Comfort in The Park, NYC

I noticed the old school overalls, and thought he was a construction worker taking a break, but then I noticed how clean he was, and all of his clothing was perfectly pressed. At that point I knew he was not out to work...he was just in the park relaxing. When he saw me with my camera he turned and looked to give me my shot, which was much appreciated...Thank you kind sir! This may not be a look I would try for myself, but I respect the fact that he is very well groomed and he exudes a comfort within his style.

Photo: Jesse, C.C.

Crangi, The NEW Man About Town.

Philip Crangi, currently one of my favorite New York jewelry designers striked a few poses for Magnus Unnar's latest photoshoot for the new Man About Town Magazine. Wearing his own jewelry of course, he is also wearing Dior Homme, Phillip Lim, and his trademark glasses.

Click here for a previous post on Philip Crangi
http://concretecommentary.blogspot.com/2009/02/man-behind-forge.html

http://www.philipcrangi.com/

26th St, NYC

Photos: Jesse, C.C.

Art Over Cold and Shaky Waters

Michael Elmgreen & Ingar Dragset



Giulio Paolini, "L'altra Figura"



Mark Quinn "Meditation on Illusion"



Tom Molloy, "Swarm"



This past weekend on Piers 92 and 94 over the cold Hudson river, The Armory show, New York's International Fair of New Art brought in fewer crowds than other years according to some reviews. In it's tenth year running, the show expanded in size by incorporating a new section of Modern works. While a lot of the art seemed gimmicky, there were some other pieces that were of quality. Typically, during the past nine shows, dealers were prepared to skim 10% off asking prices, however this year, some desperately knocked off 30%. Some dealers complained about not selling any art at all, and others did very well, like Vladimir Ovcharenko of the Regina Gallery in Moscow. He sold a neon sign by a French artist, Claire Fontaine, for $20,000...It read: "Capitalism Kills."



OK, OK...this was kind of a depressing post, I promise an upbeat one tomorrow!

(Photos by: Katie Sokoler)

Fashion Fitness

Awww...Look! She's a Dandyette


My friend and purveyor of style, Sarah X of Public Personae, is challenging herself with a 30 day fitness routine...It might not be the fitness that we are use to hearing about, like, gym, weights and cardio...no, no, no my friends of fashion and style. This is a workout of fashion sense and creativity. The woman behind Public Personae will be working out her own "public persona", and will be digging through her closet, and I mean deep into her closet for a different look daily. Visit her site to get ideas for mixing and matching your own wardrobe. I think this is a great idea during this time of the big "R". I must admit, I also fall victim of wearing some of the same things together, and not flexing my creativity muscle to mix it up now and then. We are all rooting you on Sarah! You can do it!

http://www.publicpersonae.com/

Lets Party like it's 1899!

David McDermott & Peter McGough


Portrait of the Artist's with Top Hats 1865, 1991


A Photographic Feat, 1907 1990-Palladium


David McDermott and Peter McGough are artists who live and work as if it were the late 1800's. Over time they have blurred the lines between art and their daily lives. They divide their time between New York and Dublin. Hmm...They can't travel like it were the 1800's, if so, it would take them about 30 days to travel by boat between Dublin and New york! Anyway, McDermott and McGough photograph themselves in Victorian clothing, with backgrounds that resemble the times. In their photographs they always look like true Dandy gentleman, and this is also how they live, to my understanding. Like their lifestyle, their photographs and paintings demonstrate a kind of rebellion against the present times. Their art consists of popular, high-brow and culture, religion and sexual behavior. David and Peter create photographs using 19th century techniques such as Palladium, gum bichromate and cyanotype. Hmmm...this life style is sounding interesting, we are in the middle of a recession, and global warming...what can it hurt? Lets turn back the clocks to the 19th century! OK, I'm talking nonsense now. I think my entire week of blogging about the Dandy gentleman has made me delirious! cheers! and Happy Friday!

On The Street, NYC

Photos: Jesse, C.C

A Gentlemans Apothecary

Freemans Sporting Club is a go to for the Dandy. A true gentleman does not go without proper grooming, well, maybe not so true now a days. But here you are...my pick for the NYC apothecary shop.

Freemans sell's a wide range of men's grooming products by classic purveyors such as D.R. Harris, Mason Pearson, Proraso, GEO F Trumper, Marvis tooth paste and shaving kits by Edwin Jaeger. There is even a full news kiosk of magazines to peruse while you shop.

F.S.C. Store
8 Rivington Street
(between Bowery & Chrystie) East Store Front
New York, NY 10002
212-673-3209

F.S.C. Barber West Village
5 Horatio Street
(Near Horatio and 8th Avenue)
New York, NY 10014
212-929-3917

Straight Out of Brooks Brothers

Photos: Jesse, C.C.

Find Your Best Dandy...

At Fine and Dandy Shop! I've posted the online store sometime back, but It's definitely worthy of another mention. From time to time I feel the need for a little dandyness (not a word by the way, but I like it)myself, and when I do, I pull out one of my Fine and Dandy bow ties, maybe one of their pocket squares, or one of their beautiful silk scarfs. The online store also carries other dapper items like cufflinks, hats, wallets and money clips. oh! and my favorite...pocket squares! Damn. I already said that, well I said it again, because their my favorite! The store's price point is shockingly great, and their selection is outstanding. By the way, my fine folks, Fine and Dandy Shop is currently having a sale! In closing I leave you with these fine words from Mr. Fine and Dandy himself, Charles Henry... "Accessories are meant to add some life and energy to an otherwise monotonous daily uniform. There are no rules. Mix and match. Wear what you love. And most importantly, don't be afraid to show a little flair."

http://fineanddandyshop.com/

A Modern Day Dandy...On the Street

Photos: Jesse, C.C.

