Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Raiding the Closet


Ladies, the economy may be putting pressure on your pocketbooks, but the fashion world seems to have taken note, and it’s accommodating accordingly. If you’re craving a new addition to your summer or early fall wardrobe, you needn’t drop any more of your hard-earned money on a new purchase. Instead, look no farther than your boyfriend/husband/brother’s closet. Labels have been weaving an increasing number of menswear-inspired pieces into their lines for the past few seasons, but it seems that the popularity of the androgynous dress code is at an all-time high. Dressing like a dude really took off this past winter/spring when blazers began popping up on females everywhere; now that summer has rolled around, ladies can be seen sporting baggy boyfriend jeans rolled up at the hems or the classic men’s button down shirt (never at the same time, though!) As fall fashions begin to dominate the scene, it seems that this trend won’t end anytime soon: menswear-inspired footwear has finally taken a firm hold, and labels are delivering their own version of the brogue to consumers. It’s tough to say how many more articles of clothing ladies will be able to steal from the men (and successfully pull it off), but here’s to hoping it doesn’t create too much trouble on the homefront.


From Gossip Royalty to Music Video Bad Girl


You may all know Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf, the diabolical ice queen from the CW’s hit show Gossip Girl. Now this on screen vixen has taken over the radio airwaves in the new Cobra Starship single “Good Girls Go Bad.” We at BE Style were pleased to find Meester has another great talent! Directed by Kai Regan and shot in New York City, Leighton Meester looks absolutely stunning in the video and we cannot wait to hear her next hit. This star will also be hitting the big screen in the new thriller “The Roommate” coming out in 2010. From tv, to radio and the big screen we are looking forward to seeing all she has to offer! Whether she’s a good girl or a Gossip Girl, we are sure you won’t be disappointed.
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Monday, July 27, 2009

Ghana: Faces Under the Sun



For this week’s PhotoStyle, we decided to feature photographer Toby Caughron’s latest project, “Ghana: Faces Under the Sun.” The LA native’s first full color coffee table book release is a labor of love; “Ghana” documents Caughron’s travels in Ghana’s communities, detailing the unmistakable spirit of Ghanaians amidst hardship and limited resources. “Ghana: Faces Under The Sun” is now available at Blurb.com and all book proceeds will be donated to the United Charities Endowment Fund of America, an organization that works bring clean water to the rural villages of Ghana.


Traveling to Ghana was a life changing experience for me. As a photographer, it was both a challenging assignment and a dream come true. The people I met along my journey were gracious, kind and warm hearted. Even in the face of scorching heat, lack of clean water, malnutrition and disease, Ghanaians have a spirit and joy that is unlike anywhere I have been in the world.


My original intention was to shoot both color and black and white images on our trip but after a few days of shooting I decided that only color could capture the vivid essence and beauty of Ghana. The country radiates with color from its lush landscapes and vibrant painted walls to its rich tradition of printed textiles.


This collection of photos represents the course of my trip from the capitol of accra to the northern region of Sunyani to Cape Coast



For more information regarding Toby Caughron, please visit www.tobycphoto.com or follow him on Twitter: www.twitter.com/tobycphoto.

The Future's Looking Bright






Bright colors are making a splash all over the runways and high end department store lineups. The fall collections featured an array of great bold colors, notably rich pinks, reds, purples, oranges and golds. These unexpected colors graced the shows of Michael Kors, Derek Lam, and Versace, leaving all fashionistas vying for more. This season is incredibly exciting so get ready to spice up your wardrobe with these bold colors. With fall’s anything-but-drab collections, there is something for everyone this season. Mixing brights together is also a fashion “do” for fall, so don’t be afraid to try all the brilliant colors and make them your own!


Derek Lam Michael Kors

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Is Eminem Obsessed?

