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The Pudding Ramen Experiment, With Do Or Dine

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It was a scorching summer day in Bed Stuy and OC was headed to Do or Dine, a Brooklyn establishment known for their defiantly wacky albeit deliciously gourmet fare. Think foie gras donuts, and frog legs doused in a spicy Dr. Pepper glaze. But, this time we were having something decidedly off-menu, something "locally sourced” a la the bodega down the street. We had commissioned Do or Dine to re-create the latest culinary sensation, crazy popular in Taiwan, gone viral via The Huffington PostPudding Ramen.

Yes, pudding. And ramen. Together. Justin Warner, the chef behind Do or Dine is a pretty good sport. He gazed upon the ingredients laid before him––a $1.39 Nongshim Shin Bowl Noodle Soup in gourmet spicy flavor and a pack of Raymundo’s Caramel Flan. “It’s about turning a $2 meal into a $3 meal,” he explained. “It's one of those things that when we’re 70, we’ll tell our grandkids about. Like how my grandpa couldn’t afford chewing gum so he’d pull tar off the street and chew that.”

The first step involved boiling water. While we waited, Warner made some food forecasts. “Do I think it will be better than a $1.35? Yes. Better than $2? Possibly... from a flavor standpoint it will make sense. One thing we Americans hate about ramen is there’s no mouthfeel. This will solve that.”

The second step involved pouring hot water over the noodles. Justin was familiar with the process. “I have an Amazon subscription for this stuff. I get a big case every month. You could prick me and it would ooze from my veins. The reason the HuffPost people fucked up is because they used Nissin Cup Noodles. That's like chicken noodle soup. ” The smell of spicy ramen wafted through the air.  What did he think was the origin story here? Chef said, “I think it was discovered out of despair.”

The next step was placing (or plopping) the flan into the ramen. Justin stared into the bowl, mesmerized. “It’s kind of beautiful” he said quietly. “I love the wiggle.” Using a one-chopstick technique he’d picked up working at a Korean restaurant, he began to mix the two ingredients. And then, finally, he tasted it. Silence. “Mmmmm. Yeah. Pretty good. It has a spicy ice cream flavor. I would eat it. I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t.” How did it rate on a scale of one to Ippudo? “I’d give it a solid two.” How did it compare to just straight-up regular ramen? “I’d say it was a lateral upgrade—not so much better but different. A cool trick.”

But, was it good enough to add to Do or Dine's inventive menu? “I’d put it on the Masochist Special list.” He rechristened it "Flamen," a combination of the two ingredients but also German for “flame.” As for the staying power of the trend, “I would not say it’s the next Cronut. But for collegiate cooks, it will be a big thing. They’ll put Led Zeppelin on and make this.”
Chef Justin Warner of Do or Dine, with his version of Pudding Ramen. Photos by Patrick Spears 

Sound Check: Lil Silva

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“Mabel” is one of our favorite tunes of 2014. The vocals are sweet but not saccharine, the production is tight and surprising. From start to finish, “Mabel” is the brainchild of 24-year-old UK producer TJ “Lil Silva” Carter, but it doesn’t necessarily represent where he’s been—or where he’s going. With roots in grime and UK funky and soca (despite his aversion to genre labels), Lil Silva’s work has always borne a plurality of influence, starting with the reggae, funk, house, and UK garage that soundtracked his childhood and influenced his first EP, at age nine.

We probably only see 10% of the music Lil Silva produces. He’s always humming and singing into the recorder on his phone, constantly amassing melodies and ideas, but he’s meticulously editorial with his output. It seems to be his approach to most aspects of his professional life. When there was a delay on getting Silva’s end of this interview, his manager explained apologetically, “he wants the answers to be good, not just rush through them.” The artist's entrancing collaborations with Banks are beginning to nudge the producer into the popular consciousness, but Lil Silva is focused intently on the work in front of him. 




ALICE
 HINES: What music was influential for you growing up?
LIL SILVA: I grew up listening to a lot of my Dad’s collection that ranged from reggae to funk to soul classics. My brother, who was a DJ, got me into garage, house, and grime really early on. So that gave me a pretty wide influence when it came to making my own music. When I heard “Shrapnel” that was like, “OK, I wanna make something like that.” (Thank me later if that becomes your new tune to get crazy to).

Was your creative process already in place with your first EP, Night Skanker?
My process wasn’t really set yet; I was still learning my craft and what I wanted my sound to be. I feel each release has been a steady progression into finding my sound. What I’m listening to and the influences around me change the music I’m writing. That’s why my early stuff is a lot more dancefloor-centered, whereas recently I’ve gotten really into love songs and using my voice. But my music always has elements of the sounds I used in my early production. That never goes away.

