Brighton's Best: Dan Sullivan of Irregular Choice

In August 1999, Irregular Choice was launched from the quaint seaside town of Brighton on the south coast of England, by design entrepreneur Dan Sullivan. Irregular Choice has since been named ‘The Lifestyle Choice of Fashion Footwear’ by Super Super mag and The Purveyor of Fresh, malicious and multicoloured shoes’ by WAD, They have also launched a flagship store in New York’s Nolita neighbourhood and a residence on London’s Carnaby Street. Dan was on a mission to change the way we see shoes and put his Irregular ‘stomp’ on the footwear world.

Dan came from an original design background, educated by his up- bringing and surroundings, his parents owned the well renowned Transport store on London’s Kings Road in the 70s, working with the likes of Red or Dead and Katherine Hamnett, back when fashion was about being distinctive and making a strong statement. This propelled Dan into launching the Irregular Choice brand. Dan saw the gap for fresh, fun footwear, always keeping true to the original source of inspiration and imagination: his unique travels and experiences.

Over the last 10 years Irregular Choice has carved itself a niche and inadvertently founded itself a fan club. Having had collaborations with some of the worlds most sought after brands and designers, we are constantly pushing the boundaries with each collection. IC has even been named ‘The Viagra of the shoe industry’. With over 500 pieces designed by Dan per season, plus handbag lines, a new girls’ sneaker range titled ICED, clothing releases and hotter than hot collabs with Hollywood design duo Heatherette, Fashion innovator Emma Bell, cult 60s doll Blythe and streetwear company Akomplice, we are relentlessly portraying the Irregular ethos.

The Stores

New York: 276 Lafayette St, New York. 10012. Tel: +1 212 334 3404 nystore@designasylum.com

London: 39 Carnaby St, London. W1F 7DT. Tel: +44 (0) 207 494 4811 londonstore@designasylum.com

RF/EVO/One pair in the repertoire and counting!

Designer to Watch: Camille of Peace Images

ETSY, it's the portal to all things handmade, vintage, and collectively one of a kind from creatives of all walks of life. While shopping the site last year, I noticed (from the "RECENTLY ADDED" crawl) a pair of green leaf ear darlings that I just had to have. Clicking on that picture opened me up to a world of handcrafted magnificence that any woman would love, and every girl shouldn't be without. Peace Images is the brainchild of jewelry artisan Camille Peace. Currently in St. Louis, she's a photographer of humble spirit and intuitive disposition (and quite the savvy business woman I might add). As my personal collection of Peace Images purchases grows by the quarter, I can't help but to share the good news. Her designs are always priced right, and are sure to garner a compliment when worn . With this feature, its time that you got to know Camille Peace too.... ENJOY!

Ray: What inspired you the most to choose your current career?

C.Peace: What inspired me to choose this path was my inability to find somewhat fashion-forward jewelry and accessories that aligned with my beliefs, or highlighted the beauty of my culture, for a reasonable price. I am a free spirit, and a Black woman. I identify with my African roots and I am proud of them. I also appreciate the blend of art and fashion. I also have a very supportive fiancee who empowers me to do whatever I feel. Without support like that, I would not be where I am today.

Sounds like you are walking in your purpose....

Ray: What is the message you’d like your supporters to associate most with your brand?

C.Peace: Liberation of the mind, and pride in your culture and individuality.

And isn't that what True Style is all about?

Ray: What would you like to see happen with your brand over the next 90 days?

C.Peace: In addition to appearing in a full “Back to School” spread in Vervegirl Magazine (a Toronto-based magazine) this September, I would love to continue doing outdoor marketplaces, pick up a new technique to apply toward my craft, and just continue to grow. Growth everyday.

Congrats, that's awesome news and it couldn't have happened to a more worthy designer! (make sure you post me a copy of that mag)

Ray: Who’s rotating in your IPOD right now?

C.Peace: Atlantic Starr, Teedra Moses, Amel Larriuex, SWV, Black Uhuru, Van Hunt, Queen Latifah, Blackspade and The Best of Killer Mike hosted by Trackstar the DJ mixtape and Slaughterhouse. (and so, so, so much more)

"Catch a beat running like Randy Moss!", Killer Mike got sooo slept on

Ray: Will you ever retire?

C.Peace: Never. When your career aligns with your passion, your dedication to it only intensifies.

