The Week In Superlatives

January 18, 2013, 1:45 pm

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The Best, Worst and Weirdest of the Week.

Cockiest Douche of the Week: Lance Armstrong appearing on Oprah -- Mr. Mickey

Best Tweet of the Week: Kelly Cutrone (@peoplesrev) who tweeted, "This Lance Armstrong scandal feels longer than Jessica Simpson's first pregnancy." -- M.M.

Best Discovery of the Week: That Scott Disick used to model for teen romance novel covers. -- Abby Schreiber

Best Headline of the Week: "Republicans Accuse Obama of Using Position as President to Lead Country." -- Elizabeth Thompson

Worst Spoiler of the Week: The whole Manti Te'o story means now I'll never see Catfish. -- Jonah Wolf

Worst Part of the Week: Seeing dummies I grew up with in Arizona crowing on Facebook about their gun rights. GABBY GIFFORDS. GABBY GIFFORDS. GABBY GIFFORDS. -- E.T.

Best Cocktail I Had All Week: The Px Puko (Coconut) at Pig & Khao, made with Px sherry, fresh young coconut water and whiskey barrel bitters. And it comes in a frickin' coconut, people! -- A.S.


Weirdest Underpants of the Week: Versace's lace manties -- E.T.

Best Use of Strobe Light: The "Triskaidekaphobia" performance at Parade Ground -- J.W.

Best Trump Shut-Down of the Week: Goes to Deadspin. A million times Deadspin. -- E.T.

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American Idol, Golden Globes, and more in GIFs

January 18, 2013, 2:55 pm

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Welcome to our Friday GIF roundup, featuring a collection of this week's most important, amusing and/or newsy GIFs and GIF sets by Mike Hayes of Buzzfeed and Gifhound.

Jodie Foster came out at the Golden Globes. She did. That's what happened. (Ryan Broderick)

George Clooney and Amy Poehler were there too! (ibid.)

Some genius (who I'm still trying to track down!) perfectly summed up the Manti Te'o fake girlfriend story in a single Usual Suspects-inspired GIF.

Newsweek took a stand this week. I think Tumblr is mad at them now. Or maybe just a little disappointed. (thedorseyshawexperience)

Mariah Carey judged American Idol. (RealityTVGIFs)

Nicki Minaj's hair was there too! (ibid.)

A police chase practically ended up in this guy's front yard. (4GIFs)

And finally, this guy came clean. (The Daily Dot)

No! We can't end it like that! Let's end it with a turtle who got his wings! (WitStream)

Morning Funnies: Lance Armstrong's Books Are Now Fiction

January 21, 2013, 6:35 am

≫ Next: Watch James Franco Read His Obama Inauguration Poem In Bed

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A library in Australia has moved Lance Armstrong's books to the fiction section. [Reddit]
Petting charts for cats and dogs. [TastefullyOffensive]

Jan Brady Te'oing. [DailyWhat]
This flu season is really freaking us out. Everyone should wear oven mitts and a surgical mask on the subway. [LaughingSquid]

Hit the slopes! [PleatedJeans]
You're such an extra virgin. [AfternoonSnoozeButton]

Satan and Garfunkel. [Megret]

Best Ron Swanson GIF of all time. (P.S. This is what we look like eating all food products.) [TheClearlyDope]

Yes it is! [TallWhitney]

Bat/teddy bear hang time. [LaughterKey]

Watch James Franco Read His Obama Inauguration Poem In Bed

January 21, 2013, 7:30 am

≫ Next: Crystal Castles'"Sad Eyes" Is Our Music Video of the Day

≪ Previous: Morning Funnies: Lance Armstrong's Books Are Now Fiction

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Yahoo commissioned a bunch of poets and James Franco to write poems for Inauguration Day. Franco's poem is about not knowing what to write about Barack Obama and is, therefore, mostly just a poem about James Franco. Watch him read "Obama in Asheville" in the video above. (Who knew he was a Sprite guy??)

Below, a sample from his piece :

If I were to act in the film about Obama,
All I would need to get down, aside from the outer stuff--
And I know that's important--is his essential kindness,
I'd let the writer put in all the political crap,

And the specific things that he was up against,
All that stuff on CNN and the Huffington Post,
And I'd say the lines that were written, just like Obama
Reads his lines, but what would really put the role over

Would be the goodness at its core.
That's what will be remembered.
Yes, his race, no one will forget. But the soul too.
I'd win the Academy Award if I just captured that.

Crystal Castles'"Sad Eyes" Is Our Music Video of the Day

January 21, 2013, 8:38 am

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The Ethan Kath half of Toronto's Crystal Castles -- Alice Glass is the other half -- directed this clip for "Sad Eyes."  It's another  track from the duo's third album and comes while they're still out on a massive world tour through Australia, Japan and Europe, before winding down to Miami for Ultra in March.  Kath also directed the video for "Suffocation" from their previous album, but this one has a more chaotic feel that looks like it was recorded off a broken television.  

Style Scraps: The Story Behind That Sleeping Bag Thing On Girls

January 21, 2013, 9:18 am

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For her first public appearance on Inauguration Day, Michelle Obama wore a custom navy jacquard coat and dress by Thom Browne! Browne told Eric Wilson that "it's one of those moments when I just can't believe that happened." We're super excited for her forward-thinking choice. [via Fashionista]  


Anna Wintour has been told not to expect the get the ambassadorship to London -- the post will probably go to Obama's finance chairman, Matthew Barzun. [via New York Times]
 

Shirley Cook -- the CEO of Proenza Schouler -- doesn't much like fast fashion and its ilk. She told an audience at the 'Business of Luxury: Focus on America' summit that "you lose not only to counterfeiters but you lose to fast fashion, you lose to people who are not far off the mark from where you are." She also said that "'Get the Look for Less' is my least favorite page in any magazine." We love that page, but we understand. [via Fashionista]


Spring 2013 Couture is here! Here are some of our faves from the Dior show. [via Style.com]


Here's Lana Del Rey covering the March issue of Numéro Tokyo, styled exactly like we'd expect her to be. [via Design Scene]


Jenn Rogien, the costume designer of Girls, had a lot to say about that weird sleeping bag with armholes and a hood that Hannah wore last night: "Believe it or not, it was actually in the script that Hannah was wearing a sleeping bag with armholes. I had no idea that such a thing actually existed. I was gearing up to make it myself, or buy an actual sleeping bag and alter it to have armholes, and then one of my team members went online and found company that makes them, called Poler. Their website had this picture of this amusing hipster guy wearing the sleeping bag while making his breakfast. He was clearly using it as loungewear, which delighted me to no end. And I believe it's made in Portland, which is brilliant. It was a very popular item on set. Everyone in our crew tried it on at one point or another." It's called a napsack and you can buy it here, by the way. [via The Cut]


These Bernard Wilhelm x Camper safari print sneakers = whoa. [via HypeBeast]


Terry Richardson photographed Paul Rudd and his mom. Heart explosion.

Girls Recap: Is Adam the Most Mature Character On the Show?

January 21, 2013, 10:30 am

≫ Next: Aaaaand Here's Amanda Seyfried Playing Linda Lovelace

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In "I Get Ideas," this season's second episode of Girls, Lena Dunham presents each character through the lens of immaturity, showing that it's their lack of experience and footing that gets in the way of the kinds of lives they want to lead. Their emotional struggles, she suggests, stem from the fact that they haven't fully committed to their respective paths yet feel pressured to be well on their way. It's a tricky thing, knowing oneself, and easier said than done.

In the most literal sense, there's Elijah who swears to his older boyfriend George that he's ready for a relationship after admitting to (sort of) having sex with Marnie. He promises he's not confused about his sexuality or his loyalty, yet defends his cheating incident under the terms of "pumps," or how many thrusts it took before he could no longer have sex with Marnie. He's also too selfish to admit anything to Hannah, whom he needs, on the most practical level, for her apartment. These antics push George to call things off and send Elijah into mourning. If there's one thing consistent with Elijah's character, it's his tendency to use people and, well, mooch off of them. I wouldn't be surprised if his next boyfriend turns out to be his boss. Thoughts?

