follow the lines

photo by william klein

as of now, I am totally obsessed with street photography. I don't know why, but I just find it really fascinating. no matter where I am in the world, if I find someone stylish or remotely interesting chances are I will most likely snap a photo and somehow use it as a form of fashion influence. I guess I can credit tommy ton, bill cunningham, and of course scott schuman of the sartorialist for inspiring me, but street photography really is the best kind of style inspiration. recently, I have just discovered the work of photographer william klein and I feel like he was the first photographer who started today's street style phenomenon. I think this pic definitely shows just how far ahead he was with street photography. in case you were wondering, this image was actually shot for vogue in 1960 on the streets of italy. I find the angle quite appealing and I love how it feels like I am voyeur in a staged scene. I also love the facial expressions of these two überchic women. its so in the moment and I think that quick over the shoulder glance of that woman seems quite realistic. I think the best part about this pic has to be those stripes on the sidewalk and the way their graphic black and white dresses correspond with those lines. everything about this photo works and I love how perfectly framed it is. personally, I always like it when I discover an inspiring photographer whether living or dead and I think william klein was certainly one of the first purveyors of stylized street photography. this image will always be a sartorialist classic. its simple, yet powerful, and it says so much!

stripes on stripes

stripes on the street

randomly, while in san francisco a couple of weeks ago I happened to notice this girl in a striped dress walking. I was on the second floor of a clothing store and couldn't help but gravitate towards her stripes and the corresponding street stripes. I don't know why, but she totally caught my attention and for some reason it almost reminded me of a modern day version of that william klein photograph. perhaps, it has something to do with the composition and the way those lines intersect....whatever it may be, I love that I was able to capture this moment. in the past couple of months, I have noticed that all throughout california they have repainted the sidewalks, making the streets look cleaner and the pedestrians more chic as they walk. I think this girl in the striped dress is a perfect example of that. interestingly, this month franca sozzani (editor-in-chief of vogue italia) has chosen the theme of travel and just for fun I decided to submit this photo and what do you know she chose it. it actually looks better on instagram as the resolution doesn't translate, but I think the concept is eye catching. I was a bit surprised that franca sozzani selected it, but I am glad that she saw the beauty and style of this photo. this stripes on stripes moment was really just about being at the right place at the right time and I was lucky enough to snap it. at any rate, I love it when simple moments in my life can be turned into unexpected style inspiration....who knew?

striped simplicity

jil sander spring/summer 2011

looking at that striped dress on the streets of san francisco I couldn't help but think about this frock from raf simon's brilliant spring/summer 2011 collection for jil sander. I will never forget this season and I loved how tailored yet maximal a lot of the silhouettes were, especially the dresses and skirts. that seems to be raf simon's signature and I think you can definitely see that aesthetic in his work at christian dior. I know head to toe stripes are difficult to wear as it can create extra weight, but I love how feminine this shape is. I also feel that there is a lightness to this dress...this model looks like she is floating on air rather than walking down a runway. I never saw what this dress looked like in real life, but I feel like this dress would look amazing on someone like, leelee sobieski. I could imagine her wearing her hair and makeup the same way, too. I think what I generally admire about this dress is how vibrant, yet minimal it is. raf simon's is a master at new minimalism and I feel like there is always something interesting to learn from him on how he styles clothes. perhaps, I am going off on a tangent, but I would love to photograph this dress on a striped road. I think together that would make for a beautiful combination...maybe, a future sisters in black photo project!

signature yohji

yohji yamamoto fall/winter 2013

I wish I was more in tune to what is in style this fall, but all I know is that when it comes to my favorite hat of the season it would have to be this gray one from yohji yamamoto's fall/winter 2013 collection. I love the drapery and the way it undulates. its floppy, but structured and it definitely has a distinct shape. personally, I would prefer this hat in black, but despite the grayish tone I think it is very incognito chic. I always pay attention to the accessories of a yohji yamamoto collection and I must say I think he makes the best hats. still to this day, I think about his brilliant cloud hat from his spring/summer 1999 collection. that hat will always be such a major source of style inspiration and I love looking back on that season, it totally defined 90's fashion for me. I love how on the surface yohji yamamoto's clothes look so simple, but I think when you get up close you can certainly see all the detail with drapery, cut, and silhouette. this hat from his current fall/winter 2013 definitely has all those qualities. I recently read an interesting quote from yohji yamamoto in which he said my role is to get the value of clothing back for everyone: cutting, draping, tailoring....I so appreciate the way he thinks about fashion, I couldn't agree more. he is what a true designer is all about and I wish the fashion industry had more innovator thinkers like him. at any rate, if you missed this collection or have never his iconic spring/summer 1999 collection, I suggest you take a look....both have such beautiful clothes to go with such amazing hats....viva yohji!


