david downton

illustration by david downton

I so love seeing david downton's illustrations featured in the current september issue of vanity fair magazine. from time to time, I like to draw in my sketchbook and I always hope that I can design something as cool and whimsical as one of his illustrations. I have admired his work since I was a teenager and I don't know why but I always get excited when I see his illustrations featured in magazine publications. his artistic style is simple, unique, and so very chic! this month, downton had the pleasure of painting the new inductees into vanity fair's hall of fame....the women featured in the issue are fashion designer carolina herrera, supermodel iman, artist and fashionista daphne guinness, as well as director sofia coppola. she was my favorite illustration in the editorial...I go into further detail about this painting as well as sofia coppola's long overdue entry into the hall of fame on I want to be a coppola. not only do I talk about this photo, but I go back into some of sofia coppola's greatest fashion moments on other best dressed lists...such as vogue, harper's bazaar, and of course vanity fair...if you are a fan of her minimal, yet elegant style do have a look!

p.s. here is the link:
http://www.iwanttobeacoppola.com/journal/2012/8/23/sofia-coppola-best-dressed-forever.html

sexy back

photo by mary mccartney

last week, I finally got a chance too see the who shot rock & roll exhibit at the annenberg space for photography in LA. it was such an inspiring and visually stunning show. I didn't know if I would actually like it, but it exceeded my expectations. the best part of the exhibit was the documentary featured. I discovered so many rock & roll photographers that I didn't know much about like bob gruen and norman seeff. I think I will have to feature some of their photos on our blog in the future. at any rate, photographer mary mccartney was interviewed talking about her mother linda mccartney! I had no idea that linda mccartney was such a huge music photographer in the 60's and 70's so it was interesting too see some of linda's photos and I loved seeing her daughter mary interviewed. throughout the past couple of years I have often admired mary mccartney's work so it was nice to hear her talk about how inspiring her mother has been on her life. after the exhibit, I came home and started reminiscing through some of mary mccartney's photography and stumbled upon this brilliant stella mccartney ad for her fall/winter 2003 collection. love the way kate moss looks in this photo....its incognito, sexy, glamorous, and I love the extra added element of that green curtain and the way it contrasts with her silk dress. such a beautiful image and I think this might be one of my all time favorite kate moss photos. on a side note, I highly suggest seeing the who shot rock & roll exhibit....very thought provoking, educational, and inspiring...love it when all those elements come into place!

curtain call

photo by cristhian barron

while in palm springs last month, my dear friend cristhian snapped this photo of me. I don't know why, but I find it so visually appealing. I always admire photos that are a bit mysterious yet chic and this definitely falls in that category. I bought this dress in 2001 and I must admit I still love it just as much in 2012. it has a moroccan appeal to it and I love how silky smooth it feels against my skin. for some strange reason it photographs so well and I like how vibrant the colors appear. I can't really explain my reasoning, but I feel like this image could be used for a prada campaign....there is something about this pic that reminds me so much of miuccia prada's brilliant spring/summer 2008 campaign. whatever the connection may be, I think what I appreciate most about this photo is the way my dress blends in with that floral curtain. this really was such a totally unexpected photo and I love the end result...very camouflage-chic, bravo, cristhian!

pina moment

hable con ella (2002)

there is something about that previous photo of myself in that colorful slip dress that reminds me so much of this scene from pedro almodóvar's 2002 film talk to her. perhaps, it has something to do the silhouette of my dress or maybe it is just the way my body is positioned....whatever it may be, I must admit I have seen this almodóvar film countless of times and I love the overall visual style especially the moments featuring the choreography of the late pina bausch. I always find myself constantly inspired by the look and obscure beauty of this movie. this scene, in particular I admire so much...the music, the dance technique, and of course those amazing slip dresses. it all works together so perfectly. I don't know if my friend cristhian thought about this moment from the film when he took that photo but I definitely see a strange connection!

anniversary

my sister's wedding

happy six year anniversary to my fabulous sister in black and her equally stylish husband. I loved the way they both looked on their wedding day....very natural and chic! I particularly admired my sister's bridal look. she wore a simple white dress and her make-up and hair were absolute perfection. plus, I really loved the way her white veil looked on her. overall, she had a very 1940's movie star quality and I think that veil might of had something to do with it. I think it was from that day on that I became very fashion obsessed with veils. I must thank my sister for always inspiring me with her beauty and nonchalant glamour and most importantly I wish her a very happy anniversary!!!!

