July 25th in NYC - One Night Stand!

I can't believe I haven't added this! My mind has been mush lately, but fun birthday times was had and still are being had. Last celebration for the year...Tomorrow's One Night Stand at Highline Ballroom in NYC!

Sibyl Vain Clothing will be one of the many designers showcasing with fun installations alongside several amazing music artists and special hosts from House of Field! Don't miss this one! Check the links below for more info!

SFX

Highline Ballroom

Oh and want to know my models?

The Tattooed Artist
Mika Kenyah
Angie Cakez
Caitlyn K

And our lovely makeup artist Devin Dollface Alexis

Bday Blog #2

Oops! Totally forgot to write a 'Blog a Day,' so trying to make up for it.

So June 20th marked a month till my birthday and wanted to do something to kick things off. Unfortunately, I had no ideas. Originally I had wanted to go to the monthly SFX Party on Wednesday, but couldn't make it. But Thursday afternoon, I get a message from Mika of Sugar & Spikes Casting...there's a premiere party for Kayvon Zand's new music video for "One Way Flight." Dude.

Our first stop of the evening was to The Studio at Webster Hall for a performance by Cilver (formerly known as Me Talk Pretty). After getting my bag search and frisked like a common criminal though...the night got instantly better once inside. Mika made the rounds saying hi to old friends and later made new ones, forming a 'red & black hair' brigade.

Cilver's set was shorter than expected, but incredible! New favorite band? I say you bet.



Then over to Marquee we went - my first time here. Last time I tried going, me and the awesome Nikki had a guest list mix-up and then doorman threw a hissy fit, but luckily this night he was replaced by a fabulous boy in a gold dress and gaudy jewelry.

Inside Marquee is smaller than I had thought, but really chic and chill with pretty lights and a huge disco ball that moved up and down from the ceiling. Fabulous dancers dressed for every occasion and time period were visual wonderments until the premiere of the video, which is amazing, but would you expect otherwise?

Fun part of the night - Kayla of Vengeance Designs was there and this lady is awesome! She provided wardrobe for the video and even dressed a 'twin' for the night. Plus, I'm pretty sure our drinks were from the video's director and legendary photographer Mike Ruiz's table. How's that for a birthday kick-off?

March Music

It's been a long time since I was excited over new music. Even when Blaqk Audio's 'Bright Black Heaven' came out, I didn't buy it and still haven't listened to it.

But I'm back and ready to plunge headfirst into the land of new music. The other week I went to the Whitechapel/Emmure NYC show and wanted to cry over how it feels as though I abandoned my first love and the one big high in my life. I haven't been writing for the one music publication or been in a photo pit in forever. Breaks my heart. I got caught up living a life that took all my ambition and energy away from work. My mind is clear and I know now I can manage the clothing line, random costuming gigs and music journalism.

So with that little motivational rant out of the way...

March I am DYING for new IAMX and Senses Fail. Both groups have tour dates for April and May and I'm about to buy tickets (or maybe get listed which would be awesome). Not sure if IAMX has any previews available, but I'm really scared with the first single "Mi Amor" from Senses Fail. It opens hard and hope the rest of the album is in that direction, but the chrous/hook is odd from them. Sounds like all the 'silly metalcore/post-hardcore AP Mag bands of the moment.' I've heard people comment they don't like how it's over-produced, I just feel it's trying to appeal to younger fans and therefore, making it not Senses Fail.

Well, we'll just have to wait for the end of March to hear things.

An Embarrassing Fact About Me

Back in the day I really REALLY didn't like Britney Spears or most of the annoying pop ladies for that matter. Britney was dating my Justin Timberlake and even though I secretly loved the music, I put on the front that boy bands were my heart and their female counterparts were evil like the high school cheerleaders.

I've been revisting music from my high school years and looking back, have to give it to Britney for being a damn good entertainer. Especially with MTV playing VMA performances throughout the years in advance of the this year's award show, I'm on repeat with some performances.

One of my top picks is Britney's 2000 performance of "Satisfaction/Oops...I Did It Again." I think the remix of "Oops..." is still fierce and let's admit it, better than the orginal.

