arnolt smead

ELLE NL: London Fashion Week S/S12

2011-09-21T22:12:00.001+01:00

LFW reports part 3 and part 4.

Paris Menswear A/W 11

2011-02-02T21:35:00.005Z

JULIUS

WALTER VAN BEIRENDONCK

BERNHARD WILHELM

BORIS BIDJAN SABERI

HERMÈS

For more photos, see The Work Magazine

Street style at LFW S/S11

2011-01-31T21:26:00.002Z

Almost forgot about these ladies...

TL°9: John Pawson

2011-01-31T20:13:00.004Z

The interview took place in his 'Plain Space' installation at the Design Museum and enabled me to connect the dots between the man and the stunning architecture... grand in its simplicity!

Best of 2010

2011-01-09T21:15:00.005Z

A little later than usual, but I couldn't let a new decade start without an overview of some milestones in music and film.

In my opinion it was a great year in music, making for some sweet 2010 memories: braving the winter cold with Groove Armada and Marina and the Diamonds on the iPod, riding my bike past the canals in summer to the sounds of The Drums and Robyn, mellow music like James Vincent McMorrow and Husky Rescue for autumn... music never fails to add to the experience of a season!

BEST ALBUMS

1. The Drums - The Drums
2. Vampire Weekend - Contra
3. Robyn - Body Talk
4. James Vincent McMorrow - Early in the Morning
5. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
6. Ou Est le Swimming Pool - The Golden Years
7. Marina and the Diamonds - The Family Jewels
8. Röyksopp - Senior
9. Groove Armada - Black Light
10. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
11. Husky Rescue - Ship of Light
12. Tove Styrke - Tove Styrke
13. Skunk Anansie - Wonderlustre
14. Sia - We Are Born
15. She & Him - Volume Two
16. Eliza Doolittle - Eliza Doolittle
17. Caribou - Swim
18. Rihanna - Loud
19. Hot Chip - One Life Stand
20. Yoav - A Foolproof Escape Plan

Film was a bit of a different story. I guess I've never had a year I was this invested in film. Dealing with it on a daily basis for work makes it a different experience than sitting in the cinema being swept away by imagery and storyline. After a while I was unconsciously looking for PR angles in movies I wasn't even working on. Nevertheless, I did have my spare time favourites: no superhero flick in recent times was so refreshing as Kick-Ass, no documentary-style films so unsettling as Catfish and Enter the Void, my love affair with Sophia Coppola continued, Komt een Vrouw bij de Dokter pulled heart strings I didn't remember having, and how sweet were Toy Story 3 and Despicable Me?

BEST FILMS

1. Kick-Ass
2. Toy Story 3
3. Inception
4. Somewhere
5. Never Let Me Go
6. Black Swan
7. The Social Network
8. Micmacs
9. Iron Man 2
10. Gainsbourg
11. Catfish
12. Le Refuge
13. Enter the Void
14. Komt een Vrouw bij de Dokter
15. Un Prophète
16. The Illusionist
17. Aftershocks
18. I Am Love
19. Despicable Me
20. Cemetery Junction

TL°8: Super Normal & Hermès retail

2010-10-05T23:42:00.003+01:00

"Super Normal - Reconnecting Design with Ordinary People"

"Classic Meets Modern in Familiar Places": Interview with Denis Montel of RDAI about the new Hermès retail concept in Antwerp

Backstage @ Matthew Williamson S/S11

2010-09-29T22:06:00.003+01:00

Elle NL: London Fashion Week S/S 11

2010-09-28T20:08:00.006+01:00

LFW reports part 2, part 3 and part 4.

TL°7: Lacoste and Soie Pirate

2010-07-05T23:35:00.000+01:00

Icon Revival: "Lacoste - Back from the Brink"

"Pirate Silk - A Diary of Fashion History": Interview with scenographer Bob Verhelst about the Abraham AG exhibition and Gustav Zumsteg

Sustainable fashion

2010-05-15T00:12:00.000+01:00

TL°6: Margiela, Still Life and Tokyo

2010-04-05T23:41:00.004+01:00

"MMM - Maison Martin Margiela Unravelled"
"Still Life from Flanders - Flemish Design Art Crosses the Channel"
"Tokyoeye - Made in Japan"

Researching and writing the article about 20 years of Margiela allowed me to get a deeper understanding of the extensive philosophy of the house. I had always been aware of the label, but it had never captivated me so intensely until I started studying the clothes and discovered the multi-layered references. An expensive coffee table book, my first anonymous garment and a tattoo later, I've become part of the cult...

