Love Looks Not with the Eyes but with the Mind

I recently acquired a copy of Anne Deniau's book, 'Love Looks Not With The Eyes; Thirteen Years with Lee Alexander McQueen'.

I've long been a fan of Mr. McQueen and the way he challenged conventional ideals of how beauty and art were perceived, mixing, in the words of Ms. Deniau, "strength and fragility; both extremes."But now that I've held this [hefty] book in my hands and thumbed through its glossy pages-- some with full color bleed out to the edges-- I can say that I'm a fan of Anne Deniau, as well.  

With her camera and a honed aesthetic sense of the beauty of the moment she captured an intimate look at couture fashion shows, following one of the most unique, controversial and respected designers in the business.

It's a heady world to delve into.

{the artist (L) with model Kate Moss. }

{ Lee Alexander McQueen, 17 March 1969 - 11 February 2010 }

via Vogue France.

PHOTO SHOOT 18.JAN.13

today's sesh.

{ ENTER THE SHOP HERE }

PHOTO SHOOT 16.JAN.13

today's shoot with The Vagues..

. rabbit fur strapless crochet dress... oh yes.

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. incredible silk flapper dress with 360 glass beading and side ribbon (yow!).

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. crochet crop top.

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. black blouse with baby bow.

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. dress with hand-painted polka dots .

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. ruffle front top.

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. purple 60's dress with sheer bolero.

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. pink and lace top.

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. linen circle skirt with hand stitching.

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. wool coat with fox fur collar.

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{ ENTER THE SHOP HERE }

Fringe Trend

If you're thinking of rocking long, blunt bangs... now is the time to seize that momentum.

{ the eternal Nico. }

A very "in" trend for 2013, the fringe look works with long hair, up-do's or, of course, the bob, which is making a come-back, too (did it ever leave?)

{ Jane Birkin. }

photos via here and here and here

Serpentine

It's the Year of the Snake, according the the Chinese calendar.

Personally speaking, snakes freak the hell out of me.  I wish I could be one of those badass chicks that totally digs snakes but. 

 No.

And so researching for this post was... a challenge, but I face challenges head on, so I share with you now some of my favorite Serpents.

{ kiss, kiss.}

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{ Lulu Lataska, snake charmer and Circassian.}

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{ dress up as a snake, or let a snake dress up as you. }

{ this dame's got snake coverage head to foot. }

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Of course, snakes have been used throughout history in art as well as religious practices.

{  Quetzalcoatl, Aztec feathered serpent deity of learning and knowledge. } 

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{ The strength of the serpent and the age-old battle of man v. beast is demonstrated in this ancient Greek sculpture, 'Laocoön and His Sons'.  I only wish the epic poem had survived! }

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{ In Japanese folklore, a nure-onna (lit. "wet woman") is a yōkai which resembles an amphibious creature with the head of a woman and the body of a snake. While the description of her appearance varies slightly from story to story, she has been described as being 300 m in length and has snake-like eyes, long claws, fangs and long, beautiful hair. She is typically spotted on a shore, washing her hair. }  

via.

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{ above:  Charles Rickett's The Great Worm, 1889 }

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... And if you're thinking about snakeskin in fashion....

{ no choice:  to go 'snake' is to go bold. }

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and then there's THIS, the Snake Woman...

if you're squeamish, watch with caution.

~.~ Have an amazing year, everyone! ~.~