Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Sweet Swinton

"Stop, Repair, Prepare"

Photo courtesy of Jason Mandella from MoMA.org

"Stop, Repair, Prepare: Variations on Ode to Joy for a Prepared Piano"

Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla make classical music backwards using performance art, measuring distances and gaps by examining the relationship between the pianist and the piano, the relationship between the high and low octaves that create a new "Ode to Joy", and relationship between performer and audience in MoMA's large spatial atrium.

Click here to watch a small video on MoMA's website.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Strokes of Meaning



Untitled (Antworks) by Pouran Jinchi, 2000, photo courtesy of Artnet.com

Pouran Jinchi's artwork is so neat. The branches and trees look like written Iranian characters.


Saturday, November 27, 2010

Downtown Downturn

Dublin graffiti depicting Ireland's Finance Minister Brian Lenihan and Prime Minister Brian Cowen as the Blues Brothers
Photo courtesy of MSN.com, Cathal Mcnaughton

Monday, November 15, 2010

A Picture Worth a Thousand Words


Do you listen to Elvis Costello? I never did, but after seeing this record album at the flea market, I think I'm going to have to start.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Waltz


I rarely declare a true love for something. Crave, yes. Lust, yes. Yearn for, yes. Like a lot, a lot. So maybe you've seen my declaration for a lot of things on my blog, because when you're passionate about something you have to share it with the world right? This weekend I went to see "Gezeiten" by Sasha Waltz & Friends at the Howard Gilman Opera House in BAM. Needless to say where I'm going with this post, but I fell in love.

"Gezeiten" literally translates to "tide" in German. The dance begins slightly purist, with quiet, contemporary ballet, and a cello playing a slow harmony in the background. The dance troupe is organized in single file lines. The mood then shifts to fear, confusion and disarray with rolls and rumbles, choreographed fights; the dance troupe organized in circular huddles. The fight is then interjected with smoke and fire, red lighting, and a slow, melting dance takes place. Finally, the show finishes with destruction --- literally, the performers tore up the floor boards and started pulsating from beneath like an earthquake. There were holes in the walls, dust was flying everywhere, and a lady had cardboard in her pants --- the true works. Every single moment of the dance was a rhythmic interaction between the person, and the environment; sometimes with even the most mundane actions or props.

I thought I'd share some more Sasha Waltz with you thanks to our friends at YouTube.

Gezeiten



Dialogue 9 @ Neues Museum



Korper



Saturday, November 6, 2010

Another Steel Bananas Issue!

Every time another Steel Bananas issue rolls around it reminds me of how fast time goes by. I took the opportunity to do an interview with Nokomis since I was in Edmonton early October, as I think it is the true heartbeat of women's fashion in Edmonton. You've probably seen them in my blogs before...and you've probably seen their little turquoise, screenprinted reusable bags all over Edmonton (or Canada?).


I remember those screenprinting days in the summer as an intern there. One time we ran out of navy paint, so they asked me to choose any colour I wanted. I thought a complimentary colour like orange would be nice.....it fits the louder side of my personality I guess! So if any of you lucky Edmontonians own an orange Noko bag, it was limited edition!

Click here to go to Steel Bananas

Friday, November 5, 2010

Crave


I crave these Maison Martin Margiela Work Moc Booties.


I've always wanted to add these Margiela Turtle Dove boots to my wardrobe too. They would both make me look so smart!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Barrely Boring.


Look at the curves on this chair. The unique shape is a side effect of the wood boards, which are taken from oak barrels that house French wine. The label is Barrely Made It, by a Swedish-born San Diegan designer. Is industrial design in Swedish genes or something?

Friday, September 17, 2010

From a Distant Land


My friend Angelique just came back from a dream vacation to Peru (well, she'd call it something different) and sent me the most adorable Peruvian souvenirs. The first postcard had this to say on the reverse:

"Hola Finos!

Como estas? Mi muchas bene! Steve & I are in a heated debate about what your future kid would look like if you married a Peruvian boy...We concluded it is between child E3 and child C1."

