Metropark

Ah, Friday, end of the work week and an ideal time to loosen up that shirt or tie, kick back with friends, and throw back a couple drinks at the local watering hole. Which is exactly why I thought this latest Numero Magazine editorial starring the lovely Cara Delevingne would be the perfect way to top off this weeks posts, seeing as how it's shot entirely at a seedy bar. Lensed by Miles Aldridge with Samuel Francois styling, there's an awesome juxtaposition of sleazy surroundings and luxe attire, like haute Lanvin collars cast against tacky-curtained backdrops. They certainly paid attention to detail though - between the dart board, passed out homeless guy at the table, and topless dancer atop the pool table, you'd think they literally just walked into any sketchy bar in Queens. Cheers!





(SEE THEM ALL HERE!)

After their first summer drop launched just a few months ago, resident Metropark brand Married to the Mob is back at it with another round - a Summer 2 collection featuring a vibrant array of warm-weather pieces that are sure to have heads turning. The release consists of their classically bold short-sleeve tees, a soft graphic v-neck, and an adorable tank top stamped with MTTM's clover logo. Plus they've got the fellas covered too, adding a couple new styles to the current Mens lineup, each available in two color ways. But perhaps the most exciting part of this second summer drop is a tee selection created in collaboration with rapper CURREN$Y, male MTTM mascot and homie to the brand. Inspired by his love of the Jet Life and all things weed-related, each piece is a perfect blend of playfulness and provocation - with pot leaves and dollar signs galore. Wanting to keep the collection and lookbook in sync, MTTM's owner Leah McSweeney decided to fly the team down to CURREN$Y's hometown, good old New Orleans, where MTTM's favorite photographer David Shadi Perez captured the Louisiana vibes. To see the full collection, click here! 





(SHOP MARRIED TO THE MOB ON METROPARK!) 

 

For V Spain's thirteenth edition, photographer Daniel Sannwald teamed up with French model Morgane Warnier to create an explosively graphic editorial - Color Bomb - composed of electric hues and geometric shapes. Bordering on an almost cartoonish, comic-book vibe, the spread is like something out of an 80s Anime, with tones and contrasts that are slightly surreal. Striking lusty poses with her dramatic cat eyes and platinum blonde locks, Morgane simply radiates high-fashion heat, from her patent-leather collar right down to the vibrant tips of her fingernails... 





(SEE MORE HERE!)

Papercaft, quite simply, is the art of creating models and objects out of paper - basically like another version of origami. And while most of us only remember said art from our school days - creating cranes or boats out of loose leaf during a boring class - many artists are bringing the craft to a completely different level. Take Agnes Cecilia Fideli Siri Charlotte Sundqvist for example, a Swedish graphic designer who not only has an incredible name, but an equally incredible knack for transforming paper too. Recently she collaborated with photographer Olivia Jeczmyk and stylist Joanna Lavén to create this dark still life series, featuring an abundance of her papercraft delicacies, from asparagus spears to whole red lobsters. Almost looks good enough to eat...if you don't mind papercuts. 

What do you get when you combine teddy-bear-studded suspender pants, flowery tracksuits, and angel-wing-adorned sneakers? A Jeremy Scott Adidas Originals campaign of course! And that's exactly what their latest Fall/Winter ads consisted of, plus clear plastic jackets and key-board-print pants for good measure. Fresh after the drama he recently faced over these controversial 'shackle' shoes, Jeremy shows no sign of halting his eccentric designs - the Fall/Winter lookbook is about as crazy as it gets. Check it out below...

Luxury Italian lingerie brand La Perla, best known for their incredible selections of high-quality silks and lace, recently released their 2012 Spring/Summer collection, a sultry nod to the past. With a lookbook inspired by retro chic, model Jeisa Chiminazzo plays the part perfectly, sporting her hair in an elegant updo with wide cat-eyes to match. But even more than the delicate model and glamorous Californian backdrop, it's the lingerie that truly impresses - a cute yet classy mix of pieces with a little something for all tastes and styles. From funky cover-ups, to pretty pink laces, to geometric swimwear, and even ornate bodysuits, everyone's covered. This definitely ain't your Grannies lingerie!





