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BMW Oracle 2 / Alinghi nil (haha)

By Andy | Published: February 13, 2010

Most people lost interest in the America’s Cup after a series of dick moves by dickhead Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli who attempted to rewrite the rules and spirit of the Cup’s history in a blatant attempt to stop anyone winning it back, ever. Louis Vuitton, long time sponsors of the Cup, pulled their sponsorship in protest. Ever since, Alinghi and BMW Oracle have been involved in a long and drawn out court battle, the details of which, are frankly, of no interest to us. Unfortunately the America’s Cup is now largely fought by lawyers as opposed to sailors. All anyone needs to know is Larry Ellison’s BMW Oracle are the good guys, Alinghi are the villains. This morning, we woke up early and flicked through the Sky channels only to discover that race 1 in the best of 3 series for the Cup, between Alinghi and BMW Oracle was in fact underway. The speed that these incredible boats can generate is amazing. Even better, BMW Oracle’s monstrous Trimaran trounced Alinghi to win by 15 minutes. Ha! Take that Bertarelli. Race 2 in the best of 3 series is on Sunday. Come on!

UPDATED

BMW Oracle won race 2 today, and therefore the America’s Cup. Fantastic Result. Congratulations to Larry, Russell and BMW, and commiserations suck it Alinghi!

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Diamond Dogs

By Andy | Published: February 12, 2010

Last night Kate Sylvester Teed Street hosted a preview evening of Kate’s new Autumn Winter collection Diamond Dogs. Described as a ‘transgressive play on menswear and womenswear, sexy and sophisticated dress-ups’, Kate Sylvester’s new collection is reflective of her conceptual and immaculately tailored collections. Comprised of a relatively muted colour palette involving sherbet hues, smoky charcoals and recurring blacks, there is a definite nod to smart suiting. Sophisticated suiting is back and better than ever, becoming a customary component in both national and international collections and defining the direction of modern fashion. Sylvester’s take on the subject forms the foundation for another successful season. Soft ruffles and sheer lace lingerie added a hint of flirtation, and an iridescent effect was achieved through the layering of multiple gold and silver chain necklaces. The inspiration for Diamond Dogs is derived from notorious Auckland socialite (circa 1980’s) Judith ‘Black Lips’ Baragwanath. The artfully assembled collection aims to portray the dichotomous lifestyle she led, with an amalgamation of glamour and punk.

Diamond Dogs collection in store now at Kate Sylvester

Text by Amy Bailey

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Lee McQueen / The Greatest

By Andy | Published: February 12, 2010

Today is a sad face day. Alexander McQueen, perhaps the most daring designer of his generation has committed suicide aged 40. McQueen has given us so much, but he had so much more to offer. This is just tragically sad. Rest In Peace. Image from Alexander McQueen’s Fall 2009 collection.

Part of being a human is the reality that life is hard and sometimes you’ll be sad. Almost everyone in this world has thought of ending it at some point. You mustn’t. The ups and downs are all part of the journey. When you’re on a down, talk to a friend, talk to someone. Keep going.

“McQueen had incredible talents and gifts and at the same time, he was a great poet. There are very few poets left.” Andre Leon Talley

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2010 / Year of the Tiger

By Andy | Published: February 11, 2010

Lunar New Year Greetings from Test Shoot Gallery

Photography / May Lin Le Goff
Fashion Direction / Ashburn Eng
Illustrator / Allison Low

“The world’s most beautiful flowers bloom in ceaseless infrequency,
While the most stunning sceneries last only for the shortest time.
Please, no more excuses about leaving,
You’re not convincing me with just a glass of wine.
Here, let’s refill our empty desires,
Because honestly, when we will we stop getting love drunk?
My tears are brought upon by my yearnings,
Tell me my love, after this wonderful night, when will you return?”

