Style Kitten #1: Maria De Los Angeles

It was a quiet sunny afternoon during the end of winter. My subject: beautiful Maria De Los Angeles. Celebrity chef in the making, Canberra based Panamanian model extroadinaire. Her quirky unique colourful style is evident in Maria's chosen looks. Where vintage meets designer and costume accessories are essential. We interviewed at her house then continued on to shoot the photographic side of our day around her neighbourhood. Even, catching looks by her fav flower, the Cherry blossom! <3
As always, it was an absolute pleasure working with such a fashionista! Hope her style helps inspire your future outifts... x
(interview to follow after photos!) Please note: there will be further editorial photos added soon.

peace love + chanel

allura xoxo

Question 1: What do you do? What are your passions? What brings you happiness?

Maria: "I'm a Chef. My passions are food, music and life. Not necessarily in that order :)
Making other people happy brings me happiness. "

Question 2: Tell me about your work as a Chef, how long have you been doing this? do you enjoy it?

Maria: "Being a Chef is an incredibly rewarding career. It's hard work that requires a great deal of commitment, passion and skill, but when you put your heart and soul into it the possibilities are endless. I love being a Chef, I recently finished my apprenticeship and I am now hands on in the overall kitchen operation, learning more and more everyday. "

Question 3: Describe your style in 3 words.

Maria: "Colorful. Bold. Funky"

Question 4: Who inspires you, what style icons do you look to for inspiration?

Maria: "My absolute number one inspiration is 'Carrie Bradshaw'. SJP is just incredibly stylish. After watching an episode of S&TC I put on my high heels and get creative with my outfits. What I love the most about 'Carrie' is that she wears what suits her, she is always feminine and not afraid of trying new things. Ultimate fashionista! Other beautiful women I admire are Gwen Stefani, rockstar and glamour goddess and Penelope Cruz with her amazing figure always flawless is a good role model for hispanic women."

Question 5: Who is your favourite designer?

Maria: "I'm not too familiar with many designers but how not to love Chanel and Dior, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana? Tom Ford is amazing and chic. Also love local Allanah Hill and Spanish designer Custo Barcelona and last but not least the amazing designers from Panama Michelle Zarak and Federico Visuetti."

Question 6: What are your favourite fashion/accessory items of the moment?

Maria: "Winter is almost over but I must admit I enjoyed wearing big coats and leather gloves. Dresses that embrace the figure in bloc colors with a big statement necklace."

Question 7: What are you dying to wear this coming summer? 

Maria: "Dresses and more dresses! Flowing skirts, loose tops with shorts and comfy fisherman pants with bright colored tops."

Question 8: What do you predict will be trending this summer /11?

Maria: "Earthy, organic looks. Beautiful floral prints. VINTAGE influence."

Question 9: What is your favourite colour?


Maria: "Color in general I love, but my favorites are Yellow and Green."

Question 10: If you could choose a song that describes you, what would it be?

Maria: "Just a girl -No Doubt.  Edgy, playful and direct :)"

exciting things are happening.

watch this space, kittens. In the coming weeks, or even days I will be interviewing gorgeous girls (and boys!) that posess a certain je ne sais quois for individual style. That's right, your favourite street stalker is getting local. Prepare to be inspired. My first muse will be Panamanian Model and Canberra Chef - Maria De Los Angeles. As fate would have it, she is also my sobrinita aka step-niece! isn't nepotism a beautiful thing? ;)

You will fall in love with her style as I and many others have before you. Tropical prints, colourful layers, bright jewellery, wild curls and a 'devil may care' attitude are just the beginning of what's to come...

I'll leave you with some images of Maria that I shot for a conceptual photoshoot, last autumn.

peace love + chanel.

x x x

The.ART.of.FASHION-Neiman Marcus

You had me at art....(or was it fashion?) gaaaaah! d-y-i-n-g for this photoshoot concept. I've always dreamed of shooting a model on top of a nice old car, from above...it's so NEW YORK (even if was shot on the NY set of Paramount in LA.... haha DETAILS!). Photography by Norman Jean Roy - <3
IT's true, I do loves me a red haired Drew Barrymore.

Enjoy, and don't forget to check out the video below....aaaaaahmazing!!! <3
The Art of Fashion by Neiman Marcus.

Kristin.Stewart.ADORE +

There are no words for how beautiful Kristin looks! I just love her delicate features & tiny frame. big hair + glossy 60s makeup work to perfection for this editorial. lush photoshoot. love <3

(Images courtesy of: Just Jared & W Magazine respectively)

dreamscapes.of.my.mind +

Last night I went Ice Skating! for the first time ever.... surprisingly, or not (as I am a dancer), was quite natural at it. Such a good freeing feeling... its rare that there is anything mildly sports related that I'm okay at straight up! being the dreamer I am.... soon as I got home... laying awake daydreaming about different lives I could have had - had I discovered skating sooner... figure skater olympian perhaps? probably not haha but it was a nice thought before bed time... :) Check out this amazing fashion show on ice that showed earlier in year.... Stellar idea, Elise Overland! love... x

Dsquared2 Autumn 2011 collection

Nikki Reed, in an embroidered chiffon Marchesa dress

Elise Overland puts fashion on ice.....love love love

Mini roadtrip to Braidwood

Rainy weekends call for action! Decided to be spontaneous and drive with my precious mother dearest an hour out of our city to explore the older town of Braidwood, whilst enjoying beautiful art showings at Studio Altenburg gallery and more importantly a much needed hot choco happy. fin x











french.riviera +

Somewhat out of sorts, today. There's a bleakness to the constant days that begin and end with rain. I'm left feeling misplaced - almost entirely because in my mind I'm longing for that balmy Summer day reminiscing of simpler times. In reality it's the last month of Winter here in Australia. Torn between being where I want to be (St Tropez) and where I actually am (Canberra). All my plans are about to unfold.... excite!!  ;) In the effort of warming, if nothing else - my mood; I've dedicated this post to my favourite time and Summer fashion style. French Riviera aka resort wear.

When I think French Riviera fashion: nautical, stripes, black/white/grey/navy/red pallettes fused with simple understated jewellery pieces come to mind. Occasionally teamed with colour pops and or blocks. Allowing balance of simplicity with elegance.... only a real french woman can truly perfect! But for the rest of us, inspiration follows.... x

LV 11/12 resort



Celine



 



Marc Jacobs spring 2011

        


Hello Sailor... ;)

all.that.glitters +

Following a riveting (yet not overtly intellectual) conversation with a colleague today via email we get on the subject matter of stairs. The conversation progresses from stairs to labyrinth, then bowie. get it?  Feeling somewhat inspired and fascinated by the bowie persuasion I decide to research this further....

The original king of glam.rock Ziggy Stardust (before there was Gaga, ke$ha and all the other glitter hybrids) +

bowie.inspired. +



Jonathon Rhys Meyers in Velvet Goldmine



editorial: numero issue #123 bowie inspiration evident, with hints of warhol. seductive and evocative. --i literally die for this photoshoot...beyond ahhhhhhmazing. love. love. love. LOVE. xxxx

Now for the hybrids +