+Damn, son. . . +
Photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson {circa. 1933}
by George Hoyningen-Heune //seminal art photography of the 1920s & 30s
Stay {STYLE-WISE}
Until next time,
{theEye}
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Tag Archives: Modern
{STYLE IDOL} R.I.P. RICHARD DAVALOS
RICHARD DAVALOS
{ November 5, 1930 – March 8, 2016 }
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Best known for his role as the “good” brother in Elia Kazan’s classic 1955 American drama “East of Eden” co-starring the one and only rebel king, James Dean! His handsome face and perfectly coiffed hair rival the iconic mens style idol himself. . .
You can also spot Davalos as Blind Dick in the Paul Newman classic “Cool Hand Luke”. So, lets celebrate some of the classic cool styles he has donned, and his impenetrable friendship with the greatest mens style icon of all time.
“Twenty years after he played Aron to Jimmy’s Cal, Dick Davalos seemed unable to shake off the effects of his contact with Jimmy. In 1973, after interviewing Davalos for The Mutant King, I casually walked him to his car. With terrifying suddenness he turned and shouted at the top of his voice: “YOU FINISHED?” ….It was only later that I realized it was a line from East of Eden, and Davalos was still playing Aron; two decades later he was still delivering that line with the same suppressed fury he’s unleashed on James Dean before Jimmy would knock him to the ground. What a blow that phantom dealt him!“
EAST OF EDEN, Richard Davalos, 1955
+LEST WE FORGET+
Shop Classic Timeless Cool Looks in the {SHOP}
XIXIXI gets you 25% OFF!
Until next time,
{theEye}
+
E.O.F. Presents +KNIGHTS OF THE SANDCASTLE+
+KNIGHTS OF THE SANDCASTLE +
There once was a mysterious band of knights who roamed and raved their days and nights along the banks of the cool dark waters. Young and wild, they howled at the moon like the wolves, and on the clear days when the sun seemed to sparkle like diamonds on their faces, they stood sullen like statues of antiquity before cawing and cooing outrageously to their peers.
They sat watching the crowd waves roar; the boardwalk full of walking visitors, strange and new from far away places, that would all turn away in disdain from the boys of summer, sensing somehow their mighty position above it all . . .
They weren’t there for the sights and sounds, instead vying for an order of things far from the distressing quarrels of everyday society.
Simple positions shared amongst them all. One assigned to watch, another to distribute, another to discover, and the rest to play by the rules. No one over stepped a turn at the bottle, for each one knew that their last could be any day. Neville, one of the leaders, would say, ‘Never shy from your true colours’ and these they would display with unbroken pride.
Your honour was earned by the friendships you garnered and gathered.
Some say they had magic on their sides; magic powers taken from the ages, used to ensure their place along the sand dunes. Others say they made friends easily, but were actually ghosts playing games on the common folk.
Only one place in the world for them. A sacred fellowship that haunts us all to this day . . .
I like to imagine seeing them there every time I go back to the seaside. Guarding their little corner of the Earth, and protecting the small sliver of paradise they managed to claim as their own.
Sometimes I can hear them sing their favourite tune; a memory that wavers from faded dream to brilliant exuberance.
It was a familiar one made their own by one of their musically gifted initiates –
“Going down to Stoney End.
I never wanted to go down to Stoney End.
Momma let me start all over!
Cradle me Momma!
Cradle me Again . . . “
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GET THE LOOK IN THE {SHOP} !
The Knights of the Sandcastle need your help reviving their unique spirit that has been suppressed by the ages.
With their help, you too can be free. We have lots of wicked vintage apparel in the {SHOP} today so make sure you take a look, and invite a friend while you’re at it!
Our {SHOP} on ETSY is stocked full of goodies, so take a peak before they’re gone. . .
XIXIXI
is
the magic
word.
