Just because it’s sweltering hot outside in New York City, does not mean girlies forget how to dress. It’s quite the contrary when we’re talking about downtown Manhattan or Williamsburg. I’ve picked the best, and a few of the worst, from the slideshow above. Here’s what we like: the black Givenchy heels but NOT the penny loafers with tiny black socks. Stacey Bendet from Alice + Olivia not only pulls off summer fur, but sports some swell metallic bangles. Printed vintage jackets and wraps seem all the rage, ditto for ethnic jewelry and blue nail polish. Straw basket bags make for the perfect easy accessory with backless frocks (to note: Jane Birkin loved to carry one all over Paris in hot months.) But, please say no to the braless black strap dress if you take larger than an A cup. Check out this French gal in some cool Courreges (see the light mint green/egg shell blue jacket and skirt.)

After their massive success back in 2007, The Klaxons have returned with their second album Surfing the Void from which “Echoes” is released. The alternative-rock trio have ditched the ‘new rave’ label and have given themselves a fresh new sound. Prepare for the indie-new-wave scene to happen all over again, let’s just hope there is nothing too ‘fluorescent’ this time round!

VPL photos, shot by Maciek Kobielski

I’m hanging out with VPL designer Victoria Bartlett, whose Fall line hits stores in New York, LA, Paris, and London this week. Vic is into body hugging tunics, bra tops, leggings,  and sexy wraps, all that would rock with a good pair of Hudson jeans. We’re talking about shoes, and she notes that male designers are the ones who make the heels that really hurt. “Yeah, that’s true.” I say. “Is that why you use Tiffany Tuttle?” Vic nods.

Tuttle, who is based in LA has collaborated each VPL season and also works with model turned designer Erin Wasson, whose RVCA line puts out easy looks for a comfortable cool globe trotting girl. “My shoes aren’t about hindering a woman’s ability to have movement.” Tuttle says.

Check out the long skin tawny boots for VPL’s fall line above! As easy as wellies but so damn sexy over a pair of Hudson skinny jeans. More styling ideas would be to pair a VPL gray tee with some Hudson bell bottoms,  or wrap a VPL grand dad knit over a Hudson tank and shorts.

Meanwhile, check out the shoes: LDTUTTLE

Shots taken inside “Le Bain;” Check out striped waitresses and André Saraiva (small guy with black hair) also in stripes  and charming the ladies

No more “boom boom,” guys! That’s the word on the VIP street when you pass by the first side door at New Yorks’s Standard Hotel. Hotelier André Balazs has closed his eighteenth floor lounge, which will re-open in the fall to members only. But to keep the hipsters stepping, André Saraiva — who owns Le Baron club in Paris, and who started as a party boy turned graffiti artist — has taken over the space heralded by the second door at the Standard. It’s called “Le Bain,” which means “the bath” in French. So far, the space, which features a square hot tub pool, has hosted a party for the Italian label Salavatore Ferragamo. Alexander Dexter Jones, baby brother of Mark and Samantha Ronson, takes his turns at the music, spinning everything from Studio 54 disco to Depeche Mode and Lady Gaga. We haven’t seen so many grungy hipsters since Beatrice closed. But the Cote d’Azur stripes on the wait staff and the beach balls the color of the French flag (and American, note!) are good fun. The roof top– via back stairs– is perfect for star gazing, both in the sky and in the celebrity sense, on breezy nights. WARNING: By 2 am,  you’ll likely spot a few male models and often deejay Mike Nouveau in the pool.

The Mystery Jets are back with their third album Serotonin which is due to be released at the start of August.  This live video was performed as an in-store session at Rough Trade East to promote their album release. The first track released from the album Dreaming of Another World has been re-released this week and looks as if it will set them their highest chart position so far!

Above: Work by Brion Gysin, some inspired or in collaboration with William Burroughs

Ever want to go on a magical mystery tour? The late painter, illustrator, calligraphist, writer, and performance artist Brion Gysin did. That’s why Gysin constructed something called “the dream machine,” whereby folks could sit in front of a screen and by watching different colors and gradations of light, they could relax and transcend consciousness. A version of  the dream machine is up now at the New Museum, as are incredible paintings and collages that Gysin did with his pal, artist/writer William Burroughs. One of Gysin’s images in our Hudson slideshow features a passage from Burrough’s infamous book, “Naked Lunch:” `A boy who disappears as soon as you come, leaving a smell of burning leaves and a sound effect of distant train whistles.’ Some say that book and the word collages (from the early Seventies) — as seen in this exhibit — don’t make sense. Both Gysin and Burroughs would disagree, preferring the experiential component of creation and story telling. After all, life doesn’t make sense, does it?

(Brion Gysin — now through October 3rd — at the New Museum, 235 Bowery, NYC.)