SO LONG!! come see me @ blogspot

I am moving to blogger. I have two posts up already. I will be moving these over, and also posting all new articles on that site. Please come follow me on Blogger.

http://thepearlevolution.blogspot.com/

ROCK THE HOUSE

It is very rare that I stop dead in my tracks over a fashion photo spread. Doing what I do, involves digging through many, many photos, for many hours. It involves researching every fashion magazine known to man for inspiration. You can’t very well do what you do, without, knowing what you know.  So with this endless research, and the ever elusive hunt for something that grabs, and inspires me, I end up looking through thousands of images. Don’t get me wrong I find many stunning shots, captivating faces, and gorgeous fashion, but it is rare to find something that sucks me in for longer than a few minutes. I feel like I am dating my research. I am courting many images that I like, but I don’t love. I keep them for a while, I think about them, I wonder where we are going in life, and if we have a future together. In the end we stay friends, but we realized that we are not meant to be. We remain friends, and I store them away in a folder to wait for the possible second chance later in life.

You spend so much time digging, and searching, that when you are hit with your visual “love at first sight” it can catch you off guard. This is exactly what happened to me. As im lazily clicking through images…..no, click….ummm no, click…. maybe? no, click. So on and so forth until I see this spread “Rock the House”, that was featured in Vogue 2001.  The images struck me something hard. This shoot combined fantastic visuals, with the music industry. The spread used images that have made a mark on music history as a sort of template, if you will. They took these already fabulous pictures, and then added  a spin of well-known models playing the part of musician.

I rarely find something that stops me dead in my tracks, but this captured me whole. A beautiful, and fresh take on days of the past. Harnessing a great balance between adding a new spin without losing the touch of history as a whole. Rock the House, not only shook this place, but Rocked my world.

Rock the House

Vogue US, November 2001

Photographer: Steven Meisel

Models: Devon Aoki, Ben Northover, Karolina Kurkova

Fanni Bostrom, Audrey Marnay, Tasha Tilberg,

Trish Goff, Cyrille Victor, Sophie Dahl, Kiara Kabukuru, Omahyra Mota,

Hannelore Knuts, Diana Meszaros,  Matt Duffie, Karen Elson and others

Bow down part two

JUDY GARLANDVERONICA LAKERITA HAYWORTHJANIS JOPLIN

Bow down, to the history makers.

This will be the start to a three-piece post. This will be less of an article, and more of a look-book of femininity through history. This post is meant to be compiled of the women in history that changed everything for us.  Not only changing the role as a women in society, they also effecting beauty, sexuality, and fashion.  As I gathered the images, I realized that fashion has changed little. The biggest change through time is the perception of what beautiful is. I found it interesting that it seems the roll of clothing only rotates, being led by what we are promoting as a sexy woman at the time.

MARILYN MONROE

TWIGGY

AUDREY HEPBURN

BRIGITTE BARDOT

EDIE SEDGWICK

Winter Kate-for spring

Do you remember the girl with neon extensions, and matching belly bearing velour workout suits? I do. Her name was Nicole Richie.  At this time she was a reality TV star. Nicole, and Paris Hilton were side by side, having their lives recorded for us to see. They were loud, and spoiled.  Back then to call her style over the top, was a understatement. What a far cry from the mother of two, soon to be wife, and fashion designer, that she has become. May I say….THANK GOD!

She has found a healthy life, created a beautiful family, and dropped the ratty extensions. Nicole has created a style that we all love. She launched her first project line in 2006, House of Harlow 1960. This collection is a representation, of the bohemian-chic fashion, that she is known for. She started off the line with gold jewelry, inspired by her love of vintage. As a first time mother of her new daughter Harlow, she wanted to just start with accessories, to test the fashion waters.

“A fashion line “was always something that was a long-term plan. I’ve always known I wanted to design clothes,” Richie says. “You really have to put all of your time and effort into it. That’s why I didn’t start with clothing, because I didn’t have the time.”

