The internet is awash with wannabe Lana del Rey Tumblr music videos these days, but flicking low-fi images will only get you so far; it’s the substance beneath that really matters. At least this holds true for MS MR, who have combined their obsession with all things visual and a shadowy dark pop sound into the best of both worlds. Begun by former Vassar classmates Lizzy Plapinger and Max Hershenow as a post-collegiate creative outlet in 2011, the New York duo have now shaken off their mysterious personas (they were secretive about their identity in the beginning) and stepped into the spotlight. On CONTRA’s new site, Hall of Style, writer Liza Darwin meets the aesthetically diverse duo. Read more…

Hello friends,

After two explosions at the Boston Marathon, our minds are still grappling with the horror, and our hearts are still hurting for the victims and their loved ones. A friend of ours was one of the victims of the blast. He has lost a leg and remains in the hospital under critical condition. He’s putting up a fight, not only for himself, but also for his little boy. Black Ocean who we share our work space with wants to help Marc and his family, and are looking to raise money to help his family through these dark times. If you would like to donate please click on the link below; any amount – no matter how small – would be gratefully received.

#HELPMARCFUCARILE

Unfortunately, this is just one of many similar stories that have surfaced. To see how you can help other survivors and their families during this tough time, see here.

Your support is greatly appreciated,

The CONTRA Network

We’re having a contest! Because everyone loves free shoes, CONTRA x Palladium Boots are selecting one lucky pair of feet to don a pair of Palladium Boots from their latest range. What started as a tire company in the 1920′s outfitting WW1 aircrafts, Palladium took their expertise in rubber from the skies to the ground and in 1947, the iconic Pampa boot was born in Pont De Cheruy, France. The functionality, comfort and durability were so outstanding that the French Foreign Legion adopted it for their use, putting the boot to the test in the harsh desert conditions of North Africa, and throughout the rugged terrain of the Atlas Mountains.

Today, the original design, classic lines and time-tested utility are as relevant as they have ever been. Combining over 60 years of authenticity with modern manufacturing, premium materials and cutting edge styling, Palladium boots are ready to help you explore your street, your city, or the world. Start your own adventure by clicking here for a chance to win. Good Luck!

CONTEST RULES:

* Sign up for our newsletter
* We will hold a random draw
* Winner will be notified by email
* Winner will select color (from monochrome collection), send us their size and mailing address
* Canadian and U.S. Residents ONLY
* Contest closes April 19, 2013
* Winner will be notified by email on April 22, 2013

PRIESTESS NYC’s Cody Ross conjured CIA drones, goth-Pop and hosted an exclusive bash with think CONTRA x Agency V at nightlife temple TOY in the Meat Packing district of NYC.

The big theme at PRIESTESS NYC’s presentation-cum-party on Saturday night at TOY was ‘drone explorations’–-designer Cody Ross’ fixation with covert action and giddy goth-Pop. His other preoccupations were girls in combat, underground art and unisex streetwear.  In addition, Cody was playing around with (dis-)proportion and skewed-geometry this season, and that was fodder enough for a killer collection. His experiments mostly centered on toying with the hem and volume of dresses, trousers and tops, and the women’s looks ran the gamut of asymmetrical shapes on pants, silk-jersey ‘reversibles’ with leather appliques and alien-knits to contour-fitting deconstructed wife-beaters that could be worn as dresses or shirts.

The range of unisex was somewhat less broad, with Cody emphasizing interesting androgyny and dangerous accessories (with extremely sharp spiked rings and clutches). His most interesting proposition was the lambskin top reminiscent of Blade Runner, which he showed over sublime white and black paneled leggings and pants. Those pants seemed like a fashion-forward item for extreme avant-gardians; nevertheless, Cody dished-out a preponderance of functional clothing with lovely layerable qualities and commendable construction.

On the whole, this collection had a nice unity, despite its various digressions. The tone was dark, consistent and seriously cool; Cody’s sartorial experiments were extremely thoughtful, and that alone sufficed. We also enjoyed the scantily-clad aerialist vixen swinging from the ceiling at TOY and the droves of super-models that came out including Joan Smalls, Madeline Kragh, Cara Delevingne and Magdalena Frackowiak.

s/o Designer Cody Ross, Kubat & Billot, PRIESTESS NYC, Make up by Jessi Butterfield, hair by ChristopherRitchey
with styling by Jessica Park and pictures by Roger Kisby.

Peep the video for Red Wine Revelations, based on the poem 119 written by Lauren Festa, as interpreted by director Glenn Michael, featuring model Vanessa Coco. #lovefuck

Credits:

Directed by Glenn Michael @glnmchl
Model – Vanessa Coco @sotowsey
Assistant Director – Vincent Tran @vinsutran
Production Assistant – Loretta MK @diamondndagger
Sound and Editing – Glenn Michael

Peep the latest from LG featuring Curren$sy. Battlefield is from LG’s “World Winds” project. Watch the come up…

Cody Ross, creator of  PRIESTESS NYC , has been carving out a place for himself in the global fashion scene over the past few years with work that falls somewhere between punk-inspired art, street-style clothes emphasizing unisex wearability and an overall oeuvre imbued with a dark romanticism. The past few seasons he’s been teaming up with bestie and ace videographer Brittany Kubat (who is one half of Kubat & Billot—NYC’s answer to SHOWstudio) to produce fashion, digital film and manic multi-media featuring the culty brand.

There are no words to describe this. Just watch and enjoy.