VacationDale

With Vegas’ unique fashion history I thought it might be exciting and interesting to see what treasures I could dig up. I discovered The Attic, a perfect representation of past and present styles of the strip. The store was huge, hosting an array of eras, from your grandma’s night-on-the-town costume jewelry to sexy showgirl’s stilettos.

Downstairs is where you’ll find the performance. In house designer Angel Gonzalez explained he has been designing for the Attic since 2000. His unique style can be seen in the clothing created for shows and performances. Ranging from flashy costumes to pageant dresses.





A self taught tailor he says, “I’ve always been interested in fashion and design. I love Vegas and my ability to use my creativity here at the attic”. Angel has designed for many celebrities and performers. The Attic has created special order clothing for the Osborne’s, Cher, and recently
LA ink’s famous Kat Von D.

Rummaging around in the patent leather pants section, I was surprised by a loud “squawk”! Not only does the attic maintain a menagerie of clothes but a small zoo of diva pets. Two parrots are kept in (and on) a flamboyant cage and a cat sporting a rhinestone collar also resides in the house.

Around the corner from the talkative parrots is a small stage. Asking Angel what its used for he explained, “local performances will come in and entertain; we used to host an open mic night”.

Further down the walkway is a mock retro scene where mannequins sport faux ‘fros and gogo boots line the floor.

After trekking up the steep zebra print stairs the scene is a little less indulgent and a little more wearable! Upstairs is where the bulk of the vintage clothes are held, this is where I found my indulgence, a pair of 70’s leather shoes.



The purchase was a success, not only because I’ve received many compliments on them, but because I get to reply with “thanks I got them at this sweet vintage store in Vegas from a man named Angel”.

Thank you sin city.

Hint!

Okay we have all seen the denim trend creep back into our closets.

Note to self...
Jean jackets were popular a few generations previous,
so...
DONT BE SILLY
THRIFT THRIFT THRIFT

No one needs a straight-off-the-runway denim jacket.

I've been on the lookout and they are everywhere! I just grabbed a cute one for myself $5, even Grandpa would be proud :).

Pic up soon!

Cozy Creatures

The weather has decided to turn against us.

Instead of moping about the new chill, I decided to turn my attention to the unique ways people stay comfy and individual.



I feel like here in the Northwest we have the upper hand on looking great despite the cold. God knows we have a lot of days to practice.


The awesome sweater appliqué was swapped at a clothing exchange :)

Confusion, the new Couture?

Fashion is an incredible art form. Dress can be used too express mood, personality,sexuality, and anything you can imagine. Last night during the annual WWU Drag show, fashion was used to convey a message of equality, confidence and fun.



Last night I found myself in a court of Kings and Queens, strutting their stuff with the utmost confidence.



Personally I think drag should be more prevalent and accepted. It has been used throughout history and in all parts of the world.

Going back to the first representations of theatre, female characters were almost always performed by male actors. While opera consistently uses cross-dressing. Did you really think a “man” was hitting those high notes?



Internationally drag is a celebration and an art form. Take Japanese Kabuki for example. During the 1500’s women was prevented from performing in the Kabuki dances. The solution? Dress young men in elaborate female makeup and clothing.



Some of our greatest heroes are dressed in drag. Ever seen the Disney movie Mulan? Ever heard of Joan of Arc?



Pop culture has its fair share of drag sensations. Ru Paul even signed a modeling contract with M.A.C making him the first drag queen supermodel. Many musicians, models, and actors today choose to perform in drag either for fun or to convey the message of equality.



Maybe we should step out of our comfort zone more often. You don’t have to go out dressed as the opposite gender. Just doing anything unexpected and out of the norm can stop people in thier tracks. Make people think. “Why isn’t that form of dress acceptable?” The way you dress can be a more powerful statement than you would think. So go out there and turn some heads!

An Outfit With a Message

My outfit today conveys a meaning, a purpose, a message to my fellow peers…

It speaks, “I have a midterm in every class this week”.



Really though, how can you feel too stressed while wearing spandex and an oversized sweatshirt?

This was an educated decision.

Monday Chic

She definitely did not have a "case of the Monday's".





Good luck trying to imitate this look. She seems to be a master thrifter.

The coat is from Seattle's Redlight. The rest of the duds came together from God knows where.

Except those boots, but you can't go wrong with a little Urban Outfitters :).

I learned something interesting in Art History today,



"Augustus Roman Emperor lived to 76 but forced sculptors of his bust to always depict him as a young and godlike".

So there are no historically accurate representations of Augustus.

... I decided not much has changed since 63 BC....

Photoshop is just the new medium.

Fashion Hotspot #1

Bellingham hosts its fair share of fashion cliques and unique individual styles. The city doesn’t own a prescribed “look” so it can be hard to get a collective experience, until now. A recent discovery has lead me to a spot in town that hosts all the styles, the Avellino Café, located downtown on 1329 Railroad Ave.

This cafe offers not only a wide array of delicious drinks and munchies, but one colorful and unique customer base.

