Voguepedia, "Peck Specs", "Savage Beauty", & Birimingham Fashion Week 2011.

-VOGUEpedia is OPEN! -After launching their own website at the end of last year, Vogue.com has launched Voguepedia, which holds VOGUE archives where visitors can base their search on designer, brand, model, "personality", and beauty.

-Oliver Peoples trademarks The "Gregory Peck" specks. (For a limited time!) Now you can go on a 'Roman Holiday' or channel the style of Atticus Finch during the great depression-('To Kill a Mockingbird').

THE Gregory Peck.

Oliver Peoples "Peck" specs.

-McQ of Alexander McQueen has launched their own Official Tumblr with links to their Facebook, Twitter, and video sharing sites, YouTube and Vimeo. Welcome to social networking you dreaming masters of fashion, you! Photographer, Niall O'Brien took a trip of spontaneity with the world of McQ up the Western U.S. coast to create campaigns pairing small town scenery with raw imagery to create genius works of art and branding. ALSO -(old news, but,) Alexander McQueen - "Savage Beauty" was this year's Met Ball exhibit inspiration. The genius work of the late Alexander McQueen opened on May 4 (and will run until) July 11 at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met Store even has tiny McQueenadillo ornaments, a book featuring the work displayed in the exhibit, "Savage Beauty", and other gifts. Must haves for any fan of the journey/work of Alexander McQueen!

UPDATE: After already having 150,000 visitors to the McQueen Met exhibit only one month into its' showing- the exhibit has been extended until August 7!! -Giving the world to get up close and personal with this genius work for almost one full month!

Photos by Niall O'Brien (3 photos above).

Works of the late McQueen at the Met exhibit. (4 photos above)

Holographic image of McQueen's "Savage Beauty" cover (L) SS10 McQueenadillo ornament (R)

-Also, a little personal news/catch-up...I got to sit in the pit for MyScoop.us press for the first annual Birmingham Fashion Week on April 29, 2011. The collections of designers such as Leona, Project Runway contestant and well-known Bridal gown designer, Heidi Elnora, the menswear boutique in Birmingham, Shaia's, and up and comer designers like winner of the Design Star of BFW11', William Bradley, were shown. Click here for more information about Birmingham Fashion Week!

Leona (Above).

Shaia's (L) Heidi Elnora (R)

Heidi Elnora, Jeana Lee Fleming, and Lauren Leonard of Leona (L). Angel Vuong and I (R).

Lady Gaga for Harper's Bazaar May 2011 : Shot by Terry Richardson

Lady Gaga | Harper's Bazaar | May 2011

Interviewed by: Derek Blasberg

Photographed by: Terry Richardson

Lady Gaga is horns out for Harper's Bazaar covering the May 2011 issue

shot by Terry Richardson.

Inside the editorial includes looks from Alexander McQueen, Mugler, Versace, Dior Couture, and Francesco Scognamigilo. Shot in the raw flash form by iconic Photographer Terry Richardson, Gaga is baring all, and giving insight to her new look (mutations/horns) and "Born this Way" (to be released on May 23, 2011).

Also giving insight to the message behind the use of artistic expression and newfound celebrity Rick Genest,(who Nicola Formichetti found on Facebook!) in the recently released video for "Born this Way". She also speaks on Nick Knight and the true influence behind the inspiration for the video.

"It's artistic expression," Gaga says. "It's a performance-art piece. I have never, ever encouraged my fans or anyone to harm themselves, nor do I romanticize masochism. Body modification is part of the overarching analysis of 'Born This Way.' In the video, we use Rico, who is tattooed head to toe [including a skull on his face]. He was born that way. Although he wasn't born with tattoos, it was his ultimate destiny to become the man he is today.

As the millions of people who have seen the video for "Born This Way" can attest, Gaga devotes as much artistic energy to her visuals as she does her audio. But today she's still editing the Nick Knight--directed opening sequence, where we meet her newest creation, Mother Monster. She offers a sneak peek but warns, "You're not ready!" presumably referring to its awesomeness. "Nick Knight? He's such an asshole," she proclaims, which means he's a genius. And her inspiration for the video's out-of-this-world surrealism? "A lot of weed."

