Velvet Crush: Fall's Best Plush And Lush Texture

October 20, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Does This Soup Taste Ambivalent?

≪ Previous: This Must Be The Place: Lyndhurst Castle

$

0

0

What's plush, lavish, and on everyone's radar this fall? While baby North West's closet is one answer, another more wearable—and affordable—conclusion is velvet. 

While held in high regard as a fabric mostly associated with the wealthy in the Far East during the 14th century, the fabric has reinvented itself, dressing everyone from Renaissance Festival attendees to mall rats channeling their inner Jimi Hendrix. Thankfully, the plush fabric has done yet another transformation this season—think updated silhouettes and fresh colorways from a few top-notch OC brands.

In true Renaissance form, the bell-sleeve gets a well-deserved redux with Ammerman Schlösberg's vibrant gold Cropped Top. Eckhaus Latta and Litkovskaya give velvet an elevated touch with their separate gowns, while the folks at Marques'Almeida channeled their inner Lizzie McGuire with a crushed velvet Jacket and Pants that will take you straight back to 2002. For leisurewear, D.TT.K perfected the sweatsuit look with understated green velour that's soft to the touch.

Here, nine of our favorite velvet pieces. 


Ammerman Schlosberg Lame Velvet Cropped Top in gold Eckhaus Latta Mohair Velvet Cut-Out Back Dress in mauve Litkovskaya Ribbon Cut Out Dress in wine D.TT.K Sweat Shirt in aqua Lilia Kesselenko Flowy Sleeve Long Velvet Dress in black Kiko Mizuhara for Opening Ceremony Cut Out Velvet Dress in black Marques'Almeida Fitted Crushed Velvet Jacket in silver

Marques'Almeida

---

Does This Soup Taste Ambivalent?

October 20, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: The Suburban Mom 2.0

≪ Previous: Velvet Crush: Fall's Best Plush And Lush Texture

$

0

0

At Frieze London this weekend, the exhibition buzzing on everyone's lips was the United Brothers' witty live performance, Does This Soup Taste Ambivalent? Brothers Ei and Tomoo Arakawa, along with their mother, made soup using vegetables flown in from Fukushima, Japan, site of a nuclear power plant disaster, at Green Tea Gallery's booth. Would guests' lips literally be buzzing if they ate the soup? Well, no—yet many were still ambivalent about the prospect, precisely the psychological experience the Arakawas intended to provoke.

It has been three years since the tragic tsunami hit Fukushima shores and destroyed reactors in the Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, causing a radioactive leakage that is second to that of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. Though there has been no recorded radioactive-related fatalities since the disaster, and the vegetables used in this piece were certified safe by the Japanese Farmers Association, there is obviously still a psychological block in the participants. Even the co-founder of the fair, Matthew Slotover, was skeptical about eating it. 

“I think one fifth of the audience came to our booth without knowing what kind of free soup it was,” the brothers told us. "The sort of art goers who rush from one booth to another.” On Saturday when this writer visited, Frieze was indeed a chaotic rampage of art students, affluent middle-age couples draped in furs and Gucci glasses led by gallery girls with smart haircuts, and tourists that taking selfies in front of KAWS installations and anything with LED lettering on it. “I wish they spent more time figuring out what this project is about, or what kind of risk [or] if there is any.” 

Still, the live event wasn't overshadowed. At 1 PM, a small group gathered around the booth, eager to try this free soup (whether or not they knew what was in it). Tentatively, we tried some, too. In the end, the Shiitake mushroom and daikon soup was so delicious that we gulped the whole thing down. “My mother brought [the ingredients] from our neighborhood, which is 60 km south of the power plant. The contamination of food varies depending on the part of Fukushima,” Ei explained when asked about the ingredients the next day via email. Reading, our stomachs gave a small protest. “Anyway,” he added, “They restrict the distribution if there are radio activity on the food.” Phew. 

Ei answers our questions on the fascinating project below.

---

GRACE WANG: Could you please describe your personal relationship and experiences with the Fukushima Daiishi nuclear disaster in 2011?
EI ARAKAWA: In the days after March 11, 2011, I went crazy checking the minute-by-minute media updates of new information. It was a very abstract experience, with coverage of the event being so saturated. I was in Kyoto, and my family was in Iwaki, Fukushima. I had to persuade them to evacuate immediately when I found out about the possible explosion. I forgot if it was before or after the first explosion. I think it was before. 

What ideas did you want to explore in this performance?
I didn't want to offer so-called "YES" soup to the people, in the way some politicians or civil organizations would do to simply promote food from Fukushima [in the wake of the disaster]. I thought this approach would exclude the people who disagree that food from Fukushima is safe. I came up with the "ambivalent" position in order to create a platform for both, opposing sides, as well as the middle

The Suburban Mom 2.0

October 20, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Frieze: The Photo Diary

≪ Previous: Does This Soup Taste Ambivalent?

$

0

0

Sometimes a Tumblr is just a Tumblr—other times, it’s social commentary. Woman’s Day, a tumblelog that deals exclusively in oft-cringeworthy depictions of everyday femininity, fits that latter category. Started by Chicago artist Cole Chickering more than four years ago, Woman’s Day is a survey of images that its creator defines as “reaching out to every single woman in this clumsy sweep.” Within: stock-like, nearly anonymous images that live in the weird space between everyday and low-level aspirational. 

Overwhelmingly white and middle class, the women of Woman’s Day tend to have very specific concerns—and a lifestyle where grocery bags of baguettes, fresh flowers, and “tumbling bell peppers” are the ultimate signifiers of modern femininity. Chickering recently compiled his Tumblr imagery into a print zine, Model Behavior, and is at work on the second issue. We spoke to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago-grad about Suzanne Somers' influence, the dangers of source hoarding, and his love of grocery check-out line periodicals. 

