BORN AGAIN CURL

Everyone knows that old adage, ” The grass is always greener”… I’ve felt that way about my hair ever since I can remember. At thirteen my hair experienced a major transformation, going from Pocahontas straight to teenage angst frizz. Then at age 25, I began traveling to Hong Kong for business and alas, I felt saved! I had arrived in the land where straight hair gets straightened. On each trip I looked forward to a day off, free to sit at a salon for 7 hours to undergo the process for achieving that board-straight ‘do. The end result was always so worth it, I’d come out looking like J.Lo for a mere $250.

My charade would last for 7 months til finally the truth would surface at the top of my crown…I am after all, and always will be- a frizzy, wavy haired girl.

Searching for a way to embrace my inner curl, I learned about Devachan, a hair salon located in Soho. Lorraine Massey, owner, made it her personal mission to create a place where curls would be treated with respect. In fact, she’s so passionate about curls, she authored a hilarious how-to manifesto for the curly-haired, called “Curly Girl.”

As every curly locks girl knows, wet hair takes on totally different properties which is why at Devachan, your cut is done when your hair is dry, preserving the integrity of each and every curl. After shaping your hair, the staff educates you on the importance of using products with no sulfates (the stuff that makes a lather) and your stylist teaches you the proper way to shampoo and condition your hair. Lastly, the attentive assistant follows with a 10 minute head massage to revive your follicles and balance your mind. Even hair-drying requires a certain technique but don’t be turned off, everything you learn at your appointment is easy enough for you to recreate at home.

Devachan even has their own extensive hair care product line made for all hair types. In a matter of weeks, your frizz turns to waves even Venus would envy. For the best service, I highly recommend Luciana…she’s super sweet and patient plus she really knows her stuff. If you’re lucky, she might even share her coveted hair secrets!

And to think, all these years I was thinking humidity was the enemy when it was really my shampoo!

 Email This Post to a Friend!

Stella’s at it Again!

If you didn’t hear yet, LeSportsac issued a press release yesterday announcing the collaboration between the iconic leading handbag manufacturer and one of our favorite designers of all time, Stella McCartney! Likely inspired by her two little tots, the bag line is said to be focused mainly on baby. Guess that means it’s the perfect time for all us ladies to start pushin’ em out! …Just kidding!

Check the press release below for more details.
_____
Stella McCartney to Design Limited Edition Travel Collections for LeSportsac
Monday January 29, 7:30 am ET

LONDON, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ — Stella McCartney announces she will partner with LeSportsac, a leading manufacturer of functional and iconic handbags to design a series of limited edition lifestyle collections focusing on travel bags, luggage and baby accessories. The first Stella McCartney for LeSportsac collection is set to launch in Spring 2008.
The collections will incorporate innovative elements of design and will focus on travel accessories with an emphasis on baby. Ideal for the modern woman that does not want to sacrifice style and luxury for function, the collections will be lightweight and multi-purposeful. The Stella McCartney for LeSportsac collection will embody the same ethics as the designer’s current luxury non-leather accessories collection that was launched in Fall 2006.

“LeSportsac has a strong history in making iconic non-leather goods and this is a unique opportunity for Stella McCartney to address a new category of accessories for the busy woman of today,” commented Marco Bizzarri, CEO and President of Stella McCartney.

“The collaboration with Stella McCartney marks the continuance of LeSportsac’s evolution into the designer accessory market,” said Steve Jacaruso, COO and President of LeSportsac. “We are able to tap into Stella McCartney’s creative vision and take the brand to the next level of high-end design and style.”

The Stella McCartney for LeSportsac collection will be available in high-end department stores and specialty stores including Stella McCartney boutiques and LeSportsac stores nationwide in Spring 2008. The collection will also available online.

____
Click on images to enlarge

BLOWOUTS IN BABYLON

Here are a couple things to keep you occupied on Thursday and Friday. PowerHouse Arena is kicking off their first “Industry Shakedown” party in a new series of afterwork parties at their spot in Brooklyn. Rich Medina on the tables.

