Gossip 14 by Aishti

Aug-Sep 2011

No. 14

Reel life Party along the Med California’s white nights Belgium in a blast That Beirut sound Pose for the paparazzi

YOU DON’T EXIST UNTIL THEY TALK ABOUT YOU

Directory

No. 14 Aug-Sep 2011 PUBLISHER

Tony Salamé Group TSG SAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marwan Naaman

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Malak Beydoun

ART DIRECTOR

Laurent El Khoury JUNIOR EDITOR

Tala Habbal

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Natasha Dirany

EDITOR AT LARGE

Serena Makofsky

IN-HOUSE STYLIST Mouna Harati WRITERS Ziad Gedeon, Garance Doré Lucy Gillespie, Ruby Gotham

When God was handing out business sense, you were somewhere at the end of the line getting your nails done. That’s true, but so what? Who cares about business savvy? All that matters is that party you’re going to Friday night and that yellow Tory

Jana Jammal, Anna Leach Rose Mark, Mason Poole Sydney Reade, Shirine Saad Salma Salloum, Kristin Julie Viola PHOTOGRAPHERS David Bellemere, Cobrasnake Mark Downey, Jennifer Eymère Raya Farhat, Nikhil Patel

Burch dress you spied on Hilary Swank, that very same one you’re going to wear tonight – that’s true, that’s fashion! And if your parents keep pressing about master’s degrees and internships and banking and engineering, and everything else that’s boring, boring, boring, just tell them to get back on their broom and fly on home. Have a blowout summer and see you in the fall.

Tanya Traboulsi, Helene Rajcak, Bachar Srour CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS Amelianna Loiacono, Hala Mouawad PRODUCTION Fadi Maalouf, Anne-Marie Tabet EDITORIAL INTERN Tina Khalil RESPONSIBLE DIRECTOR George Chahine PRINTING Dots WHERE TO FIND US Gossip Magazine on Facebook scandalmongering.blogspot.com issuu.com/gossip.beirut twitter.com/gossipdigital 140 El Moutrane St., Fourth Floor Downtown Beirut, Lebanon T 961.1.974.444 gossip@gossip-beirut.com

Land of the Stupid, home of the Brave. FOCH STREET • AISHTI DOWNTOWN • AISHTI SEASIDE • AIZONE ABC • AIZONE INTERCONTINENTAL MZAAR • AIZONE CITYMALL

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Gossip No. 14

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Blast | News

Amy Winehouse | Music

FADE TO BLACK Text SERENA MAKOFSKY

Amy Winehouse makes her final exit

She was bound to die a tragic death. Singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse’s short but singular career ended on July 24, when she was found dead in her Camden Square, North London apartment. One of Winehouse’s security guards found her body, but ambulances arrived too late to save her. Winehouse’s death comes after years of problems with alcohol and drug abuse that were so highly publicized they often overshadowed the artist’s career. The singer had earned kudos for her 2003 debut Frank, but it took three ensuing years of writer’s block, romantic troubles and smoking pot to come up with Back to Black. The 2006 album was a tribute to excess, be it stalking lovers or Gossip No. 14

struggling with addiction. Winehouse defended her music, “I’m going to write about what I know.” The album won five Grammy Awards, including song of the year for the soulful “Rehab.” Family, friends, and fans were stricken over the 27-year-old singer’s untimely death, even if they saw it coming when Winehouse canceled comeback gigs and behaved increasingly erratically onstage. The death places the artist in the 27 Club, a group of famous rock musicians who all died tragically at the age of 27. Among its members are Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain. In his blog post “For Amy,” actor Russell Brand

called his friend “a fucking genius.” He described a singing voice that “seemed not to come from her but from somewhere beyond even Billie and Ella, from the font of all greatness.” Lady Gaga echoed the sentiment, “She lived jazz, she lived the blues.” Long-time fan John Fox put partial blame on a public bent on watching someone in pain. “We, the fans, cheer them on. We cheer on their sadness and torment.” Fox has a point. Winehouse’s Back to Black now holds the number one spot on iTunes. Her Back to Black B-Sides sits at number four. But listening to her music now also brings solace, remembering a woman whose voice won over millions of hearts.

Citizens | Emma Bell

BELL OF THE BALL Text KRISTIN JULIE VIOLA

Young actress Emma Bell is poised for Hollywood superstardom She may not be a household name, but Emma Bell is a face to watch. The 24-year-old actress has already appeared in a host of TV series and movies, including the hit series Walking Dead and the indie flick Frozen. This August, she stars in her biggest role yet as the female lead in Final Destination 5. Gossip chatted with the rising star about her career highlights, upcoming project and life in LA.

2. How did you land a role in the Final Destination franchise? For me it was just another audition. I had just come back from shooting the Walking Dead and had no notions of grandeur. It’s been my experience of long periods of droughts between projects, so I wasn’t expecting anything, although I thought being in the film would be very cool. I’m still afraid of flying planes from watching the first movie!

Which do you consider to be your big break? Honestly I don’t know if I’ve ever had a “big break” in my career. I’d say I’ve had a lot of amazing opportunities throughout my career, but the notion of a “big break” is much romanticized. Every break seemed big to me! My first major accomplishment came when I landed a supporting role in a small independent feature called, Death in Love. I was honored to be working with some major actors and also to be portraying an incredibly complicated and dynamic girl. That experience pushed me as an actress and brought me to LA. On a more commercial level, landing the role of Amy in the Walking Dead series on AMC was obviously such a dream come true. That experience has opened a lot of otherwise closed doors.

Can you tell us about your character in Final Destination 5? I play Molly, who is the romantic counterpart to the lead character Sam, played by the talented Nicholas D’Agosto. Sam and Molly are co-workers on a business trip when the big event happens, and their already fragile relationship is pushed to the max. In the face of death, they have to decide how much they mean to each other. 4. What was it like filming Final Destination 5 in 3D?

3D was an incredible experience. Final Destination 5 was a lot of firsts for me: first time shooting in 3D, first time working with green screens and first time being on location for so long. What I found very interesting about 3D was that for the

epic size of the final product, shooting in 3D is very much about the smallest details. If the focus is off even a 10th of a fraction, it causes the viewer to have a headache when watching. Thus, the shooting process takes a bit longer than normal. 5. Any other upcoming projects that you’re working on? I just shot a pilot for NBC called Reconstruction. It’s a period piece set in the West after the Civil War. To be portraying a character from a different time period, and having that time be such a controversial period in America’s history was another dream come true. I often think I should’ve been born in a time of corsets! We are waiting to hear if it got picked up so fingers crossed! 6.

What do you like to do for fun? I grew up on the East Coast in a very rural area, so my happy place is in nature. Living in LA gives me the opportunity to live a lot of my life outside. A perfect day would be grabbing brunch with my friends, going for a hike with my dogs, people watching at a café and then making dinner with my family and friends. When I moved to LA, my love of cooking was awakened. The produce here is so fresh and beautiful. It surrounds you. Aug-Sep 2011

Designer | Style

Love her or hate her, Lady Gaga certainly does have the Midas touch. Just ask Assaad Awad. The Lebanese designer’s profile has skyrocketed since the pop star’s recent performances in the United Kingdom and in Cannes, during which barechested dancers sported leather harnesses and studded “golden restraints” by Awad. It doesn’t take rocket science to see what attracted she-who-shall-appear-from-eggs to his designs. His studded gas masks, Swarovski-encrusted finger claws and bionic bustiers (with working LEDs) are pure Gaga – fetish yet fun. The “multimedia artist” likes to use recycled materials as much as possible and, impressively, makes everything by hand and unassisted, describing his Madrid atelier as “fucking chaos.” Awad moved to Madrid five years ago. A USEK graduate in advertising and graphic design, the 37-year-old has had a successful career as a corporate identity designer, but has always had a passion for industrial design. He remembers building his first skateboard, and more recently designing modernist arguilehs for Rotana.

