While many designer labels feel compelled to display the trademark moniker prominently on pieces as a testament to their own prestige or popularity, the designers behind Millions of Smiles, Michael Swan and Chris Leba, prefer to let their talent speak for itself.

Much like the cohesion the two designers exhibit when creating their collection, which has attracted high-profile clientele like Britney Spears and Drew Barrymore, the duo also transmits an unmistakable synergy in other aspects of their lives– not unlike Tribeca's new hotspot, Macao Trading Co-– which does a lovely balancing act of its own. With an unconventional menu, of which most items are available in two seemingly polar culinary genres, Chinese and Portuguese, Macao offers dishes such as Manila clams Portuguese prepared with chorizo and a Chinese counterpart dressed in black beans and chilies.

Even on a recent night in the belly of a recession, the restaurant is perfectly full. However, this comes as no surprise, as Macao is the handiwork of the Employees Only creators and Chanterelle’s David Waltuck. Joining psychoPEDIA for a taste-test of the new eatery, Swan and Leba, already seated with glasses of Tsingtao beers in hand, discuss the dishes and much more:

Do you know the story behind this place?
CL: You know how Hong Kong was a British colony, Macao used to be a Portuguese colony. So it had this great mixture of heritage. Macao is like the Las Vegas of Asia. I always hear these outrageous stories. It’s very similar to Vegas– call girls, gambling, shopping.

Appetizers arrive: Chinese-style shrimp served in crispy wrappers, Portuguese-style Manila clams and Portuguese-style fennel and artichoke salad with chickpeas.

CL: That was faster than McDonald’s. The service here is awesome.
MS: I wonder how Vegas is doing right now?

I think people still drink and gamble even when the economy is struggling. Dating is up…
CL: I guess people want company during hard times. So you’re in a good place. I think you’re ready. Are you on Nerve? You’re going on Nerve. Are you Jewish? Then you’re going on JDate too.

What do you think of these appetizers?
CL: The clams are really good. They’re interesting. I’ve never really tasted anything like this. What is that?
MS: Chorizo.
CL: It’s really good. The salad is fine but I didn’t love it.
MS: I don’t think they needed to fry the chickpeas. But the shrimp is really good.
CL: OK. So you’re in a good place. You’re ready.
MS: I think you’re ready. You just need to say that you’re going to get back out there.
CL: Just say yes to the universe. It’s liberating to say what you want. You have to make a hard stand and it’s going to go one way or another, instead of waiting around forever. Women are so funny like that, they just decide– and then that’s it.
MS: I was just reading that we find people who we look like. Like the spacing of our eyes, the shape of our face. It’s interesting. What happens in your mind while you’re growing up that clicks, I like this, I don’t like that. Then suddenly, you have a type. Do you have a type?

I don’t know. I don’t think so. Do you have types?
CL: Most say they don’t have a type. Women are more open. All my girlfriends looked different but I definitely have a type. Guys have a blueprint. And they’re looking for the woman that fits that. Confidence and passion are hot.
MS: And there’s a physical thing that needs to be there. I think especially for men, because physically, they have to be aroused.
CL: Yeah, you can’t fake it.

Entrees and sides arrive: Grilled lamb chops with red pepper jam, Portuguese-style grilled sirloin with bleu-cheese butter, a Chinese-style whole bass crisp fried with ginger & scallions, Swiss chard with currants & pine nuts, and Bacalao fried rice.

MS: I’ve been married for ten years now. Every relationship breaks down to this: you have to have the skills. It’s like playing tennis. You have to be good at it. Meaning for example, being supportive. It’s just very easy. When I was younger I had this habit, if my girlfriend said “black”, I’d say “white”. Now I’m like, “totally”. “I totally see what you’re saying”. Even if I don’t agree– I trade that with, I’m on your team. It’s a skill. But it takes years and years.

I like that. So what do you think of this course? This whole fish is pretty spectacular.
MS: The fish is delicious. I like the presentation. And the fried rice is amazing. There are pieces of fish in here.

