Darren Booth

Just stumbled upon the designer behind Steve Martin's An Object of Beauty: Darren Booth, which in my opinion is definitely one of the best book cover designs of 2010. I also read a bit about the process on Darren's blog, and it sounded like a dream project. I can definitely see the Ed Ruscha influence, an artist who really knew how to breathe new life into simple words and and phrases.

Portlandia or Brooklynia?

People are emailing me clips of Portlandia left and right. After watching a bunch of clips, I've decided that Portlandia could just as easily be name Brooklynia. This one is particularly funny, especially for anyone into design and/or crafts...

Gucci FW11 / Marc Jacobs SS11

When I saw Gucci Fall Winter 2011 collection earlier this week the first thing that popped into my head was Marc Jacob's Spring Summer 2011 collection. I quickly decided that I liked Gucci's collection better - it felt like the technicolor version of Marc Jacobs collection, and in a way it is. But now that I compare some of the looks side by side, I realize that I made my mind up too quickly. I love the luxe features of Gucci: the leather dress, the fur, the ornate floral details. There's a lot of fun to be had with heavier winter fabrics and materials. However, Marc's take, with the varied hues, some more muted than others, and mix of light, summery textures is an equally thoughtful vision.

Mini on my mind

Between the Charles le Dray show at the Whitney and my recent discovery of the work of Shay Aaron, it seems I'm surrounded by all things miniature - and I like it! I've always been fascinated by viewing objects on a small scale, all the way back to Polly Pockets and dollhouses of my childhood. What I love even more is knowing that Charles and Shay make their work by hand, with so many precise details. Shay's work is definitely more playful and funny, whereas Charles' is much more metaphorical and philosophical - but both tap into the imagination and create something magical.

Vanessa Bruno Pre-Fall 2011

I want everything in Vanessa Bruno's pre-fall collection. The styling is impeccable. Everything is combined so well to create a perfect balance of colors contrasted with neutral tones - warm weighty fabrics layered on top of light textures.

Sort of romantic, but modern at the same time. Every look gives the impression of being casual, but still very refined..so French!

Re-flower

I was just looking through the inaugural issue of Stella Magazine, one of a few promising new online magazines to emerge recently. Of the many things I like about Stella, one thing in particular that caught my attention was the use of these tissue paper flowers in this fashion spread. It reminded me that I have lots of red and purple flowers just like these leftover from my flower bouquet Halloween costume...maybe this is a good way to re-purpose them? It also looks very Valentine's Day appropriate. Great work by Laura Terp Hansen. More Stella images below.

Sunshine and Shadows

Today was the sunniest day New York had in a while. That little tease has me craving the kind of sunlight that is drenched throughout this video for Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus. Anton Corbijn certainly had an eye for high contrast and intense saturation in several of his music videos throughout the 80's. These screen shots almost look like paintings.