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From Curated -

On view through September 26, 2010, at Princeton Art Museum, “Starburst, the first-ever museum survey of the “New Color Photography” in the 1970s, stars 18 artists who fast-forwarded their medium out of its black-and-white past and put it at the center of contemporary art. The exhibition features generous bodies of work by eighteen artists, from the still-prominent, such as Stephen Shore, William Eggleston, Jan Groover, and Joel Sternfeld, to key figures of the period, including Eve Sonneman, Neal Slavin, John Pfahl, and Barbara Kasten.”

The photographs are stunning, and the exhibition also includes a web component that is well worth visiting.

Head to Curated for more images and information.

This article originally appeared on Selectism.com.

“Starburst: Color Photography In America 1970–1980″ at Princeton Art Museum

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© 2010 Selectism for Titel Media. Author: Nick Schonberger | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us |

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It sounds rather odd to talk about recently discovering a company when it has been in business since 1797. But that was the case when these beautiful scarves caught my eye across a crowded room, as it were. They lead me to a chance encounter with a very pleasant man by the name of George [...]

Bringing heritage brands back from the dead is nothing new (especially in these times) but there’s some folks who know how to do it right. Coming from the same stable as Rocky Mountain Featherbed, Mighty Mac is a traditional boating clothing company, who’ve been resuscitated by a Japanese company (who know a thing or two about amazing repro products). We spotted this over at Capsule, so look for it to start appearing in stores early next year.

The boat parka (complete with detachable bag) is a favourite of ours, but the whole collection’s worthy of a look – which you’ll be able to do after the leap.

(...)Read the rest of First Look | Mighty Mac Spring/Summer 2011 (2 words)

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Vintage sneakers.

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Tim Chilcote.

After years in poker, both as a writer and mildly successful player, I finally ponied up the $1,500 buy-in for event #16 at the 2010 World Series of Poker, a six-handed no-limit Hold ‘em tournament. It was my first real shot at poker glory – I lasted all of an hour and a half when I turned a set of eights and my opponent rivered a straight. After busting, I walked around the Rio for an hour feeling like I’d taken a baseball bat to the chest. It wasn’t the money – though that was a bummer too – it was was the end of the dream that I would someday hit the big time as a poker pro. Despite the loss, I still enjoy the game. In fact, I prefer to do just that; enjoy the game. I put together a reminder sheet for myself –

13 back-to-basics beginner’s tips to help put the fun back in poker:

1. Don’t expect to lose, but plan to. Poker is an imperfect game, and no matter how well you play there’s no guarantee you’ll come out ahead. Sure, over time skill will prevail, but to put the odds in your favor would require such a large sample size of hands that you’d have to be an insomniac. If you go to a poker game with $200, plan to lose it all, consider it the cost of an evening on the town. If you win, great; if you lose, no big deal.

2. Smile at the table, tell a joke, chat with other players, enjoy yourself. Don’t waste your days off of work turning poker into another job. There’s no reason to stare down other players or to gripe about someone else’s bad play. Of course, if you’re playing with close friends, heckle at will, but don’t belittle lesser players just because you can.

3. Listen to bad beat stories, but never tell one; nobody is listening anyway. Poker players are selfish in nature, they have to be. No matter how brutal your story is, other players are just waiting to one up you. Change the subject or be an observer.

Bonus tip: Don’t draw your gun during a game. Unless of course a man cheats. Then you can shoot him.

4. Know the rules and know when it’s your turn to act. There’s nothing worse than a player who slows down the game by not knowing when the action is on them. If you don’t want the other players to hate you, pay attention. It will keep the game moving and other players will appreciate the courtesy. That said, be flexible. Sometimes amateur players make amateur mistakes, especially in home games. For help getting started there are a lot of how-to poker books on the market; one that I would recommend is Phil Hellmuth’s Play Poker Like the Pros.

5. Win graciously, buy a round after the game. A broke loser always appreciates a free beer.

6. Lose graciously, buy a round anyway. If you can’t afford to buy a round after the game, you had too much money on the table to begin with.

