Turned Out - Street Style

Chloé

Maya — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:22:47 -0500

I love that as people arrive to the show there is a sea of soft colour, beautiful fabric swirling about, buttery shoes (does that make sense?). It's like attending this show puts people in a good mood, the energy feels happy, people kinda bounce a little as they pass by. You know what, say what you like about the brand and it's direction but girls look good in Chloé. So here are a few of my favorite moments - it's just all so French, non? Ok it's early - terrible writing but my eyes are barely open, im off, i love Paris but there's no place like home :)

Vika

Maya — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:52:12 -0500

I really adore Vika Gazinskaya - she's strong, actually very strong, the russian kind :) she's determined, honest and pretty damn cool. So it was a pleasure to see her presentation last night, hang in a lovely little Paris apartment, admire the craftsmanship of her clothing, sip gin (which i didn't need) and try on her new collection of hats - which are adorable - as you can see :) which i could not pull off - as you can imagine, but which were even funnier on Tommy who in his aviator jacket seriously looked like he was about to fly us all home. Anyway she's a girl with talent and charm who i am pleased to get to know a little better each time we meet.

Something Old...

Maya — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:44:53 -0500

The best pieces are always those you really feel belong to you, and you alone, something you've had forever, something you watched your Papa wear as you grew up, then one day it became yours (yes a la le perfect Barbour here). Something you can't just go out and buy. Things that are worn in, in all the right spots, holes and scratches that remind you of specific moments. These things go beyond fashion and i think to own one, to wear it over and over, gives you confidence - it feels alluring. Because of this, i love these two girls.

Charmed

Maya — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:44:52 -0500

'The blazer was only five euro, and it's cashmere! What more could you want' - That's the sort of thing Lauren is always saying about her clothes, she is totally down to earth, she has a real love for fashion but in a very calm way. And this is good, especially during fashion week, it's refreshing to chat to someone who loves it, who works in it (Lauren writes for French Elle) but who isn't spiraling (like me) about the Céline parka they can't afford. So after coffee and a long stroll from her neighborhood to the Tuileries - she showed me amazing vintage windows, a secret garden and the best cheese shop i've ever passed, i felt happy, inspired, i guess content. Cos Lauren is a gem, a really fun, kind, gem - with really good vintage clothes :)

Le Hat

Maya — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:43:50 -0500

Some of the cutest girls are still wearing hats and i love it. There is something about popping a soft felt hat on that makes you feel a little special on a chilly day but also kinda incognito which can be nice if you're feeling shy, or tired (like me, with bags under your eyes the size of saucers). Packing mistake # 25, no hat :(

Ooooh La La

Maya — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:49:07 -0500

Ain't nothing wrong with a button up, blazer and brogues. That's what i keep telling myself anyway :)

I Just Woke Up...

Maya — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:48:01 -0500

...to this - beautiful beautiful Paris, and the charming views from the apartment my friends are lending me (yes kinda lovely). The only place i'd rather be right now is here amidst wild Australian fields wearing Lover clothes with skin looking as fresh as Sophies. It almost makes me want to start winter all over again (almost). I'm in love with Nic and Susien's new movie trailer - and cos of it i'm going to pop on a white shirt, button it all the way up and wear it today. Now, if only i had some sort of pale soft cape like jacket to throw over it, or a chunky knit and suspenders - hmmmmm, my smile would be even wider. Ok maybe i haven't quite packed all the essentials for my week long stay, i knew this would happen... damn it.

