Oct-Nov 2011
No. 15
sing it girl!
Milla Jovovich ROCKS YOUR WORLD The Big Easy Fall fashion: wear it now Denim dress code Redesigning Beirut
You don’t exist until they tAlk About you
Directory
No. 15 Oct-Nov 2011 Publisher
Tony Salamé Group TSG SAL Editor-In-Chief
Marwan Naaman
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Malak Beydoun
Art Director
Laurent El Khoury junior Editor
Tala Habbal
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Natasha Dirany
ASSISTANT EDITOR
What’s on your mind?
Rawan Al Kayat
EDITOR AT LARGE
Serena Makofsky
Money?
Success? Fame? It’s all out there, waiting to happen.
Remember, there’s nowhere to go but up. In the meantime, the weekend is just around the corner – oh the freakin’ weekend – so get ready to let it all hang loose. Wear your skintight jeans, a top that leaves little (or lots) to the imagination and drink to the rest of your life. With a loud, resounding cheer. And then do it all over again the following weekend. Because before you get all that money, success and fame, you just gotta party!
IN-HOUSE STYLIST
Mouna Harati
WRITERS Virginie Beaulieu, Ziad Gedeon Ruby Gotham, AG Joy Anna Leach, Veronique Loger Laureen Ortiz, Sydney Reade Marion Renard, Shirine Saad Kristin Julie Viola PHOTOGRAPHERS Kenneth Cappello, Cobrasnake Tres Colacion, Raya Farhat Wade Oates, Nikhil Patel Mason Pool, Some CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS Jennifer Eymère, Marie Gibert Anne Sophie Thomas PRODUCTION Fadi Maalouf, Anne-Marie Tabet GRAPHIC DESIGN intern Mélanie Dagher RESPONSIBLE DIRECTOR George Chahine PRINTING Dots Where to find us facebook.com/GossipTheMagazine scandalmongering.blogspot.com issuu.com/gossip.beirut twitter.com/gossipdigital 140 El Moutrane St., Fourth Floor Downtown Beirut, Lebanon T 961.1.974.444 gossip@gossip-beirut.com
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Blast | News
Ezra Miller | Citizens
Talk about Ezra Text Virginie beaulieu Photo wade oates
Teen actor Ezra Miller is one young talent to watch After a noted guest appearance on the steamy TV show Californication, 18-year-old Ezra Miller exploded onto the acting scene with his role in Antonio Campos’ 2008 flick Afterschool. In his latest movie, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Miller plays the role of Kevin, a sadistic, disturbed young man who massacres his fellow high school students. Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly play Miller’s overwhelmed parents. Director Lynne Ramsay differentiates her film from other movies about high school massacres, like Bowling for Columbine and Elephant. In We Need to Talk About Kevin, she says that she tried to portray, in a very theatrical way, a familial disaster Gossip No. 15
ending with a massacre. Gossip chatted with Miller about his roles and his personal beliefs. 1.
After playing the role of a traveler addicted to online porn in Afterschool, are you now the perfect recruit for roles of perverted young adults? [He laughs.] No, I’m not really looking for roles of young adolescent psychopaths, but you should understand that I tend to pick roles that echo my emotions. No one has as much confusion and emotional conflicts going on as adolescents. In fact, it’s the moment where they lose their innocence and become fully conscious of their being. 2.
You say that you love your mom more than anything else in the world, unlike Kevin who, in the
movie, tortures his mother every single day. Are you able to understand your character, or do you simply find him evil? For me, the concept of evil just exists to avoid thinking about human complexity. There are many people just like Kevin all around the globe. This character personifies something that exists in each one of us. 3.
Do you think there’s an up-and-coming, young community of actors about to explode onto movie screens? Well I can’t directly answer this question, but I believe that community is one of the most important things in life and resulting from that, playing in movies ends up being a true community act.
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Citizens | Alyson Michalka
Blonde ambition Text Kristin Julie Viola
At 22, Alyson Michalka has a promising career as both a TV and movie actress and a singer/songwriter in her own band, 78violet Until recently, Alyson Michalka was best known for her work on the Disney Channel, having starred in the series Phil of the Future as well as the film Bandslam. But that’s all about to change, now that the 22 year-old actress has appeared in films such as Easy A and The Roommate along with the TV series Hellcats. In addition, she is a part of the pop duo 78violet with her younger sister, AJ. Gossip chatted with the rising star about her celebrity co-stars, off-camera hobbies and secret habit.
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. Do you have a background in dancing?
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I came to the show being the only one with a serious dance background. I was on a competitive dance team as a teenager, so that experience really helped me when it came to the show. I’m incredibly comfortable with free style and improvised dance.
. Did you hang out with Hellcats co-star Ashley
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Tisdale off-set? Ashley and I have known each other since I was 12 and she was 16. We worked out at the same gym and went to dinners on nights we had off, but the show took up so much of our time. I would have loved to have explored the city even more while I was there. There are lots of great memories we shared.
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. How did you prepare for the cheer routines that you
6 Have you stayed in touch with your co-stars from The Roommate, Leighton Meester and Minka Kelly? We all got along so great! Minka and Leighton are both sweethearts. I got especially close to Leighton. We both have a similar sense of humor, which is awesome in a friendship.
performed on Hellcats? I worked out four to five times a week, plus we had dance rehearsals for one day of each episode. We didn’t have a lot of time to actually learn the
7 Did you enjoy working with Emma Stone on the film Easy A? Emma and I got on so well during filming. I
1 What do you consider to be your first big break? I’d say that Bandslam was my breakout role. I got so many opportunities from that movie, and I think it’s because it truly speaks to my generation. You can tell that we were having fun when we made it. I’m still close with a lot of the cast. 2 What role are you most proud of to date? I couldn’t say there is a project that I’m more proud of than another. I’m definitely closest to my character Marti on Hellcats; therefore I feel a special connection with that project. I still have years ahead of me in this business though!
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routines, so it took a lot of focus and concentration on our parts.
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remember meeting her before we started shooting, and we just hung out and ate chips and Red Vines in the director’s office. I think that movie is really special because the writer Bert V. Royal created honest characters in a realistic setting. He is a brilliant talent.
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8 What are you working on right now? Right now I’m mainly working on music with AJ. We have been writing songs and compiling our best for the last couple of years. This record is going to speak to so many people because we’re talking about real issues and topics. I think the key to making art that is timeless is not rushing yourself and pushing your abilities to the next level. That’s what we’re aiming for.
. What are your interests besides acting and singing?
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I’m a total homebody. There is nothing I love more than laying in my backyard reading a book or having a barbecue with close friends. I enjoy the outdoors and exploring great new restaurants and trying different foods. I love adventure!
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What’s one thing about you that your fans would be surprised to know? I absolutely love making lists. I will make a list to remind myself to make a list! It helps me stay organized and on top of my schedule. Only my family and close friends know this.
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Oct-Nov 2011
Lara Zankoul | Citizens
Dream photographer Text Veronique Loger
She dips herself in water to create a pictorial fantasy Carrying her mother’s green watering can, 24-yearold Lara Zankoul steps into the sea at Jounieh Bay, fully clothed in a white skirt and top, and immerses half her body in the Mediterranean. “Snap!” goes the sound of her camera taking a self-portrait photograph of the after-hours photographer. During the week, she’s a research analyst at a business intelligence company (she recently graduated with a Master’s degree in economics), but her spare time is spent capturing a surreal world with her Sony Alpha 200. The photograph of Zankoul watering the sea with the can is titled “Excess.” It plays on the notion of “more is less,” with a flower in her hair adding a touch of irony to the ethereal composition. Gossip No. 15
Less than three years ago, Zankoul began teaching herself photography and the Photoshop techniques she employs to create her desired dreamlike effects. “After discovering Flickr, I was inspired to try taking some of my own photos,” she explains, detailing her 365 project that had her photographing something new every day for a year when she started, forcing her to constantly improve her skills. Drawn to the absurdity of staged scenarios, Zankoul picks a prop and places it in an environment that would be highly unlikely in real life. Her staged scenes have included a girl sleeping on a bed in the middle of the ocean, someone taking a teddy bear for a walk in the snow, a suited-up man watching his bowties dancing in the clouds and a girl piecing together a larger-than-life puzzle.
“I grew up reading fairy tales and watching Disney movies,” she explains of her love for make believe. The Little Mermaid remains one of her favorite characters, as reflected in her photos, through the extensive use of water as a setting. “I can relate to Ariel being a dreamer and having her own world full of objects that are precious to her,” says the collector of all things vintage, from quirky objects to her mother’s old clothing. Having already had her first solo exhibition at Roof 68 in Beirut earlier this year and a group exhibit at Ayyam Gallery in Dubai in September, Zankoul will be in Paris in November to exhibit with the three French photographers with whom she shares a photography blog, www.through-ourlenses.blogspot.com.
