Gone Til November At Sweet Chick

November 13, 2014, 9:00 pm

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This summer, OC got you Tipsy and Tan. Now, we're just getting you tipsy. Meet Fridays at Five, our cocktail series where mixologists at New York City’s white-hot new restaurants create OC-exclusive drinks for our readers. Drinking on the job? Don't mind if we do...

If you’re ever in the mood for some old-school Brooklyn rap, a stiff drink, and some fried chicken and waffles (a solid combo, trust us), look no further than Sweet Chick. The Williamsburg staple just opened an outpost in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, bringing its jazzed-up waffles and Ritz-dusted macaroni and cheese to the heart of NYC nightlife. And since the establishment is open until 2 AM on weekends, you can easily snag some snacks post-debauchery.

To go with that meal? A Cuban take on the Old Fashioned, sweetened with just a little Coca-Cola syrup. We had John Seymour whip up this recipe for OC, and what can we say? It beats a rum and coke any day.

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Name: John Seymour

If this drink had a soundtrack, what would it be? “Gone Till November” by Wyclef Jean

Hangover cure: The best hangover cure is a bottle of water and hydrating yourself while drinking. Plus French fries in the morning always works. The greasier the better.

Best date advice: If it’s bad, and you both know it’s bad, call it what it is and call it early. Don’t waste anyone’s time.

Worst pick-up line: “Are your feet tired? Because you’ve been running through my mind all day.” It’s just like, dude, have another drink. I’ve never seen it work.

What not to do to your bartender: Don’t order one of everything, and make them make the entire cocktail menu—especially when it’s busy.

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Exclusive Recipe: Gone Till November
OC Alcohol Scale*: 9
“It’s pretty boozy. We got some rye; we got some rum.”

1.5 oz Santa Teresa aged rum
0.5 oz Bulleit rye
2 bar spoons reduced Mexican Coca-Cola syrup
4 dashes of Peychauds bitters

Build the drink in a rocks glass. Add a large ice cube, stir, and garnish with a cherry and a twist of lime.

*OC's Alcohol Scale ranges from 1 ("like sippin' from a juice box") to 10 ("take me home—right now").
Gone Til November. Photos by Jessica Chou

“It’s pretty boozy. We got some rye; we got some rum.”

Pour in some aged rum.

Don't forget the reduced Mexican Coca-Cola syrup...

...and the bitters. 

Add an ice cube and ganish with a cherry and a twist of lime. 

Make sure you stop by Sweet Chick to say hello to John.

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Cosmic Numbers: November 16

November 15, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Win The War On Winter: Skodia Fall/Winter 2014

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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.  

After a serious situation is finally resolved on November 12, you'll be in the mood for the swaggy vibes on the way after Venus enters Sagittarius on November 16. The planet of love will be in the most jovial sign for the rest of the holiday season, promising a good time for all.

Aries
(March 21 - April 20)
Your love life is about to get a lot more adventurous, but first you need to settle up with a commitment from the past. Decide whether you want to move forward, and if so, make sure you’re both having fun.

Taurus
(April 21 - May 20)
What’s up with you and your boo? The planets are telling you it might be time to ask for more commitment.

Gemini
(May 21 - June 20)
This week there’s a final push to wrap up projects from last month’s marathon of work. Once you meet your deadline, you’ll have time to focus on more exciting activities. Get in touch with that cute guy or girl you totally blew off last month and hope they believe that you really were just “too busy!”

Cancer
(June 21 - July 22)
A super-cute idea you had last month is turning in to a serious project. Take your inspiration to the next level and turn it in to something real.

Leo
(July 23 - August 22)
When Venus enters Sagittarius it will present you another opportunity to expand the positive energy in your life and fuel your passion.

Virgo
(August 23 - September 22)
Venus enters your “chill out” house for the rest of November, and it's time to relax and enjoy the comforts of home.

Libra
(September 23 -October 22)
While Venus is in Sagittarius for the rest of November, you’ll have a quick comeback to anyone who comes for you. Nobody’s messing with you!

Scorpio
(October 23 - November 22)
After a situation is resolved in your favor on November 12, you’ll be feeling seriously swaggy for the rest of the month, thanks to a little boost from Venus in Sagittarius.

Sagittarius
(November 23 - December 21)
You’re getting love letters from Venus. The planet of love is in your sign from November 16 onward, increasing the positive feelings in your personal universe.

Capricorn
(December 22 - January 19)
On the week of November 12, you may have to deal with a serious social situation in your friend group. Use your influence to promote the positive and stay away from the drama.

Aquarius
(January 20 - February 19)
Plan on a busy holiday season. Venus is entering your social sector until mid-December, creating tons of opportunities for fun.

Pisces
(February 20 - March 20)
Compliments will come from people in high places while Venus sits prominently at the top of your chart. Be bold and approach people in power.

Win The War On Winter: Skodia Fall/Winter 2014

November 16, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Yes, New York, that was snow in Thursday night’s forecast. If you, like us, wither at the sight of a snowflake, then listen up. “Softwear” is taking winter by storm, and Skodia is at the front lines.

To battle the cold, designer Jess McKie (a warm-blooded Aussie, no less) signed on her mom to knit a unisex collection of sweatshirts, sweatpants, tees, and trousers in cuddly soft, woolen cottons you can slip into every day. To battle the city’s all-black uniform, Skodia clings to a white-hot palette of neutral tones, making every item easy to wear and easy to pair.