Moschino's Dandy

A portion of Moschino's Fall 2009 Mens collection.

I Love Dandy New York

For the rest of this week I bring to you "All things Dandy." Since moving to New York, I have never seen so many sharply dressed men wearing dandy wear, such as bow ties, pocket squares, and cravats. Over time I have photographed these dapper gentleman on the street and I feel it's time to share these shots with you all. Throughout the week I'll post my photographs of dandy men along with the shops where one can find such dandy wear as my friend Bruno, The Writer is wearing above. While photographing him I noticed his extreme comfort and confidence. Bruno exudes the definition of Dandy.

Dandy: A man who affects extreme elegance in clothes and manners.

Photo: Jesse, C.C.

MIRO-CLE METAL WORKER!

Cuffs/bracelets


Cuffs/bracelets


miniature mirrors


Darcy's creative version of wallpaper


Darcy Miro

Walking by Darcy Miro's shop on Bedford Street, one can't help but to be captivated by the display of organically shaped metal works of art behind the storefront glass. As the gracefully twisted and textured metals softly reflect the sunlight, they initially leave you pondering over what they actually are; sculptures?... Jewelry?...hmm. OK, OK. So I walked in the store to get the 411. They are everything one expects; Jewelry, sculptures, fine art, and home decor!

Darcy Miro Metal Shop is home to amazing pieces of 18-karat gold and sterling silver rings, cuffs, bracelets, necklaces, and home decor such as mirrors, tiles, and wall paper (wall metal decor). Each hand made sculpture is the work of Darcy Miro. Her manipulation of molded metals is completely brilliant and meticulous. Each one of a kind creation embodies the perfect balance of texture and smoothness, allowing a sense of movement, creating a kind of living quality. Alright, I can write a book on this stuff, but I won't, so you just have to check out the website or visit her shop. Organic, fashionable, and contemporary, fused by miracle artistry. Darcy Miro is just that...A Miracle Worker!

Darcy Miro Metal Shop
60 Bedford St.
New York, NY 10014

http://darcymiro.com/

Photos: Jesse, C.C.

Walking To Her Own Beat in Orange

OK! My favorite colour is orange, and when I saw this lady in the colour, I knew I had to take her photo. She was so charming, and full of life. There are quite a few things I love about her. First of all the way she was sporting those huge headphones, I loved the orange on orange on orange again. Loved the casual backpack she was wearing, and I especially love the salt n pepper in her hair. You don't see a lot of women pulling this off, but she sure had the confidence!

Photo: Jesse, C.C.

Is It Spring Yet?!

Being one who really does enjoy the cold wet weather (um, that's why I'm in New York), I'm actually desperately looking to shed some weight...the weight of all these layers of scarfs, vests, cardigans, jackets, and gloves for more freeing, light, and colorful clothes. Well, the real truth is I just want to wear Tom Fords Spring/Summer line! I love a suit that hugs the body. The colours of Tom's Spring/Summer collection make me want to weep - their bold without being too flashy...digging the separates too! I'm feeling the neutral jacket with a colour pop for pant, and a pinch of colour around the neck - tie or a sheer scarf. That white shirt wearing hairy chested Mr. Tom Ford has made this boy very happy. I'm ready for my spring fling with Tom... that's with his clothing of course! Oh, and his fairly new shop on Madison Ave...Gorgeous! That's a whole other post, just on the interiors alone.

http://www.tomford.com/

6th Ave, NYC

When I spotted this gentleman on the street, instantly I was drawn to his complete style. I liked his entire understated attitude and fashion sense, but the quality of his ensemble (especially the sweater) was what stood out as I photographed him. Anyway, (sigh) I want his hair!

Photo: Jesse, C.C.

The Year Was 1986

And I was doing exactly what these kids were doing in this video. I swear when I saw it for the first time, I thought I was going to see a little brown haired boy with a mustard colored rayon ensemble pop out of the crowd and bust his little move! That would have been me of course. Ooooh...the days, when The Roger Rabbit, The Electric Slide, The Oak Tree, The Kid n Play, and Pop Locking were such "The Thing!" Yes, these are all dance moves that still hold a special place in my heart. Click play on the video below.

The 60's on 6th. Ave, NYC

Photo: Jesse, C.C.

heaVen in a cup!

Look! It's Erin mixing it up in the kitchen





V for Vegan! Erin McKenna, founder of Baby Cakes on Broome street has been on to something good...yummy good. Her little heavens in a cup, is what I call them, are delicious and surprisingly good for you. You will not find any white sugar, wheat, dairy, casein product, soy or even an egg in her bakery house! Ms. McKenna uses all the finest natural ingredients; rice flour or garbanzo/fava bean mix, spelt flour, agave nectar, unrefined evaporated cane juice, and cold pressed virgin coconut oil amongst other health conscious ingredients.

Baby Cakes produces cupcakes, cakes, and other little V. treats. Even if your not vegan you'll enjoy biting into Erin's moist cakes with a creamy textured swirl of a topping, and you won't feel fat or bloated afterward! Erin is finally sharing her baking secrets with us all in her new Baby Cake book. Visit the Baby Cakes website for more details, and also for ordering your little cups of heaVen.

Oh! For all of my Los Angeles cupcake lovers, Erin is opening shop at 7501 Beverly Blvd. Be sure visit!

http://www.babycakesnyc.com/




You know who, eating you know what!!

Photos: Jesse, C.C. , Stephen