Bobbin Talk

Spyridon Tsagkarakis

I'm sure you've seen the troubling news coming from Greece again and again about riots and economic crisis, but what does it mean for the creative industries? Photogrpahers? Fashion designers? How are they adapting and surviving during these difficult times? Some of these personal stories are brought to you in th enext two posts by our Italian corespondent Derrick Jones.

It had been a good year since I had stepped foot in Athens for work. It all came back to me quickly. The passion, the sounds and the heat!

I reunited with some friends that I hadn't seen in awhile. It was one of those memorable moments of life. A build up of panic, stress and worry mixed with memories that brought the final occasion to a dramatic head. What changed was the face of Athens. Many store fronts black and empty. Foot traffic to them fell to an all time low. Conversations over a freddo cappuccino no longer of glamour and vice but all turning to the turmoil of the troubled culture. Demonstrations, violence, fear, these are the daily occurrences that should bring a people to their knees but I can attest from personal experience that it makes a people grow. The pride and the desire to be seen for their passion and talent and not just as stereotypical victims of a global crisis is a force to be dealt with.

And after a long 3 years I met again with Spyridon. As I approached the table where we decided to meet, his towering presence reminded me of the first time we met. In many ways it was the same. Such a dark strong figure, I thought. What would his story be?

Femininity, elegance,integrity and all the natural aspects that a woman was born with. Spyridon had managed not only to keep this philosophy during these trying times but also to evolve it. He is always true to his beliefs and never swayed by negativity. Instead he uses it much like an alternative fuel to feed his creations.

The innovative folds and fabrics, the goddess like drinks of water who wear his gowns set in front of a familiar and iconic back drop. In this past year Spyridon has received a lot of press and attention for his work and it is easy to see why. When you don't know where your culture is headed and you feel it will be lost, Spyridon will show you an image of a world  that he has created to remind you that all is not lost and never will be.

Derrick Jones

The Importance of Being Away

I often get so caught up in running towards the next achievement I don't even notice when I run out if steam. I used to just "go, Go, GO!" until I was completely exhausted but with the years I'm starting to learn my limits. I love New York but I've also developed a need to get out of town and experience a new place I've never been too. This time it's Puerto Rico. Just a few days on a sunny island feels like a major escape. I snapped a few photos of the beautiful clouds above the island. Doesn't flying above the clouds feel like such a serene experience? I love being on a plane and getting somewhere new. Nowadays I try to do it at least once a year...

6 More Ways to Donate to Haiti Relief and Get Something in Return

As I promised you earlier this week here is another way you can donate money towards the Haiti recovery efforts and get something in return. I am offering the following photographs for sale. They are taken in the neighboring Dominican Republic during my trip in January 2010, {just a few days after the devastating earthquake and during some of the aftershocks}. The prices are as follows:
$10 - one 4"x6" print
$15 - one 5"x7" print
$20 - one 8"x10" print
Larger prints available on request!
The full amount (100% of the above) will go to the charity of your choice: RedCross.org,  Care.org, UnicefUSA, ClintonBush Haiti fund, American Jewish World Service or any other you would like. Please specify when you purchase the print, I will send you a confirmation email when the money is contributed as soon as I get it.
Please note, the shipping and handling costs are additional and go towards printing and shipping (+ the PayPal fees) and are as quoted to me by the printing company. You will get the prints shipped directly from the printing company. Email me if you need any special sizes not mentioned above.
*Please note some clipping may occur within the different sizes, but the overall integrity of the image will be preserved as close as possible to the original photos. Here are the photographs:

The future is Bright {View from Fortaleza Ozama, Santo Domingo}

Choose a size:

4"x6" $14.95 5"x7" $19.95 8"x10" $28.95

Choose a Finish

Glossy Matte Metallic

Sunset at Bavaro Beach

Choose a size:

4"x6" $14.95 5"x7" $19.95 8"x10" $28.95

Choose a Finish

Glossy Matte Metallic

On the Road

Choose a size:

4"x6" $14.95 5"x7" $19.95 8"x10" $28.95

Choose a Finish

Glossy Matte Metallic

Bavaro Beach

Choose a size:

4"x6" $14.95 5"x7" $19.95 8"x10" $28.95

Choose a Finish

Glossy Matte Metallic

Hope {detail from Santa Iglesia Catedral, Santo Domingo}

Choose a size:

4"x6" $14.95 5"x7" $19.95 8"x10" $28.95

Choose a Finish

Glossy Matte Metallic

Stairs {inside Fortaleza Ozama, Santo Domingo}

Choose a size:

4"x6" $14.95 5"x7" $19.95 8"x10" $28.95

Choose a Finish

Glossy Matte Metallic

The Absinthe Made Me Do It

I never thought I'd say this {and why would you even think of it...} but last night I tried chocolate covered bacon! Yes, you heard, or actually read right: crispy bacon dipped in a thick layer of rich chocolate. And no I wasn't at some Diner around the corner, dedicated to fried oreos and snickers. I went to the Pernod Absinthe party where high fashion and art mixed with psychedelic drinks. I thought Absinthe was illegal in the US, but if Pernod is introducing it, I guess times have changed! First time I tried it I was in Prague and thought it was liquid fire, so this time I made sure i had a really diluted version of it with plenty of sugar and water... But enough about drinking and more about the fashion. The reason I went to the party on the first place was Fay Leshner {a former Accessory Design student of mine from Parsons} who created the red feather head-piece, worn by the model in the Absinthe presentation.

True to her creative spirit, Fay sported a seat-belt {literally} over her glam gown.

The model and Jerry Lopez (make up artist)

See all my photos from the event {HERE}

My Trip to the Dominican Republic

Photo of an unknown girl on the roof of a tourist rest stop, between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo.

As some of you already know I just came back from a trip to the Dominican Republic where I visited Santo Domingo and Bavaro Beach on the east coast, just north of Punta Cana. I enjoyed the trip tremendously and  found the Dominican Republic to be an incredible mix of modern luxuries, rich history and unbearable poverty. I had the opportunity to travel on a bus from Santo Domingo through Punta Cana to my resort Melia Caribe Tropical. A four our trip that exposed me to some of the most beautiful views of lush nature and hard to bare poverty stricken villages with colorful houses. And through all of that I met some of the sweetest, most helpful and good-natured people ever. Here are some photos I took throughout the trip. You can see the complete album on Flickr.

I took this photo in Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo, around the corner from hotel Frances, where I stayed. The contrast of luxury cars and old fashion donkey transportation is quite amusing and coexists peacefully together. 

Throughout the whole trip I saw so many trucks loaded up with cargo and people sitting right on top, unlike this kid who has the safer spot behind the load. Either way, a hazard you'd never see in the US.


Even in the smallest villages by the roads houses are painted in bright, almost neon colors.

I didn't dare try dried meats from the numerous displays along the roads, as I'm sure my entire being would have been annihilated from the inside out, but I was completely smitten by the colors and couldn't resist snapping endless photos until the locals started gathering around our car and I felt it's time for the obvious tourist to just keep moving!

Needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed my trip, but was shaken by the stark contrast of luxury resorts and moneyless natives so close to the disaster in the Haiti capital. The Dominican Republic and Haiti share the same island. There are so many Haitians in the Dominican Republic and more are bound to come, looking for jobs and a better life. As a result of this I have decided to sell some photos I took during this trip and donate most of the proceeds to Red Cross or organizations of your choice in order to contribute to the Haiti fund. I'll announce details as soon as I get my act together later this week.

Santo Domingo

I am back in New York after my short and sweet trip to the Dominican Republic. I was a bit apprehensive to go since I traveled alone and I don't speak Spanish, but I was greeted by the warmest sweetest people I have ever met and every experience was marked by their generosity of spirit. I am still sorting out through my pictures and while I am posting them to Flickr here are a few photos of my hotel in Santo Domingo. Sofitel Hotel Frances MGallery is in a restored 16th century building and has an amazing inner courtyard and lush vegetation.

And this fruit truck was parked right around my hotel.

More pictures are coming in the next few days...