Sisters

My grandma dressed my mom and aunt so cute! My mom is on the left and my aunt on the right. I love the poc a dot dress my mom is wearing with the saddle shoes. Each dress' collar is embellished as well. Its funny because they are both sitting the same way with their hands clasped together.

Saddle shoes are in trend right now. 

Steve Madden, Women's HARTLEYY

Cole Haan, Men's Air Colton Saddle

Pontiac Cultural Art ~ Latino Style

 A little over a week ago I attended the opening reception of the Pontiac Creative Arts Center exhibit "Celebrate" Celebrating Hispanic Culture. I enjoyed the exhibit because it gives local artists a way to display their work in a beautiful setting. The art celebrates their community and culture. There are images that reflect Detroit, and Dia de Los Muertos. The pieces give the viewer an idea of how Latinos live everyday. The art also pays homage to our past with a painting of an Aztec warrior. There are many different styles the artists used to express their background and who they are.

I enjoy seeing how individuals capture who they are through their art work. We define ourselves by our history, our celebrations, our environment, our interests, and our food! Then somehow we find a way to express those things that define us through photography, music, acting, painting, sculpture or even fashion. I hope that the Latinos in the Pontiac area can visit the exhibit and feel connected to what the artists created.
Maybe the the art reminds you of:
- Your love of soccer
- The Aztec warrior t-shirt phase your brother went through in high school
- The first and only Quinceanera you attended
- The pottery your sister brought back from Mexico
- The Mexican calendar you still need to frame
- Or the traditional Mexican blouse filled with beautiful colors of floral embroidery hanging in your closet.
:)

 ~The exhibit is will be on display until October 25th 2012.

Señor Suave

 

 My Grandpa belongs on the pages of GQ. He knew how to pull off a classic look; a crisp white dress shirt and a pair of high-waisted khakis. How did he accessorize? He added the a leather watch, a belt, aviator sunglasses, and a cigarette. You can't go wrong with a good head of hair either. :) These pictures were taken in 1952!

It's a pleasure

This outfit kicks off my wardrobe looks for Fall. I had the pleasure of being asked to present a fashion piece on my site! The statement piece I am presenting is this Gold Cheetah stoned cuff bracelet! I love the idea of bringing other designs into my looks and styling around them. The cuff is from Detroit based Bella Ecienna and designed by Anteya Robinson. The company is influenced by the designer's mother. I appreciate this and can relate because my family influences my brand as well.

A successful look is one that is all about the details. Some details may be the pewter button on the mandarin collar and the studded boots. Another detail is the cuff; it adds the 'wow factor' and becomes the focal point of the entire ensemble. This kind of jewelry can set yourself apart from everyone else and doing so is my favorite thing to do.

Athletic Moda

-Some of my essentials while running or working out

Fashion can be found in more places than the runway. Fashion can be found on a court, track, field, etc.  Evidence of this was at the Olympics.

 One example was Erik Kynard's USA themed tube socks. 

 

After reading an article about Kynard, I learned that he is a fashionisto at heart and has a big shoe collection.

The William sisters have also been known to express their love of fashion through the tennis dresses and outfits they wear to matches. 

Some athletes like to switch up their uniforms or add something interesting to them because wearing the basic uniform can become boring. The design of athletic wear not only has to be eye catching but also serve a good purpose while playing a sport. Some important qualities these items need to have are wickability, durability, and to be light weight. At the end of the day these fashionable athletes want nice looking athletic wear, but pieces that are not a distraction but a second skin.

My Heritage of Fashion

 

This is a beginning of a series of fashion and photography that is very much part of me...part of my story. Everyone has a story. In the media I view stories describing something that is not my own. I can relate sometimes but there are things missing, elements that are untouched. There is a community of people where our stories are not being told. Then there are other stories that are being told where my culture is not put in the most positive light either through stereotypes or misrepresentation. 

Instead of me just talking about it I would rather be about it. I want to contribute my story, the story that hasn't been told in its fullest form. I will do this through photography and the fashion of my family. As a forth generation American, my story in this country may not be as old or as young as others. Our story began here in the earlier part of this last century. 

This series is a journey where I will be learning more about myself as well. I enjoy learning more about who I am through my past. In college I wrote a paper about my family's migration to Michigan and how it started from Mexico and Texas. I was able to interview my grandparents and even my great- grand mother who has now past away. That experience was invaluable. There are some things in life that you only have a certain amount of time to do..like ask your ancestors questions and get them answered. I am excited not only to dissect their fashion but the history that goes along with it.

(So here we go...)This is a photo of my grandmother, the person behind The Gregoria tie. This photo is from an era where people were changing their Latin names in Hollywood to be more 'American', to blend in and to be more marketable. Some of these celebrities were Rita Hayworth and Ritchie Valens. At this very same time my family kept their Spanish names and were living out their American Dream. The pictures of my grandmother when she was younger remind me so much of my sister.

COMME des GARÇONS PLAY...

 

Last year I posted about COMME des GARÇONS PLAY. I thought I would write another post this year.  I like this brand because it is very recognizable and the graphic is fun. A basic design like this gives a dress shirt, cardigan or t shirt a different presentation. After I saw this heart with eyes the first time I thought 'What is that?'  and 'Where did it come from?' The image kept me  thinking afterward and I like when fashion does that.

minnetonka on my mind!

 

These are my newest pair of Minnetonkas. I was attracted to them because they are unusual. I don't like wearing things that you can easily find when shopping, what everyone else is wearing, or what is the norm. The key is to look different enough but still in trend. My first pair of moccasins are a light tan and go with most outfits. I like them because I can wear them almost all year round. These shoes are also really comfortable. I can't wear this purple pair with most things but they will definitely be a focal point when they are worn.

What a Tool!

 

 I bought these earrings in #NYC from Miss Hoe at Prince Street and Bowery. I liked her collection of charm earrings. I choose these ones because they are unexpected and not overused motifs. I also don't mind stylin' wrenches. Some of my favorite kind of jewelry pieces are the ones with cute charms like my Betsy Johnson bracelets.

The #Talent and Tie

So the big day had finally arrived. All the preparation, story boarding and discussion came to life. Its an exciting process to plan the filming and photography shoots. I love brainstorming and bringing a variety of ideas together. Yesterday was when the crew joined to create a product. This product to selling a tie "The Michael" through still shots and moving. This tie is named after my father; it is silver, and woven with paisleys. Sharing my experiences in fashion is fun; especially with family. I am so glad my cousin Jon Paul (of the Jon Paul tie) was able to be part of this project. He loves fashion and he was able to see a side of the business only a few do. Family is part of my life and the more I include my life in my brand the more meaningful it is to me....It becomes something more to me than fashion...ITS a reflection of ME! I learned something. Filming in some ways is much different than photography. On film the behaviors of the 'talent' have to be more realistic. A lot of thought must go into each step of the story.

East to West, West to East

 

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon this is what I wore. My family and I traveled across the state to spend the day surprising my sister...a birthday surprise. Birthday Cake...friends...family...bratwurst...Buddy the dog...and swimming. The end of the night was finished off by driving from the west side of Michigan to the east listening to Thriller :)