putting on the ritts

While doing some research for my last posting and search of images of Herb Ritts, I was again mesmerized by his work.  His images have the same draw to me now as they did as a teenager.  The tension and sexually charged images are iconic I can’t help but stare and wonder what’s going on in these images?  

X

a time to remember

As I child of the 80’s I barely remember a time without HIV/AIDS.  The discovery and subsequent hysteria is hard to forget.  Now decades later with better technology and more knowledge, we’ve become almost immune to the shock of the word and what it’s meaning.

There was a period of time where it seemed there was one fashion icon after another falling prey to this virus.  Today on World AIDS Day I mourn their loss and celebrate their contributions.  I mourn for all the people we’ve lost and hold hope that one day I will see a world without AIDS again.

Please remember just because you are not afraid of it does not mean it won’t kill you, protect and educate yourself about the transmission of this disease.

Halston, Fashion Designer

Perry Ellis, Fashion Designer

Tina Chow, Model/Designer

Gia Carangi, Model

Keith Haring, Artist

Herb Ritts, Fashion Photographer/Image Maker

X

Season's Greetings

Kate Moss on the cover of Harper's Bazaar

So it's time to send out those season's greetings and I always have a hard time with sending, out of the box cards.  Last year I had a friend help me out with my card and it turned out really nice. Hopefully we can capture that holiday spirit again without being too obvious.  Here are some images that I love, who knows maybe you see some of these ideas in my card this year.

Love the use of green

Alexander McQueen dress and headpiece, nothing says season's greetings like antlers.

I love the feathers on the hem, a partridge in a pear tree indeed!!!!

Who doesn't love a little indoor snow?

X 

A little Sparkle

It’s that time of year again Thanksgiving has passed and the holiday party invites are rolling in. If you are anything like me you are wondering what the heck you’re going to wear?!?!?

Here is a simple guideline to help you traverse the slippery slope of holiday dressing. It is very easy to put on a Christmas tree pin, ornament earrings or worst of all, that holiday sweater that your lonely aunt gave you and hope that you are exuding the holiday spirit.  My dears the only thing you’ll be exuding, if you put any of those contrived, insipid and tacky things on will be lack of sex appeal, loneliness and you are one cat away from being on Animal Planet’s “Animal Hoarders”. The problem with holiday anything, besides being horrible to look at is that they are so specific, don’t waist your precious closet realestate with something that can serve you once a year. Make your clothes work for you not the other way around.

The Holidays are about being your best and sparkling, so hide your bitterness and sorrow with this simple rule: Choose one statement and make that your focal point.  Whether your focal point is a dress, jewelry, shoes or your pretty face make that sing.  

If you choose a dress try a pop of color maybe a nod to the holidays with this green number. 

Statement jewelry can always dress up a tired old dress, here is a picture of the iconic Edie Segwick balancing her boyish haircut with the ultra ornate and feminine earrings. 

A little sparkly on your feet go a long way, these neutral jeweled Sergio Rossi’s are perfect for any holiday party or any special occasion the best part is that they are neutral so they’ll go with everything. 

Red lips can always be festive. To avoid looking like a hooker clown I would try a berry stain for a more natural look.

Hope this was helpful and see you at the punch bowls!!!!

Cinderella Story

Philip Treacy for Valentino Spring 2010

As a child I was mesmerized by the story of Cinderella, I loved her animal companions, her magical fairy god mother and definitely empathized with being mistreated by her sisters.  I would stay awake and wish for my very own fairy godmother, but with many fables it was not be.  The only mice we had were decapitated by the trap under the kitchen sink, the pumpkins in my mother’s garden were going one place and that was; in our hungry bellies and as for magic it could be conjured up in my own head.

As I got older I became resentful of the story. Why did she need Prince Charming to change her life? Why was she taking crap from her sisters and how can you wear glass slippers without them shattering and cutting your feet? I also hated that Cinderella had such delicate feet. My feet on the other hand are like snow shoes I’m almost certain it’s so “my people” don’t sink too far in the muddy rice paddies.

Anyways, as a shoe addict I’m beginning to see the truth in the story. Just like Santa Clause, it’s the message not the story?  The right pair of shoes can transform me; from tired to rejuvenated, humdrum to inspired and maybe just maybe a working class girl to princess (albeit in my head).   

Here are some lovely slippers that inspire me. 

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Roger Vivier Spring 2009

Philip Treacy for Valentino Spring 2010

Get Your Armor On

I don't think it's a secret that I've had a rough time relationships of late. After my last relationship which led me to financial and emotional peril,  I was left feeling spent and vulnerable. It's as if all my skin has been burned off, everything seems to be more painful and sensitive than before.
I know it takes time for my emotional skin to grow tougher, but as a practitioner of "dressing for what you want", I thought maybe if I dressed tougher and was physically shielded that I would feel emotionally protected.
There was a lot of talk about "warrior women" on the runways for fall, I did not understand why until now. Gareth Pugh, Rick Owens, and Haider Ackermann are three designers that exemplify powerful "warrior women".
Ladies get your armor on and enjoy the visuals. 

