.... ... Lady looks like a Dude ... ....

Trannilicious!

Celia of ANTM 12

all Polaroids© Carrie Blaydes

Hi everyone, it's Marina Hermanovna, your italian lenswoman with a penchant for blogging.

This post is about androgyny.

I am afraid I got the inspiration from America's Next Top Model's 12, so if you thought only ignorant people watched this show... you were probably right, I am indeed getting stupider by the minute.

Now picture me shaking my hips to Tyra's infamous jingle (@0:30")  "Nananananana-Nanananananana - You wanna be on top?"  Who's getting dumber by the minute now?

Here's a couple of things I wanted to say about this show before you either fall apleep on your keyboard or you start banging your head against it until it bleeds.

- ANTM it's disgusting. It's addicting. It's like an obese woman dancing naked in your livingroom. You don't really want to, still you can't help it: you have to watch.

Young people should stay away from it.

I find myself refreshing my Youtube home page in the middle of the night. The re-refreshing it.  Damn, the latest episode is not online yet... I thought only Ebay could do this to me. Scary.

- The day Nigel Barker will be a "noted fashion photographer" I'll be the first woman walking on Mars. Wearing Manolos. And a clutch. Walking a chihuahua. Who'd be wearing custom made Louboutins. And its matching mini-clutch. 

Tyra, do you hear me? Stop ridiculing Nigel with this whole "noted fashion photographer" thing. Famous photographer do not participate in such programmes - they are way too busy shooting! They have agents! They do editorials for edgy magazines! They do not need to remind everyone that they are famous, because being famous is about people already knowing who you are!

all Polaroids © Carrie Blaydes

Paolo Roversi is a famed lensman. Peter Lindbergh is. Juergen Teller is.  Camilla Akrans is. Solve Sundsbo is. Alessandro dal Buoni is. Cécile Bortoletti is. These are truly talented and successful photographers. 

WARNIG: Please rince your eyes several times with any of these true artists' work before jeopardizing your retinas by staring at Mr. Barker's pictures.

Some of Celia's ANTM work 

"click on the pic to enlarge it!"

photo © Mike Rosenthal

photo© Fadil Berisha

photo© Brian Edwards

Nigel is neither talented nor successful, I guess we are not going to see any of his work on Dazed and Confused or on I-D anytime soon.

(just take a look at his horrific website; the most "high fashion" shoots he did are in fact ANTM's, and the big budgets and Tyra's artistic direction barely cover up his blatant lack of talent.  The rest is... let's just say any TopShop lookbook looks way better than anything he did.. Here's NY Mag take on Mr. Barker as a photog: it brings the ROFLS).

- Tyra Banks knows a thing or two when it comes to scouting ugly-pretty models. Here's two of my favorites:

Allison aka "Bride of Chucky":

... and Celia aka "Walter's twin sister". 

Girfriend totally looks like my boyfriend! And I like her! How creepy is this? 

Celia from ANTM 12 looks like my boyfriend!

They even smile the same way...

More photographic evidence: same high cheeckbones, square jaw, strong chin, short nose with a small hump, masculine forehead, deep inset eyes, see-through eyebrows, (and yes, he is blonder than he looks in this pic and of course he's got blue eyes).

-  Tyra Banks also knows how to entertain people = keep the ratings high.

That's why she keeps on casting "rating girls", models that have little to zero potential of making it in the real fashion industry, and she knows. 

This season is all about Tahlia. The girl is a burn victim (and needs to shed a few pounds as well, or add a few and become a plus size). I wouldn't recommend her to take up modelling.

This is the one job who made the most beautiful women in the world feel insecure about their looks.

The girl is already quite insecure: why baby girl, why? There are a million other ways to feel beautiful, and she probably chose the only job who is going to make her feel uglier than ever (I felt ugly when sitting at a casting sorrounded by 150 drop-dead cute girls, and I didn't have scars..). Tahlia, if you are reading this: they are using you and your story to make them richer, they do not believe in you as a model. No agency will hire a model with such big scars, believe me.  Do something else - you can be beautiful without being a model, you know.

So if you ask me who would I like to shoot from ANTM cycle 12 the answer is....

.. trannylicious Celia!

photo © Carrie Blaydes

Lady looks like a dude, just like me. She's my favorite (Allison is in my wish list as well). 

Since the very beginning of the show poor Celia has been targeted as "manly", as you can see in many YouTube comments and blogs. 

The bad news is that indeed, she looks like a man.

The good news is she looks like a very hot one! 

Fashion loves us baby, don't you worry about a thing. 

This post is about us Ladies who look like we had a penis - removed.

Yes, androgyny it's rad. It has its own edgy UK magazine.

Greta Garbo was one of the first famous chicks to rock this look - just sayin'.

Besides, I do not understand this obsession with female models and "prettiness" at all. 

Pretty girls were made for straight boys. 

Androgynous ferociousness was made for everybody else in fashion

(us 98% = women and gay guys) - and of course for the few straight boys who have a little fantasy and appreciate our unique beauty.

But androgyny need to be handled with care. If you have masculine features you want to look mysterious, not post-op she-male. The difference is all in the way you present yourself. 

A tranny is a man that tries hard to look feminine but cannot help having a square jaw: so if you keep you hair long with lots of make up and all the girly/sexy things you can buy, you won't look feminine, you'll  just end up looking like a drag queen (see picture below....).

Androginous babe's don'ts

If you want to look androginous - which is neither trannilicious nor butch - you have to create some sexy ambiguity through unisex attire. 

You are not a man. Yet you are not a woman. You are simply stunning.

In the picture below some looks that always work in creating a hot androginous yet sexy look: gothic meets motorcycle gang, neoclassic dandy, lesbo-chic, 90's minimalism.

NOTE: If you still want to score a boyfriend, make sure you throw into your look one only hyper feminine item (I love to wear boyfriend jeans + checked shirt with heels and bad ass rings. But it can also be just about a sheer fabric, a bow, a necklace, a strap).

Androginous babe's dos...

What happens when I do not throw in such items?  I get mistaken for a boy (a dozen of times in 2009...). 

Here is  a gallery of androginous top models plus some pictures of me. Enjoy.

Today's androginous female supermodels...

Yes, these are all female supermodels.

Omahyra Mota is one of Jean Paul Gaultier's muses, just like Aggy. 

I met Mr. Gaultier in person and not only he loves us androginous creatures but he also is a sweetheart.

Here's a few pictures of me, shot by my friend Chloé:

© Chloé Bonnard

...

and here's  a light test I did for Cécile Bortoletti, an amazing photographer I work for as an assistant (coming soon: video backstage of her latest editorial !)

light test:  Cécile Bortoletti

And here's some self candids I took back in October, while modeling for Maison Martin Margiela. The first one with the wig was just a joke.. 

But how did I manage to look like a man in drag - I have no idea. Let's just say in Jair Sfez's words (that's also photographer I'm assisting)

"You look like a model... straight out from a Dior Homme campaign". Lovesit.

So here's my tips for you girls that look like boys and still want to look hot!

Do not try to fight it - embrace your androgyny.

If you grow your hair long you'll end up looking like a tranny (see pic). Wear it short (or a bob) and you'll look cute.

Do not wear bright lipstick: you'll end up looking like a viado on top of a chariot for Rio's carnival. Our features do not look good in heavy makeup: just do the eyes and (kinda) forget the rest... 

Steal anything from your boyfriends' closet, than wear it with killer heels. It looks hot on us!

self portrait in drag @ Maison Martin Margiela

self portrait as an Hare Khrisna @ MMM

self portrait as a fake candid @ MMM

I've always liked this mith of the original Androgynous Creature, before God split us in two halves that hardly understand each other, man and woman.

Why splitting the androginous perfection?

Now we piss differently and argue about that all the time. Very dumb move, if you ask me.

On the other hand, if we were still one there wouldn't be no sexy confusion of the sexes, aka androgyny. So I'm glad you did, after all...

love,

m. h.

Questions you don't want to ask a photog

All pictures ©Marina Hermanovna

please do not use my pix without permission

visit my website to see more

Hi everyone !

This post is about photography, a form of art that we all know in some way - and that's where all the problems come from, in my modest opinion.

Please note that all the pictures featured on this post have been taken with a consumer compact camera, no professional lighting (the small flash fired, that's it), no make up, no hairdresser, no stylist, minor digital retouching.

I only posted a few although I have many others because I want to publish these somewhere, so please avoid downloading or I'll have to stop posting my pictures.

Soon enough I'll post some more taken using natural lighting - so to all the young photographers out there (I am thinking about Autumn!), yes you can take perfect pics - even if you cannot afford much; besides, you can buy used equipment and Christmas is oh so near...

There are a bunch of clichés about photography, and as a professional I have to deal with two or more of the following sentences any given week.

So here I present you in random order some questions you do not want to ask a photographer - unless you want to see some professional eye-rolling.

1 - "Oh I see, you are a photographer! And what do you do as a job?" 

Didn't I just say professional, you spoiled brat?

2 - "Wow, you are a photographer! I see there are many tonight!" 

"No hon. Holding a camera, no matter how big, does not make you/them a photographer, but just a dude with a big camera that takes useless party pictures. Oh, and professionals seldom take pictures at parties because they want to enjoy the party, in fact"

3 - "Do you do black and white? 'Cuz I love it!"

This sentence is emptier than a Halloween pumpkin. Please tell me the first and second name of someone who does not like black and white photography. I believe the reason why so many people say so is because they only go to the exhibitions of Cartier Bresson and Boubat and this kind of stuff and they totally ignore the work of masters of colors like Martin Parr. So when they say they love black and white photography what they actually mean is they only know the work of very old reportage photographers.

4 - "How many Megapixels does your camera have? / What's your camera?"

 I have six cameras to begin with. The one I use the most for payed work is a Canon 5D, which has 12,8 Megapixels. Having said that you must be aware of the fact that other 60 millions people have the same camera, most of them are not professionals, and by no means they all make beautiful pictures. On the other hand, a professional photographer can take beautiful pictures using any given camera, even a compact consumer camera. In fact, the pictures you see here have been taken with a small 7 Megapixels compact Canon, a japanese turist's camera. It's not about the equipment, it's all about the eye. 

