Goodsh*t: Ruffian

Claude Morais and Brian Wolk

I have been to Ruffian's shows for the past year or so and thanks to my badass friend Jen, I usually get a good seat! Always running the gamut, with, in my opinion, befitting yet contradictory themes: Madame Pompadour meets 70's punk. The show started with a booming remix of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" which could not be more appropriate: crisp clean lines with hits of ruffled layers, curling skyscraping collars, shiney silver buttons and most recently hot hot pink which has been popping up in spurts. The floral prints reminded me of what might be on the walls of a whorehouse or a mansion in Dallas. OH! I am keeping a watchful eye on these guys! What will they get up to next?!

PS I have had the pleasure of meeting the designers at a party, which had the delicate theme of "Come as Your Own Vice". They were so cool and down to earth, as I was most likely falling all over myself .

PSS Don't even think I won't be donning that black pants suit! NICE!

PSSS Yet another couple, who works together, lives together and continues to inspire.

Coming up: Paul Smith/GQ party. Thanks Ada! Can't wait!

Goodsh*t: Saturday in the City

Got to enjoy a litte NYC Fashion Week this morning, and while I was getting ready I found some good good love in my letter box! Thx J!

PS Stay tuned! More to come!

Goodsh*t: Honduras

So the boss took a little trip to Honduras where we do a lot of our screenprinting. Basically, we needed to find out all the things that we can do to the designs that we were unaware of and are available. I was excited to find out that I can use foil (which should be sweet for all the fonts i design), clear foil (clear shiny shiny foil, it looks fantastic and subtle on black!) and possibly this shimmery hologram stuff! NICE! And of course the boss always brings us "kids" back some love. The K reminds me of trips to New Mexico (which I frequented as a baby and until I moved here.) and I love how the colors pop off! It's important to stop and smell the local art. Maybe next time they will send me.

Inspiration: Eley Kishimoto

Wakako Kishimoto & Mark Eley

A/W 2007

Wakako Kishimoto and Mark Eley make up one of my most favorite and visually stimulating labels. They founded Eley Kishimoto together in 1992, designing prints for Hussein Chalayan and Alexander McQueen amongst many others. In 1995, Eley Kishimoto produced their first collection "Rainwear", printed PVC coated fabrics turned into umbrellas, waterproof coats and coats and gloves. Eley Kishimoto has not only gained a reputation for their print commissions (Jil Sander, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent and Clements Ribeiro), but also for their own trippy yet sophisticated take on fashion. The married duo presented their first show during London Fashion Week in 2001: a series of afternoon tea parties, rather than a traditional catwalk presentation. The label has also expanded to include cookware, furniture, wallpaper, luggage, sneakers, lingerie and sunglasses. Eley Kishimoto are commissioned by international designers including Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton, but despite the scale of their industry, the couple works quietly in a workshop in South London.

PS I am always impressed with couples who can work together, live together, etc. and continue to inspire.

PSS I was lucky enough to score a skirt and a bag! Both are hand printed!

Goodsh*t: The Basics

This week, while I was scurrying around trying to finish up for Fall 2008, I got my brushes out and reacquainted myself with watercolors. This was the first step in creating what I like to call "Subtle Nature" for a womens project I am currently working on. Proving that the computer should not be the only tool when creating graphics and print and pattern. (Plus, I thought I should post a little botanical love to honor the last days of summer.)

Inspiration: Froofy, Happy, Cutsey, Love

It was only a matter of time before Charles S. Anderson Design got a lil' shout out. Yea, CSA is pretty much responsible for a lot of graphical influence in the market today, specifically for me and my tweeny girl projects! I first heard of him in design school when everyone was OBSESSED with Mr. French (I believe if you registered online at the time, you could get all these awesome FREE publications with the design that CSA is well known.) I was lucky enough to recieve 3 of the books for my b-day: Love Sick, Happy Kitty Bunny Pony, and Fluffy Humpy Poopy Puppy. Not only are they inspiring, but do not forget to read the hilarious commentary by Mike Nelson of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" fame! Collect them all.

Goodsh*t: Tag I'm It!

Tag! You're it! Players list 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, players then tag 8 people by posting their names and make sure they know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment at the tagee’s blog.

I've been tagged by Deb Stein the creator of those lovely jewels to write 8 facts or habits about myself and then tag 8 other bloggers.

1. I buy everything in 2's and that doesn't mean just the things that go on your feet. If I find something I like, it's protocol, from jeans to handsoap. I like to have extras handy, I mean you just never know when the crotch might drop out of your favorite pants. You call it OCD, I call it always being prepared.

2. I am lactose intolerant. While this is no secret to most people who know and have witnessed me sprinting to the nearest ladies, I do have a bet going on with my pal Ada. Three solid months with absolutely no dairy, or somebody gets a very nice dinner at the Dressler. So far, so good.

3. I love British television. My favorites include: Spaced, Black Books, The Mighty Boosh, Hollyoaks, 15 Storeys High and of course Big Brother. Bloody brilliant.

4. I was a debutante. My face is getting red. I know how to curtsy properly too. My face is even more red. I won't even mention the other.

5. I am quite fiery and hard to please. And that is also thanks to my Mexican (Maria Luce Hernandez "Lucy" aka Gramin), Scottish (Tweedie Eliza Stoddard Sim Buzzell aka Aunt Tweedie), and Italian (Giovanni Ricciardelli aka John Rich aka Granddaddy) blend. Makes sense.