Meanwhile, Hannah's romantic life takes a total nosedive. She dances between dealing poorly with her breakup with Adam and dealing poorly with her new relationship with Sandy. After Adam sends her a creepy break-up music video, she tells Elijah she's glad it's all over. "This opens up space in my life for the kind, sexy, responsible boyfriend that I've always wanted but never had." Except she's not ready for it. When she finally confronts Sandy about not reading one of her essays (thanks to some urging from Jessa) she shuts down the instant she finds out he didn't enjoy her writing. This spirals into a cringe-worthy argument about race in which Hannah digs herself even deeper (saying she never thought about the fact that Sandy is black and simultaneously quotes Missy Elliott) until he finally asks her to leave. It's too bad Sandy's character, played by Donald Glover, will leave the show so quickly but it makes sense that Hannah couldn't handle that relationship. By "kind, sexy, responsible boyfriend," maybe she just wants one that lets the world revolve around her.

Marnie returns from a job interview despondent after she's told that her dream job "doesn't really exist anymore." Per Shoshanna's suggestion, she decides to cash in on her good looks and take a hostessing gig at a club. While it's clear Marnie is hesitant to totally give up on her original career path, there's a light in her eyes about doing something so uncharacteristic. And when Hannah predictably judges her for "cashing in on her sexuality," Marnie seems pleased to finally be the one breaking the rules. Sure, it's not the most honorable career shift, but we all saw how excited she got when gross, cheeseball Thomas John hit on her at the bar last season. This was so coming.

Dunham hasn't explicitly shown us any evidence of a trouble in Jessa's paradise, but I'm convinced it's only a matter of time. Put simply, she's not ready to settle down. It's just not Jessa's way. All it'll take is a few temptations -- a can't-miss warehouse party or a bearded artist-type -- for her to wake up and realize she's too young and adventurous to marry this buffoon, even if he does buy her baskets of puppies (seriously?). Her character was more interesting as the enabler rather than the housewife.

Throughout the episode, we get a sense of just how tightly Adam is holding onto his relationship with Hannah. He's writing sad songs and showing up at her house in the middle of the night, and it's creepy and unpredictable, sure, but that's Adam. My theory -- and feel free to disagree -- is that Adam is actually one of the most mature characters on the show this season. As he said in the finale of season one, "I told you once I commit to something, I really fucking commit," and now, in season two, we see that the dude really meant it. Once he makes the leap to invest in a relationship and take his partner seriously, he "fucking commits" and so when he gets burned, he really feels burned. Understandably, he isn't ready to let go yet, and I don't blame him.

Much like last week, Shoshanna remains the most enjoyable. Yes, she's hung up on typical Millennial crap like Sex and the City delusions and her Facebook image, but she takes ownership of who she is instead of making excuses for it. In this tiny, Brooklyn world full of privileged, white, whiny kids, it's nice to see one with at least some sense of self. (And, how cute were Ray's lovey-dovey eyes during the scenes of the two of them lounging around in bed together?)

For right now, the bond between the four female characters seems to have taken a backseat to their romantic lives (or in Marnie's case, her identity crisis), but that feels real. It's this authenticity that separates Girls from so many other shows about young women in New York. In real life, things get in the way -- relationships, careers, new friends and, yes, immaturity -- and the pieces don't always fit back together. But I think they will. If I could have it my way, I'd rally them all together to yank Jessa out of Thomas John's creepy arms... but let's pray that won't be necessary. Brooklyn needs her.

Aaaaand Here's Amanda Seyfried Playing Linda Lovelace

January 21, 2013, 12:15 pm

≫ Next: Off Duty: Bill Kim

≪ Previous: Girls Recap: Is Adam the Most Mature Character On the Show?

