balenciaga body

photo by mariano vivanco

I don't know why, but I have been thinking about this image for awhile, now. when I originally saw this photo in muse magazine last spring, I immediately thought of herb ritts....just because I have always felt that body shots were his signature and this seems very reminiscent of his work, especially in the 90's. herb ritts had such a gift for capturing bodies whether in motion or just standing still and I love that he primarily photographed in black and white. personally, I love photographers who have the ability to grasp those kind of simple, yet stylish moments. maybe its a 90's thing, but I like classic beauty with no complication. in case you were wondering, the model behind this body is karlie kloss and she is wearing a look from the balenciaga spring/summer 2013 collection, nicolas ghesquière's last collection for the iconic label. I don't know if this outfit is very wearable, but I do think it makes for a stunning photo. I like the the idea of a molded bra top with high waisted pants....I think it works and I like the contrast of that white top with those black pants. what I appreciate most about this image is that the photo starts from the neck down. there is a sense of mystery about trying to discover who this woman is, behind the body and I think that is what makes this photograph so standout. there really is so much to be left for the imagination with this one. karlie kloss' body language says so much and I really think photographer mariano vivanco did an excellent job at capturing such an incognito chic moment. this is the ultimate body pose and I do believe that if herb ritts was alive today too see this image, I so think he would approve....brava to karlie kloss and that amazing balenciaga body!

body shot

photo by danny feser

okay so I do not have karlie kloss's body or that balenciaga molded bra top with high waisted pants, but that still won't stop me from trying to do something loosely inspired by that brilliant mariano vivanco photograph. just this past weekend on a whim, I decided to do some styling of my own and piece together my norma kamali crop top with my rick owens high waisted dramatic black skirt. in all honesty, I think the real reason for this photo was to display my calvin klein watch. I bought this watch two years ago in new york city at the calvin klein boutique on madison avenue and I love how sleek and modern it is. you wouldn't even know its a watch, which makes it that much more interesting. I would say its more like a unique piece of sculpture rather than a piece of jewelry, which is the main reason why I was so attracted to it. not many watches are like that and I find that nowadays its so hard to find that perfect watch. perhaps, people do not like watches like they use to, due to cell phones always telling you the time, but for me a one of a kind watch can totally make an outfit. in fact, whenever I am in new york city I always head to the calvin klein store, because they always seem to be very fashion forward with their jewelry. I don't know if many people know, but calvin klein is so ahead of the curve when it comes to accessories. at any rate, this photo feels very 90's to me and I am so glad that I got to do a photo that vaguely combined mariano vivanco's edge with herb ritts' 90's classicism. I don't know if all that makes logical sense, or if I actually achieved that, but its always a great feeling to take inspiration from the present and the past to create something that is all your own.

chic to chic

carine roitfeld

to all our readers, please check out my latest article for I want to be a rotifeld. this month, I take an in-depth look at a very rare interview between carine roitfeld and former bloomingdales fashion director, kal ruttenstein. if you grew up watching fashion file with tim blanks, chances are you probably know of kal ruttenstein. sadly, he passed away a couple of years ago, but I like how this feels more like a conversation than an actual interview. the two visionaries got together for this candid interview back in 2004 for bloomindgales magazine and I think this is one of the best carine roitfeld interviews, ever. lately, I have been feeling nostalgic for those early carine roitfeld days at vogue paris so I felt like this interview was an important one too share. of course, I still admire her now, but I also really cherish those beginning years when she first became editor-in-chief. this will always be a personal favorite and I love reading about carine roitfeld's creative process and of course her style tips for looking chic. if you are at all interested in the way she thinks and how she puts an outfit together I suggest you have a read. p.s. it even got carine roitfeld's stamp of approval.....have a look, for more!

here is the link:
http://www.iwanttobearoitfeld.com/journal/2014/2/13/chic-to-chic-carine-roitfeld-by-kal-ruttenstein.html

well coated

photo by nan goldin

I am always looking for that perfect black coat and for some reason when I saw this photo I immediately thought of carine roitfeld. I don't know why, but I think this outfit and pose is so her style, it almost even looks like that previous image and I could totally see her wearing this coat to a fashion show or even styling a look like this for CR fashion book. I guess you could say it is very incognito chic and I also love the contrast of that sleek black coat with those white stockings and heels. in case you were wondering, the look is by rodarte and surprisingly I think it works even though I would probably wear black heels, instead. part of what makes this image so standout has to be the texture and look of that curtain. I think it adds so much mystery and style to this photograph. on a side note, lately, I have been inspired by photographer nan goldin after stumbling upon an interesting layout that she photographed with jennifer jason leigh back in 1992 from one of my first ever issues of harper's bazaar. for some reason, after reminiscing back through that issue I decided too discover more of nan goldin's work. this editorial is actually from the fall/winter 2012 issue of grey magazine and I think it is one of the best rodarte editorials I have ever seen. I am not very up to date with rodarte's designs, but I think this layout is a brilliant combination of fashion, interior design, and style with art. if you have never seen this one I suggest you take a look. maybe I am fashion bonkers, but I could very much see carine roitfeld being inspired by this layout. I think it would be interesting if one day nan goldin shoots for CR fashion book....I think she would be perfect for the magazine, this image shows us why!

