fun with rick

photo by kurt c. findeisen

I have been having a little too much fun in my rick owens skirt this long holiday weekend....what I love most about this skirt is the draping and that it can be fancy, yet casual....you can't say that about too many skirts...not to sound superficial, but I always feel good about myself when I put on a nice piece of clothing that is comfortable and chic. isn't that the magic of fashion?

valli girl

photo by lachlan bailey

today, is my mother's birthday...she has such a unique eye when it comes to fashion. I always think of her when I see a dress from giambattista valli's spring/summer 2006 collection. whether she knows it or not, so much of what I know about style comes from my mom...on that note, I dedicate this dress to her on this day. happy b-day, bella!

the way we wore

my sister's wedding

I loved the way we all looked together at my sister's wedding back in 2006. my sister was such a simple, yet glamorous 1940's style bride. my mom, too looked stunning in her giambattista valli dress. I too, wore the same dress, but in pink. I especially admired the way my mom styled her valli dress with some light jewelry and black tights. just elegant and simple...and not matronly at all. still to this day, my mom and I still talk about this defining collection from giambattista valli...such delicate draping. I always get a bit jealous of my mom because she got to be the chic mother in a black frock...but I do have to say, that I secretly loved wearing pale pink....sometimes a little color can be a good thing.

defining moments

sex and the city (2008)

I admire an actress who knows how to properly walk in heels on screen...its almost like an art. there are very few who can do this...maybe jeanne moreau, catherine deneuve, sarah jessica parker. I've always thought some of the best moments from sex and the city are when we just see carrie walking in new york in something sleek, stylish and a pair of stilettos.

givenchy inspired

givenchy spring/summer 1997

with those stunning golden shu uemara lashes we couldn't help but be inspired alexander mcqueen's spring/summer 1997 collection for givenchy...love the subtle accents of gold leaf...not too meretricious, which is the correct way to style with gold.

after the gold rush

we finally put the shu uemura lashes to use. we are definitely in the midst of a gold period.

forever fabinoche

copie conforme (2010)

there is so much mystery and intrigue in juliette binoche's latest film copie conforme (certified copy). the trailer features juliette binoche looking into the camera applying red lipstick and then placing a matching red earring and that is all the audience sees. so stylish, yet elegant.....I don't know why but I am always attracted to subtle style moments like this...sometimes, there is beauty in not knowing, especially in film.

que linda

photo by patrick demarchelier

how good was harper's bazaar magazine back in 1992?...who could forget linda evangelista with that sleek hair cut and those red lips....I loved what the late editor in chief liz tilberis brought to the magazine back then....strong, beautiful graphics with a classic touch.... the way a proper fashion magazine should be.

a carolyn classic

carolyn bessette kennedy (1999)

why does a white shirt always keep its allure?...I remember when I first saw this photo of carolyn bessette kennedy I knew that I immediately needed a white button down shirt in my closet....I don't know of anyone who could make modern clothes look classic and classic clothes look modern, quite like carolyn bessette kennedy.

thinking outside the gap

thakoon


rodarte


doo.ri

photos by inez van lamsweerde and vinoodh matadin

I always like a white shirt for spring....back in may 2007 designers thakoon, doo.ri and kate & laura mulleavy of rodarte took a fresh new take on a simple white blouse for the gap. I liked that these three designers used their creative skills and designed not just shirts, but shirtdresses, as well...giving a breath of fresh air to the conventional white shirt. I fully approve when the gap takes a chance, once and awhile and does something different.

technically brilliant

hussein chalayan spring/summer 1998

a perfect example of architecture blending with fashion.....I'm feeling nostalgic for hussein chalayan's spring/summer 1998 collection which featured white shirts with architectural headpieces....I've always admired that his clothes seem to be minimal in look, but maximal in thought.

cape town

its getting warmer and warmer, therefore its time to put the capes back in storage and say farewell till fall.

they shoot single people, don't they?

