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Hello. New Twitter import here! (:

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Celebrities take part in the ‘YouTube show’ phenom

Since YouTube’s catapulting into the world of content creation, all walks of life have joined to share a plethora of subjects and lifestyles. So much so, that many a celebrity have gotten their rise to super stardom from the famed website. In a turn of events, it seems celebrities are now turning to this medium to market their brand or to simply engage with their audience, keeping them updated with their glamorous lives. Demi Lovato, Katy Perry and Ellen DeGeneres are just a few that are taking to the idea of independent (or not) broadcasting for fans, non-fans and everyone in between.  

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Paris Jackson to be the new face and body of Calvin Klein

The new face of Calvin Klein is rumored to be none other than the closely watched Paris Jackson. In recent moments Paris is noticed for her blossoming beauty and poise in her own right, rather than just the King of Pop’s daughter. Modeling for Jackson is less than shocking for us, she is quite the stunner, but the pairing of her and Raf Simons –the newly appointed creative director for the brand—is an unexpected but pleasant turn. The youthful but ethereal Paris can be a perfect match. Hopefully this will bring the brand it’s much need resurgence.

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Vogue India magazine cover stirs controversy

Kendall Jenner faces yet another wave of backlash as her controversial magazine cover for Vogue India has debuted.

In these sensitive times, erasure of an entire culture is an all too often recurring event. Albeit through media or otherwise, it seems like the opportunity for representation is broadening but still restricted as a means to perpetrate a standard that fashion has been upholding since the beginning. We’ve come a long way, but not long enough. The magazine is celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary. One could argue that this issue would be the most coveted and would be highly produced and marketed. This opportunity to feature a beautiful Indian model or widespread influence would be the more obvious choice. The Jenner ‘era’ as some would call it, seems to be favorable to the fashion crazed demographic, but at the same time the over-saturation of the Jenners and Kardashians while dismissing or neglecting the diversity of the fashion industry and its cultures are questionable. To others, it may “not even be a big deal”, however the demand for more representation and overall diverse ‘looks’ in fashion can only bring more success. Hopefully Vogue has learned that beauty goes far beyond Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid.

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The Calvin Klein Aesthetic

As a cinematography lover and minimal fashion enthusiast, Fabien Baron’s film for Calvin Klein is a production I personally find to be stunning. I’ve watched the full version perhaps an embarrassing number of times. The captivating and scenic picture features the clothing of the brand as well as their eyewear.

What we’re witnessing here is the affair between two alarmingly gorgeous people and what appears to be their trials and tribulations as a hot couple. The stark, broody voice captioning and tonal hues make for a melancholic feel, taking you through a journey of emotions. Unbridled passion contrasted with soft caress, represented by fire, earth and other elements.

Watch the experience below.

The house of Calvin Klein is not new to the contemporary, “cold” aesthetic. I personally enjoy it. The clothing is filmed and featured perfectly within every scene and the quality of direction captures the movement beautifully. With every brilliantly captured Calvin Klein ad, it carries the weight of a very modern, artistic experience. Each time you may think to yourself...“that was great”.

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In celebration of Rihanna’s new Chopard collection..

Have a look at the style icon and pop star’s blingiest moment’s as we count down the days until her new Chopard collection debuts! 

MET Gala 2015

As if the canary yellow couture wasn’t striking enough, Rihanna donned a pearl and diamond necklace. If you’re looking for decadence, it’s this look.

CFDA Awards 2014

This Josephine Baker inspired look dropped jaws in the best way. Swarovski crystals adorned the beauty head to toe.

Pour It Up video set

The crystal wire bra that covers --well, not much-- is right up the bad gal’s risque alley. I do appreciate her knack for the raunchy.

Diamond Ball 2016

The gradient shape is a classic one and becomes one with the overall Hollywood Glamour look.

Diamond Ball 2014

The blinding ruby accents a rather intricate and bold diamond encrusted base. Subtle? Perhaps not. Fabulous? Absolutely.

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Monochromatic suiting seen on this season’s Best Dressed..

This week’s premieres and galas have shown us the androgynous but ever so chic ease of suit dressing on our leading ladies. Modern, tailored, fool-proof.

Charlize Theron in Dior

Jenny Slate in Jenny Packham

Diane Kruger in Roberto Cavalli

Olivia Palermo

Kristen Stewart

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Is there progress of diversity in Fashion Week?

In these sensitive times, politically and otherwise, there has seemingly been more regard for people of color on the runway.

Long overdue? Definitely. Better late than never I suppose.

While it’s certainly been a long fight (as advocated by Naomi Campbell & co.), we are finally seeing more women of color --Black, Asian, Hispanic,etc-- strut in their fabulous splendor. Some designers have been silly enough to verbalize the “importance” of euro-centric features and pale skin as it pertains to their preferred “look”. Cue the eyerolls. However, there are other designers that call hogwash and acknowledge that their clientele vary in age, size and of course, race. Protests that we’ve seen in recent years may have suddenly awaken those that have been buried in their blissful ignorance, or may even have grown tired of the conformity as influenced by their peers and associates. “Sometimes the line at our castings is wrapped around the block,” she said. “It’s up to the designers to make those decisions. They drive the ship.” –Gilleon Smith, casting director for Chromat

backstage at Chromat a/w 17

Beyond the runway, fashion workers that are celebrated in the industry, ie Edward Enninful, lend a big hand in the casting and featuring of colored models.

