Movies: Childhood Nostalgia

Prepare to be swept away by a wave of childhood nostalgia as two beloved stories are brought to life in fall's "Where the Wild Things Are" and spring's "Alice in Wonderland". Because they are in the hands of two fantastically imaginative filmmakers, Spike Jonze and Tim Burton respectively, I think our memories of these tales will be kept in tact while sharing them with a new generation, as echoed by Wild Things author Maurice Sednak. I have decided to share the WTWTA trailer here because: A) It comes out first, B) I was pleasantly surprised how well the creatures transition to live action, C) Yes, that is James Gandolfini's voice as the monster and it's strangely comforting and D) It uses Arcade Fire's "Wake up" as the soundtrack.
http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/aliceinwonderland/
http://wherethewildthingsare.warnerbros.com/

Fashion: Fluff Chance

For followers of the blog "Emperors old clothes", it came as a surprise in the NY Times Styles section that the writer's identity was finally revealed. After months of speculation, "Fluff Chance" (as he anonymously named himself after the old porn name game - 1st name your first pet, 2nd the first street you lived on) finally stepped out from the shadow after regularly stirring up trouble speaking the truth and offering hard hitting opinions about the fashion business which he clearly knew very well. (For example: On Marc Jacobs: “He is becoming an American expatriate version of John Galliano in his appearance and I fear in his imagination.” Ouch.) As it turns out, he is Eric Gaskins, a designer himself for the past 22 years. He has chosen to reveal himself now as he is closing his design business, but will keep writing the blog. It is a fully engaging read and I suggest you check it out: http://emperorsoldclothes.blogspot.com/
Or the NY Times Article: http://tinyurl.com/mdt6fx

Music: Bob Dylan

As I walk the streets of my neighborhood (Greenwich Village) I am often reminded of all the artists, especially musicians, that have called this area home over the years. In particular, there are reminders of the incomparable Bob Dylan everywhere, especially as his music is just as relevant today as it ever was. Enjoy this vintage clip I stumbled across today. www.bobdylan.com

Article: Le Figaro - American Women

If you are up for an article "en Francais", I was recently pointed to this one from Le Figaro which delves into American women from the perspective of a Frenchman (Oh boy). Sometimes blatantly stereotypical, but mostly funny & entertaining, it is most definitely worth a read, as it compares relationships with the modern American woman to a "wrestling match." Ha! Read it here: http://tinyurl.com/n5hbwd

Art/Photo: "The Pictures Generation"

If you have not had a chance to see the Metropolitan Museum's special exhibition "The Pictures Generation, 1974–1984" then you better go soon as it closes August 2. Educated in the self-reflexive and critical principles of Minimal and Conceptual art, this tightly knit group of artists brought those lessons to bear on a return to recognizable imagery, exploring how images shape our perceptions of ourselves and the world. Featured are 160 works in all media by thirty artists, including my personal favorite, the brilliant Cindy Sherman.

www.metmuseum.org and www.cindysherman.com

TV/Gossip: Judy Garland.....and Katie Holmes?

Somewhere Judy Garland is turning over in her grave. “So You Think You Can Dance” recently thought pre-taping Katie Holmes dance and sing her way through a Judy Garland tribute was a good idea. Really? Her? I see Tom all over this decision. It was to promote a dance charity she supports but the whole thing seems odd which is what she appeared to be in a interview right before. Um, don't mess with the best, the spectacular Judy Garland in this case, who fellow thespian Anne Hathaway will attempt to play next year. Good luck with that.

Fashion: Paris Highlights: Fall 2009 RTW

Admit it. Although summer is fun & frivolous, part of you is thinking ahead to your fall wardrobe. Ok. Maybe it's just me, but it is the best season for clothes. Get ready for Fall 2009 with runway, backstage, and front-row footage from the Paris shows. Extravagant? Exaggerated? Expensive? Yes, but still gorgeous. Visit style.com to watch all the runway shows of the season. Now get me back to Paris!