And how about the lamb chops?
CL: Really good. The red pepper jam is interesting. But a couple of them were cooked a little more than I’d have liked.

What do you think of the vibe in here?
CL: I love those lights over the bar.
MS: We were looking at them before. I like the vibe but the décor is a little over the top.
CL: They could’ve scaled back on the props.
MS: But I love the darkness and the rustiness.
CL: The rice pudding– that is insane.

By now dessert has arrived. It all looks amazing and my cappuccino smells so good, I sip it by the spoonful. The rice pudding is insane. And although the name might throw you, the fried milk, which tastes like custard covered in a cinnamon-sugar shell is unusual and delicious. And obviously, you can never go wrong with chocolate torte.

On the way to the restroom Chris runs into their friend, John, at the bar. He joins us with a fabulous looking drink.

What are you drinking?
John: I’m not sure. The bartender asked me what I like to drink and I said something with scotch or whiskey and he gave me this. It’s so good– tastes like there is cardamom, bitters, orange. It’s a little spicy.

Later, co-owner Jason Kosmas, tells me a few of the secret ingredients: J&B Scotch, Mahjong, Carpano vermouth, five-spice bitters and Navan, a vanilla liqueur. Sweet and spicy? Uh, pretty tasty. Like pretty much everything here.

The Verdict:

Taste: 9/10
Looks: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Service: 10/10 Overall: 36/40

Macao Trading Co. , 311 Church Street, 212.431.8750

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 01:54 PM | Permalink

Much like hip-hop’s many crews, clans and cliques, London’s creative community thrives on the merging of talented (and in some cases, not-so-talented) individuals to form a collective voice. One of the more notable voices is the burgeoning ‘creative consultancy’ Gloria Loves Valentine. Founded by Daren Montague and Kevin Morosky, the collective’s diverse resume spans clothing, events, publishing and styling – even music, soon to come. With recent work for clients such as S.W.E.A.R (GLV compiled their lookbook), Kevin filled us in on how the group was formed.

Define Gloria Loves Valentine…
Gloria loves Valentine is a gang, but rather than throw up gang signs, we throw up cameras and paintbrushes. We’re a group of young creatives that got very bored with receiving attitude from spoiled rich kids and arse-lickers with no talent. We do what we do because of our love and passion. It’s not for fame or money, it’s just for the love involved.

Where does the name come from?
Gloria and Valentine are my grandparents. They met when my grandmother was 16 in Jamaica and were told to not be together. Rather than separate, they got married and moved to London... How gangster is that? 50 years later, with seven children who grew up to have 13 grandkids and two great grandkids… I’m the oldest of the grandkids. My family might have never happened if my grandparents didn't jump country for their love.

Are there many people involved in GLV?
We roll 14 deep (original members), but have a larger family, community-wise. We count Goldilocks, Frankmusic, Cocknbull kid, Styleslut, Sick-kids and many others that we would label as ‘fam’. We feel like every time we work with someone they are automatically one of us and vice versa.

What role do you play in the collective?
I’m the boss. I’m what Biggie was to Junior Mafia, although all of my team is as talented as me. I’m also what Alfred was to Bruce Wayne. We all support each-other. For instance, I have a book coming out in September. All the creative help in regard to promotion and press are all around me. We take on each other’s projects as if they were our own.

How do you rate London’s current creative scene?
I think there are some amazing talents, like Jeanie Annan Lewin. She’s a talented stylist and a fashion encyclopedia. Seriously, ask her anything. I’m in love with Kate Moross’ drawings. I cant help but gravitate towards that. Joanna Vanderpuije’s collections and designs are amazing. But then there are some overrated ones, who are just shit. They label themselves fashion designers but can’t cut or sew or knit (yup, I am talking about someone in particular). They never push anything forward; they’re just boring.

