When Markos Lambros was 18, he gave a speech about his family’s skincare line.  “I took a spoon and ate the cream during the presentation,” he recalls.  The line, originally developed in the ‘70s, has been recently re-launched as Sponge, all olive-oil-based products made in Greece with the purest ingredients. 

“We’ve been harvesting from the same area outside Athens for years and know exactly what the environment is like.  So, we have total control from beginning to end,” says Lambros.  It all started when his OBGYN uncle developed a product to help circulation in pregnant women’s legs.  Since then, the line has expanded to include a day cream, avocado oil, and jasmine aromatherapy mist.  “We haven’t changed much as far as the methodology is concerned,” says Lambros.  Though he wouldn’t recommend eating the cream as way of testing its pureness, he does say, “People have to just use it and then talk to me.”

So, we decided to road-test the original leg cream, Jambes Lourdes ($110), on expectant mother Jade Berreau.  Berreau is the perfect tester:  Not only is she 7 months pregnant, she’s a freelance photo editor at the big beauty magazine Allure.  After leaving Berreau with the cream for a week, we sat down at Brown on Hester Street to talk reactions over mac-and-cheese and apple tarts. 

What about your lifestyle made trying this cream especially appealing?
With my job I do a lot of sitting.   And I never really have time to get massages. 

And, did it work?
First, it’s super-moisturizing.  When you’re pregnant you get extra-dry skin, among other weird things that happen to your body. 

Like what?
You don’t want to know.  That’s another story.  But when I put this cream on, it tingles right away.  Like a good, cooling tingle.  

Does it absorb?
It has been really humid lately so it’s hard to tell.  But, regardless, I like the extra moisture.  I noticed that, as I’ve been getting more pregnant, I’ve been getting blotchy on my legs; and with this cream by the end of the day it’s not there and the tone is better. 

Does it take the cellulite away?
I don’t have cellulite!  Maybe a little… 

Working at Allure you must come across tons of beauty products.
Tons.  And I get frustrated with about 99% of them.  It’s all about the packaging or the superficial stuff that gets in the way of a good product.  I don’t have patience for that.  I need something that works. 

I was just talking with Markos about how pure and organic the line is.
Well that’s important because, being pregnant, I try to be as natural as possible.  I’m avoiding a lot more things as far as chemicals are concerned.  When you think about it, the skin is your biggest organ and you absorb so many chemicals through it. 

Can you tell from the texture of the cream how pure it is?
Yes, it doesn’t smell perfume-y. It smells natural. 

A lot of non-pregnant women also use this product to tighten and refresh their face and neck, so I decided to give it a shot. It made the tone of my skin more even and look rested.  I think it has even taken away some of my freckles.
Your skin looks really good. 

Thanks.  The cream feels really nice...
And the color’s weird! 

I know.  Markos was saying that the color sometimes puts people off, but it’s because they don’t add color-neutralizing chemicals, like most other products do… 
When I see a product that does have a weird color or smell, something we’re not used to, I think that it’s usually the most natural thing. They’re not trying to cover up anything with chemicals.  So I like its weird color.

~Sara Costello

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Everyone knows that Brazil is a breeding ground for supermodels. Looking at the Victoria’s Secret lineup, you’d think they were being mass-produced in a fashion genetics lab somewhere in the hot, exotic jungle. And of course when we’re not admiring a Brazilian beauty, we’re looking at an Eastern European import, where the model gene is as ordinary as the rugelach in a pastry shop. But despite the industry’s saturation of perfectly-shaped, golden-skinned bombshells like Gisele and Alessandra, or with the beauties of the blonder, paler variety like Sasha, Natalia, and Karolina Kurkova, Canadians have been flying under the radar and slowly taking the industry by storm. Though it started with just a few familiar faces like Linda Evangelista, it has since evolved to the likes of Shalom Harlow and the more recent Daria Werbowy– all of which are Canada’s claim to fame. But these days, even if you’re just casually flipping through the latest issue of Vogue, you’d be hard pressed not to find fair faces hailing from our colder, northern neighbor. 

But what makes the Canadian model so appealing these days? It could be the immense diversity of looks and ethnic backgrounds that rivals that of the “melting-pot” in the United States, or just the colder climate that keeps them porcelain-skinned and rosy-cheeked. It could even be the soothing, distinctly Canadian accent. Though we haven’t quite put our finger on it, we know whatever it is, Canada’s got “it.” 

Producing some of the most cutting-edge models of tomorrow– with up-and-comers Alana Zimmer, Johanna Strickland, and Julia Dunstall just to name a few– straighten up and take notice: 

1. Coco Rocha (Elite)
If you don’t recognize this girl’s face yet, you must have been trapped under a very heavy rock. In just 4 years, this Irish-Canadian 18-year-old discovered in Vancouver has taken the industry by storm, even titled the “Girl of the Season” after she stormed the runways in her first New York Fashion Week of Spring 2006. A girl who has come a long way since her days as a competitive Irish dancer, Coco is now the bonafide “It” girl, the face of major campaigns for Balenciaga and Christian Lacroix. Perhaps it’s her background in dance or her experience of growing up in small-town Richmond, British Columbia that makes her so appealing, as her Elite agent Micki Schneider describes her as being “one of the sweetest and most down-to-earth models I have had the pleasure to work with,” but whatever it is, Coco is lining up to be the next fashion heavyweight, even in her thin 5’10’’ frame.

2. Jessica Stam (IMG)
A model who knows her way around the runway by now, and who has also found her way to US Weekly-style celebrity status, knows she’s big when she can join the ranks of the singularly-named: Madonna, Tyra, and now “Stam.” Homegrown on an Ontario farm with her six brothers, Stam is now the must-have face for everything from Prada to Marc Jacobs, who even named that infamous quilted bag after her. A favorite of photographer Steven Meisel from his first discovery of her, this 21-year-old may have conquered the fashion biz already and has her sights set now on acting, as she even made a small stint in the 2004 short film Agent Orange. 

3. Heather Marks (Women)
Hailing from Calgary, this 18-year-old who started modeling at the ripe age of 12 has already appeared on countless covers and campaigns from here to Japan, where her beloved doll-like features are utilized to their fullest. To boot, this beauty was inducted into the prestigious group of Victoria’s Secret girls when she walked the 2006 show alongside her other Canadian sister and sometimes look-alike, Jessica Stam.

4. Lisa Cant (Trump)
Having ironically grown up in the same town as Heather Marks, as they are often compared for their alien-esque beauty, Lisa is markedly known for being one of the sweetest-tempered girls in fashion. A personality that perhaps stems from her upbringing in a city nicknamed “Cow Town”, this 22-year-old has come a long way from Calgary to become the one-time face of Chanel cosmetics, and current poster-girl of diamond moguls Van Cleef & Arpels.

5. Irina Lazareanu (Marilyn)
Handpicked by none other than the reigning queen of fashion, Ms. Kate Moss herself, this worldly-wise 24-year-old (Romanian-born, London-schooled, and Canadian-raised), is the wide-eyed doll with the tomboyish figure who’s infiltrated the pages of all your favorite magazines. As a former drummer of Kate’s main squeeze Pete Doherty’s band Babyshambles, Irina is the resident rocker-chick of fashion with the perfect attitude to model the KM Top Shop line– not to mention act as the muse for designers from Karl Lagerfeld to Balenciaga’s Nicolas Ghesquiere. A quintessential ‘60s girl in a ‘00s world,  when she’s not breaking modeling records–walking in a whopping 76 shows in a single season– she also finds time to start a music career (a collaboration with Sean Lennon is in the works).

~Leann Peterson

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It’s officially swimwear season, which translates to anxiety and panic.  While losing a few extra pounds is most likely on everyone’s wish list this summer, general body-consciousness is also at an all-time high.  Whether it’s quitting smoking, binge drinking, or merely cutting out trans fats and fried food, everyone’s feeling the pressure of turning their body into the temple they’ve always wished it to be.

So, in light of the fact that you probably consumed your fair share of BBQ and booze this past Memorial Day weekend, we figured it’s prime time to get a cleaner, healthier body, both inside and out.  Specifically, we’re focusing on the ever-important issue of toxin release.  Be your poisons illegal or FDA-approved, here are a handful of helpful ways to sanitize any inner-body sanctuary.

Rolfing
Technically, Rolfing is a method of structural integration – a massage technique that relies on the weight and body-to-body movement engaged by the masseuse, which is said to enhance vitality and wellbeing, especially for those who clock in long hours hunched over a computer screen.  Coined for its namesake, Dr. Ida Pauline Rolf, who developed the method back in the 1950s, the practice involves a massage significantly more intensive than anything you’ll find in your run-of-the-mill spa.  But, no pain, no gain, right?  In addition to having natural healing abilities, Rolf’s technique is said to improve posture to the point of elongating the spine and actually adding inches (or fractions thereof) to one’s height.
*psychoPEDIA recommends Rolfing - Integrative Therapies in NYC, 350 W 51st St, NY, (212) 307-5367 and The Rolf Shop in Palm Springs, rolfshop.com

Colonics
While we’re still not entirely comfortable with the idea (forgive us, we can still be a bit vanilla when it comes to discussing orifices), we must admit, this colon cleansing activity is endorsed by both Hollywood and fashion alum, as well as certified health fanatics.  Sometimes referred to as hydrotherapy, sometimes called irrigation, the procedure is not something we’d call pleasant (but neither is it painful).  Like an enema, which cleanses the lower part of the colon, colonics cleanse the entire length of the colon.  To boot, they can also result in weight loss, which may be why the likes of Ben Affleck, Gwen Stefani and Gisele Bundchen have reportedly done the deed at We Care Spa in Palm Springs, where they claim “clients can weigh seven pounds less afterward.” 
*psychoPEDIA recommends Rachel Bastow in NYC, (212) 946-6302, and Carolyn Ganji in Santa Monica, (310) 399-2106

The Master Cleanse (aka: the Lemon Cleanse)
Consider all the things you digest in a single day, and the result may be shocking.  We’re a society that moves quickly, and consumes even faster – especially in NYC.  Those who eat less live longer, and there’s nothing like starting fresh.  Fasting is actually a means of letting your organs rest, and regroup.  So, give the lemon cleanse, heralded by hoards of health fanatics, a chance.  Tried and tested for over 60 years, the diet involves cutting your intake down, food group by food group, until you’re only ingesting a mixture of lemon juice, cayenne pepper and maple syrup.  So, pick up a copy of Stanley Burroughs’ The Master Cleanser, or refer to the e-book online.

*Yogi DeTox Tea: if you don’t have much time, this detoxification practice can be done in a NYC minute; it merely involves a trip to your local (higher-end) bodega or Whole Foods, and some hot water.  Just look for the yellow box with the yogi on the front.

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Any designer will tell you, the faces that grace your front row during a collection presentation can do wonders for your career.  That is, if the mugs in question are fashion heavyweights like Joseph Abboud, Andre Leon Talley, Tracy Reese and Steven Cox and Daniel Silver of Duckie Brown... especially, if you’re only 18.

Such was the case last Wednesday night when a slew of fashion-industry insiders (and dozens of family and friends) gathered in the auditorium of the Chelsea-based High School of Fashion Industries for its annual runway show.  For just under an hour a wide age-range of students paraded their classmates’ designs down the school’s makeshift catwalk.  The show, essentially the seniors’ final project, garnered cheers and applause.  Particularly, during the pop-culture-icon-inspired dream sequence that featured awe-inspiring lip-synched performances of stars like Diana, Madonna, Tina and Prince’s classic hits (appropriately outfitted, of course).

