IMAGEmode

Introducing Rashad Benton

Paul Beasley — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:05:38 +0000

Few men around are adept at the subtle art of style like this week’s man-about-town Rashad Benton. A student at Florida A&M University, Rashad’s creativity and his erudite eye for style have placed him in our spotlight. From first sight you’d never notice the taciturn and reserved nature that lies under Benton’s refined exterior. In describing himself, Rashad says, “I’m a very quiet person, low-key type. I keep to myself a lot. I honestly don’t enjoy being the center of attention. Speaking in front of a large group isn’t really my thing.” What Rashad may lack in verbal expression he definitely more than makes up for in creative expression. His blog, HesCockky, is a testament to his alter-ego of the same name, the man who doesn’t play by the rules but in a non-proselytizing way. “I do enough to make a statement, but nothing more to be too loud. Artistically [I contribute] nothing honestly I’m low-key so I’m not trying to contribute anything.” Rashad’s style’s comprises a synthesis of urban style mixed with the elements of classical men’s pieces. When asked about his personal style aesthetic, Rashad responds, “I literally take my time on everything I wear. I come home, and the first thing I do is put an outfit together for the next day. Black is my favorite color and I wear a lot of it. I would call my style urban mixed with prep.” Young college men whose attention to wardrobe often lapses as severely as their focus on studies would do well to take a hint in style from Rashad. “I love Button ups, Blazers, Hats, & Ties. I wear a lot of bowties, and just ties In general. Those always add to my outfit. I have a lot of buttons that I add onto my blazers.” Rashad lists Express, 21 Men, Hollister, Aldo, and Coach as some of his favorite brands. If you’re looking to find out more about this young maverick get into his head at his blog HesCockky here and check out his profile on LookBook here.

IMAGEmode 2.0

Paul Beasley — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:03:22 +0000

As 2011 opens up, IMAGEmode now takes its first steps as a fully functioning fashion blog. When I began IMAGEmode, it functioned as a class project and after its initial success and growth, I decided to continue to pursue my passion for understanding the fashion market, identifying the key aspects of construction a fashion image, and giving recognition to the independent designers and creative individuals who place immense inspiration into their work. I want this blog to function as a learning tool not only for my followers and readers but also for myself. In the same way I perceive design and art, I want to convey that same experience with all of you. For those of you who have viewed my blog previously I thank you for your support and interest. And for any visitors and newcomers I welcome you to IMAGEmode. I hope I can inspire you as much as fashion inspires me.

Sincerely,

Paul Beasley

The Top Apps For Fashion Enthusiasts

Paul Beasley — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:03:06 +0000

With the era of smartphones in effect, it’s easier more than ever now to stay in touch with what’s going on in the world of fashion as well as locate the most exclusive style finds with the simplest of ease. Apple’s App Store provides an enormous amount of fashion apps to buy but great style is priceless and so are these are some of my favorite fashion apps for your iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad. No matter where you go or what you do, make sure you’re armed with the right technology to keep you abreast of what’s coming in and what’s going out.

TrendStop TrendTracker

This app is one of the best tools for finding out the newest in fashion trends as well as breaking news events from the fashion industry. An extension of their larger site Trendstop.com, get quick blurbs on the most important collection showings, fashion events, industry changes and trends from fashion professionals right on your iPod, iPhone, or iPad.

Elle

This app is an extension of the magazine’s features without having to pay for the full issue. Read your daily horoscope, get instant updates on fashion articles, and even read advice from Elle’s in-house columnist E. Jean. Bookmark articles to your own personal My Elle profile for reading later and most of all enjoy the stylish interactive design. For any Elle lover, you definitely won’t want to miss this app.

Style.com

The glamour and fashion collections from the site come straight to your iPod complete with push notifications on all of the latest parties and sightings and full viewing capability of the newest collections. You can even view runway show videos right on your iPod and gather the top news from the Style File Blog. For men, you can also view the latest runway shows from around the globe and the slideshows of each look. A must have for any trendspotter.