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Unti next time,
{theEye}
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E.O.F. STYLE IDOL: Peter Beard {Into the Wild}
HALF BYRON / HALF TARZAN
– Bob Colacello on Beard in “Holy Terror”
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{b, 1938}
Who wouldn’t want to be Peter Beard ?
The “wayward wasp” from New York City was born to wealth, coming from an aristocratic family (his great grandfather founded the Great Northern Railway in 1857; his grandfather, Pierre Lorillard III, a tobacco heir) – he could have had any life he could dream of.
So, after graduating from Yale with a degree in art history (mentored by art greats Josef Albers, Vincent Scully, and Richard Lindner), and a membership with the Scroll & Key (secret society bro), he chose to escape the jungles of the western world for the true wild of Africa.
I like to hang on to things and see the sea changes, the wear and tear, the spills, rain, and fire- how time works on everything.
-Peter Beard
There he would kick off his fantastic art career with a book entitled “The End of the Game” which documented the degradation of African wildlife brought on by yours truly – mankind. Taken in Tsavo National Park in Kenya, unsettling photos of carcasses and bones and rotting corpses in stunning and timeless sepia tinted black and white photos with mixed media and collage would put a stamp on Peter Beard’s exotic, original, and in-your-face style of photography.
It’s no easy feet trenching through crocodile infested waters, or watching as a colleague is torn in half by a charging rhinoceros, but it didn’t stop him from calling Kenya home.
He would set up home and shop in a rural sanctuary known as Hog Ranch, where he entertained a multitude of the world’s most interesting and fabulous friends, and take some of fashion’s most stunning images. He did it all in the most elegant and cool of ways.
Set against raving African landscapes, Beard brings new life to an industry built on a fantasy of luxury and excess, and strips it down (as well as his models) to the subtle supple curves of a woman, for whom he has had many. . . flecks of paint, and wicked swirls collaborate upon the images to create a magic that is evocative of his timeless and raw sense of style and unique perspective on life.
A rockstar in ever right, find him alongside Mick Jagger on tour, yachting with Aristotle and Jackie Onasis (clocking 4:20 in a $2,000 bet he couldn’t stay underwater for 4 minutes), entertaining royals, taking a nap with Francis Bacon in Andy Warhol’s bed, or partying with Halston at Studio 54, running from bulls in Madrid, or forcing Janice Dickinson to pose with a cheetah.
Lets put it simply: Peter Beard is a bad ass. He combines classic American ivy league style with a worldly spirit, nostalgia for the golden days of British Colonialism, all jet set to the max – keeping it clean, cool, masculine, and chic, and never being afraid to rip a shirt or get a stain. The truth is, he probably never thinks twice about any of that shit . . . prolific playboys never give a shit.
“I’m not a planner; I’ve never made a decision about anything in my life. The good thing about Africa is that you can escape forever. You can do what you want, without someone looking over your shoulder.”
-Peter Beard
You can still find Mr. Beard at Hog Ranch today feeding giraffes, and occasionally entertaining a photo shoot (back in 2009 he shot an iconic set of photographs for the Pirelli Calendar – click here to watch an incredible ‘Making Of’ video of his work on this piece).
His legendary journals and collage work have been soaring in prices at auctions as of late (his 1968 piece Orphan Cheetah Triptych took in $662,500 at Christie’s in 2012), so it would seem that sometimes doing the complete opposite of people’s expectations can truly pay off.
It’s all in the attitude, or should we say spirit. This is one we should all definitely try to invoke.
So, don’t get stuck in the status-quo. And never let anyone tell you that art isn’t worth it.
“I’m the most irresponsible person you ever met”
– Peter Beard
It changes people, and it changes the world.
Until we meet again,
{theEye}
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{ FURTHER READING: VANITY FAIR, NOVEMBER 1996 – “AFRICAN DREAMER” by Leslie Bennetts }
The Dapper Mystery Men Who Guard The Secret of the Voynich Manuscripts . . .
