manolo shadow

in my shadow

its always important for me to try and stay creative, but it can be quite the challenge, especially when I am busy with work and other things that go on in everyday life. I was quite surprised about what happened this long holiday weekend. just for fun, I decided to wear my new manolo blahnik heels and black h&m dress around the house and for some reason it turned into quite the style inspiration. immediately, I noticed my silhouette in the sunlight and loved the way my dress and heels blended together. I looked very elongated and somewhat elegant in the light and decided to snap the moment. I can't really pin point exactly how this all happened, but it truly was the highlight of my weekend. of course, as just a color image, it didn't look that great, but once I enhanced the photo and made it black and white, the look and composition completely changed into something quite striking. lately, I have been quite obsessed with bold contrasts, so I knew I wanted to do something that involved those two elements. I was quite pleased by how this all came together, as it was very much unplanned, but now I have come to the realization that maybe the most magical moments in photography, happen when you least expect it. perhaps, I need to spend more time wandering around in my manolo blahniks, more often.....who knows what kind of style inspiration could happen next?!!

stark contrasts

photo by mario giacomelli

the inspiration for my manolo shadow image came from italian photographer mario giacomelli. lately, I have been really inspired by his black and white photography. he died in 2000, but I love the way he worked with bold compositions and stark contrasts. I don't know why, but looking at his images, somehow influenced me to do something with intense black and minimal white tones. he was definitely the main inspiration behind me photographing my manolo blahniks and h&m dress. I think bold contrasts can be so magnificent in photography, especially when it is done in a subdued manner. I don't know if you can actually see the connection between my image and his, but in my mind, it makes logical sense. at any rate, this is the mario giacomelli image that I am currently in awe of. the photo is titled Io non ho mani che mi accarezzino il volto which translates as I have no hands that caress my face. there is something so eye catching about this photo especially those striking black outifits and the way it contrasts with that white background. I also love how yohji yamamoto this photo is. for some reason, I could totally see him using this photo as inspiration for a collection. I don't know if he has seen this image, but I feel it certainly represents his sense of style. those black jacket silhouettes and the way they move seem very yohji yamomoto, to me. at any rate, if you are unfamiliar with mario giacomelli I suggest taking a look through his body of work. I really appreciate the way he incorporated italian neo-realism with noir chic fashion into his photography. he was quite the visionary and I feel so glad to take an image of his and interpret it into something of my own style.

demeulemeester dress

photo by danny feser

happy black friday! as always, I like to showcase a black frock on this day. I don't know why I have waited six months to actually post this photo, but ever since june of this year I have been wearing this black ann demeulemeester dress non stop. how I got this dress was quite the sudden surprise. earlier this year, my sister was given a bag of clothes by her friends mom, who happens to be one of the most stylish women I know. she regularly shops at maison martin margiela and loves to wear black, just like us sisters. I didn't really know what to expect when looking through this bag of clothes, but a dramatic black dress caught my eye. immediately, I tried it on and went to noir chic heaven. I loved the drapery and the way it fit my body......almost like a glove. right away, I thanked my sister and her friend's mom for this lovely surprise. ann demeulemeester is one of those designers that I have admired for years, am such a fan of the antwerp six, which she is part of.....to me, she is the queen of black and with this dress I feel quite special. of course, I had to do a little alteration with the dress as it was a bit too long, but I took this photo so that you could see the amazing drapery that it has. just look at the bottom portion of the dress and you can see just that. not only is this black dress beautiful too stare at, but it is also very comfortable. I could easily sleep in it, as the picture shows. I had many inspirations for this photo, as I will discuss, but I just wanted to show a visual. by far, one of my favorite black frocks of all time....I feel so lucky to have this noir chic piece in my wardrobe and I am so glad to finally share this dress, long overdue!

body talk

photo by michael comte

when I took that photo in my ann demeulemeester black dress I had two images in mind. first, came from a vogue italia editorial with gisele bündchen photographed by michael comte from 1999. I just love the body language she is giving to the camera. she expresses so much with this pose and the way her black dress and hair flow in this photo. even though I am lying on the floor I wanted to embody the spirit of this photo. lately, I have been admiring gisele in editorials, she really knows how to move her body in such an elegant and dynamic way. I also took inspiration from dancer and choreographer pina bausch. its no surprise really, as I always reference her. personally, its not so much about her choreography but more about the role fashion plays in her dance productions. this is an image I recently stumbled upon and I just love the way her silk dress undulates.....this is so reminiscent of my ann demeulemeester dress, so naturally, I wanted to take a little something from this glorious image, as well. I am very much inspired by drapery and the way it falls on the body and I feel like with these two images, you can see just that. gorgeous fabric to go with such powerful body expressions.....exactly, what comes to mind when I put on my ann demeulemeester black dress. its fascinating how style inspiration works.....am always taking from something, but still interpreting it to make it my own!


