Louis Vuitton Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Lunar Landing

Last night, the science-nerd in me loved being at Louis Vuitton’s party at the Rose Center at the American Museum of Natural History to meet heroes of my youth. CEO Daniel Lalonde introduced guests of honor Buzz Aldrin and Jim Lovell at the party celebrating the 40^th anniversary of the lunar landing. National treasures in their own right, the two former astronauts, along with first American woman in space, Sally Ride, star in the new Louis Vuitton Journeys campaign.

With a history in creating high quality travel goods, I loved that this campaign focused on the accomplishments and dreams of the human race (rather than your typical pretty faces). The ad is simply gorgeous n’est-ce pas?

This being a fashion event, the party had no shortage of the chic and famous… Gossip Girl’s Jessica Szohr, Miranda Kerr, a glowing, pregnant Adriana Lima and handsome Lance Bass were mingling among the planets. Singers Cassie and Estelle also made their way across the red carpet. The celeb fashionistas were carrying the latest bags of the Louis Vuitton collection, Jessica with an embellished clutch, Miranda with the metallic leather purse.

Since I attend many more fashion events than I do for science and history, I have to admit I was much more ‘geeked’ about the guests of honor (no offense to the glamor crowd).

The nibbles were themed… “Moons” of white chocolate dipped rice krispy balls were served for dessert along with champagne topped “Cosmos”. (Beats Tang!)

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Independent Handbag Design Awards

Last week, NYC was home to several major fashion awards. The CFDA of course, feted the mega-clothing labels like Marc Jacobs, Rodarte and Calvin Klein. These are the guys you already know and have been around forever .

What about handbags and the truly unique, independent designer? Handbag Designer 101 held its annual awards this week as well. The chic, lively event was held at the classic New York Historical Society on Central Park West. This event recognized the best in individual creativity among handbag designers. Proving that the night was not just about pretty purses, categories like “Best Green Handbag Design” and “Most Socially Responsible Handbag” was awarded to designers who create with a conscience. The competition accepted entries from designers all over the world. The prizes were truly important in the assistance it gave to the winning designer. Awards included essential equipment like sewing machines and access to materials libraries. Apprenticeships for students, a contract to develop a collection with a Swarovski, a deal to sell the winning bag at Sak’s as well as a sponsored booth at the top handbag trade show in Las Vegas.

Lulu Guinness was presented with the Iconoclast award and made everyone smile by wearing a witty Giles Deacon dress paired with her own lip-shaped handbag to make a face onstage. In her acceptance speech, she hit home that independent designers were more important than ever in this time of economic trouble. People need things that are unique and well made.

Perks for attendees? They must have had one of the most useful gift bags I have ever received as a guest (and designer!) The glossy Lulu Guinness bag held a pair of the designer’s slippers (comfort), a printed silk scarf from Rosangel (keep a bad hair day in check), Vitamin Water (for dehydrated, malnourished creatives), Foot Petals (for fashionista heels), measuring tape, pins, Pantone color inspiration CD and Singer sewing guide (no explanation needed).Read about the winners here.

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Gala Weddings Magazine - Designer Profile

Shameless self-promotion time: This summer's Gala Weddings magazine has included me in an article profiling emerging designers. I am on page 33, designated as the "Embellishment Artiste".

I am absolutely honored to be included with so many talented people in this issue. As all creative know, it's a lot of hard work to do what we do. It's (really!) nice when someone notices the effort...

Thank you for the shout-out Gala Weddings!

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Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art Festival - Talent Only, No Costumed Geeks Allowed

This weekend, the 69th street Armory on the East Side of Manhattan was host to the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art Festival. The soaring old space was home to tables upon tables of the hottest up-and-comic illustrators, artists and independent publishers. Along side of all the fresh meat, were legends, and established artists on hand for seminars and signings. This was not the event for costumed freaks of questionable mental stability found at those other conventions. The crowd here was here to appreciate and support artistic talent and unique points of view. A crowd that speaks to my heart. For the shy boys who fantasize about an evil comic temptress? What you will find here are sexy, smart and gifted women like Tara McPherson, Molly Crabapple and others doing what they do best without the aid of a latex catsuit, but wield a mighty pen.

Another of my favorite finds? The quiet and cute Michael J. DiMotta. His work featured brilliantly composed, whimsical scenes. Each of his images seem to be drawn from the viewpoint of a boy whose imagination ran amok.

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Culture, Cupcakes and Cocktails at the Chelsea Art Museum

Social networking site Yelp.com, together with the Chelsea Cultural Partnership threw a fabulous launch party at the Chelsea Art museum to kick off the Passport to Chelsea campaign.

