Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Going out on a Limb


This genius work is from artist Alice Stevensen
The 'trees' were created as part of an event for Hugo Boss
where she created the art on site.
As imitation and influence is a form of creative flattery,
wouldn't these be a fun and whimsical backdrop in a window?


Quote of the Day


What man knows is everywhere at war
with what he wants.
Joseph Krutch

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Beautiful Works

A tribute to a great man for a great cause.
Upon Alexander McQueen’s death this winter, the fashion world lost a genius and a visionary far too soon. However, his work lives on in Housing Works’ tribute at the new Hell’s Kitchen store. Our famous window displays will feature a selection of over 30 gowns and accessories, luring fashionistas in to bid on them in a silent auction. Shop March 29th – April 11th. 
Hell's Kitchen Thrift Shop by Housing Works
730-732 9th Ave NYC


Housing Works in NYC is committed to ending the twin crises of AIDS and homelessness. They believe that all people have the right to a rich and empowering life. Since 1990, they have provided the highest quality services for homeless men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS in New York City and beyond.

Quote of the Day

The raindrops' showery dance and rhythmic beat,
With tinkling of innumerable feet.

Abraham Coles


Friday, March 26, 2010

House of Air

Get Your Bounce On.
This just in...Building 926 in the Presidio would become home to the House of Air, a kind of bouncy castle gone serious. The former airplane hangar will be restored, and by August should reopen as an "indoor trampoline park" with a glass hangar door, conference rooms, and "trampoline training grounds" with a combination of trampolines and trampoline walls "allowing for maximum air time." House of Air's goal: a noble and brave one, "giving flight to the flightless." Via SF Citizen and the House of Air website are renderings of the project, which could just be too delightful to bear. 

Quote of the Day

We sail at sunrise, daily "outward bound"
Helen Hunt Jackson

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Field Trip Nashville

 I haven't been to Nashville Tennessee
but I've heard so many great things. Yes, there's all that
country music but from what I've heard, 
lot's of hip, urban fashion, great food and cool people too.
Gwyneth Paltrow recently went and has a lovely travel log
on her newsletter GOOP. One shop in particular caught my eye.
It is a mix of product design, product execution, and product distribution... all in one retro-fitted gas station. It is like an artisan bakery for premium apparel.
Matt and Carrie have a great life story. They worked together in a previous family business designing, developing, and producing premium denim apparel for the greatest brands in the world - Levi’s, Lee, Girbaud, Ralph Lauren Polo’s RRL, Rogan, J Brand, Diesel and Replay. They developed new processes and inventions that led to the aesthetics of modern day garment making and finishing, and the premium denim asthetic that drives apparel today. They now call Nashville their home. They are artists and lovers- of each other, and the products that they so passionately make for their  customers.
For more stores, photos and tales go to GOOP.
XO
 



Quote of the Day

The hardest step is that over the threshold.
James Howell

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

A World Far Far From Here

I have never been and at this point, do not plan to go- 
but Pancakes and French Fries shared a great field trip
on her blog which I feel compelled to pass on.
I have to admit, their visual merchandising is 
styleized  and well thought out but seemingly,
from a place far, far away.
For a virtual field trip...Pancakes and French Fries.

Quote of the Day

All the speed is in the morning.
Alice Harvey

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Barney's Wraps Up Holiday Plans

Via Racked by Izzy Greenspan
Simon Doonan has a new obsession: The foodie universe. Last week, South Beach Food and Wine Festival founder Lee Schrager tweeted, "After meets w/ Simon Doonan+ Barneys team about Foodie Holiday windows, had vivid dreams of sugar plum fairies+pierre herme macaroons tree." We immediately got on the phone with Doonan, who confirms that "Have a Foodie Holiday!" will be the theme of next year's windows. Even better, Barneys plans to spend the whole fall celebrating food culture, with stores across the country hosting tastings, book signings, and panel discussions.
It's still early in the planning process, of course, but Doonan hopes to base the holiday windows around the cult of the celebrity chef—perhaps like this year's Saturday Night Live windows, only with Food Network stars. The foodie world is new to him, so he's talking to Lee Schrager to get a sense of who to highlight. "I feel like Margaret Mead," he said, "Like I've stumbled on a new tribe and I'm studying their habits."
So who will we see in the windows?>>
The connection between food and fashion makes sense, even if it seems contradictory on first blush. "Well, as fashion people, we barely know food exists—kidding!" Doonan said. "We're an upscale specialty store and our customers are completely immersed in the foodie world." So while former model Padma Lakshmi might be an obvious choice for the windows, we could also see Mario "orange Crocs" Batali or any number of other major chefs.

