The other day I was doing my network thingy with another stylist trying to get any kind of work in this “suck ass” economy.  I arrive to this sweet as candy loft in Williamsburg, which happens to be the home of the talented, Leila Shams!

Iranian American, Leila Shams has designed for DKNY Jeans and most recently Express until the economy took its toll…  All is well though, considering the creative output that I witnessed!  I have a distinct feeling that Express may at some point regret that move!

Leila is so cutesy and as nice as your mother’s cooking on a warm Sunday afternoon. That’s saying a lot because its sadly the opposite with some New Yorker’s that I’ve had the pleasure of coming across.  Anyway, I notice her sketches and an inspiration wall with pictures of objects that influenced her Spring 2010 collection.  The wall instantly intrigued me.  Before arriving at her home that day, I had no idea of the location.  How fitting was it that I landed here at this talented designer’s loft.

The embellished tees with gems, feathers and cat eyes (yes, the beads look like cat eyes) were the business.  I’m so the t-shirt girl that immediately I fell in love.  She told me her inspiration for the Spring 2010 collection was “scary things”.  She executed that well even with the color hues of rich purples, gold, turquoise and greens.  I totally got it!  Some may say she’s a little over the top, but I bag to differ.

As she walk around, all 5’2″ of her in heels clicking around in this large loft that seems to swallow her up, we talk about her departure from Express.  Her current title as CEO seems better suited, and is probably the best thing she could have ever done.  I think this whole recession thing is forcing ppl to do what they are truly meant to do.  Yay!

I can’t wait to see what she will do next, but I plan to keep you guys up to par on her progress and upcoming Fall line.  I got a peek, but I’m not talking .  I’m lying I have no idea!  I guess we all have to stay tuned..

Team Leila….

www.leilashams.com

Who else has style that embodies that of a bohemian pirate with a touch of gentleman charm mixed all together and topped with a pinch of French artistry circa 1850?  Johnny Depp, of course!

I absolutely love this man as an actor and a person with great “individual” style. Some of you are like…he’s sloppy, he looks dirty, lalalalala.  I really don’t care what you people think because you have no style!  Sorry, but if you can’t see it, then there are many things that go unnoticed by you.  Facts!  I may have gotten a wee bit touchy back there, my bad, but I’m infatuated with Johnny boy and not just his style!  We heart him and that’s what it is!  Congrats Johnny on making number trois.  Kisses..

Vanessa, watch you back!  I kid…I kid

Throughout the 70′s & 80′s, many of these artists threw up tags and bombed on trains and walls all over the world.  Now, they have evolved into incredible talents in fine art.  One of these cool dudes is Eric Haze or “Haze” as he’s famously known. What’s pretty freaking awesome about Mr. Haze is that he had a huge solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Hong Kong.  Nice, right?!  I had the pleasure of going to the opening of his exhibit at the Level 2 Gallery in downtown NYC recently.

First of all, I got there late.  Anybody that knows me understands how awful I am with time.  Whatever, love me or leave me!  I get there and head upstairs to the gallery and I walk into the room, and its totally rocking.  The ambiance was on full tilt.  The people, the music, and the lofty venue with to die for huge windows set the scene.  The place was packed with the “downtown” likes and hipsters while DJ A-Trak and DJ Neil Armstrong spun the adrenaline.

Screw the art at this moment.  I can’t see a thing because there is too much activity and heat clouding my view.  Now, I’m sweating bullets!  I need a “free.99″ cocktail and one of those gi-normous windows to catch a breeze for a minute.  Not only did I find all of the above, but I also caught the aromas of the leaf (if you know what I mean).  Let’s get focused, I think to myself, and check out the art.  While doing so, I’m told KAWS and Jose Parla were there.  Check out these artists as well…Quality!

As an observer, his style is that of a minimalist that focus on lines and graphic shapes.  I did enjoy his black & white monochromatic pieces.  Don’t think I’ve ever seen art interpreted that way.  That felt good!  Overall, not really the type of art that I gravitate towards, but he’s certainly talented.  You have seen his work before even if you don’t know it.  His roster reads like a scroll from the old ass days..Public Enemy, Def Jam, Hip Hop logos, G-Shock etc..  You get the point.  If you don’t know him, then get to know him because he’s legendary!

www.interhaze.com

Fifth Ave..She said she was embarrassed because she was in bum gear lol..You know you thought you were cute when you left the house...I did too ! Congrats on making the blog..

Times Square...He didn't speak English...worked it out! Love the bag and him !

I

Check the patent cap toe hard bottom’s…Sweet!

