We attended the opening reception last night for “Impact: 50 years of the CFDA” at F.I.T. museum. Headed by Valerie Steele the museum staged a stunning presentation of  American fashion talent past and present to the delight of the Snobettes who were like kids in a candy store. Glimpses of icons like Betsey Johnson, Anna Sui, Bill Cunningham, and Norma Kamali among others, plus a more than plesant chat with the the stunning Rachel Roy made for an evening to remember. On the next page take a peek. The exhibit is on view through April 17th.

While we are not big on the idea of Valentine’s Day being the sole day you should treat your loved one  to some special treat, nonetheless, there are some interesting items popping up in connection with the holiday including Reformation’s “Love Me” sex kit, made in collaboration with artist Kurtis Kulig’s signature “Love Me” tag. Contents include:

A limited-edition silk “Love Me” print thong, a limited-edition “Never Sleep” silk blindfold in the artist’s hand tag, “Fuck Me,” “Hurt Me” and branded “Love Me” temporary tattoos in the artist’s hand tag, limited-edition “I Hate Myself” matchbook Trojan condoms in the artist’s hand tag and a “Love Me” branded MIA vibrator, distributed by the industry-leading vibrator manufacturer, Lelo. All of the contents come inside a limited edition “Love Me” for Reformation bag made out of the highest quality reclaimed materials. 

Get it here, spotted here.

For the Elements Showcase, Reyjavik-based artist and designer Andrea Maack created a gallery-like wall installation, where attendees could each own a signed  piece sprayed with their favorite scent. Individually titled “Craft,” “Smart,” “Sharp,” “Dark,” and “Silk,” according to press each fragrance represents:

“An entirely original work method based on the interpretation and translation of visual cues and how scent ties together the elements of the artwork.”

 ”Smart,” “Dark” and “Silk” were favorites. See more images on the next page.

“You Don’t Know Where Her Mouth Has Been,” a solo exhibition by artist Simone Leigh is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. The exhibition offers an atmospheric, sensuous, and erotic experience of sculpture and video at an oversized scale that delights the senses. Deftly exaggerating the relationship between technology and raw materials, form and function, beauty and utility, “…the artist draws from the symbolic and political traditions of a diversity of influences—from early African-American face jugs and the manifesto of Africobra to Star Trek and Gilbert and Sullivan…”

Executed to perfection, including some stellar collaborations with other artists, this exhibition will inspire you. Kudos to curator Rashida Bumbray as well, for her contributions to this exhibition’s imaginative installation. A masterpiece. “You Don’t Know Where Her Mouth Has Been,” is on view in the gallery at The Kitchen in New York City through March 11th. -Diana McClure.

Coinciding with artist Yayoi Kusama’s retrospective at  Tate Modern Museum in London in February which will then move to the New York’s Whitney Museum in July, a collaboration between the Japanese artist and Louis Vuitton is set to debut with the New York show. While no official images of the collaboration have been made available, the above image of  Marc Jacobs (pre-studliness) holding an LVMH bag customized and signed by Kusama, dating from 2006, perhaps can be seen  as a precursor of what we can expect. Lots of artsy polka dots! More images on the flip.Images via Tokyodandy.

Derrick Adams current solo show, “Deconstruction Worker,” explores the architecture of the mind, the built environment and fashion in relation to the human form. With work that mostly addresses the male figure, a few pieces speak to a strong female presence in relationship with a complex urban environment.

With possible nods to African textiles, intercontinental hairstyles, and an iconic hip-hop fashion accessory (chandelier/bamboo earrings), Adams once again delivers a nuanced body of work for multiple levels of cultural readers. “Deconstruction Worker” is on view at Tilton Gallery in NYC through February 11th. – Diana McClure.

French street artist and illustrator Fafi publishes her first book, The Carmine Vault, whose story is centered around a character called Birtak and his desire to join the Paris Opéra Ballet. Published by Rizzoli, it’s available for pre-order now with an April 10th delivery date.

Curated by the Wooster Collective, the “Hybrid Thinking” exhibit unites artists from various parts of the world as a statement  of unity with humankind and nature:

“Hybrid Thinking refers to the current zeitgeist of our time: disparate cultures coming together to create something completely new. Though from distinctly different cultural backgrounds, these artists share an understanding of our cities, of the human condition and our complex relationship with nature.”

 The “Noir 50″ stilletos by  New Zelander  Dutch artist Sit are a big wow. The exhibit is on view at the Jonathan  Levine Gallery in New York until Februray, 11th.Via.

Inspired by the Arab Spring, with references to Persia, Islam and contemporary Iran, artist Shirin Neshat once again poetically distills socio-cultural politics in breathtaking black and white. This past week (01/12/12) her fifth solo show with Gladstone Gallery opened in New York City to a packed crowd of admirers. And of course, Ms. Neshat, a fabulous woman and badass global artist, did not disappoint. -Diana McClure.

Opening night images courtesy of photographer Marko Jokic.

The Inside Out ”‘Rising Souls Haiti” project is taking place in Haiti as we speak to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the earthquake. In a partnership with TED  prize 2011 recipient JR’s Inside Out  project “Rising Souls Haiti”  aims to highlight  the faces of the  individuals who  day after day thrive  in dire odds.

The project is a collaboration between Haitian but also international professional photographers like: Marc Steed, Marc Baptiste, Tatiana Mora Liautaud, Marie Arago, Louis Albert Silvera Levêque, Inbal Timor and the kids from the photography workshop, FotoKonbit. Taking their cameras to the streets they are asking people to express themselves in the form of a facial expression. The portraits will be printed as life-size posters and pasted on the walls of downtown Port au Prince, Pétion-Ville and Delmas.

Visit their Facebook page to see the work in progress here.