Michael Bastian Brings Sexy Back
To menswear, that is. The designer’s spring line boasts short shorts and slim-fitting suits.
February 26, 2013
Looks from designer Michael Bastian's spring/summer 2013 collection
Looks from designer Michael Bastian's spring/summer 2013 collection
Looks from designer Michael Bastian's spring/summer 2013 collection
Looks from designer Michael Bastian's spring/summer 2013 collection
Looks from designer Michael Bastian's spring/summer 2013 collection
Looks from designer Michael Bastian's spring/summer 2013 collection
Looks from designer Michael Bastian's spring/summer 2013 collection
Looks from designer Michael Bastian's spring/summer 2013 collection
It’s rare that men’s clothing can be described as “sexy.” Often dapper, frequently crisp, but rarely sexy. Inspired by ’80s GQ, a Fire Island pool party, and the palette of late American colorfield painter Helen Frankenthaler, Michael Bastian’s spring/summer 2013 collection is the exception. Featuring gorgeous linen suits, knitwear, and pullovers, as well as short shorts, the line can perhaps be described as sexy-preppy with an edge.
But that’s not to say the pieces aren’t accessible for the everyday guy. The silhouettes, all be them slim-fitting, are completely wearable and chic in a South Beach meets the Hamptons sort of way. And the “washed out” color palette draws from Frankenthaler's work: vague pastels, shades you can't really define that lie somewhere between pinks, blues, greens, grays, and lavenders. Frankenthaler believed that color conveys emotion, and that rang true with Bastian as he was designing the collection.
"I like this idea of clothes you would wear on the most perfect day where you wouldn't want to be anywhere else but where you are that moment," mused the designer, who has been churning out classic American menswear for 13 seasons and counting. Before launching his eponymous line—which earned him the 2011 CFDA menswear designer of the year award—Bastian worked at Sotheby's, Tiffany & Co., Polo Ralph Lauren, and was the men's fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman for five years.
Also showcasing special collaborations on hats with Mr. Kim (by Eugenia Kim); on shoes with Alejandro Ingelmo; and on slippers with Stubbs & Wootton, Bastian's spring/summer line got rave reviews when it showed at New York Fashion Week in September 2012. Available in New York at Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Scoop, and Jeffrey, the line oozes gentlemanly sexiness, the perfect vibe for spring in New York.
photography by Dan Lecca
Taco the Town: Salvation Taco
Non-traditional tacos and small plates from April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman.
February 26, 2013
Hungry foodies know only too well that a good taco can indeed be a form of salvation, especially on a late night—or the morning after. Enter Salvation Taco. This latest venture by The Spotted Pig, The John Dory Oyster Bar, and Breslin Bar & Dining Room's April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman is a chic little taco bar named after the Salvation Army that once occupied the bar's space, now within the Pod 39 Hotel. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner until 2 a.m. and serving casual fare like snacks, appetizers, tacos, and tortas, as well as larger family-style dishes, the kitchen is helmed by chef Roberto Santibañez, who owns Fonda restaurant. As the story goes, upon tasting Santibañez’ tacos, Bloomfield and Friedman asked the venerable chef to join their team.
Naturally, tacos occupy prime menu real estate, with options like crispy sweetbread with chickpeas; Moroccan lamb on na'an; roasted cauliflower with curried crema; and Korean barbecue. Other small bites include crispy chicken feet, crispy pig ears, and for the less bold, Mexican classics like ceviche verde, beef chili, roasted pumpkin poblano salad, and the more fusion-leaning kimchi pork belly pozole. Breakfast and brunch offerings add to the mix fresh baked pastries, a Spanish tortilla, steak and egg burrito, and confit chicken thigh torta.
With mixologist Sam Anderson (of LES bar Hotel Delmano) behind the cocktail list, specialty libations of choice include the Sonora Old Fashioned with bacanora (like tequila, but more floral), silver tequila, chili-honey, and grapefruit bitters. The 5 Island Horchata has Banks 5 Island rum, coconut horchata, coffee, Fernet Vallet, cinnamon, and vanilla. And of course, there is a michelada made with Mexican lager and homemade chipotle hot sauce—if you need a hair off the dog. 145 East 39th St., 212-865-5800
Public Forum Duets Begin Tonight
Musicians David Byrne and ?uestlove discuss the state of music.
