More on luxury

Love this commentary from Jezebel re: Dana Thomas' work.

Our Next Vintage Cocktail Party!

flyer by kylos

Listopad Vintage is proud to annouce our next vintage clothing cocktail party! Join us for yummy snacks and desserts from Yazuzu and wine (free, of course) and the DJ talent of DJ Name Names (Ian Svenonius) while you peruse the awesome used records, CDs and books of Red Onion Records and Books as well as Listopad's own excellent vintage clothing and accessories finds.

Thursday September 13, 6-9pm
at Red Onion Records and Books
1901 18th St NW, Washington DC 20009

This Weekend

still from Der Blaue Engel

Tonight: Last Jazz in the Garden of the summer at the Sculpture Garden 5pm

Tomorrow: Check out Maryland's local farms for the last gasp of pick-your-own rasberries and get a head start on apples; The Get Down at Napoleon with Jerome Baker III, 10pm

Sunday: Der blaue Engel at the National Gallery of Art, 2pm; Chuck Brown's Birthday Party at 9:30 Club;

And Monday: Go see the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts

Shoes for your sox

I kinda wish I had found these at the beginning of the summer, but I think you can still rock them into the colder months (I'm thinking knee-highs and ribbed tights). I've been searching for some Dr. Scholl's Health sandals that old ladies wear to the grocery store...Trippen's Modern Wood collection is like the barely legal hottie version of it.

pics from Trippen

The company itself is pretty cool...they're dutch and use a majority of vegetable-tanned leathers (elk, buffalo and some other crazy materials) and only fair labor. They even have pics of the craftspeople on their website!

Sox

It's almost that time for people to put away the flip flops (at least I hope they will) and start wearing proper footwear. This morning I thought I smelled autumn in the air, but maybe I was lying to myself. Still, better get a head start on your sock game, as socks and tights with t-strap shoes, peep toes and heels are all perfectly acceptable ways to transition to the fall.

pics from Socks Populi

God, I love Eley Kishimoto. The sneaker socks are the best! Available here.

Pics from Creatures of Comfort

Hansel from Basel...whimsical and cute, available, on sale, here.

Indian Summer of Love

Round wire glasses + groovy minidress + muscles + faraway gaze + formica tabletop + barren tree branches and afternoon sunlight = hot parents!

Style inspiration from your parents...it's even better when they keep the clothes and hand them down to you.

This Week

photo still from No End in Sight

Monday: Genesis World Music Ensemble at the Kennedy Center Millenium Stage 6pm (totally awesome sounding)

Tuesday: Bronenosets Potemkin at the Goethe Institut 6:30pm; DJ Name Names at Saint-Ex

Wednesday: Go see No End in Sight--called the best documentary on the Iraq war yet (playing at AFI and Landmark E Street); DJ Dave Nada at Vegetate

Thursday: Clockcleaner at the Black Cat; Modernist Society at Bourbon

Lots of movies this week...sorry but I guess people are boring in August.

The Luxury of disagreement

So I went to Dana Thomas' book signing yesterday at Politics and Prose for her book Deluxe, even though I haven't read the book. Hey, I was hoping for some good discussion! Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed. While I appreciate Thomas trying to expose the secrets of the luxury industry and re-examine the economic implications of everyone wanting a LV bag, she rallies for reforming luxury instead of reforming consumerism. She calls out counterfitters for using child labor/sweatshops, funding terrorism and hurting designer sales (yeah right), she scolds luxury goods makers for buying each other out and she shit talks hedge fund investors for ruining designers left and right.

Yet, she didn't mention in her rants (maybe it's in her book) about luxury goods that are produced in sweatshops. She doesn't mention how supporting huge conglomerate "luxury" brands that steal ideas from smaller designers destroys creativity and artistry. While she praised the craftsmanship of the Louis Vuitton custom workshop, she failed to hail the craftsmanship of small, independent companies or producers. What I am getting at is that she provided no alternatives...she didn't tell you how to fight the man. I guess that's not her role, but I was looking for a call to micro-patronage and a move away from corporate hegemony. Instead of asking Gucci to become a better corporation, why can't we encourage the growth of local artisans, craftsman, designers in our own communities. I'm talking about buying small, buying locally and buying less. But buying less is pointedly not luxurious, so how would a Newsweek reporter sporting Louboutins (whose authentic soles she insisted on flashing to the audience) know about that?

This Weekend

Tonight: 2 Days in Paris opens!!!; Free at Selam; Film screening at the Hosiery (443 I St NW) 8 pm

Tomorrow: Andrew WK hosts a party at Rock n Roll Hotel; LL Cool J at Warner Theater;

Sunday: Zakouma, a photographic exhibition about African elephant conservation efforts at the National Geographic Society (very moving!); The Rentals at 9:30 Club

photo from Zakouma by Michael Nichols

Thanks Project Beltway!

Peep our interview over at Project Beltway...much thanks to Rachel for the opportunity!

Photo by Project Beltway!

Starks Laces

Commonwealth has re-up'ed their stock of Starks laces both online and in-store. Hit them up in DC if you wanna add a little flair to your sneakers...also I think some of these could make cool jewelry just tied around the neck.







Commonwealth 1481 Florida Ave NW Washington DC 20009

Buffalo Stance

Adding to today's earlier post, let us not forget the one-and-only Neneh Cherry.

