Pink and Black

Dress: Juicy Couture // Bottoms: Current/Elliott // Jacket & Shoes: Zara // Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs //

It is starting to feel like Spring time in the city again, which always feels like a citywide attempt to work color into our otherwise colorless wardrobes. Since most of my wardrobe is black, if I am going to wear color I usually just pair it with black pieces. I am looking forward to summer where I can just wear dresses without pants or tights!

New Shoes

Top: Gap // Jeans: J Brand // Jacket & Shoes: Zara //

I am starting to feel like these shoes from Zara are the new Lita for the fashion blogging, outfit posting crowd. One has to assume that for a shoe to get Lita level popularity there must be a good reason behind it. I decided to get to the ‘sole’ of the situation by finally buying a pair myself.

The design of this shoe is minimal, contemporary, and interesting. For me, it is nearly perfect for a polite black heel. Despite how into these shoes I was before I bought them, I had my doubts about the function of the shoe that had prevented be from buying them sooner.

1. I have never bought a pair of shoes from Zara before and therefore felt skeptical
2. They look like they will give you blisters if you wear them for walking purposes
3. Considering that I only buy shoes that I think I will be able to walk in for at least a mile and a half, I wasn't sure if these would be comfortable enough

Although they were comfortable, I did end up getting blisters (thankfully there was a drug store two blocks away when I decided that I needed bandaids). This could have partially been the result of me jumping around, which I guess isn’t something you shouldn’t be doing in heels anyways. If you are interested in getting a pair I would recommend them, for only $50 I cannot really complain.

Plexiglass Playtime

Top: Rag & Bone // Cardigan: Marc Jacobs // Bottoms: Current/Elliott // Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs //

When making thoughtless purchases while shopping for clothes, shoes, accessories, etc. it is not often that I find myself buying something just because I feel like it. However, when it comes to stores full of supplies, materials, tools, and organizational tools is a completely different story. Those are the places where my sense of reason seems to fail me and instead is replaced with thoughts of every project that I could possibly do. Usually I can shake it but if I see something that I honestly think will make me more productive or organized, or that will make my living or working spaces more organized than my dreams of becoming Martha Stewart level organized can get the best of me. This was almost the cases on Monday when Jordan and I braved the extremely crowded China Town to go to a store on Canal St., which is appropriately named Canal Plastics.

In my opinion it should be called 'Plexiglass Playtime' or 'Designer Plexiglass/Acetate Jewelry is Overpriced & Will Scratch' or even 'You Paid More Than $100 for That? We Will Make it for $2 but You Will Not Get a Bag to Carry it in'... seriously, your plexi crystal dreams can come true here. In fact, buy a pair of pliers and some jewelry findings and you can DIY something similar to Miu Miu, buy some ribbon and you can DIY something similar to a necklace from Marni, or you can buy some adhesive and rhinestones and you have a DIY version of a Pucci bangle. I should warn you though that the store is a serious trap if you are like me and get tempted by industrial supplies. In my defense, you may think that plastic is irrelevant to you now but just wait until you are faced with a selection of plastic in every color, opacity, reflectiveness, size, thickness, shape, etc. that you can imagine. I have a feeling you too will find yourself realizing that you do in fact need the largest sheet of 1/4 inch of onyx black plexiglass that they have once you get inside.

I did not end up getting that (although I wanted to), but I was tempted by all of the $1 square swatches of different colored plexi, which are conveniently located in the front of the store. While holding about five different colored squares, I realized that I was being ridiculous and I decided to put them back and make my way to the dimly lit aisles in the back of the store. After getting what I was looking for I headed to the front and checked out before I was tempted with anymore unplanned plastic decisions. When we were finally out of the store we noticed that the lovely weather that we experienced on the way there had decided to check out as well and instead we wandered back through a cold Soho and through somewhat disorienting gusts of wind. The rest of the night was spent sorting out the work for the week.

Into Miu Miu Star Print

Ever since stars started appearing on garments I have been into them (remember the Chanel SS2008 collection). As a side note: I am not talking about the stars from American flag motifs. I had not really seen that many star printed garments until I was in Acne over the summer with my Father and he bought a black tie with little white stars on it. From that point on I have been into star prints (officially).

