who is the lanvin woman?

catherine deneuve photographed by david bailey in a lanvin
organdy dress for vogue magazine (1968)



a photo of myself in that very same lanvin organdy dress...
styled by myself with make-up and hair by my sister


I will never forget the moment when I found this lanvin dress..... it all started when my mom picked me up from school when I was a teenager and we decided to go to one of our favorite vintage stores, called playclothes. as soon as I walked in the boutique I happen to notice a ruffled black polka-dot dress staring right at me. I was so amazed by the texture and shape of this dress. I looked at the label and saw that it said lanvin. at the time, lanvin wasn't what it was today. alber elbaz wasn't at the label, yet....so it was a bit unknown.

immediately, I had to try the dress on and I fell in love with it. the shape and silhouette was unlike anything I have ever seen. I thought perhaps maybe I could wear it to prom....or really just as a cute summer dress. at first, my mom couldn't decide if she loved or hated the dress, but after explaining it to her she quickly saw the craftmanship and detail of this dress and changed her mind. I looked at the price tag and it said $125 and I thought perhaps it was a little expensive so I decided to put it back and I told my mom I really didn't need it...

quickly my mom went back into the clothing rack and put the dress back in my arms...she told me that I would later regret it and that a dress like this doesn't come around that often.... kindly, she bought it for me as a gift. to this day, my mom and I always like to talk about this dress and its meaning...and how I would have been the biggest fool if I decided to walk away from it. I guess it really is true that mother knows best....sometimes, I think what would my life be like if I had never bought this dress?....I know it sounds strange, but I think my life would be different. people always love to talk to me about the look and history of this dress, whenever I wear it...I sometimes think this frock brings joy to the world....there are so many memories and I have met such interesting individuals in this dress. wearing it has become quite the magical experience...the dress has been in my closet for about 10 years now I must say that is still my favorite!....thank you mom!

modern-day lanvin

photo by mert alas and marcus piggott

a couple of years later, after I bought my lanvin dress I happened to be looking through the pages of vogue magazine and came across an interview with alber elbaz who was just starting out as head designer for lanvin....I was shocked to learn that elbaz's main inspiration for his spring/summer 2003 collection was that photo of catherine deneuve in my lanvin dress from 1968.

of course, elbaz didn't want to copy it exactly so he decided to re-create a modern day version. the idea was he wanted to create a sexy, but not overexposed party dress....the shape is still very feminine, and a little sheer with a swingy silhouette....I can definetly see elements of my vintage lanvin in the new one.

I must admit I am still to this day amazed that my dress was used as inspiration....what a small fashion world! both dresses are similar and different in so many ways....you can really tell by the details. as much as I admire the new version, I still think I would prefer to wear my vintage lanvin....perhaps, I feel the 1968 version is more my style.

photo of the day

grace kelly

so the rumors were true, sarah burton was the designer of the royal wedding dress. I couldn't help but think of the dress grace kelly wore when she got married. I wonder if that dress was used as inspiration?....somehow, I think it was.

elegantly expecting

selma blair has always been rather stylish, but i think her maternity style takes her to a whole new level. a true style maven knows how to dress for all body types. i would gladly wear both of these outfits sans bun in the oven.

classic black shades

photo by steven meisel

will an oversized pair of black sunglasses ever go out of style?...not in my world. I try to go for different types of shades, but I always go back to the this shape. I can't help it...there is something that is just so classic about this look that I can't resist.

sunglasses on screen

skammen (1968)

I love films that feature actresses with amazing sunglasses. who could forget gena rowlands in opening night?...catherine deneuve in belle de jour?....or bibi andersson in persona?...just to name a few. all these actresses have perfected the art of wearing sunglasses on film. if there is one film that I have yet to see it is ingmar bergman's film shame....I really do not know too much about this movie, but what I do know is that liv ullman's shades look pretty fabulous! this is definetly a film on my list to see...

kamali shades

norma kamali

I have always admired fashion designer norma kamali...who could forget her famous sleeping bag coat and of course her amazing bathing suits...she really represents the way real women want to dress and I love how she takes high fashion to a fundamental level...its not only the way she designs, but its her personal style too, that I find so inspiring.

last week norma kamali made a guest appearance on the sundance channel series all on the line...the show is about struggling designers trying to save their fashion lines and keep their dreams alive....its a real candid look at the difficulties of being a designer. I highly recommend watching the show....

