Crime of Fashion : Melanie Pullen and High Fashion Crime Scenes

Tags

art, beautiful, Carson Daily, Controversial, Crime, Crime Scene Couture, disturbing, fashion, High Fashion Crime Scene, LA photographer, Melanie Pullen, NBC, Photography, reanactments, unique, video, Vintage Crime Scene Photos

I don’t know about you, but the intrigue of crime has been an interest of mine, when i stopped being afraid of the reality of it “happening to me.” I find myself glued to my couch as I watch Dateline, 48 hours, and others with real life footage. I usually do not like reenactments, as you cannot see the true story. But Melanie Pullen, a self-taught LA based photographer, who found her niche in her teens while shooting the earliest shots of The Black Keys and other now famous bands has created a reenactment that I actually think is quite beautiful. She is widely published and well-known as an “envelope pusher” with her controversial work.

I really don’t enjoy Carson Daly, but as i was decompressing from my day at 1:30 am, I was excited to see her segment and automatically decided her work needed to be written about, even more! (Check out Link)

Melanie Pullen on Carson Daly

“I’m a selfish person when I create art, I’m creating it for myself…then I have to give it away.” – Melanie Pullen

Her most recent work is a collaboration of vintage crime scene photos , collected from the LA County Coroner’s office, and reenacted into haute couture scenes of women in their time of death. Somehow, in a disturbing and real way, she makes it utterly beautiful. I will spare you the most gruesome shots, but you can always view them in her recently published 128 page book called “High Fashion Crime Scenes.”

My Favorite

Pullen’s goal, in this particular project, was to combine art, passion, and couture into an amazing spread of telling pictures. And she has done it well: Artistically and esthetically.

“Prior to the 1950s the nature of criminal photographs was fundamentally different from their present clinical form. Given the complexity of cameras earlier in the century, most crime scene photographers had both artistic and professional experience with an eye for composition, lighting, and drama. – From Melanie Pullen’s Bio

That is what she has emulated and successfully done.

Crime is either the outward expression of those who have “a few screws loose” or, crime is that of a passionate response to a need to fulfill, complete, or create a picture that plagues the brain.

I believe crime footage is so telling of the people who commit the deed. A door that opens to reveal why.

Fashion comes in all different shapes and forms and we should not , and WILL NOT box it in. Everything in the artistic mind is open for interpretation. Something may be beautiful to me and ugly or scary to you. That is what makes artists so unique: the difference in the definition of what is pleasing and beautiful.

Look out for her upcoming project called “Haunted” ,The exploration of the moment before death.

And The Winner of the Giveaway is : Jacqueline from FashionSnag!!

Tags

@FashionSnag, Bobby Pins, FashionSnag.com, Giveaway Winner, Jacqueline, Pin Tin Giveaway

Congratulations to our darling fellow blogger and fashionista, Jacqueline for winning the Bumble and Bumble “Pin Tin”

Please check her out on her website (all about fashion and beautifully done with pics and videos!) http://www.fashionsnag.com/  One great video below!

Also I’m sure she would love if you followed her on Twitter @fashionsnag !!!

Let’s give her some love and Bobby Pins!

One Woman’s Rags are Another’s Treasure : How to Buy and Sell Consignment

Tags

accessories, buy and sell, buying consignment clothes, Clothes with tags attached, Consign Clothing, Donation, easy way to make money, Goodwill, How to Sell clothing, list of consignment shops, Make money selling your old clothes, Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag, New clothes, Old clothes, Online consignment shops, Organize, Shoes, The Salvation Army, Zac Posen

It’s the New Year and most of us are short on cash. As fashionistas it is inevitable that we are impulsive consumers. We think we like “that shirt ” and realize later we did not try it on, or we look at it for a few days and realize we actually HATE the color!

The piece(s) sit in our closet for who knows how long, sometimes with the tags still attached. I have had True Religions, Handbags, and shoes that I have worn once or literally still read dollar signs on the tag.

What to do with these clothes we seem to be incredibly attached to but have no plans to do anything with?

Answer: GET RID OF IT ALL!

