NYC. Street walks. Style seen. Snap shots. Story tales. Documenting and commenting on personal style, fashion and culture.
Scene: My new shoes, Sperry Top–Sider exclusively for Jeffrey, in a silver elevator. Metallics trending Olympic medals. One of the trends for Fall 2012 is embracing shine — reflected in collections, accessories, cosmetics and beauty. Shine on! See how the metal urge continues — what Burberry Prorsum has lined up for their Menswear Spring/Summer 2013 collection.
Check out other Fall trends from the runways, and mens suits.
My interest in music is varied. It’s interesting that this post and my earlier music post, Shadow Days & Crew Love, are comparable in music contrast — I could say two sides of many. The two parts are the Henry David Thoreau side, the natural and reflective, and the other side is my fervor for great dance music, represented by Gene Kelly and Micheal Jackson. Each part represents a different aspect of taste, rhythm and beat. One inspires my mind and heart, the other my body and soul. Staying fluid.
Past: ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT — MR. WENDAL
One of the major success stories of 1992, Arrested Development, is a progressive rap collective fusing soul, blues, hip hop, and Sly & the Family Stone-influenced funk with political, socially conscious lyrics. The group was founded in the late ’80s by Speech and Headliner, who decided
to make the transition to a more positive, Afrocentric viewpoint. An alternative to gangsta rap.
Tune: Mr. Wendal
The social concern for the plight of the homeless was voiced in 1992 when Mr. Wendal was released. Mr. Wendal was a homeless man that Speech, who wrote the song, became friendly with. Mr. Wendal never heard his tribute because he passed before the release. Half of the proceeds of this song were contributed to the National Coalition For the Homeless.
Now that you heard the original, here’s a new mix.
Past Present: M83’s MIDNIGHT CITY & CARLOS SERRANO’S MIX
Fleur and Manu’s video for Midnight City, the first single from French electronic band M83’s album Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, was released October 2011. The video features euphoric vocals backed with high spirited instrumentation, partnered with surreal images of telekinetic kids escaping from a government facility. See and hear…
Tune: Midnight City Video — M83
Tune: Mo Cities Mo Problems — Carlos Serrano’s Mix, Diddy, Mase & Biggie vs. M83
Mo Cities Mo Problems, just released, begins with the thrilling music of Midnight City, laced throughout — then the rapping starts, with drums in the background. Between the raps of Diddy, Mase and legendary Notorious B.I.G., M83 vocals and uplifting music brings it up high! And ends the dance mashup in an epic tone for your summer mix.
Present: JOHN MAYER — BORN AND RAISED
John Mayer’s recently released Born and Raised album is remarkable. Like Thoreau before him, Mayer has checked into a reflection of natural surroundings and solitude. With this album he’s back to redeem himself after a couple of controversial interviews given about two years ago. It’s interesting — his earlier song from 2001, My Stupid Mouth, could be viewed as a forecast to those interviews gone bad. His latest album has an Americana vibe, Laurel Canyon folk rock, and a down to earth feel.
Tune: Born and Raised
The title track of the album, Born and Raised, has revealing lyrics that sing to Mayer’s past errors and renewed self awareness: “It gets hard to fake what I won’t be… I still have dreams, they’re not the same / They don’t fly as high as they used to… I still got time, I still got faith… So ride on up, take your place / And show your face to the morning”
Harmonica is a key instrument here. His vocals expose honesty and atonement, with supporting vocals by David Crosby and Graham Nash. The slight swell in volume during its ending is a preview to a magnificent swell in A Face to Call Home.
Future: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND — MERCY
Dave Matthews Band forthcoming studio album, Away From The World, releases on September 11, 2012. The track, Mercy, which the Band has been performing live as of late, has been dubbed as the lead single. Matthews and his jazz/rock fusion group formed in 1991.
Tune: Mercy
Dave Matthews, accompanied by Captain Kirk Douglas from the hip hop band The Roots’, debuted Mercy live on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The album track with it’s acoustic guitars and upbeat rhythm, serves as the foundation for Matthews’ familiar voice — bringing the resonance of a classic Dave Matthews Band cut.
Photos © Unknown Individual Photographers or otherwise, per image.
Scene: A dad at the beach with football in hand, gearing up…
Scene: The kids playful and anticipating…
Scene: Sunproofing…
Scene: Jumping and reaching, the moment arrives, here comes the ball!
