Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Leather Japan 2014

For Mercedes Benz Fashion Week,  Leather Japan showcased at contemporary art gallery, Thomas Erben Gallery, featuring a group of select contemporary leather craft works from the fields of fashion, craft work, and art.  The creations ranged from ancient Japanese traditional artifacts to everyday goods and artistic works.  For this special exhibition, nine designers and ten contemporary artists from Japan and abroad created original pieces with the theme “Japanese Leather”.

 It was amazing to see these quality Japanese leather goods, made by craftsmen using top caliber artisan techniques.  s.

I also bumped into Mr. Kosuke Tsumura, a well known Japanese designer of brand Final Home.  And I also met  the famous Susie Bubble who was very sweet and graciously accepted a photo request from me and friend

Vivienne Tam Fall 2014 Collection

This season, Vivienne Tam's Fall 2014 collection was inspired by a well-kept memory of the hidden treasures of DunHuang, the gateway to the West, at the heart of the Silk Road and pays homage to one the most revered cultural heritage sites and art shrines in the world.  It celebrates the beauty of the cave murals and underscores the imperative of historic preservation. 

The exquisite, ancient frescoes are captured in the collection through digital prints and the artwork developed for them transcend time to be relevant today.   


Earth tones of sepia, amethyst, carnelian, lapis lazuli, oxidized and jade green, sometimes interlaced with metallic gold and bronze,

Ishikawa Arts Now at Japan Society: February 11 - February 14

Ishikawa Arts Now, a juried display of traditional and modern craft, art, and design products, organized by the Ishikawa Prefectural Government of Japan, held a reception and opening preview at the Japan Society on the evening of Feb 10th, 2014.  The display from Ishikawa Arts Now, runs through February 14th at the Japan Society (free admission), located at 333 E 47th St, New York, NY 10017.

Kutani Hand-painted Incense Burner, Porcelain by Toide Masahiko

In attendance were Koichiro Eno (Director of Ishikawa Prefecture Department, JETRO New York), Celebrity Chef Michael Romano (Ambassador of Culture and Fine Dining of Ishikawa Prefecture), Museum of Arts and Design curators David McFadden and Ron Labaco.  

Urushi Rider's Helmet "Phoenix" by Kaba Jikichi Lacquerware Company

Opening Remarks were made by Mr. Eno and Mr. Jun Ishihara, Consul for the General Consulate of Japan in New York.  MAD's Mr. McFadden spoke briefly about the 19 pieces that were selected by Mr. Labaco and Mr. McFadden.  He lauded the highly trained artists who fuse modern and traditional art, keeping the old crafts alive and new.  

One of the artists, whose piece was selected for the juried display was artist Yuki Nakamura, who created "Universal Collection_24", made a special appearance. 

The artist traveled from Ishikawa prefecture for the event.  Yuki Nakamura's ability to collect random bits of shell, wood, and bone fuse them together with sap-derived lacquer never results in anything less than magical.  Once the piece has been traditionally lacquered and polished, its organic lines reflect the flow of all living things.

You can shop select craft at theartofjapan.net or contact Alice Chin a.chin@theartoftravel.net.

Left to Right: Mr. Koichiro, Director of Ishikawa Prefecture Department, JETRO New York, Mr. Ron Labaco, Ms. Dana Galbreath, Mr. David McFadden, Mr. Shinichi Doi, Lauren Scharf , Evelyn Teploff Mugii, and Alice Chin 

Style.Uz Art Week: The Last Samurai: Mysterious Japan

Celebrate Chinese New Year with Pianist Jiaxin Tian February 8th at Lincoln Center

I recently attended a press party for talented young Chinese pianist Jiaxin Tian 田佳鑫 at Steinway Hall in New York City.  At the event, Ms. Tian performed the the Liszt "Mephisto Waltz" with great passion and personality.  She also spoke to the press about her performance style and upcoming concert.

Born into a musical family in Beijing, Jiaxin Tian is a rising star among young piano virtuosos. Having earned praise for her solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall in February 2013, she has since obtained her Professional Studies degree from Manhattan School of Music, during which time she received MSM’s highest piano citation, the Harold Bauer Award. Her Master of Music degree is also from the MSM under Jeffrey Cohen in 2012. “Ms. Tian mirrored the ensemble’s passion and energetic commitment,” said the New York Times of Ms. Tian’s performance with the Manhattan School of Music Orchestra under Philippe Entremont. She has performed around the U.S., China, and Europe.

Ms. Tian has selected 7 pieces to perform at her upcoming concert at Lincoln Center.  One of them was composed by young Chinese composer Zhang Shuai, who has collaborated closely with Ms. Tian in the past. The unique piece, titled 'Three Preludes', has 3 parts, the first with a Gershwin Jazz feeling, Debussy-like in the middle, and third part is a Chinese folk song.  Ms. Tian thought it would be a fitting way to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Jiaxin with her host parents. Erica Mason and Lark Mason of iGavel Auctions.

