Bundle Up

TUESDAY ACCESSORY
Recommendation: Lavanya, TREND Writer

With the cold breezes coming in, it's time for the knits to come out! And no, the shivers you got after your professor passed out the midterm isn't what we're talking about! It's that cold in the morning with the marine layer hovering up above or that stale cold when night falls upon the city.

Sweaters are a great way to keep warm while preventing the bulk of heavy jackets and coats. These hybrid, wrap around sweaters can come in assortment of colors. Their draping characteristic adds an air of elegance thus making them highly effective accessories.

Boots, canvas shoes, and even heels compliment these cardigans well and can help alter the level of sophistication you're aiming for in your outfit. Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and modcloth have really nice selections.

Coco Chanel

Less Than Six Degrees of Seperation

Last week I mentioned that I watched Coco & Igor.

Afterwards I was excited to interview my dear friend Sheila from Birmingham, England about Coco. I did a post on Sheila last year and mentioned she was once technically employed by Coco Chanel!

Sheila resided in the home of Coco's niece, Gabrielle, to look after Coco's great-nephew. She was paid a good salary, far better than many of her other friend's in Paris at the time (though the movie portrayed Coco being tight with employee's salaries). Even though Sheila had a once-in-a-lifetime opportuntity, she claimed it was very difficult working for the family, mainly because she slept in the nursery room on the third floor with the little boy, had no time to herself, and was only allowed off 24 hours per week. She was advised by another caregiver to find a friend to stay with in Paris for that night, because if Gabrielle saw that she were still there she may expect her to work that day anyway. So Sheila would leave the residence from 8:00pm until 8:00pm the next night. Sheila also recalled tension in the marriage, which made things a little uncomfortable.

It was Coco's & Gabrielle's wish that the children learn to speak English, which is how Sheila got the position. She answered an advertisement in Lady Magazine requesting an English speaking nanny. She was chosen out of 60 applicants and thus moved to Paris. She recalls, "big bottles of silver-topped perfumes of Chanel No. 5 in the bathroom", and said that "Coco smoked like a chimney". Both Gabrielle and Coco's favorite flowers were white gardenias.

I have seen both: Coco Before Chanel and now Coco & Igor. I must say while I admire Coco's independence, her fashion success, and her acheivement on being one of The Top 100 Most Influential People of the Century, the latter movie didn't shed the best light on Coco, as she had an affair with Igor, a married man. Coco invited him, his wife, and children to stay at her home so he could work on his music, where their affair began directly under his wife's nose. When Igor's wife asked Coco if she felt guilty about what she was doing, Coco responded her with a flat, "No".

However, for those of you who have seen both movies, may be able to understand that Coco's life 'literally' before Chanel, was not the easiest, and probably explains why she did the things she did, her lack of interest in marriage, and her determination to end up successfully independent. Still, saying she was a fashion icon is an understatement, she changed history in fashion.

Opinions?

KICK START 2011 WITH KOBI LEVI

I am back on the page of Madam Alexandra E!  After weeks of procrastinating and going into a fashion hibernation.... I dare to admit, but every now again, we succumb to the need to simply 'unstyle' our yearnings.. xo without offending the industry itself xox.

I received some lovely images from our dear friend on the other side of the world, Kobi Levi, artist extraordinaire!  Last year he evoked powerful thought, love, laughter and humour through his amazing shoe creations.

This year like many other creative artists, Kobi Levi has begun "his" 2011 with the continuance of independent creative flare.  He has exclusively released a select few images of his current creations, each one continueing to depict life in the form of  a 'shoe'.

Combining every woman's love of shoes with the story of life.. ..xoxo.

Enjoy.


Madam Alexandra E. (K)

Collette Wylie: Up and Coming Model

Special Feature
By: Bridgett, TREND Staff Writer
Collette Wylie, 15, started modeling when she was 13 and has already produced photos that are used in well known stores such Charlotte Russe and Kohl's. Collette resides in my small hometown in Northern California, and she is a down to earth, all-around American girl.

Following a small sample of her diverse portfolio, there is a brief Q&A session I had with the up and coming young model.





Q: When did you first think "I'd like to model"?

A: I was 13 and in Jamba Juice with my dad and this woman came up to me and said, "You should be a model, you are so pretty!" She seemed genuine about it so I just thought..."maybe."

Q: How did you get started?

A: My mom went on the internet and surfed through some local agencies. But she has a real skill for filtering out the scammers. Never, under any circumstance, PAY for anything in the beginning unless it's a vital test shoot to start your portfolio.

Q: How does it feel to see your pictures at the stores (Kohl's)?

