Tag Archives: John Varvatos

john varvatos pride

Exclusive: John Varvatos Releases First Pride Capsule

Honoring the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots — when Black transwomen and drag queens famously fought back against police brutality and brought gay rights to the forefront of the American consciousness — John Varvatos is releasing a limited-edition 3-piece t-shirt collection that benefits amfAR, a non-profit that supports AIDS research. Each of the shirts features a rainbow emblem representing peace, equality, and inclusivity — themes that are integral to the brand as well as pride season as a whole. Additionally, throughout the month JV stores in New York City will display parts of the AIDS memorial quilt to further honor those we’ve lost in the fight for queer liberation.

 

The John Varvatos Pride capsule is available in select stores and online now.

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Joe Dempsie: A Song of Modesty and Virtue

 

In this story, Joe Dempsie wears the John Varvatos Spring/Summer 2019 collection. The American designer’s latest tribute to rebellion, the range displays the label’s effortless cool and dedication to timeless luxury with an assortment of expertly crafted smooth leather jackets and tailored trousers, perfect for both the rock star about to take the stage and the free spirit just hitting the road and grabbing life by the horns. The SS19 collection is available in stores and online now.

 

It’s easy to forget when talking to Joe Dempsie that he’s not only an actor, but the star of HBO‘s blockbuster TV phenomenon Game of Thrones, as well as lead on EPIX show Deep State. The 31-year-old British star is down to earth, remarkably humble, and in a good mood because the sun is finally out in London, and his team has just defeated their biggest rival last night.

 

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Although Dempsie’s face is more recognizable now than ever before, there was a time when people used to know him as Chris Miles from Skins. But when he was recognized at a clothing store in New York, that’s when it really hit him.

 

“When Skins came out in the UK, it was bonkers,” he recalls. “It was everywhere, and it was much bigger than everyone thought it was going to be. [But even today], I get 16, 17, 18-year-old’s coming over and saying, ‘Mate, were you on Skins?’ And I’m thinking, ‘What? You would have been… 8 when it came out!’,” he laughs. And given Netflix’s acquisition of the show, Dempsie’s first big acting role has been granted an “almost indefinite lifestyle.” But his approach to acting has vastly evolved over the years.

 

He approaches each role separately; one thing at a time. He often finds himself cringing when watching acting footage of his younger self. “[I] think, ‘oh god, I wish I had the confidence then to be different,’ or to say to the director, ‘You know, I wouldn’t mind maybe playing with this line, or just changing it up a bit’,” he admits. Although sometimes, he finds himself overthinking his roles, so “bringing it back to basics” helps. “[I use] my instincts, rather than trying to perform in a certain way, or trying to be a certain kind of actor.”

 

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When it comes to instincts, however, Game of Thrones is not known for its predictability. What makes the show so compelling is its medieval epic fantasy setting of Westeros, its complexity of countless intertwining narratives, its major cliffhangers, and fickle lifelines of even the most nuclear characters. So playing the role of Gendry from an instinctive standpoint is something that Dempsie admittedly found difficult, initially. On a show of such caliber, “you’re confronted with the reality that you’re a cog in a huge, huge machine, all of a sudden. And because of that, when you’re playing a character that’s not one of the core few, you get maybe a scene per episode, if you’re lucky, to explore your character. And you’re getting the information often at the same time as your character is. So, you don’t really have much scope to change things,” he explains.

 

Dempsie’s character on the show was initially a peripheral one, who went through a three-season-long hiatus, after which he resurfaced in a much more central role, leaving fans infinitely more curious about Gendry’s plotline, and his anticipated crucial role in the final season. But when he initially auditioned for the show, Gendry wasn’t even in the picture yet. The actor first auditioned for the parts of Jon Snow, Pip, and Grenn. “And with every [part] I didn’t get,” he shares, “I sort of convinced myself that they must think I’m terrible.” Then, when auditioning for Gendry, Dempsie thought “they’re probably just sick of the sight of me now.” Although he’s modest (“somewhere, somehow I managed to snag [the part],” he says) he still talks about how wrong for the part he thought he was at first. Neither his hair color nor his height or weight matched Gendry’s description. Moreover, during Gendry’s three-season-break, despite the writers reassuring Dempsie of his character’s return, the actor couldn’t help but worry.

