Sade Williams! Such An Artist!

The Outsiders shot by Sade Williams!

  I was at my friend Jeffrey's store last week, and had the incredible fortune of meeting Sade Williams, a new and seriously up and coming artist just moved back from LA. She and I exchanged info, and after a brief meeting with her today, I feel like we have a blossoming relationship! She has worked with a lot of great local people I already know, and I had actually planned on working with Miss Jennafer Grace on a shoot next month, that inadvertently turned out to be with Sade... We set up a little shoot for early next month, and I must say, I am SUPER excited to be styling for her! I feel like we are gonna be a good team! So, check out her work at her site, SadeWilliams.com, and I will be keeping you posted on our endeavors! Super excited for this development...

You Know That Moment? (Part 2)

  As I said before, I have distinct memories of the moments that drew me to fashion! My Aunt Larille and her Louis Vuitton Speedy bag, was one, and here is another... As a teen I moved around a lot, and although I had a ton of "great" friends, only a few of them turned out to be REALLY great! This is how Fashion became one of the great ones.
  One August day in 1990, I was in a drug store, I was loitering around the magazines, and caught a glimpse of a magazine that would change my life!
  The Harpers Bazaar Fall Fashion Issue. I knew the models name, everyone at that time should have, it was Linda... Evangelista, duh...  She was the most clever of the girls that were being called the "Supermodels", she was the one who said she wouldn't get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day! But I was unfamiliar with this version of Linda, she was so elegant, so beautiful, it was maddening... The color of her eyes, everything was just so gorgeous!
  I would later discover that this issue was an important issue, because it was the first edited by Liz Tilberis. The era of Bazaar with her in control, was my bible, I had purchased Vogue occasionally, and definitely had an issue of W floating around, but this was my first religiously purchased magazine! I know most people use Vogue as their basis of fashion knowledge, but Tilberis had a way with covers! I can definitely say without a doubt my favorite covers were from Bazaar.
   I remember flipping through this book, looking at the Dolce pinstriped bell bottom suits, and the Les Copain mini hoop skirts. But Linda was the reason I opened it! Linda was how I knew I was going to be involved in this industry!
  Since then I have purchased nearly every issue of Bazaar, and although I don't keep them for more than 2-3 years, I treasure them until I am out of room! I was contemplating this post for a couple days, and while out with friends the other day, I stumbled across the "Bazaar, special edition, Best Covers Issue". Low and behold there was my Linda cover, and a few more that I had cherished! If you are a fashion buff, you need this issue. It goes back to the 1800's and their first issue, but more importantly, Has a slew of the covers from Lizs' reign. The Nadja Auerman issue so blatantly copied for W (featuring Kate Hudson), and the Linda issue in John Galliano during his short tenure at Givenchy, both classics and memorable. There was the Madonna Geisha issue, and honestly so many others! Well worth the $12! If for nothing else, just the memories, and rediscovered chills...

Ladies And Gentlemen, May I Present Persia!

  In My new feature, I am going to be stopping stylish, creative, or beautifully dressed people on the street, harassing them until they let me take their picture, and asking them some questions! My First Victim fits all three categories! Inevitably noticed around major, San Francisco events, and night clubs, Persia, has the Legs, the Style, and the Smarts to become one of the important upcoming personalities in the explosive San Fran scene! Here are my 10 Questions With Persia!
1: What Is Your Profession?

  Part Time SF MoMA Art Store associate, and full time drag Queen!

Persia, Waiting For Her Turn

2: Do You Drink Coffee or Tea?
  Tea, have you had Yerba Mate? It's like liquid crack! So delish, and rich in antioxidants!
3: What Is Your Favorite Movie!?
  Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!
4: Who Are You Wearing?
  Pink thigh high boots, AKA hooker boots from Pleaser, gold chain necklace, that I made myself, belt from Goodwill, H&M dress, and vintage fur stole!
5: Is This Look Planned Or Just Pulled Together? 
  Most of my looks are last minute, I like to drive myself crazy! No matter what, I always wear something Whorish, with something Classy, and always keep it flirty! I call it WCF (Whore, Class, Flirty)!
6: What Is Your Go-To Label?
  I wouldn't say I have one... More like a Go-To store, it's called Ross
7: What Is Your Favorite Store?
  I love Betsy Johnson! I'm glad they don't cater to big girls like me, otherwise I would be in more debt!
8: Who Is Your Favorite Designer?
  The Blonds, I love everything they make! Just thinking about them makes me happy! Ok, EXCITED!
9: Who Is Your Fashion Icon?
  Two words, Marilyn Monroe! Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham) is a close second!
10: Most Importantly, Are You Single?
  I am married, and the proud parent of a spoiled cat!

