Wednesday

4-EVA and EVA

NYC thrifting, it's not like Oregon. I'm a thrify little devil. But every once and awhile I can muster up the sense to buy something I really love for prices I would rarely penny up for in Portland. I scoped this SWEET acrylic handled canvas cutiepie purse with "EVA" chiseled into it. Eva who? More like, pycho Marky Mark's chest in FEAR "Nicole 4-EVA"


(God! That movie freaked my mind. I can't believe I saw it in the theater. Uncomfortabs max).

Back to the purse. Ain't she a beaut??:

Monday

Icon: Kim Deal

I'm a sucker for ladies with longevity. Recently I watched LoudquietLoud a documentary about the Pixies. So many precious moments there. Kelley and Kim recording the Breeders on the tour bus while knitting! Discussing the alcohol content of non-alcholic beer! Kim's parents telling interviewers she needs to get on the road with the Pixies because she needs something to do besides make paper cut out snowflakes! Adorbs. I'm mega into Kim Deal. Not because I'm too nostalgic or mobidly fascinated with an older, sober, subdued version of an idol, but because she's really fighting the good fight to rock and roll 4-ever. Much much love to Kim Deal.

My mother wouldn't be too proud to know at age 15-16 used to loiter outside gas stations looking for a beer buyer singing, "We're just looking for ONE DIVINE BUYERRRRRR!" ahhhh, the days.

The Gateway Clog


I never thought in a million, trillion thought that I was a lady of the clog. While in Portland this summer I found the gateway drug of clogs at House of Vintage. Well, they aren't really cloggy, just wood veneer, and sick hardware strapping the single perf leather toe strap. But seriously, this is about as far down the clog path I was willing to go. These rigid soled honeys are surprisingly comfortable. I can do a whole mess of errands in the city no probs. The heavenly gates of clogdom opened, and I saw the light. Soon after I had the chance to process the epiphany.... the holy grail of clogs came unto me:

Aren't they obscene? Too red, too shiny, buckles insanely huge. I love them. I have an outfit in mind to summon up a Dutch school boy from the late 60's turned up a few notches (psychedlasized?). I can see it now complete with patent red backpack, culottes, a stripy blazer, a crisp button down shirt with oversized bow tie and knee sock. Or a smock. Omygod smocks. yum.

Spring Fever!



Hereby formulating my Spring/Summer mix starting with these gems. ps...totally bad videos, turn off the monitor and ENJOY!

Friday

Chanel Sasquatch







OM-to-the-MFing G. Lagerfeld's lost it in the best way ever. The king of fashion (in my kingdom) has gone to another astral plain of super-rad by creating a high fallutin' lady sasquatch. (you may recall mentioning Allyson Mitchell's fake fun fur sculpture installation Ladies Sasquatch...uhhhh I'm just sayin' Coincidence? No, eff it. In my mind, Lagerfeld's got the secret direct line to radical lesbian feminist art and politics. See you at the feminist lesbian haunted house in Toronto come October, KARL!)

I'm on a roll here with winter wear. Fake fun fur suits, giant sweaters and blankets. This is a magical triad. I think I'm sufficiently psyched for Spring and fully ready for winter at the same time. Is that weird?


And I'm sorry but what in the world is happening here?! Is that a full on freaking crystal knuckle sheath. My mind is exploding.

Monday

Sweater Dressing, amen.


The companion to blanket dressing would be, sweater dressing, of course! Gi-normous knits are gonna rule my planet as soon as summer's over with. Here's three of my favorite sweater jams. Prada featuring HEAD-to-TOE knit, and never mind about the michelin lady look, it's fine these days. Just cinch it in the middle and we're good. Yohji Yamamoto basically stole the sweater look for me. Any time there's a killer style, if you make it in jumper form--it wins automatically. MMM is owning it with the most giant cable knit I've ever seen in my life. Granted, this is more of a sweater vest-cape than a whole sweater ensemble. Isn't it the case that the close of all great eras ends with GIANTISM? Hello? Giant sloths much? Oh well, good run for Margiela. Hope things don't get too weird over there after Martin left the team, or what ever phantom presence he represented. Godspeed MMM.

