How could this happen?

Lee Alexander McQueen, March 17, 1969 – February 11, 2010

If you pay attention to this blog, you'll notice that I have a bias towards Alexander McQueen because he is my favorite designer. Now, he is all but a legend because was found dead today. I am particularly frustrated and heartbroken because he was and still is my favorite designer. He was the reason why I was interested in fashion design. This summer, I was even planning to fly to London to intern at his company, but now that all seems pointless. The worst part is that he was only 40 and could have prevented his death. Apparently, he committed suicide, which is the worst form of dying because it could've been prevented. I will never understand his torment, but I am angry that he gave up on life that easily. He still had so much to offer the world that I feel like he cheated us. I know it's unfair for me to be so selfish about all of this, but the world just lost a fucking genius. Despite everything I had just said, R.I.P., Lee.

Courtesy of Hendrik Kerstens

I just saw the greatest movie I've seen in a long time.

Tom Ford is known for his wonderfully tailored suits and impeccable taste, but who knew he had a thing for film? If a fashion designer can tap into the entertainment industry, I guess the possibilities of my aspirations are endless. Not only is the plot incredible (unlike Avatar), the cinematography is beautiful as well. The characters all have so much depth to them that it makes you want to think twice to figure them out. The movie also has a wonderful message about living in the moment because you never know when you're going to lose it. Anyway, this movie really deserves some credit, so hopefully the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences catches this.

A Single Man starring Colin Firth, is based on a novel by Christopher Isherwood written in 1964. The movie takes place in Southern California during the early 1960s. George is a gay, middle-aged, English, university professor struggling to find meaning after the death of his longtime lover.

Ever since his lover's death, George wakes up every morning feeling empty. It's the same routine feeling that has been plaguing him, and all he wants to do is get through the day. He fails to see a future because his past won't allow him to.

His only "happiness" comes from reminiscing about his lover, Jim. However, that is what's keeping him from looking forward to things because all he does is dwell on the past. At the same time, it's hard because he's older and less attractive in a society that was still socially very conservative. That's why I really believe that Isherwood was way ahead of his time when he wrote this story.

George's classroom lecture about fear was amazing, but no one quite understood what he was saying. In fact, I don't know if he really believed what he was saying because he was so afraid of moving on. But one of his students, Kenny, really took notice of him. They apparently had kindred spirits, and that's what led them to spend time together.

Charley (Charlotte), played by Julianne Moore, is essentially George's "hag." She is an unemployed, lavish, drugged/boozed out broad who, like her friend, is also trying to get by. She falls in love with George because he seems way more dependable than all the other men in her life.

What you eventually find out is that they both had people abandon them but cannot get over that fact. There were a lot of "What if" questions asked, but they couldn't come up with answers because, well, life usually takes its course. Thus, enjoy life while you can.

Courtesy of The Weinstein Company, Internet Movie Database, Yahoo Movies

Aubrey Beardsley

Courtesy of The Victorian Web

Hotel Missoni

Courtesy of The Architects' Journal, elementalPaul, Signature 9, Hotel Chatter

I had a blast at The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

H by Harris

It's great when you can find treasure at discount stores.

Sur La Table Cabbage Bowl
$34.95 $5.95

"Made in Portugal, our Cabbage Patch earthenware collection is painted by hand, in two fresh new colors to mix and match. Safe for use in the dishwasher and microwave."