yohji yamamoto spring/summer 1999

take a napa

my sister in napa


mother and daughter incognito chic


in my everyday black in a grape farm


such gorgeous sunflowers and horses in napa

last week my family and I took a much needed vacation to san francisco and napa valley. we have been to san francisco many times, but this was our first time in napa valley, so naturally we were excited. we are not wine aficionados, but we enjoy a peaceful and serene setting. we were all very much amazed by the beauty of napa valley...it seems like organic fruits and vegetables are everywhere, which is so perfect since we are all vegetarians. I was astounded by all the grape farms, the beautiful sunflowers, and also the gorgeous fig trees I stumbled upon. I had no idea napa valley, grew so much, but I loved discovering all of its natural beauty. I was particularly impressed with director francis ford coppola's inglenook winery. its really cool too see all the time and money he put into his farm. I had no idea he was so passionate about napa valley and all of its history. it was really fascinating to learn about his other interests, besides filmmaking. that was by far, a major highlight of the trip. looking back, I think I have a new found respect for horticulture. the farmers in napa valley are such artists, everything is arranged so perfectly, making it such an ideal place for some photos. of course, we were all pretty much in black the whole time there, but I think we made it work in true sisters in black style. I don't know why, but when I glimpse back at our photos it feels more like tuscany than napa valley or maybe even a scene out of bernardo bertolucci's 1996 film stealing beauty. I guess that is up to the viewer to decide. either way, we had such a fun time...always love our stylish family vacations!


our mom....always so mysteriously chic behind a hat


so much organic fruit in napa...stylish and so salubrious


relaxing at inglenook winery in my turban and new paul smith sunnies


grapes grow everywhere in napa....even on the rooftops


photos by the sisters in black frocks

in vogue

featured on vogue.it

oops....I forgot to share this last week, but here is the link to check out all my beauty in wonderland images selected by vogue italia editor-in-chief, franca sozzani. please do look at all the other photographers featured, as well. it is such an honor to be included in this creative group and I really appreciate how supportive many of the other image makers have been towards me and my photography. it is really interesting how this all happened and I loved every step of it. personally, I love looking through all the photos and seeing others perspective on beauty...so inspiring, hopefully, you might feel the same!

here is the link:
http://www.vogue.it/en/magazine/daily-news/2013/09/beauty-in-wonderland-instagram-franca-sozzani#ad-image0

black on black

illustration by art spiegelman

it seems like we live in an age where people don't even remember magazine covers anymore, but I can always think of some that have left a huge impact on my life....this being one of them. I remember when I first saw this new yorker cover back in september 2001....I was completely blown away by it. yes, it is all black, my personal favorite, but there is something strikingly different about this one. the whole black and black look is mysterious, heartbreaking, but above all thought provoking. if you look closely you can see the twin towers of the world trade center hidden in there. I still find that day very hard to process and I can't even imagine what it must have felt like to be near the world trade center that morning. I think this cover perfectly captures the melancholy and darkness of that day. from what I have read the illustrator, art spiegelman, was very much inspired by ad reinhardt's black on black paintings and wanted to do something similar with the twin towers. if you look closely you can see that the north tower's antenna breaks the "W" of the magazine's title. art spiegelman wanted to capture the emptiness and loss of that day and depict the unimaginable of all that disappeared on september 11th. this cover certainly does that and so much more. personally, I think this image goes beyond words. I am not sure if many people even remember this image, but I think it is quite prolific and deserves to be recognized. who would ever think that a simple black on black cover, could imply so much? on that note, I must applaud the new yorker for always creating such smart and intriguing covers. this one will never be forgetton...beyond powerful!