- Inspired by Teresa Teng’s “When Will You Return”

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Lady Gaga & Cyndi Lauper / M.A.C Viva Glam

By Andy | Published: February 11, 2010

Meet the new voices of VIVA GLAM … Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper. They love lipstick. They love fashion. They want your Bad Romance…

Gaga and Lauper are channeling their high-voltage diva energy for VIVA GLAM and igniting From Our Lips – the new M·A·C Cosmetics VIVA GLAM campaign. In honour of all of the women who are living with the HIV and AIDS virus, and those working to curb its spread, the M·A·C AIDS Fund will announce $2.5 million in new donations to fund model programs that address the vulnerabilities and inequities that place women at increased risk for HIV and AIDS.

“I’ve been familiar with the campaign and have been wearing M·A·C since I was ten years old. To be joining the likes of iconic former VIVA GLAM spokespeople is an honour. My new VIVA GLAM lipstick colour is amazing. It’s very me – a bluish pink, great for everyday, a little bit ’80s. I hope that women buy this lipstick, and honour themselves and honour the cause.” Lady Gaga, M·A·C VIVA GLAM Spokesperson

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David Dallas / Something Awesome

By Andy | Published: February 9, 2010

We are loving the new David Dalla s single ‘I Get The Feeling’ which is enjoying much radio play at present. Dallas is PILOT’s fav NZ MC bar none, super nice flow and mad rhyme skills brother! He’s also super-real and humble, check it – the below is from his blog…

“I’ve been listening to hip hop music for pretty much as long as I can remember. First song I learnt the words to was Young MC – “Principals Office”. As a child I never had any aspirations whatsoever of being a rapper or making hip hop music – not because I didn’t like the idea, more because I didn’t think of it as something that was possible for a kid from New Zealand to do. I spent the first 18 years of my life doing the same shit your average kid from Auckland does. Went to School, played Streetfighter, learnt kickflips, wagged sometimes, got snapped by mum, got a hiding – so on and so forth. After high school, I went to University to do a degree in Computer Science. Up until that point I recall my only goal in life being to “go to Uni”. Both my older brother and sister had gone, and from the moment my sister told me you could skip your lectures, hang out in the city and go to the arcade without anyone telling you off – I knew that it was the place I needed to be…”

Something Awesome is the new album from David Dallas. Love the title…

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Taylor Boutique

By Andy | Published: February 9, 2010

Taylor Boutique are now stocking Kourbela, the inspirational knitwear label out of Athens. Winter 2010 showcases mixed fabrics made from silk, angora and cashmere. Chunky knits play off against soft floating knitted pleats and sculpted cape shapes across a collection of multifunctional knitwear that transforms itself into shapes that suit the wearer…

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Be more awesome

By Andy | Published: February 9, 2010

Are you creative? A designer perhaps? Well, if you job is anything less than awesome, quit your job! Life is meant to be awesome right?

Love this job ad from Aussie agency Lifelounge.

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w / cheeseburgers

By Andy | Published: February 8, 2010

There are few things in life that can’t be improved via the addition of cheeseburgers

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Art History Cheat Sheet

By Andy | Published: February 6, 2010

Art History by Vuk Vidor.

Fav? Hirst Owns the Pharmacy…

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Slither Serpens

By Andy | Published: February 6, 2010

Nick Knight shoots Raquel Zimmermann and some Serpens Maximus for Alexander McQueen. The British’s designer’s SS10 collection features some fantastique reptile print dresses (Anna Paquin wore one to the Oscars) and of course, those incredible shoes….

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Watch the Skies / Part II

By Andy | Published: February 6, 2010

A few days ago we reported that NASA’s Hubble Telescopy-device had accidentally managed to record footage of a Klingon Bird of Prey Warship. And now, on our regular morning walk through the Parnell Rosegardens with PILOT’s treasured chihuahua Rosie (her nickname is Roswell), we were stunned to discover that the aliens have in fact landed. What does it all mean? Watch the skies. Keep looking…

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Maison Martin Margiela / Untitled

By Andy | Published: February 5, 2010

You’re probably aware that Martin Margiela no longer has anything much to do with the fashion label he started and built into one of the world’s most original, enigmatic, coveted and respected labels. Now owned by Diesel, Maison Martin Margiela is going through a transitional stage and it will be interesting to see if they will be able to remain true to the label’s original aesthetic. For now, the brand has just released its first ever fragrance, fittingly called, Untitled. Untitled is a unisex fragrance – that is described as “floral, woody, and very green”. Unfortunately L’Oreal NZ who release all of Diesel’s fragrances locally, say they will not be releasing Untitled for the local market. Look for one of the independent fashion stores to fill the gap. In the meantime, buy from Colette

