Yea, Nay, Or Eh? Black Swan In Red: style file: daily fashion, party, and model news.

The night before my ass crack-of-dawn flight to Las Vegas, Bill, Patrice, and I enjoyed ourselves some over-the-top entertainment a la Lady Gaga. At this point in time, I had basically just gotten back from Boston (and before that, camping, and before that, San Diego), and I was, again, feeling a bit run-down. I love stimuli. I love seeing new things. However, I think all the traveling and running around I had been doing totally affected my mood for Lady Gaga.

Don’t get me wrong! I definitely ordered myself a blue and purple Lady Gaga-inspired cocktail while Britannia Arms blasted a divalicious playlist, but I just have to say it about the show: I was kind of disappointed.

The months between purchasing Gaga tickets and actually getting to the concert were filled with a growing anticipation and excitement. I was ready to rack up Gaga right there with The Roots and Arcade Fire in my top two live performers. Of course Gaga’s genre is a bit different from either of those bands, so really I was just hoping for her to outdo the Spice Girls Reunion Tour (which I totally saw, by the way).

I loved the show. She’s so theatrical. She’s a fantastic performer. But I think, with all that I had heard about her earlier Monster Ball performances and with all the exhausted creative nodes in my body, I was expecting 150%, a catharsis. Instead, Lady Gaga nee Stephanie Germanotta gave me 125%.

Let me make it clear that I did not dislike the show. I was simply expecting more, and I wasn’t as floored as I had hoped to be. Shoot, I definitely shelled out a ridiculous $30 to forever remember her amazing costumes in a glossy embossed silver and black program. (I still remain one of the few outspoken individuals who generally dislikes the choreography in Lady Gaga’s videos and show. This concert was no exception.)

I just…Thought it would have less of a staged feel to it. Which, if you think about it, is impossible. Lady Gaga operates on big, dramatic ideas that can’t be executed without a lot of planning and orchestration. Still, I would have liked to have seen more of Lady Gaga’s B-sides. Make me a superfan.

Identity.
From a marketing perspective, Lady Gaga’s kind of a phenomenal behemoth. The way she interacts with her fans is to decidedly identify with them, particularly their misfit sides (which is probably still lost on a good lot of blonde hair-bowed ditzes in the crowd). The story behind the show is that we’re all getting out of a gritty world of oppression to follow Lady Gaga & Friends to a gritty party named the Monster Ball – the craziest party on the planet. Lady Gaga is super open about her support for the LGBTQ community, and proceeds from ticket sales go to aid for the homeless. She puts on the gifts of customized wifebeaters, hair accessories, and cat ears that fans throw onto the stage. She calls a random fan in the audience at every show to chat them up.

One of my favorite snarky moments was when Lady Gaga called the night’s random winner. Even though the act is extemporaneous, the girl who answered had clearly practiced her lines for this very situation. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Lady Gaga had actually called her friend and Head Bitch ripped the phone out of her hands for the spotlight. When Lady Gaga thanked the fan for helping the homeless and LGBTQ community, I could just hear this CAUTION tape-burritoed girl saying “But…I don’t like opposite marriage” as she stood, open-mouthed and, for once, without a sorority girl-sounding response. The little monster in me does not believe that this girl deserved Gaga’s call, but in the spirit of the self-empowerment that Lady Gaga pumped into all of her monologues, Fuck it. Sorority Chick can be a little monster, too.

I was rather amused whenever LG told the audience to “Put your paws up” and people just started arbitrarily throwing their arms in the air. Good effort, guys. You really earned those $85 tickets.

Dressing the part.
Seriously, there was a larger proportion of Gaga-inspired costumes than there were participants at Comic-Con’s masquerade ball. Quite impressive, although one could very easily pick out the girls who went through the hip-hop section of the dance supply catalog and thought neon mesh was Lady Gaga-in.

I kind of feel like if you’re going to imitate Lady Gaga, you have to do it in full, and not in easy-cheap. However, I’m sure Lady Gaga, in all her diplomatic ways, would encourage such half-assed interpretations based on the principle that little monsters should be happy individual little monsters.

But doode, the fashion? Pretty amazing. Go Gaga.

So eventually the three-day trip to Boston came to end. On its third day. Imagine that.

The trip was all about getting four super busy, geographically spread out family members together and eating some really amazing food. (I wish we had skipped all of Fanueil Hall, that place drained the bright-eyed, bushy tailedness out of me. Also, why did I buy Nina Garcia’s Little Black Book of Style? Less interesting than Victoria Beckham’s That Extra Half an Inch! [If you’re interested in but skeptical of Posh’s book, get the cheeky summary in The Guardian’s Digested Read.)

Looking back on the trip, though, I really like how Asia, Bridge, and I did not end up working in finance, medicine, or law like we were “supposed” to. You can’t choose your family, but you can choose to be supportive of each other.

More pics from Day 3.

