a material world

uhhhh... ohhhhh.

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:42:00 +0000

OK kids. I usually am am a huge fan of everything Rihanna. Her daring hair, her Barbie-meets-Bambi eyes, her adorable (hot) accent, and her inimitable style.

But today... I see why some people just think she's weird.

NAGL, Ri-Ri.

[ photos: dlisted ]

pop-up pix(y stix)

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:19:00 +0000

I'm super happy with the new pop-up. Great merch and people are excited.

Thanks to Tasha at Blackburn & Sweetzer for the recent mention!

sooo... more photos of the latest and greatest.

I'll post pix from the shoot Metro.Pop did a few days ago when I have a minute too.

[store flyer in previous post. official shop site = www.ak1511.com/blog // twitter = @ak1511]

S.L.A.T.E. Pop-Up Shop @ AK1511 storefront...

When the sun is out, the gorilla casts a matching shadow on the shop floor. Awesommme.

How cool is the XLarge vintage artwork?? Love.

We have XL stuff from the US and exclusives imported from Tokyo, including X-girl and X-kids (here). And watches and zippos and Bearbricks and toyyyys.

Han Cholo baubles and Rony Alwin's portrait exhibit

1511 Abbot Kinney...open Wed-Sun.

yep. that's the story.

my 2nd baby: XLARGE x Han Cholo pop-up!

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:41:00 +0000

super awesome. really -- super awesome. we opened on friday and had a great weekend. featured brands are:

xlarge : apparel (including exclusives from tokyo and the much-missed x-girl! and x-KIDS!)

han cholo : jewelry (the most badass bling around. i think that's accurate.)

rony alwin : photo exhibit (he's so much more than just ronysphotobooth.)

and 9five eyewear and aerial7 headphones from the last go-round are still here.

cocktail party plans are in the works... mmmmm hm.

fab friday: guy baxter & marc jacobs undercover

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:57:00 +0000

things i like today:

1. Suddenly in love with this Guy Baxter dress. Toooooo bad it's sold out online. Look how gorgeously matte yet shimmery the grey silk is. Nice that it's loose while not being shapeless. And the citron leather belt is just too parfait. I'd pair it with boots or black heels, but I'm just a crank who doesn't like wedges.

2. Really admire this Marc Jacobs "Undercover" doll. I'm crushed that the original post with photos of the truly cool clothing the doll is outfitted in is gone from Hypebeast (MJ retaliation? No sneak peeks allowed? boo!), but here's the one surviving image (that thing is sort of a headlamp on her face...yeah, not too sure on that one...):

They tell us she is "a one-off creation from Jun Takahashi’s atelier in Japan. Taking on UNDERCOVER’s signature Grace Doll, the highly detailed toy was given a unique treatment by renowned fashion designer Marc Jacobs, who constructed and designed the intricate black outfit." In the now-invisible ensemble shots, she's wearing a knitted A-line dress with dark knotty details and carrying a pretty excellent black leather bag. Knobbly black Wantanabe-eqsue shoulder/top elements... just awfully cool overall. Hopefully more will surface soon... let me know, sharpeyes!

3. Oh well, I also am amused by these MG "mixtape" USB drives. Their labels are perfect examples of "it's funny because it's true."

DEATH MIX!!!!

hee. hee.

pix: hypebeast

my dear

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:03:00 +0000

it's been a long while since i received any letters from african princes (thanks, gmail spam filter!). so i'm rather charmed by this one that just made it to my office account. i think it's the victorian-esque vocabulary that really makes it.

* * *

My dear,

Veronica Bongo Ondimba is my name, a stepdaughter to the Late Gabonese Head of State El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba who passed on in his sick bed in Barcelona Spain on the morning of June 8 2009. check below the website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8094606.stm

My mother was a concubine to the late president. Since the death of my Stepfather, there have been serious problems in the family concerning the wealth he amassed over the years as the President of Gabon. My elderly Step brothers made it clear to me and my siblings that I am not welcomed in any of the presidential houses since my mother is not legally married to Late President El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba. Due to these developments, my mother has broken down with illnesses that have rendered her almost incapacitated.

Luckily for me, prior to my Stepfather’s death, he made available the sum of Twenty One Million, Eight Hundred United States Dollars$21.8m available to my Mother for the purchase of luxurious apartments and Holiday resorts. For this, my Stepfather successfully deposited this money in a bank in London.
The said sum was deposited with a bank in London and the whole documentation was handed over to my Mother. As I and my mother managed to escape house arrest in Gabon as planned by my Stepbrothers.

