Can you believe that 7 years ago on this day, the fateful evening of 11/11/11, The Eye of Faith was born!!! I think it’s hard for us to believe it, and there’s definitely no way we ever could have dreamed of where it would have led us today, so feel eternally blessed!
Through thick and thin, we have always persevered and made sure to keep our passions alive. When they say, never give up – it really is true. And that has always been the founding voice of The Eye of Faith; which is an age old symbol of destiny, believing in your dreams, knowing that there is that symbolic eye in the sky watching out for your best interest, just so long you are in tuned with your own special energy.
We began as a fashion blog fusing our interests in vintage style, nostalgia, rebels, pop culture, the occult, esoterica, cinema, art, culture …our blog had once been described as falling down the rabbit hole, which pleased us beyond belief!!! From our very first blog post we never could have imagined that we would be featured on Refinery29 (alongside news of Lady Gaga & Beyonce!), and feature interviews with Patti Quatro and NIRVANA’s original drummer, Chad Channing!
From there, we began curating a modest collection of vintage clothes that we sold online, which led to our first ever real life Pop Up at the Junction Flea!!! Its insane to think that was our very first, and we felt so much excitement to get our vibe out there, and the excitement hasn’t ceased and we have since done so many pop-ups its hard to keep count!
{googling THE EYE OF FAITH VINTAGE!!!}
Then came our foray into fashion design which was encouraged by our friends at Blackbird Studios who had seen our vintage collection and style and pointed out that we should get our hands dirty and create our own pieces!
We took that encouragement and premiered our first handmade collection at Supercrawl 2015 with +HOLLYWOOD BABYLON+ , and have since shown collections +TAROT+, +NEW KINGDOM+, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, and our most recent THE VISITORS (which we will posting photos of soon!). This has been an awesome endeavour that allows for a new avenue of creativity that blends our passions for vintage styles, storytelling, theatre, art, music, and design. Using vintage textiles has also allowed us to continue our invocation of the {PAST} , {PRESENT}, and {FUTURE} and their symbiotic flow.
Now, on this fortuitous day, we embark on a new endeavour with a physical location for all our local friends and fashion lovers to visit and purchase some unique, E.O.F. approved, vintage finds as well as some of our handmade one of a kind pieces!
From now on, find our collection at the HAMILTON ANTIQUE MALL{233 Ottawa St. N – Hamilton, Ontario} in booth 33E on the THIRD FLOOR. And in case you didn’t consider it, how crazy is it that we established our brand 11/11/11 which coincidently adds up to 33! Also, the highest level you can make as a mason, and since we always had a bit of a secret society inspiration, it seemed beyond fitting.
COME CHECK US OUT!!!
So in the end, we are so grateful and thankful for everyone who has supported us, and encouraged us over the years, and especially to our readers and followers who help keep our passion stewing!
We wouldn’t be doing anything if this if it weren’t for that, so THANK YOU for 7 amazing years, and to many more!
Until next time,
{theEye}
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We will still be posting and selling online, so be sure to check out the {SHOP} for some wicked vintage finds!
Like every style discerning woman, a man needs a good hair-do too “…to give him all the confidence he needs” – at least according to these crazy 1950s / 60s archival films documenting some of the most popping hair crazes of the moment!
“No longer is it fashionable to have short backened sides; today a gentleman must concentrate on curls”, and perms, and matching partner twists!
God, there’s something so fantastic about watching these incredible dos be created and crafted so artfully by their technicians, and then enjoyed so outrightly by the men getting these out-of-this-world creations.
It means a lot to take pride your appearance, and most definitely at this time would have been perhaps quite strange to take it to this level – but these days we all know that books can most definitely be judged by their covers, so you might as well look your very best! And boy, did these boys know that . . .most particularly love the teen influences taking place here (ie. “The Twist” the dance, and matching partner hairstyle).
There is a huge resurgence of the male coiffure taking place these days, so don’t be surprised if you start seeing more complicated styles popping up in the {future} or near {present}. Even if we are wrong, it would sure be damn cool if they did!
It’s all about that transformative power of style, and if you can harness that ability, you got it made in the shade.
So, we hope you enjoy this cool blasts from the {past} and/or possibly {future}!
So, you’ve decided to buy a suit but need some tips on how to approach it all? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Here’s my essential guide to buying a quality tailor made suit. Enjoy.
When it comes to that all round suit that you can wear to pretty much any event (except a funeral), then you can’t go past a quality navy blue knit. It goes with everything, too – and is essential to any man’s wardrobe.
Fabrics
High-quality menswear fabric is quite a niche market when it comes to suppliers, so be sure to establish where and what type of fabric is sourced.
If your store offers a wide range of quality fabrics, then this will indicate a solid and established relationship between store and vendor. Generally, English and Italian mills should also be in the equation here
The Trim
In the tailor made suit business, it’s the little things that count the most; those nuances that stand out and provide real, long-lasting value.
Quality trims are essential and need to coincide with the fabric on offer. This includes buttons, internal linings and zippers. Other internal trim offerings also include chest and collar canvases, collar felts, sleeve heads and shoulder pads.
