Katya Leonovich

Wait this is so funny it's been like a million years since this happened and I STILL have not posted the photos. ....Here they are.....

(The show is Katya Leonovich S/S 2014.)

ALSO: I interviewed the designer, check out the video at the BOTTOM of the post. 

[Photos by me.]

Can I Have Your Closet: Ajani Russell

You wouldn't think that chemistry class would be a particularly sartorially inspiring environment. But you would be surprised by what sort of people waltzed in and out of that class on a daily basis, and especially by what they were wearing. One girl in particular caught my eye nearly every day. Yup, you guessed it, it was Ajani. I'd never really spoken to her in chemistry (I'm not the most enthusiastic science student and it was 9th period), but I always admired her fearlessness and originality when it came to her clothing. She would wear crop tops with tight pants and cape-like shawls one day--no matter the weather--and maybe some cool shorts and a t-shirt with her hair in little dumplings another day. And she always had the coolest effing shoes. I'm not too much of a shoe person just because I value comfort over appearance since I'm big on walking places (THE MTA SUCKS), but I can definitely appreciate a sample of ~fine~ footwear, which Ajani was wont to displaying on the daily. I asked her if she would do this interview with me a week before finals, seeing as I figured it was my last chance to feature her before she becomes some sort of fashion-mogul-model. Her and I met last week at a park and she showed up with a backpack containing four outfit changes and two pairs of shoes, equating a grand total of five outfits and three pairs of shoes. So the usual "Just wear whatever you feel like exemplifies your style" turned into a full-on photo shoot. Since Ajani is a natural smizer, we took dozens of wonderful photographs, but sadly I cannot put all of them on this blog so I'm posting the best of the extras on my Tumblr. Another thing I loved about doing this with her is that she gave fantastic answers to my questions. She pulled the "I use fashion to express myself" card a lot, which I totally love because people are usually scared to say that for fear of sounding too cliché, which it's not. It's just the straight up truth, and she was not afraid to deliver it. Get ready to take in the awesomeness that is Ajani. 

Odelia: How would you describe your style?

Ajani: That's a tough one. Mostly I just like to be comfortable. I wear a lot of baggy t-shirts and baggy jeans. I try to wear bright colors but I usually end up wearing a lot of black and gray and white. I don't like to use too many patterns, like I don't like to mix patterns. I collect sneakers, so I usually base my outfits around my sneakers. That's usually where the color will be.

Odelia: Who are your fashion icons and who do you admire aesthetically?

Ajani: CaraDelevingne, definitely. Well, there's this model named Cassie who's also a singer, but she doesn't sing that well so I just like to say that she's a model. To me, she's the most gorgeous person I've ever seen. Her and this Victoria's Secret model named Lace. I met her the other day.

Odelia: Really? Where did you meet her?

Ajani: She was walking down Broadway and I was like—I almost had a heart attack. I couldn't move for a second! I was like, “Oh my gosh, she's gorgeous!” and then I was like, “Oh my gosh, it's Lace!” I freaked out.

Odelia: You said hi to her?

Ajani: Yeah, I was like, “Hi, I love your work...” She was like, “Thank you!” Oh, she was so nice. Stunning in person. In pictures she's gorgeous, but in person... I think Theophilus London has really cool style. Although sometimes his pants are too tight. The way I dress I feel is pretty basic, and going to our school it's a lot to compete with, so I don't try to compete. I like parts of all different types of styles. I might not like the whole thing, but I can find something that I like about it.

Odelia: Where are your favorite places to shop?

Ajani: I like to go to thrift stores because I'm usually broke. There's some around here [Washington Square Park], there's Search and Destroy, which I like, and Metropolis, Urban [Outfitters], American Apparel, they have really basic things that I can wear every day. I wear a lot of t-shirts, so Karmaloop is a good place to find those, and Nasty Gal. They have a lot of stuff that I like.

Odelia: If you could own one or more items that you don't have, what would it or they be?

Ajani: Well first, there's this pair of Rick Owens sneakers that I'm in love with. They're black suede and they're really tall, they're just regular sneakers, but they're just black, and I love them. And there's these Alexander Wang sandals, and they're white, and they have snake print-style straps on the toes, and a gold—ugh, they're so nice.

