Oh Vogue, how I love thee! You keep getting it right with your leading ladies... Anne Hathaway... Angelina Jolie..and now again Natalie Portman. Many kisses to you!
And a favorite shot from Vintage Portman/Vogue, 2004:
Black Swan
I heard of Black Swan this past summer and was at the edge of my seat with anticipation of its arrival in theaters. As suspected, the film did not disappoint. It is a truly beautiful, haunting, and gorgeous piece of work. How could it not be though when you put Aronofsky at the helm?A brilliant director that is not afraid to dive into the messy parts of life, Aronofsky will turn the most beautiful thoughts and images into deeply ugly, but yet real moving moments; and then he will take the most grotesque, thoughts, ideas, and moments and make them brilliantly gorgeous. Need further proof of this? Simply take a look at Ellen Burstyn's performance in Requiem for Dream. Haunting!
In Black Swan, Portman nailed it as Nina Sayers. And of course she did so because she too is simply brilliant. If you haven't seen her in Closer, I highly recommend! The Black Swan supporting cast was brilliant in the demise of Nina. Kudos especially to Ms. Ryder, who I will always refer to, of course, as a Veronica.
I long for my next viewing of Black Swan!
Spying Eye Candy
I never tire of museums and shopping and just keeping in check visually. Looking at clothing, accessories, decor and fashionistas on the street has a similar affect on me as perusing a museum. Whether it's at an Olive & Bettes (which rarely happens) to an H&M (which happens too often,) and spying the fashionistas in between, I am inspired to create Jolene Jewelry or some fab outfit from the remnants of an old Salvation Army jaunt.
I am just as charged by the art of The Met and MoMA as well as local galleries, random happenings on the street and student-shows. I figure, as long as I'm getting eaten alive by New York City, I may as well go down looking at some of the world's most phenomenal works of art and soaking up the loveliness of the streets!
FIT Students used mannequins to conceive, design, and execute fashion presentations for the class Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design. Displayed in the lobby of FIT; The School of Fine Art on 7th Ave-Fashion Avenue in Chelsea now thru April 21.
Marina Abramovic': The Artist is Present
MoMA exhibit, Now thru May 31. Sound pieces, video works, solo performances and collaborative pieces made with Abramovic's former Partner Ulay make up this phenomenal installation at MoMA's top floor. Explores the worlds of energy, life, and art. Marina is even there for a solo performance.... she sits at the table and anyone from the crowd can join her for as long as they want...I am planning on doing it myself before the work ends on May 31.
New Mad Men dress: $10 find; Buffalo Exchange
The gorgeous dress definitely makes me feel like a lady of the Mad Men era, certainly due to the details—see button closures on the shoulders, inside buttons for hiding bra straps, and the narrowness of the bodice. Women were tinier then and I know I always have a vintage steal when my ribs have to crush together to zip the dress. Also features the Ladies Garment Union workers label.
Dino and cocktail purse; Bergdorf's window/Fifth Avenue
I love mixing ideas and aesthetics and nothing is more sweetly funny and aesthetically pleasing to my eye than seeing a semi-scary looking dinosaur carrying a diamond-encrusted cocktail purse and hitting on a lady clad in crystals.
Every time I see a Chuck Close painting I am in awe and stunned by the detail and beauty. Recently I saw his works at the Met and again felt inspired and awed.. how is this man doing this!? And no less from a wheelchair!? Photo from Stiw Kit.
Five American Design Influences
Recently I was asked to think about my five top American influences in design, particularly Interior Design. It was a tough assignment because I kept thinking of it so broadly, but when I really just thought, "what do I like?" It was a cinch! And what I came up with, after a brief elimination ceremony, I think, is pretty accurate. Oh, and these are in no particular order. Enjoy!
1. Jonathan Adler
I heart Jonathan Adler. That is exactly what happily runs through my mind every time I pass one of his shops or catch a glimpse of one of his fabulous decor pieces in a magazine. The Brooklyn-based designer just simply makes my heart skip a beat because his designs are fresh, funny, fabulous and, all at the same time, totally classy and chic!
Having originally started as a potter, Adler kept at his craft with little encouragement from the outside world. Good thing he did because today he has 12 shops, a booming interior design business, and a stint on a reality show for his expert design sense, all spun (pun intended) from pottery orders from Barney's back in 1994. What definitely makes his designs so appealing is its evident he is having fun and doesn't take the business of interiors so dead-pan serious, and, at the same time, he knows quality is key. Adler's interiors are always at the same time, warm and welcoming while also remaining to be decadent and achingly beautiful.
Shown above is a living room designed by Adler that features one of his most popular pottery designs.
Hailing from North Carolina, Ruthie Sommers doles out her stylish and creative twist on traditional design aesthetics to her clients from her West Hollywood design firm, Chapman Radcliff Home. Sommers' style consists of a girly chic with flair for the contemporary mixed with old world appeal, certainly something that is very similar to my own approach in design.
Sommers is a risk taker and often marries modern-day décor with vintage steals. She is not afraid of color, texture, or making a serious statement with a little fun as evidenced with the zebra rug shown here. A Sommers designed space is completely livable and, with pops of color, can easily change any mood into that is just simply being happy and relaxed.
I met New York-based Artist Bill Finks years ago at a design show in Chicago. It was the end of the day and I was tiredly finishing up a few last-minute aisles to see if anything would catch my eye, and it was during this time I almost died as I spied the recycled art dolls of Bill Finks. I was crazy excited as these pieces just spoke to me. With beautiful faces, intricate details, and a total sense of originality no two dolls were alike. At first sight the dolls seemed a little morbid, but upon close inspection, it was obvious, old sad doll parts were happily come to life again in art that was breathtakingly lovely.
Finks lives with his wife Marcia, also an artist, in New York and the two happily create their own respective works of art in the city and in Kingston, New York. Finks makes his dolls from old doll parts, vintage tins, buttons and other trinkets found at flea markets, garage sales, and other used goods shops throughout the country. All pieces are one-of-a-kind and sell out at every show he is exhibiting.What I specifically love about these dolls is that they are slightly girly with that morbid twist and they always inspire my own creativity. They also are a beautiful example and wonderful tribute to the joys of what happens when one reuses and recycles.
Every show I make a point to visit Bill and see his new set of dolls and last Christmas I was pleasantly surprised when I was checking out the windows at Bergdorf Goodman, to see two beautiful Bill Finks’ originals in the windows.
Luxury and fashion come together in all pieces from Dransfield & Ross as headed by John Dransfield and Geoffrey Ross. Based in New York City the Dransfield & Ross aesthetic is simply classic pieces, done in a couture fashion. Known mainly for their luxe pillows and super comfy bedding, the designs are evocative of Europe, the tropics, and far off places of eternal beauty in nature and life.
I love Dransfield & Ross because it simply makes a girl swoon and dream, but yet the beautiful pieces and styles aren’t so far off from reality; it's the ideal combo of luxury and modern elegance. Also, aside from simply wanting to climb in bed and fall asleep on a bedding of luxury, what makes their designs so appealing as well as are the sweet little details. Adorable designs and touches of whimsy rest amongst the designs of the company and such details aren’t fully noticed until the piece is thoroughly studied. So a bit of playfulness is included on a piece that overall is quite adult and ladylike.
One cannot speak of American influences in interior design without speaking of Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright revolutionized America design and the American home from the latter part of the 19th Century throughout the 20th Century to his death in 1959. And, thereafter, his aesthetics and visions can be seen in most all American architecture from 1960 to today. Wright gave Americans homes for which they could breath in as they were designed to offer space and an easy flow from room to room as opposed to the Victorian homes of the 19th century.
I love Frank Lloyd Wright for many reasons, but probably mostly because he was a pioneer in organic design. When designing he thought of a home’s inhabitants, as well as the land and environment where the home would rest. His homes were built with an appeal toward nature and were built by using materials native to the land. Woods were often stained, as opposed to painted, to show their true beauty and so forth. Wright is a Midwestern and so am I, so I feel a genuine connection to him and especially to his most popular designs, the Prairie Houses that originated in Midwest soil.
