Everything is Beautiful

Moving

2010-03-07T09:18:00.001-08:00

This blog has moved to a new home, and an address that makes much more sense!

www.everythingisbeautifulblog.blogspot.com

Please come by and say hello!

xo,
Anna

roses and cigarettes

2010-03-06T14:34:00.001-08:00

Photo source here
xo

instant classic

2010-03-06T13:54:00.001-08:00

Photo source here
xo

all that glitters

2010-03-06T13:52:00.000-08:00

Photo source here
xo

alien formations

2010-03-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

Gareth Pugh Fall 2010 RTW

Click images to enlarge, see the rest here.
xo

put on a pretty face

2010-03-04T14:10:00.000-08:00

Photo source here
xo

one step at a time

2010-03-04T14:04:00.001-08:00

Photo source here
xo

the queen

2010-03-04T10:59:00.000-08:00

Photo source here
xo

spring romance

2010-03-04T10:46:00.000-08:00

Photo source here
xo

lina scheynius

2010-03-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

Lina Scheynius is a photographer based in Sweden who creates images that are incredibly intimate, often titling collections as diaries. She invites you into her personal life and her dreams, questioning the borders of reality. There is an ethereal quality in her work that creates a sense of innocence and fantasy, while the subjects are often quite raw and literal. She steers away from digital, uses only natural lighting, and never retouches or crops the images, allowing for organic results that still hold their own magic. Definitely a photographer worth checking out, she also sells Polaroids that include a small note about when, where, and why the photo was taken.
xo

jewel tones

2010-03-02T22:36:00.000-08:00

Chris Benz

Alexandre Herchcovitch

Proenza Schouler

Reem Acra

One of my favorite trends from the Fall 2010 collections.
xo

power suit

2010-02-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

The Bottega Veneta Fall collection seems to have recreated the power suit, a sort of Melanie Griffith from Working Girl for 2010. Each look commands a presence with sweeping lines and broad silhouettes. There is a careful fusion of masculine and feminine that results in this image of power and success.

Masculine forms are created with strong shoulders and a straight waist. The shoulders are often pronounced with ruffles, padding, and various forms of leather "armor". In the day wear the waist is often left uncinched, creating straight lines down the sides of the figure. Some pieces are made entirely out of leather for a harder look. Feminine aspects are introduced in softer fabrics and draping, with cinched waists and flowing dresses. The silhouettes are long and towering, creating the vision of woman who is more of a queen than a princess.

This is not an emphasis on androgyny but rather an emphasis on the woman who has captured several dimensions of her own inherent nature, and can step out as such.

Click on images to enlarge, see the rest here

xo

laugh a little

2010-02-28T14:42:00.001-08:00

Three collections for Fall 2010 that made me smile, and remind us all not to take fashion too seriously...

Topshop Unique

Prada

Meadham Kirchhoff

(Click images to enlarge)

xo

rain dance

2010-02-27T19:14:00.000-08:00

Photo source here
xo

where do you come from, where are you going

2010-02-26T11:57:00.000-08:00

Photo source here
xo

the dark side

2010-02-26T10:05:00.000-08:00

Black can mean a lot of things to a lot of people; it is dark, ambiguous, rebellious, sinister, spiritual, classy, sexy, and on and on. In Japan it symbolizes nobility, age and experience. For the Fall 2010 collection, Frankie Morello chose to play with black as the medium, exploring the possibilities and connotations that it holds.

The risk of working with only one color is that it's easy to create a look that is bland and indistinguishable. Black is no exception, a lot of people run to it because it is versatile, stylish, and flattering. Morello proves, however, that it can also be very interesting and fresh.

By working with texture (I love the quilted fabric and leather), drapery, and translucence, Morello creates shapes and textures to play with the eye and produce structured variation. Since black absorbs light, reflective objects and glittering fabric were included to provide the contrast of luminescence.

There are also plenty of references to black classics - the leather biker jacket, the little black dress, punk rock t-shirts - even a black funereal veil was included in one of the pieces. This collection really was an ode to black, bringing a new life to the color that will always have a huge presence in the fashion world, whether we like it or not.

