Normative Reference

A mirrored scenario. With slight aberrations: Semicircular arches are replaced by strictly square glass doors. The fragment of a face substituted by an entrance construction. The mood and colours remain identical.
/HORST

Racing Carrera 124 classic cars-video

A short video of a night of racing with my friends, we put the Carrera classic 1/24 cars shod with Ortmann tires on a wood track.

New Ninco September releases *updated

{Vintage Friday}:Ruby Boutique

How gorgeous are these little outfits? Simply stunning.

(from Ruby Boutique)

Heir To The Throne

Janosch Malwitz UDK Graduate Collection

I am feeling excitement. The certainty that we are witnessing something outstanding and fantastic. Detachable leather boots. Fishing, biking and skydiving references. I just can't get over the brilliancy, how devastatingly beautiful and forward-thinking this collection is. A new Raf Simons has emerged.
/HORST

Via Julie's Juice

Spa 24 qualifying results

2008 FIA GT2 Champion Gianmaria Bruni took the overall pole position for the 2010 Total 24 Hours of Spa in the AF Corse ALD Team Vitaphone Ferrai 430. On a drying track the second of the three qualifying sessions proved to the deciding factor, with Bruni setting a best lap of 2m22.403. The time was just 0.146 seconds faster than Dirk Werner's best in the BMW Motorsport BMW M3, his lap of 2m22.549 proving to be the best in the GTN Class and good enough for a front row start. The third place went to the nr50 Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS, with Marcel Fässler posting a 2m22.807 lap and will line up on the second row alongside the nr51 Phoenix Racing Audi. The GT4 class pole went to the RJN Motorsport Nissan 370Z of Alex Buncombe who set the best time in the final third session.

News used with permission from GT2Europe.com.

Seminal Influence

Artworks Xenia Hausner

I admire this woman and her work. And how I tried to achieve this perfect balance of abstraction and realism. In the end, I failed. But the sweet memory of my attempts remains.
/HORST

Car Town Facebook App -- Autoblog

Car Town Facebook App -- Autoblog Facebook has a new game that probably will appeal to guys who are maybe a bit bored with farming or cooking... Car Town is already online!

http://apps.facebook.com/cartown/

Spa 24Hours TV schedule

Download the worldwide TV schedule for the 24Hours of Spa at this link. Programming is July 29-August 1. According to the schedule in the US Bloomberg TV will broadcast the race "live"... looking at the Bloomberg TV schedule on the website you see that there's normal programming sched'ed... hmmmm.


Live video at this link... hopefully.
http://www.total24hours.com/24h-spa/nl/videolive2.cfm

Porsche 918 Spyder approved for production

Porsche 918 Spyder approved for production!!! The car supposedly will get 78-mpg and lap the 'Ring in 7.5 minutes! Yikes, it seems like somewhere other car companies have missed something...

Candy Floss

(source)

New Carrera GO!!! and D143 coming to North America

Pix of some new GO!!! and D143 cars that are coming to North America.


Dakar BMW X3-GO!!!Porsche GT3-GO!!!
Porsche GT3 GO!!! and D143
Ferrari 599XX-GO!!! and D143
Ferrari 599XX GO!!!
Cars "Hook" (Mater)-GO!!!
Cars "Sally"-GO!!!
Porsche RS Spyder-GO!!!
Ferrari "Alonso"-GO!!! and D143
Mercedes DTM "Lauda"-GO!!!
Renault F1-GO!!! and D143
McLaren Mercedes F1-GO!!! and D143

Consumer Survey

Emporio Armani Spring/Summer 1988

Seriously, how can someone not love Armani advertisments. And men in bodysuits.
/HORST

Hair like the Sun

(source)

Tan Advice

Beloved readers, where shall I go on beach vacation? Any recommendations, hidden places, abandoned spaces? Preferably a region where white sand and beautiful landscapes clash with the energy of a vibrant city nearby. Marc Jacobs is also very welcome to accompany me.
/HORST

Simply White

Isn't this the most simply yet elegant outfit ever?

