oqLiq's Street Style Collection Takes the Runway for FW2020
OqLiq, a mens clothing brand from Taiwan, kicked off NYFW2020 on Thursday, February 6th, at the revered Spring Studios. They debuted their new street style collection, Omni Direction. Admiring guests were elated to see the versatility the line presented, enabling the coats to be worn in a variety of settings. It offered a dynamic look accompanied by new-tech materials.
The new line graced fashion addicts with unique urban outdoor wear such as trench coats and short jackets These outerwear pieces were lined with details that made each clothing piece all the more desirable: curved zippers, hidden buttons, bold hemlines, and an array of colors that the products came in. Also showcased were multiple vests: some sleek and simple with singing belts, some with ribbon detailing and others oversized with exterior pockets.
Whether the concrete jungle, or the jungle itself confronts you with showers or sunshine, “Omni Direction” is best suited to protect you while ensuring your style won't diminish. Coats and pants boast geometrical patchwork and a thoroughly thought out placement of pockets. While an array of colors were displayed amongst the collection they aired on the darker side: navy, olive, grey, charcoal, taupe and black. Complementing these warm colors were layers of contrasting colors. Fabrics and textiles used throughout the collection were polartec, nylon, poly and cotton. Every model was fashionably clothed by the items in the line. Moreover, they were given edgy hair and makeup by Romana’s Beauty team which illuminated the artistic essence the collection portrayed.
Although oqLiq is more traditionally a menswear brand, it debuted one of the looks on a woman taking a unisex approach. This amplified the gender neutrality that we are presently seeing in the fashion industry. Notable guests of the brands first New York show included Julian Talley (New York Giants player) Joshua Whittaker (VH1 Black Ink cast member) and Francesca Curran (Orange is the New Black).
Photos provided by oqLiq
New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion
From February th toFebruary 9th, 2020, Art Hearts Fashion hosted the New York Fashion Week at the Angel Orensanz Foundation, including a variety of outstanding designers and artists, as well as marvelous guests.
The 2020 New York Fashion Week powered by Art Hearts Fashion started on Friday 6, when the doors opened at 6pm for a fashion and art exhibition. The opening night and the following three days were filled with unique fashion runway shows and breaks to enjoy the art exhibitions and delicious cocktails.
The venue of this year's Art Hearts Fashion shows was the Angel Orensanz Foundation in Bowery, Manhattan, which contributed an exclusive atmosphere to the events. With the ambience of an old majestic church, the location framed the runway and art shows perfectly.
Participating designers included Glaudi, Raul Penaranda, Willet Designs, Grayling Pernell Merlin Castell, as well as Alexandra Popescu-York and Willfredo Gerardo.
The great variety of designers is another factor that devotes to the exceptional experience of the Art Hearts Fashion Week in New York.
After the shows, guests had the chance to meet the models and designers while taking pictures for a personal memory or asking questions about the newest collections.
Art Hearts Fashion is a platform for designers and artists, that gives them the possibility to showcase their collections in a contemporary fashion week surrounding. The national platform helds events from coast to coast in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and beyond.
Since it was founded in 2011, Art Hearts Fashion has established into a leading platform in the art & fashion community.
The New York Times Travel Show - 2020
Have you ever travelled the world in one day? Well realistically, you can't travel all the way around the world in a day on a commercial airline. However, in one day, you can definitely learn a whole bunch of new things about those places to plan for future trips.
Attracting more than 35,000 attendees and with over 700 exhibitors from more than 175 countries, right at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, The New York Times Travel Show is the largest travel trade and consumer show in North America.
An ultimate travel and tourism event aiming at promoting the tourism industries worldwide. This event was a must for anyone who loves traveling and exploring the beauty of nature. It also sponsored more than 100 cultural presentations given by professionals to promote worldwide travel agencies and cultures.
The first station I visited was the “Travel Seminars.” I attended different talks by travel connoisseurs. Seth Kugel, Journalist, Travel Writer and previous New York Times Frugal Traveler, discussed the different ways to travel sustainably without spending a fortune. As we know, sustainable travel has always been associated with luxury travel: high-end resorts, fancy farm-to-table restaurants, trains and hybrid vehicles. Kugel explained the opposite, mentioning the different ways to travel sustainably without incurring additional costs, and sometimes even for a lower cost.
“Travel Writing and Photography in 2020: Perspectives From three Experts” is another discussion I really enjoyed. Panelists Max Hartshorne, editor at GoNOMAD.com, Paul Shoul, Travel Photographer and Erik Trinidad, Video Producer, provided tips and advice about the travel publishing market, both online and print. Whether new to travel, writing, or already a blogger, they gave tips about getting published, shooting better photos and editing engaging videos to enhance your stories.
Next station was “Taste of the World.'' That was a good one! I got the opportunity to taste Costa Ricca’s best ground coffee, India’s most delicious samosa, Switzerland’s best cheese, and Brazil’s best cocktail.
So if you’re in the mood for a new vacation, a foodie trip in Spain or France, or even just inspiration for a local weekend trip, check out the New York Times Travel Show for lots of ideas and information pertaining to any sort of travel.
NYFW- Oxford Fashion Studio AW20
With the help of Oxford Fashion Studio, ten amazing designers showcased their talent during NYFW on February 7th at Pier 59 Studios. Needless to say, each designer put their heart into their collection and gave us something unique, whether it was a bold mixture of patterns or reinterpretations of traditional pieces.
Founded by Lulu Almuhanna in 2018, Mayan the Label is a Saudi Arabian brand inspired by art, interior, and travel. The brand took modest traditional Arabic styles and added unique embroidery and embellishments to create a couture and modern-day contemporary look. The darker palette of this collection and the long coats are perfect for layering in the fall and winter months while still looking classy.