 

“I just sat around watching reruns of seasons 1 and 2, crying,” he jokes. “[But], I am kind of realistic about all these things, and I feel like I’ve been in this business long enough now to understand how it works. I know that it’s a massive undertaking for David [Benioff] and Dan [Weiss] to try and weave all these various narrative strands together to be coherent, compelling, and satisfying.” And had Gendry not come back, “I would have been disappointed, but I would have totally understood,” he says, humbly. He partially credits the slightly “obsessive” nature of Game of Thrones fans, who by default, ensure that “every line, every scene, every frame is picked apart and analyzed,” verifying that no conspicuous loose ends are left untied.

 

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Of course, the tying up of loose ends will occur in the upcoming eighth and final season of the show. Though much fan speculation has occurred regarding Gendry’s plotline (specifically about his relationship with Arya, the identity of his mother, and most importantly, his claim to the Iron Throne), the show will indubitably hijack and refute any conceivable guesses of fans. “There are many different groups of people on a collision course now. And we’ll find out if they band together to fight this common enemy, or tear each other apart,” Dempsie discloses.

 

As for what awaits Gendry in the final season, it’s evident that this is going to be his biggest season yet. “When Sir Davos came and found him [at the end of season 7], he signed up for that ill-advised expedition beyond the wall, without asking any questions whatsoever,” explains Dempsie. “I think he felt like his world had been opened up by his experiences with Arya, and the information that Melisandre gave him. And then, he had to go back to keeping his head down and living an incredibly low-key existence. He had a taste of how exciting the world could be, and he was just looking for meaning, [with] this innate feeling that he was maybe destined to be part of something bigger, more important. [After being] confronted with the reality of what’s making its way down from beyond the wall, I think he’s got a lot of soul-searching to do. There’s no way out, and there’s not going to be any escape. But rather than being comfortable with what he has to face now, he’s probably more terrified. And that’s where we find him.”

 

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When asked about whether he resembled Gendry in any way himself, besides an inherent difference in blacksmith abilities (as Dempsie learned from having to take several lessons: “They tried to get me to make a leaf out of a squared-off rod of steel, and it looked awful. You wouldn’t give it to your worst enemy,” he laughs), the actor admires Gendry’s strong moral compass, compassion, and kindness. “I’d like to think that I am like that.”

 

The end of the Game of Thrones era is going to be a notable time for both fans and actors. But for Dempsie, April is also a big month for his other TV show, Deep State. “[It’s] good for me that I get to talk about these two things at the same time, and they’re two very different projects.” But outside of that, for the first time in a long time, his next acting endeavors are undetermined, which is something he’s very excited about. “Who knows what’s around the corner?”

 

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Deep State season 2 airs 28th April EPIX. The eighth and final season of the Emmy-winning HBO Original series GAME OF THRONES airs Sunday 14th April on HBO.

 

Check out some key looks from the John Varvatos Spring/Summer ’19 collection above.

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Brace Yourself for John Varvatos x Game of Thrones

Ahead of the series finale of the popular HBO cult series, John Varvatos is releasing an exclusive collection inspired by Game of Thrones. The new 11-piece collection (and the first time the designer has partnered with a TV series) features an assortment of hand-dyed leather pieces, cross-over henley shirts, textured suits, and a series of graphic t-shirts inspired by the show.

“From the very first episode, I have been inspired by the incredible costumes in Game of Thrones,” Varvatos said in a statement. “To have this opportunity to collaborate is a dream come true.”

The John Varvatos x Game of Thrones collection will be available in select JV stores, Bloomingdales, and online tomorrow. Check out some of the looks below.

