amber & shalom

I don't know why but I have always liked the pairing of supermodels shalom harlow and amber valletta in fashion editorials....there was a time in the 90's when I felt like they were always together. I think they even hosted mtv's house of style together after cindy crawford left....it didn't last too long, but I felt like they were a really interesting modeling team. nowadays, you don't see too many shalom harlow and amber valletta bonds....perhaps, the time has come for the next dynamic modeling duo!


photos by steven meisel

liv & bibi

persona (1966)

shalom harlow and amber valletta reminded me of another great duo....liv ullmann and bibi andersson. they blend so beautifully together in ingmar bergman's film persona. this is one of those films where style is everywhere....from the minimal turtlenecks and headbands worn by ullmann and andersson to the brilliant shot composition by cinematographer sven nykvist. this photo here, is one of my favorite moments from the film...I love the way ullmann and andersson are lined up, one facing the camera, the other at a 90-degree angle, and of course, the superb use of natural lighting...I don't know why, but I have always found this scene so inspiring...I think about it often when I am taking group photos!

sisters in black

a photo taken of us sisters in black....very much inspired by the naturalism and simplicity of ingmar bergman's film persona, but with a little bit of our style added in.

cover-up

junya watanabe fall/winter 2008

I think I found the perfect look for those bad skin days.....it comes in the form of a veiled geometric sculpture-shape by junya watanabe. I don't know why, but I find it so ugly that it is almost beautiful.....perhaps, I may want to wear this look for good skin days, as well.

nice buns!

photo by herb ritts

vintage gianfranco ferré....he was one of my favorite designers growing up...I miss his approach to design, after all he was the architect of fashion. naturally, I love these black silhouettes, but I am quite mesmerized by these bun shapes....I love how they almost look like cowlneck scarf shapes and not so much like hair...oddly stylish!

extra virgin

it looks like i will be ordering the cooking channel shortly. "extra virgin"seems to have many things that i enjoy. cooking obviously, and debi mazar. i've admired her vintage style for many years now. her look quietly influenced madonna and dita. if her cooking show is on the same level as her wardrobe, count me in.

gina brooke

sadly i really started to like shu uemura makeup just as they packed up and left the united states. around this time i became familiar with their artistic director gina brooke. in this short time she has become my favorite makeup artist. her tutorials are stylish, and easy to follow. she cares about the ingredients as well as the way the makeup looks. i'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with now that she is artistic director for hourglass cosmetics.

it's our blogoversary!

photo by steven meisel

today marks our two year blogoversary! I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate the occasion with one of our favorite steven meisel photos. my sister has a gorgeous limited edition dolce & gabbana coffee table book from the 90's that sits on her desk and this is cover of that book. I love this cover it reminds me of a scene from fellini's film la dolce vita.... I hope that we have inspired our readers throughout these two years and perhaps maybe you have learned a thing or two about style. my sister and I try to make our blog a virtual scrapbook of creative ideas and thoughts...I don't know if it comes across that way, but either way we both enjoy the evolution of our blog....I recently read an interesting quote by sofia coppola and I thought it actually related to a lot of the ideas we like to blog about....I don't know know about you, but I think it is important to take time out of your life to appreciate the little things like a beautifully designed dress....sisters in black frocks are all about appreciating style of all forms....its nice to know that someone like sofia coppola understands the way we feel.....perhaps, you will agree too! "you’re considered superficial and silly if you are interested in fashion, but I think you can be substantial and still be interested in frivolity.”-sofia coppola

the way she moves

photo by marco glaviano

I am always envious of photographers who can capture moments like this....it is such a spontaneous photograph. I love how it embodies a cinematic quality mixed in with high-fashion....I think what I love most is that whirl in paulina porizkova's coat-dress...it is kind of difficult to describe, but I love that shape that it takes. nowadays, it seems like anyone can be a good photographer with such advanced digital cameras, but I really think to catch a natural moment like this takes some skill and a really good eye.....