One of my summer obsessions is all the fresh music hitting the radio. One song in particular won’t seem to leave my head! Mariah Carey’s new song, “Obsessed,” is a fiery song that really caught me off guard the first time I heard it. The beginning starts off with a catchy beat leading into lyrics that are piercing and will melt any man’s heart. Man hating songs seem to keep coming out, and “Obsessed,” is no exception, while still refreshing with its smart and unexpected lyrics. The song is about some crazy, love-stricken stalker that is infatuated with Mariah. With lyrics like, “Got you all fired up with your Napoleon complex, seeing right through you like you’re bathing in Windex,” might just be directed at another very popular artist. Eminem is rumored to be this mystery man that Mariah Carey based her vengeful song after his bitter release of “Bagpipes from Baghdad.” Although Eminem is not known to have a goatee, the video did depict many of his signature mannerisms and qualities. Watching the music video may have made it a little more apparent although the director of the video, Brett Ratner, insists that as far as he knows, the song is not about Eminem. Either way this song is super hot and worth a listen. Take a look at the video below and judge for yourself, but viewer beware, being obsessed with Mariah may have its repercussions!



Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Chalk-a-Holic!







These are, believe it or not, sidewalk chalk drawings by the brilliant English artist, Julian Beever. Notice the edges of the bricks and tiles - every one of these images is flat, drawn by hand on concrete. I'm going to go out on a limb and chalk this one up as the coolest thing i've seen today!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Gilded Clunkers – A Footwear Do or Don’t?





Dr. Martens have revived its classic boot for today’s fashion forward crowd. Hipster model Agyness Deyn has been spotted in these gilded clunkers, but can the everyday fashionista pull them off? We won’t be wearing them in the office any time soon, but we can’t deny these flashy Dr. Martens have left our footwear collections itching for a makeover.

Monday, July 20, 2009

WHY POLAROIDS KICK ASS

Photographer Lexie Gehrke gives us a bit of insight into her world of Polaroid photography:

Why Polaroids Kick Ass, by Lexie Gherke
people often question why not just get a digital camera and photoshop and call it a day like everyone else? well that’s just the answer right there in the question, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. Polaroids capture a true moment. how much or how little you got in the image is not changeable with a good crop. It takes raw talent. It takes thinking in the moment, manipulating the lighting, it captures the excitement of not knowing how your picture will turn out, its the temperamental film that can malfunction and make a picture great or just ruin it. Polaroid photography is not just a hobby for me it’s a passion. it’s an old media, recreated and made new. its different than everything else on the low brow art scene. it’s a hassle and worth every minute of it. its rare. its familiar. its innovative for 2009. it takes effort on the spot. it shows raw talent. With Polaroid photography there is no re do. no retouching. no photoshop just you and the camera. It’s awesome. That is why I don't just buy a digital camera and a good edition of photoshop. Lots of photographers make me question is the photograph good, or are they just really good with photoshop?


(click any photo above to see the full size image)
For more (and I know you want to see more) visit http://www.lexiegehrke.com

Friday, July 17, 2009

FilmStyle






by Michelle Hanna
Being the first romantic comedy I have ever seen in theaters, I am happy to say that (500) Days of Summer did not disappoint. I rarely go to the movies as it is, and when I do, the last thing I want to see is some sugar coated, fantasy take on romance. I think (500) Days is something everyone can relate to and enjoy simultaneously. Besides, I felt reassured when the narrator boldly stated during the first few minutes, “This is not a love story.” Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gorden-Levitt bring a new twist to the “boy meets girl” fairytale with their fluid chemistry on screen. The film takes a different angle conveys ups and downs of relationships not normally portrayed in the mundane, tasteless films of today. From exploring the beauty of love to the paralyzing depression of heartbreak, 500 days offers truth in a raw, edgy approach. This flick is guaranteed to have moviegoers falling in love with Summer! Check out the movie preview below!

FilmStyle






Columbia Pict
ures presents “The Ugly Truth,” a romantic comedy featuring Abby Richter (Katherine Heigl) a morning producer who continues on her quest to find the perfect man but is still hopelessly single, while Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler) a chauvinistic TV personality spills the UGLY TRUTH on what men and women really want. This odd pair just might learn something of the opposite sex from each other. Although this may seem like the usual “chick flick,” this film gives a whole new meaning to the word romance. It is a different spin on “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.” This will be a blast to watch, since we usually laugh at those things we know to be fact but don’t openly accept!

Hearing a bit of truth about men and women will be very refreshing, even if it is the UGLY truth! Watch in theaters this 24th of July—we can all use a little true romance in life! Check it: