Recently, we've begun exploring more domestic factory options, and with the help of our new LA based agents, got to explore the magical world of dye processes and screenprinting- we never get to see this kind of thing firsthand here! Acid washing things is particularly otherworldy- it includes fake rocks that are sprayed with neon liquid before the clothes get tumbled along with them in a giant vat. The whole process was much more scientific- and much more beautiful than I realized.
FAKE ROCKS
Recently, we've begun exploring more domestic factory options, and with the help of our new LA based agents, got to explore the magical world of dye processes and screenprinting- we never get to see this kind of thing firsthand here! Acid washing things is particularly otherworldy- it includes fake rocks that are sprayed with neon liquid before the clothes get tumbled along with them in a giant vat. The whole process was much more scientific- and much more beautiful than I realized.
AMERICANA OVERLOAD
Given the adorably contradictory title of "World's Largest Miniature Village" by the Guinness Book of World Records, Miniature Village is a manditory stop for anyone with the good fortune of finding themselves in Shartlesville, PA off the I-78.
Laurence Gierenger started building the village in the early 30s after realizing he had a fascination with small things because- this is amazing- as a boy he thought that distant buildings were actually tiny and didnt realize that they were simply really, really far away. It also inlcudes a "night pageant" every half hour with projected images of Jesus with the American flag and a very tinny sounding God Bless America. There are over 1000 handcarved trees, and hundreds of moving parts- this photo doesnt do Miniature Village justice in the least.
its seriously far out!!
SPA CASTLE
I'm surprised nobody thought of this before; a 24 hour relaxation Amusement Park. That's basically what Spa Castle is. After driving through the middle of nowhere queens, you stumble upon five floors of LED sauna utopia. There are traditional Korean baths, along with four other coed floors that consist of salt saunas, gold saunas, infrared lounges, foot reflexolgy parlors, and lazy boy chill zones. Just in case you get too hot, you can take a break in the North Pole room. Families sit in robes eating everything from bimbambop to corndogs. Not only can you get carnival food at Spa Castle, but there's even a swanky bar called "Tonic" located on the top floor. This place is a truly bazar and genius invention. Great for a birthday party or a first date. Please go if you live anywhere near Queens.
VHS OF THE WEEK: SHERMAN'S MARCH
Oddly compelling 1986 documentary about trying to find love.
This film prominently features awkward conversations with family, long car trips through the South, holiday meals, Civil War sites, boredom, rollerskates and Burt Reynolds.
Seemed appropriate. Happy Thanksgiving from Asheville, North Carolina.
VENA CAVA CONVERSE
Hand drawn with a sharpie, brought to you by Converse RED. On sale Dec 5th. See the converse website to buy. http://www.converse.com
Hidden in the drwaing are shout outs to Pappy Van Winkle, chocolate covered orange peels, Greta Garbo, Peter Lugers, Dr. Strangelove, and walrus.
GRAPHIC MAGICK
My buddy Jonathan (DJ Intellectual Property), passed this along last night:
ajourneyroundmyskull.blogspot.com
My new favorite blog. Just makes ya wanna draw.
The dutch pulp covers from the 30's and 40's are pretty incredible.
Also the top four are by German fantasy architect Herman Finsterlin. His stuff is bazar, mammalian like, and way ahead of it's time. Please notice the second sketch- a design for a Vegetarian restaurant in 1919.
DINNER CAVE
Next time we're in China to visit our factories I hope we can eat dinner in this cave near Guilin.
It comfortably seats 1000 so we could bring all our friends. And check out those red tapers!
Thats one classy cave.
HOLY MOLY!!!
Yesterday we had a trunk show at the Barneys flagship on Madison and were treated to a big surprise downstairs.... an awesome post-it display with an entire window of Vena Cava!
Yippeee!!!
VHS OF THE WEEK- 70'S CHICK FLICK TRILOGY!
All three of these movies have been reacurring inspirations for past Vena Cava collections. They are great to watch in a row...just get a bottle of rose, some virginia slims, and a nice rare steak. With the recent vampire movie bonanza that seems to never end, it's nice to take a step back into the 1970's female phychological horror film.
