gothic glamour

angelina jolie

for a couple of weeks now, this black leather dress as seen on angelina jolie has been on my mind. she wore it to the los angeles premiere of her latest film maleficent and I can't seem to stop thinking about it. I usually prefer angelina jolie dressed in a suit rather than a gown, but there was something quite intriguing about the way this atelier versace frock looked on her. it definitely has that dramatic factor and I love how it drapes together almost looking like its made out of rubberized silk. I especially love the way it ruches together at the waist and of course that train.....she certainly took noir chic to the next level in this gown. I even like the way she accessorized her versace dress with that jewelry, if you can't tell she is wearing a single spiked earring and some spiked cuffs. I think it went perfectly with her pulled-back ponytail and smoky eyes. its simple, but there is still some edge to her overall look with those accessories. this is definitely a statement outfit and I think its probably one of her best red carpet looks. while I usually like seeing angelina jolie dressed in hedi slimane suits, I really think she should consider wearing more dramatic black dresses, preferably in leather, as I think it totally fits her style and I love how she took gothic glamour to the next level in this atelier versace gown, very sisters in black frocks approved!

black frock moment

noir chic on the street

speaking of black frocks, a couple of weeks ago I attended the opening of the albert oehlen exhibit at the gagosian gallery and of course I spotted a beautiful black dress on the way to the show. its funny how inspiring style moments like this happen, when you least expect it. I don't know why, but I was so entranced by the way this dress moved. it almost felt like something you would see in a olivier theyskens collection for nina ricci and possibly even rochas. I also couldn't help but be intrigued by the way this dress undulated, especially with all that dramatic black drapery. I live for noir chic moments like this and she was by far, the most stylish person at the gagosian gallery. for some reason, I tried to take a deborah turbeville vogue italia style photo of her dress in motion. I don't know if that makes sense, but I could totally see deborah turbeville loving this sartorial moment, too. either way, this image totally made my day and I do believe that this happened for a reason.....as I always love to showcase an inspiring black frock!

missoni mood

photo by my sister

happy official first day of summer, as always I felt the need to put on my summer turban. I featured my missoni turban last year on sisters in black, and this year and I am still very much inspired by it. I just love that vibrant orange color and of course the signature missoni zig zag pattern.....its color done right and probably the perfect summer accessory. at any rate, recently I was looking through david hockney's pool paintings and thought there was something kind of magical and delicate about the look of pool water. perhaps, this sounds strange, but I love too stare at pool water and the way light reflects on it. the color and texture is quite interesting and when you contrast it with something stylish like a missoni turban I think it makes for a fascinating photo. that is what I tried to do with this pic and I don't know if all that shows, but I love the way the blue water and the orange tones of my missoni turban correspond in this photo. this too me, feels like it could be a missoni ad and I like how summer-esque this feels. there is something so mesmerizing and dream-like about this unique combination and I must give a special thanks to my sister for taking this photo and for capturing my vision. I always love it when our random photo shoots turn into something unexpectedly stylish and inspiring. so on that note, happy first day of summer....am definitely in a missoni mood this season!

poolside

girl in the water

last year, I came across this incognito chic image of a girl in a swimming pool and became quite inspired by it. I don't know if its a photo or a painting, but I love the feeling it evokes. in a strange way it almost reminds me of my missoni photo shoot, except that in mine I am in a turban and in this one she has her hair flowing in the water. of course, I was very loosely inspired by this image, I mean who wouldn't be.....this is what chic summer style is all about. usually, around this time of year, I become enamored with summer moments that embody this type of feeling. I don't know why I like the summer season so much, but I do. I guess there is something stylish about wearing a one piece bathing suit and swimming in a sparkling pool.... whatever it may be, I think pool water is beautiful to photograph and I love the way the sun shines this time of year.....its all about getting the light to correspond with the water in a mystical way. at any rate, I wish I knew who took this image as I can't take my eyes off of it and I love the hypnotic feeling it conveys. for some reason, when I look at this photo, it just makes me think of the first day of summer, no surprise really.....if only all swimming in the water photographs looked this alluring!

