goth chic

photo by danny feser

no halloween costume this year, I just thought I would go back to black and be a little goth chic this year. after all, it comes so naturally to me. this photo was actually taken this summer in malibu, california. I meant to share this photo earlier in the year, but I thought, I would save this noir style moment for a creepy day like halloween. in case you were wondering, this pic was taken in an old monastery over looking the ocean. I was very surprised how stylish this monastery was....so naturally, I felt inspired. while walking around the monastery, I happened to notice a really beautiful meditation garden and I thought to myself....this would be perfect to take a photo loosely inspired by that vogue italia august 2008 editorial entitled silent. yes, I am strange for always having a layout in mind, but that is the way my brain works and what makes certain photo projects so special. naturally, I kept the wardrobe quite simple, as I am wearing my dior sunnies, a james perse black sweater jacket, and an american apparel black circle scarf. on a side note, I am actually using my scarf as a veil in this photo...it is very versatile, another reason why I love wearing it. this is what I pretty much wear in my everyday life, so there are no big style surprises here, but I like how that black and white setting totally completes my look. those perfectly arranged rocks and the way that cross is positioned in the center certainly adds a sense of mystery and darkness to this image. perhaps, I might even look like an italian widow. I guess that is for the viewer to decide....but however, you want to classify my look, I must say I so enjoyed styling this goth chic moment. its quite fun to play with image and I love it when I can incorporate my personal favorite photo inspirations into my everyday life. this photo shoot will always be a memorable one for me...viva goth chic!

graveyard girl

photo by steven meisel

the inspiration for my goth chic look was very much influenced by this vogue italia image from the august 2008 editorial entitled silent. this is by far, one of my all time favorite layouts and I just love how dramatic and fashion forward it is. I also love the composition of this photo and the way that model is standing in her black veil and sunnies, while holding those flowers in the middle of this cemetery. yes, this photo is melancholic, but it is still very noir chic and I definitely tried to follow the same approach at the monastery, when I was conceiving my photo. I don't know if you can see the connection between my image and this one, but in my mind I feel like there are some similar style aesthetics going on. its all about the right pair of sunnies and veil to complete this noir look and of course the right facial expression. on a side note, I so appreciate how vogue italia always knows how to find the beauty in the darkest of situations. perhaps, this is an eerie thing too say, but whenever I am in a cementary I always think of this photo. there is something so striking and haunting about it. I also must say, that I love finding beauty in the strange and unusual and turning it into something that is relatable to my life and style.....personally, that is what I think inspiring fashion editorials are meant to do...this steven meisel photograph certainly does just that, silent will always be a sisters in black frocks favorite!

valentino black

photo by deborah turbeville

I was sad to hear the news that photographer deborah turbeville had passed away this week. if you read vogue italia chances are you know of her. she had a very distinct visual style and she always created layouts that were romantic, elegant, but still very dreamlike. deborah turbevile often obscured her photos by scratching the negatives and also allowing her polaroid negatives to be lightened by the sun. there is a texture to her photos and I think if you study her images you can definitely see just that. her choice of settings also played a signature role in her work. just browse through her photo archives and you can always find an old theatre, a crumbling palazzo, a rococo apartment, or some kind of formal garden. her fascination with architecture and atmosphere certainly created such a mood to her work.

its so hard to pick a favorite image of hers, but if I had to select one that has has a personal style impact on my life it would have to be this photo from her september 2012 valentino haute couture layout for vogue italia. this was such an inspiring issue and I think she totally captured the renaissance beauty of that valentino collection and I love the way these three black frocks look against that harsh background. its a little messy, but still very elegant, with those soft noir silhouettes. to be honest, I never really cared so much for valentino, but because of this image I started to take notice of designers maria grazia chiuri and pier paolo piccolo and their design aesthetic for the legendary house. I love it when fashion photography allows me to open my eyes to something new. these black frocks are cut to perfection and I think with deborah turbeville's amazing eye it all just works together so accordingly. this image is so sisters in black, and on that note, I must share this inspiring quote by her:

I have an instinct for finding the odd location, the dismissed face, the eerie athmosphere, the oppressive mood...my muses are kafka, dostoyevsky, andrei tarkovsky, the list is endless...I like my pictures best when there is a sense of tension, an unfinished narrative,...ambiguity...in these times aesthetic taste is dismissed as irrelevant. well, I am perverse, for that very reason I'm more drawn to it than ever. I have been described as having style, of being a mannered photographer...it's some people's quarrel with my work and others' fascination.