SISTERS
Brian DePalma 1973
This movie has amazing 70's interiors that contain lots of tonal carpeting. Margot Kidder stars in this movie about two siamese twins that are separated in late adolescence. Great music, with a score by Bernard Herman who did Phycho and Vertigo.
THREE WOMEN
Robert Altman 1977
Starring Sissy Spacek, Shelly Duval, and Janice Rule. Apparently Altman imagined this movie in a dream. The palate is dusty and sunbleached with images of the southwestern landscape. A desolate resort town with desert bars and strip malls is the setting. Nothing about this movie is logical or lucid, which is the best thing about it. It reminds me alot of another great surrealist chic flick- Celine and Julie Go Boating (also from the 70's with amazing costumes and hypnotic images).
MARTHA
Fassbinder 1974
I watched this movie on the way to China last year.
The whole thing is utterly miserable and continues to get worse as it unfolds. Margit Carstensten's psychosis and neurosis cause her to have a mental break down. She walks edlessesy through her mansion in 1970's YSL looking mens suits. The set design and costumes are spot on- make sure to check out the plants that inhabit her overgrown German solarium. SISTERS
Brian DePalma 1973
This movie has amazing 70's interiors that contain lots of tonal carpeting. Margot Kidder stars in this movie about two siamese twins that are separated in late adolescence. Great music, with a score by Bernard Herman who did Phycho and Vertigo.
THREE WOMEN
Robert Altman 1977
Starring Sissy Spacek, Shelly Duval, and Janice Rule. Apparently Altman imagined this movie in a dream. The palate is dusty and sunbleached with images of the southwestern landscape. A desolate resort town with desert bars and strip malls is the setting. Nothing about this movie is logical or lucid, which is the best thing about it. It reminds me alot of another great surrealist chic flick- Celine and Julie Go Boating (also from the 70's with amazing costumes and hypnotic images).
PORTRAITS
Amazing artist and illustrator Hanna Terese Nilsson recently sent us this portrait in pencil of the two of us. I think we need to start using illustrations of ourselves anytime we get a request for a photo. Hanna's drawings of objects are particularly great; sensitive without being too fragile, and technical at the same time. Here are two of my favorites: 'love' and 'peronalida2'.
VIDEO SYNTHESIZER
Steve Beck belongs to a cool club called EAT (experiments in art and technology). EAT was a super psychedelic, electronic, computer- engineer, art movement from the late 1960's. In 1969, Beck (who is referred to as an "electronic polymediast" on his website) invented the awesome Video Synthesizer. In 1979 he invented the Phosphotron (not sure what this actauly does but the image of it is enough to get excited about). I wish we could get hold of a video weaver to make some prints with. If anyone knows of one please advise...
For more on Steve Beck check out Stevebeck.tv
A FUN PLACE TO SPEND 20 BUCKS.
If you are in Los Angeles, visit Ashanti fabrics located downtown on 9th St. and Los Angeles. I stumbled upon this reliquary of graphic prints when I was in LA visiting our showroom. Never before have I found a store that carries such a rare and authentic selection of wax print and Kente cloth. Prices are reasonable from 3$-8$ dollars a yard. You can even order a custom African style dress from the owner. These fabrics would make amazing curtains, pillow cases, or table cloths...
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DETOROITO METARU SHITI
According to IMDB- this is the actual title of the japanese film Detroit Metal City. Soph and I saw this the last time we were in Hong Kong to work at our factories. Its all in Japanese except for Gene Simmons, who speaks in English and is inexplicably understood by the rest of the characters. Would have thought that Gene would have more of a linguistic gift given that monster of a tongue he's blessed with. Either way, its a good clip to get those Halloween costume juices flowing...
...
GRAND CENTRAL OYSTER BAR
The leather lips couch is front and center when you walk in the ladies room-
Im very curious what the furniture is like in the men's room....
CHUCK E. CHEESE
There is an entire genre of music videos sung by the
animatronic animals from Chuck E. Cheese??
Viva Rock-afire Explosion!!!
