Monday, December 20, 2010

Remembering John Lennon



Thirty years ago today, I was working in computer operations for the defunct Manufactures Hanover Bank at 55 Water St on Manhattan. I was 22 years old and had the luxury of still living at home and spending most nights out running the streets on NYC. So when I got up on the morning of December 8th 1980 and went into the bathroom for a leak, shower and shave, I switched on the radio which was always set to 102.7 WNEW FM and heard Richard Neer talk about the DEATH of John Lennon, I thought I was still feeling the effects of the past evening.

Unfortunately it wasn’t. It was fact. John Lennon was gunned down in front of his Dakota Apartments home by a fucking lunatic . How could this happen? Lennon was not just a rock and roll icon, he was one of us, a New Yorker and not just any New Yorker but a guy who hung out at the downtown bars and rock clubs just like the rest of us.

It was the coolest thing about Lennon and Yoko, they never thought they were special, they just felt they were one of a few million folks who called the city home. They would walk into Max’s Kansas City and blend in.

It’s still kind of surreal when one night Lennon walked past a group of myself and my buddies,who were there to see the Von Lmo band, of which a couple of neighborhood guys played in, and as he past he looked at us and said “how are you lads”? What? did John Lennon just ask us how we’re doing? HOLY SHIT!!!!

John Lennon, gone but certainly not forgotten.

(via http://baseballbloggersalliance.com/2010/12/remembering-john-lennon/ )

Sunday, December 19, 2010



Carine may be leaving, but the show must continue. There are already whispers about her working for Tom Ford… We will have to see.

The question on my mind is will Freja still be adored by Vogue Paris… Even with Carine gone, Lara and Lily are safe because Anna Wintour often features them in Vogue US editorials.

As soon as I was getting bored, this is making fashion exciting again! And I am not worried because I am sure Carine is not going to disappear, but we all are interested in the new directions, aren’t we?

Joan Mirò



















I try to apply colors like words that shape poems, like notes that shape music.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Great Dane





"It’s been a busy year for Freja Beha Erichsen. At 23, this Danish model’s career is on a hot streak. And that’s not simply because she’s Karl Lagerfeld’s current muse. Erichsen has popped up in 10 advertising campaigns and shot almost 40 editorials since January. She equally fascinates editors, stylists and designers, and has appeared in five of the past six issues of French Vogue alone.

Erichsen’s tomboy looks — not to mention 16 tattoos — give her an edgy, androgynous mystique. But her charm is also influenced by the attitude she cultivates in her extracurricular activities: The wannabe rock star plays the drums, piano and guitar.

In 2010, Erichsen walked 80 shows and opened and/or closed 30. Lagerfeld summed up her appeal last April: “I just think she is the most modern girl and the most elegant person."

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Self-confidence











While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence - which, I believe, does make the woman.

Sunday, December 12, 2010


Freja Beha Interview - Yes We Love You Freja, We Do!


J: ok, I'm recording...
F: Sweet.
J: hi, this is James, and I'm with Freja.
F: Freja, yes...
J: A lot of people mispronounce your name, Freja, which really kinda pisses me off. They say Friza, they say Froza, they say Friche, Freya,...
F: they say Friche,Freya,... whatever
J: But it's Freja.
F: It's Freja.
J: Cool, so...
F: What's this so about?
J: I have a few questions for you, first, V5.
F: V5, whatever is V5?
J: which is, um, starting with, what r u working on right now?
F: what am I working on?
J: ye, abstractly or concretely?
F: not anything, lately, the best coz she know is answer ever.
J: ok, um, what's been inspiring u lately? like I was really inspired by the music u were playing me. we were listening to this really cool danish group, this girl that sounded like...
F: yeah, Kira and Kindred Spirits.
J: she sounded like Janis Joplin, sort of.
F: ye, it does inspire me. but ususally, i secretly sometimes write.
J: oh, what do u write?
F: music, lyrics, and olla, but it's only when i m in the bad mood. it's kinda like when u r happy, which i am right now, i'm not very creative. so i m not creative right now, it's just, i m not really working on anything. now i m just happy, and enjoying life and enjoying all that's going on.

