CHROME’S ON IT
June 30, 2009
If you haven’t heard of Brooklyn-based Telepathe, well, you obviously haven’t been paying attention. While “the next big thing” rarely delivers very much at all, especially in the music BIZ—these ladies have paid their dues for years, striving for something out of the realm of the ordinary while still keeping dancefloors off the m-eff-freak-n chain. We’re thrilled to see them making waves in the otherwise snoozey indie-electro circuits of late—and just in time for summer. Afterall—whether you’re summering uptown, downtown, or out of town—shouldn’t summers be rioutous, danceable, and just a bit dangerous! Oui Oui Oui! Pair those Henrik Vibskov Africa pants (via Aloha Rag) with an unexpected pair of pristine patent oxfords (Yves Saint Laurent via Browns), a Vivienne Westwood Marl Sweater (a la Boheme) with just the right balance of construction and deconstruction, and a multi-colored beaded choker (from New High Mart), and Williamsburg becomes…well, Williamsburg—but with three months of sunkissed-days, blissed-out nights, and a brand new beat. Download Telepathe’s Dance Mother—the summer begins right now!
LITTLE ASHES
June 27, 2009
It is 1925 and you are visiting Dalí and Ana María in Cadaqués. The days are filled with the magic of the Mediterranean sun, the echoing sea, and breathtaking bicycle sojourns through the lush hills with your mate—the great Dalí! These are days when life is art and poetry is written with each breath. Oh, to be alive with the beauty of youth and intellect and passion! In your great cinematic dramatist mind, you record it all, every moment, every flash of light, each tickle of the wind. Upon your return to Madrid, you will unleash Oda a Salvador Dalí to the world, for you are Federico García Lorca and you have just accepted an invitation to a dream. Low-rise hemp chinos (rawganique.com), classic white linen shirt (Banana Republic), Italian Spectator shoe (jpeterman.com), Barathea brace in khaki via Albert Thurston, and a vintage pale yellow tie, to be worn loosely on an open collar, will complete the mood of carefree elegance amid the splendor of youth and romance. For inspiration, see director Paul Morrison’s film, Little Ashes, or take a copy of Lorca’s Selected Verse with you to the nearest secluded beach.
BUSTER BLUE
March 10, 2009
“No man can be a genius in slapshoes and a flat hat.” We beg to differ. Behind the gags, this Great Stone Face was actually a great dreamboat! Buster Keaton surprisingly brought elegance and intelligence to all the slapstick goofiness, and in our book, he’s THE comedic looker of the silent era. With his signature porkpie (all of which he designed and fabricated himself throughout his career), he’s our man of inspiration this spring–besides, we could use a few good laughs! Vegan Dennis shoe in black by Novacas (mooshoes.com), Raf Simons white shirt (Sarah Coggles), Lova tropical weight jacket in black (eluxury.com), Peckham Rye silk tie (Browns), and an exclusive felt Buster-style porkpie hat in steel grey (busterstuff.com).
TICKLEY FEATHER
December 26, 2008
We’ve got magic inside our bones somewhere…at least when we keep Tickley Feather in our Last.fm rotation! The swirling colors, big fluffy skies, and tingling breezes of spring haunt us this winter inside crumbling mansions of a new historicism—and we like love it! Annie Sachs charms us with the obscured aerial murkiness of an afternoon daydream as we watch the ice form on the daffodils. Keep winter dreamy with an alpaca fringe scarf and Stodja hat in charcoal grey (Atsui Tokyo), Guidi Schnürstiefel boots (Andreas Murkudis), a Dries Van Noten purple cardigan (South Willard), Henrik Vibskov striped trousers (Kronkron), and be sure to add Tickley Feather’s debut to your iTunes.
PORTLANDIA
December 21, 2008
Where the evergreens gently penetrate clouds of greying skies, sending tickley, dewey mists across the verdant meadows and hills; where there are never too many great books or cups of coffee; where progress is an art and art is progressive; where architecture and environment are one and the same; where Walt Curtis channels the ghost of Walt Whitman; where the forest and the city coexist–Portland is sublime! Go there immediately, and when you do, don’t forget your faux fur-collared jacket in olive from A.P.C., French Farmer’s Shirt & Donegal Trousers via J. Peterman, Hobo shoes from Esquivel, and a practical tote for transporting your favorite records–rooms at the Ace Hotel come equipped with turntables. We love Portland!
