The Art of Deco

To me, Art Deco is like a fantastic wine; it is the perfect blend of fashion with architecture and design and encompasses all of my visual art passions.

According to Wikipedia, Led by the best designers in the decorative arts such as fashion, and interior design, Art Deco affected all areas of design throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including architecture and industrial design, as well as the visual arts such as painting, the graphic arts and film. At the time, this style was seen as elegant, glamorous, functional and modern.It  could also be described as a movement of sorts. A rebelling from designing with political or philosophical roots. It was simply about design. Nothing more, nothing less.

It was the soul of the 1920’s and 30’s and  served as the foundation for design movements that emerged throughout the past 80 years. The “art deco aesthetic” is primarily found in fashion, architecture, art and typography but its influences can still be found in modern design.

Luella says…That building matches my dress.

What era of design do you love?

Related Articles

• Five places where Art Deco lives on (sfgate.com)
• Old-School, Art-Deco And Oh So Cool (wired.com)
• 1930 Art Deco Henderson (carpediemclub.wordpress.com)

Through the Lens. Sølve Sundsbø

I love Scandinavia. As you know, my family comes from Sweden and I worked for a Danish company for 8 years and so I have been immersed to say the least.

Now for a little bit of Norway.  Sølve Sundsbø was born in 1970 and garnered an interest in photography in his early twenties by enrolling in the London College of Printing. Once there he answered an ad for Nick Knight who was looking for an assistant and alas his career began.

According to Ykone online, “He concentrates on volume, lines and graphics and alters his images with superimpositions, use of filters and transparency, creating truly remarkable pictures.”

“If I’ve got a style,” says Sundsbo, “it’s that I’ve got no style.”

I personally love the visual spectrum he lives in. While many photographers work in a streamlined aesthetic he embraces the varied sources of light, textures and manipulations. He vividly captures light and emotion.

Luella says…And the Series Continues.

(all photos SOURCED at artandcommerce.com)

To be able to see the world through the scope of a photographic lens must be very powerful. What you see is not always what you got. The artistry is making people believe there is not a difference.

Related Articles

• Artful Designer Tribute Videos – Nick Knight’s Imaginative Video Honors Alexander McQueen (VIDEO) (trendhunter.com)
• “To Lee, With Love, Nick – A Tribute to Alexander McQueen By Nick Knight (Music by Björk)” and related posts (hypebeast.com)

Through the Lens – Paolo Roversi

One of the things I  love the most about my blog is the research I get to do each day in preparation for my content. I love being able to learn as I go and immerse myself in areas I never knew much about before. One of those areas is definitely photography.

As you know from earlier posts, I have loved editorials and fashion photo shoots ever since I was small. From the grandeur of the poses, to the artistry of the clothing, to the beauty of the landscape locations; they simply speak to me.After a bit of thought, I decided I needed to create an outlet and launched Luella’s Visual Industry on Tumblr. It is an archive of fashion photos, paintings and pictures I wish I had shot, created, styled or photographed myself.

In doing my research for Luella’s Visual Industry, I stumbled upon a group of photographers I think are a large step above the masses. I already detailed Steven Meisel and have a bunch on the horizon but today I present Paolo Roversi. Paolo Roversi is an Italian-born fashion photographer who currently lives and works in Paris. Born in Ravenna in 1947, Paolo Roversi’s interest in photography was kindled as a teenager during a family vacation to Spain in 1964. Paolo Roversi’s trademark 8 x 10” Polaroid format and very long exposures have a romantic and ethereal quality. His favourite lighting is window light or a Mag Flashlight to light his models.

According to A BLOG CURATED BY, “As a quiet force in photography for over 25 years, Paolo Roversi has firmly grounded his softly organic and profoundly intimate work within the more avantgarde circles of fashion. Over the years, Roversi has helped define the aesthetics of many key players who manage to sit just under the global commercial and celebrity radar, those intelligent labels from Romeo Gigli to Undercover and Yohji Yamamoto. Accompanying this inclination for the darker side of the industry, Roversi has held his fascination in the faces of muses such Stella Tennant and Kirsten Owen – protean beauties whose faces have stood the test of time.”

Luella says…Representing the Dark Side.

(All images sourced from PAOLOROVERSI.COM)

His photographs represent haunted hopefullness.

Where this is darkness, there is light.

Related Articles

• Lens: Finding Inspiration with The Sartorialist (lens.blogs.nytimes.com)
• ‘My anger’: Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto opens up about losing his father and his rage at fashion’s frivolities (independent.co.uk)

All Hail the Queen.

So I consider myself to NOT be a star struck person. I won’t chase after you, or interrupt your dinner to ask for an autograph or accost you and take your photo; you’re human just like the rest of us and want your privacy.

I live in Southern California, the metropolis for celebrities and so maybe I am just used to it. Part of it though is I really don’t care. Not to be harsh but if I love you, I will be loyal by buying your records, watching your shows or movies and potentially even praising you on my blog or amongst my friends.

I think in general our generation, (yes us 20-30 year olds), spend too much time idolizing the few who become famous. What is fame really? I wonder what those who have lived it would say?Maybe we learned to cope with the state of the world through the escapism of Perez Hilton and US WEEKLY to name a few. (I am guilty as well) It deters us from the focus and scary reality of our economy, our planet’s health and the war and potential for more on the horizon.Yet, with the news that Kate Middleton & Prince William are engaged and getting ready to marry, it seems as though my newfound restraint against needing to know everything in the celebrity world,  has gone out the window. I can’t seem to get enough of this story and feel profoundly happy for them.I don’t know her and never will but she has a good energy about her. She is naturally beautiful and comes from a great family and is in all intents and purposes; normal. I love it. It is about time something modern happened to the monarchy.

Unlike the royal weddings of the past, this one has the chance to be less pomp and circumstance and more just two people in love wanting to simply get married. One has to wonder if Princess Diana didn’t have a hand in this, as it seems like the perfect ending she would have scripted and wanted for her William.So now on to the fashion side of things. As every girl who gets married knows, the dress is one of the key elements. Once you find “the one” everything else to seems to fall in place.

Every designer in the world is now clamoring for the chance to dress Kate on her wedding day. Women’s Wear Daily asked a group of designers to submit sketches to them of their “royal wedding dress” visions for Kate. (Scroll through the choices below.) Regardless of what direction she goes in, it will be a hard decision for her and one that will be scrutinized for years to come. Ultimately it is her day and she needs to wear what makes her feel beautiful and comfortable.

What a spectacle this will be for the world to watch!!

Luella says…Here Comes the Princess Bride.

Alberta Ferretti

Gucci

J. Mendel

Lela Rose

Rachel Roy

J. Crew

Prabal Gurung

Kimberly Ovitz

ValentinoTommy Hillfiger

Chris Benz

Reem Acra

Rebecca Taylor

Nina Ricci

Nicole Miller

Nanette Lepore

Yigal Azrouel

Monique Lhuillier

Missoni

Lyn Devon

Karl Lagerfeld

Jason Wu

Elizabeth Emanuel

Doori

Chado Ralph Rucci

Badgley Mischka

Christian Lacroix

Vera Wang

Which dress would you choose for her to wear? Or if you are artistically inclined, sketch one of your own.

Remember what I always say, think big, live big.

Related Articles

• Prince William and Kate Middleton engagement: Royal Family faces paying for wedding (mirror.co.uk)
• Is Kate Middleton The Next Diana? (socyberty.com)
• Royal wedding: Kate Middleton’s dress will be designed by Bruce Oldfield, claims Ben de Lisi (telegraph.co.uk)
• Designers Fight to Dress Kate (foxnews.com)

Closet Construction.

Making a list for Christmas is really no different from what I go through every season when Fashion Week rears its gorgeous head.

I delightfully go to Style.com and watch the slide show images of each designer I covet and make mental and yes literal notes of what I would choose and fill my closet with.

A girl can dream right?On a side note, for this Holiday season if your budget is tight, find things you would love to buy for your loved ones and wrap them as promises for when times are not as tough. The thoughtfulness is the same whether it is physically there or not and it gives you a goal and the receiver something to look forward to.

