old-fashioned/modern

an old-fashioned style of stone setting reinterpreted in a modern way.  the designer is brilliant in her considerations of all angles beyond just the bird's eye view.

i love this ring, the way the rock is perched way high with over-sized clasps.  a DIF rock will be a complete waste here as there's not enough light coming from below to maximize the illumination.  nonetheless the design is a nice twist from tradition.  and the outcome is classy, timeless and decidedly modern.

an intentionally flattened 2-D design coupled with a 3-D pattern- all in a classic, vintage, chinese shape that looks "laser-cut".  interesting!

again, i love the way the pearl is boldly set perched up.  the colored "claws" add creepiness..

this can look seriously kitschy and tacky but it's not.  thanks to the deep tapering of the union jack (like a picnic blanket) and the wide chunky band like a man's ring.  the yellow gold with almost a green tint is a brilliant choice.

hands holding up a faceted plate diamond.  it is quite popular in hong kong, the plate diamond (usually without any facet).  since it's cut so thin and priority lies not in the 3C's, even a 5-carat plate diamond becomes almost affordable.  

i LOVE the baguette cut.  something charming about the way these skinny rocks are held (curving towards the band) and the extra clasps on the center emerald make for a nice retro look.  (sorry, your grandmother's hand-me-down is not quite the same).

i'm not usually a fan of colored gems.  but i like the wire-like structures holding up the flower petals.  the way the band is a coil of wire finishes the look.

eerily beautiful

i'm obssessed with arielle de pinto's work.  her hand-crocheted metal chains are at once simplistic, sophisticated and strange.  her masks are the most provocative with a tribal flavor.  innocent enough for a child yet hauntingly mysterious upon closer scrutiny..

raw

in 2005, chinese artist zhang huan appeared in his raw beef "muscle suit" in nyc.

and became lady gaga's inspiration?

a johnsian conversation

we are so fond of jasper johns that we named our son after him.  perhaps more captivating than his work, i find, is his personality.  a conversation with johns can be so distinctive that people in the art world refer to it as "a johnsian conversation."  here's an illustration excerpted from the book by michael crichton.

The art critic Leo Steinberg has recorded the following conversation:  "i asked [Johns] about the type of numbers and letters he uses - coarse, standardized, unartistic - the type you associate with packing cases and grocery signs.

Q:  You nearly always use this same type.  Any particular reason?

A:  That's how the stencils come.

Q:  But if you preferred another typeface, would you think it improper to cut your own stencils?

A:  Of course not.

Q:  Then you really do like these best?

A:  Yes.

This answer is so self-evident that I wonder why I asked the question at all; ah, yes - because Johns would not see the obvious distinction between free choice and external necessity.  Let me try again:

Q:  Do you use these letter types because you like them or because that's how the stencils come?

A:  But that's what I like about them, that they come that way.

while i'm totally fascinated and amused by reading these conversations, i can imagine living with someone like this will make me jump out the window, very quickly.

the store that never opened

when i think of tobias wong, a few good things come to mind. his Killer Diamond Engagement Ring, his Smoking Mitten, his Coke Spoon. best of all, his Wrong Store that never opened.

SHOWstudio

besides being one of the best fashion photographers of our time, nick knight is a brilliant art promoter and businessman.  his founding of SHOWstudio to offer rare and bespoke artefacts created for iconic fashion shoots and catwalk shows allows the general public to participate and perhaps even own a piece of fashion history (if you can afford).  he also invites artists to hand-craft their creations in front of webcams in his Live Studio. it is his belief that "showing the entire creative process - from conception to completion - is beneficial for the artist, the audience and the art itself".  of course, the art itself will be for sale through his shop afterwards.

Kate, print by nick knight, 2006. 

15,000 british pounds.

Pleated Puke, mixed media by various artists, 2009.

15,000 british pounds

part of lady gaga's 2009/2010 tour, the fashion film, Puke on Gaga, features puking millie performing on lady gaga in a pleated white markdo mitanovski dress (above).