She will also perform the Chopin Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op.35, which Ms. Tian said is very difficult.  It has 4 parts which needs total concentration and is difficult to control.  When Jiaxin performs, she tries to give a different story and feeling to each piece by playing with a her own color and tone.   When asked about the challenges of being an Asian performer in America, she said that if you have your own character, it doesn't matter if you're Asian.

At the end of the press party, Ms. Tian thanked her host parents, Erica and Lark Mason, as well as her professors at the Manhattan School of Music.  Jiaxin is currently working on a new album for 2015 and will be performing around the world.


Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 7:30pm.

 Program: Mozart: Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K.310
 Chopin: Nocturne in D-flat major, Op. 27, No. 2
Chopin: Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35
Zhang Shuai: Three Preludes Mendelssohn: Fantasy, Op. 28
Schubert-Liszt: Der Müller un Der Bach Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12
For additional information or to purchase tickets: click here.

The Village Voice Holiday Spirits Event At Studio Square, LIC

The holiday season...the perfect time to gather with loved ones and overindulge in foods rich in sugar/butter/lard/salt and beverages of the alcoholic variety.  The Village Voice Holiday Spirits Tasting Event at Studio Square, Long Island City, Queens, NY, was the perfect place to sample a multitude of spirits to warm your hearts and stomach.

My favorites were definitely the drinks that were sweet, spicy, or served warm. Scorpion Mezcal mixed with Abuelita hot chocolate and bit of cinnamon...yes, please!  Another favorite was the Southern Hooch, which was Ole Smoky Apple Pie Moonshine and sweet tea.   

New York, NY - "The Village Voice Holiday Spirits" will hold its first annual event on Thursday, December 5th, 2013. The date commemorates the 80 th anniversary of the day that ended the Prohibition era.

The event will be held at Studio Square in Long Island City, Queens and will run from 7:30PM - 10:30PM with a VIP-Only Preview Hour from 6:30PM - 7:30PM. Holiday Spirits will offer all ticket holders unlimited sampling, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a souvenir glass, and picturesque views of the lit Manhattan skyline. General Admission tickets will be discounted 50% to $25 using the promo code: THANKS.

For tickets visit:http://ticketf.ly/1i9gIIX and for more information, visit: www.villagevoice.com/holidayspirits

“ Holiday Spirits” focuses on bringing event goers samples of New York City’s top distillers and drinks from top-notch local brands, as well as a sprinkling of national ones. The full lineup of this year’s participating spirits offering unlimited tastings include Asahi, Atsby Vermouth, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Barrow's Intense Ginger Liqueur, Black Dirt Distilling, Breuckelen Distilling, Brooklyn Gin, Brooklyn Winery, Brotherhood, America's Oldest Winery, Catskill Distilling Company, Cooperstown Distillery, Death's Door Spirits, Dutch's Spirits, El Buho Mezcal, Finger Lakes Distilling, Greenhook Ginsmiths, Jack from Brooklyn, Lejay Liqueur, Long Island Spirits, Nahmias et Fils Distillery, Ole Smoky Moonshine, Owney's Rum, Scorpion Mezcal, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Tirado Distillery, Tuthilltown Spirits, Van Brunt Stillhouse, White Pike Whiskey, Widow Jane Distillery, Tito's Handmade Vodka and Tanteo Tequila.

A drink menu and newly released event map highlighting each of the brand’s spirited offerings is available on the event website, www.villagevoice.com/holidayspirits



Musical entertainment for the night will set the tone for each of the event’s two floors. One floor will feature The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn , a 5-piece jazz, swing and blues band that will transport guests back to the days of Speakeasies and Prohibition. On the floor above, DJ Tim Martell – an MTV VMA Official after-party DJ and opener for massive acts like Beyonce and Robin Thicke - will offer guests a more modern musical selection. Known for his unparalleled cross-genre mixes, DJ Tim Martell is sure to impress the Holiday Spirits guests with his seamless, lengthy, and perfect blends.


Sponsors for the event are Ambassador Wines & Spirits, Asahi Beer, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Diamond Vision, Dutchess County Tourism, Green Mountain Energy, GTR Store, Marshall Headphones, Seamless and Whole Foods Market. This year’s charitable partner for “Holiday Spirits” will be the ASPCA, a non-profit that works to rescue animals from abuse, pass humane laws and share resources with shelters nationwide.


For the latest on "Holiday Spirits" please have a sip here: http://www.villagevoice.com/holidayspirits http://www.twitter.com/voicestreet http://www.facebook.com/villagevoice

About Village Voice Events: The Village Voice has independently produced and created such celebrated events as the Choice Eats, Obies Awards, 4Knots Music Festival, Choice Streets, Brooklyn Pour, as well as the most anticipated issues and guides of the year including the annual Pazz and Jop music poll, Best of NYC, and its Spring, Summer, and Fall Preview guides. For more information on the Voice or its events, please visit them online at www.villagevoice.com