Fashionrework's Blog

A Thrifty Life is an Awesome Life and the Fashion Cycle Vintage ReWork

fashionrework — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 06:50:48 +0000

Not that I don’t find luxury and indulgence completely intriguing and with my fascination/obsession with rap/hip hop, I do find myself frequently pulling a Gucci Mane and looking for more ways to frost myself with canary yellow diamonds with my v-cut tees and who doesn’t love a blinged out Bart Simpson necklace?

Well, maybe not all of us admire the frosted Bart Simpson piece, but instead covet some oversized pinkie rings with golf ball sized diamonds or something along those lines with dreams of the imprudent life and while the world we often dream about and admire is something that is free from worries and high in the finest of all material things, sometimes the best lived life is one that manages to produce the most terrific results under the confines of certain boundaries, be it time, resources and money. This is because innovation and creativity are pushed to soaring new heights when under such confines, which is always admirable in great product design, architecture and fashion design. Furthermore, while we may fantasize to some degree of those perfect days and perfect “what if” scenarios and circumstances, truth be told, an admired life and person is someone who we see can make a joyous well lived life within their resources and truely this type of person is becoming a celebrated individual in many spheres from different bloggers who make managing to live life more abundantly by refashioning clothes, refinishing furniture and sharing their tips and tricks to all so a good life is one we can all achieve to. Not only are novice-turned-expert bloggers bering heralded as celebrities in their own underground fame and world, other artists and musicians are too for delivering an on point message that thriftiness, industry and innovation are cool. Case in point, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis with their song called “Thrift Shop” featuring Wanz.

I have to admit thrift stores and vintage finds are amazing, which is something I love to do when I have spare time. I can’t even number the pieces I’ve either seen or bought at thrift stores that have ended up becoming practically exact copies in high-end luxury brands and designers lines. To further illustrate the what is old is new cycle, many fast fashion retailers simply take the best of the best from the runway and have their manufacturers and distributors reproduce if not exact to almost exact copy cat items right off the runways some within a few weeks and others as late as a season later. While this may seem as a big injustice to those designers, many designers do in fact gain the inspiration from celebrated vintage pieces or some even study what all the most interesting fashionable people wear to clubs and events all over the world, much of that being vintage clothing. In fact, when I worked with American Apparel, I know they had people devoted to sourcing and searching out great designed pieces and I think that is pretty apparent in everything from the terry clothe rompers to bringing back those sexy but initially awkward body suits we all saw our moms rock in the 80s. This music video and song say it all. It’s hilarious and from a costumer’s stand point, it would have been so much fun to have done this music video. I really loved designing and styling the background on Nicki Minaj’s Starships music video and since have wanted to work on more music videos especially fun musicians like this. For now we can all take note and remember thrifting is awesome!

Klimt Inspire and the Styling Tips behind the Look of Klimt’s Muses

fashionrework — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:47:11 +0000

Unlike the overly coiffed, maintained and somewhat harsh looks that many women wear today, we can all agree that the best kind of beauty is the raw, untempered and untamable spirit we find gorgeous in Angelina Jolie, Brigette Bardot and Audrey Hepburn. It is the type of beauty that shines from behind one’s eyes as they light up in excitement. It is not a carefully calculated study of contemporary beauty trends and standards, but instead a little messy and dishelved, but the warmth of beautiful woman’s(inside and out) spirit along with her attitude to live a life of passion, her interactions between strangers and those she knows and loves is what makes a woman beautiful and a stunning sight to behold-like art in movement.

All of Klimt’s muses seem to have this je ne sa quois. He is able to capture women in all the glorious moments playfully, confidently, softly, sensually and introspectively through their simple gestures of gracefulness, in their quiet noble and nurturing solitude and introspection, to their powerfully sexy and fearless stands remaining undaunted by the breadth of true power and beauty they so easily bestow. A true mark of the Empress that exists in every woman, Klimt doesn’t withhold the wide range of beauty to be seen, moments of child-like playfulness to the comfort of a motherly embrace are just as profound to re-witness every time as the moments of strong and steadfast serenity to the glory of peace and poise. All of these moments, portray the range of life, along with the sheer erotic ecstasy of sensuality, these beautiful moments of Klimt’s muses are made complete with full vulnerability when soul’s touch and bodies meld.