Winter blues, begone! Consider yourself armed and acclimated for Polar Vortex 2.0.

Shop all Skodia here


Here, the Altona Sweater in concrete grey is paired with the Ormond Fleece Sweatpants in polar white and the adidas Originals by Pharrell Williams PW Stan Smith TNS in white.  Brighton T-Shirt in white Lilydale Ribbed Tank Dress in white Altona Sweater in polar white Ormond Fleece Sweatpants in polar white

Making All Your 'I Want A Puppy' Dreams Come True: Tinder For Pets

November 16, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Wringing your love life through today’s gauntlet of online dating apps is enough torture to resign any singleton to a weekend of Netflix purgatory. On the other hand, who says the paradox of choice has to be all bad? AllPaws.com and its founder Darrell Lerner are taking what they know about online dating and bringing it to the world of pet adoption with the All Paws App, a new way to quickly swipe through thousands of pets looking for new homes directly on your smartphone.

The app’s interface is similar to the Tinder landscape; you start by choosing the kind of pet you’re looking for—dogs, cats, rabbits, and other household furries are all included, but founding team member Kimberly Bouton was quick to tell us they don’t condone speciesism, so you’ll also find plenty of goats, pigs, and the occasional alpaca, depending on how close you live to a farm.

If you’re extra picky about what you’re looking for, the app also lets you choose all kinds of search parameters (breed, size, color, gender, age, special needs, temperament, etc.) as well as the maximum distance you’re willing to travel to meet your dream pet. If you find the one, you can pen a message to the shelter asking for an introduction, but don’t expect it to be as easy to broker as a Tinder meetup. All Paws handles the matchmaking, but you still need to go through the shelter’s application process before you can take the little guy home.

According to Lerner, the idea for the app came from a need to bridge the gap between busy shelters and the average walk-in customer. Most shelters harbor new pets every day and employ limited resources process them, so it’s not their fault that the marquis snapshots aren’t taken by professional photographers. Lerner tells us that taking shelter pictures is actually pretty similar to styling your own dating profile: outside shots are better than inside, try to smile as much as possible, and avoid cages and chain-link fences.

The app pulls together all 219,000+ animals in the AllPaws.com database that gets updated daily, so don’t worry if you end up swiping through all the pets available in your area—it’s completely possible that your new best friend is still taking the perfect pic.AllPaws.com and its founder Darrell Lerner are taking what they know about online dating and bringing it to the world of pet adoption with the “All Paws App,” a new way to quickly swipe through thousands of pets looking for new homes directly on your smartphone. The All Paws app is similar to the Tinder landscape; you start by choosing the kind of pet you're looking for. There are always a couple of surprises in the world of online "matching." 

How To Make Banana Tahini Bread With El Rey—In GIFS

November 16, 2014, 9:00 pm

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For all the talk about the wonders of a gluten-free diet, sometimes, all we're after is some fresh-out-of-the-oven carb—especially on Homemade Bread Day. In honor of normal eaters everywhere, Opening Ceremony tapped Gerardo Gonzalez and Nick Morgenstern, the boys of the LES luncheonette El Rey, to share their recipe for banana tahini bread. 

It seems a bit disjointed to have two grown men run a low-key, vegetarian-heavy joint whose most popular items include a seasonal falafel with minted cauliflower and pickled cabbage, but then again, the clean-food lean has less to do with it being a food fad and more to do with like-minded backgrounds. "We both spend time in San Francisco; we both know Rainbow Foods," says the owner, Nick, who also runs the nearby ice cream parlor, Morgenstern's. "We're used to bulk buying ingredients. For instance, I grew up eating tahini on toast, instead of jam and peanut butter." Gerardo, who grew up in Baja and now heads the kitchen—chooses simple, straightforward ingredients. "When I first stated the menu, I was doing farm-to-table-ish, and then after a week, I was like 'fuck that.' But then I brought in a lot of things that are California-ish; things that take you to a different time zone or latitude." 

El Rey, which also serves Kyoto-style iced coffee and Mexican mochas on tap, has a definite neighborhood vibe, which is interesting for a radius known more for its nightlife and transients. "I think it's kind of funny; people want to eat like this because they're nursing a major hangover," says Gerardo. "They need to take care of themselves so they can do yoga. The food makes you feel energized, and you feel like you can take on New York." 

Hangover or otherwise, this bread—an umami twist on a classic—is delish.

See the how-to below. 