beauty in wonderland

photo by my sister

in july, I was on cloud nine after franca sozzani (editor-in-chief) of vogue italia selected three of my instagram photos. I totally thought it would end there, but surprisingly it didn't. in august, franca sozzani changed the instagram theme to beauty in wonderland, which totally got my mind thinking. there are so many ways to interpret beauty in wonderland...it could be a face, a body, a flower, a sky....or pretty much anything in nature that seems dream like. there is no one category for this theme, which leaves so much for the imagination. of course, just for fun I submitted some pics and what do you know she recognized two of my images. the first one was a photo my sister took of me, back in august of 2011 of me running on the beach in a black rick owens shirt and skirt with matching parasol. this was one of my favorite photo shoots that we did. we were inspired by the idea of wearing black on the beach and I love the mystery that this photo conveys. its definitely got our signature incognito-chic, plus I love that beach setting with the ocean, sand, and my footprints. its a dark combination, but I think it somehow works. I am so honored franca sozzani liked this photo, too...I think its very much a noir version of beauty in wonderland.

the other photo franca sozzani selected was this one of me holding a macro sized butterfly. many years ago, I bought one of these life sized butterflies as they are used for decorating, preferably to hang on walls and I thought why not take this butterfly outside on my patio too see what kind of reflection I could get with the sunlight. I always love playing with sun reflection so this was quite fun to mess around with. I had no idea it would turn out the way it did, but I really liked the end result....its magical, ethereal, and a bit mysterious. I am so glad franca sozzani saw the beauty in this one, as well!

on a side note, I think the most exciting part about being selected by franca sozzani is that her favorite pics will be published in a little book that she is making for an exhibition called beauty in wonderland. words cannot describe how excited I was to find out that four of my photos would be published in a book and too also find out that I was invited to the event on the opening night. sadly, I am going to be out out of town that week and I won't be able to make it to milan, but franca told me she would send me the book. it really is such a great honor to have some of my photos recognized for the beauty in wonderland exhibit and I must thank franca for all the generous creative support she has given me. I am not sure how this all happened, but I am so grateful. I am sure milan will happen in the future, but in the meantime, more inspiring photos to come and yes, I cannot wait to get the beauty in wonderland book in the mail. grazie, franca!



me and my macro butterfly

my inspirations

photo by patrick demarchelier

I always have an image in mind when I put together a photo shoot so I thought it would be appropriate for me to share my inspirations for the two pics chosen by franca sozzani. the first, is from the september 1993 issue of harpers bazaar. I totally thought of this photo when my sister photographed me in my black rick owens ensemble on the beach. I just love the overall noir feeling, especially with that silhouette of shalom harlow holding that beach chair. of course, in my pic I was holding a parasol, but I like shape of her body in that far away distance and I think my sister did a beautiful job in trying to recreate this feeling and moment. on a side note, this was one of the first ever issues of harpers bazaar that I remember looking through as a child and I still love looking through it. such a memorable layout from 90's and I must say there is nothing more chic than wandering on a beach in something dramatic and black....so cinematic!

the second main source of inspiration comes from the olivier theyskens book entitled the other side of the picture. this was my favorite image from the book. I particularly responded to that black olivier theyskens silhouette and those life sized butterflies on the wall. as I stated in the previous post, I actually own a macro sized butterfly, so I thought I should definitely do something inspired by the shade and shadows of a butterfly in flight, especially with their wings. I am not sure if that all makes sense, but this julien claessens image was the reason I thought I should try. what is so intriguing about this photo is that this is not your typical butterfly photo we are use to seeing. it is dark, not so girlish, and those butterflies have such a gothic feeling making it so standout and stellar. of course, my image is loosely inspired by this one, but I get ideas from studying all those tiny details. at any rate, if you have never seen this book I highly suggest you look through it. photographer julien claessens has an amazing eye and I think he captures such unique moments from past olivier theyskens shows that beautifully emphasize the magnificence and ethereal beauty of his clothes...much like this one. so there you have it, my two main influences for my franca sozzani chosen pics...hope you can see the visual connections!


photo by julien claessens

madonna moment

photo by steven klein

to all our readers, check out my latest article featured on I want to be a roitfeld. this month, I take an in-depth look at the august 2004 issue of vogue paris with madonna. the interview and editorial gives you a behind the scenes look at her 2004 re-invention tour, which was photographed by steven klein and conceived by madonna. this was one of my favorite images from the layout. in case you cannot tell that is madonna in what looks like a rorschach test. I love the the expression on her face and how she almost looks like a fluttering buttery. I also love those kaleidoscope colors, it definitely adds an extra amount of pop. this might be one of my favorite steven klein photographs...it is a perfect blend of psychedelic chic mixed in with noir-glam fashion. at any rate, if you admire madonna's various re-inventions as well as the creative vision of carine roitfeld, fabien baron, and steven klein I suggest you take a look. by far, this might be one of the most iconic, inspiring, and alluring vogue paris issues ever....and yes, this one sits permanently on my desk, love looking through it!

