IMPROMPTU

On a violently rainy Saturday night I went to the opening of Impromptu, P'Oh's new series of work.

"In Impromptu, the story which Piyatat is telling is that of Jazz music, specifically Jazz music in Thailand . . . To me, his work is about duality and contrast, in the sense that his photos transcend the difference between lightness and darkness, using the two opposites to his advantage, thus straddling between the two extremes, where the shadows and reflects are most prominent and the greys come to life . . .

There is synchronicity in this story, movement, as well as collaboration between the artists and the instruments . . .

 . . .the vibrations of the double bass resounds out of the image .. .

. . .  the steady beat of the drums . . .

 . . . There is soul in Jazz, as to me these pictures enables the viewer to admire the seamless , almost perfect form of the inanimate instruments that come to life so effortlessly  in the hands of a maestro. . . 

Piyatat and I - my favourite lithographs in the back

 . . .Jazz is about life, and life is about improvisation, and here in Impromptu, life and music become one through Piyatat Hemmatat's lens."

- extracted from my introduction to the book which accompanies the exhibition, Impromptu is on at the Jazz Gallery, Bangkok until September 30th, 2009

Paradise Bangkok under the highway

Paradise Bkk is one of the dopest nights I have ever been too in bkk - organised by the label Zud Rang Maa at Raindog . . . Thai country music and Molum mixed with old school hip hop and funk . . .in a derelict house with a little garden, empty mini pool, oh and nevereanding croaking of frogs and toads in teh night and a mini barbeque.  P'Oh bought me the compilation cd's - amazing - imagine James Brown's "I feel Good" - Thai version.  

Let's not forget the homemade herbal liquors - i preferred Groaning Lady to the Stampeding Horse one.

Oh yes, and let's not forget that the easiest way to get to Raindog is to climb through a fence that leads you to a highway exit.  Yep, Paradise Bkk, good to know you exist.

Let's Get Lost

I might be a little late on the bandwagon on this one - seeing as Bruce Weber shot it in 1987 and it came out again for the second time late last year . . .  Piyatat lent the dvd to me for inspiration and background as I was writing an introduction to his book for his show, Impromptu, about jazz.

Let's Get Lost is a sumblime, beautiful, and sincere homage to the late Chet Baker if there ever was one.

Bruce Weber is a master at capturing freedom in its purest form, soft, yet tainted with a raw edge . . .  I was so inspired.  I love also that his vision is so holistic. . .you can tell it is him through and through.

Chet Baker was a a rare talent, a cool dude and an amazing musician- for me he epitomised a certain time, jazz, freedom, spontaiety - and beauty.

Once Upon a Time in Paris Fashion Week - part I - nsha, Ploi and I

March 2009

Paris Fashion Week

No, I was not an observer, yes, I wish I went to more shows but actually this was in the recent past when I was directing Nsha so we were there for work! We were showing our 3rd season in Paris at Tranoi, which had a rather depressing atmosphere this time because the recession and all, but-for my very entertaining assistant Ploi it would have been pretty miserable . . .  

nsha booth at Tranoi

 

Ploi

After the Salon was done, my partner Nishita and I moved the collection to our very cute St. Honore apartment on top of a patisserie that claims to serve the Elysee thus Monsieur President himself.  We were just happy with the smell of fresh bread every morning and buyers and editors coming through to view the collection was like have a tea party everyday . . . and so far as effectiveness was concerend, we did much better with our private little showroom on rue St Honore. 

What I did not know back then was that this collection at Nsha would be my last, go figure, I did call it Fountainhead, after the book, where else was I to go really if Dominique Francon and Howard Roark inspired the collection - my plan for SS 10 was Astronauts in Africa, so space, literally and figuratively speaking . . .(more on this later). 

It was also Ploi's last collection with Nsha as she left to pursue her music career, she has an awesome band called The Diet Pills, nu rave/electro clash/a bit of disco - very very cool yet cute at the same time. . .I adore it . . .particularly the song Freaky Friend. . .so catchy.  At the time though Daniella (of Issa) and Susan got pretty excited by their hit single at the tie "Don't Under estimate the Power of the Diet Pills" . . perfect for a fashion show no?

A behind the scenes pic from the AW 09 book - we shot it in Bkk, but the mood was rather appropriate for Paris if I do say so myself . . .The book was done by Piyatat Hematat, his first fashion campaign, styled by Polina Aronova with model Nadia Serlidou- I was very hapy with the results. . . (I'll post the pics later).

Piyatat, Nadia (in the Catherine coat) and Polina

Back to Tranoi - the days were long though - really really long . . . how happy were Ploi and I to get back to our apartment and eat salad and pasta . . we just had no vital force left, although we did manage to be out . . MOST NIGHTS. . .