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Banana Tahini Bread 
Yield: half loaf 

2 eggs 
1 tablespoon Vanilla extract 
37 grams Tahini 
113 grams oil 
333 grams banana purée 
300 grams dark brown sugar 
210 grams flour (for gluten-free, substitute for buckwheat) 
1 teaspoon Baking Powder 
.5 teaspoon salt 
.5 teaspoon baking soda 
45 grams toasted white sesame 
30 grams raw black sesame 

Topping: 
25 grams raw white sesame 
10 grams raw black sesame 

Step 1: Smash bananas! (Chef tip: This is a good recipe to get rid of brown, overripe bananas. You want them extra-sweet.) Preheat oven at 325 degrees. 
Step 2: Whisk the oil, tahini, eggs, vanilla, and banana purée until smooth. 
Step 3: Whisk in brown sugar until fully absorbed and no lumps. 
Step 4: Sift dry ingredients into the liquid. (Add dry ingredients in 3 parts so it is easier to mix into wet without leaving clumps or overworking the flour.)
Step 5: Line a nonstick, greased pan with wax paper. Add batter. 
Step 6: Coat top with the raw black sesame seeds and toasted white sesame seeds—these add an earthiness to the bread. 
Step 7: Place in 325-degree oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, rotating once halfway through bake time. 
Step 8: Test the bread for doneness with a toothpick. It is done when the toothpick comes out clean. (Each oven works differently, so it might take a little less or more time to finish.) 
Step 9: Remove from oven and let cool on a rack for one hour. Once cooled, use the back side of a knife to slide along the edges of the bread. Pop out and enjoy!

The Perversity Of Painting With Douglas Degges

November 16, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Hello, MICA! Part 1: Watch Rashida Jones Get It Done With OC's New Smart Bracelet

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A Sunday evening art opening in Midtown East can be somewhat of an unusual experience, especially when the gallery space is situated in a high-rise between two questionably legal night clubs. But such was the scene last night at the Horse House, home to the opening reception of Little Bits and Big Pictures, an exploration by artist Douglas Degges into the perversity of painting. 

“It’s not enough for me to just want to make pretty, handmade things,” says Degges.

Overall, everything in the space reads like an abstract painting, and everything, in some respect, is an abstract painting. The painters’ work juxtaposed small abstract paintings with large photographic representations of these abstract paintings printed on to canvas. Behind these photographic prints, the artist takes slivers of information from the physical paintings, by digitizing them, and then reintroducing to the world as analog information—as objects in their own right. 

“I don't really care what these things are called," Degges says. "I’m not interested in whether these things are called a painting or a print.” 

In one regard, the paintings are grotesquely physical, with lots of material with highly textured surfaces that suggest a lot of time put in the labor. On the other hand, they are tiny, domestic intimate paintings that aspire to carry the same emotive power as the larger traditional heroic paintings of the abstract expressionists—think Kline, Pollack, and Gorky. Holding to the lineage of abstract expressionism, Degges' challenge was to be intentional about scaling down the paintings, to make as much happen in as small of a space as possible. 

“I’m convinced the smaller paintings are much more difficult to make. Overall it's much less of a challenge to make that same type of painting on a larger level,” notes the artist, seeking to problematize the mere process of painting furthermore. 

As always, putting something sincere into the world demands a certain sincerity from your audience, and Degges’ earnest hope is that the viewer find pleasure from the work while "looking at these things and asking more questions."

Little Bits and Big Pictures runs through December 12

Horse House 
227 East 56th Street 
New York, NY 10022
MAP



Little Bits and Big Pictures is an exploration by artist Douglas Degges into the perversity of painting. Photos by Kyle WukaschOverall, everything in the space reads like an abstract painting, and everything, in some respect, is an abstract painting.“I don't really care what these things are called," Degges says. "I’m not interested in whether these things are called a painting or a print.” 
“I’

Hello, MICA! Part 1: Watch Rashida Jones Get It Done With OC's New Smart Bracelet

November 16, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Hello, MICA! Part 2: Full Functionality Revealed

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Ever wonder how the talented Rashida Jones finds the time to speerhead the new NBC comedy A to Z, co-write Toy Story 4, and cameo NYFW side projects like 100% Lost Cotton? The answer could fall on the wrist of Opening Ceremony's MICA (My Intelligent Communication Accessory), a smart accessory that doubles as a high-fashion bracelet—and a PA. 

In The Value of Time video above, directed by Jenna Elizabeth, Rashida walks from one scene and into another, starring as a multitasking business professional during a lively day at the office. The MICA bracelet, which she checks in various funny vignettes (did someone just get outed on Tinder? burn), helps navigate as she and fellow associates go about their business (boss wants last-minute Baklava for a client meeting? just tap the Yelp-enabled "Near Me" prompt). MICA also buzzes Rashida with timed calendar alerts for client meetings, going away parties, and even, an after-work jazzercise class. 

Watch the short two-minute video above and try not to get swept away in a world where people are smartly dressed and accessoried. If every day could look like this, we're sold.  

Want to know more about MICA? Read Part 2 of "Hello, Mica!" including full functionality details, right here 

 

 

Hello, MICA! Part 2: Full Functionality Revealed

November 16, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Earlier today at Dia: Chelsea, Opening Ceremony hosted the first public media event for MICA, the Intel-engineered luxury bracelet that, despite its precious jewelry guise, doubles as an untethered tech accessory.

You may remember catching headlines about MICA back in September. In the NYT story "Tech, Meet Fashion," reporter Nick Bilton was one of the first to describe MICA's luxe details, writing that "this genre of ugly [wearable tech] could be on the precipice of change." He goes on to say that, through partnerships between tech companies and fashion-focused ones like Opening Ceremony, the days of both beauty and brain—in wearable speak—could be nigh.

"I'll be the shallow one and say, it's really, really chic. The tech aspect is definitely a bonus," remarked Eva Chen, Lucky's Editor-In-Chief and moderator of today's panel discussion, admiring the MICA on her wrist. Joining her on stage were OC's founders Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, Ayse Ildeniz, Intel's VP of New Devices, and Tomoko Ogura, Senior Fashion Director of Barneys.