When I found a black dress with white stars on it at H&M in the fall, similar to the tie that my Dad had bought, I was extremely excited and I figured that my star print obsession was over for the most part. However, after seeing this pair of red star printed jeans from Miu Miu I am realizing that I am not over it yet. The jeans are my favorite, but I would wear a whole star printed outfit from Miu Miu (pictured above) if I could. I made the picture for you so you could get a sense of how great it would be.

If you do not believe me, try it for yourself (and then send me a picture so I can tell you how badly I want to be your best friend and how great you look)! Bottom / Top / Jacket: Miu Miu //

Me x Kate Moss for Supreme: A Note on Tattoos

Photograph: Marielle Sales

Photographer Marielle Sales took this photo of me during a recent shoot we did together. I did not actually realize when I picked up the piece of torn off poster from the ground to show it to Marielle and Jordan that it looked like I was the one holding a cigarette for a Supreme ad. It wasn't until she told me not to move that it all became clear.

After seeing the photograph I actually have a new perspective on getting a tattoo (this is only in relation to myself, I think tattoos look extremely cool and approrpriate on everyone else), which is something I have always been curious about. I am not sure if this is correct logic but I have come to realize that if I do not like the way that they look on me when my head is on Kate's body then the likelihood of me liking them on my own body is not very high. Does this mean that I am going to stop putting on temporary tattoos? Not a chance.

Baltic Beauty Elena Perminova vs. Bracelet by Moniva Vinader

Source: tumblr // Fiji Gem 18-karat rose gold-vermeil spinel bracelet by Monica Vinader: 350.00 //

Ever since I first saw this picture of former Russian model Elena Perminova, wearing this possibly pale lavender or blue but most likely just grey Chloé coat, a pink (although some say orange) Maison Michel hat, and this pair of black (Zara ?) heels, I have thought her to be terribly chic. She is definitely on my list of Baltic babes.


My obsession with Baltic beauties may have something to do with my own Baltic heritage but I do not think I am alone with this one, it seems that along with a few other Russian names (you can read about them in the April issue of Vogue), Perminova is becoming a fashion week street style icon who never fails to deliver when it comes to amazing outfits. Along with the other Russian style stars, her outfits have a unique Russian touch to them that just makes me melt.

So, when I saw this bracelet by Monica Vinader the other day online I became extremely excited. The half gold half cord combination instantly reminds me of Perminova’s outfit. Also, let’s not forget the other similarities: the black, the rose gold, the bracelet’s black spinels/the jewels from the Chloé coat, and of course the ‘M’ on the bracelet and the ‘M’ on the hat. So lovely!

New In: White Sneakers

T-Shirt: Acne // Top: BCBG MAXAZRIA // Bottoms: Current/Elliott // Shoes: Gourmet // Jacket: Mine // Sunglasses: Ray Ban //

After having realized quite sometime ago (last April) that the pair of white leather sneakers that I had bought were actually two different shades of white (one shade was called something like 'Aspen' the other shade was called something like 'Winter'), I began to feel self conscious about wearing them. The difference in color was only noticeable to me but for some reason I found it extremely upsetting and wearing the shoes became kind of a task.

Last week, while we were visiting home, I picked up a pair of new white sneakers at a store downtown, this time in canvas rather than leather. Later that day Jordan took an outfit pic for me before we went back downtown (I do not know why my garage looks like it is about to fall over). Now we are back in the city enjoying the very out of season warm weather.

Miss you, love you, mean it later!

Cult Fashion: Why You Probably Shouldn't get Involved

Image One Source: Vogue

Fashion has always, in my mind at least, been able to show a person's ability to be truly loyal. Not only do people, myself included, develop a certain territorialism for certain designers, fashion houses, brands, etc.(fashion/brand territorialism: i.e.: I wear only Prada, Marc Jacobs, Rodarte, pants from Marni... you get the idea), people develop a cult level of loyalty that has gone past just wearing or being obsessed with a brand. For newer brands, this cult status obsession can be formed out of trends, for older, more established brands or fashion houses the cult status obsession is embedded into an individual as much as that brand/fashion house's fundamental values are embedded into their own identity. We are willing to stand by brands no matter what scandals they are facing. We trust that they will replace their last creative director (who has their own cult following) with someone who will strengthen the brand, breathe new life into it, or just keep their identity as expected.

With this in mind, what is going on with cult inspired fashion? I am not saying I do not like it, in fact I think it can be quite whimsical, but I think it is getting slightly lost in translation for some people. I do not know when it became cool to look like a human drone, wandering around with more crosses around your neck than there is inside a Catholic church, draped in black fabric cut at an angle, wearing velvet, dying your hair a really unappealing color, the list goes on.

I am not trying to be mean but this global obsession with looking dark has taken it from being cool to making it lame without a cause. For those of you who are guilty of this do you know why you wear what you wear? Because it looks like you are wearing it to get more hypes on lookbook.nu and that your real clothes are on your bed waiting to be put back on. Is there even a reason behind your look? You are not Bebe Zeva (whose look I do not particularly admire but you do have to give her credit, I mean have you seen how precise her eye makeup is?). I am not saying stop what you are doing either, just make it a little bit less generic, I am starting to lose hope. More simply put, if you are trying to wear a look from Pucci SS/12 you probably shouldn't unless it is from Pucci.

Blue and White

Top: H&M // Bottoms: Zara // Cardigan: Marc Jacobs Kids // Jacket: Mine // Gentleman's slippers: Stevens //

It was actually too sunny to smile when Jordan took these pictures of me. I tried but it did not work out, which was frustrating seeing as I was terribly excited to be able to wear this pair of blue and white patterned pair of pants that I picked up from Zara recently. It was a little odd however to be wearing pants made out of such a thin material without tights underneath in mid March, a month where the temperature is usually a little more frigid. What felt even stranger was being able to wear my leopard print pair of gentleman's slippers again. Looking back on it, I bought them last April when it was still too cold out to wear them... what is going on with the weather?? I am not complaining, I am just a little confused. Is this nice weather just a tease and are we actually in for another month of freezing rainy weather?

Saturday Work Day

Today has been non stop work for us, and I must admit that I am terribly sleepy. I do not even think any amount of caffeine could help at this point. Either way, Jean Shrimpton looks so lovely here, don't you think? Miss you, love you, mean it later!

Who wore it best?

Source: Image One, Image Two //

No seriously, who wore it best? I know they are not exactly the same but they have similar concepts, colors, and are chic without a cause.

Armor

From left to right: 

Watch: Rolex // Bracelet: Michael Kors // Bracelet with rare pink spinels: John Hardy // Silver and Gold Bracelet: Tiffany & co. // Brown Leather wrap Bracelet: Hermes // Silver Bracelet: John Hardy // Watch: Movado // Black Leather wrap Bracelet: Hermes // Bracelet: David Yurman //

Because the train runs on an odd schedule I thought the most appropriate thing to do would be to wear two watches while waiting for it to arrive. For some reason, not one person asked me what the time was. I am going to say it was because of how intimidating my arm looked. That has to be it, right?

An LV Sort of Day

Today is officially LV day. Here is an outtake from our "Lady Who Lunches" shoot with style shout out. More photos are also available in our latest issue.

Epi is Magic

Source: fashion-style

If you didn't get on the LV fashion train this morning then hopefully this will help you find your way: my outfit inspiration of the day comes from the Louis Vuitton 'Epi is Magic' campaign, which features Claire Courtin-Clarins. Like the Candy bags from Furla, these ones are sure to give you a 'glow'.

I wish these Nikes were cashmere

Top: Blood is the New Black // Bottoms: BCBG MAXAZRIA // Jacket: Cheap Monday // Bag: Gucci // Shoes: Nike // Hat: hand knit //

Before the whole sneaker trend either becomes extremely popular (if this is the case, then I will partially blame The Row and their sneaker collab with Superga, which like everything the Olsen's do is extremely cool… especially since their sneakers come in cashmere) or it goes away completely, I thought I should let everyone in on a fashion secret of mine: I used to collect Nikes and if you were to look in my closet at home like I did you will find them. I never intended on this becoming a secret, it only became one due to the fact that wearing sneakers without socks feels horrible but I wouldn't wear them any other way and I do not want to be someone who just collects clothing unless it is couture (and maybe some shoes that I never want touching the pavement). While I am not going to show you my collection, here is one pair. I wore them yesterday while Jordan and I were getting ready to leave for the city. We are back now, working and avoiding unpacking. And as a side note, PFW has been seriously witch house so far and I've decided that if I were doing a witch hunt to find the most LiLo inspired Fall 2012 look then I would settle for Karlie Kloss in Jean Paul Gaultier. I have no words to explain how I feel about this, I do not even think I have to. I will say that I think she totally beats Angelina Jolie on the whole leg thing. Miss you, love you, mean it later!

