Monday, December 24, 2007

The Father of "Hollywood Regency"



David Hicks (1929-98) has emerged as the most influential interior designer of his generation. His signature style has inspired contemporary designers of both fashion and home, and yet many individuals in and out of the design biz don't seem to be familiar with his work.

Often, popular interior designers Kelly Wearstler (kwid.com) & Jonathan Adler (jonathanadler.com) are credited with the "Hollywood Regency" look which has exploded in the mainstream in the past few years. And although these designers are brilliantly talented at what they do, they are more or less creating spaces that are an homage to the look that David Hicks created decades ago.

Long before the look was coined as "Hollywood Regency", David Hicks was creating beautiful spaces across the atlantic in England. He launched his career with the decoration of his own house in London in 1954, and soon began to design interiors for aristocracy, media and fashion (Vidal Sassoon, Helena Rubinstein, the Duchess of Rutland and Mrs Condé Nast).

In 1960, Hicks married Lady Pamela Mountbatten and was soon making carpets for Windsor Castle and decorating the Prince of Wales' first apartment at Buckingham Palace.

The resurgence of his design aesthetic can be found all over L.A. today. The Viceroy and Roosevelt hotel are two prime examples of Hicks style, so next time you're there compare the interior spaces with the photos of Hicks work; circa 1970's (above).

The Father of "Hollywood Regency"



David Hicks (1929-98) has emerged as the most influential interior designer of his generation. His signature style has inspired contemporary designers of both fashion and home, and yet many individuals in and out of the design biz don't seem to be familiar with his work.

Often, popular interior designers Kelly Wearstler (kwid.com) & Jonathan Adler (jonathanadler.com) are credited with the "Hollywood Regency" look which has exploded in the mainstream in the past few years. And although these designers are brilliantly talented at what they do, they are more or less creating spaces that are an homage to the look that David Hicks created decades ago.

Long before the look was coined as "Hollywood Regency", David Hicks was creating beautiful spaces across the atlantic in England. He launched his career with the decoration of his own house in London in 1954, and soon began to design interiors for aristocracy, media and fashion (Vidal Sassoon, Helena Rubinstein, the Duchess of Rutland and Mrs Condé Nast).

In 1960, Hicks married Lady Pamela Mountbatten and was soon making carpets for Windsor Castle and decorating the Prince of Wales' first apartment at Buckingham Palace.

The resurgence of his design aesthetic can be found all over L.A. today. The Viceroy and Roosevelt hotel are two prime examples of Hicks style, so next time you're there compare the interior spaces with the photos of Hicks work; circa 1970's (above).

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Forecast: Design In 2008



On Thursday, New York Times Style section published an exceptional article on which of the year's interior design trends passed from hot to not. More importantly, the article unbiasedly forecasts home design for the coming year...awesome!

What's OUT for 2008!

1. Ceramic deer heads in white

2. Cowhide rugs (heavily used in minimalist modern homes to soften the edges)

3. Mass produced interpretations of the ever-popular "Hollywood Regency" look. A backlash is absolutely mainstreaming in 2008.

4. Baroque mirrors

5. Flatscreen TV's over fireplaces

6. Bamboo

7. The vague standards put on "green" products

What's IN for 2008:

1. Customization. The democratization of design is experiencing a backlash, and out of it is a new group of consumers who are looking to custom one-of-a-kind pieces to furnish their homes with.

2. Blue movement. Like the green environmentally conscious movement, but with more accountability. Green 2.0 if you will.

3. Commitment - Today, you can click and buy anything. This often leads to homes that are filled with objects that have not been well thought out. For 2008, commitment and re-thinking the design direction of your home will be big. In line with this idea, 2008 consumers will be looking for products that have sustainability...furniture and accessories that can live past trends.

...do we agree?

-S

Forecast: Design In 2008



On Thursday, New York Times Style section published an exceptional article on which of the year's interior design trends passed from hot to not. More importantly, the article unbiasedly forecasts home design for the coming year...awesome!

What's OUT for 2008!

