The Mowgli's, Royal Teeth, X Ambassadors and Whysowhite - Saturday at Bottom Lounge

#TheMowgli's

This Saturday, November 23 we have a triple threat for you! LA's The Mowgli's, Louisiana's Royal Teeth (hi, friends), NY's X Ambassadors and Chicago's own, Whysowhite, will all be performing at the Bottom Lounge. Brought to you by our friends at Q87.7 this show is not one to miss. For tickets and more information on these killer bands, click here!

Adi Hitchcock: Fashion’s Freshest Accessory

Stic interviews the NYC designer on launching her first abstract jewelry line.

The infatuation began when I attended a Hank & Cupcakes concert at the Subterranean in June. I noticed the Brooklyn duo wearing eccentric zipper necklaces that I could not resist. Their stage presence seemed complete with these vibrant pieces of jewelry. Who was behind this quirky design and what had inspired her to create such work of art?

The designer is Adi Hitchcock. I was so intrigued that I soon reached out to get a glimpse of her world and hear her magnificent story. Her line officially launched last week featuring intricate designs hand-made from literal zippers as well as timeless harmonica necklaces. In fact, the legendary Paul McCartney is seen wearing Adi’s “Blow” piece on the cover of Rolling Stone’s March issue. Other fans of her work include Sir Paul Smith, Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, Bar Rafaeli, and Marc Jacobs. When I spoke to Adi via phone, I immediately sensed her charisma and inspiration. It was refreshing to speak to a young, genuine designer who was finally exposing her artistic talent to the world. This line has been featured in Scoop NYC, Atrium, Shopbop, and Ibiza NYC. Read our interview and get to know this eclectic designer. Be sure to check out her whimsical jewelry online here!  

Stic-of-the-Week: Explain how you began this line. Where did it originate?

Adi Hitchcock: The line originated in New York but the ideas behind the jewelry originate back during my childhood in Jerusalem.

SOTW: How would you describe your jewelry? What kind of character can pull off your jewelry?

AH: I like to think that everybody can pull off something from my collection because my jewelry is practical and playful with a functional aspect to it. It is not just for beauty, but also for fun. I once sold a zipper chain to an upper east side seven year old. Paul McCartney displayed my harmonica piece on the cover of Rolling Stone three months ago. I had given pieces to Yoko, Sean, and the other living Beatles through mutual friends. The jewelry can definitely be pulled off in various settings. There is something for everyone.

SOTW: What were your biggest influences in creating unique zipper products and harmonica-themed jewelry?

AH: The zippers found me. I’m obsessed with them completely. As for the harmonica idea, I believe it is a dream to have a musical instrument constantly on you whether you play an instrument or not. It is a minimized piece of music that can be next to your heart. If you were on a deserted island, you might as well play some music. Everybody likes harmonicas. Whether it is little kids or older folks.

SOTW: Hank & Cupcakes are big supporters of your line and are models in your ad campaign. What is your connection to them?

AH: My girlfriend wore a gold zipper chain to a Hank & Cupcakes show. [Lead singer] Sagit saw it and loved it. She approached my girlfriend and my girlfriend gave her my information. And that’s how the love affair started.

SOTW: What is your favorite piece from your line?

AH: Every day I have a different favorite piece. I make them not knowing what exactly is going to come out. I love my hand-dyed zippers. They’re dyed to create a pastel/Van Gogh color scheme. Each individual zipper is a different color. It represents how we are all so similar yet we each have our own differences.

SOTW: What is your ultimate goal with your jewelry?

AH: One day my dream is for everyone to have their own personal zipper. Not just a zipper they find on their clothes or bags, but their very own zipper that they chose to buy. I want it to become a symbol of pop culture.

Check out this beautifully designed commercial for Blow by Adi Hitchcock [Directed by: Shelly Carmel & Rylee Jean Ebsen]

Blow by Adi Hitchock (Official Commercial) from Rylee Jean Ebsen on Vimeo.

The Empire Strikes the East Coast! Empire of the Sun at Terminal 5 - NYC

Two years, a burned out CD and hundreds of YouTube videos later, I finally got to see the otherworldly live experience that is Empire of the Sun, (not once but twice) as they made their US debut this past August. Although their first time in the US, Aussie natives "Emporer" Luke Steele (of alt group The Sleepy Jackson) and "Lord" Nick Littlemore (of dance-duo Pnau) are no strangers to the live show. They've been making musical magic since 2007 as EOTS, and released their debut album "Walking On A Dream" in fall 2008. Judging by the intense visuals of their cover art and the ultra-glam attire and scenery in their video's, you have to hope that they bring a traveling circus with them to their live shows as well. Trust me when I say they heeded my every expectation.    

They kicked off their 7-show circuit by lighting up Perry's @ Lollapallooza in Chicago on August 7th, before making their way to NYC for two, sold out Terminal 5 shows, the second of which I was lucky enough to catch. The entire show was magical. From start to finish the show felt like you were following your way through some epic adventure love story complete with all the creatures of Narnia, lights from some old school sci-fi junket, and noises & sounds from some uber cool pinball game. They opened with a favorite of mine, "Standing On The Shore" which (even in the photo pit), I was able to groove to. Other crowd favorites included "Half Mast" and "Swordfish Hotkiss Night" complete with some awesome metallic blue body-suits and fish masks. With enough costume changes to make even Cher jealous, it was hard to pick out our favorite pics. To see them all go here. Nearing the end of their 50 minute set they played "Walking On A Dream" which first beat out ignited the crowd into a dance frenzy.

Side project or not, I anticipate we'll hear more from these guys and hopefully get to catch them in the States again soon! If you don't already have it, make sure you go pick up their album "Walking on a Dream". Stic favorite's include: Standing On The Shore, Without You, and of course the ultimate summer jam, Walking On A Dream.