Tatiana Supports the Arts » fashion

Monday Inspiration: We the People

tatiana — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:50:05 +0000

I don’t know about you, but here in San Francisco it’s getting a little warmer, pale girls like me are getting a little more color, and lots and lots of festivals are coming up which can only mean one thing – it’s time to revamp my dreary winter wardrobe.

I’ve always been a bargain hunter when it comes to clothing considering I can take a skirt that I got for free in a clothing swap and turn it into something like this (clicky clicky). But one of my favorite things to do aside from flipping through magazines to get inspiration for my creations is looking through style blogs and saving my favorite looks in an “inspiration” folder. How do you get inspired?

One of my favorite style photography blogs is We the People, who are based in Australia… who, in my opinion, is a country that has impeccable style. Well, at least according to this blog, and Oyster magazine which I fell in love with in high school.

Sometimes they shoot runway shows, which is fine, but my favorite posts are of what real people are wearing on the street. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to scour through my local thrift stores (viva la Mission!) and start finding/creating bright, fun pieces to add to my wardrobe. Happy Monday, everyone!

Wanted: Panama Hats*

tatiana — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:28:49 +0000

As I’ve been referring to in my past few posts, this weekend I was in So Cal visiting my family. The summer season that I’ve so desperately been craving was in full effect on Sunday at the Long Beach Antique Market… this was an outdoor market. Looking around I saw a lot of floppy hats and I decided that I need one, and the sunburn I now have agrees with this. I think if I had been wearing the hat above, my sunburn could have been avoided… and these hats are just really cute.

This hat, the Panama Belmont, would be perfect for those nights when my hair won’t cooperate, but a beanie would be inappropriate. A dressier sort of hat, has kind of a pop-star feel but could still be dressed down with a sun dress and flip flops. Also, HEY! blocking the harmful sun from scorching my poor forehead.

These hats are 100% authentic and made in Ecuador. If you’d like to learn more or peruse the different styles, visit the Panama Hats website http://www.1001panamahats.com/.

* This is a sponsored post. My views/opinions about this product are 100% genuine. But remember, this post is based on my opinion, not facts based on science.

Regional Style: Locals vs. Tourists

tatiana — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:36:19 +0000

A coworker of mine was telling me a story about his weekend. He was out in San Francisco riding one of our iconic cable cars with a friend of his who was visiting. My coworker pointed out to his friend that he could tell the difference between local San Franciscans and those who were visiting by their attire and accessories. One woman overheard him and said, “You’re right! How did you know I was a tourist?” He did the diplomatic thing and said that he “just knew.”

(Photo Credit: Street Pepper)

Delving a bit deeper into our conversation we both agreed that San Franciscans are known for wearing a few things: lots of layers, quirky combinations, a lot of black and gray… not everyone, but this is our general observation (and a part of our personal style). Men tend to wear hats, scarves and carry messenger bags, or the often mocked “murse.”

(Photo Credit: The SF Style)

Most distinctively, our attire tends to be fitted and conceptual compared to the more relaxed/casual attire of those who visit from the suburbs, or other parts of the United States (I’m not naming names!). BUT, even when you see casual attire in our city, it still looks distinctly San Francisco. Why is that?

It got me thinking about how our little city is overflowing with unique style from person to person, yet we can still have a general idea of the average attire. Well-fitted, dark colors, utilitarian accessories, and seemingly pre-meditated outfit concepts. This can translate as the style for every metropolitan city, really, but it’s not. New York style, Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles, and the list goes on. There are so many variables that factor into this equation that make each region unique: weather, lifestyle, social norms, socioeconomic status, etc. Each city’s style can be so so different, but in any of these cities, I’m sure the locals can point out the tourists. It can become a fun pastime. At the same time, this reminds me of the time I went to Rockford, Illinois with my super cute lady friends a few years ago. Me, the wannabe rockabilly gal, Shauna the glam goth queen, and Christina, the super cute indie chick. We got a surprising amount of attention, which I never really got at home… and we lived in Orange County at the time. So who knows. Do we dress the way we do because we want attention, or is it because we want to spice up our lives and wear things that make us happy? My honest answer is: a little bit of both. But I think that’s a topic for another entry!

