Flawless

Today the creative force that is Beyonce celebrates her 35th birthday and it made me think about the evolution of her music. Her new visual album Lemonade was a very powerful statement but the 2013 track 'Flawless' is equally as powerful for budding feminists or an inspirational anthem for girls challenging them to rise and accept themselves.

We teach girls to shrink themselves

To make themselves smaller

We say to girls

"You can have ambition

But not too much

You should aim to be successful

But not too successful

Otherwise you will threaten the man"

Because I am female

I am expected to aspire to marriage

I am expected to make my life choices

Always keeping in mind that

Marriage is the most important

Now marriage can be a source of

Joy and love and mutual support

But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage

And we don't teach boys the same?

We raise girls to each other as competitors

Not for jobs or for accomplishments

Which I think can be a good thing

But for the attention of men

We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings

In the way that boys are

Feminist: the person who believes in the social

Political, and economic equality of the sexes

This is so great considering her platform to reach young women and remind them of 2 things:

1) The meaning of Feminism and to ponder social constructs that continue to limit women.

2) That they, as is, are indeed FLAWLESS and empower them in the physical realm.

You wake up, flawless

Post up, flawless

Ride round in it, flawless

Flossin on that, flawless

This diamond, flawless

My diamond, flawless

This rock, flawless

My rock, flawless

I woke up like this

I woke up like this

We flawless, ladies tell 'em

I woke up like this

I woke up like this

We flawless, ladies tell 'em

Say I, look so good tonight

God damn, God damn

Say I, look so good tonight

God damn, God damn

From a style perspective her look in the video is quite a departure for her. First of all it makes me want to chop my hair and give it texture and take a second look at a button down with a statement brooch. I believe she paired her plaid button down with a necklace but I personally prefer a brooch. Wear it YOUR way ... necklace or brooch .. or necklace AND brooch .. or nothing at all. Wear with jeans or follow Queen Bey into short, short jean shorts (even for fall maybe with a fun fishnet) with a metal chain belt of our choice. Think androgyny meets grunge chic with a side of moto boot! 

GET THE LOOK

Vintage Charm Brooch

Vintage Printed Men's Shirt

Vintage Printed Button Down

Vintage Metal Coin Chain Belt

LEVIS (Size 0-15 - SALE)

Plaid Pocket Cutoff Denim (S/M/L - SALE)

Style Saturday: September

Top Left: Vintage Skirt

Bottom Left: Vintage Dress

Top Right: Vintage Velvet and Printed Maxi Dress

Bottom Right: Vintage Top and Clutch

September is here and another new season is on the horizon. Because of my current geographical location in California I can honestly say my closet functions on a completely "seasonless" basis. I am Canadian born and raised so wearing a t-shirt in January in California is NOT "winter" to me. As the sun sets on summer many of you are starting a transition from a summer to fall wardrobe and color pallet.

This dress is my FAVORITE transitional piece:

The gorgeous ruffled dress boasts the mustard and earth tones of fall but the sheer lightness and metallic's of summer. The silk midi-length dress has the most exquisite print, micro pleating and tiered ruffled skirt (lined). The garment is so light it is like dancing on air. It comes with a matching fabric belt as well and gold metallic threading throughout.

Vintage Lion Necklace

I specialize in re-styling fashions past current and this was a really fun look. The model is wearing the Vintage Dress, Vintage Gold Tone Lion Necklace, The House of Kat Swank contemporary beaded hairband and current Anne Klein pumps. 

Fabric Detail

The other model in the lush burgundy look will be featured in an upcoming blog.

SHOP THE DRESS - $98

*Images (models): Thomas Fowler

*Makeup: Hanna Fisher

*Hair: Valerie Myers

*Location: Greystone Manor Cambria

Why Don't You ...

Fashion fans will fondly remember the glorious Diana Vreeland and if you don't let me introduce you to her. She was the editor of Harper's Bazaar (1936-1962)  for 26 years and after looking at the Kim and Kanye cover this month words cannot express how much I miss her! She also worked for VOGUE and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I can't wait to explore the colorful career of Mrs. Vreeland in a future post. 

