Gift Guide for the Coffee Obsessed

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Gift Guide for the Coffee Obsessed

For Your Friend Who Is a Connoisseur of Coffee

 
We all have that friend who is always drowning head-to-toe in caffeine overload. Whether your friend loves coffee to fight exhaustion or is just a lover of the finer things in life, there is a great, coffee-immersed gift out there.

Just because they love coffee, doesn’t mean they need another Starbucks gift card. This is a gift guide to finding the perfect presents for all your coffee-loving friends!

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With love,

FWO

Workaholic Gift Guide

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Workaholic Gift Guide

For Your Friend who Cancels Plans to Work Late

 
We all have that certain friend who checks their email every other minute, spends way too much time in their office, and cancels plans to work late.

If you can successfully break your friend out of their office for a holiday party, or after-work drinks, keep on reading for ideas on exactly what to get them.

We’ve put together 10 wonderful gift ideas for this holiday season to help you, and your workaholic friend, strike a perfect balance between work and play.

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With love,

FWO

Clean Market, the New York Wellness Destination

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Clean Market, the New York Wellness Destination

New York City is an exhausting, stressful place to live. There aren’t a lot of places you can decompress or get away from the noise to take care of yourself. Not until the opening of Clean Market, that is.

Lily Kunin of @CleanFoodDirtyCity wanted to create a place that you could go and really reset yourself with everything wellness in one place. The first Clean Market location has a storefront shopping area that carries supplements, Lord Jone’s cbd gummies, Herbivore Botanicals products; basically everything you could need for a dreamy self-care Sunday. They also have a coffee bar with cbd drinks, superfood smoothies and matcha.

I came in for a cryotherapy facial, an IV and boosters on a nasty, rainy day. Once I got inside the minimal, white space I was ushered to the back area where I sat down and got an amazing cryofacial while sipping a glow-recipe smoothie.

The idea behind the facial is minus 200 to 300 degree air is blown all over your face to remove that top layer of dead skin cells to wake up the fresh, new cells below. This tells your skin cells that are constantly working to keep your face temperature warm to cool it down (literally) which helps kick up collagen production.

My facial was so enjoyable, I felt so relaxed and since the air was constantly moving around my face, neck and chest it wasn’t uncomfortable or intense. My skin had a noticeable glow for the week after, I’d seriously suggest trying this facial!

My skin had a noticeable glow for the week after

Clean Market

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The second half of my Clean Market experience was in their medical spa area, where I was set up on a Nutridrip. I chose the glow option because I love a good glow without highlighter.

Now, coming from the person who literally has never gotten a flu shot because I hate needles, believe me when I say that the IV was so much more enjoyable than I expected you should believe me. So after I had the Nutridrip I had a few booster shots (in my butt).

the IV was so much more enjoyable than I expected

My word of advice, if you aren’t used to getting shots or giving blood, slow your roll and pace yourself on the boosters. After two boosters I fainted, but woke up with cold towels all over me and nurses holding watermelon juice. Keep in mind that I literally pass out at the dentist’s office, and I never wake up with a freshly pressed watermelon juice.

Don’t walk, run to make an appointment at the Clean Market and get yourself glowing from the inside out. Make sure to pick up some wellness products on your way out, and if you feel so inclined to see what brought me back after passing out, try the amazing watermelon juice!

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Learn More

cleanmarket.com

With love,

FWO

MDRN Introduces “Intelligent Living”

MDRN Introduces “Intelligent Living”

MDRN DSGN, located in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, is pleased to present the newest and most innovative technology standard in luxury living and furniture design: INTELLIGENT LIVING.

An exciting and revolutionary transformable modular system of interiors, INTELLIGENT LIVING is a system of furniture for the future, mixing Technology & Furniture Design, that transforms the way we utilize traditional spaces.

 
Intelligent Living by MDRN

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With INTELLIGENT LIVING, a single-use space in any home can be transformed into a multi-purpose all encompassing experience in a matter of seconds.

