afficionada

This year brought a gift dejavu when I received Proust's questionnaire edited with fashion questions--very cool present indeed. Here are my and my lover's answers. Spelled out exactly how we (I mean he) wrote it:

His
Your symbol of high fashion: Wool suit
Your favorite fabric: suede and cotton
Your favorite color: green
The collection you will never forget: 7 jeans with holes
The style you most dislike: tux with dress shoes!
Your favorite fashion photographer: le nora german
Your favorite model: gizel
Your shoe/shoe designer fetish: kewl sneakers
Your favorite fashion accessory: blackberry
Your ideal bag: the one i dont have to carry!
The most creative designer: microsoft
The most timeless designer: -
Your favorite decade in fashion: the future when we realize we dont need clothing
Your contemporary muse or inspiration: Nora's advice and commands
Your historical muse or icon: -
The "look" you prefer for a man: the comfortable one
The "look" you prefer for a woman: tights
The city with most style: NYC
Your favorite book or film about fashion:-
The fashion faux pas you can tolerate most: heels
The fashion faux pas you can tolerate least: leopard, tube top wedding dresses
What is your present state of mind? mindless
Your fashion motto: you pick for me

Hers:
Your symbol of high fashion: individualistic expression
Your favorite fabric: chiffon
Your favorite color: red, green
The collection you will never forget: My wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses
The style you most dislike: tight, overly open, imitated
Your favorite fashion photographer: Richard Avendon, Mario Testino
Your favorite model: Naomi Campbell, Adriana Lima
Your shoe / shoe designer fetish: High, thick heel, anything NOT classic
Your jewel / jewelry designer fetish: Diamonds are a girl's best friend! Matching studs and engagement ring, ASSCHER cut ONLY, after Elizabeth Taylor's KRUPP diamond.
Your favorite fashion accessory: head ware (hats, hair accessories), large cocktail rings, a man
Your ideal bag: large unknown brand, one that's NOT in style
The most creative designer: Balenciaga, Posen, Wang Bridal
The most timeless designer: Prada, Louis Vuitton, Missoni
Your favorite decade in fashion: Lingerea of 1920's, dresses of 1900's and personality of the Renaissance
Your contemporary muse or inspiration: Nicole Richie, Olsens, Zhang Ziyi, Eva Mendez
Your historical muse or icon: Lady Brett Ashley
The "look" you prefer for a man: Rugged, dirty clean, unplanned
The "look" you prefer for a woman: Dirty clean, unplanned, unmatched, effortless
The city with most style: The imaginary one in my head (ball gowns allowed for brunch)
Your favorite book or film about fashion: Sex and the City
The fashion faux pas you can tolerate most: Matching accessories
The fashion faux pas you can tolerate least: imitation, rules
What is your present state of mind? inspired, artistic, literate
Your fashion motto: "Who cares if it wont match!?" "Don't worry NOW what these shoes will go with, worry where you'll put the 296th pair!"

It's not even writer's block, its pure laziness and summer. Laziness has taken my fingers, wrapped them in the oceans and sands of summer and therefore no writing. Therefore this entry is alive ONLY because of passion-a very close friend of mine. I was lucky enough to see Gogol Bordello live at a wonderful venue-McCarren Park Pool. All critics might mention that Hutz's voice sounds like a mix of Borat and the MTV dog and he's still amazing, that the band is so crazy and entertaining, bla bla bla. It's not even about that for me. As a person who always complains and always finds something wrong in anything, I was for once speechless. I only kept repeating, "Fuck, I am so proud to be Russian right now." The devotion and dedication of every single member of the band to the audience is something I've never seen before (and I've been to my share of concerts, including Amy Winehouse). The fact that each band member treated the other as if he is his brother gave me goosebumps. This isn't that surprising, some might say-yes it is because they are not putting on an act. A child of about four years old ran from backstage to the stage and just danced, I know that wasn't practiced before. This child wasn't worried for mommy and daddy and where they are, he didn't care for food or drink, he didn't care for warmth-all those things were given to him through his ears; the music of Gogol takes over your body and mind, mostly the heart of course. I could be bias and judge them in a bias way because of where they and I are from-but that is not the case. Seeing a Mexican MC and a black guitarist made me love them all even more. To include and welcome people from other countries to a very obvious Russian/Ukrainian/Gypsy band is like welcoming a white person to a meal of soul food; tastes delicious. I don't know if this description points out clearly that Williamsburg was alive for more than three hours that night. Manhattan Samba band was on stage for thirty minutes after Gogol left and people just kept dancing; the blood and adrenaline pushed them no matter how tired they were. My boyfriend told me to start wearing purple until 3 am. Pirogues and kalbasa were being sold at the entrance (as well as face value left over tickets). The most surprising part of the show was when Hutz said at the end, "I have a very important piece of information for you, the after party is at Bulgarian Bar (113 Ludlow Street), everyone is invited!" I was really taken by that. I've never seen or heard for a musician to "reveal" to the whole crowd where the after party is.

