The New “Trinity” Judges of ANTM

Juxtaposition should become a new fashion term in the industry. These past few years, we have seen numerous designers playing musical chairs with other fashion houses. Some were successful exits while some were drastically declined. While ANTM, the fashion industries most popular (overdrawn) series were not exempt! Replacing the faces of J. Alexander, Nigel Barker, and Jay Manuel are going to be some fresh faces to the panel.

The first person would be fashion blogger/international socialite, Bryanboy. For many people who are into fashion would know about the successful blogger as he documents his travel ventures in high fashion, style and glamour! He has been seen front row at countless fashion shows around the world. The Filipino fashion enthusiast has been behind the scenes in the fashion industry to indicate what people want. My main concern is his position to the panel truly be valid?? Sure he is a highly successful fashion blogger, but what contribution has he made for fashion (I.e. Besides sitting front row and blogging) to acquire his opinion. There is no shade, but I am quite curious to exactly pinpoint it!

The next judge to the panel is model Rob Evans. The ex British Boxer turned model was first seen at Givenchy s/s 2011 collection in 2010. Ever since, he has been featured in countless blogs and shows, etc. Replacing the three judges, I could easily approve this choice. Having one of the top 20 male models on the panel is truly an unexpected choice! For someone whose fresh in the game, I would if this would be a shift Evans would like to make. The model was seen out and about with former supermodel Tyra. I’m praying he hit that…….. If so, he probably got a secure spot for sure. Besides, he would be great for ratings over all!

Johnny Wujek pictured with Katy Perry

The last judge confirmed is celebrity fashion stylist, Johnny Wujek. Honestly, I was not aware of him. However, I was highly aware with his work behind styling Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj (which explains the correlation of their party girl/barbie aesthetic). Like Rob Evans, Wujek was also a model. The former Next model first job was modeling for a Dolce and Gabbana charity event. In the show, he will be replacing Jay Manuel, as he will be the creative director with the challenges and photoshoots.

According to Tyra, the show needed to a new boost! Although this may be accurate, but I still feel like the panel is not fully complete. There is one model, stylist, and a fashion blogger. Who is going to mentor the models on the catwalk? Whose going to provide the ideal photographer opinion regarding the shoot? I am really feel apprehensive about this season’s inability to deliver the complete package towards guiding the contestants. A couple of seasons prior, they took a new spin by adding Andre Leon Talley to the panel. ALT’s fashion/modeling expertise are second to none! With his enthusiasm and charisma it should have gain that extra spark. His perception of the show failure to promote “top models” but rather “B or C list celebrities” as distasteful, which I totally agree.

Naturally these are people who have worked their way towards relevancy in the fashion world, but I am still expecting more! Sure these new judges are up and coming fashion figure; however, are they aiming for popularity or real person with significant expertise in each given field (perhaps they are currently unaffordable). You might as well have me or some of my other fellow fashion/model bloggers be apart of the panel (if that only proves my point)! What the Trinity of ANTM has done will prove to be untouched!

miharayasuhiro – fall 2012 campaign

 

Muhammad Ali – Louis Vuitton Campaign

Box­ing leg­end  Muham­mad Ali featured in Louis Vuitton’s new Core Val­ues cam­paign. Through the lens of Annie Lei­bovitz, she captured a moment where Ali poses with one of his grandson is a remarkable shot. This shot could inspire the little guy into becoming the next Ali! First off, I believe this is one of the dopest things I have witness. The greatest boxers of all time, who happens to be a Louisville native featured in one of the most popular high fashion campaigns is a huge deal! Ali is the epitome of confidence and hard work. What makes him the greatest is because he told everyone he was. Everything he said he was going to do, he did! This truly inspires me to do the same thing as a martial artist with a dior homme or calvin klein ad (I can dream right lol).

Maison Martin Margiela – spring/summer 2013 collection

Maison Martin Margiela‘s spring/summer collection became an all white party! When it comes to the spring/summer, you can not go wrong with all white everything. The contrast of the “all white” everything were every model were black. I must say I really don’t see this often on the runway; however, I think it’s a good thing. On the other hand, a bit of diversity would be nice. Sure it is very hard for Black models to gain acknowledgment in the industry, but it was too saturated. The correlation between hip hop artists began to mention “Margiela” is a form of thank you. Personally, I don’t know! Race was not an issue I really wanted to discuss about this collection presented. Being a black man, I am only curious what was the angle.. Despite my opinion, Maison Martin Margiela is one of my favorite designers!

