Harvey Faircloth Fall Winter 2014 Look Book || Bright Lights, Big City
27/03/2014 § 1 Comment
Somehow, I find myself on the other side of a really jam-packed NYFW and FW14 market, with no blogging to show for it. I supposed that if I had something really amazing to share, you might let me get off with a light punishment…perhaps?
I am pleased to present the Harvey Faircloth FW 2014 look book, which I had the honor of shooting myself on Impossible Project polaroid film with a Polaroid Spectra ProCam. Different from our past look books which are much more straightforward, our aim was to capture the essence of season’s inspiration: our Creative Director Christopher Rivers’ memories and favorite places of late night New York City during the late 1980s and early 1990s (“Bright Lights, Big City”). Intimate and ephemeral, it has a undeniably voyeuristic quality — it almost feels like we’re following this girl on a nighttime prowl all over the city.
Working in Polaroid was challenging in a really great way. Because the photographs take time to develop, I had to shoot and move on in the interest of time. In an era of digital cameras and Photoshop, truly only having one chance was initially daunting but eventually liberating. I first figured out how to focus and then shortly thereafter I found a way to trust myself.
I hope you enjoy it!
Photographer: Mariah Kunkel
Hair: Walton Nunez
Make up: James Vincent
Model: Kuyan Elliot (Re:Direct)
QC Loves || Studio Nicholson F/W 2012
20/12/2012 § 2 Comments
I previously mentioned my love of Studio Nicholson, an elegantly tailored womenswear line by British designer Nick Wakeman, but upon viewing her F/W 2012, it confirmed again that Wakeman creates the sort of timelessly chic, menswear-inspired stuff my sartorial dreams are made of — and I had to share it with you. F/W immediately called to my mind a modern Katharine Hepburn-like sensibility — probably helped a bit by the gorgeous turtlenecks — and whenever a designer manages to do that for me, I know I’m home.
High points in this collection include that gorgeous alpaca Bruno topcoat above, the aforementioned Rocco turtleneck sweater, and that perfectly pleated and cropped wool Aida pant. And as I am a bit tardy in bringing you the news of F/W — forgive me! — you’ll be happy to discover that the collection is currently 30% off. So get while the getting is good.
For further detail, be sure to visit Studio Nicholson.
Autumn is Calling || Veronica Beard F/W 2012
02/10/2012 § Leave a comment
When two talented sisters-in-law, both inexplicably named Veronica Beard, launched their eponymous collection in fall of 2010 it was with a single, well-tailored blazer: “The Jacket.” In the seasons since, the line has blossomed into a full ready-to-wear collection — recently debuting their S/S 2013 at New York Fashion Week — with a strong foundation in familiar, iconic pieces.
I’m not sure how this line escaped me for almost two years, but upon first glance, I knew we would be fast friends — and when I read that the designers strive to create a “uniform” for the modern women, I upgraded that to very best friends. Classic, yet also very contemporary, the Veronica Beard woman is effortlessly chic in clothes that are made to be lived in. She’s a tailored city girl who highly values style, fit and comfort.
Before we get too lost in what’s to come for S/S 2013, I wanted to take a moment to share the F/W 2012 lookbook with you. I only have one tiny complaint, and it has nothing to do with the clothes. I’m not too terribly fond of those grey platform boots, but adore every single other thing. The jackets and outerwear still stand apart as their very best work — the silk lapels on that blazer below? The those luxurious fur collars? The colors and textiles you can sink your teeth into? Gorgeous, simply gorgeous. And the best part?
You can get it right now.
All images via Veronica Beard.
QC Loves: Studio Nicholson
17/08/2012 § 1 Comment
The interwebs truly is a beautiful thing.
I’m not sure what rabbit hole lead me to discover British designer Nick Wakeman’s amazing line, but I thank my lucky stars that I fell down it. Because it’s like it was made just for me.
Studio Nicholson is “…inspired by her love of menswear design whilst incorporating subtle female trend hooks each season. Nick, a former menswear designer has always been inspired by the assured and classic style of the sartorial European man’s wardrobe. Each season Nick catches the heart of that man’s sense of dress and creates an effortless, confident and uncomplicated wardrobe for women who require a practical yet classy uniform.”
Few things to note here:
1) inspired by classic menswear,
2) embraces seasonal female trend elements,
3) advocate of the uniform,
4) her name is Nick? Utterly cool.
and perhaps most importantly,
she’s just taken a 50% final summer reduction on all you see here and more.