The strange, wonderful, and perplex. The Voynich Manuscripts . . . the World’s most wildly weird book. Full of strange diagrams and cryptic text, many generations have passed and still no one has been able to make anything of it.
The book is hidden deep away in Yale’s Rare Book Collection making it kind of hard for eager schoolboys to study all of its mysteries . . .The word ‘mystery’, strangely enough comes from the Greek mustrion meaning ‘secret rite’ [from musts, an initiate, from mein, to close the eyes, initiate.]
The mystery would gather together at sacred times in sacred places performing rituals, celebrations, and rites of passage. These sacred ceremonies were held to ensure certain higher knowledge is passed on to the initiate who is chosen under certain circumstances (possessing special intellectual or spiritual prowess, or defining periods in one’s life eg. marriage)
Not to presuppose of course, we all remember Yale is home to one of the World’s most infamous ‘mysteries’ of them all; the notorious ‘Skull and Bones’ society. The notorious fraternity traces its roots to 1832 as ‘The Order of the Skull and Bones”, and includes such influential names as Rockefeller, Tate, Pillsbury, and Bush.
The group operates in secrecy, much as their ancient mystery counterparts, holding their rituals in a building known as ‘The Tomb’. The lost boys were said to possess the last remains of Geronimo. Sounds like a bunch of hocus pocus from an Indiana Jones movie, reads like one too.
Over the years the boys have gotten tied up in strings of allegations and scandals that range from sexual abuse, torture, and Satan worshipping! Not to mention the associations with the Illuminati . . . Seems to me like someone needs to do their homework.
“I don’t mind if my skull ends up on a shelf as long as it’s got my name on it.”
-Debbie Harry
What do you say? Is it all too convenient the World’s weirdest manuscript has landed in the same turf? Maybe they know something we don’t about this strange codex, its weirdly wonderful drawings, and the wisdom that it may entail. Perhaps it provides them with the ingredients to perform the rituals of their predecessors, or maybe they simply see it the same way we do, and this obscure Renaissance relic will continue to be at loss to modern man, and appear as a precarious dot in the framework of history.
I’ll give it to the boys, they have always been doing it in style. Exploring the delicate and strange beauty of the Voynich Manuscripts is a true wonder, and I’d study up now before they do.
The manuscript is available online courtesy of the Beincecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University.
Looks to us like everyone’s bathing . . .
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Here’s some ways to GET THE LOOK!
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Vintage Oscar De La Renta Designer Ivy League Oxford Shirt – SMALL {$20}
Classic Khaki Holt Renfrew Pure Wool Tailored Vest – Made in England – MEDIUM {$45}
AMAZING STORIES, March 1944 – “It’s A Small World” by Robert Bloch –
Vintage American Sci-Fi Adventure Pulp Magazine
{$15}
1950s Tri-Cross Private Academy Prep School Secret Society Sweater – MEDIUM {$300}
“Voynich” Vintage Ivy Style Preppy Graphic Sweater – LARGE {$38}
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Until next time,
{theEye}
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Dandy “Dracula” [an Ode to Ishioka]
“They say you are a man of good… taste. “
-Dracula, Bram Stoker’s Dracula
As fore mentioned in our last post, we are developing quite the affinity for a certain dreamboat of the dark side, and it seems like more and more of the masses have also come under the dandy wrath of Dracula.
With the passing of ultra-talented and internationally acclaimed costume designer Eiko Ishioka (passed on January 21 at the age of 73), we are finding our world more and more drenched with the dark nightmares and dreamscapes her fantasies conjured in designing for Coppola’s visionary 1991 film, Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
A nightmare fantasy realm of dark mystery, elaborate exoticism, blood, seduction, and intrigue which would not have been the same without the remarkable talents of Ishioka who would go on to win the 1992 Academy Award for Best Costume Design.
While her spirit will be missed, the designs she created are of constant value, for they provide much inspiration and insight into reinvention, and taking the reigns on one’s image. Choose a jump point, and really explore it.
