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WHITE SUPREMACY: THE MOST RACIST FASHION MAGAZINES IN 2010 by Navo

In EXCLUSIVES, Editorial, Fashion, Magazine, photography, politics, viewpoints on April 27, 2010 at 5:18 am

“At a magazine, everything you do is edited by a bunch of people, by committee, and a lot of them are, were, or think of themselves as writers. Part of that is because magazines worry about their voice.” – Chuck Klosterman, American journalist who has written for The New York Times Magazine.

“I hate racial discrimination most intensely and all its manifestations. I have fought all my life; I fight now, and will do so until the end of my days. Even although I now happen to be tried by one, whose opinion I hold in high esteem, I detest most violently the set-up that surrounds me here. It makes me feel that I am a Black man in a White man’s court.” -Nelson Mandela

THE DEMISE OF PRINT

(NY) I love visiting magazine shops as much as bookstores. Even though sometimes they’re as noisy as the city streets, these visits gives me the right visual rush I need as a photographer. My favorite magazine shops are where I brush up on my rusty Arabic.

The last conversation I had with some Turkish and Egyptian magazine vendors (in one of the largest magazine shop in NYC, now reduced to half its original size) is that magazine business is not doing well. This is probably the worst time in the history of magazine sales, at least coming from the people who sell the magazines as a livelihood. In fact, most of their outlets are closing down one by one.

About 400 print magazines closed shop in 2009 and it is predicted that more will follow in 2010. Most magazine shops (small or large-scale) around the city are also closing as a domino effect of global recession and the inevitable demise of the print magazine.

1540 AD

Staring at the floor to ceiling wallpaper of crisp fashion magazines, I can’t help but wonder why: “in the year 2010, a multi-colored country like America, and an ethnically diverse city like New York (one of the biggest magazine consuming cities in the world), all I see are white peoples’ faces with a sprinkling of token minorities.

Since 1540 AD (the American colonial era), Racism has been a major issue in the United States. Caucasians have, historically, dominated the country and it’s not a secret. The country’s minorities: Native Americans, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Mexican Americans, Arab-Americans, American Jews, Irish Americans, other immigrant groups and their descendants, have carried the heaviest burdens of racism in history. Go visit the nearest magazine shop, flip through the “fashion magazines” within your arm’s reach and see for yourself.

Every other year a racism controversy will explode online, Naomi Campbell’s face protesting will be everywhere for a few weeks. Then, designers and magazine editors will try to mix it up a bit in the next few months. When the protesters go quiet, again, in the western front, the fashion leaders will revert to ‘normal’, which is ‘the color white’. Racism in fashion has always been a game of hide and seek: as long as the victims (minorities) don’t notice it’s okay. The breeding ground of racism is right in front of me, the magazine stand is full of blondes and for every dollar I spend to purchase a copy of the “white people’s” exclusive vision of a ‘fashion world’, I contribute to the century-old ugly tradition of racism in America.

HIGH FASHION ADS PULLOUT WHEN IT’S A NON-WHITE COVER

The fear of low sales and advertisers pulling back prevents editors from putting dark-skinned models or celebrities on the covers of fashion/women’s magazines (which, by the way, are mostly Caucasian owned). Fashion magazines claim being backed into a wall because a magazine’s main source of income comes from advertisers. It’s a “numbers game at the end of the day”, it’s all business nothing personal or racist.

OK, so you’re saying darker skinned faces don’t sell. Do the advertisers and magazine consumers also not want to see darker skinned magazine editors-in-chief, darker skinned fashion photographers, darker skinned editorial staff, darker skinned writers? Does it mean that people of colour are just that incompetent? Is there a reason minority voices and points of view are not represented in your magazines?

It is really sad to see our heroes: the artists, the visionaries, the so-called envelope pushers, the fearless fashion forwarders being tied up and backed against the wall. They’ve become like a Steven Klein image: helpless and defeated by America’s Racial Capitalism. People don’t want to talk about it, too. Nobody wants to talk about race especially if the race that is benefiting from the discrimination is the race of your heritage, it’s a dead dog on the side-walk that people don’t want to look at. It’s worse for the minorities who are not doing anything about it. Are we comfortable of the situation now?

Vogue was built on the foundation of white affluence and wealth like this images shows (obviously Anna Wintour's wet dreams)

...certainly not this women (probably were the slaves of those 'elite' white women above)

I think Ms. Wintour would even use one of these blonde fashionistas...

...before she even use a real life asian princess or an asian actress for the cover of her 'Nazi Fashion Bible' Vogue.

MEXICANS OF THE PACIFIC

They say Filipinos are the Mexicans of the Pacific, mainly because a person of Filipino ancestry will take on “Mexican jobs” like yard work, cleaning hotel rooms, and being caretakers in the aquatic Pacific rim nations. The fact is, among the South East Asian nations, Philippines has been colonized and forced to slavery more than their neighboring countries in Asian history.

Vogue Magazine was founded as a weekly publication in 1892 by the Caucasian Arthur Baldwin Turnure and was picked up in 1909 by the Caucasian Condé Nast. Everybody knows that “the fashion bible” a.k.a. “the world’s most influential fashion magazine today” was built on the foundation of white affluence and wealth as their core consumers.

The old money such as the Vanderbilt and Roosevelt families (Dutch-Caucasian descent), the Rockefeller, Heinz, and Astor families (German-Caucasian descent), the Du Pont family (French-Caucasian descent), the Carnegie, Getty and Forbes families (Scottish-Caucasian descent), some of them might have even owned Black or South Indian slaves sometime in history, depending on their locations. The White Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP), in reference to white North Americans from the British Isles, particularly of English descent, who were Protestant in religious affiliation. It initially applied to people with histories in the upper class Northeastern establishment who, allegedly, formed a powerful élite. The same heritage of 99% of all the editors-in-chief, fashion photographers, editorial staffs, writers, interns, publishers, fashion models of every fashion magazines that ever existed in human history. Now where do the Native Americans, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Mexican Americans, Arab-Americans fit in the pretty white picture of Vogue History? Where does an ‘Asian-Mexican’ like me fit in the picture?

KKK meeting? or Nazi Convention?

ANNA WINTOUR

Can you blame Vogue Editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, the proclaimed queen of American Fashion for following the hundred years tradition and point of view of all the Caucasian women that came before her, namely: Vogue US Editors-in-Chief Josephine Redding (1892-1901), Marie Harrison (1901-1914), Edna Woolman Chase (1914- 1951), Jessica Daves (1952-1963), Diana Vreeland (1963-1971), and Grace Mirabella (1971-1988), Vogue UK Editors-in-Chief Elspeth Champcommunal (1916-1922), Dorothy Todd (1923-1926), Alison Settle (1926-1934), Elizabeth Penrose (1934-1940), Audrey Withers (1940-1961), Ailsa Garland (1961-1965), Beatrix Miller (1965-1984). Vogue Paris Editors-in-Chief Cosette Vogel (1922-1927), Main Bocher (1927-1929), Michel de Brunhoff (1929-1954), Edmonde Charles-Roux (1954-1966), Francine Crescent (1968-1987) and the current Editors-in-Chiefs of Vogue UK and Vogue Paris Alexandra Shulman (1992-present), and Carine Roitfeld (2001-present) are all white.

Watch the 2009 documentary The September Issue (a desperate rebuttal to the 2009 book/film THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA to save the bitter Ice Queen’s face) and tell me it’s not proof that Vogue belongs to one point of view, one race. Designer Thakoon Panichgul is a sad charity/PR stunt and editor André Leon Talley is a silly token mascot.

If Vogue Magazine is the grand daddy of all fashion magazines that existed out there, it has set a trend, a blueprint (or a white-print?) and a tradition of having one unifying voice of fashion: the ‘white voice’. Unlike the other Vogue editions worldwide (Vogue China, Vogue India, Vogue Japan, Vogue Korea, Vogue Mexico, Vogue Taiwan and the newly launched Vogue Turkey) the western Vogue editions are the proclaimed ‘FASHION BIBLES for the rest of the world, because they’re “representative of a multi-colored nation”.

Most people who work at Vogue US actually believe they are part of human history. Every time they launch the latest cover they feel like they are contributing to the welfare of humanity, it’s in their memos, letters, e-mails, and notes: “we are making history”. This is the regular mantra that goes around the Vogue or Condé Nast office. Maybe one of the reasons most of the people who work there have a big head, like Anna Wintour (literally or metaphorically), they really believe they are saving the world with their desk jobs.

Here are the 14 Vogue US Covers that features minorities since it started with eic Josephine Redding in 1892, it seems cool right? 14 covers? well its over 118 years of Vogue US- it means 1,416 covers published and 14 of them are black women, what a remarkable breakthrough right? and this is after years of protesting to them and once in a while they'll listen and this is the outcome. 14 covers out of 1,416.

Keira Knightley’s Vogue US June 2007 “Out of Africa” cover story shot by Arthur Elgort (Caucasian). Vogue photographer Arthur Elgort was born and raised in New York, Keira Knightley (Caucasian) in Teddington, Greater London, England, and Vogue US Editor-in-chief Anna Wintour (Caucasian) in London, England.

VOGUE’S GLORIFICATION OF COLONIAL RACISM

“American Vogue is a sad joke–the racism and elitist mentality of Vogue is astonishing. The few minorities featured in this magazine reek of tokenism and I would respect them more if they simply had no African-Americans, Asians or Latinos in their magazine. The fact that they hide their racism and ignorance with subterfuge offends even more.  Vogue magazine truly embodies all that is wrong in our culture while actually distorting all that is good–sycophancy and rampant cronyism abound while real talent is all but ignored. Unfortunately reading pop culture periodicals is work related but it gets very depressing.” Cathy Horyn fashion journalist, working as a critic for The New York Times, Magazines and newspapers she contributes to include: Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, International Herald Tribune, etc. Horyn is known for her unflinching, even acerbic, reviews which got her banned from numerous designer shows; most notably Giorgio Armani. In 2002, she received the Eugenia Sheppard Award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. She questioned the work and exposed the deal-makings of Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour.  (http://www.racialicious.com/2007/08/18/vogues-glorification-of-colonial-racism/)

Gisele Bündchen (Brazillian) and LeBron James' Vogue US April 2008 cover shot by Annie Leibovitz (Jewish-American), was the third time that Vogue featured a male on the cover of the US issue (the other two being George Clooney and Richard Gere), and the first time with a black man. It was perceived as a prejudiced depiction of James beside the much smaller Gisele in a pose reminiscent of King Kong carrying off Fay Wray. Vogue US (of course) denied all allegations of racism as hidden context. Anna Wintour (British Caucasian) is the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue US.

Vanity Fair's New Hollywood March 2010 cover shot by Annie Leibovitz (Jewish-American), featuring the actresses who embody the new muse of (white) Hollywood is one of the magazine's all white women issues. While race is still a hotly debated topic in the 21st century, with “racism” being the hot iron that no-one wants to touch, it is obvious that the cover definetly lacks diversity. There are no Asian, Black or Hispanic actresses added to the ‘Vanity Fair’ cover, in the same batch Zoe Saldana stars in the two blockbuster films of the year Avatar and Star Trek, Gabourey Sidibe was nominated for an Oscar best actress for the film Precious. Photographer Annie Leibovitz was born in Waterbury, Connecticut and Vanity Fair Editor-in-chief Graydon Carter (Caucasian) in Toronto, Canada.

Gabourey Sidibe and Dakota Fanning’s Vmagazine Jan 2010 covers shot by Dutch duo Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, is one of the very very few covers of the magazine that features a non-white since its launch in 1999, and everytime they feature a black celebrity/model they need to have multi-covers with a white celebrity/model (like this 'Size Issue Covers"). Vmagazine & VMAN Editor-in-chief Stephen Gan was born and raised in the Philippines, photographer Lamsweerde & Matadin (Caucasians) was both born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Ladies and Gentlemen meet Stephen Gan, a Filipino, born and raised in the Philippines with Filipino parents, creative director at Harper’s Bazaar, co-founder of Visionaire, editor-in-chief of V Magazine and Vman magazine and he loves everything white, this is one of those rare chances a minority actually becomes a powerful head in fashion but somehow lacks substance, and heads the opposite way, he rarely uses minorities in all of his covers (in front and behind the camera) and even trying to deny his roots as much as possible, talk about self-loathing.

Hispanic or Latino population in the US is 46.9 million (15.4%). Eva Mendes' Interview Magazine August 2008 cover shot by Mikael Jansson (Richard Avedon’s former assistant) & Jay-Z’s February 2010 cover shot by Craig Mcdean are two of the latest and rare Interview covers that features minorities since it was founded by artist Andy Warhol (Caucasian) and John Wilcock (Caucasian) in late 1969. Eva Mendes was born in Miami, Florida to Cuban parents, Craig Mcdean (Caucasian) in England & Mikael Jansson (Caucasian) in Sweden.

Asian population in the US is 13.4 million (4.4%). Greg Louganis’ GQ May 1988 cover, with editor-in-chief Art Cooper (1983–2003), is the second Asian man (part Samoan) on GQ Magazine cover, the first was baseball player Ron Darling (part Hawaiian-Chinese) of the New York Mets -1980, then Jackie Chan -August 1996 cover (born in Hong Kong), Tiger Woods -April 1997 cover (half Thai), Keanu Reeves -May 2003 cover (part Hawaiian/Chinese), and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (Samoan) that equals to two Asian and Pacific Islander men every decade.

English of African descent officially residing in the UK currently number about 1.1 million (2.0%). Kate Moss in London's Independent newspaper Sept 2006 with designer Giorgio Armani (Caucasian) as guest editor, the Caucasian Supermodel with her skin done up to make her look black for the African issue - next to Moss's picture was a caption that read: "NOT a fashion statement." Indy's cover provoked a lot of head-scratching. And it lit up the online world with debate about whether or not the Kate Moss picture was an insult to Africa. Or worse, was it downright racist? Kate Moss was born in the UK, and Giorgio Armani in Italy.

Colonial mentality refers to institutionalised or systemic feelings of inferiority within some societies or peoples who have been subjected to colonialism, relative to the mores or values of the foreign powers which had previously subjugated them. As of 2004, Americans formed 2.4% of the total population of registered foreigners in Japan, with 51,851 U.S. citizens residing there. Ash Stymest's VOGUE HOMMES JAPAN (issue #1) July 2008 cover shot by Hedi Slimane with fashion director Nicola Formichetti marks a historical moment for fashion, the first major Japanese fashion magazine with all Japanese text that exclusively uses Caucasian models for covers, and mostly Caucasian photographers (Josh Olins, Steven Klein, Benjamin Alexander Huseby) since it was founded. Photographer Hedi Slimane was born in Paris, France with Italian, Tunisian-Brazilian origins, Nicola Formichetti in Japan to an Italian father and a Japanese mother and VOGUE HOMMES JAPAN Editor-in-Chief Kazuhiro Saito was born and raised in Japan.

French of African descent officially residing in France currently number about 4.2 million. Andre J (Patricia Field's stylist) and Caroline Murphy’s Vogue Paris Nov 2007 cover shot by Uncle Bruce Weber (Caucasian), is the first Vogue Paris cover with a black male and the fashion blogosphere called it "the Big Black Tranny in French Vogue". The fact that the minorities are being rarely used, infront or behind the camera, they should give them more dignity when they are. Photographer Bruce Weber was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and Vogue Paris Editor-in-Chief Carine Roitfeld (Caucasian) in Paris, France.

2005 - $50 Million was paid to Class Members headed by Gonzalez in Abercrombie & Fitch Discrimination Lawsuit Settlement. 2003 - Three separate lawsuits in New Jersey, California and Ohio have been filed against A&F for having racist hiring practices. 2002 - A&F sold a shirt that featured the slogan "Wong Brothers Laundry Service—Two Wongs Can Make It White" with smiling figures in conical straw hats, a depiction of early Chinese immigrants. The man behind the creation of an A&F world of old money and Waspy right wing pretension for decades to the present is the caucasian photographer Bruce Weber.

The Devil really wears Prada? The book & movie suggest Vogue editor Anna Wintour does. Prada S/S 09 campaign shot by Steven Meisel (caucasian) is set for an all white season, the high end Prada has been consistently a force in exclusively using Caucasian models, black girls are token, Asians and Latinos non-existent. Before British newbie Jourdan Dunn walked the Prada runway in 08, the last minority walked for them in Fall 1997 (exactly 11 years) and she is Naomi Campbell. The last time a minority appeared in a Prada ad campaign? 1994, also with Supermodel Naomi Campbell. Prada, Calvin Klein, Balenciaga, Jil Sander, Chloë and Versace sent an all-white girl casting for the Spring of 2008. Miuccia Prada was born and raised in Italy.

THE FUTURE FOR MINORITIES

English is not my first language and I’m not a writer by profession (I definitely need an editor and proof readers badly to make all my ramblings coherent to avoid attacks from the Ivy League grammar police). Although I don’t have the armies of editors and proof readers Vogue Magazine has, writing in naiveboy.com makes me realize a lot of things about myself and my priorities. I have learned to ask myself how I can be more consistent as a photographer, a writer and a minority who is trying to showcase a sense of common humanity that transcends skin colour in all of my work.

The trials on the journey I had to endure to research and write this article has been a rollercoaster. One thing I’ve noticed, though, more younger people are angered by racism in fashion. The the older generations are more the source of racism and denial. What can I do as an individual? Start with myself, be aware of every decision and choices that I do whether it’s purchasing or subscribing to a magazine that doesn’t promote racism or choosing the models for my own projects.

There is a way not to sacrifice your aesthetic just to be politically correct: by following what is right and what is human.

It’s sad but it’s the truth, we are contributing to our own discrimination and the discrimination of millions and millions of people every time we buy their products, whether its a $4 Vogue magazine, or V magazine or a pair of thousand-dollar Prada shoes. It’s disgusting.

Anna Wintour emailed me to react to this blog and she said “I don’t give a fuck, Heil Hitler!”.

Sessilee Lopez, Chanel Iman, Arlenis Sosa Pena & Jourdan Dunn’s i-D Sept 2009 cover shot by Emma Summerton & styled by Edward Enninful, a historical moment for fashion, a publication known for setting trends & breaking moulds among other things, is now set to be the first fashion magazine to use women of colour on the cover of its September issue with the leadership of i-D Editor-in-Chief/Creative Director (former Vogue art director) Terry Jones. American Vogue led by Ana Wintour consistently uses Caucasian women for all her September issues (mostly Blondes), as well as majority of US Fashion Magazines. Photographer Emma Summerton was born in Australia, and Edward Enninful in Ghana.

Italians of African descent officially residing in Italy currently number about 755,000 residents. Black or African American population in the US is 37.6 million. Liya Kebede, Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Naomi Campbell’s Vogue Italia July 2008 covers shot by Steven Meisel (American), is the first Vogue Magazine " Black Issue" in the world. Anna Wintour (British Caucasian) is the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue US, Franca Sozzani (Italian) the Editor-in Chief of Vogue Italia. “I’ve asked my advertising clients so many times, ‘Can we use a black girl?’ They say no. Advertisers say black models don’t sell.”- Steven Meisel.

Du Juan and Gemma Ward’s Vogue Paris October 2005 cover shot by Patrick Demarchelier, a historical moment for fashion, the first and only asian model ever to be featured on the cover of Vogue Paris, sharing limelight with the Caucasian Beauty. Du Juan was born in Shanghai, China, Gemma Ward in Perth, Western Australia, Photographer Patrick Demarchelier in Paris, France, and Vogue Paris Editor-in-Chief Carine Roitfeld in Paris, France.

Rose Cordero’s Vogue Paris March 2010 cover (STILL OUT NOW) shot by the iconic Mert and Marcus, a historical moment for fashion, the first Vogue Paris cover for a black model since 2002. Photographer Mert Alas was born in Turkey, Marcus Piggott in Wales, and Vogue Paris Editor-in-Chief Carine Roitfeld in Paris, France.

Keanu Reeves' Vogue Hommes International Paris Spring/Summer 2009 cover shot by British-born photographer/former actress Amanda De Cadenet, a historical moment for fashion, the first time the magazine used an Asian man and a minority for its cover and probably the first for a major french men's fashion magazine. Keanu Reeves was born in Beirut, Lebanon with an English mother & American father with Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese and English descent, Photographer Amanda De Cadenet was born in UK, Vogue Hommes International Paris Editor-in-Chief Olivier Lalanne and Editorial Director Carine Roitfeld in France.

Seijo Imazaki’s Rodeo Italy June 2009 cover, that I shot with Art Director Tim McIntyre (former Arena Homme Plus art director), the second time for an Asian to be in a Italian fashion magazine cover (first was Seijo in L'Uomo Vogue) and the first for an Asian photographer. Seijo Imazaki has been photographed by Peter Lindbergh, Steven Meisel, Paolo Roversi, Michelangelo di Batista and Steven Klein. Photographer Lope Navo was born in the Philippines, Seijo Imazaki in Westchester, NY (Japanese father and a Swedish-American mother) and Art Director Tim McIntyre in Australia.

English of Indian descent officially residing in UK currently number about 1 million people (1.8% of the country's population). Lakshmi Menon’s Dazed and Confused April 2009 cover shot by Josh Olins and styled by Nicola Formichetti, a historical moment for fashion, the first UK based fashion magazine cover for a Keralan beauty. Lakshmi Menon was born in Bangalore, India, Photographer Josh Olins in London, England, Stylist Nicola Formichetti in Japan to an Italian father and a Japanese mother.

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http://www.glossedover.com/glossed_over/2008/06/is-fashion-raci.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/01/vanity-fairs-hollywood-is_n_444763.html

http://micpohling.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/methink-no-dark-skin-for-fashion-magazine-cover/

http://www.racialicious.com/2007/08/18/vogues-glorification-of-colonial-racism/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1566142/Dame-Vivienne-attacks-racist-magazines.html

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Related Entry: http://naiveboy.com/2010/04/02/max-vadukul-photographing-history-by-navo/

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info@navostudios.com

Aravind Adiga, Armani, Bruce Weber, Charles Darwin, Chloé, Halle Berry, Helmut Newton, I-D, Italian Vogue, Jude Law, Koto Bolofo, Lope Navo, Martin Schoeller, naiveboy.com, Nelson Mandela, Nick Knight, Nicoletta Santoro, Paul McCartney, Pentax, President Obama, Richard Avedon, Robert Downey Jr., Sting, Terry Richardson, Vivienne Westwood, Vogue Hommes International, Walter Chin, Yohji Yamamoto

MAX VADUKUL: PHOTOGRAPHING HISTORY by Navo

In Arts, EXCLUSIVES, Fashion, INTERVIEW, Magazine, photography, viewpoints on April 2, 2010 at 8:07 am

Sir Paul McCartney, Mother Theresa and Amy Winehouse photographed by Mr. Vadukul

“The fashion industry is ‘racist’, fashion magazines are racist” -Dame Vivienne Westwood, Fashion Designer

“Women of colour are not a trend. That’s the bottom line…In some instances, black models are being sidelined by major modelling agencies.” -Naomi Campbell, Supermodel

“Whenever I ask to use a black model I am given excuses such as ‘black models are not aspirational in some markets’ or ‘they do not reflect the brands values.’ Normally, however, no reason is given. By my own inaction, I am guilty of allowing racism to be normalized and accepted in this business. This has made me deeply sad and increasingly angry.” – Nick Knight, Fashion Photographer

THE 44TH PRESIDENT

(NY) They always say ‘let your work speak for itself’. A significant number of people think US President Obama is dangerously naïve; a naïve president in naïve times. The moment he was chosen by the American people to be its 44th president, he took upon himself a great challenge and a burden of responsibility. He was elected and, now, has to be given a chance to prove himself through his work.

I don’t really care about his politics but when he won, he took over a position of power from the last 43 white presidents of a multi-colored nation. His victory made me, like the rest of the world, see the future: our future as a minority.

Obama’s victory is very much like Halle Berry winning the first major acting award for a non-white person in 82 years of the Oscars. Her victory started the outpour of non-white actor and director winners in the years to follow.

People like Obama and Berry, and even film director Ang Lee (the first Asian and non-Caucasian director to win an oscar in 82 years), have opened the doors for young minorities who want to grow up as a great thespian, a great leader, or a great visionary. Simply put, whether or not you like Obama’s leadership or Berry’s acting, it doesn’t matter. They already made history.

SOUTHEAST ASIAN BOY

I have always wanted to be a photographer, a really good one. I made the life decision in my teens. But growing up in the early 90′s up until now, when I ask you who’s the top iconic fashion photographers on the top of your head?

Without Google or Wikipedia‘s assistance, you’ll probably say Steven Klein? Am I hearing Steven Meisel? The infamous Uncle Terry Richardson, perhaps? How about Uncle Bruce Weber? Herb Ritts? Irving Penn? Helmut Newton? Does Patrick Demarchelier float your boat?

I might say the same names, why are their names top of mind? Why are they household names?

The one thing in common about them is that they are all relatively great at what they do. They are Photography gods. Oh, I forgot to mention, one other common thing about them. they’re all Caucasian men.

What does that mean for a South East Asian boy like me who grew up in the 90′s and deliriously dreamed to be one of them one day? Maybe just to come close to their success and not exactly be them.

How can I convince myself it’s possible? Am I reaching for the impossible? Is it a color-blind industry or am I just dangerously naïve?

Getting to the top of the fashion food chain, will it solely be based on your work? One thing for sure, the journey of minorities in Hollywood and the White House have already found their champions, for the fashion photography world it seems like the journey is still a long way home.

THE VADUKUL LAND

I walked into this minimalist post-production studio just below Mr. Vadukul’s Mid-East townhouse in Manhattan, just a day after his photoshoot with actor Jude Law. I found out he lives next door to one of the Coen Brothers and I was greeted by a wall size framed image of one of his works: a group portrait of Robert Downey Jr., Sting and Hugh Jackman in one crisp black and white shot, Vadukul style.

After a brief tour I noticed that photography is only one layer of this man’s complex life and work.

One of the most stylish photographer I know just made me a tea, smoked a cigar and showed me some of his travels with friends and lovely family. I was treated to behind the scenes of his shoots and some unreleased personal works, I’m in Vadukul land for an entire afternoon. I love this blog!

NAIROBI

English is not my first language, I am a minority for many reasons. When I told Max that one of the reasons I look up to him is because he is one of the few portrait and fashion photography top guns who is non-white. I also mentioned how much I admire that he still has a unique vision that bolsters his success and staying power. Max immediately told me he didn’t want to play the “race card”, the “victim card”, or the “sympathy card”, since he never experienced any racism that impacted his career as a photographer when he was starting. Mr. Vadukul is, definitely, a class act.

But I wanted to play the “racism-in-fashion-awareness-card”, quoting the iconic photographer Nick Knight, :“By my own inaction, I am guilty of allowing racism to be normalized and accepted in this business.”

Notable names in fashion or portrait photography like Koto Bolofo, Walter Chin, and Martin Schoeller are only a handful of minorities that had made their mark but still not as icons. I’m sure they have their war stories about racism.

In a Frieze Magazine interview in 1992, a man commented about the fashion world as “a very immature business… It’s for young people—your audience is sixteen to twenty-year-old girls… Fashion photography can swallow you up with its champagne and caviar lifestyle.” His name is Max Vadukul.

Born to an Indian parents in Nairobi, educated in England, Vadukul was discovered by Japanese fashion designer, Yohji Yamamoto in 1984. While living in Paris, he began taking photographs for The Face magazine as well as French, American and Italian editions of Vogue in the early 80s. He photographed more portraits for The New Yorker than the legendary Helmut Newton and Richard Avedon. He shot at least a dozen covers for Rolling Stone magazine and has also worked for Italian Vogue, Vogue Hommes International, i-D, Chloé and Armani.

A documentary called Self-Portrait: Max Vadukul in 2000 was produced by the National Geographic Channel,

Now, he resides and work in New York City with his wife, Nicoletta Santoro, International Fashion Director at Large of VOGUE China , and their two children: Alex and Eloise.

Max Vadukul is an important part of history more than we know. This interview is a celebration of a man who has inspired people like me. Every time I look at his powerful and unforgettable portraits, I know that I will be ok.

GO GET SIR PAUL

LOPE NAVO: Thank you for having time for a one-on-one interview with me Max, I literally grew up with your work, I can tell from your portfolio that your a traveller like me and so far I can say I can speak 3 different languages fluently, Im interested to know how many languages do you speak? And how many countries in your lifetime have you lived in?
MAX VADUKUL: I can speak English, French, Italian and Gujarati, and they have all been learnt by living in France or England or married to an Italian or by birth. So I can navigate a lot of land, ha ha . I have lived in Kenya, England, France, Italy, and USA, in my lifetime so far who knows which one is next .

NAVO: What’s your top 3 favorite cities in the world? and why?
VADUKUL: 1. London, it’s so well proportioned and so rich in what a city can offer.
2. New York, it’s the most energetic and efficient city there is.
3. Istanbul, it’s steeped in history and the food is amazing.

NAVO: I looove Turkish food and I pigged out on it when I lived in the middle east on my early 20′s where I actually discovered my love for travel and portrait photography, what is your most unforgettable portrait photo shoot and why?
VADUKUL: I think it would have to be Paul McCartney, I was in India on holiday and had not completed the vacation when Rolling Stone called me and asked if I can come back to NYC to shoot the cover, I was reluctant as I did not want to leave my family alone, but I remember my kids saying “Get out of here!! Go get Sir Paul”, I did left and when I met Sir Paul, I quivered, I knew I was standing in front of a Beatle, it’s strange but it really was amazing, the highlight was Paul telling me about how the Beatles got to india, a long story!

NELSON MANDELA

NAVO: What is it like photographing another historical legend like Mr. Nelson Mandela?
VADUKUL: Mr. Mandela is everything I had expected, a prince. Charming all the way through and a statesman. I loved to be next to him even for a short time, the meeting happened in Monte Carlo in a 5 star hotel and his room was occupied by his family and Bono, when you photograph some one like Nelson Mandela it’s not work for me it was a chance to touch history.

NAVO: Who would you consider a visionary in the photography history?
VADUKUL: Richard Avedon

NAVO: There are thousands of new photographers each year and hundreds actually make it to the magazines and ad campaigns, are you following any of the new generation of photographer’s work? Anyone that stands out for you?
VADUKUL: Thousands yes but I only remember Nick Knight and Steven Meisel, kings have been replaced by echoes, sad to say.

NAVO: I have to say Richard Avedon, Nick Knight and Steven Meisel have inspired many generations of photographers including me, what inspires a Max Vadukul?
VADUKUL: I am wide open to life and its possibilities, inspiration comes from anywhere its infinite. I love history books, strong news journalism like the Guardian Newspaper, nothing fluffy, so for me bring it on. I am a good editor of what fits my frame.

AFRICA

NAVO: Whats the most iconic images that you remember while growing up Max?
VADUKUL: A lot of album art created by Hipnosis. I was really excited by the album art from Pink Floyd to Led Zep, the first time I saw Jumping Jack flash on tv, the video was mind-blowing with the dark guitar riff, the war paint makeup on Mick, unforgettable.

NAVO: What’s your favorite piece of artwork you own?
VADUKUL: In my home I own one piece of photography I bought for my wife, a photograph by Joseph Koudelka, a black dog in b&w sits on my mantel piece.

NAVO: Do you remember how old where you the first time you used a camera?
VADUKUL: I was about ten and I used my father’s Pentax Spotmatic.

NAVO: Why did you become a photographer?
VADUKUL: So many life experiences affect you, like my father taking me on safari’s on the east coast of Africa with a car loaded with telescopes and photographic gears. I got to see a lot of land and he was always taking pictures, so I think the seeds were there. Why?…well I love photography all of it was such a passion that there was no other choice plus it gave me a chance to be independent from tradition. I think I was 13 years old and I knew this is my destiny.

ALEX, ELOISE & NICOLETTA

NAVO: What does your love ones think about your craft and your profession?
VADUKUL: My parents were very proud when I had finally made it, but they were very grounded. I have two 20-year-old twins Alex, Eloise and my wife Nicoletta they look at everything and will be very harsh on the critique, no ego inflating stuff and we enjoy looking at the work, but it’s not an obsession for them they have their own lives, I think they know it’s very tough, I would say one of the most difficult professions to hold, so each to his own.

NAVO: What is your favorite part in being a photographer Max?
VADUKUL: Just to get my images published the way I see it is a thrill and honestly I love every aspect of my work, I simply love it .

NAVO: What do you think of the disappearance of a lot of magazines (367 magazines closed in 2009) for the past years?
VADUKUL: Too many magazines and it got to be like the Cane frogs in Australia just had to be a cull, my eyes would go blind at a magazine store so many and so much rubbish, I think less is more and quality will stand. All the echoes and hanger-ons will eventually die.

WHITE TIGER

NAVO: What’s an ideal regular vacation for you?
VADUKUL: Vacation for me is decompression time. I simply veg out, usually just by the ocean, reading, scuba diving, usually with the family.

NAVO: What’s the last book you’ve read lately and what is it about?
VADUKUL: “White Tiger “ by Aravind Adiga, it’s a dark comedy about a ‘social entrepreneur’ who committed murder. Set in modern India (Bangalore) and it’s a roller coaster of a book, very unsettling and dark. One of the best books I have read and I’m sure they will produce a movie out of this.

NAVO: What’s your top 3 favorite films and why?
VADUKUL: 1. ‘Wrath of God’ by Werner Herzog (1972), it’s the search for man’s lust for gold and a journey into a hopeless void, stunning photography. 2. ‘Peeping Tom’ by Michael Powell (1960), my favorite director because its one of the most disturbing films upto this day, a snuff movie stylized, destroyed the directors career. 3. ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ by Sir David Lean (1962), it’s a remarkable study of a perplexing character. I love all of David Lean’s films.

NAVO: I have to say the film Lawrence of Arabia is one of the reasons I was intrigued by the arab culture and I enjoyed living in the cities of Riyadh, Dammam and Dubai. Who’s your top 3 favorite Hollywood Icons?
VADUKUL: Clint Eastwood , Betty Davis, and Alfred Hitchcock.

