Inspiration. Freedom.

Photos courtesy of: Irving Penn, Guy Bourdin, C-heads Magazine, Tumblr, Pinterest, Interview Magazine, Francesco Clemente

Hello friends,

And I'm back! Since my ankle sprain two weeks ago, I haven't been able to do much moving around. So instead, I thought I'd share some inspiration with you all.

This is a mini collection of my personal inspiration curations. Everything vintage and retro had always made me tick, and with that came a deep appreciation for iconic photographers of the past. It's fascinating to see the way fashion photography has evolved, from the powerful simplicity of Irving Penn, to the rebellious colors of Guy Bourdin. These influencers continue to give creative minds new thoughts, even today.  

Along with some photos of style inspirations, this last photo I included is a painting by the Italian artist Francesco Clemente. His exhibit at the Rubin museum of art was one of my exploration destinations.. if my ankle hadn't been injured! I absolutely love his boundary-less exploration of mediums and styles, extending in many different directions, and undefined by a "title" of artistic categories. 

Hopefully my ankle heals soon so I can check it out before it's gone!

Last but not least, I want to talk about my latest inspiration. A graphic designer and an activist with a true voice. I've been watching James Victore on his youtube channel as he talks about creative courage, living life and doing work with a purpose. So much about this guy inspires me- his bold yet forceful design work, his own story of becoming who he is today, and his empowering philosophy of acting on our passions and having an opinion.

 I know I already think a lot. But listening to his words made me think a lot more about my own life and where I'm going with it. I am in a constant battle with myself about my ideal work, life, and the tradeoffs that come with it. So are my current foot steps taking me to an eventual journey that I want to be a part of, and are my burning passions are being given a chance by... me? 

It's not an easy answer.

But as I continue my creative journey on this blog (which is something I do have a burning passion for), his words about "freedom" will help me figure the rest of it out.

James Victore

Sunset Chasing

As the days get shorter, we truly come to appreciate the seemingly endless sunlight taken for granted in the summertime. A photo shoot started at 5:30pm used to be plenty of time for good lighting, and now it all the sudden becomes a race against time.

Ironically enough, these photos were shot in Sunset Park in Brooklyn. Standing in the picturesque bronze sky along with the industrial touch of railroad tracks and factories, there was a magic unable to be described. 

The real inspiration, however, came from the jewelry piece I wore. About a month ago, there was a little pop up stand that caught my eye while browsing at Bloomingdale's. Unlike the David Yurman's and Dannjo's surrounding it, these One Of a Kind pieces were delicately crafted in unique shapes. A bit of vintage inspiration mixed with a touch of bohemian spirit, all having been hand crafted in New York, I quickly fell in love with them all. Sara Reichert, the founder of the brand, is another woman with a story of passion and hardwork that instantly moved me. 

So glad she's back in NYC from Nov.13 to Nov.16, to check out some of her pieces, find her at the One OAK by Sara pop-up shop at the ground floor of Bloomingdale's 59th street!

Photo by Gabriel Brandt

Wearing: One OAK by Sara jewelry, dress from Free People, vest by Saks Fifth Ave, and boots by J.Crew. 

June Bug

A mini curated collection of summertime images that inspire me. 

I guess by now it's not hard to spot my weakness for flowers. They inspire me in all sorts of ways, and I love that floral designs are manipulated and incorporated into almost every known style - whether it'd be preppy, bohemian, alternative, or anything other kinds of clothing. I also love the versatility of it, and can probably ramble about it on and on if you don't stop me..

Even though I'm a total city girl at heart, summer does inspire me to seek some escape from the hustle and bustle and draws me toward nature. When the noises and humidity levels feel too heavy on your skin, there's nothing like grabbing $2 fresh coconuts off the street and finding serenity in the park. 

Photos courtesy of Tumblr & Pinterest