Muse Magazine

Sunday, February 25, 2007

WARDROBE: Um, obsessed























Braving a throng of shoppers, I marched into Colette determined to purchase these studded ballet slipper flats produced through a special collaboration between Comme des Garcon and Repetto in honor of the store's 10th anniversary. I wanted them in black, which were sold out in my size, not realizing that the store has them in white too. Two days later, I can't stop thinking about them. Sigh.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

LIFE: Happy Black History Month!

Just in time for its 400th anniversary of Jamestown, the state of Virginia is formally apologizing for its participation in the slave trade. Oh, and the Native Americans get an "I'm sorry" too.

LOVE: So predictable

True story: A very close friend just broke up with her man. They dated for nearly a year and he was the one to use the L word first, saying it often and calling her The One. Then Valentine’s day comes and he bugs out on her, claiming he’s “in over his head” and “needs a break.” Never mind the fact that he was the one aggressively pushing the relationship forward. She didn’t hear from him until eight days later.

The Moral: Well, there isn’t one. This scenario is so typical and predictable (I had a similar experience in my early ‘20's and have seen it happen to many of my homegirls), and yet, baffling. Is the issue commitment phobia? Insecurity? I’m not really into having those “Waiting to Exhale”/”why did he do me wrong” kind of conversations, but figured this sitch is worth discussing considering how common it is. All of you male readers, please enlighten us by emailing your thoughts to info@musemag.net. We’ll print them all here.

Monday, February 19, 2007

LIFE: On our to-do list this month

The Best of Both Art Worlds
March 7
Local up and coming Washington D.C. vocalist Simone Gaillard and painter Tiya link up for an evening of soulful vocals and visual art at Cafe Nema (1334 U Street, 2nd and 3rd floor, 202.486.0342).


New York
Scope Art Fair
Feb 22-26

The massive international fair of emerging artists moves from Chelsea to Lincoln Center this year. We're especially psyched to check out choreographer Edisa Weeks' performance art, Brooklyn artist Matthew McGuinness' moss graffiti and Mark McGowan's politically-tinged happening.

New York
The Armory Show
Feb 22-26

Comprised of work by some of the most renowned contemporary artists working today, the Armory Show also features some of the art world's most important galleries. Added bonus: a shuttle service will transport you from one fair to the other.

Friday, February 16, 2007

WARDROBE: The reverse knockoff





























































Those giant shopping bags that the African ladies who braid hair on Harlem's 125th Street carry their hair extensions in (the street vendors in Chinatown also use them to tote their illegal wares) are having a high fashion moment. Jack Spade (pictured on the bottom) did a pricey version for men, while Marc Jacobs did a luxe woven leather interpretation for Louis Vuitton (pictured on top and in the middle). On one hand, it's kind of brilliant considering how long Chinatown and Harlem counterfeit artists have hawked LV knockoffs. But the original, cheapie totes at $5 to $10 a pop on the street, are a much better deal.

SOUNDS: If our life had a soundtrack...























The opening scene: Protagonist wakes up in the morning and looks outside to discover her front stoop covered in snow. (Click on song titles to listen.)

“Morning Child,” by 4Hero



The action sequence: She leaves her brownstone only to be assaulted by a throng of icy bullets. Caught of guard, she slips on a patch of ice and lands on her back.

“Black Ice,” by k-OS


The resolution: She regains consciousness, opening her eyes to the sound of laughter. Those weren’t bullets at all. Her next-door neighbor’s badass kids had been snowball fighting.

“Che Che Cole Makossa,” by Antibalas

Friday, February 09, 2007

WARDROBE: New York Fashion Week























































































Not to harp on the same topic, but now that we've reached the last day of fashion week, I can officially say that it was the whitest season I've ever seen since I've been covering the collections. Yesterday's Calvin Klein show featured 42 models, all blonde, and not one ethnic face. And overall, only two black girls (Chanel Iman, pictured bottom, in Zac Posen and Ajuma Nasanyana, second from the top, in Myself by Kai Kuhne) and two Asian girls (Han pictured in Vera Wang, second to bottom, and this unidentified model in Phillip Lim, pictured top) seem to be getting any real work on the runway. While the weight debate remains the big topic of discussion in the global fashion community, the dearth of models of color seems to be the bigger problem. Granted, the fashion industry has always received criticism for not welcoming diversity. But what will it take to make the decision-makers listen? And for the record, despite the CFDA setting all of these anti-eating disorder regulations, the models were as thin as ever.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

WARDROBE: New York Fashion Week












































With the exception of a few designer's work, the looks are kind of repetitive this season. Here are two standouts from yesterday's shows. We loved Proenza Schouler's wide leg trousers, were a nice change from all of the skinny pants out right now. Peter Som's silk ruffle neck blouse and skirt was also really beautiful and delicate.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

WARDROBE: New York Fashion Week














































The fur vests and pleated skirts at Doo.Ri and Max Azria look like an ideal combination for this cold weather.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

WARDROBE: New York Fashion Week

















































































































If you can, start digging around in your grandmother's closet NOW. While everyone else continued showing sexy skinny pants, leggings and mini trapeze dresses, Marc Jacobs took a different route. This is not surprising as he's always pushing fashion forward like that girl you went to high school with who started wearing low-rise boot cut jeans before anyone else. At the Armory in Manhattan last night, he sent models down the runway to a soundtrack of classical violin music in refined, sophisticated looks that were lean and somewhat pared down (think of all of those old photos of your grandmother or great-grandmother in the 1940's). And hats played a big role too. The clothing was the anti-Nicole Richie/LA style of dressing in every way. It all looked very prim and grown-up.

WARDROBE: New York Fashion Week














































































We're sensing a theme here. Black has been the dominant color so far during fashion week. Luella Bartley, Diane Von Furstenberg, Jill Stuart and Phillip Lim (pictured in order) among many others chose to center their collections around various shades of onyx. On one hand, it's very practical. But on the other, it's a little repetitive.

Saturday, February 03, 2007

WARDROBE: New York Fashion Week






















At last! A bit of color! Chanel Iman worked the runway in Nicole Miller's menswear-inspired collection this weekend.

Friday, February 02, 2007

LIFE: On our to-do list this weekend























Everyone in the fashion industry is currently debating the ever shrinking size of runway models and whether or not the CFDA should regulate weight standards. But after going to the first day of shows at New York Fashion Week, we can’t stop talking about the dearth of models who aren’t white. With the exception of Baby Phat, we saw no black or latina faces and only a small handful of Asian ones (at Yigal Azrouel, pictured, and Yeohlee). Granted, today is only day one. Still, it’s not a very encouraging start.
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