Fashion Update
Downsizing & Remnants from the 20th century
Fashionisto Kevin Merrill, just back from New York photographing the Mercedez Benz Fashion Week Fall 2002 Collections Feb 8-15, reports here on what he saw in ready to wear from Oscar de la Renta, Anna Sui, Bill Blass, Nicole Miller, Ralph Lauren, James Coviello, Catherine Malandrino, and Carolina Herrera.
“The clothes were more consumer friendly. There was less of everything than usual. Guest lists were cut back because of the
mood from Sept 11, the designs were simpler, not a lot of wild colors although a few ‘60s influenced pieces, with music like Cream - hippyish, flowers, granny dresses - on the runway.”
Any little black dresses? “No, I saw some long black dresses with frills - lacey material.”
Any shoulder pads? “No, eveerything was simpler, nothing too extreme. No mini skirts, maybe occasionally from the ‘60’s look, again, but I saw pants and longer skirts. Little faux fur, some jewelry. It was very low key. Coats were grey, black - muted colors.
“Hair styles were messy, on the long side. Red, blond, frizzy and messy. Unkept looking. Makeup - on the vampy side, heavy make-up, not youthful, fresh, and innocent.
“No baggy clothes, not much hip hop, more romantic music, more reflective. Not too many scarves except for long ones that hung down from underneath a shirt, vest, or jacket. There were boots and high heels, spikey thin, no heavy platforms. All the pants were flared at the bottom. I saw florral tops worn with plaid pants.” Thanks, Kevin, now let’s get back to earth and L.A. for spring.
Fashion warrior David Sacks just came back from the Magic Apparel Show and Women’s Wear Daily Show in Vegas, the week of Feb 19, stocking up his SFO’s for spring. Also the Off-Price Show, where he caught rarely before seen collections from Europe at more popular prices. Katherine Hamnet, Salvatore Feragamo, Diesel.
“Downsizing, tightening it up, just like you gotta tighten up your wardrobe, it seems everything is still denim. Active wear has become spiffed up sweat clothes, functional but more detail - chenillie patches, piping, ornament beyond what it really needs.
“More sheer than ever before. A lot of the ‘70’s urban hippy looks, see through blouses, gauze tops, peasant blouses, key- hole necklines, elastic necklines to drop down on shoulders - more hippy nostalgic than romantic, goes with the low rise jeans that are hotter than ever.
“Mixing true vintage with active, I saw things like old sweat shirts and tops with pieces added to them, patches too, looking very one of a kindish. Bathing suits are going more towards 2 pieces rather than one piece, a continuing trend. Still a lot of cheek out there, a lot of ‘if you got it flaunt it looks.’” - AM reporting
Restaurant Review
Rock ‘n Roll Recovering at The Hot Wired Café
by J. Stover
In the late 70's, London and the West Village in New York
ushered in the punk movement with bands like The Ramones, Patti Smith and The Sex Pistols. In the 80's the vitality and courage of rock and roll took a decade long nap. Haircuts were the order of the day. We dosed through bands like Duran Duran, Wham and Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
In the 90's we were treated to reunion tours. The Stones would play for 90 minutes for $60 a ticket. The Who blindsided us with a 45 year old Roger “Pinball Wizard” - "Accountants, can you hear me?" Sweatshirts sold for $45, and Mick and Keith topped the list of the Fortune 500. Aerosmith signed a 100 million-dollar contract, and Mariah, Winnie and Celene ruled the airwaves.
What I want to know is what happened to Rock 'N Roll? What happened to the Blues? Where's the rebellion? What about the social issues? Dylan wrote about living in a materiel world, but he doesn't seem to condemn it. He owns the biggest house on Point Dume. Doesn't anyone play a slide guitar anymore? Did all the rocksters join a twelve-step program that stunted innovation, rebellion and pure juice-guts?
Sure Sting turns out a suitable album every year. Clapton can be counted on for a decent soundtrack recording. McCartney is still singing songs that reek of marijuana, and Silly Love Songs. John Lennon must be turning over in his Strawberry Fields.
But there are places unknown to many. Tucked away places. Hidden places. Good music can pop up in little wellsprings. The drug of the 90's and the 00's, caffeine, is giving Rock 'N Roll another chance. And the Blues. And the slide guitar. Today the ghosts of Willie, Elmore and Robert Johnson are swilling double Lattes and $2 cups of expresso. Along with these styrofoam stimulants we also get treated to poetry readings, performance art, and good ole, Rock 'N Roll.
