back to black

feeling like we owe the late amy winehouse a tribute.

on the marc

photo by arthur elgort

its intriguing to watch the ever evolving style of fashion designer marc jacobs...he really has changed a lot throughout the years....from minimalist, nerd chic, to his current toned and tanned look of today. personally, I will always love the way he looked in 1992. his long hair, the doc martens, the flannels....he really represented the total grunge look from his controversial perry ellis collection. now, that I start to think about it...he must have used himself as inspiration....love that he is totally on the marc!

totally 90s!

grunge and glory...a look from marc jacobs for perry ellis fall 1992....


who didn't do this look?....mismatching clothes was so cool in the 90s!


who could forget clogs?....my sister and I totally rocked this look!


and let's not forget a t-shirt paired with a dress....loved this look in the 90s and still to this day!

photos by corrine day

if you grew up in the 90s chances are your style was very similar to the looks featured in these photos....I know that my sister and I use to wear some of these exact outfits. interestingly enough, we still are to this day wearing some of these same looks....but perhaps a more updated 2011 version. at any rate, these are some of my favorite pics from photographer corrine day, who sadly passed away last year....she was so brilliant at capturing that ever so cool 90s sensibility...she will never be forgotten.

before sunrise

for some odd reason, when I was flashing back to all those looks from the 90s I couldn't help but be reminded of julie delpy's character céline in richard linklater's film before sunrise...her look was very much represented in that 90s corrine day editorial. I believe delpy only wears one outfit throughout the film and the ensemble included a simple t-shirt layered with a long dress...I so admired her minimalism and also the simplicity of this film....

if you have never seen this film please see..... the story tells of two strangers who meet on a train to vienna and decide to see the city for one day. naturally, they fall in love after spending hours of having deep conversations with eachother. the film is very minimal, but so rich in thought. I always love watching this movie because it feels like I am eavesdropping on such an exuberant conversation. nowadays, with so much technology at our fingertips I feel like it has become quite difficult to have deep conversations much like jesse and céline in this film, but I still hope that it is possible. this film makes me believe that there really are smart individuals out there who do like to think about the deeper meaning of things. on a side note, let's take a moment to admire how yummy ethan hawke looked in this film....my total 90s dream man!



before sunrise (1995)

looking california and feeling minnesota

feeling like a sixteen year old is a great thing. and thats how i felt last friday night when soundgarden returned to the stage after a decade and a half hiatus. heres a early 90's flashback photo, so you guys can join in the grunge nostalgia with me.

good things come to those who wait

i fell in love with this rick owens liles jumper three months ago. 70% off later its hanging in my closet!

face fabric

my friend asked me to mention some of my favorite beauty products on our blog. i enjoy trying new products and passing my discoveries onto family and friends, so why not? georgio armani makeup is at the top of my list right now. i have yet to use a failed product from the line. the face fabric is the perfect foundation, if you can even call it foundation. its so light, and clean feeling. even my mom and sister wear it, and they hate foundation. i have also tried the powder, lipstick, and an eyeshadow. there is nothing trendy about this line, its for the woman who wants a clean, sophisticated look. much like armani clothing. all are excellent products, and are well worth their price.

visual stimuli

photo by deniz merdan

red at its finest! I recently discovered photographer deniz merdan and I was quite taken with his editorial entitled L'Orient a L'Occident...this was my favorite image from his layout...such a radiant photograph!

the lady in red

photo by tim walker

I am so impressed by the latest issue of W magazine. hats off to stefano tonchi for choosing tilda swinton as its cover girl. the editorial entitled planet tilda is everything I look for in a layout....its a high fashion, a little mysterious, but most importantly cutting edge. there are so many great photos in the issue, but my personal favorite is this pic of tilda swinton in a red silk chiffon gucci dress. I love the style and shape of this look....it reminds me a little of madonna's frozen video....perhaps, a red version! it really is such an ethereal and atmospheric photograph...I can't take my eyes off it. if you are an admirer of tilda swinton do pick up a copy of this issue...very inspiring!

red riding hood

photo by tommy ton

normally, I am not a huge fan of the the princess gown look, but I am still quite amazed by the way supermodel natalia vodianova looked at the white fairy tale love ball earlier this month. the gown was actually designed by the valentino garavani himself, and I must say this is the proper way to do the princess look...it is elegant, tasteful, and I am so captivated by that vibrant red color. I recently found this photograph from the event and I so love the way this man is holding her dress as she walks...it's a very grace kelly-like moment. when I start to think about it, the look is very reminiscent of little red riding hood, but done in a very valentino type of way....natalia vodianova is quite the vision in red!