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Nightlife | Stockholm
Party destination: Stockholm
Text Shirine Saad Photos cobrasnake
Home of cool design, cooler fashion, wild nightclubs and ravishing blond(e)s, Stockholm is a dazzling and groovy capital – perfect for a decadent party weekend. After a day of island-hopping and strolling the tiny streets of the city (taking in its cream-colored buildings and crisp skies and waters), get ready for a serious night out. Here’s all you need to know to become Sweden’s number one party animal Berns Berns is Stockholm’s coolest boutique hotel and restaurant. Situated in the city center in a 19thcentury landmark Belle Époque building, it is as massive as it is stylish. There is a glass-enclosed entrance and a spiral staircase, and the bar and bistro feature cool design courtesy of Terence Conran. This is also Stockholm’s premier music venue, where DJs and musicians from Tiesto to Nina Hagen and Bonnie Prince Billy perform regularly. 8 Näckströmsgatan, T 46.8566.32200, W www.berns.se
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Marie Laveau Located in Södermalm, or the hip south side of town, this is the best-known club in the city, and it gets packed and steamy on weekends (it’s nicknamed “urban sauna”). Expect techno, house and disco in the basement and a relaxed bar upstairs serving “great American cocktails.” There is also a restaurant serving New Orleans-inspired food (Marie Laveau was a famous voodoo practitioner in the Big Easy) for those who like to party carnival-style. 66 Hornsgatan, T 46.8668.8500, W www.marielaveau.se
PA & CO This is where editors and fashion stylists meet for a glass of champagne or two and a bite to eat. (Malcom Gladwell has been spotted here with his new Swedish girlfriend.) Locals say this is the best burger and brunch in town, but you can only reserve the same day, so plan ahead. In any case you’ll be close to the party center of Stureplan, the chic nightlife headquarters in Östermalm, so you’re in the right spot. Do dress the part. 8 Riddargatan, T 46.8611.0845, W www.paco.se Oct-Nov 2011
Stockholm | Nightlife
Honorable Mentions Morfar Ginko For those Swedes who miss their Auberge Espagnole-style experiences in Berlin or Barcelona, hipster meeting spot Morfar Ginko is a second home. It’s a good spot to grab a beer after work, play a game of ping-pong and, if you stay, dance to the suspended DJ’s funky set. It’s also gay-friendly, so head there for late-night mingling. 13 Swedenborgsgatan, T 46.8641.1340, W www.morfarginko.se Riche This bourgeois restaurant from the 19th century was modeled after an elegant French eatery, with crystal chandeliers, gold-framed mirrors, linen tablecloths and a luxurious décor. The spot is still a favorite among the riches and the hipsters, and everyone is dressed to the nines. If you feel peckish, order smoked fish, pumpkin risotto, lobster soup and fine Pinot Blanc. 4 Birger Jarlsgatan, T 46.8545.03560, W www.riche.se Spy Bar Celebs and hangers-on have frequented this mythical Stureplan spot for years, but a recent revamp has improved the vibe a little. Wear your sexiest Acne dress and charm the bouncer shamelessly – or else you won’t get in! Inside, a lively crowd of media execs, scenesters and hotties await you. The party may not pick up until 3am, by which point your wallet may be empty, especially if you’re sending champagne to lovely models. 20 Birger Jarlsgatan, T 46.8545.07600, W www.spybar.se Gossip No. 15
Gondolen Known as the best cocktail spot in Stockholm, this suspended gondolastyle bar also has the best views in the city. Head there at sunset and enjoy the port, water and 18th- and 19th-century buildings of the Swedish capital. Drinks and food are pricey, but order a beer and chillax, Scandinavian style. 6 Stadtsgarden, T 46.8641.7090, W www.eriks.se
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Citizens | Jared Leto
Smells like Jared Leto Text Marion Renard
The front man for rock band 30 Seconds to Mars and the new face of Hugo Boss’ Just Different cologne answers Gossip’s fragrance quiz
What smell reminds you of your childhood? The smell of burning wood. Which scent reminds you of your adolescence? Marijuana. Of your adulthood? Airports and hotels. Which smell brings back memories? A Brut de Fabergé bar of soap and deodorant that my grandfather gave my brother and I. What’s the smell of love? If I’m happy, a rose. What’s the smell of romance? Hot wax from a candle. Which is the sexiest smell? Cleanliness. What’s the scent of your girlfriend? Something simple, and a bit spicy. Which smell makes you happy? The mountains. Which smell makes you sad? Popcorn. Which smell do you hate? Bad breath. Describe the Hugo Boss fragrance Just Different. For the moment, it’s me!
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Oct-Nov 2011
Najla el Zein | Citizens
multimedia girl Text Natasha Dirany
From floating clouds to DIY cardboard furniture, Najla el Zein’s designs turn fantasy into reality Najla el Zein is coming to the end of a lifechanging year. “If you’d told me a year and a half ago you’re going to move to Lebanon in six months, I would have said ‘no way.’” Born to Lebanese parents, the multimedia designer grew up in Paris, before moving to the Netherlands’ second city, Rotterdam, to pursue her career. It’s only been a year since she took the gutsy decision to up sticks for Beirut, but her work is now on display throughout the city. The 27-year-old thanks the Starch Foundation for her quick exposure. The Downtown Beirut boutique, which showcases the designs of Lebanon’s brightest, spotted her talent after she created an installation for beirutrestaurants.com made from Gossip No. 15
napkins and business cards collected from restaurants throughout the city. For Starch, she was asked to add some scenography to the boutique’s interior – you may have already seen the cloud that is dreamily suspended above the space. “It alters the perception of the space, but at the same time it’s soft, feminine and elusive. It gives a coziness.” Since then, El Zein has also installed a cloud in Bokja Design, and a black version in SMO Gallery. But she grimaces when asked if it’s a recurring theme in her work. She doesn’t like to be pinned down – even defining exactly what she does can cause problems. “I can’t put a name on what I do. They ask me, ‘What are you?’ I can do different things.”
“Things” include experimental cinema, ceramic design and interior design. But her work is tied together by one distinctive theme: she likes to mix things up. A graduate of Paris’ Ecole Camondo, El Zein says that the surrealist movement is a constant inspiration. Her favorite artist is Magritte, and a controversial installation she created for Maison Rabih Kayrouz using human hair is alive with the Belgian artist’s trademark absurdism. She plans to stay in Beirut and is now working on, among other things, a sculpture made of spoons and her own line of self-assembly cardboard furniture, “Cardboard Factory.” “Reality is very boring,” says El Zein. When you have an imagination like hers, it certainly is!
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Style | Walter Van Beirendonck
The stuff of fantasy Text Serena Makofsky
Belgian fashion designer Walter Van Beirendonck is on cloud nine
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Rules and boundaries are of little interest to Walter Van Beirendonck. During the Belgian fashion designer’s art show “Paradise Pleasure Productions,” he described his installation as “a big ‘fuck you’ to all the religions, media, governments and people who are trying to influence or change the perception of the world. Censorship and limitation of expression has to be stopped.”
freedom, the supernatural, gender-bending and space travel.
The artist credits the 1988 London Fashion Fair as his breakthrough. His avant-garde entourage, The Antwerp Six, was frustrated over lack of media attention. They rented a truck and hauled their collections to the fair. Beirendonck continues to incite attention. From Sexclown to Skin King, his shows, which feature surprising twists, have alluded to cartoons, terrorism, fetishism,
In 2010, Art Brussels invited Beirendonck to participate, and he came up with “Triple X -- Wonde® Gallery,” an imaginary gallery represented by logos and marketing but with no actual content. He explains that his art springs from the same motives as his design, “to tell a story in a way that raises a smile, but at the same time communicates deeper [criticisms].”
Beirendonck cites literature, art, nature, music and world cultures as his influences. His first inspiration was David Bowie. When the then-teenager heard “Ziggy Stardust,” he realized you could change your public persona to communicate new concepts. Some of these are more conceptual than others.
His spring/summer 2012 show, titled Cloud #9, inspires all smiles. What begins with tailored blazers and cropped pants in ethereal blues and whites flows into pops of yellow, grass green and pink, veering toward near-punk clashes between exaggerated plaid, gingham, checks and abstract designs. Then the clothing is all but abandoned, as models don soft sculpture: an acid orange faux fur blazer, a grassy green dome, bubblegum pink cigars and, finally, a fluffy cloud more plush toy than outfit. Big projects are afoot for the Belgian visionary. This fall, Antwerp’s ModeMuseum showcases “Dream the World Awake,” a major retrospective tracing three decades of Beirendonck’s boundary-breaking and scene-making, on and beyond the catwalk. It’s more evidence the designer is Jung-at-heart. Oct-Nov 2011
Walter Van Beirendonck | Style
Gossip No. 15
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Marvelicious
Milla Text laureen ortiz Photos Kenneth capello Styling jennifer eymère
Hollywood actress Milla Jovovich has a new movie and a new music record in the works She’s only 35, but Milla Jovovich is already a Hollywood legend. A successful actress (she starred in The Fifth Element and the Resident Evil film series) and top model (she was the face for Prada, and in 2004 she was the highest paid model in the world), the Ukrainian-born beauty has attained a certain maturity over the years, and she now spends as much time as she can with her daughter, while trying to develop her budding music career. Her newest film, Faces in the Crowd, will be in theaters this October. She took time out from her busy schedule to chat with Gossip about her family, her career and her music. 1. Do you have a hidden passion? I’m an actress, and you know that I can make believe that I have a nice voice. However, charisma is what counts on stage and music is definitely a passion of mine. 2.