Can you talk a little bit about the way you’re able to so nimbly traverse different genres? How do you think about “genre,” if you do at all?
I’ve never liked “genre," I’ve never been able to categorize my music. Genres and subgenres all become one big blur and, honestly, just make it easier for the consumer to pigeonhole your music and say, “You are this type of artist.” I can safely say I have been put in a lot of different genre cate

Step Inside: Camper Together With Gosha Rubchinskiy

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It's a melding of the fashion minds. Gosha Rubchinskiy brings his sporty, avant-garde design to the classic Spanish footwear brand Camper to create THE shoe of the season. The Russian designer's Fall/Winter collection references 1980s NYC, and for this retro-futuristic look, Gosha dug deep into Camper's archive. (The company dates back to 1877.) The result? Three sneaks combining old-school flair with a fresh feel, putting the runner in Bladerunner. Check out the high-top Pelotas Ariel sneaker—they almost look like a throwback to vintage boxing sneaks. There's a lot of teamwork in this aptly named collab—comfy meets sleek, suede meets leather, Russia meets Spain, 1984 meets 2014—and the result is a match made in minimalist heaven. 

Shop all Gosha Rubchinskiy here


 
Runner Sneakers in blanco

Runner Sneakers in red

Pelotas Ariel Sneaker in black

Behind The Scenes With TRUSS

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Just when we thought Gillian Tozer and Elise Durbecq, the BFFs behind the handmade tote line TRUSS, couldn’t get any cooler, they release a behind-the-scenes campaign video. While beach season is almost over (sigh), the video, a sneak peek at the lookbook shot by OC's BRAYDEN OLSON, showcases the many ways you can continue to carry your TRUSS bag around town. Each bag, crafted by a group of Oaxacan weavers, calls to mind vibrant markets and Mexican streets––but that doesn't mean it's not perfect for a rooftop tanning session, grocery shopping at the bodega, or even on the ferry or subway for some old-fashioned people watching. Featuring catchy music from Josh Paulin and Max Peterson, this video reminds us that although summer may be coming to an end, we can carry those blissful vibes with us all year long.

Shop all Truss here 
 
 

Astrology IRL's Cosmic Numbers: August 12

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As anyone waiting for that boy/girl to text knows, updates can be just as important as dates. In Cosmic Numbers, Morgan Rehbock, the guru behind our monthly ASTROLOGY IRL column, divines the stars to bring you in-the-moment advice on important dates. So, how should you decipher that mysterious SMS? Read on... 


LEO
(July 23 - August 22)
Venus enters Leo, creating a magical mixture of positive vibes for the rest of August.

VIRGO
(August 23 - September 22)
Find a cute way to care for others in your community, and you'll have more fun while Venus is in Leo. Your good Karma will come back to you next month.

LIBRA
(September 23 - October 22)
AS IF you needed any help, your ruling planet Venus enters your 11th house of social affairs, making you even more popular. Use your pseudo-celeb status to promote yourself with social media.

SCORPIO
(October 23 - November 22)
Venus enters your 10th house of professional achievements, giving you rewards for all your hard work.

SAGITTARIUS
(November 23 - December 21)
While Venus is in Leo, your main love interests are exotic beauty and foreign accents.

CAPRICORN
(December 22 - January 19)
Venus is in your eighth house of unexpected income, providing a possibility for a financial surprise.

AQUARIUS
(January 20 - February 19)
Venus enters your seventh house of business partnerships, making any new projects in tandem highly profitable.

PISCES
(February 20 - March 20)
Be conscious of your diet while indulgent Venus in Leo moves through your sixth house of dietary restrictions this month.

ARIES
(March 21 - April 20)
If you couldn't already tell, there's been some planetary assistance making your love life super cosmic. Venus joins Jupiter in your fifth house of cosmic cuteness. You're simply irresistible!

TAURUS
(April 21 - May 20)
Spend money on making your home cute and classy while Venus moves through your fourth house of interior decoration this month.

GEMINI
(May 21 - June 20)
While Venus is in Leo, the universe will have many loving things to say about you.

CANCER
(June 21 - July 22)
Money will not be a problem while Venus is in lavish Leo, but remember to save some for when times call for less decadence.