7. Learn games other than Hold ‘em. You don’t need to be a HORSE expert, but learn how to play Omaha and Stud, and learn one fun variation for dealer’s choice for home games. I personally like Pineapple, a sort of hybrid of Omaha and Hold ‘em where players are dealt three hole cards, only two of which play with the cards on the board, so your hand will change over the course of the action.

8. Chat up the dealer and be sure to tip. 99% of the time the dealer is the most interesting person at the table. Dealers catch a lot of grief – rarely get credit – and they’ll appreciate a friendly conversation. Heck, you might learn something. If they don’t appreciate the conversation, they’ll appreciate the money and pretend to enjoy the conversation; it’s their job.

9. Invite the ladies. Boys nights are for, well, boys. Women are just as good at poker, and a night of cards, cigars, and bourbon will make for a unique date. Added bonus: If you go bust, at least you’ll have attractive woman to talk to on the rail.

10. Don’t wear sunglasses or attempt other wardrobe gimmicks. Trust me, the table sees right through you.

11. Take it like a man. If you lose, or if you catch a bad beat, recognize that poker is full of life lessons. Shrug it off, learn something. A bad night at the poker table is nothing more than a handful of lemons…

Bonus tip: Never invite squirrels to your game. They’ll eat all your peanuts. But dogs live up to their billing.

12. Get comfortable handling chips. Like the old basketball coach’s method of making players dribble a ball wherever they go, bring chips to work, to dinner, anywhere. It’s one less thing you’ll have to think about at the table. Try learning at least one trick too. There are plenty of good how-to videos on YouTube for chip shuffling, flipping, and twirling.

13. Drop the hammer, always drop the hammer. There’s no better feeling in poker than taking down a pot with 7-2, the worst starting hand in no-limit Hold ‘em. If you lose, which is likely, at least you’ve announced to the world that you came to party.

See you on the tables.

_____________________________________________________________________

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Photographed in Woods Hole, MA (wedding guest)

Noteworthy: weimaraners (in pairs).

At the beginning of the twentieth century, no man of quality would have been seen without a walking stick any more than he would have been without a hat. The practice continued among well-dressed men until it virtually disappeared in the 1970s. Today, as you know, hats are rare and the walking stick virtually extinct on the street.

Classic cane styles include crooked Malacca for city day wear, ivory trimmed ebony for evening and knobbed blackthorn for the country. Those are the three that I have currently, and I hope to find examples of bamboo and one or two others eventually. Great versions of anything are difficult to find but canes are readily available at antique dealers and on eBay, and should be collected in advance of need. When one can no longer walk unaided it is rather late to begin shopping.

Of course, it is a brave man that carries a stick when healhy, though they can serve to give the disapproving a good thrashing. For self-defense was the secondary function of the cane after swords were banned in most jurisdictions (wielders should review the Beginners Guide to Using the Cane and related publications). But all it takes is a convincing limp to warrant carrying one.
A stick is just dandy. If you've twisted your ankle.

Style Salvage has news of A. Sauvage’s collection. A. Sauvage were the folks behind the ‘this is not a suit’ photographic series and they’ve just launched their debut collection, entitled ‘000-1 -000-11′. For those who had no idea what to expect, it’s traditional tailoring given a youthful boost – although not in that annoyingly skinny indie manner. Wide lapel lovers can rejoice, as this collection has them in spades. They’ve also made novel use of the wider tie; all whilst making sure the suit is tailored to today’s slimmer standards. All in all, these outfits are tailor-made (no pun intended, seriously) for those who love their Italian style.

Take a look at more of the collection after the leap.

(...)Read the rest of A. Sauvage ‘000-1 -000-11′ (2 words)

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Höstsäsongen innebär stickade plagg i alla dess former. För att undvika mysfabror-looken, välja en smalare silhuett och mixa gärna klädseln med något sportigare plagg. Bröstnäsduk Brunello Cucinelli (Yoox.com) Kashmirmössa Psycho Bunny Kavaj Cantarelli Tröja Brunello Cucinelli (The Corner) Alden Longwing Shell Cordovan (Trés Bien Shop) Kashmirhalsduk Malo (Yoox.com) Handskar Orciani (yoox.com) Jacka Moncler Byxor Jacob Cohen

Every month in the mag our resident sexpert Tanya Gold imparts her libidinous wisdom to all who care to listen.

