Banks is back.

Team Gallery presents the latest in the artist's body of work entitled Not Yet Titled. The show opens 05.07.09 and runs through 06.20.09.

Sculptor Banks Violette has always referred to his drawings as "film cells from the world's slowest movie." As with the cinema, meaning does not adhere solely to individual images but rather to their accretion over time. Viewed singly, these exquisitely rendered pictures seem miraculous transfigurations of realism, but when seen in groups they form a continuous landscape of memory, regret and melancholy.

The iconography on which Violette built this show includes the ace of spades, a grinning skull from a B-movie campaign, a famous Vietnam-era image of human suffering, a roadside death shrine, discarded party balloons, a theater spotlight, and the Crimson Ghost from the 1940s Republic film serial. When taken together, the drawings touch on themes of redemption and faith, death and transformation.

Central to the exhibition is a portrait of Bela Lugosi as Jesus Christ. Before coming to the U.S. to make his name as the cinema's most famous vampire, the Hungarian actor made his living playing the lead in passion plays.

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If you're not yet the hotness that is Creative Recreation yet, the time is now.

The LA-based designers of high-end, sporty sneakers has been forging ahead for a few years now and, from the looks of things, they've managed to make a name for themselves, producing men's, women's, and kid's lines, as well as well as exclusive styles for Barneys. What's next? The Collection - Made in Italy which launched this spring.

With the launch of The Collection- Made In Italy, Creative Recreation present its first foray into high-end, super premium footwear made from the finest Italian materials.

Rich Cofinco and Robert Nand, the designers behind Creative Recreation and The Collection, were inspired in part by their love of travel and respect for Italian heritage, culture and passion, but also by their current mindset.

While spending time walking the streets of Italy and immersing themselves amongst the Italian people, Rich and Rob quickly found that creating the ultimate, luxury footwear was not only their passion, but also the passion of the Italian craftsmen.

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By now you've realized I go a little crazy over oki-ni. It's one of the few online stores where -- if I had the cash, mind you -- I'd want to buy over 75% of the items they stock. And most of the stuff I wouldn't buy for myself, I can still appreciate, but am smart enough to know it's not my thing.

In addition to the e-commerce component, they've just soft launched a new archive section, where you can take a look back at styles from designer's past collections. Nothing can be bought from the archive, but, while some styles are sure to look dated, if you're anything like, you'll wish some of the pieces were available.

Says oki ni: by launching an archive feature we wanted to offer our customers a chance to explore labels and genres a little further than just their current collections and give them an opportunity to find out more about the designer's history through their products.

We thought it was really important for us to demonstrate that true product is and has been our life for a long time. Anyone can get a few labels together and put them in a store; we really want people to trust in us and our knowledge and for them to believe we'll only ever bring them the best of what's available out there – not just product but information too.

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Heads up video artistes! BUTT Magazine wants you -- well your videos, at least.

As part of BUTT Magazine’s NYC pre-pride celebration we will be presenting a show of homosexually themed video art, at Terence Koh’s gallery Asia Song Society (ASS). We would like to announce an open call to our readers to submit work for consideration. The selection of the videos will be made according to BUTT’s standard submission guidelines: please send us work that is fun, sexy, provocative, charming, kinky, smart, thoughtful, unique, visually dazzling or any combination of these qualities.

Please send us work now until May 20. The show opens the day after BANG. Videos should be no longer then 20 minutes.

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I've been shopping for button up shirts a lot in the past few weeks. While I talk and write about hot, cool clothing lines, when push comes to shove and I need dress clothes for an office job, I usually end up getting my shirts at H&M or Club Monaco and sometimes even at Century 21. You can get pretty nice shirts for around $30 that if taken to the tailor to be fitted look incredible. Shhhhhhh! Don't tell anyone, but paying $200 for one shirt isn't in my genetic makeup.

That having been said, I do know an awesome shirt when I see one and that's just what happened when I was at Oak on Saturday.

I've heard of Corpus, but didn't really give it much though. As you're well aware, anything out of LA has to be incredibly hot or I'll discount it just on principle. Rick Owens and Silversun Pickups are the exceptions rather than the rule.

After seeing a lot of higher priced indie designer pieces lately and thinking that they looked either poorly constructed or way too basic for the hefty price tag, the Striped Pleated Placket Shirt by Corpus is incredible.

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New York artist and the American father of Agit Pop movement returns to hijack familiar images revealing a darker side at the Elms Lesters Painting Rooms in London entitled Lazarus Rising that opens 05.08 and runs through 06.06.09.

What makes a Ron English piece of art instantly recognisable beyond its signature photorealist technique and brazen colour scheme is the utterly unique way in which the artwork presents a new idea embedded in the familiar, creating progressive mutations whilst referring to historical events.

When English was an art student he started to hijack billboards as a way of displaying his art to as many people as possible – it was later that he realised he could make political statements by the same means. He replaced existing advertisements with his own hand-painted "subvertisements" spreading his own socio-political message.

The new exhibition Lazarus Rising continues this theme, now dwelling on the unprecedented changes in the global economy, using prototypes of iconic cartoon characters and US comic books, so close to American culture and yet suddenly revealing in new ways.

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Swoon needs your help funding her new floating installation Swimming Cities of Serinissima -- a series of connected rafts that will sail the Adriatic Sea from Slovenia towards Venice in time for the Venice Biennale.

