Puss in Boots

While running a quick errand through the mall, I found myself rubbernecking in front of the Nine West window. The culprit to the stop in my mission? These amazing Husky boots for the Fall/Winter line! I am in love with the new over-the-knee look in boots this year. I tried them on for fun knowing they would not fit with my athlete legs, but semi-unfortunately to my surprise they fit perfectly! Now this means they are on my To Buy list. Can't wait.

Photo compliments of www.ninewest.com Go find more cute boots there!

Not Giving Up, NYC

I don't usually shoot homeless people. I don't find it romantic or appealing like a lot of street photographers, and if you asked homeless people they are probably not to happy about their situation either. That's why I was surprised to be so drawn to taking a picture of this gentleman.  

I was being interviewed for an article in British Vogue; and while we walked down Bowery back in April I barely stopped walking when I took the shot. Fiona Golfar, the writer, asked why I took the photo. At that moment I couldn't really explain - but I just had a feeling about the power and grace of how he was sitting there. It wasn't until later that night when I was working on the image that I realized why I had noticed this man.

Usually people in this man's position have given up hope. Maybe this gentleman has too, I don't know, but he hasn't given up his sense of self or his sense of expressing something about himself to the world. In my quick shot I had noticed his pale blue boots, what I hadn't noticed at first were the matching blue socks, blue trimmed gloves, and blue framed glasses. This shot isn't about fashion - but about someone who, while down on his luck, hasn't lost his need to communicate and express himself through style.

Looking at him dressed like this makes me feel that in some way he hasn't given in or given up.

So What Do We Think About This?

This month Glamour magazine ran this photograph which has created quite a stir here in the US.

It seems women desperately want more images that highlight the variety of beauty that the female form has to offer. If that is true, then this should become one of the biggest selling issues in Conde Nast history.

Actually it just might become the biggest seller. When we wanted to do a post about this Tracy went to three different shops to find the magazine but all three were sold out. We had to scan this from the NY Post.

When I am shooting on the street older women and larger size women often say "no" to my request to shoot them. Actually, much more than any other category of people I shoot. I think they have a real suspicion about how the image will be used. I also think there continues to be a growing disconnect between the fashion community and "average" women in general

However, do you think that this economic crisis has forced the fashion community to open it's eyes a little bit to what the customers want?

On the Street....Summer Pattern Mixing p2

I love the bold pattern of his jacket, and he takes it to a whole new level combining it with the small check pattern of his pants.

On the Street....West Village, NYC

Short skirts are so hard to wear in a sporty way. I thought this young lady did a great job looking sporty chic on a warm Summer day.

On the Street....Pattern Mixing to Beat the Heat, NYC

It's hot as New York in August here in New York in August. Nobody feels like getting dressed up, or even dressed for that matter. The city is awash in tiny solid color Summer dresses or tees and jean shorts.

However, there are occasional glimmers of inspiration. For example, this young lady without adding any extra layers was able to skillfully mix florals, dots, geometrics and lace into one chic but subtle summer look.

To me this shot isn't about if this look is perfect, but about the inspiration of doing a lot with a little. Actually I look at this and think about color mixing. If you kept the shape of all these pieces but each was a different color, or even shades of the same color - with or without the patterns.

Looks like this remind me that in Summer, even though we are working with fewer layers, we can still have fun playing with pattern.

On the Street....Watch It, NYC

It seems the watches on the guys in Europe (especially the Italians) are getting so big and gaudy that soon they will need two wrists to carry them.

I think that is why I don't wear a watch. With smart phones, iPods, etc. always having a time function it is hard to justify wearing such a ginormous hunk of metal.

However, I have had a growing fascination with small vintage watches. They are sleek, chic and almost hidden. I stopped this gentleman coming out of Starbucks because I thought his watch looked so cool, retro and yet totally modern.

So this question is for the guys - but answered by the ladies. Ladies, are you really attracted to guys with giant watches? Doesn't it feel like a bit of overcompensation? Or does it read like a symbol of success - like a shiny sporty car for your arm (and not much smaller)?

Fall. Fashion. Fabulous.

The time is finally upon us, as August is nearing an end, that the leaves will start there colorful artistic statement before they take off for the year. The time for pumpkin spice lattes, layered outfits and rich colors! My favorite time of the year! To celebrate the break from the sweltering heat I wanted to recap some of my favorite elements from NYC's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week back in February. Maybe we can catch the trends that will be on the racks in a matter of days!