February 26, 2013
Hear David Byrne and ?uestlove discuss music education at the NYU Skirball Center tonight
Talking Heads co-founder David Byrne and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, of The Roots, will tonight share the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts stage for an enlightening and entertaining conversation about music. The talk is an anticipated Public Forum Duet, part of The Public Theater's series of lectures, conversations, and performances by an artist who has been vital to The Public Theater, plus a leading voice in politics, media, or the arts. "The theater of ideas" is the driving force behind this cool and dynamic series, which on February 28, will also feature Pulitzer Prize- and Grammy award-winning jazz icon Wynton Marsalis in conversation with The Public Theater master writer chair Suzan-Lori Parks.
At tonight’s talk, co-presented by NYU Skirball Center, Byrne and ?uestlove will discuss what we're taught and what we learn about music, as well as how our ideas shape popular songs—from both a creative and consumer standpoint. The academic angle is apropos, considering that ?uestlove will be teaching a class on classic albums at NYU in the spring semester. (How cool is that?) Meanwhile, on Thursday, Parks and Marsalis, who is also the managing and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, will talk music and American identity at Joe's Pub at the Public Theater.
Previous installments of the Public Forum series have been hosted by the likes of Alec Baldwin, Anne Hathaway, Arianna Huffington, and Cynthia Nixon. Tickets for this week’s talks are $35 and can be purchased online at nyuskirball.org (Byrne/?uestlove) or publictheater.org (Marsalis/Parks), or at the respective venue’s box office. 566 LaGuardia Pl., 212-352-3101; The Public Theater at Astor Place, 425 Lafayette St., 212-967-7555
Luxury Vintage Flash Sales at LXR & Co.
Vintage accessories by the likes of Hermès and Chanel are just a click away.
February 25, 2013
Vintage luxury accessories from labels like Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton sell for up to 80 percent off original retail prices at new flash sale site LXR & Co.
Vintage luxury accessories from labels like Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton sell for up to 80 percent off original retail prices at new flash sale site LXR & Co.
Vintage luxury accessories from labels like Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton sell for up to 80 percent off original retail prices at new flash sale site LXR & Co.
Vintage luxury accessories from labels like Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton sell for up to 80 percent off original retail prices at new flash sale site LXR & Co.
Vintage luxury labels are a staple in the closets of stylish New York women, but sifting through jewelry trays and digging through buckets of scarves for that elusive Hermès gem is not for everyone. So for those who prefer surfing to rummaging, vintage luxury accessories are available in a crisp, clean, shoppable environment via LXR & Co., a fantastic new flash sale website boasting brands like Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Chanel at up to 80 percent off original retail prices.
With new vintage pieces arriving daily, a panel of experts in vintage, fashion, and luxury lifestyle curates the members-only site. For example, getting back to that Hermès scarf we mentioned, the site is currently running a sale on classics from the Hermès Carnaval de Luxe collection for $249 each—but hurry, the sale ends in four days. And if you’re a true collector, with perhaps more vintage treasures than your closet can accommodate, LXR & Co. offers a buy-back program. Submit a few photos of the item and fill out a quick form online and the company will make you an offer.
To make its official debut, LXR & Co. fêted its website launch with a recent New York Fashion Week VIP brunch hosted by Chiara Ferragni (founder of TheBlondeSalad.com) and Shea Marie (founder of PeaceLoveShea.com). A one-day pop-up shop at the Empire Hotel's mezzanine followed—a suitable celebration, since LXR & Co. is also a lifestyle destination site full of information on the history and legacy of these coveted vintage pieces and luxury brands.
Oscar Stars Put on Their Party Dresses
Stars like Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Lawrence slipped into something more comfortable post-Oscars.
