NYE and Monsieur DJ

In honors of the impending NYE shenanigans, here are photos I took of DJ Allen Clive Patrick Duval of Paris, France during one of his sets in Istanbul. If anyone knows how to get down, it's this guy. We had a great time at an experimental art festival we both participated in and I'm so happy to have met him. Check out my NYE plans below... 

I'm currently in the process of firming up my NYE plans, but they will undoubtedly involve the following DISCO SHIT in varying combinations:

A curated cocktail affair at my new Dupont townhouse

Afros (not on me, but my fabulous girls for suuuure)

Sequins

More sequins

Feathers

Vintage fur (duh)

Gin, whiskey, and more gin

Glitter (not the same as sequins)

Pallazo pants

Snakeskin platforms

A signature cocktail of some sort (see above booze list)

Makeup a la Bowie

A high concentration of fashionistas and dandies of various genders

Laughs and shenanigans

A little disco funk and electro womp womp

Dancedancedancedancedance

"Ohhhh, whaaaaaaaat?!" moments

And more. 

Oh yes. There will be more. 

It's about to get queeny up in here. 

Communicating Visually

Here is some silliness for your Thursday. My good friends Jesse and Shannon hammed it up in NYC when we went out after assisting on a photo shoot together. Shooting fellow photographers can be tricky, but this impromptu session was a breeze. 

Style-wise, Jesse's shirt is an amazing cotton/silk that's half way between a work and dress shirt, and all style. The texture is oh-so-nice! Miss Shannon told me the story of all of her jewelry; each piece has a story, which she told me me while we were seated in an apartment building hallway having a chat and photo shoot.Much like my own, her stories range from family heirlooms to travel finds and everywhere in between.  

I love finding out the special reasons people wear things. The larger purpose of my work right now is to gather the stories behind why people choose to communicate themselves visually the way the do. I want to know why people makes the choices about what goes onto their body, and how that relates to how others perceive them. Everyone is saying something. Some choose to communicate in a strong visual fashion with a purposeful message, while others are less engaged and make their choices subconsciously. Everyone dresses themselves in the morning so whether they intend to or not, they are shaping how the world perceives them. 

I am a stories person, so each piece that I put on carries a story or facilitates sharing with others. Many of my pieces make a louder statement not just for the sake of loudness, but to act as an access point for my interactions with others. I'm quite tall and with such a big personality I fear I can be a bit much for some people, but I have yet to meet anyone who is too shy to comment on my octopus necklace. And then once they do, there's a story, which begins a deeper interaction. 

How do you choose to communicate yourself visually?

Coffee with Quincy

  

My most fabulous friends are sometimes my most elusive ones because we're oh-so-busy, and stylist Quincy Jones is one of those. We always enjoy one another immensely when we get together, and enjoy basking in one another's stylishness. I have photographed him on numerous occasions and always love how he communicates himself visually; you can check out his style here and here as well. The other day we met up for a late lunch and coffee date, motivated by the fact that both of us were dolled up in fur in the middle of the week. Why not be, I say!

Before we ran off to talk projects and chat it up, I snapped some photos of his fabulous outfit in Dupont Circle. We love the full fur and dapper layers; his gray vest is from Dr. K's, my favorite men's vintage guru in DC. His smoking shoes are killer (you know I love my gold glitter pair!), and please don't even get me started on bow ties. Love. 

In other news, it's freezing. That won't stop me from dressing up (I am from Vermont after all!) but get ready for some serious layers, fur, and cashmere. Yum!

Family Furs

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a restful holiday weekend filled with family and more food than you care to recount. I have been off the grid up in beautiful snowy Vermont, and am enjoying thick wooly socks, angora sweaters, and spending time with my pup in front of the fire. I grew up on 40 acres in the mountains just outside the liberal and artistic city of Burlington, which I love to come back and visit. There are some fantastic, very curated boutiques I make a point to visit every time I'm in town, like Sweet Lady Jane and shoe maven heaven Stella. I am working on some really neat projects while I'm here, but am mostly glad to slow my personal pace and take some breathing room for a few days. 

One of my favorite parts in coming home is talking style with my mother. Growing up, she taught me to make my own clothes, appreciate quality fabric, and understand the nuances of tailoring and fit. I attribute my love of princess seaming, fur, and Dior to her. While home, we mooned over one another's furs; I was rocking my $6 fox (swoon), and she was wearing her grandmother's (my great grandmother's) lamb A-line swing coat. 

My great-grandfather was a wealthy real estate developer in Chicago in the 1920's and purchased the lamb for his wife shortly before he lost his money  in the 1929 crash of the Great Depression. Instead of selling her furs, my great-grandmother worked to support herself and her daughter, eventually putting her through college. She never sold the piece and it has stayed in the family ever since. I'm so glad; that story is a perfect example of why I love vintage fashion. The story and heritage behind the piece, and the strength and tenacity of the woman who wore it make it all the more special. 

