I jumped right in to help when getting a call from my friend LaQuan asking me to do the music for his show. I have been a huge believer in his career since I first met him a little over two years ago. I had no doubt in my mind that this kid (19 then) was destined for greatness. Attending his debut show yesterday was proof of that. I felt so lucky to be apart of it and to witness the launch of a talented new creative. It’s going to be very exciting to see his career blossom.

From Archive | Photo: Rebecca Teal // Oct 08 // Issue 01 // p.98

Special Thanks to Miss Toats

Here are advance photos by notable Norwegian contemporary fashion photographer Solve Sundsbo for the upcoming V MAGAZINE (issue #63): “The Size Issue,” featuring five plus-size models. The spread is titled “Curves Ahead.” V63 does not hit newsstands until January 14, 2010.

Styled by Nicola Formichetti, the models (Candice Huffine, Marquita Pring, Michelle Olson, Tara Lynn, Kasia P.) showcase everything from bustiers and bodysuits to nothing at all.

After shooting for V, Sundsbo later said: “I loved the opportunity to show that you can be beautiful and sexy outside the narrow interpretations that normally define us.”

I’ve been drinking way too much coffee lately. Thanks to our intrepid music editor Jenny Francois’s gift of a thermal carafe for my July ‘09 wedding, I can sip the hot, earthy goodness all day long if I wanted. But I need to get out of my dishelved office and start working off my Christmas break weight gain.

Lamé, sequins, studs and shorts are still in full effect this winter as the confusing economy continues to confound and the oldest retail company in the U.S, Caswell-Massey, prepares to open shop in NYC’s Limelight Marketplace this March 2010.

According to the press release: The brainchild of fashion retailer Jack Menashe, Limelight Marketplace will transform a historic 163-year-old venue into a three-story “festival of shops,” with elaborate facades and varied designs that invoke the feeling of a stroll down a marvelous European street. Limelight Marketplace welcomes innovative retailers and entrepreneurs, providing a unique “turn-key” solution for start-ups and established brands looking for a presence in the New York City retail market.

So look out C.O Bigalow, there’s a new emporium shilling toxic, paraben-laden products coming to town!

I am back in Sweden for Christmas. The country is covered in snow and my mother is cooking me yummie green holiday meals. Before I left however I did a little menswear shoot with 6 delicious boys from Ford. They were meant to be a group of brothers and friends who have run away from home and are hiding out in this warehouse. Remember The Outsiders? That atmosphere. It’s them against the world. The look is very Scandinavian, lots of chaps running around the streets of Stockholm and Göteborg lookin’ like this. There is some working class in there, some simplicity, some prep and lots of rough. It’s practical clothing, but it looks good. The photographer is Rus Anson, who I’ve worked with on a lot of shoots. She is absolutely fantastic and has a special way of looking at everything she does. It’s hard to explain but my hat always comes off for her. Working with people like Rus makes you so much better at what YOU are there to do, because you let everything else go. I can be a control freak and if I’m unsure of the photographer or anyone else involved, their job becomes my job too. Hah. Anyhoe, here are some of the pics.

Read more…

I’m not completely in love with Dior even though I am gobsmaked, head over heels enamored with John Galliano. The ready to wear lines that are available in stores are watered down versions that don’t at all reflect Galliano’s magicial flare. Yet, the clothes and the people who wear them still make me feel like a pauper.

Last night Harper’s Bazaar celebrated the holydays with an intimate gathering at the Dior boutique on 57th street in New York City.

Veuve Clicquot, macaron cookies and personal portraits by Bil Donovan (for a select few, of course), oh my!

Your reporter: Excuse me, are the portraits for Dior clients only? What about press people?
Dior Marketeer: Well, what press outlet are you from?
Your reporter: In Tandem Magazine.
Dior Marketeer: What’s In Tandem Magazine?

Denied.

As is now considered de rigueur these days, reality TV stars were invited. Alex McCord and her hubby Simon of The Real Housewives of New York City dropped by, which actually helped to enliven the snooty and somewhat lamo affair.

But the waiters were hot and they kept my glass full with champer refills as I gazed at the party mix of upper crust socialites and passholes (less than fab people who crash events) like Shaggy.

Your reporter: hey Shaggy! Last time I saw you was at the Spin NYC (Susan Sarandon’s ping pong parlor) party.

Shaggy: Glad that you remembered me.

While imbibing glass upon glass of champers, I wandered into the jewelry section. A tight corner, featuring beautifully whimsical baubles designed by Victoire de Castellane.

A pretentious and possible passhole: Ah, I saw Victoire in Barney’s the other day wearing Azzedine Alaia and Balanciaga heels.

I promptly walked out and headed straight back to civilization… Brooklyn.

Last night, I attended the launch party for Tacori’s 18k925 collection at Michael C. Fina in Midtown Manhattan. A line of consisting of 18k gold, 925 silver and colorful gemstones, the baubles are priced high (between $400 - $3000) and are geared towards the young set.

But what belle of the ball, currently representing the young set could possibly pull off the task of shilling someone else’s brand for self-serving purposes? Enter Whitney Port of MTV’s The City, who while talking up Tacori, made sure that a couple of her designs were prominently displaced next to the colorful jewels. Cute frocks but unfortunately not the best accompaniment to the David Yurman-esque look of the 18k925. It all seemed like a PR company killing 2 birds with 1 party for their clients.

Whitney looked great in a white studded number and vintage heels that reminded me of a 1960s prom. She spoke to a few media people and took a few random facebook mobile snaps with guests and that was it. She spent the rest of the evening speaking only to her small group of friends. If it was Princess Diana or Jackie O., I bet they would have at least graciously smiled at everyone because that’s what a belle does. They knew how work the crowd, acknowledging everyone’s existence in the process.

So does Whitney truly represent this era’s definition of a Daisy Buchanan? With shows like “Jersey Shore” and “Tool Academy”, featuring Tiger Woods’ former mistress, gaining popularity, seems like there’s a new wave in our midst. It’s as if we’re done with obsessing over the hostess’ gown–we’re too preoccupied with the trashy crashers who got through security.

Even our own first lady (though I admire her for many reasons) is more apt to showing you how to plant rosemary in your garden than flaunt a fabulous gown at an Elton John benefit. She doesn’t seem like a schmoozer/connector which is vital to being a belle.

I know I’m rambling so I’ll get to my point. As we enter a new decade, the “belle of the ball” is over. Who knows what to expect in the new decade (hopefully not an apocalypse!) but I’m pretty sure that it won’t include a classy It Girl that deserves worldwide love and respect for her gift of throwing a great party. Our new 2010s heroine will probably be some reality TV star who loves to fuck in coat rooms and blows her nose at the dinner table. Get ready, maybe she’ll look like this:

Last month we were invited to the Fendi book launch party for John Baldessari: A Catalogue Raisonne of Prints and Multiples, 1971-2007- a stunning collection of the conceptual artist’s work from the last four decades. Of course, Fendi and Co through one hell of a party, with plenty of champagne, an other worldly performance by the amazing rock-jazz pianist ELEW (Eric Lewis), and enough beautiful clothes and beautiful people to last until the new year. The author, Sharon Coplan Hurowitz (a private art consultant), has been on our radar ever since New York Magazine featured her ridiculously modern, colorful, and oh-so-cool rental apartment back in 2007. The main event, of course, was the book’s artwork. Sandwiched between leather Fendi bags and fur coats were beautiful copies of some of Baldessari’s works featured in the catalogue raisonne - print work that is both remarkably contemporary and fantastically absurd. Who could ask for anything more?