theblackmark.sg

Quite possibly taking a nod from art movements of the past — conjure Fluxus or Dada — the Singapore-based design lab Black Mark established their art/fashion/lifestyle boutique Black Market to “retaliate and reject all the ideals of commercial bombardment” and to “celebrate design in all its manifestations”. Black Market, located stylishly close to Haji Lane, hits high marks for curating international brands like Nixon and Ksubi with local Singaporean designers. Every product featured within the store is carefully selected so there is plenty of rhyme and reason behind why a sweater and jeans have found their way into the shop. Black Mark blogs about each new brand the boutique picks up: take, for instance, the hipster sunglass label Mystic Vintage, which gets it’s inspiration from vintage frames and iconic figures like John Lennon and Ziggy Stardust who wore them; the deconstructionist brand Nickicio, alongside books by the Swiss Nieves collective; and French indie label L’Espace Des Createurs. Quincy Teofisto of Black Mark says the boutique is about “style rather than trends… Blackmarket is diverse, nonconformist, and unpretentious.” A look inside reflects this, with a do-it-yourself ingenuity — one will awe at the handmade Orangina bottle chandelier perched above the wares. Black Market is a celebration of artistic collaboration, reminding us as audience and consumer that playful experimentation does a wardrobe, and a heart, plenty of good.

Photography by Gregory Goode

In celebration of youth, oh sweet, flighty and whimsical youth, New York hoteliers Sean MacPherson and Eric Goode of Maritime fame, present their newest venture, the hostel-like Jane Hotel. The landmark building along the Westside Highway was built as a hotel for sailors in 1908. The building’s architect William A. Boring is most famous for designing the Ellis Island immigration station. More fun to note is that in the ‘90s, the hotel ballroom used to hold Hedwig and the Angry Inch shows. Fast-forward and what you have now is a serious renovation and a daring opportunity to make memories. The current Jane hints at fair doses of Darjeeling Limited and The Royal Tenenbaums for inspiration and you get an affordable but incredibly quirky pod hotel featuring nautical cabin rooms for $100 a night with bathrooms down the hall. Room amenities include a compact twin bed with built-in drawers, air conditioning, high-speed Internet access, and flat-screen LCD televisions. Deluxe captains cabins offer queen- and king-sized beds and lovely but limited views of the Hudson. Most coveted is the hotel’s original hand-tiled swimming pool and bathing area. The hotel and lounge have already captured a buzz around town for it’s bohemian allure and relaxed but stylish focus. So whether you’re staying at the hotel, or cruising the city for a drink, stop by for a sit in.

lasuperior.com/

Inspired by traditional cantinas serving comida corrida, or “fast food”, Mexican street food eatery La Superior in Williamsburg delivers Mexican standards like tacos and chicken enchiladas, and lesser known delicacies like salpicon shredded beef salad from the Yucatan, and cameron pibil, marinated shrimp over plantains and wrapped in a banana leaf. The food lives up to its boastful name but it’s the down-home neighborhood appeal and low prices that keep it lively. Regulars include Mexico City transplants, Williamsburg artists, and downtown Manhattanites looking for a true Mexican fix. Co-owners behind this festive space like to keep their recipes rich, their décor minimal, and their clientele coming back for more. That’s not to say that designer details go remiss. Check out the hand-blown light fixtures, the custom screened wallpaper, the kitschy plastic table wear — all imported from Mexico, just like the chef. A liquor license for beer, tequila, and margaritas is forthcoming.

295 Berry St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn     718 388 5988

Photography by John Horner

Long known for its traditional New England prep, Boston builds on its international pull of masterminds and the Achilles Project fits an important global niche. Part fashion boutique, part restaurant, and part artistic junction conceptualized by Michael Krupp and Shaka Ramsay, AP works as a solution for all those poignant consumer dilemmas we face today: local food, organic clothing, repurposed space, and investment in the community. The end product is several things acting in concert, while promoting sustainability. The space is a refurbished building in the ever-growing art scene of Fort Point Channel. Design team 3six0 lent their inventive solutions to this loft-like and modern setting of wood and steel, creating a shell that morphs from boutique to bar to lounge area.

Photography by Marc Hom

The Danish high-fashion label Noir makes ethical sexy. The company’s motto, “In darkness, all colours agree”, profoundly informs the humanitarian tone the label has chosen to take, along with the humane business model implemented since its establishment in 2006. As a member of the UN Global Compact, the company adheres to human rights, labor safety, and environmental concerns. Not that fashion created ethically is a new concept, but what is most striking about Noir is how much it cares for every facet of ethical business and how much attention is placed on the beauty of the fashion itself. Not a single detail is off.

