like mother, like daughter

photo by danny feser

happy birthday to our ever so stylish mom, bella! for years I have asked her to model on sisters in black, but she has been too shy too, until now. about two months ago, my mom and I happen to be browsing at the mall when we wandered into bcbg for max azria and found this black kaftan, staring right at us. immediately, we looked at each other and thought about that amazing black kaftan I tried on at maxfields by the row back in 2010. if you read our blog, you will know that I have had so many regrets about not buying that kaftan as the look and feel of it was pretty incredible, the only issue was the price and it needed a lot of tailoring. my mom and I have a love/hate relationship with bcbg, as they know how to make good designer knock offs, but sometimes the cut and shape is not so perfect. despite all that, we both tried this kaftan on and loved it. of course, we did a little tailoring to get the dress of our dreams and we both removed the belt to get that casual chic look that was done so effortlessly, by the row. in addition, my mom even hemmed her dress a little bit shorter to accentuate the silhouette. in the end, after our dresses were finished I demanded that she take this photo with me. I know at my age its not normal to dress like your mom, but I don't follow those kind of fashion rules. my mom has always inspired me with her dark sense of fashion and I love how we can wear the same dress, but style it to our sensibilities. I don't know many moms who have such a great understanding of fashion and style and I really admire and appreciate that about our mom. at any rate, I know you can't see the full dress as this is a side angle shot, but I love all the drapery that both of our dresses convey. I also love the fluidity and the way our dresses move, its really quite ethereal. I hope to do more photo shoots with our mom in the future, as she clearly knows what noir chic style is all about.....love her for always inspiring us!

hasidic chic

hasidic men on the street

this month, franca sozzani's current photo challenge is entitled #blackandwhite. naturally, I submitted some photos, but I didn't think any of my photos would be selected when I saw what other people were submitting. plus, I don't really consider myself a photographer, just an observer of style. I always love it when I can find an inspiring sartorial shot......it really makes my day. at any rate, a couple of months ago, on a quiet saturday night, I happened to find myself walking on la brea. this is one of my favorite streets in los angeles....good shopping, unique art galleries, and of course, there is a stylish hasidic scene. I don't really care for the women, but the men I find so stylish. on saturdays, hasidic men walk everywhere, so the chances of getting an interesting photo can happen at any moment. for the most part, I usually photograph hasidic men in the day, so this was an usual project for me to try and do as it was dark and a little windy that night. I decided not to use a flash, so I wouldn't get caught photographing them and thought it would be interesting to play with blur, dark tones, and of course, their fashion. in the end, I like that these two hasidic men have no faces and that they are just bodies in black walking on the street against a brick wall. plus, I like the way their black hats pop out in this photo....it adds a little bit of dimension. at any rate, this was a total sartorial experiment and I am completely honored that franca sozzani recognized this one for her black and white theme....who knew! for years, I have always admired the way hasidic men dress and I didn't know if other people felt the same, but I am glad to know that franca sozzani gets it. this just proves that beauty is all around us and that noir chic style comes from all cultures and religions.

the leiter look

photo by saul leiter

so I must admit, the inspiration for my hasidic blurred out moment on the street, came from observing the work of photographer saul leiter. in case you are unfamiliar, he was an american photographer and painter whose early work in the 1940s and 1950s was an important contribution to what became known as the new york school. his street photography was quite remarkable and he even took some gorgeous fashion pics of model jean shrimpton back in 1966, but this one entitled hats from 1948, will always be my favorite. personally, I think its such a great in the moment photograph and I love the way those black hats seem to correspond with each other. perhaps, the best part is that I highly doubt that this photo was planned, making it all that more interesting. plus, I love that man's sunnies, as well...very noir chic. it definitely has a new york cool vintage vibe about it and I couldn't help, but have this one in mind when I saw those hasidic men with their hats, walk down the street. of course, its not an exact replicate, but I love it when I can take photos that inspire me and incorporate it with my style. on a side note, if you don't know about saul leiter certainly take a look back at his photos....as of now, he is one of my current favorite street photographers, so much style within each image!

habit forming

rick owens spring/summer 2009

I must thank one of our favorite blogger friends pret a porter, for reminding me of rick owens spring/summer 2009 collection. for some reason, I thought this look fit so perfectly with my recent nun inspiration from the pawel pawlikowski film ida. now that I look back on it, I guess this wasn't rick owens' most well received collection, due to the trash bag wrapped footwear, but despite all that, I liked a lot of the looks from this season and of course, those black habits. more specifically, I liked the way mariacarla boscono looked in this black habit. it doesn't even feel very religious to me, it actually feels more sporty noir chic, and is it wrong too say that I would actually wear this look. I think its great how rick owens incorporates elements of a nun's wardrobe into something that is more his style. it actually looks very practical, even comfortable, and with a little styling, I think this can be a very chic accessory. I've seen rick owens' wife, michele lamy wear this habit look, and I think she totally pulls it off. she knows that the key is to keep it simple with a black ensemble and some eye catching jewelry......of course, michele lamy's gold teeth are optional. at any rate, I applaud any woman who would consider wearing a rick owens habit. I think its way fashion forward and I am totally putting this on my style wish list. thanks again to pret a porter for mentioning this collection.....your sharp eye and acute knowledge of fashion history always inspires us!

ida

ida (2014)

last week, on a whim, I went alone too see a polish film entitled ida, and I must say it was one of the most stylish films I have seen in awhile. I don't really discuss that much film on my blog, but when I do, its because I find myself inspired. in case you don't know the storyline, here it is. the film takes place in poland around 1962. anna is an eighteen-year-old woman, preparing to become a nun at the convent where she has lived since orphaned as a child. while at the convent, she learns that she has an aunt that she must visit before taking her vows. her aunt, she learns, is not only a former hard-core communist state prosecutor known for sentencing priests and others to death, but is also jewish. anna learns from her aunt that she too is jewish and that her real name is ida. this news sets anna, now ida, on a road trip to uncover her roots and to confront the truth about her family. together, these two women go on a journey of discovery of each other and their past. ida has to choose between her birth identity and the religion that saved her from the annihilations of the nazi occupation of poland and her aunt must confront decisions that she made during the war.

ida is an amazing character study and I also felt some personal connections to this film. as I know of someone, who was hidden in a convent during the nazi occupation. of course, his life turned out much different, but it is fascinating too see a film like this and the choices one has to make. despite the plot line, what I also loved about the film was the visual style and art direction. the film is shot in black and white and each scene feels like a photograph, especially the scenes in the convent. ida, too, also has an interesting way of dressing. I liked her nun headscarf and also the scene where she abandoned her nun look and we get too see her in a form fitting black dress. I could probably talk all day about certain scenes from the film, as it truly was a stunning film to watch and too see a story like this told on the screen. I think director pawel pawlikowski did an excellent job at directing this film and if you love noir chic cinematography, I highly suggest you check this one out....you might find yourself surprisingly inspired, like, myself!


this scene was remarkable I love the way ida and her love interest contrast with that iron gate....
superb art direction!



I couldn't help but think of vogue italia's august 2008 silent editorial in this scene.....it just had so
many noir chic similarities!



a different side of ida all dolled up dancing with her love interest...this moment was beautifully captured
and john coltrane's song naima was also used beautifully in this scene!

silent

photo by steven meisel

for some reason, while watching ida, I couldn't help but think of this steven meisel image from the vogue italia silent editorial from august 2008. I always think of this layout just because I have never seen women in such pain look so chic at a funeral before. I know ida's storyline has nothing to do with this steven meisel editorial, but I think the visual style and art direction, is quite similar. perhaps, its the way these models are dressed that made me think of the character, ida. the headscarves in particular, totally reminded me of her style. I don't know why, but I can totally see some connections between this layout and the film and I love it when cinema and makes me think of past fashion layouts that have had a huge impact on my way of dressing. if you have never this seen silent editorial, I highly suggest you take a look back. its probably one of vogue italia's most controversial and thought provoking layouts, but for the most part I think it takes noir chic style to the next level and that is probably why I always have this editorial on my mind....it certainly puts the fun in funeral!

she cannes

sharon stone

with the cannes film festival starting this week, I thought I would take a look back at one of my favorite red carpet cannes looks from 2009. a couple of months ago, I promised to feature more of sharon stone's amazing personal style and this is just one moment, that is at the top of my list. after doing a little research, I found out that sharon stone is wearing a balmain fall 2009 black mini dress with train to the inglourious basterds premiere and I can't help but admire the way that dress fits to her body. I love it when sharon stone wears something dramatic in black and this totally takes noir chic to the next level. perhaps, the best part about this photo is the angle in which it is taken. I think that aerial view is quite perfect and I love the way she is sweeping her train to show off the mini portion of her dress and her amazing legs. sharon stone always brings such glamour to the red carpet and brava to her for being in her 50's and still looking this great. she proves that every woman no matter how old can look elegant in black. this is by far, such a sisters in black cannes film festival red carpet moment and we applaud her for making this black dress look so standout and anything but ordinary. sharon stone in this balmain gown is a perfect example of why a black dress can never be boring. hopefully, we will be seeing a lot of noir chic a la sharon stone this year at cannes....this is truly what the red carpet was meant for!

bringing up baby

photo by patrick demarchelier

for mother's day, this year, I thought I would take some style inspiration from cindy crawford and photographer patrick demarchelier. a couple of months ago, I stumbled upon this image of cindy crawford in an decorative one piece bathing suit pushing a baby carriage. I can't tell if this photo was taken in europe or downtown manhattan, but wherever it was photographed I just love how how incongruous it is. I like the idea of a mother pushing a baby carriage in a bathing suit. I mean I have never seen a mom actually do this, but this photo takes motherhood to a whole new style level. its total fashion fantasy and I think that is what makes this image so stand out. in addition, I love how she looks with her body in motion as she is pushing the carriage. plus, I think the way her hair covers her face just adds to the whole mystery of this photo. its also interesting the way the strangers on the street are looking at her. she seems to be unaware and more focused on getting where she needs to go, bathing suit with baby and all. I think cindy crawford looks quite sleek in that swimsuit and I love that sexy leg moment. her body looks incredible like the way a real supermodel should look. I know this isn't the typical mother's day photo, as mom's pushing baby carriages are usually wearing more clothes, but I like it when something unexpected like this serves as style inspiration. cindy crawford in the 90's was such an amazing time in fashion and I could probably do a whole segment about how she has influenced me when she hosted mtv's house of style, but I will save that for another post. in the meantime, a mother and baby carriage never looked so incognito chic. of course, as you know, this is giving me some ideas!

