BARE blog

Summer Playlist

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Guy Friends – Party Supplies

In Your Light – Gotye

Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (Party Supplies Remix)

Simple Song – The Shins

Bitch, Look At Me – Childish Gambino

Tightrope – Walk The Moon

212 – Azealia Banks

Summer Boy – Lady Gaga

Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Strange Love – Theophilus London

Image by Philippe Ramette.

Kiyana Salkeld is a 20 year old sophomore who enjoys all that is visually stimulating and aesthetically pleasing.

Fashion Comeback: The Hawaiian Shirt Trend

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:56:00 +0000

It’s colorful, in-your-face, and often seen on travelers to tropical destinations; it’s the Hawaiian shirt. Invented around the 1940s by Alfred Shaheen, the Hawaiian shirt reached the peak of its popularity two decades later when musical king, Elvis Presley, famously wore one in the film Hawaii Blue.

Since then, the popularity of the Hawaiian shirt has waned, becoming a staple primarily among tourists and middle aged men. For that reason, it has been largely regarded as a major fashion faux pas.

Ironically, the Hawaiian shirt seems to be making a comeback, gaining a prominent place among many spring and summer fashion shows this season. Designers have found inspiration in their vibrancy and resort-like feel, qualifying the Hawaiian shirts as the perfect choice for warmer weather.

Even more surprising is the fact that the Hawaiian shirt trend is not just exclusively for men. Hawaiian inspired prints have been transformed into many feminine friendly garments such as skirts, dresses and shorts.

Regardless of how long this trend lasts, the fact that the Hawaiian shirts has resurfaced at all says a lot about how challenging and unpredictable fashion trends can be. And yet part of the delight in fashion is this constant re-invention.

So take a leap, and give the Hawaiian shirt a chance. You might discover that it’s your new, quirky go-to item for the summer.

Joaquin Ugalde is currently a reporter for BARE Magazine. A 3rd year architecture major, he enjoys all things related to design, food, public service, and FASHION!

FAST “Fantasy” Show Review

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Last Tuesday evening, Cal’s very own student-initiated nonprofit organization, Fashion and Students Trend (FAST), executed its spring runway show titled “Fantasy”. With over 200 guests in attendance, all the show go-ers had a chance to feast their eyes on everything from delicate, minimalist garments to structured pieces with bold, look-at-me colors.

FAST students had been arranging the full-fledged production since the commencement of spring semester. They had their hands on every component of the show — from the designs to the set, to details like music, lighting and choreography. With three segments featuring over 30 models, I’ve come to the irrefutable conclusion that the night was a success, thanks to the 11 student designers whose collections stole the limelight.

During Segment I, Lucy Zhou presented her “Bubble Pop” collection. The collection was filled with lightweight, angelic pieces marked by pastel colors nestling between spring wear and summer wear.

Gina Su debuted an idiosyncratic collection called “Hereafter”— she incorporated found objects that had been repurposed into baubles and many other one-of-a-kind embellishments. She was inspired by the concept of not overlooking or regretting anything, so cheers to the past and hereafter.

Jane Luo’s “Transparency” collection featured many fitted silhouettes that were characterized with cutouts and sheer fabrics. Her gowns were inspired by the liberating feel of exposing natural beauty.

Christine Fukushima, a FAST veteran (now her fifth and final show), paid homage to the fashion of Japan. Her “Itsuka, Nihon” (translates to “Someday, Japan”) collection featured many multi-colored prints and eye-catching purple hues. She plans to sell the items from her collection on her Etsy shop to raise funds for relief efforts in Fukushima.

Initiating Segment II, Ryan Roschke debuted the armor look with his “Warrior” collection, bringing much theatricality to Berkeley. His striking black and red pieces were distinctive, as he sought to carry out the visceral strength of the contemporary warrior to center stage.

Two is better one, they say. John Kim and Jennifer Huang debuted their collection titled “The Last Grand Adventure”. A slew of whimsical pieces inspired by the concept of Manifest Destiny and the playful American landscape came down the runway.

FAST’s graphic designer at large, Rae Zhuang, challenged herself with her “a” collection — this was her first time sewing clothes. She appropriately named her collection “a” because it reflected a starter’s experience in fashion design.

During Segment III, Sarah Mount’s “Such Are the Daffodils” showcased full-skirted silhouettes in bright colors —all with a vintage twist to them — to recreate the summery, warm weather look.

Ming Cong, the designer for “The Virgin Collection,” is another rookie, but that doesn’t mean she’s an underdog. She whipped up a few looks that represented what reminded her of fantasy — pure light, airy, feminine elegance. Many whites, pastels, loose draping and sharp cuts dominated her designs.

Last but not least, Jaymie Ngov (this is his seventh and last collection with FAST!) debuted his “Rockin’ A Grit” collection, inspired by his habitual addition to cigarettes. His collection was revealing; he told his personal account of how his addiction unfolded over the span of his college career. Essentially, he mixed a dose of his personal touch with some artistic vision and voilà, a strong collection to wrap up the show.

As an added treat, Superdry, an urban clothing store that attracts customers like Pretty Little Liars starlet, Lucy Hale, and 90210’s AnnaLynne McCord, raffled off some goodies, including a pair of headphones and a backpack.

Missed the fashion show this semester? Be sure to stay tuned for next semester’s runway show — it always falls on Dead Week!

All images taken by the author, except for (6) which is courtesy of Rae Zhang.

Stacy Chan is currently a reporter for BARE Blog. A pop culture enthusiast, she loves combing the Bay Area for good eats and filling in the gaps of her day with some retail therapy. It doesn't help that she memorizes her credit card number.

Album Review: Luke Redfield’s “Tusen Takk”

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila Wagner) — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:06:00 +0000

Luke Redfield might not be a name that you’re immediately familiar with, but his collaborators are indie superstars. The indie-folk singer-songwriter recently released his sophomore record entitled “Tusen Takk”, which was co-produced by Andrew Bird’s guitarist, Jeremy Ylvisaker. The album also features members of Peter Wold Crier, Dark Dark Dark, and, my personal favorite, Bon Iver. If you’re a fan of any of the aforementioned musicians, it will probably come as no shock to you to hear that the instrumentals on this record are phenomenal; the added orchestration in songs like “I Want Only” or the guitar solo in “Walk In Love” make this an album worth listening to. Redfield’s impressive lineup was what initially attracted my attention, but it was Redfield that kept me hooked.

Redfield sounds a bit like everyone – one moment he’s Bright Eyes, the next he’s M Ward or Townes Van Zandt, and at other times he’s channeling Iron and Wine. Redfield’s whispery and raspy tone is engaging, but he generally sounds best when harmonizing with someone else as demonstrated in songs like “My Sweet Lass” and “Eden.” In general, Redfield’s songs have nice harmonies and choruses – each song consistently begins on a good note – which more than make up for slightly weaker verses. If you’re a fan of Band of Horses or Ray LaMontagne, then “Tusen Takk” is right up your alley. Album standouts include “Cowboy Song”, “My Sweet Lass”, and “Gilgamesh.”

If you’re interested in listening to Luke Redfield’s newest album you can follow this link to his website where you can listen to each of the songs off the album (in their entirety) for free. If you enjoy “Tusek Takk” you can also listen to Redfield’s debut album, Ephemeral Eon here.

Kiyana Salkeld is a 20 year old sophomore who enjoys all that is visually stimulating and aesthetically pleasing.

Cal Street Style: Spring/Summer Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Sun, 06 May 2012 20:10:00 +0000

Feeling a bit low on style inspiration? BARE Blogger Brenda Chen has got you covered! Check out her street style photos below, and then tell us how you're prepping your wardrobe for the coming summer!

Brenda Chen is currently a reporter for BARE Blog. She loves sparkles, starfish and Disneyland. Oh, and taco trucks. She enjoys sending letters and afternoon tea.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:02:00 +0000

The fireball as seen over Reno, NV.

On the morning of Sunday, April 22, many agree that they heard a large boom reverberating through the atmosphere. Those who happened to be outside at the time saw an accompanying streak of light through the sky — in broad daylight. There have been speculations that it could have been a government missile, (and the government broke the sound barrier as a cover up?) or maybe even Superman himself. But in actuality, the streak and sonic boom have been attributed to a fireball entering the atmosphere. A fireball is a very large meteor that can achieve the brightness of a full moon for a short time. They occur every day in all parts of the world, but the average person only sees 2 in their lifetime. This fireball, which was visible in California and parts of Nevada, was a part of the Lyrid meteor shower that makes its spin annually for a weekend in April. Since the moon was in a new phase and the sky was darker, the shower was even more visible during the night than it has been in previous years.

A sky map of the Lyrid shower.

And here’s where the story gets a little kooky.

A peak of the shower directly coincided with Coachella Weekend 2 (which I had the pleasure of attending), and specifically with the famed Snoop/Dre set in which the late rap legend Tupac made a holographic appearance. Putting two and two together, I found out that viewers witnessed a meteor right before Tupac’s entrance. Many were freaking out (even beyond the fact that a hologram was coming to life before their eyes). At first, I was confused as to why they reacted this way. But after talking to some people who were there at the set, I discovered the reason behind this odd reaction. In their paranoia and exhaustion at the end of a long weekend, some people synthesized that this meteor was Tupac’s spirit coming back to earth. Is this just pure kooky conspiracy? Or is this more than a cosmic coincidence. I’ll let you decide.

Images courtesy of (1) and (2).

Hailey Simpson is currently a reporter for BARE Blog. A first year Media Studies major from SoCal. When not scrawling in her notebook or getting used to the widespread use of 'hella', she enjoys concerts, British and comedy TV, drinking tea, and exploring the Bay.

BARE Issue 11 Launch Party Pics

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Wed, 02 May 2012 22:17:00 +0000

Last Saturday was the launch party for BARE Magazine Issue 11, and we had a blast celebrating a semester's worth of hard work. Check out Yen Vu's photos from the event below, and let us know in the comments what your favorite part of Issue 11 is!

Summer’s Temptation vs. Library’s Call

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:29:00 +0000

As the sun begins to heat up and the shade of a nearby tree becomes an ever-engrossing daydream, students have begun debating the merits of exploring the great outdoors versus studying amongst the high-ceilinged bookcases that line the Main Stacks corridors. While last Friday marked the end of Berkeley’s formal classes, the fun is only just beginning as RRR week approaches. Better known as “Dead Week,” RRR week is a full 7 days dedicated to studying for finals and attending various office hours and review sessions, but more often than not, the time is spent on more…well, engrossing topics.

The big question every student must contemplate: “How will I spend dead week?” Wanting to get the scoop on who actually studied and who had study “parties,” I decided to actually go find out. And what better to get to know the students than by prowling around Sproul Steps?

After a few hours worth of talking to people, I complied a pretty decent array of responses to the simple question: “What’s your favorite thing to do during dead week?” I heard everything from sleeping in to frat hopping to spontaneous trips to SF; I even got several Stanford trips among the mix (hissss…). But what was the most popular? Surprisingly enough it was a mix, “Study party kickbacks.” When I asked what that entailed, I learned that it means studying all day with review groups, but then once everyone’s brains starts to wander it’s time to pile onto a couch and put in a movie/pop open a beer or two.

Turns out most of the people I interviewed sided with the general consensus of current sophomore Kelli who said, “Obviously since it’s dead week it would be to my own disadvantage to not study for my finals, yet at the same time, after a long day cooped up inside Doe or the Moffit, a few drinks with some friends doesn’t hurt. It’s all about prioritizing!”

Whether you’re majoring in Computer Science or Sociology, MCB or Rhetoric, one thing is clear - prioritizing is a must if you’re not to fall into the cycle of procrastination. And what better way to exercise that than during dead week. So whatever your plans are for dead week make sure to pack in at least a few hours of study time in order to offset all the other things one might do to procrastinate… (Not that I encourage it, as a Berkeley affiliate and all :P Just off the record.)

Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and UCB Library. Composed by Aimee Shimizu.

Branden Barger, currently a reporter for BARE, is always searching for the artistic, striking contrasts within the provisional nature of life, especially within the fashion industry. Even if it means spending some cash where needed...

Reflecting on the Royal Wedding A Year Later

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila Wagner) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:00:00 +0000

It’s funny to think that it has been a year since I sat mesmerized before the TV in hot anticipation for the biggest nuptial event of the century: the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Everything about it seemed enchanting, and seemed to make the fairy tales that I used to watch repeatedly come to life. The world seemed to be captivated by this event, but one can’t help but wonder exactly why. Perhaps it was nostalgia of the great traditions of a monarchy that once ruled the world? Maybe it had to do with people who still remembered the tragic day that the prince’s mother had died? Maybe it was just the sheer grandeur of an event with a star- and dignitary-studded guest list, a dress that was so beautiful it made me want to cry, and so many people in crazy hats? Or on more shallow terms, was it the fact that hearts were breaking all over the world at the loss of one of the world’s most eligible bachelor?