See the rest of the collection here.
xo

dream tee

2010-02-25T21:26:00.000-08:00

From kinky Parisian designers Lick My Legs. Reminds me of Catwoman, and Catwoman rules.
xo

debut

2010-02-25T17:38:00.001-08:00

Looks captured by the Sartorialist from the brilliant Reed Krakoff debut collection for Fall 2010.
xo

here comes the sun

2010-02-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

Photo source here
xo

expressions

2010-02-24T10:11:00.001-08:00

I love these expressions of Karmen Pedaru, as captured by the Photodiarist. Portraits of a fantastic model by a fantastic photographer.
xo

lest we forget spring

2010-02-23T12:57:00.001-08:00

Peter Jensen Spring 2010 RTW
See the rest here
xo

jazz hands

2010-02-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

My latest and greatest thrift store find... Capezio tap shoes!!! They actually fit, and now I'm ready to take some lessons.
xo

balletic by ben toms and katie shillingford

2010-02-22T11:37:00.000-08:00

Incredible. See the rest here.
xo

behind the curtain

2010-02-22T10:40:00.000-08:00

Vena Cava

Marchesa

Sao Paulo Fashion Week

Alexander Wang

Charlie Le Mindu

A few images from backstage...
Photo source 1.2.3.4.5.6
xo

shoemakers

2010-02-21T13:55:00.000-08:00

Japanese shoemakers Kokochi have a really fun blog in which they share photos of their shoes, workshop and process. The text is in Japanese, but the images alone are quite interesting. I love their shoes too, organic and playful.
xo

i want it all.

2010-02-20T15:32:00.000-08:00

...especially this:
Helmut Lang Fall 2010 RTW
See the entire collection here
xo

arboreal

2010-02-19T16:36:00.000-08:00

For his Fall 2010 collection, Brian Reyes said he drew his inspiration from trees. I'm not sure there could be anything more romantic.
Photo source here
xo

let's go to salzburg!

2010-02-19T16:05:00.000-08:00

Karen Walker approaches each season almost like a jazz musician. She introduces an idea, evolves it in a few directions, and then loops it back around to a fully formed composition. She called the Fall collection Salzburg, USA—an imaginary place where an American take on old-world European wardrobe traditions resides. - Style.com

Photo source here
xo

christian cota explores cubism

2010-02-18T14:55:00.000-08:00

In cubist artworks, objects are broken up, analyzed, and re-assembled in an abstracted form—instead of depicting objects from one viewpoint, the artist depicts the subject from a multitude of viewpoints to represent the subject in a greater context. Often the surfaces intersect at seemingly random angles, removing a coherent sense of depth. The background and object planes interpenetrate one another to create the shallow ambiguous space, one of cubism's distinct characteristics. (Wikipedia)

I always enjoy it when a designer chooses a specific process as the theme for their collection. Whether the process is preconceived or original, it creates a cohesiveness that is elusive yet still tangible to the unknowing eye. When the process is revealed, it is equally interesting to explore how the designer approached the inevitable limitations and rules applied to their creations. Cota approached the process of cubism with a playfulness and steadfast eye for aesthetic appeal. Deconstructing and reconstructing the pieces created new textures and volume that pulled together the looks in a delightful way. Along with breaking down the fabrics, he also broke down the prints, splashing paint on fabrics in his bath tub, then having them digitally rendered. This method ultimately led to one design and palette rendered in three different perspectives.

While Cota may have not touched on some of the characteristics of cubism, he clearly drew his inspiration from it, and succeeded in creating a collection that celebrates many of the features of this artistic movement. And in the end, he simply created a beautiful line of clothes.
Photo source here
xo

i'm out to sea, don't bother me

2010-02-17T08:40:00.000-08:00

Some images from a recent getaway... this is the true nature of the Pacific Northwest, brutal and majestic.
xo

looking back to serenity

2010-02-16T09:54:00.000-08:00

My favorite Fall 2010 collection so far... Marc Jacobs has created a vision that calls us back to a place that is serene, feminine, and dignified. These looks can be considered conservative, but full of personality as well. So lovely!
Photo source here
xo

popsicle

2010-02-12T20:38:00.001-08:00

I'm really hoping these popsicle colors dyed into the ends of long hair will actually catch on... I might even try it myself, once my hair grows out a bit more.
Photo source here
xo

