Category Archives: Muse

{Refining Your Palette}

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I devoted today to “refining my palette” and although a gourmet tasting would be perfect for my day off I am talking about a slightly different palette… What I mean is that in today’s overflowing array of blogs one can get discouraged or if you’re as visually sensitive as I am, even somewhat upset. I’m sure that many of you spoiled souls (like myself) would agree with me when I say that some blogs are an offense to that marvelous tool of freedom we can exploit… And sometimes I need a to hit refresh and remind myself what is beauty and where it resides… So, let me share my web-indulging spots with you and perhaps you will find some inspiration too… Shall we begin?

The fact that The Glamourai is first on my list is far from being coincidental… I don’t think I’ve ever shared that piece of information with you guys just yet, but The Glamourai is a big part of the reason CHIC A LA RUSSE even exists… Having my own blog was my brother’s idea (he has always been somewhat of a computer genius to portray modestly) and while sitting on the fence with that kind of manifestation, I stumbled upon Kelly’s blog and instantly became her devotee… In so many words, I truly believe that Kelly Framel is a genius and a true taste maker, and if you ask me, we haven’t seen the half of it… See for yourself!

Coming up next, is the Doll like perfection we ,humans, refer to as Kristina Bazan. Every time I stop by, it’s like a recharge of overwhelming beauty and imagery execution to the T. Sometimes, I can almost swear this blog is a commercial propaganda, sponsored by a corporation hiring a small army to make all look oh so good…But the truth is, the Power-Duo behind the operation (based in Geneva, Switzerland) is beyond inspiring, Kristina is only 18 (!) and her boyfriend, James Vyn , the uber-talented young man responsible to the polished appearance of every single image on the blog… I can’t even wrap my mind around the fact that these two are not even 20! Simply incredible, check out their latest Fall spread YSL inspired shoot here.

And now for a slightly less saturated mistress, and I do mean ONLY in matters of color, because the 20 year old ILANKA is anything but monotone in every other sense of visual bliss. I discovered her lovely piece of life on the web just recently and fallen in love with her high fashion aesthetics and editorial talent for strong monochromatic looks. If you browse through you’ll see she does mixed color as well, but I am certainly captivated by her pale ensembles, so otherworldly on the verge of being surreal… Just imagine walking down the street and crossing a dame like this…! FASHIONNERDIC indeed…


My next pastel creature is probably the most creative DIY blogger out there. What I love the most about IVANIA’s blog (beyond her addiction to all things clear) is the fact that it’s as though she creates a world of her own, washed in whites and cool pastels, framed with hardware and clear bijoux. I think her influence on the fashion arena and high fashion on her is somewhat equal, as I recently acquired a few hardware inspired accessories and I won’t be surprised if they were, in fact, inspired by her… Get your own dose of clear fashion here.

And how about you? Which are YOUR favorite stops???

{Privileged}

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In so many words, life, is what you make of it. Some are born privileged, adorned with power and showered with comfort, following a clear path… Some are gifted with a talent that will carry them through life with grace and glory… Others, have to craft their own, allegedly ‘unprivileged’ route through battles of pride, patches of hunger and supreme urge to be the exception of their breed…

Sometimes I feel lucky, sipping on a great cup of coffee or indulging a divine glass of wine, entrenched in a conversation, on the setting of one of the most wonderful cities in the world… And sometimes I feel it’s time to buckle up, as I’m in for a wild ride, holding on to life, or at least the idea of what it “should” be…

Whoever you are and wherever you may be, in the possession of the latest Celine bag or not, the wheel is turning and whether you end up at “the table” (feeding your dog in your lap…) is entirely up to you and how much you are willing invest in the journey…

And after that somewhat philosophic out lash, I hope you will too admire some old school Parisian bourgeoisy chic from the latest Vogue Paris (August 2012), staring the incredible Malgosia Bela…

Images found here

{I think I’m} IN LOVE

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This morning, while mindlessly browsing and sipping my coffee I found myself simply taken. I suppose that is exactly how men feel when they pass by an astonishingly beautiful woman on the street… They gaze under the influence of confused hypnosis. This lovely creature has captured my attention, and not only because of the spell of her beauty but also because of her attitude. I couldn’t ignore how genuine and bare of pretenses her entire essence is… I don’t know if you got it yet but this Russian goddess (with Armenian roots) is also a mother (depicted with her adorable son above) and all the more intriguing… Currently residing in London with her Angolan partner… Enjoy the sneak peak but do discover for yourselves… Her blog: Intrigue me now… 

I love how her outfits are never over-done or “trying to hard” and above all they never overpower HER and her attitude that makes even the most simple ensemble somewhat edgy and enchanting… Mmmm, J’adore!

