FashionIndie » PLAYLIST

THE DAILY GASP: Prada Film Goes Grease Lightening In a Glam Gas Station Stare Down

Jessica Lapidos — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:38:51 +0000

Miuccia Prada has greased her lightening for the go. In fire bolt shoes and heartbreakingly ornate Susie Homewrecker dresses, the Prada Spring 2012 campaign video, shot by Steven Meisel, is a proper glare-down at the gas station. In effects like lacquered tail light frames and appliqués of dimensional lace, they pursed their deep red lips and charged at it like an old fashion drag race (and not entirely unlike RuPaul’s, because bitches are fierce). Bejeweled along collars, engines revving at the shoes, they’re off! We win.

Digging the tune selection? We’ve got the track list for you:

Funnel of Love by Duck and Cover

Dirt by Tobacco

Musaphonic by Tom Recchion

Kids by Sleigh Bells

Written All Over Your Face by Ariel Pink

Elvis Presley on Exhibition in Graceland Through Lisa Marie’s Eyes

Jessica Lapidos — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:06:44 +0000

This morning in Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee, an exhibit opened in the home museum of Elvis Presley. His daughter Lisa Marie Presley help curate an exhibition of things from her childhood that would help us understand their relationship and thus know The King a little bit better. The only artifacts from Elvis… Through His Daughter’s Eyes that have leaked on the interwebs are from when she was a baby, but what I’m most excited about is the closet recreation. Lisa Marie reproduced not only her closet with her actual clothing as she remembers it, but also her father’s closet, “pimp hat included.” Just 9 when Elvis died, she remembers special moments with him, like riding the golf cart around Graceland in the wee hours of the night. And now she plays his music for her baby twins, who are just starting to understand who their Grandfather is.

VIDEO: DJ Panda Pupstep Blindfolded and Dog-Napped by Skrillex

Jessica Lapidos — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:52:47 +0000

Help! DJ Panda Pupstep has been captured! He’s been “blindfolded and driven to a secret location”! Could this be the same secret location Skrillex will be performing at Thursday night? Invitations with those exact no-peeking-allowed instructions for the Best New Artist Grammy nom’s show were indeed scattered across to a lucky few (Who, me??) by We Are The Superlative Conspiracy. True to their namesake’s philosophy, the headphone/skate/denim brand WeSC is planning something sneaky and totally epic. But to dognap this dubsteppin’ pupster? The horror! Sounds like Skrillex already wubbed his way into DJ Panda Pupstep’s doggy head.

If you’re ODing on the cute/badass mashup see the slightly more disturbing kidnap-related video – the original music video for the song you just heard, First Of The Year [Equinox] by Skrillex.

Tryin’ to trick your dog out like DJ Panda Pupstep?

First, the panda suit. Thank you, fine minds of Dogo. For $40, you put the Panda in Pupstep.

While these sicksta gold cans are not made by the talented headphone-making conspirators at WeSC, I got them from Karmaloop by Eskuche for $69.

DJ Panda Pupstep – CALL 911 NOW on your giant golden pop phone, $60 from Kitson or A. Turen on 85 Stanton.

Make your puppy look like Skrillex with a super long mane and a DJ Mixer by Merkury. It’s a device that plays two iPods and looks like a mini DJ-turntable, however, this machine is only meant to simulate DJ sounds with a range of reverb and flange and filter and fade effects. So basically you can take away the bass and add some heavy sounds on top of the music. You can also fade the songs into one another, but only by volume, not by speed as in a real DJ’s table. (Everything you heard in the video came directly from Skrillex.) So, for 120 bones, you can play two iPods at once and tinker with the sound.

DJ Panda Pupstep spins the tunes at the It hotspot right now, Chez Moi, 7 nights a week. Hit me for deets.

Music Muse: Florence + The Machine

Jessica Lapidos — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:38:00 +0000

Riding the subway this morning blasting’ Dog Days are Over in the buds, chills overtook my body. I’ve heard it a thousand times before, and the Machine still gets me. The thunderous voice of Florence Welch is backed by a personality, a powerful direction that shows just as strongly through her clothes. With yesterday’s release of her new single No Light, No Light with new remixes, we’re loving Florence + The Machine even more. And thus have found 20 images of Florence looking impecable.

Are you an artist? Florence + The Machine has got a Talenthouse competition going on to design the artwork for a 7″ record sleeve for her song Only If For A Night, whose proceeds will be going to the Teenage Cancer Trust. Now that you know what a good person she is, see how intuitive her style is.

Baby Blue Ivy Carter is a Star! Already Featured in New Jay-Z Song, Glory

Jessica Lapidos — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:06:49 +0000

Glory! Jay-Z serenades his baby Blue Ivy for all of us to hear. And she serenades us back! Her first cries have been immortalized in this song that Hova whipped up and had produced by Pharrell. Lyrics like “Baby I paint the sky blue, my greatest creation was you,” and “You’re the child of destiny, you’re the child of my destiny, you’re my child with the child from Destiny’s Child. That’s a hell of a recipe,” kind of make melt my heart.

By the bye, yes Blue Ivy Carter is credited as the featured artist on this track. Let the pressure for messiah-like stardom begin.

