PAPERMAG: WORD UP!

Pretty Lights Up the Night at the Fillmore

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:49:21 -0500

Though Colorado-based Pretty Lights (known informally as Derek Vincent Smith) began his set at the Fillmore at Irving Plaza at 11 p.m. sharp, I per usual, rolled in a little late. But in my defense, I know what the electro whiz kid is capable of, and was certain he'd be dropping beats until the wee hours. And I was right: he and his live partner-in-crime, drum master Cory Eberhard, are human manifestations of the Energizer Bunny and delivered a lengthy set. I'm just kicking myself for missing his opener, the Biggie-sampling "Sunday School," off his recently released third album, Passing By Behind Your Eyes (available for free download here).

My date and I avoided the crush of rowdy fans below and headed upstairs for a bird's-eye view. Nothing like a Pretty Lights show to make you feel old. While hip kids sweated it out below, arms in the air, crowd surfing, shirts tossed, sunglasses and kicked caps the must-have accessories, we kept our distance in the balcony, staring at Smith, his flailing hands working his soundboard. In addition to the duo, we were also captivated by the the, er, pretty lights swirling and flashing in a large-scale digital backdrop. Projecting imagery ranging from solar system exploration to blazing flames, Tetris-esque 'scapes and Lite-Brite-inspired aesthetics, the visual is as much an essential element to Pretty Lights' shows as the music.

Competing to Compete at Bocuse D'Or USA's Live Screening of Top Chef: Las Vegas

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:29:41 -0500

A ballotine is a piece of meat stuffed with other meats and rolled into a bundle -- a protein inside a protein inside a protein. That the Top Chef: Las Vegas contestants were asked to make this many-layered dish on Wednesday night's show was appropriate, as the episode was a kind of metaphoric ballotine itself -- a competition within a competition within a competition.

The winner of the episode's elimination challenge, in which the chef whose food fares worst with judges is dismissed, was to win a spot to compete in the prestigious Bocuse D'Or USA, a competition to represent America in the Bocuse D'Or culinary tournament held every two years in Lyon, France. Fittingly, a screening of the episode at New York City's Astor Center Wednesday night was a veritable meta-smorgasbord, where attendees at the benefit for Bocuse D'Or USA, watched the show's host, judges, and one of its remaining contestants, the uber-likeable Kevin Gillespie, watch themselves in a live screening of the episode.

A surprinsgly dry "Quick fire chardonnay" was served and party-goers admired a large round of bread into which the words "Top Chef" had been carved. "It's too fancy to eat," the woman next to me proclaimed. Though guests managed to keep their hands off the bread, no one was turning down the plates of sea bass tartare, a variety of pâtés, and corners of croques messieurs, supplied by Feasts and Fêtes, Daniel Boulud's catering company. Chef Boulud also happened to be a guest judge on Wednesday's episode, and was on hand to provide an additional layer of meta-fun to the benefit.

Although the pairing of Top Chef and Bocuse D'Or might seem as perfect as a pinot noir with a pungent piece of roquefort -- since the Top Chef alum who would eventually go on to compete in the Bocuse would have a season of high-stakes competition under his or her toque -- most of the chefs on hand agreed that the Bocuse is in another league.

Peter Davis' Status Update: Cinderella Champagne

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:29:13 -0500

The only way I want to drink champagne from now on is out of this crystal black stiletto flute (with a 14 cm heel and signature red sole!) designed by Christian Louboutin for Piper-Heidsieck. Called Le Rituel, the limited edition box set comes with the Loubie bohemian crystal flute (ballerinas used to serve champagne to thirsty gentleman fans in their slippers at the Bolshoi Ballet in the 1880s) and a bottle of Champagne Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut. Dress up and pretend to be Cinderella -- wasted on bubbly!

Delfina Delettrez Delights at Opening Ceremony

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:43:19 -0500

Although I admit I'm not usually one for accessories, I was truly wowed at last night's New York unveiling of designer Delfina Delettrez Fendi's Anatomik collection at the uber chic Chinatown boutique Opening Ceremony. Delfina, a fourth generation Fendi and daughter of French jeweler Bernard Delettrez, presented an array of pieces that showed a wide range of influences, from the human physique to Tim Burton-esque animals and insects, and even the late King of Pop. Guests including Jen Brill, Sally Singer and Mirabelle Marden oohed and aahed over the collection, which first debuted last month at the Louvre. The sheer variety of materials used, from precious metal to Tuscan marble and practically everything in between, is quite remarkable. A number of the pieces feature moving parts, such as a silver spider bangle whose body opens to reveal a cluster of pearls.

Humberto Leon, owner of Opening Ceremony, sees the collection as perfect for "the girl who is maybe a little tired of ordinary jewelry. There are all levels of costume jewelry: this is exquisite but really kind of fun. It's for someone who's willing to have fun." His favorites come from the newest series, a glamorous and surreal interpretation of the human body. "I like the mix of the chunkier less fine jewelry mixed with something like a nose encrusted in all diamonds," he says, pointing to a set of pieces including a pair of fantastic bejeweled earrings and a ring that featured a thong-clad golden derriere.

