one-piece forever!

photo by ralph gibson

call me old-fashioned, but I find a one-piece bathing suit way more attractive than a bikini. perhaps, I am too prude or demure, but I think it is way sexier to cover up certain areas of the body rather than expose everything. its all about finding that perfect one-piece bathing suit than enhances rather than shows parts of your body that you don't want too be seen. plus, in a bathing suit one has to feel comfortable to be confident! personally, I never get bored of a one-piece bathing suit. there is so much to accentuate...what I love best about a one-piece is a creative back design. that is actually the number one thing I look for when buying one. I think this ralph gibson photograph from the harpers bazaar may 2005 issue clearly portrays the beauty of that concept. I love her back in this photo and that intricate line design....it exposes, but also covers up in the all the right places. I have had this photo in my mind all summer long wanting to recreate an image similar to this...oddly enough, it happened last weekend!

pool daze

photo by my sister

last weekend, my sister and I went to palm springs for some rest and relaxation and to also help our dear friend cristhian out with some photo-art projects...so naturally, a bathing suit was needed. our stylish mom has an amazing closet, so I asked if I could borrow her gorgeous one-piece cut-out bathing suit by donna karan and she kindly let me wear it for the weekend. not too sound conceited, but I love the way it looks in photos. its minimal, sleek, and exposes the body in all the right places without being too revealing. we took a lot of photos that weekend, but this was by far my favorite! I love the mystery, and of course the way my turban and prada sunnies accessorize the suit. plus, that sparkling blue pool makes for a perfect background. brava to my sister for snapping this incognito-chic image! perhaps, one day I will show our readers what the front of the suit looks like, but for now I will just show the back view...sometimes, there is beauty in not knowing!

absolute alaïa

daria werbowy

I seem to be very much inspired by back photos, this week. I don't know why, but I love it when women wear something with a cut-out shape that exposes the back. I always think it is equally important to show the back view of a dress as well as the front when posing on the red carpet....just think of hilary swank in that gorgeous navy blue open-back guy laroche dress she wore in 2005 to the oscars. personally, I think what made that dress was the back. at any rate, last week I stumbled upon this provocative image of supermodel daria werbowy in a sexy cut-out dress by azzedine alaïa...I know this is a dress that probably only daria could get away with, but I love the way it looks on her. the silhouette is near perfect and I so appreciate the way this black dress cradles her body in all the right places. that is what I love about azzedina alaïa...he is a total architect and he pretty much designs clothes that fit like a glove or better yet, a corset. perhaps, you might not see the beauty of this dress, just yet, but take a closer look at all of its details and then you will mostly likely see the craftsmanship and handwork that goes into one of his gowns...he truly is an architect of fashion!

sisters in black veils

the sisters in black frocks

last weekend, my sister and I decided to have a little style-fun with a veil I purchased in november of last year. personally, I love a chic veil! its such a great look, if you know how to wear it. I have been seeing veils all over fashion editorials this season so I thought it would be interesting for us sisters in black to show our readers how it should be done. sometimes, I think people associate veils with funerals and sadness, but that is not what we wanted to portray. we wanted to showcase the idea of a veil in the summertime...definitely, something more lighthearted and elegant, much like jil sander's spring/summer 2012 collection. to be honest, all we did was put on a little rouge d'armani 400 lipstick and some eyeliner and we were good to go with our veils! and of course, a summer-esque black frock to go with!

the inspiration

photo by mikael jansson

so where did our veil inspiration come from? it was actually very much influenced by the latest july cover of interview magazine. I don't know why, but I love this image so much...those veils look so stunning on actresses charlize theron and kristen stewart. plus, the composition of this photo is quite amazing. I so love the way their heads are positioned and the way their veils correspond. it has a dark, but yet mysterious quality to it that I find so mesmerizing. it is such a simple idea, but executed, so well! I don't know about you, but I so picked up a copy of this issue for my collection. not only is it an unforgettable cover, but true veiled perfection...love it when we get inspired!

veiled beanie

jil sander spring/summer 2012

I know everyone is talking about raf simons for christian dior, but I still am stuck on how brilliant he was at jil sander. I think he really transformed the label and I am sad too see him go, but excited, as well for the return of the original jil sander. what I admired most about his second to last collection was his veiled beanies. I so love how they look old-fashioned, but completely modern, as well....it looks as though it could easily be a fancy evening hat, but also something day-casual as well! personally, I like the idea of a hat that can be transformed! I just recently discovered that raf simons worked with british milliner stephen jones to create this look. I always love it when designers work with well-renowed milliners...just think of alexander mcqueen and philip treacy. who could forget that amazing butterfly headdress from his spring/summer 2008 collection? they were truly such a dynamic duo! I think next to mcqueen and treacy I am liking the combination of jones and simons. I must say this really is my favorite veil of the season!

now published!

carine roitfeld in pucci

to all our readers, please check out my latest article for the fabulous I want to be a roitfeld! it was actually published last week, but I thought this emilio pucci dress as seen on carine roitfeld from 2009 mixed in perfectly with my latest fashion obsession....grecian style drapery with asymmetry! for some reason, I decided to share the link, now....the timing seemed almost perfect! what I love about this dress is that it has grecian goddess written all over it and of course it is featured in my review!

my article focuses primarily on carine roitfeld's greatest evening dresses over the past couple of years and features in-depth style analysis as well as my illustrations for dresses she should be wearing in the future. if you are a fan of her style I highly suggest having a read. this emilio pucci one-shoulder dress is just one of the many gowns featured. hope you all enjoy...its not only stylish, but fun, as well!

here is the link:
http://www.iwanttobearoitfeld.com/journal/2012/7/11/the-evening-dresses-of-carine-roitfeld.html.

goddess mode

donna karan resort 2011

I am really into drapery right now...its kind of perfect in the summertime. its loose, light, sexy and perfect for when the temperature rises. if there is one designer who knows how to do this look properly its donna karan. this week, I was looking back at her stunning 2011 resort collection and came across this heavenly white asymmetrical dress! I so love how one part of the dress is long and how the other side is short...for some reason, the off balance just totally works. donna karan is indeed right when she said that there is nothing sexier than revealing a shoulder...that is probably one of the best fashion tips I have ever learned. what I love most about this dress is the drapery...its quite heavenly and I love the way silk jersey just melts into her body!

on a side note, I think I became obsessed with drapery back in 2003 when I saw the goddess exhibit at the metropolitan art museum in new york city. that show totally opened my eyes to the concept of grecian-goddess-dressing! it was such an interesting show correlating ancient art history to fashion today and I must say I learned so much and it totally impacted my sense of style. its fascinating how so many designers are continually inspired by the so called grecian goddess. this donna karan dress wasn't in the exhibit, but it really should have been. what I love about this look is that its totally cutting edge, sexy, but not too revealing, which is the way I like to dress....especially in the summer!

the grès zone

photo by eugene rubin

looking at that impeccable donna karan gown I couldn't help but think of the late madame grès and what an impact she has made on designers of today like donna karan, rick owens and even to someone like me and my personal style. to be honest, I don't even think of her as a designer she was more like a sculptor. her signature style was all about cut-out gowns that exposed skin, but yet still had a classical and sophisticated feel. I don't know about you, but I definitely try to follow that way of dressing...it certainly leaves more to the imagination.