The crux of this letter is for you an entrepreneur to help me and my surviving family in investing this lump sum in a profitable venture in your country since is the only thing we have left as a source of livelihood. For your anticipated assistance, 35% of the entire amount that will be released to you will be yours while 65% for us. I will also like to join you in your country when the money is transferred to you. In your reply to this mail, endeavor to provide me with your personal email address, telephone and fax numbers for easier communication with you at all time.

Please help.
Miss Veronica Bongo Ondimba

paper dolls!! [an art show at fifty24la]

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:20:00 +0000

The lovely Danielle of Final Fashion linked to my post on the 100x100 exhibit in this week's "click click," and in return I discovered this "Paper Dolls" exhibit here in Los Angeles, which she was wishing were in Toronto! Small world... sort of... not really, but works out well for me. Who wants to be my date?

M.I.S.S., a women’s lifestyle webzine, has teamed up with Upper Playground to curate an art show at FIFTY24LA Gallery.

“Paper Dolls” is a group show displaying new works by artists and their interpretation of the paper doll.Using the iconic paper doll as inspiration, each artist offers his or her own artistic interpretation of the woman’s fashion figure. From photographs, illustrations and paintings, there are varied expressions of the paper doll – all with the signature touches of each artist. Stay tuned to MissOmniMedia.com for daily posts on each contributing artist with examples of his or her works.

”Paper Dolls” features new works on display at FIFTY24LA Gallery from January 14, 2010 through March 3, 2010.

FIFTY24LA GALLERY
125 East 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213.623.4300
Tuesday - Saturday 12 to 6

new shoes for the new year

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:39:00 +0000

After snagging the last pair of Comme Des Garcons PLAY x Converse All-Stars at Satine, all the way back in December, it took me until today to have time to go pick them up. My life is so rough.

I know I said I'd given up Chucks for Keds, but I lied. These are too cool to pass up. Comme Des Garcons heart inked on nice tough black canvas on a shoe they based on the 1950s model.

Secret best part = the all-white back label.

Of course I walked out with more than just the tennies... I couldn't help it! 75% off designer shoe table?! it's all Naomi's fault. she pointed me in that direction and I ended up with these dark red ponyskins. the pyramid heels are fantastic. OH LANVIN asdfkjlafsdkljsadfljk you slay me.

eyes of the beholder

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:35:00 +0000

I don't think this girl looks good.

Her shoes do look potentially fabulous. But she's so posed, so awkwardly "fashion," trying too hard and thinking too much of herself, that she looks anything but chic. Perhaps she was caught at a bad moment (though, does Scott ever catch bad moments?), but that's my reaction.

THIS guy looks good.

His mixing of prints and textures (and GOLD SHOES) is definitely purposeful (come on, he has a Muji bag, he knows what's up). But he's also having a damn good time while not giving a damn.

Hey girl above, take notes; put your arms down; rescue your chin from your scarf and smile or something, kay?

both photos: the sartorialist

oh-nine is oh-gone

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 23:34:00 +0000

time for reflection, burying old nonsenses and creating new ones....

photo: tdayd

my hero.

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:16:00 +0000

little lad in spidey & skirt: the sartorialist [of course]

to. do.

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:47:00 +0000

my feelings exactly.
thx geri

pop-up popping up

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 07:40:00 +0000

the pop-up store i'm orchestrating will be up and running on sunday! considering all the speed bumps, this is somewhat miraculous.

today the fellows from orisue clothing, 9five eyewear and aerial7 headphones came in to drop off inventory and start setting up. the custom racks actually were there on time (also a miracle, since our very charming and talented builder is not only a former calvin klein model [true story], but also famously late with everything) and look really nice. the clothes hangers match the racks. the art tracks are up and ready to have the show ("a nice set," the collection of dj turntable slipmats customized by artists and designers that started out at reedspace and has been traveling 'round the world) hung tomorrow.

the above mannequins now even have pants. they're pretty hot.

check out the rest of my in-progress photos, as well as the dorky press release, on the ak1511 event space blog.

what i've been working on...

