Jardin de Soie, Van Cleef & Arpels

Handcraft.

Had the ultimate pleasure of meeting Nick Walker one perfect Spring evening, c/o Darkroom Demons.

After giving Nick a cookie, he allowed me to observe him at work on the wall outside the Violet Hour.

Day 1: he’s been on the wall all day, hasn’t yet put the finishing touches on his Vandal plane:

Day 2: he’s back at it in the early AM, his spring-loaded hats exploding out of the Vandal’s heart:

Noon: the sun is hot, I leave to fetch sunscreen. Upon my return I spy:

Eyes: it’s all about the observer, he says. And the signature:

Prepping the spot: recall “The work of art is limited to an acting out, not an understanding. If it were understood, the need to do the work would not exist anymore … Art is a guaranty of sanity but not liberation.” — Louise Bourgeois

Tagged: Nick cuts labor-intensive stencils to produce his works, offering incredibly fine detail while minimizing his time painting on the street. Street art is (and especially, used to be) a quick art. His is a lovely method. This piece involved lots of spraying without the aid of stencils to create a small universe of swirling colors, perhaps representing the ultimate power of the Vandal’s open heart.

Watching you, watching me: I got to take this fine piece home, rewarded for paying attention to the detail.

Finished: the final work viewed from the East side of Damen Ave. Takeaway: the ecstasy of influence.

Here’s me around that time, across the street:

And here it is in fashion via Chris Benz, throwing his hat into the painting ring:

This was the weekend soundtrack:

Musically-inclined, always, I was to be in Austin this mid-March weekend. Flew down on Tuesday with the intention of staying the entire week for SXSW Music. Got there and felt a very strong pull back to Chicago. Two one-way plane tickets later, I stayed 24 hours, interviewed Wild Belle, bonded with a friend, met a very cool new friend, then came home to the above.

Was recently told scientists are beginning (and used to) consider the gut a second brain. Listening.

Nick Walker / The Vandal via Bristol, England

Anonymous feedback via the ‘How do you Dose’ survey, question “The coolest person I’ve met at Dose is _____”:

Haven’t met her, but see April Francis around. She’s approachable, hard working, kind, and I respect what she’s doing. Not your typical super snotty fashionista and she’s taken feedback from me to heart to make the experience better. I’ll continue supporting her and this project for that. And bring all my friends. : )

So cool of YOU to say! Thank you! Thank you for your support and über kind words. Please say hello! Next Dose: April 15.

Huge

picked up this 55-minute set from DJ AM’s pro/personal site the summer of 2004.

think it was for lohan’s 21st birthday.

click the pic to load up memory lane. if you’ve got ADD the cream comes in at 35:26:

wonder at all

A finely elucidated interrogation by Elisabeth Badinter in Harper’s (March 2012)

– photo of a work by Robert Ryan in It’s Nice That Issue #5, ”What People Feel Is At The Top Of The List”

Maternalist > Feminist

To be asked to give an assist to the Rich Melman empire … much obliged!

Lettuce asked AF to bring together a group of bridal vendors for their 4th Annual Bridal Event at Paris Club:

Here’s the list of all our bridal friends participating in the event this Sunday:

GOWNS/ACCESSORIES
Lulu’s at the Belle Kay
Silver Moon
Samantha Sleeper
Roslyn
Mignonette
Giselle Couture

Giselle Couture

CAKE
Le Royale Icing
Magnolia Bakery
Bittersweet Bakery

INVITES
Spilled Ink Press
Be U Brides
Sarah Drake

FUN
Traveling Photobooth
Orlando and Garrett from Salon 1800
Katie J from NARS at Barneys
Posey
Gentleman’s Deck
Angry Barber
Shrine
Isabella Fine Lingerie

And there’s definitely more. Not to mention tequila from 12-3 in the Groom’s Room!

Join us at Paris Club this Sunday, 3/4 — tickets here. You can also walk-in day of. Let your lovely engaged friends know!

PS: Here’s a little recent press on one of our gown designers, the inimitable Samantha Sleeper:

Lettuce Entertain You + AF

Groovy, baby.

Back and better than ever, the first Dose of 2012.

You and me:

Found Image

Thrilled to announce that I now have 18 hungry students (and a teammate in teaching) at Chicago’s Columbia College — see you Monday nights on Michigan Avenue for 27-3960: The Business of Styling.

Now writing: Adventures in Adjunct Professing. Will keep you updated.

Teaching