Do you agree? Do you think I’m full of crap? What’s your take on “the tourist”? Do you think their attire is circumstantial to the fact that they’re on vacay? So many questions!

Links à la Mode: The Love/Hate Relationship with Fashion

tatiana — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:09:47 +0000

Edited by Debutante Clothing

I’m always complaining about going out to fashion events by myself – I just don’t have many friends that are into fashion. While some people think fashion is frivolous and contributes nothing to the world, others are curating museum exhibits featuring 20th century clothing. This week’s links made me think about the love/hate camps in fashion. Starting with Grit and Glamour’s post on bloggers getting backlash from fashion insiders, Houndstooth + Tortoiseshell’s refreshingly funny admission of Tavi envy, or Fab Lab’s hate of people who hate. But there is some love in sight – British Style Bloggers reminds us to look in the mirror and love ourselves. Enjoy!

Links à la Mode: February 4th

A Dress & A Bike – Why breaking the love of one particular brand has been good for my personal style
British Style Bloggers – Some gems to remember
Debutante Clothing – Going to a Vintage Show? Insider Tips & Interview
dirty hems – lacroix by lacroix
Fab Blab – Why I Hate People Who Ostracize Fashion
fête à fête – Review of Guerlain’s Spring 2010 Cherry Blossom makeup & the new Rouge G Le Brillant lipstick
Friend in Fashion – Luxe Vintage
grit and glamour – Fashion’s Knickers are in a Twist
hello beauty! – Benefit Stay Don’t Stray: An innovative new primer to lock down shadows AND concealer
Houndstooth + Tortoiseshell – Young fashion blogger incites curiousity, envy
Independent Fashion Bloggers – Get Out There : How To Cover Events Without Feeling Like an Idiot
Lillys Roses – How to DIY your own Chanel Jade nail polish
Mariel’s Castle – Haute Couture 101
Model Max – MAT GORDON: The ModelWatch Interview
Oranges and Apples – Top websites for ethical shopping
Retro Chick – Ethical Design Spotlight – Junky Styling
Styletastic – To fur or not to fur?
Stylist Diva – : Are Fashion Bloggers taking over the world?
Tatiana Supports the Arts – Etsy Window Shopping: Queen Elizabeth I Roundup
the brooklyn posh blog – He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, red hot
THE COVETED – Pretty Dresses at the VioletvilleVintage.com launch
White Rabbit – The inspiration behind my Merlixa Designs millinery collection
[the3st] – Interview with Amy Smilovic of Tibi

Notebook on Cities and Clothes

tatiana — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:58:39 +0000

I watched this documentary last night called Notebook on Cities and Clothes. It’s a film about Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto directed and filmed by Wim Wenders.

Notebook on Cities and Clothes is a slow paced, relaxed look at an industry that often moves at a mile a minute. Filmed in 35mm, Wenders helps audiences see through the window of this man’s world. We get a lot of one on one time with Yamamoto. We see what inspires him, and are privy to his idea of what he does. He is not a fashion designer. That is not his goal. His inspiration comes from photos from the 19th century working class and the garments they had to wear to live their lives. He is the opposite of what his native Tokyo seems to promote: excessive consumption. He explains that Tokyo encourages over-consumption. Buy everything, be more fulfilled. He shares that his worst nightmare would be to design clothing that people cannot wear and function in on a day to day basis. Yamamoto is a quiet, yet mesmerizing man.

A few pieces from his A/W 09/10 collection. (Photo Credit)

The film as a whole was not as exciting as some of the other fashion documentaries I have seen. At times it was quite boring. But I think that is what makes it stand out from other depictions of the “fashion” world. In a way, Wenders was able to tell the story of an artist and philosopher than that of a fashion designer.

