{M.Miles} Beaded Grace

MMiles_Jewelry One of the highlights of 2012 for me were our trip to Arizona this summer, and alongside rediscovered inspiration that came from the Grand Nature this area is abundant with, I found myself falling for an unexpected object of desire. Beaded jewelry was one of my favorite adornments during my high school days, in fact, when I first received my very first piece from this brand (a gift from my boyfriend, when we first started dating…) I though to myself, if only I could hear about this jewel back then! Anyhow, to sum up the matter, after meeting Marianne, and going through the endless amounts of lustrous merchandise (the owner of the company and also the woman that inspired it’s creation the first place) I knew this brand’s stock will soar in no time. We decided to bring the jewels to New York and shoot a look-book that will do justice to a rare product of hand made craftsmanship and attention. Every piece is gathered by hand in an undisclosed location in South America from glass beads imported from the Czech Republic (considered the highest quality in the world). But to be completely honest, what impressed me the most was the amount of light these reflect, what can I say? Every girl has a soft spot for the shiny! So here’s a little taste of what we depicted…  jewelry_271_lowresMMiles_Jewelryjewelry_368_lowres MMiles _Jewelryjewelry_383_lowres  As this is still work in progress while we try to find ways to offer these beauties to private customers (Marianne’s company operates solely with boutiques at this point) if you too have fallen for the beads and would like to receive the full look-book and place an order contact me in private and I will make the arrangements to contact you with the head quarters is Arizona.

A huge thank you to our talented cast Greg J Konop the photographer, Connie Hau in the make-up front and off course our lovely Natalie Yegorova that joined me on the modeling task!

{2012}

2012 Collage

What a year. It’s funny, it seems as though it was so long and eventful (to say the least!) but at the same time, the memory of this very day last year stands so fresh in my mind… I think that more than anything for me this year was all about pondering. The last 3 years were probably the most hectic {and game-changing} in my entire life and within all the commotion I rarely had the luxury to pause and just think about it all for a moment… This year I forced myself to reflect, to have a close look at who I’ve become, who I aspire to be and how long is the distance between the two. I think that this year, sort of against all odds -ironically- something clicked into placed and perhaps that’s just part of maturing but I’ve realized that some things just are what they are and that is ALRIGHT. It won’t come as a shock to you all when I say we live in a very competitive world in so many different aspects of life; our looks, our intelligence, our pockets, our fashionable taste buds, the amounts of our creativity, our endurance under the stress and our talent persistence are all put to the test of “fair” competition, day after day. And that is alright too, but the point is no matter how hard you try, you can never beat “the hand” and the cards you’ve been handed are the only ones you can use for your victory.The question is are you willing to learn the trade and use what you’ve got to produce the best outcome under the circumstances. I won’t sugar coat it guys, it’s been a tough one for me but at times also simply wonderful. Looking back on it all I can’t find the words to express my gratitude for all the incredible people life has sent my way; my talented friends without whom I could never make it through the year ,my handsome beau that challenges me every single day to be the best version of myself, my dear family that I miss so terribly and all the contributors I had the great honor working with this year under operation CHIC a’ la RUSSE! So before we move forward and set the tone for what’s to come, let’s have a look, shall we?

