Flea Market Madness

When I moved to Los Angeles 5 years ago, one of the things that made me feel lucky to be living here was the fact that I had monthly access to the Rose Bowl Flea Market.  Where I’m from, flea markets are not easy to come by, which is unfortunate considering I’m a hoarder and lover of all things vintage.  It was mostly about thrift stores in Houston, which can be pure vintage heaven for those on the hunt for something old, special, and really cheap.  Thrift store shopping is my favorite thing to do when I head back south.  My mom hates going with me because she can’t stand the smell of the clothes or the thought of wearing something second hand.  She is not responsible for my love of fashion/shopping/vintage.  In high school, my friend and I used to switch the price tags at our favorite thrift store so we could buy things even cheaper than $2.  I know, I know — I still feel guilty about it.  I’ve been to 3 flea markets in L.A. numerous times: Rose Bowl, Melrose Trading Post, and Pasadena City College.  They all have certain things I love about them, and I’ve learned which vendors to buy from, what time to show up, and how to bargain (the hardest thing for me to learn since I am a major people pleaser).   When you’re living below poverty level like I was 5 years ago, it’s best not to go or you might get really depressed because you can’t buy something you REALLY WANT.  I went to the Melrose flea market today and rather than spend money on clothes and shoes, I took some photos of beautiful things that I was drawn to.  I love how antiques can look so well merchandised even when they’re all thrown together on a table.  I get so excited when I see knick-knacks piled next to other knick-knacks mixed in with vintage clothes and accessories. Everything looks so colorful and old and beautiful.  I was inspired to do a flea market post of my photos taken today and others I took a while back.

 

Taken in Buenos Aires

Nothing a Pair of Scissors Can’t Fix

Last week I went to the Hollywood Bowl to see the greatest show of the decade: Cat Power/Spiritualized/Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.  It was my third time to see Cat Power, my second time to see Spiritualized, and my first time to see Nick Cave.  I don’t even know how to begin to describe how transcending of an experience it is to watch Jason Pierce from Spiritualized perform.  The first time I was blown away, he played with an orchestra and 3 backup singers.  It was so beautiful I cried through half the show.  It was an epic night, to say the least.  Last week was no exception.  When “Soul on Fire” started to play, a girl behind me said it reminded her of Bon Jovi.  I thought that was pretty awesome.  However, I must say that the highlight of the evening was watching Nick Cave totally own the stage, strutting his stuff in a suit like no one else can.  The man’s got style, no doubt.  His gold medallion said it all.  The crowd was full of energy with almost everyone standing up through his whole performance.  Two guys sitting in front of me that must have been in their 50’s were rocking out hard and kept yelling “Bring it Home.”  Good stuff. They killed it at the end when they closed with “Stagger Lee”- one my favorite songs of all time.  

Here’s a clip of Nick Cave performing “Call Upon the Author.”  The Bad Seeds were seriously shredding during this song.  I wish I could go back in time and feel it all over again.

My Brain is Flooding

New York Fashion is over but that doesn’t mean it is for me.  Between starting a new job and keeping up with my freelance stuff, the amount of work has doubled and my brain is in overdrive with fashion shows. Analyzing every little detail, writing, researching- it could go on for days and days if I let it.  Considering I have 3 more weeks of fashion overkill, I will continue to embrace it.  Some thoughts:

Marc Jacobs did a fine job of taking everything under the sun and putting together a modest collection of mix and match separates.  A little bit of old-school Perry Ellis grunge, straw hats, and bustled skirts made me think of the working class woman.   “Suffragette City” by David Bowie would have been the perfect song to accompany his show, but he chose Gershwin instead.  It wasn’t a bad choice, considering the collection was also a little prim and proper which is what classical music is to me, in a good way.  There was also something kind of naughty about the clothes and the styling.  When you’re that covered up, especially in below the knee skirts, it all becomes a fantasy.

Kate and Laura Mulleavy have got to have the most far-out imaginations.  Their collections are like narratives and when the show is over it’s like you’ve arrived to your final destination as a completely different person.  I sound all new-age but if you check out Rodarte you’ll see what I mean.  I love that they continued their story from last season, keeping the Japanese slasher girl in the picture and then adding Stars Wars to the mix to give it a futuristic touch.  It was somewhat of a fairytale- the muted colors, the flowy chiffon dresses, the bright orange eyes- it made me want to run through a forest.  

Nobody does color like Jonathan Saunders.  I thought his collection was the most unique and I can’t think of another designer who can make a show successful just on the use of color alone.  Turquoise was a dominant color throughout as were bright red and green, and he also paired navy blue with black- my favorite color combination.  Not only did he succeed with his palette, but his silhouettes were also right on.  Snug Sgt. Pepper jackets were pure perfection worn with chiffon skirts that had just the right amount of volume.  

Rachel Comey does it for me every time.  Her collection reminded me of Prada a few years back- the metallic shorts and bra set that was photographed in black and white on Anouck Lepère.  The look of the show was very 1940’s housewife chic.  I loved the pants, the prints, and the colors.   I got a latin vibe from it- I think it was the hair and the lipstick.  There wasn’t anything in the collection I wouldn’t wear.

Last but certainly not least, Proenza Schouler.  This was my absolute favorite show and my most favorite collection from the boys. They took it to another level.  Raquel Zimmerman in a leather cone top with high waisted pants?  Forget about it.  To me, this show was the definition of modern.  Structured shoulders, leather jumpsuits, round frame sunglasses, parted hair, zippers everywhere, transparent pants–it was a strong collection for a tough, downtown girl who likes to make a statement.  

Marc Jacobs

Rodarte

Jonathan Saunders

Rachel Comey

Proenza Schouler

Stop, Drop, and Roll

I’m completely hot for Chairlift and their song, Planet Health.  The lyrics are beautiful, hilarious, and totally seductive.  It reminds me of discovering new wave music when I was very young and doing illegal things as a teenager.  The video is out of control amazing.  Check it.

So far, So Damn Good.

It’s fashion week.  We all know that.  And I’ve already got three crushes: Alexander Wang, Daughters by Obedient Sons, and Karen Walker.  Alex Wang proved yet again that he’s got the downtown girl figured out.  Inspired by Miami Vice, his collection was chock-full of body conscious dresses fit for a scandalous night on the town with Don Johnson and company.  There was also plenty of loose-fiiting sportswear, my favorite being the cropped tee and high waisted short shorts- perfect for a ride on a high speed boat chase with D.J.  But what got me most excited about the collection were the colors.  Pastels and black?  Who would have thought?  It’s making me love the 80’s.

Moving on, Daughters by Obedient Sons.  Hot off their nomination for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the  husband-and-wife team took womenswear to another level.  It wasn’t quite the level of cult status, but this beautiful collection took them from under-the-radar status to “of the moment”.  Think Little House on the Prairie (for the colors) with a subdued modernity (the clothes), both perfectly joined to create menswear-inspired pieces for women.  Palazzo pants, a suit that had Laura Ashley written all over it, tailored blazers, and buttoned-to-there linen tops had me intrigued.

I must have e.s.p.  Inspired by the cult film Holy Mountain (see previous post) and the Yearning for Zion polygamist ranch, Karen Walker’s collection was whimsical, boyish, and a little creepy.  I favored the boyish looks and the Holy Mountain hats.  Cuffed pants, crazy graphic tees, button-ups, boxy tops, and two-tone oxfords could definitely get me through next season.  What I love most about K.W. is that season after season, she designs whatever she feels like designing without listening to the masses but still manages to be on point.  I can only hope she continues to do just that.

Alexander Wang – Images from Style.com

Daughters By Obedient Sons

Karen Walker