Eight Items or Less: Shaq's Art Show & Le Cirque's Late Night Party

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:47:50 -0500

1. Versace's former South Beach home Casa Casuarina has been closed following the collapse of an alleged Ponzi scheme by one of the mansion's current investors, Scott Rothstein. Maybe it's time they changed their current tag-line: "An oasis for the privileged few."

2. Shaquille O'Neal (yes, that one) is curating an art exhibit (yikes!) called "Size Does Matter" at the FLAG Art Foundation (545 West 25th Street) from February 19, 2010, to May 27. Why? Because Shaq wants to "challenge himself and move outside his comfort zone."

3. Also moving outside of their zone, iconic NYC restaurant Le Cirque (150 East 58th Street) is starting a series of Friday late-night parties beginning tonight, November 20, at 11 p.m.

4. MySpace just launched a page of music charts to track the most popular music on the site. The #1 song is currently "Fireflies" by Owl City.

5. Converse is hosting a free "celebration of the creative spirit and artist in everyone" during Art Basel/Miami. The event -- including performances by the band Kinky and "the queen of Spanish hip-hop" Mala Rodriquez -- takes place on December 5, 9 p.m., at 550 NW 29th Street in the downtown Wynwood arts district.

6. There's a group art show called "Mixtape" opening tonight November 20, 6 to 8 p.m., at Jen Bekman Gallery (6 Spring Street) with works by 36 artists. It's up until January 9, 2010.

7. Look for a pop-up of NYC gallery/bar Max Fish (178 Ludlow Street) opening in Miami during Art/Basel.

Five Questions for Sacha Jenkins About Rare Graffiti Drawings 1985-2005

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:59:02 -0500

Piecebook Reloaded: Rare Graffiti Drawings 1985-2005 by Sacha Jenkins and David Villorente is a true page-turner, compelling the reader to keep looking and looking, diving deeper into the treasure trove before them. A follow-up to Piecebook: The Secret Drawings of Graffiti Writers, which documented the early years beginning in 1973, it shares a sense of purpose in its drive to showcase the colorful bouquet that is graffiti as practiced by "writers" who sketched ideas and full-blown pieces in notebooks they carried with them and passed around. As a one-time editor of the much-missed Ego Trip magazine, Jenkins knows this scene as well as anyone. So we asked him five questions:

David Hershkovits: I notice you call them "writers" not "artists." Is there a reason and significance to that?
SJ: "Writers" is the term that started it all; "writers" is what the kids who started this culture way back in the late '60s called themselves. Because that's what they did -- they wrote. All of this colorful, fantastic "art" that we see all over the world all evolved from the writing of very stylized signatures. Many of the founding mothers and fathers of the culture take issue with the term "graffiti'; some consider it a slur on par with the word "nigger." The fact that "writer" is a term fashioned by the creators themselves means a lot to me. Years before I'd ever written for a magazine or a television show, I was calling myself a writer. I think that self-affirmation is mad powerful. Being a c-list writer as a kid has done a lot for me and scores of other folk.

DH: The first Piecebook covered the years 1973-1987. Piecebook Reloaded: Rare Graffiti Drawings 1985-2005 basically covers the years after the heyday of subway-centric graffiti. Do you think moving the work away from the subways has helped or hurt the movement.
SJ: I think both books prove that writing is a living organism, a beast that will continue to manifest its own destiny. This beast has the ability jump from a drawing in a book to a subway car to canvas to clothing to video games...The possibilities are endless. Now, there are purists who will argue that true graffiti died when the subways went clean in May of 1989, and they'll argue and they'll have some great points. These days, you can spend a week to paint a wall, which is all the time in the world when you consider that, back then, you were painting in dark tunnels with the threat of rats, a whole lotta electricity via the Third Rail, rival writers, and rogue cops who weren't afraid to spray your face black. On the flip side though, the penalties that go along writing today can radically alter your life. Folks are getting serious time. Kids today would favor getting sprayed in the face over having to troop a jail bid. And to the older peeps, I will say that there is a very active writing culture on America's freight trains that deserves their respect. So now, the piece you painted in Delaware might end up in California a month after you painted it. Writing culture--the illegal end of it--will always take a beating. But the beast can take the pain and convert it into a golden blues song. Again and again.

Too Good to Eat!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:14:33 -0500

Sometimes the packaging is better then the product, a theory proven time and again with liquor, perfumes and, now, spaghetti? Alex Creamer, a design student at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK, created this unusual ode to the Big Apple for a school assignment in which students had to come up with creative ways to package difficult everyday items. The pasta sits on a 3D model of the Chrysler Building modeled out of high-density foam hidden in the bottom of the thin box. Creamer managed to incorporate three of my favorite things: pasta, NYC and a keen eye for design.

About Last Night... The 2009 Victoria's Secret Pink Carpet Arrivals, Backstage & Fashion Show

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:23:35 -0500

WHAT: The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Pink Carpet arrivals, backstage and fashion show.
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009
WHERE: The Lexington Armory
WHO: Heidi Klum, Ana Beatriz Barros, Doutzen Kroes, Marissa Miller, Alessandra Ambrosio, Selita Ebanks, Chanel Iman, Ivana Trump, Kings of Leon
OVERHEARD: "Fergie will be walking the pink carpet but she will not speak"; "Someone gave that model one Goldfish, wanna bet she doesn't eat it?"