The fashion crime of mixing patterns has been challenged time and time again and Christy + You, continues to do just that. The brand takes plaids and pinstripes and cuts them into interesting, non-traditional shapes to create pieces that look like abstract collages. It then also layered these pieces on top of a floral dress. The purpose of this collection was to create elevated looks with deconstructed tailoring and fabric limitation while also delivering a message of love. The name of this collection, “Superpower,” refers to the power of telepathic love signals you send to your lover. These signals translate onto the pieces through the wavy shapes all over the collection.
Inspired by her Indonesian and Chinese heritage, Samantha Darryanto reinterprets traditional pieces and fabrics to create an avant-garde collection called “Anak-Ku.” From her Indonesian side, Samantha used batik, a fabric made using the technique of wax-resist dyeing, to create a bohemian-esque robe. Then from her Chinese side, she used silk for many of her robes, skirts, and dresses. She also created a bodysuit inspired by the traditional Chinese Qi Pao, a body-hugging dress popular in Shanghai in the 1920s-1940s, and layered it under a robe that covered only half the body which was unique and effortlessly stylish.
Rene’ Tyler put the spotlight on plus-sized models to show that fashion is for everyone. The industry does not have enough plus-sized options and that needs to change. Shown by the name “Noir Et Blanc,” the collection used a monochromatic palette and a pop of red with accessories to create sophisticated looks inspired by Parisian style and elegance. The pieces in this collection accentuated the models’ curves and proved that no matter what size or shape you are, you can find clothes that will flatter your body.
Black never goes out of style. The Los Angeles based designer and UCLA student, Matt Sarafa created a lookbook of monochrome outfits made from different black fabrics: fur, chiffon, satin, leather, etc. You know what they say, you can never go wrong with an all-black outfit and you can always elevate it with different textures and fabrics. Matt accessorized his outfits with what seems like a gem embroidered fishnet to add a glam and chic element to his collection. Overall, these looks screamed “insta baddie.”
Minimalist outfits and statement pieces are in. Inspired by NYC in the 1970s-1980s, Nadia Kuzentsova created chic and modern statement pieces that bring an outfit to life. She handmade leather fringe earrings, geometric cuff bracelets, distinct hair wraps, bold necklaces, and more to give outfits a bold and rebellious look. Many of her accessories used studs and spikes which seem loud, but when paired correctly, elevated a simple and classy outfit.
Sustainable, minimal, and handmade. The Pre-occupied Collection hinted at the endless flow of information invading our subconscious and the hand-embroidered flora and fauna on the pieces signify what has been lost and needs to be conserved. It paid tribute to the hand embroidery and weaving techniques from local villages in India and brought them to contemporary fashion. All materials used were ethically sourced and produced in North India.
From the East End of England, Poli and Jo brought functional, practical, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing bags perfect for the needs of modern work life. All the bags in the Defender City Collection are made from Land Rover Defender canvas and are accented with red stripes for an interesting edge. They were created with the help of artisans and manufacturers based in England.
Inspired by the utopian Waitomo Glowworm Cave in New Zealand, MVR presented “Waitomo,” an “organic-inspired” collection that gave viewers a visual tour of nature. First, the changes in the cave were observed and then visually represented as new textures on fabric. They were then put together to create pieces inspired by the hip-hop culture of the 80s, similar to how minerals were mixed with water to create large structures in the cave.
Na Yeong Baek created the Mesmerizing Darkness collection as her way of expressing responses to electrical blackouts. The collection used playful silhouettes to create interesting and classy pieces. Most of Na Yeong Baek’s designs were inspired by her time in Myanmar and how she interacted with people as a woman and a foreigner.
About Oxford Fashion Studio:
Oxford Fashion Studio is a platform for independent designers to showcase their talent. Learn more here: https://oxfordfashionstudio.com/about/oxford-fashion-studio
Photos provided by Oxford Studio
Studio Day with Phillip Lim - Introduction of the 2020 FW Collection
On Monday, February 10th from 1pm-8pm, Phillip Lim debuted his 2020 Fall and Winter collection for women and men at their flagship store in NoHo. Since the event was free and open to anybody, the diverse crowd made up for a broad range from Fashion Week experts to upcoming designers as well as spontaneous spectators and food fanatics.
The latter were particularly pleased by the small hors d’oeuvres that were generously provided by Fish Cheeks, NoHo’s acclaimed seafood-focused Thai restaurant. The collaboration was initiated by Phillip Lim who also hosted his brand launch at Fish Cheeks, the designer’s personal favorite. Just like the designer, guests were soon swayed by the selection of toasted cod over watermelon and a chicken pork ensemble over pineapple.
But the focus was neither on the described hors d’oeuvres nor the open bar which offered wine, beer or tequila, but obviously on the designer’s new collection. Just like the objective of the event the creation of an open space that welcomes everybody, the designs were also applicable to a wide range of taste and color preferences.
In Phillip Lim’s usual manner, the design pieces displayed the brand’s luxury and yet effortless style while successfully maintaining an air of extravaganza rooted in responsible modernity. The FW20 collection accordingly employed recycled cruelty-free wool serge as well as organic, toxic-free finished cotton to name only a few of the many sustainable elements.
The appreciation of all, including even largely unexplored, material, was further resembled in the collection’s style which suits people from all kinds of backgrounds and age brackets. Accordingly, youthfully tailored shells and skirts were in constant alternation with more streamlined and minimalist pieces which left no browsing eye dissatisfied.
All in all, the event was a huge success which was also demonstrated by the sheer and unexpected quantity of guests visiting the flagship store that day. And rightfully so. Especially in today’s times, collections like Phillip Lim’s take an important stand for nonconformity, tolerance and freedom and should be celebrated for that.
Chinese New Year Spectacular VI!
On Friday, February 7th, for its sixth running, Carnegie Hall opened its doors to the annual Chinese New Year Spectacular, to ring in the Lunar New Year.
