This ad for the American Indian College Fund is one of the most intelligent that I have seen in quite some time. On one hand, it’s modern and stands aesthetically on its own. (And whoever is handling ad placement for AICF agrees and keenly placed it in the 2010 Men’s Fashion issue of New York Times’ T Magazine.)

On the other hand, it effectively demonstrates generations of traditions and values that reach back into time. Such is the responsibility undertaken by the young man featured, Mr. Alan Waukau, a Criminal Justice major from the Menominee tribe in Wisconsin.

More specifically, the tag line “Think Indian” makes me think of Apple’s “Think Different” campaign of the late nineties. It featured iconic figures that broke out of conventions of accepted thought, such as Einstein, Martha Graham, and George Clinton. By changing one word out of two, we still break out from the dullness of the mainstream but uphold native values at the same.

Total respect.

Tags: "Think Different", "Think Indian", American Indian College Fund, graphic design, Menominee Tribe, Smart Ads, T Magazine

After going through Angeleno, I’ve moved onto exploring the Los Angeles Times Magazine website, whose online design and layout I prefer over New York Times’ counterpart. Okay, it does not carry the seriousness of the Gotham mag nor is it published every week. But compared to the New York Times’s periodic style manifesto T, the L.A. Times imprint carries a certain freshness and joie de vivre that I enjoy. (I also find the typography reminscent of French Vogue.) After all, any magazine that features a well-made cocktail every issue is worthy of respect. Take, for instance, September 2009’s The Fashionista, which, despite the fashion reference, looks like one serious drink… woefully beyond my personal bartending capabilities.

Staying on the foodie theme, I particularly appreciate Lora Zarubin’s sushi article (fish) (delicious) (November 2009 issue) with its helpful guidelines and great photography. Never have I seen raw fish (above) so closely resemble some kind of stylish accessory (what kind of accessory though, I can’t say). Plus, it’s the first time I’ve seen a guide on how to eat sushi with your hand (below), which, I’ve been told, is how it’s really supposed to be done (at least, for nigiri).

Read more of the Los Angeles Times Magazine here.

Credits

Photography: Victoria Pearson | Illusration: Jameson Simpson for the Los Angeles Times Magazine.

Tags: cocktails, Los Angeles Times magazine, New York Times magazine, sushi

“Kareho Koe”, the new clip from Tikahiri’s new album Merahi Kerekere, is finally up on YouTube in high resolution. Its dark, gothic atmosphere and slick production make it one of the more original clips out of Tahiti and French Polynesia to date.

Like Tikahiri’s video debut “Tapea te paari”, the band maintains its special brand of smoldering and brooding. But on this occasion, a female element appears as a mysterious woman who seems to lure one of the men into her grasp during the darkness of the night. Unfortunately, you need to speak pa’umotu (the language of the Tuamotu Archipelgo) to get the complete meaning of the song, and, alas, no translations have appeared yet. Somehow, I think you can get the song’s jist just by watching.

More Tikahiri on Kaila Hawai’i:

• Polynesian Gothic: Tikahiri’s back with new album & clip
• Tātau and leather – “Tapea te paari”, Tikahiri’s debut clip
• Polyneisan Paradoxes: Tikahiri

LISTEN TO TIKAHIRI’S MERAHI KEREKERE

Tags: Acoustic Rock, goth, Kareho Koe, Merahi Kerekere, pa'umotu, Tahiti, Tikahiri

Though this song sounded vaguely familiar when I first heard it on the excellent soundtrack for the  By Malene Birger’s Autumn/Winter 2010 show, I couldn’t think of the name of the song or the band. Because of its genius refrain, I found it quickly enough: “Bus Stop” by the Fatback Band. This particular version dates from a 1975 broadcast of the one and only Soul Train. I’m just in love with the style here, not to be mention the moves. Enough to show they can dance but not too much to seem like they’re showing off. Unbeatable.

Tags: 1975, Bus Stop, By Malene Birger, Fatback Band, Soul Train

One of the supreme highlights of Francisco Costa’s women’s ready-to-wear show for Calvin Klein Collection was the appearance of Polish model Monika Jagaciak, or simply, “Jac”. She opened the show, which turned out to be one of Costa’s most minimalist and spare since he took over as women’s designer from Mr. Klein himself in 2004. In my eyes, it seemed as an evolution of ideas first presented in his fall 2007 and spring 2009 shows. (Cecilia Dean, founder of the luxe fashion magazine Visionaire had appopriately described the latter show as “soft geometry” in an interview.) While the show seemed geared towards pragmatic but ever-so-cool dressing for everyday, Jac did sport one of Costa’s three spare, elegant evening dresses in silver silk Lurex. Calvin Klein’s live webcast, unfortunately, did not capture the intricacies of the fabric’s delicate grid pattern. It is good to know that, even with technology, you still need to be there in person to truly see it… That is, until houses start broadcasting in high-definition.

In the meantime, Jac can also be seen as the face of Calvin Klein Collection’s 2010 Spring Collection campaign.

Sources:

• Style.com | Photos: Marcio Madeira &  Greg Kessler, FirstView.com

Tags: Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Collection, Jac, Lurex, Monika Jagaciak, New York Fashion Week

Along with over 8,000 people worldwide, I watched the A/W 2010 men’s collection from Calvin Klein Collection online on February 14, 2010. I took it as a Valentine to all those who appreciate minimalist design.