Her recent projects include designing, building, and organizing fleets of rafts, such as the Miss Rockaway Armada and most recently the Swimming Cities of Switchback Sea, a large-scale installation at Deitch Projects in New York. Built with materials salvaged from demolished buildings in the New York, and powered by bio-fuel converted motors, Swoon’s boats are monuments to the dense urban ecologies that grow spontaneously from the needs of a culture responding to the constraints of its geography and the pressures of its time.

The relevance of Swimming Cities of Serinissima at this time cannot be overstressed. It is an endeavor of hope amidst widespread anxiety, over-consumptive ways of life, and potential economic collapse. This work is an over-the-top, boldly staged means of stating that it is not too late for us to create a new way, and new hope, with the elements and tools that are already at our disposal.

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British pop artist Stuart Semple has a show coming up at Anna Kustera entitled Everlasting Nothing Less -- his first solo show in New York and in the US -- that features pieces from his latest body of work. The show opens on 05.16 and runs through 06.20.09. I'll post more about the show closer to the opening date when I have more details.

Before the works make the trip to New York, though, Semple is hosting a one night only private preview for a select group of press, collectors, and artworld officiandos at a top secret London location. It's so secret, he won't even tell me where it is. While he wants to make sure the right people in his hometown get to see the show, he also wants to ensure that for the general population, the work isn't seen until opening night in New York.

If you're invited you'd know by now. If not, hopefully you'll be in New York while the show is up. I've seen a sneak peek of the work and it's really good. Much darker than his previous work, but equally as good, if not better than what you've seen from Semple in the past.

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So I finally stopped by Oak -- I usually just shop their store online -- to check out the Chronicles of Never tee that I have been drooling over for a few weeks now to see about the fit, the quality, fabric, etc. It's perfect, except the $168 price tag.

The selectin of clothes is pretty good for both men and women. I had a peek at a women's tee by Grey Ant that is pretty hot: the black Kaleidoscope tee. Black long t-shirt with tie dyed front. Trashed neckline, sleeves and hem. Pinholes throughout front and back. Great fabric, fit, and simple, yet cool.

Check it out on Oak's site.

Make sure to check out Grey Ant's site for more info on the line, which can be found at: Oak, Opening Ceremony, Ron Herman, Scout, and Steven Alan.

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The second half of David Goodman's conversation with Glenn O’Brien, Editorial Director of Interview Magazine …

DG: What other projects do you want to get involved with? I don’t know how much more time you have…

GO: Well, this takes up a lot of my time. I like Interview a lot, so I’m happy to devote myself to that. I do other writing, which helps me think. But I’m pretty happy with that. We have lots of opportunities to take the idea of Interview and execute it in other areas. We were asked if we wanted to do a radio station; and we have the chance to do TV stuff.

DG: What do you think about that?

GO: Could be good. If we can get the magazine and website together, then why not? I’m still interested in doing some things as a writer that are not connected to Interview, but I’ve got my hands full here.

DG: What other things do you want to do?

GO: Well I have a script or two that I’ve written that I’d like to get produced. But in a lot of ways my work on that is done. If I get the opportunity, I can make that happen.

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The Horrors are back after a long two year hiatus.

I put one of their songs -- Sea Within A Sea -- in my 10 Songs playlist the other day. Check it out if you missed it. There's also a video for the track, which you can check out on Vimeo. It's such a sexy, cool track.

I just did a little research and it looks like the Horrors are set to release a new record Primary Colors, which according to their site drops on 05.04.09. Although, I think this is the UK release date as it's already available on iTunes. In the interim, the band has released Sea Within A Sea as the first track available as a free download. You have to go to their site and signup for their mailing list to get a link to download the track. Do it now.

Make sure to check out their MySpace, where they've also posted the single for you to listen to -- and for a complete listing of their upcoming shows. Don't forget to read a full bio on the band on Wikipedia.

Welcome back!

In case you missed it, I posted about Brian Janusiak and Elizabeth Beer's (of Various Projects and LES store Project No. 8) latest project ---- Berlin gallery ARRATIA, BEER that had its inaugural show a few months back.

Next up: Patty Chang's latest two--channel video installation, Die Ware Liebe ("The Product of Love"), which opens Friday 05.01.09 and runs through 06.12.09. The show is co--produced by Mary Boone and on 05.21.09 it travels to New York and will be shown at Boone's midtown gallery.

Shot in Hangzhou, China and Los Angeles, Die Ware Liebe gravitates around the meeting between Walter Benjamin and the Chinese--American film actress Anna May Wong. In 1928 Benjamin interviewed Anna May Wong for the German literary magazine Die Literarische Welt.

In one of the video projections of Die Ware Liebe, three scholars translate Benjamin's article. Upon arriving to the "touch would" passage, each of them translates the phrase differently. "The translators' confusion of touching as a form of expression brings to my mind the idea of sex workers' roles as "professional touchers."

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I got an email from a longtime reader yesterday saying that he wasn't pleased with all of the Daily Desire posts. "The fact that you’ve gone from a blog full of GREAT info., good playlists and generally exciting information to a blog that's all about a new hot thing to buy, everyday, sort of like the bunch of rubbish in the middle of the Sunday Times that we all throw away without looking at."

Chew on that! I hope the introduction of the posts hasn't changed the fabric of the blog that much and I know it hasn't. Instead of two post per day, I'm now doing three -- two of the previous GREAT info. and one Daily Desire.

I'm not here to sell you stuff, I just like clothes and then telling you when I find something worth checking out. With all the information out there, it's nice to have a curator for everything.

