Wednesday, February 23, 2011

When Harry and Sally Met Sid and Nancy

Currently finding inspiration from a mix of preppy and punk.


One of my favorite Kate Moss images when I was in high school


Rach and I circa 2008


Rach and I circa 2010. How times change


Paul Smith Autumn/Winter 2011

Streetfsn

Monday, February 14, 2011

There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out

Valentine's Day is for sure one of my favorite capitalist holiday schemes in America. Even if it was created by the card companies... even if we'll spend 1 billion in chocolates today alone (read it on CNN this morning)... we'll also remember why we love our friends, lovers, family, and selves. And maybe, just maybe, we'll get through it without proving our affection through money.
Here are some images that inspire me on the patron saint of love's special day:

We ♥ It

Ban.Do

Ban.Do

Loveology


H&M Spring 2011

Punchbowl

Commes de Garcons and Converse March 2011

Monday, February 7, 2011

Geek Chic

I really appreciate a good book shelf. As a college student and (wannabe) academic my bed is constantly surrounded with stacks of books. These aesthetically pleasing presentations of immortal knowledge remind me that smart and pretty can go hand in hand.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Le Court-Metrage

Oliver Peoples just released a new short film to promote their sunglasses. The fashion company is fairly well known for high quality short films, usually erring on the side of fantastical and dreamy. This film featuring indie musician/artist Devendra Banhart and his girlfriend Rebecca Schwartz went a slightly more steamy route. Regardless of the sexual content of this project, I actually really appreciate the style of this film. The sunny lighting inspires and lifts my mood on cold winter afternoons like today.
I have no idea who Schwartz is but the way she looks in the mirror with her big coal-rimmed eyes recalls an innocence I haven't really seen since the French New Wave era. And maybe the scene in Atonement where Kiera Knightly gets ready for dinner. To be sure, Schwartz remains the object-not subject- in this film. That said, I really appreciate these mirror shots when done right (mirror shots in comedies never really deliver). For a brief instant the audience comes in union with the object as they both see the same thing at the same time. Of course, Schwartz is this thing; we see her through rose colored glasses...maybe the same ones Oliver Peoples wants to hawk.
I'm ignoring the feminist implications of object/subject relations in movies this time to comment on the aesthetically pure nature of this court metrage. Thank you to Oliver Peoples for doing the mirror shots right. Also, thank you to Banhart for providing an excellent song for the film. Just please...less ironic anchor tattoos and more clothes next time.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Traveling with Dignity

I'm pretty into human dignity. I find days of air travel can really make or break the human spirit. Although we're taught to believe life is about the journey, not the unavoidable destination (its called life, not death for a reason), jet setting these days seems to be all about getting from point A to point B. We are constantly forced to ask if the means justify the ends. For example, TSA asked me to go through the body scanner today on my way out of DC. My thought is both a body scan and a pat down attack human dignity (not to mention our 4th amendment rights), but the body scan does it more quietly. And with more radiation. Having someone feel you up in front of 100 strangers can be humiliating: it attacks both your dignity and your integrity. That said, I would rather be felt up by a government employee out in the open than looked up and down discretely. The body scan allows people to ignore the gross privacy violation currently occurring every day in airports around the country. So, even though I was running late, I made the choice to opt out and it really wasn't bad.
Now to relate this to clothing. I have a few thoughts:
First, dignified style can create a sense of dignity in even the most humiliating moments. Second, feeling dignified (via your style) can help you demand respect from individuals in power. Third, maybe if we cared more about the journey we take in airplanes, we would be less willing to compromise our integrity every time we feel the eyes of a TSA employee upon us. This in not a well thought out thesis yet, but maybe TSA treats people poorly because they can: because people care about the destination so much more than the journey that they're willing to compromise their usual standards. How does this have to do with clothing you ask? Back in the day flying was quite the thang, and people treated it as such. Women would wear pretty dresses and pill box hats; men nice suits and newly shined shoes. Perhaps by re-instating a respect and love for the journey as well as the destination, people will be more likely to hold airports and planes accountable for the amount of dignity we demand in all other aspects of life. How we dress on airplanes is one indicator as to how much or little we care about the flight itself. I know sweatpants are really comfortable on a plane, but they also devalue a respect for the airplane experience. And it is pretty cool when you think about it- you're flying! Because airplane travel so frequently encroaches upon human dignity these days, I call upon my fellow citizens to class up your style next time you fly. I'm not saying you have to wear your Sunday's best, I'm simply suggesting you dress according to the respect you and the aviation experience deserve.

My travel picks:
1) Marc by Marc Jacobs medium sized nylon 'Tate' tote is roomy enough for to fit your belongings for a weekend away, but small enough that you can actually use it out on the town without looking like a backpacker. The side pockets are perfect for putting your liquid bag into so you don't have to rummage around while in security. There's also no leather which I appreciate.


2) A nice scarf makes me feel cute even after a long flight. The Cheap Monday scarf I purchased in Denmark a few years ago has become a constant companion wherever I go (like here in Marseille avec Rachel!)


3) Lotion. I use my mother's old Lancome sample jar but fill it up with my own paraben-free stuff. Old sample jars are perfect for airplane travel, don't throw them away once they're used up! You can also store earrings and rings in them.


4) Dr. McDougall's vegan split pea soup. I know the word vegan scares some people but this soup actually tastes and smells delicious, I've never met someone who tried it and didn't like it. All you need is hot water which the flight attendants are always more than willing to give. Just like clothing choice asserts your human dignity, so too can food. Plane food is gross, and even on the few occasions it tastes okay its typically horrible for you. Treat your body right with food that tastes and digests better.



Monday, October 25, 2010

Sock It To Me

Hansel From Basel's new collection takes fall tights and socks to a whole new level. Some are expensive but there's actually some good deals on here, be sure to check out sock of the month for a steal!




Saturday, October 23, 2010

Pictures of Drawings of Pictures

Really into Krisatomic right now. Along with photography, she draws simple and adorable pictures of real-life outfits. Anthropologie and Chloe have both featured her stuff. Since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery I thought I would imitate her own imitation for kicks.