---

ALISON BAITZ: How do you describe the aesthetic of your art?
COLE CHICKERING: Well, it’s sort of defined by its source materials, because I’m working basically exclusively with found imagery. When I’m at thrift stores looking through all of the books and all of the magazines and all the textbooks and cookbooks, there are so many repeated icons and messages, specifically when it comes to women’s media. I just kept seeing things over and over again, and feeling really compelled to start recording them. The aesthetic then takes on this weird unreality or “un-canniness” of media portrayals of everyday women who are doing supposedly everyday things. 

What's an interesting image you've found recently?
Over the weekend, I was on this website called Wayfair, which is this furniture and home decor—décor with a dash over the 'e'—website. It's humongous and it has so many high-quality, beautiful images of every kind of furniture you can imagine. They're all really staged and fake-y looking but with lots of details and accessories, strung all over the place. This weekend I was looking through thousands of pictures of home office desks because I noticed that a lot of them—many of them—have a little framed picture of a smiling or laughing woman. Like, the lady at home, the office wife; the pretty miss who is inspiring all this hard work at your office desk. Why is it a picture of her? Unless it's a picture of herself, she must not work at that desk.

So, you actually go to thrift stores to source?
Yeah, I get my source materials a lot of different ways, but a lot of things do come from the thrift store. Over time, I’ve found sources that I love so much because of the excessive degree of bizarre activity going on in some of these print sources. I’ll seek those things out online and order whole back issue runs of, like, Country Woman Magazine and Michaels Arts and Crafts Magazine. Also, Suzanne Somers has published so many books and she’s just unbelievable—I love her so much because she is a wild one.

Does your apartment look insane from borderline source hoarding?
Well, yeah. The thing is, I really love these sources—they’re so special to me that when I find them, I feel like I’ve found this incredible gem and so I have this reverence for them and I feel strongly about them, so I don’t want to throw them away. It is kind of taking over, but I can&rs

Frieze: The Photo Diary

October 20, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Talking Shark Fins With Chef Cecilia Chiang

≪ Previous: The Suburban Mom 2.0

$

0

0

With 60,000 visitors and 159 exhibitors, Frieze London can get overwhelming—whether you're in the tent at Regent's Park or just scrolling through on Instagram. Which is why, even in an era of image surfeit, it helps to have a filter. Enter Gillian Steiner, the London-based photographer who visited the fair this weekend and turned her lens in the direction of its many sculptures, photographs, installations, and performances. Check out her snaps above!


Gartenkinder by Carsten Höller. Photos by Gillian Steiner

Work by Lutz Bacher 
Sendeschluss (End of Broadcast) I, Wolfgang Tillmans
A scuplture by Eric Bainbridge

An installation by Nina Beier
The Carlos/Ishikawa booth, wiht work by Korakrit Arunanondchai
Dinner/Lakes, Cory Arcangel
Jetlag and Foot to Mouth, Oscar Murillo
Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Gabriele de Santis in the Frieze Sculpture Park

Talking Shark Fins With Chef Cecilia Chiang

October 21, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Jessica Chou In Pompei And The Amalfi Coast

≪ Previous: Frieze: The Photo Diary

$

0

0

Chinese food in 1960s America was hardly what it is today: Think chop suey followed by canned vegetables and some egg drop soup at every single Chinatown establishment. 

Luckily, that’s all changed, thanks to San Francisco chef Cecilia Chiang. The founder and chef of the legendary Mandarin Restaurant, which opened in 1961, is credited with introducing America to what we might consider standard menu items in modern times: xiao long bao (soup dumplings), mapo tofu, and whole steamed fish. She was the first chef who put Sichuan food on an American menu, the first chef to elevate Chinese cuisine to fine dining, and yes, the first chef to teach Alice Waters to make shark fin soup. (Her son, meanwhile, started P.F. Chang's, bringing Americanized Chinese food to malls across the country and dropping the "i" in his last name for good measure.)

Such accomplishments practically necessitate a documentary. Enter Soul of a Banquet, the latest from director Wayne Wang (The Joy Luck Club). “Alice Waters asked me to document a banquet Cecilia was throwing to honor Chez Panisse’s 40th anniversary,” Wang says. “Then I got to know Cecilia well, and I decided to document her life because she really represents the last 95 years of Chinese cuisine in America, as well as China’s history.” 

The film, divided simply into food-themed sections, tells two stories. The first uncovers Chiang’s life in China, her escape during the civil war, and her return to find the remains of her family after the Cultural Revolution. The second showcases Chiang’s preservation of high-end Chinese cooking through her banquet for Chez Panisse. “I’m 95, but I still remember a lot about old China, a lot of the traditional foods, which have been forgotten,” Chiang says. 

We sat down with Chiang and Wang to discuss the status of Chinese food in America, and what exactly we’ve been eating all this time. Scroll to the bottom to watch an exclusive clip from Soul of a Banquet, where Cecilia explains the legend behind Beggar's Chicken.

---

JESSICA CHOU: I think what was so surprising about the film was the inclusion of your family’s story during the communist revolution. Was that something you’ve always wanted to share? 
CECILIA CHIANG: I have two cookbooks out and for the second one, I said I really want to tell the story about my family, but they said it might be too political, telling me to focus on the food. But people should know what happened in China at that time. 
WAYNE WANG: It’s not a political statement; it’s a very personal thing. 

