I’m finally sold on the whole sustainable development thingy! Thank you super-models for making this world a better place!

The season 3 of Mad Men has just ended and as another testimony to this TV-series’ popular cultural influence several fashion houses have officially announced Mad Men-inspired lines to hit the streets next year! Some have already launched their shark grey “Don Draper” suits.

The truth is that even though this show’s production quality is impeccable much of its stylistic appeal is thanks to Don Draper and his pivotal character. Let’s just say that Mad Men IS Don Draper! But while the character looks like perfection personified and basically oozes charisma Jon Hamm, the actor playing him, couldn’t be further away from the fictive persona he portrays. Look at the pictures below, while Don Draper looks sharp like a billion dollar God of power and style Jon Hamm looks like a …hobo basically! I don’t think that I have ever seen such dramatic difference between an actor and the character he plays. At least not this way around, its like as if Don Draper has been roughed up to play Jon Hamm! I think, just like Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano, this will be one of those cases where an actor’s on-screen ego will become so larger than the actor himself that it will become a professional burden and he wont get any other roles because of the unshakable personification!

In case you haven’t noticed I happen to have a fetish for scarfs! Some are crazy about ties I am nuts about scarfs. I guess it’s one of the remains from the New-Romantic era, that is left and living in me. You can work many ways with a scarf when creating a look, both tie and drape them. I collect them, in all colors and patterns that become me and my wardrobe. My main rule as both fashion aficionado and painting artist when it comes to picking a scarf that represents me is that it gets to be the single outstanding detail and showpiece in the whole attire. The pièce de résistance, the highlight and show-stopper that commands the attention of any room! While you should by default color-coordinate, you don’t need to make your entire outfit match. Liven up by adding a punch of color and character to your image with a scarf. This almost florescent turquoise delight is my latest inquisition and as you can see it is like a drop of jumping color on the basic black ensemble. Some rather avoid such vibrant colors in order to merge in the crowd, yours-truly however loves to stand out … in case you haven’t noticed!lol

This is a candid shot of me taken in the morning (thats why I smile!lol) a few days ago, the cold is a fact in Sweden by now so it’s all about dressing accordingly. I think you already know the winter coat and the brand new leather case, accompanying the blue attention-seeker!

How do you like my brand new trilby hat? I love “Blood In, Blood Out (Bound By Honor)” and have as long as I can remember wanted a “Vatos Locos” hat (thus the pose). Now I’ve found one! In H&M’s new collection. If you have no idea what I am talking about and happen to like gangster movies then do catch this epic flick. It’s the poor man’s “God Father”! Came in early 90’s, flew under radar and exploded in a massive underground wave of fans and fanatics! I have it on DVD but still find myself watching it when TV reruns it, often at midnights. Watch the trailer, don’t let yourself be put off by the B-style edit and music since its far from the actual film. And see if you can spot my hat in it!

My old blue obsession!

Top designer Tom Ford is constantly on the rise! As a fashion aficionado one can’t help but to admire Ford, he is perhaps one of the few - if not the only - designers who himself/herself looks like a model and dresses fashionably. Why eat straight from the fridge when with just a bit of effort you can throw together a nice meal of whats in the fridge, Ford argues. The same principle applies to clothes, according to the man.

This fashion icon has recently crossed over from his home realm to a new one, namely the film industry. In his directorial debut Ford has adapted the acclaimed Isherwood novel “A Single Man”.

Being openly gay, despite desired by many women, Ford has taken on the challenge of dedramatizing the still controversial subject of homosexuality in a dramatic way. Ford’s work has been praised for its pictorial perfection and philosophical complexion. Parallels have been drawn to another novel-turned-movie namely “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly“, in terms of tone and atmosphere.

The unexpected grandeur of “A Single Man” has already been awarded in all film festivals that it has been shown at. I’m a huge fan of Ford’s and can’t wait to see his new creation in motion!