Q My girlfriend is going to work abroad for a year. We have decided to stay together and make it work, although I’m worried that such a long distance between us will harm our love life. I’d like her to make me a porno to keep me occupied and faithful. Do you think this is out of order?

Hmm. Where to begin with your insane fantasy of making it “work”? First, the riveting logistics. (Have you ever made a porn film?) How is she going to do it? Will she hire a professional camera crew of media losers with ravaged goatees or will she film it herself on her Nokia? And, if so, where will she put the camera? Will she stick it on a bouncing cock with Blu-Tack? Hang it from a bush? Will you be in it, or will it star some waiters from your local Wimpy and a random dog? Will it be scripted – “Gavin, can you mend my aerial, eh?” – or will it be grunted? Questions, questions…

I don’t want to give out yucky sex advice, as if I am typing this with my hand down my M&S pants. Yes, you can have a porno made in this divine little studio in London’s Soho! They have a leatherette dungeon with edible strawberry flavoured restraints! (And they won’t keep a secretly filmed copy for themselves!) Ouch, your sophistication is hurting me. Blah. I know how to have sex – you open your mouth, suspend your disbelief and hope – and I assume that you do too. I have no moral objection to you wanking over a pixilated image of your naked soon-to-be-ex lover but – there are pitfalls.

Pitfall a) The movie is stolen by Cornish separatists, or Shining Dawn. (The terrorist group, not the B&B.) This only seems to happen to Big Brother contestants and girls called Rachael but, sexual mores being what they are, your girlfriend will be called an ugly slut by heaving mentalists in the lop-sided barnyard of the Internet and she will commit suicide. Porn will become auto-snuff. Congratulations.

Pitfall b) The one film will not be enough for you – you want more, more, more home-made porn! So you will turn your girlfriend into a full-time wanking machine, always popping into the bog at IBM/ICI/DEFRA/ASDA to toss one off for your evening’s pleasure. It will be like an evil version of John Craven’s Newsround.

Pitfall c) You will become careless of her, and treat her like an oozing animal. You will send text messages that say, “at wk. Bord. Pls snd pctr of yr brsts covrd in cm.” Repulsive. My considered advice? No!

Q After a heavy drinking session, I feel so horny I could shag a fag burn in a fur coat. Can you tell me what the scientific reason is for the hangover horn?

You have punched every prejudice in my I-hate-men box. Could it be that the sperm just want to escape the toxic swamp that is your body? That they are swimming away, like baby dolphins from a poisoned oil slick? (Did you know that dolphins think about the future?) Because there is no scientific evidence for your needy bleatings, whatsoever. I have checked. You are a fantasist and a fool. Fuck off.

Send your problems to Tanya Gold by emailing editors@esquire.co.uk. Title your message “Tough Love”.

Illustration by Mr Bingo

Get it?

Coco Sumner is not your typical celebrity offspring. She’s low-key, a little shy, and doesn’t hugely dig the exposure that comes with having famous parents (in case you didn’t recognise the surname, her dad is Sting and her mum is Trudie Styler). Stick her on stage with a mic and guitar though, and things are a little different, as she told us when we chatted to her a few weeks ago. In other news, she turns 20 today, so many Esky returns, Coco!

ESQUIRE: Given your background, did you have an apprehensions about going in the music business?

COCO SUMNER: It’s always been something that I really wanted to do, so I just fell into it really. It’s quite scary, but it’s alright. It takes a lot of courage to go out there and do it, but I’m only really in it for playing the live shows. I like playing shows because it’s kind of like acting — you become a different character.

ESQ: How’s your inter-song chat?

CS: I’m getting a bit better at it. Before I just mumbled complete crap. Now I have my list of things to say: “Thank you for coming!” “Wonderful crowd!”