Since that lovely wedding, the royal couple has been under scrutiny by the media and put in almost every tabloid around the world. Fierce rumors run around, including Kate’s supposed eating disorder and pregnancy gossip. While many of us might be getting sick of it, the benefits of this obsession have been paying off for the mother country of the royals. Polls report that people now hold the British monarchy in higher esteem, which is good for a country that is going through tough economic times. A higher morale is good for Britain, and it is not surprising that many people have become delighted seeing the couple out on “formal engagements” canoodling with the cream of the crop while they enjoy the honeymoon period of their marriage.

And I say best of luck to the couple. I say to them, congratulations, your marriage has lasted eons longer than any Kardashian one will (Khloe not included). And, please feel free to give my number to your dear brother, Harry. I don’t mind that he is a soulless ginger, or that he may not even be your full brother due to the fact that he looks exactly like the man that Diana had an affair with. It has been great watching you two develop as a couple. I hope that you have many happy years together and have many babies, because your respective gene pools are so amazing that it would be a disservice to society if you didn’t. And in case you forgot, I was serious about you giving my number to Prince Harry. Like, now.

Danielle Ciappara is currently a reporter for BARE Blog. Her interests are fashion, pie-baking, baseball, and Rothko. She also answers to the name 'Ciapparty'.

Berkeley Vegan Earth Day Proves Berkeley is More Berkeley Than Ever

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila Wagner) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 21:00:00 +0000

This sign was made by recycled paper by one of the artists featured in the silent auction!

It’s no secret that we’re fans of vegan food (and other vegan shenanigans), which is why we dedicated a whole series to vegan restaurants last semester. And well, as luck would have it, this past weekend the vegans came to us! That’s right, Berkeley Vegan Earth Day came to campus this past Sunday, and let’s just say our vegan food babies were having vegan food babies of their own.

You thought we were joking but we weren’t. Vegan. Gluten-Free. Waffles. With chocolate chips. And whipped cream.

It all started with the vegan waffle bar, provided by Local Love Catering at the entrance. Correction, vegan and gluten free waffle bar. Complete with chocolate chips, whipped coconut cream, and more. It wasn’t even 10:30 a.m., and we were already sold. Not to mention the press passes (which were braided t-shirt scraps), enabled access to the press room, and a veritable gold mine of vegan snacks (like those awesome cookies from the Alternative Baking Company).

You know these cookies. Everyone knows these cookies. Surprise! They’re vegan!

The event was held in Wurster Hall (the building for the College of Environment Design), and lasted more or less all day. There was a great silent auction at the entrance, which included flowers made from recycled paper, screen prints, jewelry, and other fun. Just beyond the auction, there was a stunning variety of booths featuring everything from vegan restaurants, to vegan snack bar companies, to animal rights groups, to baked goods, to clothes! There was even a vegan dog food stand - we’re serious. Our personal favorites were the vegan Indian food from Yogi’s Cooking, the nut-based gelato from Genuto, and the amazing wraps from Nature’s Express (remember how we reviewed them last semester?).

Too many vegan confections to count. We were dizzy.

The event also had a great deal of speakers and demonstrations! Some standouts included a screening and Q&A of the intense documentary “Cove,” and a “Do It Yourself” lecture on how to build furniture from the palettes that furniture is usually shipped on! Talk about ironic, right? There was also a wonderful little cooking demo that focused on speedy and tasty vegan treats. Long story short, there was something for everyone, and we left the event with our bellies full and our brains brimming. Make sure to go next year, because we hear it’s going to be an annual event!

All images courtesy of author.

Ryan Roschke is currently a reporter for BARE Blog. An eternal optimist, he is an avid proponent of food, fashion, music, movie, and culture. Special emphasis on food.

Staff Picks: Ready to Launch

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:00:00 +0000

It's finally here! In honor of BARE Magazine's Launch Party (details here!), we decided to ask the execs what they're most looking forward to in regards to the new issue. Read everyone's answers below:

Gabrielle Elias, Editor-in-Chief: I can't wait to see everyone's reactions! The whole magazine looks fantastic! Amazing job this semester! :]

Carolyn Yoo, Co-Layout Director: The photoshoots, of course! My particular favorite is 'Femme Fetale', look forward to it!

TT Tu, Co-Layout Director: Lookin' forward to the B&W shoot! :) Props to creative!

Kelsey Bucsko, Co-Marketing Director: I'm excited to celebrate the fabulous new issue with the Cal community at our launch party this Saturday at Free House!

Giana Tansman, Co-Marketing Director: I'm excited for the CLOTHES! I need some new inspiration for my summer outfits! And of course the editorial reviews, they always introduce me to something new that I fall in love with.

Jonathan Deniol Rodriguez, Co-Creative Director: I am looking forward to seeing the entire staff celebrating each other and showing support for the magazine. It's a fantastic issue. However, I am most looking forward to spending time and celebrating with my Co-Creative Director, Katie Roseff!

Katie Roseff, Co-Creative Director: The magazine as a whole! It is amazing to see the hard work that each team put into creating one final, amazing product!

Samantha Giordano, Editorial Director: The photo shoots are always exciting, especially because I've read the articles too many times already and I need to look at something that doesn't involve words! However… the articles are all utterly awesome.

Tanya Louise, Events Director: I am looking forward to the writing! The articles in this issue are exceptional, great job to Sam!

Aimee Shimizu, Blog Director: I feel the magazine gets better and better with each semester, and this issue is no exception! Everything looks fantastic...I'm so proud of all of our teams!

Fight with Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Every year, LF hosts an in-store event to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This year's fundraiser will be held this Saturday, April 28th, from 1 to 4 pm at LF Union Street. There will be refreshments, a DJ, make-up artists, and lots of fun giveaways! Additionally, for every $5 that is donated, LF will put your name in a raffle to win a $250 gift certificate to their store! LF matches every dollar that is donated, and 10% of Saturday's proceeds will also go to the BCRF. So come out and help support a great cause!

Check out the event on Facebook, or receive more updates from their Twitter

BARE Magazine Issue 11 Launch Party

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:30:00 +0000

BARE Magazine Issue 11 cover!

UC Berkeley's BARE Magazine is launching its 11th issue! Come celebrate the magazine's release and kick off your dead week with BARE at Free House (2700 Bancroft Way), from 7 to 10 pm this Saturday. There will be music, a full bar, and great company. Hope to see you there!

Holographic Fashion Through the Years

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila Wagner) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:41:00 +0000

Unless you've been on an internet cleanse for the last two weeks, by now you've probably heard of all the shenanigans that went down at this year's Coachella. Sure, there were a number of celebrity appearances, from songstress Katy Perry being spotted in the crowd (oh hey girl, I didn't know you were obsessed with M83's "Midnight City" too!) to even former "It" girl Mischa Barton (yo, when's the last time anyone watched The OC?). Even still, the most talked about event of the festival was the arrival of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur in hologram form during Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's set.

