Year One

One year ago this month. One year ago this month, on June 1st 2009, to be exact. I started my first job out of school. Between proofs of my book, editing sessions, final submissions, applying for post-graduate programs, a part-time job and life in general, I was also job searching. Viciously.

One year ago this month. One year ago this month, on June 8th 2009, to be exact. I was at Convocation Hall, U of T. My mom, dad and brother. All proud. Beaming even. I was happy until I realized that my pictures didn't turn out the way I wanted while I was in the hall. I was crabby- maybe it was a release from all the pressure and anxiety that four (almost 5) years builds. I still don't quite feel as though I've graduated. Regardless, I held on to a piece of paper worth the price of a decent car. A week later, my dad bought me my U of T frame to neatly place my degree in. The feeling of having to take that day off work to convocate was amazing because I was working in my field. Happily.

One year ago this month. One year ago this month, on June 9th 2009, to be exact. We made books. We planned the launch. The lighting, the presentation, the gift, the venue, the menu, the guestlist. It was one of my favourite nights of my life. Surrounded by friends and family. What was supposed to be just about books ended up being a great way to end my undergraduate career. I was elated.

Now a year later, June 10th 2010 to be exact. I've moved on from my first job to a job that is an extension of my field. I've started my next book/venture and for the first time in a long time, the same people around me at the book launch are still around.

June 2009 was a good month. 2009 was a good year.

Don't call my name...

I'm back, bitches.

After a much-needed hiatus, I'm back. I've always had an online presence - Twitter, creeping you on Facebook or lazily posting embarrassing things on my Tumblr (rafayagha.tumblr.com), but now I think I'm going to launch an online onslaught. You wait. Just fucking wait.

Anyway, "me me me" aside, Gagaloo released an amazing video yesterday at noon. Needless to say, I had a lunch date and my eyes were glued to the screen for almost nine glorious minutes. Steven Klein took what he does and married it with Gagaloo and David Fincher. The result is blasphemous, sexy, gothic, homoerotic and rings of Nazi/military imagery. I wonder if having all these 'mos in Mo wigs was intentional? Probably.



For lighter fare, La Coacha also did a great job, putas. Watch it or I think I'll have to shank you.

Oddity

Gaga will be wearing some of these soon - I can promise you this.

ISABEL MASTACHE Fall Winter 2010 / 11 Cibeles from NEOMODA on Vimeo.

My opinion? It's like a less sophisticated Vivien Westwood. Some stuff is kinda cool. Other is just straight out of design school.

RIP Alexander McQueen

Fashion great, showman and creative genius, Alexander McQueen, 40, was found dead in his London home today. No details have been released outside of the fact that he committed suicide. I am speechless. I love McQueen's work and this is a huge loss. Rest in Peace.

M.I.A. + No Doubt = Rude Boy

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Just sayin'

Tenth grade staple

The Club Monaco Crest is back! After almost a decade (omg!) the athletic crest is back for die hard fans. I remember owning a Club Monaco sweatshirt in high school. Truth be told, I still have mine in my closet. I'm ecstatic because I thought the sweats were gone for good once the company got sold to Ralph Lauren. I thought wrong I guess. The crest is back and I will be stopping by the Yorkdale or TEC (the only ones carrying it at the moment) and pick up a few items. Starting at $29.

Blogs are so 2009.

No, but really. They are. Thanks to Twitter and Tumblr and even the social media grandpa, Facebook - web publishing by way of a blog is passe. Maybe tl;dr syndrome has limited our capacity to read blogs longer than 140 characters.

I think I have to repurpose this blog to remain relevant. Otherwise, ya'll/y'all can just follow my Tumblr for the random snippets of my brain.

So many things I need to post (and and even greater amount that I missed...) that maybe I should start up again as though there never was a gap anyway.

Thoughts? Is anyone even there?

The only music videos that mattered in 2009

No other videos mattered this year...impressive because one of said videos came out in October of 2008.

"Shoulda put a ring on it,” entered our pop culture lexicon and proclamations of being “a free bitch, baby” littered everyone’s News Feed.

