First Friday: Splendid Trunk Show at Blush Boutique.

Since moving to Anchorage last fall, I haven't posted a lot about the on-goings in this northern city. Here's a little something to get the ball rolling:

What? 

Splendid Trunk Show, featuring the brand's S/S 2013 Collection.

Where?

Blush Boutique; 720 D Street, Suite C, Anchorage, AK 99501.

When?

First Friday, May 3rd; 4:30-8 pm.

Other Info?

Enjoy Trunk Show Discounts.

Receive a Gift with Purchase (While Supplies Last).

Bubbly & Bites Provided by Ginger, a local Asian & Pacific Rim Cuisine Restaurant.

Need More Info?

Visit Blush Boutique on Facebook.

Image via Blush Boutique.

Louis Vuitton A/W 2013: Prostitution Chic?

Yesterday, I watched a short fashion film that I found to be a bit unsettling. Produced by Love Magazine's editor-in-chief Kate Grand and directed by James Lima, the film is meant to be a promotional video for Louis Vuitton's Autumn/Winter 2013-14 collection.

To say the film is "controversial" would be an understatement: the models are wearing the Louis Vuitton collection while they appear to be soliciting sex.

Since its release, Louis Vuitton has tried its best to distance itself from the video, according to French publication The Local. Since I first watched the clip on Huffington Post last night, Kate Grand has apologized for any offense the short vid may have caused in a statement to Fashionista.

I first wrote my response to the video last night, on a group board on Facebook, but I thought I would give you a chance to see for yourself what the controversy is about. Keep in mind that the fashion film is NSFW and contains brief nudity.

Here is my initial response:

This is the analogy I took away from the clip and its imagery:  The models, being paid to wear clothes and sell a brand, are prostitutes; Marc Jacobs, as the designer, is their pimp.

As a whole, whether it be through design or marketing, and other etc. whatnot, the fashion industry will always push boundaries. It will always make someone, somewhere feel uncomfortable. It would be silly to deny that sex sells. However, when I consider the devastating implications of human trafficking, I personally am disgusted by what the video implies. 

It seems as though Love, the magazine, is trying to make a point, but what is it exactly? That the industry is morally bankrupt on selling? I don't see a positive spin to the story portrayed.

What do you think of the video?

I can't help but wonder if the roles were reversed--if the designer was a woman and the models were men, would there still be outrage? Also, did Marc Jacobs have a part in the creation of the film? Despite Louis Vuitton's official stance, their creative director is not only featured--styling models backstage at the recent Louis Vuitton A/W 2013-14 runway show--but he is thanked at the end of the credits.

Film Credit: Love Magazine.

Music Monday: Lana Del Rey.

Lana Del Rey in a global fashion campaign for H&;M.

Lana Del Rey seems to be everywhere these days. Describing herself as a "gangsta Nancy Sinatra" and her music as "sadcore," the singer enchants with her seductive, Lolita-inspired lyrics. She's won awards, sung for worldwide fashion campaigns, and created music videos that feel more like full-blown cinematic experiences. Del Rey has already bounced back from harsh criticism, and has released two albums and three EPs. How did she start out, though? And is Lana Del Rey even her real name?

Del Rey in her music video for "Born To Die."

Sadly, the answer is no. Lana Del Rey is the stage name of Elizabeth Woolridge Grant (she has also recorded under Mary Jailer). After having previous recordings shelved, Lizzy Grant released her first full-length album in 2010, Lana Del Rey A.K.A. Lizzy Grant, to no one's anticipation.

It was a flop.

After a name change and image retooling, Lana Del Rey did something millions do: she posted a video onto YouTube. Weeks later, she was signed by Interscope. The song she posted, "Video Games," was named one of the Best Songs of 2011 by NME. However, a  bad performance on Saturday Night Live nearly ruined her ride to success. Her handlers canceled several shows in the wake of the appearance, even a gig at South By Southwest.  Still, within a month after her SNL mishap, Del Rey's Born To Die was released. The album went on to sell over 3.4 million copies, becoming the 5th best-selling album of 2012.

Born To Die album cover.