You Know That Moment?

  I can actually point to 2 of them, you know, those life altering moments when you discover something. The moments you realize that something has you, it has you, trapped... Mine was Fashion!
  I have to say "Thanks" to my great Aunt Larille. She is my Grandfathers sister, and one of the defining moments in my life, and definitely the start of my interest in fashion. The Moment? The First Time I said the words "Louis Vuitton". In 1980, LV was simply a luggage company that made well constructed, and coveted handbags as well, and actually represented Luxury. It still has those connotations, but is geared to a much younger, and massive market.

Although Not Larilles Speedy, This Image Reminds me of
Those Days!

  Larille was down visiting my Nano, from Los Angeles, and I remember clearly noting that her bag (I know now it was a Speedy probably 30cm) had L's and V's on it. When I asked about the markings, she explained the concept of the luxury goods company. That it was called Louis "Wuitton", and that the monogram basically meant that the purse would last forever... Larille explained it for me, in a way a 5 year old could understand, I wish I could remember her words, because I one day want my child to feel the excitement I felt!
  That excitement still happens to me whenever I see a collection I love, Springs Prada did it to me, as did Gucci for Fall... I think that, even then, I knew that fashion held the excitement, and has the exclusivity of a secret club. A way to explore my differences from other boys. A way to escape...      
  Larille was like an angel to me then, the mass of platinum hair swept high on her head... The white convertible Volkswagen Beetle, and she spoke articulately, and with just a hint of an accent, which I still don't know where it came from. She is my childhood fashion icon, when she bought me a dolly, and taught me a really basic stitch. She would always sit and watch my fashion shows for the wardrobe I created for the toy. I wonder if it would be weird for her knowing what she created! I wish I saw more of her down here... She is very old, but from what i hear still a character, riding around her neighborhood on her bicycle. It has been a while, 15 years, I think, since our branches of the family have gotten together, but, no matter how long it has been, she is definitely my moment, and Icon #1!
  I think I am gonna spread these out! More "Fashion Moments In Ian's History" to come!

As My Friend Jose Said, "Time For A New Reign!"

Ricardo Tisci And Mariacarla Boscano
On The Cover Of "i-D" Magazine!

  It is almost official, Tisci is in at Dior! My dear friend Elgin over at the Feel Good Guru Of Style, reported earlier tonight, that it is true! Reporting on Derek Blasberg's tweet from March 8th, I followed up with a very well sourced friend in NYC, who confirmed "I just asked my friend, who is on the senior team at LVMH. Get ready honey, it's time for a new reign!" It apears there will be a press conferance the beginning of next week to announce Tisci's new role!
  That is great news for the LVMH family, as Tisci's position at Givenchy mirrors Galliano's rise to Dior, so they don't have to outsource for their star position. I really love Ricardo's work, and hope he is able to translate his genius into this new brand! Again, I  LOVE him, I just think that his style is a little more avant garde, and "cooler" than the Dior client is accustomed to. I commented to my friend that I didn't think he was right for Dior, to which my friend replied "I agree, but neither was Galliano!". So true. In fact, I don't even remember what was going on at Dior before 1997! I am looking forward to what Tisci has in store for us!

David LaChapelle Sues Rihanna...

Rihanna Video Top
LaChapelle Shoot Bottom

   I heard about the drama regarding David LaChapelle suing Pop Star Rihanna, this evening, and was utterly annoyed by what i presumed was LaChapeles Prima Donna attitude. Let me just start by saying, in the 90's I didn't think there was a more talented, and creative photographer than Mr. LaChapelle. As I matured, I grew tired of his brand of kitch, and commercialism, and have since moved onto to appreciate less brash forms of photography. As far as Rihanna is concerned, I feel she can nearly do no wrong. She is funny and irreverent without being too shocking, or disrespectful, and even in her video for the song S&M, the taboo subject is delivered in a more tongue in cheek manner.

