ZERO + MARIA

Last week toddlers to women of a "certain" age warmed the new home of Zero + Maria Cornejo located at 33 Bleecker Street in Manhattan's East Village. As several languages filled the air and prosecco swilled in flutes, well heeled guests acquainted themselves with the label's minimalist spring and fall 2009 collections. While guests crammed between grecian columns in the front of the store, the label's namesake chliean born Maria Cornejo gave patrons a personal tour of the collection in the back. Judging by the vast turnout, Zero + Maria Cornejo is a welcomed addition to it's new neighborhood.

Brandy of the Damned (Mark Ronson Remix) (feat. Wale) - Nickel Eye

HOW DO I LOOK

A couple of weeks ago I attended a screeing of German born director Wolfgang Busch's post Paris is Burning documentary How do I look at the Jewish Community Center on Manhattan's upper west side. The film is a celebration of the underground lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and even (don't gag) heterosexual Ballroom scene. Before the documentary was shown, the diverse audience enjoyed a reading (no shade) of Emanuel Xavier's poem inspired by the iconic Peppa Lebeja. Immediately following Xavier's heartfelt words was a performance by the House of Ninja.

ADIDAS SLVR

On Tuesday February 17, 2009 a celebration for the debut of the new Adidas SLVR label took place at the first of several stand alone stores slated to open around the world located between the Adidas Originals and Y-3 stores in SOHO. Guests acquainted themselves with The Eco friendly conceptions while sipping ginger vodka cocktails. The design philosophy of creating solutions to reduce complexity is epitomized by the label’s signature “7 piece sneaker” that is made up of 7 parts opposed to the standard 25 parts. Stop by the 108 Wooster location to view the basic yet stylish soybean fabric and sustainable organic cotton designs.

My Adidas (J.Period Remix) - J.Period & Game Rebellion

HOOD BY AIR

Cliffhanger the title of the futuristic Fall/Winter 2009 collection of Hood by Air Designer Shayne Oliver was true to the brand’s androgynous aesthetic. The latest banjee vision of the Minnesota by way of Trinidad native once again flirted with the concept of gender identity by offering silhouettes that are not typically found in men’s street wear fashion. Clearly inspired by the underground world of the gay black ballroom scene this dark monotone collection offered sadomasochist designs with a stylish twist.

Click To Play

MINX

Jude Law the fulltime panty creamer that moonlights as an actor is set to star in the 2009 Sally Potter film, Rage. The south east Londoner will take on the role of Minx, a cross-dressing supermodel. Dame Judi Dench, John Lequizamo, and Steve Buscemi are all participants of this New York Fashion House murder mystery. Judy Law sashaying down the runway is worth my $10.50 any day. Owwwwww!

Owwwwwww - Vjuan Allure ft. harmonica Sumbeam

Under.Ligne

photo credit: fashionrules.com

Last night in Chelsea (a stones throw away from the bitterly cold Hudson River) was the launch party of Doo.ri Chung's second less expensive line Under.Ligne. In a stark white loft-like room overlooking Jersey's skyline, New York denizens noshed on chocolate covered strawberries and other passed hors d'oeuvres all while familiarizing themselves with a dozen or so mannequins draped in the ivory, black, and steel grey debut of the recession friendly collection (through champagne and belvedere glazed eyes of course).

Even though Douglas Keeve documented Ms. Chung losing the first ever CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award in the movie Seamless to design duo Proenza Schouler, The Doo.ri brand has enjoyed international critical acclaim since its inception. Those fashion forward individuals that pined after Doo.ri's forgiving jersey knit creations will be happy to know that Under.Ligne is a nod to her signature style. The introduction of this second line proves that Doo.ri Chung has come a long way from the design studio she used to occupy underneath her parents cleaners in New Jersey.

