J460. James Franco x 7 For All Mankind Jeans + Uprising Movements.

I originally wrote this for Scott Goodson's Uprising Movements blog (it was published this morning, you may read it here).


Apparently James Franco's hidden talent is directing youthful, hipster-esque, raunchy short videos for 7 for All Mankind's latest campaign. I spotted the brand's newest ad in this month's Vogue, which features washed out stills (from the shorts) of models on the beach, in bed and at a party. 


The copy reads, "Episodes of an untitled film imagined and directed by James Franco." The first two episodes, which were shot in Santa Monica, CA in December, have already been released: 

Plus, the behind the scenes short:

The premium denim brand is known for its laid back, youthful style with a high price tag. This campaign gave its consumers (me, currently wearing my favorite pair) something to get curious about. The provocative pictures in Vogue and Franco's direction were enough to get me to put the magazine down and pick my computer up. 


I had no idea Franco directed anything (a huge motivation to watch the shorts). After a quick IMDB check: he's actually directed 15 films, most of which were shorts. This was clearly the right move for 7 and it peaked my interest much more then an iPhone app or a typical magazine ad would. The print ad allowed me to engage with the online videos. 


These shorts appear to be in the same genre of advertising as BMW's short films, which were carried by famous directors and actors such as "Beat the Devil:"

There are obviously big difference between the very short shorts, starring groups of beautiful people dancing around, and 10 minute films with a plot guided by acclaimed directors. Though, I think both do a marvelous job of selling a specific lifestyle to their rightful consumers. 

Well done. 

New Yorkers: Time of my life. Food. Beauty. Art.

I took my first trip to NYC this past summer during Fashion Week.  I spent a week admiring fabulous art, eating food, drinking wine, talking to famous chefs, taking in the people, shopping, and patrolling the street trying to catch a glimpse of fame, we ended up spotting Cindy Crawford, Julianna Margulies, Tony Blair, Grace Coddington (the creative director at Vogue, stars in The September Issue), and Andre Leon Talley (Vogue's editor-at-large, also stars in The September Issue).  Everything was over-the-top amazing, including our hotel in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, just blocks from the MET, the Guggenheim, and Central Park.  We were there during the West Indian Day parade, which explains my pictures of half naked people dancing down the street.  More then a million people showed up to eat the food and watch the festival roll by.

My mom with famed chef, Philippe Roussel, who cooked us fabulous dinner at his French restaurant in the Upper East Side, Cafe d'Alsace.  He continued to make us the fabulous desserts below.

Above: the newest, hottest and trendiest thing in NYC.  The High Line.  Old raised train tracks have been turned into a city goers paradise of raised walkways through Chelsea.  Complete with rolling benches, trees, flowers,  and clubs that close in around The High Line.  You can exit the walkway at multiple points to walk through Chelsea and 10th Avenue.  

Below: Mom and I eating at ChikaLicious Dessert Bar on E. 10th.  A boutique sit-down dessert bar where you can watch the chefs make your desserts in front of you.  You order from a prefixed three course dessert 'meal,' the first and last plates are chosen and change per customer to compliment your personally chosen middle course.

Above: We were able to join a special 'members only' pre-viewing of Monet's collection at MOMA.

Above: Unknown person saw that I was taking a picture of Mom and put a Yegermeister poster above her head.