a pina bausch dancer

dylan for dad

photo by barry feinstein

happy birthday to our dad.....otherwise, known as the noir chic father in black. every year around his birthday, I am always reminded of photographer barry feinstein and his bob dylan photo series from 1966 when he traveled with him on tour throughout england and ireland. for some reason, my dad's style makes me think of bob dylan especially during this time in his life. my dad has always been a style icon to me.....growing up, I always knew he had individual style when he use to drop me off at school in his black mercedes convertible and matching black leather jacket. other dad's wore suits, but my dad was always noir chic in black. he definitely was and still is in his own category of style and I so appreciate and admire that about him. I don't know why, but I think my dad and bob dylan have something very similar.....perhaps, its the sunnies, the all in black look, or maybe just the nonchalant cool attitude that makes me think of him. whatever, it may be, they have something in common and I think my dad sees some style connections too, even though he's too shy to admit it. a couple of years ago, I showed my dad some of barry feinstein's photography and he very much liked his work. surprisingly, he was unfamiliar with his photography. my dad is very hard to please and he doesn't necessarily love all the photography and fashion I like, but he very much approved of barry feinstein's work. all his photos tend to be in black and white and I love how in the moment all his photos tend to be. this is one of my favorite barry feinstein images just because I love how noir chic it is. this is street photography at its finest and even though its just bob dylan walking down the street, I feel like it could be have been my dad back in the day. I will have to find a picture of my dad to show some style comparisons, but in the meantime, I just love the overall street cool style of this photo. my dad definitely sees it, too. my dream is to one day, own one of his photos and possibly get it as a gift to my dad. fingers crossed that I could get my hands on one of these in real life. till then, I will just look through some barry feinstein books for some noir chic street style inspiration. definitely, check out his photography if you are unfamiliar.....he passed away in 2011, but I think he was one of the most inspiring american photographers of his time!

desperate living

all this week, I have been feeling grey gardens inspired and for some reason it made me think about vogue italia's desperate living editorial from the november 2013 issue. about a year ago, before I bought the issue, I saw vogue.it made a video displaying what this layout was all about. each month, the magazine tends to make short films about the issue, to perhaps make the reader want to go out and buy the magazine, but I must say the desperate living video was one of their bests. I was very much intrigued and inspired just because it showed a girl with a love of style who perhaps suffered from agoraphobia. not something you see everyday in fashion editorials. at any rate, I could definitely see elements of grey gardens in there, with the head scarves, winter coats and the accessories, but I think what I loved most was how sad it was. I love how vogue italia is not afraid to take risks and I so appreciate how this editorial blended depression with high fashion. its obvious that an amazing wardrobe won't equal happiness, but I love that this editorial makes you think about this girl and the life she is living. such a haunting editorial that is definitely thought provoking. these are just a couple of the images I liked from the layout and I love the way model ashleigh good is adorned.....very italian chic and so brilliantly styled by marie-amelié sauvé. if you have never seen this editorial I highly suggest looking back on it, especially if you love the grey gardens look. this is one of those vogue italia issues that leaves a lasting impression in your head....I know this one did just that to me and surprisingly, a year later I am still thinking about it!





photos by steven meisel

grey gardens glam

photo by my sister

there's always a hat for every occasion....earlier this summer, I walked by a camping store and noticed a hat in the window. for some reason, I did a double take because it not only had an interesting brim, but it had drapery attached to the sides making it so much more dramatic and perfect for the sun. I must admit there is something about my style that is very grey gardens, these days. it must be the way I like to hide behind hats, veils, and excess fabric. personally, I think its always best to remain a little mysterious and if grey gardens taught me anything I think that was the most important fashion lesson from the documentary. I would like to think that other style observers felt the same way about the film. at any rate, as soon as I tried the hat with my oliver peoples sunnies I knew I found the perfect incognito chic look. the hat is by etsis, and their motto is escaping the sun in style, which I think is a perfect description for their label. I actually took this photo in the summer, but now that it is colder I can wear it to its full potential....as the fabric is a little too heavy for the summertime. on a side note, now that I think of it, I think this photo does feel a bit grey gardens....a big thanks to my sister for capturing this moment! by far, my favorite hat for the current fall/winter season!

ck classic

christy turlington in calvin klein

I must admit while I had grey gardens on mind with my latest hat photo I also thought of this image, as well. in case you cannot tell, that is christy turlington behind the scarf and sunnies. this photo is actually from the march 1989 issue of US Vogue and I love how in 2014 it still looks just as modern. I guess you could say that this photo proves that incognito chic is a look that never goes out of style. personally, there is so much about this ensemble that I find so inspiring. I love the long black blazer paired with that white button down shirt and those loosely fitted pants. this is a true representation of comfy chic and I think with the added accessories of her scarf and sunnies it totally completes the look. this is the calvin klein that I grew up admiring and taking style inspiration from and while I still like what francisco costa does today, I will always miss the original calvin klein, nobody could do cutting edge minimalism, quite like him. on a side note, I must say I feel like this look very feels phoebe philo for céline.....I don't know why, but for some reason, I could totally see her having this image on her mood board. definite incognito chic, done right....don't you think?

