Massive Attack

Massive Attack’s 5th studio album, Heligoland, came out earlier this year with guest vocals from the likes of Hope Sandoval from Mazzy Star, who is featured in “Paradise Circus”. I love the video Toby Dye directed of the song. It’s one of the best videos I have seen in a long time and reminds me of old Kenneth Anger films I used to love in film school. There is nothing more powerful than music, the oldest art form and the one that can truly act as a time machine to take you back days, months, years, to another place in your mind.

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The Victorians & Sid Vicious

As I try to dissect and understand my own evolution from a blue haired mohawked youngster to a woman obsessed with looking spit spot on the outside while my mind and spirit always remain rebellious it has occurred to me that there is a reason why punks have always found some of their fashion sensibility in the propriety of the Victorian era. I don’t think its coincidental that there are so many references to be found in the queen of punk herself, Vivienne Westwood and her partner in crime, Malcolm McLaren. The Victorian age was well known for the debauchery that lay just beneath the surface of a well mannered facade. There is something perpetually sexy about the hidden and msyterious. Perhaps it is wise to consider, in this day and age of internet porn and no privacy, the benefits of keeping certain things hidden not only from the public eye but even from certain friends and acquaintances. I have always found the juxtaposition of two worlds beautiful and inspiring and in this case there is a common connection to be found. Both fashion statements are in essence controlled and very well thought out, and both usually reveal a person unlike what you find on the surface. I have been fixated on the McQueen images above from his Pre Fall 2009 collection as well as the image below from his Spring/Summer 2007 collection. Happy to have an excuse to revisit them… Ms. Westwood by the way has her first LA boutique opening this Fall in West Hollywood on Melrose and Sweetzer.

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Sexy Beast

There is nothing quite like a man who cooks, breaks the rules and writes about it. Can’t wait to read this new one from Anthony Bourdain, food world rebel. www.strandbooks.com

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Kimberly Brooks Obsessed

I am completely obsessed with the woman and her work. Kimberly Brooks is amazing. I LOVE her paintings. As always its interesting to watch the progression of an artist’s work along with the subject matter. I love the melancholic connection to past and present in her work. I visited Kimberly’s studio earlier this week and was blown away by her energy and the layers in the paintings. I love when I can connect not just with the imagery itself immediately (she showed me a painting in an unfinished phase that almost brought tears to my eyes there was so much raw emotion there) but with the artist personally as well. Her LA gallery hosted a recent solo show and another one is to come of new works in a yet unnamed NY gallery (I’ll keep you posted as soon as Kimberly shares the news…)

“Elizabeth Stewart” Oil on Linen, 2009, Above

“Coppertone” “Coppertone” Oil on Wood, Below

“Second Poloroid Ever Taken” Oil on Linen, Above

“Janie Bryant” Costume Designer for Mad Men, 24 x 32 in. Oil on Linen, 2009, Below

“Ferry Ride” Oil on Linen, Below

“Yosemite Walk I” Oil on linen | 24 in. x 30 in, Above

If I could paint, I would probably paint like Kimberly. Her work reminds me of my own and feels familiar in a really good way. When I first saw the painting to the left, it made me think of a photo I took in Moscow almost ten years ago.

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Beauty Obsessed

I’ve learned a few tricks after all these years in fashion & beauty and one of my favorite cheaper alternatives is using Witch Hazel instead of expensive toners. Or making a scrub out of crushed aspirin pills. Just crush, mix with water and apply. Makes your skin feel like silk! That aside I am still, much to one of my friends chagrin, admittedly a high end beauty product junkie. I refuse to believe that the products don’t work or only work in a superficial way (frankly, I don’t care if its a facade…) These are a couple of my favorite products that totally work for me.

For years I used a concealer that was a combo of foundation and powder and for years my make up artist friends would tell me that I should switch to just foundation. I was always nervous that a foundation alone would make my skin break out but alas once I succumbed and tried it I found that Laura Mercier’s Oil Free Foundation not only made my skin look porcelain but it never made my skin break out! Its available at most major department stores and online for $40.

I also just started using this Red Tea Infused Daily Scrub from Goldfaden a week ago and am already completely obsessed. It smells amazing and makes my skin feel smooth and clean. I love it! $65.00 www.goldfaden.com

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Helen Garber

Crimson One and Dioxide Purple One 2010, Above

The Torch Bearer 2009, Below

Did a studio visit with Helen Garber this past Saturday (part of my duties for the MOCA Contemporaries board…) Turns out Helen and I know each other through an old gallery that we both had early solo shows at. Bronwyn Keenan’s legendary Crosby Street gallery in NY was the site for a lot of emerging artists in the late 90’s and early ’00’s. I love Helen’s work and was fascinated by her departure from figurative painting into abstraction. Her earlier work (Cheerleaders, 2004), which was hard to find online, is below. www.helengarber.com

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Vanessa Bruno Channels Maya Deren


Découvrez “ Le bel été ” avec Lou Doillon et Gonzales.
Discover the film “ Le bel été ” with Lou Doillon and Gonzales.
http://www.vanessabruno.com

The short beautifully ethereal film on Vanessa Bruno’s website would surely make Maya Deren smile. I love the cross section between art and fashion especially when everything is done just right. The energy and simplicity of the short makes you forget that there is any commercial element involved here. The clothes Vanessa Bruno makes are similar with their sexy, straightforward, “live for the moment” simplicity. Vanessa Bruno’s first freestanding boutique in the US opens this week in LA.

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Wine Country

I finally had a chance to try out some of the wines I’ve acquired in the last several months and these two are amazing.

In addition to acting Kyle Maclachlan has collaborated with Dunham Cellars Winemaker Eric Dunham to create PURSUED BY BEAR. Their 2006 COLUMBIA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON is fantastic and only $65 a bottle. The label is beautiful too and I am kind of obsessed with their website. All seemingly minor details but I think aesthetics are crucial and love when there are good graphics attached to a good wine. www.pursuedbybearwine.com

Also, try the Robert Foley 2006 Claret, which at $125 a bottle is a bit pricier but well worth it for an occasion that warrants a splurge and slight indulgence. www.robertfoleyvineyards.com

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Beatrice Inn LA

Ran into Andre Saraiva last night while having late night drinks at The Chateau. He hinted that he and his old Beatrice Inn business partner Paul Sevigny may be spending a lot more time in LA come Fall to open up a new club. We can only hope it will be an outpost of their infamous, and now shuttered, Beatrice Inn, though I imagine it will be something new and even more interesting. Whatever the boys do I am sure it will be wicked fun. Can’t wait! Oh, and the third outpost of his club Le Baron (the other two are in Paris and Tokyo) will open this Fall in Chinatown, NYC.

PS. *The photo of Andre with Uffie, above, was taken at Frank Sinatra’s house in Palm Springs during Coachella in April 2008… not last night…

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A Bard Reunion

Bard reunion in Hermosa…

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