Spawning a slew of spoofs since the '08 release, Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it) became the video that wouldn't die (Even the Chippettes did their own take). Beyonce took the ‘less-is-more’ philosophy and ran with it…err, danced with it. A sound stage, three leotards, one mechanical glove and three “single” ladies later—voila! A hit is born. Perhaps the most effective mainstream viral music video ever? I think so.



On the other end of the pop prism, Lady Gaga’s ‘more-is-more’ Bad Romance took advantage of a season’s worth of Alexander McQueen, razorblade sunglasses, a hairless pussycat, latex costumes, a busy Russian bathhouse filled with mobsters, product placement, crystal headpieces, a fur wedding dress, fire, Illumunati symbols (lol) and a personal orbit. Between the visuals and the lyrics, the references were just as random and varied: Nosferatu (and vampireism), Hitchcock, the twist, Bollywood, evolution and the sex trade. Well, she certainly isn’t boring.

You've Changed

I love Sia...her last album is still in rotation. She's working with Christina Aguilera on X-tina's upcoming CD and in the meantime, she's released this delicious track. The accompanying video is filled with GIF-able moments and LOL-tastic facial expressions.

Girls Just Wanna Viva Glam

Lady Gagalupe and Cyndi Lauper have teamed up with MAC for their Spring 2010 Viva Glam campaign.

O Canada!

These patriotic RED (see what I did there?) hot mittens are all the buzz- haven't you heard? The fleece-lined mitts make great stocking-stuffers and are flying off shelves countrywide. And why wouldn't they? At $10 CAD a pair, I regret not buying more.

I've been wanting them for weeks and they've been sold out at every Bay store...UNTIL TODAY. I found a pair and snapped them up instantly. P even managed to score a S/M size for himself (S/M sizes are REALLY rare).

Run, don't walk.

dw!

Sorry for the lack of posts...it's been kinda crazy. Also, the only things I find worth posting are of Gaga and if I post them all, this would quickly resemble (more so than now!) a Gaga fan site!

Anyway! Soon enough, I will post more and more often.

I'm just here to start my little Christmas wishlust. Yes, my wishlust...things I am lusting for (in no particular order):

1. Tom Ford cologne
2. Light grey, military shouldered, chest pocketed, double-breasted, three-quarter length (maybe a little shorter) peacoat. This would mark year three of this search. Express in the states is the closest thing I found to it...but it's still questionable.
3. Kiehls products from the blue Facial Fuel line...particularly the Facial Fuel daily moisturizer AND the gel wash.
4. New glasses (seeing, not sun)
5. Starbucks g/c
6. Gas g/c
7. IKEA g/c
8. Club Monaco g/c
9. Donate to the repair-my-car fund
10. iPhone desktop charger (but I just might end up buying this myself)

As I think of anything more, I'll add it in- any suggestions?

Perfection.

I can't even begin to say what I feel...this is just epic and fierce and amazing and innovative and flawless and scary and ferocious....Lady Gaga's Bad Romance premiered today after a long wait. And was it ever worth the wait. So.much.McQueen.

JChoo & H&M Launch Party

Penis Gaga

Look closely. This is SO NSFW...but most people you work with are probably squares and wouldn't notice anyway.

Where the Wild Things Are

Brazilian babe, Isabeli Fontana is on the cover of November's French Vogue. I love this entire shoot...from the model, the body paint, the clothes...it's just another reason why French Vogue is better than it's American counterpart.













Model: Isabeli Fontana
Photographer: David Sims
Stylist: Carine Roitfeld
Hair: Guido Palau
Makeup: Lucia Pieroni
Scan: Francy, from The Fashion Spot

YSL Divine Suede Ankle Boot

Yves St. Laurent Divine Suede Ankle Boot...Perfection.

Monster Ball

We were once a fairy tale

Kanye. Spike Jonze.

Sigh.

Casual Friday

Lady Gagalupe sports a super casual Jeremy Scott denim outfit. Y'know, after a week of being a stiff just TGIF and cut loose with your fave denim one-piece.

Have a great weekend everybody!