FABRIC MAGAZINE

MELODRAMA BY MOHAMED GAFF

Staff — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 03:45:36 +0000

We were really excited when we received these phohots from Mohamed Gaff, or Tazmo of Cologne, Germany. You will not be disappointed when you feast your eyes on these beautiful images.

Fabric Magazine photo Melodrama by Mohamed Gaff

Photographed by Mohamed Gaff (tazmo) (www.taz-mo.com)
Models: Albe Hamiti (TuneModels MUC)
Papis Loveday ( New York / USA – DNA Models) (Paris / Major MGM) (MUNIC / Louisa Models)
Styling & Made Up by Rayan Odyll
Hair & by Janni Drivillas
Assistant by Alisha Harris

Breaking into the mainstream, one electro drumbeat at a time

Skye Kalkstein — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:28:28 +0000

We’ve always had a soft spot for Swedish talent (ahem, Miike Snow), and here’s another one to add to the Scandinavian roster: Niki and The Dove’s “DJ, East My Mind,” is simply smoking. The debut single from the Stockholm, Sweden band is so unique, that the band will easily carve out a niche for themselves in the American music marketplace. Sub Pop agrees, the Seattle-based home of artists CSS and The Go! Team, snapped up the duo, Malin Dahlström and Gustaf Karlöf, in March.

With its tribal drums and electric synthesizer undertones, the song easily sucks listeners in building up to its cadence. On first take, their sound not only reminds me of the Eurythmics for the electro-synth feel, but also of The Tings Tings for the staccato phrases and sultry breaths laced into the track. There’s tinges of Australia’s Sneaky Sound System layered in there too.

The duo has already been getting some early buzz from UK’s The Guardian and Fader. Once the single gets a little more popular exposure, I could totally see DJs like Deadmau5 or The Jump Smokers picking it up and putting out a ridiculous techno remix.

As a follow up, the band is offering their second single “Mother Protect” for free download.

The group is set to play at Seattle’s Crocodile April 6th, and if you’re in the area, you’d be foolish not to buy a ticket.

Check out the quirky vintage gymnastics-inspired music vid:

Model Tao Okamoto’s Japan Letter

Bee-Shyuan Chang — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:17:36 +0000

With the pace news is moving these days, it’s not exaggeration to suspect that the Japan’s earthquake and subsequent nuclear disaster may just blown on by with the escalating armed drama in Libya. So it was a refreshing spot online to see this very genuine and direct letter from Japanese model Tao Okamoto on Ford models’ blog today. Take a look here and also support the Martha Stewart-hosted Japan benefit this Wednesday in NYC if you can.

Pharrell Williams and Monica Bellucci Take on Moscow

Staff — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:01:28 +0000

Rapper/fashion acolyte Pharrell Williams swapped his Miami sunny environs for something a bit more cool. Williams hopped a flight to Moscow to attend a Dolce & Gabbana and Martini Gold-hosted dinner at the Italian Embassy in Villa Berg last night. The jet set crew, which included the eternally luscious Monica Bellucci clad in black Dolce & Gabbana black lace and satin, followed up with an after-party (of course) at the city’s buzzy Garage Centre of Contemporary Art, where Pharrell performed a set, the DJ was pumping some serious house and there was a trippy digital art installation. If you weren’t there to nosh on caviar and sip on champagne (or admire Pharrell’s sleek tux), we have the takes on what you missed – think of it like a prep to your undoubtedly glamorous weekend.

Domenico Dolce, Monica Bellucci, Pharrell Williams, Stefano Gabbana

Domenico Dolce, Pharrell Williams, Stefano Gabbana

Trevor Andrew: Not So Troubled After All

Nell Alk — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:35:18 +0000

Forget the fact that singer-songwriter Trevor “Trouble” Andrew’s forthcoming record, set to drop March 28, is titled Dreams of a Troubled Man. By all accounts this former Olympic snowboarder with the freshest sound in town is living the dream. Between festival appearances (the latest of which is today’s SXSW performance with Wu-Tang Clan), loyal fans and friends (the latter collectively called the Trouble Gang) and a wife we know as Santigold, Andrew leads a charmed life.