So what is Lizzy Grant, er, Lana Del Rey doing now? She was the spokesperson for H&M's 2012 campaign, and surprised critics by winning "International Female Solo Artist" at the 2013 BRIT Awards. Del Rey's most recent EP, Paradise, was released on November 12th of last year.

Promotion photo for Born To Die: The Paradise Edition.

Fans could either buy the EP as a part of the Born To Die: Paradise Edition, or by itself. The EP, made up of eight songs, featured more of Del Rey's smoky, lounge singer vocals over sleepy beats. Most saw the EP as an improvement from Born To Die. "Ride," released in September, was the lead single. 

What do you think of Lana Del Rey? Do you like her throwback, Americana style? 

Image Credit: Thanks to Lana Del Rey's official Facebook, Interscope Records, and H&M.

Music Monday: Sky Ferreira.

I'm stepping outside of my cozy fashion bubble. So here we are, on my first of many Music Mondays, starring the highly talented, and yet still slightly unknown, singer-songwriter Sky Ferreira.

Maybe you've seen her around; she's been featured in countless magazines and ad campaigns, including the current festival collection for Forever 21.

But have you heard her?

Sky Ferreira.

I first heard of Sky Ferreira in 2009, when reading a post on WGSN about up-and-coming musical acts. At the age of 16, the singer had recently been signed by Parlophone and was a YouTube sensation: on "Happy Dre," she sang The Beatles' "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" over beats from Dr. Dre's "Still D.R.E.". She recorded a stripped-down cover of "Animal," which was originally recorded as electro pop by Miike Snow. And she isn't just a singer: Ms. Ferreira made her film debut in 2010's Putty Hill.

Ferreira then released three singles: "17," a cautionary tale of an out-of-control teen; "Obsession," a catchy ditty detailing one girl's one-sided devotion; and "One," a poppy and unadulterated dance track. 

Ms. Ferreira on the set of her video "One". 

With her popularity rising, you would think by now there would have been an album release. For whatever reason, her record label decided to push back her debut LP, and opted to released two EPs, As If! and Ghost. As If! was originally released on iTunes in March of 2011. However, since Ghost's release in October of last year, all of the tracks on As If! and the EP itself have been removed. This is likely due to Sky Ferreira's ever-changing sound that appears on Ghost.

Ghost EP; cover shot by Hedi Slimane, creative director of Saint Laurent.

Ghost has received generally favorable reviews, particularly the single "Everything Is Embarrassing". Pitchfork named it one of the best new singles of 2012, and New York Magazine named it Song Of The Year for 2012. An 80's throwback to the extreme, the dreamy pop song has the singer lament over a failed relationship. 

Other singles from Ghost include "Red Lips" and "Lost In My Bedroom," a song that was featured in a recent episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Ferreira is currently touring in support of her upcoming LP I'm Not Alright. She will be at South By Southwest for the music portion of the festival in Austin, TX, March 12th-17th.

Needless to say, she is undoubtedly one to watch in the coming months.

Image Credit: All photos were sourced from Sky Ferreira's official Facebook page.

I'm Back!

It's been four months since my laptop broke and two months since my last update. Man, how time flies! So much has happened since South By Southwest. I don't even know where to begin.

I guess I'll begin in chronological order:

A week after SXSW, I started my new job at Liquidation Channel (LC). It's a home shopping network that specializes in jewelry. My job there as a scheduler is to basically to schedule the flow of product for live broadcast. I feel so incredibly lucky to have found such a wonderful job right after graduation, let alone within my field of study. If you've never heard of LC, I suggest checking them out: their assortment of product is amazing. I am always so tempted to buy everything!

One of the beautiful bangles LC carries.

Moving on: a month ago, in April, I turned 23. Maybe it's not really much of a milestone, but I always think of Bridget Fonda in the movie Singles: 

"Remember how old 23 felt when you were little? I mean, I thought people would be traveling in air locks and I'd have five kids. Here I am, 23. Things are...they're basically the same. I think time's running out to do something bizarre. Somewhere around 23, bizarre becomes immature."

 Bridget Fonda & Matt Dillon in Singles.

I could not have said it better myself, so thank you Cameron Crowe for that. Have I done anything bizarre as a 23-year-old yet?
Well, I did cut off about 15 inches of my hair two weeks ago...

It's so much easier to maintain, and it's perfect for summer.

