More Must Sees!

The Elizabeth Peyton exhibit at the New Museum on the lower east side. It is the most amazing exhibition I've ever seen, aside from Louise Bourgeoise which just ended at the Guggenheim. Her colors and use of the brush are incredible. She shows textures and expression on her subjects so perfectly. I found her so inspiring and am obsessed with her work. I left the museum wanting to paint!
Check it out right away!! Its so worth it!
From the show:

E.P. Reading (self-Portrait)
(photo courtesy: artnet.com)
Now GO SEE THE REST!!!!
or see a few more on the New Museum Website HERE!!


Also, the Chanel mobile art exhibit landed in central park this week, I'm dying to go see it. I've heard its amazing, no doubt it is!

Shot of the exterior from last night's opening party
(photo: style.com)

A Must See

A few months ago I saw "Man on Wire" during the Tribeca Film festival. It is a documentary about famed French wire walker, magician and artist, Philippe Petit. Somehow Petit and my dad became friends and my dad even helped him with the St. John the Divine walk here in New York City. The documentary focuses on the planning and preparation for Petit's walk across the World Trade Towers. It was an incredible process and the way that he chose his team for such an event was so random, but at the same time made perfect sense. Some how Petit brought together the perfect team to help him carry out the walk. People who were willing to help Petit carry out his daring and illegal performance and later face the consequences. After the walk, Petit and his team were arrested .

Honestly it is one of the most incredible things I've ever seen. The footage from the walk is just so beautiful and his passion for what he does and was doing is so inspiring. I've never walked away from anything feeling so in awe and inspired by one person. Sitting in the theater, watching the footage from the actual walk as weel as the way in which Petit tells the story just blew me away. I know it may sound crazy but the whole thing was so moving in a way that I can't really describe. I think it part of it was that he was so passionate, fascinated and daring that he risked death to perform for people, his favorite thing, and also his fascination and love for the towers.
It is really an amazing film and I highly recommend seeing it when it comes into theaters on August 15. It is, as a review says, "Exhilarating"!

Petit during the WTC walk. (photo credit: http://www.adabyron.net)



(photo credit: http://www.amny.com)
Petit during one of his performances in Washington Square Park. He still performs there from time to time so if you're passing by, keep an eye out for him!!

The Year of the Newcomers

In a Daily Candy e-mail, that I recently received, they talked about a new, young jewelry designer named Pamela Johnston. She graduated Parsons and now has a line of Edwardian inspired jewelry called Plume.
Here are a couple of pieces, but you should really take a look online. To check her website and full collections out, click here . My favorites are the cameo and the lioness necklace for the Spring '08 collection.


images from lolaymaria.com


If you've gone to the Plume website, you'll notice that the models are wearing really great clothes. They were designed by another Parsons graduate named Miranda Bennett. The line is simple and chic, and consists of easy and beautiful clothes that could serve for day or night.
Take a look:



photos courtesy of mirandbennettdesign.com
Click here to check out the rest of her collections.

New Fascination

On Wednesday, I ended school and was so tired that I just went home and vegged out in front of the tv. I'm not sure how it happened, but while laying there I some how realized that I'm really fascinated by the 20s and the Great Gatsby. It was one of the most chaotic decades in our history, and yet through the chaos arts and society were able to flourish. It is so fascinating to me that
It was during the 20s that fashion was at its peak. French couturiers, Paul Poiret and Madeleine Vionnet, were at the height of their careers, creating beautiful and modern garments for the new woman. Their clothes had a lasting effect on the construction and evolution of garments. In fact, to me, Paul Poiret is very similar to Marc Jacobs because they both were/are revolutionaries of their decade.



Poiret Creations
photo credits: metmuseum.org and artnet.com




Vionnet Gowns
photo credits: metmuseum.org


P.s. If you haven't read it already, I highly recommend "The Great Gatsby"

Apology

I promised you all I wouldn't not post for really long periods of time, but I've managed to let you down. I'm very sorry and throughout the summer I promise to keep up my blog on or close to a daily basis.
Once again, I'm very sorry and I promise to keep up posting over the summer, it'll be especially easy now that I'm out of school!

X
P and P

Karen Walker

New Zealand native Karen Walker combines eccentric prints with clean and slouchy shapes to create the perfect collection. For Spring '08 the theme is free and whimsical. Her use of liberty prints gives the line its all around old meets new eccentric feel. Think Edie Beale meets Luella.




(photos courtesy of style.com)

Truly, Madly, Deeply In Love With Marc Jacobs

Two weeks ago was New York Fashion Week, my favorite week of the entire year, and I was lucky enough to tag along to both Marc Jacobs shows with my godmother!!
At Marc by Marc the energy was high as the first model came down the runway in a mod mini dress paired with a beret, sunglasses, black tights, and Jacobs' version of the combat boot. While sticking with mostly a palette of dark blue, black, and grey, there was an occasional yellow, pink, red, and even green plaid. I would have loved to have been a model in this show. The energy, the clothes, the music, everything was amazing!! And to the surprise of the audience MJ is now donning midnight blue hair, which looks really good and works...who knew?
Check out the full show here:

video courtesy of elle.com
Some Favorites:


photos courtesy of style.com
This look is definitely my favorite look of the entire collection. The fluorescent bag with the coat is genius.
At the end of the show I got to go backstage with my godmother where she said hello to Marc and he kissed her on the cheek and said "You're the bomb". Then she introduced me and in the moment of excitement I got a kiss on the cheek too!!! I have to admit, not only was I flipping out, but I nearly didn't wash my face that night.


After much pinching and blinking, I finally realized I was at the Marc Jacobs show. There was no better way to have ended NY Fashion Week than with this show. If you took the energy from the Marc by Marc show and multiply it by the absolute highest number you can think of and you'll get the energy of the Marc Jacobs show. Only 17 minutes after the call time of 7pm Sonic Youth struck the first note of "Jams Run Free". Cabaret seating and huge, high stage served as the runway. Behind was a screen projecting a mix of images crossed by a single scaffolding. Since the Marc Jacobs show is never an ordinary runway show, the models lined up on the scaffolding instead of all coming out at the end.

The collection itself consisted of clean cut pieces, great sweaters coats and colors ended with crazy gowns in pastel velvets and metallics. All paired with either brightly colored hats, metal chokers, feather hair pieces, and other sorts of head - things.
Check it out:

video courtesy of elle.com
Favorites:



The End:

A True Genius

Nicolas Ghesquiere is truly amazing. His lines for Balenciaga are always the most impressive. Fall '07's collection became the basis of most trends and his Spring '08 collection is doing the same. The collection for spring, though seemingly unwearable, is one of my favorites. His use of patterns, particularly florals, great shapes and incredible detail paired with gladiator heels was incredible. To me, his collections are the most exciting and creative, I always look forward to seeing what's next from Ghesquiere!

A Start

I've taken up photography this year.
Here are a few shots:







What do you think??

You've Gotta Try this!

This is the coolest site ever, but I'm warning you it is almost as addicting and good for procrastination as facebook.
So on this site you can design your own dress by choosing fabrics, bodice designs, neck lines, skirt shapes and embellishments like sashes or neckline bows, then you can have it made for you!
Try it out at Style Shake(click style shake to go straight to the site!)
Happy designing!