Modern, luxurious, and always classic, INTELLIGENT LIVING is the finest in Italian furniture design and craftsmanship, merging the latest technology with with art & design, to create upscale furniture that will bring spark and elegance into any room in your home.

Have a guest bedroom? Why not turn it into a multi-faceted live-in, work space with furniture that modulates, inverts, and converts, transforming any room into a dual workspace.

Turn a fully functional living room into the coziest of bedrooms simply with the click of a button, or with a gentle pull.

INTELLIGENT LIVING is the new future of furniture design, and will revolutionize the way we consider furnishing our homes, particularly for anyone living in a large city.

Founded by the legendary interiors and futurist designer Warren Kay, MDRN comprises some of the finest statement pieces in furniture design, and is a haven for refined, articulate, signature pieces that will enhance any room in your home, adding elegance snd style.

Beautifully designed, architecturally distinctive, and aesthetically pleasing to the eye, each of these specifically chosen and curated pieces — which also include contemporary art and futuristic bicycles amongst others — showcase the best in design.

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To experience Intelligent Living, please visit www.inteligentliving.com, or come by the showroom at 936 Broadway, located in the Flat Iron District.

With love,

FWO

Refinery29 Co-Founder Shakes Up the Design World from The Inside

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Christene Barberich Creates the New “It” Decor

Refinery29 co-founder Christene Barberich is bringing her eclectic chic to home decor lovers everywhere with her latest collaboration with online design disruptor, The Inside. Barberich’s collection draws upon vintage-inspired prints and geometric patterns that beautifully complement the classically modern furniture silhouettes.

After disrupting the media industry in 2005 with the launch of addictive lifestyle site Refinery29, Barberich has returned to her love of design for her The Inside collaboration, available this month. The author of the New York Times bestseller “Style Stalking” and featured design writer for Elle Decor, New York Magazine, Dwell, and Travel and Leisure magazines, Barberich drew upon her personal admiration of pioneering female artists like printmaker Anni Albers, ceramicist Edith Heath, and painter Georgia O’Keefe to create her textile collection.

“As a lifelong lover of history, textiles, and ephemera, I wanted this collection to respectfully honor the iconic work of some of my favorite women artists and makers,” Barberich explained. “I really hope this collection celebrates that: their fiercely unique view of the world, and how creations like theirs inform who we are and how we want to live.”

Christene Barberich, photo by Tory Rust

The collection features textured pillows, bedframes, chairs, screens, and benches– the perfect accents to freshen up any room.

Shop the Christene Barberich x The Inside collection now at theinside.com.

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Learn More

With love,

FWO

Girl’s Night In – Detox Edition

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Girl’s Night In- Detox Edition

My least favorite part about fashion month is how much I forgot to take to care of myself. I hate to be one of those people who complain about being so busy, especially when I am so lucky to be able to experience international fashion weeks… But when you are going non-stop in full glam everyday for 12 hours minimum for an entire month it can really take a toll on a person. The furthest I get to take self-care during the month of September and February is face masks on a plane (which is always Summer Friday’s Jet Lag Mask). So once the craze of fashion week settles I like to have a complete detox, and finally catch up with friends who know I will be unreachable all month.

To celebrate the end of Paris Fashion Week we have put together a little guide on how we recover over at FWO, with a special Girl’s Night In, Detox edition. Get ready to pack in all of the self-care you’ve been missing out on into one fun night with all of your friends.

How exciting is the current CBD movement? If you haven’t heard by now, CBD is all of the rage right now. It has so many health benefits ranging from calming anxiety, helping with depression, soothing pain and sore muscles. Dirty Lemon has managed to put CBD into a lemon, citrus flavored drink. So what better way to elevate your girl’s night in cocktail than with Dirty Lemon’s +CBD drink? Here is what to mix together for an insanely soothing, refreshing cocktail that helps everyone relax. You can make these individually or in a pitcher for easy entertaining, because trust me when I tell you that your friends are going to be asking for a refill every ten minutes, these are that good.

