Made by Hand, Made in America

It's that time of year when we fly (okay, we bus) south to the City of Brotherly Love to attend the Philadelphia Museum Craft Show. And once again, we were not disappointed.  With high rents forcing out all but the chain stores, and mass production everywhere, the creative and beautifully crafted work we find at this annual show never ceases to restore our spirits.  Here we are with a graphic basket by Santa Barbara artist Christine Love Adcock.  Click on the links to view more of the artists' works on their websites.

Here is Christine herself, among a few of the works she brought with her.  We told Christine that we could easily see several of her gorgeous baskets as hats.  (Readers, don't you think so?  Look by her left elbow and her right shoulder.  Aren't those just waiting to be hats?!  And for those of you who think a basket is not a hat, watch this bad, short, old, silent video, made in the days when we didn't know how to edit.)

As always, we made a beeline for Ignatius Hats to see what new creations Ignatius Creegan and Rod Givens have dreamed up to entertain and beguile us.  This little vignette is just a prelude to more in depth coverage in next Wednesday's post, since a single photo simply can't capture all of the fun we and our friends had in their booth.

Friends Amy Nugyen and her husband Ky produce some of the most sophisticated designs, precisely executed with the most artistically woven and dyed textiles that result in a product that looks and feels effortless. The coat on display behind them is a case in point.

The jacket on the wall behind Amy and Ky looked something like this (Amy's latest project) before it was finished.  All the stitching is done by hand, and takes long hours.  Then the material is immersed in a dye bath, and then the stitches have to be removed.  (And we haven't even mentioned rinsing or - ugh - ironing.)

This is a close-up of the jacket on the wall that we've left at high resolution so you can see the tiny faint remnants of stitchmarks.  (So, readers, next time you catch yourself wondering why something hand made is more costly than you expected, think of  the work that went into Amy's jacket.)

We'd first seen New Mexico artist Juanita Geradin at her last Philadelphia appearance four years ago. Her fiber art collection of clothing and accessories is geometric and graphic and wonderfully wearable, with bags made from the same materials as the tunics. Her large three-dimensional wooden pins, like the one shown here, are as light as air, and were all so different and so striking that it was difficult to decide on a favorite.

New York designer Biba Schutz is another one of our favorites.  Her geometric semi-precious and metal jewelry is right up our alley.  Valerie wear this open, but there is a very discreet catch so you can make the two forms into one.  Looks great both ways.

New Jersey jeweler Jill Hurant produces intricately woven gold jewelry.  What really caught our eye, however, were her amazingly textured pitch black pyrite and gold necklaces and bracelets. Some ornaments were completely smooth discs; others were scratched like magical roadways ready for paving; and still others looked like rounded lumps of coal.

The last time we saw Ohio jewelers and mixed media artists Roberta and David Williamson at LOOT at the Museum of Arts and Design, they had produced a brooch featuring a photograph of us (see that in this post) among their new collection of custom pins that can be commissioned to commemorate special events like engagements, weddings and birth announcements. We have previously featured their jewelry almost to the exclusion of their whimsical art pieces such as this colorful lamp comprised of metal children's toys and cannisters.

The show's popular raffle featured a tote bag by Toshiki that both of us lusted over.  Needless to say, despite placing multiple tickets into the appropriately marked box, neither of us had the right mojo working that day. Sniff.

Brooklyn craftsman Nick Leonoff's glass creations are colorfully light-infused and almost look like jewelry.

It is always a pleasure to view the latest one-of-a-kind Joomchi by Providence, Rhode Island paper artist Jiyoung Chung. Our paths cross not only at this show but at other events at the Korea Society. She is a multi-talented artist, painter and writer.

Mixed media artist Dakota R. Pratt with D. Redington Design in Austin, TX fashions the most fantastic creatures and objects from mermaids to table tops out of hammered bottle caps and other ephemera. The charging cell phone gives you an idea of the massive scale of this white metal emblazoned skull.

Local Philadelphia furniture artist Rachel Fuld designs and produces cabinetry, headboards, tables and chairs, shelving, objects and mirrors out of woods with a wide variety of grains and finishes.