C Is For Croissant & A Little Chanel

Maya — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:45:06 -0500

I'm off to Paris, for fashion week, to see my sister, to hang with a few friends, to celebrate two b'days (woo woo) but mostly to find a bunch of cuties to show you here.
But what to pack... ahhhh... when i found myself staring blankly into my closet yesterday afternoon i realised i was totally uninspired. I've worn all my favorites over and over (and over) this winter, i can't see any new combos and Spring might be just round the corner but i'm looking at weather.com and it ain't quite here yet.
Ok, i needed to do a little research, put some thought into how i wanna look in Paris, what i should pack - cos if you're not born with that French gene, the one that makes it all come naturally, the one that makes you look like you're never trying too hard, well, then this stuff takes a little effort. So i looked, i think, at every Paris Vogue i've ever bought, and it reminded me of one thing, to keep it simple, just super simple - which is lucky, cos simple's what i own - and i think i might have just enough (simple) to get me through the week :) SO i'm packing stripes, and blue jeans (the ones that fit real good) and denim shirts, i'm taking that old RL blazer, my trench and black shoes, only black, repettos, converse, riding boots, a pair of heeled lace ups for night. And if i had a little red right now, especially the washed out variety, i'd be packing that - it feels right for that city, hmmm, i don't have any. But what else, that isn't enough. Ok yes, a black and white sequin Sonia R dress for my parties and a leather skirt too, some soft white tee shirts and one more blazer, black and white tweed, oh and faded grey jeans. Ok that'll do, i think it's gonna work, i hope i feel just a little chic, i'm off to go stuff it all into my case, see you soon.

All collage images thanks to French Vogue of course :)

Snow Angel

Maya — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:36:25 -0500

I didn't really believe another snow storm was coming, i don't know why, maybe cos the NY weather reports are the most dramatic thing you've ever seen... plus it felt warm and the snow was kinda wet, surely it wouldn't stick. So i stuck to my plans, i went up to Harlem to visit lovely miss Jenna, and what a treat. She has such a wonderful apartment, a real home, you know all cosy and grown up, walls lined with books, warm rugs on the floor, pot plants which flourish and the cutest cat you've seen. It was fun to be there. And when we headed out after hours of tea drinking she rugged up so perfectly i had to snap her picture. Beautiful camel (my favorite colour for dull winter days) layered over a snug vintage blazer - all perfectly belted, that's what cool girls do right now :)

I left feeling really happy, i was loving the fresh snow, the soft light, what a great outing. But when i exited the subway i found myself in, well, a full blown snow storm, no clear path to follow just a continuous blanket of white. Um, i was wearing converse, i don't have snow boots, or anything of the kind, people were looking at me like i was crazy, i was crazy, soaked and crazy. Hmmmm and this morning the snow continues, i'm even tuned into the weather report - shit, i obviously need a pair of snow boots... but what am i going to wear to walk to the shop to buy them... ahhhhh, i'm stuck, i'm actually in the midst of a true, honest, footwear crisis - heeeeelp.

For Joan

Maya — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:14:07 -0500

I stopped her on the street for a quick photo, i f'ed it up, i had a new camera, i was still figuring it out :). But luckily she emailed so we've been in touch, she shared with me her beyond cute illustration and her music - i was totally taken with this little Canadian. So yesterday on a horrible rainy day after the 3D live streaming of the Burberry show, which sounds super cheesy but which i actually loved, seeing giant models step towards me in some of the best shearling and army green of the season had me grinning... anyway, so after that i went to Joan's adorable Brooklyn home. She made me green tea, gave me tissues - my cold won't quit, and started to show me a few of her favorite things. Joan has a beautiful, i mean beautiful! eye for vintage - An old Lanvin vintage print dress, cowboy tasseled Ralph Lauren jacket, soft white nightgowns, perfectly worn denim jacket etc etc and this amazing old parka - which after Burberry i had to photograph, it just feels so right, right now - hehe. So here's Joan with a few of her drawings, i couldn't fit her all into one post, so i will bring you more, more of her great stuff and more of that adorable smile - cos she's cute, real cute.

Perfecto

Maya — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:32:11 -0500

I need one, the snug little leather jacket that makes you look like you've just jumped off the back of your boy's bike. The one you can throw on with anything for instant cool - that thing that makes people think you've been out all night living it up, even if you've been curled up on the couch tuned into Big Love (um, yes, i'm obsessed). I've been looking for ages, i've found a few, Acne, Proenza - and of course Balenciaga... i've probably typed 'Balenciaga Leather Biker' into ebay about 175 times, i always find one, they're there alright, just not quite at the bargain basement price i'm looking for. So alas, i continue on perfecto less, but i've decided i need to bite the bullet, i need to save my pennies, stop buying those small things, wait a couple of months then invest in the perfect perfecto... cos it seems you need a little discipline before you can look all nonchalant and carefree in one of these. BTW hers up top is Rag and Bone, and i like it - alot.