How did you get your first big break? Let’s be honest, my perfect face and body are what helped me start my career. My parents had nothing when we first arrived in LA. My mom always wanted to create a star out of me, so she signed me up for dancing and acting courses at a very young age. When I was only nine years old, an agent approached her and asked her if I could do a Disney movie. Right after this first exposure, the Italian magazine LEI noticed me. This was at the end of the ‘80s. 3. When did you first get into music? I released my first album, The Divine Comedy, in 1994. It was a blend of pop and Ukrainian folk music. 4. What are your plans for the near future? I’m going to devote myself to finally creating my second album. I am currently recording at night with some close friends. 5. How would you describe your upcoming album? Well, if I have to summarize my upcoming album in a few words, I would say that I tried to evoke magic, science fiction and outer space. I’ve featured lots of guitar and piano sounds on the album, since I’m great at playing both instruments.
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Oct-Nov 2011
YSL jacket, Supreme shirt and cap, and Claire’s earrings Gossip No. 15
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Sonia Rykiel dress, vest and shoes, Falke pantyhose and Supreme cap
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Oct-Nov 2011
Carven trench, jumpsuit and shorts, and Supreme cap
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Dolce & Gabbana jacket and pants, Marion Godart necklace, Claire’s earrings, Cartier Ballon Bleu watch and Supreme cap
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Oct-Nov 2011
Stella McCartney dress, Marion Godart necklace, vintage jacket, Supreme cap, Ballon Bleu watch by Cartier, Claire’s earrings and Cartier ring
Gossip No. 15
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D&G skirt, sweater and necklace, Falke socks, Vans shoes, Supreme cap, Cartier Ballon Bleu watch and Cartier ring
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Oct-Nov 2011
Proenza Schouler top, skirt, and bag, Marion Godart necklace and Supreme cap
Gossip No. 15
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YSL jacket and pants, Supreme shirt and cap, and Claire’s earrings
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Oct-Nov 2011
Louis Vuitton jumpsuit, Supreme cap and T-shirt, Pierre Hardy bag, Claire’s earrings, Marion Godart necklace, Ballon Bleu watch by Cartier, Falke pantyhose and Vans shoes
Gossip No. 15
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Style | Trends
Fall in line Styling Mouna Harati
Gossip checks out the top trends of the season
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3 Peter Pan
The ‘50s round collar trend is back this season on everything from knitted sweaters to dresses and blouses.
Cuff ME
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We wouldn’t mind being under house arrest with these cool ankle bracelets.
What’s Your Sign?
4 Mix Master
Stars and galaxies are crowding the runways this season as designers like Dolce & Gabbana look to the zodiac for inspiration.
gold and silver sitting in a tree! The onetime fashion don’t of mixing metals is definitely a do this season, so mix away.
hail the Moccasin Finally, a comfy shoe trend! Give your stilettos a break and enjoy the fall moccasin trend while it lasts.
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6 Open Wide
Big lashes are making a big impact this fall. Long, thick and luscious, fake or real, we’re loving this doll-eyes look.
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Oct-Nov 2011
Trends | Style
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Hat Attack
Man Up
Try a big, ‘70s style hat for an added touch of mystery and sophistication.
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The menswear look for women trend is still going strong. Mix wide tailored pants with a sharp shirt and fitted blazer.
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Round and Round
The round hobo bag trend, like this one from Marc by Marc Jacobs, hits the spot.
Get Naked
Nails go bare this fall, so swap out your dark shades of polish for barely-there colors.
It’s Going Down
This fall sees the return of classic silhouettes like the below-the-knee pencil skirt which can be oh-so-sexy!
12 Spot Me
Polka dots are popping up all over the runways, but large polka dots on hosiery like these by Marc Jacobs are especially fierce and unique.
Gossip No. 15
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13 The Clash
Defy the rules by mixing patterns and colors for a daring look that is so of-the-moment.
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glow White Photos Some Styling jennifer eymère
Azzedine AlaĂŻa bodysuit, MaxMara jacket, Falke tights and vintage head piece
Isabel Marant top, Shiatzy Chen skirt, Olympia le Tan bag and Walford pantyhose
Vintage T-shirt, Fifi Chachnil skirt and Falke socks
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Oct-Nov 2011
Sandro dress and Maison Michel hat
Hanro panties, Falke tights, Azzedine Ala誰a bodysuit, vintage headpiece and Gas Bijoux earrings
Vintage T-shirt, Max Mara skirt, Louis Vuitton bag, Falke socks and Christian Louboutin shoes
Gossip No. 15
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Style | Runway looks
BURBERRY
FRONT ROW: FAlL winter edition 2011-12 Tory Burch
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MARC BY MARC JACOBS Oct-Nov 2011
Runway looks | Style
CARVEN
CHLoé
MIU MIU Gossip No. 15
PAUL & JOE
DRIES VAN NOTEN
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SEVENTIES “it” girl Photos Mason poole Styling ANNE SOPHIE THOMAS
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Oct-Nov 2011
This page: YSL jacket, Stella Forest stole, Sportmax pants, Dolce & Gabbana bag, Dior watch, Pablo de Gérard Darel top and Maison Michel hat Opposite page: Maje coat, Vivienne Westwood pants, Sprung Frères stole, Gucci blouse and hat, Karry’O ring and Causse gloves
Gossip No. 15
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This page: Just Cavalli coat, Carven pants, Vivienne Westwood bag, Sandro hat, miu miu shoes and Dior ring and watch Opposite page: Sonia Rykiel jacket, Emporio Armani stole, ChloĂŠ top, Gucci hat, Cartier ring, Louis Vuitton bag and Dior watch
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Oct-Nov 2011
Gossip No. 15
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Oct-Nov 2011
This page: Paul & Joe coat, Maje shirt, Gucci pants, Balmain stole, The Kooples hat, ChloĂŠ belt and Au Vase de Delft brooch Opposite page: Gucci jacket, Balmain top, IrĂŠne Van Ryb pants, Vivienne Westwood bag, Au Vase de Delft brooch and vintage hat
Gossip No. 15
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Super size Me Photos Some Styling Marie Gibert
YSL dress and Thomas Sabo necklace
Prada dress, Repossi earrings and Louis Vuitton shoes
YSL dress, Thomas Sabo necklace and Christian Louboutin shoes
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Oct-Nov 2011
Lanvin dress, Repossi earrings and vintage watch
Sonia Rykiel dress, Christian Louboutin shoes and Repossi earrings
Sonia Rykiel jacket, Christian Louboutin shoes and Louis Vuitton bag
Azzaro dress, Thomas Sabo necklace and Falke pantyhose
Gossip No. 15
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Style | Shots
Fall fashion beat Text Sydney Reade
Dsquared Dean and Dan Caten have done it again. The twin designers’ new collection is a postmodern vision of the indomitable Wild West. Wild indeed! Early American settlers, Canadian coal miners and age-old pioneers have been transformed into 21st-century bikers, roller-bladers and fashion mavens with a rebel flair. Dig for the gold!
Alice + Olivia The classic novel, movie and musical Auntie Mame (the movie version starred the awesome Rosalind Russell) is the inspiration behind the fall/winter 2011-12 line for Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet. Beautiful beading, exotic furs and simple, sleek silhouettes combine to create a collection that’s 100 percent Mame: rich, chic and free spirited. Life is a fashion banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!
Diesel Black Gold When you want something extra special, throw yourself head first into Diesel Black Gold. The new fall/ winter range by Sophia Kokosalaki showcases a strong military influence (as with most Diesel collections), but this time around the designer drew on the uniforms of the 18th and 19th centuries and turned them upside down by infusing them with a rock ‘n’ roll vibe. Python leather pants and bell bottoms are two must-have items.
Halston Heritage
Versace Jeans The eminently kissable Timmi Radicke (you gotta love those lips!) looks incredible as the new face of Versace Jeans: he captures the label’s youthful spirit with incredible ease. Hot, hot, hot items include a black T-shirt with “LOVE” emblazoned on the front in fuchsia and a black bomber jacket that fits like a second skin.
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It’s Halston Heritage’s signature trait: dig up a retro look, combine it with something new, et voilà: you get a totally rad, totally hip new outfit. The latest fall/winter collection is all about clean lines and archive-inspired prints like hearts, polka dots and Halston’s very recognizable “H.” The brand’s chief creative officer, Sarah Jessica Parker, says that with this new range, Halston continues to break down fashion barriers.
Helmut Lang Nicole and Michael Colovos, the designer duo behind Helmut Lang, are obsessed with dressed-down luxury. Shearling jackets with uneven hems, long knit dresses with high slits and a fitted jacket with a fur lapel combine to create an edgy, downtown-inspired yet distinctively upscale collection.
Oct-Nov 2011
Gossip_UNISEX__SP.indd 1
8/2/11 1:41 PM
Style | Love bites
gourmet picks All things to make your tongue dance and your mouth water
branded cupcakes
Take a bite out of luxury with these mini delights branded with your favorite labels.
