i don't do beaches, but seriously.

I'm not such a fan of lying around on a towel, having my cornea scratched by sand particles, and getting a tan that can lead to premature aging of the skin. That sounds really cynical, and I'm probably a hypocrite because I got annoyed today at a lady on the High Line who was complaining to her friend, "basically, the High Line is this place where two queues of people walk past each other and pretend to appreciate nature."

Anyway, if I did somehow have to go to the beach, this is probably how I'd want it to go down.

The editorial is from the Hedonist issue of i-D magazine, photographed by Paola Kudacki featuring models Arlinda Smajli, Richard Kranzin, Shea Prueger and Emma Loyd.

The guy with the black mohawk reminds me of Dirk from Weetzie Bat. Or at least that's just how I imagine him. Or I suppose the below would work, but maybe for more of a My Secret Agent Lover Man vibe?

Ash Stymest for Huge Magazine. Editorial "Absolute Man."

This is only slightly related, what with the whole punk thing going on in that first editorial, but the thing I hate most is when ignorant people attribute mindless labels to those who happen to dress differently. For example, I'm a fan of the band Black Veil Brides. They're like a modern-day cross between KISS and Motley Crue and Alkaline Trio, which is what initially attracted me. For concerts, they do the whole stage makeup thing//tight leather//chains. And in real life they don't dress much differently. And the lead singer, Andy, is very androgynous. So whenever I'm on a video of theirs, I find all these comments along the lines of "this is such an emo faggot band" or something. It makes me so mad. Andy has worked incredibly hard to build up his band, his name, everything. I've been a fan of Black Veil Brides since I was in seventh grade, and I still remember when Andy was unsigned and posting his songs on Myspace or whatever. Now, they are touring the world, signed with a major label and getting millions of views on their videos. I doubt the people writing these homophobic//inane//ignorant comments are doing anything above and beyond what Andy has pursued. And nothing pisses of me off more when people immediately label guys who wear leather, skinny jeans, and maybe some eyeliner as "gay." Seriously? This is 2011. Get over yourselves. Even if the guy is gay, why should that matter? (See what I did there?) Maybe you walk around in jeans and a t-shirt and that's fine, but don't attack those who have the creativity and courage to do things differently. The thing I love about Black Veil Brides is that their songs are for everyone who have been ridiculed by those ignorant individuals. And I know this whole thing has sounded pretty Hallmark but I don't care.

If you think Andy looks like a female I've assembled the girl-iest photos of him I could find, just for you, so I hope you enjoy! 

werk tha smize

But in all seriousness, think twice if you're about to call someone gay based on the way he (or she) appears. The thing I love about the fashion industry is that there's very little judgment of people based on the way they dress. The industry is quite accepting, though there are certainly some shortcomings in terms of body image and diversity. 

Yay we're done.