Look Over Here

Ultimate Outfits 17 and 18...Valentine's Day!!! (Part 2)

2012-02-15T19:44:00.000-08:00

Woo hoo!!! I hope you had as much fun for V-Day as I did! Here are a couple more outfits (Pink this time!) to tide you over until next year :).

Here's a pretty one for a romantic dinner....

(Background pic: Style.com)

(Picture: Style.com)

Calvin Klein - spring 2012 Silk Slipdress

(Picture: Net-a-Porter)

Preen - Pink Blazer

(Picture: Style.com)

Rupert Sanderson - spring 2012 Suede and Mesh Pumps

(Picture: Style.com)

Marchesa - spring 2012 Beaded Fringe Clutch

(Picture: Style.com)

The Row - spring 2012 Gold and Pearl Bracelet

(Picture: Net-a-Porter)

Marie-Helene de Taillac - Rose Quartz Earrings

And don't forget the unmentionables.....

(Picture: Net-a-Porter)

Stella McCartney - "Sam Partying" Lingerie Set

And how about this for an all-girl Valentine's evening out?

(Background Pic: Style.com)

(Picture: Net-a-Porter)

Emilio Pucci - Twill Pink Suit

(Picture: Net-a-Porter)

Markus Lupfer - "Smacker" Sequined Merino Sweater

(Picture: Style.com)

Christian Louboutin - spring 2012 Suede and Plastic Ankle Wrap Pump

(Picture: Style.com)

Edie Parker - spring 2012 Glitter Box Clutch

(Picture: Net-a-Porter)

Lanvin - Heart Rhinestone Earrings

(Picture: Net-a-Porter)

Marc by Marc Jacobs - "Jacobson" Acetate Ring

Might as well go for full-on cheek, right?

(Picture: Agent Provocateur)

Agent Provocateur - "Ashleen" Lingerie Set

Ultimate Outfits 15 and 16...Valentine's Day!!! (Part 1)

2012-02-13T12:57:00.000-08:00

I have to be honest, I am a total sap for Valentine's Day. Growing up, Dad used to always bring us gals roses and Russell Stover....I ate all of the caramel ones. Yes, I get that it's a completely consumer-driven faux holiday, but I'm down with any excuse to eat candy and wear red. It's all about playing dress up.

So in that spirit, I've concocted a few new Ultimate Outfits to put you in the mood for lovin'. These two could help you out if you're headed to a schmancy V-Day ball or out on a sexy date.....more to come tomorrow!

Maybe you're going to see ABT's Romeo and Juliet...

(Background Pic: Style.com)

This look consists of....

(Picture: Net-a-Porter)

Lanvin - strapless gown

(Picture: Style.com)

Casadei - Spring 2012 ankle cuff shoe

(Picture: Style.com)

Devi Kroell - Spring 2012 wood and shagreen clutch

(Picture: Style.com)

Akong - Spring 2012 necklace

(Picture: Net-a-Porter)

Kelly Wearstler - Pyrite cuff

(Picture: Shopbop.com)

Dara Ettinger - Felicia geode studs

And of course you need some fancy panties.....

(Picture: Fairefroufrou.com)

Stella McCartney - "Josephine Marrying" lingerie set

Or maybe you're headed to a concert...

(Background Pic: Style.com)

This look consists of...

(Picture: Barneys.com)

Balenciaga - DrapedSkirt

(Picture: Net-a-Porter)

Joseph - Plaid Tank

(Picture: Net-a-Porter)

Balmain - Satin trimmed wool crepe jacket

(Picture: Style.com)

Givenchy - Spring 2012 Ankle Wrap Sandal

(Picture: Net-a-Porter)

Valentino - Studded mini bag

(Picture: Style.com)

Lanvin - Spring 2012 Lariat necklace

(Picture: Style.com)

Lanvin - Spring 2012 Wing bracelet

(Picture: Net-a-Porter)

Bottega Veneta - Eye earrings

(Picture: Agent Provocateur)

Agent Provocateur - Lorna lingerie set

More Valentine's Day outfits to come.......

Ultimate Outfit...pt. 14

2011-11-14T20:08:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks!
Can you believe it? We are fast approaching the "holiday season" - which is inherently my favorite season, as there are so many reasons to get dressed up! (Although, I love autumn in equal measure for the ability to shamelessly loaf around in flannel pjs all weekend, so long as you have hot cider in your hand....you know, to be festive.) I thought I'd kick off the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (and re-kick off my blog) with some winter party duds.

I like to think of this one as "Rock and Roll Ice Princess," but I guess you could don it to a fun Hanukkah party, what with the blue/white combo and all....

(Ok, so it's not much for warmth, but just imagine a great coat over it)

This outfit is composed of:

Felder Felder spring 2012 metallic leather skirt (with spikes!)

Fendi spring 2012 cable knit and chiffon sweater

Thankoon fall 2012 velvet booties

Giorgio Armani spring 2012 iridescent clutch

Balenciaga rhinestone choker

Kara Ross spring 2012 turquoise earrings

Etro white brass cuff

Thankoon booties picture from Net-a-Porter

Balenciaga choker picture from Barneys.com

All other images from Style.com

Today....

2011-06-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

1,2 Step

2011-05-23T11:41:00.000-07:00

So I'm back at it!
Please forgive me for my long hiatus. The idea for this blog came from the feeling of inspiration I get from many things I am fortunate enough encounter - art, dance, film, friends.... - with the hope of being able to have a larger conversation about them (and the internet is a mighty large community). Originally, I vowed to only write about what compelled me, so I knew it was time to take a break when I realized I was generating content just for the sake of content. And who needs more chatter in the world????
Anyway, enough editorializing - on to the cool stuff....

I've been thinking a lot lately about how we move our bodies. It's something so fundamental, but often we are barely conscious of it. Everything from walking to dancing, cleaning, using a piece of equipment - there's this enormous range of movement in each of us, and a capacity for beauty that we rarely explore. I've found some interesting videos lately that have me thinking about movement in a new way....

Lil Buck and Yo-Yo Ma

I'm sure some of you have already seen this one, but I think it's really worth taking a second look at. I'm not always a fan of the high/low mash-up when it comes to the performing arts - I mean, have you ever seen a Rap opera that actually worked??? They too often rely on a level of melodrama that is supposed to speak to some human-thread-that-connects-us-all, but what ends up happening is that the 'edge' is polished off of both idioms, for the benefit of finding a boring beige middle ground that's supposed to resonate with everyone. Doesn't really do it for me. But with this Lil' Buck and Yo-Yo Ma collaboration, both parties bring their creativity and voice in equal measure - and the result is just beautiful and truly eye opening. And it's just amazing to see a body move like that.