High School of Fashion Industries is the only high school in the world with an explicitly fashion-centric focus.  The mere fact that such an institution exists raises questions as to, how young is too young to go looking for creative talent?  What is the road ahead going to require from students like these?  Curious ourselves, we caught up with some of the fashion industry’s best and brightest, to find out how far back their fashion consciousness first awakened, and their advice for upcoming generations of aspiring designers.  In their own words:

Tracy Reese, Womenswear Designer, Honoree at this year’s presentation
How did you get involved with the High School?
I did a critique here a few years ago.  High School of Fashion Industries is always on the map, and it’s something we need and want to support.  It’s an incredible opportunity for these students.  I took fashion classes at my high school and it allows kids to open their eyes so early. 

What is your earliest fashion memory?
Haha.  The Ebony Fashion Fair with my mother.

Any advice for these students and aspiring designers?
Be patient.  Take the time to learn your craft.  Respect the craft.  It takes a lot of commitment to stay in this business. 

Daniel Silver and Steven Cox of Duckie Brown, Menswear Designers
How did you and Steven first get involved with the High School?
D: Actually, doggie day-care is around the corner so I used to pass this place all the time.  Then I realized it’s the High School of Fashion Industries.  Then I found out that Robert, who I know, chairs it.

You and Steven are known throughout the industry for your work helping younger, aspiring designers…
D: We have the FIT scholarship fund with Nokia that’s given out over $30,000 so far.  Those that have the passion should be encouraged.  Why not do everything in our power to foster that?  I don’t feel threatened by that.

Do you see this, looking for younger and younger talent, as a phenomenon right now?  First there was Project Runway, now Project Runway The College Years, etc?
D: First of all, I don’t think anyone out of Project Runway will ever really make it in fashion.  TV shows are based on ratings, not talent.  Every industry is dependent on what’s up-and-coming.  That’s all.

Steven, you’ve seen the presentations here before; what have been your overall impressions?
This is hard… it’s like a lot of student shows.  There are half that are incredibly interesting.  They’re in the early stages of just discovering themselves.  There’s always one that I find incredible though.  And I really love the un-professionalism.  God, they’re going to hate me for saying that, but it’s a student show so you don’t have to sell at this stage.  There shouldn’t be any restrictions.

What are your earliest fashion memories?
D: I was eight-years-old.  I lived in Toronto and I was in the car with my sister, who was 15 at the time, and my parents.  It was 1966.  They’d bought my sister a deep red pantsuit and she had bright red hair.  My mother said, ‘I can’t believe that pantsuit goes with her red hair!’  I thought, ‘Why not?’
S: Duran Duran’s video in Rio on the boat.  In Antigua.  That’s where I’m going tomorrow, for my birthday.  Well, not Antigua but Anguilla.  But, yes: pop music when I was 16, 17.  Videos like the Eurythmics’ ‘Who’s That Girl.’  Film I didn’t really pay attention to.

What advice would you give aspiring designers?
D: Keep wanting to do it.  You have to have the passion to do it.  And then, maybe, just maybe…
S: Make sure it’s from the heart, that it’s what you want to do. 

Joseph Abboud, Menswear Designer
So what did you think?
It was interesting – a lot of talent.  I have two daughters, one is 13, one 16, so I know they’re so young in their development.  And this is a tough crowd; there were a lot of industry professionals here tonight.  It took a lot of courage.  As a designer, it’s like an organic garden from where our future’s coming.  It gives me a lot of optimism and enthusiasm; an inward smile.

Did you have a favorite part?
I loved the girls – Diana, Tina, Madonna.  It’s amazing how sophisticated some of the color palettes were.  I have to give credit to the teachers.  You know, the fashion industry is a paradox.  It’s beauty on the outside, and, also, a dance with vipers.  The designer to the press; the designer to the retailer… In so many ways I envy them because they’re just beginning this amazing journey.

What is your earliest fashion memory?
[Laughs] It goes way back.  I had my first logo sweater at four-years-old.  It was a navy turtleneck with J.A. right here [points to his heart].  I always loved clothes.

What advice would you give aspiring designers?
You really have to have intestinal fortitude.  It’s not an easy road.  You have to be focused, dedicated, committed. 

Andre Leon Talley, Vogue Editor-At-Large
What did you think of the show?
Well-done.  It was marvelous!  They had so much dignity.  So dignified, all of them working as members of a team.

Did you have a favorite part?
I loved the themes – Motown and Madonna.  It was brilliantly done; imaginative; the energy was fantastic.

What is your earliest fashion memory?
A pair of yellow Christian Dior silk pajamas that my grandmother bought me.  They were from Paris but she must have bought them at a retailer in Durham [North Carolina, where Talley was raised].  They were yellow paisley.  I was eight.

If you could give these students one piece of advice what would it be?
Never give up your dream.  Get your high school diploma and continue your education.  You must have tenacity. 

~Alisa Gould-Simon

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To those folks living in New York and L.A., Chicago may seem as irrelevant as last week’s MisShapes party.  However, Kid Sister - who’s steadily gaining attention and packing dance floors worldwide with her club-rap hits Kid Sister's EP on iTunes ‘Damn Girl,’ ‘Pro Nails,’ and ‘Control’ - couldn’t be prouder to call the Windy City -- which has also produced musicians like Miles Davis, Kanye West, Jeff Tweedy and Pete Wentz -- home.

A Chicago native who grew up in the South Suburbs of the city, Kid Sister (aka: Melisa Young) is supported on-stage by her brother/DJ Josh (aka: J2K of Flosstradamus).  When she’s not slangin’ kids’ clothes in Roscoe Village, she’s performing at SXSW and Coachella, or heading across the pond on tour with boyfriend A-Trak. Oh, and her full-length album is coming out mid-summer.

Jealous yet? Attention from the likes of i-D, Pitchfork, and Vice would turn any girl’s head, but much like Chicago itself, Kid Sister’s all about keeping it real.  After all, the name Chicago was roughly translated from an Algonquin word meaning ‘onion field,’ back when the city had just begun to rise from the swamps of early 1800s Illinois.  Its reputation for rough winters and crooked politics aren’t for the faint of heart, and its local cuisine isn’t for the weak of stomach, as anyone who’s eaten a Chicago-style hot dog can attest to. We caught up with Kid Sis mid-transit to find out her favorite places in the City of Big Shoulders, (as well as where she gets her nails done when she’s in NYC): 

What’s the best/worst thing about living in Chicago?
There is no 'worst thing'- Chicago is the shit! 

Favorite hood to hang out in…
Hrmmm, in Chicago? My own, Irving Park Road. It’s really long and weird and goes through so many random neighborhoods. I followed it west to La Pena, an Ecuadorian restaurant/club in Portage Park the other night. That was fuuuuuuun! And in New York, I like where my boyfriend (A-Trak) lives in Harlem. I can get my nails done a block from the house really cheap. It’s also close to my favorite Jamaican place from back in the day. After that, Soho ‘n’ LES of course.  I like to shop when I'm not broke. And eat at the Pink Pony... my friend is the manager there! 

Favorite place to play/ see bands play?
Empty Bottle is fun... Cakeshop was too. 

Best place for drunken dancing with friends:
La Pena! Why? REGGAETON! 

Best hangover brunch/breakfast place?
I’m not that big of a brunch person because I always work on Sundays! I liked the breakfast burrito at Superfine in DUMBO, but haven't been there in four years since I moved away! :( 

I personally can't get enough Mexican food in me ever. There's a place called Los Nopales near my house... it’s the best Mexican food I have ever tasted for the money. The tilapia tacos are better than anything I've ever eaten in all my 26 years and are only $1.60!  

Favorite late-night grease trap: 
Pick Me Up Cafe in Lakeview. I’ve been going there since before I could drive.  

Favorite place to blow a paycheck?
Loehmann's !!!!!!!! Have you SEEN their shoe department!? 

 Favorite place to get culture/history: 
My grandmother... she's from Stone Mountain, GA, right outside Atlanta. She always has good stories for me. I could take an African-American history class and fall asleep watching 20-year-old PBS specials every week (as I have done), or just talk to grandma. She's so wise!  

Place to go for quiet/escape:
Montrose Beach at night. 

~Stephanie Benard

For more windy-city fun, psychoPEDIA recommends:
Hotels
The Intercontinental: Originally built as the Medinah Athletic Club in 1929, it’s famous for its amazing Roman-style art-deco pool on the 13^th floor.
505 N. Michigan Ave, (312) 944-4100

Sofitel: European boutique hotel boasting great design.
20 E. Chestnut St, (312) 324-4000

Late-night Dining
Golden Apple Diner: A city institution that’s open 24hrs a day, everyday.  It’s consistently packed after the bars close.
2971 N. Lincoln Ave, (773) 528-1413

Brunch
Orange: Fresh, seasonal, often organic dishes and (you guessed it) fresh-squeezed juices.  They also offer a tasty take on green eggs and ham.
3231 N. Clark Street, (773) 549-440

Drunk Dancing
Danny’s: Bar converted from an apartment where everyone dances like crazy, often aided by ‘special’ muffins from the ubiquitous muffin lady of Wicker Park.
1951 W. Dickens Ave, (773) 489-6457

Sonotheque: the best non-club club, with the best acoustics in the city.  It attracts DJs from all over.
1444 W. Chicago Ave, (312) 226-7600

Culture
The Art Institute of Chicago: Built for the world’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, it’s one of the few buildings left standing after the fair.  Though known for its collection of impressionist paintings, the museum houses an impressive amount of 20^th-century modern art. 

Hear it:
Catch Kid Sister and her ‘Pro-Nails’ at Canal Room this Saturday as part of The Rub’s monthly party: www.itstherub.com

Go There:
Pick Me Up Café, 3408 N Clark, (773) 248-6613
La Pena, 4212 N. Milwaukee Ave, (773) 545-7022
Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave, (773) 276-3600
Los Nopales, 4544 N Western Ave, (773) 334-3149
Montrose Beach, 4400 North Avenue, (312) 742-5121

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To dive into the world of air guitar for the first time is enough to make your head spin.  It’s a place loaded with groupies, fueled by mandatory drinking, and judged according to three categories, one of which is ‘airness.’  Then there are the stage names – Hot Lixx Hulahan, William Ocean and Big Rig, to name a few.  However, for the purpose of this article, we’ll focus on just one adopted air-moniker: Bjorn Turoque (pronounced B-yorn To-rock).

The latter is the alter-ego of Dan Crane, the perpetual bridesmaid of international air guitar competitions.  That is, until Crane tragically lost the crown to the Rockness Monster in 2005 and retired for good.  Since then, he’s been spreading his air guitar love worldwide via the recently-released documentary Air Guitar Nation (for which Crane is literally the poster boy - immortalized mid-air on advertisements throughout the world) – and his debut tome, To Air Is Human.  To boot, Crane was just named resident MC for this year’s air guitar competitions.