That’s what we’ve been up to. Since we’ve been in this dark mode, and with Dracula on the brain, we pulled some pictures to explore OUR take on the Prince of Darkness explored in true E.O.F. style.
DEDICATED TO EIKO ISHIOKA [ R.I.P. 1938 – 2012 ]
Sincerely,
– The Eye x
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NEW/OLD Favourite Finds from The Eye of Faith Collection!
State of Undress?
Don’t be caught saying
I have nothing to wear
this Summer, or anytime of the year!! We are loaded with even MORE time travelled classics to get you through . . .
And remember, our pieces offer an escape from the everyday; an alternative to the mundane, and wasted tragedies of the Mall, and other big box stores. You won’t catch us DEAD paying hundreds, even thousands, for quality stylish goods.
That’s why we LIVE & DIE by vintage here at The Eye of Faith!!!
It’s gotten us this far. . . now lets go even further.
We have plenty of our signature styles from unique graphic shirts, metallic shine, and rad shoes and accessories to complete the look. You can invoke the spirits of Dean, Morrison, Brando, Delon, and any other idol you choose to worship.
We also have a bit for the ladies!
We’ve been expanding, and we can’t wait to show you more. So definitely be sure to check up on the {SHOP} for all the new stuff we’ll be bringing in. But for now, here’s some of our favourite pieces for the summer currently in the {SHOP}.
And don’t forget, friendly initiates . . . XIXIXI will always get you 25% OFF. So if you see something you like, don’t hesitate to use it!
DON’T MISS OUT! These are just some of our favourites, but there are plenty more kicking around in the {SHOP} so check it out!
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+SHOP THE {SHOP}+
NOW
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And if you have any questions about the pieces you see you can find them in the {SHOP} or contact us direct at
the.eye.of.faith@gmail.com
We will be posting more interviews and inspiration throughout the summer, too, so make sure you check back with us often!
And a special thanks to all of our faithful followers (excuse the pun),
who remind us that we are doing something right….
Until next time,
{theEye}
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CONCISIONEM STYLO
ACCURATIUS CORDE
IUDICARI VITA
Music Minute: “My Only Love” by Roxy Music
Bad Ass Bryan Ferry
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These guys are legends, and their music echoes like the voice of a lost memory. Dreams, and fantasy, illusion, and grandeur – these are all summoned by their music. Formed in 1971, Roxy Music lives on today as one of the most popular bands there have ever been, and were even honoured by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the “Immortal” in a list of their 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
We’d have to go ahead, and add them to our Best-Dressed Artists of All Time list with their wild nod to the past injected with the blinding buzz of Glam Rock England. We included a few pictures of these Idols, and were hoping the song be a great way to settle down into the night.
And what do you know? Looks like foil metallics and leopard print are right on their way back, so watch out! Also green suits, mysteriously enough . . .
Hope you enjoy.
Sincerely,
{theEye}
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{DO-IT-RIGHT} – How To Men’s Vintage-Style [Swimsuit Inspiration]
It’s official, swimsuit season is here, and that beautiful tropical heat is beckoning for all of us to take a dive into the nearest pool of water – any pool of water! While we prefer the beach, community pools, water parks, and backyard bashes all call for appropriate swim gear.
Here at The Eye of Faith, you know how much we love vintage clothing, but when it comes to swimsuits for men – a really great piece of true vintage is extremely rare to come by in this department.
If you can find a piece that is void of rips, holes, and stains, it is only half the battle.
While these days, most swimsuits are made using water-friendly fabrics such as polyster or nylon, most “true vintage” pieces dating between the 1910s-1950s are made from not-so-water-friendly fabrics such as cotton, wool, and yarn (making them extremely HEAVY) . In fact, your best bet, if you come across one of these pieces, or have one lying around, might be to save it for a museum (which isn’t that bad…)!