Odelia: Are you a shoe person?

Ajani: Yes, I'm a shoe person. I'm definitely a shoe person. Like, I would want the redYeezys of course, that's something I need. Jordans, I love Jordans. There are these Bulgarian camo Vans I wanted but I can't find them anywhere in my size. But clothes-wise, there's a brand of bags called Furla and they have these jelly bags, and they're clear and plastic and shiny and I want one. There's this gradient one, it starts dark green and goes to light green, I love that one.

Odelia: Would you say that fashion is a big focus in your life?

Ajani: It is, because I don't do much else. Fashion is a way for me to express myself, and I do that through art, but it's not always enough. I can't always get something right how I want it on paper that I can do in real life, on myself.

Odelia: How would you describe personal style as a concept? Like, what does it mean to you?

Ajani: It just gives you an outlet. I think for everyone it gives them an outlet. For some people it might not mean much, but for others it could be their whole life. Like, they have no other way of expressing themselves, no outlet, 'cause they don't have the resources like I do at school to express myself through art, they might not have that so they have to find other ways, and I think fashion is a big way that they would express themselves.

Odelia: How do you feel that high school has influenced your clothing choices?

Ajani: A lot. Just being at our school, people are always trying to be better than each other in the way they dress, so I stopped trying to be better and bigger and I just started to try to be myself. 'Cause I found that sometimes I would think, “Oh, it's nice how they're wearing that, but it's not something I would wear.” And they do big things, they're really bold, and at one point I found myself trying to try this stuff and I was like, “I don't like that! Why am I doing this?” I think it's [high school] helped me find my own style.  

[Photos by me.]

Look at that hair. Mm.

She's got this awesome athletic-inspired deal going on that I really dig and have actually sort of begun to emulate myself. 

Rings are best when they're simple. 

(This goes on a case by case basis so in essence I am disagreeing with myself)

Peep the third shoe switch.

This might have been my favorite outfit, perhaps merely because of how she modeled it. LOOK AT HER JUST OWNING THE CAMERA.

So much summertime sass. 

Ajani is a really awesome gal with bangin' style and freaking amazing hair. You should join me when we raid her house to try and take her closet, yeah? 

Up next will be my friend Ditiya. She rocks. Case closed.

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Interviewing Famous People: Erin Barr

I went to Erin Barr's Spring 2013 presentation in September of this past year, and that was my first encounter with the designer's work. I had never heard of her, but I loved what I saw. I could tell that she was going places. Surely enough, Fall 2013 saw her transitioning to the runway, and she debuted her most recent collection at Chelsea Piers. That's like, a really big deal. The designer was kind enough to respond to a few questions of mine through email, so that's what you'll find below. 

Erin Barr is from Wisconsin, and originally studied to work in hair and makeup, graduating from the Aveda Institute. After working for a few years in the beauty business (quite successfully), she realized that fashion was her calling and moved to London for a year to attend Central Saint Martin's (the alma mater of Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Zac Posen, Phoebe Philo, and a bajillion more extremely well-known fashion designers), and then came back to New York City to finish up her schooling at Parson's New School for Design. She then went on to intern at Alexander Wang and Cushnie et Ochs, and finally in the fall of 2011, she opened her own eponymous line and produced her first collection for Spring 2012. 

[Photos courtesy of MAO PR, from the designer's Fall 2012 collection.]

How did growing up in Wisconsin as opposed to a major city (like New York City) mold your ideas and conceptions of beauty and fashion? 

I think it's really all relative to where you are when it comes to fashion. I know when I go home, I probably dress a bit more practical. For example, there are times in the winter there when warmth trumps style! But you can still make it look cool and chic. In New York, I think fashion is for one much more accessible, and you can get a little more creative, a little crazier maybe!

What inspired you to initially pursue a career in hair and make-up? 

Fashion design as a career wasn't in my vocabulary growing up. For me doing hair and makeup was a step toward finding what I really wanted to do in life. I'm so happy that I have that background now, because it really helps to imagine and communicate an entire look or feel.