(by Vanessa Jackman)

"Love the Beast"

There are certain movies that grab the attention of car fans and slot car fans "LeMans" is one of those enduring movies that comes up during any conversation about movies that slotters love and watch regularly. "Love the Beast" a documentary by actor Eric Bana is a movie that I think will be included in future conversations. To say Bana is a car guy is an understatement. He's owned the Ford Falcon XB since he was a teenager, and since then he's loved that car and raced it with his buddies. Over the years Bana has built, raced, rebuilt, etc that car many times. He's had the good sense to keep the car and not gotten rid of it as he's gone on with his life... sadly I'm sure there are many of us who used to own a truly cool car should have kept their first (car) love.

In the movie we learn a bit of history of the Falcon. The car isn't one that many American's would know, but would find quite familiar. It was the car driven by Mad Max and is a similar car to the Mustang of the early 1970's. Sort of a cross between a Mustang and a Torino... all muscle.

Automotive fan royalty like Jany Leno and Jeremy Clarkson appear in the movie along with Dr. Phil... yes, that Dr. Phil, to talk Bana off the ledge so-to-speak late in the movie. I won't reveal too much but the discussions about what the car means to Bana and his friends and to his life in general are as revealing as they are applicable to any car lovers life.

Cars are living things... car lovers get that. This movie explains that fact better than any other movie ever. Yes... ever.

If you've never loved a car, or just see cars as a means of transportation you WON'T get this... but if you're reading this review here, you understand what I'm saying.

In college I read a book called "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", that book's message was of the interconnectedness of everything in a person's life. A car isn't just a car, it's the "stuff" that binds relationships between friends who share a love of a car (or love of a hobby like slot cars too maybe). I don't want to get all Deepak Chopra on folks here but this movie has a lot to offer not only on a superficial way of an interesting story about building a race car, but there's a moving story as well about friendship and the relationship between a father and son. Yeah... it's worth your time on so many levels.

Movie trailer:
Love the Beast

This movie is not only available for sale from Amazon and from Netflix streaming via the internet.

Dave Kennedy
Publisher, Slot Car News

The Horst Interview: Asger Juel Larsen

Asger Juel Larsen Graduate collection

Exploring expressions of masculine strength, Asger Juel Larsen confronts his hero with the raw and severe reality of a future past. The dichotomy of ancient heritage and sci-fi scenarios is reflected through futuristic materials and an eclectic use of references. Armor evolves as the centre of Larsen’s menswear, marked by elaborate details and craftsmanship as well as a dark and grotesque vision.



Fall/Winter 2010

Being perceived as a highly promising London designer, do you feel home in London?

In the beginning it took me a while to figure out what London was all about. I had to realise that everything I had imagined turned out to be completely different. The youth culture was much more on the edge than I had ever expected. And now, after three years, I feel more home in London than ever before. I love living in London. The possibility of doing whatever you want whenever you want is without comparison.

How has your design aesthetics evolved? What was the initial moment that made you fall in love with fashion?

A precise moment is hard to identify. The urge of breaking out of the normal pattern and exploring my surroundings has been within me since always. I liked daydreaming, I liked exploring, I liked dressing up. During my childhood, I used to hide in a small forest to escape from reality and create my very own dream world reigned by giants and dwarfs. Later, hanging out with the older boys at school fascinated me deeply. The way they looked, talked and acted moved me from within.

Your fascination for the raw and martial, your re-interpretation of medieval warfare marked the break-through for you as a designer. Where does your obsession derive from?

When I was little, I used to spend hours building massive fortresses out of Lego, Action Force or Dino Riders. I liked to set up massive parades of toy soldiers. Then, in one big battle that took less than two minutes, everything was torn apart. And I built the whole thing up again.


Asger Juel Larsen chain mail

In which extend do you feel attracted to the dark and brutal?

I feel attracted to it in both the real and fictional way. I never saw myself pursuing a career in the military, as I am way too rebellious, but I am deeply fascinated by the science that goes into the weapon industry. It is terrifying but still electrifying to see how that industry steps forward like no other. I actually relax when I watch the History Channel, in particular the new series about the Second World War in rare colour footage.

What do you think attracts people about your dark sci-fi theme?

A little daydream of becoming saviours in their own daily routine.

How do you perceive the contemporary mindset? What do you think is the essence of our time?

Responsibility in a fragile world.

Your sources of inspiration are manifold: Russian Tsar Nicholas II, architect Richard Rogers, the movie Terminator. Where do you see an aesthetic connection, a ‘black’ thread?

