December 28, 2011

Agenda: Surfing Cowboy in Venice, CA

I can't wait to check this place out when I get back to LA next week. Located on Abbot Kinney in Venice, it's just around the corner from where I work. What is a Surfing Cowboy you ask? Here's how they describe it:

'Think of surfers riding the waves, scooters riding the streets, cowboys riding the range. All these things evoke a sense of freedom and spirit for living. Surfing Cowboys evolved out of a similar spirit. The collection has always been eclectic and soulful. In the early days it ranged from authentic Navajo rugs and Catalina pottery to Hawaiian collectibles and original vintage long boards. Over the years the range has ebbed and flowed with all kinds of amazing pieces passing through the door.'

Read more about them here






*all images via surfing cowboy

Jack Spade Across Manhattan

Jack Spade recently (about 2 months ago) launched their Tumblr account, and it's chock-full of goodies. Images of New York, found objects, cool videos. All, of course, with a masculine feel, but you name it and they've got it covered.

A couple of weeks ago they did a post on 'readymades', which in this case, are a collection of unique shops that already exist simply redefined as 'readymade' sculptures operating under the signature Jack Spade.

Andy Spade had no interest in operating the business, hiring the staff, or changing the look and feel of these businesses. The project took only a short period of time and then the business went back to operating under their former names. Fun to see these West Village mainstays have refreshed identities. 

Florent Restaurant 

 The Gagosian

Lafayette Smoke Shop 

 The Mercer Hotel

 OK Hardware

 Pearl Paint

 The Milano's

The Village Chess Shop

*all images via jack spade tumblr

Object of Desire: Bob Dylan Tee

Who knew that Restoration Hardware now sells t-shirts? Anyway, I kind of like this one. The graphic is printed on the inside adding to its worn-in look. Shop RH here


Style Guide: Marina Larroude

The Sartorialist is the mecca of fabulous street style sites, but only every so often does one person stand out in my mind. I came across one of those people today- Marina Larroude of NYC. Scott Schuman diggs a little bit deeper with her, below.












First job?
My first job was at Daslu in Sao Paulo. I went on to work as a contributing editor for Vogue Brazil, then moved to New York to work for Style.com.

How has New York influenced your style?
I don’t think I wore high heels before I moved to New York, now I wear them about five or six days a week!

Which designer would you hire to design your wardrobe?
Miuccia Prada. I would wear Prada and Miu Miu every day of my life! I love bold prints– she masters them while designing equally strong basics and accessories.

Who else designs great prints?
I wish I had more pieces by Peter Pilotto and Mary Katrantzou.

What have you worn recently that felt very bold?
I’ve been obsessively wearing this Versace H&M dress, the one Anna Dello Russo wore. It’s black leather with gold studs, and incredible. I hardly have any black dresses because everything is prints.

Most recent “must have” purchase?
A Carven black cashmere coat and Uniqlo merino sweaters! I guess I am bringing some basics into my wardrobe…

Do you cherish any pieces of jewelry?
My Wilfredo Rosado cameo ring is probably one of my most unique and special pieces.

What do you build your daily look around?
I build my look around the day ahead of me. It’s important to dress appropriately for meetings, shows, or anything else; so I’ll wear heels. If a designer is presenting a collection, it is respectful to present yourself as well. If I’m at the office for the entire day I’ll wear my favorite Ralph Lauren purple velvet loafers, or the leopard print…I have several pairs of them!

How do you keep your hair looking so polished? 
I go to Rita Hazan here in the city. Adrian Wallace does the best highlights and Andre Rodman is my favorite hair stylist. 

Which shops outside of New York are you excited by? 
NK Store is the best store in Brazil. Their line is excellent, as is the buy of Celine and Balmain. Even though I’m rarely shopping for these things when I’m there, it’s cool to see high fashion brought to Sao Paulo in this way. I also love Corso Como and Excelsior in Milan. When I’m short on time between shows, it’s fun to pop into Excelsior and see so many beautiful things in one (surprisingly huge) place…it has a different energy.

Where’s the most stylish place you’ve been in the past year?
Capri, I can’t wait to go back. La Fontelina is a low-key place, but everyone dresses up for dinner and the food is amazing. It’s a nice balance: I don’t feel like I’m in the middle of nowhere, but I do feel relaxed and in touch with nature.

What demands do you face now as opposed to when you were starting out? 
More responsibility. When you’re starting out you do whatever you’re told, and then you go home. Now my stories are my responsibility. I’m pitching ideas, producing features, coming up with trends, meeting with designers, and so on. The entire industry is working more than 5 or 10 years ago; designers are producing more collections, PR people are producing more events, editors are producing more stories.

The best style advice you’ve received? 
Always wear good shoes!

Read more about Marina on The Sartorialist here.

December 27, 2011

At Home With: Wolfgang Behnken

Young & Rubican's lead Creative Director allowed the lenses of Elle Decor Italia to peek into his Hamburg, Germany home. It's not the coziest of quarters, but it certainly feeds my love for a white, palate-cleansing house.

What's to love? Well, the herringbone wood floors, layered and leaning artwork, the sprawling back porch, European-height ceilings, and the piles of books and magazines (almost all of which also happen to be the same things I loved in Kate and Andy Spade's New York City apartment- see it again here). Although the Spade's apartment looks completely different, it goes to show you that classic design elements work for every aesthetic. 








*images via elle decor italia