(VIEW THE FULL COLLECTION HERE)

Always coming through with the best in bright, vibrant summer editorials, Vogue India recently released this incredibly studding spread titled Water Sign, in which Canadian model Jessiann Gravel-Beland plays the most exquisite couture Mermaid. Shot by Luis Monteiro against a turquoise-colored beach, Jessica dances around the sand in a gorgeous selection of gowns and dresses, from Galliano tulle to embroidered gold Pucci. But my favorite is easily the Alexander McQueen oyster-shell gown, a perfect compliment to her platinum hair and Siren silhouette. Ariel better watch her back!





(SEE THE WHOLE SET HERE)

American artist Christopher Boffoli is quite intrigued by America's fascination with both food and tiny objects, and his latest show Big Appetites (now on display through August 24th at Winston Wächter Fine Art NYC) is a pretty obvious example of that. Though he mostly works as a photographer covering everything from journalism to portraits, this specific series is all about the juxtaposition of miniatures and real-sizes food, creating a playfully distorted world that leaves the viewer wanting more. And slightly hungry, I might add. But seriously, imagine a universe where you were so small, you could repel down a tea-bag string. Honey I shrunk the art! 





(SEE THEM ALL HERE)

Remember being a little kid around bath time, when your Mother would tell you to stop wandering off and get ready to hop in the water, all frothy and warm and filled with mountains of foamy white bubbles? Man, those were the good old days. I could've spent hours in the tub making myself different soap garments, from Santa beards to sud-shaped hats, even refilling the tub with more bubbles once the first batch would've popped away.  Perhaps that's why I was so instantly drawn to this dreamy editorial by Used Magazine, Having A Bubble, where models Alexa and Storm don absolutely nothing besides their makeup and fashionably foamy outfits dyed in a myriad of colors. But these ladies wouldn't dare to wear them childishly like I might have - instead they strike poses in mermaid gowns and costume jewelry, all which could be blown away with a simple sneeze. So fresh & so clean...





(SEE THE REST HERE)

If day-dreaming, soft hues, delicate florals, and femininity are something you seek out in photography, look no further then South African photographer Amy Scheepers, a woman whose aesthetic goal is to "try to recreate the softness and beauty of dreams in each piece of work". Her portofolio boasts several super-girly shoots, one which stood out to me in particular, Les Enfants Fleur, meaning The Flower Children in French. Starring a young, wispy-haired model, Scheepers evokes a slightly Lolita esque look, chock full of flower wreaths, Doc Martens, and an innocently whimsical palette of colors. To see more of Amy's photoshoots, click here!

I've certainly seen my fair share of fantastic photorealistic paintings over the years, but never have I been quite as baffled by their seemingly tangible qualities as I am with the work of Italian painter, Luigi Benedicenti. Focusing mainly on desserts and pastry as subject matter, he possesses this ability to capture textures and nuances in color in a way that literally leaves you wondering where all the paint lines and brush strokes are. But it's ultimately his extraordinary attention to little details that make each piece so perfect: the frayed edges of a grape stem, the flaking of puff pastry, the chalkiness of his powdered sugar. Just incredible! And not to mention, now I've got a major appetite for something sweet...





(SEE MORE HERE!)

Vogue Korea is channeling their subconscious in this super-surreal June editorial, so aptly titled One Dream, starring Ji Hye Park. Shot by Bosung Kim with incredibly magical styling by Seo Young Hui, we delve into the different dream-states of sleeping Ji Hye, all which take place on a small vertical fishing boat. From deep-sea fishing excursions, to a whimsical wedding in white, to floating fruit stands, to stacked paper libraries - there's a little something for everyone. Sweet dreams ahoy!





(SEE THE ENTIRE DREAM HERE!)