When I start a new project, I explore a wide variety of resources, something that kick-starts my creativity like nothing else. There is a link among them all. From the traditional and well-mannered principles of the past to the rapid future marked by technology and machines. The film ‘Titus’ by Julie Taymor portrays it very well. It is set in the Antique. Suddenly soldiers on motorcycles appear. I adore the incorrectness of that.



Richard Rogers Lloyd's Building vs. Metal Tube Waistcoat

If you were a character in a dystopic Asger Juel Larsen future, who would you be?

I would be the person in command of the Salvation Army that consists of humans and cougars who have been cloned to undertake the threat from intelligent manmade machines that aim to destroy anything living. We’re all wearing torn apart bodysuits in unforgiving dusty black leather with plated laser armour that can resist bullets of the strongest calibre. We shoot with plant fluid since that is the only ammunition that can break the components of the motherboard and destroy the machines.

You’ve been collaborating with Mauricio Stein for a limited sunglasses collection. The glasses can be interpreted as shields to protect the hero’s eyesight but also as an aesthetic filter to endorse him with an intensified view. Could one describe your glasses as an essential accessory to transport the wearer into a hyper-reality and advanced form of perception?

We wanted to make glasses that could unite the different looks in my collection. Therefore, we came up with the idea of making a double lens like a shield covering and protecting the face. Almost like a warrior helmet. At the same time it would be possible to flip the lens depending on the look or the mood of the outfit. We call them Austrian planet climber glasses. They can be used for transportation to another galaxy. It’s all about how far the wearer is willing to go.


AJL x Mauricio Stein flip glasses

How will your next collection look like? What influences are conquering your mind right now?

I’m currently trying to figure out what kind of fabrics and materials I want to use for my SS11 and AW11 collections. I need to be a bit ahead since I’m making two collections during the next half-year. Red Indians and African tribe men are on my mind these days.

Could you imagine evolving a softer, melancholic and sensitive side? What is hiding underneath the rubber cord armour and metal shields?

I’m not really into the whole bohemian thing. I like structure.

When did you cry the last time and why?

When my good friend Daniel died of cancer a month ago.

You are a master of craftsmanship, experimenting with unconventional materials such as PVC and rubber cords to create protective garments and stand-out-masterpieces like the infamous chain mail. How do you choose your materials?

I research thoroughly and test the materials. What works and what doesn’t. I like to use original materials. When I did my BA collection and had been researching the era of medieval knights I wanted to use genuine chain mail rings and not lightweight aluminium or plastic rings. It made the final outcome much more attractive.

You don’t flinch from getting injured or overly exhausted. Is the extensive physical effort an important part of your creative process?

I would prefer something in between but I must say, I do like making something from scratch and work with alternative materials that can be quite tough sometimes.



Collection development

Any dramatic mishappenings?

I had a few problems with my metal tube waistcoat for the AW10 collection. I got the metal pipes as a Christmas present from my brother. I know it sounds like a wild present but it keeps the material costs down. After we had cut them, I needed to bring them to London and barely got them through customs. I was really scared they would confiscate them, since 300 small metal tubes easily could have been characterised as small bombs. In the end everything turned out fine and I could happily finish the waistcoat.

Are there particular elements you are obsessed with?

Metal.

Do you think fashion correlates to sexuality, creating tension and desire?

Very much. No matter what direction your pursuing in fashion, it’s important to have tones of desire and sex. It looks good and it sells.

What does intrigue you about the male anatomy? One may describe your creations as manifestos of masculinity.

I like the torso. The main part of the male body exemplifies what kind of man you are.



Fall/Winter 2010 Lookbook

What does manhood mean to you?

Someone who can take care of himself and his loved ones.

How do you feel towards contemporary concepts of androgyny?

I love it. I see androgynous woman and men as the future. The London youth culture is blossoming with men finding their own feminine side while still balancing it with their masculine side.

Have gender definitions been erased completely? Or is it time to revive the archaic rules of sexual identity?

The past is the past and I like the transformation. You have the chance to be whoever you want to be whenever you want to. That is amazing and the only correct way. I hate discrimination.

Please picture the world in 2060.

Luc Besson’s ‘The Fifth Element’ says it all.

And finally, as who would you like to be remembered?

As a person with character.

Thank you very much, Asger.
/HORST

Published in Zoo Magazine NO.27, 2010.