Consigning Your Closet by Sally Horchow for “Very Good Looking”

For the clothes that are a little worn and may not be taken by the Upscale Consignment Boutiques, please don’t hesitate to donate them to a charity such as The Salvation Army or Goodwill to support the provision of jobs for ex-convicts, the disabled, and recovering addicts.

Marc By Marc Jacobs Baby Aidan Brown Handbag (310.00 MSRP 540.00 – Free Shipping)

For the brand new, tags on, and great quality clothing you may still have, they need to pay for themselves. Consign them: At a shop (list of US shops below) or on an online consignment shop. Most of the time the reason why things sit in our closet is because we are too lazy or “don’t have enough time” to pull articles of clothing and bag them up.

First of all , you DO have 10 minutes to take the beautifully hanger hung clothes and put them in a bag to bring with you ON A SATURDAY (when your off) or after 5pm when most consignment shops are still open. Also at any time you can list consignment on an online boutique (look below.)

Here are a few resources for buying and selling:

5 Reasons to Consign

List of Consignment Shops in the US

Great Online Consignment shop websites to buy and SELL : Style.ly ,  CovetShop

How to Earn Money Consigning

Tips and Information on the proper way to consign:

1. Make sure clothes are not wrinkled but run through the dryer or ironed. Some consignment shops require the pieces to be on hangers , research.

2. Pick clothes that are for the season the consignment shop is accepting, give them a call and ask what they are looking for

3.Most of the time a consignment shop will take a yearly stipend from your balance, probably around $10 to allow you to consign as much as you want for the whole year.

4.When you drop off your clothing and shop around for yourself ( smile) they will call you up to evaluate the prices they have set for your clothing. If you feel that your true religions are worth more than they are selling them for, choose not to consign at that store and try an online consignment shop.

5.Keep consigning! If you are a frugal fashionista and not only consign but also shop at “Thrift store” (different than consignment shops) and Goodwill retail stores in “well off” neighborhoods, it is possible you may find a pair of brand new pair of Frye shoes (which i did the other day) and even if they are not in your size, BUY THEM and then CONSIGN them.

This is a business for some, buying and selling. But if you just have an abundance of clothing, just sell.

A great Buy, if you’re in the restocking phase…

Zac Posen Bubble Dress on CovetShop.com Size 6 (212.00 MSRP 1,800.00) !!!!

So get to Selling and maybe even Buying!!! Good Luck.

What are you recent success stories with consignment?

Dior Signs Mila Kunis

Tags

Academy Awards, Black Swan, Christian Dior, Dior signs Mila Kunis, fashion, funny fashion quotes, Funny Video, January 2012, Klingon, L.A.dy Dior Video, Marion Cotillard, Natalie Portman, Photoshoots, you tube

Mila Kunis is now joining her Black Swan co-star Natalie Portman, who signed for Dior in 2010 to represent their Parfum ads, by modeling Christian Dior’s Handbag Campaign coming out in late January.

Natalie Portman for Dior Parfum Campaign 2010

Some beautiful sneak peaks of Mila Kunis from the upcoming Dior Handbag Spread in late January

Dior has been choosing actresses over models for the last few ad campaigns. It has done well for them as these beautiful women can act and also photograph beautifully.

Look below for a recent short film done by Dior, directed by  John Cameron Mitchell to promote the “L.A.dy Dior” handbag in December 2011. This satirical short film stars the quiet and subdued (so we thought)  French actress Marion Cotillard. It depicts the craziness of the modeling industry in a hilarious way.

LOL Lines

Agent : “Tiny little real people , in the real world that are counting on you!”

Makeup Artist :”…Academy Awards, I put the eyeliner on Miss “You know who” and her glass eye pops out on the table.”

Stylist : “Do I have to speak Klingon to get something done around here!”

Looking forward to late January to see what the Black Swan’s Rival has to offer.

