Inspiration - Carolin Holzhuber & Surrealism.

When I first saw the work of designer Carolin Holzhuber, I had to know more. A pair of shoes fused with another pair of shoes? Wait, what?!  Can those actually be worn either way? I'm still not sure of the answer, but my guess is "yes."

photography, Thuy Pham

photography, Thuy Pham

I did some "research" (read: google) Carolin Holzhuber and found that that the Vienna and London-based designer "takes something that normally creates aversions and transforms it into aesthetical objects" according to notjustalabel.com, a website that supports "pioneers in contemporary fashion."  If you haven't ever explored this site, I strongly suggest you check it out.  It's a wealth of information and a great gateway to discover emerging talent.

photography, Thuy Pham

These pieces remind me of another favorite Surrealist/Dadaist artist and sculptor, Meret Oppenheim.  The artist presents with un-usable, impossible objects full of internal contradictions.  Many of her works incorporate found objects wrapped, bound, or fused with conflicting materials.

The concept of blurring the line between style and art is very dear to my heart. I love when things are out of balance, exaggerated, and cause you to look twice.  Carolin Holzhuber takes her inspiration from "mirroring, reflection, and conjoined twins."  It is quietly in-your-face, subtle yet powerful, and can't be ignored.

http://carolin.holzhuber.at/carolin_holzhuber.html

virtual closet - April 2014 wish list.

So I've decided to do a monthly (maybe bi-monthly?, if I get ambitious?) post highlighting some coveted designer pieces, wardrobe investments, things that I'd buy without a second glance if my budget could allow it.

First up:

This shirt by R13.  You can get it at sites like Net-A-Porter and LaGarconne.  I pretty much love everything R13 makes, but this one reminds me of zines and drawings my friends and I used to make on the backs of our notebooks in high school. It's a cashmere and cotton blend, and it costs $195.

image, net-a-porter.com

I'm thinking I'd style this with some baggy plaid trousers, and a fitted leather jacket, maybe tuck the pants into the tops of some chunky heeled platform boots.

Next up, a classic.  I've wanted one of these Moschino logo belts for a long time and this may be the year to finally save up and get one.  They've been around since the 80s-90s, and have recently been seen on "celebrities" yet again.  Just a simple way to really give any outfit that always-needed touch of badass.  Moschino has a lot of different styles, sayings and colors on their website, but I prefer this classic black one with gold letters. ($295)

image, moschino.com

Since were on the logo kick, I'm living for this incredible necklace, with "mantra" motto, from I STILL LOVE YOU NYC, and available at internationalplayground.com.  I found out about this site a while back, forgot about it, then rediscovered it (love it when that happens) ;) also, this piece is handmade in New York, which I think is awesome.  There's also a smaller "candy" colored version, and different sayings.  This XL one is $75.

image, internationalplayground.com

This post could probably have something from Swedish designer ACNE on it every time, like R13 they can do no wrong in my eyes.  Amazing balance of a rock / grunge, humor and high fashion.  I'm including 3 of my fave pieces here...

image, acnestudios.com

image, acnestudios.com

image, acnestudios.com

I mean, how awesome is that hard case clutch($1000)? ._.  I'm kind of a whore for accessories, I suppose, but the slashed jacket ($3000) and bondage sandal ($670) ? Works of art. What I like about all these pieces is that they are bold, but still very wearable and add instant sass and irony to an outfit (if both those things are possible at once.) Also, I seem to be leaning toward a very neutral palette for s/s '14.  I have to say I'm not feeling pastels or the crazy florals that I'm seeing on a lot of the interwebz.  How will I translate these ideas to my everyday look? I'll be posting about that in the next upcoming months...stay tuned and as always thanks for reading x

outfit + style inspiration.

wearing: old moto boots (can't even remember where i bought them, maybe from Naturalizer??), coat & hat are vintage, found ribbon (i think it was a dress belt), and vintage tuxedo shirt.  coated "leather" jeans are from adriano goldschmied.

STYLE before STYLISTS.

I have a confession to make.  I strongly dislike the word "STYLIST." It kind of surprises me that people need to pay someone to have "taste" for them, or to tell them what labels to wear or what looks good on them.  I'm of the camp "if it makes you happy and you feel good in it, wear it."

I love fashion, current styles and trends, but alternately I feel like true style has to come from somewhere within your heart, it's not about buying something just because someone told you it's hot, or wearing head-to-toe designer labels, in fact, this is really boring and safe.  Yep, I too would love to splurge on some designer pieces from Saint Laruent, or Givenchy this season, but I realize that solely wearing designer stuff isn't going to give me style...

I come from a background of the visual and performing arts, and I've always approached my personal style more like this: 

"how do these shapes/colors/textures work together?" 

"can i get away with wearing this to the post office and the grocery store?" ("if not, who cares!")

"does this make me look scary/crazy/off/wild/original?" ("if so, GREAT!!!") 

"can I wear this dog collar as a necklace/bracelet/boot harness?"

and

"this is so bad, it's good!"

I look to the past for my own style inspiration.  I often find it on vintage vinyl album covers, like this Sonny&Cher I found recently while thrift shopping:

I mean, look at them! Those jeans! That dress! and I love how casual and un-forced the photographs look, like their style just arrived naturally out of their surroundings and what they were doing at the time.  It isn't forced, it isn't practiced...it's just kind of who they were.  

I feel like this individuality and fearlessness with style is sort of missing from a lot of our popular culture. 

So, here are my general style tips to everyone:

#1 DON'T BE AFRAID TO

a)  mess up

b) look ridiculous

c) have a sense of humor

d) laugh at yourself

#2 OPEN YOUR HEART

#3 FIND WHAT INSPIRES YOU

#4 BE ADVENTUROUS (shop in the thrift store, as well as the mall, cut up your clothes, try to make some clothes or alter stuff you already have!)

#5 STOP LOOKING AT STYLE / BEAUTY BLOGS AND COMPARING YOURSELF TO HOW SKINNY, PRETTY, HAPPY, WHATEVER the other people on the blogs may appear...it's all a facade anyway. ;)

AND ABOVE ALL 

#5 SUSPEND JUDGEMENT (of yourself and OTHERS!)

If you can do that, I think that's the basis of developing your own personal style! (and generally having an easier time getting dressed in the morning).