VHS OF THE WEEK: RICHARD SIMMONS AND THE SILVER FOXES
A birthday gift from my buddy Max, who understands just how important it is to get in shape while spending time with the parents of your favorite celebs. Via the VHS, that is. The video includes a warm up, low impact cardio workout, and 3 minute relax session- its exactly what I want in a workout! Thanks for looking out, Max.
Next time youre in LA, be sure to swing by Richard Simmons' Beverly Hills gym on Civic Center Drive called, yes, SLIMMONS.
Cut and paste the below link for Richard's teaching schedule.
http://www.richardsimmons.com/j15/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&Itemid=125
FROM UPSTATE
Thinkin' bout Fiber Art.
Sheila Hicks, Claire Zeisler, Diane Itter, Peruvian Weaving, Mexican Weaving, digital printing, Kale Salad.
Sheila Hicks, Claire Zeisler, Diane Itter, Peruvian Weaving, Mexican Weaving, digital printing, Kale Salad.
FACE PAINT
We are headed up to Woodstock this weekend to isolate ourselves and design the next collection. We have 3 days. I picked up the William Klein box set so we can have something to watch while we make collages. There will be a Woodstock post in a few days... for now here is some cool imagery of Dada facepaint!
HARMONIOUS BEAUTY
Finally got a chance to go by Deitch and check this out after work. Best thing I've seen in a long time. The pixalated images would make rad prints on silk. Very cool! If you are around Soho and have not seen it yet, go at at 5pm to see the organ being played. It's free and will make your day.
September 03 — October 17, 2009
18 Wooster Street, New York
SAFETY PIN DIY
Katy at Dirty Hems just made this VC inspired safety pin top.
Katy, we think you are totally awesome, we love how the small safety pins look,
and it is so amazing styled with the floral print dress!
VC loves DIY.
KILLER COLOR COMBO
In my next life, I would like to be reincarnated as this man's socks and shoes.
What a glorious combination. My favorite part is the oil stain.
BACKSTAGE MORE MORE
We have lots of photos. These ones Georgia took backstage.
Eleanor and Matt from The Fiery Furnaces played.
We had fashion television interviews. We talked about Maude Lebowski to the press.
CASTINGS
Here are a few shots from the castings at Milk Studios.
Deep in conversation with our casting director Noah Shelley.
The space at Milk is amazing, so much light and views over the Hudson. We got to watch people kayak while we watched the models walk.
SPRING 2010
A FEW QUESTIONS FOR JASON ALPER
Dissecting artistic talent can be a slippery, elusive thing. Its often difficult to articulate what draws you in to the the work of a specific person, what it says to you, why you like it, what it means- all those Big Questions. Jason Alper's genius is that he is completely fluent in the language of clothing- and he's goddamn hilarious. He met Sasha Baron Cohen in a friend's apartment in London 12 years ago and they have been collaborating ever since.
How rare is the artist who is interesting and compelling to both the casual observer and the savant. Whether youre a fashion designer or someone with no interest in clothes at all, you completely understand what he's saying.
some examples:
And a few questions:
LM: How does the collaboration with Sasha work?
JA: We come up with the characters together- he comes up with certain elements- the way the charcter acts and talks, and I come up with the costumes and the visual element.
LM: So what was the first character you came up with?
JA: The first character we created was Bruno actually. And the joke was that he would never be able to get into any actual fashion shows. But we realized that theres actually just as much material to work with without the whole show element.
LM: Do you have any formal design or fashion training?
JA: Ive been doing this for 20 years now. and working with Sasha for 12. I worked in theaterical costumes for 3 years. All kinds of clothing from the 1700s to modern day, that was my training. And then at 21 I went freelance and have been freelance ever since. It feels crazy, but I guess you could say Ive made it. 12 years ago I met Sasha, and we started doing characters. And it worked with Sasha from day one.
LM: Yeah! Id say its working quite well. So you travel with Sash on set?