In light of Crane’s love for all things rock ‘n’ roll, we enlisted his help to try out a slightly different form of virtual rocking – specifically, Activision’s newly-launched video game, Guitar Hero II.  Already schooled in Guitar Hero I, Crane happily obliged.  On a Thursday morning, just before heading to Sacramento to record with one of the two non-air bands he plays in, Crane graciously invited us over to his Chelsea apartment for a few rounds:

Why did you get into air guitar in the first place?
The first one, in 2003, seemed like a naturally stupid and ridiculous thing to do.  I’ve been a musician all my life and had rock-star dreams as a kid, and this was a way to do it without a lot of work. 

Has your success as an air guitarist satisfied those childhood desires?
Strangely enough, it has.  I’m more famous as an air guitarist than I’ve ever been in my own band. 

How does ‘airing’ compare to performing with your band?
I went into it thinking it was going to be funny  it’s the same rush as being on-stage with the band.  Plus there’s the element of competition in air guitar. 

Can playing guitar really hurt your air skills?
Playing guitar doesn’t help you.  Guitar Hero is the best thing you can do because it gives you a sense of the separation between the right and left hand. 

How else can Guitar Hero help?
The idea that you’re getting so deep inside the song… the only other way to get that deep into the song is to drop acid. 

Is that something you’d recommend?
I would recommend it, just not for competitions. 

Overall impressions of Guitar Hero II?
Bitchin!  It has all my favorite songs – ‘War Pigs,’ ‘Woman’ by Wolfmother, ‘Mother’ by Danzig, ‘Ace of Spades,’ the lynchpin song of the film.  These are all air guitar classics.  My favorite thing is the career mode, where you’re developing your band.  At first you’re playing little bars to a few people and there are rats crawling around.  As you advance you get to bigger venues.  The final concert is at Stonehenge!  You get these three encores – they’re all secret songs.  And the final song is ‘Freebird!’ 

Do you think ‘Freebird’ was the right choice?
Perfect.  For Airoke nights, if the crowd is right I’ll put on the entire song [14 minutes and 55 seconds] and invite the whole crowd on-stage with me.  The energy is palpable, electric. 

How many hours have you clocked in on Guitar Hero?
Does that include being stoned?  Because time moves slower then… maybe 24… But I’ll definitely take this on the bus for the US tour.  Everyone will love it.  

You’ll be on the road quite a bit?
Yep.  The regionals are in D.C. in June, then there are competitions across the country.  The finals are in August and the international championship is in Finland in September. 

Anything you don’t like about Guitar Hero II?
The thing I don’t like is that they have these Guitar Hero nights.  One, it competes with air guitar.  Two, it’s boring.  It’s bad enough in your friend’s living room having to wait your turn.  And people don’t do anything exciting.  I hope that fad disappears. 

And the major differences between I and II?
The songs are different.  And on II the graphics are a little better.  The game play is the same though. 

So what are some of your signature moves?
As reported on airguitar.com, my signature move is the mid-song spliff.  I light an air spliff, take a toke, and throw it into the audience.  God, I sound like a stoner… I’m really not.  Oh, yeah, and I’ve done air blow too. 

What’s the audiences’ typical reaction?
It blows their mind all over the room. 

How difficult is this game for first-timers?
The first time is really hard if you’ve never played guitar.  But YouTube has these videos of four-year-olds playing ‘Ace of Spades’ on Expert level and they’re blowing it away. 

If you could play Guitar Hero II against anyone, who would it be?
Nietzsche. 

Interesting choice.  The Finnish-champion air-guitar-as-peace-movement - what’s your take?
I didn’t think it was for real until I went to Finland for the first time and met people from all around the world.  They’ve all come together for this competition; there’s something very Olympic about it – putting differences aside.  And there’s a lot of drinking, which helps build bridges. 

So it’s actually quite wholesome, aside from the drinking.
It’s non-violent, environmentally friendly, and you’re rocking out with your comrades. 

Is there a specific song or album you’ve always listened to pre-performance?
Oh yeah.  I really tried to mix it up though.  But C. Diddy, who kicked my ass, always listened to “Play With Me” by Extreme.  He stole it from the Bill and Ted soundtrack, which is probably the best place to take from. 

Do you think Bill and Ted have had a big influence on air guitar culture?
They were really the frontrunners in the art form; they helped make air guitar acceptable to the masses.  But there have been others.  Tom Cruise in Risky Business with the poker.  Beavis and Butthead. In the ‘90s air guitar really reached the nadir of respect.  People associated it with guys who sit on their couch and get stoned all day. 

And now with the movie, and your book, air guitar’s reputation has been resurrected.  Do you see it as an art or a sport?
It’s both.  It’s a natural atavistic response to hearing music, similar to dancing and having sex. 

Are air guitar groupies anything like regular rock groupies?
Indie-rock groupies are kind of shy.  Basically, with air guitar, it’s like I’m in Motley Crue or Guns n’ Roses.  They’re full-on. 

Do you think you’ll ever leave the world of air guitar behind?
This is my fifth year.  It gets old… But I got this email from a kid doing a class project.  He interviewed me over email and he just wrote me this long email where the last line reads, ‘If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be passing English.’  It’s for guys like him, plus the groupies. 

~Alisa Gould-Simon

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In the preface to her new book Dear Diary, Lesley Arfin writes, “Wanna see your future?  This book is my whole life, and, give or take a few ridiculous circumstances, it’s yours, too.  Here’s how it goes: you grow up in Long Island.  First you’re cool.  Then you’re not.  Everyone hates you, and you get so insecure you start suppressing emotions by giving hand jobs and inhaling whippets.  Then come the bad-girl years.  Sound familiar?”

Arfin’s debut tome is comprised of the author’s own diary entries from age 12 to 24, updates from her current 28-year-old perspective, and interviews with people from her past.  “This is every teenage girl’s story,” Arfin explains.  What follows, however, during those “bad-girl” years, is not every girl’s story – which makes “Dear Diary”  irresistible to many, even if it’s written primarily for 15-year-old girls. 

After discovering sex, drugs and punk rock growing up in Syosset (on Long Island), Arfin attended Hampshire College.  There, her drug use took off.  “I even saw a therapist during my last year of college, and she said that every time I did dope, I had to tell her.  So every week, I told her I had done dope.  I told her I needed it to relax, and she suggested I replace heroin with kava kava.  Nice try,” Arfin writes.

After college, Arfin moved to the Lower East Side in Manhattan and got an internship at Vice magazine - a gig that, in 2001, eventually led to her own “Dear Diary” column, which featured Arfin’s old diary entries from when she was growing up.  Fast-forward six years -- the column’s namesake book bears an introduction by Chloe Sevigny which reads as follows: “When I first came across Lesley’s column in Vice I was struck by a very familiar-sounding angst.  It was a funny and refreshing change from the usual bullshit, especially in Vice.”

The Vice column didn’t include Arfin’s stint as a dealer, more drugs, and trying to kick heroin.  Arfin spent her first days of sobriety hanging out at Terry Richardson’s studio.  She recalls: “Most of the time I was just there, sitting around while models got naked and did splits for him, or maybe Vincent Gallo was doing something ‘wacky’ for the camera.  My mind was totally blown,“ she remembers of the period post-relapsing before going to rehab at Betty Ford, where she saw God in a strawberry and three rainbows on her way home. 

“Dear Diary” takes the reader up to the point where Arfin comes out on the other side and discovers herself as a writer again.  Her literary heroes are those whose personalities are intrinsically linked to their style, including Jack Kerouac and Hunter Thompson.  And Arfin’s love of diaries comes in part because they’re written without the intention of ever being read.  “I was really inspired by The Diary of Anne Frank.  She wrote with a lack of self-consciousness.  That blew my mind at a really young age.  Also, The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer.  It’s awesome,“ she says over an orange juice at Pink Pony.

Arfin feels her experience is unique in that she can look back on it and laugh.  She writes: “You’re not me, but you’re kind of me.  You may not have had your ass kicked by your dad, learned how to weigh coke by a junkie named Skittles, or let a bi-curious ex cheerleader on K eat you out in the bathtub, but you made a hundred mistakes and you survived.  In fact it’s the mistakes that made you who you are today.”

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Summer is a time that all people living in cold climates obsess over -- until it becomes a sticky reality.  Whether it’s picturing inevitable wardrobe (and according diet) changes, or getting a great tan, there’s plenty to fantasize about.  The problem, however, is that reality rarely matches the dream.

Somehow summer is always sweatier, smellier and more uncomfortable than you remember it being.  Which means, as temperatures escalate, so does people’s hostility, and suddenly it feels like your inner Travis Bickle might not be as crazy as you once thought.  So, out of our inborn civic sense of duty, and hope for self-preservation, we present a guide of products that will keep you cool all summer: 

Kai Tai Air Conditioner (Price available upon request)
Air conditioning in a can -- we’re not really positive if this made-in-Japan baby is real or a mirage that’s a product of our collective psychoPEDIA fantasies.  But, either way it seems like, with it, it’s impossible to lose.  Just the thought of feeling the hot stickiness of summer evaporate from your clothing thanks to this magical aerosol can is enough to warrant spraying possibly toxic Freon gas onto yourself. 

Disposable Underarm Dress Shields ($9.99)
Ever wonder how to get rid of those dank, smelly half-moons that appear under your armpits every time you step outside when the weather’s hot?  Well, wonder no more, because AdvantageWear has solved this dilemma by inventing Maxi-Pads for your armpits.  For under $10, you can land an assortment of these hypoallergenic sweat shields. Although potential sexual partners might be put off, you stand to lose even more if you’re the person with the pit stain problem. 

CrystalBay Solar Cool Cap ($15.99)
This is a baseball hat with a solar-powered fan built into it.  Wearing it is so outré that it somehow makes perfect sense.  Dress it down with a pair of jeans, or dress it up with a suit—the perfect summer accessory! 

Good Humor Popsicles (Prices Vary)
You don’t have to be a little kid or an old person to enjoy a cold Popsicle on a hot day.  But you do have to be able to push aside any sexual hang-ups that involve phalluses, and you also have to be a sport about blowjob jokes.  The company that owns the Popsicle brand isn’t called Good Humor for nothing. 

StaCool Under Vest ($225; comes with two sets of ThermoPaks)
StaCool vests are the Rolls-Royce of keeping cool—the hot-weather equivalents to a bulletproof vest.  They’re manufactured to industrial-strength specifications to be an effective deterrent against heat for firemen.  Or you could just wear one on the outside of your new throwback football jersey like it’s a summertime update on the classic bulletproof you’re normally rocking. 

SmartKnit Active Socks ($12.50 per pair)
These are dorky-looking socks that minimize sweating, and, therefore, blisters as well.  That means that on both a visual and olfactory level, your feet will rank higher than those of your peers this summer.  The seamless toe looks like it will make the sock feel like a second skin on your feet.  May sound weird, but it’s better than smelling like your parents’ Birkenstocks. 

~Greg Greenberg

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From puggles to peekapoos, labradoodles to chiweenies, uber-cute mutts with even-cuter monikers have become some of the most aww-ed after hybrid pet breeds. But with the influx in recent popularity of “designer pets,” it wasn’t long before people started taking the phenomenon in another direction – domesticated hybrids of exotic animals.