sex and the city (2004)

this is why I appreciate carrie bradshaw....with so much hype surrounding the sex and the city movie, I started to think about some of my favorite carrie moments. while most people seem to love the carrie and mr. big romantic dillemas, I always preferred carrie when she focused on her own personal issues like karma, getting older, body image, and loneliness. one of my personal favorite episodes was they shoot single people don't they? in this episode, all of the girls find themselves alone and single and are all club hopping together instead of bed hopping. to complicate matters, things worsen when carrie does a magazine cover for the new yorker looking rough as a mugshot, yet it declares her single and fabulous! shortly after, all of the girls then get involved with men and all see that it's better to be single if you have to sacrifice your pride and respect to do things you don't want to. if there is something to be learned from carrie and her friends is that they're not looking for validation in men, but finding it within themselves and through their friendships with eachother. I've always felt that this episode had such a positive message for women, proving that it is okay to be single and happy in the process.

brighten up with bougainvilleas

photo by françois halard

now is the season when bougainvillea flowers are in full bloom especially in southern california....I have always been drawn to their color and how vibrant they look along fence lines, walls, hanging baskets, and as a hedge or an accent plant....so much beauty in a bougainvillea.

miyake in movement

photos by tyen

sculptural and innovative....some standout issey miyake prêt-à-porter designs from the 90's.

gold dust woman

i may be having a love affair with gold, i was inspired to paint this with gold paint, and even my nail polish is gold.

heil haider

designer haider ackermann


actress tilda swinton




photos by johan sandberg

there's something so interesting about the relationship between designer and muse. I love the collaboration between designer haider ackermann and actress tilda swinton. when I see them together, I actually think they really are friends and share similar interests. both are true independent artists in their own ways. many times, we see designers with actresses and it just seems like they are together for publicity and fame, but with tilda and haider you get the opposite. there is something kind of subtle, dignified and sensuous about the way ackermann designs clothes. by looking at his work, you can see that he designs modern clothes for strong women like tilda. both are edgy and avant-garde...it is no wonder why they love working together.

dance style

photo by michael papendieck

what is it about dancers and the way they dress?....especially when they are not performing. it is such a nonchalant look that anyone can really do, but yet it looks so difficult. it is all about piecing an asymmetrical shirt with a pair of shorts over a stretch pant....a bit capezio meets donna karan. I am trying myself to incorporate a pair of tights into my dance style, but I am having trouble making it look as effortless as this.... 'till then I will use this dancer as my inspiration.

a model moment

courtesy of PHOTO Magazine March 1990

who could forget that famous peter lindbergh photograph of cindy, linda, christy, naomi, and tatjana back in 1990 for british vogue?.....if you are curious like myself, sometimes, it is the behind the scenes, before the shot is taken that add to the mystery and allure to a photo, especially this one.

yes, she cannes

today, is the start of the cannes film festival. I always love hearing about all the interesting films that will be coming out and of course the fashion. one of my all-time favorite cannes moments was when kate moss accompanied then-boyfriend johnny depp in 1997. I thought she looked so standout in a simple narciso rodriguez short gray sheath. I think what I love most about this dress is that it looked so anti-red carpet....I sometimes think a simple short dress says more than a long overly dramatic princess dress, especially at black-tie events.

back that thang up!

photos by mark borthwick

courtesty of c o t o n b l a n c

I've always wanted to take a nap in rei kawakubo's 1997 spring/summer collection for commes des garcons entitled body becomes dress. dress becomes body. kawakubo designed a series of body-defining lycra dresses outfitted with body-redefining pillows. she claimed she was reinventing the body. fashion critics hated this collection....I guess they thought it looked like the hunchback of notre dame, and perhaps there was a little too much emphasis on the butt area. what woman really needs more of that? personally, I've always thought of this collection as an avant garde snuggie in pillow form. I love that kawakubo designs clothes that are confusing and unsettling. she seems to be interested in changing the value of beauty, in a positive way. I guess that is why she is known as a designer's designer.

crafting with found elements

its nice to take the time to talk about other people in our lives who are crafting. these two bird houses were made by danny with mostly found elements from the outdoors of ojai. he has become quite the carpenter, between our dresser and these birdhouses given to our mothers as a gifts. i wonder what's next?

shortbread with a twist

mothers day treats made by moi

all about my mother

marisa paredes photographed by pedro almodóvar

since it is mother's day I thought it would be appropriate to pay homage to pedro almodóvar's 1999 masterpiece all about my mother....I am huge fans (yes, fans in plural) of this film. I particularly love the ending....I never forget those last words and yet somehow, I always think of these words on mother's day.....it is by far, one of the the most beautiful dedications I have ever experienced in film....let's reminisce to bette davis, gena rowlands, romy schneider ... to all actresses who have played actresses, to all women who act, to all men who act and become women, to all the people who want to be mothers. to my mother - pedro almodóvar on that note a happy mother's day!