Christmas in (fill in the month) perhaps?

Back to the point, I am compiling a style collage for my work with Kimberly Ovitz, an amazing designer that if you don’t know you need to and thus began my “LOVE list” for the Ready-to-Wear Spring 2011 collections.

If money were no object, I would construct a closet and fill it with these styles and then add to it for each new season from now till forever.

(Like KOD on Facebook)

So while I sit here staring out the window at a very dreary and cold day, my thoughts go to Springtime when the world warms up and our closets turn over and welcome back some color.

This is a list of my favorite styles coming hopefully to a boutique near you for Spring 2011. (February/March delivery.) Remember these choices are not necessarily my favorite designers but merely my Musts & Loves.

Luella says…Runway to Reality?

(all photos SOURCED from: www.style.com)

Designer: Vionnet

Designer: Miu Miu

Designer: Chloe

Designer: Rag & Bone

Designer: Ports 1961

Designer: Marchesa

Designer: YSL

Designer: Lanvin

Designer: Jill Stuart

Designer: Alberta Ferretti

Designer: Willow

Designer: Kimberly Ovitz

Designer: Preen

Designer: Diane Von Furstenberg

Designer: Alexander Wang

Designer: Donna Karan

Designer: Collette Dinnigan

Designer: Phillip Lim

Which style is your favorite? What personal projects do you love to do during the year?

I actually would love to know what you think , so VOTE in the comments section below.

Related Articles

• Japanese Vogue editor: fashion rogue (guardian.co.uk)
• Yigal Azrouël Is Paris Bound (style.com)
• Fashion is Never Bottomless (vivanista.com)

Glitter, Sparkle & Shine.

‘Tis the season to break out your sequins and sparkles.

I love Christmastime for a lot of reasons but one is most definitely the ability to wear whatever you feel in the name of the season. Holiday parties are in full swing and rules that normally apply to the rest of the year; come December, don’t.

The Holidays bring about a chance for everyone to express themselves and I say the bolder, sparklier and brighter the better!

There are some basic rules to follow though when going for as I like to call it, “Sparkle Chic.”

1. Go for rich earth tones. (Navy, Emerald, Gold, Brown, Black, Gray & Cream)

2. Choose to wear it as an accent piece and make sure to pair it with something matte.

3. Don’t wear more than one item per outfit. (SEQUIN & SPARKLE OVERLOAD) Keep it subtle.

4. There is a huge disparity between hand sewn and machine sewn sequins. The latter is much more affordable but if you can, go for the hand sewn, the quality is better and the look is much richer.

5. Make sure to launder it appropriately and wear it with care. Sequins are expensive and difficult to repair.

So now that you know the rules(-ish), I ask you to go to the back of your closet and pull out the items you think are over the top. Try them on, take a strut around your bedroom and rethink your notion that you wouldn’t dare.

Fashion risks are always explainable and who doesn’t want to glisten anyway?

Luella says…Go Glitter.

What do you love to pull out of your closet and wear during the Holiday party season?

Take a photo as you are on your way out the door and let me see your style!!

Related Articles

• Tis the Season for Sequins (theitlists.com)
• All that glitters: Winter wardrobe sparkle (independent.co.uk)
• Zoya Glitter Nail Polish – Zoya Ultra Glitters! (zoyanailpolish.blogspot.com)
• 10 Holiday Season Dresses For Under $100 (hellobeautiful.com)

A Winter Weather Staple.

It is 15 degrees back home today. I am lucky I only have to write about it and not actually try to maintain my life while living in it. With that said, there are ways in which to keep yourself warm and maintain your style integrity. One of the best solutions and a main staple of my Winter wardrobe is the scarf.

I used to work for Kate Kanyon Cashmere and was gifted a bunch of wraps and scarves. Ever since, I have literally lived, traveled and snuggled with one almost year round.

The scarf is  a double purpose pleasure in that it keeps you warm and adds the perfect finishing touch to your outfit no matter the season. When choosing a color, go for primary pop. Peacock blue, Emerald Green, Hermes Orange, Optic White, Black, Marigold & Grey.

