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.

ShoeBiz: Do try this at home

Update: mexican slippers are indeed the hottest thing under the parisian sun (nevermind it is actually raining while I'm writing...).

Try to think of any another pair of shoes that could possibly complete this look. Any idea? Neither do we.

So here's why we're prescribing you some espadrillas:

- they are unisex, yet they look androgynous on both sexes. 

- they're ethnical, but not too much (whereas a sombrero... well, you know)

- they're as comfy as sandals but you can still go to work (men)

- they are as comfy as sandals, but you don't have to stress about your pedicure (women)

- they're as comfy as sandals plus you don't have to worry about anyone stepping on your toes.

- they go with pretty much anything, a pair of jeans or a dress, or a miniskirt.

- they are cheap. You can get a pair for as little as 9,90€ (H&M).

(God I hate those #.99 prices! I swear I'd rather pay 10€)

- they are not too mainstream for now. Hurry up!

We have the feeling these little black slippers are going to be the new Converse.

Portrait of the reader as a young...

...who knows?

There's something we don't get about his outfit; we don't usually like man bags, burgundy shirts (Celio) nor mexican slippers.

But for some reason in this case it all works pretty well.

What is about european guys that wear queer gear yet look straight (and viceversa)? 

Is this the french nonchalance*? 

I'm sorry, today I just don't have a clue.

Is it my french breakfast?

It must be the crêpes, yes, blame it to the crêpes!

ps. 

The miniatures appear to have desaturated colors, compared to the original picture, due to the fact that I shoot with Adobe RGB98 colors, and Blogger uses internet standard sRGB instead.

To see their true colors, please click onto the pictures.

*carelessness

Tiny, Nerdy, Easy, Breezy, Ritchie?

We noticed this girl while she was sitting with her friend in a park. She was barefoot and had removed most of the accessories she's wearing in this picture.

But we knew there was something about her.

When she agreed to have her picture taken, the magic of accessorizing took place - proving that indeed there was some charming je ne sais pas quoi* going on.

We'll try to break it down:

50% southern italian / 50% french girl:

black&white Vichy checked dress (Zara) +

Lolita's red platforms + 

tiny leather besace +

big black Wayfarer + 

geeky digital wristwatch (Casio) =

__________________________________

a fresher, european version of Nicole Ritchie. 

Très jolie.**

*"I don't know exactly what", undefinable

**Very pretty

Blondes have more accessories

She's the one telling other people how to dress

- and she's getting paid to do so.

She's the one pushing the envelope.

She's responsible for some well-documented credit card disaster.

She makes little girls want to drop their Barbies 

- and play with her instead.

She's eager to see you in sky-scraper sized stilettos.

She can wear fuschia total look - and get away with it.

She believes in over-accessorizing (sorry Coco). 

She mixes prints, feelings, cocktails, and much more.

She wears ponies around her neck 

- and nobody dares calling Peta.

Give it up for my partner

super fabulous iconic fashion stylist

Lorraine "The Blondie" Cassen !!

(Applause) 

Our feet hurt....

So today we went out hunting for more beautiful people. 

I found the very first look while I was still in the subway (a present day version of Simon Le Bon) and lots of gorgeousness in any given way (including a couple of identical twins).

I also took a picture of my partner Lorraine Cassen, fashion stylist, whose looks are amazingly colorful and over the top.

(this means you'll finally get to see the blonde half of Fields of Fashion, me being the brunette half of course).

We are also thinking about posting more pictures of fine ladies, a "raw material" easily found here in Paris.

What do you think? Better keep it mostly men's or let the ladies in? 

Please, tell us your opinion.

Let me remind you that you can click on an image to enlarge it (right click to download it).

Tons of new pictures coming up, stay tuned!

love, 

marina hermanovna

ShoeBiz: Les Fleurs du Male

(You guessed it right: Shoe Biz is a column in which we'll write about shoes)

Take this man; his look is just fine, a 100% eastern european meets sailor flavor.

Although we like it, this might be at medium risk of boredom if it wasn't for those flowery shoes.

Besides, we think the Converse have become so mainstream that the only way to wear them out of the box is to find some rather original pair (not necessarily genuine). 

Well done!

ps.

Today afternoon we'll be out and about in Paris to find some new eye-candy for you guys.

Starting at 2,00PM at Metro Saint-Paul, feel free to join us if you think you know a thing or two about style. 

Self confidence is the new black

We like his look; elegant and comfy, simple but not boring. But mostly, what we like about this man is the way he's posing.

His body language is telling us he knows he's attractive, but that's not a big deal; he just likes being himself.

With this attitude (and that body!) he can pretty much pull off anything.

Self confidence is the new black.

Mr. Cappon - The Trilogy

Introducing Mr. Cappon, who has already had his picture taken by The Sartorialist himself and that woman who writes Style and The City and doesn't really know how to take pictures, before bumping into us girls.

What's next?

Uncle Karl giving him his first pair of gloves?

Anna Piaggi adopting him?

Victoria Beckham smiling and actually showing him some teeth?

OMG.

We just love his sense of color and those fine rayures on his shirt.

Ten reasons why we like this man

This man is an inspiration to us; here's why:

- he doesn't dye his beautiful grey hair

- he's smoking an artpiece

- he proves that blue can go with black, if you pick the right shade

- he's owned every item he's wearing for years

- his style is timeless yet not something we would define as classic

- his face

- he asked me a copy of the magazine in which his picture will be featured for his grandchidren to laugh at 

(it's L'Homme Magazine, coming out in two weeks)

- he's been lovely throughout the shoot

- he's wearing colored denim past the age of 35 and it works

ps.

Yesterday we looked up on Sitemeter; we got visitors from Japan, Brazil, New Zealand, the US, Spain, Poland, Italy, the UK and even more countries.

Thank you! Merci! Grazie! Muchas gracias! Obregada! Arigatou! Xie Xie!

Did you like the Motorcycle Bag?

... then you are gonna love the new Chihuahua bag. It looks similar to the original, but the latest must have from Balenciaga comes with an innovative anti-pickpocket system, and it barks when your makeup needs a touch up. Awesome !

V for Vest

Lately we've developed quite an obsession with the gilet. This young man is sporting a Marithé + François Girbaud vest with a ferocious never-ending zipper. 

Do you love it or do you love it?

Diamonds are a boy's best friends

We don't usually like big rocks on men. Here's an exception. This young man manages to incorporate massive earrings in a street style without making it too obvious. The eye-catching T-shirt (H&M!) is toned down by the black vest and the subtle grey patterns of his pants and shoes. Bravo.