hiding out

photo by my sister

I've been waiting for the right time and moment to share my new favorite hat. it was actually given to me by my sister as a birthday gift and I must say I love the shape it creates. I guess it has a very asian aesthetic to it, in the way it looks, but I think there is something very old fashioned about it, too. believe it or not my sister bought it at BCBG and I think its just the noir chic that I needed especially with my one piece bathing suit. I love the idea of hiding behind a big black hat and with this one you can do just that and so much more. I really wanted to convey the structure of that hat and the way it somehow worked with my bathing suit and pale skin. for me, its all about contrasts, but also simplicity. I have no idea if that makes sense, but I must say this hat has an amazing silhouette and I somehow wanted to display all its beauty, while still remaining a mystery. on a side note, if you are interested in the hat, I do believe it is still available at BCBG. I think its easy to overlook this store, but sometimes, they come out with pieces that are pretty unique and special, much like this one!

noir chic inspiration

a page from porter magazine

as you know, there is always an image in mind when I come up with my photo projects and for about a year now I have been looking at this image of a mysterious model in a black hat and halter bathing suit from the summer 2014 issue of porter magazine. I don't know how I feel about many fashion magazines these days, but I like what is going on with porter magazine. they usually feature articles on inspiring women (not just celebrities) but real women with style and they feature interesting, yet relatable layouts, with established and up and coming photographers. what I also like about the magazine is that it is quarterly. it doesn't come out every month, which I think makes it more appealing. at any rate, this is my current summer style inspiration. its too bad, I can't figure out who photographed it or who designed that bathing suit, but I love everything about this photo. I very much tried to embody it with my BCBG hat, as I think there is a distinct style connection between the two. personally, I think there is so much beauty in mystery and with this image you can see exactly what I am talking about. on a side note, do check out porter magazine if you have not seen yet, you may find something random like this, that may be of inspiration to you!

yellow on red

charlize theron

as we all know I am a little bit obsessed with yellow dresses at the moment all because of my new lanvin silk dress that I found at decades. I think I even stated that yellow might be the new black, for spring. I know I will go to black sooner than later, but the yellow dress inspiration keeps coming my way and even appearing on the red carpet. I am not one to go crazy over what celebrities wear as I tend to think that I find the most style inspiration on the street, or from watching films, but occasionally you can find something on the red carpet that makes you do a double take. just this past week, I was looking at the cannes film festival red carpet and happened to notice charlize theron in this striking yellow haute couture dior gown. I was quite taken with the drapery and I love how it fit to her body. its elegant, classy, and I love how simple it is, for being such a vibrant yellow tone. I also like her hairstyle choice to show off the grace of her neck and how she minimally accessorized herself with chopard diamond earrings. this is what a magic red carpet moment is all about and I thought she totally brought a pop of sunshine to cannes.....such a pleasant surprise too see on the red carpet....as this is a perfect example, on how to wear a yellow dress!

lady agnew of lochnaw

my latest jigsaw puzzle

I always like to have a creative project to keep me busy just because I think its good for the brain and I love finding new ways to express myself. I have posted some of my jigsaw puzzles before as I like to do them from time to time. recently, I was at the los angeles county museum of art gift shop store and stumbled upon a section of pretty amazing jigsaw puzzles. I hate too say it, but I am puzzle snob as I only like to do fine art puzzles or ones that have a certain style to them and they must be 1000 pieces, or more. this one, caught my eye, immediately. in case you are wondering, it is a painting by john singer sargent entitled lady agnew of lochnaw originally done in 1892. I think he was one of the best portrait painters and I love all the elegance and grace he managed to capture with each brush stroke. what I love most about about this painting is her dress and the silhouette and how it fits to her body. I also like her body language and the way she blends into that floral chair. in a strange way, I think she kind of looks like me, but that's just my opinion. perhaps, its the pale skin and dark eyebrows. whatever, it may be, I think is a standout puzzle and I am so glad to give this one as a gift, to my mom. my dream would be to do his famous madame x painting into a puzzle, just because I have always loved the way she looked in that form fitted black dress. if you can't remember that one, do yourself a favor and check it out and as I do recall I think harper's bazaar even turned julianne moore into that painting back in may of 2008. there really is an art to putting puzzles together and I love the feeling of assembling one, especially when it is a stunner, like this! if you have never done one, I highly suggest making the time to do it.....you might find yourself enlightened and inspired!