GQ Style Picks

Get the best fashion, entertaining, and grooming tips right on your iPhone with GQ’s Style Picks app. You can also use the built in GPS in your iPod, iPhone, and iPad to to find an item and locate a store near you that carries that item. Also browse the top brands and view their picks right from the men at GQ. You can also input product requests through messages so you can find out where to find your favorite brands. For the style-conscious man this app should definitely be in your arsenal.

Who What Wear

Get all of the insight and knowledge from the top fashion forecasters right on your iPod with Who What Wear. The famous website provides interactive stylings of the newest trends in an attractive, fashionable design that’s perfect for any fashion professional, stylist, or enthusiast. And if you’re a hairstylist or makeup artist you can also browse the hottest in beauty right from this app as well. If you’re wanting to change your look then definitely head over to the App Store and download this free app.

The Sartorialist

You’ve seen the website by Scott Schumann and you’ve read his column in GQ magazine. But now you can browse all of his international style spottings right through the app. If you’re looking to see what everyone around the world is wearing you’ll find no better app than the Sartorialist. Zoom in, zoom out, slide, and even save the photos to your iPod, iPhone, or iPad. The perfect extension from his blogsite, The Sartorialist gives real photos of real people with real style.

Target

Get the awesome style and convenience of Target right to you through their app. If you’re looking for something specific or if you’re just wanting to browse a category check out Target’s full collection and even look up an item in their store tracker to find a store near you to buy it from. Also use your iPod Touch and iPhone camera to take a picture of an item’s barcode to find that item within the store. Refine your search by price, color, style, and department. You’ll find no app that’s more geared to the modern shopper than this one.

Don’t Call It A Comeback

Paul Beasley — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:02:23 +0000

Call it a come-up. The Dynamic Duo of Style Marquis Phifer and Sham Shirley are returning to the blogosphere with a new and improved look for their site LateBoots, a collection of photographs, personalities, and most importantly hard work. Calling themselves the New Workers, Phifer and Sham are showing young creative aspirants as well as the world at large just how much power a little bit of perseverance, ambition, creativity, and drive can get you what you want and where you want to be. Through their brand public relations team, Marquis and Sham are spreading their influence through independent fashion designers as well as catching the eye of notable style professionals not only in their stomping grounds of Atlanta and New York City but also abroad. The urbanly urbane Morehouse dandy Marquis Phifer creates a smart and innovative synthesis with the street-smart, edgy, and artistically erudite Sham Shirley giving a new perspective not just on getting ahead in life but on realizing and achieving your dreams. Check out the new site here.

Is Design Dead?

Paul Beasley — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:00:59 +0000

In an era where it seems that even the most fashion unconscious individual can create a clothing line, the question of whether real fashion design still exists is being increasingly asked. We see the reality shows of the women whose design sense is scarcely apparent deign to find stardom by creating a fashion collection. Many people often mistake the finished product for the process and this egregious error has produced a culture of people who, as Plato once spoke about poetry, today’s celebrity “fashion designers” are imitations of imitations thrice removed from reality. Being a fashion designer isn’t just about producing attractive apparel or being in the spotlight. It’s about possessing a real talent, having a unique artistic vision, and understanding the very intricate social, financial, artistic, and economic nuances of the fashion industry. As a fashion student, much of the learning does indeed occur outside of the classroom and there are many experiences that cannot be recreated in a textbook. But as medicine is to doctors and law is to lawyers, fashion has a clear and definite theory. And too many of these celebrity posers whose hands have never even touched a sketchpad have no idea of the design process and the number of them is growing exponentially. What will become of the design scene in this new decade? One can only imagine.

IMAGEmode: The End of the Beginning

Paul Beasley — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:06:28 +0000

What began as a project for my Electronic Technologies for Journalism class has quickly blossomed into a wonderful creation that has allowed me to focus my interests and hone my craft of fashion blogging. Although I had already been blogging well over a year before starting this one, IMAGEmode was the first blog that I actually built from the ground up and whose design I had created myself. I wanted to create a blog centered on the creative industries of art and fashion but i didn’t want it to be a boring, poorly designed, and even more poorly written site. I knew that if I was going to create a blog about style, art, and creativity, then the design of the blog itself should be just as creative and stylish as the content. Learning the Adobe Creative Suite in the class has also enhanced my knowledge of these technologies and how I can implement them into my blog and also into future career projects. I love what the blog has evolved into and I can see its growth through the comments of my followers and readers which I appreciate greatly. Nothing pleases me more than being able to share my work and ideas with others and to have them appreciated. I will not be posting for the rest of the year and this is in preparation for turning IMAGEmode into a full-fledged blog and also increasing its appeal. Monday, January 17, IMAGEmode will resume posting with a definitely jam-packed lineup of the best in fashion brand news, industry profiles, and the best in art. Stay tuned and don’t go anywhere because this is just the end of the beginning. Thanks for all your support and a happy 2011 to all you!

