after opening up shop in hometown san francisco and in new york, cult jeans store self edge returns to the golden state, launching a los angeles outlet today [official opening party next month]. this store offers the same brands, with new unreleased pieces and restocks of popular items available after the official opening. location: 144 north la brea avenue [west hollywood].

elevators are so last year…at least at the standard hollywood. following the opening of her vivid fiction show at merry karnowski gallery, japanese artist lady aiko took up a one-week residence at the hotel to transform its bland stairway into a lilac graffiti gallery full of floral designs, girlish cartoons and street + pop culture images. location: 8300 west sunset boulevard [west hollywood].



© yoshi

it’s time to dress up, guys! a.p.c.’s slick new suit line has finally arrived stateside in its flagship stores in new york [1] and los angeles [2]. two different, early 1970s-inspired jackets are available, made in black and navy blue woollen cloth, and in a classic cloudy flannel. additionally, there’s a stylish selection of shirts, ties and bowties. location [1]: 131 mercer street [soho]. location [2]: 619 north croft avenue [west hollywood].



© a.p.c.

artist eric joyner seizes the corey helford gallery with robots, donuts and cupcakes. on sat - aug 14 [7pm-10pm] his donut logic solo exhibition opens, featuring 20 new oil-on-panel paintings, including a rare portrait of a female robot from the classic science-fiction film metropolis [1927]. with his new works the artist explores new territories as it reveals the secret life of robots: they sport tattoos, balance careers and families, and expose their hidden desires. location: 8522 washington boulevard [culver junction].



© eric joyner

remember we announced the arrival of french designer vanessa bruno’s first u.s. flagship in a previous post? well, local fashionistas flocked in droves to west hollywood as soon as it opened. designed in collaboration with david exbrayat, the spacious store has an eclectic gallery-chic vibe. the minimalist frame formed by the expansive concrete floor, tiled walls and huge front windows is cleverly toned down by a playful configuration and juxtaposition of sleek displays and louis XIV-style chairs and sofas. the new vanessa bruno store carries the brand’s entire collection. the next flagship will open next month in london. location: 8448 melrose avenue [west hollywood].




© linlee allen

get ready for the photo event of the year! we’re talking the 2010 vice magazine photo show, launching at the scion installation l.a. gallery on sat - aug 14 [7pm-10pm]. this ninth edition, curated by jonnie craig of the magazine’s u.k. edition, is entirely dedicated to still life photography. participating snappers include sean vegezzi, valerie phillips and seth fluker. location: 3521 helms avenue [culver junction].



© alex olson

currently on view at 18th street art center is martin durazo’s art project pain management 100. this three-month laboratory aims to investigate and expose the connection between the illegal drug trade economy and the ‘legal’ pharmaceutical drug economy. interestingly, the installation arouses the sensation of the rave and drug culture and challenge society’s desensitized attitude toward the drug phenomenon by inspiring dialogue among the public on a local, national and global level [on until sep 24]. location: 1639 18th street [santa monica].



© 18th street art center / martin durazo - david lee roth [2006]

aren’t you extremely sorry you couln’t go to the opening bash? we certainly are. anyway, today is the official kick-off of mr cobra snake’s very own pawn shop at the hollywood & highland center. the shop is packed with a dazzling variety of vintage haberdasheries, including archival pieces by jeremy scott, dimmak tees and even a shoe collection by his dj pal steve aoki. additionally, you’ll find a bunch of art works and fun knick-knacks you just need to own. shop vibe? garage sale meets blade runner. location: 6801 hollywood boulevard, 4th floor [west hollywood].






© the cobra snake

eurostyle-craving angelenos are counting down. we’re talking vanessa bruno’s first u.s. flagship store that is scheduled to open in west hollywood at the end of next month. interestingly, the designer prefered a los angeles retail kick-off over a new york one as she identifies more with socal lifestyle. location: 8448 melrose avenue [west hollywood].



© linlee allen

we tell you, it’s going to be howling fun. gallery meltdown presents a mute of hounds, a sale exhibition of dog-inspired art by 50 artists that opens today [6pm-9pm]. mind you, 20% of all sales of artwork will be donated to the downtown dog rescue, a program in california that assists homeless dog owners to spay/neuter, vaccinate and license their dogs. location: 7522 west sunset boulevard [west hollywood].



