seeing people.

All photos by Vivian Maier.

Vivian spent most of her working life taking care of other people's children. On her day off, in New York and Chicago, she took her hasselblad into the streets, and looked around. After her death in 2009, boxes of negatives were happened upon at an auction (proceeds from her belongings would go to pay delinquent rent for her studio apt).

Some of Maier's photos are so familiar, you can hear the sounds of the street around her subjects. With this sense of familiarity, for a woman standing at a cross walk with bags, we realize we don't know her, though we may see her everyday. Therefore, we stare at the photo wanting to see more of the familiar figure's life, don't we? My limited understanding of life (and photography) lead me to believe this is what makes a good photo. All city dwellers, I think, can identify with the observer, Vivian Maier. http://www.vivianmaier.com/

Simone Rocha, leader of the newbs at LFW

...because the finer details of WordPress are foreign to be, this post was is a bit outdated (happened a week ago) and will never be seen on 1883 :(

check it here, and then check out what else i write here.

Simone Rocha was the third and final designer to present at Fashion East on Tuesday. Judging by the expressions of the buyers, writers and photographers around me, I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking the best was saved for last.

Simones’ collection was in tans, black, white and a subtle take on the bright reds we’ve seen sprinkled across many collections in London. What I most appreciated was the practicality. Simones’ girls seemed to be the only ones who could get down the runway gracefully! (See cute black Brogues with cheeky cut-out.) Other looks featured wedges worth a double-take. Sling back Brogues were lifted at 90 degrees with a little translucent wedge. The red version looks just like cherry candy!

From the ankles up, we saw bare legs and lots of them. Simone, and the grand majority of designers presenting in London this season, seem to be predicting a temperate winter. There were nicely cut black blazers over just slightly longer mesh button-ups, starched white shirts with elegant high necks, and a lovely red gingham collar on an airy, translucent tan top.

With hair neatly tucked behind ears, and one model carrying a wire crown on her head, I could not help but think of Max’s crown and his wild rumpus. The Mountain Goats provided soundtrack for the parading models, who could have been marching to Where the Wild Things Are. One beige fur mini dress later I was convinced.

A very happy collection, crowd pleaser indeed.

Fashion East is a Top Shop sponsored platform for new designers to showcase their work. I hope to see a solo show from Simone very soon!

Bryce Aime

Snagged a front row seat ;)

Little Gareth Pugh, eh? Unfortunately this was the first bit of the avant guarde I came across during LFW. Talking to Bryce was a whirlwind, he's got a whole lot to say about his urban warriors. I'm seeing a bit of Sparta in the headwear. The accessories, I think, will sell. (backpack esp, I want). A few skirts had panels with nice movement, and blazers had a structural quality fit for the 20-something CSM grads populating east London. The bit of rock candy in the last image is made of plexiglass. Got to admire a man who isn't afraid to vary his materials.

Ancient. Roman. Bath.

A pretty incredible opportunity to handle (with white cotton gloves) garments dating back to the 18th C. Imagine, absolutely everything hand done, no zippers/snaps/rivits/etc, and gold thread, is in fact thread made of gold. The last image is a print from a Fortuny velvet cape. Dreamland.

From the Museum of Costume, Bath.

here.

So many Everydays

From a warehouse in Brooklyn Heights...Organic by John Patrick, FW11

This collection actually encompasses everything I want to wear everyday. Selection would be my only anxiety . Drafting sequences already. Apparently the designer was macro-raised, living on a commune on the Hudson when he picked up a W and could starve his soul of fashion no longer. Good for him, good for us.

Portlandia?

Vena Cava going 90s. I like it so much i might start wearing it it through Londons' rainy drawn out winter. Actually I think we could all find some of those pieces in our current wardrobes...headwear especially :)

treasure

Found at Anastacia's Antiques in Philly.

Plated metal top with jems and deco snail. Black suede with pale green silk lining.

Impeccably made but no sign of designer/manufacturer label.

From 1920/30s?

Anyone have ideas as to the designer?