-Paul Beasley

Meditation on Design

Paul Beasley — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 03:22:21 +0000

There are many things that I appreciate and love about design. After all, this blog is dedicated to one of the many mediums through which design is accomplished. This video is a compilation of design quotes made visual by others who love design as much as I do. I’ve also included pictures of my favorite design and my favorite quotes about design. It’s no Steven Spielberg, but hey, at least it’s honest. And it’s Vimeo. Come on? It doesn’t get anymore stylish than that.

Photos from 40 memorable design quotes visualized |

The Man With The Magic Mind: Marcc Clark

Paul Beasley — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 20:17:30 +0000

When I first encountered the work of Marcc Clark, it was while I was reading the 2009 Holiday issue of Bleu Magazine. Marcc is the perfect example of a designer who seeks to perfect his craft and puts himself right into his work. Known mostly for his expertly hand-crafted bowties, Clark succeeds in adding a jolt of luxury to an otherwise cliche accessory. Some of my favorite pieces are from his collection of foxtails which make a great addition for both men and women especially in these winter months. His products make for the easiest Christmas gift ideas from an affordable brown snakeskin bowtie brooch to an avant-garde luxurious pair of caged UDER for Marcc wired glasses. Currently Clark is working on a collection of graphic tees for men and women. Some of his celebrity connections include Angela and Vanessa Simmons of the Pastry footwear line, Diggy Simmons, and Rihanna. Overall, Marcc Clark is proving that style begins with simplicity.

The Circumference of Cool

Paul Beasley — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:26:27 +0000

SoCal shoe design doesn’t get anymore stylish than the breakout design collection Radii Footwear. The two-year old brand has shown itself to be a postive creative force in the footwear industry and its refusal to compromise true design for commercial success adds to its ingenuity. The name, described by its creator Casey Arisohn as “a range of influence” sets its brand’s focus as just that: using sneaker design to inspire and represent a new generation of young, early-adopting innovators. Radii’s sneakers have found their way into magazines such as the Japanese Street Jack, Wear Global Magazine, and onto the feet of stars such as Justin Bieber. What I like most about Radii’s aesthetic is their futuristic, uber-edgy mix of colors, and textures. My favorite styles are the Black and Red Moonwalkers, the Black Patent Corporate. Radii’s footwear, although authentic isn’t overly priced. They have a great commitment to their craft and also one to their customers which makes them one of my favorite footwear designers. To see more from Radii, check out their site here.

Dee and Ricky: The Building Blocks of Style

Paul Beasley — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 21:46:19 +0000

When I first happened upon the Dee and Ricky brand, it was through the blog of one of my favorite fashion personalities Marquis Phifer, LateBoots. The brand was started by twins Demetrius and Ricardo, hence its namesake, and their pieces combine avant-garde creativity, retro influence, and the juxtaposition of the wearable with the unwearable to create interesting accessories that could easily pass as Lego creations. Though their items may resemble toys, the twins have proven their careers to be more than child’s play. Appearing in issues of Vogue, GQ, and Complex, Dee and Ricky is becoming a noticed brand by eclectic fashion icons such as Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and Marquis Phifer. Along with their colorful wear, Dee and Ricky specialize in the classic Etch-A-Sketch toys made by Ohio Art, distributing them in nostalgic hues. Dee and Ricky’s attention to the gaming community also places them in the spotlight there. Dee and Ricky’s line of T-Shirts and accessories have successfully achieved the feat of keeping one foot in the future and another in the past. Some photos of Dee and Ricky items are below, and if you’d like to check out their merchandise, click here.