There is no doubt that Klimt has managed to successfully and beautifully capture the muse inside all women. Many other artists have been inspired and been able to capture Klimt in not only their artistic reanderings (as I have previously talked about in my last blog post) but also in fashion both runway and indie designers, product design, photoshoots, hair, make-up, jewelry, home decor and interior design. The poses, mannerisms, gestures, body language, hair, make-up and style are all very important elements to being this goddess/sensual lover divine. As a result, the details and dress and elements of sensual retreat.

Hybrid Vigor with Alexander McQueen and the Rise and Fall of Klimt Stardust

Fashion Designer Alexander McQueen Resort 2013 inspiration came from the brushstrokes, patterns, color palette(albeit a pared down in color) of Klimt’s painting style. McQueen remixed prints into fabrics that seriously mixed David Bowie’s oversexed adrogeneous look in styling and attitude for a crisper and structured look. I love that two very different and both very known for their erotic behvior artist and musician can clearly be seen in this collection and McQueen pulls this hybrid vigor off perfectly. Instead of some of the light, airy romantic feel of Klimt he achieve’s the throwback by pulling in common patterns, color palettes but goes for an equally empowered and confident look in shillouette very opposite of Klimt’s drapey fabrics and romantic tendencies.

Yum….pure sexiness, Bowie’s edginess with the under-stirrings of Klimt’s Romantic Ideals

Christian Dior Couture Spring 2008 collection contained the classic elements of Klimt

If one does not possess the artistic talent to replicate or even invoke the art inspired by Klimt, then rest assure because the following images will be the catalyst in not only one’s style, but also in your personal love abode.

Living Life with Klimt

klimt inspired boudoir minus the frill and pared down in off-white, cool grays, beige brown with bronze pops

Klimt shabby chic with rustic undertones

More modern play on scale, color palette focusing on cooler colors

Both interesting

Gold accent walls

Different color focus

Inspiration taken from The Kiss

Dining on Decadence with Gustav Klimt

Lighting, texture and color palette all significantly add flair and bohemian indulgence

Marble, leather, tiled mosiacs and brass hardware

Details in the Display

Wall Displays, color notes and gold accent pieces

Table Settings

Klimt in texture and details

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Klimt is the original mix master, never too matchy, matchy but he’s always kept a continued theme of colors and balance consistent, so even what would seem like a clash of patterns on fabrics becomes an exciting mix of textured beauty that feels cohesive to the eye.

Detail rich textures in materials like dichotic glass, mosiac tiles and other mediums can be mixed to achieve the perfect Klimt-esque feeling which always borders between the luxury of powerful emotions and the excitement of the material.

Romancing the Canvas with Gustav Klimt

fashionrework — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 22:08:12 +0000

Happy Birthday Gustav Klimt! With nearly a century between the legendary artist and contemporary ideals of romance reforming to new acceptable heights of online dating, social networking and friending there is something to be said that society on a whole still perceives, relates and loves the work Gustav Klimt. How could one not enjoy the beauty of his work? Something about the languid body postures, relaxed femininity oozing out of each muse embodies the ideals and enjoyment of being a woman. All the beautiful colors and textures in each painting reveals the all encompassing sensory experience and ambience that a woman can have or all the sensual experiences we take in every time we are in the embrace of the one’s we love.

Klimt captures the naturally rich opulence that radiates from the female essence. What his eye seems to notice and his art seem to pronounce is the details, all the little details that goes into celebrating the female spirit. It is truly all those small details like the smell of her favorite fragence, the way she does her hair, the sexpot look of smudgy eye make-up, bed head hair and the most effortless way that fabrics drape around the shilouette of a woman are the very images and instances that captivates audiences, silences a room and inspires the writer, artist and musician to devote hours to recapturing the feeling they have felt and sights they have witnessed.

A ReWork with Embroidery

Graffiti, Stencil and Some Humor ReWork

A Textured ReWork in a Personal Portrait Embroidery

Klimt on Art Being Perfectly Acceptable Form of Foreplay

“All art is erotic.”

The Kiss ReWork

The Kiss Reinterpreted Modern Twist and Humor

Harry Potter Lovin Kiss

Hans Solo and Princess Leia Kiss

Klimt on the Paradox of Being an Artist/Effective Multi-Tasker/Pro-ADHD

“Although even when I am being idle I have plenty of food for thought both early and late – thoughts both about and not about art.”

Klimt-scaping

Klimt Articulating His Most Effective Communication is Paint to Canvas and not Writing

“Even when I have to write a simple letter I’m scared stiff as if faced with looming seasickness.”

Digitally Warped Klimt

Klimt-mare

Klimt Teddy Bear

Kid Klimt ReWork

Klimt on the External/Internal Pressures/Anxieties an Artist often Feels

“True relaxation, which would do me the world of good, does not exist for me.”

