**This is our weekly series on stylealchemy, titled Cinema Aesthetic, which explores the importance of wardrobe and set design within film (mostly) but may include music video and television**

This week we’re going to jump into the world of the music video which is essentially a short film set entirely to music.

The Bird and the Bee’s Again and Again video is adorable. There are certain points and shots of the video that are constantly repeated as if on a constant loop, hence playing into the ‘again and again’ theme.

Director, Autumn de Wilde has a certain sensibility that is found throughout her portfolio and she has worked with artists and other creatives including Beck, Rodarte, Miranda July and Rilo Kiley/Jenny Lewis. She was also the photographer on the infamous Zooey Deschanel shoot for issue four of Lula Magazine.

The stylist that you always see associated with Autumn de Wilde is Shirley Kurata who has such a cool sensibility with clothes and aesthetics. The de Wilde and Kurata team work heavily with many indie artists in both the photography and film mediums. Here these two worked their magic on musicians Greg Kurstin and Inara George for “Again and Again.” I’m loving the mod, ’60s styling and the eclectic setting. It’s an entertaining 2:51 minutes well spent.

This dress is out of control!

Here is the video.

♥ the alchemist

International style blogs are great because you get to see how people all around the globe rock their own style. On the other hand, if you do not understand the language you may not be able to read the posts. This is how it has been for months with me and the style muse this week Clara of Underbaraclara. At least, there are plenty of pictures of great outfits for one to be inspired by. This girl is a chameleon, her hair has changed so many times and she has a great aesthetic with her clothes and how she presents herself. 

I don’t know what it is with me and black and white stripes but this picture is great.

♥ the alchemist

Last year, I wrote about Yuki Arata’s Furnishing Fall 07 collection which had great silhouettes and colors. Her Spring collection is bright and really feminine. There are a few separate pieces that I like but I personally feel that Fall was stronger.

Here are the Spring images.

♥ the alchemist

Lately when I see fur coats, it’s either little old ladies strolling down the street or stylish young women rocking it their own way. Images of lovely ladies on the street style blogs and the wonderful Rhiannon give us fresh, interesting ways to think about styling it. Of course, there are many varying opinions on the matter of wearing or not wearing fur. To me, vintage furs feel like a type of recycling plus there’s that old-school look I’m after.

above photos: Yvan the Facehunter

However, in the back of mind, Margot Tenenbaum resides as one of the queens of the quirky and I can finally live out that fantasy with this thrift store find.

This little faux fur number is perfect for acting out my most melancholic and contemplative moments. Or maybe I’ll just wear it when I’m frustrated with a bout of writer’s block.

I also scored this purse and scarf.

♥ the alchemist

I stumbled onto photographer Sarah Wilmer’s portfolio which is filled with lovely, quirky images.  Sarah allows us, the viewer to feel like a voyeur quitely observing a scene. Most of her subjects never face the camera and they are permanently caught unaware in an intimate moment. Leaving us to determine why they are there and what exactly is happening. Each image is a short story waiting to be written. This is just a sprinkling of some of her work.

Why do I love a top hat so much??

Stunning!

Sarah also has a series titled Cryosphere which are photographs of frozen landscapes which are refreshingly beautiful.

♥ the alchemist

There’s something about this picture from Guðrun & Guðrun’s A/W 2007 collection that I am drawn to. It’s not a new look or completely innovative. It’s just that dress looks so unbelievably soft that I wish I could reach out and feel it. Add to that the slick, toughness of the latex leggings and it becomes all the more interesting because of the contrasts.

Also, Guðrun & Guðrun use Farorese yarn which is sustainable and organic for their collection.