1. Ceramic deer heads in white

2. Cowhide rugs (heavily used in minimalist modern homes to soften the edges)

3. Mass produced interpretations of the ever-popular "Hollywood Regency" look. A backlash is absolutely mainstreaming in 2008.

4. Baroque mirrors

5. Flatscreen TV's over fireplaces

6. Bamboo

7. The vague standards put on "green" products

What's IN for 2008:

1. Customization. The democratization of design is experiencing a backlash, and out of it is a new group of consumers who are looking to custom one-of-a-kind pieces to furnish their homes with.

2. Blue movement. Like the green environmentally conscious movement, but with more accountability. Green 2.0 if you will.

3. Commitment - Today, you can click and buy anything. This often leads to homes that are filled with objects that have not been well thought out. For 2008, commitment and re-thinking the design direction of your home will be big. In line with this idea, 2008 consumers will be looking for products that have sustainability...furniture and accessories that can live past trends.

...do we agree?

-S

Saccharine Seduction In L.A.



Dissecting what he sees as the frivolities of pop culture, Antony Micallef makes art that questions the direction of our celebrity crazed society today.

Generally, his works use juxtaposition to reveal "the saccharine seduction of colourful [...] consumerism alongside its dark and troubling underbelly." This complexity and brutal beauty explain why Anthony Micallef has become one of the most promising young artists today. -antonymicallef.com

I was lucky enough to see the body of Antony's work in his last show in L.A. a few months back, and I have to say that every piece was amazing in person. The themes he explores are relevant up to the nano-second of the day...and that's just plain cool.

-S

Saccharine Seduction In L.A.



Dissecting what he sees as the frivolities of pop culture, Antony Micallef makes art that questions the direction of our celebrity crazed society today.

Generally, his works use juxtaposition to reveal "the saccharine seduction of colourful [...] consumerism alongside its dark and troubling underbelly." This complexity and brutal beauty explain why Anthony Micallef has become one of the most promising young artists today. -antonymicallef.com

I was lucky enough to see the body of Antony's work in his last show in L.A. a few months back, and I have to say that every piece was amazing in person. The themes he explores are relevant up to the nano-second of the day...and that's just plain cool.

-S

Saturday, December 22, 2007

The Kaufmann House




"Stunning pictures of the world famous Kaufmann Desert House in Palm Springs, CA which is expected to fetch more than $15,000,000 when it is sold as part of Christie's Post-War & Contemporary Art sale in May, 2008. Prepare to be flabbergasted by it's beauty even if you don't care for world class modernist architecture." - realestalker

FOR MORE PICTURES, CHECK OUT THE SLIDESHOW @:
www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2007/10/30/arts/20071031_KAUFMAN_SLIDESHOW_14.html

The Kaufmann House




"Stunning pictures of the world famous Kaufmann Desert House in Palm Springs, CA which is expected to fetch more than $15,000,000 when it is sold as part of Christie's Post-War & Contemporary Art sale in May, 2008. Prepare to be flabbergasted by it's beauty even if you don't care for world class modernist architecture." - realestalker

FOR MORE PICTURES, CHECK OUT THE SLIDESHOW @:
www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2007/10/30/arts/20071031_KAUFMAN_SLIDESHOW_14.html

Haute Dessert

Karl Lagerfeld (Chloe, Fendi, Chanel) has designed a limited edition Holiday Log with the Parisian baker Lenôtre. The Holiday Log is a traditional French dessert eaten during the holiday season and represents a log from a fireplace. The Karl Lagerfeld holiday log comes in a mirrored box and a axe made of caramelized sugar. The actual log is made of gingerbread with almonds and hazelnuts filled with a compote of sweet orange and apricot and a chocolate coulis. The cake will only be available by order from Lenôtre during the holiday season. Lenotre.fr

No more Costco muffins for me!

...And while we're at it, I'll have some Donatella chocolate milk to wash it down with too.

-S


Haute Dessert

Karl Lagerfeld (Chloe, Fendi, Chanel) has designed a limited edition Holiday Log with the Parisian baker Lenôtre. The Holiday Log is a traditional French dessert eaten during the holiday season and represents a log from a fireplace. The Karl Lagerfeld holiday log comes in a mirrored box and a axe made of caramelized sugar. The actual log is made of gingerbread with almonds and hazelnuts filled with a compote of sweet orange and apricot and a chocolate coulis. The cake will only be available by order from Lenôtre during the holiday season. Lenotre.fr

No more Costco muffins for me!

