Kenneth Mannchen Artist in Residence at The Keep

For the past week, The Keep store has played host to artist Kenneth Mannchen who has been creating works from their shop window. Kenneth's latest works, "He has left us alone but shafts of light sometimes grace the corner of our rooms", displayed man/Mannchen-made recreations of his entire wardrobe of garments, hand-stitched from Japanese rice paper.

Each rice paper garment was then folded into envelopes and handed out into the crowd to be either tried on, worn, or simply hung on a rack to admire the delicacy of craftsmanship. The wearing and tearing of the recreations throughout the opening night was be heavily encouraged by the artist in order to assist the display of his personal practice of instant Wabi-sabi. The tears were then mended by Kenneth using leather, hessian and his own Alexander McQueen bodysuit.

Topolino. make-up artist for Black Magazine, talks about his M.A.C technique

He calls himself the 'rat of the studio' but we are happy to have such vermin in Black. French M.A.C artist Topolino has featured quite strongly in the last few issue of Black, shooting in Paris with Paul Empson and delivering gorgeous looks in every editorial. Here is a video that let's you know quite a lot about the man behind the brush, his thinking and his lost in translation approach to working around the world...

On set: BLK #18: Karen Inderbitzen-Waller and Rachael Churchward shoot a special family

Holly Rose finals by Rachael

Yesterday we completed our shooting schedule for BLK #18 in the familiar environs of Auckland's inner west. Karen Inderbitzen-Waller lensed the shoot and Rachael Churchward and Karen combined to style an unusual 'family' that may or may not have been an alien Amish family on a holiday to Hawaii. M.A.C's Amber D once again provided stunning make-up in partnership with Stephen Marr's Jason Chong-Li who created gothic short haired wigs and even wore a scarf to get into the vibe of the shoot. Delphine Avril Planqueel was instrumental, as always, providing a shooting storyboard, lighting and digital and also shooting a fashion film which we will publish here on Blacklog in early December. The model family consisted of the wonderful Mercy, a big model in the UK throughout the 80s and 90s who last modelled in 1997, and the scarily fraternal Josh Skelton, Holly Rose at Red 11 and Jay at Clyne.

Jay get's his wig on with Jason

Kiri Nathan SS13 by David K Shields

Auckland designer Kiri Nathan recently showed her SS13 collection at Sir James Wallace's Pah Homestead in Hillsborough. The setting was apt for the collection which featured beautifully designed and constructed pieces that suggest the time spent learning trade basics from Annah Stretton has indeed paid off. Next year the British Council are getting in behind Kiri and helping her to show at London Fashion Week where we believe she will shine with her distinctive New Zealand designs. It was a splendid evening with a fashion show featuring Clyne models, lots of scrumptious Villa Maria wines to be had, make-up by Phoenix Cosmetics and hair by Dharma. Hostess Miriama Kamo was only upstaged by some snazzy guitar playing by the legendary Tama Renata.  Much arohanui from the team here at Black to Kiri and Jason and crew and congrats on the collection. All photos by David K Shields.

On Set in Raglan with Russ Flatt and Vinnie Woolston

 A week ago today the Black team took the highway south just short of two hours to the beautiful West coastline of Raglan. There to shoot a menswear fashion shoot for our next issue of BLK magazine #18 and the campaign images for ZBBJewellery, photographer Russ Flatt, model Vinnie Woolston and stylist Rachael Churchward worked their magic in the iconic NZ surf town.

With the sunshine out, the friendly locals out to support, and the stunning backdrop that Raglan supplied- we were in absolute awe of this place! Lets all go back!

On Set: BLK #18: Damien Nikora shoots 'Eras of Denim"

Neuw jeans painted by Dan Vient

Yesterday in the sandy environs of Atlas Concrete just north of Helensville we shot an editorial with Damien Nikora that we have been planning for some time now; a deconstructed, reconstructed, customized, painted and bejewelled ode to the weft and the warp, a love song to denim. Fashion editors Rachael Churchward and Jessica Grubisa worked with young designers Blair Hetet and Nina Van Lier and artist Dan Vient to create a contemporary smorgasbord of denim pieces that celebrated the eras of denim gone by, whilst mixing in current pieces from denim designers and retro gems. Denim companies Neuw, Wrangler and Lee all donated a substantial number of pieces to be played with and all items will be auctioned on Trade Me in December with proceeds going to Mental Health NZ. Thanks to all of those companies, the chilled out folks at Atlas Concrete and to the crew and models on yesterday's shoot: Photographer: Damien Nikora Fashion editors: Rachael Churchward and Jessica Grubisa Hair: Greg Murrell and Kasey Groundwater at Ryder Make-up: Sharlene Cassidy using M.A.C Photo assist: Alan and Jess Fashion assist: Rose Morgan Assistants: Dan Vient, Olivier. Models: Lily Fraser at Clyne, Cedric and Danika at N.Model Management, Michael at 62 Models, Moira at Nova, Blair, Olivier and Amberley at Scout, Rose Morgan at Red 11 and Dan Vient

Blair in shirt made from Neuw jeans by himself. Cedric wears: Neuw, Company of Strangers, Workshop and Zambesi

"Heraldik" Exhibition by Hannah Jensen at Saatchi & Saatchi's

 

 "I am really proud of and honoured to stand in a room with all my family members surrounding me."

 

Currently on show at the Saatchi & Saatchi Gallery is Auckland based artist Hannah Jensen's new exhibition, Heraldik. “Heraldry, is an art of identity…. A coat of arms or a heraldic badge represented what was considered to be a family’s defining qualities.” 

 

Hannah draws lines between her family and the abundant world of animals, taking each of her immediate family members, she chose an animal which best represents their individual defining qualities. Her grandmother, who she speaks of fondly and with great admiration, loves horses. “She’s very proud, very strong. So I carved a horse’s armour. The detail in the armour depicts the intricate details of her life. She’s had a very interesting life” says Hannah.

"On Mexico Time" by Taylor Steele for Corona Extra

We're just about to jump in the car this morning and take a road trip to Raglan; the surfers paradise of our west coast in New Zealand for our Black #18 mens shoot with photographer Russ Flatt. The highways, the play lists, the sunshine (hopefully) and the salty air makes us think of a true kiwi summer- and it's not so far away now! Summer and beer go together like a horse and cart, you can't have one without the other...

BLK #18 On Set: Charles Howells shoots Annabella Barber at Chic

Six shoots complete and seven more in progress for BLK #18 here in New Zealand and around the world. Yesterday we shot beautiful NZ-born model Annabella Barber from Chic Management, Sydney at the incomparably snazzy Auckland bar, The Golden Dawn, Tavern of Power. Charles Howells lensed the shoot whilst Rachael Churchward styled Annabella in Helen Cherry, NOM*d, Zambesi, Lela Jacobs and several brilliant pieces by Auckland designer Shona Tawhaio, among others. Hair by Greg Murrell at Ryder Salon using KMS California and make-up by Sharlene Cassidy using M.A.C Cosmetics. Hard-working assists were Taniora and Bryce. Special thanks to Stephen, Sam, Nick and Mark at The Golden Dawn for giving us so much freedom with your fabulous bar! All photos by Grant Fell.