The 2014 Holiday BRVTAL-List: Pour Femme

A holiday list for all the Brvtal ladies!

Don’t Shoot the Messenger
Huge fan of DSTM from Berlin! We visited their store in Mitte this past summer and I wanted to take everything home! The Soma Poncho is perfect for LA winters - wrap it or let it hang for different looks $295.68 US.

Tulip Dress from Australian label Shakuhachi. $266 at Need Supply.

Toilet Paper 2015 Calendar
The Toiletpaper wall calendar 2015 features photographs conceived by Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari taken from their magazine Toiletpaper, an image-only publication devoted to the combination of the height of attractiveness with that of ugliness. (LNCC) $20 at Barnes & Noble.

Myrrh Choker Necklace - $130 at Otherwild

Vagabond Shoes
I love Vagabond shoes from Sweden. These have the perfect punk rock pointed toe along with cut out sides and a buckle.
Vagabond Marja Boot $140 USD

Carlo Mollino - Polaroids
Polaroids is a collection of artfully shot erotic photos by designer Carlo Mollino taken in the last 14 years of his life. Mollino’s career spanned four decades during which he designed furniture, buildings, women’s fashion, racing cars, and theater sets - most of which were inspired by movement and sensuality. Available on Amazon $40

Silver Lining Opticians
Unisex is best when in comes to sunglasses at Brvtalist headquarters. Digging this pair from Silver Lining Opticians.

Men’s Phosphorus Sunglasses at Totokaelo $375

A Lab on Fire - What We Do in Paris is Secret
My go to fragrance again and again. Described as “rich, sweet notes of vanilla, honey, tonka bean and tolu, the warm sensuality of sandalwood, musks, ambergris, and the playful Turkish rose, lychee and bergamot” - this scent is addictive. Available at Lucky Scent $110

Chromat
We’ve been following Chromat for a long time and have really enjoyed seeing the evolution of this brand! Super talented architecture student turned fashion designer Becca McCharen continues to expand the brand by introducing new elements like LED lights (as seen above with the Bionic LED Cage Cape) and introducing a Curve line for sexy women of all sizes.

(L-R TOP) Bionic LED Cage Cape $1668, Axis Belt $216
 Underwire Bralette Curve $282, Coil Skirt $499

Collina Strada Novella Backpack at OAK $600 
A place to stash all your new goods!

Happy Holidaze! -TB

The Brvtal List - Holiday 2014

It’s finally here. Tis the season of giving, but also RECEIVING. With so many options on the market, it’s become incredibly difficult to sift through the mess and find what’s truly Brvtal. Without further ado, behold The Brvtal List: 

Fashion

A big fan of the new Actual Pain x Straight to Hell Moto Jacket. Buffalo leather, marble lining and nickel hardware is all looking good and for a great price as well. At Full Breach. 

Alexander Plokhov Cape - Stay warm, comfortable and look like a super villain. This whole list could just be Plohkov, but I had to edit a little bit. At Alexander Plokhov. 

The April 77 Brit Open Black denim jacket is a great fitting option with a black button snap front and a unique zip detail around the waist. At April 77. 

Get future with Acne Studios’ metallic Malik pullover. At Acne Studios.

 

Zippers are always a nice touch and they are in this season. Zip detail sweater from COS. 

You can never have too much black denim and Cheap Monday’s “Stockholm” collection for Urban Outfitters UK is a nice addition. 

Stay fit and look menacing in Honja High Tops by Y-3. 

Holiday party, charity gala, cocktails, grocery store. Never know when you’ll need a blazer. By Julius. 

Nice (satin) pants go a long way too. By Acne Studios. 

Versatile side zip boot by COS. 

Leather fingerless gloves by Marc Jacobs. 

Everyone likes hoodies. Why not make yours leather? By Helmut Lang. 

"Give the gift of sexy." Bold trunk by Calvin Klein. 

Accessories & More

Jealous God Slipmats. At ReadyMade. 

New sci-fi with instant classic status. At Amazon. 

Who doesn’t want a machete that looks fit for a Gladiator? Cold Steel Knives. 

Status II by Grey Ant. Never fails. 

For lovers of dark fashion. At Amazon. 

Love the new jewelry collection by Deadwood. All made in Italy. 

You’re nothing if you don’t smell good. Back on the market by Helmut Lang. 

Look good, smell good, be prepared. A new “pocket shotgun” by Heizer. 

Carry your goods in a quality pack. By Cote & Ciel. 

You’re nothing if you can’t make a quality cocktail. Bitter Tears. 

