J.B. Taylor

Spring-a-ding-ding.

Time to put away your woolly coats and knitted caps . . . Spring is making its grand debut! Baby buds are beginning to bloom, happy birds are chirping in the trees, and everything seems a little more Disneyland. And as the season changes, so shall I . . . because my favorite part of this time of year,  aside from the breezy sunshine and fantastical fauna, is getting to don some new frocks. Here are the Springified looks and accoutrement i'm currently daydreaming about (click images to view full-size):
 

Wear Your Love Like Heaven (above left): Maxi goddess style by Sophie Theallet (Fall '09. P.S. Call me wacky, but I always find Fall frocks to be perfect staples for a Spring wardrobe), 2nd & 3rd pics: Paul Smith (spring '09), Right: Issa (Spring '09)

 

I'm with the Glam (from left): Christian Dior (Resort '09), Gucci (Fall '08), '70s snakeskin dream platforms (spotted on eBay), Lily Cole in dreamy '70s style.

Sherbet Shazam: Halston (Spring '09), Oscar de la Renta (Resort '09), Sonia Rykiel (Fall '08)

Le Ingenue: Jazzy Yves Saint Laurent style, Goldie Hawn in Shampoo c.1974 (i'm having my hairstylist, the magical Peter Van de Velde, give me this cut, asap!), Michelle Phillips c.1970s
  

Malibu Boho (1st & 2nd above): Prettiness from Milly's Spring '09 collection (I'm dying for that white crocheted cardi). 3rd from left: Nanette Lepore (Spring '09), and Agyness in Anna Sui's perfect army parka (Spring '09)
 

Heirloom Accouterment: 1960s Borsalino felt cloche ($99 on eBay, which I sadly lost), 1950s carpet handbag by Ingber ($9.99 on eBay), 1940s dragon cuff (eBay), elephant purse by Midas of Miami (Leslie Hindman Auctions)
 
Chic Mix: Annie Liebowitz in San Francisco c.1973 (photo by Henry Diltz), Moschino Cheap & Chic (Spring '09),  '70s caftan casuals (I love the idea of going for a nature hike in nice pumps), Raquel Zimmerman in white and coral (i'm totally obsessed with this color combo).

Gallerist Glam: Erin Fetherston (Fall '08), 2nd & 3rd from left: Jaeger (Spring '09), Halston (Fall '08), Chloé (Spring '09)

Left: Matisse's Odalisque With Magnolias Right: William Eggleston c.1975
 
The White Album: Chloé (Spring '09), Ruffian (Spring '09), Paul Smith (Spring '09), Jasmine Di Milo (Spring '09)

Big Pink: Emanuel Ungaro (Spring '09), Oscar de la Renta (Spring '09), 1960s gown by Pucci for Formfit Rogers ($295 on eBay), a lovely mauve look from a 1970s knitting pattern book.

Groovy: Susan Small and Thea Porter frocks for British Vogue c.1969

Mellow Yellow: Madcap Louis Vuitton editorial from Vogue (shot by Steven Meisel), Sonia Rykiel (Spring '09), Anna Sui's ethnic chic (Spring '09), preppy perfection from J.Crew
    
Frocks-a-plenty: Viktor & Rolf (Pre-Fall '09), Christian Lacroix Couture (Spring '08), Byrdie Bell in a 1940s nightie, Louis Vuitton (Pre-Fall '09)

Naturalista: Organic by John Patrick (Spring '09), an Annie Hall inspired vibe from a '70s Seventeen mag, Charles Anastase (Spring '09)

Babydolls & Dandies: Betsey Johnson's '90s redux (Spring '09), Labyrinth lunchbox (to adorn the Betsey dress) c.1986 ($75 on eBay), a Louis Vuitton look (Fall '09, as shot by Steven Meisel for Vogue), unworn 1940s straw tilt-hat by Rightman's Millinery ($314 on eBay)

Caribbean Queen: Duro Oolowu, whos entire collection I find to be perfect (Spring '09), Christian Dior (Fall '09), Junya Watanabe's perfect nomad sandals (Spring '09), Duro Oolowu (Spring '09)

A perfect early '60s Saturday ensemb', Grace Kelly in a Mexican peasant skirt and cinch belt, and photographer Berry Berenson gracefully wrapped in a Mexican blanket.