It is very personal, but part of the film also focuses on how the revolution affected the food culture. 
WW: Well, after the war, a lot of the old chefs fled, some to Hong Kong, mostly Cantonese chefs, and others to Taiwan. Some of them went to London. But those are where the traditions immigrated to, and now a lot of the traditional cooking methods are gone, especially cooking the banquets. 
CC: Now all the old chefs have died and they didn’t even have a chance to show the young generation how to give a banquet or how to make these classic Chinese dishes. 

What did a banquet look like, exactly? 
CC: There were at least four cold dishes, very light, and then another four main courses, usually a whole duck, whole chicken, pork, and a vegetable dish. Everything ha

Jessica Chou In Pompei And The Amalfi Coast

October 21, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: 'Bordeaux Should Be Exactly $100 More Expensive Per Hour That You’re Late'

≪ Previous: Talking Shark Fins With Chef Cecilia Chiang

$

0

0

In Straight Trippin', OC friends and family share tidbits from their latest travels. This time, OC contributor Jessica Chou explores both the historic and luxe side of Italy: Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.

Name: Jessica Chou
Occupation: Freelance writer/photographer
Travel destination: Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast, Italy
Carry-on necessities: Over-the-ear headphones, the latest New York Magazine, chewing gum
Reading materials: The theme: New York in the 1980s: American Psycho and The Wolf of Wall Street
Most over-played track on your iPhone this trip: "Pompeii" by Bastille, "Shake it Off" by Taylor Swift, "We Ain’t Them" by Childish Gambino, "All Day" by Girl Talk—the bus ride to Amalfi was 90 minutes long. Luckily, there was also an Italian radio station playing on the bus.
Highlight of your trip: Exploring the incredible ruins of Pompeii, a Roman city that was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD
Souvenirs you brought back: A killer tan and too many photos to countOC contributor Jessica Chou sunning on the rocks. Photos by Jessica ChouBeautiful geometric pillars in PompeiiA look at the amazing Mediterranean watersA first look at the coast of AmalfiPositano and Amalfi are the most popular cities along the coast; it takes an hour and a half to get to AmalfiThe Amalfi Coast is another train (to Sorrento, home of limoncello) and bus ride away from PompeiiOn one side of the ruins, environmental biologists resurrect ancient vineyards. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius left the residents completely mummified, preserved in their last moments. Both terrifying and incredibly sad. Some artifacts, impeccably preservedThe ruin was mostly like a restaurant. The holes in the counter were used for cooking.The Temple of JupiterA view of the ruins 

'Bordeaux Should Be Exactly $100 More Expensive Per Hour That You’re Late'

October 21, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: 'People On The Street Are More Stylish Than Models On The Runway'

≪ Previous: Jessica Chou In Pompei And The Amalfi Coast

$

0

0

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, who after six years in his plum perch, just announced plans to step down at the end of this year. Translation: More time to divulge lessons from a lifetime of people-watching. 

---

Q: Amidst the debate over gender inequality, is there really anything that men can do better than women?

No. Obviously not. Next question.

Well, I suppose I should elaborate. When my eight-year-old daughter gets to school in the morning, the girls get together and compare the previous day’s social interactions and fashion choices. Is there a new shade of nail polish? Who saw the First Lady on television? Heady stuff. Meanwhile, the boys wrestle each other to the ground and grunt until they are fed or subdued. One point to the girls.

Which of us during our boyhood years was not given the absolute runaround by a lovely girl and yet continued to obey her every whim like a docile animal? We spent our money on tokens and gestures only to be cruelly denied in favor of an older, and equally outclassed, boy. Second point to Team Female.

I mean, come on. Smarter, quicker, lighter, more nimble, and able to identify and exploit our weaknesses at a hundred paces. And, here’s the kicker: we love them all the more for it.

So, dear readers, the answer is no. There’s nothing that men can do better than women. Well, nothing apart from the ability to actually be a man. So far, we’ve cornered the market on that one (until they invent an app for that).

Q: What’s the acceptable amount of time you can arrive late for a social meeting versus a business one?

There’s late and there’s late, and of course it depends on who’s doing the lating. (That's a new word, pronounced late-ing, the verb form of being late. Like it?)

If you’re going to a business meeting and you need everyone to know you’re in charge, then a few minutes lating will set the tone. Be sure to get straight to it on arrival so any other latecomers know their place.

If you’re not in charge and you’re trying to impress, then get there precisely three minutes early, so you’re not late but crucially you’re not too early (don’t want to be too keen).

If it’s an important meeting and you’re massively late, then offer a full, open, and honest apology. You might try: “Terribly sorry; you know how hard it is to park a Bentley. Had to have my man circle the block.”

How do we address the thorny issue of social lating? Say you've got a date with the girl of your dreams. Naturally, you arrive one hour early after having skipped all the way there clutching roses and smiling ear to ear. Two hours later, she sashays in with a swish and the briefest of vagaries about traffic or similar. What do you do? You thank your lucky stars that such a scorcher would deign to give you the time of day, and convince her it’s your fault for suggesting the wrong time in the first place. "You are so sorry," you tell her. She forgives you.

Of course, if you’re the

'People On The Street Are More Stylish Than Models On The Runway'

October 21, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Introducing: The New Minimalism

≪ Previous: 'Bordeaux Should Be Exactly $100 More Expensive Per Hour That You’re Late'

$

0

0

As we step into Juun.J’s studio, the designer, wearing his own black leather blouson, offers a handshake with a friendly smile. It's midway through Seoul Fashion Week, but the mood is serene. Perhaps the rainy fall day helps. The studio space, in Cheongdam dong, Seoul's main luxury shopping thoroughfare, was filled with candles—including one designed by Juun.J himself—magazines, a dried flower bouquet, and plenty of fabric swatches and inspiration boards. 

