+ our new blog page has arrived - WWW.JPLUSJBLOG.COM

Dear Readers,

We have just launched the new j + j blog page, and our web address is now www.jplusjblog.com. We want to thank all of our readers for being devout followers of our page! We look forward to keeping our readers informed on our new page!

Thank You!
Jorge + Joshua
j + j

+ a new designer's spin on the classics.

We met with designer R. Scott French yesterday to preview a teaser of his Spring 2011 Collection for Richard Harris and American Chang, two brands that are being revitalized through his expertise. French has done design work at some high end boutiques and Banana Republic, which is enough credentials to believe he can make these two brands into household names soon enough. In his previews for both brands he featured the staples of menswear, which are nice crisp blazers and trousers in colors such as black, navy, and beige. The clothing also uses some of the finest Italian fabrics that bring a touch of luxury to the brand. He also put his spin on the cotton tee-shirt by designing a shirt with wrinkled fabric on the front side only. His work is still a work in progress, but rest assured French will come out with material that men will love. He says that his inspiration for both collection came from two sources: the first one is a random thought that came to his mind on his way out of work one day; his first idea was the motif of a mushroom cloud from an atomic bomb. The second source was the Panza exhibit of Dan Flavin's work with neon lighting in Varese, Italy.These interesting concepts combined should be something to look forward to when he debuts the entire Spring collection this Fall.

+ the rebirth of the (real) house of mugler.

+ Nicola Formichetti. 
(photo courtesy of nymag.com)

 + Thierry Mugler Haute Couture Fall/Winter 1997.
 (photo courtesy of auntiefashion blog)

Word in the inner fashion circle is that the fashion house of Thierry Mugler (not the one in the ballroom circuit) will have a new creative director to replace Rosemary Rodriguez, who left her post at the company three weeks ago. The new man is rumoured to be Nicola Formichetti, who is not just a freelance stylist for Lady Gaga, but also the fashion director for Vogue Hommes Japan, and the creative director for Dazed and Confused Magazine. If the rumours prove to be true, this will mark a renaissance of the house since Mugler's departure in 2003. Everyone will be awaiting to see what Nicola Formichetti for Thierry Mugler will look like. Will he bring avant garde influences from his collaborations with the Haus of Gaga to Mugler? Judging from the styling he has done for Lady Gaga's "Telephone" and "Alejandro" videos we hope to see mind-boggling fashion statements.

+ up.and.coming.models.

+ Pavel.

work.

There are many surprises that we observed when we met 19 year old model Pavel, who started modeling when he was 16. This Russian model has already been booked for major editorial spreads like VMan and Dazed and Confused magazines, yet despite his accomplishments he remains shy and down to earth. He started modeling at age 16 for Envy Model Management in Las Vegas, and then came to New York and signed with Models International. He says that in the future he would love to be in a Calvin Klein ad. It also would please the ladies to know he is straight!! We see a lot of talent and potential in this young man, and wish him the best!



+ Scott.

work.

At the ripe age of 20, Scott has already landed one of his most important jobs in the two months he has been signed to Models International - getting photographed by Hedi Slimane last month. But he is not just a good looking guy who happens to be a model. At other times, you will find him pursuing his college education at NYU as a Business major. With summer now arriving, Scott plans to model full time this season, so many great opportunities are in the horizon for this young man!

+ Zachary.

Age: 20

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Has been with Models International for 3 weeks.

+ Joey.

Age: 20

Hometown: Princeton, NJ

Has been with Models International for one month.

*         *         *

We would like to thank profoundly Mr. Ryan Colby for the interviews with the models and also for the opportunity to interview him as well. Here are some questions we asked him during a photoshoot that took place in the Models International offices in Herald Square. 

J + J: How long have you been in the business? What motivated you to enter into the fashion/modeling field? 

RC: I have been in the field for almost 25 years, since the age of 12 when I started modeling in Europe. After the modeling career I transitioned my career into becoming an art director at Vogue Magazine, where I stayed for three years afterwards. For the last nine years since that job my career is in the modeling field, scouting for new faces and talent.

J + J: Who helps you scout for models? What do you look for when you scout?

RC: Before the age of Internet I did all the scouting hands on, but now with social  networking sites like facebook and email I just get requests for appointments from all over the place. When I scout I look for diversity. The agency represents different types of models, from the slim ones ideal for high fashion editorials, to the muscular-built models ideal for commercial modeling. In this economy a diverse portfolio is essential in order to compete with other modeling agencies. At this time we represent 45 male models and 100 female models.

J + J: What are the challenges you face as an model agent? 

RC: Paying the bills for the office, as well as dealing with the different personalities of the models I represent. Some models have personality issues and as a result some have issues working with different photographers.

J + J: Are there any lessons you have learned during your career in the fashion industry? 

RC: Loyalty and communication are key for success in this industry. When there are miscommunications many arguments arise and work does not get done. 

+ camera ready.

+ Fantastic (The word inked on the guy in the first picture) can't explain the love I had for that night.  J+J has a great group of friends and we ALWAYS end at 1 Of A Kind. ^_^

+ get the (new) london look.

+ Burberry Resort 2011

+ Stella McCartney Resort 2011

It is no wonder that Christopher Bailey won the International Designer Award at the CFDA Awards this past Monday for his work at Burberry Prorsum. He recently presented in London his 2011 Resort Collection for the brand, and it was an artistic celebration of Burberry's British heritage. Bailey drew inspiration from Burberry's archives which contained designs for British colonial military uniforms from the 1930s and 1940s, which manifested themselves in trench coats which contained epaulets, wrist straps, utility pockets, and exotic python detailing on the belts and handbags. Any classy lady would also drool over the thigh high python boots, which are similar to the boots he showed for his Fall/Winter 2010 collection. He also drew inspiration from past Burberry collections that featured the quintessential "London look." This look manifested itself in a ruched leather dress that was lightweight and embraced the feminine silhouette well, and also with the finely tailored navy blue blazer and trousers that would look ideal on a girl out on a stroll in Mayfair. For the chaps there were finely tailored shirts and trousers that are quintessentially Christopher Bailey. Looking at the whole collection as a whole, one could say the theme was safari meets the city.

+

Also from London came the Resort 2011 presentation for Stella McCartney. This is one of McCartney's strongest collections yet, with an architectural silhouette that was similar to Calvin Klein Collection's Spring 2009 look, and an assortment of other pieces like A-line dresses and military trench coats that went as far down as to the thighs. Her blazers and trousers contained her trademark Savile Row tailoring which flatter well a woman's figure. Many of her looks were about exposing the legs, and celebrating the arrival of Spring, which is is said to be McCartney's favorite season.

+ the creators.

+  Summers always seem to be a bit intense in New York City.  The clammy weather is one thing but the events leading up to the resort collections are another.  It seems as though we are between a rock in a hard place since our website is not yet complete and we have so many topics to cover, not to mention the Menswear shows are approaching very soon.   Whoever said the business of fashion is extremely fast paced definitely quoted it correctly, sometimes I think we should hire individuals to help cover the important events we can’t attend, wishful thinking for future references I guess.  Well above are a few pictures of Jorge and I within the last month, a mixture of us wearing our favorite brands, Dior Homme, Alexander Wang, Rick Owens, etc.  Enjoy as we look forward to bringing you the launch of our new Website next week.

Very Respectfully,

 Joshua + Jorge

j + j