Sheer, sheer goodness - as I love me anything black and sheer. And the latest R. Groove collection delivers all that and more. Designer Rique Gonçalves burst onto the Brazilian fashion scene in 2007, and has since been a rising star. Producing one of the most interesting collections in the Fashion Rio season, he's been collecting numerous awards for his work since he debuted, including what's considered the Oscars of fashion awards in Brazil: being named Breakthrough Fashion Designer (alongside Alexandre Herchcovitch who received Best Menswear Designer that year) in 2008.

This collection includes a number of elements that I have particular soft spots for: black sheer fabrics, boiler suits, and (more recent fave), wetsuits for land-lubbing...AND some Na'vi-esque coiffure action!

Knit shorts and a lightly quilted, zippered water bottle shaped cape. Odd at first glance, but actually clever when thinking of the Brazilian climate.

Love a good boiler suit...

And for all you fashion forward Aqua Men out there - the half wetsuit topped with a sheer hoodie.

GALLERY

The xx & These New Puritans on tour

For all those outside - as well as inside - of Europe crying blood tears about not being able to catch this most heartbreakingly amazing double header of both The xx and These New Puritans TOGETHER on their absolutely gruelling tour schedule around Europe, the best consolation we can offer you right now is that Domino are giving away 'Orion' as a tissue to dab your eyes with.

And from The xx, here's their cover (somewhat ironically) of Womack and Womack's 'Teardrops' that I dug up.

If it will make you feel any better, just think: everytime a fan has a *CRY* (all together now y'all), DAWSON CRIES TOO.

Full tour schedule after the jump

photograph via Disney Roller Girl

Let's take a trip back to the 80s, or perhaps just over to the Eastern Bloc in this freshly dug up footage of Marina and the Diamonds and Gonzales on Estonian television, performing this super pretty, incredibly wholesome (but not without a lick of tongue in cheek) orchestral rework of Marina's new single, 'Hollywood', as concocted by Gonzales who tinkles the ivories with white gloved hands.

The video is complete with fade ins and overlaps of Marina and her tastefully crimped coiffure - an oxymoron I know, but somehow whoever did her hair managed to make the crimp fairly low key. Perhaps it's just the quality of the vid? See for yourself, and cop the track below that:

Tanlines

photograph by James Ryang

We are loving True Panther Sounds right now! Responsible for putting out gems such as Girls, Lemonade, Hunx and His Punx and now, Tanlines, True Panther are cultivating a great little scene of music.

Coming through on the 9th of March is Tanline's super ace debut EP release, Settings. And True Panther are releasing the hooky track 'Real Life' PLUS the remix by Memory Tapes for you to get your grubby hands on - FREE.

Tanlines are deemed experimental pop, but they are entirely relatable; with cosy, melodious arrangements and warm, organic feeling polyrhythmic percussion. 'Real Life' has percussion driving the track, melodics belonging almost entirely to the vocals, and the instruments taking coolly syncopated lines.

At the same tempo as the original, the Memory Tapes remix is poignant; much softer with yet a sparkle in it's step, using the melody line to a more feeling effect. Tanlines and Memory Tapes combined is like the warm afternoon sun; leaving you pleasantly bronzed in the glow of the track.

Go order the EP HERE

Dev Hynes is such a chameleon. He was a noisy teenager in Test Icicles, then an excellent modern folk singer, then his voice did a nice turn on the electronic lines of Basement Jaxx's 'My Turn' - not to mention all his one-release-garage-rock projects - and now he's decided that it was time to cover the King of the Rock.

In order to celebrate the release of his second album under the name of Lightspeed Champion (Life is Sweet! Nice To Meet You., out on the 1^st of February) he's giving away a cover of Elvis's 1963 hit song 'Devil In Disguise'! His version is exactly like the original and that's impressive in itself (have you ever tried to fit into the king's shoes?).

And if that wasn't enough, Domino is also generously giving away a song from the new album. 'Madame Van Damme' keeps the 60s vibe of the Elvis cover and is also catchy as hell, but this time you can actually hear Dev's touch in the song.

According to Domino, this album is going to be very inspired by American country, 70's guitar and classic piano. Let's hope he's getting the much deserved praise this time!

Backstage @ Alessa

Being a musicky kind of person, the Alessa show made me smile; bright, upbeat and a little bit shambolic in a sort of happily rock and roll way, Alessa was full of fun pieces destined to draw comment from even the most fashion blind of people.

With prints that were verging on cheesy, in a 90s, Blossom-esque fashion, made up of flowers and musical instruments amongst other things that were haphazardly cut and pasted together. Colourful vinyls were made into neck pieces and earrings, and a plethora of stacked jewellery adorned wrists, ears and decolletages.

Voluminous top-knotted hair and fierce black brows to go along with the collection.

Sweet texture on the knit dresses

Whilst not exactly an original concept, this saxophone printed mini dress is fun.

The keyboard backed ramp down to the runway.

GALLERY

Polaroid by Richard Kelly for IM//UR at Topshop CTRL 2008

Dan Black is getting his American release at the beginning of February which can only led to one thing: re-re-re-releases! But in this case, for several reasons, it might be a good idea. First of all, he never got the exposure that he deserved and (I'm skipping to the final one) he is receiving lots of new remixes.

'Symphonies', that track that used to be called 'Hypnotise' and had Notorious B.I.G. lyrics, is the first re-release in a pack with three new remixes (and remember that the first time it had a Passion Pit remix).

From England comes a deep disco remix from the producer Duff Disco. Six minutes of mysteriously sexy sounds and one great bass line. One of the classiest disco drinks songs I've heard.

There's also one of those hip hop edits that's basically the same as the original but with a featuring rapper in an extended intro. Kanye West's protégée Kid CuDi is responsible for this (American) radio friendly version. CuDi has such a good voice for rap!

If you like minimal house, you'll like Hot City's remix, but I hate it so I won't be posting. Sorry!

The melancholic cyborg

It might be released only on the 26^th of January, but Beach House's Teen Dream is already considered one of the strongest albums of 2010, knowing that Sub Pop is treating the release like it should: a winner. So when you buy the album you get a DVD with a video for every one of the 10 songs. And if the video for its first single, 'Used to Be', is anything to go by, we might be facing the most beautiful packet that 2010 will give birth to.

The song 'Used to Be' is a folkish dreamy number that will squeeze the love out of your heart. Melancholic, nostalgic and stunning are just some of the words we could use to describe it. The animated video, directed by Sean Pecknold (brother of Fleet Foxes' Robin), shows a dark yet beautiful story about a lost cyborg (?), but I'm still not sure about that one.

Download the single for free below and order the album here.