Toddlers and Tiaras

This spread caused quite a stir when it was published in January of 2011. For a country still haunted by photographs of Jon Benet Ramsey, these images created a knee jerk reaction of revulsion. But this editorial has a self awareness not seen in Toddlers and Tiaras. It exaggerates what is already present in media and advertising to the point where one has to confront it head on. Its publication began a national conversation on age, beauty, and sex that more subversive advertising failed to ignite.

Cadeaux by Sharif Hamza for Vogue Paris

The Portrait Project

Portraiture is a celebration of the individual. But more than that, it is an imprint of the sitter. It presents the subject's likeness after death, or after aging, to future generations of spectators. Perhaps that is why portraits have such gravity, it is impossible not to wonder about the life behind the face.

I was particularly inspired by a recent trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see their Renaissance Portrait Exhibition. After decades of Mary and Jesus, the "Renaissance witnessed the rediscovery of the individual." Of course, I was most interested in the clothes, jewelry, and hairstyles that were perfectly captured in the profiles of the most beautiful ladies of the day.

But Nick and I, being products of our generation, decided to tackle portraiture with a healthy dose of post-modernism. Enjoy the photos!

Photographed by Nick Shepard
Styled by Annie Shepard
Assisted by Andra Georges
Modeled by Mikaela Flynn and Katie Hoffman

More Portraits after the Jump

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This is How Daphne Does It

Daphne does ethereal fantasy like no one else. I have serious doubts that she is a real person. More like a cyborg made up of wrinkle proof skin and couture collections.

Marcus & Indrani for Muse Magazine

Crowd Surfing, in Prada Shoes No Less

Let's celebrate the new arrival of Vogue Netherlands! A welcome addition to the fashion family.

Vive La Decadance

 

The women in this shoot by Jeff Bark for Dazed and Confused are not so much decadent as satirically perverse. The shoot lacks the overflowing macaroons and ribbons of Marie Antoinette and replaces them with figures reminiscent of a syphilitic whorehouse. While their forms might be discomforting, the photographs are undoubtedly beautiful. They immediately reminded me of John Currin's paintings by their ability to make unapologetic fetishism beautiful.

Images via Glamour Boyz

More after the Jump

Where Miami meets Kitsch

My House, My Rules, My Pleasure

Haruki Horkikawa for ID online

via Image Amplified 

More after The Jump

Occupied

I frantically checked Twitter, trying to find out where the Occupiers were. It was October 15 and social media was abuzz, #OccupyWallStreet promised civil disobedience at the Citibank on Laguardia Pl. My adrenaline rose with each step towards Zuccotti Park, I couldn't wait to see the voice of my discontent.

But it wasn't my voice. It was too many voices with too many interests, united only by their frusteration in the status quo. And that is not enough for a movement.

Occupy feels like it is on the verge of being hijacked by people defined by their anger. I saw too many Ron Paul signs, too many V for Vendetta masks, heard too many conspiracy theorists to hope that this was a rational movement.

Zuccotti Park had the feeling of a Phish show gone on way too long. There were bags and garbage everywhere and it wasn't clear who was homeless and who was a protester. And while Times Square drew thousands of people, most of the energy was put towards challenging the police rather than collective thought. 

At this point, the movement has gone on too long without a coherent message or a real leader. There is so much energy right now, but I fear that it will be taken over by extremists and the center left will have missed its chance. I admire the attention and support that they have garnered so far, but now we need to exploit the momentum. Now is the time for Occupy to Act.

Way more after the Jump!

Frequent Fliers

Did air travel ever look so good? Pan Am flyers ain't got nothing on these baby boys. These cats know how to accessorize! Pin stripe suit? Check. Hot pink suspenders? Check. Tortoise shell loafers? Of course. These boys know how to fly in style. But a man ain't nothing without a woman or a girl.

Business Class by Miles Aldridge

for L'Uomo Vogue 

More after the Jump!

Mango Mamacita

What happens when Neon Mamacita meets Ms. Mango Lassie? Ladies who Lunch on a Budget of course! Dressed to the nines, we crossed the intersection of Hipster and Stroller to visit Trois Pommes Patisserie in Park Slope. I have never had such a delicious quiche- butter, cream, egg, bacon and lots of it. The list goes on. For more about the food and more cheap eats visit TheMangoLassie.com

Like the outfits? Buy select pieces at Neon Mamacita Vintage. My hat by Rumi Tsuda.

All Photos by Nick Shepard

More After the Jump!

Fashion Week Street Styles

Fashion week street style keeps the eye educated. It is the time when women with taste and the money to buy taste, strike poses whenever physically possible. Capturing street style takes energy, agression, and chutzpah, which creates an increasingly blurry line between photographers and paparozzo. Needless to say, however, their efforts are changing the way that we think about fashion. Although their subjects hardly represent "street" style, they are making waves by pushing the creative envelope and creating a new level of fashion consciousness.

More Photos after the Jumpity Jump!!!!!!

Deep Greens and Blues are the Colors I Choose

"Truly to enjoy bodily warmth,some small part of you must be cold, for there is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself." - Moby Dick

The Oregon Coast is cold; the beach is dotted with monoliths and the trees are all twisted because of years of abuse. So when the sun does shine there, man oh man can you feel it's warmth.

For other Indian inspired looks, check out this dress and skirt from Neon Maamcita.

More After the Jump!

It's a Mad Mad World

All photos by Issy Magowen

Styling and Clothes by Neon Mamacita Vintage

Retouching by Annie Shepard

Models: Mikaela Flynn, Amelia Buckley, Natalie Taylor, and Anna Pipes

You can buy the dresses you've seen in this photoshoot on Etsy!

Much Much More after the Jump!

 

Prints Please! Vintage Prints from my Collection

Prints from my collection. 

More after the jump!