What does hologram Tupac mean for the future of live music entertainment? Will he do a gig at next year's Cal Day? WHY does he creep me out so much?? :(

I can't answer these questions but I do know that being a hologram doesn't mean you can't have a sense of style.

Tupac, Coachella 2012

Tupac was dressed in the popular hip-hop fashion of his time when he appeared on stage this year. A brown leather belt couldn't stop the sag of his faded jeans, but at least an impressive set of abs were showcased by the shirtless rapper. The surprise holographic guest kept his accessories simple for this performance (noticeably absent was his iconic head bandana), with his watch, bracelet, and gold chain making a statement. 16 years from that fatal day and 2pac still be lookin fresh to death!!

Hatsune Miku, on tour 2010

Even though Hatsune Miku, Japanese popstar, is existent only through hologram (as in, she is not a real person), that doesn't mean she can't put on a good show. At least that's what thousands of real-life audience members say. Hatsune keeps it girly, showing off her legs with a short dress, but also astounds us with her crazy long teal hair. Dang girl!

Will.i.am, 2008 CNN Anderson Cooper interview

Oh there's a historic presidential election going on? Let's get the most qualified person to discuss this topic on air for an interview! Okay okay, no hate on will.i.am. I just feel Anderson Cooper aka The Silver Fox made an interesting/amusing choice here. Anyway, will.i.am donned a contemporary outfit that was professional (saying something like "Hey I'm on CNN!") but also in tune with his role as a musician ("...but on the real, I'm just that guy from the Black Eyed Peas"). Let's give it up for mixing scarves, blazers, and pants everybody!

Jaws, Back to the Future Part II 1989/2015

This sequel to the 80s classic told us that three years from now, holographic marquees would be a regular staple in the advertisement world. Marty McFly is terrified by the Jaws shark brought to life, a hologram that has no clothing on in this case as it goes au naturale. As far as Marty's fashion - pretty much every piece of clothing he wears in the movie franchise is perfect, and if anyone buys this sick hat for me I will be your best friend.

Princess Leia, Star Wars 1977

From what I remember as a young girl, the original Star Wars claimed sole responsibility for introducing to me the idea of a hologram. Princess Leia delivers a cry for help to Obi Wan, donning her iconic double-bun hairstyle and clad in a flowing white space robe. I'm still waiting for holographic messages to replace texts, but maybe that's just me.

Clearly, the concept of holographic technology has been around for awhile. But as it has progressed through the decades, the technology has become even more fun and entertaining to look at!

But really though. Buy me this hat.

Sheila Wagner is currently the Assistant Editor of BARE Blog and puppet of the Illuminati. Always up for a concert and an adventure, sometimes she doesn’t finish her senten

Jean Paul Gaultier Takes on San Francisco

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000

One of the looks from Gaultier’s sailor-inspired collection. We’re dying over this hood.

When we heard that Jean Paul Gaultier’s fashion designs were going to be featured in a retrospective exhibition at the De Young Museum in San Francisco, we were already trembling with excitement. Partially because so many people missed the Alexander McQueen show, “Savage Beauty,” which was at the New York Met for just a few short months, and partially because, well, it’s Jean Paul Gaultier. The De Young exhibition, “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk,” is just like the designer himself. It’s fresh, dynamic, and instead of meeting expectations, it shatters them.

At the entrance of the exhibition, you see the first descriptive text on the galleries, along with a message from Gaultier, which looks like it might have been scribbled on the wall by the designer himself.

We know you’re not supposed to write on the walls, but perhaps Gaultier is a special exception?!

Jean Paul Gaultier was born in France in 1952. He was first hired as an assistant in 1970 by Pierre Cardin after sending some of his amateur sketches and impressing the designer with his raw talent. From there, Gaultier premiered his first individual collection in 1976, and was eventually dubbed the enfant terrible of French fashion. He is best known for his incredibly intricate and groundbreaking haute couture collections, and continues to entrance crowds with his fashion aesthetic, even in the present day. At first, Gaultier declined the offer from the De Young Museum to do a retrospective on his career so far, because he believed it signaled to the public his career was ending. He eventually agreed, as long as the show was innovative and dynamic, and indicated that his career was far from over.

The first room is entirely flooded with a glowing blue background. There is a long line of mannequins, all of whom are wearing looks from one of Gautier’s first “prêt-à-porter” (ready-to-wear) collections, inspired wholly by sailors and their striped fashion. Perhaps the most haunting part of this first room is the mannequins’ faces: almost all of them are moving. Using projectors, the faces of some of the actual models have been super-imposed onto the mannequins. They smile, laugh, and interact with the audience. Even Gaultier himself is among the figures, speaking about his designs and his inspirations. As you move through the gallery, the other models speak and look around, some of them sing in the background. It’s all very chaotic and completely mesmerizing.

Talking mannequins are the new black.

We don’t want to give too much away, but the exhibition moves through a vast amount of Gaultier’s different styles and eras of inspiration. We see his childhood teddy bear, which he adorned with make-up and his first cone bra. We see the period where he experimented with androgyny and sex appeal, and when he sought to blur the lines between genders; also included is an array of his looks inspired by the emergence of the punk rock style, and the mixing of exotic influences from other cultures, including Africa and Russia. Also featured are his costume work for the concert tours of famous pop stars such as Madonna and Kylie Minogue. We even catch a glimpse at his costume designs for feature films, including “The Fifth Element,” and “The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover.” Along with collection information and year, some of the couture gowns also list the amount of hours of work (done only by hand!) devoted to create the finished product. Some of the gowns required over one thousand hours of dedicated hand stitching.

Tulle for DAYS (and we’re not mad about it).

As a finale to the exhibition, almost twenty of the looks from Gaultier’s more recent collections circle on a fabricated runway. Each figure mechanically struts behind the other in a waterfall like formation, endlessly circling. The simulated runway makes a statement about the prospective future for the veteran designer. Everything is still as dynamic and forward thinking as ever. This designer is nowhere near finished. All we can do is anxiously await his next move.

“The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk” will be at the de Young Museum through August 19, 2012.

All images courtesy of author.

Ryan Roschke is currently a reporter for BARE Blog. An eternal optimist, he is an avid proponent of food, fashion, music, movie, and culture. Special emphasis on food.

