Apollo & The Temple of Love

Because I work so many evenings, events and such, and during the day I have calls and meetings and projects to look after, most of my leisure time is in the wee small hours, and I generally use them to sleep. So although I think about style and fashion and my desire to possess beautiful objects constantly, I seldom have an opportunity to actually go into a shop and have a look around. Tonight, that all changed when I popped into Apollo Braun on Orchard Street to pick up a "Think Gay!" hoodie that I had seen in the window as I passed by late last night, for a friend. Much to my utter surprise and delight, the designer himself, Doron Braunshtein, was on hand. I noticed a framed clip as I breezed in, mentioning something about Bjork shopping there. Let's just say, whenever she lands on this planet, that's certainly the frothy sea she'd dream of crashing into. I was familiar with the Apollo Braun brand via my darling pal, Liberation Iannillo, who had written a profile that I recalled as inspirational, in that "the Israeli native came to New York City a little over three years ago with exactly $13 dollars in his pocket. He quickly found odd jobs such as nude modeling, stripping, and (worst of all) retail to support himself." You must have the in-person experience to see how such magic can happen so quickly. 10 minutes later, I walked out with a couture sweatshirt, a copy of his book, America, My Whore -- which contains such oddly apt bon mots as, "I AM AMERICA! I AM AMERICA! / I don't hate Kimora/ I don't hate Kimora/ but I do/ I do/ and God knows I'm right." -- and a "Madonna is My Mother" tote, which I am currently adoring more than maybe anything else I've ever owned in my life. I can't wait until the next time I have a chance to stop by and pick up the Flashdanced (credit to MJL for the verb) tee that says "Sex for a Greencard," and whenever I need something to wear for a high-profile event. Until then, I'll have to console myself with thinking of Apollo every time I see the sun.

PHOTO: TRIGGER MAGAZINE.