arty fashion, Antoine Dom

New York based photographer Antoine Dom has added designer to his list of achievements. Using gritty photographs from New York-inspired imagery, his graphic t-shirts are perfect for lounging at that downtown roof party. New arrivals of his wares are available at Oak NYC.

spotlight on meadhamkirchoff

A/W '08, backstage photos by Dazed and Confused online.



S/S '08



Central Saint Martins alums, Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchhoff, started off as menswear designers by launching meadhamkirchoff in 2002. They dabbled in womenswear off and on but it wasn't until the New Generation sponsorship took them under its wing that the line was able to translate that vision to the catwalk. Establishing a look that manages to reflect on goth, rock and high society, the duo has become known for their sinuous silhouettes and peekaboo cutouts paneled with lace. The effect is ambiguous in a good mystery sort of way that makes us want to keep reading. meadhamkirchoff is available in the states at Curve on Mercer Street and Opening Ceremony.

noir, illuminating the way

noir, A/W '08




noir, S/S '08


This past weekend I saw a pair of bluejays eating cat food. My friend's cat, Harrison, was meowing non-stop and we couldn't figure out why until we noticed the dish empty and bluejays divebombing for nuggets of Atta Cat while Harrison looked on helplessly. I couldn't help but think how this was an example of nature turned topsy turvy and how we somehow played a hand in its making.

The motto of the line noir is In Darkness All Colours Agree. The three-year old Danish line started by former Levi's design director, Peter Ingwersen, has a raison d'etre of bringing sustainable eco-practices and materials to the luxury fashion world. About 70 percent of the materials used are sourced from businesses that use sustainable practices in third world countries, and with principles based on the International Chamber of Commerce's Business Charter on Sustainable Development and United Nation's Global Compact Principles, noir is more than a half-hearted attempt to be "green chic." Conversely, rather than taking the typical eco-design route featuring shapeless blobs of organic cotton, noir takes fashion seriously having wooed fashion heavyweights like Shalom Harlow and Elle Macpherson with its rock aesthetics. noir is available at Takashimaya and online at Nina & Lola.

a weekend in Long Island

Bellport, NY

Lily Pond, 44 Three Mile Harbor Road, East Hampton; 646/619-1217
I think I got some color this weekend. After a deal for a house in the Catskills fell through, our friend whose family owns a house in Bellport kindly invited us out. Being completely inept at Long Island geography and having dabbled in the Hamptons scene in a champagne-induced haze, I had no idea what was in store.

We wanted to avoid the weekend crush and so we started the night in town with dinner at Babbo. The food was amazing and more specially, warm and inviting. After dining out in a spate of new restaurants, few places (Little Owl exempt) manage to woo their diners with the same kind of reverie. The wine choice by the sommelier was fantastic, a Valtellina Storzato, 'Ruccolta,' La Castellina, 2001, from Lombardia. A mouthful to say, but a better mouthful to swallow.

Favorites from the menu included beef tripe parmigiana and the signature mint-love letters. Having always associated beef tripe with Asian fare like dim sum, the Babbo version was perfectly simmered into a velvety concoction with a memorable lingering mouthfeel. The combination of mint and lamb sausage in the love letters (or ravioli) was a nice play on the typical lamb shank and mint gelee. The soft shell crab special was on limited demand, but we managed to snag the second to last one. The night was looking lucky.

We headed to the train station with warm bellies and shoulders just realizing their weekend posture. Once in Penn Station, we happened to miss the weekend crush, but we were not so lucky to miss the Van Halen concert heading home. We were in a sea of half-hearted mullets and faded black band tees that at some time very long ago might have fit. There was also the stray girl crew of Forever 21 skirts in every different color with the single-minded aspiration to help the good ol' boys celebrate Fleet Week.

It was with a breath and sigh that we found seats on the train. But by the time we arrived in Bellport the train bulge had significantly diminished, like our digested Babbo bellies, and there was a calm in the air. The next day we woke to sunshine, air perfumed by oxygen (as only a city dweller can appreciate) and blue jays chattering. The Bellport beach is part of Fire Island and locals and expats alike take a ferry or boat across the bay to reach the ocean. The beach is remarkably empty as if we stumbled upon a treasure chest not yet marked on the map; there was no honking by the Holland Tunnel, nor was there the scene of the Hamptons. The next day one of our host's friends took us to the Bellport beach via private boat. It was luxe in an understated sort of way, the kind that New Yorkers tend to protect with lack of promotion. Upon more conversation, we discovered that the owner of Condé Nast, S.I. Newhouse and his wife have a house in Bellport and that Ms. Anna Wintour owns part of the William Floyd Estate just 15 minutes down the Montauk Highway.