Photography by Luke Abiol

With the world changing, exploring the science of clothing as a means for shelter and protection from earthly elements is increasingly in vogue, if not de rigueur. Moisture-controlling, anti-bacterial, and UV-stopping are terms that all of a sudden seem to make greater sense, and perhaps provide a marketing angle as well. Fusing this high design with high-performance technology is Berlin-based Acronym, recognized worldwide for its ahead-of-the-curve men’s fashion. The line, revered by techies, designers, skaters, and globetrotting surfers, hits the mark for durable sleekness. The pieces are intelligent skins ready for action with sophisticated lines and details not typically found in sportswear. Considerable attention is placed on well-executed pockets, hidden zippers, and special compartments for iPod and earphones. The handsome GT-J11 Jacket, a geared-up blazer made of hard-shell Gore-Tex, is still versatile enough to wear on the slopes of St. Moritz and on the streets in Stockholm. Cofounder/designer Errolson Hugh is known in this elusive market for marrying military concepts of armor with utilitarian functionality. His vision of hybridization was an out-breeding of his experience working in the German Special Forces and applying it to commercial lines like Burton and Gravis. His own line far exceeds anyone’s expectations in that marriage of fashion and form. And for this reason the hefty price tag associated with collecting the line works, in theory, as insurance against the prevailing environmental dangers we face today.

ililinyc.com

Lebanese mega-diner Ilili delivers on all the noteworthy virtues of a lavish dinning experience: high design, impeccable service, and a gourmet twist to classic dishes. Upon entry, one is struck by the richness of texture — from the shapely red dining chairs to the wood paneled walls and granite flooring — commingling with reflections of candlelight in the glass and flatware. The cuisine, by chef-owner Philippe Massoud, is a nod to traditional Lebanese fare but modernized by fusion concepts. Fortunately, the menu specializes in mezza, or small plates, because everything from the daily hummus specials, to the seared Branzini with sweet sesame and orange to the moist beef shawarma — is a feast of spices and flavor, and it’s great to come with a group that loves to try a bit of everything. Sweet manna, indeed!

236 5th Avenue    +212 683 2929

littledoms.com/

Everything about this East Hollywood neighborhood eatery is diminutive: the ingredient-focused menu, the ten-seat bar, and even the physical layout. But this only adds to the comfort and sophistication. In fact, Little Dom’s delivers high on class with old-world charm, with a décor of stained-glass windows, pinewood floors, parochial green booths in the bar area and classic rounded, red booths in the main dinning room. The menu flourishes on the simple approach of local and seasonal ingredients turned Italian. For starters, try the rice balls or the tuna crudo with Meyer lemon pesto and giant lima beans. Main courses like the whitefish picatta and the grilled hangar steak with spinach and crispy mushrooms deliver on taste while the wine list praises Italian regions. For all its simplicity, it’s still a scene, and LA scenesters do flock here.

2128 Hillhurst Avenue    +323 661 0055

hotelonrivington.com

Redesigned, renamed, and reopened under the aegis of Henri, Eric, and Stephane, three French nightlife impresarios who, between them, have been responsible for Cielo, Purple, and the sexiest half of last year’s 205 Chrystie craze, 105 Riv is their latest venue. Ostensibly part the of the Rivington Hotel but no longer accessible through it, the newly reincarnated lounge leans more toward cozy and convivial than the all-out debauchery that typified their earlier spots. There’s a glowing, horseshoe bar, a raised lounge area with comfy black leather banquettes, and just enough open space for dancing when the beats hit the mark. In attendance is an eclectic international crowd taking refuge from the overdone tourist-hipster scene swirling on the streets outside. 105 puts its best foot forward on the weekends when DJ Neil and occasionally local favorite Alex from Tokyo spin soulful house music in this low-key but sultry environment. It’s the closest to Europe you can get on the Lower East Side.

105 Rivington Street    +212.475.2600

bacaronyc.com

Tucked away on the most southern street of the Lower East Side, this new hip and quaint destination is welcome and already well-frequented. Local creatives crowd the bacaro, or tavern in Italian, to meet for the cicchetti, Venetian style tapas, like the satisfying Pasta e Fasioi (pasta and bean soup), the surprisingly tasty Carciofi e Breasola (artichoke and beef), and the favorite Gnocchi con Funghi in a brown butter. The wine list boasts more than a hundred Italian wines listed by type and region. The two-level establishment is split with the street-level bar and tables downstairs, with low-beam ceilings and stone- and brick-vaulted walls. Like traditional bacaros, the ambiance is very neighborhoody: simple, dark, and elegant in its candlelit cavernous enclaves. Most large tables are shared, which lends a congenial surprise to a dinner out with friends: the opportunity to meet new ones.

136 Division Street    +212.941.5060