IM // UR | romeuuu: Bright Young Thing

We swear this isn't an ironic listening. We love Beyoncé and 4. OK, we might unironically skip straight to track 5, 'Party', produced by Kanye West and with rap by Andre3000, because we ain't no stay-home-mums that need all those ballads about being broken hearted and finding the right person. But, after that, the album turns into a beautiful compilation of classic r'n'b, soul and a bit of sweat-inducing booty tracks - not too many though - that sound surprisingly courageous considering the actual state of pop music. And for that, we bow down and hail Queen B. P.S. Get the deluxe version, for those extra couple of amazing tracks.

WE // R \\ WEARING

The name of this label has been interpreted in many ways; from 'bass-seekey' to 'base-ike', but the correct way describes exactly what this label is about: BASIC. Bassike delivers easily breezily cut staples with an interesting little twist that keeps them from being your run of the mill. For those that live in climates like that of Australia (where Bassike hails from) or Brazil, you'll know how easy it is to make fashion faux pas when the weather gets hot and the prospect of wearing anything but a bathing suit becomes slightly unappealing; Bassike is all and everything you need.

WE // R \\ WATCHING

Before watching HBO's Game of Thrones, I assumed the series would tend a bit more towards the blood-dripping Danish movie Valhalla Rising rather than fairy-tale stories a lá 'Lord of the Rings'; and for that I didn't really like the series at the beginning. But slowly, I found myself submitting to tales of bad kings, midget juggernauts, savage warriors and... dragons. And that happened probably because there aren't exactly good guys and bad guys here, like there are in Tolkien stories - and that is, of course, a simplification of his work. Another reason I relented to this series is because of the intriguing political backstage element that leads to the ever-happening dance of thrones. Oh, and did I mention the gratuitous nekkid-ness?

WE // R \\ GOING

Of the slew of new spots having opened up in Sydney in the last six months, The Norfolk on Cleveland St in Surry Hills has been one fated with success. Owned by some of the same kids that have brought The Flinders back to life (and currently, it's incredibly quick onset of 'The Norms'), you'll undoubtedly find The Norfolk rammed with all kinds, vying for a bite, a beer and a spot in the garden out back. The aim of the game is to cultivate Aussie pub culture at it's best; and it's doing a pretty decent job so far - if only you could get a table!

WE // R \\ READING

Super Sad True Love Story is the third book from the writer of the best selling Absurdistan, Gary Shteyngart. Incidentally, I read him name dropped in Flavorpill's Ultimate Hipster Reading list and in the same sentence as James Franco (they're buds, apaprently) just before I finished his latest offering. Don't let any of that put you off, or take away any of the sad scary brilliance of Super Sad True Love Story; written from the perspective of one 39 year old Lenny Abramov, son of Russian immigrants and in love with the impossibly cute and cruel Eunice Park. A satire that cuts to the bone, Super Sad True Love Story is exactly it's title. And it's good.

romeuuu: Bright Young Thing

Thursday // May 14, 2009 at 20:19 // filed under Fashion // Art

romeuuu is a 20 year old boy from Santa Catarina, Brazil, and I daresay he's one of the bright young stars of tomorrow. Not that he hasn't been found yet, as he's usually taking his arty collages to websites like São Paulo Fashion Week and magazines like Catarina, and of course they're in his spectacular monthly online magazine, U_MAG. It's just that this creative can (and will) make him go much further.

What he does basically, are high fashion collages, in mostly black and white. But as we learnt from the years that we've been following his work, it's always evolving. From his most experimental ideas, filled with a '90s anarchy essence, to his more commercial work - and even these are more daring than the tired and tiring fashion market in Brazil, his own style is always evident. Coming out of the countryside just makes himan even more interesting case than he is already.

U_MAG is one of the places he made to express his ideas and try new things. The online magazine was created by him in 2004, will be published from this month here at I M // U R. To welcome him, we asked him to design a new background and logo for us. The result is this solid urbanity that frames this very post that you are reading on the website. We also did a mini-interview with him that's illustrated by some of his work. Check below and show the boy some love.

Revista Catarina (cover)

How did you start?

I started to make the (handmade collage) collages a long time ago, but only after a while did I start to take it seriously. Then I started using the computer, instead and I tried a more personal style. Then, in 2004, I created the U_MAG so I could use all these collages.

The first issues featured much more collage than nowadays and were much more experimental. And now, as the magazine is changing - I'm focusing on more fashion editorials and etc - I'm staring a new project called From Brazil, With Love with daily work. It is still in beta, though.

Editoral with Rogerio Cavalcanti photo @ Casa de Criadores

What are your biggest influences?

I like a lot Peter Saville, Fabien Baron, '80s fanzines, I love '60s cinema, cubism, the first editions of The Face by Neville Brody, '90s video clips, albums cover (...) Anything can influence me. It's a huge list!