new years yves

a portrait of couturier yves saint laurent....


iconic initials....


his workspace....


his signature eyewear....


the inspiration wall.....where all the designs become reality


and of course, a letter on his desk....I think I need a hand like this to add to my collection.....
photos by hedi slimane

naturally, on new years eve I think of the iconic fashion designer yves saint laurent...he was so imaginative in that way he thought about clothes and how he dressed women. he believed in the harmony of body and garment and he even coined the term the total silence of clothing, which I think is a brilliant line. I don't know why, but I have always had a strange fascination with his life...I know he was troubled by drugs, alcohol and emotional issues, but I have always liked how private he was. there was such a sense of mystery to his life... I recently found these photos taken from his home in paris....I love the style and arrangement of these pics...I don't know about you, but I always find it interesting to take a glimpse into the personal space of a creative genius....

a ysl entrance

photos by inez van lamsweerde and vinoodh matadin

I seem to be all about yves!...whether a vintage ysl suit or a modern version designed by stefano pilati you really can't go wrong in a suit...perhaps, it is strange to say, but I have always felt that there is something so chic about a woman walking down a flight of stairs in a well-tailored suit....it is the perfect entrance making outfit. on a side note, do check out the fall/winter 2010-2011 campaign video for ysl...so hypnotic, yet super stylish!

rainy days

its hard to be chic in the rain. but i got to thinking about a young kate moss prancing around croydon, england in her most stylish innovative days in my opinion. this look she has going on over here is understated, young, timeless, and most of all cool. she is my rainy day inspiration.

a farewell

carine roitfeld

I am still saddened and shocked that carine roitfeld has decided to leave her job as editor in chief of vogue paris. her 10 years at the magazine have had such a profound impact on my life....there are so many issues that I love, but there are 3 issues in particular that I will never forget....her first issue in february 2001 with kate moss and that amazing blonde-haircut, november 2004 an issue dedicated to sportswear, and january 2005 with sofia coppola as guest editor. of course, these are just some of the issues.... I really admired that carine roitfeld's vision wasn't just about fashion. she really seemed to appreciate all the arts including film, music, books and various forms of culture. in a way vogue paris has been such an educational experience...I always feel that I am learning something new! I am so curious about where carine roitfeld will go next, but I am sure whatever path she chooses to take it will be amazing...

her signature

photo by mert alas and marcus piggott

what I admire most about carine roitfeld was that she not only worked as the editor in chief of vogue paris, but she also worked as a stylist for the magazine, as well. I can't think of too many magazines where you see the editor doing both jobs. perhaps, that is what makes vogue paris stand out from the crowd. what I love so much about this photo is that it is quintessential carine....you can definetly see so much of her style reflected in this pic....I like that she used herself as inspiration.

somewhere

sofia coppola always manages to make a movie that i want to own for my own collection. there's always something in each of her movies that i find relatable. i'm positive that if my sister and i knew sofia we would be fast friends. the very hidden references to helmut newton, and johnny's sub pop tee shirt in somewhere were evidence of this.

whip that hair

corrine bailey rae

not only does corrine bailey rae have a beautiful voice, but she has got quite the hair...I love her big, bouncy curly hair...she looks so natural and one of my personal favorite hairstyles of 2010. this is such a look I could never pull off, but I admire the way corrine bailey rae works her mane. I totally feel she is an updated, more defined version of diana ross' signature big hair...

i'll do it all again

i'll do it all again (2010)

one of my favorite albums of 2010 was corrine bailey rae's the sea....I think what caught my attention was her video for her song i'll do it all again....it is such a song full of passion and authenticity...she is obviously dealing with the pain of losing her husband. this is one of those songs where you can understand what she is going through... her sadness, joy, everything. she also looks pretty amazing in the video with that diana ross hair and that sleek black trenchcoat dress...such a minimal video, but she adds so much with her beautiful voice, face, and her honesty...I think it is hard to find that combination in music, nowadays.

christmas cover

photo by patrick demarchelier

I am not really into holiday themed magazines, but I have always had a fondness for this harpers bazaar magazine cover from december 1992. I am glad to say that I still have this issue and it gets better with age. I love the way kate moss looks in her two red dior haute couture ensembles...such a beautiful composition. I think the cover line of this magazine was true...perfection!