The Hot Wired Café is such a place. On Saturday night I stumbled into a little enclave in my neighborhood, in search of a decent cup of coffee. I was not disappointed. The place had posters and relics of Rock-Gods past. Comfortable couches and big easy chairs - no one seemed to pressure me for a refill. I nursed my coffee for an hour and a half, and I listened to a bunch of old guys play real, vital and ass-kicking Rock 'N Roll.
Now it would not be kind to say these guys were over the hill, but they were three quarters of the way up it. The lead singer almost needed a walker to ascend to his mike, where he sat in a chair in the front of a stage that barely afforded room for the 5-piece ensemble. But those 5 pieces, those 5 guys who did not die before they got old, those 5 guys who didn't have enough hair to make a ponytail between them, whose Stratacasters rested on a paunch with a Gramicci label blew me away with some of the best blues and slide guitar work I have heard since I saw NRBQ on Nantucket Island 25 years ago.
Knowing a good thing when I hear/see it, I introduced myself to the owner; a genial, fellow named George. George showed me his menu of extremely reasonably priced sandwiches, croissants and bagels. My 11 year old daughter, feeling like part of this caffeine society, was treated to a second cup of hot chocolate. Then George took me into the back room where he showed me a meeting room that hosts a dozen AA meetings a week.
And so this is what Rock 'N Roll has come to. The surviving veterans of Rock 'N Roll are alive and well. Expresso has replaced Wild Turkey. Latte has taken the place of cocaine. And twelve-step meetings keep us from throwing televisions out of our hotel rooms. And so I urge you all to go out and find the spirit of Rock 'N Roll. It still exists. It is alive and well. You might say Rock 'N Roll is in a recovering state, but it still thrives, it still exists, perhaps even in your own neighborhood.
Car Review
The Toyota Highlander
by Gil Benzeevi
If you are looking for an SUV that drives like a sedan, the Toyota Highlander is for you. First, let’s talk about the interior before we get to how this puppy handles. You get a standard 6-way manual adjusting captain’s chairs that sits you comfortably on top of the road. You also have the option of an 8-way power driver-side captain’s chair in case you are too lazy to spend a few extra seconds for personal comfort. The climate control system has a clean-air filter for dust and pollen to reduce and/or eliminate those itchy watery eyes, runny nose and other allergy symptoms.
With spaces for 5 passengers, generous head room, wide door dimensions and low step-in height, entering and exiting the vehicle are simple tasks. There is plenty of storage for almost any size item you want to haul along besides your girlfriend, boyfriend or pet. It even comes with grocery hooks.
As you start driving the Highlander, safety features such as the anti-lock brake
system with brake assist, fuel system shut-off in the event of a collision, side-impact door beams, crumple zones, and an energy-absorbing steering wheel and column should keep you focused on the joy of the drive.
Depending how power hungry you are, this SUV comes with either a 2.4 liter 155 hp or a 3.0 liter 220 hp V6 engine that’s peppy enough to move you around town or take on long trips with ease. The engine VVT-i feature provides for a smoother ride, better acceleration and fuel efficiency. To help you handle the road, the Highlander comes with front and rear stabilizer bars and also available is Vehicle Skid Control with Traction Control.
You can also choose between 4x2 or a 4x4 depending on your ruggedness quotient. But whatever model you choose, the Deluxe 3-in-1 sound system which features 6 speaker, AM/FM ETR with a cassette deck and a single CD player will bring joy to your heart. An upgrade to a JBL Premium 3-in-1 system with 8 speakers and an in-dash 6-disc CD changer is offered for those who are very particular about their music.
Fuel economy estimates range between 22/27 (2WD) and 19/24 (4WD) for the 2.4 liter and 19/23 (2WD) and 18/22 (4WD) for the 3 liter engine.
So if you like your creature comforts but want a rugged SUV that is quiet, spunky and is a pleasurable to drive, then the Toyota Highlander is just what the doctor ordered. Toyota of North Hollywood 4606 Lankershim Blvd, No Hollywood 818-508-2900 or 800-toyota-4-U www.toyotasales.com.