I'll pick up every time you call, just to thank you one more time for everything you've done.

In an interview with myself and me, I made up the following questions:

So who are you?
A girl. A human. A daughter of a mother. A friend. A girlfriend.

What is your state of mind at the moment?
Well, I have two different states; there is a weekend state of mind where I am happy and fulfilled and in love and in lust; and there is a weekday state of mind where I am depressed, sad, unsatisfied, useless.

Do you mind explaining both states?
Well on the weekends I am with my boyfriend and friends. We attend events which I research and take photos at and laugh and learn about the place we live in and just love life. On weekdays, I sit at a desk and answer phones from corporate, stuck up CEOs who think that their shit smells like roses, unless it’s Adrian Brody calling, how fun can that be?

What would you rather be doing on weekdays? What is your ideal job? Working for Interview Magazine 

Doing what exactly? I’d start as a janitor, I don’t care, as long as I am somehow in the company of the people there (and it sounds weird because I don’t really know them) I will be happy. But realistically, I would want to be an assistant to the editor (creative or fashion), as a start.

What makes you think you would be happy at Interview, I mean you thought you would be happy at your current job, right? Not really, I knew I wouldn’t be happy here because the place is connected to the financial world—something I despise. It was a temporary plan to start paying off credit cards which were maxed out due to my addiction: shoes.

What was the plan before this? You went to Fordham in Lincoln Center, and what was in between that and today? Well I majored in philosophy thinking that I will go to law school and all the analogies and arguments in Nietzsche and Kierkegaard would help me. I then started to minor in visual arts and that’s when I began to become interested in photography (a very expensive course in college) and art (I got a B- in painting and an A in art history). I was pretty good at philosophy, I enjoyed analyzing stuff and ripping theories apart, but it wasn’t creative enough for me. I began taking literature classes to fill up my electives and I took three which made it three away from a minor, so I just took three more and I had two minors. I was getting A’s in Virginia Woolf, Modern Literature and the classics. I took the course with the same professor three times; he assigned a novel per week and quizzed us on it every week. I didn’t take the reading as an assignments, it was a bigger challenge every week and I loved it. When we got to class, the professor didn’t really do anything, he just said, “Okay, talk about the book.” There were no rules or musts, I pretty much led the class, started questions and debates, and I had the biggest rush from that. I of course started to regret then that I majored in philosophy because somewhere inside me I knew I wasn’t going to law school.

How did the decision finalize? I studied for the LSATS and inside my gut just wasn’t feeling it at all. I studied with a friend and he had problems with Spanish, so I taught him Spanish during the study time; anything just not to do the LSAT work. I then worked in a law firm which finalized the decision, I just didn’t care for the law of the United States, I cared more for the road of the United States, the road Kerouac wrote about.

Oh, that one. [Laughs]. Yeah, I was inspired by the book and wrote a paper titled, “To Life or Bust” for that weekly quiz professor.

What did you get? An A, naturally.

So you started your writing process that way? Yes. I mean I always loved writing letters to people, even with computers and internet around, I liked the physical process of it; but with the papers, I just enjoyed the research, being alone in the library, smelling old books and constantly being surprised by something or someone. At my current job, nothing surprises me, although it could, but I just don’t care enough for it. I don’t really care about the merges and acquisitions of Yahoo and Microsoft and who bought who out. I do however, care about the new Marc Jacobs heel which is upside down and the way a director works when making films. My boyfriend is constantly amazed when I tell him about a celebrity’s life, what they did, who they are, “Who cares?!” he roars. I don’t know why, but I do, I really do.