Cashmere is my favorite but cotton and wool blends will do the trick as well. The larger the better. Realize when you travel if you have a large scarf (28 inches  by 86 inches or so) you can use it as a personal blanket as well. I do and it has served as the perfect travel companion.

Luella says…Wrap up for the Winter.

Fashion is truly a visual signature. Spice it up this Winter with a scarf.

 

Related Articles

• Make it a wrap (thestar.com)
• Harpers Bazaar: 20 Timeless Winter Staples (harpersbazaar.com)
• You: Fabrics Even Finer Than Cashmere (newsweek.com)

You Will Always Have Paris.

In February of 2005, I went to Paris to work Fashion Week at the WHO’S NEXT show. I had studied French from 7th grade through college so I was beyond ecstatic to be able to travel to the City of Light.

Most of my time was spent at Le Porte de Versailles where the shows were being held but I did venture out to see La Tour Eiffel, Brasserie Lipp, Café de Flore, Sacré-Coeur, La Seine & Notre Dame to name a few. To be honest, my favorite part was a two hour stroll looking for a specific restaurant I could never find. Paris was the most peaceful city I have ever visited. So still and quiet yet so rich in culture.

I can still remember thinking how lucky I was to be a relatively small town girl, working for a Danish fashion designer flying on business from Copenhagen to Paris. Good times, great memories.

Paris was perfect, or parfait as they say en Français.

I woke up each morning, grabbed le petit déjeuner on my way to the Métro, worked the show and then finished the evening eating oysters from Provence and drinking delicious wine I will never remember the name of.

In retrospect,  I would have loved to JUST be a tourist but I got the opportunity to live the culture  instead of just visit it. For that, I will be eternally grateful.

Below are some amazing vintage Parisian finds from Etsy meant to remind you of one of the most amazing cities in the world.

Luella says…Paris, Je t’aime.

Gorgeous linen backed Art Deco ORIGINAL 1921 ad for the Au Printemps store in Paris

Fabulous Antique Ornate French Pier Mirror Gesso Carvings

Vintage Handmade Heirloom clay tea set

Antique DAHER TIN PLATE

Romantic Country French Antique Sofa With Carvings 1900’s France

Vintage French Continental Princess rotary phone

Large French Silver Metal Swag Brooch Signed

Muslin Ribbon – French Flourish

Antique Silver Tray Oval French Chic

Antique French Carved Bergere Chair

Hand Picked French Lavender (lavande)

Vintage French Carved Hand Painted Chest With Marble Top Paris Chic

Paris Opera Glasses

Crystal Light Bulb Cover

If you haven’t been to Paris, save up your pennies and go.

It truly is a season-less city. Paris in the Summer or Paris in the Winter doesn’t detract from all its splendor.

Related Articles

• 5 Things to do After You’ve Seen Everything Else in Paris (travelinsurance.org)
• Paris, eternally Paris – Paris, France (travelpod.com)
• Paris Fashion Week Street Style (PHOTOS, POLL) (huffingtonpost.com)

Sofia, Charlotte, Vogue & 1974.

Similar to my Marilyn photo, I have had this Sofia Coppola for VOGUE article on Charlotte Rampling being “The Sexiest Woman in the World 1974″ on my vision board since October of 2003. I love Sofia’s description of her journey and relate to her visual obsession of photographs.

(Read abridged article below)

I Wanna Be Like You by Sofia Coppola from Vogue, Oct 2003

Sofia Coppola grew up pasting pictures of the sultry heroines of seventies magazines to her bedroom wall in California.

Helmut Newton’s portrait of Charlotte Rampling from the seventies is one of my favorite photographs of all time. When I was a kid growing up in the country, magazines were so important to me. I would get The Face and Vogue and French Vogue – they were my link to the rest of the world. And although my parents took us all over when they traveled, high school in Napa was far away from the sophistication and glamour I saw in the pages of those magazines.

