Garry Winogrand Convinced Me That Summer is Better in Black and White

In need of some culture, I forced myself to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art last weekend to see the Charles James costume exhibit and the Garry Winogrand retrospective. Both were equally inspiring, exceeded my expectations and definitely worth leaving Brooklyn for. I was particularly inspired by photographer Garry Winogrand and his black and white portraits of America, so much that I ended up shelling out money for the 463-page exhibition catalog. I took a black and white photography course back in high school and his photographs made me nostalgic for the full process of shooting black and white film with an SLR (notice the missing "D"!), developing the film, creating proofs and enlarging the photos in a dark room. I now take photos recreationally with my DSLR and seeing the beautiful grain and soft lighting in Winogrand's photographs inspired me to take another look at my photos from this summer--this time in black and white:

Locations, top to bottom: Children's Museum in London, Donau Kanal in Vienna, Jalpa's birthday surprise, Alfresco dinner in Williamsburg, Ai Wei Wei exhibit at Brooklyn Museum, Streets of Bushwick, Rockaway Beach, Streets of Portland, Portland, View of Manhattan from my roof, Charles James at the MET, and Terrace on the Park in Queens.

Big Bambu at the MET

Twin brothers Mike and Doug Starn's Big Bambu art installation on the MET rooftop will be taken down at the end of October

What Does GAP Need To Be Cool Again?

Sponsoring a major fashion exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum seems like a good start.  This Monday, A-list celebrities and models attended the annual Met Costume Gala in extravagant (not so crazy this year) ensembles, many of which were designed for GAP by big name designers Alexander Wang, Thakoon, Sophie Theallet and Rodarte.

Photos from Gap.com and NYMag.com

Starting today (Happy Cinco De Mayo!), you can bid on the gowns which Jessica Alba, Vera Famiga, Kirsten Dunst and M.I.A wore and proceeds will benefit the MET Costume Institute.  There will also be a pop-up store on 54th and 5th Ave.  With the exception of Riley Keough's cream candle wax-like gown, the GAP gowns don't scream a comeback for the retailer but remind us that GAP is still struggling to regain retail dominance.

Big name designers, museum sponsorships--this is all starting to sound a bit TARGET-y.  The MET Gala is a prestigious event but does not have the mass reach the brand needs (unless they are only looking to target NYC Upper East Siders).  I know GAP has had guest designers before and continues to do so, but Target owns guest designer collections by its heavy marketing and hype of it.  What made GAP, GAP, is blue jeans and a white shirt.  Even that GAP identity is lost in their recent bold Helvetica font American Apparel-esque ads.

The GAP we love so dearly represented true American fashion--comfortable, classic and stylish clothes.  Whether its finding a designer that can create clothes we want (J. Crew!) or rethinking its marketing strategy, GAP needs to stay true to its roots (those great music-inspired ads with Missy Elliot) and maybe think more outside of the box.

NYC Picture Post: Blockheads, MET, Girl Talk/BK Pool Party

Now that the apt search nightmare is OVER, time to have some fun in the city. Met up for $3 margs at Blockheads with ad peeps Ruchy and Steph... never gets old.
Checked out Roxy Paine's stainless steel installation at the MET. Kind of cool, but I liked Jeff Koons' balloon animals better, and I don't think this is very safe during lightning storms.Waiting to get into Pool Party in Williamsburg. Monster, one of the many street teams giving out free energy drinks.
illy girls giving out espresso shots and latte macchiatos...fancy shmancy. For someone who doesn't drink coffee or energy drinks, I'm surprised I didn't have a caffeine crash at the concert.
Converse's sweet sponsorship of basketball & dodgeball
Coolest brand engagement idea ever: design your own converse low-top or high-top with colored sharpies on blank shoes.
Guess which one's mine...
My first gorgeous, sunny Sunday in a long time
Bonding with the bro. Zack's first outdoor concert, lucky him, it's a BK pool party.Londoner Max Tundra was hilariously entertaining... I liked him, but I also have a sense of humor.
Got down with Wiz Khalifa (haha), I can see this guy getting HUGE if he isn't already.
GIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRLLLL TALKKKKKKKKK was sooo good. Basically felt like the largest house/dance party ever. Nice, cool drizzle, Manhattan skyline, sunset... perfect ending to a perfect day.
Girl Talk closed with Tiny Dancer