http://www.papermag.com/blogs/ en Copyright 2008 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:02:50 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Colette toasted to its freshly revamped Paris store with a launch party celebrating Swedish brand WeSC’s new headphones codesigned by Ed Banger and Colette. The “silent event" was hosted by Busy P (a.k.a. Pedro Winter, the head of Ed Banger Records), who insisted that shoppers could only listen to his live master mixes by donning a pair of the new WeSC headphones signed by SO-ME. Masamichi Katayama –- store designer for Marc Jacobs in Tokyo, Uniqlo in London, all of the Billionaire Boys’ Club stores, among others -– recreated Colette’s main entrance into a hipper-than-though street culture haven. A ginormous Goyard suitcase bursting full of Ice Cream and BBC items takes center stage along a small corner dedicated exclusively to Bape products -- serving as a stark contrast to the high-end second floor of women’s wear and coveted cosmetics. Sarah’s curatorial eye is by far one of the best in the industry. She seamlessly mixes the likes of Rodarte and Lanvin with fun cult hits like Deer Dana into brilliantly bizarre ensembles that no one else could ever fathom (no less devise on one floor)! Stuck aux Etats-Unis? Colette x GAP debuts on September 6 with a massive plethora of crazy-cool collabs and limited edition products. Check out http://www.colettexgap.com/ for more details. Photos by Kristina Gisors ]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/colette_gets_recolettified.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/colette_gets_recolettified.php Fashion Schmashion Bathing Ape Colette WESC Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:02:50 -0500 Brooklyn-based band Frankpollis -- comprised of James Pollis and Malcolm Perkins on the guitar, John Frank on the bass and Jackson Pollis (known as "the fourth MisShape") on the drums -- is already big in Japan (no, really, it’s true) and are about to blow up big-time in their hometown. They’ve garnered support from bands like Liars, Les Savy Fav, Adam Green and Brian Jonestown Massacre due to the near perfection of their noise/rock/surf sound. And if the fans are any indication of their staying power, they will be around for a while; a typical concert generally involves a sea of dancing girls and a slew of phone numbers given to band members post-show. Frankpollis’ nonchalant hipster-esque attitude translates on stage to a great show where the band does their thing and the audience does theirs. Recently, we checked in with them for a little Q&A action. What’s your favorite NYC venue? Malcolm: Definitely John and James’s house [in Sunset Park, Brooklyn]. We were supposed to have a show there with Adam Green recently but it got shut down by the cops before either of us could go on. We rehearse there, and there’s a lot of space, it’s so isolated. It’s like being away from the city when you’re actually there. John: The problem with a lot of venues today is that they don’t give a shit about sound quality, as long as things sound good we’re going to be happy. Glasslands in Brooklyn is really great. ]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/frankpollis.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/frankpollis.php Word of Mouth Frankpollis Jackson Pollis Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:02:22 -0500 Craving killer tacos? Then head to Mercadito Cantina, a mod taqueria which opened in the East Village earlier this summer, across the street from the original Mercadito -- but which features a different menu and vibe. Here, it's all about communal and counter seating, grazing and drinking. The clean design comes by way of the Northern Michigan woods, the ceiling and nearly every surface lined with beautiful blonde cedar. Our corner of the counter filled up quickly with little bowls of bright, freshly made salsa, chips and crispy corn bread nuggets ($3.50) that I'd compare to hush puppies, but better. There are eight salsas to choose from ($2.50 for one; $4.50 for two; $6.50 for three), with ingredients like toasted peanuts, capers, pickled jalapenos and roasted garlic. Think there's only one kind of guacamole? Mercadito offers six flavors (two for $10.50; three for $13.50), from traditional to mole poblano to Oaxaqueno with mango. My favorite of the batch, however, was the “sandia,” a green blend of tomatillo, habanero chiles, epazote and bits of sweet watermelon. Chef and co-owner Patricio Sandoval devised a number of flavorful fillings for his soft tacos, too, like one with zesty homemade green sausage, manchego cheese and tomatillo. Tilapia fish tacos and calamari tacos with plantain salsa were also terrific finger food, and yes, the juice from them will drip all over your hands so have napkins ready ($8.50 for two tacos). A duo called the Tippling Brothers (Paul Tanguay and Tad Carducci) were forced to get creative with the cocktail list since the community board denied Mercadito Cantina a full liquor license. Instead of tequila, get a shot of tric-quila, sake infused with smoky peppers that bears a resemblance to the real thing but lacks the kick. No matter how much I drank, I stayed sober, but at least that way I was able to fully appreciate the delicious food. Mercadito Cantina 172 Avenue B (212) 388-1750 Photo from Thrillist.com]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/restaurant_of_the_week_mercadi_1.