a bergman style christmas

I can't help but love those strategically placed paintings on the wall
and that overly decorated christmas tree....a perfect combination


notice the chandelier, red table and matching chairs....
there's something really appealing about an ingmar bergman style christmas


and of course, everyone looking their best for christmas
dinner....i'm sorry but a red table is a must around holiday time.

fanny och alexander (1982)
images courtesy of the buckley bulletin

a couple of months ago, I watched ingmar bergman's film fanny and alexander.....there's something about christmas day that reminds me of this film, particularly this scene of the movie. I normally am a minimalist, but I love the way he depicts christmas. gorgeous reds, beautiful costumes, over the top decorations...I love the early 1900 style approach to celebrating christmas. nowadays, I don't think people really celebrate christmas like this...perhaps maybe martha stewart?....there really is such an amount of detail that goes into creating an elaborate christmas scene like this....a perfect film for this time of year!

so fanny and alexander

photos by paolo roversi

I recently came across this editorial in W magazine from october 2009....I couldn't help but think of ingmar bergman's 1982 film fanny and alexander. there is so much in this layout that is very reminiscent of this film....from the costumes, the hair, and of course the décor...it has such a holiday look. I don't know if this film was used as inspiration for these photos, but somehow I wouldn't be surprised if it was.

sweater couture

alexander mcqueen fall/winter 1999

I am on a fashion hunt for that perfect sweater...ideally, I would love to find a sweater similar in style to this alexander mcqueen one from fall/winter 1999....I love the way it plays with proportion....oversized at the neck and sleeves, but still perfectly fitted. this has to be one of my favorite mcqueen looks ever...hopefully, sooner than later I will find a sweater that resembles this look.

bundle up

put on a sweater, its chilly out.

the only person standing in your way is you.....

black swan (2010)

I can't seem to get darren aronofsky's film black swan out of my mind....it is probably one of the most visually stunning, but yet, disturbing movies that I have ever seen. the film is an astonishing collaboration of great writing, directing, casting, acting, cinematography, music, costumes, and make-up all rolled into one. rarely do movies perfectly blend all these qualities. what I appreciate most about this film is that it teaches us the complications of art and how strongly it can correspond with reality....I haven't felt this inspired by a film in awhile, but I am glad I feel this way.

walking in a winter wonderland....

nina ricci fall/winter 2007

today is the first day of winter....I couldn't help but think of this moment from olivier theyskens collection for nina ricci fall/winter 2007. I love how the winter background complements this ragged-edged white fantasy gown...this really is the perfect look for the winter solstice.

closer

nina ricci fall/winter 2007

I can't really explain why, but when I get a closer look at the textural details of this nina ricci evening dress by olivier theyskens I think of winter snow.....

pants please!

photo by kazumi kurigami

I am a bit obsessed with the pleats please by issey miyake fashion catalogues...such a beautiful blend of art and fashion. every season the new york city store sends me a copy and I must say I love everything in it.....from the clothes to the accessories, I just wish it was more affordable. I would love to get my hands on a pair of these pants....I recently read that they are a personal favorite of writer nora ephron. to me, they look so comfortable, yet oversized, but still stylish...perfect for those bloated days!

the bilbao bag

bilbao lucent black

it has been about a year and a half since I first purchased a similar version of this bilbao bag from the pleats please issey miyake store in new york city and I must say that I haven't quite found a purse that measures up. I don't want to sound materialistic, but this bag has brought so much joy in my life. it is a rare combination of art, origami and fashion all rolled into one. such a complex and innovative combination...you can't really find many treasures like that....thank you pleats please for one of the best fashion investments I have ever made.

burberries

photo by mario testino

with so much winter rain, I started to think about the classic trench coat. I haven't worn mine in awhile, but I really think this is a look I should do more often. they look so good this time of year and coincidentally they are easy to find. I purchased one from banana republic a couple of years ago and to be completely honest I think it looks just as good as a burberry one. there are so many countless ways to style one, but I have always liked the way they look as dresses...that is the way I prefer to wear mine. I love the way these models wear their burberry trench coats with their tights and heels...it is a very belle de jour look and it is actually quite an easy look to emulate. I think I will use this photo as my inspiration....