I was so impressed by what norma kamali said and by what she wore...she came in with a black tailored coat with vest and a strict black pair of pants and of course those signature black cat-eyed sunglasses....recently, I found out that she actually designs sunglasses...much like the ones she is wearing in this photo. I haven't worn shades like this since the 90s, but I so love the way norma kamali modernizes this look....I am thinking this could be my next pair of shades.

up, up, and away

a few photos from our ballooning adventure

in a balloon fashion....

I would like to thank my fellow sister in black for a very fun belated birthday balloon adventure....I so thought of this naomi campbell editorial from the vogue march 1998 issue while we were riding in the sky. in my mind, I thought it would have been so stylish if we wore dramatic dresses with top hats much like these two photos....I think by now you know how my mind works. I can always make an editorial out of all the places we go. I know it would have been a bit incongruous...but I so love the idea and fantasy of getting all dressed up to go for a balloon ride....this is one of my favorite vogue layouts I hope you find it as inspiring as I do....thanks again for a fun time!



photos by ellen von unwerth

björk bedazzled

photo by mary mccartney

I am always inspired by björk..she always thinks of something new and unique that hasn't been done before. who could forget when she wore those crystals to the first ever fashion rocks at the royal albert hall in 2003? I recently found this photo and I have been so intrigued by this process of her make-up artists applying individual crystals onto her face. I get the feeling it must have been a slow and detailed procedure...I don't know about you, but I would have loved to watch this being done. at any rate, I like the way björk wears her bling!

silvery mermaid

photo by steven meisel

with the upcoming alexander mcqueen exhibit opening this may at the metropolitan art museum in new york....I started to think about some of his most memorable gowns. there are so many it is hard to narrow it down to just one, but I always liked the way he incorporated opulence at givenchy...for some reason, I never forget this givenchy haute couture sirene gown from spring/summer 1998....if you look closely it is a fully adorned caviar beaded liquid sheath gown with scale like silver embroidery. plus, there is an elaborate fish tail train and I love that silvery-diamond headpiece....I know that critics dismissed him at givenchy, but I love all the detail and decadence he brought to the label. I am not a huge fan of over-the-top bling, but mcqueen did it right....you can definetly see so much care and craft in his work, especially when he was at givenchy. I wonder if this dress will be in the exhibit?

annuals

its that time of year again, when the wild tulips from the apple farm bloom. they are so full and bright, they almost look fake. i'm trying to share and appreciate them as much as possible since they will only be around for a few weeks.

lindsey's lips

model lindsey wixson

perhaps, it is strange to say, but I am very fascinated by the shape of model lindsey wixson's lips....the structure is unlike anything I have seen before....my sister and I have had endless conversations about her lips. I guess you could call it a pout or perhaps she looks as if she was stung by a bee. whatever, the configuration of her lips might be it is always exciting when models have their own distinct trademarks...I love too see unique beauty like model lindsey wixson in the fashion world!

red lips

photos by helmut newton

I must admit that when I first saw these helmut newton pics in my teenage years I tried to do the same.....love the mystery of those painted red lips. there is something so alluring about bright red lipstick. I think it is something that both men and women can agree on....its definetly a look that will always be timeless.

strawberry season

a geoffrey beene ad from 1977

strawberries taste the best this time of year...I can't get enough! there is something so chic about eating strawberries with red lips and red nails...I always think about doing a look like this when I am snacking on strawberries. I came across this geoffrey beene ad from 1977...love the composition of this pic especially those shades with that strawberry. reminds me a bit of a 70s style helmut newton photo....this is definetly my strawberry style inspiration.

jackie's greatest

jackie onassis

yes, jackie onassis will always be known as the most stylish and elegant first lady...but for some odd reason I have always thought she was more interesting the years after she left the white house, particularly when she married aristotle onassis. its her more casual and unofficial outfits that have always inspired me the most. is it wrong to say that I loved it when the paparazzi snapped photos of her?

