CITYist

Apparently, there’s no better time to (re)open a club than during Fashion Week—if you’re club is Don Hill’s and you’re hosting a week chock full of the best parties and afterparties, that is. And with Belvedere on hand providing the booze, you can’t really go wrong. The former dive it still a dive—no doubt about that—though this time around it’s home to a better looking crowd. Last night’s attendees at the Proenza Schouler afterparty included Terry Richardson, Adrian Greiner and Michelle Rodriguez, plus a performance by New York’s own Crystal Stilts.

Imitation may be the highest form of flattery, and if it’s through the lens of Kareem Black, it’s quite the compliment. For his latest exhibit that he shot exclusively for Wiliamsburg’s Rouge 58, Black teamed up with stylist Harold Melvin to pay homage to photographic legend Guy Bourdin, whose influence reigns heavy throughout Black’s editorial spreads and in his candid “Life” photos on his website. “Exhibit B” (modeled after Bourdin’s “Exhibit A”) features the same sexual disarray that Bourdin is famed for. In short, don’t expect to see any snapshots of pretty, smiling faces; “Exhibit B” is all legs—seven pairs of them, to be exact—on display through Oct. 6.

If there’s anyone who knows exactly how to design a womenswear collection that’s on the cusp of current trends, while also managing to be effortlessly easy and sexy for any and every woman, it’s Elise Øverland. As expected, her recent SS11 show hit that mark, and the designer yet again found the perfect balance between the two opposing worlds of sexy and sophisticated (see the above sheer blouse, topped off with a crisp collar, as well as short-short mini dresses with long, full sleeves as proof). For SS11, Øverland reiterates that sometimes womenswear is just best done by a woman. Take a peek for yourself

If there’s any venue famous for a wild bash, no doubt it was CBGB’s, and John Varvatos has done a pretty good job at keeping the reputation alive at the brand’s shop on the Bowery. It’s 10th Anniversary party was no exception; the party’s tagline, “Prohibition is Over,” was more than applicable, as Stillhouse was on hand to debut it’s Original Moonshine Clear Corn Whiskey for one wild cocktail hour. But would you expect anything less when Cherie Currie, Perry Farrell, Alice Cooper, Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill are providing the soundtrack? In person, that is.

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.

If you missed any of the excitement (or the madness) from this year’s FNO, we’ve got you covered. Take a peek after the cut of some of the night’s highlights from this year, like Naomi Campbell’s 14 dopplelgangers at Dolce&Gabbana, the bombshells at Victoria’s Secret, celebs at Dior, Ralph Lauren and DKNY, and oh yea—the showering Lacrosse players Gant featured in its windows.

Fashion’s Night Out may have began as a New York phenomenon, but by now it’s global. Tonight at Intermix in Soho, both sides of the pond will collide as co-hosts Byrdie Bell and London’s favorite Daisy Lowe help Intermix to unveil to the US the J Brand 5X5 collection: a series of five limited-edition jeans, designed by Christopher Kane, Erdem, Richard Nicoll, Peter Pilotto and Meadham Kirchhoff. Shoppers can also snag a J Brand cosmetics bag, as well as a $50 Intermix gift card when you purchase the jeans—now that’s a pretty sweet deal.

We’ve already told you of a few of our Fashion’s Night Out destinations (here, here and here), but we couldn’t resist throwing in a few more. Cause after all, you can’t just hit up one party. Whether you’re in the mood to shop, and snag limited edition goods you can’t grab anywhere else, or just hang out at a good-old fashioned party, there’s something for everyone throughout the whole city. Check out some places we’re looking to swing by tonight.

As if looking spectacular on the cover of our September issue wasn’t enough, Heidi Klum came out to celebrate last night with us at The Lamb’s Club looking just as radiant—and by no means were we the only one’s who noticed. And since she chose to don a sparkly gold Phillip Lim outfit to the event, we can’t help but think that the gold suit that we put her in (also Lim) might have rubbed off a bit. See what everyone else is saying after the jump!

I Remain, You Desire, 2010

We’ve been saying it since last December: model Lindsey Wixson (the one with the plumped-up pout that looks like this) is one to watch. Her already impressive modeling resume just got another boost—she can now add muse to photographer Gabrielle Revere to her list of accomplishments, whose new exhibit I Remain, You Desire at Sotheby’s features portraits of Wixson looking something like a teenage dream.

With an Autumn/Winter collection that’s self-described as “Star Trek meets voodoo,” it’s safe to say that two very different worlds collide in the Julian J Smith looks for fall. Only in its second season, the line is a tamer version of Smith’s elaborate stage costumes—like paneled one-pieces for Beth Ditto and glitter and sequins for Georgeois Bourgeois. But when tame means dresses fit for either an Amazon warrior or an Icelandic goddess, the collection is still anything but ordinary. Smith’s use of Navajo-inspired prints and colors, mixed with crisp, futuristic shapes and lines makes for a time-bending collection.

