summer black hat

photo by enrique badulescu

I seem to be a bit hat obsessed this week...it all started when I found myself reminiscing through miuccia prada's vivacious spring/summer 2011 collection and those colorful striped hats. after that, I started to think about summer editorials that featured amazing hat shapes. randomly, I stumbled upon this enrique badulescu photo from vogue paris circa 1999 and was completely inspired. I just love everything about this image....the ocean color, her body position, those bright red bracelets and of course, I admire how undercover chic she looks in that black hat...what a silhouette! personally, I never get tired of a black hat because I feel that you can always change up the look and style it in a new and unique way. I have been wearing the same black hat for almost 5 years now and too see an image like this brings an immense smile to my face! I so love it when I find an invigorating summer black hat photograph. it always conjures up so many ideas in my head....I guess that is the power of fashion editorials! I don't know about you, but this summer is definitely starting out stylish!

barbados black

photo by my sister

looking at that stunning beach image by photographer enrique badulescu....I couldn't help but think of this moment I experienced last year while swimming in the ocean in barbados. yes, in case you were wondering I almost look albino, so protecting my skin from the sun is very important. I must admit that no matter where I travel if by land or by sea I always like to wear a big black hat! I can't really describe why I feel so comfortable hiding behind a hat, but I do...perhaps, I just like the idea of remaining a fashion mystery or maybe I have fallen in love with the idea of covering myself up with a big black hat and a pair of sunnies! whatever the answer is, I always find that people are intrigued when they see someone walk by in a big hat and sunglasses...I know I am! I guess you could say that there is beauty in not knowing.

either way, I was a bit surprised too see how mysteriously glamourous this photo actually turned out and I must thank my sister for capturing this moment! I really love that contrast between the bright blue-green barbados ocean and my black swimsuit....very eye catching. it truly is such a great feeling to know that I can protect my skin from the sun and feel chic at the same time!

signature stefano

yves saint laurent fall/winter 2010

I am very curious to see what direction the house of yves saint laurent will take now that designer stefano pilati has left. I was a bit sad to see him go, but apparently many fashion critics felt that he had reached his design peak, but I don't know if I can agree with that. of course, there were some collections that I didn't care for, but there were a couple that have made lasting impressions in my mind. the one, that I consistently look back to for style inspiration has to be his fall/winter 2010 collection. I truly believe that many of the looks from that season have sisters in black written all over it! who could forget those head covering hoods, those mysterious black caped forms with plastic covering, and of course those heavy chain pendants...there was almost something kind of nunlike about that collection, even though pilati denied it. he felt that the collection was more about the idea of protection and paying homage to the design aesthetic of yves saint laurent circa 1970... as I closely observe the details, I start to see more of what pilati was envisioning!

personally, I think what I loved most about pilati's fall/winter 2010 collection were those hats...this black hat in particular! I guess you could call this look ysl goth glam! whether winter, spring, summer, or fall this dress with hat will always remain a constant source of inspiration. I just love how incognito chic it is! so much is to be admired about this look....I feel like everytime I observe and examine this pic, I find something new and interesting about it. I know many people don't see eye to eye with me on this look per say, but I always tend to find beauty in the mysterious. on a side note, I will miss stefano pilati and I hope that the next designer, will inspire me with more amazing hats and ensembles much like this.

summer stripes

prada spring/summer 2011

I am still feeling inspired by that lovely sebastian mader photograph that I found in interview magazine back in march...for some reason, it made me nostalgic for prada's spring/summer 2011 collection. this was one of those collections that took me awhile to appreciate. I think it all started last year in may, when I purchased those funky, yet stylish prada baroque sunglasses, that I still wear and it appears like everyone else is wearing them too, now. I think what I loved most about that season were those dramatic striped hats. I love stripes in the summer, especially when they are done in a sophisticated and elegant manner...I think ralph lauren's spring/summer 2001 collection is a perfect example of how stripes should be done as well, as miuccia prada's spring/summer 2001 collection...two unforgettable seasons!

of course, I tried this hat on last year and I must admit it looks better on the runway and in editorials than it does in real life. I am never really one to say this considering I love a lot of sun protection, but it might have been a little bit too dramatic and oversized for me! perhaps, I would need a milliner to proportion it to my head. its interesting how you can love something on the pages of a fashion magazine or on the runway and how sometimes it doesn't translate so well in real life...either way, I still admire miuccia prada for such a playful and glamorous collection....she does have quite the gift for incorporating stripes in such a stylish manner especially in the summertime!

summer mode

photo by sebastian mader

I think I found the perfect photo to celebrate the first day of summer. I have been obsessed with this pic ever since I saw it in interview magazine a couple of months ago in the march 2012 issue. I don't know what it is about interview magazine lately, but I am so inspired by their fashion editorials...so cutting edge! they work with such great photographers, make-up artists, and stylists. the magazine is really pushing fashion to the next level, which I so appreciate. this is one of the photos I have been meaning to share. I just love the composition of this shot and how all the models are arranged...such great expression with their bodies. when I look at this image for some reason I am strangely reminded of the prada spring/summer 2001 campaign. I have no idea if sebastian mader was inspired by those clever prada ads, but I definitely see a close connection. either way, I so admire this photo....love the outfits, their glossy tan skin, and the way those beach chairs are aligned...this image just exudes the idea of summer heat...a perfect beach pic for the beginning of summer.