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/restaurant_of_the_week_mercadi_1.php Word of Mouth Food Mercadito Cantina Restaurant of the Week Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:14:47 -0500 Magic, then after that is Project, and the newest and hippest show is Pool. Pool showcases the pieces from slightly more independent boutiques from all around the globe. Here are some highlights… These cool kids all work at Homage. I love this crew; they are so down to earth, hip, friendly and confidant. They make amazing vintage inspired fashions from recycled clothes. Some of the shirts were so weathered and soft that I thought they were actually 30 years old. This is one of my all time favorite things I've ever found. So these necklaces/bracelets are two pieces, the metal chain and the magnet jewelry. In this case, the magnet is the round disc (which comes in all shapes and sizes). All you do is wrap the chain around your neck or ankle or wrist, and then slap the magnet on it, and it sorta just creates this artwork jewelry all on its own. ]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/greetings_from_pool_1.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/greetings_from_pool_1.php Word of Mouth Las Vegas Pool Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:29:04 -0500 Camilla Staerk, the Danish designer behind modern-minimalist clothing line Staerk, announced today that her new Nolita flagship boutique is finally open to the public. The sparse Scandanavian space, designed by Staerk along with Erik Johnson, is black-and-white heavy, and features wood, marble and metal details. The store will sell the complete Staerk womenswear collection, as well as shoes, bags, belts and swimwear. Additionally, Staerk will reintroduce her sunglass line which she produced with Selima Optique, which she'll be peddling alongside her capsule jewelry collection. Staerk hopes the boutique will feel like a "creative space," and has peppered sculptures by Mies van der Rohe and Finn Juhe, along with glassworks by Holmegaard throughout the store. She also said that she plans to hold art exhibits in the space. ]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/staerk_flagship_boutique_opens.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/staerk_flagship_boutique_opens.php Word of Mouth Camilla Staerk Nolita Shops Staerk Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:49:20 -0500 Now that we live in the Age of Watching TV on Our Computers, network websites are hustling to keep up with the joneses, aka Hulu.com, the paragon of online TV websites. Enter the newly revamped thewb.com, which relaunches today. While the site currently says, "stay tuned. we'll be live shortly," tubefilter got an inside sneak peek. And it looks really good. The sleek new site features a super-searchable archive (you can search across all the shows on the site for certain phrases -- i.e. you can find out many times Seth Cohen mentioned Death Cab for Cutie on The OC), a cool application called WBlender that lets you mash-up clips from various shows (a tribute to Ross's monkey Marcel, anyone?) and full seasons of Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls, Friends, Smallville and The OC. One of the main draws though, is the slew of (ten, to be exact) web-only shows. Highlights appear to include Sorority Forever (created by McG and Josh Schwartz), Whatever Hollywood (a comedy following three best friends named Suri, Apple and Shiloh) and Rich Girl, Poor Girl (from the creator of Laguna Beach, which takes a girl from wealthy suburb in Orange County and swaps her with an inner city LA teen -- eek!). Yowzers. We may never leave our house again. ]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/thewbcom.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/thewbcom.php Word of Mouth Gilmore Girls Hulu Josh Schwartz The OC thewb.com Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:16:23 -0500 Everyone adores Luigi Tadini (stylish and model-looks: what's not to love?). Luigi hosted a small "unbirthday" dinner (he turned 25 last April 15th) at the Surf Lodge in Montauk. The divine Bebel Gilberto performed. I sat with Amanda Hearst and mingled with chic Dalia Oberlander, Minnie Mortimer, Justin Belmont, Liam McMullan, pretty Rachelle Hruska, David X Prutting, Julia Erdman and Timo Weiland. I also saw Calvin Klein, Ross Bleckner, Rogan Gregory, Kelly Klein and Aida Turturro. Oh, the chicness! The whole affair was filmed for Plum TV where Luigi has a weekly show. Smile -- you're on Tadini TV! Check out Luigi at: http://hamptons.plumtv.com/videos/out_east_luigi_tadini_sneak_peek ]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/peter_davis_status_update_i_wa.