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Hip Hop and High Art Converge on Kanye West's Album Cover

Kanye West collaborated with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami for artwork on his third album, Graduation. Murakami designed Graduation's album cover, covers for West's singles "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and "Stronger",  the animation for his "Stronger" video, and his website www.kanyeuniversecity.com. West leaps out of  the hip hop album cover art genre of  homogeneous nouveau rich urban aesthetic of bravado posturing, inner-city backgrounds, scantly-clad women in lascivious poses, and prominently featured gaudy jewelry. West and Murakami orbit high above this phenomenon, creating an kinetic album cover that boasts originality and artistic value.

photos: (left) West's Graduation's cover. (right) Promotional cover art by Murakami.

In other news Kanye West news..

Kanye West beat fellow rapper 50 Cent'  in the  marketing campaign matching the incomparable artists to a sales duel following their album's release on September 11th. The self-proclaimed "Louis Vuitton Don" claimed the No. 1 spot with Graduation totaling 957,000 copies sold to Fifty's 692,000 copies of Curtis, landing firmly at No. 2. After the win, West who suffers from severe bouts of egotism and loquacity, couldn't be told nothing, regaling in the glory of his new found bragging-rights. Which perfectly personified his smash single, "Can't Tell Me Nothing."

Alicia Keys is Like "No One"

Alicia Keys is back on the music scene with her third studio album, "As I Am", scheduled for release on November 13th. The forthcoming release is her latest album since the critically-acclaimed "Diary of Alicia Keys" in 2003. On "As I Am", Keys showcases her songwriting prowess and joins forces with award-winning songwriters Linda Perry, Harold Lilly, Sean Garret, and long-time collaborator Kerry "Krucial" Brothers. She rocked the house with an impressive performance at the MTV Video Awards where she débuted her new hit single "No One." The single is an infectious, soul-stirring tune that enlists anticipation for Keys' unique brand of old-school melodies mixed with contemporary flavor.

Watch her new video, "NO ONE" now!

Vivienne Westwood V&A Retrospective in Milan

Vivienne Westwood's traveling Victoria and Albert exhibition makes its stop in Milan at the Palazzo Reale. The four-year tour has included shows in Canberra, Taipei, Shanghai, Tokyo, Dusseldorf, Bangkok, and San Francisco showcasing one of the greatest tributes ever to a designer. The retrospective pays tribute to Westwood's 30 year career, reviews the designer's unstructured geometrical designs from the early collections, her referential stylistic garments influenced by costume history, accessories, and videos from the most representative fashion shows. Selected outfits come from V&A's private collection and Westwood's personal archive. On view from September 26, 2007 through January 20, 2008.

Looks from Vivienne Westwood Gold Label Autumn/Winter 2007-08 collection.

B.I.G. Dreams

The biopic of the meteoric rise and untimely death of rapper Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. Notorious B.I.G, captured by journalist Cheo Hodari Coker's biography, Unbelievable: The Life, Death, and Afterlife of the Notorious B.I.G. has been giving the green light at Fox Searchlight. Fox Searchlight secured the film rights in 2005. Producers George Tillman (Men of Honor, Soul Food), and Wallace's mother, Ms. Voletta Wallace, acknowledge the dearth of actors to portray the slain rapper. The producers are seeking an unknown talent to play the lyrical genius on celluloid. Casting is being held in an online open online casting call. Actors  can submit audition videos at www.foxsearchlight.com/notorious. "I don’t want you to just imitate him," advises Ms. Wallace. "I want to see his swagger, his style, his energy and smile come through."

Celebrating 100 Years of Support

The bra turns 100 years old this year. Women for centuries have been wrapping and uplifting their assets by varying means, but it wasn't until 1907 when Vogue first coined the term 'brassiere' establishing it into the modern day lexicon and everything went bust from there.

Converging into public and private mystic, bras have established power and followed the culture mores of its time. In the 1930's bras provided lift with a pointed structure; the bikini débuted on the  Paris catwalk in 1946, designed by fashion designer Jacques Heim and engineer Louis Réard. During the late 1960's, feminists burned their bras in an act of shedding its perceived oppression; in the nineties the Wonder Bra blew the bust back up with sexy uplifting bras that sparked a cultural phenomenon; and Victoria's Secret brought sexy back to middle America and million-dollar diamond encrusted bras down the runway as show pieces.