February 25, 2013
Now that the verdict is mostly in on who was best-dressed at the 2013 Academy Awards, we can move on to afterparty fashions. Take a look at these red carpet wardrobe changes for the Governors Ball and the infamous Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty.
photography by Pascal Le Segretain (Lawrence); Kevork Djansezian (ADELE); ALBERTO E. RODRIGUEZ (SEYFRIED, ADAMS, HATHAWAY, WATTS, SALDANA)
Jesse Eisenberg Stars in 'The Revisionist'
Vanessa Redgrave co-stars in the Off-Broadway play exploring the meaning of family.
February 25, 2013
The Revisionist, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Vanessa Redgrave
The multi-talented Jesse Eisenberg stars alongside iconic actress Vanessa Redgrave in The Revisionist, a new Off-Broadway play penned by the 29-year-old actor and writer, who moonlights as a contributing editor for McSweeney's and has written humor essays in Harper’s and The New York Times.
On now at the Cherry Lane Theatre, The Revisionist is about a young writer, David (Eisenberg), who's struggling with writer's block and absconds to Poland, where he hangs out with his 75-year-old cousin Maria (Redgrave). Maria desperately wants to bond with her American relatives, while David needs to be alone. As the two connect, the play explores themes like post-war identity and the meaning of family.
Directed by Kip Fagan, the show began performances on February 15 and officially opens on February 28. Perhaps best known for his portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg in the The Social Network (for which he was nominated for an Oscar) this is the second Eisenberg play that Rattlestick Playwrights Theater has produced. 2011’s Asuncion, a play about two friends, one a neurotic writer (Eisenberg) and the other a cocky womanizer (Justin Bartha), was nominated for a Drama League Award. As for the brilliant Redgrave, she was last seen on the New York stage in 2010's acclaimed Broadway run of Driving Miss Daisy. The Revisionist runs through March 31. 38 Commerce St., 866-811-4111
Beer and Food Pairings On Tap at Bar '21'
The country's best breweries hold court at this New York institution's bi-monthly beer series.
February 22, 2013
Bar '21' On Tap promises three brews and six passed bite pairings for $45 per person
Just in time for NYC Beer Week (through March 2), the 21 Club’s Bar ‘21’ has announced the lineup for the next two installments of its bimonthly beer series, Bar ‘21’ On Tap. For $45 per person, the event pairs three pints from a featured brewery with passed bites by executive chef John Greeley—two bites for each beer, to be exact.
First up, on February 26, is San Francisco's Speakeasy Brewery with a caramel and malt imbued Prohibition Ale; a hoppy Big Daddy IPA; and a Black & White Cookie brew that’s an NYC Beer Week exclusive. Among the six different bites Greeley will serve to complement the brews is a coco-rubbed braised short rib with caramelized onion and sweet potato; a grass-fed beef tartare with Meyer lemon; and foie gras with plum, ginger, and watercress. The menu goes on to include Gulf shrimp, mahi mahi, and fried calamari.
March 11 brings another IPA, a rye, and a porter from Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Founders Brewing Co. Bites for that event sound equally delicious: crispy pork belly with avocado purée and pickled red onion, a foie gras torchone, and a grilled baby lamb chop with pea shoot emulsion, among other tasty noshes. Though the menu hasn’t been released, New Jersey’s Cricket Hill Brewery, a microbrewery focusing on full-bodied seasonal beers, will headline on April 8. Keep an eye on the events page of 21club.com for more details. 21 W 52nd St., 212-582-7200
What We're Reading
Oscar predictions, the warped genius of Louis C.K., why we’re all junkies for junk food…
February 22, 2013
Will Argo and director Ben Affleck clean up at the Oscars? Find out below.
Betting on the Oscars? The Awl's Joe MacLeod dishes up a slightly tongue-in-cheek but very informative Oscar prediction list of who will win and why. [The Awl]
Upon the release of his provocative memoir, The Soundtrack of My Life—in which he comes out as bisexual and dedicates an entire chapter to Whitney Houston—Sony Music mogul Clive Davis spoke with Rolling Stone's David Browne. [Rolling Stone]
In this week's New York Times Magazine, writer Michael Moss pens a revealing exposé on the science of junk food and why it's so addictive. No surprise: mouth feel, crunch, and saltiness play a role. [The New York Times Magazine]
If you love your ramen, you'll be thrilled to hear that L.A. ramen joint Jinya will open a West Village shop "soon," writes Eater NY's Alexander Hancock. [Eater NY]
Avi Steinberg analyzes the phenomenon of Louis C.K. in this smart and insightful New Yorker essay. [The New Yorker]
Tuesday Night Swims at Gansevoort
The Park Avenue hotel opens its heated rooftop pool for evening cocktails, canoodling, and swimming, of course.