"Wise words Chica, Wise Words"

Camille Peace ~ PeaceImages.com

I rocks Peace Images!

RF/EVO/"Peace is not something you wish for. It's something you do, something you are, and something you give away...."~Robert Fulghum

The Reslience of Rihanna

Rihanna -cover girl of the annual Couture Supplement for Vogue Italia

Rihanna
Never to be conquered, never to be redone, Ms. Fenti has nailed yet another fashion spread this time with Vogue Italia. After the mix of nude shots floating around the internet and of course the CB brawl out, she never kept her head in the sand. I appreciate her beauty, because she owns every look. Being under the media microscope is never an easy task...yet her imagery, her brand empowers women to take chances and embrace the confidence of individualism. We see the clones. It's a natural response for some to immulate others who dare to be different. Yet for the others who see inspiration in diversity, continue to stand on your rights to be your own crayon, your own color, your own spec of imagination that can never be duplicated and can never be defined.

RF/EVo/No one can do you better~

Caught in the Matrix: OHNE TITEL

OHNE TITEL is a women's collection designed by Flora Gill and Alexa Adams. The two met in New York City in 1999 while attending Parson's School of Design where they bonded over shared influences and style. After graduating, they designed for established labels. Alexa spent several years at Helmut Lang. In 2005, the two reunited to work for Karl Lagerfeld. In September 2006 Alexa and Flora founded the OHNE TITEL brand.

OHNE TITEL pairs architectural shapes and soft draping with a keen attention to detail in fit and finish. OHNE TITEL is intelligent design for a strong and modern woman.

In January of 2009 Ohne Titel won the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award for women's wear.

RF/EVO/Reminiscent of Aeon Flux

Gettin It In With Gaga- V Magazine's Cover Girl

Photography Sebastian Faena
Styling Nicola Formichetti
Headpiece Nasir Mazhar

Gaga delivers herself to the masses wrapped in postfeminist sexuality, cynicism-free materialism, and a new generation’s excitement for “creative direction.” She is the number one proponent of the avant-garde statement costumes currently popular with entertainers like Beyoncé and Rihanna. Gaga’s distinct visual vocabulary includes a signature “hair bow,” a studied disinterest in wearing pants, and an evolving wardrobe of geometric, left-of-center fashions (a Hussein Chalayan–inspired bubble dress, for example).

Considering that Gaga designed this persona on her own, along with the creative team she calls Haus of Gaga, her development is being watched with interest, particularly as her notoriety affords her greater access to the high-end resources and collaborators that can bring more polish to her artistic ambitions. “You always have to be ahead of the curve,” she says. “Right now I’m quite obsessed with 1950s monster movies. And it’s a leap. But when you focus on something and commit yourself to it, your lie can become true.”



