wild at hat!

photo by hasse nielsen

I am noticing a trend of oversized hats for spring/summer 2011...if you look at designers like carolina herrera, miuccia prada, and marc jacobs they all seem to incorporate giant hats into their collections this season. I am a huge supporter of this look...if you are pale-skinned like myself and prefer looking incognito...I highly suggest this type of style. naturally, I would go for a black hat much like this one featured in this photo.

napoleon says!

photo by steven meisel

for years, I have been trying to find a hat quite similar to the one linda evangelista is wearing in this photo. I guess you could call it a napoleon hat...some might find it ridiculous, but I think it is quite fashion-forward. I have always loved this shape....it is a bit avant-garde. one of these days, I hope I will get my hands on one. I tend to find napoleon costume hats with decorations on it, but never a plain black one.

you are probably thinking how does one wear this hat?...but I know exactly how to style it. the hat works perfectly with a simple long black military coat, some black stretch pants, paired with some boots. I actually think a sleek pair of adidas can work, as well. I recently watched jamiroquai's video for seven days in sunny june and noticed that lead singer jay kay was wearing the most amazing napoleon hat. I've always admired his style....he totally gets it...its all about an eccentric hat, minimal attire, and of course, the perfect pair of adidas tennis shoes...do check out his style in this video!



a scene from jamiroquai's seven days in sunnny june video

in vogue

photo by tim walker

simply brilliant!....I don't know about you, but this is something I always think about doing when I am reading fashion magazines.

a final note

carine roitfeld's last editor's note from the vogue paris march issue

I have been bookmarking a lot of pages from the current vogue paris march issue...this is a special one because it is carine roitfeld's last issue as editor-in-chief. you can definetly see her signature style in a lot of the editorials....especially the editorial entitled coeur à corps perdu. I think what I treasure most about this issue is her final editor's note. I love this incognito pic of her with the words written across the photo...reminds me a little bit of a scene out of an almodóvar film.

I don't speak french, but what I have always liked about carine's vision at vogue paris is how personal she makes an issue. it is more like a scrapbook of ideas rather than a magazine...her years at vogue have inspired me so much, especially when it comes to my personal sketchbook. my drawings and ideas that I put into my sketchbook are not so much about perfection, but more about creating a look and style....which is something I think I have unconsciously learned over the years from browsing through the pages of vogue paris....it is sometimes strange and exciting where influence comes from....this magazine will always be inspiring to me!

four eyes

glasses are back in my life. its kind of a bummer, but i guess i could always look at it as just another fun accessory.

lovely in leather

polaroids of kate moss

I love a form-fitted leather dress, especially this time of year. it is both sexy, yet completely modern at the same time. this is by far, one of my favorite looks on kate moss. how does she always do it? she looks minimal, yet tough at the same time......I think that is what makes a leather dress so attractive!

leather look

jil sander fall/winter 2007

kate moss in that stunning leather frock reminded me of this particular leather look from jil sander fall/winter 2007.... I love how raf simons creates collections that can go from day to evening. I think this leather dress fits perfectly in that category. the shape is quite simple, but the leather adds a little pop making it look quite innovative and fashion forward. what I love most about this runway shot are those heavy black platform heels....I love the intelligent details at jil sander...such a brilliant collection!

leather on film

the governess (1998)

sometimes, I like to watch films not so much for the story, but for the costumes.....I saw this british drama entitled the governess many years ago and for some odd reason I always think about the clothes in this film, particularly minnie driver's character. the story focuses on a young jewish woman of sephardic background named rosina da silva, who reinvents herself as a gentile governess named mary blackchurch, who is forced to find work to support her family.....

I think what stands out most from this film are the leather costumes....the photo featured here is my favorite look from the film. I love the chemise paired with that leather bodice. the leather is so form-fitting and looks so cutting edge, something you wouldn't expect to see in a period film. there is something a bit olivier theyskens about the costumes, as well. the silhouettes, the dramatic dress shapes, and the striking leather all conjure up images in my head of those early years of olivier theyskens. this is such a surprisingly stylish film as far as wardrobe is concerned.....total sephardic style mixed in with some theyskens!

blow up

photo by sølve sundsbø

I can't help but smile when I look at this green billowing gown by lanvin.....I love a dramatic silhouette that is blown up out of proportion. it is not only visually beautiful, but what I would love to wear for those bloated days......

time for some blow

photo by bill cunningham

I love the eccentric style of the late isabella blow....she definetly was ahead of her time and one of my favorite style icons. I always thought philip treacy's hats looked so perfect on her....I recently discovered this photo of her and I must say I love the way she worked this parachute shape...there's something so light and airy about this pic.....almost as if she is going to take flight....I miss seeing her at fashion shows and all her originality, I don't know if there will ever be someone quite like her.