OBSESSION: Introducing Calvin Klein Collection At Opening Ceremony

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The iconic house of Calvin Klein has always known its customer—smart, sharp, and modern, with style in his DNA. This season, we're welcoming Calvin Klein Collection in​to​ our stores, ​including a limited-edition run of sweatshirts ​touting CK's ​generation-defining fragrances​, Obsession and Eternity​. ​​

Click through ​to view the ​full ​​menswear ​editorial, ​​photographed by Bruno Staub ​and styled by Julian Jesus​.

View the editorial HERE | Shop the collection here
 

Photo by Bruno Staub 

Amatorski: Breaking Sound Barriers In Belgium

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There is no other Belgian band right now with such a distinctively unique sound as Amatorski. They first emerged with an EP in 2010, when the song “Come Home”––a dreamy folk-pop ballad inspired by the World War II love letters of frontwoman Inne’s grandmother––became an unexpected hit in Belgium. They then reinvented themselves with debut album TBC in 2011, expanding their sound with post-rock and trip-hop influences halfway between Portishead and Sigur Rós. Now, after three years of experimenting with a variety of projects––from film soundtracks to multimedia art projects––they released the sophomore album From Clay To Figures in April. It's their best work to date, with a sound so refined it escapes genre definition.

Though the duo hails from Belgium, much of the recent album was put together while traveling. "We were constantly recording little ideas and then sending them back and forth,” Sebastiaan, Amatorski’s multi-instrumentalist, told us in a recent interview. "Being away from home really helped me to find some peace and quiet,” added Inne, who during the process of recording decided to look for isolation in Denmark, Hamburg, and, eventually, New York. "New York was this incredibly inspiring city for me," she said. "A lot of the energy I found there ended up on our record.”


The delicacy and melancholy from previous Amatorski records remains, but the band also sounds more dynamic and confident than ever, with a prominent role for Inne’s vocals. While these are bedroom rather than dancefloor songs, the attention to detail brings to mind sound wizards like Thom Yorke or Damon Albarn. "It’s a much more positive record than the previous ones," said Inne, "and one changed our sound entirely.”


See Amatorski play their very first US show at Pianos, New York, on September 25


Amatorski. Photo by Gus & Stella 

Before Take-Off: New Orleans

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Shades and a sexy drinking buddy aren't all you need for a perfect vacation (though it sometimes seems that way). In BEFORE TAKE-OFF, OC brings you guides on what to read, watch, and listen to before heading to our five favorite US destinations. First up: New Orleans. You know the old-school jazz, Mardi Gras, and the Cafe du Monde beignets—but our prepatory round-up has a few tricks up its sleeve. 



1. Actor-baker isn't a combo you hear very often, even in New Orleans. Dwight Henry's movie Beasts of the Southern Wild is a must-see before any trip to the city, as is a visit to his restaurant, Buttermilk Drop Bakery, the restaurant where the producers of Beasts first scouted him. Winning the role of Quvenzhané Wallis' father, Henry went on to appear in Twelve Years a Slave (another film with major scenes filmed in New Orleans). This July, he opened up Wink's, a bakery in the French Quarter named after his character in Beasts. At either restaurant, don't miss the Buttermilk drops, glazed donuts drenched in... buttermilk.

2. Did you know Frank Ocean, Curren$y, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, and Jay Electronica are all from NO? Make your own New Orleans hip-hop playlist out of these rappers you probably already have on your iPhone, never forgetting Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up” and 504 Boyz’ “Wobble Wobble.” (To get your Wobble Wobble on in the city, trans bounce rapper Katey Red reccomends Club Fusions, Bourbon Heat, or the Cat’s Meow.)

3. A Confederacy of Dunces, John Kennedy Toole's classic postmodern novel, features a menagerie of wild New Orleans characters, from a senile, hoarding accountant at a pants factory to a Bourbon Street stripper with a pet cockatoo. If you want to get nerdy about it, Whole blogs have been devoted to visiting the places around New Orleans featured in the book. Otherwise, skip the tour and stay at (or stop by) the Hyatt French Quarter, in a 165-year old building and one-time famous department store featured in the book.

4. "I love New Orleans because you can drink on the street. That's a big deal." Comedian Hannibal Buress reads our minds in this LOL-funny podcast devoted to the city, appropriately titled, "A Love Letter to New Orleans."