NAVO: What’s your top 3 favorite records of all time Max?
VADUKUL: 1. The Wall, Pink Floyd, 2. Pat Metheny, Offramp, 3. Exile On Main Street, Rolling Stones.

CHARLES DARWIN

NAVO: What can you recommend to the young photographers who wants to make a living doing what you do?
VADUKUL: I do not wish to be didactic, but I would say you have one life just be yourself and do it your way, you can’t be pleasing everyone.

NAVO: If anybody have told me months ago, years ago that one day I’ll be interviewing you, I would say they’re nuts, and now here we are and I want to fish, what do you think about my work? As a young photographer, and as a writer/blogger?
VADUKUL: Well Mr. Navo your website is clean, clear and easy to navigate, clearly you are not a bullshitter, you say it the way it is and your work is to be praised and lifted. It’s a big effort so I think to get to that level of simplicity, you have a terrific website. I enjoyed your interviews and your questions, your life is only as good as the questions you ask, remember that. As a young photographer, I was showing your work to my daughter Eloïse who is 20 and she was like “wow, this guy is really good” and I thought that you have an eye and it’s up to you to be a one-off, so try to work on that.

NAVO: You have photographed a significant numbers of historical figures, if you’ll get a chance to photograph a dead historical figure, who will it be and why?
VADUKUL: Well I’m going to go off track here, I would have loved to have photographed Charles Darwin on his exploration to the Galápagos on the H.M.S. Beagle. Because the sights and the discovery he made would have made an incredible exhibition and because his insight into evolution is the most important discovery since we knew the earth was not flat.

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www.maxvadukul.com/

www.art-dept.com/artists/vadukul/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Vadukul

________________________

Books
• Max: Photographs by Max Vadukul. New York: Callaway Publications, 2000.
• Crazy Horse. New York: Piccolo Press, 2001.

________________________

Related Entry: http://naiveboy.com/2010/01/15/mert-alas-a-fashion-icon-interview-by-navo/

________________________

info@navostudios.com

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Alexander Mcqueen, Anna Wintour, Bob Richardson, British Vogue, Bruce Weber, Chile, Chloé, Christian Lacroix, Escada, French Vogue, GQ, Gucci, Haiti, Harper's Bazaar, I-D, Jay Z, Johnny Knoxville, Kanye West, Karl Lagerfeld, Kate Moss, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lindsay Lohan, Lope Navo, Manolo Blahniks, Miu Miu, naiveboy.com, Pharell Williams, President Obama, Rie Rasmussen, Sisley, Terry Richardson, Tom Ford, Yohji Yamamoto

THE MEAT MARKET: ‘UNCLE’ TERRY RICHARDSON by Navo

In Fashion, Pop Culture, my novel, photography, politics, viewpoints on March 23, 2010 at 7:10 pm

(Part 1)

“You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious.”
– Obi-Wan, Star Wars (1977)

All Images by Terry Richardson, excluding this ones.

Frivolous.

Vain.

Materialistic.

Shallow.

Excessive.

Catty.

Racist.

Sexist.

Agist.

Pretentious.

Superficial.

Playful.

Diva.

Pimp.

Wierd.

Creepy.

Snub.

Junky.

Sleazy.

Exploitative.

Crazy.

Scandalous.

Dirty.

Stupid.

There are many adjectives we use to describe the fashion industry and those who make their living in it. Can you just imagine a child raised with this kind of adjectives? Wouldn’t he be as fucked-up as fashion photographer Bob Richardson‘s 45 yr old son? Have you seen Terry Richardson‘s Kibosh Book (now $195.75 @ amazon.com, 358 X-rated color images, published in 2005), dozens of shots showing Uncle Terry having a fun-day ejaculating over some top models faces (mouth, ears and eyes) while being photographed with a point and shoot camera? Not pornstars, but high-fashion agency models, the big question here is why those images don’t shock us anymore? Can fashion photographer Steven Klein, Mario Testino, Bruce Weber and other Vogue Magazine favorites like Terry get away shooting some fashion agency model with their very own sperm-facial, publishing it as a photo book and call it ‘HIGH FASHION ART’ for a couple of hundred dollars?

Money’s tight for everyone these days, and it doesn’t exclude the fashion élite, whether you’re wearing Chuck Taylors or Manolo Blahniks, everybody gets up in the morning and puts on some clothes, fashion is a vital part of who we are, whether we admit it or not. Fashion is a social and cultural expression or if we get carried away, could result to the maxed-out credit cards, and could also be a mindless distraction or escape from the ‘real problems’ of the world today.

Thinking about it, what made me fall in love with fashion photography for less than a decade now is actually the words — Teamwork, Creativity, Passion, and Genius, but these days are overshadowed by those aforementioned.

HIGH-FASHION SUICIDE

Do you believe that things happen for a reason?

- Is there a reason a legendary designer like Alexander Mcqueen hanged himself during recession? (hooray for metaphors)
- Is there a reason Anna Wintour (US Vogue editor) swallowed her pride and aggressively rubbing her wrinkled elbows with us commoners, becoming more and more media-friendly these days and sacrificing her image as an “Snub Ice-Queen”?
- Is there a reason the most iconic fashion giants and elites filed for bankruptcy this year like Christian Lacroix, Escada, Fred Leighton, Lambertson Truex, Charles Chang-Lima, Maria Pinto, Eric Gaskins, Yohji Yamamoto to name a few?
- Is there a reason the gods of fashion can’t afford Bryan Park for NY Fashion week anymore?

- Is there a reason 367 magazines closed in 2009, including significant numbers of fashion magazines and the ones that still exist are anorexic in pages and advertisements?

- Is there a reason thousands of fashion retail stores closed down in 2009 alone and more are predicted closing down their business in 2010?

Yes. The fashion world is now facing a reality check on things. The fashion gurus and magazine editors/writers might dismiss this as an economic phase and deny that they are not affected by the global shift of priorities, but the tell-tale signs listed above are evidences of a very dark-future for fashion – consumer’s priorities are becoming more and more realistic and it doesn’t include a $20,000 clutch bag and a $100,000 wedding dress. The fashion stratosphere cares more about diamond encrusted high heel shoes than the earthquake in Chile or Haiti, they care more about Project Runway than why the world’s no# 1 terrorist Osama Bin Laden is still at large and having an R&R in Pakistani cave somewhere, the fashion world is facing an earthquake and terror of its own – the fashion world’s inevitable demise.

UNCLE TERRY

You create a hyped up, overrated industry filled with morally challenged, below average IQ level over-achievers, sprinkle it with cattyness, bitchiness and diva-syndrome and viola, you’ll have a recipe for disaster that is waiting to happen, majority of fashion people are tailor fit for a BRAVO reality show, why? Because reality show stars have to be psychologically imbalanced to begin with and where can you find most people with a.d.d. and all this craziness? The FASHION INDUSTRY. Where they have theyre own government, they have their own queens, they have theyre own kings, and they have theyre own world with a set of rules or lack of rules they play within.

What’s polarizing the fashion blogosphere lately (and female blogosphere taken up arms against)? Two Words – Uncle Terry. One of fashion industry’s favorite son is under attack. Everyone’s seems to be cooperating on this wierd social experiment. But before we open our lips, let the man’s work speak for itself.

THE PERVERTED RINGLEADER

“I think for people in the fashion industry, the way Terry Richardson works has been an open secret for a long time, I think a lot of people tolerate it in public because of his extraordinary power within the industry. In private I think many are very disturbed by his history of behaviour with many of the models he works with.” - Jenna Sauers, Jezebel fashion editor

“It’s likely that he approaches all girls the same way: gauge the situation, drop some names, take out your trouser monster, and see what you can get them to do.” – Jamie Peck, model who posed for Richardson at 19

So the photographer who has made a career out of seeming like a pervert is actually a pervert? What a shocker! All of us have no idea that Terry Richardson fucks models. Who in the right mind would ever want to fuck a beautiful fashion agency model anyways? The fashion industry shows young girls with their tits and ass hanging out and now it’s a surprise that an actual photographer bangs them? It’s an industry filled with crazy people and big personalities. The boundaries are different than purely corporate enterprise. It’s not IBM, it’s a business with beautiful girls, sex, and malfeasance. To single out one person as some sort of ringleader is absurd. We traffic in human bodies. Human Meat.

UNCLE BRUCE WEBER

The world has become desensitized to Terry Richardson’s point of view, the Terryworld. Only in an industry like this that a successful, powerful fashion photographer will always be above scrutiny, and those against him are jealous haters. Some say he’s a Jurgen Teller, Walter Pfieffer, Dov Charney hack. Some say he’s an overpaid sex addict with a point and shoot while Uncle Terry is laughing all the way to the bank. The genius behind Terry Richardson: Normalizing sexual harassment in fashion and celebrity photography. Anna Wintour approved it, Carine Roitfeld approved it, Tom Ford approved it, Marc Jacobs approved it, countless fashion royalties approved it, even President Obama approved it with a handshake and a thumbs-up (Republican’s will feast on this), now how can it be wrong? It only make sense that the rest of us (the consumers) approve it. What about ‘Uncle’ Bruce Weber? Everybody in the industry knows about the big elephant in the room, it’s also an open-secret, all the sexual conquest of Bruce Weber (whose career spawned for 3 or 4 decades shooting hundreds of nekkid boys every year) are a favorite coffee break topic, why are you calling Uncle Terry the ring leader? This bring us to the true topic that this is not about Terry Richardson, or Uncle Terry, Rie Rasmussen, or Jamie Peck or Bruce Weber, it’s not about sex or sexual harrassment, it’s all about POWER, the person who can blacklist you from the Fashion Industry, the person with the most powerful connections, the person with their fingers hotwired in different buttons, the person who can afford a better lawyer will always triumph and dominate, exhibit A: The Vatican (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/world/europe/21pope.html)

GOVERNMENT APPROVED PERVERSION

Lets checkout Uncle Terry’s Client rosters: Gucci, Sisley, Miu Miu, Chloe, Tom Ford, French Vogue, British Vogue, i-D, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, Purple, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Vincent Gallo, Jay Z, Kanye West, Johnny Knoxville, Karl Lagerfeld, Pharell Williams, Lindsay Lohan, Kate Moss, and President Obama. Uncle Terry admitted in a latest interview, “At first, I’d just want to do a few nude shots, so I’d take off my clothes, too … I’d even give the camera to the model and get her to shoot me for a while. It’s about creating a vibe, getting people relaxed and excited. When that happens you can do anything. I don’t think I’m a sex addict, but I do have issues. Maybe it’s the psychological thing that I was a shy kid, and now I’m this powerful guy with his boner, dominating all these girls”. Terry Richardson is a product of our societies demand for perversed and sexual images, he is a product or a mutated hybrid of capitalism. He brings us to that Terryworld whenever we look and buy his images or the products that his images are selling, we don’t only condone his perverted way of looking at things but we celebrate it, and we are shocked to know that there is a perverted man behind those perverted images? What are you expecting? a Mother Theresa or a Bill Gates would be behind those images? Or a clean-cut catholic priest? Oh sorry, they’re more perverted than an Uncle Terry (they don’t even work in Fashion for God’s sake they only rape 6-year-old boys and girls).

THE MODEL BOOKERS

Who did Terry frantically called (and maybe yelled at) the next day to complain when Supermodel Rie Rasmussen gave a furious tongue-lashing at a Paris fashion event, shaming the powerful photographer? Rie’s Model Agency. One thing is sure, Rie Rasmussen is toast, french toast.

When bloggers tried to reach Terry’s side of the story through his agent, manager and assistant, they didn’t return calls or e-mails. A rep at his agency, Art Partner, told New York Post: “I don’t know anything about this. Terry is on a plane from Paris.” Who are the guardians and so-called protectors of the models? THE MODEL BOOKERS, who would stop sending models to a photographer who’s clients ranges from Gucci, Sisley, Miu Miu, Chloe, Tom Ford, French Vogue, British Vogue, i-D, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar? It’s all business at the end of the day and they use the models to “exchange goods”, like corrupt cops who steals crack from a drug dealer, most of the time the defenders are the oppressors, the Model Bookers sometimes cant help but taste the meat first… literally (but that will be discussed more on THE MEAT MARKET Part 2: THE LIVES OF GAY MALE BOOKERS). For the rest of the world this could be a shocker, but for people like Ana Wintour (the proclaimed god of American Fashion), and all the fashion hipsters, Uncle Terry doesn’t shock them anymore, checkout the Terry Richardson: Kibosh Book ($195.75) and Uncle Terry having a fun-day ejaculating over the top models faces, and these are the models that agreed to be published, I could just imagine the countless girls that didn’t, but actually been shot the same way.

JEALOUS HATERS

At the end of the day, all this talk will lead to Uncle Terry’s day-rate tripling or date-rape tripling? Who wouldn’t be jealous of a Terry Richardson?

All this publicity is only increasing his notoriety and his vision which is Scandal. Frivolous. Vain. Materialistic. Shallow. Excessive. Catty. Racist. Sexist. Agist. Pretentious. Superficial. Playful. Diva. Pimp. Wierd. Creepy. Snub. Junky. Sleazy. Exploitative. Crazy. Scandalous. Dirty. Stupid.

Welcome to the World of Fashion, Who’s your ‘Uncle’ now?

________________________

Related Entry: http://naiveboy.com/2009/11/12/i-want-to-have-sex-with-mr-tom-ford-by-navo/

________________________

info@navostudios.com

Alex Pettyfer, Bridget Bardot, Greg Gorman, Greg Knudson, Heath Ledger, In their Youth, INTERVIEW, Irving Penn, Jared Leto, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Keanu Reeves, Kim Basinger, King Arthur, Leonardo DiCaprio, Life, Lope Navo, Man in Iron Mask, Martin Scorcese, Maxwell Caulfield, naiveboy.com, Orlando Bloom, Pearl Harbor, Pirates of the Caribbean, Rodney Harvey, Rolling Stone, Sophia Loren, Time, Vanity Fair, Vogue

GREG GORMAN: A HOLLYWOOD ICON INTERVIEW by Navo

In Arts, Books, EXCLUSIVES, INTERVIEW, Icons, Movies, Pop Culture, photography on February 17, 2010 at 1:46 am

“What is fame? The advantage of being known by people of whom you yourself know nothing, and for whom you care as little.” – Lord Byron, English poet and satirist (1788-1824)

THE FAN AND THE PHOTOGRAPHER

(LA) When can I separate the fan from the photographer? I’ve started this blog actively 4 months ago a day after the legendary lensman Mr. Irving Penn died, his lost was my first blog entry. Ever since, interviewing photographers has given me a great pleasure and opportunity to discover things about myself and I can’t help but be starstrucked by these visionaries, for some people it sounds like a straight-up major ass-kissing articles, but only a true fan of portrait photography, like me, can understand the surreal feeling of this experience. Most of the photographers that I had featured and will be featured in Naiveboy.com are probably the busiest people you’ll ever meet in your life, they travel a lot, they work everyday, they’re the most in-demand people in the industry and you’ll rarely read them in blogs for an intensive interview like this, because in the photography world that I live in, they are the rock stars, they are the celebrities, they are the legends.

HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS & ALIENATE PEOPLE

In the 2008 film How to Lose Friends & Alienate People starring Simon Pegg as Sidney Young, based on the memoir (with the same title) of British journalist Toby Young and the tale of his stint in New York as a contributing editor for Vanity Fair magazine. The movie version was neither sharp nor satirical, the film misses the point of the source material completely, but there are few parts in the film that made the movie worth watching for me, I remember the promising first 2 seconds, the first line was “When I was a kid I used to think there was a special place where all the movie stars lived, a kind of Shangri-La, if you can just get inside there, you’ll be happy, forever.” and the scene where Young have a moment with his philosopher/published author father in his dilapidated New York city apartment:

Father: I picked up your magazine at the airport, most enjoyable, I particularly like the young hollywood actress who said she would like to start a theatre career somewhere small like London or England (laughed)
Sidney Young: Why would you always do this?
Father: It’s just a little joke.
Sidney Young: It’s not a little joke, its just your way of saying that what I do is worthless.
Father: I don’t think it’s worthless, I just think you know in your heart that you could be doing more with your life.
Sidney Young: More? Sharp magazine (Vanity Fair magazine) is one of the most respected magazine’s in the world, there’s a million hacks that would kill to be where I am. You know who I hang out with just today? Orlando Bloom.
Father: (paused) I don’t know who that is?
Sidney Young: Ofcourse you don’t know who that is, you thought Brad Pitt was a cave in Yorkshire. Most people do know who that is. And most people wouldn’t think a journalist hanging out with celebrities like that was a disappointment.

ADORATION

I think those two scenes are hilarious but also true, it’s familiar for many of us, working in an industry of physical appearances you are surrounded by unreal people who worship celebrities like no one else does, and it’s their world and some of us just happen to work on it. For the rest of the world (like Young’s philosopher father) they don’t even exist. I just have this naive idea of a world, where a generation growing up adoring scientist, astronauts, artist, musicians, philosophers, doctors and NOT brain-dead pop stars, no-talent movie stars, politicians, and reality show stars that are being force-fed to us every single day of our lives.

MR. HENDRIX

Jimi Hendrix is considered by most of us, if not all of us, as the greatest electric guitarist in the history of rock music, one of the most influential musicians in the human history. Can you imagine a kid growing up looking up to a Jimi Hendrix? You can’t deny that most musicians born during and after Hendrix have been a fan and has been starstrucked once in their lives by his genius, probably some of those adoring fan’s in the 60′s and the 70′s buying his concert tickets, following him in tours, collecting all his records, have all growned up and now leading the modern music industry, and for another 18-year-old boy born in Kansas City, Missouri, have photographed Mr. Hendrix and changed his life completely, the boy became an influential voice in the world of photography and his name is Greg Gorman. I think that’s how electricity is transfered from person to person, you start out as a fan of someone else’s work.

MR. DICAPRIO

I was in highschool the first time I got aware of Mr. Gorman’s work, it was the unforgettable images of the very talented young actor Leonardo DiCaprio, the beautiful faces of Maxwell Caulfield, Keanu Reeves, Jared Leto, Greg Knudson, Heath Ledger, Jude Law, Johnny Depp, and Rodney Harvey that made me an instant fan. Greg Gorman’s works that have appeared in Esquire, GQ, Interview, Life, Vogue, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Time, and Vanity Fair magazines have always reminded me of my teen years and why I love the beautiful celebrities and what they represent to me as a photographer now, they are the muses.

This world-exclusive one-on-one interview with Mr. Gorman is a full circle for me, the 18-year-old boy who once collected the images of a Mr. DiCaprio is sitting for a Q&A with the 18-year-old boy who have once have photographed a Mr. Hendrix.

LIVE IN PARIS VOLUME 2

LOPE NAVO: Thank you for dropping by Naiveboy.com Greg, I’ve chatted with you for a while now and I’ve been itching to ask what is it like photographing a Jimi Hendrix?
GREG GORMAN: I really don’t remember! I was 18 years old and it was my first experience shooting. I was probably stoned and enjoying the concert. The following morning after seeing Jimi Hendrix , I processed the film in a friend’s dark room and when I saw the image coming up in the developer, I was hooked! I subsequently enrolled in a photojournalism class at the University of Kansas where I began my formal studies.

NAVO: What camera did you use?
GORMAN: A Honeywell Pentax 35mm camera with an 85mm lens.

NAVO: What’s your top 3 favorite albums/records of all time?
GORMAN: 1. Miles Davis “In a Silent Way”, 2. Chet Baker “Live in Paris Volume 2”, and John Coltrane “A Love Supreme”

THREE MOST BEAUTIFUL FACES

NAVO: You’ve basically photographed virtually all the most beautiful people in the world in my book, I remember very clearly from highschool about your sublime images of young Maxwell Caulfield, Keanu Reeves, Jared Leto, Greg Knudson, Heath Ledger, Rodney Harvey, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Who’s the 3 most beautiful faces you’ve photographed?

GORMAN: 1. Kim Basinger, 2. Sophia Loren, and 3. Alex Pettyfer.

HOW MUCH DID THEY PAY YOU SON?

NAVO: What do you think is the best part in being a photographer?
GORMAN: The best part about being a photographer above and beyond the energy rush of knowing when you are connecting photographically with the subject is the opportunity of getting the chance to meet and know the individuals in front of your lens that in most ordinary circumstances might never happen. I don’t even necessarily mean a celebrity per se but any individual you might fancy getting to know and the prospects of them being photographed can often lead to a friendship if the communication channels are open and flowing. Part of the entire process is about being part-time psychologist - to be able to come up or down to their level to put them at ease: make them feel comfortable and most of all confident, attractive and in touch with themselves.

NAVO: At what point did you know you want a career in photography?
GORMAN: That one on one communication that no other profession can provide like photography. My mother was always extremely supportive and encouraging. My father thought it was a waste of my time because he thought I would never make enough money! After photographing the five most powerful women in Hollywood (Barbra Streisand, Jessica Lange, Sally Field, Goldie Hawn, Jane Fonda) for the cover of Life Magazine, I told my father, thinking it would impress him, but his response to me was “how much did they pay you, son?”

NAVO: Speaking of Life Magazine, I’ve asked this question a couple of times to my recent interviews, there are 367 magazines closed in 2009 alone, what do you think about this?
GORMAN: I think in many ways the onset of digital as great as it is in many of the arenas of photography, has been detrimental in terms of the hard copy. Particularly in the world of journalism. I prefer to look at a magazine while holding it in my hands – not reading it online.

NAVO: Whats the last book you’ve read lately and what is it about?
GORMAN: The Billionaire’s Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace. It was basically about the sale of the world’s most expensive bottle of wine and the entire sham behind it.

NAVO: Who’s your favorite historical figure?
GORMAN: Mikhail Gorbachev for his contributions to Global Green and for being forefront in creating the awareness of our planet’s need to solve its environmental issues.

HOLLYWOOD ICONS

NAVO: If you’ll get a chance to photograph a dead icon, who will it be and why?
GORMAN: Strangely, I would have liked to photograph Boris Karloff or Bela Lugosi. That stems from my childhood infatuation with horror films and monster movies.

NAVO: Speaking of Hollywood movies, Whats your top 3 favorite films and why?

GORMAN: 1. Ingmar Bergman‘s ’Skammen’/ ‘Shame‘ (1968), for it’s cinematography and content, 2. Federico Fellini‘s ‘8 & ½’ (1963), need I say more?, 3. Akira Kurosawa‘s ‘Dodesukaden‘ (1970) and ‘Dersu Uzala‘ (1975), beautifully realized fables.

NAVO: Those are some of the best film directors that ever lived, who’s your top 3 favorite Hollywood Icons then?
GORMAN: 1. Bette Davis, 2. Martin Scorcese, and 3. George Hurrell

NAVO: How about your top 3 favorite actors of all time?
GORMAN: 1. Leonardo DiCaprio, 2. John Hurt, and 3. Divine

NAVO: Top 3 favorite actress?
GORMAN: 1. Bridget Bardot, 2. Liv Ullman, and 3. Divine

ESCAPE THE HOLLYWOOD SYNDROME

NAVO: What is the top 5 favorite movie posters you’ve ever shot?
GORMAN: 1. Tootsie, 2. Pearl Harbor, 3. Man in Iron Mask, 4. King Arthur, and 5. Pirates of the Caribbean.

NAVO: One thing I always remember growing up looking at your work, besides your signature breathtaking bodyscapes are the landscapes and locations that you use in your backdrops. Whats your top 3 favorite locations that you’ve ever shot and why?
GORMAN: 1. The Sand Dunes at Ten Mile Beach near Mendocino for their continual change and mystery which present challenges each time I shoot there. 2. The Okavango Delta in Botswana for its enormous scope and spiritual presence. 3. Pierce Brosnan’s new beach house during construction! The house is filled with an incredible amount of natural light. The windows are covered with plastic, since they haven’t been installed yet, which gives the enormous space the feeling of one giant soft box of natural light. Quite extraordinary!

NAVO: What’s an ideal vacation getaway for a Greg Gorman?
GORMAN: An ideal vacation for me depends on my needs and they can vary greatly! Sometimes I just need total downtime to escape the Hollywood Syndrome and that usually means time alone with my dogs at my Mendocino retreat-hiking/fishing and biking. Other times at this stage of my life, I enjoy traveling to far away places I have yet to see and visit. This has been pretty high on my priority list. I have tried to incorporate teaching workshops in cities where I can spend more time enjoying the essence of the locales. I am teaching this spring for instance in Paris, Tel Aviv and on the coast of the Baltic Sea in Zingst. Last year I taught in San Miguel and in Budapest. It has been great because I have actually had enough time in each city to really get a feeling of day-to-day life there.

IN THEIR YOUTH

NAVO: Where were you born and where did you grew up?
GORMAN: I was born in Kansas City, Missouri and grew up in Mission Hills, Kansas. I moved to Los Angeles at age 20 in 1970 after attending the University of Kansas.

NAVO: I got the copy of your latest book Greg Gorman ‘In their Youth’ and I can’t deny the fact that I have a crush on the boy holding a huge Trout on the book jacket. What’s the story behind it?
GORMAN: Kind of a funny story! When I was putting the project together in the final stages, my very dear friend, Audrey Wells, a terrific screenwriter and director, who interviewed me for the forward felt that since so many of the images in the book were also taken when I was in my ‘youth’ that my portrait should reflect a similar time in my life. This image is so appropriate because it was taken by one of my best friends at the time, who coincidentally was the same person who loaned me his camera to photograph Jimi Hendrix and helped me process the film in his darkroom. His name is Marlin”Buzz” Gher and he is a dental surgeon living with his family near San Diego. We were on a rafting trip in Wyoming where I caught this German Brown Trout in the Green River in Pinedale, Wyoming. I love to fish so I felt this picture held many memories and couldn’t have been more fitting considering all the ties!

NAVO: Now its my time to fish, I consider you to be one of the most influential portrait photographer out there, your iconic b&w images and your unforgettable photo books have been one of my greatest inspirations growing up and loving photography, I would love to know what do you think of my work?
GORMAN: I felt your images not only grasped the subjects in a bold austere way but presented the subjects in a very good light! Something I can’t say about many of today’s photographers whose imagery is this strange non-flattering pseudo editorial style that in most cases I find rather appalling and terribly forgettable in terms of memorable images. That is one of the things that drew me to your work – your respect for your subjects.

NAVO: What can you advise the young men and women who wants to make a living photographing the most beautiful and interesting people in the world?
GORMAN: Good fucking luck! Follow your heart, start by photographing people you are very attracted to as this will most likely yield the best results to get you started, develop and showcase your own unique style to separate you from all those out there copying others. Be aware of all the editorial work being created so you can set a benchmark in achieving your success.

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GREG GORMAN Books
•   Greg Gorman – Volume I (1989)
•   Greg Gorman – Volume II (1991)
•   Greg Gorman Inside Life (1996) (foreword by John Waters) ISBN 978-0847819980
•   Greg Gorman As I see It (2001) ISBN 978-1576870877
•   Greg Gorman Perspectives (2002)
•   Greg Gorman: Just Between Us (2003) ISBN 978-1892041807
•   Journal of the 21st Century: Greg Gorman (2007)
•   In Their Youth: Early Portraits (2009) ISBN 978-8862080972

http://www.amazon.com/Greg-Gorman-Their-Youth/dp/8862080972/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266439852&sr=8-1

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http://www.gormanworkshops.com

http://www.gormanphotography.com

http://www.photopress-production.com

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http://www.amazon.com/How-Lose-Friends-Alienate-People/dp/0306812274

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Related Entry: http://naiveboy.com/2010/01/15/mert-alas-a-fashion-icon-interview-by-navo/

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info@navostudios.com

BOYS, DANGEROUSLY NAIVE, Elauan Lee, Elvis Di Fazio, Fashion, HORNY, JEWISH, JILF, Lope Navo, NAIVE, Naive boy, photography, TEEN

NAIVE HORNY JEWISH TEEN BOYS (JILF) by Elvis Di Fazio

In Arts, Editorial, Fashion, Magazine, Pop Culture, photography, viewpoints on February 6, 2010 at 10:12 pm

(UK) One of those lazy Saturday afternoons, just browsing my emails –fan mails (surprise, yes I have fans), work mails (photography-work related & novel-work related), emails from friends, spam mails, hate mails (yes I have haters), and some unexpected delights. I received a message from photographer Elvis Di Fazio.

“I shot this story while I was in London and I thought you might like it.

let me know what you think.

- E “

And I definitely like it, “NAIVE, HORNY, JEWISH, TEEN, BOYS” are words that you rarely put into one sentence and sounds like an amateur porn flick. I think its sexy, and it turned me on!

Elvis Di Fazio joins forces with Elauan Lee to produce the story JILF. A purposely Naive, horny teenage view of the Jewish culture and the kitsch aesthetics that surround it. Gathering inspiration from the streets of Stanford hill (London) and its people, Elvis and Elauan create a fashion story to celebrate the spirit and nostalgia of the Jewish life, embracing the colorful humorous side. This is one fashion story that knows how to put the sin into synagogue. Check it out.

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Photography by Elvis Di Fazio

Styling and Art Direction by Elauan Lee

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info@navostudios.com

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Bettina Rheims, Carolina Herrera, DANGEROUSLY NAIVE, Diablo Cody, Dick Page, Diego Uchitel, Elissa Santisi, Gordon Parks, Hiroshi Tanabe, Jean-Philippe Delhomme, Joe Zee, Julie and Julia, Julie Powell, Kevyn Aucoin, Lauren Bacall, Lope Navo, Man Ray, Meryl Streep, Michael Thompson, Oscars, Photographers, Revillion Furs, Robert McKee, Serge Normant, Sheril Bailey, Six Pixels of Separation, Steven Meisel, the sartorialist, Tom Bell, We Live in Public, Yashica

THE NAKED EYE OF JED ROOT by Navo

In Arts, EXCLUSIVES, Fashion, INTERVIEW, Icons, my novel, photography, politics, viewpoints on February 4, 2010 at 6:00 am

“…there’s so much more that goes into being a successful fashion photographer than the quality and originality of the photos. In order to have a long successful career you have to learn to collaborate with a great team…”

- Jed Root, naiveboy.com (Feb. 4, 2010)

Photo: Chris Melton

ADAPTATION

“Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact.” a quote from a creative writing instructor Mr. Robert McKee, widely known for his popular “Story Seminar” all over the world. In the 4-time Academy Award-nominated movie “Adaptation” written by Charlie Kaufman, the Emmy Award-winning actor Brian Cox (Bourne Supremacy, 2004) portrayed Robert McKee’s character (who was McKee’s personal choice for the role). The film follows a desperate-for-a-draft screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (played by Nicolas Cage) attended McKee’s course. More than 2 years ago, like Charlie Kaufman’s character and countless active Hollywood screenwriters today, I have sat on that very same chair. Sitting in the middle of the Director’s Guild Auditorium, I was surrounded by storytellers coming from different parts of the world, different walks of life, some are today’s most celebrated writers, some are aspiring writers, some are working on their latest novel or screenplays, some have the look of cynicism, some came back for the second or third time just to refresh their memories and some just looks like deers caught in the headlights.

Robert McKee and I at one of his Story Seminar.

DIABLO CODY

All these years I know that photography has always been my first love and I’ve flirted with writing for years, like a married man having an affair with a more mature, more intellectually engaging woman. In my humble opinion, although fashion photography gives me an opportunity to tell stories through my images, most of the time I felt its skin-deep, its like a very perky young wife I have so much fun with but my conversations are limited to Louis Vuitton Bags and Paris Hilton. I want more.

I remember living in LA for a year, surrounded by actors and slashes, — actor”/”bartender”/”writers, dancer/actress/writer, taxi driver/singer/writer, bouncer/beatboxer/actor/writer, waiter/model/actor/writer, and the list of “slashes”goes on, one thing they have in common, they all think they got what it takes to be the next overnight A-list celebrity since Diablo Cody, a stripper/screenwriter/writer/blogger, an Academy Award Winner for Best Original Screenplay for her script of the 2007 4-time Academy Award-nominated movie “Juno.” Like more than half of the population of California, I felt like I have a story to tell, travelling all over the world and back, I’ve met so many “slashes” but not a single “photographer/writer” (if your out there, please email me at info@navostudios.com), in my experience, photographer/writer’s are a very, very rare kind of species, people who can tell stories through images and words. And I was empowered more by the challenge, I had the same tingly sensation the first time I saw my work in magazine covers, writing makes me see the world like a kid in a candy shop, I’m surrounded by overwhelming stories that a lot of people haven’t heard of, and I have that front seat in a great big stage called “life.”

The “Fashion Stratosphere” can be narrowed down to these major professions, the Designers, the Photographers, the Clients, the Models, the Celebrities, the Creatives, the Model Agents/Bookers, the Talent Agents, Photography Agents, the Businessmen/Investors, the Interns/ Assistants, the Editors/Writers, the Casting Directors, the PR Managers, the Bloggers and the Digital Retouchers. The most competitive business in the face of the earth have these people as it’s “major” players, they are the people behind the machine, collectively has inspired the most recent films such as Bruno (2009), Zoolander (2001) and Devil Wears Prada (2006). An industry that has no rules, no boundaries, double standards, mind-games, people who create their own personal rules, and some who break those rules, however you perceive it. I just found myself surrounded by a bunch of colorful, artistic, one-track mind, cutthroat characters, as a photographer I was intimidated, as a writer I was overwhelmed and excited, the world is my oyster, I asked myself in several occasions “Why I haven’t seen these wild bunch in TV or Movies?” I felt like a secret agent researching for a great story to tell, and I’m elated when I found one.

WE LIVE IN PUBLIC

In the modern zeitgeist, you can divide the fashion industry into 2 categories, “the familiar careers” and “the new careers”, if you ask an 8-year-old kid what is a photographer? or a model? or a writer? or a fashion designer? Somehow they will have a strong grasp of the idea of what these people do, ask them again what is a digital retoucher? or a pr manager? or a fashion blogger? or a male-model booker? unless they have been coached, you might get some pretty interesting answers that will make you smile or laugh. It’s a very young industry and very few references in the media for the next generation to fully understand. Only last year that two notable films about bloggers have been written and produced, one is “Julie and Julia”, directed by Nora Ephron, starring Meryl Streep in a story of Julia Child and her start in the cooking profession, intertwined with blogger/author Julie Powell‘s life and struggles (played by Amy Adams) and the documentary “We Live in Public”, stars Josh Harris exposing the problems of privacy in the internet age, directed by Ondi Timoner.

