BLACKNESS.

While it might not look like it from this blog...I am a pretty unsocial person. In fact, sometimes I think I border on S.A.D. (that would be, Social Anxiety Disorder). So this week was a wierd one for me becuase it was just one event after another. A lot of it also involved dressing up in black tie attire. Which at first I thought was annoying but then in retrospect, its actually kind of fun. Its like living an alternative lifestyle.

DANIEL:
There are only five "4-STAR" restaurants in NYC. (None in all of Cali). I've never been to any of them mainly because 1) Jacket/Tie required 2) None of them are downtown and 3) I'd need to take out a small business loan in order to foot the bill. But all that was about to change on Monday when I was blessed that my new friend Joy from LA treated me and Riko to dinner at Daniel. To be honest, I thought "just how good could this really be? I mean, c'mon, it's still just food." Let me just warn anyone that decides they might want to try Daniel. Every meal thereafter, for the rest of your life, will taste like crap. It sort of ruined my life. Thanks Daniel...


Riko, Joy, et Moi gettin french with it.


The man who ruined my culinary life...Daniel. Super nice and super humble man. I sent him a box of Staple clothes the next day and he immediately called to thank me. A classy gentleman but I wouldn't expect anything less.

+++

HENNESSY ARTISTRY:
My friend Raoul who runs Exposure invited me to the Hennessy event at Capitale. Lots of models, lots of celebs, lots of Henny. That's usually a pretty safe recipe for a dope party. But just as insurance, they have The Strokes, Carl Cox, Goldfrappe, and Kanye perform live. And on time. Perfect night for me. Met some cool people, had a good time, listened to some good music and was home in bed by 1am.


Jean, Eddie Stats, Suzanne and Riko


Kanye (oh yeah Pharrell came too), Goldfrappe all under the amazing Capitale roof.


Then dinner with Joy and Jules at Momofuku House. This photo was taken at David's new restaurant Saam. Can't compare to Daniel of course, but very satisfying nevertheless. And literally without exaggeration, TEN times cheaper.

+++

COOPER-HEWITT:
Second time this week I had to dress to the nines. This time I went with a tuxedo (and AJ 4s in all black). The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards celebrates design in various disciplines and this year Nike wins the Corporate Achievement Award. I was fortunate enough to be invited by Richard Clarke (Global Creative Director) whom I worked with on the Nike Considered project. I could get used to these black tie affairs.


Gavin and I getting ready...looks like we're trying out for Reservoir Dogs 2.


The red carpet treatment. You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you Gavin and I snuck in thru a hole in the back of the tent. Yeah, don't believe that...



You know you're at a good party when all the name cards are hand lettered calligraphy. And they put their logos on the cookies!


Lots of design bigdogs on hand: Robert Downey Jr. (fine, he didn't design jackshit), Milton Glaser/Paolo Soleri, Issac Mizrahi, Diane Von Furstenberg.


But the real star of the show: Richard Clarke. Seen here singing the National Anthem to the audience. (ahem)


AF1 king, DJ Clark Kent was on hand. The first time we have met...we talked about co-starring in the film Just For Kicks...nice to finally build with this cool dude. Spiz'ike Lee himself was there as well. I showed him how to check out photos of his new kicks using the Blackberry.


Yours truly and the great visionary Syd Mead. (The vision behind Blade Runner, Aliens, Tron, and more). Best line of the night: "I've seen the future, but they me made sign an NDA so i can't say much about it."