Scene: A dad and his children enjoying a cool water spritz…
Scene: A boy feeling the cool breeze and sparkling water works…
Scene: Onto the next fountain spray.
Scene: My sneaks off, ready to swim…
Scene: A great day at the lake with family and friends celebrating…
Scene: Back to camp for the evening, getting ready for the fireworks. Happy Birthday!
Scene: Walking through Bryant Park, on the way to Pop/Boards — Opening of Shinya Hasegawa’s surf lifestyle brand Battan Sportswear pop-up shop, and Ben Estes’ collection of poems in his new show Loose Boards, displayed on the walls at Nepenthes, New York.
Scene: Guest speaking with Abdul, Nepenthes, New York Manager.
Scene: Arito and Yozo, owner, of Stock. New York.
Scene: Conversation and cheer. Catherine and friend, Paul and Greg.
Scene: Graphic black and white, Nautical pattern, and Native American inspired shirt, with a little hatitude.
Scene: Gene, denim and menswear designer, trend spotting as he scopes the place.
Scene: Scott, wearing a vintage Noragi jacket. Japanese farmers wore these while working in the field — indigo was the primary textile color. He had his altered to have full length sleeves, as they generally come shorter. The vintage shirt, perfectly cut Chambray made in Japan, from Ladies and Gentlemen. The sneakers, basic beat up Jack Purcells, by Converse. Pants from Uniqlo, sporting a shorter length. Scott said “I just like having fun with what I wear and like finding almost a sense of humor in it, it shouldn’t be something taken so seriously.”
Scene: Akiko, right, owner of Nepenthes, New York, and her assistant Mari. A poem by Ben Estes, top left.
Scene: Coco, Akiko’s daughter joins in. And, everyone else wants to get into the picture too! A good-looking group.
Scene: A-live. He and his buds, Soupa and producer Renaissance are Green Street. Listen to their song Runaway, featuring Sunny Jones, from their Endless Summer album. In the video, A-Live wears the Comme Des Garcons heart tee.
Scene: Chris and Coco.
Scene: Mack leaves the event for the after party!
Scene: Catherine and friend at the after party!
Scene: The after party took place outside the store and on the street! It reminded me of the song Dancing in the Streets, first performed in 1964 by Martha and the Vandellas, one of Motown’s signature songs.
Scene: Mack, hair and there, and friends at the after party!
In 1971, Laura Nyro, songwriter, singer, and pianist, sang her version of Dancing in the Streets with LaBelle. Monkey Time is the intro song.
Scene: Syracuse University’s New York City home, Lubin House.
Designer Nicole Fattibene’s outfits, far left, right and center. Designer Maxi Roberts’ outfits, either side of center. VPA Senior Fashion Design Presentation.
Scene: Designs by Nicole Fattibene.
Scene: Design, Joshua Eder-Hart. Detail, left shoulder.
Scene: Designer Joshua Eder-Hart with his collection.
Scene: Lauren, Grace, Emily, and Peter — glowing.
Scene: Lauren, Emily, Talia, Nicole, Peter, Esther, Laura, Emelia, and Annie. Comfortable and confident in their personal style. Wish I had pictures of all the fashion designers!
Scene: Designer Emily Barnes. Detail, back leather strap. Next photo on
garment, far left.
Scene: Designer Emily Barnes’ lookbook. Black and grey organic forms, far left garment. Back detail strap and dress shapes reflect each other in different materials.
Scene: Hollis back stage, after a great evening.
Scene: Marney back stage taking a smile break, after her garments are set to go.
Scene: Grace back stage, in front of her collection.
Scene: Kieran and Maxi.
Scene: Shawn waiting for Emelia. Up dressing the Bermuda short scene at this event, and also scene during my street walks in the city. Paired with an oxford or cotton shirt; sport coat, cardigan sweater or vest (see Peter above in 4th photo), socks or none at all with bucks, desert boots or wingtips. As long as Bermuda length socks are avoided with the Bermuda short (unless you’re in Bermuda) it has great potential.
Scene: Kieran and Lauren, they’re a couple. I rode the subway downtown with them. They met at Syracuse like my wife, Beth, and I.
Scene: Designer Olivia Greig.
Scene: Behind the scenes making things look great! Too busy to stop for a photo, but I got him anyway. Jeffrey Mayer, Fashion Design Faculty and Stylist for event.
Scene: Todd Conover, Fashion Design Faculty, and Ann Clark, Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Scene: Brittany, Rebecca, and Marjade wearing empire dresses at the entrance of Lubin House.