making faces

photo and make-up by kevyn aucoin

I recently stumbled upon a calendar I had from the 90s featuring photos and make-up by kevyn aucoin. each month featured different looks from his book making faces. some of his make-up ideas have become so iconic....who could forget the way he transformed such women as courtney love, winona ryder, and tori amos...just to name a few. he really was the top make-up artist of the 90s. it is sad that he is no longer with us...I would have loved to see what his style would be like today...I guess we will never know....but his images will always be remembered.

my favorite part of the calender was the foreward by gena rowlands...I totally forgot that they were friends....she has always been one of my style and beauty icons...I really like what she wrote about him and about beauty....if you can read this small print take a look yourself!

with gena

my sister, my brother-in-law, and myself with gena rowlands....

a couple of weeks ago, I found out that gena rowlands would be appearing at the silent movie theatre to discuss her career and films. immediately, I knew I had to go see this...I first discovered gena rowlands when I was a teenager....I will never forget the time when I saw her in woody allen's another woman. whenever, I hear erik satie's gymnopédie no. 3 or rainer maria rilke's poem the archaic torso of apollo I always think of her performance as marion post in this film....

I thought all week about what I wanted to say to her and I was so glad I had a chance to ask. I have always been curious about the ending of all about my mother....the 1999 pedro almodóvar film. in the end, he dedicates the film to her. I don't know why, but I have always wondered if she knew that he was going to pay homage to her. perhaps, maybe he called her or wrote her a letter. there is something very mysterious about the way almodóvar makes his films that I find so intriguing.

I asked her all those questions....and she politely told me that there was never any communication before or after the film. she told me she goes to see all his films, and that she was pleasantly surprised to see that he dedicated the film to her. her response made my day.....I always love to find out interesting facts like this.

It was such a joy talking to her and I am so glad I finally got the answer to that particular question.....but I must admit that the best part was when we got to take a photo with her!

the essentials

opening night (1977)

when I took that photo with gena rowlands I thought to myself should I wear sunglasses in the picture or not? after a little thinking, I immediately thought of her look in opening night and I knew that I had to wear my sunglasses to show my respect. this is one of those films that has had a huge impact on my personal style. all the essentials for a mysterious, yet stylish look are in this film.....a nice black jacket, a pair of big sunglasses, and of course, the hair must look in your face messy-chic....

backstage valentino

i'll take it.

chanel in bloom

photos by irving penn

today, is the first day of spring I couldn't help but think of those romantic camellia hats from karl lagerfeld's stunning chanel couture collection for spring/summer 2002....the camellia was coco chanel's favorite flower.

this was a collection with such gorgeous silhouettes and I love how these two models are wearing the camellia hats slightly tilted....it totally completes the look....a near perfect collection to celebrate the start of spring!

chanel inspired

painting by marie laurencin

lady clown, oil on canvas (1913-14)

in case you were wondering, karl lagerfeld was very much inspired by the french cubist painter marie laurencin for his chanel couture spring/summer 2002 collection. lagerfeld focused his attention on three colors that season....blush-pink, soft gray, and black. if you look closely at the work of marie laurencin she used the same type of pastel palette in her artwork. its always interesting to find out where designers find their inspiration...this is one of those collections that I have always been curious about. now, whenever I look at the work marie laurencin I always think of chanel couture spring/summer 2002.

carrie in chanel

sarah jessica parker

I always like to look back on the style of carrie bradshaw from hbo's sex and the city....she had a lot of hits and a lot of misses. I must admit that part of the reason why I watched the show was to see what carrie would wear. I always found it inspiring how she would mix high-end couture with thrift shop fashion. she had certain signature looks that I will never forget....her gold-plated necklace, the fendi bags, the manolo blahniks, and of course, her signature flower.

I loved it when she wore this pale-pink camellia headband-hat from the chanel couture spring/summer 2002 collection. I believe it was the episode when miranda asked carrie to be her son's godmother....I remember after seeing this episode I immediately tried to copy this look....one of my very favorite carrie bradshaw moments....she always shined in chanel.

goodbye, galliano!

john galliano fall/winter 1995

I am still shocked and saddened by the firing of john galliano for christian dior. with him gone, I started to think about some of his greatest fashion achievements. there are a couple that come to mind....personally, I loved his wickedly cut jacket shapes and of course, his infamous backwards suits he designed in 1999. If I had to pick an all time favorite look I would have to go with his deceptive slipdresses with labyrinth seaming as seen in this photo from his fall/winter 1995 collection. I have always felt that he was the pioneer of the slip dress. I remember in the 90s, women of all ages were copying this look. I know I was very much influenced by his take on the slip dress. whether you want to realize it or not, he really brought such fantasy and magic to fashion.