Kenneth Cole's Rubber Motorcycle Boot for the Butch Yet Cruelty-Free Fashion Lover

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:44:18 -0500

Being a cruelty-free cutie, Mr. Mickey is always looking for stylish accessories without animal products. Well Kenneth Cole has designed a rubber motorcycle boot for you stylish leather-free cuties. MM feels butch just thinking about wearing them!

Fashionably Conscious: Gucci Holiday Campaign to Benefit UNICEF

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:15:20 -0500

This week, Gucci announced the details of their annual UNICEF campaign featuring the artistry of yet another distinctive collaborator. Since 2005, supporters such as Madonna and Rihanna have helped the brand raise over $7 million for programs focused on helping orphans and children affected by HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. This holiday season, creative director Frida Giannini commissioned acclaimed author, illustrator and Vanity Fair style director Michael Roberts to create a sequel to his whimsical 2004 children's book Snowman in Paradise. Part two follows the title character through Africa and is filled with Robert's colorful, lovely illustrations. The book is already available in over 200 Gucci stores worldwide and 100% of the retail price will be donated to UNICEF. But because every book needs a great bag, an exclusive line of accessories inspired by Roberts' illustrations also debuts this month. 25% of proceeds from the sales of two new bags from the label's Joy lines, add-on charms and small leather goods will also be donated. In the past, funds raised have been used for the "School's in Africa" campaign that focuses on improving the quality of basic education for children in Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa ,where 2.3 million children have been orphaned by AIDS.

Alicia Keyes and Jay-Z Hanging Out at TKTS

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:59:49 -0500

I was puffing away at the gym this morning watching MTV and noticed that the new video for Jay-Z and Alicia Keyes' sserenade to New York "Empire State of Mind," was actually taped at the redesigned TKTS booth in Times Square! Native New Yorkers Jay and Alicia were dancing away on the red stairs where patrons can chill after standing in long lines for discount Broadway tickets. I wonder if they picked up some tickets while they were there? Maybe to Fela!, the new musical about Fela Kuti for which Jay-Z just signed on as a producer? Here's the video. What a great shout out for Broadway!

Three Reasons Why I Am Happy Today

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:19:39 -0500

1. The Glee folder that arrived in the mail.
2. The Glee pencil that came with hit.
3. And the Glee: The Music Vol. 2 CD!!!!!!! (The tracklist includes a cover of Lily Allen's "Smile" and Cindy Lauper's "True Colors"! I cannot wait to listen. )

Har Mar Superstar Goes Green For Nau

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:47:24 -0500

While world leaders continue their hamstrung efforts to combat climate change in Copenhagen, Nau is taking matters into its own hands in New York with its SoHo pop-up shop.

With roots in sport-based outdoor performance apparel, the two-year-old brand adds fashion, mobility and sustainability to its innovative designs, which are built upon a business chassis aimed at "unfucking" the world. The garments, many made from re-used materials, are fully recyclable. Even better? Nau employs an independent watch group to monitor the labor and environments practices of its overseas factories, purchases carbon offsets for all of its shipping and gives 2% of gross sales to charities.

The temporary location at 69 Mercer St., was built with with up-cycled materials from dumpsters and other refuse found throughout the city. A full schedule of live music, art shows, and guest speakers is planned through its close December 31st. This evening (Thurs., Nov. 19) camp-glam crooner Har Mar Superstar performs. On Saturday, Nau prestents its first Grant for Change of $10,000 to the film and photography team of Benjamin Drummond and Sara Joy Steele.

At the store's recent opening, I sat in a dressing room with general manager Mark Galbraith and design director Peter Kallen to discuss the future of eco-friendly fashion.

Eight Items or Less: Morrison Hotel Gallery Celebrates the Stones & Film Forum Celebrates Manhattan

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:59:45 -0500

1. Get yer ya-yas out! The Morrison Hotel Gallery (313 Bowery) and ABKCO Records are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Rolling Stones 1969 US tour tonight, November 19, with an exhibition of photos by Ethan Russell and a performance by NYC "supergroup" The Soul Ramblers. OK, ours are out.

2. Doctors' neckties eyed as flu risk.

3. It's collab time: LEGO x Muji, OK Go x Fendi, Carhartt x Vestax

4. Danish trio Mew are looking for a band to open their NYC show on December 4 at Webster Hall. You decide.

5. Check out this cool new architecture website.

6. Film Forum is celebrating Manhattan with a festival of 39 comedies set in New York City. The fun(ny) starts on December 11 and the full schedule is here. (Scene from Taking Off pictured above.)

Peter Davis' Status Update: Skeleton Shades

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:59:55 -0500

One can never have too many sunglasses and that's why I have over 300+ pairs -- top that Anna Wintour. My latest must-own is this pair, "The Skeleton" from Ksubi's 2009/2010 eyewear collection, dubbed "book club." The 13 unisex frames are unpolished and as "raw as possible." Sexy!