balloons & lace

photo by ryan mcginley

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago about how I have been admiring porter magazine. the winter issue is loaded with beautiful black dresses and the one that has been on my mind for awhile now, is this black lace valentino haute couture as seen on actress marion cotillard. I don't know why I am so taken by this dress, but I am. there is such an ethereal flow to the way this gown looks that I find so mesmerizing. I also like her body language and how she is looking to the camera and covering her mouth. when I think of incognito chic, this is what comes to mind and let's also not forget how she is holding a string of blue balloons. personally, I think balloons are the best accessory for any ensemble and if you remember a couple of months ago I did a whole photo series with balloons on the beach, so this was quite refreshing too see. there really is something whimsical about balloons and photography, especially when it is styled with the right dress, like this valentino one. I could probably go on and on about this pic, but I think by just looking at this image you can see all the beauty that I have described. we finally see a celebrity on the cover and the editorial actually exceeds my expectations. brava to porter magazine and to think I just discovered this magazine while waiting in line at the supermarket.....I guess sometimes interesting discoveries happen when you least expect it!

still life

photo by will davidson

I seem to be on a dramatic black dress with drapery high all this week because of my new ronen chen black dress. at any rate, I caught myself looking through the october issue of vogue australia magazine and stumbled upon an editorial entitled still life. the layout features model waleska gorczevski in a sublime layout shot somewhere in the desert wearing fall's most dramatic looks. I think the desert setting certainly adds a little something extra to her wardrobe, which is why I think I responded so strongly, to this layout. out of all the images, this was my favorite for obvious reasons. I love the way her black dress flows in that background it really is such a stunning contrast. I also love that tan turban scarf that she is wearing, as well....it adds just the right amount of pop to her cape dress. there is just something so hypnotic about this image and it reinforces the idea of why I love wearing black and how a black silhouette can never be boring, that is, if you know how to style and wear the look properly. this was just one of the gorgeous photos from the editorial and if you love a dramatic, southwestern georgia o'keefe approach to dressing I suggest you take a look at this one. personally, skimming through this layout reminded me of my inspiring time last year in santa fe, new mexico and how much I missed the serenity of the desert. as much as I love observing style in the city I think there is something kind of magical about emptiness in a southwestern desert. next year, I plan on going back and this will certainly be my main source of inspiration....thank you vogue australia for not boring me, unlike many other publications!

ronen chen

photo by my sister

this weekend my sister and I went shopping in the abbot kinney area in venice and went into a shop called ruti. we have been in the store on many occasions, but this time their clothes were really something special. perhaps, because their fall clothes were in and I just might have a preference for more dark and dramatic ensembles with lots of drapery. whatever it was, I just love finding unique statement pieces and this store did just that and more. lately, I have been feeling bored by shopping, but something about the clothes at ruti, made me fall in love with fashion, again. I tried on three amazing dresses, but this one was my favorite. it is actually called the bubble dress and it was designed by ronen chen. he is an israeli designer and I love how structured, modern, and sleek this dress is. it has a very classic, yet fashion-forward look to it, but I must say that turtleneck and the drapery around the arms and back are the best part. I like dresses to fit in a certain way and this has something very unique to it. it makes me think of yohji yamamoto, ann demeulemeester, and maybe a little alber elbaz for lanvin. I guess you could say there are elements of all three of those designers in this dress, but I really think he has a design aesthetic that is all his own. as of now, I am doing a little bit of research on ronan chen and came across a quote by him in which he said....in fashion, you don’t sell just the clothes you sell a dream. I couldn't believe more in that philosophy and I must thank him for inspiring me with his designs, particular this black frock.....this was just the noir chic that I needed! on a side note, if you are a fan of this dress do check out the ruti site.....so much to discover in this store!

