LEATHER WEDDING

When stylist Megan Ross contacted me about a shoot she was doing with couture bridal gowns and veils, I knew it was an opportunity not to be missed. My coworker, whose name is coincidentally also Megan, often tells me what her dream "wedding harness" will look like...I wonder if it would be something like this?

All harnesses by Zana Bayne Leather. Click below for more photos:

GRAVURE Magazine
She Wore White

Photographer: Mark Squires
Stylist: Megan Ross
Model: Judith Bedard

MUSTARD MOMENTS

(Dress - Vintage / Necklace - Zana Bayne / Boots - Ann Demeulemeester)

As I have imposed a temporary shopping ban on myself, I've been trying to re-examine my wardrobe. I have a lot of clothing (but not as much as you'd expect), and there is a lot that I seldom wear. I think the last time I wore this dress was in March, but honestly it hasn't been cold enough to wear it again since. Cue the return of the magical mustard dress! A solid piece of proof that I do wear color, I'm just incredibly picky about it. This ensemble is for running errands.

(Blazer - Zara / Bag - Maison Martin Margiela FW07)

Leather necklace/harness (coming soon), NARS lipstick in "Fire Down Below", Wet'n'Wild nailpolish (its crap, but I don't have any other black polish)

I've been using this bag for 3 years solid. I feel incredibly fortunate that I'm not a compulsive bag-buyer. I'm already a boot fetishist, dress lover, and jacket enthusiast. Who needs another obsession??

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHT SHOW

Photo documents from my weekly social outing! Last night was Lady Fag's night "Clubber Down Disco" beneath the Chelsea Hotel.


Debuting a post-Demarchelier nobrow look





Zach appropriately dubbed my look "Zana meets Miuccia". I'll take it! You can't quite tell, but the Cynthia Rowley skirt is made from completely see-through mesh. Next time I wear it, I might only have hotpants on underneath. The top is Rick Owens, and the harness is new...

Only slightly obsessed with the rave-seizure strobe lights.




BOOM!

DETAILS OF DESIRE

Believe it or not, I have some clothing that have not yet shared on this blog. Everything has its time, and a little bit of sartorial mystery is nice every once in a while...

Cynthia Rowley sheer mesh skirt with floral applique (worn with harnessed Jil Sander shoes). My right foot is resting dangerously close to the "Wood" scented candle by Assouline.

An accidental purchase, but possibly now my favorite garment I own. In September, I stumbled upon this Preen coat at Seven while schmoozing around soho with Elizabeth. This piece merits its own post when the moment is right.

The incredible bell'd sleeve shape of an Ann Demeulemeester oversized mohair sweater, a dangerous temptation from Change of Season in October, but essentially the exact thing that I had been looking for all season.

FINALLY HOME

As much as I try to play with my clothing day-to-day, more often than not I end up with something like this. For errand days that require a lot of subways stops, a lot of walking, and meeting with various people, I like to dress comfortably without a lot of fuss, but with an element or two that are still really fun! Today's example; the Epaulet Harness worn over a drapey blazer to create volume with a cinched waist. Also to be noted - I am reunited with my beloved Margiela bag again! It really should have been taken away from me by handbag protective services. I brought it to Meurice garment care for a much needed tune-up several months ago, and carelessly neglected to pick it up (hey - its a pain in the ass for me to get to midtown!!!). But bag & I are back together again, and it looks as good as new.

After that I walked about 12 streets and 4 avenues over to hand deliver a shoulderpiece (yes, I do this myself), stopped for a triple grande mocha no whip, and then off to meet with the queen of everything fur, leather & exotic - Norisol Ferrari. I'll be posting more about her next week, but for now you MUST check out here site HERE.

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I had visions of grandeur ant complete apartment revamp, but in reality I just needed to add some shelves to get my crap off the ground. I cleared out all of the small shelves from my local hardware store, and need to add one or two more before I am completely finished housing all of my shoes. Below is a shot from my kitchen/office (I write as if I live in a house, remember this is a 500 sq ft 1br). Running a business means accumulating lots of bulk stock in everything, like boxes, tape, shipping labels, and tissue paper. Since I don't have a lot of space for drawers and dressers, everything ends up hoisted onto the wall! Lets not forget that my rolls of leather are stored atop my fridge...

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During my errands journey this morning, I ended up walking for several blocks behind this petite vision in pepto bismol pink. I never saw her face, but I would guess that she was in her 70's or 80's. I love her matching structured suit paired with ankle boots and bangles!! A total "I love NY" moment.

GRINDERMAN

Last night consisted of pt.2 of my sick FW concert calendar, seeing Nick Cave's band Grinderman (pt.1 was SWANS, pt.3 will be Einsturzende Neubauten in December). As I'm sure you all know, I will use any ample opportunity to get close to a Cave, and poppa just makes me swoon. As much as I wish I could take a time machine back to a Bad Seed's show in the 80's, I must say that Nick Cave is still such a fantastic showman; at the same time commanding, intense, seductive and passionate. A show like this calls for full attention, which is why I didn't bring my camera along. Instead, what I wore: Dress - vintage / mesh dress - American Apparel / shoes - Jil Sander / Belt & Bootstraps - Zana Bayne

(Note - was just made aware of a Nice Cave pre-Grinderman show 'street style' shot - a must see HERE)

TYPICAL, TYPICAL

(Dress - Rick Owens DRKSHDW / Boots - Ann Demeulemeester / Necklace - Chris Habana / Lipstick - MAC "Lady Danger")

Nothing important or riveting today. Here I am in my little kitchen area/library/leather storage, again made to look much larger thanks my tripod and convenient photographic angles. I didn't initially realize it, but this is my 1001st post! Insane? Perverse? Obsessive? Yes.

So...more Swatch 90's frames. I found these outside from the ones in the post below, and they actually arrived in the mail mere hours after I blogged! Who doesn't need a matte silver sunglass in their life?

I find something slightly HR Giger alienesque about this piece...probably why I was so attracted to it the moment I saw it.

TUESDAY, PRE-WORK

(Jacket - Kaelen / Shirt - Acne / Harness - Zana Bayne / Boots - Aldo / Scowl - accidental, my contacts are bugging me today)



Due to cold mornings & unpredictable weather patterns, additional layers are becoming necessary. Sweater cape is by Zara, via the kindness of my dear Tyler's closet.

When it comes to sunglasses, I'm more inclined towards wacky pairs. Its an easy way to bring humor into my sometimes-severe wardrobe. I've been pretty obsessed with my deadstock Swatch sunglasses ever since I scored two pairs in Berlin - I've always regretted not buying more, as the fleamarket vendor had a small mountain of pairs. But a few weeks ago, a lazy day + the vast depth of internet yielded a pleasant result; more frame styles! A small obsessive voice inside of me instantly purchased the other versions that I did not already have. And if I ever find more, rest assured that I will obtain them as well.

The more, the merrier.

READING WITH ZANA 16

Reading With Zana 16 - Dressing For Pleasure

In a rare instance of leisure, I was able to visit the New York Book Art Fair at PS1 over the weekend. The experience was slightly overwhelming and incredibly liberating at the same time! Upon arrival, I was confronted with booths as far as my eye could see. I accidentally gave myself an ultimatum of 1 hour of browsing, so I didn't really have the ability to get lost in the sea of publications. I wasn't looking for any sort of book in particular, but when I spotted a small book with what appeared to be a full leather suit on the cover I knew it was coming home with me.

To begin with, Dressing For Pleasure makes for great subway reading. Its a 208 page archive of the magazine AtomAge (1972-'80), which I previously had no knowledge of. AtomAge was the project of a leather lover named John Sutcliffe, a self-taught designer who not only pioneered a unique style of fully leather outfits, but invented techniques to engineer rubber garments and subsequently produced photoshoots for all his pieces to star in. AtomAge originally began as a way for Sutcliffe to present his work to the public, but it soon expanded to include customer's photos and two other sub-editions for more specific audiences (rubberist & bondage). Though the magazine was eventually deemed obscene and most of the copies destroyed, I find the imagery and supporting story totally inspiring. If you remove all of the preexisting stigmas of the subject matter, what is left is one incredibly dedicated man who invented his own empire as a designer, photographer, and editor. I certainly suggest that you click on the images to view them larger!

Side note: The ring that is creeping into some of the shots is my newest love - a big cuddly bear devouring my finger by Leviticus