Street Snaps: Sakura Matsuri 2013

Lolita problems: which camera to smile at.

It was a beautiful and comfortable day for Sakura Matsuri at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. A great day for pictures and Lolitas to dress their best and show off some spring outfits. Strawberries and bunnies seemed to be a common theme. Also pink. Then again, when it’s bright and sunny everyone just wants to dress to match the weather.

Note: As always if you see you’re picture and would like me to take it down for any reason, just let me know!
They didn’t get to the chapel on time, but they were just in time for the photos afterwards
Navy blue florals to compliment pink blossoms
One of the first shots of the day.
Lovely coordinate from head to rocking horse toe.
Caught these two right after the Parasol Society Games.
I felt bad for asking her to stand back up after a long day. Was it worth it?
Trying sweet for the first time this year. How’d she do?
Toys parading into a bunny owned strawberry field.
That goes forever until the sky turns blue.

PUNK: From Chaos to Couture at the Met 5/9 – 8/14

After the Alexander McQueen restropective, the Met is taking more alternative and fashionable approaches to art. With it’s latest exhibit on Impressionism and now the upcoming exhibit that everyone has been waiting for: PUNK: Chaos to Couture.

This exhibit examines the roots of punk fashion and how it has effected today’s high fashion. From DIY to the runway and London to New York, punk is the rebellious influence that refuses to go away.

Definitely an exhibit where you can totally look but definitely should not touch.

Punk: Chaos to Couture
May 9 – August 14, 2013
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10028

Sunday Brunch: The Herb Festival at Gallow Green

Last Saturday I filled in as a +1 for a friend who was going to The Herb Festival at Gallow Green at the  McKittrick Hotel, the infamous stage for “Sleep No More.” The McKittrick Hotel was opening their rooftop garden for the first time this spring, and celebrated for the second time with a mini-festival of music, dance, and food.

A jazz/folk band to set the mood.

Unsure what to expect I dressed up a bit and had her lead the way. Entering a dark elevator it was literally like we were underground awaiting sunlight and spring at the very top.  We were given with blue clovers to pin on ourselves and told to walk up creaky steps toward the light. That light being the top, filled with  plants and people of all kinds.

A dance circle was our entertainment.
We were whisked away by dancing spirits to greet spring properly before being seated. We talked to a garden who had his own agenda known only to him. 

My favorite: the white chocolate basil macarons and the beef skewers with habanero vinagrette.
Eventually we meandered back to our seats for a delicious afternoon tea-like meal. 

Kitty is nice for once.
To respect the cycle of giving back after eating a delicious, we planted wormwood (an ingredient for absinthe, which was also in the punch) with the help from some animals. 

After everything was over we were given some seeds, savory cookies, and a photograph to remind us that whatever we saw, heard and tasted was not a dream. This was an experience and would certainly go again next year if I had the chance. (For those curious it was about $50 a ticket.) And if this sounds too whimsical that was the feeling I took away from it.

Front Row: Chinese American Designers/Shanghai Glamour: New Women 1910s-40s 4/26 – 9/29

Anna Sui S/S 2013

Richard Chai. Prabal Gurung. Peter Som. Anna Sui. Vivienne Tam. Alexander Wang. Vera Wang. All familiar names in the fashion industry – but did you know they are all Asian-American?  The Museum of Chinese in America presents two exhibits that examines Chinese-American influence on the industry in both history and present day.

Front Row: Chinese American Designers looks at fashion designers today and interconnection between the garment district, Chinatown, and outsourcing to China. The exhibit will examine those who broke into the industry during the 1980s, like Anna Sui, and how it’s grown tremendously with Michelle Obama wearing designer dresses by Prabal Gurung.

Shanghai Glamour: New Women 1910s-40s is a retrospective on the fashion during Shanghai in the 1940s. It examines the changes of fashion during the time, as well as how fashion played a key role when it came to advertising. As well as looking at the different roles women had at the time and how dress defined that role.