(short break)

J: sorry, we just had a little temporary break.
F: that's cool.
J: so, ok, that's very interesting, because in fact i feel the same way, sometimes when i m the happiest, it's like...
F: not very big, um, flat, please.
J: we r at a restaurant. (lol...) all the flat, too, by the way, still natural water, in the bottle.
F: (lol...) u r taking the place.
J: flat,too. hidden in ur middle for a second.
F: (lol..)
J: coz i write sometimes,too. and i find that when i m really depressed, like feeling awful, it's when the most incredible stuff comes out, like really freely and deep.
J: but like when i feel good, i m like...
F: very emotional. when u feel good, u don't really have that. coz u dont have anything to like... i guess happy feelings r just not as deep as sad feelings, maybe. i thought about that a lot.
J: it's weird, we should be able to... ok, and then one more thing, who r ur heroes? who are your heroes?
F: can i do a song in that? i'll sing a song. (singing...) whatever, I don't have any heroes. i don't, i don't have any, i dont have any heroes, people ask me about that a lot, and i don't, i don't think i have any. i really like women that can express themselves through music. but, that's probably it.
J: that's cool, u r kinda my hero.
F: i m ur hero? (lol)
J: u r my hero. i think u v done a great job. doing ur job, being what u r and standing for what u stand for, and i mean, Freja is kinda known in this business like the tough, know-bullshit girl and i think that's that's really, u know, new in this fashion world. so i mean that's good.
F: is it? um, i don't know that.
J: ok, describe ur look
F: my look, oh, all we go, i v been told that it's been 60s, u know, bangs, long hair, it's brown... I can do big eyes,look, u can't see that.
J: without false eyelashes?
F: exactly.
J: she is doing the big eye look right now. but u can't see it.
F: u r kinda missing it.
J: how do u dress, do u wear a lot of fashion? back home?
F: um, i wear, whatever i find is cute. but i m quite simple. give me a tank top and some jeans and i m very satisfied.
J: do u wear high-heels?
F: high-heels's for working. it causes pain and it uses some muscles from ur legs and that's not nice.
J: u've really great legs.
F: oh, thank u.
J: u r welcome.
F: u've been working on them all day.(lol)
J: i've been working on them all day.(lol) they used up a lot of cream. they r so long.
F: very expensive cream from hollywood.
J: ok, now, a very private personal question. what's ur favorite way to keep warm this winter?
F: oh, that would probably be with my lover, in bed... or maybe in the shower.
J: with hot water, do u take hot showers or cold showers?
F: hot, cold? what the f... what's wrong with u?
J: oh, here we go, we r ready to order.
F: we r not ready to order.
J: how long have you been with ur lover?
F: my lover, a year.
J: a year, that's cool, that's very cool.
F: very happy and very satisfied, so what more do u wish for?
J: u don't live in America, right?
F: i live in Denmark.
J: so r u like the danish prince?
F: (surprised)what?
J: r u like the danish prince? i used to think of Hamlet when i see you.
F: hamlet? no, i dont think i look very much like the danish prince.
J: a princess?
F: not that either, although she is very pretty.
J: ok, if we go back in time, do u look danish? do u look danish?
F: I don't think i do, not really, no, no, I always surprise people when i tell them that i am danish. they expect something more. i v purposely, u know, i dont think i like brazilian. they r all like shapes and all that...
J: u r very straight, i mean ur body.
F: (lol..) i m very very straight-forward.
J: well, i just wanted u to know that V love u.
F: V love u? (lol...)
J: V love u and thanks for doing this little interview.
F: u r very welcome.
J: i hope to see u on the pages of V very soon.
F: i hope i will. I like V, V is the best magazine ever. go buy it, go buy it. go buy it.
J: all right, from our golden girl, Freja, the rebel...
F: how did i become the rebel? who, who made up that?
J: coz u r the rebel.
F: i m not. i m always on time, i m nice, i m polite...
J: u stand for the rebel, u r, u r very bing.
F: ok, ok, cool.
J: it's good, u didn't create it, it's true and real, we created it. no, u..
F: u created it by writing, u know?
J: yeah, but it's an observation, it's not a fake thing. all right, well, love to love u baby, talk to u soon, be checking in again.
F: seashells?
J: we v gotta order now, bye, signing off... thank u.
F: (singing) love to love u, babe... love to love u, babe...

