By M♥

ART TALK

As I work in the art industry, it was my duty to attend the Artexpo NY contemporary art show, though very large in scale, it tended to ressemble more an art flea market then a classy 3-day collective vernissage. With exhibitors carrying loads of reproductions, it was palpable to see how the industry of art is unfortunately suffering. Galleries selling originals between 1000$ to 120 000$US had to compete with galleries selling repros for less than 400$US. I am aware of the situation, and my current situation would only gladly permit me to splurge in a couple of repros, but as an art fair that exists for more than 30 years, it unfortunately lost its pizazz, its high-quality status. I would think with the change of the art scene, the organizers would decide to opt for two shows… one for repros and another for originals. Is it a good idea? I don’t know, maybe not, but being there and observing the evolution of the expo, it was obvious that both worlds cannot collide as the visitors wallet and affection for great art investment is in constant battle. A distraction that could have been avoided. I understand now why some great european galleries have opted out of Artexpo NY, the quality of the show just isn’t there anymore. So off to the next, Miami, Dubai, Shanghai, Monaco, etc.

To stay on the same art wave, there were galleries and artists from Montreal and by extension the Quebec province that exposed at the fair, such as Josée Nadeau who now resides and prefers doing business in the States as the art industry is more fructuous and there can sell her pieces for her desired price (one of her original piece goes for 120 000$US). The art buying power here is unfortunately much less than south of our border.

FASHION TALK

Once 6pm hit, off we were, my colleague and I, to take the streets of SoHo. Though we were in Time Square for our obvious visit to Sephora and H&M and a quick one to Toys R’ Us to fulfill a pea-size dream of mine, we left our loft and went shopping for clothes.

The loft where I stayed in New York. Right on Fashion Ave (7th)

For this trip, Gen ( my colleague) and I decided to hit low-end shop in hopes of finding cool “unique” items to sport at home. Thankfully, her and I have the same shopping style. Quick and efficient. Know what you want, but still keep a keen eye for discoveries, try clothes when necessary, see more shops in the least amount of time. And we did it beautifully everytime to the very last minute before closing. I left NY with boutique faves, such as UNIQLO from Japan, Top Shop, Fodavi and… oh shoot, I can’t seem to find the biz card of that cool cute small shop on 5th that sold Vivienne Westwood dresses for 150$.

Speaking of Fodavi, I found a nice zip-ornated mini- jacket (see pic) that I fell in love with by Sohung Designs, very remnant of Denis Gagnon 2010 collections, but unfortunately didn’t have my size (Hmmmm… who came up with the style first? Gossip talk: when I checked his website, I see a dress made in ties, which is exactly what local designer Jean-Pierre Février for Akxka had done back in 2003. Two Montreal designers?). This shop on Broadway in SoHo is where you can definitely find cool emerging designer’s unique pieces. And surprisingly after setting my eye on that piece, I saw zip-ornamented garnments everywhere, in boutiques and on the street. The zip-ornamented style is already a settled deal in NY, but it doesn’t seem like it did much here. Correct me if I’m wrong, I admit that I haven’t been much out in the city these last few days. Speak your mind, I want to hear from you. Another trend, but this one for men, is the “water-in-the-basement” pant-wearing style. Show what you shoe, gentlemen! Unfortunately, I do not have the guts to take pics of strangers on the street yet, as fellow blogger The Sartorialist does… but soon I will, and grace you with my photographic talents on Paperplanes.

So what did I end up buying… oh not much, for I travelled light and my bag couldn’t take much. I did by a nice black coat though, fit for the streets of London, UK. Tea anyone?

So Paperplanes’ trendy passenger wears zip-ornemented garnmens, over-the-top heeled shoe, rolled-up hems show-your-shoe pantalons (for men & women), flare pantalons, laser-cut patterned leather accessories.

(M♥’s tip: go to any arts & craft shop, flea market or local dollar store and find cool small objects you can add on the heel of an old shoe you have, and hot glue it on the heel and create your own over-the-top shoe. Of course, the higher the heel, the better. A cool spot in MTL to find add-ons, TrimCite (7381 Saint-Hubert St., north of Jean-Talon)).

DESIGN TALK

Normally I woud say, “can’t be in New York and not talk design”, as in interior design. But then in this case, it’s pretty much the case. Nothing stood out for me as I wandered the streets of Soho, NoHo, Chelsea and Time Square (wherever that one is really)! I did dine in a cute Thai restaurant that had nice dividers, but I would write more on the food than the decor.

Unfortunately (yes a b-flat on the entry…), I do not have a cable to transfer my pictures on my computer therefore I cannot show you anything. As many words I can write describing the decor.  So I will later speak of the decor on another day.

Don’t worry I actually will!!

Til the next plane…

M♥

Share!!