The talk, similar to the crowd, pogoed between form to function.

On MICA's form. "First and foremost, we wanted to create something to exist inside a jewelry case; something precious that would attract you by the way it looks, and then the forms and features," said Carol. With that, MICA, which took 11 months to create, was designed in two styles—white snakeskin, studded with tiger's eye and obsidian, and black snakeskin, with lapis and pearls. Flip the wrist and the user finds a discreet, curved sapphire screen ("In Silicon Valley, our engineers had a heart attack," said Ayse, of OC's unusual "curved" request). Both iterations are finished in 18k gold and a snap closure—remiscent of something Elizabeth Taylor might have fidgeted with in one of her movies. 

On MICA's function. It has nothing to do with your smartphone. AT&T assigns a SIM card to each MICA and provides international 3G coverage so it operates as a free agent—no "pairing device now," no bluetooth needed. And no, it doesn't "talk" to you, it doesn't play music, it doesn't count calories or steps, it doesn't monitor your pulse. It does send you text messages (from your own, curated list of VIPs), calendar alerts synced to Gmail and Facebook, and email from up to two Gmail accounts. Between each charge, MICA lasts for about 48 hours. "Aside from aesthetics, we wanted function," said Humberto. "We wanted to know how something could be useful to the modern person—and it's exciting to see how it can fit, seamlessly, into multiple persons wardrobes."

"It's for the woman on the go," said Ayse. With that in mind, a team of Bay Area engineers created several high-performing, curated functions: navigation via GPS (courtesy of Yelp and TomTom, meaning with the tap of the screen, a wearer can find out how close they are, down to the exact minute, to a specific Thai restaurant or store). Text messages and canned replies to your BFF or amour du jour. It even goes as far as allowing you to set specific programming in the portal—so if you're a walker versus a cyclist, your alerts know (i.e. 20 minutes versus ten to get to that 6 PM yoga session).

After the panel, guests were invited to chat in various corners of the room, with OC gal pals all armed with MICAs: model-entrepreneur Lily Kwong, Madonna's fitness trainer Nicole Winhoffer, DJ Kitty Cash, the founder of MADE Jenne Lombardo, and digital artist, Jeanette Hayes. "We need more girl-specific tech; we need to be champio

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Fighting Normcore With Walter Van Beirendonck

November 17, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: A Trend Report From Deep Inside The World Of Tech

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So here’s the issue: you want pieces that challenge the idea of modern menswear but in a new, interesting way. Enter: Walter Van Beirendonck. The Belgium-based designer’s signature sarcastic undoing of traditional menswear standards is everything you need in a post-normcore world.

This season, Bierendonck takes on active wear with humorous biking separates touting loud, abstract prints. Not ready for a full lyrca ensemble, you say? The collection also features an oversized, fur-lined drug rug and preppy suiting pieces in a strong stripe print. While the idea of normcore may pretend to rep “comfort over style” in a very conscious, sartorial way, Walter Van Beirendonck isn’t pretending to be anything but Walter Van Beirendonck. The collection is full of effort in a world that stresses effortlessness, and maybe that’s just what we need right now.

Shop all Walter Van Beirendonck men's and women's  Hooded Chicaban in multi Graphic Bike T in red/white Sharp Blazer in brown Regimental Sweatshirt in flame scarlet Growl Tee in white Sharp Trousers in brown Crocodiles Bike T in blue Roar Bomber in navy Uni Knit Normal Base Mohair Sweater in blue Biker Leggings in red/white

A Trend Report From Deep Inside The World Of Tech

November 17, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Since the dawn of the 20-something dot-com millionaire, the inherent “I’m-not-dressing-to-impress-you”-ness of tech fashion has been one of its identifying characteristics. Who can forget that infamous scene in The Social Network when Jesse Eisenberg shows up to a meeting in pajama pants, a hoodie, and adidas pool slides?

In a 2007 article, Gawker jeered that “nearly every news item about the 23-year-old fratrepreneur mentions (among other signs of youth) the black-and-white sandals, which Mark wears with every outfit.” The blog pegged the story to the fact that, at the time, adidas was discontinuing the shoe.

Flash forward to 2014, when the pool slide has cropped up everywhere from adidas’ own campaign images to W magazine editorials to Rita Ora’s feet. It’s proof of something that’s been in the works for a while: techie fashion is becoming fashion fashion.

As a data analyst by day, this is as exciting to me as it is confusing. That fabled day-to-night outfit that I can wear to work in the afternoon and a Bushwick loft party later on might actually start to exist (and will probably even be comfortable enough to sleep in).

On a recent weekday at the Strata + Hadoop World conference, mesmerized by the identical dad polo shirts in front of me while waiting for my Python tutorial to start, I decided to compile a trend report. Some background: Strata + Hadoop World, held at New York’s Javitz Center, is the Paris Fashion Week of Big Data. Attendees travel from San Francisco, Austin, Hong Kong, Seoul, and even Paris to attend, trips almost entirely paid for (at a price tag of $2,100) by their companies. These people were smart and were there to learn. True to nerd form, 99 percent of them did not give a fuck about their clothes. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn something from a statistics-based analysis of these clothes.