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Watch The Skies

By Andy | Published: February 4, 2010

NASA has released images captured by the Hubble space telescope of a mysterious x-shaped UFO travelling at super-fast speeds. The object is unlike any ever seen before, but NASA’s best guess is that the striking image is the result of the aftermath of a collision between two comets. If so, this is believed to be the first photographic evidence of such an event. Gizmodo meanwhile note the striking similarity of the X-shape to a Klingon Bird of Prey Warship. So, BOP or Comet collision? Watch the skies, keep looking…

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Massive Attack Roll Out

By Andy | Published: February 4, 2010

Massive Attack are about to release their fifth studio album, Heligoland, and as part of a world tour, they will play a single New Zealand show at Auckland’s Vector Arena on March 25. This is the UK band’s first visit to NZ for quite some time, they were supposed to come in 2003, but cancelled after original member 3-D was arrested on drugs charges. The last time I saw them play live was in Wellington in the early 1990s at one of the infamous Shed parties. And man, that was quite the gig. My strongest memories of the night are 1. Hearing their warm-up DJ Nick Warren play Future Sound of London’s ‘Papua New Guinea’ on the biggest sound system I’d ever seen… and, 2. Following the live show, Mushroom DJed an incredible set of dub, soul and instrumental hip-hop, building up a monster groove that just wouldn’t quit, again on that sound system… At the risk of sounding old, trust me, today’s watered-down Vector Arena style shows are nothing compared to what used to go down. Not that that should stop you from going. < we used to dance > Boom.

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Goldfrapp / Head First / Rocket

By Andy | Published: January 29, 2010

Good news friends. New Goldfrapp album in March…

Alison Goldfrapp writes on their blog that, “We have just about finished the album, a little a bit of mixing still to do in the first week of Jan, but that’s it. it feels good to have made an album as well as making a film soundtrack this year. if all goes to plan the album will be out in march. this album is very different from the last, but i hope you enjoy it just as much for different reasons. i’m really looking forward to playing the new songs live as a lot of them are so up and jubilant. even the revenge songs are kind of joyous! its gonna be a blast!”

After the success of 2005’s glam rock / electro inspired Supernature LP, 2008’s Seventh Tree was a much softer, hauntingly beautiful downtempo album. Judging from the artwork to Head First, and the leaked first single ‘Rocket’, the new album is being pitched as their “most powerful trip to date, a speedy rush of synth optimism, euphoria, fantasy and romance. With life affirming lyrics and stellar production it lifts off at full tilt and takes us on a journey to the heart of 2010.”

Disco love bitches. Looks & Sounds fanfuckingtastic no?

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The boy himself is at once too simple and too complex for us to make any final comment about him or his story. Perhaps the safest thing we can say about Holden is that he was born in the world not just strongly attracted to beauty but, almost, hopelessly impaled on it.

By Andy | Published: January 29, 2010

There isn’t any night club in the world you can sit in for a long time unless you can at least buy some liquor and get drunk. Or unless you’re with some girl that really knocks you out. ~J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 10

Sex is something I really don’t understand too hot. You never know where the hell you are. I keep making up these sex rules for myself, and then I break them right away. Last year I made a rule that I was going to quit horsing around with girls that, deep down, gave me a pain in the ass. I broke it, though, the same week I made it – the same night, as a matter of fact. ~J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 9

I was half in love with her by the time we sat down. That’s the thing about girls. Every time they do something pretty, even if they’re not much to look at, or even if they’re sort of stupid, you fall half in love with them, and then you never know where the hell you are. Girls. Jesus Christ. They can drive you crazy. They really can. ~J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 10

I mean most girls are so dumb and all. After you neck them for a while, you can really watch them losing their brains. You take a girl when she really gets passionate, she just hasn’t any brains. ~J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 13

Goddam money. It always ends up making you blue as hell. ~J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 15

RIP J.D. Salinger

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