Eldad CarinThis year started out in Israel with a series of reunion collaborations with a dear friends, Eldad Carin and Alona Bell that I’ve known for years from my modeling days back home. Goes without saying these are a few of my favorite posts ever shot for the blog (see the full posts here, here, here and here) I can’t wait for the next time! Amir WeissAlong with good friends I had the chance to work with new collaborators, up and coming young Photographers from the industry in Israel. Shooting in my hometown with Amir Weiss (above) and with Guy Prives in Rabin Square in Tel-Aviv (see full posts here and here)img_6151Another promising collaborator which I foresee a great demand for is Julie Teitler that I had the pleasure joining forces with for our Open Field post (below)Julie TeitlerBack in the city working with established collaborators from 2011 like Greg Adams (below)Greg AdamsAnd opening the summer season in NYC with Mario Delgado in *Eye Candy* (below)Mario Delgado How can I forget our {Elecrtic Blue} incounter with Jacob Skoglund, probably the youngest collaborator in the history of CHIC a’ la RUSSE! (below)dsc_2196-cropedAnd off course our Brazilian wonder, Barbara Raso, in Neon Touch and Snake Skinned (Below) Barbara I miss you!Barbara RasoAlso the two latest additions to the CHIC a’ la RUSSE family Jaehee Hwang (below)Jaehee HwangAnd Oren R Cohen that was a sweet chaperon for a few CHIC events this year…(below)Oren R CohenIncluding TLV Fashion Gala, a first event of it’s kind in the big apple celebrating the new crop of Israeli Fashion Designers, including Maria Berman, a personal favorite! The Gala was gracefully orchestrated by Galit Reismann, in collaboration with Dor Chadash. I was sporting a young Israeli designer of my own, Daniel Silverstain, wearing a fresh frock from the Runway (below)tlv-fashion-gala-instgram20121115-_dsc03982Speaking of runways, there’s no way I can wrap up this year without mentioning the colossal success Daniel had this year, starting of with a VOGUE Italy top 10 “MUUSE’s most promising designer acknowledgment and followed by an ELLE Fashion Next runway show in Lincoln Center NYC!!! (below) And I don’t want to spoil any exciting surprises but let’s just say much more is coming your way in 2013!ELLE fashion next However to conclude 2012, the cherry on the top for me is an exclusive partnership with  Harper’s BAZAAR as a Style Ambassador! Thank you for considering me to be worthy of the title, I hope the new year will bring along many more exciting endeavors! Below is a peak into my first assignment with DIOR, at the launch of the Dressy Nudes palette…dior-instagramAs I said- what a year…! Thank you all for accompanying me in that journey, I hope we all have an epic 2013 that will top any plans we have in mind! Stop by in 2013…!

{Post Sandy}

Wow. What a week! Honestly, I find it rather challenging to regroup my thoughts after seeing two blocks of my neighborhood completely covered in water, as in, if I was to walk into my favorite cafe, I would be covered up to my shoulders, with the head poking out, at best… I guess no one really expected Hurricane Sandy to leave such horrendous destruction behind, I know I haven’t…

Without going into too many details, climbing up the stairs to the apartment in what turned into dimmed generated light, we were shocked and once we realized the power outage cut off our water supply as well, we knew it’s time to evacuate to safer (and more elevated) grounds… All I can say is that we were incredibly lucky to have been in the heart of the storm but out of harm’s way. It’s been almost a week and our power along with any shred of normal life is still absent… However, it’s in times like these, when you can really tell true friends from faux allies (I can never thank my dear friend enough for giving us shelter AND delicious food on our plates at this prolonged term…I know it hasn’t been easy…)

I hope you all are safe, and coping with the brutal after math as gracefully as you possibly can, trust me when I say that staying CHIC is close to impossible without hot water or light! Stop by tomorrow for the first episode of my Harper’s BAZAAR assignment! After all, the show must go on…!

Arizona {Photo Journal}

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

One of the most refreshing elements of this vacation was pausing urban life completely. I think that being so invested in fashion throughout the entire year creates a huge hunger for something that has absolutely nothing to do with it, and being out in the open, surrendering to the road and lending my body to a hike in the mountains was just what I needed… This is just a taste of what we’ve experienced on this magical journey, enjoy…!

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

CHIC a' la RUSSE in Arizona

Honestly, I have never expected to be so inspired… There is so much duality in the landscape in Arizona, you can literally experience the greenest forest right by rocky dessert and for the lack of a better word, it really is breathtaking… All images on this post were taken by me (let’s just say I embraced the tourist/ aspiring photographer in me…) with the exception of the 2nd and the 9th taken by my boyfriend…

Oh, and did I mention a photo-shoot at The Grand Canyon??? Stop by…!

 

Instantly So {Arizona}

Well Hello There! I am officially back in the big apple, rested and ready to go! I cannot describe how incredibly necessary this short vacation was… I do have a ton of dessert beauty to go through before I post my journey in full (The Grand Canyon, Sedona and Jerome just to name a few!) , but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy some bits and pieces from my Instagram account!

*Eye Candy*

First seed in my Simple Act is a classic combination I can never pass on… Sometimes a crew neck T-shirt is all you need (and a pair of silver high heels of course…;)

I’m kind of in love with my new Nahui Ollin wrapper bag, it’s absolutely adorable, fits just the essentially and above all it’s made of recycled materials, carrying on with a greater mission then just eye candy (Oh, and I’m kind of big on recycling if you were wondering…). And if you’re following me on Instagram you know it’s not the only one I’ve fallen for!