Some say this is the best personal use drone on the market. HD video, GPS, extended flight time. At Amazon. 

Gotta get something for her too. Zana Bayne harness is the right choice. 

These are all ideas, guidelines, examples and inspiration. Have a Brvtal Holiday Season. 

-JRS

CLOG BOOKS

In a world dominated by social media and instant access to information and images, so much of what we consume is either forgotten or not fully appreciated. Art, film, music and architecture is transmitted so fast that often times it’s gone before we can even digest it. Clog Books aims to slow things down. They take topics of artistic interest and craft beautifully in depth studies on the topic, all in a surprisingly small package. Architecture is the common denominator so expect to find books on a wide range of subjects from Rem Koolhaus, to Brutalism to Prisons and even Sci Fi. I just finished Brutalism and it was excellent. From in depth looks at particular structures to cultural references and even some guest articles it was a perfect study on the subject. 

Clog is committed to putting things down on paper, away from distractions of the screen. This obviously isn’t a groundbreaking new idea, but in today’s mostly digital landscape, it’s very refreshing.  I can’t wait to dive deep into other topics. 

For more information click here. 

-JRS

Happy Mix Monday. Loving this mix by Kerri LeBon.

Second Layer “Distortion” (Cherry Red)
Die Form “Instruments” (Bain Total)
Bourbonese Qualk “Head Stop” (Recloose Organisation)
Vereker “Flesh and Blood” (Berceuse Heroique)
Martin Rev “Temptation” (Infidelity)
Silent Servant “Speed and Violence” (Cititrax)
Vazz “Cast Reflections” (Forced Nostalgia)
Violetshaped “The Lord Won’t Forget” (Violet Poison)
Celldöd “Terrorbalans”(Brutal Disciplin)
Damaskin “Contra Theatra” (Unknown Precept)
Palais Des Bauzards “It’s Disgusting (Remix)” (Walhalla)
Veiled “Suicide Herself” (Blind Prophet)

http://insidediscipline.tumblr.com/

Kuboraum Eyewear

Accessories are the one thing that can change your whole look and eyewear is perhaps the most distinguishing because it’s often the first thing people see. If you are looking for something unique, avant garde and almost evil at times, then Kuboraum is the brand to know. “Dreamed” in Berlin and made in Italy, these frames are striking and for the forward thinker. In materials like thick horn, acetate and even precious metals, it’s all in the details. I love the new Julius collaboration that has an inset chain around the frame. Further, the Berlin flagship store is like no other eyewear boutique you’ve ever seen. These are some of the most Brvtal designs out there and they range from raw and industrial to refined and sophisticated. Definitely one to add to your repertoire. 

More info here. Purchase here and here. 

-JRS

Dino Ignani - Dark Portraits Rome 1982-1985

The early 1980’s was a very particular time in the world. The personal computer boom, Reganism and pop music were all shaping the cultural landscape in ways we can still feel today. However, one movement, which was more underground, particularly thrived. Italian fine art photographer, Dino Ignani, refers to this subculture as the “Dark Movement”.  You may know it more as post-punk, new wave, goth and probably a whole host of other labels. No matter how you categorize it, you know when you see it and the movement holds a very special place in all of our hearts. 

"Dark Portraits" is a book of photographs taken in Rome between 1982 and 1985 mainly in clubs and video-bars during musical and theatrical events that the guests attending would refer to as "dark". This is made abundantly clear throughout the book. There are no descriptions or labels but each photograph carries its own story and the candidness of the works are incredible. This is an amazing time capsule of an era long gone, but the culture has proven resilient throughout the years. Whether for nostalgia, inspiration or fashion guidelines, this book holds many purposes. Fans of any "dark" movement will be proud to have it in their collection. 

For more information click here and here. 

-JRS

Brvtalist Theater - “Begotten” (1990) 

Happy Halloween Week everyone! On this edition of Brvtalist Theater we are screening perhaps one of the most brvtal films ever made - E Elias Merhige’s experimental horror film, “Begotten”. With no dialogue and essentially no soundtrack (except the crickets and sound effects), Begotten shocked underground audiences upon its release and continues to do so to this day. The story is a gloriously brvtal re-telling of Genesis creationism and the film is filled with harsh images of suffering and pain. Merhige would go on to be know to mainstream audiences for his work on “Shadow of the Vampire” and “Suspect Zero” but “Begotten remains a tour de force of film making. Experimental, conceptual and horrific, “Begotten” is perhaps the perfect pick to set the tone for All Hallow’s Eve. 

-JRS