Wocka Wocka Wocka Down The Runway: Giles Deacon Does Pac Man Couture.

Critics say that hot fashion designer Giles Deacon's latest collection for Spring/Summer 2009 is fairly conservative for him and not as wacky or irreverent as his past fashion excursions. With more traditional silhouettes (there were exceptions), fabulous graphic colored camouflage patterns and trim, as well as streamlined solid colored double knit jersey dresses, he may actually be turning somewhat... dare I say it... wearable.



However, the styling and production of his Spring Summer 2009 runway show, the floor of which was painted with the familiar graphic imagery of the 80's video game pac man, was anything but conservative. In an homage to Midway's Pac Man video game, every few models to strut down the runway wore large metal headgear which emulated the pac man characters (with a little creative liberty, of course).


Above: The 1980 original pac man video game characters and interface



Wocka wock wocka.......










Fabulous runway photos by Marco Madiera

Other noteworthy pieces in Giles Deacon's new collection, sans pac man accoutrements, included modern, splashy interpretations of military camo:





Some facts about the Designer:
• Giles Deacon has designed for Jean Charles De Castelbajac, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren
• His design studio is the Rochelle School in East London where Katie Hillier, Luella Bartley, Hazel Robinson and his other fashion friends work
• In 2007 he was named British Designer of the Year
• He used to date Beth Orton
• He's a brilliant illustrator - having been published in Interview, The Face, Pop, i-D.



He also designed a collection (above), Gold, for New Look with Drew Barrymore in the ad campaigns (the pair decided to work together after a chance meeting in an elevator), and he also designed womenswear for DAKS for two seasons ending in autumn/winter 2008-9.


Above: Fashion designer Giles Deacon

To see his entire Spring/Summer '09 Collection, go here.

Funky Find Of The Week: The 'Fuck The Rain' Umbrella

Maybe you reside in rainy Seattle or the gloomy UK- or you just hate the rain. Either way, this umbrella by the Russian design studio Art Lebedev makes it loud and clear to the rain gods that you prefer a sunny day.
Plus, you can flash it at any car the cruises by a puddle, splashing you.

Made in China
Designers: Artemy Lebedev, Anton Schnaider



Comfortable handle allows you to clasp it to your backpack when it’s not raining. Automatic open/close. Material: 100% polyester

Price:
55.47 US$
35.25 €
Buy it here.

Paul Newman, May He Rest In Peace. 1925-2008. We Will Miss You.

Legendary film star, philanthropist, devoted husband, passionate car racer and worldwide sex symbol Paul Newman has died after a long battle with cancer.

Hollywood legend Paul Newman has died after a battle with cancer. He was 83. The star of such films as Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, The Hustler, The Color Of Money, Road To Perdition and many more over a career spanning 50 years, was surrounded by members of his family at the time of his death.

Newman was nominated for ten Oscars over the years, winning three, the first for the 1986 film The Color Of Money, directed by Martin Scorsese.

Newman acted in 60 films in all, appearing in some with his wife, Joanne Woodward, like The Long Hot Summer and Paris Blues. He worked alongside legends like Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Altman, Robert Redford, Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall and Tom Hanks. He even provided his voice for the 2006 Pixar movie Cars, which turned out to be his last role.

Famed for his philanthropy as well as his acting, Mr. Newman was married to Oscar-winning actress Joanne Woodward for more than 50 years.



Too see more wonderful photos and the original wedding announcement for Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, go here.

He also had successful side careers as an auto racing driver and creator of a line of food products, Newman's Own,** that bore his name and face on their labels.




The "Newman's Own Foundation," took profits from that company and sponsored numerous charitable organisations. Newman also founded his "Hole in the Wall" Camps, which provided fun summer breaks for children around the world suffering from life-threatening illnesses.



Above: In addition to being a great actor, his passion was racing. He was still racing cars, even at age 80.

"His love was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all," Robert Forrester, vice-chairman of the Newman's Own Foundation, said in a statement.

Former taoiseach Albert Reynolds paid tribute to the actor today, describing him as "an inspirational character". Mr. Reynolds met Mr. Newman when the actor was looking for an Irish home for his Barretstown Gang charity. "It was Albert Reynolds who brought Paul Newman to Ballymore Eustace, where he found the estate to be enchanting and an ideal location for his children's charity," a spokesman for Mr Reynolds said.

Mr. Newman was born in a Cleveland suburb on January 26th, 1925, and was a Navy radio man in the Pacific during World War Two. Afterward, he went to Kenyon College in Ohio on a football scholarship but took up acting after being cut from the team because of a bar-room brawl.

After his father's death, Mr. Newman helped run the family sporting goods store before heading to the Yale Drama School.

