Winter is here! The Reel Artsy Outdoors team is ready to assist you on the hunt for a winter style that fits your needs. Dave Money, our newest contributor offers up a slice of All-American style advice.
Chopping Down Fashion Doors
The modern lumberjack-inspired look is without a doubt one of the simplest looks to achieve. This season some of the world's top designers are paying homage to the traditional outdoorsmen. They have adapted their inspiration from the classic American Lumberjack with a new twist - real clothes for real men.
I know ditching the traditional jacket is risky in the winter weather, but I prefer layering sweaters over shirts paired with a wool buffalo check vest and cargo pants. The woodsman style is often associated with rugged outdoor environments, however, the fashion industry has sought to utilize this overall style to enhance their collection with a more rugged and earthy aesthetic.
Today's woodsman styling options are perfectly suited for any man who is looking for a rustic yet classic outfit to add to their collection.
Naima Mora, ANTM cycle 4 winner, stops by Reel Artsy to share what she's up to these days (she just released a digital book called Model Behavior) and she chats a bit about how her quirkiness influences her outlook and artistry.
1. How would you describe your
style? In fashion, music, overall.
Wow! That’s a really big question
for me. Hhhmm… in fashion I like to have fun! I definitely think my sense of
style is more refined as the years progress and I get a little older. But I
love colors and I like to dress up thematically. Today I am going to be
ethereal hippie or today I am feeling really punk rock or today I really don’t
care what I have on as long as it’s comfortable.
My musical style is a bit more
defined. I like dark music, I like writing dark music. Dark and ethereal
sounding music has always been my thing.
2. What does authenticity mean to
you and how does it influence your art?
First thought that comes to mind for
me when I think of authenticity is “be yourself.” I think as an artist you have
to become very aware of who you are, what you stand for (or where you find
importance in life) and how you feel, how you react to life. A person has to
really dig deep within their persona to identify with this and be able to
translate it into whatever their art may be. So whether in writing or music, I
always find it my personal mission to dig deep inside my soul and express the
most authentic version of what I find there. Being authentic is the bases of
creation for me.
3. Growing up, did you ever feel quirky, awkward or offbeat? If so, explain.
Of course! Who doesn’t?!? I always
felt very quirky and like I didn’t really fit in. I never tried to “fit in”
anywhere. When I was growing up, I just kind of fell in where people liked me-
not really caring to change who I was to fit in with other circles of people.
Naturally, I fell right in with the performing arts crowd where everyone is
quirky, crazy and has a flare for the dramatic!
I never really liked popular fashion
or things like that. When all the kids were listening to top 40 radio songs, I
was playing my father’s LP collection including, but not limited to Jimi
Hendricks, Santana, Mongo Santamaria, and Kiss.
4. You grew up in the Detroit area, how did your time in the Motor City
shape you?
I can say positively that Detroit
engrained a deep love for music in my heart. Whether it R&B, Techno or
Mexican Cumbias I love music. My parents are both musicians and it was such a
gift to grow up in a musical family and to witness how my parents’ art help
to shape their lives and mine.
Detroit also made me tough! I think
that I am a survivor and I have been fighting the good fight for a long time.
Detroit has had some of the highest crime rates in the US over the past 30
years and I had to prevail over certain circumstances to really stand up and
fight for my happiness and the dignity of human life.
5. Before ANTM, what core beliefs did you promise to stay true to, whether
or not fame came into play?
To follow my one dream of inspiring
people regardless of where I landed. I think when that is your goal you stay
motivated forever and it has kept me very grounded in light of politics within
any professional industry I find myself in. That and to love courageously.
6. What do you do to cheer yourself up on days when you don't get the gig or
the deal doesn't go through?