sufi shape

photo by giorgia fiorio

I have always been intrigued by sufism...particularly the sufi whirling dance. it is so interesting and inspiring to watch. there is so much style on every level...from the dance technique to the costumes. I especially love that tall conical hat worn by this dancer paired with that wide skirt....it just screams fashion. this may sound strange, but I have always wanted to make a video with sufis dancing for madonna's song to have and not to hold from her ray of light album...I always envisioned madonna in an olivier theyskens long dramatic dress surrounded by sufis in some choreographed dance piece.....in my head, I can imagine long costumes and skirts beginning to spin slowly and all around the dance floor...and yet somehow, the room takes on a new symmetry....I don't know why but I have always thought a sufi theme would make for an interesting video concept especially for that madonna song.

sufi-esque

photo by thierry le goues

I am looking for a black coat that takes on a shape like this....there is something about this photo that makes me think of those wide dramatic skirts worn by sufis. I know it is a bit of a strange connection, but I think there is something quite similar....I guess when you start to think about it, inspiration really is everywhere.

doll parts

our mother still has her original barbie doll from when she was a little girl, and it is in mint shape. she has sentimental attachment to this doll. i on the other hand shaved barbie's head when i was little. my only purpose for barbie was to dress her, and do her hair. when she had a bad hair day i went a bit too far with the scissors. if i had the maison martin margiela barbie today, i would keep her in the same pristine shape that my mother's barbie doll is in. i can see the sentiment in this freaky barbie.

the background

les amours imaginaires (2010)

sometimes, when I watch films I like to pay close attention to what goes on in the background...for some odd reason, I am very fascinated by set design. I always feel that you can better understand a character by what books he or she is reading, or by what posters or paintings are on the walls of a room....I think it was through pedro almodóvar that I started to notice these things. his films always have the most visually stimulating set designs. at any rate, I have yet too see this film entitled les amours imaginaires, but somehow I am already intrigued.....I highly approve of films with egon schiele drawings on the walls.

exiting the metro

keanu reeves

I don't want to generalize but why are so many heterosexual men becoming so metrosexual? I find it so unattractive for a man to be so concerned with his self-image...yes, I do believe that men should care about being in good shape, but when men start worrying about manicures, massages, facials, and fashion that it is a little too much....leave it to women to worry about those issues. I prefer men who don't care about these types of things and are just accidentally sexy. lately, I have been missing that grunge look that I use to see more of in the 90's. men in the 90's were all about a nonchalant masculinity. I love that keanu reeves has actually translated his 90's sense of style into 2011. he is such a perfect example of that look that I would love to see more of....I think it all starts with that scruffy beard, his very casual sense of style like a scarf with jeans, and I think what I love most is that he looks as if he doesn't shower every day! I believe 2011 should be the year where careless masculine sexiness makes a comeback...for all the men out there....take some notes on keanu reeves...he is the total antithesis of metrosexuality!

man skirt

marc jacobs

I don't care what people say, but I think a kilt is a great look for a man. it is a bit daring, perhaps even a little controversial, but if a man is confident enough he can totally get away with this look....it is all in the attitude! I think this photo of marc jacobs in his black kilt is a perfect example of how to wear this look...I love how uniform his sense of style is. I think what works best with this kilt is his black doc martens. it is nice to know that marc jacobs doesn't forget his 90's grunge roots!

hooray for hakaan!

let's start with this midriff-exposing, long-sleeve leather crop top paired with a narrow skirt...this is such a look that I so want to test out.


or for a more covered up look, there is a form-fitted black blazer paired with a narrow skirt and trailing hem....I think I need to try this look, as well!

hakaan spring/summer 2011

I love it when I am curious and excited about a new fashion designer. I don't really get this feeling that often, but I am quite taken with designer hakaan yildirim's spring/summer 2011 collection. he is a bit edgy and dark almost in that same category as haider ackermann, rick owens, and maybe even riccardo tisci. he definetly has that it factor....I am always a sucker for a designer who can design an ultra-fitted long dramatic skirt...I don't know about you, but hakaan yildirim has definetly got my attention....

seeing red

photo by guy bourdin

I have always loved the look of a red coat....it never really goes out of style, at least through my eyes. last year, my sister purchased a beautiful vintage red coat. I have yet to still see her wear it, but I thought she might find some inspiration from this photo. there is something so mysterious and elegant about a woman in a red coat....I think this guy bourdin photograph really captures that feeling.