Sue Fedenia works in basketry and mixed media to produce iconic pieces incorporating colors of the desert such as her aptly named New Mexico Night Sky. She uses reed, waxed linen and basketry techniques to craft her creations.

Judith Cohen's Seven Hills Bindery creates and produces beautifully covered photograph albums, journals and boxes that have both a modern and an "old school" appeal. She handles the spectrum from commissioned custom pieces to book repair.

Maryszka & Toshiki design leather, shearing and wool jackets and coats as well as accessories like gloves, hats and bags. We also follow Maryska and Toshiki on Instagram just to enjoy their photos from Lake Grove, New York and their travels.

Steven Ford and David Forlano's designs and semi-prescious jewelry continue to win awards. our favorites ae the simplest pieces such as this necklace.  They and a number of the other exhibitors will be showing at the Smithsonian Craft Show in April 2015 in Washington, DC.

Jean reconnected with artist Patricia Palson whom she'd met at the New Hampshire Craft Show last July.  Her handwoven jackets, coats and dresses are unique.  The textiles are colorful and the pieces of clothing all seem to have movement.

We both admired Chicago jeweler Christy Klug's Eye Candy chokers.

At just that moment, Christy appeared while we were chatting with Amy Nguyen, so we couldn't resist begging one of the passersby to take our  photo. Christy is wearing the most amazing red John Fluevog boots.

If Liz Kinder hadn't become a great potter, she could have become a great comedy writer.  (Or maybe she can just do everything??)  She had several business cards made for herself, and displayed them with her work.   This one says:
Liz Kinder at a cocktail party:
What do you do?
I'm a potter.
A what?
A potter.
A what?
I MAKE BOWLS!
Oh!  Like in "Ghost?"
Must my life be defined by a Patrick Swayze movie?

There has been a recent trend in metalsmithing toward parallelepipeds.   (That's a $5 word for three dimensional figure formed by six parallelograms.  You can look it up!  And be sure to remember it, because there will be a test at the end.)  Jera Rose Petal Lodge has taken the concept to the nth degree with this necklace.  Are you wondering if it goes all across her back, too?  It does!  All the pieces interlock, and when not modeled by the artist, stand on display like a completely different exquisite piece of work.  (Valerie wants this, just by the by.)

Another of her stunning works is an interesting juxtaposition of hard and soft.  This also stands like an independent piece of sculpture when not adorning a wrist.  (Valerie wants this too.)

Here's Reiko Ishiyama wearing one of her own pieces, also three dimensional.  She sets off her work perfectly with an Issey Miyake blouse that looks like black lacquer, and an edgy haircut.

This brooch, made of thin sheets of partially oxidized sterling, is another of Reiko's designs.  Reiko is largely self-taught, which may explain why much of her work looks so different from most work in sterling.  Reiko says she also works in paper.  She didn't bring any to the show, but we'd love to see those, too!

What is it with us with metalsmiths this time around?  Let us show you one more work in sterling, modeled by the artist himself.  This is the work of SeungJeon Paik, a student at Savannah College of Art and Design, or SCAD.  SCAD has showcased the work of its students at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show for the last several years. Here is another wonderful juxtaposition of disparate elements.   There are two sterling rings (one dark and oxidized, behind the other, lighter one) hinged together (so they're totally movable), with each ending in a carefully cut matching feather.  He calls it "wing ring".

We also had to show you the work of Betty Grob Giberson, who has a very playful sense of color and line, and whose unstructured garments flatter a variety of figures.

Jaye Houle works in pate de verre, which she occasionally often combines, amazingly, with felt.  (The blue spikes on the yellow piece behind her are made of felt.)  Pate de verre has a very interesting rough texture, made as it is of crushed glass.  Jaye show here that she infuses her work with color, movement, and subtle humor.  We couldn't help thinking that several of her works would make marvelous hats (well, color- and shape-wise, that is.)

Artists often have surprising backgrounds that inform their work.  Steve Noggle, who works in turned wood, has a degree in forestry.  We should have photographed Steve with his work.  Click here to see a selection of Steve's work that uses wood in surprising ways, taking the wood's characteristics and making them the focus of the design.