+chill
-2 parts Dirty Lemon +cbd
-1 part sparkling lemon water
-1 part Svedka Cucumber Lime Vodka
-Splash of fresh lemon juice
-Garnish with a lemon slice over ice

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You’re going to need to set the mood with the ultimate self-care essentials; head to Sunday Forever for your one stop shop. Sunday Forever carries delicious candles, silk robes that you literally can melt in, crystals, sage burning kits and basically anything you need to detox your life. For your detox night set the room with a few crystals, burn one of their killer candles and for a really great way to press refresh burn some sage. Sunday Forever is literally your one stop shop for all things detox, in a chic and elevated way.

What is a girl’s night in without a huge spread of instagramable food? My mother is the ultimate entertainer and chef who taught me to always have an anti-pasta or charcuterie board, something filling for the people who didn’t eat dinner, and a dish that people can munch on all night long and something sweet that is always chocolatey. I prepared a charcuterie board with the help of Bedford Cheese Shop full of buttery Brie, creamy Morbeir, nutty Parmesan and a few other complimentary cheeses. I like to add a variety of meats, olives, grapes, tiny cucumbers, figs and some green herb like rosemary or watercress to fill in the empty space. For a super easy dish toast some really nice bread and throw together some avocado toast with truffle oil, because who doesn’t like an avocado toast?

Sakara is a clean eating company with daily meal deliveries, 10-day detox kits, and loads of food items that promote a clean diet during a detox. I absolutely loved their 10-day detox kit and had to put out some of their detox and energy bars for guests to eat in-between drinks or to take home. For a healthy, chocolatey alternative to a heavy and complicated dessert put their Dark Chocolate Granola in a chic serving bowl and no one will ever suspect you didn’t make this yourself.

You now know all of the components to have a successful girl’s night in, detox edition that will make your friends ask you to host these monthly (seriously!) And what better way to end fashion month than sitting around sipping CBD cocktails in a freshly saged apartment snacking on amazing bites that you can throw together in a snap with the help of Sakara all while gushing over the Chanel collection and crying over the new “Celine” with your girlfriends.

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With love,

FWO

The Perfect Accessories for a Vacation or Staycation

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Look Great, Whether You Stay or Vacay

As I have started to see this new nautical trend blow up on social media I keep kicking myself for getting rid of all the vacation souvenir shop jewelry from my childhood.

Who would have thought that the puka shell anklet would be one of the hottest street style trends of this season? If you think about it, I personally never want to say goodbye to a beach vacation. As our culture is evolving, people want to spend more time and money relaxing on the beach rather than working non-stop and spending as much money on clothing as they once did. Especially as people move towards this idea of owning less clothing through using Rent the Runway, Real Real or having a “uniform” they have more money to spend on vacation and statement accessories. Mix the nostalgia I have picking up a shell choker on a childhood beach vacation and my love of statement jewelry I am all over this trend that I call “the new nautical.”

 
The perfect accessories for a vacation or staycation

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In case you have lived under a rock this year, the woven bag trend is blowing up. Texture is a key trend this season, and a woven raffia bag and hat like these from Indego Africa elevate your old huge woven beach tote and straw hat. Look for a structured, wide brim sun hat that will pair well with a midi sundress or white tee shirt and cropped denim.

Every influencer was sporting puka shell jewelry during Copenhagen and Stockholm fashion week this month. Choked by a Thread by Lorraine Alexandra Zalta is one of my favorite brands tackling this trend. Not only is Lorraine an absolute doll, but she makes very cool jewelry. We really loved the set of sand-dollar and gold sea shell earrings worn as a match set, or mixing one shell with one sand dollar.

Izaskun Zabala Jewelry makes the best minimalist, sculptural jewelry. All of the pieces are made in Izaskun’s NY studio. I love the way that she interpreted the monster leaves into gold earrings and bracelets. Imagine wearing these gold pieces with a white lacey milk maid dress to a nice dinner or with a scarf print top to work. Either way these elevated topical pieces are perfect for the woman wanting to bring together luxury with trendy looks.

For a minimal approach look no further than Chan Luu. Chan Luu makes these gorgeous fresh water cultured pearl hoops. These earrings are perfect to layer into your everyday gold jewelry or wear one as a single statement earring.

