B
The Brownstone
"Harlem's Greatest Wonder"
 ~ your one stop shopping emporium ~
featuring
“Simply Greta” & “Majestic Images” by Princess Jenkins ~ The Tea Salon – all organic, serving lunch,”High Tea”, Sunday brunch, and dinner ~ Design Schemes – Interior Design Studio ~ G 2 – Fine jewelry and other fine things ~ Sumara Nail Care Suite ~ Virginia Joy Bridalwear ~ Natural Hair Care
 2032 Fifth Avenue (bt 125th & 126th) New York, NY 10035 212.996.7980

This joint is packin’!

Nevermind the rolling racks of fresh kill, the 18 wheelers hogging both street and sidewalk, and potholes the size of my bedroom…no doubt, filled with water and ice on even the balmiest of days - Just turn a blind eye! Step inside just one of these places, and you’ll forget about all that. In fact, there is something ironically serene about all the new shops in the meat-packing district. One thing though: make sure you’re packin’ too when you go to the district - a fat wallet, that is…these joints are anything but cheap. A few of my faves:

* Shelly Steffee – A former Anne Klein designer, Steffee opened the doors of her sleek, new shop a little over one year ago I describe her collection as classic, with an edge…definitely of that super-designer ilk; y’know Calvin, Donna, and (of course) Anne. Furthermore, Shelly is not only talented and savvy, she’s got a great personality - I know, I spent many hours with her, detailing some of her first collections. BTW, Shelly also enjoys my singing (a sign of good character!) 34 Gansevoort St @ Hudson 917.408.0408 steffeel@aol.com Hours: Tues – Sat 12-10pm, Sunday 12-6pm

* Jussara Lee – Jussara Lee moved from her Soho location to the meat-packing district in January of this year. As Soho became more corporate, she sought out a neighborhood that would lend itself to her ‘upscale, but off the beaten path’ sensibility. In the store, you will find bolts of fabric as part of the décor. Why? So patrons can make their clothing selections from the racks, pick out the fabric of their choice, and…Voila! In about two weeks she goes home with a custom-made, Jussara Lee original. That’s the modus operandi around here. Jussara describes the shop as an open design studio/sample room, featuring some ready-made clothing for that customer who just can’t wait. Jussara’s silhouettes are classic and timeless with a signature twist, with the exception of some of her more eccentric pieces, custom designed for parties and weddings, etc. Whatever your shape or size, Jussara fits it to perfection! Jussara Lee 11 Little W. 12th Street 10014 NYC Hours 11-7pm Sunday open @ 12 212.242.4128 Visit the website to see the store and some of Jussara’s custom designs: www.caipirinha.com/jussara

* Destination – In the great big world of accessories, Destination’s reputation preceded its Spring 2001 arrival. Owned by HP France, at 4000 sq. ft., Destination reigns as the largest accessories store in town. The shop carries more than 30 designers, and prides itself on showcasing the widest one-of-a-kind selection in men’s and women’s jewelry, hats, handbags, shoes, and scarves. Absolutely NO clothing, at least not for now. Visit the website for more on the store and their designers: www.destinationny.net Visit the store for an unadulterated accessories excursion: Destination 32-36 Little W. 12th Street, NYC. 212.727.2031. Hours: 11-8 M thru Sat, Sun. 12-7

* Jeffrey – Jeffrey, perhaps, paved the retail scene in the meat-packing district. He opened his first store in Atlanta around 10 years ago, with the New York store following in August of 1999. A bold move it was at the time, with no other retailers in sight. In the absence of his current, trendy art gallery and restaurant neighbors, Jeffrey was a loner in the midst of meat-packing hell. The mini-department store carries “anything you could possibly want” (in Jeffrey’s words) in ‘high-end’ men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, shoes, and accessories. Stocking over 60 vendors, labels you will find at Jeffrey include Jil Sander, Gucci, Prada, Jimmy Chu, Ann Demeulemeester …. you get the picture. While the selection certainly suits my personal tastes, it simply defies my pocketbook. If money is no object, Jeffrey is the place to be. Cha-ching! 449 W. 14th St, NYC 212.206.1272 Hours: M,T,W,F 10 - 8, Thurs. 10 -9, Sat. 10 - 7, Sun. 12:30 - 6