That having been said, check out this hot tank top by SF label B.Son.

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It's been a while since I've done a mix of my own, but I thought it was time. One of my most faithful readers (Miami's very own Victor Castro) sent me a few tracks that I had to share with you and in case you missed my posts about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs new record It's The Blitz and Swoon by Silversun Pickups, I wanted to make sure you at least got to check out my favorite tracks.

10. Never Trust My Heart (The Points)
9. Continue Calling (Jonathan Boulet)
8. First Communion (Gang Gang Dance)
7. Sea Within A Sea (The Horrors)
6. Velvet Gang Gang Dance Remix (Big Pink)
5. 1901 Ultra Chorus Remix (Phoenix)
4. Flight of the Eagle (Om)
3. Redlights (SALEM)
2. The Royal We (Silversun Pickups)
1. Heads Will Roll (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

So I've been frantically looking for a freelance gig lately because blogging doesn't pay the bills and let's just say indie fashion isn't what it used to be. I know you all probably think I live in a penthouse apartment in one of those new glass buildings somewhere on Bowery -- blogging is a pretty glamorous job I have to admit. I mean 95% of the stuff I cover I can't even afford. What could be hotter than that??

To make a long story even longer, I'm empty handed again this week. If only I had Graham back. I need a new intern badly. Anyone? Anyone?

I've decided, though, since I did land a pretty sweet gig that I'd pony up some cash this week -- $50 to be exact in the form of a PUMA gift card -- so you can stop by and check out the hotness that PUMA is currently putting out, like the Unlimited Hi EVO's I got this past weekend.

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It's that time of year again: warm, cool, warmer, and then, of course, a little cooler.

Perfect weather for a light sweater and this one by Margiela in subtle bleach-treated baby blue is perfecto! I love everything about it. Make sure to look at the detail pic below, where you'll be able to see just how fine the knit is. Not only can I tell it'll fit like a glove, but the weight makes it easy to layer for the unpredictable weather we're faced with for the next several weeks.

Simple lightweight cotton knit with a high round neck and ribbed knit cuffs and hem. The colour is a light sky blue and bleach has been used in the dying process to produce an irregular finish with faded patches.

Get it now at oki-ni and send me a picture of yourself wearing it. If you're feeling generous, buy me one and send it to me. I think with this cut, I'd take a large. Thanks in advance.

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Clowns rule.

If you too are a fan of clowns, you too will love the painting by Chris Johanson (although I'd like to see it as a larger piece instead of a little wooden block) that's part of the upcoming Taste Makers series at Saturdays@Phillips that's just around the corner.

Hip New York couple Cynthia Rowley and Bill Powers are featured on the cover of the current catalog for the auction and are the tastemakers for the event, having helped select works for the auction. If you collect auction catalogs, you'll want to get your hands on this one. A friend who's something of an art savant -- not to mention man about town and purveyor of cool -- Ken Miller contributed to the catalog and was picked to consult on the selection of works that would be presented. In addition, one of my favorite photographers -- Dean Kaufman -- shot the work for the catalog.

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In rare form on Sunday -- not only did I buy a pair of PUMA's, but I was out for a few hours shoppping -- I stopped into Bloomingdale's in SoHo to check out the sneakers. Despite the huge 50% savings on more than half their stock, the current selection pales in comparison to the styles that had in stock this past Christmas.

Even my favorite, favorite D.A.T.E. sneakers didn't do anything for me. The one style I liked had a weird thick patent blue stripe down the side. I was like "Huh?" I did, though, find a dress shoe -- I originally thought it was by Timberland Boot Company -- that if I'd had the money, I would have bought them without thinking twice.

Fiorentini + Baker is the brand, which I'd not heard of before. The style I like isn't on their website, so you're going to have to take my word for it -- and checkout the pics from the Spring/Summer 09 collection.

I don't know much about the brand. Looks like they had a buckle boot for women that a lot of celebrities wore, but the "About Us" section of their site is "Under Construction" and they don't have a Wikipedia entry. All I can say is they're hot.

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Mirror Mirror are David Riley and Ryan Lucero, with Matt Bagdanoff and assortment of friends. Mirror Mirror's collaborations span music, video installation and performance, from Brooklyn to Art Basel. In late 2008 they toured the UK and France with the release of their second album, The Society For the Advancement of Inflammatory Consciousness (S.A.I.C.), and founded the real-world group of the same name. Momenta Art in Brooklyn will be showing the fruits of the S.A.I.C. in a show this fall, and in the meanwhile Mirror Mirror are working on their next EP. Catch them next Thursday performing at The Tank in midtown with Emily Pope-Blackman in her psychadelic blowout, HYPOGEUM.

Conversation with David Riley and Ryan Lucero of Mirror Mirror, at their studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn on March 30 and by emails April 6 – 15, 2009.

Paul Sepuya: Let's talk about POO, the new monthly party at the Hose. That space is having some of the best new parties in the East Village I think. At the last party the two of you conducted a new-age Church bar intervention of sorts. You even had neon wafers!

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My mother always said that I have champagne taste and a beer budget. I'm hoping I've graduated to wine or mixed drinks, but no matter what, I definitely can't afford these really hot Alexander McQueen shorts in beige and black.

This is a pair of tailored Alexander McQueen shorts which are executed in beautiful beige cotton. This chino short has a contrasting black stripe which runs around the short giving them a whole new dimension when worn. A must for the summer.