But, as we mentioned, the sun is screaming for us now – and the waves are not going to stop crashing anytime soon, so what do you do when you want that authentic vintage style, but can’t find the real thing?!
Look no further, as always, The Eye of Faith has you covered for ideas and inspiration.
Luckily, many of the top fashion brands out there know the staying power of vintage, and provide everything you need to create that vintage look without destroying a valuable piece of history.
Taking some of our favorite snapshots of the past, we were able to put together some vintage-inspired swimsuits from some of our favorite online fashion and style destinations, so you can get the look you aspire to.
1910s – 1920s
“All-white and flesh-colored suits were discouraged as anatomical details were too clear. Nothing below the armpits could be shown on the chest. Men’s suits needed a skirt or skirt effect, worn outside the trunks. The leg could not be shorter than 4 inches from the knee and the skirt not shorter than two inches above the bottom of the trunks.”
-“Bathing Suit Regulations in the American City” by the American Association of Park Superintendents {circa. 1917}
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The turn-of-the-century was a huge turning-point for swimwear, and what were once cumbersome full-piece suits that would keep you almost fully covered, evolved into lighter, slouchier, more casual one-pieces made from yarn or wool.
While, the one piece isn’t necessarily something you’d consider wearing into the pool, taking cues from vintage snapshots featuring these unique looks is a fantastic source of inspiration.
You will find a lot of graphic simplicity in the suits that feature details like ribbing, stripes, and buttons. This is what we looked for in putting together our inspired looks. You can keep to the dark palette of the era, but don’t be afraid to shake up the past with a little color!
{Sparks Aaron Oversized Pocket Tank} from ASOS.
{Two Square Vinny Stripe Tank} from ASOS.
{Rachel Comey Swim Trunks in Grey} from OPENING CEREMONY.
{Nautical Tank in Grey and/or Blue} from ASOS.
{Oiler and Boiler Stripe Swim Trunks} from ASOS.
{Religion Button-Up Tank} from ASOS.
{VANS Stripe Tank} from ASOS.
{Rachel Comey Swim Trunks in RED/BLUE} from OPENING CEREMONY.
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1930s – 1940s
By the 1930s and into the 40s, the slouchy looks of the 10s and 20s had been exchanged for tighter formfitting swimmers. The one-piece has not yet been retired, but for the first time swimwear became available with “Tops” and/or “Bottoms”, giving men the choice to go topless on the beach, causing quite the uproar.
+NYLON was the first completely synthetic fabric
invented by DuPont in 1938+
You will find the look has cleaned up, embracing the body, and elevating it to Olympic proportions. When going for a look inspired by the 30s and 40s, think athletic, and tight. Don’t be afraid to go for speedos and swim trunks made from elastic materials for that skin-tight effect.
We turned to snapshots of life guards from the period, as well as some of the Golden Gods of Hollywood for our inspiration.
{Cheap Monday Kim Printed Tank} from ASOS.
{Hugo Boss Panrea Swim Shorts} from MACY’s.
{Adidas Original Tank with Trefoil Logo} from ASOS.
{Shorts People Classic Board Shorts} from OPENING CEREMONY.
Clockwise from Left:
{Emporio Armani Stretch Cotton Black Tank} from ASOS.
{Diesel Tank} from ASOS.
{Hugo Boss Solid Oyster Swim Shorts} from MACY’s.
{Speedo Shoreline Swim Briefs} from MACY’s.
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1950s – 60s.
Swim trunks for men really came into their own by the 1950s. Instead of wool and yarn, cotton became the fabric of choice, and no longer was wearing swim trunks without a top an impolite statement.
Movie stars continued to push the popularity of the boxer swimsuit, and soon the beach boy surfer became the accepted ideal. The addition of bright colors and exotic patterns is something we still see today.
Today, finding this look is easy, and many of the industry’s top fashion labels feature cuts and prints directly inspired by this era. Look out for retro patterns and colors that evoke notions of paradise. The cut really is key, making sure to keep it short.
