The Brilliance!

Ben filled me in a few weeks back that the new i-D magazine was coming out soon and it was going to be adorned with KAWS’ work inside and out. We’ve all long been admirers of KAWS here at THE BRILLIANCE so its always great to see new work from him, let alone a video interview that really gives some cool insight into the artist’s process and mind. Considering interviews with him in general are few and far between, it was definitely a nice treat to see this one today. As an artist myself, I enjoy hearing how other creative people actually make their work. He goes into some detail about printing PDF’s off, putting them on the lightbox, drawing overtop of them, scanning them back in, and so on. It’s not the most interesting part of the video but it’s just fun to see and hear about nonetheless. I speak for myself, Ben, and Virgil when I say we love behind-the-scenes looks at how talented people do their thing so with the new issue of i-D coming out, this is a great little “companion’ (get it? eh…) video for some added perspective. I’ve often wondered about his whole approach to his work - he’s taken on so many different kinds of art over the years: graffiti, products, fine art, editorial, etc. So it was really refreshing to hear him talk about this in the video. He basically said forget worrying about who is down with this and who doesnt like that and so on, he’s just doing what he enjoys and is going to be successful at it. And of course the little peeks at his studio are interesting as well. Anyways - check out the new issue of i-D for more of KAWS work and check the video interview with him in the link below…

Crazy. The architecture…the lifestyle…top notch. Fashion week just wrapped up and only two words can describe the experience…too-inspirational. The lady and I hit Raf Simons Saturday and I tagged along yesterday with the fashion team on Sunday which seemed be the main events of the week. In the morning Lanvin, (proving they still hold the title as my favorite house) The Sartorialist told me afterwards this what a long fashion week needed. In the afternoon the almighty Dior Homme, which in my book is a sign the the fashion press and new Dior Denim lovers have sold Kris Van Assche short . You know I was snapping pictures the whole time just to remember the experience…only stopping myself because I was like, snap I gotta act like I belong here, HA. Kinda hard with when your watching Karl Lagerfield & Bernard Arnault (LV!) across the way sitting behind So-Me and Justice knodding to their tune they orchreasted for the Dior show. Riding around Paris at night blasting Justice was worth the trip alone…Paris is an amazing city…the shops were cool, still too expensive but that didn’t stop me from getting a custom order in at Goyard hours before I bounced. (full-on post to come) The nightlife was as fresh, great dinners all over the city. At Le Baron ran into Aron. Caught a Kenna live show. What else could I ask for? Nothing.

I guess this was a TV series first. But man oh man, I loved this DVD/series. It’s a travel documentary of Ewan McGregor and his best friend Charley Boorman traveling around the world, literally, via motor cycle, or their case ‘motorbikes’. 20,000 miles in 115 days in some of the most intense terrain ever. They didn’t keep it cushy just doing paved roads in populated areas, etc, they really went for it doing eastern most of Europe first, then right into Russia, then Kazakhstan, then Mongolia, then back into Russia…then they flew over to Alaska, down through Canada, then finally the US, all the way to NYC. In fact, they even hit Naperville outside of Chicago on the way…ha. Honestly, about half the movie, if not more, was then handling Russia and Mongolia…just amazing, amazing landscapes. Really. The immensity of Russia is almost impossible to wrap your head around…so unbelievably large. But yeah, their adventure was just a blast to watch…their friendship, the people they met, the experiences, challenges, etc…super entertaining. Oddly enough, I was watching it this past weekend at my office while I was doing some loose planning for a trip of my own…helped me get into that mindset! So yeah, grab the 2 DVD series off NetFlix or whatever you use. I promise it’s worth it. Thanks to Nicolai and Laura for the recommendation.

Yeah, pretty much had to post this one up. Radiohead, to me at least, seems to exist in this world of perpetual creativity. While they did get pitched this idea - they didn’t come up with it on they’re own - its just so ‘Radiohead’ that it almost couldn’t work/exist with any other band. A little match made in conceptual-laser-use-heaven. Ha? Yeah, not too much to say on this except its a really eerily beautiful match to the song and just fun to watch. A music video made without cameras…just laser sensors. Also, check out the making of it here.

