Hiss and Hearse

Recently, much to my delight, I have been noticing 1950’s/early 1960’s styles creeping their way into current fashion trends. Take, for instance, a recent DIESEL/DIESEL BLACK GOLD editorial from Flaunt issue 101 entitled “The Loveless” (a reference to one of my favorite movies–an identically titled biker flick, starring Willem Dafoe). Denim, leather, and gravity-defining pompadours appear prominently here as do plaids, cigarette pants, and a little bit of grit and grease, all recalling blue-collar, mid-century aesthetics.

Vice Magazine also recently ran their Global Trend Report 2009, which takes a look at fashion trends city by city, and rockabilly looks are making a comeback in New York.

Keeping with the vintage theme of this entry, I thought I’d also share my first attempt at embroidery! Thanks to my dear friend, Tiffany, I am now equipped with the tools and the know-how to do my own clothing embellishments. Eventually, I would like to stitch some designs onto some of my western shirts; but to start, as a birthday present for him, I embroidered my friend Jose’s initials in vintage tattoo lettering on a plain white handkerchief. The result:

I still have a lot of learning and practicing to do, but I’m pretty happy with it as a first shot.

Also, my mind is currently occupied with thoughts of my trip back to Pittsburgh, where I will be interviewing for a really cool copy writing job at a popular online clothing retailer! Not only that, but it’s been about eight months or so since I’ve seen any of my friends or family back east (with the exception of Rachel and Tiffany who both made their ways out to the Bay Area on separate occasions), so I’m eager to visit with my loved ones. Though, my excitement about this trip is somewhat tempered by knowing I’m going to sorely miss my lovely partner for a period of time.

Oddly enough, during the same afternoon that I booked my flight for my interview, I got two emails offering me work in the Bay Area! One offer was some freelance writing for the company Kristin works for. This I’ve accepted, and I will put the money I earn toward some of my air fare. When it rains, it pours.

“Hallo Possums!” MAC cosmetics introduces the Dame Edna collection! Shepard Fairey’s Obama Is Time’s Person of the Year! And E.C. Star, you are killing me with your new fabulous dress designs. Oh modcloth, who finds your amazing clothes?

I am new year dreaming, of a new website, camera, photo making and adventures. Richard Wayne’s birthday is on the fifteenth of January, so I must plan something spectacular. Any ideas?

My head is constantly thinking about photography, last week I created an inspiration board that I put next to my bed where I taped photos from magazines with lighting, composition, hair, poses, make-up- all things that I want to be inspired by for future shoots!

Model Jessica Stam, originally found via the dear nubbytwiglet!

Some more treats includes this image from artist Géraldine Georges, from FFFFound!  These delightful fashion images from British Glamour and found by frolic!  For all the other type lovers out there, I present, The Typographic Desk Reference.  I am also completely amazed by this east coast make-up artist, Lottie, found by hellojupiter-  I hope everyone is enjoying the last few days of the year- so many fun things coming soon in the next days and months.

treasury pro, has anyone used this beautiful typeface in a design?

“helvetica is an independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives….” – from the official helvetica website

last night i watched helvetica, the documentary about one of the most widely used sans-serif typefaces- and was completely mouth open, eyes wide amazed- the soundtrack was pretty, the visuals stimulating, the designers interviewed were inspiring- the film was very well done.
listening to all of the other graphic designers worldwide talk of their love and hate of helvetica- produced this internal happy feeling that made me appreciate what i do- which is to create some good design.

i love design again and it’s an incredible feeling to be excited about something- this film really opened up my brain and i recommend it for anyone, designer or not-

some fun helvetica related links:

the helvetica soundtrack

“you can say i love you in helvetica. you can say it with helvetica extra light if you want to be really fancy.” i want.

from nubbytwiglet, “helvetica: a love & hate relationship”

nubbytwiglet and galadarling weekly post their thursday flickr favorites and i decided to join the movement-

current favorites and obsessions include:

♥ personal studies and observations of russian typography and graphic design- i just love the imagery and use of clean, strong graphic elements-

♥ taking photos of a screen that has a live image or photograph on it- i have been thinking about this for a while and really love these debbie harry images- the lines of the screen just make the composition look surreal-

♥ working with a team to create an amazing image: i really want to work and conceptualize with a stylist, hairdresser, make-up artist and model to make really fantastic images- like my favorite kat bret snow kittens set-

♥ learn to love myself- this is a hard thing to do and every day is a new challenge.

♥ the new joy division biopic, control, by anton corbijn comes out in the UK february 11… so it must come to the US soon too!

♥ making actual packages to send in the mail- i am working on a mix cd exchange with a group of lovely ladies- i used to send mail all the time, it will feel good to have something other than bills!

♥ these shoes by vivian westwood for melissa are absolutely amazing! (i want.)

♥ meeting with friends and having adventures- after work yesterday i went to ritual coffee and had just sat down and not even sipped my coffee, when someone yelled, “FIRE!” and all of this smoke started billowing out- we were evacuated and firemen came- i hope the place is ok. but i ended up the evening eating something chocolate from tartine bakery and drinking red wine- nice night cap.

♥ shooting film again! i really want to try, i miss the smell of developer and the sound of the film winding around inside the camera-

♥ being inspired, happy, involved, creative, healthy, enlightened-

what are your current favorites and obsessions?

oh my, in march stefan sagemeister is giving an AIGA lecture and i can’t find anyone to attend with me!

darling readers, he is only a design genius!  found a really cool interview here!

who wants to go with me?
xo

N.E.E.T. magazine is my favorite online fashion/art/music/photography read… since it’s creation, i have sent several electronic love notes with my devotion and desire to be a photography contributor- maybe someday they will enjoy my work and i’ll get a reply- for now i’ll just remain a loyal fan and reader! xo