trench coat cool

mademoiselle agnès boulard

you really can't go wrong in a trench coat..you can wear it with everything or nothing at all and still look chic. I must admit that I have always admired the way european women wear their trench coats...they just make it look so effortless. I think mademoiselle agnès is a perfect example of how to wear this look. I love the added element of a striped shirt under her classic trench with her hair tucked in. you can tell she probably didn't spend a lot of time getting ready, but yet somehow she looks so cool and confident. I always feel that the most stylish individuals never spend a lot of time putting an outfit together....especially when wearing something as simple as a trench coat.

so grey gardens

jackie onassis

there is a lot to be learned about style from looking at photos of jackie onassis....especially random moments like this of her walking in the streets. I love the way she wears her trench coat in this pic. it is almost a little bit like her relatives in grey gardens with the the headscarf and oversized sunglasses. I never really cared much for her style much when she was first lady, but for some odd reason whenever I see a paparazzi shot of jackie post white-house era I am always intrigued....this really is a perfect example of how to style a trench coat....I like the idea of wearing the collar up instead of down...it adds just the right amount of mystery!

big red

in june for my birthday, my mother bought me one of most beautiful red vintage coats that i have ever seen. i have been waiting for the combination of chilly weather, and a special occasion to wear it. i also happen to be reading nora ephron's latest book and found a chapter on her mother warning her that wearing a red coat as being a terrible fashion mistake. as i lie on my red couch, i have to say yes to the red coat. i think it will be a special coat for a special moment.

cries and whiskers

audrey hepburn

happy birthday to our dear friend cristhian! I thought you might get a good laugh from the title of this blog and the corresponding photo...it made me think of you! thank you for being such a good friend to us sisters in black and for being a constant source of inspiration. we are always amazed by your creativity as an artist, writer, and pianist. I thought of this quote from woody allen's interiors when joey says ‘I feel a real need to express something but I don’t know what it is I wanna express, or how to express it.’...for some odd reason, I think about you when I hear this line. mostly, in part because you will never have this type of artistic dilemma, your creativity comes so natural to you and you have so many ways to manifest it...how do you do it? it is very rare to meet a person as unique and special as you are....thank you for being in our lives.

girl, resurrected

photo by horst diekgerdes

I am glad to see that winona ryder is making a comeback....what I have always admired about her is that she is an actress who knows how to express herself, and she has such a unique ability to wear fashion trends in a first class style...she is a definetly the audrey hepburn of our generation. I have yet to see black swan, but I am curious about her role in the film. I have always thought that winona ryder is one of the few hollywood actresses who reeks intelligence in her career choices....she seems to choose roles that she identifies with, which is what I find most interesting about her as a person and as an actress. whatever happened to actresses like that?

and the guest editor is....

photo by craig mcdean

in case you haven't figured it out yet, this year the guest editor for the new vogue paris january issue is tom ford. the magazine comes out this week in the states and I can't wait to pick up a copy, plus there is a calender inside featuring supermodel daria werbowy. I have been collecting the annual guest editor series since 2005 and I love how it seems more like a personal diary of ideas rather than a magazine. I wonder if it will be as a good as the january 2008 issue when charlotte gainsbourg was the guest editor? my guess, is probably yes!

twinkle toes

there was nothing lazy about this weekend. saturday night was spent at my dance studios holiday party, dancing the night away of course. sunday was spent at a special function for my sisters african dance class. no shoes for the ancestors of course. on monday i will be sore, but i am so happy to have a sister who shares my interests, and is more than happy to get up on stage and forget everyone else is in the room, and just dance.

beautiful blend

sometimes, I think certain designers are more similiar in style and design than they are different. some that come to mind include....calvin klein and narciso rodriguez, and maybe even john galliano and vivienne westwood...for awhile now, I have been thinking that fashion designers rick owens and haider ackermann have very similiar design aesthetics....I think this photo actually proves it. I love the blend of this rick owens hooded jacket paired with that undulating haider ackermann skirt...it is really a perfect pairing....if you look closely at their individual collections, you can definetly tell that both owens and ackermann are masters at accenting the body and finding the perfect silhouette....I don't know about you, but I would love to see a future collaboration between the two.

rick owens: man in black

rick owens
not only is rick owens an amazing fashion designer, but he himself has a great sense of style. part of what I like about viewing his collections is what he will wear at the end of his shows. I totally admire his look in this photo....such a fantastic way to wear black with that scarf, sweater-ensemble and baggy pants...plus those high-top tennis shoes. I am thinking of a similiar look myself, except I think I will substitute the high-tops for a simple pair of adidas. usually when the season changes, I try to find a photo to use as inspiration for the way I want to dress....I think I found my look for the upcoming winter...all I can say is black perfection!