Icy makeover
Traditional Lebanese desserts are getting a fashionable makeover with new twists on old favorites like osmalieh ice cream (at Leila’s) and sahlab ice cream cake (at Secrets).
Tasty lips
Pucker up with flavored lip balms by Hershey’s, Reese’s and Twizzlers.
You gave me a tea fright!
Horror Picture Tea is a cool Paris spot that’s part tea room, part hip exhibition space. Think Ladurée on speed.
edible jewels
Young Lebanese jewelry designer Melodie Bou Rached creates unique and limited-edition baubles made out of polymer clay. Her label is Meli-Melo.
Sweet meat eat the fashion
Satisfy both your salty and sweet cravings in one bite, with artist Jasmin Schuller’s daring meat ice cream concoctions.
Italian photographer Fulvio Bonavia is known for his conceptual photos of food as fashion.
Manhattan eats
With enticing made-to-share menu items like mini ceviche tacos and truffle Mac & Cheese, New York’s CO-OP is the most fashionable restaurant in the city.
Brunch and more
Ginette in Mar Mikhael stocks hard-to-find brands like Aesop and also boasts a cute indoor/outdoor café, perfect for brunchy treats like waffles and pancakes.
Cherry on top
The hip cherry lamps by designer Nika Zupanc come in four cool colors and can be hung as a bunch or as a single cherry.
cookie monsters
Beirut bakery Cocoa & Co makes these amusing Angry Bird cookies. Bet you can’t stop after just one!
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your life is toast
Dutch photographer Wyne Veen makes fun of everyday living by shooting ordinary objects, like toast, in unusual ways.
Cake on a stick
Cake pops are giving cupcakes a run for their money! These miniature ball-shaped bites of cake on a stick are the next big thing in desserts.
Style food
scent of step
Artistic food
Hummel and candy-maker Haribo have teamed up to launch sneakers with candyscented soles: the Hummel X Haribo trainers.
Assouline’s American Fashion Cookbook includes recipes from more than 100 American fashion designers.
Berlin-based artist Sarah Illenberger uses food as inspiration. Her wacky creations include “Mc Forest,” a burger made of wood.
Oct-Nov 2011
Jewelry | Style
Devine it yourself Text Natasha Dirany
Ten years ago, Tatty Devine created cult classic jewelry from their flatmate’s guitar plectrums. Now their new book shows you how to do the same
The creations of London jewelry designers Tatty Devine read like a blog of hipster tattoos: dinosaur skeletons, guitar plectrums, nautical themes and peeling Velvet Undergroundinspired bananas. Designers Rosie Wolfenden and Harriet Vine are ex-art school scenesters who started their entirely handmade brand in the pre-Facebook world of 2001. And now, with the launch of their new book How to Make Jewelry with Tatty Devine this October, they’re handing over the glue gun to you. “It’s how to get into a Tatty Devine frame of mind. Finding stuff and thinking, ooh, that could Gossip No. 15
make a good brooch,” says Wolfenden, the bubbly brunette to Vine’s cool blonde. “It shows you the right glue to use and how to make a tape measure rosette.” The duo met while studying painting at Chelsea College of Art and Design in the late ‘90s. “We’d spend hours getting ready to go to college and then come out wearing exactly the same outfit,” says Vine. Both aspiring painters, they fell into jewelry by accident. “One night we were coming back from a local bar, and I found 18 sacks of leather left over from an upholstery shop and dragged it back to my flat,” says Vine.
They used the leather to make ’80s throwback cuffs and sold them at London’s offbeat fashion markets, where they instantly sold out. In six months they were doing deals with buyers at Harvey Nichols and Urban Outfitters. And on the pages of Vogue. “A Vogue stylist saw one of our belts,” Wolfenden recalls. “She said ‘I need that for my millennium shoot. Can you come to Vogue and show your collection?’ Harriet’s mum came up, and we sewed all weekend.” Now, 10 years on, Tatty Devine’s new fall/winter 2011-12 collection still embodies that same witty DIY ethos and love for perspex, inspired by patchwork, owls, forests and Scandinavian fabric design.
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Style | Denim
It takes every kind of denim Text Sydney Reade
Grab your jeans and get ready to rock
Dresses Denim dresses are all the rage at Diesel, where the fall/winter 2011-12 collection showcased a number of dresses with oodles of street cred. Highlights include a mini dress with spaghetti straps in dark blue denim and a similar model that combines tinted black denim with layers of black leather: all perfect for the rock ‘n’ roll diva that lives inside us all. Jackets Once upon a time, in the not-too-distant ‘80s, denim jackets were the single hippest fashion accessory that any gal or dude could wear. Well, get ready for a big rewind, because these jackets are back, most notably at Diesel, Siwy and Seven For All Mankind. Seven’s jackets are either washed out or dark, dark, dark, and most are beautifully fitted, enhancing the natural shapes of boys and girls. At Diesel, the jackets are adorned with flaps and oversized zippers, while at Siwy, the one key piece is a tiny, micro jacket that exposes the midriff.
Alexa Chung
Chloë Sevigny
Clémence Poésy
Whitney Port
Shirts Diesel and Seven For All Mankind are both big on shirts this season. At Diesel, denim shirts for women are extra-long, reaching well below the waist and looking terribly sexy when worn with a belt that sits right on the hips. Shirts at Seven, much like the brand’s jackets, are available either in a light color wash with bleached patches or in ultra-dark hues. Jeans Jeans remain the single hottest item of any selfrespecting fashionista’s wardrobe. Styles from Seven For All Mankind include super skinny jeans with side flap pockets and tapered jeans with tears near the pockets and above the knee. Citizens of Humanity has a nice selection of colored jeans (the purples ones are rad!) and styles that range from super skinny to ultra-flared. Most styles are super tight at Siwy. The label’s jeans are heavy on bleach this season, and many are cut to end well above the ankle: a new sort of Capri style.
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Oct-Nov 2011
Makeup | Style
Makeup hall of fame Text Tala Habbal
Gossip checks out the hottest beauty buys of the year Face Best liquid foundation
Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation with SPF15 comes in various shades for different skin tones and provides just the right amount of coverage for young, dewy looking skin.
Face Best face exfoliator
Face Best primer
A long summer of sun and heat can make skin look dry and dull. Made of rice bran, Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant helps gently dissolve dead skin cells, leaving skin brighter, smoother and ready for fall.
Benefit’s That Gal Brightening Face Primer creates a smooth canvas for applying foundation.
Face Best bronzer
Mac’s Semi-Precious Mineralize Skinfinish in Crystal Pink gives skin a perfect, not too dark, sunkissed look with just a hint of shimmer.
Eyes Best eyeshadow
Nars Cream Eyeshadow Duo in Burn it Blue offers two shades of ocean blue and turquoise for that perfect pop of color on the eyes.
Face Best concealer
A perfect concealer is key for a flawless face. Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Concealer Kit in Porcelain includes a versatile concealer and pressed powder to instantly cover dark circles while maintaining the skin’s moisture level.
Lips Best lip scrub
Eyes Best false lashes
Philosophy’s Kiss Me Exfoliating Lip Scrub gently gets rid of chapped, flaky lips, leaving you with a perfect base for bright lips.
Lips Best lip treatment
Lips Best red lipstick
Mac lipstick in Russian Red has been a constant favorite in this category among celebs and makeup artists alike. The deep matte red hue is a modern take on trashy red colors.
Add some flair to ordinary lashes with these limited edition Illamasqua “decadence” silver crystal false eyelashes.
Eyes Best mascara
Ole Henriksen’s African Red Tea Exfoliating Lip Salvation is an allnatural, hydrating lip treatment that moisturizes and nourishes the lips with an anti-oxidant rich red tea infusion.
Lancôme’s Hypnôse Doll Lashes Mascara lifts and extends lashes to create an almost doll-like look. Gossip No. 15
Eyes Best liquid gel eyeliner
Bobbi Brown’s long-wear gel eyeliner comes in cool shades of olive, violet and black and glides on easily for a long-lasting, smudge-proof, cat’s eye look.