I think this photo clearly represents that idea....I am a bit in awe of that skirt. the drapery is near perfection and for some reason when I look at that skirt it reminds me a bit of this beautiful rick owens skirt I bought a couple of years ago....the drapery is very much similar to madame grès's technique. I assume he was very much inspired by madame grès. who wouldn't be...she really was so ahead of her time!

so real

painting by yosuke onishi

I don't know why, but observing the draping technique of madame grès and donna karan made me think of the photorealist painter yosuke onishi. he is someone I have recently discovered and I must say I am quite in awe of his painting technique...especially this one! it just looks so life like and I love how the body looks as if it is in full movement...I don't know how he is able to convey this on canvas, but I find his skill pretty extraordinary.

lately, I have been quite obsessed with photorealism...I think it all started with john kacere and his amazing butt paintings from the 1970s and the way sofia coppola was influenced by his work for her 2003 film lost in translation. its interesting how those tiny moments can lead to such obscure inspirational ideas. what I love about this yosuke onishi painting is that it has such a beautiful grecian quality to it...it looks almost like a statue! yes, we can see her naked figure through that wet fabric, but I love the way the material sticks to her body. its a bit risqué, but kind of a perfect image and feeling for the middle of summer. I could very much see the late madame grès, and designers of today such as rick owens, donna karan, and haider ackermann feeling very much inspired by this photo....it really is such a stunning combination of fashion, art, and sculpture!

fashion beyond clothes

photo by karl lagerfeld

if you haven't seen the latest issue of V magazine I highly suggest looking through...it is the youth quake issue which features 3 different covers styled by carine roitfeld. inside, there is a sneak preview of carine roitfeld's upcoming fashion publication which launches in september....I was really moved and inspired by her words behind her vision for CR. I could very much relate to her thoughts on the current state of fashion. for some reason her words got me thinking....

I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like all fashion magazines are all the same...of course, there are exceptions, but it would be nice to see more fashion magazines take risk and focus more on style rather than making money and what is trendy for the season. I also question many so-called style blogs, why is it necessary to always talk about the same looks and trends...I find it kind of monotonous and boring and to be honest I often wonder why the lamest blogs have so many followers....personally, I am drawn to blogs that focus more on personal style rather than trying to focus on the 'hot' looks of the season. hope, I don't sound too angry, but I wonder if other people feel the same? at any rate, here is what carine roitfeld stated...perhaps, you will agree with me on this one. p.s. the countdown is on for CR in september....I already love her vision! we certainly need more people like her to shake things up in the fashion world...

we all love fashion. fashion is what drives us. but lately it seems more and more difficult to express creativity in fashion-things are controlled, calculated, rarely spontaneous. yet creativity is the root of fashion. without it, fashion ceases to exist. what fashion needs is a new place for creative visions to unfold. fashion beyond clothes. fashion as a way of life. never too serious, never dark or negative. always full of humor, fantasy, joy, and beauty. imagine a publication that pushes fashion forward, that celebrates the greatest creators in image-making while supporting a new guard of brilliant talent-as well as providing valuable insight into the world of fashion and beyond. this is my vision for CR, a new magazine about fashion and creativity.

need I say more....

music to my ears

photo by mark romanek

I don't know why, but I always get so thrilled when fiona apple releases an album. I know most people don't buy CD's anymore, but I still do especially when the artist is well worth it and fiona apple definitely fits in that category. it has been 7 long years since her last album extraordinary machine, so naturally the anticipation has been building. its not only just about listening to her songs, but I love reading her lyrics, too. its interesting how some of her lyrics still linger in my head all the way back from her first album tidal....I guess that is what makes her so profound and such a prolific songrwriter-poet. last week, I picked up her special deluxe edition of her album the idler wheel which is a 40-page book filled with fiona’s lyrics, drawings and sketches, along with personal photographs and I must say it makes the album that much more special and memorable. I have been keeping sketchbooks throughout my life so I was pleasantly surprised to see her come out with such a creative sketchbook-album...love that she does the same!