But what makes you think that this will be permanent? There are a lot of hipsters, writers, bloggers, and creative people out there today who are all looking for the same thing? Do you think you’re influenced by that? Well, I have been reading fashion magazines since I came to this country, so even when I was 15 and in high school, I was always interested in fashion and spent all the money I had on clothes and shoes. I was raised with international music playing and movies. My mom was and is interested only in old, Russian comedies whereas I am into heavy dramas.

So you depress yourself? [Laughs]. It’s kind of easy to do with my current employment. [Laughs]. I was always attracted to people and places with a sad history. I fell in love with Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises because Jake was impotent; that was the part that I loved. Here is this guy, he loves this woman who everyone else lusts after, and she loves him back, and they can’t be together. How fucked up is that? [Laughs].
What is it that attracts you about the interviewing process? I wasn’t sure at first, but I think I figured it out now. I like to literally interview someone, I like to read interviews and I like to be interviewed myself. I just feel like you can ask someone questions which you wouldn’t feel comfortable asking in a regular conversation. People don’t open up as easily when they are simply conversing; they will usually talk about the weather and always avoid personal areas. I fell in love with Marcel Proust’s questionnaire. A friend of mine bought me the book and I made all my friends fill it out. I also told my friends that at my wedding (if I ever have one) I will use the questionnaire as a guest book.

You’d rather know your guests’ fears and hopes rather than their wishes for a romantic life together? [Laughs] Trust me, I will hear those darling wishes at least thirty times during the wedding because Russians want to make sure that they got through to you, “Cook for your husband and have a lovely, clean home.” I really don’t want to see that in a writing format, not exactly arty if you know what I mean. [Laughs].

Do you think Interview will call? [Shakes her head] Nope.

http://www.latinalternative.com/


Tuesday, July 8th:

8:00pm - 11:00pm
LAMC Underground Film Night
at The Delancey
168 Delancey Street

featuring Habran Esperanzas, a film by Felipe Monsalve. Presented by Zune


Wednesday, July 9th:

3:00pm - 5:00pm
LAMC Registration @ The Roosevelt Hotel 45 E 45th St, Mezzanine Level

6:00pm - 1:00am
LAMC Music & Film Night at Central Park Summerstage

featuring Bragging Rights: Stickball Stories, a film by Sonia N. Gonzalez, and Machito: A Latin Jazz Legacy a film by Carlos Ortiz, with musical performance by CuCu Diamantes of Yerba Buena and introduction by Andres Levin.

8:00pm - 1:00am
LAMC/GoTV Indie Showcase
@ The Mercury Lounge 217 E Houston St Co-presented by Gibson, Discmakers, and Myspace Latino

Performances by Forro in the Dark (Brazil), Pilar Diaz (Los Angeles), La Pulqueria (Spain), Allá (Chicago), Don Tetto (Colombia). Hosted by Sandra Sampayo of GoTV.

Thursday, July 10th:

9:00am - 5:00pm
LAMC Registration, Panels & Exhibits @ The Roosevelt Hotel, Mezzanine Level

11:00am - 12:30pm:
Panel: WIDENING LATIN MUSIC'S GLOBAL REACH: How new tour markets and new technologies are creating opportunities at home and abroad Presented by Cyloop

1:30pm - 3:00 pm:
Panel: CAN I OUTSOURCE MY RECORD LABEL (OR NOT)? New business models in a changing marketplace

3:30pm - 5:00pm:
Panel: HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE: How the U.S. Latin listener hears new music Presented by Batanga


6:00pm - 8:30pm:
LAMC Acoustic Showcase
@ SOB's 204 Varick St
Co-Presented by Cyloop and Gibson

Enjoy the sounds of an intimate evening of acoustic performances by Udi E A Geral, Chana, Miranda!, Emmanuel Horvilleur, Francisca Valenzuela, Gonzalo Yañez, bobbyblue & patricio, Alex*Cuba and more to be announced!