Muchas ti amo! <3>

I couldn't stop laughing. That is exactly how my kids would look like. In an alternate universe I'd probably look like this Peruvian mama doll Angy gave me below...


Monday, September 13, 2010

Nice Spikes


My friend Vanessa found these bad puppies in a Chicago store. The front looks 50s Marilyn Monroe, and the back is a new generation on its own. They're the Sam Edelman "Lorissa" Peeptoe heels, and retail for a decent 200.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

How Does One Small Island Fit So Many People?


My sister dragged me to come with her to Ellis Island during her 10-day stay in Manhattan. It was her second-last day in the city, and it was raining non-stop for a good three days before, so that Thursday was the perfect day for her to get the all-encompassing view of Manhattan from afar.

Now when I think about it, the only thing I absolutely regretted that day was even thinking that I might regret this little excursion. Ellis Island has the best view of Manhattan island to date. It's such a beautiful view that you can't get flying over the city or riding on a boat, because you really have a portraiture of the compact urban metropolis from a stationary point of view.

Needless to say, my sister busted out her sketchbook and started doodling. Pfft, architecture students.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Silver Finger

I snagged a sleek and simple, brushed silver ring that's long enough to cover a good two-thirds of my finger at a jewelry stand in Soho. Every time I wear it my friend Jocelyn thinks I'm wearing a cast (peeeerfect! I love jewelry that inspires guessing and double-takes). My boss seems to think it makes too much noise when I accidentally drop my hand over his glass tables with too much weight though.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Reused, but not Reduced.


My sister snagged a vintage Longchamps, camel-coloured leather crossbody bag at A Second Chance. It has the perfect rectangular shape, and the cutest brass zipper with the Longchamps logo. Long live great quality products with great design. You can always rely on them to help you become super fashionable, no matter what the age.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sunday, August 1, 2010

'Tis the Season



Not the Holiday season, but Wedding season. J.Crew just opened their new Bridal Boutique on Madison Avenue, and they posted a virtual tour of the space on their website. Aside from the chic, floaty wedding dress selection they have available, I absolutely love the "something blue" chair and lamp in their salon.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Mad City




The pitch for Karl Lagerfeld's new Fendi campaign: an Italian couple in New York City. A little "Mad Men", a little Hitchcock, and a lot of Edward Hopper.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Your Benefit and Mine.


Remember that Glee episode where Sue Sylvester talks about how seeing a kid in a wheelchair perform onstage is not inspiring, but depressing? Talking about cancer is kind of like that. But who are we the ones to feel depressed when we weren't the ones it was happening to? At least...yet. Actually, on the contrary, all the cancer survivors that I know have a remarkable ability to tell their stories with light, because to be able to live to tell the story is quite simply a reason to be happy and celebrate anyways.

My good friend Daniel is hosting a benefit concert called, quite literally, "The Kick-Ass! Team Benefit Concert" for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, with the LGBT Community and Friends. Daniel was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 6 years old, but survived it after 8 years of treatment. Several women in my family have had breast cancer and survived, and my grandparents died from lung cancer before I was even born.

I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview of the concert at the dress rehearsal. Each monologue and song on the program list is engaging, fun, and moving all at once. Set in the small Singer's Forum on W 24th Street in Chelsea, despite being a small production, it is really about the performer, and his/her performance, alone.

Come support the American Cancer Society and Team Kick-Ass in their relay run!

Friday, June 25th, 7:30PM
The Singer's Forum 49 W 24th Street (between 6th Avenue and Broadway)
Tickets: $15
Raffle: $5

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Gem.

