wha-happened?

Don’t worry, the soy so lindo team is still alive and well.

 We’ve been a bit quiet for the past month or so because of a sudden unexpected trip back home (New York). Will we be back in good ol’ BsAs? Sure hope so, although as of now there is no ETA. In the meantime, expect the occasional post about Buenos Aires, New York, or whatever else tickles our fancy.

Today we’ve got some just-shot photos of soy so lindo’s favorite musicians Princesa and No Lo Soporto, shot by soy so lindo’s favorite photographer Flor in soy so lindo’s favorite secret store, Tremendo (don’t worry, in time we’ll be giving Tremendo its own post. Patience!). They’ll be featured in story I wrote in a not-so-secret magazine in late November.

 Enjoy, and besos–REBECCA

galeria crawl: galeria larreta

 

Florida (the street, not the state) is a nightmare. Traffic trickles along, pickpockets take advantage of dazed tourists, and prices are almost always double what they should be.

 

But there’s a safe place among the mayhem in Galería Larreta (Florida 971). Right off of Marcelo T. Alvear, Galería Larreta is like the rebel sister who shaves her head and listens to the Delta 5. She refused to conform and look like the other stores on the strip; instead she’s going to open up a bunch of indie design-oriented stores, the rest of calle Florida be damned.

Joyería Contemporánea (Local 4b), with its mix of avant-garde designs (everything from silver and stones to leather and felt are used), is one of the first stores you’ll see, and perhaps the stateliest. Artistas Jóvenes Argentinas (Local 26), by the San Martín entrance, exhibits works that range from traditional to modern. The common denominator here is that all pieces have been made by young local artists.

 

Head upstairs and you’ll find the true gems of Galería Larreta, Patio Sur (Local 39) and Tiendas Kubera. At the former, there are beautifully feminine pieces, like a delicate ivory trench coat with black detailing for $240 pesos, or precious Irregular Choice-style flats for $180 pesos. Across from Patio Sur is Tiendas Kubera, a space for independent designers. Everything, from the screen printed t-shirts to the leather purses, is made by hand by young local designers. Don’t miss the flower pins; not only are they perfect for spring, but similar ones have been spotted on the runway of it-designer Philip Lim.

If you’re hungry, Galería Larreta is a far superior pick to the overpriced cafes in the area. Carrousel (Local 7) is a cute, albeit kitschy, café with sandwiches for $6 pesos and a lunch special of several courses for $25. If you’ve about had it with meat (and honestly, who hasn’t craved a plate of nice fresh greens while in Argentina?), Ensaladas Argentinas (Local 45) will hit the spot. $6 pesos gets you a medium salad with a choice of four ingredients, and $7 pesos gets you a large salad with a choice of six. For a mid-afternoon snack, don’t miss Murasaki’s happy hour. From 16:30 until 19:30 (Monday through Friday), sushi is 20% off.

There are a couple odd-balls in the place, like the store for musical theater geeks and an antique military paraphernalia store. But if anything, they just give Galería Larreta more personality. Which is what makes it so great: it’s a breath of fresh air from store after store of the same old thing (i.e. leather jackets and “cashmere” sweaters). Step inside, take a few deep breaths, and remind yourself that it’s going to be okay, that Florida will not make you die a little bit inside.

Galería Larreta, Florida 971/San Martín 954.

Previous Galeria Crawl entries.

tremendo tramando

Like Toto pulling back the curtain on the Wizard of Oz, describing Martín Churba as a person is akin to unmasking a great master. That is to say that the man behind high end Argentine fashion label Tramando appears to be anything but a wizard in person. Instead of Lagerfeld’s haughtiness or Versace’s flamboyance, Churba is completely unassuming, dressing like a teenage boy-cargo pants and all-and giggling nervously like a tween girl.

Yet Churba’s designs are anything but juvenile. His collections combine elegant structure with youthful flair, and are as likely to be inspired by La Paz as Paris. “Filosofia textil” is Churba’s declared approach to design, which is to say that for him, clothing is about more than just fashion. Thus he’s also a wizard of art, photography, and architecture.

Since starting up Tramando in 2002, Churba has become a fashion superstar of sorts. Not only have his designs (and grinning face) been featured in Argentina’s top fashion magazines and runways, but around the world as well; in addition to the flagship locale in Recoleta, there are stores in both New York and Tokyo.