2010-02-11T13:08:00.001-08:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin

rip alexander mcqueen

2010-02-11T08:40:00.001-08:00

Alexander McQueen died today - an exceptional designer who was a master of tailoring and expressed originality beyond anything I could ever imagine. His work is one, if not the reason I became so enamored with fashion in the first place. When I first began this post I was cutting and pasting a million images from his collections, but soon realized that no number would do him justice. Every collection is like a breath of fresh air, something new and exciting.
He is exceptional in the fact that his pieces were always terrifyingly beautiful - shocking, breathtaking, revolting, whimsical, yet always holding a distinctly British element as well.
It breaks my heart, he inspired so many, and will be sorely missed.
xo

eric guillemain

2010-02-10T18:21:00.000-08:00

I found a new photographer I like, his work strikes me as minimal and raw, there is a certain honesty in the photos that I really enjoy. His blog is appropriately titled Before Fashion, you can also see his web portfolio here.
Also, an excerpt from an inspiring interview with Lou Doillon:

You both like to explore. Physically and professionally. Eric, you completely changed jobs.

Eric: Yes.

- and Lou – you’re all over the place.

Lou: I try [laughs].

A renaissance girl.

Lou: Yes, I do many things. But I am curious, how did you get to where you are now?

Eric: Well, I was in a band in Paris, but went to New York and found myself in a place that was convenient for me at the right moment where I needed new energy and a cut from anything in my past.

Lou: And you started assisting a photographer?

Eric: Yeah, this photographer was searching for a French guy, nothing specific, he needed to have a French assistant, not a photo assistant. And I was French. It was the easiest resume requirement in my life. I had never taken a picture before, but I started taking portraits at home, just to have fun. People saw my portraits and they asked me to do more. I sent some to Surface magazine and ended up being an ‘Avant Garde’ photographer. It was maybe the 50th picture of my life. I shot my first fashion story last September, in 2007, and I just followed a path like in a labyrinth. Looking at the signs, going right or left, without asking any questions.

Lou: How much did you try to carve out this ‘path’ for yourself?

Eric: I didn’t push anything. I didn’t ask for anything. I was just sensing something here, something there. And I was following, that’s it. I didn’t try to force anything. I was just answering to what was coming. Surrendering to something bigger than me, I guess. Yeah, maybe like in this novel “The Alchemist.”

Do you plan the pictures or sketch a lot beforehand?

Eric: I’m trying to connect in a simple way, in an honest way. I’m improvising a lot, depending on the models or the person. Like in music, improvising from a few chords, getting in the mood and then you have a few songs or you have nothing at all. I didn’t go to an art school, I don’t have any technique at all and I don’t need a ‘perfect’ picture. I just trust my own feelings. It’s simple.

Never underestimate the forces of intuition... I look forward to where this labyrinthine path takes him.
xo

drip

2010-02-10T12:12:00.001-08:00

Photo source here
xo

jellyfish

2010-02-09T09:13:00.001-08:00

Photo source here
xo

roll on, deep and dark blue ocean, roll

2010-02-05T08:46:00.001-08:00

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea.
Isak Dinesen

xo

morning breaks

2010-02-05T08:12:00.001-08:00

We now have a squirrel friend named Lucky who comes by every morning for breakfast, almonds and oatmeal. First he goes for the almonds, one at a time, picking it up and finding the perfect place to bury it. His method for burying is shovel with paws, push almond into ground with nose, and shovel dirt on top. Then he moves on to the next, and the next, carefully disbursing the almond treasures. Finally, when he work is done, he eats his oatmeal and goes on his way. Every morning he waits patiently on the patio. One time we forgot to feed him and he knocked down a piece of firewood to hit the door and get our attention. What a clever beast!
Photo source 1.2
xo

70's revival

2010-02-03T16:54:00.000-08:00

Long, braided hair, scarves, furs, camel coats, wide-brimmed hats, billowing silhouettes, high-waisted pants... if Riccardo Tisci is doing it, you can bet many more will follow. The 70's are back, whether you like it or not! (Personally, I love it)
Photo source 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8
xo

chainsaw massacre

2010-01-21T11:09:00.001-08:00

It makes me happy to see an editorial that highlights the well-deserving Viktor & Rolf collection... and so beautifully done as well. Now I just need to get my hands on the latest issue of Dazed & Confused...
Photo source here
xo

special message for the day

2010-01-21T10:53:00.001-08:00

By the way this artist makes the letters out of Ring Pops left to melt against the wall... pretty genius.
Photo source here
xo

ghost in a dress

2010-01-12T11:42:00.001-08:00

I found this over at We Find Wildness, and it's just too cool to not repost...