The first thing Juun.J shows us is his detailed schedule for the next 90 days, leading up to his runway show at Paris Fashion Week in January. No surprise: the calendar is packed. Juun.J is one of a select few menswear designers who has managed to constantly innovate in a universe that's more restrictive than womenswear. Unique silhouettes are his signature: think oversized trench coats, fitted leather jumpsuits, rounded sweatshirts with vivid graphics, or reinvented Zoot Suits. He collaborates with new artists each season—this fall, it's sign artist Josh Luke.
 

Yet even with such high-fashion influence, Juun.J finds inspiration primarily on the streets. Read the interview to find out why, and scroll through the pictures for a peek at his studio (as well as his Gremlins obsession).

Shop Juun.J here

---

HONG SUKWOO: For the past two seasons, your collection has been defined by exaggerated volume and sharp silhouettes. How did this signature look come to be?
JUUN.J: Silhouette is the most important part of my designs, and my silhouette is based on an Asian fit. Reinterpretation of classics is the unflinching theme of Juun.J, and it is usually inspired by Western attire. But, the oversized silhouette and items like wide pants are based on Asian garments. Personally, I love simple styles such as white shirts and loose-fitting pants, and it always excites me to play with them and make them special. 

What inspires you as you prepare a collection each season?
Streets are the biggest place I find inspiration. Street fashion, as its name suggests, is very common, yet it is avant-garde at the same time. Sometimes people I see on the streets are more stylish than models on the runway. As well, I'm influenced by so-called fashion leaders, older people wearing clothes from past generations, and military uniforms.

I am also inspired by my frequent trips to Paris, where I present my collections. Paris is a city that has a unique ambience different from other places, as it's fashionable and artistic minds are welcomed. Walking on the streets, drinking a cup of coffee, and people-watching there are all sources of inspiration.

How do you spend your time when you're not designing?
I tried to relax as much as possible. It is important for me to meditate, read a book, watch a film, and listen to a music to put work aside. Also, it is always great to see people I love and have a meal and drinks together. Among all, my favorite pastime is spending time with my pet dog, Junny. She is the most important family member I have. Just watching her run around helps me recuperate and gives me joy.

It's almost 2015. How has 2014 treated you so far?
2014 has been a great year. I live with fierce passion so that I'll never have to hear “could’ve, would’ve, should’ve” later on. Collaborating with a sports brand was one of the wishes I've always had, and I ended up working with adidas this

---

Introducing: The New Minimalism

October 23, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Into The Dark: Sen Wye Fall/Winter 2014

≪ Previous: 'People On The Street Are More Stylish Than Models On The Runway'

$

0

0

Minimalism has gotten a much-needed boost this fall. Simple shapes and understated colors are no longer the sole characteristics of the aesthetic, with designers from Calvin Klein to Coperni innovating and elevating the look. More normcore than normal, these pieces show that interesting and simplistic are not mutually exclusive. Featuring avant-garde tailoring, textured textiles, rich colors, the new minimalism still manages to pull off that clean appearance. Sure, it's a bit of a paradox, but it'll turn heads nevertheless. Fanmail Denim Jacket in ski patrol Gauchere Ector Layered Suiting Pants in black Coperni Femme Gauffre Turtleneck in white Standard Deviation Zip Front Skirt in black Christopher Kane 3D Snake Skin Oversized T in black Calvin Klein Collection Paige Sweater in ivory Lilia Kisselenko Front Pocket Pants in black/grey Forget Me Not Waist-Length Long-Sleeve Apron Top in black/denim

Into The Dark: Sen Wye Fall/Winter 2014

October 22, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Cecilia Corrigan: A Poet For The Internet Era

≪ Previous: Introducing: The New Minimalism

$

0

0

Although Sen Wye takes a slightly different approach this season, its design motto—“modern, minimalist, '90s”—is just as apparent with its latest collection of crop tops, sheer fabrics, and A-line mini skirts.

The lovechild of Charlotte Macke and Holly Keepfer, who met eight years ago in New York, the label is known for its impeccably tailored, effortlessly sexy, versatile pieces. With all production taking place in Britain, it's hard to expect anything less.  

Not to mention, the duo never shies away from innovating and evolving. Sure, the Spring/Summer 2014 collection featured fuzzy pastels and metallics, but FW14 is full of black patent leather and sheer micro mesh. The Sen Wye girl is now darker and edgier (and has seen The Matrix a few dozen times). She can hack your computer, smash your car, and look amazing doing it.

Shop all Sen Wye here Chrisy Tartan Dress in navy Juniper Top in pastel pink Daria Cashmere Wool Jacket and Alicia Cashmere Wool Skirt, both in pastel pink Mara Patent Leather Tank in black and Iris Skirt in black May Knit Cropped Tank in pink and Anna Patent Leather Trousers in black Marina Tartan Top and Rosie Tartan Skirt, both in navy

Cecilia Corrigan: A Poet For The Internet Era

October 22, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Opening Ceremony Handbags

≪ Previous: Into The Dark: Sen Wye Fall/Winter 2014

$

0

0

Cecilia Corrigan, the poet, comedian, and screenwriter,​ changed halfway through her book launch. After the early reception, reading, sing-along, and stand-up comedy routine, she rustled out of a red cocktail dress into one a few shades lighter, about the color of her book’s cover. In that dress, now strapless, she danced to DJ Juiceboxxx until Artists Space ceased to host the crowd.

The evening​, one night last week, was novel—as is Cecilia. As a poet, she’s sci-fly. Standing up, she can do a Dick Cavett and a smarter Amy Schumer. “I’m short so my sexuality is non-threatening,” she quipped in ​seven​-inch stilettos on stage at Artists Space. She balanced in those shoes (“fuck-me heels,” to quote Mom) all night.