Jiehua Shi & Min Cheng perform Kunqu Opera. Photo: Jill Nelson
A spirit of celebration surrounded Zankel Hall, as a diverse and multicultural crowd gathered to listen to music from Kunqu Opera to classical piano. “This year’s Spectacular VI Concert is a diverse blend of cultures and musical sounds. We’re thrilled to have such a strong and energetic group of new and returning talent,” said Charles W. Sullivan, Spectacular VI Concert co-producer and president of Premier Event Management, Inc.
The evening opened with Kunqu Opera, performed by Jiehua Shi, Min Cheng and Qinglin Cai, with accompanying traditional Chinese music, including instruments such as the Kunqu flute, played by Ming Zhou. Kunqu Opera, one of the oldest extant forms of Chinese opera, incorporates poetry, dance, and acting, to create dramatic narrative and engaging aesthetics and sounds. It is certainly a multi-sensory experience; the majesty of their resplendent robes, dazzling headpieces, and intricately elaborate make-up, clash and confront the delicacy of the flute and the exciting tonal ranges of the singing, in a striking and occasionally startling manner.
Qinglin Cai masters Kunqu. Photo: Jill Nelson
To follow the acclaimed classical pianist, Cong Bi, offered two masterful and hauntingly beautiful Beethoven renditions. I felt enchanted and entranced by the spectral reflection of Bi’s hands mirrored against the obsidian grand piano lid. The dance between his hands and their reflection further emphasised the drama and precise urgency of Beethoven’s ‘Appassionata’. The speed at which Bi applied his skill guided me into a delectable fever dream; a monochromatic blur juxtaposed by clean, sharp notes to tickle the brain.
Pianist Cong Bi. Photo: Jill Nelson
Soprano Quan Cheng. Photo: Jill Nelson
I had the great pleasure to talk with two of the evening’s standout performers; Quan Chen and Deni Bonet. Quan Chen, an established and expressive soprano, returning to Carnegie Hall, stunned the audience with both her solo performance and in her accompaniment with The Athenians, a dynamic group of virtuoso opera singers. A Puccini aficionado to her core, the passion and emotion of Chen reverberated magnificently around the hall. Maestro Wroe, the conductor of New York City Opera, who knows Chen well said, ‘Ms. Chen is attracted to music that speaks to the soul… She demands your attention, she draws you into her performances and she wraps you in an intensely musical sound-world that is irresistible.’ He went onto to discuss her creative process as a, ‘combination of firstly building a technique and a beauty of sound to then support her vision of the music, and secondly listening to the great masters to understand why they were revered so much. There is no shame in mirroring genius.’
The Athenians, photo: Jill Nelson.
To complete the evening, Deni Bonet, an American singer/songwriter/violinist, upped the tempo and performed energetic numbers of her own creation, including ‘Last Girl on Earth’ and ‘Primal Dream’. Her exquisite and dynamic violin playing was truly exemplified in a dizzying solo, in which her strings laughed, screamed, rejoiced and bellowed, in swings between compelling crescendo and its delicate opposite. Bonet has always been musically inclined and was even accepted into the Prep School of Juilliard at the impressive age of six. She playfully describes her music as, ‘quirky, melodic and fun folk-rock’, which, in its delightful contradiction, complimented the classical music of the evening.
Deni Bonet performs. Photo: Jill Nelson
Three hours on and the sixth Chinese New Year Spectacular was drawing to a close. “This one-of-a-kind concert will be unique in its history, and we are extremely honored to continue to host this tradition at Carnegie Hall for six consecutive years,” said Lily Li, Spectacular VI Concert co-producer and chief executive. “Our mission and passion for this event is to showcase a multicultural blend of music and art for our multicultural audience.”
This year’s Chinese New Year Spectacular was nothing short of spectacular. A dazzling showcase of dance and music, honoring ancient traditions and celebrating new collaborations; the perfect start to a New Year!
The Sound and The Future - Alex Schweder
As an artist, Alex Schweder formed the term “Performance Architecture”. The New Yorker developed a unique handwriting in his work, when transforming the understanding of architecture as an instructions providing but also identity (per-) forming element.
One of his artworks, The Sound and The Future is on display at the Design Gallery, Pratt Studio 200 at Pratt Institute from February 3 until February 9, 2020.
The Sound and The Future
On Monday invited Schweder, who is also a Professor of Design at Pratt Institute, students as well as art enthusiasts to an exclusive lecture, where the artist discussed his inflatable artworks, including The Sound and The Future.
Alex Schweder himself describes this work as “an air-powered architectural robot that reconfigures the spaces around it with hairy and metallic arms flopping and stiffening.” He once again proved in his lecture, which was open for the public, that he is not only an outstanding artist, but also succeeds in transferring his knowledge and enthusiasm to the audience.
The Sound and The Future
The artist gave a unique insight of his creative process and his individual approach to art. After the lecture Schweder himself showed his artwork The Sound and The Future and was open to questions and thoughts on his work.
The work of the performance architecture artist has been already exhibited internationally in the Museum of Modern Art, the Tate Britain, Perform 17, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale.
Alex Schweder is also a fellow of the American Academy in Rome.
Cubitts Glasses Set their Sights on NYC
On Wednesday February 5th, as part of a sponsored pop-up from Santander, ‘From Across the Pond’, Cubitts showcased their revolution in spectacles. Cubitts, founded in London in 2012, aims to elevate glasses, modernise eyewear and place spectacles alongside other adorned and adored accessories.
Cubitts pop-up, 306 Bowey
Having achieved success in London for the past few years, Cubitts is looking to move stateside, setting their sights on NYC. One of the most interesting features of Cubitts is the extent to which they are technologically driven. Thea, aptly named after the goddess of sight, is an app developed by Cubitts that uses depth cameras to scan client’s faces, in order to produce digital mock-ups of how different glasses, be it color, shape or design, suit different people. The idea is to democratise optical options, once the app is downloaded clients across the world can effectively try on different pairs on glasses and order the right ones for them. Thus, app, face and product is the Cubitt golden triad of progressive and accessible eyewear.
