MIA Update- Insomnia Edition.

Well. This has been the most stressful two months of my life. Great. If I don't find time to post soon, I will absolutely post (often) over winter break. Life is hectic in the city that never sleeps. Especially after this whole Sandy debacle. Actually, no, Sandy was a break compared to everything else. Actually, no, it put everything I am currently working on WAY behind schedule. Which is not good. In other news: A dance piece I was in just finished its run last weekend and got an excellent review in the NYT both online and on paper (I'm in a photograph in the print version. Barely noticeable, but it's me). I will be in another gorgeous play at the end of the month called Aunt Leaf, and I am "choreographing" an opening to a version of Riders To The Sea that goes up this week.
I guess not posting for so long was a horrible idea in terms of getting my blog noticed and picking up followers, but you gotta live outside of the little internet box, don't you?

Also, it's 5:20 in the morning. I work up an hour and 20 minutes ago. Why.

New Gothism

School is barely over a week away and I'm pretty excited, I've gotta say. The past few weeks of summer have seriously been dragging. I've been in NYC more or less all summer, but it feels like I'm "moving back." New York is New York , but uptown (where I've lived the past month or two) feels so much less like home than downtown. I feel at home in the Village.
Lately, a revived gothic style has entered into my fancy, and though I've posted about blacks before, I honestly can't get enough. I find myself getting frustrated lately that I can't find a black blouse to fit a black maxi skirt, that I don't have enough boxy, dark accessories, that I'm in dire need of black skinny pants, and that my creepers are in serious need of repair.

the dark shadow and lips against pale skin just make the quasi-macabre accessories (like the crow neckpiece and the fishnet gloves) glow.

the dark and patterned bodycon dress here creates a lengthening effect. The model's long, dark hair adds a mystery to the look, while the tapered nature of the dress creates an air of class.

The length of this dress makes the model look like a waiflike vampy queen. the black fur on the dress and on her long gloves compete with her wildly teased hair for a seductive and yet precious look.

this style is more low key. The matted hair and calm leather add a strange curiosity to the ensemble.

here, the simple, even ragged dress calls for minimalistic jewelry. The entire look seems to reek of being 'lost' in that beautiful way.

I love this suit of armor/metal. It's a true tribute to gothism. The sharpness, the metallic nature of this piece-- it's both beautiful, strong. It seems as though the veil hold so much power.

the lines in this look make up its style. It's angular, sharp, crisp, clean. It's monotone in the most agreeable way.

this lingerie is to die for. That's honestly all I have to say.

the hood in this look seriously adds so much. It completes the outfit.

incredible, McQueen and/or Jeffrey-Campbell-esque shoes.

Ok. it's late. Please enjoy this. I hope you do. I'm trying to get more viewers and followers here. I really want this blog to take off. I'm starting to realize that working in the fashion media industry seems like a great idea for me. Anyway. That's all for now.

Namaste!

Mind Vomit Update: Books!

First thing's first, I finally signed up for Bloglovin' so people can actually follow me somehow. I'm not sure how the following system actually works on blogspot, so if anyone reads this and knows, please tell me!
here's the bloglovin' link: FOLLOW ME HERE :]
I think I'm finally picking up speed with this thing, and as soon as the school year starts, I will be posting personal style entries.
Next subject: after spending the majority of my summer dancing and then sitting on the couch watching netflix like an asshole, I decided to start reading and reading and reading. I found that I've really, really missed it. My taste in books is generally snobby, and as much as I hate that, I can't stand bad literature. I can't read a book unless the sentences are structured well and are, well, beautiful to say. I have a list of 23 books I want to read, 3 of which I've finished in the past 3 days. here is a condensed list:

-The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (simply a beautiful book)- read
-Fahrenheit 451 (also excellent, and shockingly resonant of our present)
-1984 (More post- apocalypse/censored society stuff, also great)- currently reading
-Ishmael (by Daniel Quinn)
-Story of B (D. Quinn)
-The Elegant Universe
-Never Let Me Go (Yes, I've seen the film)
-Clockwork Orange (Yes, I've seen the film)
-Naked Lunch
-American Pastoral
-Cat's Cradle
-House of Leaves
-Brave New World
-The Tibetan Book of the Dead
-Be Here Now


I highly recommend the books I've read on this list and I probably will highly recommend all the others, too.
If you're wondering what my favorite novels are, a short list in no particular order:

-Slaughterhouse 5 (Vonnegut)
-The Handmaid's Tale (Atwood)
-The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
-The Remains of the Day [which is dull at first but the ending makes it worth everything] (Ishiguro)
-Pride and Prejudice (Austen)
-The Gurnsey Literary and Potato-Peel Pie Society [excellent epistolary novel] (Shaffer)
-Jitterbug Perfume (Robbins)
-The Bell Jar (Plath)

Alright. I'm done being boring. But I don't want to go without a picture of some sort, so here's REAL LIFE NYAN CAT:

(Note: this is not my cat)


Namaste!

