Pack journalism during the Republican National Convention reared its head again. Not a single news source told us where the delegates went shopping or clubbing. Was Lynne Cheney spotted in Ana Sui? Did Vice President Cheney secretly meet his lesbian daughter at Meow Mix? What did the protesters wear at the big counter-convention party hosted by Lou Reed at Luxx in Brooklyn? It was surely a mix of preppy, slumpy and glam rock slutty. These are things the American public really wants to know.
This is the reason that I, Gato Toninas, have brought Madison a style column. Returning from world-weariness, time spent in New Jersey and Argentina (not much different if you are familiar with where my estranged wife lives), Gato realized this campus is not only politically engaged but is also fashionably active. Accuse our venture into the magnificent worship of crass conspicuous consumerism, but fact is, the median income of UW-Madison students’ families is $72,000 annually, and far more students wear Citizens of Humanity jeans than brandish a petition. Regardless of your political pastel color, as the product of immigrants, Gato thinks all of us should be celebrating the gift of prosperity.
Fashion clearly supports the agenda of both parties in this election. Republicans should be spending money on the good life to boost the economy toward W’s re-election. Democrats should be spending it on good clothes to counter the stereotype of frizzy-haired old women at protests who have never heard of heat treatments.
Two days ago, MTV brought on another semester of distraction with the Real World Philadelphia. Gato thought, what better place to start than the cradle of American Democracy.
Gato heard Philly gave a much warmer welcome to the cast than Chicago, the last older city the “realebrites” resided in, a logistical disaster for the MTV production crew. Many expected the same from Philly, being the hardknock city that it is, but there were no dead bodies dumped on the doorstep of the house or local bars posting “Go Home Real World” signs.
Gato was told Real World cast members left their Arch Street abode regularly to cause drama at the swanky Buddakahn Bar on Chestnut, part of the Stephen Starr restaurant chain. Starr, a former rock promoter, has grown his chain to 11 hangs. Each is a cross between Disneyland and a four-star restaurant. Before culminating that online affair with the Wharton professor, have him take you the Starr Group’s Pod, on the eastern edge of the UPenn Campus. In its very Lost in Translationesque interior, architect David Rockefeller has centered a conveyer-belt sushi bar within a white 2001 Space Odyssey interior.
Starr restaurants’ bread and circuses alone make Philly a must-stop for at least one night on any New York trip. GoPhilly.com has plenty of weekend hotel deals, starting at $169. If you want to go ultra-cheap European and have a tryst with a tall brunette Swiss Italian or a member of the Wellesley Cross Country team, stay at the Bank Street Hostel in the heart of Old City’s bar district.
Parts of Philly make Iraq seem like Middleton, but young Philly has created much of the recent style that Brooklyn steals credit for birthing. The city is home to trend-setting companies like Gyro, Puma’s advertising agency of record and the creator of Sailor Jerry Products, as well as Urban Outfitters/Anthropologie. But to rock real Philly girl fashion, you have to knit your own cashmere hat had with yarn from Sophie’s Yarn.
Old City has the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Betsy Ross House. Interesting but not exactly sexofantabulous. When the geriatric tourists in Easy Spirits leave Center City and the Jimmy Choo’s hit the cobblestones, Market Street between sixth and the Deleware River answers the night with a collage of bars ranging from the classy fondue and martini lounge Tiny Bubbles to the Alt-country indie Tin Angel, where Gato saw Lloyd Cole open up his show, two days after 9/11, with the overwhelming “Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken.” Old City Tavern proves the strip has been a party street since colonial times. Both Jefferson and Washington frequented this watering hole, and it still serves both founding papis beer recipes.
Most of Philly’s music elite lives in Northern Liberties, the hood just north of Old City, part of the reason it’s the best place to spot next level style. ?euestlove (Amir) from the Roots, Rockafella artist Freeway and Beenie Seigel all call ‘NoLib’ home. Want to catch hip-hop getting morning coffee? Hang at the Latte Lounge on Fourth Street.
J.C. Maza worked as a stylist for film studio DreamWorks before opening up Closet Fever, her salon/clothing boutique. With clients flying in for her work from both coasts, Mazza sets style standards.
“Lot’s people here have been wearing asymmetrical haircuts, that ’80s rock look, but that’s going to finish this fall so I wouldn’t advise getting it,” Mazza said. “Fuller hair, more volume is what’s starting to emerge. Not quite the teased effect but fuller. Girls with thick curly hair are really in luck.” Seems like John Bon Jovi’s resurrection is saving others’ style.
Products Mazza recommends for women who want to achieve the look are, for thick curly hair, Curls Rock from Catwalk, for straight hair, Sexed Up and for thin, straight hair — sometimes the hardest to sculpt into an “it girl” look — Small Talk from Tigi Bedhead.
Gyro is the go-to agency for brands that want to build credibility with tastemakers. Geek groupies of Internet entertainment know the agency as the creator of Bikini Bandits. Most of the female cast came from longtime client Delilah’s, Philly’s premiere gentleman’s club. Some Philly hummingbirds told Gato that there are juicy outtakes from Real World guys’ Delilah’s visit. (Ladies visiting Philly can grind with all male go-go at The Cave).
On the first Friday of every month, the night when Old City galleries open new shows, Gyro holds free parties at the Gmart. Far from wine and cheese affairs, the bashes are ultimately keg parties with indie bands and independent film ‘celebrities.’ Gmart’s Philthy jersey, biting the Phillies team logo, is a must-have for the “ironically drinking cans of Old Style” cache in your wardrobe. Only when repping Philly, drink Yuengling Lager.
Gato will end each foray into the good life with a cocktail and food recipe. Because we couldn’t get a hold of our friend, incarcerated caterer to the Philly outfit, Fat Angelo Lutz by deadline, we’ll feature his formula for Passyunk Avenue pasta and meatballs in a future column. Instead, we bring you a recipe for true Philly cheesesteak, Pat’s Steaks style.
Polluted South Philly air isn’t the only thing that makes them taste better, the true difference is using Cheesewiz. You’ll need: 24 ounces of thinly sliced ribeye, one Spanish Onion, Italian Rolls (Copps’ has the best) and Cheesewiz. Sweet peppers and sautéed green peppers are optional. This makes about four steaks.
1. Cut up one Spanish onion, medium sliced rings, then
2. Heat up a flat skillet with four to six tablespoons of soy oil or olive oi
3. Sauté the onions until they are flexible, not brown
4. Remove the onions, then begin to cook steak slices, as the sides brown, add the onions and sauté together, chopping the steak into bits with the edge of the spatula
5. Heat Cheesewhiz in microwave for 45 to 60 seconds
6. Fill roll evenly with steak and onion mixture, then slowly pour over Cheesewhiz so it seeps into the steak and onions
Next week: throw an Indian summer cocktail party and what to wear for fall, bar by bar.