...And while we're at it, I'll have some Donatella chocolate milk to wash it down with too.

-S


Thursday, December 20, 2007

Color of the Year 2008

The color authority, Pantone inc., has chosen blue-iris (AKA-No. 18-3943) as color of the year for 2008! A mix of blue and purple, Pantone believes that blue-iris "suggests dependability and magic" - 2 themes that have been forecasted for the design world in 2008.

For those of you who are not familiar with Pantone's...

Pantone Inc. is a corporation best known for its Pantone Matching System (PMS), a proprietary color space used in a variety of industries (printing, paint, fashion, fabric and plastics).

The company's primary products is the Pantone Guides, which consist of a large number of small thin cardboard sheets, printed on one side with a series of related color swatches and then bound into a small flipbook. For instance, a particular "page" might contain a number of yellows of varying tints.

*The innovative idea behind the PMS is to allow designers to 'color match' specific colors when a design enters production stage—regardless of the equipment used to produce the color... The Pantone has become the universally accepted color-language created for the design industry. This system has been widely adopted by designers of most industries, reproduction and printing houses for a number of years now.

What are your thoughts on blue-iris No. 18-3943?... Would you wear it in 2008?

-S

PS- Pantone's color of the year for 2007 was Chilli-Pepper Red (Chosen for its pizazz and sophistication and its hint of ethnic taste.)

Color of the Year 2008

The color authority, Pantone inc., has chosen blue-iris (AKA-No. 18-3943) as color of the year for 2008! A mix of blue and purple, Pantone believes that blue-iris "suggests dependability and magic" - 2 themes that have been forecasted for the design world in 2008.

For those of you who are not familiar with Pantone's...

Pantone Inc. is a corporation best known for its Pantone Matching System (PMS), a proprietary color space used in a variety of industries (printing, paint, fashion, fabric and plastics).

The company's primary products is the Pantone Guides, which consist of a large number of small thin cardboard sheets, printed on one side with a series of related color swatches and then bound into a small flipbook. For instance, a particular "page" might contain a number of yellows of varying tints.

*The innovative idea behind the PMS is to allow designers to 'color match' specific colors when a design enters production stage—regardless of the equipment used to produce the color... The Pantone has become the universally accepted color-language created for the design industry. This system has been widely adopted by designers of most industries, reproduction and printing houses for a number of years now.

What are your thoughts on blue-iris No. 18-3943?... Would you wear it in 2008?

-S

PS- Pantone's color of the year for 2007 was Chilli-Pepper Red (Chosen for its pizazz and sophistication and its hint of ethnic taste.)

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Design Art: Piero Fornasetti

According to Piero Fornasetti, a single idea provided the opportunity to develop others ideas.

Fornasetti gave free play to his imagination to the point that most of his work is based on endless variations of several themes. Amongst these, the most recurrent are the sun, playing cards, harlequins, hands, self-portraits and so on. The most famous is the one that Fornasetti himself called "Theme and Variations", representing the enigmatic face of a woman. He found the face of the woman while glancing through a French magazine of the 19th century: her name was Lina Cavalieri. Perhaps he chose this face for its archetypal, classic female features. Like a Greek statue and enigmatic like the Mona Lisa she was perfect to be moulded into the idea Fornasetti had in his mind.

With great modesty, all this work was reproduced on a series of everyday objects like plates, ashtrays, umbrellas stands and trays. At the beginning there were only six white plates decorated with black and white designs representing a female face. Then this series has spontaneously increased during the years until it reached 350 different variations on the theme of classical beauty. - via www.Fornasetii.com

Is it dinnerware or art? Should you place it on the dining room table, or on a wall?

The epitome of design art, Piero Fornasetti.



Design Art: Piero Fornasetti

According to Piero Fornasetti, a single idea provided the opportunity to develop others ideas.

