Thursday, April 28, 2011

Inspirational Photography

Always Reminding Me We Are Apart
McDermott & McGough
2010



Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Photos du Jour

Anja Rubik
by Mikael Jansson for Vogue Paris May 2011







I am obsessed with this editorial, loving everything about it, from the styling to the lighting!
Ohh and that red Lanvin dress is screaming my name for quite a while now... Gotta love Alber Elbaz
Hope you enjoy this pictures as much as I did
xo

Friday, April 15, 2011

Jewelry Madness

Dannijo F/W 11
Here are some of my favorite pieces of Dannijo's F/W '11 Collection
Available at Moda Operandi until April 20th





Gorgeous much?

Weekend Obsessions!

Chloe

Khloe Kardashian
Fabulous shoe closet via The Coveteur 




Tom Bins

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Interview with Simon Alcantara

I had the fabulous opportunity to interview the amazing jewelry designer and CFDA award winner
Simon Alcantara 
Sterling Silver 3" Fringe Handwoven Oval Bangle with hinge from the Cosmic Samurai collection.  


Who's Simon Alcantara and what inspired you to become a jewelry designer?
I was a classical ballet dancer and as a teenager still on scholarship at ballet school in NYC I learned how to make earrings from a ballerina friend and I became completely obsessed with taking apart vintage necklaces and making earrings and hair ornaments from the materials.  Then I would sell them to all the ballerinas.

Who's your ideal customer?
A confident woman who does not want to look like everyone else.

What's your work process like? How do you go from inspiration to finished piece?
 It varies, but currently I start with images and words that set up a certain mood that I'm trying to convey. Then I put together a playlist of songs that helps me get into that mood aurally and I listen to it over and over and over!  Then the images of the pieces I want to create start to appear in my minds eye, I'll do a simple sketch so I don't forget it and start to create the pieces when I feel ready.   Ballet training had a huge impact on me and that's why I am extremely visual and aural.

This is my inspiration board for the Joy Collection.  All the images are from my own jewelry as well as  ballerinas that inspired me. Then in the left hand corner is a picture of me water skiing  in upstate NY and another picture at my friend's house in the South of France

Biggest achievement:
Learning that I am responsible for my own happiness and everyone else is responsible for their own happiness.  It's like freedom from slavery.

Greatest fashion influence?
My mother.  I grew up around a bunch of women obsessed with fashion and beauty and my mom was the one they all wanted to be like.

What advise would you give to young jewelry designers?
Be true to yourself. When designing don't over think, try not to think at all.  Creativity does not come from the same place that "mind chatter" comes from.  Creativity is your connection to your source.  Mind chatter is your ego.

A phrase you use far more often:
You can't steal my peace. I use it mostly silently of course.

A city: Paris.  I feel the most creative in Paris.

A book: Bushido by Inazo Nitobe.  It's an essay on Samurai ethics.

A quote: "From every mountainside let freedom ring" Marting Luther King Jr.

Anything else you want to share with us?
Flow as much love as you can and be present.  You never know when it's the last time you will see someone, be somewhere, hear or see something so soak up every nano second of it.

 The necklace is from Cosmic Samurai Collection. Featured in Italian Vanity Fair November 2010 and the full credits are:
Photographer, Ian Van De’ Matt: Stylist: Vava Marevicheff Ignatenko.Fox fur vest, Simonetta Ravizza: Necklace, Simon Alcantara (Cosmic Samurai Collection):Top: Dolce and Gabbana .


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Photos du Jour

Anais Pouliot 
by Max Farago for Vogue Japan May 2011
The Modern Girl – Max Farago captures Anais Pouliot in vibrant hues from the likes of Diane von Furstenberg, Moschino and Paul & Joe for the May edition of Vogue Japan. Styled by Satoshi Hirota in accessories and jewelry from Tiffany & Co. Anais is all glam in the luxe shoot.




Falling for Flechada!


What is Flechada?
Flechada is members only website selling the best brands and designers of clothing and accessories from Latin America. Flechada offers multiple flash sales as well as daily auctions. Flash sales are live for 7 days only. Daily auctions run for 24 hours only. Flechada features new brands every Monday and Thursday.


Give a Hand 
The "Give a Hand" program grew from the satisfaction that comes from helping the less fortunate - those who have not had the same opportunities enjoyed by us.
We recognize the amazing talent of these artists and believe that, through the sale of their designs and products, we are helping to improve their standard of living and that of their descendants.
All the products we sell under the "Give a Hand" program come to Flechada through organizations fighting to eradicate inequality and poverty in Latin America and the world. One of the cornerstones of our company’s philosophy is for us to support and participate in this mission. Flechada purchases these products at 100% of their full value and does not discount. Please support our effort to “give a hand” to these extremely talented and well-deserved artisans and their communities.

Enjoy falling for Flechada as much as we did