Just because it’s sweltering hot outside in New York City, does not mean girlies forget how to dress. It’s quite the contrary when we’re talking about downtown Manhattan or Williamsburg. I’ve picked the best, and a few of the worst, from the slideshow above. Here’s what we like: the black Givenchy heels but NOT the penny loafers with tiny black socks. Stacey Bendet from Alice + Olivia not only pulls off summer fur, but sports some swell metallic bangles. Printed vintage jackets and wraps seem all the rage, ditto for ethnic jewelry and blue nail polish. Straw basket bags make for the perfect easy accessory with backless frocks (to note: Jane Birkin loved to carry one all over Paris in hot months.) But, please say no to the braless black strap dress if you take larger than an A cup. Check out this French gal in some cool Courreges (see the light mint green/egg shell blue jacket and skirt.)
After their massive success back in 2007, The Klaxons have returned with their second album Surfing the Void from which “Echoes” is released. The alternative-rock trio have ditched the ‘new rave’ label and have given themselves a fresh new sound. Prepare for the indie-new-wave scene to happen all over again, let’s just hope there is nothing too ‘fluorescent’ this time round!
VPL photos, shot by Maciek Kobielski
I’m hanging out with VPL designer Victoria Bartlett, whose Fall line hits stores in New York, LA, Paris, and London this week. Vic is into body hugging tunics, bra tops, leggings, and sexy wraps, all that would rock with a good pair of Hudson jeans. We’re talking about shoes, and she notes that male designers are the ones who make the heels that really hurt. “Yeah, that’s true.” I say. “Is that why you use Tiffany Tuttle?” Vic nods.
Tuttle, who is based in LA has collaborated each VPL season and also works with model turned designer Erin Wasson, whose RVCA line puts out easy looks for a comfortable cool globe trotting girl. “My shoes aren’t about hindering a woman’s ability to have movement.” Tuttle says.
Check out the long skin tawny boots for VPL’s fall line above! As easy as wellies but so damn sexy over a pair of Hudson skinny jeans. More styling ideas would be to pair a VPL gray tee with some Hudson bell bottoms, or wrap a VPL grand dad knit over a Hudson tank and shorts.
Meanwhile, check out the shoes: LDTUTTLE
Shots taken inside “Le Bain;” Check out striped waitresses and André Saraiva (small guy with black hair) also in stripes and charming the ladies
No more “boom boom,” guys! That’s the word on the VIP street when you pass by the first side door at New Yorks’s Standard Hotel. Hotelier André Balazs has closed his eighteenth floor lounge, which will re-open in the fall to members only. But to keep the hipsters stepping, André Saraiva — who owns Le Baron club in Paris, and who started as a party boy turned graffiti artist — has taken over the space heralded by the second door at the Standard. It’s called “Le Bain,” which means “the bath” in French. So far, the space, which features a square hot tub pool, has hosted a party for the Italian label Salavatore Ferragamo. Alexander Dexter Jones, baby brother of Mark and Samantha Ronson, takes his turns at the music, spinning everything from Studio 54 disco to Depeche Mode and Lady Gaga. We haven’t seen so many grungy hipsters since Beatrice closed. But the Cote d’Azur stripes on the wait staff and the beach balls the color of the French flag (and American, note!) are good fun. The roof top– via back stairs– is perfect for star gazing, both in the sky and in the celebrity sense, on breezy nights. WARNING: By 2 am, you’ll likely spot a few male models and often deejay Mike Nouveau in the pool.
London Street Style.
Posted - July 26th, 2010 - Fashion
Lisa-32-Relocation Consultant, Fay-28-Shoe Designer
Ruth-20-Embroidery Designer
Jermaine-16-Fashion Designer , Olympia-17-Make up artist/Hairdresser/Singer
Half Gallery and Curator Neville Wakefield Annoint An Art Star
Posted - July 23rd, 2010 - Art
Olympia Scarry, once a socialite, now an artist
The invitation may have listed a few featured artists: Susan Collis, Carol Bove, Xaviera Simmons, but the highlight of the current show at the Half Gallery in LES is clearly socialite — now evolved as artist — Olympia Scarry. (She is the granddaughter of children’s book author, Richard Scarry.)