House of Harlow is being embraced with open arms by the fashion industry, and consumers alike. This being the case she has decided to add a bit more to her designing plate. This is ambitious. Not only is she starting to design more, she also has added another child to her family. Mother of two now, Nicole has found time to give us more lovely things to pine over.  She is launching her collection, Winter Kate this spring. This time around she is not limiting herself to accessories. Winter Kate is packed with items we have all seen the star wearing, and wished we could have. The 40-piece inaugural spring 2010 collection features vests, camisoles, cardigans, kimono jackets, dresses, blouses, and staple cropped leather jacket. The items are ranging in price from $98 to $495, with most pieces set in the low $200s.

“I 100% designed everything. Colors, cuts, fabrics. I would never put my name on something I wouldn’t wear myself. That’s why it’s taken me this long to have my line come out. … I do respect designers that go in it for the long haul and don’t do things that are trendy.”

“Everything is extremely affordable, and that was important to me, to have these pieces be accessible to everyone,” she says. Items from Winter Kate will retail from $68 for a tank top to $1,375 for a suede vest, and House of Harlow shoes range from $158 for a flat sandal to $275 for a suede boot.

I believe, ultimately, Richie is creating the fashion forward, yet timeless fashion we have all been waiting for. I will remember the trashy version of Nicole with a fond smile, and maybe a laugh. I find myself so pleased that Richie has taking the path that she has, to the road of designer. The journey of life changes everything. With each step we change, with each day we grow. Not only are the roads you choose changing your life, but they are also evolving your personal style. For the most part we do not really think about how our fashion will change, from one year, to the next. We know that fashion trends of the past have resulted in, embarrassing photos of ourselves, and mocking from younger generations. Unless you are the younger generation,than, shame, shame . Thankfully we change, and the best example of this is Nicole Richie.

“I just want to do my upcoming projects to the best of my ability. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me.”  -Nicole Richie

Man up

There is no doubt, I am all woman. Though there is no doubt about my gender, and I enjoy very feminine things (all about the ruffles) These days it seems I can not get enough of the menswear trend. I have always been attracted to the laid back, and down right sexy look of a mans dress shirt, combined with a snug fitting jean.

I started to discover a whole new world when “Mad Men” the sitcom started playing. The screen was filled with  button up dress shirts tied perfectly at the bottom, to meet a high-wasted pant, or skirt. I was inspired. It seems I was not the only one running to my man’s closet, to steal a few pieces. Boyfriend over sized blazers, fedora, relaxed jeans, slouchy slacks, button ups, the list goes on. It seems everywhere I look I am seeing new twists on this look.

There is something extremely sexy, and feminine, about a subtle glimpse of a womans curves under a mans clothing. You will drive the other sex crazy. Plus I have to admit, I feel pretty, as well as down right powerful in the get up as well.

A muse needs no words.

“finding an image that can touch your soul, is like finding a shattered piece of yourself. Can inspire you to be whole again.”

They may be lost boys, But the fashion is anything but lost.

Last night I found myself trying to calm my mind, and fall asleep. With nothing soothing me, why not pop in an old  favorite movie. There is nothing like the 80’s, and 90’s to make me lulled into happy dreams. I was deciding which tape to play (yes I was watching VHS) I realized I was surely killing my copy of “Jurassic Park” by playing it every night for three months. It was clear at this point it was time to switch it up. “The Lost Boys” it is then. While watching this feathered hair, leather clad, bandana wearing joy of a movie I realized something very familiar. The fashion style of the 80’s that I have made fun of since I could talk, is back. I knew the trend has been creeping its way back into our hearts (although I think most of the population is putting up a fight). I found myself watching the Cory’s fluffy hair, and strong graphic shirts, in FULL awe. How did this happen. I could no longer make fun of this eras style in good conscious, unless I was willing to bad talk my own. So here is an Ode to the style that refused to be lost.

The fashionable divide

“And the key differences between women in the North and their fellow fashion lovers in the South-East?”