bikini body

painting by adam stennett

lately, I have been really into photorealism. I love it when artists paint something and it almost looks as if it could be an actual photograph....I am always amazed and astounded by those type of painters. I believe my interest in photorealism started last year when I wrote an analysis on sofia coppola and the photorealist painter john kacere....her main inspiration for the opening sequence of her film lost in translation. just a couple of months ago, I discovered this brookyln-based painter named adam stennent. this was one of my favorites from his collection...it is entitled girl in a red bikini and it almost reminded me a bit of that sebastian mader photograph from interview magazine...perhaps, its the bikini and the body language? either way, I love how her body looks in this painting...such great expression and use of shadow. I don't know about you, but I feel like whenever I am at a pool I always experience a moment like this. on a side note, if you are unfamiliar with adam stennent's work I highly recommend taking a look....total visual stimuli!

swimming pool

swimming pool (2003)

looking at that eye catching girl in a red bikini painting by adam stennett I couldn't help but think of this scene from françois ozon's 2003 film swimming pool. perhaps, it has something to do with the bikini patterns and their body shapes...both look quite similar and have a certain kind of mystery to them. I always think about this scene during the summer time. many times, when I watched the film I often wondered if the actress ludivine sagnier was wearing a missoni bikini, but for some reason I could never figure it out. either way, I so love the composition of this shot and the way ludivine sagnier's black and white bikini print looks against that bright blue swimming pool...personally, I think this scene almost looks like a page out of the vogue italia june 2005 issue entitled just sun...this is one of my all time favorite summer pool scene moments and such a perfect image for the start of summer.

if the suit fits...wear it!

photo by herb ritts

since it is father's day, why not celebrate in a suit! I always think about a well- structured suit on a day like this! a couple of weeks ago, I went too see the herb ritts exhibit at the getty center in los angeles and I must say I am still feeling completely inspired by it. its really quite difficult to pick a favorite herb ritts photo, but one that I so admire is this image of actress michelle pfeiffer! I am not sure if this photo was even at the exhibit, but this is one of my all time favorites. I love how even though pfeiffer is dressed as a man she still looks just as beautiful. I especially like her black suit with bow tie. I am always looking for suits that have pants with that kind of flare! I know this is certainly not the way we imagine michelle pfeiffer looking, but I love the sense of humor this photo portrays! I think this has to be one of her most memorable photos. on that note, I think I will celebrate father's day in a chic form-fitted suit!

tuxedo backwards

photo by tim walker

I have actually never seen this look done in real life, but I must admit I love a backwards tuxedo suit. I think my appreciation for the backwards suit started in 1999 when I saw celine dion walk the red carpet at the academy awards in a christian dior silk backwards tuxedo ensemble. I know everyone hated it, but I thought it was quite cutting edge and fashion forward. I am still to this day, on a hunt for that perfect backwards suit and I think this tim walker photo perfectly represents the kind of backwards tuxedo I am looking for. I so appreciate how it has a masculine yet feminine appeal to it and I love how the back features that long tie. this is such an avant-garde look and I know its not for everyone, but one of these days I will have to find one....definitely, a key piece I need in my wardrobe. I guess you could say this look is total androgynous glam!

le smoking

ashley olsen

speaking of suits, I loved this mannish calvin klein resort suit that ashley olsen wore back in june of 2008 to the CFDA awards. when I closely observe this suit, it reminds me of something the late yves saint laurent would have designed...there is something about this that is very reminiscent of his famous le smoking tuxedo, which he created back in 1966. either way, I just love the styling of this look. ashley's make-up looks so natural and her hair looks so chic all slicked back! I also admire the cut of this tuxedo. love that brilliant combination of masculine and feminine. this is definitely the kind of suit I would like to wear in the summer....its covered up, but completely sexy, as well! personally, I think this is one of ashley olsen's best red carpet looks!

surgery with style

today, marks a very momentous anniversary. it was ten years ago today when I underwent reconstructive jaw surgery. this was probably one of the hardest obstacles I ever went through in my life. throughout my teens, I suffered from severe TMJ and it got to the point where I was having severe migraines and even lockjaw, so surgery was something I very much needed to get my jaw back in place. perhaps, this surgery sounds cosmetic, but it was actually more health related. its difficult to describe what my surgery process was actually like... all I remember was that I was put out for 8 hours, woke up bruised, covered in my own blood, and then lived on a liquid diet for 4 months....certainly, not a very glamorous experience and for many years I often felt very alone and isolated about this whole experience. it is obviously something that many cannot people relate to or truly understand...nonetheless, 10 years later I am happy to say I am healthy and I have no more jaw pain. I feel so fortunate that I found such a good doctor!