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We've been talking about Amanda Seyfried starring in the Linda Lovelace biopic, Lovelace, for a while now and there's finally a little teaser to, uh, get you in the mood. Watch the actress channel the porn star in full-on 70s mode -- wigged out,  massive hoop earrings, monokini -- and talk about flowers as a metaphor for her (or a character's) sexual awakening. Even though the premise of the movie seems like it could be an easy target for camp, this brief clip seems like the picture may be attempting to go to the dark place -- less Boogie Nights and more...The People vs. Larry Flynt? -- though, as Jezebel points out, there's little word about which parts of Lovelace's difficult life will be included. Whatever the case may be, we're planning to see the movie when it comes out in July because, in addition to Seyfried, producers have secured a wallop of a cast that includes Sharon Stone, Peter Sarsgaard, Adam Brody, Chris Noth, Chloë Sevigny, James Franco (as Hugh Hefner!) and Bobby Cannavale. In the meantime, the movie screens tomorrow at Sundance so hopefully we'll learn soon if it's as awesome as we want it to be or if it totally sucks. Stay tuned.

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Off Duty: Bill Kim

January 21, 2013, 12:55 pm

≫ Next: Dieter & Bjorn Roth Installed in Former Roxy Roller Disco

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Each week in our new Off Duty series, we'll talk to some of our favorite chefs and industry folk around the country to find out their secret late-night spots where they like to grab a bite and a pint when their kitchens are finally closed. Next up: Bill Kim, the Chicago-based chef/owner of inventive Asian comfort food meccas Urbanbelly, Belly Shack and, most recently, bellyQ.

What's your favorite joint to grab a bite when you can finally get out of the kitchen?
I like a lot of the Latin places that are open later. My wife is Puerto Rican and there's a Puerto Rican restaurant called La Bomba that we like. They have these plantain tamales that I just love and adore. They come wrapped in banana leaf and they stew it in a pork broth and you get some Puerto Rican rice and to me, that's a complete meal. And it's dirt cheap -- it's less than $10. Their [other specialties] are roasted pork and plantain tostones. They also have these empanadas and bacalao, which is this salt cod fritter and is delicious.  

What's the vibe like?
It's probably about 40 seats but one of the things you have to know about a Puerto Rican restaurant is that if there's not seven different Puerto Rican flags, it's not a Puerto Rican restaurant. They're very proud [of their heritage]. There are hand-painted murals of different parts of Puerto Rico and I think on each table, there's a map of Puerto Rico.

How long have you been going there and how did you first discover it?
[I discovered it] seven years ago when I met my wife. She took me there. I remember being like, "You know what? I don't know what I'm eating so you can order."

Now [my wife and I] try to go during down times when no one is there. People are always super friendly. You wouldn't know it, but it's our halfway point between our two restaurants so if she's working at one restaurant and I'm working at the other, it's a rendezvous place for us to let our guards down and enjoy each other's company. It's our date place.
 
La Bomba, 3221 West Armitage Avenue Chicago, IL

More Off Duty

David Chang
Animal Guys

Dieter & Bjorn Roth Installed in Former Roxy Roller Disco

January 21, 2013, 1:10 pm

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Add "art gallery" to the list of unique occupants of 511-515 West 18th Street in New York's Chelsea neighborhood. The two-story brick building dates back to the 1920s, when it was used as a parking garage -- the ground floor is still a Verizon garage -- before it became Roxy's Roller Disco from 1978 to 1985. Then, known simply as The Roxy, it housed a gay dance club that launched the "Chelsea Boy" era. In the summer of 1982, the club also became the site of one of the first weekly downtown hip-hop parties; it can be seen in several scenes in the 1984 film Beat Street.

The gallery's new entry-way with overhead "art bar."

After several promoters tried and failed to open a new nightclub in the space, the international gallery Hauser & Wirth acquired a long-term lease on the second floor and began renovation last summer. The 24,000 square-foot art gallery designed by New York's Selldorf Architects is the Hauser & Wirth's second NYC location.

Dieter Roth's "Solo Scenes" video installation (1997-1998)

On Wednesday, January 23, 6 to 8 p.m., they will open an exhibition by the late Swiss/German artist Dieter Roth and his son, Bjorn -- with help from Björn's sons Einar and Oddur. The New York Times describes the show as a "messy, sprawling manifestation, spanning more than forty years of work, of one of the most unusual family businesses in contemporary art." The Roth exhibit will be up until April 13 and the gallery has already scheduled shows in the space by Paul McCarthy, Mathew Day Jackson and Roni Horn.

