Easter Ease

Easing back into blogging, assuming it was ever even a habit, with some Instagram outfit posts shot en route to an Easter celebration.

bird print blouse, zara.
skirt, ann taylor loft from a million seasons ago.
shoes, michael kors.
bag, gucci.
daffodils, courtesy of mother nature.

Asymmetrical in Foggy Bottom

Asymmetrical hem dress. A bit party in the front, business in the back, and alleviates the possibility of any accidental moonings; thus perfect for gallavanting on a windy rooftop in DC.  The closest thing in comfort to wearing your pajamas while having drinks with friends.

Peonies

  

My mother knows an elderly Chinese couple who, as retirees and hobby horticulturists, grow thousands of peonies in their garden and sell them to local flower shops.  Saturday morning, I had the opportunity to check out said garden. Never had I seen so many peonies all in one place!  The sight was truly impressive.

Similar to many women, the peony is my favorite flower.  I recently learned that peonies are native to China, and the fourth lunar month of the traditional calendar is known as the Moon of the Peony. That month happens to be my birth month, May, which may somewhat account for my partiality toward the flower.

My sister and I enjoyed the beautiful scenery, snapped pictures of everything that caught our awe-struck eyes, and we were lucky enough to assemble a few bouquets of our own.  My bouquet is now the focal point of my living room, and much to my boyfriend's annoyance, I squeal with girlish delight every time I see it. :)
What's your favorite flower?

Bec & Bridge Spring/Summer 2011/12

Australia's Spring/Summer 2011/2012 collections were just debuted, and the design duo at Bec and Bridge have set my heart aflutter. Becky Cooper and Bridget Yorston, the women behind the Sydney-based label, created what is, in my opinion, the perfect summer print. Colorful, but soothingly so. Floral, but abstract at the same time.  It flatters all skin tones, and can be worn with virtually any color shoe/accessory. And for my vacation to the Dalmatian Coast this summer, I can think of nothing I'd like to wear more. How wonderful and easy it would be to don the same gorgeous print, fantastically mastered into a different silhouette, each day.

Outdoor inspiration

 

 Day and night, I just want to be outside.

Derek Lam Runway Show

A few days ago, I strutted my stuff for Derek Lam. As a model, this was a HUGE achievement for me.

Since he emerged onto the fashion scene, I have been a fan of the Derek Lam aesthetic. Lam started out working as an assistant for Michael Kors, and was eventually appointed Vice President of Design for the Kors line. Lam launched his own label in 2003 and debuted his first collection at New York Fashion Week. In 2005, he won the coveted CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America, headed by Diane Von Furstenberg) Emerging Talent Award for Ready-to-Wear, joining the ranks of many other talented designers including John Varvatos, Rick Owens, and Zac Posen.



Spring 2011 Abstract Snakeskin Printed
Organdy with Raffia Dress

When my agency first contacted me about the casting, I was both shocked and thrilled to see such a huge name in contemporary American fashion coming to present his Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear collection, and in DC, no less! This kind of thing rarely happens here! I attended the casting, hoping, praying, and crossing my fingers to be chosen. Tony, the casting director for Derek Lam, turned out to be really cool and nice (and a fellow half asian- SCORE!), which put my mind at ease.  He had me try on a dress from the Spring 2011 RTW collection, and give him a sample of my runway walk. I left feeling anxious and excited, though very unsure of the outcome.

A few days later, I received the good news in an email from my agency's runway booker-        "Congratulations! You've been selected for Derek Lam."
And my reaction was pretty much as follows: 
        "Yipeeeeeee!!!!!!" *cartwheel* *cabbage patch dance*
I scrambled to tell my boyfriend, sister, and other close friends who also had their fingers crossed for me. I know they were all doing the cabbage patch dance for me, too.

The show, held at the Ritz Carlton on 22nd street in Washington, DC, was part of the First Annual Great Ladies Luncheon, an inaugural Gala Luncheon and Fashion Show to benefit the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. I was very happy to learn that 100% of the luncheon proceeds went directly to fund innovative drug research for Alzheimer’s, a cause that's dear to my heart.

And the clothes. Ohhhhhh, the clothes. and the shoes. and the purses. Absolutely to die for. The craftsmanship of the garments and quality of the fabrics were stunning.  In the show, I donned two fur coats: one alpaca, the other, shearling.

Lam describes his collection as such: “It really touches on a femininity that is grown up and very self-aware. It is competent, not an ingénue, intelligent but not overly intellectual, more emotional. The collection has a modern point of view, but always looks to the past.” Well said, Mr. Lam.

He gave me a big grin as I was making my way onto the catwalk in my first outfit. I goofily smiled back, and headed out with confidence and assurance.

 

Some backstage images from the event:

{The ballroom set up for the luncheon}



{Tony, giving us directions backstage}



{The Look Board, up close}



{my looks}



My other favorite looks from this collection as showcased in New York Fashion Week:

{black pebbled leather and laundered technical poplin gown}

{tarp green, smoke, and indigo silk rayon technical twill jumpsuit}



{indigo and black silk rayon technical twill shirt, chintz tweed trouser}



{olive melange wool blanket stripe felt cape jacket with leather trim, olive cashmere turtleneck, black stretch leather trouser}

 


{all the garments, back on the rack}


Images from the actual runway show have not yet surfaced, but I will be sure to post them as I receive them!

When life gives you potholes...

Projet Nid de Poule

Juliana Santacruz Herrera is an artist who walks around the streets of Paris and patches up the cracks with braids of yarn in vibrant colors. 


Pothole Gardens

"If we planted one of those in every hole, it would be like a forest in the road."

Similarly, Pete Dungey is an artist who plants charming little gardens in the potholes of dilapidated British roads.


Both artists take a common annoyance from day-to-day life and add their own unexpected, whimsical, and beautiful touch.

I kind of love this.