Christmas Lights at Orchard Road are already up!

Remember: The Meetup with Steve Nagata?…

Had something similar this time.

However, doubt words would be any significant compared to the pictures.

Hmmmm... Whats on the left edge?

AFA Staff members?

Hmmm.... Gordon?

Owns a Kagami with Puchi Twin Tails?

Loves Charsiew Shao Yoke Rice?

Storm Trooper...

Kagami Figma + Armor + Brigade Leader Armband + GS Racing Logo = ??

No Prizes for guessing correctly!

Had a pre-AFA gathering with Danny, Kodomut, ScorchnRoses, Ederuferuto, Arayden and the various AFA Staff members.

Accompanying Dinners are photoshoots.

Kodomut going deep into the Photos

^^;

Remember him?

Did you think any words were needed? ;P

Gadgets owned by AFA Staff.

Get your Concert Tickets NOW!

There was a Pre activity before this – Tokyo Trooper on the Streets and Comrade Kodomut has got the shots!

Issey Miyake hat sich die Natur als großartigsten Duftlieferanten verschrieben und lässt sich von ihr inspirieren. Für a scent by issey miyake sind Inspirationen aus Asien zu einem neuen Duft vereinigt worden. Blätter der aromatischduftenden Zitronenverbena, Blütenextrakt aus Jasmin und Hyazinthe und edelste Hölzer von Galbanum und Zedern.

Das Ergebnis kann sich riechen lassen. A scent by Issey Miyake ist ein Parfum mit einem frischen, weiblichen und elegantem Duft. Trotzdem ist der Duft dezent und umhüllt die Trägerin ganz natürlich – ein sehr angenehmer Naturduft.

Die Flakons sind vom Glas inspiriert und scheinen, als ob sie aus einem Block herausgeschnitten wurden. Je nach Flakoninhalt unterscheiden sich die Flakons in ihrer Tiefe. Damit verkörpert das Parfum genau, was der aus Japan stammende Issey Miyake einmal sagte: “Bei meinen Kreationen lasse ich mich immer von dem einfachsten und zugleich wesentlichsten Gedanken leiten.”

Die A Scent Produktreihe für Frauen umfasst:

• Eau de Toilette (EdT) / Parfum
• Body Lotion / Körperlotion
• Shower Gel / Duschgel
• Deodorant Spray

A crise pode até estar dando sinais de adeus, já que ontem as Bolsas do mundo se animaram com a notícia de que o JP Morgan obteve no terceiro trimestre lucro 580% maior que o do mesmo período do ano passado.

Bom sinal, sem dúvida. Mas os reflexos da crise puderam ser vistos na última semana de moda francesa que, em tempos de contenção econômica, priorizou uma moda mais “pé no chão”, sem tantos luxos e ousadias, porém sem perder o glamour.

A tarefa criativa esteve um pouco mais árdua nesta temporada, porque baixar custos não pode significar cair no lugar comum, há que se buscar sempre a novidade e continuar irresistível!

A Chanel, por exemplo, apresentou uma coleção contemporânea, de cores suaves e formas leves, porém indiscutivelmente sexy. Aliás, essa é a palavra de ordem da temporada: sensualidade, que aparece em looks muito curtos (curtíssimos!!!), fendas, decotes, lingeries aparentes… enfim, corpo à mostra.

 As silhuetas são soltas, os tecidos vaporosos, à exceção da Balenciaga e Balmain. Houve, também, o oposto, com a introdução de elementos do guarda-roupa masculino, ombros fortes, cinturas marcadas, caso da Dior.

Hussein Chalayan apresentou seu smoking desconstruído, Balenciaga abusou das geometrias, Stella Mc Cartney misturou renda e alfaiataria. A Maison Martin Margiela “recortou” suas peças, Givenchy veio cheio de grafismos. 

 Houve flores, muitas delas… mas ainda restou alguma referência étnica, assim como os nudes, beges, branco, rosa e preto.