Several years ago, an old black dress made of velvet caught my attention in a second-hand shop. I examined the garment carefully. There was no label. The style of the dress was from the twenties. The seams revealed the dress was handmade. The owner of the shop told me that she had bought it in Paris. I tried the dress on and it fitted me perfectly. I became intrigued by the history of the dress. Who was the woman who had had the dress made? What was her life story?

The main theme and primary driving force of my work is my interest in old clothing. In my photographs, I use discarded clothes from second-hand shops and flea markets. I am interested in old garments, because they carry silent, unknown stories and histories. The unavoidable fact that I will never know the actual stories and personal histories connected with the clothes arouses my curiosity. The clothes remain silent withholding their secrets. Little by little, personal histories are absorbed into the collective history.

For me, a piece of clothing represents, above all, its former wearer. It tells you that somebody has been present. However, the person who wore it is now gone. The faded colours and tears in the fabric show the signs of the time passed. By freezing the garment or letting the wind fill it with air, I am able to create a sculptural space, which reminds me of its former user. This "Imaginary Meeting" represents, for me, the subtle distinction between absence and presence.

When I place clothes into a landscape, I create an installation. In this sense, landscape can be considered as a stage. Bringing these two elements (landscape and clothes) together, I create a dialogue - an interaction. My aim is to suggest and bring forth potential stories, mental images and associations.

Riita Paivalainen

All images by Riita Paivalainen
Photo source here
xo

you're a gem

2010-01-10T22:44:00.000-08:00

Photo source here
xo

the calm before the storm

2010-01-10T13:34:00.000-08:00

Photo source here
xo

writer's block

2010-01-10T13:27:00.000-08:00

You know this feeling, right?
Photo source here
xo

plumage

2010-01-09T09:15:00.001-08:00

It seems like our feathered friends have become a major inspiration as of late in fashion photography... I wonder if it all began with Ann Demuelmeester's amazing spring 2010 collection???
Photo source 1.2.3.4
xo

virtue and vice

2010-01-05T11:10:00.000-08:00

Photo source 1.2.3
xo

it's electric!

2010-01-03T22:07:00.000-08:00

There are so many things I love about this image... the goddess red hair, the electric blue sweater dress that looks so fuzzy and warm, the extremely cool belt (look at it closely)... all contrasting and blending in with the rotting orange and brown leaves on the ground. Thanks to The Clothes Horse for the tip off on this awesome street style site too, it's quickly becoming one of my favorites!
Photo source here
xo

mermaids

2009-12-28T17:11:00.001-08:00

A mermaid found a swimming lad,
Picked him for her own,
Pressed her body to his body,
Laughed; and plunging down
Forgot in cruel happiness
That even lovers drown.

William Butler Yeats

Photo source 1/2/3/4
xo

winter heart

2009-12-23T08:43:00.000-08:00

While it is beautiful in its own right, I like this editorial for the simple fact that it reminds me of the blue/grey glow of the atmosphere on a bitterly cold, snow covered day.
Photo source here
xo

the energy of youth

2009-12-22T08:48:00.001-08:00

Photo source 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8
xo

why don't you take a picture?

2009-12-19T16:02:00.001-08:00

One of the great things about having a blog is it provides a mirror, reflecting back to you the things that you truly enjoy and draw inspiration from. Something I have realized in the little time I have had this blog is that I really, really love photography. It only makes sense to delve deeper, continuing to collect the images that excite me while taking my hand to the activity itself. Actually, that is why I started a blog in the first place.. after pouring over so many creative and beautiful blogs every day with my morning coffee, it suddenly clicked, why not start my own? And it's been a fun, creative process. I'd like to think this blog has evolved a bit over time, little improvements here and there. This is the process, this is the way it goes.

Having never been trained in photography, and not having the means to go to school right now, the best I can do is grab my camera and shoot, shoot, shoot. It's the same with writing, or drawing - you take paper and pencil and get to work. It's okay if it doesn't turn out exactly as you like, what matters is the practice itself. So that's what I've decided to do, simply take pictures whenever I can. And hopefully, one of these days I will get a proper camera and proper training. But it shouldn't cost a fortune to get started in a creative venture.