Danny Macaskill

Now, this one is really different. Obviously he is extremely skilled at his craft, but the amazing part for me is watching the intense activity throughout his whole body while he does these crazy tricks. The way his torso contracts, his knees bend and stretch - the mechanics of the tricks are right in your face, and it's really an interesting study in human kinetic power. And grace.

Lose Control (@ 0:30 - 0:55)

When this Missy Elliot song came out it was just so ballsy - in your face, unabashed. And the music video, I think, showing some of the first evolutions of Krumping in the mainstream (?), really changed my eye. The force of the dancing (especially from 0:30 - 0:50, and around 1:50 on) is really magnetic, athletic, kinetic.........and the style of it reminds me of a modern day Harlem lindy hop, like Hellzapoppin......

Hellzapoppin

There's more of these thoughts to come - this has truly been on my mind quite a bit lately....
Let me know what you think about this - how do you move? What in your day might change your step -music, mood, high heels???

Think about it..........take a second........*ping*

The Wilderness Downtown.....this time, it's for real.

2010-12-29T08:53:00.000-08:00

There's a wild world out of your front door....even when the door is on the 9th floor of an apartment building....

I saw these raccoons walking downtown in Jersey City.

Wild turkeys at George's in Minnesota.

The frozen Mississippi River....MN, Thanksgiving

Me in my "Cossack" look, as George calls it

And if you missed it last time, it's totally worth seeing - www.thewildernessdowntown.com

Ultimate Outfit...pt. 13

2010-12-26T15:45:00.000-08:00

Got a formal holiday event to attend? Try this on for size....

Marchesa Spring 2010 gown

Pierre Hardy suede shoe

Armani clutch

Cartier Caresse D'orchidees multistone earrings

Cartier Inde Mysterieuse quartz ring

Story, yes; Bedtime, No

2010-12-23T11:26:00.000-08:00

Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan" has gotten mixed reviews, but having been a ballet dancer and a lover of Swan Lake, I wanted to see it anyway. I'm a little skittish about anything scary or dark, but I'm glad that I was able to put that aside to see this film. Because in then end, it's just a story - and it's exactly in style of storytelling that the film's strength lies.

The heroine of the story is a dancer named Nina, who's confidence and sanity are steadily eroded by an overprotective mother, the demanding company director, and the pressure to perform. From the first scene, Aronofsky throws the audience into Nina's world of unrelenting anxiety, progressively smudging the distinctions between stressed reality and horrific hallucination. This is, without a doubt, done with little subtlety and much heavy handedness, but, believe it or not, I think that itself contributes to the successful execution of vision.

If you're going to get "Black Swan," you have to abandon the idea that just because a film is dramatic, or because the protagonist is a tortured soul, there is the necessity for some profound philosophical truth to be learned. That is not what this film is about - it certainly doesn't offer that, and it's not intended to.

What I found so fascinating about the movie is that the style in which Aronofsky presents Nina's saga totally parallels the style of storytelling that comprises nearly every narrative ballet - most of all, Swan Lake.

Tragic heroine - check (Nina : Odette). Inescapable dilemma - check (Nina's hallucination-inducing anxiety : Odette trapped in a swan body). Tormentors - check (Nina's mother, the company director : Odette transformed by evil sorcerer Von Rothbart). Even the one person who promises an escape from plight - for Nina it's Lily - another dancer who seems to offer some friendship, only to creep in and try to snatch Nina's role : for Odette, it's Prince Siegfried - who promises love enough to break the spell, but instead falls in love with her evil imposter Odile, compelling Odette to commit suicide. The parallels were so evident to me that it became obvious what Aronofsky was trying to accomplish - not just tell the story of Nina's mental disintegration, but really make her into a modern day, fairy-tale heroine.

Once you think about it, it's not hard to see. Nina's plight is dark and melodramatic - comparable to Nikita, of La Bayadere, or Giselle. What's more, it's twisted - Nina is shown in several strange sexual scenarios, Nikita's lover smokes opium to dream of her, Giselle revisits her true love as a ghost with an army of other dead unmarried women. "Black Swan" offers another comparison: complete inescapability from the story line - even the music in the club that Nina and Lily visit follows a Swan Lake theme. And just like a narrative ballet, Aronofsky makes big, pantomimic gestures to be absolutely sure the audience sees what is happening. On stage this is more appropriate, because you have to say something as silly as, "When I marry you, you'll cease to live as a swan and be returned to a woman's form" purely through gesture, and have it be fully understood by people in the 4th balcony. When something so overt is used in film (say, Nina's legs turning backwards like a bird's, or her arms stretching into wings), it is easy to dismiss it as cloddish. But seen in the comparative light of a story book ballet, it makes perfect sense.

Fairy tale ballets rarely change. The narratives hardly ever shift, and much of classical choreography is nearly 100 years old. The characters are conveniently one-dimensional, the only exception being the protagonist. What brings life to a ballet that has been performed for generations is the ballerina. Natalie Portman does just that in "Black Swan"; she brings humanity to a story that otherwise provides only caricature. Which is exactly what any great ballerina would do with a classical ballet.

Like it or not, "Black Swan" brings something different to the screen, by putting on film the implements of dramatic storytelling typically reserved for the stage.

Ultimate Outfit...pt. 12

2010-12-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

'Tis the Season for lots of parties! So I've put together some fun looks, for every type of get-together, from my Dream Wardrobe.....

This would be a great look for a festive cocktail party hosted by a friend!

Preen Line "Blade" silk dress

Bruno Frisoni metallic elastic shoe

Celestina black lip shell clutch

Bottega Veneta spring 2010 oxidized silver necklace

Isharya "Libra" amethyst earrings

Janis gold and crystal cuff

Roberto Cavalli "Serpent" ring

Votivo "Red Currant" Candle - a lovely hostess gift!

Ultimate Outfit...pt. 11

2010-11-19T13:32:00.000-08:00

What a cool gal wears to work this fall.....

Rick Owens Lilies padded wool gilet

Victorialand asymmetric shirt

Derek Lam Fall 2010 fringe wrap skirt

Proenza Schouler Fall 2009 boots

Robert Lee Morris for Donna Karan Fall 2009 necklace

Isabel Marant "Wright" crystal drop earrings

Nixon 4220 ChronoWatch

Karaby Kara Ross hematite ring

Flower Power Tuesdays!

2010-11-17T06:16:00.000-08:00

This might be my last flower post, as the studio has decided to use succulents instead of cut flowers from now on!

Light and dark blue delphinium, white stalk, red and orange painted cabbage roses

Dark and light pink stalk....some other pink things and pinecone-looking things...