5 - "Do you have a darkroom? Do you print your pictures yourself?"

I know how to do this; I spent so many days in a darkroom back in 2006 that at a certain point I started seeing green creatures and feeling dizzy (hint: the acids definitely give you some kind of high if you smell them for too long - but please, don't try this at home).

But the fact is many amazing photographers never developed or printed a single picture in their entire life - Robert Mappelthorpe for instance never did.

What you see in Hollywood movies - a boy in his darkroom hanging prints under the redlight and stuff it is not a photographer's job, but a printer's.

Of course a photog must know how he/she would like a print to look and tell the printer where to correct the negative but the thing is professional photography is a work for an artist, whereas printing only requires a good artisan.

So a photographer may or may not know how to print or Photoshop his/her pictures, but this won't really make a difference since it is not his/her job in the first place.

6 - "Awww, photography! What an amazing job you do!"

That's not a question, but it's dumb enough to end up in my shitlist. Taking pictures for your pleasure is amazing, trying to make a living with your camera is another business, that involves so many unpleasant sides people just tend to ignore.

For instance, did you know that the beautiful editorials you see in fashion magazines don't make us any richer at all? This is because magazines don't pay the photographers for editorials; they pay the models (very little), the hair and makup persons, the stylist, the retoucher.. but no, the person that directs all of these contributors into one significant direction, his/her vision of beauty, is not paid a cent. The reason is they "give us a window to showcase our work"; go tell my landlord... 

7 - "Well you can still take digital pictures, it won't cost you a thing!"

Non professinal digital photography costs less than non professional traditional photography, we can agree on this point. 

But when it comes to professional photography, digital is just as expensive (if not more) than film. Whe shoot tons of pictures, we make backups on huge RAID hard drives, we have stuff you dont need like a device that calibrates the screen, a graphic tablet, flashpacks, lightstands, backdrops and backdrops stands, sensor cleaners, light boxes and umbrellas, cobra snakes, filters, software, Pocket Wizards and black adhesive tape, and cinefoil and gelatines and..

Well, you get my point. 

8 - "Wow, this model is gorgeous. Must be easy taking great pictures with such beauties!"

Taking a beautiful shot has NOTHING to do with the physical beauty of the subject you are shooting; this is why you can find an amazing picture of an old man and many butt-ugly looking editorials and catalogs out there.

The beauty of a pic comes mostly from composition, lighthing, emotion, originality and the overall ability of the photographer to convey his vision and making it clear in one fragment of a second for anyone.

After all, when you are not Mario Testino they don't give you Naomi Campbell to work with, so young photogs have to work their asses to make models look way better than they do in real life.

If taking great pictures only required great models there wouldn't be professional photographers but only modeling agencies. Period.

9 - "How much do you sell a picture? / How much do you charge for a book?"

I usually reply with "How much is a car?". They get it.

First off, you don't SELL pictures (with the exception of wedding pics), you just rent them.

Photography being an intellectual job, no one can ever be deprived of the property of his work of art, unless he/she has been dead for more than 70 years, then it becomes public domain.

Until then, just as a writer cannot sell his writing but only a copy of his printed book, photographers don't sell pictures, they only rent the rights to use them somewhere for a certain amount of time.

Yes, I make books and pay test for modeling agencies or aspiring actors and the market price for these ranges from 200 to 400 euro if you have a home studio and do not require professional hair and makeup or styling, but just a cd of retouched pics.

10 - "Wow, you work with models? I mean, real models? Aren't they all anorexic? Are they rich? Do they party every night in fancy hotels? Do they go to castings with a driver? Tell me some diva anecdote - please!"

Models are thin, but they are seldom anorexic. Runway models, especially haute couture models as opposed to prêt à porter models are extremely thin, but they usually get that thin just one month before the shows. I am thin enough to get into a modelesque french size 36 (an american 2), and I eat pasta and ice cream... not everyday, ok.

Underwear models are often fatter than I am, in fact, and the only real difference is that they are sometimes shorter than clothing models and they often have breast implants to reach this not-so-natural top heavy look.

I have seen a 16 y.o. eastern european girl with breast implants; she said her parents mortgaged their house to pay for her new tits, so she can get more lingerie contracts and send her brother to college. True story.

But everyone keeps talking about anorexia, as if this serious psychological illness was the only issue fashion has to deal with.

14 years old models? Ok. 

Agencies selling them to rich old men (it happens, it happens, not giving names though)? Fine. Agents telling girls to go get a nosejob then come back if it turns out well? Alright!

But still, everyone talks about anorexia.

Oh, and models are by no means rich. In fact, unless you reach the "supermodels' heaven", modeling has become a pretty mediocre job, in terms of paycheck. The golden age has passed, and now many designers offer the girls to keep the dress after the show and that's it, and if you are not okay with it there are 100 other girls willing to accept.

As for the driver part, no, only a city plan and a MetroCard! I have seen some divas though.

But when it comes to true divadom leave it to the actresses to beat the shit out of models; 

for the love of gossip, here some first hand exemples:

- smoking where not allowed (Shalom Harlow, Mélanie Laurent)

- leaving half-eated sandwiches on the couch (Tilda Swinton), 

- being moody and hard to work with (Karolina Kurkova)

I could continue this list but hey, I still need to get some work !

love,

marina hermanovna

:)

<-> Sunday Bloody Sunday <->

Olga@Metropolitan Models

Hi everyone, and thanks for reading !

(Tip: Click onto my pictures to see what a difference it makes !)

This post is about modeling, so if you are an inspiring model read the following.

Here's what happened since last time I logged in:

- I shot many pictures

- I transformed my flat into an overcrowded photo studio moving all the furniture in a corner, much to my kitties amazement

- my cat peed on my favorite Diesel hoodie. Amen

- two models forgot their personalities in the other bag

- I passed out

- my boyfriend got mad at my stylist and yelled at her

- my doorkeeper got mad at my boyfriend and yelled at him

(and much more)

What I forgot to mention is that all of the above happened in one day, on October 12, a Sunday.

I planned to improve my portfolio with some pictures inspired by italian painter Modigliani, so I made sure I packed into my 35 square meters flat a stylist, two hairdressers, a makeup artist, seven models, an assistant, two cats, five luggages, a backdrop and myself.

Needless to say it was madness.

Ulla@Metropolitan Models

To make it all more interesting I made sure I felt sick the exact day of the shooting, so what you see here has been shot at 39°C plus seizures and a sexy bacterial infection. As Borat would say - Very Nice !

The stylist made also an important contribution to the climax of the shoot, showing up a whopping three hours late, chain-smoking and bitching and asking random questions to anything that moved - cats included.

Poor thing was complaining that there only was tub water, so she basically ordered a model to go get her a bottle somewhere. This is the point where I saw my boyfriend's "anger vein" getting bigger and pulsing - not a good sign, in case you are wondering.

Ophélie@Metropolitan Models

As for the models, here's my impressions:

Olga - an amazing girl. She moves like a dancer, she is nice and bubbly, a pleasure to work with. The kind of model that delivers the picture in ten frames; I would rebook her for anything. 

Ulla - she was rude at the beginning (she failed to come say hello to the photographer...), but when shooting she followed directions well and I love her unique features.

Ophélie - Incredibly shy, girl has hardly one expression. A very good one though.

Rose@Metropolitan Models

Olga

Rose - an incredibly versatile aussie, she is gradually forgetting all the bad catalguy-posing they taught her when she started out; I shot her for three different projects and she has definitely something unique that make you want to see her interpret different characters. Oh, and she looks so much like Nicole Kidman.

Birgit - A very pretty face, she could be a good model if she listened. Unluckily, she does not.

I looked throughout her film and all I saw was one expression, The German Milkmaid. I kept telling her what to do to no avail - poor thing has the attention span of a goldfish. This is the only acceptable shot I have of her.

Gauthier - The boy makes waves. He is so photogenic you might stare at your LCD for three minutes than leave the room screaming in Sanskrit.

He is also a sweetheart, and kept talking to me the way young children speak to professors. It definitely made me feel 15 years older but I'd forgive him even if he gave me STDs.

Did I mention this was his very first shoot? Unbelievable.

So here's the results of this shoot, tomorrow I'll start looking for a magazine interested in publishing these.

Thomas - a very nice boy, he is clever and follows directions well. Too bad I fainted while shooting him, so I was able to take only like ten pics of him before K.O. Seeing the photographer on the floor, Thomas thought it might be a good idea to pick up my Canon and shoot the girl. How very paparazzi of him.

Soon enough I'll tell you more about Rose Vickens, my new Muse, whose new book I'm signing almost enirely and I am oh-so-proud of this.

Yesterday we shot some more pictures for it, the brief of her agency being

"soft lighting, a more commercial look than in the rest of her book but not too commercial".

I will soon post these. 

In between, you can take a look at my new website - I'm still working on it but it is finally taking shape.

Gauthier@Studio KLRP

I have one more anecdote to tell you guys about modeling, the bottom line being

 "looking good does nothing if you don't make an impression"

I went to the boy's agency a couple of days ago to give their booker (the energetic Jurgen!) their pictures; while I was there I took the time to check out all the new composits and two boys stood out from the bunch in my opinion, Jesper and Carl;

Since I am preparing an upcoming men's editorial, I thought I might want to see these two in person and I realized that two out of the three guys talking to Jurgen right there were the boys I wanted to see. So I asked Jurgen to do an impromptu casting.

Jurgen called the boys back and introduced me; I couldn't help but notice the "who the hell is this girl supposed to be" look in their eyes.

The look changed from "WTF" to "I don't think so" the minute Jurgen said the word "photographer", and I know why: this comes from me looking younger than 28 and being a good looking female. I keep getting these kind of looks whenever I introduce myself as a photographer, so I learned to stess the adjective professional...

Oh, Olga! How graceful.

So the first guys hands me his book, I take it to the couch, look at the pics, take it back to the boy, grab the second book, bring it to the couch, give it back to the boy... Well, you got it.

