Point, Click, Shoot, Fashion

In the thriving world of fashion blogging, snapping personal style shots and expressing personal outlooks on fashion is slowly but surely becoming a genderless trend. In fact, fashion blogging has begun to pave the way for the industry's evolution into a community that no longer focuses solely on the needs of women, but of men as well. Consider prevalent sites like The Sartorialist and Bryanboy- quintessential examples of industry insiders who remain relatively unbiased when it comes to fashion, addressing concepts that apply to all the style obsessed. From a more visual standpoint, however, fashion photo-bloggers are contributing to men's style more than ever. All courtesy should be paid to gentlemen like Jak and Jil's tommy Ton, Street Peeper's Phil Oh, and the aforementioned Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist for the generous spotlight.

As seen in the most recent men's shows in Europe, photo-bloggers are becoming much more accustomed to utilizing street gentlemen as inspirational subjects for their perspective entries, either drawing comparisons between men and women's style or just glorifying men's style itself. Either way, these Internet phenoms have played a substantial amount of influence on the growing popularity of men's fashion, allowing typical followers of women's blogs to parlay into new territories. After all, one can easily be as inspired by a man's ensemble than as a woman's. But there are always boundaries. The point of fashion is to push towards breaking them.

Text Ricardo Hernandez
Source(s): Tommy Ton

Francesca Woodman

As the work of Francesca Woodman graces the walls of the Victoria Miro, it is only fitting that this retrospect hangs in all its glory as a full on museum exhibition having previously toured various European institutions. As a photographer Woodman's extraordinary growth as a commercial and critical thinker and artist means that she has gained a reputation as a great American Photographer in the last quarter of a century.

It's often impossible to comprehend or at least acknowledge that Woodman passed away at 22 years of age and was a relatively unknown artist. What is sad is that she died not knowing at the time the acknowledgment and respect that would come for her work. What is amazing is the tenderness and intelligence of theme and image that she could capture at such a raw vulnerable age. Her representation of the body and her small, square format, typically in moody monochrome are instantly recognizable as Woodmans work. A beautiful retrospect of a wonderful picture maker and thinker, until January 2011

Hipstamatic Hype

An iPhone app that lets you take Holga-esque photos? Hipsters everywhere will unanimously scoff at the name "Hipstamatic" but I suspect more than a few of those hipsters will end up buying the app, which indeed does make otherwise mundane photos look appropriately "vintage." The idea behind Hipstamatic is a synthesis of digital ease and analog nostalgia; the app lets you choose film, flashes, and lenses in an attempt to make iPhone photography seem more retro, something the humor writer Jimmy Chen wrote a funny essay about on Thought Catalog.

Those who want to be more authentic about their retro photo obsessions might actually want to buy a real Holga camera, but for those who'd rather take a quick cell phone snap, the Hipstamatic app might be of interest.

Text Molly O'Brien

'When You're Strange'

'When You're Strange' is an exhibition documenting the rise to fame of the legendary super group 'The Doors'. When you consider that as a quartet they were only together from 1965 to 1971 it's pretty interesting.  This collection of works mainly shows previously unpublished work , it's sure to be quietly significant for those who call themselves fans, and there are undoubtedly fans. The images have been taken by five of the bands favourite photographs and capture at a glimpse how they rose to fame, 32.5 million albums in the US alone. These photographs also capture in particular the intriguing characters of not only Morrisson but also Manzarek, Densmore and Krieger, and give an indication as to why in the sixties this group were the most controversial group of their time. Nearly forty years after 'The Doors' split, they remain to be one of the most influential bands of rock. Until the 5th of September at the Idea Generation, 11 Chance St, London.'When You're Strange'. 

Text Katriona Flynn

'Girl With Bird'

In 1994 Leah Gordan became the official photographer for the amnesty international report in Haiti. Gordan is a photographer, curator and film maker, whose ability to document life is nothing short of a God given talent.Lucy Gordan has exhibited widely in both private and public shows, however it is her present offering 'The Invisibles' in the beautiful Riflemaker Gallery, London which I was lucky enough to stumble upon. 'The Invisibles' is Gordan's reaction and response to religious and historic realities and subjects. Through these colorless images Gordan explores and contradicts the precept ion that photography 'could only serve to disprove the divine'. Haiti appears to be for Gordan where this exploration begins, and although she has also documented the likes of London and Vodou. It seems that Haiti having journeyed there many times since her first visit in 1991, has become for this exhibition the correct setting to create her story. It is very obvious that Lucy Gordan by now has a respectful and honest knowledge of Haiti and its people. For example, in 'Girl with Bird', Cite de Soleil, the sitter, a young girl holds gently in still and calm a bird in her hands. The picture is the essence of peace and calm, and yet the setting of the shot was in 1993, classified as 'the most dangerous place on earth' by the UN. This is Gordan's calling to document and understand something so unimaginable. Showing until the 11th of September at London's Riflemaker Gallery, 79 Beak Street, 'The Invisibles'. 

Text Katriona Flynn

Princess Grace

A fitting tribute to a truly remarkable lady. Actress, model, and of course delectable style icon Grace Patricia Kelly takes Centrex stage once more, this time at the Victoria and Albert Museum London. Commonly referred to as Princess Grace, after marrying the Prince of Morocco Grace Kelly was paramount in her role as 'her Serene Highness'. This collection gathers a magnificent array of the stars possessions from jewellery and hats to Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Yves Saint Laurent gowns worn throughout Graces career. Her semblance, charm and magnetism meant that although she retired from the silver screen at 26, to dedicate her time solely to her duties in Morocco. She was still named by the American Film Institute as one of their top female stars in American cinema. She has film clips, photographs, and of course the Oscar statuette won by Kelly in 1954 are on show this exhibition, running until September 26th it should not be missed by those who loved Princess Grace and the allure of her style.

By Katriona Flynn

The Family and the Land

The notion that 'The Family and the Land' is Manns first solo exhibition in London, seems quite preternatural when you consider that in 2001 Time Magazine described Sally Mann as 'America's Best Photographer'. No doubt those who like their photographs know of Mann, not only because she takes admirable pictures but also because her work is associated with pushing and over stepping the fine lines.’ The Family and the Land' presents fine examples of both of these associations, presenting a collection of work based on portraits of her three children and decaying corpses. The series of images which focus on her three children are extremely intimate and revealing, perhaps the sensitivity of the images lies in the idea that Mann is more than a photographer here she is also a mother and she captures the innocence and vulnerability of youth. When photographing the anonymous deceased there is sensitivity and a beauty to the idea of natures work. It is easy to understand why Sally Mann has met questions and concerns from the press and public about the themes of her work with her work, what is unusual and surprising is that it is the uncontroversial series of Faces that is perhaps the high point of the exhibition.’ The Family and the Land' depict Manns ability to create something much more significant than a great image, and runs until September 19th at The Photography Gallery, London.

By Katriona Flynn