The camera I currently have is a Fujifilm FinePix S5700... if any of you have any tips on using it, don't hesitate to let me know! I'm still getting to know it myself.

Photo source here
xo

goth. it. up.

2009-12-15T08:55:00.001-08:00

Sometimes it just feels right.
Photo source 1/2/3
xo

head like a kite

2009-12-10T12:16:00.000-08:00

Photo source here
xo

the minimalist

2009-12-09T18:20:00.001-08:00

Photo source here
xo

translucent theory

2009-12-09T12:47:00.001-08:00

Photo source 1/2/3/4
xo

hairspray

2009-12-07T07:53:00.001-08:00

Photo source here
xo

small world

2009-12-07T07:40:00.001-08:00

Photo source here
xo

color poetry

2009-12-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

The spring 2010 RTW collection by Costello Tagliapietra seems to be a meditative exercise in color and drapery. Many of the looks are composed of color blocks, while others are created with fabric prints based on sunset and lake photos taken by the designers, creating a dreamy, watercolor effect. Whether blurred or blocked, the eyes are drawn to the vibrant hues displayed. The drapery is simple yet unusual, often defying gravity and morphing into artful origami. Everything else is subtle detail - the shoes and belts remain in neutral tones and simple shapes. The Swarovski crystals are barely perceptible.
This collection seems to be a pause in the ever changing, forward charging world of fashion. It's a reminder of why we fall in love with fashion in the first place, as a form of art we cannot resist, for the simple elements of color and drapery. Or, as the designers said themselves, it's about "beauty for beauty's sake".
Photo source here
xo

french legends

2009-12-03T13:12:00.000-08:00

Love this photo. Sonia Rykiel and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Photo source here
xo

contemplation

2009-12-01T09:04:00.000-08:00

Photo source here
xo

kenzo + grey gardens

2009-11-30T09:49:00.000-08:00

Such a brilliant idea for an editorial. I especially enjoy the fact that it is not grey at all.
Photo source here
xo

polished

2009-11-29T11:33:00.000-08:00

As soon as I saw the purple nail polish, I fell in love with this image. It's funny how nail color can completely change my perspective on a look.
Photo source here
xo

veiled

2009-11-27T09:51:00.000-08:00

Photo source here
xo

pirouette

2009-11-26T05:21:00.000-08:00

Everything about ballet fascinates me - the grace, endurance, expression, and above all, the costumes. When you think about it, ballet is a very complete art form, in the sense that it involves space (movement), music, and an overall visual aesthetic. It is humbling to watch ballet and realize that these men and women have put themselves through physical hardship and training for years, perhaps a lifetime, in order to create a vision of beauty and grace, using every muscle in their body to express the emotion of this story they inhabit. If I were to go into costume design, it would be for a ballet company. To create costumes that float around the dancer's body would be a dream.
If you enjoy ballet-inspired fashion like me, check out Arthur Elgort. He is both a fashion and ballet photographer, and it is interesting to see how these two passions intertwine and deviate in his work.
Photo sources 1/2/3/4/5
xo

origami

2009-11-24T17:21:00.000-08:00

Photo source here

xo

stripes + denim

2009-11-23T10:22:00.000-08:00

Photo source 1/2/3/4/5/6

xo

beauty

2009-11-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

the artist's way

2009-11-22T10:32:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a brief pause from the fashion world to discuss Naomi Nowak, an artist I've admired for some time. Naomi is one of those artists with multifaceted talents - she's a painter, an illustrator, a photographer, a writer, and a girl with great personal style as well. Somehow she is able to bring all of these things together in a very beautiful and eloquent way on her blog. She also has three graphic novels under her belt, two of which I have read and I look forward to reading the latest one too. Anyways, I felt compelled to write about her because she reminds me of who a true artist is: someone who sees magic and beauty in everything real and beyond. Check out the complete collection of her work here.
xo

meeting the locals

2009-11-21T11:49:00.000-08:00

Last night I attended the blogmeetblog event here in Seattle, hosted by the lovely bloggers Rebecca and Kam. If I were to describe the evening in one word, it would be exhilarating. Everyone looked fabulous, there were so many unique looks happening in one space! It was held at BoConcept, a beautiful store showcasing modern interior design, a perfect meeting place for the event. There was food, booze, and music. But I really think the best part was simply the gathering of like minded people who could finally step outside of the internet and meet in person, learning about one anothers talents and ideas. So inspiring... thanks to Rebecca and Kam, and everyone who showed up. I hope there will be more events like this in the future.

