Tag Archives: Freedom

BEAUTY, E.O.F. APPROVED, FASHION, FAVOURITE FIND, HISTORY {is made at night}, NEW YORK CITY, Rebel Society, STYLE IDOLS AND DIVINITIES, STYLE {WISE}, Video, Vintage, WOMENSWEAR

I DON’T NEED YOU TO TELL ME I’M BEAUTIFUL! I KNOW I’M BEAUTIFUL!!!

May 1, 2018 {theEye} 1 Comment

Fresh off our VMP DRAG FASHION FLAUNT at this year’s Vintage Marketplace, we can’t stop thinking about how incredible drag queens are, especially those of the {PAST} who paved the way for the {PRESENT} culture and creativity and will continue to invoke its {FUTURE}.

We know everyone who is anyone keeps up with RuPaul’s Drag Race, and the past season’s ALL STARS edition featured a wickedly hilarious Snatch Game that had Brooklyn babe AJA take on one of Herstory’s most legendary queens – founder of the House of LaBeija, and star of the cult 1968 documentary “The Queen”, Crystal LaBeija!

+GET A TASTE+

And she took her on with gusto and glamour, and also delivered this beautiful spirit back into the forum of the mainstream…much in the way Jinx Monsoon brought us Little Edie of “Grey Gardens”, and Sasha Velour took on Marlene Dietrich; keeping these divinities alive for younger generations is absolutely key!

How sad it is when you hear a young man or woman denote they have no idea who these iconic legends are . . . stay educated, kids!

“The Queen” is a fabulous film directed by Frank Simon, and provides an up close and candid look at the behind of the scenes of the 1967 All-America Camp Beauty Contest in New York City. It is a wonderful portrait of a time gone by. . . New York City is rough and tough, and men from all around America shack up in tiny hotel rooms in anticipation of the pageant discussing the difficulties of being gay in America. They are all fabulous, and its wonderful to see their final transformations from the male versions of them you see in rehearsals. This transformation truly proves the power of style and image to invoke strength from within.

Illustrated herstory by Laurel Lynn-Leake

By far, the most fabulous moment has to be Crystal’s freak out when she is named fourth place storms out and then rips everyone a new one backstage. Absolutely ICONIC…you are going to have to see it to believe it! And if you are a fan of Drag Race, you will really appreciate what Aja brought to the table even more.

We stumbled upon a full version of the film on Youtube, so check it out below and enjoy!

+Look out for Andy Warhol’s cameo (he was a judge in the pageant)+

Did you know Frank Ocean sampled Crystal Labeija ???

We love moments like this in pop culture where the {PAST} races into the {PRESENT} and ultimately shapes our {FUTURE}. . . rebel queens like Crystal LaBeija will live on far past those who chose not to be the truest, most incredible versions of themselves.

I don’t need you to tell me I’m beautiful! I KNOW I’M BEAUTIFUL!!!

And really, we should all fell this way! Screw the haters- you rock!

Listen to that spirit within you, and let it free…

Until next time,

{theEye}

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+ FAVOURITE FIND + VIVA MAGAZINE {circa. January 1976}

January 5, 2018 {theEye} Leave a comment

VIVA MAGAINE: The International Woman’s Magazine {circa. January 1977}

Cover Photograph by the iconic HELMUT NEWTON (hence, the undoubtable chic-ness of this image). Published by icons Bob Guccione and Kathy Keeton of PENTHOUSE fame, this is a prime piece of classic porn chic.

First coined in a highly influential New York Times article in 1973, porno chic describes a distinct period between 1969 and 1984 where American pornos were hitting the mainstream consciousness and pocketbooks hardcore. Andy Warhol kicked it off in 69 with Blue Movie, and films like Deep Throat, Behind the Green Door, Caligula, The Opening of Misty Beehtoven, A Night at the Adonis, and Flesh Gordon are among the films that encapsulate the Golden Age of Porn.

But it wasn’t just about the films. This period also saw a surge of amazing publishing prowess seen by magazines like PLAYBOY, HUSTLER, OUI, and of course PENTHOUSE dominated the scene, but for the first time publishers turned their attention to the female gaze, and offered pleasures like PLAYGIRL and VIVA with the male form objectified freely and openly to ease the tensions of the day.

I know it seems cliche to say, but its about the articles, too! Especially adult magazines of this period, you will find some powerful political, cultural, and historical content that just can’t be beat! Some of the articles included in this VIVA Magazine include:

The Blue Angel: Inside New York’s Naughtiest Night Club
Minnie Riperton Raps About Fashion
The Real Brenda Vaccaro
The Naked Cowboy
Dustin Hoffman & Robert Redford on set of “All the President’s Men”
Do You Have What It Takes to Be Happy?

