DAVID BECKHAM, LANA DEL REY & JOEL KINNAMAN FOR H&M

The Celebrity Faces of H&M

A few exciting new updates from our friends at H&M!  As we all know already, Lana Del Rey is the chosen Face for the Fashion Retailer's Fall 2012 Collection for Women. An amazing Commercial featuring new Track Blue Velvet, directed by Johan Renck, is set to premiere Wednesday, September 19, 2012 on hm.com.  In this Campaign, Del Rey wears key pieces from the Collection, including a pink Angora Sweater, patterned Leggings, a Tweed Biker Jacket and a form-fitting Tweed Dress with leather Details. 

For their Men's Collection none other than a Toronto-bound Joel Kinnaman will be fronting the Collection.  The Swedish Actor stars in Sony Pictures' RoboCop, set to film next month in the City, pairing with Director Jonas Åkerlund on a Commercial for H&M, set to premiere Friday, October 5, 2012 on hm.com.  Kinnaman says, "H&M makes it easy for a guy to look great every single day and create a personal style. Their men’s Collection always gives me a choice of how I want to dress, whether it is sharp in a Suit and Polo-Neck, or more relaxed in Jeans and a Tweed Jacket. That’s why I’m so happy to be the face of H&M this season".  The Retailer also currently is using another Face currently in Toronto, Bill Skarsgård, in-town filming Hemlock Grove.

And what better way to celebrate the massively-successful  David Beckham Bodywear at H&M Collection than with some new Pics?  The international Sex Symbol has just shot another set of Photos with Alisdair McLellan in Los Angeles, soon to be unveiled.  Beckham's Collection is available permanently in 1,800 stores worldwide.

(Photo credit: H&M)

LANA DEL REY FOR H&M

Lana Del Rey for H&M

So gorg! Lana Del Rey has been unveiled as the new Face for International Fashion Retailer H&M this Fall!  The Collection is said to be very L.A. Noir and nobody epitomizes that better than the New York-born Singer/Songwriter and now, Model.

The above image is one of the first to come, showing Del Rey modelling a pink Angora Sweater and on September 19, 2012 a Mini-Film for the Collection starring none other than her, will be debuting. Cannot wait for the Glamour.

A new Track named Blue Velvet also is being timed for release around that time.

(Photo credit: H&M)

NEW PROMO PHOTOS FROM LANA DEL REY: "BLUE JEANS"

Official Artwork for Blue Jeans

Where in the World has Lana Del Rey been? The gorgeous Songstress has been pretty low-key since her much-talked-about Saturday Night Live appearance and only recently was spotted again at a Guns N' Roses concert at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Del Rey just posted a couple new Photos for our enjoyment today via Twitter, including a new Cover for her confirmed new Single, Blue Jeans (my fave on the her Born to Die Disc) in what looks like her having her pulse checked.  Not sure though whether the Tattoo inscription there will have to be censored...

 Above this, she Tweeted a Still from its Video also, which she tells us is coming soon. So Hipster!

Look:

Still from Blue Jeans

(Photo credit: Universal Music)

LANA DEL REY DEBUTS #1 IN UK AND #2 IN U.S.

Lana Del Rey - Born to Die

After debuting atop the UK Albums Chart with 116k copies sold, Lana Del Rey impressively finds herself  in second spot back home in her native America this week with 77k copies of Born to Die tallied according to Nielsen SoundScan.  Del Rey was second only to Adele's 21 which finds itself at the summit of the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Chart for a 19th non-consecutive week.  These results actually exceed expectations as HitsDailyDouble projected that she would sell approximately 60k copies only with fears that harsh reviews would adversely impact sales.

Congratulations, Lana Del Rey.  This is a victory!

Order Born to Die on iTunes.

(Photo credit: Universal Music)

TREND WATCH: AMERICANA (SPRING/SUMMER 2012)

Top (L to R): Lana Del Rey and two T-shirts from Topman 2012 Spring Collection

Bottom (L to R): T-shirt from Topman  Spring 2012 Collection, Top from Dries van Noten Spring

2012 Collection and Sweater from Spring 2012 Alexander McQueen Collection

With Spring 2012 just around the corner, it's time to look to the Runways and Celebrities for inspiration. Whether it be on the Lookbooks of Alexander McQueen, Dries van Noten or the racks of accessible retailers like Topman, one trend I keep noticing is the classic red, white and navy blue combination.

One Celebrity at the forefront of the Trend is Lana Del Rey, who proudly dons her Americana in her latest Video, Born to Die. The tri-colour and nautical stripe combination not only is bold, but also depending where you're from, is statement of Patriotism. Dig it.  

