City Life Dictionary: SideWALK!

We New Yorkers are a mobile bunch, relying on our own two feet more often than any place else in America to get us where we're going. Yet we face a scourge of interceptions along the way giggling with maniacal glee at diverting our path. 

Panhandlers. Texters. People passing out fliers to that "Designer" suit sale. Tourists stopping to look up. Bicyclists going the wrong way. On the sidewalk. All of it one big game of Frogger with sneaky snakes, chompy alligator heads and turtles that dip their heads in the water after too long. What's a boy with a mission supposed to do? If only there was that magic vine like in Pitfall so I could swing over all this on the way to work. 

My Thoughts on Wang-ciaga

"Alexander Wang on Monday became the first designer of Asian descent to enter the highest ranks of Parisian high fashion when he was named creative director of the storied house of Balenciaga. "
                                                                                            -NY Times

Ok, first off I guess we'll ignore Kenzo,  a Parisian high fashion label founded in 1970 by a Japanese designer, Kenzo Takada, and recently rejuvenated when LVMH (who owns the line now) brought in Opening Ceremony prodigies, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, both of Asian descent to be the new creative directors. Oh Grey Lady. Fact check much?

But more importantly, how did this pairing come to be? Many industry insiders are grumbling that this a thinly veiled attempt to bring in a designer who can craft an 'It Bag' since most houses depend on handbags and shoes to make money. Balenciaga currently has none of those but behind Alexander Wang is the widely popular 'Rocco', 'Diego' bags and 'Anouk' and 'Amber' shoes featured all over street style blogs. Make no mistake PPR, which owns Balenciaga, is betting the house on proven accessory cash cow know how

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Nicolas Ghesquière left Balenciaga on such a high note built on seasons of pushing silhouettes to new limits. Volume shouted with striking, architectural constructions of shape that seemed other-worldly. Funny, the same was said for Cristóbal Balenciaga when he freed women of classical silhouettes, crafting instead volumes for women to utilize like armor

(Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga, Fall 2012)

In stark contrast, Wang had popularized the street urchin chic of slouch and burnout stretch jersey. How will this translate to the house the cocoon coat built?

(Alexander Wang, Spring 2012)

Finally, and it needs to be said, especially with Wang entering "the highest ranks of Parisian high fashion", there's a quality issue giant white elephant in the room. Balenciaga under Ghesquière was made in France, Italy or throughout Europe. Wang's line is made in China (or possibly US sweatshops?) Will clients be willing to ante up for inferior products rushed to increase margins?

 (Above Wang Photo Credit: Flare.com)

7 Sinfully Good Years in New York

New York is a sinful city and on the eve of my SEVEN year anniversary living in this den of sin, I thought I'd examine how I've fallen prey to each temptation and naughtiness




GREED

It's easy to be greedy in the city. So many drinks, twinks and trinkets to be had.




WRATH

Everyday annoyances like people, subways and the high price of booze makes a b wanna snap. I'ma snap!






SLOTH

I tried to give this up for Lent this year, but throughout my time in New York I be lazy. Two blocks to the laundromat? Ugh, too far. And then I'm gonna drop it off and let someone else do it. 

PRIDE

It's easy to get a big head when you work in fashion and you fawned over and stuff is given to you. To paraphrase the wise and boastful Lil Kim "y'all rock Versace and you went out and bought it, I rock Versace and you know I ain't pay [RETAIL] for it"








ENVY

Is their apartment bigger or in a better neighborhood or closer to the train? Do they have a better job? Does their boyfriend? 

GLUTTONY

New York offers up a lot and copious consumption is part of the lease. Nums! 










LUST

I'ma leave that one alone.

New York I love ya, and here's to sinning most vigorously for another seven! 

City Life Dictionary: Cream of Corner

Cream of Corner:   (adj)   seemingly never ending Winter state when merely crossing the street becomes an Olympic game and all footwear must be made of the most hideous materials

City Life Dictionary: Crap Circle

Crap Circle:  (n)  eerily aligned bags of trash that appear late at nite on Mott Street

City Life Dictionary: Meander-thal

With Christmas shopping in the last chaotic throes, Soho has become shellacked with slow folks a slowin'.

 Now's the perfect time to enact the term my friend, Miss AG coined:

Meander-thals:  (n) slow moving pedestrians taking up more than their share of New York City sidewalks and being obnoxiously oblivious about moving forward or letting those behind them move forward

And I wish I could assert that they were all from out of town

City Life Dictionary: Pox Springs

Pox Springs: (n) A mattress on the street with either a blatant "do not touch!" visual warning or a street art statement on bed bugs paranoia.

Either way, yikes!