Posts Tagged ‘Northern Virginia Magazine’
Luca Missoni Archives 60 Years of the Iconic Zig-Zag Pattern
Posted by Hilary Adleberg / Friday, May 18th, 2012
Amid his 2012 Missoni Home Design promotional tour from Italy, to New York, to D.C. and back again, Luca Missoni—middle child of the Missoni fashion empire—takes some time from his busy schedule to chat with us about some of the many projects the Missoni team has in the works.
Isabelle L'Huillier and Lucca Missoni at the Washington Design Center. (Photo courtesy: Kyle Samperton)
Luca is currently the Artistic Director of the Missoni Archive. He is commemorating 60 years of that iconic zig-zag print by developing a communication project that celebrates the artistic and fashion heritage of the ever-expanding Missoni family business.
Missoni Hotels in Edinburgh and Kuwait, Spring 2012 Chuck Taylor Missoni Converse collection, Missoni Home interior design for Acqua Livingston private residences, Missoni for Target, and of course the 2012 womenswear, menswear and home collections are just a sampling of the projects and collaborations that the Missoni brand has under their well-crafted belts.
During a visit to the Washington Design Center to showcase the 2012 Missoni Home collection, Missoni explains the different application processes and outcomes of the various business ventures. As the interview winds down, Luca’s middle-child, son Michelangelo, 20 years of age, joins the conversation. “For a while I was trying to get him to do i-Pod covers,” Michaelangelo reminds his father with a light nudge to the shoulder, “You should really think about it.” As he contributes his opinions on future projects it’s clear to see that the Missoni clan will be inventing, adapting and expanding for generations to come.
Q: How do you compare the clothing component to the home design or other extensions of the brand?
A: Clothing is something we do. Clothing, of course is our basic work. But sometimes you get interested in designing objects or using other items. Clothing is the basic foundation, but also you can’t wait to work with, or get excited about another project because that is another challenge.
Q: How do the design applications differentiate in outcome for each of the various projects?
A: I’m always surprised in a way, when you see the actual fabrics and textiles finished from all the experimentation we do before and now certain patterns and colors developed into a new skin. There’s a kind of a transformation, or metamorphosis of the patterns and designs. Things are so exciting when you see them coming out in the collection. Finally, you have these materials come out and you see the application of the garment.
Q: How do pieces grow and transition from styles and trends throughout the years?
A: Later on through the years, you see some pieces stay there longer than others maybe because you see them used in a particular way. Even if there’s something from this collection, or from 10 years ago, it’s amazing how these kinds of effects and adaptations create something.
"Daring to be different," MIssoni's motto and state of mind. (Photo courtesy: missoni.com)
Q: Are patterns changed at all for the Missoni Hotels from the Missoni Home fabrics?
A: The home is more of a personal, private environment. In hotels, as you have big surfaces, the patterns can be larger, wider and something softer or something bolder, depending on the ambiance and what you want to create as an effect. So some are scaled up or scaled down patterns that we do for the hotel collection that you would never find in the home.
Q: You recently furnished Acqua Livingstone—a private residence building in Manila—and there are more projects like this is process.
A: That development of decorating or organizing the interior decoration for buildings it’s a new possibility. And little by little as the world spreads out, we gather these contacts, which is nice. It’s a nice opportunity to develop the business and the work of using these fabrics.
Q: How have you enjoyed your time in our nation’s capital?
A: Last time I came to Washington was 20 years ago. Now I came with my wife and kids and we had a nice time looking at the city. We got in three days of museum visiting. The national galleries are spectacular. The sense of ease that you have going into these museums is amazing. It’s almost like it’s your own place. You just walk in, look around and walk out. And there’s a presence of quiet welcoming where everything is simple and available. You just go in, see what you want and walk out. There’s no barriers, no lines .. it’s amazing.
[See more of our interview with Luca Missoni in upcoming issues of Northern Virginia Magazine.]
Can’t wait to see what they come up with next. I vote for Missoni nail appliqués!