5 Hi Sun - J*Davey

DIEGO BERNAL

Thanks to digital social networking I recently reconnected with a friend, Diego Bernal, from my collegiate days at the University of Michigan. We used to study sociology together and have revolutionary ideas about changing the world. While I matriculated to get my advanced degree in partyology, Diego is currently a civil rights attorney residing in Texas. But diego isn't your average suit, he also dabbles in beat making. His debut project is called "For Corners"(not the old school dance silly). Below is a sample of his work "Bring it on Home" which was recently remixed by Mexicans with Guns. Get into it.

Bring It On Home - Diego Bernal from Exponential Records on Vimeo.

INAUGURATION EVENTS

Since I suffer from an extreme case of claustrophobia, I will not be attending the inaugural festivities in Washington D.C. But for those of you who can withstand the maddening crowds that will descend upon our nation's capital this weekend as president elect Barack Obama gets sworn in on Tuesday, I recommend the following celebratory events:




















What: Inauguration 2009
When: Tuesday, January 20th 2009
Where: Eighteenth Street Lounge
DJ: Nikodemus, Daz-I-Kue, Thomas Blondet, DJ DRM, King Britt, DJ Terry Hunter, Jephte Guillaume, and Chris Annibell
Special Guest: Nappy G
Cost: $20
8 quality DJ's for $20 is surely one of the best values of the night.

Also......















What: Welcome to 1600
When: Tuesday, January 20th 2009
Where: Joesphine
Host: Spike Lee
Presenters: Mike Muse, Unik, and Pantera Sarah
DJ's: special guest Will I. Am, DJ M.O.S. and DJ mOma
Cost: $75
The Who's who of New York will most definitely be at this soiree

Signed, Sealed, Delivered Im Yours - Stevie Wonder

NEW DIGS

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Most of you know that I am very neighborhoodish, but sometimes I like to step out of the hood to dodge the numerous Bugaboo's, MacLaren's, and Baby Bjorns rolling down the street. On one of my recent strolls (see above picture) through Brooklyn's Greenwood Heights I discovered a new gallery/event space Under Minerva (see picture below) located at 656 5th Ave. Currently on display is "Form State" by artists Claudia Cannizzaro and Michael Robinson. In addition to visual arts this bi-level space offers an artist's den, yoga, creative topics for children, meditation, and a book club. Exacccctly they do EVERYTHING and then some. For a full list of everything that this gem offers visit underminerva.com. OOOh I can't wait for my talented friends to start creating magic at Under Minerva (means less travel time for me ;). This Friday January 16th from 8pm until 10pm is the Grand Opening Celebration, which I plan on attending.

Im So Hood - DJ Khaled

TIME FOR A CHANGE

I was elated when the people of the United States of America elected Barack Obama. Finally my ancestors dreams were realized. As we near the inagauration in Washington D.C. the historical buzz that's in the air is humming louder than ever. Not only are the people of America excited, but people all over the world are eagerly anticipating the hope and change that Barack will bring. Everywhere you turn Barack's face is on a T-shirt, button, market bag and even.....SNEAKERS?!

Apparently brooklynite Mitchell Rose will be hawking these sneakers all around our beloved burrough from the um....trunk of his car. In addition to these sneakers you can also find jordans, air force 1's, and Keds adorned with the Face and campaign slogan of our president elect. Obama had the world chanting "Yes we can" but errrrr.....I can't.

Obama Amillie -

OOOH HOW U DOIN?

Another one of my guilty pleasures is The Real World.  Last night was the premiere of the latest installment which was filmed in Red Hook, Brooklyn.  This season is groundbreaking because for the first time in it's 20 season history a post operative transgender woman Katelynn Casanelli is a member of the cast.  Katelynn can now join other transgendered women like Isis from America's Next Top Model, and Laverne from I Want to Work for Diddy as being a part of popular culture.  As exciting as it is, it certainly is not the "real" T.

This may or may not be true, but according to a few websites including gawker.com perchance openly gay cast member and Dolphin trainer JD Ordonez allegedly used to bump uglies with CNN's resident silver daddy.....wait......wait for it.....Anderson Cooper!  

Blow The Whistle - TOO SHORT