like mother, like daughter

photo by mario testino

how rare it is these days too see a stylish mother and daughter duo. I've always loved the style of carine roitfeld and her daughter, julia. here, they are perfect pair both in jeans. I have to say, that I'm not the biggest fan of denim, but I do love how they both add some personal style to their looks. I particularly admire how carine roitfeld styled her jeans with a simple rick owens top. If there is anything to be learned from carine and her daughter it is that style is at any age. they both seem to have their own looks, not fabricated by a designer or a magazine, which is my idea of personal style. if only more mothers and daughters could think and dress like this....

pregnant pause

lucian freud. naked portrait 2002. oil on canvas.

since mother's day is upon us why not celebrate it with a painting of a pregnant kate moss..... lately, I have been admiring the work of artist lucien freud, particularly the way he paints flaws and imperfections. if you think about it....kate moss is always shown as most models are as perfect, but this painting shows her human side. by looking at this painting, you feel as if your seeing more than you're suppose to. you feel uncomfortable because it shows the human form in a very raw and real manner. there is something kind of ugly, but yet appealing, which is a typical quality in a freud. if there is anything to be learned from this painting it is that the human body can be beautiful in its natural state, which is quite important especially in the age of the airbrush.

galliano glam

john galliano spring/summer 1995

the red lips, the eye-liner, and those veils....it's all those delicate details that add to the brilliance of john galliano's spring/summer 1995 collection.

bam, bam, glam!

a glamorous make-up look created by my fellow sister in black....inspired by john galliano's spring/summer 1995 collection. if only we had one of those signature galliano slip dresses to complete the picture......

studying style

renée zellweger in vintage oleg cassini

one of the best things about the month of may is the opening of the metropolitan costume institute gala and exhibition in new york city. one of my favorite fashion moments was seeing the 'goddess' exhibit with my father back in 2003. I will never forget those exquisite madame grès gowns...they are still embedded in my brain. each year is a different exhibition which runs from may to august. I particularly love this photo of renée zellweger studying the style of jackie kennedy at the met gala in 2001. the theme focused on kennedy's style throughout her years at the white house. this years theme is american women from 1890-1940 and how these women have shaped our perceptions of the modern woman....can't wait to see this one.

april showers....may flowers

alexander mcqueen spring/summer 2007

today is the first day of may....which reminded of those delicate blooms from alexander mcqueen's stellar spring/summer 2007 collection.

blade runner + balenciaga

blade runner (1982)

I recently watched ridley scott's neo noir film blade runner and couldn't help but be reminded of balenciaga's fall/winter 2005 collection. I especially loved the style of sean young. she looked stunning with her volumized hair and that form fitting black power suit. it is no wonder that her character rachael was used as inspiration for designer nicolas ghesquière. of course, ghesquière modernized her look into a sleek military jacket with black waisted pleated skirt. either way, I love both looks....sean young almost looks like a balenciaga ad.


nicolas ghesquière for balenciaga fall/winter 2005

the perfect blend

photo by david sims

the thing I admire most about designer nicolas ghesquière is the way he simultaneously looks to balenciaga's past, yet still, always looks toward the future. this fur coat from balenciaga fall/winter 2005 is a perfect example. from what I have read for this particular collection, ghesquière was inspired by the work of andré courrèges, who was the architect of space age minimalism in the 1960's and a former assistant to cristóbal balenciaga back in the day. not only was can you see elements of courrèges, but also sci-fi futurism. so much of sean young's fur collar in blade runner looks very much inspired by the updated version. a perfect blend of swinging sixties and sci-fi.


blade runner (1982)

sci-fi style

blade runner (1982)

there are many scenes in ridley scott's blade runner that are memorable. I admire films that go into the future, especially ones that have unique art direction, much like this film. this scene in particular, I cannot get out of my head. it reminds me so much of a scene out of björk's all is full of love video. I wonder if this shot was used as inspiration for director chris cunningham on that video?