How to be a Princess of Gotham

I feel like there are too many terms being thrown around right now. Industrial. Dark. Macabre. "Emo," for the undereducated. But the overarching theme this autumn has been unabashedly and undeniably

GOTHIC. 

Now would be a good time to distinguish the difference between "gothic" and "goth." Gothic is a bit more grown up in itself. It's as though someone going through their goth phase decided to never leave, and grow with it rather than abandon the darker designs for something more refined and...let's face it, common. There's a slight bit of punk-inspired edge, all of it lacking in the traditionally torn and frayed, replaced now with an elegant twist of soft fabrics and colors (such as the ever popular cotton candy hair), and mingled with the likes of spikes. 

Personally, I love this reinvention. It gives me happy feelings to see designers taking a twist on something both outdated and disliked at this point, reviving it to a new stature. Our shitty youth is back, but it's not shitty anymore. It's...really really beautiful! Not found at Hot Topic, but instead made custom and not entirely cheap either, more for the fashion-minded art collector rather than the pissy punk youth of yesterday. To say that to be "goth" or "punk" wasn't a style trend is a lie that most people have left to the past. 

I think now more than ever, fashion is willing to humble itself to its founders, even when they didn't know who they were or what they were even doing by wearing such intentionally ugly and abrasive adornments. They were simultaneously angering their parents and teachers, while inspiring their own future children. The great circle of style! Gotta love that. 

With a hint of Harajuku, acting wildly over the top at times with pieces such as Jeffery Campbell boots, or the new Doc Marten's, either delicately camouflaged with studs or painted a easter-egg pastel, all come together marvelously with a touch of death on the lips and nails. The contrast is way too fun to not try, especially as the clouds come in darker while the seasons change. 

Colors such as Oxblood, Grey Lilac, and Rose Smoke are becoming a hot commodity. Not a bad thing to have when it's so chilly out...see what I did there. 

A few items that I am really in love with at the moment are: 

• All things Jeffery. Campbell, that is. His boots and flats are knocking my socks off, either spiked, wooden-heeled, or no-heeled. 

• La Moss, by Butter LONDON nail polish. Their polishes contain zero formaldehyde, toluene or DBP, and are actually long-lasting. Oh yeah, and stellar colors. 

•  Long-back button ups, which offer even more extension when wearing those insane boots I mentioned.

• Pretty much everything that Valentino is up to for the autumn/winter collection: flowing and feminine, bruised with rich, darker shades.

• Oxblood lips paired with minimal facial makeup- I know it's impossible to say no to longer lashes, but try clear mascara with this. 

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Photo Series by Guillaume Herbaut: Welcome to Asgarda.

Sexual trafficking and gender oppression is nothing new to Ukraine. What is fairly recent is the push from women to end it and fight back. 

Residing in the Carpathian Mountains, there is a new tribe of women living as examples for each other and for women all around the world, ranging in age but mostly made up of students. They call themselves The Women of Asgarda. There are about 150 of them, all led by a 30 year old Ukrainian named Katerina Tarnouska, unapologetically beautiful and strong (as seen above). When viewing their tactics, it is clear that the Asgarda women have several focuses. 

The Scythians, known as a mythological people of tribal descent from Ancient Greece, is a main focus in their weaponry and combat techniques. Volodymyr Stepanovytch has also left his mark on these women as a Soviet karate master. They study his teachings and perfect themselves based on his methodology, also focusing closely on science-studies in order to continue their own individual education and better their knowledge.

Very little had been known of the tribe until 2004, when French photographer Guillaume Herbaut had the chance to view and document them in action in the midst of the Orange Revolution, a time in which more than ever, corruption and Ukrainian government were seen as one in the same. This is where the tribes near-worship of Yulia Tymoshenko, key figure and co-leader within the Orange Revolution (so named after Viktor Yushchenko's campaign color) came from. The election that took place could be compared to the Bush Vs. Gore situation, and caused an outcry from the public, backed by people such as Tymoshenko. 

