One/One-Thousand: Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

A portrait of the artist: Mondino and his work.

Jean-Baptiste Mondino began his career designing album covers in the '80s. His initial ambitions were musically inclined even beyond his subject matter. He released two singles that charted in Europe with different collaborators before he found his way into photography. But, his musical leanings never left him. He's shot tons of pop stars for iconic album covers, editorials, and has directed some of their best videos. His shots have a stark intensity to them, whether they are black-and-white, soft hues, or his signature bright colors, the mood is always emotionally afecting.

His still work is so great, but some of his videos are simply classic. Here are a few clips of his work in motion:

I Smell Love.

Chris Cunningham, the king of creepy/pretty/genius/mind-bending video making has teamed up with Gucci to shoot a spot for their new fragrance, Flora. With Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" remixed to haunt the background, Cunningham has created a softened, glowing '70s look for the advert.



Of course, in true Cunningham fashion (see Madonna's Frozen, Bjork's All Is Full of Love, and Portishead's Only You for reference) there is some dark energy swooping in and out of the lush, petal-laden flower fields. In the longer version of the commercial, there are more than a few seconds where you aren't sure if the long-locked woman swaying in the strong breeze is going to explode or what. She winds up fine, and I assume smelling like flowers. Here's some video footage from behind the scenes on the set of the shoot. Youtube yanked the sound, but watch and be amazed by the light and floating petals and the wind machine.



I read their lips actually, and I think they saying "Blah, blah, blah, we wanted something pretty and flowery but powerful. Blah, blah, blah." My favorite part of this spot is the gorgeous lighting. Sunset? Sunrise? Glow.

Here's Donna Summer feelin' some love back in the day:



Great song and even better robot moves, Donna!

Absurdly Beautiful

I'm a fan of the more original among us. I can appreciate the classic, the pretty, the subtle, the right fit, but more often than not it is the one that makes people shake their head that really catches my eye. Style.com has a great feature today about red carpet dresses that critics loathed, but they loved. I wholeheartedly agree with most of their choices. Here are the flack-getters that should have been praised:

Cameron Diaz in Ungaro


Kirsten Dunst in Rochas


Tilda Swinton in Lanvin


Bjork in Marjan Pejoski

Here's to the non-conformist, anti-establishment, swan-wearing starlets that make my fashion world go 'round. Someone please take a cue and do something interesting at this year's Oscars. Please. I think my money is on Mickey Rourke.

Remember That?: Bjork Behavior

Oh, my! I found this and thought it would be a parody, but it's worth its virtual weight in virtual gold! In this vintage clip Bjork shows MTV cribs around her Icelandic flat and her hometown.

I really have no idea what she said mostly, but I could listen to her talk for hours.

Also, I just got an incredible urge to post this video. Lucky for you, I'm no good at resisting urges.

There, I feel better now. I love when things go crazy at 3:28. So good.

Friday Funny: Winona Does Bjork

Ms. Winona Ryder had a rough flight recently, and in the hopes of aiding her speedy recovery I'm posting video of her excellent turn as Bjork on SNL's Celebrity Jeopardy. Classic all the way.


How does this connect to fashion? Why through Ryder's infamous shoplifting episode and Bjork's affinity for statement-making swan dresses, of course!