Indie Music Style Star: Azealia Banks

McArthur Joseph — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:33:17 +0000

If you haven’t heard of Azealia Banks, you’re missing out. The NYC native has just been confirmed to perform at Coachella and one of the few people Kanye is following on twitter. To top it all off 20 Y.O. Ms Banks is also a style star in our eyes.

Check out her video for “212″ which has over 1 millions views. (A feat that not many artists can claim anymore.) Click through the slideshow below to check out our favorite looks by this rising star.

Elton John’s Greatest Shades of All Time

Jessica Lapidos — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:38:40 +0000

I can’t exactly recall which came first: Buying my new rad vintage sunnies or singing Rocketman repeatedly in my head, and aloud. Either way, I can’t help my insatiable appetite for fantabulous frames to Sir Elton John. He is the fore-fairy-godfather of wild sunglasses, and for that (along with countless hours of music), we thank him. Let’s take a gander at some of his greatest specs.

Has Lady Gaga’s Twitter been Hacked?!

Jessica Lapidos — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:02:00 +0000

Is Lady Gaga really giving out free MacBooks and iPad 2‘s to her little monsters? Unless the Government Hooker has whored herself out to a commercially Santa-like monster that spams your computer in a sex-when-you-just-want-to-hold-hands kind of way, then Gaga has been hacked! The only pop-up we want from Lady Gaga is one that involves Nicola Formichetti and Boffo or Barney’s Gaga Workshop. Whoever fucked with our Mother Monster is going to have to answer to us, and her artillery of weapon-esque props. Either send us free shit and get out of our faces or she’ll retaliate with a spiked piano and a gun-bra. Save Lady Gaga’s Twitter!

This is not your ticket to Electric Chapel.

Will Gaga fight back with her arsenal of sharp, explosive accessories?

What Exactly is a Black Tiger Sex Machine?

Amanda Gabriele — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:09:53 +0000

We actually still don’t know how this Montreal-based crunk disco/electro band got its name, but we are totally obsessed with this weirdly cool video for the song ”Drama.” Composed of three superheros, Foxed Up, Marx Menace and Wolfcall, Black Tiger Sex Machine uses chains in an underground club, a seemingly illegal card game, Russian roulette and Daft Punk-esque masks to punctuate energetic beats. I’m just glad someone is wearing metallic gold foil on her eyebrows. Video after the jump.

For more info on BTSM, visit the band’s Facebook page.

Matisyahu Shaved his Face!

Jessica Lapidos — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:33:22 +0000

Say so long to Matisyahu the obvious Jew and hello to Matisyahu, the artist formerly known as the only known reggae-rapping Chassidic Jew. He took a blade to his face, and with it he gained freedoms, and a kind of creepy prison-looking instagram. Who knew that underneath the tufts of facial hair and pais was a cute, skinny Eminemish lookin’ dude. He posted his reasoning behind the shearing on his blog this morning – read it here.

No more Chassidic reggae superstar.
Sorry folks, all you get is me…no alias. When I started becoming religious 10 years ago it was a very natural and organic process. It was my choice. My journey to discover my roots and explore Jewish spirituality—not through books but through real life. At a certain point I felt the need to submit to a higher level of religiosity…to move away from my intuition and to accept an ultimate truth. I felt that in order to become a good person I needed rules—lots of them—or else I would somehow fall apart. I am reclaiming myself. Trusting my goodness and my divine mission.
Get ready for an amazing year filled with music of rebirth. And for those concerned with my naked face, don’t worry…you haven’t seen the last of my facial hair.
- Matisyahu

What do you think of the new look?

Imagining John Lennon 31 Years Later

Jessica Lapidos — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:26:57 +0000

Imagine if what happened 31 years ago today hadn’t happened. Imagine how much more we could have heard and learned from his discoveries and creations. Now imagine if he hadn’t recorded nearly everything he ever played – that would have been John Lennon‘s greatest tragedy.

John Lennon understood the impact of his personal expression, he emanated his self in every medium and it magnified to the world. This of course includes his iconic self-made style that he continued to experiment with throughout life. Between originating the mop top with The Beatles, and metaphorically branding his own circle sunglasses just by wearing them, he wore radical yet polished clothing that suited his every moment; what would have been to come? His revolution was peace, and today on the sad anniversary of his unnecessary death, we reinforce his vision. We also get a glimpse at photos previously stored in the shoebox of his former lover, May Pang, released for the first time, today on Rock Paper Photo. So, like we did for George Harrison last week, put on any John Lennon song that moves you right now, and give peace a chance.

#NowPlaying in the Timo Weiland Studio

Jessica Lapidos — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:19:52 +0000

In the Timo Weiland studio, nestled in a hidden gem of a room within an über convenient factory, design partners Timo Weiland and Alan Eckstein get their creativity on. Wonder what two of fashion’s wonderboys listen to when they work? Or read when they’re not looking at fabrics? Or why empty picture frames hang next to ones filled with art? We did to. So we asked.

What kind of music is the soundtrack to your work?