Bred to be miniaturized versions of wild or zoo-kept creatures, these pets are not for the casual pet owner or faint-of-heart, as they may be truer to the nature of their exotic counterparts than you’d expect, and take considerably more experience and dedication to foster. While most of these hybrids are still proudly owned and raised by breeders, one of them may pop up on your neighbor’s doorstep. And for this reason, they’ve been surrounded by their own controversy – with hybrid animal lovers and animal-rights activists alike clashing over the creation and adoption of these new unnatural species. Because as all fads come and go, pets do not. And the worry that the exotic pet will go out the door with that Balenciaga bag from last season fuels the fire to stop this new sensation. 

But for fellow ‘liger’ lovers with Napoleon Dynamite-like fascination for  animals “bred for their skills in magic” -- or for those who simply like their pets a little less fluffy and a little more safari-ready -- here’s our guide to the newest mutts on the block: 

1. The Toyger
Featured as America’s new “superpet” in a Life magazine article, these cats could easily be mistaken for a stuffed animal and may just be the front-running ambassador for the new hybrid pet movement.  Your typical tabby-cat fused with a tiger equals this little guy with the dramatic orange-and-black-striped markings of its much larger and scarier model. Although first bred in the early ‘80s, toygers were only accepted into TICA (The International Cat Association) in 1993 as a new breed. And although its attributes and look are not yet perfected to be the ultimate mini-tiger -- with heightened intelligence and ability to move with the majestic step of the roaring ancestor -- toygers may just bring a touch of the African jungle to the ‘burbs. 

2. The Wolfdog
Because we’ve all probably read White Fang in high school -- your sentimental story of a wolfdog befriending a wilderness-stranded protagonist -- who wouldn’t want their own Lassie-like pet with the heart of the wild? Although some are naturally occurring, others are bred to have the helpful, loving nature of your local canine with the sharp instincts and piercing features of a wolf. While many resemble pure dogs, others retain more of their wolf-like temperament than your standard German Shepherd or Husky – therefore, many of these crossbreeds are prohibited to be kept as pets. The Dutch, however, have been building some momentum for the wolf-dog cross with their engineered Saarloos Wolfhond– an accepted breed in the Netherlands since 1975, often put to work as rescue dogs and guides for the blind. 

3. The Bengal Cat
From stripes to spots, like the toyger, the Bengal cat is bred to be your pocket-sized version of a leopard. Believed to have been first bred in California in the ‘70s, there are now breeders with catteries throughout the US and even internationally. As one of the more tame-able breeds on our list, with more of a dog-like temperament than you’d expect from a cat, these spirited bengals will hop right into the tub with their owners or play a game of fetch. Part of the support behind the creation of these big-cat cross-breeds is the belief that animals should be loved and not worn. We’ll forget that leopard fur coat for a beloved Bengal instead. 

4. The Coydog
Although possibly the most unwelcome of our hybrid pet friends, due to the coyote’s unpleasant history with sheep, these pets offer fuel to the fire for protestors against these wild hybrid breeds. Although interbreeding between dogs and coyotes is uncommon but present in the wild, these mutts probably have the most regulations against them and exhibit a mischievous personality that doesn’t always make for the best house pet. But despite the concern over their unpredictable behavior, seeing a coydog pup could still make the heart melt.

 ~Leann Peterson

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Very recently, a handful of young shop owners and restaurateurs who first made names for themselves in Brooklyn have started expanding onto the island itself, specifically in SoHo.  But, the newly-opened cross-borough outpost we’re most excited about is Shana Tabor’s In God We Trust.

The Brooklyn-based shop (now just over two-years-old) opened its new sister store last week on Lafayette Street, directly across from fellow Brooklyn-born, now also Manhattan-based vintage retailer Amarcord.  In addition to stocking its namesake men’s, women’s, and jewelry collections, In God We Trust’s laid-back, colonial-American-accented venue sells staples from local designers. 

On a particularly warm Tuesday this past week, we sat down with Tabor at her newly-opened boutique to procure a few recommendations for the bordering borough of Brooklyn (her hometown for the last eight years).  Here’s where to shop, eat, drink, and, most importantly, escape, in the New Hampshire-native’s own words:

What’s your favorite thing about NYC in the summer?
Getting away [laughs].  Ft. Tilden – a secret beach in Rockaway.  It used to be an army bunker or something.  It’s at the tippity-top of the Rockaway.  There are no people there. 

How did you first hear about it?
There was some segment on NPR where someone mentioned it.  Every single day someone would be talking about it.  So, finally I just rode my bike up there. 

And where do you live exactly?
In Williamsburg - the Graham stop off the L train. 

What’s inspiring you right now?
East Hampton…  I’m working on spring for next year.  Tennis… 

Do have any favorite Brooklyn spots for vintage shopping?
Atlantis Basement on Hope Street - it’s a mix of stuff.  It’s a notch above thrift-store junky.  And then Sydney’s Junk.  It’s off the Jefferson stop on the L in Bushwick.  It’s a total treasure.  A junk store.  A gem.  It used to be on Driggs [in Williamsburg] but they moved. 

Best brunch in Brooklyn?
Relish.  I love their Eggs Benedict and Bloody Mary’s. The fare is fancy American bistro.  It’s a mixed crowd.  Williamsburg hipsters, families, non-hipsters… it’s not a scene at all, which is so nice.  And they have a great patio you can eat on during the summer. 

Any other favorite eateries?
My fava fava fava restaurant is The Queen’s Hideaway in Greenpoint on Franklin Street.  It’s bitchin’.  It’s really small and you have to call for a reservation if you don’t want to wait.  The food is amazing, and the menu changes everyday.  There are two girls; one cooks, one waits tables.  I’ve had really good Southern food there, and really good New England food – like brown bread.  They’ll have a boiled dinner with brown bread and everyone else is sitting there going, ‘what’s brown bread?’  I love it.  The food’s simple, but always sophisticated. 

In your opinion, what’s Brooklyn’s best-kept secret?
Our Brooklyn store [laughs].  It’s not really a secret, but Gimme Coffee ‘cause their coffee is awesome.  

Are there any up-and-coming NYC-based lines you’re particularly excited about?
Shennan.  We sell her stuff here.  She’s a great lady.  And it’s a similar aesthetic to our stuff.  Also, Mina Stone.  We sell her at the Brooklyn store.  She does dresses, smocks, sweet understated.  Everything we carry, everything I’m into is a lot like our aesthetic. 

How would you describe the store’s aesthetic in five words or less?
Can you do that part for me [laughs]?  I don’t know.  It’s a junk shop where everything is for sale.  It’s comforting.  And everything is well-selected. 

What places do you find especially comforting in Brooklyn?
My bed.  The backyard of St. Helen Cafe is comforting. 

Do you frequent any other outdoor spots?
I’d say McCarren Park but everyone goes there.  Maybe, the Grand Street Waterfront. 

How do you think Brooklyn has informed your sense of style?
Maybe it sort of relaxed me a little bit, instilled some self-confidence. 

Have you seen any distinct difference with the way people shop or react to the store in Manhattan versus Brooklyn?
It’s so bad to say, but money.   The way people treat money in Manhattan.  In Brooklyn people will really appreciate a $250 dress.  And I hope to bring other elements of the Brooklyn store here.  We’re very intimate in Brooklyn.  I feel like I’m inviting people into my space; it feels similar to when you invite someone into your home. 

So what’s next?  More expansion?
I don’t want to expand anymore.  I think we’re opening up a showroom.  We already have men’s, women’s, and two jewelry lines.  And everything needs to be refined a bit. 

Do you see yourself staying in NYC indefinitely?
No.  When I leave here I’ll probably be moving to Portland, Oregon.  My brother lives there and my mom is moving there.  You can still live in a bungalow from the ‘20s!  I could do this there, but I don’t know if I’d want to.  There’s been a lot of talk about opening a small restaurant, a café.  It’d be my escape.  Having babies.  But I have to make sure I did everything I wanted to do, the way I wanted to before I leave. 

Going back to Brooklyn, any watering holes of choice?
I love Spuyten Duyvil.  It’s where Eskell shot their look book.  They have great wine, beer, cheese…  I’m not really sure where else though.  I have totally chilled out a lot in the past couple of years.  Oh, D.O.C. Wine Bar, across the street from our Brooklyn store. 

And what do you get there?
Wine, cheese, pickles, meat… everything I love.  And, Brick Oven Pizza on Havemeyer.  It’s super, super-chill, and their pizza is awesome.  Peter’s Favorite [Pizza Margherita plus arugula, prosciutto and shaved parmigiana] is my favorite.  And, Monday through Thursday they have 2 pizzas and wine for $20! 

Anything else you’re particularly excited about this summer?
The owners of Union Pool are opening a new lounge/bar on Berry and N. 6^th in the old Saved store space.  The space is so beautiful, and I’ve heard it’s going to be an old dilapidated Cuban feel.  It’s supposed to be like a hotel lounge, where they pour bottles by the weight.  For 30-somethings-and-up.  I think they’re opening in June or July.  I can’t wait to see it! 

~Alisa Gould-Simon

Go There:
Atlantis Basement, 57 Hope Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, (718) 599-3737
Sydney’s Junk, corner of St. Nicholas and Starr Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn
The Queen’s Hideaway, 222 Franklin Street (Green Street), Greenpoint, Brooklyn, (718) 383-2355
St. Helen Café, 150 Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg, (718) 302-1197
Brick Oven (Gallery) Pizza, 33 Havemeyer Street, Williamsburg, (718) 963-0200
Saved, 82 Berry Street, Williamsburg, (718) 388-5990

Atlantis Basement photo courtesy of sandwich! via Flickr
Fort Tilden photo courtesy of Sixeight via Flickr
Gimme Coffee photo courtesy of Fajitapot via Flickr
Brick Oven (Gallery) Pizza photo courtesy of Minimallyinvasivenj via Flickr
D.O.C. Wine Bar photo courtesy of Noah Kalina
Saved photo courtesy of Reversible Skirt via Flickr

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It’s prime time for spring-cleaning, and we’re not just talking ridding your apartment of dust bunnies and bleaching everything in sight.  There’s another surface that’s desperate for a good scrubbing – your face.