JA: Well there are no sets. Everything is a real life situaion and everyone is oblivious to whats going on. All the situations are real. We have the luxury of not having loads of people around all the time. You don’t even know that were making a movie. Sasha literally has a camera on his lap at certain points. We don’t even have lights! It not a big budget Hollywood film kind of experince. Id liken it more to film school, which I ve never been to. Im so lucky to have a project like this that’s a blank canvas. Im much happier doing something like that than a period drama- theres nothing new there.
JA: No, I left school at 16, I wasn’t very academic and I didn’t really fit in. Both my parents are hairdressers and I discovered that I can cut hair. So I did hairdressing for a couple years and then I became a window dresser at this high-end clothing store where I met the costume designer for Batman. So I talked to him and told him you know I love clothes but I don’t like working in retail, how can I get to do what you’re doing? And they told me to go see a guy called Tim Angel at a costume house called Angels. So I went on my lunch break and he basically offered me a job. So I worked there for a couple of years and then I moved to another costume shop. From there I kind of moved into a production company and I’ve always kind of worked and did a bunch of British TV shows and other things. And then I met Sasha, he was an out of work actor and we talked and we created these characters Ali G, Borat, and Bruno. And we’ve worked together now for about 12 years and it’s just been brilliant and I’ve been very lucky. Just very lucky that we got to come to America and everyone liked it.
LM: Are there more characters that you guys made together?
JA: No, those were the 3 characters and now we’ve made 3 movies together and I think it’s time and we all need a little bit of time away from each other. I wouldn’t be surprised if we did more together in the future, but at the moment everyone is doing their own thing.
LM: What’s your starting point with a character? Do you have an idea based on a person or do you sketch or drape?
JA: Yeah, well let’s say its Ali G. There was a DJ called Armin Van Buren, and his style was kind of what Ali G was modeled after, his clothes kind of idolized Ali G. There always needs to be some kind of repeated element. Something to make the character iconic. For Bruno, it was the Zac Efron style hair, and the fact that none of his shirts would have sleeves. For Ali G, I put him in yellow glasses and always covered his hair. This was also so that no one would be able to tell what race he was- that his race was ambiguous was important. Most things I’m working on I have a very specific idea about, but sometimes there is a lot of searching to find the right look.
LM: So did Bruno have a specific person that was like a starting point?
JA: No, he actually didn’t. When we started Bruno actually had crimped blonde hair and a tiny mustache. And then he had a faux-hawk.
LM: And did you sketch or sew any of the garments?
JA: I can if I have to. It’s like life or death if I have to. But I’ve gotten to the point now where it’s a luxury really and I’ve got people that help me make things. When I made the green bathing suit for Borat I didn’t want it to look like a costume. I’ve just gotten very lucky and gotten great seamstresses. One really great one who made the Velcro costume for Bruno. Bruno probably had around 100 different costumes so there was a lot to do.
LM: How many of those costumes did you design and create? And how many did you find?
JA: I would say about half and half. I found a few things and I would fit them and cut out the crotch and I designed the rest. Most of the things Bruno would wear I would find on the sale rack in designer stores. So I got lucky in that aspect. But some of it is very instinctual. When I go shopping I am very picky because I know exactly what I am looking for.
BEHOLD! THE VENA CAVA SHARPIE
I never thought Id see the day, but yesterday Sharpie sent a giant box of these custom Vena Cava sharpies to our studio. Its oddly appropriate to have our own Sharpie, since this pen has been our weapon of choice for years now. Last season we showed a number of "gunmetal" lace pieces- which was actually gold lace completely sharpied to look silver. Our intern deserved a trophy for that one. We also enjoy using Sharpies to deface silks, t-shirts, khaki from the Gap, AND- coming this November to a retailer near you- high top Converse.
FASHION'S NIGHT OUT
As part of Fashion's Night Out on September 10th, we will be co-hosting a block party carnival with the awesome boutique Bird at their Williamsburg Store (click for map).
Bird will be selling limited edition Vena Cava dresses that we made out of 10 archival prints from the last 10 seasons for only $100!!
We are raffling off a free dress and a studio tour!
There will be art by Susanna Howe, awesome DJs, carnival games, food from all the yummy local restaurants, a gourmet ice cream truck, face painting from Cinders Gallery artists
and so much more!
