The “Playgrounds” portion of the November show is charismatic photographer Christopher Graham. His intention is meaningful to us because we’ve always considered Baltimore a playground of sorts- for grownups. It’s the kind of place where creativity is invited and nourished, where adults can flourish as artists, musicians, writers, designers- and be what they’ve always wanted to be. We love Christopher’s playful recognition of this freedom and the people who celebrate it.

Artist statement: “Shooting in parks and playgrounds in the dark of night with bright strobe lights allows me to create my own theatrical scenes, giving each subject their own platform in which to perform - a circle of light with which to play and pose. My ability to portray my subjects as colorful, fascinating people has led me to photographing a broad range of subjects, including other artists and musicians. The larger pieces (this is from my show with the large mounted prints) is an expansion of my work as a portrait photographer, the larger pieces are composed of digital photographs taken of inanimate objects at night using portrait photography equipment.

These images are set in public spaces, like park swingsets or picnic tables, but lit as if they were in a studio, often treated like a human subject.  The lighting equipment is always shown in the photographs.  This results in a unique and unusual view of inanimate objects often used but rarely ’seen’.  A strange sight to passerby (usually residents of these neighborhoods walking their dogs), the shooting of these objects also becomes a sort of performance piece as they gaze curiously upon the subject, wondering where the fascination lies. Why is he photographing that in the middle of the night? Was this a crime scene? Is he waiting for a model to appear out of the darkness?”

The photograph above is a self-portrait, his photographs will be for sale at Shine Collective from November 6 through December 31.

The most flattering gesture in the art world has to be the portrait. Recently, three Shine staffers were inducted into Erin Fitzpatrick’s Baltimore Portrait Project and yes- we are deeply flattered. New York’s hip social scene has their Elizabeth Peyton, but we have an art star of our own and she’s captured our hi-fi/wi-fi moment in time, elegantly lo-fi and beautifully raw. Erin dumped the Mac for graphite & paper and the results are outstanding.

Erin’s words on the portrait project: “People-watching is a pastime in which every seeing human being has participated. We are drawn to look at others because they are attractive, or grossly unattractive. They have unusual style, features, or an air that we are envious of. We look at people to see what we would like to look like and what we are glad we do not. We look at people to see if we recognize them or can put them into context. Viewing a wall full of my portraits gives the viewer this experience. The pieces are realistic and near life-size.  Even if you don’t know the subjects personally, you recognize them. They are the artists, musicians, bartenders, business owners and well known individuals around town.”

A MICA graduate and Baltimore-based portrait artist, Erin runs the site fitzbomb.com and is currently working on the ongoing Baltimore Portrait Project. The show is through December at Shine Collective, all pieces are for sale. She is also available for commissioned portraits. Contact info@shinecollective.com.

Clockwise from the top: Self-portrait, Jamie Campbell, Alana Madill & Melissa Kirby

IOSSELLIANI begins in Rome in 1997 from the research gathering of designers Roberta Paolucci and Paolo Giacomelli. Strongly influenced by the Italian classic jewelry, Paolo and Roberta combined their love for vivid materials crafted into modern shapes with the enormous heritage of tradition. Traditional icons, classic ornaments and modern symbols are then bravely read and translated into a new perception of  details, creating a jewelry line duplicated by many, unmatched by none.

We had the privilege of meeting Paolo & Roberta last spring- they really are as cool as their line would indicate…

SHOP NOW.

Roberta & Paolo hanging in Rome.

Photography by Christopher Graham, Portrait drawings by Erin Fitzpatrick.

Congrats to Sid Vintage designer Nanci Bennett for making the cover of InStyle AGAIN- Reese Witherspoon wears it well.

Now available at Shine and ShopShineCollective.com

I believe I’ve found the perfect clutch. I was looking for something with a little hardware but not too much, soft leather but not too precious, a slouchy rectangle that would fit under my arm like a little leather chihuahua (that can carry ALL my stuff), a dress up, dress down, take it to dinner, take it to a rock show kinda clutch. The minute I saw Me Char’s minimal but brilliant design (it opens traditionally, but also has an outside zipper that opens to more space on the outside of the bag- and another zippered pocket for even more stuff) I knew I found it.

Me Char clutches are crafted in New York by designer Charmaine Ho. “My designs have clean lines, but are edgy, and offer something unexpected for a clutch,” describes Ho. “My clutches fit in with an urban lifestyle because they are so versatile. Small enough to carry with ease and large enough to fit the ever-important cell phone, credit cards, lipstick, and pocket mirror, Me Char bags are an absolute staple in every girl’s closet…”

Me agree.

Me Char’s clutches in come in lipstick pink, black, ivory and purple. Now at Shine Collective.