perfumed memories

my perfumed memories montage

I don't know why I forgot to mention this before, but in april, actually on my birthday to be exact, an image I took was selected for franca sozzani's perfumed memories photo challenge. this was probably one of the most difficult challenges due to the fact that it is not easy to describe with words. franca sozzani basically summed it up using the term olfactory memory, which has to do with smells and how those memories carry us away to a different time, space, and dimension. obviously, this was a complicated one, but I like it when I have to think outside the box and I was so surprised when she actually chose my photo, due to the fact that she only selected 25. the image I took is actually of an antique chandelier in my parents beach house. this is my favorite part of the house because the ceiling has a shimmering gold leaf color and I love the way the chandelier crystals shine through. its quite cinematic and when I looked at that chandelier I immediately thought to myself that it evoked feelings related to olfactory memory. surprisingly, franca sozzani did too. just this past week, I received a published copy of my image in the mail, as well as, a written note signed by franca sozzani, herself, which was totally surreal. the nicest part was that my image was given out as complimentary gift for a vogue italia event at the accademia del profumo for the 25th edition of the international award. I still don't know what all this exactly means, but it is such an honor to be part of it. my parents were quite proud of me too, on this one, just because they have spent so much time restoring this old italian beach house from the 1920's and they always tell me, if I need to feel inspired that I should just spend some quality time there with them. apparently, they were right. as a gift, I am going to frame this chandelier image for my parents, as I think they will really appreciate it and on a side note, I must thank franca sozzani, yet again, for being so supportive. she has made me realize that my unique point of view is valid and that I should never be afraid to express how I feel creatively.....interesting, how now I am beginning to make sense of this!

white suited

white suit moment

for some reason when father's day comes around I always feel inspired to do something based around a suit. last year, I did something with my black stella mccartney suit and this year I thought I would switch things up and try a white suit. I don't actually own a white suit, but I thought I would go through my mom's closet and borrow one of hers. for the most part, she doesn't mind as I take her clothes all the time and its easy because we are the same size. at any rate, my mom has a vast assortment of white suits, but this one fit me best and what do you know, its by stella mccartney. of course, you can tell that the pants need to be ironed, but the blazer fits quite nice and I like the casual cool vibe of it all. for fun, I just thought I would style it with my white hat from banana republic to create some sort of modern miami vice incognito chic kind of look. I have no idea if that even makes sense, but I always like to play with image and I feel like in a white suit it always feels very tropical to me in a cuban or miami type of way. perhaps, it has to do with the summer feeling that the color white evokes. either way, I know my dad likes a white suit, as he owns one, so I dedicate this look to him. I know he would appreciate this photo especially with the way I work with reflection. while I had fun styling this stella mccartney suit, I think I still prefer a black suit better. I just feel a little more comfortable in a darker shade and for some reason when I wear white, I always feel like I will make it dirty. I guess there are a lot of things too worry about in a lighter color.....no wonder why I always go back to black!

lovely leelee

leelee sobieski

speaking of white suits, this is a look that I am currently into. the suit is by adam kimmel, who happens to be leelee sobieski's husband, so its no surprise why it fits her body to perfection. even though this looks rather recent, leelee sobieski actually wore this suit back in 2011 to the CFDA fashion awards. I recently stumbled upon it and for some reason I couldn't get it out of my head, as it totally inspired me to do something with a white suit. from what I have seen, adam kimmel is a menswear designer only, so this is something special he made just for her that night. I love everything about the way leelee sobieski wears this suit....the high waist, the cut of that blazer, the shirt tucked in underneath, and even her accessories. I think the brown open toed boots and the watch totally complete her look. this is what classic american chic is all about and I so believe that a look like this never goes out of style. lauren hutton dressed very similarly back in the 70s and I feel like today that way of dressing is still completely relevant. looking at this photo, I don't know why, leelee sobieski isn't featured in more fashion magazines or at least in designer campaigns as she totally has an amazing understanding of style and what I appreciate most about her is that she doesn't try too hard. she knows what works for her body, whether in dior, jil sander, or adam kimmel, and I feel like she gets it right every time. on a side note, I don't know if adam kimmel has ever thought about designing womenswear, but I feel like he should consider it, especially when it comes to designing a suit.....this look definitely shows his talent!

just like heaven

cate blanchett

a couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon this image of cate blanchett in this stunning ralph lauren one shoulder silk ivory dress and thought how it so matches perfectly with my current dramatic dress with drapery obsession. I believe cate blanchett wore this to a dinner at the windsor castle in england and I think this may be the best she has ever looked.....the word heavenly, even comes to mind. I like her best when she is minimal and polished. I also really like how the dress hangs off her shoulder like that. she looks like an angel and I think those chandelier earrings are the perfect accessory, it brings the right amount of glamour to this look without looking over the top, so much better than that giorgio armani dress she wore to the academy awards. personally, I think this dress would have been a better choice for her to win her oscar in. I don't want to be the fashion police, but this is what I call high fashion glamour. to be honest, I still haven't looked at ralph lauren's fall 2014 collection, as I am behind on all the shows, but I know this dress is from that season. I must admit, that I am still admiring his recent spring 2014 season, so many great dresses, including that red dress with cape that lupita nyong'o wore to the golden globes. ralph lauren is either hit or miss with me, and I think lately he is really understanding that fashion is all about refinement and simplicity. I really love it when he goes in that style direction and I think it shows completely with this dress!