Lots of dizzying, colorful fashions to be emulated here.

M.I.A. eat your heart out!

Express

Heya, my flip flop rant got picked by Express' Blog Log. But misprinted. I stand by my rant though!

U.N.I.T.Y.

Let's reminisce for a moment on the old school...I'm not one to live in the past, but it's hard out there for a female MC nowadays--not that it was easier in the 80s, but at least you didn't have to dress like a porn star to make it.

MC Lyte

So stoked on the mustard bomber jacket.

She has a pastel track suit and is not afraid to use it.

Roxanne Shante

Notice: of-the-moment acid wash denim

PVC and leather is all the rage now,

but check out those killer door knockers!

Queen Latifah

Love me a head piece.

She's got the military thing going on,

while still harking back to afro-centricity with the head wrap.

Sistah Souljah

Two words: side ponytail.

Not that there aren't women kicking it now in the rap game...Missy Elliott is still rocking hard and I've always had a soft spot for Jean Grae. There are some indie female rappers out there (Kenika, Kid Sister, Yo Majesty, Amanda Blank), but it's hard to break through the bullshit. And there's nothing wrong with being sexy and owning it, it's just that when female artists are just the chorus singers on big hits or can't get a label deal without being affiliated with a male artist, it sux.

Question

Why do people wear flip flops in the rain? It's like a death wish. Everything is slippery, your feet get all wet, muddy and gross, and usually the flip flops just fly off your feet.

This Week

Monday:Crustaces et Coquillages at the Goethe Insitut, 6:30 pm; Mika Miko at Velvet Lounge

Tuesday: Shop while you lunch at Cusp 12-2pm; Wolf Parade at the Black Cat

Wednesday: DC United vs. New York Red Bulls at RFK

Thursday: Brew at the Zoo ($55 eek!); Dana Thomson discusses her book Deluxe at Politics and Prose

Fashionable Sake

On my way home from work on Friday, I stumbled across this sassy, sparkling, bottle of Hou Hou Shu Sparkling Sake (by Marumoto Brewery, founded way back at the end of the Edo period) at Connecticut Avenue Liquors in Dupont Circle. In the aesthetic sense, I am a sucker for Sanrio, origami papers, and anything Asian and cute, so I let out of squeal and submitted to the purchase. Upon checkout, the store owner also let out her own squeal and told me to prepare to fall in love. Hou Hou Shu is a high-quality Junmai sake made with high quality, carefully selected rice only. It has the creaminess of yogurt and notes of banana and citrus notes while still managing to be crisp and refreshing. The 180 ML bottle is a little pricey at $9.99 but considering a syrupy uncomplex frappucino runs you close to the same cost, this is my choice for delicious summer pleasure. And when you are done, the bottle makes a great little vase.

Heart

Just want to welcome our new contributor Fiona to Listopad...she's a woman about town, making music, handling art things and dancing up a storm all the while still looking absolutely gorgeous.Welcome!

More on textiles

If you have not been to the Textile Museum, it is well worth the walk down S Street (where you can check out beautiful Burmese script on the Embassy of Myanmar along the way). There is a new exhibition entitled "Textiles of Klimt's Vienna" which features the work of several Viennese artists of that era. There is another exhibition up until August 19th called "Architectural Textiles: Tent Bands of Central Asia." The Textile Museum's collection contains a wide variety of textiles from all over the world and is housed in an historic home with an amazing garden out back, which you are welcome to explore. There is also a small but excellent library on-site. In 2008 the Textile Museum will be opening a second home in a more modern atmosphere in the Penn Quarter. Though they tend to be overshadowed by more "important" art forms such as painting and sculpture, textile and fiber arts are rich in tradition, skill and craftsmanship and the Textile Museum does a consistently great job of presenting this in a accessible, unpretentious way. Admission is free, though a donation of $5 is suggested.

This Weekend

Tonight: Push It! at Selam

Tomorrow: The Getdown at Napoleon; Artcade Party at the Bobby Fisher Memorial Building; X at BeBar (a little something for everyone!)

Sunday: District Line farewell/moving party and sale, 2 pm

All Weekend Long: 10% off the entire Red Onion inventory! Go there!

Psssst

Tiny preview of Listopad wares for the fall:

If a tree falls in the forest...

But more importantly, what would you wear in this amazing scenery? From Misha de Ridder's Wilderness. I kind of see myself in an elvin-like wardrobe, lots of woolen thrift store scarves and riding boots.

Something for the lads...

Boys loves t-shirts...they're like 50% of their wardrobe! But where to find the totally-original-super-limited-edition shirt that no one else will have at the club? SIXPACK, the French company that collaborates with international artists, as well as designing exclusive shirts for A-Trak and Spank Rock, is selling some of the best online.

My picks:



(sold out, unfortunately)

(ignore the haters that say all-over print is dead...this is some mid-century inspired awesomeness)

Textile Inspiration

Were you inspired by my DIY post to sew your own bikini? Or maybe it just planted the craft bug in you for future projects? I've found the perfect textiles to complete the idea:

Japanese minimalism - Yoshiko Jinzenji fabrics, available here, ol' standby Reprodepot's simpler designs, and design classics of the 20th century reproduced by the Glasgow School of Art