"Self Tower" detail (1994/2013) (chocolate, glass, steel)

"Art Bar" installation that will be a permanent part of the gallery.

Another view of the "Art Bar."

"Large Table Ruin" (begun in 1978) (mixed media installation)

Eight Items or Less: Kathleen Hanna + Ad-Rock "Flood the Art Market"

January 21, 2013, 1:30 pm

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1. Big silent auction benefit and party called "Flood the Art Market" is happening next Monday, January 28, 5 to 10 p.m. at Cristin Tierney Gallery (546 West 29th Street). All the proceeds will go to the NYFA Emergency Fund to help artists directly affected by Hurricane Sandy. It's hosted by Cey Adams, Kathleen Hanna, Adam Horovitz, Tara Kelly, Hally McGehean and Clams Rockefeller. Here's a list of all the artists contributing works. Go and bid!

2. You still have a few more days -- it ends on January 24 -- to check out the annual Squash Tournament of Champions sponsored by J.P. Morgan at Grand Central Terminal. You can read all about it and buy tickets here. (Photo by Shuichi Aizawa on Flickr)

3. Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld is presenting a new exhibit called "Merci Mercy" that he's curated with Bortolami Gallery director Christine Messineo. The group show "examines language and text" in contemporary art and includes works by Dash Snow, Gary Simmons, Nan Goldin, Robert Gober, Tracey Emin, Gilbert & George, Jack Pierson and many more. It will be on view from January 25 until February 17 at 980 Madison Avenue, 3rd floor.

(Photo: Louise Bourgeois, "Merci, Mercy," 1999)

4. Cool party promoters Sheik 'n' Beik are celebrating their 5th Anniversary on Saturday, February 9, at BOW (199 Bowery) and there's also an after-party starting at 5 a.m. somewhere in deepest Brooklyn. All the details and DJ line-ups are here.

5. VIBE did the (timely) research and found all the songs that sample Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. We forgot that it was in "Can You Feel It" by Fingers Inc.

6. Here's a great time-lapse video by Alan Resnick for Dan Deacon's "Guilford Avenue Bridge" from his album "America."

Heems' First Solo Video: "Soup Boys"

January 22, 2013, 5:25 am

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This probably won't get Heems invited to the White House, but hey, you never know. The Queens rapper -- from the now defunct Das Racist -- appears in front of a green-screened collage of random news clips for "Soup Boys (Pretty Drones)" from his latest mixtape, Wild Water Kingdom. While the track seems mostly political ("drones want to kill"), lyrics also veer into drug use ("waiting for the man to put a gram in my hand") and product placement (Lexus, Nike, Motorola, Toyota Corola etc.) and, according to Rap Genius, a "soup boy" is a guy who's been dumped by a girl. If you're really interested in drones, you might want to check out the PBS documentary Rise of the Drones that's airing tomorrow night, January 23.

Was Bill Clinton Checking Out Kelly Clarkson at the Inauguration?

January 22, 2013, 6:00 am

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Mobama throwing some epic shade at John Boehner (or, as our mom likes to say, "John Boner" he he he) yesterday at the post-inauguration luncheon. [via Gawker]

This is delightful: Watch Al Roker lose his shit (not literally this time) -- and drop the mic -- after he's victorious in scoring a brief interview with Joe Biden during yesterday's inauguration. Al, if we met Papa Joe, we'd probably do the same. [via HuffPo]

Along those lines, this Jill Biden parody Twitter account was also really delightful during the inauguration. [via Mulaneying]

Here's Bill Clinton either photobombing Kelly Clarkson or checking out her butt. You decide. [via Uproxx]

And, speaking of photo bombs, here's Malia totally photobombing her sis when Sasha tries to snap a photo of their parents kissing. [via nymag]

There were Cheez Its served at the inaugural ball... [via Buzzfeed]