Label. "Britannia"

2010-03-01T21:56:00.000Z

Art Direction: Hectica
Styling: Lisa Lapauw
Production: Stéphanie Duval
Models: Mira, Debra, Ezekiel, Loammi
Make-Up: Lif for Mac

OUTTAKES

Elle NL: London Fashion Week A/W 10

2010-02-28T23:13:00.004Z

LFW reports part 2 and part 3.

TL°5 Out now!

2010-01-15T23:43:00.005Z

Interviews with Karim Rashid and Paul Smith

"Recycling Light - Design and Environmental Awareness"

Best of 2009

2009-12-31T20:33:00.006Z

Interests and aspirations have shifted in 2009. Some have become work, others work inspiring. End of the year calls for lists...

BEST ALBUMS

1. Desire - Desire
2. La Roux - La Roux
3. Circlesquare - Songs about Drugs and Dancing
4. The XX - The XX
5. Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster
6. Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson - Break Up
7. Jonsi and Alex - Riceboy Sleeps
8. Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM
9. Lisa Mitchell - Wonder
10. Bat for Lashes - Two Suns
11. Fever Ray - Fever Ray
12. Peter Björn and John - Living Thing
13. Misstress Barbara - I'm no Human
14. Imogen Heap - Ellipse
15. Jack Peñate - Everything is New
16. Muse - The Resistance
17. Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up
18. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Higher Than the Stars EP
19. Gossip - Music for Men
20. The Big Pink - A Brief History Of Love

BEST FILMS

1. (500) Days of Summer
From the warning at the beginning ("This is not a love story") everyone who's ever suffered from a broken heart is painfully reminded that there is always two sides to a relationship. A rediscovery of young love and heartache to the tunes of a pitch-perfect soundtrack.

2. Watchmen
So much has been written about this one already. The greatest comic book was supposed to be unfilmable, it was in production for more than a decade, going through cast changes, different directors and film studios, but it came together in the end as a visual masterpiece under the helm of 300 director Zack Snyder.

3. Fish Tank
Against the backdrop of Britain's council estates, an affair unfolds between a troubled teen and her mother's boyfriend. Michael Fassbender delivers another great performance after his stint in Inglourious Basterds, Katie Jarvis is a break-out revelation!

4. Up
A sweet - sometimes funny, sometimes moving - story of an unusual friendship and adventure. Disney Pixar reach a milestone in animation excellence with their 10th film.

5. The Hurt Locker
Even though the war on terror is ever present, this film is not about war, but about great drama!

6. Inglourious Basterds
Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Mélanie Laurent and the wildy entertaining Christoph Waltz deliver Tarantino's trademark dialogue and bloody action in this WWII tale of revenge that takes a daring spin with history.

7. Role Models
The only comedy that had me laughing out loud this year (I'm a tough audience). Paul Rudd and Sean William Scott tap into bromance chemistry as twentysomething losers who are sentenced to mentoring children after a freak accident.

8. The White Ribbon
Germany's entry for this year's Oscars. Michael Haneke explores the harrowing implications of religious and political bigotry and hypocrisy in a small town just before WWI.

9. Sin Nombre
Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal reunite as executive producers of this breathtaking, gritty drama about youths connected by their will to escape the streets of Honduras.

10. Precious: based on the novel Push by Sapphire
Life is hard, life is short, life is painful... it takes a while before the bright side shines through in this story of an overweight and abused teen mum in the Bronx, but when it finally does it is life-affirming and beautiful.

11. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Michael Cera plays the nerd who gets dumped and finds new love with the cool girl who shares his taste in music. Just a simple and endearing romantic comedy.

12. The Cove
The documentary that plays out like a thriller about a bay in Japan where thousands of dolphins are slaughtered every season.

BEST FASHION IMAGERY

The lost VICE kids and Italians Do It Better

2009-11-08T22:00:00.006Z

"Platform Launch Party" at a secret Shoreditch warehouse.

"Five Easy Pieces vs. Italians Do It Better": Glass Candy, Desire and A Mountain of One performing live at Cargo. More photos on Vice. (access all areas, having a chat with the bands backstage, great music, amazing night)

the kids at the club -- mixtape 2

2009-10-25T21:30:00.021Z

Music inspired by the streets of East London.