Wednesday

Blanket Dressing, ya heard?!




Boi-oi-oing! Something is going on here at Wunderkind. African tribalism aside, I DIG these striped wool blankets as coats. Between sweater dressing head-to-toe (post to come) and now coined, blanket dressing, I've got next year's F/W wardrobe hammered out thankyouverymuch. Gold mask shoes? Oh heeeeellllllssss yes. I'm pretty sure those are bifurcated (maybe)goat booties. And I say yes to them, too.
(yikes, sorry so small, click to make big....secrets: i need to go to special ed computer class)

I'm thinking Pendelton's Glacier Park blanket (my fave) needs a little coat blanket lovin'. When I visit home, I LIVE under this blanket and covet it. I think I'll take my love to a whole new level and wear it. Embellish it with leather details and fringe, and BOOYAH maxim comfort zone.


p.s.
Dearest Wunderkind,

I will one day work with you, IN you and NEXT to you. MANIFESTMANIFESTMENIFEST.

As Gentle as L.A.M.

This ensemble speaks volumes....

'nuf said. true love always, Lee Alexander McQueen.

p.s. I hope Diesel doesn't fuck up your steez.

Tuesday

That's Ms. Saint, if You're Nasty

The veneration of Ms. Ditto in the fashion world is probably the best thing/interesting phenomenon that's happened in a long while. The discussion of homo/fat politics in fashion is pretty much nil. And even when it's called out [V Magazine 2010] lacks serious weight. But, hey, you can't change the world in a day. I love about designers like Karl Lagerfeld, Gareth Pugh, and Jean Charles Castelbajac. They are canonizing Ditto as style icon. While the message may get lost in the media shuffle, no matter what the lyrics and politics still live strong in her art. And I hope they stay out there. No consumer factory can take that away.


photo props to THEMISSHAPES twatter feed from JD de Castelbajac show.

I spied Ms. Ditto on ye olde style.com talking about Viktor & Rolf. I love the right of passage idea. But then again...I like to think of Kristen "the older model" like the mother of the alien horde of fledgling maximum shouldered babies.

Monday

Slice Me Up Some of that Papoose Gold



I really need a denim papoose. Tao's F/W 2010 rtw totally vibing my new aesthetic, 80's-mid 90's Southwestern Earth Mother with PIZAZZ. I'd add some gold on there, maybe some turqouis beads? Add a patchwork sweater under there and some hiking boots, now we're talkin'.

Collecting old denim pants for DIY papoose starts........now.

Allyson Mitchell's Hungry Purse



My lovely friend, Marne Lucas asked me to collaborate with her again. She met Canadian installation artist extraordinaire Allyson Mitchell at the opening of "Visible Vagina" at the David Nolan Gallery. They hit it off and planned to do an artist portrait session inside Allyson's installation, "Hungry Purse: The Vagina Dentata in Late Capitalism". Marne called me up to contribute a little style, make up, hair wrangling action. (uh, yeah, mention 'vagina and 'capitalism' in the same sentence you best believe I'm in).

Turns out Marne, Allyson and I are all kindred feminist artist ladies with a whole lot of silly mixed up in there. Allyson reconfirmed my love for Canada and their support of artists. She was just about to depart back from a 6 month residency. So glad I got a chance to meet her. (slick pics to come...here's some teaser shots)

I got my first chance to work with a faux mustache. Here's Allyson looking mega hot in a black poly zip up pantsuit. I think channeling a little Burt Reynolds meets Deep Lez. I MUST get a poly pantsuit. 1st functional, then flattering and so easy! With the zip down front, to boob...or not to boob. hot.

Here's a detail of the throne and stuffed pink antelope (?) heads. When asked by a gallery-goer, "What are those?" Allyson replied, "Some weird fallopian tube head things." Ahh...yes. Perfect.