Fornasetti gave free play to his imagination to the point that most of his work is based on endless variations of several themes. Amongst these, the most recurrent are the sun, playing cards, harlequins, hands, self-portraits and so on. The most famous is the one that Fornasetti himself called "Theme and Variations", representing the enigmatic face of a woman. He found the face of the woman while glancing through a French magazine of the 19th century: her name was Lina Cavalieri. Perhaps he chose this face for its archetypal, classic female features. Like a Greek statue and enigmatic like the Mona Lisa she was perfect to be moulded into the idea Fornasetti had in his mind.

With great modesty, all this work was reproduced on a series of everyday objects like plates, ashtrays, umbrellas stands and trays. At the beginning there were only six white plates decorated with black and white designs representing a female face. Then this series has spontaneously increased during the years until it reached 350 different variations on the theme of classical beauty. - via www.Fornasetii.com

Is it dinnerware or art? Should you place it on the dining room table, or on a wall?

The epitome of design art, Piero Fornasetti.



MOSS, not Kate

The first satellite location outside the New York Flagship, MOSS opened it's doors in West Hollywood this past summer.

What's so innovative about MOSS is the concept. MOSS is neither a store nor an art gallery... it's actually both!

MOSS has been in the forefront of the movement known increasingly as DESIGN ART for more than a decade. Many of the designers whose production work they have shown for years also do extraordinary work in their studios which absolutely crosses into the realm of collectible, historically pertinent art.

The gallery space and the store are fully integrated. The "art" pieces stand beside the "production" work, and each amplifies and comments on the other, and together they tell a more complete and more complex story than either piece alone.

Check out www.mossonline.com to get info on current exhibitions & installations.

This is exactly what we need more of in L.A.!

MOSS
8444 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90069


MOSS, not Kate

The first satellite location outside the New York Flagship, MOSS opened it's doors in West Hollywood this past summer.

What's so innovative about MOSS is the concept. MOSS is neither a store nor an art gallery... it's actually both!

MOSS has been in the forefront of the movement known increasingly as DESIGN ART for more than a decade. Many of the designers whose production work they have shown for years also do extraordinary work in their studios which absolutely crosses into the realm of collectible, historically pertinent art.

The gallery space and the store are fully integrated. The "art" pieces stand beside the "production" work, and each amplifies and comments on the other, and together they tell a more complete and more complex story than either piece alone.

Check out www.mossonline.com to get info on current exhibitions & installations.

This is exactly what we need more of in L.A.!

MOSS
8444 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90069


Monday, December 17, 2007

Zeppelin, By Marcel Wanders

In design, there's always a fine line between referencing the past and regurgitating old ideas. It is my belief that the future of design cannot be found in an earlier period of time. That being said, I introduce Marcel Wanders & the Zeppelin Chandelier.

A juxtaposition of new & old. The old; classic chandelier, 12 spires made from steel with transparent candle shaped lights. The new; coated in a silk-like resin creating a cocoon. The effect; light perfectly diffused and each pendant lamp different since the random application of resin creates a unique pattern on the shell.
Only $2,760.

This is why we love the designer:

“I’m a sort of amateur, and amateurs aren’t so sure about things so they investigate and bring new ideas that experts might overlook,” says Wanders. He adds, “I work with durability in design—products worth bonding with for a lifetime. I have an overall respect for ourselves and the world, and I think this respect is the basis of good design.”

www.marcelwanders.com






Zeppelin, By Marcel Wanders

In design, there's always a fine line between referencing the past and regurgitating old ideas. It is my belief that the future of design cannot be found in an earlier period of time. That being said, I introduce Marcel Wanders & the Zeppelin Chandelier.

A juxtaposition of new & old. The old; classic chandelier, 12 spires made from steel with transparent candle shaped lights. The new; coated in a silk-like resin creating a cocoon. The effect; light perfectly diffused and each pendant lamp different since the random application of resin creates a unique pattern on the shell.
Only $2,760.

