do you remember the first time?

photo by corrine day

to all our readers, please check out my latest article entitled do you remember the first time? featured on I want to be a coppola. it was actually published a couple of weeks ago, but I somehow forgot to link it. at any rate, the article takes an in-depth look at a photo and text collaboration between director sofia coppola and the late photographer corrine day, which was featured in the face magazine back in may of 2000. in case you are unfamiliar with corrine day, she was the photographer who first discovered kate moss back in the early 90's at the age of sixteen. the face was also the first publication to feature her in their magazine. their collaboration entitled the third summer of love will always remain a classic and will most likely be one of kate moss's most iconic editorials. corrine day had such a way of capturing youth very much like the way sofia coppola did in her 1999 film the virgin suicides. its seriously no surprise why these two worked together....so many creative parallels between these two dynamic women. if you are a fan of the virgin suicides, the cutting edge look of the face magazine, and the visual style of corrine day I highly suggest you have a read!

here is the link:
http://www.iwanttobeacoppola.com/journal/2012/11/13/sofia-coppola-and-corinne-day-do-you-remember-the-first-time.html

dad & dylan

photo by barry feinstein

today is our dad's birthday and on that note we thought it would be appropriate to thank him for being such a creative and innovative force in our lives. our dad has always been so inspiring to us sisters. he has consistently encouraged us to think different from everyone and to never be scared to go after what you believe in. I must admit from time to time I feel a bit timid about what I write on the blog, but he has always said just write what you feel is important to you. growing up and still to this day, our dad still remains such a positive inspiration with our writing and all our other creative endeavors....even with strange concepts like photographing hasidic jews in israel or capturing nuns in italy he has continuously supported us with our obscure photo projects. I don't know if most dad's are like him, but I like that he encourages us to stand out from the crowd and to think opposite from everyone.

at any rate, I saw this bob dylan photograph at the annenberg space for photography this past august and I thought of him, immediately. there is something about this image that is so nonchalantly cool much like our dad. I see a lot of my dad's style in the way bob dylan use to dress in the 1960's. perhaps, it is the black coat and the sunnies? whatever it is, I think we know where we get 50 percent of our style from. I know he loves this photo so we thought we would dedicate this image to him on his birthday! thanks dad again, for being who you are...a bad ass much like dylan, himself!

guinness glam!

daphne guinness

the day has finally arrived...it is black friday! we always get excited on this day because it gives us another excuse to write about some of our favorite black ensembles. this is a black dress that we have been meaning to write about for some time now! I feel strange for even talking about this, but I like observing the way people dress when attending funerals. yes, I know that is a weird topic to discuss and it is probably a bit taboo, but I am always intrigued by this style of fashion especially when a high profile fashion designer dies. I think when yves saint laurent passed away in 2008 the funeral service turned into a somberly chic fashion show of some sort. sadly, when alexander mcqueen died in 2010 the same happened, as well. the funeral turned into a total black fashion extravaganza...something us sisters can totally respect and appreciate!

secretly, I loved the way so many people looked at alexander mcqueen's funeral...but I think this was my favorite look that melancholy day as seen on heiress and haute couture aficionado daphne guinness. I remember she totally stunned me when she arrived for the service at saint paul's church in that billowing black cape from the designer's autumn 2002 collection. plus, she even glammed it up with a dramatic black veil and sky-high black heels. I love that she wore something classic and personal to her from his fall 2002 season. she proved in this black gown that it wasn't just about the clothes, but more about paying respect and homage to such a visionary and talent. I know he considered her one of his main muses and best friends so he most likely would have wanted her to wear such a statement making look. I must admit that I did not know much about daphne guinness till after mcqueen's untimely death, but I am now slowly starting to appreciate her approach to style and glamour. she is eccentric, complex, but overall fascinatingly stylish. she definitely puts the letters fun in the word...funeral. she certainly represents what fashion should be all about!