Source: Vogue

Hedi Forever

Top: Cheap Monday // Bottoms & Thigh Highs: Agent Provocateur // Tie: Dior Homme //

All of this Hedi Slimane talk has gotten me terribly worked up, I know I've mentioned this several times before but I have been obsessed with Hedi since I was in high school when he was designing for Dior Homme. It was the first time that I found any designer other than Prada that truly made me melt. It all started when my father bought me Slimane's book Berlin in 2003, from that point onward I thought (and secretly still do) that he was the coolest, most total creative out there. In my mind he is like Wim Crouwel and Andy Warhol combined. Either way, early Thursday morning before Jordan and I left for Vermont to do some work we took pictures of outfits with pieces from when Hedi Slimane was designing for Dior Homme. This was my favorite of the looks (it looks the least like the members of Daft Punk went to Agent Provocateur) even though the only piece that is HS x DH is the tie, which is perfect on its own because of all of the luxe little details. #HediForever

Louis Vuitton vs. Stuart Weitzman

I've been in love with these ultra feminine pastel heels, complete with a silver toe cap, from Louis Vuitton since I saw them in the German Vogue I accidentally bought (I thought it was British Vogue). Like many of my Louis Vuitton fashion love affairs, every garment and accessory from the last two collections, they are just dreams that I do not expect (and for that matter, to an extent, care) to come true. I guess not being able to obtain them (it's a matter of being fiscally responsible, even though cost divided by wear time would totally prove worth it) is the price I pay for endless inspiration. Also, occasionally there is a reasonably priced 'inspired by' version that is completely worth it. This pair of Stuart Weitzman heels is a perfect example. You can get them here!

Natalia Vodianova in Louis Vuitton

Source: tumblr

Natalia Vodianova in Louis Vuitton // I am getting excited for the Fall 2012 collection //

The HTML/CSS of My Outfit

No matter how many layers I wear it never seems to be enough. I wonder if you are able to tell how many layers I have on here. I'll walk you through it:

<head>
<style>
  object1 {brand: Wolford;
                 color: #000000;
                 opacity:1.0;}

  object2 {brand: BCBG MAXAZRIA;
                 garment-style: activewear;
                 color: #000000;}

  object3 {brand: Urban Outfitters;
                 garment-style: two layers; long sleeve;
                 pattern: black with flowers;}

  object4 {brand: BCBG MAXAZRIA;
                 fabric: waffle-knit;
                 color: #808080;}

  object5 {brand: Juicy Couture;
                 material: leather;
                 color:#000000;}

  object6 {material: wool; shearling;
                 color:#000000;}

  object7 {brand: Cheap Monday;
                 material: leather;
                 color:#FFFFFF; #000000;}

  object8 {brand: Marc by Marc Jacobs;
                 material: leather;
                 color:#000000;}

  object9 {fabric: hand knit;
                 color:#FFFFFF;}

  object10 {material: leather;
                   color:#000000;}

  object11 {brand: Oliver Peoples;
                   color:#000000;}

</style>
</head>
<body>
 <wrap>

  <div class="head_and_neck">

      <div id="hair"><object9 style="accessory: hat"></object9></div>

      <div id="face"><object11 style="accessory: sunglasses"></object11></div>

      <div class="neck"></div>

  </div>

  <div class="torso">
       <div id="shoulders_arms_hands_chest_waist">
          <object3 style="garment: dress"></object3>
          <object4 style="garment: sweater"></object4>
          <object5 style="garment: vest"></object5>
          <object6 style="garment: jacket"></object6>
          <object10 style="accessory: gloves"></object10>
          <object8 style="accessory: bag"></object8>
       </div>
  </div>


  <div class="legs_feet">
          <object1 style="garment: tights"></object1>
          <object2 style="garment: leggings"></object2>
          <object3 style="garment: thigh_highs"></object3>
          <object7 style="shoes: wedges"></object7>
       </div>
  </div>

 </wrap>
</body>

Natalia Vodianova

Source: tumblr

A young Natalia Mikhailovna Vodianova: total Baltic babe //