On Friday step out to “Hello Nurse!” at Studio B. in Brooklyn. Check out the first ever appearance of Egyptian Lover in New York. Brought to you by RE:UP. Make sure to click on images to view the full flyers and RSVP info.

 Email This Post to a Friend!

The Confessional: Roxy “Oxy Cottontail” Summers

Hello, hello! It’s Monday, welcome to our 6th installation of the Confessional. This week we’re turning the spotlight onto a lady that gets plenty of it already, Miss Roxy Summers aka Oxy Cottontail. If you’re a New York partier then you’ve probably been to AT LEAST a few of her parties, if not you’ve most likely heard her name more than a dozen times. Since making her debut as a party promoter this girl has been stealing the spotlight left and right and with a new title of “performer/songwriter” under her belt you’ll be seeing and hearing lots more from her!

Can’t stop the bunny hop!

Read on to learn more about our favorite blondie bunny…

Name and Age, please:
Roxy Summers (aka Roxy, and sometimes Oxy Cottontail), Too young to Die

Marital status:
So single

Where are you from?
The rolling hills of Columbia, Maryland

How long have you lived in New York?
9.5 years with a brief 10 month hiatus in Philly after 9/11. So approx 8.5 years.

What neighborhood in NY do you live in?
I like to call my hood Curry Hill. But I think it’s Kips Bay or Murray Hill. Its dope, always got cabs and curry.

What are your favorite memories of New York since living here?
I have sooo many!!!!!!! Going to Pratt and my boyfriend Bill Buchina in those years, schooled me in Hip Hop and discovering every block of the city, Transportation Design classes with Prof. Martin Skalski and long late hours in the Trans studio, Riding BMX bikes with my friend and once roommate Justine D., a !!! Boat party, a party bodog.com threw in the jiggy ass Rainbow Room and Busta Rhymes performed 2 feet from my face (the dancefloor of Rainbow Room is rotating but you don’t realize it until u get off the dancefloor, it’s a fucked up way to get people more fucked up), Putting Hollertronix and Spankrock on in NYC, Meeting Aron the Don and working with him and building a scene together, this ill loft party in south Slope that Japanther performed at and I was swinging from the ceiling ona swing above the mosh pit the whole time, running game on dudes who think I’m a dumb blonde, taking mescaline and going to FAO Schwarts in 97, discovering CLAW at a photoshoot, becoming friends and having her for a mentor, bringing my parents to my parties, Harold Hunter (RIP), bringing the south to north with Houston So Real (Devin Tha Dude..SCREW YORK CITY, RIP DJ Screw), Bringing Andre Nickatina to NYC from the Bay, hustling in heels, partying with my posse of fly ass bunnies on the regular, taking JuJu of the Beatnuts to his first Spankrock show at the Bowery Ballroom, club kidding all day every day and becoming a club promoter and creating this fairytale life that is Oxy Cottontail. And in general making it rain on downtown NYC.

Did you give yourself the name Oxy Cottontail ’cause of the OC dosey?
More or less…Drugs and booty.

We hear you went to school for industrial design, is this true? What school did you attend and have you worked in the I.D. field?
Yeah its true! I went to Pratt Institute of Art + Design and graduated with a degree in Industrial Design. Before I became a promoter I worked in jewelry design, beauty branding and cosmetic packaging which is essentially accessory design, package design and indirectly industrial design. BUT, I have always felt like designing events is a more abstract industrial design. I design atmosphere in a weird way. I suppose I design the negative space of spaces?

How did you get started throwing parties and what kind of crowd was it for?
I started to throw parties because Justine D was my roommate for 4 years, I indirectly learned some tricks of the trade by living with her. I became a club promoter through osmosis. I saw her lifestyle everyday for 4 years and she saw the outgoing nature I have and made me a sub-promoter for Motherfucker. Then after 9/11, I moved to Philly and stumbled upon these really dope DJs/producers in Philly called Hollertronix and now more commonly knows as Diplo and Low Budget. I loved this party like my own….so I talked to Justine and she and Dave Pianka convinced me that I should promote them in NYC so I moved back and started promoting on the side with a fulltime design job. I threw the parties for anyone really, anyone who wanted to dance and get drunk to amazing music and booty shakin’ beats.

