I photographed Ariel last week while I was running errands downtown. Her blazer instantly caught my eye because, well, I own the same exact one! Last fall H&M made what could have been labeled a “capsule collection” of 5 pieces using this brocade fabric. The pieces were obviously “inspired by” the Balmain suit. Although I am staunchly against replicas (and there is a difference), I think it’s ok for mass-market retailers to water down designs for the masses. After all, any woman who can afford a $40,000 Balmain suit isn’t going to say to herself, “well, now that H&M makes a knock-off, maybe I shouldn’t spend the extra $39,940” and purchase the H&M version instead. If anything, I saw so many premier fashion designers copying from each other’s past collections during the Spring 2012 RTW shows that no one in fashion can say with a straight face that the industry isn’t built upon recycling ideas. How do you think
trends get started?
Morgan is one of my favorite people to run into on the streets because she is always rocking her signature look, all black and crimson red lips. Add in an iconic leather jacket, black suede moon boots (like the ones Acne perfected a few seasons ago), and a sheer chiffon top with just the right amount of skin exposed, and you have yet another style slam dunk from Morgan.
When I photographed Morgan a while back (ignore the terrible watermarks) I wasn’t yet comfortable wearing red lipstick, and I have to admit that she was a big influence on pushing me out of my comfort zone and into the tribe of red lipstick wearers. People often ask me who my primary style inspiration is, expecting me to say Kate Lanphear or another stylish magazine editor whose outfits are chronicled by us bloggers. But honestly, and I truly mean this, my primary source of outfit inspiration is from the everyday people I photograph for my blog. I’m not a magazine editor with free access to a closet full of advertisers’ latest “it” bags/shoes/dresses, I’m a grad student at DePaul. I connect with the people in my photos, and I hope you do too.
Mike’s enthralling leather jacket was customized entirely on his own. Hand-applied studs, paint, buttons, and leopard-print fabric compliment each other flawlessly. This is exactly the type of individual I look for on the streets, someone with that special aura of individuality and the courage to be themselves.
