Blog
THE JAMIE AFFAIR September 30 2009
Last night I had dinner with Jamie - used to be with Inrsole, now working with the Ball Up Team for Arc Media. Oh she’s also the face behind the streetwear/couture hybrid blog, The Jamie Affair. Katsuya Brentwood was unusually packed for a Tuesday night, but that didn’t stop us from having great conversation. We talked CA’s two year, growth, and expansion opportunities. I became more familiar with her as a stylist, and I was let in on version two of her website. We reminisced about where we were at last year, and we brainstormed the future. We shared current playlists and how UK r&b artists are as raw as it gets. We agreed that real girls rock boat shoes, and that the Sperry Spring/Summer 2010 line is the biz. We believe that groupies offer a unique kind of comic relief, and we even had a mini skate session in my parking lot. Between the two of us, our bill came to about $115. I eat too much sushi…
SHELTERED September 29 2009
In light of the recent tragedy that has hit the Philippines, I began to think more about sustainable living conditions there. The pictures from the typhoon that really moved me were those of the squatters - where already poor structures were affected by heavy rains and rising water, causing complete submersion and the collapse of roofs and walls. A large portion of the population lives in this type of community. The country is in fact third world, and living in a high rise condo or in an urban home is just not realistic.
So my brainstorming actually brought me to the Guggenheim website. The New York museum is currently holding “Design It Shelter Competition”. It is a contest inviting both amateur and professional designers to model a shelter, all while keeping the relationship between architecture and environment in mind. 600 contestants submitted, and then 10 finalists were chosen.
To my surprise, one finalist was from the Philippines who created “a bamboo shelter in a garbage dump city”. Using bamboo on a concrete base, the shelter promises refuge from heat and rainfall. I immediately thought of how great it would be if squatters had that kind of safety, especially in a time like this. The winner of the contest will not get his/her shelter built, but instead get cash and travel prizes. Fair enough, but if this dude wins, there will be a little more awareness of the lack of sustainability in the Philippines. Voting is open to the public HERE.
IT HAS BEGUN September 29 2009
Bring on the scarves, beanies, jackets, and other outerwear. It looks like the Fall season has finally hit Los Angeles. I really hope I don’t have to retract this entry in the coming weeks.
CARDINAL & GOLD September 28 2009
There are rare moments when I miss college. Like this time…
I went to the USC game last Saturday, did a little tailgating, cheered a whole lot for the million sacks made in the first quarter, and ended game night at The Lab - USC’s gastropub. What is a gastropub? Whatever it is, they have one of the best beer selections in LA and the place is wonderfully designed (which is always good in my book). Oh, and the Trojans won.
HELP NEEDED September 27 2009
I’ve been inundated with text messages from family in the Philippines. Because of Typhoon Ketsana (or Typhoon Ondoy) that has hit the main island of Luzon, my mother’s childhood home is completely submerged in water. But that’s not the worst of it. News reports have shown houses swept away by swollen rivers, collapsed walls, people on rooftops waving for help, and hundreds stranded along the city’s main thoroughfares. The storm has packed winds of 60 mph dumped 13.5 in of rain in a mere six hours. At least 50 people have been killed, and the toll is expected to rise. This disaster is the worst the capitol has experienced in nearly half a century.
President Arroyo is currently seeking donations of clothes, blankets, food, and water. It’s difficult to send those items quickly from the US, so if you can help, please give directly to the Philippines Red Cross HERE.
Photos courtesy of Associated Press
thanks for the continued support! i'm truly grateful!
www.thejamieaffair.com ”