Hilariously, we wore the furs out to dinner to a restaurant filled with true Vermonters; flannel, Carhartt jackets, and a clean pair of jeans means being dressed up, so you can imagine their reaction to our outerwear. I know fashion should be appropriate, but life is too short not to wear all of your favorite things at once! 

CapFABB Divas

Hey! I found this photo while going through my old shots; I love how fresh these ladies look doing their thing! Such divas. Between the great combination of monochromatic textures, vintage Missoni, and an impeccable wide-leg trouser, there is some serious statement-making going on here. 

Down Home Vermont

Today I am working from my parent's house in Vermont. It's not quite as cold as usual, but I'm enjoying bundling up and being super-cozy! I'm drinking tea like there's no tomorrow, and enjoying our 6 month old puppy by the fire. I layered a black and white gingham button-up, an oversized alpaca sweater, and my current favorite vintage handkerchief scarf for a little zip. 

My socks may not match, but they are very toasty! I love the mixed prints. 

I'll be in family/down home mode for the next couple of days, so pardon the pastoral if it's not your jam. Everyone is lot of people at once, and I'm looking forward to being my most simple, rural self in plush wooly sweaters and muddy boots. 

These are simple cell phone snaps; I'm swamped at work and while I would love to, don't have an abundance of time to edit photos. I am excited to shoot all weekend and share it with you though!

Birthday Attire: Halston + Fox

I love birthdays, I always have. Don’t get me wrong; you’ll never see me trounce into a club wearing a birthday tiara demanding free bottle service, presents from everyone, and an all-access pass to Disney World. Perks are fine, but I love my birthday because it is an opportunity for me to see all of my favorite people all at once and watch them all enjoy each other. I love. I get so much pleasure from my personal relationships, it’s a delight to see them delight one another as well. That is why I attended, and then threw easy-as-pie parties at bars this year; no muss, no fuss, just seriously deep, seriously stylish crews. Party 1 was in NYC, where I still maintain many friends. I was excited to spend both evenings helping two good friends also celebrate their birthdays, and celebrate we did! Then back here in DC, I invited my best and closest for a stylish evening of vintage, whiskey, and oysters. Delightful! I am to edit up all of the photos from the DC party, but here are some snaps of what I wore for birthday this year…more to come soon.

Both were major deals found while sourcing vintage in the back neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. Here are some cell phone snaps to tide you over while I work on the real photos. Enjoy!

The dress. I died a little bit inside when I found it in the back of a really bootleg vintage record store surrounded by a few other no-name, poor-quality pieces. This dress found me. It is vintage 1970’s Halston (!!!!!), bias cut patterned silk. So comfortable and slinky; I love how it draws attention to form in an understated way. 

You don’t have to show a lot of skin to be sexy, and I’d much rather be a little more mysterious and leave something to the imagination! And that pattern! So killer. I may or may not have worn it twice in one week (I KNOW) out of sheer excitement.

Worn with my red leather trench with the fox fur collar, and sky-high platform heels, I was super 70s to the max and loving that disco diva style.

The fur. Serious swoon. The fur I found in a charity consignment shop, where I noticed it poking out of a pile of stuff on a chair. I begged to see it, tried it on and fell in love. I asked how much and when the shop owner started with, “It’s the most expensive item in the store…” my heart sank. Until, that is, he finished with, “…it’s six dollars.” SIX. DOLLARS. As in, single dollar bills. As in, my cab to get late night food last night cost more. I DIED. I seriously died of glee right there on the spot. So I scooped it and carried it away in a flurry of gorgeous, completely real vintage fox fur.

 I continued in my elevated state of bliss until I realized that it was shedding. Everywhere. I looked like a white cat exploded on my lap. My black pants developed a think fluffy white coat, a look that was less than cute, let me assure you. So what’s a girl to do, with a six dollar, rapidly molting fox fur? Why, take it to her stylist, of course! When I returned to DC, I hopped over to IVD to get Elise’s advice. As usual she took care of it, sending it to her furrier in Baltimore to fix. And so for the low, low complete and total final price of $45, I came to own the most mind-altering, gorgeous, divine fox fur coat known to modern disco woman. 

And you KNOW I wore that out for my birthday last night…and to work today…and I’m wearing it for the next week while I’m in Vermont…and will wear it for the NYE party I’m hosting. Because it’s warm and soft and glamourous and matches EVERYTHING.

OK. I’m done raving about the Halston and the fur. But seriously. Epic. Happy birthday indeed.

And for those of you who know me, this last shot of the inside of my camera bag will not be surprising in the slightest. A camera and a little nip of whiskey, what else does a girl need for a little birthday fun?