Pink, orange and yellow lilies

Orange tulips, red freesia, wax flowers

Funny Food

2010-11-14T06:43:00.000-08:00

Daily recommended dose of "amusement at another's expense," courtesy of Food Network Humor. (For anyone who watches the Food Network and is familiar with it's many interesting characters, you'll definitely get a few laughs from this.)

Ultimate Outfit...pt. 10

2010-11-12T07:27:00.000-08:00

Fun and funky date night!

Rick Owens blistered leather jacket

Helmut Lang printed drape top

Superfine "Wrap" jeans

Alexander McQueen slouchy leather boots

Lanvin embellished bag

Robert Lee Morris for Donna Karan Fall 2009 wood and metal bracelet

Bottega Veneta oxidized silver rosebud earrings

Vintage Christian Dior sunglasses

Useful Tools

2010-11-11T10:55:00.000-08:00

I could definitely get some use out of this from time to time...

Social Media Sobriety Test from TDA_Boulder on Vimeo.

Flower Power Tuesdays!

2010-11-09T18:25:00.000-08:00

Red tulips with green and white leaves (Not sure what they're called).

Hot pink dahlias, yellow tulips and pink snapdragons

White snapdragons, light blue and dark blue delphinium

A little cup of tulip, snapdragon and delphinium buds

Ultimate Outfit...pt. 9

2010-11-07T05:17:00.000-08:00

This outfit is composed of....

Proenza Schouler Spring 2008 brocade top

Armani Prive Couture Spring 2010 suit pants

Balenciaga Spring 2010 suede "Neo-classic" bag

Christian Louboutin "Pigalle" pumps

Prada "Plex" crystal necklace

Proenza Schouler cuff

Phillippe Ferandis "Glad Mangalore" earrings

Flower Power Tuesdays!

2010-11-02T18:32:00.000-07:00

I've been doing the weekly flower arrangements at Drive In Studios for a few months now. I figured I should document my work!

Multi colored Snapdragons

Green tulips, orange calla lilies and lambs ear

Hydrangeas, purple tulips and cabbage roses

A little cup of tulips with delphinium buds

Wild/Life

2010-11-01T14:52:00.000-07:00

I didn't even know that this was possible.....it really justifies the internet as an art medium. Totally worth seeing....

http://thewildernessdowntown.com/

V-A-M-P

2010-10-31T20:38:00.000-07:00

I'm a big Cher fan.

with Elton John

with Cyndi Lauper

But my real favorites are from the Sonny and Cher Show...

She's actually wearing a pantsuit!

She could wear the hell out of a Bob Mackie.

I want this gown.

Power Trip

2010-10-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

Someone's clearly been spending too much time with Kehinde Wiley.......

Whatever you may think of Kanye, this video is amazing....it's actually something different, and that's so rare these days.

What have we got? Magnificence!

2010-10-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

   Now that the madness of Fashion Week (Fashion Month, really) is over, I think it's time for Alex's Runway Rundown! Here, I will demonstrate some of the growing trends for the Spring 2011 season, as shown in my favorite collections.

   A few of trends that have begun developing over the past season or two seem to have really come to the forefront for Spring 2011. One of the most prominent ones is bright, saturated color....

Versace

Prada

Emilio Pucci

Marc Jacobs

Versus

Proenza Schouler

Haider Ackerman

Christopher Kane

Prabal Gurung

Dries Van Noten

If anything ushers in the warm weather, it's color like this. Prada's color story for the season is joyful and, at times, unexpected. And by constructing the garments out of strong, wearer-friendly cottons, Muccia Prada really gave a fresh perspective to the idea of Spring dressing. These clothes demand to be worn with vigor - no kid gloves necessary - and with clean lines and flattering cuts, I predict that this collection will be a hit with retailers. It really finds the sweet spot between fashion forward and practical.

Very simple, very chic. It's nice to see something other than wispy whites for spring.

Prada also showed some bold prints...

This one is reminiscent of Gianni Versace's 80's silk shirt prints.

Prada's forgiving sack dress looks fresh and simple for this season.

I'd LOVE to get this in my closet next season!

This collection is so strong because the fabrics are simple and largely without embellishment - but those pops of color and interesting cuts make it accessibly fashion forward. These design details will make it an easy inspiration reference for mass market retailers like Zara, Topshop and H&M. Which is good news for the fashionista who can't shell out $2,000 for a cotton sundress!

But there's no substitute for the freakin' awesome accessories....

This one will fly off the shelves.

I LOVE these.

Another of my favorite colorful collections this season was Versace. Although still very womanly, the typical Versace sex kitten vibe was toned down, which contributed to the garments lower, more flattering hemlines and clean, wearable tailored pieces.

If you're going to do body-con and cutout, I think it's much more sophisticated at this length.

Donatella also mixed in some crisp whites and neutrals.

This is one of my favorites.

The little slash of skin between the cropped top and pencil skirt adds the perfect amount of sex appeal:

flirty, but not vulgar.

This is the only length I like to wear in a short skirt - it hits at the widest part of the thigh, so the part of leg that shows looks slim and lean. On me, it's about fingertip length, which makes me totally forgive my high school administrators - they must have been looking out for my best interest!

Great jacket - this could be a very versatile piece in one's wardrobe.

The front slit skirt is a trend this season as well.

I also responded to the use of fringe in the collection. Although used mostly in the evening wear section, fringe is a good way to bring a bit of movement to a tailored look as well.

That's enough for today, but don't worry - more Runway Rundown to come!

Movie Music

2010-10-08T18:14:00.000-07:00

Super cool stop-motion music video..... Do you know of some other good stop-motion videos??? Post them!

Recurring Motif

2010-10-06T07:17:00.000-07:00

As some of you might have noticed, I've largely avoided the topic of Fashion Week so far this season. Frankly, I've been totally disillusioned with the industry lately, and I've always found Spring/Summer shows to be less interesting than Fall/Winter. The collections shown in New York and London did little to dissolve my bias, unfortunately (I've been conciously avoiding Style.com and have yet to see the Paris and Milan shows), but there were a few exceptions. One of them was Marchesa.

After the first few looks, it became clear that Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig are ready to expand the vision of the brand. Although still featuring very feminine draping, gauzy fabrics, and plenty of embellishment, the silhouette this season was certainly more varied (hello, pants!), suggesting the designers' interest in developing a business that isn't exclusively evening wear.

Don't get me wrong....there were PLENTY of pretty dresses....

Laser cut satin is a beautiful, modern take on traditional lace....

Laser cut organza as well

I love the layers of translucent hand-painted tulle.

There is no question that this collection is jaw-dropping-ly beautiful. And it certainly signifies a more elegant directional take on a theme than I have seen from Marchesa in the past (Resort 2011's African inspired collection was at times awkwardly literal).