I also got back together with the one-and-only guy I've ever blogged about. If you're a regular reader or close friend, you're probably thinking, "What?!" It is still very new, and one of those things that I can't really explain. It just sort of happened. It's also long-distance, due to the fact John's in the Air Force now, both of which I don't have any experience with. At all.
But the important thing is I'm happy, and we're making it work.

Speaking of making things work, I still don't have a car. I've determined that this affects how much I can actually blog about, at least in terms of street style. So expect some changes around Bella Vogue--more on personal style and trends in general. I've been doing a lot of DIY projects, thanks to Pinterest, so maybe I'll post a tutorial or two.

Are you on Pinterest? If so, leave your handle in the comments!
Mine is--what else?--thatchelseagirl.
If you want to keep in touch on Facebook, Bella Vogue is on there, too.

Until next time, which I promise won't be two months from now.

Photo Credit: Liquidation Channel and Warner Bros. Pictures, respectively.

Happy New Year!

Okay, so this post is a day late, but I'm on Day 8 of working eight days in a row. Can you blame me for neglecting Bella Vogue for a little bit?

How was everyone's New Year's Eve? I ended up going to a house party with some close friends. Have you ever tried peach tea-flavored vodka? Oh my goodness, ladies and gents, it is to die for! Mix it with some lemonade, and I swear, you'll be hooked!

Anyway. Enough about my alcoholic tendencies. I wanted to share a few things from 2011 that I thoroughly enjoyed, from a fashion standpoint.

First, I am going to start with Beyonce's video for her single "Countdown". The pop art influenced video channels Fame with Audrey Hepburn, mixes mod culture with 1950s musicals, and never skips a beat.

So it's fitting that the next thing I was into throughout 2011 was Bold Color. Shown in a limitless mode, the vibrant hues of 2011 dominated the Spring 2011 trends, in both apparel and jewelry. Citrus shades and sunset tones offered a refreshing outlook of cheerfulness and playfulness to fashion.

Spring 2011 Looks From the Runway: Calvin Klein, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Prabal Gurung, and Michael Kors. 

Another favorite from this past year was lace. Lace was sprinkled throughout the spring, and became stronger through the fall season. I especially like sheer lace blouses, as you can always play it up by placing a bold color top underneath. 

Miss Me, Marc Jacobs, and Louis Vuitton all made a case for lace.

In 2011, the decade of the 1970s came back in a BIG way. Through prints, hairstyles, one-shoulder tops, velvet pantsuits, and all-around attitudes, designers went back to a time where Studio 54 was all the rage.

Looks from the Runway: Diane von Furstenberg, Gucci, Tory Burch, and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

So now that you know what I was into in 2011, what is it that I am looking forward to? Well, to sum it up: I am excited for all of the fun prints and patterns, the new take on the Tribe Vibe trend, the 1920s silhouettes, and sport couture. Also, Pantone's color of the year is Tangerine Tango. How fun is that?! 

I'll be dreaming of prints & silhouettes in 2012: Peter Som, Oscar de la Renta, Rachel Zoe, and Altuzarra. 

What trends are y'all looking forward to? What did you like (or hate) about fashion in 2011? I wish all of my readers the best in the new year!

Photo Credit: Style.com and Harper's BAZAAR.

The Internship Chronicles.

As an intern, literally on my hands & knees.

For the past several months, I have been finding time between work and school to delve into the world of fashion styling. Why? In order to graduate, I had to complete an internship. The Art Institute of Austin requires 195 hours in order to graduate. I spent a lot of time thinking about what to do. In the end, I chose to be a stylist instead of working at a magazine or online publication because most of my school projects already showcase my writing. Now that I have completed my internship, I'm excited and fortunate to share my stories with you! As a student by day and style intern at night, I have been working exclusively with local musician, Allison Nagle.

Allison Nagle, musician, during our photo shoot at Georgetown Lake.

Ms. Nagle is a member of native tribal band Hakloka. Having studied music since childhood, Ms. Nagle has recently become a fixture at blues jams around the Austin area. Musical gatherings that Allie plays her bass at include Ted Hall's Blues Jam at Kick Butt Coffee (4600 Guadalupe) and Austin Blues Society's Monday Blues Jam at Antone's (213 West 5th Street). She recently became a member of The Forbidden Blues Band; they will have their first gig at El Leon's (1910 East Cesar Chavez) later this month.

