“I Mean…What?!?” – Abe Gurko

My friend, photographer Joseph Henry Ritter has been living in an artist residency in Iceland for the past few months taking pictures. We met when I was in Iceland for Steinunn‘s retrospective at the Reykjavik Art Museum (see video below directed by Ramon J. Goni). Naturally, Joseph is all up in that volcano these days shooting, but besides that he is an aspiring fashion photographer. His latest discovery, besides the volcanic ash, is Kolfinna, a beautiful 14 year-old girl that he met at an ice cream store, where she works part-time. This Icelandic stunner, according to Joseph,  is very down-to-Earth… Read More »

There is so much hub bub about Anna Wintour‘s planned “world’s largest fashion show” at Lincoln Center during Fashion’s Night Out in September. That bit, coupled with the fact that Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, having been booted from Bryant Park, will also be in the Lincoln Center area is giving me the willies. As a true downtown New Yorker, my heart skips a beat every time I go north of 24th Street. (It used to be 14th Street but I moved to 22nd Street and my friend lives on 24th, hence my new line in the sand.) When you think… Read More »

In today’s Women’s Wear Daily, the discussion is whether New York deserves a Men’s Fashion Week, similar to those in Milan and Paris. Listening to the argument, one has to side with the reality that New York needs one in order for these designers to compete with the international business cycle. Naturally I MEAN WHAT?!? has a different agenda, and are voting in favor of New York Manzie Week. Imagine how much fun we will have, especially with the next series of shows being Spring 11, when light frothy outfits come tra-la-la-ing down the runway on gossamer wings. (Note: Whoever… Read More »

Is it possible? I actually have fashion related news that does not include a celebrity? Yes, indeedy-doo. Today, Kate Spade has hired my freind Sylvie Bohrer to head up the women’s ready-to-wear division and it could not have happened to a groovier chick. Sylvie cut her teeth at Nanette Lapore and went on to be the head designer at Free People, a division of Urban Outfitters. Her easy, relaxed style will be a welcome addition to the Kate Spade look. Anyhoo, just wanted to give Sylvee a shout out on her first day on the job and wish her years… Read More »

Here’s another installment of IMW-TV with the incomparable Issac Mizrahi. Isaac is a true renaissance man, he sings, he designs, he makes movies, he hosts television show, he designs some more. In a town that is loves to pigeon hole you into doing one thing, Isaac has broken that mold and crafted a life of creativity and glamor, and always with a sense of humor. Herewith, my interview at his design studio in New York City. Are you on Twitter? Click here to follow I Mean…What?!?… Read More »

Oh Madonna, Madonna, Madonna. Madge, Madge, Madge. You are making me all fatootzed (confused in Yiddish). I am soooo not feeling the Material Girl–brought to you by Macy’s–thing at all. I know, through Kabbalah, you are like officially Jewish now. But that does not mean you have to automatically go into the schmatta business. And does Lourdes need to have a career at thirteen years of age? What’s wrong with a Bat-Mitzvah at Leonard’s of Great Neck and some dance classes? I know, you are a great mother. But I am not so sure that you are a real Jewish… Read More »

Wait…did I read that correctly? Tom Ford is what? Do you mean to tell me that an actual fashion designer is developing a collection for women? How is that possible? These days all we hear about are celebrities slithering their way into the fashion industry. Sarah Jessica Parker, Madonna, the Olsen Twins, Kim Kardashian, to name a few but the list is endless. Women’s Wear Daily reports this morning that Tom Ford, is in fact in talks with Givenchy designer, Pablo Coppola and a few other notables such as an accessory designer from Alexander McQueen to assemble a ferocious design… Read More »

Hi kids…mark your calendars. This Saturday, March 27 is the Shop W Style event in the Meatpacking District. Over 40 locations in New York City’s fastest-growing shopping and dining destination are participating in this day-long event. We are celebrating W Magazine’s first-ever shopping issue on stands now. Come on down, grab a map of all the special events, discounts and activities, not to mention the cocktails and nibbly bits. Shop W Style is free and open to the public. So…get your stilettos on and march downtown. “It’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood.” E-me at info@abenyc.com if you would like… Read More »

NEWS UPDATE FROM TWITTER: The World’s Most Reliable Source. Anyone who reads I Mean..What?!? knows that I have been a supporter of Lindsay Lohan since we first met two years ago. But now that I just read in the New York Daily News that she is panning to develop a line of handbags for Ed Hardy, well…that is where I draw a line in the sand. I have been drawing a lot of those lately (scroll down to read about yesterday’s line). But this is a moment of sadness, rather than anger. Most of my readers sent me angry emails… Read More »

Hi kiddies…mark your calendars. If you like shopping and dining and kaffeeklatsching, we can meet and do all of the above at the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District on Saturday, March 27. Details to follow…click the image to download the map of events.… Read More »