5. Watch Treme. Named after the culturally rich neighborhood, the TV-series was created by David Simon (The Wire). Get to know the small streets, the hidden jazz bars, and many mouth-watering looking Southern food joints beyond the French Quarter as the main characters (a promiscuous trombone player, a feisty chef, a keyboardist with a drug habit, an Indian Chief, and some others) try to rebuild the city, physically and culturally, after Hurricane Katrina. Hungry? Nab a roast beef po-boy from local-favorite Parasol’s. Wanna hear some live jazz from the famous Kermit Ruffins? He’s got a regular Tuesday gig at 

Art Or Porn? A New Zine Doesn't Have To Be Either

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In an age where a wisp of pubic hair is enough to get you banned from Instagram, Anna Atanassova's new zine, Naked Pretty Women, shows naked bodies in their full glory. "Of all the things that I'm ashamed of, my boobs are the last of them," the Detroit-based activist and ALL-AROUND COOL GIRL told us in a recent interview. "There are so many more complex things that are worth hiding than your physical form."


Naked Pretty Women, which will debut this fall, hopes to combat both the oversexualization of women's bodies and the notion that nakedness should be censored. This isn't quite #freethenipple, though. Currently a print project, the zine was motivated by the strange and scary ways nude photos are often shared online, including one incident last year when Anna discovered naked photos of her and her friends on the message board AnonIB. By contrast, all the photos in Naked Pretty Women are published consensually. There's no reshooting, no editing, and no art direction. The point, she says, is that the women who participate show their bodies the way they want to.


Is it porn or art? That's the question a copy shop employee asked Anna recently when she called to inquire about printing her zine there. "I kind of laughed because that's the point. I don't think that it needs to be art or porn; I think that the middle ground is what's missing." Read on to find out more, and pre-order Naked Pretty Women HERE.


LISA JOHN ROGERS: Why Naked Pretty Women? How did this project start?
ANNA ATANASSOVA: There's this anonymous image-hosting site called AnonIB, and there was a thread in it asking for nude photos of me and a lot of my really close girl friends. People were either posting photos that weren't us––but saying things like "look at this score"––or posting actual photos that we sent privately. I thought that it was really fucked up and pathetic. The whole dynamic of [a nude photo] being some holy grail or coveted item, and some shitty, pixilated cell-phone picture is suddenly like a trading card. 

I thought it would be an interesting shift if these photos were just offered up instead of being chased after. It's like, "Here, you asked for these photos. Instead of checking this forum once a week for three years, I'm just going to give you a picture of my tits... now what?" I've never felt more alienated in my entire life than seeing my name with question marks in front of it on an anonymous thread.

This zine is in part a reaction to Cards Against Harassment, a feminist project that recently went viral where a Minneapolis woman handed out cards to catcallers with messages like, "Don't make stupid comments about my body." What bothered you about Cards Against Harassment and what does Naked Pretty Women do differently? 
I'm a white woman living in a highly gentrified neighborhood [in Detroit], and I have an issue with a white woman lecturing men on the street who are native to the neighborhood that she is gentrif

Spike Jonze And Jonah Hill Tag Team On Opening Ceremony's S/S 2015 Show

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You heard it right: Spike Jonze has scripted a one-act play for our September Spring/Summer 2015 fashion show. Co-written by actor Jonah Hill and directed by Spike, the play will feature actors, models, and, of course, Opening Ceremony's forthcoming collection.

Spike, who won this year's Oscar for best original screenplay for her, worked with OC on a collection inspired by the movie this winter. The filmmaker, who got his start creating visionary music videos for the likes of Beck, Sonic Youth, and Weezer, and went on to helm some of the most lauded films of recent memory, including Where the Wild Things Are and Being John Malkovich, is a long-time friend of OC. He lent his creative vision on OC's Wild Things collaboration in 2009 and contributed to our ten-year anniversary book (he's also a dear friend and sometimes Kung Fu partner of our co-founder Humberto Leon). 

Stay tuned to our blog for more updates on this project.
Spike Jonze and Humberto Leon at this year's Met Gala

Spike and Carol Lim

Sleepy Dreamers: G.V.G.V. Fall/Winter 2014

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G.V.G.V. is making all of our wildest fantasies come true. Literally. The collection, featuring iridescent green, midnight blue, and cloud-white ruffles, is inspired by dreams and the opposing forces of day and night. The Japanese brand uses pillow shapes and pastels to conjure up that cozy, clean sense of slipping into bed after a long, hard day.

Moonlight, mystery, magic––it's all here. The Bonded Satin Barrel Jacket billows out like a shimmery marshmallow, and the Belted Back Oversized Blazer represents the shadowy darkness of nighttime. If you've ever had a hard time waking up from an awesome dream, now you can carry the enchanting feeling around with you all day long. "I woke up like this" takes on a whole new meaning.