here is the link:
http://ruti.com/stores/

shoulder to floor

photo by erik torstensson

a couple of days before I found my ronan chen dress I just happen to find myself skimming through the chalayan fall/winter 2015 collection. to be completely honest, I didn't even know that hussein chalayan was still designing, as I don't keep that up with fashion shows, so this was such a pleasant surprise too see this collection....as I have always admired how structured and architectural his designs are. who could forget that table that he turned into a dress back in fall of 2000. at any rate, this is my favorite dress from his current fall season. from shoulder to floor, I love the way that dress drapes and for some strange reason, it made me think of my new ronan chen dress, even though my dress isn't as long. I just think the drapery and the fluidity are so similar. I found this image of model sasha pivovarova wearing this dress in the current winter issue of porter magazine and I love how it was chosen as one of the key pieces of the season. I mean when does a dramatic black dress ever go out of style? I know its a look not for everyone, but I would gladly wear this in a heartbeat. if you haven't seen this chalayan fall/winter 2015 collection do check it out as I think there are many dramatic, polished, and comfortable winter looks that I find so appealing. also, if you haven't seen this new issue of porter magazine layout I highly suggest skimming through it. the whole issue is inspiring, including the cover and layout featuring marion cotillard. finally, a magazine that puts a celebrity on the cover that is photographed and styled to perfection.....it feels so rare to find that these days!

late september

photo by my sister

I took a break from writing due to the fact that I went out of town and needed a little vacation. sometimes, I question the photo projects I do and to be completely honest sometimes I wonder if I am getting a little repetitive when I write. I mean can I take my love of wearing black to a higher level? what that all means doesn't really matter, but its nice to have a place where I can state my opinion and showcase my ideas. at any rate, I have been feeling like I have been in a creative funk, for awhile. I know I will have more stories to share and get back into the swing of things, but for now I will leave you, with this image. earlier this week, I posted my illy coffee and vogue italia selected image, which was such an honor, but a couple of days ago, I found myself skimming through the september issue of vogue italia and found this photo of myself, inside the magazine. my sister took it of me, on the beach, from this summer. of course, I had to edit and noir chic it and later I submitted it for the dream photo challenge. it wasn't selected for the contest, but franca sozzani, somehow included it in the issue with a bunch of other images, from other photographers, that embodied the concept of dream. I was shocked too see many of my beach photos that I took, inside the issue but this one of me, in my $80 bathing suit, that I bought in santa barbara from a couple of years ago, made me do a double take. the whole situation is absurd, but in the end, I guess it reinforced the idea that I should keep doing what I do. even if my concepts don't feel that innovative, I assume I just have to do what feels right in terms of style and inspiration. to be completely honest, I don't really know about how many followers I have on my blog, or who actually reads what I say, but I guess seeing this photo in vogue italia made me realize that I do have a place in this world. so to all my readers, thanks for understanding my point of view but please know even if I am the only one who reads this...I will still keep writing, styling, and photographing. in the end, you have to do what makes you happy, even if nobody gets it.

homage

photo by peter lindbergh

perhaps, the reason why I did a double take when I saw that photo of me on the beach in the september issue of vogue italia was that I was very much inspired by mariacarla boscono and an editorial she did with peter lindbergh for the february 2014 issue of vogue italia. the layout features mariacarla boscono all in black, wandering around sicily. some of it, is shot on the beach, but its mostly her in black ensembles walking around the island. there are also men too, in black, who act as amazing extras. I was very much inspired by her body language and just how natural she looked, that I wanted to convey that, with my image. there is no exact correlation between the two, but I definitely wanted to pay homage to that dark noir chic style that peter lindbergh, does so well. there is something about that way he captures moments, that I find so captivating. I remember actually telling my sister to try and do something peter lindbergh with me, as I walked on the beach with my sunnies and parasol. I have no idea if franca sozzani saw some similarities between the two and I highly doubt she did, but its really quite funny that my inspiration, actually came from the pages of vogue italia. I guess what this all shows you is that inspiration is truly everywhere and that we all take from something. or that you can take an image, see something in it, and make it all your own. if you have never seen this layout I highly suggest reminiscing back on this one, as it may be my all time favorite peter lindbergh, editorial. this opening image of mariacarla boscono with her hand placed over her head in that black frock....is the the epitome of noir chic and just how striking one can be, if they have the perfect black dress, on.