Inspiration Page 53

This page is really about feminine touches... (I'm also really loving the clean mixture of the gold, silver white and blue.) I love the blue velvet jacket with it's delicate buttons. It's just screaming to be worn open over a flowery lightweight dress as much as it's begging to be paired with a simple white tank, layers of chain necklaces - throw in a beaded strand or two - and your favorite jeans. Feminine pieces are really what makes being a girl and dressing up so luxurious.
When I look over this page, I immediately go to the earrings at the bottom corner, I remember when this style of earring - namely the suspended faceted colored jewel - was everywhere. It must have been the early 2000's and though they were born of a trend I still find them just as pretty and classic as I did then. This is a perfect example of how these fashion "journals" are so helpful. Reflecting on what was inspiring to me, or simply what caught my eye years ago - really helps me understand my own style and gain a more discerning eye for new classics and good investment items.

Inspiration Pages : 71 & 72

Pages 71 &72: BEADING!! I want to live my life sparkling.
If I had my way, I would wear a beaded or sequin skirt (or pants) everyday with just a simple tank in the summer or a pullover in the winter.
Sequin can be more practical than you may think, especially in neutral tones or basics like black and navy. It's easy to dress down with the afore mentioned beater and maybe a cardigan, throw on a pair of sandals and glitter down the street looking easy and effortlessly cool. It's one of my favorite things to do. Currently I only have 3 sequin/beaded skirts, though I'm always looking for affordable (but not cheap) pieces to dress down in this manner. I actually prefer to wear them casually simply because it's more unexpected.
The little white number at the center bottom of the page is exactly what I'm always looking for. And the gowns shown here all feel so timeless to me, showing that beading and sequin (especially) can be done elegantly and not be reserved for either celebrities gowns or ice skaters costumes. Every lady should have at least one sparkling item in her wardrobe and you don't have to wait until the holidays to wear it.

Inspiration Book : Pages 33 &34

Ghosts and Witches :
Sure I could say that I'm posting these pages in  honor of Halloween, (Happy Halloween!!!) but who am I kidding. These have some of favorite things, namely creepy fashion. Not necessarily Gothic, because really, if you look at the white dress, it's not Gothic at all - but it is undeniable creepy. It has kind of a shroud look. I just love the way the sheer polka dot fabric is pulled across the stiff crisp white underneath.
As I was building this page I saw it go from just pretty uses of black lace, to a nod to the creepy and mysterious. The inclusion of the Gothic aesthetic into couture still surprises me when I see it, and I still love to be surprised by what I see.

Inspiration Book - Page 10

Page 10 : This page is all about how nature is a never ending source of inspiration. I love how the twisting of the tree creates shadows and light, and how the texture of the bark is highlighted as a result. As much of a stretch as it may seem, I relate this to the play of light on the beaded dress, (which is so beautiful and so simple).  The rustic birdcage is an excellent example of how you can maintain the integrity of the materials and yet create a whole new life for them. The regal dress at bottom left would be charming paired with the intriguing scarab earrings. The contrast of it's formality against the elegant yet undeniably raw element of the beetle...I just love to see something that could really be considered creepy  (epically if it was crawling on your walls) showcased for it's complex and beautifully intricate design courtesy of mother nature. This is also why I LOVE the little bat and jewel pendant, you almost don't notice that it's a little golden bat at first - which is just so cool. Nature never ceases to amaze.

Carnival of Molls

Pages 28 & 29 :This is all about my love of the dust bowl era, I know that seems and unfortunate time in our history  for which to express a fondness, but I do. For those of you have have seen the HBO show "Carnivale" which ran for a mere 2 seasons, you'll maybe see why I appreciate the time. This was the dawn of the gangster age as well as being a grifter breeding ground due to the desperate landscape. So you had the traveling carnivals, and the shifty mafia - which is the style marriage I have on these 2 pages. The darkness and whimsy, the conspicuous consumption and the costumes for the show... Some timeless themes were born amongst the dust.

Inspiration Book Pages 50 &51

Pages 50 &51 : I love to see costume reinterpreted as couture. Marie Antoinette will be reinvented indefinitely.

Inspiration Book pages 59 & 60

Pages: 59 and 60.
These pages are really more about color, and how the color is used. When I was little purple was my favorite color. I thought I had grown out of it yet I can see myself drawn back to the dusty purples, especially when combined with deep pinks and dark cranberry colors. I also love how lavender can be mixed with dark plum to achieve such a dynamic result.