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Citizens | Creon Eftychis
Animated expression Text Veronique Loger
Creon Eftychis is one cool animator: even his sexy little geisha is quirky and sloppy, like Eftychis himself Although South African Creon Eftychis had always dreamed of animating for Walt Disney, his path diverted slightly, and he ended up as head animator for Kelly Rowland’s music video “Everywhere You Go” in 2010. Not bad for a guy who rates Garfield as his childhood hero. “It’s quite scary, because he doesn’t achieve much,” says Eftychis about the cartoon cat, admitting to being rather lazy himself. Clearly he has a warped definition of laziness. Not many 30-yearolds can claim to have directed TV commercials at the age of 25, and gone on to design a limited-edition Coca-Cola bottle, as well as produce stills, fillers and title sequences for MTV. “I’ve always been fascinated by music videos and animation,” Eftychis says. “I still watch MTV so much – I actually need to grow up!” His design style has managed to set him apart in his country, landing him a lot of cool jobs in the pop-culture market, including heading up the animation and design team at a national music television station. Simple and colorful vector-based stuff is what he produces, with showreels that are filled with engaging characters and dancing backgrounds. “I love character design the most,” he says, showing off one of his proudest creations, a quirky little geisha. “She’s pretty cool,” he says in admiration, talking about the inspiration he finds in the detailed geisha outfits and hairstyles. “Even without seeing her hands, she can be so expressive. Geishas are supposed to be taken seriously, but mine is quite sloppy and doesn’t care about how she should behave – kind of like me,” he adds. “I guess I relate to characters because I can express myself through them better than I can through language.” A three-minute animation can sometimes take two-and-a-half months of work – designing and animating a scene – and Eftychis admits this can be tedious, with many long hours behind a computer screen. At times he longs for the days when he used to be a graphic designer working in the print medium. “I loved the simplicity of crafting an image,” he says, but admits that animation has added another dimension to his work. “It’s one thing to draw a character, but it’s another thing to make it come alive and portray emotion.” His characters may be a little edgier than the Disney dudes he used to watch as a child, but the life he’s creating for them is equally magical.
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Oct-Nov 2011
Ice cream | What to do
Lick it good Text Natasha Dirany
Forget Ben & Jerry’s. The Icecreamists serve up cones that would make Kurt and Courtney proud Ever fancied trying ice cream with breast milk? Now’s
Other headline-grabbing “vice creams” include “Sex
your chance. That’s just one of the ingredients that
Pistol,” a fior de latte ice cream laced with Viagra and
make up the menu at The Icecreamists, an ice cream
Absinthe that’s served through a hospital drip, and the
boutique in London’s Covent Garden that serves rock
“Molotoffee Cocktail,” a riotous mix of dulce de leche
‘n’ roll flavors so hardcore The Sex Pistols, Lady Gaga
ice cream, crème de banane, meringue and atomized rum
and the British government have tried to ban them.
spritzer, blowtorched at your table. Inside the store, anarchic combinations such as chili and ginger are served
“It’s not everybody’s cup of tea but I don’t give a fuck,”
by baristas whose uniforms wouldn’t look out of place
says Matt O’Connor, the foul-mouthed mastermind
in a sex shop. Even the cones are charcoal black. “But
behind the subversive scoops, whose vision is to create
at its core it’s about freshly made natural ice cream. We
ice cream that’s “a bit twisted, a bit deviant.”
make the batches every morning around the corner.”
Four hundred women donated breast milk to make “Baby
O’Connor is used to controversy. He’s also the founder
Gaga,” which sold out within hours. The local govern-
of UK activist group “Fathers 4 Justice,” whose stunts
ment immediately banned it, but they were unsuccessful
include scaling Buckingham Palace dressed as Batman and
and it returned to the shelves – until Lady Gaga sued.
Robin and throwing condoms at Tony Blair. In fact, the name “icecreamist” was coined during an interrogation
“She was stalking me. She owns ‘Gaga’ so we had a big
with the police. “They were worried about domestic ex-
bum fight with her over it.”
tremists. I said, ‘I’m not an extremist, I’m an icecreamist.’”
Hair | Style
Dye hard Text Natasha Dirany
There’s a hair-volution going on thanks to London’s cult colorists, Bleach I have a confession to make: ever
Teamed with a Chanel bag and sheer
October 2010, creative director Alexandra
stylist Bradley tells me, as we discuss the
since Claire Danes hung her head in a
blouse, Bosworth’s bleached tips look
Brownsell (along with business partner
various merits of dip dyes, pastel vs. neon
bathtub in the TV series My So-Called
positively ethereal; a far more ladylike
Samantha Teasdale and a styling team
and the ‘90s grunge revival. I opt for a
Life, I’ve had a penchant for dyed hair.
version of Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj’s
who wouldn’t look miscast in an American
dramatic Tequila Sunrise blend of pink,
The baby pink wig worn by Scarlett
garish bubblegum hues or the two-tone
Apparel ad) has worked on covers, cam-
orange and yellow. As Bradley works his
Johansson in Sofia Coppola’s Lost in
grunge look championed this year by
paigns and celebrities. It’s become such
magic, I thank the heavens I no longer
Translation further solidified my love.
Drew Barrymore.
a hit Bleach now has a second home in
live with my parents and start mentally
London’s fashion mecca, Topshop.
digging out my old Nirvana T-shirt.
But when a photo of Kate Bosworth with wisps of blue streaked through
The recent resurgence of peroxide can
her Malibu blonde locks appeared
be traced back to Dalston, East London,
“Yesterday we had a girl who wanted
touch” that makes Bleach’s rinses so
last August, my mind was made up: I
where Bleach has become something of
a leopard print look. We did it in pinks
distinct, but before I go Bradley does give
wanted to hit the bottle.
a cult. Since she opened her hair salon in
and purple – it looked really cool,” my
me a good tip: “Avoid white towels.”
Gossip No. 15
Brownswell refuses to reveal the “secret
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What to do | Design schools
A space to study art
Text Natasha Dirany, tala Habbal and anna leach
Alternative schools are defying educational norms by offering students new and challenging ways to learn all about art
Lebanon’s new Creative Space, located in a vault beneath Gemmayze’s Saifi Urban Gardens, is a hive that hums with creativity and dedication. Founder Sarah Hermez is a graduate of New York’s Parsons The New School for Design. After relocating to Beirut last year, she visited local NGOs, refugee camps and orphanages to find students aged 16 to 22 for the socially responsible fashion initiative, which is completely free and aims to “inspire and empower youth from various backgrounds through fashion design.”
Alternative Art College Lincoln The Alternative Art College, located in Lincoln, United Kingdom, is a nonprofit college that aims to promote “priceless knowledge” through seminars, events and workshops that fall under two categories: art action and political practice. Students are encouraged to voice their own interests regarding the direction of their course of study.
W www.alternativeartcollege.co.uk
SCAD
Italian fabrics donated by a “famous fashion designer” in New York. The event included a silent auction, and the profits were split between the five girls and the rest invested back into the space. “This is more work than I’ve seen in New York,” says instructor Caroline Shlala-Simonelli. “I’m kind of flabbergasted.”
“They’re all from different backgrounds: three Palestinians, one Lebanese and one Lebanese-Armenian. They all have the passion, desire and talent to be fashion designers. But they don’t have the means to go about it,” says Hermez.
With a lifetime of experience in the industry, the 73-year-old designer and FIT and Parsons teacher (she was Hermez’s “favorite teacher”) is a formidable fashion presence. Also of Lebanese origin, she took time out from New York for the project and, like Hermez and everybody else, has been bowled over by the results.
The project’s inaugural semester was a runaway success. The two-month course ended last August with an exhibition of the students’ creations: an impressive collection of handmade haute couture using
“If you really think about it there’s enormous creative memory here,” says Shlala-Simonelli, “there’s an enormous amount of talent. And it doesn’t have the vehicle it needs.”
world
With campuses in Atlanta, Savannah, Lacoste (France) and Hong Kong, SCAD touts itself as being the “university for creative careers” offering more degree programs and specializations (graphic design, art history, painting, printmaking, sequential art) than any other design and art university. W www.scad.edu
The Public School world This school has locations in Berlin, Brussels, Durham, Helsinki, LA, New York, Philadelphia and San Juan. There is no curriculum, and the prospective students suggest the classes by signing up online. Only after enough people have expressed interest in a particular class does the school find a teacher and offer the class. W www.all.
thepublicschool.org
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Department 21
London
With a unique name like Department 21, this school-within-a-school concept located on the campus of the Royal College of Arts in London is anything but a run-ofthe-mill college. Founded in 2009 by a group of Royal College of Art students, this collaborative project allows students from different disciplines to meet, share and work together beyond the borders of their own majors. W www.department21.com
Tusla Art Center Oklahoma
With classes at all levels offered in watercolor, calligraphy, cartooning, fabric art, mixed media and photography, the Tulsa Art Center in Oklahoma is the perfect academic setting for both newbies wanting to dabble in art or pros wanting to further their knowledge. W
www.tulsaartcenter.com Oct-Nov 2011
Design schools | What to do
The Burlington College Vermont With a unique non-graded evaluation system, The Burlington College in Vermont offers programs (Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees) in film studies, fine arts, humanities and social sciences. The intellectually spirited college also offers an individualized major, which allows students to design their own curriculum.
W www.burlington.edu
Massachusetts College of Art & Design Boston
The Massachusetts College of Art & Design offers students undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in fine arts, fashion design, painting, film, furniture design, photography and graphic design. The school is the first independent public college of art and design in the United States and the first art school to grant a degree. W www.massart.edu
The Art School Budapest
The Art School is anything but a conventional learning institution. The weekly courses are divided into categories like Flow 1 & 2, which are courses for anyone, regardless of age or skills, wanting to get their creative juices flowing. Then there’s Ars Modo, a selection of preparatory classes for those who are planning to apply to art school; Arteen, which are courses for those aged 14-17; and Fun Art courses, which are designed specifically for children. W www.funzine.hu/ event-art-school-in-budapest
The Cooper Union New York The Cooper Union in Manhattan offers prospective students four different departments of study: architecture, fine arts, engineering and social sciences. In addition to being one of the most distinguished art institutions in the United States, the school has offered a full tuition scholarship for every admitted student for the past 150 years. W www.cooper.edu
Aalto-Tongji Design Factory Shanghai Shanghai is full of elevators, so it’s no surprise to be greeted by one on our visit to the Aalto-Tongji Design Factory. What is unusual is to find two navy blue sofas inside it, each adorned with bright pink cushions and a white board attached to the one near the elevator’s wall-panels – as if it could be used for a relaxed, creative meeting space.
Pacific Northwest College of Art Portland In addition to offering both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in fine arts with courses like communication design, inter-media sculpture and animated arts, the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon also offers continuing education, studio certificate, youth and pre-college programs. W www.pnca.edu Gossip No. 15
“First impressions are important,” says Viljami Lyytikainen when we reach our destination above. “We want people to know they’re entering a different kind of space.” He moved to Shanghai from Finland last year to manage the Design Factory in Tongji University in Shanghai, a “little brother” to the original Design Factory at Aalto University in Helsinki. The Design Factory was established at Aalto University to physically show how people from different disciplines can work together in an innovative way. “We
wanted to establish a physical place that could function as a test bed,” says Lyytikainen, as he perches on one side of a square of colorful sofas in the middle of the Design Factory in Shanghai. Features that make this place different include a live video link-up with the Design Factory in Helsinki, a two-man sized pod for playing Nintendo Wii, a large self-service kitchen and a cat house for Typhoon, the rescued cat. “You cannot be creative if you work eight hours a day,” says Lyytikainen. “You need to disengage every now and again.” As well as running university courses in the space, companies like Haier, the biggest home appliances brand in China, and Microsoft run projects with students here. “Whether you are a professor or a student or working for a company, the policy is the same for everyone,” says Lyytikainen.
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Music | Nicolas Jaar
Space travel soundtrack Text Serena Makofsky
Music man Nicolas Jaar has released one of the year’s hottest albums Nicolas Jaar is not in a hurry. The man and his music have a laid-back vibe, as if sounds just flow through him, of the moment. Why should he rush? The dude is 21, a student at Brown University, and has recently released Space is Only Noise, which some are calling the year’s best album. Jaar’s success may have come early, but it didn’t happen overnight. Born in New York but growing up in Chile, he started making music at age 14, citing Erik Satie and Ricardo Villalobos as influences. By 17, he was back in New York. He put together The Student EP, which was picked up by Brooklyn label Wolf + Lamb. The next year, he
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created the label Clown and Sunset and released his full-length debut. From “Être,” the opening track, you’re in for a journey. Rippling waves and French and English vocal clips pull you in with their siren song. The effect is warmer than electronica, stronger than trance. Critics have lauded the music as sublime and eerie, classifying it as electronica, techno, ambient, house, lounge and African jazz. Jaar likes to keep people guessing. During an interview in Paris, he said, “I try to go against making something that could be put into a specific genre.”
One fan describes the album as a “mix tape you would make for your alien girlfriend.” Jaar would appear to agree, calling his tracks “weird mashups.” But the music does not noodle aimlessly. Jaar attaches his songs to a melodic line, as winding and subtle as it may be. By the time you revisit “Être” for the final track, you feel as if you have been meditating, but at a very funky meditation retreat. The artist explains, “…it’s more interesting to have a story being told than just five club-friendly tracks, and then three atmospheric, kind of druggy tracks. That’s just a stupid formula.” Jaar insists, “I’m here for the music.” Oct-Nov 2011
Albums | Music
Back to cool Text serena makofsky
Coldplay Mylo Xyloto When Coldplay dropped “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall,” the first single for the UK band’s fifth studio album, the response was lukewarm. The next single, “Paradise,” with a symphonic opening and pulsing beat that could underscore the culminating moment in any rom com, got more of a rise. Most intriguing is “Princess of China,” a track that has Rihanna sharing vocals. Singer Chris Martin reveals, “It took a while to pluck up the courage and ask her [to sing]…I was very Hugh Grant-like and sputtering about it.” The unlikely pairing deepens the sound of the essentially pop album. PLAYLIST Drake Take Care Canadian-American artist Drizzy has come a long way since playing Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi. Known for revealing his tribulations through song, Drake captivates with the song “Marvins Room,” a ballad centered around a guy drunk-dialing his ex. “Club Paradise” is a rant named after a Toronto strip club. The beat picks up with “Free Spirit,” featuring Rick Ross.
Lana Del Ray Video Games “I hear you like bad girls, honey.” This enticing lyric belongs to “Video Games,” the song and viral video that thrilled indie blog land. The “Gangsta Nancy Sinatra” could be busking in Edith Piaf ’s Paris or playing an arthouse cinema siren. She rocks multiple personas, evidenced as she glides from Cat Power-like husky utterings to soaring vocals à la Kate Bush.
Rabih Hajaig plays an eclectic mix of
electro, indie pop and hip hop music at
Bardo every Friday night from 9pm-2am.
When not playing records, he’s an activist who works in social development. This is
Blink 182 Neighborhoods Trademark fuzzy guitar opens “Heart’s All Gone,” a bonus track on the deluxe edition of this shortbut-sweet album. We last heard from the Cali pop punk band in 2003, though the members have explored side projects. Bassist Mark Hoppus described the inspiration behind the album title. “We’re all very different people…we’re like different neighborhoods in a city.”
his playlist for Gossip.
“El Hal Romancy” by Mashrou’ Leila “Genius of Love” by Tom Tom Club “Just Can’t Get Enough” by Depeche Mode “Air War” by Crystal Castles “Boyz” by M.I.A. “Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death from
Snow Patrol Called Out in the Dark Spending time outdoors – be it strumming the guitar on the beach or sitting in a phone booth writing lyrics – inspired the music on the Irish band’s latest EP. Singer Gary Lightbody, who once had to sell his record collection to pay the rent, has drawn international attention to the Belfast music scene. Here, his vocals walk the line between pop music and an indie edge.
Above” by CSS “Hustler” by Simian Mobile Disco “Pon De Floor” by Major Lazer “Marina Gasolina” by Bonde Do Role “Did It on ‘Em” by Nicki Minaj “Look at Me Now” by Chris Brown “Work It” by Missy Elliot “Hey Ya” by Outkast
J. Cole Cole World: The Sideline Story Three mix tapes that wowed the masses have generated buzz for the rapper’s studio premiere. The North Carolina MC claimed he had held back some of his best music for this album and that the songs represent “an emotional rollercoaster.” The tracks rock hard, with Cole keeping his delivery sounding raw, yet the production is tight, earning the debut rave reviews.
Gossip No. 15
“Disco Infiltrator” by LCD Soundsystem “Acceptable in the ‘80s” by Calvin Harris “I Like to Play” by Yuksek “Wanderlust” (Ratatat Remix) by Björk “Good Evening Mrs. Magpie” (Modeselektor RMX) by Radiohead
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Movie | Documentary
Disappearing act Text Serena Makofsky
Alec Soth’s haunting documentary uncovers the lives of modern-day hermits “Do you have hiding places?” This is the pivotal question photographer Alec Soth asks an interview subject in the film Somewhere to Disappear. In this case, hiding may mean creating a shelter far from civilization or it may mean hiding in plain sight, setting up camp under the radar and off the grid. Soth was fascinated by men who live in the margins of society, withdrawing from family, friends, neighbors, bosses and other people and obligations that consume our days and our thoughts. He embarked upon a journey across the United States to meet, interview and photograph these modern-day hermits. On his blog Little Brown Mushroom, Soth shares, “I very specifically just wanted to photograph men for this project.” European filmmakers Arnaud Uyttenhove and Laure Flammarion caught wind of Soth’s intentions. They jumped aboard his van with the goal of capturing the journey and the people they met on film.
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From winter 2008 through spring 2009, they covered 20,000 miles and traveled through every state in the country. Flammarion describes the filmmakers’ intrigue with the project: “We wanted to work with Alec Soth because we both loved his work, but he also has the skill to speak about it which is very rare. Few artists are good storytellers and very few know how to speak about their own work.” The artists talked with a monk camped in a ghost town, a hippie sheltered by the forest and conspiracy theorists, loners and survivalists who had retreated into desert caves and mountain cabins. Some stockpiled supplies for, in Soth’s words, “preparation for the decline of the American empire.” Others slowly opened up to Soth during interviews, exploring how the dream to disappear had informed their lifestyles. Flammarion adds, “We met a lot of people, all different. They all chose to leave society. But their reason is never the
same. There are young men and older ones, some are disgusted by society, some are afraid the end of the world is coming, some are very religious. Whatever, they all made this choice and most of the time we understood their point of view.” Soth, who describes himself as a “painfully shy person,” had the task of reaching out to people who had chosen to withdraw and live in minimal contact with others. As he gained people’s trust and heard their stories, he discovered, “In the end…you need other people. There’s always some connection to society.” The 57-minute film contains surprising moments of pain and joy and glimpses of a hidden, often beautiful, America. Soth finds a striking parallel between his chosen vocation of viewing scenes and people through a lens and his subjects’ yearning to hide. They share a need for the introspective journey, often against dramatic or desolate backdrops. Oct-Nov 2011
Pulse | Movie
Weddings, babies and the end of the world Text ruby gotham
on the big screen
Another Happy Day The setup may sound familiar – dysfunctional family gathers round to celebrate a wedding without igniting fireworks. But this drama, with a strong dose of humor, is fresh and deftly showcases its A-list ensemble cast. Ellen Barkin plays Lynn, the mother of the groom, who’s trying to hold it together for the weekend, all while contending with her own difficult-is-an-understatement mother (Ellen Burtsyn), and her brute of an ex-husband (Thomas Haden Church) and his current wife (Demi Moore). Then there are the rest of her kids to worry about – a damaged daughter (Kate Bosworth) and two sons, one who’s a serial rehab-er (Ezra Miller) and the other who lives through the lens of a video camera.
Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
Toast
Paranormal Activity 3
Melancholia
That must have been one hell of a honeymoon for the vamp heartthrob Edward Cullen and his still-human (for now) Bella Swan. After a wedding to rival Kate and Will’s, the fourth film of the Twilight franchise has the couple vacationing in Brazil, where they finally get down to the business of passion. Bella becomes pregnant but not everyone is happy about the soon-to-be bundle of joy.
A touching coming of age story set in early ‘70s England. The British import shows that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Or, at least Nigel Slater (Freddie Highmore) and the rival for his father’s affections, housekeeperturned-stepmother (Helena Bonham Carter), believe it is – as they continually try to one up each other with culinary creations for Mr. Slater.
For the third installment of this supernatural horror film, we’re going back in time, back to 1988, when our girls Katie and Kristi were kids – and first stalked by the demon. Directed by the wily guys who helmed Catfish, it’s no shocker that this prequel is super smart, while still bringing the same scares as the first two films. The combination of old home video plus new (continuing) story is pitch-perfect.
Directed and written by Lars Von Trier, this art-house hybrid – equal parts sci-fi and drama – features Kirsten Dunst, Alexander Skarsgard and Kiefer Sutherland. The film focuses on two very different sisters, Justine (Dunst) and Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg), and how they deal with the impending end of the world. Strong performances and amazing visual effects make this film far from a been-there, seen-that.
flicks to download
Friday Night Lights: The Complete Series High-school football is the center of this extraordinary TV drama that always brings touching life lessons. Gossip No. 15
Scream 4
Hot Coffee
Turtle: The Incredible Journey
Life of Lemon
V: The Complete Second Season
Fast-forward 10 years and all the key players are back (plus some new ones). Ghostface is still after Sydney in this delicious Wes Craven screamer.
This doc sheds light on the infamous McDonald’s coffee lawsuit. It has a lot more to do with corporate greed than a woman with frivolous beef.
A fantastic adventure that follows a li’l Florida-born loggerhead, as she swims on the Gulf Stream, landing on the African beach where she was born.
The power of one is palpable here, as an unhappy repairman finds the nerve to go after his dreams when befriended by a homeless man.
The secret of 29 (as in the number of motherships and number of global sites they hover over) is revealed, as the aliens get closer to carrying out their plan.
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What to do | 24 hours
24 hours in New Orleans Text Shirine Saad
They don’t call it the Big Easy for nothin’. Sun, music and dancing on the streets, booze, warm people and spicy cuisine: New Orleans has been a festive town since the very beginning, despite recent natural and environmental disasters and the ever-present ghost of slavery. Go during one of the festivals or travel off-season for a quieter, more laid-back adventure
Noon
Check in at International House This contemporary hotel offers dapper luxury with a twist in the Business District, steps away from the more touristy French Quarter. Decorated by LA designer LM Pagano, the space has a unique vibe, with wrought-iron bedside tables and totem-inspired coffee tables. There’s also a spa, gym, bar and Rambla, a Spanish-style tapas restaurant. W www.ihhotel.com
gospel and more. The chaps here are happy to help you with anything you want, and they’ll also recommend contemporary New Orleans music. Local favorites include the Rebirth Brass Band, trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and the Preservation Hall band. You can also buy music T-shirts and old postcards to mail to your friends. W www.louisianamusicfactory.com
1pm
Faulkner House Faulkner House is a charming bookstore located on a tiny street named Pirate’s Alley and housed inside William Faulkner’s former residence. It’s here that the late, great American author wrote some of his New Orleans-inspired books, including New Orleans Sketches and Mosquitoes. At the bookstore you’ll find Faulkner’s books as well as works by Tennessee Williams, Walker Percy and contemporary southern writers. W www.faulknerhouse.net
Lunch at August Walk a couple of blocks to August, an elegant restaurant with high ceilings and light pouring from massive windows. Start with a glass of champagne, then savor award-winning chef John Besh’s delicate, creative cuisine, which uses ingredients from a nearby farm. Our favorites include al dente vegetables with a champagne truffle vinaigrette and handmade gnocchi with blue crab. The desserts are equally scrumptious; we recommend any banana-based treat for a real taste of New Orleans. W www.restaurantaugust.com
3pm
LA music factory This is where you’ll find old music from Louisiana: zydeco, soul, country, blues, jazz,
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4pm
6pm
Drinks at Cochon In the hip warehouse district, star chef David Link prepares Cajun-inspired meals that are casual and fun. Order a typical Mint Julep and a couple of appetizers, such as fried alligator, gumbo and fried boudin. Yes, the word “fried” will be recurrent on
local menus. You can always work it off with a jog along the Mississippi! W www.cochonrestaurant.com
8pm
Dinner at Galatoire’s You must experience Southern elegance while in New Orleans, and Galatoire’s, a French restaurant founded in 1905, is one of the best old-school spots in town. Order shrimp remoulade, where the seafood is dressed with horseradish, Worcester and hot sauce, and a bouillabaisse, followed by a banana bread pudding. Make sure you have plenty of wine, and finish with a café brûlot – hot bourbon and coffee. W www.galatoires.com
10pm
Frenchmen Street This is where live music is played on every street corner and in every bar. Start with a cocktail at The Three Muses, then go to The Spotted Cat for some good traditional jazz, DBA for more adventurous music and Dragon Den for reggae. Maison has cool lineups, and Snug Harbor is known to host the most prestigious names in town. You can walk around with your drink in hand (in a plastic cup) and hit every spot in the area, then head to the shores of the Mississippi River and watch the sun rise over the Big Easy. Oct-Nov 2011
24 hours | What to do
Gossip No. 15
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What to do | Beirutkon
Carlo Massoud
Anastasia Nysten
MArc Dibeh
Beirut: do it your way Text AG Joy
Three young designers have reinvented the traditional Beirut souvenir Three young Lebanese creators are trying to change people’s perception of the typical Beirut souvenir. What they’ve come up with is a new kind of keepsake that visitors (and residents) can use to personalize their own experiences of the city: interactive mementos, so to speak. During a workshop Carlo Massoud, Marc Dibeh and Anastasia Nysten took as graduating Industrial Design students at ALBA, an Italian designer heading the workshop asked participants how they saw Beirut. He also took out a map and enquired about where he should go, and what he should see. So, they began to fill in the map with colors indicating directions to certain sites. When they finished, they had the concept for Map It Your Way, the first
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of five product ideas that combined became “Beirutkon.” The other four are: Light It Your Way (tracing paper strips that can be colored and wrapped around a candle holder); Tile It Your Way (40 paper tile squares based on 10 traditional patterns that are put together to create different designs); Tell It Your Way (six story boards created with the help of designer Joelle Achkar, each telling a different story of Beirut that can be combined to create various and often uncommon narratives); and Wear It Your Way (a floor-length T-shirt with dotted lines in various places so that people can cut along the lines to wear at their desired length). “It’s a more contemporary way to represent Beirut,” says Nysten. “It allows people to express their individual Beirut experience in their own inspired way.”
Each designer has also created other products of what Beirut means to him/her. “They’re all motivated by our way of living in our neighborhoods,” explains Nysten, whose stools – the tops are made of wicker or are perforated and click on to the legs – represent what she sees as an important part of time-honored Beirut street life. “This is just a beginning for us,” say Nysten, adding that her plan is for “Beirutkon” to move to other locations. “Beirutkon” was on view until the end of September on Beirut Art Center’s second floor – a space dedicated to promoting creative products by local designers. Oct-Nov 2011
Bulletin | Wireless
techbytes Spy and record A strange wedding has taken place at Sony between a set of binoculars and a camcorder, and the newborn kid seems to be super smart. It records high-def video, in 2D or 3D, with up to 20 times magnification power.
Gold hearing Showing off a gold tooth as a sign of wealth is definitely out. But try these Crystal Rock headphones dipped in pure gold, boasting highdef isolation, a monster cable and a plug that fits most iPhones.
Bike with a mind The Toyota Prius bike can shift gears just by thinking about it. The bike is made with carbon fiber, has internal cabling and boasts other advantages, but the man-machine interface part is what blows your socks off.
Paper flight Wanna impress your pals? Get the Electric Paper Plane Conversion Kit and add a motor to your folding invention. This easy-to-install gadget will make a paper plane fly much faster and further afield.
The slightest touch AOC’s Touch Monitor adds touchscreen functionality to desktop PCs and notebooks. The 22-inch, widescreen monitor offers a multi-touch feature that is ideal for gaming, education, entertainment and photo apps.
Baby chopper The Griffin Helo TC is a remotecontrolled helicopter that can be flown by iPhone, iPod touch and iPad using the Helo TC App, which transforms the multi-touch display into flight controls.
Underwater heartbeat There’s a new audible heart rate monitor for swimming and water fitness. The Finis AquaPulse announces while you’re swimming: you don’t have to pause and look at a watch. A bone conduction audio announcement verbally conveys your heart rate through your cheekbone into your ear.
In control Control your entire home entertainment system right from your fingertips with the Griffin Beacon. This wireless AV controller transforms your mobile iOS device into a universal remote. The Beacon converts Bluetooth signals into the infrared signals required to control audio/visual components.
BLOGS
rookiemag.com The world’s youngest fashionista, Tavi Gevinson, recently launched a new website/blog. Created especially for teenage girls, the site is updated three times daily. Gossip No. 15
blog.urbanoutfitters.com Urban Outfitters’ blog is one whacky affair. Cities covered include Berlin, San Francisco and Paris, and topics cover everything from fashion, TV and travel to animals, comedy and tech.
fathomaway.com Fathom is one of the hottest new travel blogs to hit the Net. The blog reflects the way that wired travelers plan, purchase and share their travel experiences.
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Movie | Show
Love at first howl Text Ruby Gotham
MTV’s new show Teen Wolf’s got a lot of bite Dark, sexy and overflowing with teen hormones, angst and romance, the new MTV series is far from your parents’ Teen Wolf. Sure, Michael J. Fox was awesome in the 1985 flick – but it was more tongue-in-cheek than real bite. While the basic premise of the original movie is intact, the 21stcentury version is more closely related to the beloved ‘90s Buffy the Vampire Slayer series with its “high school as horror movie” premise and teen/ adult crossover appeal. (Yes, shades of Twilight are undeniable as well.) Of course, the fresh hottie cast, all of whom have mad acting skills, are what truly put the sizzle in the remake, which has been picked up for a second season. Scott McCall (Tyler Posey) is the
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adorable lacrosse-playing dork turned werewolf. He’s a regular 16-year-old living in a small California town until he gets “made” in the first 10 minutes of the first episode, when he and his best friend Stiles (Dylan O’Brien) hit the woods in the middle of the night, searching for the body of a murdered girl. When Stiles’ cop-dad finds him, Scott is left alone and that’s when he suffers a mysterious animal bite. Soon thereafter, bouts of rage, supersonic hearing and other strange symptoms begin to take hold of him. With the help of sleuthing Stiles and Derek Hale (Tyler Hoechlin), who it turns out is a grown-up werewolf, Scott learns what that bite in the woods means.
Now, not only does Scott have to contend with all that becoming a werewolf entails, he has to maintain his daily school routine and his growing status as a lacrosse superstar. This last part does not sit well with Jackson Whittemore (Colton Haynes), captain of the team and nemesis of Scott. And then there’s Allison Argent (Crystal Reed), the pretty new girl Scott instantly falls for. But Allison is unraveling secrets of her own, including the fact that she comes from a long line of werewolf hunters. Balancing relationships, dodging dangerous situations and avoiding being outed characterize Scott’s new life. Hard choices and new discoveries are made. Full moon, here we come. Oct-Nov 2011
Bullets | Green
ecobuzz Text Ziad Gedeon
Every aspect of our lives can take on a green sheen – really! Look at fashion designers, for instance, who are now dishing out inventions like paper-bag dresses and eco-friendly shoes, all with a stylish edge to boot. There are also wooden cars and bikes, T-shirts that charge phones and even grenades that explode into plants. It suddenly seems easy to go green! 1.Bike away
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Check out the Bonobo plywood bike. It’s light, features natural materials and most of it can be chucked into the fireplace once you’re fed up with it. It looks gorgeous, and like plywood chairs it absorbs vibrations, offering a clean ride. The bicycle features a single-speed drivetrain and boasts hydraulic disc brakes, promising to offer a comfy ride on flat surfaces. 2. Sleeping under the stars Is there such a thing as luxury eco-hiking? Well, now there is with the transparent Bubble Tent. There’s even a seaside version available, and tourists to France are already renting these fabulous prefabs. 3. Rooftop eco haven New York restaurateur John Mooney has created a rooftop farm above his restaurant Bell, Book and Candle in Manhattan. The idea is to use produce grown on the roof for his restaurant below. But you won’t find any soil in this rooftop garden. Mooney’s operation uses vertical hydroponics, a new form of agriculture based on the cultivation of plants in nutrient-rich water.
4. Flower bomb The Flower Grenade is an ingenious way to shout “make love, not war.” These biodegradable clay shells are filled with soil, poppies, buttercup seeds and rye grass. Toss a few from your window or around the corner, add some water and then watch them grow. 5. Splinter-wood car The Splinter-wood Car may be the world’s first wooden supercar! Its twin supercharged 4.6 liter V8 engine churns out an unbelievable 700bhp, more than twice that of a Porsche 911, racing at a top speed of 240mph. 6. Eco shoes When fair-trade footwear company Veja partnered with French label French Trotters, they created the ultimate fashion line of casual shoes made with an intriguing variety of sustainable materials. Wild Amazonian rubber and naturally tanned leather have yielded styles in navy, camel and white.
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Gossip No. 15
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Paper dress It might feel like a stiff paper bag from the supermarket at first, but if you wear it a few times this recycled paper dress will unveil its true design and dazzle onlookers. With time, handwritten inspirational quotes start appearing on the dress – attracting a flurry of attention! 8. Green movies Masdar, the up-and-coming eco city in the UAE, and the Abu Dhabi Film Festival are jointly awarding films that highlight the environment. The Our World award will go to the film with the most potential to raise public awareness regarding significant environmental issues. 9. Sound charge A UK mobile phone company teamed up with renewable energy experts to create T-shirts that charge mobile phones from the energy created by sound waves. It’s meant to work well in rock concerts, but Beirut’s noisy streets are sure to do the trick.
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Nightlife | Snapshots
big in beirut Photos tres colacion
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Oct-Nov 2011
Event mania | What to do
datebook Through October 15 Joanna Seikaly Gallery, Beirut
Through November 10 US tour
October 12-25 Running Horse, Beirut
October 15 Pier 7, Beirut
Group Painting Exhibit
Panic at the Disco
The Manner of Silence
Keri Hilson
The works of artists Semaan Khawam, Maria Kassab, Chantal al Goraieb and others are on display at the Gemmayze gallery.
The alternative rock band performs hits like “I Write Sins, Not Tragedies” in multiple cities across the United States.
The latest works by Iranian artist Maryam Amini are featured in this solo exhibit. The artist will be at the gallery during opening week.
American R&B sensation Keri Hilson comes to Beirut for a live performance of hits like “Pretty Girl Rock” and “Knock You Down.”
October 15 Frankfurt
October 15-22 Prague
October 18-23 Lille, France
October 21-25 Moscow, Russia
Barrelhouse Jazz Party
4 + 4 Days in Motion Festival
Short Film Festival
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week
This traveling roadside show is the largest in the region and brings traditional jazz to Frankfurt’s scenic streets.
This unconventional eight-day event, now in its 16th year, features theater, dance, concerts, exhibits, film screenings and video art.
Short, independent films are screened at this event. A short film marathon see teams competing to create a fiveminute movie in 48 hours.
This huge fashion event promotes Russian designers like Tatiana Parfionova and international designers like Vivienne Westwood.
October 21-November 12 Hong Kong
October 27 Multiple cities
October 28-29 Paris
October 29 Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas
Marco Polo Bierfest
The Smokers Club Tour
Pitchfork Music Festival
Tiesto
In addition to great beer, Hong Kong’s 20th annual Marco Bierfest offers guests live entertainment and authentic German food.
Method Man, Curren$y, Big Krit and Fiend are a few of the big names performing on this massive 35-city tour.
This two-day event’s lineup includes Aphex Twin, Washed Out, Iceage, Cut Copy, Fucked Up and Erol Alkan, to name a few.
One of the greatest DJs of all time spins his pumping tunes at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel in Sin City.
October 30 Sheikh Hotel, Beirut
November 12-13 Orlando, Florida
November 18-20 Montmartre, Paris
November 26 Beirut
Halloween Party
Orlando Calling Festival
Artists’ Studios Open House Days
Handsome Furs
This Halloween, the ghouls and goblins will be out to play with a wicked costume party at Beirut’s Soma Lounge.
The lineup for this year’s festival includes Kid Rock, The Killers, Kid Cudi, Bob Seger and The Roots, among others.
Artists and craftsmen in the Anvers/ Abbesses area of Montmartre open their studio doors to visitors interested in viewing their work.
The Handsome Furs’ 2011 tour rolls into Beirut. The band perform some of their most popular songs during the one-night concert.
Gossip No. 15
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