Coral T-shirt from Zara, Little black skirt from Forever21, Shoes by DKNY, Necklace and earnings from H&M, Tiny woven Bag by Nahui Ollin, Sunnies by A.J Morgan, Vintage Bracelets and Rings.

 

Photography by Mario Delgado

{Neon Touch}

I almost feel like celebrating as I type in this post, it’s been literally FOREVER since I managed to squeeze in a proper attire collaboration! But I must say, and I think you’ll agree with me on this one, I was in luck striking an encounter with Barbara, our new Brazilian collaborator here on CHIC A LA’ RUSSE!

Those of you that live in New York, know how fickle the whether has been in the past few weeks… It’s extremely hot one day and raining a moment after! To me, the biggest issue running around in the summer is the AC’s… I hate carrying around a lot of stuff, but at the same time, I like to be warm enough to function when I’m indoors…! So, this new addition is a bright life-saver, apparently Rebecca Minkoff knows what she’s doing… This amazing silk scarf is probably my favorite piece at the moment, it’s current, elegant, and surprisingly caring… Not to mention it’s an immediate upgrade to any outfit…

Rebecca Minkoff Neon Silk Scarf, Michael Kors scallop top, H&M skirt, Sunnies I got from a thrift store, DKNY Shoes, Handbag from ALDO, Jewelry from Express, Vintage and H&M…

Photographed by Barbara Raso

Link

I’ve known Maria ,the creative force behind the brand  MARIA BERMAN – Clothing co., for literally, ages. Back in the day, she was my best friend’s-big-brother’s-girl friend (today they are happily married and managing the brand’s affairs together…) while I was still mostly modeling and picking up sewing courses when possible. I still remember how excited I was when she asked me to be the model for her senior collection from Shenkar College of Design ,the same establishment Alber Elbaz graduated from way before he turned into the man we all know as the kind face behind Lanvin.

My pay was a dress, that was eventually worn off to the T (I never told her, but that was my lucky dress for days to come…), it was dark olive, strapless, with big box pleats at the bust and there wasn’t a time I got away without a compliment or a dozen… Today, she is crafting away in a studio of her own in downtown Tel-Aviv, and selling in the top of the crop boutiques across Israel. Seeing her recent collection this morning, I felt me web-applause are in order. Bravo cherie! I wish I could hop to Tel-Aviv and swirl away in a silky dress, picking up wondering glances as I go…

I LOVE how soft and feminine yet oh so clever this collection is… I’m not sure if Maria ships worldwide, but for you Israeli folks, check out her boutique listing here.

Photographer- Michael Fisch
Jewelry – Paula Bianka
Styling – Maayan Goldman
Hair & Make-Up- Patrick Oved to SOLO
Mode l- Irina Roshik – MC2 Management

 

Peak-A-Boo {Instagrammed Reality}

What a day! Brutally awaken by two alarm clocks at 7:30 (Hey, it’s summer, anything before noon qualifies as early) and plunged into a classic New-York run-around day! Started off with an early shoot with the insatiable Barbara, a fresh CHIC collaborator on board (I mean, she’s a Brazilian photographer that is married to a Russian guy, I’m not sure if it get’s any better!), from there straight to a drawing session for international illustration students and “for dessert” – I’m off to grab my third cup of coffee for the day with one of the most captivating young ladies I’ve met lately…

Oh! And I almost forgot, I am quite officially addicted to Instagram! It sure took me a while but due to lack of better ways to describe this infectious phenomenon – this is so much fun!!! I hate to admit, but I’m constantly checking up on my friends and their pictorial whereabouts regardless to their current geographic location, I can like my Parisian friends trombone and fall madly in love with my besties new kitty all the way in Tel-Aviv, right about NOW. So, if you are too- sort of possessed – follow me on Instagram here!

{Open Field}

Remember Julie? So…despite the fact it took me forever (!!!) to find the time and actually share these- here are a few of my favorite shots from our collaboration this winter back in Israel…

As I expected, this shoot turned out into a really cool adventure, the location (an open field in Ramat Ha-Sharon, not too far from Tel-Aviv, in case you were wondering…) and the whole atmosphere of the shoot really took me back… It was refreshing to be “just” the model (we had the feisty May Sebbag on stylist duty) and portray a different persona then I usually do…

I hope I’ll get the chance to explore my new affair with Julie Teitler, that was ever pleasant and extremely professional, dealing with any unexpected set backs with grace and relentless optimism…