As you can see in the above graph, polos were ultra-popular. The types of people wearing the polos made me think that perhaps they were serving a sort of middle ground: nicer than a T-shirt but chiller than a button-down. Unfortunately, most looked pretty shlubby. I’d say 90 percent of polos had a white crewneck undershirt peeking out, so when trying to recreate this look, don’t forget that Hanes. Turns out, techies are just like us: they also have an “It” bag, but instead of Marques’Almeida pink sheepskin, they’re all rocking SwissGear backpacks.

Something else that really stuck out (or didn’t, as it were): hoodies are O-V-E-R. Is it because everyone who wore hoodies as a class of ‘07 college grad is now trying to settle down, and the ladies of SF prefer Patagonia? Or, is it part of a larger statement the tech community is making about hoodies (like adidas slides) being appr

Tuesday Tip: ​OC-Exclusive Mansur Gavriel ​ ​

November 17, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: 10 Winter Jackets Bright Enough To Remind You Of The Summer Sun

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Supply and demand is a tricky thing. Our series, "Going, Going," is your siren call to OC's most covetable items that are flying off the shelves.  

In just about a year, the offerings from New York-based accessories line Mansur Gavrie​l have completely upstaged any and all It-Bags. Everyone wants to own a Mansur Gavriel, from knowing fashion editors to Hollywood elite alike. The impeccable leather construction​ and subtle,​ refined carryall silhouette​​s​ seen in the bucket bag, backpack, and large tote are perfect for all a gal's necessities.​ ​And lucky for ​the Opening Ceremony​ shopper, the ​latest​ collection includes an OC-exclusive​, holiday-perfect line done up in​​​ silver saffiano leather​ on the exterior and midnight blue leather. ​Santa, did you hear that?

Shop all Mansur Gavriel here


OC-Exclusive Saffiano Leather Bucket Bag in silver/blue OC-Exclusive Mini Saffiano Leather Metallic Backpack in silver/argento OC-Exclusive Large Saffiano Leather Tote in silver/blue

10 Winter Jackets Bright Enough To Remind You Of The Summer Sun

November 17, 2014, 9:00 pm

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As the sunny days get shorter and the frigid nights longer, the only thing that will keep you warmer than the luminescent glow of your laptop is the best and brightest of winter jackets. 

This season, the Jacquemus and Adam Selman styles both radiate in an electric hue that is sure to send emotional winter blues back into hibernation. On the same side of the color spectrum, Shrimps and Marques'Almeida introduced colorful furry jackets that call to mind a technicolor abominable snowman. With a Fall/Winter outerwear season ripe with brights, perhaps the most fluorescent winter jacket of them all is the Walter Van Beirendonck Mohair Coat, which keeps you warm in a color reminiscent of long-forgotten summer sunsets. Yes, you can have the best of both worlds—cozy coats that trigger bright summer vibes. Hey—if you wear it, perhaps more ideal weather will come. 


Walter Van Beirendonck Mohair Coat in red A.W.A.K.E. Bicolor Mohair Coat in white/pink Adam Selman Printed Big Coat in blue/black
Kenzo Textured Crepe Double Face Coat in lemon
Jacquemus La Vest Oreille Mi Longue in electric blue Isa Arfen Oversized Easy Hooded Coat in russo Opening Ceremony Julien Wool Tailored Coat in petal pink Marques'Almeida OC-Exclusive Lamb Fur Jacket in blue  DKNY for Opening Ceremony

Fiona Duncan In Leeds

November 17, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Hang Ten: Acne Studios Fall/Winter 2014

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In Straight Trippin', OC friends and family share tidbits from their latest travels. This time, OC contributing writer Fiona Duncan traveled to Leeds, England and expounds on a sub-culture of the idyllic town.

Name: Fiona Duncan
Occupation: Writer
Travel destination: Leeds, UK
Carry-on necessities: I carry everything on.
Reading materials: Preacher by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, We Have Never Been Modern by Bruno Latour, The Wretched of the Screen by Hito Steyerl, Widow Basquiat by Jennifer Clement, Architecture/Astrology by Dan Graham and Jessica Russell, Nobody Is Ever Missing by Catherine Lacey, and Don’t Go Where I Can’t Follow by Anders Nilsen
Weirdest thing in your suitcase: Seven books; who travels with seven books? In their carry-on?
Most over-played track on your iPhone this trip: “Trouble Every Day” by Tindersticks
Favorite outfit to travel in: The heaviest shoes I’ve packed, the most voluminous clothes I’ve packed... liberates space in my carry-on.
Highlight of your trip: I’d say it’s split between visiting Vex at her home to document an Adult magazine Morning After and eating a full English breakfast the hungover morning after going to Whitelocks with Vex, Ales, and co.
Souvenirs you brought back: Me, nada. Ales brought back like a dozen comics though.  While my boyfriend, Ales, manned his Thought Bubble table and spoke on panels and whatnot, I walked the pedestrian-friendly city of Leeds. Photos by Fiona DuncanMy weekender backpack with more books than clothesMy reason for visiting the idyllic town of Leeds was Ales Kot (boyfriend, comics writer); his was an annual comic-con called Thought Bubble, purportedly "UK’s largest event of its kind." As far as cons go, this one is quaint: the crowds are kind, the costumes are crafty, and comics come first; no Hollywood spectacle like in San Diego.Two things that are very common in Leeds: heteronormative binge-drunk clubbing culture and 24-hour CCTV surveillance.The old arcades in Leeds’ city centre are incredibly beautiful.In addition to your standard luxury (Vivienne Westwood) and high street (River Island) stores, the arcades are home to some cool speciality shops, like this one, which sold hyperrealistic Caucasian baby dolls, Ron Mueck style.Our friend Vex recommended this beer & Indian street-food joint Bundobust.Whitelocks is the oldest pub in Leeds—1715! It’s classic and impeccably maintained, with the original copper bar and as m