If I had them, I'd have them hemmed about an inch and the cuff taken out. I've never been a fan of longer cuffed shorts. Everything else about these shorts, though, is just perfect. They'd look soooooooooo good with simple white sneakers and a nice white deep V neck tee.

Get them now at oki-ni.

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Uh oh. I did it again.

Despite knowing that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs had just released a new record, I mentally shelved it before even opening the box. While I love the band and their music, when this record dropped, two thoughts popped into my head: I don't want to pay for music (it's true, I'm really cheap) and I can't do screaming right now.

* I've really got to work out this not being able to download free music situation. It's keeping me from testing out so much. I'm really missing out!! Anyone know a virtually virus-free torrent application or site I can use? I'm dying over here.

So on the recommendation of Lara -- with whom I had brunch yesterday at the new Rice just north of Houston which I highly recommend -- I came home and downloaded It's The Blitz! cuz she said it's the shitz! We also heard part of a song as we looked quickly around Unis and, not only was it not what I was expecting, to my surprise, it didn't really sound like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs I know at all.

Karen O's voice is distinct, but the style of music and the production level/quality is not art rock at all. It's amazingly sexy, well-produced music and just what the band needed to jump up to that next level.

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I know PUMA's been trying to make a comeback and in certain respects, they have done a great job. I also know that they've teamed up with Alexander McQueen and have designed some hot, albeit it insanely priced sneakers over the past few years. And if you've been folowing closely, you know I'm in love with the white on white canvas mid top 917's, but my question is: when did PUMA cross the threshold and become really hot again?

In addition to the few styles I just mentioned, when I was the PUMA store in SoHo today, there were so many hot styles, that even I'm now a convert. Not all were my style, mind you, but I'm really picky when it comes to sneakers.

I did, though, end up finding and buying a hot pair -- the Unlimited Hi EVO -- in all black. And for only $90! While $90 isn't dirt cheap, compared to other sneakers like these and, especially compared to all the hipster brands on the market these days, $90 is kind of a steal.

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I've just had a look at San Francisco artist Johnathan Solo's work and think you should check it out. Solo recently had a sold out, solo show entitled Other at the Catherine Clark Gallery in SF.

Jonathan Solo credits Romare Bearden's careful collaging for his own practice of digital collage -- the preparatory step for what become his hand-drawn images; and he further sites Diane Arbus's photographs as a key influence on his interest in the intersections of male and female identities, queer culture, gender dysphoria, and transgender issues. Solo's own practice is at once a nod to technology and craft. His drawings are often compared to photographs, because of their technical precision assisted by careful assembling of disparate images rendered whole in the computer.

Images are culled from fashion magazines, vintage family photographs, and the female iconography of Catholicism. The resulting montages are studies for what are then translated by his hand into pencil drawings.

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I recently walked through the doors of Interview Magazine - a childhood dream of mine - and spoke with Glenn O'Brien; the legendary TV Party-New Wave-Musician-Writer-Producer-Director-Style Guy. He began writing for Interview 30 years ago and now, after a journey documented on the pages of the most influential magazines, he's back to take charge of fame's time-frame.

David Goodman: With regards to your return to Interview, I'm interested in the idea of nostalgia and what role it plays in your "rebirth" of Interview. What do you want Interview to be?

Glenn O'Brien: Basically working for Interview was my first job in New York. I was part of the development of what it became. It started out as a little underground film magazine and we turned it into a magazine of interviews, a magazine about people. I always loved the idea of an oral magazine, of oral culture and oral history. I've been involved with Interview on and off for 30 years, and I always felt that it could be refined more. It's had great moments, when it's been totally with it. I don't know-in the last dozen or so years I felt that it could be so much better. That's why I was interested in doing something with it.

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You all know how much I love tank tops and finally, the weather is getting warmer.

I just came across a hot new tank top by Surface To Air that's just arrived at Oak. The tank is the Surface To Air logo in black on a white slim fit fitted tank top. Simple perfection. Check it out here on Oak's site and get yours before they sell out.

Surface to Air was born out of a beat up old loft in Union Square, NY in 1996. Its initial members began to work together as artists, and the space quickly transformed itself into a cultural breeding ground for other new and emerging artists to come and create and exhibit their work in an environment that supported them. This was the birthplace for a new underground movement.

With the recognition of the talent that was being displayed by the various members, the interest of the public was piqued, and various characters began coming to the space as a place to witness the new avant-garde in its formation.

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Artist/model/designer David Lindwall has just released a much-anticipated, new collection of tees.

David Lindwall was born in the blond and blue-eyed country-(side) in 1982 to a mother forced to continuously alter her outlandishly tall but very skinny boy's clothes. Sick of all that sewing Mother Lindwall informed boy Lindwall that he needed to learn to sew and there in adolescence his fashion education ended. At just 15 Lindwall left home to study chemistry, maths and physics in the city.

By 19, Lindwall was knocking around London and had started selling his self-made designs with his odd mix of references; black metal, medical fetish, sportswear and fanzine illustration all wrought on skinny denim and other secondhand finds, overloaded with zips. Lindwall would also produce the odd torn plastic ball-gown complete with Biro doodles. Collections like: Kill City with its medical references and drip tubes , Fashion is a Freedom Crime a collection based on the battle between good and evil and Rather be Dead than Fit in Your System were sold in London's sadly deceased, landmark store Pineal Eye.

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I told you this was coming: I got a big box of goodies from the designers at Nice Collective last week that included men's tees (retail value $80) and two Zip Wallets in Silver Leather (retail $179) that are up for grabs today.