Rick Owens

Rick Owens

Gareth Pugh

Gareth Pugh

Haider Ackermann

Haider Ackermann

Regular Feedings

After my last break up, I could not help but feel stripped, raw, and vulnerable.  It was like my security was taken from me and I was left out in the woods to fend for myself.  A little like Red Riding hood.  Men to me are a bit like wild dogs at first site of a single woman all they see is sex/food but if you tame the dog enough he’ll know that in the long run if he behaves, he’ll have regular “feedings” and so a symbiotic relationship builds between the two of you; him regular “feedings” and you protection from other wolf packs.  Maybe this is reason I find myself in the company of less than savory wolves?

Maybe I should see my self as a hunter, one that stalks wild dogs. I’ll select the fastest, strongest and smartest in order to have the best wolf for me. You know very much like a dog breeder. 

As I ponder these questions enjoy these beautiful images.

 X

Rolling in the Mud

At the beginning of this year I told myself that this year I would really try hard to venture out of my comfort zone.  As I am in my mid 30's I'm finding myself gravitating to the same things, as a firm believer in growth and self-exploration I decided I needed to shake things up. 
In keeping with the “Shaking things up” theory I've registered to do this 10K mud run on Sunday, oh boy….. Many of the people I've told this to, were shocked to hear this.  I guess I've cultivated this image of pampered princess, that I would not even dare get my nails dirty. To the contrary I spent the summers of my early childhood in strawberry, raspberry and cucumber patches so dirt does not scare me. 
I was told at a Bear(big hairy gay men) Birthday party that there will be lots of “eye candy”.  You don't say? Muddy, muscular men? This got my mind racing of all the possibilities. So I've posted some pics of what I am hoping for.
Enjoy and wish me luck.

More than likely I'll be passed out next to this guy.

X

It's no Wonder....

Many of you may have figured out, I am a total Sci Fi geek. It really started with “Buck Rogers” and “Star Trek” and has not really let up yet. So you can imagine how I am geeking out about all these remakes, from “Wolverine” to “Justice League” and more recently the TV resurrection of “Wonder Woman”.

Adraine Paliki as David E Kelley's Wonder Woman

I was however a little surprised to find out that David E Kelley, the king of legal dramas who was going to be reimagining my childhood icon. I think I spun myself silly trying to change outfits as a child. Complete with my cardboard cuffs and cape of bed sheets and magic lasso made of household twine.
Shock was an understatement when Michael K, leaked the new costume on his celebrity/gossip blog Dlisted.com. I was heart broken to discover that D.E.K. had chosen this moment to redeem is $25 gift card to Spencer’s Gifts and buy the costume for his new Wonder Woman. I had felt like my brother had come home from his job at Burger King and stripped me of Wonder Woman garb and told me to “grow up”! I was fleeced of any sense of hope that the new show was going to be any good. They went back to the drawing board and bought some pants from Cache and painted the boots red but it did not do much to make me feel better about it. The plastic like quality of the fabrics just makes it look cheap and flammable.

Left to Right: Lynda Carter, Thierry Mugler metal body suit, Malin Åkerman as Silk Spectre II

So instead of whining about, as is my usual fashion I decided to create my own costume. What would I, “Loud Mouth/Fashion Designer”, do? The only designer I felt has come close to dressing modern day super heroes is Thierry Mugler. I remember his metal body suits and other worldly proportions he would put his models in. One of which is rumored to have broken the ribs of Linda Evangelista. You will have seen his clothes on such modern super heroes such as Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. The other inspiration I chose was the look of the Silk Spectre II, Malin Åkerman looked dangerous and sexy in the latex ensemble for the 2009 film adaptation of Alan Moore’s graphic novel “Watchmen”.
You will see my sketch below, hope you like.

 

X

Stomp on Fuzzy

First of all I would like to apologize for my absence, it’s been a busy couple of months but I’m back.  Hopefully to amuse and entertain you. 

We are already in the fourth month of 2011 and a girl needs to budget her money well. In doing so I have checked out Fall 2011 shoes in order to make sure I’ve squirreled enough money away.  As I’ve picked out my fall shoes, I noticed a trend….. I don’t know if it’s a secret desire to stomp on fuzzy woodland creatures, or that fact that I hate having cold feet or it’s my Sasquatch instincts coming out but I am loving the fur detailing in the shoes I’ve highlighted.

Enjoy and dream with me.

Fendi Fall 2011

 I love these because I can really see myself wearing them with pants or dresses. Perfect for a quick getaway sprinting from your sugar daddy to you tennis instructor lover.

Christian Louboutin Fall 2011

 I am not a usual fan of sling backs but the red fur adds a playful spirit.  These look just as good on as it does on the floor of the suite at the Four Seasons.

Christian Louboutin Fall 2011

 How can I not love these..... I don't know what sort of endangered animal this is but, does it come with a matching hat? This is the perfect shoe for hanging out at the ski chalet with your sugar daddy in the French alps. If he doesn't turn you on at least you shoe will.

Camilla Skovgaard Fall 2011

 Both utilitarian and chic this shoe has it all. The traction treads will come in handy hauling your loot on Avenue Montaigne.

Nicholas Kirkwood Fall 2011

 When your sugar daddy goes home to his family, it might leave you cold but at his credit cards and these shoes will keep you nice and toasty. 

Brian Atwood Fall 2011

 Nothing says "trophy wife" like a pair of fuschia pony pumps.  Like putting chrome rims on your Escalade announce to the world that this is the new model.

X