I have actually made a physical list
of things to do to pull me out of a rut! Some of the list including: listening
to my favorite songs, writing music, writing anything, drinking tea, watching
movies, talking to friends, doing creative things like taking pictures or
watching documentaries on outer space. The documentaries especially help me to
think about the bigger picture in life… that regardless of hardship, it’s a
rare thing that I am alive in this enormously huge universe and that regardless
of how small my life may be, I am a live!
7. What music do you listen to when
you're in an introspective mood?
All my favorite dark female artists…
like Bjork or PJ Harvey. My friend Christian (Christian Eric Beaulieu) did an
album called “ANYWHERE” with some great players and one of them was a vocalist
named Rachel Fannan. The tracks she sung on are so beautiful and that’s been in
my rotation a lot lately.
8. What was the recording process like for Galaxy of Tar? How would you
describe your bond when it comes to crafting tracks?
I have had the pleasure and fortune
to work with Elias Diaz V., my musical counterpart in Galaxy Of Tar and the
whole process is one of the most rewarding things in life for me. I love
writing, I hate tracking and recording though… because of the demand for clean
digital music esthetic now days, you have to use equipment that catches
EVERYTHING! And as a technician you have to listen back to really rough cuts
and determine whether your technical and artistic performance is up to your own
standard. As a perfectionist, it never is… but I have learned to catch the good
tracks. It really pushes you to grow when you have to dissect your work like
that.
But I have learned to really
appreciate the process and immerse myself in it. I like the growth, and it’s a
vulnerable place to be recording. Much more vulnerable than live shows, because
its permanent and it is only the music. No lights and laughs and costumes to
distract from the truest form of a song.
Elias really works with me and he
really knows how to bring out the best in my voice, but I have learned that I
have to be willing to work hard to get to that place.
Elias and I work great together
because we are always honest with each other’s performance and ideas. It always
comes back to how the music sounds, ego aside. We just want to write beautiful
music.
Also our new album should be available by December 2012 of this year!
9. What epitomizes a great live performance? And what's your approach to
performing on stage? How do you prepare yourself, does it all come natural, or
is it a little bit of both?
I have been training to be a
performer since I was a little girl. And I have been pondering on that question
a lot. But it’s different for each artist depending on their own respective
style. Lana Del Ray is going to give a complete difference performance than the
Yeah Yeah Yeahs. If Karen O came out and stood in one spot, very lethargic and
slow moving, her audience might consider it a fail. But that type of show works
well with performers like Lana because it reflects her music.
So the more I define who I am as a
musician, the more I learn what makes a great live show for me. It always comes
down to the way you connect with people in the audience, but performing is an
art in itself just like writing a song. It takes time and courage to show all
that you are and be able to finesse that. I always try to be honest as to what
I am feeling at the moment, become present and draw from that. Sing my songs
and in that tell the stories that are written in the lyrics.
I think I am one of the most shy
people on earth. But because I am so shy, I love performing! It’s weird, but I
don’t think it comes naturally to me.
10. On a scale of 1 to 10, how awesome is it to have your book Model
Behavior all finished and out for the world to read?
HAHAHA!!! IT GOES TO 11! (10 being
the most awesome, 1 not being very awesome at all). I have been working on the
book for a while. I wanted to translate my experiences in life and the fashion
industry into something positive for people to be inspired by. I didn’t want to
perpetuate the negative stereotypes of fashion and modeling. I wanted to create
something for the new age of readers. The book is based on its color and
graphic lay out, each chapter full of color and photographs giving to the
visual experience we come to expect more and more in things we find
entertaining. Each chapter has an audio option where I can read the book as the
reader actually listens along. And the book has a video from my band Galaxy Of
Tar. It caters to the new audience of readers, what they want and at the same
time sharing my heart with them to follow their dreams and never give up! It’s pretty awesome!
Fans of the book can also submit
their own stories of victory and courage and passion at our interactive blog.
At the blog you can subscribe and become a Model Citizen. The idea is to
become a world of people who inspire each other by sharing their triumphs,
making the world a more compassionate place to live in filled with hope based
on humanism and the human experience.