margiela love

photo by my sister

I don't want too sound materialistic, but this valentine's day I thought I would show some love for my maison martin margiela dress for h&m. I have featured this dress many times on our blog and I love how versatile it is. I remember when I first tried it on, I didn't really think it would work, due to the color, but this dress has quickly become one of my favorites. sometimes, a little color is necessary, and if it is cut right.....why not? what I really appreciate about it, is that silhouette, and the best part has to be the way that dress drapes. who knew martin margiela and h&m could do such detailed drapery and I think this has to be one of the store's best collaborations. I must admit, I haven't been too impressed with past pairings, but this one was special. at any rate, just for fun, I thought I would do a camouflaged inspired photo. recently, I was looking back through nick knight's sleep series from 2001 and for some reason that influenced me with this image. I like the idea of sleeping on the floor in a dress with dramatic drapery so I decided to blend myself with that gorgeous pier 1 imports red carpet and I think it looks like I am practically bleeding into it. I feel like the overall red camouflage effect looks quite powerful and also as an extra added element I thought it would be uplifting and light if I added some hearts. after all, its obvious my heart truly belongs to martin margiela for h&m, this picture proves it!

ralph in red

ralph lauren spring/summer 2014

speaking of red dresses, I think this ralph lauren cape dress has to be one of my favorite looks for spring. if it appears a bit familiar it is actually the same one that actress lupita nyong'o wore to the golden globes this past january. I knew when I saw this on the runway last september that someone would wear this dress on a red carpet...it has something about it that is so striking and I love that cape. there is such a beautiful fluidity and I think this is the frock that one should wear too make a grand entrance. I have always admired the drama of a cape and I know if I saw a woman wearing this look at an event I would totally do a double take. the movement of this dress is quite superb and it almost looks as if she is walking on air. I can't help but love the mood and ambience that this gown creates. on a side note, I wouldn't say this is ralph lauren's best collection, but I will say that he created some magical red dresses for spring. personally, I know I will be using this particular one as a main source of inspiration with my maison martin margiela red dress....its always a great feeling when you can take a look straight from the runway and apply it too something in your closet, this is definitely one of those times!

dress for yourself

photo by cristhian barron

for some reason, this particular question has been on my mind.....why should dressing up be reserved for special occasions only? like most girls, I have a lot of dresses in my closet that never get worn and its not because I don't like them, its simply because I don't always have the time and place to wear them. sadly, I think we all feel this way and I hate using that as an excuse, it just doesn't seem right. recently, I was reminiscing through the august 2012 issue of vogue italia and came across the steven meisel editorial entitled all dressed with nowhere to go. first of all, I think that has to be one of the most brilliant titles ever and I don't know why, but skimming through the pages, I had so many thoughts running through my head. all of a sudden I had a fashion epiphany and I realized that that I refuse too wait around, for a special day, to wear that fancy dress, anymore. case in point, I recently purchased this little black dress by alexander wang and for months I would see it just hanging in my closet. I must admit it would make me a little sad to see it just sitting there, all alone in that corner....so I thought to myself, why not put it on in the middle of the day, while I do my housework. after all, life is short, fashion is fun, and if you've got it, its not wrong to flaunt it, even if you are just doing your laundry. this alexander wang dress is rather simple, but it has the ability to be quite fancy with the right accessories. personally, I like to keep it minimal and sleek with my prada sunnies and my j. crew sandals and I think with those two blended together, it somehow becomes the ultimate in noir chic. yes, I may be a bit odd for wearing this in the house, but why not add a little style to my everyday house chores. if anything that is what I think that steven meisel is trying too say. its really such a great feeling when fashion layouts have the ability to inspire people and I think that this one leaves a lot to the imagination about how one should dress in their everyday life. perhaps, the two lessons I learned from this vogue italia editorial is that I need to take advantage of my nicer clothes in my wardrobe and of course to show how fabulous I can be, even if its just for myself....after all, there's nothing more noir chic than staying home in your best black frock, while waiting for your laundry to dry!

all dressed up with nowhere to go

okay, so in case you need to be refreshed, here are a few images from the steven meisel editorial entitled all dressed up with nowhere to go. there are more pics featured inside the layout, but these are the ones that I used as inspiration, for my photo. what I find quite interesting is that in most magazines we are so use to seeing models looking so glamorous in some party situation, but with this one, you get just the opposite. we see these models, all alone at home looking chic with their pets, dressing for themselves and nobody else. its just about the clothes and the kitchen....very domesticated-glam and I love that vogue italia is never afraid to do something a little different! personally, I think this sets an excellent message for women and of course, just to make sure I decided to ask franca sozzani about how she interpreted the editorial. she told me that its just about staying home and being beautiful and chic for yourself, even if you are alone with your dog! too many people get dressed to impress other other people. I couldn't agree with her more and I think her reply brings about many thoughts.....perhaps, the number one being that fashion should always be about wearing what feels good for you. its never about trying to please other people, but about looking your best even if its just a quiet night in with you and your dog. I don't know about you, but to me, that defines what being chic, is all about.....I so appreciate how these photos can say all that through fashion, and not words, such an insightful editorial, this one is!





photos by steven meisel