Dangerously Naive is my journey with you as my readers, my struggles toward: a good story, well told (like what Mr. McKee always say on his seminars). My mission, to tell you stories that you will never read, or will rarely read in any magazines and books about the fashion industry, stories that most “fashion magazines” tip-toes around. Today is a world-exclusive story told through my one-on-one interview with a legend and an artist in his own right, a man with a career that spanned for 2 long successful decades yet his life you haven’t seen in any hollywood films, a great eye for discovering and nurturing new creative voices in the world of fashion, a pioneer of his profession but stays out of the limelight, the man behind the legendary Make-up artist Kevyn Aucoin, the agent of some of most iconic photographers in the industry today such as Michael Thompson, Diego Uchitel and Bettina Rheims, popular photo-blogger Scott Schuman “The Sartorialist”, brilliant Make-up artist Dick Page, world-renowned Stylists Joe Zee and Elissa Santisi, leading Hair stylist Serge Normant, highly regarded Manicurist Sheril Bailey, most sought after Props/Set Design Tom Bell, internationally acclaimed Illustrators Jean-Philippe Delhomme and Hiroshi Tanabe. A peek into the life of a Photography/Creative Agency Owner, Mr. Jed Root.

The images of iconic photographer, Michael Thompson represented by Jed Root Agency.

2 DECADES OF JED ROOT

LOPE NAVO: Thank you for dropping by Naiveboy.com Jed, your one of the busiest people in the industry and its an honor to have you for an interview. I’ve written an article a month ago titled “THE TEN: GREATEST FILMS ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHERS” and discovered there are more than 31 films that has been written and produced revolving the lives of photographers, some are box-office hits, some are oscar winners, some are hollywood classics and some are my all time favorite movies, to start the interview, do you have any favorite film about a photographer(s)?

JED ROOT: Thank you! It’s a pleasure Lope! As far as a fictional Hollywood film specifically about a photographer goes, it would have to be 1966 Michelangelo Antonioni film “Blow up”.

NAVO: What’s your top 3 favorite films? and why?
ROOT: Pasqualino Settebellezze/ Seven Beauties (1975) by Lina Wert Müller, Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) by Hayao Miyazaki, and The Evil Dead (1981) by Sam Raimi. I guess they’re all examples of stories where the characters develop in unexpected ways and you have no idea where the storyline is going; no idea of what’s going to happen next. I suppose it can be fun and somehow comforting to watch a predictable movie but you still can’t wait to see it happen. But that’s never really appealed to me so much. Stories where the characters evolve and develop have generally been my favorites. HBO’s Six Feet Under (2001) would be another great example.

NAVO: Six Feet Under is one of the greatest TV series ever written in my book, and I’ve seen the entire five seasons and 63 episodes, I miss the Fisher family and every episodes’ view on human sexuality and human mortality. But going back to the movies, have you ever seen the 1996′ 5-time Academy Award-nominated film Jerry Maguire? A story about a sports agent (played by Tom Cruise) has a moral epiphany and is fired for expressing it and ultimately changing his life at the end, have you ever had one of those moral epiphany in your life or this things are just a clever work of a screenwriter?
ROOT: Believe it or not I’ve never seen “Jerry Maguire”. But I’d have to say no, I don’t think I’ve ever had any sort of moral epiphany. I do think that the idea of “moral epiphanies” is just the clever work of screenwriters and biblical writers. One’s morals and ethics are something that evolves slowly over the course of one’s life as a result of experiences, influences and ever-changing beliefs.

NAVO: Being the premier agency for leading fashion photographers, stylists, and hair and makeup artists within the fashion industry for more than 3 decades, is truly inspiring for people all over the world, especially it is one of the most competitive if not the most in all the industries that ever existed. What inspires you?
ROOT: Thanks Lope! But it’s only been 2 decades; no need to make me older than I am. Although when I started, I never thought I’d ever be saying ONLY 2 decades.
I suppose what inspires me most is the way this business constantly changes and evolves. Fashion can be defined as “A current (constantly changing) trend, favored for frivolous rather than practical, logical, or intellectual reasons”. I enjoy being involved in the creation of something that’s got a pretty limited life to it, although fashion is just a part of what I do. The challenge of dealing with the constant change in this business keeps me pretty inspired.

The images of photographer, Diego Uchitel represented by Jed Root Agency.

30 SECONDS OR LESS

NAVO: What is your favorite part of your job?
ROOT: Dealing with people. I enjoy (and think I have a pretty good talent for) identifying other people’s talent, nurturing it, pushing them in the right direction, and teaming them up with other talented people whom I think they’ll be able to collaborate with very successfully. I’ve learned to apply this not only to the people who I represent, but also to my employees. I enjoy coming up with strategies for my talent’s careers, as well as for my own company. Just running such a diverse company is very exciting. Finding ways to pull together all the different departments (Photographers, Hair Stylists, Makeup Artists, Colorists, Prop Stylists, Fashion Stylists, Manicurists, Illustrators, Syndication) and all of our different geographic locations (New York, London, Paris, Tokyo), and inspire good communication, collaboration and synergy between them all is challenging but VERY satisfying.

NAVO: How did you become an agent Jed? At what point did you know you want this career?
ROOT: It certainly wasn’t something I knew I wanted to do growing up. If you’re not involved in this business it’s pretty unlikely that you’d even know this sort of job exists. I moved to New York in 1981 with my then-boyfriend Kevyn Aucoin because he wanted to be a makeup artist. But I had no idea at all of what I wanted to do. So I helped him and slowly got involved in the business. I somehow managed to get booked as a hairstylist on several fashion shows (Carolina Herrera, Revillion Furs and a few others), even though I had never done hair in my life! Luckily all the shows called for just a tight chignon (I went through gallons of hair gel!). But it was a great experience working with all the amazing runway girls of that time like Pat Cleveland, Apollonia, Alva Chin, etc. I also helped Kevyn with the makeup on a lot of shows and pretty much became an expert at applying false eyelashes on all the girls in 30 seconds or less each.

As Kevyn actually started to work more, I acted as his agent and he started working with Steven Meisel (I think fashion stories for Mademoiselle Magazine is where they started working together). But I really had very little knowledge of how this business worked and no real experience. So when he got the offer to join a real agency (Art + Commerce), I was perfectly happy for him to go with them. For a while I worked odd freelance jobs in the business (assistant to stylist Barbara Dente for a bit) and then managed to land a job at one of the best model agencies in New York at that time, Name Models. This was in 1986 and I still had very little real experience. But the owner of the agency, Louise Despointes and all the other agents (Sara Foley, Susan Quillin, Laura McKenna) were amazingly supportive and I learned a lot from them. But after 3 years I realized that while I loved the business, I didn’t really like representing models. Also, at that time, Kevyn had become quite dissatisfied with his agent (he was no longer with Art + Commerce at that point, he had move to a smaller agency that no longer exists). So I decided to set out on my own and open my own agency for hairstylists, makeup artists, photographers. In January of 1989 I opened my company in my 5th floor walk-up East Village apartment. Kevyn, of course, was the first on my roster; Sheril Bailey and Michael Thompson followed within a month and they’re both still with the agency.

NAVO: What’s the difference between being a model agent/booker and a photography agent?
ROOT: There are of course many similarities. I guess the main difference is the nature of the relationship between the agent and the model or photographer. With models you’re generally representing someone much younger than you. With photographers, they tend to be at least somewhat in the same age range as their agent. There are a lot of 18-20 year old models, but very few photographers under 30. Also, photographers work can evolve and change dramatically over the course of their careers. I think the models that have super-long careers are the ones that have changed very little.

THE TRAVEL AGENT

NAVO: What does your parents/ love ones think about your craft and your profession?
ROOT: My family doesn’t really have any idea. Unless you’re involved in this business it’s pretty hard to grasp what it’s about and what we do. Until the day she died, my grandmother was convinced that I was a travel agent, because she knew I traveled a lot and called myself an agent. Whenever I have to check-off “profession” on one of those surveys, I can never figure out the right box to use. But my family fully grasps that I’m successful and happy, so that’s enough.

NAVO: Where were you born and where did you grow up?

ROOT: I was born in Belleville, Ontario, Canada, but my parents moved to Dearborn Michigan when I was quite young. Then when I was about 10, we moved to New Orléans. New Orléans in the 70’s was really something! We moved again and I went to high school in Springville, Alabama (a small town not far from Birmingham; hated it there!). After graduation (like just a week after graduation), I went back to Louisiana and attended LSU. But I was not too big on school, so I actually attended very few classes and only stayed enrolled for about a year and a half. Then moved to New York where I’ve been ever since.

NAVO: Whats the most iconic images that you remember while growing up?
ROOT: As a kid, I don’t remember any photo in particular, but in general it would definitely be all of those fantastic photo stories in National Geographic. It was amazing how the photography could be so stunning and so informative at the same time. Fashion-wise, it would have to have been Avedon’s Versace ads; models like Jerry Hall, Atilla, etc., lounging on giant pillows, with hair by Suga. Especially the way they were printed in the OLD W Magazine, back when it was a color broadsheet! I actually used to buy it specifically for the ads!

NAVO: I completely remember those Versace campaigns with giant pillows and I also collected them! Photographer Richard Avedon is truly a fashion visionary, who would you consider a visionary in the photography history?

ROOT: So many! Brassai, Man Ray, Gordon Parks, Steiglitz, Steichen, Penn, Avedon, and some lesser known ones like Clarence John Laughlin and Chris von Wagenheim.

NAVO: What’s your favorite piece of artwork you own?

ROOT: That’s difficult! I have a huge photography collection, so it would not only be difficult to choose something from that, but it would probably piss-off a bunch of other photographers. I have a bit of Southeast Asian art, a few 16th, 17th, and 18th century paintings and sculptures, and a long list of other miscellaneous pieces. I guess the most dramatic piece is a 19th century marble sculpture by Fanny Marc that I bought in Paris.

The images of legendary photographer, Bettina Rheims represented by Jed Root Agency.

SIX PIXELS OF SEPARATION

NAVO: Whos your favorite Hollywood Icon?

ROOT: Maybe Lauren Bacall. She doesn’t seem to give a shit what anybody else thinks of her. That’s pretty refreshing since we seem to live in a world of self-obsessed celebrities, demi-celebrities and semi-celebrities (and plenty of non-celebrities) all working frantically to manipulate their image.

NAVO: What’s your top 3 favorite albums/records of all time?

ROOT: Amtrak Blues (Alberta Hunter), Use Your Illusion (Guns N’ Roses), Can’t Stand the Resillos (The Rezillos)

NAVO: Whats the last book you’ve read lately and what is it about?
ROOT: Six Pixels of Separation, by Mitch Joel. It’s about online social networking and how everyone is now The Media. But you have a very active blog, so you already know that. I’ve also been reading The Tale of Genji on and off for about 4 years now. Since it’s over 1,000 year old, 54 chapters, well over 1,000 pages long, and traditional Japanese literature never uses proper nouns, it can be pretty difficult to follow in parts. But it’s a great story!

NAVO: What do you think of the disappearance of a lot of magazines (367 magazines closed in 2009) for the past years?
ROOT: It was bound to happen sooner or later even without the internet. There were too many “independent” magazines out there. Even if some of them were doing very interesting work, it was a bit of a false economy. Many of them simply were of little or no interest to the public. People worked for these publications for free and actually financed the content, and then the main people purchasing those publications were those contributors plus a few of their friends and business associates. With all the blogging and social networking tools that are now available (for free!), it will be very difficult for many of the rest to survive. People are saying that magazines are going to be gone in a few years. I don’t believe that, although I’m pretty sure that there will be very few magazines printed on PAPER a few years from now. The publications that have a unique voice and are able to understand and utilize the new way in which “media” is now defined will thrive and they’ll always need creative contributors.

NAVO: It all boils down to survival of the fittest, do you remember the first photos you have taken and with what camera Jed?

ROOT: I don’t remember any photos in particular being first. But it was with my father’s old Yashica. It was a great camera. I still have it. I should probably see if I can get it restored before they stop making film.

Jed Root's mansion in Upstate, New York and one of his art sculptures.

BREAK WINTER IN HALF

NAVO: What’s an ideal regular vacation for a Jed Root? What activities does it include?
ROOT: I have a big, beautiful old house in upstate New York. I spend almost every weekend there and as much time as possible over the summer. I do a lot of gardening and swimming. I love to entertain friends there. I do a lot of cooking and have built-up a pretty fantastic wine cellar. But I take one “traveling” vacation per year. Usually in January I try to go someplace warm for about 10 days. It really helps to “break the winter in half”! This year I went to Costa Rica. My main activities there were swimming with sea turtles and lying on the beach drinking tequila and smoking cigars. But my winter vacation is always someplace different: Tahiti, Australia, Thailand…

NAVO: I’m not surprised you love travelling, thats why you always have a nice tan. What’s your top 3 cities in the world Jed and why?
ROOT: I only get to pick 3???? Well New York is my chosen home, so that has to be at the top of the list! I love Paris, although it took me many years to start loving it. I actually hated it for about the first 6 years after I stared going there regularly. I’ve probably had more fun in London than anywhere else. Tokyo is a truly amazing, confusing, contradictory and inspiring place, I wish I was able to get over there more often. That’s 4 and I could go on: Rome, Sydney, Kyoto…

CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP

NAVO: There are thousands of new photographers each year and hundreds actually make it to the magazines and ad campaigns, are you following any of the new generation of photographer’s work? Anyone that stands out for you?

ROOT: Yes! Lots of them! But there’s so much more that goes into being a successful fashion photographer than the quality and originality of the photos. In order to have a long successful career you have to learn to collaborate with a great team. Fashion Photography is more of a collaborative effort than any other type of photography. While the photographer may be the “captain of the ship” on a shoot, even the greatest captain can only do so much if he’s/she’s chosen the wrong crew or doesn’t know how to properly direct them and collaborate with them. Also, fashion photography is primarily “Assignment Photography”. The photographer is given a brief with certain objectives to achieve, be it for a magazine or an ad. Someone else tells you what to do and you’re expected to give them back something that’s not only exactly what they asked for, but something that’s surprising and better than they could have envisioned it themselves. It takes a long time to develop those sorts of skills and to establish the kind of relationships necessary. Generally, I’ve seen that most of the photographers that skyrocket to the top overnight also tend to disappear pretty quickly as well. It’s better to have a chance to make all your mistakes when not too many people are looking!

NAVO: What can you advise the young men and women all over the world who wants to make a living doing what you do?
ROOT: If you’re going to be an agent, you first have to have a love for what you’re representing (photography, sports, acting, illustration, etc.). Secondly you must have the talent and skill sets necessary for the job (dealing with people and their insecurities, a collaborative nature, confidence, social networking skills, being able to develop creative strategies, maintaining business relationships). If you have those 2, then you need to know as much as possible about the business that you’re going to “agent” in by working within your chosen field and related fields, and being absolutely diligent about learning everything about the history, present, and future of that field.

NAVO: Besides Jerry Maguire, a sport’s agent, do you think another movie about agents should be produced so little kids will grow up wanting to be an agent someday, like how they look at photographers, astronauts, and doctors?
ROOT: No. This isn’t exactly a “growth industry” at the moment. If we’re going to make films to inspire little kids to choose a career, there are more important ones than being an agent. Plus I can’t imagine how somebody could make an interesting film about the life of a photography agent. But if they ever do, I’ll certainly buy a ticket to see it!

http://www.jedroot.com/

http://blog.jedroot.com/jri/

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NEW YORK
Jed Root, Inc.
61A Walker Street
New York, NY 10013
USA
tel: 212-226-6600
fax: 212-274-0258

PARIS
Jed Root Europe
10, rue du Mont Thabor
75001 Paris
FRANCE
tel: 33 1 4454-3080
fax: 33 1 4454-9392

LONDON
Jed Root Limited
28 Mortimer Street
London W1W 7RD
tel: 44 (0)207 151 1000
fax: 44 (0)207 580 5598

TOKYO
Jed Root Japan
c/o Chisato Kohno Mgmt.
tel: 81 3 5447-5770
fax: 81 3 5447-5870

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http://www.mckeestory.com/

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Related Entry: http://naiveboy.com/2009/11/06/armed-with-saliva-by-navo/

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All About My Mother, Anthony Minghella, Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca, Australian Vogue, Barcelona, Bergdorf Goodman, Brooks Brothers, Bruce Weber, Calvin Klein, DANGEROUSLY NAIVE, Emporio Armani, Esquire, Further Along the Road Less Traveled, GQ, Herbert List, INTERVIEW, London, Lope Navo, Lord & Taylor, Madonna, Oscar de la Renta, Puerto Rico, Queen Elizabeth I, Ralph Lauren, Richard Avedon, Rio de Janeiro, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saudi Arabia, Sense and Sensibility, Spanish Harper’s Bazaar, Steven Meisel, The Hunger, The New York Times Magazine, Tyson Beckford, Yashica FX3

ARNALDO ANAYA-LUCCA: A LOVE STORY by Navo

In Arts, EXCLUSIVES, Fashion, INTERVIEW, Magazine, photography on January 20, 2010 at 6:18 am

TWO MEN DEFIED A KINGDOM

(NY) I’ve never been in-love, my first boyfriend when I was 21 was Feras, a Syrian-born chef who works for one of the hotels in the city of Riyadh, when I was based there as a graphic designer almost a decade ago. I know what your thinking now, Saudi Arabia + homosexual relationship = heads rolling over a basket, and my first ‘bromance‘ will sound like an epic movie that Anthony Minghella would direct “set in the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia, two men defied a kingdom”. We had it going for 2 long passionate years, I remembered being relocated to Al -Khobar and Feras would drive 500 km towards the Gulf Coast just to see me, looking back, in a way we did defy a kingdom, and that’s the closest thing I have for a romance story in my life. Feras is one of the most beautiful man I’ve seen, he kinda look like Jesus Christ especially when he grows a moustache, intelligent, passionate about life, and most importantly passionate about me, I learned so many things from him, including learning to speak arabic. Love though-is still a foreign language for me, and like I said before, I never been in-love.

1995

I had an opportunity to interview a man who captures romance like nobody else can, it’s a distinct quality in his work. People do fall-in-love in his world the way I see it, and his name is Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca. One of the most iconic fashion image for me when I was still in highschool is that of supermodel Tyson Beckford for a Ralph Lauren launch of his high-end men’s brand in 1995 and it is an image that captured a photographer’s love for beauty and everything that it represents. I love men who have a clear passion and love for life, I’m privy to their love stories every time I look at their work, whether they’re creating a masterpiece in the kitchen or in the darkroom. With all the superficiality, politics and debauchery rampant in the fashion industry today, it is surprising that there are still some real people in fashion.

ST. JOHN’S MILITARY SCHOOL

Anaya-Lucca’s photographs are featured in Australian Vogue, Esquire, Interview, The New York Times Magazine, Spanish Harper’s Bazaar and multiple international editions of GQ. His client roster includes Polo Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Emporio Armani, Oscar de la Renta, Brooks Brothers, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman. This photographer’s story started in Ponce, Puerto Rico, when he was born to a cardiologist father and Episcopal minister mother, and in 1974 relocated to US to attend St. John’s Military School in Kansas. I had a great time talking to Arnaldo, and I hope you’ll have a great time reading the rest of his story in this world-exclusive one-on-one interview.

THE 5-YEAR-OLD

LOPE NAVO: Thank you for dropping by Naiveboy.com Arnaldo, I’ve chatted with you for a while now and I’m flattered every time you share your opinion about my work. Like I’ve told you before, I want to live in your world for a day, there’s something so fresh, positive and luxurious about it, what do you think inspires that Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca world?
ARNALDO ANAYA-LUCCA: I guess my boyfriend, family, and friends would be better in answering that question for me but I’ll try. I have always been a happy person even as a child. I had a beautiful childhood in Puerto Rico, very magical, and I guess that kind of sets the way you experience and see life in the future. My boyfriend and friends always say I am like a 5-year-old, which its kind of true. I get very excited every morning about what the day might bring. I guess I managed to keep that child inside of me. When you are excited about life in general, you feel very grateful and that breeds a very positive state of mind. And only a positive state of mind is able to see the endless beauty surrounding us.

My inspiration always comes from every day life. People, places, history, art, society. It’s the way we see ordinary events, objects that leads us to creativity and then the way we experience those things that leads us to our unique style. But my way of seeing things was definitely influenced by the works of Richard Avedon, Bruce Weber, Steven Meisel and Herbert List‘s magical photographs.

NAVO: What does your love ones think about your craft and your profession?
ANAYA-LUCCA: They’re just really proud that I pursued a dream and was lucky enough to have it realized. I’m still dreaming everyday.

NAVO: Do you remember the first photos you have taken? And with what camera?
ANAYA-LUCCA: The very 1st photos I took where of my family and friends in Puerto Rico. Pictures at the beach, the mountains and home. I used my Yashica FX3.

MR. RALPH LAUREN

NAVO: Why did you become a photographer? At what point did you know you want this career?
ANAYA-LUCCA: I always loved taking pictures but never dreamed it could become a career for me. When I was in high school, one of my older brothers, Abel, started taking pictures and I got the bug. On my 18th birthday, my parents bought me my first camera, a Yashica FX3 (I still have it) I told my parents I wanted to major in photography but that did not go over well. My Dad was a cardiologist and to him photography could only be a hobby, so I went to college and majored in Finance. I became a yearbook photographer at my College (I went to school in Kansas City, Mo.). To this day all my college friends think of me as always having a camera around my neck and to them this career is not a surprise but it is to me. After college I moved to NY and after being turned down 4 times…yes, I got 4 rejection letters in one year, I landed a job with Ralph Lauren at the Polo Mansion on 72nd St. in the spring of 1988 in the men’s clothing department selling suits.You see I had become a bit obsessed with Ralph Lauren and my dream was to one day work along side “The Man” himself. After 4 1/2 years in the mansion I got my big break in the beginning of 1993 and was offered a position in Ralph Lauren’s Men’s Design Studio. I was now working and developing Men’s Lines with Ralph…my dream became a reality or so I thought!! I was still taking pictures but design was my focus and I loved it. It was Ralph’s eldest son, Andrew Lauren, that inadvertently opened my photography’s Pandora’s box in late 1994. Andrew’s then girlfriend and my best friend, Rebecca Indri, told Andrew that he should ask me to photograph him as he was interested in becoming an actor and needed a head shot. She told him that my hobby was taking pictures and that I was good. I photographed him a few weeks later and the result was amazing. I shot him in my apartment with daylight b&w portraits against a white wall. He looked like a 1950′s movie star in my photos. A month later I was in a design meeting with Ralph he pulled out the photos and said, “Your pictures of Andrew are unbelievable…you captured him like no one has in the past and he has been photographed by many top fashion photogs!” He said to me,“You have a gift, an amazing eye and I want you shoot an ad campaign for me.” Well he kept his word and 3 month’s later I photograph Tyson Beckford for the launch of Ralph Lauren’s high-end men’s brand, Purple Label. The photo ran in American GQ in the fall of 1995. It was my 1st published photograph and still one of my favorites! My photography career was born and in the summer 1997 I left Ralph Lauren after 10 years in the company to pursue photography full-time with Ralph’s blessing. He became my most loyal client. That’s the real dream for me, shooting Ad campaigns for my mentor, Mr. Ralph Lauren.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

NAVO: Is there a photo book that your fans can collect that features your work in the near future? Any latest project?
ANAYA-LUCCA: No book yet Lope. It’s in the future as I’m still growing as a photographer and it’s so difficult for me to choose a theme or idea for a book but yes I WOULD LOVE TO in the future. I did have my 1st solo exhibition in Miami during Art Basel last December that I’m very proud of. I’m also really excited about a few ad campaigns I’m shooting this month and next for RL (top secret) look for them in the fall as well as one editorial shoot in particular commissioned by Russian GQ-Style that will run in March. It’s an “English Patient” Story with one of my favorite models,Vladimir with Wilhelmina.

NAVO: Congratulations to your art exhibition Arnaldo, I wish I could’ve made it to Miami. Talking about books,what’s the last book you’ve read lately and what is it about?
ANAYA-LUCCA: Thanks Lope, Further Along the Road Less Traveled: The Unending Journey Towards Spiritual Growth by M. Scott Peck is the last book I’ve read. My boyfriend suggested it. It made me look at myself in a whole new light. At the end of the day you got to balance your superficial lifestyle with some emotional awareness no?

NAVO: Who’s your favorite historical figure?
ANAYA-LUCCA: Queen Elizabeth I, I’m obsessed with British History especially “The Golden Age” when she ruled.

NAVO: I’m sure you’ve seen the Cate Blanchett “The Golden Age” movie too! Whats your top 3 favorite films of all time?
ANAYA-LUCCA: Umm, that’s hard. I believe that anyone will agree that it is impossible to narrow it down to 3. There are numbers of movies that truly inspired me personally or professionally and for some reason they all fall more or less in a category of social dramas. The Hunger (1997), Sense and Sensibility (1995) and All About My Mother (1999), are some of them.

NAVO: Speaking of Queen Elizabeth I, If you’ll get a chance to photograph a dead icon, who will it be and why?
ANAYA-LUCCA: As much as I find a lot of my inspiration in our history. For some reason when it comes to icons I need to feel them. I need to be able to follow their careers through time and see how they develop as an artist or persona. I need them to be ALIVE.

NAVO: Who’s your favorite Diva?
ANAYA-LUCCA: Madonna.

PUERTO RICAN ON SKIS

NAVO: What’s a regular weekend for an Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca?
ANAYA-LUCCA: Spontaneous getaways with my boyfriend where the beach is near and there is plenty good restaurants to choose from.

NAVO: Your work always reminds me of youth and athleticism, are you an adrenaline junkie?
ANAYA-LUCCA: I love to ski so I guess you can say I’m an adrenaline junkie. When I was a freshmen in college my father gave us an amazing gift for spring break, 4 days at a private mountain home in Winter Park, Colorado. For me, my twin brother and my sister it was a rush… I mean all we knew was the beach when we were kids. We discovered a winter wonderland that was more beautiful than I had ever imagined and I’m still addicted. I ski every year. A Puerto Rican on skis is a rare sight to see.

NAVO: What can you advise the young men and women all over the world reading Dangerously Naive, who wants to make a living photographing the most beautiful and interesting people in the world?
ANAYA-LUCCA: The reality of life is that we need to make a living in order to survive. And often that livelihood doesn’t include our dreams or passions. If your passion is to be a photographer you should passionately continue to create and express yourself through photography and not feel motivated by money-making. Passion should be its own foundation. Making a living from it, it comes as secondary. So I would advise them to keep on creating, expressing themselves and the rest will follow.

CITIES ARE LIKE PEOPLE

NAVO: What do you think of the disappearance of a lot of magazines (367 magazines closed in 2009) for the past years?
ANAYA-LUCCA: We are in transition in many aspects of our world, the biggest transition that is undergoing now is in politics, economics, environment and media. It feels naturally that many business needs to close in order to transit including many fashion magazines. The survival of the fittest in a way. I see a bright future about it all, especially with on-line media. There are already many magazines that created their online versions and there are some really good ones coming up. My favorite is www.thecontributingeditor.com edited by Matthew Edelstein. I think we should all focus on a positive future and keep on creating great work.

NAVO: What is your favorite part of your job?
ANAYA-LUCCA: I would say when my creative vision becomes physically tangible, when it becomes a reality. There is a certain satisfaction to be able to translate a vision from my mind to an actual photograph. I travel a lot for my work and meet many interesting, creative people so therefore travel gives me inspiration and it’s an endless source of joy for me.

NAVO: What’s your top 3 favorite cities in the world? and why?
ANAYA-LUCCA: Well top 3 again, is hard but I guess I could say Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro and London for now. They are super diverse culturally, have a very big art scene and most importantly they feel sexy in some way or another. Cities are like people, you fall in love with them, you explore them, experience them, and stay loyal to them and hopefully grow old with them but there is always an option to grow apart. But the good news is that there is always another city to explore.

http://www.defactoinc.com/

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Related Entries: http://naiveboy.com/2009/12/06/the-ten-greatest-films-about-photographers-by-navo/

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ARENA HOMME +, art partner, Corinne Day, DANGEROUSLY NAIVE, Face of Fashion, Fashion, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Gucci, Guy Bourdin, Hasselblad, Kenzo, Lancôme, Lope Navo, Louis Vuitton, Marcus Piggott, Marilyn Monroe, Mario Sorrenti, Marquesa Casati, Mert Alas, Missoni, Miu Miu, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Paolo Roversi, Pedro Almodovar, photography, Roberto Cavalli, Steven Klein, Yves St Laurent

MERT ALAS: A FASHION ICON INTERVIEW by Navo

In Arts, EXCLUSIVES, Fashion, INTERVIEW, Icons, Magazine, photography on January 15, 2010 at 2:55 pm

“A lot of great pictures happen spontaneously, no matter how much you plan ahead, In fact our favourite pictures are those done with almost no preparation at all…”

- Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Face of Fashion 2007

MERT & MARCUS

(UK) In an article I wrote just last month “THE TEN: GREATEST FILMS ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHERS”, my first sentence was “Why did I become a photographer?”, I attempted to honestly answer the hard question, and I forgot to remember one of my favorite memories growing up is actually browsing magazines, ARENA HOMME + was one of my favorite in the late 90′s and early 00′s. From the very start it was the magazines that serves as my connection to the two most influential and photographic geniuses of my time. In the 2007 book FACE OF FASHION (Hardcover), photography duo Mert and Marcus are two of the featured 5 photographers along with Corinne Day, Steven Klein, Paolo Roversi, and Mario Sorrenti and what an amazing book it is, for fashion photography enthusiast and photography in general. It’s one of those bookmarks in my life that reminds me how I wanted to be better, why I fell in love with photography and why I lust for it like little children do.

1971

When I think of Mert and Marcus, I think of powerful women… sexy, graceful and sophisticated, you can also see their strong influence in my male photography. The team’s works have graced magazines such as Vogue USA, Vogue Italia, W Magazine, Pop Magazine, Numero and Arena Homme Plus, fashion ad campaigns for blue chip clients such as Louis Vuitton, Missoni, Giorgio Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Fendi, Kenzo and Miu Miu, captured images for perfume houses such as Gucci, Yves St Laurent, Givenchy and Lancôme and immortalized basically almost all the most unforgettable beauties of the past decades. Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott’s work and style is influenced and shaped by the work of photographer Guy Bourdin. The dynamic duo are pioneers of contemporary fashion photography, influencing and shaping back the look of the fashion world in the most recent decades. In 1971, Mert was born in Turkey and Marcus was born in Wales, their lives collided in England in 1994 as classical musicians and graphic designers in different periods. Later Marcus became the assistant to Mert Alas and the rest (as they say) is pure world photography history.

THE INTERVIEWER

This is my first world-exclusive one-on-one interview as the interviewer and it almost felt like talking to a Bob Dylan or a Pedro Almadovar, people who have single-handedly shaped the future of their own industries, in their own time, and I’m starstrucked. One thing I discovered, the gods that influenced and inspired me to choose the photography route in some point in my life, at the end of the day are also people who enjoys sailing, travelling, watching movies and being inspired.

ATATURK, LIZ, MARQUESA, & MARILYN

LOPE NAVO: I would like to thank you for having time for Naiveboy.com readers, I know it’s almost impossible to catch you these days for a Q&A. The first thing I always wanted to know about photographers is the first photos they’ve taken and with what camera?
MERT ALAS: Your welcome Lope, thank you for having us in your blog. The first photos we’ve taken is with a second-hand Hasselblad we got from our friend Lula, we did a nude sitting in our flat.

NAVO: What does Marcus Piggott’s family and your family think about your craft and your profession?
ALAS: Our families loves our work and in constant watch. Most of the time we sit back and criticize our work with them, its fun!

NAVO: What’s your top 3 favorite cities in the world?
ALAS: 1. London 2. Istanbul 3. Barcelona

NAVO: What’s a regular ideal weekend for the very busy Mr. Alas?
ALAS: Working out, r & r, dancing and spending time with close friends.

NAVO: Do you surf? Is a Mert Alas an adrenaline junkie?
ALAS: Not surfing! But I love swimming, I love speed, and sailing! I just got my sailing license.

NAVO: Congratulations! Basing on some of your work I can read you love sailing, What’s the last book you’ve read lately and what is it about?
ALAS: Marquesa Casati, it is a biography of an early 20th century eccentric Luisa, the Marchesa Casati Stampa di Soncino in Italy.

NAVO: Speaking of the Marchesa Casati, if you’ll get a chance to photograph a dead icon, who will it be and why?
ALAS: Marilyn Monroe, mainly because I love the enigma that surrounds her amazingly beautiful body and unforgettable face.

NAVO: Who’s your favorite historical figure?

ALAS: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881–1938), a Turkish army officer, revolutionary statesman, and founder of the Republic of Turkey as well as its first President.

NAVO: Favorite diva?
ALAS: Liz Taylor.

(more q&a below)

Mert Alas with LOLA and KIKA.

A GUY ON THE STREET

NAVO: Why did you become a photographer? At what point did you know you want this career?
ALAS: In the early 90′s we had a great bunch of friends, we would go to clubs and on our way back we would dress-up and take silly pictures of each other in our studio, it all happened like this! One morning we just found ourselves shooting the Dazed and Confused Magazine Cover.

NAVO: What is your favorite part in being a photographer?
ALAS: It is great that as a photographer, we are given an opportunity to showcase our visions and desires in the form of the magazine pages.

NAVO: What do you think of the disappearance of a lot of magazines (367 magazines closed in 2009) for the past years?
ALAS: It is a shame for those who work in the magazines, but don’t you also think there are too many magazines out there? Less is more sometimes Lope!

NAVO: Your work has been influential to countless young photographers like myself, one of my fondest memories in college is collecting most of the Mert & Marcus’ magazine editorials and ad campaigns and even your photobooks, it gives me a certain visual rush. What inspire you guys?
ALAS: Life itself inspires us, our dreams, a guy on the street, a movie, a song, our antenna is wide open to receive.

