It’s been a big month for Express. The mass retailer, which opened its first store in Chicago 30 years ago went public and staged a runway show to celebrate on Wall Street. And last week they hosted their big 30th anniversary bash complete with a Vogue styled runway show (the crowd went wild for a shearling jacket) and performance by VV Brown (love her, let’s just say she’s a cross between Naomi Campbell and Grace Jones.) Ed Westwick flirted with Chanel Iman and Caroline Trentini stuck to water working the crowd with her boyfriend. Afterwards I inadvertently ended up in line at the after party across the street with the chairman of the company who told me “phew, I’m exhausted.” I would be too.
–Leah Bourne
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The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) swept through the Javits Convention Centre recently and it was design overload per usual. It can be exhausting traversing all those booths so here are the Design Brief’s top five picks from the show.
Roll & Hill
Launching at ICFF, Roll & Hill is the brainchild of Jason Miller, who is already famous for his antler chandeliers. Focused just on lighting, Roll & Hill will produce fixtures from some of the who’s who of American contemporary design talent. Standout pieces include the Excel floor lamp by Rich, Brilliant, Willing with adorable matching sconces. The lights use compact fluorescent bulbs with a gold diffuser to banish that pasty fluorescent glow. Ingenious.
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Mezze, tapas, antipasti–once rare among the more classical cuisine of New York’s culinary scene, over the past few years, the small plate has become a fundamental fixture in the city’s epicurean landscape. Pioneered by the Stanton Social, which opened to much fanfare in 2005, over the past 18 months, the small plates phenomenon has enjoyed a resurgence. Perhaps because of the recession, New Yorkers have increasingly eschewed the sumptuous steakhouse dinner and the formality of the five-course French tasting menu for meals comprised of the more economical, and often more satisfying, small plates. But despite the countless virtues of this movement–among them the ability to customize your meal and sample a broad smattering of the chef’s best–the ballooning array of small plates restaurants has made the concept ubiquitous and almost cliché.
Because of this it would be easy to write off Balaboosta, which opened last month in Nolita. But from the moment you step inside, it is immediately apparent that Balaboosta is different. Unlike the somewhat sterile surroundings of the typical haute tapas joint, upon setting foot inside Balaboosta, you are welcomed with an unexpected warmth and the distinct feeling that mimics stepping into a friend’s apartment for an intimate dinner party among acquaintances.
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I headed to the Bryant Park Hotel this week to attend the Timex press preview. The collection of fall watches included pieces from Versace, Valentino and Salvatore Ferragamo. Most fell into two camps–trendy and completely unique or timeless and classic. It’s right in line with what is going on in fashion right now–either people are wanting to buy classic items that have an heirloom quality about them or they are looking to buy something completely unique and one of a kind. Versace had the unique watches covered with their series that boasts a rotating ring of diamonds. Salvatore Ferragamo on the other hand is re-issuing some of its most iconic watches. There is definitely something for every taste. One of my favorite watches was a Valentino with a red patent band–tres chic.
–Leah Boune
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I stopped by everybody’s favorite eyewear boutique Ilori to talk to Jason Wu about his new sunglass collection. Wu said, “I started out thinking about strong women with standout personal style and fascinating life stories. Mia Farrow, Jean Seberg, Amelia Earhart, and Joan Jett were the perfect muses for each of my four styles.” The sunglasses are chic with just a bit of edge, just like Wu’s ready to wear collection. Wu is clearly doing something right with his business, which has continued to grow during the downturn. While many people have surmised that Wu’s success has to do with the Michelle Obama effect, clearly something else is in play. “I think it has to do with my love of fashion,” says Wu. “But really it’s because I carefully choose the projects that are right for my business. I’m methodical.” As to what Wu plans to do over the next few years, “I plan to take over the world,” he says. No arguments there.
–Leah Bourne
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“It” boy designer Zac Posen turned down working with Target in the past (though he did have a little known collection for Target Australia). But the economy led him to reconsider his strategy and the result was a completely fabulous party ready collection of cute dresses, retro bathing suits (for St.Tropez of course) and a standout print gown. To launch the collection Target opened a pop-up at the New Yorker hotel which was open for 24-hours straight. Claire Danes, Selma Blair, Mena Suvari and Ginnifer Goodwin (most wearing the collection) made appearances but the crowd was most enthused about the decor which included a huge floral arrangement in the center of the room and chandeliers dripping in crystals. Clothing racks lined the outer edge of the party and a narrow second floor space. I was lucky enough to go to the preview of the pop-up and when I exited a saw an eager line of Posen’s fans ready to pounce and shop. If you weren’t lucky enough to make it look for the collection on Target.com and Target stores starting April 25th. It’s worth the wait.
–Leah Bourne
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A lot of fashion company’s talk about bringing diversity to their ad campaigns, but few actually do it. I am happy to say that Benetton is walking the walk. The company launched an initiative called It’s My Time where wannabe models could apply online for the chance to be in a Benetton ad campaign. 65,000 did, out of which the company picked 20 winners. The winners were flown to New York to shoot Benetton’s fall 2010 ad campaign with photographer Josh Olins. The winners come from across the globe–the Philippines, Korea, Italy and Iran to name a few places, and the group was feted at hot spot of the moment The Standard’s Boom Boom Room. I was thrilled to meet some of the diverse winners at the event including the adorable Sumit from India (overjoyed to be in New York and taking in the gorgeous view at the Top of the Standard.) Can’t wait to see the finished product–the ad campaign–come fall!
–Leah Bourne
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With a sake and shochu lounge above and La Biblioteca Tequila Library below, Zengo offers a new take on Latin-Asian fusion. This restaurant offers something to suit every palette: gourmet sushi rolls, foie gras dumpling in hot and sour soup, and lemongrass calamari. As for beverages, Zengo offers an incredibly varied selection of cocktails and spirits given the eclectic nature of the cuisine: sake, shochu, tequila, and everything in between. Pass on the tequila tasting on Tuesday nights, despite the killer guacamole–its nothing more than a pitch from a tequila company.
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Visit Caracas Arepa Bar, a New York take on a Venezuelan hideaway, to enjoy authentic arepas and a glass of tinto de verano (a sparkling wine cocktail similar to sangria). Vibrant decor and Manu Chau background music set the tone for a laid back, enjoyable meal. The house specialty, arepas, are corn based, crunchy and sandwich like. Choose from a wide array of fillings such as De Guasacaca (Venezuelan guacamole with paisa cheese), Reina Pepiada (chunked chicken tossed with avocado and veggies) and La Mulata (grilled white cheese with jalapenos, sautéed red peppers, black beans, and fried sweet plantains). Two per person is more than sufficient and will total no more than fifteen greenback. Need to quell the palette ? Grab a cooling Cocada, a coconut milkshake with cinnamon, for the walk home.
Too busy to wait for a table (note their no reservation policy)? Head next store to Caracas Arepa To Go. Or, walk a half block to Bourgeois Pig for a champagne cocktail to pass the time.
Caracas Arepa Bar
7th street between 1st and Avenue A
(212) 529-2314
caracasarepabar.com
–Melissa Matarese
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