beneath the burqa

photos by brigitte niedermair

I have been meaning to share these burqa images for awhile and since it is black friday I thought the timing seemed right. brigitte neidermar is a photographer I recently discovered while skimming through the pages of the current issue of CR magazine and I must say I have become quite intrigued by her style. her photos are primarily focused on female portraiture and I so appreciate how neidermar examines the culture of tradition and modernity. she has a unique ability to contrast opposing forces in a single photograph much like what is shown here....who would ever think prosthetics and burqas would work so well together?

personally, I love the idea of combining burqas and prosthetics....strangely chic! love how the these burqas almost have a batman quality...like a caped crusader! when I first saw these images I thought of photographers helmut newton and jean-baptiste mondino. I know helmut newton liked to work with prosthetics in his many of his editorials and somehow I was also reminded of jean-baptiste mondino and an interesting editorial he did with burqas some years ago. I don't know if brigitte neidermair was inspired by newton and mondino, but I can certainly see some odd similarities. at any rate, she is definitely a photographer that I am very fascinated by...can't wait too see more of her work. hopefully, she will be featured in the upcoming spring issue of CR magazine....am keeping my fingers crossed!

the mcqueen burqa

alexander mcqueen spring/summer 2000

speaking of burqas....for some odd reason, when I was looking at those brilliant brigitte niedermair photographs I was somehow reminded of alexander mcqueen's shockingly-chic spring/summer 2000 collection entitled the eye. in case you need to be refreshed, alexander mcqueen turned heads that season by transforming the runway into a terrifying bed of metal spikes and nails. models were also lifted into the air showing off sheer knits, body hugging jerseys, and a controversial makeover of the burqa among other racy interpretations of middle eastern dress....as seen in this photo.

this was the burqa featured in the show and I so love how the model is both covered and revealed at the same time. I must admit that I have never seen a woman in a burqa quite like this...very daring, sexy, and cutting edge nonetheless, but that is why I think we all loved alexander mcqueen. I so admire how mcqueen could always see beauty in the strange and unfamiliar. he had a rare ability to manifest all those qualities into so many astonishing collections, much like this one. I know in the middle east a woman would be punished for wearing this outfit, but I applaud him for pushing the fashion envelope with this controversial ensemble. personally, I think burqas are beautiful...the way they move and of course I love the idea of hiding behind black fabric. I totally admire mcqueen's interpretation of this look. I don't know about you, but I still to this day miss the all the drama and theatrics he brought to the runway...I don't think there will ever be someone quite like him!

those eyes

photo by herb ritts

about a month ago, I was at my favorite bookstore browsing through fashion magazines and books when I suddenly stumbled upon some interesting postcards in a special section. back in the day, I use to collect postcards and from time to time, I still will buy them, but they truly have to be unique and unlike any other. I must admit when I first saw this postcard of elizabeth taylor I totally did a double take...so many thoughts went through my mind...first of all who photographed this?....I love how mysterious elizabeth taylor looks...and of course, I thought to myself now I know where carine roitfeld found her inspiration for her brilliantly styled september 2011 issue of V magazine. I often wondered for almost a year, about where her direct influences actually came from...but now I can tell exactly!

interestingly, I thought I had pretty much seen every herb ritts photograph, but I guess I was wrong. personally, I think this may be my all-time favorite ritts image. there is so much I admire about this pic....the way elizabeth taylor's eyes look, that towel in her hair, and of course, that diamond ring on her finger. most importantly, I so appreciate the obscurity of this portrait...I totally love her glamorous expression with those eyes! when I look at this photo I totally wonder what is elizabeth taylor thinking? I think that is what makes this such an fascinating photograph. at any rate, this was such a pleasant image to discover and I am so glad to welcome this glamorous postcard into my collection...definitely, the most stylish postcard of them all!