I don’t bookmark a lot of blogs or posts in my daily wades through Web content and RSS feeds, but I did leave up Nitrolicious’ announcement about the Nine West, Modelinia, Nigel Barker, Facebook exclusive event. I didn’t read closely enough to understand or care why supermodels and Nigel Barker were supposed to make me excited, but I couldn’t stop zeroing in on the boot. I’m not a huge fan of the blue target logo on the right shoe, but I’ve had my own little almost-fling with breast cancer so the cause marketing overshadowed that graphic enough. (And actually, for a cause marketing campaign, I think they did a fairly subtle job of branding on a pretty sick utilitarian boot. Might consider distressing that logo a bit when they arrive. If you’ve got ideas, hit me up!)

So there you go, if I’m not a liar I’ve got no will power. On the plus side, I doubt the Canon G12 will come out before I fly off to Kauai, so…at least there’s that. But pretty much yeah, I’m rationalizing to an unhealthy degree.

Nerd Note: Really, thoroughly appreciated the super slick and well 0rganized UI of the Fanshop app. The only way to purchase said boot was to “Like” Nine West’s Facebook Page, and I was ready for some really ugly awful buttons and tab-unfriendly form fields. Instead, the stream was super clean and even elegant. Good job, Fanshop! Now let’s see if these boots can fit my gargantuan calves…

P.S. I have tons and tons of stuff to catch up on. Turns out traveling a lot and commuting eighty miles five days a week really does make a body tired. If we’re friends on Facebook, you’ll be happy to know that I’ve divorced the Maykazine from automatically updating my Networked Blogs feed, so you can expect less self-publicizing annoyances on my wall.

Just came across The Wilderness Downtown, an interactive video by Chris Milk. HTML5, Google Maps, the address of your childhood home, and Arcade Fire’s “We Used to Wait” come together for a really amazing convergence of creativity and technology. It’d even inspire hipsters and emos alike.

I am all over this shit, except why did the people who moved into my old house choose to paint it that shade of pink? Disapprove.

Until I make it to the actual library, I’ve been switching to NPR instead of 94.9, and my brain is ever more grateful for it. Lately I’ve been feeling run down by my schedule. Comic-Con, camping, Boston, Lady Gaga, MAGIC. This weekend we’re headed to LA. I just need a break from all these breaks, and at least zoning out to NPR means I’m listening to generally quality programming. (As opposed to that god-awful Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull disaster.)

This week on Marketplace, producer Michael Raphael continued a series he calls “Road Warriors,” tracking what people on the move have pumping through their headphones while they’re on the road. The premise itself sang to me, and it just so happened that I tuned in just in time for a woman in my industry. Bonnie Wisnowski is the Director of Visual Presentation at Eileen Fisher, and she sets her iPod to “The Funeral” by Band of Horses whenever she gets settled in on the plane.

With all my travels (Again, I am immensely grateful for these opportunities! Just a little tired.), I’ve been trying to think of ways to use my brain overload and turn it into a creativity dump into the Maykazine, Moxsie, MADE Jewelry, Martin Hsu, Khamai, or someplace worthwhile. I shouldn’t be surprised that Wisnowski uses her continuous changes of scenery to her work’s advantage:

I love when I’m traveling, because I get tippy-creative. And honestly, most of my merchandising nowadays is on paper, or think with teams about concepts, but when I’m actually on the road is when I get to try and bring it to life. I imagine it’s like somebody who’s a carpenter, always only sketching and planning and designing versus actually building. And when they actually build, it comes to life. It’s sort of like that for me with merchandising.

We went to go install some windows at Bloomingdale’s in San Francisco this last spring. And the team that I did it with was totally incredible, and we would get up at the crack of dawn just so that we can get done by four ‘o clock and then take the rental car and get out of the city. And we went and drove all around the beaches, and it was breathtaking. So it was kind of neat to think, “OK, I was in a Bloomingdale’s window two hours ago, and now I’m on a beach that has black sand and huge crashing waves.”

Maybe I shouldn’t be saying how much I like it, ’cause then everybody’s going to be like, “You can’t go anymore.”

Download the MP3 here.

I thought about Wisnowski’s ritualistic use of Band of Horses, and I realized that while I don’t have a set routine for my trips, I do have a set playlist that calms me down (more than my Club Mayka! playlist). Not sure if, in posting, I will reveal some diabolical subconscious characteristic about me, but here it is, titled the Creative Underclass:

• Groove Armada – “At the River (Fatboy Slim Remix)”
  A Fatboy Slim remix of Groove Armada is kind of like Groove Armada-squared.
• Incubus – “Oil and Water”
  This one gets me every time.
• Kawayan Folk Arts – “Pinanggalingan (Instrumental)”
  I danced to this! I’m used to live percussion and piano in dance, but performing to live guitar was a pretty amazing feeling. Everything in the moment feels like it’s more about flow than anything else in the room.
• Junior Boys – “In the Morning”
  Obviously I like my melancholy.
• Kanye West – “Love Lockdown”
  Yeah, I’m a little embarrassed that Kanye made this list, but we’ll just pretend I don’t know a thing about his personality in real life.
• Nelly Furtado – “Say It Right”
  Also bittersweet.
• Looper – “Mondo 77″
  Discovered when I saw Vanilla Sky. Someone bring back super good soundtracks!
• Folk Implosion – “Natural One”
  Yes, I know they use it in Kids, but I haven’t seen Kids and I’m not creepy like that.
• Edwyn Collins – “A Girl Like You”
  So funky. I like Edwyn’s tall hair.
• Austin White – “Everything You Need”
  Also happens to be my ringtone. I think I discovered this guy in the early days of imeem. At the time he was just 19 years old!
• Flying Lotus – “Melt!”
  Mm…
• Bailongo – “Violento (Up Mix)”
  Discovered via So You Think You Can Dance? Not ashamed.
• Malcolm McLaren – “About Her”
  Off the Kill Bill Vol. 2 soundtrack.

