Peter: More Saks!

This time from Michael Beirut of Pentagram.

Peter: eh...

Also announced today – Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson have split. While I like these two, I can't say i'm surprised – they never felt like a match and were hardly together.
I'm more sad about Scarlett Johansson's career. What happened to the girl from Lost in Translation and Girl with a Pearl Earring?

Peter: Winona Forever!

In more fall out from the Golden Globe nominations, I'm disappointed Winona Ryder missed out on a nomination for Black Swan in favour of co-star Mila Kunis. This pretty much rules out any hope of an Oscar nomination. While I'm behind Jackie Weaver sweeping best supporting actress, I had harbored a hope that this could be the start of her comeback. 

I've always had a major crush on Winona and have missed Winona the movie star (this article from the Huffington Post sums it up) 

But her role in Black Swan seems to be (unfairly) smaller than expected and she's been looking pretty sad lately.

Come back Winona!

Peter: Globes

Sarah, the Golden Globe nominations were announced today and it feels like Award season has finally arrived! (although, with all the early speculation, predictions, critics awards and lead up, award season technically never ends).

While we can't take the Hollyood Foreign Press nominations too seriously, it did make me smile today when I read that Nicole Kidman's name was announced, by no less than Kate Katie Holmes!

I love Nicole. The Hours, Dogville, Margot at the Wedding, Birth -Nicole has always been a serious actress. And ever since she escaped from Tom Cruise, I've been on board. I don't care what she does to her face. Poor Katie Holmes. How can she compete with that?

But as much as I was rooting for Nicole to secure a nomination, I wasn't planning to back her in an Oscar race this year, what with all the worthy competition this year (and the fact she already has one). But after seeing the lack lustre nominations today, I can safely say she's my pick for a Golden Globe win. I haven't even seen the film yet, but I'm sure it and Nicole are amazing.

Sure, there a some respectable name in there – Michelle Williams, Halle Berry and Natalie Portman, but they're all a bit boring. I still want to see Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone. Ordinarily all the buzz around her performance would lead me think she would won, but not so much for the Globes.

Disappointingly (or expectedly) many names were missing – including Tilda for I Am Love!! How can we possibly take this seriously? I also was holding out hope for Kristen Scott Thomas after seeing the amazing French film Sarah's Key (I caught an advanced screening tonight and it was very compelling) but no. Also, amazing performances from Annette Bening and Julianne Moore were unfairly relegated to the (less serious) Comedy category with Emma Stone (Easy A) and ... Angelina Jolie (The Tourist). Um, ok.

See full nominations here.

Sarah: No Small feat!

Peter! Your blogging over the weekend was outrageous - I love it! Dare I say those are our best installments yet?

I thoroughly enjoyed your Miranda July post (love her!) and the identity for SAKS - ahh, made me miss working in an environment where I am surrounded by design. Thanks so much for posting so much greatness! I will be looking into those links for "West Coast" designers - the poster about Walt Disney - brilliant! Surely you can get a replica online? (Is that design blasphemy?)

This morning I am proud to announce that the gorgeous 22 year old model, Joan Smalls, has been named the new face of Estee Lauder! This is cool for many reasons, but particularly cool to me because she is so young, she is black and I totally heart Estee Lauder (My Mum only wore Estee Lauder when I was growing up - I have a sentimental attactment to the brand :)

Joan is gorgeous, no? Of course, Tom Ford was one of the first designers to cast her in his shows - whatever the man touches turns to gold...

I have added a selection of some of my all time favourite Estee Lauder ads for you too. I love the luxury of the brand - and their choice of models.

Happy Monday!

S.

Peter: mc=xmas2

Sarah,
Its that time of year again. 
Time to rock out to some Christmas jams... these new classics by MC get my seal of approval, now pass the egg nog!

Peter: Bitch Stole My Look!

Peter: Miranda July at the Venice Biennale

I wanted to post this installation Eleven Heavy Things made by Miranda July for the Venice Biennale in 2009. I was discusing it the other day. It is a collection of eleven "photo opportunities" for people to interact with.

Miranda is an amazing author, director and artist you should already know and if you haven't seen her film Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005) or read her collection of short stories Learning to Love You More, then this should be your first priority. She is also from LA and dating Mike Mills. What an amazing couple!

There is one scene I wish I could find where a curator at a gallery is discussing the relationship between technology and AIDS. It's the best thing I have every seen.
P.

Peter: Mike Mills

I wish I had a print of this poster by Mike Mills - it's brilliant.

Peter: This Saks!

I just discovered this AMAZING identity and packaging for Saks Fifth Avenue from 2009. It is from the LA based Studio Number One which was founded by Shepard Fairey (Obey Giant, Obama Hope poster). Drool.