If you could change something about ‘the scene’, what would it be and why?
Advertisers. Most of the fashion stories are controlled by what “has to be shown”, which is boring. I wanna see new shit. I wanna see fresh ideas. I want old designers to be kept on their toes. Obviously, without such funding, the magazine wouldn’t be around -- but, it might as well as not be, if it’s all just a mass advertising campaign, rather than the creative, inspirational impetus they claim to be.

Tell us about your clothing line…
We started it because we got bored with Henry Holland. That, and it was always in the pipeline. We will attempt to do everything. We have GLV Records coming, a creative studio, and a pub -- one that won’t let boys who wear Ugg boots in. We just take inspiration from everything around us, or that has been dear to us. Next collection includes the Swear shoe collaboration, dresses, fitted caps and some knuckle dusters...

Any common misconceptions people have about GLV?
That we are DJs, or that we just throw parties.

Anything major to look forward to from GLV in 2009 and beyond?
Naomi Harris collaboration, Puma Exhibition, Swear -- and the GLV Records label.

Are you single at the moment?
Kind of. I’m at that warm stage where ‘maybe’ is turning into ‘yes’.

Where do you go to meet prospective lovers?
Nowhere. I like the idea and the truth in bumping into love, so I never look. I wanna trip and fall.

What’s the longest relationship that you’ve ever been in?
Three years. It was also the worst.

Do you prefer long-term relationships or short-term flings?
Long, but my best loves have been short-term flings. So, I guess I’ll go wherever the biggest and strongest love is.

Is it hard to meet hot single people in London?
No. I find it hard to meet issue-free people in London.

~Donald Crunk

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 12:02 PM | Permalink

It was sometime in mid-2008 that we came across an e-flyer for a party called ‘Trading Places’. Not only did it share the same name as one of the greatest comedies ever, but it also hinted at a night that might have something more to offer than your typical Shoreditch-based bash which specializes in ‘ironic party-music’.

Trading Places has been going for nearly a year now and it regularly attracts many of the key faces in London’s creative community. From designers and stylists, to bloggers and musicians, this monthly roadblock brings everyone together under one big exclusive roof. Parties aside, the ambitious minds behind ‘TP’ have much more to offer than music and mayhem. They also have their own blog, A Tribe Called Next. The popular site is regularly updated with music, fashion and lifestyle and has a growing army of supporters. The collective also recently collaborated with the renowned street-artist Insa to create a super-limited-edition T-shirt and some stylish artwork for the last ‘TP’ flyer. We spoke to the collective about what goes on behind the scenes. Here is how they collectively answered:

How many people promote Trading Places and how many have you done so far?
There are 4 of us in total. A Cyde, Kish, Reggie Yates and Suz P. We have done 8 parties so far.

What was the initial idea behind the parties?
Essentially, we just wanted to have a place where we could party. There was no club-night that ticked all the boxes for us, so we wanted to start something for friends and family.

Why did you choose the name Trading Places?
Watch the movie.

What’s the music policy?
The music policy is just good music. And good records played badly.

Have you clubbed in any other countries?
Due to immigration policies, we haven’t been able to, as yet. Although, we are currently in talks with Embassies. When we get our real passports, we’ll holla.

Describe a TP party to someone who’s never been…
Bring a towel.

What type of clientele would you say TP attracts?
Friends, family and foes.

What made you decide to make TP ‘guest list only’? Do you think some folks might see that type of party as being snobbish and elitist?
Yes. Because we are snobbish and elitist, innit.

Do you think people dance more or less than they used to?
More or less. It doesn’t matter though; Trading Places parties have dance routines that everybody follows.

What’s your favorite/worst ever movie with lots of dancing in it or ‘dancing’ in the title, and why?
I’d have to say Jean-Claude Van Damme in the movie Breakin.
What’s your favorite dance move ever and why?
It’s called the ‘take em home’, which is pretty self explanatory.

What’s next for TP?
Guest DJs Eddie Murphy and Dan Ackroyd.

~Donald Crunk

Posted by psychoPEDIA at 12:22 PM | Permalink