My first overall impression of the forecast is a little dark. A lot of the runways consisted of black, and although creatively constructed, I look forward to this season for its fabulous color not its dreary funeral presence. Therefore, I am going to focus more on those.
There are many garments that contained this flowing wispy, romantic quality. It makes me feel like the lead in a period romance role of some movie. This dress by Jill Stuart makes me want to grab my vintage gloves and cocktail hat and go for a stroll through Central Park and then resting for afternoon tea! Which also brings me to a very happy note: many models were decked out with creative pieces from the millinery department (hats)! I say that its about time hats were incorporated back into daily fashion.
There were also many metallic pieces; more silver than bronze or gold, but regardless they were nothing terribly original. I feel metallic has been a trend for a while, and although I love the look, I feel the gilding can take a break for a few seasons...maybe be in the background in accessories only. I did however, enjoy the interpretation Georges Chakra took on the color palette. This dress has the structured pop reminiscent of the 1950s with a presence of the recent Ombre dying trend. I love the final product; well done.

Many garments incorporated the asymmetric neckline. I love this neckline, I feel its elegant and unique. I was hoping a designer would make it work for fall without leaving a jacket to do the job; I did not see this. I feel the best way to take this dress (or pieces like it) to the cooler months is adding a simple fitted long sleeve cotton top; crew neck. Keeping the undergarment simple will allow the top piece to be the statement and the play on the two-tone outfit will be fun to mix and match throughout the season. This dress by Christian Siriano lends a soft lady-like look from the chiffon and the ruching will provide the slimming figure we desire. The asymmetric line shows enough collarbone for sexy, and the cap sleeve seals the outfit with a touch of girly innocence.

Many tops and dresses for this season had the keyhole cutout on the bodice, but none were done quite like this one by Carolina Herrera. Leave it to CH to take a sexy cutout to an elegant respectable place. Fitted but covered, modest with a sexy sheer peek-a-boo; I love the final product. Also this color is such a vibrant hue, how wonderful is that??! The colors that were seen throughout most designers were of purple (mainly eggplant), dark Mediterranean blue, and marigold. With all the black, they were refreshing surprises for the eye.

Finally my favorite outfit of the entire Fashion Week! An eccentric blend of vintage and fun by Leifsdottir. One of my favorite colors of fall is pumpkin, and what a nice way to pop the outfit by placing it in the skirt? I love the patterned hose (its the only kind I wear). Then to top off the outfit with fun vintage pieces like peep-toe heels, a girly umbrella, and a French cocktail hat?...Perfection! This outfit makes me ready for fall in an instant!

*photos compliments of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week - find them HERE*

Gather your scarves, patterned hose, and cute jackets; Fall will be here before we know it...Yay!

On the Street....New York Bike, NYC

Maybe it is all of the new bike lanes (thanks Mayor Bloomberg), but New Yorkers have fallen in love with their bikes again. What I am proud of is that like any real style capital New Yorkers are doing it their way - sporty, sexy, and built for speed.

Just look at the difference between these New York ladies I shot yesterday and the young ladies Garance shot recently in Amsterdam. I'm not saying one is better than the other, but it is great that something like this can be so reflective of a cultures taste and aesthetics.

On the Street.... Starting the Transition

Mid weight cottons, rich colors, light layers...it is still the dog days of Summer, but transition is right around the corner.

On the Street.... So Simple, Florence

Designer on the Rise!

I was just cruising around Etsy for some inspiration, when I stumbled upon the amazing Carol Hannah, a designer to be on the look out for! Based out of Brooklyn this Southern Belle brings fun, beauty, and sass to dresses for any occasion! I can't wait to see what's up next for her!

I had a fun interview with Carol Hannah herself, learning all about her, her inspiration, and her wonderful line. Check it out!

BTW: Carol Hannah will be on this season of Project Runway (season 6) which is now airing! Be sure to check her out and show your support!

* Your profile says you're based in Brooklyn, did you grow up in the city or move there to pursue a career?

CH: I moved to NY to pursue fashion, but am a southern girl through and through. I grew up in a small city in South Carolina called Anderson, and I lived in Charleston, SC for 5 years (College of Charleston, etc).

* What inspired you to become a designer?

