grazie franca

franca sozzani

my sister and I have been on instagram for quite some time now and we both agree that of all the social medias this one is definitely our favorite. its amazing what you can do with photography and an iphone and of course all the people you can find....whether friends, celebrities, artists, etc. we are not so much about using it to show off about our social lives, but more about using it as an artistic medium. a couple of weeks ago, I found vogue italia editor-in-chief franca sozzani and I really liked her whole concept of how she was using instagram. if you read her editor's blog on vogue.it you can read her full description, but I will paraphrase. franca sozzani states how photography has become such a universal language especially with everybody using a camera phone. her whole idea is for all her vogue italia readers to take pictures of people. its not so much about beautiful people, but more about faces, expressions, and gestures. she is pretty much looking for beauty of all variations that inspire. the best part is that she handpicks the photos that inspire her and she shares them with her readers on her instagram page, as well as, vogue.it. of course, just for fun, I thought I would send some of my own photos and what do you know she picked two of my images. I was completely surprised considering there are so many other photographers who post way more interesting pics, than myself, but I must admit it felt so good to have her even acknowledge my imagery. I have admired her creative vision for vogue italia for so many years now and I love how cutting edge, fashion forward, and even controversial the magazine can be at times, so to have her even mention me and say she liked my concepts is very flattering. I also like the fact that she is interested in what everyday people are photographing. somehow, I can't imagine anna wintour doing the same with her readers. either way, here are the two photos that franca sozzani picked. its interesting, that she chose two photos of women wearing black. perhaps, she is a fan of the sisters in black....I guess only time will tell!


woman in black hat at the gagosian gallery

this was franca sozzani's first choice. in case you do not remember, I posted this image a couple of weeks ago of a woman in black at the inez and vinoodh photo exhibit at the gagosian gallery. immediately, when I saw this woman I had to photograph her...the black hat, the dramatic dress and her way of walking totally caught my attention. she has sisters in black frocks written all over her. I took so many photos of her, but this was my favorite moment. I must admit I followed her around for a little bit just so I could get a quiet moment of her looking at their photography. I love how mysterious she looks with her cup, staring at that portrait of inez van lamsweerde. its minimal, yet so striking because of her black attire and that white wall. I was so glad when I captured this moment and was so pleased that franca sozzani liked it, as well!



self-portrait with mirror and red wall

the second image that franca sozzani shared on her instagram page was this self-portrait that I took of myself in my parents beach house in their red bedroom. this is my favorite room of their house. those red walls with gold design are amazing to look at and so perfect for taking photos. this was actually taken a couple of months ago, while waiting for some friends to arrive. I was bored so I decided to do some leg stretches in front of a mirror and for some reason I thought it would be cool if I took a photo of myself in the middle of my stretches. I also thought it would be kind of incognito-chic, if I didn't include my face. in the end, I like the contrast of my black attire with that red wall. its vibrant, yet a bit mysterious. sometimes, the most interesting photos happen when you least expect it, this might be one of those. I really was once again so flattered that franca sozzani chose this one, too. overall, it really was such an honor to have her share my images...who knew? its not everyday that you can say that the editor-in-chief of vogue italia likes your photos....very surreal!!!

face the future

photo by steven meisel

speaking of franca sozzani, if you have not seen the july issue of vogue italia I highly suggest you pick up a copy. this month, marks the 25th anniversary of the publication and there are six different covers all photographed by steven meisel, so the issue is quite epic. each cover has the word revolution written on it and I think that is the perfect word to describe what this magazine has been doing for the past 25 years. what I appreciate most about this month's vogue italia is the extensive retrospective...there are so many countless images from some of vogue italia's past and too see it all in one, is quite amazing. when looking back through the issue you start to realize just how cutting edge and challenging the magazine has been throughout the years. who could forget the makeover madness issue of 2006, in which linda evangelista's face was wrapped in bandages from plastic surgery, or the curvy issue from june 2011, which featured full-figured models on the cover, quite a no-no in the fashion business, and of course, last month's issue with gisele bündchen, which playfully deconstructed the business of professional beauty. each issue has had certain elements of controversary and I like that this publication continues to push buttons. I recently read a quote in which franca sozzani said: fashion is not only about a piece of fabric, if you think about all the [fashion] movements we have had in the years, they came from a situation that's social, economical and political. So why should we not reflect our time?