They couldn't make it to the couch, introduce themselfs, shake my hand, tell me something about them, ask me about the shoot...  

Jurgen noticed this and being a good booker he gave them the "bad models speech". He taught them something very important that most beginners in the fashion industry ignore: the importance of personality.

If you want to be cast in modeling jobs you have to do more than staying thin and be punctual.

You have to make an impression, because the person in front of you has seen 50 models before you and he/she is going to see other 50 afterwards. At the end of the day, a few composits will lie under the client/photographer's eyes, those of the models who have the right look for the shoot, of course. But how are they going to pick the "winner" among all of these models if say, five of them have that certain look?

Personality, it all boils down to personality.

You have to smile, to make eye contact, to shake hands (firmly! a weak shake is a no-no), be bubbly and bring positive energy into the room. 

Sometimes photographers pick a model instead of another only because they felt a connection, they knew this girl/boy is no troublemaker and will listen carefully to directions throughout the shoot. I wasn't sure Olga was the model I was looking for this shoot but she was so funny during the casting that I couldn't help but book her, and my feeling was right.

Birgit@Metropolitan Models

I book people I want to work with ! So models be advised: 

- no more sour pussies on castings/shoots

- no more cigarette breaks every 30 minutes (and cigarette butts wherever)

- no more about:blank look in the eyes

- no more complaining ("oh I'm so tired! Tired of sitting having your picture taken? Go tell this to the assistants - puh-lease!), 

- no more lame questions ("are you sure this make-up is fine? SHE DIDN'T EVEN PUT MASCARA ON! Yes baby, it is exactly the way I wanted it, and "she" is a professional makeup artist, btw)

- no more dumb answers("who's this"?  - me pointing at a picture in his book - "oh, that's me!!". Thank you darling, I see that; it's your book, so only pictures of you inside it. Now, can you tell me the  name of the designer you are modeling for in this pic?") 

( and much more )

BAD MODELS!

( I am kidding girls/boys. You know I love you! )

:D

xoxo

Marina Hermanovna

< Mostly Maison Martin Margiela. Mostly >

photos: Marina Hermanovna

model: Suzie Bird@Elite

styling: Laura Diesbecq

makeup: Morgane Goupy

hair: Makiko Nara

cat: vintage 

M&M's: photographer's own - but the model ate the whole thing!

No no no no, calm down. 

This post ain't no interview to the belgian designer every hipster loves more than life itself.

Oh, and in case you were wondering no, I haven't disappeared for good under a pile of unwashed socks or imploded after the fourth random guy called this week and asked me if I do ID photos. Like, duh!

I have been bee-busy doing this and that, and most notably I went to fashion photographer Boris Ovini's party, where I had the chance to:

- meet the adorable Karine from Metropolitan Models, who has been sending me an insane amount of foxes to check out on a daily basis ever since. God bless her.

- hang out with Boris, the most talented young photog I ever met who, unlike many colleagues, is not afraid to give you some advice and his true opinion about your work. Oh, and he's a hot piece of ass.

- try my newly found weapon of mass seduction: my nazi offspring haircut. 

If you think boys don't like girls with shorter do's (especially if you look like you are a Hitler'stache away from filming Anna Frank, the remake), you should think again. And then hit Tony and Guy (or cut it yourself blindfolded, which is just the same - only way cheaper).

This haircut - in association with a very androginous look -  has the power to make'em all meow and purr. 

It's like they are all closeted gays that would rather hang out (with a boyish girl) instead of coming out (with a real penis-bearer). Zing!

We have a deal. Let me write this white on white.

- eat two apples, a banana and some raisin. In the meantime the other guests had roughly a bottle of vodka and a half each.

This is funny because some of them that were pretty rude at the beginning (i.e. rolling up a joint while talking to me an then walk away to smoke it with somebody else) later became surprisingly friendly (i.e. hand me the entire filter to smoke some cardboard).

- meet the Uberstilish Goran, a designer from Maison Martin Margiela, that was irradiating coolness all around so brightly he had to wear sunglasses to protect his own retina. 

Although I'm a class-A wallpaper at parties I couldn't resist this dude that looks like he just popped from a Kusturica movie, minus a golden tooth or two.

I just had to speak to him. Here's what happened:

Marina Hermanovna: "I've been staring at you all night; you have the most amazing look ever"

He replied: "Funny. I was about to say the same thing about you"

MH - "You must be part of the fashion industry. Who do you work for?"

Goran - "Take a guess."

MH- "Ok, is it Helmut Lang?"

G - "No"

MH - "Ok ok, so is it Bruno Pieters?"

G - "Huh-uh"

MH -"Darn it! Who is it then?"

Who said models don't eat? Suzie likes to have 1kg cornflakes without milk every morning.

He handed me a white business card for an answer.  

As I squinted my eyes to read the white on white typing, I had the feeling the card was grinning at me. Finally the letters stopped dancing before my eyes and I was able to stutter

"M-MM-MMAISON MMMARTIN MMM-MMARGIELA?!!" 

For the love of half-price Azzedine Alaia platforms, you should let an old lady have a seat before coming up with this kind of shoker. What happened next is just as shoking. 

The fiercly-clad macedonian born designer kept shooting me from all angles, telling me such flatteries that my keybord is blushing as I'm typing.

Who said models are stoopid? Suzie can breathe and count her toes at the same time!

While wearing glasses!

He also said he wanted me to model for the upcoming MMM showroom... so he would show his pics at his office and eventually call me for a go-see @ MMM headquarters.

Riiiight. I was like - "Dude, do you realize I can almost babysit the other girls?"

He just said "Let me do the talking. Don't say a thing. You are perfect for this".

Two days and lots of mobile staring later I got a call from MMM. I went there and a handsome guy took me to an even hotter dude, that led me to this beautiful italian lady, that slid me into an all-black spray-on jumpsuit and stared at me together with her assistant.

Marina it's my agent. He says if you are going to make me look like a nerd I might as well go home and play some Wii.

Hot MMM Mama: "What do you think?" (ah, I almost forgot what a weird feeling is being a model, when people talk about your appearence as if you weren't there!)

Assistant: "Mmmmm. Isn't she too skinny?" 

(WTF?! Too skinny to model? I'll have a three-days non-stop Chocolathon to get this job!")

Hot MMMM: "Well she sure has skinny-minnie thighs but this is actually good for the present collection. Have you already done this work before?" 

MH (don't say 10 years ago! don't say 10 years ago!!)

"Yes, for Martin Margiela and for Paul Smith, in Milan, back in the day" (shit! I blew it!)

Hot MMM Mama: "Oh no you didn't! With Vicky maybe?!"

MH: (Hmm, I don't recall any Vicky... I barely recall my zodiac right now...) 

"Oh actually I don't recall. It was too long ago (there I go again. Am I stupid or something?!)".

I'm pretty sure there used to be a plant right here where I'm sprinkling... let's just keep wtering, it will eventually grow back!

So, to make a long story short they liked me. 

My favorite designer hired me, not as a photographer but as a model. Wow. 

This makes me a model-turned photographer-turned model, if this makes any sense at all.

I had to go shopping to celebrate right away, so I bought this pair of UNIQUE shoes from Topshop and I started an intense styling session as soon as I got home that involved as well jumping, stripping and tiger claw climbing invisible walls to "Super Freak" by Rocasound Revamp, much to my kitties amazement.

So because of work (and me being a little lazy blogging as well, I won't lie) I am posting today some old pics I took back in March of model Sandra "Suzie Bird" Plassard @ ELITE, hoping you will forgive me and wait a few more days to see my interview with Mr. Dellerba from Givenchy. 

In the meantime check out this french beauty staying sexy with very invisible makeup , bedhair  and grandpa attire.

Right after this geeky shoot her carreer took off and she did Gucci and MMM runway... 

;)

Love,

Marina Hermanovna

Fabulous Encounters #3

Hi you guys, it's Marina Hermanovna writing in her sleep. You read me.

Yesterday night I thought I'd write this post about my relationship with male models ('cuz I have one, you know!). But it was pretty late, so the Self Appointed Queen of Procrastination went to bed to try get some sleep. That was around midnight. Two hours and a half later I was still staring at the ceiling. Damn it!

Insomnia, here we go again.

There must be something about counting your cat's hair, surfing gossip websites and eating stuff that's been dwelling in the fridge way before Cher's first facelift... I've tried it all. I've tried melatonin. I've tried cat cuddling sessions (it didn't work, but now I know how to purr). I also tried banging my head against the wall in the hopes of fainting. Nothing worked.

So what I do when I can't get no sleep is styling. I open my closet and let the nightspiration do the magic. Sometimes I came up with some good ideas. Some other times - mostly when the moon is black - I turn into Marina Scissors Hands (all of my cutoffs lost their legs right before dawn). What worries me is that laltely I've started cutting T-shirts in a post-modern deconstructionist frenzy. Soon enough I'll be dressing like a homeless person, and ask you for some spare change.

Let's just focus on the positive - Blake. I met him in Hollywood Blvd with Rachel.

He said "Hey, nice hat!"- I said "I do!"

Later we went to some place where the stars eat veggie burgers that cost like cattle. We talked about his paintings and then he popped out something that made me choke on my ice green tea. Something about a several million dollars house, and he wanting me to get his picture taken over there.

Let me break this down for you:

- a hotter-than-lava male model stops me in Hollywood Blvd to compliment my outfit

- he wants to hang out (does this make me a cougar?!)

- he wants me to take his picture in a f**** gazillion dollar house

What's a girl photographer to do? Shoot him! Shoot him 'till he bleeds! So without further ado, let's bring to you the all-american sweetheart Blake Hardy.

- Blake Hardy -

Model @ Wilhelmina

Interview and pics by Marina Hermanovna

click onto the pictures to enlarge them

- It makes a HUGE difference -

1. Job/age/City your were born/City you live in?

I'm 21, from Cincinnati Ohio, the queen city as we like to call it… I live in L.A. now but I consider myself a gypsy. I feel like I have more to offer than just one title so I guess I'm an artist/model/stylist/jewlery maker/professional idiot.

