Sunday, March 21, 2010

AFI & The Loved Ones

So...I'm crazy when it comes to shows as of recent. Late last year, we traveled to Canada - but hell, that was probably Boys Night Out's last show ever and they played their first two albums in full.

Oh and what was that we did with going to Iceland for a music festival?

So driving to North Carolina didn't seem too out of the question when AFI and The Loved Ones were on the bill. I wish it had been another festival type thing, but alas it was just one of their tour stops.

We drove through the night and wihtout realizing, avoided all the horrors that went on with the storm that hit North Jersey that weekend...where we all live.

With little sleep, we woke up to get ready for the concert - I went early with my friend who is part of the AFI fan group, so she got to go in early. All would have been good except...The Fillmore in North Carolina is like a mile from the main city and you don't want to walk that mile by yourself and then it started to POUR!

But even with the bad weather, chilly winds...the stupid venue wouldn't let the fan club people in early early - jerks. I hopped off the line to stand against a building, but the poor people on line got drenched and probably chilled to the bone.

So after a quick run for food with other friends who arrived later...we returned!



Scarlet Grey opened and from what I heard online, they were good and my other friend said their set was awesome! But of course, I missed them.



I ADORE The Loved Ones. The sound was great in the venue and made them sound just that much better. They played all the fan favorites, mine being "100K" and then ending on "Louisiana."

Their bassist wasn't on tour with them, so they brought along a member of Paint It Black (I foget his name). The only complaint was that it seemed singer Dave Hause forgot some of the lyrics at times.



AFI became a band near and dear to me over a short period of time. While I'm more a fan of their early work, I now get to see them as a group of polished, talented & older musicians with a lead singer that I feel is the goth/punk Madonna.

They seemed a little out of it, my friend saying it was because they just got back from Australia (which I think was a week prior, but jet lag might take some time). They had done the Soundwave Festival and holy cow I wish I had been there.

They played a lot from the new album, Crashlove, and Sing the Sorrow. The most entertaining part of the evening - watching singer Davey Havok pole dance with his mic stand and basically dance around like he was in Madonna's "Vogue" video.

Well worth the trip and I'm never disappointed with any show by AFI or The Loved Ones, so to see them together...

Plus it was a kickass bonding time with friends - hell, bonding is going to happen one way or another when you're in the car together for almost 24 hours in one weekend.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Jeans Jeans Jeans...

Isles & Glaciers EP tomorrow!!! I mean, already have listened to it, but I need to own it as well.

Anne Demuelemeester & Gareth Pugh...MY LORD! They took my breath away with their Fall/Winter 2010 collections. I will be posting some pictures later.

Went shopping today and while I'm the punk rock/goth chick picking up Dereon, Rocawear and Pepe Jeans, I finally figured out why the 'hip hop' jean lines are the ones that fit me the best.

They are usually cut with a wider waistband and hip while also keeping the leg width smaller. Other brands keep the leg width and waist proportionate, so when I need the 30/31 waist, the leg is huge. Not with these brands - Pepe Jeans is my favorite.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Johnny Depp...You Wear it Well

I think my interest in designing men's clothing is rooted in my desire to see men dressed in period pieces of the Victorian time through the 50s. So, I feel I'm not really designing pieces that are fashion forward, but more so costumes.

This may also be another reason why I like the goth and rockabilly sub-cultures too, because many pieces of clothing that find themselves in the wardrobes of these groups resemble some styles of these times.

Here's another funny thing - I hate the hipster trend with a passion, but thanks in part to it, men and even younger dudes have been adopting a new way of dressing. Slacks, button down shirt and a vest...I'm in love. Though instead of new and crisp, they take from thrift shops or granddad's closet.

Beggars can't be choosers.

So I'm sitting here, watching Sleepy Hollow, and loving it - Johnny Depp and Tim Burton are the PERFECT team EVER.

Let's also not forget the most important person in creating this look I dream about, who I'm sure gets overlooked and that I only became aware of her immense talent and desire to have even half of her talent (and maybe a career as she does too). She is Colleen Atwood, costume designer.

So let's begin! I'm on Sleepy Hollow now...

You forget sometimes how attractive Johnny is (damn you Vanessa Paradis! haha) when we're so use to him being in total character or doing press with facial hair and glasses and a hat. But yea, he's gorgeous.

His outfit really showed how slim he was and played up the feminine side a bit as per the character. Always love an ascot and a little frilly at the cuffs. And Christina Ricci is awesome.




I guess you can move over to From Hell...time of Jack the Ripper. Nice suit and jacket, nothing too detailed, but nice. There's a picture of him and Marilyn Manson from the premiere, which is funny to see the two together.




Sweeney Todd is just poetry with the costume design. I love the jackets and details - almost his everday wear was that of a butcher's. The vest over slightly puffy shirt and then tailored slacks. I also loved the beach attire.







Charlie and the Chocolate Factory doesn't really have a time period, right I think it was a fantasy time?, but is like Sweeney Todd in its pieces. Funny how the weighty fabrics makes him less of a chocolate maker and more a statue.




I haven't seen Public Enemies yet (I know! I'm bad), but we get into that ganster/mob look in the 20's/30's. Still put together, but modernism sneaking in.




Ending on my favorite movie (mainly b/c his girlfriend in it has my name) is Cry Baby. 50's greaser. Love.




Funny too, because Rebel Without A Cause was on last night and watching that was heaven with James Dean's iconic look.




and holy cow! Johnny Depp heaven...http://www.deppimpact.com/