“I thought uncool was a very important idea then, because people were being very, very cool. And coolness, is a certain kind of detachment from yourself, a certain defensiveness actually… not exposing something because it’s too easy to be shot down if you’re exposed.”

My brother-in-law introduced me to U2 when I was in primary school. Sitting in my sister’s everything matching, all blue room, I listened to the speaker playing their Best Of album feeling like I’d heard this music my whole life without ever knowing a single note. In the subsequent years I have spent a large proportion of my life both declaring my adoration for the band whilst defending them in the same breath.
U2 are not mysterious. They are not aloof. And, although at one point they were, they are not cool. It kills me a little to admit that, but after watching a doco chronicling The Joshua Tree album, I’m highly glad they aren’t. I’ve written about Brian Eno a lot in my work and my respect for him grows stronger each morsel of information I collect about him.

Being involved in the fashion industry, one that bases its very existence on being ‘cool’ is a constant battle I find myself debating. I’m not a cool person, obviously- I hold a U2.com membership. I think there are a lot of things that I am, but cool isn’t one of them. In some ways I’ve always held this as a badge of honour, because I react against that detachment that cool people carry themselves with.

Whenever I defend U2, people come at me with all kinds of Bono quips and save the world jibes. People attack the band for wanting to make a difference, and using their platform to encourage people into action. I’d rather that in a band then whiny singers trying to be subversive and anti-corporations because in some lame way that must equal critical acclaim and mean they can retain their membership to the ‘non sell-outs club’. I’d rather a lead singer wear their heart on their sleeve than pretend they don’t care about their ironic T-shirt and $500 kicks. I’ll take uncool.

After that rant…here’s one of my favourite songs from the album.

The film released alongside the announcement is an impressive feet in itself, no pun intended. It takes you inside the athlete’s sole and demonstrates how close the shoe/sock hybrid is to wearing nothing. I’m definitely taking a trip down to the Mercer St store to get a closer look, if they’re not sold out already. Freshnessmag.com gave a great run down of the shoe and its origins, which you can check out here. I’ve been lapping up the images surfacing on the web. The Nike HTM team has managed to balance this groundbreaking technology with a fresh, cool aesthetic, obviously a key component to its success commercially. Even if the athlete’s break a record or two this summer, let face it, everyone else wants to look good when they’re running.

All Images: Freshness.mag

Proenza was an amazing experience. I was so proud to be closely involved with the team and to see the development of the collection from its beginnings. If you didn’t catch the show- first of all where were you? and second of all have a squiz at these behind the scene shots on the LOVE blog. AGAIN, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Thank you.

The fast pace of New York can at times leave you feeling numb- I had to remind myself to take in my surroundings every now and then. The show was definitely one of those moments- it’s not every day Anna and Pharrell pass by you. Interning made me realise the world is a lot smaller than you think. Jack and Lazaro started from humble beginnings and built what is now an example of iconic American design. Anything is possible.

So if you’re putting together your entry, I have one piece of advice; (as with everything) give it everything you’ve got, you never know what might happen.

P.S- Proenza have done another collaboration with Harmony Korine- no one else can screw with your head and take their work completely out of context quite like he does!

Saturday was a very productive day, I finally made my way to the Met to see the much hyped, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition. There was at least a two hour wait when I arrived at 9.30 am. Luckily I had a member’s pass, which took me straight to the front of the line (slightly satisfying to say the least). Once inside the crowds didn’t stop and the volume of people did take away from the experience.Tip: Elbows can be a good weapon when trying to get a closer look.

I’ve always appreciated McQueen, seeing his work in the flesh was pretty amazing. Throughout the exhibition you can see first and foremost he was the eternal student. He had a thirst for knowledge like any other; each collection was a physical manifestation of his mind expanding. From his time at St. Martins, Givenchy and his collaboration’s with other creatives, McQueen, was absorbing information faster than we could appreciate.

I took a picture of a McQueen quote from the catalogue, which followed me on the subway ride home. Last year I made a motto for my final project; ‘If you don’t know the right way, you can’t do it the wrong way’. This is where my opinion slightly differs from McQueen. The freedom of not knowing how to construct garments can have the potential to create limitless possibilities. Naivety shouldn’t necessarily be considered a negative. While McQueen liked to break rules, I guess I can see the value in making them up. It’s all about perspective.

If you’re in New York definitely make it a priority, even if your next birthday comes while waiting in line!

Source: Tommy Ton for Style.com

I’ve wanted to give an update on my time at Proenza for a long time- three months to be exact. Having the privilege to intern under two of the most talented designers today, Jack McCollogh and Lazaro Hernandez, has handed me a new respect for their work. Watching the label’s progress from across the pond in Melbourne, I couldn’t count the amount of times I hit refresh on Style.com in anticipation for their latest collection.

Their story is well and truly fashion folklore and stepping into the studio on my first day I was taken back by the scale of the operation. The perennial ‘young’ designers have upped the ante each season on the runway whilst slowly building a support team that take their ambitions to new levels. Recently crowned the CDFA’s Womenswear Designer of the Year, I now know how hard Jack and Lazaro, and also Shirley Cook (CEO and partner from the start), work to maintain their position at the top.

Seeing the progression of the Pre Spring 12 and Capsule collections from sketch, to samples, to photo shoot, to market, was particularly exciting (and at times tiring!). I saw the mechanics of Proenza in full motion.

On a day-to-day basis my role changes as I assist the design team with tasks they need to move the collection forward. Seeing the archives and fabric roles made me just a little excited! You just don’t get to appreciate the vibrancy and the intricacies of the collections until they are in your hand.

As of now Spring 12 has begun and the design team is in the initial stages of creating muslins (that’s toile’s for the kids playing back home). To think three months has gone by is a little frightening. Even though the runway is in September, I know it will arrive in a flash. Instead of hitting that refresh button, the collection will be walking right by me!