There will, however, be hard to establish until you’ve worn and dry cleaned your tailor made suit a few times. If it withstands the test of time, then you can assure you have been sold some quality trims.
Handmade
Nothing beats a handmade suit, particularly in areas like the lapel, canvas, sleeves and collar.
When a tailor adds their handmade touches to these specific areas, it adds another layer of dimension to the suit and allows for greater flexibility.
Like mentioned before, it’s those little nuances that will stand out and separate a good tailor made suit from an average one.
Number of Fittings
Some tailors will have a policy for how many fittings they will offer you as part of the tailored experience. Once that number is up, though, you will begin to incur additional costs.
Be sure to clarify this with your bespoke tailor before you commit to buying from them. Usually, this will depend on your body and how well you generally fit into off the rack garments as well as how well the tailor measures you in the initial consultation.
Post-Purchase
Alterations and guarantee are key. It’s super important that your tailor has some policies in place that ensure your tailor made suit provides long-term value.
With alterations, a good tailor should allow for natural body fluctuations that occur. If you lose or gain a couple of pounds then you should be covered. This is all within a reason, of course.
Lastly, a guarantee of some sort, either money back or 100% satisfied to ensure peace of mind is essential in the tailoring process. Experienced, skilled and customer focused bespoke tailors will usually have these post-purchase offers, however, it’s always worth checking out before committing to buying from them.
CONCLUSION
Buying a suit can be one of the most rewarding and life changing experiences for a man. After all, first impressions are everything in this world, and what better way than display your confidence than rocking the perfect suit.
Invest time in learning more about FABRIC and TRIMS, and be sure to research where HANDMADE bespoke tailors are in your neighbourhood, and once you get there, not to forget FITTINGS and any POST PURCHASE guarantees and alterations that are included with your new suit.
After all, life is too short not to be the best you yourself can be.
Thanks to the team at Online PhD for sending us this graphic!
Hopefully everybody remembers the post we did on Stephen Hawking and his wild sexual escapades in Los Angeles! But don’t think we forgot the brilliant genius that has made this 70-year old thinking legend an icon of science, as well as a real-life model for the extreme powers of the mind and spirit.
Online PhD has created an awesome ode to Dr. Hawking, with a timeline set in the stars of the world’s brightest bad-ass and his life and greatest achievments. We are honoured to showcase it for you right here on The Eye of Faith, so let us know what you think!
One thing is for sure, Stephen Hawking is an amazing inspiration to anyone at odds with limitations, whatever they may be. Through perseverance, hard-work, and above-all the confidence to explore the limits of possibility, Stephen Hawking is above-all a hero for hope in mankind itself.
Visit Online PhD whether you’re prepping for your PhD or simply thirsting for knowledge, the site is full of endless resources at your disposal. So check it out today!
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For the last while we’ve been a little obsessed, or encouraged, by Jim Morrison’s ghost. You cannot deny this guy has style. Ever since the teenage years (weird to say), there’s been a fascination with this bit of a God.
An idol in all respects…I had one of my very first writing gigs doing a style summary of the legend for the website, Everyguyed, which still operates today as an online source for men’s style and tips for your everyday when you’re a guy. I remember the vivid rush whilst composing the words to describe this very 70s tainted, easy-breezy, laid back, effortless, easy cool.
Some might point fingers at the snake skin and leather (‘Lizard King’, after all), but I think it was in his soul. It was a cool, dark, anointed spirit that still contemplates to this day.
1. Descriptive of those participating in political causes or campaigns who see marches or demonstrations as an alternative fashion show with themselves as the main model.
We have been busy bee’s running our new shop on James St. N, here in Hamilton, but we will never forget out online fan following that’s gotten us this far! Here’s some eye-candy to keep you going until you get a chance to check out our basement shop.
And remember to stay connected and follow us on our Facebook page for constant updates and more cool visuals!
Although nothing about telekinetic attacks is funny in any sense (someone could get hurt), we couldn’t help but laugh at the pure horror these pranksters conjured to spook the living daylights out of innocent coffee-goers in honor of the upcoming redesign of the Stephen King classic “Carrie“, starring Chloe Moretz and Julianne Moore (out October 18).
It’s also rather apropos to be writing this post inside a coffee shop. Too bad it’s not turning out anywhere near as exciting as this.
Why do people stand there? I’d be out of there in a flash the second a man is being dragged up a wall. That’s the sign things are getting real messy. I guess also be careful who you spill your coffee on . . .
We also hope this inspires many more innovative and interactive movie promotions in the near {Future}!
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Until next time,
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Ai Wei Wei is currently the world’s leading bad ass.
Arguably the world’s most influential contemporary artist (no doubt, the most popular), Ai Wei Wei has made a name for himself with politically charged works that bring insight into the current politics of his Chinese homeland by fusing elements of the {past} and {present} together to incite change for the {future}.
The seed is a household object but at the same time is a revolutionary symbol.
-Ai Wei Wei
His works go far beyond the physical art he creates with teams of talented craftsmen who use thousand-yea-old techniques to create many of his most intricate works, but also stems into the world of photography and new media using video and cell phone imagery to capture significant moments of his life and the world around him.
