By Erin Weinger on March 24, 2010
Last night, while strolling the lobby of the fashion tent at Fashion Week El Paseo in Palm Desert, I unexpectedly ran into BoxEIGHT owner and photographer (and former SSLA subject) Pete Gurnz. Turns out the affable lensman was celebrating the release of his new book, We are all Kids…Naked + Beautiful, which just dropped yesterday. But only 50 of the large, hardcover display-worthy books have been printed. Meaning that fans hoping to snag Gurnz’ tasteful collection of nudes have two choices: Venture down to the the desert on Sunday where he will be signing and selling the $250 tomes at Melissa Morgan Fine Art in Palm Desert, or wait about eight months or so when the mass-printed (and likely less expensive) edition debuts from Random House, whom Gurnz just inked a deal with. “But I have no idea what it will be like,” the photographer said. “It could be smaller than this. Who knows. It will be up to the editors.”
Sounds like he wants you to go with choice number one. Either way, congratulations all around.
Pete Gurnz exhibit/ Fashion Week El Paseo closing party. Sunday, March 28. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Melissa Morgan Fine Art, 73040 El Paseo, Palm Desert. 760-341-1056
Photo: Peter Eaton Gurnz
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By Erin Weinger on March 12, 2010
Truthfully, I can take or leave Kristen Dunst. The gin-soaked actress doesn’t offend me to the point where I would refuse to see a movie with her name on the marquee, but I also wouldn’t run out to buy a magazine that contained her on the cover. However, in the latest issue of V Magazine, even staunch Dunst haters would likely agree that the actress looks absolutely stunning as an old school siren shot by Mario Testino.
The images, specifically the shot at left, reminds me of one of my favorite 
fashion books: In High Fashion—The Conde Nast Years, 1923-1937, which chronicles the work of Edward Steichen, the one-time chief photographer for Vogue and Vanity Fair.
Personally, while I love this Testino shot, I love Steichen’s work from the flapper era even more. The photo at right appeared as the cover of his book.
Which shot do you like better?
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By Erin Weinger on January 29, 2010
While reading the New York Times this morning, I came across an op-ed piece that nearly moved me to tears. The piece was by Samuel Pisar, lawyer, author, former member of JFK’s economic and foreign task force and, most importantly, holocaust survivor. Apparently while I was busy partying at Sundance and writing about clothes, the liberation of Auschwitz celebrated it’s 65th birthday.
Brought back down to earth a few feet, I walked to my bookcase and grabbed one of my very favorite non-fiction books that was bought for me by my father a few years ago at the suggestion of the great NY Times fashion critic Cathy Horyn by way of Karl Lagerfeld. It’s called Broken Threads: The Destruction of the Jewish Fashion Industry in Germany and Austria by Roberta S. Kremer. And while my opinion doesn’t hold quite the same esteem of Cathy Horyn’s, I’m going to recommend it to you anyway.
The short, hardcover book chronicles the destruction of the Jewish fashion industry under the Nazis. And there was destruction indeed. According to the book, 80 percent of department and chain stores in pre-WWII Germany were Jewish owned, as were 40 percent of wholesale textile firms and 60 percent of wholesale and retail clothing businesses. All the major Berlin department stores were owned by Jewish families. By war time, some of the country’s most prominent fashion houses were forced to emigrate to London, many shops had window signs that read “Germans! Defend Yourselves! Do not buy from Jews!” and by 1943 all German fashion magazines were required to discontinue publication. While flipping through the pages and looking at photos of a gorgeous velvet evening dresses and stunning Vienna storefront, I cried thinking about the people that once owned them and the culture that was lost.
Both are great studies on not taking things for granted. I know I’ll be thinking differently as I get dressed this evening.
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By Jazzi McGilbert on January 4, 2010
Photographer Todd Selby’s new book The Selby is in Your Place is finally available for pre-order ($23 via Amazon)! The tome promises 256 pages of Todd’s work plus tons of never-before-seen spaces (aka stuff you haven’t yet poured over on his site) sandwiched between a hardcover and — get this – it comes with stickers! Sold yet? We are.
Here’s a look back at a few LA abodes as snapped by The Selby.
(From left: Brian Lichtenberg‘s studio, actress Krysten Ritter, Mark ‘The Cobrasnake‘ Hunter, Jonny Makeup & the Posso girls)
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By Editors on October 2, 2009
Off on a semester abroad, SSLA contributor, USC undergrad and former Vogue intern Jeremy Allen muses about Paris Fashion Week.
I’ve always preferred Paris’ more anonymous nooks to the sprawling, sparkling glamour of the Champs-Élysées. Yesterday, that all changed.
Where globalization has transformed this boulevard into a chicer version of the Beverly Center, a fresh injection of pure Parisian panache arrives à grace de Vogue Paris. The magazine has reclaimed the Champs with appropriate fanfare, mounting a retrospective of its most iconic covers.
It’s almost possible to ignore the swarms of snap-happy tourists (myself included) when you find yourself encircled by 90 years worth of imagery, from the lush geometric illustrations of Georges Lepape or Benito to the crisp, candy-colored work of Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. There’s the romance of Robert Doisneau’s mid-century cityscapes and the energy of David Bailey’s 60s shots; the slick sex-appeal of Helmut Newton’s work or the atmospheric quality of Irving Penn’s.
Everyone from Salvador Dali to Marc Chagall has put their definitive stamp on Vogue Paris’ covers, and the result is remarkable. Of course, Kate Moss’ ubiquitous mug can be seen pouting from miles away (not only is she this month’s Vogue Paris cover girl, but the Brit icon was somehow selected to embody the essence of le Parisienne, YSL’s new fragrance).
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The true delight, however, is in rare finds from the archives: a Jean Pages illustrated cover from 1940 features a woman (and her plumed hat) retreating from two Nazi soldiers. Times change, but one thing is certain: Vogue Paris has never compromised its vision, whether aesthetic or ideological. Viva la France! — Jeremy Allen
Photos by Jeremy Allen
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By Editors on September 24, 2009
The Hope painting, rendered by pioneering guerilla artist Shepard Fairey, felt like L.A.’s key contribution to the election of Barack Obama (though Hollywood shelled out plenty of fiscal love for the cause).
And now Fairey, along with L.A. publicist Jennifer Gross of Evolutionary Media – who co-founded the Manifest Hope project — have compiled the definitive book on art inspired by our newbie president, Art for Obama.
The soft-cover coffee table book is full of vibrantly hued pieces from the Manifest Hope project — from Ron English‘s Abraham Obama painting to Diederick Kraaijeveld‘s salvaged wood project, Mr. President. Light on words, the tome does feature a smattering of short blurbs detailing key artists and pieces.
But beyond the details, flipping through the pages, you can’t help but remember how exciting the moment was when you realized just how cool being politically active was.
–Becca Lett
Photo: Courtesy of Abrams Image
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