“Front Row: Chinese American Designers” and “Shanghai Glamour: New Women 1910s-40s”

April 26th – September 29, 2013
The Museum of Chinese in America
215 Centre Street

New York, NY 10013
(212) 619-4785

Street Snaps: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu in NYC

Whenever there’s a line everyone wants to know what’s going on.

While I wasn’t able to go to the Kyary Pamyu Pamyu concert, I did decide to grab my camera, a handful of business cards, and go check out the lines anyways. There were some new and old faces, and even some surprise ones as well!  Pink and pastels were an overarching style, but everyone had their own take on their love for the Japanese pop star.

Note: If you see your picture and would like me to take it down please let me know. And as always if you wish to use anything please give credit where credit is due.

Enjoy!

ParfaitDoll and Magic a la Mode at the front of the line!

Everyone wants in on the action.

Sebastian Masuda and ParfaitDoll just chilling in front of Toys R Us.

Friends just happy to be line.

Passing the time by posing for pictures.

Butterfly shoes to fly this girl to the front.

No bones about it – this girl has style.

Don’t mind us, we’re just dandy.

Coffee break.
Just flan.

Monster shoes and dressy bows.

A signature move.

Rocking it out before hopping into line.

A matching couple that is too adorable for words.

It was windy and cold.

But girls came out in style.

The eyes have it – these girls are ready for Kyary.

Group photos abound!

Friends don’t let friends go to Kyary without candy.

Pastels was a big theme.

Also excess.

And lots of eyes.
Black tends to stand out in the crowd.

But over the top pastels work too.

In the end, you know everyone is going to have fun no matter what because they are all together.

2nd Annual Nineteenth Century Extravaganza 4/26 – 4/28!

I Do Declare (2012) – She’ll be returning again
with a new collection you won’t want to miss!

If Sakura Matsuri is not your thing and you were planning to head to Brooklyn to see what the borough hype is all about, then stop by the Old Stone House for the 2nd Annual Nineteenth Century Extravaganza!

This was an event created last year brought about by the sheer love and passion for the past – The New York Nineteenth Century Society. Kicking it off with 1880’s Ball, panels, a fashion show and more!

Here are my personal what-to-dos:

Friday, April 26th
8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. 1880′s Fancy Dress (Masquerade) Ball and Dance Lesson with Susan de Guardiola.

Saturday, April 27th
Women’s Fashion at the End of the 19th Century with costume historian Christine Evans.
The History of 3D Photography with director of photography William Klayer (ICG, DGA).
“A Scene At Long Beach: Oscar Wilde and Friends on Vacation, 1882″ with Oscar Wilde historian and scholar John Cooper.
Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity: A Guided Tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with fashion historian Katy Werlin.

Sunday, April 28th
Bartitsu: The Lost Martial Art of Sherlock Holmes
Home brew sampling with the Underground Brewery
Model Flying Machine Competition
Steampunk, Neo-Victorian, and Lolita Fashion Show

Check out more information on NYNYCS’ website and see you there!

Nineteenth Century Extravaganza

April 26-28th, 2013

The Old Stone House
336 3rd St Brooklyn, NY 11215

Sakura Matsuri at the BBG 4/27 – 4/28

Instill some Japanese Culture into your kids, or simply leave them at the J-Lounge.
With the weather getting warmer and warmer that can only mean one thing – the Sakura Matsuri Festival at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is also upon us!
Featuring Taiko Drumming, traditional dancing, folk music, ikebana displays, Ukiyo-e galleries, tea ceremonies the weekend of April 27th will never leave you bored. Be in awe as you walk about the gardens seeing all forms of Japanese culture from the traditional to the more contemporary at Sakura Matsuri. 

Admission Prices
Adults $20
Seniors (65 and over) $15
Students 12+ with valid ID $15
Children under 12 Free
BBG Members Free

Note: Parasols are a must for this event being under the bright sun and the chance of rain that has been known to happen in the past.
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

150 Eastern Parkway
455 Flatbush Avenue
990 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225