She was and is a public figure within the  All-Ukrainian Union Fatherland party, willing to speak out about humanitarian issues and fight against them. The focus of the Fatherland party (not to be confused with the German Fatherland Party) is to convey the "tradition, the legend, and the uneasiness among women in Ukraine." A pretty straightforward statement that can be clearly linked to what drives the Women of Asgarda directly.

They are described as "devout," and "austere," donning traditional clothing with the new and performing in ritualistic ceremonies in order to band together on a regular basis, resulting in a strong sisterhood, knit as tightly as the braids they wear. 

It feels extreme, but these are very extreme times. 

I for one am not going to take up swordplay or move to the mountains, but I can certainly see what it means to these women and what they could mean to the world, then write about it. It feels similar as Herbaut taking photographs. The old and the new can come together and help one another, promoting new ideas and insights instead of letting them hide away in the mountains unknown. There is a fine line between education and exploitation, and these photographs are clearly meant to educate. I'm fascinated with what they do, and between the action of these women and the photographs taken with grace and respect, I have been inspired and made stronger on several levels. 

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Micklish: Zen and the Art of Wood Working

Curtis Micklish. 

Heard of him? 
Probably not, because he's not exactly looking for an open space at the Guggenheim for his work. He justs wants to make your living room look a little prettier. 

I discovered Micklish while snooping through the endless digital isles of Etsy. What first grabbed my attention was the simple wooden item simply titled, "The Butler." It's compact, aesthetically very pleasing, can be mounted or used as a travel device, and holds everything that should be right next to your door so you don't forget them when you leave: keys, wallet, glasses, phone. This seems to reflect the majority of things made by Micklish; all having a common theme being both beautiful and functional.

  There is a calmness that is worked into his creations. Certainly any work of art will display the disposition of its maker, and this couldn't be seen clearer than in his natural designs, made to effortlessly blend into any surrounding. One lamp, coaster table, or thumb-print stool would look just as elegant in an unfinished brick-walled room as it would standing as a centerpiece to a brightly lit, color-filled space.

   Etsy seems to be a simple outlet for selling his smaller and most popular pieces, though a larger range of items are readily available on his website, ranging from massively crafted rolling dining room tables to small steel hang-man hat hangers.

  Micklish's work is made to not only beautify a room, but provide a calming reminder. Sit. Stay. Enjoy. Relax. All the while, doing so with items that are made to last, not to be used and replaced. The quietness that his work invokes isn't an Ikea item that pretends to say these things. They actually do, and will continue to as long as they are around...which will invariably be a long, long time.

To see more from Micklish, be sure to view his website as well as his Etsy page.
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Pump It Up!

Halloween is my favorite holiday, official or unofficial. I'll probably be heading to the pumpkin patch within the next week to get a few pretty pieces to use as canvases. Though I do love to see the traditionally carved ones with sharp snaggle-teeth and big gaping triangle eyes, this year I'm going to change it up a bit and do something a bit brighter, "vamping" 'em up a little. 

• Tape n' Paint  

If you've got duct tape and a paintbrush, this should be a cinche! Simply cut the tape into angled ribbons, placing them around your pumpkin in upwards and downwards positions, connected at the top and bottom. Paint between them and voila! A quick and easy design. Multiple colors and variations of width, combined with different sizes of pumpkins looks great. Mismatch with a common theme for a stylized appearance.

• Mesh Carving

This takes a bit more dexterity, but is still remarkably simple to accomplish. To get this design without any issues towards the end, I recommend making a stencil of a diamond (or whichever shape you'd like) on envelope paper or cardboard and drawing each one around with pencil before it goes under the knife. Once they are all even (not hard to do if the outside of the stencil isn't overlapping on itself when drawn in), take a small serrated knife and go to town! This is a simple design and looks very elegant, either in the day or at night when lit.