Titanic ​is Cecilia's​ first full-length book,​ “a tragic love story of our time and all time, taking on the eternal struggle of inter-sentient romance.” Its protagonist is Alan Turing, cracker of the Nazis’ Enigma Code. His lover is artificially intelligent, perhaps his own creation. The book, like Cecilia’s live performances, puppets various lingo, from talk shows and soap operas (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) to medical science and iMessage. ​

Opening Ceremony chatted with Ms. Corrigan the day after her launch, and talked the after-party, the book, and what’s up with poetry being so popular. ​

---

FIONA DUNCAN: ​How would you describe your physical state today? What I'm getting at is: how was the after-party? Did you after-after-party?
CECILIA CORRIGAN: ​I feel happy, drowsy, a little confused. I have one of those deceptively gentle hangovers, where there's a certain amount of numbness behind my eyes but no fiery hangover. I got really sweaty dancing to Juiceboxxx's insane rave remixes of 2003 radio hits, so I think I detoxed to retox at that point during the night.

At your launch, I kept thinking you're like the Jim Henson of poets. Clearly, you're dirtier and womanlier and more alive than Henson, but you are a puppeteer. The way you do stand-up I feel like I'm watching you with your own hand in your mouth, manipulating your face to perform words somehow a part of and apart from you.
Oh my god, thank you. What a lovely thing to say. Jim Henson was a genius. D’you know what's funny, actually? I did a show last week in Philly with Felix Bernstein and Gabe Hoot, and we were saying the dynamic was kind of like when the Muppets had a celebrity guest, like Madeline Kahn or whoever, because they kept singing over me, asking me sort of tone-deaf but enthusiastic questions, and I was sort of game but nonplussed. I like this idea of distance between my words and body. I do feel like I'm kind of detached from my body on stage, like I'm floating above it. I think that stand-up comedy is the most terrifying and violent type of performance. When you're monologuing, it's totally Coliseum style; you're at the mercy of the crowd.

I also kept thinking about pop metaphors, like "clear the air" or "get in front of the train" (both phrases you voiced). These are phrases so common, it's common to forget they are poetic, but put in the context of your reading, I was like yes. What are some of your favorite pop metaphors?
Yeah! Common language is fascinating to me. I think there's a lot of free flowing appropriation going on, especially “on the Internet.” I'd love it if everyone thought of “That's gotta hurt!” as my catchphrase—that one really takes the cake.

Could you explain who Alan Turing

Opening Ceremony Handbags

October 22, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Catching Up With Tavi At 'The Rookie Yearbook Three' Launch

≪ Previous: Cecilia Corrigan: A Poet For The Internet Era

$

0

0

The contents of someone's bag is a private thing. Maybe it's messy, maybe it's too personal, maybe you're smuggling around something sketchy (no judgments). The point is you want people out of your business and out of your bag. So what better way to say "hands off" than to have your bag literally be held closed by tiny mitts?

OC's new line of handbags feature petite, perfectly manicured paws as embellishments and clasps. With a red and blue color palette (recognize the homage to our signature shopping tote with the Millie?), not only are these handsy bags secure, but they make a statement. Whether you want a carry-all like the Lele or a clutch like the Paloma, we're giving you a much-needed hand.

Shop all OC handbags here

  Clockwise from left: Sumi Textured Neoprene Handbag in petal pink, Millie Small Tote in cobalt multi, Roni Circle Bag in bone multi, Lele Painted Nails Handbag in black, Lyo Multi Zip Pouch in cobalt multi, Paz Zip Pouch in tiger red, Misha Rectangular Wallet in black, Paloma Tech Clutch in cobalt multi

Catching Up With Tavi At 'The Rookie Yearbook Three' Launch

October 22, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Tracking Down The Subjects Of Richard Prince's 'New Portraits'

≪ Previous: Opening Ceremony Handbags

$

0

0

Hundreds of girls, all in cozy rain gear, DIY accessories, and excited smiles, pack around a stage in their favorite Soho bookstore, Housing Works. Everything these girls have in common, from style to attitude to political ideals, is due in part to the person they’re waiting patiently to take the stage. You may have heard of her. Her name is Tavi Gevinson, the 18-year-old creator of Rookie Mag (on top of, you know, casual stuff like starring in the Broadway production of This Is Our Youth, gracing magazine covers from Nylon to New York, giving TED Talks, and being an overall fashion icon). 

The birth of Rookie started all the way back in 2011, when a then-15-year-old Tavi grew tired of her popular fashion blog The Style Rookie and wanted to create a community for girls that was empowering and positive, something she felt was lacking online at the time. With over 80 contributors, all young women, creating everything from think pieces to beauty tutorials (and beauty tutorial think pieces), Rookie not only filled a gap in the market, but contributed to a movement of girls becoming more politically active, creative, and confident. "It's been amazing to see how Rookie has grown," Tavi told Opening Ceremony in the corner of the bookstore, in the calm before the floodgate of guests at the front door was unleashed. "I think we cover more ground now. All of our writers and I have become more well-versed in what we're talking about."

This event in particular is for the launch of Rookie Yearbook Three, the third installment of Rookie’s print anthology. The book sold out on rookiemag.com almost instantly, with big names like Lorde, Dakota and Elle Fanning, Kelis, Sia, Grimes, and the ladies of Broad City all contributing to the volume. Tavi’s guest, the transgender rights activist and author of Redefining Realness, Janet Mock, exclaims during the talk, “How many books have you seen with that many A-list celebrities?”