Alan: We listen to everything, we listen to classical music, we listen to jazz, we listen to rock. When we’re designing we listen to a lot of instrumental stuff cause we kind of consiously say that jazz and classical music are really interesting because it’s behind everything. But we love music. We DJ all the time. Almost every of our collections have been inspired by a musician or someone in music we really love, but we play Iggy Pop to Vivaldi to Miles Davis to Richard Hell.

Timo: To newer stuff.

Alan: Like Lady Gaga. Hey, hey.

What’s with the empty picture frames?

Timo: Sometimes the frame is more special.

Alan: We’ve been doing this since we started our company, walls with empty frames.

Timo: Not even necessarily antique, some are new, or [from] different periods like Art Deco or Regency or gold—gilt.

What fashion or literary books are you reading right now?

Timo: Just Kids by Patti Smith, Beautiful Fall, The Fountainhead—This is my fourth time, and I’m just flying through it. It’s an eight hundred page book, but I’m reading it like it’s a little pamphlet.

Alan: I’m still reading Life by Keith Richards. It’s crazy, that guy had sex with so many women, and has a lot of kids flying around. But he has a really interesting outlook on life; he’s not just some washed up rock ‘n’ roll star.

Photography by Catharina Duval de Navarre

Hanson’s Biggest Release Since Mmmbop: Mmmhop IPA

Jessica Lapidos — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:04:22 +0000

Mmmhop, drink it down now. No, no, you read that right. Hanson (as in the brothers our parents thought were sisters who sang Mmmbop and changed our world) has just announced they will be launching a brilliantly coined brand of beer that will get stuck in your head for days. As all of their (former child) fans are officially over 21, we’ll be knocking Mmmhop IPAs down like it was Chumbawamba.

So, while you were out, Hanson has put out 8 studio albums and 8 babies. Yeah, they’re all married with children. Even the littlest Zac has two kids! Jeez they make me feel so old. I’m going to need an Mmmhop stat, to drink these weird feelings away.

Mmmmbummer, I’ll have to wait till early 2012 to drink it. Exactly when? It’s a secret no one knooooooooows. It’s a secret no one knows.

[NME]

George Harrison: Within You, Without You 10 Years Later

Jessica Lapidos — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:01:15 +0000

10 years ago today, we lost someone very special, and our guitars have been gently weeping ever since. George Harrison, the Quiet Beatle, has left a loud impression on us, not only for being one of the greatest guitar players to ever live, but for changing the way we listen to music. It was his initiative that brought The Beatles to India and the Indian meditation and sitar to Western ears. This is, of course, after he and John, Paul and Ringo shook the world loose with Beatlemaniacal Rock ‘n’ Roll. His individuality always grew and he wore his easygoing swagger and rockstar nobility beautifully. This year, Martin Scorcese released a documentary on George that illuminated him to us even more deeply. He really was Something, wasn’t he? In honor of George, turn on your favorite George Harrison song, scroll through these photos, and send up peace and love.

John Lennon & Musical Legends with Cute Cats and Dogs for Charity

Jessica Lapidos — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:07:09 +0000

As further proof that rockstars are real people too (still debatable), there’s a set of 10 note cards now for sale with photos of musical legends and their loving animal counterparts. Did you realize that John Lennon was such a cat lover? Or that Patti Smith had a (presumably lucky) black cat? Or that David Bowie has a dog other than Diamond Dogs? The Morrison Hotel Gallery is giving 100% of the sales from this $20 box of cards goes to the charity Rational Animal, which raises awareness and money for the homeless animals in NYC and nationwide. See a sneak peek ahead and get all gooey inside.

Michael Jackson Jackets Launch with Prince and the Jackson 5

Jessica Lapidos — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:00:07 +0000

Beat it! I’m trying to order my original Michael Jackson Thriller and Beat It jackets. Made exactly from King of Pop’s size specifications by designer Marc Laurent Paris, you can get them now from the J5 Collection on Amazon for $2,350. They are endorsed by the rest of the gang, Tito, Marlon, Jermaine and his own son Prince Jackson. They all got together for the launch and signed the leathers.

Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black Dress up for Auction

Jessica Lapidos — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:55:05 +0000

Let the charitable hocking of Amy Winehouse paraphernalia begin. Up for auction on November 29th is the dress she wore on the album cover of British/European version of Back to Black. Designed by Central Saint Martins graduate, Disaya Sorakraikitikul, she has donated her creation to the cause: the Amy Winehouse Foundation.

Amy’s parents started this charity after her not-quite-shocking, but deeply saddening death back in July. Proceeds from the Amy Winehouse Foundation go to helping vulnerable kids do things like not say No No No to rehab.

As for the dress, it was winehouse’s stylist Louise Winwood who sought out the Disaya for the frock, and paired it with the iconic leopard peep toes and red leather belt. If you live across the pond, you probably have this image somewhere in your possession. On November 29th, from , for an expected £10,000-£20,000, the dress can be yours.

