Project Cobalt Unveils the First Results of "Cobalt Style"

Project Cobalt To Release Spring / Summer 2015 Collection Created by The Craft Class, Launching Worldwide on April 15.

Project Cobalt announces their debut clothing collection to be release through Cobalt Style, the fashion division of their newly launched network of young creatives. Simply titled Project Cobalt's SS15 Collection, this highly inspired interpretation of timeless classics brings new life to old favorites with ingenious design concepts that appeal equally to the modern man and the modern woman.

Cobalt Style is led by All Beuys Club to partner with designers across multiple categories of fashion, creating two distinct avenues through which the platform pushes innovative fashion design. The Design Lab initiative aligns with emerging yet accomplished fashion brands to develop unique collaborative collections, the first recently launched as The Black Ivy capsule collection by Street Etiquette. Parallel to this is the Accelerator Program that fosters the best of young, visionary fashion under the guidance of veteran mentors. Known as the Craft Class, this select group of inspired designers works together to create seasonal collections, the first of which debuts as Project Cobalt's SS15 Collection.

Inspired by a cool spring day in Brooklyn, Project Cobalt’s inaugural collection was conceived and created by an eclectic group of New York designers who are part of the Craft Class team: Olu Alege and Edgar Garrido of Street Level Culture; Alexandra Kennedy, Samantha Giordano of Dolores Haze; and Drew Villani of Dreu. Though hailing from a range of background but finding unity in a common ethos: beautifully simple clothing inspired by traditional silhouettes employing modern details and trims. The intent was to present Project Cobalt's SS15 Collection as androgynous and versatile; the perfect unisex collection drawn from a deep consideration of fashion, form and function.

Subtle and refined yet bold and confident, Project Cobalt’s first season is original – remarkably on trend while following no trends. Standout outerwear classics like the topcoat and bomber jacket have been reinvented and brought to life by lighter spring fabrics and a washed-out tonal color palette. Wardrobe staples such as the dress short encourage a new respect and inspired style for basics, constructed from a light-weight worsted wool blend that allows the slight detailing of measured cuff and extended rear-pocket tab closure to create sophistication in simplicity.

Uniquely networked to create a foundation from which to build Craft Class excellence, Project Cobalt is dedicated to accelerating the potential of young creators to impact the world through the creative disciplines of fashion, art, music, film, technology, and craft. As mentors within the Cobalt Style program, Jeff Staple, Liza Deyrmenjian and Parke & Ronen contribute invaluable experience and uncommon insight that not only guides the Craft Class to success but creates within them real possibility for fashion greatness.

Launching April 15, 2015, Project Cobalt's SS15 Collection is the first example of how the Cobalt Style program of counseled creativity can inspire and realize the potential of emerging young fashion designers and create a collection truly worth collecting.

For more information please visit style.projectcobalt.com. 

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About Project Cobalt

Project Cobalt is a new way of bringing creative people together through the power of collaboration. Its mission is to enable the next generation of creators by providing them with the tools, resources and platforms that they may not otherwise have in order to help bring their vision to life. To help identify these young creators, Project Cobalt is working with a variety of industry experts across entertainment, fashion, technology and more.

Hasbeens & Willbees, Forever

HASBEENS & WILLBEES is an AUCTION platform that marches to the beat of a different drum.

Located at the intersection of the creative and the commercial, HBWB blurs the lines of art, design, architecture and fashion to arrive at a vision that is decidedly NOW.

HASBEENS & WILLBEES was founded by John Mollett and Kai Kühne.

Kai was a fashion designer who could have been found swinging from a chandelier at a party after glitter bombing important fashion editors at one of his shows. During that time, he created pieces of clothing that are now hanging in important museums and in the collections of some of the world's coolest women. 

Around this time, John's stomping grounds was on the Upper East Side at the the Geneva based, Jan Krugier Gallery. The Gallery specialized in Modern Masters and represented the largest estate of Picasso outside of the Muse Picasso in Paris. 

