European Magazine Fix via Leopold's Books

Another Magazine: Fall/Winer Cover 2011

Great selection of magazines in stock now



Leopold's Books Facebook Page

Leopold's bookstore is a smart and unassuming place to visit.  If you are a bookish/magazine sort this is a must stop and see and buy something for good keeping kind of place.  I initially stopped into Leopold's Books on one of my trips to the DIA not long after it's grand opening and made note of all the obscure semi counter culture/art/political gems it stocked.

Recently I was on the hunt for a copy of the fall issue of "Another" magazine which is published bi-annually and otherwise available on-line (Super Smart Magazine Format by the way).  The mall based book store I purchased it at last year is now closed so I knew I'd have to do some digging.  Dig I did.  The Internet search for local distribution was fruitless so I called "The Book Beat" in Southfield and was told they did not carry it. 

When I contacted the owner of Leopold's via e-mail I got a quick response back on the magazine and made arrangements to pick up a copy when it arrived.  Score!!!

Now that is what I call service Detroit.  This is why it's so important to support local business people and the resources they bring to our city.  Next time you are in the mood for some international news on Fashion/Art or Culture make a B-line for Leopold's Book store.

Beauty and Time A Silent Dance

Pink Lips: Photographer David Smith

What is Time?

I love the simplicity of Photographer David Smith's Pink Lips photo. The Asymmetrical smile is girlish and alluring. It represents the innocent glow of youth. It is one of those timeless Photo shots that will be as lovely in 50 years as it is today. As I admired and reflected on the Pink Lips photo, it inspired a thought: "Beauty is Fleeting...But Fashion Is Timeless." I think perhaps that is why the two are so intoxicating whether we realize it or not. One holds the promise of Glory and the other provides the 'Tools" to achieve it.

Light, Line and the Power of Discovery...

Artist: Jon Pickell

Jon Pickell is one of those people who works deliberately with "Organic Energy". He's an Artist with many passions. These include photography, print making, fiber print work and Reiki energy balancing.
He admires the work of Fashion Photography Artist: Deborah Turbeville, Lucas Samaras and Helmet Newton. His work however includes a distinct and careful balance of light, line and energy. "Creating ambiguous spaces for his figures to occupy is part of his skill. Many of his portraits imply a situation or activity beyond the viewer's knowledge." Jon has no desire to tell you what to think. He respects what you bring to his Artwork. Viewing his work is a fluid process between Artist and audience. Fashion is an integral element of the above selected photos, but it is by no means the whole story. There is so much more to wonder about in these pieces. I love that about Jon's Artistry, it's a process of discovery.

"Discovery is a sociological cause of change. It involves recognizing and understanding more fully something already in existence. The first image is the result of my Internet research on the characteristics of Radium. "In 1898 Marie Claire unintentionally left a rock on a piece of photographic paper, noticed the emissions from the rock had exposed the paper, and thus discovered radium (Ra 88)." I was struck by the organic line work of the Radium salt alpha particles. Notice the line work in Jon's photographs.

"Pure radium metal is brilliant white (I'm thinking about the flash of a camera bulb), but blackens when exposed to air. Radium is luminescent (giving a faint blue color)." Notice the similar luminescent faint blue color in several of Jon's hand painted photographs.

Discovery....Serendipty.....Coincidence? I'd like to think it is all of these things. It's difficult to fathom how this happens. But it is delightful to wonder about how it might all work together. The Art of the universe is a mysterious and creative energy source. How perfect it is that Jon included Superman in one of his photo stories. His Model marvels at his power and energy and you I hope will appreciate the power of Jon's unique fashion photography. He can be conacted at jonpie at aol.com.

Eco Style Artist: A Man and His Mannequin on A Mission!