© jason rudolph peña - laika

note: click image for more info

l.a. get ready for the massive silver lake jubilee festival on may 22-23 with a slew of art, performances, gigs and other expressions of independent culture! one of the event’s highlights is we come in peace, a collab installation by galleries, artists and publishers in the silver lake area, in the form of zines, books and printed matter whose creative paths often cross.

mind you, prior to the big opening party of the installation at synchronicity gallery on sun - may 23, a preview is held there on thu - may 20 and l.a. zinesters are invited bring zines to sell, trade and show off. rsvp [here] for access before wed - may 19. preview + opening party location: 4306 melrose avenue [silver lake].



© julie murphy

east coaster phil frost comes to l.a. for a solo show at known gallery, kicking off on sat - apr 24 [8pm-11pm]. the artist gained recognition for his graffiti work very early in his career, both in the contemporary art world and in youth culture. his paintings and sculptures are a result of collaging and layering of images, along with a signature formation of hand-made, often symmetrical black and white patterns. location: 441 north fairfax avenue [west hollywood].

check out the project white t-shirt show at space 15 twenty [on until apr 18]. curated by triple major in support of designers against aids, this traveling show displays hot tee designs by 31 fashion-forward designers and includes complexgeometries, kostas murkudis, jerell scott, c.neeon and kumiko watari. a limited-edition exhibition box set [of only 100] to raise funding for project white t-shirt is available at the show. it contains the exhibition catalogue, introducing each designer and their contribution to the project, a fab t-shirt and a dvd. next stops are tokyo and beijing! location: 1520 north cahuenga boulevard [west hollywood].

currently showing at peres projects is boy, an exhibition by cody critcheloe, lead singer of ssion, a queer punk / performance / art band that he invented ten years ago [on until apr 3]. on display are nine separately shot but jointly conceived music videos for the band’s 2007 record fool’s gold. the story of ssion is a raucous, louched up, camp parody of critcheloe’s own life, in which a small-town punk kid hooked on doughnuts and pizza follows his dreams. location: 2766 south la cienega boulevard [culver junction].

yoshitaka amano, one of the pioneers in anime and illustration has an exhibition at lebasse projects, launching there on sat – feb 20 [7pm-10pm]. dubbed deva loka – los angeles, the show is an ode to his childhood love for american culture, comics and cars, and features a series of pieces coated with auto paint and metallic glitter that have been especially created for this showcase. location: 6023 washington boulevard [culver junction].



© lebasse projects

on sat - feb 13 [8pm], on the eve of valentine’s day, ism’s kevin staniec releases the i am. you are. book and blog. guests will have a unique opportunity to purchase a limited edition signed copy of the book [co-written by melanie moore and illustrated by emilio santoyo]. gigs by the dan reckard quartet and zak salazar & the western junkyard. rsvp [here] for access. location: {open}, 2226 east fourth street [long beach].

don’t miss ism’s instant gratification, a celebration of instant film and the polaroid 600 series with a special, one night only, gallery exhibition + limited edition book featuring over 200 professional and amateur photographers from around the world, on sat - jan 9 [7pm-11pm]. live gigs by the fling, sam outlaw and the romany rye. location: copro gallery, bergamot station, 2525 michigan avenue [santa monica].

hailing all you travis fans…and groupies! check out the x games hero’s appearance at l.a.’s dc store on tue - dec 29 [5pm-7pm] for a special autograph signing session. location: 8025 melrose avenue [west hollywood].