But viewing this collection brings pleasure and pain in equal measure to the fashion enthusiast............Frankly, it's a little too referential of Alexander McQueen's fall 2008 show for my comfort.......

Marchesa

vs.

Alexander McQueen

Marchesa

vs.

Alexander Mcqueen

Marchesa

vs.

Alexander McQueen

Marchesa

vs.

Alexander McQueen

Marchesa

vs.

Alexander McQueen

There are MANY parallels that can be drawn....you can even compare the hairstyles and head jewelry. And even apart from the specific pieces that I've singled out, there are many more subtle similarities that when compiled make it impossible to not see the connection.

Marchesa

vs.

Alexander McQueen

In the season following the tragic suicide of the great Alexander McQueen, it isn't surprising that some admiring designers would choose to remember him in their own work. However, this collection seems so heavy handed in it's reference that, to me, it verges on plagiarism. The collections are by no means identical, but I can't imagine that the Marchesa designers developed their Spring 2011 show without some direct cross referencing.

Yet, there hasn't been much talk about that on the main fashion review sites - Style.com in particular says nothing at all about the McQueen connection, which is particularly odd, because they always seem to be the FIRST to point out designer influenced motifs. So, I decided to hear what the designers themselves had to say about their influences for the collection. I saw this interview with Keren Craig:

Craig states that, "European aesthetic meets the East" set the tone for this Marchesa collection - and that tag line might as well have been ripped directly from a review of Alexander McQueen fall 2008. Sarah Mower commented that Mcqueen designed the collection "...with images of Queen Victoria, the Duke of Wellington, and the Indian Empire running through his mind."

Of course, it is not unusual for designers to find inspiration in similar content. But comparing these two collections has left me feeling that, at best, Marchesa just didn't come up with anything new to say about the "Orientalist Period" - or, at worst, took a shortcut through McQueen's already beautifully explored territory.

Marchesa

vs.

Alexander McQueen

I can't deny that this is a GORGEOUS collection - the fabrics are exquisite, and the details of embellishment and draping are truly couture in it's most lovely form. In that sense, I am glad that Marchesa is taking up the McQueen mantel - it's a kind of ethereal beauty that much of the fashion world feared lost after Alexander's death. So it's a joy to see it so wonderfully alive in this collection, even when the spectacular McQueen showmanship can't be replaced. But where does a designer find the line between inspiration and intellectual property infringement?

The only other fashion writer I've seen make this connection so far is Siobhan Barrett, who blogs for Lulus.com (Read her take on it here). She sees the parallels (though not with the same specificity - for me, it came down to one particular McQueen collection), but has a very different feeling about the end result. I really disagree with her opinion on the brand defining element she describes. Although this collection, viewed in a vacuum, does signify a new direction for Marchesa, how can it truly set them apart if it's not original?

Again, these clothes are beautiful, and I'd probably lose the ability to draw breath if someone told me I could wear one of these dresses (especially that knee-length black painted tulle number I posted above). But to earn the title of "Designer's Best Collection, " or even "One of the Best of the Season" (that keeps being tossed around), Marchesa needs to show me something truly fresh, thoughtful, and original.

Alexander McQueen's Fall 2008 collection had the goods, the show, and the back story (read more about it here) that made it so stunningly out-of-this-world. Unfortunately, Marchesa only gave us the abridged version.

How I'm livin'.

2010-10-05T11:47:00.000-07:00

Because in New York, you need stuff like this..... So COOL!

Variety is the Spice of Life

2010-10-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

While searching YouTube for Sylvie Guilliem today, I stumbled upon the French singer Sylvie Vartan - a happy mistake!

She's so charming! This makes me want to cut my hair short again and have my eyebrows dyed darker. Talk about fashion inspiration...(I mean, if you're into that kind of thing).

It also had me missing the good old television variety show, like Sonny and Cher! (I feel a Cher costume tribute coming soon....stay tuned!)...

...and the Carol Burnett Show...

...and of course the Muppet Show

Pretty Things

2010-09-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

A beautiful and bizarre short film...

And the "Making of..."

Important People....

2010-09-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

Dan Perrone is one of the most interesting people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. He sees beauty in the most unlikely of things, and it is impossible to remain immune to his enthusiasm once he articulates his point of view. And it is essential that he does, because I can't imagine that anyone sees the world like Dan.

Dan is a rare person in whom real creativity and amazing technical talent come together and surprise you. One of the things I appreciate most about him is his unfailing sincerity - his work isn't built on cynicism, as I find to be the case with a lot of contemporary art. Instead, it forces you to abandon irony and submit to believing that there are things in the world worth marveling at - technology, history, nature, culture, how we live.

http://danperrone.com/

And even aside from his work, Dan is kind, sincere and generous of spirit. That, in and of itself, is worth appreciating.

Dan - himself and his work - makes me excited about the world, and for that I am so grateful.

This is a piece that Dan will be showing this weekend at Maker Faire - I can't wait to see it in person!

The Most Sensational, Inspirational, Celebrational.....

2010-09-20T19:53:00.000-07:00

Ultimate Outfit....pt.8

2010-09-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

It's only turning into autumn, but I'm already excited about lady-like winter clothes....

This outfit consists of...

Louis Vuitton wool plaid skirt

Dolce and Gabbana cashmere and lace bodysuit

Bamford yak wool wrap

Jimmy Choo "Gilbert" leather pumps

Celine leather and shearling bag

Vionnet leather sash belt

Givenchy leather covered gem earrings

Dogs on Film....Part 6

2010-09-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

Bailey knows he's a cutie!

Minnesota State Fair.....Pt. 5...

2010-09-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

...All Bunny, All the Time.

Velveteen

Racing Stripe

Domino

Muffin

Centerfold

Emo Bunny

A classic beauty

Puff

Pepper

Cat

Supermodel Bunny

Donut

Handsome

Look at that face!

That concludes my coverage of the Minnesota State Fair - can't wait to go back next year!

Minnesota State Fair.....Pt. 4...

2010-09-13T19:07:00.000-07:00

...the Biggest and the Best.

A large part of the state fair has to do with finding the best in the Midwest. And there's a category for EVERYTHING imaginable.

Giant rabbit!

Me with a few contenders for the largest pumpkin.

Reggie, Minnesota's Largest Boar. Weighing in at 1,500 lbs, his head was about 3x the size of mine.

(See the original cartoon here.)

One of the most interesting categories of competition is "Crop Art." Submissions range from picturesque to political. I'm always surprised/impressed by how the contenders really use this peculiar medium to express themselves so passionately.

There are tons of beautiful vegetables...

Each day of the fair, a different local flower organization hosts it's own judging. We were there to see the African Violets - my favorite! The most amazing variations...

I'd never seen a violet like this one!