MEDIUM COOL
August 30, 2008
With the 2008 Democratic National Convention just behind us, and a newly unified and stronger-than-ever Democratic Party rallying behind the charisma and inspiring voice of Barack Obama, we are wholly embracing the urgent message of change. Haskell Wexler’s 1969 film Medium Cool, set in the summer of 1968 and leading up to that year’s tumultuous Democratic Convention, depicts a conflicted nation where issues of race, gender, war and political violence are thrust to the forefront in a collision of the generations. Old guard versus new vision, and the battle of myth and reality in a race for the securing of the American Dream—either of the past, or the future. We’re banking on the future! Yes you can, with this blue tartan blazer by Alexander McQueen (Browns), William Rast vintage jeans (Bergdorf Goodman), slim fit polka dot shirt by John Anthony (www.john-anthony.com), vegan faux suede oxfords crafted in Portugal (via mooshoes.com), and Band of Outsiders navy and white bow tie (www.exluxury.com). Check out the original trailer for Medium Cool at YouTube and secure your own piece of American history by ordering your own copy here.
MILK PLUS SOMETHING ELSE
August 16, 2008
Post Ludovico technique: your nights sipping moloko plus at the Korova Milkbar with droogies Pete and Georgie are all over. These days, you’ve traded your tower block fascist dystopia for a comfy modular Shangri-La, whiling away the hours listening to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and exercising your free will with clean lines and geometric liberty. In an act of aesthetic violence, slaughter the streets with a Stanley Kubric tee and Dick Day red sneakers (via Freudian Kicks), white fatigue-style trousers (A.P.C.) and Andrea Bronzi “Out Time” Alessi watch in red (nova68.com).
THE PATAPHYSICIAN
August 9, 2008
We’d like our library to be filled with only volumes as fascinating and finely crafted as those from Exact Change. Musicians and publishers Damon & Naomi always bring intelligence and elegance to all things they do, and the Exact Change repertoire is no exception. A culmination of the dreamiest (and almost lost!) works of modern literature (both thoughtful in their translations and design) these titles are truly treasures. We’re inspired by the drawing rooms, cafés, salons and saloons many of these works surely must have been written in, as well as the men and women of imagination who wrote them. Chambray White Cuff Button Down Shirt by Giacometti (www.bblessing.com), Black Dress Pants by Mr. Olive (via http://shop.atsuitokyo.com), Carpe Diem linen over leather boots (www.ateliernewyork.com), and Gary Graham-designed Damon & Naomi Map Tote Bag in Olive (order via damonandnaomi.com). To set the tone for the beautiful and melancholy nights ahead, be sure to pre-order your copy of Damon & Naomi’s seminal More Sad Hits, just reissued on vinyl and available September 1 (order via damonandnaomi.com). And, don’t forget to check out Exploits & Opinions of Dr. Faustroll, Pataphysician (www.exactchange.com) by the original pataphysician–Alfred Jarry!
I, CLAUDIUS
July 27, 2008
Some said you were an unlikely man to become emperor, but you knew better all along. Where previous fools saw affliction, now shines beauty and strength. Since your abominable cousin Caligula’s assasination, you have honorably expanded the empire and your recorded histories will preserve Rome through your deification and into the Modern age. Brian Lichtenberg draped top (www.brianlichtenberg.com), Alexandre Herchcovitch Bermuda shorts, Phillip Lim Zeus Maya crisscross sandal (eluxury.com), Ancient Pegasus of Corinth pendant–crafted from an authentic ancient coin! (www.ancientassets.com) and a Janus Films canvas tote featuring the mythological Janus logo (http://store.criterion.com). While we love HBO’s Rome, we recommend the original series on Ancient Rome–the BBC’s 1977 I, Claudius, starring Derek Jacobi as Emperor Claudius.
DARK AGE AHEAD
July 20, 2008
With major political shifts of power just months away, times certainly call for optimism. Yet, we’ve actually grown accustomed to this bleak age…at least in an aesthetic sense. The darkness outside can lead to inner retreat and mystical catechism, and in turn, great beauty! The oracle within will radiate outward, illuminating the midnight path through these medieval nights, and we will, with patience, virtue and honor, find our way. Step into the light. Step into the night. Black, cutout top by Gaspard Yurkievich (www.gaspardyurkievich.com), Henrik Vibskov blousy shorts (www.kronkron.com), Quoddy ring boots (www.southwillard.com), and a medieval headband as seen in the Spring 2009 Gaspard Yurkievich collection (courtesy of Jargol.com–fashion your own). Criterion Collection’s Joan of Arc (the best one on film) will set the tone for your dark age ahead.