Complimentary lens cloth designed by David Shrigley
Other interesting bonus features that also catches the eye; a lens cleaning cloth designed by the artist David Shrigley, complete with his quirky and striking style; a monthly newspaper appropriately called The Spectacle, documenting recent projects, from remodelling famous glasses, from the likes of Sir Elton John to John Lennon, to producing glasses from the waste material of potatoes.
Glasses crafted from plastic milk cartons
This lean towards sustainability and recycling waste products is emblematic of Cubitts philosophy. Glasses made of plastic bags look out proudly next to human hair spectacles and wool woven eyewear. Cubitts works to the ideal that, ‘patients are for life, not just for eye examinations.’ Continuity of clients rather than one off customers is paramount. That certainly sounds like something New Yorkers can get behind.
Cubitts aims to be modern, sustainable and bespoke. A campaign against fast fashion eyewear but by no means against style or precision. It certainly looks like it’s working.
Plasticity: New Play Presents Playful Look at the Hard Problem of Consciousness
On Saturday, February 1st, a new play written by Alex Lyras and Robert McCaskill, dazzled and delighted audiences at Greenwich House Theater. Plasticity guides the viewer on a psychedelic experience, simultaneously scary and spiritual tour of the boundaries of the human consciousness.
Plasticity at Greenwich House Theater
Plasticity follows the tragic yet hopeful story of recovery from a coma. The identity of the protagonist, a male comatose thrill-seeker, is reconstructed by diving and rifling through his memories and through the perspective of his family members circled around his hospital bed, his fate laying in their hands. Plasticity doesn’t settle with exploring the consciousness of the comatose alone but also the conscious unconscious of the surrounding family members and medical team, who all have life-changing decisions to make. It raises urgent questions: Does science always have the answers? Does faith trump probability? How does the brain heal?
Alex Lyras in action. Photo: Jessica Sherman Photography
Plasticity as a play is a triumph in multi-media theater. Trippy, colorful, trance-inducing projections dance behind Lyras, as a sheet of ghostly images float between him and the audience, perhaps a reference to the layers of consciousness our minds hide behind. What makes this feat even more impressive is Lyras performance as a one-man show. Lyras’ versatility is striking, as he transitions between comatose man, to neuroscientist, to twin brother to psychiatrist. This continuity of character speaks to a notion of collective unconsciousness while also nodding to the ineffable idea that we can only know our own minds and even then, that too is often called into question.
Photo: Jessica Sherman Photography
Perhaps we don’t need to be braindead to lose control of our minds. Are we already unplugged or switched off? This existential thread runs delicately through the play, culminating in a conclusion that is just as complex and confusing as where we started. Which was where exactly? I invite you to lose yourself in Plasticity, to unravel your mind and spiral into unconsciousness. Showing until February 17 2020.
Invisible Rules of Japan Exhibition
On Thursday, the Invisible rules of Japan exhibition celebrated its opening at the Noho M55 Gallery in Chelsea.
The founder of the Japanese Contemporary Artist Team, Arisa Itami, invited guests to take a glance at the exhibition, that turned out to be a real must-see, not only for fans of Japanese art, but also for everyone who is interested in exploring cultural differences.
The newest curated JCAT exhibition is on display in Chelsea from Jan. 28th to the 1st of February. But no reason to be too sad if you can’t make it, Itami plans to compile the pieces into an art book.
Itami curated a unique selection of pieces from artists that are members of the JCAT. After a warm welcome, the curator explained the process she went through selecting the artworks. The more than 200 Japanese Artists in the JCAT have the opportunity to contribute a piece to the exhibitions and the curator carefully chooses which artworks fit the best.
The Invisible rules of Japan curation is a matter that is very close to Arisa Itami’s heart, explained the curator, while showing us her one-of-a-kind exhibition. Each artwork illustrates one “invisible rule” of the Japanese culture and intends to explain these unspoken concepts that Japanese people consider as common sense.
Invisible Rule of no elbows on the table. (Artist: yaya hills)
The Japanese Kimonos are always wrapped left over right. If you don’t follow this rule, it will bring bad luck, said the curator Arisa Itami. She wants to introduce foreigners to the Japanese culture and make visitor’s stays in Japan as comfortable as possible. Due to the long isolation from the rest of the world, many of these rules are specific to the Japanese culture.
Every artwork is created on a B4 sketchbook paper and the pieces range from illustrations, pictures to pictures and other forms of art.
Itami furter emphases that all participating artists have their unique story, that is always displayed next to their artwork. This diversity is another factor that contributes to the greatness of the JACT exhibitions.
MAYU, one of the participating artists came to welcome visitors at the opening party all the way from Japan. MAYU shared not only her artwork, but also her culture and opened up that New York actually reminds her a lot of her hometown in Japan.
Based in New York City, the mission of the Japanese Contemporary Art Team is to represent talented Japanese artists from around the world and to assist these artists with their careers. JACT believes that every artist deserves to create a career from what they love to do.
The Invisible rules of Japan exhibition was a full success and we highly recommend checking JCAT’s website for their upcoming events.
Official Flyer designed by Artist MAYU.
Wine & Spirits Magazine's Top 100 Symposium
The Wine and Spirits Magazine put together an incredible Symposium that showcased the top 100 wineries from around the world. Attendees were able to try the best of the best while enjoying incredible cuisine. We explored the venue, trying absolutely everything that was offered to us.
One of our top picks from the festival was a 2017 Vintage Straw Wine from Mullineux Family Wine. Andrea Mullineux and her husband Chris Mullineux established their winery in the Swartland region in 2007. Due to its delicious taste, Mullineux Family Wine quickly became one of South Africa’s most celebrated brands. Andrea is the owner and winemaker, and we were delighted to speak to her about the process of making such an exquisite wine.