Walking around enjoying this strange yet entirely whimsical day being bewitched by a scant of sunlight that was peeking around the concrete buildings on 52nd street…NYC sweets , I walk pass April.  At least, I think that’s her name because I didn’t put the name in my blackberry as planned (Screw face).  Don’t you hate when you see someone you know out and “nothing”.  Completely just have not an illusion of a clue what that person’s name is???  Yeah, needless to say, I have to work on remembering how to address people when its appropriate.

Continuing with the story….

April, or so we think that’s her name, was utterly original and a one of a kind individual with a chill personality.  The point really of going on and on about her is because she makes quite the unique accessory.  Her clever efforts too piqued my interest because she uses everyday products like bolts (as in nuts & bolts) and bottle openers in her pieces for the hair and jewelry.  Hope to show you all some of her creations in the not too distant!

Such the entrepreneur,  April maybe? has on her earrings and headband in the pic…Check them out!.

Goo-Goo for GAGA….

Lady GaGa is a masterpiece.  Screw her music…its fine but whatevers…She belongs in the MET or MoMa not on stage!  Actually, the stage performance is pretty amusing too, so maybe she does..hmm..The point is her style and presence is so captivating and unique…We haven’t seen anyone so physically intoxicatingly for what seems like antiquity. GaGa is a work of art…a Jackson Pollack, a JonOne, a DelaRoche.

I want to hang GaGa on my wall

We Heart You’s…

or…doing a butt suckie task like…Taping up the bottom of 20 pairs of shoes with Gaff tape when only maybe 5 pair’s will be used!

But,  a very big BUT, you get to look @ beautiful objects like…hmmmm…Hands down that’s a win-win situation if ya asking “Keeks Rollins” over here…Woo Hoo!!!!

Seriously ppl, assisting can be a truly rewarding experience, and if you are going to do it…      YOU HAVE TO DO IT WELL!!!! Numero Supremo, you are getting one-on-one on the job training and skills, which is pricele$$.  Secondly, if you take it seriously…work hard…and mind the assistant’s business, you may get asked to come back for the next round.  You can also make some serious CREAM!  Yes, you read it correctly….BROCCOLI for your precious time.. Sweet!

Duties:

1. ARRIVE ON TIME!!!!! Don’t make me have to say this ever again!

2. Don’t wait to be asked to get started setting up shop for the day…BE PROACTIVE…engage.. start organizing and getting things in order, so the stylist can do her magic

3. The Jiffy Steamer will b your best friend.  Get acquainted!

4. Make yourself useful they are paying you nicely, so make sure the stylist have everything that she needs.  This will also make the “crew” job easier too and the production rolls smoothly…

5.  Lastly, clean and organize it all to go “bye-bye”!  Screw it you’re lucky charms, tuck everything away nicely because you’re coasting on a 5 day shoot baby!  Show me the money

So, SUCK IT UP and do your job already!

Another beautiful day in NYC and browsing as I do..

I bump into this marching band (The Soul Tigers of Brooklyn aka Brooknam) coming down the street on Columbus Circle…Yay!  But, low and behold, the band is donning Tommy Hilfiger getups…plug, plug, plug…I love it!!  Debutantes and all!  Just thought it was a creative way to spend your advertising bucks..

All the hoopla was for Tommy Hilfiger’s Fifth Ave. store..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_o12QMlL34

Any, why, who…

Now, foregoing this chance encounter, I came across this new thingy of  men in riding/knee boots that’s seemingly gaining some popularity.  I don’t want to sound too…ummm…assuming, but the only men I have seen in these are stylicious “DIVAS”!

Well, Mr. France has turned me into a believer that the Riding Boot has reached the masses and with a little jealousy and envy I might add….The boots are sick!

…..and I’m curious what’s in the Louis V. to go bag!

]]> http://astylelessthanordinary.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/men-in-riding-boots-hmmmm/feed/ 1 KeKe Samberstein IMG_3155 http://astylelessthanordinary.wordpress.com/2009/11/06/shoe-game-stupendous/ http://astylelessthanordinary.wordpress.com/2009/11/06/shoe-game-stupendous/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:25:36 +0000 KeKe Samberstein http://astylelessthanordinary.wordpress.com/?p=66 Continue reading →]]> Whoa,

First, Let me say that I’m a little delinquent for the Chau Har Lee bus, okay!  Better late than never, this woman is FaBuLust….Her craftsmanship..forget that for a millisecond…How could her brain formulate such futurism and exquisite beauty…

Some other body or another had the perfect word for this phenomenon and the feeling she exudes over all who come within eyeshot of one of her creations…..SHOEGASM!

Indeed…Indeed

www.chauharlee.com