Here are some Polyvore sets I made a while back. I've really been loving the neovictorian aesthetic lately, it's just so rich with possibility. I think Polyvore is a great way to practice styling .
Lolita in Translation
A while ago I mentioned that I was involved in a student project about lolita fashion; here is the preliminary product.
I'm a little sad that I've been given only a few seconds to talk, and that there is no mention whatsoever of aristocrat style, which is what I'm wearing there. But then again, the fewer words, the better, when it comes to the Internet...and especially since I'm relatively new on the lolita/aristo fashion scene. The other young ladies in the documentary, to my great delight, all sound like intelligent and interesting people. I hope this documentary will serve to break some stereotypes about lolita and provide some useful information to those interested.
I'm a little sad that I've been given only a few seconds to talk, and that there is no mention whatsoever of aristocrat style, which is what I'm wearing there. But then again, the fewer words, the better, when it comes to the Internet...and especially since I'm relatively new on the lolita/aristo fashion scene. The other young ladies in the documentary, to my great delight, all sound like intelligent and interesting people. I hope this documentary will serve to break some stereotypes about lolita and provide some useful information to those interested.
Sistergoth?
Lately I have been considering the label "goth" and whether or not it applies to me. Of course the answer to that lies with me, but at this point I haven't really clarified the parameters of "gothiness" for myself. How goth is goth? Must I lust after velvet? Good, because I do. Must I wear black everyday? Good, because I don't. Must I appreciate the dark side of things? Good, because I do. Must I enjoy the sight of blood? Good, because I don't.
Labels are a funny thing. They can tell you where a thing belongs, what's in it, where it came from and what its purpose is. But when it comes to applying labels to individuals, all those properties become murkier. I identify with and "get" a lot of what is considered goth, and wouldn't mind slapping that label onto my forehead if it only applied to what I like about it. But there are some aspects of goth culture I reject, dislike, find backwards or puzzling, and I don't want to be associated with it or be expected to represent it. Of course, in the end I will do what I always do, which is pick and choose the things I want to incorporate into myself. But knowing which side of the goth label I'm on can help me identify other people who might be similar to me. And everyone wants to have someone to relate to.
On another note, there is the issue of ethnicity. Obviously, I'm not white. Of course I'm cool hanging with my pale(r)-faced sistren and brethren; I'm just curious to find more information about goths of color. I'm certain they exist. But googling "black goths" is pure lulz...it makes no sense whatsoever to even search for that. Just thinking about it makes me laugh...
Labels are a funny thing. They can tell you where a thing belongs, what's in it, where it came from and what its purpose is. But when it comes to applying labels to individuals, all those properties become murkier. I identify with and "get" a lot of what is considered goth, and wouldn't mind slapping that label onto my forehead if it only applied to what I like about it. But there are some aspects of goth culture I reject, dislike, find backwards or puzzling, and I don't want to be associated with it or be expected to represent it. Of course, in the end I will do what I always do, which is pick and choose the things I want to incorporate into myself. But knowing which side of the goth label I'm on can help me identify other people who might be similar to me. And everyone wants to have someone to relate to.
On another note, there is the issue of ethnicity. Obviously, I'm not white. Of course I'm cool hanging with my pale(r)-faced sistren and brethren; I'm just curious to find more information about goths of color. I'm certain they exist. But googling "black goths" is pure lulz...it makes no sense whatsoever to even search for that. Just thinking about it makes me laugh...
jun17
I really liked today's outfit. I wore a bundle of leaves in my hair today; someone asked if I was some sort of Christmas tree. Uh, yeah. Move along....ignorance wastes my time!
anyway...
the leaf bundles I made myself.
the pearl earrings were a graduation gift from my grandmother.
the jacket is from a dusty-ass thrift store on the south side. it's too snug, just like all of my jackets :oP
the black glasses are my faves from knee deep.
the dress is vintage, and appears to be homemade.
the silver slippers are vintage aigner, but modded by me with abalone cabochons.
jun10
I wanted a ladylike look today, and to take advantage of the weather to wear my new boots. they're ankle boots and they are amazingly comfortable. Earlier I was wearing an ascot around my neck, but it got warm and I lost it.
the vintage black straw hat has a white flower at the back, i thrifted it.
the earrings are wings; i thrifted these in new hampshire two weekends ago
i'm wearing an earchain; i made it. you can see it better here
my blouse, such as it is, was thrifted.
my gray vintage gloves were also thrifted.
I thrifted the ruched/ruffled skirt years ago, I've worn it a lot in wardrobe photos.
and finally my nice suede ankle boots.