So here's the embarrassing fact: back in high school, I learned the dance routine from Britney's performance and wanted to do it at our yearly talent show. Never happened (thank god). Surprisingly, I do still remember all the moves, but don't expect any Youtube videos popping up.

Back...

Totally got lost in a world of wardrobing for film and theater. And it was fun!

But now it's back to the world of Sibyl Vain Clothing - trying to get A LOT of sewing and new pieces made because once other projects present themselves, I'll be off again.

Trying to keep blogs of mine seperate on the interwebs. Figured to make my Buzznet my thoughts on fashion in music. So check it out if you have a moment - Sibyl Vain on Buzznet

I'll probably add of couple of those posts here too. And I'm in the works on setting up a full list of my wardrobe notes on another blog. Yeah, I'm trying to be a busy girl.

Current music video whose fashions I'm OBSESSED with - Swedish House Mafia's "Greyhound" or really, ad for Absolut.

Madonna - Girl Gone Wild

Oh my Madonna, I have offended thee by not getting your new album yet.

But I do LOVE this video. It's classic you. Black and white, static-y and fabulous dancing. "Vogue," "Justify My Love" and even "Human Nature" come to mind.

I haven't been searching for it, but I so know people are going to complain that you're taking from Gaga who had men dancing in heels in her video for "Alejandro," but that was done by Steven Klein and who has shot with him way before that? You. And can we have a moment for just one of the amazing spreads featured in W Magazine?

I'm still mad I missed that installation. And I'm also mad at why men (well, the men in the video) move better in heels than I do!

Punk Rock vs. Posh Life

Sometimes I feel I live a double life. Most people would say I'm one of those weirdos who has pink hair, wears all black clothes and goes to a lot of rock concerts. But then there's some that will look at me and think I'm this artsy spoiled brat who drinks during the week and dines on the weekend with several trips to go overseas lined up.

But I think what I'm really trying to figure out is not what others may think of me, but where the hell do I think I fit in?

You would think one would have things figured out after college, but sometimes that's not the case. Even with two degrees that should have sent me into teaching or art curating, I still wanted more. So following the leads of so many other sewers/designers, I decided to try to sell my designs on eBay and Etsy and try to get photoshoots set up. Then the next step would be making millions and on my way as the enxt Betsey Johnson.

Not the case.

I'm on the road to a new career dealing with wardrobe and it's so exciting. But until then, it's my social life that can't be ironed out.

It's like, one night I'm out with my fellow punk-rocker seeing Orgy play at Irving plaza (which was awesome as hell) with all the goth kids. All black clothing, pinkish-purple hair and Converses. After, we headed to one of the best bars in town, Otto's Shrunken Head and got glow in the dark drinks and got our pirate on. Plus, the music was perfect Interpol, Smiths, chill dance. After, we hit the diner next door and got disco fries. My new guilty pleasure.

But then the next day I'm off to my friend's birthday celebration. She's this picture perfect Anthropologie hipster and have a fun night around Union Square. We grab food before at Maialino in the Gramercy Hotel. It was snobby older people in suits, dresses and even the hipsters look intimidating. But the food was so good.

After we went to Pierre Lotti Wine Bar and sat outside being the weather has been so nice. The waiter was rude and we all joked about it. But the wine and drink menu was awesome. Had the nicest port wine and two of the people in our group got these absinthe and bourbon drinks called The Ramsey or something and were in love with them (and ready to sleep). PLUS! They had Jacques Torres Chocolates and we ordered a bunch. Perfect compliment for the drinks.

So, that's the two sides of Union Square : punk rock at Irving with pirate rum drinks and disco fries that didn't break the bank and then posh food and drinks that were worth the price, but you have to be aware you'll get looks for the hair color and tiger print dress. Pick your poison.

Living Legends

Want to know what I did in February?

I FINALLY got to see Liza Minnelli in person! I got chills when she took the stage and almost started crying. She's just one of those entertainers that has become such a legend, someone unreal especially when looking at her talent and who her family is.

It was a great evening with a full backing band, fans all through the venue yelling 'I love you Liza,' and while he voice isn't exactly as it was so many years ago, Liza sounded amazing!

See that glowing light on stage? That's her! It looks farther than the view I had.