mommy noir

photo by my sister

I don't know why every mother's day I feel the need to take out my childhood baby carriage, but I do and I think its quite a chic accessory, if you know how to use it right. recently, I bought this really chic dkny double layer transparent navy skirt, which I think is from her spring 2015 collection, so I thought it would make for an interesting pairing with my baby carriage. the skirt has a very raf simon's for dior kind of quality about it so I thought I would go for a noir chic retro mom on the go with look. naturally, I thought to add my black pair of manolo blahnik heels and then to pair the skirt with my norma kamali crop top. to finish the look, I thought my dior sunnies seemed necessary. feel free to laugh at my mother's day inspired look, but I have too much fun creating looks and creating images. I love too see chic mom's with style....I actually don't know if I see too many in real life, but I love it when fashion editorials play with the idea of motherhood. as I have always believed that a woman can be stylish no matter what stage of life she is going through. just skim through the pages of vogue paris or glimpse through CR Fashion Book and you can see what I am talking about.....motherhood and rebirth seem to be themes that are quite frequent in those publications, these days. or perhaps, it has something to do with the fact that mother's want to be chic, too.....whatever it may be, have fun with your style no matter what phase in life you are going through....single, mother, divorcee, grandma, etc. its all about self expression and finding a style that works for you!

la beaute en heritage

photo by mario testino

okay, so its no surprise that I took some style inspiration from the pages of vogue paris. recently, I was looking back at the october 2014 issue and came across a stunning editorial with supermodel natasha poly and her daughter, aleksandra. they both posed on the cover, as well, but I prefer the noir chic layout inside entitled la beaute en heritage. the editorial was photographed by mario testino and styled by emmanuelle alt. the baby carriage appears frequently within this layout, but this was my favorite moment with the carriage. I know its complete fantasy, but I think it takes noir chic and motherhood to the next level. her blazer, which I think is by lanvin, very much accentuates her silhouette and I love the hat and heels to complete the look. plus, that beautiful english tudor style setting only makes it that much more appealing. I certainly had this image in mind with my baby carriage and I know its not exactly the same, but I think there are some noir chic connections. if you haven't seen this mario testino and natasha poly editorial, do check it out! perhaps, you may find yourself somewhat inspired by the idea of the baby carriage. I think it can be such a chic accessory, when styled properly!

dior and I

photo by patrick demarchelier

last week, I went to go see the fashion documentary dior and I, not really knowing what to expect. the film, brings the viewer inside the storied world of the christian dior fashion house with a privileged, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of raf simon's first haute couture collection, as its new artistic director. for some reason, I was very much intrigued by how in-depth this documentary was. we got too experience raf simon's in his full creative process, his frustrations, fears, and also how he interacts with his seamstresses who serve his vision. I don't know why, but I found myself very involved with the making of this collection and I loved that we go too see all the hard working people behind the scenes. often in fashion, I think we praise the designer, which makes complete sense, but when working with couture, you know that it takes a village to put a single gown together. this film certainly pays homage to the talented team who work behind the scenes at dior. I must admit, when I first saw this collection, I liked it but I may have overlooked it a little, as I felt very sad too see, raf simon's leave jil sander. personally, I just thought he was the perfect match for that label, but after seeing this documentary I think I have learned to understand his vision for this iconic house, better. even though I still think he should design for both labels as I know he could do it. at any rate, if you are a fan of raf simons, christian dior history, or just fascinated by the creative process of putting together a fashion collection, I highly recommend seeing this film. I felt many emotions while watching this documentary and I think by the end, it just leaves you feeling inspired. on a side note, I must say those florals on the wall for his first couture fall 2012 collection, look quite amazing on the big screen....that itself, is another reason too definitely see this film!

the yellow season

photo by mariano vivanco

it looks like I still have yellow dresses on my mind. this past weekend, I was skimming through the may 2015 issue of vogue japan and stumbled upon this beautiful yellow dress as seen on model hilary rhoda. the editorial is entitled forbidden paradise and the frock is by chloé. for some reason, I couldn't help but gravitate towards that volume and the way it drapes, very much reminding me of that lanvin spring/summer 2008 dress that I posted last week. I wasn't very familiar with this particular chloé season, before seeing this editorial, so naturally I did some research and looked into this collection. not all of the looks were exactly my style, but I like the way designer clare waight keller, played with shape and volume. aside from that, I must get back to this image. I love the way the sunlight and beach setting, only add to the beauty of this dress. I also like the added accessories with her turquoise necklace and even what looks like a tropical fruit crown. in case you were wondering, the layout was styled by giovanna battaglia and I can very much see her own style reflected with this image and all the other outfits featured within this editorial. I am very much inspired by giovanna battaglia's style lately, and the way she chooses to mix and match textiles and fabrics. I really respond to the way she works with color and of course all of the imagination she puts into her editorials. she is very much inspired by nature, art, and what goes on in pop culture. she definitely has an amazing eye and I love that she incorporates her own persona and image, within what she creates. at any rate, this is one of my favorite summer layouts of the season. if you haven't seen this editorial do check it out, especially if you are looking for some summer style inspiration and perhaps a new kaftan inspired look, it certainly doesn't disappoint!