• Super Duper On-The-Go Mummy Pumps 

Have you got a party to go to, or are you moments away from people coming to yours? If you need a quick and cute idea for pumpkin decor, this is a sure-fire winner. Grab an old t-shirt (don't do the toilet paper thing, unless you want a naked pumpkin by the time the party starts), ideally a white button-up, t-shirt or tank top, cut it into thick ribbons and wrap. Anything from 80s shades, old prescriptions, to 3D glasses would look fun on these guys. Add an old fedora if you have one for that classic Invisible Man look.

• Paint & Carve

This is a brilliant way to showcase the exterior while combining with the bright orange that's naturally provided through the inside of the pumpkin. To make this work really well, you will ideally be looking at larger designs such as hearts, or large chunky triangles, if you're wanting something simple. If you're ready to take a plunge into a real project, try this with the mesh carving, or any other design with larger openings. Any color clashes well with the vibrancy of orange, even a different shade of orange! I recommend painting in acrylic for quick and even drying, as well as a matte finish.

• Tiny Tealight Pumps 

These guys are adorable to have on the dinner table, or to highlight any space of a room to prep for a festive occasion. These are also awesome for not only Halloween, but any Thanksgiving party or dinner. They can also be used as placemarkers too by simply writing or painting a persons name on the front, or by placing the name on a small piece of paper, leaning against the front.

• Hole-y Rollers 

These are also deviously simple to make. If you are using a small knife, you can make holes by simply stabbing into your pumpkin and spinning your knife around until a perfect hole is carved. Different sizes can be made using different widths of knives. For very tiny ones, you can use a push-pin to start it, then a simple skewer to push the rest of the way through. Rotating it around once it's in will ensure a big enough hole to allow light through, but will still appear very small when illuminated. Draw your pattern on in pencil first, then pick your sizes of knives. Dashes or slits are also an option and can be done using a knife too. Slide the knife in where you want your dash mark, then gentle wiggle it back and forth.

Hooray!! So you've perhaps carved a pumpkin, and now you've got a counter full of sloppy orange pumpkin guts. Watcha gonna do with all that mess??

• Make a pie (see video here)
• Roast your pumpkin seeds
• Make pumpkin soup
• Cook a healthy pumpkin ravioli
• Raw pumpkin chia nog 
• Make pumpkin bread

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Scary Good: The Unbeatable Beats of TROUBLE LIGHTS

Adrien Daller, First Lady of the duo TROUBLE LIGHTS, is really really excited right now. Why, you ask? Because she's getting a ton of shit done. With their debut album The Endless Prom just hitting the digital (and actual) shelves, they've been setting the midwest on fire, and that fire is quickly spreading. Let's get burned, y'all!

When asked, "Who is TROUBLE LIGHTS?" You would get two names: Adrien Daller and Philip Rabalalais, both of whom have been making music individually for quite a long time. Being a classically trained singer and performer, Adrien has taken a recent turn to the dance floor, clearly a second home she was meant to discover, if not a forgotten first. Philip has been involved with other midwest-based music projects (Porno Galactica, Animal, and Utopia Park to name a few), and now is the music man of TROUBLE LIGHTS. As Ms. Daller puts it,  

"We don't want to lose sight of the fact that I'm a little girl who loves to play dress up, and he's a geeky guy who loves computers." 

This is a fairly straightforward answer, but branching out a bit into the midwest music scene which they consider their community, you would soon discover that to them, this may be their own music project, but without the support of others they wouldn't exist. Combining forces with the likes of Leslie Hall of Leslie and the Lies, Mumford's, Surgery, Little Ruckus (the alter-ego of Philip Rabalais' brother Dom Rabalais) and Christopher the Conquered to name a few, they hang out under the cozy umbrella of the Maximum Ames record label and the community around it, creating what it is, while simultaneously shifting its form at will.

"There's a really awesome trend going on right now, not only in Iowa, of supporting your local community, and that being cool again," Daller says. This is the second answer to "Who is TROUBLE LIGHTS?" On the one hand, you've got two insanely talented and driven people. On the other, you've got them mixed into a handful of other bands and artists, all who are completely stoked to contribute to one another musically, or with their talent in filmmaking, photography, fashion design, stagework, makeup...the list goes on as they write it. "I like making music because I like collaborating. I don't want to just do this by myself, I want to be surrounded by amazing people," Adrien says. 