11. What do you hope people get from your music, your book, your fashion?
From sharing your unique life experience through your various artistic
endeavors?
Love, courage, faith , beauty,
tears, joy.
12. Any plans to use your creativity in the filmmaking industry? Perhaps, a
short film?
Well we have some ideas floating
around for the visuals of Galaxy Of Tar… I guess we’ll see where that goes, but
I am not saying no to it.
13: Anything else you'd like to add?
Thanks so much for having me a part
of ReelArtsy.com! Can’t tell you how much I appreciate the opportunity. Also
for more info on my book “Model Behavior” please visit http://naimamoraonline.com And for more info on my band Galaxy
Of Tar please visit www.GalaxyOfTar.com
Hi everyone! Aspen here, I hope you're all doing well. I thought I'd do a little post on something I've becoming obsessed with and it seems a lot of other people are following suit. That certain something is... eyeballs!
There is something extremely cool and creepy about wearing a few extra eyeballs on your body. Maybe it's the sense of more eyes looking out for you, which can be a good or bad thing.
Hello! Aspen here again. It's my second post. I'm still very excited to be posting here. It's lovely to have new people to share my style with. I went for a little outing in DC last weekend and this is what I wore...
Hello, my name is Aspen Eray. I run the fashion blog Bushy Head & Wide Eyes. I've been asked to help contribute to this blog by the wonderful, Karen. I'm very excited about posting and giving a little insight into the things that I enjoy.
I think for this first post I'll show a little bit of my own personal style.
Summer is upon us once again. It's time for lounging poolside, making playlists and shopping 'til you drop (if you're me, anyway). Since there are a whole bunch of artists releasing great new music for our summer enjoyment, and since we all are breaking out the summer gear, here are some ensembles that blend the two.
In the Sun
If your style tends to be vintage inspired, Reel Artsy darling Zooey Deschanel and bandmate M. Ward are here for you to turn to. Channel Zooey in some charming, feminine outfits that allow you to beat the heat and look totally adorable at the same time. Guys, you adopt M. Ward's casual-chic style with khaki shorts, polos and cool sunglasses.
Perhaps you are on your way to a function that requires you to dress a little more formally. In this case, you should take your cue from Janelle Monae and her basic, timeless yet unique uniform. This look is classic and versatile. Guys and girls alike can take their inspiration from Janelle's ensemble which she explains is an homage to the working class uniform.
If you are looking for something edgier, Kate Nash can be your inspiration with her bright, sequined showgirl outfit. On the other hand, if you want to remain in keeping with popular trends, you can take notes on Kate's other outfit- a sweet floral dress.
I've been a fan of the band The Runaways for a while. For anyone who doesn't know, The Runaways were the first all-girl rock band that played together from 1975 to 1979. The band was comprised of Cherie Currie, Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Sandy West and Jackie Fox, and all were around 15 or 16 years old when they first formed. Despite being marketed by their manager as "Jailbait Rock," the girls took their music seriously and spawned a few hits such as "Cherry Bomb" and "Queens of Noise."
Their meteoric rise to fame and swiftly following dissolution makes for perfect movie material. A little over a year ago, I was thrilled to find out that Floria Sigismondi (who has directed music videos for Interpol, The White Stripes, David Bowie, The Cure and others) would be making a biopic about The Runaways, focusing on how it jump-started rock legend Joan Jett's career and resulted in the breakdown of frontwoman Cherie Currie. The movie stars a surprisingly expressive Kristen Stewart as Joan and a grown-up Dakota Fanning as Cherie.
My favorite decade in fashion is the 70s. Rock and roll was taking the world by storm and had a definite role in the trends of the day. The movie did a lovely job of capturing the styles of Joan and Cherie. I was truly impressed.
