Hair Wars

by Roseanna Roberts

In his collection of portraits titled Hair Wars, NYC-based photographer David Yellen profiles traditional African American beauty parlor culture and invites us into a world of weaves and braids, where no style is too extreme.

The competitions, which began in the mid-'80s when stylist extraordinaire David Humphries (more commonly known as "Hump the Grinder") organized weekly events then known as the "Wednesday Night Hair Connection." He and a group of his flamboyant friends brought out the craziest 'dos to local clubs in Detroit and pushed each other to create hairstyles that were excessive to the most extreme degree. Over the years, the event gained mass appeal and by 1994 Hair Wars had turned into a national tour. The event has become so well recognized that an episode of "America's Next Top Model" used star Hair Wars artists to style one of their photo shoots .

The documentation of cultural niches is nothing new to Yellen. His book Too Fast For Love: Heavy Metal Portraits is a record of his travels with die-hard metal heads and their dedication to hard rock and the bands they idolize.

Yellen discovered the Hair Wars in 2004. After attending his first show, he was spellbound and set off on the road once again, touring the country to photograph the stylists and their creations.

The result is decidedly more than an account of back-combing and hairspray. Complex styles, created by wrapping, rolling, twisting and pinning layers of colorful hair extensions create what can only be described as works of art. Yellen captures the unconventional beauty and authenticity each stylist brings to the hair. Designers stop at nothing short of an over-sized paper maché flower or metal propeller to enhance their masterpiece. Yellen captures the true artistic quality of the hair styles and illustrates how each style is a stunning success, intricate and unique, with a great sense of humor. (For more images go here.)

Hair Wars, published by Power House, will be in stores Autumn 2007. The book is available for pre-order on the Barnes & Noble website.

Kameraflage

by Josh Rubin

Taking advantage of the fact that digital cameras see a broader spectrum of light (i.e they see more colors) than human eyes Kameraflage takes digital photography to a new level. Engineering text or designs in these invisible colors into objects creates displays that are invisible to the naked eye yet can be seen when imaged with a digital camera. Potential applications include everything from clothing to billboards, and even movies.

via conor.info who's design is featured here.

Rittenhouse x Mackintosh Trench Coat

by Ami Kealoha

A new collaboration between Australian-based label Rittenhouse and Mackintosh of Scotland merges the Sydney-based designers' street smart designs and slick graphics with Mackintosh's traditional rubberized cotton trench. The result, launching this month, is the reinvigoration of the classic coat with a hand-printed detachable wool-flannel liner in Rittenhouse's signature "checkers" design, a celebration of each labels' individual styles that gives new breath to an old standby. "We only wanted to accentuate the strengths of the two brands and marry them without interfering with any of the characteristics of each," Sally MacDonald and Micah Hamdorf of Rittenhouse says. Available for both men and women in fawn and navy, these coats are a good reason to look forward to covering up.

Read more…

by Andi Teran

Brown Paper Chocolates

by Ami Kealoha

Reinventing chocolate in both form and function, Brown Paper Chocolates come in the shape of a cube and are studded with delicious flavor combos. From the unusual, like strawberry-balsamic-marsala-mint in white chocolate or almond-tequila-chile, to the more expected espresso-kahlua-cocoa nibs, all of the ingredients are high quality and minimally processed. No other approach to white chocolate has won us over in quite the same way.

Founder Richard Kaplan shared several ways to enjoy Brown Paper Chocolates when we tasted them at his booth at the Fancy Food Show recently. Slivers are perfect for pairing with wine or for when you just want a little something sweet, but we were most intrigued by Kaplan's suggestions of grating the white chocolate with lemon, rum and thyme over a salad. He also recommends shaving the blocks over desserts and coffee—you can't really go wrong. They're available at select specialty retailers, like Whole Foods, and online here for $7 each.

What We're Listening to Now, Part One

by Seth Brau

Our ears have been hard at work here at Cool Hunting. Here's the latest of what Seth, Ami and Tim been listening to. Next up: Josh, Evan and Roseanna.

Seth

TV On The Radio: Live Session EP (iTunes Exclusive)
TV on the Radio has always been one of my favorites. With each new release they seem to recreate their sound, coming up with music that is wholly unique and original. In their latest EP, an exclusive live recording available only on iTunes, the band amazes me yet again with fresh new live recordings of their classic songs. An eclectic acoustic mix filled with the unique harmonizing voices the band is known for, these live tracks create a soundscape that is simply beautiful. Get it exclusively on iTunes.

Also on Cool Hunting: TV on the Radio: Return to Cookie Mountain

Copy: Hair Guitar & Mobius Beard
The brainchild of Marius Libman, Copy is a one man electronic masterpiece. Based out of Portland, on the Audio Dregs label, Copy's creations are simple with a lo-fi sound that's like something out of the sweetest video game you've never played. Like a crazy mixture of Timbaland and Ratatat, it's synth-hop electrohouse magic. I have yet to hear a Copy track I don't like. Available on iTunes or from Audio Dregs, also make sure to check out his other project, DJ Copy for some truly unique remixes of hip hop classics.

Also on Cool Hunting: Audio Dregs

Ami

Yacht: I Believe in You Your Magic is Real
Pop-happy beats and vocals add a level of accessibility to Yacht's trademark electro nerd core, but it's not just sing-along time on his third full length I Believe in You Your Magic is Real. The recently-released album gets better every time it's played, with Jona Bechtolt's (aka Yacht) virtuosity—from Krist Novoselic-worthy basslines to polished production values—shining in different ways on each track. It sounds as good on headphones (my current favorite walking soundtrack) as it does on the dance floor and is even better live. Catch Yacht for free 19 August 2007 as part of this summer's Jelly NYC concert series held in Brooklyn's McCarren Pool. Buy the album from Insound or iTunes.

Dirty Projectors: Rise Above
A concept album re-imagining Black Flag's Damaged from memory, Rise Above is a beautifully executed album that holds up under the weight of its somewhat lofty premise. Orchestral arrangements, complex instrumentation and experimental vocals make for an album that's intellectual and engaging, at times achingly romantic and at others as soulful and spot-on as Prince at his best. Produced by Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor, his influence shows in the offbeat harmonies and the subtle folk influences. Also not to be missed live, the band tours North America (with Yacht no less) starting this August. See dates here. Due out 11 September 2007, it will be available from Insound.

Tim

M. Ward: Duets for Guitars #2
Originally released in 2000 under Ow Om and recently re-released, we get a glimpse of early Matt Ward in Duet For Guitars #2. Dusty and less polished than his more recent recordings with Merge, the songs are bare bones and crunchy at times. The vocal tracks don't sound as tired or gruff as his more recent albums but in the end it's still the sparse and beautiful M. Ward we all know.

Solo Andata: Fyris Swan
Off of the Hefty label, Solo Andata compellingly argues that electronic music is suppose to be warm and slow paced. Using loops of organic natural sounds and melding forms of jazz, folk and ambient genres, they compose distinct soundscapes in Fyris Swan, set to drop 25 July. Pastoral and cinematic, combined with the right mood, it can be a perfect selection.

Reggae Songbirds: 17 Great Tracks from The High Note Label
A summertime favorite, Reggae Songbirds showcases some of the best woman in reggae, old school r&b and calypso. From well-known artist such as Marcia Griffiths to lesser known but equally impressive singers, the woman really show how it's done in the oftentimes male-dominated Reggae world. The female voice coupled with syncopated beats creates a textured sound that men just can't compete with.