Hang Ten: Acne Studios Fall/Winter 2014

November 18, 2014, 9:00 pm

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In the past, coastal surfer-girl fashion has traditionally translated into neoprene bodysuits and barely-there bikinis à la Blue Crush. Never one to stick to the norm, Acne founder Jonny Johansson took the surfer girl out of the frigid waters and onto the runway for his Fall/Winter collection.

Inspired by the Swedish beachside during the autumn-to-winter transitional season, Johansson let the waves sweep him away to find the perfect balance between the structured separates and draped silhouettes of Acne seasons past. With the latest offerings, the motion of waves is depicted with a variation of psychedelic swirls present on dresses, sweatshirts, and skirts, while the distinct colorway of the collection calls to mind a beachside view at sundown. The windswept collection leaves the wearer prepared to walk through the washed-up beach debris, and the Felted Motorcycle Jacket depicts the effect of having freshly rolled in the sand. Winter by the water never felt—or looked—this good. 

Shop all Acne Studios here 


Erase Patch Jacket in patchwork Hunter Dappio Capris in beige Galactic Oversized Turtleneck in white Henna Paper Leather Trousers in black Velocite Leather Jacket in white Henna Bonded Trousers in ecru Gia Printed Spiral Dress in cobalt blue Kier Spiral Tweed

Bites On A Budget: Porky's BBQ

November 18, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Porky’s isn’t the most appetizing name for a place is it? It doesn’t make you think, "Ooh, I’ll feel light and fresh when I leave there." And to put it bluntly, you won’t. On leaving BOXPARK’s newest eatery, you’ll feel 10 pounds heavier, you’ll probably have the meat sweats, but you will be pleased you visited. The sweet potato fries alone are enough to write home about and then take the relatives—and that’s before you’ve even got to the pulled-pork burger (£8.95). Oh, the pulled-pork burger: toasted bun, pickles, and more hickory smoked pork than you’d think imaginable. A more accurate photo would have showed you that said burger was larger than my head, not holdable in two hands, with half of the filling on my plate, lap, and floor. (Don’t worry, I salvaged all of the edible bits).

The fries (£3) are skinny little things that are heavily seasoned in a spicy, flavorsome powder, which coats your fingers and needs to be joyfully licked off of ‘em. What makes them even more delicious is a hearty swab of Porky’s’ chunky chipotle sauce. Elsewhere, the sweet potato fries (£3.50) are chunkier affairs, more sweet than spicy and with crisp, double-fried skins, and the ‘slaw (£2.85) is extra zingy, with a mustard kick. Though it’s brand-new, I can already tell Porky’s is going to be far calmer than its other sites in Camden and Bankside. 

Though the majority of Shoreditch is cool, the ground floor of BOXPARK is somewhat questionable, with its ever-changing "trendy" fashion store units. Upstairs, however, is a more chill hub with cool eateries, seating, and, now, a spot of pilgrimage for London’s meat lovers.

Porky's 
Unit 50 Boxpark
2-10 Bethnal Green Road
London, UK
MAP

 

Porky's pulled pork burger: toasted bun, pickles, and more hickory smoked pork than you’d think imaginable. Photos by Alice TatePorky’s is deliciously dirty, honest grub. The sweet potato fries alone are enough to write home about and then take the relatives, and that’s before you’ve even got to the pulled pork burger. What makes Porky's fries even more delicious is a hearty swab of Porky’s’ chunky chipotle sauce, plus mayonnaise, naturally. After Porky's you’ll feel 10 pounds heavier and you’ll probably have the meat sweats, but you will be pleased you visited. Though it’s brand new thus pretty empty on the day I visited, I can already tell this Porky’s is going to be far calmer than its other sites in Camden and Bankside.  

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Southern Hospitality And Hip-Hop, Courtesy Of These London Music Makers

November 18, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Unlike New York, where hip-hop and R&B can be heard from Manhattan clubs to Bushwick bars, you rarely see these kind of events listed on Resident Advisor, the go-to gig guide for local London music kids. Luckily, a string of parties called “Player’s Ball” have managed to pack out clubs with lines down the block each month. These parties, along with “Hip Hop Karaoke,” are hosted by Southern Hospitality—a label, blog, and party thrower that’s focused on Southern rap, hip-hop, and R&B. Now in its third year running, DJ and promoter Rob Pursey, David Sadeghi (aka Davey Boy Smith), and DJ Superix have carved out a niche in dance-music-saturated London, exposing and connecting locals with music from Atlanta, South Carolina, the West Coast, and more.

We find out their story below and chat about Makonnen, the “luxurious bass” of R&B, and the crossover between grime music and Young Jeezy. 