Fans of larger than life—not to mention low in price—statement jewelry need not look too much further than the designs of Melody Ehsani. Bold, throwback nameplates, two and three finger baubles and chunky earrings are all big reminders that accessories are meant to be fun and playful, and with gems under $100, you can afford to splurge a bit and stack them up.

What happens when one of the most recognizable denim brands collides with a famed Japanese photographer, whose prints are just as (if not more) recognizable? This August, 7 For All Mankind teams up with Mika Ninagawa for a collection of screenprinted tees, jeans and shorts with some not-so-hidden, bright floral surprises.

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.

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.

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?)

When it comes to fashion and travel, we’ve done our best to keep you in the loop with all things World Cup related: like our Fantasy Football spread, themed polos from Fred Perry and a place to watch it all at Puma’s pop up shop—hell, we even told you where to go if you actually went to the World Cup. And as the end draws near, we leave you with Tod’s “My Colors” bracelets. Just in time for Germany vs. Spain.

Like a true rock ‘n’ roll archeologist, Archive 1887 unearths concert tee gems of yesteryear and aims to put them straight on your back. We’ve shown you some of the tees before, and we’re pleased to discover that Fall 2010 is about to roll in with the same rebel yell as the first season. And this go around, they have one of our favorite icons—Iggy Pop—at the core.

While you’re trying to tune everyone else out on your morning subway commute, artist Dejan Djordjevic is doing just the opposite. Earlier this year, Djordjevic debuted “Subway Series: A Gritty Look at Boston’s Token Traveler,” a collection of straphanger snapshots on Boston’s “T,” and followed it up with an Atlanta version last April. And what should be the next stop? In our opinion, it’s a no-brainer: New York, of course.

Thanks to Creative Time and artist Paul Ramirez Jonas, receiving a key to the city just got a whole lot easier. As part of a citywide art project meets scavenger hunt, locals and tourists alike can report to a kiosk in Times Square to receive keys that unlock secret doors, P.O. boxes, and who knows what else.

The kiosk set up shop on Broadway between 43rd & 44th streets yesterday, and will be there until June 27th (Monday-Friday 2-8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 12-8 p.m.). Some of the hidden spots include a light switch in Bryant Park, a closet door in Gracie Mansion and a secret box in the coat check of the Whitney—but that’s all we’re giving away. Read on for more info…

Even though it isn’t even officially summer yet, (though we are very grateful for the recent shorts weather we’ve had in New York) we can’t help but get a bit excited for December and January—for the 2010-2011 Chanel Resort Collection, that is. And though we obviously can’t wait for those free-flowing florals and bright blues, pinks and greens to hit stores come winter, we’re equally anticipating the makeup used at the show in Saint-Tropez. After all, they looked pretty good on our girls Heidi, Natasha, Jacquelyn and Karolina.

Most of us take our leather in the form of bags or shoes, after it’s been treated and processed to such a degree that it hardly resembles what it once was. Jordan Betten, founder of leather goods brand Lost Art, makes jackets, bags and other accessories so animalistic, you might mistake them for a second skin.

Opening Ceremony is no newcomer when it comes to quirky downtown fashion, and by the looks of it, Fall 2010 is gearing up to follow suit (so far, we can’t wait for their upcoming metallic wedges to hit Howard Street). On the heels of that same indie girl style is Natascha Stolle, an American-born, London local, who’s mixing it up the same way over across the Pond, as well as a few lucky stores over here in the States. Have a look at what we’re already eyeing up for fall.

If you asked Ray Sell, he’d probably tell you that guns, booze and dreams of T&A are what little boys are made of. But thanks to the Leo Kesting Gallery in Meatpacking, you don’t have to ask. This Thursday marks the opening of Sell’s new exhibit, “Stand Yer Ground,” and it’s pretty clear that the cut-and-paste collages have a thing or two to say about the advertisements of yesteryear. All done in mixed media, the canvases depict the nuts and bolts of what goes into creating the archetypal male: television, muscle cards, gambling, and Lucky Strikes.

Big Jump, 20″ x 10″, Mixed Media. All Images Courtesy of Leo Kesting Gallery.

Here in the States, your average summer festival is usually a music-related one. Over in France, however, they do things a little bit different, and the Hyères Festival easily takes the cake in regards to ambition. Every year, the Villa Noaille is home to fashion and photography exhibitions and competitions—and they don’t just bring in the best from France. With designers, stylists, photographers and artists from Austria, The Netherlands, India, and even some of our own, the Hyères Festival is like the Olympics for creative types.