Images: John Varvatos.

 

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The EH Spring 2019 Issue is Out Now

Dior and Louis Vuitton star on 3 special covers for Spring 2019.
Dior covers shot by Hunter & Gatti and styled by Steven Doan. Louis Vuitton cover shot by Byron Mollinedo and styled by Nicholas Galleti.

 

 

MISBHV: The design duo tells us how they weave their Polish heritage into their work.

 

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Shot by Cameron McNee. Styled by Anna Su.

 

Thierry Mugler: Curator Thierry-Maxime Loriot walks us through the first exhibition dedicated to the work of the visionary fashion auteur.

 

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Thierry Mugler, Mugler Follies costumes. Photo: Christian Gautier / © Thierry Mugler.

 

Graphic Menagerie: Collage artist Boris Peianov creates his own universe.

 

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Rise & Shine: Actor Joe Dempsie seizes the day with John Varvatos.

 

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Shot by Roger Rich. Styled by Justin Hamilton.

 

A Lengthy Procedure: Get started on your own 10-step routine with La Mer, Lab Series, Jack Black, and more.

 

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Shot by Go Minami.

 

Essential Space: Nested in Napa Valley, The Prisoner Wine Company offers a rustic wine retreat.

 

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Shot by Matt Morris.

 

 

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Out Soccer Player Collin Martin Checks into Baccarat Hotel NYC

When Collin Martin, a midfielder for Minnesota United FC, came out earlier this year on Twitter, he made waves as the only openly gay soccer player currently playing in the league. Off the field, the 24-year-old spoke to Ward Simmons, head of marketing and public relations for Baccarat, in the Baccarat Hotel NYC about the overwhelming response to his coming out, representation in soccer and other sports, and being an ambassador for Athlete Ally, a non-profit committed to fighting homophobia and transphobia in sports. Read the interview below.

All clothing throughout by  John VarvatosPhotographed by David Urbanke, styled by Terry Lu for the Winter 2018 issue of ESSENTIAL HOMME.


What has it been like coming out? What was the initial reaction from your teammates?
Coming out publicly this year at my team’s Pride game on June 29th is something I’ll never forget. Since that day I have received support from all over the world and messages from people that have resonated with my story. I had been out to my teammates for over a year before my big announcement so obviously they had already known I was gay. They have definitely noticed a bit of an increase in attention coming my way now and so they poke fun at me for that.

After coming out, you have received a lot of positive feedback from the community via social media and news coverage. What has that been like?
The feedback that I have received has been amazing. The tweet and Instagram I made in June went viral and for the most part, the messages I have received have all been extremely supportive. Some of the personal messages I’ve received have explained how my coming out has spurred individuals into coming out to their own family and friends. I didn’t realize I would inspire so many people for just being open and trying to be a representative for the LGBTQ community in the sport.

 

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You coming out as a current male professional athlete has sparked a national debate why you’re the only one. Why is that?
I really don’t know why. It still shocks me to this day to hear that I’m the only current out gay male in the five professional major league sports. I’m certain there are more gay athletes like me but maybe they feel their sexuality doesn’t need to be made public. I remember taking notice when I was in my first couple of seasons in Major League Soccer when Robbie Rogers came out while he was playing for the LA Galaxy. I thought that his brave actions would be sufficient and that his representation for the LGBTQ community was enough but that just isn’t the case. The LGBTQ youth in sport are still questioning their place in sport and representation at the professional level is critical for kids to look up to.

 

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Despite the LGBTQ community making tremendous strides these past several years, they still feel unsafe in certain areas such as the locker room. Your current project with non-profit organization Athlete Ally is focused on creating more inclusive and comfortable spaces for the LGBTQ community. Tell us about it and how we can help.
The locker room is definitely a place where LGBTQ individuals may still feel uncomfortable or may hear unaccepting language. For myself, I have found that me being open with my teammates has been the best thing for me in terms of bridging that gap of misunderstanding. Many of my teammates have never had a gay friend and there may be some questions, or they most often are curious about what it’s like being gay. Being able to have those conversations with my teammates has been very rewarding. If I hadn’t been open with them they wouldn’t have the chance to engage with me as a gay man. Giving them that chance to receive me and accept me is something I am very proud of.