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GRACE WANG: Could you talk a bit about your early influences in music?
ROB PURSEY: All that early ‘90s music was really important to me, so I guess things like Public Enemy, Snoop, and Dr. Dre, NWA, and A Tribe Called Quest.
DAVID SADEGHI: I think my first rap cassettes were Fugees' The Score and LL Cool J's Mr. Smith. But the music that really shaped my formative years can probably be traced back to me picking up the Tear Da Club Up Thugz CD and the full-on Three 6 Mafia obsession that ensued. The feeling I got when listening to [them] at their creative peaks is the feeling I look for when checking for new music.

How did Southern Hospitality first start?
RP: I started writing for Hip Hop Connection, and there was so much good music coming out of the South and the Bay Area—stuff like David Banner and T.I.—and I felt like there needed to be more of that represented over here. We did a blog and just wrote about what we loved.

Why do you think this kind of music was lacking in London? Were people just not exposed or they can’t relate to it as much?
RP: I think it’s sometimes to do with the gatekeepers—who’s writing for the magazines, who owns the clubs, who’s DJing in the clubs. [But] there is a reason why London maybe relates to a New York sound a bit more, because of the intensity of the city and the weather, as opposed to G-Funk. So a grime kid [here] tends to be into [Young] Jeezy and Gucci Mane, Wacka Flocka [Flame], and Rick Ross. It’s got that double time; it’s got that bounce—the tempo’s a bit quicker within the bars.

Southern Hospitality is really good at capturing and promoting up-and-coming artists. What do you look for and how do you stay so up to date?
DS: What we're mostly listening for is someone who lets their emotions flow freely—there's been a wave of new artists who are embracing this very expressive, hyper-melodic style of rapping. [For example,] Makonnen [first grabbed me with] his embodiment of the Based philosophy of not being afraid to embarrass yourself, and you can hear it best when his voice crackles or goes out of tune slightly on certain notes. He has such a strong pop sensibility, but paired with his lucid style of rap songwriting just elevated him far above his peers. I spend at least two hours a night online looking for new artists.
RP: There’s nothing like capturing the music in that [first] moment, when it’s the only thing you want to listen to that day, and nothing else will do. It’s exciting.

You guys also show a lot of love for R&B, too. What is it that draws you to it?
RP: R&B definitely ha

How HSN Concept Products Became Art Objects

November 18, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Armed with four monitors and a 3-D printer, Jacolby Satterwhite is closing out a very busy year chock-full of shows, including Sundance, the Whitney Biennial, and MOCA Los Angeles’ Step and Repeat, with a solo show at OHWOW in Los Angeles. Last week, Opening Ceremony got a special preview of his latest show, How Lovely Is Me Being As I Am, now on view at OHWOW—just a stone’s throw from OCLA.

All of Jacolby’s work springs to life from his mother’s concept drawings for products designed to be sold on the Home Shopping Network of all places. “She had insomnia and schizophrenia, and these programs would say, ‘You could be an inventor too!’ They were like con-artists grabbing the attention of middle America. When her schizophrenia developed, her drawings became art objects. She would start making them more surreal.” And rather than escapist fantasy, Jacolby’s video installations read as a celebration of his mother’s enduring creativity.

Jacolby interweaves his live-action performance into his videos. Can’t miss him—he’s the figure in the gold jumpsuit alternating between voguing and near-contortionist poses. The jumpsuit is also Jacolby’s brainchild fabricated under the tutelage of Mark Ruffin, a Jim Henson Company alum and Emmy-winning costume designer. “We mimic Philip Treacy’s couture structure, we bite his style, and then make it our own,” the artist told us. “Mark is instrumental; he taught me how to properly make them and he sewed the last two suits.” For design inspiration, the artist binges on Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow documentaries.

Video games play a central role in Jacolby’s development as an artist. As an obsessive teen, his dream was to work for Squaresoft Entertainment, the developers of the Final Fantasy series. “Those games are very durational; they take 150 hours to build your levels up and progress. There’s a certain aesthetic to the space that mimics a Hieronymus Bosch painting,” he told OC. The rotating perspective typical of RPGs guides the narrative of his video work.

The references in Jacolby’s work don’t stop there. Everything from Madonna’s iconic red bed from her Blonde Ambition tour to Caravaggio paintings find themselves at home in Jacolby’s narratives. Of his video Reifying Desire 3: The Immaculate Conception of Doubting Thomas, Jacolby said, “I wanted to concentrate on all of my mother’s drawings that dealt with medicine and enhancing the performance of the body like MRIs, X-rays, pills, capsules, and synthesized them with an appropriation of Caravaggio’s Doubting Thomas. It’s very gay, anal sex, AIDS narrative, transgressive, and I wanted to give a beginning, middle, and end to that. I took Patricia’s archive and made a virtual reality performance video that repurposes the Biblical narrative into something more queer.”

Referencing the Baroque period does not at all discount his references to contemporary pop culture. As a child, Jacolby religiously watched Janet Jackson tour videos every day after school. “I think concert tours are really inspirational,” he said. “No one talks about that language and infrastructure. That is a modern visual language.”

How Lovely Is Me Being As I Am runs through December 20

OHWOW
937 N. La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90069

OC Premiere: Jay Boogie's 'Body'

November 18, 2014, 9:00 pm

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It's been almost a year since the world discovered the true meaning of #iwokeuplikethis, courtesy of Beyoncé's female-power anthem "Flawless," and musical peers had no choice but to back down and let the queen reign—until now, that is. Ahead of his debut album listening party tonight, genre-defying rapper Jay Boogie gives OC a no-holds-barred male anthem with the world premiere of his new track "Body." 

