Pattern Pulp

Give & Get with Michael Kagan




Michael Kagan and I met in a figure painting class freshmen year of college. Since moving to New York, it’s been a thrill to watch his fine art career snowball. Michael’s exhibited his expressive paintings all over the world, with his next show, I am My Father’s Son, slated to open March 8th in St. Barths. He’s having a preview tomorrow evening in Brooklyn if anyone’s inclined to have a look before the works leave New York. They’re moments caught in time related to space. Meantime, here are his Valentine Day picks- that ring’s divine, isn’t it?

What Kagan Would Love to Give: Badass vintage pinky ring for my girlfriend. She is a fashion designer and always always wears these big gold framed eye glasses which have become kind of her trademark…   I think the ring would compliment them nicely. Like the vintage glasses above that I would love to receive I like trying to give gifts that one can have throughout there lives and won’t get thrown out, something they can have on them daily if they so choose.

What Kagan Would Love to Get: I would always be happy to get a pair of vintage sunglasses to add to the collection… preferably a pair of Persol Ratti’s. Classic… I know I will always have them, they will never go out of style and I will always think of that special person who gave them to me (girlfriend) when I am wearing them on a sunny day.

 

Twitter Influencer: Sarajo Frieden




Sarajo Frieden’s work is resplendent with lush folk influences from around the world. The LA-based artist’s studio borders Thai Town, Little Armenia and Koreatown, with Guatemalan and Salvadoran bakeries nearby. It’s this cacophony of language and culture that serves as constant inspiration and a “daily reminder that the ordinary is often extraordinary and nothing is what it seems.”

Her artwork has been shown in galleries around the world and commissioned pieces have taken form in illustrated books, print advertising, lamps, textiles, teapots, journals and domestic art products. Sarajo’s well rounded, worldly, whimsical and warm work is clearly both a representation of her influences and of herself. Her twitter feed is just as approchable as she is, as she eagerly shares her inspirations, pertinent world news and latest work.

 

Give & Get with Nandita Khanna




Nandita Khanna is a stylish, sweet sophisticate. She also has a killer resume. Having written and edited at a few of my favorite publications (Departures, Conde Nast Traveler, Town & Country), she’s now the Deputy Editor of Lifestyle Mirror– the digital brainchild of Emanuele Della Valle that’s launching next week! Nandita and I met earlier this year over risotto and rosé and have been friends ever since. Her picks are polished and timeless, not that I’m surprised…

What Khanna Would Love to Give: My boyfriend, Brandon, is a beautiful photographer and has an incredible collection of old cameras including one his grandfather used when he was stationed in Meitze, Germany. A strap like this, which has such a vintage feel to it would look striking even on a new Canon point-and-shoot.

What Khanna Would Love to Get: I came across this illustrator Jane Mount while I was doing market work for the launch of my new project Lifestyle Mirror. Being a fashion writer myself, I was particularly taken to this selection of fashion books that she assembled. I would like to get it framed on my new desk. If you have a bit more time, she’ll do a custom shelf for you too where you can hand-pick the books yourself.

 

Give & Get with Tuesday Bassen




I met Tuesday Bassen at the launch of Buy Some Damn Art. It was a fantastic merging of worlds and she was as artsy and friendly and stylish as ever. After getting home and researching her work, I was blown away by her illustrations. Bassen co-runs Studio Sweet Studio with Meg Lewis and has her hands on multiple creative projects around town. Her drawings have appeared in the New York Times and Creative Quarterly among others. She what’s on her mind this Valentines holiday…

What Bassen Would Love to Give: My Partner, Pete Gamlen, would love this fraternal log pin; it’s mystical and mysterious, seems dangerous, and is designed well. It seems like something out of his illustrations!

What BassenWould Love to Get: I love shoes that make an easy transition between casual and professional. I try to make all of my outfits bridge that gap so that I’m prepared for anything in my home: NYC.

 

How World Cultures Influence Fashion




Traditional costuming from around the globe is a constant inspiration for the fashion industry. Culture to Catwalk: How World Cultures Influence Fashion by Kristen Knox of The Clothes Whisperer traces the roots of today’s ready-to-wear lines back to cultural styles from around the globe.

Culture to Catwalk explores the trajectory of fashion design, born as an industry around the same time that Orientalism swept Europe and colonies were established in Africa and India. Fashion incorporated these new exotic themes into its creativity and became inextricably mixed with ethnic and cultural sartorial traditions. The book’s narrative also comes full circle, going from local to global and back to local again to see what’s happening today in fashion in these countries and look at the effect the internet and globalization has had on design.

 

Give & Get with Elliot Aronow




Meet Elliot Aronow. He’s a man of many titles with a job that affords him the opportunity to matchmake. As the host, producer, publisher and editor of OUR SHOW, he’s programed music and cultural content for brands ranging from Topshop, Theory, J. Crew and Puma. Elliot’s also the Creative Director of RCRD LBL and the face of the bespoke tailoring brand, Brooklyn Tailors. Busy as a bee, he still found time to share his picks, here they are.

What Aronow Would Love to Give: This new book on the early ’90s Vogue scene! Sorta edgy for a relative gift but sometimes you just need to go with the flow. The looks in here are IN-CREDIBLE!

What Aronow Would Love to Get: I’d love this purple cashmere cardigan from Uniqlo. It has a lovely pop to it and would pair well with some Doc Martens and a gingham shirt. I’ve really started to covet it since all the NYC stores have been sold out of smalls for months—disappointing for a Japanese brand. Uniqlo I thought y’all had us little guys?!

 

Tracking Repetitive + Awesome.
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