SPARKLE IN THE NEW YEAR

There are far too many exciting places that 2009 is promising to take me. Lets meet and celebrate, and make it the best ever!!!

xoxoxoxo
zana

INDIMIDATING SET

In front of the location for a menswear shoot for LURVE...




& the night before

MIDNIGHT DIY / REASONS WHY I LOVE BEING GRADUATED / AWKWARD PICTURES / FAUX FUR IN MY LUNGS

WHAT IS IT???

As I may have mentioned in previous posts, I have a rather large collection of fabric that keeps on growing without any use. Half of the fabric was bought because of chance bargains or whimsical ideas...and the other half is leftovers from past projects. And asI will be moving in the next year I've made it a resolution to try to turn all of my useless bits of textiles into wearable clothing.

I've had this really awkward mid-gray faux fur for the past two years since I used it for a little-red-riding-hood/big-bad-wolf costume to go see The Cramps in. Besides being worn as a lining for a hood, I never really thought much about what I could re-use the rest of it for, as faux fur usually makes me think of bad burning man aesthetics. But then a lightbulb when off! Ah, Gareth Pugh's creative use of goat hair on the arms and shoulders of a jacket. I next looked into my streetstyle "inspirations" folder and realized that many of the saved images featured fury vest-like scarves. I then knew what to do.


10 minutes and a lot of shedding later, this is what I figured out (felt like the glasses were overkill with the faux fur, hence the removal...):

Worn with Pleasure Principle cape/dress

Worn over K-2 jacket and American Apparel dress

Worn over Stephan Schneider top and DIY drop crotch pants

Kinda silly? Totally. A little bit awesome? I think so.

MeMeMeMeMeMeMe

My favorite necklace, a combination of keys and trinkets. How was everyone's holiday?

BAD FACE DAY GOOD OUTFIT DAY

Working on mimicking a JPB silhouette, utilizing the harness that I made a few months back but wearing it backwards, and my Diana Brinks dress worn upside down and tied in a knot. Both pieces are worn over a pearl gray Theory cashmere sweater that my mom got me for the holidays. Crafty!

LOOK WHO STOPPED IN AT HARPUTS MARKET TODAY: TIFFANY

So my roommate had a big party last night, so today I'm feeling a bit groggy and slow... When the girl above came into Harputs Market today, I knew she looked familiar but I couldn't quite place where I recognized her from. And then I saw her Margiela leotard and oversized crucifix, and it all made sense. This is Tiffany, and I remembered her from a post that Jen of Gnarlitude made a couple of months back. I admire Tiffany for rocking the bra-leotard during the daytime! Check out her blog, six six sick.

I WANT TO BE A JEAN PIERRE BRAGANZA GIRL

INSPIRATION: JEAN PIERRE BRAGANZA

As the year draws to a close and the next flirts with beginning, I, like most, take a second to evaluate where I am, what I have been doing, and what I would like to pursue. Now is an especially good time for me to indulge in self-reflection, as my college journey has ended and I have a bit of a fuller lapse of time to ponder. Style-wise, I've always worked through a process of evolution. I used to dress in mostly vintage, priding myself in finding the most obscure 60's dresses or the most embellished cowboy shirts. Starting work at Harputs Market two years ago drastically changed my awareness of fashion and perception of personal dress. I began to incorporate newer pieces along with the vintage, and sewing my own creations when I could not afford to purchase. Aesthetically, I've fallen into a pattern of grayscale and black, big shapes, high heels, sparkle shine and experimentation...it's a nice place!

But I can do better. When I look at the clothing I own, there is a definite split between the clothing that I wear to work, and the clothing that I wear to school (nevermind that any more), to meet with friends, to go out. Its a matter of casual vs show pieces. In San Francisco (and probably many other coordinates) there is an attitude that if someone wears something daring or flamboyant or formal during the daytime then they are trying too hard. Luckily I have enough self confidence to know my own style and wear more noticeable pieces during the light hours of the day, but then I stop at the notion of approachability...and think of Isabella Blow figures. Women who are true explorers in the world of fashion, and bring it onto the streets, yet because of their outward appearance become unapproachable and unattractive to the mainstream's perception of beauty.

Is this a note of uncertainty rising to the surface? Fuck no. I'd rather be looked at than fall into a shadow any day of the week. You wonder how Jean Pierre Braganza fits into all of this? Because he continually creates sculpted, architectural, daring, and intimidating looks that have total sex appeal. His woman has to have the confidence to leave the house at any time of day ready to turn heads and raise eyebrows. Are his pieces "wearable" by most standards? Absolutely not, and thank god. If I were to choose one designer to epitomize a look that I would like to peruse into 2009, the Jean Pierre Braganza take-no-prisoners lady would be it.

FW 2008


SS 2007

FW 2007

SS 2009

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ME LOOK MORE WHOLESOME?

Happy holidays, guys. Stay warm, eat a lot. Drive safely, drink heavily! Don't spill red wine. Wish strangers a merry Christmas (most strangers celebrate Christmas), start gathering sparkly things for new years!

I'm counting down the demise of 2008. Only one more week...

TWO MORE LOVELIES

I haven't seen Johnny (left) in about a year...we were singing "My Boo" at a karaoke joint in Japan town. He lives in LA and works at Welcome Hunters. Can you get any more fantastic?

PEOPLE WHO KNOW ME VERY WELL...

I PAINTED MY NAILS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS

Last night I had a dual celebration for Hanukkah and my graduation, hosted at my parent's house. It was probably one of the warmest gatherings of loved ones from all aspects of my life! I was blown away by the beautiful necklace that my mother got me (top picture). Its a wishbone made from neopreen with pearls at the end, hanging from a long silky chain. The combination of materials is orgasssssmic (and I never use that word). Below are two gifts bestowed upon me by Tyler: light gray Margiela wrist warmers (?) and an old book of 201 German verbs!!!

THIS ONE FLEW BACK TO HAWAII TODAY

Lisa is a face that I will dearly miss from school! Her new glasses KILL it!

I'M GOING BACKLOGGING!

So I take a lot of photos. Every day, all of the time. I take enough pictures to make a post every hour! This means that I either have to make chunkier posts, or tighter edits...but that also means eliminating great images that have arisen. And of course I want you (the reader) to be able to focus on every set of images and not be distracted by multiple updates. Oh, the dilemma of the photo-blogger...

LOST MEMORIES

ZACH IN MONOCHROME WITH AN ACCENT OF RED

Pay attention to the amazing Raf Simons hi-tops in the second photo

MATERIAL PLEASURES

Ilovenewthings. Ilovenewthings. Ilovenewthings.

The gorgeous scarf is by Stephan Schneider - a generous gift from my place of work (Harputs Market). The dress is by Thakoon. I purchased it at Jeremy's, a sort of outlet for designer pieces (but the word "outlet" is all sorts of wrong...). Thanks to a holiday party friends & family and an additional 75% off the already-lowered prices, I was able to purchase it for a staggeringly low $71. I know that I'm not supposed to be buying anything, but ever girl needs a little gray dress...right?

Right as I was posting, Benito (left) and friends stopped in at Harputs Market. What a nice visit!

DID I MENTION MY SHOOOOOES?