I don’t change or add to this playlist very often, but if you have a good assessment of the mood and feel of these beats, please send suggestions my way. Perhaps I should simply plug into it more often.

I named the playlist after a New York Magazine editorial about Gawker written by Vanessa Grigoriadis in 2007 , “Gawker and the Rage of the Creative Underclass.”

Multigrain is supremely gorgeous and the doode is obviously supremely talented, so if you’re in the area, stop by! Just so happens I’ll be in Los Angeles this weekend, so I hope to see you there for the beginning of the show.

Martin Hsu at GR2
Sunday, August 29, 2010
3:00-5:00 p.m.
2062 Sawtelle Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025
310-445-9276

Is this also where I admit this would be my inaugural trip to GR2? Do I have to turn in my Asian American card somewhere…?

The Brain Farts of Steph Laberis.

Our second day in Boston involved a lot of walking that made me wonder how “city” California cities are. (And, inevitably, how cheap public transportation is everywhere in the world except for California.)

Banksy and bao.
For the first time, I did something that was recommended to me by a FourSquare pop-up. Otherwise, I had no idea Banksy had done an installation in Boston’s Chinatown. It happened to be halfway up the street from the cheap souvenir store my mom was wandering around in, so I took a little break and checked out Banksy’s cancelled dreams.

Mom and I grabbed brunch at a place that basically had my name blaring out from a loudspeaker, Gourmet Dumpling House. The xiao long bao was a little salty, but they were seriously the biggest xiao long bao I’ve ever seen. And I mean that in the least sexual innuendoed way possible. The house noodle soup, though? Absolutely hits the spot. Highly recommend it.

Here’s our neighbor kid smelling my xiao long bao.

Here he is trying to win me over.

Here he is realizing he ain’t gettin’ none.

All Saints
Of course I’d come across quite a bit of press and media coverage for All Saints Spitalfields’ New York opening, but I more or less let New York storefront news go in one ear and out the other. I was walking up and down Newbury Street by myself when I came across two huge window displays completely full of vintage sewing machines – Oh, and big-ass SALE signs. Walking inside, I kind of get hit by a wave of excitement. All Saints’ pieces were my type of grungey, and my type of vintage-inspired. They actually had plaid and flannel pieces that I would consider wearing. (I’m generally not a plaid or flannel person.)

I walked in, even loved the rustic locking mechanisms in the fitting rooms, and walked out with a Linus Top and Wolverine Dress. Yes, Wolverine Dress. The Linus Top I got too big so it’s kinda weird, but the Wolverine Dress is a new favorite. I’m a sucker for huge cut-out backs and intricate graphic details. Why is it called a Wolverine Dress? Because there is a wolverine in the front. I’m not much of a skull print person, but I realized well after purchasing the Wolverine that it’s got a rather huge skull emblazoned across the front. But I can deal with that. It’s a Wolverine Dress. (Which I shall continue to wear as a top, thank you very much.)

Roxy and rabbit.
After my solo shopping trip, I headed back to my sister’s place to say hi to Roxy. Doesn’t she have a shiny coat? The girl’s pretty old, but she is as young at heart as a puppy. When you meet her, you’ve got to be sure to keep your mouth closed when you smile and say hi.

Unless you like making out with dogs.

For our second big gourmet dinner of the weekend, Mom, Asia, and I were off to Hamersley’s, Asia’s former place of employment and where her boyfriend is Sous Chef. Unfortunately I didn’t bring the good camera, but I can tell you I had braised Thumper for dinner. And a lot of really good starters. Amazing desserts.

One of the ridiculous souvenirs I picked up from Boston was a book called Tammy Does Boston, chronicling a black dog throughout landmarks of Boston, Massachusetts. Amongst the uberpatriotic shots of Boston’s most notable structures and general displays of industry is a shot of Tammy waiting outside of Hamersley’s.

When I go back, I’ll have the chefs sign the book. Only because I probably won’t find Tammy very easily.

Family at Church
In the evening-evening, Bridge, Asia, and I got together for our first legal sibling hangout with alcohol in the vicinity. (We’re very busy people with very different current locations.) Hit up Church for live music, a few games of pool, and amping up the bar’s average Asian count 400% percent.

More pics of Day 2.

I did my own, taking a cue from my melancholy idol Steve Martin:

Part of the cost of the low price is waiting two to three weeks for delivery. For something that reminds people how to pronounce my name and comes wrapped in red tissue paper, that ain’t so bad.