In between organizing the exhibit “Infinitas formas de mirarte,” (open to the public at Tramando through August 2) and preparing his spring/summer 2008 collection, Churba talked to soy so lindo about how he’s developed as a designer, the current state of design in Buenos Aires, and where to go for the best cortado in town.–REBECCA

 

How have your design style and ideas changed over the years? How have they developed? What has affected these changes?

It has evolved like a work that is exploring different things and growing year after year. I always make distinct collections, and this makes the work develop and grow. I am changing according to the views that I have about my context, and about beauty in general.

It seems like collaborating with other artists-be they photographers, musicians, or designers-is something very important to you. Why? Do you have plans for future collaborations?

Yes, for me it’s a way to secure the abundance that I like things to have. Collaborations allow me to work with people, with artists, and that’s what I like the best. The next collaboration is with an Argentine artist who lives in Paris, called Pablo Reinoso.

How would you describe the state of design in Buenos Aires today?

It is at full boiling, and in the world I believe that design has already passed its boiling point and is now looking for something new.

What effect does Argentina have on you, and how does it affect you?

It is my site, my context. It affects me all of the time, in the narration of my collections and in my search for textile in general.

Can you talk a bit about the new collection?

The new collection will be ready on the 14^th, in a presentation that will be in the Correo Central. It is called Tropico.

Martín Churba’s Buenos Aires

Favorite neighborhood:

Colegiales

Favorite street:

Defensa

Favorite Pizzería:

Celetto, Uriburu 1274

Favorite café:

La Prometida, Delgado 1189

Favorite store:

Tramando, Rodríguez Peña 1973

Europeans and South Americans ‘Just Have Sexy in Their Blood’

 

It’s been a little over a week since President Kirchner announced that he would not be running for re-election, allowing his wife, Senator Cristina Kirchner, to run instead, and already the media has been all over Argentina’s political drama.

Inevitably, there is much that can be said about the Kirchner-Clinton connection; both couples met in law school, both men became presidents, both women became senators, and now, both women are aiming for the White (or in Argentina’s case, Pink) House.

Yet for some writers, the most important thing is that…Cristina Kirchner is sexy and Hillary Clinton is not!

Yes, that’s right, apparently ABC News thought it necessary to devote three pages to analyzing the differences in dress and appearance between the two women:

When Argentina’s foxy first lady and fashionista Cristina Kirchner announced July 2 that she would run for president, she allowed her long, black hair to cascade over a plunging neckline.

But America’s first lady of politics, Hillary Rodham Clinton — who has often been compared to Kirchner — opted for a solid black pants suit during her recent presidential debate.

Other international women with brains and power, such as France’s Ségolène Royal, flaunt their sexuality. But Americans prefer to play the dowdy card.

And that’s just the first three paragraphs. The atrocious dek of the piece declares, ”Europeans and South Americans ‘Just Have Sexy in Their Blood,” making a sweeping generalization about entire continents based on the evidence of just three people. Apparently ignoring the existence of “dowdy” (or–gasp–women who fall into neither category) leaders like Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Mary McAleese of Ireland, Tarja Halonen of Finland, and Angela Merkel of Germany will make your already-shoddy argument work.

It goes without saying that you would never find an article dissecting the dressing habits of Bush, Sarkozy, or any other male politician (except perhaps John Edwards, but that’s just veiled homophobia at work). Nestor Kirchner is in no way easy on the eyes, plus he’s got a major lisp, and yet not a peep about his physical appearance. 

Like with most things, women are damned if they do and damned if they don’t; that same old virgin-whore complex means that she’s either totally dowdy (and, in Clinton’s case, a lesbian) or a complete vamp. Getting dressed to go to a fundraising event is no longer just a simple routine, but instead an indicator of how a woman is as a political leader. And that’s worrisome.

Because even if they are elected, they will never escape the judgements that are passed on them and not on their male predecessors. We can say that we’ve made history and elected a woman president, but it won’t mean anything if we still hold her to a double standard.