ESQ: Where do you get your song ideas?

CS: Everywhere. Anything that makes me feel something. I start writing things down on scraps of paper and put them in my pocket, like a sentence that I really like. If I wake up one morning and write down the first thing I think of, I might make that into a lyric. But usually it starts with a melody.

ESQ: Are there scraps of paper all over your house?

CS: Yeah! Receipts and stuff. I find them everywhere.

ESQ: What about from books? We hear you’re a big reader.

CS: I’m quite a slow reader but I enjoy it. Aldous Huxley’s a big influence. And Milton. When my friends were doing their A-levels they were doing Paradise Lost and I kept hearing them talk about it. I was like, “How can you think that’s boring? It’s amazing!”

ESQ: What are you reading now?

CS: I’ve just finished Portnoy’s Complaint. It was amazing. Next I’m going to read The Human Stain, another Philip Roth. He’s brilliant. I’ve only just got into American literature.

ESQ: Who were your musical influences when you were growing up — apart from the obvious, of course?

CS: Ian Dury. I used to dress up as him as a little kid. I’d hit people with drum sticks. My nanny really like Ian Dury And The Blockheads so I was always listening to that. I listen to loads of film scores now — Clint Mansell [who writes scores for Darren Aronofsky], he’s a genius. The Das Boot soundtrack, that’s a brilliant one.

ESQ: So you like a bit of musical foraging?

CS: I think so. I was watching The Shining with my friends the other night and I was like, “Just listen to the music — it’s so good!” They were like, “Shut up!”

ESQ: Your forthcoming album, The Constant, is a pop record but with a decidedly dark edge — was that important to you?

CS: Definitely. I think dark pop is a good way of putting it. The songs are quite melancholic and there are a lot of dark influences. It’s not a shiny pop record.

ESQ: And you recorded it in Sweden?

ESQ: Yeah in Stockholm. I wrote and recorded everything out there and then brought it back here for additional production. I’d always had an urge to go to Sweden and then I heard the Teddybears’ record and Robyn’s record… It became my second home. I go as much as I can. I love it there.

ESQ: You had a small role in the fantasy adventure film Starlight — are you going to keep up the acting?

CS: That was just a random thing to earn a bit of money. I like it though. I went to a method acting class the other day. That was quite funny. People get quite into it. In the beginning you had to be an animal. I was late so everyone was into it already. They said to me, “Choose your animal.” I was like, “OK, I’m going to be an oyster and just sit here.”

ESQ: What a cop out!

CS: Exactly! I don’t think they noticed me. I’ll stick to the music I think.

I Blame Coco will play at The Queen Of Hoxton tomorrow night. Their debut album, The Constant, is out in the autumn. For more details visit www.myspace.com/iblamecoco

In part two of our round-up of Britain’s best bike shops, we look at the rest of the UK (and Scotland in particular!). All bike shops have been nominated by Twitter followers of @esquireuk.

Bike Treks, Ambleside: Nestled in amongst the green idyll of the Lake District, Bike Treks prides itself on its customer service, beautifully-presented showroom, and educational focus. Its status as a Shimano Service Centre Plus makes it one of only 25 in the country – and it even offers their own rental service. While their off-road range is impressive, owner Andy Stephenson has noted an increase in road bike brands like Roubaix and Scott. Selling well: As well as the road-bikes, Santa Cruz mountain bikes and British manufacturer Orange seem to be popular among Cumbrian enthusiasts. (Rydal Road, Ambleside, LA22 9AN. 015394 31245; www.biketreks.net)

Webster’s Cycles, Leicester: Bucking the recession, Webster’s Cycles is moving to a larger, purpose-built showroom in September where they will be able to continue supplying Leicester with some of the best road-bikes around. Offering an array of services and accessories, they focus most of their efforts on selling machines by Specialized, a well-respected road-bike manufacturer. Selling well: The Specialized Globe Vienna 1 seems to be a popular choice in Leicester. (134 London Road, Leicester, LE2 1EB. 0116 254 8065; www.mailordercycles.com)

