HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
A Coney Island Love Story was commissioned for the upcoming issue of the beautiful Children’s online magazine La Petite Magazine -out this week! I want to thank Rachelle the editor and all the generous designers who contributed to the film. Caramel Baby & Child, Wovenplay, and Appaman. AND of course our two Coney Island Valentines Jaden and Tallulah. May everyone’s day be filled with LOVE and HAPPINESS!
Areaware is NOT just for kids. I’m still buzzing over my recent delivery of Areaware 10 string light designed by Patrick Townsend. An exposed 10 bulb dimmable light sculpture that when on its lowest setting is incredibly beautiful and soothing. Now Tallulah and I have turned our attention to Ross Menuez’s designed colorful animal pillow dolls. Made with 100% organic cotton and inspired by victorian shaped pillows we have our eye on a gorilla, a kitty, a fox, a fawn and a pug. Decisions… Desicions… Tallulah’s dream is to become a mommy by age 5 to either a long haired chihuahua or more recently a black pug- as we’ve all been won over by our friend John Slattery’s (editor of A Wanted Magazine) ridiculously cute pug named Boris! The jury is still out on when the newest addition to our family will arrive so we’ll definitely include aforementioned pug and hope her motherly instincts are satisfied- for the moment anyway.
Tallulah keeps asking me when are we going back to see Jamie because she wants to introduce her to her new life-like stuffed Meerkat Olivia. Indeed, Olivia would fit beautifully amongst the array of taxidermy animals that inhabit the apartment where Jamie lives. That is -if Spider- Jamie’s miniature doberman pinscher gives Olivia the ok. We had been shown grisly but cute remnants of a stuffed animal sans stuffing- a mere shell of its former self and Spider’s favorite toy. Tallulah would surely have to keep a sharp eye on Olivia!! Jamie lives in Williamsburg which I always find a surreal architectural experience. Part industrial- part clapper board houses-its eclecticism really makes you want to dive deeper into its history and it leaves you with a feeling of nostalgia. Walking into the apartment Jamie shares with her husband Anthony Malat was like being transported through time-like stepping into a Victorian parlour where you want to dress up in your best frock for tea and scones. And what a tea party they had- with miniature porcelain tea sets! But mostly Tallulah enjoyed cuddling up next to Jamie pretending to be asleep on Jamie’s new life-changing Tempur-Pedic California King bed. Sleeping beauty never had it this good!
You can see Jamie’s beautiful fashion photography Here and follow her blog musings Black as Light.
Jamie-Tallulah and I loved exploring your flat full of treasures from the miniature tea sets to the crocodile skulls. It was a magical place for Tallulah. Where did your passion for collecting come from? —- My husband and I have always loved old and unusual things. We both have a passion for thrifting and antique shopping so I think once we found each other it was like -GAME ON! One of our favorite things to do is hunt for old treasures anywhere we are visiting.
I can envision Joel-Peter Witkin and Julia Margaret Cameron hanging harmoniously together in your space. What would be the dream photograph to own? —- I would LOVE to have a Julia Margaret Cameron in my house or an August Sanders portrait. Actually I would love this one Steichen picture of light coming through the trees with vapor rising from the swamp below. I think it is an untitled image but one of my favorite ever.
If you could shadow any photographer for the day -past or present -who would it be? —- Probably nobody. Seeing the process takes all the mystery out of it for me.
What magazine/s do you still get excited and look forward to seeing on the new stand each month? —- Acne Paper
If you could choose any designer to fill your closet this season-who would I find in there? —- A little Ann Demeulemeester and Dres Van Noten probably.
Finally-you’re looking forward to New York fashion week because…? —- Friends come to town that I don’t get to see that often. We hide out in dark corners of small bars and catch up.
Spring is in the air and Goatmilk Kidware new Spring 12 looks are available. Inspired by a European aesthetic with green sensibilities and an emphasis on beauty. Goatmilk is made of 100% organic prewashed cotton and produced with a resolute commitment to quality, fair trade and the environment. I met Roland and Tania the designers behind Goatmilk at playtime ny and fell in love with their vision.
The imagery, the understated palette (white, heather, gray, rose) delicate pointelles and the buttery softness of the pieces. The new Spring collection brings us strong pinstripes -all beautiful to wear on their own. Now to wait patiently while they expand for the whole family…
Susan Diamond
The multi talented Susan Diamond and her partner the lovely Mark Charles are the dynamic duo design team behind Charles Of London. Susan is one of my oldest friends-more like sisters-we made the move together to London when we were still teenagers. Although I’ve since moved back to the States-Susan stayed carving out a strong presence in the London Fashion and Music scene. It was only a few days after the London Riots ravaged through Hackney where they are based when we had plans to meet. Still a little on edge but determined to have fun and forget about the troubles plaguing London-we headed to their Shoreditch studio for Tallulah to customize her very own Punk Kitty Charles Of London Tee shirt! Officially I think Tallulah is their youngest fan. She is forever asking to wear her Rock and Roll Kitty! Next stop Hoxton Square where we had tea and cake then on to an exhibition by the bad boys of the British Art world Jake and Dinos Chapman. When Susan and Mark are not tending to fashion they are touring throughout Europe and the UK with their punk band Gobsausage.
