TEXTBOOK

As you well know by now, I’m in Sao Paulo with Puma along with Simko, Josh, Travis, James and Justin. There are 2 reasons we’re here. The first is to document the Ocean Race in which Puma participates, which is happening later this week. The second, and more important, is to document the local culture and get a feel for the people the youth that live here. It’s all part of Puma’s State of Play campaign—the first stop is here in Brazil, but it will be continuing on in other countries across the world. To match the campaign, there are a few products fit for the after-hours athlete:

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Gothic architecture is aggressive, dark, tall and at times ominous. That wasn’t by accident, especially in the case of religious architecture. Cathedrals, churches and other religious buildings stood not only as places of worship and business, but as a monument to the religion they served. The spires on the tallest towers reach higher to the kingdom of heaven (if you’re into that sort of thing) and dwarf any worshiper who sets foot inside.

Despite the aggressive appearance and nature of these buildings, they were also designed to let in the light. Amidst the dark recesses of apses, vaulted ceilings and cloisters the stained glass windows let in light, illuminating the space. Huge bursts of color break through the otherwise dark and grim spaces to illuminate the building and in theory, the people inside.

Today we visited the Sao Paulo Cathedral, in the heart of Old Sao Paulo. The timing was perfect and as we exited, the sun began to lower, shooting beams through the stained glass windows—brightening the mosaics, reflecting on the floors and offering a bit of optimism to the many that come to pray. I tried my best to capture a few of the dark spots and present the cathedral in a more illuminated way.

I’m really letting my architecture freak flag fly here in Sao Paulo and I’m totally cool with that.

1. We’ve landed, I’m really ready to depart from these Swedish businessmen I’m sitting next to.

2. That was a fast check-in at customs, I like this country.

3. It feels like Jurassic Park here, weather wise, patiently waiting for Velociraptor noise so I can re-enact final scenes of movie.

4. They had really good food in Jurassic Park’s visitor center.

5. Sao Paulo is enormous, it goes on forever on all sides and there are buildings on buildings on buildings.

6. Cabs don’t except cash, hmmm, ATM time. 

7. My room is a smoking room, change that up.

8. The water pressure in Sao Paolo is painful. It hurts so good.

9. Enough of this, let’s get out there mang.

10. I stick out in this city like a sore thumb, it’s not a problem, but it’s different.

11. We meet our Sao Paolo guides, Tattoo from VICE and the team from Papo de Homem. They’re chill.

12. I’ve been hungry for hours, the locals are taking us to a local spot. 

13. The restaurant, Mercearia São Pedro is small and looks like it has the potential to be “one of those places” but we trust our guides decision. It also sells books and DVD’s…

14. Veronica, style editor at Papo de Homem orders us a round of Caipirinhas, which taste like sugar. 

15. We order the mains and fill up on some of the best rice and beans I’ve ever had. 

16. Crap, the mains aren’t here and I’m already full.

17. Oh shit, mains are here.

18. Fried bacon, Double fried chicken, rump steaks, eggs, pretty much all proteins under the sun are in front of me.

19. Die of happiness.

20. Am resurrected by fried bacon.

21. Tattoo takes us for a quick walk around the city, there is street art everywhere.

22. Simko wants to go shopping and we find this store called Farm, covered in greens and full of cool kids.

23. Time to peace to Ibirapuerra park to bum around for a while.

24. We mingle a little bit with locals, who label us as tourists within a second, but that’s what we are.

25. They’re balancing on wires between trees with ease, infinitely cooler than the typical Central Park thoroughfare.

26. After some chilling, a walk and a sunset, we head home and rest before more glorious glorious food.

27. Brazilian food leaves little to be wanted—the meat is amazing, the sides are plentiful and if you want it fried it can be. Caipirinhas and beers for all with dinner while a Brazilian band covers Adele. Weird, but welcoming.

28. Nord and Simko are playing with construction equipment.

29. Sao Paulo is full of hills, like San Francisco and as we walk to grab a drink after dinner, time is catching up with us.

30. Back home for the night after a few drinks (I ordered what is apparently a non-alcoholic beer after dinner because I’m real cool).