2. When/how did you decide fashion was your business?

I think I've always known I would end up working in the fashion industry; I've been dressing men in my family and friends alike for a few years now and clothing is just another medium to express myself…. when I started modelling is when I got my foot in the door.

3. Favorite designers?

Marc Jacobs. I love a girl in a good Vivienne Westwood vintage piece. Prada is perfect for my body type, Ferragamo makes some nice shoes and Alexander McQueen is great at what he does; for everyday wear I love my close friend Lauren's line LnA. They have some dope high end knit tees that I can wear with anything. I also love pants by an L.A. company called "end of an era".

Wilhelm von Gloeden Who?

4. Last purchase, future purchase…

Ferragamo black leather dress shoes and "end of an era" high ankle rise black pants.

5. If your style was a city/a movie/a dish what would it be?

If N.Y. slept with L.A. and had a baby he would wear my clothes. Movie.. "Boondock Saints" mixed with a Spike Jonze skate video. Dish... ha umm steak and plantaines?

6. Name a style trend you could never follow or understand.

Abercrombie and Fitch and every other brand they've influenced. There is nothing wrong with a preppy look but being branded by one label and such a boring label is tragic, especially when you're paying them for the clothing. They'd have to give me a good rate to wear their name in giant letters across my chest.

7. If your house took fire and you had 30 seconds to pack before escaping, what would you take?

My Creativerec high top sneakers, the closest pair of jeans and my "end of an era" cashmere hoodie..and my medical marijuana jar so I can burn one down while I watch my house burn down!

To tan or not to tan, that's the question

8. What do you build your style around?
Whatever pants I put on that morning.

9. I could live my life in...

...love is all you need (but if you are speaking about clothing then any pair of grey jeans and an electric blue deep v-neck).

10. Name three items or trends you’ll never be caught wearing.

You'll never see me wear Sketchers shoes. Anything created by Christian Audigier…and I hate how most men have a «"Friday night button down shirt" for whatever shitty club theyre going to.

11. Some girls buy too may shoes, others are bagaholics. I know one who has 100 bras. What’s your fashion bulimia?
Jackets. I've got way too many for living in southern California.

12. Tell me the three colors, three fabrics and the three brands you wear more often.

Black/white yellow and blue; I love cashemere but fabric isn't much of a concern to me. I just wear what I think looks good.

How am I supposed to change that bulb?

13. My youth fashion faux pas I’m not ashamed to reveal
Fake platinum chains and oversized Tommy Hilfiger shirts, ha!

14. The best fashion advice I was given
F**k what people think; if it makes you feel good wearing it then wear it.

15. Personal style icon?
Sinatra and I'll go with Johnny Depp for modern day; he pulls off the trashy sheek look pretty well.

16. Tell me the name of someone famous whose style is overrated and one whose style is underrated.
I don't pay much attention to the famous but Christian Audigier himself is the most pretentious person I've had to hear about in a long time. I love Gwen Stefani's style on girls, but you better own it to pull it off otherwise you just look like you're trying too hard.

17. Name a young designer off the chain.
All my boys over at "Creative Recreation" are taking over the shoe world.

click on the cuckoo clock to see the birdy come out*

T-shirt: LnA

18. When you’re designing (or painting !) you find inspiration in..

I take what the world gives me each day and reinterpret it in my art.. if not for my own personal amusement then just for anyone to see how I feel about life since putting it into words tends to be a difficult thing sometimes.

19. Tell me a funny fashion anecdote so we can laugh a little.

I had a casting once with a couple of friends from Wilhelmina (modeling angency, ndr) and it was for a denim brand. There was 5 people from the brand at the casting and it was in a big open space.

While the clients were looking at each of our portfolios and pulling us each a pair of jeans from the rack to try on, my friend leans over to me and says « dude… I didn' t wear underwear ! » and I give him an « are-you-kidding » look and start laughing.

I can see his eyes wandering the room looking for a place to change and there is nothing since the client and us both are used to changing in front of everyone; so as they're walking us over our jeans I just hear him mumble « f**k it » and in front of his 2 good friends and 5 strangers who he is basically interviewing for a job for, he just drops his pants with no underwear and all in front of these people and changes like it was nothing at all.

The clients jaws dropped and I heard a couple laughs and finally one of them asks « do you usually go without underwear or was that a special show just for us ? ».

He said he just forgot, and we finished changing and left but we all had a great laugh once we were out of there.

20. A fashion advice you want to give women?

Don't be afraid to dress down more. You don't always have to wear a dress or a skirt and sometimes when a girl dresses a little more unisex it can be attractive (Marina Hermanovna just loves this answer: thank you darling, +1000 points for this)

can you see the ladybug on my cheek? click to see it!**

21. Miniskirt past 40, what are your feelings?
If you got the body and your children aren't in the room :)

22. How do you do your makeup; what about yout hair, how do you wear it/take care of it?

I dont think this question is meant for me but sometimes for fun me and friends will put on black stripes under the eyes like war paint and go rage it at a dance club.

23. All time favorite beauty products?
American Crew hair wax.

24. Cheap & chic : your feelings towards vintage and thrift shops.

F***n love them! Something doesn't have to be expensive or have a label everyone knows for it to be cool or look good. I go to thrift shops once a month to buy sell and trade clothes, and I enjoy it.

25. H&M or Zara?
H&M.

26. What’s the best and the worst part of your job?

Best part is travelling and being surrounded by other creative people and the money, I won't lie. The worst part is the stereotypes that people label you with but even worse is when the stereotypes are true and you have to deal with ignorant close-minded vain people.

**of course there's no birdy /ladybug to be seen, c'mon! :D


love,


Marina Hermanovna

Fabulous Encounters #2

Hi you guys! It's been... 

Well let's just say that I cut my hair twice and shaved my legs 30 times since the last time, right? 

(Yeah 30, I'm italian, so what?)

Ok, so here's the interview with my friend Constance, wearing some outfits right from her amazing closet. 

As if her closet wasn't amazing enough, she told me she has left most of her bags and dresses in Germany, at her mother's. 

I'm seriously considering renting a german mother with a closet full of MiuMiu myself. Anyway.

The reason why I haven't updated my blog lately is because I got an editorial for a French magazine, and this means a lot of work: finding locations, models, makeup & hair, defining the style with my inseparable Lorraine and then of course shooting.

After the shooting comes the part I dread, 

the editing (aka "the part in which your favorite pictures just don't look good together"). 

And then comes Photoshop, The Almighty.

A picture of my left emisphere - irreversibly damaged, courtesy of Adobe

Hell yeah, I passed the last two weeks in front of my Mac - holding firmly my graphic pen, listening to some trash euro pop and oldies - hoping to see the light. 

Classic nerd stuff.

I'm not finished with the retouching yet, thus I haven't seen the light yet. 

My complexion is starting to look greenish but I'm pretty sure I can't be synthethysing chlorophyll.

But you guys, you can go out, walk your dog, collect his crap, eat an icecream and do all the things you can't do when you're PhotoWashing your brain away so just please, do me a favor.

Next time someone says "Oh no problem! It can be easily fixed with Photoshop!", do reply on my behalf:

"Uh-uh! SHE will retouch it with Photoshop! "it" doesn't retouch a thing! And no, it ain't easy".

Thank you for clearing that up.

love,

marina hermanovna

ps.

Wanna see my editorial pics? I know! I know! I cannot show you the pics because the magazine comes out in October - till then, just words and maybe a few backstage shots!

;)

- Constance Astbury - 

Fashion Designer

Interview & pics by Marina Hermanovna

(Yes, I only interview hot & talented people. I hope you don't mind)

Reminder: click onto my pics to enlarge them 

 ('cause I'm worth it!)

1. Job/age/City your were born/City you live in?
I’m a fashion designer/ stylist/ painter/ creative thinker born in west Berlin. I actually live in L.A.

2. When/how did you decide fashion was your business?
When I got my first italian Vogue, at the age of 13.

3. Favorite designers?
I admire designers who follow the less the market rules – just like Martin Margiela and Miuccia Prada.

boots: Jil Sander

trench: vintage

4. Last purchase, future purchase?
Egyptian gauze wrap-skirt found on a long weekend in the desert of Palm Springs. I only think of the present…

5. If your style was a city/a movie/a dish what would it be?
It would certainly be « La dolce vita » by Federico Fellini.

6. Name a style trend you could never follow or understand.
None ?

7. If your house took fire and you had 30 seconds to pack before escaping, what would you take?
My vintage Playboy sunglasses!

8. What do you build your style around?
My mood determines my style. Mostly.

9. I could live my life in….
Bikinis and havaianas flip flops from Brazil.

credits: coming soon... isn't it Constance?!

10. Name three items or trends you’ll never be caught wearing.
Never say never…

11. Some girls buy too may shoes, others are bagaholics. I know one who has 100 bras. What’s your fashion bulimia ?
Boots! I just can’t get me enough boots…

12. Tell me the three colors, three fabrics and the three brands you wear more often.
Black, Lila and Off White / Right now it's Givenchy, Balenciaga and Prada.

13. My youth fashion faux pas I’m not ashamed to reveal.
None !

14. The best fashion advice I was given.
Just follow your instinct.


15. Personal style icon.
Bianca Jagger.

16. Tell me the name of someone famous whose style is overrated and one whose style is underrated.
I have to be political correct and keep those secrets unpublished.

17. Name a young designer off the chain.
Students in college.

18. When you’re designing you find inspiration in...
People and all medias.

19. Tell me a funny fashion anecdote so we can laugh a little.
Once I had to cut a dress like 3 seconds before the show and then pinn it back together faster than light, and just pretend everything was made on purpose…

dress: Prada

shoes: vintage Marni

20. Fashion advice you want to give men.
Follow what suits your personality.

21. Miniskirt past 40, what are your feelings?
If you have the body and you know how to rock it, go for it.

22. How do you do your makeup; what about yout hair, how do you wear it/take care of it?
I love Shiseido's makeup. As for hair, I use products from Hawaii to keep it smooth.