NAVO: What’s your top 3 favorite films of all time?
ALAS: 1. Arizona Dream (1993) by Emir Kusturica 2. Cabaret (1972) by Bob Fosse 3. Kika (1993) by Pedro Almodovar

NAVO: I know this will sound cliché but I’ll ask it anyway. What advise can you give the young men and women all over the world reading Dangerously Naive and wants to make a living photographing the most beautiful and interesting people in the world?
ALAS: Be yourself and work for your dream. If you are good, you will be noticed!

NAVO: Boxers or Briefs?
ALAS: Briefs!

http://www.mertandmarcus.com/

http://www.artpartner.com/

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500 Days of Summer, Billy Crudup, Boogie Nights, Bryan Christie, DANGEROUSLY NAIVE, Dian Hanson, Dick in a Box, Dirk Diggler, Dr. Manhattan, HBO Hung, Jonah Hill, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Lope Navo, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Phelps, MTV Movie Awards, Music, naiveboy.com, Oscar Wilde, Paul Thomas Anderson, Penis, Penis Anatomy, Superbad, Ted Noten, The Big Penis Book, Thomas Jane, Vivienne Westwood, Watchmen, Zach Efron

THE PENIS SAGA: QUEST FOR LADY GAGA’S MANHOOD by Navo

In Arts, Movies, Pop Culture, viewpoints on January 6, 2010 at 4:06 pm

PART I

“Mine has a mind of its own.” ~ Oscar Wilde

A COCK AND BULL STORY

The Latin word for “tail” is the origin of the word “penis“, the Latin word “phallus” (from Greek φαλλος) is sometimes used to describe it. In Tagalog its called “burat” (erect penis) or “titi” (slang), and in arabic its “zib” قضيب. They say the penis is the primary functioning organ of a male human being that comes in many shapes, sizes, and personal pet names. Also known as the cock, El cock or Le Cock, Cockadoodle, chalupa, the ant in the pants, the angry eye tube, banana, bazooka, big dipper, little dipper, the bird, the boner, bottom finger, dick, ding-dong, the ankle-spanker, the blue-veined junket pumper, badger, the beast, dipstick, the doughnut holder, free willy, the family jewels, the fibulator, Dr. Love, Eggs ‘n’ sausage, Excalibur, granite edifice, the gigglestick, gristle missile, hairy bagpipes, the hard on, Harry & the Hendersons (Hendersons are the balls), handlebars, hole hunter, hose, heat-seeking moisture missile, hard candy n’ lollipop, Hancock, injection, IT, jack hammer, Jesus-juice maker, johnson, John Thomas, joy stick, knob, kidney-cracker, love muscle, light saber, little luddy, THE MAN, man meat, meat cigar, meat wrench, member, missile, my little friend, microphone, one hole friction whistle, the one-eyed trouser snake, the purple headed yogurt slinger, nightcrawler, pecker, pee-pee, peter, Peter Piper, popsicle, pork sword, pork ‘n’ beans, pole, prick, pussy plunger, hot rod, Richard and the Twins, Ralph The Fur Faced Chicken, sex pistol, salty dog, hotdog, shaft, schlong, spunk stick, stiffy, the Sodomizor 2000, throbber, the Tallywhacker, the legend, Lightning rod, Magic wand, Man’s best friend, Miner, Moby Dick, Nob, Old blind Bob, Tobias the Cheeky Monkey, the pink oboe, pinga, piss pump, Pumping Pole of Penile Power, Purple-Helmeted Warrior, python of love, sausage, Shake ‘n’ Bake, sperm whale, snoop dog, the torpedo, tank, tool, thermometer, tube steak, Vlad The Impaler, vertical stick, wanker, wazzu, wang, wee-wee, weiner, woody, yardstick, your every pain reliever, your boss, your daddy, 100% all american beef, 2 sided sword, 2 kegs n a nozzle, and I’m sure there are more names out there but I would like to think I’m clever so I’m adding “Tiger’s Wood” (© my copyright). This is PART I of the Penis Saga, finding Harry & the Hendersons in the most unexpected places in film, tv, music, sports, art and fashion.

A LADY’S MAN-HOOD

In Hollywood where rumors and urban legends are abound, “is he GAY?” OR “is she HERMAPHRODITE” is the name of the popular penis “Guessing Game”. People are too bored nowadays, the thousands of blogs, YouTube videos and websites dedicated in the Quest for pop star Lady Gaga‘s (Stefani Joanne Germanotta) infamous schlong is that evidence. A society where the business of “the Cock” is the business of everyone.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, CHALUPA

In 500 Days of Summer (one of my ten best films of 2009) Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel) are playing “the Penis Game” in a downtown LA public park, taking turns saying “penis” louder and louder each time (like suffering from a Tourette’s Syndrome) providing one of the funniest scenes in the movie. After being asked, Summer tells Tom about some of her past lovers including a guy named “Puma” focusing on the genital bulge down part of his pants leg in a still photo and zoomed close-up, thats why Summer and Puma “barely left the room” as she recalled.

The newest HBO Series, Hung that premiered in 2009 stars Thomas Jane as Ray Drecker, a struggling suburban Detroit high school basketball coach who resorts to prostitution after discovering the one biggest “asset” he can use to his advantage. The second episode is titled “Great Sausage or Can I Call You Dick?” and the finale titled, “A Dick and a Dream”.

The critically acclaimed 1997 Boogie Nights written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson stars Mark Wahlberg as Dirk Diggler a dimwitted high school dropout with a 13-inch penis who is recruited into the porn industry. The famous scene in which Dirk Diggler whipping out his enormous, prosthetic flaccid penis and the director being quoted: “that is Mark Wahlberg’s penis”. Wahlberg’s penis was nominated for best visual effects award at the MTV Movie Awards that year. One of my favorite director and favorite films of all time where the star is Mark’s Richard and the Twins.

Jonah Hill’s character Seth in 2007′s amazingly hilarious Superbad had a flashback story where the young Seth drawing penis after penis in class, at home and everywhere he goes.

In the Zack Snyder’s Watchmen (2009) the big blue Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup) has a swinging big blue penis, that Snyder commented: “Yeah. It looks like a bell clacker.” Dave Gibbons, who illustrated the graphic novel, chimes in: “Swing, swing.” A historical breakthrough appearance by a pecker in an american graphic novel-adapted superhero movie, bravo.

POP GOES THE WEASEL

He brought the SEXY BACK (and front), the droolworthy Justin Timberlake boosted his career by making you lust for his penis, by grabbing it like MJ, subliminally yanking it out on photo shoots, in public and movies, putting it in a “box” (and singing about it), making sure you ache for more.

Zach Efron is following Mr. Justin’s “sexy swings” by teasing his multitudes of fanatic teenagers all over the globe with his shirtless, wet-look, public display of manliness.

The sexy swimmer Michael Phelps caused quite a stir during the Olympics, his amazing torso and his wet skin-tight speedos are leaving nothing to the imagination, just the way we like it. One of the hottest athletes out there, no question.

ARTISTIC ERECTION

The giant Penis Chandelier, created by a Dutch company called Rock and Royal, a penis inspired chinese art, and the penis necklaces and pendants by Vivienne Westwood (silver satyr riding a tiger’s eye penis), also the Vivienne Westwood Penis Drop Pendant, for only $138. All are collectibles for the decadent fans of the one-eyed monster.

Dutch conceptual jeweller Ted Noten‘s limited edition bone china dildo with 24k gold plated valve costs approx $3,800.00. The perfect “Dick in a Box” literally.

Bryan Christie‘s “Penis Anatomy” illustration for Men’s Health Magazine (medical article).

An illustration art map of New York in the shape of a huge pinga.

The Big Penis Book by Dian Hanson (Hardcover ) $37.79 in amazon.com, a handsome volume of essays and well-chosen vintage photographs about the Purple Headed Yogurt Slinger. Followed by some unknown arts that illustrates the dong in different styles and some runway models strutting their money-making sex-pistols.

SHAKE ‘N’ BAKE

There’s also a new cock in town! Your new favourite naïveboy.com has made waves, shrills and giggles that it went straight up to #12 on the fastest growing blogs (out of thousands of new blogs all over the world) in the span of 3 months.

Who’s your Daddy now?

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Related Entry: http://naiveboy.com/2009/11/11/erect-phallic-symbols-of-dubai-by-navo/

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Lope Navo, Stephen Gan, photography, INTERVIEW, John Galliano, Donatella Versace, Stefano Gabbana, Manolo Blahnik, Matthew Williamson, Giles Deacon, Pat McGrath, A Magazine, Acne Paper, Dansk, Fashion Tale, Hercules, Huge, Lemon, Man About Town, Muse, Numero, Please, Ponytail, The Room, S Mag, Sang Bleu, Sleek, Slurp, Soon, Tokion, V, WAD, Wound, Zink, Distill Magazine, magazines, SLURP Magazine, Susanna Brown, Lars Burmeister, Saverio Cardia, Doug Porter, Major Model NYC, Federica Tattoli

SEX GOD: DOUG PORTER FOR SLURP MAGAZINE/ ITALY by Navo

In Editorial, Fashion, Magazine, photography on January 5, 2010 at 7:08 am

DISTILL MAGAZINE

(UK) In an era when print magazines are disappearing one by one, an Editorial Board composed of key professional creatives around the world (including, John Galliano, Donatella Versace, Stefano Gabbana, Manolo Blahnik, Matthew Williamson, Giles Deacon, Pat McGrath, Stephen Gan and many more) are selecting their favourite magazines and photo shoots from a shortlist of the world’s fashion and style press such as A Magazine, Acne Paper, Big Man, Dansk, Exit, Fashion Tale, Hercules, Huge, Interview, Lemon, Man About Town, Men’s File, Muse, Numero, Please, Ponytail, The Room, Rubbish, S Mag, Sang Bleu, Sleek, Slurp, Soon, Swallow, Tokion, V, Volt, Vice, WAD, Wound, Zink and many others. Their motto “Inspiration through innovation”, the name is Distill Magazine (http://distilldigital.com/), a bi-monthly focused on the best visual content from the world’s fashion and style magazines with the select key creative’s educated commentary.

SLURP MAGAZINE/ ITALY

I already have the first 2 issues of Distill and Distill 3 is out, SLURP Magazine /Italy (http://www.slurpmagazine.com/) is one of the featured print mag on Distill 2. “Italian quarterly Slurp was conceived as an antidote to conventional glossies and the photographs found within its pages are characterized by a mood of sombre self-reflection.”- Susanna Brown (Photography Curator/ Distill Editorial Board). SLURP 7 is now available worldwide and its $52.00 at the magazine shops. I already have my copy with Lars Burmeister by Saverio Cardia on the cover. I am also fortunate to photograph the sexy Doug Porter for a 16 page story with beauty editor Federica Tattoli. Anyone who appreciates male beauty should get a copy.

SLURP MAGAZINE/ ITALY (Issue 7)

http://www.slurpmagazine.com/

Photography and Styling by Lope Navo

Beauty Editing by Federica Tattoli

Model Doug Porter

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info@navostudios.com

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AFGHANISTAN, AMERICA's MOST STUPID, Ana Wintour, Bradgelina, BRAVO Network, Britney Spears, DANGEROUSLY NAIVE, George Bush, IRAQ, Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, Lope Navo, Louis Vuitton bags, Miley Cyrus, naiveboy.com, Osama Bin Laden, PAKISTAN, Paris Hilton, Paula Abdul, PEREZ HILTON, Robert Pattinson, RPatz, Sarah Palin, Tyra Banks

THE DECADE OF STUPID: THE 10-YEAR HUNT FOR OSAMA BIN LADEN by Navo

In Earth, politics, viewpoints on December 30, 2009 at 6:46 am

_______________________

STUPID AND PROUD OF IT

“Is ignorance truly bliss? Are people with non-existing intelligence happier than the rest of the species?”

Happy New Year! Thank you for all the growing followers of DANGEROUSLY NAIVE (a 3-months old blog). I was working on my novel and while reviewing the 00′s highlights, I just realize what a dumb decade that was, years overwhelmingly dominated by “celebrities” advertising their ignorance like a billboard, the rise of reality shows (featuring the most clueless loonies that ever walk the face of the earth), the wacked global economy and countless people who lost their jobs or countless people who lost their lives this past 10 years, a civilization rotting to its very core. How the hell did that happen? Two words: STUPID PEOPLE. If you track the roots of all the misery (like a forensic investigator in CSI), it all goes down to stupidity of some people in power, and most of them are major celebrities. When a celebrity’s dirt, personal life, breakdowns, delusions, scandals and stupidity are more interesting than their talents, leadership, and just being good role models like the old days, the world actually watch stupid celebrities humiliate themselves on TV makes this decade the most mind-boggling. Reality shows and networks, YouTube, Magazines, Tabloids, Blogs, Talk Shows, and innocent mindless office coffee break chats work hand-in-hand in glamoriz-ing these stupid celebrities of the world.

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BIG DUMB FUN IS JUST BIG DUMB FUN

I own a decent size plasma tv that I only use to watch select films, documentaries or to peek at what the rest of the world is watching these days, a glaring 90 % of the programs are targeted towards the idiot demographics, can you blame me for not having any interest? When USA’s version of a vampire movie is “TWILIGHT” compared to Sweden’s “LET THE RIGHT ONE IN” and South Korea’s “THIRST”, you can really see the cultural inferiority of Hollywood in 2009 alone. Sometimes big dumb fun is just big dumb fun, I’m not that square not to enjoy Cameron Diaz’s Charlies Angels or Johnny Depp’s Pirate Trilogy, but there’s a certain stupidity that my brain can only take before it actually bleeds. Every month US Networks and Film Productions seems to successfully raise the STUPID-BAR down a notch. I’ve never seen MTV’s Jersey Shore (from its reviews, sounds like it marks TV history’s rock-bottom) but I know some people who watch it to feel better about themselves. Jerry Springer babies like Tyra Banks, Paula Abdul, Perez Hilton have done so well this decade, for having no talent, low IQ and zero substance, its humiliating for those people who actually have something to say. The same people who failed every single subject in school, dropped out, or kicked out, are dominating the world’s media, teaching the not so bright kids of the world to be like them, American Media is raising mini-stupids every single day. They are the reminders of having an IQ of an oven toaster can make you famous and filthy rich, the message to all the kids around the globe who owns a TV set or have an internet access every time they click the keyboards or the remote control. A world of blissful ignorance, clueless celebrities but have strong opinions all the same, and have a very passionate fan club that will commit Jihad to protect their honor (like Osama Bin Laden’s fan club, but thats a totally new topic). If the television and internet is the new classroom for our next generation, the following 12 people below are the new heroes produced this decade, and the world’s future has never been so dark to say the very least.

“When it comes to my celebrity interviews, I’m going to do a lot deeper research and ask them things that people haven’t asked before, … I’ve been on the other side so much, I have a leg up on a person that has only just interviewed people.” -Tyra Banks

WHAT SHE PREACHES YOUR KIDS: You can be successful being a moron, have delusions of grandeur of being smart, vain, having no talent, shallow and it’s ok to think the world revolves around you.

“My videos stand the test of time. They are like the almanac for every performer. Even Rhianna has come up to me and said ‘I hope you don’t mind.’ And Beyonce. You can see the influence of what I’ve done.”, “It’s really fun to see that I’ve left a mark. It was my idea to create an animated character. It takes a lot of focus, a lot time, and a lot of money.” -Paula Abdul

WHAT SHE PREACHES YOUR KIDS: You can be successful being stupid, coke head, hardcore junkie, having no talent, vain, delusional, pathological liar and it’s ok to think the world revolves around you.

“She lost not because she doesn’t believe in gay marriage. Miss California lost because she’s a dumb bitch.” – Perez Hilton (Mario Armando Lavandeira)

WHAT HE PREACHES YOUR KIDS: You can be successful being a moron, pathological liar, having no talent, delusional, vain, gossip queen, shallow and it’s ok to think the world revolves around you.

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TYPHOID MARYS

There is a plague this decade, and never before in the history of civilization that a plague is shamelessly advertised in billboards, tv, radio, magazines, and the world-wide web. Just one click and your exposed to the plague, and with the rate of inbreeding in today’s society it seems unstoppable and our future is a bit scary, like one of those zombie scenes in 28 Days Later (which by the way is an intelligent piece of filmmaking, it’s a metaphor for stupid people spreading disease). Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Sarah Palin, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan and Ana Wintour in fact are carriers, the Typhoid Mary‘s of moronic quotes whenever you see or hear them anywhere, and everybody seems to listen to what they have to say.

“Every woman should have four pets in her life. A mink in her closet, a jaguar in her garage, a tiger in her bed, and a jackass who pays for everything.” – Paris Hilton

WHAT SHE PREACHES YOUR KIDS: You can be successful being stupid, shallow, coke head, junkie, having no talent, vain, delusional, materialistic, slut and it’s ok to think the world revolves around you.

“I am for the death penalty. Who commits terrible acts must get a fitting punishment. That way he learns the lesson for the next time.“ – Britney Spears

WHAT SHE PREACHES YOUR KIDS: You can be successful being stupid, shallow, coke head, junkie, having no talent, delusional, vain, materialistic, slut and it’s ok to think the world revolves around you. (Same as above)

“As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where– where do they go? It’s Alaska. It’s just right over the border.” – Sarah Palin

WHAT SHE PREACHES YOUR KIDS: You can be successful being a moron, have delusions of grandeur of being smart, shallow, delusional, and it’s ok to think the world revolves around you.

“I’ll be out with my friends and be recognized, and little girls will ask me for my autograph. It is so much fun living out your dream. It, like, totally reflects me 100%.”- Miley Cyrus

WHAT SHE PREACHES YOUR KIDS: You can be successful being a moron, shallow, delusional, having no talent, vain, materialistic, slut and it’s ok to think the world revolves around you.

“Is this chicken, what I have, or is this fish? I know it’s tuna, but it says ‘Chicken by the Sea.’” – Jessica Simpson

WHAT SHE PREACHES YOUR KIDS: You can be successful being stupid, shallow, coke head, delusional, vain, having no talent, materialistic, slut and it’s ok to think the world revolves around you.

“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.”- George Bush

WHAT HE PREACHES YOUR KIDS: You can be successful being a moron, have delusions of grandeur of being smart, delusional, mass-murderer, and it’s ok to think the world revolves around you.

“I called her last week, and I was like, ‘Do you wanna hang out?’ And her sister hung up the phone on me! I don’t like having enemies … and there’s the saying, keep your friends close but your enemies closer.” – Lindsay Lohan

WHAT SHE PREACHES YOUR KIDS: You can be successful being stupid, shallow, coke head, hardcore junkie, having no talent, vain, delusional, materialistic, slut and it’s ok to think the world revolves around you.

“My two brothers and sister are very amused by what I do — they’re amused,” Anna Wintour in an almost self-deprecating tone.

WHAT SHE PREACHES YOUR KIDS: You can be successful being a moron, shallow, coke head, have delusions of grandeur of being smart, vain, materialistic, stuck-up and it’s ok to think the world revolves around you.

“When I get angry enough I write down what I want to say and what I want to talk about, to set the record straight. Because you get to a point where you get tired of people lying. I get tired of situations like this, where people completely lie on (sic) me and I’m sick of it. I want to set the record straight. I’m a black American and I’m proud of it. The bleached skin is a rumour. I don’t bleach my skin. I’m not gay.” – Micheal Jackson (1996)

WHAT HE PREACHES YOUR KIDS: You can be successful being stupid, shallow, coke head, junkie, pathological liar, vain, phedophile (especially if you have good lawyers and money to pay up victims), mutilate your face, and it’s ok to think the world revolves around you.

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6 YEAR OLDS OF THE WORLD WANTS TO FUCK A 109 YEAR OLD VAMPIRE (GREAT JOB RPatz and Stephanie Meyer)

It’s not hard to spot the “carriers” . You’ll usually see them reading gossip magazines about how awesome Robert Pattison is, a person who talks about celebrities, shoes, scientology, Jesus Christ, and tips they’ve read in Cosmopolitan magazine 24/7, people who straps themselves in a plane to blow up some buildings in New York and llamas. The ‘infected” will spontaneously combust if you include them in conversations that doesn’t revolve around Bradgelina, RPatz, or Louis Vuitton bags and if you mention the word “BOOK”, prepare yourself for some gooey brain explosion, it’s their kryptonite.

“Thats the worst thing, I dont really care if people say I’m a bad actor, I can like work on that, but if they just say that he’s ugly thats just like “oh.. really?” – Robert Pattinson

WHAT HE PREACHES YOUR KIDS: You can be successful being stupid, shallow, having no talent, and it’s ok to think the world revolves around you.

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PEREZ HILTON WHO?

In an article by Dana Irwin (10/26/2007) titled Why is Perez Hilton Famous? “Perez Hilton proves that some people can succeed on very little talent. Why is he famous? If any one of us were to write our musings of pop culture, would we soon be schmoozing with the very stars we write about? Perez Hilton is the 21st century’s version of the American Dream: becoming a celebrity for doing nothing but making stars quiver in their boots. It’s quite a long way to come for a poor boy born to Cuban immigrants in Miami.” “What is the allure of this site? It might be the snappy layout. Readers can skim all the celebrity gossip during a coffee break. The lack of text puts the rumors front and center, with no need for troublesome reading.” “In an age when some celebrities have more interesting private lives than careers, Perez Hilton has capitalized on the public’s desire to see the nasty underside of Hollywood. The sordid details of the not-so-private lives of Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton keep his site well-visited.” (emorywheel.com)

time.com announced Hilton’s blog one of the top 5 most Overrated Blogs of 2009 “This highly trafficked gossip blog, written by sometimes actor and fulltime celebrity hound Mario Lavandeira, mines the usual Jessica Simpson/Brad Pitt/Jennifer Anniston territory. But blog rivals like TMZ.com do a much better job at uncovering real celeb scoops and providing original video and documents. Leaving PerezHilton to serve up the stalest dish of all: yesterday’s celebrity news.”

I unfortunately bumped in the infamous Hilton Blog once a few months ago, I think Dana nailed it in the head, excuse the pun, it’s a no brainer, “STUPID PEOPLE (LIKE PEREZ HILTON) MADE HIM FAMOUS”, every time you click his blog, whether you like him or not is a “VOTE” to keep his stupidity in business. Like Jessica, Tyra, Palin, Britney, Ana, Bush, Paris, Rpatz, Lindsay, Miley- Mario Armando Lavandeira are the cover boys and girls of “YOU-CAN-SUCCEED-IN-LIFE-WITH-VERY-LITTLE-BRAIN-AND-VERY-LITTLE-TALENT,-OR-NONE-AT-ALL.”, they wear their ignorance like a badge of honor, while the rest of the world worships them and makes them more powerful and influential, making this earth a more stupid place to live in.

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SOLUTION:

Theres only one antidote to this plague of stupidity infecting mankind (if not prevented will be the ultimate cause of its own extinction like the dumb dinosaurs). Round up all the infected celebrities, send them to boot camp and ship them to IRAQ, PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN or wherever the hell OSAMA BIN LADEN is and let them hunt him down. This 00′s was also the decade of terrorism according to BUSH, it’ll be poetic to watch all this idiots bumble around in the mountains and caves of Pakistan looking for AMERICA’S NO# 1 ENEMY, that after a mind boggling decade of the most powerful nation in the world‘s “efforts” have captured and killed Saddam Hussein (who have nothing to do with 9/11), and Osama (the proclaimed mastermind of 9/11) is still running free with the llama’s in the mountains after 10 painfully long years. BRAVO Network should follow these dummies in the middle east and title the show “AMERICAS MOST STUPID HUNT OSAMA BIN LADEN REALITY SHOW”, hey if the Smartest Americans can’t capture one man, maybe a dozen of AMERICA’S MOST STUPID can, I’m sure Osama want’s an autograph of Britney Spears on his ass cheeks. Now if they survive the mission to capture Osama, they will truly deserve the hero-worship and adoration the kids of the world so generously gives them. After 9/11 less than a decade ago, Osama is in every cover of every magazine, the hottest celebrity in 2001, more popular than Robert Pattinson and the other celebrities combined, no contest, America said “We will never forget”, I think they did with the help of its stupid celebrities.

Bin Laden and Pattinson, this decades top coverboys.

RELATED ENTRIES: http://naiveboy.com/2009/11/04/fame-whore-generation/

http://naiveboy.com/2009/11/26/everybody-wants-to-fuck-edward-cullen-totally-by-navo/

info@navostudios.com

addressed to those who think., An Ode on the Death of Lord Byron, Ana Wintour, Arena Homme Plus, Brad Pitt, Buddha, Charles Caleb Colton, Chuck Palahniuk, Cosmopolitan magazine, Crash, David Cronenberg, Edward Norton, Fight Club, great 21st century hero, Imitation is the sincerest of flattery, James Ballard, James Spader, Jerry Maguire, Jesus Christ, Justin Timberlake, Lacon, Lope Navo, Madonna, Manny Pacquiao, Many Things in Few Words, Marco Dapper, MATE MAGAZINE, Modern Antiquity, Pac-Man, PEREZ HILTON, Steven Klein, The Conflagration of Moscow, Time Magazine Asia Edition, Tyler Durden, Vol. II

THE MAN WHO COPIED STEVEN KLEIN by Navo

In Arts, Editorial, Magazine, politics, viewpoints on December 21, 2009 at 1:01 am

THE MISUNDERSTOOD MR. COLTON

The widely misunderstood and misinterpreted Mr. Charles Caleb Colton (1780–1832) is well-known for his eccentricities. An English writer held up by scholars as an example of someone often quoted, yet rarely understood. Colton’s forgotten work includes books and collections of epigrammatic aphorisms and short essays on conduct, like Lacon, or Many Things in Few Words, addressed to those who think., Lacon, Vol. II, The Conflagration of Moscow, An Ode on the Death of Lord Byron, and an unpublished poem of 600 lines called Modern Antiquity, all of which has phenomenal popularity in Colton’s time. In the present-day Colton is one of the most quoted author since the twentieth century, and on the book Lacon, volume I, no. 183 is one of my most favorite quotes of all “Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.”

Like the Englishman, Mr. Colton I feel I am widely misunderstood and misinterpreted sometimes, and I seek refuge on books, books give me a high that no opium in the world can ever give, no critic in the world can ever sabotage, books don’t judge, it’s just there to nurture you, and to heal you, now I sound like a hippie, but being a “photographer” who shoots men with six packs or eight packs (its fun) like the rest of the fashion industry, I can’t help but feel “shallow”, especially when most of the people around you quotes “Madonna” and “Ana Wintour” like their “Jesus Christ” or “Buddha”, excuse the pun.

ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES, TOMORROW’S ANOTHER DAY

I’m working now on a novel that channels my creative energy, my juicy life experiences, my fantasies, my hopes, and my secrets into a book, I’m working with a published fiction author/ghostwriter and an editor to help me polish what I wrote and just hope it pays off. I remember writing about my mother for a short story contest back in highschool, if it’s any sign at all, I bagged the first prize, and I remember the judges actually thought it was written by a senior when I was a sophomore at that time, it was the same ART WEEK, I also got the first prize for a painting competition. And now I am a photographer who is trying another chance into that route I never took back in highschool. Filipino’s are known for being over-achievers, and thats how I grew up, to always give my 100% in everything, to be the best version of me, and I assure you it is a bittersweet struggle, the story of my life. Another thing Filipinos are known for, “they are all fighters”, they thrive on adversity, “Roll with the punches, tomorrow’s another day” like in the movie Jerry Maguire. The greatest and the most literal symbol of those punches is the island nation’s great 21st century hero, he is a fighter who always roll with the punches of life, known to boxing fans and aficionados of the world as “Pac-Man” and the cover boy of the latest Time Magazine Asia Edition, the unstoppable force in the boxing world, Manny Pacquiao. One of the inspiration for the latest cover of MATE MAGAZINE that I took in L.A. and out this month as their year ender for 2009, with the actor/model Marco Dapper.

NAVO: COPYCAT OR PAYING HOMAGE

I love the sadomasochistic film “Fight Club” (1999) based on the Chuck Palahniuk novel that starred Brad Pitt as Tyler Durden and Edward Norton as The Narrator, this film adaptation will always be on my top ten list of best movies in the last decades, I also love the David Cronenberg car-crash fetish film “Crash” (1996) based on the J.G. Ballard novel starring James Spader as James Ballard. Fire is also an important element in the novel that I’m working on, obviously I’m in the mood of burning things, creatively I’m on my “arsonist mode”. The Steven Klein Cover of Justin Timberlake for Arena Homme Plus that never got published to respect the 9/11 attack, they published an alternate cover without the US flag icon, and noted that along with the first cover choice on the inside page with this explanation. Now the million dollar question is, am I a copycat or paying homage? Let the years where my true inspirations talk, Fight Club was released 1999, Crash was 1996 and the Steven Klein’s “Alternate” Arena Homme Plus Cover was on 2001 (a pivotal year for most of us), whether Mr. Klein have seen Brad Pitt’s Fight Club and David Cronenberg’s Crash, one thing is for sure, Mr. Klein worked with Brad Pitt several times and I’m 100% sure he has seen it. Does Film, Magazines, Books and People inspire me?, YES. Do I love Steven Klein’s work?, YES. Is there a lot of “COSMOPOLITAN Magazine educated, PEREZ HILTON wannabee bloggers” out there? YES. Did I pay homage or I ripped off a Steven Klein? You’ll be the judge of that, along with the people who judged, misunderstood, and misinterpreted the man who coined “Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.”

http://www.stevenkleinstudio.com/www/index.html

http://www.mate-magazine.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manny_Pacquiao

RELATED ENTRY: http://naiveboy.com/2009/11/09/american-history-xxx-the-censored-works-of-mr-steven-klein-by-navo/

info@navostudios.com

7107 islands, ALLURE, Amazon.com, Anne Hathaway, Burj Al Arab Hotel, Caetano Veloso, California, Chef Todd Jacobs, Dubai, Elle, Esquire, French Connection, INTERVIEW, JFK airport, Jonas Brothers, Joseph Christopher, Josh Lucas, LaGuardia airport, Lifeguard on Duty, Lope Navo, Love's Labours Lost, Marie Claire, Matt Albiani, Matt Dillon, Mossimo Asia 2010, naiveboy.com, Nautica, OUT, Ralph Lauren, ROOM WITH THE KILLER VIEW, Scarlett Johanssen, Shakespeare, Target, Thailand, The Allegria Hotel & Spa, The Best Swimmer, Tommy Hilfiger, Vanity Fair, Victoria's Secret, Wild Wadi

ALLEGRIA + ALLEGRIA: SURFERS, LIFEGUARDS AND THE BEACH by Navo

In Arts, Books, Fashion, Travel on December 20, 2009 at 11:42 pm

SEVEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED SEVEN

7,107 islands, every time people ask me why I love using the beach as my backdrop on my photo shoots, I always thought it was the 7,107 islands. Before I was a naiveboy (.com) I was a beach boy, well I was born in a cosmopolitan city but my love for water brought me to most of that 7,107 islands, and as I travelled the world, the marvelous beaches of Dubai to the breathless beaches and islands of Thailand to the surfer-licious beaches of California, taking some photographs, friends and stories along with me, I might have taken 7,107 images in my life, 7,107 people I’ve exchanged smiles with, 7,107 stories that those people have, 7,107 surfers and lifeguards that have frolicked those beaches, my story that all started with the 5th longest coastline in the world and its 7,107 islands and this island boy.

Some of the images I have taken using the beach or resort as a backdrop all over the world.

Lifeguard on Duty by Matt Albiani

THE BEST SWIMMERS OF ALL THE LIFEGUARDS IN DUBAI

One thing I miss about Dubai most is every Friday morning (Dubai’s Sunday) my lifeguard friends who also happens to be surfers invite me to watch them do their morning (6am) swimming competition that starts on the beach and goes around the Burj Al Arab Hotel for several rounds and back to the beach again and yes theres a finish line of course, the winner have the bragging rights of “The Best Swimmer of all the lifeguards in Dubai”, considering the water is ice-cold at 6 am and the only 7-star hotel in the world only hires the cream of the crop (that is an understatement). After that, I join them for a hearty breakfast in a kitchen only for lifeguards under the Wild Wadi, which probably 7,107 tourist from around the world visits every day.

LIFEGUARD ON DUTY

Matt Albiani (on the right)

My favorite Birthday gift i received last December 15th, is probably the best photo book that came out in 2009 and one of my favorite photo book ever, Lifeguard on Duty by Matt Albiani, and I have 7,107 reasons to prove it. This is a sign that some of my writer friends actually knows my other world, which is totally the center of “gay” jokes whenever I hang out with them, “The Lope Navo Beach Beefcake Photography”. Shakespeare expressed a similar sentiment in Love’s Labours Lost (1588): “Good Lord Boyet, my beauty, though but mean, Needs not the painted flourish of your praise: Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye, Not utter’d by base sale of chapmen’s tongues”. A former New England lifeguard himself, photographer Albiani trekked up and down the coasts of America on a four-year journey with his eyes on the prize, the lifeguards, the beach boys on an endless summer that most of us wanted to be rescued by. Matt Albiani is a New York based photographer, has shot campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Victoria’s Secret, Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, French Connection, and Target, editorials for ELLE, MARIE CLAIRE, ESQUIRE, OUT, ALLURE, INTERVIEW, and VANITY FAIR. He has photographed celebrities like Scarlett Johanssen, Josh Lucas, Matt Dillon, Anne Hathaway, and most recently the Jonas Brothers. For $29.70 on amazon.com Lifeguard on Duty (Hardcover) by Matt Albiani is a steal, a great holiday gift I recommend, on the top 100 of 7,107 photo books ever published.