Susan-How do you and your partner Mark share the creative collaboration?
Through visionary experiences and execution of hands.
What influences crept into this season’s collection?
A car crash of Bowie Glam Rock and Plasmatics Wendy O Punk Rock Attitude.
Music plays a huge role in Charles Of London-who are your music heroes?
CAN, Gun Club, David Bowie, The Cramps, Petra Flurr and of course The Plasmatics.
Favorite fashion era?
1973-1979
Three things you can’t live without…
Hydrogen, Oxygen and H20
The two of us wore a lot of Alaia in our twenties. We had some great pieces-regretfully I sold it all on to the Designer Consignment in Portobello. What was I thinking! Is there something you regret you got rid of that you wish you still hung on to?
An amazing Vivienne Westwood piece!
Favorite piece in your current wardrobe?
Charles of London black wool and Black metallic leather Killer Teddy Girl Drape coat.
What designer/s do you look forward to seeing each season?
Pam Hogg, Charlie Le Mindu, Thierry Mugler and Long Clothing
Finally- What woman would you love to see wearing Charles of London?
The Queen of England.
Lee Greene
Lee Greene is one super cool chic. I LOVE this girl-she is part sweetness part Rock n Roll with legs that go on forever! Tallulah and I met Lee when she was being photographed for my friend Katie Kiechel’s debut bag line K.Kiechel. Tallulah and her danced, giggled, made up funny walks and I was lucky enough to record all of this beautiful silliness. Apart from her willingness to play, Lee is also a philanthropist. She has teamed up with and co-hosted charity events for Artists for Peace and Justice. APJ is a non-profit organization founded by award winning filmmaker and friend, Paul Haggis, that works to provide an education, hot meals, clean drinking water and regular medical treatments to the children living in the slums of Haiti.
To make a donation and see all the wonderful work AJP have done for Haiti please visit www.apjnow.org.
Also, check out Lee’s stylish blog everythinglovelee-the name sums her up beautifully.
The creative Gods truly made magic when they brought together the accessories duo Atsuyo Yang and Akiko Mukae of Atsuyo et Akiko. Based in Brooklyn since 2007, Atsuyo with her backround in fashion and Akiko in fine arts, their jewelry and tee shirts (the Disney collaboration being a favorite of mine) are more than children’s accessories -they’re mini works of art!
Monica Botkier and Children
Tallulah and the girls Sloane, 7 and Olive, 2 went upstairs and raided their mother’s walk- in closet while their brother Saige, 3 stayed downstairs playing with trucks-naturally! It’s inevitable these girls will grow up fashionistas when your mother is one of New York City’s hottest Accessories designer Monica Botkier! We were invited to their beautiful Brownstone in Brooklyn where they live-we’re neighbors! Saige and Tallulah also attend the same school in this wonderful neighborhood of Fort Greene. Tallulah was in awe of Sloane’s pink Moroccan inspired-fit for a princess bedroom complete with a deep fuschia canopy from ABC Home & Carpet which I’m tempted to recreate in white at home. Monica and Sloane customized the canopy with butterflies and a dreamcatcher! Oh to be 7 years old again! After taking Monica’s closet hostage and leaving a trail of high heels behind them, Slaone led the way downstairs- playing piano and dancing to The Nutcracker.
I was struck by the strong photographs throughout the house particularly a portrait of a woman by the German photographer Gerald Forster. Monica started in the fashion industry as a photographer herself that is until in 2003 frustrated with non functional, over priced designer bags Monica designed herself the now iconic Trigger Botkier Bag-models and editors started putting in their orders and an empire was born! Fast forward to 2012 and every A-list actress has them draped over their shoulders!
Since 2009, Monica has teamed up with Michelle Trachtenberg, Joy Bryant, Minnie Driver and Lake Bell to design bags to help benefit Oxfam International.
The Botkier flagship store is located in Nolita, 246 Mott street, NYC.
I have always been mesmerized by ballerinas-it started early when I discovered Degas’ paintings of ballerinas and was cemented when my sister Joan took me to see the Nutcracker when I was just six. I LOVE everything about them but particularly the costumes! The children’s brand Wovenplay have the most exquisite couture- like pieces that even prima ballerina Wendy Whelan would be proud to own. Their Prussian tutu is a favorite of mine! In the new year I want to shoot a film of @a dozen little girls in various states of Wovenplay tutus! In the meantime I have bought Tallulah a Jess Brown/Wovenplay collaboration ballerina doll dressed in a prussian tutu to put under the tree this Christmas. We’ll have to name her after one of the greats-Margot perhaps?