Not only was she at the helm of the most creative and cutting edge fashion publication at the time but she also wrote a monthly column called "Why Don't You" ... Giving readers fabulous and creative suggestions to enhance and brighten their every day life,  such as these as seen in  the March 1958 / February 1959 issue.

- Paint a map of the world on all four walls of your boys' nursery so they won't grow up with a provincial point of view?

- Cover a big cork bulletin board in bright pink felt banded with bamboo, and pin with colored thumb-tacks all your various enthusiasms as your life varies from week to week?

- Have every room done up in every color green? This will take months, years, to collect, but it be delightful—a melange of plants, green glass, green porcelains, and furniture covered in sad greens, gay greens, clear, faded and poison greens?

- Have two pairs of day shoes exactly alike, except that one pair has thin rubber soles for damp days? Any cobbler can put these on.

- Find one dress that you like and have it copied many times? You will be much more successful than if you try to produce the same effects each evening.

- Have an elk-hide trunk for the back of your car? Hermes of Paris will make this.

- Put all your dogs in bright yellow collars and leads like all the dogs in Paris?

- Order Schiaparelli's cellophane belt with your name and telephone number on it?

- Tie black tulle bows on your wrists?

- Have your bed made in China—the most beautiful bed imaginable, the head board and spread of yellow satin embroidered in butterflies, alighting and flying, in every size and in exquisite colors?

- Rinse your blond child's hair in dead champagne to keep it gold, as they do in France?

As a form of self love and following an over haul of my boudoir I took a page out of Mrs. Vreeland's play book and posed the question to myself, Why don't you ... have fresh white flowers in your room on a weekly basis? 

So I did just that. Each week since the end of May I have had a different white flower in my room.... just BECAUSE and why not? For a tiny weekly investment (that likely equates to a cup or two of Starbucks coffee) you can treat yourself and all your senses with fresh flowers in your room or home. It doesn't have to be flowers it could be any little thing you can do for yourself to practice self love / self care. A little gesture like this can go a long way.

So the only question remains; Why don't you?

Mi Vida: Frida Clutch

My Clutch and SJP Collection Fawn 70mm

I love to share my style adventures, my DRESScapades and my shoe stories. Today is all about this amazing clutch! 

During my digital tenure on Facebook I have encountered a wide array of artists, creators, dreamers, warriors, haters, and advocates. Karina Hesketh is a true artisan who designs and hand crafts one-of-a-kind clutches and purses of all size, color and print.  I have waited a long time to acquire one of her pieces and its now in my clutches.

The image of Frida on this bag makes me think about life as her runway and it truly was. Frida dressed authentically, defied convention and trends. Her personal style has always been an inspiration. The necklace and bird are taken from her 1940 self portrait "Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird"

The 3-dimensional textural details of the flowers and fringe sealed the deal for me

It is no secret that one of my personal inspirations and SHEro's is Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo. I will have to share my Frida Approved birthday bash details in another post. 

The "Mi Vida" (My life) Frida Kahlo themed clutch was one of a series of 4 she recently created. These are the two still available. $100 GBP plus shipping

 SHOP

SHOP

Karina has been designing bags since 2007 and creates the most unique pieces!

FIND KARINA ON FACEBOOK

Sunday Style: Disney Edition

Follow Instagram: @greg_gr for amazing DisneyXFashion Graphics

Gregory Masouras of Greece

I have been enraptured by the fantasy and imagination behind the characters of Walt Disney for many years. I also have been hypnotized by the art form of fashion and personal style as you may have noticed if you read this blog at all or if we have helped to meet for even a micro-second.

When the two worlds collide I am left to imagine how the Disney Princesses and characters may dress if they lived in the here and now, with no footmen, servants or graphic designers hand to craft their signature looks. So many fashion houses and brands have also shared my dream of these princesses and characters stepping into our world as I've seen several collaborating on official merchandise over the past year or so including Marc Jacobs, COACH, Irregular, Unique Vintage, and more. Of course I have purchased pieces from them to add to my collection.

 Here is my Character chic curated vision when High Fashion,Vintage and Disney collide.