Upcycle Sunday: Back In Action

tatiana — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:17:17 +0000

I know, I know. It’s been a while. But I’m back with my sewing machine, scissors and mind grapes to bring you upcycled thrift finds. Today, we are going to turn a men’s long sleeved button up shirt into a cute pencil skirt.

This week I found this really great quality men’s long sleeve button up plaid shirt at Community Thrift Store for $6.50. A little pricey compared to the thrift store bargains I’m used to finding, but I can’t walk away from a great yellow plaid, and the shirt was in perfect condition. So, purchase I did.

The first step of this project is to remove the sleeves. I cut outside of the sleeve seam. Put the sleeves aside, you will be using them later.

Next, go ahead and cut across the top of the shirt. I cut right above the shirt pocket. Next, turn the shirt inside out and put it on as if it were a skirt. Place it where you would like it to sit on your hips. I placed mine at my natural waist. Go ahead and pin it to fit your sides. Since this a pencil skirt, you’ll want it to fit snugly around your hips. Next, remove the piece and sew up the sides where you’ve pinned. Trim and iron.

Now take each sleeve and cut out a rectangle.

Then cut the fold so you have two rectangular strips from each.

Then take the 4 strips, pin them and sew them into one long piece. Then, take the long piece, fold it in half, pin and sew. With the help of a safety pin, turn the band right side out and iron.

Take your waistband and pin the seamed edge to the right side of the skirt. Sew, and iron.

Now, since the pencil skirt I am making sits at the natural waist, I thought it would be nice to wear it with a belt. To make belt loops, you’ll want to measure the width of your belt and add a half inch allowance to each side.

Take your length measurement and cut out a strip that is that measurement long and at least one inch wide. Then fold each strip in half, sew, turn right side out and iron. Fold in each end and press, then pin and sew onto your skirt. I placed two belt loops in front and two in back.

And there you have it, folks. Your new upcycled pencil skirt. I changed out the buttons because the original buttons were a weird brown/goldish color. No bueno. I replaced them with some nice black ones. There are lots of possible variations for this skirt. Instead of making a waistband, you can simply use a thick piece of elastic, sew it on, and make the skirt less fitted to create more of a puffy skirt look. You can also sew in some pockets. I hope you all enjoyed this week’s Upcycle Sunday project!

Thrifting in SF

tatiana — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:57:43 +0000

Today my roommate and I are off to Goodwill in the Mission to scope out the furniture scene. Hopefully we’ll find something cute and comfy for our living room… but secretly I have another, more exciting quest. Faux. Fur. Coat.

I’m looking for a faux fur coat that is perhaps a little more 1970s inspired but not obnoxious. Something subtle, and something WARM. Man oh man, it is getting cold. There’s nothing I want more than to buy a snuggie and wear it outdoors… but, luckily my conscience stops me from doing that… or even from buying one.

Here is an example of what I don’t want. A little too much fur. But I really love this photo.

I feel like with a faux fur coat, one can easily look either overdressed, look like a crazy lady, or look like a high class hooker. I don’t want to look like any of those. I feel like Rachel Zoe may be slightly responsible for my sudden obsession with the fur coat. She makes it look so good (most of the time). She’s the queen of high class bohemian, and that is precisely what I’m going for.

This is more of a bolero, but I’m sure you know what I mean. So, I’m off! We’ll see what I can find… and hopefully we will find a couch as well. Have a nice Sunday, kittens!