I have come to realize that there are definetly two sides to john galliano the artist and the human being. I think I will choose to remember him as an artist and not as a role model...its hard to believe that he would say such ignorant remarks considering he seemed so open-minded as a fashion designer.

this may sound strange, but sometimes, I think the most conflicted individuals turn out to be the best artists. they usually have more to say and are never satisfied with themselves, which causes them to keep striving for perfection. there are a lot of great artists living and dead who are very much like that..... I definetly think john galliano was in that category.

going green

atonement (2007)

I think I found the perfect dress for st. patrick's day....keira knightley shined in this elegant silk green gown from the film atonement....I remember when I first saw the film I wanted to go buy a dress quite similiar to this style. such an amazing color and shape. I most likely would never be seen in a green dress, but this one is an exception....now, this is what I call going green!

burqa beauty

photo by jean-baptiste mondino

it is probably taboo to say, but I think a burqa can be quite stylish....that is if it is styled properly. recently, I was thinking that whenever I visit london I always encounter women in burqas and heels. I have to admit that it is quite mesmerizing to watch them walk....its not just a simple walk, but more like a catwalk strut...so elegant and graceful. there really is something quite intriguing about this look and I think a lot of people agree, but perhaps they don't like to talk about it. whatever it may be, I know that I am always inspired by a black burqa with an elegant pair of high-heels.

I follow rivers

directed by tarik saleh (2011)

I am liking lykke li more and more these days....I think it all happened when I heard her song sadness is a blessing...she is obviously not afraid to show her dark side and I respect artists who do that. her latest video for her song I follow rivers has such an andrei tarkovsky feeling to it...not only that, but a little of madonna's frozen mixed in with a rick owens sensibility. I can't get enough of this song and the video...it totally is sisters in black frocks approved!

black coats

john lennon and yoko ono

one of the most incognito photos I have ever seen of john lennon and yoko ono. I have always liked their style individually and as a couple....here in this pic their black coats blend so perfectly together....dark, yet chic at the same time. I don't know why, but I am always inspired by black coats in movement.

hot rolls

after a walk and some catching up on tv, i had the brilliant idea to curl my sisters hair. i've been a bit obsessed with my old box of hot rollers lately. i've used them more in the past three weeks, than in the five years that i've owned them. i also never realized how much my sister looks like dita von teese until today.

pink pages

a pink cape from valentino's fall 2007 couture collection

I know I love a good black frock, but this pink creation is so heavenly....it almost looks like cotton candy. this was such a memorable valentino collection....total visual stimuli. from time to time I like to look back on it. I did a little research on this pink cape featured in this photo and found out how it was made. from what I have read valentino's atelier used a mezmerizing technique called pages. the designers stacked layers of pink organza creating an interesting illusion.....what is very unique about this cape is that as the model walks the organza flutters. if you look closely the cape really looks like pages of pink tissue paper.

this is one of those collections where I would love to go behind the seams to see how it is all made...this outfit in particular is true couture at its finest. not only is this valentino collection glamorous, but it is significantly innovative as well...I highly recommend reminiscing on this one.

valentino's vision

a valentino dress in motion

I think part of what makes a valentino gown is the way it moves....I must admit that valentino is one of those designers I discovered a little later in life. I think it was through studying his fall 2007 couture collection and watching valentino: the last emperor that I started to understand his vision and philosophy. he really brought such grace and elegance to fashion and he definetly defined an era. from time to time, I think that approach to fashion is becoming obsolete. as much as I love daring and cutting edge fashion, sometimes I wish we could go back to the way women dressed in the 1940s and 50s....the look was so feminine and pretty. nowadays, it is not quite the same. I loved that valentino tried to bring that approach to fashion throughout his career....in a way, it is sad that he is retired because he was one of the last designers to bring that kind of beauty to fashion....but I must admit that maria grazia chiuri and pier paolo piccioli are doing an excellent job in keeping with valentino's vision....

pretty in pink

jil sander spring/summer 2011

looking at all that valentino pink reminded me of this jil sander dress from spring/summer 2011....one of my favorite dresses of the season. this is really the proper way to wear pink. its minimal, yet so vibrant....I think a lot of times, the color pink can appear to be over the top and meretricious, perhaps like a bad prom dress, but this look proves that pink can be the total opposite....I love how this dress perfectly blends elegance with simplicity. personally, I was hoping to see this dress on the red carpet this year, but no one wore it....I wonder why? I don't know about you, but I would gladly choose to wear this jil sander frock over a marchesa gown anyday!

