Mobile Art: Chanel Contemporary Art Container by Zaha Hadid

The Chanel Contemporary Art Container,which is currently on display in Central Park, is a travelling art piece designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The pavilion, which was commissioned by Chanel's head designer Karl Lagerfeld, hosts an exhibition of artworks inspired by one of Chanel’s signature creations, the quilted bag.
When I visited the exhibition this past weekend, I was blown away by how innovative Zaha Hadid's imagination is. The space carried me into another state, where I was free to explore what was presented in front of me.

In an interview where Zaha Hadid was asked how she would like people to intepret the Pavillion, she answered, "Everyone experiences this building in their own way. You're not confined to look at space in one given way. It's a landscape that you're not guided through. You meander around. It gives freedom to your imagination. To think about how the art inspires you. You don't always have to show art in a white box. You can have a degree of complexity within an exhibit, while respecting the art."





This print was a postcard that was given out during the tour of the space. The purpose of the quote "empty your bag" is described on the back of the card "as an idiomatic expression in French, "vider son sac: dire ce qu'on a sur la coeur", which is used when someone reveals something that was kept secret for a long time." In my opinion I felt that this quote exemplified the entire exhibition, as the whole experience of the mobile space was concerned with letting one's inner inhibitions go, and letting oneself be swept into a care-free, and dreamlike world.

Quote of the Day

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Coco Chanel

And the Winner is...

Project Runway announced the winner of Season five this past week, and Leanne won! After watching the final episode Wednesday, I fell in love with her collection. Seeing her designs move down the runway at Bryant Park made it clear to me that she was worthy of the prize. Her architectural layering appeared in every piece in her collection, thus creating a truly cohesive line. I would wear anyone of these pieces.

Color Variations in Nail Polish

A photo I came upon while surfing the net. I enjoy the angle, colors, and clarity of this rather ordinary shot.

J Crew Opens First Collection Store

Located at the northeast corner of Madison Avenue and 79th Street in Manhattan, is J Crew's new Collection Store. The store, which follows in the same direction as the company's newly opened liquor store in Tribeca, provides designer looks at lower than designer prices. The store itself, follows a different aesthetic than your typical J Crew store, as the point was to move away from what customers traditionally know J Crew for.
The decor of the store has a residential feel, as the store is broken up into smaller rooms, and are all filled with art, thus providing the customer with a different, untraditional shopping experience.
Along with the items that the J Crew brand is associated with, such as corduroys, t-shirts, jeans, and cashmere sweaters, the Collection Store presents some higher-end products. For instance, the store carries calfskin jackets, priced at 2,200$, patent leather jackets, one of a kind jewerly. The store then, offers an alternative to everyday shopping by providing the customer with a unique, and memorable shopping experience.

Burberry Window Display

I really like how Burberry used this seasons colors in their display. Creating a truly authentic autumn window display, through the use of props and fall apparel, Burberry's window effectively captures the attention of passer bys.

Street Wear 10/03/08

A group of girls that I photographed on 3rd Avenue.

FIT Presents Gothic Dark Glamour

The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) presents Gothic: Dark Glamour, the first exhibition devoted to the gothic style in fashion. Set in a dramatic mise-en-scene suggesting iconic gothic settings, such as the labyrinth, the ruined castle, and the laboratory, more than 75 ensembles were be on display.




Fashion designers featured include Alexander McQueen, Ann Demeulemeester, Boudicca, Comme des Garçons, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Haute Couture, John Galliano for Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Hussein Chalayan, Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein, Christian Lacroix, Derek Lam, Gareth Pugh, Kei Kagami, Ricardo Tischi for Givenchy, Thierry Mugler, Rick Owens, Rodarte, Anna Sui, Olivier Theyskens, Jun Takahashi of Undercover, and Yohji Yamamoto.

The dark glamour look has recently resurfaced, as many designers are currently working under this gothic aesthetic. For instance, Givenchy created a mix of sheer fabrics and lace, along side materials such as patent leather and metallic accessories, for this fall season.



Chanel has also undertaken this look, as their collection featured many long structured dresses, and lace mini's for this coming fall season.




Christian Lacroix also made use of leather this season, and has reinvented the LBD.