Like most teenage girls, I covered my walls with the pictures I tore out of them. I think when you’re younger you look at women and pictures of women to define who you want to grow up to be, and they make a deep impression on you. I always loved images of Tina Chow, Paloma Picasso, and Anjelica Huston. I remember I met Anjelica when I was fourteen. She told me I would grow into my nose, which I appreciated.

The image of Charlotte Rampling sitting naked on a table seemed to me the ultimate portrait of a woman. I like photos that have a story to them. This picture could almost be a still from a film: it makes me think about what just happened and what will happen next. There’s something going on between her and the photographer, the way he’s looking at her and she’s looking back at him. She’s so striking and cool, and you can tell she’s smart. Who doesn’t want to be that?

The seventies seemed like such a glamorous time. It was before sportswear became normal; women didn’t wear sneakers. There was a romance and a decadence to the way those women looked that I found very appealing. I remember being impressed by the French actress Aurore Clément, who was married to my dad’s production designer Dean Tavoularis and was a friend of the family’s. I think she even posed for Helmut Newton when she was younger, and she epitomized a certain kind of sophisticated French beauty. She would wear Yves Saint Laurent – not the super-sexy slash-necked looks but silk pleated skirts with a little blouse and round, flat shoes. She was very chic.

I began collecting fashion photography, encouraged by my mother. She gave me a William Klein photo of a woman smoking with roses on her hat, and another of a model on a Paris street. I still collect photos and art, and I love it. Some of my favorite pieces are by Philip-Lorca diCorsia, Richard Prince, Takashi Homma, Larry Sultan, Elizabeth Peyton. Just the other day I bought a Bob Richardson piece I love of a model on a beach with a tear in her eye. I tried to buy the Rampling photo a few years ago, but it was so expensive!

When I’m working on a film project, I put together books of visual references in a certain mood, even if I have no idea how they’ll relate to the final product. I still love looking at magazines and tearing pages out, and I still have the Charlotte Rampling picture on my wall.

The photo and article inspired me to go back in time and seek out some of the beauty, film and fashion icons of the decades before I was born.

Luella says…I Wanna Be Like Them.

Charlotte Rampling

Catherine Deneuve

Grace Jones

Twiggy

Jane Birkin

Sofia Loren

Mia Farrow

Brigitte Bardot

Edie Sedgwick

Lauren Hutton

What inspires you? What do you tear out of magazines or bookmark in your google reader?

Figure it out and stock up.

PS. Don’t forget to check out Sofia Coppola’s new movie SOMEWHERE coming out December 22nd. It won the top prize at the 2010 Venice Film Festival.

Related Articles

• Helmut Newton: Images & Biography (brighthub.com)
• NEVER LET ME GO: A Review (timesunion.com)
• Look of the Day – Sofia Coppola (stylelist.com)
• Early Buzz: Sofia Coppola’s ‘Somewhere’ (slashfilm.com)

The British are Coming.

Actually they already landed on our shores a couple of weeks ago.

ASOS.COM, an amazing British webshop has finally launched distribution in America! This means NO MORE expensive shipping and a long wait for the products to arrive. Not to mention a much easier policy for Returns.

As a welcome present to its shoppers, ASOS.com is also offering FREE SHIPPING and FREE RETURNS on all items.

What is ASOS you ask?

“ASOS.com, (As Seen on Screen) was established in June of 2000. It is the UK’s largest independent online fashion and beauty retailer. With over 35,000 branded and house label products available and over 1500 new lines added each week, ASOS.com is rapidly becoming the market leader in the UK online fashion world.”

It literally has something for everyone and offers a range of Designer to Bargain prices.

Take advantage of this for your holiday shopping list, as well as a couple of items for yourself. Yes, you deserve it.

Luella says…Three for You, One for Me.

 

 

If you make a purchase, Luella wants to see it. Send me a photo and you will become the story for an upcoming post.

Can I have a cup of tea with that please?

Related Articles

• Asos Launches US Website (shoppingblog.com)
• Fashion website continues to defy market gravity (independent.co.uk)
• Why British retailers will boldly go where they have already been (telegraph.co.uk)