A: It's pretty flattering! I'm usually not the one that sees them first. Some classmates will call me and say, "Oh my gosh! You're at Kohls(Claires/Charlotte Russe,etc.)! It's pretty awesome!

Q: Do many people know that you model (at your school)?

A: I think just about everybody does! Only because my pictures are at local department stores and also I'll sometimes post a modeling shot as my profile picture on facebook. Or sometimes people will just ask.

Q: What was your first shoot?

A: My first shoot was Nuskin. It was in Malibu at this multi-million dollar beach house. I met some really nice models that were much older than I was at the time. That was a great push in the right direction and it gave me lots of confidence.

Q: How long do you plan on modeling and who are you signed with?

A: I'm signed with Ford Models INC. in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York when I turn 16. I plan to model as long as possible! But I will definitely put it aside during college. Education is always first.

Q: What do you eventually want to be (estimate) when you finish college or whatever you want to do?

I want to do something with animals whether it's biology, conservation, medicine, etc. My dream is to be the female version of Jeff Corwin and have my own informative show once a week where I travel and talk about wildlife and conservation. Hopefully the modeling money will help out with getting it kicked off!

Anthropologie-Inspired Photo Shoot

Fashion Friday

Last weekend we did some shooting, and finally everything just came together.

The relationship between model and photographer finally clicked.

Our communication improved leaps and bounds, me as director, his listening, and finally I relaxed in front of the camera.

Plus the lighting was perfect!

We have the best set in our backyard, a torn down golf course,

and a beautiful golf course right next to the other.

Did you know I can fly?!

Jade Peasant Top ANTHROPOLOGIE

Cream Knicker Shorts ANTHROPOLOGIE

Boots NINE WEST

Necklace CHARLOTTE RUSSE

Bracelet CHARLOTTE RUSSE

Tights CHARLOTTE RUSSE

Bag GUESS

Wondering how our holiday shoot went? See here.

Happy Friday!

"Freaky Girl"

FRIDAY MUSE
Recommendation: Monica, TREND Staff Writer

Nicki Minaj was recently on the cover of V Magazine for the Spring 2011 issue and she definitely showed off her eccentric and daring style. The photoshoot features Nicki in a variety of unique, statement clothing which presents her fierce nature. She wears colorful, tribal-esque body paint while dressed in a brightly printed Versace dress that hugs her bodacious curves (top). She also rocks the Azzedine Alaïa booties with an Emilio Pucci bodysuit while donning her signature pink lipstick (bottom).

Nicki has always been known for her fearless attitude and powerful persona as a woman. She is all about individualizing herself and does not let anyone create her or dress her for the matter. Also, according to her Twitter, Nicki stated "It's safe to say my cover shoot in V Magazine is dedicated to my gays and fashionistas. My most bad ass shoot to date."

She says that great fashion sense should always be "cooky or weird". She emphasizes that one should not be normal when it comes to fashion in order to be seen as a strong and independent individual.

Nicki's fan base adored the photo shoot and loved the edginess of the character she portrayed in the photographs. While there were mixed reviews about the body paint being a bit controversial, it's safe to say that Nicki knows how to stir things up and go crazy with her sense of style!

Thalassotherapy

Fort Lauderdale Beach
Travel Thursday

For those of you who read Tuesday's post, may have thought I'd gone off the deepend. It really wasn't as bad as it sounded. Just wanted to get a post out, but had nothing inspiring or photos on my work computer. Didn't want to wait until I got home, because well I couldn't, I knew my hand would be in pain. Therein lies the real frustration, that my days are spent tied up with things I'm not so passionate about, and have not modified my schedule yet to spend my days focusing on what I feel they should be focused on.

So, I drove to the beach after work. Funny thing is, I live 1 mile west of the beach. I drive 25 miles each way to work everyday, but never make time to go to the beach. Incidentally, when I do, it's because I desperately need to hear the waves and feel the ocean air, generally when everyone else has left for the day. The sad thing is when I do go, it's usually because I'm in a bad mood or need clarity, not just because...

When I saw the moon as I drove home that sealed the deal, I HAD to go. Especially since many other people in the world are snowed in, and I have the capability to quickly change to my flipflops, so I grabbed the camera, ran back out, and headed east.

I didn't bring my tripod, as my intention was to empty my mind. Yet, I can't get away from thinking like a blogger or photographer. It was therapeutic anyway. I didn't use a flash, and was as still as I could be laying against the sandwall on my towel, but I think the blurry effect turned out kind of cool.

The moonlight glistened as the sun sank lower and lower...

Thalassotherapy- "The medical use of seawater as a form of therapy."

As defined by Wikipedia.

Happy Traveling!!