I couldn't agree more with franca sozzani's viewpoint and I love that vogue italia does all that and so much more. I hate too see a magazine play it safe and this one definitely knows how to make a statement that goes beyond clothes. at any rate, if I were to pick my all-time favorite vogue italia cover it would be the september 2012 issue with carolyn murphy. I just love everything about it, those plastic faces and the way carolyn murphy's head somehow blends in, almost camouflaged to some degree. I definitely get a stanley kubrick vibe. oddly enough, when I was in italy last september, I kept seeing this image all around rome, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. the editorial, itself, entitled face the future, portrays an inside look at a woman's search for meaning in the 21st century world. carolyn murphy looks elegant as always, but yet plasticized, hiding her past beneath the season's lastest fashions. this was definitely such a hauntingly chic cover and I love how thought provoking the whole layout was. very few magazine covers, let alone editorials, have that kind of effect, making it such a memorable issue. there are so many other great covers to talk about, as I could probably make a top 10, but I will leave it at that. congrats, again, on 25 strong years and here's to more groundbreaking issues....viva vogue italia this is what a true fashion publication should be about!

a suit for thought

lanvin spring/summer 2013

in keeping with my current black bathing suit obsession, I couldn't help but think about lanvin's spring/summer 2013 collection. this is one of my favorite collections of the season....there is so much to admire, those tuxedo silhouettes, the subtle japanese influence, and of course, I love the fact that a majority of the looks are in black. I always get excited when designers use black for summer. I know fashion critics are not huge supporters of this color for summer, but I like it when designers go by what they are feeling, and not by what other people tell them to do. it seems like alber elbaz was very much in a noir state of mind, no wonder why I approve. at any rate, this lanvin outfit, totally caught my attention. I love the way that asymmetrical black bodysuit looks with those loosely fitted trousers. there is something kind of 70's and sporty chic about it that I find so inspiring. its both casual, but still very fancy, too. interestingly, this is a look that my mom loves to do and I once read a vogue article in which kate moss said that she likes to wear a bodysuit with a pair of trousers or jeans. I have always been a huge fan of a bathing suit paired with a sleek pair of pants and this gives me more of a reason now to go for this look. its amazing how one runway ensemble can bring about so much style inspiration. I don't know about you, but I find this to be one of the most fashion forward looks of the season. its intriguing to think about how many ways you can wear and style a bathing suit. I love fashion that is both thought provoking and inspiring and this asymmetrical suit with trousers definitely has that effect!

série noire

photo by glen luchford

I am kind of bathing suit obsessed right....I think it all started when I tried that lisa marie fernandez neoprene suit on from a couple of months ago. I am always on the hunt for that perfect one piece suit. personally, I think the look is always in style and if you find the right suit chances are you will be wearing it for many summers. just this past week, I was looking back at the may 2012 issue of vogue paris and came across a really inspiring editorial entitled série noire . the translation to english is black series and the layout features model malgosia bela all dressed up in various one-piece black bathing suits. every suit is styled to perfection and I love how the editorial proves that you do not need to wear a bikini to look sexy. all a women really needs is a sleek form-fitted one piece. my favorite look was this jean-claude jitrois body hugging black suit. she looks so glam in that suit and I love her nails and the way it is adorned with that yves saint laurent jewelry. let's also not forget, those sleek black heels. vogue paris is so good at incorporating accessories and I think all those extra added elements really make this look so standout. I don't know about you, but I find this look so inspiring and exactly the kind of suit I would want to wear to the beach....its always nice to reminiscent back on innovative bathing suit editorials, this one is a noir-chic classic!

swimsuit squared

in my new swimsuit

while in santa barbara last month, my sister and I randomly walked into a swimsuit shop. immediately, I noticed a black bathing suit that totally caught my eye. what I appreciated about it, was that it was half wetsuit and half swimsuit. of course, I had to try it on and I liked the look and style of it, right away. I don't like to show off all parts of my body and I loved that it had short sleeves with a collar...just the perfect coverage! the best part about the suit is that you can change the collar with the zipper. perhaps, you might want to close it all the way like I did in my photo, but you can also change it up by moving the zipper half way for a more sexier look. I admire a suit that is versatile and this definitely fits in that category. it also goes so well with my black hat that I bought in italy last year and as you know when a suit looks good with an oversized hat its a total must buy. I also couldn't believe that this one piece was only $90. I love a suit that is both cheap and chic...its very rare to find one that is both affordable and cut well. I totally lucked out. on a side note, I am not sure why, but I felt like taking a photo a little bit inspired by beyoncé's single ladies video. naturally, it is done the sisters in black way. feel free to laugh at what I just said, but this was really such an amazing discovery and definitely one of the highlights of my summer! perhaps, the new term should be incognito-cheap-chic!

