Live and Let Tie

Well now. I’d like the boys of Tie or Die: Who Wore It Best? to take a bow: for those of us watching, they were two very dapper gents all October long. Jon and Ryan have helped me set my wardrobe expectations a little higher for young dudes in the work place.

You hear that, boys born after 1980? It is no longer enough to merely wash your work clothes– from now on, you’re going to have to match.

These lads were hardly at a loss for votes; the verdict came in at Jon: 2795 total votes and Ryan with 3532 total votes. Despite some nail-biter weeks, the verdict is out: Ryan won.

Congrats! And for the record, Ryan: I think you look damn fine in a vest. We’ll be awaiting Jon’s …aftermath.. in photos. High fives!

Impermanent Bliss

Cool exhibit alert! I’ll have a guide up with plenty to do this First Friday, but I thought I’d feature one that really caught my eye a day early:

Art in the Age is a cool gallery/store/performance space in Old City. It’s named for an essay (Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction) by a German cultural theorist. The mission and common theme behind each artist is to “bring integrity back to art in the spaces of everyday life.”

In Impermanent Bliss, mixed-media works by Eric Amling, Kirkland Bray and Matt LaFleur examine the fluctuating nature of memory and its effects on our ongoing sense of self and place. By manipulating and transforming man-made artifacts, the artists press the viewer to reexamine the identities of the familiar. We should be approaching our own memories with the same scrutiny that these works demand, as memory often distorts the places, events and emotional states of our past.

Check out some work from the artists:

Kirkland Bray

Matt Lafleur

Eric Amling

Eric Amling’s uses printed matter to create new forms of present space in motion through collage. He is the author two books, Twin Vapor and Split Level Igloo, and his collage and written works have appeared on albums by Dr. Dog and the Bowerbirds. Matt LaFleur’s paintings evoke an imaginative environment filled with cabins burgeoning spectrums of color and contrast.  He currently lives and works in Taborton, NY. Kirkland Bray’s recent paintings explore a series of elevated forms of construction on found surfaces of wood and canvas. He has exhibited on both coasts, and co-owns the leather goods brand BillyKirk.

Impermanent Bliss: Examining the Fluid State of Memory
Mixed Media Works by Eric Amling, Kirkland Bray and Matt LaFleur
November 6-29, 2009
Opening: Friday, November 6th, 6-8 pm

Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
116 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia

Tie or Die: Who Wore It Best?

Ladies and gentlemen: I’ve found a website that will change your lives. Or  your opinion on the term “business casual.” PWstyle has a serious blog crush, and it’s on the boys of Tie or Die: Who Wore It Best? Two local Mad Men, Jon Fruman and Ryan Brown of 160over90,  have half-windsor‘d their way into our hearts by way of a friendly office competition.

So, how did it all start? The boys told me “the contest itself was sparked by some facebook boasting about having enough ties to wear a different one every day for a month” and developed from there. With that, we were impressed—considering most young professional men barely have enough boxers to get through a week, let alone enough formal accessories to last a month.

The rules clearly state that a different tie must be worn each day for the month of October. When asked if some competitive shopping was sparred, I was pleasantly surprised that the duo already owned most of their neckwear! It turns out that they both previously worked for banks and, as a result, had sharp business casual wardrobes and already knew how to dress like classy you-know-what’ers.

PWstyle: Ryan, we are north of the Mason-Dixon line and easily an hour south-east of the only place in this state that would allow regular equestrian travel. Where the hell did you find a bolo-tie?! Can we have it?

Ryan: I inherited three bolo ties from my grandfather a few years back. Apparently, when you’re in your 80’s, it doesn’t matter if you were raised in Philadelphia – you can still get away with a bolo tie. (And he said we could have one.)

PWstyle: Are you both aware that many celebrities and politicians have tie lines– seriously!– including Rush Limbaugh? Would you wear any or do you think they are all totally lame?
Jon: Rush Limbaugh? No. Sean John? Maybe. R-Kelly? Absolutely.

PWstyle: If your favorite tie was a band, who would it be, and why?
Ryan: My favorite is a plaid fabric tie—pretty rockin’. Kind of reminds me of Daryl Hall.
Jon: My favorite is slick and dark; it’s got some soul. Very “John Oates,” if you ask me.

They seem very Wayne and Garth in their e-demeanor. A few weeks back the boys wore their Phillies garb and when asked about potential World Series ties, I was given a cryptic answer and an invite to join one of them at game four. They also both insist they pick their duds out solo for the competition (with no help from a girlfriend or mom).

“The Winner will be able to choose a full outfit of attire to be worn by The Loser on the day of The Winner’s choosing. And the Loser has to go tanning wearing only a tie and undies – so that every time he looks at himself naked in the mirror he may be reminded that he should have tried just a little bit harder.”

The last day to vote is this Friday!

Be sure to go to Tie or Die and let these kids know who wore it best.

TWITTERPOLL: Let’s try that again.

So, you may have noticed we didn’t have a TWITTERPOLL last week. What’s up with that, right?!

Well, we posed this question last week, but I don’t feel it got the tweeting TLC it deserves, so we’re going to try again:

I know you fine people of Philadelphia have more ideas for specialty stores! Heck, I can think of one everytime I have some weird need or craving (”Why doesn’t this city have delivery for movie rentals?!,” and “Why doesn’t this place have a store dedicated to colored tights and flats?!” more recently).

Follow us on Twitter to reply, or comment below and we will include the answers in a post later this week. I’m excited to see the results– we want to know what you think!

What To Do This Weekend

Lebowski-fest Bowl Party at North Bowl What can we say? That rug really did tie the room together. The Big Lebowski Festival has toured the US since 2002 and is making it’s first stop in Philly this year at North Bowl. There will be a performance by the Black Diamond Heavies at the Electric Factory on Friday, and then everyone will be getting their bowl on Saturday night. I won’t call the night a success unless someone’s car windows have been smashed and someone’s lost a toe. They better have specials on White Russians. More deets here, man.

Philebrity’s Record Fair So, if you’re from Philly and know how to use the internet, chances are that you found out about Philebrity’s new record label as of the late. Well, all that aside it would seem they’re moving music in another way: on Saturday, join the throngs of plaid-clad RSS readers to flip through vinyls for a full day of “music, refreshments and nerding out”. It all goes down in Fishtown at The Skybox @2424 Studios (York & Gaul Street). More deets here.

Philly Pecha Kucha 3 I know, I know– “What the hell is a “Pecha Kucha”? It sounds like a disease/ecosystem/pokemon”- I’ve heard it all before. Briefly: Pecha Kucha Night originated in Japan and is like “show & tell” for grown ups.   Presenters get 6 minutes and 20-timed slides to talk about whatever they want. The amateur presenters -most from around town– range from neuroscientists and city planners to nursing students, comedians, local artists and every type of hobbyit/ enthusiast without stage fright that this city has to offer.

Presentations begin at 7:30pm at Studio 34 in West Philly. And, uh, someone you know (err– read regularly) *hint hint* might be presenting about a survey she did on robots at this PPK. Be there or be square. Deets here!

Zombie Prom at the Trocadero With ghostly jams and makeup artists from Terror Behin the Walls lurking around every corner, what isn’t inviting about this event? Be formal and dance like the living dead at the annual Zombie Prom. Mortal and non-mortals alike will be monster mashing as of 8pm. More deets here.

Party in Bryn Mawr’s Pants

Pants Men’s Boutique in Bryn Mawr is having one sensational event Thursday evening! Check out Commonwealth Proper’s gorgeous line of men’s custom button downs. Great food, fashion and conversation await-with Bluecoat Gin as a sponsor. AML will be there and we invite all our fashionable guys to come check out this great Main Line retail space.

Venturing out of the city? I thought we could actually post something for the fellas in this City of Brotherly Love on the blog today. Pants (on the mainline) is having a party on the 24th and I thought we could spread the love. It all goes down from 6-9pm and you can find directions here.

What To Do This Weekend

//catFlowers at Crafty Balboa While digging around on Indie Craft Shows, I discovered our fav ladies, catFlowers, will be hanging out in South Philly on Saturday with their hand-made, cat-themed pillows, and accessory/ jewelry collection. Add Crafty Balboa as a friend on facebook for more deets!

//FrankenFestival at the Adrienne This awesome show runs until Monday 9/14 at the Adrienne. There are plenty of deets here and here, but I have to say this blurb does it no justice compared to my own review:

FrankenFestival is a collection of four titillating, bizarre, and downright hilarious ten-minute monster plays stitched together and violently shocked to life. A must see for fans of B-Horror films and outrageous comedy.

My review: Um, all you really need to know is that they have a Sasquatch in space, people are afraid of pennies and someone wears an Ikea clock as an accessory. It’s awesome. Seriously.

//GreenFest Philly Street Fair I’m super proud to be participating in this year’s event! Remember the call for artists for B.A.N.G.’s Fringe Festival event, Atomic Catwalk? Well, GreenFest Philly will be showing some of our disarmament couture during the day! The picture below is a snap of my NPT Globe Dress on my lovely model, Katie.

What To Do This Weekend

Happy Friday! Here’s what’s happening around our city this weekend:

Atomic Catwalk in Old City Remember our call for artists and craft-up announcement for the Atomic Catwalk? I’ll be helping kick off the Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe tonight. The show is a go and a piece I designed about the NPF (made out of recycled clothes and paper) will be worn around Old City tonight. Exciting Join myself and the B.A.N.G.-USA crew for the catwalk on 2nd and Market at 7:45pm!

What To Do This Weekend

What am I doing this weekend? Oh, good– I’m so glad you asked, Philadelphia.

FRIDAY:

Tonight, in this incredibly cool weather of 87 degrees, I will be suiting up in a black cardboard nuclear warhead costume that is taller than me. Here’s the first of many webisodes I’m shooting with/for The Project for Nuclear Awareness as their mascot, “Nukette” to promote the Bombs Away Summer Film Series.

….If you come, I promise I wont hit you with my purse. The deets are below.

//Bombs Away Summer Film Series Hopefully you’ll join me and the Ban All Nukes Generation for the second installment of their summertime film series. Tonight they will be showing the Kubrick classic, “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” at The Magic Gardens on South Street at 6pm tonight.

// Artemisia Jewelry and Children’s Clothes Trunk Show An exclusive jewelry & children’s clothes trunk show @ BUS STOP on Friday, June 26 5:30pm to 8:30pm.

“Marisa Lombardo has kept a very small toolbox and has worked on minimally affecting the environment by discovering the beauty in re-purposed metals, antiques, stones and fabrics. Each piece of jewelry & garment of clothing is one of a kind and each has its’ own story.”

Also: BUS STOP will also have a one night only sale – 15% OFF any summer shoe or handbag purchase!

SATURDAY:

//Vetri Book Signing at Anthropologie To quote E-CookBooks, “Philadelphia enjoys one of the country’s most dynamic food scenes, and Marc Vetri is its top culinary talent”… so come out to Anthropologie in Rittenhouse this weekend to meet Marc and have your copy of his first book, “Il Viaggio Di Vetri”, signed.

// Last Friday opening at Astro Vintage Plaid Pony tipped us off on Twitter that there’s a Last Friday opening at Astro Vintage tonight at 8 pm. Astro Vintage is located on 720 S 5th St (below Bainbridge).

//Sugar Town loves Girls Rock Philly Benefit I’ve been playing the guitar since the ripe age of 13 and everything I was taught, I was taught by men: a male guitar teacher, male band-mates, etc. That wasn’t a bad thing, but when I heard about Girls Rock Philly at Ignite Philly, it made me really wish that there was something like this available for me 10 years ago.

For those of you not familiar with Girls Rock Philly:

“Girls Rock Philly (GRP) is an initiative to bring Philadelphia a girls-only, week-long summer day camp serving junior rockers ages 9-17. Led by a team of all female instructors & band coaches, girls in the program learn how to play musical instruments, write songs, make their own band merchandise, discover other women in rock & finesse their on-stage jump kicks.”

Support them this Saturday at The Tritone! $5, 9pm.

Have a great weekend!

What To Do This Weekend

Oh Philly– aren’t you just popular enough to be the homecoming queen this week!

I say that because when I went to write my weekly post, it turned from “What To Do This Weekend” into “Geez– what isn’t happening this weekend in Philadelphia?!” Needless to say, there’s quite a few happenings around town.

FRIDAY:

//Bombs Away Summer Film Series kicks off with a double feature! Local non-profit organization Project for Nuclear Awareness is sponsoring the showing of two documentaries (week one of four events); the festival is being hosted at Philly’s Magic Gardens on South Street for just $4! More info here.

I’ve also heard a rumor that the kids over at PNA have an Atomic Catwalk show planned for the Philly Fringe Festival in September. Hmmm– we’ve got our eye on you, Project for Nuclear Awareness!

//Sutra Sol Friday Yoga Sutra is starting what will hopefully be a summer-long Friday evening event! The studio, located on Broad and Chestnut, will be hosting a casual evening arts and performance series tonight (and I heard a french horn may even be involved… hmmm). There will be poetry, music and wine. 8pm.

//Dark Taxi at Clark Park According to my sources over at Philly IMC, there will be a free showing of Dark Taxi (a 2008 documentary) at Clark Park at 8pm or dusk.

SATURDAY:

//Folklore at Green Line

Local band darlings Folklore will be playing at the Greenline Cafe in West Philly. I’m a fan! Be sure to check them out.

//Philly Pecha Kucha 2

I actually had the pleasure of attending the first Philly Pecha Kucha in March where several friends who did mini-presentations. Pecha Kucha is a simple concept, but explained well by Phillyist.com, here. This month’s topics will be ranging from a local historian discussing world fairs to an illustrated explanation of local artist Jonny Goldstein’s Ophidiophobia (shown above). PPK2 is being hosted again by the lovely folks over at Studio 34, and the official info can be found here. Hope to see you there!

//Art for the Cash Poor

“InLiquid’s Art for the Cash Poor is a fabulous annual party and art sale that allows art lovers the chance to meet artists, see their work first-hand, and begin or add to their art collections without breaking the bank — all in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. A wide range of our region’s best artists will be selling items priced at $199 or less, with much priced well under $100.”

You may remember back in March when PW Style posted about InLiquid’s call for Art For The Cash Poor 10. The event runs for Friday and Saturday over at The Crane Arts Building on 1400 American Street. Deets here!

SUNDAY:

//Pride Day in Midtown Village

I have a super soft spot for the friendly, cute, quirky (and loud!) Gayborhood in Philadelphia– so much so that I live in it. Sunday is going to be Pride/ Flag Day Parade starting at 13th and Locust Street. The parade will continue all the way down to Penn’s Landing and host special guests and over 40 contingents involved. Starts at noon– Deets here!