Link Love: Telegraph

Mullet of Kintyre! Paul McCartney, Rockstars and Muppets Captured at their Funniest

Jessica Lapidos — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:15:43 +0000

Rockstars can hardly sartorially be wrong, they tend to just be more exaggerated versions of themselves. Former Navy combat photographer, James Fortune, however, had a knack for catching the world’s biggest rock stars at their funniest. Now these original numbered prints are available for purchase on Rock Paper Photo. See George Harrison and a little green friend, Robert Plant and a little white friend, and more…

Fuzz Pop: The Dum Dum Girls In Style

Nicole Vardo — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:34:51 +0000

While on my random tune-ventures for my craving of pop-punk music and black lace thigh highs, I’ve recently come across a band to watch, The Dum Dum Girls. Known for both being bizarrely stylish and sweet sounding. So if your style is inspired for being a little on the edge, here’s the scoop of this all girl band that started off back in 2008.

Coast: California

The Women: Dee-Dee (vocals, guitar) Jules (guitar, vocals) Bambi (bass, vocals) Sandy (drums, vocals)

Dum Dum Style-ism: Some where along the lines of a modern day 60′s “It” girl meets a twisted Blair Waldorf gone rogue, and don’t forget to add a hint of an all black wardrobe. From their golden child collection of must-have tights, matched with the combination of lace, leather, collars, and wit, I bet you can’t help but love their almost wild child status. Not to mention, their songs top it all.

Alumbs: I Will Be LP, HoZac (First Pressing), Sub Pop, 2010/ Only in Dreams LP, Sub Pop, 2011

Sound like: The Vivian Girls

Genre: Indie Pop

A Video Taste: The Dum Dum Girls- Bhang, Bhang, I’m A Burnout

Follow: @dumdumgirls

New Music: Bang Bang – Phlo Finister

Alex Kazemi — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:26:06 +0000

Finally! Phlo Finister’s anticipated viral video “Bang Bang” finally dropped!

If you haven’t seen it yet, it is a gritty clip of the 20 year old serenading the streets of East London with a fuse of two important classics, that were meant to meet each-other at some point.

Download the MP3 to “Bang, Bang” below:

Phlo is signed to 3QTR & Charlie Walk. Her debut mixtape Crown Gold drops this fall.

You better get on it now, you’ll be hearing a lot about her soon.

Follow Phlo on Twitter : @PhloFinister

Follow Phlo on Tumblr: http://phlolove.tumblr.com

Beatles Biopic to Star Johnny Depp?

Jessica Lapidos — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:03:28 +0000

Wait.. hold up, Beatles biopic?? Yes, please! It is frightfully true that there have been few cinematic tales of The Beatles, and even fewer with any commercial acclaim. Across the Universe was visually stunning, and box office friendly, but it did not tell the story of the Fab Four. Nowhere Boy, the young John Lennon story, got buzz in the Beatle world back in 2009, but no real ticket traction. However, the currently in-the-works film, The Longest Cocktail Party would cover the recording of Let It Be and the creation of Apple Records. With Johnny Depp in the works, you could call it a Beatles bi-epic.

Now, where would Johnny Depp fit into the picture?

Bottega Veneta Taking a Page Out of FashionIndie’s Playbook

Lester Brathwaite — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:33:26 +0000

FashionIndie may not have invented the mixtape — *cough* download it on the right *cough* — but for the sake of this article, I’m claiming that we did. And now Bottega Veneta is stealing our very original idea by putting out their own mixtape featuring music from their various runway shows and stores, selected by creative director Thomas Maier. We’re so suing your $500 designer pants off, Maier.

Chanel Iman catwalking to the beat at Bottega Veneta

Entitled Intreccio Uno, the compilation was mixed by Maier’s friend. Parisian DJ, Michel Gaubert and comes in the form of a jewel-encrusted double-disc album, available online and in Bottega Veneta stores come November.

Okay, they may have trumped us with the jewel-encrusted part, but what would you rather listen to? FashionIndie Mixtape Vol. 4 with such baller mixes as the Gossip‘s Beth Ditto covering the Aaliyah classic “Are You That Somebody?” or a smattering of French pianists and Norwegian superproducers? No offense to the French or Norwegians — at least no more than usual — but Timbaland always wins.

Plus, Michel Gaubert is no DJ Chachi. And that’s just in terms of hotness alone. #justsayin’ [Telegraph]

The Bride Wears McCartney

Jessica Lapidos — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 22:28:27 +0000

HUGE congrats to Paul McCartney and Nancy ~~Shevell~~ McCartney for tying the knot today!!! In a private affair with just friends and family including Ringo (duh) and Barbara Walters (Nancy’s second cousin who allegedly set them up years ago in the Hamptons), they wed at the same civil union office in London that Paul and Linda – his beloved first wife -got hitched in decades ago. Nancy wore, most fittingly, Stella McCartney – a just-above-the-knee long sleeve buttoned bright white dress. Perfect for a modest wedding of two happily ever after individuals. It’s real love, and we couldn’t be happier for them.

Sir Paul McCartney looks his absolute best in years (especially since Leatherface Mills-McCuntney royally effed with our main man). I’ve got a feeling that won’t happen this time around. An inside source I know grew up with Nancy as a surrogate aunt, and according to her, she’s the absolute kindest. At 51, she’s an independently wealthy career woman, so money can’t buy her love. And I saw her at his Yankee Stadium concert – she didn’t stop dancing for a minute.