The Eccentricity of Eriko Nakao

Originally I was going to post on Japanese street style, but as I scrolled through images to use, the tattooed Japanese model and personality Eriko Nakao kept coming up. Aside from being wildly interesting to look at for some reason, the petite (5'4", I believe) beauty glows with "weirdness." And it suits her incredibly well:










I particularly like the touch of red shadow she sweeps under her eyes-- it makes her look really ill. Or very tired. Or over caffeinated. It's pretty bomb. I guess it's her signature look. As messed up as it is, I think that her waify/sick/weird aesthetic is a huge marketing tool for her-- that's how she brands herself. As an actor (or a performer at all...) you learn that in the industry, consistency is key. You walk into a room and you are you are you are you--it won't take long for people to recognize you. I hate having to play in to human consumerism and the marketing of the self (which frankly is another form of obliterating the self), but it is what it is... You brand yourself, you say "this is me; this is always me."
Honestly, I think it's a good life lesson. Find who you are and be that person.
Damn. Thank you, Eriko Nakao, for letting me get all deep n' shit!
Namaste!

Tides of Nature

It's been nice to go home and be overwhelmed by the greens and pinks of nature. I've been able to capture some of the gorgeous flora and fauna that we grow around our property:




Story time: When it comes to style, I was against floral patterns or colors for a long time. But the truth is, they add a sweetness to an edgy or otherwise dark look, and I love that:


Comme Des Garçons RTW F/W 2012

Raf Simons

Dolce and Gabanna S/S 2012

It turns out that for both men and women, hints (or full blasts) of florals can be really arresting. They have the ability to soften or sharpen any style, when paired with the right components. Alas, this is all I have for now.


Namaste!

All of the Lights

Currently trending in my world right now are neons and pastels. The summer heat is intensifying my usual color palate, I guess. Instead of dressing in stars and stripes on the fourth, I tackled bright yellows and pinks and greens. Recent additions to my wardrobe and items I fancy:





My Fourth of July celebration ended in a boat trip up long island sound to see fireworks that seemed to be set off no more than 200-300 yards away from us. Then we got caught in the most terrifying (but beautiful) lightening storm I have ever seen. It's pretty wild seeing lightening strike the ground and water so close to you. Though at the time I was panicking, to say the least. Happy to be back on shore. Namaste!

White Ink Tattoos

Tattoos and other various body modifications have always fascinated me, and by 18, I was itching to get my first piece of body-art. Of the many ink styles out there, I have fallen in love with the white-ink tattoo. They're really quite beautiful, discreet, and tasteful. I do not think my next adornment will be a white piece, but I'm sure I will get one at some point. really quite stunning actually. There weren't many good photos of white ink that I feel like I can call "art" (which is what I think tattoos essentially should be), but I will leave you with these.
-V

Happy (very belated) NYFW

I finally paid attention to NYFW. And dear God, do I wish I was a serious part of it. I loved a lot of the trends, especially the brocades, the leather (I hate how good it looks), Blanket Coats, and the white-out whites. Some of my favorites from general fall/winter lines: 



1. Rick Owens. He claims 'Brutalism' this season. It's earthy, it's primal, it's visceral. It's a mouthful. It's savory. I don't think I like that I love it. But I love it. Especially that veil. I found a nice short video of him explaining himself. I very much enjoy-- I hope you do, too: Rick Owens! (click to see full picture) 2. Thierry Mugler. I love how dramatic Mugler is famed to be. I've always felt that the line has had a theatrical flair--Even Mugler's muse, Rick Genest (Zombie Boy), is a spectacle in himself. Nicola Formichetti has taken over for a little over a year, and the bold lines and cut outs make for a futuristic-streamlined-chic. It's bold, it's complex, it's seriously textured. Awesome.
3. Anthony Vaccarello. I hadn't heard of this designer until Jan/Feb, but his f/w collection is great. Super asymetrical, super body-con and fitted, lots of satin, emeralds, navys, etc. I would love to wear any of these pieces. Glamorous, cool, and so silky it's almost liquid. Lovely. (click to see full picture) 4. Jil Sander. Raf Simons's last show was beautiful-- stark white walls and floors plated gorgeous flowers in glass cases. It was like an art exhibit-- it was an art exhibit. Lots of pastels and bright colors, with a slightly nostalgic air to every piece-- and yet, each piece also came with its own edginess. The oversized coats gave off a sweetness that somehow reminds me of Audrey Hepburn. The dresses are all either fitted or seem to spill over the form, and it's quite beautiful.(click to see full picture) Alright. I'm done stuffing this stuff down your throats. These are just a few of my favorites. Yay pictures! Ok I'm done talking. Peace out, boy scout!

Runway Blacks

My mother is a true New Yorker, though she does not live in the city anymore. When it comes to style, shestill retains much of her NYC business-esque class (minus a few classic 90's articles). When I was little, she would always tell me that black would forever be in style. Her "signature look" was black slacks along with a black blouse and silver (never gold) jewelry.
She's right about black, at least in my opinion. Lately I've seen quite a few images from runway shows reveling in blacks. From elegance to sheer 'cool,' these styles have caught my eye. I especially like black paired with silvers and golds, as well as the uprising of sheer fabrics. In any case, I'm fully enjoying these styles.
Yohji Yamamoto

Acne (fall)

designer, yet again, unknown

Givenchy, Spring '11

Designer Unknown
Burberry
My sense of style is quite odd, and I often find myself staring at my full closet and not having a single idea about what to wear (and often despising everything I own). I guess my fashion sense is eclectic to say the least: grunge, punk, 60-70's-esque, bohemian, even mildly gothic looks flavor my 'style,' if I even have any (I don't).
Om Shakti.