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:00:00 +0000

S.L.A.T.E. Pop-Up Shop @ AK1511

PRESS RELEASE

ABOUT

The S.L.A.T.E. Pop-Up Shop @ AK1511 is a unique retail concept launching December 20, 2009 at the AK1511 event space in Venice, CA. Located in the heart of trendy shopping street Abbot Kinney Blvd., it is the first-ever pop-up shop to be hosted by a fashion tradeshow as a showcase for their exhibiting designers and brands. S.L.A.T.E. is launching this Pop-Up as an open platform for key apparel and accessory brands that show at S.L.A.T.E. and are trendsetters in the world of lifestyle/streetwear/action sport style. In addition to standard retail, featured brands are able to host their own in-store events and sample sales, display exhibits, and bring in live musical performances and DJ showcases. The collection of apparel/accessory/shoe/timepiece/eyewear brands rotate monthly; the current roster will be available at the Pop-Up from December 20 through January 17.

S.L.A.T.E. is the progressive streetwear section of the famous MAGIC fashion tradeshow held twice yearly in Las Vegas. This is the first time in the industry that a tradeshow has created a retail platform for its exhibitors, increasing the opportunity for the show’s brands to benefit from a major media spotlight and retail presence, and expanding the show’s exposure to its audience. S.L.A.T.E. has partnered with its creative agency, InHouse Creative, to present a selection of top S.L.A.T.E. brands in a brand-new retail environment for the public and industry professionals to enjoy.

The S.L.A.T.E. Pop-Up Shop @ AK1511 is located at 1511 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice CA 90291. Hours of operation: Wed – Sat / 11am – 7pm; Sun / 11am – 4pm.

www.ak1511.com

www.ihcagency.com

www.magiconline.com

LAUNCH EVENT

Official kickoff event hosted by Orisue, Aerial7 and 9Five (and presented by S.L.A.T.E. and IHC) will be held this Tuesday, December 22 from 7:00 – 11:00pm at AK1511.

Open for late-night shopping – get first dibs on new goods from every brand!

L.A. debut of custom artist slip mat exhibit “A Nice Set.”

Live performances by U-N-I and special guest DJs.

Open bar by Belvedere and AMP Energy.

RSVP required: rachel@ihcagency.com

FEATURED BRANDS

Orisue creates premium men’s lifestyle apparel with a combination of cutting-edge creativity and serious craftsmanship. Orisue is for those individuals who are driven by their passion and strive towards excellence—for that kid skating day and night, that DJ mixing at 3 in the morning, or anyone else committed to success and dedicated to becoming the best.

www.orisue.com

Inspired by the days of 1995, an iconic time in skateboarding, 9Five Eyewear looks to create a groundbreaking eyewear collection that appeals to “the skateboarding obsessed, crate-digging niche that thrived during this golden era.” Having said that, the brand hopes to have people see the similarities of the past with a certain contemporary aspect. Their current collection features designs including press favorites The Cult Classic, The Blocks, DM-83, Butters and The Major.

www.9fivesite.com

Aerial7 was founded on the idea that sound can be combined with awesome, eye-catching design. Their premium headphones deliver unsurpassed audio quality in models that are as much a statement of individualism as they are a practical necessity. The creative team at Aerial7 is steeped in contemporary culture, with experience in everything from core sports to fashion. Their designers are at the forefront of trends, finding innovation and inspiration in places from just outside their doorstep to farther corners of the world. The results fuse Aerial7’s passion for cutting-edge style with uncompromised acoustic standards.

www.aerial7.com

The A Nice Set art experience is a cultural movement in its third year of touring around the globe. Creative studio We Are Plus commissioned over 30 international artists to develop one-of-a-kind sets of DJ slip mats that explore the dynamic relationship between visual art, music and DJ culture. Partnering with International designers Network (IdN), We Are Plus created a book to accompany the custom tour experience that features the art work and interviews with world renowned DJs such as Jamie Lidell, Bobbito Garcia and A-Trak. A Nice Set has attracted tastemaking crowds in Tokyo, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Madrid, Melbourne, Singapore, Shanghai and now Los Angeles.

www.aniceset.com

www.weareplus.com

judgement time: "next season's coolest fashion ad campaigns"

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:33:00 +0000

[marc jacobs / ss10]

It's standard practice for the eagerly-anticipated Spring/Summer fashion ad campaigns to get leaked online, and this year's no exception. I was kind of excited to get my "sneak peek!!!! omg omg!!!" from Refinery 29, because, you know, it would totally, like, give me an edge on knowing what the crucial style statements are going to be and stuff. You know, the GENERAL AESTHETIC for the season, the SURPRISING CONCEPTS, the MOOD in the AIR, and stuff.

Well.