9:00pm - 1:00am:
LAMC Showcase
@ Bowery Ballroom - 6 Delancey St Presented by Terra

Performances by Los Fancy Free, Emmanuel Horvilleur, Sussie 4 Ximena Sariñana, Alex*Cuba, and DJ Pauer (Toto Gonzalez - Fabrika) on the wheels in between sets with more to be announced!

This is a semi-private event open to LAMC registrants, with a limited number of tickets to be made available for purchase by the general public.

Friday, July 11th:

9:00am - 5:00pm:
LAMC Registration, Panels & Exhibits
@ The Roosevelt Hotel, Mezzanine Level

11:30am - 1:0am:
Panel: BLOGUEANDO: How Latino-oriented and indie music blogs and bloggers are helping artists connect with new audiences and brands

2:00pm - 3:00pm:
Moses Avalon Q&A session

3:30pm - 5:00pm:
Panel: FROM UGLY BETTY TO TIGER WOODS: Licensing opportunities for new Latin sounds

7:30pm - 11:00pm:
LAMC/Celebrate Brooklyn Show
@ Prospect Park Bandshell
Presented by Zune

Enjoy the outdoors under the stars in Brooklyn with LAMC and Celebrate Brooklyn with performances by Brazilian Girls, Miranda!, Ticklah. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, July 12th:

3:00pm -7:00pm:
MTV Tr3s/LAMC/Central Park Summerstage Show @ Rumsey Playfield

An afternoon of sunshine in the park and musica by Julieta Venegas, Plastilina Mosh, DJ Bitman.

This event is free and open to the public.

8:00pm - 10:00pm:
Pepsi Blue Carpet Bash - The Official Closing Night Party for the LAMC (Latin Alternative Music Conference)
Presented by Zune

Come out and celebrate with spirits and sounds of some of Latin Alternative's hottest DJs on the wheels like Tony Touch, Raul Campos (KCRW), Toy Selectah, DJ Zuzuku (a.k.a Blanquito Man) & Candice Cannabis, DJ Bitman vs. DJ Raff. Special live performance by Pacha Massive. Invitation-only.

Great cast, but I am not too sure about the film itself, out on Friday, June 13th (beware)
Red-band trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ort07zcUs7g

Charlie Kaufman not only writes this one, but directs for the first time. Should be a great one with a plot of death; amazing cast might I add.

Here are a few clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hs7SZAhYGY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiJYZ0IB5mU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiSG_ijruS4&feature=related

Here is also an interview with Kaufman, pretty personal: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/awards_festivals/cannes/features/e3i7c5c16b2d6b9258ed4b22877399c5dfd

Jamie Johnson: Wasps Stung over Renaming of the N.Y.P.L.

“It is an act of the worst kind of buffoonery. Schwarzman is horrid.”

This statement was made to me by a member of New York’s Protestant establishment in reference to the renaming of the New York Public Library on 5th Avenue at 42nd Street after Stephen A. Schwarzman, C.E.O. of The Blackstone Group, a private equity company. In March news broke that Mr. Schwarzman had agreed to lead the library’s current fundraising campaign by pledging a $100 million gift—the largest the institution has ever received. In recognition, the library announced, his name would be would be carved onto the exterior of the lion-guarded building.

Within senior Wasp circles, Schwarzman and the distinction he has received for his gift have set off a great deal of concealed outrage. Perhaps the best way I can describe it is to say that when I sat and talked with several Wasps about the diminishing influence of their clan, they often waited until the interview was winding down and I had folded up my notebook, and then they jumped back into conversation about Schwarzman and the library.

Old-guard Wasps appear to feel threatened by the newly rich and their growing influence around the city, and dismiss new money as “tasteless and gauche.” When discussing vastly rich people who are Jewish, it is not uncommon for them to use anti-Semitic slurs.

“Come on, though, it’s not Wasps giving Jews a bad name, it’s Jews giving Jews a bad name,” one said. Another told me, “The Astors knew to put their name on the inside. It’s good taste, that’s the difference between old and new.” A third said Schwarzman, who is Jewish, “is cleaning himself up, that’s what new money does. I suppose my family had to do the same thing hundreds of years ago, but look at us now, we’re like deities.”