bold turban

a white blouse by michael kors with poet's sleeves to go with her black turban.....naturally!


a black balenciaga suit and turban....major noir chic in mexico city!

for the past year, I have been totally inspired by the wall street journal magazine. each month, seems to feature interesting layouts and interviews that I can't get enough of. its actually quite difficult to find this magazine, as you have to be a subscriber to the newspaper, but if you are ever able to get a copy of the magazine I highly suggest you look through it. each month it varies, sometimes they will put a celebrity on the cover, but I also like that they put models, as well. I was even quite inspired by last years men's issue, with tom ford on the cover and many of the menswear editorials. it actually felt quite relatable to my style, for some reason. last month's issue, entitled incredible journeys caught my eye immediately. first of all, the cover featured model emily diDonato in a black balenciaga top and trousers paired with a black turban. as we all know, I love a turban and not just for the summertime, but for the colder months, too. I feel like its a look for all seasons. immediately, I was drawn to this layout, which was shot in mexico city, by a photographer I am unfamiliar with, named angelo pennetta. I love how minimal her wardrobe is and the way it contrasts with all those vibrant backgrounds. this is a mexico city, that I have never seen and I like how exotic it all appears to be. perhaps, the most inspiring part is that with every outfit she still has that sleek black turban on.....the perfect accessory, if you ask me! for the past month, I have been totally influenced by this layout as I love all the background textures and the way it somehow coordinates with the model's wardrobe....brilliant styling, indeed! if you haven't checked out the wall street journal magazine, I highly recommend browsing through it. each month, is always something new and interesting. not to be negative, but I can't say that about many fashion magazines these days....of course, there are some exceptions!


fluid and graceful.....love the silhouette of that céline dress, perfect with a black turban



visual stimuli....love the way her hermès blouse and lanvin pants contrasts with that colorful background


photos by angelo pennetta

manolo moment

photo by my sister

last weekend, I did the unimaginable and bought myself my first pair of high heels....manolo blahniks, to be exact. for years, I have been saying I am going to buy a pair of heels, but for some reason, I have always put it off. I guess because I find myself always in tennis shoes, as it goes so perfectly with my work schedule and dance life. at any rate, on a saturday night, my sister and I found ourselves wandering through barneys new york and what do you know there were these striking black manolo blahniks staring right at me. of course, I just had to try them on too see how they would look and what do you know I felt like a found a pair that totally went with my style. you cannot see how high the heel is, but it is rather high. personally, the best part about them, has to be the front of the shoe. I love the pointy tip and the black strap across them. to me, they have a 90's feel to them, very minimal, but cutting edge with the height and overall style. coincidentally, that night I wore my new black dress from american apparel and for some reason my heels blended so well with it. I knew that when trying these heels on, they would go with a majority of my black frocks, so I knew I wouldn't have to worry about what I should wear it with. this photo that my sister took of me was very in the moment I just tilted my head down and she snapped me right then and there. and just in case you were wondering, that is my sister's hat, she let me wear it that night. I really feel like with this pic you can see the structure of this shoe and the height it gives me. I wish my tennis shoes could do the same, but they don't. I guess now I understand why women love manolo blahniks, it at all makes sense. I know I won't wear these heels everyday, but I feel like I now have something a little special to add to my black dresses.....magic manolos, indeed!

a class act

photo by mario testino

as we all now, I love looking through editorials to find inspiration and interestingly a couple of days before buying my manolo blahniks I had this image of model shu qi in mind when my sister photographed me at barneys new york. I was actually looking at this whole editorial entitled a class act from the december 2013 issue of vogue china and was quite enamored by the look and style, of it all. the layout was photographed by mario testino, which payed homage to irving penn's gorgeous visual style of the 1950's....particularly, when he photographed model jean patchett for vogue. all the photos have something classic about it, but still very modern, with mario testino's signature style. this was my favorite image from the editorial.....love the oversized hat with sunnies and a little bit of that veil showing. I don't know why, but for some reason I thought of this moment when I was in my manolo blahniks. yes, I know you can't see her heels, but I am pretty sure she is wearing them with that suit. I have a lot of looks in mind with my new manolo blahniks and I think a dress suit is one of them. more noir chic outfits to come in my new heels and this editorial was a great source of inspiration.....modern classic, is the best way to describe it. do check out this issue of vogue china if you have not seen, inspiring on many levels!