what I admire about her latest album is the way she bleeds out her lyrics....just to give you an example in her song regret...I love the way she screams out the line I ran out of white doves' feathers to soak up the hot piss that comes from your mouth every time you address me I don't know how she comes up with these words, but I appreciate her train of thought. even if I don't know exactly what she is going through I always try to apply my life to her songs. perhaps, that may sound strange, but I love the pain, loss, desperation, hope, and authenticity that she conveys in her songwriting....I find it so relatable and honest. I highly recommend picking up her special deluxe edition of her latest album the idler wheel it is quite the music and visual experience.

it's all in the jeans!

photo by herb ritts

I don't know about you, but I always think about denim on the 4th of july. I guess when I think of american style the first image that appears in my head is a pair of jeans. personally, I think it is quite difficult to find that right pair of jeans...there is so much to look for...cut, style, fit, length, etc. it can get a bit overwhelming...but, I must say if you can find that perfect jean you are quite lucky!

throughout fashion history there have been many people who have perfected the art of denim, but if I had to pick a favorite jean look it would have to be janet jackson in her love will never do without you video. I recently have been re-watching this video and I just love how natural and graceful she looks in her levi's. herb ritts was such a genius at capturing both men and women in their most natural and vulnerable states. personally, I think this was janet jackson's best look. she looks confident, joyous, sexy, but most of all herself and I think ritts truly caught all that especially with this particular photograph. this is really quite the perfect american image to celebrate the 4th of july...feel free to put on a pair of jeans today and celebrate herb ritts-janet jackson 90's style...I know I will!

like janet.

photo and styling by my sister

after seeing the herb ritts: LA style exhibition at the getty....my sister and I felt very much inspired to pay homage to janet jackson's iconic look in her classic love will never do without you video. the getty featured a special room showcasing some of herb ritts greatest music videos and of course this janet jackson one was featured. now, seemed like the perfect time to pay our respect...I can't really put into words, but I have always liked the way herb ritts photographed women in denim....there was just something so very natural and elegant about the way he captured women in a pair of jeans, so I asked my sister to do the same! personally, I am not the hugest fan of jeans, but this video really inspired me from a style perspective!

after some discussion with my sister we decided to re-create the look and style of the video but with a sisters in black sensibility...luckily, I still had some ripped up levi jeans from the 90's and I thought why not pair them with a black tank top and a pair of cat-eyed sunglasses. my sister brilliantly styled my hair and added a black headband to throw in that extra 90's janet quality. of course, to complete the look we headed to the beach to achieve that herb ritts signature california background. I don't know if all this comes across, but we had a fun time doing this. at any rate, I am glad I am now slowly re-discovering my old levi jeans from the 90's...who would have ever thought that I could begin to like jeans again?!! thank you to my sister, janet jackson, and the late herb ritts for the fashion inspiration...it is quite amazing when you can turn something old and make it new again!

beauty and the beach

photos by herb ritts

there are many herb ritts images that have made lasting style impressions in my mind...but the one that I don't think I will ever forget is this brilliant editorial he shot of cindy crawford and richard gere on the beach in malibu, california entitled the model and the movie star. these pics really represent my idea of what summer style should be all about...simple and chic! I can even recall the moment when I first saw these images. I remember I was at the supermarket with my mom and she went to go buy groceries and I of course went straight to the magazine aisle and opened up the november 1992 issue of US vogue. I was 9 years old at the time and of course like every girl in the 90's I thought cindy crawford was the most beautiful woman and yes, I so wanted to be friends with her....I believe around this time, my life revolved around mtv's house of style. the show was so cutting-edge and I think its because of this program that I learned so much about art, style, and fashion. interesting, how mtv has changed!

at any rate, I so love these photos of a then husband and wife richard gere and cindy crawford...they were the ultimate glamour couple. herb ritts had such an eye for photographing people in such a beautiful, spontaneous, and natural way. I really think these photos depict all that....what's not to love about these pics? he proves that all you really need is a california beach, some jeans, sunglasses, a confident attitude and you are good to go. I will never forget this issue and how it influenced my idea of what california style is all about...iconic in the 90's and still iconic today!