Mossimo Asia 2010 Campaign

ALLEGRIA + ALLEGRIA: ROOM WITH THE VIEW

“Alegria, Alegria” is proclaimed the Brazilian anthem of 1967 written and performed by Caetano Veloso that means “Joy, joy or happiness, happiness” For those of you familiar with my work, I have the pleasure and opportunity to shoot the Mossimo Asia 2010 campaign this year and like the previous Mossimo campaigns I’ve shot in the past, the billboards are popping out in South East Asia, most people who have seen the images thought it was shot in a luxury cruise ship, but my secret weapon behind it is a luxury Hotel & Spa only 25 miles from New York City and 15 minutes from JFK and LaGuardia airports, a sexy and luxurious seaside resort that served as the backdrop for the sexy 2010 campaign, The Allegria Hotel & Spa (allegriahotel.com). And yes, there are lifeguards everywhere that reminded me of the glorious shirtless gods in “Lifeguard on Duty by Matt Albiani”, where some of the images where actually photographed in Long Island and the Hamptons, probably why some of the friendly sun-kissed lifeguards that helped us in the Mossimo shoot looks familiar, you have to see them yourself, the beach beauties I mean and the 143 airy beach-chic rooms, the über chic Joseph Christopher for Beauty & Wellness (Opening early 2010), the world-famous, gourmet cuisine Chef Todd Jacobs’ and the sexiest views of the Atlantic, the “ROOM WITH THE KILLER VIEW”, literally. Another perfect holiday gift for those who appreciates the beauty of the beach and its endless summer, I can give you 7,107 reasons to experience it yourself, 7,107 people I exchanged smiles with, 7,107 stories that those people have, 7,107 surfers and lifeguards that have frolicked those beaches and this island boy will be holding a strawberry mojito 7,107 alegrias and 7,107 summers ahead.

Allegria Hotel & Spa

http://www.amazon.com/Lifeguard-Duty-Matt-Albiani/dp/1576875016

http://www.mattalbiani.com/

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/realestate/11lizo.html

http://www.allegriahotel.com/index.cfm

http://allegriablog.blogspot.com/

RELATED ENTRY: http://naiveboy.com/2009/11/11/erect-phallic-symbols-of-dubai-by-navo/

info@navostudios.com

A Scanner Darkly, Alien, Black Hawk Down, Blade Runner, Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, DANGEROUSLY NAIVE, Diasec Process, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, George Walton Lucas, Ghost in the Shel, Gladiator, Harakiri, Hayao Miyazaki, Inglourious Basterds, Jaws, Jr., Jurassic Park, Kill Bil, Kwaidan, La Nuit des temps, Le Grand Secret, Lope Navo, Mamoru Oshii, Masaki Kobayashi, Million Dollar Baby, Mystic River, Philip Kindred Dick, photography, Princess Mononoke, Pulp Fiction, Quentin Jerome Tarantino, Quentin LÎnw, Raiders of the Lost Ark, René Barjavel, Reservoir Dogs, Samurai Rebellion, Sir Ridley Scott, Spirited Away, Star Wars, Steven Allan Spielberg, Thelma & Louise, Une Rose au Paradis, Unforgiven, VALIS

QUENTIN LÎNW’S TEN VISIONARIES by Navo

In Arts, Icons, Top Ten, photography on December 11, 2009 at 8:06 pm

(FR) “You are what you eat”, the basic idea behind my exclusive “TOP TENS” here in Dangerously Naive, and you’ll be seeing a lot of them, it’s is my take on the one-on-one interview that you usually see on different blogs and articles, I just thought you’ll get to know more of the artist the moment you discover the things that inspires them. Today we are featuring some of the works and inspiration of my good friend, French visual artist Quentin LÎnw, born in 1983 in South-West of France where he is based at the moment. LÎnw devoted his photographic work mixing numerical technologies with the more traditional special effects since 2005. Mixing surrealism, humour and darkness here are some of LÎnw’s latest work and his TOP TEN VISIONARIES that inspires him.

Recent prints are made in Diasec Process Large of ~100cm

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LÎNW’S 10 VISIONARIES (in random order)

1. 小林正樹 Masaki Kobayashi
(February 14, 1916–October 4, 1996)
Japanese director
Kwaidan (1965)
Harakiri (1962)
Samurai Rebellion (1967)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaki_Kobayashi

2. René Barjavel
(January 24, 1911 – November 24, 1985)
French author
Journalist
Critic
Ravage (1943)
Le Grand Secret (1973)
La Nuit des temps (1968)
Une Rose au Paradis (1981)
Le Voyageur imprudent (1943)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Barjavel

3. Clinton “Clint” Eastwood, Jr.
(born May 31, 1930)
American actor
Film director
Film producer
Composer
Five Academy Awards
Five Golden Globe Awards
Unforgiven (1992)
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Mystic River (2003)
Letters from Iwo Jima (2007)
In the Line of Fire (1993)
The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
Gran Torino (2008)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clint_Eastwood

4. Sir Ridley Scott
(born 30 November 1937)
English film director
Producer
The Duellists (1977)
Alien (1979)
Blade Runner (1982)

Thelma & Louise (1991)

Gladiator (2000)
Black Hawk Down(2007)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridley_Scott

5. Steven Allan Spielberg
(born December 18, 1946)
American film director
Screenwriter
Film producer
Academy Award for Best Director for 1993′s Schindler’s List
Academy Award for Best Director for 1998′s Saving Private Ryan
Jaws (1975)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Jurassic Park (1993)
Forbes magazine places Spielberg’s personal net worth at $3.0 billion
Time Magazine’s 100 Most Important People of the Century
Life Magazine’s Most Influential Person of his Generation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Spielberg

6. 宮崎駿 Hayao Miyazaki
(born January 5, 1941)
Japanese filmmaker
Co-founder of Studio Ghibli
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Spirited Away (2001)
Time Magazine Most Influential Asians of the past 60 years
Time 100 Most Influential People 2005

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayao_Miyazaki

7. Philip Kindred Dick
(December 16, 1928 – March 2, 1982)
American novelist
Short story writer
Essayist
A Scanner Darkly (1977)
VALIS (1981)
The Man in the High Castle (1962)
Hugo Award for Best Novel (1963)
Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said (1974)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_K._Dick

8. George Walton Lucas, Jr.
(born May 14, 1944)
American film producer
Screenwriter
Director
Chairman of Lucasfilm Ltd.
Star Wars (1977)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Estimated net worth of $3.0 billion as of 2009

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Lucas

9. 押井守 Mamoru Oshii
(born August 8, 1951 in Tokyo)
Japanese filmmaker
Writer

Ghost in the Shell (1981)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamoru_Oshii

10. Quentin Jerome Tarantino
(born March 27, 1963)
American film director
Screenwriter
Producer
Cinematographer
Actor
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Kill Bill (Vol. 1, 2003; Vol. 2, 2004)
Death Proof (2007)
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Academy Awards Nomination

Golden Globe Nomination

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Tarantino

http://www.lenw.org/

Slick 2009

http://www.104.fr/

http://www.slick-paris.com/

Related Entry: http://naiveboy.com/2009/10/08/the-ten-male-beauties-of-all-time-by-photographer-navo/

Lope Navo, DANGEROUSLY NAIVE, Helmut Newton, Eyes of Laura Mars, Meryl Streep, Philippines, 10 GREATEST FILMS ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHERS, L. B. 'Jeff' Jefferies, Billy Kwan, Harlen Maguire, Dick Avery, Jude Law, Patrick Wilson, Bradley Cooper, Clint Eastwood, James Stewart, Fred Astaire, Robin Williams, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Faye Dunaway, Academy Awards, Rear Window, Alfred Hitchcock, The Year of Living Dangerously, Mel Gibson, Linda Hunt, Road to Perdition, Tom Hanks, Closer, Hard Candy, Ellen Page, One Hour Photo, Cidade de Deus, The Midnight Meat Train, Funny Face, Audrey Hepburn, The Bridges of Madison County, Under Fire, Nick Nolte, Salvador, James Woods, Photographing Fairies, Toby Stephens, High Art, Ally Sheedy, Blow - Up, David Hemmings

THE TEN: GREATEST FILMS ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHERS by Navo

In Movies, Top Ten, my novel, photography on December 6, 2009 at 4:38 am

DAMN, I NEED TO HIT THE GYM AGAIN

Why did I become a photographer? Do I really love taking pictures or I just like the idea of being a “photographer”? Do I have the right reasons for my passion and obsession for this hobby, for this job? Can a person fake his talent, his eye, his happiness, his vision? Can I just act like a photographer for decades, for the rest of my life and get away with it? Can I just be easily a photographer the moment I invest in a digital camera? I think the most important question is - CAN I FOOL MYSELF AND THE WORLD? I was 18 when I took my first pictures in art school, that was right after I gave up painting and writing and focused on my photography and after a couple of years worked as a graphic designer in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, later Hong Kong, my designing job supported my love for travelling and documenting them, the skylines, the people, the parties, the beaches, the friends, then one day got tapped in Dubai to shoot a DSquared2 advertorial and the rest is history as they say, that was roughly 6 years ago, and the first 3 years was a slow pace into the transition to photography and giving up graphic design altogether, once you learn to love something you need more time to care for them, being a camera person keeps me busy and occupies most of my days for the past years, I take portraits of beautiful people, “Damn, I need to hit the gym again” is the no# 1 reaction to my work, especially with men, I don’t know if thats a good sign, but for some reason I think I should get a commission to all the countless gym memberships I sold, I take pictures of men like I take pictures of buildings, they have to look magnificent, naked, architectural and mysterious.

THE ARTIST & THE POLITICIAN

It’s been a work in progress and a never-ending learning and developing my style that I could call my own, I thrive on adversity, makes life more interesting and journal-worthy. But like any other industries, you don’t only have to worry about your trade and your own business, the industry of beautiful people is also filled with the nasties, politics is deeply entrenched in the very structure of the fashion industry machine. There’s more politics in the fashion house than the white house, and half the wit and education, thats the irony. Thousands of very talented individuals, countless photographers gave up the battle, lensmen who loves photography to their bones, but hates the politics, artists who can’t stomach it, or just basically not built for it. Everytime you look at a billboard in Time Square, you can’t help but wonder, what this people behind this beautiful pictures have to give up, have to sell, have to kill to get this job? Yes, gone are the days when photography is only about taking good pictures, knowing the camera, going to an art school or just get a Photography for Dummies book, it’s not only about lenses and tripods and reflectors, it’s not only about models and lighting and creativity anymore. You have to be a hustler, a mobster, a bully, a pimp, a thief or a prostitute to be on the top of the foodchain, and unfortunately there’s no university in the world you can learn Fashion Industry Politics or even a Fashion Politics for Dummies book.

MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN, THE SEQUEL

L. B. ‘Jeff’ Jefferies, Diane Arbus, Billy Kwan, Laura Mars, Harlen Maguire, Dick Avery, Anna Cameron, Jeff Kohlver, Seymour ‘SY’ Parrish, Lucy Berliner, Alexandre Rodrigues, Russell Price , Charles Castle, Robert Kincaid and Richard Boyle are some of the most unforgettable characters that I’ve ever seen in the silver screen and there’s one thread that binds them all together. The hunky thespians (some of my favorite actors today)—Jude Law (Sherlock Holmes 2009), Patrick Wilson (Watchmen 2009), and Bradley Cooper (Hangover 2009), cinematic legends—Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino 2008), James Stewart (The Man Who Knew Too Much 1956), Fred Astaire (The Sky’s the Limit 1943) and Robin Williams (Mrs. Doubtfire 1993), and Hollywood megastars—Nicole Kidman (The Portrait of a Lady 1996), Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman 1990), and Faye Dunaway (Bonnie and Clyde 1967) have something in common. They will always be my personal favorite actors, because they played once in their remarkable careers a role with bravado, grace and intelligence—the role of a photographer.

If your life is a movie, will it be a Romance? A Thriller, a Mystery or Crime saga? Perhaps Drama, a War or Adventure Epic? A Horror or a Comedy? A Musical or an Action Sci-fi? Some people who thinks they know me (the Frenemies**) will say my life is a downright HORROR movie, a gay psychopath monster photographer who makes everyone’s lives miserable, sounds like “The Midnight Meat Train, The Sequel” to me, some people say I’m also DRAMATIC, so i guess, there’s a possible bromance lurking between the bloodbath, my life has been casualy summarized into a D-list cult flick in the 70′s.

OSCARS LOVES SHUTTER BUGS

Obviously film and photography are close relatives both use film or digital cameras to capture the world as they see it and tell their different stories. The Academy Awards (Oscars) obviously loves photographers, most films featured on the list are either nominated or have won a major award, most of them for their roles as photographers, many iconic and important films all over the world revolves around that guy (or girl) holding a 35mm, whether they’re risking their lives to reveal a monster of war or a revolution, psychopatic photographers tracking or stalking the protagonist or a photographer tracking a psychopath, fashion photographers having illicit and scandalous sexual affairs, shutter bugs falling in love with their muse or just becoming obsessed with their subjects, or a combination of all that, these are the characters that have helped millions of moviegoers around the globe (including me) a glimpse into the life of the imaginary, the gritty, the tender, the romantic, the obscene, the savage, the genius and the human—the photographer.

**a future article you’ll find here in Dangerously Naive.

Rear Window (1954)
Through his rear window and the eye of his powerful camera he watched a great city tell on itself, expose its cheating ways…and Murder!

The legend Alfred Hitchcock exerted full potential of suspense in this masterpiece. Could easily be my favorite movie of all time. James Stewart as L. B. ‘Jeff’ Jefferies, a wheelchair bound photographer spies on his neighbours from his apartment window and becomes convinced one of them has committed murder. Grace Kelly co-stars as Jeff’s girlfriend Lisa Carol Fremont. Nominated for 4 Oscars (Best Cinematography, Color – Robert Burks, Best Director – Alfred Hitchcock, Best Sound, Recording – Loren L. Ryder, Paramount, Best Writing, Screenplay – John Michael Hayes and other 4 wins and 5 nominations.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Writers: John Michael Hayes (screenplay) Cornell Woolrich (short story “It Had to Be Murder”)
Release Date: 14 January 1955 (Japan)
Genre: Crime | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

The Year of Living Dangerously (1983)
A Love Caught In The Fire Of Revolution.

A young Australian journalist (on his first job as a foreign correspondent), Guy Hamilton (played by Mel Gibson) tries to navigate the political turmoil of Indonesia during the rule of President Sukarno with the help of a half- Chinese dwarf photographer Billy Kwan as Guy’s local photographer contact, a role for which Linda Hunt won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Jill Bryant (Sigourney Weaver) as Guy’s love interest, a British Embassy officer. Combining political intrigue, steamy romance, and engaging characters, Peter Weir’s well-crafted, highly enjoyable adventure is one of the few successful efforts to make a Casablanca-like movie for modern audiences. The film was shot in both Australia and the Philippines. An Oscar win and other 7 wins & 15 nominations. Also on the list of my all time favorite classics.

Director: Peter Weir
Writers: C.J. Koch (novel) C.J. Koch (screenplay)
Release Date: 21 January 1983 (USA)
Genre: Drama | Romance | War

Road to Perdition (2002)
Pray for Michael Sullivan.

Jude Law as Harlen Maguire a psychopathic assassin who likes to photograph his victims, Harlen tracks hitman Michael Sullivan Sr. (Tom Hanks) and son in Illinois during the Great Depression. Paul Newman (in his final theatrical screen appearance) as John Rooney, an Irish American organized crime boss of Sullivan Sr., and Daniel Craig as Connor Rooney, the crime boss’s son. A story that had minimal dialogue and conveyed emotion in the imagery. Somber, stately, and beautifully mounted, Sam Mendes’ Road to Perdition is a well-crafted mob movie that explores the ties between fathers and sons. Winning several awards, 17 wins & 51 nominations, including the Academy Award for Best Cinematography win, and nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role- Paul Newman. One of the best film produced this decade in my list.

Director: Sam Mendes
Writers (WGA): Max Allan Collins (graphic novel) and Richard Piers Rayner (graphic novel)
Release Date: 12 July 2002 (USA)
Genre: Adventure | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Closer (2004)
If you believe in love at first sight, you never stop looking.

Julia Roberts as Anna Cameron, a quietly independent divorce and successful art/portrait photographer, Jude Law as Dan, a thoughtful but unsuccessful novelist and journalist, who authors a book about Jane (Natalie Portman), a gorgeous young runaway from New York’s seedy sex industry, and Clive Owen as Larry, a dermatologist with the lust and manners of a soccer hooligan. The plot revolves around the infatuation of the couples for one another, an elaborate character study of two London couples as they engage in an ultimate game of partner swapping. The film was recognized with several awards and nominations, including Oscar nominations (and Golden Globe wins) for both Portman and Owen for their performances in supporting roles, and other 8 wins & 20 nominations.

Director: Mike Nichols
Writers (WGA): Patrick Marber (play) Patrick Marber (screenplay)
Release Date: 3 December 2004 (USA)
Genre: Drama | Romance more

Hard Candy (2005)
Strangers shouldn’t talk to little girls.

After three weeks chatting with the 32-year old fashion/portrait photographer Jeff Kohlver (Patrick Wilson - Watchmen 2009) ‘Lensmaster319′ in Internet, the mature 14-year old Hayley Stark (Ellen Page – Juno 2007) finally meets. Suspecting that he is a pedophile, she goes to his home in an attempt to expose him. The first feature film for director David Slade, who previously had worked mostly in music videos. Disturbing, controversial, but entirely engrossing, a well written with strong lead performances. A movie that stays with the viewer long after leaving the theater, garnering 5 wins & 6 nominations in different award giving body.

Director: David Slade
Writer (WGA): Brian Nelson (written by)
Release Date: 14 April 2006 (USA) more
Genre: Drama | Thriller more

________

One Hour Photo (2002)
The things that we fear the most have already happened to us...

Robin Williams as Seymour ‘SY’ Parrish, a creepy photo developer and photographer. He has a vast knowledge of modern photography and develops photos at a one-hour photo lab in a local department store and becomes obsessed with one of his customers, a young suburban family, the dad, Will Yorkin (Michael Vartan), the mom Nina Yorkin (Connie Nielsen) and their kid. Williams won a Saturn Award for Best Actor (2003) for his work in the film, other 5 wins and 14 nominations.

Director: Mark Romanek
Writer (WGA): Mark Romanek
Release Date: 13 September 2002 (USA)
Genre: Drama | Thriller

Cidade de Deus/ City of God (2002)
If you run you’re dead…if you stay, you’re dead again. Period.

Based on a true story, a shocking and disturbing, but always compelling story of two boys growing up in a violent neighborhood slums of Rio de Janeiro take different paths: one becomes a photographer (Alexandre Rodrigues as Buscapé – Rocket), the other a drug dealer (Leandro Firmino as Zé Pequeno – Li’l Zé). The story is told through eyes of Buscapé, a poor young fisherman’s son who dreams of becoming a photographer one day. The film received four Academy Award nominations in 2004: Best Cinematography (César Charlone), Best Directing (Meirelles), Best Editing (Daniel Rezende) and Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) (Mantovani). Before that, in 2003 it had been chosen to be Brazil’s runner for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, but it was not nominated to be one of the five finalists.

Directors: Fernando Meirelles Kátia Lund (co-director)
Writers: Paulo Lins (novel) Bráulio Mantovani (screenplay)
Release Date: 2002 (Russia)
Genre: Action | Crime | Drama

________

The Midnight Meat Train (2008)
The most terrifying ride you’ll ever take.

Bradley Cooper as Leon, a documentary/art photographer who attempts to track down a serial killer named Mahogany (Vinnie Jones) dubbed the “Subway Butcher” and discovers more than he bargained for under the city streets of New York. A creative and energetic adaptation of a Clive Barker 1984 short story of the same name (which can be found in Volume One of Barker’s collection Books of Blood), with enough scares and thrills to be a potential cult classic. 4 wins in different categories.

Director: Ryûhei Kitamura
Writers (WGA): Jeff Buhler (screenplay)
Clive Barker (short story “The Midnight Meat Train”)
Release Date: 7 August 2008 (Russia)
Genre: Crime | Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Funny Face (1957)

Fred Astaire as Dick Avery, a fashion photographer in search for an intellectual backdrop for an air-headed model, expropriates a Greenwich Village bookstore. When the photo session is over the store is left in a shamble, sales girl Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn) comes to the rescue. They offer Jo a modeling contract, which she reluctantly accepts only because it includes a trip to Paris. Eventually, her snobbish attitude toward the job softens, and Jo begins to enjoy the work and the company of her handsome photographer. Richard Avedon designed the opening title sequence and consulted on the film, and Bill Avery was the still photographer. Nominated for 4 Oscars and other win & 5 nominations.

Director: Stanley Donen
Writer: Leonard Gershe (written by)
Release Date: 13 February 1957 (USA)
Genre: Romance | Comedy | Musical

________

The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

Clint Eastwood as Robert Kincaid, a photographer in the farmlands of Iowa on assignment for National Geographic magazine and wanders into the life of a bored, middle-aged Italian housewife Francesca Johnson (Meryl Streep), for four days in the 1960s. They fall in love, but she’s married with children. A film adaptation of Robert James Waller’s wildly popular, bestselling novel. Eastwood and Streep, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1996 for her performance in the film, other 6 wins & 6 nominations.

Director: Clint Eastwood
Writers (WGA): Richard LaGravenese (screenplay) Robert James Waller (novel)
Release Date: 2 June 1995 (USA)
Genre: Drama | Romance

Under Fire (1983)
This wasn’t their war but it was their story…and they wouldn’t let it go!

Nick Nolte as Russell Price , a star photographer, one of the journalists in a romantic triangle are involved in political intrigue during the last days of the corrupt Somozoa regime in Nicaragua before it falls to a popular revolution in 1979. Ed Harris as Oates and Gene Hackman as Alex Grazier. Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Writers: Clayton Frohman (screenplay) Clayton Frohman (story)
Release Date: 21 October 1983 (USA)
Genre: Drama | War

________

Salvador (1986)

James Woods as Richard Boyle , an American photojournalist down on his luck in the US, drives to El Salvador to chronicle the events of the 1980 Salvadoran civil war. While trying to get footage, he becomes entangled with both leftist guerrillas and the right-wing military. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Woods) and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (Stone and Boyle), and other 3 wins & 6 nominations

Director: Oliver Stone
Writers: Oliver Stone (written by) and Rick Boyle (writer)
Release Date: 23 April 1986 (USA)
Genre: Biography | Drama | Thriller | War

Photographing Fairies (1997)

Toby Stephens as Charles Castle, a photographer numbed with grief after the sudden death of his young wife, devotes himself to his work as a photographer in World War I. Charles is given some photographs purporting to be of fairies. His search for the truth leads him to Burkinwell, a seemingly peaceful village seething with secrets where he becomes drawn into a web of passion, romance and violence. Ben Kingsley as Reverend Templeton. 5 wins and 3 nominations.

Director: Nick Willing
Writers: Chris Harrald (written by) Steve Szilagyi (book)
Release Date: 19 September 1997 (UK)
Genre: Drama | Fantasy | Mystery

________

High Art (1998)
A story of ambition, sacrifice, seduction and other career moves.

Ally Sheedy as Lucy Berliner, a very talented drug-addicted lesbian photographer that contributes with high-art photography magazine Frame meets a young female intern for the magazine, Sydney ‘Syd’ (Radha Mitchell) both of whom seek to exploit each other for their respective careers, while slowly falling in love with each other. Berliner’s photography (Sheedy) was based on Nan Goldin‘s work. The photographs themselves were made by Jojo Whilden. 7 wins and 14 nominations.

Director: Lisa Cholodenko
Writer: Lisa Cholodenko (writer)
Release Date: 12 June 1998 (USA)
Genre: Drama | Romance

10.

Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)

Faye Dunaway as Laura Mars, a very successful high-end fashion and advertising photographer and Tommy Lee Jones as Detective John Neville notes striking similarities between her art photos and those of real crime scenes. The screenplay, adapted from a spec script titled Eyes, written by John Carpenter, was Carpenter’s first major studio film. Producer Jon Peters, who was dating Barbra Streisand at the time, bought the screenplay as a starring vehicle for the actress, but Streisand eventually decided not to take the role because of “the kinky nature of the story”, as Peters later explained. The role went to Dunaway, who had just won an Oscar for her performance in Network. It was shot entirely in New York and New Jersey. The famous sequence where the Laura Mars character photographs a group of models against a backdrop of two burning cars was filmed over four days at New York’s Columbus Circle. Gallery Exhibition Images of Laura Mars are shot by Helmut Newton. Despite its lukewarm critical reception, the film was a box office hit, earning $20M off of a $7M budget, 1 win and 1 nomination.

Director: Irvin Kershner
Writers: John Carpenter (screenplay) and David Zelag Goodman (screenplay)
Release Date: 2 August 1978 (USA)
Genre: Horror | Mystery | Thriller

________

Blow – Up (1966)

David Hemmings as Thomas, a successful mod photographer in London whose world is bounded by fashion, pop music, marijuana, and easy sex, feels his life is boring and despairing. But in the course of a single day he frolics with young models, then meets the mysterious Jane (Vanessa Redgrave), he accidentally captures on film the commission of a murder. The film was nominated for 2 Oscars and other 7 wins and 4 nominations.

Director: Michelangelo Antonioni
Writers: Michelangelo Antonioni (story) Julio Cortázar (short story)
Release Date: 18 December 1966 (USA)
Genre: Drama | Mystery | Thriller

________

Other film’s that centers around the life of a lensman:

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Scarlett Johansson as Cristina (photographer)
Javier Bardem as Juan Antonio Gonzalo

Penélope Cruz as Maria Elena

Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006)

Nicole Kidman as Diane Arbus (photographer)

Robert Downey Jr. as Lionel Sweeney

Mad Dog and Glory (2000)

Gentlemen’s Relish (2001) (TV)

No Small Affair (1984)

Stardom (2000)

Head in the Clouds (2004)

Femme Fatale (2002)

The Notorious Bettie Page (2005)

Fairy Tale: A True Story (1997)

The Photographer (2000)

Harrison’s Flowers (2002)

The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996)

Catch & Release (2007)

Pecker (1998)

________

“Whether he is an artist or not, the photographer is a joyous sensualist, for the simple reason that the eye traffics in feelings, not in thoughts.”

- Walker Evans, American Photographer (1903-1975)

Related Entry: http://naiveboy.com/2009/11/06/armed-with-saliva-by-navo/

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Dangerously Naive blog, Errikos Andreou, errikosandreou.com, George Nikolaidis, Greece, Lope Navo, male model, men's fashion, naiveboy.com, photography, QUITTE A T'AIMER

QUITTE A T’AIMER by Errikos Andreou

In Fashion, photography on December 5, 2009 at 8:27 am

QUITTE A T’AIMER

(shot exclusively for NAIVEBOY.COM)

Photographer: Errikos Andreou @ http://www.errikosandreou.com/

Model: George Nikolaidis

Related Entry: http://naiveboy.com/2009/11/25/sweet-child-of-mine-by-errikos-andreou/

Lope Navo, DANGEROUSLY NAIVE, naiveboy.com, Tate Modern, artists, collectors, gallerists, curators, museum directors, foundation directors, critic, ArtReview Power 100, ArtReview magazine, eflux.com, Profession, Gender, Nationality, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Glenn D. Lowry, Museum Robert Walser, Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, Serpentine Gallery, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Sir Nicholas Serota, Whitechapel Gallery, Museum of Modern Art, Oxford, Turner Prize jury, Daniel Birnbaum, Städelschule, Portikus, Frankfurt, Larry Gagosian, Gagosian Gallery, François Pinault, Forbes List of billionaires, Artemis S.A., Converse shoes, Samsonite luggage, Château Latour, the Vail Ski Resort in Colorado, Christie's auction house, Executive Life, Eli Broad, SunAmerica, Anton Vidokle, Julieta Aranda, Brian Kuan Wood, Iwona Blazwick, Whitechapel Art Gallery, Bruce Nauman, Contemporary American artist

WE ARE LIVING IN A WHITE MAN’S ART/WORLD by Navo

In Arts, politics, viewpoints on November 29, 2009 at 2:05 am

1. Influence over the production of art internationally.

2. Sheer financial clout.

3. Activity in the previous 12 months.

Above are the three criterion where the entrees of artists, collectors, gallerists, curators, auction houses, politicians, museum directors, foundation directors, critics, talkshow hosts, and websites are ranked. A panel of international experts making the selections published yearly for the ArtReview Power 100 in the November issue of ArtReview magazine. Basing from the results, the most influential figure in the artworld in 2009 is a WHITE MALE ** (no surprise there) the diagrams of Profession, Gender, and Nationality below clearly shows that the people who dominates the Art Industry are the “WHITE AMERICAN MALE GALLERIST”. Its really hard to be a minority in every single sector of the world’s industries, in the top 10 alone, a Mexican Female “Julieta Aranda” of e-flux.com shared the #8 spot with a Russian and an American Male, #9 spot goes to a White Female, the rest of the top 10 including the #1 spot goes to the White Men (4 White Americans and 5 White Europeans), 94% of the list are Caucasians, Asia and South America is 6% combined on the Power 100. This numbers means a lot of things, the shakers and movers of the artworld are strongly dominated by one Race and one Gender in the history of the world, who will be the next Pollock? Warhol? Picasso? (all white men) as an evidence, the most powerful artist in the world now according to ART REVIEW MAGAZINE in 2009 is another caucasian male in the name of Bruce Nauman, a contemporary American artist from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Although the leader of the “most powerful” nation in the world at the moment is a “half-White”, like any other industries (Fashion, Architecture, Politics, Media, Web, Finance, Real Estate, Medicine, Science, Literature, and Religion) Art is of no exception, is it just a mere universal coincidence that the White Man decides what is”art” and its price tag? or am I just dangerously naive?

**a future article you’ll find here in Dangerously Naive.

Profession 2008/2009

Gender

Nationality

______________

1. Hans Ulrich Obrist

Category: Curator

Nationality: Swiss

Race: Caucasian

Gender: Male

Last year: 35

- Founder of the Museum Robert Walser.
- Curator of the Migrateurs program at the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris for contemporary art.
- Co-Director, Exhibitions and Programmes and Director of International Projects at the Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, in London.

______________

2. Glenn D. Lowry

Category: Museum Director

Nationality: American

Race: Caucasian

Gender: Male

Last year: 3

- Director of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.

______________

3. Sir Nicholas Serota

Category: Museum Director

Nationality: British

Race: Caucasian

Gender: Male

Last year: 4

- Director of the Whitechapel Gallery, London.
- Director of the Museum of Modern Art, Oxford.
- Director of the Tate, the United Kingdom’s national gallery of modern and British art in 1988.
- Awarded a knighthood in 1999.
- Chairman of the Turner Prize jury.
- Driving force behind the creation of Tate Modern, which opened in 2000.

______________

4. Daniel Birnbaum

Category: Curator

Nationality: Swedish

Race: Caucasian

Gender: Male

Last year: 13

- Principal of the Städelschule in Frankfurt am Main.
- Director of the exhibition centre Portikus, Frankfurt.

______________

5. Larry Gagosian

Category: Gallerist

Nationality: American

Race: Caucasian

Gender: Male

Last year: 2

- American art dealer who owns the Gagosian Gallery chain of art galleries.

Locations:
- New York City (Madison Avenue, West 24th St. and 21st St.)
- London (Britannia and Davies Streets)
- Los Angeles (Beverly Hills)
- Rome
- Athens

______________

6. François Pinault

Category: Collector

Nationality: French

Race: Caucasian

Gender: Male

Last year: 8

- Billionaire French businessman who runs the retail company PPR.
- Forbes List of billionaires (2008) he is ranked 39th in the world, with an estimated fortune of US$16.9 billion.
- His holding company Artemis S.A., owns Converse shoes, Samsonite luggage, Château Latour, the Vail Ski Resort in Colorado, and Christie’s auction house, Executive Life (now Aurora Life) in California.
- Owns one of the biggest collections of contemporary art worldwide.

______________

7. Eli Broad

Category: Collector

Nationality: American

Race: Caucasian

Gender: Male

Last year: 10

- American billionaire who presently resides in Los Angeles, California.
- Known for his philanthropy and extensive art collection.
- Founder of the financial giant SunAmerica.
- Ranked by Forbes as the 93-richest person in the world, with an estimated current net worth of around $5.2 billion.

______________

8. Anton Vidokle, Julieta Aranda & Brian Kuan Wood (http://www.e-flux.com/)

Category: Website

Nationality: Russian, Mexican, American

Race: Caucasian, Hispanic, Caucasian

Gender: Male, Female, Male

Last year: Reentry (99 in 2004)

- Founders/creators of e-flux (eflux.com) is an international network which reaches more than 50,000 visual art professionals on a daily basis through its website, e-mail list and special projects, based in New York.

______________

9. Iwona Blazwick

Category: Museum Director

Nationality: British

Race: Caucasian

Gender: Female

Last year: 76

- Director of the Whitechapel Art Gallery in London.
- Head of Exhibitions and Displays at Tate Modern.

______________

10. Bruce Nauman

Category: Artist

Nationality: American

Race: Caucasian

Gender: Male

Last year: 45

- Contemporary American artist. His practice spans a broad range of media including sculpture, photography, neon, video, drawing, printmaking, and performance.

