R.I.P. Lou Reed - The King of the Dark is Gone

March 2, 1942 – October 27, 2013

Highly Recommended - Raven Schlossberg "To The Manner Born" exhibition in New York City at Pavel Zoubok Gallery

Above - Raven Schlossberg's "Anonymous Rooms With Automatons", 2012, Below, Raven Schlossberg's "Lost In Rome (She's Come Undone), 2012, both from her exhibition "To The Manner Born" at Pavel Zoubok Gallery. This exhibition is open until February 9, 2013 - Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm. The gallery is located at 533 West 23rd Street, New  York, NY (between 10th and 11th Avenues) - 212 675 7490.

Raven Schlossberg’s recent series of mixed-media collages function as landscapes - natural spaces composed from familiar elements. But they are in fact places of pure imagination, “floating worlds” hovering between multiple realities. By employing superimposed, or ghost images, Schlossberg conjures a double-exposure in which events real and invented write themselves onto shifting planes. By exploring this spatial duality she gathers the disparate threads of ancient tales to tell stories of love, loss, discovery and devotion. Schlossberg writes:

'When I began this body of work, I conceptualized the idea of luxury, of collectors acquiring beautiful objects throughout time, and how these objects (individually loaded with meaning and stories) have been passed down through families of influence or discarded and discovered continents away from their point of origin. I am interested in the export of an aesthetic, what it says about the cultures that produced these objects as well as the taste and fashion of the collectors who sought to acquire them, such as German production of fine porcelain in an Orientalist style, or French Chinoiserie.'

Schlossberg arranges these objects as markers, creating paths for the viewer to visually move across the picture surface, making connections between landscapes real and imagined. The collage paintings in this exhibition draw heavily from the artist’s experiences traveling and exhibiting her work across Europe over the past several years, losing herself intentionally and unintentionally. In a seamless swirl of images, Schlossberg conjures the memory of a Roman-built amphitheater in far Western Germany where she could swear she heard the echoed roar of caged lions. Down from the ruin, along the banks of the Mosel River, was revealed the faint glint of Roman coins, once the epitome of power, now lost to nature and time. In Rome, a random turn down a narrow alleyway eventually opened onto an imposing pair of intricately wrought iron gates, behind which stood a tomb composed entirely of human skulls. This hidden, sacred place built atop strata upon strata of buried treasure and refuse. Schlossberg’s works are composed from and built upon this concept of cultural accretion. Her landscapes are terraced with layers of paper collage, painted, printed, drawn and superimposed images that create a kind of historical time line punctuated by characters or travelers acting out scenarios that verge on theater.

Above, Raven Schlossberg's "The Pride of the Peacock is the Glory of God", 2012. Below, Schlossberg's "To See The Sea", 2012. All images courtesy of Pavel Zoubok Gallery.

R.I.P. Larry Hagman

Larry Hagman - (September 21, 1931 – November 23, 2012)

Rest in peace sir... you portrayed a magnificent bastard with true thespian skill.

R.I.P. Ranking Trevor

R.I.P to the lord of hosts...

1970s reggae toaster and musical pioneer Ranking Trevor passed away today in a horrific traffic crash in Jamaica. If you are not familiar with his work, check out the seminal albums "In Fine Style" (1978), "Root Of All Roots" (1979), and "Presenting Ranking Trevor" (1981).

Getting Hot

The season's outrageous heat has begun. You can see it on the faces of the passers-by on the street, in the sweaty attire adhering to every human being not enclosed in a climate controlled zone, in the dizzying optical waves of heat rising from the blacktop in the noonday sun.

Great hats are a necessity in this unforgiving climate. With so many choices available, why settle for just one?

Above is a classic two tone Panama hat from Lanvin available at Barneys New York. The cream and grey are a perfect complement.

Above is a wonderful vintage Milano style woven hat by Julius Garfinckel and Company available from one of my favorite stores on Etsy - PearlModern. The perfect hat for leisurely rowing on Central Park Lake or sitting beachside at a resort as the waves roll in.

Above, Mr. Theophilus London in a fantastic summer ensemble including a brilliant camel colored hat.

  
Below is a great cotton hat from Lock & Co Hatters in an eye-catching grey, navy and red plaid. Available from Mr. Porter.

Above, the contrast fedora from Etro - Available here. A very tasteful combination of patterns shows true artistry.

Below, the Funk hat in grey caviar double face with elephant-grey shiny lambskin trim from Hermès. Simply elegant.

Below is a photograph of the inimitable Don Cheadle looking suave while beating the summer heat in a great straw hat.

Below, a great straw fedora by Albertus Swanepoel. Available from Barneys New York.

Below, the Singer Sargent hat from Worth and Worth, available here.

 

Below, a delightful ad from quality French hatmakers Mossant. Quite debonair. There was such a magic to old advertising posters that has been lost in the digital age.

A great woven flame pattern two tone Panama hat from Agnes B. This one really makes a statement without being vulgar or verging on the ridiculous.

 

The Woven Super Sport 750 from Worth and Worth. Available from Hatshop.com. 

Below, it was apparently too hot for Michael Fassbender. Here, he keeps cool with a great stingy brimmed hat.