charlotte forever

photo by helmut newton

I am currently re-reading helmut newton's amazing 2002 autobiography...I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of his photography or if you are just curious about his life...and what a life he has had! naturally, while re-reading this book I started to think about some of his greatest photographs. there are so many, so it is too difficult to narrow it down to just one. but I must say, that I will always love this image of a naked charlotte rampling sitting on that table. there is something about her expression on her face that I will always find so intriguing. she really represents the idea of a strong, cool, yet confident woman....a truly unforgettable image. love how it is both sexy, yet sophisticated, at the same time. I so admire how helmut newton could capture all those qualities in his photographs....much like ms. rampling in this pic....I so miss his sharp eye!

le playboy

who would ever think that french playboy magazine could be so stylish? I don't read the magazine that often, but the times that I have looked through it I was completely amazed. the magazine seems more vogue paris than playboy...who would ever think? one issue, that I will never forget is the november 2007 issue with actress juliette binoche. love the way these nude shots of her are a bit obscure and incognito....leaving much more to the imagination...she looks very natural, but yet completely fabinoche! I often wish american playboy would follow this type of style instead of featuring plastic looking girls with super fake boobs in cheap settings....it really sets such a bad example for women. clearly, french playboy does nudity the right way...as an art form! I really hope american playboy is taking notes!




photos by marianne rosenstiehl

images courtesy of the fashion spot

summer skin

photo by mario sorrenti

this is of one of those perfect summer photographs. about a year ago, I found myself looking through vogue hommes international spring/summer 2010 issue and came across this beautifully photographed mario sorrenti beach-editorial starring kate moss. love the way she looked with her tanned body in that sun....I will always love moss and sorrenti together...such a dynamic duo.

personally, I think what's so interesting about kate moss is that no matter what she wears she always seems to be so comfortable in her own skin. even with no clothes on, she always manages to be so calm and cool, much like in this photograph. my favorite part of this issue was this last page....I love her pose in that blue water and how some of her personal thoughts are written over the photograph....I particularly liked her answer to "who do you consider to be the greatest living legend" and her answer was lucien freud....oddly enough, when I heard about freud's death on thursday I thought of this kate moss photograph....such a wonderfully artistic pic and I think now this image has more meaning...well at least for me, it does....well said, kate!

a simple veil

photo by peter lindbergh

in the summertime, I love to wear a big hat and sunglasses for sun protection, but now I am thinking I need to start wearing a veil...this is my current veil inspiration....I am all about mysterious glam!

many veils

photo by inez van lamsweerde & vinoodh matadin

my current veil obsession all started with this photo from vogue paris february 2010. there is something so alluring about these veils...I so love the way carine roitfeld styled this prada look. its a bit incognito, yet completely glamorous at the same time. I know it is strange to say, but this is definetly something I would easily like to wear...

body movin'

photo by steven klein

lately, I have been thinking about the covers of US vogue....it seems like the magazine is all about head shots now! whatever happened to amazing covers like this? I think this has to be one of christy turlington's best covers. I so love the composition and the shape her body takes in this picture....her yoga wheel pose is nearly perfect. plus, I like the way this image manages to incorporate style with that sleek silver slip dress and that jewelry. the cover is strong, athletic, but yet still high-fashion.....I don't know about you, but I would like to see US vogue go back to this type of look with their covers...I am all about fashion with movement!

pina

speaking of body movement, I don't when director wim wenders 3D dance film entitled pina will be coming to the theatres, but I hope and pray it will be sooner than later. I am such a huge admirer of the late pina bausch....not only as a choreographer but also as a style icon. she really knew how to combine both dance and fashion, together. the film depicts some of her most celebrated dance pieces like the rite of spring and café mueller. I recently found these images from the film and I can't stop looking at them....I so love the way her dancers express so much emotion and style in their movements....plus, I think the scenery is pretty amazing, as well. I really can't wait for this one to arrive in the states, but, until then I have these images to inspire me!





pina (2011)

they shoot horses, don't they?

I love too watch fashion shows that feature dance....I always admired the way the late alexander mcqueen incorporated theatricality into his shows. lately, I have been reminsicing on his brilliant spring/summer 2004 collection. the show was inspired by sydney pollack's 1969 film entitled they shoot horses, don't they? I actually, have not seen the film, but I am thinking I need to see it ASAP. from what I have read, the story is about a group of contestants who intertwine in a grueling dance marathon...this really sounds like my kind of film. at any rate, I so love the look and feel of this collection...this happens to be my favorite moment from the show, love the way this model dances with that figure-hugging cha-cha dress. its all just too perfect...such a beautiful blend of fashion with dance....not only was mcqueen such an exquisite designer, but he really knew how to put on a show! I think that is what I miss most about him...


alexander mcqueen spring/summer 2004

mirror mirror on the wall

I'm feeling inspired to draw lately since i received a gift card to the art store. paper made specifically for oil pastels has broadened my horizon. so far just a little rendering from kevyn aucoins calendar while watching television, but more are on the way.

poolside in prada

photo by a sister in black

for some strange reason, my sister forgot to put this photo up on our 4th of july layout entitled pool daze...so now I have my chance to give her own photo moment. I really love how peaceful and tranquil my sister looks, here....I don't know if she knows it or not, but she really looks quite amazing in my prada sunglasses....I totally think she needs to get a pair...I so love that funky black spiral accent on her and how she blends in so perfectly with that tropical background! this is really quite the perfect summer snapshot!

how to wear prada baroque....

last week, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that ashley olsen has my same exact prada baroque sunglasses...I must admit that I am loving her style more and more, these days. she really understands what works for her and I think these prada shades match her sense of style perfectly. case in point, love the way she looks in those prada shades with that white blouse, black polka dot skirt, and celine handbag...the look is very carolina herrera and the silhouette is very classic, yet modern. I also couldn't help but admire this second look on her, as well. love this casual black sweater and skirt on her...the look is very simple, and I love how the sunglasses add a little something extra to this paired-down ensemble. personally, I have my own wear of wearing these sunnies, but I do like seeing how ashley o interprets this season's prada shades! its always fun to compare and contrast....

sweetie darling

absolutely fabulous. television at its finest.

kate the great

photo by wolfgang tillmans

for all our readers, please do have a look at http://www.iwanttobearoitfeld.com/ for my latest review as contributing editor. this month, I take an in-depth look at the december 2005/january 2006 issue for which carine roitfeld chose supermodel-icon kate moss as guest editor. if you have followed her career as a model since the early 90s, or you are just an admirer of her effortless sense of style I highly suggest you have a read. perhaps, it might bring back old-fashion memories...I know that is exactly how I felt while I was writing it!

I must admit that when I was in the process of putting this review together I started to think about some of my favorite kate moss photographs. there really are so many classic kate moments, but the one pic of her that I have always admired is this one by german photographer wolfgang tillmans from US vogue, february 1997 . it comes from an editorial entitled china syndrome and I just love the vibrancy of this photo. that red color is so stunning and I like how it contrasts with the expression on kate moss' face. also, I can't help, but admire that odd broccoli head coming out of her hand. this is something I really would not expect to see out of american vogue, perhaps more vogue paris, but I so cherish these kind of obscure moments. usually, vogue is more traditional, but I like how this pic blends fashion with art...I don't know about you, but I would love to see moss and tillmans collaborate again on a future project!

pool daze

last weekend was hot as mars in los angeles, so we hit the pool. these were my favorite pictures of my sister from the day.

fully suited

photo by max farago

perhaps, it is weird to say, but I like to look extra pale in the summer...tanorexia has never been my thing. when you are as fair skinned as myself, it is difficult to find the perfect bathing suit. I have always preferred a one-piece to a bikini and the only issue I have is that I don't like to get a lot of sun on my skin. I recently found this photo of model devok aoki in this long sleeved white bathing suit....and I so think this is the look I should be going for right now in the summer....except, I think I will go for this look in black, naturally!

on a side note, I am so in awe of this photograph...I so love the way those rocks contrast with her body....a brilliant composition!

all american girl

when my sister posted a few blogs on blue jeans, cindy crawford popped into my mind, and not just because she was once married to richard gere. no one can pull off high waisted levi 501's quite like cindy.

an american classic

photo by herb ritts

since it is the 4th of july, I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate the holiday with a homage to an old american classic....denim jeans! I thought this herb ritts photo of richard gere striking a pose with that vintage car, cigarette in his mouth, wife beater t-shirt, and those denim jeans was a perfect choice for a day like today...I have always really liked the pairing of ritts with gere...he really knew how to capture something so quintessentially american-cool about gere....I don't know about you, but I so miss the days of looking through fashion magazines and seeing unforgettable images like this from herb ritts....he really was the ultimate image maker...he will never be forgotten!