Almost no one knew his name, where he lived, or where he came from. But for most New Yorkers, he was as much a part of their city as The Brooklyn Bridge, The Flatiron Building, or Derek Jeter. His name was Joe Ades and he sold carrot peelers in Union Square. I write this in the past tense, because Joe unexpectedly passed away last weekend, leaving behind a strange, but compelling legacy–one that saw the 75-year old salesman become an unlikely icon among some of the most instantly recognizable sites in the western world. With his fancy but aging suits, his wispy white hair, his theatrical British accent, and his unmistakble sales pitch, Mr. Ades had entrenched himself among the many vendors at the Union Square GreenMarket. The product itself was unremarkable (a simple, but effective peeling device from Switzerland), yet it was the way in which he sold it that transcended the sidewalk infomercial and became a performance piece in and of itself. Ades was reminiscent of a bygone era–one of classic British grifters, parliament men, and women of leisure. He made us feel like we were walking through a Dickens novel, if only for a brief moment. The inconspicuous Upper East Side resident was a pleasure to watch and he will indeed, be sorely missed.
The term “Brooklyn-based band” is thrown around so loosely these days, that one is almost surprised when it doesn’t precede or proceed the name of the latest flavour-of-the-week. So it is with guided restraint, and a hint of skepticism that I surrender to School of Seven Bells, a (gasp!) Brooklyn-based band. The shoegazers are comprised of ex-Secret Machines guitarist Benjamin Curtis and identical twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, whose striking beauty is enough to peak a curiousity; it’s their bold and at times haunting harmonies that soar and will leave you wanting more. The music is pop without being derivative and it’s danceable without being abrasive. The Brooklynites are currently on tour with fellow shoegazer-extraordinaire M83 and play Webster Hall this Thursday. If you can’t wait till then, check out this live teaser filmed during CMJ below.
The time is almost upon us. Vanguard Japanese fashion line Comme Des Garcons’ collaboration with high-street Swedish clothing giant H&M is about to hit the buzzing streets of New York City. In what can only be considered a sign of things to come, the much-anticipated line’s recent debut in Tokyo drew lineups of epic proportions, with thousands of Japanese fashionistas eager to get their hands on the esoteric items that range from low-crotch trousers to deconstructed jackets in boiled wool.
The hype surrounding the collaboration can be attributed to Comme Des Garcons’ lead designer Rei Kawakubo’s reputation as an artist concerned with smashing boundaries, while challenging common notions of design and beauty. Hers is an aesthetic that is generally lost on the masses, so it will be interesting to witness the public’s reaction.
Corduroy will be there when the stores open this Thursday to cover the ensuing madness. In the meantime, check out video of the line’s release in Tokyo, and some interviews with key players below.
