Nice Collective Spring 2010: The Gathering
Okay, I promise to make this the last post regarding my obsession with military-styled clothing for men… Via Cool Hunting comes this rather stunning video from my San Francisco-based fashion hereos, Joe Haller and Ian Hannula of Nice Collective. It was shot at a stylized ‘military encampment’ in northern California for their Spring 2010 collection. Digital artist Andrew Jones’ gorgeously-animated digital projections play out on the faces and bodies of the models. I imagine this is what it’s like tripping on acid during a camping excursion on the Russian River… Excellent soundtrack too.
Nice Collective Spring 2010
Denver Airport Volunteers
I’ve just returned from another trip to the Bay Area to see the Gentleman Friend and, while I could talk about the fun restaurants we visited and the endless tasty food I consumed, this is supposed to be a blog about Denver, not San Francisco.
Photo Courtesy of the Denver Post
So, in that spirit: Upon my return to DIA I took the airport tram to the main terminal, ascended the escalator, and once again was faced with the volunteers in their cowboy hats, bolo ties, and faux shearling vests. Who are these people? I’m assuming that they are volunteers, particularly so because most of them appear to be senior citizens and they are there no matter the time of day. But why volunteer at the airport? What about homeless people? A soup kitchen? The illiterate? Your local women’s shelter? Political campaign? Public park litter patrol? Unlike these sorts of activities — some of which I have done myself — what kind of rosy altruistic glow does one achieve through volunteering at DIA? ”Without me, that woman never would have found the Hertz counter. I made a difference today, I sure did.” ”Sometimes I get up in the morning and I feel a little useless, but then I remember that it’s because of me that weary travelers figure out where the baggage claim is about 15 seconds faster than they would if they just looked at the signs. And then I know that I have a real purpose in life!”
I’m not making fun of volunteer work here; for that I have a profound respect. I’m making fun of this volunteer work, which seems so profoundly useless. Is it just that most volunteer work that I would consider doing — on behalf of women, the gays, the poor, the environment; causes that need my help, in other words – seems political by definition and this is volunteer work utterly stripped of ideology? To me that’s what makes it so pointless but maybe that is precisely its appeal? Any thoughts, dear reader?
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