If for some reason you're not familiar with the line -- which means this must be your first time reading this blog because I post about them a lot! -- check out this piece I wrote in January on their Fall/Winter 2009 collection. Don't forget to check out these backstage pics from the Fall/Winter 2009 show.

I have 3 tees and 2 wallets to give away today. Unfortunately, I don't have pics of the tees, so you're going to have to trust me on this one. If you know the line and you know their tees, there's little chance you'll be disappointed. Check out t-shirt designs from current and past collections here, here, and here.

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I love how everybody's got their hands in everything these days. Musicians as designers. Designers as artists. Artists as editors. It's an all out creative renaissance.

Who would have thought, though, that the editors of a men's fashion magazine would team up with a perfumier to create a men's fragrance? Maybe you did, but like the remake of Stan Smiths by ARC, this is a hot collaboration that just had never crossed my mind.

The founder of Byredo Parfums, Mr. Ben Gorham, worked closely with Gert Jonkers and Jop Van Bennekom, the editors of Fantastic Man (the men's fashion mag that followed their first magazine Butt, to develop a scent that encapsulates both the magazine and the fragrance house. It's the playful percentages of the notes that make Fantastic Man Eau de Cologne unique, so while the notes are traditional to a cologne, the way they come together is entirely original.

There are top notes of Bergamot, Star Anise, Cardamom; the mid tones are Geranium, Incense, Lavender; and a base of Vetyver, Moss, Patchouli.

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I know there's mixed feelings about Barbara Kruger in the artworld. Some people think her work is dated and was only marginally relevant, which I don't entirely disagree with.

I think it's more relevant than some people want to give her credit for, though, especially in the context of the current show up at Skarsstedt Gallery entitled Pre-digital 1980 - 1992, which puts into context where Kruger came from in terms of her professional background, her methodology, and the time period.

These works, professionally known as "paste-ups," share a methodology derived from Kruger's experience as an editorial designer at various magazines. However, the meanings they create are worlds away from the decorative delusions that fill the magazines.

Her ability to construct powerful messages using an inherently commercial technique focuses attention on how images and words have the power to make meaning: to construct who we are and who we want to be. In Thinking of You, Steven Heller states, "...her work resonates for its audacity in attacking assumptions of power as much for transforming, through her choice of public address, the essence of art itself."

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If you haven't downloaded the new Silvesun Pickups record Swoon yet, drop what you're doing and do it now!

I was on the fence on first listen. Their first EP -- Carnavas -- is so good, my expectations were through the roof. The first single -- Panic Switch -- took a few listens and then I was sold. As for the rest of the record: it took a little big longer, but I'm glad I stuck it out. WOW.

Check out the post I did a few weeks back. As with every record, there's your first favorite song, then the second, and so on and so forth. Right now, it's The Royal We. Despite knowing the name, I was singing "the rodeo queen" for days, but now that I've got it all down, this one's on heavy rotation. Like REALLY heavy.

Check it out. I'm sure you'll love it!

With all the ragging I do on LA, I've gotta give it to Silversun Pickups. I'm still a little shocked that such a hot band is from La La Land.

You know how I feel about all white sneakers: love them! I just came across a very simple, hot pair of all white hightop sneakers by Italian company Superga. The design is perfection.

In 1913, Walter Martiny began producing rubber-soled footwear branded with the Superga logo in Torino, Italy. In the 1970s, Superga diversified the collection again by adding sport shoes containing a wide range of technical attributes. These include Superga City Leather, plus the Superga Country Vulcanized and Sport lines.

Today, Superga continues to celebrate the relaxed, carefree lifestyle by offering a wide range of colors, fabrics and prints each season for women, men and children.

And the price couldn't be better. At around $60USD, I'll take two pairs!

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British painter Stuart Semple -- ever interested in expanding his art world horizons -- has teamed up with Italian maker of luxury down jackets Moncler to hand paint their iconic 6 foot mascot.

The piece debuted at Art Basel Miami a few months back and is now set to make its European debut in Milan at the Moncler flagship store on Via della Spiga. In addition to the mascot, Semple will show new works on canvas and stage a second round of his installation The Happy Clouds, which was first done in London in February of this year in conjunction with the Tate Modern.

Stuart Semple made the grey skies of London smile by releasing over 2000 pink "smiley faces" that then wafted up into the air and dissolved. The Happy Clouds temporary installation is just one of the creative undertakings of late by Stuart Semple, the rising star of post-pop art.

The young British artist will be in Milan together with Moncler during the Fuori Salone to present a new project resulting from collaboration with the company.

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I don't know about you, but one of my favorite pair of sneakers ever was the pair of Stan Smiths I had in highschool. Or was it college? I'd have to say that if you've never owned a pair of Stan Smiths, it'd be really hard for us to be friends. I'd go as far as saying Stan Smiths are more American than apple pie.

As we know with lots of classics, redoing them can be disasterous. Think about all the Hollywood movies that have been ruined recently in an attempt to cash in on something that should have never been touched. I must admit of all the iconic clothing items in the world, it'd never occurred to me that anyone would try to remake Stan Smiths.

So just exactly how do you redo the simple perfection of a white leather low top sneaker with a hint of green trim? Just ask ARC (Alife Rivington Club). As always, the best redos are simple twists: instead of leather, they use canvas. Instead of white, they use off white. Genius.