Summer Days

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:08:00 +0000

Summer is just around the corner, which means that it's finally time to relax! Here are the essentials to ensure that your outfit screams "I'm having too much fun to care about what I'm wearing, but I still look adorable."

Inspiration: Blogger Aimee Song of Song of Style, at Coachella

1. Straw Bag: Ted Baker Strabe Straw Shopper

2. Soft White Tank: Brandy & Melville Edda Low Back Tank

3. Lace Sundress: Chicwish Got a Date Mint Dress

4. Friendship Bracelet: Elsa & Monika Friendship Bracelet with Swarovski Crystals

5. Nude Sandals: ZARA Flat Sandals with Straps

What will you be wearing this summer? Let us know in the comments!

First image courtesy of Instagram.

Brenda Chen is currently a reporter for BARE Blog. She loves sparkles, starfish and Disneyland. Oh, and taco trucks. She enjoys sending letters and afternoon tea.

Getting the Outside Scoop

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:30:00 +0000

For those of you who were unable to make the trip to Indio to attend Coachella this April, there is still an opportunity for you to have your festival experience right here in the Bay. Since 2008, The Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival has been held each August in San Francisco at Golden Gate Park.

This year’s lineup includes seasoned veterans like Metallica, Stevie Wonder, and Neil Young and Crazy Horse, as well as a host of new talent. If you are planning on attending Outside Lands this upcoming August, here are some acts you should consider checking out.

Of Monsters and Men is an indie/folk band whose six members all hail from Garðabær, Iceland. The group’s first album, entitled My Head is an Animal, was just released earlier this month and is available to stream on Spotify. The album features engaging subject matter as well as distinctive vocals from lead singers Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar “Raggi” Þórhallsson. If you are a fan of Mumford and Sons or Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, consider purchasing My Head is an Animal. Standout tracks include “Dirty Paws," “Mountain Sound," “Lakehouse," and their radio hit “Little Talks.”

Fitz and the Tantrums just gave an impressive performance at weekend one of Coachella and are slated to perform during the second weekend as well. The group was formed in 2008, and two years later they released their first album Pickin’ Up the Pieces. Lead singer Michael Fitzpatrick has described the band’s musical style as being “soul-influenced indie pop," so think of an updated version of Motown and Stax. If you haven’t heard of Fitz and the Tantrums previously, listen to their songs “MoneyGrabber," “Don’t Gotta Work it Out," and “Breakin’ the Chains of Love” and you will be hooked.

It’s been three years since Regina Spektor released her last album, but it seems likely that Outside Lands festival goers will be amongst the first to hear her perform songs from her new album What We Saw from the Cheap Seats. The album won’t be released until the end of May, but it will include new material as well as older (previously unrecorded) songs.

Aside from musical performances, Outside Lands offers a variety of other attractions. Food and wine connoisseurs will be pleased to learn that the festival not only releases a music lineup, but food and wine lineups as well.

Since the festival’s debut, there has been a concerted effort to incorporate eco-friendly initiatives into the weekend. Ecolands serves as the hub of the festival’s sustainability movement; here, attendees can learn how they can “help decrease the festival’s carbon footprint by watching emerging artists on the solar-powered Panhandle stage, choosing refillable water bottles over plastic ones, recycling and composting their waste, biking, carpooling or shuttling to the festival, and eating locally sourced food from...farmer’s market and restrautants.” Art installations are also erected throughout the park, and a multitude of art vendors will be present. Other activities can be seen here.

3-day general admission and VIP tickets go on sale today, April 19th. Buy them here!

Kiyana Salkeld is a 20 year old sophomore who enjoys all that is visually stimulating and aesthetically pleasing.

Ralph Lauren Olympic Wear: Impressive or Uninspiring?

noreply@blogger.com (Sheila Wagner) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:30:00 +0000

I was so excited to find out that my favorite preppy designer, Ralph Lauren, would be outfitting the 2012 Olympic team, with a collection that resembles motifs from the vintage London 1948 Olympic games.

The US team hopes to bring home the gold in Olympic fashion.

There are fleece warm-ups, cricket-collar shirts, and sweatshirts in of course red, white, and navy. An updated 1948 crest is on many of the pieces, along with USA appliques. There will also be accessories including tote bags, towels, hats, and eyewear.

However, I think it’s important to consider what this means for America as a fashion capital. We are going to be represented nationally by this collection. England has chosen Stella McCartney and Italy has their Olympic line designed by Giorgio Armani, both very high-profile designers that are known for their elegance and flair. When most people hear the name “Ralph Lauren”, the image of their clean and classic polo shirts comes to mind. Is it bad that a designer who is better known for their casual wear than couture is representing us? I think not, especially after considering that it is after all supposed to be a sports line. Ralph Lauren is a good balance of sophistication and class without being overly pretentious. I think the brand holds many American values that represent us well.

How do you think Ralph measures up to the competition? Be sure to check out the collection, available in May in stores and on both the Ralph Lauren and Team USA official websites!

Danielle Ciappara is currently a reporter for BARE Blog. Her interests are fashion, pie-baking, baseball, and Rothko. She also answers to the name 'Ciapparty'.

Instagram with A Side Platter of Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:30:00 +0000

After its launch on Androids and a headline-making, whopping $1 billion acquisition, Instagram, a mobile, social photo application, is taking the world by storm — and the fashion world is no exception. Perhaps one of the most coveted app obsessions to date, Instagram is revealing in the best way possible. Those in the fashion industry are all getting Insta-fied, posting backstage photos, unveiling sneak peeks of a new seasonal collections, and teasing their readers with their travel adventures and outfit shots. Who can blame them when the most luxurious goodies and all of life’s finer things surround them? To top it off, these fashion insiders have already mastered the art of layering, always dressed to the nines at every exclusive event. So, readers, why not take a cue from these fashion experts and let the spirit of Instagram descend on you?

@grabalgurung : Designer Prabal Gurung is on the jet life. He is always posting snapshots of his travels, as he treks across the globe.

@GaryPepperGirl: Australian blogger Nicole Warne has an eye for color. She wears it all--from bold, multi-colored printed pants to sweeping floor-length gowns that drape over her body so effortlessly.

@cocorocha: Cover girl Coco Rocha is one of the most visible and ubiquitous characters in the New York scene. Offering the best behind-the-scenes photos, Coco Rocha is always rubbing elbows with other designers and lovely faces.

@natalieoffduty: Readers will invariably see blogger Natalie Suarez zeroing on the best fashion finds — you won’t be disappointed by her many bohemian rhapsody-inspired looks.

@burberry: Burberry has the words, “British Invasion,” written all over it. Photos range from landscapes of London to ad campaigns.