The Brooklyn native borrows from voguing culture as well as his Hispanic roots to produce a sound that is "revolutionary," he says, "something like a cry for equality but not really giving a fuck if justice is served or not."

With his new jam "Body," off of his upcoming debut album Allure, Jay dares you to take him as he is. In the Flex Lang-produced track, the enveloping sounds leave the viewer in a stunned trance in which they experience a full blast of Jay's confrontational lyrics and delivery. With lines like "Spilled your latte, I'm too spicy" and "If you love me // can I get a back rub with a fat dub and a pay stub and a coup on the GrubHub," the rapper's confidence is infectious. Throughout the track, he gruffly purrs, "Get into my body," but little does he know the listener was already convinced they wanted to at the 30-second mark. 


Listen to the world premiere of "Body" below. 


Genre-bending rapper Jay Boogie with his Luar Zepol backpack. Photo by Lauren Gesswein

Late Start? 11 Ways To Shave 15 Minutes Off Your Morning

November 19, 2014, 9:00 pm

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In a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, designer Jeremy Scott stated, "I live in pajamas; I'm always wearing them as clothes. I'll transition from day to bed to morning to day again." The designer, who is responsible for the breakfast-ready Moschino Froggy Loops Tee, has spoken and the age of fashionable sleepwear has arrived. This season, designers catered to us eternal bedheads, with satin blouses, drawstring trousers, and slinky robes to wear from the boudoir to the meeting room. 

This season, the influence of the king of bedtime fashion, aka Hugh Hefner, was apparent. With the kimono-style Fleamadonna Robe and Lilia Kisselenko Kimono Dress, updated slinky robes with a feminine twist are as much for the octogenarian as it is for the young, downtown Manhattanite. 

Fresh-out-of-bed fashion isn't strictly for the ladies either. Guys, rest assured: bed-ready fashion is in your sleepy-eyed future as well. With its tunic-like shape, the Jan Jan Van Essche Button-Down Shirt is easy enough to roll straight out of bed and right to that Bloody Mary, judgment-free. 

Check out our slideshow above for 11 pieces that are perfect for a night out on the town and a late morning in bed.




Sankuanz Rainbow Printed Long Shirt in pink  Lilia Kisselenko Printed Kimono Dress in blue/white Jan Jan Van Essche Structured Long-Sleeve Button-Down in moss Fleamadonna Erico Robe in ivory Moschino Froggy Loops Tee in white Steve J & Yoni P Lace Velvet Bustier Top & Shorts in black Stephan Schneider

This Artist Is Changing China's Canvas, One Butt Plug At A Time

November 19, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Looking at the work of Chinese artist Tianzhou Chen, one would think that he, a bespectacled, congenial guy, was oblivious to the notion of political correctness. From butt plugs to weed leaf prints and huge sculptures of South Park character Eric Cartman, his many performance art pieces, installations,​ and​ collaborations with Shangguan Zhe of ​Xiamen-based clothing label ​SANKUANZ (a label that is equally tongue-wagging with its neon-pop color and cartoonish, phallic graphics), all push the envelope until it rips. ​Tianzhou is genuinely fascinated with the subversive and aggressive, from drag-queen get​-​ups to rapping midgets.

Being from a country that has only in recent years started to soften its various restrictions, he has the advantage of looking at these Western cultures with a fresh, unbiased eye; instead of being force-​fed pop culture, he can selectively absorb whatever takes his interest, and comprehend them in his own way without existing social structures.​ Here, an edited transcription from Opening Ceremony's Skype chat with the artist, in which we touch upon religion,​ anti-elitism, and​ ​"hip-hopera."  

Shop all SANKUANZ here

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GRACE WANG: ​You moved to London from Beijng to study design at Central Saint Martins then Fine Arts at Chelsea. What was that like? ​
TIANZHOU CHEN: ​From London​,​ I started to realize that I wanted be an artist. London is really different—it’s got lots of artists and people from different cultures. That diversity really influenced me: I’m really into queer culture, I’m really into the drag-queen stuff, and I really like street art, so I just kind of pull them together into my pieces.

Your work does draw on a variety of cultures. Can you talk about this mix?
I’m just really into different kinds of dance, and how they express feeling and soul through movement. For example, the Butoh dancer is trying to reach their soul; they’re trying to express that feeling after World War II. You can put different cultural elements and different dances or different art together, and it can actually start something new.

Can you talk a bit about your “hip-hopera?”
Hip-hop is just part of it. It has traditional opera and, like, a drag-queen performance. [It’s a] fictional religious story, about how to create a god. So it’s like putting some more contemporary elements into a really traditional story. I’m still planning it because I haven’t got enough funding...

You’ve said in past interviews that religion plays a part in the opera. Are you religious?
Yeah, I’m a Buddhist, [but it] references different religions. I wanted to make the main character dramatic, playing different gods at the same time. It’s kinda this religious country that has lots of different gods. One day he realizes that there is a divine real god so he starts questioning the belief that they have. So yeah, I think the story’s more about questioning yourself, what you actually believe, and what’s real and not real.

You also said in your other exhibition Tianzhou’s A