The "Passport to Chelsea" offered guests discounts and special offers to sample the culinary, artistic and athletic specialties all found in the neighborhood.

The three-level museum housed several art and design exhibits that I enjoyed. One was "Sustainability" presented by a collective of Italian design brands. It showcased furniture, art, living and functional pieces made from sustainable materials and concepts. The second was "Dream in a Contemporary Secret Garden". This was an exhibit of 12 contemporary Asian artists, using mixed media to interpret the concept of "garden" in their own way.

There was a lovely pianist on the third floor playing for guests of the exhibits, and a DJ in the reception room. Top restaurants from the Chelsea neighborhood provided the nibbles. Crema, an upscale modern Mexican restaurant served up a truffled chicken tortila goat cheese tart as well as coconut scallop ceviche. Late night favorite, Cafeteria, served up delicious red velvet cupcakes. Elegant Matsuri, could barely keep their spicy shrimp siu mai on the banana leaf for a few seconds before being ravaged by hungry guests.

Sake2Me, a new company, served up fruit and tea infused sake beverages that were light and flavorful withough knocking you on your butt. My new favorite liquor brand, Domaine de Canton, a ginger-infused cognac, also spread some cocktail love with their drink of the evening, using lemon and bitters.

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Louis Vuitton Cocktail Party to Preview Fall 2009

Yes, the weather is just warming up. However, I know that you like to be ahead of the game when it comes to luxury design. I had the privilege of previewing the Louis Vuitton collection for Fall 2009 for Purse Page Monday evening at an intimate cocktail party for invited bloggers.

What is in store for you this September? The luxe went to glam for handbags. Jewel-toned metallic leathers, shimmery monogram brocade, prominent shiny hardware and glittery textured fabrics were all stars in the collection. The signature monogram pattern was re-embroidered in petite sequins for added elegance on one bag. On another the legendary design was imprinted onto fur for a demure clutch, (PETA be damned).

The clothing collection showed a rich palette of violet, saffron, burnt orange, browns and jewel tones. Highly elaborate seaming and complex embroidery embellished sculpted silhouette garments. On a tiny pair of shorts, I think I counted multiple shaped and pieced seams, pick-stitching, contrast thread pin tucks, beaded fagoting, all in addition to the chunky jeweled details on the front. I don’t think you can get more designer details per square inch than that.

There was the infamous "rabbit" ears headband that Madonna wore to the recent Met gala on display as well. The LV reps humbly admitted they were completely trampled in the press for it. Another snarky blogger had compared Madonna's outfit to the creepy rabbit in "Donnie Darko".

I sipped my champagne, nibbled steak tartare and chatted with fellow fashion bloggers. I also took the opportunity to make Daniel Saynt of fashionindie.com squirm a bit when I pretended to confront him about a catty review of my studio several months ago. He was a cutie and quite apologetic. I love the stuff that his crew and he are doing with their site.

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Burlesque and Booze at Dr. Sketchy's

Q: So what does a former art-school party girl do during the daytime on weekends?

A: Drink and draw dirty pictures at famed burlesque club Slipper Room on the Lower East Side at for Dr. Sketchy's.

Illustrator Molly Crabapple and writer John Leavitt hosted a debauched anti-art school drawing session with costumed characters, fully stocked bar and morally disturbing contests. This particular session was modeled by rock band Bambi Killers in a bloody homage (with props!) to the movie Grindhouse.

Molly is holding a drawing of Ms. F’s for a contest for the most gratuitous sex and violence in a sketch. For my particular illustration, I created an interpretive tribute to the infamous Elizabeth Bathory. For the lower brow, it was an illustration of naked lesbians in fishnets, heels and severed heads. This was as much gratuitous sex and violence as I could come up with under the influence of Sugar Sweet Sunshine cupcakes and my second cocktail. (Who knew gin paired so nicely with buttercream?)

Unfortunately, yours truly did not win. The winning drawing was a sketch pad with some scribbles and the word “COCK” written in large bold letter across the page. For this crowd, the direct approach clearly has the most appeal. Lesson learned.

At least my art did elicit some nice compliments that afternoon… Some younger, male art students said very kind things. One older gentleman (who did not appear to be in attendance to draw…or do anything productive) came over to tell me he “Reeaaally reeaally liked my artwork and style,” with the demeanor of a wolf drooling over a sleeping rabbit.

It is the highest form of flattery for an artist to know that your work has the power to move someone.

Am I being too picky if I am creeped out about which actual part of the person it moves?

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