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With love,

FWO

Parisa Wang Brings Confidence, Unique Style to Luxury Handbags

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Beauty and the Best

There is beauty in confidence. Designer Parisa Wang lets that beauty shine with her signature handbags tailored for women on the go.

Parisa Wang and her eponymous brand is most known for her Addicted Bracelet Bag, a minimalist cross body handbag with a ring buckle worn around the wrist– a bag elevated to a jewelry aesthetic. The hands-free design is meant for carefree whimsy for a multitasking boss. “The functionality and versatility are definitely why customers love it so much,” Wang explained. “It’s definitely a unique piece made for every woman to appreciate.”

The idea of an empowered woman carrying one of her designs is the driving force for Wang. Originally a Business Accounting major at Miami University, Wang felt confined to cultural expectations. “I grew up in urban China where arts were seen as a waste of time,” Wang admitted. Wang secretly took painting classes while in college, and upon graduation, decided to follow her true passion for fashion design at Parsons School for Design. “[Parsons] is where I learned to harness my allusive aspirations into tangible objects,” Wang mused.

Wang worked with ready-to-wear brands like J.Crew, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Pologeorgis Furs, but again felt confined to a particular pre-determined aesthetic. “I soon found myself disappointed and stranded,” Wang reminisced. “Brands seemed to be less interested in innovating and more interesting in hitting rigid sales goals and replicating established trends. I wanted to do things differently.”

Wang launched PARISA WANG in 2016 with the mission to “create singular, luxurious handbags with accessible price points that women instinctively reach for.” Wang was drawn to handbags as her medium due to their historical significance. Wang cited the fact that clothing lacked pockets until the 17th century, with women having to rely on men to carry their belongings. “Women’s handbags appeared asa symbol of independence and status for women,” Wang explained. “I love the story behind handbags.”

Wangs bags are very much so for the modern woman while carrying this tradition of independence and empowerment. PARISA WANG created the #PWWonderWomen campaign to create a social media community to celebrate inspirational women who follow their own paths to success. “We believe in championing women, and hope that our designs can help instill in them the strength and confidence needed to succeed each and every day,” Wang said.

The Addicted Bracelet Bag, PARISA WANG’s first style.

Wang’s designs are also uniquely personal. The iconic full-grain calf leather and suede-lined Addicted Bracelet Bag was PARISA WANG’s first product, inspired by Wang’s own love story. The bag’s placement on the wrist parallels the phrase “wear your heart on your sleeve”; the shape of the bag resembles a wine bottle, symbolizing the feeling of being drunk in love. “It’s meant to capture the honeymoon stage,” Wang explained.

For her vaster collections, Wang looks to classic artists for specific elements: Brancusi’s sculptures for gentle curves, Tadao Ando’s architectures for clean lines, and van Gogh’s “passionate” color palettes. The brand itself also encourages a dialogue between the customers and manufacturers, prompting feedback for new materials or testing sustainable approaches.

PARISA WANG’s latest creation– the Belt Bag– came to fruition due to such customer feedback. Professional model and photographer, and Addicted Bracelet Bag customer, Zanita Whittington reached out to Wang to work on a design collaboration for a day-to-night bag. “Zanita is jet setting around the world, and she told me she couldn’t find a chic accessory that allows her to be hands-free and to effortlessly transition between on and off-duty looks,” Wang summarized. The Parisa x Zanita Belt Bag was their combined solution for a compact approach to luxury. The Belt Bag recently debuted on August 15th, exclusively on parisawang.com.

The Parisa x Zanita Belt Bag, launched August 15.

All of PARISA WANG products are handmade by artisans in Hong Kong using natural biodegradable calfskin sourced from renowned international tanneries to merge a delicacy with industrial. “I hope that my classic minimal designs help instill in you an indomitable confidence laced with a feminine edge,” Wang explained.

Wang looks to expand the brand into ready-to-wear and shoes, among other projects. But just like any Business major, Wang knows not to spread herself too thin. “We hope to continue to build the brand slowly and steadily. Regardless of what we do, our mission will remain the same,” Wang said. “I wanted to build a brand that we not only create beautiful fashion, but also celebrate the things that are important to us and women we admire.”