______________

11. Iwan Wirth
12. David Zwirner
13. Jeff Koons
14. Jay Jopling
15. Marian Goodman
16. Agnes Gund
17. Takashi Murakami
18. Alfred Pacquement
19. Peter Fischli & David Weiss
20. Mike Kelley
21. Barbara Gladstone
22. Steven A. Cohen
23. Dominique Lévy & Robert Mnuchin
24. Adam D. Weinberg
25. Marc Glimcher
26. Amy Cappellazzo & Brett Gorvy
27. Cheyenne Westphal & Tobias Meyer
28. Ann Philbin
29. Matthew Higgs
30. Matthew Marks
31. Tim Blum & Jeff Poe
32. Gavin Brown
33. Ralph Rugoff
34. Liam Gillick
35. Anne Pasternak
36. Dakis Joannou
37. John Baldessari
38. Isa Genzken
39. Paul McCarthy
40. Michael Govan
41. Eugenio López
42. Cindy Sherman
43. Ai Weiwei
44. Patricia Phelps de Cisneros
45. Annette Schönholzer & Marc Spiegler
46. Diedrich Diederichsen
47. Richard Prince
48. Damien Hirst
49. Bernard Arnault
50. Massimiliano Gioni
51. Amanda Sharp & Matthew Slotover
52. Joel Wachs
53. Victor Pinchuk
54. Udo Kittelmann
55. Marina Abramović
56. Michael Ringier
57. Gerhard Richter
58. Richard Serra
59. RoseLee Goldberg
60. Kasper König
61. Roberta Smith
62. Monika Sprüth & Philomene Magers
63. Germano Celant
64. Emmanuel Perrotin
65. Peter Schjeldahl
66. Beatrix Ruf
67. Okwui Enwezor
68. Nicolas Bourriaud
69. Karen & Christian Boros
70. Isabelle Graw
71. Maurizio Cattelan
72. Charles Saatchi
73. Jerry Saltz
74. Jasper Johns
75. Louise Bourgeois
76. Thaddaeus Ropac
77. Mera & Don Rubell
78. Thelma Golden
79. Sarah Morris
80. Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev
81. Anita & Poju Zabludowicz
82. Paul Schimmel
83. Jose, Alberto & David Mugrabi
84. Sadie Coles
85. Daniel Buchholz
86. Victoria Miro
87. Maureen Paley
88. Johann König
89. Nicolai Wallner
90. Maria Lind
91. Massimo De Carlo
92. Mario Cristiani, Lorenzo Fiaschi & Maurizio Rigillo
93. Rirkrit Tiravanija
94. Toby Webster
95. Long March Space
96. Nicholas Logsdail
97. Harry Blain & Graham Southern
98. Claire Hsu
99. Peter Nagy
100. Glenn Beck

_________

info@navostudios.com

Lope Navo, DANGEROUSLY NAIVE, naiveboy.com, Jaiden Jeremy James, London, CLAIRE DE ROUEN'S BOOK STORE, SOUTHBANK, Tate Modern, BFI, London film festival, Haywood Gallery, Warhol, Longo, Ruscha, THE ROYAL COURT, PONYSTEP, JOINERS ARM'S, FASHION RETAIL ACADEMY, Philip Green, TOPSHOP, SOMERSET HOUSE, London Fashion Week, Showstudio Exhibition, INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART, SHOREDITCH, Nash House, Tracy Emin, Gilbert & George, Dazed & Confused, Fashion East, I-D, Boombox, George & the Dragon, Joiners

LONDON ANONYMOUS by Jaiden Jeremy James

In Fashion, Top Ten, Travel on November 28, 2009 at 10:38 pm

(UK) They say the best way to know a city’s nooks and krannies is through its locals, I couldn’t agree more, Dangerously Naive‘s favorite Londoner graced us with his favorite visionaries last week (http://naiveboy.com/2009/11/21/ten-visionaries-of-jaiden-jeremy-james-by-navo/), and today he’s giving us an exclusive personal first class tour of his favorite spots to be seen or be incognito in London Town.

1. CLAIRE DE ROUEN’S BOOK STORE on charing x road for all the latest books and specialist magazines.

125 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0EA London
+442072871813

Mon-Fri, 10:00–18:30; Sat, 10:00–18:00

www.clairederouenbooks.com

2. SOUTHBANK for my cultural fix it is definitely my favorite location in London with its mix of Bohemians for all kind of places from artists, to designers, to film makers. I love the BFI especially when it’s the London Film Festival and always check films out and the latest exhibitions they have, Tate Modern for my cultural fix of contemporary art. Haywood Gallery also puts on some amazing shows in recent months Warhol, Longo and Ruscha.

3. THE ROYAL COURT THEATRE, an amazing place for theatre the celebrates old talent whilst nurturing and embracing new. Each production is beautifully done and seems to question and challenge modern-day culture.

50-51 Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8AX, United Kingdom
+44 20 7565 5000

www.royalcourttheatre.com

4. PONYSTEP, a place where every and anything is welcome. Like boombox and those before it, Ponystep offers a unique clubbing experience.

www.ponystep.com/

5. JOINERS ARM’S, sleazy, cheap, testosterone overloaded and a place I would be lost without.

116-118 Hackney Rd, London E2 7QL, United Kingdom
020 7739 9397‎

6. FASHION RETAIL ACADEMY where I was trained by Philip Green the man behind TOPSHOP, I owe a lot to this them.

15 Gresse Street, London, Greater London W1T 1QL
020 7307 2345 /020 7307 2361

www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk

7. SOMERSET HOUSE, I am at awe of its architectural beauty every time I see it, the new home of London Fashion Week and currently hosting the amazing Showstudio Exhibition.

Strand, London, WC2R 0RN, United Kingdom
+44 20 7845 4646
www.somersethouse.org.uk

8. INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART, always plays the best new arts films and has great shows on as well as a cute little bookshop.

Nash House
12 Carlton House Ter, London, SW1Y 5AH, United Kingdom
+44 20 7930 3647

www.ica.org.uk

9. SHOREDITCH, truly amazing location, home to the coolest people, hot spots and companies from the likes of Gilbert & George to Tracy Emin, as well as the home of Fashion East, Dazed & Confused Magazine and I-D Magazine. Boombox, Ponystep, George & the Dragon, Joiners, the list goes on definitely a place to visit and an even cooler place to live.

10. MY HOUSE, home is where the heart is.

http://jaidenjames.blogspot.com/

Related Entry: http://naiveboy.com/2009/11/25/didios-brasil-by-navo/

Anne Rice, Bella Swan, Chris Weitz, Christopher Orr, Cosmopolitan magazine, Edward Cullen, Harry Potter, Interview with the Vampire, J.K. Rowling, Jacob Black, Kristen Stewart, Lestat, Lope Navo, Melissa Rosenberg, Robert Pattinson, Spice Girls the movie, Stephanie Meyer, Taylor Lautner, The New Republic, The Twilight Saga: New Moon

EVERYBODY WANTS TO FUCK EDWARD CULLEN “TOTALLY” by Navo

In my novel, viewpoints on November 26, 2009 at 9:46 pm

AN OPEN LETTER TO STEPHANIE MEYER

Dear Mrs. Stephanie Meyer,

Congratulations to all the success you’ve amassed, you’re a legend to all the teenagers worldwide, although in the process you’ve also managed to offend the I.Q. of all the important movie/book critics with all your literary efforts. H.L. Mencken’s assertion that “no one ever went broke by underestimating the taste of the American public,” the opening weekend take of $140 million for The Twilight Saga: New Moon is that evidence. It is a landmark movie that proves three things, 1.Bella “totally” loves Edward, 2.Edward is “totally” so HOT, 3.Anybody can “totally” write better than a Stephanie Meyer. I’m 100% sure the third didn’t go around as a mass-text message while screaming in the darkness of the movie theatre.

EDWARD “TEEN PORN” FANTASY PLAYED TO PERFECTION

I’ve just rented the Twilight dvd and seen New Moon sequel in the theatre (in just about the same day) out of curiosity about the mass hysteria, I also read the two original childrens book where the movie was adapted from (Twilight and New Moon) just about the same week. I believe I would enjoy it more if I were an 8-year-old girl who don’t read books other than Cosmopolitan magazine. Your movies and your books that I have seen so far have no sense, no logic, no integrity, no reasoning, no wit or any sign of intelligence (Werewolves-don’t-have-penis-they-have-torn-out-jeans-in-the-cold-winter-of-Forks-Washington-logic), they are purely a teenage girl’s wet dreams and a tween’s Edward “teen porn” fantasy casted and played to perfection by Robert Pattinson, maybe the shallowest characters created since “Spice Girls the movie”, and what makes it worst, is that every young adult in the world will try to emulate the senseless temper tantrums your characters Bella, Jacob and Edward have been juggling throughout the film. The best review I’ve read so far is with Christopher Orr of The New Republic

The Tone Poem: ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon
A landmark cinematic event in 280 words, or one for every $500, 000 of weekend box office:

Senior year. How’d you get so old so fast?

Oh, good. Cullen’s here.

I’m 109.

Maybe I shouldn’t be dating such an old man.

Bella.

Jacob.

Hello, biceps.

I’m just filling out.

The Volturi are a very old, very powerful family.

Don’t hate the truck.

Ow, paper cut.

Jasper hasn’t been away from human blood as long as the rest of us.

I love you.

Love you.

You just don’t belong in my world, Bella.

You don’t want me. That changes things. A lot.

Goodbye.

October.

November.

December.

The absence of him is everywhere I look.

That’s it. You’re going to Jacksonville to live with your mother.

Jake, you’re, like, buff. How’d that happen?

You’re sort of beautiful.

Like, five hikers have been killed by some bear. But they can’t find the bear.

What, I can’t hold your hand?

Jake, your dad says you have mono. He won’t let me visit.

You cut your hair off? And got a tattoo?

Look, Bella. We can’t be friends anymore.

Things are bad again.

Dad, I saw them in the woods. They’re not bears.

Guess the wolf’s out of the bag.

C’mon in, Bella. We won’t bite.

You’re not the first monsters I’ve met.

It’s not a lifestyle choice, Bella.

Wait, there’s a vampire.

Bella, what’s that awful wet-dog smell?

Don’t. Get. Me. Upset.

Bella, Edward’s going to the Volturi. He wants to die, too.

What a happy surprise. Bella is alive after all. Isn’t that wonderful?

She knows too much. She’s a liability.

Goodbye, my young friends.

Bella, do not ever do that to me again. Ever.

It would be nice not to want to kill you all the time.

Marry me.

THE TWI-HARDS

And of course Ms Stephanie Meyer, all the 90% of film and book critics are bitter old people who just hates everything you do and you just dont give a fuck about that, the millions of screaming girls all over the world “The Twi-hards” are the only critics that matter$$$. That dream you had that inspired you to write TWILIGHT is shared by all the hormonal teens (age 4 to 44) in the face of the earth, if your mission is to want them to fuck Edward Cullen, then mission accomplished.

STEPHANIE MEYER VS ANNE RICE/ STEPHANIE MEYER VS J.K. ROWLING

I am an aspiring writer, and working on a few novels of my own, now I’m itching to write a vampire novel because of you, I am maybe the biggest fan of Anne Rice, I’ve read Interview with the Vampire hundreds of times and even seen the movie the same amount and it never made me want to write one, because I am a little intimidated by how much research, intelligence, passion and courage Anne Rice have- to write an exquisite novel like Interview and Lestat (among others). I’m not a fan of J.K. Rowling, I’ve seen a Harry Potter movie once and read the book that go with it once out of curiosity, but I have to say she is a very creative and intelligent writer and picked up a lot of vocabularies reading her book, I also realized that the dialogues in the Harry Potter movies are not laughable and “children book-like” like your two Twilight films. Then you came along and shown me that it is possible, the sky is the limit, anybody can write, and just hire an editor to clean out and organize the mess they scribbled somewhere and create a multimillion franchise like yours. Thank you for giving hope to millions of writers all over the world with very limited vocabularies and creativity, hope that it is possible to be a financially successful writer and popular with the age group 18 and below, or the people who have the IQ level of a toddler. With so less effort, you are a living proof that it is possible to be a successful writer, if success means money and fame and not the respect and validation of other writers like you.

JEALOUSY

Your fanatic followers will think that I am bitter and a “hater”, in fact I am jealous of you Mrs. Stephanie Meyer and you are changing my life unlike any other authors whose works I have read before. Now I am attempting to write a vampire book for children and that will be my new mission as a writer, because now I firmly believe if you can do it, I can do so much better than you. Thank you Mrs. Meyer.

Sincerely,
NAVO

_________

info@navostudios.com

DANGEROUSLY NAIVE, Editorial, Errikos Andreou, Fashion, George Pantelakis, Greece, Lope Navo, Music, naiveboy.com, photography

SWEET CHILD OF MINE by Errikos Andreou

In Editorial, Fashion on November 25, 2009 at 5:48 am

SWEET CHILD OF MINE

(shot exclusively for NAIVEBOY.COM)

Photographer: Errikos Andreou @ http://www.errikosandreou.com/

Model: George Pantelakis

Adriana Lima, Bernardo Dornbusch, Brazil, Brazilian, Chapada dos Veadeiros, Didio, Dunas of Cabo Frio, Fabio Beck, Felipe Dellanegra, Floripa Beach, Goias, Guilherme Cruz, Guilherme Sanchez, Isaac Fioravante, Jayme Siciliano, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Joao Pessoa, Jonas Sulzbach‏, Lansing, Leandro Cagliari, Lope Navo, Mario Testino, naiveboy.com, North of São Paulo, Paraíba, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Robert Pattinson, São Paulo, São Roque, South America, Ten Most Beautiful Brazilian Locations, Ten Most Beautiful Brazilian Men, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Torres, Ubatuba, Vitoria

DIDIO’S BRASIL by Navo

In Top Ten, Travel on November 25, 2009 at 5:20 am

(BR) A very successful Brazilian novelist once said “Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” I absolutely agree. I love the Brazilians, the way they live, the way they celebrate, the passion, the enthusiasm, the smiles, the sensuality, the pride, the diversity, the culture, the history, the food, the view from your hotel room, the optimism against all odds, and most of all- the beauty. Have I mention the enthusiasm and passion? When the star of the latest blockbuster The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) Robert Pattinson was asked in Jimmy Kimmel Live! in LA “Where in the world are the craziest (passionate) fans you’ve ever met while promoting New Moon?” the 23 yr old actor replied without hesitation “Brazil!”, and I wouldn’t be surprised. Have I mentioned the enthusiasm and passion?

The largest country in South America, the 55 yr old Peruvian fashion/celebrity photographer Mario Testino’s favorite destination to shoot his photo books, the world’s fifth largest country by geographical area, the world’s eighth largest economy, the world’s fifth most populous country, and the world’s largest population of fashion models and supermodels working today. The sultry brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima said in an interview “If you look around Brazil you see pregnant women everywhere. Here you don’t see that as much. There the only thing they do is babies, babies, babies! Especially the poor families.” Yes, Brazil is the home to a diversity of culture and wildlife, the home of the supermodels, and the home of the most photogenic landscapes and getaways in the world, my friend Antonio Bezerra (the blogosphere have known as Didio), my favorite São Paulo-based photographer is sharing NAIVEBOY.COM readers a slice of how he view this exotic wonderland through his lens. The Top Ten Most Beautiful Brazilian Men and Ten Most Beautiful Brazilian Locations where he photographed them.

_____________

DIDIO’S TEN LOCATIONS IN BRAZIL

1. Didio’s cottage in São Roque, São Paulo

2. Ubatuba, São Paulo

3. Dunas of Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro

4. Floripa Beach

5. Joao Pessoa, Paraíba

6. Torres, Rio Grande do Sul

7. Beaches of the North of São Paulo
8. Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goias

9. Vitoria

10. Rio de Janeiro

_____________

DIDIO’S TEN BRAZILIAN MALE BEAUTIES

1. Guilherme Sanchez

2. Jonas Sulzbach‏

3. Isaac Fioravante

4. Fabio Beck

5. Felipe Dellanegra

6. Jayme Siciliano

7. Bernardo Dornbusch

8. Guilherme Cruz

9. Lansing

10. Leandro Cagliari

Related Entry: http://naiveboy.com/2009/11/21/makumba-by-didio/

Lope Navo, Peter Lindbergh, Annie Leibovitz, Kate Moss, Elle, American Society of Magazine Editors, ASME, Annual Best Cover Contest, Amazon.com, Rolling Stone, President Obama, Cover of the Year, Peter Yang, Esquire, Martin Schoeller, David Curcurito, George Clooney, Tina Fey, Vanity Fair, New York Magazine, Nigel Parry, Rafael Nadal, Alexei Hay, Carrie Underwood, Bert Stern, Harper’s Bazaar, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brooklyn Bridge

A COVER STORY: CLOONEY, MOSS, OBAMA AND NADAL by Navo

In Magazine on November 21, 2009 at 11:50 am

(US) The American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) is an industry trade group for editors of magazines published in the United States. The Annual Best Cover Contest Winners were chosen by Amazon.com customers, Rolling Stone’s July 2008 issue featuring President Obama was hailed the ‘Cover of the Year’. Here are the 2009 Best Magazine Cover Winners and Finalists with my personal picks.

MAGAZINE COVER OF 2009

Magazine: Rolling Stone

Month: July 10-24, 2008
Photographer: Peter Yang

Subject: President Barack Obama

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

2009 Best in Entertainment & Celebrity Magazine Cover Finalists and Winner

Finalist (My Pick)

Magazine: Esquire

Month: May 2009 “How To Be A Man” issue
Photographer: Martin Schoeller

Design Director: David Curcurito

Subjects: George Clooney, Barack Obama and Justin Timberlake

Winner

Magazine: Vanity Fair

Month: January 2009
Photographer: Annie Leibovitz

Subject: Tina Fey

2009 Sexiest Magazine Cover Finalists and Winner

Finalist (My Pick)

Magazine: New York

Month: August 25, 2008
Photographer: Nigel Parry

Subject: Rafael Nadal

Winner

Magazine: Elle

Month: December 2008
Photographer: Alexei Hay

Subject: Carrie Underwood

2009 Best in Fashion & Beauty Magazine Cover Finalists and Winner

Finalist (My Pick)

Magazine: New York

Month: February 8, 2009 “Spring Fashion”
Photographer: Bert Stern

Subject: Kate Moss

Winner

Magazine: Harper’s Bazaar

Month: March 2009
Photographer: Peter Lindbergh

Subject: Sarah Jessica Parker

Location: Brooklyn Bridge, New York City

Source: http://www.magazine.org/

American filmmaker, American painter, American photographer, Andy Warhol, Anna Trevelyan, Derek Jarman, fashion director, Gus Van Sant, Harmony Korine, Hedi Slimane, Jaiden Jeremy James, Jaiden rVa James, Keith Haring, Larry Clark, leather, Lope Navo, Menswear, naiveboy.com, Nicola Formichetti, Robert Mapplethrope, Tunisian-French photographer

THE TEN VISIONARIES by Jaiden Jeremy James

In Top Ten on November 21, 2009 at 7:13 am

Formichetti, Van Sant, Haring, Clark, Warhol, Korine, Mapplethrope, Slimane, Trevelyan, & Jarman

(UK) I had a chat with one of my favorite artist right now, the über sexy Jaiden rVa James cult Menswear label designer shows naiveboy.com readers a glimpse on the people who inspires him. Two American painters, four American filmmakers and one British, one fashion director and his assistant, an American photographer and a Tunisian-French photographer. Ladies and gentlemen enjoy the scrumptious visual feast in the mind of designer Jaiden Jeremy James.

_____________________

1. Keith Haring
(American artist and social activist)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Haring

_____________________

2. Gus Van Sant
(American film director, screenwriter, photographer, musician, and author)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gus_Van_Sant

_____________________

3. Andy Warhol
(American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Warhol

_____________________

4. Nicola Formichetti
(British fashion director, editor, and wardrobe stylist)

http://www.nicolaformichetti.com/

_____________________

5. Harmony Korine
(American film director, producer, screenwriter, and author)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmony_Korine

_____________________

6. Anna Trevelyan
(British wardrobe stylist and Nicola Formichetti’s assistant)

http://annatrevelyan.blogspot.com/

_____________________

7. Larry Clark
(American film director, photographer, writer and film producer)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Clark

_____________________

8. Robert Mapplethrope
(American photographer)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mapplethorpe

_____________________

9. Hedi Slimane
(Tunisian-French fashion designer and photographer)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedi_Slimane

_____________________

10. Derek Jarman
(English film director, stage designer, artist, and writer)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Jarman

http://jaidenjames.blogspot.com/

Bernardo Dornbusch, Black Witchcraft, Brazil, Candomblé, Didio, Ello Models, Jayme Siciliano, Lope Navo, Makumba, naiveboy.com, photography, Roni Andrade, underwear

MAKUMBA by Didio

In Editorial, Fashion on November 21, 2009 at 4:54 am

MAKUMBA

(shot exclusively for NAIVEBOY.COM)

Photographer: Didio @ http://www.didiophoto.com/

Models: Bernardo Dornbusch, Roni Andrade, Jayme Siciliano @ Ello Models/ Brazil & Ms. Evelyn (Candomblé )

Lope Navo, Paris Hilton, W magazine, Scott Sternberg, Band of Outsiders, Monkey Bar, Barneys, Prada, Margiela, GQ Magazine, Wallstreet, Waverly Inn

NO BUNK! NO JUNK! NO SKANK! by Navo

In Fashion on November 19, 2009 at 6:04 am

In a W magazine interview, Scott Sternberg (Band of Outsiders designer) was asked what he would say to Paris Hilton if she called and asked to borrow his clothes, he replied, “That the moon is on fire and she better get outside and help put it out right this instant.” When asked, “Jon or Kate?” he answered “Who?” And when asked “Waverly Inn or Monkey Bar?” he said, “No.” Another reason to love this guy more, I’m diggin’ the twisted take on power-dressing on his “No Bunk! No Junk!” exclusive line for Barneys. With the current world economy, this is a more practical and accessible take on men’s fashion, heck they all look tailored for my boy-ish frame, count me in.

____________

“Really, it’s about tapping into Barneys’ heritage. What I remember of Barneys—at least, from being a little shit growing up in Ohio, and having a pretty skewed view of New York—was the sort of “power uniform” or Wall Street uniform that they really created in the eighties. They elevated taste levels in New York among men in the most masculine sort of way possible. You know, it wasn’t really about fashion; it was this other ideal that they created. It was also very European, because Barneys’ heritage is about bringing insane designer brands to the States that had never been here before: From Prada to Margiela to all the Japanese designers, the Antwerp designers, they were there first. Going back even further, when they first started, Barneys was still about designer brands, but it was very schmatta,[below, the inspiration for No Bunk! No Junk!]. The idea was like, to combine these two elements and give it a Band of Outsiders spin—something that’s not Euro, not too slick…” -Scott Sternberg (GQ interview)

Band of Outsiders No Bunk! No Junk!, available now at Barneys New York’s Madison Avenue, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Copley Place, San Francisco, and Scottsdale stores. For locations, visit www.barneys.com

Bram Stoker's Dracula, Count Dracula, Golem, Lope Navo, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Patricia Piccinini, Spike Jonze, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Where the Wild Things Are

VILE AND WRINKLY FRIENDS OF PICCININI by Navo

In Arts on November 19, 2009 at 3:31 am

Golem of Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), and Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

I haven’t seen the Spike Jonze film “Where the Wild Things Are” (2009), but the brilliant work of acclaimed Australian Conceptual Artist Patricia Piccinini (born in 1965 in Freetown, Sierra Leone) reminds of such wrinkly creepers, including the Middle-earth’s Golem of Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003), New Orleans’ Ben Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), and Transylvania’s Count Dracula in Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992).

Piccinini explores what she calls the ‘often specious distinctions between the artificial and the natural’. By displaying the similarities and differences between the organic, natural and our constructed material world, Piccinini challenges our classification of life. This inspires her to combine human and animal physiology and technological development in many of her works.

www.patriciapiccinini.com

Location:  Melbourne, Victoria , Australia

Irving Penn, Harper's Bazaar, Lope Navo, James Dean, Gianni Versace, Calvin Klein, Abercrombie & Fitch, Ralph Lauren, Dior, Chanel, Patrick Demarchelier, The Devil Wears Prada, Jesus Christ, Albert Einstein, Twitter, Facebook, Charles Darwin, Annie Leibovitz, The New York Magazine, Lartigue, Steichen, Cartier-Bresson, Lillian Bassman, Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Robert Frank, MOMA, Vogue, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Meryl Streep, Bruce Weber, Bloomingdales, Marcus Schenkenberg, Andy Warhol, Interview magazine, Chet Baker, Chris Isaak, Bear Pond, Philippines, Rolling Stone magazine, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Vanity Fair Magazine, Obama, Miley Cyrus

THE LAST MEN STANDING by Navo

In Arts on November 18, 2009 at 3:43 am

“People like you and I, though mortal of course like everyone else, do not grow old no matter how long we live… [We] never cease to stand like curious children before the great mystery into which we were born.” - Albert Einstein’s letter to Otto Juliusburger

Bassman, Frank, Demarchelier, Weber, & Leibovitz

THE OLDEST 28-YEAR-OLD IN THE WORLD

I still don’t have a Twitter. I joined Facebook earlier this year, after being constantly bombarded by the electronic Facebook invites of my college mates from art school, I finally gave in. Sometimes, updating status, replying to messages, wall tags and photo comments are something I do to keep me company while retouching some of the images I took in Photoshop, in between photo shoots, waiting for my flight, waiting for my luggage, waiting for a friend in a coffee shop, just finished reading a book or done my research for my novel, Facebook somehow sneaked in to my routines, should I be worried? For all my growing readers and followers out there, I appreciate your emails and support, I attended a worldwide blogger’s 2-day conference over the weekend to upgrade myself and literally everyone (about 200 bloggers, web developers, writers, coders) has a Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, together with their website and other contact details in their business cards or their blogs, I feel prehistoric, the oldest 28-year-old in the world who don’t Twit and a Facebook amateur compared to my niece who have used Facebook and Twitter since birth, now I’m worried.

MR. IRVING PENN 92

My favorite feature in Facebook is the “top five” list of everything you can think of, top five movies, top five sandwiches, top five Britney song, top five Sarah Palin books (although she has only one, hopefully), of course I don’t want to be left out by the other cool kids, so I made a couple of list of my own, like the hit “Top 5 Famous Dead People I Would Like To Invite For Dinner”– James Dean, Charles Darwin, Jesus Christ, Adolf Hitler, and Albert Einstein (I’m definitely sure 3 of them are vegetarian and I definitely got a lot of fb comments for that), and after browsing The New York Magazine in LAX, Aug 16, ’09 interview of the famed photographer Annie Leibovitz (59 yrs. old), “Photography is not something you retire from, Photographers live to a very old age and work until the end.” (Lartigue lived to be 92, Steichen 93, and Cartier-Bresson 94.) “Irving Penn is going to be 92 next month, and he’s still working.” Leibovitz said. I quickly made another “top 5″ last September 13 at 5:53 am (it’s still somewhere on my facebook wall), “The World’s Oldest Living Iconic Photographers” where Mr. Irving Penn topped the list at 92, shortly after a month (October 7), Ms. Lillian Bassman (92) took Mr. Penn’s spot at the top 5.

FIVE LEGENDARY LIVING LENSMEN

It’s a youth-obsessed industry, a working fashion model’s age brackets from 14 to 21 and less than 1% of them work up to their 40′s (Claudia Schiffer 39, Christy Turlington 40, Naomi Campbell 39, and Kate Moss 35), but great photographers get to last twice or more than any great supermodel’s career in a lifetime which is fascinating and inspiring for a “late twenties” photographer like me, their career’s longevity and their resilience are something that a lot of “top” fashion photographers in their 30s or 40s at the moment can only dream of. It would be interesting to know if any of the five legendary living lensmen and women Twits or have Facebook “top fives” of their own. Two caucasian women, three caucasian men, two immigrants, three american-born, one photojournalist, one portrait photographer, two fashion/celebrity photographers, one fashion/art photographer, three have started with Harper’s Bazaar Magazine, and all based in the east coast, four in new york, one in miami, here are the updated list of “The World’s Oldest Living Iconic Photographers” still working today.

________________

Lillian Bassman (92)

A painter and an American fashion photographer, born in Brooklyn (1917) to a jewish immigrant parents from Russia (1905).

Bassman’s work as a fashion photographer started at Junior Bazaar (1940s) and Harper’s Bazaar (1950 -1965), by the 70s she abandoned fashion photography to work on her own photo projects, resulting to 40 years of life’s work (films and prints) thrashed, some salvaged hundred images re-appeared and her work was re-appreciated in the 90s. Her photography style is the high contrast, grainy finish, and geometric camera angles of her subjects.

In an industry ruled by “White Men (gay or straight)”**, Bassman is now one of the last two “great women” standing. And that is still an understatement for me.

**a future article you’ll find here in Dangerously Naive.

________________

Robert Frank (84)

An important American art/photojournalist, born in Zurich, Switzerland (1924) to a wealthy Jewish family.

Mr. Frank emigrated to the United States in 1947 and like Ms. Bassman started as a fashion photographer for Harper’s Bazaar. He travelled to South America and Europe after the brief stint with the magazine, and like Ms. Bassman worked on his more personal works, and came back in the 1950′s to NYC for a group exhibition in MOMA and then moved to Paris. His frustrations with the control of the editors over his work colored his fashion magazine experience, nonetheless he moved back to New York, 3 years after the exhibition and worked as a freelance photojournalist and completely abandoning fashion photography altogether.

In 1958, “The Americans” was published, his widely celebrated photographic book cemented his position in the history of American photography.

________________

Patrick Demarchelier (65)

A French fashion photographer, born in 1943 to a modest family and started as a wedding photographer at the age of seventeen.

Like Mr. Frank, Mr. Demarchelier emigrated to New York (1975), Elle, Marie Claire and 20 Ans Magazine was the first stints he had as a fashion photographer after working as a freelance photographer/ assistants to such greats as Cartier-Bresson. He later worked for Harper’s Bazaar (like Mr. Frank and Ms. Bassman) and Vogue (1992-present). Demarchelier also is behind several blue chip campaigns including Dior, Louis Vuitton, Celine, TAG Heuer, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Lacoste, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, and became a household name after the 2006′s Meryl Streep film The Devil Wears Prada with the lines- “Did Demarchelier confirm?”, and “I have Patrick!”.

________________

Bruce Weber (63)

An American fashion/celebrity photographer, born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania (1946).

Mr. Weber’s first fashion photography work appeared in GQ magazine in the late 1970′s, shot Bloomingdales catalogs in 1978, Calvin Klein Campaigns in the late 1980s to early 1990s, introducing him to the American households. His photograph of supermalemodel Marcus Schenkenberg nude in the shower, catapulted him to celebrity status. Then later working with fellow celebrities like him, Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine, Chet Baker, Chris Isaak, Harry Connick Jr., Jackson Browne and virtually all the stars in the hollywood’s walk of fame, the dead and the living. Today, he is behind the countless ad campaigns such as Calvin Klein, Pirelli, Revlon, Gianni Versace, Ralph Lauren and Abercrombie & Fitch and unlike Mr. Robert Frank, Mr. Weber embraced the fashion industry and worked with virtually all the top fashion and celebrity magazines existing in the world today.

Mr. Weber’s work are mostly in black and white and homoerotic. (A House is Not a Home and Bear Pond to name a few of his numerous homoerotic nude photobooks).

________________

Annie Leibovitz (59)

An American portrait photographer, born in Waterbury, Connecticut (1949) to a modern dance instructor mother, and a lieutenant colonel father (US Air Force).

She took her first pictures in the Philippines while studying college, and to be with her family, after her father was stationed there during the Vietnam war. Ms. Leibovitz returned to the US in 1970 and started a career as a staff photogrpaher for Rolling Stone magazine, then in 1973 became its chief photographer (for 10 years) and helped defined the look of the magazine with her celebrity portraits of Mick Jagger, John Lennon, and like Mr. Weber the rest of the names in Hollywood’s walk of fame and virtually every celebrity that are in the headlines today, from President Obama to Miley Cyrus (for Vanity Fair Magazine).

Ms. Leibovitz’s signature style is the close collaboration to her subjects and on her earlier works are the more orange/yellow hue tint to the present work’s blue-ish purple hue. – Navo

Related Entry: http://naiveboy.com/2009/10/08/thank-you-mr-penn/

18 Megapixels, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Japan, Leica, Leica Ginza Shop, Leica M9, Lope Navo, Renato D'Agostin, The World's Best Digital Camera, Tokyo, Ur-Leica

THE SEXIEST DIGITAL CAMERA IN THE WORLD

In Travel on November 13, 2009 at 8:12 pm

Leica Tokyo Lope Navo 1

Ginza, Tokyo-Japan

Leica Gallery in Tokyo
The gallery in the Leica Ginza Shop

Leica Tokyo Lope Navo 3
Aktuelle Ausstellung
Renato D’Agostin “TOKYO UNTITLED”

2009/10/23 -　2009/12/30
Leica Ginza Shop
In the specialist trade outlet Leica Ginza opened by Leica Camera Japan has been continuing the tradition of the Leica Gallery in Tokyo since April 2006 with a photo salon.
Annual program: Leica Gallery in Tokyo

The gallery in the Leica Ginza Shop.

LEICA M9

The World’s Best Digital Camera

Leica product managers and engineers are innovative specialists with a keen sense of the end-user’s needs and wishes. They know what enthusiasts and professional photographers are looking for, and are committed to utilising their know-how in an ongoing effort to provide new products that enhance the pleasure of photography and take it to new levels.

The history of 35-mm photography began almost 100 years ago with the legendary Ur-Leica. Today, it is the Leica M9, a landmark camera that carries the proud heritage of Leica M cameras into the digital age. The Leica M9 is the world’s first digital system camera of its size to be built with a full-frame sensor – a CCD sensor developed specifically for the M9 – that is capable of perfectly capturing the full 35-mm format (24 × 36 mm) in ultra-high resolution. The new M9 – in the familiar, classic, and timeless M design, represents the quintessence of its predecessors based on the consummate technological level of our time. It is the perfect contemporary tool for those who set the highest standards in image quality and are committed to creating images of enduring value.

Leica Tokyo Lope Navo 4

FULL – FRAME 24 x 36 MM CAPTURE WITHOUT ANY COMPROMISES
The combination of an extremely high-resolution sensor, high performance M lenses and careful processing of the digital picture data provides the best picture results under all conditions. The proprietry CCD sensor in the LEICA M9 with 18 Million Pixels, allows the utilisation of the full 35 mm format. The sensor of the M9 uses a newly developed cover glass to eliminate infrared light contamination and allows the utilisation of existing Leica M lenses without loss of image quality. The use of external UV/IR filters is not required.

