Traditionally at Y&Y, on Thursdays we throwback to tunes that deserve to be remembered. But now we’re widening the net and taking you back, way back, back into time with not just music, but fashion, films, cultural moments and movements from yester-year. We’ll reminisce on the good old days (damn, we’re getting old) or talk about things that need to stay in the past. Welcome to the remixed #throwbackthursday.

I’m taking the reigns on the first one, throwing back to two young men who were a massive part of my childhood.

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Who says photography is only for creatives? In fact, let’s not get started on the ‘creative’ debate. Everyone’s born with creativity, some just chose to practice theirs more than others. Nutritionist and photographer, Alessio Albi has a passion for expressing his art form through incredibly atmospheric portraits of young women lost in their thoughts. His use of lighting (both natural/flash) is what grabbed my attention; lovely mixture of dark tones and shadows combined with overlays over his models which result in beautifully moody compositions. Right, time to get back on the portrait game after this feature, I never really shot more so if you’re interested in one, hit me up: click here.

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I’m not sure how I let this one slip under my radar when it first came out. VSCO as you all know are redefining the way we process digital photography and their editorial/film content online is an even greater inspiration platform. Teaming up with one of my favourite photographers, Rog Walker to share a segment of his story which includes what photography and the ability to create means to him. Photography like any other medium is a physical manifestation of what is birthed in the mind of the creator. He sums it up nicely: “For me, it not just about taking a pretty picture. Photography is my voice; the goal is to speak eloquently.” Watch the full short on the reverse.

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The Y&Y team are big fans of the folks over at VSCO. We are regular users of their iPhone app and editing presets, followers of their journal and a few of us even have our own VSCO grids (Adam, Niran). Posted on the VSCO blog recently was an introduction in to Create and Explore - a new initiative set up by the talented Ta-Ku. With the project being a collaboration of music and photography, Ta-Ku is the perfect curator to make this something visually and audibly fantastic. He pairs beat makers with photographers to create audio/visual stories that are truly captivating. The second instalment of the project brings together musician ESTA and photographer Michael Salisbury all graded using VSCO. Check it out after the cut.

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First thing’s first, I’m a badman init, just ask Carlos! However, every now and again something creeps up on us and unexpectedly brings out our emotional side. Maybe it’s the fact that I myself am going travelling soon and like those in the video, I am going to miss some people. Or maybe I’m just human. Whatever it is, the surprise that YouTube star Jack Harries gives his girlfriend for her birthday choked me (there were no tears, gosh I’m not that emotional). The video isn’t a cinematic masterpiece but it doesn’t matter, the story does a great job of appealing to our human nature and I like that.

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“I believe this concept is going to feed the world.” Adam Smith has started the first cafe in the UK that uses only ‘intercepted’ waste food. Before perfectly edible food gets to bins or skips Adam’s team ‘intercept’, collecting the food from local business friends including supermarket chain Waitrose to create meals at The Real Junk Food Project cafe in Leeds. The cafe is ‘pay as you feel’, where customers can pay with money or their time or services. In 6 months the crew have intercepted over 10,500KG of food that would have been dumped. Considering the UK waste 18 million tonnes of food every year, it’s a wonder why The Real Junk Food Project (and others like it) hasn’t existed forever.

If this isn’t inspiring enough, Adam articulated a thought that many of us can relate to at the moment - “I had a skill, and I wasn’t really applying it as well as I could be.” The Real Junk Food Project was born from Adam wanting his talent to mean more, for himself and his world/community (our latest feature, Niran’s reflective post, captures this sentiment perfectly). Read on to see project at work.

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This weeks throwback track is actually a treat for my mother. I was racking my brain trying to think of what could be possibly the last actual track (at least for a while) that finds it’s way onto the Throwback Thursday thread. It wasn’t until I had a conversation with the mother that it clicked, I felt like I wanted to do something for her. There are many tracks that I could have chosen as she has an eclectic taste however I also wanted to showcase the diversity we as a collective/family possess so for that reason I chose a track that may shock a few people. I personally love this track by Will Young and hope that you all will love it too. Just as a heads up i’d like to let you all know that things are going to change with Throwback as of next week. So stay tuned, until then please enjoy the sweet vocals of Mr Will Young on his track ‘Fridays Child‘. Luv ya mum x

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So we’ve been asking you guys to share your hidden gems and inspirational locations around the city with us, thanks to all of you that have done so so far! As part of the campaign, fashion photographer Nick Knight took to the streets of London to share his hidden gems. Using his craft, Nick took us on an inspirational journey across the city through what can only be described as a real-time exhibition, hosted on Twitter. Equipped with only is iphone (and a good pair of walking shoes), he captured the spots that we take for granted in our city. His locations have been added to a map on pinterest which you can check out after the break. You might want to check out our hidden gems too, never know, you might even see our own!

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Kate T. Parker is a wedding photographer but in this series she points the camera at her own family to shoot some beautiful moments in her sisters adoption of a baby boy. The images do a wonderful job of showing that a parents love is not dependant on a biological connection, while the sense of family spirit is utterly heart warming. She captures the sincerest of emotions and character as the family gathers around at what is clearly a time of true joy. Check out stunning photography here.

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This weekend LoveBox hit Victoria Park, London. With Nas performing Illmatic, Soul II Soul and EZ on the bill I thanked my lucky stars when I ended up with a very last minute ticket. I could hardly think of a more perfect way to spend a scorching (and stormy) weekend in London. But when I got there, something just didn’t feel right. The LoveBox I’d come to know and love had been replaced…

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