anna selezneva and malgosia bela by ezra petronio for self service s/s 2010
I love the slightly over-exposed, Polaroid-like feel of these photos. Bela and Selezneva remind me of sultry seventies gals, and matched with the heavy-handed makeup, glitter, and black garb, both models radiate a minimalistic glamour. I’m also obsessed with the idea of a different colored shadow on each eye, especially the combo of blue-violet and teal… I can’t wait to try it.
saturated lips and street art
The possibility of rain could not dampen my sense of adventure today. After a quick errand this morning, my boyfriend and I discovered some lovely painted walls down Austin Street, between Polk and Van Ness. After exploring the many boutiques on Polk (one of my favorite things to do in the city), we lunched in a Chinese restaurant and escaped a heavy downpour of rain.
It felt good dressing a little more formal today, basing the “business casual” ensemble around my never-before-worn Tucker for Target top. I’d had it for over a year, so it seemed about time I pulled it out of the closet. Though I’m not crazy about the print, I love the color combo of pink, periwinkle, and dark royal blue, and I feel it works best with a heavy dose of black. I’m also adoring this girlie-looking lipstick; it’s so amazing how easily makeup can change your look depending on color and texture.
i want a doll
There is so much visually stimulating and emotionally fraught goodness in the original Valley of the Dolls movie that I hardly know where to begin. For those unfamiliar with the ’60s film, based on a best-selling book by Jacqueline Susann, it tracks the downfall of three young women whose lives revolve around cinema, the stage, relationships, and stardom. I’ve determined the three superlative aspects that truly define the film are style, scene, and sensation.
The atmosphere/mood, environments, and costume choices were all sources of inspiration for me. The clothes and interiors are timeless, simultaneously serving as a souvenir of the era, while the cinematography turned certain segments into pure art. It’s impossible to isolate scene from style or style from sensation, since they’re all interwoven to paint a portrayal of imperfection, self-destruction, and ostentatiousness. Because of this, I snapped every still I could to impart the perfection that this movie encapsulates.
stark contrast
(Left to right, Issey Miyake, Antonio Berardi, Prabal Gurung, Versace, Rick Owens)
Black and white create captivating tension for cool weather clothes.
Who knew sheaths, skirts, and shoes could be so striking sans color? Every fashion capital interpreted the eye-catching trend in their own way for fall, minimizing makeup and accessories for maximum effect. Vivid patterns and clean lines allowed for a sleek chicness when paired with slim and cinched silhouettes. These graphic ensembles consist of automatic statement pieces, made for bold women who aren’t afraid to strut their stuff. Afraid of attracting unwanted attention? Stick to a subtler style.
(Photos, via Style)
“spray” by maurizio fantini and giancarlo rodia
Sunglasses alone could not stifle the vibrancy of neon tulle and electric tresses. Photographer Maurizio Fantini captures unclad raver-geishas swathed in cotton candy wisps and gelled tangles of color. As sultry harlots sporting harlequin hair, the models embody a futuristic fairytale. Hair and makeup stylist Giancarlo Rodia’s unparalleled vision paired with Fantini’s minimalistic viewpoint creates a fantasy of chaos, movement, and exquisitely bizarre beauty.