this was one of my favorite looks on jackie onassis....the incognito sunglasses, the black shirt paired with those white capri pants...I am still looking for pants that perfect. jackie looks so minimal, yet so classic. this is a look that I feel many designers today are still inspired by...just look at phoebe philo for celine, michael kors, or even ralph lauren...they always feature looks quite similar to this in their collections. personally, this is my favorite jackie era. I am always trying to emulate this incognito, yet classic type of style.

carine casual

carine roitfeld

I am currently obsessed with finding the perfect pair of white pants...yes, jackie onassis was an expert at this look, but let's not forget carine roitfeld. her white pants are exactly what I am looking for....they hang a little low on the hips and there is just the right amount of flare at the bottom....I do love a bootleg cut it is so flattering on most figures!

its not only those white pants that work, but also that button down blouse. it is the perfect added element. carine roitfeld looks very 70's yves saint laurent, almost safari chic....I am using this photo as my current white pant inspiration!

wonderful in white!

chloé spring/summer 2011

white is quite popular this spring.....from designers like reed krakoff, narciso rodriguez to francisco costa at calvin klein....just to name a few. it is interesting how the trend is not only in new york, but in paris, as well. the less is more approach even showed up at celine and at chloé....my personal favorite was this look by hannah macgibbon for chloé. I love that white long-sleeved shirt with that detail paired with those sleek white pants...a very austere look. so clean and crisp and so perfect this time of year. yes, I love black, but sometimes a bright white can look just as amazing!

nail it in

photo by into the gloss

truth be told i wanted to be a manicurist when i grew up. i love the process of making people prettier. but now that i'm grown and i have a job where my hands are my main tools, nails are the last thing on my mind. but when i have a special occasion i look forward to a good manicure. the look above would normally be way to decadent for me, but there is something about her simple style, and clean jewelry that make this glitter french manicure enviable!

happy birthday fellow sister in black

happy birthday 40 minutes early to my best model, muse, and resource of information! xoxo

birthday balloons!

a plethora of balloons for the birthday lady

a tuscan wedding

extra virgin just keeps getting better. finally we see debi and gabriele in tuscany preparing for their second "tuscan style" wedding. i can't wait to see debi's wedding dress.

kate!

photo by mario sorrenti

I love a good fashion documentary...I recently discovered one on sundance channel called kate! the making of an icon. kate moss is not in the documentary, but the story is told through her iconic imagery. the documentary features her memorable heroin chic photos by the late corrine day for the FACE magazine, those infamous nude calvin klein ads, and commentary from people like fashion designer vivienne westwood and filmmaker mike figgis....just to name a few.

after watching the documentary I started to think about some of my favorite photos of kate moss....there are so many it is hard to narrow it down to just one. personally, I have always felt that she work best with the marios...that is sorrenti and testino.

I have always admired this photo of kate moss taken by mario sorrenti...this was an editorial on fashion designer martine sitbon for harper's bazaar magazine and kate moss is wearing a dress by that designer.

the way she is posing for the camera is really interesting. sorrenti and moss have such great chemistry....there is always something unique and special that happens between them...and they were such a cute couple, as well....I secretly would love for them to get back together.

I highly recommend watching kate! the making of an icon. if you have followed her career over the years it will definetly bring back memories and perhaps you might think about what photos or moments you like best about her....I know I got a little nostalgic.

warrior queen

photo by steven klein

I think it is pretty clear that cate blanchett always looks stunning in editorials....personally, I have always liked her profile. so many photographers like to snap her from that angle. I recently came across this photo of her from a november 2006 vogue issue....the feathered helmet featured is a dior haute couture by john galliano. I love the flow of those feathers and the expression on her face....its really strange how when I look back at my magazine archives there is almost always a look by john galliano....he really defined an era....its sad that those days are gone!

feather edge

alexander mcqueen spring/summer 2001

I feel like there is a major trend with feathers this season....I think my sister was one of the first to rock this look...but if you look at what is going on in film and fashion right now you can definetly see a pattern. just look at films like black swan, who could forget those exquisite rodarte costumes, and of course sarah burton's current collection for alexander mcqueen spring/summer 2011....