Collage images thanks to Acnestudios.com, British Vogue, French Vogue & eBay

Like The Boys

Maya — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:43:57 -0500

I'm not gonna lie, i'd never heard of him, Anotonio Azzuolo. I'm useless. But a friend told me to pop along to his presentation, that i would really like it. And well, to say the least i did, i loved it. Walking in to a perfect line up of cowboys, following the line of beautifully cut wool blazers, knitted sweaters (my favorite with horses of course) and cardigans, till i found a lone girl, hanging in boys garb, hair slicked back so perfect it made me want to go even shorter (ok maybe i don't quite have the bone structure :). Anyway it was good, and to a backdrop of beautiful blue evening NY light, i didn't want to leave. So last night, thanks to Mr Antonio, i got inspired to look for wool and tweed and chunky knits and shirts, that kind of stuff. I sat up making this collage and in the process decided i want a kind of uniform right now, i want it to be ultra comfortable, cosy, totally cool. Masculine but i don't want to look like a boy. I want things that fit perfectly, that i don't have to think twice about, jeans that go with all my shoes, sweaters that stop perfectly at my hips - you know, just easy. Anyway that's what i'm wishing for right now when i open my cupboard doors. Too boring?

Collage images thanks to Russh, French Vogue, British Vogue & Style.com

Mix Masters

Maya — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:14:36 -0500

Many of my favorite girls this week have been wearing shirts, layered under wool and often shearling. Actually that's big big big on the runway, shearling i mean, and it couldn't feel cooler. It's something i'm most excited about getting my hands on for next fall, a cosy jacket, maybe leather on the outside, shearling in, i dunno yet, but i know it feels right :) Ok, back to button ups or button downs, i've always loved them and always will, i think for spring i'm gonna cut off the sleeves of a denim one to 3/4 à la Phoebe P. And they only look better when paired with two of the best accessories money can buy, a little Leica or PS1... actually i'm quite in love with this colour it helps a big bag fade away a little - which is nice when you carry it everyday, don't you think?

Seeing Red

Maya — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:11:49 -0500

I've noticed a few things this week, jackets over jackets, leopard print, khaki this and that, hats galore and red. I'm telling you cool girls right now got red hair. And it seems to be working in every shade, from the softest strawberry to the brightest orange, which you know nature never intended. It totally livens up a chilly winters day and it looks to me as though red heads might just be having a little more fun. So if i wasn't already struggling with a bob that's way too short and that i can't control i might even take a quick dip in the dye myself - cos natural or not 'tis the season to embrace a little red.

Collage images from French Vogue, US Vogue & iD

Salzburg, USA

Maya — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:11:06 -0500

If hanging in Salzburg, USA means looking as cool as the KW models did coming down her runway last weekend - i wanna be there. I love seeing clothes on the catwalk that i can imagine pulling on right there and then, without having to think twice about how to wear them. Pieces that would work with the shoes i'm already wearing, a sheepskin patchwork jacket i could just pull over my old denim one and a pair of olive green pants that would add that little colour i've been wanting this freeeeeezing winter. Long grey socks i need, and a pair of Khakis that looked just right. The palette was perfect, the ponytails almost made me want a clip on (don't worry i know better)... it just looked cool. So if i can't actually get myself to Salzburg, USA it is after all an imaginary winter wonderland where Europe perfectly meets America, i guess i'll have to settle for the sweatshirt, fine by me cos it's one of the coolest i've seen. And model Hyoni, i had to photog her cos she's one of my favorites and sort of embodies that easy, carefree cool seen on Karen Walker's runway this season. Oh and FYI she has a little boutique, Reborn Process, 35 Crosby, that sells restored and redesigned vintage, i gotta get there and give you more on that.

