grocery glam

photo by danny feser

I have come to the point in my life where I have realized that I am not going to save my nice clothes for a fancy occasion. I mean life is short and I hate seeing my nice clothes just sitting in the closet. for some reason, I have been feeling like if I want to put something fancy on I will just go out and wear it, even if its simply to do some grocery shopping. its probably more ideal to save your nice attire for a black tie event, but personally, if I wait around for that, they will never get worn. I must admit that I probably spend too much time reading fashion editorials or maybe I live in my own imaginary world of turning my everyday life into photo shoots, but I have been wanting to wear my new dkny layered skirt, norma kamali crop top, and manolo blahniks to the market, for some time now. I don't know why, but from the moment, I tried this skirt on, I felt like it had a classic dior look to it and I thought with me pushing a shopping cart it would look quite retro and chic. I have always found supermarkets stylish in a pop art kind of way, especially in the fruit aisle. I think the lighting tends to be better in that section and I love the way fruits and vegetables look together....it must have something to do with the use of color and shape. whatever it may be, I decided to go to my favorite grocery store in los angeles and quickly style this one, together. interestingly, I chose the meat section, because I liked the use of space and the lighting seemed quite perfect. plus, the words written above, really added a little something extra, to this photo. I also thought with my hand on my sunnies and the other on the shopping cart, it would make for an incognito chic moment. sometimes, I wonder if I am a little fashion crazy with the things I come up with, but I figure just have fun with your wardrobe, no matter where you go. style is certainly all around us, its just a matter of finding it and incorporating it into your life!

attention shoppers

photo by steven meisel

there will always be a fashion editorial that serves as inspiration for my photo projects and for my market shoot I totally thought of this image and editorial from the september 2008 issue of US vogue. it is called 2-for-1 special and I like how it pokes fun of how you should dress and behave at the supermarket. the entire editorial features supermodels amber valletta and kirsty hume running wild throughout the market dressed in sleek dresses with juxtaposing colors. what is so great about this layout is the way their fashions contrasts with the vibrant colors of the market. hats off to stylist edward enninful for masterfully putting this one together and to steven meisel who can make any situation chic. personally, I love the way those shopping carts are used as accessories. this was my favorite look from the editorial just because I love the use of space, their expression, and how they look so chic just to simply go shopping. I actually love to observe style when I go to the market. occasionally, I spot someone interesting, but never something like this, but it is still a good place to observe dress codes, or perhaps think in your head how fashionable the supermarket can actually be, with the right lighting, products, and a fancy dress with heels. if you haven't seen this editorial certainly check it out and I do suggest wearing your best outfit to do a little shopping.....when you try it, I think you will understand how in vogue, it can be!

flashblack

denise in black

recently, I was looking back at some of my photos and came across this image. last year, I posted an image of a woman named denise, that I randomly met on the beach. she was dressed all in black and I don't know why, but I felt the need to go up and talk to her. I guess her style seemed very sister's in black so naturally I was very fascinated. she was very friendly and right away we hit it off, in terms of style. she was actually in the beginning of starting a clothing line...I believe called sun bella. she kindly let me take some photos of her and I was quite taken with this poncho shawl that she was wearing. without her knowing I took this photo of her and I think it was my favorite moment from that day...just because the wind really captured something and I like how she is looking away. I also like the ethereal aspect of it and I don't know why, but I have always been quite intrigued by drapery in motion. perhaps, it comes from my love of designers like yohji yamamoto or ann demeuleemester who tend to capture that type of quality within their designs. personally, I think this moment very much captured her noir chic sensibility. it is so rare to meet people like her and I love how almost a year later I still find myself inspired by her style. perhaps, this is a sign that I should invest in one of her black poncho shawls.....whatever it may be, I love meeting and photographing stylish women in black, like denise!