Beneath is a photograph of a linen flat cap by Borsalino available at Harrods.  Classically understated European style that is perfect for reflecting those harsh sun rays.

Adam Yauch - Rest In Peace

                                                                                                      Photograph: Jerome Albertini/Corbis

Fighting Old Man Winter with Top Notch Toppers - A Selection of Fine Men's Overcoats & Jackets

Inspired by the recent dip in temperature, I felt it was a fine time to present the overcoats that I have been enamored with as of late. One must always try to keep warm and look their best while having the presence of mind to select the correct coat for the situation at hand.

Cary Grant was always styled to perfection, with an attitude and panache to match. Mr. Grant's double breasted overcoat is an example of gentlemanly style that will never go out of fashion. You can't go wrong with basic black. Below is a modernized version of the classic black double breasted overcoat from Alexander McQueen, available here.

This gorgeous military style jacket from Balmain is quite appealing to shield you from inclement weather while maintaining the perfect balance between utilitarianism and high fashion. The collar's line is a perfect frame for the face. Available here.

The red accented collar of this jacket from Yohji Yamamoto sets it apart from the pack. Delicious.

A powerful jacket with military accents from Tom Rebl. An interesting combination of tough motorcycle style with high fashion. Very sharp. Available here.

Below, a unique and extremely ornamented jacket in black from Bolongaro Trevor, the Overjoy Military trench, perfect for the rockstar in you. Available here.

A candid shot of Michael Caine reaching for his cigarette lighter in a classic trenchcoat after passing through US Customs. The man always looks pulled together, even after a transcontinental excursion.

Below is a finely cut leather trenchcoat from Valentino.

Another wonderful piece from Valentino. Absolutely loving the sheepskin coat with its slim tailoring. This is a piece of art. Now to find one, since the jacket seems to have sold out everywhere.

French musical treasure Serge Gainsbourg looks right through you in his peacoat. Perfect for those cold Parisian days and nights alongside Jane Birkin. Assez chic.



Below, an incredibly handsome peacoat with red military stripe details and golden buttons from Polo by Ralph Lauren, available here.

Below, a wool blend jacket from Polo by Ralph Lauren in a traditional Navajo pattern. A great conversation starter. Available here.

Below, the Alto from Aether Apparel. A tasteful update to the classic English quilted jacket. A perfect choice for when the situation calls for subtlety while retaining a sense of taste and garment quality. Available here.

Below, a stylish and relaxed waxed cotton wooden toggle jacket from Olivier Spencer with red rope details and a plaid lining. Excellent for the cold and rainy days around a country house. Available here.

A sharp and warm piece from iconoclast Vivienne Westwood, the internal zip coat. Great British style with high functionality and military detailing.

The Spiewak Allerton Parka. Spiewak's coats are always a nice option for a reasonable price. Many of their pieces have some design quirk that makes for an appealing look. I've picked up a few through the years. This coat is nicely tailored and is eye catching with its fur and interesting pocket details. Available here.

Illustration from the Saturday Evening Post by Ray Wilcox

Above, a grey notched lapel overcoat from Maison Martin Margiela with a concealed three button closure and a contrasting grey collar. Always interesting and always perfect due to the famous Margiela attention to detail. Available here.

Last, but not least, refined outerwear by Brioni. A fine brown cashmere jacket with a faux fur peak lapel and a rear vent. Perfect for those nights on the town in the Piazza della Repubblica.

Bonne année et bonne santé!

                             Have a delicious New Year's Eve celebration and a happy new year!

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

Mr. Redford wears a scarf with appropriate panache in character as the Great Gatsby in 1974.

Two excellent statement scarves from Alexander McQueen. The first with McQueen's signature skull, available here, and the second with a gorgeous fox print, available here. Great conversation starters.

Below, a vintage French ski poster.

  Armand Diradourian scarf. Quite lively with the contrast striping.

Gloverall striped scarf.

Below, two pieces from Moncler, perfect for spending the holidays in Paris. The scarf is available here.

Christmas in Paris. 

Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter in excellent seasonal attire in "The King's Speech".

Paul Leinburd for Crown Cap fur scarf with cashmere lining. Classic, warm and attractive. Gives off the air of a royal huntsman. Would look great paired with an incredible Vicuña or camelhair jacket.

Love the above pair of gloves from Dents. Love just about anything with a red accent, actually - as long as it is tasteful.

Gorgeous unisex gloves from one of Europe's finest glovemakers, Roeckl. Picked up a pair of these in Germany a few years back and they are still as good as new. I highly recommend you pick up a pair.

Tibetan flag scarf by Roda. Available at Barneys.

Johnny Depp is always dashing in a fedora and scarf. Nicely played combination of accessories.

Above, a polka dot scarf from Marni - available from Mr. Porter.

Above, a gorgeous nautical themed scarf from Valentino.

Yellow, black and white graphic scarf from Bernhard Willhelm.

Alain Delon in Paris.

Above, a wool cap with eyeglass details from CP Company. 

Above, Christmas in Gstaad.

Below, a traditional style winter cap from Comme des Garçons Shirt. Old fashioned patterns are definitely making a comeback.

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost