Image of the Day

.

John Nordstrom in front of the original Wallin & Nordstrom shoe store, Seattle, 1901. A Swedish immigrant, Nordstrom went West and founded the store with money made from a gold claim in the Yukon.

Today I'm starting a new job as a Creative Director at Nordstrom! I'm proud to be working for a company with such a legendary history in the Northwest beyond, and I'm excited about Nordstrom's potential as it continues to grow. That's all I will say for now but stay tuned for updates and I'll continue posting as always.

Best Foot Forward

.

Behind the scenes of the Barneys window display celebrating 20 years of Christian Louboutin and the launch of his new book.

(video by Michelle Chu)

Precious / Throwaway

.

"Caroline & Julia at Dior " from the Korean street fashion blog Street FSN

Last April I posted about a forum at SFMoMA which posed the question "Is Photography Over?" to a number of highly respected critics, scholars, and practitioners in the field, including Peter Galassi, Joel Snyder, Vince Aletti, Jennifer Blessing, and Philip-Lorca diCorcia. Here's video from that event, in two parts – it's long but worth a listen if you're interested in critical thinking on photography.



If you get through the first video and want more (you nerd!) here are links to the rest of the videos: 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Image of the Day

.The Barneys windows downtown are really cool right now, they all have fluorescent lightbulbs wrapped in colored cellophane. This photo doesn't really do it justice and I actually think the Lanvin window is my favorite, I just snapped this quickly yesterday on the way to a meeting. Anyway they're worth a look if you're downtown – I might take some more pics if I get the chance. (See some process shots at our friend Ashley's blog – she works on the Barneys windows.)

Windows of Another World

.
I love a city during the holidays: Lights, parties, old-timey decorations, and good, festive craziness everywhere. While all cities have their visual attractions this time of year, anyone cataloging NYC's would have to include the windows at Bergdorf Goodman, which are always a highlight of the season.

Holiday 2008

Bergdorf's displays – the work of designer David Hoey and his longtime collaborator, Linda Fargo – are spectacular no matter the month...

Two from Fall 2006

...but they're particularly over the top this time of year: unbelievably intricate and fantastical universes worthy of all the myths of the season. They turn window shopping into a destination event, and Strath and I always looked forward to seeing them unveiled.

Holiday 2008

Holiday 2009

I had hoped to be back in NYC starting this month to catch them in person, but a last-minute change of plans postponed my trip till spring. So I was happy to hear that Assouline has a new book honoring the displays, holiday and otherwise, in the works. The 144-page, 11 x 17 in. volume, very practically titled "Windows at Bergdorf Goodman" is scheduled for release in January. It's to be printed in a limited edition of 1000, priced at $550 each. A little pricey, yes, but all things considered a not-unreasonable sum to pay for a dream world at your fingertips.

***

How wonderful! The light upon her face shines from the windows of another world. Saints only have such faces.

--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), from Michael Angelo. (I am newly obsessed.)

***

Update: The Moment provides a sneak peek at this year's holiday windows, which make their debut later this week.

As the Crow Flies

Last Friday I had the chance to check out the amazing Dennis McNett installations in the windows at Barneys Seattle. (Click to enlarge.)

The photos don't fully do them justice but if you have the chance, head downtown and take a closer look.

McNett, who is based in Brooklyn, also did installations in the windows of the New York store this past summer. See more of his work here and check out the Barneys windows through the end of October at 6th and Pine, Seattle.

Need vs. Want

.
Emily and I (independently of each other) spotted this Porter chair in the window of Area 51.


These ones are cool too...

...but I like the potato sack burlap of the top one. However:

No room for a new chair
+
$1495 price tag
+
Cats would destroy it inside of 8 seconds in the apartment
=
Want.