Combining references to natural order, decay and the temporality of built environment, fascinating multi-media artist Glynnis McDaris cultivates a poignant discourse on time and meaning, nature and creation — and the relevance of what remains with the lapsing of time.
This Thursday, March 1st, Glynnis will present her solo exhibition of new photographs, video and sculptural work In time and with water on Ludlow Street at the uber-hip Blackston Gallery 6-8pm, don’t miss it.
Swimming in a sea of delectable lingerie over at vogue.com in preparation for a St. Valentine’s day get in the mood feature, my thoughts are on passion, sex appeal and the body. Sex appeal, or magnetism, is deeply rooted emotional power matched with smoldering good looks. How do you get it? If you’re lucky, the stars or your genes loaded you up at birth allowing for a head start. Developing passion and keeping it radiant is definitely something I relish working on. Fashion magazines (and porn) objectify frustratingly, but with the right mindset and a sensitive approach while viewing, they make a great tuning fork. Using a keen eye, I notice what draws me in then customize and add to my cache. Rihanna visibly overflows with passion. Her voice and presence is a fiery reminder that well toned curves, daring experimentation and raw honesty are powerful aphrodisiacs. Arousal is her natural state and her engine-red hair underscores a well-tended bonfire.
Some days I don’t feel like smiling. Stemming from old-fashioned self-pity, it happens when a warm, wet blanket of confusion sweeps in unexpectedly. There is rarely much reason to explain the feeling and its joyous absence is just as remarkable. However, today’s grin is extra wide and not just because I’m sitting in the Conde Nast cafeteria enjoying coq au vin among a bevy of beautiful editors and superstars.
Defining beauty as tastefully over-the-top, couture collections at Valentino, Giambattista Valli and Givenchy have me pondering couture’s role in today’s fashion arena. When my uber chic friend Jacinto gushed in awe, my first thought was WHO wears these and WHERE on earth are they going? What is couture about when bridges are falling down and Wall Street is a bungled mess? I needed some quality time on vogue.com, to fade the practicalities from my head space. Though very different, all 3 collections have one common denominator, Charm. When I attempt to charm, I feel brave, making the first move, enlightening my audience with humor, tickling their minds with feisty, original challenges. Couture provides the opportunity for designers to charm us with their passion and integrity, wooing with courage and extravagance. I close, Magnificence is relevant and always will be.
Soft spoken delicacy is back. Extraordinary subtlety and skill comes alive in this unassuming silhouette at Valentino.
Personal style happens when I look squarely at my story and challenge others by inviting and repelling with calculated censorship. Silent film stars said it all with big and elaborate facial expressions. My personal style emerges when I am able to see where I fit in striking the right combination between intensity and subtlety. I have my recipe. And when all the ingredients are balanced, casual passerby’s enjoy a feast.
Caroline stands out in crimson with lips to match. Easy hair and platforms anchor the look. Ditching a bag, she is powerful and free.
What is beautiful? Polite society has always been the supreme judge of beauty, valuing respect for one’s elders, propriety, education, worldly success and abundance. A formula that works to say the least. Pleasing to the eye, radiating health and joy, while non-confrontational out of sheer respect. Always readily available, though little worn, l chose a classically feminine silhouettes to fall back on when easy maneuvering among the status quo is demanded. My aim is to showcase a complete ability to calm and reassure those in charge. Graceful skirts and pretty finery work within the establishment, as opposed to my usual rebel’s overhaul. The key is: avoid complacency. I opt for a gentle nudging with color or proportion for quick movement and acceptance among the gentry.
She travels with royalty.
I get turned on at the gym. Sports are competitive, even dangerous–that’s the allure. As a fashion player, I challenge myself in various ways. Create a crisis! Set up a hurdle! Keep expectations just beyond immediate reach! The game is: How well can I carry out my dreams from the inside out? If I want infinite freedom and mobility, I can dress like a surfer, no need to actually surf. The best part of all this is putting projection to the test, mostly by resisting the urge to go back to old ways. Fashion moves life forward through the seasons and the times but more importantly, it develops my ability to be attractive to…myself.
Even fish want her.
Dressing up is a challenge mostly because I want the results to match my fantasies, and my fantasies always involve super models, or perhaps Marion Cotillard on exotic location. And so it must begin with a luxurious prep fit for a princess. First, a trip down to the gym completed with an elaborate stretch. I like to deep condition my hair with Moroccan Oil while working up a sweat precluding a transformation far beyond high heels. Next up, a long, hot shower followed by aromatic potions and lotions extending the extravagance. In my mind, I am already playing the lead role in my own personal drama. My goal? Master the nuances for tonight’s performance. Slow and careful application of black liquid liner, black mascara, and hair massaged gently into place, now comes the tricky part…the art of nonchalance. Played down is my preferred stance no matter the occasion. Sure, I admire those with enough charisma to initiate a twister, but a quiet storm with its mysterious, magical power is a deeper well of sustainable energy.
Saskia’s rough ‘n tumble pose makes me want to share secrets with her.
Victoria Bader lives the dream. Travelling the globe as a modern ballet dancer, she has performed, studied, rehearsed, and dwelled worldwide. Born and raised in Sydney Australia to a Maltese father and an Aussie mother, she started dancing as a young girl. Her first professional performance was at 14 years of age, appearing in Television commercials dancing for Kodak Video Products. At 15, Victoria joined the Sydney Youth Dance Company. With a lifetime of rich experience, and a free spirit to match, Victoria shares highlights of her travel escapades and teaches us expert fitness techniques. If your 2012 resolution is to achieve the trademark shape of a dancer’s body, Victoria can help.
While spilling the secrets of her dancer’s world, she turns us on to perfect posture, hard, lean abs, firm buttocks, a defined waist, sculpted legs, toned thighs, slim, strong arms, and flexibility you never imagined.
Watching award shows can bring up a complicated mix of emotions. Worship, awe, envy, jealousy, love and adoration are all commingling at warp speed. While I love to catch a faux pas for a good chuckle, nothing beats the divine inspiration resulting from a flawless match up of beauty and personae.
Tilda, Natalie, Shailene, Emma and Charlize define SuperStar glamour for me. Looking down to earth while descended from the heavens is the ultimate Hollywood challenge, and these ladies nailed by letting their grounded smarts outshine their bling.