Runway images courtesy of style.com

Pass The Check Please

Maya — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:23:11 -0500

I like checks. Big or small... blue, red and beige. They're cool, easy, fun - so of course, i neeeeeeeed some!. Thats it, i just wanted to share these two cuties with you today.

Spotted

Maya — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:37:31 -0500

I keep seeing moments of leopard dash past, which i know is nothing particularly new, but somehow, right now, amidst never ending black, seems kinda fresh. So i took some time out yesterday to see if i need a little to liven things up, i mean navy on beige on white on denim does start to feel a little dull at times... i scoured my magazines to figure out just how i might work a little of this magic into my cupboard - and well - i learned this - that i like the pictures, i love the colours, it does feel pretty cool, and i think it's one of those things that always will in a certain way, on a certain person. But i also learned that i'm not one of them, i would feel like a a bit of a foreigner in my own clothes i think. I kept coming back to the printed underwear thinking that would be totally cute, i could do that, great to pop under my chinos, then realising on the outside i'd still be all beige and navy - what's the point, right? Although maybe popping on a little wild print like this feels fun, makes you happy, puts a bounce in your step - and maybe it doesn't matter if it's only on the inside... Agent Provocateur anyone? - ah, i dunno.

Collage images courtesy of French, British & Italian Vogue

The Bess Thing

Maya — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 08:42:15 -0500

My day started a little slowly yesterday, it always happens... I expect to kick off fashion week with a bang, finding droves of great girls to photograph - catching the light in just the right way, feeling instantly inspired. But no, it never happens like that, i need to ease my way in, it takes me a day or two to adjust - get into the swing of things, and remember i can't control what i see and what i expect to shoot. You know keep an open mind and all :)

So yesterday there were 3 unexpected moments of wonder for me, Richard Chai's 90's grunge inspired layers, long wool skirts, baggy silk shirts, chunky boots - the perfect pair of fingerless gloves (something i really can't wait for) - pretty cool. Rachel Comey's trip to the 70's - more on that later... and Bess's kinda crazy theatre show. Hosted in an old East Village play house, slow moving moody models and absinthe on tap (eek) it was surprisingly fun. It felt authentic, like they really had something to say - and it totally opened my eyes to a brand i thought was limited to studding things. I loved the wild red heads, soft pink lip, rich silk, white tights, laced up leather. It made me go back and look at their spring/summer range and i found a few cowboy and indian inspired things i like the look of. They make me wanna tease my hair a little, button up my shirt, show some leg in thick wool tights and brush on a little rouge - but i'll probably just leave the house in blue denim, grey and beige like every other day - you know, i told you, it takes me a while to ease into new things - hehe.

Day Dreamer

Maya — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:24:52 -0500

Ok it's fashion week, well i think it officially started yesterday, but with a blizzard outside and a mailbox full of new netflix movies i didn't quite make it out :) And to be honest as i look out over the west side right now on piles of white and a chilly breeze i'm calling for another snow day - just to hang barefoot and t shirt clad. But what makes me really want to take a trip south, isn't so much the snow outside as it is Amanda's new fade - that perfect brunette to blonde, soooo cool... ahhhh i want that sun kissed feeling. But no, not today, i'm rugging up, layer upon layer - ready to face the storm. Hmmm, wish me luck.

All Wrapped Up

Maya — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:55:02 -0500

It's cooooooold out and it's hard to look cute or cool or anything other than chilly right now - but i'm thinking Nicola is onto a good thing with her vintage sweatshirt and giant cape. There seems to be something nice about having your arms free at this time, i'm sick of feeling all restricted, having to stuff thick wool under my neat pea coat that was perfectly fitted (my mistake) over a thin shirt in Autumn... hmmm, so thanks Nicola, you look goooooood and you are lovely.