Photos: Style.com, Corbis.com, Vogue

Trouble in Paradise.

 

Attention lovers of brilliantly kitschy vintage interiors and tiki-chic . . . San Francisco's Tonga Room is in danger of becoming yet another legendary American cocktail lounge relegated to dust. The Tonga is located in the basement of Nob Hill's historic Fairmont Hotel, which is about to endure a major "renovation" (most likely so it can look like a faceless W Hotel, or something equally vanilla), so preservationists got hold of the developers plans, and have discovered that they plan to gut the magical Polynesian valhalla, so we must do whatever it takes to stop them . . . even if it means holding a hookie lau/sit-in, and chaining yourself to the front doors with hibiscus leis and fishing nets.

It would break my heart to hear that the Tonga was no more, as I have a treasured memory of a night there with my family, in the late-'90s . . . my mom and dad had been having a really stressful year, and I hadn't seen them relaxed or having any fun in quite a while, so we decided to drive up to S.F. to visit my little sister, Lizzie, who was attending college there at the time,  and she brought us to the Tonga Room for cocktails. My parents aren't big drinkers, so the lounge scene has never been their thing, but the moment the faux-tropical rainstorm began over the pool in the middle of the dining room (which magically occurs every 20 minutes), and a Hawaiian-jazz combo floated out into the middle of the water in a thatch-roofed boat, we all began to laugh, and my dad led my mom onto the bamboo dance floor, where they swooned their stress away to the tune of a steel guitar. Oh, Tonga Room . . . I love you.


(L to R) Me circa late-'90s . . . if a cocktail doesn't have at least 2 umbrellas and a super-long straw . . . i'm out, boozy post-Tonga photo-shoot in the Fairmont lobby, I remember Lizzie wanted this shot to be like Suspiria-meets-heroin-chic, my adorable parents cutting a seagrass rug on the Tonga Room dance-floor, me and my dream car (at the time) in the Fairmont garage.

With the unforeseen loss of Trader Vic's in L.A., and Kelbo's before that, there are hardly any places as wonderfully tricked-out as The Tonga left in the world (not even in Hawaii), and we must fight for it, showing the developers that if they restore it, it will thrive. Sign this PETITION, and if you live near S.F., or are planning a visit, show your support of The Tonga by spending some moolah on a mai-tai, or anything served in a flaming half-coconut. Mahalo.

 


Photos: eBay, arkivatropika.com, Yelp, Christito on Flickr

Tom Brokaw = Stud.

"It will do us little good to wire the world if we short-circuit our souls. There is no delete button for racism, poverty or sectarian violence. No keystroke can ever clean the air, save a river, preserve a forest. This transformational new technology must be an extension of our hearts as well as of our minds. The old rules still apply. Love your mother – Mother Earth."

—Tom Brokaw (legend of journalism and awesome hippie).


The Way I See It # 130 quote found on a Starbucks paper cup, which is funny because i've heard they have no recycling program. Perhaps Tom can change this. If he organizes a "sit in", i'm there. Photo: Corbis

Slaves of New York (1989)

Even though I was only fifteen upon its release, I vividly remember all the hoopla surrounding the release of James Ivory's 1989 film, Slaves of New York (based on the best-selling book by Tama Janowitz). Every fashion mag was  declaring that it would be the greatest film of the decade, due to its stylish depiction of the Lower East Side's art scene, not to mention the inclusion of an entire Stephen Sprouse runway show (in the film Steve Buscemi plays a designer named Wilfredo, who is based on Sprouse). So it was tragic that when the film was finally released, it was greeted with scathing reviews, and a deafening thud at the box office.