We couldn't finish this post without showing you some of the guests, many of whom were every bit as interesting as the art.

This gent's jacket used to be a pinted canvas.  There's a diamond shaped pin on his lapel that reads Art Saves Lives.  Hooray for men who have the color of their convictions (so to speak).

We met Susan Myers last year at the Craft Show.  We couldn't miss her because she carried  a bag full of Ignatius hats, one of them a huge (and we mean huge) black sinamay bow shaped hat, so large it could not be boxed, and peered out over the large shopping bag.  We mentioned this hat to her, and asked if she had ever worn it.  Before Susan could answer, her companion, whom we also met last year, assured us with great conviction that she had.  The hat Susan wears here is from England.  Be sure to look at Susan's black and white striped skirt and black and mustard bag handle.

Lastly, we had to show you this amazing cascade of gray hair.  This woman said she has lots of fun with her wonderful hair, and puts it up or leaves it down as the mood strikes her.  Not surprisingly, she said she has a large collection of decorative hairpins and barrettes so she can accomplish a number of different looks.  We asked if she would send pictures of her hair styles from time to time, and hope she does.

OK, HERE'S THE TEST, AS PROMISED.  What's the $5 word for three dimensional figure formed by six parallelograms?

Beauty in Japan

One of our very first posts of the year gave readers a link to a Japanese blog, L'Ideal Japon, which featured photographs of older women in Tokyo's stylish Ginza district.  We have been in touch with L'Ideal's founders, Masa and Mari, ever since, and were elated to hear that well known publisher Shufunotomosha had turned the blog into a book.  Masa and Mari were kind enough to send us a copy of OVER 60 STREET SNAP, and we're delighted to have the opportunity to introduce you to the book.  We can't share all of the photos with you, but we want to show you just a few to whet your appetite.

On the cover, above, is 74 year old Hasune.

Below is Mitsuyo Katsuta, 67, wearing an American jacket from the '50s with a detachable collar which can be moved around to change the overall look.

Underneath Midori's checked coat is a gray double breasted suit.  Midori, 61, is one of the few women photographed in heels.  She looks very modern here, but she has a traditional side as well.  Masa and Mari also photographed her in kimono.

Noriko Tomidokoro, 71, has her beautiful long hair elegantly braided at the sides and pinned to the nape of her neck.  Lipstick is her only make up.  Wish you could see her very interesting jewelry better.

Akiko Kuze, 69, says she bought her coat, like many of her other clothes, more than thirty years ago.  As the years accumulate, so do the clothes in your wardrobe, she says.

Keiko Shiota is 73, but doesn't think about her age, and keeps in touch with her inner child.  She says it takes her 2-3 minutes to dress, always in clothes that are comfortable and move easily.

Much to our chagrin, we haven't been able to find OVER 60 STREET SNAP here in New York yet.  You can get it on Amazon Japan (¥1,620, tax included).  Readers, if you know an easy way to purchase OVER 60 STREET SNAP, please let us know and we'll publish it here.

HaaT Trick! Issey Miyake Celebrates HAAT's 25th Anniversary

On Friday night, the folks at Tribeca Issey Miyake threw a party in honor of the 25th anniversary of its HaaT line, and we were lucky enough to be invited.

Brilliant red HaaT banners and selections from the Autumn/Winter 2014 collection greeted guests at the entrance to Iseey Miyake's Tribeca store.

If you're a fan of the HaaT line, you know that it owes its astonishing textiles to textile magician Makiko Minagawa, above, HaaT's Creative Director, who has been with Issey Miyake since 1971.

We were also briefly joined by Eishun Yamada, in crinkled black leather, who was president of Issey Miyake USA Corp. for many years.  Mr. Yamada never fails to cut a dashing figure.

One of the perks of working at Issey is getting to wear the new line before anyone else.  The dress on the left can be matched with a very short jacket or a very long one, and all of them have an accordion-like quality built into the stripes.

We found out later when comparing notes, that we were both very drawn to this graphic black and white check dress.

These two HaaT black and white ensembles on silver mannequins were at the back of the first floor space.