single ladies

directed by by jake nava

I know beyoncé’s single ladies video has been imitated, copied, and even parodied, but I love the look of it and I must say I think these black leotard looks could easily translate as bathing suits. I totally had this video in mind when I took my double self portrait. I always love to research music videos and I recently discovered that beyoncé’s single ladies music video was very much inspired by a bob fosse 1969 dance choreography entitled mexican breakfast...the part when beyoncé runs up the wall is supposed to be taken from that fosse choreography. I had no idea and I love finding out interesting facts like that. its always intriguing too see what people are influenced by. as of now, I am very much inspired by the visual style of bob fosse and lately I have been re-watching some of his films, so this was a surprise coincidence. bob fosse does black and white, rather well. I am currently obsessed with the art direction for his 1974 film lenny, starring dustin hoffman. I so admire the noir aspect of that film and I can certainly put that fosse connection together with beyoncé’s single ladies video. perhaps, I am going off on a fosse tangent, but I so appreciate how single ladies looks very modern, but yet so vintage, at the same time. its minimal, cutting edge, and I love those black leotards. I guess, the fashion, is part of what makes this one so appealing and fun to watch. also, that may be the reason why I had to do my own take on it...I always love a music video that has that kind of dynamic and inspiring effect, this one is iconic!

dior denim

leelee sobieski

I am a bit behind on all the recent couture collections, but I must admit sometimes I like too see what people wear to the shows better than what I see on the actual runway. perhaps, it might go both ways, just give me some interesting fashion and I will be happy. case in point, I was really amazed a couple of weeks ago when I saw this image of actress leelee sobieski rushing into the dior haute couture show in this short-sleeved denim jumpsuit. yes, you read that right...denim jumpsuit!!! I usually am very skeptical about denim, especially in the form of a jumpsuit, but this is so chic on every level. leelee sobieski looked so stunning in this ensemble and I love how she accessorized that denim jumpsuit with those printed dior andy warhol pumps. its an unlikely combination, but I think it blends well. I also like how she kept the look so streamlined and clean with that simple bun and red lipstick. there are very few actresses today that I admire in terms of personal style, but I really feel like leelee sobieski has come into her own. she really has such a great understanding of fashion and I so admire how classic, yet modern she is, with her style. I feel like other actresses should be taking notes from her. its interesting how she made me think twice about a denim dress...who knew this could work together so beautifully?!!! either way, I think this look is total perfection and I am now beginning to love the designer/muse relationship between leelee sobieski and raf simons. what a dynamic duo...this dress proves it!

inez & vinoodh

incognito chic in my prada sunnies at the gagosian gallery...



photoshoot and conversation with inez & vinoodh...an unforgettable moment!



brought my favorite inez & vinoodh vogue paris issue to the gallery....beyond amazing to have this one signed!

as you all know we love our fashion photography and when we heard that inez van lamsweerde and vinoodh matadin would be having a photo exhibit at the gagosian gallery we had to be there. I wasn't sure if they were going to attend, so this was a complete surprise. ever since I was a teenager, I have always admired their photography. they have a gift for taking such simple and natural images, but they also know how to blend the beautiful with the bizarre. there is a sense of disturbance about their photography and I love how wildly diverse each photograph is. whether commercial shoot, intimate portrait, or collaboration with m/m paris I am always inspired by what they do. the exhibit features all that I have said so naturally this was very exciting too see. as I walked in, I immediately recognized inez and vinoodh standing hand in hand together. of course, I had to go talk with them! I never shy away from talking with people that I admire and I was so glad that I decided to bring one of my favorite vogue paris publications to the event. the issue was august 2011 and inez and vinoodh did a very glamorous and over the top homage to california style. I told inez how much I loved their LA editorial and she told me it was one of her favorites, too. shortly after, vinoodh stepped in and he said how he enjoyed working on this layout, as well. they were so polite and they totally appreciated my love for fashion photography. it was such a rare moment and I was so surprised by how down to earth they were. naturally, I had them sign the magazine and I felt so honored by what they wrote. this was truly a memorable experience that does not happen very often and I am still shocked that this actually occurred. in general, it was really cool too check out their amazing retrospective, observe some style, and also take a pic with one of our favorite models, anouck lepere...we couldn't resist! hope you enjoy our pics, an unforgettable night....sisters in black, style!