The formidable bra tipped the scales of fashion moving from behind the scene as an undergarment to a stylish outer garment. Jean Paul Gaultier's infamous conical-shaped bra worn by Madonna during her Blonde Ambition tour was a particular high-note for the bra on public display. Designers have followed suit with chic bra tops from Chanel to Proenza Schouler.

Bras encase a woman's most visible sex characteristics. Filling the sculpted cups commands a heavy task- including their cultural significance, to the adoration and dissatisfaction we have with our breasts. Happy birthday to the most powerful, uplifting accessory of all time.
   

Photos from top: Elastic brassiere from 1907. Ladies in bikinis (Aarons/Getty). Madonna performing during her Blonde Ambition tour in Jean Paul Gaultier corset. Model Adrima Lima for Victoria's Sercet (courtsey Victoria's Secret). Eva Herzigova brings back the Wonderbra, 1991. A look from Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2005. Tyra Banks in Victoria's Secret diamond bra. Britney Spears performs at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards in a sequin bra top and hot pants. 

Private Eyes

Guest Art Director Marc Jacobs teamed up with photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott on the 52nd issue of the coveted fashion quarterly, Visionaire. Alas and Piggott photographed Jacobs' cherry-picked selection of his contemporaries in intimate poses. Subjects include actresses Scarlett Johansson, Selma Blair, and Drew Barrymore; models Gisele Bündchen, Stephanie Seymour and Christy Turlington; singers Lil' Kim and Jennifer Lopez; fashion luminaries Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney, including an in-the-buff Marc Jacobs. The 192 page fashion and art tome is an instant collector's item. Housed in an exclusive Louis Vuitton gold Monogram Miroir case. Visionaire No. 52: Private ($375) available October 1.
 

Cartier's Indian Voyage

Cartier launched their latest high jewelery collection "Inde Mysterieuse" inspired by the mystery of India on September 19, during London Fashion Week. International VIP clients and fashion luminaries mingled in the royal Lancaster House. The former residence of the Duke of York, near Buckingham Palace was transformed into an sumptuous Indian palace. The exquisite 34-piece collection referenced Louis Cartier's work for the maharajahs of his time. Necklaces and earrings dripping in rubies, sapphires, and emeralds with palm and fruit motifs titillated the crowd.

Photos (left to right) Margot Stilley, Marta Sanchez and Vicky Martin Berrocal, and Bipasha Basu attend the Cartier International Jewelery Launch. (Photo by MJ Kim/Getty Images)  Lady of the night, actress Monica Belluci (Dave M. Benett)

Diamond Life

You thought the criteria was tough to circulate amongst the  in-crowd in high school. Penetrating the walls of the private social networking site, Diamond Lounge is much tougher. Online social networking in the 21st century plays by a set of elitist rules that would make the most pompous doyenne blush.  Money, beauty, and prestige does not guarantee access to the elusive club. Founder, Arya Marafie, insists there are millionaires and even billionaires that have been denied membership. While beauty and a hefty bank account is impressive, one must bring a certain "something" extra to the table to gain approval by the committee. Invitations have been sent out to the uber-rich, celebrities, and top athletes. Out of the 5,000 potential members only 5% have been accepted. The elite club's goal is 30,000 members. Members are able to socialize, play, or conduct business online with their savvy counterparts in "themed rooms" via private or public profiles. The Diamond Lounge launches October 1, with members paying a $60 monthly fee. Do you make the cut?   

www.diamondlounge.com

Missing in Fashion: Models of Color

As the Spring 2008 collections continue in London new trends emerge from the catwalk. A feminine sophistication is taking shape for spring. Hats are the hottest accessory; high-waist pants reign supreme; dresses remain wardrobe staples; and the new erogenous zone is a bare shoulder. Judging the current crop of models from the catwalks, the favored look is lithe Eastern European models with sharp features, porcelain skin, and unified looks. Its hard to distinguish one from the other. While beautiful in their own right, the elusive, hard to find model on the catwalk is one of color.   

Diddy's Ad Too Hot For T.V.

Sean "Diddy" Combs was dismayed when U.S. Cable television executives ruled a "movietisment" promoting his debut female fragrance, "Unforgivable Woman",  was too provocative and sexual to be aired. Combs, who produced and stars in the commercial with model Jessica Gomez, refused to edit the video and instead released it online at  www.myspace.com/diddy . The ad captures their chance encounter at a NYC hotel lobby as they head off to a night of steamy passion. "I feel strongly that this movie needs to be viewed and judged by the public rather than by executives," Combs said. "Some people may be uncomfortable with the sensuality and sexual content, but it is important for them to make that decision personally."