Peek of Perfection

February 13, 2011

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

*image via bippity boppity boo

William J. Cunningham, fashion photographer for The New York Times, is known for his candid street photography. Bill dropped out of Harvard University in 1948 and moved to New York, where he initially worked in advertising. Not long after, he quit his job and struck out on his own, making hats under the name 'William J.'

After being drafted and serving a tour in the U.S. Army, he returned to New York and got a job writing for the Chicago Tribune. During his years as a writer, he contributed significantly to fashion journalism, introducing American audiences to Azzedine Alaia and Jean-Paul Gaultier.

While working at the Tribune and at Women’s Wear Daily, he began taking photographs of fashion on the streets of New York. As the result of a chance photograph of Greta Garbo, he published a group of his impromptu pictures in the Times in December 1978, which soon became a regular series. His editor, Arthur Gelb, has called these photographs 'a turning point for the Times, because it was the first time the paper had run pictures of well-known people without getting their permission.'

Bill photographs people and the passing scene in the streets of Manhattan every day. Most of his pictures, he has said, are never published. Designer Oscar de la Renta has said, 'More than anyone else in the city, he has the whole visual history of the last 40 or 50 years of New York. It’s the total scope of fashion in the life of New York.' Though he has made a career out of unexpected photographs of celebrities, socialites, and fashion personalities, many in those categories value his company. According to David Rockefeller, Brooke Astor asked he be invited to her 100th birthday party, the only member of the media so honored.

Bill Cunningham New York, the new documentary film, is set to open next month in L.A. at the Nuart Theatre for only one week. Watch the trailer here.

'Fashion is the armor to survive everyday life.' - Bill Cunningham

February 11, 2011

Hand Block Printing

After meeting the world's great hand-block printing artisans on a recent trip to northern India's Rajasthan, West Elm asked them to make a special collection of quilts for their bedding line. Watch as they create an array of striking designs, all printed using intricately carved teak blocks and richly colored pigment dyes. I wish I knew how to do this! So inspiring.

Constellation Bag

Loving this hand-dyed pouch from Etsy. Perfect for holding your iPad. Buy it here.

February 10, 2011

Invincible Spring

Buy it here.

Quote Unquote

REMEMBER, THE FEELING YOU GET FROM A GOOD RUN IS FAR BETTER THAN THE FEELING YOU GET FROM SITTING AROUND WISHING YOU WERE RUNNING.

February 9, 2011

Quote Unquote

'lack of passion is fatal'

*image via bippityboppityboo

Kate Spade's 'Year of Color'

Each month in 2011, Kate Spade will be collaborating with different artists and designers to create short films based on a color. Part & Parcel, a small (but fantastic) design firm based in Brooklyn, NY were given the brief of 'Pink' for the month of February. Watch 'Pink' below, and check out January's 'Red' by Ely Kim here.

ps- if you can't see the video below, click on the link to my site above to view.

February 8, 2011

Racing Stripe

I love my off-white canvas couches because I can change up the accent colors in the room as often as need be. The couches above require much more decisiveness in decorating- but they're so fabulous I think I could deal. And of course, they have the preppy touch that I'll never tire of.

*images unknown

Dominos!

On a getaway trip to Palm Beach last winter, I played dominos for the first time in my life. There's something classically old-school about having your own set. I'd much rather pull out this bright colored Jonathan Adler version than a box of cards. Shop here.

*image via india hicks

Live the Language

Sometimes the simplest of briefs can lend themselves to the most creative ideas. EF Language Schools shows us this in action with a series of mini films advertising four main cities- Paris, Beijing, London and Barcelona. Each film gets to the essence of each culture (down to the typeface!) in encouraging people to learn a new language. Watch Paris below, and click here to view them all.

Borsalino Hats

Just like the one Indiana Jones wore, I have a recent obsession with long-brimmed fedora hats. Borsalino does them best. Shop here.

February 7, 2011

Wegner Wishbones

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Hans Wegner's iconic, modern Danish design, the Wishbone chair has been given a new look. In constant production since 1950, the chairs are now available in fresh, bold colors via Room & Board.

*image via sketch42

Generic Man Shoes

Inspired by men's footwear, this line of women's shoes look great with a skinny cropped pant or rolled up jeans. Shop both lines here.

February 6, 2011

Quote Unquote

'design makes things seem special.

and who wants normal

if they can have special?'

- jasper morrison

*image via bippityboppityboo

Menswear: Corgi Socks

The Corgi brand got its start making thigh-high woolen socks for local miners in England and later popularized men's argyle socks. Nearly 100 years later, their customers include many of the world's finest luxury boutiques, the royal family, the entire British military and now, J.Crew. Their cotton men's socks (made in Wales) come in these bright sorbet colors perfect for spring. Shop here!

Tool of the Trade

There's something so simple and yet still design-driven that I love about Sharpie's. Now they come in stainless steel. It's a powerful and sleek weapon to keep on you at all times. Shop here.

Theatrical Design

Designed for the Comedy Theatre in Romania in the 1960's and 1970's, these program covers have an organic charm and bizarre sense of whimsy that is often hard to find in our slick modern world- and they really do the trick in making me want to see the plays. See more covers here.

*images via butdoesitfloat