When we asked about the star-studded group of contributors, Tavi remarks, “It’s really amazing to have the support of people that I admire and our readers admire. It’s special to be part of a publication that people will do stuff for without it being part of their press tour.” The book has also made an impact on social media, with everyone and their mother posting #rookieyearbookthree selfies. A cultural phenomenon with huge celebrity endorsements and social media domination? Yearbook Three is unstoppable.
Tavi and Janet with Rookie Yearbook Three. Photo courtesy of Lauren Redding
Hundreds of girls, all in cozy rain gear, DIY accessories, and excited smiles, pack around around a stage

Tracking Down The Subjects Of Richard Prince's 'New Portraits'

October 22, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: How To Make Spicy Mango Tacos With DIMES — In GIFs

≪ Previous: Catching Up With Tavi At 'The Rookie Yearbook Three' Launch

$

0

0

Taking the perfect selfie might be an art form, but is it truly art? For a group of musicians, models, artists, writers, and fake celebrity fan accounts, the answer seems to be yes. Art’s appropriator extraordinaire Richard Prince’s latest show, New Portraits, features screencaps of these people’s Instagram photos blown up on stretch canvas and displayed on the walls of Gagosian Gallery. New Portraits has received a polarized reaction from the public, with some praising Prince for bringing to light how little ownership we have on our own social media content, while others claim the pieces are not art at all and criticize Prince on his questionable choice of words in the comments on women’s pictures. One of the main criticisms is Prince's selective cropping of the comments section in each image, which always gives his own comment the last word. Paddy Johnson's review for artnet encapsulates this view well: "[H]e writes under young singer-songwriter Sky Ferreira's portrait of herself in the passenger seat of a red sports car: 'Enjoyed the ride today. Let's do it again. Richard.' If she had a snide response to the leering comment, we never learn what it was."

With everyone giving their opinions on the matter, what better group of people to talk about it with than the subjects of the show themselves? We reached out to a number of them, and most of their comments were positive—perhaps unsurprising considering many are fellow artists who deal with the topic of appropriation in their own work. Do they agree conceptually with Prince or are they just unwilling to ruffle feathers or turn down such fantastic publicity? One thing is for certain: For these subjects, the experience generated strong feelings. Just as, we assume, Richard Prince intended.

---

Cara Stricker/@carastricker/Photographer
Cara recently wrote an open letter to Prince to explore her feeling on the subject, and sent us a copy of it. Cara sees Prince’s project as an act of awareness-raising about the policies we comply with online, which contain parameters we never really pay attention to. She states to Prince, “Every time we use Instagram or Facebook we sign a waiver giving permission to sell our images, and you have both exploited and undermined this. I support this commentary: no one owns an idea, and your works state this in bold." Cara also sees the project as a statement on current generational ideas. “Our generation accepts appropriation and borrowing from all pasts because we accept a future of unity. ‘The Yes Generation’… How else could we move forward except through this acceptance and the freedom it gives us?”

Miller Rodriguez/@prettypukefool/Photographer
Mr. Rodriguez, aka Pretty Puke, was very flattered to have his work featured in Prince’s show: "I really feel that he is a great photographer that I owe a lot too. Artists like Prince, Nan Goldin, Larry Clark, and Dash Snow created work that has influenced me greatly and turned me into the photographer I am today." He ends his statement in true Pretty Puke fashion: “Shout out to Prince: If you're ever in LA you could buy me a coffee with that $$ you made on my work ;)”

Ras Mugadu/@rasfotos/Street Photographer
Ras “could not be happier being a part of the project.” He explained that he has been a fan of Richard Prince for years and thinks that the project is

How To Make Spicy Mango Tacos With DIMES — In GIFs

October 23, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: 30% Off OC Women's and Men's Collections!

≪ Previous: Tracking Down The Subjects Of Richard Prince's 'New Portraits'

$

0

0

While having a legitimate reason to slip into costume is applause-worthy, perhaps the most progressive and food-conscious determinant of October's worth is the fact that it's also Vegetarian Awareness Month. Since 1977, October has developed into a month focused on appreciating the numerous choices the vegetarian food world has to offer. 

In honor of this healthful fall season, OC tapped Alissa Wagner and Sabrina De Sousa of Dimes, the California-tinged eatery tucked into an unassuming pocket of New York's Chinatown (conveniently located near OC), to show us how to create the perfectly balanced veggie taco. With a restaurant menu that boasts tasty seasonal dishes, healthy freshness, and unconventional flavor combinations, the two stylish ladies (and organic lip-balm experts) behind Dimes seemed the perfect pair to show us that meatless doesn't mean tasteless. 

Above, the Dimes ladies show how to perfect the veggie taco, also known as the Sayonara Summer Taco.

Below, we caught up with Alissa Wagner to talk about unusual taco ingredients, the great meat debate, and which fellow vegetarian she thinks is a dime. Check out the recipes for the Dimes mango salsa, hot sauce, and Sayonara Summer Taco at the end! And peep their amazing Instagram. 

---

CHLOE DEWBERRY: What goes into making the perfect veggie taco?
ALISSA WAGNER: A good variety of textures and flavors is super important. If you’re doing a breakfast taco, start with the base of really delicious, creamy, soft scrambled eggs. I think it’s important to give a bit of spice, a bit of crunch, and a bit of texture; we do that with our tacos through the use of a spicy mango salsa and fresh, raw tomatillos to balance out that creaminess.

How did you and Sabrina go about concocting the Sayonara Summer Taco recipe?
We saw how popular our egg sandwhich was and we wanted to do something in that sort of realm, but a little different and more fun. With a breakfast taco, you can sort of play around with certain elements and make it less of a classic dish. We change menus seasonally—in the summer we were using a peach salsa and some charred corn—and now we are doing it with fresh tomatillo and mango salsa.