Guðrun & Guðrun is owned by two Faroese women and the creative
process of design is very closely linked to the isolation of the place.
“It’s good to come to Europe for input and inspiration, but it’s crucial
to come back home to the silence and not be disturbed by the hectic
life of fashion” the designer concludes.The Faroe Islands are 18 tiny islands situated in the North Atlantic, between Iceland and Norway. Only 45.000 people live on the islands.
Still it’s a nation of it’s own with own culture and own language.
So tiny and still the frames of the myriad of life.I love this part of their philosophy:The handmade production is jointly produced by Faroese and Jordanian women. We know every one of the knitters by name and our ambition is to always be proud and happy when looking them into their eyes.♥ the alchemist

Los Angeles based designer Andrea Styranka’s Fall 07 collection has a romantic, urban vibe that I am drawn to. From the tousled Gibson Girl hair to the styling, these images are inspiring.

(forgive my LOL speak, this never happens. I don’t know what came over me)

Actually, yes I do, I covet that hat and someone’s been spending too much time on the interweb!

Anyway, let’s get back to business: here is the proper image.

Isn’t the setting and styling dreamy?

Frida!

Happy Monday, lovelies!

♥ the alchemist

Fact: My love for Radiohead has no bounds. This has been true for some time.

Therefore:  I love In Rainbows.

As a result: I want to take this album behind the bleachers and make out with it, then go carve our initials into a tree.

That is all.

♥ the alchemist

Here are some haute links from the last week:

Jennine of The Coveted has a new home for her blog and it looks amazing! Always inspiring, I’m looking forward to see what other things come from her.

Diana of SoFashon has a new Spring 2008  RTW collection that is out-of-this-world. She is definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Alix has the best room. Which she painted herself, by the way. Oh and she lives in Paris. Awesome…

I want this peacock pin from Topsy Turvy Design to satisfy my inner Moulin Rouge diva. It can be made into a pin or hair barrette. Luv. it. lots.

Keeping with the feather theme, my love for altamira nyc intensifies with this post.

♥ the alchemist

Happy Friday!

Here is some photo-love courtesy of Flickr. This week has been draining but these pics make me so happy. Colors always seem to uplift me. Hope you guys have some wonderful plans this weekend!

I’ll be scouring the city for mini-adventures. What about you?
                    
photos courtesy of flickr: (1) herminehaller; (2) babyskinz; (3) tinna; (4) elbud; (5) jennY; (6) jennY

♥ the alchemist

**This is our weekly series on stylealchemy, titled Cinema Aesthetic, which explores the importance of wardrobe and set design within film (mostly) but may include music video and television**

Well, it had to happen. Let the period costume pieces commence! The Prestige has all the requisites for a visually appealing film. With a plot focused on magicians and that fiercely private world, there should be plenty to absorb. Having spent time in drama class and acting on the stage, there is something energizing about this performing environment. What the audience sees is one-tenth of what is happening behind the scenes.

In this film, the plot is driven like the specific parts of a magic trick. The “pledge” is where the magician sets up the trick by showing the audience something ordinary. Then begins the performance or “the turn” where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Finally, the “prestige” is revealed where the effect of the illusion is made known. Robet Angier (Hugh Jackmna) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) are rivaling magicians striving to be the best and out-perform the other.

Costume designer, Joan Bergin created so many delectable outfits staying true to the era with tailored menswear, waistcoats and top hats! Which I have a never-ending love for.

Here’s a little-behind-the-scenes action for you!

♥ the alchemist

Ahh, call it graffiti, guerilla art, however you spell it, most folks have very definitive views on it. Some people love and appreciate graffiti as art, others hate and view it as a form of vandalism. I definitely fall into the first category. Now, don’t get me wrong this doesn’t mean that I’m all for the defacing of property and the ubiquitous tag scribbled furiously in an attempt to elude getting caught. No, I’m talking about the type of graffiti that has something to say, that is essentially art. (on a building)

Growing up in NYC, I have seen my share of graffiti and the culture inspired from it. One artist who is internationally known for his combination of stenciling and anti-war/anti-establishment subject matter is Banksy. As with any real graffiti artist, his identity is under-wraps as well as it can be. Some people think that Banksy is a collective under one name, others believe that he is just one man on a quest, all these theories are part of the mystery surrounding the art. There is an awesome Flickr group dedicated to Banksy that has lot of images for you to peruse.

Here is a great video of Banksy attempting to place some guerilla art within museums.

♥ the alchemist