becoming liz

photo by my sister

please feel free to laugh! I couldn't resist.... I just had to turn myself into that stunning herb ritts photograph of elizabeth taylor. I know I do not have her amazing eyes or her timeless glamour, but I love it when I feel inspired to take on such a dramatic look! this was actually a very easy style to recreate all I needed was an oversized towel for a turban look, some heavy eyeliner, and a dramatic ring. I know elizabeth taylor loved her jewelry and with all that I suddenly became a sisters in black version of dame elizabeth. I must thank my sister for styling me and for taking the photograph...she always knows how to manifest everything I say and turn it into something unexpectedly chic. on a side note, I highly suggest trying this look and taking some similar photos...its perfect for those I want to stay in my bathrobe and hide from the world kind of days...something we both know a thing or two about!

the liz effect

photo by mario testino

I don't know why, but I always find myself looking back at the september 2011 issue of V magazine....a total classic. I so loved how the entire magazine was dedicated to the iconic beauty, style, and glamour of the late elizabeth taylor. out of all the editorials in the issue, this was my favorite image. in case you cannot tell, it is actually a very incognito-glam portrait of kate winslet trying to do her best liz taylor. the layout was styled by the one and only carine roitfeld...so there is no surprise there as to why I like it....I can just look at this photo and tell that it was styled by carine and shot by testino...they have such a signature style and I always get ecstatic when they work together. I so love that kate winslet is wearing a towel in her hair a la liz and I so appreciate that gorgeous chanel brooch in the center...a definite liz taylor signature! it took me a year to figure out where carine roitfeld actually found the inspiration for this photo, but now I know she was very much influenced by herb ritts and that photo he took of liz back in 1991. this is such a brilliant homage and I must say, I think this has to be one of the best photos I have ever seen of kate winslet. she certainly has such captivating eyes much like dame elizabeth!

classic cape

photo by david sims

as promised, with nicolas ghesquière's shocking news that he is leaving balenciaga we have promised to showcase some of his most iconic pieces from seasons pasts. on that note, who could forget this stunning voluminous gray silk cape, with black riding hat, and vertiginous platform boots from his fall/winter 2006 collection? I must admit that whenever the winter season comes around I always think about this look. I think what I love most about the colder months is hiding behind a warm jacket or cape and with this balenciaga collection you get just that. what I found so genius about this collection was the way ghesquière took classic cristóbal balenciaga techniques from the 1960's and totally updated it with a futuristic vision all his own. I don't know how he was able to conceive and execute all that, but the outcome was phenemonal and he has left a forever lasting style impression in my mind.

I keep this US vogue image of giselle in that balenciaga cape on my desk from the july 2006 issue and I always look to it for winter style inspiration. the volume, silhouette, and the fluidity is everything that I look for when wearing a cape. I think in the future when we think about some of ghesquière's most memorable and fashion forward pieces...this will definitely be one of the many looks that will come to mind....by far, one of ghesquière's greatest!

what's that jacket, margiela?

in my martin margiela cape

indeed, the kanye west lyric is correct....my jacket is martin margiela! actually, its a cape and it is from his new sporty label entitled MM6. I actually did not know about this line till late august and I must say it was such an unexpected discovery. I found this gray cape by accident while shopping in venice, california at a store called heist. at first, when I saw it, I thought for sure in my head that it was norma kamali or maybe even issey miyake. the shape and silhouette has a very japanese aesthetic, very similar to their design styles! so naturally, I was very shocked, yet pleased, to discover that it was a margiela creation.

in case you are unfamiliar, his MM6 line is all about practical and multifunctional daywear with a sporty-feel, which is certainly very suiting to my own personal style. the fall 2012 line features puffy parka coats, wool pullover sweaters, and even footwear...margiela's signature. overall, there is a very utilitarian edge to this line that is very wearable and if you are into all that I have mentioned I suggest you check out it. I always love it when I discover something chic and random....this MM6 gray cape is exactly just the piece I need to complete my winter sporty look. I know material items don't equal happiness, but I am thinking the person who coined that phrase never tried on the MM6 label!