A memorable night was that of the Cavalli party - did not think they threw parties like that anymore . . I thought Ploi would go hug the bear . . . or do SOMETHING . . .

Ploi and Cavalli bears

Me feeding bears

but no, Lady Bunny was there, so there was no need for dramatics!

  

Lady Bunny

We then went to Gabe's for one of his famous dinners. . .Everyone wanted to try on the Howard blazer (on Ploi) and the Catherine (on me) . .. .I never mean to usurp Gabe's house to a fashion show . . it just happens most sea :) they suit his bags so well though that I think no one really minds . . .impromptu fashion shows - always fun.  

Vicky, Susan and I

John (not missable with yellow cassette clutch), Ploi and Mark

John, Daniella and Ploi

Gabe, Dani Stahl and John 

then I think we went to Regine after - more like stumbled there. . .wow . . . that is what i mean . . the nights all merged into one . . what party it was that night - I do not remember . . .

Lara Bohinc, Susan, Ploi and Alexia

PLOI (with Susan in the background)

It was hard to be out without a clock ticking as we knew that the next day we would have to be at Tranoi, on your feet to a dead beat which was the fair is well, not fun . . but we did it . . . 

Interval in Bkk

Europe took a while to recover from, it was hard to resurface to see people again. . . and to do that was to explain what I was doing as I suppose the world is such that everyone needs a title for you especially in your hometown!  I was definitely not ready . . . .nor was I ready to write again . . . Thank goodness for Lynn and her Trust Fun project, P'Oh and the Jazz project which I am writing the foreward for and being an ambassadress for Corto Moltedo. Well, also the only bit of nsha I retained and what MADAME CHICHI has in mind. Can't seem to stray too far from fashion now.

 

So yes, there are nsha x baseman bikinis that are just waiting to be launched . . . .this is how they look like . . . 

I think that it deserves a proper proper launch . . . Gary is a dear friend and an imaginative artist with skills and a great sense of humour.  I will need to do something really good for him.   

 

So my return to bkk was about sleep sleep sleep and more sleep with the occasional fun activity . .. in this case, it was Piyatat Hematat's (P'Oh) new Jazz project . . . he has been commissioned to do a series of works to include pictures of live performers . . . the one night I was there last week, an old-school drummer from an infamous Thai band got up and stage and jammed with the little quartet.  It was so fly! And did I mention the saxophonist was just so amazing . .. more to come on this tip.  He is photographing the band at the new Jazz Gallery just of Khao San, the owners are real jazz and music enthusiasts and has patroned P'Oh to work on this series as well as publish a book . . . pics to come.  I really admire P'Oh as a photographer, he is honest with his own serene and unique point of view - it is sharp yet not intimidating but by no means soft, his works understand the relationship btw light and darkness, he is great with shadows.  I shall post some pics up later. . . . my faves are from a series called Civilsation and not to mention the Fountainhead lookbook/campaign he did for nsha.

Backdrop for Civilsation

Trustfun is my sis Lynn's thing in Singapore, they throw parties and events, it's a new thing but they are doing very good so far.  It's AWESOME, we skype all the time about which artists to bring and well, all those ideas have come down planning a music festival, international of course, but that is for the future, for now, Lynn will be throwing some sick parties . .. .  I am very proud of her I must say . . . fun fun fun! 

The other big "event" was umm, Tant's bday, now that was FUN . . . and the odd nights spent at Falla Bella.  

N'Tant a couple nights before her party . . .

I have recently made a new group of friends, it is recent, after nsha, so since about April, they are an entourage and I feel like the new girlie member - these kids are great - positive, AMAZING taste and NOT too cool for school nor are they haters like a lot of kids who have cool up their bums and are annoying.  It's been really fun.   Nat Sarasas is kinda like the Vincent Chase of the lot is fantastic, he has VISION, real vision and the means to execute this vision.  I am really impressed with his new project on Koh Kood and also what he wears everyday!  He has a Turtle in the entourage who is Jeed, he is the sneakerhead - hi blog http://jeedjaad.wordpress.com/ is DOPENESS - another one with great taste and soo many kicks.  Then there are Vudi and Tay, I suppose they are like Drama and Eric? Nice kids generally. 

 

 P'Nat and N'Tui

Another new friend is Cleo Le Tan I was introduced to Cleo by Andre and she is working here in bkk but we actually met at the coat check at Montana during the shows in March, she has become like another little sister (I have now like 5 "little sisters") . . .  she's a riot and uber intelligent.

Cleo and I

I say interval here because I am never quite sure how long I will spend in Bkk at any given time . . . but this was a good one, strange and a different pace, especially from bouncing around Europe and 18 months of nsha. . . I am ready for it now and rather like it, this going with the flow and pulling together my strengths. . . it's harder but hey, whoever said it would be EASY?