Lean and mean for everyday

I love the sheer lean, sharp, serious quality to this collection. GQ’s review is on target when it describes the collection as “crisp, angular, and authoritative as hell”. The futuristic element that Italo Zucchelli has introduced to the men’s line is still present. But this time, it’s more integrated into a real world sensibility without losing its éclat, or spark, as they’d say in French.

Pieces on the wishlist

While much of the construction was quite attractive, these are the favorites of Kaila Hawai’i.

Iron Cuoio Two Button Sport Jacket | Bonded Plongee Leather/Ribbed Merino Jacket

Ottoman Rib Hooded Sweater, espcially in cloud white.

Onyx Rubber Overcoat and the Bonded Sueded/Denim Engineered Pant

Details on all looks at Calvin Klein Collection – Men Fall 2010 lookbook.

(All photos – Source: GQ | Photo: Andrew Thomas)

The aesthetics of walking

One small change I noticed happily was the overall change in model’s walk from the Spring 2010 showing. Gone was the stiff gait that dominated much of the Spring collection’s appearance. Aside from Mr. David Agbodji-see more and less of him here-very few of the men seemed to have mastered the “back from the future” walk that the house was going for with that presentation. On this outing, the men opted for a more direct, boldly confident stride that had an almost militaristic quality at times. (A few did have an odd robotic quality with how they took corners. )

A touch of Grace?

(Source: GQ | Photo: Andrew Thomas)

Is it me or does Mr. Agbodji’s appearance seem to be referencing Grace Jones?  The cut of his hair and the sharp blazers are reminiscent of Ms. Jones on her 1981 album Nightclubbing.

The soundtrack

The sound of the collection is built around various around a them, well, remixes that is. The sound design integrates several different mixes of “Basic Space” by up-and-coming Brit band The XX.

• Basic Space – Jamie xx Mix
• Basic Space – Mount Kimbie/Diskjokke remixes
• Basic Space (Astronomer remix)
• Basic Space (M.A.T.H.E.S remix)

Here’s the original version in the slick video by directed by Anthony Dickinson.

Tags: Autumn/Winter 2010, Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Collection, David Agbodji, fashion, GQ, Italo Zucchelli, men's fashion, The XX

As all eyes have moved onto New York Fashion Week, I’m still happy to have discovered the smaller yet sophisticated Copenhagen Fashion Week. One of the most delightful “discoveries”—this, of course, for someone living on the other side of the world—is By Malene Birger.  The house was launched five years ago by Danish designer Birger, who seems to be quite well appreciated by British Vogue. (And, may I say, when I opened up French Vogue’s February issue yesterday, guess whose ad I saw?)  But the publicity is well deserved. And By Malene Birger’s latest outing proves it. Autumn/Winter 2010 collection was relaxed and elegant with a occasional infusion of luxe. Take the fur vest that the first model strutted down an indoor field of autumn leaves… luxurious yet approachable. At other times, comfy sweatpants were paired blazers for a cofident, easy-going look.

(more…)

Tags: Autumn/Winter 2010, By Malene Birger, Copenhagen Fashion Week, fashion, Spring/Summer 2010

After all the visits to Kaila Hawai’i since the Gudrun & Gudrun post over the weekend–I never thought fashion from the remote Faroe Islands would be such a draw–take a look at the runway show for Gudrun & Gudrun’s Autumn/Winter 2010 collection from last week’s Copenhagen Fashion Week. Until I saw this, I never thought wool could actually be so crazy cool. Of course, tattoos usually help.

Source: Copenhagen Fashion Week TV; Copenhagen Fashion Week

P.S. Several songs on the soundtrack are by group Toro Y Moi, though I’m not sure if they did do the first track.

Tags: Autumn/Winter 2010, Copenhagen Fashion Week, Faroe Islands, fashion, Gudrun & Gudrun, Gudrun og Gudrun, Toro Y Moi

Before going back into Nordic fashion, I thought it’d might be a good idea to head back to the Pacific. I’m currently digging the new Tukupu line of tanks and tees from Tikidub, the production company founded by Māori recording artist Tiki Taane. Designed by Inia Taylor and Illicit for Tikidub, each tee features the graffiti print and the phrase “Dub Soldier”.

How to Buy

All of you into fashion rareties can gear yourself up with a product that probably hasn’t been seen outside of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Buy direct from the Tikidub Shop. (You can also buy Tiki’s tracks there as well.)

More on Tiki

You can read more about Tiki and his groundbreaking single “Tangaroa” here.

Tags: Aotearoa, Illicit, Inia Taylor, Māori, New Zealand, Tiki Taane, Tikidub, Tukupu

These rocking kids pieces from Gudrun & Gudrun – Ovitar  line deserved a post all of their own. While the (cute) attitude is due much in part to the hair style and styling, I can’t help but wish I had things like this to wear at this little one’s age. Just too adorable.

What he’s wearing

Top – Traditional Cardigan. Bottom – Sweater Republic.

Where to buy

Available from Gudrun & Gudrun’s online store

Tags: cardigans, childrenswear, Gudrun & Gudrun, Gudrun og Gudrun, sweaters