Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.
-Marilyn Monroe
Words of a wise woman.
Until next time,
{theEye}
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R.I.P. YOU GLORIOUS SOUL
Photographed & Styled by Brian Ward {c. May 1971}
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The truth is of course is that there is no journey. We are arriving and departing all at the same time.-David Bowie
A couple weeks ago we gave a shout out to some bad ass beauties of the past and their glorious mugshots, and you loved them!
Vintage mugshots really do have a beautiful quality to them and are full of so much mystery, and since we are always searching for unusual style inspirations, we had a lot of fun scouring the depths of the internet for some really cool dudes who not only have a truly individual sense of style and self – but also, style in life…whatever that may be!!!
Take a look at 35 of our favourite below!
So here’s to these mysterious men and their shaken up lives! Looking at them gets us shook, too – so don’t ever forget: BAD BOYS DO IT WELL, TOO! And again, special shout out to Small Town Noir for posting so many of these incredible portraits.
And like all things in life – the {past} is forever in flux with the {present} and is indeed shaping our {future}! Many of these styles haven’t gone away at all, and are making a fierce resurgence around the world whether its the streets, magazines, or runways. As we always say . . . cool is timeless!
Knowledge is power, and all this amazing inspiration comes just in time for our co-founder Aaron’s role as a bad ass Drape in our local downtown theatre‘s production of Cry-Baby: The Musical based on the iconic 90s John Waters film.
He’s been practicing his elephant trunk technique and its definitely getting there – tell us what you think!
photo by Cyprian Estrada
He’s still perfecting that tip, but If you’re in Hamilton, ON over the next three weekends, escape the everyday and enjoy the show! Tickets available here.
Hope you enjoyed these stunning rebels. Let us know in the comments which one was your favourite!
+Al Pacino+
January 7th, 1961, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Suspected Robbery
“Beauty, no doubt, does not make revolutions. But a day will come when revolutions will have need of beauty.”
― Albert Camus, The Rebel: An Essay on Man in Revolt
Until next time,
{theEye}
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XIXIXI gets you 25% OFF at the CHECKOUT
“Viewed up close, nobody is normal”
-Caetano Veloso
We should be worshiping this icon of perseverance, elegance, rebellion, philosophical contemplation, compassion, counter culture, and activism. . .
Very few bohemian icons really get the credit they deserve when discussing men’s style . . . the mainstream would rather iconize GQ demi-gods Tom Brady or Ryan Gosling, and that’s all fine and dandy, but when it comes to that elicit feeling of cool. . . boho gods cannot be beat; and Brazilian tropicalia folk rock artist Caetano Veloso is on the top of our list!
Caetano Emanuel Viana Telles Veloso
born August 7, 1942
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Bad ass to the core, Veloso’s music touched a generation in the heart of Brazil with his inciting lyrics and enchanting melodies that brought a fusion of traditional Brazilian sound with psychedelic rock and folk helping create the “tropicalisimo” movement alongside best friend Gilberto Gil, Os Mutantes, and other bold and innovative artists of the time.
First premiering in 1965, fresh in Rio De Janeiro, Caetano won a lyrics competition for his composition “Um Dia”, getting him signed to Phillips Records. Two years later he received a standing ovation for his song “Alegria, Alegria” at the Brazil Popular Music Festival, marking the first time rock n roll music was ever played at the festival.
Him and his psych rock buddies were pioneers for a new sound, a new world, a new way of being; however, the powers that be would do anything they could to stop this burgeoning. Marxist students and communist supporters condemned the music for commercializing Brazilian culture, and incorporating musical influences from the United States.
The tensions between the Tropicalistas and the student left peaked in September 1968 with Veloso’s now-legendary performances at the third annual International Song Festival, held at the Catholic University in Rio, where the audience included a large contingent of students who were vehemently opposed to the Tropicalistas. When Veloso (backed by Os Mutantes) performed in the first round of the Festival’s song competition on 12 September, he was initially greeted with enthusiastic applause, but the situation soon turned ugly. Dressed in a shiny green plastic suit, festooned with electrical wires and necklaces strung with animal teeth, Veloso provoked the students with his lurid costume, his sensual body movements and his startling new psychedelic music, and the performers were soon being bombarded with loud insults, jeers and boos from the students, who became even more incensed when American pop singer John Dandurand made a surprise appearance on stage during the song.
{source}
Tensions would hit an all time high when he and his buddy Gilbert Gil were actually arrested in February of 1969 for little to no reason, and held in prison for three months, followed by four months of house arrest. Brazil’s military dictatorship which held the country under its grips until 1985, further had many and most of his songs banned or censored.
“… if you are the same in politics as you are in aesthetics, we’re done for!”