Admittedly, we did take a sceney detour to East Hampton on Saturday night for a trunk show and then to newly-opened Lily Pond. Connected to the new Kobe Club, the latter had great music and the mob of stilettos tripping on gravel outside seemed to insure a summer hit. But after only a Grey Goose or two, we headed out early for the reprieve of Bellport, it's clean air and subtle charm.

Colette shopping tv #3!

Who said TV shopping was passe? Colette brings us their third edition of shopping tv featuring a Kate Moss fragrance out in July and Surface to Air. Perfect for bringing a smile to our completely bored, why am I in the office on the Friday before Memorial Day blues.

shades of Grai

Fall/Winter '08, SID



Spring/Summer '08, Mille Feuille


It's moody May weather outside. Thankfully, former Rick Owen's alum, Maya Yogev has focused her two-year old line Grai on the much needed jacket. Influenced by Victorian construction and Russian punk rock, Yogev's designs contain a subtle contemporary edge, often employing layers of luxurious textiles and hints of deconstructed corsetry. She has since taken her L.A. based line to include the occasional dress or separates pairing. Grai is available at Kirna Zabete.

hope for Gianfranco Ferré

6267, Fall/Winter 2008



6267, Spring/Summer 2008

There is a Gianfranco Ferré sample sale this week. But truth be told, most of us are probably thinking more about Memorial Day weekend plans than running out on our lunch break for designs that have been generally unfocused since the designer's passing. Riding the tide of the 80's fashion revival, the line recently appointed design duo, Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimond, from the cultish Italian line, 6267, to take the reigns. These MaxMara alums have especially shown a knack for tailoring luxurious fabrics, which leads us to hope for a Ferré revival.

keeping up with Eric Elms

Eric Elms , Colette Gallery, until May 31st
Eric Elms for Colette


Brooklyn artist/graphics extraordinaire/fashion designer, Eric Elms, has a toehold in just about everything fabulous in the street art scene. His work ranges as far as designing the interiors of a Rudy's Barbershop, illustrations for the Japanese fashion mag, Huge Magazine, as well as creating artistic promos for Nike and Panasonic. His previous fashion ventures have mostly been collaborations with skate and streetwear brands like Supreme and Stussy. Now Elms is designing select t-shirt graphics and dealing with haute, in-the-know retailers like Colette in conjunction with his art exhibition in the Colette galleries. You can find his wares also at WeSoldOut.

arty weekends at the Norwood

There is nowhere to go during the weekends in Manhattan. Especially with the city streets flush with bargaining Europeans and Midwesterners talking loudly and occupying more prime sidewalk space than necessary, suddenly a weekend traffic duel doesn't look all that bad. But on those fated weekends in the city, my boyfriend and I have found reprieve in the calm oasis at the Norwood private arts club. Located on an otherwise unfortunate nightlife corridor that is West 14th Street, the Norwood occupies the former townhouse of chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The space is nothing short of impressive with soaring 20ft ceilings on all four floors, and seriously luxurious details like ornately detailed crown molding and classic dove blue walls. On the first floor lounge with drinks on tufted settees and sofas, which is beautifully lit during the days with sunlight pouring from the southern exposure and whose back entrance leads to a English style garden complete with mini-hedges. Head upstairs for dinner or book one of the conference/screening rooms on the third floor for the fashion and media set. The fourth and final floor is markedly louder with DJs on a regular rotation and the bar located in the center of the room serving as a catalyst for chatting up fellow members.

As a private club, the Norwood is open to its members and their guests by guestbook only. Fees are steep but reasonable as the club also offers members other programs such as discounted life drawing classes, as well as the obvious reprieve from the crush of the weekends. Brunch fare is stronger than a serious dinner, and also allows for daylight viewing of the heavyweight art rotation on the walls that currently include Richard Prince, Andreas Gurksy and John Currin. But if occasion allows, heading to Norwood during its sunlit afternoon hours and nighttime wanderings is the ideal combination as the space takes on a different, albeit equally interesting, demeanor.

Norwood
241 West 14th Street (between 7th and 8th Aves)
Phone: (212) 234-5334

The Norwood also has exchange privileges for its members with The Groucho Club in London.

in line with Obedient Sons & Daughters

Obedient Sons, Fall/Winter '08

Daughters by Obedient Sons, Fall/Winter '08

Spring/Summer '08



The husband and wife design team, Swaim and Christina Huston, behind the line Obedient Sons & Daughters brings an edge to fifties inspired menswear looks. Despite references to an otherwise conservative decade, the skilled effect is less midtown banker and more downtown overly educated rocker. The Daughters line is fairly new with takes on womenswear that reflect clever tweaks on masculine tailoring. You can rock their intelligent downtown vibes by heading far west Soho to Aloha Rag, BBlessing in the Lower East Side or Odin on Lafayette. Seattle retailer, Blackbird, also has updated Obedient Sons selections (for men only) and ships nationwide.