This god-like attention to the details of his environments have gotten him into major trouble with the government of China which have their own god-like attention to detail when it comes to censoring sensitive subject matters they would rather seen brushed under the rug and forgotten. Ai Wei Wei creates works so that we we will never forget.
He knows the importance of the truth and works like “Snake Ceiling” and “Straight” aim to bring awareness to matters the government would rather leave in the dust.
“Straight” acts as a catalyst to remember the tragic earthquake in the Sichuan province of China which killed over 90,000 people. Wei Wei salvaged the rebar of various buildings that were destroyed in the earthquake and had teams of craftsmen painstakingly straighten each bar by hand, and used the revamped rebar to create a piece reminiscent of a series of waves (perhaps invoking the wave-like motion of the earthquake).
The piece is part of the Ai Wei Wei: According to What? exhibit which is making its North American debut in Toronto at the AGO. The piece provided curators of the exhibit a specific challenge as the sculpture was delivered in 40 crates each weighing 2,500 lbs requiring the gallery to seek critique from engineers to ensure the building’s safety during the installation. The entire installation process took 70 hours over a period of six days to complete. The challenge of the piece is a testament to Ai Wei Wei’s relentless vision that sees very little bounds.
“Snake Ceiling” is a beautiful, organic sculpture created entirely from backpacks to commemorate the more than 5,000 children who were killed in the Sichuan earthquake on May 12, 2008 due to clumsy engineering and construction of schools. While the government refused to release the number of children killed, Ai Wei Wei conducted his own citizen’s investigation into the incident to uncover the names of the children killed which were celebrated in a spoken-word performance called “Say Their Name” which was performed at the AGO on August 18, 2013 in conjunction with the “Ai Wei Wei: According the What?” exhibit which runs at the AGO from August 17 until October 27.
Censorship is saying: ‘I’m the one who says the last sentence. Whatever you say, the conclusion is mine.’ But the internet is like a tree that is growing. The people will always have the last word – even if someone has a very weak, quiet voice. Such power fill collapse because of a whisper.
-Ai Wei Wei
According to What refers to a series of lithographs created by one of Ai Wei Wei’s own personal idols – Jasper Johns, and is a poignant phrase that encapsulates Ai Wei Wei’s own personal mentality to always question authority and the things people tell you are true, and to be responsible for your own life and destiny without the interference of others to tell you what to do.
One of the most powerful pieces in the exhibit is a blown up ink-jet print of a brain scan of Ai Wei Wei’s own head after being bludgeoned by police during a protest. Other pieces like beautiful marble sculptures of security cameras and hand-cuffs are also a powerful reminder of the heavy weight of authority and the permanence of the damage this authority can do on individuals.
To the media, I have become a symbolic figure, critical of China. According to the government, I am a dangerous threat.
– Ai Wei Wei
Being a child of the People’s Revolution and seeing his own father, a poet, detained for his beliefs- Ai Wei Wei has never been a stranger to police detainment or having alternate beliefs to that which his government demands of his people, and for 80 days was detained in complete isolation with the company of two guards at all times which he has immortalized in a righteous music video called “Dumb Ass”.
He sees no fear, and this quality is very important, and is something to be looked up to in an idol. Don’t back down from your beliefs, and if you see something wrong – point it out and say it. What is the point of being afraid to be arrested or detained for doing what is right. If this is the case – the truth will be known, as is the case with Ai Wei Wei who is almost always in trouble with the Chinese government. What can they do, though? They detain him and arrest him, but in the end, they have nothing against him but the fact his beliefs are not in line with what they want him to believe. It’s an impossible cause on their part, as we, as humans, were born free. Never forget this.
While his politics are front and center of his work and persona, its some of his other pieces which really strike a chord with The Eye of Faith. Pieces like “Grapes”, “Kippe”, and “Divina Proportione” (after a study in geometrics by our own master and mentor, Leonardo Da Vinci) use antique furniture and pieces from dismantled Qing dynasty temples, as well as century-old woodworking techniques to create masterful sculptures that can make a man weep in its craft, care, and detail. These pieces take from the history of his culture, his past and memories, and create something new in the now that hopes to also provoke future generations to look at art and history in a revolutionary way.
Above all, the ultimate example of this revolutionary fusion of {past}, {present}, and {future} has to be his Colored Vases series which takes ancient Chinese vases (between 1,000 – 4,000 years old) and has them dipped into brightly colored house paint to make something completely new from the very, very old. While this technique has been seen as controversial, it’s another form of fearlessness, and a bold statement on the history of his culture, and the call for rebirth and perhaps even rebellion.
You can take a lot from Ai Wei Wei, and we were so lucky to get to see so many of his pieces up close and personal at the AGO. If you have the chance to see these works, please do go. While much of contemporary art can come off as superfluous and unrefined – Ai Wei Wei’s work is sophisticated both intellectually and aesthetically, and each and every piece cries out in its importance and significance in the grand scheme of art and our growing global culture.
Style isn’t always about what you wear. It’s a lot about what you do. The most important thing you can take away from it is the power to ask “According to What?”, and see the ever growing power of art and thought in our contemporary culture.
A nation that has no music and no fairy tales is a tragedy.