‘In London,’ says Justine, ‘women will dress down their Louboutin heels with skinny jeans or leggings and less-is-more hair and make-up, which they see as being very cool.”

‘In Liverpool, that would be criminal: the girls here make sure the rest of their outfit is as glam as the shoes themselves.”

“My own view is that Northerners are finally asserting themselves when it comes to what they wear. We love glamour and we’re no longer afraid to flaunt it.”

As I read the article that these quotes came from, many questions arise.  Fashion brings many people together. No doubt that we have bonded with a friend over shopping, or a common massive shoes addiction. We may also have met a new friend while shopping, or working in retail. This love of all things fashionable brings many together. This being said, I wonder how many people we alienate with our style preferences. It is natural, that we as humans look to others for reassurance in ourselves. We are drawn to others that resemble our own appearance. We do this not only because it is comfortable to us, but also to reaffirm our own choices. So if we are naturally drawn to others that are similar to ourselves, then who are we missing out on?

I find myself wondering what makes me comfortable. Am I calmed by the presence of those who are like me? Of course I am. I have a friend who is like my twin. We were obviously separated at birth. She enjoys all the same things as I do, arts, crafts, and always challenging herself. She loves fashion, and would never sacrifice her style for functionality. We buy each other the same gifts, and pick out matching items without trying. My friend, soul mate if you will. Being around her makes me at ease. It’s like hanging out with a dark-haired version of myself.  While I enjoy being comfortable with familiarity, I also enjoy meeting others that do not share my tastes. Meeting someone who is a polar opposite of myself is a challenging experience. I do not mean it isn’t enjoyable for me, I just mean it pushes my limits. It pushes me to an uncomfortable place. That uncomfortable is not a bad place to be, and it doesn’t last. This uneasiness means I am doing something right. I am growing. When you befriend someone who looks different, enjoys different things, or lives in contrast to your life how do you feel? I find that I am unsure of myself at first, getting a feeling for the new dialogue. Questioning internally whether I am good enough, and whether they are good enough to continue the adventure. Not only is it rewarding to learn from someone else, the way they see the world, It forever changes a tiny piece of you.

As a girl who loves her high heels, and leggings, fashion is my friend. One of my many outlets is the chance to style myself, and others. When I befriend someone who is not worried about appearance, or enjoys a laid back sense of style, I am curious to learn how my fashion choices effect how others feel around me. Do I make them feel under dressed? I on a regular basis admit to feeling overdressed. What types of people am I drawing to myself, and on the other hand who am I alienating?

Not only are these questions interesting on an individual scale, but expanding them world-wide makes this a complicated, and fascinating topic. How does fashion divide us as people? Naturally as humans we divide ourselves into like groups. We judge ourselves, and others by appearance. We decide on first glance whether or not you belong, followed by getting to know you to justify the initial judgments. There is a fashion style for every belief, and lifestyle. Whether you are conservative, country living (cowboy inspired), fashion forward, successful business person, or poverty striken. The preconceived image is already in our minds. The fact is you are entering a room, only after someone has already met you in their own mind. Leaving you to break down the existing walls.

The scary truth being fashion is really making your first impressions for us, making our friends, and effecting our careers. With this being the reality of now, I ask you this…. what image are you putting forth? How is your style effecting your life?

H&M has come (go ahead let out that scream)

There is nothing I can say to make this more exciting. There is nothing I can tell a fashion inspired, clothing lover, that will make this event any more thrilling. H&M is coming to Portland.So I will not ramble on about the lines, or the store. I will not fluff this up with my words. I will only show you some pictures I have collected, to get you pumped up. I am sad to say goodbye to Saks, but happy to welcome H&M to our city. No longer will we all have to plan day trips on the train to shop. I am going to enjoy this, and I will be there the day they open the doors for the first time. I do not want to push my luck, but now if only we could have a Top shop. Ok, Ok one thing at a time…..a girl can dream right?!?

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!!