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/peter_davis_status_update_i_wa.php Word of Mouth Amanda Hearst Luigi Tadini Peter Davis Peter Davis' Status Update Surf Lodge Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:30:21 -0500 Out on DVD is a real space oddity: Games Girls Play. The director of Creature from the Black Lagoon, Jack Arnold, directed this salacious sex comedy starring Christina Hart as Bunny, the man-crazy daughter of a wealthy American. The father is made a diplomat in London and he places Bunny in an all-girls finishing school to keep her out of trouble. In no time she convinces the coeds to strip naked and swim in the pool and convinces a few girls sneak out at night and bed visiting foreign dignitaries as a “bet." Also known as The Bunny Caper, this 1974 film has lots of painfully unfunny bedroom humor and plenty of full-frontal female nudity, and is a weird rarity from the director of The Incredible Shrinking Man. There’s a short funny featurette interview with lead actress Hart, who describes the casting process for the film... It involved stripping down in front of the director and producer, who she admits, "were probably more embarrassed than me..."]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/games_girls_play.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/games_girls_play.php Cinemaniac Creature From The Black Lagoon Dark Sky DVD Games Girls Play Jack Arnold Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:05:00 -0500 Oh behalf of my own personal gang of merry pranksters, I would like to wish our patron saint/patriarch, Henry Lihn, a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Hank can often be seen raising the roof or raising hell all over the LES and at places like Beatrice and Gramercy. During the day, this hunkosaurus Rex is the CEO of Gin Lane (a brand development and marketing company) and hot downtown clothing label, LOLA. Happy Birthday, big guy!! XxPJC]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/the_incredible_hank.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/the_incredible_hank.php Word of Mouth Henry Lihn Paul Johnson-Calderon Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:59:17 -0500 Fela Anikupalo Kuti, a native Nigerian, was a charismatic musician/composer/performer and an iconic activist in his homeland. His pioneering music, called “Afrobeat,” a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies, made him a worldwide entertainment sensation from the ‘60s to the ‘80s, and his political struggles during that same time only increased his reputation. When he died in 1997, a million people attended his funeral. Bill T. Jones, a notable New York choreographer for 25 years, and a recent Tony- Award-winner for Spring Awakening, is directing and choreographing a new musical based on Fela’s life and music. Co-credit for the piece’s conception goes to Jones, playwright and dramaturge Jim Lewis and the lead producer, Stephen Hendel, an avid fan of world music and a particular fan of Fela. There is a cast of 18, with Sahr Ngaukah (pictured above) in the role of Fela. Brooklyn based Antibalas will play Fela’s music. I spoke with Jones (who co-wrote the book with Lewis) on a Sunday by phone. Hi Bill, thanks for talking with me on your day off. Is this a biographical show? No, it’s not a biopic. That was the first thing we decided. It’s a freely conceived take on a very complex life. I call it a work of imagination, with a lot of dimension. Fela was known both as a world musician and a social activist. In the late ‘60s, there were protest singers, like Pete Seeger and others, but I don’t think he (Seeger), and others like him, were ever harassed like Fela was. I can’t think of a major artist who would have had to face being jailed over 200 times, was tortured and vilified, and literally attacked by government soldiers. Fela was that.]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/stage_notes_fela.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/stage_notes_fela.php Word of Mouth 37 Arts Bill T. Jones Fela Kuti Stage Notes Theater Tom Murrin Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:59:02 -0500 Bridgehampton Polo season, the layers of propriety are peeled away to reveal the free-for-all party that shuts down the season. I don't know where all these people hide all summer, but somehow everyone and their mother shows up at the fields, ready to schmooze under the VIP tent. There's a lot going on under that infamous tent: all the girls who were able to get it on over the summer looking for one last chance at love; all the guys who never quite got enough over the summer looking for one last kill; East Enders not ready to let go of the season, celebrating one last big, drunken Saturday afternoon. Other less raunchy lasts included saying bye to the nice folks at Hamptons Magazine, who always sponsor the last match, and has tables upon tables of free Niche Media mags from here to eternity; bidding adieu to those behind T-Mobile tent, which always rocks the house with awesome DJs; watching the actual polo match that is taking place; and soaking in the live music -- this year it was a performance by OnDa ground music's, HRS Princess. So we say adios to another season of the Bridgehampton Polo until next year, when for six Saturdays in the summer, we ride the ride all over again. ]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/au_revoir_polo.