I'm a believer. xo

Quote of the Day

Natural flights of the human mind are
not from pleasure to pleasure but 
from hope to hope.
Samuel Johnson

Monday, March 22, 2010

Liberty For All

spring into action with a NYC pop up shop.
The collection—reinterpreting Liberty's limited edition Merci line for spring at a lower price point—plays to both brands' recent successes with similar collaborations. The upshot, floral-printed apparel for men, women and kids, as well as accessories, bedding, stationery, furniture and bicycles done up in paisleys and other patterns by the centuries-old fabric company, fills the space to the brim. Along with blooming flowers (like daffodils and hydrangeas), props, and build-outs all keeping to the theme too, the shop itself has the dizzyingly gorgeous effect of a classic all-over Liberty print.
 
 The shop was fleeting but the creativity continues to give back.
xo





Go Outside and Play

There's a smart, new company in town, called Alite.
Their mission is to get us outside and they've got 
some fun ideas to make it a lot more palatable!

The Basics

They're a design-driven, urban-outdoor company dedicated to the idea that everyone should be playing outside together. Defined by innovation, bold colors and a sense of humor, they thrive on creating products that make it simple and fun to connect with friends and the outdoors.

The Fun
Enter their new Spring line, including The Sexy Hotness sleeping bag.
It has strategically located zippers that either allow you to transform it into a body-suit or give you easy access to your partner. Dual-side zippers allow you to zip together as many sleeping bags as you see fit, so you can maximize your outdoor experience. Hmm...
And with the 2010 Spring/Summer music festival season 
around the corner, they've got the gear to hook you up.






Quote of the Day

One day with life and heart,
Is more than time enough to find a world.

James Russell Lowell

Friday, March 19, 2010

A Legendary Retailer

Legendary Retailer Joseph Ettedgui Dies at 71

British retailer and designer Joseph Ettedgui passed away Thursday at the age of 71. Ettedgui had been battling cancer for several years.
Ettedgui, who came to London in the 1950’s and began career as a hairdresser, fell in love with fashion after meeting Kenzo in the 60’s whilst in Paris at the shows. His interest in clothing quickly exceeded his desire to style hair, and he promptly opened his first shop, just underneath his salon. Ever since, Joseph has become a required stop for any informed shopper traveling or living in London.
The store features fashion’s greats: Alaia, Celine, YSL, Comme Des Garcons; as well as some of the industry’s favorite new comers: Alexander Wang, Philip Lim, and VPL, to name a few. Each garment has always been thoughtfully chosen, as if he was curated an exhibit of his favorite pieces of art.
His own designs were equally thought out, without appearing over-designed or meticulously styled. His clothing may not have been street stoppers, but Joseph’s gorgeous sweaters and wel-tailored pants exuded a sort of quiet chic-ness like none other, making his pieces staples in the modern woman’s wardrobe. “An entire wardrobe can’t be made up of only designer clothes” Joseph once said. “People need good trousers and good shirts that they wear all the time.”
Nicholas Foulkes of The Independent summed up Joseph’s persona perfectly:
“With his tousled hair, slightly mischievous smile and cigar, Joseph was a true Londoner even though he never shed his French accent. I believe that Joseph will come to be regarded as one of the handful of men who shaped London taste in the last quarter of the 20th century and who helped establish chic London today. However much you thought you knew about the better things in life, Joseph would always know a little artisan or recondite craftsman tucked away in some obscure corner of Europe who made things which enhanced life’s pleasures…But more than a paragon of good taste, he was a charming man and a good, kind friend. He will be greatly missed.”
“I like to dress people,” Joseph told This Is London, “Not to make them fashionable.” Whether consciously or not, Joseph did both. He is credited as having won London’s Woman magazineContemporary Collection award at the Rover British Fashion Awards in 2001. award in 1985, as well as the Contemporary Collection award at the Rover British Fashion Awards in 2001.
Article from Styleite
Photo courtesy of Vogue.com