louis garrel: a subtle sense of style

la belle personne (2008)

I love it when I discover a random foreign film and find myself inspired...especially by a man's sense of style. I recently watched cristophe honoré's 2008 film la belle personne and was quite impressed by the look and style of french actor louis garrel.....he has a very subtle sense of style that seems to be all about nonchalance and ease....and let's not forget his I just rolled out of bed messy hair look.... très sexy! there are a couple of key looks in la belle personne that caught my attention....most notably, I loved the way louis garrel paired this black turtleneck with black blazer... so inconspicuous and minimal much like the look of this film. I don't know if this is insane, but I think I want to try to incorporate a look like this into my own wardrobe....I think now is the perfect season for me to do a turtleneck and blazer look...much like louis garrel. I love it when I find inspiration from really muted moments within a film.

covered perfection

when i love an item of clothing it will stay in mind forever. my sister suggested i watch tony takitani. my most vivid memory of the movie was the most perfect turtleneck i had ever seen. the perfect turtleneck will make one look they have a long lean neck, show off a great pair of earrings, and is the ultimate idea of covering everything up while still being sexy. this celine turtleneck/tunic is one of those particular items of clothing i will never forget.

how to wear leg warmers....

right now, my current obsession is a soft pair of leg warmers. I must thank my sister for this look, she really knows how to style a pair of leg warmers. she does a very sporty-chic look with her adidas, that I can't help but admire.... recently, in montréal, I purchased a pair of thigh-high calvin klein leg warmers socks and I can't stop wearing them. my favorite way to style them is over a pair of stretch pants all the way above the knee....a couple of weeks ago, I caught myself watching bob fosse's all that jazz and I couldn't help but be inspired by the way the dancers in that film wear their leg warmers....its not so much about perfection, but about styling, which I think is the key to this look.

wang warmers

alexander wang fall/winter 2010

sometimes, it takes me awhile to appreciate a collection....this past weekend I found myself looking at alexander wang's fall/winter 2010 collection and was admiring the way he paired thick ribbed thigh-high legwarmers over heels. normally, I would think of leg warmers as being a little let's get physical and sporty, but I like how wang switches it up and makes this look a little more fashion-forward and edgy...sometimes, it is the unexpected details that add to a collection.

open up and say viktor & rolf!

viktor & rolf spring/summer 2008

I always find it fascinating to look at runway shots from all angles....especially a moment like this from viktor & rolf's harlequin inspired collection from spring/summer 2008....my favorite photo-moment from this show has to be this pink ruffled-collared dress...there's something about the way this satin dress moves with that frilled collar that catches my attention....or maybe it's the background of shalom harlow's face juxtaposed with that dress? whatever, it is this is why I find runway photography so interesting.

knitting season

maybe its the weather, but i have an urge to pick up the knitting needles and get to work once again.

studying séverine

séverine is minimal perfection in a black coat by yves saint laurent complemented with a sleek pair of gloves....


I am quite obsessed with these sunglasses they look amazing at every angle...and let's not forget how stunning they look
with that structured black hat....

belle de jour (1967) images courtesy of dressinginthedark

I feel that over the years I have learned a lot about style through watching films. I never forget the day I first saw luis buñuel's 1967 film belle de jour. there are so many levels of style in this film....from the storyline, the cinematography to the ultra-chic wardrobe designed by yves saint laurent and roger vivier...you really can't watch this film just once....it is hard to believe that catherine deneuve is a prostitute in this film...when do call girls look this stylish? whenever, I have issues about what to wear I always refer to this film. I have always had an incognito sense of style and this film helped me to realize that all I really need is a big pair of shades, a form fitting jacket, and a sleek hat to achieve the séverine sense of style....I love watching films like this because it allows me to use my creativity and take elements of séverine's wardrobe and apply it to my own....I always say that there is so much that can be learned from watching classic cinema.

séverine inspired

photo by peter lindbergh

now, that I start to think about it....luis buñuel's classic film belle de jour has had such an impact in the world of fashion...if you look through any magazine that focuses on style and fashion I guarantee you will find an image inspired by catherine deneuve's character séverine...I think this photo of linda evangelista is a perfect example....she really embodies belle de jour style with her black cape, gloves, heels, and of course those dark sunglasses....she is very much an editorial version of séverine.