Semi Precious Weapons in the area
This week’s assault on London by Brooklyn badboys of glam Semi Precious Weapons (“The most important band in America” – Alan McGee, “The next big thing” - Perez Hilton) affords an opportunity to explore their fashion connections, which go ever which way but loose.
Not only are they managed by the legendary viber, DJ and photographer BP Fallon (whose many achievements include the fantastic cover of Led Zep’s colossal Physical Graffiti) but front-person and mascara-smeared lovedoll Justin Tranter is an accomplished and acclaimed jewellry designer who sells his exquisite work through the store which styles the band, Brooklyn boutique Alter.
//SPW live in NY. Pic: Caz Facey//
Tommy Cole and Roy Caires – who met at fashion school in Boston and are also the design team behind hilariously-titled vintage label This Old Thing? – run Alter in the grand tradition of great independent British fashion retail outlets; inventive and discerning without recourse to gimmickry.
//Justin Tranter (left) and Tommy Cole caught talking by Caz//
As a result Alter is streets ahead of NYC’s tiresome and overly-expensive “vintage” scene while the store’s blog is a constant source of delight – they have the good taste to name a section The Look (in which Alter create “outfits” for browsing customers out of current stock in the manner of The Face fashion spreads from the early 80s).
//Photo courtesy Style Canteen//
Justin’s jewellry label Fetty Of Brooklyn is tough-but-tender and very rock & roll; individual creations are even given song title names: “Shot Through The Heart, “Love Bites”, “Lizzie’s Love” and “Butcher’s Wife”. Also stocked by Barney’s, Fetty is available for purchase online here.
With appearances this week at such London hotspots as McGee’s club-nights Death Disco and God Save The Queen, as well as a guerilla gig at Le Fleche D’Or in Paris, Justin and the rest of his Semi Precious Weapons will be playing tracks from their “brilliant and kunty” (their favourite word) new album We Love You, which is executive produced by Tony Visconti.Naturally SPW’s online shop features pendants, eyeliner, mascara and “fucking gorgeous” lipgloss alongside the more usual hoodies and tees.
Semi Precious Weapons play:Jan 22: The Boogaloo Bar & Juke Joint, London
Jan 23: Death Disco, London
Jan 25: The Queen Is Dead, London
Jan 27: The Old Blue Last, London
Jan 28: Fleche d’Or, Paris
Feb 2: The R Bar, New York
Discover more about the wonderful world of BP Fallon here.
Alter is at 109 Franklin Street at Greenpoint Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11222.
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