Shop all G.V.G.V. here
BONDED SATIN BARREL JACKET in green
 
Oversized Shirt With Belt in white
Bonded Fleece Mini Skirt in green

Bonded Fleece Mini Skirt in white

Wide Leg Pants in navy

Belted Back Oversized Blazer in navy

Top Chef Top Eats: Black Seed's Matt Kliegman And Noah Bernamoff

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Did you ever have a rival? Did you ever become friends with your rival? Did you ever become friends with your rival and then propel that friendship into honey-boiled, wood-fired bagels that people line up on the street just to get a taste of? Probably not, unless you’re Matt Kliegman (The Smile) and Noah Bernamoff (Mile End Deli). In this edition of TOP CHEF, TOP EATS, we chat with Matt and Noah about the sandwiches in their lives and senseless crimes against bagels in their pristine Soho establishment, Black Seed Bagels.


Names:
Matt Kliegman and Noah Bernamoff

Astro Sign:
MK: Aries
NB: Cancer

Hometown:
NB: Montreal
MK: Plainview, NY

How did you meet?
NB: We actually met through a friend, Rochelle Goldberg, a long time ago, like, right after The Smile opened and right after Mile End opened. We really connected when we started building at Mile End on Bond Street.
MK: Once you invaded our territory.
NB: Once I invaded. Matt’s a very smart guy. He keeps his enemies close, so he immediately befriended me as a new neighbor. Unfortunately, his plan backfired on him, and we’re now actually friends.

Signature breakfast dish:
NB: I typically don’t really eat breakfast. Usually a bagel with cream cheese is kind of like breakfast for me, if I do eat.
MK: It’s changed. I don’t really eat breakfast all that often now. An egg. Egg sandwich. Egg and bacon.

Sandwich that sums up your childhood:
MK: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich on white bread.
NB: Peanut butter and banana on challah. We never had white bread in our house. It was a big faux pas. The whitest bread we had was basically even less healthy white bread, which was white bread with egg in it, which is challah.

Crunchy or creamy?
NB and MK: Creamy.
NB: Even though I wanted crunchy, but my mom wouldn’t let me have it.

Sandwich that you’d eat off the ground:
MK: None. I have a zero-second rule.
NB: I would eat a foie gras sandwich off the ground. It would also depend off what ground.

What’s the worst crime you can commit against a bagel?
NB: We have such a long list. The biggest crime you can commit is by baking it the way a big commercial bagel bakery might bake it with dough conditioners and not boil it, just bake it. A bagel that has no distinction whatsoever with a sandwich roll.
MK: I don’t like when people get crazy with their cream cheeses. I’ll be honest—I don’t like raisins in anything in a bagel. I don’t like it in the bagel; I don’t like it in the cream cheese. I’ve seen walnut raisin cream cheese. Ugh. It’s gross.
NB: I was so embarrassed when [my friend] sent me over to a bagel shop to get him something because I was on my way over to his place, and he made me get a walnut raisin cream cheese on a cinnamon raisin bagel.
MK: Ugh, oh my god!
NB: I almost just ordered him sesame will scallion cream cheese for him because I couldn’t deal with it.

Favorite flavored cream cheese at Black Seed:
NB: We do one very unique cream cheese, which is a tobiko cream cheese, which is made with tobiko caviar, flying fish roe.
MK: Our lox and dill spread. It’s not u

How To Look Hotter, According To Science

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Waking up after a wild night out is rough, but all can be right in the world with a little help from Advil—and a stylish pair of shades. As soon as you slip 'em on, that hot mess disappears and a whole new person emerges from the depths of your apartment.

Confirming what we already knew from experience, researcher Vanessa Brown, a senior lecturer of art and design at Nottingham Trent University, recently shared with NY MAG the science behind why sunglasses, well, make you look hotter. Brown realized that shades not only add an instant allure of mystery but an added degree of desire. Apparently, you can’t resist the guy or gal behind those Illesteva sunglasses as easily as you can turn down a person you can actually make eye contact with. When you’re using those Barton Perreira sunglasses to shield your eyes, people no longer have the ability to form perceptions about your intelligence or attitude.

As if we needed more persuading, sunglasses also have the ability to define your bone structure while disguising any asymmetrical differences, according to Brown. So there you have it: legitimate explanations for your next shades splurge. To the left, eight stunner glasses you could totally wear at night.

Shop all OC Eyewear here
Thierry Lasry Chromaty Tined Edge Sunglasses  and Chromaty Contrast Edge Sunglasses


You'll have no problem hiding from the sun's rays in these Linda Farrow SUNO METAL BAR OVERSIZED CAT-EYE SUNGLASSES.

Sometimes the best things come in pairs, and the MYKITA + Maison Martin Margiela ESSENTIAL 004 SUNGLASSES prove that collaborating is the way. 