Enfim, em época de recessão, teve menos pano, menos desperdício, uma moda mais usável sem que se perdesse criatividade, inventividade… O que mais se viu, sem dúvida: o corpo da mulher!

True.  At least the NYT website.  For Portland’s recently booming reputation on the foodie scene, as it were, which has been making waves across the country.  The visitor’s bureau has recently decreed that more money is spent in Portland, ME’s restaurants than anywhere else in the country, save the two giants, New York and San Francisco.  This didn’t come as an enormous surprise to me, it’s easy living here to stroll down the street and take note of the shoulder to shoulder restaurants, diners and bar/grills.  What did come as a surprise was the reason for the NYT making such a hub-bub (grub-hub?) about our little port city’s food culture.

In the last decade, Portland has undergone a controlled fermentation for culinary ideas — combining young chefs in a hard climate with few rules, no European tradition to answer to, and relatively low economic pressure — and has become one of the best places to eat in the Northeast. The most interesting chefs here cook up and down the spectrum, from Erik Desjarlais’s classically pressed roast ducks at Evangeline, to the renegade baker Stephen Lanzalotta’s gorgeously caramelized sfogliatelle (sold out of the back of Micucci Grocery, an Italian-imports shop), to Mr. Potocki’s simple but brilliant chili-garlic cream cheese and handmade bagels.

Tablecloths, Asian fusion and spherification are out (the locals aren’t interested in, or rich enough to indulge in, frivolous food experiments, the thinking goes). Nose-to-tail, rustic French and Italian, and small plates are in.

They go into a lot of the more famous chef’s names and signature plates from around town, emphasizing Portland’s infamous “Buy Local” campaign and mentioning both of the weekly Farmer’s Markets. Of course, I was very skeptical at first by all the name-dropping. It seemed to highlight the finest dining establishments in the area, such as Evangeline or Bresca.

Buttermilk panna cotta from Bresca -- looks so good it might fellate me.

This is all in lieu of Bon Apetit magazine recently declaring Portland, Maine as the Foodiest Small Town in America (!!!).

Forget name-dropping chefs, Portland’s ride just got pimped to the rest of America. Forbes already boasts how livable our city is, and now here’s Bon Apetit telling everyone to eat here. Their very well-written narrative article on the decision goes even further into Portland foodie culture, turning over stones to find the less-renowned businesses that build the backbone of eating out, the breakfast diners. Both Becky’s and Marcy’s are praised, as well as South Portland’s 158 as having “the country’s best bacon, egg, and cheese bagel sandwich.” Even Hot Suppa! makes it in. Here’s the whole article, it’s really something.

Japanese snapper rolls, out of Masa Miyake.

Miyake, the little innocuous sushi place up in the West End, gets mention in both NYT and Bon Apetit. The head chef Masa Miyake moved his family of five out of a single bedroom in Queens to open up shop here in Portland, and now they’re apparently running the best sushi game in town. I’ll have to check it out and test my strong loyalties to King of the Roll and Fuji.

Both authors also took part in a top-secret invite-only underground no-holds-barred dinner party, referred to only as “Deathmatch.” This is when two local culinary players throw down and match their mettle against each other. With themes ranging from “foie gras” to “breakfast” to “Your Last Meal,” the latter of which was an 18-course meal complete with caviar and crème fraîche on potato chips, grill-roasted local Damariscotta oysters served with hot sauce and a squeeze of lemon, and “bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches served by young women dressed as Catholic schoolgirls, wielding hot mayonnaise in squeeze bottles.”

I don’t know where this infamous event takes place, but I simply must infiltrate it, deep undercover reporter style. I’m sure they’ll probably black-bag me somewhere in Monument Square, spin around ten times, then put me in a van for two hours before letting me out deep in a catacomb of tunnels where I must paw my way through Portland’s underbelly to their hidden arena, where I’m fully strip-searched and beaten with reeds for good measure (Reader, don’t fear, they will never find my trusty pen and Moleskine. Hint: They’re not in my bowel cavity.)

