death becomes her

photo by my sister

I had a very interesting month....in what started out as a well deserved family vacation in savannah, georgia and south carolina somehow turned into us escaping a hurricane and ending up in nashville, tennessee. at any rate, we had one fun day in savannah, georgia and I was so pleased that we were able to see the bonaventure cemetery. I know its a little strange too say that, but I really was. perhaps, I was inspired by steven meisel's vogue italia august 2008 silent editorial or maybe I have seen amy winehouse's back to black video too many times, but whatever it may be I like the idea of a widow in a cemetery. you can call it a halloween look, but I like this type of dress all year round and I think what makes this cemetery so intriguing, is the history. some of the tombstones dated back to the 1800s and I also liked all the various statues surrounding the graves. this was not just any cemetery and I also like how nature decorated the graves. in savannah, they have beautiful oak trees that add so much character and charm to the city. I have too say in the cemetery the oak trees looked especially suiting. there definitely was a southern gothic look that I have never seen before in other cemeteries, and I have seen many. perhaps, my favorite moment was when I found a grave with an open space so I decided to sit in it. I wore my basic black dress from american apparel and of course my vintage black hat with veil. my sister somehow captured this moment and I think it just reads funeral drama. I am still sad about the fact that I only got to spend a day in savannah, but I'm glad I got to have this mournful moment....I guess that hurricane happened the day after for a reason!

silent

photo by steven meisel

any chance I can get to showcase an image from steven meisel's silent editorial from the august 2008 issue of vogue italia I am going to do so. while I was at the bonaventure cemetery I so thought about this image while I was sitting in that grave.....I mean how could I not? I love the way guinevere van seenus looks in that veil by that tomb. also, the way that tree in the background illuminates through her. yes, I know this layout is extremely dramatic and over the top, but I love how vogue italia glamorized the beauty of the cemetery. funerals are not for everyone, but there is some kind of beauty about women in mourning at a grave site and I think vogue italia did it in such a magnificent way. of course, I couldn't copy this image completely, but you can tell how inspired I was by it. this was definitely one of vogue italia's most cutting edge and fashion forward. if you haven't seen the layout in its entirety do check it out. you may feel like going to the cemetery after.....I know I sure did!

girlgaze

cat and towel turban

this past week has been very surreal and to actually put what has happened into words is just as difficult, but I will do so, to the best of my ability. I think it all started a year ago, as I was on instagram and saw an interesting new movement called girlgaze. the whole concept behind girlgaze is about how creative girls see the world....meaning you basically have to be a woman behind a camera and capture something unique and eye catching. girlgaze was started by television host and photographer amanda decadent and curated by inez van lamsweerde and sam taylor johnson as well as a couple other female photographers. I was very much intrigued by this idea as I love to photograph women who bring something interesting to the camera, so I decided to enter some of my photos for their page. I wouldn't say right away I was getting noticed, but about 6 months into girlgaze the team started taking notice of some of my photos. I have been quite fortunate to collaborate with some of my amazing women friends this year and I really like how every project is so different with each girl. I think each friend I have, brings something original and I just like capturing the moments that somewhat tell a story. I have featured my friend coleman before on sisters in black and she has become such a muse to me, ever since the moment we met an art gallery in 2015. to be honest, I think are most fascinating moments happen when I am just hanging out at her house. coleman has many cats and she tends to sit in her bed with them while she studies. for fun, one day I asked her to put a towel turban just too see how her cats would react and somehow this moment happened. I love the attitude her cat natasha gives to the camera and how mysterious coleman is, in her ballet leotard and towel turban. I also like the drapery of her silk sheets.....this very much feels like a scene from a film, which is probably why I felt the need to photograph this moment.

however, you want to analyze this photo is totally up to you, but I was so surprised last week too see this image and another one of my cat series with coleman up at the annenberg space for photography in los angeles. girlgaze contacted me in september for permission to use image in their latest girlgaze exhibit and I was shocked and amazed to be included, with such other astounding photographers. last friday, was the opening and I was beyond thrilled and nervous to take part. girlgaze has definitely become a movement and I am honored to be involved. I am not really sure what happens next as I just really like taking photos and doing creative projects, but this was all icing on the cake. if you are in los angeles make sure to check out this exhibit it runs through february 2017 and it really is a beautiful montage of women doing wonderful things behind the camera....a big thanks again to girlgaze for supporting my photography and vision!

forever plaid

photo by danny feser

yes, I know its a bit weird for me to be wearing plaid, but I must say this dress is quite special. in case you are wondering who designed this, it is yet another piece from my favorite store, ruti. I think what makes this dress so special is that you can wear it backwards and the normal way, with the buttons down the front, but I prefer it, the opposite way, just because I think it drapes better that way. I think what I love about this dress is that it has a scottish and 90's grunge sensibility, but still very elegant in how it fits. never in a million years would I think that I would feel comfortable wearing a pattern like this, but I must say it feels just as comfortable and chic as wearing a black dress. I am surprised that I am even saying that, since I haven't worn plaid since the 90's, but I love how ruti always gets me out of my comfort zone. in this photo, I am wearing the dress with a maasai beaded necklace, that I just bought from a kenyan woman in tennessee. for some reason, I thought it accessorized well together and with the gold couch in the background I just thought it made for an interesting moment.....something royal, perhaps. however you want to interpret it, I must say I just love wearing this dress, its the epitome of comfy-chic. ruti certainly does it, every time, and if you haven't checked out the store yet, its a must see.....uniqueness to the next level!