And you can't possibly miss the Fashion Industry Celebrity Dunk Tank!
10% of the proceeds from our sales at Bird, and ALL the proceeds from the carnival
games and food, will be donated to Added Value, an urban youth farming initiative
based in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Please come by if you are in the neighborhood!!!!
VHS OF THE WEEK
WANDA
This is VC's alternative to Easy Rider, or Five Easy Pieces. Barbara Loden was little known to the public besides being Elia Kazan's wife. In 1971 she wrote, directed, and acted in Wanda, a movie that follows the chronic joylessness of a working class woman. Wanda drifts through the movie mumbling, ordering Rolling Rocks at bars, and showing up late for her divorce hearing.
Loden was inspired to make the movie after reading an article about a girl named Wanda Goranski- who was sentenced to twenty years in prison for her role in a small time heist. The movie is great, and available on Netflix.
GOD BLESS YOU, JIM HENSON!
Maybe its because I grew up obsessively watching anything Muppet related, but along with gummy candy, carnival rides, bubble bath and prosciutto-wrapped rice krispie treats (a recent discovery) I find them to be an irresistable mood-lifter.
This video for the excellent Brooklyn based R+B band Escort is about as condensed as it gets, Muppet-wise. Ive heard that the blond, guitar playing Muppet is based on Joni Mitchell. Hope thats true- she's pretty badass in this video.
SHE GOT HER OWN
Finally a song from Ne-Yo and Jamie Fox about the working woman.
That's right. Please notice the close-up of the woman's hand elegantly signing the check.
The VC lady has got her own.
CHEESE ART
Wisconsin artist Sarah Kaufman makes these sculptures out of cheese.
Maybe if she sees this post she'll make us a Vena Cava cheese logo for headquarters.
SEWAGE CRYSTALS
The sewage system in Moscow is crazy. It is growing crystals.
More on the consistently amazing blog English Russia
ELLIOT GOULD
Thank you BAM for the Elliot Gould retrospective that just ended on August 21st. "Getting Straight" was fantastic and very underrated on Netflix. So was "The Silent Partner". Gould has always been a favorite. When we do the Vena Cava "DAD" collection we'd like him to model the lookbook. Vena Cava DAD, would be comprised of muted charcoal grey Ikat buttons downs (good for BBQing pork butt in), shiny black designer Reeboks, and faded jeans from COSTCO.
Here are some of my favorite Elliot Gould movies...
MAUD FRIZON
Maud Frizon was a french shoe designer know for her sequined mules, patent leather wedges, and python working girl pumps. We were recently trying to come up with shoe references for our upcoming show and I thought about the great Maud. If only there was a store for Maud Frizon suede and sequin deadstock. The amazing thing about her shoes was the combination of expensive materials next to inexpensive embellishment. Suede next to plastic sequins, wood next to python, canvas next to satin, leather next to cheap lace. She took inspiration from the late and great shoe legend Beth Levine (Beth invented the mule, the haute couture boot, and clear plastic shoes). I once ate a tuna fish sandwich with Beth at Ruth Finley's lunch group in the early 2000's. Both Beth and Maud had an eye for applique, and worked with cutting leather away from the pattern to expose more of the naked foot. Maud Frizon was post Beth Levine but pre Manolo Blahnik. Someone needs to bring back the house of Maud Frizon.
WINKERS
we've been a bit busy preparing for our show...sorry for the tardy blogging. we'll have more to share about the new collection soon. in the meantime, please enjoy this video our stylist Kate sent us. this is the kind of exchange that happens regularly between fashion stylist and designer.
BRIMFIELD, 2.0
A while ago Sophie and I headed up to morbid Mass. with two of our nearest and dearest for another two day Brimfield antique binge. Its work-related.