Leica M9 Rangefinder Digital Camera Body (Black)
•    18 Megapixels
•    Full-Frame 35mm CCD Sensor
•    2.5″ LCD
•    Classic Rangefinder Design
•    Intuitive Controls
•    Quiet, Metal Blade Shutter
•    High Sensitivity (ISO 2500)
•    M Mount Compatible
•    Advanced Micro Lens Placement
•    Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Included

Price: $ 6,995.00

Leica Ginza Salon
6-4-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel: +81 (0) 3 6215 7070
Fax: +81 (0) 3 6215 7071
E-Mail: leica-ginza@leica-camera.co.jp

Opening hours:  Tuesday – Sunday 11.00 am – 7.00 pm

source: http:http://www.leica-camera.co.jp/service/leica_ginza/

A Single Man, Chloé, Chris Camplin, Christianity, Christopher Isherwood, David Scearce, Geil Magazine, God of Sex, Grant Andrew, Greek art, Hardwick, Jamie Jewitt, Jay P, Lope Navo, male nudes, Max Rogers, Max Smith, navostudios.com, Nudity, NYU, Parsons, Ricardo Claudino, Ricardo Guedes, Richard Buckley, Scent of a Man, Sex, Solve Sundsbo, Studio 54, Tafari Hinds, Terence Doyle, Thomas Carlyle "Tom" Ford, Times of London, Tom Ford, Troy Roe, Venice Film Festival, Vogue Hommes International, William Blake

I WANT TO HAVE SEX WITH MR. TOM FORD by Navo

In Fashion on November 12, 2009 at 7:54 am

“Art can never exist without naked beauty displayed.”

-William Blake (1757 – 1827)

A fragrance story (Scent of a Man) I shot for Geil Magazine Premiere Issue with Model Grant Andrew (full story at http://navostudios.com/)

THE GOD OF SEX

Humans originally lived naked as their natural state, in Greek art male nudes are the norm, nudity was a costume used by artists to depict various roles of men, ranging from heroism to defeat. It’s not known when walking around in the buff began but when Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire the view of nudity as a sin took root.

If the millions of artist all over the world (living or dead) have a voice on Nudity in modern art and fashion, we can literally elect our very own nude president, and his name is Thomas Carlyle “Tom” Ford (born August 27, 1961), the champion for male nudity in fashion is a Texan who is battling against an unfair double standard — he says that when it comes to fashion photography in American media, while vaginas and breasts are celebrated, penises seems to make just about everyone uncomfortable. Ford explains “it’s so uncomfortable for us to fit ‘masculine’ and ‘beauty’ together. So we tend to avoid the issue entirely.” An NYU Art History student dropout-turned-actor-turned Parsons Interior Architecture student-turned Studio 54 fixture-turned Chloé intern-turned Hardwick design assistant-turned Gucci creative director-turned fashion empire of high-end sensuality, my very own personal God of Sex in fashion.

_TOM FORD LOPE NAVO 6

_TOM FORD LOPE NAVO 8

_TOM FORD LOPE NAVO 7

TOM FORD: THE FILMMAKER

Ford’s latest project is a film adaptation of the Christopher Isherwood book, “A Single Man” have garnered great reviews at the Venice Film Festival. The screenplay is written by Tom Ford and David Scearce. The plot centers on a gay man who, after the sudden death of his partner, is determined to persist in his usual routine, which is seen in the span of a single, ordinary day in Southern California. The Times of London’s review said: “It’s no surprise that the feature film directing debut of fashion designer Tom Ford is a thing of heart-stopping beauty. He celebrates the male form with a sensual reverence.”

_TOM FORD LOPE NAVO 5

MASCULINITY STRIPPED BARE

“With a more natural relationship to nudity, we might also be freed up to find each other a lot more fascinating. There’s an equality to being naked; the fewer clothes and accessories a person wears the less you judge them, and the more you notice their truest traits, like their eyes or their charisma, their great hands or their one-of-a-kind hair or, most importantly, their personality and character. As much as I love clothing, it gives us one more layer to hide behind.”
- Tom Ford

GQ STYLE Magazine's Masculinity Stripped Bare Editorial (Photographer by Solve Sundsbo, Words by Tom Ford, Models: Chris Camplin, Terence Doyle, Jay P, Ricardo Guedes, Max Smith, Ricardo Claudino, Troy Roe, Tafari Hinds, Jamie Jewitt, and Max Rogers)

Ford and his partner, journalist Richard Buckley (Former Editor in Chief of Vogue Hommes International), have been together for over 20 years.

If Mr. Ford pratices what he preaches, I can’t wait for that day to see him in the buff (full frontal) on a magazine, I’ll make sure I’ll get 10 copies. – Navo

Tom Ford Flagship Store, 845 Madison Avenue, New York Tel: +1 212 359 0300

http://www.tomford.com/

Related Entry: http://naiveboy.com/2009/11/09/american-history-xxx-the-censored-works-of-mr-steven-klein-by-navo/

_________

info@navostudios.com

▶ View 6 Comments

artnet.com, creativereview.co.uk, dazeddigital.com, fantasticman.com, Hannah Martin, jumeirah.com, Katharina Mischer, lensculture.com, Lope Navo, Madinat Jumeirah, Marco Petroni, Martucci, mischer’traxler, models.com, Moonmilk Alison Jacques Gallery, Mr. CHARLIE PORTER, Nam June Paik, Naples, New Year's Eve, Plart Museum of Naples, postsecret.blogspot.com, Richard Burbridge, rodeomagazine.it, ryanmcginley.com, the sartorialist, thisisindexed.com, Thomas Traxler, VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM, Vogue Italia

I PURPOSELY DON’T GET PREGNANT by Navo

In Arts on November 12, 2009 at 1:32 am

__CUTURAL EXCERPTS Lope Navo 13

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/ __CUTURAL EXCERPTS Lope Navo 8

Wednesday, November 11, 2009/ On the Street….The Veteran, New York

http://www.artnet.com/AUCTIONS/Pages/Lots/16162.aspx __CUTURAL EXCERPTS Lope Navo 12
Lot ID: 16162/ Nam June Paik: TV Cello/ Opening Bid US $160,000/ End Time 19 hours, 52 minutes/ Thursday, November 12, 2009, 1:40 PM EST

Description
Artist: Paik Nam June
Bio: View biography on artnet
Title: TV Cello
Style: Contemporary (ca. 1945-present), abstract, Conceptual Art (ca. 1960s-1970s), Fluxus (ca. 1960s-present), Postmodern (ca. 1960s-present)
Period: 1960-1990
Medium: Sculptures, Television monitors, Plexiglas, video disk
Year: 1967
Print/Casting Year: 1996
Size: height – 48.5 in, width – 18.5 in, depth – 21 in
Markings: signed, “PAIK” and dated, “67—96″; dedicated “to Emily Harvey” and a drawing of a face with pink paint on the plexi cello bridge.
Edition: UNIQUE
Estimate: from $210,000 to $250,000

http://www.creativereview.co.uk/home __CUTURAL EXCERPTS Lope Navo 11
CR November issue
The November issue of CR focuses on your workplaces – what they look like and what you do there, featuring CR readers from around the world. Our cover this month is by Jellymon in Shanghai. It’s a (very) abstracted visualisation of their studio space and forms part of a feature in which we asked five studios around the world to show us where they work.

http://dazeddigital.com/Default.aspx __CUTURAL EXCERPTS Lope Navo 5
It’s Only Rock n Roll
Dazed speak to Jewellery designer Hannah Martin about her uniquely sculptural and masculine designs.

http://www.fantasticman.com/ __CUTURAL EXCERPTS Lope Navo 9

Wednesday November 11, 2009/ ABOUT SUITS
Heartily recommended is a lecture to be given at the VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM this Saturday by Mr. CHARLIE PORTER of the deputy desk at FANTASTIC MAN. The talk will be on the suit and its relevancy today, about which CHARLIE will not be biased even though he has not once worn a suit throughout 2009. CHARLIE is particularly keen to see if the theories of Ms. ANNE HOLLANDER in her pivotal book SEX AND SUITS are as relevant today as they were in 1994. He will illustrate this with a POWERPOINT presentation as well as some examples of suits that are of particular interest. The lecture is at 3pm this Saturday. The free tickets are released earlier that day at 1pm at the V&A. It is part of an all-day event called RESTYLING AND REFASHIONING, details of which can be found here.

http://thisisindexed.com/ __CUTURAL EXCERPTS Lope Navo 7
Freaky! Or just arctic.

http://www.jumeirah.com __CUTURAL EXCERPTS Lope Navo 10
Experience New Year’s Eve at Madinat Jumeirah
From the glamour of our Gala tent, to the refined elegance of our signature fine dining restaurants and our stylish lounges, bars and clubs – there is something to dazzle and delight every taste this festive season. Take your pick from three areas within the resort – perhaps the charming Souk Madinat Jumeirah, the opulent Al Qasr, or Mina A’ Salam, the harbour of peace. And then start the task of choosing a venue – made a little easier for you, as we provide comprehensive information to help you get the most from this festive season. Accommodation rates start from AED 3,200 (excludes 10 percent service charge and 10 percent municipality fee) subject to availability. Bookings from 26 December require minimum stay of 7 nights along with a compulsory Gala Dinner package.

http://www.lensculture.com/ __CUTURAL EXCERPTS Lope Navo 6

Paris Photo 2009  November 19-22  Spotlight on Arab and Iranian photography
Lens Culture is delighted to partner with Paris Photo again this year. Paris Photo is the largest and perhaps most important international photography art fair in the world. This year promises to be provocative, inspiring, eclectic, and — due to the sheer volume of imagery — quite possibly visually overwhelming.
The emphasis in 2009 is on photography from Iran and the Arab world. But, as always, the works on display are rich with diversity — geographically, culturally, stylistically — and offer a unique opportunity to discover a wide range of contemporary and vintage photography never seen before in one location.

http://models.com __CUTURAL EXCERPTS Lope Navo 1

Richard Burbridge Interview
You can always tell a Richard Burbridge picture. There is something about his unique point of view and inimitable style that makes his arresting images stand out from the pack. While he may be known for the jaw dropping editorials he produces for Vogue Italia and Dazed it is his exacting demeanor behind the scenes and innate creativity that makes each picture extraordinary.

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/ __CUTURAL EXCERPTS Lope Navo 3
11/07/2009/ Sunday Secrets

http://www.rodeomagazine.it/ __CUTURAL EXCERPTS Lope Navo 4
mischer’traxler at Plart
After some recent Fabio Novembre’s video works the Plart Museum of Naples hosts the young Austrian designers mischer’traxler, recent winners of the prestigious award sponsored by DMY Bauhaus Archiv / Museum für Gestaltung in Berlin with one of the most innovative projects that have emerged on the scene of the young international design: The Idea of a Tree. The event relies on the collaboration of Giovanni Innella and is part of the exhibition Plartonvideo curated by Marco Petroni, Katharina Mischer and Thomas Traxler have developed and built a solar-powered machine that follows a process of self-production combining the natural course of the light with a mechanical process. The machine begins to produce when the sun rises and stops when the sun goes down giving the crop the day. It allows us to read the growth and the decline of the solar energy. Very impressive! Live the experience if you are in Naples or if you can jump in there. The admission is free. From the 7th to 14th of November 2009 at Plart, 48 via Martucci, Naples

http://www.ryanmcginley.com/ __CUTURAL EXCERPTS Lope Navo 2
Moonmilk
Installation View, Alison Jacques Gallery, September 2009

9/11, Aldous Leonard Huxley, fame-whores, frenemies, Lope Navo, objectification of men, photography, politics, prostitution, Saudi Arabia, Thank you Mr. Irving Penn

THERAPY FOR MENTAL ILLNESS by Navo

In my novel on November 11, 2009 at 10:36 pm

“Every man’s memory is his private literature.”

-Aldous Leonard Huxley (1894 –1963).

My photo-blog had more than 3,000 views yesterday. For all the blogs that linked mine to them and all those who read one or more of my entries and for all the emails, thank you.

I love reading, whether its books, novels, magazines, movie posters, mustard bottle label, blogs, facebook status, craigslist ads, poems, (or other people’s minds), it breaks the monotony of my work and books keep me grounded. In fashion/commercial photography, your clients don’t pay for your opinion on other people’s work, they hire you to deliver great images that speaks for itself. Writing is most of the time the opposite of photography in terms of opinions, another reason to love it. Being surrounded by writers excites and engage me in a contrasting way than fashion. A good friend of mine (who is my best critic) just told me “Lope just stick with photography, politics will get the best of you, the fashion machine hates smart-mouth people”, she’s absolutely right. The very first screenplay I’ve been working on is about Saudi Arabia in 2001, my thoughts and memories while living there during 9/11 and the Invasion of Iraq, and the novel is about the two oldest profession in the history -prostitution and politics coexisting in the world of fashion modelling. This blog will update you on the progress of all those good stuff and more.

Writing is sort of my therapy to all my mental illness. People ask me, how in the world can I have time to read books, even more maintain a blog? Juggling your work as a photographer, working on your screenplay, novel, retouching your own images, life? Believe me or not I asked that question myself before I decided to start typing my first entry “Thank you Mr. Irving Penn” last October 8, 2009, the day after the iconic photographer died, Dangerously Naïve was born. This blog will serve as the cohesive bridge to all the things that I am passionate about, my travels, people, friends, frenemies, books I read and want to read, movies I’ve seen and want to see, people I’ve worked with, people I want to work with, fan mails, hate mails, heroes, villains, talented people and the not-so talented, science, religion, celebrities, fame-whores, vocabularies, sex, history, desserts, deserts, photography, latest works, other blogs and even world peace.

Below are the first 12 entries to sample your palate.

Thank you Mr. Irving Penn by Navo
(http://lopenavostudios.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/thank-you-mr-penn/)

3000 lope navo 13

A Big Fat Elephant In The Runway by Navo
(http://lopenavostudios.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/a-big-fat-elephant-in-the-runway/)

3000 lope navo 4

THE TEN: Male Beauties of all Time by Photographer Navo
(http://lopenavostudios.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/the-ten-male-beauties-of-all-time-by-photographer-navo/)

3000 lope navo 5

Filipino Newsmakers in World Fashion History by Navo
(http://lopenavostudios.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/filipino-newsmakers-in-world-fashion-history/)

3000 lope navo 6

The Earth in 2010 is so Dangerously Naive.
(http://lopenavostudios.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/earth-in-2010-is-so-dangerously-naive/)

3000 lope navo 1

Kill the Celebrities, Save the World?
(http://lopenavostudios.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/fame-whore-generation/)

3000 lope navo 12

Armed with Saliva: Films, Books and TV shows about the Fashion Machine by Navo

(http://lopenavostudios.wordpress.com/2009/11/06/armed-with-saliva-by-navo/)

3000 lope navo 7

Green Zone (2010)
(http://lopenavostudios.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/green-zone-2010/)

3000 lope navo 2

Pork, Jews and Porn: Censorship in Saudi Arabia by Navo
(http://lopenavostudios.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/pork-jews-and-porn-censorship-in-saudi-arabia-by-navo/)

3000 lope navo 10

American History XXX: The Censored works of Mr. Steven Klein by Navo
(http://lopenavostudios.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/american-history-xxx-the-censored-works-of-mr-steven-klein-by-navo/)

3000 lope navo 11

CINERAMA by Navo
(http://lopenavostudios.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/cinerama-by-navo/)

3000 lope navo 8

Erect Phallic Symbols of Dubai دبيّ‎ by Navo
(http://lopenavostudios.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/erect-phallic-symbols-of-dubai-by-navo/)

3000 lope navo 3

Al Burj, Al Rostamini Headquarters, Alec Guinness, Anara Tower, Burj Al Arab, Burj Dubai, David Lean, Disneyland, Dubai, Dubai Opera House, Emaar, Floating Houseboat in Dubai Marina, Freyr, Hermes, Lawrence of Arabia, Lope Navo, Mara Kannon Shrine, Osiris, P-17, Palm Trump Hotel, Penis, Phallic Symbols, Phallus, Prince Feisal, Sheikh Zayed Road, Shiva, T.E. Lawrence, talismans, tallest building in the world, The Lighthouse, The Palm, UAE

ERECT PHALLIC SYMBOLS OF DUBAI دبيّ‎ by Navo

In Travel on November 11, 2009 at 1:28 am

__Erect Phallic Symbols of Dubai Lope Navo 4

Phallic-Head Plate, 1536 and Cucuteni Phalus representaion, 3000 BC

PHALLUS

The phallus can refer to a penis, or to anything shaped like one. The ancient Egyptians have Osiris, the Greeks have Hermes, ancient Japan have the Mara Kannon Shrine (麻羅観音) in Nagato, ancient Romans have the talismans, ancient Scandinavia the Norse god Freyr, and ancient India have Shiva -phallic structures symbolized wellness and good health in many ancient cultures, Dubai nowadays has more than one, and they should add that to the list of its achievements in the “most” highest of this, and the “most” tallest of that, the “most” hottest of this, and the “most” modern city of the world -it’s also now the “most” cluttered city with phallic symbols that will surely make the Pharaohs and the greek gods blush.

NO MAN NEEDS NOTHING

“I think you are another of these desert-loving English: Doughty, Stanhope, Gordon of Khartoum. No Arab loves the desert. We love water and green trees, there is nothing in the desert. No man needs nothing.” quoting Prince Feisal played by Alec Guinness in 1962′s Lawrence of Arabia, an epic film about a flamboyant and controversial British military figure T.E. Lawrence in Saudi Arabia. A great film by David Lean that reminds me how flamboyant the desert could be if you let the Brits use your city as a blank canvas for their architectural playground.

Besides missing the best Pakistani dish I ever had, the sprawling nightlife, and warm Dubai hospitality, having lived there for 2 years, I miss also how quickly Dubai skyline changes every time my eyes blink, it’s a “closet-gay-man’s-Disneyland-filled-with man-made-penis-buildings”. Reaching a record high 512.1m (1,680 ft) 141 storeys, Burj Dubai is the tallest building in the world now and according to EMAAR Chairman Alabbar “A human achievement without equal”, I would like to add to that Mr. Chairman… Dubai is the city of men where homosexuality is illegal and now “the most visible male genitalia in outer space” without equal (size queens!).

__1990 2003 present Dubai Lope Navo

Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 1990, 2003 and present.

__Burj Dubai Lope Navo

Burj Dubai (tallest building in the world)

__Al Burj Lope Navo

Al Burj

__Trump Hotel Dubai Lope Navo

Palm Trump Hotel in Dubai

_Al Rostamini Headquarters Dubai Lope Navo

Al Rostamini Headquarters

__The Lighthouse Dubai Lope Navo

The Lighthouse

__P17 Dubai Lope Navo

P-17

__Anara Tower Dubai Lope Navo

Anara Tower

__Erect Phallic Symbols of Dubai Lope Navo 2

__Erect Phallic Symbols of Dubai Lope Navo

__opera and boat house Dubai Lope Navo

Floating Houseboat in Dubai Marina and Dubai Opera House

__Erect Phallic Symbols of Dubai Lope Navo 3

Burj Al Arab and The Palm

Lope Navo, The Road, The Lovely Bones, Tell Tale, Movie Posters, Films, I Love You Phillip Morris, Eichmann, Creation, Taxidermia, Shutter Island, Daybreakers, John Hillcoat, Cormac McCarthy, Joe Penhall, Charlize Theron, Viggo Mortensen, Guy Pearce, Robert Duvall, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Saoirse Ronan, Michael Imperioli, Michael Cuesta, Dave Callaham, Edgar Allan Poe, Josh Lucas, Lena Headey, Brian Cox, Glenn Ficarra, John Requa, Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Leslie Mann, Martin Scorsese, Laeta Kalogridis, Dennis Lehane, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig, Willem Dafoe, Isabel Lucas, Ethan Hawke, Sam Neill

CINERAMA by Navo

In Movies on November 10, 2009 at 5:55 am

“If my film makes one more person miserable, I’ve done my job”

- Woody Allen

(American Actor, Author, Screenwriter and Film Director)

In that note, below are some movies to watch.

The Road Lope Navo

The Road (2009)

Director: John Hillcoat
Writers: Cormac McCarthy (novel) Joe Penhall (adaptation)
Release Date: 25 November 2009 (USA)
Genre: Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Plot: A post-apocalyptic tale of a man and his son trying to survive by any means possible.

Cast
Charlize Theron -Wife
Viggo Mortensen -The Man
Guy Pearce -The Veteran
Robert Duvall -Old Man

lovely_bones lope navo

The Lovely Bones (2009)

Director: Peter Jackson
Writers (WGA): Fran Walsh (screenplay) & Philippa Boyens (screenplay)
Release Date: 15 January 2010 (USA)
Genre: Crime | Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Thriller more
Plot: Centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family – and her killer – from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.

Cast
Mark Wahlberg -Jack Salmon
Rachel Weisz -Abigail Salmon
Susan Sarandon -Grandma Lynn
Stanley Tucci -George Harvey
Saoirse Ronan -Susie Salmon
Michael Imperioli -Len Fenerman

tell_tale lope navo

Tell-Tale (2009)

Director: Michael Cuesta
Writers (WGA): Dave Callaham (screenplay) Edgar Allan Poe (short story “The Tell-Tale Heart”)
Genre: Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Plot: A man’s newly transplanted heart leads him on a dangerous journey to find out who murdered its donor.

Cast
Josh Lucas -Terry
Lena Headey -Elizabeth
Brian Cox -Van Doren

i_love_you_phillip_morris lope navo

I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)

Directors: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa
Writers (WGA): John Requa (written by) & Glenn Ficarra (written by)
Release Date: 12 February 2010 (USA)
Genre: Comedy | Drama
Plot: Steven Russell is happily married to Debbie, and a member of the local police force when a car accident provokes a dramatic reassessment of his life…

Cast
Jim Carrey -Steven Russell
Ewan McGregor -Phillip Morris
Leslie Mann -Debbie

shutter_island lope navo

Shutter Island (2010)

Director: Martin Scorsese
Writers (WGA): Laeta Kalogridis (screenplay) Dennis Lehane (novel)
Release Date: 19 February 2010 (USA)
Genre: Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller
Plot: Drama is set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding on the remote Shutter Island.

Cast
Leonardo DiCaprio -Teddy Daniels
Mark Ruffalo -Chuck Aule
Ben Kingsley -Dr. John Cawley
Emily Mortimer -Rachel Solando
Michelle Williams -Dolores Chanal
Max von Sydow -Dr. Jeremiah Naehring
Jackie Earle Haley -George Noyce

daybreakers lope navo

Daybreakers (2010)

Directors: Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig
Writers: Michael Spierig (writer) Peter Spierig (writer)
Release Date: 8 January 2010 (USA)
Genre: Action | Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller more
Plot: In the year 2019, a plague has transformed most every human into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the fractured dominant race plots their survival; meanwhile, a researcher works with a covert band of vamps on a way to save humankind.

Cast
Willem Dafoe -Elvis
Isabel Lucas -Alison Bromley
Ethan Hawke -Edward
Sam Neill -Charles Bromley

Source: http://www.imdb.com/

Andres Vasconcelos Segura, Arena Homme Plus magazine, Bondage Warriors, Calvin Klein, Censoring sex: a historical journey through American media, Christianity, Evandro Soldati, Government of Japan, Hercules Magazine, Inez Van Lamsweerde, Jamie Dornan, John E. Semonche, John Heidenry, Lady Gaga, Lope Navo, Marcus Piggott, Marjorie Heins, Mert Alas, Nicola Formichetti, Paola Kudacki, PULP magazines, Samuel de Cubber, Steven Klein, Tom Ford, Victorians, Vinoodh Matadin, Visionaire #52, VOGUE HOMMES JAPAN, Yves Saint Laurent men's fragrance M7

AMERICAN HISTORY XXX: THE CENSORED WORKS OF MR. STEVEN KLEIN by Navo

In Fashion on November 9, 2009 at 8:38 am

Steven Klein Censored Lope Navo 5 THE THREE CENSORED “WARRIORS”

Went to the beach today and it was a very relaxing Sunday for a workaholic, being a magazine addict I grabbed a couple on my way out and devour the pages laying on a beach towel while waiting for some friends to grab some grub. I’ve seen the “Bondage Warriors” from the September 2009 issue of VOGUE HOMMES JAPAN magazine before and maybe because of my last entry “Pork, Jews and Porn: Censorship in Saudi Arabia” I realized the obvious irony of it all. The 30-page-spread, S&M-inspired story of male bondage photographed by the iconic image-maker Steven Klein and styled by the very talented Nicola Formichetti has 3 full frontal nude shots in 3 different pages that will never see the light of day. Whether its good for Christianity, Government of Japan, or the main artistic statement of “produce-full-frontal-nudes-of-men-and-make-it-look-like-it-was-published-in-Saudi-Arabia-with-the-red-marker-pen” concept, I’m underwhelmed to say the least.

Steven Klein Censored Lope Navo 4

BREAST VS PENIS

Steven Klein Censored Lope Navo 6 Klein (self-portraits on the left), an american photographer based in New York is one of my personal heroes when it comes to pushing the envelope in the world of fashion, as a young photographer, I’m perplexed when Lady Gaga’s breast (as shown above) appeared in the same issue and it’s not censored since breasts have been fair game in fashion for a long time, and penis have popped-out here and there, and not in porn mags but in blue chip magazines and ad campaigns like “supermodels” Evandro Soldati (Ford NYC) and the latest Calvin Klein Model, Jamie Dornan‘s (Select London) full frontal nude (as shown below) for Visionaire #52 photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Andres Velencoso Segura (Wilhelmina NYC) by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin for Arena Homme Plus magazine, Alex for Hercules Magazine photographed by Paola Kudacki, and martial arts star Samuel de Cubber in full glory with his legs apart and yes with his penis visible for Yves Saint Laurent men’s fragrance M7 “eight years ago” in 2002 created by the American designer Tom Ford. In an interview Ford said: “Perfume is worn on the skin, so why hide the body? The M7 campaign is really pure… it’s a very academic nude.”

"Supermodel" Evandro Soldati and the latest Calvin Klein Model, Jamie Dornan's full frontal nude for Visionaire #52 photographed by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott

"Supermodel" Andres Velencoso Segura by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin for Arena Homme Plus magazine.

Alex full frontal for Hercules Magazine photographed by Paola Kudacki and Martial arts star Samuel de Cubber in full glory with his legs apart and yes with his penis visible for Yves Saint Laurent men's fragrance M7 "eight years ago" in 2002 created by the American designer Tom Ford

PULP OF AMERICA

Widely published from 1896 through the 1950s, PULP magazines pushed the envelope of sex, violence and gore in America. The inexpensive fiction magazines might be the granddaddy of all magazines in the business of “pushing envelopes” in american publication. Pulp magazines are a little over 1000 titles, including digests, one-shots and girly magazines. Things calmed down a little in the early 40′s when the Victorians got involved. The overt sadomasochism and racy sexual content got toned down considerably. Twenty one years later Steven Klein was born and like many other iconic fashion photographers being rebellious and controversial with their images they continued the legacy of the idea of “artistic rebellion”.

A Before and after censorship in a PULP Magazine in the 40's.

SELF-CONTRADICTION

In the book “Censoring sex: a historical journey through American media” by John E. Semonche, two quotes from the introduction pops up:

[A] sizable portion of the American public accepts censorship as an imagined “quick fix” solution to moral drift and other social ills… Fears of unbridled…sexuality, of a world without clear moral compass, and of the impact that a gigantic multimedia universe is having on our children, have contributed to the continued scapegoating of speech in America. (Marjorie Heins, 1998)

As a result of our ignorance, apathy, and fear, sex has to a great extent become by default the intellectual, moral and legal property of politicians, clerics, and ideologues. (John Heidenry, 1997)

As for me, the idea of pushing the envelope for the sake of art to be pushed back by religion, government or self-contradiction is like re-living 1940′s again… in 2010, but thats only my two cents, I still love Mr. Klein regardless and my friends arrived with the paper bag of deliciousness from the nearby Deli.

_________

info@navostudios.com

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Ana Nicole Smith, Babe: Pig in the city, Basic Instinct, Belarus, Boy George, Britney Spears, Burma, Chichilarue, China, Christianity, Cuba, David Bowie, Dhahran, drug use, gambling, George Micheal, Iran, Israel, Jesus Christ, Judaism, Libya, Lope Navo, Maldive, Micheal Jackson, Mother Mary, Muslims, Nepal, North Korea, Oprah, Paris Hilton, Playboy, Playguy, pornography, religious conversion of Muslims, Reporters Without Borders, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Seancody, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

PORK, JEWS AND PORN: CENSORSHIP IN SAUDI ARABIA by Navo

In Earth on November 8, 2009 at 3:29 am

BRITNEY, JACKO, JESUS AND RON JEREMY

“Dear User, عفواً، الموقع المطلوب غير متاح. Sorry, the requested page is unavailable. إن كنت ترى أن هذه الصفحة ينبغي أن لا تُحجب تفضل بالضغط هنا. If you believe the requested page should not be blocked please click here. لمزيد من المعلومات عن خدمة الإنترنت في المملكة العربية السعودية، يمكنك زيارة الموقع التالي: For more information about internet service in Saudi Arabia, please click here: www.internet.gov.sa”

If the screen 0n your desktop shows this message, you might have typed one or more of these words on your search engine…breast, boobs, tits, ass, butt, sex, Britney Spears, Micheal Jackson, Jesus Christ, Ron Jeremy, jew, Judaism, anal sex, rimming, fellatio, gay, homosexual, Madonna, Pamela Anderson, Tommy Lee, bisexual, erotic, erection, ménage à trois, blow job, Pope John Paul, pig, Piglet, pork, bacon, pork chop, Budha, Budhism, Hinduism, Catholicism, Scientology, glory hole, butt plugs, hymen, penis, vagina, foreskin, clitoris, Playboy, Playguy, Basic Instinct, Babe: Pig in the city movie, honcho, Seancody, slut, hooker, Chichilarue, transsexual, transvestite, lesbians, dikes, semen, sexual intercourse, fuck, uncut, bottom boy, circumcised, cybersex, Paris Hilton, Ana Nicole Smith, dildos, twinks, fags, deflower, virgin, vibrator, dominatrix, hoar, erectile dysfunction, naked, stripper, blackjack, poker, casino, BangBus, Girls Gone Wild, xxx, crucifix, holy rosary, bible, Christianity, Mother Mary, sadomasochism, David Bowie, Boy George, George Micheal, Israel, masturbation, kinky, bdsm, fetish, leather daddy, bareback, hand job and now even the new term “gay chicken” and Oprah’s “vajayjay”

Lope Navo Saudi Arabia 2

BABE: PIG IN THE CITY

In 2000 my second job was in Riyadh for more than a year, in Dhahran for 2 years, and it’s really hard for a movie buff like me to search info in the net when you’re a graphic designer who likes American Movies, and I’m not even talking about porn, just mainstream movies like “BABE: Pig in the City”, even my friends who are doctors and nurses can’t search for “breast”cancer because of the word “breast”-even for medical research purposes your not allowed to see tits. Saudi Arabia ranked 161st out of 173 countries for “freedom of the press” according to Reporters Without Borders in 2008. Going online in Saudi Arabia where internet censorship is common is rather like visiting a parallel universe run by the world’s strictest, most bigoted parents. Entire sites disappear without warning. Keyword filtering and ISP blacklists prevent you from accessing any sites that the kingdom doesn’t think you should see. The most aggressive censorship focused on pornography, drug use, gambling, religious conversion of Muslims, and filtering circumvention tools.

Lope Navo Saudi Arabia 1

SEXUAL NATURE

Incoming press is strictly controlled by censorship officials, primarily for content of sexual nature. Photos of women in books, magazines, and product packaging are routinely censored with black markers if any skin is showing and sometimes pages are just ripped right out. Meanwhile, books, videotapes and electronic media brought into the country may be subjected to censorship at customs. Pork in any form is prohibited, and so is pornography.

Other countries that have censorship in the internet and other medias are Belarus, Burma, Cuba, Iran, Libya, Maldive, Nepal, North Korea, Syria, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Turkmenistan and China.

Lope Navo Saudi Arabia

Lope Navo, Zoolander, Gianni Versace, Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird, Vampire, Bourne Identity, Silence of the Lambs, Fight Club, The Godfather, Gia, Stardom, Picture Me: A Model's Diary, Sex, Love, and Fashion: A Memoir of a Male Model by Bruce Hulse, A Model Summer by Paulina Porizkova, Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women by Michael Gross, The Beautiful Life, America's Next Top Model, Make me a Supermodel, America's Most Smartest Model, The Devil Wears Prada, Bruno, How to Lose Friends & Alienate People, Ugly Betty, Project Runway, Coco avant Chanel, Rage, Eyes of Laura Mars, Prêt-à-Porter, September Issue, Fashion Victim: The Killing of Gianni Versace, The Versace Murder, Valentino: The Last Emperor, Unzipped, Vulgar Favors: Andrew Cunanan, and the Largest Failed Manhunt in U.S. History by Maureen Orth, Oscar, NAIVE novel

ARMED WITH SALIVA: FILMS, BOOKS AND TV SHOWS ABOUT THE FASHION MACHINE by Navo

In my novel on November 6, 2009 at 12:18 am

birdbybird LIKE A VAMPIRE

A writer friend of mine just told me that “I should stop talking about writing and just write…”. Well I am just like a new vampire born into the world with a different set of eyes and I’m excited with my new found senses, though I love my writer friend and respect all her unsolicited advice, I will still talk about writing. I just read Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird and a paragraph just really made me realize how to rearrange my daily routines as a photographer to a photographer/writer, quoting Lamott “If you’re a writer, or want to be a writer, this is how you spend your days–listening, observing, storing things away, making your isolation pay off. You take home all you’ve taken in, all that you’ve overheard, and you turn it into GOLD. (or atleast you try.)” I always have stored images through my camera for the past 10 years travelling all over the world, but now I have to develop more senses and listen more, look more, observe more, like a vampire.

NAIVE YOUNG MEN

My favorite movies and books has always been filled with dark characters, they fascinate me -vampires, psycho killers, assassins, gangsters, and junkies, because they live most of the time with no rules, Interview with the Vampire, Bourne Identity, Silence of the Lambs, Fight Club, The Godfather are possibly my most favorite films ever. In every walks of life there are characters that are out there waiting for writers to tell their stories –a brain surgeon, an architect, a hacker, an australian surfer backpacking, a cowboy from Ohio, a politician, a serial killer, a mother and his son, their neighbor, the prostitutes across the street, the homeless man on the other alley, the pianist living in the loft above the building and the dancers listening to his music and it goes on, their stories have been written hundreds of times in so many different versions and vantage points. If you list the names of movies about prostitutes, gangsters, doctors and serial killers, you will think maybe they are societies favorite characters, we pay to hear their stories.