such a perfect quote and I totally admire the way she blended film, fashion, and visual style all together...she was a total pioneer in photography and she will be greatly missed. if you are unfamiliar with her work, now, would be the time to check her out, a true inspiration!

in chairs

photo by laroux filjian

not sure how this mysterious moment happened...but I love how stylish it is. as laroux and I were leaving the nederlands dans theatre performance this past weekend, we noticed a gray stage surrounded by chairs. it was laroux's suggestion that I go sit in one of the chairs. I didn't really know what she wanted to photograph, so I just decided to act natural and let her take some photos. prior to this photo, we both discussed how stylish stage settings can be...perhaps, that is why she wanted to take some theatre-esque style photos. this was my favorite image that she took. I don't know if its my red martin margiela dress, my body language, or the way my hair looks, but I think its a very incognito chic image. I love the rows of chairs and how it contrasts with my red dress and all that drapery....it almost looks like a painting. I always think some of the best photographs happen when you least expect it and this certainly is one of those. I must thank laroux for snapping this enigmatic image. I love the angle, perspective, and the pop of color. originally, I was going to wear a black dress, but looking back at this pic, I am glad I decided to go with my red margiela dress. sometimes, a little bit of color in your wardrobe is necessary, but don't worry I have not given up on black!

floral frock

laroux in vintage scaasi

this past weekend, I went with my stylish friend laroux too see the nederlands dans theatre and of course we both got dressed up for the show. what I appreciate about laroux is that she always likes to look glam wherever she goes, even if she goes to the supermarket. so naturally, when we hang out it always becomes a photo shoot. laroux collects vintage dresses and I really liked her ensemble that she wore to the dance concert that night. I know it is not a black frock, but I think this colorful floral dress works on all levels. the styling and presentation is impeccable and in case you were wondering laroux's dress is by arnold scaasi. I was very unfamiliar with this designer, but from what I have read arnold scaasi has designed clothes for over 50 years, he mostly designs clothes for socialites, actresses, and first ladies. women like elizabeth taylor, joan crawford, brooke astor, and catherine deneuve have all been seen in his clothes. at any rate, what I loved about laroux's scaasi dress is that silhouette and the overall shape. it is cut perfectly at the waist and has the perfect pouf shape on the lower portion of the dress. I even think the floral pattern adds a cute girlish factor. laroux has a such a way of wearing vintage fashion and I think this was my favorite moment that I snapped of her at the dance concert. I love that we get too see the structure of her dress in this photo and I think it blends perfectly with that setting. there is something kind of royal about this moment and I like the body language and expression that laroux is conveying here. it almost looks like an oil painting. I must thank laroux for yet another fabulous photo moment and for informing me on designer arnold scaasi...I always love it when unexpected style inspiration occurs!

dior drapery

natalia vodianova

for some reason, I can't stop thinking about this navy blue silk ensemble. I spotted this last week on supermodel natalia vodianova at the recent christian dior spring 2014 show and I thought it looked stunning on her. I love the turtleneck and the drapery of those trousers....its simple, but cut to perfection and when you combine those two elements together, you know you have the perfect look! by far, that is what raf simons does best and I know if I saw a woman walking down the street in an outfit like this, I would totally take notice and probably ask her about it. I must admit I have not actually seen the latest dior collection, but if the clothes look as good as this, I probably should check it out! this navy blue top and pants is very sisters in black frocks approved! personally, I like it better when I am inspired off the runway...that is where the real style happens!

open back

yasmine kittles in brian lichtenberg

for some reason, I cannot stop thinking about this dress. a couple of months ago, I went to the prism gallery to see the daido moriyama photo show and while I should have been more focused on the photography my eyes were completely drawn to this little black dress. I must admit when I like what someone is wearing I will go up to them and ask them about it. I believe style should be discussed and I think it is always a nice gesture to compliment someone on what they are wearing. I think I totally interrupted her conversation, but a dress like this is a complete fashion emergency. the girl kindly told me that the dress was designed by brian lichtenberg. I did some research and found out that he is a los angeles based designer, who specializes in mens and womenswear. I just love the drapery of the dress especially on the lower portion and I love that the length is short. it is both fancy and casual and I like the way she wore her hair in a messy bun and I think those high heels are the perfect complement. in case you were wondering, the girl is actually named yasmine kittles.....she is a singer and fashion muse. after we talked, I politely asked if she would pose for me and she did. a couple of days later, I sent her this image and she loved it. this might be one of my favorite random fashion encounters just because it feels so sisters in black frocks. on a side note, I must thank yasmine kittles and brian lichtenberg for the unexpected style inspiration....I am so on the lookout now, for a similar black dress!