on a side note, I remember three years after my surgery in july of 2005 I happened to stumble upon the cover of vogue italia entitled makeover madness and I was completely blown away by this issue...it brought back so many memories of what I experienced after my operation. the gauze head wraps, the bathrobes, laying in bed...I went through all of that. of course, I wasn't as glamorous as linda evangelista, but what I appreciate about the layout is that it featured models in various 'before' and 'after' surgical states. showing all the pain and frustration that one goes through after surgery. I think it was after this vogue italia issue where I started to really appreciate steven meisel on such a deeper and complex level. I have always admired his work, but this editorial really pushed him to a new limit. I always love that meisel can find such beauty in just about anything....like a mental institution or a funeral. interestingly, it was after this editorial that I started to not feel bad about my jaw surgery experience and to think of it as something positive. after all, what does not kill you makes you stronger. this vogue italia issue will always be near and dear to me!









photos by steven meisel

puttin' on the ritts

photo by herb ritts

this past wednesday for my sister's birthday we decided to celebrate at the getty center in los angeles. the reason being, was for the current photo exhibit entitled herb ritts: L.A. style! naturally, my sister and I were both really excited too see this. we grew up admiring herb ritts not only as a photographer, but also as a music video director. who could forget his stunning video for janet jackson's love will never do (without you) and also chris isaak's wicked game video? ritts had a very 90's sensibility and he truly was so gifted in the way he worked with black and white and also lights and shadows. everyone he photographed almost appeared like a classical greek statue....how did he do it?

if I had to pick a favorite photo from the exhibit it would be this cindy crawford image ritts took of her in a beautiful gianfranco ferré dress on the beach in malibu, california. there really was something quite special between crawford and ritts and I think in this photo you can definitely see that dynamic. to be completely honest, this is the one pic I have never seen before, but I just love everything about. her expression on her face, the shape her body takes, and of course that amazing black dress. I guess you could say it is very sisters in black frocks. on a side note, if you haven't seen this exhibit and you live in los angeles I highly recommend visiting...especially if you grew up in the 90's reading vogue magazine, much like my sister and I!

in wes gordon

black dress by wes gordon

I recently wrote about my day of shopping at bergdorf goodman this past april while in new york city with my sister and I must say I am still feeling inspired by the whole experience. so many endless floors of style, it was exactly what my sister and I needed.... I think what I loved and remembered most about bergdorf's was that each floor had models in beautiful gowns just randomly walking around. it was very fun following the models throughout the store and photographing them from various different angles. my favorite look was this black frock by designer wes gordon. to be honest, I have never heard of this designer before, but I just loved the shape and cut of this dress. I asked this model to pose from the front and the back because the dress had such an amazing appeal. I even appreciated how she wore the blazer-jacket on her shoulders....personally, I think it is much more intriguing that way and it allows for the viewer to pay more attention towards her waist and that amazing silhouette. out of all the photos I snapped of her, this was my favorite. I don't even know if this dress is exactly my style, but for some reason I just get really excited when I see a perfectly fitted little black dress. if you have never been to this bergdorf's I highly recommend visiting...so much to be fascinated and inspired by. now, whenever I visit nyc I am putting this store on my top 10 list!

the importance of a little black dress

my little black dress illustration

speaking of black dresses, do check out my latest article on http://www.iwanttobeacoppola.com/. personally, I have always been fond of sofia coppola's style, but what I admire most about her is that she never gets bored of wearing a black dress. its quite intriguing and inspiring how she always manages to look so classic, yet different in all her black dresses. with that in mind, I wrote an in-depth review of some of her best little black dresses throughout the years and I even included some of my own illustrations like this one, for future LBD's she should be wearing on the red carpet. if you are a fan of her minimal, yet elegant style do have a read. thank you again, kellina for allowing me to share my opinions on some her greatest LBD's, sisters in black style!

la dolce birthday!

photo by steven meisel

happy birthday to my fellow sister in black! I thought this steven meisel image of actress sherilyn fenn would be a perfect way to celebrate. my sister owns a very rare and beautiful dolce & gabbana coffee table book from the 90's and I must say that whenever I am at her apartment I always find myself looking through this extensive book. we both admired dolce & gabbana in the 90's and from time to time we love to reminisce and talk about how cool they were in those days. don't get me wrong, we still like the label now, but in the 90's there was something so unique and special about this dynamic design duo. love that whole italian easy-chic persona created in all their ads....totally unforgettable! this photo in particular reminds me so much of my sister! sherilyn fenn has always been one of my sister's favorite beauty icons and I must say whenever I see this pic I always think of her. growing up, my sister taught me so much about beauty, fashion, and style! I remember, as a teenager, my sister would say how much she wanted to look like her and I believe she even tried to style herself like sherilyn fenn. interestingly, I think in 2012, she is still styling her look like sherilyn fenn. I think that is what I admire most about my sister....she always keeps the same beauty icons! she definitely knows who she is and the type of woman she wants to be like and I so appreciate that! in my early years, I was so clueless about style and glamour and it was because of my sister that I became aware of its importance. I truly am so glad to have her as my sister...love that I am always learning from her...happy b-day!