she captured the atmosphere of the street perfectly, and the vibrant colors are so beautiful. & I can't get over how stylish the threesome look. I love that all three of the girls have bobs, but how the color and styling fits their personality and outfit. Really cool to see my ideas, combined with CC Wai's, come to life.
A huge thank you to CC Wai for this amazing drawing and a wonderful experience!
これが私のアイディアをベースにCC Waiさんが描いてくださった絵。色の使い方や雰囲気の捉え方、全てにおいて本当に素敵な絵に仕上がっていますよね。女の子たちは全員ボブだけど、髪の色やスタイリングがコーディネートにぴったりで、3人とも個性的。mintdesignsのヘットピースを少し控えめにして、町でもつけられそうになっているところもツボです。
一緒にコンセプトを考えたりするのもすごく楽しかったです。CC Waiさん、本当にありがとうございます!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

cotton


Photos found on mixi

Happy Friday everyone! I could not be more happy that the weekend is here and that my tests are finished!
This is Japanese model Rina Ohta for tsumori chisato SLEEP from a while back. Light cotton dresses, big beds, and a house by the beach...makes me wish it was summer already.
Have a wonderful weekend!
結構前のツモリチサトスリープより、太田莉菜さん。今の短い髪も好きだけど、長い髪も女の子っぽくて可愛い。
コットンのドレス、大きいベッド、海辺のお家。早く夏休みにならないかなぁ。

Thursday, April 29, 2010

my next hairstyle.

ファッションスナップ ストリートスナップ
Photo from Drop Snap

no, not really, but I love his multicolored hair. The colors are so pretty, perfect for spring! Someday, when I have the guts to do something creative and unusual with my hair...are any of you planning to undergo any major hair changes?
いや、嘘です。でもこの色合いやヘアスタイル全てがかなり好み。髪型を変えるって勇気が必要ですよね。いつか刈り上げとかにしてみたい...今はまだ、勇気がないんですけどね。

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

atatakai


Tell me this isn't the cutest father and son ever.
And the father's jacket is COMME des GARCONS :)
素敵な親子。見てると自然と笑顔になっちゃう。

photos from Drop Snap