www.californiamarketcenter.com

The California Market Center is located in the nucleus of downtown L.A.’s fashion district.  This mart is a one stop destination for those either exhibiting or looking to stock inventory for their closets or for their stores.  Merchandise showrooms include:  Accessories, Fashion (for men and women), Gift & Home, Intimate Apparel, and Kids. “Style” professionals in  all these areas patronize the market as proof of their affiliation with the industry, because this is where the freshest styles are introduced before being adopted by retail stores more accessible to the average shopper.   The California Market Center is also open to the public and not exclusive to those in the trade.

For more information, visit www.californiamarketcenter.com.  Destination shoppers can go to the market’s website to see listings of all the categories available for interest.  This user friendly site offers background notes on the history of the mart, a directory search, attendee/buyer registration notes, exhibitor/tenant profiles, facility rentals, press credentials, and FAQs. Aside from hosting shows for Los Angeles Fashion Week for up & coming and established designers, the market also serves as a convention center for other related seasonal calendar events.  Be “in the know” just by clicking on their homepage where you can instantly find upcoming market dates to add to your agenda.  Bookmark this link to your favorites if you consider yourself a real fashionista.

Reviewed by Library Staff Member – Glenda Ronduen

Large Wide Deep Complex and Messy!

Metropolis magazine takes on urban culture from the ground up:

• from boulevards, side streets, ballparks and riverwalks;
• to the furnishing of public spaces: bus stops, streetlights and statues;
• to the structures of the city itself: buildings, bridges, amphitheaters, airports, up, up and away!

                   Metropolis considers objects, concepts, and visionaries, both indoors and out, and has prominent practitioners critique them. A Metropolis article will show what the tensions were and how they might be resolved. The whole complex web of competing public and private interests is examined through the messy interplay of politics and money, history and leadership.

• Interested in the rebuilding of “Ground Zero,” in New York? Check Metropolis!
• Worried about land use issues in New Orleans? Check Metropolis!
• Curious about how an abandoned elevated railway is being turned into a high flying neighborhood park? Check Metropolis!
• Cheered by neighborhood conservation groups thwarting the wrecking ball? Want to learn to do it yourself? Check Metropolis!

The magazine is not just a vehicle for ideas and campaigns. There is an ongoing interest in “green” architecture and interior design, innovative furnishings, and “extreme” textiles. Current design issues are viewed from a historical base and aim for an ideal solution. They recommend combining high-tech design with low- tech production using local sustainable materials.  All this is delivered in a lively modern format. It is lavishly illustrated with photographs and diagrams, hip graphics, dynamic sketches and tight elevations.

Metropolis is the place to look for ideas on socially responsible design education.

Reviewed by Library Staff Member - Judith Wehlau – S.F.

The Success, Struggles, and Beauty Secrets Of A Legendary Makeup Artist

Kevyn Aucoin: A Beautiful Life chronicles the story of one of the world’s most prized and feted makeup artists.  What once was a job performed behind-the-scenes and with little fanfare, Kevyn stepped forward into the spotlight, catapulting himself and his craft into never before heights of success and attention.  He took his mastered skills with him and shared them via books.  Always willing to share his secrets,  Aucoin promoted his knowledge in a way that any individual could learn how modernize their own makeup techniques.

Kevyn Aucoin came to the fashion and entertainment industry from a sad and dark background.  His childhood was preceded by having been given up for adoption by a teenage mother.  Growing up in the south, Aucoin saw and lived through the harsh realities of poverty, racism and discrimination. Openly homosexual, Kevyn was taunted and physically abused early on in life.  Yet it was in colors and image, transformations and daydreams that this artist sought solace to overcome his hurts. Makeup would be his guiding light and one way ticket to fulfillment.

Creativity and vision led him to New York where he broke into the star system.  Fashion shoots brought many opportunities to work with the best of fashion models and photographers, hair dressers and stylists.  Elite work environments brought recommendations and Kevyn conquered the entertainment industry by working on many a face in the music and acting world.  His heavy work load aside, Kevin also accomplished the beginnings of a cosmetics line. Aucoin broke many barriers and accomplished the unforeseeable.  Though his life ended at age forty, his legend continues like a glossy picture framed for life.

Reviewed by Library Staff Member – Francisco Murillo