THE BIONIC MAN Text NATASHA DIRANY

The world is going Gaga for Assaad Awad’s accessories

Influenced by Spain’s club culture, especially the heady isle of Ibiza, Awad soon made the jump from Mad Men to Mad Max (inspired by the 1979 action film, he used recycled tea strainers to create masks for dancers at Supermartxé’s infamous closing party). But the “day job” still influences him. “I know from being in advertising that you have to try the product. So when working for Gaga I listen to her disc nonstop. I start imagining and tripping on things.” Gaga still has many of his designs on standby, and he’s hoping to work with Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue and Björk (“she’s nuts”) in the future. He will soon launch his own diffusion line online, although he admits it “won’t be targeting shy conservative people.” “I want it to be for everyone. I want a cool girl in London to be able to buy one of my pieces and go out to the club in it.” W www.assaadawad.com

Gossip No. 14

Nightlife | San Diego

PARTY DESTINATION

SAN DIEGO Text LUCY GILLESPIE Photos COBRASNAKE

San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, with its attractive Victorian buildings and tree-lined walkways, is the place to be this summer. Locals and pilgrims alike crawl in from days of surf and sand and don their finest. Join them at Fluxx for an evening with Nas, or let fly your inhibitions at steamy, sensual Boudoir. And remember – theme’s the word in this year-round party town THE ONYX ROOM Two clubs for the price of one: mellow out in the sleekly modern, black-and-white themed Thin (at street level), where hip-hop plays second fiddle to classy old-school cocktails (try the Side Car, then try the Rum Runner). Head downstairs when you’re ready to boogie. The Onyx Room (downstairs, with a tribal, jungle décor vibe) caters to all manner of beats, from live jazz to trance to dubstep to reggae. This duo lives up to its reputation of local hangout with international standards. 852 Fifth Ave., T 1.619.235.6699, W www.onyxroom.com

AIRR SUPPER CLUB West Coast Sophisticates flock in chic, long-limbed droves to this second-story hideout boasting rock flair with a Givenchy twist. The party starts in the Red Room, a blissful purgatory of gothic opulence, the exact shameless shade (and sheer) of a Babybel. Classic DJ mash-ups are infused with the adrenalin rush of a live violinist, while the cocktails are sinfully delicious; try the Janis J (Absolut Pear vodka, St. Germaine elderflower liqueur, fresh pink grapefruit and lemon juice). 526 Market Ave., T 1.619.546.8306, W airr.us

FLUXX Lauded as a slice of Vegas in San Diego, Fluxx was named Nation’s Best Club in 2011. Come for the music – the stellar summer lineup includes Nas, Chris Cutz and the United Kingdom’s Infected Mushroom. Stay for the candycolored lightshow, and the buoyant Cirque du Soleil vibe (the glow of which has enticed celebrity patrons the likes of Snoop Dog and Usher and Lupe Fiasco). Fluxxuation Party theme nights spice up the summer. 500 Fourth Ave., T 1.619.232.8100, W www.fluxxsd.com Aug-Sep 2011

San Diego | Nightlife

HONORABLE MENTIONS SIDE BAR Glamour is international clubbing currency, cashed in at Side Bar. From the lofted ceilings dripping with chandeliers and lush burgundy birdcages, to the sultry go-go dancers who hang and swing from the aforementioned cages, to the staff, who keep VIPs satisfied with celebrity-level service and security. Check the calendar for a FiveTen PM party, bring your skivvies and chill in the hot tub. 536 Market St., T 1.619.696.0946, W www.sidebarsd.com CLUB SABBAT AT THE FLAME Beloved haunt of the thriving San Diegan Goth population, Sabbat is a sight to see for out-of-towners and provides an all-inclusive good time. Corsets, combat boots, Victorian military coats and bright pink dreadlocks shimmy and sway in the scented fog to EBM and industrial sounds. 3780 Park Blvd., T 1.619.743.1623, W www.clubsabbat.net

VOYEUR The devil’s in the details here: a life-sized horse’s head with blazing lamplight eyes greets guests upon arrival. Gothic skulls and renaissance paintings set the gothic tone: stand on the balcony and channel Twilight’s Edward Cullen surveying the revelers below. In pride of place upon the wall is a mesmerizing LED wall synched to the music – after all, the music is why you must come. House/ electronica fans journey from afar to crowd the intimate halls. 755 Fifth Ave., T 1.619.756.7678, W www.voyeursd.com Gossip No. 14

BOUDOIR Pay homage to the art of pleasure in one of Boudoir’s many themed rooms: the vast Nightclub Room’s multi-tiered rotating dancing platforms are encircled by stadium seating and surround sound. Get stimulated by the leather, whips and handcuffs on display in the Dominatrix Room (need I say more?). Or jangle a VIP cuff and slip into the Glass Room, where your very own cocktail waitress will slip into the outfit of your choosing behind a glass dressing room. It’s all about transcendence. 701 C St., W www.boudoirsd.com

ALTITUDE SKY LOUNGE High above Petco Baseball Park is where the real movers and shakers are found. Snag a spot by a gigantic spiraling fire pit, grab a white cranberry vodka and be feted by post-game fireworks. Swing by one of their Dooms Day Parties (one for each of the many Ancient Mayan or Nostradamus predictions) to survey the supposed apocalypse in style – or if all goes well, simply sit back and enjoy a romantic night under the San Diego stars. 660 K St., T 1.619.446.6086, W www. altitudeskylounge.com BELO Rocking fluorescent Barbarella interiors, including a bar in the Orange Room that looks ready for lift-off, Belo satiates a triumvirate of musical tastes – mash-ups, hip-hop, R&B and Latin sounds. Come on a Saturday for the best DJs, and do sign up for the guest list. 919 Fourth Ave., T 1.619.231.9200, W www.belosandiego.com

Available in Aïshti Downtown, Aïshti Seaside, Aïshti Verdun, Aïzone ABC Ashrafieh, Aïzone City Mall, Aïzone Beirut Souks, Aïzone ABC Dbaye, +961.1.991111, Dubai, Mall of the Emirates +971.4.3479333, Dubai Mall +971.4.3306442, Mirdiff City Center +971.4.2843007, Jordan, City Mall +962 65815670, Syria, Damascus Boulevard Mall +963.11.2322243, Bahrain, Bahrain City Center +973.1.7178012, Kuwait, The Avenues Mall +965 22598016

TRUERELIGIONBRANDJEANS.COM

Marc Dibeh | Citizens

LOVE THE BIRD Text NATASHA DIRANY

Forget the shoebox under your bed, Marc Dibeh has found a new place for the 21st-century girl’s best friend “I’m not just a dildo designer!” insists Marc Dibeh. He’s right. One of Lebanon’s hottest young talents, the product and interior designer has won industry awards, designed boutique stores and set up his own studio – and he’s only 26. But right now Dibeh is making the most waves with “Love the Bird.” It’s a design that has two functions: the first as a tabletop lamp, the second as a dildo. Yes, really. The sex toy is cleverly stowed away inside the lamp, decorated with a little red bird that acts as a – you guessed it – clitoral stimulator. Finding a sex toy in Beirut is hard work, let alone designing one. So how did he get the idea to create a lamp that doesn’t just turn on, but returns the favor? The project began as part of Dibeh’s Gossip No. 14

product design thesis while studying at ALBA. As part of his research, Dibeh sent out a survey to 500 women on Facebook (100 of which quickly removed him as a friend). He also met a sexologist to find out more about the sex toy’s history. “I’m ashamed to admit I learned a lot of stuff I should probably have known when I was 15.” “Love the Bird” combines the two qualities that make Dibeh’s work so charming: a utilitarian purpose and a sense of humor. He’s attracted to designing everyday things – a bottle of mineral water, a cigarette packet – and as a small boy was fascinated by how objects are made. Praising Philippe Starck’s illustrious career (“I fucking love him”) Dibeh believes the most important element in good design is “emotion.”

“A product that doesn’t make you react is a failure. You should want it, even if you don’t need it or know how to use it.” This summer he will be launching “Beirutkun” at Beirut Art Center, a set of Muji-esque “personalized souvenirs” of Beirut, created with Carlos Massoud and Anastasia Nysten. Other upcoming projects include two new boutique interiors in Downtown Beirut and finding an editor for “Love the Bird” – despite the press attention the product is yet to go on sale. “When I was small my dream was to design a church. But after the dildo, I don’t think anyone will work with me!”