The two most common questions asked were a)what's your blog? (an obvious one, and fortunately i did a mad dash to kinko's beforehand to print out some "business cards") and b) what kind of camera do you use... the second one caught me off guard, I am by no means a photographer (although I'd like to get around to that one of these days), but I should have been prepared seeing as I was immediately compelled to take pictures of everyone! That being said, please forgive me for not having better photos, fortunately all the lovely faces made up for it. I'll do my best to give labels/names to you, but if I have something wrong please let me know... and if I don't have a link for you please feel free to send it!

Rebecca (host), The Clothes Horse

Kam (host), needle+thread

Miniature hot dogs and miniature cupcakes = good eats

Elizabeth, SHOCK THE BOURGEOIS
I looove her chartreuse coat.

These guys were a lot of fun to talk with. Unfortunately, I can't remember their names! I do know that the two dudes on the left work for the online magazine VISUALNOISETYPE... they spontaneously started recording me discussing the title of my blog, which was interesting... anyways it was a fair trade off to get their photo!

These ladies had such fun outfits! I love the coat on the left and thigh-high boots on the right... it almost looks like they coordinated, no? Anyways, I know the lady on the left is Laura, and she writes a blog called Where What When for Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, among other things.

This is Melanie, she does marketing and PR for BoConcept. Her dress was amazing, the photo doesn't do it justice - a brilliant tangerine with fabric petals along the collar.

Audi and Jess, Fashion For Nerds ... genius!

I can't remember their names but I had a really fun conversation with these two, and the lady pretty much convinced me that Twitter is a necessity for bloggers, so... that might be happening soon... watch out!

Siiri, A Half Cup
I was completely dazzled by her scarf!

Zaara, illustrator, KittenChops // Rasmus Rasmussen, photographer, RASMUS RASMUSSEN DOT COM

Lovely bartenders at the wine table!

Some beautiful fabrics on display.
These two were a lot of fun to talk with, sadly in the frenzy of the night I misplaced the girl's business card... if they see this I hope they send me their names and blogs!!!
UPDATE - Denise, The Jaunty Magpie, Eddie, SUPERBETCH ... thank you Denise!

xo

rip daul kim

2009-11-20T12:19:00.000-08:00

trenchologie

2009-11-19T13:12:00.000-08:00

One of the original advertisements for Burberry listed the following features for their classic garment:

1. Absolute freedom for all limb movements.
2. Extra durability in wear.
3. Perfect air-porousness and almost negligible weight.
4. An especially smart and sportsmanlike appearance.
5. Practical impermeability to wet, cold winds, and fish hooks.

Not sure that we have to worry about fish hooks these days, but the rest still apply. Perhaps this explains why the trench hasn't gone out of style... it's something we can depend on for function as well as fashion. I recently discovered The Art of the Trench, created by Burberry, which has to be one of the most genius and entertaining ad campaigns to date. You basically get to view endless variations of this wonderful standard... I have always loved trench coats, so to me this site is pure eye candy. As if that weren't awesome enough, you can also search by popularity, gender, styling, color, weather, collaborations, and my favorite, decade. If you are a fan at all of the trench, this is undoubtedly something to check out.
xo

yelena yemchuk

2009-11-17T08:26:00.001-08:00

I was initially interested in Yelena Yemchuk for her fashion photography. Something about the images seemed more dimensional, more full of life, than most fashion photos out there. A little investigation shed some light on her personal aesthetic and technique, and a few pleasant surprises as well.
The dimensionality of these photos can be attributed to the sense of narrative in every subject... the woman in the photo always seems to be in the middle of an interesting story, a character with personality and depth. Yemchuk's ability to conjure up a character like this in a single image is a result of her previous experience in film - before she began her career in fashion photography, she worked in film, including direction of multiple music videos for the Smashing Pumpkins (one of the pleasant surprises in my research).
Along the way I also discovered her paintings (another pleasant surprise), which are quite enchanting, full of folkloric creatures and awkward encounters, all suspended in the space of the canvas. Check them out here.
There is so much more I could write about Yemchuk, she really is quite fascinating, but I suggest you go to this article instead for a more thorough review of her work and life thus far.