I am a huge fan of whimsical things --- magical realism, puns, trompe l'oeil effects. Perhaps it's my nostalgia for Hong Kong and Japan. After cruising around online for some fun jewelry, I found modcloth.com! So this is where those cute girls on the street get these fun fun fun (and unique) accessories! I love the designs of independent jewelry, but sometimes...I just can't afford the prices. I was pretty giddy when I found a good median in between. Here are some of my faves:

Your Friend necklace, with a "C'est la vie" note enclosed, $15.99
Apothecutie pendant necklace, a la Romeo and Juliet, $16.99 Ctrl + Alt+Del Necklace, with disconnecting USB port, $64.99


Once Upon A Boot boots, $119.99
Pharaoh-est of Them All Dress, $113.99

They also carry vintage wedding dresses with sweet bows and tulle tiers, for girls who are sick of the boring duchesse satin ones sold in stores nowadays.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Solo

Lady Gaga's new video came out today. Her blonde coiffe makes her look like a young Liza Minelli in Cabaret singing "Maybe This Time".


Of course, somewhere throughout the video, she had a pair of fantastic 1980s space goggles a la Blade Runner, and an intense dance sequence with religious references to both Madonna and Madonna.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

A Retro Rock N Roll Glamour Shopping Party - Zac Posen for Target Launch Party

I had major complexes about going to the Zac Posen for Target Launch Party. The 24-hour shop-in event was supposed to satisfy most fashionista's dreams. But let me tell you --- getting off my butt at 11pm, lining up at the entrance, and waiting in 40-some degrees F weather was not my idea of fun. The party was only two blocks away from my place, so I can't say the thought didn't tempt me at all. And how often can one say that they went to a launch party? I mean, nowadays, launch parties are like birthday parties. Anyone who has done some little finger art, made a few songs, wrote a column...heck, invented some sugar-free sugar nutritional additive, is going to throw themselves a launch party. Left and right, I'm tellin' ya.

Okay, so what makes this launch party special? That's what I kept asking myself over and over again while I got out of bed, re-applied my MAC Brave Red lipstick, threw some shampoo hairspray into my hair, and put on a pair of wedges to meet up with my friend Vanessa to line up for this shindig.

Well, for starters, how many designers that have collaborated with Target have actually had a celebration party that happened a week before the clothing line launched nationwide? Okay, fine. Maybe there is something to this, I thought.

When I got inside, I had no regrets. It was really the experience, the marketing campaign, the party, the tunes...the set deco quenched the month-long thirst my eyeballs were undergoing. It was a visual inundation of pizazz, glamour, rock, femininity, balloons, roses, chandeliers, velvet carpets and red lips.



The looks from the Target collection weren't too bad either. Styled quite right. Hard to imagine that other women pay thousands to wear the runway stuff right? Below are some of my favoured looks:



Ahh, the printed scarf around the head. How Grace Kelly, floating along the French Riviera in a sailboat....

I walked home empty-handed, because, being a patternmaker, a snobby side of me comes out and all I can think about when I'm shopping is fit, quality, construction, and...the sleeve. Oh, the sleeve. It all has to look nice. That's just what happens when you're usually surrounded by beautifully tailored pieces at work all day. Such a disappointment to see that my creative mind can be stunted by an overly calculative habit I've developed from a skill required to make the creative vision of garments come to life. How ironic. And who am I to buy a thousand quid garment that satisfies my checklist of things a beautiful garment should have? Just wait for a design collabo with Target to come out right? Oh, the irony, again.

My favorite part of the evening had to be The Like performing live. Their retro rock n'roll sound and the '60's party style outfits from the Target collection were a perfect match too.


Wait, was that "Z" on Elizabeth "Z" Berg's guitar a coincidence?



I mean, yes. I, too, have always wanted to rock out and play the drums in a poly-organza party dress.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Easter Hat Parade NY - Flora and Fauna


My favorite hats and crazy outfits that day were the floral ones that Sunday reminded me of Spring. (I know, you must be so sick of hearing me talk about Spring all the time, but really, I love it!) This Japanese Marie Antoinette, above, (who even went through the trouble to wear panniers around her hips) was my faaaaave, next to my friend Vanessa's of course (keep scrolling).







peace and love


And of course, to the leading lady that introduced me to all this fancy hat excitement: Vanessa, whose 4 ft tall, 20 lb hat consecutively tops all other hats every year. All those nights of gluing and glittering flowers and butterflies was well worth it. There was constantly a crowd of locals and tourists pushing each other to get a picture with her. So nice to see the fruits of much creative fun!