There’s no doubt, the beach boy on the surf is as classic as it gets, and is an easily achievable look today.
Clockwise from Left:
{Hartford Fish Trunks} from ASOS.
{Oiler & Boiler Stars Classic Swim Trunks} from ASOS.
{River Island Car Print Swim Shorts} from ASOS.
{Oiler & Boiler Tuckernuck Island Swim Short} from ASOS.
Clockwise from Left:
{Hartford Paisley Swim Trunks} from ASOS.
{Shorts People Grey Floral Swim Trunks} from OPENING CEREMONY.
{ASOS Geo Print Swim Trunks} from ASOS.
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+HISTORIA MAGISTRA VITAE+
“History is the Teacher of Life“
So no fret, my fine fellows, if you’re not finding that great pair of vintage swim shorts you dream of – you’re not the only one. But until then, there are dozens of easy ways to achieve your vintage fantasies, and all it takes is a little inspiration!
By looking through dozens of vintage photographs, advertising, fashion plates, and magazines we were able to sum up certain elements that characterized each era:
1910s-20s: Slouchy, Simple, Graphic
1930s-40s: Athletic & Form Fitting
1950s-60s: Cut, Colour, Pattern
By applying these characteristics, you can easily satisfy those vintage aspirations! Best thing is, now that we’re into swimsuit season – most of these summer styles are on or heading to the SALE section, which means you can save some bucks!
If you’re a true vintage swimsuit aficionado, we will be keeping our {EYE} out, and in the meantime don’t hesitate to try eBay – vintage suits do show up, but they go very quickly, so react fast!
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
{theEye}
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Out of This World! Rare Buddy Holly & Friends Super 8mm Home Movie.
Was feeling inspired today by Buddy Holly, the chic geek with the rims to match…
There isn’t a lot about this young talent’s style that hasn’t stopped beating, so that’s why we felt the tragic rock n’ roll icon deserved a second look.
After a rocking night at Clear Lake, Iowa’s iconic Surf Ballroom the young star hopped in a plane to take him to his next venue. Amidst a harsh February snow storm, the plane crashed killing everyone on board, but strangely in the quietest of circumstances. No one heard a peep. Legendary rock author Harry Hepcat wrote,
“The bodies lay in the blowing snow through the night…… February indeed made us shiver, but it was more than the cold of February that third day of the month in 1959. It was the shiver of a greater, sometimes senseless, reality invading our sheltered, partying, teenaged life of the 50s.”
His death came for everyone a shock, as this was one of the budding musical talents and stars of the times. Born Charles Hardin Holley in September 7, of 1939, Buddy would live to be only 22 years of age.
Inspired by rockabilly and the teen scene around him, Buddy Holly today is remembered as one of the most influential rock n’ roll musicians of all time (ranked lucky #13 on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Artists), as well as one of history’s most stylish individuals.
We found this wicked video online of rare Supper 8mm footage of the rock n’ roll icon at his most natural, comfortable, fun, and stylish self.
The thing with these guys is they aren’t even trying…
They know all it takes is a little guts, and a hell of a lot of glory to achieve those heights. And indeed he achieved. Maybe more than he might have ever imagined.
He was loved by his own, but then highly feared by religious leaders who insisted his work immoral, and hated by the police for inciting frenzy and riots. At just 20 years old, he was already gently shifting the tuning dial for much of modern music…
His one-of-a-kind attitude towards his own style is a reflection of this rebellious honesty. Sometimes you just got to do it your way.
And if you ask Buddy Holly, he’d most definitely agree.
So stay true blue, whatever you do. Don’t worry what other people are saying. In the end, it’s your essence which matters most. It’s what is remembered. That is how over fifty years later we still remember Buddy Holly as one of the stars that still shine bright in our world today.
“Death is very often referred to as a good career move.”
-Buddy Holly
Sincerely,
{theEye}
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