The Rogue

Steve McQueen from The Selvedge Yard

"I don't believe in that phony hero stuff." 

So he claims, but I consider him heroic when it comes to style and having left something very inspiring for posterity. Their generation of stars, I will always find most appealing...and I guess that's because I find them relatable and there's something romantic about the way they looked at things. They sound cold and bitter and too brooding to some, but to me it explains having seen much of the world's pains but having the good humor, the mystery and the tiny bit of humility to handle them with. Most definitely my definition of a rogue. This month is his birthday and this is sort of my tribute to one of my idols. 

Oh, and if only I could jump and be as cool-looking as him playing frisbee...When I play, I don't have the time or the natural ability to look good and be photographed. 

- Gerard

#7 & #6

James Dean as Cal on East of Eden

Steve McQueen and the American flag 

In Hollywood, there are two men I've started to look up to right after I hit the age of 19, I believe and I regret not liking them at a younger age...

James Dean and Steve McQueen are two icons I will want to wear print shirts of until I'm probably 60 and hopefully fit. 

I mean come on, you know you're tired of them, but you'll, at some point, wonder why the hell does every generation post 50s or 60s fall madly in love with these two?

Answer is, you can't bullshit yourself into becoming one of them or into making two of these...Reason why their icons is cause their always replicated and not quite possible to EVER make someone with the exact same blueprint as theirs, in all sense of it.

And for my crammed "12 Days of Christmas" Wishlist, I'd kill a deer---which I don't really mean, to get these two most awesome images of my idols printed right across my chest on great fitting white shirts. 

THAT's the plan and THAT's the dream.

#7 for Dean and #6 for McQueen.

I like Dean in this photo cause it's his most handsome. I'm watching East of Eden and I think people have placed too much on Rebel Without A Cause...Dean felt more relatable in Eden for me and he looked so impressive and stunning in the movie. 

McQueen here, with the American flag pretty much is a statement shirt. It says so much without saying anything at all, right?  I like how it seems so patriotic, and how it also reads like it's a careless, detached cool that McQueen's known for.

There are more photos of the two that I personally like. Like McQueen's motorcycle license (?)  if there is such a thing and if that's what you call it. And also Dean's pretty candid photo of him, looking at a plaque and all his handsome bed of hair on display...

Nice look Steve!

Is this any good? 

-Gerard

Timely Showdown

Mr. Ryan Kwanten for GQ Australia December 2010

Mr. Steve McQueen for Harper's Bazaar February 1962

James Franco for GQ December 2010

James Dean

Here's a showdown...

I was looking at Michael Pitt's NYLON Guys photos online and I stumbled upon Ryan Kwanten's Australian GQ cover for this month (above). Immediately, I knew that they took the inspiration from Steve McQueen's Harper's Bazaar 1962 cover.

I've been battling with creative shots in my head for graduation, cause knowing myself, it's a big deal...Which is pathetic. But anyway, there...I've thought about doing a James Dean for it, then I thought about doing the Harper's Bazaar cover of McQueen instead cause I liked how it looked.

Then, I realized that James Franco's GQ cover for this month too, is reminiscent of those moody, black and white photos of James Dean...

And now, I'm like...CRAP!

Which creative shot should I do?

And the reason why it's creative is cause I don't look like a McQueen or a Dean...But I do love them both and I know they weren't in good terms when they were both alive and kicking, but if I were born a different time, a different person and in their company (not a Brando, not a Clift, probably a Newman, not sure if I'm a 

Hudson either...) I'd burn that awful wall between them and make a trio of cool, awesome actors that are to be legends someday.

So...Which one should I go for?
Personally, even if I'm all James Dean, I think the McQueen cover's awesome. I just need sexy hands...

Now, breathe...take a look at all four photos and the times they all come from and the actors and don't you think it's all so timely? It's creepy...

-Gerard

Early Christmas Gift!

The original, Thomas Crown Affair...

Oh McQueen and Dunaway...

The long wait is over.

Mr. Saverio Mancina, publicist of Mr. Alan Trustman, the writer of The Thomas Crown Affair, once e-mailed me after I posted on THE EDGE about limited edition Persols (the ones used on the original film). He sent me a link of a feature on Mr. Trustman on The Boston Globe...That was the reason why I thought he was an editor of the paper, anyway, Mr. Mancina invited me to interview Mr. Trustman, since he saw that I wrote about Steve McQueen and the sunglasses...

Of course, I said yes...Things like these are rare, for me at least.

NOW! After watching the two films over and over and over again and putting to good use all the knowledge I've gained thanks to school (both highschool and college), Mr. Mancina e-mailed days ago the lengthy and super useful and insightful answers of Mr. Trustman... 

Please do read it here, on THE EDGE. This is a dream come true for me and I honestly felt so happy reading his answers, especially the juicy bits about Steve McQueen (one of my idols), Pierce Brosnan, Angelina Jolie and his amazing thoughts on his work, the 60s and that lot.

Thank you to Mr. Saverio Mancina, I will always be grateful for this.

To Mr. Alan Trustman, of course, who's all so busy and talented and very very influential, I must say. 

And of course, to God...that one and only man who keeps putting a smile on me when I need it the most. Thank you so much for talent, the internet, people and great stories to tell.

This is a good Christmas gift! :D

Good night everybody!

P.S. 12 days of Christmas starts tomorrow! Will start posting my day-to-day wishlist. hahaha...But this one, has got to be one amazing gift! I really wish I could give a lot of gifts this Christmas to all the people I love...Lotto, please...

-Gerard