And President and Michelle Obama's first dance was to Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," as performed by Jennifer Hudson (and, if you're curious, Michelle wore a custom red chiffon and velvet Jason Wu gown, who also designed her previous inauguration dress). God, we love them so much. [via The Cut]

Here's a cat washing her face under the faucet and then drying it with a bath towel. Her hygiene is better than yours. [via Laughing Squid]

Nope. [via Coin Farts]

Watch Tina Fey give a tour around Liz Lemon's office. Best thing we learned? They never paid Ghostface Killah for appearing on the show because "he never filled out his paperwork." [via Vulture]

The Zack Morris soft fade [via Tall Whitney]

We got a kick out of watching Ellen play Yenta and trying to set up one of her producers with Pauly D. yesterday by giving her a 'Jersey makeover.' [via Ellen TV]

And, finally, Patrick Stewart really, really wants to cuddle with you. [via Fuck Yeah Dementia]

Anna Wintour Skips the Inauguration, Still Manages to Network

January 22, 2013, 9:43 am

≫ Next: The Governors Ball Lineup Is Absolutely Insane

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Anna Wintour skipped the inauguration for the couture shows but still managed to network: here she is, sitting next to the American ambassador to France at Giambattista Valli. The Times doesn't think she'll get an ambassadorship to France either, but I don't blame her for trying. [via Fashionista]  


Jenna Lyons is pretty surprised about her relationship with Courtney Crangi, too. She told the Times, "I'm incredibly open to people doing whatever works for them. It's just as surprising to me as it probably is to everyone else. It certainly is strange to wake up, at 44, and look at the person next to you and think: 'Oh! This wasn't what I expected.' But I don't think love works that way, and I am O.K. with that." Agreed, Jenna. [via The Cut] 

Karl Lagerfeld ended the Chanel couture show with a pro-gay marriage message: two brides and a child! He's been outspoken about gays and lesbians being able to marry recently, saying "I don't even understand the debate. Since 1904 (in France) the church and state have been separate." Yet according to the Washington Post, he also opposes allowing gay couples to father children born through artificial insemination. Hm... [via Fashionista]


Vogue revealed its February cover, called "Dirrty Pop: The Women of Pop Music." It'll feature Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Cher, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Katy Perry and Jennifer Lopez. Why oh why isn't there a larger image available??

Update: The cover is fake fan art! It was too good to be true :-/.  [via High Snobette]


Betsey Johnson -- right on trend -- won't be showing at NYFW this season. [via The Cut]


The jury seems to be in on Hedi Slimane's first menswear collection for Saint Laurent Paris and the verdict is: it ain't that great and is overly tied to his vision for women. Tim Blanks noted that "the kindest thing to be said about Slimane's first official men's collection was that he made a guy to go with his girl." Similarly, Kurt Soller wrote that "as a man it's basically impossible to look at these outfits...and appreciate them as clothes a guy would wear...that's a bummer." I'm feeling some schadenfreude.


Yup, I'd wear A$AP Rocky's head-to-toe Shaun Samson outfit. [via Upscale Hype]

The Governors Ball Lineup Is Absolutely Insane

January 22, 2013, 9:45 am

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We like to think of ourselves as calm, collected, and occasionally blasé when it comes to hearing about parties, concerts and festivals but sometimes announcements come out that remind us that we're full of shit and that we still get very, very excited about any event that's truly awesome. Like Governors Ball 2013. The official lineup announcement came out today and it is a doozy -- like, prepare to start breathing into a paper bag-type of doozy. Without wasting time, here are the highlights:

Kanye West
Kings of Leon
Nas
Pretty Lights
The Avett Brothers
Grizzly Bear
Azealia Banks
The xx
Kendrick Lamar
Feist
Beach House
Animal Collective
Cut Copy
Thievery Corporation
Erykah Badu
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Miguel
Bloc Party
Beirut
Local Natives
Death From Above 1979
Gary Clark Jr.
Best Coast
Dirty Projectors
Alt-J
Deerhunter
Dillon Francis
Icona Pop
Haim
Fucked Up
Japandroids
Twin Shadow
Polica

Scope a video of Fat Jew and his comrade riding around NYC in a Rolls-Royce, announcing the line-up to pedestrians on the street and what we assume are partiers at Westway. And, if that wasn't already enough, the third headliner is still unnanounced. Also of note is the fact that the festival will be expanding from two days to three days this year (and, if you've never been, check out our coverage of last year's fest HERE).  For more information on the lineup and where and when you can snag tickets, click HERE.

