Photographer Wendy Hope Takes First Place in PDN's "The Look" Contest

Brooklyn-based beauty and fashion photographer Wendy Hope has been awarded first place in the beauty category of PDN's "The Look" contest. Her winning image (above), "Onyx Blue Electric Spike" is from the series "The Tao of Wu," a nail art beauty shoot with model Wu Ting Ting of Wilhelmina Models, makeup artist Margina Dennis and manicurist Honey.

Here are more images from Wendy's Tao of Wu series, followed by some of my favorite images of hers:





Credits for above photos:
Publication: Fault magazine
Photography: Wendy Hope @Maxine Tall Management
Model: Wu Ting Ting@Wilhelmina Models
Manicure: Nailz by Honey
Make up: Margina Dennis
Photography Assistant: Colleen Lidz
Concept: Wendy Hope
Retouching: Mdf Retouching

For the last 10 years Wendy Hope has proven herself as a versatile, multi-faceted photographer and visual artist. She exhibits a diverse range of approaches to her subject matter, from clean, crisp and conceptual beauty to vibrant, glossy music and celebrity portraits and advertising. Below are a few of my favorite photographs from her.










Her impressive list of clients includes the following:
• Neiman Marcus
• Carson-Softsheen Dark & Lovely
• Scratch Magazine UK
• Wella Hair
• Pastry Footwear by Vanessa and Angela Simmons
• MTV
• Phat Farm
• Head Footwear
• Rolling Stone Magazine
• Essence Magazine
• Latina Magazine
• Sebastian Hair
• Vida Shoes Int'l
• Run Athletics
• Babyphat
• Epson and Fox Films
• Seventeen Magazine

Wendy Hope is a born and raised New Yorker currently residing in Brooklyn with 2 cats and a 4 foot Iguana named Godzilla.

Take a look at her fab portfolio on pdn here or go to her website here

Wendy Hope is represented in new York by Maxine Tall Management

Thanks to PDN for info and Wendy for the fabulous photos.

Two Unusual Partially Submerged Modern Homes Create A Green Paradise In Paraguay.

Partially underground with arching green roofs, a sharp triangular swimming pool and unusual architecture, these two homes (named Green Haven) are located in Luque and designed by Paraguay-based architects Bauen.






The below article courtesy of Bauen Architects (taken from their own translation so the content and punctuation may seem wonky):
We design in an exposed and desolate plane, no limits shown. For this reason we fold the base plane and we generate the “refuge”. We understand that the main feature of dwellings is care, and the essence of building is letting dwell*. Keeping the space from the popping of any foreign object but for the folding of the base plane, so the dwelling is prepared in is wrinkles, respecting the environment and making that the green constant, allowing the preservation of the inhabitant’s intimacy with its corrugations. Where these folds are broken, openings are generated. And they joined together with bridges wrapped in transparencies at double height, and topped by a fragment of sphere like a roof. Thus, the “Culata Yovai” is ready and disposed in his “tekoha”.








Inside: 








The interesting front door from both the exterior and interior:



In this project the search for a protected human space that suits to the topography, the vegetation, the tropical climate, and where people find comfort in the broadest sense of the word; takes us to propose a vindication of the knowledge contributed, and often forgotten, by our vernacular architecture. The “Culata Jovai” or “House of Confronted Rooms” is a real bioclimatic solution belonging to one of our traditional ways of living in harmony with the environment in Paraguay, and constitutes our base typology for a new reinterpretation according to new functional programs, needs of symbolic representation and new technologies, framed in a sustainable project.




With the inclusion of green roof, we recovers the original space of vegetation displaced by the construction, also reduces the gained heat due to the thermal inertia of the underground spaces, therefore reducing greatly the conventional energy consumption of homes.

Plans and drawings:







Architects: BAUEN Architects
Project: Green Haven – Two houses
Location: Luque, Paraguay
Design: Architect Aldo Cristaldo
Type: Single Family
Year: 2011 (Start) – 2012 (completion)
Size: 660 m2 (together)
Contributors: Jorge Ortiz, Olga Villagra, architect René Sosa, Constance Olmedo, Nathaly Cáceres, Alice Peralta, architect Marcelo Jimenez.
Construction: Mr. Peter Cataldo, architect Beatriz Heyn

all images courtesy of Bauen Architects and AEC Cafe
photos © Mónica Matiauda and © Marcelo Jiménez

Let The Fun Go To Your Head This Halloween. 8 Big Wigs For Target by Chris March.

This Halloween, Target is teaming up with fashion and costume designer, and former “Project Runway” contestant Chris March to create an exclusive line of larger-than-life Halloween wigs.


above: Former project Runway contestant and costume designer Chris March

The limited-time collection features over-the-top foam wigs, each priced at $20 or less, that will help Target guests create the perfect Halloween look. Inspired by his experience as a costume designer, March designed eight show-stopping styles: Geisha, Greaser, Starlet, Witch, Medusa, Monster Bride, Mohawk and Afro.










“I’ve been designing costumes and wigs for more than 20 years and my new collection with Target is so beyond my wildest dreams we couldn't call it anything but ‘Big Fun,’” said Chris March. “The wigs are inspired by fun and iconic characters and will help everyone create unforgettable Halloween costumes.”

“Halloween is a time for guests to have fun and dress up and Chris is the perfect partner to bring these over-the-top designs to life through the ‘Big Fun’ collection,” said Stacia Andersen, senior vice president, merchandising, Target.



Available starting Sept. 15 in U.S. and Canada Target stores, and online at Target, the playful collection serves as the centerpiece of Target’s Halloween product assortment.

Spend $50, Get Free Shipping on Select Halloween Costumes at Target (Valid 8/25-10/31)