sisters in sunnies...love my sister's look especially her asymmetrical hussein chalayan white button down shirt



our super stylish friend laroux....picture perfect in prada!



as you know we love our supermodels, impromptu photo moment with anouck lepere, such a natural beauty!

gagosian black

I think I may have found my doppelgänger at the gagosian gallery...totally inspired by this mysterious noir look!


love these two together....an amazing contrast of incognito black with botanical art

lots of style going on at the inez and vinoodh opening, some good and some bad, but at any rate, I was delighted to spot some interesting looks in black. not many people like to wear black in los angeles so this was an unexpected surprise. it all started when I walked in and I noticed a chic older woman dressed in a full black dress with matching pants and an oversized hat. she looked like pina bausch from the back so naturally I was very intrigued. her style was a bit yohji yamamoto mixed in with a little hedi slimane for saint laurent spring/summer 2013. I have no idea who she was, but I found her way of dressing very appealing and that black hat is perfection. after that, the noir looks kept coming my way. I happened to spot an elegant couple together in black. this woman, in particular had an amazing silhouette. I so admired her look starting from that haircut to her coat and I especially loved her heels. she totally represents my general idea of incognito chic. I also noticed some sporty chic going on at the gallery. inez and vinoodh brought their son to their show and I couldn't help but admire his adidas look. I know he is just a little kid, but I think he wears adidas in such a casual cool way! this pic of him definitely shows how adidas can work at any age all you have to do is find the right sporty chic look that complements your style. one of my favorite looks of the night was this black blazer with platform heels and wooden clutch. I never saw what this woman looked like from the front, but she kind of reminded me of designer phoebe philo from this angle. I admire how she worked her black blazer with those wooden details, quite the blend to make this look so standout. overall, these were just some of the fashions that caught my eye. it was really amazing too see so many inspiring and unique looks of all ages that night, and in black, too!


inez & vinoodh have such a stylish son....this is how to wear head to toe adidas!


a black blazer and platforms never looked so chic....also love that sculptural wooden clutch!

summer puzzle

my fruit salad jigsaw puzzle

every year, I try make a goal with myself to put together a complicated jigsaw puzzle. I usually aim for 1000 pieces or higher. this year, I decided to go with an 1000 piece fruit salad puzzle. I usually don't go for this much color, but I thought this one seemed quite suiting for summer. plus, I love to eat summer fruit. I started it in may and just this past weekend I finally completed it. putting a jigsaw puzzle together can be both time consuming, tiring, and even a bit stressful, but I love that feeling when it is all complete....especially that noise when the last piece just snaps right in. I normally don't showcase my puzzles on our blog, but I like the way this one looked in the end, especially together with my red jelly pucci sandals and my colorful pier 1 imports carpet. it is quite an unlikely combination, but I like the way all these colors blend together so accordingly! who would ever think a jigsaw puzzle could look so chic!? either way, I am happy I made the time to put it all together.....its all about patience! let's hope my next jigsaw puzzle will look just as stylish as this one!

infra

photo by richard mosse

speaking of vibrant color, I recently discovered a photographer named richard mosse and an interesting photo project of his entitled infra. the series uses obsolete military surveillance technology and a type of infrared color film called kodak aerochrome. he used this medium to investigate the ongoing conflict in the democratic republic of congo. I am unfamiliar with both kodak aerochrome and the fighting going on in the congo, so both were very interesting to me. apparently, kodak aerochrome can register a spectrum of light that goes beyond what the human eye can see and the effect is pretty incredible. all his images in the series have such strong hues in lavender, crimson, and hot pink. this was one of my favorites in the series and I don't know why, but after completing my fruit salad jigsaw puzzle this photograph somehow came to my mind. I think the crimson red tones in this pic are quite stunning and I love how it contrasts with those two men..the camouflage effect is pretty amazing, as well. very rare too see an image that is so eye-catching but yet so sad, at the same time. if you have never seen these infra photographs, I suggest you take a look. I feel like this series definitely stimulates a dialogue with photography that begins as a meditation and ends as a eulogy for a land touched by tragedy.

