Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon Launch @ Grain Bar Sydney.

An Aussie launch for an American whiskey, and it was not just the excellent, aged ten years Russell's Reserve Kentucky Bourbon on show at Grain Bar; this was the real treat, Master Distiller Jimmy Russell and son Eddie, Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, both speaking from the floor about their work making bourbon whiskey and signing our gift bottles later in the evening. I'm not going to pretend a review but I will say that on the night there were two Russell's Reserve Bourbons lining the bar floor to ceiling, quite literally, the ten year old Small Batch 45% and the Single Batch a wee bit stronger at 55%. I was able to wrangle a side by side tasting of both for myself; and before I say anything else I will admit that I am an occasional Scotch Whisky drinker (no E), single malt preferred, the peatier the better.. and have only tried Bourbon Whiskey once or twice before. Both of the  Russell's Reserve's or should I say all three (there was the Masters Keep!!!) tasting at the end; were superb.

During the talk (they certainly weren't speeches) by Eddie and Jimmy we were given a quick overview of a life making Bourbon, since 1954 for Master Distiller Jimmy. Australia is the largest non-domestic market and; shock horror, much-older bourbon is not necessarily better! In conversation with Eddie I asked why; apparently it has a lot to do with the local climate, temperature changes, "it's not Scotland"! However Wild Turkey have built a brick barrel house to allow for longer ageing without the drawback-characteristics of using new barrels; as all Scotch drinkers know, the colour of the whisky comes from the used oak sherry barrels; this is not permitted in the making of Bourbon which uses new barrels charred on the inside to create the colour and the distinctive flavour - too much time though and the taste can become unfavourable. There were no unfavourable flavours here, I am a new convert to Bourbon with a new range of spirits to explore. And my preference from my tasting? I leant toward the stronger single barrel. Enjoy responsibly!
Master distillers Eddie and Jimmy speaking at the Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon launch at Grain Bar Sydney
Eddie guides us through a tasting. Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon at Grain Bar Sydney
Very happy tasters, Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon at Grain Bar Sydney
Behind the bar, Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon at Grain Bar Sydney. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Christopher Haggerty and Vivienne of vivalaViv blog, Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon at Grain Bar Sydney. Photo by Kent Johnson, Street Fashion Sydney.
Barman in action, Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon at Grain Bar Sydney Photo by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney.
Old Fashioned made with Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon at Grain Bar Sydney. Photography by Kent Johnson.
Master distiller Jimmy Russell signs a Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon for Vivienne - vivalaViv at Grain Bar Sydney. Photography by Kent Johnson.
Master distiller Jimmy Russell signs a Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon for Fiona at Grain Bar Sydney. Photography by Kent Johnson.
Vivienne, Christopher and Deb, style bloggers at the Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon at Grain Bar Sydney. Photo by Kent Johnson for Street Fashion Sydney.

Thank you to Wild Turkey, Jimmy and Eddie Russell and The Trish Nicol Agency.
wildturkeybourbon.com

Book Street Fashion Sydney to cover your next event.
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863

Friday, July 24, 2015

BLACK | KṚṢṆA - THE ASSEMBLY - DUBLER The CO-LAB @ Brand X Creative Retail Residency.

Street Fashion Sydney attended the lunch party on Thursday evening for Brand X Creative Retail Residency, BLACK | KṚṢṆA , THE ASSEMBLY & DUBLER; Fashion, Home-wares and Jewellery respectively. Open this weekend (with a great coffe cart I hear) and in-residency for the next 3 months. It's great to see spaces like this to give emerging brands a space to experiment in the retail environment.

"BLACK | KṚṢṆA is a collection of androgynous garments made from natural fibres designed and constructed in Sydney that embodies the flow of the Japanese mind, Krishna and the spiritual self."
Portrait of BLACK | KṚṢṆA Brand X Creative Retail Residency; photography & design by Kent Johnson.
BLACK | KṚṢṆA fashion on the rack - BAND X. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Opening party Brand X Creative Retail Residency.
Crowd, opening party Brand X Creative Retail Residency.