When a fashion line made way for a new era of production, and a dealer who was the last of a breed went on to a better place...the idea for an auction house was born.

HBWB knows no limit of venue and will produce projects in different locations.

HasbeensAndWillbees.com

VIP Launch of Chloe 81

Jazz, Oysters & Champagne VIP Launch ft. Nancy Whang (DJ), DJ Justine D, DJ Queen Majesty.

Three awesome DJs putting down awesomeness at the launch for this sweet looking party. While we're pretty sure you'll be really busy with Fashion Week, maybe you can stop by this one and get down! Make sure you're on the list to attend. RSVP here to do so: rsvp@vocalnyc.com.

legal Mezcal x SoFar Sounds

legal Mezcal, the finest in Guatemalan handcrafted liquor, has been producing artisanal spirits for nearly a decade. With its origins in music and mischief, Ilegal has always been embraced by musicians and former tequila drinkers the world over.

In the summer of 2014, VOCAL introduced Ilegal Mezcal to the New York City music scene with two things it knows best — eclectic performances and plenty of Mezcal.  This buzz-worthy introduction included a music-fueled LGBQT pride brunch, and an intimate musical showcase in collaboration with SoFar Sounds. To further their passion, Ilegal Mezcal now occasionally transforms their stateside HQ into the exclusive, members-only #ILEGALSocialClub. 

ILegalMezcal.com

SIMON Malls Rebrands to Relaunch Nationwide

Access And Aspiration Becomes Relevant And Possible For All.

 

SIMON, the brand behind the brands you love, has revamped the underlying concept of their national shopping center portfolio to become a physical community that brings to reality the virtual connectedness of the online world. A newly invigorated visual identity communicates their commitment to uniting the world of retail experiences; from a stylized “S” comes a representation of infinity, continuation and an ongoing connection between their vast assortment of shopping mall centers to create a community throughout this dispersed nation.

As the global leader in retail real estate ownership, management and development, Simon Property Group owns and operates over 325 locations, each becoming an indispensible destination and lifestyle reference for the local community. SIMON properties are the intersection where the disparate aspects of the modern lifestyle meet, bringing together the fashion, the outdoors and the technological. With the world's leading and most revered brands under SIMON's roof, SIMON becomes the voice of authority in relevant cultural conversation.

“It’s with great pleasure that we reveal the next generation of shopping malls through this rebranding and repositioning of SIMON”, says Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David Simon. “Today’s social landscape is saturated with information and opportunity, and it’s an honor to be able to contribute real and relevant value within that landscape.”

With an inspiringly visionary approach to adapting the shopping center experience to a fast-changing world distracted by online possibility, SIMON introduces a world of opportunity that keeps pace with the virtual. The shared nation-wide community that SIMON brings together comes to life through a rich program of experiential and social engagement, both within each mall and beyond to become the life of this new community.

For more information visit www.simon.com.  For all media inquiries contact VOCAL.  

The Hudson Project

VOCAL is excited to announce the launch of The Hudson Project, a three-day music and arts festival that is set to debut on July 11, 12 and 13 at Winston Farm in Saugerties, New York. A long awaited event for every New Yorker, The Hudson Project will bring music, art and an outdoor experience to the backyard of New York City.

THE HUDSON PROJECT will feature the ultimate fusion of over 85 genre-defying musical acts performing on four stages set against the backdrop of the magical Catskill Mountains. Beyond the music, the inaugural event will feature a fifth interactive performance area at the center of the site highlighting local musical acts and performance artists/troupes; an art village showcasing interactive art exhibitions, regional arts and crafts; a selection of Hudson Valley-area gourmet food, wine, craft beer and specialty cocktail options; a wide range of camping choices from top level luxury accommodations, to pre-set tents with bedding, to DIY choices for the more adventurous attendees; a variety of transportation options: easy-to-use shuttle services from New York City and other nearby major metropolitan areas and local shuttles from nearby train stations.

