Print-tastic

It takes a lot of bravery and gusto to wear a mash up of prints all at once. This is a bravery that I do not have in my personal style but one I can totally appreciate for its value and gosh darn it fashion gusto. I love the result of mixing prints and doing it full stop. Why I have not been able to pull it off my self is a tiny mystery but one that I'm sure boils down to my organized and meticulous desire for perfection (an obscured feat in reality). Yet here I am wishing I can mix prints with abandon. Ah!! There's the rub; do it with abandon! Or, just adhere to guidelines and learn how to make it look like it is done with abandon. I came across this extraordinary article in the New York Times and it has given me hope. Now, let's hope when I attempt to wear a print-tastic mash up, it comes out with full abandon...

-feelgoodguru

(photo credit: David Roemer/New York Times)

The Icon Inspiration Series: Erykah Badu

I have been greatly influenced by the extreme talent and down right funk of Erykah Badu. I remember the first time, back in 1997, when I came across her and her music video for "On & On". I was instantly mesmerized. I felt a kindred affinity and become a follower to her musical and style gospel. I can't even begin to tell you how fast I started wrapping my head in colorful and printed fabrics, wearing that look for about three years at any time I could. This simple act, of inspired style daring and of mimicry, let me know that I really was (and still is) truly someone who understood her "Baduizm". Forward thirteen years later, and Erykah Badu still resonates in my personal lexicon. I love her music and its message of Unity and Experience, and of course, you cannot escape her fantastic fashion risk and daring.
She is Her Self:



No one else is like her and this is a reminder to me that Unique is definite, special, and something worth Being.

-feelgoodguru
(photos via erykahbadu.com; video via pinboardblog.com/Hot 97 FM)

A|X Concept Store Launch/V Magazine Event

A fun time was had last Wednesday afternoon at the Armani Exchange Concept Store Launch and V Magazine Event. I took a quick jaunt over there to the Robertson Blvd. store and enjoyed looking at the new Spring A|X Collection. I also took part in V Magazine's Fall Issue back page photo essay, where event guests were photographed wearing Armani's new aviator shades. Reader's will be allowed to vote on what guest they'd like to see again in a future editorial! Being that I was not only shot for the photo essay but for a number of other shots (the photographer's camera enjoyed my funky style), I think I have a pretty good chance. We'll see. X your fingers!
-feelgoodguru

(photo is of another guest being photo'd against the colorful backdrops installed for the essay, and the extremely stylish DJs in the back)

Spring Awakening: Looking At The Trends of Spring 2010

When it comes to Spring dressing, what is it that ignites our passion to change our fashion choices and shift those gears? Is it the inherent change in the weather alone? Is it the excitement to get out of the (by now) heavily practiced routines of protectively layered dressing that shout WINTER? Or is it the merely simple fact that Spring equates to new, a rebirth, a reawakening, and this ignites those fires in our fashion hearts to make a leap forward and cultivate a new season of style?

What jumps forth from the answers to these questions is the guidelines we have in fashion called trends. Every talent out there gets inspiration from a True Source, which is undeniable. When this inspiration begins to speak a common language, it becomes a trend. And trends tells us what is being spoken about the loudest and most consistently. What would we do without trends? How would we as a style collective be able to understand the language we speak? We come together and listen and discuss and focus on the "new".

Spring 2010 is ripe with this sentiment of the “new”. This is the first spring of a new decade. With that comes the fertile ground for very new seeds to grow and sprout in our fashion consciousness.  

I remember in the Spring of 1990 how this same tide washed over fashion. Back then, everything about the Nineties signaled a minimalist approach, as a reversion of the excess of the Eighties. Yet in Spring 1990, the shift was fast and abrupt. The esthetics of Calvin Klein (body conscious shift dresses) and Donna Karan (lycra bodysuit based layering) ruled, as did their monotone color palette of earthy neutrals.