Of course there are craft entries of every variety....

Beautiful hand made wooden nesting eggs

In the category of 'Barbie Wedding Gowns', Midge is a first prize bride, with Barbie ready to catch the bouquet. (I am definitely entering a gown next year!)

Baking is also a big category.

This is only a sample of the bread section!

Homemade syrups and infused vinegars

Honey from Minnesota bee keepers!

Creamed honey and honeycomb as well

There are also a variety of horsemanship events.

Phew! SO much to do at the State Fair!

Minnesota State Fair.....Pt. 3...

2010-09-11T05:49:00.000-07:00

...Lots of Animals!

I love the head tilt!

A couple of chatty ladies

Goats are friendly neighbors!

4-H boys with their prize winning ducks!

A BIG horse

And some little horses

The Goats Who Stare at Men

I love that the duck is smiling too!

Ultimate Outfit....pt.7

2010-09-10T05:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lapse in posts.....I've been traveling! Of course, more of that to come, but here's something in the mean time....

This look consists of...

Joseph wool smoking jacket

Current/Elliott chambray shirt

Alexander McQueen zipper pants

Pedro Garcia "Emelyn" satin booties

Burberry Prorsum laser-cut suede tote

Roarke "Le Charlot" scarf necklace

Marie-Helene de Taillac moonstone earrings

Cartier Tank Solo watch

Mitchell Whitney Turnbough white gold rings

(the "stones" are gold too!)

Minnesota State Fair.....Pt. 2...

2010-08-31T13:22:00.000-07:00

...Food and Fun!

The Midway

Skyride

Cherry snow cone!

A CRAZY spin-y, swing-y ride

The BEST french fries

The Slingshot

Tiny Tim cinnamon and sugar donuts

6 year old Diego preparing for a show.

Cheese Curds!

Princess Kay of the Milky Way immortalized in butter.

Minnesota State Fair.....Pt. 1...

2010-08-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

...Baby Animals!

A day old baby goat with mom.

This piglet was born just 4 hours before.

Baby ducks!

A lamb gets used to its long legs.

Bunny!

Just got back from a great trip to Minneapolis, MN! Many more State Fair pictures to come. Thank you Matti and George for such a fun time!

The Place to Be....

2010-08-25T07:16:00.000-07:00

I'm going tomorrow!

Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis, Minnesota

New York Cares

2010-08-18T08:14:00.000-07:00

I was driving Sydney home from the airport the other day, and I got a little lost on the way back. I found myself on Brooklyn streets that were so familiar to me, more emotionally familiar than physical. There was the obvious reason why - it used to be where I lived - but more than that, I felt the gravity of returning to somewhere where so much happened. I drove along the streets where I used to walk home from work everyday... near the place where I stayed, so homesick, my very first night in New York... past a corner where I had kissed someone in the rain... by a restaurant where I had had a horrible date... near the building where my sister and I had lived together... past the apartment of person with whom I'd had the most frustrating romance of my life. This was the place where I did so much growing up.

It felt like unexpectedly bumping into an old lover, someone you had really cared about, but hadn't seen in a long time. All those me memories come flooding back, all the emotions. You sit down and talk and remember events, places, friends, what he wore, what you said. It feels like it just happened, and at the same time it feels like a movie you saw once a long time ago. You wonder what it would be like if you got back together, after all the time and all of the changes you've gone through. Maybe you feel that you left too soon or too casually. But you know that you're already gone, and if there was something that you had left undiscovered, it's not there anymore.

As I drove over the Manhattan bridge, heading home, this song came on the radio, and it felt right.

From the plane on the way home

Endless Summer

2010-08-16T13:38:00.000-07:00

Right now, all I want is to be on a beach somewhere....

by Dominic Neitz

Acapulco, Mexico

by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

by Dane Peterson

by my friend, RP Benik

by Dominic Neitz

Bluefields, Jamaica...taken by me

by Garance Dore

my friend, R P Benik

by Naila Ruechel

by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

Me in Negril, Jamaica

Ultimate Outfit....pt.6

2010-08-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

I call this one "Super Sexy Night Out."

This outfit consists of:

Antonio Berardi dress

Giuseppe Zanotti leopard-print calf hair pumps

Valentio green satin bow clutch

Cartier Agrafe earrings

Cartier Secrets de Boudoir bracelet

Dogs on Film....Part 5

2010-08-14T05:27:00.000-07:00

Bo, doing his best Blue Steel.

Woman Warrior....pt. 3

2010-08-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

   I just finished reading the whole of the Harry Potter series, and I can't stop thinking about it. (As an added measure of masochism, I Josh and I finished the last season on The Wire within the same 24 hours.....right now I am like a ship lost at sea!) I am so impressed by J.K Rowling....It's just brilliant! The characters have become friends of mine, and I feel as though I could take a trip to Hogwarts at any time to visit my old professors.
   Clearly, I am a bit behind the curve when it comes to the Harry Potter craze, but when they first came out I wasn't allowed to read them. I attended a very conservative Christian grade school, and if teachers caught even a whiff of "witchcraft" in any children's literature, game, or toy it was banned immediately. Notices were sent to all parents strictly prohibiting Harry Potter books being brought to school, as anything having to do with witchcraft or magic was a kin to Satanism (not kidding about this!).
   But now having read the books, I have no idea how they could have come to that conclusion (although I am sure none of the teachers had read them). Every facet of Harry Potter speaks of moral responsibility, loyalty, family and making choices based not on what is convenient in the moment but rather what is good and right. Rowling's stories gracefully mature with the reader, taking on more trying subject matter as the characters age. There are such beautiful lessons to learn.
   And they're just downright fun! I can hardly wait to read them to my own children, when that time comes!

J.K. Rowling is truly a remarkable woman, not only for the beautiful work that is Harry Potter, but for the person she is. What a gift to have lived a life like hers and still have all of this joy and fun and imagination to share..........

I'm On A Boat.

2010-08-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

A sunny day sailing around New York City....

Ultimate Outfit....pt.5

2010-07-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

I call this one "Cool Blue."

This outfit consists of...

Proenza Schouler tie die sweater

Burberry Prorsum ruched waist leather skirt

Proenza Schouler PS1 suede satchel

Balenciaga Fall 2010 platform loafers

Christine j. Brandt "Sprout" ring

Mallory Marks double drop earrings

Meat Cute

2010-07-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

Pardon me, boy.....

2010-07-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

Last night, Josh took me dancing, to Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center. Oh my, that was so much fun! There were people of all skill levels out dancing, and everyone was just having a wonderful time - it's not like one can go out and find a great band to swing dance to anytime. Last night, the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra played all the great standards (although I think I missed "Take the A Train, " unfortunately) and really kept the crowd moving.