Collage images courtesy of Russh, French Vogue & Vogue Enfants

L'Artiste

Maya — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:17:20 -0500

Yesterday i loved meeting Elaine and going to her studio at NYU where she's in her final moments of a masters in fine arts. She dresses like her work, or her work reflects her style, whatever, i like it, the colours, texture - it's a little tough but undeniably feminine. Everything in her studio is sorta washed out, worn in, faded. And everything is gently scented by a giant concrete sculpture she's created. A perfume collector she wanted to create her own, sink large concrete blocks into it for days and then build her piece, which now stands tall gently emitting a beautiful musky scent. So her light filled, sweet smelling studio had me smitten, as did her paint splashed cons, vintage YSL belt (she found it for $2 - eek), worn in leather... and of course her army green, cos as Katy proved last week, i need a little of that right now, and no, i still don't have the perfect parka. Hmmm.

Mood Board

Maya — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:46:52 -0500

A few days ago i started to feel a little stressed out about fashion week. About what the hell i'm gonna wear day after day. I mean it's cold here and i just keep wearing the same thing over and over, jeans, tee, giant cardi and the biggest parka i own. I can't get out of that uniform, i can't see past it. So i started frantically surfing the net, ready to spend, looking for that item to magically transform my wardrobe - alas that magic must have was not out there, actually thats not true, there were a few beauties, but a little outside my spending power. So i turned my attention to collaging, i figured if i had a visual reference each morning to look at i would stay true to my vision, not get swayed by the fancy fashion i will no doubt be surrounded by, the sky high heels, the minis and leather.

Ok, here's what i want to remember, i want to always feel warm and cosy, i want to wear blazers and denim, mens inspired pants, subtle colour and no head to toe black, riding boots and ballet flats, i want to be make-up free and wrap my head in soft cashmere, i want to keep my short hair sort of child like oh and i want to wear my husband's chunky 'camping' socks. So wish me luck, hopefully i'll look cute and low-key and not totally boring, and i hope you find a little inspiration in my mood boards too.

Collage images courtesy of Russh, iD, Purple Diary, Style.com, French, British & US Vogue

What Katy Does

Maya — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:25:04 -0500

She's a total charmer, her sweet Scottish ways, her delightful illustrations, her wonderful collection of vintage garb (um hello that old YSL pea coat she found in Brooklyn for something like $30 - yes, cool). Anyway, yesterday Katy single handedly made me want to rush to an army surplus store and layer an old jacket over my button ups, i need some subtle colour to cheer me up as i stare out at snow and grey grey skies, and i think this is a clever little idea. I'm gonna do that today actually, go find myself one, and while i'm at it, i'm treating myself to cosy new socks, my toes are chilly - yes, good, now i'm excited :)

Pin Up

Maya — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:11:41 -0500

I have boobs... i mean the kind that need a bra, the kind that get in the the way of some great outfits, the kind that will likely start to head south over the coming years :( So when i see bras for sale, when i see them in mags and catalogues, i love it if they're actually filled by something natural, filled by a real (amazing) woman's boobs. Cos of this, Lara S is obviously my heroine and opening my freshly mailed Eres catalogue yesterday got me all excited. Excited for new bras, for soft pastel colours for high waisted undies. I mean i know if i pop down to the store my breasts won't suddenly perk up like Lara's but i swear nothing has ever made me want to part with a good $200 or so on a bra more than these photos. So bravo Eres, you've got me again - and Lara, well, god bless, you're irresistible - only to be rivaled, possibly, if Natacha Ramsay were to turn her talents to lingerie modeling (oficially), now that would have me buying.

Collage images courtesy of iD & Eres

Walk My Way

Maya — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:40:42 -0500

I just met Katherine and i've got one thing to say - good shoes, she has really really good shoes and plenty of them. I don't mean racks of fancy pants designer heels, no perfectly lined up Lanvin flats - she has a great eye for basic, cool, and most enviably, pratical shoes. Each slightly different, each seem like the perfect choice for everyday, like if i had just one pair it would solve my morning struggle, and all of them work so nicely with her Vintage 505's and basic (but kinda perfect) old grey sweatshirt. So while our plan was to pop outside for photos it was way more fun hanging about her bedroom checking out her things, talking about Ralph Lauren and how genius his stuff from the 80's and 90's is, she works with a woman who does much of his embroidery, um, fun - oh and making her try on plenty of shoes - well it was fun for me anyway. So thanks Katherine, you're a charmer :)