white veil

in my sister's veil

a couple of weeks ago, I asked my sister if I could try on her wedding veil! yes, I know its a bit bonkers, but I thought it might be fun and interesting! on a side note, in case you were wondering, I am not getting married I am just very veil inspired lately. while I do love my black veil, I must admit there is something kind of light and airy about a white veil especially in the summertime. I kind of wanted the photo too look a bit like kate moss in the w magazine march 2012 issue in which she was photographed by steven klein. the editorial was entitled good kate, bad kate and she looked a bit eerie in the photos especially the moments captured in her veil. I think there is something kind of sad and stylish about this photo and I love the way my sister managed to embody all that. I know its not exactly good kate, bad kate, but I like how that editorial loosely inspired us with this photo.

white wedding

photo by lnez van lamsweerde and vinoodh matadin

when taking inspiration for how to properly wear a white veil I couldn't help but think of one of my favorite vogue paris editorials entitled noces blanches which simply translates to english as white wedding. the layout was impeccably styled by emmanuelle alt and beautifully modeled by daria werbowy. the looks range from 1960's go-girl glam to madonna in 1984 when she went through her like a virgin phase. my favorite image from the editorial was this look. there is something kind of italian widow about it mixed in with some 1980's that I so appreciate. I love her form fitted white pencil skirt with flare edge and the way it is paired with those boots. in addition, I also can't help but admire the way her transparent veil flows with that ocean breeze. a very ethereal moment that I find so inspiring...am thinking I need to head to the beach with my sister's white veil too see what kind of moment I could catch. perhaps, a future sisters in black frocks project!

talk that talk

photo by mario testino

to all our readers, do check out my latest article on I want to be a roitfeld. this month, I look back at talk magazine's innovators and navigators issue which featured a very funny, stylish and candid interview with carine roitfeld back in april of 2001 when she just started her new position as editor-in-chief of vogue paris. I believe this was the first sit-down interview I ever read with carine roitfeld and I think it was from that moment on that I became so inspired by her style and unique vision. I thought this article seemed appropriate because as we all know her new publication CR hits newsstands in september. I highly suggest you have a read too see what she was thinking back in 2001. on a side note, let's also take a moment to appreciate carine roitfeld's first ever cover of vogue paris magazine. interesting, how it is a decade later and I am still inspired by this balenciaga look on kate moss. plus, I just love the simplicity of the cover....totally, timeless!

p.s. here is the link

http://www.iwanttobearoitfeld.com/journal/2012/8/11/looking-back-carine-roitfeld-talks-to-talk.html

olympic glamour

photo by mario testino

I don't know how I feel about US vogue these days, but one thing I do like is when the magazine combines supermodels with athletes. perhaps, it is because of the olympics that I started to think about this idea. one of my favorite athlete-model editorials has to be from the april 2008 shape issue. the cover featured supermodel gisele and lebron james and inside there was a really beautiful mario testino editorial entitled perfect ten. the layout paired supermodel raquel zimmermann and olympic decathlete bryan clay. both clay and zimmermann looked stunning together! perhaps, it is because they both have such toned and lean bodies. whatever it may be, this was my favorite image from the editorial. love the movement, fluidity, and of course that fuchsia dress by jil sander. I always have this image on my mind when I see a track and field competition during the olympics...I don't know about you, but I would so love to run in a marathon in a fabulous frock like this...very sporty-chic!

pretty in magenta

in rachel pally

my sister has such a gift for finding really beautiful and unique one of a kind caftans. this one is no exception. she bought it a couple of months ago and I must say she totally looks like she is walking on magenta air when she wears it. the caftan is made by rachel pally, a designer I did not know much about....I have been researching her fashion line and I must say she knows how to design such airy and elegant caftans. sadly, all her black caftans have sold out, but I am thinking I need to invest in a colorful and eye-catching one like my sister....I think this photo is the reason why a caftan is so necessary in the summer. the look is styled so perfectly with her sandals, sunnies, and hat. plus, I also love the way she looks as if she is floating down those stairs. brava, sister in black...or perhaps, sister in magenta seems more appropriate!

magenta minimalism

jil sander spring/summer 2008

looking at my sister in her lovely rachel pally caftan I couldn't help but be reminded of this stunning magenta caftan from the jil sander spring/summer 2008 collection. I don't think raf simons got great reviews for this particular collection, but I really admire the way he incorporated bright colors that season...it was totally unexpected and for some reason I love how strangely minimal it looks. I so appreciate how simons has the ability to blend simplicity with vibrancy. I think this look here is a beautiful representation of how color should be worn. yes, my sister and I love to wear black, but in the summertime we tend to go for colorful caftans....they are a total investment and if the cut and look of the caftan is right it will never go out of style....trust me on it! this jil sander magenta caftan is definitely something we would love to wear....very caftan-chic!