-Caetano Veloso
The two were exiled from the country for over a year, and spent most of their time in the dark and gloomy dims of London, England. However, by 1972 the pair were allowed back into the country quickly returning to their musical careers that have since landed Veloso 9 Latin Grammy’s and a Grammy for World Music Album in 2000.
Here at The Eye of Faith we always have great respect for people who stand for something. After all, if you don’t stand for something, you stand for nothing! And Caetano Veloso definitely exemplifies this.
Never fearing the opposition, never backing down on his own sense of self; apart from his penchant for wildly magical psych rock stylings, it is his character that truly makes this man an E.O.F. STYLE IDOL.
“I TALK too much…Everybody from Bahia is like this. We are always touching each other, too. We are a bit too much.”
-Caetano Veloso
Let us not forget this beautiful bohemian God and his willingness to stand for freedom, for beauty, and to live life to the fullest!
“Alegria means joy, or joyousness… It is the best-known song of any that I have written, and it was the opening song of tropicalismo, the first to use rock-and-rollish electric guitars. Whenever I sing it, it is just like the Rolling Stones singing ‘Satisfaction.’ It was the first anthem. It’s an affirmation-of-life kind of song, but it has an ironical hint to it.”
The song begins, “I’m walking against the wind, without handkerchief or documents in my pockets,” and ends with a chorus of “Why not?”
It’s about being able to walk and be alive and be real and feel the sun…It was against the dictatorship without saying anything about it. And everybody likes that ‘Why not?’ at the end.”
{source}
FEEL INSPIRED? WE GOT SOME CAETANO INSPIRED BOHO THREADZ TO SATISFY YOUR SPIRIT
“They didn’t imprison us for any song or any particular thing that we said…It was a difficult atmosphere for them to understand, so they thought, ‘We might as well put them in prison.’ ”
-Caetano Veloso {source}
So rage forward with your emblazoned souls, and keep on keeping on!!!
If you like this, leave a comment below, and stay tuned for more stimulating musings . . .
If you haven’t already, check us out on INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK
Until next time,
{theEye}
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“a film in love with fashion . . . “
{circa. 1957}
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Pink really is making a comeback in style these daze. No longer does it just represent that demure vision of femininity – today, it stands for power and strength!
Great to see things changing everyday.
{PAST} {PRESENT} {FUTURE}
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“I fell off my pink cloud with a thud.”
Elizabeth Taylor
Unusual 1980s Victorian Inspired Silky
Pink Ruffled Pussy Bow Blouse
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Classic 1980s POLO by Ralph Lauren Ivy Style
Timeless Pink Stripe Cotton Oxford Shirt
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Unusual Vintage Pink Button Down
Sheer Sleeve Party Jacket
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“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”
Audrey Hepburn
Remember XIXIXI gets you 25% at the checkout.
So peruse the {SHOP} and don’t miss out!
One of a kind time traveled style.
Until we meet again,
{theEye}
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+TWO KINGS+
+ “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” +
-Oscar Wilde
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++++“I do maintain that if your hair is wrong, your entire life is wrong.” ++++
-Morrissey
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+++ Wise words from wise men. +++
Stay STYLE {WISE}
Sincerely,
{theEye}
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This is a short clip from Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line” which never ceases to inspire and engage the mind and soul with its thoughtful narration and invigorating visuals that take the viewer through the complex voyage of a soldier to war hidden by the beauty of “paradise“. . .
It really must have been something to find yourself in a strange new world, another Earth far away from the hometown you left months before. You might never want to leave. You might hope to be left on a deserted island for the rest of your days; left alone by the complications of society.
Malick does a great job at creating this world, and you can get an even cooler glimpse into this world by digging into the world of vintage vernacular.
Ask your grandparents and they probably have vintage snapshots to share with you, or dig through the bins of them at your local Flea Market or antique store. There are treasures to find. These memories of some lost paradise always seem to be like faded remnants of some beautiful black and white dream. . .
Here’s a few to quench your thirst! Soak it up, and bring this lost paradise with you wherever you go.
Why should I be afraid to die? I belong to you. If I go first, I’ll wait for you there. On the other side of the dark waters.
Be with me now.-BELL, “The Thin Red Line” by Terrence Malick {based on the novel by James Jones}
What’s this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power but two?
-TRAIN, “The Thin Red Line” by Terrence Malick {based on the novel by James Jones}
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{theEye}
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Gucci Cruise 2017 at Westminster Abbey, London {May, 2016}
“I chose Westminster Abbey because everyone has this idea of London being cool, but for me the history is what’s really cool.”
-Alessandro Michele {source}
Check out this righteous collection of photographs from Nick Waplington of the menswear in Alessandro Michele’s triumphant 2017 Cruise collection for GUCCI making another landmark in style for the classic Italian high fashion brand, and what is being known as another groundbreaker in the area of men’s fashion and style.