Not going to lie; what really stood out to us was the top story on the cover: HOW TO MAKE LOVE LIKE A WITCH!

The things they targeted their demographics with back in these times is fantastic! Imagine if they had published topics like this today?? People would have a fit! But, seriously we need more of this!

That’s just what makes this piece so god damn amusing. Keep pieces like this for entertaining treats for your guests- some pop culture, history, and a little eye candy.

They don’t make them like they used to …

And I always get a kick with cigarette ads from this period. They are always so special and great. Like this one:

Just out in the park picking flowers and placing them in my pretty flower basket and smoking a cigarette. . .

+LADY BE COOL+

I don’t know how things have taken such a drastic turn. It’s rather sad, really…but luckily, we do have pieces like this to remind us of these lost times.

This is a rare item especially considering the super sensual and chic Helmut Newton cover, and VIVA being of lesser popularity as PLAYBOY or even PLAYGIRL. If you have any questions? Send us a message to the.eye.of.faith@gmail.com

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{MUSIC MINUTE} Jennifer Warnes sings “Easy to be Hard” from HAIR #LoveWins #PrayforOrlando

June 14, 2016 {theEye} Leave a comment

How can people be so heartless

How can people be so cruel

Easy to be hard

Easy to be cold

In the wake of the tragedy that struck us early Sunday morning in Orlando, we were inspired to post this very moving {MUSIC MINUTE} in honour of those lost, hurt, and affected by this unspeakable crime.

To imagine that in 2016, we are still dealing with repression, bigotry, and hate to such a violent extreme saddens us beyond belief. It truly goes to show how important it is for us to keep being invigorated and reminded of OUR {PAST} in the {PRESENT} to help shape the {FUTURE}.

The nightmares and horrors of yesterday, are the nightmares and horrors of today, and the more we keep ignoring them, the worse our world will become.

Many of you know that we just finished a successful sold out run of the musical HAIR at Hamilton Theatre Inc. and what truly drew us to this show was its message of friendship, freedom, peace, and love; and through being a part of this iconic show, we truly feel that it is our duty to continue spreading the groovy revolution.

Before she was crooning “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” and “Love Lifts Us Up (Where We Belong)” in the 1980s (winning Grammys and Academy Awards along the way), she starred as Sheila Franklin in the West Coast cast of HAIR.

Here is her soaring rendition of one of our favourite songs whose message is ultimately timeless and true especially after the unforgivable terror that was imposed on a vibrant and loving community.

+ + + Requiéscant In Pace + + +

Until we meet again,

{theEye}

ART, BEAUTY, DO IT RIGHT, E.O.F. APPROVED, FASHION, FAVOURITE FIND, Hamilton, INNOVATION, MENSWEAR, MUSIC, NEW YORK CITY, Rebel Society, STYLE {WISE}, TELEVISION, Video, Vintage, WOMENSWEAR

{COMMERCIAL BREAK} West Coast Cast of ‘HAIR’ on “Smother Brothers”, 1968

May 17, 2016 {theEye} Leave a comment

Writers of 'HAIR' Gerome Ragni (L), Galt Macdermot (C), and James Rado (R) — Writers of ‘HAIR’ Gerome Ragni (L), Galt Macdermot (C), and James Rado (R)

If you know us, you know that our tagline in life and business both is “Escape the Everyday” . . . and as of late, we have been living out this philosophy not only in our day to day conjuring our many style spirits who help us guide our way through our destiny, but journeying into the past performing in Hamilton Theatre Inc.‘s production of “HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical”!

Aaron is “Woof” and Paul is an exciting, fun member of the Tribe, and having the chance to bring this iconic piece of art to life has been a rejuvenating, invigorating, and educating experience.

Before production began, we had been doing tons of research on the original show, its history, and the time period it portrays (a tribe of hippies in 1968 New York City) in preparation for designing costumes for the production, which then inspired the decision to be an even more involved cog in the wheel.

For three months our cast and crew have worked tirelessly to ignite the fire that initially made ‘HAIR’ such a phenomenon almost fifty years ago. Here’s some photos from TIME magazine before the original show hit the Broadway stage:

{Photo Source}

Ironically, the anti-establishment ‘HAIR’ became one of the biggest mainstream successes of Broadway history, and also brought this alternative culture to the masses in a huge way.

Before there was even a barometer of “hippie” style, ‘HAIR’ put its stamp on the vibe with designs by iconic costume designer Theoni V. Aldredge (best known for her Academy Award winning designs for 1974’s ‘The Great Gatsby’).

We use the word “timeless” a lot in this forum, but the word could not be more appropriately paired with this show.

Today, our world is as chaotic and confused as ever; and ‘HAIR’ fights against this conflict with love, happiness, and perhaps, utopian ideals that might never truly win the fight, but at least, keep the fight going.