Athlete Ally has given me an amazing platform to not only share my story with other athletes but to have meaningful conversations on what it’s like being gay in sports. A lot of what athlete ally is doing is trying to explain to athletes, teams, organizations, and anyone in the sport that individuals they interact with may not be just like them. So being cognizant of language and pronouns and just understanding that our heteronormative society may not always be inclusive to gay athletes. A couple months ago I was able to talk with the student-athletes at USC and UCLA in Los Angeles and hear from them how their universities are trying to make sports more inclusive. Being a part of those conversations was very meaningful for me and I know a closeted college student like I was would have benefitted greatly.

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Athlete activism is a hotly debated topic right now, from the NFL to athletes using their platform to speak out on issues. What’s your take on it?
I think athletes not using their platforms would be a missed opportunity to effect positive change on the fans or individuals that follow them. An athlete’s reach has been amplified more than ever now that social media can be used as a tool to facilitate the start of these conversations. Each athlete is uniquely different and they are going to have issues that are very important to them. In the case of the NFL, a lot of these athletes are standing up for marginalized individuals whose voices have continued to be suppressed. It is very admirable that athletes like Colin Kaepernick are willing to risk their livelihood by speaking out on issues that still divide us today. I believe Kaepernick should have a job and it saddens me that that isn’t the case!

 

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A specific example of athlete activism that has garnered national controversy is the NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem. Do you think that some athletes are in fear of creating negative attention to their teams and hold back? Do you think that this same fear correlates with athletes who are LGBTQ but are reluctant to come out?
Well, you have seen some owners and teams implicitly condemn their players in participating in these peaceful protests. So, of course, there is a perceived negative attention that many of these teams are fearful of. I feel that the teams that are supporting their players and the causes that are dear to them are the organizations that are doing it the right way. There is definitely a fear for LGBTQ athletes that their sexuality would impact their position on the team. An outward support of the LGBTQ community from the ownership of a team down to the coaches would go along way for LGBTQ people in sport to know that they shouldn’t question their place in the sport.

 

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Essential Homme, Baccarat, and John Varvatos support Collin and congratulate him on his success on and off the field.  
Join The Movement of Victory Through Unity at AthleteAlly.org and become one of the many ALLIES for Inclusion.

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Weekly Instagram Roundup: Fred Perry, Thom Browne, and More

This week’s complete social snapshot, distilled for your pleasure.

From the hottest celebrity parties to the regretful morning-after shots, ESSENTIAL HOMME‘s Weekly Instagram Roundup brings all of the hottest designer, model, and trendsetting pics from the week directly to you. After all, no one has time to scroll through anything but the best.

Thom Browne

Diving below the surface, Thom Browne debuted its Spring/Summer 2017 campaign in all its deep-sea glory. Shot by Wayne Lawrence, the images feature the recently released trompe l’oeil technical wetsuit, a protective layering of surfs-up attitude that debuted as part of the brand’s ever-growing beachwear collection.

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John VarvatosFall 2017 campaign star Machine Gun Kelly tore up the stage at Lollapalooza this weekend, decked out in a scaly, textured jacket from the brand’s collection. Self-professed as the highlight of his career thus far, the “Young Gunner” rocked out to his chart-climbing hits under the Grant Park lights.

Fred Perry

Dropping mid-August, Fred Perry took to Instagram to announce a new collaboration with clothing brand Thames. After the more somber-tinged Raf Simons collab, the Blondey McCoy-led label brings its bubbled “T” to the British brand’s iconic pieces, reinventing classic cuts with bright pops of delicious color and energetic graphics.