Did you always have a passion for clothing, or was it sparked by your high-profile work in New York City in salons and on photo shoots? 

I definitely always had a passion for clothing and design. I used to go to the Border's bookstore when I was in High School and just stock up on magazines. I would tear out everything I was inspired by, and I would keep the tear sheets in a binder. That was my thing.
 

Would you say that the decision to go to Central Saint Martins was life-changing? Did the experience reshape your future, or do you think you would have ended up designing even if you hadn't moved to London? 

For me, moving to London and attending CSM was the best experience and choice I've made. It's such a great school, and it really opened my mind up to the creative possibilities. The fact that there should be no limits, yet you should be able to have restraint as well. If I hadn't gone to London I like to think that I would still have ended up designing. I know I would definitely be making art, though. I have to, it's in my blood.

What was it like to intern at some of the most cutting edge and of-the-moment design houses? 

Really inspiring! I learned so much from working with Alexander Wang and at Cushnie et Ochs.

How did you start your own brand? Was it a huge leap from working for other people? 

I had been thinking about starting my own brand for some time, and then the timing just felt right. It was a challenge in the beginning, but it was the challenge that was exciting.

How would you describe your vision for your line? 

Tomboy-Sexy with a Minimalist twist.

Are there any other careers you would like to explore in the future? 

Motherhood. Artistic Collaborations. 

What would you say are the pros and cons of being a fashion designer? 

It's great being able to work in a creative environment. But you do a lot of running around from factory to office, to fabric/trim stores, to meetings, and then back again. It's never a sit still at your desk kind of day. 

Do you have any advice for someone looking to work in the fashion or beauty industries? 

I think it's very important to get experience in any way. Don't limit yourself to only the big brands, either. There is so much to learn working with a smaller company.
 

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

Well...1. Follow your dreams. and 2. Thank you for the great interview!

***

I strongly suggest checking out the rest of her collections (two of which I've got right here on my blog) and perusing her website. This lady is a rising star, so we must keep our eyes wide open lest we miss the moment when she becomes one of the revered designers on that list of alumni. 

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The Revel Boys

A few weeks ago, I received an email from Octavia containing the link to a website. She said her friend's brother and his friend had started it, and that I should check it out. So that is what I did: I checked it out, and immediately loved what I saw. This website is called Revel, founded by Eli Rudavsky and Adam Schorin, two New York City high schoolers. It's a site for teens to look at and discuss art in an attempt to efface the taboo there is on art as a conversational topic for young people. But the art they showcase is not stuff like Van Gogh's "Starry Night," or even William Wegman photographs. It's all art, music, and writing created by teenagers (with the exception of links shared on the blog--that stuff is kind of from all over the place). After perusing the site for a good long while and being humbled and deeply impressed by the work I saw, I emailed the creators. A week later, I found myself in Central Park, kneeling in front of my tripod as I filmed the boys talking about their new endeavor. I won't give anything else away, seeing as there's an entire interview chock full of information for you to watch below. Without further ado, I give you the guys behind Revel.

Actually, I lied. Just a few quick notes before we begin: halfway through the interview my camera died, so we had to use Adam's iPhone for the rest. That's why there's a different color tone and sound for certain parts of the video. Also it was really cold outside. Just sayin'. Lastly, Eli is the one on your left and Adam is the one on your right. 

[Video filmed and edited by me.]



I strongly advise that you check out the site, and perhaps if you are on the Book of Faces that you like their page. They give you updates whenever new stuff goes up on Revel, so you're constantly inundated by beautiful art by people just like you. And you might even know some of the people whose stuff is on there (me and Octavia, wink, wink). You know what else you should do? Submit your work to Revel. I know you guys are secretly artists/musicians/writers/everything-else-rs, so in the wise words of Eli (and coincidentally Nike): "Just do it."

Enjoy the rest of your disturbingly warm December week!

