Chloe Sevigny debuts her fashion line Sep 10th at Opening Ceremony in New York. Though no garments have been revealed yet, her logo has- umlaut and all! Judging from the analogue angularity of it all, we're looking forward to her early Gameboy fall collection. Who can say no to a Tetris camisole and a deconstructed minimalist Donkey Kong shrug?

Asia Argento is Zingarina, an Italian travelling through Transylvania with her French companion and a Romanian woman, who is helping them find her missing Romanian lover. As they rush through small villages, the camera is also always on the move, creating a dizzying effect that matches the music which follows them relentlessly. Gatlif finds the core of the passionate gypsy culture through their music, and uses it as a character in his narratives. In his earlier film Gadjo Dilo Gatlif tracks a French man chasing a heartbreaking female voice on a tape, only to fall in love with a wild Romany girl. Zingarina chases her musician lover from France to Transylvania. Frantic to find him, they run through bars and festivities, only to find that he does not want her anymore. Now music pursues them- as two violinists follow them home, the music becomes a painful reminder.

Gatlif captures every possible facet of Romanian culture, taking us through seasons - rain, sunlit fields and snow covered ground. Infusing humour into the heartache, ultimately it is mysterious wanderer Birol Unel who saves the film- his weathered face, and hoarse voice, the way he concocts a beautiful smashed salad, add humour and a deep character that is lacking in Argento's hardness.

Nicknamed everything from swap meets and, frock exchanges, to swap-a-ramas, even 'naked lady parties' – call it what you will, swap parties are the new retail therapy- without the post-purchase pocket burn.

Swap-A-Rama Razzmatazz , held monthly at London’s Favela Chic, is a riotous mass of frock swaps made to the sound of a klaxon. Like a literal gong show, or drunk version of musical chairs, Razzmatazz’s method could be a hit-or-miss situation, based simply on the luck of whomever may be next to you on the dancefloor. The next one is September 19th, and with only a paltry entrance fee, you can mix and match to your heart’s desire until you collect the perfect eclectic ensemble– or come out looking like an Olsen twin.

Artwork by London illustrator Katy Smail

Miranda July, director of my favourite film of 2006, You Me and Everyone We Know, has written a wonderful book of short stories, No One Belongs Here More Than You. Like her film, July injects seemingly insignificant moments with a subtle potency. A benign encounter, a misunderstanding, a shy revelation, can reconfigure the world. Reading from the book recently in London, she casually spouts brilliant one liners like "Inelegantly and without my consent, time passed."
On her filmmaking process, she revealed an idiosyncratic nature, where procrastination takes the form of various projects- writing, performance art, film, or websites- including one of the coolest book websites you’re ever likely to see. "Making things is how I love myself."
Another July inititaive is the on/off line project, as always mushily yet endearingly titled, Learning To Love You More. Here the people can respond to art-based assignments given by July and fellow artist Harrell Fletcher, which are then posted on-line. "Like a recipe, meditation, or familiar song, the prescriptive nature of these assignments is intended to guide people towards their own experience."
No One Belongs Here More Than You is released in Australia on September 3rd by Text.

I like totally agree with everything she has to say.