all about a red coat

todo sobre mi madre (1999)

red coats are not only stunning in fashion editorials, but on film, too. if there was one film that helped me to understand the importance of a red coat I would have to give it to pedro almodóvar's all about my mother. I always love to reference this film. I will never forget cecilia roth in that red coat with her umbrella standing in front of that huge theatre billboard of actress marisa paredes...I love the way her coat corresponds with marisa paredes' lips...this has to be one of the most visually striking red moments ever caught on film.

in the mood for red

in the mood for love (2000)

pedro almodóvar isn't the only director who understands the importance of a vibrant red coat....let's not forget film director wong kar-wai....I have always felt a strange connection between pedro almodóvar and wong kar-wai. these two directors seem to understand the importance of visual style as recurring motifs....if you look closely at the work of both directors you can definetly see how they both play close attention to objects, décor, the color red, and of course costumes in their films...by far, one of my favorite red coats on film is this one featured on actress maggie cheung in wong kar-wai's film in the mood for love. no matter what angle you look at this red coat looks pretty spectacular!

vincent et monica

although brad and angelina are occasionally fun to look at, i much prefer vincent and monica. the edgier, darker, euro version.

bianca bling!

photo by eric boman

I would love to get my hands on this vintage vogue UK cover from 1974...bianca jagger looks so stunning with that blinged out veil and those red lips....total 70's glamour! this is what a magazine covers are missing nowadays...

diamonds are forever?

moulin rouge! (2001)

I don't think I will ever quite understand the trend of wearing too much diamond jewelry all at once. personally, I think one diamond accessory is all you need. sometimes, when I see women wearing diamond rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings I get a little sick to my stomach. I mean enough, already! I feel like some women need to be taught the difference between accessorize and excessorize. I must admit that the only time I have seen this trend work on someone is in baz luhrmann's film moulin rouge!. I love the way satine (nicole kidman) works that diamond jewelry...she looks so delicate, almost like a porcelain doll...I feel that the key to wearing diamond jewelry really is about elegance, not decadence.

calendar girl

photo by mikael jansson

I love the 2011 calender that comes with this years january issue for vogue paris. by far, my favorite month is september. there is something about this photo that looks so heavenly and dreamlike. perhaps, it has something to do with those silk sheets and the way supermodel daria werbowy is positioned in between them. I can't help but also love that diamond jewelry and the way she wears that dolce and gabbana bodysuit....such a perfect composition. I like this way of sleeping....perhaps, this is the stylish way to snooze in 2011.

studying sleep

photos by nick knight

I have always had a strange fascination with sleep. there is something so interesting about the way the body thinks and moves at night. I recently found these photos taken by nick knight in 2001, which shows models in various sleep positions taken throughout the night. I love the way these models are dressed and the way their bodies twist and turn in these photos...such a beautiful combination of drapery and the female form. it is almost as if these models are dancing on air rather than sleeping....knight captures such an ethereal quality. who would ever think sleep could be so inspiring?

the white stuff

photo by sybille walter

what is it about the color white that looks so good in the winter? I have mentioned before about fashion designer matthew ames. I am really amazed by the way he designs. I like his work for this upcoming spring, but I feel that one of his standout years was his spring/summer 2009 collection. I find this dress so interesting on many levels. I love the ruffled turtleneck shape paired with that asymmetrical gown with pocket and those tights. this really is an outfit that will make heads turn. it is sexy without revealing much....totally my sense of style.

minimal in versace

photo by mario testino

sometimes, I feel that we pay too much attention to the meretricious looks that come out of the house of versace. it is interesting how we forget those subtle moments. I remember when I first saw the versace fall winter 2000 collection. I was really amazed by how many minimal, yet cutting edge a lot of these looks were. after viewing through the looks, I started to think differenly about versace. the one dress that I always remember is this white dress featured on actress gwyneth paltrow. I love the layered look on the top portion and how form fitting it is on the bottom. this is the kind of versace I wish more celebrities would wear on a red carpet. it is not so much about va-va voom, but more about a polished and clean sense of simplicity.

