Age old question. What is cool? Who is cool?What defines it? Is it worth defining?  And why the hell does it sound so incredibly cliche (and well, “un-cool) now that I’ve put it down on the page?

Cool is in the eye of the beholder. Like many things in our society, it’s not meant to mean the same thing to everyone. Perhaps cool to you is the latest gizmo or gadget. Or the latest kicks for the sneaker heads amongst us. Or the hottest new hipster band absolutely no one has heard of and as SOON as someone has heard of it, it instantly becomes uncool (you know who you are). Or maybe it’s knowing the right people to get you into the right places to be seen. Let’s call this “cool by association”(or “faux cool”)

Or if you’re like me, perhaps you think that the cool factor is merely a manifestation of attitude. Swagger if you will.  A carefree attitude in the respect that you are so secure in yourself and who you are that you just don’t care what others think of you. Fashion is huge, but it’s not about the latest purse or hottest label–it’s about your personal style. Finding out who you are stylistically and owning it. Confidence to be who you are and not care about the person sitting beside you thinks of your large stole (faux fur of course), giant pearls, red lipstick and inexplicably dark sunglasses for a dreary day in the middle of a suburban jungle as you pick up your morning latte.

Not surprising that blogs about this “kind” of cool are numerous. This is the new definition of fashion…it’s whatever the heck you want it to be! As I’ve talked about before, the democratization of fashion is here. It’s not being dictated by the fashion houses, it’s the downtown gals who are shaping the new cool.  My two favorites are the Sartorialist (an oldie, but still a goodie) and the impossible cool. Which is JUST that. The most impossible kind of cool you can imagine. So beyond anything I could possibly hope to be myself, but such a treat to look at. Catherine Denuve, Audrey Hepburn, Kurt Vonnegut…gorgeousness beyond WORDS. Enjoy both:

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

http://theimpossiblecool.tumblr.com

And finally some of my favorites du jour that make me feel like tossing my entire wardrobe, moving to Milan, purchasing a vespa, taking up smoking (sorry kids) and drinking a very dirty martini at noon. None of which will actually happen, but a girl can dream right? Ah to be the cool kids.

Absinthe has long been revered and feared for its insanely high alcohol content, popularly known as la fée verte (the “Green Fairy”) .  For those who may have not taken in this fatalistic elixir, it is bottled at an incredibly high proof and usually served a bit watered down.  Associated with French Bohemian culture, popular in 19th and 20th Century France absinthe has been the center of intrigue to a culture hungry for a fresh new “experience”. Artists such as Toulouse-Lautrec, Vincent Van Gough and Oscar Wilde have all been associated with the infamous Green Fairy.

Absinthe, now legal in the United States (as of 2007) is finding its way into bars and clubs all over the country. Some spaces do a better job than others in creating unreal French boho experiences. The Edison in Los Angeles does a phenomenal job of recreating that subtly french underground world. Complete with a “fairy” and her absinthe cart that wanders around the maze of a lounge.  A complete sensory experience, the Edison provides a fun, fabulous trip back in time.

Brands have taken notice of this cult like following. Virgin America now serves absinthe on flights, turning up the temperature and edge on an already hot brand. Who wouldn’t want to discover the green fairy on board? I think I’ll pass on the psychoactive drink experience, but it’s definitely an interesting concept!

The luxury sector was down nearly 20% in Q1-2 2009, the Trading Up phenomenon has quickly been replaced by “trading down”. But not so fast. The luxury boom of the early 2000’s raised the bar for consumers across the board. Consumers now expect more from their shopping experiences and products. While the bling factor has dulled, people still recall the “good times” of shopping in a Nordstrom or Saks and being treated like a connoisseur rather than just another person in a cue. Consumers seek more in their shopping experiences–they want to be treated like people. And they don’t want to be reminded that they are living in a recession. How can we make things just a bit more rosy?

A great example of adapting to this in the light of our new economy is Target. Can’t afford those designers? Well, they have them for you in design collaborations. Lusting after a new Dror spin wall clock? It’s yours for only $25. Need some more designer duds? Recent collaborations with Richard Chai, Alexander McQueen and countless others are another reason to love this wallet friendly retail experience.  But it doesn’t stop at the merchandise itself.  Friendly sales people abound with straightforward answers, in a clean, brightly lit stores. This is the new luxury.

Replicating Target’s success is something many have tried. Few have succeeded in the same way. It’s an uncanny formula: reasonable prices + design + customer service + shopping experience = happy customers. While the numbers are lagging for Target behind the behemoth that is Wal Mart, its success is still loud and clear.

The Adventures of Tin Tin was a fascinating and beautiful comic strip from 1930’s, created by Belgian artist Herge. Following the adventures of a young Belgian reporter, the many antics of Tin Tin have enthralled audiences for generations. The simple, gorgeous illustrations have have inspired many,  admired for its clean, expressive drawings, his own ligne claire style. This aesthetic has inspired so many in fact, that the Herge museum has finally been completed. A true work of art in and of itself. Needless to say, added to the list of personal “must-sees”. All this stemming from a seemingly benign comic strip about a clean-living man and his dog.  A lovely write up in the Economist helped to shed some light on this beautiful new museum with the world.