here is the link:
http://www.iwanttobearoitfeld.com/journal/2013/9/3/vogue-paris-august-2004-madonna.html

momentous

guest editor for zak+fox

last week, my friend zak asked me to be a guest editor for his momentous photo series. right away, I said yes. I am a bit obsessed with his weekly mood boards...each week he features a guest artist and I love all the visual inspiration that I see. I don't know why, but I have always been obsessed with mood boards. I just think they are an inspiring way to assemble some visual ideas. from time to time, I like to showcase my own, so this was such a fun project to be part of. zak is actually an old friend of mine from elementary school and he runs his own textile and design company called ZAK+FOX. he designs a line of printed textiles and works on interior projects in new york city and los angeles. he really has such a great eye for style and design and I love that people get too see how talented he is. on a side note, zak and I both have a shared interest in pleats please by issey miyake so naturally as guest editor I had to feature some of my favorite issey miyake looks. I chose that famous pleats please bilbao print pattern, a pair of black harlequin pants, and also a textural issey miyake jacket. I so love the silhouette of that jacket and how it looks more like art than fashion. I decided to go with a japanese theme all done with an incognito chic sisters in black aesthetic. not sure if that all makes sense, but I think this montage really represents my sense of style. its a bit noir, mysterious, but still all blended together with an asian sensibility. I really had a blast putting it all together. I must thank zak for letting me be guest editor it was such an honor and I love how he assembled my pics and came up with this beautiful montage! please check out his interiors and all of his wonderfully unique textiles on his site.

here is the link:
http://www.zakandfox.com/

the towel turban

incognito at the spa

since it is labor day, I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate with one of the most relaxing looks that I know...a towel turban, bathrobe, and a pair of oversized sunnies. I actually took this image a couple of weeks ago at the burke williams spa. I recently hurt my knee from african dance, so I thought why not get a massage and spend some time in a meditation and eucalyptus steam room. perhaps, that may sound a bit snooty, but I think it is important to pamper yourself once in awhile. this time in particular, I felt much better, both physically and mentally. I even felt a bit style inspired once it was all done. after my treatments, I adjusted my bathrobe, wrapped my hair in a towel turban, put on my prada baroque sunnies, and quickly snapped this pic. I totally thought I would get reprimanded for taking this image, but somehow I got away with it. I always love a little unexpected style inspiration and this was definitely one of those moments. in the end, this photo op felt like a page out of the vogue italia health & beauty june 2013 issue, mixed in with a little elizabeth taylor, and perhaps, bill murray's character from sofia coppola's lost in translation, especially with that bathrobe. feel free to laugh at my obscure references, but I was pleased that I made this incognito towel turban moment happen. I love it when I can make random moments in my life seem way more glamorous than they really are. I guess that is the beauty of photography and image making. overall, I was glad I went to the spa that day....perhaps, I will bring my sister next time for a double sunnies and towel turban photo shoot....I am sure she would find the experience both stylish and enlightening, too!

chanel undercover

photo by patrick demarchelier

interestingly, when I took that self portrait at burke williams I had this patrick demarchelier image in mind, as well. this is a photo that I have recently discovered and I must say I think this look is very sisters in black. this pic is from the vogue germany december 1989 issue and I love how modern it still is. personally, I like how she is drinking that teacup and the way it covers her face to a certain point. the sunnies and black towel turban also accentuate how inconspicuosuly glam she is. I thought about using my camera phone in the same way when I was at the spa. sometimes, I think there is beauty in not showing everything and I think this photo clearly depicts that. I so admire the mystery and beauty of this image. this is a perfect example of incognito chic and I must say I would certainly take notice of this woman, if I saw her at a cafe. I don't even mind that decadent chanel jacket with pearls...somehow, I think it all works. perhaps, the key to wearing a chanel jacket is a sleek towel turban and some oversized sunnies. hmmmm....maybe now, I might look into purchasing a chanel tweed, its amazing how style inspiration works!