Barista and curator Evan Bridges credits the diversity to location, “We are in the heart of downtown. Right across the street from the bus station, there are a lot of people coming in and a lot of students” says Bridges.

Their dedication to the increasingly popular “coffee culture”, and diverse menu could be another reason for a busy house. Every item excluding the bagels are fresh baked on site. Gluten free and vegetarian customers are also catered too.

The espresso machine is thirty one years old, and the only manual machine in the area. “We offer an alternate to corporate coffee, there is a Starbucks down the street but people choose here for unique drinks and homemade food” explains Bridges.

An artistic setting tends to acquire an artistic consumer. Along with his coffee duties Bridges also curates the coffee shop’s monthly art showings. The expressions of local artists line the walls. “This month we are showing Hailey Morgan… we are booked through June”.

So if you are looking for a place to rest those high heeled feet, or just lace up those sneakers, The Avellino Café would be happy to help you take a seat. I recommend the limited time El Toro roast coffee, and the quiche is to die for. Enjoy the environment and soak in the collective style.

Thanks to photographer Rachel Nyberg

Trend Watch

I think I am being stalked! Not by people… I think it is their boots. Is this possible?

I swear I have witnessed five different pairs of these Hunter rain boots in the past few days. These higher-end versions of the popular puddle jumpers have become my newest desire. I am not really sure why I am so attracted to them. But If I had $115 to blow on some rubber rain boots, these would be them. Oh, and don’t forget the extra $15 dollars for the cute logo socks that pop over the top! Why do I feel sort of guilty for wanting these? Oh the torments of fashion.

You see, the socks are a totally necessary addition! :)

Another rainy day on campus.

The coat is from Forever 21!

The moccasins are thrifted...she couldn't quite remember their story, but I'm sure they have one.

And cudos to the reusable mug. I just feel like it was an appropriate embellishment to the whole "look" :).

Model Performance

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus Movie Review

An adventure into the imagination of a drunken, gambling addicted, narcissist, who happens to be a complete genius, is quite a “trip”. An appropriate word to describe the movie, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus.

Of course my original objective was to go see Lily Cole’s first on screen performance. She just happens to be my favorite editorial model!

In the film she plays Valentina, the daughter of Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) and the helpless pawn in his dealings with the devil (Tom Waits).

I was hoping she would give a memorable performance. I was initially afraid of building myself up for the newest acting prodigy, only to be disappointed by an amateur. To my relief she did a fabulous job! In asking the friends I attended with about her performance, collective opinions were “Her face was always right on”… “The emotion was always perfect”. Sounds like a model to me.

For me the hint to her background came with the moments she spent standing next to other members of the cast, her 5' 10" stature towering over Collin Ferrell. Did she happen to have a perfectly straight one foot in front of the walk? It could just be my imagination :).

It seems a natural path, the transition from modeling into acting. Of course along with a creative form of career comes negative stigma attached. In the past, model to actor shifts have been looked down upon. Cole has made a positive step in changing this archaic mindset.

What an amazing first chance she had! To perform with the late Heath Ledger, Jonny Depp, Jude Law, and Collin Ferrell while working under the influence of director Terri Gilliam. If this doesn’t set her up to remain in the big cinema's eye I don’t know what will.

Her next endeavor is equally intriguing, and could turn out to be a similar fantasy style role. She plays Alice, the ghostly vision and nightly tormenter of Lewis Carroll, author of The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland. Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll will be directed by the infamous Marilyn Manson. Production dates are still being thrown around but I will be better at staying on top of this one and will keep you posted!

Wild Kiwi

Wow, first off I am terrible with names. Officially this is on the top of my list of things to work on!

What need I say? The coat is a wonderful example of one of my favorite trends ANIMAL PRINT! I should warn you I am a native of Fabulous Las Vegas so I may have a weak spot for glitter and prints. Not to worry I restrain myself with taste.

Of course I am a sucker for the mustard yellow, and the fact that she purchased the coat in Australia kept me thoroughly interested. Pairing it with purple leggings and boots, I don’t think just anyone could pull this together but I say she worked it well :).

The First Leap

Okay, so the whole style blogging thing is new for me. I found that after the initial excitement comes the realization that you actually have to approach and take photographs of people... human beings. I am constantly intrigued and inspired by the creativity of my fellow Westerners but approaching someone and confronting them with a camera is more harrowing than I thought.

This morning I passed up a photo-op with a fabulously dressed young man sporting a utilie-kilt and what I am pretty sure was a Burberry scarf! After justifying myself with, “He looked angry”, and kicking myself for lack of courage. I decided these things will come in time, and went after another well dressed but much less intimidating muse.

Here she is, someone we can all look up too. Not only is she sporting a great, enviro-friendly and Western appropriate outfit, she is working it in the rain, wearing a cast and using crutches.
Let her be an inspiration to us all. When you feel like you can’t get out of bed and create something interesting just remember you are able bodied and have no reason to slack! I am just kidding of course! Anyway, she was very nice and boosted my courage. One day soon I think I will even be able to take pictures of “angry looking” people :).