Oh, Hello There...

To Myself, by W.S. Merwin

Even when I forget you
I go on looking for you
I believe I would know you
I keep remembering you
sometimes long ago but then
other times I am sure you
were here for a moment before
and the air is still alive
around where you were and I
think then I can recognize
you who are always the same
who pretend to be time but
you are not time and who speak
in the words but you are not
what they say you who are not
lost when I do not find you

___________________________________

Obviously, my presence on the blogosphere has been missing for some time. This absence was not deliberate, but in these months, I set out on a journey of intropsection to find myself, at least before I turn 18 in late spring.

I haven't found what I am looking for.

Instead, what I have found inside this pensive dreamer is faith, passion and an insatiable sense of wanderlust. As I delve deeper into the realms of ...whatever it is that we search for in our souls..., I hope to bring a fresh sense of worldiness to this blog. We all realize fashion is a superficial society, yet we allow ourselves to be consumed by the beauty, the glamour, the manifestation of our self expression and of course, the Chanel.

I'm not stopping my Fifth Avenue fantasies, but adding some sort of cause for us to be pensive about our world. It took this Merwin poem to bring this realization. I wonder what it will bring you...

...xoxo Mo

Photo credit: Karlie Kloss by Fabien Baron for Pringle of Scotland FW09

I Want You.

from style.com

Dearest Dress,
I feel it's important to let you know that I am obsessed with you.
Ever since I spotted you in the Valentino Spring 2010 RTW show, I've been unable to dream without envisioning [wearing] you. You might like to know that I've thought of the many ways I could wear you. Belted; maybe a skinny belt to cinch the waist? Or, for winter, with a trench coat, tights and only shoes that might compliment your exquisite structure...

Or maybe that would be an injustice.

Because you are perfect. I also think it's fate that Frida Gustavsson, the Swedish sweetheart is a favorite model of mine, was chosen to showcase you to the world. Your nude coloring is one that can compliment any skin-tone, and I'm sure that your ruffled physique would look good on any physique (a girl with a tomboy shape would appear perfectly curvy, or a voluptuous belle could benefit from you accenting her outlines.) To the world, Dress, you are part of a legacy of beautiful robes, but to me, you are a creation unmatched by any other garment.

I hope this isn't too forward, but maybe you could mention to your owners at Valentino that you would like to come live with me forever?

Until then,
xoxo Mo

The day before my birthday, Karl Lagerfeld gave me a gift. It’s called Cruise 2010/2011.

View the magic here.

How thoughtful of him! To open with an adorable band playing a sweet melody, who created a breeze that traveled from St. Tropez to Atlanta so I could taste the sunny delight of the French town. To capture the lazy smiling-sun atmosphere, KL shipped the models in on speedboats by the handful and had them saunter in their flowing florals in a runway set-up by the seaside. There’s no better way to ring in this stifling summer other than the dresses and ruffles that Lagerfeld offered up.

This collection’s vibrant color palette ranged from desert-sand gold to rosy pink, with dashes of chocolatey brown. The stark whites stood out brilliantly in contrast to the nudes and neutrals used in other looks. A group of black-on-white dresses stayed true to the classic Chanel minimalism. A few looks offset their lumberjack-esque check pattern with a feminine silhouette, and I can easily envision the caftan pieces breezing down a walkway in Marrakech. More so, the white blazer on Freja Beha Erichsen is another re-creation of the favorite statement piece.

For day, a couple of shirtdresses are the perfect look for a picnic date, or to stroll through exotic outdoor markets. For a night on the town, the collection offers a few sparkly black numbers, and even a man’s oversized robe for the morning after.

As for accessories, who doesn’t love the solid black Chanel cuff? Or chunky, layered necklaces? The simple sandals are also a welcome break from the daily power-heels-to-match-power-outfit cycle that the Chanel woman endures. How nice to trade in thick tweeds for swaying silks!

I also loved Karolina Kurkova in her Pat Cleveland-esque twirl down the runway. If it wasn’t for it’s strong sense of eighties glam [which off-puts the ‘easy, breezy, beautiful’ atmosphere of the collection] the song “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” could have been a theme of the message Lagerfeld channeled: The Chanel woman on vacation doesn’t take a break from style. The finale of Georgia May Jagger hopping on a motorbike reminds us that Karl’s girl is not afraid to get down and have risky fun. (Also made clear by the sheer, peek-a-boo romper shown earlier.)