Quote of the Day

art by Jeff Koons
'Tis a good thing to laugh at any rate;
and if a straw can tickle a man, it is
an instrument  of happiness.
John Dryden

Thursday, March 18, 2010

House Rules

 Good Luck, is so on his side...
An American architect has broken his own Guinness 
World Record by building the largest house of free-standing playing cards.
Bryan Berg used 218,792 cards to create a replica of the Venetian Macau, which is on display in its namesake luxury hotel and casino.
Berg took 44 days and 4,051 decks of cards to complete his model inside the Venetian, which sits at the heart of Macau's Cotai Strip, the China-ruled city's version of Las Vegas' neon alley.
 How many rooms could you build?
 In the name of Guinness, check out the rest of this story from
The Daily Mail 





Elegance With An Edge

Here's a great way to kick off the weekend-
Thursday is the gateway, right?
Tonight at Vessel, sip on champagne ($6.00)
and festive cocktails while perusing designs by 
Litter, Harputs, Jarred Garza, Jan Warnock and more.
DJ's / Fashion / Drinks... what's not to love?
5-9pm  85 Capmton Place

Patios and Wedding Dresses


"The very glamorous Vera Wang flagship store just opened this week. So much gorgeousness. For better or for worse, it effectively feels like two very different, conjoined boutiques. The front part is the designer collection, with furry vests, $500 camisoles and suspended headless mannequins: the feel is more fashion forward and modern. The back-half of the boutique is where all the magic happens.
It's almost perfect. Almost.
Or so we thought. It's a given, the wedding dresses are stunning. The presentation of each one is amazing, so many exquisite details…but the environment seems a little too cold and austere for wedding dresses. The lighting was dim. There's a small patio out back, which seems like a nice touch, but the furnishings scream "Patios R Us" which isn't a great partner for Vera Wang. If we're paying $3,500 or more for a dress, we want to be romanced a little. But the staff were truly lovely—intuitively staying out of our way when we wanted to browse, suddenly reappearing like magic to answer a question—which lightened the atmosphere tremendously." For more photos and the article by Lisa Boosin, visit Racked

Quote of the Day

 Vision is the art of seing things invisible.
Swift

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Green Beer is so 2006

St Patricks Day 2010...
Step off mo' with bubble in your blarney!

Money Green Champagne 

For playas only. Get yer drink on with this mint-tinted cocktail that’s great for celebrating.

INGREDIENTS
  • Leaves from 8 fresh mint sprigs
  • 2 tablespoons organic raw cane sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 bottle chilled champagne or sparkling wine
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Using a mortar and pestle, pulverize the mint with the sugar and lime juice.
  2. Combine mint mixture with the champagne or sparkling wine (add slowly) and stir well.
  3. Strain the champagne or sparkling wine into a large pitcher and serve immediately in champagne flutes 
  4. Best of Luck to your Day !

Thinking Green

Green

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The word green is closely related to the Old English verb growan, “to grow”. It is used to describe plants or the ocean. Sometimes it can also describe someone who is inexperienced, jealous, or sick. In the United States of America, green is a slang term for money, among other things. Several colloquialisms have derived from these meanings, such as “green around the gills”, a phrase used to describe a person who looks ill.

