The Black Room

Stylish Couples

2010-02-24T10:09:00.001-08:00

Paul Rudd & Maggie Gyllenhaal

Johny Depp & Lori Anne Allison

Jack White (White Stripes) & Karen Elson

Jamie Hince & Kate Moss

The other half is their best accessory.

Musical Cartoons

2010-02-24T09:46:00.001-08:00

Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs

White Stripes

Ian Curtis of Joy Division

Julian Casablancas

Faris of Horrors

Pete Doherty

Found some very interesting depictions of some of my favorite musicians.

William Wordsworth

2010-02-24T09:16:00.000-08:00

William Wordsworth (1770-1850) was born in Northwest Enlgand and considered a major Romantic Poet. Wordsworth and Coleridge together were major contributors to the Romantic Age in literature.

From Lines Left upon a Seat in a Yew-tree

A morbid pleasure nourished, tracing here
An emblem of his own unfruitful life:...

Dapper Draping

2010-02-24T08:51:00.001-08:00

Burberry

Dior Homme

Prada

The over-sized draping coat has been on the runway for the last few seasons. The cut is very important if you want to pull off that slim & voluminous effect.

Ray Ban Wayfarers - Classic & TImeless

2010-02-18T12:21:00.001-08:00

Bob Dylan

Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Rachel Bilson

Liv Tyler

Evolution of the Suit

2010-02-18T08:25:00.000-08:00

Thom Browne suit on runway

Hedi Slimane's Dior Homme suit on runway

Hedi Slimane

Thom Browne

Both Hedi Slimane (formerly of Dior Homme) and Thom Browne have made major contributions to the shape of the suit in their own unique way.

The Skinny Black Jean

2010-02-18T08:05:00.001-08:00

Dior Homme

Kate Moss

Faris of the Horrors

Kim Kardashian

Billy Reid

2010-02-17T15:13:00.000-08:00

Billy Reid, Designer

Congrats to Billy Reid, who just won GQ's award for Best New Menswear Designer in America.

Factory Records Art

2010-02-17T14:08:00.000-08:00

Factory Records Logo

Joy Division's Closer

Factory Record's Communications

Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures

The Wake's Harmony

Juergen Teller for Marc Jacobs

2010-02-17T13:55:00.000-08:00

Michael Stipes of REM

Peter Saville of Factory Records

Juergen Teller has created some very interesting ads for designer Marc Jacobs. Two of my favorites above.

Dandy Art

2010-02-17T13:49:00.001-08:00

Some interesting artistic depictions of the "dandy" online.

Shutter Island

2010-02-17T13:25:00.000-08:00

Shutter Island, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio comes out tomorrow. Above, some of the dark movie and book art.

McQueen - R.I.P.

2010-02-11T09:49:00.000-08:00

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen, the great designer, was found dead Thursday morning in his London apartment. He will be very missed.

The Double-Breasted Blazer

2010-02-10T10:26:00.000-08:00

Raf Simons (Spring 2010)

Prada (Fall 2009)

D&G (Fall 2009)

The double-breasted blazer was all over the runway for the past couple of years. The key is fit because you must wear it closed unlike single-breasted blazers.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

2010-02-10T08:01:00.000-08:00

BRMC's new lineup

BRMC's old lineup

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC) are one of the most underrated bands out there. With a number of successful albums under their belt, they are set to release Beat the Devil's Tattoo in March.

Bright Star-Keats

2010-02-09T11:59:00.000-08:00

John Keats (1795-1821)

Bright Star (2009) starring Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish.

Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,

And so live ever--or else swoon to death.

-from Bright Star

Girls that Rock

2010-02-09T10:25:00.000-08:00

An Experiment on a Bird in the Airpump (the Band)

These girls rock hard. And they dress the part. Check out their EP titled These Sins.

An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump is a 1768 painting by Joseph Wright.

Kris Van Assche

2010-02-09T09:46:00.000-08:00

Kris Van Assche

Dior Homme Fall 2009

Kris Van Assche has come a long way since his debut for Dior Homme in 2007. His collections have gained momentum as he gains footing at Dior. Of course, taking over the reins at Dior Homme after the legendary Hedi Slimane was no easy task.