Saba Innab | Citizens

IMAGINARY LANDSCAPES Text NATASHA DIRANY

Saba Innab weaves the political with the personal in her stark paintings How do you build without a land? This was the question looming above the landscape as artist and architect Saba Innab traveled overland from Amman to Nahr el Bared, a Palestinian refugee camp in Northern Lebanon. Innab, who was born in Kuwait and moved to Amman in the ‘90s, got “sucked into the project” a year and a half ago to reconstruct the camp after its destruction in 2007. Initially working as an architect, the subject matter soon infiltrated her paintings. “I had started consciously, and maybe unconsciously, linking space to causes. But Nahr el Bared triggered it. The idea of rebuilding a camp – it’s very Gossip No. 14

political, it’s very difficult, it’s very challenging. I don’t know if it’s utopian, if it’s revolutionary.” The result was “No Sheep’s Land,” a series of mixed media works exhibited at Agial Art Gallery last February and March. Combining collage, acrylic and ink on wood panels, the compositions pose as maps of an arid landscape, traversing between the imagined and the real. “The question is very obvious and very existential at the same time.” Architecture and art are homogeneous throughout Innab’s work: over the past seven years she has participated in a number of regional and international exhibitions, art residencies and workshops,

all exploring the dialogue of space through painting, drawing, installations and maps. “All of these mediums are just tools to express the struggle of representation of space, the power of place.” Of course, the places Innab chooses to probe – from refugee camps to creating an alternative tourist map of Amman – are inherently political too. “I don’t deliver political messages. But these are my places and my cause as well. I’m Palestinian so I try and understand what it does to me. It’s not just a statement or something flashy, it’s a genuine concern.”

7 FOR ALL MANKIND STORE - BEIRUT SOUKS, SOUK EL TAWILEH T: 01 99 11 11 EXT: 560 ALSO AVAI LABLE AT ALL AÏZONE STORES IN BEIRUT, DUBAI, AMMAN, MANAMA AND DAMASCUS

Designers | Style

ELECTRIC YOUTH Text TALA HABBAL

They’re young, they’re hot and they’re about to take New York fashion by storm

Every season a new generation of young designers emerges onto the fashion scene, inspiring us with fresh silhouettes, cool colors, lush fabrics and bold designs. On our radar this season? New York-based designers Althea Harper, Kimberly Taylor and Auralis Herrero-Lugo, three hotshots whose Manhattaninspired collections are garnering great reviews from celebrities and fashion heavy-hitters alike.

AURALIS Founded in 2008 by Puerto Rican designer and Moore College of Art and Design grad Auralis Herrero-Lugo, eco-conscious clothing brand Auralis offers a beautiful collection of pieces made with only organic, sustainable and recycled fabrics. In 2010, Herrero-Lugo became the first Latina designer to ever present a collection at Greenshows, New York’s eco-friendly fashion show. Although her studio is based in Brooklyn, the 28-year-old designer splits her time between her native Puerto Rico and New York and focuses on promoting sustainable practices. W www.auralistudio.com Gossip No. 14

KIMBERLY TAYLOR Gallatin School of the Arts grad and New York gal Kimberly Taylor launched her eponymous line of silk staples in 2009. Her company has since grown into a full-fledged ready-to-wear brand available in over 100 boutiques both in the United States and abroad. (Aïzone carries the brand in Lebanon and Dubai.) In addition, the 25-year-old designer has set up shop in New York’s Meatpacking District with a cool flagship boutique. The Kimberly Taylor collection offers a modern, sophisticated and minimalist aesthetic, with pieces that easily go from day to night. W www.kimberlytaylor.com

ALTHEA HARPER Since her stint on season six of Project Runway (she was the runner up) and her debut show at New York Fashion Week in 2009, Althea Harper has quickly made a name for herself in the fashion world. Harper is best known for her strong draping, tailoring and knitwear techniques, which she honed while working alongside Zac Posen, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Anna Sui and Tory Burch. The 27-year-old counts celebrities Eva Longoria, Heidi Klum and Terry Washington as fans of her designs. W www.altheaharper.com

I’M IN MIAMI BITCH Text MASON POOLE Photos JENNIFER EYMÈRE

Aug-Sep 2011

Gossip No. 14

Aug-Sep 2011

All items are available at A誰zone. Gossip No. 14

PARADISE ISLAND Photos DAVID BELLEMERE Styling AMELIANNA LOIACONO Location JEHLIE, LEBANON

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Em i l i o P u c c i b a t h i n g s u it , LL 818 , 0 0 0 ; Fa l l o n n e c k l a c e ( s h o r t) , LL 318 , 0 0 0 ; Y Eye s n e c k l a c e ( l o n g ) , LL2 5 0 , 0 0 0 ; C é l i n e b r a c e l e t , LL72 7, 0 0 0

M a r c J a c o b s c a p e , LL9 77, 0 0 0 ; To s h i e b i k i n i , LL 5 0 3 , 0 0 0 ; El a S t o n e n e c k l a c e , LL 3 ,79 0 , 0 0 0 ; R o b e r t o C a v a l l i r i n g , LL2 ,4 4 6 , 0 0 0 ; El a S t o n e b r a c e l e t , LL2 5 8 , 0 0 0

El i z a b e t h & Ja m e s t u n i c , LL 59 9, 0 0 0 ; M a r c Ja c o b s b e lt , LL1, 0 4 5 , 0 0 0 ; Jo No Fu i b r a c e l e t , LL 591, 0 0 0 ; D s qu a r e d n e c k l a c e , LL2 73 , 0 0 0

H aut e H ip p i e d r e s s , LL74 3 , 0 0 0 ; G l y n n e t h B . n e c k l a c e , LL1,151, 0 0 0

G . L i s h t o p , LL 5 6 8 , 0 0 0

Ke e g a n b o d y s u it , LL 8 3 3 , 0 0 0 ; YS L n e c k l a c e ( b l a c k) , LL1, 2 57, 0 0 0 ; Et r o n e c k l a c e ( g o l d ) , LL742 , 0 0 0

Style | Brands

ONE OF A BRAND Photos BACHAR SROUR Styling MOUNA HARATI

CÉLINE

YSL

Chloé: overalls, LL998,000; bag, LL1,343,000 necklace, LL293,000; earrings, LL323,000 Fendi: bikini, LL405,000; bracelets, LL473,000 (each); bag, LL1,290,000 Roberto Cavalli: scarf, LL615,000; clutch, LL3,255,000; ring, LL960,000; belt (worn as necklace), LL1,643,000

CHLOÉ

FENDI

Aug-Sep 2011

Brands | Style

Céline: top, LL3,113,000; bag, LL1,795,000; glasses, LL1,043,000; belt, LL645,000 YSL: top, LL1,988,000; belt, LL638,000; jeans, LL668,000; iPad case, LL893,000; bag, LL2,183,000 Gucci: scarf (on bag), LL615,000; bag, LL3,578,000; shoes, LL240,000

GUCCI

ROBERTO CAVALLI All items are available at Aïshti stores. Gossip No. 14

STYLE CORNICHE Photos BACHAR SROUR Styling HALA MOUAWAD Location BEIRUT

Aug-Sep 2011

Gossip No. 14

Aug-Sep 2011

Gossip No. 14

Aug-Sep 2011

All items are available at A誰zone. Gossip No. 14

Style | Shopping

YOU OUGHTA BE IN PICTURES Styling MOUNA HARATI

Blue Hawaii The classic Elvis Presley musical from 1961 provides a dazzling, pool of inspiration for colorful, funfilled summer styles hankering back to the late ‘50s and early ‘60s

4. 5. 2. 7.

12.

11. 10.

1. Colors of California shoes 2. D&G top 3. Marni bag 4. D&G bathing suit 5. Dior sunglasses 6. Paul & Joe swimsuit 7. Tory Burch clutch 8 . DKNY shorts 9. Tory Burch cardigan 10. After Pants top 11. Boch ballerinas 12. Alice + Olivia jumpsuit

The Blue Lagoon Sexy castaway Brooke Shields is the go-to icon for revealing sumsummer wear and sensuals styles of deshabillé. Remember the scene when she first becomes a woman? Well, who doesn’t?

7. 3.

6. 9. 8.

10.