Here are some scores:
tiny "flying geese" patterned navajo rug
navajo war ceremonial "where the two came to their father"
20 numbered prints about a legend of two Navajo heroes undergoing a five day rite of passage.
really killer.
weird pins including one that really reminds me of that creepy talking tree in the Never Ending Story
at some point during all this sifting and thrifting I start "hitting gold." This is the point at which everything starts looking amazing to me and I end up buying a lot of weird crap. I was so psyched about this bracelet purchase, after which I was told by my buddies to "maybe take a short break" or "go eat something" .
this bracelet was the breaking point. I still love it, regardless
records!!
two chrome framed chairs with chocolate colored bungee cords
john yang 60s aluminum earrings
beaded wall-hanging. the dude I bought this from said that he had recently worn it as a loincloth. Which prompted me to purchase and immediately dry clean it.
MUSEUM HR GIGER BAR
I'll be in Switzerland next week and plan on having a gimlet at the Giger Bar, the most beautiful bar in the world.
My friend Billy (aka DJ Gemhunter) told me about it a while back. It blew my mind.
Here is why...
The interior of the otherworldly environment that is the H.R. Giger Museum
Bar is a cavernous, skeletal structure covered by double arches of vertebrae
that crisscross the vaulted ceiling of an ancient castle. The sensation of being in this extraordinary setting recalls the tale of Jonah and the whale, lending the feel of being literally in the belly of a fossilized, prehistoric beast, or that
you have been transported into the remains of a mutated future civilization.
Text excerpt from Secret Magazine No. 23, by Javier De Pison
My friend Billy (aka DJ Gemhunter) told me about it a while back. It blew my mind.
Here is why...
The interior of the otherworldly environment that is the H.R. Giger Museum
Bar is a cavernous, skeletal structure covered by double arches of vertebrae
that crisscross the vaulted ceiling of an ancient castle. The sensation of being in this extraordinary setting recalls the tale of Jonah and the whale, lending the feel of being literally in the belly of a fossilized, prehistoric beast, or that
you have been transported into the remains of a mutated future civilization.
Text excerpt from Secret Magazine No. 23, by Javier De Pison
76 THINGS IN LA
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We're in LA this week to visit stores and have a Lucky magazine shoot in Palm Springs.
Apparently it's 114 degrees in Palm Springs. People say fashion is glamorous, and it gets really glamorous when you're wearing fake fur in the desert. We'll be wearing Fall's newest looks all day while drinking date shakes from Sheild's date farm in Palm desert. For the next few days, Lisa and I will be chilling in our home town. Here's a little list of must do's when in L.A.
- Rose Bowl Flea Market
- HMS Bounty
- Lucy’s El Adobe
- La Brea Tar Pits
- Alhambra Drive-In
- Museum of Jurassic Technology
- Larchmont Village
- King Taco
- El Gran Burrito
- Joans
- OK
- Julian Vintage
- Amoeba
- Farmers Market
- Apple Pan
- Tommy’s at 3am
- Pinks
- Canters
- Magic Castle
- Korean BBQ
- Noshi Sushi
- Studio Wardrobe
- St. Vincents Thrift
- Hidden Treasures
- Johnny Reb’s
- Philips BBQ
- Phillipes
- MOCA
- LACMA
- Wax Museum
- HIdden Treasures
- Aardvarks
- Animal House
- El Coyote
- The Palm on Santa Monica
- Venice Beach Canals
- Monte’s
- Roscoes
- Stir Crazy
- Musso’s
- Gollyester
- Fairfax Flea
- Jet Rag parking lot sale
- Moshty Malones
- Patricks Roadhouse
- Coles
- The Cave
- The Pantry
- Langers
- Label’s Tables
- McArthur Park paddle boats
- Biltmore Bar
- Griffith Park Hiking
- Observatory
- The New Beverly
- Central Market
- Ocean Seafood
- PDC
- Loehmans
- Congo Room
- Hollywood Cemetery outdoor movies
- Aarons Records
- Marios Peruvian Fish
- Neutra House tours
- Arclight
- New Beverly Theatre
- Disney Hall
- The Wiltern
- Trails Cafe
- The Silent movie theatre
- Zankou Chicken
- Taylors Steak
- Huntington Gardens
- Muscle Beach
- Topanga Canyon
- Zuma Beach
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