Transparency - how to and how to not

J. Mendel, Alberta Ferreti, Givenchy Spring 2011 RTW, images: nymag.com

Wife Beater- H&M

Printed Skirt- Forever 21

Translucent Dress- Vintage

Wrist Cuffs- Forever 21

Sun Glasses- Ray Ban Wayfarers

Whistle Necklace- Forever 21

Wedge Booties- Bebe

Floppy Hat- NYC street vendor

It is Monday morning and, after a weekend of fun in the sun, I'm exhausted and need another weekend to recover yo.  This cup of coffee is barely getting me off my feet.  Fortunately I have these photos that I've been meaning to post.  They're from a shoot that I did a few weeks back with photographer Mario Torres and stylist Jamar Graham.

Jamar and I put a translucent black dress over a wife beater and a tribal print skirt.  The effect is ethereal and romantic.  Full disclosure: I'm not a huge fan of the long translucent maxi skirt over short opaque maxi skirt trend because the proportions feel odd and kitschy to me.  I'm not into fashion "tricks". I do, however, like the way this combination worked out because, rather than just a translucent skirt, this is a dress which elongates the frame. Also the tribal print of the skirt underneath added extra dimension and interest.  See below how NOT to wear this trend. In this image there are too many things going on, too many layers, the white the orange, the velvet, the bowler, the boots. YIKES.  Too distracting and not cohesive.  Fashion Trickery = Yuk.

DON'T DO THIS

  

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I'm A Little Creepy

What I wore:

Dress turned into Shirt (thrift)

Belt turned into Bracelet (thrift)

Denim Shorts, Levi's 550s
Lunor Sunnies

Forever 21 Wrist Cuff

Bebe wedge booties

More photos from my shoot with my main men Mario Torres and Jamar Graham.  We turned a dress into a shirt and a belt into a bracelet: two unusable items rethought and BAM they become usable. The shorts are even made from high waisted Levi's 550s that I cut off. *Please disregard the fact that I look sort of creepy, a la Dr. Strangelove style, especially in the first photo.  I'm just spying on you via the reflection in the picture frame. NBD.

For me fashion is thinking outside of the box constantly- a balancing act between the cereberal and going with your gut, tuning into what's around you and then owning it and making it yours, even if the result is, well, creepy. We all get ideas and are influenced by what's outside of us. But don't straight up copy without giving your own voice to something!  That's lame! Every step of the way- OUTSIDE OF THE BOX YA'LL.   Mostly my gut is hungry for breakfast right now so I'm gonna peace out. Happy Thursday my loves!

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I Die Friday: Levi's & Lace

{Weeeeeeeee!!}

What I wore:

Levi's 550s

Heels, Calvin Klein

Lace Shirt, Free People

Wayfarers

Leopard Print Belt

I die over these recent photos Mario Torres took of me. 

I'm majorly digging these high waisted mom jeans that I purchased while thrifting a few weeks ago.  They're Levi's 550s- and they give just a hint of camel toe while also hitting at a high enough point on the torso to be really nerdy, hence two beautiful worlds collide.  I paired them with a leopard print belt and a white lace shirt.  Denim? Lace? Leopard Print? I die.  

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. I hope you all do some major chilling out, maxing , and relaxing all cool.

JK.

 Not really. 

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Paint It Black

Here are some photos from the shoot that I promised you here.  I will be sharing them little by little. My very talented friend, Mario Torres , was the photographer, and my other good friend and brother from another mother, Jamar Graham, collaborated with me in styling the shoot. Jamar and I met at Parsons and have been attached at the hip since. We had a blast and got some great shots.  We couldn't figure out what to do with this awsome beaded necklace that I got at a Vena Cava sample sale- all the beads are on safety pins. Whaaaat? Unfortunately, we could never get it to lay right.  So I had Jamar put it on my head.  Why wouldn't I?!

Hitting up the Vena Cava sample sale has become an annual thing for me.  I love their clothes and always find some great steals there.  My hair is now white so I'm a little bummed that we took the photos before I got it "did" but I'll be collaborating with Mario and Jamar a lot in the future, so more photos!  Love you. Mean it!

What I wore:

Black Wife Beater

Equestrian Pants, thrift

Black Converse All Stars high tops

Cuffs, Forever 21

Whistle Necklace, Forever 21

Glass Tooth Necklace, bought on street in Soho

Beaded Necklace (worn on head), Vena Cava
Nail Polish: OPI - Big Apple Red, gel

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