1. Lolita Jaca sundress 2. DKNY gladiator sandals 3. Miguelina pants 4. Miguelina dress 5. Hat Attack hat 6. Tooshie swimsuit 7. Theory tunic 8. Tatoosh sandals 9. Claramonte bag 10. Rich & Skinny shorts

Aug-Sep 2011

Shopping | Style

More Barbet Shroeder’s 1969 road trip/ drug flick is most remembered for its hippie-esque outfits. The hippie subculture is a good startstarting point for a look that’s slightly flower power and totally cool

1. 2.

10.

11. 6.

1. Melissa sandals 2. Zazo bag 3. Rockstar jeans 4. Jardin de Chouette dress 5. Marni sunglasses 6. Dior bikini 7. Balenciaga top 8. Diane von Furstenberg makeup bag 9. Tory Burch tunic 10. Etro belt 11. Etro scarf

Swimming Pool

Yes, Charlotte Rampling is still smoldering at 65, but it’s the LoliLolita-like nymphet Ludivine Sagnier that captivated viewers with her micro shorts, plunging necklines and barely-there swimsuits

8. 4.

5. 10.

7. 6.

1. Mykita sunglasses 2. Siwy shorts 3. D&G clutch 4. D&G shirt 5. Marc by Marc Jacobs bag 6. Kimberly Taylor top 7. Camilla & Marc top 8. Jimmy Choo shoes 9. ALC top 10. miu miu swimsuit. Available at Aïzone. Gossip No. 14

Style | Love bites

GOSSIP LOVES NY FASHION All things that make New York the most fashionable destination in the world every September!

THE BIG APPLE’S “IT” BOY

The youngest designer to ever win the coveted CFDA award, Marc Jacobs best represents New York’s regained sense of style.

COMING OUT

Fashionistas run wild during Fashion’s Night Out, the shopping event, taking place on September 8. Celebrity appearances take place at boutiques across the city.

CHLOË THE ICON

Along with Sarah Jessica Parker, Chloë Sevigny is New York’s most celebrated fashion icon. Check out her third and hottest collection for Opening Ceremony, set to debut this December.

GLAMAZON ON SHOW

The Museum at FIT showcases the “Daphne Guinness” exhibit from September 16-January 7. Designs from Chanel, Dior and more are on display.

DID YOU MAKE THE CUT?

New York Magazine’s fashion blog, The Cut, offers a daily dose of fashion news, trends and runway coverage.

LOBBY NIGHTS

If you want to surround yourself with fashion and glamour, the lobby of the Ace Hotel is where it’s at: this is the trendiest and most happening of New York nightspots.

MANHATTAN STYLE

A native New Yorker, Patricia Field became a household name thanks to her gig as stylist for Sex and the City. Check out her rad, eponymous boutique on the Bowery.

OPEN AND SEE

Anna Sui, Todd Oldham and Colette Maalouf are just a few of the now famous names that launched their careers at Henri Bendel department store’s bi-annual opensee event for emerging designers. The next open-see is scheduled for October 28.

TREND TWINS

DOING THE RACHEL

A WEEK FOR FASHION

Style stars, editors and celebrities flock to New York for Fashion Week, scheduled to take place this year from September 8-15 at Lincoln Center.

WINDOW MAGIC

Windows at Bergdorf Goodman is a glossy Assouline book highlighting a decade’s worth of displays at the Bergdorf Goodman department store.

New York-based DJ and photographer Rachel Chandler is all of 22, but she’s already being hailed as Manhattan’s answer to Kiki de Montparnasse, most notably by the New York Times. Her photos can be spotted in Purple Magazine and Italian Vogue’s website.

RAPPER IN FASHION

Kanye West, spotted at the Dior Homme fashion show in Paris last June, will launch his first womenswear line this September during New York Fashion Week.

TOP OF THE TOWN

The Oslen twins – designers behind successful fashion lines The Row and Elizabeth & James – never cease to amaze with their avant-garde sense of style.

CHELSEA’S BEST

THE DRESSING ROOM

The most exclusive nightspot in New York is the Boom Boom Room, set atop the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District. You can get in by invitation only – probably why stars and fashionistas haunt the place.

Trendy New Yorkers head to the Chelsea Market, a food and shopping arcade that houses stylish cafés, restaurants and shops.

Our two favorite pastimes, drinking and shopping, come together at this hip Lower East Side boutique.

Aug-Sep 2011

Attitude | Style

ALMOST FAMOUS Text GARANCE DORÉ

Now you can look just as glamorous as the star stylists whose blogs you follow every day Do you live for fashion? Then follow these five easy steps, and get ready to become the world’s next fashion icon.

.THE BASICS

3 DESPERATE TACTICS If none of the above steps work, ask your friend to follow you around with a camera in order to attract other photographers.

A street-style photographer reacts to very basic stimuli. You will need to attract his attention by sporting colors: that’s what makes photos pop. Or you can go for the all black editor-in-chief look and wear big black sunglasses (and/or big eye glasses and/or big hat): the less we see you, the more we desire you. The ladies simply must wear heels, very high and/or very extravagant and/or very colorful. The more unique the shoes, the better the result! It’s always a good idea to mix odd patterns. For example, you can wear sandals without tights in winter and fur in summer, à la Mary Kate Olsen. Or you can wear a trendy piece of clothing. This season, try a long skirt, or anything from Prada.

.THE ATTITUDE

Dressing the part isn’t enough, you still have to show some attitude. First of all, the phone: avoid talking on the phone, just listen and send texts. Second, always act busy, and walk fast. Third, when hailing a cab make it look gracious. Also, let the cab drop you at least a block away from your destination, to give yourself some time to attract a photographer. Gossip No. 14

Target any top magazine editors like Anna Dello Russo (Vogue Japan) or Giovanna Battaglia (Uomo Vogue Italy), and make sure to stay close to them while they’re being photographed. If you’re lucky, you’ll wind up in at least one pic. Hey, you have to start somewhere, right? Even though you may be desperate, don’t ever show it. Never, ever stand still, making it seem as if you’re screaming “Please take my picture!”

4 WHAT NOT TO DO When asked who you are, pretend you don’t speak English, French or Japanese. Be very brief and just give them your name. This will make them wonder. Also, don’t ever ask where your picture will be published. This will make you look extremely desperate.

5 HOW TO AVOID THE CAMERAS If you don’t like being photographed, then try the following: wear black, flats and basics. Slide right behind a celebrity so you won’t get noticed. And stop going to fashion shows!

What to do | Golddigger

SOCIAL CLIMBER Text LUCY GILLESPIE

Is Natalie Portman’s fiancé Benjamin Millepied the K-Fed of ballet? Who was not enchanted by the sight of Natalie Portman, resplendent in magenta as she accepted her Oscar for Best Actress earlier this year? If I had not been convinced by her performance in Black Swan, I was certainly sold on her red carpet composure. Even more convincing still was the glow of admiration emanating from the dashingly fortunate Benjamin Millepied. Having swan-dived into the arms of a woman well-equipped to keep him, Millepied has pliéd, fuettéd and grand-jettéd, and now he’s made in the shade. But is this a match made in heaven or an example of exalted ingénue meets scheming social-climber? Let’s take a closer look at the moves: 1. EYES ON THE PRIZE When director Darren Aronofsky began searching for advisors on his project on the closeted world of ballet, Millepied leapt at the chance to come to Hollywood’s aid. Inspired by an immediate off-screen chemistry with Portman, he maneuvered himself into an acting role, doubling his hours in the starlet’s presence and garnering a film credit all in one.

2. CUT OFF ALL TIES When Sarah Lane (Portman’s dance double) stepped forward with the confession that her body, with Portman’s face digitally superimposed, had danced the majority of the scenes in the movie, Millepied was quick to defend. The dispute might also have something to do with the fact that Lane is close friends with Millepied’s ex-girlfriend, ballet dancer Isabella Boylston – and the fact that Millepied was still living with Boylston when he started getting up close and personal with Miss Natalie. 3. PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT The driven Millepied joined the New York City Ballet at the age of 18, and has been choreographing since 22. Recent fare (Plainspoken, which premiered in New York in February) received meek reviews, but with a schedule that includes commissions in London, Paris and elsewhere, he hasn’t been devastated. As for the future, Millepied is looking to branch out. “I think you can learn to act,” he says. Of course you can, with Ms. Portman in your corner.