Daniel Palillo makes us smile

Finnish-Italian designer Daniel Palillo has been making waves and smiles with his playful unisex line. The line launched in 2007 in a showroom in Paris and has already gained a following for its larger than life oversized tees that evoke kids playing dress up. New selections are available online at welcomehuntersla and at the new Boerum Hill store, And Then Some, in Brooklyn. Palillo's Autumn/Winter 2008 show held at clubNOW! in Helsinki is also available on video.

Alejandro Ingelmo S/S '08 at Jeffrey New York

The Terminator
It's hard to beat Jeffrey New York's carefully curated seasonal selections, and taking prime real estate in the far West 14th store is the much coveted women's shoe selection. Good taste reaps infinite rewards; Jeffrey's is the only retailer to carry Miami-bred but Manhattan-based shoe designer Alejandro Ingelmo's runway collection. His designs may reach teetering sky-high proportions, but leaves an impression that screams a woman that knows what she likes and has her cup of perfectly brewed skinny latte, two sugars thank you, too. Special orders (if you're especially persistent) are also available by emailing through the designer's website. Other retailers include Bergdorf Goodman and Intermix, but save some time by heading west to Jeffrey New York, whose selection is truly a cut above.

your own Keith Haring stickers

Keith Haring Angels

Giant Robot Re-Stik

Undoboy Super Bastard
I walked by the faithfully recreated Keith Haring mural at Houston and Bowery last night and it literally glows with vibrancy and not only because of the fluorescents from the gigantic Whole Foods nearby. In the midst of apartment renovations in a far recessed market, I've been searching for options, options and more creative options. Enter Blik, a design award winning company, that happily creates wall art a la sticky backing. The latest edition is a smattering of Keith Haring's Angels available at Colette. Other designs are also available including collaborations with guest artists, graphic designers and fashion companies. The wall stickers make me nostalgic of childhood days awash in Hello Kitty stickers, but channels those childhood penchants in a much more chic and adult way, of course.

Chanel + Zaha Hadid, soon in tokyo

Interior

Zaha Hadid and Karl Lagerfeld

Exterior


Chanel has seriously ventured into the narrow intersection straddling the fashion, art and design worlds with their mobile art collaboration with famous and infamous architect Zaha Hadid. Coined the Chanel Contemporary Art Container by Zaha Hadid, the mobile art installation goes on an around the world tour, first launching in Hong Kong in February of this year, and functions as a traveling art pavilion featuring art created especially for Chanel. Artists featured include the Russian artist group, Blue Noses, Korean artist Lee Bul, and Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki. The installation will land in Tokyo on May 31st and will last until July 4, 2008. Watch for the tour's pit stop in New York this October, after which it will head to London, Moscow and befittingly culminate in Paris.

Chanel Contemporary Art Container by Zaha Hadid
in Tokyo

National Yoyogi Stadium Olympic Plaza
Monday to Thursday, 11am -6:40pm
Friday to Saturday, 11am- 9:20pm
Sunday, 10am- 6:20pm

last admission one hour before closing
the best kind of admission, Free

International Contemporary Furniture Fair selections

Giuseppe Canevese, at Moss

Fernando and Humberto Campana, at Moss
If the vacancy rate in this city wasn't hovering at a meager 1-2%, New Yorkers wouldn't be investing their hard-earned and hustled dinero into rentals and be owning units like other friends their age in cities with space. Alas, such is this city, peopled with lovers of design floating in a demented real estate market. Go to the International Contemporary Furniture Fair this weekend at the Javits Center, where design, architecture, fashion and art collide to bring haute furnishings. After all, if we're only able to fit one chair in our living room, it might as well be a conversation piece.

ICFF Events
Saturday, May 17th

Promos- Water, Air New York
6-9PM
172 Mercer Street
RSVP: RSVP9@bdeonline.biz

Moss
6-9PM
150 Greene Street
RSVP: RSVP@mossonline.com or 212/ 204-7106

Sunday, May 18th

Vitra, Super Normal
6-9PM
The Vitra Store
29 Ninth Avenue
RSVP by May 14th: store.ny@vitra.com

city love, Passarella Death Squad spring 2008

Just in are new graphics featuring city love by the cult label Passarella Death Squad. Design duo, Danny Brodle and Emilie Albisser, painstakingly hand-prints the graphics in London on imported Japanese cotton, taking us back to a fashion world where intimacy and limited editions took precedence to generic formulations. Watch out for their carefully curated Plus collection of basics, including cardigans and a vest ripe for accessorizing. Passarella Death Squad is available in New York at Seven New York and Aloha Rag. Abroad, you can find the line at Liberty London and oki-ni.com.