Wright was a visionary in all facets; he wasn't just the architect but his hand was in everything. He designed the interiors and all pieces including the furniture, glass, fabric, dinnerware, and beyond—all of this was done to ultimately create an overall design that would allow for a pleasing flow and energy for the inhabitants and environment. In total, Wright designed 1141 works, including not just homes, but also churches, libraries, schools, offices, and most notably, the Guggenheim Museum.
Bill Cunningham New York Film Review
"Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life."
—Bill Cunningham
Last night I attended the documentary Bill Cunningham New York, the kick-off film for the New Film/New Directors series presented by MOMA and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. The film follows the renowned and somewhat elusive New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham as he peddles around the streets of New York on his 29th Schwinn Bike (the previous 28 were stolen,) camera in hand, snapping photographs of the most fashionable New Yorkers for his two weekly Times' columns. The columns, “Evening Hours,” showcases the rich and fabulous at New York City galas, and my favorite “On The Street,” showcases everyday people dressed to impress in their own original ensembles. Both have been running for four decades and are considered more of an archeology of fashion, rather than photographic art. Cunningham himself even says he’s not a photographer. “I just take notes with my camera of the clothes I like.”
An octogenarian, Cunningham has an eye and doesn't just capture great shots of the uber fashionistas walking around during Fashion Week, but he gets the shots of the everyday common city dwellers on their lunch breaks and the like. In fact, it's these people he prefers shooting, as he said in a 2002 article on his own life for The Times, "Women's Wear has been photographing socialites and celebrities for years. But the difference for me is I don't see the people I photograph. All I see are clothes. I'm only interested in people who look good. I'm looking for the stunners."
The documentary delves into how Cunningham got started with his passion for fashion, first as a milliner, then as a photographer, with one of his first jobs working for Annie Flanders of Details. Love and adoration for Cunningham is resonated by the likes of museum curators, downtown club kids, high society, Fashion Maven Iris Apfel, and, of course, the diva herself, Vogue Editor Anna Wintour. The Vogue Editor noted that Cunningham often sees things in fashion that those trained, including herself, never see. Wintour also reiterated what she said in a 2002 article for The Times, "I don't know how many times he has taken my photograph, but we all dress for Bill. You feel he's the only one who notices or cares how you dress. I wonder if Bill will like this. And it's always a flattering picture he chooses. He picks everything carefully, so you will look your best.”
Overall the documentary is a love letter to Cunningham, but not really. I say this because I believe that the love letter happens naturally because Cunningham is just so brilliantly wonderful. He’s modest and joyful and just loves fashion. Press would have to be a truly terrible filmmaker if Cunningham’s spirit did not shine through. Where Press failed incredibly is the awkward moments of when he pushed Cunningham for clues to his sexuality and a link to Cunningham’s Catholic faith. What any of this had to do with Cunningham’s career is beyond me. I understand a documentarian may have his job to do, but the moments were out of place and truly just made Press look like a villain, and for what? In the documentary, it’s noted that, as a reporter, Cunningham has always painted his subjects in the best of light. Never once has he gone into the muck of the trash arena to tarnish, hurt, or drudge up any unnecessary information on a subject. He just loves fashion and the people that pull it off! So for Press to turn around and push Cunningham in a moment that was so obviously upsetting and awkward was truly a poor choice in judgment.