Johnny Cash: The First Modern Goth?
jun6
Since today is International Lolita Day, I thought I'd join the numbers of people worldwide marking the day with puffy skirts and such.
the black flowers for the headdress came from H & M.
the mismatched screwback pearls were thrifted and married by me.
the vintage bead necklace was also thrifted.
the polka-dot blouse was bought on sale at H & M.
the bow sleeve cardigan was thrifted but it's Tara Jarmon for Target.
the Astroboy bag was from a local gift store, purchased several years ago.
the black tiered skirt was a trade from Crossroads Trading. Underneath it I'm wearing two petticoats.
the lacy leggings were bought on sale at urban outfitters.
the lacoste mary janes were thrifted.
Memento Mori
| This afternoon while Hans climbed up and down the jungle gym at the park, I noticed a dried-up bird wing near the sandbox. Honestly, my first reaction was great interest; I live in an urban setting so my interactions with animals are few, living or dead. The forensic ornithologist in me wanted to examine the feathers, the bone structure, perhaps try to piece together how it became separated from its unfortunate former owner. Then I reacted with disgust. It's decaying, it's probably germ-ridden, it's depressing, what if he tries to eat it, I thought. I kicked some sand over it, trying to bury it without actually touching it. That failed; I'd be kicking all day before it was covered. So I gave up trying to bury it. Then I thought again. There must be a reason why I can't rid this thing from my sight, I thought. There is a message here, what is it? Memento mori, it came to me. Memento mori is a Latin phrase which means "remember that you will die." I heard this phrase for the first time many years ago, and its plain, flat matter-of-factness really struck me. The fact that I couldn't hide this dead thing, I couldn't pretend that I didn't know it was there, reminded me of this phrase. In light of the challenges I've been facing in the last couple of months, including the death of a family member, I've been thinking a lot about the simple fact of death, and the process of facing it and accepting it. So then the feeling that I always get when I want to capture something with my camera came over me. I wanted to get a shot of this wing, to remind me of this moment. I went to my bag for my camera when I realized Hans is climbing up and down on the jungle gym. Immediately my attention shifts to him. Parents understand that there's a couple of milliseconds of worry between first wondering and finally confirming the safety of one's child; not a good feeling. But even in that, I saw more insight. Memento mori reminded me that life is in front of me now, and needs my attention now. Rather than focus on the fact that someday I and you and all else living will end up broken and decaying like the bird wing, I can focus on watching my son laughing and playing at the playground. All of this happened in the span of about thirty seconds, by the way. I just wanted to get this written down since I couldn't get a picture of the wing :o) |
may21
chinese style parasol purchased at maxwell street market last sunday.
black beret from valarie's collection.
round sunglasses from my favorite thrift.
vintage dress, also from my favorite thrift.
longsleeve tee, not sure of its origin (i have several).
vintage belt from the thrift.
vintage watch from a new junk shop in my neighborhood (and i do mean junk; this place will test your patience and allergen tolerance)
vintage mood ring from maxwell street.
vintage planetary print underskirt from a massive thrift in cicero.
purple leggings from H & M, worn in my typical style
lacoste mary janes from the thrift.
may21
chinese style parasol purchased at maxwell street market last sunday.
black beret from valarie's collection.
round sunglasses from my favorite thrift.
vintage dress, also from my favorite thrift.
longsleeve tee, not sure of its origin (i have several).
vintage belt from the thrift.
vintage watch from a new junk shop in my neighborhood (and i do mean junk; this place will test your patience and allergen tolerance)
vintage mood ring from maxwell street.
vintage planetary print underskirt from a massive thrift in cicero.
purple leggings from H & M, worn in my typical style
lacoste mary janes from the thrift.
may19
Thank (Hugh) for the snap. (He saw me setting up my camera and kindly offered to take the photo for me.) I was so inspired by the myriad of things I saw today at the Art Institute: celadon ceramics; stained glass; egyptian masks, Japanese paintings, children's book illustrations; impressionist paintings, breathtaking tapestries, armor, masterful woodcarving...I could go on. But I won't :o)
vintage straw hat, thrifted
round sunglasses, thrifted
vintage pearl screwbacks, thrifted
vintage pearl necklace, maxwell street
vintage brooch modified by me, mawell street
black zip blouse ( i rolled up the cuffs, it was warm), thrifted
silver leather tote bag, thrifted
vintage blue gloves, thrifted
vintage timex, thrifted at this new junk shop in my 'hood
pinstripe ruffled skirt, thrifted
leggings, thrifted
knee-high half socks, H & M (i bought two pairs of these; i love the half-foot style)
vintage ferragamo pumps, thrifted
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