-Hilary Adleberg
From the Green Room with William Beckett
Posted by Hunter Woodall / Friday, May 18th, 2012
Beckett released his first solo effort, Walk the Talk, in April. (Photo Courstey of William Beckett and Fresh Clean Media)
In the span of a year, William Beckett, 27, lost his band and his record contract. The changes allowed him to seek a new start as a solo artist, with a new sound and label.
Beckett spent the first eight years of his musical career as the lead singer of “The Academy Is…“ the band he helped form while still attending high school. The band broke up in October, leaving Beckett at a crossroads in his musical career.
Roughly six months after the breakup of the band he led for almost a decade, Beckett released his first solo EP Walk the Talk. The EP, and the corresponding tour, shows Beckett moving in a new direction musically with material that he says is the best he’s ever written.
In support of his EP, Beckett is touring the U.S. and will stop in Virginia to play Jammin Java this Sunday.
How would you describe fans response to your latest release?
“It was great. I didn’t really know what to expect. A part of you always expects the worst and hopes for the best (to) prepare yourself mentally. But it was awesome, It was a really good response and people are still checking it, listening to it for the first time. It’s a growing process and I’m happy that my instincts aren’t completely off. It’s good to know that my taste is comparable to what people like as well.”
What changes did you make to your writing process as you transitioned into being a solo artist?
“A lot of it has to do with the kind of environment that I’m writing in. For a while towards the end of the band, the writing environment was really hostile and that just wasn’t fun. When you think about it, it wasn’t an ideal creating environment. Since then, I’ve collaborated with really great producers and it really sparked something new in me, or something old that I hadn’t felt in a while. It was like wow, this is what writing is supposed to be like. This is what the creation process is supposed to be.”
Why did “The Academy Is…” decide to break up?
“It was kind of a long time coming. A lot of the reason why is because of it not being a positive environment. The last thing that we wanted to do was to forfeit and pretend that everything was all right within the band and then make another record and hate it and then hate each other even more. I felt like it was the right move as far as taking responsibility for ourselves and also (to) our fans as well to put out the best music possible. I felt like the only way that I could do that most efficiently was on my own.”
After releasing the EP are you planning to release a solo album any point soon?
“I’ve got a full plan. Now that Walk the Talk is out, every three months I’m going to release an EP throughout the year, so at the end of the year you’ll have twelve songs, if you collect all the EP’s, to be enjoyed as one piece.”
Will each of the EP’s have a different theme?
“It’s sort of an evolution of the same story for each of them. The first is to introduce you to where I’m at now and what I’ve been going through and that (will) evolve with each of the EP’s and by the end you’ll have the full story up to now.”
How will the solo tour be different from touring with your former band?
“Well for me, I can really focus on exactly what my vision is for each tour, for each song written for each decision made before it was kind of a trial by committee, it was kind of a communal decision system that in my opinion… that kind of team decision making doesn’t work when it comes to art. Once you start compromising, there’s no end to where you’ll end up. At that point your vision is so clouded and deluded that it’s nothing like you intended. So for me… it’s purely my vision which is very gratifying and I feel like in the end it will make more sense than having a bunch of cooks in the kitchen.”
Posted by Lynn Norusis / Friday, May 18th, 2012
The metropolitan area has one of the highest rates of same-sex couples throughout the nation. And with President Obama voicing his support the other week for gay marriage, recent data findings from the 2010 Census point in the direction of equal rights for all couples. Here are some interesting findings:
- In 2010 less than half of all households – 48 percent – were husband-wife households, down from 52 percent in 2000 and 55 percent in 1990. This is the first time that husband-wife families fell below 50 percent of all households in the United States.
- Husband-wife couples maintained only 22 percent of households in the District of Columbia.
- Of all areas, Washington, DC had the highest percentage of same-sex unmarried partner households.
- The states with the highest percentages of different-race, same-sex unmarried partners on the east coast were New Jersey, New York, and the District of Columbia.