The show was perfect as a look into a complete, vacation wardrobe, with looks for every occasion. Why the only thing that was missing was me. But it’s forgiven, I’m sure my invite just got lost in the mail. Or maybe KL realized that I’d be taking AP exams that week and so thoughtfully channeled my loves into the collection. Either way, this resort show just added another reason to my long list of “Why I Love Chanel.” Merci, Lagerfeld, merci.

-xoxo Mo

Long Time, No Ring

I love this editorial that I found through Mutima. It's by photographer Alice Rosati. The second is definitely my favorite shot. It's not of a depressed girl, but still has a melancholic flair to it that I simply adore.
There's something about that fresh and effortless just-rolled-out-of-bed-and-I'm-still-gorgeous look that certain people can embody, it's an enviable trait that I'm trying to master. Especially the wild-hair-open-mouth expression

Masters of this look:
Coco Rocha

Lara Stone, the one and only, also my latest model-crush

(by Hedi Slimane)

Heidi Mount

Sasha Pivovarova (I love her. She's getting her own post soon ;)


Many, many more that I'm not secure enough too post...
Just playing, but I honestly can't imagine searching for this type of image much too longer.

Currently Craving...Iceberg S/S08

I know this is a few seasons old, but I just realized how much I adore Iceberg's S/S08 collection. The brand's show in Milan a while back opened with the lovely Tanya Dziahileva, and included beauties Coco Rocha, Olga Sherer, Megan McNierney and Behati Prinsloo.

The collection had an interesting color palette of friendly pink, white, gold, black and a gorgeous charcoal gray. My favorite thing about it was probably the short cut dresses and rompers. The type that make your legs look mile-long! My favorites are below,
This one is my favorite, but I think I'd have preferred it in the other gold fabric used in the collection.

This gold fabric. Can you see the dress I'm envisioning?



This looks to be an adorable sweater dress, I love the belt with it


This one with the lovable harem pant trend




This one, the perfect summer romper

(The funny thing about this particular look is that it inspired me to put together an outfit, consisting of this Alexander McQueen black leather blazer and my other current craving- black gladiator heels. The main problem is that its sent me on wild goose chase to find the perfect pair of white bubble shorts, one race that has-so far-been unsuccessful.)
(all pictures from Style.com)


Anyhoo, thank you for all your comments on the last post. They're very encouraging.

Our Class In Fashion Photography

Yesterday in class, we all got a little emotional with the inevitable departure of our seniors. It got me to thinking; it was really sweet how well we all got along, compared to last semester’s class (ick)! I’m glad that those people dropped the class in the beginning of the semester. Like Kristin said, “We’re like a family!” A journalism family that never really got our website finished, but that’s okay because what we learned were life lessons that you can’t put a price on. With all our class discussions, we all enlightened each other at one point or another, and expressed our views in ways much more intellectual than our other schoolmates.
I know you guys saw that at first, I didn’t really interact. Over there on my computer in the corner, off into the fashion blogosphere, lol. But you guys took the time to include me in your conversations and become friends with you guys, and understood my obsession with fashion, photography, etc. and didn’t misunderstand me for not being into hip hop. This class has really been a friendly, open forum where teens got to get into journalism, my passion. And though it’s sad that we must move on, it’s the only way we can grow. Anyhoo… because of my fashion obsession, I’m paying homage to all of you guys by matching you up with some amazing photographs.