xo

spine

2009-11-12T22:06:00.000-08:00

xo

Photo source: 1/degas 2/toujours amoreux, 3/? 4/jak & jil 5/yelena yemchuck

details

2009-11-12T12:01:00.001-08:00

How much beauty and innovation can be packed into a single outfit? I sometimes wonder if this is Alexander McQueens' driving force. Looking at the details, I am overwhelmed with how much work and imagination went into each piece. One could literally spend hours pouring over the construction and intricacy of the clothes, shoes, accesories, hair and makeup. No stone was left unturned. The computer-generated prints alone, with their swirling colors and Rorschach imagery, leave me feeling hypnotized.
Despite the beauty, this collection also reminds me of the world conjured by H.R. Giger; perverse, unworldly, and menacing. And it seems appropriate too, considering the theme - according to a press release, McQueen was creating "an apocalyptic forecast of the future ecological meltdown of the world." Mutation abounds, from the hoof-like stillettos to the implanted cheekbones... many of the dresses themselves seemed to be frozen in transformation, with prints fading into scales and layers descending upon layers. It begs the question: is McQueen designing for the woman of this world, or the next?

xo

Photo source: 1&3 Style.com, 2&4 HR Giger

Into the Wild

2009-11-11T12:44:00.000-08:00

Growing up in Seattle, I was always surrounded by the beauty of nature; green, towering trees and snow-capped mountains in every direction on the horizon. When I lived in Phoenix it was the vast, red sands of the desert and an enormous blue sky that felt like it could swallow you up at any moment. In New York it was the bustling, raw energy of humanity.
I am currently reading Into the Wild, and before that, Into Thin Air, both written by Jon Krakauer, and both delivering vivid descriptions of the brutal and relentless power of nature. It fascinates me, and I plan on exploring more with The Heart of the Sea and The Last American Man.
The idea of being at home in the wild can conjure up many different emotions such as fear, exhilaration, determination, and peace. Most of us are living in an urbanized world that serves as a kind of buffer against this idea, but it will never serve as an escape from the reality of our planet, our home. This is why I am drawn to fashion photography that explores a woman who is fearless in nature... a sort of pagan warrior that somehow meets our modern world of design, creating an image that is both thought provoking and absurd.

xo

Photo source: 1, 2, 3 Antichrist (film), 4 Ansel Adams, 5

Good Morning

2009-11-11T09:22:00.000-08:00

xo

Photo source: knight cat

A Perfect Combination

2009-11-10T19:12:00.000-08:00

Monochromatic layers (specifically, black) with a lightly colored scarf (specifically, peach). It's simple, dramatic, and easy to pull out of most wardrobes. And doesn't she look stunning?!

xo

Photo source: The Sartorialist

Take My Breath Away

2009-11-10T13:54:00.000-08:00

Riccardo Tisci is the master architect in fashion.

Givenchy Spring 2010 RTW

xo

Photo source, Style.com

Lady In White

2009-11-08T10:45:00.000-08:00

To this day Legend is one of my favorite films, but when I was a child, Princess Lili was my hero. She represented a world of magic, innocence, and beauty, and I always dreamed of finding that place in my own reality.
It seems to have left such an imprint on my mind that any time I see a long, flowing white dress I feel a little enchanted... the SS10 Chloe collection has quite a few of these, even the white jumpsuit recalls that magical world I once dreamed of.
It's interesting how film and nostalgia can play such a strong roll in our predispositions in fashion.

xo

Photo Source (1-5), The Cherry Blossom Girl

Lonely Hearts//Brains for Dinner

2009-11-06T08:24:00.000-08:00

Before the look book images even appeared, blood splattered on the screen and I knew I was going to like this (don't worry, it wasn't REAL blood ;) ). It's the SS10 collection from Lonely Hearts, lovingly titled "Brains for Dinner". The lace and zipper details, unfinished edges, and minimal color palette all create a mood that is certainly raw and a bit doomsday, don't you think?
That being said, I also have to mention that I really love the Lonely Hearts web site... their look book presentations are varied and quite creative.. their blog is fun to read, and the overall design of the site is playful and bold. Check it out here.

xo

Some Inspiration

2009-11-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

"With this blog, I didn't know that I could become a photographer for GQ, I didn't really know anything about photography. I knew it probably was a stretch. But I came up with my own take and to me, there was no reason why I couldn't be. I didn't realize how big that world was but I let myself be stupid. So sometimes ignorance can be bliss."
- Scott Schuman, The Sartorialist

xo

Source: TFS

Tailored.