Tickets are selling fast, so if you are local, do visit the website and order them ASAP. If you can’t see us in person, we encourage you to feel the vibe anyway, and enjoy this wicked quality video of the 1968 West Coast cast of ‘Hair’ performing some of the show’s iconic jams on the “Smother Brothers” show.

This is the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius!!!

Performances for ‘HAIR’ at 8pm: May 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 and 2pm on May 22

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW HERE

Let the Sunshine In!

Until we meet again,

{theEye}

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FASHION, MENSWEAR, Rebel Society, STYLE {WISE}, Vintage, {PHOTOBLAST}

Crime of Passion or Crime of Fashion?

March 15, 2015 {theEye} 4 Comments

Everyone enjoys a mugshot, as much as the next. Invasive? Essential? Photography lent itself as a most incredible resource for law enforcement around the world. No one can doubt that!

These days we’ve all seen the Mel Gibson, Heather Locklear, and the yearly Lindsay Lohan. Somehow, it seems, the mugshot has lost all it’s vintage charm! What happened to the mugshots of yesteryear?! Not to fear, we have unearthed some treats!

“I’m not a prophet or a stone aged man, just a mortal with potential of a superman.”

–David Bowie.

Some cultures believe a picture holds your soul- your very essence. Before the days of digital, photographs were rendered using chemical processes that captured the very essence of the moment. So, if not your soul, definitely a true essence of ‘time’ has been made.

Pictures speak a thousand words, and most of the stories told here are in the eyes, and naturally, outfits of these “fallen” individuals who were all “taken in” for one thing, or the other. What could their crimes have been? Definitely ask yourself as you take in some special one-of-a-kind cruise through vintage angst, vanity, and liberation.

“Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.”

–Janis Joplin

“I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it’s for or against.”

–Malcolm X

“The best revenge is massive success.”

–Frank Sinatra

“Vanity is my favourite sin.”

–Al Pacino

“I don’t believe in that phony hero stuff.”

–Steve McQueen

Why are we always fighting for freedom when we are all supposed to be free? We all have our reasons, and whatever they be- being true to yourself will never be a crime, no matter how you are judged. Keep on keeping on!

“But the whole point of liberation is that you get out. Restructure your life. Act by yourself.”

–Jane Fonda

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{MUSIC MINUTE} “EDIE (CIAO BABY)” by The Cult + A Wicked Rare Tour T That Gives You The Body Electric!

February 27, 2015 {theEye} Leave a comment

“Edie was spoiled materially, but starved and tortured emotionally. You can see that in her eyes. Oh, those sprightly, beautiful but also deeply sorrowful light brown eyes that I will never forget.”

– Andy Warhol

+Style Divinity+ Edie Sedgwick is one of those icons of style that cannot be denied. She also seems to represent a sort of decadent disheveledness that seems to have swept the upper classes of the 20th Century (for better or worse).

And for those in that world, it must have been most shocking to see a socialite like herself take off on a truly remarkable roller coaster ride through the world of Art & Fashion only to pitfall into a dark hole of abuse and addiction.

We admire her freedom. But like we always say – is freedom free?

After all, could she really have lived such a life if it weren’t for her entitled upbringing? Probably not. But, in all respects, we all wish we could have a piece of that entitlement, really, and there are those who are brought up with the same regard to status in society who live very successful and honourable lives.

In the end, it all comes down to choices.

“You have to put up with the risk of being misunderstood if you are going to try to communicate. You have to put up with people projecting their own ideas, attitudes, misunderstanding you. But it’s worth being a public fool if that’s all you can be in order to communicate yourself.”

-Edie Sedgwick

So in the end, what will you choose?

Our {MUSIC MINUTE} gives an ode to this Stylish Queen of Tragedy, and points to some of these ideas, and the world Edie inhabited, and looked toward.

It is a rare song from one of the most iconic bands of the post-punk/goth rock movement of the 1980s, led by the singularly iconic Ian Astbury whose mystical and almost enchanted rock persona still pushes the bounds of style for men (giant black hats, anyone?), so its not surprising that he also grew up in the same hometown as us here at The Eye of Faith!

Recorded in 1989, ” Edie (Ciao Baby)” is one their great songs, and seemed all too fitting to not feature!

We are also excited to announce that we have in possession a very rare tour t-shirt from the iconic Electric World Tour of The Cult back in 1987!! That in itself is quite unusual, but what makes the piece in our collection that much more unique is that it was from a run of shirts made in Canada featuring only the cities in Canada they performed at on the back.