Next up, I randomly won Jay-z at Carnegie Hall tickets! Yeah, I was stoked. My assistant had come over to sew and so we had the radio on, I thought it would be fun to try and win and the phone kept ringing, I got through for caller 19, 40, 70 and then...the DJ answered. I've won so many things from radio contests, but this was the first in a long while, so I was shaking and so excited.

It was a great show. I'm not going to go into all the music details, because you can read about it other places. It was the best set list, all the radio hits and what I considered 'an older white person's dream Jay-z set list' especially being at Carnegie where it was a lot of older people (hello, the tickets were for charity and mad expensive).

We were up in the balcony, but front row, which was awesome until I realized I was getting motion sickness from focusing at the stage below. All the fans up there were younger and awesome. It was a big party...probably the first time things were smoked in Carnegie Hall.

It was all the raido hits and Alicia Keys and Nas were guests with Questlove on one of the drum kits. I died over "If I Ruled the World" with Keys filling in for Lauryn Hill. Another favorite was "Girls Girls Girls" with images of Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor included in the projected images over the stage.

While it was so beautiful all the proejected images and taking us on a journey through the NYC skyline, guess who couldn't focus and almost got sick - this girl. Such a great performance with the full orchestra, but I kind of had to close my eyes the whole time. Listening was beautiful because the full sound really solidified this music as music.

You had Jay-Z's mom in the audience sitting next to Chris Rock, some of the players from the Giants there and below us was Russell Simmons and I'm pretty sure one of his daughters. Plus at the end of the night, Jay-Z came out into the audience...literally the balcony below us and I was scared trying to lean over and see.

Grammy Best

Just my two cents on last night's award show.

I'm not a huge fan of award shows, but I did catch parts of it. Jennifer Hudson just brought me to tears by singing "I Will Always Love You" for the late Whitney Houston. The fashion was meh from everyone, but I loved Dave Grohl wearing a Slayer t-shirt. Nicki Minaj was a fool. Honestly, I'm a fan, but the new song is horrible and the performance was like trying to do Gaga's "Paparazzi" from the VMAs only Nicki failed.

What would have been funny and epic is if he wore a Hole or Coutney Love shirt.

But for the best moment of the evening...I look to deadmau5. I adore him. First, him comes in with Sonny Moore's...I mean Skrillex's phone number on his shirt. You know, Sonny won three Grammys (I still can't get over he's the kid that fell on my sister at a show in Irving Plaza like 5 years ago), but none for deadmau5 - but who actually performed on the aired portion of the show?

The BEST performance of the night and actually best performance at an award show I've seen in some time, came from David Guetta, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Foo Fighters and deadmau5.

Guetta is always perfect and I hadn't heard the Foo Fighters & deadmau5 remix. It sounded AMAZING live! Great job, guys!

My NYC Reality

Last night I ventured to the city for dinner and shockingly tried a new restaurant! I usually drive into the city and I feel like I'm in a video game when I'm driving on lanes with barely there lines and cab drivers driving like maniacs.

One part of my trip that's super important is what's on my car's radio. A song changes your mood, makes you recall different images you associate with it and can also make you feel as though you're in your own little movie.


This song came on right as I was trying to get through the Chinatown/Canal Street area. All I could think of was obviously the 70's and tough times. So in my mind, everyone was wearing bellbottoms, had horrible hair and wait a minute...that's exactly what I saw! Stupid hipster fashion...

So FOOD!

We went to The Stanton Social Club. While it was SO good...spent WAY too much. But lobster rolls, crabcake corn dogs, the oddest drink that was pretty damn good and tons more...totally worth it.

I was hoping to hit up Babycakes, but they close early on Mondays - UGH! So my friend suggested a place she goes to, Suger Sweet Sunshine. This place is super cute. I loved that the one cupcake name is 'Bob.' However, I stuck with the 'Sunshine' and 'Sexy Red Velvet.' The sunshine tastes just like the homemade vanilla cupcakes my neighbor makes, but the icing on the red velvet is BANANAS! Not bananas as in the fruit, but bananas as in whipped cream and yummy goodness.

All I could think about on my ride home was eating the cupcakes. Then the intro/chorus to this song came on...


Now NYC turned into '90s hip hop. A la a Jay-z video from back in the day.