Invigorating Fractions

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I had the most random (yet surprisingly fascinating) conversation with a taxi driver the other day. I was running late and stormed into the vehicle somewhat amused by the whole idea of being in bed just moments beforehand and in the spirit of things we found ourselves invested in a “small-talk” about life, control (or perhaps, at times, the lack of it) and well- love. He asked me what made me “alive”, adding that 90% of people today are ‘walking bodies’, what made me ‘different’? I said hope, and the chance of being truly loved someday for what I am and nothing else… How romantic of me, I know… But today, after crashing into sleep after being up all night (working on a project, a similar night ahead of me…) I though of something else, in addition to the above…

You know how sometimes there are moments in life that are beyond invigorating, almost unbearable in their intoxicating influence on us… Little fractions of time, in which nothing makes sense but at the same time, these are moments of serene peace… Mmm, life.

Oh and I’ve been sort of obsessed with Miranda Kerr lately so I dug up this beautiful editorial from Numero (2010) Photographed by Sebastian Kim, she almost doesn’t look herself here…Invigorating indeed if you ask me………….

Found here

Sweet Escapades

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These days every minute of my time has a purpose, like a bullet, prepared to penetrate an exact target. From the few hours of sleep (a topic on which I contemplate every single night, rethinking how little is too little or perhaps too much?!) through the rushed morning coffee’s and breakfast “on the go” (damn you modern society…) to the never ending juggling act between work and school (barely made it to French today after wrapping up a shoot with David Hamsley, which was pretty awesome actually! Show and tell soon, promise!) my escapades into peaceful “grounds” are carefully timed and spread out throughout the day,in tini-tiny portions, to maintain some sort of sanity in a world that has gone mad…

For example today, while cherishing every sip of my morning coffee, I took a dreamy tour at Dorothee Schumacher’s beautiful beautiful home in Germany… To me, besides the obvious (that this house is oh so wonderful) it’s the perfect balance between past and future, country and fashion, fast and sublimely slow… I hope you too, find your minutes of peace through your crazy chase and dream away about that chance that what we truly want might actually, one day, become true… Careful what you wish for!

Images via The Selby

{Satisfaction}

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I’m not sure just yet what is the cause to that recent wave of constant contemplation on the meaning of existence but nonetheless I find myself spend my subway rides staring blank and pondering the “why’s” of life…

The last couple of weeks, put gently, were rather demanding and I suppose it made me think, what is the point to all of that, and the only thing that kept floating is the factor of satisfaction. Yes, of course all of our hard work will be filed away in glossy covers and bound to a portfolio but more then anything I think what drives us the most is that sliver of sacred satisfaction, once we put away the sizers, fold the patterns and put out the brushes to dry, glancing at a creation that is entirely our own…

I think it goes without saying Givenchy’s Couture miraculous presence is ever inspiring, but mostly I believe it’s absolutely timeless, I keep revisiting this collection again and again, just because it takes my breath away every single time…

The lovely Julia Stegner playing naughty muse dressed in Couture Givenchy Fall 2010

{Just Saw} Abbey Lee

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While I was “indulging” my ‘Mizu Glazed Cod’ (such an ambitious title for a mediocre-yet satisfying- piece of fish…) in broad day light to fuel my now completely overworked ‘vehicle’ guess who just happened to lean on the glass wall dividing between myself and the questionable intensity of 7th Avenue?

Well… The title of the post might be a full disclosure but all I can say is that even bare-faced and in probably the most casual attire (army over-sized jacket, white T and grey pants accompanied by flats) I’ve ever seen a model of that caliber, she looked absolutely beautiful. I smiled politely trying not to disclose the fact that I actually knew by who’s company am I being honored and she texted away on what seemed like a pressing matter…

I wonder if Abbey gets all the beauty sleep she needs these days- because I know I am far far from even scratching the surface when it comes to sleep… Back to the 4 hours of sleep equals luxury situation for the next week at least with the exception of tomorrow that seems to be an “all-nighter”. After paying all my dues to society this beautiful day (which included submitting a project and after my 3rd cup of coffee posing for a drawing work-shop on high heels, I mean, how else would you like to finish a long day??? And now sleep. Enjoy Abby…

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Simply Surreal

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It’s the second time I find myself stop the mindless browsing and stare, soaking in surreal beauty, an otherworldly creation worthy of a pause… I fell head over heels with the purple muse…. Bravo!

Captured by Goran Ljubuncic

Hair and make-up artistry by Ido Raphael

Model Kristina for elite

NIKITA

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Major addiction alert. I must admit I was more than a bit skeptical when I saw the ads for the “new” Nikita show, and quite honestly been ignoring it up till recently (I mean, it will practically take me forever to re-watch all 5 seasons of the original 1997 Le Femme Nikita anyway…) but taking in consideration that the plot of the show is a “take” on the original and not an imitation keeps me rather intrigued… Plus the fact that the “new” Nikita is ridiculously tiny and even more (!!!) trigger happy then her previous (ever so stunning Peta Wilson…) version is definitely adding to the equation of me being mindlessly watching yet another episode, captivated by the irresistible combination of black leather and gun fire…