inspiration

Different cultures and their clothing inspires me. There's something so natural and honest about these images, however staged they may be. There's something magical about cultures -- the ways in which we were raised, and the ways that we couldn't even imagine in our wildest dreams. The way people bring the natural and mix it with creativity is inspiring. I love seeing images of the bright colored powder that is thrown on people in celebration of the Indian Holi festival, the Polynesian face paint, the animal fur and skin, etc.  

season's trends

I seem to turn into a bit of a cartoon character when it comes to my clothing. I think it's probably a combination of comfort and being a college student. I find something that has just the right amout of comfort and cuteness, and I tend to wear it over and over insessantly. This little brown dress (that is smocked underneath the belt) + mustard sweater is one of my all time favorite "lazy day" outfits because it requires almost no effort, and the fit of the dress is so light and easy. I based this particular look below around the yellow sweater and the brown/grey dress, playing off of different shades of the neutral tone, and allowing my accent color to be the yellow.

a little more about my style

Here's a little bit about my own style. This is an example of a casual "Out and About" or "On the Go" look for me. Again, this look displays an effortless style as something that is good to wear while riding my bike around campus, running around and doing errands, or going out for lunch with some friends. Worn with skinny jeans, a simple t-shirt with a plaid shirt worn over it, and a pair of vans. I showed my favorite little boho bookbag in the background. This is a perfect look for an autumn day like today!

spoonflower root vegetables fabric contest!

I've been obsessed with Spoonflower, a custom fabric website, since I discovered designs from an independent designer that I follow. I stumbled across their current "Root Vegetables Fabric Contest" and fell in love!! This one by user Wren_leyland is probably my favorite of all, with it's little display of carrots and radishes:

........ NOW GO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE!! :)

http://www.spoonflower.com/contest_voters/new?contest_id=103

chunky!

Whether it's from the explosion of Jeffrey Campbell's litas, the TUK creeper's comeback, or Kate Middleton's influence over shoes with the stacked toe and heel, thick soles, chunky heels and stacked wedges have started to appear everywhere. Mixing neutrals and prints or adding lots of bright colors seems to be current trend. Maybe I can finally bring my demonia coffin creepers back out of the closet and wear them again. :)  

friends at the park!

Today, I went to the park!
I love this Theme skirt because it has every color in it!!

Skirt: Theme (from a local boutique called Dish)

Shirt: This is actually a romper from Body Central
Belt/sash: 25cent scarf from a yardsale

Shoes: Hand-me-downs from an old friend

His blue shirt had red buttons, and worn with a purple bow tie and awesome grey oxfords! :)

The End!

anna patina!

I just got done watching the Anna Sui show on live runway! Amazing as always, so I thought I'd do a little tribute to her style, adding some green into the mix = Anna Patina! :) 

janelle monae -- get the look!!

Janelle Monae always keeps it classy with her androgynous, super tailored black and white tuxedo suits. Mix it up! Make it your own!

Blazer: Dorothy Perkins' white contrast tux jacket.
Trousers: Mango fitted riding style pants.
Shoes: Women's Jazzibel oxford casual shoe from Journeys
Top with tie: Prabal Gurung ruffled silk georgette blouse

some of my sketches... inspired by different cultures

contemporary magic: a tarot deck art project

After great interest and some encouragement, I finally got my first tarot deck. I've been spending the past month or so learning about the deck and the individual cards, pulling out a couple a day to study individually.

I happened to stumble across a deck that was being created as an art project, with individual artists taking on different cards. I was thrown for an exciting loop when I found that the fashion community made up a large portion of the art in this deck entitled "Contemporary Magic: A Tarot Deck Art Project".

Here are some of my favorite images from the deck (showing designs by Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Louboutin, Vivienne Westwood, and threeASFOUR).
 

inspiration

This collection that I've created reminds me of home. Growing up on a small subsistence farm, I was forced to become creative, whether I was sewing my own dolls or spray painting pictures of the universe or other strange worlds in the woods. I always maintained my love for nature and natural shapes, colors, designs, while trying to stretch the limits, in a way... by bringing fiction and fantasy to the natural.

why "patina" ???

So, why PATINA?? -- To me, Patina it is a story explaining things that have lived, things that have blemishes and show character. Patina is a representation of the natural and the weathered. Patina represents the honest and true human spirit, and shows that things with a history are the things that have the most beauty. Patina is the fashion and style of the bronze and copper. 

pat·i·na

  [pat-n-uh, puh-tee-nuh] 

noun

1. thin green layer on copper: a thin layer formed by corrosion on the surface of some metals and minerals, especially the green layer that covers copper and bronze and is valued for its color
2. surface sheen: a pleasing surface sheen that develops on an object with age or frequent handling
3. superficial layer: a thin or superficial layer on something