If you are unfamiliar with what straw wine is, don’t worry because at first we were too. After speaking to Andrea we discovered that sweet wine is made differently depending on the environment it is grown in. After the grapes are cut they are laid on straw mats where they dry for three weeks. This method is used to concentrate the sugar, the flavor, and the acidity, giving it a complex taste. When the dried out grapes are pressed, it takes twenty four hours to press out the honey like juice from the grapes. It is then put into barrels where the fermentation process is started naturally. Andrea informed us that “the longer and slower the fermentation, the more complex and the more depth the flavor,” which is why she leaves it to ferment for eight to ten months.
We were also drawn to Catena Zapata’s booth because of the intricately designed label. After tasting the delectable Catena Malbec Argentina we spoke to Pablo Piccolo and learned about history behind the new label and about the winery itself. Catena Zapata was one of the first to bring European techniques to Argentina when they founded in 1902. The beautifully illustrated label which was released in 2015, and tells the story of the birth, death, and rebirth of the Malbec. The label starts with an image of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Queen of France and England. Next to her is a woman representing all of the immigrants who brought the vines from Argentina to the new world. As you continue to turn the bottle you can see Phylloxera, who killed most of the Malbec living there. Then sitting next to her is Bodega Catena Zapata, symbolizing the reemergence of the Malbec.
We loved learning about the history behind the wine! The vineyard is located in Medosa Catena, and it is one of six vineyards in Medosa owned by Catena Zapata. After trying a glass we quickly understood why they are so well known for their wines.
After trying so many incredible wines back to back for hours, we got a little hungry. Luckily several restaurants had booths showcasing their extraordinary dishes. One of our favorites was Junsik’s Bossam. Bossam is pork belly with ssamjang aioli. Jungsik is an incredibly well known Korean restaurant with two Michelin Stars.
Another dish we were salivating over was the Yuzu Cheesecake with Kishu Mandarin from Bâtard. The scrumptious mini cake paired perfectly with a sweet dessert wine. The cake was amazing on it’s own, but the Royal Tokaji 2013 Betsek wine really enhanced the flavor.
The Wine and Spirits Symposium is the perfect event for those in the wine industry, wine enthusiasts, and anyone who just likes to drink and eat. We can’t wait until next year so we can have more of the best wines in existence.
Photos from Wine & Spirits Magazine
TOP FEBRUARY NYC EVENTS
DJ, dancing, casino gaming, raffles, open bar and hors d’oeuvres
🍷 Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils
🍷 Olivier Leflaive Frères
🍷 Stéphane Aviron
🍷 Domaine Faiveley
🍷 Château Fuissé
The Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra Gala will be held on February 23, 2020 at Lincoln Center's David Geffen Hall. Maestro Iván Fischer will host the all-Dvořák program: Legend; Evening's blessing, from Four Choruses; Slavonic Dance; Violin Concerto, and Symphony No. 8.
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The Bronx Letters Foundation Food for Thought Benefit brings some of New York's best chefs together in one place for an incredibly delicious evening.Our foundation supports the UA Bronx Academy of Letters, a 6 to 12 public school located in the South Bronx, our country's poorest congressional district, which is a mere 3 miles from Manhattan's Upper East Side.By supporting our foundation, you are making a difference in the lives of our scholars. You are embracing the chance to help to break the cycle of poverty one kid at a time. Thanks to generous donors like you we are able to offer our 600 at-risk, high-needs students a challenging, inspiring, college preparatory, safe learning environment with life-changing enrichment opportunities.Join us and be a part of the solution!
6. The DREAM Project’s 8th Annual
What: The DREAM Project’s 8th Annual Benefit and Awards: Sueños 2020
When: Thursday, February 27th, 2020 | Red Carpet: 6:30 PM | Main Event: 7:30 -10:00 PM
Where: The Mezzanine, Wall Street (55 Broadway, New York, NY 10006)
Theme: Celebrating Dominican Independence and the Independent Dominican Woman
Why: To raise the funds used to operate programs, impacting 8,000 youth in more than 27 disadvantaged communities, closing the cycle of poverty in the Dominican Republic.
Co-Hosted by: Kathy Romero, Global Entrepreneur and Celebrity Event Planner, Tony Peralta, contemporary artist and community leader, and Michel Zaleski, DREAM Chair and Founder.
Invited Celebrities: Actor Taye Diggs from Rent, Chef Kelvin, Actress Dasha Polanco, Leslie Grace, Misty Copeland and Anthony Ramos
Available for Interviews: Board Members (Pre-Event) . Contact us for Celebrity availability at the event.
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/suenos-2020-tickets-86122973131
Website: www.dominicandream.org
Invisible Rules of Japan Unveiled
On Thursday January 30th 2020, The Japanese Contemporary Artists Team (JCAT) showcased their exhibition, Invisible Rules of Japan at Noho M55 Gallery in Chelsea.
Don’t Eat While Walking, Mito Nishikura
JCAT artists create art based around a theme, before compiling the pieces into an artbook. One of the aims for this exhibition was to be accessible, for both participants and audience. Each piece consists of a single piece of paper, displayed solely by a clip of the wall, allowing for portable, lightweight art. On this B4 sketchbook paper, artists express the hidden, implicit rules within Japanese culture, in a variety of mediums from illustrations and painting to collage and calligraphy.
Tegatana, Makoto Ambo
Due to Japan’s historical isolationism from the world, many customs, traditions and social cues are unknown to visiting tourists. This can result in unintended embarrassing or offensive faux pas. Invisible Rules of Japan hopes to peel back the cultural curtain and connect the world to Japanese customs, especially ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Invisible Rules of Japan, Noho M55 Gallery.
Having previously travelled to Japan myself, I saw many of the implicit rules I encountered but also some that were new to me. I learnt that when walking through crowds, it is encouraged to make eye contact with strangers and to slightly bow as a sign of respect and acknowledgment of the other person. Living in New York City this was an alien concept to me. I was also reminded about the deep rooted significance of rice, and how every single grain is precious and should never be wasted.
