10.17.10
Photos courtesy of JJJJound
I'm not sure where I'm going with this space—it served its purpose last year, beyond a j-class—and I had plans to start anew, but then summer ended abruptly and fall kicked in early. Image-only sites are what I've been living for come EOD and while I've been a follower of JJJJound since last summer, I rely on it now more than ever for a kind of relaxation. Oh, and I got a new [skinny] camera—unlike my XSi, I can tuck it in my pocket and snap gorgeous, near-perfect photos whenever, wherever. I'm trying to get back into that.
08.28.10
Stills from Jacques Deray's 1969 film La Piscine
It was, quite possibly, one of the most banal films I'd ever seen. But since, come weekend nights, all I want to do is gather 'round with close friends, complete with requisite wine and food and talks till the sun comes up, screenings of gorgeous, silly, superficial films like this serve as perfect backdrops.
08.06.10
Photos courtesy of Taschen Books
There are so many new girls in the industry, and some are perfect examples of atypical beauty and charisma beyond a camera shot. But some—most—can't hold my attention. Not that they're unattractive—they just don't possess the same smolder. For me, beauty and style have always been extremely personal. Having grown up with diverse backgrounds in a small town, and not fitting the mold of my female counterparts I attended school with, certainly supported this, but eventually, I began to accept and embrace who I was. And style was always viewed in the cultural context—it wasn't just clothes; it was attitude and personality and lifestyle. Kate Moss exemplified atypical beauty and style, but it was her graceful existence and shy demeanor that captured my attention. I suppose I likened it to my own introverted self. I'd rather write than talk; the words just flow easier. And Moss would rather be photographed than converse; her personality is conveyed through imagery, not reportage. Only two photographers were able to capture her at her most poignant, honest moments: with Corinne Day, it was youthful, natural and raw—and with Mario Testino, it was glamorous, sexual and humorous.
And so here we are, more than a decade later: the CK One phenomena, a rocky relationship with Pete Doherty, a total of thirty covers for British Vogue (September 2010, here) and, finally, Taschen's new book, Kate Moss by Mario Testino, on its way this very moment. I'm most anxious for personal commentary from Moss—will it be guarded, or forthright, as she has given the camera?