Nancy, thank you girl for being our knight’s white shining armor. Let the ballad of Paul and Nancy continue in beautiful holy matrimony.

Abbey Lee Kershaw and Her Band Run Balmain

Jessica Lapidos — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:42:22 +0000

Abbey Lee Kershaw, supermodel and lead tambourine for the rock outfit Our Mountain, stars in a Balmain Spring 2012 campaign video with her bandmates. When she’s not too busy making music with her boyfriend, and Our Mountain frontman Matthew Hutchinson, she tries to squeeze in the occasional gig modeling for Karl Lagerfeld and Terry Richardson. Watch Abbey and her boys run the town of NYC in bold square jackets with a downtown vibe @Pierre_Balmain.

Gaga’s Mermaid Splashes Around for Inez and Vinoodh

Lester Brathwaite — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:15:08 +0000

The Gaga persona of oceanic descent otherwise known as the mermaid Yüyi stars in a short piece directed by photog super duo, Inez and Vinoodh.

The mini-film was shot during the making of the Lady’s “Yoü and I” video with style direction by Nicola Formichetti. And frankly, it’s a lot more enjoyable than the finished product. [Fashionista]

Amy Winehouse’s Bittersweet Final Music Video with Tony Bennett

Lester Brathwaite — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:48:17 +0000

Amy Winehouse would have been 28 today and in commemoration her last music video was released this morning. A duet with one of her icons, Tony Bennett, “Body and Soul” is a tender, almost heartbreaking final look at the late singer simply doing what she did best.

[E!]

Radio FashionIndie: The Mixtape Chronicles

Lester Brathwaite — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:45:55 +0000

Since you’re clearly listening to FashionIndie Mixtape Vol. 4 (to your right) all day everyday, maybe you’re feeling nostalgic for our three previous volumes? Worry not, fashionable music lover/musical fashion lover,, FashionIndie now has a Dubset page where you can stream all four, mixed by the globe-trotting and two-stepping DJ Chachi.! And it’s all for the pretty agreeable price of FREE. Happy listening, Indies!

The Beatles: 27 #1 Singles in Style

Jessica Lapidos — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:41:23 +0000

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away, because The Beatles 1 was released – digitally remastered. This album houses the 27 singles by the Fab Four that reached number one on the Billboard charts in the UK and the US. In honor of that, we’ve sequestered 27 little known photos of the Beatles as singles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Meet the Many Faced Monster: Lady Gaga’s Multiple Alter-Egos

Jessica Lapidos — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:51:40 +0000

Jo Calderone has been eating the press for breakfast. The dude googles for pages! But the Lady’s other alter egos have been raising brows since the start of Little Monsterdom all those years ago. Let us take a stroll, a swim, and a wheelchair’s push down through the memories of fully formed personalities embodied by Lady Gaga.

NAME: Jo Calderone

CLASSIFICATION: Human Italian male

PERSONALITY: Pissed off. Handsy. Asshole. Just like the last one.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Jutted jaw. Brooklyn accent. Dirty t-shirt or tuxedo. Greaser.

MOMENT(S) OF GLORY: VMA 2011 performance. You and I music video cameo. Cover of Vogue Japan.

LOW POINT(S): Denied a makeout sesh with Britney Spears. Not a girl, not yet a woman…

Theophilus London Raps for Fashion Journalists, Not Models

Jessica Lapidos — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:24:30 +0000

Wise man, Theophilus London is, as we’ll be the ones writing about him. This Brooklyn born rapper has bound onto the scene wearing nothing but fabulous, claiming to “not like fashion” yet is starting his own line, collaborating on Cole Haan shoes, throwing up vids of his shopping adventures, and sitting front row at Lanvin during Paris Fashion Week. He’s also starring in a campaign for Carlos Campos, and just played with Solange Knowles at Opening Ceremony‘s block party. Wake up Mr. West, this boy is carving out his space as hip-hop’s new fashion paragon.

His own line LVRS is slated to launch this fall, with 100 limited edition hats already sold. It will be a unisex collection of hats, blazers “and stuff”. Should be pretty dope. See what’s on his mind as he opens up to Style.com, and the sweet threads he’s kicking now.

Photo: Interview

“I can pull off anything; I have the height and the attitude. The only thing I can’t wear is a leotard, but I can wear anything else.”

Lady Gaga to Open the VMAs, Blow Minds

Amanda Gabriele — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:47:57 +0000

In a wise decision made by MTV, Lady Gaga will open the 2011 Video Music Awards next Sunday, August 28. Nominated for four VMAs – Best Female Video and Best Video With a Message (really?) for Born This Way, as well as Best Art Direction and Best Choreography for Judas - it’s plain to see Mother Monster has been hard at work. Let these three video promos whet your palette for her opening performance.

Bassnectar Brings Heady Dub Step and the Funkiest Dressed Cats to Bass Island

Jessica Lapidos — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:51:16 +0000

On the Island of the Governor this weekend, roughly 10,000 tweakers freaked by the speakers to the massive sound thumping dub step pounded out by the one and only Bassnectar. Not to mention Lupe Fiasco, Z-Trip and other the DJs that spun earlier in the day. Almost as much as I relished the dirty sweaty jiving down in the trenches just rows from the stage to the sound that’s still ringing in my ears, I delighted in everyone’s fearlessly tripped out outfits. Bassheads f*cking brought it on their bodies. Everybody matched the light show – flashy, neon blinding and psychedelic. Made even better for me by rainbow glasses that make each light look like this. See the best of what I saw.

