As seen at 1:13 into this video shot by Eric Nehr. Can't wait to put it with those signature Rad Hourani pants

CHRIS BRODAHL : THE YELLOW TREE
She crafts monochrome paintings, based on photographs from fashion magazines, as well as bronze-cast found objects and figurines with a darkly torqued spirit of distortion.

Torqued and tweaked to perfection: Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2009

Women Milan's Auguste Tomasuite makes a dramatic entrance at Jil Sander Image via fashionologie

Tyson Beckford at the height of his undeniable beauty

My colleague at MDC , Betty Sze uploaded a post on OTM titled, "Change Begins Today" which contrasted the inaugration of Barack Obama as the President Of The United States with the lack of color on the Milan FW 09 men's runways (as per a Guy Trebay article in the NY Times). The following day I was at a shoot for frillr.com with an unsigned black male model. The subject of why there has been no black male super-star since Tyson Beckford came up. I was asked why did I think that was . I found myself stumped. Not because I didn't have a point of view on the subject but more truthfully, because I had several complicated and conflicting ideas about the issue. A whole frenzy of questions came to mind.

Raf Simons' Tokyo store "remixed" by artist Sterling Ruby Image via kultureflash

Jil Sander SS 09 as worn by Aloyna Image via nytimes.com

Jil Sander SS 09 is a challenge and that can be directional. Image via frillr.com

My first reaction to Raf Simon's collection for Jil Sander SS 09 was that of a fashion philistine, on the order of... "Who wants to ever wear a color blocked jacket? Especially one in yellow and PINK". Even the safe pieces, like the black perforated jackets felt tricky with their melange of zippers punctuated with circles, triangles and squares. As in really, really geometric. Like the color-blocking. Geometric. Techno. Like the soundtrack. ZZZZZZZZZ.

Ute Ploier FW 08 via royboticsteez.blogspot.com

Well today has been all about the last minute inspiration. I've been weeping to the Hiss Squad that I'm facing the SS09 Men's shows with a sense of dread. I can already see the knobby knees in baggy linen shorts rolled up three times for that "editorial" look. What is happening to menswear I've been wondering? Why is it so moribund next to the dynamic breakthroughs we saw in womenswear for FW 08. Well via this really great new blog, http://royboticsteez.blogspot.com/, I stumbled across the work of Ute Ploier. It is a very familiar vocabulary (given than Ute was trained by Raf Simons) but backtracking through the season's there seems to be a very interesting signature evolving through the line. It happens on those more "off"/unwearable" pieces. Ute shows in Paris and what I love about the work of Austrian designer is the way she chooses to explore the tension between street/sportswear and tailored pieces. We'll be watching her SS09 show with avid interest.

B Blessing calls for you!

TI stands in great jeopardy of bankruptcy this weekend!