- Opposite-sex unmarried partner households increased by 40 percent since 2000, almost four times the national average. For same-sex households, estimates showed an 80 percent increase.
Voice your opinions. E-mail me at littleredbook@northernvirginiamag.com.
-Katie
Shopping Simplified: 3 Fluid Ounces, 1 Less Worry
Posted by Hilary Adleberg / Friday, May 18th, 2012
Sick of airport security threatening the life of your toiletries? Meet 3floz.com. The website stocks the best brands of products for almost every hygienic essential in ultra- convenient, TSA-friendly three fl. oz. or smaller containers for the jet setter, cosmetically curious and commitment phobic.
Every week the site features new brands. (Photo courtesy: 3floz.com)
The site is categorized by product, brand, gender and purpose so it’s easy to find exactly what you need. Products are available for men, women and baby. Brands include Ahava, SpaRitual, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, Fekkai, La Fresh, Tocca and so many more. There are even kits for sale for every necessity from shaving, to hair, to anti-aging and on!
Go Smile's portable Jet Set Travel Kit includes aromatherapy-enriched AM and PM Toothpastes and a travel toothbrush, packaged in a chic and functional zippered bag all for only $12. (Photo courtesy: 3floz.com)
3floz.com is obviously a great site to score the best travel supplies but it’s also a convenient way to test out unfamiliar brands without having to invest full price on an entire bottle that may or may not fulfill it’s intended purpose. So don’t be afraid to experiment a little!
Fekkai Salon Technician Color Care product kit includes shampoo, conditioner, anti-fade top coat, travel-size sheer hold hairspray and mini comb, all in a little travel bag for $43. (Photo courtesy: 3floz.com)
Happy travels!
-Hilary Adleberg
Palates Behind the Plate: Nicolas Flores of Hank’s Oyster Bar
Posted by Joey Hernandez / Friday, May 18th, 2012
Photo courtesy of Patrick McMahon
A series dedicated to the palates behind NVM’s 2011 Fifty Best Restaurants. We know what they serve, but what do they eat?
Restaurant: Hank’s Oyster Bar
2011 Rank: #36
Executive Chef: Nicolas Flores
NoVA’s best dish:
The atomica pizza from Pizza Paradiso in Old Town…simply the best!
Never would I ever eat:
All clams.
After work grub:
Buffalo wings and Stella beer.
At home cooking:
Grilled lamb chops with grilled vegetables including romaine lettuce, asparagus, and spring onions, Egyptian rice and cucumber yogurt salad. For dessert….fruit.
Burger, burrito or bahn mì:
Bahn mi.
[tips for the food desk / follow @JoeyHndz]
From the Green Room with Alleghany St.
Posted by Matt Basheda / Friday, May 18th, 2012
More musical ammo for NoVA’s ever-expanding scene: Alleghany St., a powerful country-rock duo.
Alleghany St. Photo: Maddy Turley.
I was fortunate enough to catch them downtown at SOVA on May 11, and they blew the roof off. This brother-sister pair–Joshua and Stefanie–seals airtight harmonies with friendly, but raucous energy.
They know how to party and aren’t afraid to show it. Joshua strums acoustic guitar, while Stefanie pounds handheld drums with reckless abandon. But their back-and-forth vocals make the group. They’ll switch in and out of harmony and melody on a moment’s notice; there is no lead singer.
A lifetime spent together has helped their seamless sound. Even the group’s name is a direct reference to their childhood–Alleghany St. is the street on which they grew up in Warrenton.
They just released their debut album, Young Heart, and celebrated with a Jammin Java release party on May 13.
I interviewed them via email about their lively, fun-loving sound, and where they’ll take it next.
First, here’s an example of their music:
Who and what inspires you?
“Our close family bond of music. We grew up listening to our mom and dad jamming with their friends every weekend with full volume on the speakers. So it was a gleam in our eyes at a very young age to do the exact same thing. … We’re also really fascinated by the inspiration you get from REAL life specific situations and how they make you feel certain emotions that make you bond with people on this very down to earth level.”