Channel your inner-dark knight with the Local Supply BRUCE WAYNES SUNSET MIRROR SUNGLASSES.
These MYKITA + Maison Martin Margiela DUAL 004 SUNGLASSES are the perfect take on the classic wayfarer and aviator all-in-one. 

'Stay Away From My F*cking Theremin!'

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Who will love the outsider artist at a time when even the hippest among us turn to Beyoncé for a birthday party dance mix? These days, polished, produced, mainstream music seems to have taken over. But the new film Frank, inspired by Jon Ronson's memoir about outsider musician FRANK SIDEBOTTOM, follows a motley crew of musicians, the Soronprfbs, as they retreat into the woods to make an experimental and aggressively unlikeable album. It’s a parody, but it's telling that the press conference for the movie this week included only a handful of reporters. “Thanks for the great turn out,” Maggie Gyllenhaal said jokingly as she entered the near-empty room. 

In the film, the band eventually scores a spot at SXSW because of a social media-savvy but largely untalented keyboardist and recent addition to the group. He urges the group to write a catchy sell-out hit and, as a result, the band disintegrates. Michael Fassbender––under a papier-mache mask––plays the tortured artistic genius, Frank. The wide-eyed mask was a Frank Sidebottom signature, but Frank's character in the movie is a patchwork of different outsider artists from Captain Beefheart to Daniel Johnston.

Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Clara, a slightly psychotic theremin player with a penchant for drama and repulsion of anything mainstream. By the way, a theremin is an instrument that can be played without physical contact, by moving your hands like a spooky magician and altering sound wave frequencies. At one point in the movie Clara actually shrieks, “Stay away from my fucking theremin!"

OC asked Maggie about the story behind Clara's costumes, which range from starlet sunglasses to a Russian fur hat to a silk slip. “We thought at one point maybe she’d be an electronic music person with no style, you know, like a ponytail and sweatpants. And then we thought, no, let’s make her have style because why not! Clara thought she was in a French New Wave movie all the time, except she’s in a cabin in Wicklow. She’s like a very dirty character in a Goddard movie.”

There was once a time when the “very dirty” struggling, stay-away-from-my-fucking-theramin kind of artist held a certain romantic aura. For good or bad, it seems we now trust success as an artistic indicator, which makes Frank all the more interesting to watch. It's a strange, poignant comedy about alienation, not just of outsider musicians but of all people. “Normal faces are weird too,” Frank says from behind his big mask. “I mean what are eyes, they’re like science fiction movies.” 

Frank opens in NYC theaters on August 15


Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Fassbender, and Domhnall Gleeson. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Simon Says: In Beijing, Soufflé Over Champagne

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Here at OC, we are struck by how often we end up in everyday conundrums. The ones that land you in the thick of semi (or full-blown) awkwardness, or maybe, the doghouse.

So, we turned to SIMON COLLINS, the dean of the School of Fashion at Parsons. Collins recently penned a TOME that explores how and why people get to be so dang successful. To glean a bit of that for ourselves, we've launched SIMON SAYS, in which Collins lends tongue-in-cheek, Brit-bloke advice to our pain-point questions and social entanglements. 
In honor of Simon's very young birthday today, we're running a special edition on why to choose soufflé over Champagne, every time.


Imagine the following scenario: your friend invites you over to his apartment in New York and fills you to the brim with 2006 Dom Perignon the night before you head to China. Fourteen crumpled hours later, you arrive in Beijing, for your international book tour. Not the best situation. So, I thought this week, rather than addressing the important questions of the moment, I would instead offer some advice on travel. The first one being that the third bottle of any alcohol––while delicious––is not entirely helpful. 

Beijing is a glorious city, huge and grid-like, a grid that no one ever escapes. The soupy smog seeps in through any crack in the window and you edge to the shady side of the car hoping the AC will endure. Last night, I went local with my film crew and took a motorcycle rickshaw to meet friends. How anyone can think hurtling down crowded, darkened streets with no lights can be dangerous clearly doesn’t know about the 100 percent safety record that I convinced myself of.

Arriving at a restaurant called Opera (serving Italian fare naturally, as no one eats Chinese food in Beijing), I enjoyed—without question—the best soufflé I have ever had. This was a soufflé so light, it was almost invisible. Which is ironic; the lighter and less noticeable the soufflé, the more it costs. I suppose the ultimate soufflé will be entirely weightless and invisible. The Emperor’s New Soufflé, if you will.