an evening cape

haider ackermann fall/winter 2010

as much as I love a sporty cape for the day...I also believe in a long dramatic cape for the evening, too. yes, a long cape is not for everyone, but if you have the style and confidence to wear one, I say go for it. recently, I stumbled upon this brown cape from the haider ackermann fall/winter 2010 collection and I completely fell in love with it all over again. I so admire that undulating collar, those suede leggings and how it is all paired with that floor-scraping cape. plus, that chocolate brown color is exquisite! I do love a brown shade in winter. this is definitely the kind of winter cape that I would go for. it is a total winning combination of elegance, sophistication, and utilitarianism, which is what haider ackermann does best. for anyone looking for a perfect winter cape, do yourself a favor and reminisce back at this collection...you won't be disappointed, trust me!

ghesquière's greatest

balenciaga spring/summer 2006

I must admit I was completely shocked on monday when I read the headline nicolas ghesquière parts ways with balenciaga! I totally thought I was misreading, but I kept seeing statements like....last week you have sandy. this week you have nicolas ghesquière leaves balenciaga. perhaps, that is a bit fashion dramatic, but I was still very saddened by the unexpected news. I swear every month I chronicle a piece from one of his many amazing collections. it is so hard to pick a favorite nicolas ghesquière season because each is so special, forward thinking, and unique in its own ways, but if I were to pick a favorite black dress it would have to be this one. I love that asymmetrical silhouette but also how dramatic and glamorous that overall shape looks. also, if you examine closely you can certainly see all the detail that went into making this dress. I so admire all that intricately worked in lace and chiffon. ghesquière called this collection the baroque rock star and I can truly see that...its a perfect blend of embellishment, architecture, and sharpness. this dress certainly has sisters in black frocks written all over it.

on a side note, whatever nicolas ghesquière decides to do next with his career is still unknown. I am not really worried about him and what he chooses to do, but I am curious though, to find out who will take over for him at balenciaga. that person has some serious shoes to fill. either way, now I have an excuse to post more great ghesquière pieces from many of his standout collections. stay tuned!

gothic glam

rooney mara (2012)

speaking of gorgeous black asymmetrical lace dresses...who could forget the way actress rooney mara looked at the met gala this past may?!! mara totally embodied the darkness and romantic sensibility of the givenchy woman. I so loved her lace gown and that asymmetrical neckline with leather at the bodice and that sheer floor length skirt. plus, her sleek bun and lipstick color are the perfect finishing touches. I don't know why, but when I look at this dress it reminds me so much of that black lace dress from nicolas ghesquière's spring/summer 2006 collection. I know both ricardo tisci and nicolas ghesquière are not exactly similar in their design aesthetics, but I can definitely see a strange connection between these two looks. I guess when I start to examine their design aesthetics both designers are quite brilliant at creating a dark, ethereal, and a very edgy look to their clothes. however, you want to categorize the two, I must say both dresses are extremely detailed and majorly astounding. this was certainly one of my favorite black frocks of 2012. rooney mara has really amazed me with her style this year...totally unexpected. I really love that she epitomizes her character from the girl with a dragon tattoo...now, I know why ricardo tisci considers her such a style inspiration!

sorrento style hat

in my new black hat

I love it when I unexpectedly find an interesting black hat. just this past september, on my trip to italy I found this amazing black hat in sorrento while waiting to catch a ferry to capri. it was so happenstance that I found it...originally, I saw this hat in green and asked the saleswoman if they had it in black and luckily she only had one black hat left. of course, I immediately tried it on and fell in love with the shape and style of the hat. it certainly is unique and everything I have been looking for. the best part about the hat is that it was 20 euro, which is about $25 in US. I so love a hat that is not only chic, but affordable as well.