(***Updated, again, I’m hearing conflicting reports on the name of this song!) Massive? Thats what they call it right? I really can’t think of any better way to describe this track beside that…massive. It vibrates my brain (ha, image??) Now, quick disclaimer, I might have the name of this song wrong. It’s called ‘Judgement’. I’m really not sure of the name of this track, keep hearing different stuff…anyway. I heard it first off Sinden’s show, which I get via the Mad Decent blog. Check the link below for the actual mp3 from the show…the song I’m referencing is the first track. This is going to be a short post cause…I don’t really have anything else ot say except for check out the track…and more important, hook me up if you have the full version!! I need the 320kbps version…bad. And that’s my post…I’m loving this Dub Step stuff right now.

Whatever, whatever, wayfarer will always be important after the current resurgence dies. Classic shape for a reason. In comes these bad boys. This hunt reminded me of the days before the internet when you only had a phone book and style numbers. I went to work and scored when my local Chanel store pulled up these in the system straight from the Wynn in Vegas. Kinda limited, very fresh. They said there were lilac, I’d say they were super magenta. The multicolor side logo! This is Chanel, masters of granny luxury and they put these out?! These shades were made for the kids into young lux. I am all in.

I was never too into candles…no particular reason, just never really got into it. But, as I’ve stated before, I am a bit of a sucker for my favorite brands, and Malin+Goetz is certainly a favorite of mine. So I got up-sold a $40+ dollar M+G candle when I was last at my local spot Lamb on Cherry St. - only spot in GR to get M+G skin care stuff. Weird, cause I rarely fall for the old ‘oh, you should try this stuff from them as well’ pitch. I’m glad I did… I grabbed the cannabis flavored/scented one - good choice. Despite the naming, it doesn’t smell like a all-ages Styles P concert. It’s actually has a super rich but still soft smell to it…quite nice. Or as they say: ‘Top notes of Figs and Pepper; middle notes of Orange and Lemon; base notes of Sandlewood and Patchouli.’ It complements the aesthetic of my loft quite well. Was that last part corny?? Anyway, I’m a fan.

There is a heatwave going on and I could go for a real one right now but I am posting these plastic keychains on the Ice Cream Site. I love trinkets and you can count on me to buy these sorts of random products all the time. These totally turn a boring set of keys into a conversation piece. Keychains are funny…who actually sets out to find a new keychain?? They are just one of those things you see in the checkout line or something. But they are like a persons shoes…they speaks volumes of a persons style. Random post I know…Viva La Brilliance!

I’m not sure why, but a few years ago I bought a little Sudoku puzzle book at an airport, probably to try something new to kill time. I epically failed and gave up that first day. I did however keep the book and it’s collected dust ever since. That was until a few weeks ago when I was on a plane with my younger brother and we busted out the in-flight magazine, flipped to the back, and found the puzzle pages. Apparently, and I didn’t know this, he’s been doing Sudokus like mad for the last year. Needless to say, it was a little embarrassing when he finished the ‘warm-up’ puzzle in about 6 minutes and I’d only filled in about 4 numbers and was ready to roll up 2 copies of SkyMall to jam in my eyeballs. Having your 19 year old brother be taller and much better dressed than you is one thing. Having him insult your intelligence by using basic number logic to fill in empty squares on a Sudoku warmup puzzle is entirely another. So I get back from my vacation and what do I do? Of course, I dust off the old Sudoku puzzle book and while I’m at it try to dust off my brain, apparently. So after forcing myself to figure out the different methods and techniques over this past week, I’ve officially become obsessed and actually quite decent at them. Much in the same way I have an obsession with Scrabble and at times can’t help but look at words in every day life and rearrange them…I’m now thinking in terms of rows of numbers. It’s odd, but it kind of feels good to use a part of the brain that hasn’t seen the light of day, maybe ever. So here’s to you, Sudoku puzzle book. Next time I’m with my brother he’ll never know what hit him.

Wow. What a brilliant line and brand…and what a full line! I literally just found this label off Selectism (one of my absolute favorite new blogs!!) and I’m half wondering how I’ve never heard of this ;Fifth Ave Shoe Repair’ and half just amazed at how I like pretty much every single piece in their fall 08 collection. I’m heavy into simple, classic, ‘own-for-a-lifetime’ fashion and this stuff is just so perfectly classic and understated with some really, really intense focus on the details. Perhaps thats their Swedish heritage at work. And what about their name?? I love it…little bit of mystery with it. Really love their site too. I can’t really think of anything else to say except ‘wow’. My new favorite: Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair. So…anyone know the best place to get this stuff state side??