moody

photo by sébran d’argent

I am on a quest to find inspiring images from editorials. as I have stated before, it is really difficult these days, as many layouts don't have that je ne sais quoi that they use to have. or maybe they do and I am just being cynical. its funny how when I was growing up, I so looked forward to skimming through the pages of vogue and harper's bazaar....don't get me wrong, I still look through these magazines and occasionally I can find something interesting, but it feels like nowadays I have too find style inspiration from other sources and not so popular magazines. case in point, there is a magazine I just discovered called heaven magazine. I actually haven't seen this layout in real life, but I came across it by looking into a photographer I like named sébran d’argent. this is my current favorite image of his, and it comes from the fall 2013 issue. this model for some reason, reminded me very much of denise, the woman I met on the beach, last year. I just love this hat and her asymmetrical dress. I have no idea who designed this look, but it feels very yohji yamamoto too me, and I like how her hair covers her face and all that mystery that this photo conveys. this is the epitome of noir chic and I love how when I feel like I can't find anything inspiring, something like this catches my eye. the whole layout is quite moody and romantic. am thinking I will probably share more from this editorial in the future, but for now.....this is what I am feeling.

natori

my mom

I love when I get to have an impromptu photo shoot with my mom as she has an amazing sense of style, but she is usually too busy to take some pics, so when I get a chance to have a moment with her, I fully embrace it. a couple of weeks ago, my mom wore this stunning kaftan by natori, that she bought last year. surprisingly, she never told me about it and this was the first time she wore it so naturally I was very much inspired by her look. I actually discovered her pajamas and kaftans while at bergdorf goodman this year in new york city and was quite taken by her designs as she takes casual chic to the next level. my mom's kaftan is cotton silk and I loved the way it draped to her figure. she wanted to wear my new asian inspired BCBG black hat with her natori kaftan, so naturally I told her we would have to take some photos, if she wanted to wear my hat. she agreed and while walking around her beach house I came up with this, as I thought, the staircase with silhouette added something extra to her look. I love how we see the texture of her kaftan and that hat shadow across her face. it is a very noir chic moment and I love the mystery she is conveying in this image. I don't get to have many photo moments with my mom as she is quite shy, but I really treasure the stylish moments we share together and I was glad that she approved of this pic. on a side note, if you are unfamiliar with natori, check out her sleep wear and kaftans, I am very much inspired by how she mixes eastern and western culture with her designs, perhaps you will, too!

hat shadow

photo by nagi sakai

interestingly, the inspiration for my impromptu noir chic photo shoot with my mom came from this image I found in harper's bazaar germany from the march 2015 issue. in case you cannot tell the main influence for this photo and the entire layout came from the late diana vreeland. even though she is no longer alive her style still remains so iconic and I found this whole editorial, very influential, especially the black and white photos. this one in particular, caught my eye, immediately. first of all, I love the structure of that black hat and the way that hat shadow reflects across her face. the composition is stunning and I also like the brightness of that flower in her hair and how we see a glimpse of her distinct cheekbone. I have no idea if this photo took a long time to take, but it works on so many levels. I tried to do something with shade and shadow with my mom and her hat and I know there is no comparison, but I felt very inspired by this photograph. I also love the texture and pattern of that skirt as I think it adds a little something extra. for some reason, I thought with my mom's natori kaftan I could attempt the same with her pattern. I don't know if that makes sense, but I tried to take a little something from this photo. I am still quite new to photograper nagi sakai, but I love his work and I thought this entire layout was superb, perhaps one of my favorites, so far, in the year. if you have not seen this one, do check it out. I actually quite like looking through the international fashion magazines better than US ones these days.....sometimes, you can find an image or a look that can subconsciously inspire you, much like this exquisite, one!

ciel chic

ciel torres

the other day, I went to an art exhibit entitled theories on forgetting at the gagosian gallery and met a really stylish girl named ciel torres. her black dress caught my eye immediately, so naturally, I had to go over and ask her about it. I don't know if its strange to talk to people about what they are wearing, but I feel if you like what someone has on, you should go up to them and tell them. personally, I find it to be a huge compliment, when someone does that to me. interestingly, ciel didn't know who made her dress, but I thought it draped her figure to perfection and I love the asymmetrical aspect. ciel is an art curator and has a wonderful sense of style. I could tell right away by the way she walked in her dress. she just looked so comfortable and I loved how she wore the dress instead of the dress wearing her. she was a lovely example of noir chic. she kindly let me take this photo of her and I think it beautifully shows the silhouette and all that exquisite drapery. plus, I think her heels also add a sexy factor to her dress. I must thank ciel for the unexpected style inspiration....this was totally unplanned, but sometimes I think unexpected moments like this, are the most special and memorable!