This is why we love the designer:

“I’m a sort of amateur, and amateurs aren’t so sure about things so they investigate and bring new ideas that experts might overlook,” says Wanders. He adds, “I work with durability in design—products worth bonding with for a lifetime. I have an overall respect for ourselves and the world, and I think this respect is the basis of good design.”

www.marcelwanders.com






I Heart Silver Lake

As a native Angelino, I'm drawn to Silver Lake because of it's artistic identity. Off "the grid" from the rest of L.A. and a haven for non-conformists for over 100 years, Silver Lake has a wonderful collection of modern architecture including work by Rudolf Schindler, Richard Neutra, and Frank Lloyd Wright, among others.

This narrative provides a gorgeously illustrated, inspirational tour of the architecture, interiors, and shops of one of modern design's newest hot spots: Silver Lake, California.

I Heart Silver Lake

As a native Angelino, I'm drawn to Silver Lake because of it's artistic identity. Off "the grid" from the rest of L.A. and a haven for non-conformists for over 100 years, Silver Lake has a wonderful collection of modern architecture including work by Rudolf Schindler, Richard Neutra, and Frank Lloyd Wright, among others.

This narrative provides a gorgeously illustrated, inspirational tour of the architecture, interiors, and shops of one of modern design's newest hot spots: Silver Lake, California.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Duran Duranberlake?!

What do you get when you mix 1part 80's new-wave icons w/ 2parts collaborative duo Justin Timberlake & Timbaland? ... you get Duran Duran's latest studio album,"Red Carpet Massacre".

"Red Carpet Massacre" is an unapologetic-dancefloor ready album that will no doubt surprise every Duran Duran fan out there. Think "Girls on Film" mashed up with "Promiscuous Girl".

Taking a leap into a new direction, the album sounds quintessentially Timbaland...very urban-electro with heavy beats and synthesized sounds.


Check out the track "Nite-Runner" (which also features Timberlake on vocals). I'm also recommending a listen of the track "The Valley". It's a standout song in that it most authentically combines everything we love about Timbaland without overpowering the Duran Duran sound...(those who love Timbaland know that the man tends to overproduce his projects..."feeky-feeky").

My intuition is telling me that "Red Carpet Massacre" may not be well received by the masses, as it walks a fine line between creation vs.commerce. But whatever the case may be, music snobs can't deny that the album is fun to listen to.
I'm curious to know...what do you think?

Duran Duranberlake?!

What do you get when you mix 1part 80's new-wave icons w/ 2parts collaborative duo Justin Timberlake & Timbaland? ... you get Duran Duran's latest studio album,"Red Carpet Massacre".

"Red Carpet Massacre" is an unapologetic-dancefloor ready album that will no doubt surprise every Duran Duran fan out there. Think "Girls on Film" mashed up with "Promiscuous Girl".

Taking a leap into a new direction, the album sounds quintessentially Timbaland...very urban-electro with heavy beats and synthesized sounds.


Check out the track "Nite-Runner" (which also features Timberlake on vocals). I'm also recommending a listen of the track "The Valley". It's a standout song in that it most authentically combines everything we love about Timbaland without overpowering the Duran Duran sound...(those who love Timbaland know that the man tends to overproduce his projects..."feeky-feeky").

My intuition is telling me that "Red Carpet Massacre" may not be well received by the masses, as it walks a fine line between creation vs.commerce. But whatever the case may be, music snobs can't deny that the album is fun to listen to.
I'm curious to know...what do you think?

Too Greedy To Share

Tapas just ain't my thing. Although most of the new & chic restaurants in L.A. are serving tapas style cuisine, the simple fact is that I'm too greedy to share my meal. The appetizers may be tasty, but all they do is solidify your hunger and you leave fiending for a hot pastrami sandwich... well, I know I do!

If your craving a deli sandwich that puts Jerry to shame, check out Greenblatt's Deli & Wine Shop in West Hollywood. Greenblatt's is a true Hollywood staple that's been open everyday until 2am for decades upon decades (near the corner of Sunset & Crescent Heights). For you hipsters out there, Greenblatt's is 1 door down from Hyde lounge and about a block from Privilege. The food at Greenblatt's is pure quality and very delicious, and the prices are fair.

Greenblatt's may not be as "famous" as other deli's in L.A., but I promise you'll be a regular at first bite. Carnivores forever!