And so I’m left to wonder, is soufflé the new Champagne? You can have more of it, it's just as delightful if not more exquisite, and there are no hangovers to speak of. Luckily, I’ve never found such wonders in New York City, so the problem is moot. Onwards and upwards, like a feather-light soufflé.
Photo courtesy of Simon Collins 

Sky High: Chuck The Xanax, Grab A Tea

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SKY HIGH ON HEALTH reports on nutritional, wellness, and green lyfe fads both crazy and helpful.

If there were a drug that would zonk you out, wake you up, get you high, help you get over a breakup, and (bonus!) eliminate cellulite, it would probably be illegal, right? Well, over the past two weeks, I tried a half-dozen versions of said drug… and its name is tea. No, this wasn’t sketchy opium pod tea à la that Girls episode. A host of upstart tea companies are now offering perfectly legal beverages that claim to cure a truly boggling array of mind/body issues. Clearly, this green lyfe correspondent had to investigate.

I started with a blend called The Heart Healer, a “post breakup tea” that basically brands itself as a BFF in beverage form. (Product description: “Let’s face it, breakups suck. They just do. Yet, they also serve as an important time of reflection and growth.”) According to Charmaine, the owner of Gullah Girl Tea, the Heat Healer is a blend of rose petals (which are supposed to attract love and encourage self-love), hawthorn berry powder (which has been used to treat diseases of the heart and blood vessels), lemon balm and Motherwort (which assist in alleviating depression), and cinnamon (to remind ourselves of our power and fire within, Charmaine says).

Even if, like me, you’re personally a big advocate of tea—it’s teeming with antioxidants and is believed to help prevent cancers and help fight free radicals—this sounds a little far fetched, right? Could it really reverse all the tears and drunk texts from the night before? Well, no. But actually, among the vast array of consumer products purporting to cure heartache—self-help books, weird Internet psychics, back-episodes of Sex And the City—The Heart Healer measures up pretty well. The tea did indeed stimulate a feeling of comfort within me, and definitely gave me a bit of a pep immediately after drinking (though Charmaine swears it's caffeine-free). It wasn’t the same as popping a Xanax—or the pinnacle of great break-up cures, really great rebound sex—but is clearly superior to other tempting beverage options that might be hidden in the depths of your freezer. Bonus: the rose petals really come through when you brew it. Flowers, for me? Oh, you shouldn't have.

So forget the temporary. What about the tea brands that purport to change you for the long term? The next batch of mood-altering teas I tried came via Natalie Kringoudis, a doctor of Chinese medicine behind Anti c Tea, which acts an internal detoxifier and is billed as a cellulite reducer. The way the Anti-C Tea is supposed to work is by doing a thorough cleanse of the kidneys and liver, expelling impurities from your body. The tea is made with Oolong tea (removes toxins), ginger (warms the body), Chrysanthemum (clears the skin), and Lycium Chinense (nourishes the liver and supports digestion). Natalie, who runs the company YOUR TEA, also recommended Her Te

Wear With All: New Balance 990

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Before it became your dad's favorite sneaker, before Steve Jobs added it to his iconic uniform of jeans and Issey Miyake turtlenecks, and WAY before #normcore, there was a New Balance sneaker known as the 990.

While this particular sneaker style has had a significant resurgence in recent years, for over 75 years, New Balance has kept busy producing comfortable, lasting sneakers that have become an integral part of American sneaker culture and everyone's closets. When the New Balance 990 was released in '82, it was priced at more than $100 and was considered quite expensive for its time. Luckily, the sneaker caught on thanks to its sleek design, innovative fabrication, and, of course, comfort factor.

Who could have guessed that over 30 years later, the shoe would become a slightly-transformed classic seen on the feet of athletes, sneakerheads, and now, OC shoppers alike? Fashion fads come and go, but the 990 has proven it can stand the test of time. Cheers to you, 990! Here's to the many years, long walks, and walk-in closets to come.

Shop all New Balance here
W990 Running Shoes in grey

W990 Running Shoes in black 
M990 Running Shoes in grey

M990 Running Shoes in black 

#throwback! An original '80s 990 advertisement. Photo courtesy of New Balance

To Have & To Hold: OC-Exclusive Haerfest Mini Purses

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If gorgeous gold hardware and butter-soft leather get you going, Haerfest's latest collection will make you say hubba-hubba. Inspired by artists like Donald Judd and Frank Stella, Haerfest approaches design with a minimalist's careful eye. And now, as part of its AE ("Alpha Experiment") Projects side gig, Haerfest has expanded into its first women-specific foray: two OC exclusives––the backpack and briefcase––in miniature version.

