Patrick Spears

Louis Vuitton
101 Avenue des Champs-Elysées
75008 Paris, France
01 53 57 52 00

The Louis Vuitton flagship store is a sight to see in itself, especially for my fellow fashion enthusiasts.

Hat: New Era
Sweater: Versace for H&M
Vest and jeans: Levi’s
Backpack: Jordan
Watch: Burberry
Shoes: Air Jordan III “Black/cement”

“Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.”-JFK

I saw these while walking through Amsterdam, and there was just something about these works that caught my eye. So of course I snapped these shots, and looked up the artists when I got home. Bustart and Zaira are Swiss street artists who create thought-provoking works (their best works are not even pictured here). From looking at their websites they often work together, but their individual work seems to be very different. Their works touch on many issues, some of which are more obvious than others. Some of the works that interested me most, touch on the hyper-consumerism of Western culture. I wish that I could have seen all of their awesome work in person. Check out much more of their art at their respective websites by clicking their names: Bustart and Zaira

Air Jordan XI “Concords”

Street Style
London, England 

“We must use time as a tool, not as a couch.”-JFK

Sunglasses: Tom Ford “Olivier”
Sweater and pants: J. Crew
Watch: Burberry
Socks: Polo by Ralph Lauren
Shoes: Cole Haan LunarGrand Wingtip

Saint Denis was punished with death along with many other priests and bishops during the Decian persecution of Christians. After Denis was beheaded, he is said to have picked up his head and walked 10 kilometers, preaching a sermon the entire way. As a Biology major in college I would have to question the validity of this accusation. However, I respect Saint Denis for standing up for his beliefs in the face of death regardless of the validity of the tale. History teaches us many lessons (though many repeat the same mistakes nonetheless). One of those lessons is that differences in opinion or religion should not lead to murder or persecution. The decision to murder anyone because their opinion or religion is different is morally flawed at the deepest root. Differences divide because the masses are not accepting of those who are different or have different opinions from themselves. The ability to accept differences and coexist among the masses would bring peace. But the inability to coexist and keep peace has plagued mankind for centuries. Maybe one day…(This statue of the cephalophore Saint Denis is located at the left portal of Notre Dame in Paris.)(This powerful mural of the martyrdom of Saint Denis by Léon Bonnat is located inside the Pantheon in Paris)