Hakloka at a performance in Killeen.

When I began my internship, I primarily focused on Ms. Nagle's involvement with Native American music. Hakloka generally performs at area powwows and events, such as ASAWAN and The Four Winds Intertribal Society's annual powwow in Killeen. To provide authentic and appropriate looks for such performances, research was needed. In order to look professional, Ms. Nagle needed to wear proper attire while performing. Her outfits also could not be too showy, as many times she and Hakloka perform for dance companies, and attention is needed to be kept on the dancers. As information was limited, I mostly looked at previous performances and went from there.

Colorful costumes at ASAWAN.

As part of my internship duties, I also sat in on rehearsals. I feel listening to the actual performance music was a big help in the way of inspiration. Because Ms. Nagle was on a budget, we looked to thrifting, upcycling, and creating our own jewelry pieces to complete looks. Our favorite thrift store we ventured was a Goodwill in Round Rock (150 West Palm Valley Blvd.). Surprisingly, we found that thrift stores farther out of Austin were cheaper than those in the city of Austin itself. We bought cheap beads from Hobby Lobby and would make simple bracelets and anklets to better colorize Ms. Nagle's outfits.

Ms. Nagle at Goodwill. 

After going on such thrift adventures, I would meet with Ms. Nagle to make sure her new clothing fit. I would also show her how to style the garments to better fit her shape. I would mix-and-match the skirts and tops with different belts and shoes, to give her wardrobe variety. Sometimes, we supplemented her looks with pieces from my own closet. I believe our final budget came to just under $150. Because Ms. Nagle is not the fashion enthusiast I am, I also helped her come out of her shell a bit. This was the best part: watching Ms. Nagle transform into a performer. It motivated me to continue working with her.

Sifting through the shoe aisle...

Another thing that kept me on track with my internship was the recent "Tribe Vibe" trend. Ms. Nagle and I discussed it early on and decided to not go in the direction of feathers (it seemed cliché and trivial, as in different tribes, feathers carry many different meanings). Despite this, I found a color story within the Native American trend, which was made up entirely from earth tones and neutrals. Ms. Nagle and I went through a seasonal color analysis, and found that she is an Autumn. This means she looks best in rich earth tones, such as warm or yellow-based hues, as well as muted and muddy colors. This was a perfect direction for her looks.

A lot of our inspiration came from what we saw at the pow wows. 

Overall, by keeping good communications between Ms. Nagle and me, I was able to not only style for her tribal band gigs, I have now been asked to continue working with her as she furthers her blues scene endeavors. At her performances, Ms. Nagle has received many compliments from her outfits, which is due to her willingness to break out of her fashion mold. I was delighted to have my first styling experience with someone so easy to work with. I know this will not always be the case, but a girl can dream, right? I have learned so much from my internship and have felt the personal growth already, from my professionalism to client communication skills. I also became a better photographer, as I had a model to work with!

Please enjoy the following photos, as they are of Ms. Nagle's final looks.

Overlooking Georgetown Lake.

Walking barefoot, at Georgetown Lake.

At Georgetown Lake.

 In Killeen, with Hakloka bandmate Aaron Pyle.

 Various instruments used during Hakloka shows.

 Warming up in Killeen.

 At ASAWAN, in San Marcos.

During ASAWAN.

 Before her final performance at ASAWAN.

ASAWAN.

During Ted Hall's Blues Jam at Kick Butt Coffee.

During Ted Hall's Blues Jam.

 About to rock the stage at Antone's.

Ms. Nagle, on stage at Antone's.

At Georgetown Lake.

Side note: don't forget about my special promotion with JewelMint! 

Rock the Casbah on North Loop!