What is the one key ingredient that no taco can go without?  
A really good hot sauce. Besides the Dimes' sauce, Valentina is a great hot sauce, and I also love Cholula.

What is the one surprising ingredient that enhances a veggie taco that no one would normally think to use? 
I think the fruit element is a surprising ingredient. People are always really surprised by it and they think that it’s going to be a super-sweet thing, but it’s actually not. I think it just sort of rounds out the spiciness. 

What is one thing you’d say to carnivores that can’t imagine a taco without meat to convince them to try a Dimes Sayonara Summer Taco?
It’s just as satisfying. It gives you a more exciting flavor profile that you wouldn’t expect. I think sometimes, when people are using meat, they consider that the main event so they sort of forget about all the other things that go into it, like really great vegetables and sauces. They feel that protein takes the stage. But with a veggie taco, it has all of these other elements that bring you in that are sort of unexpected and exc

---

30% Off OC Women's and Men's Collections!

October 23, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Dario Wolos In Mexico

≪ Previous: How To Make Spicy Mango Tacos With DIMES — In GIFs

$

0

0

Let's talk about fall style. It's one of our favorites—the changing temperatures are catnip for anyone who likes to have a little fun with layers. To celebrate, we're taking 30 percent off Opening Ceremony women's and men's collections—including ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, and Opening Ceremony Represent. Headed out for the weekend? Stock up on something cozy, pull on the new boot, layer that popcorn knit over the pant, and put a coat over it. But hurry, this deal only lasts 'til Monday, October 27, 2014 at 11:59 PM EST.

Shop all Opening Ceremony men's and women's

Promotion is valid on select Opening Ceremony merchandise only, excludes OC Varsity Jackets. Promotion ends Monday, October 27 at 11:59 PM EST, and is valid online at openingceremony.us and in stores. Promotion cannot be applied to previous purchases and is not open for price adjustment.

Dario Wolos In Mexico

October 23, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: A 'New Vision Of Darkness' From A Russian Fashion Model

≪ Previous: 30% Off OC Women's and Men's Collections!

$

0

0

In Straight Trippin', OC friends and family share tidbits from their latest travels. This time, Dario Wolos from New York Mexican food institution Tacombi jets off to Mexico D.F. and Oaxaca for some culinary research.

Name: Dario Wolos
Occupation: Hospitality
Travel destination: Mexico D.F., Oaxaca
Carry-on necessities: Notebook, Macbook Air
Reading materials: Four random magazines I'll buy at the airport that pique my interest before the flight leaves
Most over-played tracks on your iPod this trip: Sadly, it’s still the "Giorgio by Moroder" track by Daft Punk from last summer: "My name is Giovanni Giorgio but everybody calls me Giorgio.”
Favorite outfit to travel in: Jeans, a T-shirt, and a hoodie
Highlight of your trip: After a long flight from NYC to Mexico D.F., we drove two hours in heavy traffic to a smaller airport, got on a three-hour ride on a small prop plane to the Pacific Coast, and spent another hour driving to Hotel Escondido. I finally put on my bathing suit and headed out to the beach, and just as I was putting my towel down on a hammock, I looked out to sea. A huge hump back whale jumped straight out of the water about 300 meters offshore, followed by its baby and some of its friends. It did a couple flipper waves, back rolls, and a couple more jumps, and schools of fish start bouncing out of the water and flocks of birds start diving all around—it was crazy. Serious nature documentary moment out of nowhere!
Souvenirs you brought back: The sweet Curzon tostadas they make in Oaxaca
Best thing you ate: Make-your-own tacos on the beach with fresh grilled fish, tortillas, vegetables, and salsas
What do you wish you could bring back? Whales. It would be awesome to get them to come and jump around the Hudson off the West Side Highway.

Getting on a small prop plane to fly to the Pacific Coast 

Flying over the mountains of Oaxaca, you can begin to understand how Mexico's cuisine developed differently in each region. The mountains are nearly impossible to traverse.

Grupo Habita's Hotel on the beach

Exploring the coast by foot

Some beachside shrimp tacos, rolled up in homemade flour tortillas. We serve something similar at Cafe El Presidente.

It was turtle-egg-hatching time–the conservation groups rescue them to make sure they aren't poached.

More little beachside restaurants up along the coast

Piedra Blanca

The daily catch for fresh fish tacos

A 'New Vision Of Darkness' From A Russian Fashion Model

October 23, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: A Cosmic Party From Astrology IRL

≪ Previous: Dario Wolos In Mexico

$

0

0

Is it strange that a designer inspired by Black Metal would produce a lookbook as bright and minimal as Anton Lisin's? "I made simple pictures [so] the emphasis was on the prints," the Moscow-based designer explained. "The clothes carry the message." Available exclusively at OC in the US, the fashion model's first line of T-shirts comes printed with occult figures like Baphomet, the goat-headed pagan idol, religious icons, and pentagrams. In the designer's words, it's "a new vision of darkness." The lookbook, meanwhile, shot by Sonya Kydeeva especially for OC, is the opposite of dark—featuring pale, androgynous models in poses that resemble the praying Madonnas on their shirts. All the more interesting to ponder...