And it’s not just some small time blogger saying this (and believe me, several have), but ABC News. Perhaps the question that needs to be asked is not, “Are we ready for a female president?” but rather, “Is the media ready for a female president?” We’ll know it is when the answer is, “We’re ready for a president.”–REBECCA

r.i.p. JANE

 

Yesterday I received the sad news that Jane magazine was shut down. Conde Nast claimed that, “the magazine and website will not fulfill our long-term business expectations,” and various people have reported that no one, save editor in chief Brandon Holley, knew about it until Monday morning. Editors were given until the evening to pack up and, basically, get out.

While  Jane wasn’t perfect (and what magazine is?), it was a Trojan Horse of feminist beliefs in a sea of women-hating women’s magazines. Sure, Jane would put Ashlee Simpson and Avril Lavigne on the cover, but the content inside the magazine was anything but ditzy. With Jane gone, there is no other mainstream women’s magazine that will teach women how to change a flat tire, tell them where to go for a BBQ-centric road trip, or show them a fashion spread shot at Bonnaroo.

A year ago I wrote an analytical piece about Jane for a class and, despite its overall academic dorkiness, think that the message of this paper gets at why the shuttering of Jane is so disappointing:

“JANE is able to reach out to readers who may never have encountered feminism in the media if it weren’t for stumbling upon the magazine; in a recent letter printed in the magazine, Krista writes, “It makes me sick now, but I started reading JANE ‘cause the grocery store was out of Cosmo. Thank God the stock boy was sick. This clever, insightful publication takes the good from other mags and mixes it up in a dorky way. I find comfort in the sarcasm of every journalist on payroll.” Magazines like Bust and Bitch aren’t able to make it onto most grocery store stands, therefore it’s important to at least have a magazine like JANE sitting side-by-side with the latest issue of Glamour. Although it might not be able to present its central value of women’s empowerment 100-percent of the time, JANE makes use of what it can in order to have the biggest and broadest impact.”

On a more personal note, I interned at Jane for a year, which in media internship years is about 5. It was one of the best experiences I have had at a magazine, mostly because of the people who worked there. They taught my how to copy edit, how to write a proper pitch (and would then actually read my pitches), and how to develop my passion for writing about all things pop culture-related. So the first thing I thought about when I heard that Jane was folding was all of the great writers/editors/etc. who worked there. I wish them the best and hope that everything works out.

In the meantime, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Missbehave stays afloat (since it has potential), and I’ll have to figure out how I can cancel the gift subscription to Jane that I bought for my sister at the end of–and I’m not joking– last week.  So long, Jane. –REBECCA

palermo bajo flores?

Blame it on the election of Evo Morales or a new found interest in their northern neighbors, but Argentina has been awash in Bolivian fabric patterns. Or it will, mark my words.

It started last year, when Martin Churba’s spring/summer line got its inspiration from Bajo Flores, the Bolivian-Korean neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Lots of bright Andean multicolored fabric, stacked hats, gathered skirts– all gorgeous [full disclosure: I was involved with the collection].

 

And so a trend is born. From there, the colorful Bolivian fabrics percolated down from the high-end designer level to the mid-range stores: the fall/winter collections of hipster outfitters A.Y. Not Dead, Vestite y Andate, Adorhada Guillermina, and Green all showcased the vibrant patterns in an array of styles.

But this trend is much better suited for warm weather, which means that you can expect to see a lot more of it when the upcoming spring/summer collections hit stores in September. If you can’t wait until the lower-end stores start carrying pieces in this style, now is a good time to scoop up a few sale-priced winter pieces from the Palermo spots listed above. Standouts include the hoodie and knit leggings from Vestite y Andate and the silk skirt from A.Y. Not Dead.–REBECCA

i’m missing you like candy

 

We’d call these candy-colored mini-booties (or are they giant-oxfords?) from Las Pepas the shoe of the season, but that doesn’t really cover it. Rather, they are the perfect transition shoes. You know, the shoes that will get you through the coldest stretch of winter when paired with your high-waisted jeans and then on into spring when worn with a baby doll dress. You could get a pair in navy, black, or even cream, but why when you could be walking around with what looks like a glob of gum on your feet?–REBECCA

Las Pepas, $299: Av. Sante Fe 1630, Paseo Alcorta Shopping, Alto Palermo Shopping. www.laspepas.com.ar

galeria crawl: galeria taurus

 

“I get the sense that something very bad is being planned here,” was the way Wesley once described Galeria Taurus. And he’s right: with it’s dusty signs and loitering visitors, it is one of the scarier, sketchier galerias. But it is also one of the best.

