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"Style Inspiration"
Whenever I watch a film one of the things I take careful note of is the styling of the characters. Quentin Tarantino is one of the few modern day auteurs working and while his films may not be thought of as particuarly ‘fashionable’, I believe that his filmography is a case study in incredible styling work. The role of costume design in film is to suspend disbelief and to allow the viewer to focus on the story. In this way the characters in Tarantino’s films look so natural in their surroundings; and the clothes help convey their individual backstories without explicit exposition.
Unlike say Wes Anderson who uses a nostalgic 1970′s color palette and pulls from a consistent aesthetic for all his films, Tarantino draws from unique inspirations for each film. His films have traversed many locales and time periods but there a real consistency in the styling approach in each. The clothes worn by key characters are rarely over the top; instead they reflect a gritty sense of realism. There is a sense of the everyday in the outfits of those on-screen. The clothes are worn with authority and authenticity and through that process the clothes themselves can almost seem like an afterthought and not the result of careful curation.
Below I’ve selected visuals from Quentin Tarantino’s filmography that display his prowess as a style influencer. It’ll be interesting to see what Django Unchained looks like when it hits theaters Christmas Day.
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Mobb Deep the Infamous
Paid in Full (Film)
Wu-Tang in 1994
1990′s Magazine Editorial via Stephen Mann
Hip-Hop has been a big influence on my life not just musically but stylistically. I have always loved style that comes from subcultural roots as it is a reflection of identity and authenticity. The 1990′s were my favorite period in rap. It was a time when rap music was bubbling to the mainstream but still was so heavy coded in appearance, sound and slang. There was a grit reflected through the music and clothing that is relevant to this day. A feeling of the underground and the streets was literally worn on the sleeves of those living in the culture.
With this style inspiration I am reinforcing the idea that is more important ‘how it’s worn’ than what is worn. The ability of the the wearer to re-appropriate looks and impose their own personality and story overtop the items is what true style is all about. Hip-Hop made a point of subverting and re-appropriating brand names, luxury items and jewelry to tell it’s story. The fashion industry has made a fortune using hip-hop and other musical movements as a basis for it’s products and collections. That being said there is nothing better than the original version to inspire your style.
Words by Rocky Li
In the past two years I have transitioned from only buying mostly neutrals to wearing many more colors on a daily basis. Color and textures are such essential aspects of dressing and I’ve come to appreciate well-paired colors in day to day life. Taking a color theory class in my studies really helped me improve my understanding of color and the relationships between different color groups. I highly recommend you take a color theory class if you get the chance as it has many unforeseen applications past just painting or art.
This is the first in a series Color Theory that is based around the study of color in clothing and beyond. I’ll be sharing imagery and color palettes I find visually inspiring. I usually don’t find Hermès ready-to-wear collections particularly exciting but these backstage photos by Schohaja really stood out to me. The color palette is simultaneously nostalgic and modern, and the film grain compliments the purples, mustards, and burnt oranges here.
Comment or share this feature if you like the concept and I will be sure to bring you more of these posts.
Via T Magazine
TK featured in J.Crew’s “Hello World” campaign
TK may not be a household name in America but he has silently created an empire in Hong Kong. Founder of the influential Milk magazine , TK has been a key style influencer in the Hong Kong scene and beyond. He is best known for his work with the brand and multimedia establishment Silly Thing. Through his work with Silly Thing, TK has collaborated with industry heavyweights including projects with A Bathing Ape, Undercover, Head Porter, and Bounty Hunter as well as countless other brands , artists, retail outlets and musicians.
What I admire about TK’s style it that he has a stylists eye but with a restraint and respect for the overall aesthetic. He’s been spotted in many different brands and looks but he always brings such a sense of cohesion with each individual outfit. Laying is always a challenging when dressing and TK always makes it look so easy. He knows to add enough to make a look stand out without adding too much to the point where it looks contumely. Ultimately TK has a great eye for design and it’s reflected in his own personal clothes. It’s quite uncommon to find someone who’s got comparably great taste in their work AND their own personal aesthetic and for that reason TK is one of my top style inspirations.