It's my delusion and you're just living in it!

Not Ink Master

Anyone else a little 'meh' on Van Halen's return?

I know they've grown, matured and will never be exactly what they were back in the day, but I expected something more.

Good song no doubt, but as a first single to mark their return? Eh....

And yes, I wasn't expecting Diamond Dave to be running around the stage in spandex, but I had hoped for a more upbeat, faster tempo. And stupid me didn't keep tabs on their tour and I highly doubt I'll be seeing them live anytime soon. BUMMED OUT!

Yay!

Well, well. I think my Buzznet blog is finally recognizing I set up the RSS Feed. Yes!

To celebrate, this song I couldn't take off repeat today.

Cheg Diaries - Cup #something

I'm sitting here trying to finish up a show review and I'm drinking a homemade eggnog chai. Haven't had one in awhile. Switched to those caramel brulee lattes.

I haven't been updating like I had hoped. December turned into the month from crazy hell! From preparing for the Philly Punk Rock Flea Market to interviewing the bassist of one of my favorite bands to getting an early Christmas present of a photo pass for another band I die for...And now we're ending the month and year with deadmau5 performing on New Year's Eve.

The Punk Rock Flea Market was an interesting time. Once we got setup and rolling, the time went by fast, which was surprising. But was a learning experience and now all I can say is look out for other events I'll be vending at. I do everything backwards, so we're talking big events.

I had hoped a lot more images were going to be coming my way, but waiting on submissions and edits...it's an annoying process sometimes! But I'm stoked to be doing my first shoot of the year next week with Creepshow Photography! She is also the first photographer I've ever shot with too! Annnddd....I have a video to show off from Keep Me From Dreaming directed by Jesse Fox and you can find my clothing scattered about. YAY!

So until then...Happy New Year Everyone!

My Sneakers

My sneakers were resurrected last night. From the depths of my sneaker bin with a pile of others that are slowly fading, they emerged to be reborn with the light and weight of metal pyramid studs.

They are at this time, six years old. Bought in 2005, my first pair of Converses and worn to my first time to Warped Tour. At that tour, I saw Offspring for the first and only time, argued with the singer from Boys Night Out because I'm a crazy fan, witnessed the end of My Chemical Romance ever being an underground band. I wore these shoes for my first photo pit experience. Senses Fail and 30 Seconds to Mars - I died. The amount of venues these shoes have walked over is too long to list.

They stayed with me through almost all of my days working at a coffee place. With mocha powder, milk, soy, coffee and matcha powder covering them regularly.

The bleach stains came from the day I helped out one of my inspirations and mentor at the time bleach jackets in her backyard.

I left mud caked on the soles until it flaked off thinking it had magic powers as it was from outside the venue of which I just saw AFI perform.

They're just sneakers and probably really gross, but when I look at them, I relieve 6 years of my life in one glance.

Sound Familiar?

(going to try really hard to blog a lot more frequently)

I'm one of those people who hears a song and always thinks it sounds like another. So here are two new songs that I can't stop signing another when I hear it.

Cobra Starship w/Sabi "You Make Me Feel" vs. ATC "All Around the World"






Then...

David Guetta ft/Flo Rida & Nicki Minaj "Where Them Girls At?"

Tell me Nicki at 1:44 doesn't sound like the Hamster Dance?

EVENTS!

I'm happy to announce my first vending event!

Upstate New York Metal & Hardcore Festival

I'll have t-shirts (which haven't been shown to the world yet), new samples I've been working on and sale items! I wish I could be bringing more, but due to the recent problems I've had with my spine...as a designer whose clothing is currently all handmade, I was unable to sew for the past month.

But that doesn't mean we're not going to have a good time at this event.
July 8 - 10th
Saratoga Springs at Lee's Park
Pricing was $30 last time I checked and is for the whole weekend and includes free camping for the weekend.




And then if you haven't heard...

Reflections 2011!!!

Scheduled for September 17, 2011
www.ReflectionsProject.com

It's going to be bananas - I'll be posting updates as I hear anything and I'll be posting preview of the items I'm bringing along to the festival mentioned above. Get ready.

Taking Back Sunday Returns!