23. My all time favorite beauty products and fragrances.
YSL nail polish and Odeur 54.

24. Cheap & chic : your feelings towards vintage and thrift shops.
Love ‘em ! One of my inspiration meccas.

25. H&M or Zara ?
No no no, I’d rather find something more original at thrift stores.

26. What’s the worst/best part of your job ?
When styles come out differently then you expected but in a surprisingly bad way…
And the best part is when everybody goes 'AHHHH' 'ooohhhhhh' 'amazing’ and any other word from the “joy vocabulary” - and all sorts of happy expressions on different faces. That speaks for itself.

Fabulous Encounters #1

I know, I know.

dress: New Look

necklace: vintage

cat: one of a kind

I haven't been posting for ages - I'm sorry. I've been preparing the first of our three upcoming Fashion Encounters, which, together with my occasional working to pay for my spaghetti, made it impossible to update this blog. Up till now!

But  I'm back, chattier than ever, with a whole lotta pictures -  hoping you'll just give me some love in return. 

Soon enough I'll be posting the other two interviews/photoshoots I've been bragging about lately, one with a male model and the other with a very special fashion designer. 

You know you can't wait!  ;)

Marina Hermanovna

Fabulous Encounters n.1

 Lorraine Cassen - fashion editor

Interview by Marina Hermanovna 

Plume, Lorraine's cat, wasn't too pleased with the photoshoot

1. Job/age/City your were born/City you live in?

I'm 24 and I've always lived in Paris. I'm a fashion editor for magazines such as Enjoy, Dandy, L'Homme.

2. When did you decide your future was in the fashion industry?

After 3 years studying litterature, I had the opportunity to get a summer job at DS magazine. And that was it.

3. Favourite designers?

Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Christian Lacroix and of course Balenciaga.

So he managed to hide while the weird stranger kept blinking his big black eye

4. Last purchase, future purchase.

Two weeks ago I bought a pair of leather and wood sandals at Zara. Right now I'm dreaming of glads with heels, but I haven't found the perfect ones yet.

5. If your style was a city/a movie/a dish what would it be ?

Definitely Paris. Even if it sounds a bit cliché Paris is the most beautiful city in the world, and here women have an incredible style, as you can see on our blog. If I could live in a movie, I would choose Grease for the party dresses, the retro glasses and the perfect brushings. If my style was a dish, it would be an ice cream with whipped cream on top : colorful, girly and sweet.

Let's continue our investigation into this girl's closet, shall we?

6. A style trend you could never follow or understand.

Urban streetwear style, like Marithé and François Girbaud... it might be charming on some girls, but it just doesn't work for me.

We've found the body of evidence: this girl is a huge fashion victim!

7. If your house took fire and you had 30 seconds to pack before escaping, what would you take? 

My cat, Plume.

8. What do you build your style around?

First I choose the shoes and some accessories; the rest of the look just follows.

9. I could live my life in….

Jeans, especially skinny: I think they are elegant and comfy.

10. Name three items or trends you'll never be caught wearing.

Ballerinas, and others flat shoes. Baggy jeans. And red, that looks awful with my blond hair (aside from accessories).

11. Some girls buy too may shoes, others are bagaholics. I know one who has 100 bras. What's your fashion bulimia?

I can't resist scarfs, I must own at least 50, and I keep buying more!

12. Tell me the three colors, three fabrics and the three brands you wear more often.

I wear mostly black, yellow and my beloved pink. As for fabrics I wear denim, cotton and cashmere. My favourite brands are H&M, New Look and N2 jewels.

13. My youth fashion faux pas I'm not ashamed to reveal.

I've made many faux pas, because I've tried anything. But the combo miniskirt + fishnet stockings and stilettos takes the cake. Or maybe baggy jeans with a big Nike / Schott logo sweater... this used to be cool when I was fifteen. I'm just sayin'.

14. The best fashion advice you were given?

Color on your nails is good for your mood!

15. Personal style icon.

Kate Moss, Agyness Deyn, Cameron Diaz.

top and bracelets: H&M

skinny jeans: Cheap Monday

sandals: Bruno Frisoni

wristwatch: vintage

hat: Sandro (not visible in this pic!)

16. Tell me the name of someone famous whose style is overrated and one whose style is underrated.

Cameron Diaz always looks amazing on the red carpet. She can make a jumpsuit look expensive. Kylie Minogue has the worst look for me: granny in the daytime, blah at night.

17. Name a young designer off the chain.

Gareth Pugh, but he's already big in the UK.

18. When designing you find inspiration in...

I'm afraid I cannot design… I'm absolutely hopeless.

(To be fair that's my fault: she's a stylist not a designer - I should have asked her a different question! )

19. Tell me a funny fashion anecdote so we can laugh a little.

Spaghetti straps just don't like sitting on my shoulders, I guess. They tend to pop in the middle of the street, of course when I'm on my way to work and possibly late.

20. Fashion advice you want to give men.

Steer clear of hair products and huge baggy jeans. Try instead handbags and V neck t-shirts.

21. Miniskirt past 40, what are your feelings?

If the legs are OK why not? A woman can be beautiful at any age.

top: vintage

vest, pants  and necklace: H&M

bracelets: Claire's

sandals: Zara

22. How do you do your makeup? What about your hair, how do you wear it/take care of it?

I'm a make up addict, I can't see myself going out without powder, blush, flashy eyeshadow, khôl, mascara and lipstick. I bleach my hair so I must take care of it; I use moisturizing masks from Mizani.

23. My all time favorite beauty products and fragrances.

I'm addicted... to Dior Addict! I think it's sexy. And I'm also a fan of AquaEyes crayons from Make Up for Ever: fancy colors, easy to apply.

24. Cheap & chic: your feelings towards vintage and thrift shops.

I'm crazy about vintage and I love going to thrift shops and markets where I can find unique items for a few euros.

sweater, bracelets and T-shirt: H&M

shorts: New Look

platform sandals: Fornarina

25. H&M or Zara? 

H&M forever. They have the best styles, prices and quality.

26. What's the most difficult part of your job?

To deal the with the big ego of oh so many people…

Meow!

Firestarter

dress: Prada

slingbacks: Marni

the photographer's shadow: casted it myself

English Text - by Marina Hermanovna

These pictures are just a starter for my upcoming interview with fashion designer and muse Constance Astbury.

During my stay in Los Angeles we shot a fashion editorial in her neighbour's flat, starring Constance as a fairly crazy lady in a whole lot of mess.

The shooting has been difficult, to say the least. 

I had very little light to work with as I could not bring my lighting equipment and I'd rather shoot with natural light than using a cobrasnake flash.

Fun Facts:

Not only Flash Packs cost like a sports' motorbike and weigh like a 9 years old, but these bulky batteries get inevitably mistaken for bombs during X-ray inpections at the airport. 

How about renting instead?

The flat was very small and filled with furniture and fragile décor of all sorts, which translates into moving like Catherine Zeta Jones in Entrapement while holding a wide angle lens, while directing a stunning yet somewhat stubborn subject. 

Did I mention that we had no makeup artist, no hairstylist, no assistants, no styling, no time at all?

Because of course we didn't.

Nevertheless we took many pictures I can't wait to show you guys... hopefully you'll go easy on  my first interview as well, as I am not a journalist by any means.

Love,

Marina Hermanovna

Simply Stunning // Personal Venus

shoes: Agnès b. pour André

dress: Et Vous

I'm in Cannes. 

I'm ashamed.

The reason why I haven't been posting for nearly one week is that I am in heaven. Literally. 

I have been staying at the Eden Hotel for a few days, where I do little more than blowing bubbles in my Jacuzzi, tan and eat fish in fancy reastaurants.

I occasionally strutt my stuff on the Croisette and hit remarkable clubs at night.

So what's so imbarassing about this whole situation? 

Well, technically I'm not on holiday.

They are paying me to be in Paradise.

All I have to do is sit in a booth for a few hours a day and whenever a client shows up, translate a demo for a new videogame either in French or in Italian.

... Oh, here we hit the supermutant with a laser rifle. It doesn't work. Let's try a portable nuclear rocket launcher. We aim straight onto his face. He dies tossing his headskull necklace all around him. Now we're going to blow up a whole human village, but technically we could just hit the guy and run with the money...

Most people (aka. dutch people!) don't really need me so basically all I do is nibble, giggle and scribble.

The company I'm working for has also hired a girl just to hand over T-shirts to clients,

and she happens to be a delightful young lady whose real job is in the movie industry.

Yesterday at dinner she was wearing a black V-neck dress and a pair of sparkly blue Mary Janes. She looked like she just came out from a tango competition.

I fet compelled to capture her striking looks and personality, for Zena is bubblier than my Jacuzzi and sexyier than a filet mignon.

Tomorrow I'm also posting older pictures of Constance from L.A., just a little taste of the whole story, coming soon on Fields of Fashion as well as her interview.

Say tuned !

So long,

Marina Hermanovna

Straight up Curly !

pants: Alexander Mc Queen

shirt: Paul Smith

sneakers: vintage Adidas

bag: vintage Kodak

model: Victor @ Studio KLRP

English Text - by Marina Hermanovna

I woke up this morning with the distinct feeling my head was planning to explode. By listening carefully I could hear the countdown.

I took 2000 mg of paracetamol; this moved the locusts that are eating my brain from the right emisphere of my brain to the left.

It still hurts pretty bad, but I guess it's alright since I'm lefthanded and creative, thus using mostly the right side of my cerebro. Let the left emisphere rot away, wtf.

Originally this post was meant to be about what grows on top of this youngsters' head, instead of what is nibbling the inside of mine.

So let's stick to the subject, shall we?

I think straight hair vs. curly hair is a very important fashion dicotomy that has contributed to defining each and every remarkable fashion era up till now.

Flower Children, Swinging London models, the Twenties, the Nineties, were all super sleek.

The Disco Seventies, the Eighties, the Thirties ... these eras were all wrapped up in head curlers.

So where it's at in 2008?

I can see now most girls and boys wear their hair straight, but there's a struggling minority proudly sporting a fierce set of curls - or even an afro.