On a personal level, Wang hopes to also expand her family. “I hope to meet a special someone to eventually build a family together,” Wang admitted. And, like her powerful Addicted Bracelet Bag, Wang is all about romance. “Love and work, work and love. That’s all there is, isn’t it?”

PARISA WANG handbags are available at parisawang.com.

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Learn More

parisawang.com

With love,

FWO

Summer Essentials with Mario Badescu

Summer Essentials with Mario Badescu

Known for their skincare that fits all skin types, Mario Badescu products are simple, effective and gentle on the skin.

From acne-prone skin, anti-aging concerns, to sensitive skin, Mario Badescu is sure to have a great product just right for you.

Witch Hazel & Rosewater Toner

New and now a best-seller, the perfect toner to replenish your skin throughout the summer months is here! As one of Mario Badescu’s newest products, the toner is made with various leaf extracts, black rose, rosewater and is alcohol-free. The use of witch hazel provides an enhanced cleanse, that removes any excess oils or dirt without drying out your skin. With a floral blend of ingredients, your skin will be left fresh and replenished.

Summer Shine Body Lotion

Lightweight and the perfect beachy, fresh scent. With this ideal summertime lotion, a little goes a long way to create a light shimmery glow. If you are looking for highlighted and radiant appearance to your skin without going full glittery this is an absolute must!

After Sun Cooling Gel

For that needed after sun soothing, this gel formulated with Aloe Vera, Rose Hips Extract, and Rosemary Oil is sure to give you an extra cooling boost.After a long day in the sun, your skin is typically left feeling dried out and in need of a cool comfort. Suitable for all skin types, this formulation is non-greasy and works it’s best if stored in your fridge as it gives it an even better effect. Apply a thin layer of the product over any irritated post-sun skin as needed and you are good to go!

A.H.A Botanical Body Soap

Leaving skin brighter, smoother and softer, this universal formula is infused with fresh fruit extracts to lightly exfoliate and cleanse your skin. The body soap’s ingredients work together to break down any pore-clogging oils as well as, any dead skin cells to purify and even brighten uneven skin tone.

Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea

This absolutely refreshing cooling spray is used to hydrate, tone and energize your skin. Adding radiance and a glow to your skin, the spray can be used as you apply your makeup, on freshly washed skin or throughout the day over the top of a bare face or a full-face. The facial mist contains peppermint leaf water, cucumber fruit water along with, aloe leaf extract all to soothe the skin.

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With love,

FWO

Atelier Paulin – Beautiful craftsmanship leads to even more beautiful jewelry

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Atelier Paulin – Beautiful craftsmanship leads to even more beautiful jewelry

Combining friendship, fashion, and craftsmanship, Anne-Sophia Baillet and Matthias Lavaux started what is known today as Atelier Paulin.

The idea came about after Anne-Sophia’s daughter, Colette, was born and was given a personalized bracelet. A famed Parisian store, which utilizes a unique jewelry making technique consisting of a single metal thread, saw the bracelet and the two partnered up. Atelier Paulin identified an opportunity to combine a dying French craftsmanship and unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry.

 
Atelier Paulin – Beautiful craftsmanship

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Fashion has become conscious and as a result, is leaning more towards personalization, as limiting excess inventory and creating a connection to a consumer lasts much longer than most accessories can. That is Atelier Paulin’s ethos.

Atelier Paulin uses trained and skilled individuals to create each piece of jewelry, which ranges from plain or twisted metal bangles, rings, necklaces, charms, fibulas, earcuffs, cuff links, and even children’s pieces. Atelier Paulin uses argentium, 9K and 14K gold-filled thread, as well as 18K gold in yellow, white, or rose gold. Even more is coming from the brand, so keep an eye out for new products and materials. One thing is for sure, the products are lightweight yet durable and every piece ordered carries with it a delicate message to its owner and to others.

The craftsmanship is beautiful to watch and made-to-order in either New York or in France. Using a mix of tools and carefully measured calculations, most pieces can be made in about thirty minutes.