Source: notcom

I remember once seeing something about the Nirvana baby working with Shepard.
I love LA. I feel like the West coast is underrated in the creative community and always overshadowed by New York (kind of like Sydney and Melbourne!). In fact, most of my favourite designers are LA based including Mike Mills, Neil Kellerhouse and Marc Atlan.
It's definitely worth your while checking these guys out.
P.

Peter: An Olsen sized gift for Sarah

Sarah I just saw this great Barneys campaign from fall 2009 featuring your two favourite labels, The Row and Rodarte.
Enjoy.

Peter: Lady Marion sizzles

Sarah, you have gone blog crazy. Step away from the keyboard! Haha Maybe this will distract you.

Here is a new short film to advertise Dior handbags starring Marion Cotillard called Lady Grey London. I love Marion.

The film is so bad its good, but in a good way. I love the opening scene. It's a bit random having Ian McKellan in there though.

It was directed by Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch). I havn't seen any of his films (have you?) but i hope they are not like this because i don't think I could take that style for more than 5 minutes. I like that it is short and sweet as my attention span has been destroyed by years of music videos.

Its also worth checking out the previous ad in the series, Lady Blue Shanghai. It was directed by David Lynch but disappoingly it has an ugly digital look similar to Inland Empire and not the amazing cinematography of Blue Velvet. It is also long but still worth a viewing for Marion.

I still really like the ad David Lynch directed for Gucci by Gucci. It was the first perfume Frida Giannini launched after Tom Ford left Gucci. The ad is definately kooky but still sexy and has a great 80s vibe. There was a longer version, but here is the edited TVC. I wish David Lynch still made films like this.

Sarah: Amazing amazing Amazing doco...!

Peter - we need to get our hands on this doco - "Inside The Great Magazines" (ABC).

It's a look into the Editor's suite of the world's great magazines, and a study on the history and continuing influence of magazines today.

I want to watch it - with you!

http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/view/500261

S.

Sarah: Prince is totally hot!

Peter - this one is for you... (How deep is his voice?!)

S.

Sarah: MJ - making music from the grave... Oooooooooo...

Peter - are you a die hard MJ fan, or just a regular "Yeah, I shake it when Blame it on the boogie comes on" type of fan?

The reason I ask is because I just watched the latest MJ and Akon film clip - "Hold My Hand". Now, I am an MJ fan, I love Thriller and all the older albums, and I even went through a stage where Earth Song didn't make me want to kill everyone around me and then myself.

BUT - This song is horrid. Is it a tribute song? (You know the kind where everyone sings at once, it's slow enough for the tone deaf to try and stay on key and when performed live everyone claps in unison the whole way through).
I think they are trying to peddle this as "new material"? Well I hate it.

The film clip is equally as gag-worthy. Starting with fans saying "I love you Michael" at the begininng, continuing with loads of random people appropriately "holding hands" and then ending with a whispered "hold my hand" from MJ himself. A last pleading request which makes me want to slap his face, not hold his hand.

If I hear one person pumping this from their car stereo this summer I will see red.

Peter - your thoughts?

S.

Sarah: Soulful Subject - Dwele

Peter, right now I am listening to the divine sounds of Dwele* - a soul singer / songwriter from Detroit.
I think you will really like his music - and if you do you should get his album "Subject".

(He's not ugly at all, either...)
S.

Sarah: Mad Men - on the brain again.

I think it is obvious that I don't do things in halves - if I am obsessed with something it consumes me until i'm over it and onto the next thing.

I was fully consumed by all things Mad Men a few months ago (Le Husband and I even watched an entire season in one weekend - that was bliss!). Since watching the final available season, I have seemingly forgotten about the brilliance of Mad Men, and moved on to other things.

Then this Harpers Bazaar cover popped up and began stoking the fire once more. Joan, how I have missed you!

As it was you, Peter, that introduced me to my beloved Mad Men, I would like to dedicate this post to you. And as we both love Joan - i've included some pitcures of Christina Hendricks on her wedding day = gorgeous!

S.

Sarah: I Love You Oprah!!!

I would like to announce my fledging love and obsession for Ms. Oprah Winfrey.

There - it's out there, loud and proud!

The Queen (of talk shows) is going to make a 15 minute appearance at Federation Square today, and I seriously considered sneaking down to rush the stage and touch her (and never wash my hand again) - then I read that 50,000 crazed fans are expected to be there... and that they are already making their way now!!! It's only 10am - she wont even be there until 4pm!!!

Damn fans. I'll miss my chance this time, but this is not the last you'll (almost) see of me Oprah!

Yours faithfully,

Sarah Winfrey.

P.s. That picture of "O" with Don and Betty Draper (they shall be known by no other names) - swoon! It made me realise how much I love and miss Mad Men - hurry up next season!!!

Sarah: Happy Friday from Terry Richardson

Wow, I didn't realise that cover was Terry Richardson. I do love it!
Did you know Tom Ford likes pashing Terry Richardson? Just read it online...

Happy Friday! Enjoy some of my fav Terry pics...

S.