The comments reveal the extent to which elitism, and, even more disturbingly, anti-Semitism still exist in certain quarters of Wasp society. There’s absolutely no basis to the claim that renaming the library edifice for Stephen Schwarzman represents a new form of philanthropy. Wasp patrons have had buildings at Manhattan’s cultural institutions named after them for centuries. The Frick Collection and The Peggy and David Rockefeller Building at The Museum of Modern Art are two examples in this tradition. Additionally, Schwarzman indicated that the building was renamed at the library’s request, not his.

Many of the affluent Wasps and affluent Jews I chatted with on the subject preferred not to openly acknowledge the traces of snobbery and elitism that still exist within the Wasp community. When I asked directly, Wasps told me that although their community had excluded people on cultural, ethnic, or economic grounds in the past, it certainly didn’t happen anymore. Affluent Jews responded to my question by saying that they didn’t feel discriminated against at all when hanging around their Wasp friends.

Eric Richman (35), a successful attorney and New York social fixture who counts the great-grandchildren of William Randolph Hearst and the children of Saul Steinberg among his many friends, was quick to tell me that ” I don’t think about it, being Jewish doesn’t come up when I’m around my Waspy friends.” But as our discussion continued, he remembered an awkward incident he had had with one of his closest friends (a Wasp). They were out drinking and once they had gotten a little drunk they started to talk about religion. He recalls a moment when the tenor of their conversation changed and his friend looked at him and said, “what’s interesting about you is that you have no idea how much we really hate you.” Eric told me that it was probably intended to be a joke, “yet there was something in it that seemed like a real residual sentiment. After a few drinks, it came out.”

Schwarzman himself would comment neither on his gift to the library, nor on any old-money resentment or anti-Semitic sentiments it may have provoked. Peter Rose, the managing director of public affairs for The Blackstone Group, responded to my request for an interview on the matter by saying that Mr. Schwarzman was “very unenthusiastic about that.”

The library also preferred to sidestep the issue. A spokesman for the institution acknowledged that there was some controversy over the renaming, but added, “you’re not likely to get much out of the library on this.”

What does it mean that a generous gift to the cultural future of the city is being condemned? Apparently, that old prejudices and insecurities have not entirely disappeared from our society. Wasps haven’t come up with a Schwarzman-sized gift to the library since the Astors and a handful of other families founded the library in 1911. Now Wasps are watching their establishment crumble, and generations of elitism and exclusionary behavior are hastening the collapse as power shifts away from them.

Next week I’ll consider the social institutions affluent Wasps still do govern and any significance they have.
by Jamie Johnson

I don't get it, she changed shoes during a 30 minute performance? Speaking of Fergie, I was reading Interview magazine this morning and there is an interview with All My Children's Leven Rambin; apparently she has been recording music. So Rebecca Sinn asked her what type of music  she is recording and she said, and I quote, "dance, fun, meaningless, like Fergie-ish." I thought that was pretty funny.

I really don't know what is up with her lately; she either changed stylists or possibly fired her old one. Showing up at different premieres and photo calls at the Cannes Film Festival, Gwyneth has been wearing the right names, but the wrong fits for her body and personality.

On May 19th at the premiere of "Two Lovers." The shoes do not go with that dress at all because they are buckled and buckle shoes should stand out in a short and/or a knee-length dress. The hair looks too promish, and the whole look together just screams fall; it is the beginning of summer!

On May 19th at the Chopard Trophy Awards Party in Cannes. This is much better; hair down and white gladiator dress, okay, better, but the shoes? The style of the shoe fits, but the color just does not do it for me, cute toes though.

On May 20th at the photocall for "Two Lovers." Okay so, THESE shoes should have been worn with the white dress, and the shoes she wore with the white should have been worn with this dress. Both gladiator, both high platform, both gorgeous, both misfit.

As much as I hate to admit this, Elsa Pataky has been looking gorgeous when showing up at Cannes Film Festival. Personally, I hate her because she is with my husband and lover, and her fake boobs press up against his thin chest when she kisses him with her silicone lips touching that gorgeous, soft goatee. Here is the slut in gorgeous couture.


I am vetoing the shoes! Her shoes, not his :)


Simply stunning!

