Saturday, June 29, 2013

EVENT | Riot Grrrl Book Signing @ Bookmarc


Earlier this week, I checked out an event at the Bookmarc store on Bleecker St. in the West Village where the ladies behind The Riot Grrrl Collection made an appearance for a book signing. I didn't stay long, but did snap a few pics.

Not quite sure what The Riot Girl Collection is? Here's the book description from Amazon:

"For the past two decades, young women (and men) have found their way to feminism through Riot Grrrl. Against the backdrop of the culture wars and before the rise of the Internet or desktop publishing, the zine and music culture of the Riot Grrrl movement empowered young women across the country to speak out against sexism and oppression, creating a powerful new force of liberation and unity within and outside of the women's movement. While feminist bands like Bikini Kill and Bratmobile fought for their place in a male-dominated punk scene, their members and fans developed an extensive DIY network of activism and support. The Riot Grrrl Collection reproduces a sampling of the original zines, posters, and printed matter for the first time since their initial distribution in the 1980s and '90s, and includes an original essay by Johanna Fateman and an introduction by Lisa Darms."

Kathleen Hanna is a New York City-based artist, Johanna Fateman is a member of the post-punk rock band Le Tigre, and Lisa Darms is a Senior Archivist at the Fales Library & Special Collections at NYU. All three were on hand at Bookmarc and the store was full of fans excited to meet them.
 



 I have yet to read it, but I'm hoping to tackle it this summer!

- Christina
Follow my adventures on Twitter: @christinaaa28

EVENT | Full Figured Fashion Week


Last week, Full Figured Fashion Week took place all throughout NYC with a variety of shows, workshops and panels. I got to attend the closing night fashion show featuring collections from the event's partners and sponsors on behalf of Racked. The show included brands such as Curvy Couture, Ashley Stewart and Lane Bryant. I had the pleasure of chatting with Lane Bryant CEO Linda Heasley on the red carpet before the show and she shared insight into the plus-size industry and what's upcoming for Lane Bryant.



Read the full article & interview here:

- Christina
Follow my adventures on Twitter: @christinaaa28

Thursday, June 27, 2013

EVENT | ModCloth Plus-Size Fashion Panel


A couple weeks ago, I got to cover an event hosted by San Francisco-based e-tailor ModCloth. Before opening the doors for their NYC pop-up shop, they invited fashion bloggers and media for a plus-sized fashion market discussion.

Some ladies of the ModCloth team did a presentation on the company and then opened up the floor for a round-table discussion to hear directly from their plus-sized market customers. It was an interesting conversation focusing on fit and an eyeopening glance into that side of the fashion industry.

Check out some of my photos:







The ModCloth team
Bloggers - Jess Baker (The Militant Baker) & Gaby Gregg (GABIFRESH)

If you haven't visited ModCloth yet, you should. Here are some of my fave pieces right now:




Keep an eye out for my article from the plus-size event on Racked!

- Christina
Follow my adventures on Twitter: @christinaaa28

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

INTERVIEW WITH: Alt-J

Photo via thisbonustrack.com
During my Governors Ball experience, I got to catch Alt-J's set, which I was super pumped about. I've been really digging their music and they just seem like all-around cool, chill guys. This has become one of my favourite songs on repeat:



Gwil, Gus, Joe and Thom came together during their university time in Leeds and have gained a worldwide fan base, traveling and performing for huge crowds. Their sound is so unique and I just can't get enough of it. 'An Awesome Wave' was the Mercury Prize winning album for 2012. Totally well-deserved!

I chatted with Gus Unger-Hamilton, keyboardist from the band and here's a quick little bit from the interview:

How was your Governors Ball experience?

We really enjoyed it.

What have you guys been up to since the release of your debut album, An Awesome Wave?

We’ve been touring for the past year and a half and we haven’t had very much time to make new material as a group because we’ve been touring as a group.

What’s it like working with each other?

It’s good. It’s only really been the four of us, no one has ever left or been replaced, so we have a really good click when we work together and make music. I think that’s the reason why we enjoy what we do so much because as much as it’s fun to play shows, creating music is the thing that really keeps us going. Whether it’s writing or recording, that’s more exciting I think.

Favourite part of being in the music industry?

The best thing about doing music for a living is that it’s an unusual job. You’re not tied to a schedule like other people and you can travel and enjoy a routine that’s uncommon. And that’s what’s really nice about it.

You guys went through a couple different band names, how did you land on Alt-J?

Alt-J was an idea at the time that we kind of all agreed on. We didn’t think about it, just sort of went for it.

Goals for 2013?

Wow, we’re already halfway through, this is crazy. I think we’d like to start a second album, that’d be a big goal for us.
Photo via Plaid Magazine

- Christina
Follow my adventures on Twitter: @christinaaa28

NYC Summer 2013 | Week 4 In Photos


Week 4 - wow it's been a month already!






Back it up --> WEEK ONE | WEEK TWO | WEEK THREE

- Christina
Follow my adventures on Twitter: @christinaaa28

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

O Music Awards

Photo by Christina Dun
On June 19th, I got to take part in the O Music Awards, a 24-hour online music festival that celebrates music, tech and fans. The awards given out were not the typical categories that you'd usually see at awards shows. This one gave out awards for the best artist Instagram (winner = Joe Jonas), best web-born artist (winner = Kitty), and best music app (winner = CrowdSYNC) just to name a few (view list of all winners HERE). It was hosted by the hilarious comedic duo the Sklar Brothers.

Besides the awards, the main portion of the 24-hour event was the live music performances. It was held at the MTV studios in Times Square and different artists had sets throughout and I got to be in the audience for one of the shows. I had the pleasure of seeing the X Ambassadors and Nikki Williams live. Other performers include the Jonas Brothers, Hanson and Kate Nash. I had such an awesome experience.


There was also a goat named Pearl, in the spirit of all those crazy viral "goats screaming like humans" videos.

 The Sklar Brothers with a DJ duo who was in-studio for a dance party

 While the performances were going on and the awards were being given out, there was also a big event happening below the studio on the street level inside of the Oakley store. Famous drummer Andrew W.K. was attempting to set a world record for drumming continuously for 24 hours to set a new record for longest drum session in a retail store. He succeeded!

AND just FYI, while I was up in the MTV studio seeing Nikki Williams perform, this was happening down below me:
I love Cuba Gooding Jr. in case you didn't know. Cuba, if you see this, I would like to meet you here in NYC. Please and thanks.


In case you don't know of Nikki Williams, you may have heard her hit song "Glowing" -

- Christina
Follow my adventures on Twitter: @christinaaa28