Jay-Z Gets Decoded with a little help from Gucci

Its not often I have a legitimate reason to write about rappers on twentyteneightyfour but I’m making an exception for Jay-Z. He holds a small place in my heart ever since I saw him live at a gig in my first year of university. I went from being a hater to standing on my seat screaming “Hova” and rapping along to his songs. The reason for the post is not because he’s got a new album coming out but actually because he’s releasing a book (stick with it, the link is coming soon). Decoded, reveals the hidden meanings behind thirty-six of his songs and his journey through hip hop. Jay-Z is bringing the pages of his book to life through a collaboration with search engine, Bing, to expose every page in a unique way before its official release on November 16. Jay-Z fans can decode the songs using clues from his Facebook, Twitter, website and Bing, all leading to locations that have inspired his lyrics in Miami, New York, London and Las Vegas.

On November 11, one of the three hundred pages was revealed in a leather bomber jacket in the window of Gucci’s Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York. The leather bomber is a limited edition, one of a kind designed by Frida Giannini. Fans are being encouraged to take pictures and text or upload it to the Decoded page to be in with a chance to win the page signed by Jay-Z. I wonder where the London clues are? Only 2 more days to go.

Thoughts on Gucci Couture

Haute couture is for the fashion big boys. Not anyone can just decide they want to get involved in this high fashion game. In fact, haute couture is a protected name that can be used only by firms meeting certain well-defined standards set by the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris. That hasn’t stopped Gucci though. Earlier this year, there were rumours doing the rounds that Gucci were planning their debut couture collection. This week, Gucci Premiere, was unveiled on the opening night of the Cannes film festival by Salma Hayek.

The line was launched in response to the strong demand for one-of-a-kind designs for the red carpet. Gucci does not have plans of showing the creations on the catwalk, Frida Giannini describes the collection as “more [of] an intimate approach between the house of Gucci and the stars and the celebrities.”

Gucci used the World Restoration Premiere of Il Gattopardo to showcase even more Gucci Premiere. Originally premiered in Cannes in 1963, the film “Il Gattopardo” starring Alain Delon and Claudia Cardinale received critical acclaim and won the festival’s top honor, the Palme d’Or. With Gucci’s support, the film has undergone an extensive 4K digital restoration at Sony’s Colorworks Digital Facility.

This time Kate Beckinsale joined Salma Hayek in Gucci Premiere.

Kate Beckinsale can do no wrong and she really shines in this dress. Not sure that I love it but it works on her for the red carpet.

This dress is stunning and is much better than the dress worn on the opening night. I’m not bowled over by Gucci Premiere but I am definitely looking forward to what more it as to offer. Frida Giannini understands the business of fashion and that often translates in the collections so I’m sure she is using Cannes to whet our appetites and the best is yet to come…