Factory Outtakes 5: this seasons must-have.

The khaki military shirt has rapidly become the zeitgeist of this seasons wardrobe. In styling this shoot, I decided a military shirt would be a good way to tone down the feminine, and express strength and punk rebellion without all the over-the-top glam-rock of numerous shiny studs. The shirt performs the same function as a good pair of combat boots, by contrasting against the delicate. In this case, I paired it with a black lace camisole (another big trend this season: black lace underpinnings), and a sleek cream pencil skirt (see how cream can go edgy gals?). These shirts also go great over sequins or a floral silk print.

And don't forget that unexpected splash of color! I love the pop of a great magenta pump when wearing neutrals.

Cream Peplum pencil skirt - Temperley London

Men's military shirt - Nudie jeans

Black lace camisole - H&M

Pearl Necklace - Vintage

AK47 necklace - VeraMeat

Bracelet - Vintage

Purple suede pumps - Vince Camuto

Photos by Frey+Martin

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Factory Outtakes 4: climbing is best done in boots.

My go-to look since college has been a feminine dress paired with combat boots. Granted, back then, it was vintage velvet baby-doll dresses, real combat boots from a surplus store, and obnoxious stripey tights. It was the '90s. These days, the look is back in fashion, but as with any revival, is done with more finesse. I love the bird print on this dress, because birds can read as whimsical and edgy at the same time. Neutral socks and a chunky sweater pull it together for fall, cinched with an amber belt to elevate the look. The silk headscarf adds a bohemian feel in a way that creates tension with the combat boots (which happen to be a lot nicer than the real ones I used to wear back in the day).

The genius of this look is that you can be as delicate and feminine as you want, but walk with complete comfort and the feeling of strength.

Cream bird print silk dress - Charlotte Ronson

Forest green knit shrug - Iris Von Arnim

Black Combat boots - AllSaints Spitalfields

Silk Headscarf - Eugenia Kim

Heart and Cleaver necklace - Caja Jewelry

Bracelet and rings - VeraMeat

Amber Stone belt - House of the Hanged

Photos by Frey+Martin

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Factory Outtakes 3: Military chic nerd

How many contradictions can one meld into the same outfit? Military bondage pants, a delicate textural silk blouse, nerd glasses, and a lady-like patent quilt purse. I just love it when opposing elements work so well together creating an effortless yet elegant feel. This is an outfit that communicates personality and class. This was one of my favorites.

Military bondage pants - Dries Van Noten

Silk reptile blouse - Grace Sun

Black suede wedge booties - Dries Van Noten

Anatomical Heart necklace - Caja Jewelry

Quilt patent bag - Matt & Nat

Bracelet - Vintage
Glasses - Fabulous Fanny's

Photos by Frey+Martin

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Factory Outtakes 2: 60's french activist look

When I first saw this delicate silk dress with skull print on it, I went nuts. Just when you thought skulls were played out (which I never wanted to see happen), Karen Walker worked it into a fresh feminine print. I paired it with a silk cream blouse by Bess (a line with some amazing vintage pieces). I have come to the conclusion that a cream silk blouse is an essential for any womans wardrobe. Even us edgy gals can pair them with grey or to offset a creative print.

I am also still loving socks with a fabulous pair of heels, a trend that has been going strong for a few years now. Keep them slouchy for a devil-may-care feel. The beret adds a french rebel flair, as I feel that it's fun to create a story with your accessories. I added the vintage leather utility belt as it cinches to the smallest waist, while adding a tough military feel (and this particular belt once belonged to my Parisian mother). The whole look was capped off with delicate jewelry by VeraMeat. I particularly loved the bird with fangs necklace, which unfortunately is barely visible in these shots.

If you decide to go for a look like this in the fall, I suggest adding a military parka for cold days.

Skull print dress - Karen Walker

Cream blouse - Bess

Green reptile peeptoe pumps - Casadei

Jewelry - VeraMeat

Beret- Lola

Utilitarian belt - vintage

Shot by Frey+Martin

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Factory outtakes 1: 70's rebel rebel

I love that the sunglasses make her too cool for school, and that the stripe suede pumps play nicely off her watery multi-hue blouse. Tie it all together with a chunky knit for fall, the obligatory harem pants (though notice that they still have a thin silhouette), some edgy jewelry, and a fabulous belt. Now what are you gonna get up to??

Chunky Knit Sweater - Elizabeth and James

Silk BLouse - Maisonette 1977

Suede pumps - Vince Camuto

Sunglasses - Cinzia Redeux

Tweed harem pants - Steven Allen

Angel wing knuckle duster - VeraMeat

Bracelet + necklace - VeraMeat

Belt - House of Hanged


Shot by Frey+Martin

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Straight from the pages of FACTORY mag, fall fashion issue

As you may or may not know, TOKION mag has started a new all fashion photo mag called FACTORY. I was lucky enough to be called upon to style for the premiere issue in which the theme was 'Rebel' and 'Rogue'. This is a theme for which I feel I am particularly equipped to handle. My fashion sense is about breaking the rules and personal expression, and my past is quite full of healthy rebellion.

Here I share with you the printed tears from the story I styled, shot on vintage plastic cameras by the fabulous photo duo, Frey+Martin. The idea was vintage eclectic rebel. Shortly, I will also be posting the many outfits that did not appear in the magazine. FACTORY provides it's readers many varied fashion stories, all of which are abridged to accommodate many eclectic points of view. Thankfully, I have this forum to publish the rest of the story.

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MIA...when it rains...

Ahhh, the life of a freelancer. We have many idioms, such as "when it rains, it pours" and "feast or famine". Well, lucky for me, I have been feasting in the pouring rain. The kind of busy where your laundry piles high, and your friends wonder if you've moved away. Great for me, not so very great for this here blog.

But stay tuned, as I am going to give you a little peek into some of what I've been up to...

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