Blogger's Night Out, DC

Earlier this week, I attended the Blogger's Night Out hosted by Bloomingdale's. The intimate crowd was fun, friendly, and dressed to impress. Here are a few of the looks that inspired me. 

I love the contrast between these encrusted jewels and such a casual sweater

Oh hey color blocking in fall tones! So cool...I love another photo-lady with style.

Holly Thomas, editor of Refinery 29, rocks some serious hand candy from Top Shop

I love these Tangerine Tango pants that are so on-trend for 2012, according to Pantone

The sculptural nature of this chica's hair is so beautiful, and so clearly a work of art

Peacock eye makeup and beautiful natural hair

Pony hair shoes in blue? Yes please!

Birthday Invite!

So today is my birthday and I'd love for you all to come out for some drinks next Tuesday evening. I'm lazy, so let's go to Blackbyrd at 14th and U St. NW, Washington DC  at 9pm (upstairs) because it's close to my house and the drinks are tasty. 

Get dressed so I have something to photograph, you stylish cats! Bring friends, dates, lovers, mistresses or whoever you like, you all know how hyper I am about meeting new people. It's Friday and I have the attention span of a gerbil, but let me know in the comments, via email at gokateshoot@gmail.com, or via Twitter @GoKateShoot if I missed anything or you have any questions. 

Cheers!

The Assistants

Here are three casual portraits of the assistants from last weekend's shoot in NYC. Meet Shannon Osburn, Jesse Hawk and myself. It was great working on a team and learning from one another; I had a blast. 

I took the first two and frankly, can't remember which of the other 3 photographers took the shot of me. Heyyy late night...

And yes, I am in fact wearing every print that I own. More is more, right?

South Moon Under Blogger Event

Last week I went to an event at local boutique South Moon Under, who graciously hosted some fashion and style bloggers for a little holiday meet-up. The store looked lovely and they provided some really fun eats and treats for us to nibble as we chatted style.

I was pretty tired, but was glad I went as a got a chance to chat with the ladies of Spicy Candy DC. I love Katya's festive use of neon, and the color combination of neon greens and burnt oranges in her lipstick and ring. Such good arm candy! Her blonde hair is so easy as well. 

Here is a look from a local jewelry designer, who I also photographed here. After an updated haircut, she looks really different! I love the symmetry of the lines of her hair with her extreme double color. Really fun!

Plus her extreme shoes have amazing lines as well. Yum!

I opted for a nearly monochromatic look that played with texture, pairing glitter tights with high-waited lacy shorts, velvet, and cashmere. When it's so chilly out, it's nice to be both cozy and fabulous. 

My vintage 1920's camera bag from IVD fits everything I need, and always get a lot of compliments. My stylist lent it to me for an event and then once I got attached to it, I decided I had to make it a permanent part of my wardrobe. I love it, it's so special!

Fly Girls: The Details

As promised, here are some of the detail shots of the Fly Girl five year anniversary party last week. 

Only the fabulous Michelle German (Chic Makeup Geek) can pull off blue lipstick like this; she's so killer! And the vintage Gucci? Yes? Are we seeing this fabulous framed bag? Adore. I'm not a label hound by any means, but this bag fits with her 'you-wish-your-grandma-was-this-fly' look. Her pants are sheer and meant to be worn in the summer, but I love this chic update with tights underneath. 

Can we talk for just a minute about how Kimee Brown (The Model is Wearing) has SEVERAL of my favorite things going on here? As you all know, I love bow ties, turbans, and menswear-inspired anything, and she is completely rocking it. And her LEGO Chanel pin? Fabulous. So much.

As always, my partner in crime and stylist Elise Peterson (IVD) was super fresh; I love the tied up chiffon blouse with the encrusted jeweled skirt. This is a great example of taking a look that is perfect for summer and making it work for colder months. As usual, we both rocked vintage fur. I know, I know...but once you start wearing it when it's super-brr outside, there's nothing warmer! I will choose to be both warm AND fabulous, thank you! Her envelope clutch is killer and I love how she mixes slightly different shades of nude to create a softer, feminine look with a masculine flavor from the buttoned-up top.

Photo of me courtesy of Elise; when we got back to my apartment and figured out we hadn't documented ourselves! My hat and mink are courtesy of IVD, and my fabulous 1940's-inspired silk pants were a sneaky backroom sale from Anthro. I love the classic lines of the hat and veil, and even though it's a little kooky was really excited to wear it. Life is too short not to rock a big hat! Besides, I'd rather be That Girl In the Hat than a lot of other things!

This last photo is not really up to snuff in terms of quality, but I included it anyway for it's energy; the free-spirited fun vibe between Elise and I in the entryway of my building is completely indicative of our style partner in crime relationship. I love how sassy fresh this is!

We then went inside, took our crazy heels off, and ate pasta on the couch. Sometimes the best nights end the most simply.