I grew up hearing my mom sing with a big band, so I love swing music. And Josh is a great dancer, so we can just get up and go - even though I'm not as experienced in swing as he is, with his firm lead, I pick it up pretty quickly. He's even starting to teach me some Lindy! It's just really fun.
Anyway, now that I'm all juiced about swing dancing and big band music, I thought I'd share some of my favorite videos and songs with you.....

I love her dress, her voice, the sound of the band......and wait until the dancing starts! That's how I want to dance!

A very charming version of Chattanooga Choo Choo..

Of course, The Andrews Sisters version is my favorite...

And the pinacle of Lindy Hop greatness....

One of my all time favorite songs...

Cityscape

2010-07-05T06:17:00.000-07:00

There are amazing things to see in New York. I found this one a couple of months ago...sorry for the crappy iphone pictures.

Yeah... About That...

2010-07-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

Well, that explains everything.

   First, I am THRILLED that someone commented!!!! And they aren't even related to me or anything! WOOOO.....I have actual readers out there in the world, and someone took the time to write me back! I am ecstatic!

   Next, I'm a little embarrassed that I clearly should have done more thorough research. When I set out to write the original blog post after having seen the video, I looked around the primary sites for the video itself. However, I specifically did not read any other blogs or in depth commentary (other than the comments posted on Katy Perry's site and YouTube), because I wanted to get out what I had to say before I started taking in other commentary. Granted, this makes me a totally lame journalist - but the good news is I never claimed to be one in the first place!

   Nevertheless, my opinion of the video, largely, still stands. Somehow I'm even MORE disappointed that Will Cotton himself was involved - I've always found his work to have more soul than the video suggests. His paintings are beautiful, sensitive and transportive, but I felt the video was just tacky - Cotton knocking-off his own work. Like trading in a velvety Chevre for a vat of nacho cheese.

Will Cotton “TAFFY FOREST” 2007, Oil on Linen, 72” X 80”

Screen shot from "California Gurls"

It brings to mind, once again, the abomination that was Jean Paul Gautier's "collection" for Target. Where once was a sensitive, inspired artistic statement now stands a cheap, watered-down imitation for mass market.

Photograph by Erik Madigan Heck

Nomenus Quarterly

I found a good article about the making of the video and Cotton's involvement with it. The artist gives his thoughts on the project:

“I'm delighted that my paintings are the inspiration for this video. My work is about creating a utopia where all desire is fulfilled all the time, but where pleasure and delight can turn dark and dystopic. Katy embodies the archetypes that I look for in a subject. It was thrilling to work with her and to see her inhabit my landscapes.”

I'm surprised that he would take such a view. It's startling to me that he feels that this silly pop video reflects AT ALL the mood of his paintings. And I can't imagine how Ms. Perry "embodies the archetypes" of his ideal subject. The women he paints, to me, are beautiful in part because of their vulnerability and natural softness, while Katy Perry has carefully constructed an image of pop plasticity - fake nails, neon wigs, latex dresses. Which is fun, and a great gig for a pop star, but not at all what I think of when I imagine meeting one of Will Cotton's models on the street.

or......

Will Cotton "ICE CREAM CAVERN (2)" 2003 Oil on Linen, 60" x 50"

Are these girls anything alike???

It's good to know that Will Cotton's work wasn't used without permisson.....I can't imagine how it would feel for an artist to have poured so much love into developing an idea, only to see it watered-down and credited to someone else. But the contrast between his paintings and "California Gurls" is so stark that it makes me sad that he would willingly lend his name to it.

Ultimate Outfit....pt.4

2010-06-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

I call this one "Funky Weekend Ballet"

This look is composed of...

Chanel Resort 2010 bow shoulder cardigan

Cheap Monday patchwork jeans

Alexander McQueen iridescent leather ballet pumps

Valentino polka dot tote

Roberto Cavalli ceramic and crystal earrings

Yves Saint Laurent Arty aventurine ring

Woman Warrior....pt. 2

2010-06-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Pro Surfer Kassia Meador

Whica What?

2010-06-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

Have you seen Katy Perry's new video for "California Gurls"???.....

http://www.youtube.com/user/katyperrymusic?blend=1&ob=4

First of all, I just want to once again point out my UNCANNY ability to sense what's on trend. At this point, I'm just bragging. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I begun fantasizing about being in one of Will Cotton's paintings (read Here). And, what do you know, Ms. Perry goes ahead and bases her entire video on his imagery!
In the first scene, Ms. Perry walks over to a grove of taffy trees. Complete with puffs of cotton candy, they are more than just reminiscent of Will Cotton's painting "Taffy Forest."

Will Cotton “TAFFY FOREST” 2007

Katy walks into a forest of candy canes, which look an awful lot like Cotton's "Candy Stick Forest."

A screen grab from the video

Will Cotton “CANDY STICK FOREST” 2005

Next, Katy crosses a licorice bridge, suspended over a landscape that is a mash up of Cotton's "Kisses" and "Flan Pond"....the chocolate kiss trees, pirouette cookie sticks, and floating flan are EXACT copies of the scenes from the paintings.

Will Cotton "KISSES" 2004, Oil on Linen

Will Cotton "FLANPOND" 2002, Oil on Linen

Then, Katy and her tarty friends visit a gingerbread man living in an cheap replica of Cotton's "Candy House," on a hill overlooking a forest of his frosted shortbread trees.

Will Cotton "CANDY HOUSE" 1998-99, Oil on Linen

Will Cotton "ENDLESS WINTER" 1999, Oil on Linen

And the entire video is interspersed with clips of Ms. Perry preening atop one of Cotton's most recognizable motifs - the cotton candy cloud.

Will Cotton “COTTON CANDY CLOUDS” 2006, Oil on Linen

In fact, the reference is so direct, that it seems that the background of Ms. Perry's set is in fact a copy/ paste of one of Cotton's originals.

Now, I understand that these days everyone takes influences from everywhere else - sampling in music is a prime example of that. And I get that there is "nothing new under the sun." But frankly I am pretty disgusted about Katy Perry's cheap knock off of Will Cotton's sensitive, transportive work. If his work could be likened to a soothing bubble bath, then the video for "California Gurls" is like going to a Russian sauna to get a sand scrub from a babushka, topped off with several firm wacks of an oak branch.

We know you have nice boobs, but goodness....you are more than the sum of your parts!!!

I know Katy Perry has distinguished herself as a kitchy, pin-up-y, pop songstress, but her voice is good enough to stand on its own (at least compared to other acts in pop music today). Obviously, Top 40 isn't about subtlety, but why can't we do something with a little bit of grace? Something more sophisticated? Does it ALL have to be bright lights and shock value? And she's got a look that's her own, even before she piles on the sequins and pastel wigs. She doesn't need to shoot whipped cream out of her bustier to get our attention! Jeez, girl don't try so hard!

