// MY FIRST POLYVORE SET - HENRIK VIBSKOV //

A total time killer? Oh heck yes! Does it make you feel like you are an Editor at a fashion magazine? Fer shur!

Welcome to Polyvore - Make collages on your computer of things you want but can't afford! I finally signed up and created an account on this ever so buzzed about website to end up spending almost 2-3 hours on it one lonely Sunday night. I'm still trying to "get" it but it seems you can create these collages and images to be not only shared among the Polyvore community but to be shared on your own blog too. This is probably why I've heard only other fellow bloggers and online fashion contributors mentioning this site before!

I was thrilled to see a wide array of great designer and boutique collections on Polyvore. For example, Henrik Vibskov items were on the site and I was super excited about it. So excited that I took a stab at making my first "set." It took me at least an hour to figure out how to work the website and what kind of edit tricks one can do with the little thumbnails to be placed on the interactive canvas. Overall, I had fun making it and will likely come back to the site to make another one. I actually already have an idea for another "set" or "collection" (still not quite sure what the difference is) - a pictorial wish-list of satchel handbags (my current bag situation is quite awful).

But not only is there just an "arts 'n crafts" side to it - there is a commerce component where you can purchase items used in your "sets" and "collections." Would you be tempted enough to purchase an item after staring at it for over 30 minutes while you tweak and fix an image that will make you feel like the next Andy Warhol for about 5 minutes until reality seeps in that you are flat broke?

No? Yes? Maybe? I'll go with maybe for now...I mean it is the holiday season right now - tons of mass encouragement to spend, spend, spend every dime for the sake of it!

Well, I'm going to keep on visiting Polyvore and exploring the site - but only when my wallet is hidden away somewhere to prevent me from purchasing anything!

// OBSESSION: "SLEEPLESS" BY LO-FI-FNK //

LO-FI-FNK – "Sleepless" from LO-FI-FNK on Vimeo.

Another recent obsession of mine also coming from Sweden is the band LO-FI-FNK and their video for the single "Sleepless." My good friend DJ Zak Broman (Hong Kong/Boston) recently shared this video with me, and ever since then I've been listening to this song almost ten times a day.

The video was directed by the duo Tomas Carlsten & Simon Svéd. From the minimal research I've done, they are both (or were both) two students from Beckmans School of Design - an elite fashion school in Sweden.

This song is my official holiday jam of 2010 - enjoy!

// Chloë on YouTube //

Over the last year, an actor by the name of Drew Droege has been writing and performing in these obscurely-referenced YouTube videos that spoof the uber-chic actress and fashion designer, Chloë Sevigny.

Drew stars in the videos, that are all clearly shot in front of a blue/green screen with even more obscurer images, as the one and only Ms. Chloë Sevigny.

The specific references that are made to actual brands, labels, designers, boutiques, meals, and people are really a key player in these short films.  What it says about the real Chloë herself - well I will let you interpret that as you will.

Below are some of my favorite "Chloë" videos:

Summer


Hallowe'en


Preamble

// OBSESSION: MONKI //

 

All photos courtesy of Monki

 

Last year in October, while on a trip to Copenhagen to visit family, I had spent a day shopping and walking around the city center, trying to check out the latest Scandinavian fashions. There was one particular concept store I had managed to stumble into that totally blew me away - MONKI.

My first impression of the store made me think I was transported back to England in 1968. Did I step into famed swinging sixties store Granny Takes A trip on King Road, London; or did Sid & Marty Krofft (creators of groovy TV shows H.R. Pufnstuf and The Bugaloos) go into interior design, and I just didn't know about it?

The more I wandered around the shop with sheer amazement in my eyes, the more I got to analyze the small details of the interior set up and the products that were organized all over the place. Then I realized - I had entered into my own personal retail heaven. A store that could combine the aesthetics from my two favorite decades where my own style is heavily influenced from - a mix of sharp, geometric contrasts and clean lines of the 60s, as well as the over-sized, boldly structured garments of the 80s. Somehow Monki has managed to take inspiration from these two decades yet spin them with a fun, youthful, and modern twist that will surely appeal to ladies who like to make a statement without being over the top.

Even though Monki was started in Sweden, a lot of the inspiration for their clothes come from the streets of Toyko - and you know what, it works! It's not gawdy, nor tacky stuff here - it's smart, colorful clothes that have an underlying chicness and sophistication. It should also be noted that Monki is the little sister of Weekday (home to hip denim label Cheap Monday), another great concept store based out of Sweden.
If you don't happen to live in Sweden or Denmark, you can also find Monki stores in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, and Hong Kong. There are no plans for Monki to open up in the United States for next year, but you never know... Fingers crossed we can get at least an online store set up for us Yanks in the mean time!

// DPM ARTIST SERIES //

This past August I got asked to be the Stylist (and do model casting, hair, and make-up) for a limited edition Artist Series Collection from Boston-based apparel company DANCE PARTY MASSACRE. The shoot was held at South Boston's Distillery Lofts, an artist loft building and gallery space that hosts some of the best creative talent in the city as well as the location of DPM's headquarters. I also scouted local DJ Matt Rohr for the shoot who has been blowing up the scene like a drama queen!

The Artist Series Collection is centered around the theme of "Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil." Contributing artists included Carey Haider, Damion Silver, and AC Bananas. Only 50 shirts were produced for each design, so make sure you grab your favorite one before it is gone forever!

To view the entire look book and read interviews with the contributing artists, please visit http://www.dancepartymassacre.com/lookbook/