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I burned out on Modeselktor a long time ago. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't that the music got old. It was my own fault: if I like a song -- like Silikon and almost every other song from their record Hello Mom! -- I play it about 100 times over the course of a few weeks and then have to go cold turkey and detox for a while as I repeat the process over and over with new music.

I introduced Hello Mom! to a friend this past weekend and now I'm back off the wagon. It's truly a-mazing. If you haven't listened to it, you really need to check it out.

Given I've never seen Modeselektor live, I'm getting tickets to see them at Webster Hall on 05.30.09 under the name Moderat, a side project created in 2002 when they teamed up with fellow musician Apparat to make music. Their latest collaboration -- a self-titled record -- will drop on 04.21.09 and Moderat is going on tour to promote it.

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As far as I'm concerned, everyone looks hot in a well-fitted, plaid shirt. It's one of the recent trends that works for everyone that I think will be around for a few more seasons.

I just came across a line of shirts by old school, master shirt makers Gitman Brothers, who have recently launched Gitman Vintage and the shirts loook pretty hot. Looks like the indies are going to have to mix it up. When a company like Gitman enters the fitted plaid shirt game -- whose shirts retail for $130-$150, which is nearly $100 cheaper than most of the top indie lines -- the little guys have to go back to the drawing board and turn out a hotter product to justify their price point. It's not that they want to charge more, but given the quantities they produce and the fact that they have to rely on a factory like Gitman to produce their shirts, the cost of production is just higher. It's great news for the consumer, but not so for smaller designers.

Gitman Vintage is an American heritage sport-shirt and neckwear line that pays tribute to its past, but with a distinct difference. While continuing to honor the importance of a finely crafted button-down oxford and the indispensable pinpoint, the design team at Gitman dusted off old line books to curate an authentic interpretation of the past by selectively appropriating their favorite fabrics and having them remade.

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I keep saying tee weather is just around the corner, I know. After today, I'm not so sure, but if the past dictates anything, it has to be coming soon. Just in time to get this really hot Black Noise White Rain tee from Chronicles of Never.

Priced at a whopping $168, the fit, cut, and fabric had better be beyond amazing. The print rocks, but for that price these days, everything about this tee has gotta be on point. I'll stop by Oak this week and have a look as I've never seen the line in person before.

Check it out for yourself below and click here to see/order it on Oak's site.

More on Chronicles of Never coming this week. I've kinda been avoiding covering them because there so hipster and I assumed the line was more hype than substance, but I just checked out the collection on their site and the stuff looks hot.

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With their much-anticipated record Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix coming out in May, Phoenix have hit the road to get their name and the word out.

While not as extensive a list of tour dates as I would have expected, they do, of course, hit New York on June 19th playing one night at Terminal 5. Click here to get tickets. They're not yet sold out, but they will be so act fast. Stops include London, New York, Paris, Tokyo, Barcelona, and LA. For a complete list of dates and cities, click here.

In the interim, listen to the first single from the record -- which the band officially released last month -- called 1901. Click here to download it. It's hot.

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There's a hot label out of Japan called Christian Peau.

Christian Peau is a Japanese fashion house whose design is understood to bridge the gap between modern avant-garde and classical artisan-based fashion. Unlike many cutting edge Japanese designers that have emerged from the last 10 years, Peau's is much more European in nature. His influences lie in the traditionl artisans from the early 1800s who were understood to be masters in their trade. Drawn from traditional shoemaking and leather master craftsmen, Christian Peau has reinvented the avant-garde in a modern and beautiful manner.

The emphasis is on handmade leather garments- each shoe is made by hand in Japan with an assortment of hand-stained, painted and washed leathers that are compounded and nailed together for a truly unique outcome.

One standout design is the Washed Leather Sneaker Boot.

The uppers are panels of perforated and smooth treated leather with a Velcro toe strap and 8 eyelet fastenings. Tongue and ankle are padded with really amazingly soft leather. Sole is matching vulcanized rubber.

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Long time Nice Collective collaborator and bicycle enthusiast Michael Martin has branched out on his own with a hot new line of menswear aptly named MARTIN.

MARTIN of San Francisco is the result of a decade of collaborative work between Michael Martin and Nice Collective. Together, the designers have created a collection of garments that ensure efficient movement. This translates to a precise and symbiotic relationship between the body and the garment. The clothing is engineered with resourceful capabilities yet retains a sophisticated style for those seeking simplicity, clean lines and useful but understated detailing. The line leans on quality and authenticity to express an exciting new vision.

To the untrained eye, MARTIN is a line of cool, well-tailored menswear that stradles the line between casual and sophisticated. Underlying the sleek lines and tailored fits are simple, yet calculated details that make the line perfect for the guy who might be into biking just as its designer Michael Martin is.

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I just got a big box of Nice Collective stuff in the mail today. Since I decided to use the giveaway area in the newsletter for help bring more awareness to Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, I'm doing this week's giveaway right here. Plus I want to keep you on your toes!

I don't know if you remember this from last year, but Nice Collective has a twice yearly sample sale that people go insane for. Last time the boys and Juan hooked me up with a set of VIP tickets (these allow you to get into the sale an hour earlier than the general public) my mailbox was flooded with emails and that was just from people in SF. Word must have spread like wild fire.

This time around, I have one set of VIP pre-sale passes that get you in an hour early to get your hands on the good stuff. I also have a stack of tickets to the sale to give away, which not just everyone can get either.

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I know some of you are receiving the weekly newsletter twice when I send it out. I'm sorry.