According to her site: “Eco-Beautiful only begins to describe the signature jewelry of Sid Vintage. Those with an eye for the exceptional immediately recognized that designer Nanci Bennett was up to something truly fabulous when she launched her line in 2004. Each piece is intensively handcrafted in Bennett’s Venice, CA studio. Inspired by remnants, histories and old stories, Nanci breathes new life into her creations. Scouring flea markets, she sniffs out the rare and the unusual, reshaping, combining and utterly transforming what was once forgotten… With her use of dead stock chain and vintage clasps, the Sid Vintage collection leaves no mark on Mother Earth. Bennett knows that beauty lies in the mixture of invention, history and physical material.”

Congrats to Nanci on her recent cover of Marie Claire and congrats to us for landing a few pieces today. We love love love.

Three hot new pieces from Sid Vintage. Only one of each to be found in Baltimore…

No single garment has generated more attention in the past few years than the t-shirt. We’ve seen a zillion styles, shapes and colors and one that really stood out to us this season came from a small Los Angeles line called Monrow. All criteria for the perfect tee were met with shape, fabric and price. We love the cool, slouchy-yet-structured shapes- perfect for layering under tailored blazers and chunky knits- and luxurious enough to be substantial on their own.

Monrow’s design duo Michelle Wenke and Megan George met at Otis College of Art and Design. Their experience in the fashion and styling industries shaped the Monrow brand- which is essentially rooted in its dedication to designing superior clothing for everyday life.

We’re loving the Monrow tees, Black Collection Necklaces & Souvenir cuff sets.
Now at Shine Collective.

Designer Joy Gryson created the affordable luxury handbag line Olivia Harris for those who want the $1000+ Gryson fix (her bags are incredibly irresistible) and still be able to pay the rent… Named after her daughter, Olivia Harris has less hardware than the iconic Gryson bags, but both quality and style are somehow preserved at a reasonable price. The leather is delicious– you can just tell it’s a timeless bag that will be in your arsenal for a very long time.

Gryson was most recently Director of  Design for Marc Jacobs Handbags & Accessories, and prior to that she worked with industry powerhouses Coach and Calvin Klein. She lives in NYC with her husband and daughter.

Now available at Shine Collective.

Like butter.

You can’t see me- I’m making my O face.
I. Want. This. Bag.

We’re so excited that fall is here! The air is crisp, the leaves are changing and it’s time to pull out the goodies from the back of the closet that have been neglected all summer. I’m talking leather. I’m talking chunky knits. I’m talking statement jewels. You know the goodies. This fall is all about texture and mixing it up. Bring it all out and add to it something slightly luxurious that’ll be yours forever. Throw in a vintage score for pennies. Create a look that’s yours alone.

Stay tuned for new Sid Vintage, Iosselliani, Olivia Harris and Boyy bags. All slated for arrival this month.

Local tee maker Natty Paint (Emily Li Mandri) has created hot new tees especially for us in the softest Am Apparel tri-blend athletic grey. For men & women. Only $28!

This month’s fashion story in Baltimore Magazine, ‘8 New Rules of Fashion’, features a few pieces from Shine Collective. The spread is gorgeous.

By Janelle Erlichman Diamond. Photography by David Colwell.

A couple of snuggly pieces from Trovata just arrived for fall- the henley is soft cotton with silky elbow patches and the  classic shirt dress in the warmest plaid is fun right now with bare legs and sandals and perfect later with boots and leggings. We can’t wait for fall!

Coming up soon! The next First Friday- Sept. 4, Shine welcomes the paintings and drawings of Beth Höeckel. Beth was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland where she attended the Carver Center for Arts magnet school, studied Fine Arts and Photography, and earned her diploma in 1997.  At the age of 17 she moved to Chicago having earned a merit scholarship to The School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she studied Printmaking, Photography, Painting, Drawing, Creative Writing, and Art History. In 2001 she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, then lived and worked in New York City for 2 years after school, followed by 4 years in Los Angeles. Beth is currently working on Painting, Drawing, Collage, and Photography in Baltimore.

Opening: Friday, Sept. 4, 2009. 6-9pm

“Wing / Prayer ” -Ink, Guache, Collaged Materials on Paper. 

As we transition into fall, these two fresh little silk dresses by Haven have arrived with perfect timing. Both have pockets and are incredibly flattering. Light enough for now, and totally right for later with tights, boots and boyfriend blazer. Local designer Natty Paint just dropped some new pieces she printed just for Shine. Her tees & tank dress have super cool geo prints that look great alone or under a vest or jacket.

Also! Just restocked on LA Made tees - long, slouchy, just right.