Um.

See above. Love you, Marc, but... hmmm. It's not the toilet I mind. I just think it would be a more effective photo, and a more cohesive visual concept, without it. Just not feeling it. I'm sorry.

So yeah, as I kept scrolling, I kept waiting for the "omg" moments. Annnnnd kept waiting. Turns out I'm pretty "meh" on the whole batch of 'em, even the ones from my dearest Derek Lam and Akris. Oh well. Guess this just continues my trend of being pretty down on spring. Winter forevs! Long live charcoal grey!

[see all leaked spring/summer 2010 campaign images at Refinery29]

[derek lam / ss10]

[eres / ss10]

[paul smith / ss10]

all images: refinery29

watch out, wallet

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:35:00 +0000

Oh.

My.

God.

Vintage 1969 Marathon Automatic Mechanical Digital Watch

via Watchismo

love you as art, insanity d'givenchy

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:41:00 +0000

ladies and fellas, it's that time again. that time when i fall madly in lust with a pair of utterly absurd givenchy runway shoes. 2 years ago, it was the completely unattainable knee-high shredded gladiator stilettos. you can't even find PHOTOS of them. but oh god, so fantastic. fantastic enough that i actually never bought any normal gladiators, despite the very tenuous trend, because givenchy had basically ruined all others for me. fuckers.

anyway, there have been several mad crushes since, and the latest one can be gawked at above. dear god. givenchy studded crazy-heel sandals. more spiked than studded, really. so wonderfully insane. i need them on an art display shelf on my dining room wall. or maybe in the dungeon room, if i had one. new project for that dusty space under the back porch? something to consider.

(photo...drool...gahhhh.... : luisaviaroma)

if you want to give me this valuable pair of art pieces, they're on sale for only $1,049 now at barneys!

too bad the insanity of givenchy doesn't tend to look that hot on actual, you know, feet. other than maria carla's, above. but she's maria carla.

scarier feet:

(photo: highsnobette)

(photo: fashionbombdaily)

yikes. art shelf on wall, it is.

american apparel, defiling my name

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:50:00 +0000

american apparel's newest ad concept

i'm totes gonna sue you for libel, american apparel. this is seriously the most embarrassing use of my name i've ever seen. EVEN WORSE THAN RACHAEL RAY.

i get it that there's this sort of anti-fashion-fashion thing about making fashion don'ts into fashion do's. but this is just such an era-spanning, eye-searing combination of major, major don'ts that i CANNOT condone it.

rachel in nyc, let's talk.

first of all, you have generic secretary hair and bad 80s glasses.

then you've combined a contempo-casuals-style sheer button-down with an unsupportive bra. if you absolutely must bring back a tackily risque trend that never should've happened, at least give the girls something a little more flattering.

THEN, you have lame leggings worn as pants, which is NEVER EVER OK. i know you live in american apparel land, but honestly, i don't care. as an a.a. model, you have thousands of impressionable girls around the world looking up to you for no justifiable reason, so it is completely unacceptable that you imply to them that leggings as pants are ok. nor is it ok to put a zipper on your leggings to further pretend that they are pants. this just makes them more offensive, since it's clear that they're actually intended as pants and you didn't just get caught before putting on your skirt.

finally, and this is more your photog's fault than yours, you are doing some weird things with your legs and the result is not attractive. photo on the left is just unflattering. photo on the right looks like your left leg's been trussed like a chicken's.

sigh. i was going to end on some really insane and incendiary rant, but i'm too tired and disillusioned to bother. never look at american apparel imagery when you're feeling vulnerable.

oh yeah, here's the source of the badness: http://store.americanapparel.net/rachel.html

gold rush

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:36:00 +0000

ok this has been sitting on my desktop waiting for me to post it for WEEKS. how could it take me weeks to post a CHANEL CLUTCH SHAPED LIKE A GOLD BAR?!?

it's probably been all over the blogz by now, but...

love. it.
(hilarious, right?)

you can get it on shopbop for only $4,180.

one ounce of gold currently goes for $1,180, so weight-wise, this li'l number is a total steal.

dripped on drive

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:10:00 +0000

Last year, I had a very long and violent crush on some paint-dripped Sergio Rossi heels...

I've gotten over it, but my dripster love flared up anew when I saw this incredible little number on the Staple Design blog. Jeff Staple has the best taste... when I bumped into him at MAGIC last year while nabbing one of their luggage tags, I may have hyperventilated a tiny bit.