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For the Night

Sometimes I forget what the nightlife is since I am a parent. A break is necessary at times from our daily rituals. Personally, going out to clubs/bars are so dull to me. There is a lack of excitement. Its like shooting blanks whenever you have sex. Talk about a waste of life.. The only thing which makes me interested is networking and styling on them in the process… let me stop rambling lol

“Iron Will”

Ensemble: Maison Martin Margiela shirt; Silk Knit Tie from The Tie Bar; Jean Paul Gaultier Vest; Levi dark rinse Jeans; Crocodile belt

The Man with the Iron Fists

Wu Tang clan ain’t nothing to F*** with!! The Man with the Iron Fists is Wu Tang Clan’s RZA directorial debut. The film takes place in 19th century China with a group of warriors, assassins and a lone outsider hero in who must unite to annihilate a common enemy.

(RZA) who plays the town’s blacksmith was forced by tribal groups to create elaborate destructive tools. When the clans’ brewing war boils over, the stranger channels an ancient energy to transform himself into a human weapon.
Blending astonishing martial-arts sequences from some of the masters of this world with the signature vision he brings as the leader of the Wu-Tang Clan and as one of hip-hop’s most dominant figures of the past two decades, RZA embarks upon his most ambitious, stylized and thrilling project to date.

However, I must say it is pretty easy to come up with a dope trailer embellished with amazing effects. My main concern will be the martial arts in the film. American martial arts films has been saturated with wire work to the point it is not authentic martial arts techniques executed. The last thing I want to see is some novice martial artist who only trained for the purpose of a film and perform a chop-punch-aerial kick combination! I am going to play devil’s advocate because trailer’s nowadays don’t give the actual film any justice. On the contrary, I will give the film a reasonable doubt! After all, I truly appreciate the aesthetics of Quentin Tarantino. He’s a man who refuse to let his brand go down by any means necessary

Raf Simons Interview – Dior Haute Couture fall/winter 2012

Recently, Raf Simons showcased the haute couture collection Christian Dior. This a highly anticipation for many fashion viewers. Instead of displaying images, I felt like it was best to post a video which explains Simons’ aesthetic for the collection. His angle of the juxtaposition of classic and modern was dead on! It’s really a safe way to maintain the essence of the Dior brand while provided his own twist behind it. Sometimes its best to get their vision from the source.

Givenchy – 2013 Spring/Summer Collection

Givenchy has been on a extreme demand through out the fashion world. With Megastars such as Kanye West, Jay Z, A$AP Rocky, and among others truly branded the fashion label into the hip-hop world. Givenchy’s creative director, Riccardo Tisci has decided to continue his noir aesthetic with a slight alteration. Out of the entire spring/summer 2013 collection, the winner was the graphic t shirt. Naturally graphic t shirts are not really the main hype of collections. If you are considering the iconic YSL t-shirt, that’s a classic must have fashion essential. Tisci’s fascination with his Christian roots is breathtaking, nevertheless. Its rich choice of fabrics and color made a statement. I sense the emotion inspired from Baroque art. This particular style of art is my absolute favorite period because of the emotion the images deliver. Overall, this is my favorite Givenchy collection (minus the Salmon skirts.. negative). Tisci has become a great asset to the brand, which this collection will prove to be one of the must haves on the streets next year.

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Ann Demeulemeester – spring/summer 2013 collection

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Salvatore Ferragamo – Spring/Summer 2013 collection

Salvatore Ferragamo‘s 2013 collection has taken a different direction. This collection has featured significant amount of eye-popping colors from rusty orange, aquamarine, and cobalt appeared on piped lapels and color-blocked pockets. These concentrated hues, and even intermixed through the use of sheer V-neck sweaters. I would advise to use only a few colorful pieces and work your wardrobe around those (it doesn’t have to be from this collection). Because this is a colorful collection does not meant it should not be taken seriously. The Ferragamo brand certainly made sure there was no ounce of elegance being diluted with its full volume of color.

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Neil Barrett – Spring/Summer 2013 collection

Neil Barrett‘s spring/summer 2013 collection is a complete knockout! It is often hard to find a collection you could personally love from start to finish. However, this is not the case when it comes this designer. Unfortunately, his name isn’t one of the first people the laymen would think about when it comes to fashion. In some cases, I believe that is a good thing because it shows more concentration of the designer (not the name). This collection has an array of very beautiful constructed pieces without losing its subtle masculinity edge. The baseball jackets were perhaps my favorite of them all. The versatility can easily be juxtapose from euro to street urban. Overall, the collection has something to offer that contemporary man who admires simplicity or wanna take it another level with a hint of metallics.