LONG LIVE EIGHTIES NYC! THE STEVEN SPROUSE RETROSPECTIVE: THE LOUIS VUITTON STORE, THE DEITCH PROJECT GALLERY – SOHO NEW YORK

Text, Vivian G. Kelly, with contribution by Richard Spiegel
Images from www.deitch.com
www.welovespouse.com
Image of Deborah Harry from art.com
Image of Keith Haring from wwwseymour.k12.wi.us, by Jack Mitchell
Images of exterior of Soho, NYC Vuitton store, VGK

FASHION/POP CULTURE
If you came of age in the eighties and went out in NYC, you knew whom Steven Sprouse was. You also knew who Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Blondie/Deborah Harry were and maybe even rubbed elbows with them at the Mud Club. They were much more than mere of –the- moment celebrities; they were possessed of a unique brand of talent that lives on even though Haring, Basquiat, and Sprouse are no longer alive.

THE PRESENT
The January issue of Harper’s Bazaar put Steven Sprouse squarely back on our radar screen. It was nearly impossible to miss or ignore a naked Marc Jacobs covered in Sprouse graffiti painted all over his body – just like on the handbags currently available at the Soho Vuitton store.

THE VUITTON STORE
THE VIBE: THE eighties, on every level.
Great marketing hits as many senses as possible, and Marc Jacobs “did good” with his homage to his long-time friend.
THE MUSIC: eighties club classics such as “Relax Don’t Do It” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and “Strange Love” by Depeche Mode.

THE VISUALS: the shocking pink and black graffiti flooring that brought us way back in time in the time machine when we entered the store.

THE MERCH – WHAT’S DIFFERENT THAN LAST TIME
The 2nd generation limited edition Sprouse bags had smaller graffiti than the 1st generation black and white models. What was interesting was that we didn’t see any pink graffiti bags in the store. Perhaps they’re special order?

BEST
The graffiti bags.
While the floral designs were nice, they didn’t have the edge that the graffiti designs had.


WHAT WE CRAVED: The posters!
NOTE TO BERNARD ARNAUD: Print out a series of these and sell them!


THE DEITCH PROJECTS EXHIBIT: “Steven Sprouse, Rock on Mars”.
WHEN/WHERE: The Deitch Projects Gallery, 18 Wooster Street
New York City. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10AM – 6PM

THE RATING: A 10 out of a possible 10

THE WHO
While we enjoyed the Harper’s spread, and the store, it was MAURICIO AND ROGER PADILHA’S incomparable collection, co-curated by Jamie Boud, and Jessica Glasscock, a faculty member at Parsons School of Art, at the DEITCH PROJECTS gallery blew us away.
It was all there – the videos of some of his most famous runway shows, the clothes that references all the greats: Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Jean Paul Basquiat, Deborah Harry, Sid Vicious, and the list goes on.

THE HIGHLIGHTS
- Sid Vicious with his pants down
- An Iggy Pop crucifixion

Just make sure you get there soon. The exhibit is only open until February 28, 2009
For more information, contact Jasmine Levett at 212-343-7300


OPTIONS
If you can’t afford a Vuitton, you can pick up a Marc by Marc Jacobs change purse at the Barney’s Coop for significantly less.

OUR SPROUSE FIX
Across the street at FACE Stockholm, where we picked up a $21 matte eyeshadow in “shocking” pink.

WISH LIST
“The Steven Sprouse Book” by Roger and Mauricio Padilha with a forward by Tama Janowitz, published by Rizzoli.

*The book is available as of January 13th, in 4 different color-ways to choose from.
To pick up what is sure to be a collector’s item, go to www.rizzolli.com