CITYist

Have you seen our recent CITYist Fashion Editorial, Power Station? Check it out by clicking here, and read more below about the model, Yulia Terentyeva.

Photography: Tim Zaragoza

Have any guesses on who the Next Great Artist is? CITY’s Contributing Editor Bill Powers knows—since he’s a judge that will eliminate another hopeful contestant tonight on Bravo’s Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.

Bill Powers along with China Chow

Nothing says glamour like a face-engulfing pair of sunglasses. Case and point: Valentino Eyewear. Their newest collection for Autumn 2010 has reintroduced the world to the V-logo while giving it a contemporary spin. The VAL 5749/s model features a seductive shape (think: cat eyes) and is available in tortoiseshell, an ivory frame with tinted lenses and in the ever-so classic black. Meanwhile, the VAL 5750/s model, embodies old Hollywood, with its oversized, rounded shape available in hazelnut or gray striped frames. Put them on and you’ll feel like you should be sipping Limoncello at a café in Positano.

It’s about time. That song was simply begging for a clothing line. Now, Madonna is finally cashing in on her 1985 song, with input from daughter Lourdes, on a new juniors line for Macy’s debuting August 3rd. The influences are clear (original 80s Madonna) the references are numerous (the cowgirl phase, the punk phase) and the target audience is obvious: tweens and teens who want to look like Taylor Momsen, at least in theory. Momsen is, in fact, the face of the line, although you won’t get a good look at her in the teaser video (after the jump). We do, however, have a video interview with Madonna and a first look at the line itself, consisting of a floral mini, a biker vest, button-front pleated shorts and a lace-detailed plaid button down. While we can’t say it’s original, we can say this: Madonna fans, and those simply looking for cheap, digestible fashion, won’t be disappointed.

We don’t think we were the only ones perplexed by Kanye’s last album, the auto-tuned departure 808s and Heartbreak. So it’s nice to hear news that he’s returning to form with his next effort, Good Ass Job, expected this fall. Now, some videos are drifting about the Internets of Kanye performing in a rather strange venue—the Facebook office, that is. Regardless, the three songs dropped, even without a back beat or any accompaniment, are making us pretty excited. Check out the videos after the jump, as well as Kanye’s blog-released statement in regards to the reception, and let us know if you think this album will help Kanye weather the post Taylor Swift storm.

It’s not a simple task—wearing the same piece again and again in a variety of different ways. But when you can master the art the way Funktional has for its Summer 2010 collection, the idea is charming, and indicative of a wider trend. A romper, crop top and layered dress are all cut from the same black silk thread, yet still lead to distinctive looks. Think it could be a bore to wear the same flower print three times? Not when it decorates a zip up dress, cropped layer dress and one shoulder zipper top. Royal blue silk is fashioned into a T-shirt dress, tunic and open-backed tank. Get the picture? In this day and age, it might not be such a bad idea to spend a little less and use your imagination, as this New York Times article, which explores the movement toward a smaller, more effective wardrobe notes. Similarly, Funktional demonstrates that it’s not what you wear, but how you wear it.

While most resort collections conjure up thoughts of yachts and private islands, with wardrobes suited for slinking around elusive white sand beaches off the coast of who knows where, the Cynthia Rowely 2011 Resort collection stays a little closer to home (read on to see a healthy selection of looks). Instead, it’s easier to imagine the playful prints and silhouettes somewhere a little cooler, and rather than being just another collection designed for a December-January escape, we imagine these pieces seamlessly transitioning into your winter wardrobe, even if you don’t have an elaborate vacation planned—just don’t forget a pair of tights under those sheer skirts.

DKNY has unveiled its Autumn ad campaign, and as expected, it’s very New York. Not that that’s a bad thing. On the contrary, the street-scape shots, images of women shopping and men shooting pool only make us long for fall and the accompanying fashion that much more. The campaign’s release also coincides with the launch of the new DKNY Facebook page, where fans can view behind the scenes runway footage and track celebrities wearing the line.

Those who love Pamela Love’s edgy, eclectic jewelry will now be glad to know they’ve got a place to store it. Love has created her first ever handbag, sold exclusively on Revolveclothing’s online outlet, The List. The compact, metallic envelope-style bag is attached to a chain link shoulder strap and comes in cool silver or muted gold, just like Love’s other wares. While the metal detailing adds a touch of punk rock, the sleek coloring makes the bag ideal for the nightlife club circuit. We could think of more than one outfit that would benefit from its brassy flash.

Generally, a leather handbag boutique is the last place you’d expect an art installation. But that’s just what you’ll get when you set foot in Parisian accessory designer Jérôme Dreyfuss’s Broome Street store this summer. Citing Palm Springs as inspiration (the starting point for the current handbag line, as well) artist Julien Gardair took the unlikely medium of masking tape and created an oasis of abstract palm fronds, rays of sunshine and general desert flora and fauna.

Go to bed happy with Brulee—the lingerie collection whose latest pieces embody sensuality, sportiness and subtlety all in one. The all-inclusive ensembles can easily cater to customers cut from many a different cloth. The corset silk bra—more Victorian era, less Victoria’s Secret—pairs easily with the mesh boy shorts. For the less conservative, there’s always the more skin-baring Vamp collection. The minimal, solid designs and sophisticated palette of navy, amber, black and auburn, however, keep Brulee from falling into overly detailed folly or uncomfortable showmanship (read on for our favorites). And as for the fashionistas, who’ve jumped on the recent romper trend, there’s yet another to add to your collection—and fall asleep with. Sweet dreams.