Rihanna Video Above
LaChapelle Shoot Below

That being said, there would have been a better way to create a video for the song than to take shots of LaChapelle's and claim them as her own! She was so cute rocking Jeremy Scott, and Prada's 2 toned mink stole. I was annoyed at David, thinking "he doesn't have the right to claim pink backgrounds, and frizzy hair..." Oops, then the recognizable shot of Rihanna with plastic pulled tight and taped with X's showed... It went down hill from there! There were points where I thought I had been misinformed and he had actually directed this video. Too Much RiRi, as David tweeted earlier this month, ""The next time you make a David LaChapelle video, you should probably hire David LaChapelle!

Rihanna Video

LaChapelle Shoot

Dempsey Stewart!

  I often think about the 90's girls, you know Linda, Claudia, Naadja... I try to figure if there will ever be an era that has such amazing faces, personal style, or, in Naadja's case, legs! Then, during fashions big month, I am introduced to a new face, often repeatedly, on the runway. This season, a girl named Dempsey Stewart, was on every practically every runway show I paid attention to. Her angelic features, and slight frame, were perfect from Marc Jacobs to Prada. She has been featured in a number of editorial spreads, most recently the spread in NO, with her boyfriend, fellow model Jasper Seven.
  Okay, to be honest, my friend who works at a major agency in the city, told me to watch out for her, but to be fair, she IS gorgeous, and WAS every where this season! She has been working on the scene in Australia, where she was born, and in Japan for a couple years and signed with Wilhelmina in NYC!
  I feel like there are some girls that have real potential in this business, and with her looks, and runway panache, I think she is one of them! Brace yourself to see way more of Dempsey!
  What do you think? Does Dempsey have what it takes!?

Loving The Street Style Pics Of Tommy Ton!

  Seriously, every season, I look forward to the pictures that Tommy Ton takes on the streets of whatever Fashion Capital he is in! One of my faves was Anna Wintour in NYC in a snowstorm, fur collar up and braced against the storm.
  He has practically created celebrities out of others, like Anna Dello Russo. He is a fixture on the tuilieres, and people race to try and be snapped by him, in hopes of making the cut!
  So, in an effort to not receive blank stares when I reference him, or the people he shoots I am posting the Style.com link to the Street Style feature! I hope you have as much fun digging through it as I do! Enjoy!

 Tommy Tons Street Style Shots at Style.com

So, I Have A Couple Early Tips...

Chloe

Prada

  The shows are almost over, and there are some early trends for fall, that you could probably jump on now... For Starters, Snakeskin made a huge impact in more that a couple shows! Prada, Valentino, and Missoni used the skin on boots, but Hannah MacGibbon showed whole looks at Chloe and even Dior showed a single snakeskin look! The boots at Prada were trompe l'oeil, to look like another Prada staple, socks under heels. And Valentino just showed Python Go go-boots, a very cool addition to an otherwise prim show!

Givenchy

Ungaro

I love this particular trend! My favorite birthday gift from the last couple years was a turquoise t-shirt with a snarling wolf tearing through, printed on the front! (Thanks Ammo, and Abel...) This has been going around for a couple years, starting back with Balenciga and his Screaming Monkey T-shirts, but this season, Tisci at Givenchy, did not only the Rottweiler tee's for men, but introduced the Panther for this falls women's collection (left)! He used it as as a trim on black satin skirts or the focus of a slick sweatshirt! At Ungaro, there was a Wolf (right), not unlike my t-shirt, and even Jean-Charles De Castlebajac Showed dalmatian faces, albeit they were from the Disney cartoon, but I think it counts!

Alexander McQueen

Louis Vuitton

Another sartorial choice designers made often this season was a little bit of Kink... Can I say that!? Everywhere, from Alexander McQueen (left), to Marc Jacobs, whose show for his signature collection had subtle subtle fetish references, and at his show for Louis Vuitton Showed outright bondage uniforms (right), with models hands' handcuffed behind their backs! Nicola Formichetti showed his first Thierry Mugler Womens Collection, and although it wasn't a very strong show, was all about latex, and vinyl. Lady Gaga all but appeared on stage wrapped in a condom... Ungaro Showed cinched waists, and Givenchy had the Sheer pencil skirts... It looks like if Fashion has it's way this is gonna be a naughy fall 2011.

All Photos From Style.com