2009-11-03T20:46:00.001-08:00

It never gets old...

xo

Photo Source: Garance Dore (1&3), The Sartorialist (2&4)

Seeing Red

2009-11-03T09:23:00.001-08:00

xo

Photo Source: Wikipedia, Toujours Amoureux

Docs Rule

2009-11-02T15:14:00.001-08:00

xo

Photo source: The Cherry Blossom Girl, The Sartorialist, Face Hunter

If I were a blonde...

2009-11-02T15:02:00.001-08:00

I would totally dress like these ladies...

And dye my hair pink when the mood struck me.

xo

Photo Source: Face Hunter, The Sartorialist, Jak & Jil

Look Closer

2009-11-01T11:19:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I stumble upon a blog that draws me in with a specific element, and in this case it is quite literal... Ink is an amazing blog with zoomed-in images, capturing details that would otherwise go unnoticed. Luce is studying graphic design and illustration, and I think it shows in her way of looking at fashion and photography. She does a great job of encouraging the viewer to stop and look at construction, patterns, and color. I also really appreciate the fact that she posts her own work ... it's always great to see the mesh of a blogger's own creations with their choice in images. Thanks Luce, for a beautiful and thought-provoking blog!

xo

Happy Halloween, My Dears

2009-10-31T12:03:00.001-07:00

Space Travel

2009-10-30T13:56:00.001-07:00

xo

Photo source: A Patch of Skye, because im addicted

In Pursuit of Beauty

2009-10-30T13:19:00.001-07:00

This week I was asked by a friend why I am so interested in exploring fashion. I think it’s to do with an insatiable desire for beauty. Only by hunting can you find the new and the beautiful. It’s a compulsive curiosity and a constant aesthetic investigation.
- July stars

I don't think it can be explained any better than this.

xo

Photo source: So Much To Tell You

Velvet Crush

2009-10-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

Velvet... is there anything more delicious?

xo

"there’s nothing wrong with being a fashion icon."

2009-10-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

Chloe Sevigny, the ultimate chameleon in fashion (and not at all in a passive way)...
I like the fact that she continues to carry the torch for grunge and preppy classics, and I like the fact that she's clearly a hard worker, knows what she's doing in the mad world of fashion and Hollywood. I also like the fact that she's got clever and unabashed style at all times.

xo

Give Me Peace

2009-10-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

xo

Photo source: Julia., Vain & Vapid, So Much To Tell You

Optical Orgasm

2009-10-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

Prints and patterns seem to be the framework for the latest Miu Miu line, inviting the viewer to take a closer look at the pieces... playful and almost delirious with images of puppies, kittens, swallows, daisies, and naked ladies. It might be overkill, but so much fun to look at and ponder.

"I was questioning innocence, questioning youth," Prada said backstage. "What do they mean today in a world that's the opposite?"

xo

Photo source: style.com

Luxury Items

2009-10-24T09:44:00.001-07:00

A girl can dream.
xo

Remember

2009-10-18T20:00:00.001-07:00

Falling Stars

Do you remember still the falling stars
that like swift horses through the heavens raced
and suddenly leaped across the hurdles
of our wishes--do you recall? And we
did make so many! For there were countless numbers
of stars: each time we looked above we were
astounded by the swiftness of their daring play,
while in our hearts we felt safe and secure
watching these brilliant bodies disintegrate,
knowing somehow we had survived their fall.

Rainer Maria Rilke

xo

Photo from Julia.

Dear Grunge,

2009-10-17T12:52:00.001-07:00

Please come back!!!
(What can I say, I'm a Seattle girl at heart)
xo

Photo from Vain and Vapid

Bundle Up

2009-10-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

Weaving old scarves to make a lovely new scarf... genius!

xo

Photo from The Facehunter

Glamour

2009-10-15T14:18:00.001-07:00

xo

Image from Julia., quote from Sunset Boulevard