Magnifying Culture

Old is definitely young as campaigns are blurring the boundaries of age while empowering the wise. American Apparel recently launched their Advanced Basics line. 

“American Apparel tells us that no matter who we are—or how old—you’ll still get the chance to spread your legs in the name of commerce. And isn’t that what the postmodern American Dream is all about?” - Adweek 

It also just seems like an eccentric version of Dove’s campaign for Real Beauty.

…Or maybe Dov Charney just took a lesson from Ari Cohen’s blog where AA advertises: AdvancedStyle

and Steven Meisel for Lanvin FW12 took a que 

Very excited when I saw a huge brand like Sprite take on Camouflage Identity, a trend I first noticed in 2011 at the Armory Show. 

Sprite rolls out its new global campaign this month that uses visual camouflage to tell drinkers to express their “true selves.” Created by BBH NY and BBH Shanghai, the unique commercial features a technique by camouflage artist Liu Bolin. 

via PSFK

Interview Magazine this month reports: Double Vision, Mens Wardrobe

“This season’s men’s wardrobe is double-exposed as duplicate layers of collars, cuffs, shoes, and the rest take on new dimensions and are shown in mirror image while fashion’s most iconic women gaze on adoringly.”

Last December I started following a trend that I named, Masculine Double Vision. Since then I’ve held it in the back of mind, collecting images from publications, film releases and brand examples like Old Spice and Acura’s ILX recent commercial aimed at Generation Y.

This month, while flipping through Interview Magazine, I came across a menswear fashion spread that highlights duplicate layered collars, cuffs and shoes. The trend has finally manifested into luxury fashion. It seems like masculinity is undergoing an identity crisis, where different sides of male identity often are seen competing against each other for the spotlight. Now, this tension has been manifested into design.