mix and match

photo by my sister

last week, I did the unexpected and bought my first floral dress. I must thank my sister for suggesting to me, that I try this one on, as I didn't think much of it, when I saw it on the hanger. in case you were wondering, the dress is by isabel marant. I am not very familiar with her, but all I did know about her was that she created a line for h&m....I think the year after my favorite maison martin margiela, one, but I actually never ever saw her collection, as it all sold out. at any rate, I for some reason, I fell in love with this dress. the dramatic sleeves, the length, and silhouette, I thought all the textures corresponded, harmoniously. perhaps, the best part is that I thought my missoni turban, added a little something extra to it. if you have read my blog you will know that I am quite obsessed with turbans, especially in the spring and summertime. interestingly, that day I just happen to be wearing my missoni turban and I thought it somehow, blended well together. I am not one to mix and match prints, as I usually just wear all black, but without knowing it, I think I made it work. I did end up buying the dress and I think its my new favorite look for the spring and I like that its a little bit something different for me. I still feel like it has my signature incognito chic, but perhaps done in a different and more exotic way.....maybe its my new italian chic, look. whatever you want to call it, I must thank my sister for finding this one, for me. she always gets me out of my fashion comfort zone, I guess variety is indeed, the spice of life. I am sure more photo shoots to come with this one!

missoni mission

missoni spring/summer 2015

I must admit, since last september, I have been non stop thinking about the missoni spring/summer 2015 collection. I think subconsciously I thought my isabel marant dress had something about it that felt like it could be part of that collection. I don't know if that makes any sense, but I just love how this missoni season, is all about loose billowed shapes paired with twisting scarves into turbans. I will always have a soft spot for missoni, just because I think that their clothes are all about nonchalant relaxed chic and I love how wearable it all is. yes, it most likely will be seen on some rich and fabulous italian woman, but I find that no matter who you are you can always do this kind of chic look on a budget. for some reason, this opening look very much caught my eye, just because I love the concept of loose airy elegance paired with a silk turban. as of now, I am on a mission to find one of these missoni turbans, as I think it could work so well, with my isabel marant floral dress. not sure, if I will be able to find one, but my missoni quest is on. either way, I have a beautiful quilted one, that is just as stylish. at any rate, if you haven't seen this missoni collection, do check it out, the silk turbans featured on every model, are quite superb!

spring is in the hair

photo by my sister

since today is the official first day of spring, I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate with a floral crown. my sister recently started designing them so I asked her to make me one loosely inspired by the dolce & gabbana spring/summer 2015 collection. I actually went with her to pick out the flowers and after making my selection I let her do the designing. for the most part, I knew I wanted the rose as the base of the crown, but with my sister's expertise she suggested surrounding my crown with some amaryllis, myrtle, and a black calla lily. I know its not an exact replicate of the dolce & gabbana spring/summer 2015 rose crown, but I think it has similar qualities and I can definitely see that spanish influence designed within and I think that black calla lily adds a little something extra that feels very sister's in black. my sister and I took many photos with the crown, but I think this one in particular, shows just how spring perfect it really is. on a side note, I must say I never really like to show my face without a pair of sunnies or a hat, but this moment seems very delicate and ethereal and I like how the photo is composed. you not only see my floral crown, but you also see that stone head in the back, with its own grass crown. I don't know if my sister planned that, but I think it makes for an interesting moment. to me it seems like a perfect blend of nature with fashion. at any rate, I hope you like what she designed for me. it really was so beautiful to wear and I hope she will make me more in the future. she really is quite talented when it comes to floral arranging and designing crowns.....I see a bright future for her and I love modeling her intricate creations!

coming up roses

dolce & gabbana spring/summer 2015

as I mentioned before, the influence for my red rose floral crown came from the dolce & gabbana spring/summer 2015 collection. I must admit I haven't kept up with dolce & gabbana in awhile and I think the last time I was ecstatic about them, must have been back in 1998 when Madonna wore that stylish looking plastic coat on the back of her ray of light album. along the way, I liked some suits and there was even a collection with butterfly corsets that I responded too as well, but for the most part this spring season, totally caught my eye. what I love about this season is the whole spanish influence. I read that domenico dolce and stefano gabbana were very much inspired by the kingdom of sicily under the rule of the house of habsburg (1516-1713). I vaguely remember studying that era in history class, and I so love it when designers retrace the past to come up with something fresh and modern. you can definitely see a matador influence in this entire collection, but the hair is perhaps, the most standout part. I was very much inspired by the way the models had red roses and carnations strategically placed in their hair. some models, even had gilded ornaments and headpieces put in, as you can see on this model. even though I probably wouldn't wear earrings like this in my real life, I think it all works together so beautifully. its very decadent, glamorous and I love how it blends both italian and spanish culture together. for some reason, I wanted to do my own version of this look just because I thought this seemed like the proper way to celebrate the start of the spring. if you haven't seen this collection, definitely take a look. by far, one of the most magnificent and stylish of the season!