Characters:

Daisy

Dress: Evolution Vintage c. 1970's

Hairband: Evolution Rewind White Feathers / Vintage Brooch

Shoe: SJP Collection Pink Velvet Fawn

Mauve Sweater: Unique Vintage (Plus) (Regular)

Bracelet: Evolution Vintage

Minnie 2.0

 Dress: Evolution Vintage Polka Dots

Hairband: Evolution Rewind

Shoe: SJP Collection Fawn in Ochra Satin

 Dress: Vintage LANVIN

Hairband: Evolution Rewind

Shoe: SJP Collection Fawn in Ochre Satin

Cheshire Cat:

Dress: Vintage Floral Maxi

Shoe: Brian Atwood

Villain's

Wicked Queen

Dress: Vintage Maxi with Pleated Sleeves

Boots: Christian Louboutin

Ursula

Dress: Vintage Black Velvet Bill Blass

Ring: Evolution Rewind

Shoe: Manolo Blahnik X Vetements

Cruella Deville

Dress/Cape: Evolution Vintage

Shoe: SJP Collection TARTT in Poison

Princesses

Dress: Vintage Oleg Cassini

Belt: Vintage Metallic Braided

Shoe: Bionda Castana Red LANA

Dress: Vintage Gown with Train

Shoe: Manolo Blahnik Flat

Dress: Vintage Jeweled Halter Dress

Shoe: Ralph and Russo Eden Pump

Bag: Judith Leiber Jeweled Frog Prince Purse

Dress: Vintage Gown with Train (wear on front or back)

Shoe: Ralph and Russo Eden Pump

Dress/Purse: Both Vintage - Evolution Vintage

Dress/Belt: Evolution Vintage

Necklace: Vintage Beaded Lion

Shoe: Brian Atwood Sandal

Arrow Cuff: House of Harlow

Dress: Vintage Grecian Gown c 1970's

Shoe: SJP Collection Fawn

Dress: Vintage 1970's Maxi

Shoe: Rupert Sanderson

Dress/Gold Necklace:  Evolution Vintage

Shoes: Miu Miu

Knee Socks: Uniquely Vintage

Skirt: Vintage

Tee: Evolution Vintage Burnout

Cuff: Celtic Bird Cuff - Evolution Rewind

Shoe: N21

Dress: Vintage 70's Alfred Shaheen

Shoe: Dolce and Gabbana

Ring: Elephant Ring Evolution Rewind

Dress: Evolution Vintage Crystal Bodice Chiffon Gown

Shoes: Rupert Sanderson

Ring: Evolution Rewind Quad Leaf Cocktail Ring

Let There Be Light

House Of Kat Swank Feather Beaded Capelet $230

Evolution Vintage High Waist Skirt and Shoes

 Let there be light indeed. My blogspot has experienced a black out of sorts, off and on over the last year or more. We have been in darkness more than we have been illuminated in this digital space which sadly is a combination of my poor time management skills and prioritization. It certainly wasn't due to a lack of content, ideas or inspiration so buckle up, I'm back.

The concept of light and dark has also been a theme in my life lately as I have been crawling my way out of the darkness and back towards the glow from a series of superficial relationships in disguise, a social justice fight for my son and engagement with many other energy and time thieves. It is so cliche but so true that everything comes to light eventually; true characters, true colors and truth in general.

Seeing a light at the end of the tunnel is something specific to my day today as I prepare my son for his first day of his academic life in a general ed setting after a long summer of negotiations (for those of you know don't know my son has Down Syndrome). I am back to creating again at the keyboard and easel.

This quotation resonated with me when exploring the concept of light and illumination that IS a person and that surrounds a person.

"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light" - Plato

It really made me contemplate how we as adults drift away form our authenticity; in both desire and deed. How we let societal pressure and darkness dull and shroud our natural luminescence . Can we then step out into the world and let our inner lights shine, bask in, be unapologetic about it and really enjoy it? You may have to pass out sunglasses because the reflection may be off putting and too much for some to handle but the right people will let that light help illuminate their path and help you celebrate your personal shine. Remaining in denial of your own light you may miss opportunities to help another light up their path.

The images shared in this piece are from a photo shoot I styled at the Greystone Manor in Cambria, CA in the late spring and they just scream LIGHT to me. The model Lakin is wearing Evolution Vintage Skirt and Shoes, House of Kat Swank Capelet, Makeup by Hanna Fisher, Hair Valerie Myers and images by Thomas Fowler.