Inspired by a number of bands out of Sweden, Denmark and elsewhere such as iamamiwhoami, Robyn, Bjork, "the birthmother of this style," and other "art bands," where music is the seed of what they deliver, but not even close to what they represent. There are also storylines and elaborate costume designs, beautifully filmed and edited videos and kick-ass personal style all tied within who they are as musicians, performers, and individuals. 

There is a simultaneous expression of darkness and light, both stylistically and emotionally within the music of TROUBLE LIGHTS. The album is wholly focused on heartbreak, with the encouragement of dancing your way through it, so to speak. There are also songs that are simply sweet, others fiercely driven by sexuality. The joyful melancholy is gorgeous enough, but paired with the androgynous attitude and style of the duo, the level of sexy goes up exponentially and mirrors the genius of the tracks themselves. 

The vinyl of The Endless Prom is available on the Maximum Ames Records website, and if you order that ASAP, you'll be gifted a free fashion magazine made by TROUBLE LIGHTS themselves. The photos are looped with quotes from Adrien and Philip's old journals and diaries and as she puts it, "it is so brutal." This was enough to get me to order mine. Guys. I'm so down with this album. 

For more info on other Maximum Ames bands and projects, click here.
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Interview : The Real Ones

Ever wonder why some music gets your attention and some doesn't? Upon hearing the Real Ones for the first time, I knew they were replicating something beautiful in the vein of Americana though simultaneously unamerican in style. Becoming smitten, I decided an interview would have to be conducted in order to find a few more details as to what it was I had fallen in love with. Ivar, guitarist and singer speaks to G/B. 

GRABBAG: Hey there! Who all am I speaking to this fine day?

REAL ONES: This is Ivar. The rest of the guys are sleeping off last nights studio session. 

G/B: And what roles do each of you play in the band? 

RO: We all sing, but the lead vocals are shared between David, Jørgen and I. The three of us also write the songs. Sometimes together and sometimes on our own. Jørgen plays guitar, sitar, banjo and pretty much any instrument with strings. David plays violin and piano/organ/synthesizers. Kåre plays drums, Øystein bass and I play guitars and keyboards.

G/B: How has your style changed since you began in 2003? It was 2003, correct?

RO: We actually started the band in 1994. We were still teenagers back then and our style has changed a lot. We started out as a folk group playing traditionals. When we started writing our own songs the music evolved into what we play today. We are always trying to expand our music, so we hope that we sound very different in another 10 years. On the album we are working on now, we are fascinated by the relationship between acoustic and electronic music. Making use of a lot of synthesizers together with acoustic instruments and making it sound organic and natural. The next album after this one might go in a totally different direction.

G/B: Would you call yourselves a "folk" band? I feel like there's too much grit and at times really excellent danceable beats to be just folk.

RO: In lack of a better description we call our music folk rock. We feel there is a lot of folk left, but we are as much inspired by electronic music, african music, kambodian pop music etc.


G/B: Bergen seems like a very creative locale, with the likes of Kings of Convenience and Sondre Lerche as well as you guys, Real Ones. Do you consider Bergen a music-driven environment?

RO: Bergen is a small town and geographically isolated so if you are into music you know all the other musicians, and people end up playing on each others projects. There is no music industry in Bergen so people are left alone to create their own styles.

G/B: Do you collectively have a favorite album you've made thus far? 

RO: Our favorite is always the last things we have made. I think that is why we keep making more.

G/B: I saw that you went to China and India, what were these places like to perform in? I saw some of the photos and videos, and it seems like you had a chance to really interact with the people there.

RO: India and China where great places to play and far out in very different ways. Playing in China felt like playing as The Beatles in 1964. We played at universities, and for some of the students I think it was their first concert with a western rock band. They went from extremely polite and attentive to totally crazy, screaming as if possessed by the devil at the end of the shows. India is in many ways more relaxed but also totally chaotic. You just have to go with the flow and not get stressed. It was easier to get to know people in India because many speak English well.