I, for one, am enthused Portland’s getting so much cred on the national scene. Sure, I’ll bitch and moan at all the tourists, but will I still kindly, almost eagerly, give them directions to Exchange St. or the Nickelodeon, or Five Fifty-Five? You bet your filet mignon. But I still feel a wide demographic of Portland’s business is being neglected: the cheap-eats we twenty-something collegiate depend on for breaks from the ramen and tuna, where we will actually take people on wallet-friendly dates while still maintaining class, the places we’ve grown up with and can’t seem to stop going to.

Join me, Potentialites, in an archiving of a true local’s eatery experience in this grand city, before the lower middle class gets broad-brushed out by these fancy-shmancy New York Times toting “foodies.”

On a related note, I also wish to catalog and review all of Portland’s bars and pubs, before someone else beats us to it.  J-Christie, I’m looking Straight.  At.  You.

Yesterday, after a yoga class in which I attempted to fold myself down over my legs, my friend Brina took me to Muji, the Japanese store on 19^th Street. My favorite thing in the store, which is a monument to the monetization of zen simplicity, was the wrinkled t-shirt. It reminded me of one of Issey Miyake’s pleated outfits.

Shrink-wrapped in a tiny box, the cotton/poly tee could be unboxed, washed and hung up to dry to remove the wrinkles. Or twisted up with a rubber band before drying to keep the winkled look.

It’s always nice to find out that wrinkles still have value.

Track Listing

1. Switch
2. Over Drive
3. Switch (Instrumental)
4. Over Drive (Instrumental)

1. Switch

Switch brings mihimaru GT into the synth-pop front with Switch.  I love how the synths are bouncing this song and I love hiroko during the afterchorus where she’s saying the title and some ad-libbing.  It’s pretty catchy actually and to hear a JPN lady actually rapping in the song is quite interesting.  miyake is still doing the backup stuff and even though he’s not that good of a singer he can hold his own.  Good way to start off this single.

2. Over Drive

If you must know, Over Drive is a cover of a JUDY AND MARY A-side back in 1995.  It’s quite funny because this track was also released beforehand on the cover album for said band with other artists like SAWA.  Unlike the synth style of “Switch”, mihimaru GT kept this straightforward with this song, utilizing a more organic sound with acoustic guitar.  There’s a breakdown in the middle, which threw me off and seemed pretty useless to me.  It isn’t as catchy as the A-side and I do question why they didn’t they just stuck a new track on here. 

mihimaru GT begins their 5th era with Switch which is a really good A-side, giving that it’s synth-pop and easy to dance along with and it’s pretty slick and cool (they usually are like that).  Over Drive though to me was fail…I just didn’t find anything in particular interesting.  Shoulda stayed on the cover album IMHO.

Contemporary Japanese Fashion: The Mary Baskett Collection
Oct. 17, 2009 – April 11, 2010

In the 1970s and early 1980s, Japanese designers Issey Miyake, Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto shocked the fashion world by introducing avant-garde styles that challenged received Western notions of “chic.” Informed in part by Japanese traditions such as the kimono, obi and the art of origami, these designers produced radical garments with shapes and textures often incongruous with the natural contours of the human body. Their designs-characterized by asymmetry, raw edges, unconventional construction, oversized proportions and monochromatic palettes-effectively overthrew existing norms and set the stage for the postmodernist movement in the fashion industry. Miyake, Yamamoto, and Kawakubo remain three of the most successful designers in today’s fashion world, and under their tutelage a new generation of Japanese talent has emerged.