beach white

photo by richard avedon

I love the look of a white coat in the winter time....I think this photo is a winning example of how luminous a white coat looks this time of year especially set against the beach sand. it is the perfect pairing!

faces

photo by sølve sundsbø


drawing by cristhian barron

our dear friend cristhian made this stunning drawing of actress tilda swinton...it is hard to decide which one I like better...they are both pretty amazing. p.s.I love to find out other peoples inspirations...especially from women like tilda swinton. today, I read this quote from her and I am so pleased to find out who inspired her for her role in I am love. somehow, I feel that these women would feel the same way about her. “one’s always downloading one’s heroes, I suppose, all the time. we’re not referencing any particular, current pieces of work. I remember being asked whether I thought about gena rowlands for julia and thinking ‘well, I think about gena rowlands all the time!’ not just for julia. Of course, we thought about [john] cassavetes a lot for julia. For this film, we thought about catherine denueve in belle de jour. I thought about—and again, I always think about—delphine seyrig in last year at marienbad. but again, it’s not just sampling these performances, but being inspired by them all the time. I could say that I’m just as inspired by delphine seyrig when I’m making julia as when I doing I Am Love. who else? let me think… carole lombard in to be or not to be. those are the people that kind of spring to my mind. so does ingrid bergman.“ —tilda swinton, on her inspirations for I Am Love, to Matt Mazur, July 2010

mad for margiela

shoes by maison martin margiela

I dedicate this photo to my fellow sister in black...thank you for introducing me to the maison martin margiela store..it is such a hidden gem of a store and of course you knew I would love the margiela employees and their white lab coats...so stylish. for years, I have been searching for a comfortable, yet sleek pair of boots and I finally found the ones I have been looking for. they are very similar to the high black ones featured in this photo. my sister and I like to call them camel-toes...there is something about them that is so sexy-ugly. I must admit that they are so comfortable and truly one of a kind. my sister owns a margiela pair of black ballet flats and I must give her credit for exposing me to this unique look....we are so sisters in black camel-toe margiela's.

a rose is a rose is a rose

photo by patrick demarchelier

who would ever think that a rose could make for an interesting hat shape?....I think I found the perfect hat look that I want to start wearing in 2011....maybe, its a little much, but I really think this is a style I could get away with.

a black rose

balenciaga's black rose, 1967

I always think about this vintage balenciaga black rose look in the winter....I love the ruffle-rose shape on top contrasted with that ultra-thin long skirt on the bottom. it is totally something I would love to wear this time of year. I don't know if it is warm enough, but it sure looks very cozy.

becoming a black swan

there are very few movies that we have seen twice in a theatre. black swan is the exception. so inspiring on many levels, from the storyline, to the makeup, to the costumes. we had no choice but to recreate it in the comforts of home.

metallic moment

photo by david sims

yes, it is 2011, but I am feeling balenciaga spring/summer 2007. I have always had a strange fascination with this collection...particularly those gold metal robot-leggings. what I find so interesting about nicolas ghesquière's vision for balenciaga is that with time the clothes look more futuristic, rather than dated. you can't really say that about too many designers....ghesquière is always living in the future....yet, somehow he still manages to incorporate the traditional cristóbal balenciaga silhouettes....that is why I think he is so good at what he does. after looking back on this collection, I think my new year's fashion resolution is to add some metallic accents into my wardrobe....I can't think of a better way to start 2011!

it's all in the details

balenciaga spring/summer 2007

I love the details of these balenciaga metal-paneled pants....there is something so sci-fi about them....personally, I think they remind me a little of the character C-3PO from star wars...I have no idea if he was used as inspiration, but I like to think that he was.

the making of...

backstage at balenciaga spring/summer 2007

before you come to any judgements about these balenciaga hand-sewn gold leggings....you must think about all the hard work and detail that goes into making a pair. sometimes, I feel that we should take more time to admire all the craftsmanship and detail that goes into making a collection...photos like this help me understand that when it comes to putting together a collection it is not just about one designer but more about a team of design experts...hats off to the behind the scenes balenciaga designers who never get the recognition they deserve...now, I know there is no I in team.