stay within the lines

balenciaga fall/winter 2013

speaking of black frocks with an open back, I am kind of liking this balenciaga black dress from the fall/winter 2013 collection. there is something kind of hypnotic about it with those lines and I love how elongated it looks. its futuristic, yet classic, and I like that modern combination. I must admit I still have not adjusted to alexander wang at balenciaga...how can one replace nicolas ghesquière? he has so many stellar collections and he created such an iconic balenciaga look for so many seasons. I think it is going to take some getting use to the new balenciaga. at any rate, I will say this black frock is quite stunning and I love the back details...looks very sci-fi, but still very sophisticated-chic! perhaps, if alexander wang keeps making black dresses like this, us sisters in black will be happy!

art+fashion

laroux at prism gallery

last week, my sister and I attended an art show at the prism gallery in los angeles entitled sister sara's theme. our friend laroux invited us, so naturally we knew that this art show was going to turn into a fashion photo shoot. I have featured laroux a couple of times on our blog, as her style is quite impeccable and I love that she is always camera ready. immediately, when I saw her in this outfit I felt inspired. in case you were wondering, her top and shoes are by chloé and her skirt is by azzedine alaïa. laroux has a special gift for assembling clothes together and I am always learning something new about fashion from her. its very rare to meet people like laroux, so I cherish the stylish moments we share together. this was my favorite fashion-photo moment of the night. there is so much I like about this image.....her pose, the silhouette of her azzedine alaïa skirt, and the way she blends in with that photo installation....its such an interesting combination of art with fashion and I love it when I can combine all that together. I am not sure why, but I totally thought of that steven meisel andy warhol inspired editorial from vogue italia back in 1996. I actually had this particular photo of model kylie bax in mind when I was photographing laroux....I think it was the wall color and just the concept of trying to blend a chic look with wall art. however, you want to describe it I think both are visually stimulating and I always love when unexpected style and photo inspiration like this happens....totally unplanned! thanks again to laroux for being such a fashion muse to us sisters in black...we love showcasing her amazing sense of style!


photo by steven meisel

state of emergency

fashion has a unique ability to turn dramatic events into art, which often causes controversy. personally, I respond to fashion editorials that are thought provoking and make you think not just about the clothes, but more about what is going on in the world. I know a lot of people think fashion is superficial concerning itself with only aesthetics, but I don't think that is entirely true, perhaps, it depends on the magazine you are reading. I feel like steven meisel always takes it to the next level with his editorials and recently I was looking back at his clever september 2006 layout for vogue italia entitled state of emergency. the editorial featured models hilary rhoda and iselin steiro, which displayed meisel's personal view on the escalation of security measures imposed on the US after terrorists attacks on septemnber 11th. I became interested in this layout after some random incidents in my own life dealing with the police. just in the past two months, I was falsely accused of shoplifting (for the second time) the first time was at maxfield's department store. apparently, they thought my american apparel scarf was a rick owens one...now that I look back on that, maybe I should take that as a compliment, and recently I was pulled over by the cops for having a cell phone in my hand at a red light. having the phone in my hand was not the issue at all, but the way the police harassed me by thinking I was drunk, giving me a DUI test, and then laughing at me, felt rather humiliating. sometimes, I do not understand the police and I think they like to take advantage of innocent people. either way, I do not hold a grudge, but it got me thinking about these specific pics from that vogue italia layout. of course, with the way my brain works I thought why not use these images as inspiration for a "locked up" inspired photo shoot. after all, in the end what steven meisel teaches us is that whatever unnecessary drama comes up in your life...celebrate it in style!