Additional details--including the line-up and information on tickets--about THE HUDSON PROJECT will be revealed in the coming weeks.  THE HUDSON PROJECT is being produced by MCP Presents, a national production, promotion and event management company and SFX Entertainment, a leading producer of live events, media and entertainment content.

WHEN: July 11, 12 and 13

WHERE: Winston Farm in Saugerties, New York

For all media inquiries contact VOCAL.  

#SaveTheDate: Pantone Colorwear X Scoop NYC Popup Shop

Pantone, the world’s most revered and influential brand in color, is very proud to unveil their sportswear collection, Pantone Colorwear, at the New York City popup store in partnership with Scoop NYC, opening February 7th. As confidently stylish sportswear designed from an informed understanding of color, each piece within the collection embodies its respective color personality and corresponding color emotions. To compliment the new Pantone Colorwear collection itself, the prestigious architectural agency Humbert & Poyet of France designed an engaging store experience that transports the visitor deep into the world of color.

To celebrate this unison of fashion and color, Pantone is hosting an exclusive store launch event on Tuesday February 11th, complete with a classic ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Scoop NYC CEO at 7pm. Extending to a block takeover in partnership with The Standard Hotel, festivities will continue at the ice-skating rink awash in Pantone’s Color Of The Year. As part of the lead-up campaign, a team of Pantone ambassadors is bringing a splash of color to the streets of New York City, each with a balloon bouquet representing the palette of this season’s Pantone Colorwear range.

Hasbeens & Willbees Brings the Finer Things to Upstate New York

A Unique Restaurant and Antique Dealer Based in the Andes

Hasbeens & Willbees, the much talked about Catskills pop-up restaurant on the serious come-up, is set for another creative burst with the launch of a series of auction events, showcasing the owners’ most treasured findings from overlooked corners of the world. 

Kai Kuhne, former independent fashion designer and leading member of the design group AsFour, and John Mollett, former fine arts representative at the Jan Krugier Gallery, recently partnered to open the Hasbeens & Willbees restaurant in Andes, NY. “Wanting to keep connected to our careers and the worlds we love, we’ve incorporated our experiences and knowledge into a fresh new concept,” said Kuhne, “representing the new luxury and a fair market for the finer things in life.”

The new Hasbeens and Willbees concept embraces a lifestyle of luxury that cherishes the art, design, furniture and fashion of the past, while showcasing the genius and beautiful products of today.

As a preview for their auction house to open in New York City in the Spring of 2014, the Hasbeens & Willbees soft launch will take place at their Catskills restaurant. This new avenue is about giving some of the old freaks a place to shine, and provide a venue of exposure for a younger generation. It references old furniture and art, as well as showcasing wonderful new products. The Hasbeens & Willbees private label soap and olive oil will also be available in the store.

Kuhne and Mollet have been around the world selecting and amassing items for the auction house that is opening in the Spring of next year. “The shopping has been a blast! But now it’s time to get selling and develop a track record so that we can get some great consignments as well,” says Mollet. “We’ve decided to first do a little preview maquette of the auction concept up at our restaurant in the Catskills to get the ball rolling. For the auction we plan to have a few days of preview dinners where guests are surrounded by the auction items, while using the culinary objects on the table during their meal.”

While the auction items will be the focus of the events, the cuisine at Hasbeens & Willbees is something quite special in itself; simple yet refined. Each dish is inspired by inherited recipes from Mollet’s grandmother from New England, thus bringing something fresh and unique to the region. Their crab cake, for example, rivals that to be found anywhere in the state, filled with Jumbo Lump crab freshly picked from the Maryland fish markets and overnighted to the kitchen. Hasbeens & Willbees is an inspiring example of how farm-to-table doesn't have to be rustic.

The main auction event is sure to be active and filled with lively characters. The events will highlight guest chefs, projection screens, topless game show-style girls, a tuxedo-clad auctioneer, live performances, and an early Westwood style fashion show. It’s set to be a Friday night not to be missed.