@takinyerphoto: Street style…the mobile way! Candid photos of subjects meandering along the paths in the Big Apple.

Who are you following on Instagram? Comment below and tell me who your go-to people are for fashion inspiration.

Holi: A Festival of Color

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:30:00 +0000

If you were anywhere around Sproul last Saturday, you probably noticed an abundance of paint-soaked patrons accompanied by clouds of colored dust. Or maybe, like me, you were part of the action. So what is the story behind this giant paint party?

Gathering for the colorful festivities on Lower Sproul.

The event is Holi, the Hindu festival of colors which celebrates the coming of the spring season. Though it originated in India, this tradition has spread considerably throughout the world. Here at UC Berkeley, the annual Holi festivities are put on by the Indian Student Association and attract students and local families alike from a variety of backgrounds. Patrons can purchase packets of colored powder beforehand and jump right in on the fun!

As the colors settle...

Lower Sproul was a crowded flurry of color, laughter, and music, and with this being my first Holi, I was initially a little hesitant. But upon throwing a fistful of color into my friend’s face, I dropped all hesitation. I learned soon enough that it was completely acceptable — and even encouraged! — to wish a complete stranger a happy Holi and lovingly slap some color onto his or her body. And the water hose added a whole new dimension to the fun (and also caused the colors to bleed into an interesting brown color)! We all could take a load off, let our guards down and simply enjoy the weather, the music, and the company. And I think that was the most moving aspect. We’re all students of different colors, creeds, and backgrounds, but on this one day, we’re all connected. Through all the smiling paint-tinted faces on Lower Sproul, I saw our diversity in the simplest and most beautiful of forms: a rainbow. I won’t ever forget the experience (and not only because my hands will be tinted red for a few days).

Images courtesy of Belkiz Quintanilla and Kohji Sugiota.

Breaking News: UNIQLO is Coming to San Francisco!

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:30:00 +0000

“Functionality + Universality; It’s how the future dresses”

"New colors equal a new you – UNIQLO"

For those of you who don’t know, UNIQLO is a magical clothing company. It’s kind of the Japanese version of H&M, with a dash of American Apparel prep: a veritable goldmine of cotton basics. UNIQLO focuses its clothing style on comfort in every realm. The brand covers all styles of clothing, from more formal slacks and button ups to just plain t-shirts. They also post a broad color palette that a lot of stores lack, with some of their selections being offered in more then 36 different colors. Never before have cotton basics felt so good. There’s something about the Japanese style that gives the clothes an extra sort of edge which a lot of other stores lack.

Here’s the design for one of the stores in New York. SF is supposed to have an interior that will “reflect a modern, innovative Japanese company.”

The brand itself is very, very new, especially in terms of the American clothing market. The first store opened in New York City’s SOHO district less than five years ago. The second and third stores opened less than 6 months ago, in Fall 2011. One is near Times Square, a smart move given the constant stream of tourists in the area. The other is located on 5th Avenue, near the Museum of Modern Art - a gigantic flagship store that's three stories tall, and each level is like its own labyrinth. The term "flagship" was important and monumental; it meant that UNIQLO was establishing a crucial corporate base in the U.S. But that was it for the American locations. The rest of the store locations are all over Asia, in Russia, the United Kingdom, and France. Thankfully, that’s all about to change.

According to a press release on their website, UNIQLO plans to expand and open a large (we’re talking 29,000 sq. ft.) flagship (!!!) store in Union Square. And, to make matters even more exciting, the store is expected to open in Fall 2012. In regards to the expansion, Fast Retailing Chairman, President & CEO Tadashi Yanai said that UNIQLO is looking to better establish its presence in the U.S. markets. For those of you who already know and love the brand, strap on your shopping boots and get ready. For those of you who don’t, you’re in for a treat. Be wary though, because your first trip is going to be overwhelming. You might need a map.

Images via X-ray Delta and SFist.

Ryan Roschke is currently a reporter for BARE Blog. An eternal optimist, he is an avid proponent of food, fashion, music, movie, and culture. Special emphasis on food.

ASUC Elections Time: Exposé of a Candidate!

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:00:00 +0000

If you live in Berkeley then it’s hard to miss the on-going hustle and bustle of campus life, and unless you have been living under a rock you should be aware that yes, it is that time of year again. Spring is in the air, flowers are starting to bloom, and as we all drag the white out from the back of our closets, here come the flyers and picket signs with them. It’s ASUC Election time!

Sproul steps are alive again! Surrounded by 78 Senatorial and 21 Executive Slate candidates sponsored by either Student Action, CalSERVE or a variety of independents, students that pass by are liable to be asked, “Can I walk with you and talk about my platforms for a bit?” Flyers are being passed around and platforms are being exercised and retold, but the question remains: do we really know our candidates?

Mahana "Don'tcha Wanna" Barbadillo

With that in mind, I decided to sit down with CalSERVE senate candidate Mahana “Don’tcha Wanna” Barbadillo (#175), a 2nd year Public Health major and the official LGBT community-endorsed candidate, and talk about his platforms and inspiration to run for a seat in the ASUC.

So first thing’s first, let's talk about your platforms. If elected into the ASUC what do you want to accomplish?

As an ASUC senator, I want to unify the LGBTQ community here at Cal, improve our campus climate to be more tolerant and inclusive towards all students, and integrate the arts back into the larger Berkeley community. As the only candidate running under queer-related platforms, I feel it’s important to recognize and facilitate a sense of solidarity within the ASUC amongst not only the LGBTQ community, but all of Berkeley’s diverse student groups here on campus.

You seem to have quite a large following from the Queer and Ally community, what inspired you to get so involved and become a face for LGBT students?

When I came out during my freshman year, I found a wonderful group of friends in the Queer Straight Alliance. Since then, I’ve invested a great deal of time in various queer and ally spaces. However, I’ve realized that many queer students feel isolated from not only other communities but from each other. I would like to see more queer students identify with one another as well as feel welcomed and supported in all spaces.

With your schedule so busy from campaigning, how do you de-stress? What do you do for fun outside of all the flyering and debates?

I would not have survived campaigning without frequent visits to the RSF. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or stressed, I work out for an hour or two and I’m good to go!

As with anyone, I have to ask, what’s your favorite thing to do here at Cal? Or favorite part about being here in Berkeley?

I do enjoy a busy life where my weekdays are scheduled with meetings, rehearsals, coffee breaks, studying, and homework. However, my favorite part about Berkeley is also being able to relax as I did when I lived in Hawaii. There is nothing that I’d rather do than lay out on my balcony, tan, and listen to music.