Escape Route, Perthshire: When you’re surrounded by the Scottish Highlands, you don’t have much choice but to take to the terrain on a heavy duty mountain bike. That said, Escape Route is well equipped to cope with the meteoric rise in fixed-gear biking too. As well as selling bikes, they have two fully-trained mechanics, a fund of expert local knowledge and hire-service. And as outdoor specialists they can also provide everything you might need to hibernate in a heather-filled gorge for the winter. Selling well: Talon from Giant and the more subtle Defy. (3 Atholl Road, Pitlochy, Perthshire, PH16 5BX. 01796 473 859; www.escape-route.biz)

Kinetics, Glasgow: This one-man operation makes Lance Armstrong look lethargic. Specialising in unusual models, cyclist-extraordinaire Ben Cooper’s love-affair with bikes began when he blew his entire student loan on a recumbent bike. He’s never looked back and now focuses on folding, recumbent, and electric cycles. Ever the enthusiast, he notes many of the bikes can be faster than the the road-bikes which are currently in vogue. Selling well: Ben says the three-wheeling HP Velotechnic Scorpion is currently the one to buy. (54 Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1AE. 0141 942 2552; www.kinetics.org)

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative, Edinburgh: Though the hills of Edinburgh might dissuade one single speed and fixed-gear bikes, there is still a great demand for high quality road bikes. The Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative have six stores across Britain and pride themselves on their helpful attitude and mission to encourage cycling through their stores. In Edinburgh, as well as the popular road bikes, they are seeing the passion for Scottish mountain biking remains strong. Selling well: The Specialized Globe hybrid is suited to tackle the mixed commute terrain, whereas the Cannondale Bad Boy is fast, light, and stylish. (8 Alvanley Terrace, Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh, EH9 1DU. 0131 228 3565; www.edinburghbicycle.com)

Chain Reaction Cycles, Doagh: Our Northern Irish offering comes from a little rural town in Ballyclare and while the setting may be quaint its selection of mountain and cross-country bikes is anything but. Though predominantly a web-based operation, their showroom hosts some of the finest off-road bikes available  – lovingly described as “bike porn” by owner Andrew Gillis. Chain Reaction also offer expert servicing and custom building on top of their range of mountain and road bikes. Selling well: Top-of-the-range action bikes from German company Cube are flying off the racks – ideal for the mountains. (Kilbride Road, Doagh, Ballyclare. 028 9334 5515;www.chainreactioncycles.com) Hugh Morris

To see the Twitter nominations for best bike shops in London, click here

We love bikes at Esquire – check out our feature on fixed gear bicycles in the upcoming September issue (if you haven’t got one already you’ll definitely want one after reading it). When we put out the call on Twitter for Britain’s best bike shops, we were inundated with nominations. So here, in the first of two parts, is our list of the best of what London has to offer…

Condor Cycles, London: Regarded as the Granddaddy of biking shops by many, Condor Cycles has been pedaling – pun intended – their brand of tailor-made cycles since 1948. Still a family business, Condor build each of their own bikes from scratch and to the customer’s exact specifications – though they still sell other brands, and a wide range of clothing and accessories. Based in central London, they cater for those city types willing to brave the rush-hour traffic to cycle to work. Commendable. Selling well: Owner Greg Needham is glad to say Condor’s own models Pista and Fratello are leading the way in city cycling. (49-53 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8PP. 020 7269 6820; www.condorcycles.com)

The London Bicycle Workshop, London: A bike shop with a difference – half retail space, half open workshop. In a unique voyeuristic approach, London Bicycle Workshop allow members of the public watch their mechanics at work, as well selling a complete range of commuter-orientated accessories and building custom bikes. Selling well: Though only selling custom-made rides the trend in road-bikes continues as Cinelli frames and DT Swiss rims prove popular with the savvy city rider. (170 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1R 5DD. 020 7998 8738; www.londonbicycleworkshop.com)

Cyclefit, London: Never has such precision been used in picking one’s bike. By appointment only, Cyclefit assess your body and mind for three hours in a series of very technical exercises, then they custom-build to specifications you didn’t even know you had. The owners are both certified by the Serotta International Cycling Institute and will evaluate your every inch to get the final few percent of performance out of your machine. Selling well: With every client being unique it is hard to say what is selling well, but custom footbeds, which help you use the bike to its full potential, are all the rage. (11-13 Macklin Street, London, WC2. 020 7430 0083; www.cyclefit.co.uk)

Brixton Cycles, London: A bike shop straight out of the USSR – not in a trust no one, suspect everyone kind of way, but as in everyone is equal. There are no managers, and the shop is run for the benefit of the cycling community. They’re also Europe’s biggest dealer in Surley steel-frame bikes. Priding themselves in their unique ethos and approach to customers, Brixton Cycles’ co-operative store has been pleasing couriers and commuters with their range of road-bikes since 1982. Selling well: Brixton Cycles have noticed a comeback for touring-bikes as well as Surley models Cross Check and Steam Roller. (145 Stockwell Road, Brixton, SW9 9TN. 020 7733 6055; www.brixtoncycles.co.uk)

Tokyo Cycles, London: Trendsetters Tokyo Cycles are at the forefront of what’s really exciting in the London scene. Dealing with everything road – fixed-gear, single speed, racing and touring – these guys custom build each model for an individual cycling experience. They are also the only shop in London where you can get hold of American brand Leader bikes. With their ear close to the ground, they see more heavy duty free-style road bikes being sold – the BMXs of road-biking, if you will. Selling well: Fast aluminium track bikes seem to be popular as London’s thirst for adrenalin remains unslaked. (4 Peter Street, London, W1F 0AD. 020 7734 1885; www.tokyofixedgear.com)

Bobbins, London: The most beautiful bike shop in Britain – at least this is how Bobbins sell themselves, and we’d be inclined to agree. Focusing on the more aesthetically-pleasing characteristics of cycling, these guys supply fine steel-framed, up-right vintage bikes. With brands like English-made Pashley and Royal Dutch Gazelle you will either look extremely dashing or be able to convince your better half to accompany you on the early morning commute. That’s love, no? Selling well: The Pashleys  and Swedish brand Skeppshult are in vogue, not forgetting the shop’s utopian own brand, Bobbins. (397 St John Street, London, EC1V 4LD. 020 7837 3370; www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk) Hugh Morris

To see the Twitter nominations for best bike shops in the rest of the UK, click here

CR turns us onto the work of George Logan, who’s latest project is entitled Translocation. The project, which took five years to make, sees African Wildlife relocated to ‘less predictable settings’. Speaking to Creative Review, he said that this project was inspired by the film Born Free, as well as the times he told new friends he was from Africa back in school:

“As I boy I’d tell tall tales to classmates and claim that I’d been raised on an African farm, surrounded by all sorts of exotic wildlife. It had me imagining how these creatures would appear in the rural Scottish landscapes I was familiar with. This project has allowed me to explore those early fantasies.”

Take a look at more of this project after the leap.

(...)Read the rest of George Logan – ‘Translocation’ (2 words)

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If you find yourself in need of a little extra curricular culture this weekend but don’t fancy braving the unwashed masses, the latest innovation from Hookedblog may just be for you.

Winding its way through the streets of East London on three separate saturdays over the next month, the two hour-long street art tour picks up at Liverpool Street station before making stops in graffiti hot spots in and around Brick Lane, Old Street and deepest darkest Shoreditch.

Expect to see work from a range of up-and-coming street artists including Stik, D*Face and Roa – alongside the work of some more established characters. His name begins with B.

Tours will take place between 11am and 1pm on Saturday July 31, August 14 and August 28. See www.hookedblog.co.uk for more details.

Name John Parker

Age 28

Location Newcastle

Occupation Company Director

How he describes his style “To fit my lifestyle – everything needs to be cycle friendly”

(Photograph by Wayne Tippetts – www.streetstyleaesthetic.com