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Superior Smizers: Saskia de Brauw

Saskia de Brauw is one of the most awesome models ever. I know I exaggerate things a lot, especially when talking about people that I admire, but this time I'm serious. She really is an incredible person. Born in Amsterdam on April 19, 1981, Saskia began modeling when she was very young (under the age of 16) (aka probably my age) (that's cray-zee), but quit that career at 16 to become an artist. She pursued her passion for art at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, and did her own thing until the age of 29, at which point she reentered the modeling scene. Since she's a complete boss, she immediately become on of the "it" girls, landing two Vogue covers in the same month: Carine Roitfeld's last cover for Vogue Paris (March 2011), and Vogue Italia's cover. Since then, she's been a runway staple and the star of several huge brand name campaigns. She's done Versace, MaxMara, and (in my humble opinion) most impressively, Chanel. Like, eight times. 

I couldn't find any of Saskia's artwork on the interwebz, but Wikipedia tells me that her work focuses on corporeal beings and their environments. She does photography and installation art, but she also writes verse and prose. Basically, she's an artistic goddess. I'm also extremely, extremely jealous of her hair. You don't know how bad I want her hair. 

And now here is a video of her that I posted on le blog's Facebook page a week or so ago, showing Saskia's endless coolness and intellect. 

[Photos via unidentifiable sources on the internet.]

Smizing up a freaking storm.

Is she classy, or is she really classy?

J-chillin' on a balcony in the middle of Paris. That is just how Saskia rolls. 

If I could layer like that and wear funky Adidas at the same time--well, I'd be one happy chick.

She can even rock chapped lips. 

Remember how I said she was the face of Chanel? ...Yeah. 

And now for some little chilly weather Beat music:

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, 'cause it's almost Tanxgivin'! Those were two entirely unrelated thoughts. 

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Can I Have Your Closet: Annabel La Riva

When I first saw Annabel La Riva, I totally thought she was an art major. At my school, there are certain ways that people from specific majors dress; it's just a fact. Then there are people who manage to break the mold and be unpredictable; that would be Annabel. It wasn't until I saw her singing in a concert that I realized she was a vocal major. It was a pretty exciting moment for me. Probably a little too exciting. It probably didn't warrant as much excitement as I gave it. What can I say, I love surprises.

Annabel's style is a conglomeration of several different things, which is great because you never know what she's going to have on. Sometimes she wears ripped tights with high waisted shorts or maybe a velvet dress, or perhaps a button up shirt and jeans. She's the one I got the idea of wearing a choker from. Bringin' back the nineties one girl at a time. Since she's so inconsistent (in a good way) with her clothing, Annabel is always giving me new ideas for what to wear. Some people wear the same thing everyday and I just want to shoot them, so needless to say I do not want to shoot Annabel. A lil' transitive property there, guys. There's an experimental vibe that one gets from her, as well as the fact that she knows what she's doing. That's always a good thing. Ignorance iz st-00pid!

Before I stop speaking English, I'll just cut to the interview. 

Odelia: How would you describe your style?

Annabel: Well, kind of like a jumble of things. It's not really consistent.

Odelia: Are there three styles that you could think of that you combine usually?

Annabel: I guess, [makes air quotes] “sophisticated,” if that's a style, and then it's a little punky, and I guess hipster.

Odelia: Who are your fashion icons and who do you admire aesthetically?

Annabel: In terms of fashion designers and stuff I really like Chanel, obviously, and I like Elie Saab, and I really like Sky Ferreira, you know, really cool chick right there.

Odelia: Where are your favorite places to shop?

Annabel: I really like American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, thrift stores, and then just a bunch of random places, just a collection of places.

Odelia: If you could own one item right now that you don't have, what would it be?

Annabel: [pauses for a while] Wow, um...

Odelia: It can be a piece of clothing, jewelry, whatever, or like an accessory...

Annabel: This is really weird because I really want a lot, but right now--

Odelia: You just can't think of it.

Annabel: I just can't think of it!

Odelia: This has happened to so many people I've asked that question. Okay, we can go onto the next one and then come back that. Would you say that fashion is a big focus in your life?

Annabel: I think so. It's not like I'm planning my outfits everyday but I do try to look fresh.

Odelia: Okay, that was the last question, so if you...maybe not even an item that you want, more just a thing that you have admired from afar.