Abode's Own Moment with Bill
Last January I saw Mr. Cunningham 'On The Street' (tee hee) and I freaked. I was walking with my friend Frank to the MOMA. Frank was visiting from Chicago and we were catching the sites, every now and then Frank would light up a cigarette and I would then scream in protest, "Do you have to do that!?" On this particular Tuesday, we were power walking down West 53rd—we had a packed day and I wanted to make sure we would fit everything in—and suddenly I felt a presence of someone saddling up to my right side, a little too close, and I could see this person was on a bicycle. I slightly turned to offer up one of my best new New Yorker faces of annoyance and then BAM my eyes about fell out of their sockets. It was Bill Cunningham and he was spying around at the lot of people, looking for his next photog victim. Almost in the same moment that I recognized Mr. Cunningham, I whipped to my left toward Frank and screamed "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! LIGHT UP!" Confused, but then computing that he was getting a 'freebie smoke' so to speak, Frank stopped and lit up a cigarette. In this same moment I whipped back toward Mr. Cunningham and just started posing. Yes, posing. It wasn't totally obvious, but it was to me, to Frank, and likely to Mr. Cunningham, if he even noticed.
A second later Mr. Cunningham was gone in a flash of blue down the street on his Schwinn.
Later, after I told Frank who the man on the bike was, Frank made fun of me saying "You almost got your pic snapped, but nope, you didn't."
DIFFA's Dining by Design
This past Thursday I attended the first day of the 2010 Architectural Digest Home Design Show, a New York City anticipated spring event that took place all weekend. The show features a wide array of designers and special events, all of which is very inspiring to one looking to cover more design and home in the future!
Later that night DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, held a special viewing gala in honor of its anticipated 2010 Dining by Design five-day event that runs concurrently with the Architectural Digest show. Dining by Design features dining installations done by the most talented, eclectic and well-known designers in their respective industries including David Rockwell for Rockwell Group, David Beahm for Continental Airlines, Kravet, Marc Wilson Designs and Mark Tamayo for Manhattan Magazine. Installations were also done under the Student Design Initiative. DIFFA’s Dining by Design event ends with a gala dinner held in the design installations and hosted by Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber on Monday, March 22. The photos in this post are just a few of my favorite installations from the event.
Garla from LOL Target!
Liberty of London premiered its line for Target this past weekend and wow-oh-wow was everything absolutely beautiful! I seriously think I could fall in a vat of these beautiful florals and just die. And while I LOVED everything there was actually only one item that I wanted for my own, a must have and, happily I scored it two days before the official launch!
It's the Garla quilt that is seriously SO Jolene that I am really not sure why the print wasn't simply named "Jolene."
It's SO beautiful, 100% cotton, guarantees nights of happy slumbering while dreaming of garden parties and Petit Fours, all for only $49.99! What a Recessionista bargain!Oh and the best thing, if I have to go live in the park due to the high NYC rent costs, it will make for a GORGEOUS tarp!
Gift For Life Party
Jolene Turner (yes me :) made the news with GLM Marketing Manager Melissa Gray at the February 2010 Gift For Life party held last January during the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF.) Gift For Life is a national fundraiser with all funds going to DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. The "Kings & Queens Casino" Party, held in Manhattan's Meat Packing District, raised over $100,000 for DIFFA. Way to go gift industry! Woot!
To see the full article visit Gift & Home Interactive!
Betty & Joan Barbie-ized: Mad Men Barbie Dolls
Mad Men characters Don and Betty Draper; Roger Sterling; and bombshell Joan Holloway have been immortalized into couture Barbie dolls, designed by Robert Best for Mattel, Inc.
While I adore the show, costumes, characters, and Barbie herself, I am a little bummed that Joan has somehow managed to lose all her curves... I want to see her va-va-voomness! Barbie dolls will be available July 2010.
The World of Beautiful Blythe
Blythe from the Kenner Toy Co.
A true style icon, Blythe! She's out-of-sight in her mod outfit.
Rodarte
As Gaultier storms Target this week, last week I hit up the Rodarte clearance sale and SCORED! I got two beautiful dresses for $9.98 each and a kickin’ sweater from the collection as well for $11.24! I snapped a pic donning my fav Rodarte piece from my finds. Just $9.98. Are they out of their mind!?
A Doe, A Deer, A Female Deer
I bought this little doe at the Unique Thrift in Minneapolis for $ .80. Yes New Yorkers, that is correct. I got something at a Thrift Store for 80 cents. CENTS! That is how real thrift stores work.
