During the early 1980s, famed pop artist Andy Warhol created a series of colorful paint and silk-screen ink works on canvas, and accompanying screen prints, that featured the iconic Perrier bottle. In 1983, for example, he did more than 40 Perrier-inspired pieces. Since much of Warhol's work at that time dealt with everyday products and symbols of pop culture, Perrier, whose involvement in the arts is long and storied, proved to be ideal subject matter for the artist.

Fast forward to June, 2013. Perrier—which turns 150 this year—is introducing its own form of drinkable pop art: A limited-edition series of specially designed bottles with labels featuring one of four Warhol designs and seven Warhol inspirations, such as choice Warhol quotes. Some of our favorite sayings from the series are, "In the future everyone will be world famous for fifteen minutes," "Art is what you can get away with," and, "I have Social Disease. I have to go out every night."

Developed in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Foundation, the series pays tribute to the influential late artist, while also resulting in an endowment to the foundation and its grants supporting the visual arts.  

BY SIMONA RABINOVITCH 

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In certain New York circles, the sneakers you wear say everything about who you are. Check out the brand new Comme des Garçons PLAY for Converse Pro Leather collection ($130-$140), a casually playful, fashion-forward collaboration that illustrates the lively creative spirit shared by each of these two iconic brands.

The stars of this collection are four new styles of the Converse Pro Leather sneaker, each showcasing a unique PLAY pattern. The shoe is available in Milk, Black Mid, and Ox silhouettes, and the fun PLAY prints add both Japanese pizzazz and NYC swagger to this classic Converse lifestyle sneaker, which made its grand debut in 1976 as a performance basketball shoe.

Randomly placed on each shoe in an all-over pattern, PLAY's unique heart-with-eyes logo is as quirky as the brand itself; PLAY, of course, is the Japanese streetwear-influenced line from Rei Kawakubo's Comme des Garçons.

"Collaborations are most meaningful when brands merge the individual histories, taking note of what each brand does best, while continuing to innovate and harbor a common creative spirit," says Adrian Joffe, CEO of Comme des Garçons International. “Rei Kawakubo’s new all-over heart design on the iconic Converse Pro Leather silhouette captures the essence of our third collaboration." The collection is available as of today at Commes des Garçons in New York and on doverstreetmarket.com. Comme des Garçons, 520 W. 22nd St., 212-604-9200

BY SIMONA RABINOVITCH

A rotating cast of vintage and contemporary rugs are the star attractions at the new DLB Doris Leslie Blau ABC Carpet & Home shop-in-shop, which rolls out its wares June 4 on the sixth floor of ABC Carpet & Home. When it comes to the finest antique, vintage, and custom rugs, New York designers and decorators have long relied upon Doris Leslie Blau. This anticipated, 1600-square-foot retail space shop-in-shop is the very first time the coveted brand will be available directly to the public, as well as to the trade. 

While Doris Leslie Blau owner and president Nader Bolour says that the new shop aims to continue the brand's tradition of catering to the design community, the expansion into retail certainly marks an exciting development for any New Yorker in the market for gorgeous custom rugs. As such, rugs on parade will be showcased as part of carefully-curated collections, with the themes and merchandise changing every few months. The inaugural theme is a unique, mid-century Scandinavian collection from the 1930s to 1950s.

Doris Leslie Blau's storied New York history began in 1965, when the brand was founded by Doris Leslie Blau, herself a design icon at 82-years-old. At auction, DLB's rare antique pieces have garnered sales totaling $2.2 million dollars. 888 Broadway, 646-602-3332

BY SIMONA RABINOVITCH 

The Bloody Mary bar at Lexington Brass 

Nothing spices up brunch like a good Bloody Mary. That's why new American bistro Lexington Brass has introduced a new DIY Bloody Mary Bar that invites you to choose your own adventure in terms of spices, rim, and spirit.

Using a card provided by your server and accompanying pencil, you check off the options you'd like. Start with your choice of spirit: vodka, gin, or tequila. Then choose a rim salt (citrus, celery, Kaffir lime and chili) and hot sauce preference—Cholula Hot Sauce, Frank's Red Hot Sauce, worcestershire and/or tabasco. Other custom additions include basil cilantro, dill, green olives, cornichons, pickled okra, marinated onions, pepperoncini, celery, and horseradish. And for a few extra bucks, you can throw in some jumbo shrimp, prosciuitto, an oyster, or bacon.

It all starts, however, with Lexington Brass' homemade Bloody Mary mix, prepared with fresh tomato, carrot and cucumber juice. "The Bloody Mary is the quintessential brunch cocktail," says EMM Group director of operations Todd Enany on the new program. "It's continuously evolving with endless variations. We wanted to offer something fun and interactive, with minimal effort on the guest's part. At Lexington Brass, the guest becomes the creator by choosing fresh herbs, spices, and of course, alcohol." 517 Lexington Ave., 212-392-5976

Source: blackbook.com 

In anticipation of Before Midnight, the third installment of Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy's cinematic trilogy (remember Before Sunset and Before Sunrise?) BlackBook's Hillary Weston takes us on a romantic stroll through the first two movies' most magical moments. [BlackBook] 

New York Magazine's Dan P. Lee writes a lengthy and revealing feature about the era of private space travel. Yes, it has arrived. [New York] 

If beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, Dove's viral video "Dove Real Beauty Sketches" certainly turned some heads, however, writes Scientific American's Ozgun Atasoy, not necessarily in the way you might think. [Scientific American] 

Love it or hate it, everyone's got something to say about Daft Punk's new disco-flavored album. The New Yorker's music critic, Sasha Frere-Jones, gets it right. [The New Yorker] 

Actress Kathleen Turner and photographer Bruce Weber talk to T Magazine's Jesse Ashlock about becoming mentors. Both icons appear as mentors to high school students on upcoming episodes of HBO's YoungArts Masterclass series. [T Magazine] 

BY SIMONA RABINOVITCH 

Milk & Honey head bartender Theo Lieberman

While Gotham attended its fair share of Manhattan Cocktail Classic (May 17-21) events, there's no way we could have attended them all—there were nearly 100. And frankly, with all of our, ahem, research (aka drinking), the details are a bit hazy. Enter Theo Lieberman, head bartender at the Flatiron District's Milk & Honey and our MCC eyes, ears, and palate. Brought into the business by Sasha Petraske, Lieberman helped run the bar at John Dory Oyster Bar before shuffling over to Petraske's original LES Milk & Honey. And according to him, these are the MCC cocktail trends you'll be seeing a lot more of:   

Fortified Wines and Low Alcohol Cocktails: "From what I saw at the MCC Gala, a lot of drinks had fortified wines, sherries and amaros like Campari, Cocchi Americano Rosa, Pineau des Charentes, and more. There’s also a desire recently for cocktails with low alcohol content—people aren’t drinking to get drunk anymore, they’re drinking to experience new things. Campari is a great example of why the low alcohol trend works; it packs so much flavor, so you can enjoy an amazing drink like a Campari & Soda or Rome with a View (Campari, dry vermouth, fresh lime, soda and sugar served in a Collins glass) without feeling like you’re missing out on something."

Interesting Garnishes: "Presentation is definitely becoming more important. You’re not going to just see a crappy little orange twist, but you really see bartenders putting time and effort into how the drink appears, like the way they do at The Aviary in Chicago. The drink I created for Campari’s Bartender Bash (part of the Manhattan Cocktail Classic) featured a pineapple ring dehydrated with Campari, which not only made for a beautiful presentation, but also gave an additional element of texture and made the drink that much more interesting. The textural component is such a big part of eating, there’s no reason it shouldn’t be considered in drinking as well."

Photo: Gary Gershoff (Simpson); Stephen Lovekin (Neuwirth) via gettyimages.com

Monday, May 13: Ashlee Simpson and Bebe Neuwirth at the Ballet 
When I overheard that the performance at the American Ballet Theatre opening night gala, a veritable tasting menu of ballet, might last up to three hours, I panicked. At the event, I mentioned this possibility to actress and dancer Bebe Neuwirth and her eyes looked up to heaven. “Yes, but it’s going to be three gorgeous hours,” she said. And not only was it really only two-and-a-half hours, the dance was so beautiful, time flew. The very last piece, Georges Bizet’s Symphony in C, choreographed by George Balanchine, was extraordinary. Scores of dancers in crisp tutus danced in sublime synchronization. Another highlight of the evening: Ashlee Simpson, wearing a pair of take-notice emerald green earrings, smooched me on the cheek when we both arrived at a ticket-taker simultaneously. Love her. 

Photo: Chris Jackson (Prince Harry); Michael Loccisano (Stam) via gettyimages.com

Wednesday, May 15: Polo in Greenwich with Prince Harry and Nacho Figueras 
The next morning, a car whisked me off to Greenwich to witness Prince Harry’s Sentebale polo team face off against the St. Regis team, captained by Nacho Figueras. Rain poured in the a.m., but by the time I reached the lunch tent (the driver forgot my ticket and the Greenwich police nearly arrested me), the sun had come out. And the event bloomed into a delightful, sunny afternoon sponsored by Peter Brant and wife Stephanie Seymour and Royal Salute whisky. St. Regis hotels hosted my fun table with Jessica Stam. 

Addressing the crowd, HRH Prince Harry talked about how wonderful it is to visit the orphans in Lesotho who benefit from his Sentebale charity, adding that the feeling could be attested to by "the good looking Nacho," who is an ambassador for the cause. And when it was Figueras' turn to speak, he ribbed the Prince. “Very secretly, we are taking bets for the game,” said Figueras. “If you want to make a smart move, you obviously know you have to be for my team.” However, on the field, after Nacho fired in two goals, his Royal Highness won the match by knocking in the final shot.  

Thursday, May 16: USA Upfronts and Aby Rosen's Star-Studded B-Day
Back in New York, at the USA Network upfront, Royal Pains star Mark Feuerstein mentioned that before he dated his wife, he had slept with at least three of his wife’s future bridesmaids. One was a longish relationship, one, maybe two weeks, and another, he indicated, “one night.” Ahem. Also spotted: Sofia Vergara. 

That night, Aby Rosen (who owns the Seagram building and Lever House) celebrated his birthday at The Paramount Hotel. Bronson van Wyck had decorated a balcony window with giant red swags. And a woman in a white dress with a 20-foot train worked a swing near Bono and Guy Oseary. Upstairs, the Olsen twins were suckin’ on ciggies. And that was Owen Wilson in a plaid flannel shirt on the balcony. 

Photo: Astrid Stawiarz via gettyimages.com

Saturday, May 18: Epic New York Screening   
“There is violence in the film, but none of it is pulled off with any sense of malice or true terror,” kindly explained Colin Farrell, who stars in Epic, a kids' film about saving the environment. “I play Mub, he’s a slug,” offered Aziz Ansari. Jason Sudeikis’ big thrill about working on this project? “Oh, gosh, officially now working with Beyonce,” he quipped. The newly pregnant Beyoncé (who was absent from the premiere) lends her voice to the film's Queen Tara character, a magical forest queen. 

For more entertainment and society news, visit jeffreyslonim.com or follow @JeffreyJSlo on Twitter

Deadly She-Wolf Assassin at Armageddon! is this weekend's must-see theater pick 

Windsor West Village Memorial Day BBQ
May 27, from 12 p.m.
Just because you're staying in the city this Memorial Day weekend doesn't mean you can't celebrate. Upscale sports bar the Windsor West Village presents a special Memorial Day barbecue with food and drink specials. From peach barbecue chicken wings to bourbon barbecue ribs, summer is on. 234 West 4th St., 212-206-1208

Love Hurts at Rooftop Films
May 24, 8 p.m.
Rain or shine, Love Hurts. Enjoy a screening of short films about "the beauty and anguish of love," from the comedic to bizarre. Love Hurts is part of a summer series by Rooftop Films, a non-profit that shows underground movies outdoors all summer long. Tickets are $13. Open Road Rooftop, 350 Grand St.

Deadly She-Wolf Assassin at Armageddon! at La MaMa
May 24 at 7:30 p.m., May 25 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., May 26 at 2:30 p.m.
Japanese Manga and experimental East Village theater may seem like unlikely Memorial Day bedfellows, but in the samurai-inspired new play Deadly She-Wolf Assassin at Armageddon!, recently opened at La MaMa for an all-to-brief run, they work. Directed by Sonoko Kawahara, the physical work presents graceful sword battles and epic martial arts that take movement to the level of dance. Written by Fred Ho and Ruth Margraff, the show features music by The Afro American Music Ensemble led by Masaru Koga. Tickets range from $25 to $30. La MaMa Experimental Theatre - Ellen Stewart Theater (Annex), 66 E. 4th St. 212-475-7710

BY SIMONA RABINOVITCH 

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The Roof Garden Commission: Imran Qureshi is on view through November 3 at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 1000 Fifth Ave., 212-535-7710

 

 

The Roof Garden Commission: Imran Qureshi is on view through November 3 at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 1000 Fifth Ave., 212-535-7710

 

 

The Roof Garden Commission: Imran Qureshi is on view through November 3 at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 1000 Fifth Ave., 212-535-7710

 

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The floor of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art served as the canvas (which viewers are welcome to walk on) for artist Imran Qureshi's latest work, The Roof Garden Commission: Imran Qureshi. In this acclaimed, site-specific installation, Qureshi explores his emotional response to violence around the world, but specifically in his home country of Pakistan. Yet despite the intense subject matter, at its essence, this project is actually a work of hope.

