NEOCON 2008

NeoCon is to interior design as New York’s Fashion Week is to fashion. It’s the one time of the year where top interior designers, powerhouse A&D brands, and legendary design firms from around the world descend onto Chicago for three short days of incredible design and…of course fabulous parties. Thousands will pack the halls and million dollar showrooms of the Merchandise Mart hoping to catch a glimpse of the next big thing and mingle among some of the best and most talented designers in the industry.

If there’s one thing designers know better than design, it’s how to party. Over the span of the tradeshow there’s dozens of parties, special events, and award dinners where designers are treated like celebrities. Some of the more notable parties have been held at Union Station (IIDA), Millennium Park (Haworth), Apple Store (Allsteel/free iPod by attending), and the best rooftops (Lightology) and nightclubs (Lumen-Orange Skin) across Chicago. They have a saying during the tradeshow "what happens at NeoCon, stays at NeoCon." Whether or not it's true, sometimes letting loose and getting down is the best thing for business, and NeoCon is prime example of the degree companies are willing to go to get your attention and win your business.

Althrough the event is over, [here is a virtual recap of NeoCon 2008]

Sex and the City—

Exactly a decade ago (June 6, 1998) the show premiered on HBO with thought provoking views on sex, relationships, urban life, and a storyline surrounding friendships. The show was a sensuous and ironic sitcom about four young, desirable, virtually inseparable New York bachelor girls who lead and confided in each-other their ever changing and confusing sex lives, as different as their natures. From the charming petite shoe whore Carrie Bradshaw to the somewhat nerdy and insecure lawyer Miranda to the prim and proper old-fashion Charlotte to the feminist man-eating nymphomaniac Samantha Jones, the show created a balance perspective for urban women (and gay men) across America.

It was the type of show that made people to move to NYC, just so that can be fabulous like Carrie. A show that proved that nothing was taboo, not even funky spunk! It covered issues from cheating, lesbians, “exploring yourself”, love, and of course sex.

With her Manolo Blahnik stepping in full stride Carrie and the gang jumped from the Big Apple right onto the Big Screen with a smashing success ($57 Million). The movie seemed to transition well between the tube to theaters with much of the same witty humor to light up the screen.

Every episode seemed to have some relationship advice that you could apply to your life. One of my favorite lines came from the episode where Samantha had just got back with Richard after he cheated on her. He took the girls to Atlantic City for Charlotte’s birthday where no one seemed in the mood to do anything! Samantha was so traumatized by catching Richard that she starred to be paranoid and overly obsessive about him doing it again. At one point she freaked out and took the stairs from the lobby to Richards’ penthouse suite, busts through the hotel room doors only to find Richard reading the paper. After some dialogue between the two, she says “I’m too old for this shit. I love you, but I love myself more” and that was the end of Richard. It was a line that I took to heart, because I was dealing with a similar situation. It reminded me the importance of being true to yourself and not putting up with other peoples lies and BS.

Probably the best part of the film/show is the friendship between the characters. A rare type of friendship that helps carry you through life, and makes you a stronger, more balanced, and better person. Friends like that are always there when you need it the most, know you the best, make you laugh, and will always be your side; even through the thick and thin of your other relationships. Find friends like that and never let go. As for me… I’m holding on tight to mine.