sister in yellow frock

in my new yellow dress

don't adjust your computer screen, I know I am surprised too....the chances of me liking something in yellow seem very unlikely, but something happened last week, when I went outlet shopping with my mom and sister. of course, just for fun we walked into the max azria for bcbg store not really expecting to find anything special, but how little did I know. for some reason, I saw this yellow dress with beautiful drapery staring right at me. I thought I should just try it on for fun, too see how it would feel and I must say it was like walking on a dream. yes, I will need to alter the dress a bit, but I really like the look and feel of it. the silhouette is quite special and it reminds me of something martha graham would wear. there is something very ballet-esque about it that I so admire and I think the drapery is perhaps the best part. I also like the bright yellow color of it....normally, I would never say that, but this is the first yellow dress that I tried on that I actually approved of. when I get it altered to my liking I plan on wearing it all this summer and while it may look like a fancy dress, I plan on making it casual with my sunnies, headband, and a pair of sandals. there is no reason to save a dress like this for a black tie occasion, trust me. this was quite the unexpected fashion surprise, but I guess sometimes, you need a little change and some splash of color in your wardrobe....even if it happens to be in yellow, who knew!???

versace moment

versace spring/summer 2001

perhaps, what I love most about my new yellow dress is that it reminds me so much of one of my favorite versace collections. I have a soft spot for versace especially in the early 2000's.....I just thought donatella was designing such gorgeously draped feminine dresses that I could easily see myself wearing. case in point, the versace spring/summer 2001 collection. so many great gowns and bathing suits from this season and I love that clingy jersey material that donatella used for practically all of the looks. the collection is dramatic, but completely wearable and I could very much see my yellow dress being part of this season. immediately, when I tried on my yellow dress I thought of gisele in this black asymmetrical jersey dress, strutting down the catwalk. this was my favorite look from this collection. I know my dress is yellow, but there are some similarities in the way both our dresses move and undulate. I wish I could have found a better image, but I think when you see this dress move down the runway and my dress in action, you can certainly see that connecting fluidity. its a strange correlation to make, but that is the way my style brain works. if you are unfamiliar with this particular versace collection, I suggest you take a look back, as I think its one of her bests. I know most people associate versace with decadence and over the top glamour, but I disagree.....I think versace can actually be quite refined and simple if you know how to style it right. I always thought carolyn bessette was a perfect example of how to wear versace in a minimal and elegant way. I think it was because of carolyn bessette that my mind was changed about versace....she took it to a whole new fashion level that totally inspired me with my style!

summer pleasures

photo by roe ethridge

to all our readers, please check out my latest article featured on I want to be a coppola. if you didn't know this, last month sofia coppola was the guest editor for w magazine and a special supplement of the magazine entitled summer pleasures. I was quite amazed and inspired by this issue...it almost felt as brilliant as when she was guest editor for vogue paris back in january 2005. I don't usually say this about many magazines as it seems like many publications are not as good as they use to be, but this one revitalized me. sofia coppola not only shares her favorite things for summer, but also includes the people that inspire her ....including marisa berenson, kirsten dunst, and even her photographer teacher and mentor from college, paul jasmin in a beautiful photoshoot with asia chow. there are so many stunning layouts in the issue, but this one entitled more is more, photographed in the home of cornelia guest is one of my favorites. I love the way model hilary rhoda looks in that louis vuitton black bathing suit and the way it contrasts with that floral couch and painting. its decadent, but still minimal and I can definitely see that sofia coppola style we all appreciate and admire in this photo. of course, this is just one of the editorials featured in my review, but if you like sofia coppola's attention to detail and her sharp eye as she conveys in her films then you should definitely check out my review and this w magazine supplement. indeed, summer pleasures is the correct title to describe this inspiring issue!

here is the link:
http://www.iwanttobeacoppola.com/journal/2014/5/27/summer-pleasures-by-sofia-coppola.html

giovanni cozzi

photo by giovanni cozzi

about two weeks ago, I heard about the death of photographer giovanni cozzi. I must admit I was a fan of his work, but I didn't exactly know the name behind the photos. he also worked quite frequently with one of my favorite models from the 90's, ines sastre. he had a gift for photographing women and I almost thought there was something quite painterly about his work. personally, that is what made his photography so stand out, to me. a friend of mine, who happens to be an amazing photographer, suggested I look back through his body of work, in case I missed some inspiring images and he was right. somehow, I stumbled upon this image and became totally intrigued by it. if you have read my blog in the past couple of weeks, you will know that I am completely turban and head wrapped obsessed and this photo totally fits in with the look that I am currently feeling. I love how she almost looks like an italian renaissance painting. the way her head wrap drapes over her hair and the texture of her silk towel is just so striking. somehow, I feel like taking some style inspiration from this.....its just that stunning. indeed, I am sad to know that giovanni cozzi has passed away, but I feel like his work will live on and continue to inspire. this photo in particular, was such a rare gem to find and I do love it when something unexpectedly exquisite somehow gives me some style and photo ideas....a special thanks to my friend giorgio, for reminding me of his work!