Ron Galella

Ron Galella's new show, "That's Great!", opens Thursday May 1st (reception 6:00pm to 8:00 pm) at the Staley Wise Gallery . The show focuses on Andy Warhol and the beautiful people who were the celebrity, fashion, art, and social world of New York in the 1970’s and 80’s. Staley Wise is at 560 Broadway (Prince Street x Spring Street), open Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Ron Galella is a legendary fashion photographer. What makes his work transcend the photos published in tabloids is that he captured the clothes and the lifestyles of the people wearing them. He caught the subtle details of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - the wind tousled hair done by Mr. Kenneth, the silk knit top from Henri Bendel private label, and suede trousers from Paraphernalia. He also caught the way that Jackie carried her Hermes Trim bag under her arm, with her hand in the pocket of her loose Burberry trench. She was probably on her way to have her hair done at Mr. Kenneth's and didn't want her hair to be seen, so she covered with a silk scarf, knotted at the nape of her kneck.

Ron's photos of celebrities like Jackie O inspired Tom Ford's designs - his version of the Hermes Trim bag was named the Jackie bag. The Jackie bag (in turquoise) completely sold out when it luanched in the spring of 1999.

Kasia Struss - The Sartorialist for French Vogue

Scott Schuman , The Sartorialist, photographed Kasia Struss for French Vogue's April 2008 issue on February 1st, 2008, in front of photographic agency Jed Root.

Music

Music is a huge part of the Women experience. I need music to inspire me. There is always music in the air. This morning I was listening to:
Ike & Tina Turner: Live, Raw & Funky.

Tina Turner is an inspiration. When she performs, she gives all that she has to give. She is fearless - Tina is not afraid to work up a sweat. She gives all she has to give to her audience. She challenges the audience to get up and dance.

Besides being a great singer & dancer, Tina is a fantastic model. She has worked with all of the best photographers, from Richard Avedon to Steven Meisel. Tina was 45 when Steven Meisel photographed her for the cover of Rolling Stone - she had oversome abuse, poverty & rejection - her joy & massive postivie energy shine in that photo.

All models can learn something from Tina. Like Tina, great models are fearless in front of the camera, and hold back nothing. It is always better to give too much, than to hold back.

Carmen Kass & Jonas Mekas honored by U.S Baltic Foundation

Carmen Kass was honored by the U.S.-Baltic Foundation at the USBF Gala Awards in Washington D.C last week. Carmen was awarded a Baltic Image Enhancement Award. Filmaker Jonas Mekas, founder of the Film-Makers Cooperative was awarded with a Baltic Cultural Achievement Award. Mekas once wrote:“Warhol seems to have incorporated all the transitoriness of things into his very aesthetics, and that’s why it seems to me that his cinema is really about the transitoriness of the medium and the transitory state of all things. About the transitoriness of all existence and all art.”

TGIF

It is 78°F (26°C) and sunny in NY. Today Mariya Markina & I made some friends in the park, Sheila Marquez & Bullet got comfy on the floor, Irina soaked up the sun on the roof, & the ladies heard no evil.