I think this is refreshing. I'm so bored with the Victoria Secrets models' look and the whole Heidi Klum / Gisele Bundchen Long & Straight thing.

I want to see shorter, fuzzier do's !

Here's two superstylish kids showcasing the inner coolness of the new curls. To me, they make waves.

ps.

I just love the yellow Kodak bag. It's off the chain.

jacket: vintage

shoes: Zara

T shirt: American Apparel

Texte en Français - par Lorraine Cassen

Vous le reconnaissez ?

Victor est le mannequin shooté par Marina pour la série mode mise en ligne précédemment sur le blog.

Ce qu’on aime chez lui ? Ses traits ciselés et ses beaux yeux ténébreux, ça, c’est une évidence. Comme il s’agit ici de parler mode, je ne m’éterniserai pas sur son physique ravageur.

Question look, là encore, que des compliments, jugez plutôt : j’ai tout de suite flashé sur son pantalon Alexander McQueen parfaitement coupé, qu’il a choisi de coordonner avec des baskets vieillies, pour lui donner un côté cool.

Une chemise aux manches roulées (j’adoore !) sur un t-shirt basique et chic (signé Paul Smith), pas besoin d’en faire trop pour avoir de l’allure.

Enfin, point d’orgue de la tenue : le sac vintage jaune, choix audacieux que peu d’hommes assumeraient et qui vient transcender son look.

The Time Machine// The Twenties

Dress: Bizz

necklace: my beloved grandma's

glasses: $5, made in China, from downtown L.A.

shoes: Ash

English Text -  by Marina Hermanovna

I'm leaving L.A. in a few hours. I had the chance to achieve a lot during my stay.

I shot a men's editorial in a 2 million dollars house in Melrose with two models that are sweet as cupcakes, Blake and Leon @ Wilhelmina.

I took pictures of my muse Constance wearing outstanding outfit in her crazy neighbour's house, which looks like a Fellini's movie set.

I shot a kung fu video with world champion Rachel Reynolds in an abandoned parking lot, and by the end of the shooting we had a standing ovation from the windows of the surronding buildings.

I made an ass of myself on Hollywood Boulevard when they interviewed me for a T.V. show and I candidly admitted I haven't owned a television in years.

The host was left speechless for nearly 30 seconds, then she said "I'm sorry to do that, but we'll have to cut this. I'm going to ask you again  - Do you watch a lot of reality television? - and this time the answer will be positive".

I went to the Stars' Villas Sightseeing Tour, and now my 37 square meters flat in Paris looks just a little bit tinier.

I ate french fries every day, and my skinny pants remind me of that just as often.

I spent more money than I should and my luggage got consequently a lot heavier.

I went to clubs, pool parties, fabulous villas, thrift stores, samba shows, american weddings, dance schools, block parties and much more.

But most of all I spent quality time with my friends Rachel, Guido and Constance and this is just too precious for words.

I love you guys,

Marina Hermanovna

ps.

This outfit is late Twenties inspired. Today I'm too emotional to focus on fashion so I guess this is all I have to say. I hope you won't mind.

Vote for me! They already did!

Hi you guys, I need your help!

I recently did a casting for an Italian program: VideoMarta; they are looking for their new host for their streaming videos on the internet.

It's going to be huge and I need you guys to vote for me. I really want to make videos!

Here's the URL where you can find the videos of the three candidates,

Ilaria, Valentina and Mara (that's me! Marina being my nickname)

http://www.juliusdesign.net/videomarta-ecco-le-candidate-per-marta-20/

It's all in Italian but who cares? Just leave a comment in english pleeeease!

Love,

Marina Hermanovna

That's all Folk !

colored jeans: Wax

crochet espadrillas, floulard: vintage

bag: Zara

bustier dress: Patrizia Pepe

English Text - by Marina Hermanovna

L.A. is awesome, I'm having a great time here. Yesterday I went out with my friend Rachel, talented actress/belly dancer/world kung fu champion (for real!). We went downtown for some shopping and as we were on our way we stopped to buy a drink. I said to myself "Hey, let's try one of these fancy flavored protein drinks they sell here in the US, it can do me no harm!"

flip flops: Havaianas

poncho: from a tiny shop in Brazil

jeans: Levi's

They had it in Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry, and I picked the latter.

Big mistake.

The thick liquid that came out of the can tasted like chewing gum and left my fingers sticky and my stomach sore.

I could learn this lesson for only $3,79

After this refreshing stop I got cramps in my tummy but I knew I'd probably live through this, so I felt like jumping.

We looked for a nice background, and I jumped and jumped and jumped, and struck fashionable and hippy poses and just jump, jump, jump.

dress: Forever 21

sandals: vintage

necklace: les Nereides

One hour later I got a great shot and my stomach was a little better but my feet hurt.

Enough, I sound like a grandma with arthritis. Let's be a little younger, shall we?

bikini: Missoni

shades: Palyboy

hat: vintage (Rose Bowl - Pasadena)

foulard: from Thailand

These days I'm into folk-hippie with a contemporary twist.

My friend Rachel gave me a great pair of colored jeans and I first wore them with a sleeveles dress from Patrizia Pepe and a purple foulard from Thailand.

Later on I purchased a brown flowery shirt, all feminine and see-through and quite astonishingly it worked just as good with the hue of my new pair of jeans.

 

Four hours and 160 dollars later we went home with two bags worth of clothing, and I plan on showing you guys the rest of it pretty soon...

shirt: little chinese shop downtown L.A.

jeans: Wax

shades: vintage Polaroid

So long,

marina hermanovna

Pool Poulettes*

shoes: vintage

shades: vintage Polaroid

dress, hat: vintage (Rose Bowl)

English Text - by Marina Hermanovna

My friend Constance took me to the Rose Bowl, the awesome monthly flea market that takes place in Pasadena.

Somewhere between my second greasy hotdog and my very first California sunstroke, I scored a pair of puffy Catherine Malandrino shorts, some beige crochet espadrillas and the flowy dress with floral embroidery pictured above, that looks similar to the one Jackie from Sweaters and Vests is craving.

I think the flowy white dress is the summer's equivalent to the little black dress, which means effortless appeal and impressive versatility.

shades: Playboy

white shirt: I'm asking my friend Constance tonight

I will wear this dress loose for pool parties and on the beach, with vintage richelieus and a straw hat; I can eventually dress this up only by keeping a few accessories in my bag!  I could lose the hat and throw in a wide green belt with a golden buckle and big round sunglasses.

(I would wear the belt high on my waist, as I was never sold on the low-on-the-hips-wide-belt trend).

* Chicks

Younger and Hotter in L.A.

bikini: Missoni

dog: vintage

English Text - by Marina Hermanovna

So here I am in L.A.

What’s new? The temperature, rather obviously. The sun shines for real here in California, and hopefully I will get my first tan in three years (and if I don’t I’ll just buy it at Mystic Tan to make every milky european jealous when I get back).

Not only I am hotter here in L.A., but I am also 9 hours younger: I’ve been sleepy for two days now - I guess that’s the price I have to pay - but I’m getting rid of this side effect as I am typing or I’ll just ask the devil for a refund.

The landscape has changed a lot as well: palm trees gracing wide avenues, old Mercedes painted in solid gold, mexican boys wearing Dickies and wifebeaters, old cowboys riding choppers, girl bands with fake nails-fake hair-fake tits… Can you imagine this ?

L.A. looks just like I stepped into my Playstation while playing Grand Theft Auto !

bikini: Yamamay

shades: vintage Polaroid

sandals: frankly, I don't recall

Yesterday I started taking pictures of my muse Constance, for your eyes only. She knows she will be immortalized countless times during my stay in L.A. and she’s willing to patiently bear my constant photographer talk…

« Stop !! Don’t Move ! You look beautiful. Chin down a little – more profile… OMG, perfect lighting… »

I know I can be annoying, and sometimes I start being annoying very early in the morning.

Besides my constant(ce) shooting, we went to a sightseeing tour on Susnset Boulevard in her vintage Mercedes Benz, and I felt like we were in a David Lynch movie, minus the part where I fall asleep on my keyboard.

info: coming soon

gorgeous green nail polish: O.P.I.

We’ve also been eating fancy vegeterian food and going to pool parties downtown, where young directors, designers and models go. Later we went nightclubbing at the Green Door, where all the cattle, cokeheads and wannabe pornstars mingle.

Today we will go to the Flea Market, looking for pants.

I just have to wait a few hours more for Constance to be fully functional (I woke up at 5,30AM this morning, I suspect this might be related to me being 9 hours younger.).

Dedicated to my dearest Lorraine,

Love,

Marina Hermanovna

glasses: Joyrich

From Bollywood to Hollywood

shirt: Elin Lejelind

jeans: Cheap Monday

English Text - by Marina Hermanovna

1/ The Show

Yesterday I modeled for Keisuke Nagami, the young japanese designer wearing a wristwatch necklace (see older posts - "The White Rabbit").

The show took place in his fashion design school, and he made me wear an artpiece of his which left very little to the jury's imagination.

As me and the other "models" approched the runway, the girl wearing the wedding gown asked me how could I be almost naked in front of strangers. 

The answer is to be found in my respect for an artist's vision. How could I wear an imaginative deconstructed jacket with an old bra showing underneath? No way.

I just had to grab a Martini (or two) and do it, proudly giggling as I was displaying this unbelievable item in front of people from Chanel and Sonia Rykiel, among others.

Of course Keisuke was not the only one showing off his work. Yesterday I had the chance to meet many young talents and I got plenty of contacts to prepare some juicy interviews for you guys.

In between, let me introduce you to Elin Lejelind, fashion designer, pictured here wearing one of her creations, a drop-dead cute bat shirt.

I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it. 

Did I make myself clear?

As soon as I get back from Los Angeles I will interview her to show you more of her work, as she hasn't a website yet.

In between, if you want this shirt as bad as I do, you can email her - but you'll have to wait a little longer - 'cause girlfriend's gonna do mine first!

2/ The Trip

As for Los Angeles, words cannot express how excited I am. 

It's going to be my first time in L.A., and I'll be visiting two very stylish girlfriends of mine and yes, I'll be posting tons of new pics.