Joan Jett
Joan Jett is the epitome of a rock star. Black is her trademark color and leather is her favorite material. Joan was and still is the perfect fashion icon for the hardcore rocker. I think the movie does a great job of illustrating the extent to which rock 'n' roll was essentially the driving force of Joan's life and the biggest component of her image.
Today, I thought I'd take a break from the usual film/music inspired posts and do a TV inspired post as an homage to my favorite program right now and yesterday's shocking season finale.
Community is side-splittingly hilarious, uniquely self-aware and charmingly touching. It has one of the best ensemble casts in television history including Chevy Chase, Joel McHale, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi and Yvette Nicole Brown.
I wish I could express the same enthusiasm for the season finale episode, but it just felt out of character and had an overly sensationalist vibe in my opinion. However, don't let that deter you from checking out the show. I assure you the rest of the episodes are phenomenal.
All the characters have distinct styles and I really look forward to seeing what they'll be wearing in each episode. The three characters I've picked to study are Gillian Jacob's Britta Perry, Alison Brie's Annie Edison and Danny Pudi's Abed Nadir.
Britta Perry
Britta is the most worldly member of the core group of characters. She is a staunch feminist and activist and this is reflected in her style. Britta almost always wears jeans and leather or denim jackets. She eschews a sweet and feminine look for one that is more grown-up and earthy. Since Gillian Jacobs is pretty short in comparison to her male cast mates, Britta is almost always seen in high heeled boots.
I positively adore music biopics. My favorite one is Control, the movie inspired by the life and death of tortured Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis. I highly recommend it to everyone, even if you're not familiar with Joy Division. The movie is poignant and intriguing enough that I don't think you need the background to enjoy it. However, Joy Division is not a band you want to miss out on. The original British post punk band, Joy Division made music together from 1976 to 1980 when Ian tragically committed suicide as the result of his crumbling marriage, struggle with epilepsy and other personal demons. Joy Division isn't exactly sunny day and blue skies music, but it's perfect for bad days and bouts of sadness.
After watching this movie, I was inspired by the Manchester street style of the late '70's that the characters displayed. Ian, his wife Debbie and his mistress Annik all wear structured jackets, straight pants and basic shirts. Ian's style is fairly minimalistic with a slight rockstar edge. Debbie is less conventionally stylish than Annik, and she generally dresses conservatively and sweetly. Annik's wardrobe is much more chic and accessorized, yet it still is understated.
As I said, Joy Division's music is fairly bleak and depressing. My fashion choices inspired by Joy Division songs utilized a lot of gray/black/white and I steered clear of bright colors to reflect that. The pieces are structured as a nod to the personal style of the band members pictured above. I included some on-trend pieces for fun such as oxford shoes, straight pants and a vintage purse. And, of course, I built my outfits around Joy Division band tees.
Even if you don't care much for the fashion aspect, I still hope you'll watch Control and check out Joy Division's music if you haven't already. And now I leave you with the music video for Joy Division's most famous song "Love Will Tear Us Apart."
Who doesn't love indie queen Zooey Deschanel? Zooey's style is a refreshing change of pace from the provocative and homogenously "trendy" looks that dominate our culture. Zooey's quirky, vintage, sweetly feminine look is a source of inspiration for me and many other girls who don't want to walk around in Ugg boots and cutoff miniskirts.
To recreate Zooey's style, dress up a little. You're not going to catch Zooey out in sweats or a ratty tee shirt. Zooey's wardrobe choices enhance her natural beauty instead of showing off her body. However, opting for more conservative outfits doesn't mean you'll have any less fun with it. Choose pieces that are visually intriguing and accessorize with vintage jewelry and fun hairpieces. Zooey has an affinity for tights which can also add some pop to an otherwise simple ensemble. Here's something I put together that was partially inspired by Zooey's folk duo She & Him's music video for their song "In the Sun."
Most quoted film descriptions are from IMDb.com, official sites, and press releases. ALL NAMES, TRADEMARKS AND IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
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