1. Heartsrevolution: Digital Suicide Lullaby

2. Desire: Don't Call

3. Anna Ternheim: What Have I Done

4. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros: Home

5. Mickey Gang: Virgin (Wish You Were)

6. Beat Radio: Sleepwalking

7. Your Twenties: Gold

8. Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun: Never Always Good (Free Magic Remix)

9. Monarchy: Gold In The Fire

10. Baby Monster: Ultra Violence and Beethoven

11. Silver Columns: Brow Beaten (Joe Goddard Remix)

12. Vitalic: Your Disco Song

Also have a listen at 'the kids at the club -- a london mixtape 1'.

Backstage Pass: Show 2009, Antwerp Academy

2009-10-06T23:19:00.010+01:00

VICE kids (pt. II)

2009-06-29T19:37:00.002+01:00

"Vice Presents A Party In Heaven" with performances by Fan Death and Filthy Dukes.

"Jungle Exotica" at Madame Jojo's.

"Hot Boy Danceteria Spot" at Vogue Fabrics.

"Girlcore" at Catch.

L.A. Times calls it

2009-06-26T22:19:00.004+01:00

It's slowly becoming one of those 'death of Diana' moments... you'll always remember where you were when you first heard the news that Michael Jackson had died. I was at a party in East London with the Vice crew, when all of a sudden someone gets a text "Michael Jackson is dead". Everyone's first reaction was 'good one', but then the bar started buzzing with people getting similar messages. Walking outside, even people passing on the street were discussing it. Our conversation took a turn to his troubles with kids, the plastic surgery and the upcoming concerts at the O2. Classic Michael Jackson convo, you can say.

And then about an hour later, someone yelled out "The L.A. Times calls it, Michael Jackson is dead". Rumour became reality.

I never really was an obsessive fan, but I did appreciate his songs and can acknowledge the musical genius that was Michael Jackson. I bet it'll be another few weeks before this event leaves the papers, when we're all sick of reading about it. But in the meantime, I'll be listening to 'Give In To Me', my favorite MJ song... Long live the King!

Shows 2009

2009-06-13T21:42:00.001+01:00

As part of an assignment for TL magazine, I travelled to Belgium for the fashion shows of La Cambre in Brussels and The Royal Academy in Antwerp. Both shows made clear why Belgium is still at the forefront in providing an education in fashion.

The photo report will be published in TL4, out in October '09, but here's some outtakes.

LA CAMBRE, Brussels

ROYAL ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS, Antwerp

Londonscapes

2009-04-12T19:56:00.003+01:00

One month partying for Vice

2009-04-04T18:39:00.003+01:00

Can't believe it's already been a month, time flies when you're having fun...

'No Pain in Pop' album launch with performances by Trailer Trash Tracys and A Grave With No Name. More photos on Vice.

A-team at Catch (Shoreditch). More photos on Vice.

Vice Technology Issue launch at the Old Blue Last with performances by Internet Forever, Male Bonding and The Three Fair Ohs. More photos on Vice.

Blast Your Ghetto! at Café Capital (Antwerp). More photos on Vice.

Officially Vice

2009-03-23T14:45:00.000Z

Remember when I mentioned a while ago that I was trying to get this gig as a Vice photographer. Well, this past Friday I covered my first party for them: Cough/Cool at The Old Blue Last. Iconic pub, the party... not so much! But I tried to make the best out of it photografically.

Since I will be back in Antwerp next weekend, it might be 'Vice on the road'. Blast Your Ghetto, here I come!

the kids at the club -- london mixtape vol.1

2009-03-08T18:06:00.042Z

Music is such an important part of an experience for me. Like a smell, a tune has the power to ignite a random memory and transport you back to the time when you first heard it. Ever since I bought my first record as a kid somewhere in the nineties, I've been keeping playlists as a diary for periods in time.

From Indie Pop to Stargaze and Nu Wave, this is a selection of songs that have captivated me in the past few months and have been my soundtrack on the London underground, strolling through the city, on my way to work and before the club. Some you may know, others are brand new. Either way, they are well worth your listen.