Finally got my hands on an original copy of the rare and sought after “V” magazine cover from last year! If you think shooting a magazine cover like this is just a piece of ass …cake, then let me tell you that you’re wrooooong! There is much more work put behind this cover than Gisele’s firm behind. Those cheeks don’t just oil themselves up you know, oh no! An ill-fated someone was actually hired and assigned for the greasy job. A manual laborer, probably underpaid as well (despite the perk)!

Now what I need to know is where I can sign up for this lucky bearded B:s job!lol Since obviously I’m in the wrong profession!! hehe

Spandau Ballet have reunited and I’m sorry to hear that Sweden is not going to be a part of their European tour! Being a reader of my reviews and blog I’m sure that by now you know what the 80’s meant to me musically and culturally, in particular the New Romantic movement with its revival of the 19th century’s romantic art and ideals. Not to forget the awesome Art Deco fashion and hairs style that came with it. Here’s my favorite (Duran Duran inspired) video of theirs which basically samples all the things about them and the genre, “Highly Strung“.

So exaggeratedly elegant and theatrical in attitude and appearance. It was a time of shoulder pads and hairspray! A lot of hairspray!lol Since not a single hair was to be out of place! This yearbook picture from my early teens ( I must have been 13 or 14) is a testimony to my passion and devotion for the new romantic perfection.

I’ve written about photographer Scott Schuman and his influential blog “The Sartorialist” before. Now a book by the same name has been published, gathering a selection of the photographies featured on his blog.

Scott’s photos reflect the mood and movement of his random real-life people on the streets of the world’s metropoles. Regardless of your interest in photography or fashion this is a rich and priceworthy collection, to own or to give away as gift!

Natalie Imbruglia is back, this time with a controversial little video! I am not sure that someone like me would agree with its controversiality but it involves some nudity or better said naked “skin” (since nudity is by definition exposed nipples and private parts)! But I like it. Its Metropolitan chic with a twist of Arthouse sensualism, the artsy-sexy kind that I personally love to see in movies as well as music videos. And most important of all, it fits and enhances the song and its theme!

The sound has gone through a bit of a change with an euro-electro overtone, unlike her previous singer/songwriter songs. It sounds very 90’s Kylie I must say, but still fresh! Since these things go in trend loops and right now this one is renewing its expiration date. She walks a fine risky line with this blend of image and style, but she pulls it (and takes it) off elegantly. I mean who can resist a girl in a black bodyhugging turtleneck?! Or out of it, for that matter!

Note: thanks to Pedram

I know its early, too early, barley autumn! But its the early bird that gets the worm! Or in my case the coat! As I am 185cm (6′ 1″) and broad-shouldered and the mainstream fashion is designed and manufactured with thin and tiny people in mind, its sometimes a hassle to find the clothes that I want in my size which is XL. Thats why you have to figure out a system to outsmart the others and get the sometimes only XL in store. Last year you met my retro cap and this year I present you my designated coat for the upcoming winter! I immediately fell in love with this coat as it has the classic cut (clean and sleek), the 70’s fit (body hugging) and a touch of street (urban inspired details). By the way, since I have been posting more and more fashion related stuff in the blog a new category has been opened to feature them, called fittingly “The Fitting Room“!

It’s simply not true! I’m a man who can appreciate modesty as well …

There you go!

This conservative young lady, by the way, happens to be the former America’s Next top Model winner Jaslene. Always charming me with her …modesty!

I recall from my childhood back in Iran that we wore “dam-payis” of the Kafshe Melli brand, which were all one-piece roughly cut plastic footwears in all sorts of vivid colors. Cheap as hell! I found them incredibly tacky even back then. A couple of years ago when the Crocks hit the stores I had a horrible flashback! Just couldn’t believe my eyes! It was as if the Western world had waited decades to copy our crappy dam-payis!lol And what baffles me is that these became popular and are still popular, while they should be fashionably illegal! *%¤#”!!lol

Speaking of posing for pictures, in the post about the 7th Music Band written days ago, people sometimes ask me how comes I tend to strike a pose when being photographed. I know I do and I have been thinking about it and come to the conclusion that its more of an automatic reaction than a conscious move. Of course through the years I have become more and more aware of the fact that I tend to do that, but ever since I was a kid even when I wasn’t fully aware of being photographed I happened to pose when I found myself facing the camera! Like in this candid pic which was taken by a lurking relative when I was on a daily escapade in our family house garden.