Being that it is one of my favorite films ever, i've always felt it was just ahead-of-its-time, and greatly misunderstood (until more recently). Perhaps it was targeted to the wrong age-group, as every time I spotted an ad for it in the L.A. Times, I cut it out, and pinned it on my wall, hoping that one day I would be a wacky girl in a floppy hat and motorcycle boots, with a cute dog, juggling packages on the way home to a vintagey NYC apartment, where I designed things and hung-out with cool artists. I'd begged my parents to take me to see it, which sadly didn't work, as it was rated 'R', but I eventually was able to sneak it home, the moment it was released on VHS.

Every element of the film is in total funk harmony; Bernadette's portrayal of Eleanor is both whimsical and empowering, Ivory's direction is thoughtful, the cinematography is like Pop-Art, the costuming is beyond-brilliant  (thanks to Carol Ramsey and Mr. Sprouse), the art direction makes me want to re-decorate, and the No Wave-meets-'80s Pop soundtrack would have everyone at Danceteria twisting.

Watching it now, I feel it's more perfect than ever . . . a time-capsule for the end of a truly vibrant-neon cartoon decade, filled with inspired creativity born out of passion. Here are some fave Slaves images:




 

 
 
    

Bernadette (Below Left) in a scene from Slaves, wearing a furry green monster coat designed by Sprouse, (R) and Debbie Harry wearing the same coat, performing for Louis Vuitton's 2009 Sprouse Tribute soirée.

(Below Left) The cover of my hardcover copy of Janowitz's novel, and (Middle) Dianne Brill (party personality, author of the fun book Boobs, Boys, and High-Heels, and all-around bombshell), makes a brief cameo in Slaves as a sexy jogger. (R) Dianne partying with friend Andy Warhol in 1985.

(Below Left) Author Tama Janowitz, as photographed by Sprouse in the late-'80s, (Middle) Tama as photographed by Andy Warhol in 1986, (R) and Tama at  a party for Interview magazine in 2008.

And if wanting to achieve flawless Slaves style, the following pieces would be considered wise investments (after all, even cocaine was considered a wise investment in 1989!):

(Above) Cartoon couture from Jean-Charles de Castelbajac (Fall '09)

(L to R) Dolce & Gabanna (Fall '09), Norma Kamali safety-pin dress, Lacroix (Fall '09), DKNY (Fall '09)

(L to R) Dresser Johnson pop-art ring, sculptural Nina Hjorth heels, Carlos Falchi heels ($30 on eBay), zippered '80s driving-gloves.

(L to R) Sonia Rykiel (Fall '09), Rykiel (Fall '09), Alexander McQueen, Slave girl (spotted on Facehunter)

(L) It's mandatory to listen to the Tom Tom Club whilst carrying this bag. (R) Robert La Roche gallerist--specs (Made in Italy, and spotted on eBay)

(L to R) Peter Som (Pre-Fall '09), Limi Feu (Spring '09), Limi Feu (Fall '09), Wunderkind (Fall '09)

(L) Vintage Godzilla toy (it plays a small part in the Slaves storyline), (R) Catherine Bailey as shot by David Bailey in the mid-'80s, with killer Tama-style locks.

(L to R) Blumarine (Fall '09), late-'80s Thierry Mugler suit (spotted on eBay), '80s Italian trompe l'oeil rhinestone watch/bracelet, Vintage Stephen Sprouse dress

(Above) And you simply can't forget to pick-up one of these for your Soho loft (Ettore Sottsass "Carlton" room divider, produced by the Memphis Group c.1981)

Photos: bernadette-peters.com, style.com, deliciousbeauty on eBay, Fred Flare, facehunter, Resurrection

Hungry Like the Gator.

Lacoste (Spring, 2009) Vs. Simon Le Bon (c.1984)

 

Replicant Couture.

Blade Runner (1982) VS. Jean Paul Gaultier (Spring '09) VS. Gianfranco Ferré (Spring, '09)

Happy Days.

The contents of Bobby Protsman's Antique Automobile and Treasure Museum in Atlanta, GA (which i'm bummed that I never got a chance to visit), will be up for auction on March 21st (with all items starting at $0!), and though times are tough, there's no harm in dreaming of starting a collection of jukeboxes, carousel horses, or unicycles, now is there? Let's just hope I don't have too much chai that morning, and find myself uncontrollably bidding on one of the following:

 
(Above) Giant ornately carved coin-operated band-organs from Belgium (probably not very practical, but a sure-fire conversation starter).

