INSPIRATION: Wearable art

One of my favorite modern artists is Miss Van. Drawing slightly evil, mischievous pin-up Lolitas with colorful costumes and sinister stares, this lady's art has been commemorated in tattoos and blogs across the land. Now, Miss Van launched her third clothing collection, Oddities, with Anaoana for those more comfortable with mix-matching and removing her art from their body at will. But really, who would want to? Van's washy color style on soft cottons and chiffon just begs to be worn. Commemorating beautiful freaks on fabric makes the duo unique and unstoppable.








The clothing is like a colorful circus, widening eyes and filling wearers with a drunken sense of childish wonder.
But beware! The animal masks Miss Van designed aren't your average friendly beasts.

For those more impish and subtly sexy, take a gander at the collab's past collection, Red Cheeks.

INSPIRATION: Fire Walk With Me

I've spent the majority of my summer delving into the mysterious and seductive world of David Lynch's masterpiece, "Twin Peaks." The show is a cinematic gem, like a film broken up into multiple extended segments spanning two seasons. While the revelation of Laura Palmer's killer may have sent the series into a slow, agonizing downward spiral, its film noir stylings and errie paranormal qualities linger on in the mind of the viewer. I've experienced a bit of "Peaksmania," albeit 20 years too late. I began the prequel/epilogue film, "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me" today, and I am already enraptured in the stylish mystery only David Lynch can bring to my senses.

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"Remember, Lil's wearing a sour look on her face. Her face had a sour look on it.
We're gonna have problems with the local authorities. They're not gonna be receptive to the FBI.
Both eyes blinking means trouble higher up. The eye is the local authority.
You notice, she had one hand in her pocket. Which means they're hiding something.
And the other hand, made into a fist. Which means they're gonna be belligerent.
Lil was walkin' in place, which means there's gonna be a lot of leg work involved."
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"Let me ask you something, Stanley: Did you notice anything about the dress?"
"The dress was altered to fit her. I noticed a different colored thread where the dress was taken in."
"Tailored dresses are a code for drugs. You notice what was pinned to it?"
"A blue rose?"
"Good. But I can't tell you about that."
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It looks like Vice Magazine was too inspired by the film and published a "Fire Walk With Me" photo spread last year.









Additionally, Vice published another Twin Peaks-inspired photo shoot that was spot on and so much fun. The shoot inspires me to dress up and attend a themed party.
I'll be sure to wear my best 1990s-inspired-by-1940s oversized sweaters, pencil skirts, saddle shoes and half a locket. *wink*

INSPIRATION: Prints, Prom and Pin-Ups

Some of life's extravagances have a tendency to be romanticized. My personal teenaged dreamy ideas include a body full of extraordinary tattoos and having a glamorous prom night. Unfortunately, these things become a bit out of reach when life's general blase becomes more and more apparent with each passing, predictable day. However, dreams can still exist, and there's no reason for us NOT to keep lusting after our teenaged fantasies, is there?



















Prints & Pin-Ups - Vogue Italia
Prom - Stephen Marr

INSPIRATION: Boyz Boyz Boyz

I remember envying boys' fashion at a young age when I stole my cousin's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles underwear and wore them over my Christmas present-pattern tights. It was a fashion statement, to say the least. From stealing boyfriends' flannel shirts to purposely buying guys-sized band tees (because they fit better!), taking a nod from the male gender can be a splendid idea. The clothes are generally more comfortable, tough and can highlight a lady's body in different ways than dresses and heels. Let's hear it for the boyz.




Tough, greaser boys in studded jackets, rolled up jeans and the best black boots are classic Danny Zuko dreamboats. Borrow his beloved jacket and wear it over anything. Slick your hair back into a fierce ponytail and get ready to do some drag racing or ass kicking or whatever it is you do.



The Michael Jackson-meets-Adam Ant vibe of this jacket is supreme! This gal's got it right by rolling up the sleeves and pairing it with a dazzling disco one-piece below. A sick pair of tights and heels will add a feminine edge and still show 'em who's boss.



Take a cue from a bad boy's jacket and stud up your jeans! Or his jeans! Cut them into shorts and shine while you shake it. I'd suggest trimming men's jeans about 6 inches past the pockets, folding the bottoms up then studding (and stunting) away.



A sweet guy in a sweater keeps you warm and safe, but nabbing the threads and wearing the top over a courdoroy shirt, tights and boots will keep you cozy all day.





If your lad has a closet full of button-down dress shirts he never wears, ask to steal one and make it into a comfy, lightweight pair of shorts using this killer Threadbanger tutorial.

Think men's vests with babydoll dresses, oversized blazers with a tee and skinny jeans, long band tees and sweaters with leggings or tights. Men's fashion is fun, and it can be feminine too!

INSPIRATION: Clarissa Darling

If you were a child of the '90s who took breaks from your busy days of playing with pogs and rollerblading to watch TV, you probably had your first "OMG ROOM DECOR!" moment with Clarissa Darling's boudoir. Clarissa Explains It All was the perfect Nickelodeon sitcom about a sassy preteen girl, her dorky and annoying brother and the sweet, seductive boy-next-door Sam. (I, for one, wanted a ladder going up to my bedroom window and my own multicolored phone before I realized that's just one big illegal booty call waiting to happen.) Clarissa's kaleidoscope room, with its wacky found objects as wall art and iguana named Elvis, was reflected perfectly in Ms. Darling's closet. Her outfits were wild, unpredictable, but still totally cohesive and wearable. She was the anti-Clueless, bringing a chainsaw to Cher's closet and constructing some of the most admirable '90s fashion to date.


