A Winning Combination

The Great Gatsby on Set

2012 is shaping up to be a great year for the movies.  When I heard that director Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet, Australia) would be revamping the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic, The Great Gatsby I was dying to see some on-set stills.  I'm a big fan of the 1974 adaption with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, but I think the casting in this new installment is great - DiCaprio and Mulligan are really channeling Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan.   


The wait is over - here are some photos of Leo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, and Carey Mulligan on set in Sydney Australia from this past Friday...

Above photos courtesy of Celebuzz (via INF Daily)

November Playlist: Cornucopia

Just in time to kick off Thanksgiving week...

Note: "Already Know That It's Nice" // Dominant Legs; "2 Dimensional" // Sonance Hotel; "Caroline Goodbye" // Colin Blunstone are also included in the Download but are not on Grooveshark.

King Charles

I've you enjoyed the song "Love Lust" from the August Jibing Playlist, then you'll be happy to hear that King Charles has just released two new videos.  Shot in California by master director Autumn de Wilde (Noah & the Whale, Ingrid Michaelson, The Decemberists) "Mississippi Isabel" and "Bam Bam"where made to go together and prove that King Charles is a name to remember.  Take a look...








Described by the London Guardian as a "dandy...part of a tradition of uniquely English, psych-inflected pastoral whimsy," King Charles' music is really catchy and his English gentleman/pirate style is pretty awesome.  In many ways he reminds me of a British Devendra Banhart.


You may also recognize the look of these videos as Ms. de Wilde also directed the Oliver Peoples ad campaign from 2010, "Les Enfants S'ennuient le Dimanche".

Style Storyteller

This weekend I finally got around to seeing The Rum Diary with Johnny Depp, based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson.  Intrigued by the trailer, and after reading some mixed reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect.  Although I found the storyline a bit slow at times, I left amazed by the stupendous job on the costume design.  


The 60's era tailored suits donned by Johnny Depp and Aaron Eckhart and the stunning dresses worn by Amber Heard, are the handywork of Colleen Atwood.  The three time Academy Award winning costume designer has designed costumes for many other of my favorite films, including Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish, Alice in Wonderland, The Tourist.

Watching this movie I was reminded of a quotation I posted a while back by Ralph Lauren, "Every time I design clothes, I'm making a movie".  I think the story in The Rum Diary was driven by the visual cues from the disheveled yet dapper Depp to the impeccably dressed Eckhart.  Clearly, Atwood hit the nail on the head by effectively creating story lines for the characters through their personal style, and by creating an atmosphere that I really enjoyed.  I also liked the array of vintage sunglasses that appeared in the film, and I have to give credit to the set designer for a great job as well.  Overall, The Rum Diary is definitely worth seeing.

Above images via Film District © 2011

Most recently, Atwood has taken on the task of wardrobing the fantasy world in Snow White & the Huntsman starring Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, and Chris Hemsworth.  The costumes in the trailer look fantastic and prove that Atwood is one of the great style storytellers - take a look...

Hail the Wale!

Image via Corduroy Appreciation Club

Today is 11|11|11, which means it's Corduroy Appreciation Day - the day of the year that most closely resembles Corduroy fabric.  The Corduroy Appreciation Club of New York, dedicated to the celebration of the "King's thread", has already been celebrating the fabric for the past 11 days leading up to today with Corduroy related events...see what went down here.  


Today events will be held across the country from New York City to Portland, Oregon where Corduroy enthusiast rejoice and layer up - attendees must abide by a "Three Item Rule" and wear at least three items of Corduroy.


In addition the club gave away 111 pairs of Official Corduroy Club Pants made by Betabrand, the makers of Cordarounds - a horizontal take on Corduroy pants.

Cordarounds

Images via Betabrand

I also like these skinny Corduroy ties made especially for the club.  They're something different to pep up your fall style.  Happy Corduroy Appreciation Day and "Hail the Wale"!

Image via Corduroy Appreciation Club

Hyde Park on Hudson

Check out these photos of Bill Murray as FDR that just surfaced from the upcoming film "Hyde Park on Hudson".  The film will recount the visit of the British King and Queen to FDR's vacation home in 1939 and the love affair between the president and his distant cousin Margaret Stuckley, played by Laura Linney.  Olivia Williams will play a really convincing Eleanor Roosevelt and the King and Queen by Samuel West and Olivia Colman.


I am a big fan of Bill Murray and am glad to see that he will be coming back to the big screen in high style in this film, as well as in the highly anticipated Wes Anderson film, "Moonrise Kingdom" - both slated for next year.  If these stills are any indication of how the movie will turn out, then it is going to be amazing.  The period wardrobes and sets are superb and the casting looks spot on - I can't wait!

Images by Focus Features via Huffington Post

First Aid Kit

Photo by Neil Krug via Myspace

I'm a huge fan of this duo from Sweden called First Aid Kit.  The sisters Söderberg, Johanna and Klara, 21 and 18 respectively, have an amazingly mature quality and deepness to their soulful folk harmonies that is beautiful and addicting.  Their cover of Fleet Foxes, "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" back in 2008 put their name on the radar and would lead to performances with Fleet Foxes, an album, and an international tour of their own.


After working in the studio with producer Mike Mogis, of Bright Eyes, their first single from their second album called "The Lion's Roar" hit Itunes last week, with the album coming out in 2012.  Like some of my other favorite indie folk bands like Fleet Foxes and U.S. Royalty, there is a very organic and woodsy feeling to First Aid Kit's music - perfect for this time of the year methinks.  So enjoy the fall foliage while there's still time before winter comes knocking on our door.




First Aid Kit is also working with Jack White's Nashville based Third Man Records - can't wait to see what's in store for the future.

Will Power

It's not fair that women got to carry around everything conveniently in a purse, while men are resigned to stuff everything into bulging pockets.  When a jacket or blazer isn't enough, I need something more substantial to carry my book, Ipod, phone, wallet, sunglasses, umbrella, and occasional change of clothes.


Thankfully, today there are quite a few options for men's carry-all bags, and I especially like those by Will Leather Goods based in Eugene, OR, founded by former television actor Bill Adler.  The Western inspired styling, quality leather, and "Made in America" appeal, make the bags a good choice for that utilitarian, urban-cowboy in us all.

This bag was conceptualized specifically for the Tribeca Film Festival in March 2011.

Tote made from White Oak Cone denim. 

(The same used by MS & Co. Selvedge Denim Sleeves)

Classic Canvas Carry All for those heavier loads.

Will also specializes in bags made from salvaged Dhurrie rugs from Mexico for more colorful options.  Other than bags, Will offers some really cool tooled leather belts as well as leather bracelets, which are worth checking out.


Kind of surprisingly, Will also has a collaboration with venerable J. Press of New Haven.  It's basically just a Will Classic Carry All with a J. Press logo on the back.  Nonetheless, I'm always happy to see two great companies working together.