Film Meets Fashion: Italian Beauty Lesson 1

In either of her roles as a Fellini woman, Anouk Aimee stands as a testament that boldness of address is likewise boldness in dress. Anouk. A single simple syllable. Forward in desire, intent; avant in her appearance.

Cast in opposition to lavish blonds and twinkies, Anouk stands firm with her high cheekbones and simple lines. Her style is architectural, not natural. The boldness of form mimics her boldness in the way she expresses her desire (for independent, and yet simultaneously for marriage in La DV) and her disgust (for her cheating husband in 8 1/2).

Bold geometric shapes are used to frame the body. Solid colours add definition. The collarbone, the cheekbone, and the eyebrow: the slight textures of the body are highlighted.

The Break up - Faded love for Nylon magazine

I remember purchasing the very first issue as if it happened yesterday. I was 18 and had just moved to Canmore, Alberta. Feeling lonely and bored in a small convenient store, I saw Liv Tyler’s blurry image gazing at me from the magazine rack. This is where my Nylon experience began.

Like any new relationship, there were butterflies in my stomach as I opened the cover and learned what Nylon was all about. From the very first issue--packed with info on all the up and coming indie music, films, art and fashion in the scene--I immediately fell in love with this off the cuff mag. Not a single mention of what the typical Hollywood stars were up to or wearing; finding Nylon was a dream come true. Finally, a fashion magazine I could relate to and actually learn something from.

I felt like I had stumbled upon a secret that needed to be exposed. I had to remain calm. We had just met. It was the very first issue, and we all know how first can also mean last. I decided to not jump into anything and just play it out casually. 10 years later I was still receiving monthly issues via my mailbox.

I owe a lot to this magazine. It was my introduction to many great musicians, artists, actors/actresses, cultures, films, and fashion. But, I felt my love slowly fading with each issue. I had even caught myself looking around at other magazines.

I guess it all started when I excitedly pulled the April 2007 issue from my mailbox to find Christina Aguilera in a busty pose on the cover. At first I thought it was a mistake, maybe they sent me the wrong magazine but the big blocked NYLON logo was sitting at the top of the page, and not FHM. I felt a sadness in my heart. I can relate this sadness only to finding out the new guy your into thinks that Nickelback is talented. I hoped that it was just a one-off. Maybe the editor was on vacation and left his teenage sister in charge? I decided to let it slide. Imagine my disappointment when I received Lindsay Lohan’s crotch shot on the May issue. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against Lindsay and Christina (or crotch shots); I just don’t care about them and didn’t think Nylon did either. There are so many magazines for that type of audience and I happily never put Nylon into that category.

Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be? Maybe I am not a one-magazine girl. Open relationships are considered the norm these days. It’s not that Nylon doesn’t have good intentions; it has just changed a lot over the years. We no longer share the same interests. Nylon appears to be losing it’s confidence and seems to be seeking out trends in a desperate manner instead of its old ways of just discovering what creative people are doing. I have nothing bad to say about Nylon and I have no regrets about our years spent together, but I think I am ready to move on. I want to believe that there is a magazine out there for all of us and I am not quite ready to give up on this belief. I did not renew my subscription this May and I feel ok about it. I will still continue to check it out on the magazine rack just to see how things are going, possibly even purchase the occasional issue if it looks interesting, but our monthly commitment has definitely come to an end. Just because we will not grow old together like I once thought, we still had a good run. Goodbye Nylon. Goodbye.

Smart People (2008): Contemporary Film Criticism 101

Smart People provides for moments of satire. We witness Vanessa (Page) simultaneously 'slumming it' and loosely attempting incest--she protests that she is adopted--when drunk for the first time. And, Lawrence's trials and tribulations, largely brought on by the shadow of his professorial ego, provide for more than a few instances of relief. But, the depiction of awkward departmental meetings captures boredom, but seems more like boardroom antics than the typical cattiness of academe.

Our well cast family is rounded out by Sarah Jessica Parker, who maintains a smug smirk and a stiff upper lip during moments that make you wish she'd whip off her heels and let them fly. Though this character is shades away from SATC's Carrie Bradshaw, SJP manages to give more depth than Juno's Ellen Page, who maintains a quirky smart aleck monotone consistently.

Over all, this film left me tossing my hands in the air wondering how smart writers could possibly have thought that smart audiences would have been okay with the plot of this film. For those of you expecting something in the mood of Noah Baumbach or Nicole Holofcenter guess again. The plot twist doesn't take us down a cynical or sardonic route, but instead leads us down the path of least resistance toward a polite rom. com. in which our self-absorbed Professor shifts from stern pedagogue to something a little more Socratic--hard to believe, and harder to watch.

I think I have to change the name of this blog, well at least this entry. I have just graduated with a Paris Social Degree, majoring in spectacular sex scenes. To add to the fashion in film entry, did anyone happen to notice the hottest fully clothed sex scene ever in the same flick? Obviously you did, along with every other pair of lucky Last Tango in Paris exposed eyes. God damn. I am looking for diggs in Paris as of now.

Au revoir.

Film meets Fashion: French Beauty Lesson 1

Draped in off white, she does not expose her je ne sais qua, but captivates us with the potential of exposure.

Mid way through the film she chops off her long brown Ye-Ye girl hair and perms it. Her haircut is a way to get back at her beau, who is documenting their romance and is particularly obsessive about her appearance, and take control over her own body. Though her cropped locks are more reminiscent of something from the disco era, she remains classically french and sticks to the basics. Donning trousers and blazers, her look is still pared down with simple shapes and clean lines.

Tall boots, fur trimmed coats, tunics without pants and thick braided belts: the framing of the body becomes as important as the shaping of the figure. Forget pants, forget the rules, and forget that your appearance is often key to your lover's libido. Follow her. Her free spirited approach to men and clothing packs a sucker punch to the romantic soul.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Toronto Social Degree blog. Here you will be taught all the necessary lessons to receive your own Toronto Social Degree.

The prestigious Social school is run by a daring duo of social Professors who are based out of two tiny apartments on Roncesvalles.

Our mandate is to educate. We think Toronto is an under-appreciated city that deserves some recognition. We are going to share with you what makes Toronto such a spectacular place.

From fashion and beauty, music and events, to interviews with average Torontonians, we will open your mind to all this city has to offer. Not to mention Toronto streetstyle images, everyday life and the occasion rant, because no city is perfect(ya I'm talking about you TTC).

Pack your purse with a pen, notebook and camera! See you at graduation!