Style | Celebration

THE AÏZONE CATWALK Text SALMA SALLOUM

Take a look at the edgiest fashion show of the summer

Aïzone teamed up with the Beirut Souks last June to host one of the hottest fashion shows of the summer. Young male and female models showcased the newest spring/summer 2011 and fall/winter 2011-12 collections from some of Aïzone’s hottest brands, including Tory Burch, Rich & Skinny, New Balance, Melissa, 7 For All Mankind, True Religion, Marc by Marc Jacobs,

Aeronautica Militare, Napapijri and many others. The show, which took place on an open-air runway set up on Fakhry Bey Street, in the heart of the Beirut Souks, added an edgy sense of style to the Souks. Experience the show for yourself by accessing Aïshti’s Facebook page. Aug-Sep 2011

Yuri Wang | Citizens

BLOGGING FROM SHANGHAI Text ANNA LEACH Photos NIKHIL PATEL

Yuri Wang is one Chinese fashion blogger that’s hit the big time Yuri Wang, 25, became a stylist for a Korean clothes company at the tender age of 21 when her hit-heavy fashion blog was spotted. Now based in Shanghai and working for ultra-hip fashion website heej.com she tells Gossip about her favorite Asian designers. LEE YOUNG HEE, RE-INVENTOR OF THE KOREAN NATIONAL DRESS “One of my favorite Korean designers is Lee Young Hee,” says Wang. “She made me appreciate the Hanbok again.” The Hanbok is a traditional Korean dress characterized by bright colors, a lot of material and long flowing skirts. Young Hee’s designs are similarly bright with draping material, but her versions, shown in her collections in Paris and New York fashion weeks, are strapless. Her mission to bring the Hanbok to Western audiences has gone to the extent of Gossip No. 14

donating 12 traditional Hanboks to the Smithsonian Museum and opening her own museum of Korean dress in New York. JUUN J, TRENCH COAT OBSESSIVE “I love men’s fashion and Juun J is my favorite,” says Wang. Korean designer Juun J is obsessed with the trench coat. His versions have double sleeves and sometimes no sleeves at all – as in a trench vest or a trench cape. His designs caught the eye of Scott Shuman (The Satorialist), arguably the world’s most influential fashion blogger, who did a photo shoot with a Juun J trench coat when he visited Korea. SANGA, SINGER TURNED BAG DESIGNER TO THE STARS Fifteen years ago Sang Am I-Propp was a singer in Korea, now she designs crocodile and snake leather

handbags for Hollywood stars. Her label Sang A has sold bags (for $1,000-10,000) to the likes of Rihanna, Keira Knightley and Jessica Simpson. “Her designs are beautifully simple and classic, and the quality is exceptional,” says Wang. JUNYA WATANABE, JAPANESE CLOTH CONNOISSEUR Wang also admires Junya Watanabe, creative director for Japanese label Comme des Garçons in Paris. “His thing is material,” she says. “Nowadays, there are so many designers and so many brands – every season so many new designers. When I look around the shops I see designs that are nice, but the material is bad quality. Watanabe understands the importance of quality material.” His latest material is cotton, and he only uses the finest quality. “So many Asian designers just follow trends, but I think Japanese designers don’t – they make the trends.”

What to do | Food carts

MEALS ON WHEELS Text ROSE MARK Photos MARK DOWNEY

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the new way to eat: food carts serving any type of cuisine you can imagine, all of it delicious and at terrific prices

Sampling all the street foods of the world would be more than one person could do in a lifetime. Sweet, spicy, sizzling, tart, cool, tingling: my head spins and my mouth salivates when I think of the many tastes and textures Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve encountered at food carts and stalls around the world. The small city of Portland, Oregon, in the western United States, has gleefully embraced the food cart revolution. The newest food bazaar offerings lure the intrepid eater here. These are not the old traveling food trucks with hot dog stands or prepared foods of the past. Instead, they are restaurants on wheels, where food is freshly made to order, uniquely distinctive and prepared by people passionate about what their food should taste like. Housed in converted airstream trailers, school buses or trucks, they offer dishes from around the world in just one spot. A year or so ago the only way to find them was through their Twitter page. It was an adventure just finding these roving culinary treasures, as these meals on wheels moved locations to avoid exorbitant rental fees. The technologically challenged could only dream of these forays. Now Portland has made exotic meals available daily by providing permanent sites for these culinary caravans. Carts are clustered throughout the city, each site with its own unique assembly of food pods. In the downtown area, you can try Thai, Bosnian, Peruvian, Mexican, Italian, Korean and Vietnamese delicacies, as well as gourmet sandwiches and coffee. At the Mississippi Marketplace, high-end baked goods, breakfast and brunch items and Nuevo Mexican dishes are all available. Fast, affordable, interesting, tasty food all served in settings that foster a connection to the city and the people in it. What more could you ask for?

Aug-Sep 2011

James Blunt | Music

A ROYAL BLUNT Text NATASHA DIRANY Photos TANYA TRABOULSI

Pop star James Blunt says Beirut is his favorite city to play James Blunt’s first album, Back to Bedlam, might have made him a household name, but last year one website voted his hit song “You’re Beautiful” as the most irritating song of all time. “I think the four or whatever people who voted for that are probably outnumbered by the amount of people who bought the single,” he sais during a chat with Gossip.

But Blunt has never given a “rat’s ass” about the critics. He’s a man of the fans, and, judging by record sales, there are a lot of them. Blunt lovers have seen him perform in over 120 cities this year, including a date at Beirut’s BIEL last June, as part of a world tour that will continue until March 2012. “My carbon footprint is huge,” he jokes.

He first performed in Beirut in 2009, lovingly referring to it as his “favorite city to play.” Second time around, he was here to raise money for local charity Tammana, as well as to promote his third album, Some Kind of Trouble. It’s his most upbeat record to date; the gray skies and trademark acoustic have made way for sunshine-filled lyrics and an electric sound. The former British Army officer was born into a military family. His time serving in Kosovo, as well as his proper British accent and boarding school roots, have always set him apart from other pop stars. It’s an ID he enjoys, even spreading a rumor that he’d been booked to play organ at the Royal Wedding. “I was asked by a lot of journalists if I was playing, which seemed a mad question because it’s a traditional wedding. It was amusing to see my joke take fire quite so quickly. There were 4,400 newspapers and websites that ran it.” When he’s not tweeting apocryphal stories (@ DirtyLilBlunt) or on the road, Blunt escapes to his Ibiza home, equipped with its own nightclub. “I have a big neon sign that says ‘Blunty’s Nightclub – Where Everybody’s Beautiful.’”

App | Wireless

CAREER CONNECT Text LUCY GILLESPIE

Hashable is a new app designed to develop your professional network While Facebook posts reference real-life events, real-life rarely involves throwbacks to wall posts. Friendships made offline can be stoked online much more easily than virtual pals becoming fleshand-blood buddies. Conversely, how often do you receive a business card only to find it, months later, crumpled in your wallet? Enter Hashable. By providing the convenience of Google calendar to the buzz of Twitter, Hashable offers the best of both worlds, ultimately replacing business cards in helping you monitor and make use of your social network. Hashable’s goal is network transparency. First, you add your webmail accounts, which synch with your smartphone to build the ultimate address book. Through the iPhone or Android apps, you add new people as you meet them, learning instantly who Gossip No. 14

they know and what you have in common. While Facebook has its stalkers, Hashable has its groupies. Users hashtag where they are and who they’re with so that friends in the neighborhood may join them. Exciting features allow users to closely examine their social network, facilitating the progress and evolution of their career. There is space to take notes on people you meet, conversations you have and places you go. Upon making new connections, you will be issued with reminders to follow up. These notes and reminders integrate with your calendar, giving you a wealth of starting points for your next meeting. With its fun features and high-end philosophy, Hashable has become the Little Black Book of social networking; everyone’s got to have it.