P.S.....That curly, lollypop thing in the background, to the left, is also a direct reference to a reoccurring motif in Cotton's work...

Will Cotton, RIBBON CANDY, 2008, oil on linen

I am a big fan of Will Cotton, and although I am glad to see his imagery proliferated, I am frustrated by the fact that Ms. Perry uses such a direct reference (even so far as to replicate original work) without any acknowledgement of the artist. I wonder if this verges on legal intellectual property infringement - surely the unauthorized use of original artwork warrants some kind of legal action. Maybe Cotton was paid for his work, who knows. But I couldn't find a single reference to Will Cotton in any of the dialogue about the video.

So it wasn't a flattering reference, but a straight-up grab and go. Tisk,Tisk Katy Perry.

Fake It until You Make It

2010-06-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

Great song, great video

It's so refreshing to come across someone so talented, creating something that they really believe in. It's clear Aloe Blacc really has something to say. And with a voice like that, I'm sure he can get a lot of people to listen.

This song is also the theme of How to Make it in America on HBO. As I've said before, it's a really interesting show about young people in New York, trying to make something happen for themselves. There's a lot about the show that resonates with me, and many of the characters remind me of friends I've made in this city. The 1st season is over now, and I was glad to find that it maintained the same message throughout - no matter who they are, everyone in NYC is hustling. No one's going to give it to you, you have to take it.

I was talking to my friend Gerry about this just the other day. I don't know many people here who just want to skate by - certainly not anyone who has moved here. You have to expect a lot of yourself, want a lot for your life....New York has amazing things to offer, but if you're not looking for amazing things, it's just too damn hard to live here. It's loud and crowded and dirty....if there's not something you want that's worth climbing over people for, then there's no point being here. It's only an easy life if you're wealthy and well connected, otherwise be ready to work your butt off.

Gerry is incredibly hardworking.......he expects so much of himself and doesn't relent until he feels he has done his best work. And he's fearless. He was telling me stories of walking into boardrooms as an intern and throwing out crazy ideas to head designers - something most people wouldn't have dared to do. But it got him noticed, and coupled with really good work, it got him a job. And now in no time flat he's bolting up the career ladder, with the ultimate goal of being able to have his own design firm. I have not doubt that he'll see that through.

Jay, Me, Gerry, PK and Tristan in Amsterdam

Dogs on Film....Part 4

2010-06-18T07:38:00.000-07:00

Jack in Martha's Vineyard, MA

Diaries: Sea Turtle...

2010-06-18T07:35:00.000-07:00

...You think you know, but you have no idea.

Read This, then Watch This......so cool.

Oh Yeah.

Vineyard Heaven

2010-06-13T14:47:00.000-07:00

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing place, and a few of us had the pleasure of spending a long weekend there for Memorial Day....

To have a good trip to the Vineyard, you only need a few things:

1) Good Friends

Nick

James (and Remi!)

Caroline!

DJ and Me

Josh, James, Nick, Me and DJ

...including a few very happy dogs...

Jack

Remi with James

Charlie

2) A Good Patio

Nick, Caroline and DJ

Jack

Gin and tonic....a necessity!

...preferably, attached to a lovely house!

View from the patio

3) Plenty of Time in the Sun

Throw the toy!

Jack and Nick

DJ kayaking to the beach

Remi leads the way!

A captain never leaves his ship.

James and Remi

James and Caroline

4) BIG Dinners!

Me and Caroline in the kitchen

Caroline!

Kiss the Cook!

Lobster!

Caroline, James, Nick, DJ and Me

5) Amazing Sunsets

Josh and Me

6) After Dinner Games

Josh and Nick play backgammon

DJ and I play Jenga

DJ is a TITAN

Crash!

...and when it's all over, you still get

7) A Lovely Ferry Ride

View from the Ferry

Me and Nick

Caroline and James

What a great weekend!

Thank you Jim and Emily for letting us all stay at your beautiful home!

Thanks Caroline for all these great pictures!

Thank you Josh for putting this all together!

Woman Warrior....pt. 1

2010-06-10T07:30:00.001-07:00

Sylvie Guillem in William Forsythe's In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated

Ultimate Outfit...pt. 3

2010-06-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

I call this one "Brooklyn Summer Art Opening and After Party"....

This look is composed of:

Givenchy Spring 2010 striped jacket

Alexander McQueen lace bustier

Kain sheer tank

Proenza Schouler silk surf pants

Balenciaga fall 2009 printed sash booties

Donna Karan leather Cafe Racer bag

Viktor and Rolf stacked zipper bracelets

Isabel Marant feather earrings

Lighten up, will ya?

2010-05-31T20:19:00.000-07:00

I was chillin' on the roof not long ago and had the pleasure of meeting a new neighbor. We started chatting, and he asked me what I do for a living. I proudly told him that I am a fashion designer, and with more than a little bit of self-satisfaction began to elaborate on all of the projects I am currently working on. Finally, I got over myself long enough to ask about his profession. He replied, "Oh, I am a medical researcher.....I'm working on a team trying to find a cure for cancer." Yeah.

That's how I felt.

I often feel that people take fashion WAYYYYYYY to seriously. I am certainly not exempt from this. There is so much pretense throughout the whole industry - elitism, self-importance, a general air of superiority. And to what end? No one is going to die if a dress is tinted ecru instead of cream, or the exit order is messed up during a fashion show, or if a model's hips are 1/2" larger than stated on her comp card. But nearly everyday I see stylists chain-smoking out of anxiety, assistants cowering in fear of their photographers, and producers shouting into cell phones about late manicurists. Jeeeeeez...who knew finger nails were so stressful! And even more serious is the wave of model suicides in the past couple of years (Ruslana Korshunova, Ambrose Olsen, Daul Kim, Noemie Lenoir), as well as all of this nonsense about Terry Richardson lately. Really? We're going to let the guy keep manipulating and abusing women (many suspected to be underage), because he shoots for a few magazines????? It's stuff like this that makes me think, "What is this industry really about anyway?"

The Haughtiest of Them All

Of course, any industry has its pros and cons....I'm sure the cancer research field has it's share of power-hungry corporate climbers, and that doesn't get a sick person well any faster. But I just wish it weren't so prevalent in fashion. Fashion to me is about creativity and invention....personal expression and confidence. If we have to wear clothes every day, then why not have a little fun with it.