Now that winter weather is behind us, we’re all due for a good, refreshing facial.  And, since one’s skin is an extremely personal thing, we figured road-testing only one wouldn’t do the trick.  So, we pooled together a few cosmopolitan facial-connoisseurs and asked them to single out their favorites.  Here, a firsthand review of the best facials New York City has to offer:

Priti Beautiful Organic Facial ($120)
The Facts: Priti Organic spa - brainchild of Kim D’Amato, a former model, artist and photographers’ agent – is located on 1^st Street in the East Village.  The Priti Beautiful Organic Facial uses Dr. Alkaitis organic ‘skin food’ products.
The Reaction: I love the Priti facial for their organic masks, cleansers and lotions.  The hole-in-the-wall space in the East Village seems intimate compared to the warehouse-like spas in Midtown, and I find the overall experience extremely relaxing.  This isn’t the place to go for serious extractions and painful scrubs, so don’t feel cheated if they don’t squeeze out impurities for ten minutes.  However, the soothing masks and lotions soften the skin, and the aestheticians provide lessons on what kinds of foods you should eat for your skin type, as well as what formulas will help cure your breakouts.
~Amanda Kludt, Gridskipper.com 

Dr. Mitchell Mandel Medical Facial ($85)
The Facts: While Dr. Mitchell Mandel can help you with a variety of skin ailments, his aesthetician Claudia works particular wonders with pores.  Facial services at this 68^th Street office include the basic Medical Facial, as well as the Microdermabrasion Facial.
The Reaction: The facial is done by this Brazilian lady, Claudia, who works for him.  She used to work in different spas but has been working out of this office for awhile now.  The facial is pure, simple, medical; it’s not about fancy-smelling lotions.  She cleanses, extracts, moisturizes all in like 45 minutes.  It’s well-done without a lot of fancy stuff.  I feel like when I go to fancier places they use whatever products they want on your face even though it might not be the best thing.  He also has his own product line.  I was skeptical at first, but I really like it.
~Vivan Thi Thang, Nickelodeon International
Mitchell Mandel, 116 East 68^th Street, #1C, NY 

Eva Scrivo European Deep Cleansing Facial ($110, 1hr)
The Facts: Eva Scrivo is a renowned hairstylist and colorist who’s been beautifying the locks of celebrities for years.  But, that’s not to say her namesake Meatpacking District salon isn’t beneficial for what lies below the hairline.  In addition to the European Deep Cleansing facial, patrons can also sign up for Hot Stone, anti-aging, and acupuncture facials.
The Reaction (facial done by Ali): She’s very thorough.  She doesn’t push products on you and really accesses your skin.  She’s also got great bedside manner.  The room is tranquil – removed from the city noise.  There are lots of blankets and a heating pad.  And they use Yonka products, which I love.”
~Lindsey Taylor, Editor-At-Large, Martha Stewart 

Mario Badescu European Facial ($65, 1hr)
The Facts: The line of beauty products to which founder Mario Badescu lends his name has been keeping customers (and their skin) satisfied for 40 years now.  Thus, it’s little surprise that Badescu’s eponymous Upper East Side spa attracts the likes of Heidi Klum and still books up fast.  The European Facial is the spa’s sole item on the facials menu, for good reason.
The Reaction: An affordable, no-nonsense facial.  I didn’t find anything about this place relaxing, and the facialists here seem more like overbearing Russian mothers (“Have you been picking?  No more picking!”), than relaxing beauty experts.  The closet-sized rooms offer barely enough space to fit you and your facialist; the masks are very basic; and the whole set-up is geared towards selling Mario Badescu’s product line.  These qualms aside, once the redness of my face subsided, I got compliments on my complexion all week.  Plus, you can’t really complain about the $65 price.

~Amanda Kludt

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Alexa Chung is the best young presenter on British TV right now.  Along with her co-presenter Alex Zane, she makes watching pop stars talk about their new projects, on their Saturday morning music show Popworld, way more fun -- and funny -- than it should be.  She also has no clue about street slang, but she is from Hampshire, so that’s understandable. We got to ask her some questions: 

You’ve just come back from The Coachella Music Festival, right?  How was it?
Amazing.  I was only there for a few days and was incredibly drunk the whole time.  I’ve given up drinking and gone straight-edge as a result of Coachella. 

What have you been up to since you got back?
I’ve been working a lot.  Popworld takes up most of my time at the moment. 

You’re a pretty good presenter on that show.  How’d you get so good at it?
I don’t think I’m a very good presenter, which I think is what makes me a good one! People can look at me and think, ‘Wow, it really doesn’t take any talent at all to get on TV’.    Hopefully, I can inspire a whole generation of children to do nothing with their lives other than talk shit on TV. 

Don’t be so hard on yourself, Alexa.  You ask the people who come on the show really witty questions.  Who comes up with them?
I write the links with Alex – but there’s a team of people who write all the other stuff.  If there’s an interview where we’re playing characters, then we’ll write it ourselves. 

Have you ever had someone on the show that’s been a dickhead and made it really hard for you do the interview?
Not really, because everyone wants to promote their music, so they’ve all been pretty cool.  Even Joss Stone was nice and she’s a bit of a douchebag. 

Where does your surname come from?
From my dad – he’s Chinese. 

Do you know the slang meaning of your surname?
No, go on – hit me with it… 

‘Choong’ means that something’s really good, or a person who’s incredibly attractive…
Oh, really? Wow!  That’s so funny.  But, what if I bring the reputation of that word down and people start using it the other way round?  What if ‘Choong’ starts meaning something bad? 

That might happen.  If it does, embrace it!  How’s your love life at the moment?  Do you go on a lot of dates?
I don’t really go on dates, because I hate the formality and the pressure.  I did go for dinner with someone recently and it was just as bad as I thought it was gonna be.  I don’t think that eating and talking are two things you should combine when you’re trying to impress someone.  It’s offensive for someone to be chewing on something and talking in your face. 

If you could have a perfect date, what would it be like?
I’d go to The Trocadero Centre and go on the bumper cars, because even if the person you go with is rubbish, it’s still the most fun thing to do, ever.  And if you really hated them – you could smack into them really hard and give them a minor injury. 

What would your worst date be like?
Probably going for dinner with someone who’s really dull and didn’t have anything to say.  Although, I quite like feeling awkward, so it could be amusing. 

If you saw a guy in a bar that you liked, how would you get his attention?
I think going over and kissing someone is a pretty good way to get their attention, but if I wanted to go for a subtler approach, then I’d just insult them. If they fight back, then you’re onto a winner. 

~Styleslut

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When it comes to warm-weather staples, few accessories hold the same importance as a pair of sunglasses.  Despite the fact that most are merely two lenses, and perhaps a few ounces of plastic, they can easily retail for upwards of a few hundred dollars and, arguably, make or break a look.

From Marcello Mastroianni’s perpetually sleek, black-rimmed frames, to Jackie O, to the heart-shaped pair Bert Stern immortalized in his publicity photos for Kubrick’s controversial 1962 Nabokov adaptation, there are plenty of places in recent pop culture to search for inspiration.  But, that doesn’t mean tried-and-true styles like Wayfarers or Teashades are your only option.  Here, five of this season’s most irresistible specs: 

Ksubi (formerly Tsubi) Eyes Grille Sunglasses ($145)
Considering their Aussie roots, and taste for ostentatious attire, it’s little surprise that Dan Single and George Gorrow - the designers behind one of the most successful independent denim brands in fashion history – have also mastered making a mean pair of shades.  With a slew of celebrity style-setters sporting them, including the Olsens and Kate Bosworth (as well as Moss), it’s easy to find reason to jump on the bandwagon.  Possibly the perfect accompaniment to your aqua-colored skinny jeans, our favorite style is the Grille.  Oversized, with wide armbands, they might as well come with a warning: do not wear if you’re not looking to get noticed.
For a store near you, tsubi.com 

Spitfire Candybar Sunglasses ($25)
Never ones to leave our less-affluent readers hanging, we’ve settled on this pair of eye-catching specs partly due to their easily digestible price tag.  (Our other reason: they distinctly remind us of the Balenciaga shades we’ve been drooling over at a markedly higher price point.)  So, whether you’re channeling your inner ‘It’ girl, or just looking for a replaceable pair you won’t cry over when left in the back seat of a cab, we recommend Spitfire’s Candybar… practically as sweet as the real thing.
Available at flyinganyc.com  

Karen Walker TV Eyes ($239)
New Zealand-bred and based designer Karen Walker first made headlines when she debuted an effortlessly chic collection at NY’s Fashion Week two seasons past.  More recently, the brunette who crafts clothes (and accessories) twenty-something girls can’t get enough of made headlines again, thanks to her ‘70s-dictator-inspired sunglasses ads.  While we’re not sure if it was the controversial approach, the perfectly-cast models, or the sumptuous shades, we fell. Hard.  Her TV Eyes style is no doubt one of the most unforgettable, but we’ll happily lend our support to her Dynamite and Gloria specs as well.
For a store near you, karenwalker.com

Oliver Peoples Virtuoso ($365)
If you haven’t noticed by now, wide rims and thick arms (we’re talking sunglasses, not Cadillacs or biceps) are pretty much a must-have this summer.  And, Oliver Peoples’ Virtuoso, self-described as “a masculine modified plastic aviator,” offers both.  While these frames will send obvious nods to Marcello circa Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, they’ll likewise convey a look that’s explicitly modern.  Besides, when it comes to accessories, we’re all for elegant, classic simplicity.
For a store near you, oliverpeoples.com

CLAW Money Gazelle Sunglasses ($250)
An NYC style staple in her own right, CLAW is a Queens-born street artist turned sunglasses designer, in addition to Swindle magazine’s long-time acting fashion editor.  Her limited-edition sunglasses, like these retro-inspired, aviator-shaped shades, are sold at Colette, and ANYthing in the Lower East Side.  So, grab some Gazelles in the color of your choice, and keep cool even when the city is sweltering.
For where to purchase and more from CLAW, check clawmoney.com

*For vintage (and antique) frames in the NYC-area, don’t forget Fabulous Fanny’s.  This East Village institution is loaded with vintage sunglasses – including collector’s items that make even a window-shopping-only visit worth the venture fabulousfannys.com.

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Last week, we waited over an hour in a coffee shop for actor Sebastian Stan to show up to our scheduled interview.  With a deadline to meet and a plane to catch, we came to the conclusion that we had been stood up, and made the obligatory uncomfortable phone call to the press office.  We learned that Stan had in fact screwed up dates and that our only shot at an interview was to try and catch him at The Longacre Theatre, pre-performance.  We suddenly began to get the feeling that we weren’t dealing with Stan, but, rather, the twitching stoner Kent that he’s playing in Eric Bogosian’s 1987 play Talk Radio, currently on Broadway. 

The play’s premise is this: a young man, Kent, calls into a radio show hosted by his idol, a ranting Cleveland talk-show host played by Liev Schreiber.  Kent claims that his girlfriend has overdosed and is turning blue in the face.  “You hear all these people calling in with their problems.  Everybody wants to talk.  Everybody wants their five minutes of fame; my character is a summary of all that,” says Stan. 

Before long, Kent calls back to reveal that there’s no girlfriend, and that his parents are on vacation in Fiji.  To compound the situation, Kent claims to have been up for a few days smoking crack.  “He is the best example of the kind of audience the radio show’s creating,” adds Stan.  Kent is the alienated suburban kid trying on a punk attitude, wanting to belong, yet wanting to be out of it. 

So what is Stan’s relationship to Kent?  “I never really got into trouble with anything,” says Stan of his own high-school days in Rockland county.  After graduating from Rutgers University in 2005, the Romanian-born actor landed a role in the 2006 film The Covenant.  Stan then appeared in the smaller film, The Architect, and, most recently, in The Education of Charlie Banks, which just premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.  “My stepdad was the headmaster of this small private school I went to.  I didn’t even know what pot was.  I was always a pretty good student; I never went out late or anything.”

Illegal substances aside, the difficulty of coming of age while surrounded by the oblivion of suburbia is one way in which Stan relates to his character in Talk Radio.  And, it’s not the only one.  “It’s very similar to when I met Liev,” says Stan of Kent’s eventual encounter with his own idol, Schreiber’s character in the play.  “I can relate in terms of wanting to be an actor and wanting to have respect.  And the hunger for that – for achievement and finally getting to be on Broadway.” 

Stan is especially specific when discussing his relationship to his performance, as well as with Schreiber both in character and out.  “I ask myself every time I go on stage: ‘What is he saying to himself?  I’m gonna be on the radio.  Everybody’s gonna hear me.’  The fame and the girl… it helps me to have this thing about teasing him.  Like, ‘It must be great to be you.’”  Yet, the rapport remains a lighthearted one.  “It’s an endless search in trying to freak each other out every night,” adds Stan.