Coachella/Bonnaroo/Lollapalooza: your move, guys.

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Miuccia Prada's "The Great Gatsby" Costume Sketches Are Fantastic

January 22, 2013, 11:15 am

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Today Miuccia Prada released a few sketches of the costumes she designed for Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby. Prada previously worked with Luhrmann on Romeo + Juliet, designing Leonardo DiCaprio's suit which he wears throughout the film. In this one, the designer collaborated with costumer Catherine Martin, and created 40 looks for the film that heavily reference the extensive Miu Miu and Prada archives. The resulting designs  include shimmering gowns and flapper-style sequined dresses and celebrate the classic styles of the 1920's while maintaining a modern edge. We can't wait to see these looks on the big screen and are betting you'll see a lot of flapper looks this summer.

Unicorns from Hell and More...

January 22, 2013, 11:45 am

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1. Nightmare of the week: "Unicorns from Hell."

2. ArtInfo takes a look at "Design in the Age of Xanax" and explains why you might need an Ostrich Pillow or an annual clock with a rainbow face called The Present.

3. Yoko Ono's 80th birthday isn't until February 18, but she's planning to start the party with a music performance at the legendary Volksbühne in Berlin on Sunday, February 17. Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band will be led by her son, Sean Ono Lennon. (Photo © Patrick McMullan Company, Inc.)

4. Save the Date: The twenty-third annual Night of 1000 Stevies - "the largest and most beloved Stevie Nicks fan event in the world" - returns to New York City's Highline Ballroom (431 West 16th Street) on May 3. HERE's all the details.

Buzkashi Boys Trailer from Sam French on Vimeo.

5. Three of the films nominated for this year's Oscars -- King's Point, Buzkashi Boys and Inocenti -- were funded through Kickstarter. (GigaOm)

6. If you think your apartment is really small, be sure to check out "Making Room: New Models For Housing New Yorkers" at the Museum of the City of New York (1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street). The finalists in the city's search for affordable apartments that range in size from 250 to 370 square feet will be on view starting tomorrow, January 23, until September.

Dust's Italo-Disco Pastiche "Past Future"

January 22, 2013, 12:15 pm

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Directed by Luke Wyatt using his trademark "video mulch" technique, Dust's clip for "Past Future" (premiering here) surrounds singer Angela Chambers with all kinds of VHS static, splicing in frames from Saturday-morning fantasy cartoons and low-budget '80s schlock. The use of outdated technology perfectly fits the song's title and slightly ominous retro-electro-Italo-disco vibe. A collaboration between Michael Sherburn and promoter/PAPER contributor John Barclay, Dust just released their three-song debut EP, also called Past Future, on 12" vinyl via Low Life Inc. You can stream the whole thing below, including artist Greem Jellyfish's take on Phuture's acid-house classic "Your Only Friend."

Photo by Aurora Halal. L-r: Michael Serburn, Angela Chambers, John Barclay. Foreground: Greem Jellyfish.

These Bags Make Us Really Want to Have a Picnic

January 22, 2013, 1:00 pm

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Here's another reason to wish it were spring already: the Welcome Companion "Part-Time Picnic" collection, whose bags look like cute versions of delicious picnic staples. There's a picnic basket briefcase, a strawberry clutch, a pair of red lip totes that wouldn't look out of place on, say, the February 1985 cover of PAPER. The collection is due in February, but, in the meantime, scroll down to see some of our favorite items from the collection. 

"Toast," "butter" and "strawberry." 

The "Strawberry" clutch.

The "Toast" shoulder bag.

The "Butter" wallet.

The "Cake" and "Sandwich" iPhone cases.

The "Picnic Basket" work satchel.

The "Lips" tote bags and pouch.