How are the parties you throw now different from the ones you were first throwing?
Well the parties I throw now are much more consistent. When I first started I really was just learning so much and doing it on a monthly or one-off basis. I was just learning the ropes, I got the ropes down now. There’s also more people coming out and now I have fans.

What do you consider a major turning point in your career this far?
Probably being interviewed on 20/20. The whole country saw it. MY extended family saw it. Also getting booked last year to DJ in Hawaii by Roxy Quiksilver for the Anniversary of 50 years of Womens competitive surfing was when I knew I had a good thing going.

You recently started writing and performing your own songs, how would you describe your music?
Hmm my music is kinda no wave disco nursery rap right now but I’m still finding my voice.

Click on images to enlarge

Where do you get your inspiration for your music?
My music comes from everything I see and hear. My life…the streets of NYC, nightlife, boys, fashion, John Waters films, beaches, my managers ear + suggestions, current rap and old school punk.

Who are your musical influences?
Xray Specs, Diplo, Wendy O Williams and the Plasmatics, Rod Lee, Madonna, The Zombies, Slick Rick, ESG, Roxanne Shante, Debbie Deb, Spankrock, Jay Z, the Misfits, Turbonegro, Trina, Trick Daddy, Armand Van Helden, Amanda Blank, Dre Skull and Jake Jefferson.

Tell us about your experiences performing so far. Where have you travelled and how did the crowd react?
Performing is amazing! I’m a ham and have sooo much fun on stage. I’m becoming a little bit of a comedian too. : ) Playing for Europe is sooo DOPE! I have traveled to Copenhagen, Paris, Vancouver and in February LA, Portland, Switzerland + Stockholm. Copenhagen was by far the best (thanks to super promoter Rasmus Schack in CPH) the massive crowd went insane for me. New York is weird cause it’s a lot of my friends and I’m not sure if they like me or like my music, or what they really think.

We hear your manager is our longtime mischievous friend, Peter Oasis. How did you two link? Is it true you two didn’t get along when you first met?
Ahhhh ha! Yeah Peter Oasis is my manager and he is holding me and my career down. I knew of him for awhile (he booked Hollertronix in 2004 through me) and we linked one day in the beginning of the 06 summer, he asked me to lunch…and I think he was just curious about me. We went to another lunch near the end of the summer and I was complaining about my work load and how I wanted to do so much more with music and my life. I told him I needed someone to manage everything for me and it dawned on me!….he was perfect for the job so I just asked him and he said yes! He is in fact Peter Cottontail so it makes sense. When I first met him in 04, I was judging him on the company he kept at the time. Which isn’t his fault but I just couldn’t stand this one person he worked with. He no longer works with said person so it’s all good now. Had he never worked with that person, I think we would’ve been working together a lot sooner. Live N Direct for life!!!!

You were in Miami for a minute, what’s going on down there?
Mami! Mami! Miami issss theeee shiiiaat!! I started hosting once a month down there for a party called Money $hot at Pawn Shop Lounge. The scene is super dope, the kids are really openminded, the nightlife is just as insane as Berlin but the weather is banging!! I always have a blast down there. Super promoters Jake Jefferson, Xavier Burt + DJ Contra at the bottom of the map always holding it down. I’ll be back this Thursday Feb 1st at Pawn Shop with DJ A-trak for Super Bowl weekend!!!

Click on images to enlarge

Give us a brief rundown of your promoting, DJing, and performing resume this far.
Oh wow. This will take too long. Check my site: www.oxycottontail.com

How many nights a week are you out?
3 paying nights and 1 or 2 to be seen and scope the scene. So ideally 4. I’m on the low more now that I’m traveling, writing and recording. I used to go out 6 nights a week.

What other projects or events are you currently involved or have recently been involved with?
I have 3 weekly parties right now in NYC:
Mondays, Sway - 305 Spring St. (I book the night and host)
Wednesdays, Higher Ground at Lotus - 409 West 14th St. (I host)
and Sweet Tooth every Thursday at NoCa - 323 W. Bway (I DJ + host)
I have a monthly party at Beauty Bar in Austin, Texas with DJ Prince Klassen called “Fun Times”
I have a monthly in Miami called “Money Shot” @ Pawn Shop Lounge
I’m working on a new NYC monthly with Bijules that will blow people from below the Mason Dixon away. I can’t wait for that. It’s coming soon.

I’m also a contributing writer to Missbehave Magazine with Justine D. Our column is called “Wanna Battle?” The next issue will be priceless! And I’m just in the lab working on music and traveling a bunch to DJ and perform.

Click on images to enlarge

You plan on coming out with an album?
I don’t want to say much about this but something is definitely going down.

Who’s work in the music business do you admire?
Peter Oasis, Justine D., Cosmo Baker, Madonna, Jay Z, Ego Trip, Jessica Rosenblum, Lyor Cohen, DJ Drama + Cannon, Disco D (RIP).

Is it tough being a female doing what you’re doing?
It was difficult to get established at first and I had to learn A LOT about what is personal and what is business. But now its easy, I love being a girl in this game of men.

Got a long term plan?
I don’t really think long term much but I guess eventually being bicoastal, wifed up and maybe acting. I’d love to be in a John Waters film before I die.

Do you have much free time? What do you do when you’re not working?
aNYthing said it best: “Never Not Working”
I have very little free time. But then again, my job has granted me a very free lifestyle so is it really a job? I have to ask myself sometimes because I love what I do sooooo much.
When I’m not working I listen to music and write. I also spend any free time with my family being an “angel” in Key Largo, Florida doing absolutely nothing.

Who are your favorite artists and entertainers of all time?
Madonna, The Plasmatics, Spankrock, Andrew WK, CatPower and Turbonegro

How would you describe your personal style?
Punk Rock New Rave

What’s your favorite accessory you own?
My walk-in closets. Yes, I own 2 of them!

What’s your favorite piece of clothing you own?
White Rabbit Fur

Where do you like to shop?
Thrift + vintage stores not in NYC, Sephora for beauty, JetBlue for miles

What are your favorite bars, lounges, clubs?
Sway (NYC), Love (NYC), The Pawn Shop (Miami), Beauty Bar (Austin), Ukie Club (Philly), Max Fish (NYC), MILK (SF) Studio B (BK), Opium Garden (Miami), F.U.N. (Berlin), Panorama Bar (Berlin), Fabric (London).

Name your top 3 fave restaurants in NY and what your favorite dish(es) is there.
Turkish Kitchen - The salads, Casik and the whipped caviar with bread (YUM!!!)
La Esquina - Fish Ceviche
Megu - Kobe Beef cooked on a hot rock and covered in Hennessey
(I hope this gets me a date)

What music have you been listening to lately?
My own music, Spektrum + Steed Lord

Whats your most recent discovery/exploration in New York?
VALLEY! Best manicures and Brasilian bikini waxes in town!

Do you plan on living in NY forever?
Always, NYC and a beach somewhere else.

What’s your favorite rolling paper. What’s your cocktail/drink of choice.
RIZLA Rolling Papers! I love Veuve champagne, Patron on the rocks, Café Patron shots, and Pink Vodka is good with soda and lime.

Who’s the hottest guy in New York?
I fancy Armand Van Helden a hell of a lot (we just did a song together!)

Who’s the hottest guy in Miami?
Jake Jefferson!!!! His beats are the best, he’s a sweetheart and a comedian too.

Name one New York woman that you would nominate to our Hail Mary! list.
Justine D.

Click on image to enlarge

 Email This Post to a Friend!

First Dibs on Proenza Schouler for Target

I was ecstatic when I received this email late Wednesday night. It was the best news I’d received so far in 2007 and it goes like this:

Please join us for this special collaboration we are doing with Proenza Schouler for Target. This is the one and only time you will ever see the COMPLETE collection under one roof, and it will be available at Opening Ceremony even before it hits Target stores nationwide!!

Our store will be filled solely with the Proenza Schouler for Target collection and we will be replenishing nightly. This four day event is open to the public:

Friday, Feb 2nd: 11-8pm
Saturday, Feb 3rd: 11-8pm
Sunday, Feb 4th: 12-7pm
Monday, Feb 5th: 11-8pm
__

The WHOLE Proenza Schouler for Target collection with prices that are going to seal the deal! Now are you just as thrilled as I am? I thought so! Saint Rita and I will see you there on Friday morning…

In case you were wondering, Opening Ceremony will be closed Tuesday Feb 6th to make room for the new Spring collections, reopening at 11:00am on Wednesday Feb 7th.

Opening Ceremony
35 Howard Street (at Broadway & Lafayette Streets)
New York, NY 10013
Tel (212) 219 - 2688
www.openingceremony.us
USA vs. Sweden

 Email This Post to a Friend!

Project New York

Thousands of folks gathered over the last few days to peep the new Fall 2007 collections at Project New York, the semiannual premium contemporary sportswear tradeshow which took place January 22nd-24th. On Tuesday I joined in on the fiasco to see if there was something worth reporting about.

First off, this season the show was at Pier 40 at West Houston and the West Side Highway, a big improvement from the Javits Center where it was held the last time I attended although not as nice as the Puck building where the show originally launched in ‘03. Registration was a bit of a headache this year even with my name listed in the computer twice (I spaced out on bringing my business cards.) I noticed quite a few frustrated individuals going through the same ordeal, good thing a friend of mine already inside was willing to put me on as her guest.

After wandering the unimpressive aisles for a while we finally saw something that caught our attention, Iron Army Denim from Canada. They had some really beautiful saturated pastel colored denim in pink, sky blue, and yellow… we also spotted a cute pair of highwaisted bib jeans with suspenders. We grabbed a freebie coin pouch and kept it movin’.

We decided to make our way to the back section and found ourselves checking out the new kicks developed by the folks at Reebok. There was a 25th year anniversary houndstooth style of the Freestyle Classic along with other fresh colors in the same style, Scarlett Johansson’s new line which had some cute retro style sneakers, a limited edition and highly collectible Basquiat/Rolland Berry Freestyle, and a really hot pair of gold and black Pumps (but of course those ones are only available in men’s sizes!)

At the back of the building we stumbled across one of our current faves, Obesity and Speed! You might remember we wrote about them a while back. They’ve created an excellent collection again and the lastest inspiration for Fall is HORROR! About 4 or 5 graphics I LOVED and their printed totes, red overdyed denim jacket, and perforated leather gloves are killer! Stop by Eva, Denier Cri, or Seven to cop it.

Lastly, on my way out I ran into Nina from Valley just as she’d become extremely psyched on discovering that the sneakers from Umbro by Kim Jones were also available in women’s sizes! I gave her my two cents on what I liked too, the pieced Aztec fabric versions were both of our favorites! Expect some really, really dope kicks arriving at her store soon…

What kind of tradeshow would it be if we didn’t spot lots of our friends and business associates? Russ (Ssur), Dao-Yi, Matty-ho, Matt Ting, Christine Su, Sneaker Steve, Nicole (G-Sus), and Oketo Burts (K-Swiss) were just a few I caught a glimpse of in a short few hours.

Click on images to enlarge

Basquiat and Lace Reebok Freestyle, Umbro by Kim Jones

__

Click on image to enlarge

BLOWOUTS IN BABYLON

The First Annual Harold Hunter Memorial Basketball Tournament is this Sunday at the Seward Park High School Gym. Come by for some beer and grub to watch teams from Dave’s Quality Meat/UXA, aNYthing, Max Fish, and Sensei. Sounds like a fun way to spend your Sunday just kickin’ it and socializing. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds benefit the Harold Hunter Foundation.

 Email This Post to a Friend!

Dave Shayman aka “Disco D” 1980-2007

Rest in Peace, Dave Shayman aka “Disco D” 1980-2007

(Below is taken from URB online on Tuesday, January 23rd)

——

Dave Shayman (aka Disco D) was found dead this morning of an apparent suicide. He was 26 years old.

The Michigan-bred, New York-based producer—who was best known for his work with 50 Cent — began his career at the age of 16 in the college town of Ann Arbor, MI. Having discovered the then unnamed Detroit ghettotech scene via artists such as DJ Assault and DJ Godfather, the still in high school Shayman dove head first into the music scene, scoring his first residency at age 17, at Ann Arbor’s The Blind Pig before he could even legally enter the venue. He began releasing music soon after signing his first record deal before graduation with Bad Boy Bill’s Muzik/Mixconnection label.

Shayman remained in Ann Arbor after high school to attend the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, starting his own label, GTI Recordings his sophomore year. It was around this time that ghettotech’s popularity began to peak, with Shayman appearing on several magazine covers. He issued his first major label release, “A Night at the Booty Bar” on Tommy Boy in 2003.

After college, Shayman moved to New York and began a successful career as a producer with a diverse pallette of urban sounds. He produced “Ski Mask Way” on 50 Cent’s multi-platinum The Massacre and the notorious Kevin Federline track, “Popozoa” which benefited from Shayman’s connection to the Brazilian baile funk sound (he lived in Brazil part-time) but he also continued to collaborate with underground acts such as Spank Rock and the Brazilian group, BRAZA, who record for Shayman’s Gringo Louco label. Shayman was also a perpetual business man, creating and licensing music for commercials and video games. He even oversaw the marketing for aLeda, a line of transparent rolling papers.

Shayman fought manic-depression for much of his adult life. He told URB in April of 2006, “It got to the point where I tried to kill myself. It was bad.”

In 2001, I drove Shayman and another Detroit DJ to an event in Indianapolis, Indiana where he was scheduled to play. Still in college, Dave sat in the back seat of the rental car, smoking a foul dollar cigar and reading an economics textbook with a portable reading light. An hour later, he was cutting and scratching ghettotech classics like “Ass ‘N Titties” to the collected ravers. This mix of high-minded business and down low funk made him a successful producer. It’s unfortunate that despite his incredible talent, his disease kept him from finding contentment.

More about Dave:
Disco D Website
Disco D’s myspace
Montreal Mirror recent interview
____________

Click on images to enlarge

BLOWOUTS IN BABYLON

Here are a couple events that look like lots of fun! The first is an in-store party “Castles and Christians” at I Heart featuring new works by J. Penry and special guest performance by Cheeseburger.

Afterwards head on over to The Box for Prophecy Magazine’s Issue 10 release party. DJ sets by Gilles Peterson, J*Davey, Sujinho & Cassiano, Spontaneous Underground, and a live performance by Acantha.

They both take place on Thursday but hit I HEART first cuz the Prophecy party starts and ends a little later. Make sure to click on the images to see the full size flyer for RSVP info.

 Email This Post to a Friend!

Deanne Cheuk Exhibits for American Rag Japan

Former Tokion art director and New York-based designer-illustrator Deanne Cheuk was invited to hold an exhibition to launch the new “Navasana” women’s collection by American Rag CIE (Japan).

The in-store opening party took place last Friday, Jan 19th and saw a nice turnout of Tokyo’s chic & street fashion scene, VIP shoppers, press friends and American Rag associates. Guests included Haze, Young “Suitman” Kim, Dita’s Rie Sawai and former Tokion-NY staffer, Mie Anton.

Guest listers received a sweet gift- a Deanne Cheuk illustrated plate and cup as other attendees received a beautifully illustrated cotton tote bag by the artist!

Exhibit runs until February 25.
AMERICAN RAG
5-8-3 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
www.americanragcie.co.jp

Click on images to enlarge

___

Click on image to enlarge

BLOWOUT IN BABYLON

Tonight Tuesday, January 23rd, Frank151 and Scion present Redman at the Canal Room. The show is FREE but you must RSVP. Click HERE to do so.

 Email This Post to a Friend!

Temptations to Heist: Low Tech Tread

 Email This Post to a Friend!