At times the budding actor feels he was born in the wrong period, longing instead for an age when actors took more risks, exploring methods and styles.  “I love the 1950’s – the era of Elia Kazan, Marlon Brando, Dean, Newman.  I loved reading about the group theatre.  I just find the whole period romantic … New York and the idea of being an actor.  It was based on different principles.  I’m not quite sure everybody knows why they wanna be an actor in the first place nowadays.  I know I haven’t gotten it all figured out.”

As 8 o’clock approaches, Stan heads off to get ready for the evening’s performance.  He talks again about finding the ground between himself and his character.  “I know there’s an affinity there somewhere between us, but I haven’t quite placed it.  At the same time, I’m all right with not knowing completely, because I feel like it helps it in some way… I don’t know.”  In other words, not knowing is Stan’s perfect place to be.

~Sara Costello

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Despite being born to a long lineage of accountants and bankers, Manitoba-bred and now-Alberta-based Paul Hardy followed his creative inclinations at an early age.  Lucky for fashionable femmes worldwide -- as the Canadian designer now produces collections of meticulously-crafted, eye-pleasing pieces, often credited as reminiscent of the Belgian design movement, and, more specifically, Marc Jacobs. 

In fall 2003, at age 30, Hardy became the first Canadian designer ever to show at New York Fashion Week – a monumental event that occurred just one season after the designer debuted his namesake line in Toronto and LA.  Since then, Hardy, who in the past has taken up residences in both London and New York, has continued life as an Alberta local.

So, we contacted Hardy following his latest collection presentation in New York at the Waldorf-Astoria, and enlisted his help as our Canadian guide to the Western province that he’s called home for the last nine years.  Here, Hardy reveals his favorite spots, including the best places to satiate your appetite for culture, cuisine and clothes:

How would you describe the direction your designs are currently heading?  And what has been inspiring you recently in terms of fashion design?
My Fall 2007 collection, titled “Light: the power of opposition,” is a symbolic reference to the state of culture - people appearing hard and sometimes steely or isolated on the surface, but then soft and vulnerable on the inside. The fabrications convey that idea, and the play with light when directed on the textiles furthers that concept. 

How has Alberta, Canada informed your sense of style?
The weather in Alberta can be quite erratic because of the mountains. So it can be warm and sunny in the morning, cold and rainy or even snowing in the afternoon. It lends good cause to owning a diverse wardrobe. 

What’s the best thing about living in Alberta?
The people are really great. Above that, the sun shines annually more here than any other part of the country.

And what’s the worst?
The weather through the spring can be a downer. When you get the odd snowfall in May, you begin to question if it will ever end.

What are your favorite places to go when you’re in need of inspiration?
The mountains. You have a sense of things greater than yourself when you are surrounded by them. 

Where do you go to shop?
For women I break it down into 4 categories:

Luxury goods: Holt Renfrew
Clothing: Primitive
Accessories: Rubaiyat
Shoes: Gravity Pope 

For men:
Clothing: Henry
Shoes: Good Foot

What about the best restaurant for a pocket-emptying dining experience?
Without question, Lido Cafe in Kensington. 

Best restaurant for breakfast/brunch?
Toss-up: River Café (higher-end) or Diner Deluxe. 

Name three favorite watering holes.
I don't drink, so I’d say Starbucks... haha. However, if I had to pick, I would probably choose: Bungalow, No Name, or James Joyce Pub. 

What are the best places to find cultural stimulation in Alberta?
Nature: Banff or Jasper
History: Drumheller Dinosaur Museum (aka: Royal Tyrrell Museum)
Calgary: Stampede
Edmonton: the West Edmonton Mall 

Best place to sleep (if you’re a tourist)?
Riverside Inn Kensington - in Kensington in Calgary, and the Post Hotel in the Mountains. 

What is Alberta's best-kept secret?
Vintage stores: the Cat’s Eye or What’s In Store. 

And the first place you go when the weather finally gets warm?
Prince's Island Park. 

Go There:
Primitive, 814-16 Avenue SW, Calgary, (403) 244-4404
Rubaiyat, 722 17^th Avenue SW, Calgary, (403) 228-7912
Lido Café, 144 10^th Street, Calgary, (403) 283-0131
Bungalo, 524-17 Avenue SW, Calgary, (403) 209-5005
No-Name, 14^th and 17^th Avenue SW, Calgary
What’s In Store, 1600 Edmonton Trail NE, Calgary, (403) 276-3066

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Not to be confused with the master hypnotist/illusionist or the ‘70s Brit-rock guitarist from Slade of the same name, Dave Hill is a writer, comedian and host of Dave Hill Explosion – a talk show that has featured guests like Rufus Wainwright, Sandra Bernhard, and Dick Cavett.  The fact that this Hill also plays guitar (with Children of the Unicorn and Valley Lodge) and likes to trick himself into staying sick to avoid work is also purely coincidence.

Because we’re Hill fans and it’s National Hamburger Month, we decided to combine two loves, and ask Hill to test out French Chef Laurent Tourondel’s take on an American classic.  So, we invited Hill and fellow comedian Max Silvestri to BLT Burger, the latest edition to Tourondel’s highly-praised BLT restaurant pack – BLT Fish, BLT Prime, and the nascent BLT Market at the Ritz-Carlton in Central Park included.

Despite feeling under-the-weather, and having two back-to-back nightly performances on his plate, Hill met us, along with Silvestri, at BLT Burger for a meal.  Below, the verdict:

I hope you like hamburgers…
Hill: Yeah.  I live in the West Village now [home to Corner Bistro, Jane Tavern, etc], so I’m eating like four hamburgers a week.  I’m getting to know my hamburger-eating self. 

And have you been to any of the other BLT restaurants?
I’ve been to BLT Prime.  I had a lovely time.  Some showbiz people took me there.  I’m  a simple man; I probably wouldn’t go there unless someone else brought it out.  I would now… basically I try to get other people to pay for stuff [laughs].
Silvestri: The spiked milkshakes look good...
Hill: It’s too early for me.
Silvestri: I probably have an Airborne you could dissolve in it.
Hill: I’ll have a coffee milkshake.  

Is it allergies?
Hill: I have an overall body debilitation that started a week ago.  I’m prolonging it because it’s keeping me from having to do anything and I’m enjoying not doing anything.

How long do you foresee it lasting?
Hill: Until Monday. 

What happens Monday?
Hill: I have to work.  I’m shooting something for Adult Swim.  And I’m doing this thing that I can’t really go into detail about.  It’s for a large, unnamed corporation; they hired me to do all this stuff… it’s internal so it will never be seen. 

So, how did you get started doing comedy?
Hill: Do you want the long story or the quick version?  The long is actually kind of interesting and has bits of things you can learn from. 

Let’s go for the Long…
Hill: I’m a writer and a musician so I was used to playing in rock bands.  I always liked talking in between songs; I would always talk for as long as it seemed like a good idea, even though the rest of the band would be like ‘shut up.’  I was writing for a TV show, I’d just come to NY, and the producer was like, ‘You should try performing.’  When you’re writing something you always want to do it yourself.  I didn’t know the comedy scene at all, but I always wanted to do a talk show in a bar with some friends.  So I started the Dave Hill Show, I did it five times at Siberia Bar in the basement.  It was going well and people really liked it so I started trying to make it good and it started to suck.  I learned a lesson that way – do it naturally because, if you over-think it, it’ll suck. 

And now Dave Hill Explosion is going strong…
Hill: Yes.  Sadly I was reading message boards - because I need to know that people like me - and after the last show someone said ‘this reminded me why it’s cool to live in NYC.’  I liked that. 
[The waiter brings over orders of BBQ and Spicy chicken wings, as well as Coffee, Grandma’s Treat and The Go-Go milkshakes.]
Silvestri: What are these candies on top of the shake?
Waiter: They’re tiny milk duds.
Hill: That’s from the future. 

Impressions?
Silvestri: I’m really impressed with the milkshakes.
Hill: Solid. 

What do you think of the chicken wings?
Hill: I think they should combine the two sauces into one crazy sauce. 

As an alternate option, or as the only option?
Hill: For my purposes I would be ok with it being the only option.  But, for other people, maybe keep it separate.  The BBQ could use a little heat [to note: Hill once won a jalapeno eating contest in Cleveland, won two tickets to a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert and then sold the tickets at face value and pocketed the money.  He still feels bad about it.] 

How do you feel about the handy-wipe [tucked in the basket with the wings]?
Hill: I’m pro handy-wipe.  They’re one of those things… you’re not used to getting a handy-wipe and then you have one and you’re like, ‘I could use this at least once an hour.’
Silvestri: I like that it’s just there.  It’s not like, ‘Oh, do you want a handy-wipe?’ so you feel like a dirty baby.
Hill: They’re not judging you.
Silvestri: It’s like: ‘If that’s used when we pick up the wrapper we’re not going to know who did it.’
Hill: It’s like in a hotel room that has that romance kit or whatever.  ‘We’re not saying that you order prostitutes, we’re just saying that you might want to order a prostitute, and we’re ok with that.’ 

Thoughts on burgers?
Silvestri: I would be down for any sort of burger but not the turkey, veggie or salmon burger.
Hill: Nah, that’s a waste of time.  That’s an affront to my senses. 

[Chili cheese fries, sweet potato fries, a BLT burger, an American Kobe burger and a Lamb Merguez burger arrive.]
Hill: [Holding up the BLT Burger – Angus Beef with Bacon and a house sauce] This is really good. 

What do you think of the sauce?
Hill: I think it’s great!  I think I may have tainted it by putting it in ketchup and mustard. 

And the Kobe?
Hill: The Kobe was good, but there was too much mushiness going on. 

And the Lamb?
Hill: Excellent, and spicy.  It’s really good, but I don’t know if I’d come here and order it…
Silvestri: Those are perfect [gesturing to the sweet potato fries]!  It’s really easy to overcook them, but these...
Hill: They’re delightful. 

So you’re truly a beef-only burger guy?
Hill: Yeah.  Even though the Merguez is a burger-shaped food item, it’s not really a burger.  I’m against the healthy alternatives.  If you’re going to smoke, smoke Marlboro Reds and pull the filter off.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hill: Part of me always thinks that each thing I do will be the last and I’ll be working in an auto-parts store… I’d like to see Dave Hill Explosion make it to TV.  And my friend David Rakoff and I just sold a script for a film.  I hope that we make that.  It would be fun to make movies. 

If you could have anyone on your show, who would it be?
Hill: Isabella Rossellini.  She said she’d do it.  Her manager came to the last one and liked it. 

Final thoughts on the place, the music…
Hill: It seems like a hip joint.  If they played Kansas [which is playing now] the whole time, you wouldn’t get any complaints from me. 

I think that should do it.
Silvestri: Your people will love this.
Hill: My people [sighs]… I want to meet them. 

~Alisa Gould-Simon

Taste It:
Wish you could cook like Tourondel?  Get one step closer this fall when BLT releases its namesake cookbook.

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Everything is relative, right? Thus, it’s no surprise that UK band The Cribs have an honest perspective about the sensationalism driving today’s celebrity-obsessed culture. To put it simply, they hate it. 