© mtv

traveling show a nice set comes to l.a.! presented by s.l.a.t.e. pop-up shop @ ak1511 and ihc, a series of slipmats designed by 34 leading contemporary designers are on display. the official opening party is held tue - dec 22 [7pm-11pm] with live gig + dj sets by u-n-i, sour milk, ayla simone. rsvp [here] for access. location: 1511 abbott kinney boulevard [venice beach].



image: designs by ray smith, universal everything and jeremyville [top to bottom]

check out the mini expo and elaborate display of all things tintin at meltdown comics on dec 4-13. on display are character watches, limited edition cold cast porcelain and resin statues plus a dazzling array of lead miniatures and detailed vehicles that span the cast and events of all the albums. location: 7522 west sunset boulevard [west hollywood].

superfun! If you’re in los angeles, check out the mobile stones throw x parra pop-up store a.k.a. the rockwell ice cream truck that’ll drive across town on nov 27-29, offering new collectibles each day ranging from exclusive tees to pillows to duvet covers and other hot stuff! click here to check all the truck stops!

junc gallery’s fifth year anniversary show is blood is the new black, opening there on sat - nov 7 [7pm-11pm]. the exhibition showcases exciting new work by a slew of artists, including skye parrot, sumi ink club, pete and jo, andrea shear and keaton henson. location: 4017 sunset boulevard [silver lake].



© keaton henson

gig: midnight juggernauts
support act: vv brown
date: mon – oct 26 [8.30pm]
location: the roxy theater, 9009 sunset boulevard [west hollywood park].

photographer extraordinaire irving penn passed away last week at the age of 92. his impressive legacy includes small trades, a portrait series of blue-collar workers he shot for vogue magazine the early 1950s, initially in paris but later also in london and new york. the series has been acquired by the j. paul getty museum which has now put them on display [on until jan 10]. location: 1200 getty center drive [north brentwood].



© condé nast publications, inc. / irving penn - steel mill firefighter [1951]

cerre is one of l.a.’s prime addresses when in search for artisanal leather fashion and accessories. mind you, the brand’s complete a/w 09 collection is now available at its flagship store in west hollywood. click the weblink to view the full collection online. location: 1647 north las palmas avenue [west hollywood].



© cerre

opening sat - sep 19 [6pm-9pm] at cerasoli gallery is hellovon’s show semblance. on display are a series of drawings which reflect the artist’s fascination with image construction, form, distortion and the process of drawing itself. hellovon is the london-based studio of artist von. location: 8530b washington boulevard [culver junction].

party: blog voltron pool party
date: sun - sep 13 [1pm-8pm]
location: the standard, rooftop pool + bar, 550 south flower street [downtown]
dj lineup includes: tenderlions, audrey napoleon , aaron fooshée, josh legg, alfa
rsvp [here] for access

opening wed - sep 5 [7pm-10pm] at mid-city arts is un:earth, an art exhibition and installation featuring 15 international urban artists. curated by codak, the show includes works by shok-1 [london], ilias panayiotou [hong kong] and eratik [u.s.a.]. location: 5113 west pico boulevard [mid city].

note: click image to enlarge

check out the experimental music gigs on sat - aug 29 [from 9pm] at synchronicity. performers are new zealanders pumice and l.a. musicians adam willetts, metal rouge and albert ortega. location: 4306 melrose avenue [west hollywood].

linkin park’s mike shinoda has a show at the japanese american national museum. dubbed glorious excess (dies), it opens sat - aug 29 [8pm-10pm in attendance of the artist] and features a new series of paintings and digital works. it is the next chapter in his series, exploring society’s obsession with celebrity culture, consumer addiction, and fascination with excess. location: 369 east first street [downtown].



© mike shinoda / neuphoria

we reported in a previous post about the clever quicksilver x standard hotels collab on a series of boardshorts and innovative sale through poolside vending machines. ofcourse there was a great launch party, held at standard hotel’s popular downtown l.a. property. view the video and see what glorious fun we all missed out on.

the l.a. edition barneys warehouse sale just kicked off [on until aug 23] and is the opportunity to stock up on style for less bucks. for this edition the barneys warehouse sale moved out of the hangar to a fancier spot downtown, the los angeles convention center. so what you waiting for?! location: 1201 south figuero street, south hall [downtown].

don’t miss! launching sat - aug 15 [7pm-10pm] at scion space is the very first edition of flux super 8, a showcase of 8 emerging filmmakers, video artists and design collectives. hailing from places across the planet, each will present a unique and site-specific installation and include the black heart gang, sophie gateau and terri timely. location: 3521 helms avenue [culver junction].

note: click image to enlarge