GARBAGE DRESS: May 2010

5/31/10

MY OWN PERSONAL LEATHER PANGAEA

(Think that's a lot of leather? You should see my full collection! T-shirt/dress by Sang Bleu)

I hope that everyone in the states is out brunching, BBQing, and hopefully having the day off! I'll be parked in my leather dungeon (AKA living room) sweating (its 85°) over orders and new pieces. The next couple of days might be a bit of a production frenzy for me, so if anyone has a special request for a post now is the time to let me know - since my brain is completely elsewhere!

5/29/10

MEADOWLARK IN MY HANDS

Over the last year and a half, I have been far too fortunate with meeting creative & supportive people around the world. From trades, collaborations, advice, meetings, and a general networked community of individuals who are working their asses off on their passions! With that introduction out of the way, today I received a care package from my friends at Meadowlark Jewelry (you'll be hearing more about them here soon, but can't talk about that). Now that I am wearing rings daily, we figured it might be best that I cover my fingers in their work as well!

For those of you unfamiliar with their work, I highly suggest that you check them out right now. They have a very comprehensive online shop that features all of their collections, including their most recent which is aptly titled "fit to be tied" which is comprised of a series of rings, necklaces, earrings & pendants daintily glorifying belts, buckles, O-rings and spurs - a natural attraction for me!

From left-to-right: Stacker Rings / Mini Serpent Ring / Bone Ring / Skull Ring

(Horse tail/leather necklace - Saltalamacchia / Dress - Diana Brinks / Belt - Zana Bayne / Shoes - Altered Frye)

5/28/10

CASUAL BONDAGE WITH BLIXA B

As I delve further into leather, not only do I gather new references but I equally revisit images and icons that have subconsciously affected me in one way or another. It is easy to impartially present pictures of celebrities, editorials, bands...when there is no personal relation, they are easy to recycle and manipulate. But once there is an intimate connection, a social encounter, the anonymous photo is transformed into something much more precious. This is why I find it slightly uncomfortable (and endlessly comical) to devote a post to the youthful leather bondage habits of Blixa Bargeld!

As I hope most you know, I am a die hard fan of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. So in my last semester of Art School (Fall 08) when I read the class description for a "sound & performance course taught by ex-badseeder Blixa Bargeld, I practically passed out. Not to mention that I had some knowledge of his pioneering experimental/industrial band, Einstürzende Neubauten.

Though there were several glitches in chemistry of the class as a whole (long story), I hung onto every word spoken by Bargeld, the most memorable of which was his formula for a successful piece of artwork: POWER + MAGIC + TRUTH. He wanted us to always be fully committed to what we were working on, and take ourselves and what we did seriously.

So how does this all relate? I guess it all stems from respect and admiration for Blixa - as a performer, teacher, and (gulp) style icon. I really can't help but be mesmerized by what appears to be his standard go-to outfit for a period in time; Leather trousers, leather vest, crotch harness, multi-strap body corset (Rodarte, get inspired!) - a blatantly S&M look carried off with such ease!

(Blixa - if you end up here from a google alert, please do not think I am a major creep - its all pure respect & research!)

(photos from various tumblrs)

& a nice art school nugget: our circle of laptops (sound orchestra), with Blixa in the center as conductor. Somehow he ended up with a traffic cone on his head...

5/27/10

WEEKENDS STARTS ON WEDNESDAY

<3 Char

The brainchild behind the new store CONVENT, Travis!

5/26/10

SANG BLEU & YOU

(Sunglasses - Prada / Tshirt as dress - Sang Bleu / Shoes - Rick Owens)

Let me preface this post with one item of scientific fact: its 90 degrees outside in Brooklyn today. Hopefully that explains why I'm not wearing pants, or instead substituting a very long t-shirt in the place of where a dress should be (don't worry, I'm wearing shorts underneath). Back to the shirt itself though - it is designed and distributed by Sang Bleu magazine. I had the chance to meet up with creative director Maxime Buechi yesterday, who is in town for the issue launch (more details on this soon). After discussing tattoos, the magazine industry, internet presentation & couch surfing, I left with the new double-edition of the issue, completely unprepared for how much of an impact the magazine would have on me. I'll be posting a deeply more in-depth review tomorrow...or maybe even later, because there is a massive amount of text and imagery to take in.

Snapped by Cameron before we left for our separate work days. I'm smiling and its before 10am!

& a small preview of a few editorial shots before I do my thorough post on the issue

INSANITY

5/24/10

DAWN OF THE DEAD!

When I was in Paris for 2.5 days for the LURVE launch, an awful thing happened - the heel of my Ann Demeulemeester boots snapped in half (re-live it HERE). But the next day, an angel in the form of a lady named Jean contacted me to suggest the services of the place she worked - Meurice Garment Care. She guaranteed that they would be able to fix the cracked heel, so naturally when I came back to New York I made a point to pay her a visit. Along with the Ann D's, I brought along my Rick Owens turbo wedges - which I had accidentally worn to the ground, plus the en point of the spike in the back had become ravaged due to rough encounters with subway stairs and curbsides.

It took me a while to return to pick them up (57th St is a bit out of the way for a Williamsburger like me) and the Ann's aren't ready yet, but I GOT THEM BACK TODAY! And may I say, I am not only impressed but I am blown away by the workmanship. The soles are completely reinforced, and the leather has been completely mended on the spiked back - something that I didn't even think was possible. Not to mention that I receive my shoes in a Meurice tote bag AND dustbag inside. Who said customer service is dead? I also dropped off my Chloe wedges to be stretched and a Yigal Azrouel skirt with a busted zipper. I'm confident that they will do a more than stellar job, and I will report on the results once they are one...

For more info on Meurice Garment Care, go to http://www.garmentcare.com

And since this post is about bringing shoes into my life, I couldn't help but previewing my newest acquisition - Prada croc wedges the craziest cut-out ever!!!

SHOWS! SHOWS! SHOWS!

Its that special time again - VANDAM TIME, DAWLING! My dear friend Mica (above) was in town from San Francsico, so naturally that meant a visit to the Sunday night extravaganza.