mommy noir chic

photo by danny feser

okay so after looking at that ultra glam photo of cindy crawford I thought I would take out my play baby carriage from my childhood that my mom still has to this day and do an homage to that patrick demarchelier photo. I mean why not.....I always like to do something unique and thought provoking for mother's day. of course, I didn't want to copy the image exactly, but I just thought I would take elements of it, but still make it my own. the styling was quite easy for this photo....I just put on my one piece black bathing suit that I found in santa barbara last year and accessorized the suit with my oliver peoples sunnies and a thick black headband. the high heels are by isaac mizrahi and I just thought all together I could look like an aquatic incognito chic mom on the go. I think there is something about my look that also seems very 90's. maybe its the sunnies with that thick headband....it just seems very vogue italia 1992 to me. I have no idea if that even makes sense, but I think if you look back at ellen von unwerth's black and white photos for vogue italia back in the 90's, you can see a connection. I know I am no cindy crawford, but I just felt inspired to do this and perhaps the best part about this photo is that my mom highly approves of this look. so on that note, I dedicate this photo to my gorgeous and stylish mom and I don't know why, but somehow I could see my mom pushing me around in a baby carriage in a sleek black bathing suit and some sunnies like this during the summer months back when I was a baby. she's just that kind of a mom....love her for that and for always teaching me the style rules on how to be noir chic....she's the best!

in vogue

my photos in vogue italia

last week, I picked up a copy of the vogue italia april issue and with the magazine came a special casa vogue supplement. I always love that vogue italia comes with bonus material. surprisingly, while looking through the extra casa vogue supplement I happened to notice that two of my photos were featured inside. I believe a couple of months ago, I mentioned that franca sozzani selected some photographs of mine, for her traveling theme. perhaps, the most exciting part about this challenge was that, if your photos were selected they would be featured on suitcases, by the italian luggage company called carpisa, which would be on display for milan design week. the event actually took place in the beginning of april. I was completely shocked to be one of the 37 picked, but it really was a complete honor. I think the most exciting part about this whole experience, was too see my name with my photos actually printed in vogue italia. I still haven't quite processed this....as it all seems so surreal.

on a side note, I must make a confession, when I was eighteen years old I told myself that I would somehow get in vogue. I didn't know how it would happen, but I just thought there must be someway to get in the magazine. its nice to know that 11 years later, my dream finally came true. never in a million years, would I think my photography would be featured in vogue italia, but it just proves that you should never stop dreaming and always try to do something unique and creative because you never know who could be watching. I wish I could say I planned this all out, but I really didn't, its all just total coincidence and luck. I must thank franca sozzani and vogue italia again for the recognition. I guess I can say that I am now officially in vogue....who knew!

laroussian style

signature laroux

its been forever since I last saw my friend laroux, as she has been traveling the world, so it was nice to catch up with her and to hear about her first time attending paris fall 2014 fashion week. she had so many stories to tell, including meeting miuccia prada, vivienne westwood, azzedine alaïa, and these were just some of the inspiring designers that she met along the way. what's so great about laroux is that she has such a great understanding and appreciation for fashion and the arts. she knows what real style is all about and I so enjoy our conversations because it always leads to some new discovery and revelations about all things creative. the interesting part about our friendship is that everywhere we go we always tend to make a photoshoot. last weekend, we attended at book signing at the bookmarc store and for fun we decided to take some style pics. I took so many, but this moment really stood out for me. I don't know how laroux mix and matches prints so well, but I find it rather inspiring, since my wardrobe tends to be all black. I don't think I could ever blend patterns, like her, but I like to photograph her and capture all the style that she exudes. in case you were wondering about her ensemble.....here are the details. let's start with the boots....these are from the miu miu spring 2014 collection and I love how 60's mod they look on her. they are limited edition and I don't know many girls who can get away with these boots, but she totally makes them work, in a way that is all her own. with her boots she is wearing skinny jeans by genetic. I think her jeans really make those boots stand out. she is also wearing a python elision print coat by chloe and underneath her coat she is wearing a vintage blouse and navy yves saint laurent purse belt. I think its quite extraordinary the way she combines all these prints together. laroux could be straight out of a prada campaign...even the pose seems very editorial. perhaps, the best part about her look are her celine sunnies. I was with her when she bought them in new york city a couple of years ago, and I love that she is still wearing them today....I think her version of incognito chic is quite fab and I was so happy to capture this moment.

on a side note, as we all know laroux is one fashion forward lady and I would love for all our sisters in black readers to check out her blog, as she totally takes style to a whole new level. I was so honored to be featured on her blog and for her to post some of the pics that I took of her, this past weekend. if you love style and all things creative then do check out laroux's site, a true style icon and visionary she is!

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