Our intern Jacqueline Wasilczyk visited the new flea market in Fort Greene on Sunday.

Despite gusty winds and the promise of rain, last Sunday over 15,000 bargain enthusiasts flocked to Bishop Loughlin Memorial High in Fort Greene to witness the much anticipated opening of Brooklyn Flea, the largest outdoor market in New York City. Organized by Brownstoner blogger Jonathan Butler, this weekly gathering of roughly 200 vendors looks to be the most promising hope of reviving the dying flea market scene (stay strong Chelsea market). With popular craft and jewelry standbys (Etsy and Ericar Weiner) and an abundance of graphic tees from the likes of Junkprint and Loyalty & Blood, the market wasn't lacking in items to browse through, but it did deviate from traditional offerings. In future months look for a more balanced blend of vintage furniture, knick knacks and good eats. Until then, bring your own coffee, browse the goods, and buy with your most ironic friend in mind.

Brooklyn Flea will be every Sunday from 10am to 5pm, on Lafayette Ave between Clermont and Vanderbilt Ave (at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High).

You might remember that earlier this year I saw Takashi Murakami's "©Murakami" show at the MOCA in Los Angeles. Well now the Japanese artist is bringing his show to the Brooklyn Museum, along with his Louis Vuitton pop-up shop. Handbags aside (which cost between $800-$900), the show itself is something to behold. Murakami infuses his cute, anime-inspired pieces with an underlying darkness, creating a strangely unsettling experience. The show's name points to the way Murakami controversially mixes art and commerce, collaborating with Louis Vuitton and creating a plethora of products with his company KaiKai Kiki.

The Brooklyn Museum's free "Target First Saturdays" series kicks off April this Saturday from 5pm-11pm, featuring a slew of special events including: an anime costume contest to win the "©Murakami" catalogue; Hayao Miyazaki's "Kiki's Delivery Service" playing at 6pm; Brooklyn-based Japanese bands Love Etc. and Sakura Madams; and Japanese DJ Muro aka King of Diggin'.

Have you heard the news? Steve Jobs has killed the record store. Well, apparently Williamsburg and Greenpoint never got the memo, because the neighborhoods boast a bevy of record stores like Permanent Records, Soundfix, Earwax and Eat Records.

One of our favorites, Permanent Records in Greenpoint, moved to Brooklyn from Northport, in Long Island. The store has a great selection of vinyl and new and used CDs, plus the staff lacks the hipster snark that makes some record stores (ahem, Earwax) unbearable. Last week, we talked to Permanent Records owner Marjorie Eisenberg about vinyl, Greenpoint and Guided by Voices.

FG: Do you think vinyl will be the lifeblood of records stores from now on?
ME: I've been hearing that. I'm definitely hearing that the CD format is dead, and it's all about vinyl. It's pretty much been about vinyl for me for a long time anyway. As for the death of the CD—I definitely see it slowing down, but you can't count it out just yet. I've focused so much on the vinyl, but I still have customers say "Oh, what about the CDs?" I'm kind of worried about every label putting out every single thing on vinyl though--I think that will clog up the works.

So I just got this email from Urban Outfitters announcing the grand opening of the retail chain's first Brooklyn location on March 13. The first 300 customers get Brooklyn-themed totes and 10 percent of the first week's sales go to BAM.

The message of the email is clear: Brooklyn is cool, therefore so is Urban Outfitters. Why, it's the home of Jay-Z, Coney Island, and the pixelated Mike Tyson from "Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!" Also, the L train, which goes nowhere near Atlantic Avenue and Court Street. If only the Notorious B.I.G. were alive to see this glorious development.

Brooklyn already has an Urban Outfitters; it's called Brooklyn Industries. Anyway, here is Urban Outfitters' tribute to Brooklyn in possibly the least essential audio slide show ever.   

I got a chance to preview DwellStudio's new spring collection this morning. The line is heavily influenced by plants and the familiar Dwell palate. Above, a beautiful botanic print from the new collection--below a closeup, which shows Dwell's always amazing attention to detail. Although many retailers sell Dwell linens, I've always enjoyed browsing the line at Williamsburg's Sleep.