Fluid. Dark. Mysterious. Designer Gabby Applegate’s newest collection pays homage to dark femininity, to say the least. The LA-based designer recently debuted her video lookbook featuring the track “Lovely Blood Flow” by Baths and the direction of Aurelien Levitan. Applegate—previously known as Witches prior to her namesake label—channels Stevie Nicks for this collection. With items like velvet and lace leggings, conceptual silk dresses and leather jackets, there are definitely more than a few hits for the coming autumn season. A personal favorite includes a lace hoodie. It’s the perfect mix of sophistication and inspired creativity. Check out the video after the jump.

Summer and hot dogs go hand in hand. Throw beer into the mix, and we’re sold. The culinary whizzes at Chelsea eatery Klee are capitalizing on this tried and true formula with a discounted offer sure to make any New Yorker look twice. Beginning today and going through the end of the summer, Klee will offer $1 mini hotdogs to go along with its inventive beer cocktails.

There’s no place we’d rather live than New York, but even we’ll admit it: sometimes we just need an escape. At Panoramic View Resort, a renowned Montauk location for over fifty years, it’s all too easy to find one. As the name suggests, the view from Panoramic View Resort is something that needs to be seen in person to be believed, which is why every guest room has a balcony for guests to enjoy the unreal beauty of the landscape.

Have You Heard? is our weekly roundup of items we may have previously missed (or would like to remind you of again). So as you plan the week ahead, take a look at our cherry-picked selections of what’s hot in art, music, film and fashion right now.

Mara Hoffman’s creations are known for their tribal prints, bold colors and playful silhouettes. So it’s not surprising that her Resort swimwear line, available starting in October, followed suit. Premiering at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, the line is categorized by African prints offset by strips of solid black and red, gauzy cover-ups and feathered and bejeweled accessories. Some triangular and attached by strings, others wide and boy short-inspired, all the suits are designed to let the wearer go “on a mystical journey through the jungle, visiting crystal caves, rivers, oceans; a tongue-in-cheek Amazonian tribeswoman in a bikini following her White Horse spirit guide.” Bring on the peyote.

With spa amenities, roof decks, and juice bars—gyms can be as elaborate (and expensive) as you want them to be. But if your idea of a daily work out is to get in, get your heart rate up, and get out, Blink Fitness could be the high-design, low-frills gym you’ve been waiting for.

Besides the breathtaking views and the reasonably priced food and drinks, (well, for New York City at least), the Metropolitan Museum rooftop is offering yet another reason to head up to the top: Big Bambu. This intense, ever-evolving bamboo structure is the creation of twin brothers Doug and Mike Starn, best known for their “See it split, see it change” permanent installation at the South Ferry Station 1 line subway terminal.

Those with nervous disorders or photosensitive epilepsy may do best to stay away from the New Museum from July 7 until Oct. 3 thanks to Brion Gysin: Dream Machine.

As if Governors Island doesn’t already offer enough reasons to leave the over-crowded (and during the summer, over-heated) streets of Manhattan’s mainland, you now have one more reason to venture over to New York’s other isle starting this June. This year, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council began a program of year-round artist residencies, and will kick off a summer filled with exhibitions on June 5th.

Indie pop-rock band Rooney made the 24th stop of their Eureka tour in New York City last night. And though it wasn’t their first time at the small and intimate Irving Plaza, the California-based band is on a tour of many firsts: it’s their first major tour after dropping Geffen/Interscope Records and going the independent route, which means it’s also their first tour promoting their independently recorded album, which hit stores June 8th. It’s also the first time without one of Rooney’s original members, Matthew Winter, the bassist who, curiously, quit the band to pursue medicine. But Rooney is a quintessential California band, something like a Beach Boys version of Wavves for the high school set–and the tunes were just as sweet as usual.

If James Franco has been surfing a wave towards a mixture of high brow avant garde figure and A list movie star, then Howl is the climax of his transformation. Franco plays Allen Ginsberg in a movie based on the poet’s most famous work and the beat writers surrounding it. It’s the 50s, and the social tides are just beginning to churn: the Howl is deemed profane and a lawsuit seeks to block its distribution. Jon Hamm takes a turn as Ginsberg’s defense attorney Jake Ehrlich, while Mary Louise Parker, Jeff Daniels and David Strathairn play the squares (the latter two appear in Good Night and Good Luck, a movie that shares the same beautiful black and white cinematography). If it feels a bit similar to Milk, that’s because it is: the filmmaker’s directed the documentary on which that film was based. Excited yet?

By no means are Marvin Watches new to the scene—the Swiss watch house has been producing timeless and luxurious watches for 160 years, and to add to it, this year marks their debut US collection: automatic watches at affordable price points (starting at just $780), as well as quartz options. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. (Oh, and did we mention there’s a women’s collection, too?)

With Jerry Lee Lewis piano, Sex Pistols attitude and Little Richard swagger, the Jim Jones Revue brings back old time rock ‘n’ roll in a big way. Catch the band next week at their shows in New York and check out our interview here.

What happens when you take seven talented artists, the novel Art & Lies by Jeannette Winterson and free reign? Spazi Sergreti, or Mendacity, Mood exhibit at the Centotto in Brooklyn. Featured artists include: Deborah Brown, Jenn Brehm, Mary Kate Maher, Karilyn Johanesen and more. It’s a visual feast of prose as the artists dissect and interpret the author’s rich narrative, resulting in something truly unique. But it doesn’t stop there. Curator Paul D’Agostino then asked the artists to select and rewrite memorable passages from the novel by hand, which will be apart of a second show, Citational Graphologies, or A Show of Hands (or “the handwriting show,” as D’Agostino has joked). In a world of email, texting and reading 50 characters or less, we’d say that’s rather refreshing.