Peace. Love. And psychedelics. And girl in back, werq that denim gartered jumpsuit overall thang.

Kanye West & Jay-Z Drop the Music Video for Otis. Yes, That Car is for Sale.

Amanda Gabriele — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:41:51 +0000

Bitches, hot cars and money – the cardinal rap three – all have a special place in the first music video off Kanye West and Jay-Z‘s album “Watch the Throne.” The two rappers bring “Otis” to life by showing their American pride and driving around four supermodels in a souped-up car of their own making that will eventually go on sale for charity. Even Aziz Ansari makes an appearance.

I listened to “Watch the Throne” last night, and have to say it’s a great record. What have I learned from what I’ve heard? You have to work in the fashion industry to understand anything they’re saying. Examples, from “Otis” alone:

“New watch alert, Hublot’s”

“Couture level flow, it’s never going on sale”

“Luxury rap, the Hermes of verses”

Okay, I guess those lyrics are pretty pedestrian, but still, makes us feel special fellas. What do you think of their first music video?

Indie Tunes: Self Titled – Burroughs

Alex Kazemi — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:10:32 +0000

Check out the latest self-titled EP by Los Angeles four man post-punk/ nu-goth act Burroughs…

“It is recommended for fans of Lil B & Nirvana..We have a full length out soon, these are demos.” says drummer Aj English.

Buy it now for the price of your choice… “Like” Burroughs on Facebook

Have You Seen the Mildy Disturbing Album Art for “Watch the Throne”?

Amanda Gabriele — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 18:52:34 +0000

Jay-Z and Kanye West‘s album “Watch the Throne” just dropped, and we’re pondering over the slightly disgusting yet totally awesome artwork done by Givenchy creative mind Riccardo Tisci. We want to know what you think of both the album and this bizarrely cool artwork.

20 Fab Fashion Moments in Beatles History

Jessica Lapidos — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:57:34 +0000

The Beatles are number 1 on countless lists counted in the past 50 years, not least FashionIndie’s Best Dressed Man Bands of All Time. The band that changed the world had a look that evolved with their music; always the classiest. Their look was no accident, and their intensely interesting photos had purpose behind them. Some for which were just smiling for national press, but others like with their friend and photographer Robert Freeman (who shot the first 5 album covers), they delved into deeper emotional imagery. On the heels of Paul McCartney’s 8-city tour (3 hours each night, not 1 sip of water #werq), and The Fest for Beatles Fans this past weekend and Beatles Week coming up in Liverpool, we’ve got the Fab Four on the mind. With thousands more photos in books, see John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr in looks that shaped the world.

The early Beatles in their most iconic look: cuban heels, near-Nehru Pierre Cardin collarless jackets, mop tops. This might be how you remember them at their earliest.

Robyn’s ‘Indestructible’ Suit of Living Glowsticks

Jessica Lapidos — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:43:51 +0000

Our love for Robyn up in FashionIndie is pretty damn fierce. And it just reached a new level with the making of her Indestructible video. If you’ve seen the music video, you’ll know it features what some might call soft-core erotica. So you might not have noticed that feat of architectural fashion that Robyn wears as she writhes and sings in a tubes of flowing colors. Those didn’t just make themselves. It was the brainchild of Australian designer Lucy McRae. She spent two years developing this technology as she worked to weave a dynamic textile from liquid, air and vapor. See how here:

The Making of Robyn’s ‘Indestructible’ Music Video with EXTRA FOOTAGE from Lucy McRae on Vimeo.

Lucy McRae wrapped over 1,300 yards of transparent plumbing tubing (that’s over 13 football fields!) around Robyn’s fair body.

The result: the longest, most technologically advanced living glowstick in the world.

Out Of This World: Kanye West & Jay-Z “Watch The Throne” Planetarium Listening Party

Samantha Lim — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:45:12 +0000

Get your catcher’s mitt out, because we are about to drop a lot of names: Jay-Z. Kanye West. Beyonce. Solange. Kelly Rowland. Lyor Cohen. Tory Burch. Vanessa Simmons. Angela Simmons. Forest Whitaker. Q Tip. Busta Rhymes. AJ Calloway. John Legend. Jada Pinkett-Smith. The list goes on. All these A-Listers gathered last night in NYC with about 80 other guests (including yours truly for FashionIndie) at the Hayden Planetarium in the Museum of Natural History for an uber-private listening and outer space star show of the duo’s hotly anticipated Watch the Throne album.

