Hitting the LES November 9, 2006 Written by Wendy R. Williams Photographed by Mary Blanco

November 9, 2006 New York Cool photographer Mary Blanco and I headed down to the Lower East Side’s Sapphire Lounge (249 Eldridge Street) to see an exhibit of Zo Barracano’s photos. We had been hooked-up to this exhibit by local LES designer and walking-piece-of-art, Apollo Braun.

Zoe Barracano

Zo had sent us her press release with this quote: “Zo Barracano reveals insight into the decay of the once glorious Cuba. Her work explores contrasts: the young and old, the fresh and the decaying and finds beauty at both ends of the spectrum. Her style combines photojournalism and travel photography giving a view into the lives of local people and their environs.”

Gail and Al Barracano

The photos were beautiful and the people-watching was worth the trip from our sort-of downtown zip codes to their really down downtown zip code. Zo was wearing a cool shirt that she had purchased at Apollo’s boutique ( 193 Orchard Street www.apollobraun.com). And her aunt and uncle (Gail and Al Barracano) were absolute riots in their skull-emblem black shirts.

Apollo Braun

Apollo soon arrived with his posse in tow (he has spare posses sitting in his store room so he never has to go out alone). We were then hauled off to his boutique. The Apollo Braun store is the perfect place for budding rock stars to score some threads. The walls of the store are filled with signed photos of his customers; one is of Nicole Kidman.

Apollo Braun & Friends