G/B: Could you describe a few moments that left an impact?

RO: Playing concerts with the great Indian slide guitar guru Debashish Bhattacharya and his tabla playing brother Subashish was fantastic. We started out playing regular one-hour concerts. At the end of the tour the concerts were more like two to five hours because it was so fun jamming and playing around with the songs.

G/B: Do you ever get comparisons to the Black Keys? If so, how does this resonate?

RO: I have never heard us being compared to them, but people hear different things in our music. Sometimes we get compared to bands that we have never had a relationship to ourselves but that's fine.

G/B: My first comparison wasn't so much in the way you sound, but more in the history. They took a long time to get the attention they deserve. How would you feel being approached commercially? If say 10 car companies and another 10 beer companies all wanted to use your music overnight?

RO: Would we get free beer and cars? I think we could handle that! :-) 

G/B: Where did the album title, "First Night on Earth" come from?

RO: It is from the song "Sister To All" that David wrote for his daughter Ella, about the night she was born. It also represents that we feel the album in many ways was a new start musically for us.

G/B: Can I just say, "Yaya" is such an amazing tune. I also really really love "Every Dog Has Its Day." Where did this song come from? It's playful, but in a slightly bitter way. 

RO: "Every Dog Has Its Day" is a song about luck. Basically dealing with the rather ridiculous idea that good things happen to good people, saying instead that we all should stop thinking we deserve this or that. "Yaya" is a song about subversive activities at work.

G/B: Why do you love Saskatoon? And also, where IS Saskatoon? That songs harmonies give me chills.

RO: David's and my mother are from the lovely city Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It is our second home. We spent a lot of time there when we were young, and the song is about coming back there after many years.

G/B: Norway has a longstanding history with what sounds like American Country Music. Who are your personal influences, either Norwegian, American, or otherwise?

RO: There are lots, but artist like The Band, Bob Dylan and Wilco are great American artists that have inspired us.

G/B: What track would you contribute to GRABBAG's autumn playlist, "Songs for Falling Leaves?" How about one from yourselves, and one from another artist.

RO: Just heard a nice song by Kishi Bashi, "Bright Whites."
Our own: How about "The World Says No," a new one that we co-wrote and performed with Sondre Lerche.

G/B: Sounds lovely. Any chance we can expect to see you here in the US, or will we just have to pack our bags and hitch a ride to Europe?

RO: We really would like to return to the US very soon. You always give us a warm welcome and are an enthusiastic audience. If we get an invite, we'll come!

G/B: I really look forward to the chance of seeing you perform live someday.
Try to stay warm guys, looks like rain for the next week in Bergen! Cheers, and thanks so much for good company over mediocre coffee.

RO: It always rains here in Bergen, so we are used to it. Makes staying inside writing songs easier :-)

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Here are two of my favorites. Enjoy, y'alls!

"Saskatoon"

"Every Dog Has Its Day"

Interview with Stranger of the Week, Brendan Tufts: Androgyny is for Lovers

Brendan Tufts is pretty hard to miss in a crowd. 

 Deliciously fantastic, Brendan speaks to G/B about being a young creative mind armed with keen wit and a sewing machine. Conversing with people like this is what keeps me so aware that the world is indeed headed in amazing places. Ready to be provoked and moved by a complete stranger? Read on! 


GRABBAG:Interview commencing. You ready? 

Brendan Tufts: Born ready. 

G/B: Beautiful. So, let's get through the basics. Born in 1990, that makes you 22, right?

BT: Yes, nearly 22 and a half. 

G/B: That's quite young. Have you always had fashion in your blood?

BT: Most definitely not. 

G/B: When did it come around, and what did it morph from? 

BT: I always kind of appreciated fashion, but i never really considered it to be something i could get into. I ended up going to University of Virginia because I thought i wanted to be a doctor. I ended up taking an intro sewing class because I needed one more (fun) class to fill my schedule, and I absolutely loved it.