* Nickel (Spa for Men!) – I told you about Nickel in the last issue….only, I have since learned that guys give facials to the guy customers. Who wants a guy (of any sexual orientation) giving them a facial? Sounds painful. Call me a sexist, but that’s a woman’s job! Okay, I know I put my foot in my mouth now…so, while I’m at it, I may as well tell you that I agree with Andy Rooney about the woman sportscaster thing. I’ve always felt that way, and I’m glad somebody finally had the balls to say it. No pun intended :-) Anyway…

* The MPD’s newest arrival: Stella McCartney (Seventh Avenue watch out!). They were just pulling the paper off the windows when I passed by so…sorry, I didn’t get the scoop. More later.
429 W. 14th Street NYC 212.255.1556

infrared
RECORDING STUDIO
 
EAST VILLAGE PRO TOOLS - PRO TOOLS 2
1 5.1 - MPC 3000 - TRITON – MO’PHATT - EX5
 FENDER RHODES - VOCAL BOOTH - NEUMANN MIC
HIP HOP - R&B - DANCE PRODUCTION
$40 HR W/ENGINEER
 
212 - 529 - 5469

Go Ahead – Take the Test….

Take this test – but only if you dare. Nothing to brag about but, I scored higher than Bill Gates did. Just slightly :) (Soon you will discover why that’s nothing to be impressed by). Click here: How Smart Are You?  

Sit On It!

Tribeca is hastily earning its title as the new interior design hub. My fave of the settlers is Les Migrateurs. (We’ll get back to the others later). Like the others, Les Migrateurs – a Paris based design company - set up shop in Tribeca just over one year ago. I must admit, I was first drawn to the place because the owner invited me in with greasy pizza and rambunctious children in tow – a sign to me, that he really wasn’t worried about his product…and that he was probably quite the gentleman. What I like most about the furniture is its sturdiness. (Trust me, the kids did give it a run for its money). Design concepts are functional, comfortable, and modern (yet, not to the point of being ridiculous). My best picks are the leather and steel tables, leather trimmed mirrors, colored glass tables…and their couches are to die for! There is one couch in particular that I dream of: It has one colossal seat cushion (about the size of a twin mattress) with big throw pillows and an arm and back only on one side – a chaise effect, somewhat. I envision myself and the kids lounging on it, sprawled out, watching a Blockbuster movie and seeping popcorn, miniature action figures, and loose change between its pillows. What?! Isn’t that what you do with a $4000 couch? Well, some find Les Migrateurs over-priced – I say you get what you pay for. The website does absolutely NO justice to the furniture, but you can check it anyway (I have suggested that they add a VR tour, for the full effect - as if they need my 2 cents!): www.lesmigrateurs.com If you have a chance, you MUST visit the store. Plop down on just one of these couches and, I swear, you’ll have visions of seeping popcorn too! There is some furniture that you desire….and then there is furniture that you actually want to use. Les Migrateurs is that furniture. Les Migrateurs 188 Duane Street (bt. Greenwich & Hudson) NYC 212.966.8208

Interview With God:

A thought-provoking slide presentation. (I don’t know if this is any relation to the book): http://168.143.173.209/IWGnet.swf

I Am A Man: Black Masculinity in America

Produced by Independent filmmaker Byron Hurt and co-produced by Andrew P.Jones, I Am A Man:  Black Masculinity in America  links everyday black men from various socioeconomic backgrounds with some of Black America’s most progressive academics, social critics and authors to provide an engaging, candid dialogue on black masculine identity in American culture. I Am A Man won the National Black Programming Consortium's International Prized Pieces Community Choice Award and has been shown to diverse audiences at colleges, universities, high schools, youth centers, cultural centers and film festivals across the country. Purchase a copy at www.bhurt.com

volume IV: page 1 • page 2 • page 3 • page 4 • page 5 • page 6 • page 7