summer turban

photo by cristhian barron

a couple of weeks ago while in palm springs, our immensely talented friend, cristhian, snapped this pic of us. I must say, I so admire the mysterious quality that he captured with this image. when photographing us together, he told us to be ourselves, remain casual, and to not be posed! I think all those qualities totally resonate here and what I appreciate most about this pic is the way the texture of my black turban somehow matches the tone and quality of my sister's dress and hair...its quite uncanny the way all three correspond so effortlessly! I don't know how he managed to convey all that, but I must say this is one amazing incognito-glam image! many more photo projects are in the works between us three...so stay tuned!

parallels

photo by sacha van dorssen

for some reason, the photo that our dear friend cristhian took of us, reminded me of this sacha van dorssen photo taken in morocco from marie claire magazine circa 1981. I stumbled upon this photograph a couple of months ago, while trying to find some turban-style inspiration! I don't know if cristhian knew of this image, but I see so many striking similarities. I never mentioned it to him, but I think when he sees this...he will see the subconscious connection! its interesting how many parallels and correlations you can make between a photograph. at any rate, love the incognito-chic aspect of this image...and of course, I love that these two girls are wearing flowy black frocks with their turbans...a truly inspiring pic!

man of style: waris ahluwalia

I try to keep an open mind when finding style inspiration...that means that I am not only influenced by womenswear, but by menswear, as well! I don't know about you, but I always find it exciting too see a man who knows how to put an outfit together in such an easy, elegant, nonchalant, but yet masculine manner. as of now, I think jewelry designer and actor waris ahluwalia totally fits in that category. for the past couple of years, I have been seeing him in fashion magazines and have also been noticing him in small films like the darjeeling limited and I am love. I really have taken note of his style. there is something about him that reminds me a bit of adrien brody or maybe even wes anderson when it comes to him in terms of dressing, but I must say that his look is all his own. I am not sure why, but I am very much fashion-inspired by him. his signature look is usually sleek suits, simple sweaters, unique jewelry, scarves, loafers, and of course a sleek black turban. I really think the turban is what defines his look....I know that for my current turban look I am very much influenced by him...there is certainly something very unique and eye catching about his individual style...if you haven't paid much attention to waris ahluwalia and his sharp fashion sensibility, I suggest starting now!


waris ahluwalia

royal moment

with charlotte casiraghi

last weekend, my sister and I spent some much needed resting time at our hotel in palm springs. we had a fun time relaxing, reading magazines, and of course people watching. interestingly, while walking around the hotel my sister happened to notice charlotte casiraghi smoking a cigarette. of course, she alerted me, but I didn't get much of a chance to see her. in case you need to be refreshed, charlotte casiraghi is the granddaughter of actress grace kelly and her mother is princess caroline of hanover. she is also the latest gucci model and I must say she looks stunning in the new ads shot by photographers inez van lamsweerde and vinoodh matadin. I also recently wrote a vogue paris review on her sporty-chic aunt...princess stéphanie of monaco for the I want to be a roitfeld blog so naturally, I have become very fascinated by her family...not only as beautiful people, but also as humanitarians....so, this was very exciting, for me!

moments later we saw her again sitting next to us by the hotel swimming pool. being the fashion dork that I am I decided to go up to her and tell her how much I loved her mario testino editorial in the september 2011 issue of vogue paris. she kindly told me thank you and I could tell she was a bit surprised that I even remembered that issue! seconds after, I thought I would give it a try and ask if I could take a photo with her. oddly enough, she said yes, and my sis snapped this image of us. she was shy, but nice, and we talked briefly about palm springs. today, I started thinking that around this time, last year, I wore the same missoni caftan and had an interesting conversation and photo moment with hedi slimane...maybe, there is something lucky about this missoni caftan...perhaps, orange and stripes are a good luck charm...who would ever think!

half veiled

charlotte casiraghi

interestingly, while finding style inspiration for our recent posts on veils I stumbled upon this image of charlotte casiraghi in a half-veil. I assume this is a paparazzi shot, but I love the combination of this short wrap-dress with black veil and of course her red lipstick. there is something kind of asian-esque about this whole look that I admire....the silhouette almost reminds me of a kimono bathrobe shape! not only does she look elegant, but there is an element of comfort here that I think works beautifully....there really is nothing more stylish than a effortless blend of glamour with ease...charlotte casiraghi totally embodies all that in this photo!