adagio breezes

photo by nathaniel goldberg

from what I hear fiona apple will be coming out with a new album this spring....I can't wait. not only do I love to listen to her lyrics, but I love to read them, as well. there is so much depth to her music, almost like poetry...I always find myself analyzing her lines and reciting them over and over in my head...recently, I can't stop saying the line adagio breezes fill my skin with sudden red.....from her song the first taste on her first album tidal. perhaps, it is strange that I am blogging about this...but I love the visual imagery that she puts into her music. maybe, you too have a favorite fiona apple lyric that you like to say to yourself.......

shana zadrick

photo by mario testino

I have been a dedicated follower of fashion ever since I was a child....frequently, I like to look through my old fashion magazines from the 90s and see the past trends and of course, who were the top models, back then. we all know about the übermodels like linda evangelista, christy turlington, etc.,etc. and what they are doing now....but what about the more obscure models like claudia mason, meghan douglas, karen mulder, and of course shana zadrick.....she is the model featured in this photo. I always liked the look of shana zadrick she had a very cindy crawford like-appeal, but perhaps a little more exotic....she definetly knew how to give good face for the camera. lately, I have been thinking where is she today?.....I often dream that one day I will see her again in harpers bazaar magazine possibly in an animal print coat like this one...love that silhouette!

nothing comes between me and my calvins

all of my favorite dresses at the award shows were all calvin klein creations. even a sister in black would say that this is proof that bright colors can look classic if made by a master tailor, and kept simple.

blazing blazer

i love this calvin klein jacket. such a fresh look for the overdone blazer.

forever stylish

photo by robert mapplethorpe

its really nice to see women who look beautiful at every age...I think that is definetly how you could describe fashion designer carolina herrera.....this is one of my favorite photos of her....she looks so pared down and chic. I find it interesting that she has basically kept the same look throughout her life...that is probably why she looks so great at 72! I would love for women of all ages to study her style...there is definetly a lot to be learned from her....I once heard her say that the key to personal style is having a good knowledge of oneself....so true!

ladylike

photo by ellen von unwerth

yet another, classic carolina herrera look from spring/summer 1998....I can't help but love the pairing of that linen top with that buttery silk faille and tulle skirt....and of course, who could forget that hat!

herrera hat

backstage at carolina herrera spring/summer 2011

I love a good hat especially in the spring and summer. I am tied this season between those amazing equestrian hats at hermès and this korean-inspired straw hat from carolina herrera. for some odd reason, I can't stop looking at it...the shape is so unique. yes, carolina herrera is all about elegance, but sometimes I prefer it when she adds something unexpected to her collections.....like this hat.

classic carolina

carolina herrera spring/summer 2011

I think at first glance I was a bit overwhelmed by that tall, wide-brimmed straw hat from carolina herrera's spring/summer 2011 collection....but the key to wearing a hat like that is to keep the ensemble minimal. I like this look in particular. the model is simply wearing a white button down shirt paired with a flowy black skirt....a carolina herrera signature. I could totally see the designer herself, in this outfit. I always love to see a collection where the hat works as the main accessory....

pablo ramirez

image courtesy of the sartorialist

its always exciting to find new and upcoming designers. I recently discovered an argentinian designer named pablo ramirez....he creates the most amazing silhouettes. this look in particular reminded me very much of carolina herrera's spring/summer 2011 collection....I can't help but admire that circular pleating on the sleeves, the sharp line of that skirt, and that model's high bun hairstyle....such a beautiful black and white contrast, but still very strict and formal....I have no doubt in my mind that carolina herrera would approve of this look.

leg room

sofia coppola

I think sofia coppola is the perfect example of how to wear the baggy pant look....I like how she pairs her mannish trousers with that white blouse...the best part of this look is that thin belt, which cinches at the waist. its very simple, yet modern at the same time. after some careful observation, I've noticed that the key to this style is to contradict the masculine with something feminine. notice how she adds some heels?...its really all about balance and proportion.

black dress mystery

somewhere (2010)

I don't know why, but I love to see beautifully fitted black dresses on screen. I think it somehow adds to the style of a film. a couple of months ago, I saw sofia coppola's film somewhere and fell in love with these black dresses on these models....I still haven't figured out who designed these dresses...perhaps, maybe azzedine alaïa? I guess I will never know.

personally, I always love it when it when sofia coppola captures a very vogue style moment...much like this one. she has a very editorial type of style in her filmmaking that I always find so inspiring. I like to see filmmakers who pay attention to the little fashion details...I always find those moments so memorable.

amazing alaïa

a dress by designed by azzedine alaïa

I always question people who say a black dress is boring.....I think they should think twice before saying harsh words like that. all the evidence is shown in this black couture azzedine alaïa gown....I hope in my next life I come back as this dress....it looks so heavenly. I think this has to be one of the most amazing silhouettes I have ever seen. I guess this is what makes azzedine alaïa so legendary!