Italian/Mafia Overview Since their appearance in the 1800s, the Italian criminal societies known as the Mafia have infiltrated the social and economic fabric of Italy and now impact the world. They are some of the most notorious and widespread of all criminal societies. There are several groups currently active in the U.S.: the Sicilian Mafia; the Camorra or Neapolitan Mafia; the ’Ndrangheta or Calabrian Mafia; and the Sacra Corona Unita or United Sacred Crown. We estimate the four groups have approximately 25,000 members total, with 250,000 affiliates worldwide. Their criminal activities are international with members and affiliates in Canada, South America, Australia, and parts of Europe. The major threats to American society posed by these groups are drug trafficking and money laundering. These groups don’t limit themselves to drug running, though. A Long History Sicilians weren’t concerned if the group profited from its actions because it came at the expense of the oppressive authorities.
The Art of Tim Burton For the first time ever a comprehensive look at the personal and project artwork of Tim Burton. Over 1000 illustrations and 430 pages plus foldouts. The Art of Tim Burton is the definitive compilation of forty years of Tim Burton's artistry, including film concepts and hundreds of illustrations from his personal archives, edited under the creative guidance of Burton himself. This comprehensive 434 page book is grouped into thirteen chapters that examine common themes in Burton's work, from his fascination with clowns to his passion for misunderstood monsters, to his delight in the oddities of people. Many of Burton's friends and collaborators offer their thoughts, insights and anecdotes about Tim Burton's style and artistic approach to life. Text By: Leah Gallo, Design by: Holly Kempf, Edited by: Derek Frey, Leah Gallo & Holly Kempf Personal text contributions by friends and fellow creatives including:
The Yakuza - Japanese Organized Crime Gang Asian Gangs Japanese Organized Crime The Yakuza Known as YAKUZA by its members and BORYOKUDAN by the Japanese Police, organized crime in Japan, which was always traditionally local, and fragmented, has changed radically. Consolidated into much larger, more powerful groups since World War II, the Yakuza has now spread beyond Japan with powerful members taking up residence in Hawaii, Guam, Thailand, Hong Kong, the Philippines and the Continental United States. Japanese organized crime now touches almost every area and level of crime including gambling, prostitution, extortion, loan-sharking, pornography, book-making, weapons smuggling and drug trafficking. The origin of many of today’s gangs in the United States can be looked upon as a strong similarity to that of the Yakuza. Like many gangs of today, to protect their towns, neighborhoods and families from the destructive ronin, groups known as the machi-yokku formed. Most Yakuza members are not reluctant to be identified as such.
7 Terrifying Celebrity Face Swaps from Nic Cage Face 1. Janne and Ake 2. Jam and Pim 3. Glenn Palin 4. 5. 6. 7. Bonus Swap! More Reviews The Japanese Mafia Crime, State, and Collusion By: Yuki Allyson Honjo The idea that crime is representative of moral failing is a potent one in our modern culture. Take for example, that execrable Fox TV show, Cops. The Yakuza, the very real Japanese mafia, occupy a place that is somewhere between fact and fiction. One of the most persistent perceptions of the Yakuza is that they are unique, when compared to Russian, Chinese or Italian mafias, in their relationship with the state. Yakuza gangs used to openly display their gang affiliations outside their offices without fear of reprisal, have organization guides, and send formal notices through the post on who’s in and who’s out in a given gang. Or are they? He dissects the nature of the Japanese Yakuza by asking difficult questions. By building a conceptual framework around a market of supply and demand of protection, he provides a structure to what seems like random acts of gang activity. The work is not without flaws.
McQ Spring/Summer 2012 Home Post The Smart Stylist–McQ champions quite the interchangeable wardrobe for their spring/summer 2012 collection. Proving that the perfect fundamentals can extend the potential of any wardrobe, the label executes its youthful streak with a fusion of rock, prep, the classic bad boy and a western motif. From colorful twill pants to ripped denim, easy looks are grounded and ready for smart pieces, ranging from a shirt and skinny tie to a leather biker jacket. Label: alexander mcqueen, mcq Season: spring/summer 2012 Related Posts: Exclusives Fashionisto Exclusive: Mounierby Stefan Wessel Fashionisto Exclusive: JourdanCopeland by Jason Harry Fashionisto Exclusive: Ryleyby Patrick Lacsina in WhiteHot Summer Fashions Fashionisto Exclusive: PaulJ by D. Fashionisto Exclusive: DonBenjamin by Brandon Andre Leather in Fashion: Chris Folz for GQ Russia James Franco the Cover Model: From GQ to Vogue George Barnett Covers Numéro Homme China Spring/Summer 2014 Issue Kenzo Men Spring Sweatshirts
the simple life Elle Fanning Covers Teen Vogue February 2012, Peep the Adorably Perfect Editorial and Behind the Scenes Video! Teen Vogue was probably counting down the days until Elle Fanning officially became a teenager so they could make her a cover star. And not surprisingly, so was Elle Fanning, according to the below video, which goes behind the scenes of her insanely adorable and perfect February cover shoot. As you can imagine, Teen Vogue and Elle Fanning, who's already a fashion darling, are a match made in heaven and while we also love seeing her in grown-up couture looks, it's nice to see her looking sweet and girly. In the video, Elle is her usual charming self, talking about how excited she is to be in Teen Vogue and that giddy enthusiasm carries over into the cover story, in which she gabs about hanging out with the Mulleavys, acting with huge movie stars and less surreal things like sleepovers, school and being the tallest kid in her grade. They also talk to Dakota, who readily admits that Elle has surpassed her older sister when it comes to fashion... Elle has won us over once again.
The Best Magazine Covers of 2011 Don't judge a book by its cover...unless it's a magazine, in which case often the cover is the main selling point. The best covers of 2011 returned to a new naturalism and a fun aesthetic, like the Lara Stone T cover we're still drooling over, pictured at left. Sure, there's still room for artifice in fashion (see: Stella Tennant on Vogue Italia), but 2011 was a year for reflecting on natural beauties, incredible models, and stellar photography. After toiling over hundred of covers, we're bringing you "The Best" according to us. Vogue Italia September 2011 Photographer: Steven Meisel Stylist: Karl Templer Model: Stella Tennant Why we love it: Templer, Tennant, and Meisel nail the grotesque burlesque theme so perfectly that it caused a bit of a controversy. Vogue Paris August 2011 Photographer: Inez & Vinoodh Stylist: Melanie Ward Model: Lara Stone Why we love it: Princess Leia buns, sheer stay-ups, a 1960s car and an airplane are only a few of the reasons we love this Vogue Paris cover.
Calvin Klein, Annabel Tollman Team Up on Videos - Advertising CALVIN’S CAST OF CHARACTERS: Calvin Klein Underwear has partnered with fashion and celebrity stylist Annabel Tollman to create three videos for its Naked Glamour collection. The black-and-white videos, shot by Douglas Keeve, feature Tollman giving viewers a peek behind the scenes on how the stylist creates a persona for a variety of scenarios. Key elements such as hair, makeup, attitude and wardrobe are demonstrated by fashion models in a fitting-type setting. At the core of each piece is the female character wearing a Calvin Klein Naked Glamour bra. Each of the three bra styles represents the foundation that characterizes each woman into the role she is styled for, and ultimately directed to portray. The free-spirited girl in the “Confident” vignette wears a wire-free, soft-cup bra in black, while the “Strong” video highlights the modern woman wearing a newly introduced style — the add-a-size plus bra in smoke amethyst. Click Here to Watch the Video for Calvin Klein Underwear 'Sexy' >>