This exhibition, which was originally shown at the Cincinnati Art Museum, will include garments from the collection of Mary Baskett, an art dealer and former curator of prints at the Cincinnati Art Museum who has been collecting and wearing Japanese high fashion since the 1960s

for more information CLICK HERE

beth ditto.

http://www.myspace.com/gossipband

make-up: peter philips

photo: rankin

headpiece: philip treacy

Micky Green

photo: Philipp Mueller

styling: Yoko Miyake

Claimed by many to be the city with the second most number of restaurants in the United States (per capita), behind only San Francisco…..Portland, Maine offers such a wide variety to delight your tastebuds. Whether you’re in the mood for seafood, Italian, sushi, or whatever appeals to you, there is no shortage of wonderful establishments. There are sure to be many more blog entries with regards to restaurants…my favorites to date – Five Fifty Five, Flatbread, Miyake, and Siano’s, though there are many contenders when I am in the mood for a quick bite, or want to catch the big game.

Where do you frequent? What is your favorite restaurant? Best value / quality / portion of food for the price?

So you love sushi and are not able to make the trip to Tokyo. Well you’re all set if you land a table at Food Factory Miyake, which leads the way among the numerous sushi restaurants in Portland, Maine. Tucked away at 129 Spring Street, it’s not uncommon to see many customers coming and going from the restaurant, some finishing their great dining experience, and others checking on their table availability and heading back to a local bar to wait for a cell phone call letting them know a table has opened up for them.

Miyake, which earns its name from Chef Masa Miyake, is considered to be the most authentic by many local sushi enthusiasts, and stands out in the freshness of the seafood and great preparation of the dishes, often with a French and/or Italian twist. Be sure to arrive early or plan to be patient, as the restaurant is small with about 30 seats, but trust me, your tastebuds will be satisfied. For your information, Miyake does take reservations (871-9170), but no longer has a delivery service.

Keep in mind as well that Miyake is BYOB (bring your own beverage), however, the West End Deli next door does carry a number of fine beverages that go great with sushi (sakes, wines, and Japanese beers).

Without doubt Japan’s most internationally celebrated designer, Issey Miyake returns home with this travelling exhibition that’s already been seen in New York. Miyake’s fascination with colour and texture shines through many of the large-scale exhibits on show here, some of which have been specially created for Tokyo. The fact that he’s showing in an art museum is bound to stir debate about the boundaries between fashion, design and art.

Mihimaru GT es un dueto musical japonés formado el año 2003, compuesto por la vocalista Hiroko y el rapero Miyake. Su estilo es considerado una mezcla de J-Pop con elementos del Hip-Hop y el Rap japonés, y ellos mismo denominan su estilo como “Hip-Pop”.

Como dato curioso Miyake antes le habia compuesto canciones a BoA y a Smap.

Mis canciones favoritas abarcan desde love is…, So merry Christmas, Clap, yes, entre otras.

A mi en lo personal me encanta el grupo, la voz Hiroko es muy dulce, me fascina como sus canciones abarcan todo tipo de generos, les dejare unos videos para que escojan su favorito, tanto baladas, como mas movidas y otras mas alegres.

Balada -” Love is…”

Ritmos raros o.O -” This melody that sounds indefinitely”

Pop, Rap, entre otros – “Feelings are splendid”

Three more WIPS, but I think that’s it. There might be one or two more in a drawer that I started a long time ago. These three were all started last year.

Miyake:

Pattern and yarn from design-club.dk. This is a long term project. It will be finished sometime, maybe later than sooner. But it will be finished.

From Knitted

Golden chai:

This project is more about the yarn than what I’ve actually started knitting. It is the cone of Artfibers’ Golden chai that I bought last year in San Francisco. I have started knitting a Coachella from Knitty. I do not get the correct gauge and I’ve tried to get it to not be too low in the front. But the too low issue is why I stopped knitting. So, frogging is in this projects future. I’m not sure what to make though. Either try again with Coachella or maybe I’ll try to make Jewel from Wendy Bernard’s Custom knits.

From Knitted

Eiffel:

The last project is also something that will be finished. However, it might be  frogged first, because I’m a little hesitant about the size. This is Eiffel from Knitty in Allhemp 6. This is something that’s  been on my to-do list ever since I first saw the pattern and that’s why I bought this yarn last year.