Wireless | Facebook

HOOKED ON CRACKBOOK Text JANA JAMMAL Illustration HÉLÈNE RAJCAK

When your virtual life is the only one worth living I have a confession to make. Well, actually, it’s a friend who needs to confess. But my friend, let’s call her Micha, hasn’t reached that point yet. So I’m hoping that by writing it all down I might be able to spur her on, you know, sort of give her a little kick in the ass onto that proverbial road of recovery. Micha’s an addict. She’s not addicted to anything like cocaine, crystal meth or even Xanax. Nope, my girl’s hooked on Facebook, aka Crackbook. But make no mistake, an addiction it is. And as surely as the next addict, Micha is always looking for a fix. Pity the fool who tries to come between her and her Facebook. It’s the first thing she does in the morning, the last thing she does at night and what she spends most of her time doing all day every day.

Endless updates, check-ins, comments, likes, Angry Bird, Farmville, cyber stalking and a whole slew of other Facebook activities are what she knows best.

cially her updates about her relationships, sex life and bodily functions that make me think she’s lost all sense of boundaries.

I actually almost defriended her over it, before I realized she needed help, that is. It’s her annoyingly frequent status updates that almost made me push her out of my social networking life. If it’s not the mundane minutiae of her daily life, then it’s the steady stream of irrelevant opinions or the very personal outbursts that plainly shouldn’t be posted there for all to see.

Even that little four-letter word – WORK – doesn’t come between her and her Facebook. It’s amazing that her boss hasn’t figured out that he’s really only getting part-time work out of her despite her fulltime pay. Funnily enough, she’s probably been at her most productive the odd time that the Internet connection has gone down at work.

Am I really supposed to care that she has sworn off milk chocolate again, that she’s having a bad hair day or that she hates Shakira and martinis but loves Skybar and lounging around in the buff? It’s espe-

But I didn’t really think too much about it being a real problem until I heard her utter these words. “If it’s not on Facebook it doesn’t matter.” Surely, the time has come for a Facebook friend-tervention.

Aug-Sep 2011

Albums | Music

SMASH ‘N’ CRASH Text SERENA MAKOFSKY

Arctic Monkeys SUCK IT AND SEE The UK band that defied the odds with its DIY 2006 debut returns to its eclectic roots with an album that swings between glam and indie dirge, humor to romantic ballad. The opening track “She’s Thunderstorms” strikes the Cure-style balance between melancholia and pop melody. The pace quickens with the rockers “Brick by Brick” and “Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair,” and the title track features a jewel of a lyric: “I poured my aching heart into a pop song.” This release marks a career highpoint for the Arctic Monkeys, and will win back fans who strayed after 2009’s Humbug. PLAYLIST Black Lips ARABIA MOUNTAIN This “15-track sonic journal” represents the pockets of time and the blur of places the British alternative music band experienced during its US tour. Singer Damon Albarn explains that the release, consisting of music created with iPad applications, was a result of “a lot of time that you just spend staring at walls essentially.”

They Might Be Giants JOIN US This release marks TMBG’s return to adult-oriented music rather than the family-friendly riffs of the past few years. Singer/guitarist John Flansburgh says the album “has a lot of unexpected arrangements.”With its electronic blurps and strange voices, “Cloisonné” strikes a surreal note, while “Old Pine Box” has a surprisingly folksy sound.

The BCE (Beirut-Chicago Express) is a collective of three DJs (Ayla Hibri,

Georges Khawam and Richard Kahwagi)

who come together to spin their cool indie electro beats at hip Beirut nightspots.

Joss Stone LP1 Joss Stone belts it out like Whitney Houston pre-rehab. Her soulful vibe saves LP1 from sounding overproduced, a surprising issue considering Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics fame) led a whirlwind six-day production session in Nashville. Stone, along with Stewart, Damian Marley and Mick Jagger, formed a supergroup and will release an album in September.

“Just An Illusion” (Lindstrøm vs.Todd Terje Dub) by Imagination “Mi Mujer” by Nicolas Jaar “Son of a Preacher Man” (Hotloug Bootleg) by Dusty Springfield “Al Bostah”(Captain Planet Disco Edit) by Fairuz

3 Doors Down TIME OF MY LIFE Honing their chops at Mississippi bars and clubs, the band that broke ground in 2000 with “Kryptonite” diversifies its trademark post-punk, post-grunge sound with its fifth studio release, wandering into harder rock and country rock territories.The 12 tracks feature lots of up-tempo tunes that will translate perfectly into arena anthems on the band’s upcoming tour.

“I Want It” (Lindstrom and Prins Thomas remix) by Locissolus “Into The Valley” by Classixx (featuring Karl Dixon) “Hungry For The Power” by Azari & III “Yo Son” (Edit de Prince Language) by Ahmed Fakroun “Twist” by Peter & The Magician

Kelly Rowland HERE I AM Lil Wayne’s backing on the lead single “Motivation” and Kelly Rowland’s new gig as a judge on X Factor have this former Destiny’s Child singer edging toward superstardom. The cut “Commander” shows the dance music diva in fine form. Among the major producers that worked on the recording were David Guetta,Tricky Stewart, Rodney Jerkins and RedOne.

Gossip No. 14

“Get It On” (Todd Terje Tangoterje Re-Edit) by Disco/Very “Moon Jocks & Prog Rocks”(Montezuma remix) by Mongolian Jetset “Get Myself Into This” (Prince Language Disco Mix) by The Rapture

Movie | Mumblecore

SOFA CINEMA Text SERENA MAKOFSKY

It’s edgy, it’s hip, it’s new: find out why Mumblecore is the hottest indie film movement Imagine a pseudo Zooey Deschanel in black-framed glasses muttering sweet nothings. This is the opening, closing and plot of most films in the genre known as Mumblecore. This indie film movement blurs the line between not acting and acting like you can’t act. Would-be actresses – the main characters are typically female, fresh out of college, middle class but out of money – deliver lines less Ethel Merman and more ethereal murmuring.

find life and love after college. It has the genre’s key elements, according to producer Alicia Van Couvering. There are “no jerks,” though losers roam freely. The dialogue is largely improvised. The plot has no car chases, nor anything requiring more energy than strolling the aisles of Walmart. Everyday life compels these directors, who set their scenes on futons or city streets, where drama is the protagonist receiving a text message.

“Hey, if you could move anywhere, if you were moving out of here, just anywhere in the country, or anywhere I guess, where would you move?” – Marnie, Funny Ha Ha.

“We should have sex in front of Urban Outfitters. Who are people who have long relationships?” – Megan, Mumblecore.

Credit Andrew Bujalski with making the 2002 film that earned him the title Godfather of Mumblecore. Funny Ha Ha follows Marnie, a woman struggling to

Casual relationships, friends with benefits, being chronically single or unhappily hooking up is Mumblecore romance. There is no neatly packaged ending. Characters live moment to moment,

a fascinating journey for those who appreciate subtle epiphanies, but deadly dull for people who seek a narrative. This may explain why Mumblecore cinema has another glaring characteristic: rejection from the Sundance Film Festival. “I just got off the plane from Ohio, I’m in a postgraduate delirium.” – Aura, Tiny Furniture. Mumblecore has hit adolescence and, naturally, it’s awkward. Lena Dunham’s 2010 comedy, Tiny Furniture, featured scripted jokes and mostly clearly spoken lines. Early 2011 saw the release of Cold Weather, a mumble-noir thriller about stolen cash, a sinister cowboy and a missing woman. It’s David Lynch’s Blue Velvet sans the kinkiness and violence. Directors are now adding plot devices and getting screenings at Sundance. But don’t call it a happy ending. Aug-Sep 2011

Pulse | Movie

CAUGHT ON FILM Text RUBY GOTHAM

ON THE BIG SCREEN

ONE DAY Can a man and a woman truly be just friends? The timeless question permeates this romantic drama. Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter ( Jim Sturgess) meet on July 15, 1988, the night of their college graduation from the University of Edinburgh. It’s the start of a lifelong friendship – and the basis of the film’s cinematic hook: on that same day for the next 20 years, we get a glimpse of their lives, wherever they are. Through dreams fulfilled and brilliant failures, the two come to answer that age-old question for themselves.

MAGIC TRIP

GLEE LIVE 3D

FRIGHT NIGHT

CIRCUMSTANCE

In 1964, Ken Kesey, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest author and LSD enthusiast, and his band of like-minded friends, the Merry Pranksters, set up a bus with cameras (plus ample supplies of weed and acid) and set off from California to the New York World Fair. Finally, more than 45 years later, the footage from the journey hits theaters, thanks to brilliant co-directors Alex Gibney and Alison Ellwood.