 We still have a lot of work to do as far as inclusion and representation, but I can’t knock the progress. Besides, how refreshing to have other features to admire rather than the carbon copies we see every 6 months.

For more fashion related news, follow here!

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The Exceeding International Expansion of Fashion Week

Being from the Cayman Islands, a banking and tourism driven country, the creative community is tightly knit. Fashion is a sub culture within the art world, so this makes the circle even smaller for people like us. As we follow the big dogs New York, London, Milan and Paris, there’s a slow and steady growth in international fashion weeks that shouldn’t go ignored. As if we should be so arrogant to limit ideas to the grand four anyway. Places like Kazakhstan, Mexico City and, yes, Grand Cayman, dabble into the worldly experience of fashion in their own unique and cultural ways. 

NEW: "These events help to build the brand of a place. People can realize, oh, Mexico City, for example, is a young vibrant place, with an active creative community." --Valeria Steele, museum curator of FIT

Cayman Islands Fashion Week, 2016

Be it quirky or conservative, exotic or minimal, fashion goes far beyond the provinces we’ve familiarized ourselves with, and I think it’s pretty cool how we could look beyond those coast lines to further inspire and promote a community of dreamers. As this industry grows, I feel it is important to include the likely and unlikely because ultimately that’s what creativity is about, stepping outside of the norm and the “comfortable” to bring forward something ground-breaking , unusual and transcends the times. The underhanded triumphs of different cultures are defiantly what makes any subject more interesting, so if we apply that to the spectacles shown overseas with more media coverage, imagine the visual feast we could devour.

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5 infallible trends to rock for Fall

As per season, beauty looks on the runway breathe fresh alternatives into your usual routine. Add a little more, maybe a little less. Accentuate one feature, tone down the other --or even go nuts! Either way, there’s a look for any and everyone with the promise of being on trend and ready for fall. Top off your stellar ensembles with any (or all) of the looks below.

The Alternative Wing; Everyone loves a good cat eye. It’s the most flattering for most eye shapes and offers a complete over all look. What makes this Fall’s wing fun is the wash of color and exaggerated shape. Bolder and bigger, if you will.

maison margiela (top), balmain (below)

A Pop of Lip; This look may be deemed more classic, but who says it has to be perfectly define? Magenta and fuchsia hues are the perfect compliment to all complexions and the just-kissed stain is a feminine yet carefree addition to your beauty routine. Not to mention low-maintenance and easy to achieve. Works for me!

pascal (top), jaquemus (below)

Modular Babe; An ode to Edie Sedgwick, Twiggy and the likes are fashion and beauty favorites, but this trend can be worn in different ways while still staying true to it’s 60′s mod roots. Wear it traditonally in the crease, or even below the lower lashline.

moschino (above), marni (below)

Ditch The Liner; One or two shadow tones are all you need to frame your soul-snatching peepers. Smoke out your color, add your favorite volumizing mascara, and voila. Another easy-peezy look. 

rochas (top), blugirl (below)

Icey Glow; It’s all about the skin. The lit-from-within look takes a stance with a cooler (pun intended) and more frosty approach. Highlighting your high points with an ivory cream or dusty shadow will do the trick. Whether it be high wattage or a simpler glow is up to you.

etro (top), francesco scognomiglio (below)

A useful tool to help you achieve any of these looks is the long beloved YouTube. A type and a click and you’re on your way to step-by-step glamour. Personally, I trust Charlotte Tilbury’s quick-fix tips and Samantha Chapman of Pixiwoo’s laws of fool-proof application.

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Is the pursuit of a fashion journalism career a total shot in the dark?

It’s been said and tried that the industry of fashion is a competitive one. Should we just cross our fingers and hope for the best? One would think so. With so many creatives that still struggle in their craft, it’s hard to stay motivated sometimes –or most of the time. It seems those who have ‘made it’ may have just been at the right place at the right time, and that’s not to take away from their own journey of trials and ordeals. It’s an objective topic but an important one, as me and many others have felt what it is to be discouraged when you have already visualized your victory at the CDFA awards. When you’re certain of your passion and how good you are at it, persistence seems to be the only choice. 

True to legend, it’s not so much these days about what you know, but who you know. Writers, designers, stylists, editors all alike have so many doors to knock on until the right person catapults us into superstardom. Interning is a foot in the right direction, but for how long and at what cost? It’s more so to do with recognition for hard work and a keen eye, and who knows how long that may take to achieve. With that said, climbing the latter is an endeavor you’ll find with most creative career paths, the key would be to be adopt a sense of tunnel vision. An “eye on the prize” mentality.

NEW: Surely we all experience the sudden wave of discouragement, but that’s not to suggest everything must come to a halt. Take every and all errors in stride. They make for a good victory story anyway, am I right?

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Submit a project! Are you an architect or an interior designer and would like your work published on Aestate? Send your images and text to: info@aestate.be

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Gisele Bundchen by Zee Nunes, Vogue Brazil

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elie saab | couture spring ‘17

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Fashion East Fall 2017