Greenblatt's Deli
8017 Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, California 323/656-0606


Too Greedy To Share

Tapas just ain't my thing. Although most of the new & chic restaurants in L.A. are serving tapas style cuisine, the simple fact is that I'm too greedy to share my meal. The appetizers may be tasty, but all they do is solidify your hunger and you leave fiending for a hot pastrami sandwich... well, I know I do!

If your craving a deli sandwich that puts Jerry to shame, check out Greenblatt's Deli & Wine Shop in West Hollywood. Greenblatt's is a true Hollywood staple that's been open everyday until 2am for decades upon decades (near the corner of Sunset & Crescent Heights). For you hipsters out there, Greenblatt's is 1 door down from Hyde lounge and about a block from Privilege. The food at Greenblatt's is pure quality and very delicious, and the prices are fair.

Greenblatt's may not be as "famous" as other deli's in L.A., but I promise you'll be a regular at first bite. Carnivores forever!

Greenblatt's Deli
8017 Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, California 323/656-0606


Friday, December 14, 2007

"Eros" collection by BREIL

This watch is a killer! It looks like ritzy watchmakers Patek Philippe (see nautilus collection) & the sporty Nixon had a love child!

What I love about this watch is the rose colour plated case & the black rubber strap, which are probably the two latest trends to hit watch design in recent times.

The "Eros" collection is quality Italian watchmaking with cutting edge design at a relatively affordable price... around $400 smackers.

A watch for the modern Gent. Check out http://www.breil.com/, and see "Eros" collection.

"Eros" collection by BREIL

This watch is a killer! It looks like ritzy watchmakers Patek Philippe (see nautilus collection) & the sporty Nixon had a love child!

What I love about this watch is the rose colour plated case & the black rubber strap, which are probably the two latest trends to hit watch design in recent times.

The "Eros" collection is quality Italian watchmaking with cutting edge design at a relatively affordable price... around $400 smackers.

A watch for the modern Gent. Check out http://www.breil.com/, and see "Eros" collection.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Pockets Are Not Square

An easy way to add subtle style to any man's wardrobe is with the simple white pocket square. This look is best achieved when combined with casual day pieces, as a juxtaposition of styles is what were shooting for...(think T-shirts & Jeans).

Contrary to popular belief, there's no science to tucking in the pocket square...just throw it in your blazer and go... Voila, instant panache!







Pockets Are Not Square

An easy way to add subtle style to any man's wardrobe is with the simple white pocket square. This look is best achieved when combined with casual day pieces, as a juxtaposition of styles is what were shooting for...(think T-shirts & Jeans).

Contrary to popular belief, there's no science to tucking in the pocket square...just throw it in your blazer and go... Voila, instant panache!







Before JUNO

Sean recommends HARD CANDY

Before starring in the new Jason Reitman comedy JUNO, Ellen Page gave an unforgettable performance in what became her breakout role in the film HARD CANDY.

HARD CANDY is an independent 2005 psychological thriller film that covers the topic of sexual abuse of young girls. focusing on a confrontation between a sexual predator and a 14-year-old girl he attempts to ensnare. wikipedia.org

Directed by David Slade who previously had worked mostly with music videos, the film contains many coloring effects and "density shifts" of lighting to reflect the moods of the characters. The coloring effects give the film a unique look, and really elevate HARD CANDY into an art piece.

Watch the trailer and see for yourself: http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/hardcandy/




Before JUNO

Sean recommends HARD CANDY

Before starring in the new Jason Reitman comedy JUNO, Ellen Page gave an unforgettable performance in what became her breakout role in the film HARD CANDY.

HARD CANDY is an independent 2005 psychological thriller film that covers the topic of sexual abuse of young girls. focusing on a confrontation between a sexual predator and a 14-year-old girl he attempts to ensnare. wikipedia.org

Directed by David Slade who previously had worked mostly with music videos, the film contains many coloring effects and "density shifts" of lighting to reflect the moods of the characters. The coloring effects give the film a unique look, and really elevate HARD CANDY into an art piece.

Watch the trailer and see for yourself: http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/hardcandy/




Know About NEW?!

If you're going to ring in the new year in NYC (like me), than you must check out the New Museum of Contemporary Art (www.newmuseum.org)

The first art museum ever constructed from the ground up in downtown Manhattan, the New Museum openend to the public on December 1, 2007, coinciding with the institution’s 30th anniversary. The New Museum building is a home for contemporary art and an incubator for new ideas, as well as an architectural contribution to New York’s urban landscape.

NY Times: New York city is bursting with gorgeous art exhibitions, but where is the raw energy? Where is the new blood, intent on upending the establishment? Today, once-rebellious talents often seem to be wandering lost in the constellation of celebrity, where they soon settle into complacency.


Designed by the Japanese firm Sanaa, the
New Museum of Contemporary Art, on the Bowery at Prince Street on the Lower East Side, is the kind of building that renews your faith in New York as a place where culture is lived, not just bought and sold.

The architects, Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, conceived the building as a series of mismatched galleries precariously stacked one atop the other. It succeeds on a spectacular range of levels: as a hypnotic urban object, as a subtle critique of the art world and as a refreshingly unpretentious place to view art.
But what elevates the building itself to art is the way it captures an unnerving moment in the city’s cultural history with near-perfect pitch. Its ethereal forms hover somewhere between the legacy of a fading bohemian downtown and the ravenous appetites of a society awash in new money. That the building is so artfully rooted in the present means that its haunting quality will probably deepen as the city ages around it. - By Nicolai Ourousoff / Image by Dean Kaufman via newyorkmag.com

Know About NEW?!

If you're going to ring in the new year in NYC (like me), than you must check out the New Museum of Contemporary Art (www.newmuseum.org)

The first art museum ever constructed from the ground up in downtown Manhattan, the New Museum openend to the public on December 1, 2007, coinciding with the institution’s 30th anniversary. The New Museum building is a home for contemporary art and an incubator for new ideas, as well as an architectural contribution to New York’s urban landscape.

NY Times: New York city is bursting with gorgeous art exhibitions, but where is the raw energy? Where is the new blood, intent on upending the establishment? Today, once-rebellious talents often seem to be wandering lost in the constellation of celebrity, where they soon settle into complacency.


Designed by the Japanese firm Sanaa, the
New Museum of Contemporary Art, on the Bowery at Prince Street on the Lower East Side, is the kind of building that renews your faith in New York as a place where culture is lived, not just bought and sold.

The architects, Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, conceived the building as a series of mismatched galleries precariously stacked one atop the other. It succeeds on a spectacular range of levels: as a hypnotic urban object, as a subtle critique of the art world and as a refreshingly unpretentious place to view art.
But what elevates the building itself to art is the way it captures an unnerving moment in the city’s cultural history with near-perfect pitch. Its ethereal forms hover somewhere between the legacy of a fading bohemian downtown and the ravenous appetites of a society awash in new money. That the building is so artfully rooted in the present means that its haunting quality will probably deepen as the city ages around it. - By Nicolai Ourousoff / Image by Dean Kaufman via newyorkmag.com

Monday, December 10, 2007

The Men's Tote

If you're tired of the messenger bag, try the TOTE! This Filson tote is one of my favorites for day-to-day. The trend is definitley on the rise for men, and with all the gadgets we have today it's a perfect bag to hold all your cool stuff.

The Filson Story :
Born in 1850, C. C. Filson inherited his father's pioneer spirit and love of the outdoors. After homesteading in Nebraska and roaming the country as a railroad conductor, he moved to the small city of Seattle, Washington in the 1890's. Filson's timing couldn't have been better. By 1897, the Great Klondike Gold Rush was on, and thousands of fortune hunters were stampeding into Seattle, headed north. Armed with a strong work ethic, a reputation for honesty, and several years' experience operating a small loggers' outfitting store, C. C. Filson was ready to stake his claim to fame. Check out http://www.filson.com/ for more wonderful American luggage.

The Men's Tote

If you're tired of the messenger bag, try the TOTE! This Filson tote is one of my favorites for day-to-day. The trend is definitley on the rise for men, and with all the gadgets we have today it's a perfect bag to hold all your cool stuff.