Julian x 2

2010-02-08T12:17:00.001-08:00

Paul Banks as Julian Plenti

Julian Casablancas

Two successful frontmen of two successful NYC bands released solo albums in 2009. Paul Banks, lead singer of Interpol, released a solo record under the name of Julian Plenti. Meanwhile, the Strokes' lead singer, Julian Casablancas also released a solo album (using his own name). Both projects were quite successful and critically acclaimed.

Emily Bronte

2010-02-08T11:48:00.000-08:00

Emily Bronte (1818-1848) was born in Thornton in Yorkshire. She was an English novelist and poet best known for Wuthering Heights.

Sleep brings no wish to fret

My harrassed heart beneath;

My only wish is to forget

In endless sleep of death.

- from The Horrors of Sleep

Emily Dickinson

2010-02-08T11:39:00.000-08:00

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was born in Amherst, Massachusetts. She lived a mostly introverted life, hardly coming out of her room in her later years.

"The nearest dream recedes, unrealized."
- from Life

The Raven

2010-02-08T11:29:00.001-08:00

Bats of the World

2010-02-08T10:54:00.000-08:00

Fruit bats in Sydney, Australia

Flying fox bat in Mysore, India

Mexican free-tailed Bats in Austin, Texas

The Black Blazer

2010-02-08T09:41:00.000-08:00

Rachel Bilson

Paul Banks

Kate Moss

You can't go wrong with the black blazer, the ultimate fashion staple for both men and women.

Costume National

2010-02-08T09:08:00.000-08:00

Ennio Capasa, designer of Costume National

2010/2011 Ad Campaign

Look from Costume National Fall/Winter 2009/2010

Costume National is one of my favorite men's clothing lines. Capasa loves the dark-chic aesthetic and uses quality draping materials to create his beautiful looks. Visit their website at http://www.costumenational.com/, the intro tune is Jesus and Mary Chain's Just Like Honey.

Czech Castles

2010-02-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

Prague Castle

Hluboká Castle , south of the Czech Republic

According to the Guinuess Book of Records, the Czech Republic has the most castles per square kilometre of any country in the world.

Factory Favorites

2010-02-06T05:57:00.000-08:00

The Wake

Crispy Ambulance

The Wake and Crispy Ambulance shared in the Factory Records' legacy with Joy Division. One of many bands influenced by this era of music are the Drums, who cite the Wake as a major contributor to their sound.

Evil Takes Over

2010-02-06T05:51:00.000-08:00

'All things therefore seemed to point to this; that I was slowly losing hold of my original and better self, and becoming slowly incorporated with my second and worse.'

- The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Peter Saville

2010-02-05T18:45:00.000-08:00

Peter Saville

Unknown Pleasures, Joy Division

Coming Up, Suede

This is Hardcore, Pulp Fiction

Peter Saville (1955) was born in Manchester. The artist designed album covers for Joy Division, New Order, Suede, and Pulp among others. Peter was also a major part of Factory Records' aesthetic.

The Bellboy Jacket

2010-02-05T17:25:00.001-08:00

The Libertines

Julian Casablancas

Shelley

2010-02-05T16:37:00.000-08:00

Percy Shelley (1792-1822) was born in Warnham, Sussex. A talented poet, Shelley was expelled from Oxford for publishing a pamphlet titled 'The Necessity of Atheism'.

Like darkness to a dying flame!

Depart not as thy shadow came,

Depart not - lest the grave should be,

Like life and fear, a dark reality.

lines from 'Hymn to Intellectual Beauty'

Edward Gorey

2010-02-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

Edward Gorey (1925-2000) was an American writer and artist. His drawings were humorous and horrific.

Big Pink

2010-02-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

Big Pink

Big Pink will be playing shows in the NYC area with A Place to Bury Strangers. They hail from London and dish out some very mean melodic/sonic tunes. Hear Velvet on the Jools Holland Show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB5tYiBsq7I

The drummer is not in the photo above but the video is worth watching just for her.

