Cool Girl, Cool Films

Taryn Manning has one of the coolest film resumes around. She has been in some of the most interesting films of the past several years, “Hustle and Flow” definitely being one of my favorites. With a quietly intense presence on film and an incredibly kind, smart, open, warm and funny energy in real life, she definitely has longevity and staying power. I recently started working with her, styling her for events, premiers and appearances and am guessing we will end up doing a shoot together at some point as well.

Yesterday was our first fitting/creative brainstorm session and it was fantastic. She is really open to stuff and loves great fashion, which is always fun and exciting. One of my favorite things about my job is pulling the perfect look together for a client, whether its an outfit for a premier or an advertising image for a big brand, there is nothing more satisfying then hearing the click of an idea falling into place.

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Sun Basics

No matter how many products I try the best self tanner (and best kept inexpensive secret) remains L’Oreal‘s Sublime Bronzer. I don’t even remember where or how I discovered it but I imagine it was as a cheaper alternative to the Clarins and Decleor I had been using years ago and it truly was and remains the best. I can’t remember a summer without it. I put it on before a day at the beach or by the pool and the fact that it has a SPF 15 also makes it a great sunscreen while minimizing the amount of time I need in the sun. I admit, I only use it on my legs as I am not big on getting sun on my face but it is amazing!!! (And only $9 at the drugstore versus $30 and up for the big name brands…)

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Lonestar’s Sticky Characters are coming in September (and hopefully staying a few seasons…)

I saw the full episode yesterday and it is great! The show starts in September and I can not wait to see more. Very addictive. Written by Kyle Killen; directed by Marc Webb and starring new comer James Wolk and Adrianne Palicki (who I loved in “Friday Night Lights”).

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The Reality of Art

I watched the first episode of Bravo’s “Work of Art” last night on my favorite non-channel channel (Hulu, of course….) and am hooked. Art is an instinctual feat and its not hard to decipher who is going to go far and win (Miles, Abdi, maybe Nicole, Trong, Ryan), who will atleast get far enough to have people remember their names for five minutes (John, Marc, Peregrine, Jaime Lynn), and who is there to get beaten up (poor Erik, who I think actually has some minimal potential skills just lacks the obvious sophistication or indifference the art world demands). I love this game because it tests your taste level even more so than the fashion design shows. Plus, I loved SJP’s opening speech to the artists. This is a good one, its going to be fun. It is definitely much more cerebral (that is somewhat of an understatement…) than other reality shows which makes it much more interesting as well.

Miles Mendenhall’s previous work above…

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Tilda Swinton’s New Film “I Am Love”

This is a fantastic new film directed by Luca Guadagnino, starring one of the most talented and always intriguing actresses alive, Tilda Swinton. I saw “I Am Love” back in January, fell in love with it for its subtle, quiet dialogue and gorgeous cinematography as well as the sexy subtext it reflected… and I included it in my last March issue, which sadly never ran. See this film. There are very few films still made in this vein.

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September 2010 will be a great month for new releases in art and music

So excited! YAZ is releasing their 1st album in a LOT of years. Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke reconnected (hence the album title…”RECONNECTED LIVE”…) last summer to tour and once again bring to life some of the most historic and influential tracks in music since Joy Division…

YAZ's Reconnected Live Album out September 28th, 2010

Also, an old friend and one of the sweetest talents in our industry, Richard Phibbs, has a new book of photography coming out. “Chasing Beauty” By Richard Phibbs with a foreword by Michael Cunningham, editing and design by Alfredo Paredes is out from PowerHouse Books September 2010.

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Jessica Stroup

One of the best things about 90210 is Jessica Stroup. I think she is amazing and I can’t wait to see what she does post 90210. I was lucky enough to shoot her a few months ago…

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Twilight…. Total Eclipse of The Heart

I haven’t seen it yet and doubt I will be attending the premier but alas, over the past year I have shot a few of the kids in the film and they have all been pretty extraordinary, talented and cool.

Kellan Lutz for Blackbook

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Tweet, Twitter, Twit… Stop

There are days when I am so completely overwhelmed with the bombardment of information thrown at me online, I just want to shut it all off and move into a tipi in Nevada. It is astounding to me that there are people who can actually muck through all of that information and come out on the other side unscathed (and informed…). I used to read everything in print (and then when it moved online, I followed though I still won’t give up my print subscriptions)… The New Yorker, New York mag, NY Observer, The New York Times (yes, there is definitely a pattern there). Even Vogue, Elle, Harpers Bazaar and Marie Claire whenever possible (or remotely interesting).

I’m an avid magazine subscriber/reader but for the past several years there really hasn’t been much to read in the fashion magazines. I adore what they offer me visually and couldn’t/wouldn’t want to live without them but otherwise “reading” a magazine other The New Yorker (or GQ on occasion) is a very ambitious statement. That said, as much as I love the written word, I love images just as much if not more so… Hence, this is more about pictures…






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Aperlai

This is an amazing shoe line started just a few seasons ago by designer Burak Uyan in Paris. It is absolutely beautiful, new and sexy. I am obsessed.


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