The story of a naive young man or woman comes to the big city with big hopes of becoming a top model as shown in mainstream films “Zoolander” (2001), “Gia” (1998), “Stardom” (2000), the documentary “Picture Me: A Model’s Diary” (2009), the novel’s “Sex, Love, and Fashion: A Memoir of a Male Model” by Bruce Hulse, “A Model Summer” by Paulina Porizkova, “Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women” by Michael Gross, TV shows like the recently cancelled CW series “The Beautiful Life” (2009), “America’s Next Top Model” (2003), and “Make me a Supermodel” (2008).

A models

The story of a naive young man or woman comes to the big city with hopes of becoming a top fashion designer, editor or photographer as shown on the films like “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006), “Bruno” (2009), “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People” (2008), books like “The Devil Wears Prada: A Novel by Lauren Weisberger”, TV shows like “Ugly Betty” (2006), and “Project Runway” (2005).

A artist

The story of that naive young man or woman who had arrived and now showcasing what validates them, like any other stories have some happy endings some don’t, like the films “Coco avant Chanel” (2009), “Rage” (2009), “The Versace Murder” (1998), “Eyes of Laura Mars” (1978), “Prêt-à-Porter” (1994), documentaries like “September Issue” (2009), “Fashion Victim: The Killing of Gianni Versace” (2001), “Valentino: The Last Emperor” (2009), “Unzipped” (1995), and books like “Vulgar Favors: Andrew Cunanan, Gianni Versace, and the Largest Failed Manhunt in U.S. History” by Maureen Orth.

A icons

NO OSCAR, PULITZER, OR NOBEL FOR FASHION

All the titles featured here are basically most of the information available out there as a general opinion that an outsider of the fashion world could access, collectively the public wants to see the bright and bubbly side of this industry, TV’s “Project Runway”, the hit comedy “Zoolander”, Lauren Weisberger’s “The Devil Wears Prada: A Novel”, tops for TV, Film and Books talking about the characters in a fashion house. Why haven’t any of the title’s mention here were critically honored and respected like the great movies about gangsters and lunatics? Why there are only few respectable books, films and tv shows out there that has more valid and real point of view about the fashion Industry, not merely caricatures. Something that will win the Oscars like Silence of the Lambs (film about serial killers) and the Godfather (film about criminals) or even a Nobel Prize.

ARMED WITH SALIVA

The film “Zoolander”, the novel “The Devil Wears Prada”, and “Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women” by Michael Gr beautiful_life_tbl_ver2 oss are the closest honest stories about this industry that I have read and seen, they are respectable in their own rights though they can only be achieved through comedy. Actor/ Producer Ashton Kutcher was almost close with his cancelled CW drama “The Beautiful Life”, with a better writer (his writers need to research more since most model booker/agents are overweight and balding) and actors this could’ve been a more watchable show. The major characters that has been told in relatively few stories about the fashion house are models armed with their good genetics, editors, fashion designers, photographers armed with their education, artistry and talents, the model agent as we see in “The Beautiful Life” episodes is armed with his “saliva”, a side of this industry that we haven’t seen, and what my new novel is all about. The “model booker/agent” is a word you wont find in a webster dictionary, but their “specific skill set” have been around since Cleopatra’s first trick. The two oldest profession in the history of man is prostitution and politics, welcome to a world where everyone just want to sell something -a novel about the 9 to 5 business of selling people titled “NAIVE”. Read an excerpt of the novel below…

“NAIVE” (Excerpt) 1st draft CHAPTER IV – “MASTERS and PUPPIES”

I love my pet chihuahua, Queen Alexander, he’s a well-trained dog. I always bring him at work…

…People can’t help but wonder how I can be so successful in a career that you don’t learn in Harvard or even a small town summer school. One of those days while browsing a magazine and waiting for my meat-head personal trainer at the gym, After reading the article “Get Fit Slowly » Yep, I’m Obese” I bumped into an article called “How to discipline a pet, Training a puppy may seem easy. In reality, it requires focus, consistency, and patience” After reading the damn article it dawned on me, If you replace the words “puppies/doggies/pets” with models, “masters/owners” with bookers, “punishment” with sending them to less castings or ignoring them for a period of time, “maximum punishment” kicking them out of the agency or blacklisting their ass, “rewards” with good castings and more “quality time“. Thats one of the secrets to my success. But will I tell that to anybody, of course not! Because the moment my pet becomes a bankable “supermodel”, somehow we switch roles.

HOW TO DISCIPLINE A PET.
(Training a puppy may seem easy. In reality, it requires focus, consistency, and patience. Here are a few tips for disciplining a pet that may prove useful.)

If you’ve never trained a puppy
before, you’re in for a treat. With those bright dark eyes on you and a tail wagging like mad, your new little pet will be a lot of fun to work with. And how gratifying when it learns to obey your commands and respect authority. Disciplining your puppy becomes a matter of course with results that both animal and human can expect.

But the other side of the discipline coin is the hard work that will be needed to achieve these results. Puppies, like children, require consistency. You can’t train them one day and ignore them the next. You have to do it on a regular basis. Here are some guidelines to get you started down the road to an obedient pet with a satisfied master:

1. Set up a training schedule. Start while your puppy is still young, perhaps six to eight weeks old. Aim for fifteen minutes twice a day, about the same time each day, like after the morning and evening feedings.

2. Choose a disciplinary method and stay with it. Using a newspaper to tap your puppy’s nose when he makes a mistake is effective; so is using a water bottle to spray him. Some owners opt for a simple verbal response:
“No!” “Stop!” “Heel!” These are followed by pushing the puppy out of the offensive posture, such as squatting to urinate or chewing on a sock. Be consistent with whatever you choose.

3. Teach the puppy one thing at a time. Be sure that trick or habit is completely mastered before starting another one. It may take several weeks before the puppy knows what is expected and delivers the desired behavior faithfully.

4. Discipline through rewards, too. Discipline does not mean only punishment. Discipline means training that leads to a desired outcome. When your puppy performs as expected, reward him with words of praise:

“Good boy!”

“Good puppy!”

You may want to toss him a doggy snack as well. Be sure to do this the first several times your puppy does what you tell him, and intermittently thereafter. Positive reinforcement is an effective way to discipline a pet.

5. Have one family member be responsible for training and discipline. If more than one person gets involved, your puppy may become confused. Still young yet, a puppy may not be able to discern differing voice intonations or even some word pronunciations if children are giving commands. Stick with one person, preferably an adult, who can get the animal conditioned and serve as the primary disciplinarian until your pet is well trained.

Getting a puppy can be fun for everyone. But training him requires serious effort.
Ongoing discipline means a concerted commitment by at least one adult member of the family. Keep these guidelines in mind before getting a puppy, because if you can’t follow through, you may end up with a sad puppy and unhappy owners.

Source: http://media.www.houstonianonline.com/media/storage/paper229/news/2005/02/15/Viewpoints/America.Should.Kill.Its.Celebrities-864579.shtml

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KILL THE CELEBRITIES, SAVE THE WORLD?

In viewpoints on November 4, 2009 at 4:19 am

In an article “America should kill its celebrities” written for houstonianonline.com on the Viewpoints section by Randy Goins on February 15, 2005. I’m fascinated to hear from people who shares the same sentiment. If your “that kind” of celebrity he’s talking about, you’ll say he’s bitter, for the intellectuals they don’t even know who are we talking about, for the public we might feel cheated, but we can’t resist the antics and entertainment of a generation of train wrecks we love to watch with our kids.

Read his full article below.

britney-spears-shaves-her-head-03

The United States is so obsessed with the rich and untalented, it’s sickening.

People seemed to know more about the American Idol candidates than the two guys in the last presidential election. The tsunami disaster in South Asia was almost eclipsed by the larger tragedy of Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt’s breakup. Most citizens have no idea what social security money will be available when they retire, but know exactly which rapper has what in their “crib.”

20050131-750-0

The alternate world in which celebrities live would, in theory, anger the educated. Actors make millions for playing pretend. Athletes make millions for playing a game, when they aren’t injured. Musicians make millions for singing songs they usually didn’t write. The median salary for a plumber in Houston is about $37,000 a year.

What is wrong with this picture? Actors, athletes and musicians entertain people, while plumbers make sure your toilets work. What do you value more, being entertained or not having a yellow ocean infested with fecal U-boats in your living room?

Most Americans, it seems, would rather be entertained, since no one ever questions this injustice. And it’s no secret that celebrities make millions for essentially making a career out of Little League or karaoke. We’re reminded of it every day when we turn on our televisions and catch an episode of “VH1′s The Fabulous life of…”, “MTV’s Cribs,” or “E!’s It’s Good To Be…” Each day, regular people are reminded that they had to search for change in the couch just to buy Ramen noodles while Lindsay Lohan was deciding whether to purchase the $175 Von Dutch hat or the $250 pair of aviator glasses (in case you’re worried, she bought both).

Do Americans enjoy being reminded that they work themselves to death to make half as much money as the amount Keanu Reeves spent for a colonic? Apparently so, as people are now lifting the disgustingly rich to celebrity status.

6133_1196692032521_1085081701_614780_1235442_n

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are ultimately making fun of hard-working, blue collar Americans when they bumble around as airport employees. The two venereal disease-ridden, trust fund babies thumb their nose at the working class, but people keep watching their show. Thanks to reality television, any wealthy and bored idiot can become a celebrity by exhibiting their audacity and ignorance in front of television viewers. There’s even a show on MTV now where snobby, rich girls make asses of themselves planning their “Sweet 16″ parties. If there was ever a reason to create a squad of time-traveling abortion doctors, that would be it.

Maybe celebrities are paid so much because their lives take attention away from the real issues and problems with this country. Distracting the citizens of the United States requires a hefty paycheck.

Something needs to be done. America should rise up against its overpaid celebrities. We need to round them up, drain their bank accounts and divide the money up between the middle and lower class.

Better yet, pay should be adjusted to the importance of the job. Plumbers should make millions while Britney Spears and Jaime Kennedy would make $37,000 annually. Instead of paying copious amounts to those who shovel out crap, we should respect those that keep it going down the drain.

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FILIPINO NEWSMAKERS IN WORLD FASHION HISTORY by Navo

In Fashion on October 13, 2009 at 9:16 am

King Philip II Lope Navo

16th century King Philip II of Spain is a significant historical figure for me, although I enjoyed more of Cate Blanchett’s 1998 “Elizabeth” than the 2007 sequel “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”, I’m amused to watch one of my favorite actor Jordi Mollà on the latter playing the part of the king where my country of birth was named in his honour.

With the holy water, I got baptized into Christianity, my spanish name Navo, my mother Elvira and my father Cesar, both names of spanish origins, unlike me, the Philippines has more name changing than a witness on a protection program, the ancient Greeks called the archipelago of 7,107 islands “Maniolas”, Chinese traders named it “Ma-yi”, which means “Land of Gold”, the Portuguese born-Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan baptized it “Archipelago of St. Lazarus”, few years after and another explorer of mother Spain Ruy López de Villalobos renamed the colony “Felipinas” in honor of Prince Felipe (later crowned as King Philip II), later evolved to “Filipinas”, the Americans called it “The Philippine Islands” and at present time “Republic of the Philippines”.

Filipino Celebrity Lope Navo

Most people familiar with my work are surprise I’m not a “60 yr old overweight blond caucasian dude” the first time they meet me, another creative or a model, or someone I bump into a line for my venti iced caramel macchiato in starbucks, the top inquiry is, “where is that accent from?” Il’d reply-“Philippines”, they’ll say- “Oh, Manny Pacquiao“, suddenly it hit me, the modern world has renamed the island of my ancestors “Republic of PACMAN”. The ancient Greeks will see the “Maniolas” renamed after the gladiator PACMAN, as America “the United States of Britney Spears” to the middle east, as far as I remember when I was living there. But this is not about Filipino gladiators in the world history of Sports, but the Filipinos who made a name and headlines in the world of Fashion.

It’s fascinating and sometimes appalling to read or watch the news to know that a visionary magazine editor, a notable fashion designer, an iconic first lady, a groundbreaking model, and a controversial Versace murderer has altered and continue changing the course of the world’s fashion history as we speak. Quoting the author Hodding Carter “There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: One is roots, the other is wings.”

Stephen Gan Lope Navo

Stephen Gan

Creative director at Harper’s Bazaar, co-founder of Visionaire, editor-in-chief of V Magazine and Vman magazine.

Born (1966) and raised in the Philippines, arrived in New York City when he was 18, immediately becoming a prominent NYC club kid Gan studied at Parsons School of Design and began his career as a photographer. In 1986—while he was still a student—legendary Times lensman Bill Cunningham shot a photo of Gan on the street in SoHo, took him for coffee and a cookie, and gave him a quarter to call Annie Flanders, the soon-to-be editor of Details. Gan’s meeting with Cunningham proved fortuitous: Flanders later offered him the position of fashion editor at Details. After the magazine was sold to Condé Nast and Gan was kicked to the curb, he used $7,000 of his severance pay to print 1,000 copies of Visionaire with co-founders James Kaliardos and Cecilia Dean.

In 1999, he launched V Magazine, an offshoot of Visionaire focusing on young art, fashion, and culture. His day job, though, is at Harper’s Bazaar, where he was named creative director in 2001, one of Glenda Bailey’s first hires as editor-in-chief. Gan is also director of Dream Project, a creative powerhouse, with advertising clients such as Calvin Klein, Dior, Fendi, Shiseido, Olay Colour Europe, Tommy Hilfiger, D&G and Missoni.

Monique Lhuillier Lope Navo

Monique Lhuillier

Born (1971) and raised in Cebu, Philippines, fashion designer based in the United States. She’s the daughter of Michel Lhuiller, a successful businessman of mixed French Filipino descent, and Amparito Llamas, a society figure & former model of Spanish-Cebuano Filipino descent. Lhuillier’s family is prominent in Philippine society. Lhuillier demonstrated good taste and great imagination at an early age. At 15, she was an outstanding student in Lausanne, Switzerland and hoped to become successful in the fashion industry. Her parents sent her to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), where she met the man she married, Tom Bugbee. Lhuillier and Bugbee, a young, dynamic husband and wife team, founded their company in 1996 and launched their first bridal collection. The line was extremely well-received by fashion-savvy brides, editors, and celebrities.

The breakthrough came after Monique designed the gowns for her wedding entourage. These captured the fancy of couture circles. Having had a difficult time finding her own gown, Lhuillier, a 23-year-old newlywed at the time, decided to begin sketching her own line of dresses. She made the news with two high-profile celebrity weddings in a row. She designed Christine Baumgartner‘s wedding dress for her Fall, 2004 wedding to Kevin Costner shortly after designing both of Britney Spears‘s dresses for her wedding to Kevin Federline. She’s also designed the wedding gown of US former Vice President and former Second Lady Al and Tipper Gore’s youngest daughter, Sarah G. Lee, for her marriage to Bill Lee, and also Heidi Montag‘s wedding dress to Spencer Pratt. Also, one of her gowns is used by Hilary Duff when she plays Sam in A Cinderella Story. Subsequently Lhuillier added evening wear to her line, and several of her efforts showed up on red carpets before awards shows. For the Fall, 2007 season she branched off into more typical runway collections. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monique_Lhuillier

Ana Bayle Lope Navo

Anna Bayle

Born (1959) and raised in the Philippines, a Filipina model who achieved success in the late 1970s and 1980s. She became one of the highest paid models of her time.

Bayle worked for numerous New York designers and became a design consultant to some established fashion houses. She did national and international campaigns for fashion houses and major department stores, as well as calendars for Elite Modeling Agency and Shiseido Cosmetics. She was featured in numerous fashion books, such as Mugler, Chanel, Scaasi, Valentino, Versace, YSL, Dior, Fashion Illustrations by Antonio, etc. Bayle was photographed by fashion photographers including Helmut Newton, Norman Parkinson, Sante D’ Orazio, Peter Beard, David Seidner, Olivero Toscani, Arthur Elgort, Patrick Demarchelier, Peter Lindbergh, Skrebneski, Alex Chatelain and Paolo Roversi. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Bayle

Andrew Cunanan Lope Navo

Andrew Cunanan (1969 – 1997)

An American spree killer who murdered at least five people, including fashion designer Gianni Versace, during a three-month period in 1997, ending with Cunanan’s suicide, at age 27. On June 12, 1997, Cunanan became the 449th fugitive to be listed by the FBI on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.  Cunanan was born in National City, California, the youngest of four children to Modesto Cunanan and Mary Anne Shilacci.

In 1981, his father enrolled him in The Bishop’s School in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California. At school, Cunanan was remembered as being bright and very talkative, testing with an I.Q. of 147, but he was often bullied. As a teenager, he developed a reputation as a prolific liar, given to telling fantastic tales about his family and personal life; he was also adept at changing his appearance according to what he felt was most attractive at a given moment. After graduating from high school in 1987, he became a student at University of California, San Diego, where he majored in American history.  After graduating from UCSD, he settled in the Castro District of San Francisco. There, he frequented high-class gay bars and prostituted himself to wealthy, older men. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Cunanan

“Still, there was a lot of surface masquerade going on. There was a lot of Andrew Cunanan that Andrew Cunanan did not like. He began to, using author Clarkson’s word, “reinvent” himself almost as a cause celebre. Glamour became the keyword; he wanted to be glamorous. Firstly, he did not like being Filipino, so he suddenly became Latino and acted out the part with the verve of an Antonio Banderas. At the bars he was known as either Andrew DaSilva or David Morales. A chameleon, he changed faces and figures with a pair of stylish glasses or a trim of his sideburns, or through the transformation from a suited Clark Kent to a T-shirt wearing Superman. Even though he was Personality A on Friday night, he could be Personality B at the same spot on Saturday and get away with it. Those who spent hours with him at the bar one night would not recognize him the next.” http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/mass/cunanan/index_1.html

Imelda Marcos Lope Navo copy

Imelda Marcos

The widow of former President Ferdinand Marcos, and is herself an influential political figure in the Philippines. Imelda was born on July 2, 1929 in Manila. Her own branch of the family was not political. Her father was a scholarly man more interested in music and culture than in public life. Her mother, Remedios Trinidad, a dressmaker who grew up in an orphanage in Manila, said to have been an illegitimate offspring of a friar.

Marcos’s extravagant lifestyle reportedly included five-million-dollar shopping tours in New York, Rome and Copenhagen in 1983, and sending a plane to pick up Australian white sand for a new beach resort. She purchased a number of properties in Manhattan in the 1980s, including the $51-million Crown Building and the $60-million Herald Centre; she declined to purchase the Empire State Building for $750m as she considered it “too ostentatious.” Her New York real estate was later seized and sold, along with much of her jewels and most of her 175 piece art collection, which included works by Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Canaletto.

After the Marcos family fled Malacañang Palace, Marcos was found to have left behind 15 mink coats, 508 gowns, 1000 handbags and 3000 pairs of shoes. In February 2006, Marcos insisted that her husband acquired his wealth legitimately as a gold trader. By the late 1950s, she claimed, he had amassed a personal fortune of 7,500 tons of gold, and after gold prices climbed in the 1970s, the Marcos family was worth about $35 billion. However, the Bureau of Internal Revenue has no record of the Marcos family declaring or paying taxes on these assets, and the source of their wealth remains open to investigation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imelda_Marcos

A Nightmare on Elm Street, A Single Man movie, Abercrombie & Fitch, Al Khobar, Bally, Brad Pitt, Calvin Klein, Chace Crawford, Chris Evans, Chris Pine, Christian Dior, Detroit, Diesel, Dior Homme, DKNY, Etro, Fantastic Four, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Flesh, Forbes Magazine, Gabriel Aubry, Geena Davis, Gianni Versace, Gossip Girl, Greg Gorman, Greg Knudson, Gus Van Sant, Hairspray, High School Musical, Hollywood, Hugo Boss, Indian, Interview with the Vampire, Irina Aleksander, James Dean, James Marsden, Japanese, Joe Dallesandro, Johnny Depp, Jon Kortajarena, Julianne Moore, Just Between Us, Just Cavalli, Lauren Streib, Legends of the Fall, Little Joe, Lope Navo, Louis de Pointe du Lac, Male Beauties, Mark Fisher, Marlon Teixeira, My Own Private Idaho, New York City, Pattaya, Pirates of the Caribbean, Polo, Portuguese, Ralph Lauren, Rebel Without a Cause, River Phoenix, Robert Pattinson, Saudi Arabia, Star Trek, STARK, Terry Richardson, Thailand, The New York Observer, Thelma & Louise, Tiger Beat, Tom Ford, TOP GUN, Tristan Ludlow, Trussardi Colin Firth, Twilight, Valentino, Versace, Warren Beatty, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Wilhelmina Models, Zac Efron, Zoolander

THE TEN: MALE BEAUTIES OF ALL TIME by Navo

In Top Ten on October 8, 2009 at 5:52 pm

Travelling the world in the 90′s, I saw the great influence of American Pop Culture wherever I go, Tom Cruise’s 1986 TOP GUN poster stapled on a barber shop in Boystown, Pattaya-Thailand, Brad Pitt’s 1994 Legends of the Fall poster in a “mostly censored” movie rentals in Al Khobar-Saudi Arabia, Leonardo Dicaprio’s life-size cardboard cutout in the streets of Lan Kwai Fong-Hong Kong, 90’s Jason Priestley and Luke Perry of 90210 all over the notebook covers of teenage girls (and boys) in my highschool in Manila, I have to confess I bought my first Tiger Beat with River Phoenix cover to wrap my textbook for my drudging calculus class.

James Dean
(February 1931 – September 1955)

In “a fun experiment” by Irina Aleksander on her article “The New Male Beauty” (June 23, 2009) for The New York Observer. She suggested that the latest “It boys”sort of look alike– High School Musical’s Zac Efron, Twilight’s Robert Pattinson, Gossip Girl’s Chace Crawford, Star Trek’s Chris Pine, Hairspray’s James Marsden, Fantastic Four’s Chris Evans and the list goes on, and she calls it the NEW MALE BEAUTY: those wide-set eyes, the narrow nose that flares up at the tip just so, the childish puffy cheeks and the not-too-rugged jaw lines, topped with carefully placed strands of layered hair. (http://www.observer.com/2009/style/new-male-beauty)

Although I agree with her that this twenty-something James Dean doppelgänger’s has been dominating the box office and prime time tv this decade, whats new? Since James Dean starred in Rebel Without a Cause (1955), he’s reincarnation’s in the “Male Beauties” of the 60’s (Warren Beatty), 80’s (Tom Cruise), 90’s (Leonardo Dicaprio) has always been prominent. The 2000’s Young Hollywood cannot deny that “another swoopy-haired, pretty-faced actor dominating the box office” has started in the 50’s. Although I was born in the 80’s and Tom Cruise was the king, I acknowledge that on my list of top 10 Male beauties of all time, it’s a not a Mr. Pattinson or a Mr. Efron topping my list- its the original, Mr. Dean.

River Phoenix
(August 1970 – October 1993)

The American film actor who starred in Gus Van Sant’s 1991 Semi-documentary footage of Seattle street hustling “My Own Private Idaho” is one of the reason I fell in love with american filmmaking, not only its sexiest Homosexual road movie ever made, its casted perfectly with beautiful talented stars all at the top of their respective games. The film’s success solidified Phoenix’s image as an edgy actor with leading man potential, without even trying, he is the most authentic reincarnation of James Dean’s beauty and talent in the 90’s.

Brad Pitt
(December 1963)

Yes, it’s not a surprise Mr. Pitt’s in the list, hailed as one of the world’s most sexiest men over and over in some top 10 list all over the world. But I can’t help but put him in this one, because am only human. Most of my favorite movies of all time are starred by Brad Pitt, and three of the sexiest and most beautiful characters that the silver screen ever produced he had played – J.D., the cowboy hitchhiker who seduces Geena Davis’s character in the 1991 road movie “Thelma & Louise”, as Louis de Pointe du Lac in “Interview with the Vampire” (1994) – the most referenced vampire of this decades’ teen vampires and Tristan Ludlow in the 1994 drama “Legends of the Fall”, how can I resist?

Johnny Depp
(June 1963)

There is something so mysterious about this American actor that I find so mesmerizing and beautiful, after 50 films and running, from “A Nightmare on Elm Street” to “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” from “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” to “Pirates of the Caribbean”, he just makes me ask for more.

Joe Dallesandro
(December 1948)

Aesthetically speaking if the Greek philosophers will have a perfect mold for the male beauty, it will be “Little Joe”s face. Thanks to Andy Warhol, the 70’s underground films will always have their nude James Dean. Although he never become a mainstream film star like Mr. Dean, Mr. Phoenix, Mr. Depp and Mr. Pitt –Mr. Dallesandro is a sex symbol of the 20th century in his own right, and an iconic beauty on my list. Like Mr. Phoenix he starred as as a beautiful teenage street hustler in the 1970’s film Flesh and hailed as one of the 10 most beautiful men Scavullo had ever photographed. As a photographer how can i disagree?

Gabriel Aubry
(January 1976)

“Quick, name one male model.” asked by Lauren Streib on her article “The World’s Most Successful Male Models” (May, 07 2008) for Forbes Magazine. Gabriel Aubry, Mark Fisher, Marlon Teixeira, Jon Kortajarena, and Greg Knudson and yes, Fabio doesn’t count. In my personal list of Top 10 Male Beauties of all time, it only make sense that half of them are models and three out of five are signed with Wilhelmina Models in New York City. All five of them have the movie star good looks minus the Zoolander ego that plagued most male models this decade.

Signed to Wilhelmina Models in New York City, the only male model to ever appear on the cover of Uomo Vogue while appearing in 4 different campaigns at the same time, in the same magazine. Aubry is a Canadian male model, that has been the face (and body) of blue chip clients like Gianni Versace, Calvin Klein, DKNY, and Valentino, achieved supermodel status after modeling for Hugo Boss.

Mark Fisher
(January 1976)

One source of male beauties for me back in college are the men’s fashion magazines, I have converted my room in a mini-magazine library and nobody can avoid all the muses for more than four decades of the legendary photographer Bruce Weber, Mark Fisher is my favorite. Mr. Fisher is an American model best known for his campaigns for Abercrombie & Fitch, Polo, Versace and Ralph Lauren. In my book he is one of the original male models that carries the James Dean charm without even knowing it.
Fisher was born in Detroit, but grew up in Atlanta and considers himself a little boy from the South.

Marlon Teixeira
(September 1993)

Signed to Wilhelmina Models in New York City, Teixeira appeared on Dior Homme Campaign, the provocative Diesel Ad shot by Terry Richardson, the face of the 2009 Christian Dior Summer/Spring collection to name a few. The brazilian beauty is half Portuguese and has Indian and Japanese origins and at the very young age and early of his career he is becoming one of the top working male model now.

Jon Kortajarena
(May 1985)

Those chiseled cheekbones, full pout and sexy stare has placed Spanish male model on my top 10 male beauties, signed to Wilhelmina Models in New York City, Kortajarena has been the face of Just Cavalli, Tom Ford, Bally, Etro, Trussardi and now on his film debut on the upcoming directorial debut of designer TOM FORD “A Single Man” (2009) with Colin Firth, and Julianne Moore.

Greg Knudson
(November 1978)

Whenever people ask me who’s my favorite model I ever photographed, this American male model, native of california always come to mind, I never thought I’ll ever meet a real life James Dean in my lifetime, but I did, and his body covered by Oriental tattoos of his gang membership in his teen years, a troubled teen like the characters that James Dean, River Phoenix, Johnny Depp would usually play in their films and his striking resemblance to Brad Pitt is uncanny.

Excerpt from my book Acknowledgement “STARK”: I remember buying my first photo book, Just Between Us by LA photographer Greg Gorman, when I was in Fine Arts college majoring painting. I will never forget that, because I had never before spent so much money on a book; but that day and from this day on I knew it was all worth it. The moment I saw Greg Knudson on the book cover in the display, I considered him the most beautiful person on the planet, and I still feel he is.

When I shot him in LA last year—8 years after I bought the book—Greg told me I might be the last photographer he would ever work with since he is thinking of retiring; he has worked with most of the top photographers in the 1990’s. Now he is gracing my photo book, and I am elated.

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info@navostudios.com

guardian.co.uk, Joan Didion, Lope Navo, modeling, Ole Schell, photographer, Picture Me, runway, Sara Ziff, thedailybeast.com

A BIG FAT ELEPHANT IN THE RUNWAY by Navo

In Documentaries on October 8, 2009 at 4:09 pm

This is one of those reasons they hate smart girls in the modelling industry — they make documentaries, knowing how duplicitous and mafia-like the industry she’s putting on the spot, I’m surprised the model turned filmmaker is still not blacklisted for being a whistleblower.“The people in the industry who are doing these things are much more powerful, and the model is totally disposable. She could be gone in two years.” – according to Sara Ziff and Ole Schell’s documentary “Picture Me”, which exposes the dirty underbelly of modeling.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/07/sara-ziff-teen-modelling-fashion

Sara Ziff was 14 when she first began modelling. Her third casting was in the East Village in New York. “We had to go in one by one. The photographer said he wanted to see me without my shirt on. Then he told me that it was still hard to imagine me for the story so could I take my trousers off. I was standing there in a pair of Mickey Mouse knickers and a sports bra. I didn’t even have breasts yet. ‘We might need to see you without your bra,’ he told me. It was like he was a shark circling me, walking around and around, looking me up and down without saying anything. I did what he told me to. I was just eager to be liked and get the job. I didn’t know any better.” Teenage girls, she says, are being persuaded to pose in a sexual way when they don’t even know what it means yet. She recalls being a “virginal teenager” and posing innocently when she didn’t feel remotely sexy. “The images came out and they were practically pornographic. What the photographer saw was not what I felt. It had nothing to do with that 14-year-old and what she was feeling and everything to do with what the person behind the camera projected onto her.” For all her success as a model – she was out-earning her father, a university neurobiologist, by the time she was 20 – Ziff was probably always an outsider in the industry. Put it this way, she’s the first model I’ve met who quotes Joan Didion. Her parents are academics who never approved of her career and it’s possible she thought too much about the wider significance of what she was doing to really enjoy it herself (she was taking courses in women’s studies while at the same time modelling couture). For once, being beautiful and brainy doesn’t seem such an enviable combination.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-04-08/the-ugly-truth-about-models/full/

“You can’t talk about issue of body image without addressing extreme youth of the models,” said Ziff. “Girls that are 14, 15 and 16 can be naturally thin in the way that a 30-year-old woman can’t be. Certainly there might be cases of [anorexia], but most of the time it’s not that they aren’t anorexic, it’s that they’re extremely young.” What people really should be asking, she continued, is “why do we have this Peter Pan syndrome where women never age? We don’t want to see images of women who are grown up. The models never age, and a 17-year-old will be replaced by a 15-year-old o n the runway. For me, it was illuminating to realize that.”

9/11, Alexey Brodovitch, graphic designer, Harper's Bazaar, Irving Penn, Lope Navo, Manhattan, Philadelphia Museum School, photographer, Saudi Arabia, World War II

THANK YOU MR. IRVING PENN by Navo

In Icons on October 8, 2009 at 9:18 am

In the beginning of the BUSH era I was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I still can’t believe I was there on September 11.

But this is not about 9/11. I remember an old friend and co-worker — as we were trying to make sense of the tragedy of that day — talk to me about the world’s future and my place in it as a graphic designer and photographer in Riyadh. He told me that his father asked him every single day “Son, is that job that making you happy? Is it contributing to the society and the world? Does your life have meaning or purpose?”

The only thing I remember answering back, while we were watching people jumping off the World Trade Center Tower that day was…

– “I want to write about this”

Nine years later my screenplay is still in the shelf — unfinished. But that day made me realize that my life could so easily become superficial. And I wanted to find my life’s purpose in a language I could understand.

I am a fashion photographer now. I’ve always admired those who live their life changing the world in ways that work for them. They make me feel shallow and insignificant — so I am taking writing classes, despite the fact that English is not my first language. I’m taking steps to organize my thoughts and write about things that I care and am passionate about. Taking portraits of a person or a model is somehow telling a story too but I want to write as much as I want to read good books and watch good films. In the capitalist world where I make a living, writing keeps me grounded.

Irving Penn Lope Navo 2 One of the most grounded icons in the “fashion house” died at the aged of 92 yesterday in his Manhattan home. These words were written in his obituary: “Irving Penn, A courtly man whose gentle demeanor masked an intense perfectionism, Mr. Penn adopted the pose of a humble craftsman while helping to shape a field known for putting on airs. Although schooled …in painting and design, he chose to define himself as a photographer, scraping his early canvases of paint so that they might serve a more useful life as backdrops to his pictures.” Irving Penn Lope Navo 1

He is a true photography icon minus the diva tendencies and superficialness that plague fashion today. It always amazes me to meet or read about “real” people in the industry. I meet and read about today’s top photographers and I feel like they are either junkies or Britney Spears wannabes. And every time you mention this to them, you are met with defensiveness and are discredited as bitter. These days, you can count with one hand the genuinely intelligent and grounded creatives.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_Penn)

Irving Penn studied under Alexey Brodovitch at the Philadelphia Museum School from which he graduated 1938. Penn’s drawings were published by Harper’s Bazaar and he also painted. As his career in photography blossomed, he became known for post World War II feminine chic and glamour photography. Clarity, composition, careful arrangement of objects or people, form, and the use of light characterize Penn’s work. Penn also photographs still life objects and found objects in unusual arrangements with great detail and clarity.

Irving Penn Lope Navo 9 His still life compositions are skillfully arranged assemblages of food or objects; at once spare and highly organized, the objects are raised to a graphic perfection, articulating the abstract interplay of line and volume.

Looking at Penn’s life and work, I could see he contributed wholeheartedly his visions of beauty and history to the the world — inspiring thousands of younger generations of photographers like me to be a storyteller like him.

Thank you Irving Penn Lope Navo 7 Mr. Penn

_________

info@navostudios.com