The store clerk will not come unless you say “Sumimasen”, youme
The advantage to using B4 paper is that the message is immediate and concise; the information required to be a respectful and conscientious tourist is easy to digest. This is further emphasised by the use of bright colors, comic style characters and bold, effective lettering. I am engaged, I am listening.
As this exhibition showed, bringing life to the culturally unspoken is powerful. It informs in a way that is non-judgmental and cordial. It builds bridges over potential misunderstandings. It breathes color and texture into the invisible.
@giselle Masters the Dance Between Ballet and the Digital World
Romance has always been thought of as a dance. @giselle works to preserve the classic traditions of ballet with the ever-evolving jive of social media and online dating, to create the ultimate experience of dance and love in 2020.
Performance of @giselle. Photo Credit: David Cooper
On January 14, a new imagining of the beloved ballet classic Giselle, was screened at The Bruno Walter Auditorium in Lincoln Center, New York City. Created by Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY, @giselle updates the 1800’s tragic romance for modern audiences, as dating apps, selfies and emojis reinterpret love, sex and relationships in the 21st century. With the talented cast of ABT's Catherine Hurlin in the title role and Betsy McBride as Bathilde, Pennsylvania Ballet's Sterling Baca as Hilarion, and National Ballet of Canada's Harrison James as Albrecht, @giselle dazzles in both its bold intention and skilful execution.
What makes @giselle so unique is the use of motion-captured digital projections and other visual effects utilised to reflect and critique the digital world we live in. On stage, what is physically a solo dance, morphs into a digital duet, as the projections overlie and pair dancers in body and spirit. This reflects the solitary nature of online dating; the dater alone swipes through the plethora of potential lovers, who exist merely as digital representations rather than living, feeling persons.
@giselle in action. Photo Credit: David Cooper
As Joshua Beamish stated as he introduced the show: “I want the original work to exist within our production as its own ghost - a ghost from another time.” Indeed, Giselle herself embodies this ghost, as her suicide is live streamed; everyone is watching but no one is there to stop her incorporeal transformation. In the second act Giselle dances on as a mere projection, a wisp of a memory, a ghostly hologram for Instagram. Incredibly, using only a single projector, the audience watches this intentionally uncomfortable yet oddly complementary duet; the elegance of ballet paired with the glibness of social media; a dual visual experience of reading between the lines of both dance and online dating.
Catherine Herlin and Joshua Beamish.
After the screening Hurlin, McBride, and Baca joined Beamish on stage to share the creative process. As Hurlin notes dancing with a projector was challenging and distracting. Is this a metaphor for our phones and the digital life they submerge us in? Are we too distanced from the physical, distracted from reality?Additionally, as Baca comments, classical ballet incorporates much pantomime. Social media does too, with all its over emphasis and drama, its insistence on the curated image to over exaggerate reality. Life imitates art after all.
@giselle brings together many opposing forces into complementary harmony; digital and dance, tragedy and comedy, studio and stage, to create a unique and magical encounter. It is a modern ballet imbued with an important cultural commentary. A must see on both screen and stage. Commissioned by TO Live, Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY premiered @giselle at the Vancouver Playhouse in September 2019.
PHOTOS BY SEAN ZANNI/PMC and DAVID COOPER
Carnegie Diner and Cafe
It’s hard to pick a staple NYC Diner -- that one classic, iconic place that will not only impress your tourist friends, but fulfill your desire for hearty New York food. I mean, there’s the Stardust Diner, the Empire Diner, the Pearl Diner, Kellog’s Diner...JUNIORS….the list goes on and on. And, as of last Monday, January 13th, there is now another place contending for the top spot: the Carnegie Diner and Cafe, located at 205 West 57th Street .
The first thing you’ll notice about Carnegie Diner is how well lit it is. Carnegie is a diner that just glows: the lighting is golden, the people are cheery...the place just gives off a certain bright and happy vibe that’s usually so hard to find around midtown.
The second thing you’ll notice about Carnegie Diner (depending, of course, on the strength of your nose verses your eyes), is just how great the diner smells. And I don’t mean only inside. What I mean is that Carnegie Diner is the sort of place that smells amazing even while you’re standing outside on the corner of 57th and 7th ave. I’m saying that the aroma of the waffles, burgers, milkshakes and fries that Carnegie Diner serves up is so strong and stunning that it’s impossible to not stop mid-stride and wonder where the scent is coming from (as evidenced by my friend, who was was super excited when she found out that the place we were going was, in fact, the very place that smells exactly like buttered pancakes and lemon cheesecake).
And luckily, a great smell always equals great food. In addition to classic American fare (think pancakes, burgers, and seasoned home-fries), Executive Chef and Culinary Director Stathis Antonakopoulos has also brought Greek food to Carnegie’s menu, including phyllo dough spinach and cheese pies, as well as some modern fare, such as the much coveted Vegan Impossible Burger. There are some fun desserts in the mix as well -- in addition to your standard Vanilla/Chocolate milkshakes, Carnegie Diner has dreamed up their own Oreo Cookie Cake Milkshake, Brownie Extravaganza Milkshake, and -- wait for it -- a Chocolate Pancake Milkshake.
So, the next time you’re craving some greasy, delicious diner food, stop in at Carnegie Diner and have your fill. In true diner fashion, the restaurant will be open from 6am - 11pm during the week and from 6am to midnight on the weekend, so there’s bound to be a time you’ll be able to stop in and have your fill.
For more information about Carnegie Diner and their delectable menu, visit their website at www.carnegiediner.com, or their instagram, @carnegiediner.
@giselle Screening at Lincoln Center
On January 14, 2020 a screening of @giselle by Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY was hosted at The Bruno Walter Auditorium in New York City’s Lincoln Center.
Beamish created a new take on the beloved classic ballet Giselle, where dating apps and social media platforms reinterpret love, sex and relationships.
Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY premiered @giselle at the Vancouver Playhouse in September 2019, commissioned by TO Live.
Performance of @giselle by David Cooper
@giselle stars American Ballet Theater’s Catherine Hurlin in the title role of Giselle and Betsy McBride as Bathilde, Pennsylvania Ballet’s Sterling Baca as Hilarion as well as National Ballet of Canada’s Harrison James as Albrecht.
What makes Beamish’s production so unique is the use of motion-captured digital projections and visual effects, that the director applied to reflect the digital world we live in.
"The ballet Giselle is one of the most profound constructions of the classical canon.” said Joshua Beamish, when introducing his show.
Catherine Hurlin and Joshua Beamish
He added: “I want the original work to exist within our production as its own ghost - a ghost from another time. Traditional romance is evaporating. The internet is threatening our ability to value individuals. @giselle shows the evolved hysteria born from unanswered texts, likes, and story views. In today's media saturated environment, is Giselle's descent into "madness" really so shocking? I hope audiences will relate to Giselle's journey and see themselves in the plights, struggles, and joys of the varying characters and their social interactions."
Performance of @giselle by David Cooper
After the screening of @giselle, the performing artists Hurlin, McBride and Baca joined Joshua Beamish on the stage to discuss and share the creative process of @giselle.
Baca emphasized Beamish’s ability to bring the old classic into the present time, by creating a version of Giselle we all know, yet never seen before.
Hurlin, McBride and Baca all agreed on the director’s distinctive characteristic of describing the detailed choreography with his broad vocabulary.
Joshua Beamish, Catherine Hurlin, Betsy McBride and Sterling Baca
The screening of the new interpretation of the ballet classic Giselle wasn’t only a unique chance to get a glimpse of the stunning production, but also to get an insight of the artistic process involved in the new must-see ballet and therefore made a special night for all guests.
Joanna and Brian Fisher underwrote the screening and served as hosts with Ben Rodriguez-Cubenas, Roger Kluge and Denise Roberts Hurlin.
Photos of the evening were taken by Sean Zanni PMC.
Bebe Neuwirth and Chris Calkins, Hank and Gerry Alpert and Jonah Boaker were some of the numerous guests that enjoyed the evening at the Lincoln Center.
@giselle honours the memory of every young life lost to Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) complications.
Catherine Hurlin and Joshua Beamish
Brian and Joanna Fisher
PHOTOS BY SEAN ZANNI/PMC and DAVID COOPER
WindowsWear Awards 2020
On Tuesday January 14, representatives from top fashion brands gathered at Marquee New York to attend the 2020 WindowsWear Awards. The mesmerising screen technology of the venue offered a high-tech modern platform to present the awards. Other event sponsors included MICAM Milan, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, GT’s Kombucha and La Maison du Macaron. The awards were hosted by fashion commentator, author and judge on NBC’s ‘Making it’ Simon Doonan.
Host Simon Doonan
With constantly multiplying numbers of retail options, visual creativity combined with technological innovations are becoming increasingly imperative to brand success. The WindowsWear Awards celebrate the world’s most creative brands and innovations impacting the retail industry by showcasing tens of thousands of visual displays from around the world, with nominations given to the ones that show “extraordinary accomplishments” in a variety of categories ranging from interior design to hospitality. Members of WindowsWear then vote for their favourite nominees, with the winners being announced at the annual awards show.
Founded in 2012, WindowsWear provides digital archival collections dating back to 1931 reflecting the physical and e-commerce environments of fashion at the time, connecting creatives across the world. With different types of membership granting varied access and contribution opportunities, the company allows brands to gain “unparalleled competitor intelligence and trend data” in the retail industry and educators can “take students back in time to study visual creative and fashion trends.” Other initiatives include the WindowsWear Messaging App facilitating secure communication between retailers and sellers or buyers.
WindowsWear co-founders Jon Harari, Raul Tovar and Micheal Niemtzow
List of 2020 WindowsWear Award Winners:
BEST INTERIOR: Bottega Veneta
BEST POP-UP: Tory Burch
BEST EXHIBIT/INSTALLATION: Louis Vuitton
BEST AR/VR EXPERIENCE: Clinique
BEST PACKAGING: Longchamp
BEST WINDOW DISPLAY: Etro
BEST HOLIDAY WINDOW DISPLAY: Bloomingdale’s
BEST ICON WINDOW: Micheal Kors
BEST PROP: Loro Piana
BEST MANNEQUIN: Macy’s
BEST COLLABORATION: H&M and Giambattista Valli
BEST USE OF COLOR: Kleinfeld Bridal
SUSTAINABILITY: Salvatore Ferragamo
BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY: Louis Vuitton
BEST INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE: Micheal Kors
BEST USE OF LIGHT: Dior
HERITAGE: Coach
HOSPITALITY: Ralph Lauren
LEGACY WINNER: Nordstrom
MOST LIKED ON @Windowswear: Versace
SIMON DOONAN AWARD: Alice + Olivia
Visit the WindowsWear website to see photos of the outstanding nominated and winning creations.
All photos by WindowsWear
TOP JANUARY NYC EVENTS
The 10th annual Beer Bourbon & BBQ Festival is going to be EPIC! ……It’s a Southern Fried Good Time! Thank You Manhattan for a decade of outrageous fun – we are now going to spread our wings a bit and head across the river to Brooklyn. It’s time for one hellacious day of beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, cigar smokin’, and barbeque eatin’. Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon.
Each Guest Receives a Souvenir Glass and the first 300 VIP get a Souvenir Bag.
BEAST CAGE: The Beast Cage is Back and Serving Up EXOTIC SMOKED MEATS all day: Alligator, Lamb, Bison, Longhorn Rounds, and much more.
The SHRINE OF SWINE is back! Enjoy whole hogs during each session. Pork worship at its finest!