Femme Fatale

2010-02-05T12:07:00.000-08:00

Emile Zole

2010-02-05T10:17:00.000-08:00

Emile Zole (1840-1902)

I am currently in the middle of two books by Emile Zole: Therese Raquin & The Beast Within, which I highly recommend. The two novels I am reading are tales of murder and deceit; not for the faint of heart. Born in Paris, he was a very influental French writer. The cover of my Therese Raquin copy displays Degas' Melancholy painting (see prior Melancholy entry).

The Jesus and Mary Chain

2010-02-05T09:53:00.000-08:00

The legendary Jesus and Mary Chain. Their music is truly timeless.

An Education (in style)

2010-02-05T09:26:00.001-08:00

An Education is nominated for Best Picture and Best Actress, Carey Mulligan.

Mad Men

2010-02-05T08:18:00.000-08:00

Without a doubt the most stylish show on television. Gossisp Girl can't even compete.

London Calling

2010-02-05T08:12:00.000-08:00

This is a shot by the Sartorialist. The guy looks like he's straight out of the London Mod scene from the 70s-80s. Timeless stlye.

Trench Wars

2010-02-04T13:41:00.000-08:00

Burberry

Aquascutum

Burberry might have the world's most popular trench coat, but who invented the iconic trench is still up for debate. While Burberry claims to have invented the trench coat in 1901, Aquascutum claims it invented the trench in the 1850s. Either way, both companies are British and both coats will guarantee you high-quality craftsmanship.

Brideshead

2010-02-04T11:04:00.000-08:00

2008 Film

1981 Film

Book cover

Brideshead Revisited is another one of those movies, (see prior A Single Man entry), which encompasses both style and substance.

Cold Cave

2010-02-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

Cold Cave, originally from Philadelphia, play a sold out show tonight in NYC. Definitely chanelling some Joy Division/New Order. Check out their video for Love Comes Close: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzku_5WB5yE

Show Your Boots

2010-02-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

Dior Homme (F/W 07/08)

Melancholy

2010-02-04T08:58:00.001-08:00

Melancholy by Edgar Degas (1874)

Edgar Degas (1834-1917) was born in Paris and mostly painted dancers. But this is my favorite. He began to study law but changed paths in 1853 to pursue his love for painting.

Brooklyn Doom

2010-02-03T16:53:00.001-08:00

A Place to Bury Strangers

Crystal Stilts

Brooklyn has loads of great bands from all genres, but two of my favorites are A Place to Bury Strangers (APTBS) & Crystal Stilts. APTBS are more distorted and sonic, and Crystal Stilts more melodic and crooning. But both bands harness that Joy Division/Jesus and Mary Chain sound really well.

Nevermore

2010-02-03T13:26:00.000-08:00

The work of Edgar Allan Poe introduced me to the dark worlds of many other authors in poetry and prose. A true genious.

Dandy of the Sea

2010-02-03T13:03:00.000-08:00

I was watching a National Geographic Special last weekend about orcas (killer whales) and was mesmorized with their grace and intelligence. They are considered the top predators of the sea. Yes, they can even kill and eat sharks. I remember loving these whales when I was young after seeing them at marine parks. Orcas are a beautiful animal...and they're always in Black Tie!

What a Blessing

2010-02-03T12:12:00.000-08:00

The Black Room endorses BBlessing. If you're ever in NYC, please visit the BBlessing store. The clothes and decor of the store share our goth aesthetic. I loved their logo so much, I took a few business cards when I was there...thanks guys!

181 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 378-8005
http://bblessing.blogspot.com/

Raf Simons

2010-02-03T11:12:00.001-08:00

Raf Simons is a Belgian fashion designer who combines the dark and modern. Aside from his own successful line, he's also done collaborations with Fred Perry and Doc Martens.

Check out his website http://www.rafsimons.com/.

