Hard and Soft

Alexander Wang by Melvin Sokolsky for Harper's Bazaar US August 2013 

Alexander Wang presented stunning marbled pieces for his first collection at Balenciaga.  His unexpected succession to Nicholas Ghesquière had me nervous for what was to come.  Ghesquière's whimsical genius made me a fan and I thought Wang's aesthetic, though cool in a different way, was a departure from what made Balenciaga a powerhouse in contemporary fashion.  When I clicked through the looks, it was clear that Wang had stayed true to his point of view while innovating in the spirit of Balenciaga, thereby creating a new identity for the brand separate of Ghesquière.  Success!

In my head marbled prints translated well for fashion, but it was not until I saw this photo in Harper's Bazaar that I got excited about applying marble print in textiles for interior design.  The marble printed chair Wang is sitting in comes from designer Maurizio Galante's collection "Louis XV goes to Sparta."  My brain is telling me that the chair should be as cold and hard as marble, but the silhouette would lead me to believe that it is as comfy as any vintage velvet arm chair - AND THAT I NEED ONE BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

My obsession with marble patterns comes from my mother.  When our house was being built, she was very specific with her marble choices - everything imported, everything authentic.  I would lay down on the cool floors of our foyer on hot summer days, tracing the cloudy lines in the marble tiles with my fingers and making up stories with the shapes.  I could hear the clicking of shoes every time someone came through the front door.  The luster that appears when the sun hits the stone at the right angle still reminds me of my childhood.  I like how marble can be manipulated in different ways.  It is hard and cold, but can be chiseled into the most stunning and timeless sculptures.  The unique patterns in marble can be seen everywhere in nature, but the minimalist in me loves a good monochromatic moment that comes from the rock.

And what do you need to go with your marble arm chair?  Marble duvet covers of course!!  These duvet sets from Safe House USA are another great use of a marble print.  Once again, the print is used to create a soft and comfortable product.  While the pillows maintain a rectangular, solid shape, the duvet is more fluid.  I love marble sculptures of people that are worked so masterfully you can almost feel the softness of the fabric through the hard stone.

I have this grand, ornate, baroque style bed frame, so this wouldn't match my bedroom very well, but I am almost tempted to get a set just for my couch in the winter months.  So great!  If anyone sees anything else like this, a play on hard and soft, please let me know.

- jerome  

Peace, Love, and Understanding

Peace, Love, and Understanding tank, Codes Combine leather pants, 5cm x Dr. Martens Boots 

Peace, Love, and Understanding tank, Shipley & Halmos shorts, Nike Flynknit Racer shoes

Peace, Love, and Understanding tank, Levis denim, Nike x Fragment Design shoes

I first heard about Peace, Love, and Understanding when Opening Ceremony did their Korean designer focus - and I kept them in mind when I visited the country earlier this year.  Anime character design will always be a major weakness for me, so it was exciting when I stumbled upon these designs while in Seoul.  My friend Aaron was with me, and as soon as I stepped out he told me how flattering the tank was.  After crying inside because I always think when people say "that is flattering" they are really saying "you don't look as fat as you really are" I was happy to hear this and walked out with Peace and Understanding.  Both tanks were worn before my trip was even over, so I went back to buy Love.

The tanks are quite long and wide because they are one size fits all.  Of course, they may be originally designed to fit oversized on petit Korean frames, but I am happy with how the tanks look on me.  The bold graphic on the back is a nice touch, and the message behind the brand's name is quite sweet.  Check out their full collection on their website, and visit their store to buy these tanks and other great apparel with the coolest prints.

Getting back into the swing of things, I have to experiment with lighting in my NYC apartment.  My apologies for the dark ass photos and my awkward poses.  I am horrible with candidness and/or modeling of any kind.  Virtually any camera, including the ones I have control of, cause me to become inept at life.  Ha!

- jerome

Souvenir Jacket/Skazan/Sukajan No. 1

Japanese Traditional Vintage souvenir jacket, J.Crew tee and chinos, Burberry Prorsum loafers, Ugo Cacciatori and Enrique Muthuan rings

Hello, everyone!  I am excited to share the first souvenir jacket in my collection.  After months of hunting them down here in New York, I had no luck finding ANYTHING.  It was in Seoul that I was finally able to acquire a few pieces.  This isn't the first one I bought but I definitely used it the most when I amassed my starter set.  They come in the most beautiful colors and fabrics, and they are delicate so scoring vintage ones in great condition is quite hard.  

For those who don't already know, souvenir jackets originated in Asian countries when occupying forces would visit local artisans to embroider traditional motifs onto their jackets as souvenirs while stationed abroad.  This originated in Japan in Yokosuka, and the jackets came to be known as "Yokosuka Jumpers," or Sukajyan for short.  In Korea, they are known as Skazan.  The jackets are normally reversible with one side being more intricately adorned.  Each design is embroidered directly into the silk, rayon, or polyester that is regularly used to build the garment.

Of course the first one I choose to show you is one sided and a XXXL, but it is the only non-reversible souvenir jacket I own so far.  I love how big this one is.  It is a great shape that reminds me of Juun. J, or even a boyfriend jacket.  The off-the-shoulder thing comes pretty natural because of the size, but it is also nice to shrug off when it gets hot but you don't want to put such a stain-magnet down at a bar or club.  And apparently I was really into the Mr. Peanut while shooting this so ignore my crossed legs.