( via http://goldandrock.blogspot.com/ )

Journal: VSFS Rehearsal













Like with NYFW, I will give you an account of the models that I was able to meet and capture in the light and style that is my signature. I will only share my pleasant encounters with the models who gave me an opportunity to get great intimate shots of them. =) And also some stories to make you smile, because it is these models mentioned below and how responsive they were that continue to encourage this little project (at least 5 years of models candids) and make me feel that it is worth undertaking until completion. I cannot thank these models enough for their kindness and grace. So, to show my appreciation, I have written some things about them.

Lindsay Ellingson was the first model to stop for me during VSFS crunch time. I really like Lindsay because she is so photogenic and at ease in front of my lenses. In addition, she is a sweetheart. I wanted to talk to her but I was so shy at the moment, and I have a feeling that she may also be shy…

Jessica Stam was a doll! She was very sweet and nice when we met. Her eyes are really amazing. I could not help photographing them over and over again! Very cool! And she kept on eyeing and smiling for me!

Lais Ribeiro is a shy girl. She is very beautiful, and I told her that, but she kept on insisting that she needed makeup to cover her face. Awww, she is so cute! But, Lais, really, you are naturally gorgeous!

Fabiana Semprebom is a really, really nice model. I am not kidding. Fabiana is very patient and understanding! I shot her during nightfall, and she stood around longer to make sure I got what I wanted. What a sweetheart! I love models who care about the photographer!

Liu Wen was as sweet as usual. She was trying to tell me to take care of myself by saying that it was cold. She is very caring. Always a special place in my heart for Liu!

Lily Donaldson rocks my socks! Walking in lingerie for Victoria’s Secret can add such a nice glow to a girl! She really came alive! As soon as she saw me, she smiled like there was no ending and was such a great darling! It was just magical photographing and talking to her! I have no other word to describe it!

Martha Streck is one of the biggest sweethearts in the modeling world! I am so glad she was casted! Martha is one of the kindest models to photographers. She is a true darling!

Julia Stegner is so nice! I could not help explode in excitement when I saw her! I mentioned that there were very beautiful pictures of her in my collection from September, and she remembered where it was from! Ahh, what a treat!

Jacquelyn Jablonski is always nice! I know I am using nice a lot, but there is just nothing better to describe her. We talked a little bit about how exciting it is that she is in the show. And she gave me one of the most beautiful smiles to photograph!

I cannot help but love Behati Prinsloo more and more after each time we meet. Security was trying to push her into the armory, but Behati stopped steadfast so I can photograph her beautiful smile. She made such great efforts for me! Love!

Erin Heartherton came out of her car, and instead of heading straight into rehearsal by the insistence of everyone, she graciously walked to the sidewalk and let me photograph her! I am so lucky!!!

Shannan Click is a cooool chick! She is a California girl! American-raised. American-bred. Man, we had an awesome and honest conversation about the modeling industry and commercial v. high fashion. Shannan is a smart model! I like her a lot after tonight! She impressed me!

Anja Rubik was truly nice because I saw so much kindness to me in her eyes when I was photographing! She is a sweetie!

Last, but not least, the girl that continues to make me blush and feel happy inside for the simplest of reasons. Constance Jablonski… I’m dazzled by her! I have said many times before that there is just something very special about her! When I talk to Constance, I just cannot help but be happy. She has such good positive aura!!! She is full of giggles, which is contagious because I become full of giggles every time I see her!

( via http://blog.bonaelamour.com/ )

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Maybe The Old Bat Had Something


























Nikki was a showstopper. But as me ugly old Aunt Gladys used to say, "Looks aren't everything." I used to think that was a load of bollocks, but just lately I've been thinking... maybe the old bat had something.

Revolution - John Lennon


You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out?

Don't you know it's gonna be
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?

You say you've got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We are doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is, brother, you'll have to wait

Don't you know it's gonna be
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?

You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You'd better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow

Don't you know it's gonna be
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?
Alright?





“I would like to compose songs for the revolution.”
— John Lennon, in an interview with Robin Blackburn and Tariq Ali, 1971.