JAMES DEAN

Let's forget about all the cliches. Why is James Dean an icon having only made three films? I don't think it's because of all that "too fast to live, too young to die" babble. It's simply because he was young, fresh and spontaneous. There was a certain innocence and there is still an enduring ambiguity about him, which continues to fascinate and intrigue us. When looking at him, one sees a confused, awkward and insecure boy starting to experiment with life. He was not a superman, just a normal boy. He will always represent the essence of youth.

GUY BOURDIN

What do Guy Bourdin's girls think? Do they actually think? What is fascinating about Bourdin's pictures (apart from the bright precious stone-like colours, so audacios and sensual) is the fact that the models have the look of nearly alive mannequins. A subtle paradox specially in the fashion world where Bourdin did most of his work (in collaboration whith french shoe brand Charles Jourdan). These images are of course erotic; not just bold provocation, but a very personal view on sexyness. Pain and pleasure don't seem to matter much in a world where reality and the artificial live together, and in which Bourdin explores the problems and insecurities of women in their relationships: power, desire, love and fetish obnubilate their minds. Is it Bourdin's way of criticizing the fashion world?

BLOW UP

Lately I feel so Sixties. It's difficult not to be nostalgic (of a time when I wasn't even born) when watching films like "Blow Up", Michelangelo Antonioni's masterpiece and one of the most amazingly hallucinogenic insights in the 60s music, fashion and attitudes. Starring David Hemmings as a David Bailey alter ego of sorts, the film has in it some of the greatest talents of the decade: Jane Birkin, Vanessa Redgrave, Veruschka, Peggy Moffit... And of course the Yardbirds. We can really feel the change from mod to psychedelic as the film goes by and there is a sense of freedom and that everyhting is possible in it that I think has completely disappeared nowadays. If you have never seen it, do; if you already have, watch it again. It's one of those films you never get tired of. As for me, in these very 80's inspired times, I will still stand for the 60's utopism, creativity and edgyness!