safari mode

photo by my sister

there's nothing I love more than hiding behind a hat with a chic pair of sunnies. recently, I was looking through my sister's closet and noticed this hat that she had in her closet. immediately, I was fascinated by it and asked to try it on. of course, she let me and right away I fell in love with the shape and that way you could just wrap yourself in it. not only is it so stylish, but it has such great sun protection, as well. I don't think it gets anymore incognito chic than this and I love how grey gardens you can make this hat look. surprisingly, my sister bought this hat at american apparel over a year ago and I feel like there is something very london-chic about it. even though it is her hat I decided to style a look to go with it because that is how much I was inspired by it. I thought with my banana republic trench coat it would make for such a winning combination. I normally, don't wear a color this light, but I thought it went well together and I love how this looks as if I am about to go on a safari. I am very much inspired by the whole african safari look and that is what I wanted to convey mixed in with my signature incognito chic. I think if I ever go to africa I will have to borrow this hat from my sister. it really is the perfect hat this time of year and I am very jealous that I didn't buy one of these, myself last year, but I must thank my sister for letting me wear her hat for this photo. its interesting how going through her closet led me to feel safari incognito chic.....I guess you never know when style inspiration can strike!

exotic elements

the row spring/summer 2014

I always have an image or a collection in mind when I feel style inspired and with my sister's american apparel hat I was definitely thinking about the row's spring/summer 2014 collection. so many great looks that season and I love how every look seemed designed for the globe trotting woman. there were also many exotic elements that mary-kate and ashley olsen added like head-wraps, veils, and scarves that I very much responded to. what I love about so many of the looks was that it was all about easy, wearable pieces, and how the accessories added a little something extra to each ensemble. I know when I put a look together I always try to do the same with a hat, turban, and sometimes even a veil. this was my favorite look from the collection and for some reason this hat veil with scarf totally made me think of my sister's hat. I think with that strapless delicate dress its the perfect combination. there is something very refined and effortless about this look that totally catches my eye. I think I would definitely need to bring this look too, on a safari....not sure if I will go to africa, but in my mind I can always create a photo shoot. on a side note, if you have not seen this collection or may have forgotten about it, certainly check it out. I am amazed by the sophistication that mary-kate and ashley have brought into the fashion world. years ago, I would have never have said that, but I think they have a sharp eye for style and they are one of the few labels, that I actually look forward too seeing each season. brava to them for understanding that minimal, understated elegance never goes out of style!

art into fashion

photo by danny feser

last week, I attended the opening of the john currin exhibit at the gagosian gallery and instead of wearing my typical black I decided to switch things up and wear red. after all, I thought my maison martin margiela dress would be quite suiting with the work of john currin. I was actually quite impressed by this show and I love how his work blends a wide range of influences including renaissance, pop culture, and high fashion. what I also admire about his work is that he often distorts and exaggerates the female form in such a way that catches your eye. I could probably talk all day about his art technique, but I think you have too see it in real life to get the full visual experience. I was very much inspired by the show and of course with my marigela red dress I thought it would appropriate to strike a renaissance style pose to go with his art. these two paintings totally caught my attention and I thought if I stood in between them it would make for an interesting art into fashion moment. what I love most about my margiela dress is all that drapery, so it can definitely add some drama to a photo and I think it did in this moment. I was quite surprised by how elegant this one turned out to be, but I musy say I am all about a striking red dress moment. on a side note, if you live in los angeles I highly suggest checking out this show. it runs until april and I must say it was one of the most thought provoking, yet visually stunning shows that I have seen awhile. if you like john currin's style I think you will be inspired, I know I was very much so!

in red

photo by annie leibovitz

a couple days before attending the john currin show I happened to find myself reminiscing back through the february 2009 issue of vanity fair with cate blanchett on the cover. there was one image in particular that caught my attention. I have no idea why I like a good red dress moment, but I do and I think cate blanchett has the grace and elegance to carry this look off so easily. in case you were wondering, her red ensemble is by nina ricci and I love all that drapery and the way her dress undulates. this is what olivier theyskens does best and I so miss those days when he designed for both rochas and nina ricci.....he certainly has a very distinct design aesthetic that is all his own and I can just tell that this look was created by him. at any rate, I had this image in mind when I striked a pose between those two john currin paintings. I know they are not very similar, but I love the power of a red dress and yes, I know that I will never be as glamorous as cate blanchett, but I can at least try to be in a photo. if you have never seen this annie leibovitz layout from a couple of years ago I highly suggest looking back on it. this is what real a hollywood glamour layout should be about....stunning, indeed!