Annabel: Okay. Oh! I really wanted these short pastel Doc Martens, but then, now they are not online anymore so I can't get them.  

Photos by me. 

The doily socks, the choker--we're two peas in a pod, I'm tellin' ya. 

Doctah Marten iz in da house! 

Just smizing, you know how it iz. #modellife

I totally wish I had a bag like this. I don't really like pink, but pastel is so in for spring. This is so on trend that I can't even complete my sent

Okay, I definitely had this choker as a child. Or an identical one. Why did my mother I get rid of it. 

The white button up shirt adds some classiness and the skirt adds originality. The jacket ties it all together. 

Isn't she lovely? Fer sherr. 

In other news, I have discovered the winner of the giveaway using a random number generator (random.org). It's Sadie Heisler; remember her? Congratulations Sadie! You should get an email really, really soon in case you don't see this. 

If you didn't win this time, don't you worry your little head. I'll be having plenty of giveaways in the future. It's just the first year! The party ain't over yet, y'all! 

Final note of the day: I'm going to a Charlene Kaye concert tomorrow, and I'm mega pumped. Hopefully I'll have some pictures to show for it later. 

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Can I Have Your Closet: Emma Peltzer

Emma Peltzer (rapper name: E$weezii) is a pretty k00l chick. Not gonna lie, I was kind of intimidated by her for quite some time, but once I got to know her in art class I discovered that she's just a hilarious well-dressed munchkin. I feel like a lot of my friends are like that. Despite the fact that Emma was Barbie for Halloween this year, she's nothing like the fake, humanly impossible being that lives in the Dream House with Ken. Nor does she dress as horridly and painfully color coordinated-ly as Barbie does. (So...many...adverbs...) In fact, Emma just kinda does what she wants when it comes to clothing. As you'll see in our interview in just a moment, it's hard to define her style at all. Some days it's a little preppy, some days it's a little punk, other days it's cute and sweet, but it's always original. I always enjoy looking at Emma's clothing and drawing inspiration from her. That's what friends are for, right? (I might be kidding.)

Another thing that really excites me about Emma (besides her incredible artistic skill--art majors represent!) is that she reminds me a lot of Yvonne Strahovski, a.k.a. Sarah from "Chuck," a.k.a. my favorite television show. Not in the super spy way, but more in physical appearance. And Sarah is a total babe, so...connect the dots, guys. Without further ado, I give you--Emma Peltzer!...z interview with me.


Odelia: How would you describe your style?

Emma: I mean honestly, I've never tried to label myself. I know that sounds bad, but...I mean, I've always liked—you know, I've seen people on the street and been like, “Wow, that looks really cool,” or “I really like that.” But I've never been like, “Oh yeah, I wanna look like so-and-so,” or “I really like that designer, or this kind of clothing.” I just kind of—whenever I see something I like, I just kind of put it on.

Odelia: Who are your fashion icons and who do you admire aesthetically?

Emma: Oooh...okay. I mean I'm not very...I don't know how to say it. I'm not—I don't think I can really say that I know a lot of designers. Whenever I—always as this joke I'm like, “If I was a millionaire I'd shop at Prada.” But I've always loved the high fashion aspect of Prada and all of that kind of stuff.

Odelia: Are there certain celebrities or just people you know that you...

Emma: Actually, at the Oscars, I did have a favorite dress, which was the Alexander McQueen dress that—oh, gosh, I forget her name, but she was in “The Help,” she had orange-y hair, Jessica something...

Odelia: Oh yeah! I know who you're talking about! Yeah, whatever. [EDIT: It was Jessica Chastain.]

Emma: Whatever, yeah. But I thought her dress was so cool and she looked great.

Odelia: Where are your favorite places to shop?

Emma: I mean, I love Free People, I love just kind of whatever. I mean, yet again I don't—I'm not very...[Laughs] I don't know, I'm just not—I mean, I have places I like to go, but I don't really think that I have one store specifically that I like to shop at.

Odelia: Do you shop often or whenever you want to get something?

Emma: It's really just if I need something, or like, birthday, Christmas, that kind of thing.

Odelia: If you could own one item right now that you don't have, what would it be?