(Is a shooting on top of the Hollywood Hills too cliché? Who cares! Americans always take their picture en bas de la Tour Eiffel!)

So prepare yourself to meet the uber-stylish Constance Astbury, fashion designer and my very personal muse and Rachel Reynolds, a talented young actress/dancer whose hilarious misadventures you can read on her blog.

Now it's time for me to prepare my luggage. I plan on taking very little with me, as I know I can't help but splurge when I'm on holiday...

Fun Facts

I am flying Air Zealand. When I booked my ticket, I got to choose my menu and it took me half an hour because they have more choice than the Savini's.

Of course my session expired. Ha ha.

Fun Facts/2

Isn't it a ironic this shirt with some sort of wings on the back, right before I'm flying to the city of angels?

Fun and Games in Bollywood

English Text - by Marina Hermanovna

So you've noticed I didn't post in the morning as usual, huh? 

Sorry guys, I recently moved from to the city and my new flat still looks way less attractive than my cats' litterbox so yes, I had something else to do besides my usual geeky morning routine.

Furthermore, I still don't have the internet in my new apartment (I tried any given password to my neighbours wi-fi but alas! I haven't figured it out yet).

This annoying circumstances bring me to the local "Bollywood Internet Café", where I can write big nimportequoi* onto my blog for as low as 2 euros per hour.

My Bollywood Café is not fashionable at all, so I'm really sorry if you don't find this post as stylish as usual.

Of course, I could have taken my Mac to the Starbucks round the corner, where I could have had a nice Frappuccino together with my daily internet dose. But the thing is, I hate Starbucks and here at Bollywood Café I can get the internet together with a sauna without leaving my pc, and I won't be tempted by any eatery they sell in here, believe me.

Alright, this is supposed to be a fashion blog; let me get in touch with my inner fashion victim.

So this girl is cute and she's wearing an extra long dress from Zara. (Man it is hot in here. Still got to concentrate I little harder I guess)

I'm really in love with the print of this dress and they way she paired it with lots of metallic bracelets to echo her fine sandals.

The only improvement in this outfit I can think of is the colour of her nails. I think this would have looked hotter with a less predictable color than red. The Chanel Blue Satin would be a great choice, for it would add a little edge to this outfit.

(I am a sucker for the Blue Satin. Somebody gave it to me a couple of months ago, and since then I've been locked in my bathroom clasping the tiny flacon whispering to myself Musnt'nt hurt my precious, precious Blue Satin...)

*bullshit

Texte en Français - par Lorraine Cassen

Parfait compromis entre les styles hippie et sexy, cette robe bustier cumule les bons points : sa couleur pourpre, son mélange d’imprimés pois et fleurs, et, surtout, sa longueur. 

Cet été, on ne fait pas dans la demi-mesure, et, pour s’exhiber en journée, la robe longue doit impérativement recouvrir les pieds (une aubaine pour les filles petit format qui peuvent se percher incognito sur 10 centimètres de semelles compensées).

Côté accessoires, point trop n’en faut : des sandales sobres, quelques bracelets et un joli sac en cuir naturel viennent compléter le look sans le surcharger. L’ultime détail glamour : le vernis rouge sur les pieds.

Boxing Marina

Today we moved to Paris. We started around 8,00 AM

We finished one hour ago. 

"Finished" for now. Tomorrow's another day.

We moved all of my furniture including a new chunky closet my old milanese kitchen and oh so many boxes.

While we were still packing I warned my boyfriend: don't fill up a box with too many books for it'll be too heavy. 

Of course he took my advice, so that each and every box we moved didn't weigh a gram more than a sumo fighter's corpse, espacially those graced with a spiky writing I happen to know.

Today we moved. We moved our washing machine. Let me provide you with more details:

80 kilos, 28 degrees, 6 floors, 0 elevator.

Tomorrow we'll move 30 boxes more, a tatami bed, the table, this Mac, two luggages and two panicking cats in their cages, who will be meowing their way through sunday traffic jams and matching sunday drivers, then meowing up to the sixth floor with no elevator, (did I mention that?)

This is why tonight I feel compelled to move you; please mercy for my swollen feet and momentary inspiration dry.

Allow me to post these editorial pictures I made one month ago and let the beauty of this young man do the talking, for I can barely type tonight, let alone write.

ps.

These pictures  are looking for a magazine to adopt them. If you are interested in publishing my editorial work or you have a question, please email me.

Photography: Marina Hermanovna

Styling: Yang Hartono

Model: Victor @ Studio KLRP

Hair & Makeup: Lise-Anne Marsal @ Mod's Hair

Photo Assistant: Thomas Vincent

Simply Stunning // Bag Lady

sandals and shades: Lanvin

Tshirt: H&M

bag: Stella Mc Cartney

English Text - by Marina Hermanovna

I know, I know. She would be stunning even standing in a manhole with banana peels on top of her head, I'll give you this.

Anyway, I would certainly take styling tips from a girl that's chic even while holding two orange plastic bags, wouldn't you? 

After all it's not easy to pull off an "Armani".

The "Armani" (black Tee + jeans, a style made famous by the designer who wore it to most of his fashion shows) is not as easy as it might appear, for it could slip into butch or just blah if paired the wrong accessories.

She made sure it looks feminine with Lanvin gladiators, flowy hair and lots of charme.

(She reminds me of somebody, but who? Right now, I just cannot recall. Any ideas you guys? A model? An acress? A singer? Who knows? Seriously, it's driving me crazy)

Texte en Français - par Lorraine Cassen

Le sac shopping deviendra-t-il le nouveau it bag ? Je reste sceptique, mais une chose est sûre : ne vous fiez pas à son style faussement décontracté, cette charmante demoiselle maîtrise la mode sur le bout des doigts. 

On applaudit le choix du jean et du top (H&M), qui mettent parfaitement en valeur ses jolies courbes. On se damnerait pour ses nu-pieds Lanvin, dont la découpe graphique allonge subtilement la jambe (un exploit pour des chaussures plates qui, associées à un slim, ont souvent tendance à tasser méchamment la silhouette). 

Le sac XL blanc signé Stella McCartney et les lunettes aux proportions parfaites apportent la touche finale à ce look casual chic. 

The Time Machine // the Eighties

dress and espadrillas: H&M

bag and scarf: Ai Canapai

tank top: Mariella Burani

shirt: Mc Kenzy

rings and hat: vintage

necklace: grand mother's

cutest cat ever: photographer's own

(click onto the pictures for a larger view)

English Text - by Marina Hermanovna

A few weeks ago I realized summer had finally arrived here in Paris. 

A few seconds later I also discovered I had nothing to wear. I had to go to H&M and get me some new stuff.

Seven days ago I realized I bought something quite difficult to explain, let alone wear: a streaked olive green H&M dress. 

I thought to myself:

"Hmmmm. This thing makes me look like I popped out from a magazine! (which is good), but 25 years ago! (which is bad).  How can I wear this thing without making a complete ass of myself?".

Six hours later, I found the solution to the dilemma simply running through my whole wardrobe, much to my cats' amazement (my boyfriend on the other hand, doesn't appreciate at all these wild styling sessions of mine. I bet it's because he's not allowed to roll over my cachemires).

I think the reason why this outfit works is because I injected a massive dose of irony into it. 

I'm wearing Charlie Chaplin's hat, but bigger, a clown's purse, a nerd's shirt, a mexican chico's espadrillas, a bicoloured scarf and my grandma's favourite necklace.

Sounds foolish? It sure is darling, it sure is.

Texte en Français - par Lorraine Cassen

(cliquez sur la photo pour l'agrandir)

De l’avis général, les Eighties ne sont pas l’âge d’or de l’élégance, et ont même été le théâtre d’expérimentations fashion plutôt douteuses. 

Mais il suffit d’une pincée de goût et d’inventivité pour utiliser des pièces connotées années 80 et les adapter version 2008. 

Petite démonstration de style par ma collègue Marina :

- la robe flashy et près du corps semble tout droit sortie d’une boutique vintage en fait c’est… H&M, le meilleur ami des modeuses fauchées !

- l’écharpe zébrée so kitsch se marie étonnamment bien avec les rayures de la robe

- pour calmer le jeu, une chemise toute simple qui apporte une touche décontractée à la tenue (notez le détail des manches roulées… définitivement mon coup de cœur du moment)

- côté bijoux, un collier vintage en pierres semi précieuses et une bague chinée aux puces suffisent amplement pour pimenter ce look

- avec cette longueur on évite les talons, qui ne sont de toute façon pas indispensables quand on a des jambes de mannequin ! Ces espadrillas seront parfaites pour crapahuter tout l’été

- le chapeau vintage, c’est la Marina’s touch je suis tout simplement fan, d’autant plus qu’il sied parfaitement à son visage

- la cerise sur le gâteau : le sac, composé de plusieurs pochettes qu’on peut superposer à l’infini, a été réalisé par la marque italienne Ai Canapai, comme le foulard

... quant au chat chapeauté, je craque, je veux le même !

------> A bright item

shoes: Acne

the rest: coming soon

(click onto the picture for a larger view)

English Text - by Marina Hermanovna

This young lady is wearing a shopping interactive vest. It's very easy to use and works as follows:

1 - You wear it to a shopping spree

2 - You switch it on by flaunting it

3 - Whenever you pass in front of a window showing great shoes, the vest starts flashing huge fluorescent arrows aiming at the fiercerst pair - the one you can no longer live without

4 - when you get home with a 400€ pair of Acne sandals, you just tell your husband 

"I couldn't help it! It made me do this!"

....

(I think I need this item. Fast.)

Texte en Français - par Lorraine Cassen

Comment arborer dignement cette veste imprimée que ne renieraient pas les fluokids danseurs de tektonik? Tout d’abord, des couleurs et des coupes impérativement sobres pour que la veste reste la vedette.  

Deuxième étape, un savant jeu de superpositions. Pour finir, des chaussures hybrides, mix étrange mais réussi entre boots, spartiates et sandales nu-pieds.

Résultat : un style hors norme mais 100% mode. Il fallait oser, on applaudit.