What was your worst or most embarrassing experience as a freshman in the dorms?

One night my roommate got too drunk and threw up all over the elevator. Trying to clean it up was pretty nasty. Then it smelled for the next day or so. At least now both of us can look back on it and laugh.

If you won the lottery, what are the first five things you would buy with the money (no shame now)?

1. I would first pay off my student loan interest
2. Buy my mom a new car (BMW)
3. Shopping spree at Whole Foods! Yum!
4. Personal Trainer at the RSF
5. A new iPhone 4S (mine was stolen :( )

What’s something you know you do different compared with most people? Any quirks you have that the rest of us don’t know about?

When I take naps I set my alarm to go off in 27 minutes... as strange as that sounds. It normally takes me 4 minutes to fall asleep, and 23 minutes is perfect to power through the rest of a long day! Yes, it is an odd number!

You’ve been involved with the arts and musical groups in the past and I’d love to know what your favorite song is and why? Is it because of the lyrics, or the memories associated with it, or is it merely the rhythm itself?

Gabriel Fauré’s “Cantique de Jean Racine” is my favorite romantic piece to sing. Not to mention it’s in French! My first time singing “Cantique” was at the Disney Hall with LA Master Chorale. That moment will always have a special place in my musical memory.

It might sound clichéd, but looking back on your experiences thus far, do you regret any of the decisions you’ve made?

I try to live within the present as much as possible. With that said, I try to only look at the past as experiences that I’ve learned from - good or bad.

Given your recent experiences with Sproul-ing, tell me, if you’re given five minutes to make a first impression on someone, what are you hoping people take away from it? What qualities are you looking for people to see in you?

I love talking to people so I try to come off as approachable as possible. I’m always smiling, even behind my giant aviators. And the last thing I want people to perceive me as is a politician. I am a student, just like you.

And lastly, this is a fashion related blog, so what is your favorite article of clothing and why?

I try to keep it simple. I prefer wearing a tight v-necks with jeans. It’s light, easy, and still looks cute.

What about favorite designer or brand?

With the price tag? H&M or Gap. Without the price tag, J Crew or Express. I wouldn’t consider myself a fashion snob, but I do love clothes.

After getting to know Mahana a bit, I’ve realized just how passionate he (as I’m sure all the ASUC senate candidates are) is about his platforms and just about Cal in general. It’s astonishing to see the amount of effort all the candidates put into their campaigns, but I was also glad to get to know at least one of them outside of a Sproul setting and hopefully get a better insight to who they are as a person - not to mention their favorite coffee drink.

If you would like to learn more about Mahana’s campaign platforms you can visit the CalSERVE tent and grab a flyer or just look for the merve with the rainbow cape running along Sproul Steps and don’t forget to learn about all the candidates and vote from April 10th (today!) -12th either at a designated polling place on campus or online at election.asuc.org.

GIRL(S) Problems

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:30:00 +0000

A select group of Cal students got the opportunity to see the first two episodes of the new HBO series, GIRLS, on Monday night. Graciously hosted by the Pacific Film Archive, the event lasted about two hours and included free Zachary’s pizza, beverages, GIRLS t-shirts, and even a give-away for an iPad. Thanks to HBO, Berkeley students got a special sneak peak of the new show, which premieres this Sunday, April 15th at 10:30 PM.

The backs of the complimentary t-shirts read “#MistakesGirlsMake,” which essentially sums up the premise of the series. The plot follows four main girls in their early twenties who met in college - one is a free spirit, one has been in an unfulfilling relationship for four years, another is a virgin, and the last, the main character, is casually hooking up with a compete idiot. These four comprise the GIRLS, a group of young women desperately seeking employment, happiness, and first and foremost - a sense of self. Though disarmingly awkward at points, the show did an excellent job of reflecting the state of many modern relationships among young people; in particular, citing the many, many mistakes that girls make in pursuit of male attention.

Many critics have drawn a comparison between GIRLS and Sex & the City, due primarily to the four-woman focus, and it being filmed in New York City. However, it would seem that the biggest discrepancy between this review and reality is the fact that the characters in this series are after all, just girls. They have neither the years necessary or firm self-assurance that even one of the Sex & the City characters has, but, therein lies their charm. Produced by Judd Apatow, GIRLS is certain to be anything but the average series about four girls. Instead, it already seems to be quite the satire on girls’ values, which makes for quite an entertaining watch.

Kelsey Bucsko is currently the Marketing Director of BARE Magazine.

Parting Ways With $315 and Feeling Extremely Good About It: Sasquatch! Music Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:30:00 +0000

We call it the indie kid Christmas.
Okay, so "we" doesn't really translate to "respected members of the music community" and actually just means "my floormate Michael and I" - regardless, it's hard to find a shorter, more accurate description of what it is. With music festival season looming upon us, concert-goers may be wondering which one is deserving of attendance. There's certainly a handful of well-known festivals to pick from, though the first few that come to mind each have their own drawbacks.
Tennessee's Bonnaroo just recently released its lineup, while Chicago's Lollapalooza has yet to do the same. But unless you live in the area of the two, you probably don't want to venture all the way out across the country to hit up either.
SoCal has the pleasure of hosting Coachella, which features a myriad of big-name acts this year. But even with an unprecedented second weekend added, it still managed to sell out in a heartbeat. Bay Area locals could also consider Outside Lands, but who really wants to wait until late August?
This is where we go back to the indie kid Christmas.
Held annually every Memorial Day Weekend (this year, May 25 - 28) and elbowing its way into the high ranks of music festivals, Washington State's very own Sasquatch! Music Festival qualifies as music festival perfection, and here's why:

It's Almost Too Pretty
Just a road trip away, the Pacific Northwest has its many perks (yes, even despite the rain) and the Gorge Amphitheatre is one of its most prized possessions. Founded in George, Washington (shout-out to wordplay and our nation's first president!), the Gorge is a venue favorite among touring artists, and it's easy to understand why. With pleasant May weather and a location overlooking the Columbia River, the Gorge offers sweeping views of the Columbia Gorge Canyon as a concert backdrop. I mean look at it! How could this be real!?

One time I saw Band of Horses perform "The Funeral" while the sun was setting here. I didn't know how to deal with all the beauty.

Does a concert-goer normally ask for beautiful scenery to accompany a music festival? Not particularly. But with Sasquatch, that's what you're going to get nonetheless.

The Music is Almost Too Good
The 20,000+ attendees of Sasquatch can go to each of the five stages and find a wide variety of acts to please the ears. Some big names have passed through Sasquatch in early years (both Kanye West AND Arcade Fire in 2005?!), and those playing the main stage this year are by no means unknown, with Jack White, Beck, Bon Iver, and the Shins all performing, just to name a few acts.

Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend/my future husband at Sasquatch 2010.

Indie and alternative rock are the festival's main staples, but you can't count out the Banana Shack, a dance tent hosting the majority of the weekend's electronic artists, including Wolfgang Gartner and a DJ set by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem fame. The Banana Shack is also home to the festival's comedy lineup (hellllllooo Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein of Portlandia!), while a new stage this year will please underground hip-hopheads as well.

It's also important to note that Sasquatch has a knack for compiling a lineup full of artists who are about make it big. Take last year for example. At the time of the 2011 Sasquatch lineup release in February, Foster the People was relatively unknown. Seeing their name on the bill, many were all, "Foster the Who?" But given a few months of radio play and growing popularity, Foster the People became the next big thing, and massive crowds came out to see their set in May.
"Pumped Up Kicks" was everywhere, and it's almost as if Sasquatch knew it was going to happen. Sasquatch magic!!
So who's going to "Foster the People" 2012? I suggest checking out the Bigfoot Stage for energetic, on-the-rise Walk the Moon, whom I recently discovered at a concert that you can read about here!

Don't worry. Even if it looks like the bands on the bill are too obscure and unfamiliar to you, just know that doing your research and discovering new bands is half the fun.

It's Not Just a Music Festival, It's an EXPERIENCE
Is it too cheesy if I say that? I'm allowed to sound a little lame in this right? It's hard not to be super stoked when it comes to Sasquatch. I may sound calm, cool, and collected right now, but every thought of what's in store this May has me wanting to scream with excitement.

You wanna crowdsurf on an inflatable shark? Don’t worry about it.

I mean this is a festival where face paint and costumes are encouraged (last year I saw a group of 20 people dressed as Waldo. Tell me where else you can find that). Where you'd be crazy not to fashion a slip'n'slide out of tarp and soap down a grass hill while watching your favorite band. Where you can be dancing by yourself and suddenly start a huge dance party. Where you spend all day stage-hopping, sitting in the grass, dancing, and making new friends. Then you go back to the campgrounds, blast some more music, go to sleep for a little bit, then wake up and do it all over again. A weekend camping with your best buds and the surrounding community of happy people makes Sasquatch unlike any other festival out there.

I think one of the many veterans on the Sasquatch! Facebook page said it best:

"More than the amazing venue and the usually well rounded lineup, there's just this feeling you get, a vibe, if you will. It starts the first night you get there and it lasts the rest of your life. I think it has something to do with so many happy people gathered in the same place. Sasquatch is a special place where you can scream at the top of your lungs and everyone around you joins in. It's a place where you can wear the weirdest outfit you want, and you'll be the coolest person in the world for 4 days. It's an escape from reality, a glimpse at utopia."

Four days of great music at a majestic venue with friends and strangers who are about to be your friends? Don't mind if I do.

Although festival tickets sold out in the last week, I implore you to find a way to join in on all the fun this year and in the future!
Images courtesy of Flickr (1, 3, and 4) and Google (2).
Oh yeah…this is my first entry as a writer for the BARE blog! I'm super excited to be sharing all sorts of content with you guys, whether it's related to music, fashion, or overall Cal happenings. Wassup internet!!

Sheila Wagner is currently the Assistant Editor of BARE Blog and puppet of the Illuminati. Always up for a concert and an adventure, sometimes she doesn’t finish her senten

Meet Your Creator

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The Creators Project was a free music and arts event held by Vice Magazine and Intel at Fort Mason in San Francisco on Sat. March 17th. I had seen several mentions of the event on Facebook and SF event websites, so I decided to enter the lottery to try and win some free tickets. A week later, I received a congratulatory notice that I had won a ticket to attend. As someone with strong interests in art and music, I was thrilled to be able to attend.

The day of the event was gloomy and windy, a typical SF day - fortunately the weather decided to spare us of any rain. The event was held indoors and outdoors amongst the several pavilions at Fort Mason. With such an extremely trendy and fashionable crowd, the line to get your tickets scanned seemed more like a fashion runway than your typical queue.

Street style via Refinery 29

With a jam packed day of art installations, workshops, and band sets, there was almost too much to do and see for one day. We started off the day in “Herbst Pavilion,” which was dedicated to art. It was a large, warehouse-type room filled with an array of interactive art. All of the art allowed, even encouraged, viewer participation. The biggest of these installations was a floor-to-ceiling, 3-panel screen which allowed attendees to stand behind it, moving their bodies about, while on the other side their bodies were transformed on the screen into surreal, bird-like silhouettes. The piece, titled “The Treachery of Sanctuary,” was described by the Creator’s Project as, “Viewers power and control the installation with the help of motion-sensing Kinects, making their way through three transformative experiences of flight.” Other pieces in the pavilion combined beautiful imagery with interactivity - all reinforcing the art movement’s switch from traditional mediums of paint and pencils to LCD screens and software coding.

Pieces from Herbst pavilion

The second art pavilion we entered, “Fleet Room” was a bit smaller in size but harbored similar interactive and aesthetically pleasing work. One piece, “Strata #4” included a projection of a classical painting which constantly was morphed and distorted. The Creator’s Project describes artist Quayolas as one who “investigated the improbable tensions and collisions that exist between the old and new. His Strata series studies the visual language of classical paintings and architecture… he uses custom software to analyze and deconstruct these historic pieces."

“Strata 4"

Another art pavilion had larger than life sized portraits and video work of rock star David Bowie. His iconic face engulfed the walls of the room. Workshops and films screenings were also held throughout the day including: A behind-the-scenes video of Karen O’s “Stop the Virgens” psycho-opera, artist talk with Casey Reas, and a panel discussion on “How Creatives Are Building Online Audiences”.

Artist panel and David Bowie's "Life on Mars: Revisited Work"

The music events throughout the day were probably the biggest draw of the day. Specifically, the performance of rock group the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They gave an amazing performance, as singer Karen O’s stage presence is like no other. She was both fun and vibrant as she whirled around in front of a backdrop of cosmic stellar light projections. Former LCD Soundsystem members James Murphy, Pat Mahoney, and Nancy Whang performed a fun house DJ set which ended the night on a stellar note.

The Creator’s Project was a truly great event, appealing to both music and art lovers alike. The workshops added an informative element that is often lacking at other concerts or art showings. Hopefully more events like this will find their way to the Bay area!

Attendees lay in outside art piece, “Origin”

Images courtesy of Refinery 29 and The Creators Project.

Katie Roseff is currently the Co-Creative Director of BARE Magazine.