Ms. Moore-
I chose this picture for you because it’s bold. Very much like you, the model in the picture commands a presence, similar to the way you do when you want something done. Thanks for teaching one of my favorite classes and making it an assignment to blog, which—as you can see—I’ve fallen in love with.
Dontia-
Okay, so maybe this isn’t a fashion photograph. But this picture reminds me of you because we have the same enchanted imagination. My fellow Tokio Hotel fan, the fairy in this picture is also as fierce as I know you truly are. Thanks for being so awesome and know that I’ll help you through the rest of your high school years, if you want me to.
Justin-
I chose this for you, not because you wear glasses, but because you seem very reserved. But at the same time, a strong, sensible young man who knows where he’s going in life. You have the type of personality needed to wear something from Jaguar—cool, calm and collected.
Kristin-
I chose this picture for you because the dress’ color is very bright and bold, much like you personality. And your first blogs were the type that one could lose themselves in, if they listened (much like the model seems to be losing herself in the moment). I think you’re cool, funny and just an awesome person to know.
Carlton-
This is for you because you’re pretty bad-a**. Your voice makes you seem like a James Bond-type dude, because it’s commanding, and if you use it wisely, it’ll take you places that require you to look as svelte as this dude. You are smart and laid-back, and have a gifted voice. Own it.
Cherelle-
I’ve chosen this for you because the florals in this editorial remind me of your poetic gift. It’s beautiful, unrequited and makes so much sense, it’s vibrant and bold like the flower petals. You’ve always been really cool and I wish we had time for you to teach me some of your awesome videography skills. I think it’s kick-butt awesome that you’re going to SCAD and will be surrounded by people as talented as you are.
Tareek-
I chose this picture for you because the football gear screamed TAREEK! Lol, but seriously it’s an athlete thing. Disregard the thing on the dude’s face. You have a “guiding” aura around you that reminds me of my older brother (Tobi—he went here last year, he was on the football team too.) You seemed like an older brother type, so I’m not surprised that you’re into teaching, which makes you admirable. You’ve been a really cool, level-headed and friendly guy and I’m glad to have met you.
Miata-
I chose this picture for you because you’re sporty and athletic, but still feminine. Like the model, she’s a pretty girl in a car lot which looks masculine but she still fits in perfectly. I like this picture for you because you have both tomboy qualities and girly qualities which is an excellent balance.
Elie-
This picture is for you because you’re a male model. Seriously. Go to COACD (on my side listing) and check out some of the modeling agencies listed. Immediately. Cash in on your good looks! But overall, you seem like a pretty cool dude, too. I had another picture in mind for you, because you seem like a bit of a “player” but this one fit. Now go search for your agency.
Keenan-
As you can see, this is a motion shot because you are always in motion and all over the place. Though I scold you often for doing too much, know that it’s because I’m trying to help you become a better journalist. I’ll never understand where you get all your energy, but I’m glad you have it because it means that you aren’t letting school and a busy schedule suck the life out of you, unlike moi. So Keenan, keep on keeping on!

As you can see, I’ve tried to capture the qualities of you guys, but it’s almost impossible to do because you have such strong vibes of your own. Also, thanks for all your well wishes for my 16th birthday on Tuesday. I think we were an awesome group of students. Don’t you?

-XOXO Mo

ps- I know you guys sometimes wonder just what I listen to everyday. Click- This is my playlist.

When Accesories Take Over the City

Shoes from Givenchy S/S09. - legs of Natasha Poly
Bag from Devi Kroell New York
Picture of Times Square from Future of the Book


I'm no Miss Dior Couture, but I've been working on my Photoshop collage skills. This took a few minutes, and I'm kind of proud of it. What if accessories take over the city?

Ten of My Favorite Fashion Videos

I was going to publish this in VOX, but some issues with our policy came up, so I'm going to show it here!

If the last day of school (or summer vacation) can’t come fast enough for you, let these fashion videos be your escape into a whimsical world. These prove that fashion is much more than what you wear, but a fantastical and breathtaking, stylish way of life.

10. Diesel Fuel for Life #1- You might have to watch them over and over again to understand, but these three clips subtly make you wonder if you are living and having some fun in your life.

9. Hello Kitty Meets M.A.C. - When this adorable fashion muse dances with the dark side, you’ll wonder: is she really naughty or nice?

8. Levi’s Onion Peel – If you never get to be a model, this commercial is a one-and-a-half minute peek at what life might be like if you were.

7. Prada Trembled Blossoms – An animated adventure, this colorful video is like taking a fresh twist on Alice in Wonderland.

6. Louis Vuitton Core Values- Where will life take you? This award-winning ad by the famed director Bruno Aveillan gets you wondering about what’s next in your life; you can travel the world and still not know who you are.

5. Levi’s Odyssey- How far will you go for your jeans? Watch the pair in this Levi’s commercial literally run to the ends of the earth because you just can’t have enough denim.