Several minerals have a green color, including emerald, which is colored green by its chromiumskin. By far the largest contributor to green in nature is chlorophyll, the chemical by which plants photosynthesize. Many creatures have adapted to their green environments by taking on a green hue themselves as camouflage. content. Animals such as frogs, lizards, and other reptiles and amphibians, fish, insects, and birds, appear green because of a mixture of layers of blue and green coloring on their
Culturally, green has broad and sometimes contradictory meanings. In some cultures, green symbolizes hope and growth, while in others, it is associated with death, sickness, envy, or the devil. The most common associations, however, are found in its ties to nature. For example, IslamGreen movement, some naming themselves Green parties. This has led to similar campaigns in advertising, as companies have sold green, or environmentally friendly, products. venerates the color, as it expects paradise to be full of lush greenery. Green is also associated with regeneration, fertility and rebirth for its connections to nature. Recent political groups have taken on the color as symbol of environmental protection and social justice, and consider themselves part of the Green movement, some naming themselves Green parties. This has led to similar campaigns in advertising, as companies have sold green, or environmentally friendly, products.
You can continue the trail of green information at  Wikipedia

Quote of the Day

An honest good luck
covereth many faults.
Thomas Fuller

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Role Models

 
 
Mannequinns have not always been at the center of the  visual merchandising world but since they were introduced, Roostein mannequins have been the gold standard. 
Highly skilled at trend forecasting, and with an unrivalled instinct for model casting Rootstein remains perfectly in sync with the perpetual movement and flux of the fashion industry. Coupled with the unique artistry of our mannequins that capture, reflect and communicate the brilliant transience of fashion at its most beautiful and thrilling, the figures wield a power of their own.  
Rootstein is a vital part of the retail display industry and employs the highest calibre creative teams, including artistic directors, hair & make-up artists and wig makers, in order to facilitate our clients’ vision with impeccable flair. For a fascinating look int their  company and photo history I highly reccomend looking at this very entertaining website..
On a similar but different note,  a recent post at Design Sponge featured the apartment of 
Michael Quinn who happens to work at Roostein. He has great stories, alot of momentos,
a definite eye for collecting and a lot of heart. Here is a little taste...
For the rest of the story and more photos

Monday, March 15, 2010

Quote of the Day

There's not a minute of our lives
should stretch
without some pleasure.
Shakesspeare

Friday, March 12, 2010

Another Face of Retail

 

Supermarket Sarah is a website created by a young woman who
left the corporate world behind her and has set up shop in her own home. Her home, round the corner from Portobello Market  (UK) where she has a stall, is now overflowing with treasures and delights and she welcomes visitors with tea and cakes.
The funny / cool thing is that the site part art installation part 
shopping experience. You roll your mouse over an item, click through
and boom you're shopping, from new to old,
customized and handmade collectibles.
Even if you're not in the market for something, it's great entertainment!
xo

Quote of the Day

 
Self preservation is the first law of nature.
Samuel Butler

Thursday, March 11, 2010

No Longer Empty

 No Longer Empty is not only an organization but a really cool concept.
"Revitalizing space : unlocking creativity"
NLE steps in to fill the void of vacant storefronts left empty by a combination 
of many ailments -economic meltdown, landlord greed etc.
The program, conceived as an artistic response to our present economic condition and to revitalize empty spaces and areas around the venues by bringing thoughtful, high-caliber art installations with accompanying programs to the public.  
With so many vacancies in any city USA, 
wouldn't it be brilliant if this could become
the natural order ain all municipalities?
Great story and photos @ Flavorwire

Quote of the Day

Tis sweet to view on high 
The rainbow, based on ocean, span the sky.
Byron

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The Bell Tolls For All of Us

I have just been to Bell Jar in the Mission district.
It is a gem of a store created by glamour girl,
Sasha Darling. Located in the Mission district, it offers
 home decor, art, apparel, jewelery, and unique gifts from far and wide. 
Bell Jar is more than just a boutique, it's a lifestyle that represents 
beauty, glamour in every aspect of a girls life,
in other words, all kinds of gorgeous little things.
A little vintage, fresh new lines and featured artists, 
what's not to love?
The vibe is hip,(of course) sexy and modern.
Bell Jar is getting ready to celebrate a two year
well deserved, anniversary, this Friday.
Here are a few photos and a link to 
Sasha's lovely blog .  
 
3187 16th Street SanFrancisco (415) 6261749
xo

Green calm below,
blue quietness above.
Whittier


Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Quote of the Day

 
Look toward the Sun and the shadows
will fall behind you.
Sundial in Rye