I must admit that I use to be a little skeptical about feathers that is until I saw alexander mcqueen's spring/summer 2001 collection on fashion file with tim blanks....who could forget this sensational red frock? the feather details in this dress are quite amazing....such startling craftsmanship. I think what I love most about this dress is the way it moves....almost like waves in an ocean. I think sometimes, feathers can look tacky, but this collection proved me wrong...this is one of those signature alexander mcqueen looks that I will never forget.

lady-bird

photo by paolo roversi

speaking of feathers, I couldn't help but be reminded of this paolo roversi photograph. I like his approach to photography, its not so much about technique, but more about experimentation. I love the slight blur of this pic, and the use of available light....that seems to a be common theme in his work. by looking at this photograph, I find it interesting the way those colored feathers contrast with that black background....such an eye-catching combination...I guess you could say the model looks very much like a lady-bird.

a colorful weekend

thanks to my sister, and my friend clementine i got to practice my makeup, and hair skills a lot this past weekend. clementines look was influenced by nature, and its colors, and my sisters look was bold and glamorous. i enjoyed every minute of this creative process!

fabulous in ferré!

photo by herb ritts

this is one of my favorite herb ritts pics of all time...I always liked his beach photographs....that always seem to be a common theme in his work. I can't help, but admire the way cindy crawford looks in this gianfranco ferré dress.....she looks so statuesque and I love the fluidity of that fabric. it is covered up, yet completely sexy at the same time...something you wouldn't expect from a typical beach shot....I always thought herb ritts and cindy crawford made an excellent team....those were the days!

lamentation

photo by barbara morgan

I feel like all photographers are influenced by eachother, whether they realize it or not. this barbara morgan photograph in particular called lamentation reminds me a little of herb ritts. I love the way dancer/choreographer martha graham looks in this pic...I love all the exaggerated movement and the shape her body takes. the lighting adds so much drama, as well...and the blanket makes her movement look so much more intense. I don't know why, but when I look at this photo I feel like listening to madonna's frozen, wrapping myself in a blanket and creating strange silhouettes...there is something so fashionable about a blanket shape...

demeulemeester pj's

photo by steven meisel

I so want a pair of ann demeulemeester pyjamas....they are quite brilliant! yes, they are meant for sleeping at night, but they can also be worn as a slouchy suit for the day. this is so my kind of style. I love fashion that can translate easily from day to night. I don't know about you, but I love the way ann demeulemeester thinks.

chinese pyjama suit

photo by antonio kahlo

I love to see artists in their pyjamas....I can't really explain why....perhaps, there is something inspiring about seeing creative individuals in their pyjamas. I recently found this photo of artist frida kahlo dressed in a black chinese pyjama suit. what I find interesting about this pic is that this is probably one of the few pics where frida kahlo is photographed with her hair down. she looks so relaxed and cool...as much as I love seeing her in traditional tehuana skirts...I like this other side of her, as well. I have always felt that there is something really stylish about letting your hair down and putting on a pair of sleek pyjamas.

pyjama man

julian schnabel

I admire julian schnabel as an artist and as a filmmaker....he really has created quite a visual style in both mediums. I am curious to see his latest film miral. I have to be completely honest, I think what I love most about him is the way he wears pyjamas. I have closely observed his pyjama style for many years now, and I am currently loving the way he pairs his pyjamas with a blazer. its casual, but yet a little more formal with the jacket....a perfect combination. he really has created quite a style when it comes to wearing pyjamas...almost like an art. I find this photo so inspiring....it reminds me that I should be wearing my silk pyjamas as a day look, more often.

pregnant pose

photo by michelangelo di battista

I love the cover for the current harper’s bazaar UK april 2011 issue....the magazine features pregnant supermodel eva herzigova. I normally am not a huge fan of pregnancy on the cover of fashion magazines, but this one seems to work....it is a bit mysterious, yet seductive. I feel like ever since demi moore did her infamous pregnant cover for vanity fair, so many other magazines have tried to do the same thing. it can get a little boring after awhile...I mean how many times do we have see the same look done over and over again?

it is a bit refreshing to see a cover like this, that goes in the opposite direction. I love the way eva herzigova looks....her blown hair, flawless makeup and those pale lips. she looks so calm and sophisticated in that black skinny dress....such a perfect silhouette. personally, I would love to wear that dress. whether pregnant or not, this is what I would like to see more on the cover of fashion magazines....sexy simplicity!