So we’ve been in São Paulo for one day and are about to peace out for day 2. I’ll share plenty of pictures etc. from the trip soon, but as promised here’s some of the Brazilian history I wanted to share. Brazil is similar to the U.S. in that it’s own culture is made up of many others—you know, the whole melting pot idea. That extends beyond the people and into all aspects of the country, in this case, mythology. Since much of this trip will be focused on sailing, the beach and the ocean, I took a look at Iemanjá, a sea goddess who originated in Africa but found her way to Brazil. Traditionally, she watches over fishermen and survivors of shipwrecks and is also the spirit of the moon. In the state of São Paulo, she is celebrated in early December and parades with gifts travel to the sea to a statue of her near the shore to give gifts in her honor. Pretty sweet. 

1. Saving mad shipwrecks

Dress by Carlos Miele, shoes by Mary Katrantzou

2. Makin’ the moon shine

Dress and shoes by Alexander McQueen

3. Bringin’ in them fish

Dress by Mary Katrantzou, shoes by Altuzarra

This Sunday, I’m peacing out for Brazil with Puma, popular German sports brand named after the legendary cat. I’ll be shipping out with Simko, Josh, Travis, James and Chung.

To keep with my usual style of posting, I’ll be taking a look at Brazilian literature, folklore and mythology which has proved to be pretty interesting. On top of that, I’ll be taking mad photos and covering their team in a big race of the boats because I just spent all my money on a camera. That said, I’ll be sharing as much of the culture as I can soak up while I’m down there.

The Puma team has their own tumblr you can follow over at: http://pumasailing.tumblr.com/

Related: I tried making a cinemagraph but that shit takes forever, I’ll leave the to Jamie and Burg.

Unrelated: Coachella sucks.

Currently on a train back home to New York. In a quick ode to that there video I made, here’s a gif of Prada Fall 2012. Prints on prints on prints makes Homer go something something.

Note: these look much better if you view them here.

Check it check it, Prabal Gurung just dropped his Spring 2012 video. The clip marries the Nobuyoshi Arkaki floral prints which served as inspiration with a writhing model—pretty sick.

Also, see Prabal’s Fall collection in this handy animation thing I did:

Today, I’m continuing my adoration ofGame of Throneswith another character from the North. Arya Stark is Ned Stark’s youngest daughter and stands in stark contrast to his eldest, Sansa. Sansa is preoccupied with her girlish pursuites whereas tomboy Arya is more interested in swordplay and fighting. Her father encourages this and is very proud of her enthusiasm for warfare, he being a soldier himself. At the end of season one/book one, Arya is heading North for The Wall with the late King’s bastard son and has slowly started to develop a blood lust. Arya, not one to be trifled with.

Click through for the whole thing:

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Rise and shine kiddos. For the past few weeks, I’ve been working on this video. Last night, after 6 straight episodes of Game of Thrones, I finally finished. I took a few of my favorite fall 2012 collections and animated up right nice. They’re not necessarily my top collections from all over but they’re all great. Press play, hope you like it.

1. Derek Lam

2. Prabal Gurung

3. Altuzarra

4. Band of Outsiders

5. Marc Jacobs

6. Mary Katrantzou

7. Carven

8. Lanvin

9. Kenzo

10. Alexander McQueen

11. Prada

12. Dries van Noten

Song Credit: Bossa Nova Baby, Elvis Presley

A couple weeks ago, I had just returned home from vacation. After passing out post travel at about 9:30 on Saturday night, I woke up at 7:30 on Sunday morning. With most of the city still asleep, there wasn’t much I could do to entertain myself, until I remembered Mr. Porter’s treasure hunt with the Gold Run iPhone app. So I showered up and headed out.

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While the rest of the world was fixed on the premiere of Mad Men last night and whistling “Zou Bisou Bisou” this morning, I find myself more excited for the return of Game of Thrones on HBO. So much so, that I figured there would be no better time to post on a few of the characters. Let’s begin with the HBIC of the North, Lady Stark. As we left season 1, she was a recent widow of Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell. After making war upon the Lannisters for their attempt on her son’s life, she now stirs with even more anger. A confrontation is most certainly at hand, but Lady Stark has a valuable bargaining chip against the Lannisters, their most prized son, Jaime. War looms in the Seven Kingdoms and Lady Stark will no doubt play an important and badass role.

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