Yes, Please

My shoe collection keeps growing and growing and while I must say this makes me very happy, my husband thinks I’ve gone completely mad.  But show me a girl who doesn’t love shoes and then I’ll quit bringing more home.  This will never happen, right?  My newest obsession are these from Osborn Design in Brooklyn, all manufactured fair-trade in Guatemala City.  Simple in style and all about amazing prints and fabrics, there couldn’t be a more perfect take on the classic oxford. Sadly, they don’t currently come in my size but word on the street is that they will very soon.  You can read more about Osborn design here and also check out this interview to find out more about the creative couple behind the line.

All of This and Nothing

A week or so ago I posted some old ads from an issue of Purple in 2003 and mentioned how great the editorials were back then. Not that 2003 was so long ago, but those of you who followed the magazine in its earlier years know what I’m sayin’.  This editorial in particular is one of my favorites and was shot by Laetitia Benat.  It features Mehdi Belhaj Kacem, a French-Tunisian actor, writer, and philosopher along with Alexandra Koubichkine, a Russian beauty that floors me with her chic simplicity.  They seem to be a couple but I’m not too sure, and I’m uncertain about Alexandra’s background.  All I know is that this does it for me.  The natural light, the grittiness of the photos, the setting, and the idea that not every fashion editorial has to be over-styled is what I’m attracted to.

Short and Sweet

Feeling a little under the weather but thought I’d post these lovely photos of Lou Doillon taken from an old issue of Anthem magazine.  While I was looking at these today I asked myself, “What is it about her that everyone loves?”  I can’t speak for everyone else but to me it’s her awkward kind of beauty that I’m drawn to.  I like her perfect pout that covers her toothy grin and her easy style that is just the right mix of masculine and feminine.  And that hair?  Pretty much the ideal kind, no?

So Long, Farewell

Purple Magazine used to be the jam back in the day.  I was going through my old issues from 2003 and I flipped out when I saw all of the content and realized what a huge difference there is between Purple now and Purple then.  I’ll be posting some of the photography and editorials soon but what I wanted to share first were these ads.  Let’s face it: ads were way cooler back then.  It wasn’t so much about selling a product, but more of selling a brand or an identity through art.  Funny thing is, this was only 6 years ago, but it seems like a lifetime has gone by when I look at these.  Things were different.  Fashion was different.  The internet wasn’t the biggest deal in the world.  I still appreciate what Purple is and I can’t say I don’t love some of the things that it delivers, but I don’t love her like I used to.  It once embodied what I believe in most which is people living unconventional lives and putting out unconventional art, either literally or through journalism or through the way they dress.  I’m feeling pretty nostalgic right now.

By far my favorite series of ads by Comme des Garçons

How amazing is this Isabel Marant ad?  Check out the hooka!

I like the installation in this Zucca ad.

Vanessa Bruno still puts out some great ads and explores new mediums to showcase her collections.  I like the element of storytelling in this one.

The black & white Miu Miu ads are still my favorite.

Representan de Buenos Aires

While I was in Peru this past spring I picked up the latest issue of Cosas Moda, a Peruvian men’s and women’s fashion magazine that deserves just as much recognition as any other high fashion magazine in Europe or the states.  Artistic editorials, thoughtful and well-researched coverage of designers, and collages of trends that are right on are just a few of the things one can expect from the magazine.  The April issue featured an editorial dedicated to Buenos Aires, one of my favorite cities in the world.  It’s no secret that BA has their own fashionable flavor going on, but witnessing the way Argentines put themselves together is something to marvel at.  There is usually color involved, and getting dressed is a form of expression that is lighthearted and fun – it’s not about a competition or who is wearing the latest designer garb.  I fell in love with these pictures taken by Gustavo Di Mario for Cosas Moda. To me, they represent the youthful vibrance of Argentina.

Story Time

My bookshelves are overflowing, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to hoard more.  The newest titles to make it to my wish list: Henry Darger by Klaus Biesenbach; Maison Martin Margiela published by Rizzoli; The Marchesa Casati – Portraits of a Muse written by the directors of The Casati Archives; The Velvet Underground – New York Art from Rizzoli; Self-Portrait in a Velvet Dress, Frida’s Wardrobe published by Chronicle Books; and Prada, conceived and edited by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli.  Henry Darger is one of my favorite artists.  I’ve written about him here and am always interested in finding out more about his life and his artwork.  I recommend watching the documentary In the Realms of the Unreal – it sheds some light on his fascinating, although somewhat sad background.  Both the Margiela and Prada books rank high on my list due to the fact that I have a deep appreciation for the aesthetics of both designers and their ability to always design what they want and not cater to the masses, yet somehow manage to drive every fashion follower into a frenzy with their smart and highly conceptual clothing and accessories.  Marchesa Casati wasn’t your everyday heiress. Although she did serve as muse to many including Cecil Beaton and Jack Kerouac, she was very creative and held lavish parties, always dressing in elaborate, statement making attire.  She was also the hostess of the Ballets Russes and her influence can still be felt and seen today, most specifically in John Galliano’s creations and in the evening wear line, Marchesa.  Alice Ritter turned me onto the Frida Kahlo book (thanks, Alice!) and being that I regard her as one of the most prominent, feminist artists with amazing style to have ever lived, I am so interested to find out more about her wardrobe.  And I actually kind of wish I had a unibrow – something about hers was so sexy.  Lastly, The Velvet Underground – clearly one of the greatest bands of all time.  They are so fascinating to me and I can’t wait to devour that book.