The Eye of Faith Vintage - Rare THE CULT Band 1987 Electric World Tour British Punk Goth Mystic Rock N Roll Canadian Soft Unusual Bad Ass Graphic Concert T-Shirt

Rare THE CULT Band 1987 Electric World Tour British Punk Goth Mystic Rock N Roll Canadian Soft Unusual Bad Ass Graphic Concert T-Shirt

{CLICK HERE TO BUY}

It’s an absolute style stunner, and a piece of music and style history, so we tend to think that kind of thing is gosh darn awesome!!!

If you want to take a closer look, or to +PURCHASE+, please check it out in the {SHOP}!

I think surely we have given you all enough to meditate on for the moment.

DON’T WEAR A MASK. BE YOURSELF.

Until next time,

{theEye}

FILMS, MUSIC, Vintage

{Music Minute} Ennio Morricone, “The Ecstacy of Gold”

May 13, 2014 {theEye} 4 Comments

Conjuring up all you Ennio Morricone fans out there.

Every fan knows that this man’s music can make you soar – and if there isn’t one piece that can make one’s mind soar to the farthest reaches of imagination it’s this one. Makes for a great surge of power and might to kick ass out of any day you might be facing.

So give it all you got, kids!

Sincerely,

– The Eye x

E.O.F. Style Divinity: Patti Smith { Punk N’ Pretty}

March 28, 2013 {theEye} 5 Comments

In art and dream may you proceed with abandon.

In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.

-Patti Smith

[photo courtesy: Sexuality and Love in the Arts ]

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of browsing Patti Smith’s “Camera Solo” at the AGO, and really got an opportunity to get an inside glimpse of the one-of-a-kind artist and human being.

Her works are exhibited in a sparse open gallery with a few antique chairs for sitting, on top of an aptly bohemian rug you most definitely would find in her own living space, surrounded by her snapshots and polaroids, her letters, her drawings, and beloved objects from her past all come together to expose the tender romantic heart beneath that hard rock shell you might at first perceive her.

There are photographs of her children, and of her idols (Frida Kahlo’s bed, Nureyev’s ballet shoe, Walt Whitman’s tomb, and of course her beloved Mapplethorpe, who understandably is a resonating force in her life and work), and they are displayed with the kind of simple black-and-white wisdom she must have come to understand over the course of her life.

Now 66 years old, her soul seems as vital and vibrant as ever. And while we will always remember her as the Punk Rock Queen, her “Camera Solo” really helps display her sense of bohemian elegance. The mix of old and new is obviously something of great interest to us here at The Eye of Faith, and Patti Smith does well to juxtapose her personal memories, the memories of others, and the present day, all in a peaceful vortex of still life serenity.

[photo courtesy: CBC]

There is the sense of a true individual, a libertinian quality, in everything showcased. The sum of the parts, are nothing without her own experience, and thereby no singular person could recreate the moments captured forever by Patti Smith in her writing, drawings, music, film, and photography. Indeed, she is quite the Renaissance woman, and so we thought it apropo to put together a collection of some of our favourite images of the Rebel Goddess, and hopefully ignite that same age old wisdom and passion Patti Smith inherently seems to possess.

And though she is known for her punk rock roots, it was great to see such a refined vision. There wasn’t that garbage, safety pin, and spray paint aesthetic some people immediately cling to when you say “PUNK”. If you think about it, it’s just a state of being that denies following the “norm”. Being “punk” says you’re doing it your way. No apologies. That’s where her divine sensibility sets in for us.

So as you look through these photos, just let it take over. You don’t have to be right all the time. Just feel it, and let it just be.

[photo courtesy: Sexuality and Love in the Arts ]

Artist are traditionally resistant to labels.

-Patti Smith

BAD ASS PATTI SMITH - STRIPES jeans and fashion musery

patti-smith-robert-mapplethorpe-homotography-2

patti-robert-4363a746c3cb9cd6f27d176367a233912470f6f1

PATTI SMITH and robert mapplethorpe in living colour

Patti Smith’s “Camera Solo” is running through until May 19 at the AGO, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to spy through the window of a true punk rock soul.

Also check out her official website for concerts and other details.

[photo courtesy: Sexuality and Love in the Arts ]

To me, punk rock is the freedom to create, freedom to be successful, freedom to not be successful, freedom to be who you are. It’s freedom.

-Patti Smith

Until next time,

{theEye}

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E.O.F. Snapshot of the Day {November 7, 2012}

November 7, 2012 {theEye} 1 Comment

{We just love this cover for so many reasons.}
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E.O.F. Approved: Independence on the 5th of July!

July 5, 2012 {theEye} Leave a comment

Don’t think we’ve forgotten about you, our American Readers! We would never.

Seeing as the good times rolled by, and now we lie in the wake of the Fireworks, we want to ask, how was your 4th of July?? What do you consider your rightful Act of Patriotism over the course of the last week, we wonder?

We wouldn’t leave you hanging without a touch of style inspiration a la you know who. Let’s keep celebrating Independence on this 5th of July.