I'm in love with her pink animal creations...cute little nippled minxes. Neon creatures in the woods. Here's some more from her catalog of Ladies Sasquatch.

Detail of ceiling, collected doilies, afghans knitted into one massive construction.

Marne hard at work, and her special skill--balancing atop crookedy ladders while capturing beautiful images. Notice entrance and urethra afghan. (never thought I'd write those two words together)


If you're in NY the Visible Vagina exhibition runs through March 20th. Go see it, you won't regret it!

They'll Never Show You How to Be Free

Thursday

True Love Always

It's taking me awhile to process the loss of Alexander McQueen. It's just too much. A friend sent me this video. It really lightened my heart to see this.

Monday

Anais Mitchell's Hadestown + Alicia J. Rose , and me!

Awhile back I posted some teaser pics of promo shots for Anais Mitchell's upcoming album Hadestown. Time's come to release these beauts into the universe. I worked with pro photographer/amazing gal Ms. Alicia J. Rose yet again. This time I dabbled in a bit of everything: hair, make-up, wardrobe, styling, set design. I'm very pleased with our little collaboration. (big sigh...I sure do miss Portland)










Sunday

Rita Ackermann : Sirens with Engines

I love Rita Ackermann. I love her because she recalls all that was romantic and nostalgic about the 90's -- in a sacred way. My network of friends and my atmosphere/community absorbed her art in a way that made it seem all ours. It's got to be the identification with the innocent siren, the naive doe in the midst of chaos. Strong emotional ties there. In my memory, the past 10 years' events have been about surviving insanity. (and now i'm glad to say, thriving-ish in insanity) I'm glad Rita Ackerman has the emotional antennae to detect for herself foremost, and offer her images for those who are hungry for evolution.

Here's some images from the new Purple. Totally worth reading cover to cover!



Mr. Zahm did an amazing interview with her. ANd hello!? a kick ass photo her in a Mark Fast mesh/crochet dress and patent Pam Hogg no heel shoes with none other than Ms. Lizzi Bougatsos (love). I had no idea how much Rita and Lizzi did together art/happening/performance art-wise.
Reading the interview reminded me of the casual story telling style I loved so much in old zines. That sort format really helps break down recent art history in basic digestible bits while shedding pretension. It's a way to recollect 'the way it was' bleeding into 'the way it is'. All together you see there's room for so much more art.

Yeah, so much more art. There's also a feature later in the same magazine with photos by Ackermann, words by Jeff Rian. It's a story about Marfa, TX, featuring her sewing on the hood of a car. So awesome....

Friday

Open Letter

I have something to say about Lohan on and IN the new Purple Magazine, as most of you might.

So the defense for Lohan appearing on the cover donning herself a martyr in Ann Demeulemeester (well played stylist):

"We chose Lindsay to model for us in spite of this hypocritical controversy because we appreciate her for who she is -- not just for her glamour, but because she's so sexy, she lives for nightlife, and she knows how to dress for the world that watches her. She's fearless, opinionated, and is maybe the sex icon of her generation. She's a talented actress with a skill honed from her 20 years in front of the camera, starting at age three.

We --Terry Richardson and I [Oliver Zahm]-- also love Lindsay because she incarnates the reality of glamour -- as much a realm of darkness as of light. She lives in two worlds, on and off the stage all day every day. On stage she's a trained veteran. Off stage she has to cope with an exaggereated solitude, out of the light, fending off success seekers, the paparazzi, the enticements of men (including her father), the rejections by women. And she has to deal with the problems of intoxication that stem from all of this -- those which ripen off stage in reaction to the intoxication of being on stage.

