What I Wore

Punk tribute to Diana Vreeland for a final celebration in Chicago before I left for the summer. More kabuki makeup and vintage swede and leather dress from the 1980s. 

What I Wore

Photo Credit: Sara Walls

Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier pants, slick black, and dramatic makeup. Nearing the end of my first year in college. Celebrating in the gardens of the Art Institute of Chicago. 

What I Wore

Photo Credit: Sara Walls

Diana Vreeland, the legendary editor, once stormed into the Harper's Bazaar boardroom and declared at the top of her lungs, "The entire next issue must be about fuchsia!" To which Carmel Snow, the editor-in-chief, nodded quietly in response, "Diana, we'll do four pages on fuchsia". -Harper's Bazaar 150

What I Wore

Blood Ball 2017

In honor of Mary Blood

and Vampires everywhere.

Winner of best dressed.

What I Wore

Dark and romantic glamor. 

MAC Cosmetics "Deep With Envy" lipstick.

What I Wore

This spring, I really want to experiment with color. While I usually only wear black or deep shades of olive, royal blues, or blood reds, I have started to invest in garments that are bright, to contrast with all the darkness. Shocking oranges, hot pinks, fuchsias, electric blues, and healthy greens are colors I'm attempting for spring. These bright hues mixed in with my usual oversized jewelry and slick blacks will create a 1980's inspired style. The 1980's are back in fashion, there's no denying it. And I for one, am the most excited. Look at Louis Vuitton's eye makeup, Céline's bright car coats, Valentino's vibrant frocks, and Balenciaga's saturated offerings for Spring 2017 inspiration.

What I Wore

     Here's a few full shots of the original look I wore for my Chronicle interview. I went out of my way to capture the look in a different setting a little while after the article was published. Currently, I've been trying more makeup looks to go alongside my outfits. These photos were taken in Boystown, a neighborhood in Chicago boasting many great shops, cafes, and clubs. The neighborhood is home to a LGBTQ+ community bursting forth with creativity. I love going to Beatnix, a store specializing in costume and drag clothing, jewelry, and shoes, Taboo Tabou, an upscale boutique specializing in sensuality, and Ann Sather Restaurant, a great place to have brunch where the staff is friendly and the food is as incredible as the ambiance. If you are ever in Chicago, you ought to take the Red Line to Belmont, and explore the neighborhood. You won't be disappointed by what you find!

Urban Outcry

     Nearly four weeks ago, a friend of mine named Emma Siewieski offered to photograph me around Chicago. Emma's website Urban Outcry catalogs her photography work as well as invites Chicago artists to collaborate with her. I enjoyed the shoot and she captured high quality pictures that show my style. I encourage you to follow Emma's work on her Instagram and to contact her on her website if you are a Chicago-based creative.  

What I Wore

     I have officially started my second semester of college. After a moment of departure from my classes, I have returned to Chicago to continue with my studies and focus myself on developing my craft and meeting new people. I have new ideas for this blog, like turning it into a place where fashion design students from Columbia (and even other colleges within Chicago) can have their work broadcasted. As a young student, I am amazed to see what my colleagues are already doing with their creative work and wish to capture it for a wider audience and to create an archive for my findings. I am also excited to say that I'm arranging to be featured in The Columbia Chronicle, Columbia College's award-winning newspaper. I will interviewed about being a man who wears makeup and the challenges that come with it. I am very excited about this semester, particularly because of the increased confidence I have and the creative freedom I have been given.

What I Wore

I am obsessed with the mixture of modernity and history. Juxtaposition is perhaps an overused word in the fashion industry, however that is exactly how I feel about my outfit selection today. My sinister style is exemplified with crystal snake earrings and blood red lipstick. I love looking at fashion history as inspiration, as you can see when I pair a vintage-inspired pillbox hat with chunky Dr Martens boots and a leather jacket in this outfit. The hat in particular is made by Scala Classico, a company who's been hand-designing hats since 1921. While I was looking for a nice space to take pictures of this outfit today, a dear friend of mine showed me this "graffiti room" space in her dorm building. This is a space where any resident or guest can go in and paint, write, and sketch whatever they want to on the walls, floor, tables, and fixtures. It is an extremely open and calming room, showcasing the creative processes for many students and allows these students to do what they want without restrictions. Messages of hope, sex, and distain were scrawled in along with massive splashes of paint and intricate murals. Among these beautiful viewpoints and works I sat, smiled, and even added a few Sharpied comments myself while discussing and meeting with others working in the welcoming space.

"Goth Grandma" Article

     Last Friday I trekked myself out of bed and wrapped myself up in a massive, knitted black poncho to head out to an interview for Susannah Meza, an up-and-coming Fashion Journalist. She's one of my peers at Columbia College Chicago and an inspiration. Take a look as she asked me about why I choose to wear what I wear and what makes me confident. 

"Goth Grandma"

What I Wore

 The 1920s was an unquestionably freeing time for women. Exoticism mixed with a variety of un-restricting garments and accessories created a visually creative and appealing time in fashion that is often referenced to even today. On this revolutionary voting day in the United States, I am inspired to look forward to the future and have true hope. I believe that this is the same way the Suffragettes carrying signs and wearing political stark whites felt once the Nineteenth Amendment was passed on August 18, 1920. This landmark decision came just in time for the Roaring Twenties, or as legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland called it, "the true birth of the 20th century". Thus, the free spirited women of the 1920s and their extraordinary jewelry slinking and bouncing around them while they lived their new fast-paced lives inspired me to clink around in my own ridiculous faux pearls. I hope that the decision made today is in the favor of modest pearl wearer Hillary Clinton. She is someone who I believe has more of the same rights and interests in mind as I do, unlike her competitors.  

Boots: Dr Martens "Daria" Boot

What I Wore

Fur Stole: Etsy Find

Turtleneck: Vintage

Vest: Vintage

Floral Embroidered Coat: Vintage

Jeans: Forever 21

Shoes: Forever 21

Earrings: Vintage

Mask: Etsy Find

What I Wore

 Vest: Vintage

Ruff Flannel Shirt: Zara

Coat: Vintage

Pants: Topman

Boots: Zara

Earrings: H&M

Sunglasses: Vintage

What I Wore

Jacket: Forever 21

Leather Top: Forever 21

Lipstick Silk Shirt: Forever 21

Jeans: Forever 21

Boots: Zara

What I Wore

 Fringe Kaftan: H&M

Black Wedge Boots: Forever 21

Choker: Forever 21

Drop Crystal Duster Earrings: Forever 21

Lipstick: Kat Von D "Nosferatu"