Rush Arts Gallery    in the Chelsea neighborhood of NYC is another arm of the Simmons brothers’ (Russell, Run and Danny) cultural legacy. The gallery’s current exhibit, Neekid Black Gurls, curated by Danny Simmons offers a quiet rebuttal to pop culture’s limited take on the black female figure. Offering up a selection of photo-based work that highlights the perfection of imperfections, artistic nuance and straightforward nude portraiture, the exhibition is a refreshing counterpoint to those janky booty magazines on newsstands across the city! On the next page a few of my favorites.-Diana McClure

Neekid Black Gurls is on view through January 27th, 2012. 

Described as the ”ultimate hero jacket with a genuine piece of history sewn in,” Denham the Jeanmaker’s latest women’s creation is a special edition “Spy” biker jacket combining antique textiles from Bangkok and leather.

Created on narrow hand-looms and dyed using ancient resistance-wax techniques, these fabrics are among the most beautiful in the world of indigo cloth. The team was able to procure a mix of antique textile items, such as accordion skirts and simple smocks, as well as unstitched textile yardage. The final range of fabrics included both very old specimens and examples of indigo fabric as it is still woven and treated by tribes like the Hmong today.

Take a look at some details  of the fierceness on the next page.

Not sure who the artist is, but someone updated Kanye’s trademark Dropout Bear with an ensemble featuring Givenchy plus his Nike Air Yeezy kicks. And is the gold-plate necklace a reference to those featured in his Spring 2012 runway? Via Electrostaticluv.

The legendary Martha Cooper explores the Wynwood district in Miami, sharing her views and expertise. Enjoy!

Founded by Maithili Alhuwalia, Bungalow8 is like a treasure chest of  apparel,  furniture and various accessories. The above “Zanzibar” necklace,  bold and regal makes the kind of style statement we love. It’s currently available at L-atitude. Full view on the flip.

By Brooklyn-born artist Jean Michel Basquiat, a “King Alphonso” coffee mug and plate (see next page). Always conflicted over the idea of putting images of great art on mugs and keychains. I guess why not. Available at Colette.

A portrait of Vogue Editor Andre Leon Talley by Rafael Cidoncha is included in the “Out Of Africa” exhibit at the Paris Headquarters of UNESCO. The exhibition is organized as part of the celebration of the International Year for People of African Descent. It opened on December 14th and closes tomorrow.

Brooklyn Street Art’s 2011 Images of the Year, featuring photographs by Jaime Rojo and a soundtrack mix of Brooklyn street sounds created by electro duo Javelin. Wicked.

-Diana McClure

Fashion, music, language, you name it, the culture of voguing is still the invisible heart of a significant portion of cultural phenoma today. This past summer I attended the GMHC 2011 Latex Ball, a one-night voguing performance extravaganza, and still have awe inspiring flashbacks I will never forget. And now, a 200 page historical photo book published by Soul Jazz Records that documents the culture from the inside out.

Voguing: Voguing and the House Ballroom Scene of New York City 1989-92. Photographs by Chantal Regnault, introduction by Tim Lawrence. Available here.

 -Diana McClure

Informed of an artistic sensibility the jewellery of Julia Denise  Reytan stands out to us as unique and visually compelling. On the next page take a look at some of our favorite pieces.