It's no wonder she empathizes with Marilyn Monroe, also a controversial actress of her time, a preeminent sexual icon with drug problems. With glamour comes both darkness and light. Think of Mariyln in The Misfits or Isabella Rossellini singing "Blue Velvet" in David Lynch classic of same name: a woman escaping madness, obsession, and her own private chaos to transfigure perfection and beauty herself."

pg. 64 Purple Fashion, Issue 13 Spring Summer 2010

I won't bother to picture Lohan, tear her apart or deconstruct this line of bullshit line by line.

I'll point out what they did right here.

About the only they got right here is the obsession media has on sucking the life force out of beautiful, young, troubled women. Calling it out is not escaping it, fellas. You didn't break down any walls here. This is blatant and disgusting exploitation of an obviously troubled young person in the media. The big reveal in the editorial is exposing the lack of her personal well being. (her body damage) And for that, I find it disgusting to hang gorgeous frocks on a body full of pain.

I wish her well.

But damn the proliferation of profiting from pain. Especially woman's pain.

In fashion, the bad comes with the good. And now on with the good...

Polka Daughter : Yayoi Kusama




She was more famous that Andy Warhol.


She made a heap of art in astronomical scales, rooms full covered ceiling to floor. She made PENIS chairs. Then she quit art and only did happenings (i guess it's performance art these days). Then she went nuts. In a nutshell, that's it her life. (which i should not dare to be so scant or dismissive of a more complicated life)



The thing is that Kusama is still creating art every day and she's in her 70's, almost 80's! There's nothing I love more than a woman with longevity and passion that spans decades. Guess the story is not old....but she's basically a forgotten pop artist in America although she's one of the most prolific. (hello!? white dudes always get written about in books and get documented in history, others???...notsomuch)



I learned about her after going to MOMA awhile back and seeing her art book on the shelf, Love Forever. Although I still haven't seen any of her work in person. I've become a life long lover of Kusama.
The fellas at Purple Magazine took two seconds from smokin' sherm and OD-ing on tits (i have more to say about this...) to come up for air on Yayoi Kusama. She got some exposure from photographer Chikashi Suzuki. Showing her in her studio in Comme des Garcons..in POLKA DOTS of course, just lovely.
Hope Kusama is making a come back...thinking she's about to come back into view. Saw t-shirts emblazoned with her image at Cynthia Rowley store in NY last week, too. Hope she gets some long due props.

Thursday

Icon: Yoko Ono

I had the fortune of attending Yoko Ono's Dress Rehearsal performance at BAM Monday night. I swear, it's going to take me a year to process the whole show beginning to end. From the video montage retrospective of her life/work (I cried the whole time). If ever you wondered why this woman does what she does...it's so clear. In the face of EVERYTHING the bastard world has to throw at her she's the ultimate optimist. I couldn't respect any one more. She devastates my heart with her tenacity and positive outlook. You could try to burn her at the stake and she'd offer you a hug. It's the complete re-version/visioning of DISARMAMENT.

Here's the rough outline of the show.
It both lightens and sinks my heart to see "WAR IS OVER...if you want it" lit on top of taxi cabs in New York in 2010.

Nothing's changed but the art still remains.

So there's this dress at the t-shirt booth, that's a mystery to me. Who designed it? What does it mean, man!!?


There's a reason this woman must open her mouth. for the pretty to come out.

There were lots of special guests. (including a sneaky Mark Ronson, I'm pretty sure, Scissor Sisters and Chimera) I know I should have loved Kim, Thurston and Yoko doing "Mulberry" best. But truths be told I loved Justin Bond's "What a Bastard the World Is" so so sososo much. So appropriate, campy, heart wrenching and awesome.





AND they played "Death of Samantha" live for the first time ever???!!

humor break: Bottoms are really at the bottom of everything. "Bottoms" on the bathroom stall....love you yoko.

And I know over time, and by complete cultural saturation of Lennon/Ono's "Give Peace a Chance" renders it totally cheezeballs. But I really don't care. I still think it's powerful to sing together and stand up--so there. (and singing together with this group was really fun and earnest).


Listen to this woman: "Stay healthy this year, and don't get too angry." .......okay, i'll try.