THE UNKNOWN HIPSTER

While perusing the interwebs, I recently discovered the blog of one, The Unkown Hipster. I was immediately drawn in by the colored pencil and acrylic sketches, and stayed for the sarcasm and irony with which he discusses art and fashion.

I particularly enjoyed his stint opposite Marina Abramovic at the MoMA...

...and the time he convinced himself that a homeless man in Paris was John Baldessari.

A couple of Louboutin-wearers eyeing a Damien Hirst.

A rainy day (not unlike today) in the Chelsea galleries.

[All images from The Unknown Hipster.]

RAINY DAY INSPIRATION

In my opinion, a rainy day calls for the opposite in an outfit: something bright and cheery to counteract the gloomy weather. Last weekend, I became reacquainted with some works by Roy Lichtenstein. I've never considered him to be one of my favorite artists, but the bright primaries and bold shapes were something I decided to work into my wardrobe. What could be happier than kindergarten colors on a rainy day?

The print of this jacket really reminds me of some of Lichtenstein's still life paintings, particularly ones inspired by Cubism.

I took these pictures in my backyard, in the rain. Thank goodness for patio umbrellas!

I'm wearing a vintage dress, silk blazer, and belt with neon patent leather Theory shoes.

These shoes are the happiest color, and perfect for the rain. I'll be sad to put them away come winter!

How do you approach rainy days, wardrobe-wise?

WHOSE COAT IS THAT JACKET YOU'RE WEARING?

I recently read the headline

Hundreds of stolen coats released in controversial art installation

My interest was piqued as my favorite coat came to mind. There is something almost familial about a beloved coat--it keeps you warm during the coldest months of the year!

In the installation, Whose Coat is that Jacket You're Wearing?, artist Mike Ballard attempted to come to terms with the theft of his favorite coat. Over the past ten years, Ballard lifted men's outerwear from bars and pubs around London, cataloguing their contents, and storing them in his home, never to be worn or used. In his installation this fall, he will reveal the over 200 stolen coats, and return them to anyone who can identify where they were lost or their contents.

Ballard's installation is an extension of the use of "appropriation" in art, which usually means stealing ideas or images from other artists or disciplines (such as Richard Prince's cowboy photographs). Ballard has taken appropriation to the next level, displaying the cold-weather loot in the first exhibition of entirely stolen materials. Ballard clearly took Picasso's words to heart:

"Good artists copy, great artists steal."

The exhibition will be on view at Walker's Tailor in London from October 8-23, 2010.

Click here to read the full press release. My pink fur-trimmed coat is by Julie Haus and it is the only way I survive the winter!

EDIT--

Apparently artist Mike Ballard swiped this idea from "John the Jacket Man". Check out the original radio interview here. This just keeps getting better!

FASHION'S NIGHT OUT

Last Friday was one of my favorite events of the year: Fashion's Night Out NYC. It was a night of extravagant shopping, celebrity appearances, drinks, and dancing, all in honor of New York's fashion scene. Stores are open late and shoppers, designers, celebrities, and others gather together to paint the town red.

Tavi Gevinson, 13-year-old fashion blogger extraordinaire, chatted with guests at Barneys.

Barneys creative director, Simon Doonan, signed his book, Eccentric Glamour, for me!

I ran into some blogger friends, Claudia and Shirley, in Meatpacking!

But the highlight of my evening was meeting Christian Siriano at Payless on Madison Avenue. I wore his shoes to the event, and he loved how I styled them (with a 12x12 blouse and H&M pants). Here I am with Christian and Pat Field:

It was a great night, one of those true New York City experiences. It's so refreshing to see so many people out and about and enjoying the fashionable city life. I can't wait for next year!

ZEBRA

Last Wednesday, I attended StyleLikeU's Pre-Fashion Week party. It was a great time to get together before the craziness of the spring shows and meet some of the others featured on the site as well as the StyleLikeU team. For the event, I wore a customized vintage dress (also featured on my StyleLikeU profile), vintage Bloomingdales silk zebra print blazer, Marni wedges, and a Cynthia Rowley purse.

The inspiration for this outfit was one of my favorite contemporary artists, Mickalene Thomas. She creates photographed or collaged interiors of multiple prints and media that allude to or directly represent art historical masterpieces, and replaces their subjects with women of color. The bold floral and zebra print in my outfit really reflects my obsession with her work. [images from rickday.net and sbcaf.org]

The vertical beams of light in the background of this shot are from Tribute in Light, a memorial at the World Trade Center site. They are searchlights that beam into the night representing the two towers that were destroyed on September 11, 2001. These photos were taken on a Brooklyn rooftop and it was really stunning to see how visible the lights were from far away. May we never forget.

NATIONAL HARBOR

Last weekend, I visited National Harbor in Washington, D.C. for the day. It is a newly-built area on the Potomac River with lots of fun shops, restaurants, and a lovely farmer's market.

There are boats to rent and galleries to browse, but my favorite part of the Harbor was the public art. There are sculptures, mosaics, and mixed-media pieces all over the place. I loved the multicolored mosaics by Cheryl Foster that graced the steps leading to the beach.

The piece-de-resistance is J. Seward Johnson's The Awakening. It is a five-piece sculpture on the beach of the Potomac River of a cast aluminum "man" rising out of the sand. It signifies cultural re-awakening. The fingers are taller than me!

I wore a dress from Zachary's Smile and Deena + Ozzy sandals from Urban Outfitters.

On another note, I'll be attending Evolving Influence, IFB's Fashion Blogger Conference on Thursday. I'm looking forward to hearing from some top bloggers and meeting lots of new ones. I hope to see you there!

[Claudia, myself, and Shirley at the last Evolving Influence conference.]

SUNFLOWER

Growing up at the beach, half of my wardrobe consisted of swimwear and cover-ups, and I still enjoy getting more wear out of them than most people do. It may be September, but I am intent on wearing my maillots as long as the weather permits. So far, based on September's weather, I've wanted to wear little else.

This is an amazing Escada swim outfit I found at The Trunk Show in Charleston, SC. It is a one-piece swimsuit with matching gauze skirt. I was so excited to find this set in my size and in such a sunny color.

The shoes are Sigerson Morrison lambskin heels with copper mesh (LOVE). This is my first time wearing them outside! The hat is by the San Diego Hat Company, the shades are vintage Ray-Bans, and the belt is from Goodwill.

The palette of this outfit and these photos keeps reminding me of Van Gogh's Sunflowers. It is not actually one of my favorite paintings, but it definitely reflects the mood, don't you think?

Long live summer!

PEN AND INK

If I had to choose my favorite medium of art, it would probably be pen and ink. It's so quick and bold, and I love the different textures you can achieve by varying paper and nib. I think that's why I like this Jean Paul Gaultier dress so much. It's like a bunch of different ink drawings sewn together somewhat haphazardly, but the result is quite a work of art! [Click photos to enlarge.]

I wore the Jean Paul Gaultier dress with an Izod bandeau and Sam Edelman espadrilles. The nail polish is "Pretty Edgy" by Essie. These photos were taken at the Ashley Inn in Charleston, SC.