So, while it seems everyone wants to know the latest on supermodel/rock star duos like Helena Christensen and Coldplay’s Guy Barryman, or Kate Moss and Pete Dougherty, it’s a relief to find that The Cribs, whose next album is titled Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever, fail to fall victim to the widespread cliché of “rockers, models and bottles.” 

The Cribs - brothers Ryan, Gary and Ross Jarman - are the cool kids from Wakefield, England who took true music lovers by storm in 2005 with their first full-length debut, The Cribs, and again in 2006 with The New Fellas. Their fans will be even more excited to know that come this July, The Cribs’ third album will be released on Warner Bros. Records. And, there’s an added surprise: the guys decided to have fellow musician and friend, Alex Kapranos from Franz Ferdinand, produce it. 

PsychoPEDIA took a ride with the guys in an NYC cab (and backstage at Mercury Lounge) in between dinner at The Spotted Pig and another show on their small pre-album release US tour this summer. In their own words:  

What do you guys think of the cliché of rockers only dating models?  Does it apply to The Cribs?
Ryan: I don’t even know any of ‘em! The whole fashion and model industry world is something I don’t have any interest in. It’s a completely different world!
Ross: We came from a small town called Wakefield, where we’re kind of secluded from all that star stuff. We really don’t take notice.
Gary: The only model I’d know and recognize would be Kate Moss! 

What has it been like to experience America’s celebrity culture?
Ryan: I’ve experienced it all in a surreal way. I’ve been to all the parties and seen it all, but choose not to take part…
Gary: The thing about Ryan is that he has no idea who these people are. He won’t kiss their ass.
Ryan: I was at Paris Hilton’s house, but I had no idea who she is. And then the other day, I was at another one’s house, another actress’ house, somewhere in the Hollywood Hills and didn’t know who she was. The only thing that’s different at that kind of house, rather than a regular house, is that they have free crab cakes! I guess it’s good that I have no idea who these people are. 

America is consumed with this kind of crap, so it’s interesting to hear what a band from England has to say…
Ryan: It’s just sensationalized bullshit, where everyone is liking someone, just by their face… 

And it’s not something Brits can relate to?
Ryan: I see it all the time in England as well. People don’t take notice to what’s really going on in papers, important issues. It’s total bullshit. When we come here, we’re exposed to such a different lifestyle. I’m from a really small mining town; I don’t go out, it’s a totally dead kind of place and the weather is rubbish. When you’re in Los Angeles, you at least get the opportunity, when you’re living this surreal kind of lifestyle, it just seems so phony. If they’re happy with that life, that’s fine, it’s just a million miles from where I’m from, from how I live my life.

~Jessica McMenamin

Click above to watch QuickTime (7 MB)

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School’s out for the summer, but that’s no reason to put your literary inclinations on the shelf. Whether you’re lounging on the Great Lawn, shore-side in Southampton, or grinning and bearing it atop your aluminum-paneled roof, a great book is always an ideal summer accompaniment (as is a high-SPF lotion).

So, in light of this fact, we’ve assembled our own psychoPEDIA-approved summer reading guide. Here, our list of favorites that will help you bide sun-filled time and ensure your cultural references are in tip-top shape.

Please Kill Me: the Uncensored Oral History of Punk, by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain
From those familiar to those obsessed, this book is an essential for anyone even remotely intrigued by the birth of punk. NYC-centric, yet spanning decades, as well as the cross-Atlantic development of rock music post-1960, expect heavy drug use, egocentric subjects, morbidity and celebrity culture, not to mention a whole lot of rock ‘n’ roll. From Iggy and the Stooges, to the Sex Pistols and Patti Smith, this incredibly entertaining, informative text, compiled from first-hand interviews with those involved, offers insight into a who’s-who roster of everyone who made the movement memorable.

Illuminations, Arthur Rimbaud
This fall sees the release of the much talked-about Bob Dylan biopic (the heavily-blogged-about film featuring Cate Blanchett, as well as a handful of other actors). So, we figured, what better time to revisit the poetry of Arthur Rimbaud – the 19th century French écrivain often described as the archetypal enfant terrible (the poet maintained a long-term affair with symbolist poet Paul Verlaine, not to mention survived a gunshot wound, inflicted by his lover, to the wrist). Rimbaud’s prose not only had immeasurable effect on subsequent generations, but his transcendent text, Illuminations, heavily influenced many great artists – Dylan and other ‘60s songwriters included.

Anything by Kurt Vonnegut (though our particular favorites include Deadeye Dick, Slaughterhouse Five and Bluebeard)
In memory of the revolutionary American author who passed away this year, we highly recommend reading everything by this master of genre-bending and black humor. A top-notch satirist, and an even stronger storyteller, Vonnegut crafted his works to address important historical and cultural happenings, as well as the human condition, while consistently doing so with inimitable subtlety. To put it simply: genius.

The Philosophy of Andy Warhol: (From A to B and Back Again) by Andy Warhol and Edie: An American Biography, by Jean Stein and edited by George Plimpton
This past year saw the immortalization of both artist Andy Warhol and actress/socialite Edie Sedgwick in more ways than one. In addition to the Levi’s clothing line named for the pop artist who revolutionized concepts of art and celebrity, and half a dozen gallery exhibits in his honor, there was the release of the much-anticipated(and subsequently heavily criticized) feature film, "Factory Girl," which focused on Sedgwick – arguably the Factory’s most intriguing offspring.Unfortunately, as a result of countless reproductions and individual interpretations, these two unforgettable pop-culture figures are often greatly misunderstood.Thus, this summer we recommend delving into Warhol’s own philosophical guidebook, as well as the Sedgwick biography (based on first-hand accounts à la Please Kill Me) that comes as close as possible to uncovering the true nature of the unforgettable “it” girl.

Jimmy Corrigan, The Smartest Kid on Earth, by Chris Ware
From fellow author Dave Eggers’ non-profit 826 Valencia and adjoining Pirate Store, to Showtime’s radio-adapted television series This American Life, artist Chris Ware’s work can be seen in countless facets of contemporary culture. So, as a far less literary (and significantly more eye-pleasing) read, we recommend this debut title from Chicago-based Ware. The 380-page graphic novella includes fold-out instructions, an index, and paper cut-outs -- devices intended to aid the book’s exploration of the emotionally impaired existence of its namesake everyman, Jimmy Corrigan. Here, Ware proves he’s not your average cartoonist; rather, he’s an accomplished artist (Sean Lennon credits Ware as the greatest living artist today) and storyteller.

~Alisa Gould-Simon

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If you ate three tons of Skittles and then threw them up in London’s trendy Soho area, the influential Kokon To Zai store is what you’d be left with. “Colorful” is an understatement when describing the store’s wares. As well as stocking some of the best new labels like Cassette Playa and A Bug, they also have their own eponymous-acronym KTZ line, and in-store DJ. Sounds pretty amazing, right? We talked to Andreas from the Greek Street store, to find out exactly why the store’s so fantastic:

How long have you guys been around?
Well, the London store has been here for over ten years now. We have another in France that we opened soon after that.

How would you describe the clothing in KTZ?
It’s a wild mix of new and cutting-edge designers with lots of crazy colors and also more high-end designers like Raf Simons. We have everything from oversized clothing to more minimal stuff.

Where did the name Kokon To Zai come from?
It’s actually an old Japanese phrase that means something like ‘from east to west’. They don’t use it in Japan anymore. So, when Japanese people hear it, they actually laugh, because it’s such an old word.

What do you look for when choosing a new label to stock?
We look for brands that speak for themselves – we don’t need a salesman to sell a label to us. We get some designers while they’re still in school, and ask them to make some clothes for the store before they’ve even graduated.

How do you feel about the ‘Nu-Rave’ title that many people have labeled the store with?
I think the store was kind of the creator of Nu-Rave. We don’t really want to be associated with it anymore, because now you can get Nu-Rave clothing at high-street stores like Primark. It’s great for wearing to clubs, but we’d rather have the label Kokon Zo Tai, than anything else.

How do you feel about the fashion industry at the moment?
I’d say it’s a mix of wonderful people and arrogant people. You just have to make sure you hang around the wonderful people! London is a great place for fashion at the moment. When I used to live in Sweden, I felt like I didn’t have anyone to associate with, but when I came to London and saw the whole KTZ movement, I was so amazed by it and everything it stood for.

Has anyone ever tried on some clothes on in the store and they looked really bad, but you said they looked good anyway?
No, I always say what I think! Everyone has different styles though, so even though I might not like it, it doesn’t mean it looks bad on that person.

What’s next for KTZ?
We’re going sci-fi. It’s all about sci-fi fashion! We’re still going to stock the colors, but we want to have brands you can’t buy everywhere. It’s good to be underground.

~ Styleslut

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Few individuals jet-set as much as those in the fashion Industry, where one’s living quarters change continents as frequently as socialites change wrap dresses. And London-born-and-bred, now-NYC-based designer Nathan Jenden is no exception. Schooled at Central Saint Martins before relocating to the U.S. and becoming creative director of Diane Von Furstenberg’s eponymous line, Jenden is no stranger to life on the road, or exploring exotic locales for inspiration.

To boot, three (fashion) seasons ago, Jenden added both a son and his own artisan-inspired, much-heralded namesake line to his repertoire, ensuring that things for the 35-year-old are far from slowing down. Thus, it’s little surprise that one of the golden-maned designer’s preferred international destinations is the non-stop, sophisticated city by the sea, Hong Kong.

A history of British ownership (the region was fully emancipated just 10 years ago), and particular geographic positioning, grant the “fragrant harbor” an eclectic, unrivaled blend of both Eastern and Western culture – an ideal place to find inspiration and to indulge. So, we enlisted Jenden, currently in Hong Kong, as our guide. Here, he divulges where to find the best local designer fashions and dim sum, as well as the city’s newest hotspot. In his own words:

How often do you visit Hong Kong?
At least five times a year.

So you’re not just going for work…
No, I have a lot of friends and family in Hong Kong.

What are you doing there this time around?
I’m designing the DVF spring collection.

Any details you can give?
For the spring collection I'm looking at unorthodox interpretations of silhouettes and prints.

You’ve lived in quite a few big cities. How does Hong Kong compare?
Being a native Londoner, London has a lot of energy and history, and I love the fusion between the historical and the modern; New York has a gritty energy that drives me crazy in a good way; and I love the mix between the east and the west when I'm in Hong Kong.

What exactly is the influence that Hong Kong has had on your work?
Hong Kong has a certain international glamour that is very, very Nathan Jenden.

If you were to describe Hong Kong fashion in a single word, what would it be?
Hong Kong fashion is hard to wrap up in a single word. But if I were to describe it, I would say trendy.

So where in Hong Kong do you shop? Any particularly good places for local designers’ goods?
Soho and Nathan Road has really good, offbeat stuff, Lane Crawford has a great selection of designer goods, and the street markets have so much color and vibrancy.

And for a great meal that’s going on the corporate card?
For a feeling of colonial Hong Kong go to China Club. For classic dim sum, Yung Kee. And, for modern cuisine, go to Opia [lounge at the Philippe Starck-designed JIA boutique hotel].

Where do you go when looking for inspiration?
Everywhere – even just walking down the street.

What’s Hong Kong’s best-kept secret?
There’s a great new place right now called Halo. It’s in Lan Kwai Fong, which is a district in Hong Kong Island. It has a great vibe and it captures the essence of Hong Kong nightlife.