Hey ladies and gents, my friends over at Blackbird Clothes & Curios sent me an e-mail about an event that's going on in Austin's North Loop IBIZ District. It's purr-fect for all the Austinites that still need to feed their fashion addiction after Austin Fashion Week and Le Garage Sale! Sponsored by the Austin Independent Business Alliance in conjuction with the Small Business Development Center, Rock the Casbah is going down Monday, August 29th. It'll feature fashion from all of my favorite North Loop ("NoLo") boutiques: Blue Velvet, Ermine Vintage, Forbidden Fruit, Green House, Splendor, and--obviously!--Blackbird Clothes & Curios. With music provided by Breakaway Records, appetizers served up by Phara's Mediterranean Cuisine & Christopher's Casbah, lighting by ILIOS, and samples of casbah comsos from Cinco Vodka, Rock the Casbah is guaranteed to be a rockin' weird fashion show. They even have KUT's very own Laurie Gallardo as the hostess, folks! Not to mention, Katie Cowden will be behind the camera lens in the hookah lounge-themed photo booth!

Naturally, I'm going (as well as keeping my fingers crossed that my ride doesn't flake). The only other question is, WTF am I going to wear? What?
Rock the Casbah: an exotic sampling of North Loop fashion, food, and music.

Where?
Phara's; 111 E. North Loop Boulevard, Austin, TX, 78751.

When?
8/29/2011; 8-10 pm.

Other Info?
Phara's is B.Y.O.B.

Many thanks to Blackbird Clothes & Curios for the images & info!

Boom! Fashion Flashback.

First and foremost, thank you to everyone who left positive feedback about my opposition to personal style posts! Y'all are the best, and I may have conquered my fear through your encouragement. Now, moving on...

I have a fancy for old newspaper clippings. The older the paper, the better.

This infatuation started when I was child: during elementary school, for several years I lived in a house that was built in the 1920s. After checking for hornet nests, my dad would let me explore the attic. Whoever lived there before, quite possibly the original homeowners, left a slew of old veterinarian encyclopedias and newspapers. Having interest in a period of time I could never experience myself, I spent hours poring over the newspapers. Most of the clippings were probably meant to preserve someone's engagement/wedding/birth announcement. On the other side of such preservations was (mostly) early World War II coverage.

It gave me goosebumps.

I would think of the people, strangers to me, who had cut out the clipping. I also wondered the reason behind why they would keep such information.

I still don't have a reason for why people keep objects for pure sentimental value. I'll blame my grandmother for my own sentimentality, as she is who gave me this clipping:
My grandmother gave me this Daily Democrat clipping two years ago while I was on spring break in Davis, CA. My grandmother's house, which had been her home for over 40 years, was in escrow. I spent a good chunk of my visit helping her pack. My grandmother assigned me the task of sorting through photos and other keepsakes, throwing away what no longer was of interest. I put the newspaper clipping in a book, and only rediscovered it after a thorough cleaning of my apartment.

And this time, instead of just reading the clip and shutting the book closed, I decided to do a little research.

Through my research, I learned about fashion designer Tiziani. Originally from Jacksboro, TX, and named Evan Richards, Tiziani found himself in Italy as an opera singer. With a genuine interest in costume design, in 1963, Tiziani opened a shop in Rome. That same year, Karl Lagerfeld began working with Tiziani. After sketching 90 outfits with Lagerfeld, according to a 1969 article in the Shenectady Gazette, Tiziani borrowed Catherine the Great's jewels from Harry Winston and threw a three-night shindig to open his couture salon.

Elizabeth Taylor became a client of Tiziani in 1966, and "Tiziani of Rome" costumes were featured in Taylor's films Boom! and The Comedians. According to Vicky Tiel in her book It's All About the Dress, upon being asked, Ms. Taylor did not offer backing for Tiziani's company.

Liz Taylor, in Tiziani, and Noel Coward in Boom! (That headdress!)

Lagerfeld left the company in 1969, and was replaced by Guy Douvier. Shortly after, Tiziani began offering ready-to-wear garments.

Tiziani's flared evening dress on the cover of Vogue in 1968.

I can't find anything on the Internet about what happened to Tiziani in the 1970s and beyond, but I did learn through a Google search that Evan (Buddy) Richards died in November of 1994. He was 70.

Have you ever found a newspaper clipping that made you curious enough to Google?

You can view the Schenectady Gazette article here; it is in PDF format.

If you love vintage Vogue magazines, you can peruse and purchase them here.

Boom! image credit: Universal Pictures, via IMDB.

Oh, Montana!

As you may or may not know, I was born-and-mostly-raised in Montana: I lived in a small town on Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. So you can imagine my surprise and excitement over hearing Dsquared2's campaign for Wood, their signature fragrance, was filmed not too far from where I grew up.

The European brand filmed down an old dusty, county road that leads to Swan River, which empties into Flathead Lake. According to Holland Lake Lodge, Dsquared2 originally wanted to film at the lodge, with Holland Lake as a backdrop. However, on the third day, they found the perfect location with the magnificent Swan River as its setting. The following is a behind-the-scenes look at the shoot:

Truth? While watching the video, I realized exactly where the commercial had been filmed.

Now, I have gone out there to go camping a handful of times, and I mostly remember the area because I once lost my wallet there (luckily, I found it) and it's also where I had my only "fight" in high-school: I was ambushed by the ultimate mean girl while sleeping in the bed of a pick-up; I ended up with a broken nose. Regardless, I don't regret a second of my camping adventures. Here's the Dsquared2 commercial in full:

It makes me want to go camping!

Just without the punch-in-the-face part.

Fashionably Austin & A Night of MajK with Mychael Knight

Cheryl of Fashionably Austin came to the Art Institute of Austin campus to speak to the Fashion & Retail Management students. If you are not familiar with Fashionably Austin, it's the fashion-forward brainchild of Cheryl and her business partner, . You can find about all the fashion events and happenings in Austin at the website, along with information about local designers, sales, and even watch Cheryl's recent experience at New York Fashion Week. It was wonderful to hear from a fashion insider who has made their dream into their career, all the while living in the beautiful city of Austin.

In other news...

Mychael Knight, who you may know from Project Runway: Season Three, is coming to Austin!

Mychael Knight is visiting the Art Institute of Austin campus on April 14th, and will be the school's first Artist in Residence.

Mychael Knight got his start in fashion as a stylist for the music industry, and was voted the Fan Favorite of the third season of Project Runway and placed fourth overall.

Since his stint on the show, Knight has been awfully busy: he has since designed a line of custom tees for Starbucks, introduced a lingerie line for men and women (Kitty & Dick), created a unisex fragrance (MajK), and on the 17th, he debuted his Fall/Winter 2010 line at the Charleston Fashion Week in South Carolina.

At The Art Institute of Austin's Night of MajK, attendees will enjoy:

• the Austin debut of Mychael Knight's Fall/Winter '10 line "Carte Blanche".


• a fashion presentation and Q&A with Mychael Knight.


• a gallery show inspired by Mr. Knight.


• hors d'oeuvres by the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Austin.

To learn more information and RSVP to the event, go here.

Whitney Eve: Made With Love, 2009 Fall Collection.

All right, so after reading comments on Lauren Conrad's LC line at Kohl's, I wanted to know what y'all thought of Whitney Port's clothing line, Whitney Eve.

Whitney Port, of MTV's The Hills fame, moved to New York City and started fresh on The City.
The show follows Ms. Port as she navigates through the Big Apple, while working at Diane Von Furstenberg and beginning her fashion line. Unfortunately, as was the case with The Hills, you don't get to see any fashion design. The show is chock-full of drama, as in the first season, Whitney competes with her coworker, Olivia, and falls in-and-out of love with her boyfriend, Jay.

The new season has begun with Ms. Port switching back to her job at People's Revolution with a new roommate and coworker, Roxy, as Olivia starts fresh at the accessory department of Elle.

Don't let the reality shows fool you--Port's background in fashion is a how-to in fashion interning: she spent three summers at W, a summer at WWD, and of course interned at Teen Vogue before becoming a fashion contributor for the magazine.

Personally, I love the look of her 2009 Fall/Holiday Collection. With spurts of fuschia balanced with silver, black, and pearl tones, it's just the right amount of color. I love the flowy tops. A little vampy, a little dressy, the line is Whitney Port, all grown-up.

The Whitney Eve Collection beats LC's, hands down. Of course, the price-point is much higher; $150-$300 is the range.

You can shop the Fall/Holiday 2009 Lookbook at Whitneyeve.com. Although Ms. Port debuted her 2010 Spring Collection at Fashion Week in New York City last month, the collection is not currently up.
Photos Courtesy of Whitneyeve.com