Wearable Runway Hairstyles for 2012

Tags

2010, 2012, 2012 Hair Trends, asymetrical bob, Bobby Pins, Bumble and Bumble Pin Tin, Bungee poytail holder, Carolina Herrera, confidence, Contest, Dior, Easy Hairstyles, finger wave tutorial, Gail Sorronda, gel, Girl With the dragon tattoo, grey hair, Gucci, high ponytail tutorial, kelly osbourne, Lady Gaga, mia farrow, Pin Tin Giveaway, pixie cut, Prabal Gurung NY, Rooney Mara, Runway, salt and pepper hair, short fringe, Slick Hair, Sold Out, twiggy, vidal sassoon

Spring 2012 Hairstyles are all about “Revival”. Stylists are taking looks from the 1920s to the de-structured looks of the early 1990s and tweaking them into a modern style that is appropriate for 2012.

Take a look at these incredibly “Easy to Do” hairstyles and colour concepts.

Bobby Pin Extravaganza

Bobby Pins (in all colours and sizes) are ruling the runways. A unintentional look yet structured, creates a design that will be envied by those around you. Wearing this style will speak volumes of your self-confidence as it is different then what you may wear on a daily basis.

This look has been found on the Runway of Gail Sorronda, Dior, and Carolina Herrera.

Gail Sorronda Runway Bobby Pin Hairstyle

A few options for adding bobby pins: Slick hair back into a bun with a side part and add a bunch of large colored bobby pins such as Bumble and Bumble’s Pin kit ($15 – Limited for Holiday Season!!- No link because they are no longer sold) But there are other large coloured pins out there.

You can try to find them at a Bumble Retail Salon near you.  Look Out for Tomorrow’s Giveaway Contest for a SOLD OUT  B&B Pin Tin!!!

You can also add pins to a crazy twisted bun by pinning the twists, in no particular order (see below.) If you like the 1920′s look, do a “finger wave” and add some pins.

A great “How To” video on Finger Waves by Andrew Jose (London)

http://youtu.be/bRxXKmFNQCQ

For short hair such as a bob or pixie cut. Don’t hesitate to add them to pin your fringe back or on the side of head.More is Better in this case. Load it up!!! 

High Wattage Hair

As in Peter Som’s Runway Spring 2012, He featured natural coloured hair with a few streaks of bright colours and an underlay of the same shade. Opt for one or both. Unless you have a strict job, do not hesitate to add a few streaks of a crazy colour to your hair. Ask your stylist to do “what YOU want” not what they think is appropriate.

Peter Som Runway 2012

Take it Short

Short Fringe (or bangs) has been “in” since the pixie cut was created by Vidal Sassoon in the 1960s with models Mia Farrow and Twiggy. It continued to be popular into the early 90′s celebrity and music season with celebrities such as Winona Ryder. It is not passe and will NEVER be. A short bob or pixie looks great on those who have slender faces and distinct (occasionally) sharp features.

The famous “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Rooney Mara (read the article on how she is “Pushing the Fashion Envelope”) has sported an asymmetrical bob and fringe. Gorgeous.

Vidal Sassoon 2012

Rock It Grey

Grey and Salt and Pepper Hair has been making a statement on the runway since 2010 and with celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Kelly Osbourne. Although we haven’t seen a complete resurgence , frankly i think its beautiful and will soon sport it myself.

Gucci 2012 Spring Runway has taken it back to 2010 with a sassy grey streak.

This looks great when the hair is pulled tight into a high pontytail (although it can also be beautiful in short hair)

Here is a tutorial on how to create a High Ponytail. In this video Jacqueline Bush (Celebrity Hairstylist) uses a special hair accessory that prevents the high poytail from “falling” called a Bungee Ponytail Holder ($4 – Cant find in any local stores- only online)

Didnt Shower for 5 days look

Let’s be real. Sometimes we don’t wash our hair for a couple of days, and Prabal Gurung New york 2012 is supporting that. Get a little dirty people. Gel and extra oil makes for a fresh “I didn’t do this on purpose” kind of hairstyle. Don’t be afraid to be judged. If you think you’re being looked at funny, whip this picture (below) out and show ‘em who’s boss.

Here are some looks to try that involve very little product and will set you up for the upcoming Spring Season. Please stay tuned for the Contest for the SOLD OUT Bumble and Bumble Pin Tin Tomorrow!