This is a Man's World (But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl)

Leave it up to Miuccia Prada to bring the sexy back into fashion. To do that, she had to bring a man's eye to women's fashion.

Women and cars, with a healthy dose of 1950s nostalgia, serve as inspiration for the latest spring collection. But I would argue that the collection is really designed for the men who drive those cars and the women who dress for the men. 

In a season of demure hemlines and delicate florals, Prada counters with bandeau tops, pencil skirts, and bright pops of crimson. She even goes so far as to turn the women into cars, with tailpipe fire shoes, colors reminiscent of auto-paint, and prints that seem branded by"spray-painting mechanic boyfriends".

The gaze of the invisible man has been expertly translated by a 62 year old woman. In a way, this is a collection about how a woman thinks a man thinks a woman should dress. I love these collages (although she stole my idea) as a way to see the 1950s from Miuccia's perspective translated into the collection.

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Devi is Divine

My senior year of college,  after having fulfilled all my major requirements, I rewarded myself by taking a class in Rajasthani and Mughal art. At the time, I knew nothing about India apart from what I had seen in the movie Monsoon Wedding. So I was truly blown away when I learned about the Gods; Brahman, Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Parvati, Lakshmi, Rama, Sita, Krishna, Radha, Kali, and infinite other forms. 

Hindu mythology and the art it inspires, is an exercise in the fantastic, the romantic, and the psychedelic.  The art is a visual representation of poetic verse, largely inspired by the epic tales of the Ramayana and Mahabharata.  Enjoy this fashion homage to the Goddess Devi in all of Her forms.

Just a quick disclaimer, these photos are inspired by Indian myths and art, they are not meant as actual depictions of the Indian people or culture.

Photographed by Nick Shepard

Assisted by Andra Georges

Styling and art direction by Annie Shepard

Modeled by Laura Schneider and Annie Shepard

Spliced

When I was younger, I would spend hours in my room cutting and pasting bits of paper together. I recently rediscovered my lost art of collage and here are the results.

 I love how the juxtaposition of images can totally change their original meanings. In my work, I find myself continuously attracted to antlered animals, who have historically represent unbridled nature, specifically an  emasculated nature. The second theme is the female nude and how express it can alternatively express a dangerous sexuality or natural innocence. Anyway, Enjoy!

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Le Déjeuner Sur L'Herbe

Le Déjeuner sur L'herbe (Lunch on the Grass) is a strange painting. Of course, that's exactly why it's famous. A classically painted nude + some Marxist dudes + a nymph + a generic forest scene= Manet's genius. The painting was part of the Salon de Refusés, an exhibition of work that was initially rejected by Paris Salon- hello street cred (OWS eat your heart out). Anyway, if you crave more insightful criticism click here.

So of course, a group of SVA students and artists had to reinterpret this iconic painting in the place where art goes to die.... Bushwick. The Bogart Salon  hosted a "reflection upon and homage" to Déjeuner with live models reenacting the poses and the rest of us photobombing the scene. I love how the scenery seems to move around the subject, even the light is drawn to the figures. I think Manet would approve.

All photos by Nick Shepard

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The Wassaic Project

This past weekend, my brother had three photographs in The Wassaic Project Summer Festival and I needed little convincing. I needed to get the fuck out of New York City. I needed to see some art, hear some music, smoke something. The Wassaic Project Summer Festival satisfied these basic needs and more.   It is an arts collective based in teeny tiny historic town in upstate New York. Best thing about it, they own the bar. It was an excellent weekend indeed.

Nickshepard.com

More about the Wassaic Project

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The Makings of a Nymph: The Photographs of Marie Zucker

Don't you hate this girl? Pretty, whimsical, talented, loves pink... I mean, come on! All of these are self potraits, including the first one, which is a multiple exposure. It's a nice blend of fashion/ art/ and nostalgia that makes me feel like I've walked into the Secret Garden of a really hot chick.

All images Marie Zucker via Italian Vogue