CH: It was kind of a natural path. I learned to sew from my mom starting at age 7, and did my first wedding dress in high school, custom wedding gowns all through college. In March of 08 I was featured in Charleston Fashion Week as an emerging local designer. Then off to Project Runway and now here!

* When did you create an Etsy account for Carol Hannah and how long did it take to start getting off the ground and making regular sales? www.carolhannah.etsy.com

CH: I opened the Etsy store at the end of March, but I've been doing this for about 6 years. I started making regular sales on Etsy in the first week, and it's been growing pretty consistently each month. Lucky Mag picked one of my Etsy dresses as a summer must have in June, which was exciting!

* What are you currently drawing inspiration from for your current projects for the quickly approaching fall?

CH: Well, I'm actually currently working on my Spring '10 collection as Fashion Week is coming up in a couple of weeks and am getting ready to launch my new bridal line. The collection for spring is based a lot on Charleston and the lifestyle and colors there...you can read a recent post about it on my blog at www.carol-hannah.com/blog.

* What is your future vision for Carol Hannah?

CH: Well, I just started selling through retailers, so that is very exciting! And like I said, the wedding collection is nearing completion soon. I basically have 3 different lines...the bridal, the regular collection (evening/cocktail), and the jersey collection. The jersey one is new for me and new forEtsy and is basically a way for me to offer some things that are a little more casual and affordable. Just as comfortable as your favorite t-shirt, but much cuter!

My end goal is to create a successful company so that I can partner up with various groups to try to offset some of the negative effects the fashion industry has on self-esteem and self-image in younger girls. I got into fashion because making clothes made me feel better about myself when I was a young, awkward kid, and I love the trans formative power inherent in fashion for that reason. But the kind of catty, judgemental side of fashion has always bothered me.

* Any fun/important anecdotes that I just should mention about you, your line etc?

CH: Hmmm...well it is pretty funny that everything I make always seems to circle back around to weddings. A lot of the women that buy my dresses on Etsy are buying them to wear to their rehearsal dinners, to wear as a guest to a wedding, or as bridesmaids dresses. I think weddings and I are meant to be!

*All photos compliments of Carol Hannah*

Are you an aspiring designer in the Southeast region of the United States? Charleston Fashion Week is looking for the next big emerging local designer. The winner gets a fully produced fashion show! Go to www.charlestonfashionweek.com for details.

On the Street.... Well Suited, Florence

On the Street.... at Pitti Uomo, Florence

On the Street....Garance Doré in Full Summer Beauty, Paris

On the Street....Grey Suit, Milan

How do they do it?
Without fail, no matter the miserable weather outside, September fashion magazines make me start dreaming of flannels and cashmere.

I guess I am partly to blame. I took this photo of a Cucinelli suit in Milan recently, for the September issue of GQ, and have been thinking about it ever since. Shame on me.

On the Street....Seventh Ave., NYC

On the Street....Soho Bike, NYC

On the Street....Greene St., New York City

It has been so hot in NYC that it is actually refreshing to see a young lady in anything besides denim cutoff shorts.

On the Street....Childish Color, New York

On the Street....Fabrizio Against the Heat, Paris

On the Street...Fifth Ave., NYC

On the Street...Ninth Ave., NYC

With all white the slightest touch of color can be just enough.

Southern Architecture

Charleston is rich in American History being a founding city, but my favorite thing about Charleston are the gorgeous buildings and streets. I literally could spend a week there doing nothing but shooting and still not capture everything lovely there!

This is my favorite house in Charleston.
Imagine this being your front yard...not bad.

Pretty Charleston Window.
College of Charleston Holds their graduations here. I am pretty sure I want to get married here.
It would be a beautiful wedding!
Look out on the boardwalk.
Charleston will always be one of my favorite places in the world to travel. South Carolina: Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places!

Southern Pride

I just got back from a wonderful trip to Charleston, SC. I am blown away every time I go there at how beautiful it is! I have so many great pictures that I narrowing them down will be quite a challenge, I may have to do installments!

On the battery..Charleston is known for its gorgeous iron work.
Kids playing in the famous pineapple fountain on the battery!
Out for a stroll, I love couples pictures.
This picture reminds me of a girl selling Italian ice next to the Roman fountains. I love it.
Tender moments on the boardwalk swings.
Photographer herself at work! *Photo compliments of Stephanie Wright*

There is nothing like Southern Hospitality, so this blog post I wanted to focus on some of the people in Charleston!