He ended up in New York, finding bit parts in TV and a Broadway role in Picnic in 1953. His first major movie role was portraying boxer Rocky Graziano in Somebody Up There Likes Me .


The above video is by Youtube user ItsCourtenayMmkay

His loss will affect the entire world and he will most certainly never be forgotten.

**Newman's Own®, Inc., founded on a lark by Paul Newman and his buddy A.E. Hotchner in 1982, is now a leading premium food company that offers more than 150 varieties of delicious all-natural food and beverage products. Based in Westport, CT, the charitable mission of Newman's Own is expressed in its Company motto: "Shameless exploitation in pursuit of the Common Good." Paul Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation donate all profits and royalties after taxes for educational and charitable purposes. Paul Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation have given more than $250 million to thousands of charities worldwide.

Debonair's Top 10 Best Dressed Ad Icons. Plus One More.

John W. DeFeo wrote this humorous article for Debonair magazine. It highlights the top 10 Best Dressed Advertising Icons of all time. I thoroughly enjoyed it and bet you will too. But I did put in my personal choice for #1 at the end of this article. Read on.

Sometimes advertising takes on a life of it's own. The Kool Aid Man, The California Raisins, The Energizer Rabbit – all have become indispensable parts of American pop culture. But lovable as many brand mascots are, most don't know a thing about fashion (we're looking at you Spuds McKenzie).

We at Debonair decided to assemble a Best Dressed list that honors the most stylish offspring of Madison Avenue.

Presenting the Top 10 Best Dressed Advertising Icons (plus my own pick):

#10. Count Chocula

Count Vladimir Elysius von Chocula is unquestionably the sharpest dresser among his Monster Cereal brethren – Franken Berry, Boo Berry, and Yummy Mummy. Unveiled to public in the early seventies by General Mills, CC always keeps things simple with a brown suit and cape. Even more impressive, the Count has even found away to adapt his look into swimwear.

#9. Mr. Clean

(aka Maestro Limpio) is the original badass of adland. Born in Chicago, and sporting an earring since 1957 – this guy is all about attitude. With a perfect body and golden tan, he needs nothing more than a plain white tee to seduce lonely housewives the world over.

#8. The Jolly Green Giant

Green living is all the rage these days, and the Jolly Green Giant has been practicing adaptive reuse for the last 60 years. His signature leafy toga is the essence of conservation. And if you have a problem with his style, he might decide to crush your town and eat your family.

#7. Mickey Mouse

Meet the world's first unassuming billionaire. With a market value of $61 Billion, this modest mouse doesn't even bother to throw on a suit – instead opting for slacks and a sport coat. Yet notice the carefully matched bow tie and button. Classic.

#6. Mr. Peanut

In advertising, you don`t change what works. And so, Mr. Peanut has sported the same threads for the last century. In 2006, Kraft Foods gave the public an opportunity to accessorize Mr. P. The public said no thanks, proving that a top hat, cane, and monocle remain the best way to compliment great nuts.

#5. The 'Burger' King

The King is all boutz da bling. Fur-lined robe, gold chains, crown – The King is street regal. In fact, all that gold may lead to the silver screen. Rumors are still circulating of a BK movie deal.

#4. Cap'n Crunch

Any man that wears coattails and epaulets to breakfast must love fashion. You might think of the Cap'n as uptight and militaristic, but make no mistake, the guy is a Phreak. In 1971, the Cap`n distributed phone-hijacking whistles to the general public. Take that establishment!

#3. Quaker Oats Man

Don't let the friendly hat and white scarf fool you, this Quaker is no puritan. Sadistic, yet fashionable - he fed radioactive oatmeal to over 100 young boys in the 40s and 50s. But he was always so quiet…

#2. Joe Camel

Joe was forced into early retirement in 1997, but his smooth legacy lives on. Whether dressed in a tuxedo or Member`s Only jacket, JC always looked the part. Happy retirement Joe!

#1. (A Tie!) Monopoly Man and Pinaud Clubman

This is a case of “who wore it best”. The Monopoly Man has the benefit of appearing in full color, but stands at 3'4”. The Pinaud Clubman, though perfectly proportioned, is a bit monochromatic. And worse yet, French.

Now, how any of the above could beat out the mysteriously sight-challenged "Man In the Hathaway Shirt" for the best dressed ad icon, I have no idea.

My Personal Choice for #1: The Man In The Hathaway Shirt



For those of you who don't know, Ogilvy & Mather's famous artistocratic, mustachioed eye-patched gentleman, Russian Baron George Wrangell, served as the pitchman for Maine's Hathway shirts, in both print and television ads beginning in 1951 and made Hathaway one of David Ogilvy's most famous ad campaigns of all time. Despite his being human, he is considered a classic ad icon. And an impeccably attired one at that.