  

(L) For jukebox-geeks, this 1946 Wurlitzer is apparently the be-all-end-all. It makes me want to wear saddle-shoes and sip strawberry milk-shakes whilst winking at Richie Cunningham across the soda-fountain counter. It's just the living end! (R) The little saturn, twinkle stars and "Music for You" statement are what really make this baby the tops, and i'd die to have sock-hops with it and dance around to my T-Rex 45's. Sigh . . .


( Above) These vintage coin-operated player-pianos, one with killer lanterns and a woodsy stained glass scene,  and the other in olde-timey-psychedelic-green, would enable me to employ my very own Invisible Irma, and are beyond perfect for playing The Entertainer.

(L) A working 1923 Model T roadster (owned by Georgia Gov. Lester Maddox), which would probably go the perfect speed for my upcoming stint as a licensed driver. (R) And if I should happen to flunk my driving test (it's happened before), then i'll go to plan-b . . . a high-wheeler c.1845.


(L) I love the height at which Ossie Clark hung his stained glass lampshade, (R) and this would be perfect hung low over our '60s turned-wood coffee table, for a bit of tropical-chic.

 
(L) We had to slow down recently while driving in our neighborhood, to let a couple pull out of their driveway in their Victorian horse-driven sleigh! We found this to be the punkest thing we've ever seen. We'd love to have this sleigh, but we know we'd just be poseurs. (R) Their Sunday kicked everyone else's Sunday's bum, and we hope we grow up to be this awesome.

(L) Wouldn't you love to begin each new day with one of "Granny's Predictions"? Not to mention, it comes with an "X rated" 8-track tape for those times when you need a more risque fortune telling. (R) And imagine how excited everyone would feel if they had to enter your house through one of these!

Pretty soon our house is going to lie somewhere between this . . .
 
And this . . .

Cleopatra (1934)

Everytime I see adorable moon-faced Claudette Colbert roll out of an Egyptian carpet, offering herself as a surprise gift to Caesar, I cannot help but smile. Not only is it one of my favorite Cecil B. DeMille-directed films, featuring a fabulous performance by the ever-elegant Colbert, but it is an absolute dazzlement to the eyes, and a feast for any fashionable soul. I've always been enamored of Egyptian iconography, and get truly jazzed everytime I get to stroll around The Met's mammoth Temple of Dendur, but even though this film may not be the most historically acurate, it still makes me want to swath myself in scarabs, paint hieroglyphs on my face, and take off on a gilded barge down the Nile. Here I present to you, enough visual inspiration for a mummy's lifetime:

   


Photos: corbis, classicmoviefavorites, nypl, thehollywoodart.blogspot, cinemagraphe, georgeeastmanhouse, shillpages, doctormacro

Dress you up in my loves.

The closets throughout my life have always been reminiscent of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe . . . doorways to another more magical land, filled with feathery boas, glittery platforms, diaphanous frocks, strewn pearls, and bugle-beaded bags. Problem is, we've moved into a new home, which despite its spaciousness (especially in comparison to our last Murray Hill studio), has a serious lack of storage space. So after long deliberation, i've decided to part with some very special items, and offer them out to the vintage-loving universe, hoping for some lovely soul to adopt them, keep them sparkly, and adorn their person, while they paint the town fantastic.

See a sampling below of what I currently have listed on eBay, and if you are a dedicated vintager, stay tuned, because there's more major accoutrement on the way (including killer '80s Sonica Rykiel and Charles Jourdin booties, '70s groupie dresses, and fabulous home decor items):

 
 

Above: Enid Collins Jewel Garden box bag c.1965, fuscia faux-fur Marché of Italy psychedelic hat c. mid-1960s, rare grey felt Mary Quant fedora c.late-60s, Enid Collins Pavan III box bag c.1965, Enid Collins rare "open-top" style Bird Watcher box bag c. 1967, and a 1940s smoking cat Halloween ashtray.