Stick N' Move: Adam Dare

Growing up in Brooklyn during the early 90's (Gritty Brooklyn not hipster Brooklyn) I was able to experience first hand, the evolution of Hip Hop culture. I became fascinated not only with the incredible music and style that was being cultivated but, also with Street Art or Graffiti which if you ask me, evolved right alongside hip hop music. 

Graffiti ranged from simple written words to elaborate wall paintings. Back in the day there was no Facebook or Twitter so "getting up" or tagging your name could definitely be considered an early form of branding or self promotion. Sometimes tags contained subtle even cryptic messages, and may have incorporated the artist's crew initials. But a lot of the pieces were just shit talking and "capping" which caused much "beef" between different neighborhoods and different crews around Brooklyn.

I lived in Manhattan beach across the street from (at the time) one of the larger graffiti personalities in New York; Joe WAVE.  Very so often around 2am on a school night he'd whistle his bird like call (ca -coo ca-coo) outside of my window and I'd sneak out to go "BOMBING" with him and his gnarly crew.  The dress code was specific, a black or gray hoodie (I always rocked Stussy), dark jeans, a backpack (Jansport) and whatever boots or kicks that were comfortable enough to jump down 2+ stories or to simply "JET" from FIVE-O just in case they'd roll up, because more times then not, they'd roll up. I  can even remember the smell of those 360 krylon  cannons and the rush that I'd get  from watching my friends slam their pieces on freshly painted buildings Oh ah.... take the entire side of the 61st prescient for example. 


We would drive around looking for "Heaven Spots" in Wave's supped up Honda, with a sound system probably worth more then the car itself, pumping Tribe Called Quest's low end theory or Wu Tang's 36 Chambers (on cassette cause that's how fucking old I am.)  

. 

Me.

Now, a woman in my mid thirties I'd say that aside from Fashion, Graffiti is probably my favorite form of art.

I've recently started to notice paste ups of crazy bunnies with broken hearts and x'd out eyes popping up around various Manhattan neighborhoods. I've tried on several occasions to steal one off a wall using tools like razor blades and spatulas but, to no avail. (Damn Wheat Paste.) 

Turns out that the artist behind these incredibly DOPE pieces is Adam Dare, a NYC native who coincidentally, grew up only a few blocks away from where I did & has been "dressing up" walls around the five boroughs since the late 80's. Born in Flatbush Brooklyn Adam was influenced by the Halcyon days of the late 70s and 80s, a time of sizemic movement in music, art and style. Blending the aesthetics of Graffiti, Hip Hop, infused with punk rock and heavy metal -undercut by all the subcultures that now define Pop Culture. ~ "The times are finally catching up to the movement."

Dare possesses a Beastie Boy steez with a kind-humble-patient demeanor but, make no mistake his eyes and his tats reveal that he's a take NO SHIT kinda guy. (He is after all from Brooklyn.) 

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO:ADAM DARE SIZZLE RECUT

Adam's work is highly sought after throughout the underground world of  street art connoisseurs & is revered by Hip Hop and Punk Rock music industry heavy hitters.

                   

He continues to remain true to his passion and is (in my opinion) one of  New York's most talented street artists period.  His pieces can be described as poetic metaphors, a glimpse into the soul of a man that has experienced his share of heartache and darkness but, just like a Master of Alchemy, he transforms that pain into the fuel he needs to burn for his inspiring journey...

ADAM DARE in the LAB

  . 

 

xx,

Sam Jones

Stylish Stimulus

Recently, a barrage of articles linking fashion trends to the status of the economy have been popping up all over the internet (google fashion + economy or just read the Times).  One NY Times article claimed the higher the heel, the worse the economy (someone send that memo to YSL who charges upwards of $700 clams for their sky-high platforms – which by the way I absolutely adore in every single color).  Another article noted that nail polish sales have drastically gone up (why pay for a Mani Pedi when you can do it yourself?) as women’s underwear sales decrease (because who needs underwear when you’re in a recession??).  While I think these pseudo-researchers have way too much time on their hands, I do suppose there is some truth behind these interesting but useless facts.  The term “skyscraper heels” was coined during the Great Depression, where women would find the highest heels they could as a cheap way to “cheer themselves up” according to some experts (hell-looo 6inch Louboutins, you would certainly cheer me up).  And lipstick sales were on the rise back then as well (I do agree – the combo of red lipstick and the highest heels possible can turn a crap day fabulous)  Anyway, in my humble opinion, the best way to bolster the economy is to support it!