In splashes and spills of red acrylic paint, the piece is painted directly upon the nearly 8,000 square-foot surface. “The dialogue between life and death is an important element in my work," says Qureshi. "Leaves and nature, for example, represent the idea of life. And the particular color of red that I have been using in recent years can look so real, like blood. The red reminds me of the situation today in my country, Pakistan, and in the world around us, where violence is almost a daily occurrence. But somehow, people still have hope. The flowers that seem to emerge from the red paint in my work represent the hope that—despite everything—the people sustain somehow, their hope for a better future.”

Qureshi is known for combining Islamic motifs, symbolism, and techniques with the approach of conceptual modern art. His signature aesthetic references 16th century "miniature painting," a style of art popular in the Mughal courts of India at that time. The Roof Garden Commission is no exception: certain areas of red paint are worked into patterns of ornamental leaves—reminiscent of the Mughal courts of yore, but also present day Central Park. 

BY SIMONA RABINOVITCH 

Along with Top Chef judge Gail Simmons, the Travel Channel's Adam Richman (Man vs. Food, Fandemonium) will host the sixth annual New Taste of the Upper West Side, taking place May 29 to June 1. With more than 70 participating restaurants (think Dovetail, Red Farm, Bar Boulud) this year's event honors Union Square Hospitality Group's Danny Meyer and Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti. All proceeds from this community culinary festival benefit the Columbus Avenue Beautification Project and the O’Shea Wellness In Schools program. To get more insight on the event, and the neighborhood it honors, we chatted with co-host and former Upper West Sider Adam Richman. 

For the third consecutive year, you'll be hosting this Friday's Comfort Classics at New Taste of the Upper West Side. What do you love about this community food festival?
ADAM RICHMAN: I used to live at 104 West End. I'm a Brooklyn kid, but I sublet up there, and I feel the UWS is one of the last vestiges of true neighborhoods on the island of Manhattan. What the Upper West Side still has, a little bit, is that great Woody Allen aesthetic; it's very evocative of Brooklyn in many respects—because of that community. You start out with this cultural touchstone of Lincoln Center, in the sixties. You have Time Warner Center, which is really beautiful, [and] restaurants like Landmarc and great chefs like Marc Murphy, but then you can go uptown and find cultural institutions; places like Barney Greengrass that are as much a part of New York as the Empire State Building.

The UWS certainly is a unique neighborhood with its own spirit.
AR: This is one neighborhood that has a culinary identity that the world may not necessarily know about. That's a very special thing as a native New Yorker, to be able to say, 'Hey, I live here, I love it here, my love of food was fostered by being here,' and this event will hopefully let you know why.

What are the great restaurant gems of the Upper West Side, in your opinion?
AR: The UWS has got that great Chino-Latino thing that's really only maybe found in a couple of restaurants on the West End of 14th Street as you approach Meatpacking. From Flor de Mayo and La Caridad 78 to the touchstones of the Upper West Side like V&T Pizza, Koronet, Zabar's, these are the major icons that typify the [neighborhood].

Your upcoming NBC game show, Food Fighters, features home cooks. In this era of celebrity chefs, where do talented home cooks fit in?
AR: I think a lot of people throw that [chef] title around, and in a million years, I would never be arrogant enough to consider myself a chef. A chef is really someone who has dedicated themselves, that has studied and run restaurants . . . there's a degree of training that's commensurate with that title, and I just think I'm an above average cook, not just on the job, but I learned from my mom, my aunt, my dad, my grandma, and also my friends' moms, and my friends' grandmas. Maybe the Brooklyn in me makes me root for the underdog, because I respect home cooks, maybe because I'm categorically opposed to the exclusionary nature of being very precious with food. I think it's cool to show that these dishes have their own culinary merit—as do the people who make them.  

BY SIMONA RABINOVITCH