I love my doe, but my mom hates her. When I brought her to my temporary home, i.e. parents house, I proudly put her up on a shelf in the kitchen; my mother, when I wasn't looking, put her in my bedroom. I proceeded to them put her back on the kitchen shelf and she put her back in my room and so fourth. This little game of ours when on for the duration of my stay. The little doe ended up in all sorts of odd places as we tried to hide her from one another...
When I left for NY I decided to leave the doe in Minnesota so I wouldn't be bogged down with unnecessary tchotkies, but upon unpacking my box, once in my new home, I realized the little doe managed to get nestled in between some clothing. I guess my mom got me one last time with the doe, but what she doesn't realize is that I got the Doe! She is SO missing out on having a cute tchotkie in Minnesota. This was definitely 80 cents well spent, got a cute tchotkie and some laughs with my mom... Oh, and my mom just got this same image sent to her email with a note saying that the doe misses her. Thought about sending her in the mail but I wouldn't risk her possibly getting broken!
John Derian & Whales
At the last New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF; Winter 2010,) I had the pleasure of interviewing John Derian, artisan, decoupage extraordinaire, New Yorker, and founder of The John Derian Company.
In a brief piece I did for The Editor at Large, for my Daily NYIGF Trend Reports, I snagged a few minutes of Derian's time at the end of a very long day. He was kind enough to spend a couple moments to let me know what he was seeing as trends or rather, as I see it, what inspires him to set the trends.
He noted that blue was doing quite well for him—this now makes me think of the new H&M Blue Video, and he received compliments for his sea life pieces, in particular anything with whale imagery. In my opinion, his Spouting Whale decoupage 6" x 12" pencil tray is definitely a must and not just for pencils, but also diamonds, cigarettes, and seashells. Oh, strike cigarettes, I have been watching too many old movies.
In speaking with him about whales, I also thought of the beautiful whale imagery by Longstreet Collection that I saw at the Pier during the show as well.
Whale series from Longstreet Collection.
Each 12" x 27"
Such imagery made me see that whales are definitely the new birds.
Now that I am New Yorker—okay I have lived here just a wee 10 months, BUT since I did endure two minutes alone with a very alive, very gynormous cockroach, in my bedroom no less, I get to say I am a New Yorker at least once—so, as I was saying, now that I am a New Yorker, I'll be heading soon to check out Derian's East Village location at 6 East Second St. I do hope The Avant Guardian will join me when she visits!
To learn more about John Derian, visit the NY Times article It's All Coming Back to Him Now.
To learn more about Longstreet Collection, visit Interiors Inc.
Liberty of London
Liberty of London for Target to debut this month. Thanks to Sharon for the heads up!!
Gaultier & Posen
This spring both Jean Paul Gaultier and Zac Posen are coming out with lines for Target's Go International division. I have to say, I am not too excited. I preferred the days when Target sought out up and coming designers like Paul & Joe, Proenza Schouler, Alice Temperley, and most definitely, Erin Fetherston! And I loved the Tracy Feith collection from last summer (even though people bashed it.) I also miss the days when Isaac Mizrahi designed for Target. All such designs were easy, funky, definitely creative, affordable, and without much hoopla. It's like their cool factor when under the radar. The lines would simply come in an elegant fashion and those lucky enough to be around could nab one or two pieces and never spend more than $40 per piece. Now Target is working with the big names. Alexander McQueen (R.I.P.) did a line last March, and last fall the company came out with the very disappointing Anna Sui collection where the pieces proved to be a bit junky, unoriginal and priced as high as $79.99!
My My
In doing work today I happened upon the Jonathan Adler website where I saw the words "Lady Pillow"—this immediately caught my eye. See I just watched the 30 Rock episode with guest star James Franco and his girlfriend, Kimiko, a body-sized pillow with a graphic of an Asian woman. I had to see if Jonathan Adler was selling Kimiko-style pillows. So I click on the link and found these interesting pillows...but what is so funny to me is the room shot with the banana statue in the background. My My!
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