Indie Designer Spotlight: UK Edition

tatiana — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:18:05 +0000

Indie Designer Spotlight: Wholly Cow Clothing

In the vast world of fashion, The United Kingdom has always been viewed as being a front runner by constantly bringing a plethora of goodies to the table (or, the runways) by way of designers such as Vivienne Westwood and her no-rules legacy, to the amazing Irregular Choice shoes (which I was addicted to for a while). From Victorian elegance to the arrival of the miniskirt on Carnaby Street, the UK has always served as a capital for the new and timeless and an inspiration for those of us looking to bring elegance back in new and interesting ways.

left: 1777 English Satire on tight lacing (found here) right: Irregular Choice

Now that we’ve had a look into the past, let’s venture into the future! Today’s spotlight is Wholly Cow Clothing.

Their first collection launched 3 seasons ago. All of their pieces are designed and hand crafted in the North East of England. They most recently launched the Green label, which is an ethical line that was just introduced last season and uses completely recycled fabrics (e.g. curtains, blankets, clothes, etc).

The Pink label is Wholly Cow’s main ready to wear line. Although the Pink label isn’t made from recycled material, Wholly Cow still sources their fabrics from as close to home as possible and the items are made nearby by women who work flexibly from their own homes. They strive to make the process as ethical as possible.

Gingham Dress with underskirt in gingham and tulle.
This is my favorite piece. I think gingham will always be in style. I love how effortless this garment looks paired with the red ribbon. It can easily be worn to a birthday party or for a day at the park.

I asked Lisa Germaney of Wholly Cow where she finds inspiration for her designs, and how she came up with the name for her label. “I’d been struggling to find [a name] that smacks you, is unforgettable and reflects the feel of the label then it just came to me. I asked for feedback from girlie friends over a few glasses of fine vino one night and it was all good so that reaffirmed it. I’m very passionate about music, especially live music, the louder the better, it stirs something inside and inspires me as does art so I hope this is reflected in the design of my clothes.”

I feel like Wholly Cow Clothing provides a unique perspective when it comes to the party dress (although they don’t solely make dresses). I appreciate their use of recycled materials and hope that more designers embrace similarly available resources and continue trying to make the process of design more sustainable and eco-friendly. I’m excited to see what Wholly Cow has in store for us in the future!

If you like what you see, you’re in luck, kiddies! Wholly Cow is currently holding a 40% off sale on their website. Their upcoming Autumn/Winter Collection, which they are currently hard at work on, will be available in September. The Spring/Summer 2009 Collection, including the Green label, is currently available on their website and in select boutiques.

Lifetime: You’re In!

tatiana — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 19:08:32 +0000

You might remember a while back how I was bitching and complaining about my discontent with the Lifetime Network and the way they were handling my favorite reality television show. These days, I am not so angry. They have really come around and proven to the Project Runway fans that they will deliver our show with as much (or perhaps more) gumption as Bravo had.

First of all, I watched this yesterday, and am such a sucker for these types of “how I got here” stories, this totally made me shed a tear or five:

Definitely worth a watch. Oh man. I can’t wait for Season Six to start (on Wednesday, August 20, at 10pm)! In addition to these previews, and the designer bios on their website, they have some free downloads for fans that include wallpapers and buddy icons. Check it out.

The designers’ portfolios are up as well. Let’s start making predictions!

It’s funny. As I am writing this, I just discovered that my dad is watching Lifetime. I believe it is a Lifetime Original Movie. Haha. Oh dad.

Feelin’ hot hot hot.

tatiana — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:34:00 +0000

Yes. It is 115 degrees outside. I believe Kenneth from 30 Rock would call this “the Devil’s temperature.” Ungodly. Definitely.

In addition to the Entourage marathon I’ve been having, I’ve been working on upcycling projects! The one I will share with you today is a neat scarf I made using fabric from a maxi dress that I made shorter a while back. As you may remember, this project was inspired by this photo I saw on The Sartorialist blog.

Isn’t my sister the best model? I pay her with Frappuccinos.

The jersey fabric paired with the gingham makes for a nice comfy scarf. I believe this Upcycle Sunday was another experiment gone good. (Pats self on back).

Back to my Entourage boys! My coworker was right, the show does get better after the first season.