"THE ASSEMBLY carefully curate hand-made products to complement and fit with daily life; a collection of the finest home-wares  furniture and knick-knacks in wood, linen, copper and brass."
THE ASSEMBLY - Johan and Nia artist portrait, opening night Brand X Creative Retail Residency, photo by Kent Johnson.

"DUBLER explores the possibilities in innovative technologies in contemporary jewellery, utilising the 3D printing process to create expressive pieces of wearable design engaging both traditional and digital techniques."
#d printed jewellery by Caitlin Dubler for DUBLER - Brand X Creative Retail Residency. Photography and design by Kent Johnson.
A happy customer with designer Caitlin Dubler at Brand X Creative Retail Residency. Photography by Kent Johnson.
Customer being fitted for BLACK | KṚṢṆA at the launch of Brand X Creative Retail Residency, photo by Kent Johnson.
A great table of food and drinks at the launch party for Brand X Creative Retail Residency.
Men of Street Fashion Sydney, spots vs stripes. Brand X Creative Retail Residency
Multi Portrait of BLACK | KṚṢṆA Brand X Creative Retail Residency

And may your fashion god go with you!

http://www.brandx.org.au/
Brand X
180B Campbell St
Darlinghurst, NSW 2010

http://www.blackkrsna.com.au/
http://www.theassemblyco.com.au/
http://www.dublerdesign.com.au/

Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

A Brighter Winter Ft. vivalaViv

Yes, what a shock 10 days in warm wonderful Brisbane then a return to freezing Sydney; very much so considering the snow dumps up in the nearby Blue Mountains! So here's a way you stay warm, basic black highlighted with a splash of colour and you can't do better than orange! You can check out vivalaViv here.
Ralph Lauren Boots, Orange scarf, winter coat and black Akubra hat, street fashion Sydney with vivalaViv. Photo - Art Direction by Kent Johnson.

Stay warm, Spring is coming I'm sure!
http://vivalaviv.com/

Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

An Exotic Brisbane, Winters Odyssey - (Brissie you've Changed)

For those of you who may not be aware, and there is no reason you should be.. I grew up in Brisbane, and spent the formative years of my life there including three and a half very-important-years at the Queensland College of Art where I was a major in photography. Although residing down south in Sydney for many years now; one of the things that has stuck with me most, about Brisbane, then-and-now is that Brisbane is exotic! Don't ask the locals about that they won't know what you mean, or worse, may think you are having a go at them. But Brisbane is Exotic, and it's hot, hot and humid, because it's subtropical, which is a big part of why it is exotic. It still has a good collection of colonial era, tropical style architecture (that survived the Joe years), and  famous 'Old Queenslander' houses too, and it has these little patches of remnant bush land, close to the city and dotted all about. And because during WW2  as Pacific headquarters of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur 1,000,000 American servicemen passed through the city; (and the legendary Battle of Brisbane as Aussie servicemen fought the Yanks!) Some things a city never forgets. Because Robin Gibson and successors did such a great job on the South Bank arts precinct, arguably Australia's finest. Then there's the river, there's Morton Bay, Stradbroke island AKA Straddie, and now, while not exactly exotic, there is life right in the city now too; something we would dream of but could hardly imagine back in our day.. as seen from the 26th floor apartment I stayed in, one of the many tall apartment buildings now dotting the Brisbane skyline. Oh yes Brissie, a lot of you has stayed the same, but Brissie you have changed! Mouse over pictures for details.