Matthew Richmond is A Self-Made Artist in every sense of the phrase. You can't learn what he knows instinctively, and the path he treads has not been entirely paved before. This is in part due to the fact that his talent includes a unique blend of 'Green Design" in a material sense, Anthropometric Construction, and Couture Fashion all rolled into one. Inspired by 60s Fashion Star Bob Mackey, Matt's personal Style is a mix of vintage menswear and "Tuxedo Shirts" which he collects. He also admires the "Artful Hybrid Style" of Lady GaGa.

The collage of photos I included in this blog speak for themselves. They are each inspired and carefully crafted from unorthodox materials. I'm especially enchanted with the Floral Dress as well as the Grocery Bag gown. I'd even seriously consider wearing the latter to the next DIA Fashion Gala if I were sure it would stay put.

Matt is employed with Douglas J. Aveda in Royal Oak, MI. You can find him in Guest Services, however he is also their unofficial "Visual Merchandise Guru." Many of his one of a kind creations are often on display there, though he is also hired to do the same for other venues. Matt can be hired for other special projects: Gallery and Fashion shows, Art and Marketing projects and Weddings to name a few.

You can see much of Matt's portfolio work and more detailed information on his Facebook Fan page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ferndale-MI/Saving-the-planet-1-dress-at-a-time/289299613814?ref=sgm, "Saving The Planet 1 Dress at a time." Or you can contact him directly at: Matthewfrichmond@gmail.com

No one can accuse Matt of having small goals with a Fan Page name like that. It's clear he has a long view approach to his work. Next time you see a good looking Man lugging his Mannequin around town, it just might be Matt on his next "Mission", after all "FreeStyle" is the way he rolls!

Photography....Artist Archive of Family Style

"I guess you are kind of curious as to who I am, but I am one of those who do not have a regular name. My name depends on you. Just call me whatever is in your mind." This quote is from the book "Watermelon Sugar". It occurred to me when reading it...that the majority of people we see in our daily lives fit into this category. It's inevitable...our paths cross so many anonymous people...in the parking lot...at the mall...the library. It may also apply to me...many of you don't know me yet.

In this case...I know something about the Stylish Women and girl in these photos. They belong to native Detroit Artist Toni Nunn's personal archive of family photographs. The black and white shot is circa 1955, the occasion was Toni's homecoming. Mrs. Lizzie Lee Jackson (The happy Mother) wears a lovely printed day dress for the occasion. Her look is simple and elegant, it speaks of her refined taste and youthful beauty. The colorized photo was taken in 1962 the day of the Artist Holy Communion. Toni is dressed in a traditional religious outfit and her Mother is wearing a classic pencil dress with Mink Stole.

You may have family photos that capture the Style of a special occasion in your own colleciton. Or perhaps you collect old photos or work with them in your art. If so take another look at them and try to appreciate the care that went into selecting the clothes that help to tell the story of the day. As you call them whatever is in your mind....look for the Style Story.

Freestyle..............................................

Freestyle......what does it mean to you? Perhaps it has a musical reference as in Hip Hop or Rap as it did for my eldest Son Nick. When I asked him what that word/phrase meant to him he said it conjured up images of a rapper at a microphone serving up verbal poetry to the crowd. That made me smile.....I checked Wikipedia and found a sensible list of references: sport activities of all sorts, sledding, wrestling, I didn't quite make it to the pole dancing Freestyle page but I bet it's out there. Yikes!

My Webster's Dictionary says Freestyle is a noun...."A competitive event, as swimming, in which the contestant chooses his or her own style."

Personal style and our dance with clothing is a basic evolutionary experience.....a hodgepodge of disasters and winners. As we move through life our collections/closets reflect those changes. We learn as we go --->>>

The photo is an esoteric vignette....Birds in all their natural glory are so divinely dressed. Their feathers have adorned wearable creations for centuries. One of my favorite places to visit in Chicago is the Bird House at Lincoln Park Zoo. The color, texture, and variety of delicate splendor is amazing. The freedom and style those Birds represent is a great visual for launching this blog....FreeStyle In Detroit!