Enjoy seminars in the Tasting Theater with Master Distillers, Brewmasters, and Pit Masters from the deep South.
Dance Or Rock Out to the DJs playing all your favorite tunes.
Browse brewerania, hot sauces, and BBQ accessories.
Bacon Eating Contest
Aquarius specialty cocktails and water are complementary to all ticket holders. Full meals will be available for purchase. Tickets begin at $95 and can be purchased by visiting: https://www.aquariusnyc.com Guests will also be invited to help save the ocean and the planet by donating $10 to Oceanic Global, AQUARIUS 2020’s official ocean conservation charity and sustainability partner.
The Winter Show is the leading art, antiques, and design fair in America, featuring 70 of the world’s top experts in the fine and decorative arts from ancient times to the present day. The Winter Show is an annual benefit for East Side House Settlement, a community-based organization serving the Bronx and Northern Manhattan. The Winter Show maintains the highest standards of quality in the art market, and each object is vetted for authenticity, date, and condition by a committee of 150 experts from the United States and Europe.
Tickets
Art Party Ticket
$250 ($200 for Whitney Contemporaries members), admits one
Artist Sponsor Ticket
$500 ($450 for Whitney Contemporaries members), admits one
The purchase of an Artist Sponsor ticket allows the Whitney to extend a complimentary ticket to an artist of its choosing.
Art Party proceeds benefit the Independent Study Program and other education initiatives of the Whitney.
The Largest Travel Trade and Consumer Show in North AmericaThe New York Times Travel Show attracts more than 35,000 attendees with over 700 exhibitors from more than 175 countries, making it the largest travel trade and consumer show in North America. Join us for the 2020 show on January 24 – 26 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.GET MORE INFORMATION
Sotheby’s Wine is hosting the annual Union Des Grands Crus De Bordeaux—and we’d like to invite you as our guest! This premier event brings together Bordeaux’s leading producers in celebration of the 2017 vintage, for a lively evening of tastings at Cipriani 42nd Street.
11th Annual Latke Festival
On Monday the 16th of December the 11th Annual Latke Festival took place at the Brooklyn Museum.
26-plus participants competed against each other for top latke honors in six different categories, including two new ones: Best Vegetarian and Best New Participant Latke.
A “civilian” (home cooked) competitor was also new this year, the winner of a latke recipe contest conducted by the Jewish Food Society. The winning recipe was made by Great Performances, New York City’s premier catering and events company that presents the Latke Festival every year as a benefit for The Sylvia Center, a nonprofit dedicated to nutrition and healthy cooking education for children in underserved neighborhoods.
The category Best New Participant was contributed to the larger number of new competitors, including Ha Noi House, Manhattan’s Graffiti Earth and Brooklyn’s Baoburg and more.
They had to compete against yearly returning participants like Veselka, Dizzy’s Club, Mama O’s and The Norm.
Jewsish Food Society's Russian Latkes
Besides the jury of influencers and food experts, such as Kate Krader, Bloomberg food editor and chef Rozanne Gold, the visitors also had the chance to vote for their favorite Latke and therefore determined the winner for the category People’s Choice Best Latke.
The winner in the category Best Overall was the first-time participant Hanoi House with a sweet potato and shrimp fritter latke.
Veselka and The Bankers Club at 120 Broadway shared the first place in the category People’s Choice.
A huge variety of Latke’s, from classic to decadent, were presented to the visitors and ready for them to try. With one being even more tasty than the other, it was very hard to come up with a personal decision.
Besides the numerous Latke options there were also other food offerings, including Pearl River Caviar, a pickle buffet from Jacob’s Pickles and a jelly donut and bread spread by Orrwasher’s.
Baoburg's Latke
Drinks were provided by Grey Goose Vodka, Angel’s Envy Bourbon specialty cocktails, Schmaltz Beer, City Winery Wines, GuS’s Soda and Brooklyn Roasting Company’s coffee.
The 11th Annual Latke Festival was a great night with delicious food, tasty drinks, good music and a unique atmosphere at the Brooklyn Museum that made a great start of the Holiday Season.
Photos by Great Performances
J.Bespoke, Sports bar for the sophisticated
NoMad, the neighborhood known for high concentration of trendy bars, lounges and restaurants, has a new speakeasy to add to the list. J.Bespoke is a new sophisticated cocktail lounge, that was created to fill an untapped niche – a refined venue that plays athletic events in an upscale, speakeasy setting.
Helmed by brothers Jesse and Eric Jacobs, J.Bespoke was conceived with just 50 seats, personalized service, and a lounge that offers a luxe counterpoint to the city’s mainstream sports bars. Guests enter J.Bespoke through an unmarked brass door at the back of Devoción Cascara + Coffee – the well-appointed space, designed by Gregory Okshteyn of Studios GO, boasts high ceilings, wood paneling and a comfortable seating environment. The video and sound system is also top-notch, featuring 4K LED flat-screen TVs and immersive audio.
While major events like the Super Bowl, NBA Finals and World Series are big nights at J.Bespoke, the daily focus is on New York’s beloved sports teams; when games aren’t in session, the TVs recede into the background and cocktails, bites and music take center stage.
The cocktail program features libations like the Bespoke Old Fashioned (Old Forester bourbon, green chartreuse perfume, orange and Angostura bitters, demerara), Call Me Bell (Montelobos mezcal, fresh lemon juice, orange bell pepper, basil) and Nitro Cold Brew Martini
(Belvedere vodka, Montenegro amaro, Devoción cold brew coffee, honey; on tap) complemented by small plates like Karaage Fried Chicken Bites (ginger-soy marinade, yuzu kosho aioli) and Spicy Honey Pizza (soppressata, provolone béchamel, house fior di latte, mozzarella, spicy honey, black pepper).
Next time you find yourself looking for a place to watch the game without giving up the chic, come to J.Bespoke at 121 E 27th St, New York, NY 10016.
Photos by Andrew Bui and Nitzan Rubin