Brisbane apartments and city hills, skyline, the view from the 26th floor I Stay River City. By Kent Johnson.
The view from the 26th floor I Stay River City.
A skateboarder in Albert street Brisbane, seen from the 26th floor. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Old fig tree and modern high rise office buildings, Brisbane CBD. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Sharply detailed shadows on a Brisbane street. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Anti-Vax street march in Charlotte street Brisbane June 2015. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Anti-Vax street march - maybe Joe was right..
Ferris wheel and QPAC, South Bank Brisbane from Victoria Bridge. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Ferris wheel and QPAC, South Bank Brisbane from Victoria Bridge.

Knit Your Bit, outside the Queensland State Library, South Bank Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Knit Your Bit, outside the Queensland State Library, South Bank Brisbane.
Exhibition detail. MICHAEL PAREKOWHAI THE PROMISED LAND. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Duchamp & Degars dreaming - Michael Parekowhai, The Promised Land (detail) GOMA.
Combi van in forest, exhibition detail. MICHAEL PAREKOWHAI THE PROMISED LAND. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Michael Parekowhai, The Promised Land (detail) GOMA.
Colonial Mutual Life Building now The Manor Apartments, Queen Street Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Former CML Building 1930 ( now The manor Apartments), always a favourite & the GPO.
The arcade Brisbane GPO. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Sandstone arches, Victorian architecture, the arcade Brisbane GPO.
Laneway and new hight rise building Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

1970 Len Shillam sculpture, Post Office square Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Plaque for 1970 Len Shillam sculpture, Post Office square Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Old State Library Brisbane, Mosaic Mural 1958  by Lindsay Edwards. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Old State Library Annex Brisbane, Mosaic Mural 1958 by Lindsay Edwards. 
Sculpture Morning Star by Jon Barlow Hudson, Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Morning Star by Jon Barlow Hudson
South Bank QAG, State library. "Approaching Equilibrium" by Anthony Pryor 1951-1991; Meriton apartments in background. Photo by Kent Johnson.
"Approaching Equilibrium" by Anthony Pryor 1951-1991
WW2 Bunker? Under the Storey Bridge. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Under the Storey Bridge, a WW2 bunker? 
Luxury Favelas on the river, Bulimba Brisbane Photo by Kent Johnson.
Luxury Favelas on the river, Bulimba Brisbane viewed from New Farm.
Shadow on house at night - Dornoch Terrace Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

The vibrant West End night markets food stalls. Photo by Kent Johnson.

An Elvis impersonator entertains onlookers at the vibrant West End night markets. Photo by Kent Johnson.
An Elvis impersonator(?) entertains onlookers at the vibrant West End night markets.

A panoramic view of Victorian era Queenslander houses and the view back to Brisbane city from the top of Teneriffe hill. Photo by Kent Johnson.
A panoramic view of Victorian era Queenslander houses and the view back to the city from the top of Teneriffe hill. 
A very steep hill and Our Lady of Victories Spanish Mission Style Church Bowen Hills, Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Steep public steps viewed from the top of Teneriffe hill.Photo by Kent Johnson.
Steep public steps leading to the top of Teneriffe hill.
Wild scrub Turkey on path Teneriffe Bushland Park. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Wild scrub Turkey on path Teneriffe Bushland Park. 
Queensland Musical Theatre practice hall, Teneriffe Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
This is not GOMA...
Wild scrun turkey walks along pavement near luxury riverside units Teneriffe Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Clouds and river view from city cat ferry, Bulimba reach. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Clouds, view from city cat ferry Bulimba reach.
Artist portrait of Dennis McCart at the opeing night of his show 'Beneath Our Feet' at The Hold Artspace in West End, Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
 Dennis McCart at the opeing night of his show 'Beneath Our Feet' at The Hold Artspace. 
Patrons Shoes, The Hold Artspace in West End, Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Art Sniffers at the 'Beneath Our Feet' exhibition, The Hold Artspace in West End, Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
At the 'Beneath Our Feet' exhibition, The Hold Artspace in West End, Brisbane. 
The autor and friend on the take a selfie on the riverside walkway New Farm with the city and Storey Bridge in the background. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Love you Brisbane! Thank YOU.