( Guitar Heroine ? )

Jeans & sneakers: Hvana

Vest: vintage

T-shirt: American Apparel

English Text - by Marina Hermanovna

Meet Demi Mondaine, the lead vocals of the homonymous band. She reminds me of Patti Smith with a sprinkle of Nina Hagen perhaps.

I love her style, especially the leather patchwork vest and the sneakers.

The shoes and jeans are from a brand I didn't know  "Hvana", and I am all for reaching my monthly card limit by shopping on their website. 

As for the girl, you totally need to hear her voice. She rocks, badly. She rocks so hard she gave me goosebumps as I jumped around air guitaring in my underwear.

'Nuff said.

Texte en Français - par Lorraine Cassen

Une dégaine rock un brin rebelle comme on les aime pour cette jeune fille qui rend ses lettres de noblesse au gilet de cuir et donne du sex appeal au plus simple des débardeurs.

Côté cheveux, on ne se lasse pas de ce blond platine faussement sage, savamment coiffé-décoiffé. 

Moi non plus je ne connais pas la marque Hvana (shame on me, je suis styliste!) mais, comme ma collègue Marina, je sens que je ne vais pas tarder à craquer pour ce jean en toile épaisse à la coupe parfaite. 

---<--<@ Fleur Defendue

English Text - by Marina Hermanovna

You thought last time daisies were cool was back in the Fifties (picture your grandmother wearing a plastic bonnet)? You see roses gracing a prom dress  and all of the sudden you've lost your appetite?

You think Flower Power is actually great, too bad we're not in Amsterdam?

Think again.

This young man is flowery from head to toes and his outfit is speaking a language I totally understand.

It says: "He won't buy you flowers. He'll take you to the fiercest gig in town. Wanna come?".

The hell to the yes.

Texte en Français - par Lorraine Cassen

Parité oblige, les fleurs ne sont plus l’apanage des filles, et ce jeune homme stylé nous le démontre. 

Too much, l’imprimé hibiscus associé à un jean brodé/perlé? Au contraire.

Le cardigan sage, retroussé juste comme il faut, les espadrillas vieillies et la mèche « dans le vent » signent un look à la fois désinvolte et pointu, qui nous réconcilie avec l’imprimé fleuri – suite à la déferlante du liberty sur les podiums des défilés printemps-été, l’overdose nous guettait.

Simply Stunning // The Urban Squaw

English text - by Marina Hermanovna

This young lady opens our new column "Simply Stunning", c'est à dire a showcase of outfits that are indeed quite simple yet irresistible.

It's the Angelina Jolie look: don't underestimate it, it does wonders.

The girl pictured above likes her basics with a little squaw twist; the fringed cardigan is what makes her look sleek but not boring. The fair colors compliment her hair and complexion very well.

She's just the perfect parisian girl that believes in the power of understatement.

ps.

My friend and coworker Lorraine Cassen will start writing for our blog pretty soon.  She will post her comments in French; I guess this blog will become popular in Canada?

Also, we have tons of new ideas. Interviews, How to, The Time Machine.... Stay tuned!

Texte en Français - par Lorraine Cassen

On pourrait disserter sur ce doux gilet dans lequel on a envie de s’emmitoufler, sur cette magnifique ceinture tressée coordonnée au sac, qui fait lui-même écho au slim noir, la petite touche rock de ce look tout en douceur.

Mais la beauté de cette jeune fille parle d’elle même, et on a juste envie de se laisser envoûter par le charme des ses yeux noisettes, de ses longs cheveux sauvages et de son doux visage aux rondeurs encore enfantines.

 

.... it's just a yellow lemon tee....

He is tall and skinny, he is charming, he's cultivated and, if this is not enough to make you jealous, here's the final straw: we met him along with his friend, french movie icon Mrs. Catherine Something

(sorry guys, you'll have to figure out the blind item... they told me so.)

You can see by yourself the man has a great sense of colour (click onto the picture to see the real shade of his T-shirt), and he was able to pull off white jeans, which require a perfect figure and no fashion faux-pas whatsoever.

I fell in love with his glasses at first sight, so I had to tell him.

Fun Facts

When I did, he actually wasn't wearing his glasses, he had them hanging from one of his pockets. 

He was suprised that I wanted to shoot him, and told me he didn't know how to pose, where to stand, what to do first.

Catherine had been quiet and smiley up till then, when her sarcasm kicked in to rescue his uncomfortable friend.

"Tu peux commencer par remettre tes lunettes, non?"**

**"You could start by putting your glasses back on, dear"

(Love her)

So we shot against this graphic background, while Catherine awaited aside, discreetly. 

In case you are wondering: no, I didn't ask her for either a picture or an autograph.  

Even movie icons deserve a little time off...

The Beauty and The Bricks

info: coming soon

We met this beauty on our second day in Courson, at the annual gardening fair.

It is not simple to dress appropriately for such an event, since it takes place outdoors and it's about gardening. You might be tented to slip into something shapeless and rough, but this young lady was able to keep it comfortable and tasteful.

When we look at her we know she is a city girl with a little place in the country, and not just a country girl.

How did she achieve this?

She picked raw textures and fabrics, such as the straw hat and the linen jacket that give it a little country feeling, and she paired them with iconic feminine details, like the black ballerinas and the wide foulard.

The proportions are perfection: she balanced out the loose jacket with a tight shirt and high waisted pants. 

The result? It feels like Audrey Hepburn herself cuffed her sleeves. 

´`*•.¸.¸.•*´`*•.¸. the White Rabbit

vintage wristwatches necklace: his creation

jeans: also his creation

shirt as scarf: mihara yasushiro

T-shirt: vintage military

This young man is a fashion design student, a talented one, judging from the picture he showed us. 

He is quite shy, in that very lovely japanese way.

We would like to tell you more about him, maybe do an interview with pictures of his work and personal style.

We were going to ask him but he ran away saying something about being late for a very important date, and the queen chopping his head off if he arrived late once again.

We seriously hope she didn't.

ps. 

If she did, can we please have his scalp? 

I want his hair.

(click onto the image to enjoy the details)

( I take pictures )

hat & shoes: vintage

tank top & leggings: H&M

fishnet top: custom made by a painter

nail polish: Chanel - blue satin

She's the one irritating your eyes with a reflective panel.

She says "Jump!" and models say "How high?"

She's the one asking the makeup artist to start over,"'cause poor thing looks like a panda".

She splurges on photographic equipment and shoes, and she doesn't feel guilty at all.

She's already strangled 18 amateurs who said 

"Nice pictures! Must be easy with that camera!"

She doesn't give a squirrel about your holiday pictures.

She won't lend you any of her art books 

"Musn't hurt the precious... My precious.... treasure"

She's charging big bucks to photoshop big bottoms.

And yes, she used to be a model and she hated it......

Ladies and Gentlemen, give it up for me, myself and I

supernasty italian snapper and mayjah web writer,

Marina Hermanovna Rukarijekic !!

(Applause)

(I know you guys, just kidding)

Cherry, can you handle it?

Meet Cherry Chau, hair accessories designer.

You may have noticed she's wearing leopard tights with a fringe dress and flat leather boots.

Even though she's wearing such items, she doesn't look like Pocahontas and this would already be worth posting. 

Now look closer. The black thing stickin' from her midsection could not possibly be a....

Oh no the f(annypa)ck she didn't.

She did, and she looks fine.

Ladies and Gentlemen, if you thought all fannypacks were eradicated back in 1992 and no stylish person in her/his right state of mind would ever wear one anyway, you should think again. 

(We know, our brains hurt as well)

So maybe J. Dreyfuss (who made overpriced fannypacks past fall) was right, huh?

What can we say? History repeats itself.

Shoulder pads were back. White jeans were back.

And now it's fun with fannies.

At least you won't be ransaking your Muse bag unable to find the keys to your apartment anymore.

I would totally stay under your....

When the sun shines we'll shine together,

told you I'm a girl photographer,

you said I'll always mix some prints,

(take a note I do more than rhyming hints)

Now that it's raining more than ever,

y'know we still have Dries Van Noten,

you can stay under my umbrella

(matching my shirt-irt-irt-irt)

you can stay under my umbrella

e... e... oh... oh...

Sorry guys, I couldn't resist.

This man and his friend have been so nice to me I just feel like singing.

Rastafa creations yeah, (positive)

So this weekend I went to Courson with my boyfriend to visit the annual gardening fair. 

Together with amazing flowers and a nonstopping drizzle, we found an italian brand - Ai Canapai - whose designs are made of biological hemp and recycled fabrics from the First World War. 

We loved the way they've paired modern classics with ancient fabrics and coloring process.

Here's Walter wearing some of their 100% hemp creations, including a shirt with olive wood buttons.

Yet another reason to legalize it.

ps.

Yes, he looks that good in person.  Me lucky dog.

pps.

I got a nasty call from the people of the brand. Apparently, I'm promoting drug abuse, instead of complimenting their work.

What in the world happened to irony?

Who's that boy?

We think David Bowie meets Simon Le Bon at a Marilyn Manson concert.

Something like...

David: "Hey Simon, wanna get high on my jacket lining? It's mesmerizing!"

Simon: "Thanks David. You're not so squared after all"

Marilyn: "Hey guys, how did you like my music?"

David + Simon: "Dude, you're wearing makeup! I mean, way more make up than we do!"

Marilyn: "Sure. And skinny pants. And lots of hair products. And High heels. And a crocodile man bag. And a.. Wait a second: what were we talking about?"

Simon: "Not sure; let's just go powder our noses".

Marilyn + David: "Alright!"

ps.

By the way, this guy is a make up artist. And yes, he did a little touch up before the shoot.

Love it.

Atomic Number < 47 >

This is the second time in two months that I meet someone wearing Converse and I don't yawn. 

I mean, sterling silver heels? As Miss Hilton would say "Hey, that's hot!". It sure is.

So hot it actually melts only at 961,78°C (although I'm not sure she would get this).

Anyway. The best part is, 

this guy managed to match his shoes with his hair. 

Brilliant. 

Literally.