Movies: Outdoors

If you love movies as much as I do, you can't get enough! But I do find myself feeling guilty for heading indoors in the midst of a beautiful summer evening. Problem solved: watch a movie outside with any of these choices here in NY from River Flicks, Bryant Park Summer Film Fest, Movies under the stars, River to River, Films on the Green or Rooftop films,
Check listings here: http://www.nycgo.com/?event=view.article&id=170484

Fashion: Diane Von Furstenberg

A nice article last weekend on the one and only Diane Von Furstenberg, who has weathered the storm to stay & succeed in fashion for over three decades, doing things her way. In her words: "I am not interested in making children’s clothes, I want little girls to want to grow up to wear the clothes. I do not want to do men’s clothes. My mission in life, what I understand in life, is women. I wanted to be a certain kind of a woman. I became that kind of a woman. Independent. Independent. Financially independent.”
Read it here: http://tinyurl.com/lgjxq7 or visit: www.dvf.com or watch this clip with her and other fashionista (Anderson Cooper's mom), Gloria Vanderbilt.

Photo/Fashion: Satorialist in Paris

Today, yet another fantastic photo from the Satorialist, begging to be shared. I was just having a conversation last night about the genius of blogs like the satorialist, or facehunter, capturing people so individualistic and comfortable in their style, and how something so fashionable can look right at home, such as here, in Paris, but may look jarringly out of place anywhere else. Where is this guy in my neighborhood? I want to go shopping with him...
**P.S. Scott Schuman (aka. The Satorialist) just dropped his new book!

Movies/Fashion: Women in Film

I stumbled across this interesting montage the other day, and it is a fascinating reflection of beauty concepts over the years on the big screen. After watching this, it seems there were certain features that were consistent with these captivating women though for the men (to be posted at a later date) the difference was staggering.

Photo: Lillian Bassman

I like discovering female photographers of the past, when they continued to create in the face of adversity. In the period dominated by Avedon and Irving Penn, Ms. Lillian Bassman was one of the few female photographers in the fashion business, and her photos will be on view at a new show at KMR Arts in Conn. Being a woman advantaged her, Ms. Bassman felt. “The models thought about this a lot,” she said. “It was a sexually very different thing when they worked with men. They felt a charge. They were posing for men. I caught them when they were relaxed, natural, and I spent a lot of time talking to them about their husbands, their lovers, their babies.” Interesting...

Read more: http://tinyurl.com/nemb5u

Music: (The London) Suede

Apart from being one of my favorite bands to come out of Britain (and it's a long list to be sure), I thought this would be a good song to share today from (The London) Suede considering the theme of this blog. Of course, they are no longer together but if you are not familiar with their stellar Britpop sounds, check out their 1996 album "Coming Up".

Fashion: Independent Designers

A new article today discovers there are indeed new,talented,independent designers "Out on Their Own, and Making It Work.". As the NY times states: "Before the recession hit, the sophisticated voice was something that American buyers and editors said they wanted to see. It was as though the system, at least in New York, had become awash in brand-spouting hipsters, trust-fund kids with handbag lines and “Project Runway” rejects. Where were the smart grown-ups?" Agreed! Of course, there are many designers who have been crippled by the recession via canceled orders, etc. Below is an additional article describing the fall out.

Positive: http://tinyurl.com/nlfktt
Negative: http://tinyurl.com/nyu26b

Fashion: Couture Hair & Makeup

Hairstylists and makeup artists showed their amazing creativity at the couture shows this week. Looks went from Hollywood glamour, to the more ethereal. View the slideshow below to see the best beauty looks from the shows and you may be inspired to get a little creative too!


nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/07/best_of_couture_beauty.html#photo=1

Commercial: Bacardi Mojito

I always enjoy creative advertising, and though this one from Bacardi is not exactly groundbreaking, I thought it was cute! Maybe this is because it moves through multiple generations, or perhaps it is because of the solid soundtrack choice of Matt and Kim's song "Daylight", but in all likelihood, it is because I just came back from Cuba with Mojitos on the brain.