MARK JACOBS Have famous people been everything Gaga hoped they would be?
LADY GAGA I was never excited to be friends with famous people. That’s never been the goal of this. I know my album is called The Fame, and that’s the subject matter, but it’s fame in the Warholian Studio 54 kind of way, not the stereotypical fame that people read about in tabloids and is considered very poisonous.
MJ Why is fame important?
LG To me, if something is good when it’s shallow, that’s enough. If it goes deeper that’s fine. I hope people read into the work but if they don’t…
MJ You’ve spoken about the subtext of “Poker Face.” What is the subtext of “Boys, Boys, Boys”?
LG I wrote the track as a mating call. I was dating this guy who was really into heavy metal and I wanted to write a pop song that would make him fall in love with me. So I wrote that record and we dated for two years. It reminds me of “Girls, Girls, Girls” by Mötley Crüe. The subtext is that even though I’m a very free and sexually empowered woman, I’m not a man hater. I celebrate very American sentiments about bars and drinking and men buying women drinks. It’s a very heavy metal sentiment that I celebrate in a pop song. But I don’t think every record has to have this “Poker Face” subtext.
MJ Has Gaga encountered an item of clothing too outrageous for her?
LG I don’t consider my own clothing to be outrageous. It’s very strange to me the way people say, “Oh, Lady Gaga and another one of her wacky outfits!” Or, “You always dress so crazy!” The truth is that people just don’t have the same references that I do. To me it’s very beautiful and it’s art, and to them it’s outrageous and crazy.
MJ It’s certainly more challenging than a pair of torn Levi’s and a tank top.
LG I guess challenging and outrageous are two different things. There is a method to my aesthetic. I don’t just choose pieces based on their shock value. I really think that what I wear and what we design as a house is very beautiful and when people say it’s outrageous or over-the-top, to me we just don’t share the same references. Danilo, for example, knows who Thierry Mugler is. He’s very familiar with his work, he knows the lines, he knows the shapes, he’s seen the progression of his work and his archives since the ’70s. So if Danilo sees a piece that I’ve designed that’s Mugler-inspired, he says, “Oh, that’s amazing, I love it.” Whereas someone who doesn’t know Mugler might say, “Oh you look like a tranny robot.” They just don’t understand the reference. But it’s not my job to do something that’s safe for people. I just do what I think is beautiful.
MJ The pop stars have been very territorial with the Mugler lately. Have you met Sasha Fierce?
LG Have I met Beyoncé? No.
MJ You once said you wish your live shows could change lives…
LG I’m wondering why you asked if I’d met Beyoncé.
MJ Because she’s really into Mugler right now.
LG Right now. But I’ve been wearing Mugler for years. For me it’s not a one-off for a tour or a one-off for this album cycle. This kind of clothing, the period, the lifestyle of fashion and art and pop art as life, this is who I’ve been for years. But Beyoncé looks amazing. I love what Mugler did for her tour. But do you see my point? It’s not going to end after The Fame is over.
MJ What about the teacup as accessory?
LG That’s ridiculous. I like to drink out of china. People made a big deal of it.
MJ What is the origin of the hair bow?
LG Me and Matt Williams, he’s my creative partner and my best friend, we design and creative direct everything together, we were on the set of my “Poker Face” video. We were looking through books, and he was looking through a Gaultier fashion show, and Gaultier did all this amazing hair art with cats and giraffes, like crazy amazing. And I was yapping about bows. “I love bows!” I was imagining myself with hundreds of bows. “Bows are everywhere! Bows are the next big thing! They’re not on the street but they’re at the parties!” So he’s saying, “Yeah, I like bows, but everyone’s going to do it.” And I said, “Let me see that hair art. Go and put a fucking outfit on my head.”

Lady Gaga’s The Fame is out now from Interscope Records.

* Read this article @ .vmagazine.com
RF/EVO/I don't agree with every look but the volume of her looks can't be denied ( you must give her a golf clap on her response to the 'Yonce question!)

The Versatility of the V-Neck with Side Slope Menswear

Hiroki Wakisaka was a successful knitwear designer for many Japanese brands. In 2005 he launched SIDE SLOPE, which is based in Milan. He uses materials from all over the world. With his skilled technique, Wakisaka has a very diverse take on knitwear. The concept of his brand is color, texture, comfort...essential ingredients for everyday menswear. Side Slope comes from a simple idea of making the most of a textile's ability to produce both apparel perfect for relaxing and detailed enough to make any Average Joe light up a room.
V neck sweaters, Cardigans, and Yoked Knitwear is a menswear staple, because it works for all body types. For the slender male, a close fit Cardigan enhances the physique and adds definition. Already chiseled and defined? A V-neck enhances the sex appeal of the metro male and is a refreshing addition to your comfy white tee. Yoked knitwear works for large and small frames, the shaping of the neck in this piece of winter wear males anyone looked more distinguised.
It's never too late to upgrade that wardrobe, so shop these looks at www.oki-ni.com (yes, they ship internationally)!








RF/EVO/Don't knock it til you try it, man cleavage is sexy~

Men's Fall Trend-The Desert Boot-Shofolk Footwear

RF/EVO/"Who's Da Masta?!", pretty appropriate greeting if you step up on the scene in these...

The Etheral Intricacies of Hanna Hedman

Swedish jewelery artisan Hanna Hedman has just released her latest collection, titled "What you tell is not always what you have experienced". Her necklaces and collars are reminiscent of knitted Medieval battle gear, yet Hanna notes she was inspired by lies, escapism, reality and fantasy.

Hanna Hedman’s pieces are particularly fascinating because of their stark contrasts: the material appears to be raw and unruly, sharp-edged and cold a juxtaposition to the soft, organic shapes, which are aesthetically fragile like filigree.

Hedman's pieces express a developmental process that is one of a kind like a neverending story. Her renouncement of black and white, a peculiar choice for ornamental work, is more of a mantra than a method.