A vest OVER an oversized denim shirt? What a '90s staple. The combat boots are killer, as are the '60s retro scarf and bracelet. I'm not sure if printed bike shorts will ever make a comeback, but Clarissa pulls it off by pairing the skin-tight leggings with a long top that will cover any unmentionables.



I love when Clarissa wears these big, thick black headbands. They recall the 1990s' fascination with the 1960s (I remember owning a pretty groovy pair of flared jeans with smiley faces and peace signs all over them). The black turtleneck is very chic, as is the red vest (Perhaps it's a dress? Either way, I dig it.) But the DINOSAUR EARRINGS are what really sell this look. Perfect.


I adore Clarissa's DIY wallpaper pattern: Painting a checkerboard over her mother's handpicked matronly floral print. Clarissa's baking outfit parallels this wall pattern: A striped, jumbled plaid tie-dye button down with checkerboard suspenders and a floral apron. I like to imagine Clarissa used her room as outfit inspiration. Also, let's take a moment to admire Sam's oversized mint hoodie and, of course, the sexy chef's hat. He looks like American Apparel's dream muse.


This may be my favorite look of the bunch. It's so classic Clarissa. The polka dot swing babydoll top, earrings and hat are a matchy-matchy glimpse of perfection. The combat boots add a touch edge, and the rolled jeans and hot pink tights are a shock of originality.


Like many of today's hipsters, Clarissa tries on a pair of black-rimmed glasses in order to appear "smart." I think this lady's pretty intelligent on her own (she explains it ALL, remember?), but the spex suit her. Her '70s peasant top, giant watch and awesome earrings are what I like best. Below, she pairs the top with a floral skirt and black leggings. I hope she topped it off with combat boots.


Cher may have had a computer program that picks out her daily outfit, but Clarissa had software to help her solve everyday dilemmas. She had the creative edge to come up with these genius ensembles herself. And for that, she is my favorite '90s style icon.

INSPIRATION: Romantic Reds

I recently celebrated my one-year anniversary with my special fella, and I wore a fitted red mini dress that I was drawn to for the Joan Holloway vibes. I've always loved bright reds paired with dark hair. It's a sexy, classic and vampy look that always drops a jaw or two. Although summer is quickly approaching and 'tis the season for vibrant tees and floral sundresses, night time always calls for a stunning cocktail dress and flashy accessories. I'm mad in love with romantic crimsons and pops of cherry (excuse the creepy connotations) for wild summer nights.



Catherine Zeta-Jones | ELIE SAAB
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LANVIN
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PRINCESS POLLY
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GUCCI
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BETSEY JOHNSON
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MOSCHINO
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Rachel Bilson | FRENCH CONNECTION
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LITERARY INSPIRATION: Clarisse McClellan

As an avid reader and compulsive collector of books, I like to dream up characters and take great pleasure in imagining their appearances, expressions and movement. One of my all-time favorite novel characters is Clarisse from Ray Bradbury's classic, Fahrenheit 451.

"Her head was half bent to watch her shoes stir the circling leaves. Her face was slender and milk-white, and in it was a kind of gentle hunger that touched over everything with tireless curiosity. It was a look, almost, of pale surprise; the dark eyes were so fixed to the world that no move escaped them."

Upon reading Bradbury's eloquent introduction to this enigmatic female, I suppose I saw a bit of myself in her, or at least I wanted to. The pale skin and dark eyes were something physical I could identify with.

"Her dress was white and it whispered. He almost thought he heard the motion of her hands as she walked, and the infinitely small sound now, the white stir of her face turning when she discovered she was a moment away from a man who stood in the middle of the pavement waiting."

This small girl in a white dress seemed so elegant and alluring. I was drawn in quickly to her ghostly qualities. But it was her odd character and appreciation for life, observance of the world around her and spunky rebellious streak that really solidified her cool factor.

"'Well,' she said, 'I'm seventeen and I'm crazy. My uncle says the two always go together. When people ask your age, he said, always say seventeen and insane. Isn't this a nice time of night to walk? I like to smell things and look at things, and sometimes stay up all night, walking, and watch the sun rise.'"

Like Luna Lovegood or a female J.D. from Heathers, this girl is enigmatic, romantic and an inspiring presence. I picture a fair skinned, fresh faced girl in an Erin Fetherston dress with jet black hair and wide, doll eyes. She probably listens to Stevie Nicks or Tori Amos and seduces every older man she meets with her weird, pretty charm.

She'd be one of these girls, but she'd wander off the path.

Mod Makeup

While the world continues to gawk at the mod charm of Twiggy and Warholian tragedy of Edie Sedgwick, there was one woman who starred in a satirical art piece I once ordered from a Japanese bootleg website. Qui êtes vous Polly Maggoo? was this French-language, black and white cinematic gem. The cinematography was ace — stripes are used in outfits and on walls in a purely '60s artsy way. But the real star behind this flick was the makeup artist. The deep blacks of the swan-like eyeliner contrasted with the grays and whites of each frame and made me envy this dark mod style.













{Watch more}

I also see the dazzling Peggy Moffitt up there. Her bowl cut was bad ass.
Here's a pretty good tutorial on how to get a very dramatic 1960s eye makeup look. Slather on some thick false lashes, gel liner and bright white eye pencil on the waterline of the eye and this look is ready for a groovy night out.
As for day time, I prefer to wear a light foundation over SPF moisturizer (to get a nice dewy look), sweep a liquid black eyeliner over my top lashes, curl and cover my lashes in mascara, then top it off with a really bright lipstick. I think I'll save the Maggoo look for a daring night. And man, that haircut is really tempting...