Artist Krink did his magic on this Mini Cooper, and goddamn it's the only time I've liked one of those goofball cars. Seriously, how cool?!?

this is the best shot, where it's on its "canvas."

comme des garcons plus converse all-stars = aww.

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:38:00 +0000

I actually called For The Greater Good in DC and put the one pair in my size on hold so that I could call back, buy them and make my sister pick them up for me. Then I remembered that chucks don't look that good on me and that I purposely collect Keds instead. Damn... guess I just saved a ton of money. Something in me just still wants to give them a hug.

pic: thanks to the always charming frank the butcher at concepts, where you can also snag them for lots of money.

hello, kitty

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:00:00 +0000

in case you're wondering where to find me tonight...

Hello Kitty is turning 35, and there's no better venue for her birthday party than Royal/T, Culver City's own art space, store, and Japanese-inspired "maid café." Celebrating the adorable pop icon's massive influence on art and culture, Three Apples (a reference to Hello Kitty's weight) features one-of-a-kind displays, events, and a Sanrio pop-up shop where fans have the opportunity to stock up on Hello Kitty-related bounty. Over 30 artists, including Gary Baseman and Luke Chueh, interpret Hello Kitty in an art show curated by owner of JapanLA, Jamie Rivadeneira, with a portion of proceeds going to charity. There's also an apartment installation and a Hello Kitty retrospective, honoring the enduring celebrity of a childhood legend.

When

Oct 23 – Nov 15

Daily (10am–10pm)

Where

Royal/T

8910 Washington Blvd

310.559.6300

[thx flavorpill]

unashamed fashion fangirl night

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:08:00 +0000

a little excited to see scott schumann (the sartorialist) signing his gorgeous new booky at the bev center tonight. normally i avoid crowds like the plague...but this might be worth it. 8-10 pm, level 7! see you kittens there.

probably going to say hi to old friends at the new satine space, and maybe opening ceremony if i feel dangerous....

fabulosity friday : warped modern

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:57:00 +0000

[thx: thedayafteryoudie]

[thx: nosigner]

TONIGHT: Maxine Dillon's Spring 2010 Installation @ LA Theater

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Very pleased to announce where I'll be this eve: my friend Maxine's supercool installation of her Spring 2010 line at the L.A. Theater! I consulted with Maxine last season on her mission statement and collection description before her BOXEight runway show (previously she was a Gen Art Fresh Face in Fashion), and she very nicely asked me to do it again this season. FUNNNN. Fun because I love that kind of project, and extra fun because it meant I got to see the lookbook ahead of time... and the collection is SO good! Am kind of covetous now. Can't wait to see it & report back!

Maxine Dillon Spring 2010 Installation

Wednesday Oct. 14th 5pm-6pm

The Los Angeles Theater
615 South Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014

The installation will be in the grand ballroom in the lower level of the theater.

Where The Hyper-Chic Things Are

rkandersson@gmail.com (Material Girl) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:18:00 +0000

I get that "Where The Wild Things Are" has somehow become the most insanely hip piece of media currently sweeping the globe (off the top of my head: art and costume exhibit installation at Space15Twenty, collab skateboards with Spike Jonze's co. Girl Skateboards, collab sneakers with Lakai, songs by Karen O, and much more at colette's W.T.W.T.A. gallery, including "Wild Things," an adaption of the original story by Dave Eggers, for chrissakes).

So, yes, I get it. But it didn't REALLY hit me until I took a closer look at the Opening Ceremony x Where The Wild Things Are capsule collection. Yes, most of it is ridiculous. Yes, it seems like just a random way to justify coming out with goofy clothes (see Fig. 1: Chloe Sevigny). But LOOK AT THIS TOTALLY BITCHIN' WILD THING DRESS YOU GUYS:

[o.c. didn't give me enough resolution here, but you get the idea. it is awesome.]

I would wear that in a heartbeat. Maybe for Halloween... or to go see the movie premiere on Friday... or maybe just all the time. Especially with those shoes.

Anyone else with me? Shall we all congregate in a bizarre fashion blogger posse standing in line at the Arclight wearing multi-hundred-dollar monster costumes and heels? Clearly a good enough excuse to hit up Opening Ceremony... we'll figure out the Visa bills another time.

* * *

More hyper-hip silliness:

[Bearbricks x WTWTA - pic: hypebeast]

[eternally hip Kime posing with the Christian Joy x WTWTA costumes at her Space15Twenty bash]