Please forgive me and keep reading the newsletter. I'm working with my host to figure out what the issue is. As soon as I know, I'll stop it from happening.

Thanks!

There always seems to be a disconnect between the US and Japan for me when it comes to fashion. I know about the big guys (and gals), but the more indie labels don't seem to get as much press coverage as I'd expect. One such line -- Yuya Noguchi's men's line Man of Moods -- that I know is carried as Bblessing -- but since I almost never go shopping because it kills me to see hot stuff I can't afford to own -- I completely missed until now.

Let's not overlook the fact that according to the shop list on their website, there are only 2 stores carrying the line in the US (Bblessing in New York and Atsui TOKYO in Seattle), which may have something to do with the off the radar status of this super popular line.

According to site Virtual Japan: When a Japanese fashionista thinks Man of Moods, they immediately think of Yuya Noguchi's dark, rock star-esque, Hitchcock-inspired designs.

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Berlin urban art gallery Circleculture Gallery -- founded in 2001 by Dirk Staudinger and Johann Haehling von Lanzenauer -- is opening a killer show this Friday entitled McGee.Templeton.Pettibon., curated by Beautiful Losers director and curator Aaron Rose.

Says Rose about the show: This exhibition serves to focus on the recent artistic output by three underground heroes from the worlds of skateboarding, graffiti and punk. Even though each of these artists has now firmly established themselves in the world of contemporary art, there are still common themes between them that hail back to their subcultural roots. It could be described primarily as an overriding sense of concern for and representation of the downtrodden, the outsider, the anti-hero.

McGee's sad, sullen faces and neon-colored geometric panels reflect the archetypal image of man overpowered by omnipresent media, Templeton's portraits of suburban youths perfectly illustrate the harsh alienation of teenage life, while Pettibon's drawings and paintings focus sharply on issues of personal/social unrest, life during war and the constant power struggle between a man and his destiny.

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There's not much that Raf Simons makes that I don't love, including the latest in his colloborative series with backpack maker Eastpak.

Seriously: who would have thought to collaborate with Eastpak and then create somethign that's so hot that even I -- who just gave up his backpack -- would sit in front of his computer drooling over the line? Hmmmmmm. I wonder....

And to think this collaboration between Simons and Eastpak been going on for 3 seasons and I'm just finding out about it. Methinks they need better PR!

After three enjoyable seasons this is the very final collection of Raf Simons' much sought after high fashion technical bags made in collaboration with Eastpak.

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Chelsea gallerist Anna Kustera has a keen eye for art and a wicked sense for curation. Her latest show, which is slated to open this Thursday 05.09.09 at 6pm, is entitled Objects of Desire.

She's carefully chosen pieces for the show that touch upon culture's subtle, yet subversive infatuation with and aversion to desire: a bra and a jockstrap made out of candy by Mimi Smith; a set of custom coke spoons curated by Ju$t Another Rich Kid; a text piece made in chocolate by Kathe Burkhart; and a set of neon noose by Lovett + Codagnone.

Ju$t Another Rich Kid's set of 5 custom cokespoons entitled He loves me. He loves me not. is featured in the show. Check out this post about the project that launched at Bblessing during New York Fashion Week -- appropriately on on Valentine's Day which fell on Friday, February 13th this year -- and features the work of Ju$t Another Rich Kid, Nice Collective, Various Projects, Playground, Terence Koh, and Surface To Air.

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Things have been getting a little fancy around here fashion-wise lately so I'm going to try to bring things back in the sporty direction a bit -- albeit the high-end sporty direction -- with today's Daily Desire.

You know I'm obsessed with a few designers right now: The Viridi-Anne, Boris Bidjan Saberi, and Croatian-born, Paris-based menswear designer Damir Doma. Doma, as you may or may not know, worked for Raf Simons before starting his own line in 2006. Most of the pieces in his collection are far from sporty, but I managed to find something on oki-ni's site that is the perfect mix of high-end, street that reminds me a lot of something his mentor would have designed.

A long line zip through hoody from new kid on the block Damir Doma. His work is noted for its draping and fluidity and his use of sheer fabrics, this is a great first piece if you’re new to his collections.

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I tried really hard to get to this last week, but great fashion and art kept distracting me. I'm only one guy updating the whole blog, so there's only so many entries I can do a day!

The Thermals have a new record out called Now We Can See, which is currently available to stream for FREE on MySpace. It was only supposed to be up in full for two days starting 04.02.09, but it's still there so listen quickly before they pull it. I'm guessing it'll be up a few more days or until the record is available for purchase.

If you're not familiar with The Thermals, check out this post I did in February. Their last record was amazing. This one is good, but I prefer The Body, The Blood, The Machine. It was musically more interesting and the lyrics were much better. I have a feeling, though, this will be a much more commercially successful. It's good. I like it, but it's just not as strong as the previous.

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It's not quite Piss Christ, but tomorrow ASS (Asia Song Society) -- as part of a new series of programs at the 45 Canal Street location -- hosts an installation entitled eXpel by artists and collaborators Britta Riley and Rebecca Bray.

The two have a project called drinkpeedrinkpeedrinkpee that's about the role our bodies play in larger ecosystems. The project includes an installation and a DIY kit for turning your pee into fertilizer. Both the installation and kits were recently featured in the June 2008 issue of ArtNews, and on the Discovery Channel's Planet Green series.