Adrian Chabada

Model and Versace muse Adrian Chabada may have recently joined in on Donatella’s glossy lip-sync project, but the runway mainstay was never too far from the Italian label’s eye. Sharing a behind-the-scenes look at his Spring/Summer 2018 involvement, the cream-coated visual highlights the slim, urban-grace of the upcoming line.

 

Follow ESSENTIAL HOMME on Instagram at @EssentialHomme.
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Behind the Scenes of John Varvatos’ Fall 2017 Campaign with Machine Gun Kelly

John Varvatos x Machine Gun KellyImage: John Varvatos.

Rapper Machine Gun Kelly brings an effortless cool to John Varvatos‘ Fall 2017 campaign, showcased in these ESSENTIAL HOMME-exclusive behind the scenes images. With the same hell-raising tenacity of previous iterations, the latest pairs the fiery MGK aesthetic with Varvatos’ old school ease in a burgeoning partnership, the “Bad Things” crooner also having walked in the designer’s show for the very same collection.

John Varvatos x Machine Gun KellyImage: John Varvatos.

John Varvatos x Machine Gun KellyImage: John Varvatos.

John Varvatos x Machine Gun KellyImage: John Varvatos.

John Varvatos x Machine Gun KellyImage: John Varvatos.

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John Varvatos Spring/Summer 2017 Campaign

John Varvatos SS17Image: John Varvatos.

Bearing the same chilling tag as the brand’s previous campaign, John Varvatos‘ Spring/Summer 2017 effort showcases LA-based R&B band Vintage Trouble for decidedly on-beat, and equally high-energy, prints. Lensed by Danny Clinch and featuring the hallowed Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, the images capture the pulsating, wild intensity music inspires, the campaign a passionate affair between the brand’s lightweight style choices and the dramatic depth of live performance.

John Varvatos SS17Image: John Varvatos.

John Varvatos SS17Image: John Varvatos.

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NYFWM: Backstage John Varvatos Autumn/Winter 2017

NYFWM AW17 Image: Christopher Logan.

John Varvatos brought an untamable exoticism for Autumn/Winter 2017. The designer’s Wild at Heat collection encouraged a wild-child sentimentality through its pensive reflection of the dandy days of old.

NYFWM AW17 Image: Christopher Logan.

NYFWM AW17 Image: Christopher Logan.

NYFWM AW17 Image: Christopher Logan.

NYFWM AW17 Image: Christopher Logan.

NYFWM AW17 Image: Christopher Logan.

NYFWM AW17 Image: Christopher Logan.

NYFWM AW17 Image: Christopher Logan.

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Weekly Instagram Roundup: John Varvatos, Fendi, and more

This week’s complete social snapshot, distilled for your pleasure.

From the hottest celebrity parties to the regretful morning-after shots, ESSENTIAL HOMME‘s Weekly Instagram Roundup brings all of the hottest designer, model, and trendsetting pics from the week directly to you. After all, no one has time to scroll through anything but the best.

John Varvatos

Ever the music aficionado, John Varvatos revealed a look at the brand’s partnership with Klipsch Audio, releasing a turntable and accompanying speaker to blast that gritty rock with the purest sound quality. Be sure not to miss that sneaky Mick Rock book either.

Fendi

Who wouldn’t want to carry fashion god Karl Lagerfeld around with them? Fendi‘s latest, the Karlito collection, makes this a fuzzy possibility in a spiky, hands-off line of accessories and footwear that drips with self-actualized irony and a nod to the fashion industry’s new hardened edge.

H&M

Known for pulling out all of the Kris Kringle stops with its holiday video campaigns—see last year’s magic-fueled Sean O’Pry starrerH&M wins at its own game with this year’s Wes Anderson directed flick. Grab your popcorn and all aboard the festive holiday train.

Peter Lindbergh

Legendary photographer and director Peter Lindbergh unveiled his work for the latest Pirelli Calendar, a series of black and white shots of Hollywood’s feminine royalty including Nicole Kidman, Alicia Vikander, and Lupita Nyong’o, a decadent flipbook of glitzy, tinsel-town monarchs.