Where do you lay your head to rest after a late night at Halo?
Either the Four Seasons or the Peninsula. The Four Seasons is on Hong Kong Island in Central and the Peninsula is on the Kowloon side. This is separated by the harbor and both parts of Hong Kong are very unique.

Is there a plus side to traveling so much for work?
In traveling I get to spend time alone to myself - to read and to think - as well as experimenting with local cuisines, and seeing the local idiosyncrasies of different cultures.

And the downside?
Spending time apart from my wife and kids. They live in New York.

Where are you off to next?
I’m returning to London, then New York, then off again for a month in Asia with a stop in India along the way.

Go there:
China Club, 3-15/F Old Bank of China Building, Band St Central, Hong Kong
Nathan Road, Kowloon, from Tsim Sha Tsui to Mong Kok

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For a guy who invented his own breed of organic “freak” dancing, choice of denim is critical. With his recently-released record Secret Lawns, the debut album off new label Fryk Beat, Chicago-grown and now Portland-based Panther (a.k.a. Charlie Salas-Humara) has been touring the country and using his funky, electronic-disco beats to inspire concert-goers.

If you haven’t seen one of his live shows, do yourself a favor and check out YouTube, which features Panther’s avant-garde video for 'How Well Can You Swim' or the entirely-cardboard-box-constructed video for 'You Don’t Want Yr Nails Done'. Watch as he busts a move (or three).

For such an intrinsically creative dude, only a fair-trade, eco-friendly, all-natural pair of jeans would do. So, to test out the new socially-conscious, premium-denim label Sling & Stones, whose mission seems to be saving the world (housing orphans in India and preventing suicide in Japan, for starters), we at Psychopedia had the uber-active 33-year-old take his green (literally and figuratively) pair for a spin. Here’s what he told us about them:

Hey Charlie. Is it a good time to talk?
Yeah. I’m actually walking the dog. No! [yelling at dog] Sorry, he obsesses over squirrels.

Are you wearing the jeans right now?
Right now, no. But the jeans are awesome.

Great. But, first, about your music: how would you describe what you do to someone who’s never heard your music?
Well, for a while it’s been me and various instruments - all pre-recorded music. But now I’m working with a drummer and a violinist, so it’s more of a band.

Describe the new sound…
Ethiopian-inspired music with big sweeping symphonic sounds, cello, multi-tracks. It’s basically chamber track music.

Did you go to school for music?
No. I went for English… real pointless [laughs].

And you just finished a nationwide tour?
Yeah, just over a month.

What was the general reaction to your shows?
Depends on the different cities. In certain places, people watch, and in others they get into it. This tour was really good though, because people seem to know my stuff now.

Do you think it’s true that no one dances anymore?
It’s funny that people say that. Do people dance at a Stephen Malkmus show? Probably not… I guess it depends on the crowd. Like at the last show in NYC [at Third Ward] everyone was dancing. It was such a fire hazard. That place was packed with a million kids. I kept thinking, I’m just going to hang out near the fire escape. The fire marshal came and everything. It was so surreal.

Tell me about your impressions of the jeans…
They look really good. I’m not really into weird washes, which is why I asked for a dark pair. The green’s really nice.Normally, I wouldn’t wear something like that, because I don’t like stuff that stands out too much. But I really like them. They fit really well. And I was stoked because the company seems socially-conscious – the ink is organic and they’re fair-trade.

Is it fair to say you subscribe to the green movement?
Yeah. And it’s definitely good that it’s to the point where people are thinking about it. I mean they [the jeans] have to be expensive. How could the company afford it otherwise? I don’t really shop that often, but when I do, it’s from smaller companies, and organic is in the front of my mind.

Do you wear a lot of other jeans?
The only other ones that I ever wear are APC’s... maybe some old Levis. They [the Sling & Stones] kind of fit the same way as APC’s, except they’re a little more pegged. I’m already ridiculously skinny, so when I see myself in these it’s like ‘whoa!’ They make you look extra-skinny.

Have you worn them out and about?
Yeah. It was tough at first– when you have a new pair, you have to commit to them. I’ve worn them out bike riding and to work. It’s seems like they’ll last forever. I haven’t been able to find a pair of jeans like this where they’re not trying to be overt, and they fit my body naturally. They fit people with no ass really well [laughs].

What have you been pairing the jeans with?
Lately, the weather’s been nice, so I’ve been pretty much just wearing T-shirts and army shirts.

How would you describe your style?
I don’t know… burnt-out preppy. It’s been like that for probably 15 years. You know, preppy clothes that are falling apart – an early-30s hipster.

Tell us more about the dancing in your performances, as it’s something that critics and fans have really held on to?
I’ve done it for a couple of years. It’s kind of modern dance – performance art-ish, kind of late-‘80s choreographed. Basically making myself look uglier, spastic. It’s non-stop throughout the performance.

How do people tend to react?
A lot just stand and stare, but a lot are dancing too.

What are some signature dance moves?
It’s all pretty much improvised– the sign of the cross, kneeling, putting my hand out [laughs]… It’s barely dancing. More like chaotic, epileptic seizures. Fluid seizures. Those jeans would be great for dancing. They allow for a lot of movement.

So you’ll definitely be bringing them along next time you tour?
Oh yeah. I’ll blast through them so quick. I’m always on the floor.

~Leann Peterson

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New York is slowly inching towards spring, and romance is in the air. For those who have been hibernating over the past few months, here’s a guide for getting back out there. I sat down with Sharyn Wolf, whose book, Guerilla Dating Tactics, covers topics including: 'Dropping the Camouflage,' 'How to be Memorable,' 'Mobilization of Forces and Resources,' and 'Self-Imploding Grenades.' “Guerilla dating tactics are a more proactive way of showing interest,” says Wolf, who has been leading 'flirting seminars' for the past 20 years.

The Oxford English Dictionary has at least 15 definitions of the word “flirt,” Wolf points out -- two of them being “a smart stroke of wit” and “ a pert hussy.” Wolf offers her own: “Flirting is in the moment and should be offered without a long-term goal. It’s a gift you have the power to give. The ability to flirt goes hand-in-hand with the ability to take control of your life and have impact on the world.”

The book lays out the first, most crucial part of flirting: eye contact: “Eye contact, the deluxe battery recharger. Puts the ‘p’ back in pulse.” The six phases of "the social norms of eye contact,” she says, are: connection, confusion (“is my fly unzipped?”), corroboration, candor, charisma, and, finally, conclusion. “Making eye contact is not the same as staring,” Wolf clears up.

GDT offers lots of new, unusual ways to get close to that someone special. “Create a moment of intrigue: Pass by the one you’ve had your eye on, and tell him it’s two o’clock exactly as if he’d just asked you for the time.” If this doesn’t send the message, try executing the brush-by, “a popular technique from my book 50 Ways To Find A Lover. This involves passing by someone at least once before approaching him or her.

For those who want a more sensual approach, Wolf advises swirling some objects -- but, she warns, “this may be more sexual than you care to get, and involves manipulation of drink straws or the lascivious fingering of bar peanuts.”

GDT also addresses the most commonly misused flirting technique -- the wink. Don’t wink when you’re pissed off: “Winking should only be done in good spirit and should be a pleasant jolt,” says Wolf. Wink only once; multiple winks could be taken as a tic. And never, never in a dark corner by the bathroom of a bar at 4am (unless this is an invitation for that person to join you).

With all the advice given in GDT to meet that special someone, the most direct example Wolf offers requires no warfare, just lots of balls. It’s from the movie 'Champion.' where Lola Albright comes on to Kirk Douglas, saying, “I suppose you know you have a wonderful body. I’d like to do it in clay.”

~Sara Costello

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Grab your shades, slather on the sunscreen -- summer’s nearly here! While we can’t say we’re particularly pleased with our shockingly pale complexions, or those few extra pounds, nothing says ‘school’s out’ like shopping for a swimsuit. And, since that experience can be potentially painful, we tried to help by putting together the following list of our favorite suits. (Our only other advice: avoid fluorescent lighting and fat mirrors if at all possible.) Slide/strap in:

Rosa Chá (price upon request)
When it comes to bathing suits (and hot bodies), Brazilians often do it best. Rosa Chá is no exception. Take one look at her primarily nude-and-mute-purple-toned (not to mention flesh-baring) collection for this season, and it’s bound to get your heart racing. We’re partial to quite a few of Chá’s intricately-constructed numbers (think swimwear cut like couture), but settled on this piece, as its wearability outweighed that of most of its opponents. While we can’t guarantee these suits will flatter every figure (as they leave next to nothing to the imagination), on the right body they will stop any breathing being dead in its tracks.
Available at Rosa Chá, 830 Lincoln Road, Miami, FL, (305) 673-3665, www.rosacha.com.br

Norma Kamali Halter Bill and CMIO Swimsuit ($350 and $205, respectively)
As Kamali notes on her eponymous website, certain style swimsuits will not complement every body type. But, if you’ve been doing your Pilates/spinning/stair climbing in stilettos like a good girl, we say go for the Ruched Halter Bill MIO, and pick from an assortment of pretty pastels. Or, if you’re not so into the girly-girl, ‘50s-pinup aesthetic, try the Foil series. It’s full of robot-chic patent-leather-looking suits of which Nicholas would surely approve (our favorite is the CMIO -- sure to send all of the fellas screaming “Dio Mio”).
www.normakamali.com
Norma Kamali Halter BIll and CMIO Swimsuit

American Apparel Nylon Tricot Two-Tone Suit ($36)
As an economical Kamali alternative, we recommend the latest from none other than resident ‘70s-fetishists American Apparel. For under $40, snag this two-tone suit in a range of color combinations (our favorite’s the black/poppy combo pictured here), leaving you cash to save for the beach share you’ve been craving.
www.americanapparel.net
American Apparel Nylon Tricot Two-Tone Suit

Original Penguin Snow White Boardshorts ($65)
As far as we’re concerned, as are many of our male counterparts, looking for a great pair of men’s swim trunks can often feel as hopeless as a search for the Holy Grail. Fortunately, Original Penguin is doing its part to satisfy our urge for simple, short (but not too short) trunks that don't take the oh-so-common floral route. Far from ostentatious, this pair offers both unique prints (grey geometric maze print) and reasonable price points. Amen.
www.barneys.com
Original Penguin Snow White Broadshorts

Loro Piana Seersucker Swimtrunks ($185)
Looking to embrace your inner Southern prep, or trying to hide a bit more thigh? Try these Seersucker trunks from Loro Piana. Looser and less attention-seeking, these shorts should keep you feeling cool and looking fresh all summer long.
www.vivre.com
Loro Piana Seersucker Swimtrunks

Dior Homme Swimming Trunks ($190)
Are you a gentleman that’s more than comfortable strutting his stuff in a skimpy (yet not quite Speedo-small) suit? Then whether you’re South Beach or South Hampton-bound, try Dior Homme’s swimming trunks in solid blue or black. Sleek, simple and -- if recent trends at Dior Homme’s NYC store are any indication -- possibly a collector’s item come next season.

www.yoox.com
Dior Homme Seersucker Swimtrunks

*Also check out Yoox.com for a limited-edition collection of vintage-inspired ladies' swimwear by Sucrette. Handcrafted details include antique silver, ancient coin and Swarovski crystal appliqués. And the fit is infinitely better than most true vintage suits.

~Alisa Gould-Simon

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