Shop Anton Lisin herePraying Icon Long-Sleeve T-Shirt in black

Praying Icon Long-Sleeve T-Shirt in black

Reflective Goat Sweatshirt in black. Photos by Sonya Kydeeva

Reflective Goat Sweatshirt in black

Turquoise Branch Sweatshirt in black

Turquoise Branch Sweatshirt in black
Turquoise Branch Sweatshirt in black

Reflective Branch T-Shirt in black
Reflective Branch T-Shirt in black

A Cosmic Party From Astrology IRL

October 24, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Happy National Pizza Month, XO OC

≪ Previous: A 'New Vision Of Darkness' From A Russian Fashion Model

$

0

0

You already knew Astrology IRL founder Morgan Rehbock for his smart and sassy column of horoscopes and impeccable clothing line. But, as we discovered on Thursday, he’s also quite the efficient party planner. While the lunar eclipse was in Scorpio, Morgan and partner Romina Cenisio hosted a physical (I)n (R)eal (L)ife event to celebrate the launch of their new 2015 calendar and Zodiac tees.

The party was just as decadent and diverse as the colorful new line of Zodiac long-sleeve tees that Astrology IRL presented, with guests such as Haley Wollens and Cancer calendar model Stewart Uoo sipping on solar cocktails while getting down to the ambient sounds of DJDJ Dese.

The 12-month calendar, photographed by Christine Hahn, features some of the downtown scene’s favorite Aries, Scorpios, and Geminis. Perhaps the most scene-stealing (and life of the IRL party) model was Lyndsy Welgos’ pink-dyed poodle named Confetta, who gave serious looks for the Aquarius section.

With a string of successful horoscope segments, a unique clothing line, and back-to-back successful launch events, it seems as though the stars have aligned for Astrology IRL. For Morgan, the timing of the launch event couldn’t have come more auspiciously.

“I chose to throw it on this date because the lunar eclipse is in Scorpio. It’s a solar eclipse which means it’s a new moon; a new moon is like a new beginning,” said Morgan. “This specific new moon is a chance for all of us to express our desires and how we want to achieve them, so I thought it was perfect with my clothing line and my new calendar to come out on this new moon.”

Check out Morgan’s Astrology IRL horoscopes here
Shop all Astrology IRL here

OC astrologer Morgan Rehbock

Astrology IRL co-founder Romina Cenisio and Lyndsy Welgos’ pink-dyed poodle, Confetta, who gave serious looks for the 2015 calendar's Aquarius section. 

Gypsy Sport's Rio Uribe and OC's Jesse

Haley Wollens and friend

Raffaella Hanley and Liz Englander

On the right, new Astrology IRL T-shirts
DJDJ Dese and Morgan

Happy National Pizza Month, XO OC

October 26, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Kriss Soonik In Estonia

≪ Previous: A Cosmic Party From Astrology IRL

$

0

0

National Pizza Month has our stomachs and taste buds feeling some type of way. We already kicked off our pie-tastic celebration in true Opening Ceremony fashion with a pizza how-to guide from Roberta's in Bushwick and the finger-lickin' goodness doesn't end there. 

For those of you entry-level pizza aficionados who would rather leave the dough tossing and pepperoni placing to the pros, we had various OC Family members share their personal pizza restaurant recommendations. Commence intense mouthwatering, NOW!

Below, OC Family answer the frequently debated question on everyone's mind:
Where is the best spot in NYC to get a pizza slice?  

---

"My favorite pizza place is Anna Maria's on Bedford Avenue and North 7th Street in Brooklyn, because I can always count on it to be open at any hour and the guy always calls me his girlfriend because I go there so often; I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing. Regardless, I get pepperoni every time and everyone who works there knows my order, so I normally get the homie hookup!" —Kelsey F. 

"Prince St. Pizza. Get the pepperoni square!" —Kyle 

"Paulie Gee's in Greenpoint. The whole menu is perfection, but my recent fave is ordering the Daniela Spinaci and the Hellboy to share with a friend. Paulie himself walks around and checks in on every table and promises to open a Paulie Gee's in whatever your hometown is." —Christina 

"Di Fara's. You know it's true love when you keep going back even though you've never waited fewer than 45 minutes for your food, and after that one time a cockroach fell from the ceiling onto your friend. Order a pie of pepperoni and mushroom and another of sausage and peppers. Mouth watering as I write this." —Alice 

"Tonys Pizza in Crown Heights is amazing. Go nuts and try the eggplant parm slice." —Melanie M.

"Little Caesars!" —Jaein 

"My favorite pizza spot is Joe's Pizza on Carmine and Avenue of the Americas. I keep it simple with a couple slices of pepperoni." —Dylan

"Ganni's Pizza on Franklin and Myrtle avenues when you are drunk for that cheese slice.
Don't forget the ranch! No ranch, then no pizza!" —Neil 

"Saraghina in Bed-Stuy or Champion Pizza on Essex and Rivington for a dollar slice. The chicken/bacon/ranch is the move. " —James  

"Vinnie's in Williamsburg is the bomb." —Amanda 

"My favorite places are Arturo's on West Houston and Thompson; it's family style and old school everything, the way it should be. Also Acqua at 95th and Amsterdam: smoky and charred crust on all their pizzas are a perfect match for cold winter months." —Joseph  

"Roberta's Axl Rosenberg off the delivery menu: tomato, mozzarella, soppressata, garlic, jalapeno, and mushroom. I'm lucky enough to live within their delivery radius in Bushwick. Di Fara's regular margherita pizza in Midwood is a classic and probably the best margherita slice I've ever had. Paulie Gee's Hellboy: mozzarella, tomatoes, Berkshire soppressata piccante, parmigiano reggiano, and HOT honey—I just had it for the first time the other day and it was really good." —Terrill

"Ganni's on Myrtle Ave and Franklin in Bed-Stuy, but only after 2 AM. The pepperoni and bacon slice with all the spices and a can of Grape Soda is perfect." —Kindall

"Siciliy's Best in Ridgewood Queens!" —Simon 

"When I want a quick bite and some class, I stop at the