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/au_revoir_polo.php Word of Mouth Bridgehampton Polo Hamptons Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:32:38 -0500 Last week I had the pleasure of meeting up with friends Nick Cohen and Seth Campbell at their brand new store for their hip/haute shoe line, Upper Echelon Shoes, or UES. The store is nestled amid a stretch of shops at 100 Forsyth St. on the LES, looking out on to a park across the street. An idyllic location for a downtown luxury brand with an obvious double entendre in its name. It has been a whirlwind past few years for Campbell and his business partner and close friend, Cohen, a well known DJ and New York nightlife fixture. Not only was P. Diddy seen doing his thing in UES shoes live at the BET Awards last year, but their kicks are now available at Alice & Olivia, Hirshleifer's and Fred Segel. That afternoon, not only did I have the pleasure of check out their stellar collection, but I also was able to sit down with Nick and chat about their line. Here’s what he had to say. When did you start designing shoes and for what reason It started out as a project for fun. Seth has a family background in the discount footwear sourcing industry and I have a family background in the discount jewelry business. We decided to combine the two and make footwear accessorized with jewelry hardware. Rather than go the discount route, we decided to elevate to an Upper Echelon and attack the designer casual footwear market, where we saw a void of new and exciting product. Hence, Upper Echelon Shoes was born.]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/oh_my_god_shoes_introducing_th.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/oh_my_god_shoes_introducing_th.php Word of Mouth Nick Cohen Paul Johnson-Calderon Seth Campbell UES Upper Echelon Shoes Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:14:10 -0500 Andres Serrano's Shit show opens on September 4th at the Yvon Lambert Gallery and I am so there. Who doesn't want a Hieronymous Bosch Shit, 2008 C-print, 88 x 72 inches (223.5 x 182.9 cm) in an edition of 5? This opening is definitely going to be the shit.]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/peter_davis_status_update_its.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/peter_davis_status_update_its.php Word of Mouth Andres Serrano Peter Davis Peter Davis' Status Update Yvon Lambert Gallery Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:44:16 -0500 Karlie Kloss may have been crowned Fall/Winter 2008's Top Model and since booked the most editorials amongst the new "American Model Trinity" (Ali Stephens of Dallas, Chanel Iman of Atlanta and Karlie of Chicago), but whispers among industry insiders at the possibility of a second sweep come September's fashweeks has generally been met with skepticism. After all, how long can her doleful bearing with distinctive downcast stride possibly enchant clients? Fear not Klossoholics! Following February's collection presentations, the then 15-year-old's new team at Next carefully curated her editorial appointments to project just the right haute appeal (April Numéro byHorst Diekgerdes, May Numéro by Greg Kadel, June MUSE by Ben Hassett, June Vogue Nippon by Laurie Bartley, June Korean W by David Byun, June W by David Slijper, August Vogue China by KT Auleta, September Numéro Tokyo by David Vasiljević, and September Dazed & Confused by Jason Kibbler). In her second solo cover to date, a dewy-faced Karlie nabbed the coveted September/October issue of RUSSH Australia in the the celebrated Rodarte "Japanese slasher film-inspired bloody school girl dress". No wonder she looks so coy...]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/kloss_is_the_boss.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/kloss_is_the_boss.php Fashion Schmashion Julia Frakes Karlie Kloss Models Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:44:47 -0500 Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis, a great documentary by Mary Jordon on the legendary underground filmmaker, is on DVD and it's just fantastic. Jordan artfully reconstructs Smith's life and times, his influential experimental theater, his scandalous films like Flaming Creatures (1963), which was banned at the time, and his death from AIDs in 1989. It's a fascinating look at this wonderful crackpot visionary.]]> http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/jack_smith_and_the_destruction.php http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/08/jack_smith_and_the_destruction.php Cinemaniac Arts Alliance America DVD Jack Smith And The Destruction Of Atlantis Mary Jordon Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:05:39 -0500