shalom in the home

photo by ellen von unwerth

since it is the start of the jewish holiday passover, I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate it with model shalom harlow in a sharply tailored jacket by jean-paul gaultier inspired by the traditional apparel of male hasidic jews. this 1993 collection was considered very controversial, but I thought it was quite stylish and well-fitted... gauliter opened my eyes to the beauty of hasidic style in a way I never thought possible. to this day, whenever I see a group of male hasidic jews walking in the streets my eyes always gravitate towards how tailored and form fitting their jackets look....perhaps, it also has something to do with them exclusively wearing all black, too.

beach days

when sisters in black frocks uncharacteristically show up at the beach in grey hoods one must document

sexy back

photo by nick knight

I keep having dreams about this dress....a perfect example of modern minimalism. charlotte gainsbourg's style is all about being simple and disciplined. she never really wears extravagant accessories and basically works with one designer-nicolas ghesquière. if there is anything to be learned from charlotte gainsbourg's style is that she is not screaming for attention. her look is all about dressing for herself....which is one of the most important fashion rules for looking stylish.

a horse with no name

photos by steven klein (1995)

I love these series of horse images shot in black and white by photographer steven klein. the look is very strong and graphic. I find it quite interesting how he’s featured elements of the horse’s neck and abstracted into parts, showing that a horse can be a living artwork....it is no wonder why these photos were used as inspiration for designers calvin klein and haider ackermann.

cut it out

lately, I have been feeling nostalgic for calvin klein's fall 2001 collection. perhaps, it has something to do with my sister's design aesthetic and the way she drapes black fabric. that calvin klein collection in particular, was all about slinky silk dresses with playful cutouts that slither off the shoulders....I can't seem to forget those side-slit dresses and how calvin klein paired them with tough ankle boots instead of traditional heels. I don't know about you, but I'm feeling the need to go through my closet and re-create some of these looks.....such an inspiring collection for a minimalist, like myself.

time well spent

front of dress back of dress

with the arrival of my new mannequin, a trip to my favorite fabric store, and some free time on sunday, i managed to drape a dress. my first time without a pattern. it still needs some finishing touches, but what a nice feeling it was to make my own clothes.

well suited

helmut lang spring/summer 2002


kate moss

when thinking of perfect spring looks I always think of a white suit....both helmut lang and kate moss seem to keep the styles similar with sharp jackets and tailored pants. I particularly love the way kate moss looks in her suit, she balances the masculine and feminine by mixing menswear trousers with a peek of bare skin.... I don't know what decade these two white suits wouldn't look good in-completely timeless.

butterflies are free

butterfly hat designed by philip treacy for alexander mcqueen

today is the first day of spring.... which reminded me of those delicate and fluttering butterflies from mcqueen's spring/summer 2008 collection inspired by the late isabella blow.

sophisticated lady

photo by steven meisel

a yohji yamamoto interpretation of my fair lady.... a clean combination of classic with modern. I've never seen knots look this good.

head in the clouds

courtesy of lacollectionneuse

I feel quite content with my hat collection, but if there was one piece missing it would have to be an abstract shape designed by yohji yamamoto, particularly from his spring/summer 1998 collection.....I love a hat that resembles a cloud.

before and after: the dresser

my grandmothers dresser. did we give it new life?

a fountain of black

photo by ruven afanador

I can't decide if this is a dress or blanket?....nonetheless, it is quite a statement piece.

bump it

the spirit of amy winehouse's beehive...

adding a twist

2046 (2004)

couldn't help but be inspired by the style of actress ziyi zhang for our photo session with our friend ellen this weekend....thank you erika for teaching me the elements of a fabulous french twist with volume. you inspire me everyday.

our model ellen yu

our beautiful friend ellen stopped by for a much anticipated photoshoot. we loved doing it all from makeup, hair, and photography. enjoy!

futureproof

directed by mark romanek (1998)

I love music videos that look into the future. lenny kravitz's video for if you can't say no is a perfect example of futurism at its finest. the video consists of kravitz performing in a futuristic blue room, while he is being illuminated by a floating lamp. there is also an appearance by supermodel/actress milla jovovich as kravitz's girlfriend looking quite stylish (very helmut lang circa 1998). I'm not sure if I understand what the video is exactly about, but I love romanek's view of the future...a great song to go with a great video.

2046

2046 (2004)

when thinking about the future I also think of wong kar-wai's visual masterpiece 2046...this scene in particular from 2046 has such similarities to the way mark romanek interprets the future. there is such a connection in visual style between the two directors especially with the use of colors, particularly blue tones. they also seem to be similar in the way they place emphasis on objects and the use of elaborate lighting...I love innovative directors that think towards the future.

luchford style

photos by glen luchford

lately, I have been inspired by the photography of glen luchford particularly his spring/summer 1998 campaign for prada. there is such a sense of mystery and a cinematic quality to his work almost like a scene out of a film....these prada plexi glass shoes worn on supermodel amber valletta remind me so much of the visual style of directors mark romanek and wong kar-wai. somehow, I think they are all influenced by eachother.

lines and lips

these days i'm thinking about makeup. well actually all days i think about makeup but this week i'm thinking a bit harder. is lip liner back in? i usually hate it, unless its essential for bleeding red lipstick, but i do love mary kates neutral lined pout here. kinda reminds me of MAC's twiggy liner, and junior high.

the gilded age

shalom harlow photographed by peter lindbergh in alexander mcqueen for givenchy couture spring/summer 1997


alexander mcqueen fall/winter 2010

I didn't think this day would actually happen, but the time has finally come for alexander mcqueen's final collection for fall/winter 2010. so much of the delicate gilded embroidery reminds me so much of his early days at the house of givenchy....both have such a royal and luxurious feeling.

last respects

daphne guinness attending alexander mcqueens funeral.

function and beauty

who knew that the supplies that make art, could actually be art?

the morning after

faye dunaway photographed by terry o' neill, 1977

this is the part of the oscars I like the best.....the following morning lounging in a comfortable, yet elegant silk-bathrobe.

mellow yellow

with the academy awards this sunday, I thought it would be appropriate to pay homage to one of my favorite dresses of all time. who could forget renée zellweger at the 2001 oscars? I thought she looked stunning in a 1960's citrus chiffon gown by jean dessès. from what I have read this dress was actually made for an american-born princess and renée zellweger found it at the chic vintage resource lily et cie in los angeles. I love that she wore something classic rather than modern....this is vintage at its finest.

a dessès

photo by richard avedon

model sunny harnett in a classic jean dessès....the perfect silhouette.

taking chances

'I'm very comfortable in my body, suit forward or backward'-celine dion

say what you want about celine dion...but I applaud her for wearing that backwards suit designed by john galliano for christian dior to the 1999 academy awards. people often question my taste level for appreciating this outfit, but I think it is quite misunderstood. the concept is actually quite simple, it is just a suit worn the opposite way, with a john galliano theatrical quality added into it. perhaps, if cher would have worn this it wouldn't have been such a big deal. I think celine dion is a perfect hanger for clothes and appreciates the art of fashion. I admire her for taking a fashion risk...the only thing I would have done different is walk the red carpet backwards to go with the style of the suit.

new arrival

my long awaited dressform has finally arrived. i have some many ideas, hopefully they will come to life now

me and my calvins

modern and sleek silhouettes by my favorite minimalist calvin klein....this is what I imagine carolyn bessette kennedy's closet must have looked like in the 90's.