The inspirations are vast and varied ( spot turn of the century collegiate vibes, 80s punks, 90s street couture, 1920s leisurewear, 70s bohemian playboys, 50s varsity jocks, 19th century naturalists, Edo Japan, and more ), and its this exciting eclecticism that is putting Michele at the forefront of truly changing the way we look at specifically men’s fashion, which for the most part has become a sea of black, beige, and boring.
Our motto has always been ‘more is more’, and we’re happy to have such a prestigious like mind in our corner on the matter. If you are unfamiliar with the new GUCCI vibe, this collection of portraits will not only be getting you a taste, but you will truly understand what all the buzz is about. Taken almost portrait style, the loud and eccentric looks are jarringly juxtaposed against the backdrop of a stately English country home like a tribe of wanderlusting young men who had just conquered the Old World and are setting forth establishing the New.
This is a new voice, yes; and yet, much of what we see isn’t necessarily “new” in any way, in fact, as we pointed out with the mass of inspirations colliding in this collection, its a true example of taking from the {past} to invigorate the {present} and thus poising change for the {future} …
After looking through the photographs, I’m sure you will notice the sense of individualism achieved in this collection which is a funny thing to say, when a collection is usually thought of as a wholly distinct and cohesive mass, however, what Michele knows is that there will be dozens of different men who in their daily lives belong to whichever tribe (suits, shorts, bohos, rock n rollers, geeks, streets, etc.) and having such an eclectic array provides the greatest cohesion amongst men.
Also, note the artisanal quality of each piece. This not the same GUCCI that you find horrible knock-offs of in Chinatown . . . these are truly thought out works of art. From the embroidery, to the hand painting, to the beading, bleaching, patchwork, knitwear; each piece has a true artist quality that renders the price tags not even as devastating when you think of the work involved, as well as the increasing value throughout time.
Even with all the embellishment, at the end of the day you are looking at classic and timeless pieces. If you check out our {SHOP} you can find a lot of style-wise pieces that can help you achieve the look!
CHECK OUT THE {SHOP} FOR MORE!
USE CODE XIXIXI FOR 25% OFF AT THE CHECKOUT
Keep it classic. Keep it timeless. Keep it unique.
Hopefully we provided some inspiration.
Carry forth, and be wise to your times.
Estis Virum Reddit
Until we meet again,
{theEye}
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Poor little hysterical witch! In the middle ages you were in conflict with the church. Now it is with the law.
Title Card: “Häxan (1922)”
This sinisterly beautiful Style {WISE} is from the archives of cinema history. Back to the days of the silent film, where the power of imagery ruled supreme.
The film is the 1922 Pseudo Documentary Art-House Horror Silent Classic, Häxan (pronounced “hek-sen”). Imaginations soared through creative interpretations of alleged real-life events right up through to the early twentieth century. The Swedish Film was directed, written, and starring Benjamin Christensen as the Devil himself.
Ultimately comparing the hysteria of contemporary (1921) women with the behaviour of the witches in the Middle Ages; the film concludes that they are very similar. Hey, we never said a peep! {click here for more}
Title Card: Centuries have passed and the Almighty of medieval times no longer sits in his tenth sphere.
Title Card: We no longer sit in church staring terrified at the frescoes of the devils.
Title Card: The witch no longer flies away on her broom over the rooftops.
Title Card: But isn’t superstition still rampant among us?
Title Card: Is there an obvious difference between the sorceress and her customer then and now?
Title Card: We no longer burn our old and poor. But do they not often suffer bitterly?
Title Card: And the little woman, whom we call hysterical, alone and unhappy, isn’t she still a riddle for us?
Title Card: Nowadays we detain the unhappy in a mental institution or – if she is wealthy – in a modern clinic.
Title Card: And then we will console ourselves with the notion that the mildly temperate shower of the clinic has replaced the barbaric methods of medieval times.
–Häxan (1922)
What’s most fascinating is the way they amp up the already iconic images we have in our mind when we turn our thoughts to the idea of witchcraft, the frenzy of the medieval times, and the rugged decay of the Medieval Times. All these elements are intensified and, almost glamourized, for the silver screen in a way only the 1920s could make happen.
Wouldn’t it be great to see more powerful imagery like this come to the forefront today, while still staying beautiful ? Perhaps some of you beauties will find some inspiration to take with you after your visit here with The Eye of Faith.
Häxan: Witchcraft through the ages, is a true experience for the eyes and ears, with music beautifully composed by Emil Reesen.
Seemingly a silent horror sensation, but truly a documentation of modern man.
So much faith is thrown into the blind eyes of God, as fellow man takes judgement and punishment upon himself.
Just a little something-something to get those juices flowing!
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