The brainchild of Hergé’s second wife, Fanny Rodwell, who set up the Hergé Foundation in 1987, the museum shows off a rotating collection of original artwork and source materials, laying bare the hard work that Hergé put into his comics, with each speeding car, cityscape or policeman’s uniform inspired by archived photographs and research trips in the field. Back in his Brussels studios, Hergé would spend long hours posing as each character while assistants sketched him as a reference guide for the final drawings. (Economist, June 2, 2009 )

(Images via:Atelier Christian de Portzamparc )

Relative to culture today there is so much to be said for truly embracing the art of seeing the savvy in the ordinary and mundane. In a world that is kind of ordinary and mundane (and that’s on a good day!), zakka can make you smile. And reminds you that you SHOULD smile everyday, at any moment.

Designer Shinzi Katoh epitomizes this idea of zakka. His simple cartoon like characters and beautiful line designs are nothing like the Americanized version of kitsch. I daresay, it feels a bit…modern. But not in a cold, unfeeling way. It has a warm quality that feels innocent and just has an ability to make you feel just a bit happier.

Thankfully, the era of faux-green is starting to fade away as the economy sinks lower and those who had the extra cash to, ahem, “care” are now finding themselves (gasp!) cutting coupons, we are getting back to the roots of sustainability. Sustainability is inherently linked to creative thought, whether it’s recycling/reusing things in innovative new ways or creating new ways to power the nation-sustainability is about being smarter, not flashier.

So what is the next big green? We’ve recycled, it’s time for reuse. In interesting MEANINGFUL ways. Like this amazing tape deconstruction. Symbolic and (in a small way) being sustainable. Other things like services that create teddy bears out of your old treasured sweaters. Brilliant. There are things we don’t ever want to let go of, because they mean so much more. And now is the time to express it.

Barcelona’s Vaho create furniture out of items like shopping carts and oil drums and bags out of banner advertisements and tires. Creating newly coveted “trashion” items that are even used in promotional advertising. Genius! (Source: PSFK)

At the end of the day who really cares about Anya Hindmarch’s reusable grocery bag “I’m not a plastic bag”? (sorry if you got one…) Is it surprising that these have now found their way to the bottom of the bargain bin? Not really. It’s what happens when we marginalize social movements to trends. At the end of the day only the real innovators and creators will prevail.

(Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iri5/); PSFK.com

Lalala Human Steps is a French Canadian contemporary dance group has turned classical dance on its proverbial head. Collaborating with musicians such as David Bowie, Frank Zappa and Skinny Puppy, this group is not in the least stodgy or stuck up. They amazing technical dancers, but have an amazing connection to each other and their audience. Spell binding.

It’s a bridging of worlds that is not limited to Lalala Human Steps. The once incredibly serious and stand-offish world of classical dance is filtering itself into popular culture yet again (rejoice!!). Whether it be about somewhat cheesy TV shows such as “Dancing with the Stars” (ick) or “So You Think You Can Dance”, the world of dance is captivating the nation once again. Dancers are artists. Dancers are athletes.

Droga5 has done a beautiful job with it’s latest Puma campaign inviting consumers to join them on a performance art/contemporary dance piece. A bold move by an athletic company to take the leap of faith in the arts. Dance is such a universal form of expression, it baffles me why more brands haven’t taken full use of the dynamic, beautiful, and truly communicative vessel.

You must check out this excerpt from Lalala human steps, Amelia (2002):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9BqgrhHhQE

Image: http://pageslap.wordpress.com

The underdog? The runt of the litter? Maybe all of us can relate to it or what it stands for in a bigger realm of understanding. Whether its Mr. Bean getting caught up in in his copious escapades down the streets of London in his yellow mini or me just going through my everyday life-MINI allows us to be quirky. And it’s not only socially accepted, but cool…

Let’s couple this quirkyness with the ultimate in quirky cool-the laid back surfer. And what do we get? Pure genius. Thanks to the Republic of Fritz Hansen- the mashup of MINI and Airstream…a little something I’ve heard called “Retrofuturism”. Two (truly!) iconic brands, (Airstream has been around since the 1930s and MINI’s roots to the 1960s) unite with an interior consisting of all the modern luxuries we’ve come to enjoy and revel in.

Amazing.

Source: Republic of Fritz Hansen,
Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/retrofuturism-mini-and-airstream-team-up-for-one-off/

So in this world of faster-paced everything- from food, communication and transportation- there is a growing desire among trendsetters to slow down and take life in at a less harried pace.

While life rarely affords us all the luxury to be able to slow down and relax, when people have the opportunity to do so, whether it be a vacation or the trip into work everyday, sitting back, and taking life in is a luxury nearly all can afford once in awhile. Particularly relevant in a time of recession and economic unrest, simple luxuries must be enjoyed wherever possible.

Emerging trends in travel include an increase in interest in travel by train, which is being viewed as an alternative way to get around and see the country. Taking the time to take it all in…relaxing in the truest sense of the word. Even when it comes to food, people are moving in droves to slow down.

Slow Food

Slow Food is an”eco-gastronomic” organization started by Italian Carlo Petrini as an anti-dote to our fast paced lives and its fastfood. Slow food means enjoying foods in season, sitting down and having a meal with one’s family and community, understanding nature, understanding food, and slowing down to enjoy it all.

This growing group is not only relevant to everyone’s life, it promotes a philosophy that’s easily digestable (no pun intended) with no harsh or rigid rules or missions except to live SLOW-ly which means to enjoy, to be conscious, to live as one would want to eat.
http://www.slowfood.com/

Emerging trends in travel include an increase in interest in travel by train, which is being viewed as an alternative way to get around and see the country. Taking the time to take it all in…relaxing in the truest sense of the word.

So the question remains? What has slowed down in your life? Are you taking the time to smell the roses, or even just the pot roast in the oven?

(Image: http://www.rechargelounge.com.au/category/food/ )