Photographer Neil Krug has been hanging in the desert with his supermodel girlfriend Joni Harbeck making PULP, a book of washed out, grainy, 70′s stylized photos that honor the tradition of old movie posters and magazines. The polaroids have the kind of grainy, sun-scorched feel of a Sergio Leone spaghetti western. And ever since the couple began posting the photos on Flickr early this year, they’ve drawn a blaze of attention. “I really never received this much feedback on my work before,” said Mr. Krug, who has also directed music videos for Ladytron and Ratatat. Watch a little teaser trailer to get you in the mood for the book. In his spare time he’s also been working on a movie called Invisible Pyramid that looks equally as trippy. It’s supposedly about two women “escaping the loss of a loved one in search for an answer to their ambivalence.”

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JJ : Ecstasy

The blow’s “True Affection” is one of my favorite songs of all time. Its beat is based on D4L’s “laffy taffy.” One of the many reasons for my fondness is, while others were inspired to share degrading acts on youtube, jona bechtolt & mirah, who make up the blow, created an airy, breathtaking pop song. If you (over) intellectualize it, their recording shows you that fans of “snap hop” – if they open up a little bit – may also like “art pop,” and vice versa, and that everything is relative, everything is connected.  Other reasons include Mirah’s childish voice and longing lyrics, the drill sound that comes in at 2:12, and the way the lo-fi production comes together to sound like a masterpiece.

I recently discovered JJ’s “Ecstacy” and realized I may have a soft spot for girly, dreamy pop songs based on cheesy rap.  This one’s fodder is lil’ wayne’s despicable “lollipop.”  there are less liberties taken than “true affection,” even borrowing some lyrics, but the stronger reference adds a touch of humor.  It takes the title’s raver relation and steps it up – no bottles in the club; when JJ’s mysterious singer is partying, she’s on ecstasy. The beat seems like it would be the perfect soundtrack to the drug. It invites indulgence. I love it!

Listen to “Ecstasy” Here

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What I like about V Magazine is that they are always innovative with their covers and editorials, for this special ‘Victorian meets Butcher and Flowerist’ called the “World of Women & Supreme” (you can see eyeballs, severed animal feet and intestines as necklaces) – The “World of Women & Supreme” photographed by Paul Rowland and styled by Nicholas Grasa is a special edition of V Magazine that will be sold with the new issue, V61. A collection of 19 covers featuring female models from Women Management and Supreme Management model agencies – Watch Making of video on Cyana.TV

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Emmanuelle Moureaux recently revealed his new collection in Tokyo of designs for offices and showrooms. Taking inspiration from a kaleidoscope, Moureaux used over 1150 colors to create stunning office spaces. If you look closely at the pictures you can see it isn’t just one or two glass windows. There are multiple layers of glass panels that are carefully layered to give that kaleidoscope effect. The yellow one is my favorite.

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It may look like simple menswear from a distance but look up close and it is well structured, well designed, and well inspired. Well desired is COMUNE; clothing that is not only top quality but at the same time cost conscious [ie: the perfect equation]. Strong on aesthetics as well as the sweet little details that one can’t help but notice, this is a label that doesn’t flaunt its name obnoxiously all over its pieces but instead tastefully and discreetly. A guy that wears COMUNE is a bad boy that knows how to dress; less rips and rags, more tailoring and class. Designers always speak of flattering a woman’s body, well, COMUNE manipulates denim and knits in ways that flatter a man’s body. Yes they sponsor both skateboarders and snowboarders and yes their clothing can be worn doing both, but their clothing line is in no way defined by either sport. The near future doesn’t see COMUNE creating a womens line unfortunately, but just as Dior Homme personally tailors any piece for any female that asks, so will COMUNE.

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‘AZZEDINE ALAïA’ editorial with Alina Birladeanu photographed by Mark O’Sullivan and styled by Annabelle Jouot for UNDER THE INFLUENCE The True Human Nature Issue – Summer 2009. READ MORE