mugler minimalism

thierry mugler spring/summer 2015

for some reason, looking at ciel in her sleek black dress reminding me of one of my favorite spring/summer collections of 2015, thierry mugler. I know a lot of people had mixed feelings about this collection saying that designer david koma has completely gone in the opposite direction of thierry mugler, but I feel its one of my favorites. I tend to like what everybody hates anyway, so I could care less what fashion critics say. I know what looks good to me and this feels very close to my personal style. at any rate, I thought there was a bond-girl element within every look and I love the refined, sleek-minimalism. many of the ensembles were black and white, but I love how david koma used color in such a clean and polished way. for some reason, looking at this collection, I thought of tom ford fall 1996 with that famous white cut out dress as seen on model georgina grenville and also donna karan fall/winter 2003 as she also worked with cut outs and metal within fabric. I can definitely see an influence there, but I feel this is like a modern 2015 version. I have a lot favorite outfits from this mugler season, but this dramatic black dress is my favorite. I love the cut outs, the element of metal, and of course, that sexy leg showing with a high heel. I could easily see carine roitfeld wearing this look and the leg portion certainly makes me think of ciel's gorgeous black frock. that is probably why I asked her about her dress, thinking maybe it was from this collection. either way, I think there are distinct connections between the two, but above all they both show how noir chic will never go out of style. if you love cutting edge minimalism I highly suggest skimming through this collection.....very sister's in black frocks approved!

balloon mood

photo by danny feser

for some reason, the other week, I wandered into party city and decided to buy myself balloons. I don't know if that is strange, considering it wasn't my birthday or any other specific occasion, but I just thought they were so joyous and uplifting to look at, so why not have some in my life. interestingly, a couple of days before that, I read a quote from winnie the pooh that said "nobody can be un-cheered with a balloon!" I guess those words subconsciously inspired me to do something creative. so with that, I decided to put on my signature all black and recently purchased manolo blahniks and head to the beach. what I love most about walking on the beach is all that wind and with my balloons it really added some movement and fluidity. I was thinking of a southern california noir chic version of audrey hepburn in funny face for this photo and somehow I think all that, was somewhat captured. I have no idea if that makes sense, but I really love the feeling of carrying balloons and wearing high heels....there is just something kind of lovely about that concept. perhaps, I live in my own photo shoot fashion world, but I love the magic and fantasy of balloons. I know that some people like to buy flowers for themselves, but I think my new obsession is buying balloons. I think they are the ultimate chic accessory and I love how just by looking at them they can brighten your mood....sometimes, its the simple things that can have the most meaning!

handmade's tale

photo by patrick demarchelier

not only did I take some inspiration from the wise words of winnie the pooh, but also through the october 2008 issue of US Vogue and an editorial entitled handmade's tale. the layout takes a behind the scenes look at paris haute couture and the highly skilled tailors and dressmakers whose wizardry makes the magic real. after seeing dior & I, the film about raf simon's first collection for dior, I started to appreciate this patrick demarchelier layout even more. after all, its really the people behind the scenes who make everything come to life. there were so many great dresses featured in this one, from christian lacroix to jean paul gaultier, but I really loved this image of supermodel natalia vodianova in this silk fringed givenchy pink dress with matching balloon. even though this dress is not really my style I love the fantasy, it conveys. its whimsical and it has a very parisian chic quality about it, very reminiscent of audrey hepburn in funny face. I am pretty sure that patrick demarchelier definitely wanted to capture that ambience and I wanted to do the same with my balloon image on the beach. either way, if you have not seen this editorial do check it out. I think if you love couture and how dresses are made, it will put a smile on your face. this specific photo and the other ones, certainly did just that and more!