“I love the South,” Andrew declared of SXSW’s Austin environs. “It’s a [Wu-Tang] reunion, so it’s going to be legendary for sure,” he predicted. “I’m excited to be down there in general. All the mingling, running around with the Trouble Gang. That should be fun.”

More fun stuff is in store for Andrew and his fans: on March 24, he and his band mates (guitarist Joao Salomao, bassist Masaru Takaku and drummer Ian Longwell) plan to celebrate the release of Dreams in New York. “I’m going to throw a party downtown somewhere, give out my album,” he said. It’s a disc the artist described as “cohesive,” though he added he’s definitely evolved since the last LP. “I feel like it’s a growth, really,” Andrew said. “Growing as a person, growing as an artist.”

Trouble Gang

That in part is tied to his work with wife Santi White, who rocked the mic on Dreams track “Reporters.” Andrew described the song as “more about people. It’s not so literal. Everybody’s in everybody’s business.” He added (perhaps for my benefit?), “I love reporters. I need somebody to tell my story, ya know?”

As for Santigold, Andrew brags on her behalf: “She knocked it out! For me it sealed the deal as far as the track being finished. It feels great.” He also hints at her next record, which, according to her publicist, is not due to hit shelves until later this year or even next year. “It’s fucking insane,” he declared. “She’s mixing it right now – doing final tweaks and stuff. People are going to love it.”

Also making cameos on Dreams are Amanda Blank and skateboarder Jake Lamagno. On Blank, Andrew said, “She came in the studio and jumped on [“Run Hide”] and killed it. It all came together.”

The latter, Andrew’s longtime and long-haired friend, appears briefly on “New Kid.” Lamagno does, however, feature prominently in the music video, a production Andrew described as “dark but sexy.” It’s about the “shit that happens in the city, especially when you come from outside the city,” he said. ”It’s just glorious. You can totally get sucked in and turned out. Visually, [that’s] what we tried to capture.”

FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD: TREVOR TROUBLE ANDREW “NEW KID”

It’s a packed calendar ahead. After Austin, the band moves onto Mammoth where they’ll open for La Roux at the Roxy Chicken Jam. Then a quick trip to Canada for some more music video ventures and then back in the studio.

“I just like to constantly keep being creative, making music, writing lyrics, drawing pictures, designing clothes. I make fliers,” he said. “I make fliers even when I don’t have a show coming up. I’ll just make a flier and wait ’til I have a show and then put a day on it. I live in a great place and I have a great job. Obviously getting feedback…from the world is amazing. I’m super lucky, man.”

Constance Jablonski’s March Editorial Madness

Chris Peake — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:11:16 +0000

With her silky complexion and clear blue eyes, Constance Jablonski is always a sight for fashion week weary eyes during the shows. Now the runway regular is getting into editorial mode with this gorgeous “China Syndrom” shoot for German Vogue this month. Lensed by Alexi Lubomirski and styled by Christiane Arp, the cover and multi-page inside spread is lush with color. And no surprise there, Marc Jacob’s East-inflected Louis Vuitton Spring 2011 collection is prominently featured. Turns out March is Jablonski’s busy month. She teamed up with Lubormirski for a Vogue Russia shoot and is also one of three cover girls for W Korea.

Peter Bjorn and John Gets Pop-Happy on ‘Gimme Some’

Bee-Shyuan Chang — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:57:32 +0000

It’s been nearly two years since Peter Bjorn and John has graced the airwaves with a new EP, so it’s a perfect #MusicMonday sort of preview to catch a listen of the new album Gimme Some slated to drop on March 29 via StarTime International. The tracks are Pop Rocks sunny with ebullient guitar strumming found in “Dig a Little Deeper” and the already fan fave “Breaker Breaker.” It’s also noteworthy that working with outside producers, Per Sunding at Tambourine Studios, for the first time – Peter Moren, Bjorn Yttling and John Eriksson usually tinker with their own sounds – has brought out a new decisively pop roundabout. (More in the vein of the trio’s 2006 album Writer’s Block than 2009′s moodier Living Thing.) “Second Chance” is downright enthusiastic.

Catch a free download of “Breaker Breaker“ by clicking the link or otherwise peruse the music video below.