Calling all Gleeks: Get ready for some diva-licious Rachel Berry and Mercedes Jones, as well as Kurt, Puck and the rest of New Directions, on the big screen. Glee creator Ryan Murphy has put together a film from the North American Glee Live! In Concert! Tour. Favorite numbers are featured, such as I’m a Slave 4 U and Loser Like Me. This film will be shown in theaters for a limited two-week period starting August 12.

And another vamp film enters the fray… but this one’s a remake. Remaining true to the original 1985 classic, the new version of the horror-comedy stars Colin Farrell as the interesting new neighbor who moves in next door to teenager Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin). Immediately, Charley’s vamp-dar goes off – and then folks start dying. Even though people dismiss his suspicions, he decides it’s up to him to destroy the fanged one.

Being 16 tends to be a time of self-discovery, and this year’s Sundance Audience Award Winner shines a light on two girls confronting their sexuality. Set in modern-day Iran, this Farsi-language film centers on the forbidden love between the wealthy Atafeh and the orphaned Shireen. While we get a glimpse into the not-oft-seen world of Iranian youth culture, the heart of this tale is the relationship between the lesbian couple.

FLICKS TO DOWNLOAD

A SCREAMING MAN

MARS NEEDS MOMS

NO ERES TU, SOY YO

NEDS

BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK

THE TEMPEST

Last year’s Jury Prize Winner at Cannes, this drama focuses on Chad’s civil war through one man’s choice to send his son into the conflict for his own gain.

When Martians kidnap Mom, you long for her nagging, as Milo (Seth Green) learns when he sets out to rescue his kin in this animated sci-fi adventure.

This breezy rom-com has us following Javier as he deals with life after his beloved wife ditches him. Relatable, fun and funny.

The scene: ‘70s Glasgow. The players: working-class Neds (Non-Educated Delinquents). The gist: can great potential trump fate?

A fascinating look at the life of Bill Cunningham, the endearing, 80-year-old bikeriding New York Times style photographer/icon.

Julie Taymor’s version of Shakespeare’s fantasy thriller turns the mystical protagonist into a woman (Helen Mirren), giving the epic tale a fresh take.

Gossip No. 14

What to do | 24 hours

24 HOURS IN ANTWERP Text SHIRINE SAAD

This capital of avant-garde fashion and art offers history and refinement in a quaint setting. Lately, a bevy of cool concept stores have opened up everywhere, and museums built by major architects are emerging. The Royal Academy of Art’s Fashion Institute produces top talent each year; graduates have included Ann Demeulemeester, Raf Simons and Haider Ackermann. In the South District, bars fill up at night with attractive, hipster types. Antwerp has everything you need

NOON

CHECK IN AT HOTEL O This sleek boutique hotel, decorated by architect Jo Peeters, features back-lit images in the hallways, a view of the Beaux Arts architecture of the South District and one of the coolest bars in town. The bathtubs, by Philippe Starck, are deep and comforting, and the bed induces immediate slumber at any time of the day. If you do wake up, head down to Café Nero in the lobby for fancy bites and people watching. W www.hampshire-hotels.com

fashion (Rodarte, Givenchy), street styles (Topshop), books (about art, fashion, film), art (photography and painting exhibits) and vintage wear (exquisite Montana and Thierry Mugler pieces). Then you have a wonderful thatched hut by Mathieu Lehanneur, a statue of the god RA, a garden by Ben Berckmoes on the roof and an organic restaurant with shabby recycled furniture as well as great music. W www. Ra13.be

2PM

DINNER AT HUNGRY HENRIETTA Facing the Louis store, where you can stock up on Rick Owens and Maison Martin Margiela goods, Hungry Henrietta is the bistro where all of Antwerp’s artsy types eat – Dries Van Noten and Luc Tuymans are regulars. The owners, a husband and wife team, cook up hearty, sophisticated dishes with the freshest ingredients. Favorites include the sea bass, served with ginger and soy, and the entrecôte grillée with endives. This eatery has been here for 37 years! W www.hungryhenrietta.be

VISIT MAS MAS, a new museum erected on the banks of the Schelde River, is an icon of the city and its heritage. Made of red Indian stone, the building is built out of container-like rectangles placed like lego cubes. Inside, the city, port, river and sky shine through the floor-to-ceiling undulating glass panels. Artworks are placed around the eight escalators that lead up to a panoramic rooftop terrace and Michelin-starred Viki Geunes’ gastronomic restaurant, ‘T Zilte. W www.mas.be

3PM

LUNCH AT HET GEBAAR This bucolic restaurant sits in the botanical garden with its blooming herbs and flowers. On a sunny day, chill on the terrace, order a Pouilly and savor the delicate cuisine of Roger Van Damme. A flaky sea bass filet is served with crunchy asparagus, quail eggs and crème hollandaise. The chocolate cake is to-die-for. W www.rogervandamme.com

5PM

RA RA is the hottest spot in Antwerp, where the fashion and art types meet. First, there’s a store with high

7PM

10PM

DRINKS AT JOSEPHINE’S Drink up like they did in the roaring ‘20s at this plush parlor in the hip Zuid area of south Antwerp. Mixologists concoct original cocktails, including the sazerac and mint julep. There’s also a serious selection of spirits and wines, and, of course, Belgian beers. W www.josephines.be

MIDNIGHT

MORE DRINKS Café Hopper is where you seal the deal before heading back to your suite at the hotel, which faces the bar. Antwerp’s hippest spot attracts alluring young professionals and artists with a taste for live jazz and colorful cocktails. W www.cafehopper.be Aug-Sep 2011

24 hours | What to do

Gossip No. 14

Nightlife | Beirut

FOREVER TONIGHT Text TALA HABBAL Illustration LAURENT EL KHOURY

Party ‘till dawn at Beirut’s trendiest clubs

PIER 7 This new stadium-like space located behind City Mall in Dora deserves major kudos for creativity. Launched by the same people who brought us Crystal in Monot, Pier 7 is hip without being pretentious. The massive circular outdoor club and restaurant is set around a center stage and consists of various levels, making it perfect for people watching. With an emphasis on hip hop and R&B, Pier 7 has already played host to Eve and Fat Joe and will continue to host performers throughout the summer. T 70.697.777, W www.pier7beirut.com

WHITE This über-trendy nightspot that’s been around for five years recently relocated from its home atop the An-Nahar building in Downtown Beirut to a new location on the seaside road in Dora. Decked out with white couches, stools, tables and a large white bar, the large outdoor space is always pulsing with hot DJs and world-famous acts (past guests have included such heavy-hitters as Timbaland, Paul Oakenfold and David Vendetta). The new White is bigger and better than ever and is sure to keep its clientele coming back for more. T 03.060.090, W www.whitebeirut.com

IRIS Located on top of the An-Nahar building, Iris replaces White as Downtown Beirut’s hippest afterhours spot. Differing from many other rooftop bars, Iris opens its door at 6pm, making it the perfect spot to take in the breathtaking views of the sunset on the Mediterranean, while enjoying cocktails and light fare in a lounge-like atmosphere. Come the late night, the crowds pack in to enjoy the mellow music, gorgeous night views and weekly live bands, in an atmosphere that manages to stay trendy, yet totally laid-back. T 03.090.936, W www.irisbeirut.com

SKYBAR It’s pretentious, it’s exuberant and getting in can be a nightmare, but Skybar remains one of the coolest clubs in the region, if not in the world. Still in its same BIEL location, Skybar has enjoyed some minor transformations this summer, with the installation of ultra-fabulous LED screens on the walls and the introduction of a new chef cooking up delicious dishes (to eat before the party gets started and the tables become mini dance floors). Since opening in 2003, Skybar has played host to A-list performers and DJs from all over the world. T 03.939.391, W www.sky-bar.com Aug-Sep 2011

Bulletin | Wireless

TECHBYTES Text ZIAD GEDEON AND SYDNEY READE

TOUGH ENOUGH You might have seen this look before, but now Panasonic has upgraded it with an Intel i5 processor and a whopping 10 hours of battery life. The new Toughbook has a lighter body and extreme drop resistance. College kids will love the “lightest 12.1-inch convertible tablet PC.”