american beauty

since it is the 4th of july, I thought it would be appropriate to pay homage to a woman of great american style....carolyn bessette kennedy. to me she will always be the ultimate american beauty...flawless skin, a model-like body, and eyes like magic. she always carried herself in a way that went beyond clothes and she became, and will remain, a style icon. whether in a t-shirt and jeans or dressed in a yohji yamamoto suit she never looked like she was trying too hard. carolyn bessette kennedy seemed like a woman born to be photographed and I think this vanity fair september 1999 issue, very much captured all her radiance and natural beauty. I always look to these photos for style inspiration....I love how cool and aloof she appears and I think she really represents what modern style should be about it....casual elegance. I think bruce weber did an excellent job at photographing her. recently, I read a quote from bruce weber and I love the way he described her......she was so beautiful and so natural. she looked almost like a cowgirl that you would see at the rodeo. she looked like a cowgirl who accidentally got thrown in a dress. she had that charm and that grace. like a horse jumping in the air....when I look at these vanity fair pics I totally think those exact same thoughts. she was so elegant on every level and I love how many years after her death, she still looks just as current and modern as she did back in the 90's. I think these pics totally embody that concept. do take some time to reminisce back on these stunning images...this was my favorite era of vanity fair magazine and I believe this pics really capture the essence of her timeless style and alluring beauty!




photos by bruce weber

carolyn casual

carolyn bessette kennedy

if someone were to ask me to pick some images that have had a huge impact on my style, this paparazzi pic of carolyn bessette kennedy would definitely be one of them. I remember when I first saw this image back in the late 90's...I stumbled upon it in the september 1999 issue of US vogue. the publication came with an extra supplement of some of the best dressed women and inside, it featured this casual cool image of carolyn bessette kennedy walking alone in hyannis port, massachusetts. there is something about this photo that totally caught my attention. I love the whole nonchalant aspect going on. I think it has to do with the way her hair is blowing in the wind and those blue jeans with white shirt. plus, I love the way she is hiding behind those dark sunglasses. these are the kind of paparazzi images that I wish I could see more of in tabloid magazines....its all about style when taking a paparazzi shot rather than disposable fashion. I always appreciated how carolyn bessette kennedy never tried to hard with her style. she always went for clothes that were simple, streamlined, and suiting to her body. perhaps, this is a strange thing too say, but I often wonder how she should dress today. somehow, I think her style would remain the same. I bet she would still be wearing calvin klein, narciso rodriguez, and yohji yamamoto, I know these were some of her favorite designers. I might be a little fashion bonkers for thinking about CBK in 2013, but I still think of her as a total icon of style and I love how images of her from the 90's are still having an impact on my style today. this paparazzi shot will always be a classic...it is total incognito american-chic at its finest!

CBK inspired

photo by my sister

looking at that paparazzi pic of the late carolyn bessette kennedy somehow inspired me to get out my own levi's jeans and pay homage to her 90's simplicity. I have always loved that image since I first saw it back in 1999 and I totally thought to myself why not translate this CBK look to 2013. recently, my sister gave me a dries van noten white long-sleeved shirt and I decided to pair that shirt together with my levi's jeans, just too see how it would look. surprisingly, I liked the combination. I am not the biggest fan of denim jeans, but this pair is quite special. I bought them when I was 14 and I have saved them ever since, just because they have a real 90's cool sensibility about them. nowadays, it is hard for me to find a perfect pair of jeans...so many choices and styles that I get overwhelmed and give up. perhaps, that is why I always go back to black....it is my safety color. either way, I decided to add some accessories to my CBK inspired look. a simple pair of ray ban sunglasses, a movado leather watch, and some calvin klein black sandals. I am not sure if carolyn bessette kennedy even comes across in the photograph, but that paparazzi image of her will always be such an influence on my personal style. sometimes, the most random photographs can act as total style inspiration...this is definitely one of those. feel free to get out your 90's denim jeans and do the same...carolyn bessette kennedy truly represented what great american style should be about...casual-chic elegance, she will never be forgotten!