And here’s some PB&J “vintage.” Remember this whistling tune?

Fall 2011 Outerwear Highlights

Bee-Shyuan Chang — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:22:52 +0000

Surely the past two years have been a lesson to even the hottest of designers: women spend on accessories and outerwear. While we have a soft spot for handbags and a bold statement 5-inch heel we can barely teeter in, the latter category of ready-to-wear is a particularly smart investment. Taken care of, coats can literally last forever. Musing on the Fall 2011 collections that closed with its Paris finale this week, we were particularly enthralled by a wide selection of gorgeous outerwear pieces. Here’s a roundup of our favorites.

A dark and stormy Pan at Ann Demeulemeester

Phoebe Philo dabbles red with brown.

Cherry red with a Forties touch at Louis Vuitton

Chanel’s tough tweed lady

Lanvin’s new austerity

Full on furry glamour at Yves Saint Laurent

Jason Wu’s prettied up menswear for womenswear

Altuzarra’s sporty cuts already have the editors clamoring

3.1 Phillip Lim was into combo coats

Balenciaga was feeling knit-witty

Antonio Berardi threw in a lime twist

Valentino’s lean green leather machine

Marios Schwab’s skirted puffer

Proenza Schouler takes a shine to mustard

Miu Miu prefers her moutarde with wide shoulders

Victoria Beckham goes bolder in persimmon

Jil Sander punches things up in prints

Isabel Marant continues her love affair with all-American duds

Derek Lam does pretty in powder blue

Burberry Prosurm was definitively electric.

Milkman’s Mashup ‘Algorithms’ Does a Body Good

Skye Kalkstein — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:16:31 +0000

Ever find yourself at the end of trying work week in need of some hardcore tunage? Me too. Especially since it’s Winter Music Conference right now in Miami (more for the hot weather setting and less about the debaucherous barely-dressed fist-pumping), my office cubicle is a downright allergen come Fridays at 5 p.m. My new go-to is Milkman’s mash-up CD, Algorithms. Released in Jan. earlier this year (and after two years of work), it’s a free-handed mix of the latest pop tracks over hits from the ’70s and ’80s, and the Milkman delivers. Mashup CDs have been something of a trend du jour ever since the genius Danger Mouse toyed with Jay-Z and The Beatles tracks. But rather than treading on possibly stale ground, Milkman cuts through with seamless transitions from song to song without it feeling awkward .

Perhaps the lone criticism I have – and this really applies to all mashups – is that Milkman uses a lot of the same tracks. The Jackson 5’s “ABC” or “I Want You Back” is in heavy rotation. The mix also includes an original house song, “Breaking Free.” Even though I’m not typically a fan of house, I actually don’t mind this song. It’s more a “shuffle” song than one I’d click to listen to, but nevertheless, I don’t immediately bypass it when it starts to play. All in all, Algorithms never fail to get me in the mood for a weekend party.

Crowd favorites:

“Sky High” Opens with the instrumentals of Cee-Lo Green’s “F**k You” with lyrics sampled from Twista’s “Overnight Celebrity,” which by the way, is still a pretty kick-ass rap song.

“Here We Go Again” Anything that includes old-school Journey besides the over played and clichéd “Don’t Stop Believing” holds a special place in my heart.

“Love Struck” Features a killer sequence of an up tempo version of MGMT’s “Kids” with Eminem running the vocals over the track.

In need of some new tunage? Download the mix for free here: http://milkmanmusic.net/fr_intro.cfm

Korean Sisters Mix Rap and Classical Training

Ronen Shapiro — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:25:19 +0000

It’s not everyday you come across Asian sisters that combine rap alongside gorgeous live violin melodies. All of which is exactly why you should pay attention to Korean American duo Knewdles + Sos of Misnomer(S). Springing up from the Buffalo suburbs and now based out of cool brownstone-heavy hood Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn, the twosome throws down a deadly combo of lyrics and classical training. You might have already spotted them in Converse One Star ads or caught Knewdles taking down the mic at Def Jam Poetry Slams. In any case, hear a track off of their album American I(s) that dropped this past fall and you’ll have this MP3 download (gratis, of course) of their single “Too Many Things” to add to your bands-to-watch music collection.