We see this in the Neutrals trend, returning this new decade, and in a big way and in unexpected places. Neutral makes a whole lot of sense to me. I feel that everyone should always have some sort of neutral shade based in their wardrobe rotation through all of the seasons. This Spring, we get the special treat of indulging in neutrals in a head to toe manner. From pale peach beige, to camel, to dusty brown, neutrals are no longer showing up as accents but as the complete story. The neutral is smart and will easily take you from spring into summer, shifting your palette into the more striking neutral of white, summer’s staple. I have had a strong love affair with neutral tones for a very long time. Perhaps it became rooted in my fashion mind back then in Spring 1990 and hasn’t dislodge since.  I love it because of its ease in mixing. It allows me to experiment with textures and layers and provides me with a foolproof “map” in which to style my (Spring) wardrobe. Neutrals also allow me to really play up the exciting new color trends that always come full circle in the Spring. Pantone’s Spring 2010 Color Report has a detailed description and great synopsis of hue trends for the season. Use the colors to sprinkle “light” in your Spring palette, and, like me, use them to give vibrancy to your wardrobe.

Although not “new” to me but being lauded as the “new” trend for the Spring season, the Military look, is on the upswing again. I remember Military popping up in the early 2000’s, heavily rooted then in accessories and accent pieces. Now, the Military look has evolved more into what I would call “Warrior”. The look is reminiscent (or is it foretold) of “Mad Max”. That futuristic dystopia is ripe with the look: neutral colors, utilitarian leather, heavily “jeweled”/armored accessories, all accented in bits of tribal print and flashes of skin. Now let’s add the heavy influence of “Avatar” and mix it all up. That’s the new Military look. I suggest really making it your own, as the Military look really is the “accent” look of the season. Since it is made up of prints and texture and details/embellishments, really dive in and play it up.  Mix those tribal prints together and pair them with some neutrals to play them up, or mix in a flowing or gauze fabric with your structured coat or blazer. Or keep it simple and hit the mark right every time with your trench coat, wearing it with moto boots to rev up the look.

In speaking of prints, many of which we can find in the tribal trend (as mentioned above), there is also the flip side of prints, the Floral. For some reason, Florals bloom heavily in Spring, perhaps because it’s an unconscious mimicking of Nature. Floral for 2010 again nod to Bohemian, that look which grew in the Seventies and has never died.  I’ve never been one for Floral but one definitely for the Bohemian look, wearing it exclusively in Fall 1994 when it was making its big new decade come back. How do you make it your own? Do what I did and go exclusively vintage. That way, you find Florals that go with Bohemian, and vice versa. The key to Bohemian is the laid back approach in mixing. It’s Mama Cass and Stevie Nicks; loud, layered, printed, gutsy, unique.

Also rooted in the Seventies but given a re-boot is the Metallic trend. Again, not really “new” but in how we are to incorporate it into our warmer weather dressing is simple and full force: wear metallic regardless of day or night. This is your “bling” and is not intended to just hide away and come out in the evening, but is now meant to be worn in all manner: a sequined tank (in neutral shimmers and you’ve hit two-in-one) under your blazer to the office, a metallic Spring hued strapless dress with ethnic inspired flats on the week-end, or a sexy slick silver sequined dress for that night out. The Metallic trend is our way of exuding luxury and high style regardless of our individual (or collective) economic situation. In the Eighties, when Metallic appeared in their sparingly simple forms, the message designers were sending down the backs of Beverly Johnson and Iman were “glamour” and “elegance” and aimed to a particular set. Now, that message is given to every one of us-be your glamour and your elegance all the time.

The counterpoint to Metallic and another trend I’m all for (and try to subscribe to) is the “Leisure” trend. What is this? Well, it simply is dressing as if you are on holiday. This means layers based on the three piece model of a “power” suit but mixed in textures, fabrics, or even adding elements from some of the other trends like Bohemian or adding classic American prep to it. I like to think of it as the “L.A. Cool Uniform”: skinny premium denim jeans or jeggings, great organic cotton v-neck tee, long cashmere cardigan or shrunken wool or blazer, cool sandals or flats or ankle boots, a few strands of great necklaces, and tousled beach and sun kissed hair. This cool and fresh look really has appeal: it says “understated yet chic” and definitely is carried off with lots of your own attitude.

When it comes to fabric choices during the Spring, what always emerges is our sense of what will feel good against bare skin. I am a big fan of cotton, especially that which comes from a sustainable and organic source. I have written on this before, and have become a big advocate of organic. As I hope that this is not a trend but is in truth a fact, there is no better time of the year than the Spring to use your conscious and wear organic cotton (or silk or linen for that matter). What better to put against your bare skin than soft, quality organic cotton? In your search of organics you are sure to find great companies and designers who believe in maintaining integrity as well as artistry in their offerings.