Chatting With Tom Hooper and Eddie Redmayne About Les Mis

January 22, 2013, 1:15 pm

≫ Next: This Fake "Birth Control on the Bottom" Yogurt Ad Is Perfect

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Twenty-six years after the Broadway production of Les Misérables collected eight Tony Awards, Tom Hooper's film version seems to be keeping apace with the success of its predecessor. Nominated for eight Oscars and winning three Golden Globes (including one of the biggies -- Best Picture, Comedy or Musical), the film owes much of its success to Hooper's impeccable sense of detail, his unique directing choices (like having all of the actors sing live) and of course his thoughtful casting. While Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Amanda Seyfried might be getting a lot of the buzz, one of the best performances in the film comes from Eddie Redmayne (who many may remember as Marilyn Monroe's favorite ginger in My Week With Marilyn).  Eddie and Tom both took a break from awards season, to chat with us about the making of Les Mis.

Eddie Redmayne:

Who is your favorite character in Les Mis?
I first saw the play when I was 7 and I just thought Gavroche was a total rock star. I actually wanted to be him and then when I the read the script, performed Marius, and watched the film, I still wanted to be him.

You've worked with Tom before on the Elizabeth I miniseries. Were there any similarities between working together on that project and this one?
After reading for Elizabeth I, I was stopped at the door and Tom asked if I could ride a horse and I said "yes." Next thing you know, I was in Lithuania with 40+ men galloping on horses. I'm in spurs on a huge stallion behind Helen Mirren, who's in a rather large, opulent dress. I thought to myself, "At what point do I admit I wasn't totally telling the truth?" Within a few moments, Tom picked up a big speaker and shouted, "Redmayne you're a bloody liar!" And so then during Les Misérables, he asked, "Can you actually sing?" And of course, somehow I ended up on a giant horse waving a huge flag [in Les Misérables]. [I'm] only assuming it was payback.

Ninety-eight percent of the singing was live -- did that make you nervous?
A little. Brilliant lip-syncing still seems artificial and great acting is about total control. An earpiece pumped in a live piano accompaniment that slowed down or sped up as we sung. That allowed me to control the song instead of it controlling me. If I had recorded it two months prior to shooting, there would be no freedom, which would take away the acting. The whole thing was a very liberating experience.

What was one of the most intimate moments on set?
During "A Little Fall of Rain," there were 100 dead people all around, Eponine was in my arms dying and a single drop of rain fell on her forehead. Singing at that level with no cameras in my face and no loud projecting -- just singing in a whispe -- felt odd but entirely raw.

What's one major difference between yourself and Marius?
I've always found Eponine to be very sexy.

Tom Hooper

Are there any parts in the film that made you cry?
I truly connected in the end, when Jean Valjean dies. Usually, death isn't taken serious, it's either part of the plot or it plays out like a scene from a video game. In the film I wanted to make sure it stares you in the face.

Was Hugh Jackman a shoo-in for the part?
I auditioned everyone properly and spent an extraordinary three hours with him. When Hugh sings, it is so powerful. You don't want him to speak -- you yearn for that other communication. I saw this emotional side of him I've never seen and I wanted to bring it to the world.

Samantha Bark killed it in her first screen performance.
She did. I first saw her and the play 2 ½ years ago, when I watched the 25th anniversary performance and when I saw it, she totally struck me. That part had such high competition and she did all the rigorous auditions, eventually beating everyone out.

Even though the songs are classics, each actor seemed to give their own unique rendition. Anne Hathaway's version of "I Dreamed a Dream" was breathtaking. How did you direct her?
I told her to forget that it was an iconic song and that it had ever been sung and to just react. To sell an illusion, there has to be little moments of hesitation. During "I Dreamed a Dream," Anne gave that 10-second pause before "then it all went wrong" and she earned that moment. She told me that she opened a dark box, looked in, closed it, and hoped to never go back. Some have an indulgent pleasure of being in pain -- she was just in pain... so much so that I was worried for her. I'm almost embarrassed to say but I felt like this was one of those moments that will be talked about for years.

Photo by J. Everette Perry