From Knitted

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The athleticism of these people is simply amazing – to be able to try, let alone complete some of these activities is simply astounding…
- FlashAddict

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Ninja Warrior: The Fireman

Ayako Miyake becomes the first woman to win Ninja Warrior

Without doubt Japan’s most internationally celebrated designer, Issey Miyake returns home with this travelling exhibition that’s already been seen in New York. Miyake’s fascination with colour and texture shines through many of the large-scale exhibits on show here, some of which have been specially created for Tokyo. The fact that he’s showing in an art museum is bound to stir debate about the boundaries between fashion, design and art.

Suddenly feel like Carrie Bradshaw? That’s because you’re looking at the inside of her fictional soul, otherwise known as Archive. This online mecca for the best of the best in vintage and dead stock from the 1960’s – 1990’s is operated by Kerry Bonnell, former manager of an NYC boutique with a mission to bring top of the line vintage to the global community through the all-powerful internet. Rare items from designers such as Alaia, Beene, Dior, Chanel, Ossie Clark, Gucci, Halston, Pucci, Courreges, Gernreich, Mugler, Miyake, Sprouse, Chloe, Sant Angelo, Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent are found here.

From the jewelry collection, there are great options for that one-of-a-kind bauble you were planning to get your own beloved for the holidays. Vintage like this may be pricey, but it’s about as eco as it gets.

Irashaimasen!
Hoy vengo con un video que a mi personalmente me encanta!! XD
Es super divertido
En el podemos ver a un joven Koki (si si…ese buenorro que rapea en KAT-TUN!!) bueno pues eso, un joven (15 añitos)y “poco agraciado” (en ese momento) Koki.
A una de mis mayores fantasias Ikuta Toma!!! (kyyyyyyaaaaaa!!!)(aunque ahi estes jovencito yo me recreo igual!!)(16 añitos)
A Shingo!!! (bapooo, mozeton!!!)
Miyake! (sexy movimiento!!!) XD
Y a mi amor!!! Imai Tsubasa!!!!
Dioooossss que lindooo que es.ainsss…se nota que es uno de mis preferidos??
Pues es de cuando rodaron el dorama “NEVERLAND”
Despues de tantas paridas, y tonterias mias…
Disfruten por favor!!
Dozo onegaishimasu!
ENJOY!!

P/D: las collejas que se lleva Ikuta me dolieron a mi, y si yo hubiera estado alli no habria detenido a Imai…(QUITATELO TODO!!!!)

Irashaimasen!
Today I come with a video that to my personally is really funny.
I like so much!! XD
In these video we can see a young man Koki (yes! yes! … this hot man, that rapper in KAT-TUN!!) well, a young man (15 añitos) and “a little ugly ” (in this moment) Koki.
To one of my major fantasies Ikuta Toma!!! (Kyyyyyyaaaaaa!!!) (though there you’re youngster I enjoy myself equally!!) (16 añitos) To Shingo!!! (Bapooo, mozeton!!!) Miyake! (Sexy movement!!!) XD
And my love!!! Imai Tsubasa!!!!
OMG is sooooo cute.ainsss … (is one of my favorites)
well it is of when they rolled the dorama “NEVERLAND”
Soooo…later that you read my paranoias
Enjoy please!!
Dozo onegaishimasu!
ENJOY!!

P/D: the punchs that Ikuta receive grieved me , and if I had been there not would have stopped(detained) to Imai … (TAKE OFF EVERYTHING!!!!)

It’s always exciting when you discover a good restaurant, so I just have to share…
We had lunch yesterday at udon shop Miyake. It was fast, cheap, and super delicious–with fresh handmade noodles.

They had some cool pots too.

Just when you thought they did it all, they introduce something new. Issey Miyake’s off his red carpet stint to sell us a vacuum cleaner. Yes, you heard me right. Next: Tom Ford designer tampons.