The Filson Story :
Born in 1850, C. C. Filson inherited his father's pioneer spirit and love of the outdoors. After homesteading in Nebraska and roaming the country as a railroad conductor, he moved to the small city of Seattle, Washington in the 1890's. Filson's timing couldn't have been better. By 1897, the Great Klondike Gold Rush was on, and thousands of fortune hunters were stampeding into Seattle, headed north. Armed with a strong work ethic, a reputation for honesty, and several years' experience operating a small loggers' outfitting store, C. C. Filson was ready to stake his claim to fame. Check out http://www.filson.com/ for more wonderful American luggage.

Egyptian Lover - "Freak-A-Holic"

This song came to me on a compilation CD from famed parisian boutique COLETTE (via Bo in Amsterdam).

I'd kill to hear this song on a dancefloor in L.A.!

Egyptian Lover - "Freak-A-Holic"

This song came to me on a compilation CD from famed parisian boutique COLETTE (via Bo in Amsterdam).

I'd kill to hear this song on a dancefloor in L.A.!

Once

If this movie doesn't move you, we can't be friends. On the flip side, I think that's why my bf Jessy and I are friends.

The soundtrack stands on its own as well. "If You Want Me" & "All the Way Down" are my favorite tracks, and they're on Itunes for your listening pleasure.

Once is a 2006 Irish musical film written and directed by John Carney. Set in Dublin, this naturalistic drama stars musicians Glen Hansard (of popular Irish rock band The Frames) and Markéta Irglová as fictional struggling musicians. Collaborators prior to making the film, Hansard and/or Irglová composed and performed all but one of the original songs in the movie. wikipedia.org

Quick quote: Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg was quoted as saying "A little movie called Once gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year."

Once

If this movie doesn't move you, we can't be friends. On the flip side, I think that's why my bf Jessy and I are friends.

The soundtrack stands on its own as well. "If You Want Me" & "All the Way Down" are my favorite tracks, and they're on Itunes for your listening pleasure.

Once is a 2006 Irish musical film written and directed by John Carney. Set in Dublin, this naturalistic drama stars musicians Glen Hansard (of popular Irish rock band The Frames) and Markéta Irglová as fictional struggling musicians. Collaborators prior to making the film, Hansard and/or Irglová composed and performed all but one of the original songs in the movie. wikipedia.org

Quick quote: Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg was quoted as saying "A little movie called Once gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year."

RAF by Raf Simons

I love a good pair of Jeans, but I hate almost all the 'washes' that menswear designers are doing lately (whiskers, overly-distressed, overly-dyed, overly embellished, etc...) It all just seems pretty blah and uninspired. With that said, I'm super syked about getting a pair of waxed jeans from RAF by Raf Simons. It's an effortless piece that adds subtle style to any man's wardrobe. Check out the winter08 slideshow on the RAF website: http://www.rafbyrafsimons.com/

Quick Bio: "Raf Simons is probably the most influential men's-wear designer of the last decade. ''He did everything before anyone else, and everybody has copied him,'' Marie-Amelie Sauve, the stylist for Balenciaga, said. Although Simons is virtually unknown outside the small world of European men's fashion, his effect on the way young men dress cannot be overstated." Cathy Horyn, www.thefashionspot.com/ Image by Rineke Dijkstra

RAF by Raf Simons

I love a good pair of Jeans, but I hate almost all the 'washes' that menswear designers are doing lately (whiskers, overly-distressed, overly-dyed, overly embellished, etc...) It all just seems pretty blah and uninspired. With that said, I'm super syked about getting a pair of waxed jeans from RAF by Raf Simons. It's an effortless piece that adds subtle style to any man's wardrobe. Check out the winter08 slideshow on the RAF website: http://www.rafbyrafsimons.com/

Quick Bio: "Raf Simons is probably the most influential men's-wear designer of the last decade. ''He did everything before anyone else, and everybody has copied him,'' Marie-Amelie Sauve, the stylist for Balenciaga, said. Although Simons is virtually unknown outside the small world of European men's fashion, his effect on the way young men dress cannot be overstated." Cathy Horyn, www.thefashionspot.com/ Image by Rineke Dijkstra