Whether you need a gift for your bridesmaids, your significant other, a baby shower, or even an excuse to #treatyoself, look no further than Atelier Paulin. Everyone will ask you where you got your jewelry from.

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With love,

FWO

What We Are Reading This Month

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What We Are Reading This Month

This Summer we are going to take you along with us as we begin our own FWO book club.

These four novels explore the ideas of jealous friendships, struggles of music and enticing characters that you won’t be able to forget. Whether you are looking for a book for your own book club, to read while jetting off to a fabulous vacation or for your next subway read we have you covered.

The Ensemble by Aja Gabel

Once you can finally set this book down the cover makes you want to leave this book on your coffee table all Summer. Following the lives of four members of a string quartet, Gabel takes you through their journey of love, passion, pain, and the role of music within their own lives.

Florida by Lauren Groff

Reading words written by Lauren Groff instantly takes you to whatever scene she may be painting for you. Set in Florida, lurking with snakes, hurricanes and environmental dangers each character in the short stories faces a dangers that are more self-inflicted than not.

The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer

This book is an absolute must read for every feminist out there. It follows a college freshman as she moves to New York City, works with a feminist icon and discovers who she is learning about ambition, ego, power and womanhood.

The Air You Breathe by Frances de Pontes Peebles

Although this novel is set during the 1930s in Brazil, the tale between two friends remains timeless. Born into different worlds the two girls fuel each other’s ambition and fire to succeed. Each page is as intoxicating as the characters themselves; the perfect read for a long weekend or day off.

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With love,

FWO

In from the Storm: Interview with West Village Artist Storm Ritter

Interview with Storm Ritter

Storm Ritter is one of those people who captures your attention right away. From running her eponymous studio at 14 W. 8th St. — just down the street from Hendrix’s extant Electric Lady sound studios — to petitioning to make 8th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues “Jimi Hendrix Way,” she’s both brilliant and driven.

She also personifies the best of both the “quirky” (which, in a sense, is just another word for someone who followers their unique interests, rather than blending into a pre-formed culture tribe) with the grounded.

As Bob Dylan sang in “Absolutely Sweet Marie,” “to live outside the law, you must be honest.” It’s a reminder that all great art is inherently both creative and destructive. In Jarry’s pre-Dada play Ubu Roi, Ubu says: “But we won’t have destroyed everything until we’ve destroyed the ruins, as well. And I can find no better way of doing so than by using these ruins to create fine, harmonious new edifices.”

In a world where matter is never destroyed, the final result of destruction is never nothingness: it’s conversion.

Storm knows how to challenge and destroy with colorful acts of creation.

 
Calm Before the Storm

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Q: What’s your background?
 
My background is that of an authentic human. Work ethic is my art form. My history is rooted in theatrical design: scenic/costume/prop, editorial fashion styling, event production, fine art acrylic painting, expressionistic illustration, sculpture, and art/fashion/retro pop culture history. If there was a creative job open, I was at the door with my portfolio and résumé.

My background is that of an authentic human

Q: How long have you been an artist, and how did you begin?

Are you born an artist or do you become one? It’s all in your mind. I argue both sides, ­but the moment I stopped looking for influence from outside my head, I was officially an artist,­ so I’d say about ten years ago I felt the self­-comfort to say so. Think, and let synchronicity happen.

Q: Growing up, what was your greatest frustration and greatest joy?

My age and over­zealous passion to provide funds for myself and family.

Q: What are your artistic influences?
 
The colors and images you see when you shut your eyelids and stare in the blackness that turns into wonderment. Otherwise great artists in the realms of Surrealism, German Expressionism, Dada and French Impressionism, and the modern day homeless/struggling artists on the street in the Village. People of passion and hardworking nature, inspire.


 

Q: What is your artistic process?
 
You are what you eat: and what I consume is all art. Everything is process: archival is the key. As an ambidextrous artist, I work very fast. If I paint a canvas, the palette becomes artwork. If I am painting, drawing, sculpting, building, or screwing up­­­, I am photographing it!

