Scout Blog

Bowie's Next Day

2013-05-17 00:00:00

Watch the new controversial clip for David Bowie's single The Next Day starring Gary Oldman and Marion Cotillard. The clip was so provocative it was temporarily banned from Youtube - said to have created a mockery of the Catholic church. See for yourself!

Video courtesy of DavidBowieVEVO

Diesel Black Gold Resort 2014

2013-05-16 00:00:00

Andreas Melbostad’s second collection for Diesel Black Gold hit the mark with a collection of hot urban jackets, inspired by working class heros such as painters, dockers and firemen. Sharp tuxedo jackets and leather biker jackets also featured, all teamed with Diesel’s classic skinny jeans, leather shorts and sharp minis. Standout were the two head-to-toe denim looks.

All images Style.com

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/2014RST-DIESELBG

Istanbul Fashion Film Day

2013-05-15 00:00:00

Last month, SCOUT attended the inaugural Istanbul Fashion Film Day, organised by Vogue Turkey in conjunction with The New York Fashion Film Festival. The day featured three sets of short films - international, Turkish, and independent films. It was followed by an intriguing panel discussion who saw growing importance of films as marketing for branding-sake rather than for the clothes themselves (see selected films below that featured on the day), as well as the moving image perhaps to overtake the photography in fashion in the future. The positioning of Turkish fashion on the world stage was also a feature of discussion, which is admittedly a young industry, though the hype surrounding Istanbul at the moment and with the advent of Mercedes and IMG’s involvement in the most recent Istanbul Fashion Week, along with the wave of talented designers popping up lately, we’re sure to be hearing more from this vibrant city. Watch some of the films that were shown on the day below.

Images and videos courtesy of Fashion Film Day Istanbul and Vogue Turkey

SJW

Resort 2014: Chanel

2013-05-14 00:00:00

It's resort time again, and the season has kicked off with Chanel showing in Singapore. One can never quite pinpoint one source of inspiration for Lagerfeld but there were cricket bats and the usual pearls and tweed. Lagerfeld said that he chose to show in Singapore as he's basically shown everywhere else, but we're sure working on the Chinese luxury market at the same time couldn't hurt. Watch Lagerfeld's interview and behind the scenes videos below.

Images courtesy of Style

Videos courtesy of Chanel

2013-05-13 00:00:00

In case you haven’t had your Gatsby fix yet today [unlikely], Miuccia Prada has released original sketches that she designed with Catherine Martin for the highly anticipated film The Great Gatsby (premiered on Friday at the Cannes Film Festival), directed by Martin’s husband, Baz Luhrmann. The sketches give an insight into the workings of the film, and complement the exhibition that just opened in the Prada store in New York City, where you can see up close these beautifully intricate costumes.

Along with the soundtrack produced by none-other than Jay-Z, and features the likes of Lana Del Rey, Beyonce, Florence + the Machine, Sia, Will.i.am and The xx, the momentous aura of this film is only raised. For an insiders glimpse into the costumes watch the clip below.

The Great Gatsby is released on May 15 across Europe & May 30 in Australia.

Images courtesy of Prada Video courtesy of Fogalschweiz

SJW

Directing 2013

2013-05-10 00:00:00

Rising artistic talent Rei Nadal was selected to direct this nine minute short film for the latest release “2013” by Scottish indie rock band, Primal Scream. The band’s lead singer Bobby Gillespie chose Nadal based on her collaborative work with Reptile Youth and her ability to juxtapose contrasting themes of dissent, unrest and anger through her signature romantic, yet dark visuals.

Learn From Your Elders

2013-05-09 00:00:00

We're often told we could learn a thing or two from our elders, yet rarely do we associate this with the positive idea of learning new skills such as perfume blending, indian head massage or how to perhaps forage for food in your local park. Yet as a trend for social enterprise continues, Londoners are welcoming retirees with a re-connected sense of community spirit, embracing the older generation and appreciating their expertise and underused, specialised knowledge. Formed under the not-for-profit set up, The Amazings, classes synchronise different generations, providing a valuable, self-initiated resource for learning. Watch the clips below for some of the amazing elders involved.

Images courtesy of The Amazings

Videos courtesy of The Amazings HQ

Who Rocked Punk Best At The MET

2013-05-08 00:00:00

The long awaited Punk: Chaos to Couture MET Gala has passed, and what an event it was! Everyone had their own interpretation of punk on the red carpet - it was always going to be an interesting one. After heated deliberation in the studio, we pick out the stars that embraced punk best. And stay tuned as we review the exhibition in our next issue of SCOUTLook.

Images courtesy of WWD and Grazia UK

Who Rocked Punk Best at the MET?

2013-05-08 00:00:00

The long awaited Punk: Chaos to Couture MET Gala has passed, and what an event it was. Everyone had their own interpretation of punk on the red carpet - it was always going to be an interesting one. After heated deliberation in the studio, we pick out the stars that embraced punk best.

Images courtesy of WWD and Grazia UK

DIY Online Streetwear

2013-05-07 00:00:00

Tumblr and Instagram are helping to fuel a noticeable trend in new online-only start ups. With little or no overheads, the freedom to be self-made and build brands through social media is a rising appeal to young entrepreneurs. Look simply to the streets of London and you'll begin to notice the printed logo tees and branded beanies that are trending a streetwear revival. Prime example include Exit Left Apparel (a UK based label that collaborates with a variety of artists met through Twitter) and In Real Life London (IRL)- a label at the forefront of what is being coined as the "new DIY".