Trends are just that: trends. They exist to inspire us into a more fresh perspective on what is traditional and classic. We utilize trends to push ourselves into trying out new things, creating a sort of style safety net with which we venture into newer territories. With trends we use their guidelines to form a new idea, a new look on ourselves as it were. Trends will change season to season and come back and disappear. We must remember that trends are here to help us inspire and play. And there is no better time of the year to get inspired and to play than in Spring. So go out and inspire and play. In the Sunshine, in the Springtime.

-feelgoodguru

The Icon Inspiration Series

Influence is all around us. It is there even if we don't look for it. It is natural for us to see in ourselves what influences and inspires us in all the areas of our lives. I have been taking a very examined look at what inspires and influences me and have come to a very deep appreciation for these inspirations. I feel that without them, I would not be as attuned and tapped in to my Creativity.

I am beginning an honor series called "The Icon Inspiration Series". Simply put, it is a dedicated space for the people, places, objects, and other things that Inspire and Influence me and my Creativity.
I hope that these things that ignite my passion and creativity will do the same for you, in their own supremely wise and magical way. Because really, we look to things that mirror in us what is good in feeling, and in how we look at ourselves and our world. And that's positively inspiring.
-feelgoodguru

formspring.me

It's Spring! Time to ask me anything on Formspring here: http://formspring.me/fggofstyle

Off to Market

Thinking about the places I shop, either frequently or infrequently, I notice that I go to these places out in the market because they resonate with my style. I have a very eclectic yet classic look. I don't buy too many trends, just ones that truly speak to my fashion heart and that can creatively express who I am. I have a shopping habit that was born out of the hyper 80's, where Consumerism reigned over everything. Now, with SO many consumer (or consumption) choices, shoppers can get lost in the sea of shops out there. Whether it be a brick-and-mortar store or an online haven, shoppers can't lose sight of what the focus is in the market: to get your dollars. But how do you give up your dollars and still keep yourself? You do it with style. I came across a memory that was poignant and indelible, and exactly about this.
It goes something like...

When I was fourteen years old, I literally stumbled upon a little store in downtown San Diego called GT General Store (or something of the like) where I found a pair of perfect white straight leg denim jeans by then uber-hot label Guess? Jeans. There was nothing wrong with them, in perfect condition, and only cost me $15. A friggin' steal! And it was well within my 14 year old allowance budget. I wanted to tell all my friends because I thought: "1. how cool! Guess? Jeans!! 2. oh my goodness, how awesome we could all match in our jeans! 3. NO! this is my secret, just for me. What if they get acid wash blue jeans in and then EVERYONE will get a pair and my size would be gone?! 4. oh no, I can't tell anyone that I got my jeans for $15! They'd think I were cheap! They can't know. 5. who's ever heard of GT General Store anyway, especially my baby yuppie friends? 6. they'd know I ventured to downtown and wonder why my parents would let me go down there by myself, or worse, my Mom actually took me there herself. 7. the store put my jeans in a plastic bag. Yes, definitely not something I'm telling anyone about. 8. eeew, there was actual sawdust on the floor. 9. i did get a bag of cinnamon bears by the bulk with my jeans so *score*! 10. General Store? Um, isn't that Old West? I'm definitely "New West"...so, this is gonna be MY secret.

I remember wearing those jeans to school and feeling all of those thoughts and a few more racing through my head. The most prevalent was how cool and great it was that I found a deal in the most unexpected place (and bulk cinnamon bears). A shopping seed was definitely planted. Now, this discovery took place in 1987 by a upper middle class ethnic baby yuppie kid from liberally conservative San Diego (that's a mouthful) who thought they were the crust and epicenter of all things fabulous, who's peer group resembled a gaggle of teens straight out of "Clueless" and "Heathers" (probably why I LOVE those movies because I see my young self in them), who, as I recall, would get dropped off at the mall (Fashion Valley) with our parents credit cards [(and permission note). oh goodness, if you remember having to use those then, touché!) and consume all things cool and anything befitting our (parents') economic stature (we ourselves didn't have any but we thought we did). In those early days, I was heavily influenced by luxury and designer retail. It was back then that I started collecting back issues of Vogue Magazine from my school's library, given to me by the librarian for my hard work and dedication to the school library (ok, I was in it for the Vogue) and began devouring the fashion knowledge found inside those hallowed pages. I kept a "fashion scrapbook" and cut out ads from the Sunday San Diego Union Tribune newspaper of ads for shops found in the mall or even better, in chic La Jolla. I aspired for myself to solely be a designer/luxury consumer. When I had my stumble and fall at GT General Store, I fell into a reality: fashion is about style, not about its substance.