Well, it's not like they went anywhere, but I hadn't seen them in awhile and now they're back with the orginal line up.

They did a one-off show at Maxwells in Hoboken, NJ, the other night and I was lucky enough to get tickets. That place holds like 200 people in the stage area and what was also interesting about this show was that they were filming for their upcoming video for the new song, "El Paso."

I was, unfortunately thanks to traffic, about 20 minutes late and walked in on "Liar (It Takes One to Know One)." I'm assuming I missed out on "Cute Without the 'e' (Cut from the Team)" and that sucks hardcore, but oh well.

They played three new songs, one of which was "El Paso," but like three times...maybe it was four...I don't remember, but while some of the audience stepped out for a drink during the repeated playing, I enjoyed every second. If the upcoming album can be summed up in those three songs heard, I'm prepared for yet another strong release from TBS.

I don't remember too many songs from New Again, but it was such a good mix of the hits from the other three albums. They even threw in that Existentialism song by Straylight Run. Yea.

I became a TBS fan when the second album hit, so I'm not familiar with this line-up and was there mainly to stare at Adam. It's interesting because they are the kind of band that talks to the audience and especially Adam is so charming. There were old school fans and friends from back in the day, so the conversation carried throughout the venue.

And that's what was so great about this show - you legit felt like you knew everyone in the crowd, there to watch your friends put on one hell of a show.

So fun, at times I felt like I was watching them for the first time in one of those small clubs that you use to go to, but in a way have out-grown and a new generation has set up shop.

Alesana & Motionless in White and some other band...Plus Interview Link

February 5, 2011
Starland Ballroom

So Escape the Fate did a headlining tour. Who cares - Alesana and Motionless in White opened!

I made it there JUST in time to see Motionless, however, I had problems getting in, but just as well - what else is new? Haha, so I made it inside to see two songs of theirs. Yay!

They've become a band I use to joke about because their look was so strong, so Hot Topic-core/goth, to a band that's something more. So kudos! I mean, I like the music, the stage show is very interesting and intense, so I'm happy they've been touring so much - though I've been missing the majority of the area shows.

I haven't missed Alesana though. Saw them a bit ago on the Two Frail Weeks of Vanity and Wax, where they were retiring their album of relatively the same name. So I was little upset this time around when none of those songs made it in the setlist - but I was warned!

Decent show overall. I was all the way in the back, so the sound was a little funky because the back bar has a little overhang and the sound echoes weird. But they did songs off The Emptiness basically and it was all dramatic and I love love love "The Thespian."

At least they come dressed to impressed - nice shirts, ties, slacks or jeans and well the drummer had shorts, so casual dressy basically. Love it.

Check out the interview I did with singer Shawn Milke from Alesana HERE

Broken Inside Music Video

Yay! Finally! Kimberly Korn's music video for her single, "Broken Inside," got uploaded to Youtube.

The video had been done...back in September I think it was and I've been so anxious to see! I missed out on the release party a couple weeks ago, so I was even more in the dark than all the other talented people involved with the making of the video.

Take a look! It's so fun! It was also like a reunion because Kimberly and the other designer on set, Alina Butnaru, and I were all involved in the Sugar n' Spikes Runway & Music event over the summer. Fun times.

My pieces are...the white shrug, pink tutu on Kimberly. All the black & red outfits for the female dancers in the end scenes outside.

Watch the end free-style dance scenes. The dancers are super talented and were still able to pull out those moves after two long ass days of shooting.

New Year, New Drama

Drama? With me? Never! I'm talking Jersey Shore - haha!

I'm starting on my Spring Collection. I'm going to be updating here with sneak peeks and a couple thoughts on what's inspiring me. I already have things in mind and planning on something big to show off the new things.

Today I'm meeting up with one of my friends (and model). Yay! I know I had said I wasn't doing any shoots until March, but I make exception for her.

I was supposed to have an interview yesterday, but things got lost in translation, so let's hope it's not difficult to reschedule. I'll be screwed if they give me grief.

Have you seen the video "Beautiful Dangerous" by Slash ft. Fergie? Whoa! I love it because I'm such a stalker sometimes like Fergie is in this and her outfits are crazy friggin' awesome. I wish I had that aesthetic to create pieces like that.