Cool Opening Tonight at Clarabella on the LES!

BUILDINGS by SHAUN KARDINAL

New to the Lower East Side art scene, boutique/gallery CLARABELLA is pleased to present BUILDINGS, the inaugural New York City exhibit from Seattle based photographer, Shaun Kardinal. Photographing rooftops has been a hobby of the artist's for many years. Though an avid digital artist in his teens, it was not until his twenty-third year with an antique medium-format camera in hand that Kardinal developed an absolute passion for the subject. It was the way the buildings looked as he gazed through the viewfinder, playing with the vibrancy of Seattle's sunsets, the richness of her summers, the austere dullness of her grey winters. It was a love affair with a new city encouraging familiarity, ushering these monoliths in as kin, good friends, integral parts of Kardinal's daily walks to and from work. In this way, his photographs are meant to be seen as intimate portraits.

These buildings, at once solitary and full of life, seem to play with and against each other: three skyscrapers playfully fall against one another; an isolated wall dares to stand alone; a telephone pole bisects a brick building, while sagging lines tease its rooftop; four more in four corners, never to embrace; another still, reflects on the day as the sun plays its final notes on a bright pink sky.

Clarabella, 279 E. Houston Street (between Clinton and Suffolk) NY, NY 10002

Showing from June 1 – July 31

Reception: June 28, 2007 from 7 – 9pm

Gallery Hours: Tues – Sat 12-8pm, Sun 12-7pm

P.S.
Hope to see you there! I am juggling a few events tonight...but I'm hoping to make it!

TaTa, BG

The Scoop on a New Boutique Set to Open May 1st on the LES: Clarabella

Hey gals,

Just got the scoop on a new boutique set to open this Tuesday, May 1st. Erin Whelan who founded Clarabella, left a career in the music industry to unveil the store named in honour of her grandmother. "My hope is to create a space that draws as much attention to the designer as the product," says Whelan, who, through classes in book-binding, shoe-making, and jewelry
design, has become fascinated with process and design. The store will feature jewelry, accessories, and shoes in a gallery setting.

Keeping with the gallery theme, Clarabella will feature different
designers throughout the year. Some of the store's initial offerings will include:

Jewelry: Angelica Bergamini, Beth Lauren, By Boe, BB Designs, Carla Caruso, Devon Driscoll, Gypsy Born Designs, Judith Haas, Leoworks, Tamaura, and Zoe Chicco

Accessories: Andrea Brueckner, Brave Leather, Carla Beeby London, Crystalyn Kae, Kristin Aronsson, Modus/Basically Brazil, Nam Kim, and Tracy Tanner

Shoes: Mariana, Marcello Toshi Creazioni, and Tashkent by Cheyenne.

The store will also have space to highlight works by up-and-coming photographers and painters. The debut art exhibit features works by New York City poet and artist Seldon Yuan (showing through May 14). For the Grand Opening in late May, Clarabella will feature photographs and drawings highlighting projects by Oisin Clancy and Marc Ackerson, the architects who worked closely with Whelan to design the store's interior.

From the photos it looks like she's got some pretty cool jewelry offerings. Definitely worth checking out!

Clarabella - 279 East Houston Street, between Clinton and Suffolk -
(212) 979-0270
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 12pm-8pm; Sunday, 12pm-7pm. Closed Monday.

Great Vintage Store on the Lower East Side: "Don the Verb"

You know I am a huge vintage shopper. So a few months ago when I stumbled upon a new store, Don the Verb, I was terribly excited. Yanina who runs the shop has a great selection of streamlined pieces, all carefully picked to represent a superb offering of sharp tailoring and impeccable taste. She has a wonderful collection of vintage French hair bows, stunning bags and great coat collection among other items. For those in the trade, there is also an archive of rare and exciting vintage French couture, 80's London street fashion and more for shoots and the like. Newly opened (in the Fall) I encourage all of you to stop by.

For those of you from out of town/country (which I know there are a great many) below and above is a selection of beautiful shots from the website showcasing some of her pieces for your fashion inspiration.

Note the alligator bag in the 3rd shot, I nearly bought this, its an amazing bag. Very Chanel-like in its boxish shape but in wild alligator like you can't find today. I believe it was around 365$, maybe a bit more, an excellent price anyway.

Aren't these photos great? Talk about evoking old world glamour, right?

Enjoy!




Located on 61 Delancey Street (between Allen and Eldridge). Take the F, J, M or Z to the Essex Street stop. Walk 3 and 1/2 blocks west on Delancey. Voila, there you are. By phone you can reach DTV at (212)219-7633.