What's on the agenda for tomorrow @ ASS: You drink beer. Then, pee in a cup. We'll turn it into fertilizer while you dance and socialize.

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I'm obsessed. Japanese line The Viridi-Anne has me under their spell.

A few days ago, I covered a pair of really hot black leather suspenders available at Berlin's Darklands and via the high-end online guerilla store associated with Darklands called Komakino.

Linen: light, airy, summer. Not quite the way Tokyo based designer Tomoaki Okaniwa sees things. Why not take something iconic and turn it on it's head with one simple, yet incredibly genius move. The all black linen skinny suit: it's dark, tailored, serious in look and fit, but made from the fabric that epitomizes just the opposite.

I've got to get my hands on one of these. It's actually sold separately as blazer and pants, which makes a suit, but if you want one or the other, you can do that too.

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So stressed this week, I almost missed Javier Peres' curatorial debut at Mary Boone tonight: KKK featuring the work of Terence Koh, Mike Kelley, and Jeff Koons.

If you are reading this, thank you. My purpose in assembling this exhibition was not to emphasize a curatorial message as such, but rather - quite simply -- to put three of my favorite American artists side by side. No tricks, no gimmicks, no bullshit, just sculptures representative of each artist's practice. I hope you enjoy looking.

Javier Peres, Berlin, February 18, 2009

Read the full press release here. The show opens tonight from 5-7pm and runs through 05.16.09.

KKK
Terence Koh, Mike Kelley, + Jeff Koons
Mary Boone Gallery
541 West 24 Street
04.04 - 05.16.09

Sit down for this one. Graham and I have scored a killer giveaway this week: an Overnight Travel Bag (retail $325), which is part of one of the hottest, most sought-after men's bag lines on the market by US designers Billykirk. Do you know how much it pains me to have to give this away?

US accessories lines Billykirk was formed in 1999 by brothers Chris and Kirk Bray, whose focus on quality and craftsmanship is unrivaled in the indie market. Once you get your hands on one of their bags, you'll be able to see and feel the difference. The line is crafted in Pennsylvania by Amish leather workers. If you're unfamiliar with the Amish, one thing you should know is that everything they do it top quality. The Amish don't mess around.

Read this interview with the design duo on their site, where you'll get much more insight into their line and their design and production processes. Don't forget to check out the styles available through their online shop.

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Five things that I want you to know that aren't big enough for a full post each:

5. Scoute: super slick independent online publication focusing on fashion, travel and culture. Really great photos.

4. OST: cool new coffee shop on 12th and A. A little tight on space, but great coffee, cool crowd, and well designed. I gotta find out where I can get some of that wallpaper.

3. Unconditional Side Panel Tank @ Oak: Blue and white striped tank with red and white striped panels at sides.

2. Slack Motherfucker (Superchunk) live at Bumpershoot. I haven't listened to these guys in forever. They rock.

1. MA+ White Deerskin Leather Bag @ Darkland's. Soooooooooo hot.

One of the bands I've been most obsessed with recently -- Silversun Pickups -- are set to release their long-await, much-anticipated second record Swoon on 04.14.09. It's currently available on iTunes and Amazon to pre-order and word on the street is that it leaked on 03.27.09, but nobody's sent me anything as of yet.

Swoon is the forthcoming second album by Los Angeles indie rock band Silversun Pickups. The album was produced by Dave Cooley who had worked with the band on their first album, Carnavas. Recording began in July of 2008.

Read the full Wiki for the record here. I'm not sure if you've been paying attention or if I've conveyed it as much on the blog as in my life, but I fucking love this band. I could listen to Carnavas over and over and over.

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There's a hot line out of Tokyo called The Viridi-Anne by designer Tomoaki Okaniwa.

Says Scoute of the recent presentation of the line's F/W 2009 collection: Tokyo based designer Tomoaki Okaniwa presented the latest collection for his label The Viridi-Anne, titled "The Chrysalis", in Paris. The collection was presented in a showroom during fashionweek and on Saturday the 24th, the space was turned into one of the best parties in town. A lit up garment installation was shown in the basement alongside a bar, packed full with fashion enthusiasts and friends of the label.

"We have shown in the space for six years now, they are like family" said Okaniwa while pointing out to one of the owners of the space. The designer was very happy with the outcome of the party as well as response to the collection. It featured all the signature elements of Viridi-Anne; muted colours, interesting and well thought out cuts, great materials and most importantly solid construction.

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In case you missed my post a few weeks back on this: it starts today!!!

Creative Time is back with the latest installment of the At 44 1/2 series of outdoor videos featuring a trio of work entitled Chewing Color curated by Marilyn Minter.

At 44 1/2, Creative Time's presentation of video art on MTV's outdoor, gilded screen located in the heart of New York City's Times Square. The films include Patty Chang's Fan Dance, Kate Gilmore's Star Bright, Star Might, and Marilyn Minter's Green Pink Caviar. The works will be on view hourly between April 1 and 30.

Capturing the spirit of Minter's investigation into what she calls "the pathology of glamour" and her interest in the border between photorealism and abstraction, the work in Chewing Color strikes a delicate balance between beauty and disgust.

Creative Time kicked off At 44 1/2 with the overwhelmingly successful presentation of Shallow by Malcolm McLaren, and was followed by selections from Mark Tribe's Port Huron Project, reenactments of classic New Left speeches; early work by the legendary Gilbert & George; and a presentation of work by three emerging artists including Matt Calderwood, Mika Rottenberg, and Guido van der Werve.

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