- DNRNews.com, KATYA FOREMAN, Oct. 30, 2008

PARIS — Yohji Yamamoto has opened the doors to a new Paris flagship at 4 Rue Cambon.

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Architect Sophie Hicks said she wanted the 6,500-square-foot store, which debuted Tuesday, to appear to “float.” To do this, she employed a three-dimensional window blind made from rows of folded shoji gami paper (a thin material typically used for Japanese screens) that suspend on wires like lines of flying seagulls. “The view is more important from the outside,” said Hicks, describing how the installation allows passersby to steal glimpses of the interior in a nod to the restraint of traditional Japanese aristocratic women.

The same abstract form is also featured on a wooden wall sculpture flanking one side of the store’s narrow entrance — one that leads into a sparse white space with seven mannequins floating on metal poles.

“When I first met Yohji, I thought, ‘This man likes a white box, and I like a white box too, so let’s not try to be clever,’” Hicks said. “Yohji Yamamoto is Japanese, but on one level he is Parisian, too. ... So I wanted his store to float in Paris, to be a Japanese world with a subtle feeling of Paris in [its] atmosphere.”

The 1,080-square-foot men’s wear space extends itself over three rooms. Pieces from Yohji Yamamoto’s winter 2008/2009 runway collection are hung on moveable stands that can accompany shoppers to the fitting rooms. Men’s accessories also are on display, as are semi-measure services for both men and women.

Keizo Tamoto, Yohji Yamamoto's executive vice-president and CEO, said he expects the store to generate around 1.5 million euros, or around $1.9 million at current exchange, in its first year.

Yamamoto’s Rue du Louvre store, which until now has housed the men’s and women’s collection and Y’s brand, is currently the brand’s most successful store in the world, Tamoto said, noting the unit will now be devoted to Y’s. The firm also owns a neighboring Y-3 store on Rue Etienne Marcel.

Tamoto said the company began working on the flagship project two years ago, prior to the economic meltdown. “This is just a coincidence. And Paris will not disappear with this climate, I hope,” he said, adding that there are no more retail ventures planned for the foreseeable future.

- sandrarose.com, October 28, 2008



See the tranny choreographer in Beyonce’s Single Ladies video. I had no clue because I was mostly focused on Beyonce and the other female. My source confirms that the other woman is truly just that because she was a student of his. Shocking!

Single Ladies Gets Done by a Man

This split video footage displays a man dressed in a man-kini doing the same choreography that is done in Beyonce's new "Single Ladies" video. Also note that Beyonce's trannie choreographer (the darker skinned female) appears in her video in full drag! Way to generate a buzz and promote those singles B!

-UrbanDaddy.com, NYC

We're always on the lookout for a good rendezvous point.

Whether it's for business, pleasure or a little bit of both.

That's why we think you'll be intrigued by Meet, a meeting space/anything-goes Soho townhouse, and one of the most unique spots we've come across in some time, officially taking reservations now.

Think of Meet as Soho House meets Julian Schnabel's private living room. Ornate wallpaper, interesting art and unique nooks abound. But that doesn't mean it's all play and no work. Since the place was designed for creative business meetings and corporate getaways, it's jam-packed with anything you might need (A/V, plasmas, tech support, really expensive office furniture) and, more importantly, what you might want (a stocked kitchen, a personal concierge, a parlor/library with art books and sofas).

But what we're really intrigued by is the...extracurricular possibility of the space. Since the place is all yours when you rent it, the owners have an anything-goes policy. So if you're looking to throw an old-school spiked punch holiday party, need a new space to run your high stakes strip poker game or have a burning desire to host a screening of your three-part documentary on the life and music of Air Supply (we'll be busy that night), this is your place.

Your old strip poker den suddenly seems so uncouth.
Meet at the Apartment, open Nov 1, taking reservations now, 101 Crosby St (near Prince), 212-966-1550 or hello@welcometomeet.com

No Ironman Sequel for Terence Howard

Photo by Ferdaus Shamim, WireImage

Don Cheadle will replace Terrence Howard as James "Rhodey" Rhodes in "Iron Man 2". This was a shock to him and everyone else. Rumor has it that it was over a money dispute which Howard denies.

Terrence is currently touring and promoting his new CD of jazz inspired songs. He sings and plays guitar on his new baby, titled "Shine Through It".

Marvel Studios hasn't released a comment yet describing the reasoning behind the change in actors. Cheadle and Howard are a part of the cast of the upcoming "Crash" sequel. Wouldn't you like to be a fly on that set?

See Terrence Howard in "Iron Man" below. This really is a must-see movie!

I AM Sasha Fierce

- iTunes

For her third solo album, Beyoncé not only features the powerful R&B vocals of her own, but also those of her alter-ego Sasha Fierce. The two-sided album will contain more of a classic R&B-jazz sound on Beyoncé's side, while Sasha's hip-hop vibe emulates the sound of her surname. The set is led by singles "If I Were a Boy" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)," and you'll get the former immediately when you pre-order before the album is released on November 18 on iTunes.

Visit the Apple Store to place your order.

Toni Braxton Ejected from Dancing with the Stars

Toni Braxton will not continue on with the "Dancing with the Stars."

The singer and her professional partner, Alec Mazo, were eliminated Tuesday from ABC's popular dancing competition. The pair received a score of 22 out of 30 from the show's judges during Monday's performance after a less than spectacular West Coast swing. The R&B singer was booted after that score was combined with viewer votes.

Braxton, has coronary microvascular angina and was pleased with her stint on the program. "I wanted to do better. I wanted to breathe better. And I was definitely breathing better. I've come a long way from Week One to Week Now" said Toni.

Celebrities remaining in the competition include TV personality Brooke Burke; singer Lance Bass; former NFL star Warren Sapp; Olympic gold medalist Maurice Greene; actor Cody Linley; and actresses Cloris Leachman and Susan Lucci. Chef Rocco DiSpirito, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, actor Ted McGinley and comedian Jeffrey Ross were previously eliminated.

Barack Obama on Soultrain

Check out Obama bustin' a move on Soul Train.

We apologize for missing the posting of the Tina Knowles (Beyonce's mom) on Soul Train video. YouTube pulled the plug due to rights violations.