Name: Alaina
Lives: Bushwick
Spotted: Astor Place
Works: Museum of the City of New York

Hey great outfit! Did you make the dress yourself? Yes, it's a late 1920s Butterick pattern I got at Past Patterns. The shoes are from Reproduction Vintage Shoes; it's great because you get to choose your own style.

Where do you shop for your haberdashery? I go to M&J Trimming for all my trim and faux-vintage button needs and B&J Fabrics for great fabric or if I'm looking for something special and have cash to burn.

Who are some of your favorite fashion designers? I'm currently in love with Poiret and Vionnet. With silhouettes being full and fabrics sumptuous this season, I think their designs are chic and old-fashioned enough to be unusual and exotic.

Where are you hanging out these days? Nowhere Bar on 14th street is great for cheap beers and if I'm in the mood for dancing I make the trek out to Cattyshack.

1. Texas crafters are coming to the Big Apple--witness their arrival during the Etsy Texan Trunk Show at Brooklyn's own Etsy Lab.

2. For plus size fashions under ten bucks hit up the Fat Girl Flea Market at the LGB&T Community Center this Saturday.

3. Green consumers should check out the fashion show during Eco Fest this weekend at the Lincoln Center.

4. The ABBA Mania Dance Party tonight would be the perfect time to debut that sparkle unitard.

5. For a continuation of the green theme, hit up the 11^th Annual Art Under the Bridge Festival at the Dumbo Arts Center.

(Photo of Marco Scoffier's Kite Project at the 2006 Festival Under the Bridge, courtesy of Brooklyn Arts Project)

NY Fashion Week is officially over and while we are left with a sudden longing for the spring/summer fashion season lets not forget about all the lovely things to wear and do this fall. From shopping to book readings to art galleries, this weekend's five is sure to provide a remedy for Fashion Week withdrawal.

1. Itching to buy something this weekend? Check out our list of sales and Andrea Zittel's arty, one-of-a-kind smocks sold at the Susan Inglett Gallery (photo, above).

2. Dance through post-Fashion Week blues at Flavorpill's "One Step Beyond" at the American Natural History Museum.

3. For everything you need to know about style, consult Nina Garcia when she hits Borders on Monday to discuss her new book, The Little Black Book of Style.

4. Show off your hippest fall fashions while patrolling Williamsburg's art galleries tonight at Every Second, an after hours event hosted by the Williamsburg Gallery Association.

5. In the mood for a music, art and fashion event in Bushwick? Check out Back to Analog at 3rd Ward.

(Photo Courtesy of Susan Inglett Gallery)

Take a big yoga breath of fire because we're about to start Fashion Week in the Big Apple. I know it's Labor Day weekend and most of us will be squeezing in our "last things to do before the summer ends" list, but it's also OK for you to stay in, rest up, and plan what you're going to wear to those oh-so-fab runway shows and parties. If you can't get into the tent shows, finagle your way into one of these five events.

1. You won't have to cat fight or bribe your way into this show. PAPER Magazine has curated an art show in the window of Barneys through the month of September featuring the fashion illustrations of Creative Growth, an organization that works with the mentally disabled (see photo above).

2. For a pairing of music and fashion check out the Fashion Rocks concert at Radio City on Thursday (get tix).

3. To kick off Fashion Week with fellow fashion bloggers, Papierdoll, Fashiontribes, Glam and H&M are throwing a party at Te Cesan. Check out the invitation here.

4. You may wanna pull out the pow-wow outfit for this one, the Imitation of Christ runway show will be held at Snitch on Tuesday followed by a live performance by A.R.E. Weapons at midnight.

5. Tonight, Etsy will host its monthly Trunk Show/Art Party featuring a green shopping extravaganza!

(Photo courtesy of Paper Magazine)

 
I've been following Brooklyn local Caitlin Mociun since last fall, when she showed a collection of the most brilliant printed tights and dresses. A RISD graduate in textile design, Mociun claims that she is stronger in textile design than fashion design, but I disagree. Her garments are both beautiful and innovative in cut and conception. This season, she's back with an array of printed fashions inspired by Dadaism, old family photos and her travels throughout Asia and Europe. Her simple silhouettes defy the Western emphasis on the body, and her prints are a combination of fantasy and natural wonderment. Mociun also practices green design and uses organic cotton and bamboo in her garments. Snag a must-have for  fall from her latest collection at Jumelle, Bird, or Honey in the Rough.