Emma: Oh! Actually, I've been sort of brainstorming. There's this one pair of pants that I want that I haven't been able to find anywhere and they're just like khaki army green skinny pants that go right above the ankle with pockets on the side of the leg and a small zipper that goes on the ankle.

Odelia: Would you say that fashion is a big focus in your life?

Emma: Definitely. I mean, I'm never the kind of person that would walk out in sweatpants and Uggs. For me, even going to school I need to feel confident and feel like my outfit is sufficient [giggles]. I've always been the one to dress up, not down.  

Photos by me.

J-chillin' in the 8th floor hallway. You know. 

Something about this reminds me of "Alice in Wonderland," and I can't figure out why. I feel like the Cheshire Cat has something to do with that, that rascal. 

You can tell we're art students because we know that yellow and purple are complementary colors. 

INTENSE. That's the vibe I was going for. 

I'm pretty sure Emma has three layers on top. That's something I would do. Great minds think alike, they always say. 

She's gonna be a model for American Apparel someday, I can feel it. 

Walking into the distance--got dem dramatic photos up in here, am I right? 

Hooray! It's Emma! E$weezii! Yeah!

In other news: I got a haircut this weekend (as in Olive cut it in my bathtub) and a cartilage piercing tonight. I totally had a rocker chick revelation and I'm completely digging the vibe. I even wore my sassy t-shirt today, the one that says, "YOU'RE SO VAIN" on it. Badass right here. Don't mess. I've got a metal rod through my ear and minimal amounts of hair (this could also be the start to one of those guess-what-I-am games, where the answer is a rat in prison).

Also, I'm going to a party hosted by Nicole Richie at the H&M 5th avenue flagship store tomorrow night. It should be pretty rad.

That's all for tonight, except...

Enter the giveaway! I'm giving away a free dress that you should try to win because you will lose nothing from doing so. 
Just follow my blog (and my Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook and/or Bloglovin' for extra entries) and leave a comment below with your name, email and a list of the places you're following me et voilà! You're entered. Easy peasy lemon squeezy! 


A Merry Monday to you all.

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Can I Have Your Closet: Christopher Gambino

This is the first post in a series that are a part of a new installment on this here blog called "Can I Have Your Closet." I've been photographing and interviewing people that I know whose style I admire. It's a nice little mish-mosh of differing aesthetics, from heroin chic to J. Crew preppy. I've had oodles and noodles of fun working on this project. But I'm not done yet! No no no. I have several more people to take pictures of and talk to about their clothing. This is just the beginning.

Our first subject: Christopher Gambino. This kid is fierce. He has snakeskin print Doc Martens and creepers; he wears mostly black but makes it work; his hair is longer than mine; he has an unnaturally strong love for Allison Harvard; he watches Project Runway and loves/is freaked out by Austin Scarlett nearly as much as me...I could go on. Ever since I met him he's been super interested in my blog and therefore my go-to guy for fashion advice. He also is into musical theatre (this is essential). I'm really feeling these photograph mathematical equations right now, so here's one that I think fits Chris:

 Any other information you may need to know about Chris can be found in our little interview below.

Odelia: How would you describe your style?

Chris: Kind of like...a heroin chic internet princess.

Odelia: Who are your fashion icons and who do you admire aesthetically?

Chris: Okay. Definitely the Olsen twins, pretty much anyone from the late 90's, Molly Soda from Tumblr...I can't think of anyone else...Yeah. Oh--my mom is biggest fashion icon. 

Odelia: Where are your favorite places to shop?

Chris: Okay, um, Goodwill, Buffalo Exchange, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, um, and my dad's closet, to be honest.

Odelia: If you could own one item right now that you don't have, what would it be? Like, a fashion-related item.

Chris: Um...Huh. Probably like, a really intense studded leather jacket.

Odelia: Alright. Interesting stuff. Would you say that fashion is a big focus in your life?

Chris: I mean...I don't wanna look bad, so, yeah.  

Now how cute is he?

Snakeskin Doc Martens. Enough said.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing and hearing about Chris's fabulous style from the boy himself. There is more to come.

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