(Interview excerpts & photos courtesy of Harper's Bazaar)

McQueen's Bondage Angels - FW11 Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN FW11 by Sarah Burton

-The Dominating yet Angelic Woman (S&M Angels)

With almost a year under her belt as the Creative Director of Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton has stayed true to the part I loved most about the McQueen's work while he was alive. ---Keeping the female form present, but transforming her into a dominating superhuman. The FW11 collection was very monochromatic with only a few lilac colored looks close to the end of the collection. The rumors of Burton designing soon to be wed Kate Middleton's wedding dress are still rumors, but I'm sure that after seeing this collection, the fashion world sure is hoping that finale gown was a sign. Soft elements from white fur and looks with white fabrics rushing out from the bottoms of most of the gowns. Hard elements on top of the pure like dresses with black leather formed to fit the forms of the models complete with collar straps and breast plates. I love the bondage aspect of the collection...that to me, is what kept it very 'McQueen' and powerful. Dresses and hardware/shoes made out of broken mosaic ceramic patterns into corsets on top of the flowing white floor length bottoms. I mean, it can't be a McQueen show without a little sex and feathers flying, right?! Again, Sarah Burton has produced a breath of fresh air for the FW11 Alexander McQueen collection.

Photo courtesy of VOGUE.com

ONE YEAR TODAY...

R.I.P. LEE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Today marks ONE YEAR since the Death of Designer and Visual Artist, Alexander McQueen.

This is My Ode, IN MEMORIAM to him.

I wrote this last semester in my Poetry Tour. It was my first assignment.

:NAMED AFTER 'PARADISE LOST' AND A PLAY OFF OF OLSON'S 'PACIFIC LAMENT'

(I wanted to literally type it on my typewriter, and I'm not the best at it yet so bear with me when it comes to mis-types.) Sorry :(

Hope you Enjoy.

You truly were a genius and there is 'no one who can cross that line' again.

(click Poem (below) to enlarge)

Is it too soon for a Michael Vick joke?! - A LOOK AT MENSWEAR FW11

MENSWEAR FALL 2011

"Ten Hut!"

"Let there be light?"

"Who Let the Dogs out?

Bruce Weber for YSL Menswear F11

Gaga for MUGLER Menswear F11

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

The collection was full of military trends with structure and fit, but also in color. Deep red, white, and black. Also ending with some nice suits, (not shown) which looked like they had actual tailoring done to them. Is Sarah Burton reworking the McQueen suit from 'boxy' to 'fitting'? Either way, a nice change that might do very well for the Menswear business of McQueen. The McQueen abstract textured prints are still working their way into Burton's so far collections, and I'm sure that is exciting to see for all of the followers of the McQueen brand name.

JIL SANDER

Am I going to have to wear color next Fall? I sure hope so if I could make the pops of color like the looks form this show did. Color blocking at its best. Very simple in fit and color with most all looks including black or white pants, but also a splash of a full-on Salmon suit. The textures of the simple shirts and jackets are a nice touch.
DOLCE & GABBANA

If you know me then you know I love it when fashion and American culture "Americana", pop culture or Iconic figures come together. Hi, Warhol. Bringing 'Coca-Cola' and MICKEY together with a twist to give a modern twist on the hipster American look is genius. The look is smart for style and the brand itself because it gives the look no age...it is relatable to all those who Dolce and Gabbana's market tends to relate to. Can you tell I want that 'Coca-Cola' sweater??

GIVENCHY

WOOF!

Is it too soon for a Michael Vick joke?? Okay...I'm kidding, but not really. Leather, lettermans, fur, plaid, knee-high-high-tops, and even a dog fight. The Letterman trend is here to stay. The look is very relaxed in fit, but full of attitude in the styling. The thing I love about Riccardo Tisci is that the extremities of his collections whether it is the use of color or an excessive amount of a print such as the FULL-ON leopard print (Spring 2011) or the rottweiler dog fight, it adds character and power. Isn't that what fashion is all about? -Having fun with your personal style?

Bruce Weber shot the Yves Saint Laurent Menswear F11 short film. I mean, what's better than watching a show...watching a short film with vision, a script, director of photography, and nude male models dancing to Marvin Gaye, of course!

Ain't Nothin' Like the Real Thing | Bruce Weber for YSL from VGL Men on Vimeo.

Lady Gaga featured her remix from her upcoming album 'Born This Way' for the Thierry Mugler Menswear F11 & Nicola Formichetti's first Menswear show ever.

The short film was released the day after the show on the Mugler website.

The video is an artistic dark dream...full of raw and natural anatomical theme, oh yeah, and head to toe tattoos.

MUGLER Fall/Winter 2011-12 from DEPESHA on Vimeo.

ALL photos from GQ.com

UPDATED on JANUARY 28, 2011.

- PLEASE TELL ME KARL DIDN'T PAY FOR THIS...

BAPTISTE GIABICONI'S NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR HIS SONG 'SHOWTIME' (=/)