UNION SQUARE

5/20/2008 @ 8:00 PM
Richie Santana & Peter Bailey DJ Set
Richie Santana and Peter Bailey will be at the Virgin Megastore Union Square to celebrate the release of their new CD, “MINDCONTROL” on Tuesday, May 20th. Join us in the Virgin Megastore Union Square Café starting at 8:00PM for this special DJ set.

5/21/2008 @ 7:00 PM
Heloise & The Savoir Faire
Come down to the Virgin Megastore at the Union Square location on Wednesday, May 21st at 7PM and celebrate the CD launch of New York's very own Heloise & The Savoir Faire's debut album "Trash, Rats, and Microphones." The debut album reflects the exciting sounds of electrified collisions of the late-70's disco-infused dance punk and a touch of 80's synth-pop. Heloise & The Savoir
Faire will be performing tracks from their new album at the store which will be followed by a meet and greet signing!! Time & space are limited

6/04/2008 @ 7:00 PM
Tito Ortiz Book Signing
Purchase your copy of "This is Gonna Hurt: The Life of a Mixed Martial Arts Champion" at this location to receive a wristband for entry to the event. *1 wristband per book. 1 person per wristband. "He's the ultimate showman in the world's greatest spectator sport -- a controversial, charismatic figure who has dominated Ultimate Fighting for more than ten years as one of its most exciting and skillful stars." Time and space are limited so please arrive early.

6/05/2008 @ 6:00 PM
Wisin & Yandel
Wisin & Yandel will be signing copies of their new CD "Los Extraterrestres Otra Dimension" on Thursday June 5 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. The first 700 customers to purchase their new CD at the Union Square location only starting on May 27, 2008 @ 9:00 AM will receive a wristband to attend this very special event. Time and space are limited so please arrive early.

6/12/2008 @ 7:00 PM
KJ Denhert Performance & Signing
See KJ Denhert & The NY Unit perform folk jazzy songs from her album "Lucky 7" at the Virgin Megastore Union Square Café on June 12, 2008 @7:00 PM. KJ willbe signing her new CD after the performance. Don't miss it!

TIMES SQUARE

5/20/2008 @ 1:00 PM
Jesse McCartney DJ Interview
Visit the Virgin Megastore Times Square on May 20, 2008 @ 1PM and get a glimpse of Jesse McCartney fresh from his TRL appearance. Jesse will be interviewed by our in house DJ and will sign copies of his new CD "Departure".

5/26/2008 @ 11:00 PM
Usher CD Release Party
Join us at the Times Square Virgin Megastore on Monday, May 26, 2008 beginning at 11:00 PM to celebrate the release of Usher's new CD “Here I Stand” (available at Midnight). Show off your best Usher dance moves to win tickets to see Usher on Good Morning America on Friday, May 30, 2008 at 6:00AM.

6/3/2008 @ 6:00 PM
Ashanti Performance & CD Signing
Come to the Virgin Megastore in Times Square on June 3, 2008 and see Ashanti LIVE! The first 500 customers to buy Ashanti's new CD "Declaration" on June 3, 2008 starting at 9:00 AM will receive a wristband to attend this very special event. Time & space are limited so please arrive early.

6/4/2008 @ 4:00 PM
Annie 30th Anniversary CD Signing
Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Annie, America's favorite Little Orphan, with a very special in store signing with many of your favorite stars from Annie including: Andrea McArdle, Broadway's first Annie, Madison Square Garden's own Miss Hannigan Kathie Lee Gifford, as well as Conrad John Schuck who's played Daddy Warbucks for over 25 years, and Martin Charnin & Charles Strouse the lyricist and composer of Annie and many more special guests...!!!

Purchase your copy of the Annie 30th Anniversary Cast Recording beginning at 9AM on June 3rd, at the Virgin Megastore Times Square location only, to receive a wristband to attend this exclusive event & signing. Time & Space are limited so please arrive early! Limit 1 wristband per person.

Included in this amazing two-disc recording is the complete score of Annie as well as the complete score of the never before recorded sequel Annie 2: Miss Hannigan's Revenge and includes recordings from numerous stars associated with the show. Leapin' Lizards, this one's going to be swell!