A close up of the bodice on the dress above left gives you an idea of the 3-dimenionality of the pieces.

The Japanese are so well known for their elegant wrapping customs that there are multiple books on the subject, the most famous of which might be How to Wrap Five Eggs (1967), followed, due to popular acclaim, by How to Wrap Five More Eggs (1975).  The two extra soft colorful shirts you see below come with their own little bags of the same color and look much like the blue and green balls when packaged.  Perfect for travelers!

Visitors and well wishers were as interesting to view as the new Haat line.  Some dressed in Issey; others dressed in vibrant Issey style. Here, an Issey Miyake bag in a shade of red he has used lovingly for years.

We love to see men who are not afraid of color.  (This gent carries the evening's goodie bag. More about that later.)

This fashion-fearless fellow wore red tails with his jeans.

This woman's featherlight coat has pleats of different size blocks that go in different directions.  When she walked, the hem floated behind her as if lifted by little portable fans!

The HaaT line includes folk-like necklaces made of cloth beads, such as the one this woman is wearing.

The gent at the far left gets the award for Best Gray Hair while the fellow near the center gets the award for Best Hat on a Gent.  (It's a Borsalino.)

It was great fun to run into Jan de Chabert and Reggie Nelson again. We'd originally met both at previous Issey Miyake parties and since then, our paths do cross.

Mary Beth Welch and her friend also attended the event.

Andrew Chen always makes a style statement.  We loved his friend's ethereal black and white dress that looks modern but wouldn't be out of place in an episode of Boardwalk Empire.

Louise Doktor and Tim John are long-time fellow Miyake fans. (Unfortunately, photos of Jean and Tziporah Salamon were all blurry -- an unfortunate occupational hazard of having someone else snap pictures with your iphone.)

Aussies! Stephen Cassidy, Richard Perram and their friend enjoyed the event, and had us laughing nonstop.

We call the next 6 photos "Front to back and back to front": 
Henry Pierre and his ubiquitous red dinosaur made the scene along with two friends. The lady in the middle with the silver hair shows up in the background of the next photo, so you can see her hair and dress from behind.

Photographer David Glackin made the the scene, looking dapper.

Jean posed with these two gents, who looked as good coming as going ...

Check out the round circle shaved out on the skull of the gent on the right! Could this be the birth of a new tonsorial trend? It's sort of the polar opposite of medieval monks' shaving a round space on their pates.

Needless to say, we loved how Alexandra accessorized her black Miyake jacket and skirt with red coral necklaces, vintage bag and leopard shoes. She was at the event with a photographer friend.

Alexandra gave us another most marvelous fashion tip.  Dissatisfied with the way her jacket looked, she simply gathered up the hem and tied it at the back.  In the front, it looks like a bolero; in the back it looks like a bow that hugs her waist.  Brilliant!

Street photographer and blogger Ryo Miyamoto (left) and the Issey store's latest new employee show two different approaches to combining and layering textiles, stripes, prints and plaids.

24 Hour Party People DJ Keiichiro provided amazing background music that set the tone for a wonderfully relaxed, hip evening.

What a dapper trio: Etienne, Ellery & Reggie.

OK, we couldn't resist a shot of Davey Mitchell showing off his Miyake pants and matching skirt that he fashioned into a cape/serape, with obvious dramatic effect.

The goodie bag!  There's that signature shade of red again.  And inside the bag was a soft translucent white bag, 16 inches long, that was folded at the top several times till it was only half that length, and elegantly tied with soft white ribbons.  Nestled inside was a thick pad of square notepaper covered in Indian cotton with a stenciled design and the Haat logo.  Visual dessert at the end of a visual feast!

Neverland: Our Latest Trip to Magazineland

and

Falling Down is Not Just a Movie                          with Michael Douglas

Way back in August, you may remember we did a posting about our meeting and style shoot with the wonderful young Russian milliner Iva Ksenevich.  (Don't remember?  Click here for that posting.)  We got an email from Iva just the other day telling us that her hats - and the IFs, in supporting roles - are on the cover of internet magazine Neverland.  That's a screen shot of the cover page, above.  But we'd love you to see the whole magazine, and our slide show feature, photographed by Francois Chartier.  For the slide show and introduction titled "In a Deep Color", click here.  We each wore a total of three of Iva's hats for the shoot.  Our first hats are above, on Neverland's cover; the other two are below.  Iva tells us we're also scheduled to appear in a European fashion magazine.  But no more about that for now, because that would be telling!