Think a bite-size candy bar in bag form, with a less is more approach. "I don’t think simplicity necessarily means simple. We try to find a balance between creating forms that are really familiar and focusing on the design details that allow us to make things a little unexpected, " the designer Tim Joo told Opening Ceremony during a studio visit in April.

For fall, this means a reptile embossed leather mini briefcase that functions as the perfect purse you can rock from the office to the bar to the art opening. And a reptile embossed leather mini backpack with an attachable, adjustable strap, so you can wear it like a crossbody bag. And done in lipstick-red and onyx, we can bet Haerfest fan and stylish babe Olivia Munn will want to nab a few for herself. 

Shop all Haerfest here
Reptile Embossed Leather Mini Backpack in red

Reptile Embossed Leather Mini Backpack in black

Reptile Embossed Leather Mini Briefcase in red

Reptile Embossed Leather Mini Briefcase in black

Tipsy And Tan: Skal

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In our #ThirstyThursday series, TIPSY AND TAN, we ask consummate mixologists from New York City’s white-hot new restaurants and bars to create OC-exclusive drinks for our readers. Drinking on the job? Don't mind if we do...

There’s something about Skál (ironically pronounced like “scowl”) that immediately puts us at ease. Maybe it’s the mouth-watering menu full of hearty dishes like Atlantic Cod and Warm Hen’s Egg, or maybe it’s the soothing, pale blue and white interior surrounded by large glass doors that open onto Ludlow Street. Whatever it is, after a long day of hard work, we felt like we could finally let our proverbial hair down at this Nordic spot. In keeping with the restaurant’s laid-back, homespun vibe, Skal’s bartender Felipe Limon cooked us up a refreshing mixed drink made with cucumber, mint, citrus, and a dash of honey.



Name
: Felipe Limon

If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

Best place to get day drunk: Ho' Bra in Brooklyn

Hangover cure: I like to run by the water on sunny days. You get the sunlight, you get to recharge, and you get to sweat out all the toxins from the drinks!

Your summer getaway: I visit my family back in Mexico.

What are some red-light signs that someone’s been overserved? Usually when their eyes start rolling [into the back of their head]. When they speak with their hands instead of using their lips.

Are there any personality traits that are essential to a being a bartender? Friendly, very patient, and understand that not everyone that comes to a bar is happy.


Exclusive Recipe: The Skál

OC Alcohol Scale*: 6
"Refreshing and summery. These spirits aren’t very alcoholic."
 
3/4 oz. Ricard French Anise
3 oz. St. Germain
3/4 oz. lemon juice
Dash of honey
Top with seltzer water

1. Mix ingredients.
2. While making the drink, add three mint leaves to shake together for freshness.
3. Double strain.
4. Garnish with mint.

*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now"). 

Want a second round? See more Tipsy and Tan HERE 
The Skál. Photos by Jessica Chou

The drink is refreshing and summery, and not too alcoholic.

Do You Live At Your Office?

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Let's face it: These days, the line between work and home is a little blurry. Dolly Parton sang about 9 to 5, but we're really talking about 9 to 7 or 9 to 8 or... Okay, let's not make this too sad. The best way to settle into those long hours is to bring a little homey comfort to the cubicle (or open-plan work space, if you're like us at OC). We've got chunky sweaters for over air-conditioned conference rooms and headphones for blasting Tinashe on Spotify while writing emails. Even a candle to bring peace and serenity to your stressful work day. Next thing you know, you'll be hosting dinner parties at the office instead of at home. OK, maybe not. But according to New Research, the workplace is a lot of people's happiest place, so why not make it yours too?

Shop OC Tech Shop here




You'll forget you're in the office with these Master & Dynamic Over-Ear Headphones. With cowhide, lambskin, and memory foam ear pads, they're quite an upgrade from those awkward earbuds. 

This Juun.J CANDLE has a 60-hour burn time, scented soy wax, and will transform your desk into a luxury spa. You're welcome. Just try not to put your feet up on your desk and fall asleep.

Stay hydrated with the OPENING CEREMONY SIGG BOTTLE. Useful and environmentally friendly, with that OC stamp of approval.

Yes, it's a briefcase. In miniature! The Haerfest Reptile Embossed Leather Mini Briefcase has gorgeous gold hardware and silky-soft leather.

Cozy up in that desk chair with the Acne Studios Dames Boiled Wool Tunic. It's almost like a blanket you can wear, and those roomy pockets will fit a pen, notebook, and chapstick, no problem.

This snuggly House of Holland Fuzzy Scarf brings a pop of color to all the beiges and greys of the corporate office. 
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