Black Tie, artefact by alister mackie, 2010, sold.

i am definitely making this for our son's collection of bow ties.

just folk

it was preparing for a kids' school camp up near santa barbara one year that i started researching into the neighboring communities.  i came across this little store Just Folk in summerland with the most unusual and unpretentious collection of traditional americana as well as outsider art (their terminology).  the work is so refreshing with a simplicity and child-like appeal.

the Trust Ritual Heads date back to the late 19th - early 20th century, used in Odd Fellows Ritual.  why they splashed some red ink on the cut edge of the neck is more than a little troubling..

fleet ilya

fleet ilya is not for the faint of hearts. take caution before you hit their website (make sure no kids are looking over your shoulders). the creepiness of some of the images, as kr put it, "leave little to the imagination". nonetheless, it doesn't take away from the beauty of the work.

black waist belt

black corner studded collar

kate moss in black studded cage corset

naomi campbell wears white 3-buckle wing corset.

these two photos shot by nick knight.

black layered cuff

layered black bag with shoulder detail has been sported by rihanna

belt and purse from current collection. select pieces available at Opening Ceremony.

tortoise cut

handsome and well-proportioned, this ice bucket designed by ted muehling for Steuben Glass is a classic.  available at Vivre for $700.

studs

coral slabs set in gold and blackened silver, these studs are stunning.  designed by eileen coyne for CoutureLab for $1481.

auction: Lanvin (hearts) H&M

in addition to the launch of the collection tomorrow, there's an auction happening for the "customized unique haute couture looks from the Lanvin for H&M collection.  The looks were revealed at a fashion show in New York and are now being auctioned exclusively at this site. All proceeds will be donated to UNICEF, as part of H&M’s “All for Children” project."  most interestingly, five of alber elbaz's original and signed sketches are included in this auction.  when i visited the site this morning, the bids for the sketches were at around $600, quite good value for what they are.  bidding closes at 11:59 pm CET on november 26th.  check it out.  

franklin at vine

i love the graffiti underneath the freeway here.  it's a city icon, represents old hollywood glam, shows the artistry of the creator and is at the same time functional - it shows you where the storage entrance is!

trash or treasure?

trashy and regal, bohemian and aristrocratic.  i dig this sacai silk vest.

only $1235 at barney's.

more designers from down-under

ARNSDORF i believe is based in australia.  her latest collection is architectural, sculptural and inspiring.  here's a good write up.

"Arnsdorf´s latest SS10/11 collection, "Opticks" - as seen at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week.

"Opticks" was born from designer Jade Arnott´s fascination with Sir Isaac Newtons book of the same name. This study on reflections and refractions has been translated into fantastic prints and precise angular paneling complemented by Arnsdorf´s signature ladylike tailored silhouette."

i find the outfit romantic, complex and beautiful.

Robin's Song Peep-Toes

i dig the colors, the design, the heels.  only if my feet could fit into a 37-1/2..

on sale for $99.95 at anthropologie.

Sit-A-Spell

interesting necklace of bold braids of cotton.

on sale for $79.95 at anthropologie

gift idea #1

i wouldn't mind getting a white elephant of these stone buildings (house, temple, condo).  simple and quirky, they seem to have jumped right out of john hejduk's drawings.  $14.95 each from CB2.

x'mas a-coming - decoration idea #1

after halloween, the rest of year will just fly by.  before you know it, x'mas will be here.  i am starting to look at the tree and gift possibilities.  this seems like an wonderful alternative to chopping down a fresh tree.  taken from CB2 website.

urban sculpture

urth caffe

when my little girl whispered in my ears "there's a bear and a dog in their coffee.." (referring to the table below us), i didn't expect to actually see them!

the downtown LA location is in an old brick building with beautiful tile work.  there's seating inside overlooking an open kitchen (through a glass wall) and a semi-private room that opens out to a nice, raised patio.  good service, pet friendly.