Ivy Style

Image via WWD

This past Friday a new exhibit opened at the FIT Museum called Ivy Style. The show curated by Patricia Mears is filled with garments that define the east coast collegiate style known as Ivy Style. Featured designers included J. Press, Brooks Brothers, Jeffery Banks, Thom Browne, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and many more. Personal highlights inculde a tweed Norfolk jacket with matching knickers dating from the 1920's and a pair of football pants from the 1900's. What's most interesting about the exhibit is that Ivy Style has virtually remained unchanged for over 100 years.

Ivy Style at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology 7th Avenue New York, NY 10001
September 14th 2012 to January 5th 2013 fitnyc.edu

Imaging the Lowline

This weekend The Lowline opened an exhibit in the Essex Street Warehouse on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The Exhibit features a preview of what an underground park could look like. Particularly, an underground park in the abandon trolly terminal in the jam packed neighborhood of the LES.
The technology used to concentrate light into the pitch black room looks like something from an alien planet. It's stunning to turn a corner and see hexagonal panels covering the ceiling focusing day light on to a mound of green moss and woodsy vegetation.

When I first heard of the proposed park I though who would want to sit around in a dark underground "park" when there are plenty of above ground parks? But I now understand how special an underground park could be. The warehouse felt like being in the shade of a dense forest. It's not until you look up and see that this forest is man-made. The Lowline could be a great escape unlike any other public space in New York, or the world. This exhibit is definitely worth checking out before it closes on the 27th, so get there soon!

Imagining the Lowline at the Essex Street Warehouse (entrance on Essex Street & Broome Street) New York, NY 10002
September 15th to September 27th 2012 thelowline.org