Home to some of the cheapest (and most varied supply) of eye glasses, this galeria is a treasure trove to us non-20/20s. The galeria has two floors, with its main entrance on Corrientes between Libertad and Talcahuano. While many of the locals sell only to wholesale buyers, those buying alone won’t end up empty-handed. Here are a few of our favorites:

For verging-on-tacky-chic plastic frames, you can’t beat Jose Monasterios at local 20/21. A pair of frames and lenses will cost you around $70 pesos, and can be ready in as little as an hour if you alredy know your prescription. The staff are always friendly and helpful, to the point where on a recent visit they replaced a screw that had gone missing from a pair of glasses, free of charge.

If you’re looking for some of the more upscale brands check out Optica Outlet Express at Local 43. There you’ll find Argentine-based Infinit and Maja, among others.

For sunglasses or one-of-a-kind frames, we always go to Mariano H. Alvarado, at Local 14. There you can pick any of the vintage frames in the window of Local 12 and they will turn them into a pair of glasses or sunglasses. Last year, a pair of 1970s vintage Italian oversized frames by designer Enrico Piaggi were turned into prescription sunglasses for under $200 pesos; a pair of 1980s red and black aviators were turned into prescription sunglasses for under $150 pesos.

 

If all this shopping gets you hungry, head up to Giannis Resto Bar Naturalista on the second floor. There you can indulge in healthy empanadas (stuffings include tofu and soja texturada) for $1.50 pesos each, or gluten-free goodies. There are also a few record stores dotting Galeria Taurus where you can pick up records by bands like Los Tammys (at Rockabilly, Local 28/29). And no, your prescription isn’t failing you: that is, in fact, a horror/erotica store on the second floor. Try not to stare too long at the werewolf attack mural on the wall, or you risk being scarred for life. Or at the very least needing to buy a stronger pair of glasses.– REBECCA

Galeria Taurus, Corrientes 1246.

Previous galeria crawl entries.

cada dia es un otro Dia

It’s hard to keep track of all the random holidays going on in this country, and most of them are bogus anyway– judging by the number of kids screaming for candy at every corner kiosco it seems like every day is Dia Del Nino (techincally in August) here in Buenos Aires.

But Dia del Padre is something that soy so lindo can get behind. Falling on Sunday, June 17 (this Sunday, folks, so make those dinner reservations if you haven’t already), it coincides with the good ol’ US of A’s Father’s Day, making it feel more international in scope.

If your dad is too far to take out for dinner or too close to warrant anything over-the-top, these shirts just might do the trick. We passed a store in Palermo stocked with the adult version of these t-shirts, as well as mugs proclaiming “Yo amo Mi Papi.”

TOMS: 2 Good 2 Be Forgotten

That New York was recently advertised as a destination for European travelers because of its trendy shops and cheap exchange rate got on my nerves. Is NY’s only (and best) selling point its stores/weak dollar? What happened to MoMA, Central Park, Times Square (nevermind local favorites)?

So I empathize with many Argentines who get frustrated with the fact that shopping is high on tourists’ to-do lists. Heck, I’ve done my fair share of shopping.

TOMS Shoes may not be a trip to Teatro Colon or a visit to feria de Mataderos, but this stylish shoe company manages to both satiate your need for cute kicks while actually giving back to the country. TOMS basic premise is that for every pair of comfy canvas flats (a traditional shoe style, just as likely to be worn by 17 year old girls as 78 year old men in Argentina) sold, the company will donate a pair to a South American child in need. And fear not, this isn’t some pink-ribbon scarf that’s kinda ugly; the shoes could best be described as a more indie version of canvas slip-ons, with some sweet patterns and even a limited edition pair designed by artist Tyler Ramsey. They’re not Argentine-pesos prices, but the $30-something pricetag technically pays for two pairs of shoes– not bad at all.

For the creatively inclined, July 28 is TOMS’ “Style Your Sole House Party.” Organize a house party and you’ll get discounts on shoes. And a clearer conscience.