the insider's golden boy, Jean-Pierre Braganza

Autumn/Winter '08, Chromacolyte




Spring/Summer '08, Convincementavia


Little in the fashion world can compare to being hand-selected by Karl Lagerfeld to be his protege. Such is the talent and promise of London designer, Jean-Pierre Braganza. After a track-record of dressing musicians including pieces for Nine Inch Nails, Braganza made his debut in London Fashion Week in 2004. Since then, his refreshing pieces take the rock-look to a new haute aesthetic, all at an amazing price point. The Spring/Summer shipment for Jean-Pierre Braganza has just arrived at Seven New York but is already quickly selling out. Also, check out his video, Chromacolyte, in conjunction with his Autumn/Winter 2008 show.

the midwest surprise, WRATH ARCANE

With a manifesto of "We're tired of 'BIG LABELS,'" the Cleveland, Ohio based brand WRATH ARCANE turns out beautifully detailed t-shirts and casual wear all without burdening our conscience. The line was started by boutique owner, Brian O'Neill and designer, Sean Bilovecky. The duo launched WRATH ARCANE in the winter months of 2006 and has since remained committed to using domestic manufacturers and environmentally conscious fabric mills. Leave it to this eco and world conscious line to dig their heels against the tide of retail commercialization (ahem, the mall-ification of West Village); the line refuses to use recognizable models to sell clothing, instead opting to use masks to keep the focus on the quality of its wares. WRATH ARCANE is available at Pieces Brooklyn and online at brigadeshop.com.

april is over but APRIL77 rocks on

Just in, the rock-inspired Parisian denim line, APRIL77, has curated its own selection of aural hits under its music label APRIL77 RECORDS, available for a limited time at a pop-up music store. Unfortunately access is a flight away, since the cheekily titled, Momentary Music Store, is on Rue de Normandie in the 3e quarter in Paris. Makes for a worthwhile pit-stop on your summer travels if not only to drown out those loud tourists cackling about Carrie's time in Paris on Sex in the City.

a night fit for a Kingswood

My girl-friend is moving to Amsterdam, the land of mellow vibes and bicycle geniuses. For a proper NYC send-off, I booked dinner resos for four at Kingswood, an Aussie colloboration between the owners of Ruby in Nolita and Ksubi. The British chef-staffed kitchen explores more than typical Aussie fare turning out dishes like a perfectly steamed cod with a pistachio sauce that added both color and texture and a refreshing shrimp and seaweed salad. Add garlicky broccolini as a side or start with the shellfish risotto and the dishes make a perfect meal for sharing. For heavier fare, twists on comfort food staples like the bronte burger with sweet chili and truffle fries kept our palates interested. Perhaps most comforting of all was the atmosphere, relaxed, young and quietly hip, with attentive service yet casual attitude. For late nights, head downstairs for an intimate lounge. Makes for the perfect neighborhood spot or in our case, as a lingering reminder of a Sunday night in New York.

Kingswood
121 W. 10th St., New York, NY 10011
nr. Greenwich Ave.
212-645-0018

a Willow spring

It's my birthday this week (Costume Institute Gala be damned). No better reason for a bit of spring indulgence than a twirl around the shopping block. Since her debut in 2003, Aussie Kit Willow has been turning out ethereal beauties in luxe textiles under her namesake. Willow always seems to have few sizes in stock, probably a product of limited shipments to the U.S. and scrambling fashionlytes. I even made a run to Henri Bendel for a look and try, no small feat for the downtown camp.

Even Penniless in Shanghai

With the impending Beijing Olympics and the Tibetan conflict still aflame, nowhere else is under the world's microscope quite like China. Perhaps more difficult to access are the nuances of the long-closed off country and its burgeoning underground art/fashion/music world still ripe for discovery. Avant-garde Chinese designers like Gao Xin are leading the way under his store and label, Even Penniless. With a store on hipster street, Changle Lu in Shanghai, the line offers deconstructed designs using innovative pairings of materials. And as long as you are in the area, also check out local favorite, Estune, as well as Da Yuan Jing (Big Round Eyes) and One by One.

Even Penniless
Location: 139-3 Changle Lu, near Ruijin Lu
Tel: 021-53060466

Estune
Location: 139-19 Changle Lu, near Ruijin Lu

Da Yuan Jing
Location: 149-21 Changle Lu, near Chengdu Lu
Tel: 021-63851471

One By One
Location: 290 Changle Lu, near Chengdu Lu
Tel: 021-63858876

the user-friendly cool of MIROÏKE

When the concrete starts steaming, the last thing a girl wants is to be teetering in mile-high stilettos or slapping up debris water in exposed flip flops. After meeting in design school and as Vivienne Westwood alums, Ulrike Seidel and Ramiro Calderon Alvarado formed Berlin based, MIROÏKE. Since then, MIROÏKE has captured fans with their user-friendly yet artful gladiator sandals and draped boots. The design duo currently shows in Berlin and Paris and is available at No. 6 in NYC and new shipments have just arrived at WelcomehuntersLA.