  Embrace colour.

(Photo credit: Universal Music, Alexander McQueen, Dries van Noten, Topman)

LANA DEL REY: BORN TO DIE - REVIEW

Lana Del Rey - Born to Die

Despite the Public's polarized opinions of 2012's biggest breakthrough act thus far, Lana Del Rey does not disappoint with her major label debut, Born the Die. The 12-track Disc is spellbinding without ever treading into the gimmicky or being hyper-aware of trend. The focus is solid liquor-soaked songs of Love and all its uncertainties, covered in a shadowy, gray hue - the Album is one cohesive mood-inducing listen. Bottom line, Del Rey is a complex spirit searching for answers and we are invited on her journey to piece together remnants of her broken heart.  

Arrangements are industrial-edgy, yet lush and strings-enhanced, while rhythms are heavy in Hip-Hop influence.  Del Rey's voice and self-penned lyrics are the lead characters in this piece of Cinema Noir. Comparisons to Nancy Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Chris Isaak and Amy Winehouse are not altogether unfounded.

Favourites include the already familiar first three plugs: Video Games, Blue Jeans and the titular track. Diet Mountain Dew, National Anthem, Dark Paradise, Radio and Million Dollar Man are superb. The helplessly beautiful Without You, heard only on the Special Edition, is a must-listen and regretfully not on the Standard Edition. Universal Music Canada releases Lana Del Rey's Born to Die on January 31, 2012.

Don't forget to enter to win a copy of Born to Die here at Mr. Will-W:Pop Maven.

ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF LANA DEL REY'S "BORN TO DIE"

Official Artwork for Born to Die

There is no Star on the rise quite like Lana Del Rey. The 25-year-old New Yorker has the Internet all abuzz based on the strength of a few viral Videos (amassing more than 18 million views worldwide on YouTube) and insanely hypnotic tracks like Video Games and Blue Jeans. Later this month finally we will get to hear in full her highly-touted debut Album Born to Die, in-stores January 31, 2012.

Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven & Universal Music Canada would like to offer Canadian Readers a chance to win a copy of the CD and to qualify, all you have to do is "like" on Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook and also click "like" on this Post before February 1, 2012. Alternatively, you can follow me on Twitter here and ReTweet the below:

Mr. Will-W. & Universal Music Canada want me to win a copy of Lana Del Rey's "Born to Die". In-stores 1/31/12. http://tinyurl.com/84man89

The complete Tracklist for Born to Die is as follows:

MR. WILL-W.:POP MAVEN'S 2011 BEST-OF LISTS

Although I was always under the mindset that 2011 wasn't really a standout year in terms of Music and Film, looking back I can appreciate that even though for me there were no clear-cut, definitive favourites, overall there were many bright and memorable moments.  I have selected my Top Ten Films and Top 20 Tracks of 2011.  Let's see where my choices compare to yours!

Still from The Artist

TOP TEN FILMS:
1. The Artist
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
3. Shame
4. Bridesmaids
5. The Help
6. The Muppets
7. War Horse
8. My Week with Marilyn
9. Drive
10. Warrior

One of my biggest regrets this year was not seeing The Artist at TIFF in September, but better late than never as the Film which touched and uplifted me most, actually is only a recent discovery.  The Silent Film about Era-star George Valentin is a triumph and a must-see for all.  Also, despite not loving the original Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, alas all that buzz did amount to something solid with David Fincher's Adaptation starring Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig being absolutely electrifying.  Michael Fassbender quickly has become one of my favourite Actors also with his riveting performance in Shame as a Sex Addict whose life is interrupted by the sudden arrival of his estranged Sister. Kristen Wiig's performance in Bridesmaids still sticks with me to this day as does Michelle Williams' work in My Week with Marilyn.

NEW MUSIC: LANA DEL REY - BORN TO DIE

Lana Del Rey

Our Friends at Universal Music Canada are predicting huge things for Lana Del Rey (nee Elizabeth Grant). The 25 year-old New York native already has become a huge YouTube sensation with first Single, the somber Video Games already racking-up 11 million-plus views.  She's already reached the Top Ten in the UK and even number one in Germany.  Second Single Born to Die somewhat echoes the mood of that prior Single and its Video just surfaced today.

Before being re-branded Lana Del Rey on the advice of her Management, she was known simply as Lizzy Grant, achieving limited success.  Now with the backing of Interscope Records/Universal Music and a gorgeous Nancy Sinatra-esque Makeover (including fuller lips), it appears Del Rey is ready for her spotlight and the Alt/Indie Scene is eating her up with a buzz about as feverish as  that surrounding Amy Winehouse a few years back.

Check out Born to Die in full below: