1.27.2012

runway to davenport: alexander mcqueen


For her first paper + cloth guest post, I asked interior designer and blogger Amanda Sinistaj (check her out at www.dwellwellonline.com) to find inspiration in the spring 2012 runway collections. As a stylist, my job is to translate and curate fashion for the rest of the world, whether for an individual's wardrobe or an editorial fashion shoot. For her first post, Amanda translates the design vision of the divine Alexander McQueen for a very different runway - your living room.

Runway to Davenport: Alexander McQueen
by Amanda Sinistaj


Trends…I hate that word. Personal style seems so much more appropriate for where 2012 is headed. It will be a year of personal expression, individuality and all about the details! From runways to your living room, we will show you how to translate the spring fashion line up into your home decor.

Alexander McQueen's collection for spring focused on incredible details in pleating and draping that were infused with an oceanic theme. Texture and color is a proposition easily incorporated into your living spaces.

1.26.2012

you can leave your mask on...

Earlier in the week, I posted a sneak peek of a costume design shoot I styled for local designer Kelly Lynne. Well, voila! Here are the final images! I was super geeked about this shoot based on my cell phone pics, but I am even more excited for the final product. The images, shot by Michelle Matiyow, perfectly capture the innocent-yet-macabre aesthetic of the designer. It also presented me with an opportunity to really let my imagination run wild when it came to the styling. Check it out below and let me know what you think in the comments!

Kelly Lynne Costume Shoot
photo: Michelle Matiyow for LM Studios
styling: Rebecca Voigt Fashion Styling
hair: Sandy Bambi
makeup: Megan Murphy
model: Maeve

White Swan

1.24.2012

sneak peek: kelly lynne costume shoot

White Swan gets a dramatic makeover with high contrast red accessories.

Yesterday I styled a shoot for local designer (and good friend) Kelly Lynne. She's not only amazingly talented in the ready-to-wear area, she can create pretty badass costumes. The shoot yesterday was to capture her costume designs on film, everything from a twisted Alice to a dramatic ringmaster. My faves of the day were the reinterpretations of her black and white swan costumes. Kelly wanted to show them in a different, non-balletic light, and I was so happy she liked my ideas. Check out these behind-the-scenes images and stay tuned for the final shots, captured by the incredibly talented Michelle Matiyow!

UPDATE: Check out the full shoot here!

Bowler hat, face mask, studded gloves, twisted cane - perfection.

1.20.2012

the hunt: winter essentials


This winter, Michigan definitely had an identity crisis. We've been experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures all season - until now, that is. This morning the temperature was a frigid 8 degrees. Who knows if the cold is here to stay, but now is a good time to stock up on winter weather essentials. Why? Well, online and brick-and-mortar retailers have left fall/winter behind and moved on to resort, with the spring collections soon to follow. That means that thanks to the frenetic pace of the fashion industry, you can score great deals on everything from coats and scarves to boots and gloves.

Jackets of All Trades


1/ ONE by Nonoo Cosima Shearling Collar Jacket
With a dramatic asymmetrical shearling collar, this tailored wool coat makes a major statement while keeping you warm and cozy.
$626.50 (originally $895), Shopbop

1.17.2012

from the archives: migration

One of my most recent projects has been sorting through my styling portfolio, organizing the images for an agency I am newly signed to. It got me thinking - I have been truly blessed to work with some incredibly talented people throughout the years. My fashion adventures to date have included dangling models off of rooftops, a memorable (and cold) shoot at an ice carving workshop, literally tying antlers to a girl's head with her own hair, building bustiers out of plastic wrap, and much, much more. None of it would have been possible without the amazing designers, photographers, models, makeup artists, hair stylists, assistants and interns who helped make the magic happen. To acknowledge and celebrate them (and to shamelessly show off some of the work of which I am most proud), I've decided to share some of my fave shoots here on paper + cloth. Enjoy!

Michael Kors dress. Sweetface belt. Miu Miu shoes.

Shot for the September/October 2007 issue of Ambassador, Migration was inspired by one of the fall 2007 season's biggest trends (and one of my personal fashion weaknesses) - feathers! The idea with the shoot was to keep the avian influence subtle - rather than wearing feathers head to toe, our model would be dressed in shades of gray, black, white and cream with pops of color (introduced through accessories) and dashes of sparkle and feathers. To get the look, I pulled from a diverse group of designers, including Michael Kors, Monique Lhuillier, Jason Wu (way before he was a household name with a hotly anticipated collection for Target on the way), Alexander Wang (also a relative newcomer at the time), Gucci, Lela Rose and more. Check out the full shoot, with credits, below.

1.16.2012

golden girls


The Golden Globe Awards were handed out last night, and as I do every year, I tuned in - not to see who won, but to see who wore what. As always there were lots of safe, standard-issue red carpet gowns, but the looks that stood out were as glittering as the golden statues the winners took home.

Best Dressed: Claire Danes


I fell in love with Claire Danes' J. Mendel gown from the moment she stepped onto the red carpet. The column silhouette was elegant and statuesque, and the graphic black and white combination was stunning. The most beautiful aspect, though was the back - cut perfectly and so incredibly sexy! Her simple hair and makeup, with just a pop of color on the lip, were perfect.

1.06.2012

things i learned from the january j.crew catalog

It's always a good day when you open the mailbox and find a copy of the new J.Crew catalog inside. J.Crew does such an incredible job with their catalogs, don't they? They are always so beautifully styled, and there are lots of lessons to be learned in their pages. Here's the takeaway from the January catalog:

1/ You can never have too many pairs of ballet flats, especially when they're available in literally every color in the rainbow.

Classic leather ballet flats, $125 each.