Fenty x Puma

Puma owes much to Rihanna‘s badgal creative eye as its high-profile and higher-profit Creepers just went the shoe equivalent of triple platinum—winning Shoe of the Year for 2016 at the Footwear News Achievement Awards.

Baartmans and Siegel

Never leave the house without a statement-making bomber, so says Baartmans and Siegel with this behind-the-scenes shot featuring a pair of the brand’s creations—a slight break from its buttoned-up Spring/Summer 2016 runway, yet staying true to that valuable too-cool aesthetic.

Follow ESSENTIAL HOMME on Instagram at @EssentialHomme.
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John Varvatos Presents Short Film with Photographer Mick Rock

Video: John Varvatos x Mick Rock

Two rock ‘n’ roll aficionados, designer John Varvatos and legendary music photographer Mick Rock, reminisce on music, style, and their friendship in the new documentary “Long Live Rock.” Though they walk the streets of modern London, they see them in a ‘70s hue – in all of its bacchanal “sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll” glory. “Do we need to talk about sex and drugs?” the photographer asks as he walks between the Blakes Hotel, the Wetherby Mansions, and the Dorchester Hotel, where he took some of his famous photographs that earned him the moniker “The Man Who Shot the Seventies.” Several of his images, including Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” cover and the iconic Ziggy Stardust collection, were shot nearby. “I was on an acid trip when I first picked up a camera,” he says, thumbing through photos of Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Iggy Pop. In one tender photograph, Jagger laughs as he wraps his arms around the fellow musicians like they were brothers. The photo was taken on the night of Bowie’s last performance as Ziggy Stardust.

“Mick has created emotional and powerful images that transcend time, while defining pop culture history,” Varvatos relates, discussing how they bonded over their mutual passion for music. Their relationship has blossomed, and the two have collaborated to work on respective books about rock ‘n’ roll and music’s intimate relationship with fashion, celebrating them in conversation in London. Varvatos draws artistic inspiration from both Mick and the epoch he captured, evident in his designs, which often boast edgy, yet classic styles. Even in his latest autumn/winter collection, Varvatos declares: “Rock is dead. Long live rock.” Directed by Benjie Croce and washed in gorgeous, high-contrast black and white, the elegant cinematography honors the photographer’s style where the chiaroscuro, reminiscent of the classic Bohemian Rhapsody shot, carves out faces from shadow. “Long Live Rock” is the latest episode in Varvatos’ “JV on Tour” series, which explores the world and signature style of John Varvatos.

The Long Live Rock series is available online now.

 

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John Varvatos and Photographer Mick Rock in Conversation

John Varvatos x Mick RockImage: John Varvatos.

Menswear designer John Varvatos and renowned music photographer Mick Rock recently sat down in conversation in London to discuss music, style, friendship, and the release of Rock’s latest compilation, “The Rise of David Bowie, 1972 – 1973.” The event, a gathering of British music aficionados and doters, began with an elbow-rubbing cocktail reception before ultimately moving to the Bowery level of John Varvatos’ Conduit Street store – the design inspired by the former CBGB location, a rock-centric holy ground and site of Varvatos’ current NYC flagship – for the talk and concluding book signing. The frank and intimate discussion touched on the vast history of music photography and what lead Rock to release such a visual, inspiring tome. Varvatos, who has worked closely with the photographer in the past and who is, judging by his namesake brand’s latest marketing campaign, an avid rock enthusiast, led the discussion, saying, “Mick and I have been connected through our passions and friendship for many years. There is no one else on the planet like Mick Rock!” The book, which features an ever-changing hologram on its cover, press pictures, album jackets, and more, is a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes looks and immediately jaw-dropping visuals that focus on a career high for Rock’s dear friend. A never-before-seen look at the photographer’s Bowie portfolio of the Ziggy Stardust period, the book is a testament to two great icons at the height of cultural prowess.

“The Rise of David Bowie, 1972-1973” is available online now.