February 21, 2013
The 20th floor pool deck at the Gansevoort Park Avenue, which is open to the public from 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday night.
The 20th floor pool deck at the Gansevoort Park Avenue, which is open to the public from 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday night.
The 20th floor pool deck at the Gansevoort Park Avenue, which is open to the public from 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday night.
The 20th floor pool deck at the Gansevoort Park Avenue, which is open to the public from 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday night.
Pretend you're in the Tropics every Tuesday night in the heart of Manhattan at the Gansevoort Park Avenue. Just stroll on into the posh hotel, take the elevator to floor 20, and mosey inside its tri-level enclosed rooftop. No reservations required. The open-to-the-public pool party is part of the hotel’s Adult Swim program, which takes place on Tuesday nights from 6 to 9 pm. Featuring a 40-foot indoor/outdoor swimming pool that's heated to 90 degrees, the Gansevoort Park Rooftop redefines the term winter wonderland. There's also an abundance of fireplaces, terraces, and views of Manhattan—all in a cocktail-friendly, festive environment, once the sun begins to set. 420 Park Ave. S., 212-317-2900
Q&A: Violin Virtuoso Itzhak Perlman
Perlman talks passionately about the music he’ll play at his upcoming Barclays Center concert.
February 20, 2013
Itzhak Perlman and Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot
Itzhak Perlman, the Israeli-American violin virtuoso who won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, recently chatted with us about why he's so stoked about his upcoming concert with Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot on February 28 at the Cushman & Wakefield theater in the Barclays Center. Proceeds from the show go to the Met Council on Jewish Poverty and Perlman Music Program. Here, Perlman explains the style of cantorial music he’ll play at the show, ultimately defining it as “Jewish soul music” that can get any toe (Jewish or otherwise) tapping.
So how did the idea for this exciting concert become a reality?
ITZHAK PERLMAN: We were looking for a venue in the Brooklyn area, and we felt that the Barclays Center was a natural; it's Brooklyn, there's an amazing Jewish community there, and we thought we'd be playing for a home crowd. Not that it's just for people who live in Brooklyn, this concert, in my mind—maybe I'm being prejudiced here—would bring pleasure to anybody because the music is fantastic, and Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot [from Brooklyn, with whom Perlman recently collaborated on the album Eternal Echoes: Songs and Dances for the Soul] is an amazing singer. The violin and the voice [have], I think, a very natural way of mixing.
I understand Bruce Ratner, the developer behind Barclays Center, is an old friend of yours and a huge fan of cantorial music. How did you first meet?
IP: His daughter and my daughter went to school together, that's how our friendship developed. So we've known each other for quite a few years.
Some might be more familiar with the borough's hip-hop legacy, but Brooklyn also has a history of Jewish liturgical music. Can you tell us a bit about the concert's repertoire?
IP: A lot of it [is stuff] I heard when I was growing up in Israel as a child, and a lot of the pieces that they play on the radio, old cantorial music and so on. There will be a little bit of Klezmer as well, so it's going to have a good variety, this program. I enjoy listening to it myself, and playing it, of course. It's going to be an assortment of different styles of, I always like to call it, Jewish soul music. It's going to be dance-like, it's going to be lyrical, it's going to be something for everybody.
So you don't have to be Jewish, or a Brooklynite for that matter, to enjoy this performance.
IP: It's going to be a celebration, everybody's going to have something to enjoy. If you're interested in incredible singing, you're going to hear it. If you're interested in somebody who plays a decent violin, you're going to hear that. If you're interested in a combination of both, you're going to hear that. In Hebrew and Yiddish there is a word called “simcha,” which means a happening of happiness.
photography by Lisa-Marie Mazzucco