6. I have Dyscalculia. Basically, I suck at math and numbers make me extremely nervous. However, it heightens all my other super powers such as drawing. I found out I had dyscalculia when I was in drawing 101 and my professor noticed I was sketching the mirror image of a still life. (I can do that on command too.) My grammar is also freakish, except for the word fruition, which for some reason I so BADLY want to pronounce and do, as: FROO-shun.

7. I would only consider getting the tattoo in the above pic.

8. Duh. Who the hell would I be without the LOVE of my good friends? You know who you are.

Can this post be any longer? Ok, so I tagged my buddy Jeremiah, Muffin and her badass Robots, ok, I ran out of people.

Goodsh*t: Robyn

My favorite Swede is back! "Show Me Love" and "Do you Know (What It Takes)" her 1998 classics are all featured in Lukas Moodysson's coming of age lesbian teen drama Fucking Åmål (UK/US "Show Me Love"). Homegirl has beefed up her beats and her look with a lot more street style and is doin' a little rapping to boot on her latest single "Konichiwa Bitches": "One left, one right thats how I organize 'em! You know I fill my cups no need to supersize em'!" Oh yea, I already own this one.

PS Robyn is like the hotter older Swedish sister version of Frenchie Uffie! So cute!

Holy Sh*t!: The Last Year of My Twenties.

Happy Birthday to Me.

Goodsh*t: Simpsonized

Get yourself "Simpsonized". I did.

Goodsh*t: My Work at Work

"Crown Town" © 2007

"Squirrel Hunt" © 2007

"Hundert's Castle" © 2007

"Pixie Party" © 2007

"Miffy's Forest" © 2007

"Richard the Gnome" © 2007

"Gillespie" © 2007

So my work at work has come to fruition a.k.a. it's available now so I am able to post it. So anyway, enjoy a little girlie-girl fun in print and pattern for Fall 2007. I absolutely love these prints, and this is just a reminder on how far the design collaborative has come.

Goodsh*t: Archive Topshop

The Archive at Topshop.com is showing off some fancy vintage finery from the British high street of the 60's and 70's. Handpicked by Topshop's in-house buying team, it is described as "a top-of-the-chocolate box selection of rare finds for die-hard vintage collectors". Such designers as Biba, Ossie Clark, Mary Quant, and Jean Varon are just a few of the featured and while the clothing is fabulous darling, it's all about the prints and patterns for me. (Uh, plus anything costing in pounds is a little frightening, times 2!)

PS How appropriate, I have Ab Fab screeching in the background.

Bullsh*t: Heat Stroke

I am too hot to think! Baaaaaaaah.

Goodsh*t: Roberta di Camerino

Roberta di Camerino S/S 2007

I am currently trending for Fall 2008, so that essentially means a trip to the Japanese book shop Asahiya. My work colleague and I love to check out all the fashion mags, not only because most of them have little prizes, the trends and graphics are more modern and edgy, if you can imagine, than most European and American glossies. I always gravitate towards CUTiE (the bulk of my design load is for the tween girl) and this time I tried out Spring (a bit of a hipster feel) and In Red (higher end fashion). I found these Roberta di Camerino bags while flipping through and they have given me the confidence I need to approach that tuxedo t-shirt idea I have been wanting to try out for ages! (This will also be a nice accent while I continue to copy my dad's boating get-ups circa 1985.)

Goodsh*t: Papabubble

The best hard candy hailing from Barcelona is coming to NYC.

Inspiration: Milton Glaser

I have always been on the hunt for Milton Glaser's "I Love New York Even More" poster, it's certainly nothing new but I was very glad to have finally found it available. I will never leave behind my southern roots, but it's design like this that makes me feel that I have finally found my home. Awwww.

Goodsh*t: Bonbon Oiseau on ZooZoom

Clockwise from Left: Le Vie en Rose, Aurore Astrale, Ile de L'Ocean

(All available at www.bonbonoiseau.com)
Bonbon Oiseau © 2007

I have had the pleasure of accompanying Deb Stein of Bonbon Oiseau in search of antique and rare finds for her specialized line of jewelry and have witnessed her "bonbons" over the years come into their own. While she has been written up loads and loads, I always like to see her land on such sites as ZooZoom. It's modern, it's a bit glossy, but not pretentious, as they feature designers, culture, beauty, art, all on one little site with clean photography and design. She is known for her feminine whimsy, but there is also a sophisticated-Bauhaus-modern feel to her work that has finally been captured. There's more to this little story than meets the eye and I am very curious to see what she comes up with next.

Goodsh*t: Seeing Green: iWood Ecodesign

I live in the city, I am outside a lot walkng from place to place, so I like to keep plenty of sunglasses handy. Since I have been in the way of my dad's style circa 1980's (think boating shoes, Roy Orbison glasses, short shorts) and being green as of late, these were obvious. Not only are they eco-friendly, but are also hypoallergenic! They aren't exactly cheap, but you can't put a price on environmentally friendly badassness! They are available at one of my favorite lil' shops in Williamsburg, YLLI.

Goodsh*t: For Like Ever

I bought myself a little present today. A limited edition silkscreen print in pink and fluorescent red. It's huge and retro-happy.

Bullsh*t: Anya Hindmarch, It's Not Easy Being Green, Is It?

Thought I would do little update on the US version of this "eco-friendly" bag that I mentioned earlier in the spring. There has been a lot of raised eyebrows about the production of these bags. Turns out they are made in China which doesn't really match up with the message this bag is sending. The idea or now what is being claimed, is that they were only to raise awareness on the wastefulness of plastic bags and that they aren't actually eco-friendly, just fashion. While bummed to find this out, I was over the fad the minute I read they were hitting the states, now I have an even better reason to save my money. Still Anya, that's Bullsh*t.