When it comes to going shopping today, I am so thankful for having my consumer stumble and for not ignoring or burying it. I cannot imagine getting stuck in a buying rut, only patronizing one mall or one store to supply my look. In today's consumer market, there is an over saturation of choice, yes, but this saturation actually is about freedom. Freedom of choice, freedom of style, freedom of your wallet. How cool is it still to find that elusive bargain, or to discover that great vintage piece in the most unexpected place (online), or to find a dream designer piece at a clothes swap party, for free?
When it comes to shopping with your style, it should take you to as many places that it deems right within it. Whether you have a minimalist or an eclectic style, then you will go where that style dictates. You have to allow yourself to go to wherever your style leads you, no matter. If GT General Store were still open today, you can betcha bottom dollar I'd be frequenting that place. Whatever cool treasure I would find there, I'd happily mix it with any of my designer duds, to show it off in better light. And I would share my secret so you can have that feeling of style discovery too!

It is true, there is nothing like having that feeling of discovery.  And how good does that feel? It really is freedom. So go forth off to market and SHOP on!
-feelgoodguru

McQueen Spring 2010

Here is a video of Alexander McQueen's final collection, for Spring 2010. Please also read the detailed article of the collection for its presentation in Paris here.




I think it is an amazing and cohesive capsule the house has gathered in the time they had. It is not short of brilliant (those shoes...).

May we all continued to be enthralled by his craftsmanship, talent, beauty, and art.
May he rest peacefully.
-feelgoodguru

(video courtesy Fashionista.com)

Caught Up in the Embrace (Fashion Films of 2010)

I am a self-attested film buff, an expert of sorts (aren’t we all). Hollywood churns out the fare, and I am one of the first to go out and consume it. Be it a product of my environment or my genuine love of the art form, seeing a great film is a real joy for me.

I have been in a long-time love affair with the films of Pedro Almodóvar. As my “film lover”, he still does not disappoint. I am caught up in the embrace of “Broken Embraces”, his latest offering starring his muse, Penelope Cruz, is now my new favorite. I have screened it five times now. It takes me forward and back to the very reason I fell under his rapture by being a film within a film and a film about making films, by a true film maker.

What I am not going to offer here is a film review, more of an observation of the points of the film and its style that caught me and swept me off my cinematic (and fashion) feet.

First, you cannot escape the allure and power of the use of Red. It is the prevalent color, symbolizing “sangre”/blood, passion, fire, and Love. The color and its use to me are very Spanish. Red punctuates, accents, drives, and signifies scenes, characters and situations in the film. Sonia Grande, the film's costume designer, used red fashions from the likes of Christian Louboutin, Dior, John Galliano, and Valentino, among others, to dress and style many of the characters in the film.

Second, the film within the film, called “Chicas y Maletas” is actually "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown". This movie is still my most favorite one by Almodóvar. It is pure comic zaniness and delight, and is a must-see upon entering significantly in my life (you will have a movie night with me and this is what we will be watching!). In “Embraces”, we get a glimpse of the “making” of the movie, or rather, its artistic rendering. Red is also a prominent theme in that film.

Third, with lines such as "The last sensation she took from this world was the taste of your mouth", “Embraces” has it ALL: film noir, suspense, melodrama, comedy, heart, passion, and perfect writing (if that line alone is not something inspirational then…).

Lastly, “Embraces” shows us a modern and complex Spain, mirrored in a greater world view. It is a story that could really take place anywhere but one that is firmly planted in Spain, firmly ground in artistry, and purely Almodóvar.  This film is a blood red kiss to the loving heart of film making for Almodóvar and to those who have shaped and colored his visual world. And for me, I am entering it as a contender for my top five fashion films of 2010. Go out and get caught in the embrace of "Broken Embraces". May it's sensation last for you as well.

-fggofstyle

Questions

I invite u 2 come 2 formspring and ask me anything. Who knows, your question could result in a post..!