The Rake Magazine

Thanks to Jezebel for steering me toward this gem: Wherein Josephine Cox, the 64-year-old British author of Atonement (among other things), wonders whether she harmed a generation of young women by perpetuating the myth of malehood. To which I respond: Hell, yes, you did! Although, for me, my notion of prince charming was shaped more by the movies than books. In fact, just last night, I asked the boyfriend (hunky, bluecollar, and a filthy mouth to boot) to fulfill one of my fantasies by pretending to be Humphrey Bogart. Anyhoo ...

Unlike Cox, I think the problem lies more in "finishing" than it does in looks. All our lives, women have been fielding messages, subtle or not so much, about social climbing via our mates (to marry a doctor!). Just last week I asked a girlfriend (mid 30s, attractive, climbing the corporate ladder at a global insurance company), about her "type." Her response was that she is looking for a man who is SMARTER than she is. To which I responded: But there aren't very many PEOPLE who are smarter than you. You're pretty fuckin smart. And accomplished. So, here is what I think: As women become more and more fabulous (and compensated, educated, etc.) we've got to make peace with "dating down." Of course, this shatters any hopes we might have about being devoted, stay-at-home mothers one day. With any luck, however, our ineloquent, uneducated, underemployed partners will at least help with the dishes.

As for the teeth that Cox refers to in her piece: I suspect that they, too, were seen as a reflection of socioeconomic status - just another clue that this guy is a plebe.

Good news! The locally owned and operated Rectangle Designs just launched its online store. Check it out if you care to purchase T-shirts, dresses, and totes in flora-themed prints. This is the one that I purchased recently. The picture at left doesn't exactly do the shirt justice (the problem with these longer tees is that you've got to pair them with fitted, flat-front pants - thus the proliferation of leggings), but it is quite flattering in real life. Also, it's the only shirt stitched by Sarah Nassif, the brains behind these Rectangle operations. All the others are printed on American Apparel garments, which run quite small, if you ask me.

Joy Teiken, the brains behind the local label Joynoelle, opened her new studio and storefront yesterday eve. You'll find it at 312 W. 42nd St. in South Minneapolis. Here she is, looking as carefree and chic as ever while taking a short break from basking in the glory of it all:

And here's Teiken's friend, Penny Larsen. You might remember her from our September fashion feature with The New Standards; she's married to bassist John Munson. But she's also a jewelry maker - and a damn talented one, I might add. I spent much of last evening admiring a crystal necklace and stunning hairpin, both of her design. She and Teiken are planning to host a "Design Your Own Gift" party for sometime in November, whereat partygoers will be able to make their own handbags, jewelry, and other gifty itmes. Check back for the 4-1-1 on that happening.

I also encountered Kimberly Jurek, of Kjurek Couture (her clothes are available locally at Cliche), who looked around the Joynoelle work/retail space and remarked, "This is my dream."

Anna Lee of MNfashion and Ruby3 wore a sporty cap (it was not, however, of her own design) and knowing smirk. Already, she's busy readying for the spring '08 Voltage Fashion Show - applications are due TODAY, if you'll believe it! As of late last night, she had already received applications from sixteen designers. Note that the show only has room for twelve.

Russell Bourrienne was there, too, also with a smile on his face. He's been swamped ever since MNfashion Weekend, he said. His open studio event, which was part of MNfashion Weekend's offerings, yielded several commissions. Another boon to the business: Just last week, it was announced that he was runner-up for the Macy's Distinction in Design Award. Bravo, Bourrienne!

Meet Nic Marshall, fashion photog extrordinaire. He was, roughly, my "date" last night - the boyfriend I left back home to cook me some din-din. Marshall is a favorite photographer of The Rake, as well as plenty of other local publications. Just announced: He's also going to be the sole photographer for Voltage 2008.

Here we have Katherine Gerdes and her "little brother," Nate. These two were en route to a dinner engagement and stopped in for a quick hello. I took the opportunity to badger Gerdes yet again about availability of the beautiful jersey/satin dresses she showed at Eclecticoiffeur's MNfashion Weekend runway event. (Read more about them here.) She says I can order one direct, if I so desire.

For more than fifteen years, the gap between my two front teeth has been a source of self-loathing. This is usually how that went: I pore over women's magazines, never pausing at the pencil-thin thighs but rather marveling at the models' perfect smiles. Next, I stare at my reflection, puzzling over whether my gap makes me look European (Vanessa Paradis), lusty (Lauren Hutton, Madonna), punk-rock (Mick Jones of The Clash), or just plain hideous. When I see photos of myself, I fix upon the gap-toothed grin rather than, say, the double chins. Call me superficial if you must, but believe you me: Diastema can cramp a girl's style.

In 1997, an unfortunate accident involving sangria, polka, and a good-looking Brit left me with a deadened front tooth. One root canal, a crown (which left the gap intact), and ten years later, the Chiclet started to show signs of wear. So, I figured, how harmless would it be to finally close the gap, since I would be replacing my crown anyway? My only complaint is that food sticks to my smile nowadays, whereas I certainly didn't have that problem before. In any case, je vous presente me and my new, improved front teeth:

I wrote a piece on Scandinavian furniture/design a while back and, unfortunately, it came off as slighting one of the finest sellers of Scandinavian wares in all the TC land: none other than Danish Teak Classics. This is the place where your visions of a stylish, modern living area can come into focus. Sure, the prices aren't in line with what you'll find at cheap-and-cheerful (and chintzy) Ikea. For starters, their stock of furniture has already seen a good fifty years. And from the looks of things, the average DTC piece will enjoy a healthy hundred more. The Rake's promotions depot is hosting one of its fabulous Gallery Grooves events at Danish Teak Classics on Thursday eve. Check it: Marinade your decorating ideas in a showroom full of vintage-modern chairs, desks, tables, and lighting fixtures. And the event comes replete with fine wine, food, visual art, and jazz to boot. But no vin rouge on the lounge chairs, please. I heart the pink one at left.