How did your particular style develop? Where does your sound come from?
“Well when we came together as this singer/songwriter duo, a lot of people were classifying us as country or folky country even though there is no real presence of “twang” or accent. … We credit our unique sound to what it was like to grow up [in Warrenton]. It’s not exactly country, but not suburban or rural either–it’s kind of a blend and we think it shows in our music because we take a lot of what music we were exposed to around the area as inspiration.”
Your live shows are really tight. How did you perfect that?
“Thank you! We really think it’s because of the sibling thing – nothing more! … But really, we also understand each others [sic] musical sense because were [sic] on a very similar page so we have common ideas. With a little bit of eye contact on stage we are able to tell where each other are planning to go or if we need to change something up a bit, it’s really helpful.”
What’s coming up for you?
“We have shows, shows, and shows! We’re working hard to book the summer up with some fun outside events, festivals, intimate settings, and soon some collaboration work with artists from completely different genres to keep things interesting, so it’s definitely something to look out for!”
Where can people buy your music?
“Our official website has links to all our social media, including our bandcamp page where you can purchase the full album online!”
Posted by Sally Traynham / Thursday, May 17th, 2012
LianeM/Shutterstock
Saying goodbye is never easy. This time of year is infamous for transitions, from getting hitched and buying a new house to college graduations and switching jobs. For me, this is my farewell to the magazine after an amazing, food-filled five-month journey.
Notorious for stress-baking back in college and an advocate for the school of thought that food will solve (almost) everything, it’s no surprise that food is my “go-to” when in need of easing transitions and saying goodbye. Homemade, personalized and edible gifts can be very simple and elegant with a low price point. And no, they don’t always have to involve cooking or laborious hours in the kitchen for those limited on time.
Here are some DIY edible farewell gifts, that will send anyone on a grand departure with lots of love.
Homemade BBQ Dry Rub [foodnetwork]
With summer right around the corner, this crafted BBQ dry spice rub is a perfect gift for the adventurous cook.
Flavored Olive Oils [theKitchn] Read the rest of this entry »
Infusing olive oil with favorite, personal flavors—such as meyer lemon, basil, chili or garlic—creates simple, elegant and unique giveaway.
Posted by Lindsey Leake / Thursday, May 17th, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Serious crimes up in Fairfax City in 2011
Crime down in Loudoun in 2011
Dulles Greenway tolls go to charity today
Two shot in Dumfries area
Man fatally shot, body found in car in Mt. Vernon
100-year-old forgotten time capsule found at Virginia Historical Society
Virginia ABC cracks down on retailers for selling alcohol, tobacco to minors
(Compiled by Lindsey Leake; photo courtesy of Shutterstock/carl ballou)
Stuffed & Saucy: NoVA’s Newest Mobile Kitchen
Posted by Sally Traynham / Thursday, May 17th, 2012
Two empanadas and a spring roll. Photo by Sally Traynham
Something Stuffed is one of Arlington’s newest mobile kitchen concepts, shoving local ingredients into empanadas, dumplings and wraps. So naturally, walking up to the bright purple food truck, I was expecting fried food goodness.
I ordered Vietnamese-inspired spring rolls, an orange-ginger iced tea and two empanadas: one stuffed with steak, peppers and a red-wine gravy and the other taking on Thai flavors with chicken, coconut milk and spices. And while fried, and farm-sourced, it was pretty underwhelming. The fried part was great, but the filling lacked flavor.
However, the dipping sauces definitely made up for it.
Read the rest of this entry »
Where D.C. United Players Are Hanging Out This Week
Posted by Lorin Drinkard / Thursday, May 17th, 2012
Najar, in action. / Photo credit: Shutterstock/Photo Works
Catch up with the awesomely talented dudes of D.C. United who are coming off a nice win over the Colorado Rapids and a three straight Ws at home as they make quite a few public appearances this week.
Here’s a breakdown of who-where-when: