Young designers Thakoon Panichgul, Jack McCollough, and Lazaro Hernandez.
Purple Diary
Monday, July 25, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
On that note...
Photos via alexanderwang.com
Escape
This past weekend I decided to flee the city with my girls to stay with a friend and his family, who live in a lovely plantation-style (I cringe at the name itself) house steps away from Lake Chelan. After coming back, I was asked what we did, and replied "Nothing." In other words, most of the time there was spent relaxing, whether that mean having tea on the candlelit porch after dark or watching far too many movies instead of spending time outside. One morning, I inexplicably woke at 6:30 in the morning and decided to not return to dreamland. I tiptoed downstairs, poured a cup of coffee, and joined another house guest on the porch. We enjoyed the morning and spoke of our respective times at the college I attend. He's more or less of my parents generation, so naturally there have been changes. Later we were joined by my friend's parents, so my morning was spent having conversation and coffee with signficantly older human beings and working dutifully on a crossword. You may be surprised to hear that the latter was far more agonzing than the first. I cherish my conversations with the generations that have come before me.
To be sure, I didn't just laze about all weekend. I swam quite often, went wakeboarding only to be sore for the next two days, and took a less than leisurely bike ride. My friend Bridget and I decided to bike into town. She rode her road bike, while I rather idiotically mounted an electric blue cruiser. Coincidentally, a triathlon was taking place at the same. While I didn't look or sound anything like a serious biker—in sandals and oversized button up, ringing the bell in sheer glee—my effort to keep up with Bridget was much like competing in a race. As we got to town, it began to rain to my relief. I was already hot and absolutely exhausted. We passed triathletes sporting pained faces and while I was tempted to ring the bell at several, I resisted to save myself from a potential punch in the face. As soon as we arrived home, I ran upstairs and changed into my swim suit. By the time I got to the dock, it was pouring, but I was undeterred. I dove in and gasped as the cold enveloped me. Not long after, the water felt less hostile. Pulling myself onto the dock, I stood in the nearly warm rain, taken with the way nature can look and feel. Perhaps rain is the last thing many Seattlites would want to encounter on vacation, but I couldn't have been happier. I'm so very glad I haven't lost the ability to find joy in the little things. While you mope, I'll be dancing in the rain.
To be sure, I didn't just laze about all weekend. I swam quite often, went wakeboarding only to be sore for the next two days, and took a less than leisurely bike ride. My friend Bridget and I decided to bike into town. She rode her road bike, while I rather idiotically mounted an electric blue cruiser. Coincidentally, a triathlon was taking place at the same. While I didn't look or sound anything like a serious biker—in sandals and oversized button up, ringing the bell in sheer glee—my effort to keep up with Bridget was much like competing in a race. As we got to town, it began to rain to my relief. I was already hot and absolutely exhausted. We passed triathletes sporting pained faces and while I was tempted to ring the bell at several, I resisted to save myself from a potential punch in the face. As soon as we arrived home, I ran upstairs and changed into my swim suit. By the time I got to the dock, it was pouring, but I was undeterred. I dove in and gasped as the cold enveloped me. Not long after, the water felt less hostile. Pulling myself onto the dock, I stood in the nearly warm rain, taken with the way nature can look and feel. Perhaps rain is the last thing many Seattlites would want to encounter on vacation, but I couldn't have been happier. I'm so very glad I haven't lost the ability to find joy in the little things. While you mope, I'll be dancing in the rain.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Spangled.
Loving your country is a wonderful idea, but I appreciate the Fourth more for the picnics and the beautiful booming lights in the sky. I think my problem is that when I think of patriotism, the legacy of slashing and burning caucasian males comes to mind, instead of the opportunities that the country provides to those not born here (this of course becomes an issue when immigration is brought into the discussion). But then again, I wonder if that's a myth created by our graying forefathers to create a glorified history of the country. My own citizenship, a product of "birth-right" and entitlement may simply lead to me overlooking what makes America great. In other words, because I expect a lot, I don't see what others might appreciate. Enjoy the music and my amateur photography (the pie closeup, the gas structure, the blurry fireworks) alongside better shots by Miss Gillian Spencer.
Gisele Bundchen for V magazine shot by Hedi Slimane, styled by Clare Richardson; Gisele Bundchen for Vogue China shot by Patrick Demarchelier, styled by Nicoletta Santoro
Gisele Bundchen for V magazine shot by Hedi Slimane, styled by Clare Richardson; Gisele Bundchen for Vogue China shot by Patrick Demarchelier, styled by Nicoletta Santoro
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Page One: Inside the New York Times
In my mission to be the loneliest person on the face of the Earth, I spent part of my night alone at the Seven Gables theater to see Page One: Inside the New York Times, a documentary about the storied Grey Lady. Being only one of the four people inside the decrepit theater certainly contributed to the sense of solitude and the fear of dying old world institutions (but that's another issue entirely). I came in with high expectations, being a journalism major, a lover of print, and a writer who has high esteem for newspaper men and women (I myself see myself at a glossy fashion magazine, but again, another issue). I found Page One to be both heart-breaking and inspiring. The agonizing shuddering of countless print media outlets and dismemberment of the Times via economic struggle is a reality I constantly have bouncing around in my mind, but the film made this all the more real with personal stories attached.
A particularly intriguing subject of the documentary is David Carr, a writer on business and the media. The husky-voiced hero of the film has quite the underdog history, complete with drug addiction and single parenthood, which certainly provides his story an emotional backdrop, but I found his contemporary "story" more striking. He's an inspiring figure for journalists to see simply because he works and supports his Lady with a relentless spirit. Carr is painted as a fearless journalist on the front lines, unconcerned with the often scummy trenches he finds himself in. He admits only fearing guns and bats (I think it was bats, though sometimes his voice is exceptionally strained). Carr's wicked sense of humor is just another contribution to his portrayal in the film.
Whether or not you're a working or aspiring journalist, this film is important to understanding the power of news. If Page One aims to preserve the Times and other print news organization, it certainly has strengthened my resolve to be a print media supporter. Will I shill out $7.40 a week for a paper delivered to my residence? Perhaps not, but I know what I will be doing when I wake up Sunday morning. A trip to Bulldog News for a Sunday edition, a bagel, and a coffee sounds fucking beautiful.
A particularly intriguing subject of the documentary is David Carr, a writer on business and the media. The husky-voiced hero of the film has quite the underdog history, complete with drug addiction and single parenthood, which certainly provides his story an emotional backdrop, but I found his contemporary "story" more striking. He's an inspiring figure for journalists to see simply because he works and supports his Lady with a relentless spirit. Carr is painted as a fearless journalist on the front lines, unconcerned with the often scummy trenches he finds himself in. He admits only fearing guns and bats (I think it was bats, though sometimes his voice is exceptionally strained). Carr's wicked sense of humor is just another contribution to his portrayal in the film.
Whether or not you're a working or aspiring journalist, this film is important to understanding the power of news. If Page One aims to preserve the Times and other print news organization, it certainly has strengthened my resolve to be a print media supporter. Will I shill out $7.40 a week for a paper delivered to my residence? Perhaps not, but I know what I will be doing when I wake up Sunday morning. A trip to Bulldog News for a Sunday edition, a bagel, and a coffee sounds fucking beautiful.
I just wanna go down the river...
I'm reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for my sole class this summer and all I can hear is...
Chanel F/W 2011
A gray summer day in Seattle seems an apt moment to write on Karl Lagerfeld's Fall collection for Chanel, despite the fact that it was shown months ago and the couture collections are already wrapping up. Truthfully, I have only my own procrastination to blame, but moving forward...
Lagerfeld presents a much darker vision for this collection, teeming with androgyny in the most classical sense. In fact, I would argue that from a strictly formal standpoint, this is his most Coco-like collection in quite some time. By merging the formality and intense detail that has become an intrinsic part of the Chanel empire, with a more practical and streetwise point-of-view, he appeals to Madame Chanel's pragmatic sensibility while satisfying the glamour necessary to carry the house as it exists today. Looking to his young devotees, he championed pants, whether they be denim or something more dressed up, to create a wonderfully boyish collection. Even long dresses took shape in knit fabrics, bestowing a heaviness to what's normally seen as quite feminine. An emphasis on layering similarly appeals to a young, street fashion conscious audience. I assume the surprising number of jumpsuits incorporated into the collection target the same audience. After months of mulling it over in my head, I still have not conclusively decided if I find these to be an exciting development, but they will no doubt find their way into the hearts of the cult of Chanel ambassadors, admirers, etc.
The set, composed of steaming black stones and a dark backdrop, alongside the often dark pallet (some white, red, and forest green cut through the shadows a bit), provided for a dark, even apocalyptic fairy tale to unfold. The capes on some of the models brought to mind Little Red Riding Hood, who appeared a bit tougher in her black leather boots. Perhaps Lagerfeld was ruminating on the state of the world at the moment, filled with disaster and threats of rapture. This train of thought would make sense given the recurring trend of dressing harder for hard times. To be sure, it wasn't all doom and gloom, as whimsical decoration and jumpsuits as evening wear had their fair share of face time. The designer himself mentioned in an interview with style.com that these women were emerging from the light after a disaster of sorts. Oh to be indestructible and in head-to-toe Chanel.
Stella Tennant
Sasha Pivovarova
Kasia Struss
Karmen Pedaru
Aymeline Valade
Fei Fei Sun
Jacquelyn Jablonski
Kinga Rajzak
Julia Saner
Melissa Tammerijn
Merethe Hopland
Ginta Lapina
Mirte Maas
Aline Weber
Edie Campbell
Caroline de Maigret
Aymeline Valade
Josephine Skriver
Kasia Struss
Kinga Rajzak
Heidi Mount
Photos via style.com
Lagerfeld presents a much darker vision for this collection, teeming with androgyny in the most classical sense. In fact, I would argue that from a strictly formal standpoint, this is his most Coco-like collection in quite some time. By merging the formality and intense detail that has become an intrinsic part of the Chanel empire, with a more practical and streetwise point-of-view, he appeals to Madame Chanel's pragmatic sensibility while satisfying the glamour necessary to carry the house as it exists today. Looking to his young devotees, he championed pants, whether they be denim or something more dressed up, to create a wonderfully boyish collection. Even long dresses took shape in knit fabrics, bestowing a heaviness to what's normally seen as quite feminine. An emphasis on layering similarly appeals to a young, street fashion conscious audience. I assume the surprising number of jumpsuits incorporated into the collection target the same audience. After months of mulling it over in my head, I still have not conclusively decided if I find these to be an exciting development, but they will no doubt find their way into the hearts of the cult of Chanel ambassadors, admirers, etc.
The set, composed of steaming black stones and a dark backdrop, alongside the often dark pallet (some white, red, and forest green cut through the shadows a bit), provided for a dark, even apocalyptic fairy tale to unfold. The capes on some of the models brought to mind Little Red Riding Hood, who appeared a bit tougher in her black leather boots. Perhaps Lagerfeld was ruminating on the state of the world at the moment, filled with disaster and threats of rapture. This train of thought would make sense given the recurring trend of dressing harder for hard times. To be sure, it wasn't all doom and gloom, as whimsical decoration and jumpsuits as evening wear had their fair share of face time. The designer himself mentioned in an interview with style.com that these women were emerging from the light after a disaster of sorts. Oh to be indestructible and in head-to-toe Chanel.
Stella Tennant
Sasha Pivovarova
Kasia Struss
Karmen Pedaru
Aymeline Valade
Fei Fei Sun
Jacquelyn Jablonski
Kinga Rajzak
Julia Saner
Melissa Tammerijn
Merethe Hopland
Ginta Lapina
Mirte Maas
Aline Weber
Edie Campbell
Caroline de Maigret
Aymeline Valade
Josephine Skriver
Kasia Struss
Kinga Rajzak
Heidi Mount
Photos via style.com
Monday, July 4, 2011
Warrior Queen
"I'm gonna marry the Night/I won't give up on my life/I'm a warrior queen/Live passionately tonight/I'm gonna marry the dark/Gonna make love to the stark/I'm a soldier to my own emptiness/I'm a winner"
Those opening lines have become my mantra.
As soon as I hear those church bells, I am lost.
Sasha Pivovarova in "Tough Love" shot by Heidi Slimane, styled by Mika Mizutani for Vogue Japan
Photos via fashiongonerogue
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Miu Miu F/W 2011
After the part-Sixties, part-mermaid collection at Prada, it comes to little surprise that Miuccia Prada's Fall/Winter work for Miu Miu was bit more subdued. The major point of reference appeared to be Forties Paris (where the Miu Miu collection is shown, unlike its sister brand), though typical throwback glamour it was not. The slightly nipped-in waist was met with sparkling shoes and cheeky exaggerated collars that gave it a more playful look that Ms. Prada is known for. The clean look of the collection, often in dark colors was made more intriguing by atypical shapes whether that be in the razor sharp collars or twisted pockets. A bit of fur and enormous coin purses further glamorized the collection.
The beautiful rusty oranges and mustards, as seen on Mariacarla Boscono and Ginta Lapina respectively, look fresh and even light, despite their saturated, rich tones. The dress on Sigrid Agren, printed with sprigs of white flowers, is a particular favorite of mine; one I will keep in mind when getting dressed this summer, all the while pretending to be an old world Parisian. In fact today, I wore a pair of harem pants in a burnt orange with lovely little red flowers scattered across the fabric (cat eye sunglasses provided the necessary time travel). Swallows were another wonderful print motif, especially when sequined. I do not favor simplicity all that often, but in this case, I can't deny the knock of subtlety at my heart's door. And who better than Miuccia Prada to make me a convert? At least ever so slightly.
Mariacarla Boscono
Kasia Struss
Sigrid Agren
Hailey Clauson
Anabela Belikova
Andie Arthur
Fei Fei Sun
Natasha Poly
Ginta Lapina
Hanne Gaby Odiele
Yulia Terentieva
Daga Ziober
Zuzanna Bijoch
Juju Ivanyuk
Ruby Aldridge
Photos via style.com
The beautiful rusty oranges and mustards, as seen on Mariacarla Boscono and Ginta Lapina respectively, look fresh and even light, despite their saturated, rich tones. The dress on Sigrid Agren, printed with sprigs of white flowers, is a particular favorite of mine; one I will keep in mind when getting dressed this summer, all the while pretending to be an old world Parisian. In fact today, I wore a pair of harem pants in a burnt orange with lovely little red flowers scattered across the fabric (cat eye sunglasses provided the necessary time travel). Swallows were another wonderful print motif, especially when sequined. I do not favor simplicity all that often, but in this case, I can't deny the knock of subtlety at my heart's door. And who better than Miuccia Prada to make me a convert? At least ever so slightly.
Mariacarla Boscono
Kasia Struss
Sigrid Agren
Hailey Clauson
Anabela Belikova
Andie Arthur
Fei Fei Sun
Natasha Poly
Ginta Lapina
Hanne Gaby Odiele
Yulia Terentieva
Daga Ziober
Zuzanna Bijoch
Juju Ivanyuk
Ruby Aldridge
Photos via style.com
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