G/B: Wow. Well you can still be a doctor! Doctors are allowed to be stylish. Were you more of a ties and polos type back then? 

BT: More of a jean and t-shirts type. 

G/B: That was me as well when I was...what, 19? 

BT: 18. 

G/B: May I ask, are you gay? 

BT: Yes I am, and proud of it. 

G/B: And were you openly so when you were 18? 

BT: In social circles, yes. I came out when I was 17, but not to my family. It was always just a taboo subject.

G/B: And they're still a bit in the dark about it?

BT:  Not anymore. It was definitely brought to light under some unfortunate circumstances.

G/B: You still seem to be a rather jovial person. It's much more comfortable easing into yourself publicly when you have people who support you, so I definitely understand telling friends first. What was it like being young, gay, and remarkably stylish at a school like UVA?

BT: It's a lot of fun. I mean, in general the town is very conservative, but there is a great, really supportive community.

G/B: I believe that once a person becomes comfortable with making themselves known, it inspires others to do the same. Often times really good friends are found that way.

BT: That is very true. There are a lot of really wonderful accepting people. 


G/B: Is Virginia your home? 

BT: I wasn't born in Virginia, but it's where I've lived the longest. I live in NYC now.  

G/B: How do you find the comparison? Do you miss Virginia at all, or do you feel more at home in a city like New York? 

BT: I'm most definitely more at home here, but I do miss the people I left behind in VA. Although, living in a big city is much more anonymous. In Charlottesville, I was practically a celebrity.

G/B: I think you still will be someday, which is why I'm chuffed to be getting the chance to interview you now!

BT: Thank you. *smile*

G/B: Well my darling, what words of wisdom would you like the kids to wake up with today?

BT: People always say, "Be Yourself," but don't just be yourself; be anything and everything you want to be. Don't settle for who you think you already are.

G/B: Damn. I don't think anyone could top that. Thank you for being so incredible. I can't wait to say "I knew him sort of!" someday when you're on the cover of all my favorites.

BT: Hahaha! hopefully that day will come soon. 
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Gangnam Style - The Seoul of Korean Fashion

Ko Tae-yong. Choi Chul-yong. Kang Dong-jun. Choi Bum-suk. Sheen Je-hee. Lee Suk-tae. Lee Seung-hee. Im Seon-oc. Steve J. & Yoni P. Hong Hye-jin. 

Did you get all that? To the simple-syllabic minds of English speaking readers, these names could translate as difficult sounds, but the titles you just attempted to read are the names of Korea's top 10 fashion designers of 2012, chosen by the Metropolitan Government program Seoul's 10 Soul, which kicked off in 2009, now in it's third running year. This initiative offers the chance to debut independent fashion designers and grant them financial support in creating new styles, hoping to reach international attention.

North Korea has projected depictions of extremism and political controversy, casting a thick shadow over South Korea, and any media opportunities towards creative claims and achievements to be celebrated. Through creative outlets, it's really not so hard to see the crossover between one nations artists and designers versus another. The styles themselves are solid and concrete, mimicking the force of manmade structures and architectural feats, paired with the androgynous touch of natural motion. The pieces themselves are almost uniformly soft and dynamic in flow, juxtaposed by neutral and mostly cold colors. Steve J. & Yoni P seem to be an exception to this rule, opting for bright poppy colors, with the capacity to shock while capturing a stylistic grace. 

The goal within the Seoul's 10 Soul initiative is to reach the standards of large name houses such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel by 2020. This will not only generate a new appeal towards Korea, shifting the focus to the more youth-oriented, but also aid in Korean commerce, building revenue in a globally minded arena and bridging the gaps between cultures.

If you happen to be in Paris this month, you'll be just in time to see the debut of the womenswear collection on display at the Seoul's 10 Soul showroom, Acrex. The men's collection, having already run it's course in Paris throughout July, will be in the Milan sister-showroom in October. 