South Beach Inspired Klimt and Zelda Mixed with the Romanticism of Klimt

“There is no self-portrait of me.”-Klimt

Tattooed and Pin Up Klimt

The Ladies of Klimt

Klimt-ish

Klimt on the Uncertainty of Artistry

“I can paint and draw. I believe this myself and a few other people say that they believe this too. But I’m not certain of whether it’s true.”

Inspired by Klimt Fish Blood and Semi Nude Woman Sketches

Klimtify

Klimt In Process and Readying for Gold Leafing

Miles Aldridge

fashionrework — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 01:56:07 +0000

Reblogged from Voulue Boutique:

I delight in the artistic images produced by world top fashion photographers and as I have said many times Annie Liebovitz is my icon. But she is only one of a few of the top and talented photo artists around and when it comes to colour and theatrical composition Miles Aldridge hits the bullseye with all three arrows.

Miles has grouped into several themes of which I will definitely write articles about over the coming months, but in particular it is one theme that was commissioned for Vogue Italy about a year ago, I find that its esthetics are particularly attractive.

Life Rework

fashionrework — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:11:59 +0000

I have to apologize for the incredibly long break but my life has been swept into a frenzy and all sorts of plans and changes needed to take place. But now I’m back with more behind the scenes info, great stylist resources including a book that I have been privileged to be apart of and lots of photos for my la boheme series.

Trish Summerville - The Stylist

fashionrework — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 08:33:57 +0000

Reblogged from The Cultural Omnivore:

Trish Summerville is at the top of her game with a list of credits to her name that reads like a veritable who's who of Hollywood. Her latest work on the blockbuster movie The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and following collaboration with retail behemoth H&M have inspired a generation wanting to emulate the tough-as-nails aesthetic of lead character Lisbeth Salander.

Starships with Nicki Minaj

fashionrework — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:04:12 +0000

I’m so excited about seeing my work, designs and styling on the Nicki Minaj video that was finally released today. It looks awesome to see my ideas actually in a finished format. Specifically with the Haka, Hula, Fire Knife and Free Style Dancers, as well as some party people. There are aspects to the styling and designs that I wish I had approached differently but overall I’m so excited and blessed to be apart of this. Nicki’s stylist is Jessica Bosch and it was nice working with her. There was also a talented duo who focused on the models. It was a team effort and I feel lucky that Hawaii Five-O was on hiatus long enough to have two really gifted tailors and to work with Charley and Cory, who both possess amazing costuming skills and experience. Although some of the politics and logistics were difficult, I really feel so happy, blessed and lucky to be apart of the experience and hope to have more opportunities to creatively expand in the future.

Actually, I have some other designs that collaborated with Nicki’s make-up artist, world renowned Donald Simrock. I took his same design and application and had designed outfits for 3 sets of twins that were pretty cool. However because of all the poor scheduling and time delays the video was cut a little earlier so there is a huge aspect of the storyline that is missing from the concept that focuses more on being a strange universe and Nicki being more of an alien. Had the video been able to capture all of the directors vision with the treatment, it would have been even more impressive and made the concepts feel more complete and cohesive. The original vision, made Nicki seem like an alien coming to another universe, this other universe is strange, super color saturated and at the same time pulls from so many fashion references along with coming to a lush tropical paradise were the tribal feels otherworldly and not so specific to tradition. Metaphorically Nicki’s style, success were to seem alien and as a reference to how she is in the pop music and hip hop world. So the 3 sets of twins and some of the other scenes that were cut early could have made this concept feel more complete. I loved re-creating Donald’s look he created for Nicki’s album cover. I wish it was apart of the music video but it seems its also the nature of how changes can be made so quickly. I’ll post on the twins within the next few days.

Director’s Choice: Studio Pull for Nicki Minaj Starships Music Video

fashionrework — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:04:20 +0000

As I have previously mentioned before, I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with so many supportive, talented and amazing companies for the Nicki Minaj music video Starships. Here is just a few of the great items that I got to work with from some amazing and very talented people and companies. I feel so fortunate to work with them and many of them created one of kind pieces especially for the shoot in color palettes of neon orange, neon pink and neon yellow which was established by Nicki Minaj‘s album cover make-up that Donald Simrock did.

Thief and Bandit ooak clothing and amazing jewelry from Richmond VA. All fabrics are handprinted, which resulted in the perfect feel for neon tribal.

Thief and Bandit’s amazing necklaces, braided bracelets and turbans. Find out more about them here.