Images courtesy of Exit Left Apparel and In Real Life London

In Print: Cereal Magazine

2013-05-06 00:00:00

Amongst the magazine rack, Cereal sits quietly subdued, unpretentiously sure of its clean, minimal design that filters conscientiously across the pages of this UK-based food and travel quarterly.

Combining factual, educational explorations of humble ingredients such as the long pepper, to poetically descriptive journeys detailing the Pembrokeshire Coast, Cereal is a well-edited, balanced publication that divides by chapters and even includes bibliographies to allow readers to self-direct their learning even further.

All images courtesy of Cereal

Rio de Janeiro SS13/14

2013-05-03 00:00:00

Take a look at our favourite looks from Rio fashion week SS13/14 featuring designers such as 2nd Floor, Auslander and Coca Cola Clothing. Perfect inspiration if it's getting warmer where you are.

Images courtesy of WWD and Fashion Forward

Flight Facilities Documents Music Culture

2013-05-02 00:00:00

Flight Facilities, the Australian DJ duo who frequent uber-cool clubs around the world, have just released their fourth Decade’s Mix-tape on Soundcloud, ready for us to download, soak-in, and dance. The hour-long compilation of tracks from 2002-2012 is the final instalment of mix tapes created for the radio station, Triple J that were played in October, but have been gradually released online over the past 2 months. Each compilation wasn’t a light task, as Flight Facilities took it upon themselves to produce an accurate chronology of the music industry accompanied by the biggest events that happened in the western world in the last 40 years. Uniquely informative and brilliantly mixed, these tapes are sure to be on your ‘most played’ if you know what’s good for you. Listen here

Image courtesy of Flight Facilities

SJW

2013-05-01 00:00:00

While Daft Punk have been topping the charts, Hedi Slimane has continued photographing music icons for Saint Laurent, adding Daft Punk to the list. A preview music video for their hit Get Lucky has been released (watch it below), and of course they're all wearing Saint Laurent. The futuristic mood of the clip is very Mode Transformation, one of our menswear trends predicted for SS14. For more information on our trends for the season, click here.

Images courtesy of Saint Laurent

Video courtesy of 14Kriley

Vogue Fashion Festival: London

2013-04-30 00:00:00

It was fashion busy in London this weekend with the Vogue fashion festival that just passed. The festival celebrates fashion with a jam-packed series of talks by notable people in the industry the public can buy tickets for. And what a stellar lineup they had: Vivienne Westwood, Donatella Versace, Anna Dello Russo, Christopher Kane, Mario Testino, Victoria Beckham… the list goes on. There was also hair and make-up bars, a Vogue café and a stall to get your very own Vogue cover taken. Kudos to Vogue UK for putting on such a great event. Watch the highlights below, and click here for a detailed breakdown of events.

Videos & images courtesy of Vogue UK

Lacroix for Schiaparelli Couture

2013-04-29 00:00:00

Last week, Christian Lacroix was announced to be designing a couture collection for Schiaparelli that will be presented in July at the Paris couture collections. Since his own iconic label went into administration in 2009, the famed designer has been designing interior spaces and costumes, particularly for l'Opéra de Paris. Now Lacroix is planning on capturing the Mediterranean essence that characterized the work of Schiaparelli with fifteen reinterpretations of Elsa Schiaparelli’s iconic designs, creating perhaps one of the most widely anticipated comebacks in the industry.

Images courtesy of Lexpress and Style

SJW

Bound Body Armor

2013-04-26 00:00:00

Accessories designer Una Burke is not your typical “girly girl”. The country born designer creates hand crafted leather body armor and accessories out of her London studio, which blur the boundaries between movement and restriction. Filmmaker Marie Schuller collaborated with Burke to create a mesmerizing film, which showcases just that. The film “Bound” exhibits Bourke’s intricate armor-like leather creations transformed into life-size puppets that dance and writhe eerily in front of its audience.

DC

The Shoemaker

2013-04-25 00:00:00

You've got to watch this quaint short doco directed by Dustin Cohen callled The Shoemaker. Get a glimpse into 91 year old Frank Catalfumo's simple life as a shoemarker and repairer from Brooklyn, New York. Proof that your passion can really help you live a long happy life!

Video courtesy of Dustin Cohen

Swinton Is Stranger Than Paradise

2013-04-24 00:00:00

Actress Tilda Swinton stars in W magazine's fashion editorial Stranger Than Paradise, photographed by Tim Walker. Dark, romantic fantasy is Walker's trademark style, and Swinton successfully plays the part.

Images courtesy of Fashion Conscious

SCOUTLook #19

2013-04-24 00:00:00

In this issue of SCOUTLook we feature NYC - the retail, street style, the El Anatsuiexhibition at Brooklyn museum, and Chelsea food markets. There's a city guide to Copenhagen, as well as secret shopping spots in Tokyo. Our head SCOUT Tony Bannister has Colombo fashion week on his radar, and our Sydney SCOUT's hit the streets of MBFWA We give you a sample of our Women's runway report AW13/14, report on the Haute Couture exhibition in Paris, and talk about our favourite designs shortlisted for the Design of the Year Awards 2013. Our regular pages - material culture, audio manifesto, and Mr + Mrs Smith's hotel reviews are all there too. Click here for more information on how to buy or subscribe.