I must admit I have been wearing this hat non-stop in the united states and the compliments have been surprisingly endless. people have been saying how lovely the silhouette is and that I remind them of lydia deetz from beetlejuice, which I think is a good thing. people have also asked me what designer makes it and I love to say that it is no designer at all just something I found in italy. this is truly a special find and I am pretty sure I will be wearing this hat for a very long time to come...I think I have a new found respect for sorrento, thank you italy!

mad hatter

marc jacobs fall/winter 2012

yes, indeed I love a good hat for the winter and by far I think the best hat of the season has to be this marc jacobs black fur hat from his fall/winter 2012 collection. I have heard fashion critics refers to it as a pimp hat, or perhaps something out of alice in wonderland and even dr. seuss, but I think it has a more jamiroquai feeling to it. I just look at this hat and automatically I think of jamiroquai's classic virtual insanity video. perhaps, you can see it too... I don't know if marc jacobs had jay kay in mind, but I certainly see a distinct connection.

on a side note, I must admit that a couple of months while in chicago I happened to stumble upon a marc jacobs boutique and of course I walked in and asked if this hat was available. it certainly has a very sisters in black vibe to it, so why not at least try it on too see how it looks, right? unfortunately, that will never happen the salesperson at marc jacobs told me that these hats were only for the show and that they would not be available to the public. apparently, these hats go into some marc jacobs archive, somewhere. I was completely shocked to hear this, after all this hat was probably the real standout piece from that collection. the salesperson told me that many marc jacobs customers were very upset that these hats were not being sold to the public. whoever those people are I wish we could do something about this...seriously, a hat like this does not belong in an archive somewhere but meant to be worn by the people. I would think marc jacobs would know better than that! at any rate, I am all for keeping fashion for the people and not sitting in some abandoned closet!

balenciaga visor

balenciaga visor spring/summer 2012

evidently, the marc jacobs jamiroquai hat isn't the only hat that is not available. let's go back to this past spring/summer and this balenciaga visor. some people called it ridiculous, maybe even a bit darth vader-esque, but I thought it was a total piece of art, certainly going beyond fashion, or as I like to say a perfect example of incognito chic...that is probably why I appreciate this look so much, its so unique and I love the idea of looking like a high fashion sci-fi character.

just this past spring, I went on a mad fashion hunt for this hat...I looked at the balenciaga store in los angeles and even tried to look for it in new york city for my birthday. my luck was very bad. I talked with someone who worked at balenciaga in new york city and he told me that there were maybe 7 of these hats in the united states and they sold for approximately $3000 each, yikes!...but I must say for the person who got their hands on this hat I hope you are appreciating it. I also might add that I am way jealous and I am praying that they got photographed by a street photographer in it because it really is that special.

I was thinking that maybe H&M or zara would make a similar version but they did not. I really hate it when designers do not make interesting fashion available to the masses. I really think there are people out there who want too wear something individual. I wonder if I am the only one who felt that way about this balenciaga visor?!!!...at any rate, I think of fashion as art and sometimes it is worth spending a little more money on something that you will keep in your closet forever than something cheap and useless that you will forget about the next season. personally, I think this balenciaga visor is a forever classic piece despite what some fashion critics have said about it....p.s. for some odd reason I still in the back of mind think that I will one day find this hat, let's keep our fingers crossed!

90's hair inspiration

photo by inez van lamsweerde and vinoodh matadin

I am cutting my hair this weekend so naturally I am looking for inspiration. just a couple of days ago, I stumbled upon this image of supermodel daria werbowy, which actually appears in the current issue of vogue paris. I must admit that when I found out that daria werbowy had cut her hair a couple of months ago, I was a bit disappointed. I always felt like her hair was such a great accessory especially in editorials. I would definitely put her in that giselle category as far as models go with amazing hair. when I saw her hair shorter, I remember thinking to myself, what if she loses her appeal and edge.... but I was glad to know that I was majorly wrong. I have been thinking about this photo for some days now and I am totally in love with the length and that whole effortless 90's vibe of it all. she looks as if she just went for a ride on her motorcycle...which is exactly the look I am going for. plus, that leather jacket is the perfect finishing touch. personally, I love hair that is nonchalant, shoulder length, and just overall cool. I think this photo really embodies all those qualities...just what I needed. perhaps, I better wear my leather jacket to the hair salon this weekend!