Joy Division

2010-02-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

Joy Division...what can I say? Just think of all the bands out there that have been influenced in some way by their haunting music and Ian Curtis' brilliant lyrics.

Pete Loves Dior

2010-02-03T10:17:00.001-08:00

Pete Doherty prefers the Dior suits, and he wears them well also.

Carl Loves Dior

2010-02-03T10:09:00.001-08:00

The Dior Leather Jacket circa Hedi Slimane is untouchable. Carl Barat of the Libertines wears it well.

Dark and Stormy

2010-02-03T09:48:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite drinks is the Dark and Stormy. Besides the name of the cocktail, the taste is delectable. Also easy to make: mix dark rum (Gosling's Black Seal Rum) with ginger beer over some ice, add lime wedge. Enjoy.

The XX

2010-02-03T09:34:00.001-08:00

The XX

Here's an exciting new band from South West London. NME magazine awarded them the #2 album of the year. I suggest listening to them with a glass of wine and the lights turned low. Very soothing.

Allan Pettersson

2010-02-03T08:04:00.001-08:00

Allan Pettersson (1911-1980) is among my favorite classical music composers because of his life story and the music he created from his experiences. He was born in the province of Uppland, but spent the rest of his life in Stockholm. Plagued with disease and an extremely violent father, his music is very reflective of his struggles.

Craig Robinson, NYC

2010-02-02T17:52:00.000-08:00

Paul Banks

The Black Room endorses Craig Robinson, a designer based out of NYC. You can find his amazingly tailored clothing at the Fifth Avenue atelier where he has mastered the bespoke process. Mr. Robinson has dressed bands such as Interpol, The Secret Machines, and Raveonettes, just to name a few. Please take a look at www.craigrobinsonnyc.com

Gustave Dore

2010-02-02T16:28:00.000-08:00

Gustave Dore's drawings were very theatrical and dark. He illustrated for Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven and for John Milton's Paradise Lost. Obviously, the man had talent and style.

Good and Evil

2010-02-02T16:08:00.000-08:00

I just recently finished reading Oscar Wilde's The Portrait of Dorian Gray and Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Both stories depict the struggle between good and evil in all of us.

Fuck the Critics

2010-02-02T15:56:00.000-08:00

The Horrors

I hate critics. They dogged The Horrors' first album, Strange House, arguing that the band was "style over substance". Personally, I loved Strange House. Now, the same haters love the second album, Primary Colours. Even NME magazine hailed it as their #1 album of the year. The Horrors' new album is brilliant. If you don't have it, what the hell are you waiting for?

We Want War

2010-02-02T13:35:00.000-08:00

These New Puritans

Check out the primal beat in We Want War, the new single from These New Puritans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIfKqgWPVvk

Skull Inspiration

2010-02-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

Born in Antwerp in the early 1580s, Frans Hals was one of the most brilliant portrait painters. My favorite painting of his is titled Portrait of a Man Holding a Skull (above) painted in 1611. I used the graphics of this skull for my last tattoo.

Style & Substance

2010-02-02T13:08:00.000-08:00

A Single Man is a film you must see, for both style and substance. Above, Colin Firth and Director/Designer, Tom Ford. Colin Firth is Oscar nominated for best actor.

Dark Music

2010-02-02T12:04:00.001-08:00

I love somber music. Here is a list of some bands I just love at the moment. (Of course, I will update this list as I get into new bands):

Joy Division
The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Horrors
The XX
A Place to Bury Strangers
Big Pink
Crystal Stilts
Cold Cave
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Please send me some of your favorites...I'm always looking for new music.

Coleridge and Shelley

2010-02-02T11:29:00.000-08:00

While reading Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, I noticed she used some lines from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner:

Like one, that on a lonesome road
Doth walk in fear and dread,
And having once turned round walks on,
And turns no more his head ;
Because he knows, a frightful fiend
Doth close behind him tread.

Frankenstein actually introduced me to the wonderful haunting work of Coleridge. Apparently, there are various writings and studies about the relationship between the two brilliant authors.

Welcome to the Black Room

2010-02-02T09:37:00.000-08:00