Inspiration: Romeo&Juliet

Romeo & Juliet by LoveErikaLynn featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

So, as I’ve mentioned before, I have what can only be an uhealthy obsession with polyvore.com. Right now I have about ten “outfit collages” saved, and will be posting them intermittently. This one I made using mostly vintage finds against a Roman backdrop. My inspiration is taken from Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet,the world’s most famous love story, and a personal favorite of mine.

On The Runway: Rodarte

Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy are known for their bold designs, but their 2009 designs take boldness to a whole new level. Though the color pallette may not be especially exciting, as it sticks to pale beiges, browns, dark blues and greens, each dress makes up for it with unique cuts and the pairing of very different fabrics. The overall look of the show was very futuristic, yet there was a sort of nature-like romance to it as well.

Emma Watson

| View Show | Create Your Own

Though she is best known as the bushy haired, brainy sidekick to Harry Potter in the film industry, Emma Watson (19) is quickly shedding her tomboyish image. Emma, who began filming the Harry Potter films at the tender age of 9, can now be seen gracing the covers of such magazines as Elle, Interview, and Teen Vogue. She is also the only female face of Burburry’s Autumn/Winter 2009 campaign, and a well known muse of Chanel designer Karl LAgerfeld. But that’s not all Emma is up to these days. With the release of the sixth installment of the Harry Potter films this summer she has been in the U.S for various talk shows and promotions, and has been accepted to an as-of-yet unamed U.S Ivy League school (Rumor has it she will be attending Brown).
Despite the fact that the Harry Potter series is quickly coming to a close, it is quite clear that this won’t be the last we see of Ms. Watson.

London Vintage

I am in love: It’s a website called polyvore.com
What is it, you ask? It’s an amazing site with thousands of pictures from clothings and shoes to makeup to furniture and photographs. What you do is make a collage, and then post it to your blog or website or wherever you wish. It’s super easy, great fun and completely addicting. This is a copy of my first collage: I went for a London vibe (Because as anyone who knows me knows, I’m an English girl at heart). The collage features an adorable gray sweatshirt from Topshop, daring vintage ankle boots, destroyed black skinny jeans, and the always-classic Chanel purse and lipstick, all set against the streets of London.

Vintage London by LoveErikaLynn

Not only is polyvore a great way to brainstorm ideas for outfits, it also can be used for inspiration for interior design projects and more. Needless to say, it’s not hard to guess how i’ll be spending my spare time from now on. =]

Fashion Q&A with Leila Jonsson

I was given an assignment to interview someone whose fashion sence I admired. One of the first people who came to mind was one of my closest friends, Leila. I immediately called her and asked if she would be interested, and she happily agreed.
At first we were planning on just doing a short photo shoot of her in her everyday clothes. But then came the death of Michael Jackson and we were both left heartbroken. So we decided that, since we were both really inspired by his style, we would make the photoshoot a kind of tribute to him. Below is our short interview as well as a few photos from the shoot.
The Interview:

Name: Leila Jonsson

Age: 17

Reason for interest: Creative and singular style.

Q: How would you define your style?

A: I can’t really define my fashion sense in one word because i’m influenced by so many different styles. I don’t go for a certain look because i think it’s trendy, i just wear what makes me feel good. But if i had to describe it i guess i’d say it’s a mix of hippie, bohemian and eclectic. 

Q: Who /what are your style inspirations?

A: I love how mary kate olsen dresses because she takes pieces of clothing that don’t necessarily “match” and makes them look great together. I also like vanessa hudgens and blake lively because they always look so put together in a funky, bohemian kind of way. And of course Michael Jackson. I think deep down, everyone was and is inspired by his style and always will be.

Q: What was your favorite thing about our photoshoot?

A: I loved getting dressed up in clothes that looked so much like something he (Michael Jackson) would wear, it was really fun to kind of immerse myself in his character.

Q: have you ever considered modeling as a career?

A:  I have considered modeling actually. Not recently but when i was much younger i loved being in front of the camera, dressing crazily and experimenting with makeup. I don’t think i’d ever do it now just because it’s such an insane career but if i got it handed to me i definitely wouldn’t complain.

Richard Avedon at the SFMOMA

The term rennaissance man is generally used when talking about someone who is accomplished in more than one field of art. However, it would seem that this term is appropriate when talking of photographer Richard Avedon as well, though he specialized in only one field: photography. Avedon is known across the globe for his iconic fashion photographs, whose subjects span from Twiggy to Marylin Monroe, to Bob Dylan and the Beatles.  But Avedon, who started his photography career in 1944, did not stop at fashion. He went on to explore politics and the common American in his photographs as well.

For the first time, a display of works from every aspect of Avedon’s career is on tour. The tour’s final destination- and the only exhibit in the United States- is the San Francsico Museum of Modern Art. The exhibit opened on Saturday and will run through November. <
The exhibit begins with Avedon's earliest works of fashion photography, including the famous photo of Twiggy with a mass of hair blowing in all directions. At first, the pictures are just plaine; black and white, not that intersting. but the more one stares at any given image, the more the eye catches. The movement of a dress blowing in the wind, a woman in heels caught mid-step, the innocent smiles of two gigantic elephants.

In essence:  each picture has a life, a story of it's own.

The photos move on from fashion, evolving, as America simultaneously evolved, becoming more politcal and counter-cultural. simple photographs, with starck-white backgrounds depict powerful politicians as well as the lowly common man and woman.

Avedon's amazing talent is not the only thing that makes the exhibit so compelling. The vast variety of subjects and the tasteful black and white displays make the exhibit this summer's must-see.

Return of the Military Jacket

The Beatles wore it in the sixties, pop icon Michael Jackson made it his signature in the 80’s and now it can be seen worn by such celebrities as Mischa Barton, Beyonce Knowles, Rihanna and Britney Spears.

The Military Jacket has been M.I.A. for over a decade, but is now staged for a grand comeback. There is something about these jackets, with their padded shoulders and shiny buttons that look attractive with almost any style, be it a dress, jeans and a tee, or even leather leggings. The jacket has been seen on the runways of many top designers, including Christian Lacroix, Alexander Mcqueen, and Temperly London. But the most recognizable jacket comes from French designer Balmain. 

The Balmain jacket is made of black canvas, and embellished  with crystals, making it worth over 10K. But let’s face it, most of us don’t have that kind of money to dish out for every hot jacket that comes along. So, for those of us who’s last name is not Knowles or Spears, there is still hope. Balmain has created another military masterpiece, this time of black leather. The price? Only three thousand, nine hundred on Net-A Poter.Com. And if that price is still leaving you sweating and panicky, have no fear, for Urban Outfitters also carries a selection of military jackets, all for around one hundred dollars.

It’s no secret that fashion trends often repeat themselves, and the trend of military clothing is no exception. But is this constant state of fashion rebirth the only reason for the popular jacket’s return? Probably not.

Since the death of Michael Jackson on June 25th 2009, there has been an international craze concerning things that were once associated with the great King of Pop. Had MJ died a few months ago, this would sufficiently explain why the jacket could make sudden appearances on the runways and streets again this fall. However, the trend was spotted before the singer’s death, during which time he was hard at work practicing for a set of comeback tours due to start in early July. Thus, excitement at the prospect of the King’s return could also have spurred the trend. 

Whatever the reason for the return of the military jacket, it is doubtlessly a trend that is here to stay.