Jay-Z told us that it has taken them 9 months and 3 incarnations to get to the point the album is now, and he referenced how he and Kanye West really “pushed each other” to get it to this level. A slight reference to the rumored physical altercation they supposedly got into earlier that day? Maybe. Rumors that we are possibly insinuating? Definitely. As for the music? Lots of soulful sampling, heavy, heavy bass, and their standard references to taking over the world, shooting above the stars, and having way more money than all of us (Memorable note: “Black card, black tie, black opulence.”). They even dabble in dubstep towards the end, which was well received by the models and club kids in attendance. The album is set to drop in the early Fall, but tickets are already on pre-sale (presale code WTT) for their tour dates, so we suggest you get on that now if you want to witness one of the greatest hip hop duos of our generation.

9 Songs About America That Rock

McArthur Joseph — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:49:29 +0000

Since July is our America month we decided to create a playlist that pays tribute to our great nation.

1. Party In The USA- Miley Cyrus

27 Looks Back on the Late Great Amy Winehouse

Jessica Lapidos — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:49:18 +0000

Yesterday, Amy Winehouse was laid to rest in front of 200 friends and family. With heavy hearts we must accept that the beehived one has moved on to Club 27, and we are left with the legacy of her haunting voice. She cheated herself, like she knew she would. She told us she was trouble. But the thing is, we always knew that she was good. That said, listen to this acoustic version of You Know I’m No Good, and view her here at her prime. Maybe grab a kleenex first. Or a bottle of Jack.

Our Favorite Street Style Looks from Pitchfork Music Festival

Amanda Gabriele — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:06:52 +0000

The annual Pitchfork Music Festival was last weekend in Chicago, and great indie music wasn’t the only star of the show. As with every festival, there was loads of amazing street style worn by people from all over the country. It was difficult to choose, but here we have our favorite Pitchfork Music Fest looks for you to enjoy and be inspired by.

Olivia wears a thrifted top and skirt, Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, and Pour La Victoire shoes. – Elle.com

The Bernard Arnault EP

Lester Brathwaite — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:36:47 +0000

Alleged rapper Soulja Boy (I guess he’s not Tellin’ Em anymore) has taken his love for all things Louis Vuitton, Möet and/or Hennessy as well as LVMH‘s chairman to new creative…highs with his recently-released limited edition Bernard Arnault EP.

Photo: DatPiff

Since being released Friday, over 14,000 people have downloaded the mixtape while it’s been streamed over 47,000 times. People love them some free shit, I guess.

Featuring tracks such as “Fire Blunts,” “Came With That Choppa” and “20Min Freeestyle” — which is exactly what it sounds like — it’s doubtful that Arnault himself would give his stamp of approval…especially since Soulja Boy refers to him as “Robert Arnault” at least twice over the course of the EP.

However, you can’t buy publicity like the lolling “Louis Vuitton,” on which the rapper references the brand some 63 times including this little gem: “LV Bags, LV pants with that LV sag/ It don’t make no sense why these n****s hate/ It don’t make no sense why they LV fake/ But mine’s real.”

There’s Louis V’s campaign against counterfeits right there.

If you hate yourself but love shitty songs about luxury (“Money Can Buy You Class”!) you can download the Bernard Arnault EP at Dat Piff. [WWD]

Kanye West + Jay Z + Riccardo Tisci = Gold

Jessica Lapidos — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:23:49 +0000

While Kanye West is rumored to be showing at NY Fashion Week, we know he’s now no stranger to fashion. For his epic-major-totally-saw-it-coming/already-started-happening on 1-11-11 collaboration with Jay-Z, the two commissioned Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy glory to create the album art. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like this:

Fortunately it looks like this:

Draco Malfoy’s Bad Boy Alter-Ego: Tom Felton, The Rapper

Jessica Lapidos — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:57:19 +0000

Draco Malfoy, the sniveling ~~arch-nemesis~~ prat-bully to Harry Potter, has signed a record contract. Or to put it slightly more accurately, the stunning Tom Felton can rap, and is taking it pro. Expect an album of English accented rapping. Listen to his first song here.

10 points for Slytherin!

PLAYLIST: Future Pop Summer 2K11

Alex Kazemi — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:41:13 +0000

Music Blogger Alex Kazemi & Tumblr famed Dean MSxxx put together a mixtape showcasing the talents and sounds of pop musicians we should see on MTV in the future.

Check out the bubblegum-sounds below!

1.Get Over U – Neon Hitch

2. M.A.J.O.R. -Kay

3. Army of Love – Kerli

4. One- Sky Ferreira

5. Bitch Like Me - Colette Carr

6. Fireball – Dev

7. Easy Please Me - Katy B

8. Push It – Jessie and the Toy Boys

9. Call 911 (Florrie Remix) – Florrie

10. Til Death-Wynter Gordon

11. Beat of My Drum – Nicola Roberts

12. Bite Back – Zowie

Download Now

LinkLove: SanFran.tumblr.com

8 American Bands With Rocking Fashion

McArthur Joseph — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:34:05 +0000

While we judge the quality of our bands on their music we’d be lying if we also didn’t judge them on their fashion choices. That being said here are some of current favorite bands with style that hail from the US.

Click through to view my picks

Essential Listening for the Stylish Man

Lester Brathwaite — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:40:51 +0000

Sleek, cool, smooth, strong, sensitive, powerful and sexy. Not only do these words describe a stylish man, they describe his music collection as well. To wrap up our Month of Men and Music, here are 30 Essential Albums that will put some some funk in your fashion, swagger in your step and some rock in your roll. Not only is the music stylish, but the dudes behind the microphone teach you a sartorial thing or two.

Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! (1956) – Frank Sinatra

Elvis Presley (1956) - Elvis Presley

Kind of Blue (1959) - Miles Davis

A Love Supreme (1964) - John Coltrane

The Temptations Sing Smokey (1965) – The Temptations

Rubber Soul (1965) – The Beatles

The Doors (1967) – The Doors

Are You Experienced? (1967) – Jimi Hendrix

Stand! (1969) – Sly & The Family Stone

Led Zeppelin II (1969) – Led Zeppelin

Exile on Main St (1972) – The Rolling Stones

Talking Book (1972) – Stevie Wonder

Transformer (1972)- Lou Reed

Call Me (1973) – Al Green

Aladdin Sane (1973) - David Bowie

Let’s Get It On (1973) – Marvin Gaye

One Nation Under a Groove (1978) - Funkadelic

Off the Wall (1979) – Michael Jackson

Dirty Mind (1980) – Prince

Street Songs (1981) - Rick James

Duran Duran (1981) – Duran Duran

Raising Hell (1986) – Run-D.M.C.

The Great Adventures of Slick Rick (1988) – Slick Rick

20 All-Time Greatest Hits! (1991) – James Brown

Life After Death (1997) – The Notorious B.I.G.

Stankonia (2000) - Outkast

Is This It? (2001) - The Strokes

The Blueprint (2001) – Jay-Z

Vampire Weekend (2008) - Vampire Weekend

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010) - Kanye West

John Varvatos Gets Down to The Roots

Lester Brathwaite — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:33:03 +0000

The Roots, the Grammy-winning, ass-kicking, Jimmy Fallon-backing hip hop band from Philly, will be the collective faces of John Varvatos‘ Fall 2011 campaign.

“I’ve been a huge fan of The Roots for years,” says Varvatos, “They are one of the most innovative musical forces on the planet.”

True story. Also, Black Thought, most underrated MC. There, I said it.

Danny Clinch shot The Roots at Republic Airport in New York right as they were getting off the plane — an homage to how rock stars traveled in the 70s. Creative director Stephen Niedzwiecki explains:

“The way The Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles traveled had a huge impact on the direction for this season’s campaign…Led Zeppelin’s plane had fireplaces built in. So that’s what inspired us to shoot them in that way.”

And that’s why Led Zeppelin is fucking awesome. Anyhoo, in addition to the airport scenario there are other “image-based” shots that will debut in the September issues of GQ, Esquire, Vanity Fair, Details and other fash mags.

And as a special treat, The Roots threw together a little impromptu number on the tarmac:

[WWD]

FashionIndie Mixtape Series: 3 Hours of Music FREE

Jessica Lapidos — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:50:29 +0000

Summertime, and the living’s easy. Which is exactly why we’re making it so damn easy for you to have killer music. All the time. Free.

Downloadable DJ mixes are a godsend because 1. They’re about an hour of solid music, a no brainer on our end, and 2. It’s actually illegal for them to charge you money for other people’s music. Erego, FREE LEGAL MUSIC! Hey, DJ pump that party, FashionIndie style.

We’ve been cranking your boom box all year with the FashionIndie Mixtape Series, and we tempt you with Volume 3 on every page of this website (see the play button over cleavage to the right). Did you miss the first two volumes? Not to worry ye fresh Indie. Just go to the our Soundcloud channel and load up. That’s 3 hours of seamless jams for you and yours.

Don’t thank us, thank DJ Chachi.

Okay, you can thank us, too.

No really, it’s our pleasure.

Happy listening.

Clarence Clemons Dies on The Edge of Glory

Jessica Lapidos — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:59:21 +0000

Twas a sad sad weekend in the world of music. The Big Man responsible for the phenomenally ’80s sax solos on Lady Gaga‘s Edge of Glory and Hair passed away on Saturday of a stroke at 69. Now, little monsters might recognize him most from the Edge of Glory music video that was just released on Thursday 6/16 (which now has about 6 and a half million views), but most of the world will remember Clarence Clemons as the saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band, since the very beginning. Springsteen fans are now tuning into Gaga to hear his last ever performances, his last live show ever being with Mother Monster on American Idol. Read through to find out how Gaga got Clemons to play for her, and watch him on the Edge of Glory.

On 4:00 PM on a Friday back in January, Clemons received the call that Lady Gaga wanted him to play on a her new album. He replied saying which days he was available. But no, that’s not how the Haus of Gaga conducts business, “No, she needs you in New York City right now!”. Clemons, being a self proclaimed Gaga-ite, he hopped on a plane from Florida and raced to the studio, where he met Lady Gaga for the first time.

She wanted Hair to have this Springsteen vibe. ”She said ‘we’ll put the tape on and you just play,’” Clemons says. “She said to me, ‘Play from your heart. Play what you feel.’ It was all very pure.”

He’s on that entire track, but just epically solos in Edge of Glory. And thus his stoop sitting cameo in the video will be watched forever.

RIP Clarence Clemons. May the Big Man be playing the big horn in the sky now.