Do hop over to Studio Nicholson, post haste.
Wolverine 1000 Mile Collection by Samantha Pleet F/W ’12 Lookbook (Styled by Me!)
07/05/2012 § 19 Comments
It’s here!
Very happy to share with you some of the looks I created for the Wolverine 1000 Mile Collection by Samantha Pleet F/W ’12 Lookbook! As I mentioned in my behind-the-scenes post last week, the lookbook features an amazing collection of shoes by the lovely Brooklyn designer Samantha Pleet for Wolverine 1000 Mile, an American footwear company that has been in existence since 1883. Based in Rockford, Michigan, Wolverine 1000 Mile is probably best known for their handsome workboots, worn by the hardworking people who built America’s railroads, highways and skyscrapers.
It is the first full-range shoe collection designed by Samantha Pleet, who best known for her whimsical apparel collections that frequently feature menswear-inspired details. Her venture into footwear is especially apropos, considering her genealogy, with a great-grandmother who owned a shoe store and a grandfather who was a shoemaker. The shoes made their debut at New York Fashion Week, at Samantha’s runway show, to great success.
I was ecstatic to be brought onboard to style the lookbook! Working closely with Samantha and the great folks at Wolverine, I created a collection of looks inspired by the same amazing group of women who inspired Samantha’s designs. Composed of vintage clothing from the amazing guys at Brooklyn Dry Goods, gorgeous accessories supplied by The Shiny Squirrel, some of Samantha’s own designs and even some of my own vintage pieces, I hoped to show how versatile the Wolverine 1000 Mile Collection by Samantha Pleet can be.
And, if I may quote myself (weird, sorry!) from the lookbook:
It was important to me to honor the spirit of adventure and independence and while creating looks for the modern woman, no matter if her adventures take her on safari in Kenya or on the subway downtown to the office. As a girl who wears men’s shoes on occasion, I really love the subtlety of the Samantha Pleet x Wolverine 1K Mile collection. Samantha doesn’t simply design men’s shoes for women, she combines the best of both worlds and has created something nuanced, nostalgic, but completely modern.
Last, but certainly not least, I had the privilege of working with the exceptionally talented photographer Mikael Kennedy, who took these amazing photographs.
Head here to view the lookbook!
I hope you like it! I would love to hear your comments!
The Blixen boot.
Karen Blixen is the fearless romantic, the Out of Africa writer who left her native Denmark to establish a coffee plantation in Kenya. When I think of Karen, I think of genteel safaris, of imported finery in the wilderness, with plenty of khaki and well-worn leather. As I mixed vintage pieces with Samantha’s designs I felt as Karen must have, pairing romance with rough-and-tumble. For the Blixen boot, I wanted each of these sides to show through – with one look reading more conventionally feminine and the other a bit more tomboyish.
The Earhart boot.
Amelia Earhart is travel personified. She wanted to go everywhere, see everything – an adventurer for adventure’s sake. When I think of Amelia, what immediately comes to mind are the trappings of an aviator, e.g., fleece-collared bombers and silk scarves, two of her personal signatures. Here we stayed very close to Amelia’s own aesthetic, but the look is softened a silk blouse and romantic hair.
The Nesbit boot.
Evelyn Nesbit is the chameleon. From humble beginnings, she reinvented herself as a chorus girl, actress and muse – so I really wanted to show versatile the beautiful kiltie boots she inspired Samantha to create.
The Nesbit oxford.
The Nesbit kiltie oxford is a true year-round, day-to-night shoe that will take you from the office, to the weekend, and everywhere in between. The tomboy in me loves their dandy details with a dress or with cuffed trousers and no socks.
The Bonny boot.
Anne Bonny is a woman to be reckoned with, as she was one of the most infamous female pirates in history. For this look I embraced the flamboyance of what Anne might have worn herself, pairing vintage ruffles with one of Samantha’s amazing capes. I love the colors of this boot – it really widens your palette possibilities when creating outfits.
For updates on the Wolverine 1000 Mile Collection by Samantha Pleet:
Blog || Facebook || Twitter || E-mail
For more information on apparel by Samantha Pleet:
Site || Twitter
All photographs by Mikael Kennedy, courtesy of Wolverine 1000 Mile.
Quite Continental 