4. Chanel No. 5 the Film– Sometimes a starlet needs to escape Hollywood, so she does it leaving behind the timeless scent of Chanel.

3. Levi’s Moonbathing- This video shows what it’s like to be mystified by the moon’s allure. Insomniac or nocturnal, some of us find peace only at night.

2. Miss Dior Cherie- The playful song “Moi Je Joue” by Brigitte Bardot and the girl-next-door sweetness of model Maryna Linchuk expressed in this video give you an idea of what life would be like if you were the princess of Paris.

1. Lanvin Oxygene- You’ll need oxygen after watching this breathtaking video, another Bruno Aveillan masterpiece starring Gisele Bundchen. From bustling city streets to the peaceful quiet of the arctic, this video gives a new spin on a breath of fresh air.


photo credit: via-parfumeria.hu

After watching these, I gained an overnight obsession for these kind of commercials and I'm entranced by the work of Bruno Aveillan.

I've Been Tagged!

(yes random...but these are a few of my favorite things...it's my new desktop :)

I’ve been tagged by awesome Esther from Rhapsody in Boots


What is your current obsession?
Black and white photography, Short Filmmaking (like fashion commercials- Bruno Aveillan is incredible!), Pop Art , Collages, Europe travel and Art History


What is your weirdest obsession?
I’m in love with the moon, and I’m falling for dark fantasy. Maybe I shouldn’t have shared that…

What are you wearing today?
Just getting over the stomach flu, so I’m pretty lazy in jeans and a white t-shirt that says “when I said I liked you, I was “Lion” (with a picture of a lion, cheesy but it works )

What’s for dinner today?
Hmm… food right now makes my stomach bubble so I’ve been getting through the day with two granny smith apples and a handful of grapes, maybe I’ll attempt pizza.

Why is today special?
Because I’m alive and sore from yoga and kickboxing with my editors yesterday…somehow that’s significant. It’s also Thursday of my Spring Break and tomorrow, I get to job-shadow the associate editor of a magazine in Atlanta…super excited!

What would you like to learn to do?
Play piano and guitar because I write songs but have no singing skills. And learn to rock Photoshop.

What’s the last thing you bought?
A ticket for the train -in Atlanta, it’s called ‘MARTA’ but everywhere else it’s the Metro, I go downtown a lot because I write for a teen newspaper called VOX and my parents refuse to drive to the city 3 times a week in Atlanta traffic

What are you listening to right now?
My baby sister cry, she thinks someone ate her cookies but she already ate them. But otherwise “Faith” by Bittersweet, it’s so sultry

What is your favorite weather?
Thunderstorms! They help me think, lazy rainy weather…the occasional sunny day. Funny enough, I was born in Nigeria in the middle of May but I’m not that fond of the sun. Go figure.

What is your most challenging goal right now?
Similar to Esther’s, deciding exactly what I want to do. I love writing but I’m afraid if I become an editor for a magazine (my most likely choice), I can’t do photography for other ones, plus I also want to produce films, possibly work in PR. My definite industries are fashion, media &communications, but can barely narrow it down from there. Also, finding an agency before I turn 16 on May 12, time is flying and I haven't actually started searching

What do you think about the person who tagged you?
She’s very funny; Esther’s got amazing style, taste and an equally incredible personality,. (and also my little cousin’s and my grandmother’s name :) Bloggers are the best!

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
London or SoHo, New York

What would you like to have in your hands right now?
A letter from Anna Wintour saying that she thinks I’d be an awesome addition to the Vogue family and should move to NYC instantly….a girl can dream, no?

What would you like to get rid of?
The SATs and other standardized tests, I ‘m a sophomore so I don’t have to take too many yet, but I could live without them. 3 inches off my waist wouldn’t hurt either, I’m so close to a size two and there’s a dress I’d like to wear for an upcoming wedding…

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
Hmm…The Met or the New York Public Library… I love libraries and art museums!

Which language do you want to learn?
Yoruba (my native tongue that I’ve never learned to speak), French, Italian, [Brazilian] Portuguese and German so I can better understand Tokio Hotel

What did you dream of last night?
It was a virtually sleepless night, but I think I drifted away and my whole school came down with the stomach flu, we all suffered and recovered together. How’s that for school spirit?

Who do you want to meet in person?
The list is endless... Jesus Christ, probably Anna Wintour and Carine Roitfeld- generally all the editors of Vogue, Cory Kennedy- she has this effortless ‘cool’ I admire

What’s your favorite type of music?
That changes, it’s more like favorite artists…I like Tokio Hotel, Simple Plan, Lil Wayne, MIA, Bittersweet, Frank Sinatra, The Veronicas and from my childish days- Chris Brown and Rihanna. I’m always on the lookout for new music/artists since I can rarely make up my mind to what I really like

What’s the favorite piece of clothing in your own closet?
Grey skinny jeans and my black leather jacket, it was love at first wear…

What is your dream job?
Fashion editor, photographer, director, writer, possibly a model, PR

Any favorite photographers?
Definitely Newton and Penn, Demarchelier, Meisel and Testino are incredible. But as of recent I seriously adore Cameron Krone and James Mountford. Black and white is my obsession, and I’ve followed their work since reading about them on Pony Ryder

If you had £100 now what would you spend it on?
A day at Starbucks, my mum won’t let me have coffee anymore and subscriptions to British and French Vogue, Dazed and Confused

Fashion pet peeve?
Not dressing for your size…if it’s that small for you and you can’t figure out how to make it work (lol Tim Gunn moment), let it go

Do you admire anyone’s style?
Practically everyone on lookbook.nu  the style there is endless, Carine Roitfeld, Coco Rocha (the model-off-duty look is my fave.), Rihanna, Kate Moss, Zoe Kravitz, the Olsen Twins (sometimes), Rumi Neely from Fashion Toast, Pharell Williams (love skater boys!) there’s many more I just can’t think of at the moment

Describe your personal style
As you can see in the previous post, it changes with my mood. Some days I’m all emo-cool and wearing black, others when I’m lazy: a pair of frayed shorts, an oversized shirt or tank a la Alexander Wang, chunky heels or slouchy boots and thigh high socks, occasionally I get all ‘Devil Wears Prada’ and pretend like I just came straight out of the Sartorialist during fashion week… yeah. I can’t really choose one


Okay, here's the rules:

1. Respond and rework: answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.

2. Tag eight other people.
I'm doing nine :)
My lovely victims: (cough) oops I mean the bloggers I'll tag:

La Couturier
Daphne
Kandace
Ida
Ryder
Hanna of Little Miss Dress Up
Rosanna of Little Miss Dress Up
Pretty Neons
Dawn

Here's to the Hottest 50 year old around!

I never thought I'd be jealous of something plastic, even more, jealous of something 50 years old. Well i thought again when i gazed through Nylon's
post of (Kaiser)Karl Lagerfeld designed gorgeous looks for Barbie for her 50th anniversary.

1st I'm kind of jealous at how fabulous those pieces are. 2nd I'm jealous of how she (i should be saying "it" because Barbie's plastic) of how it gets to stand with hottie male model Baptiste Giabiconi (hope I spelled that right).

(That look is very Chanel, no?)


I got my first Barbies early in elementary school for Christmas, right after I moved from Nigeria to the States. It was a Christie doll and a regular Barbie and I remember thinking, wow. They're very much like the supermodels from the GAP ads. Barbie had everything to be envied, including a Malibu Dreamhouse (which i had no clue about, but since she had one, i wanted it. Marketing is cruel, no? lol). Before long , I ended up with one of those life-sized Barbie's, which I used to hide in my closet because it scared me (those blue eyes used to follow me, I'm so serious). One of my hobbies is designing, so I'd try out my outfits on the doll, sewing to the best of my ability, like any designer fits his clothes to a model, I did the same.
I later concluded that Barbie is actually pretty useful: temporarily detach one of her limbs and you have a makeshift baseball bat , perfect for defending you against mean older brothers- my gosh that sounds morbid when I think about it, "detach"-
She serves as great inspiration, an imaginary friend and at the end of the day, an awesome, style-inspiring toy. So here's to the most fabulous 50 year old around-- Barbie Doll!


Click here for the awesome Barbie 50th Anniversary Fashion Show at Fall NYFW


photo credit: colette.fr