photos by steven meisel

cellblock sister

yes, that is me and yes, I am in prison. last month, while in san francisco my hotel featured a very real looking play set of alcatraz from the 1979 film. of course, when I saw this, I immediately thought about what it would be like to be behind bars. after all, I was accused of shoplifting, so the idea is not that far off. also, if anything....that steven meisel state of emergency editorial inspired me even more to do this. I must say sitting on that bed and touching those prison bars felt a little bit too real and even a bit isolating. I couldn't even imagine what it must be like to be in jail. when I reminisce back on these photos it almost looks like prison in iran...perhaps, it has to do with my all in black look and my serious facial expressions. hopefully, I will never have to go to prison, but in the meantime, I thought I should totally re enact the way I would like to look if I was in jail. of course, I would be in black and I hope that I would be able to keep my incognito noir sense of style. my basics for prison would be my latest paul smith sunnies, my james perse black jacket, and my american apparel circle scarf (the one that maxfield's thought I stole). I am probably ridiculous for taking these photos and for even writing about this, but I think it is important to have style wherever you go....even in the slammer!


photos by danny feser

russian rebel chic

nadezhda tolokonnikova

speaking of women in prison, if you haven't seen the hbo documentary pussy riot:a punk prayer I suggest you watch. over the past year, I have become fascinated by this band and what an impact they have made in russia and the world. if you are unfamiliar with these girls here is the story...the members of the band staged a performance in moscow's cathedral of christ and their actions were stopped by church security officials. by the evening, they had turned their church concert into a music video entitled punk prayer - mother of god, chase putin away! the girls did this as a protest against the orthodox church leader's support for vladimir putin during his election campaign. shortly after, they were all arrested and charged with hooliganism. the film follows the court cases of these girls which includes interviews with their families, but no interviews with the actual band members themselves....definitely, leaving more up to the imagination!

I know it is probably taboo for me too say this, but I found one of the girls from pussy riot extremely stylish. she is the one featured above in this pic behind bars and her name is nadezhda tolokonnikova. I don't know why, but there is something about her that reminds me of carine roitfeld. maybe its her hair or her eyes.....whatever it is, she has some russian glam going on and I find her life equally fascinating. her father tells us about her childhood and her early years as a performance artist. she seems to have been controversial from the start and I kind of admire her for always standing up for what she believes in. she even stated how didn't mind sitting in prison because it gave her more time to focus on her writing. maybe there is some truth to that....either way, as of now, she is still in jail and nobody knows when she will be released. personally, I think nadezhda tolokonnikova totally has that punk rebel spirit going on and I love looking at pictures of her behind bars....she looks so innocent! I even used her as a source of style inspiration for my prison pics. perhaps, I am bonkers for even mentioning this, but I like the glamour that she brings to the russian slammer. I do believe that style inspiration can come from the darkest of places and this is certainly one of them. at any rate, check out the documentary, if you are interested....nadezhda tolokonnikova is total russian rebel chic!

renn ready

model crystal renn

I love it when I find some style on a red carpet that is actually worth mentioning. just last week, I stumbled upon this image of model crystal renn at the new york city premiere of mademoiselle c, which took place in september, and I must say this is the best I have ever seen her look. from head to toe, I think this outfit works. its tough, cutting edge, but still so sleek and sophisticated. I have searched high and low trying to find out who designed this outfit, but have had no such luck. why are they not revealing the designer....I hate it when a chic outfit becomes a mystery! at any rate, I love the combination of that form fitted leather top pieced together with that dramatic silk skirt. its a beautiful blend and this is such a look that I would totally wear if I was going to a red carpet event. I have not paid that much attention to crystal renn's personal style before, but I think now I am going to. this has to be one of the best looks of 2013, very sisters in black frocks approved!

mademoiselle c

photo by karl largerfeld

to all our readers, please check out my latest article featured on I want to be a roitfeld. this month, I take an in-depth look at the new documentary on former vogue paris editor-in-chief, carine roitfeld. the director of the film, fabien constant gives an all-access pass into her everyday life. we get too see carine roitfeld collaborating with her team at CR Fashion Book, doing her magic at photo shoots, attending A-list parties, and even a glimpse inside her daily ballet lessons. it so rare, too see all these sides of carine roitfeld and I was intrigued by every moment of this film, as I have always wondered what her creative process is like. if you are an admirer of her unique visual style as well as her sharp fashion sense I suggest you see the film and check out my review. I know I left the theatre feeling inspired. hopefully, you will too! p.s. how incognito chic is this poster......perfection on every level!

here is the link:
http://www.iwanttobearoitfeld.com/journal/2013/10/1/mademoiselle-c-and-beyond.html