1. Chairlift: Bruises

2. Via Audio: Presents

3. Vampire Weekend: Oxford Comma

4. Clubfeet: Teenage Suicide

5. Bishop Allen: The Ancient Commonsense of Things

6. Beirut: No Dice

7. Black Kids: I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You (the twelves remix)

8. Micachu & The Shapes: Lips (we have band's 'we have lips' remix)

9. Coeur De Pirate: Comme Des Enfants (le matos andy carmichael remix)

10. Marina & The Diamonds: Obsessions (pink stallone crush remix)

11. Alexander Robotnick: Problèmes d'Amour (original version)

goodbye in lomo

2008-12-31T22:09:00.000Z

Best of 2008

2008-12-30T01:12:00.001Z

I've written about it before. That time between Christmas and New Year's Eve, when my head is in between champagne detoxes, and I start thinking about what rocked my world the past year. I can't help it, but then my inner nerd is waiting to burst out and make some lists. You could say it's my way of proactively growing memories for the future. Remember the year when Belgium didn't have a government for over a 100 days, when Yves Saint Laurent gasped his last breath, or when I showed the first signs of growing up? Well, at that time I was inspired by these masterpieces in music, film and fashion...

BEST MUSIC

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
Santogold – Santogold
Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Sia - Some People Have Real Problems
MGMT – Oracular Spectacular
The Kooks – Konk
Kanye West - 808's And Heartbreak
Glass Candy – Beat Box
Kleerup – Kleerup
Sebastien Tellier – Sexuality
Arsenal – Lotuk
Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
Beck - Modern Guilt
The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
Raphael – Je Sais Que la Terre Est Plate
Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
Sigur Rós – Hauf/Heim
Lykke Li – Youth Novels
Milow – Coming of Age
Kings of Leon – Only by the Night

BEST FILMS

Le Scaphandre et le Papillon
The true story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with an almost totally paralyzed body, except for his left eye. A pitch perfect soundtrack, a claustrophobic yet enthralling perspective, an incredibly inventive way to portray the desperation and imagination of a man in his position… I can go on…
Les Femmes de l’Ombre
Female spies fighting on the front line during WW2. Sounds like it has B-film written all over it, but is in fact the complete opposite. All the elements of an easy-to-swallow thriller are in here, while never failing to remind you of a gruesome reality.
Synecdoche, New York
Because Charlie Kaufman can do no wrong in my book! (see: Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, …)
Happy-Go-Lucky
Walks a fine line between irritating and quirky, but ultimately falls into the feel-good category.
The Reader
Because Kate can do no wrong in my book!
Slumdog Millionaire
A life-affirming modern fairy tale in colorful Bollywood tradition, but without the cheesy dancing and dialogue.
Paris
City of Lights, Cédric Klapisch, Juliette Binoche, Romain Duris, ... should I go on?
Tricks
Small-town charm and the simpleness of childhood won me over in Poland’s submission for the 2009 Oscars.
In Search of a Midnight Kiss
Best low-budget indie film of the year! Two strangers have one of those great first dates full of witty conversation and odd confessions.
The Fall
Equal to “The Cell” in stunning visuals, miles ahead in storyline.
WALL·E
Who thought mute robots could portray such an array of emotions?
Roman de Gare
Murder and romance in one story, like only the French can package it.
Iron Man
Probably the best Marvel adaptation ever.
Wanted
A loud and enjoyable special FX thriller (+ I worked the film premiere in L.A.)
Un Secret
Slowly unravelling drama about the secrets that can tear up a family.
Garden Party
Every preconception you have about life in L.A. worked into one film.
Definitely, Maybe
The only rom com that took a fresh approach to your average boy-meets-girl story, and that I remember.
Horton Hears a Who!
Just plain, well-made cartoon fun…
In Bruges
Ralph Fiennes does his usual ‘cool’ act, Colin Farrell is a twisted surprise.
Sex and the City
It’s not what we had in mind, but was there any way it could have lived up to expectations?

BEST in FASHION

life don't stop

2008-12-29T01:32:00.001Z

They started in Los Angeles, my memoirs on a sunny day, somewhere in the spring of 2008. I was trying to leave myself something tangible to remember the period by and offer the people I left behind a look into my life and what I was up to. Working for the Los Angeles Film Festival and soaking up all things American, ended up being the true Hollywood experience. Days were filled with blissful sunshine, careless trips of discovery, film premieres and hipster parties.

Coming home to Antwerp and reconnecting with friends and family was nice, but my Gen Y dreams could not be contained. The restless sensation and thrill of the new, which are a common symptom of the travel bug, had to be gratified sooner or later. So I crawled behind my computer again, and after a seemingly endless internet search, I found the thing I was looking for... another adventure in the big city, another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... a job in London as a film publicist.

I am all ready to get absorded by a new city, vibe and cultural mishmash. I'll be exploring the streets and hotspots. I'll be partying, working, sleeping, eating, reading, ... and taking pictures. Memoirs on a sunny day will capture my impressions along the way.

I hope you enjoy,

Arnolt Smead.