Pamela Love has the most INCREDIBLE jewelry ever. The director loved these pieces. They were so nice to work with and have so many other great pieces, check them out here.

Connie from Nutcase Jewelry makes amazing jewelry. She made a special necklace for Nicki Minaj called “Minaj”. Her pieces are the answer to any outfit that needs a lift. She is incredibly professional and incredible fusion of glamorous and bright, check out more of her items here.

Joy from J Dot Designs has come up these feather ankle cuffs. They seem like the perfect way to upgrade your favorite heels. I hope to work with her in the future and ever-expanding collection. Find more of her items here.

This is just a few great companies from that list and I look forward to giving more updates and more photos from the fun array of items I had to pull from when dressing the background for the video. I look forward to posting photos of my designs as well and I’m waiting for the video to drop before I do so.

Neon Saturated Sleep Deprivation

fashionrework — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:11:23 +0000

Since coming back to Hawaii after the holiday break, I was honing in on working another production for the pilot Last Resort, which looks very promising. It was so nice to work with some of the same people I’ve worked with in the past. I felt so fortunate to work with them again, but I got involved with designing/dressing the extras for a Nicki Minaj music video “Starships” which was just shot here in Oahu, Hawaii the last week. I’ve learned so much and feel so grateful, had the chance to really use some creative thought process which is refreshing from feeling otherwise drone-like. Here’s a photo Nicki twittered last week about 1 set of my dancers, the electric pink Haka Dancers. So many great things came out of this video but enjoy the teaser until later.

I had the chance to work with some really great companies, great and talented people and new materials I’ve never worked with before to create and achieve some beautiful contrasts in color and material and ultimately creating a meld between two very opposite worlds.

I’ve really enjoyed working with custom made vinyl stencils and some will-flex paint with heat gun application, great industrial choice for serious color and paint. I love the industrial rubberized paint effect you get from working with it. Other materials I loved working with include these beautiful Tahitian skirts. The material they were made of was one of the few organic materials I found, yet the local manufacturer was able to produce brillant neon colors in a spectrum so electric they were mesmerizing to work with.

Searching out for fabrics posed similar problems, all true hot neons were synthetic and had either a slinky shiny bad raver feel to them or complete opposite, hard and harsh to work with and easy and cheap to fall apart. Organic materials fit and laid right but never had the right colors. I was able to get the look I desired eventually by dying a linen that possessed a subtle metallic weave.

This whole shoot I was searching for electric neon colors in organic materials in order to achieve the look I wanted. It was nearly impossible but the skirts were amazing and the manufacturer was sweet enough to give me a bundle of rooster feathers in every bright and neon shade to use as sample material. I still look at the bundle every morning or as I drive around and I can’t help but to smile at how beautiful the colors are and how great they look together. It’s weird how some materials and colors do that to you.

I was excited to work with Dhrama Trading Company as well. They are based in California and have the most helpful team to assist neon obsessive color freaks like me in trying to achieve the brightest neon possible. I was excited to get my airbrush on, but it broke and I never got to use it. Luckily Cory gave me some Preval Sprayer bottles and I went to work just mixing up fluorescent textile paint super simple.

I think I pilfered every WalMart on the island for every bottle acrylic neon pink paint. Later I found out that all the MAC makeup girls got to the neons first, which would explain why I literally had my assistant chasing neon acrylic paint like they were pots of gold at the end of every rainbow we see here . I was spray painting for what seemed like years on materials that just gobbled the paint up, I swear I was huffing fumes and not by choice, I really needed to keep all the brain cells I could muster to get through the shoot. The best thing that came out of this was recreating an inspired look from the famed makeup stylist and artist Donald Simrock, and applying it to the 3 sets of twins I designed for on the shoot. I’ll post photos of this later as well.

Much was learned from this experience, along with good stories and new friends I truly hope that I will be able to have more opportunities like this. My experience seems so fresh in my mind that I was absolutely blown away by Hunger Games, it’s my new Blade Runner and I desperately want to rescan over scenes for those monumental iconic looks that I know that film is saturated with. The aging, the color palettes, etc were all so amazing and I look forward to posting on that as soon as I can.

LADY GAGA SAYS: "I'M RETARDED"

fashionrework — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:54:11 +0000

Reblogged from Weekly World News:

NEW YORK - Lady Gaga is being sued by Madonna for plagiarism. Gaga's explanation: "I'm retarded."

Read more… 348 more words, 1 more video

The Inspiration Behind Lady Gaga's Born This Way