Here are some ways

Christian Louboutin Ballarina Heels (I die for these - if I didn't break my neck first)

YSL Tribtoo Pumps - (net-a-porter.com)

 

 

Chanel Lipstick - Rouge Allure (chanel.com)


Eugenia Kim Hat (shopbop.com)

 

xo - Stephanie D'Andrea

Keeping up with "The Times"....

I will admit it. The only reason I have the Sunday NY Times delivered is for the “What I Wore” column. Which, I unwittingly learned is not a weekly column. On the off weeks I amuse myself with the wedding announcements, but I live and die for “What I Wore”. “WIW” is the most inspirational of all columns, in my humble opinion. For those of you unfamiliar with the content of my beloved column, I’ll give it to you in a nutshell: A “celebrity” of some sort (actors, well-known hair stylists, journalists and women in NY society) chronicles their week’s activities, detailing exactly what was worn for each event. Usually, it goes something like this: “Monday, 9am – It was a typical NYC winter day so I threw on cream flannel Michael Kors trousers, a cream Gap longsleeved tee and my cream and cocoa Chanel tweed jacket. To keep warm, my chocolate brown, rabbit-lined Givenchy booties and a cashmere Burberry scarf, which I wrapped around my head for extra warmth”. Inevitably they always “throw” stuff on, like it’s no big deal and traipse around NYC in these amazing outfits. Some might have a hard time understanding why THIS is such the inspirational story for me. I, myself am not quite sure. Being a very visual person, reading the detailed descriptions of these often impressive outfits does inspire me to peek into my own closet and see what I can “throw” on for the day. Secretly (or not so secretly) it is a goal to be featured in a NY Times “What I Wore” column.  Ahh - maybe 1 day.

What I'd Wear...

Helmut Lang Stretch Leather Skinny Pants (net-a-porter.com)

Kristen Blake Crop Faux Fur Jacket - nordstrom.com

Burberry Crochet Detail Cashmere Cardigan - burberry.com

Christian Louboutin Black Leather Roman 120 Button Detail Booties - bluefly.com

xx - Stephanie D’Andrea

A little gypsy soul, a little downtown chic...

Who doesn’t love December in NYC? To me – winter time means furry vests and jackets, luxe over-the-knee boots, hats, scarves, shawls and sequins. My favorite way to dress for the cold is simply by layering; pairing textures (my go-to is skinny leather pants, a cashmere boyfriend sweater with a little sequin tank underneath – pair with satin lace-up booties and some fingerless gloves and voila! – brunch attire).


The kids over at Haute Hippie and Libra Leather get it. Last night’s cozy soiree down at the Haute Hippie boutique (co-hosted by HH + Libra Leather) in Nolita was all about the texture and the mood. From the animal skin rugs to the soft fur vests, guests were immediately transported out of the NYC cold into, what I can only describe as a chic African safari tent. An event to promote HH’s new line – Haute Hoodie, party-goers were encouraged to shop for beautiful statement pieces (fur calf-length vests and textured suede pants) as well as take a look at the new Haute Hoodie line for men and women – described basically as easy Sunday attire with style (printed cardigans, oversized knit sweaters, ponchos, scarves all perfect for layering) while sipping cocktails and listening to awesome tunes.  Personal styling was available and playing dress-up was encouraged.  This party was the perfect blend of downtown cool with a touch of sophistication. Fabulous job Sam Jones and the rest of the Haute Hippie + Libra Leather family!

Some of my favorite pieces from last night...

xx - Stephanie D'Andrea

December's Steez

xx,
Sam Jones