Pretty In Black

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Blood on Blood

You know I love anime and manga. Lately, I've been reading and watching Nana.

The music for the anime is amazing. Anna Tsuchiya's voice captrues Nana's onstage emotions, often making me cry. Olivia Lufkin's beautiful voice embodies Reira's beauty and longing. Plus, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum (both of GnR) provided the rhythm section for the anime's theme.

As far as the manga, I'm up to volume 19. I know Ai Yazawa (the writer and artist) has put the series on hold for over a year, so I'm reluctant to read up to the cliffhanger that is volume 22. The story is a moving examination of relationships. More than anything, it is an illustration of lonliness. Each character seeks fulfillment in relationships, in success, even in becoming the biggest band in Japan.

Check out one of Anna Tsuchiya's tear-jerking songs below, "Blood on Blood."

I've decided to change the blog's name back to Pretty In Black. It has such a nice ring to it, don't you think?

Monday, May 30, 2011

I've seen this shoot (by Paolo Roversi) floating around blogs a lot lateley. Although there is hardly any black or leather, I find a rock n' roll edge in every outfit. The tafetta skirt and patent leather black shoes remind me of old photos of punks. Draped around her waist in several shots is something that looks like the Union Jack. In one shot, the models hips are dripping with pearls like Modonna in the beginning of her career. The shot with torn jeans and fur looks like a look Jennifer Herrema might sport.

Overall, this shoot reflects what I'm mostly dressing like these days. The photos are from 2001, the age of ripped jeans and vintage slip dresses. These photos walk a line between feminine and edgy that I like.

-photos from Earth Age