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The Tie Tailor

Posted on September 5, 2012 by in Brooklyn, Fashion & Design, New York, People, Style

A profile of SKINNYFATTIES founder Joshua Brueckner. Written and photographed by Dan Mims.

Joshua Brueckner, founder of SKINNYFATTIESI’ve been saying “skinny fatties,” but I’m getting the feeling that, though acceptable, it’s not necessarily the preferred pronunciation. Joshua Brueckner, founder of SKINNYFATTIES, has been nice about letting me say it only my way up to this point, but now that I’m introducing him and his work to friends at Fontana’s in the LES, he offers an annotation. “You can also say it, ‘skinny fat ties,’” he states, before adding, “Either way!”

“Skinny fat ties” actually makes a little more sense—or at least delivers more descriptive precision. Under the SKINNYFATTIES label, Brueckner takes your old wide-load, 3.5-inch-plus neckties and converts them into the slimmer, more youthful cut preferred by today’s men-about-town. For those of us who have kept our ‘90s-chic wide ties until now, despite believing for the past several years that we’d never wear them again, Brueckner is our savior. Read More…

Heading Toward the Light

Posted on June 21, 2012 by in Activism, Arts & Entertainment, Food & Drink, New York, Nightlife, Vegan

Written by Dan Mims. Photos #2-4 courtesy of Derek Goodwin.
a custom light fixture atop the roof of Aurora Lampworks

Like many good things, Aurora Lampworks, a lighting restoration and custom fabrication house (see example above), is a little hard to find. 172 North Eleventh Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is the address, and that’s good enough for determining the block. Along that stretch, I walk right by the narrow, nondescript door that looks at best like a side entry, not for public use. Failing any likelier options, my feet wander back and eyes scan around, finally settling upon a tiny wooden sign high above, adorned with a lightbulb carving. Read More…

In Prom We Trust

Posted on May 18, 2012 by in Events, New York, People, Things To Do, Vegan

An interview with Veggie Prom organizer Jessica Mahady by Dan Mims.

Jessica Mahady | Veggie Prom

Jessica Mahady is the force behind (cue booming reverb effect) Veggie Conquest. Started as the banner for a series of vegan cooking competitions, VC has struck a different (and, to my personal joy, decidedly dancier and drinkier) chord with its annual themed parties Veg-O-Ween and Veggie Prom.

The latter is particularly beloved by NYC’s vegan-positive socialites, who can relive the best (and pave over the worst) aspects of that unnerving adolescent milestone, only this time as adults who have the benefit of years of serious partying under their belts. And who can legally drink alcohol. And who don’t have to sneak a bag of peanuts in because the local catering company thinks being a vegan means you get the fish option.

Rest assured that Mahady, as a vegan herself (no surprise there), knows the difference between animal and plant. The 2012 Prom is tonight, starting at 8pm, which means you only have a few hours left to buy your ridiculously reasonable $10 advance tickets ($15 at the door; proceeds benefit animal protection org Mercy For Animals). For those of you who are just finding out about this and are thinking that you don’t have time to find a prom date or prom attire, don’t worry—there’s no need to couple up, and, as a New Yorker, you almost certainly already have an outfit that’ll pass muster. What I’m saying is: no excuses!

To help savor this moment of delicious anticipation, we spoke with Mahady about Veggie Prom’s origin story, her own high school prom, and what to expect at tonight’s much-awaited soirée. Read More…