Party Make-up

Lately, I've been needing to step my party game up. Too long have I just showed up in a cool outfit with the feeling that something is missing. Well, I figured out what's been missing. Make up. So, I'm finding runway and editorial inspiratio for my next party appearance. Too bad I can't put any of these new found ideas to good use this New Years Eve Night. Seeing as my parentals have decided that I am to spend New Years Eve with the family tonight. Ha.... I've been in my room all night researching make up and party pics.

So I will be spending my New Years Eve like Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and The City; curled up in bed, except there won't be a touching scene at the end of the night.

New Obsession

Costumedept.com................The place for amazing leggings.

When ever I need style inspiration I know I can look to either Mary Kate or Ashley Olsen for effervescent natural fashion forward style. picture from Perez Hiton.com .

Please Santa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Christmas morning right now actually, but since I know Santa (that cheap son-of-a-bitch) hasn't and will never bring me any of these things. I feel I can take the liberty to appeal to the overweight burglar for some trinkets that I feel would enhance my life.

Leica C-Lux 2 (http://www.pma-show.com/leica/)

This is an adorable compact that would be great for snapshots. Plus, I need a camera for this damn blog.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 (http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/5678/camera-of-the-year-2008-panasonic-lumix-dmc-g1.html)
I wouldn't even know where to begin when using this camera. In fact I would probably use the point and shoot more for the blog. But, when I get up the courage up to do something professional I want this camera with me.





Chloe Studded Boots(http://jakandjil.com/blog/?cat=12&paged=2)
Ahhhhhhhh The things I would do in, for and with these boots are too numerous, violent, and deviant for me list. But, I want these Chloe Studded boots so bad.

New ideas and big dreams

I'm feeling a studding phase coming on. I want studded black boots. Made by moi. Add some pvc leggings and a pair of sunglasses and you've got my staples for winter. The question is where can I go and get some latex/pvc leggings that will last and not be ratty. Target has latex leggings but they look cheap and shiny. I want a dull sheen to the pair that I get. I might have to shell out a good amount for a pair but Oh well it's all in the name of style. I also need a big coat maybe fur but I'll get t that later.

I've been gone a long time. I apologize, I've had a mental block for the past few months. Bullshit and drama clouded me. But, now I feel reinvigorated and want to start playing again. Fashion is my true love, above anything else. I want to live that passion.



So............I think I might want to re-design the blog. Make it new.

Paris

I haven't posted in awhile. I'm going to do a big post though soon.

Paris shows started today and I'm very excited about so many shows. Paris is truly the place to be excited about fashion

Inspiration

Jean Michel Basquiat and Gustav Klimt have been in my head lately. I know, two artists with different styles and approaches to their creation of art as well as their approach to the society that sees their art seems like an odd couple to share space in my head. Though decades and art movements separate these two artists, they both have given me inspiration for my approach to dressing.

Klimt's work makes me want to embrace the inherent sexuality in all of us. His erotic painting and scream at my puritanical nature and motivates me to adorn myself in my sexuality.

Basquiat has a special place in my heart. Being the first black artist I started to notice, his works has shaped my sense of identity and judgement of beauty. Before him art to me was Renaissance. His works opened up a world of vulgarity and revolution that I hope will transfer to my wardrobe.

FAB FUR!!!!

Rick Owens Fall 08 (style.com)
Fur is wrong....fur is atrocious......damn fur feels so good on skin. No matter how hard I try to hate fur somethings about it just stand out at things most of us want to attain. Fur, can say to the would different things. Fur has the ability to make a person look tragically rich but if worn with the right amount of irony, fur can be fabulously tragic. I think the trick is to wear fur as if it were another piece of fabric or to wear it, knowing the satirical quality of something that ostentatious.

I think that's why love Rick Owens or for that matter the Furrier that he design for Revillon. While in the hands of a more traditional designer fur might seem stale and dull. But, when seen through the eyes of Rick Owens pieces of fur become elegant and primal creations; unconscious of the fact that they are pieces of dead animals. Tortured femininity is a cornerstone of Rick Owens designs. The women who wear his clothes look like warrior queens when traipsing down streets and catwalks.

My fall staples

It's almost time for school to start. Summer is almost over for me and I am excited. Tank tops and short were cool the first month but southern heat doesn't leave many options open during the summer and so I am ready to start wearing sweaters and pants again. I keep wondering what I need to be looking for, for fall. A few things are on my staple list and others are in the "dream" file.

---------Staples-----------

• over sized sweaters and cardigans
• jersey t shirts for layering
• rugged boots
• leggings
• A new scarf
• leather driving gloves
• wool shorts
• black jeans
• a pair of ray bans

-------Dream-----------

• something with fur trim in it
• YSL Johnny Boots

Gender Fuck

Gender is a state of mind





Free Yourself





source: http://fashionesedaily.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/3.jpg

YSL Johnny Boots

I've been thinking about boots for fall.

These YSL Johnny pair are enticing.


Can you believe that they are men's shoes!


source:http://media.uber.com/media_fetch/243719199_354_detail

Ce Chic

I was thinking of Hermes and what classic french style means.
So I see this as a Rhapsody on Hermes.

FANNY PACK MADNESS!!

I have the sudden urge to buy a fanny pack. I'm thinking that maybe if I get one that is as ironic and luxuriously disgusting as humanly possible the look will be so wrong it will work.

source:http://www.resurrectionvintage.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=317

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday 30th Betsey Johnson.........well not the designer. She's way older than that. She celebrated the label and collaboration between her and her business partner and CEO Chantal Bacon at her Soho store surrounded by friends, family, and fans.

Converse Addiction

I have a serious love for Converses of all kinds. And these are just so damn pretty!

These are done in collaboration with MC Lupe Fiasco for the RED program.

source: http://www.nicekicks.com/lupe-fiasco-x-product-red-converse-chuck-taylors/

Fashion Obsessions

Obsession isn't even strong enough a word to describe the feeling that I have for these boots. Their totally worth eating ramen noodles for a week.

Bess studded combat boots. 282$

http://www.mens.style.com/

Why can't I be rich......or have a sugar daddy.

Ferragamo boots. 750$

www.mens.style.com

Ok I really need to have my line of credit extended......or sell drugs. ( Don't Judge me!!!)

BBlessings Weekend bag 645$

www.mens.style.com

Port by Port

ResidencSea is a floating city where people buy space on this mega Cruise ship. They actually buy space like in real estate. The average minimum income of most residents are 5 million. And I must say this ship is luxurious living. What an exciting way to live. The Condo space you buy aboard the ship is tailor made to you tastes. After all you spending millions of dollars. The occupancy is full time and they travel the world.

What recession? These people don't seem to feel it.

source:http://www.condohotelcenter.com/images/residensea4.jpg

Chic Design and function

What happens when you combine chic design with an individual flair and cutting edge technology. You get the uber hip and innovative website http://supermarkethq.com/. They sell the work of independent designers. Customers can buy a range of products. They also have a blog where they display new products. I am personally obsessed with this site and as soon as I can get some money I will be buying this bag. Ahhhh a boy can dream.

Absence

I haven't been blogging in awhile but I've been thinking about projects to start.

1. New hairstyle....maybe a paige boy or short afro or dreds.
2. Re-imagining old clothes for new situations.
3. Investing in classics that will last.
4. Hats!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. New Accessories...bags,bracelets,glasses
6. I just adopted a hermit crab.

I have new things I am writing right now that are really interesting.

Tea Staining

After watching the documentary Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton I have become more and more interested in the random and chaotic style that is Marc Jacobs. Like any queer worth the penis in his ass I bow to the God of everything cool and hip. He is the hipster king and debatable one of the most influential American designers of our generation. We still see him as the geeky long-haired neophyte in glasses who put supermodels like Naomi Campbell on the runway in cashmere flannel shirts. His grunge collection for the label Perry Ellis was applauded by critics yet lost him and his business partner Robert Duffy their jobs. Fast forward years into the future when he is the Creative Director of Louis Vuitton to his Spring 2007 collection inspired somewhat by Virginia Woolf's Clarissa Dalloway. The random destruction of lace dresses and tea stained fabrics and bags referenced from the Victorian era; Jacobs created a collection filled with sweet confections with a dark undercurrent. There was something off kilter about the sweet flower girls traipsing down the runway. Its interesting that after all these years Marc Jacobs can still make clothes so expensive look as casual and unpretentious as a pair of Levis.

All of this has everything to do with my new project, which involves tea staining and an old pair of Vans that my father wanted to throw away. But Marc Jacobs in his infinite hipness is giving them a new lease on life. New updates as the project progresses.

(pictures from the sartorialist)

Every morning when I log onto the internet I check the sartorialist for well, some sartorial advice. Actually.... not to sound obsessive but his blog is my homepage so I never have to look for it when I get on. Today was no different I checked his blog and ran across a gorgeous picture Titled: Variations on a Theme, Milano. The proportions of the woman in the picture's outfit are interesting. Loose slim pants and an oversized, possibly a mans shirt in a crisp color. I just wouldn't do it with a pair of white pants. Too much to look after....you'd have to check out where you sat and what you ate. And washing them would be a bitch. But, otherwise I really want to try out this outfit.

Cinderella Fashionista

After hours of immersing yourself in documentaries on high fashion and the world of haute couture, nothing wakes you out of your luxurious slumber like your mother shrieking for you to clean the bathroom. Does Daphne Guinness or Amanda Harlech clean bathrooms? I think not.

Denim Cut-offs for men

I recently wore a DIY fashion experiment that I had created on a boring Saturday filled with hours of time that I had free.

I've had a pair of destroyed jeans that I had bought during my Abercrombie and American Eagle phase for ages and the seams below the knee started to come loose. I didn't want to just throw them out. I had payed a good amount of money on them and my dad had threatened to throw away every time he saw me prancing around in them.I loved these jeans, I had saved them from the trash so many times.
So after seeing a few men on the Sartorialist and other streetstyle blogs sporting the look I happily took to the pants that had supported my ass through 3 years of high school with a pair of scissors.
They turned out ok....the legs are a little uneven but I think that it gives them character. Plus the looks people give me when they see a boy in cut off jeans are interesting. They're only cut off right above the knee and I would occasionally roll them up to my thigh and wear them a few inches above my knees but I think for many southerners I am showing more that the prescribed amount of leg a guy suposed to show. But, oh well maybe when fall hits I can wear leggings and really shake things up.

Are these Pretty?

Prada is known as one of the most innovative and thought provoking labels; with Miucca Prada as the creative director, Prada continues to set the tone for the fashion scene. That said, are these pretty. When I first saw them on style.com I was taken back and then they grew on me. The remind me of the Classical god of travel and messenger, Hermes. I expect a girl wearing one of these shoes to fly away and dance on clouds.

Rosario Dawson

I am in love with Rosario Dawson. Oh what the hell I've always been in love with her. Such a beauty and she has such a nonchallance about her that is too sexy.





(from about.movies.com)
(from http://www.cinemaisdope.com)

Manly Bag or baguette

When was is it decided that a man with a clutch is unacceptable. I am sick of having to carry around either everything in my pockets or in a messenger bag. I detest bulky pockets that bulge out like two massive erections, and I am through with the messenger bag that's just bothersome on days when all I need is storage space for my keys, phone, money, cigarettes ... need I go on?


I want a clutch!


A man can carry a clutch or any such small bag and pull it off as long as one carries it with a sense of nonchalance. For that matter, a man should not fear the clutch's neglected brother, the tote, for everyday use. I love this Louis Vuitton Richard Prince joke tote. I want to hate it but I can't! It is too garish to not like. I'm sure I will see some trashy blonde bitch swinging it around paired with her True Religion jeans and Abecrombie t-shirt......Ugh!!!!!!




(picture provided by http://www.iofferphoto.com/)


(http://www.celebrityarmcandy.com/)

This Hermes green clutch is so chic and luxurious. It's great for everyday use.

This Prada clutch from fall 07 is simply beautiful and the ombre effect on the leather is breath-taking.

(www.pursepage .com)

I was musing today on my personal style and came to the conclusion that I had no real point of view or statement for myself. Now, everyone needs a philosophy to govern their wardrobe purchases. These statements can change continuously throughout our lives because while style might be timeless, that does not mean that it is stagnet. So, I have a philosophy that will evolve with me as my style changes throughout life.

“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn."

--Gore Vidal

"Elegance is innate. It has nothing to do with being well dressed. Elegance is refusal. "
--Diana Vreeland

I know Gore Vidal might seem an odd choice for a style philosophy, but the quote refers to something far deeper than clothing. His words reflect on how we view ourselves as people in relation to other people.

j>

Anne Valerie Hash Haute Couture F/W 08/09

(All images from style.com)

Chanel Haute Couture F/W 08/09

(pictures from style.com)

east by west

TAKASHI MURAKAMI is exploring/exploiting not only the variety within his japanese culture, but that of the western world as well. how can he get away w/ it, perhaps b/c he thinks it's all fair game. on his site--

http://www.takashimurakami.com-- he claims in the spirit of OSCAR WILDE: "When I consider what Japanese culture is like, the answer is that it all is subculture. Therefore, art is unnecessary."

___________________________________________________________________

in 2004 he released a line of LOUIS VUITTON bags grossing around $30m dollars world-wide. however, he focuses more on the anatomy of anime and their ... hm-hm, shall we say bodily functions. not to undermine his versatility, but most striking are his series of semi-nude/nude anatomically correct anime-esque sculptures caught in the act of lactating or ejaculating, but not in the least modest as bright smiles are plastered across their faces. he is also widely acclaimed for his adorable DOB creature (who's bright eyes can be seen in the LV print above).

"HIROPAN"

Style Muse

so I have recently been obsessed with M.I.A. You know ... the UK rebel with a hard grimy sound and lyrics straight out of a freedom-fighter's manifesto. formerly a Central Saint Martin's student, now an unstoppable musical artist. She is the hipster darling of many an indie magazine like Paper. Google her dammit! J<

pBc's blasphemous addition to the blog

this is to let anyone (if there is anyone reading this) know that joi de vivre is now a joint venture. jeremy (now christened w/ the sexy new title "j<") has invited me to re-fashion his fashion/art blog. start reading, you might learn shit.





some things you can look forward to:

• EM critique--they just might suck


• flats? da shit or shit


• BRING BACK TASSELS/FRINGE: 20s = right way ... now = not so much


• back to black: the lil' black dress


• ND done right: movies, books, junk--which leads us to ...


• shi-Treasures


• drink o' the week


• (and, most important) weekly wunnah-fuck

While we have the time

WEEKLY WUNNAH-FUCK

It doesn't matter what your sexual preference is, everyone must admit this couple exudes a type of animal magnetism that draws you in. Every picture of these two seems as if they've just finished making sweet, raunchy, dirty love to each other. Check their backs, I'm pretty sure there are rug burns on both of them.

Land of Aesthetically Dead

I truly abhor Walmart. And not just the corporate beige entity that it is but also for the mediocrity at low prices that it promises. The people inside have this sad sheepish look on their faces. Transfixed by cheap 2 for 1 sale on plastic pitchers and over sized ill fitting coordinating denim outfits with bejeweled accents they shuffle the white sterile floors hunting for bargains like zombies in a bad B-movie horror film.

Places like Walmart and bargain bins like it steal the joy of shopping. The hunt for a prize that one never knew they wanted. They joy of a half off item that a person can cherish is lost on the zombies of fluorescent lighting. Accustom to the aisles of useless clothing and poorly made dish wear, the zombies rear back in fear at the prospect of something with quality and elegance found after a good search.

Also the bad lighting does nothing for ones appearance

Viva Milano

Milan's Spring 09 Menswear is open for business and I have already found one of my favorites of the season. Not for its innovation but for its pure sex appeal. Dolce & Gabbana rolled out an impressive ad wearable wardrobe for the modern man. And the design duo channeled the sex pot playboys of the fifties and sixties for their inspiration but updated the silhouette by making the pants fit looser and the jackets tighter. Even when these Hughe Hefner wanna be's are dressed down in open toed sandals and silk shorts they ooze elegance and sex.

I think that next spring I'll be needing me a silk ascot and maybe a bow tie.

Vogue's blackout

I am ecstatic about the upcoming Italian Vogue issue that not only dedicates an editorial on fashion's obsession with all things pale and bland but puts aside a whole issue to the absense of black girls on the runway and in magizines. Tokenism is one the major issues of fashion today. Along with model weight, there is a lack of global fashion showing diversity. Hopefully this issue will act as a domino effect among the fashion elite and style capitols like Milan and Paris will take notcice.
Fashion is about aspiration and dreams. There is no doubt about that but aren't our dream technicolor and not beige. I'm looking forward to seeing this issue portraying every degree of beauty in the black woman's arsenal.

P.S
I also find it slightly odd that Italy a considerably less diverse coountry compared to the U.S is doing an all black issue. I think Anna Wintour should stand up and take notice.

Lazy, am I

My long absence is over and I have new news. My life is the same as it has been since my last post. The makeover of my friend never happened but the story board I made for her inspired her to dawn a new attitude and confidence. So I did something correct.

Remaking Chic

After a conversation at lunch with my dear friend Shannon about how she felt she needed a make-over to attract a guy she was interested in, we decided collectively on a project for her. We are going to do her over. Make her more sexy and appealing. But, my ideas for her are less about doing her over and more about giving her the confidence and sexiness that will make her feel more appealing. I am a firm believer in the fashion philosophy that "it is not what you wear but how you wear it". So I am giving her the tools to unlock the chic confident sexy woman inside of her. I don't want to create a whole new woman but polish her into the woman she wants to be. In that spirit I have made the first of a few collages of inspirations that I will use for her. Carin Roitfeld the Editor in Chief of French Vogue and Emanuelle Alt are a few of her many style icons.

I will have more style ideas for her and hopefully some before and after pictures of her as the transformation begins. Along with some fun shopping pictures.