CHECKMATE Here’s a suave and sensual chess set that looks like it belongs in a modern art museum. A handmade walnut game board pits a matte army against a glossy one, all tucked neatly in a drawer when not on display. The cost? $10,000!

PLANT THE SEED C SEED 201, the world’s largest TV, comes courtesy of Porsche Design. The TV grows out of the ground in 15 seconds. At the top of its 4.6-meterhigh pillar, an 11-meter screen unfolds silently – seven panels which transform into a seamless surface. GAGA SOUND Lady Gaga’s new in-ear headphones have a built-in mic, so they can be used both with computers and phones. Named Heartbeats, the headphones come in black with black metal studs or white with gold metal studs.

LIGHT FLIGHT The tiny two-seater Siemens hybrid E-star plane may herald a new era in aviation. It’s a hybrid plane that works on both electricity and fuel. Boasting lower emissions and decreased fuel consumption, the glider is super quiet. TECH PROTECT The G-Form Extreme iPad Sleeve is a new protective case for iPad and iPad2 equipped with Reactive Protection Technology (RPT). RPT allows the sleeve to be lightweight while still offering total protection.

MOVE OVER FACEBOOK The world’s top search engine, Google, is entering Facebook territory with the recent launch of Google+. The new social network (which is still by invitation only) allows users to select and organize their contacts via Circles. Does Google+ sound the death knell for Facebook? You decide!

SOUND VIBRATION The Soundscience Rockus from Antec is a desktop speaker system that offers the ultimate personal theater experience. The speakers’ anodized aluminum satellites reduce vibration and minimize distortion, resulting in clear and sparkling sound.

BLOGS

www.ourmaninbeirut.com This blog by Nasri Atallah pokes fun at Beirut’s chaotic glamour. No one escapes the young man’s eagle eye: insane drivers, power cuts, Botox-infused ladies and spoiled college kids are all par for the course. Gossip No. 14

kootoob.blogspot.com The amusing blog focuses on the best illustration, animation and visual works in Lebanon. Topics are wide-ranging and include politics, art, sex and social issues.

www.chelseakane.com Actress and singer Chelsea Kane takes your typical blog and turns it upside down. She chats about music, style, culture and her gigs, all in a colorful, highly appealing format.

A誰zone stores: Beirut, Dubai, Amman, and Bahrain

napapijri.com

Bullets | Green

ECOBUZZ Text ZIAD GEDEON

It takes two to make a thing go green! Start with a regular object such as a coke, a magazine, a guitar or even a racecar, and then come up with its green companion 1. GUITARS AND HOLE PUNCHERS

If you play the guitar, you know how frustrating it is to lose that cute little pick that strums the instrument. Now, the Pickmaster Plectrum Punch takes any old ID or credit card and turns it into guitar picks in a myriad of colors. Also great for making board-game tokens and creative collages. 2. PLATES AND BAMBOO What a fabulous Japanese designer dinnerware collection! They’re fit for a king, and they’re made of eco-friendly sugarcane, bamboo and reeds. The Wasara plates are heat resistant and can be turned into compost once they’re worn out. Great for beach parties and garden get-togethers. 3. COKES AND CARDBOARD Coca-Cola is going green with its Give it Back rack, a bottle display made from recycled Coke packaging. Retailers are asked to return these cardboard shelves once they’re worn out, and then they’re recycled once again. A great move for Coca-Cola!

4. TEAKWOOD AND PING-PONG

This limited-edition ping-pong table by James Parse is made of teak wood and leather nets, complete with custom-made paddles and a simplistic modern design. It’s a centerpiece and a conversation piece at the same time, contributing to a healthier planet. 5. MAGAZINES AND CHAIRS Round up all the old magazines you have and sandwich them between a palette and a cushion with the NJUStudio Magazine Stool. This smart idea is bound to tidy up your home and provide seating for friends in just one go. 6. SPECIALIZED S-WORKS AND MCLAREN VENGE This is the fastest bike allowed on the road, built to be extremely lightweight and aerodynamic. It’s a product of Formula One people McLaren and the bike folks over at Venge, in collaboration with Specialized S-Works.

Gossip No. 14

7. WALLS AND GARDENS The idea of a garden growing out of your wall sounds strange, but it’s also loads of fun. The Greenwall garden by Ginkgo Studio can be ordered by mail and turns any old wall into a landscaped garden. Stick ‘em up on your wall, and live in a universe of greenery. 8. SKATEBOARDS AND SUNGLASSES There’s no limit to recycling. Brothers Gianni and Baptiste Vuerich are changing the vision of the world – literally. They recently won an award for making funky sunglasses out of recycled skateboards, so no tree was cut to make these wooden glasses. The vintage look promises to make them all the rage this summer. 9. TIES AND WOOD BEAMS This is the hippest tie ever – it’s made of wood but nobody can tell from a distance. The Wood Thumb tie is produced from reclaimed redwood and comes from California.

Nightlife | Snapshots

BIG IN BEIRUT Photos BACHAR SROUR

Aug-Sep 2011

Event mania | What to do

DATEBOOK THROUGH AUGUST 27 BEIRUT ART CENTER

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10 MULTIPLE US CITIES

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20 WORLD TOUR

THROUGH NOVEMBER 22 WORLD TOUR

BEIRUTKON

AMERICAN IDOL LIVE TOUR

LMFAO

TAYLOR SWIFT

This is a collaborative effort by four designers to showcase nontraditional products from Beirut in an inspiring and creative way.

If your favorite American Idol contestant didn’t win, you still have a chance to watch them on stage one last time.

The California electro-hop duo will get the “party rocking in the house” across the country, with sensational hits like “I’m in Miami Bitch.”

The young country crooner will be touring the globe for her Speak Now tour performing hits like “Story of Us” and “Never Grow Up.”

AUGUST 5-7 GRANT PARK, CHICAGO

AUGUST 7 FAQRA, LEBANON

AUGUST 13-14 TOKYO, JAPAN

AUGUST 17-21 BELGRADE, SERBIA

LOLLAPALOOZA

MYSCHOOLPULSE 5KM WALK

SUMMER SONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL

BELGRADE BEER FEST

Coldplay will be headlining this legendary festival. Other big names include Eminem, Muse, Cee Lo and the Foo Fighters.

Run or walk for a cause at this Lebanon event that raises awareness and funding for children with serious illnesses.

The annual two-day festival rocks with both Japanese and international acts like 311, Beck and No Doubt.

This massive beer festival features over 50 beers from breweries around the globe, in addition to DJs and live music.

AUGUST 19 HONOLULU, HAWAII

AUGUST 23-25 MOJO CLUB, BEIRUT

AUGUST 26-28 LEEDS, UNITED KINGDOM

AUGUST 26-28 PARIS, FRANCE

THE JOY OF SAKE

MELVIN TAYLOR

LEEDS FESTIVAL

ROCK EN SEINE

The largest sake-tasting event outside Japan features over 300 types of premium sakes as well as food from Honolulu’s finest restaurants.

One of the greatest jazz, rock and blues guitarists of all time will be performing for Lebanese audiences this summer.

My Chemical Romance, The Strokes, Muse and 30 Seconds to Mars are a few of the big names at this huge, party-like festival in Bramham Park.

The three-day rock festival held at the Domaine National de St. Cloud features acts like the Foo Fighters, Kid Cudi, Tinie Tempah and The Kills.

AUGUST 26-27 CHESHIRE, ENGLAND

AUGUST 31 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA

SEPTEMBER 3 BEIRUT

SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 2 RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

CREAMFIELDS

ZOMBIE O RAMA III

DANCE IN THE SUMMER

ROCK IN RIO

This large dance music festival features heavy hitters like Afrojack, Chemical Brothers and David Guetta.

For one night only, the dead will rise and roam the streets of downtown San Jose. The event also includes drive-in movies and a large street fair.

Beirut’s New Waterfront is set to host a mega concert featuring T-Pain, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and DJ Dash Berlin.

This massive rock festival offers up performances by Rihanna, Slipknot, Shakira, Lenny Kravitz, Snow Patrol and Jay-Z.

Gossip No. 14