You are what you eat: and what I consume is all art

Q: What brought you to New York, and how long have you been in the West Village?

The History. The Energy. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. My work ethic matches NYC’s vibe. I have lived in Greenwich Village specifically for six years now. I opened Storm Ritter Studio at 14 West 8th Street in January 2016 and we are still going strong.

Q: You obviously have a great love of music. What are some of your favorite musical artists, and what turned you on to them?

Cat Stevens is a prophet. The Who writes the gospel. Jimi Hendrix plays the sounds of the angels. Cher preaches the struggle of the love. Dean Martin pours the wine. Depends on the era, but my love of music from 1919­-1989 is quite vast. It’s music that makes me think and feel at home in different times.

Q: How does music today compare to music of the ’60s and ’70s?

Just like Adam and Eve’s poisonous apple,­ Apple iPhones have changed everything and everyone.

jimi hendrix wayQ: Tell us about your petition to create a Jimi Hendrix Way? Where can people sign to support?

I am working with a passionate group of local NYC business owners, residents, and outsides parties to co­-name and commemorate 8th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues as Jimi Hendrix Way. Hendrix founded Electric Lady Studios in 1970 and left a heavy legacy.

My shop sell my logo shirts, and you can sign and learn more at www.jimihendrixway.com.

You can sign at www.jimihendrixway.com

Q: What’s your favorite thing about the West Village? What would you like to see more of / what’s your vision for the area?

Historic preservation, street art, and more creative businesses.

I would love for the City to assist small business owners in not only finding the best possible location, but help them negotiate an affordable lease and terms.

I also think that a commercial lease should be more of a partnership between the landlord and tenant ­– a WIN WIN situation, not one person giving it all and another taking it.

I would love for the City to assist small business owners

 
Q: What are your fashion influences? What do you like and not like about the business? Are there any designers you like?

Edith Head and Bob Mackie.

The fashion industry is so commercial and inauthentic. I am more interested in a personal fashion lifestyle you make on your own. Living YOUR life and wearing what YOU are attracted to is what I am about. The collections I design and make are exactly that; I used to solely thrift-shop growing up, and never had a matching outfit to my peers. I make designer clothing intended to mimic this feeling­, like you are finding a rare t-shirt or dress at a thrift store that you keep forever. Mass consumption is overrated.

I am more interested in personal fashion you make on your own

Q: Are you a spiritual person? If so, what is your concept of spirituality?

I am passionate in the esoteric world of palmistry and tarot. My very close friend, Frank Andrews, has taught me wisdom through practices of self-enlightenment, which in turn influence my surrealist paintings. There’s a book entitled The Consolation of Philosophy written by Boethius around AD 523 that changed my life.

Q: Why do you think people are so obsessed with celebrities and sensationalistic news?

People love to wear a shirt with Warhol on it. People like to idolize to associate themselves with someone dubbed cool instead of following in their fashion. Don’t wear a Marilyn Monroe shirt, wear what Marilyn wore if you’re a true fan. Be obsessed with YOUR brain — it’s brilliant & crazy in there.

Be obsessed with YOUR brain

 
Q: What do you think is missing from modern life (if anything), and what would you like to see more of?

An app that enables your phone to just call people,­ and do nothing else. Human nature would re­adjust and increase in deeper human interaction, successful collaborations, and meaningful philanthropic work.

Q: How did you meet your cat Velvet?

Our eyes met at the 92nd & 1st ASPCA when she was 5 months old in 2014. We’ve been an inseparable pair ever since.

Q: What kinds of things can people buy from your studio, and what does it mean to own or wear “a Storm Ritter?”

All of our products are made­-in-­house, one-­of-­a-­kind, and f*cking cool. Owning a STORM RITTER means you purchased a work of art and a piece of West Village history. You’re buying a collectable, and we ensure endless compliments when you wear your new piece, or your money back.

Owning a STORM RITTER means you purchased a work of art

You can shop in store, order custom clothing, and/or shop online at www.stormritter.com.

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Sign the Hendrix Petition

With love,

FWO