As loud as these jackets can get, I am happy I was able to find one in more neutral hues.  The embroidery is so detailed.  When I saw the dragons on the sleeves and the back, I had to have it.  These bad boys can cost a pretty penny, but I was able to grab this one for around $60 USD after bartering with the shop people.  I love that you can bring down prices in Hongdae vintage shops.  That is a steal for this kind of jacket, in this condition, that is made in Japan.  More to come soon!

- jerome

Shut the Front Door

Burberry Prorsum shirt, Enrique Muthuan Ring, ph by La-La Land

I have an excellent talent for making derp faces for street style bloggers.  For whatever reason, I am constantly mid-sentence, more specifically mid-curse.  Here is a very good photo of me about to drop an F bomb.  This phenomenon gets even worse when I know the camera is about to go off.  I can see them adjust their focus, but then I have no idea what to do with my hands or my neck and I end up just looking at my phone.  Oh well.

- jerome

MUSCLE MEMORY

All leather harnesses by Zana Bayne.

I forget how much fun I have styling and directing.  This shoot took place on a rooftop in Brooklyn one summer, before I moved to New York.  It was over 100 degrees, but somehow we powered through it and had so much fun.

During this crazy time in my life I love looking back at what I have done, then looking forward to see everything I can do.  Outside of running and hitting the gym, the best way to clear my head is to look at my old work.  Reviewing these shoots is not so much for validation or inspiration, but just as a way to remind myself how far I've come and the lessons I learned along the way.  Visiting photographer Anthony Deeying's website is like a stroll down memory lane.  Not only am privileged to get to work with such an up and coming talent, but he is also my best friend.  We collaborated on so many shoots.  I miss it!!

- jerome 

Excuse me, Sir. What are you doing?

Raf Simons Tee, See by Chloe shorts, Barney's NY socks, Fracap shoes, IISE backpack

Sorry, I forgot my tripod and self timing camera.  The stigma toward selfies is a tad irrelevant now.  I still find it absurd to make duck faces from an aerial angle in the middle of Duane Reade while buying bottled water, but Instagram made it acceptable to take photos of your outfits on your phone to share.  Still, I wish I had some hot guy following me around to snap some photos at good angles.  My friend Anthony and I decided to stop by our old work to beat the heat... and take a few photos.

Our old co-workers were like, "What are you guys doing in there?  What are you still doing here?!"  It was a proud moment.  I'm glad I got some shots of Anthony's Gitman Bros. Vintage shirt.  It is a limited edition print for Cinco de Mayo.  Of course he bought the last one, but the long sleeve version is still available online!!  The sacred hearts are so special.  They remind me of the souvenir jacket I am lusting over from the GIZA x Joyrich collaboration.

In the true spirit of skazan, I really like the blue color way.  The black is also a great option though, especially since the insides of these reversible jackets have this awesome print.  Check out the rest of the collaboration on Joyrich's website here.  Souvenir jackets have become an obsession of mine.  Stay tuned for my collection (just be patient though because the summer heat in NYC is killer hot).

- jerome

Come Back

2NE1 - Falling in Love
Hello, everyone!  I know it has been over 4 months since my last post.  Things have been incredibly busy, stressful, and intense, but I am excited to be back and start writing again.  I am working on some projects right now and with some luck I will be able to post more.  I just got back from a rather long vacation, and before that I was working at BULLETT magazine - which explains my lack of posting.

Seoul, South Korea is probably one of my favorite places in the world (and probably my next stop for residence).  I cannot recall if I have mentioned my love for YG Family and their brand of Korean pop music and fashion, but you should probably know that about me now.  My favorite artist 2NE1 just released a new video after a year long hiatus... kind of like me posting after such a long time.  Their videos are highly stylized and fresh - especially amongst the other cookie cutter bands in Korea/ all over the world.  Their new single "Falling in Love," was already debuted unannounced a while back during their come back stage for "I Love You."


2NE1 Inkigayo Come Back Stage Intro 7.8.12
Some fans are complaining for holding it back after the teaser, but I believe this song was supposed to be released right after the previous single.  The delayed release date for new material came because of 2NE1's world tour, more focus on other artists within the YG Family, and the debut of a new star: Lee Hi.  I am so happy to see my girls are back - in Versace, Alexander Wang, and Mary Katrantzou no less.  There is controversy over the hair and even the bindi.  I myself love the looks and find it genius that the 2NE1 pays homage to Gwen Stefani during her "Return of Saturn" era.  It makes so much sense considering No Doubt is rooted in Ska and reggae, which was the main inspiration style for 2NE1's new song.  The video is like nothing they have ever done, and not seen too much in the world of kpop at all.  There aren't any big fancy sets or green screens; no huge light walls or post productions.  This video is all about the girls wearing amazing clothes on a set dripping in gold and high concept stage design.  It is refreshingly stripped of your average kpop video formula, which hasn't been seen in a long time.  Nothing is more YG than that, which is why I think the video is actually pretty great.  Korean models Lee Soo Hyuk and Hong Jong Hyun make an appearance and I really cannot be mad at that either.

"Falling in Love" is not 2NE1's strongest single and it is probably the most generic kpop work they have ever done.  However, you have to consider this to be a transitional song as it was supposed to be released after their chart topper "I Love You."  Considering they are releasing new singles consecutively every month until the end of the year when their album drops, I would say it makes sense to tease fans with this type of song as  a build up to a "I Am the Best" type powerhouse.

Anyway, I hope to resume posting as much as I can.  It is still a busy time for me, but I really do want to stage a healthy come back as soon as possible.  If you are reading this, thanks for hanging on!

- jerome