Betsey Johnson, fashion designer, doing her signature runway cartwheel...at age 65

FUN - there's a novel idea!
Josh, aka Best Boyfriend Ever, took me to see Sex and the City 2 last night - OPENING NIGHT. He was the only straight man in the crowd. I was in tears before the film started! Of course, if you're looking for substance, you're in the wrong place, but it was so nice to see something that was purely about having a good time. And you should have seen the crowd - all women dressed to the NINES. They were having fun with fashion........why don't industry people feel the same way????

Sex and the City 2 - Totally campy, silly, and heavy handed....but so much fun!

So in an effort to have a little fun with the fashion nonsense I would like to introduce you to:

The Catorialist

The Catorialist is a dead on parody of the super hoity-toity style website The Sartorialist. And it's spot on, even down to the American Apparel ads on the left! The author of The Catorialist even writes funny, fashion-y back stories to accompany the photos, in true Sartorialist style. I was crying laughing the first time I saw it. (I think it'll be really funny to those familiar with The Sartorialist and how completely pretentious it has become. And people who like cats.)

Another thing fun and silly...

Important People

2010-05-27T08:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the birthday of my friend Jason Pfaeffle.

Jay and I met freshman year at Pratt Institute. Although he had yet to declare his major, it was obvious from the start that he was exceptionally talented - he could have chosen any course of study and succeeded. Jay's mind works in strange ways - actually everything about him is a little bit strange, and I mean this is the best sense possible. He sees the world in a way that is completely unique to him, and the art he makes is reflective of that. His work is clever, subtle, organic and also geometric, sophisticated yet accessible. Jay has about the biggest chance of changing industrial design of any one I know; maybe not in the up-ending way that some might imagine, but with the subtlety and sophistication that really ends up changing the way people go through their days. As the great furniture designer Jean-Michel Frank said, "The revolution will take place in millimeters, not centimeters."

One of the things that I appreciate most about Jay is how he pushes me to be better. He leads by example - always improving himself, moving forward, doing better work, trying new things. He never stops giving me a hard time about working harder and being focused, and as much as that frustrates me at times, it totally lights a fire under my butt. There's something to be said for people who force those around them to be better.

Jay, I'm glad you were born! Happy Birthday!

Jay jumping off the high platform at Schwanseebad Pool in Germany.

Dream Sequence

2010-05-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

I built a little daydream the other afternoon..........(this requires a little audience participation to get the full effect, so bear with me)...

Play song....

"Mind, Drips" by Neon Indian

I was a nude in a Will Cotton painting, floating on a cotton candy cloud.....

Paintings by Will Cotton

.....and see in the distance rows and rows of dancers in white (turn off sound)....

Paris Opera Ballet performing "Shades" from La Bayadere

...and I float up into space, where my cloud disintegrates....

Cygnus Loop Nebula

...and I tumble back to earth...

Tania Isaac

...down into the ocean...

Photograph by Dominic Neitz

...through a sea of jelly fish (turn the sound off)...

Jellyfish Lake in Palau

.....and other fish (turn the sound off this one too)...

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd Largest Aquarium in the World

...and eventually I wash up on the beach....

Photograph by Naila Ruechel

The End

Dogs on Film....Part 3

2010-05-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

Pepper supports equality for all!

2010-05-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

Something amazing....

The Body Says What Words Cannot

2010-05-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

In this weekend's New York Times is a very interesting article about the ballet La Bayadere. La Bayadere has long been one of my favorite classical ballets - it is a spectacle to watch with a fantastic, convoluted story of love, honor, betrayal, murder, retribution and opium induced hallucinations. The costumes are fabulous - midrift baring, sari inspired embroidery, yards of chiffon. But more than watching it, I've always loved dancing it. Each role, whether it be principle or corps de ballet, is technically challenging as well as expressive - the choreography ranges from aggressive to ethereal, even within a variation.

In the last scene of La Bayadere, Solor smokes opium to find respite from the grief of having lost his true love, who was

killed by his new wife. He begins to see visions of her surrounded by the ghosts of other lost lovers. The entrance of the

"Shades" is one of the most recognizable moments in classical ballet - it is very technically trying for the dancer and has to be executed softly and in synchronicity with all of the other corps de ballet members.

I found the NY Times article enlightening as to the origins of this ballet in the west (it was premiered in the US in 1980) and the woman who brought it here, one of my favorite ballerinas Natalia Makarova. Anyone who knows much about ballet and has seen Makarova dance would agree that to stage and direct this huge ballet would necessitate someone with as much range as the great Natasha. She is just as soft and lovely as Giselle as she is cunning and seductive as Odile.

Natalia Makarova as the Dying Swan

The article announced the opening of American Ballet Theatre's season at the Metropolitan Opera with La Bayadere. Knowing that Makarova staged the production makes me want to see it, despite the fact that my second date with Josh 2 years ago nearly ended in disaster in large part due to the horrible mood I was in after having seen ABT's sorry version of the ballet. Then, it was neither solid nor delicate, the dancers (Solor danced by Angel Corella and Nikiya danced by Paloma Herrera) never knew exactly what they were supposed to be feeling at any given moment, and the corps work, which for a ballet this big HAS to be concrete, was sloppy. La Bayadere is such a huge production that without the utmost care and sensitivity it just becomes a tacky mess (some dance critics believe it to be that way no matter how delicately it is staged).

To be honest, I am pretty skeptical about how successful ABT's La Bayadere can be. I've been disappointed by their productions in recent history. The dancers seem to go for the 'cheap shots' - turns, jumps, extension - more so than the slow, story-building burn (with the exception of one of my favorites, Julie Kent). True musicality seems to be a novelty, and emotional range has more to do with the speed of movement than true expression. And La Bayadere requires true mastery of all of these elements for the story to be told with the most eloquence. In the article, Makarova talks about "using the whole body in harmony." I just haven't seen that in ABT's dancers as of late.
I am hoping that Ballet Theater will be able to do justice to this ballet in the coming weeks. But at least if the dancing sucks, you've got great costumes to look at.

Heather Jurgensen of the Hamburg Ballet as Nikiya

The amazing Sylvie Guillem

Svetlana Zakaharova

Natalia Matsak

We Have Love

2010-05-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

One of the hands-down best things about New York are the people you meet. You never know who you might come across any given day - a stranger could turn out to be your best friend, or business partner, or sous chef, or love of your life. And so many people come to New York to find connections like that., which perpetuates that energy, the sense that anything can happen.

I recently met a wonderful woman. We started bonding over a shared Jamaican heritage, and, as is customary in the city, ended up exchanging business cards. I was amazed by what I discovered when I went to her website, and I thought you might enjoy it as well...

http://nailaruechel.com/

Naila's work is sensitive and exhuberant. It's rare that I experience such a joyful quality in photography. I am grateful to have met Naila, and I look forward to seeing more and more of her work. It seems that she had a lot to say.