Inspired by Tim Walker

Color me surprised when I put two and two together and found out that most of my inspiration pictures on my blog were from the same photographer, Tim Walker. The picture above appeared on the January 08 issue of Vanity Fair. I love how the subject in the picture is not facing the camera, the not so average setting, and don't get me started on his use of color. You can see more of his whimsically beautiful work here.

Consider this

This tip is found in the February 09 issue of Esquire. At the store I used to work at customers would come in and get all worked up because the black articles of clothing didn't match. What was I to say, the difference was obvious. I explained that the fabric and the ink used factor in the black color of the garment. I would then ask them where are they going to wear the outfit and most of the time they answered, to a club. I'd say, "Well luckily it's dark in the club and nobody will be able to tell its not the same." I got mixed reviews for my logic. If matching is that important another option is navy blue.

Meet and Greet...Lisa at Madewell

In my adventures in fashion I've meet a variety of amazingly talented and wonderful people. I think the world should meet them. Permit me to introduce you to Lisa Schulner from the women's clothing line Madewell. She took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions. Picture by Michael Fine.


-Job Title: Stylist
-Where did you go to school? University of Maryland
-What did you study? Journalism and Fashion
-How did you start working in the fashion industry? My first job was in the fashion and beauty department at Woman's Day magazine. I was so happy to have broken into the industry since I didn't have any contacts or connections. I spent about $100 faxing my resume to every magazine in existence. It wasn't high fashion but Woman's Day turned out to be pretty great. I got to go on market appointments, shoots, and write front of book copy almost immediately.
-What does your role in Madewell entail? I style all of our photo shoots, PR lookbooks, in-house presentations...I used to also conceptualize the store windows and interiors too.
-Do you think there'll ever be a men's line at Madewell? I think Madewell would translate really well as a men's line but I haven't heard any plans for it in the future.
-What do you love about fashion? I love the story fashion tells! I feel giddy at places like the costume institute at the Met or the V & A. It's so exciting to me. It's like I'm reading an epic story of love and wealth and power and poverty and passion. And I feel the same excitement when I see people on the street who's clothing tells their story. Fashion my medium of story-telling.
-How would you describe your style? I love really intense color and exaggerated simplicity. I would transcend space and time if Maria Cornejo designed costumes for Martha Graham and I got first dibs after the show. I love anything that suggests a life spent barefoot on the beach in the warm sunlight. I love leggy vintage skirts and dresses that sit on my natural waist.
-What inspires you? Anything could hit the button. The school kids in India in all of their different uniforms...old batty ladies in the west village...all of the bleached-out vintage colors from the William Eggleston exhibit...

Ispirazione

These pictures are from Casa Vouge 2005. Goes to show that inspiration can come from any place or image.

Tog On This

Paddington Bear was too cool for school sporting his toggle coat around town. A Toggle coat or Duffel coat was originally used by the British Navy back in World War 1. Another article of men's clothing we can thank the British Navy for is the Pea coat. If this doesn't prove to you that fashion is cyclical I don't know what will.

MODTV

A friend introduced me to this podcast a while back. Since then I've met through MODTV Pat McGrath, Luigi Murenu and other amazing people that work behind the scenes in the fashion industry. Not to mention, Karen Morrison, who directs and produces the podcast interviews top designers and models. One of the best parts other than the great clothes and interviews is the music. If you want to know the name of the songs on the podcast you'll have to go to modtv for the list.

Inspirations

Some pictures that inspire me.

Check it out

If you don't know Uniqlo, you should. It was once described as the Gap of Japan. Unfortunately, there is one store in the US. So the next time you're in NYC make sure as you're walking on Broadway in SOHO to not just walk by. Uniqlo carries mostly basics but once you see the ads or check out the website at http://www.uniqlo.com/us/, they wont seem so basic. Their website is an experience and other websites should follow suite. Its not a flat boring web page you just scroll down to view. As the mouse moves it passes over an article of clothing and pictures in-large or details pop up with details of what is featured. You can also view other projects they are working on through their video type slide shows. Don't just take my word for it check it out.

As the new year begins I've decided on making a few resolutions. Such resolutions include but are not limited to reading a book per month and finding a cool store in the cities I visit be it for work or on vacation. I was in San Diego last month and I was not very successful finding a store. Yes, there is Fashion Valley mall that has stores like James Perse, Hermes and even Old Navy but I didn't find an independent store that was note worthy. If you now of a place in San Diego please share. I will be back this summer and will continue the search. I did find a new love for Balboa park as I spent my last day walking around with my sister. Practically everything was closed and we still had a great time. I didn't leave San Diego disappointed.

Oxford

The oxford shirt an American preppy classic. I think it gets a bad rap for the thing that makes it unique, the thick cotton. The one shown here is made by J.Crew and I love wearing it. It has all the traits an oxford shirt should have the button collar, thick cotton and a variety of light solid and stripe colors. At the last retail store I worked at the fabric they used for the oxford was very thick and as a result felt heavy. Men should rethink the oxford shirt and find options of thick but not necessarily heavy cotton at places like J.Crew and Polo Ralph Lauren.

In progress

Presently working out a few kinks...

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