One might doubt that this girl, born in Geneva, sent to boarding school, then living in Paris and London without university art training could turn out something notable. But, after assisting artist Matthew Barney — who creates full worlds of fantasy, gore, and feats of imagination — Scarry seems to be on to something. The show at Half centers around a rectangle molded in animal fat and Scarry’s own saliva. In fact, the sculpture is actually called “Saliva.” It tempts the senses since it resembles a cross between marble, your best milled French soap, and white chocolate. I heard one woman say, “I just want to lick it.”
In any case, Scarry is one to watch. Between Scarry’s beau, the show’s curator Neville Wakefield and her boss, Mr. Barney, I’ll have my eyes peeled. (Show goes until August 13th at Half Gallery, 208 Forsyth Street, (Outtakes in slideshow below.)
The Mystery Jets are back with their third album Serotonin which is due to be released at the start of August. This live video was performed as an in-store session at Rough Trade East to promote their album release. The first track released from the album Dreaming of Another World has been re-released this week and looks as if it will set them their highest chart position so far!
Alice + Olivia for MAC… Bedazzles Downtown Girls!
Posted - July 21st, 2010 - Fashion
Stacy Bendet, founder/designer of Alice + Olivia, (left) with Lisa Tobias
Summer’s not too hot for glamour! Not when you’re Stacy Bendet, who founded Alice + Olivia, eight years ago to see the line grow into must have dresses and pieces for cool girls from LA to NYC. Fast forward to last week and Bendet , who wears fur vests in the fall, still sported a lightweight gray fur vest. But most of the gals came to Beauty Bar on East 14th Street, to celebrate Bendet’s collaboration with MAC cosmetics, were gabbing about Bendet’s new cosmetics colors. Some sipped the free wine while deejay Chelsea Leyland spun some great new wave tracks. Other got free manicures next to the front bar. The colors fit a sex kitten: electric blue loose eyeshadow called “partylicious;” or a murky purple called “later;”and bright violet nail lacquer named “so rich, so pretty.” All of these shades could describe the crowd if “it girls” who grabbed the goodie bags, that also included Barbie pink lip gloss. LINK: A+OMAC
Above: Work by Brion Gysin, some inspired or in collaboration with William Burroughs
Ever want to go on a magical mystery tour? The late painter, illustrator, calligraphist, writer, and performance artist Brion Gysin did. That’s why Gysin constructed something called “the dream machine,” whereby folks could sit in front of a screen and by watching different colors and gradations of light, they could relax and transcend consciousness. A version of the dream machine is up now at the New Museum, as are incredible paintings and collages that Gysin did with his pal, artist/writer William Burroughs. One of Gysin’s images in our Hudson slideshow features a passage from Burrough’s infamous book, “Naked Lunch:” `A boy who disappears as soon as you come, leaving a smell of burning leaves and a sound effect of distant train whistles.’ Some say that book and the word collages (from the early Seventies) — as seen in this exhibit — don’t make sense. Both Gysin and Burroughs would disagree, preferring the experiential component of creation and story telling. After all, life doesn’t make sense, does it?
(Brion Gysin — now through October 3rd — at the New Museum, 235 Bowery, NYC.)
Brilliant Finish – Bullrun 2010
Posted - July 19th, 2010 - Debauchery
The Hudson Jeans Exotics Rally Nissan GTR, also affectionately known as “Gaadzilla” finished the last leg of the Bullrun Rally to Las Vegas in 2nd place. Tony and Seth suprised everyone this year by grabbing two First & Second place finishes. Besides the brilliant driving and rocking the rally in Hudson Jeans fashion, the car won for the the hottest car and best driver. The coveted “CEC Hottest Wheels Award” was presented by another Bullrun 2010 award winner, Claus Ettensberger, who just barely beat the team to the final checkpoint in Vegas.
For some adrenaline, watch the rally close out in style: engines roaring and the front and rear cameras recording the race to the very end.