The Sartorialist is one of my favorite blogs when it comes to both fashion and photography. The fashion photographer Scott Schuman walks the streets of the world during spare time and shoots people whom he finds fashionable and photogenic. This image, courtesy of his blog, has managed to capture, what I would like to call, a family of naturalborn posers! Look at that father and his kids, the look in their eyes and their posture. Keep in mind that this was a candid shot of random people which was snapped in a matter of seconds when meeting them on the street. Yet each one of these gentlemen looks as if he has been preparing for this shot his entire life! Conclusively my argument is that its genetic, …being photogenic.

As I’ve written before I consider myself a “situated” artist. Meaning that I believe in the influence of the situation on the process of creation! Every situation gives you a unique opportunity, accidentally or per destiny if you would like to believe such a thing, to capture and create. As an artist its up to you to be able to detect these revelations and use them constructively. For many years I’ve been meaning to create a piece called “Portrait of a Creature”. Inspired by “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, “Interview With the Vampire” and Metallica’s documentary title “Some Kind of Monster”. However I couldn’t decide whether to use a model for a realistic result or make it a stylized artwork based on memory and generic references. This photo of me was shot just recently and when staring at myself staring back at me I suddenly saw my creature! And realized that all this time what I’ve really wanted was to make a multilayered psychological portrait of myself! Thats why I couldn’t settle for anyone else. I’ll be starting the portrait as soon as the summer vacation kicks off and will be updating in the upcoming “artwork” category of this blog. So please stay tuned if you happen to be interested.

I have heard people calling them “the best of both worlds” while in my opinion its rather “the worst of both world” combined in the baggy-tight pants for men! What the …was the creating designer of these disasters going for?!! The crapped-my-pants look or MC Hammer-goes-biking?lol

Who is Max Azria? All I know is that almost every female celebrity is wearing his body-hugging and curve-shaping bandage dresses (for Hervé Léger) lately and that Kim Kardashian has every single piece in every available colour collected in her wardrobe! What can I say, the talented Tunisian is a genius! Judge for yourself! God bless this mighty mind that came up with the idea of a minimalistic yet magical universal dress that flatters the features while not spoiling the details! It does every single bottom out there, no matter shape or size, heavenly justice! Small (Miranda Kerr), medium (Christina Millian) and large/X-large (Kim Kardashian), it hugs and becomes them all!

I’m not really a Christmas person, my equivalent to Christmas is Valentine’s Day instead! Many argue that its a commercial day and campaign, that you don’t need a marked day on the calendar to show your love. Rightful in their own sense, I’ve personally never met a person who didn’t believe in the Valentine’s Day and still was able to love wholeheartedly! Coincidence? Might be so, but I think not! And while I don’t do Christmas gifts, I love to give away Valentine’s Day presents! That’s why I (at the risk of spoiling a surprise) thought giving the lads out there a suggestion, if they intend to give their lovely ladies some lingerie on this occasion. Lingerie is a classic gift, which keeps giving and giving “back”! Most importantly! hehe. You can go either classy or slutty when it comes to mainstream lingerie, but the designers at “Lola Luna” have managed to combine the two in one unique fashion! Their G-strings have all what I call “protecting the property, but do no block the view” quality! hehe. So, you still have time. If you hurry, you’ll still be able to surprise your special someone on the 14th!

If you are into URBAN FASHION and culture like yours-truly, then make sure to pick up WAD! A 500 page-thick periodical with bilingual texts in both English and French! Needless to say, it provides one rich reading!