Falling Down is Not Just a Movie
with Michael Douglas

You know what they say: it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

Both of us have had some experience with falling and breaking bones, and we need all our fingers and toes to count all our friends and acquaintances who have at one time or another been there and done that.  Some of you, dear readers, also fall into that category, right?

So let's get serious for just a minute.

Brian Lehrer, host of The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC, did a twenty minute piece on falling today, and we think you should listen to it.

Did you know, for example, that among seniors, falling is the leading cause of injuries that lead to death, and that 2.4 million seniors wound up in the emergency rooms across the U.S. in 2012 as a result of falls?  Some contributing factors are failing vision, hearing, and mobility.  If your sense of balance is compromised, or if you have fallen before, or if you take more than four medications, you are at greater risk for falling.  EXERCISE is a great way to cut your risks.  Tai chi is a great way to improve your balance.

Hafner says falling "changes your life in an instant."  Both of us can vouch for that.  Actually, we want your life to change in an instant.  But we want you to win the lottery, or publish your book, or patent an automobile engine that runs on solar energy.  We don't want you to fall.

To listen to a podcast of this program, click here.  Lehrer interviews New York Times health writer Katie Hafner, who recently wrote a two part series on falling after an extensive study.  For one of those articles, click here.  For Hafner's Steps to Avoid an Accident, click here.

MANY THANKS TO BRIAN LEHRER AND WNYC,
AND TO KATIE HAFNER AND THE NEW YORK TIMES
FOR THEIR INVALUABLE PUBLIC SERVICE.

A Gathering of the Clans - When Bloggers Intersect

Last week, we posted on the Manhattan Vintage Show and featured photos of two fellow bloggers we met over the internet with whom we've become friends: Shelley, the Forest City Fashionista and Patti of Not Dead Yet Style. Click on their links to view coverage of some of their New York adventures.

At last week's show, Elisa Goodkind, part of the brain trust behind StyleLikeU, took the above photo of the six of us (left to right): Tziporah Salamon; Patti (Not Dead Yet Style); Shelley (Forest City Fashionista); Jean and Valerie, and Tim John.

Patti joined us at the Metropolitan Pavilion just after getting off a plane from Florida, and headed back to meet her husband after the show.  Shelley joined us for cocktails at Casa Lever, nestled in the first building in so-called International Style for commercial purposes. (The United Nations was the first ever, but not for commercial purposes.)  We all had variations of the Frida Kahlo margarita and delicious snacks (sliders and parmigian french fries). It was an added treat to sit and relax and go over the highlights of Shelley's trip before she left the next morning to fly back to Toronto.  Added important  plus about Casa Lever: in addition to making creative and flavorful drinks with interesting ingredients, for the most part, you can actually hear what your dining companions are saying - without shouting!

Since Patti was staying for a full week. we made plans to meet her for cocktails yesterday afternoon, at The Standard Hotel's Cafe on the Bowery. Patti had red wine, Valerie had mulled red wine and Jean had a Hey Papa (minus the red wine, but with blanco tequila, jalapeno agave and lime).  We talked about everything from our pets to Rene Zellweger's new look to this Tuesday's elections to Ebola quarantines.  The conversation got quite lively after we added caffeine to the equation, of the latte and cappuccino variety. (Photo courtesy of our waitress.) Time sure flies when you're having fun.  Before we knew it, the sky was growing dark and evening was fast approaching.  We bid Patti bon voyage on her trip home and look forward to her next visit in May.

Who knew when we started our adventure in blogging that it would provide opportunities to connect with wonderful women of a certain age in Canada and Florida (and let's not forget our friend Judith, the Style Crone, in Denver)? It's an added and unexpected benefit that pays untold dividends.