Below are some designs by a few of this years winners:

By Ko Tae-yong

    By Choi Chul-yong

By Sheen Je-hee

By Lee Suk-tae

By Im Seon-oc

By Steve J. & Yoni P

By Hong Hye-jin

For more details, visit the official twitter page of Seouls' 10 Soul. 

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Carl Sagan, Adam Winnik, and a Birthday Party in Space

On the 5th of September, 35 years ago, the Voyager 1 took flight to the skies representing the human hopes of discovery and unveiling of mysteries beyond. 

Voyager 1 could be seen as the ultimate cosmic sound system, carrying with it the Golden Record, a phonographic binary compilation of sounds and images chosen to display what it meant to be human. There is little else more stunning than the notion of sending a mixtape of love songs from one race to a possible variety of others, somewhere out there in the unknown.

Carl Sagan, astrophysicist, author, seeker of truth and all around mind-blower, said of this project,

"The spacecraft will be encountered and the record played only if there are advanced space-faring civilizations in interstellar space. But the launching of this 'bottle' into the cosmic 'ocean' says something very hopeful about life on this planet."

It would be hard to challenge his statement, especially now in 2012, a year when things seem to be changing, and very quickly. It's a bit of a wonder to witness it all, as though suspended in the safe center of a tornado while houses, cows, Toto and the wicked witch all circle around our heads.

This video by Adam Winnik, a Toronto-based artist and visionary, was his graduation thesis project. The words are directly taken from the colorful mind of Carl Sagan himself, drawn from his writing in Pale Blue Dot, and perfectly illuminated by Winnik's fantastic vision. I'll consider it a birthday present to The Voyager 1, and a thank-you for carrying such delicate and valuable material within it, protecting it so diligently.

I think we can all be proud, not only of our cultures and personalities, all of which are worth being very excited about, but even more so to be human. We're all in this together, and it's a very very big cake, so let's all enjoy this birthday party.  Sure it can be a scary place, full of dreaded darknesses, but also brightened with unfaltering beauty. It really is quite the honor being here, and very worth enjoying while we can.

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Fashion Week...The Burning Man Edition!

If you attended this years Burning Man in the ever-wondrous Black Rock City, you'll know that there were plenty of wildly innovative machines, works of art, and interactive architectural structures to marvel at and enjoy. 

You were probably also sure to have noticed the equally impressive styles and clothing creations, probably sporting a few yourself. Don't be bashful. You looked fabulous and it's okay to admit it.

The theme this year was "Fertility 2.0," and the various takes on the word were limitless, from The Temple (2011's depicted above), to hyper-saturated cosmonaut families.

I've actually never been to Burning Man. Originally, I felt it may be somewhat too over the top for the likes of me, but the more I see and hear about it (especially from people who had felt timid, and are now believers after they themselves went), I become all the more convinced that not only do I need to experience this at least once, but I need to invest in a decent camera beforehand too. An attendee named Sascha said of it,

"It was like a cross between Mad Max, Aliens landing, and the Matrix cave orgy rave. It was uncomfortable and incredible."

A dear friend of mine introduced me to this video, which is probably one of the most uplifting things I've ever seen on YouTube. There is something so beautiful about all the weirdos telling you to your face that you can be one too if you'd like, joining the ranks of those who are unafraid to show themselves as their inner dream may depict.

And isn't that what fashion and art is truly all about? After all, what would we be creatively if we didn't have these freedoms of thought and expression? It's always the "bizarre," unorthodox ones who end up changing the way the world sees itself. They are the ones who remind us that we can and should be more, continually rotating our thoughts and modalities into a stronger and more defined version of ourselves and what we wish to represent and cultivate.

At the root of creativity, there is a cyclical percolation of death and rebirth; new ideas form constantly to replace and upgrade the old ones.

Until Fashion Week kicks off, we may as well take a gander at some of the people who get less attention than the folks on the runway, walking on a catwalk of their own design.

Here are a few of my favorites from this years Burning Man: 

Fertility 2.0

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