#365DaysOfHabits Day 13; 18-1438 (19 January 2015)
- andrewconradiephot
- Jan 19, 2015
- 6 min read
Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute described it as being a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us into its embracing warmth. It is a very robust colour, that is said to enrich not just our minds, but also our bodies and souls. Marsala is an earthy red colour that was chosen as the 2015 Pantone colour of the year. But what is in a colour — my own discovery that unfolds as I bisect the bits and pieces to turn it into a point of conversation. I did some research on the numbers — I am all about the numbers. 1438 — a very, very long time ago. Not too much can be found about this time in our history. Naturally when I found an event that took place on the 18th, of March, in 1438, I was all eyes. Albert II of Habsburg became King of Germany, but where does this get me? Well, you see, Germany is a leading contender when it comes to the fashion industry, or design for that matter, with Berlin at the very centre of that. This billion dollar, powerful, industry steers so much more than just the clothes we wear. Fashion designers are creatives that direct us in so many assets of life, most of the time without us even being aware of it. One of the most recognisable staples of German fashion history is of course the esteemed designer, Karl Lagerfeld. With his signature white hair, black glasses and of course not forgetting the high starched collars, his look has become a trademark, as he sits at the helm of Chanel and Fendi. Fashion is art, fashion is design, fashion is sex, drugs and a trend that never goes out of style. Now it is all coming together much better. Karl, that’s right. I walked into the fashion department at about twelve, starving! The Art Director looked at me, explaining to me that I am right on trend, with my blazer being Marsala, the colour of the year. I honestly did not even notice this, but was immediately very impressed with myself. Was this a conscious, unconscious decision? Last night my best friend, and housemate, was busy typing away at his new blogpost that went out today, and he also focused a bit on this colour. Then this morning I got dressed, without even thinking about it — not having worn this very blaze in quite some time, which is strange, because I love wearing it. Anyway — I was walking into the fashion department and the scene played out. The fashion assistant was browsing through a December copy of Vogue, and I remembered, I remember reading something about Karl. It was on the New York Times website, the title read: The Jet Set Life of Karl Lagerfeld’s Favorite Male Model — for Now. As another model always said: As you know in fashion, one day you’re in, and the next day, you’re out!
Award season is in full swing and it is that time of the year that I wake up and realise I should probably stay away from everything else for just long enough so that I can at least work through as many of the films nominated for best picture as I can — just so that I can have an idea of what is going on and have some sort of opinion when they announce the winner at the Oscars. It always amazes me how actors star in these films, some of which have been around for years and established as the best, and then you have those who have been around for just as long, but you have absolutely no idea who they are, lastly you have the actors and actresses that are completely new on the scene and is making lemon bars out of the lemons they were given — forcing life, and all of us to go: what the fuck? I have see some of the films, and for some of them I have only seen the trailers. It’s usually very much the same sort of equation to get to the end result, the same list of ingredients to make up the pool of nominees. These films, and actors, push the boundaries, they go big and the productions are outstanding! But they didn’t catch my attention, not this year. I mean, I’m not saying they aren’t brilliant, I am not saying that the actors didn’t do a good job, or that visual it was a disaster — because it wasn’t. All I am saying is that there is another film that drew me in much more. It wasn’t nominated for best picture, nor was the leading actress added to the list of finalists for best actress in a leading role — at least not at the Oscars. This beautiful woman has been around for years! We all loved her in Friends and when it came down to the important stuff, I will say that I was #TeamJennifer all the way, but unfortunately I have to say this — she is not the bets actress around. She has never blown me out of the park. Sure, she is sweet and fits into a romcom perfectly, making it easy for all of us to enjoy a relaxed ninety minute love story, but she usually plays the same sort of character and I never go — wow, that was outstanding. Friends was, well, Friends, and she stole our hearts, but really the entire show did. Then I saw Cake and I thought — thank God, no really, thank God! She finally came to her full right and actually acted, well! She has always been there, much like the colour Marsala has always been there, but now she has come out with a bang and made a massive statement! This is her day that she is in, and she is so in that even Regina George would be jealous — she doesn’t even go here!
That’s the things about basically anything in life. Nothing is new, ever, it is simply making a comeback — how big of a comeback, well that is an entirely different story. That’s what I love though, how old favourites, or simply things that wasn’t even necessarily a favourite, seeps back into our world and we discover it all over again. I love new discoveries — especially when all the elements just comes together so effortlessly, so perfectly, and so magnificently. Film, fashion, acting, harmoniously collided in the 2009 drama, A Single Man. Where do I even start with this one? Starring Colin Firth, in the role of George — a British professor who lives in California, who happens to be gay and who has lost his loving and life long partner, Jim, played by Matthew Goode. George’s best friend is Charley, a redhead who is just as depressed and miserable as her fellow Brit friend. She is played by Julianne Moore, who honestly gives one of her best performances yet! The film follows one day in their lives — during which George befriends one of his students, Kenny, played by Nicholas Hoult — yes, we all remember him from About A Boy. It is a month after the Cuban missile crisis, the date is November 30, 1962 — and George Falconer is contemplating suicide.
The film is based on a book written by Christopher Isherwood, and was adapted for the big screen by the producer and director, Tom Ford. It was the fashion designer’s directorial debut and he did so with vision, passion, and absolute love and admiration for the story. This is without a doubt one of the most visually beautiful films I have ever seen in my life. The costumes are outstanding, but of course that comes as absolutely no surprise. The art direction is simply impeccable, and of course the production design would be too, what with it being done by the very same team that did it for the TV series, Mad Men. What I loved most about this film, other than the outstanding performance by Colin (yeah, we’re on a first name basis now), was how they played around with the hues of the film — based on the emotional state of the main character. For a film that was shot in twenty-one days, this is a masterpiece! Colour is emotion, and that is so visually present in this film.
Colour, colours, they play such a vital role in our lives, no matter how bright or how dull, no matter their number, or their position on the colour wheel. Note the colour in your life — in fashion, design, in everyday life — laughter, love, hate, peace, war — everything.
Now for some links:
Check out the trailers — A Single Man, Cake
Click on these websites, for my best friend’s website & blog, Franco Creations, and then also go read the article about Tom Ford and his favourite model (for now), Brad Kroenig, here!
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