Category Archives: . REGULAR FEATURES

September 25, 2010 · 2:02 pm

Event Alert: South End Open Studios This Weekend

This weekend is South End Open Studios in Boston. All the major art buildings in the South End are open to the public – including the Boston Center for the Arts, Laconia Lofts, the SOWA buildings, the studios on Wareham and Albany Streets, the newly opened Art Block, and the Piano Factory.

A couple of my favorites:

Albertine Press

Shelley Barandes of Albertine Press, a small letterpress print studio, will be at Michelle Willey at 8 Union Park Street (between Shawmut and Washington) on Saturday, 11a.m. to 5p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5p.m.

Next door, Aunt Sadies and Gracie Finn will be featuring dog art. And the Greek Church on the corner is having their annual festival. And on the next block, there’s Patch NYC.

PatchNYC

Don and John of PATCH NYC will be in the courtyard at their studio building at 46 Waltham Street (at Washington) on Saturday and Sunday selling jewelry, scarves, candles, home accessories, and exclusive pieces, plus a random selection of their favorite things including beautiful books, Indian textiles, Bulgarian jars, ceramic sculptures, and bobble head squirrels (because seriously, every well-decorated home needs one).

Isabelle Abramson String Tied Vase

All the artists T 450 Harrison will be welcoming visitors into their studios, including one of my favorite local ceramists, Isabelle Abramson, who’s in Studio 411a. (I posted about her work here.)

And lots of other photographers, painters, printmakers, jewelry makers, and more

[tweetmeme source=”StyleCarrot” only_single=false]

2 Comments

Filed under . REGULAR FEATURES, Art, Shopping

Tagged as albertine press, Boston art scene, Isabelle Abramson, Michelle Willey, Patch NYC, Shelley Barandes, South End Open Studios, SOWA

September 25, 2010 · 7:58 am

Shop Alert: J. Crew Mens Shop Opens in Copley; Women’s Expands

The J.Crew Mens Shop opened at Copley Place in Boston this week. This is the company’s first dedicated all mens store outside New York City. The original J. Crew store across the way is now entirely devoted to women. A definite improvement, but first, a look at the new Mens Shop.

Looks a lot like Brooks Brothers to me, from the dark paneling to the scripty gold logo. Hmm. Guess the women’s collection is not the only aspect going all fancy. (You DID notice the $600 items in the fall catalog, didn’t you?)

Same clothing that was across the way last week, and I suppose the cabinetry isn’t dissimilar, but the vibe feels stuffier.

Table of ties. Could do without the tartan.

Chambray and gingham hankies.

Love the hunk of slag glass.

Retro fans and other objects behind the register.

Heading across the way to the original space . . .

The women’s store is now wide open.

A shoe department was added in the back. Love the picture wall.

And more jewelry cases are scattered around the store.

No complaints here.

[tweetmeme source=”StyleCarrot” only_single=false]

Covet: Heather Keiko’s Felt Necklace for Areaware

Felt necklace by Heather Keiko for Areaware

Heather Keiko is a Sydney, Australia based textile designer who creates hand-crafted
jewelry in felt. This necklace is hand cut and sewn together using German wool felt. It has a simple hand made felt button and loop closure.

[tweetmeme source=”StyleCarrot” only_single=false]

1 Comment

Filed under Covet, Fashion, Shopping

Tagged as Areaware, Australian jewelry, felt jewelry, felt necklace, Heather Keiko

September 22, 2010 · 8:40 pm

Designer Spotlight: Madeline Weinrib Textiles as Clothing

Argentinean designer Soledad Twombly, designer of the label SOLE by Soledad Twombly, has just launched a new collection that incorporates the fabrics of ikat queen, Madeline Weinrib.

The collection’s fifteen pieces celebrate Twombly’s love for exotic Central Asian textiles, mixing Weinrib’s signature handmade ikats with Twombly’s signature rich Italian fabrics like velvets.

There was a trunk show in NYC last week, and one is scheduled for Rome in early November.

Soledad Twombly in her Madeline Weinrib designs.

+ + +

Soledad Twombly

Sole Twombly’s ateliers in New York and Rome

[tweetmeme source=”StyleCarrot” only_single=false]

1 Comment

Filed under . REGULAR FEATURES, Designer Spotlight, Fashion

Tagged as ikat blouse, ikat clothing, ikat dress, Madeline Weinrib, sole by soledad twombly, soledad twombly atelier

September 21, 2010 · 9:40 pm

Design Diary: CFDA Does The Aldyn

The new glass tower on the Upper West Side, The Aldyn (click through to the article on Curbed NY; it’s pretty funny) has invited designers to decorate a series of rooms on its 14th floor for a CFDA charity showhouse.

Tours of the rooms opened to the public today. Admission is $25 and benefits the CFDA Foundation.

Diane von Furstenberg living room.