So I spent the day with my buddy James whom is a musician, performing under the name Frightened Seller. We got all gussied up and headed out to various places in Niihama, Japan, to have a picnic and explore.

I am wearing one of my favourite little black dresses. It is a sweet vintage dress that I bought from Tribal Rhythm in Toronto. It was never worn and came complete with the tags from the 1950s. The sunglasses are also form Tribal Rhythm, which I have since lost.

I paired it with a staple in my wardrobe; it is an elastic and leather snapped up corset belt bought for ridiculously cheap from Value Village. The first image is actually my black leather and metal ring biker belt, also from VV.

The shoes are a pair of basic black Keds that I bought new before leaving.

The cardigan pictured is a mens oversize gray sweater bought to be a staple in my wardrobe (I have since shrunk it to only fit a clothed mini monkey, oh well).

The hair accessories featured are both from the 100 yen store; one is a sprig of fake orchids and the other is a bow worn around the necks of female students with their uniforms.

The gorgeous picnic basket was bought from a recycle shop here in Japan.

Here's a sneak peak!

A couple of weeks ago, a few friends came down to my island to visit. Among these friends was Margot, whom was visiting her man for 5 weeks (both friends from Toronto). Her and I took the opportunity to do a quick photo shoot up in the mountains. On our hike we came upon these abandoned houses which made the perfect backdrop to our plans. Armed with kimonos, instruments awaiting their demise, and a camera, this magic happened. The photos were taken by Mike Gagne and Nicole Lees on what once was my Canon Rebel XT SLR. The walls came tumbling down and the instruments made their final sounds.

Japanese Artists (I Think) You Should Meet

These artists are not necessarily what one would expect when thinking of Japanese art but each is predominant in the contemporary art field and mind blowing. Seeing these artists work in person is a religious experience as that no detail is spared.


***Tomoko Konoike
***Tabaimo
***Rockin’ Jelly Bean
Manabu Ikeda
Kumi Machida
Akira Yamaguchi
Makoto Aida
Yuken Teruya
Mika Kato
***Yasuyuki Nishio
Takashi Murakami
Yoshimoto Nara
Hisashi Tenmyouya
Hiroshi Araki
Yayoi Kusama

Summer Nights

I am getting very excited about heading back to Toronto this summer for a few weeks of glory and celebrations. Thus, I thought I would revisit a great memory from right before I left for Japan. This picture is me and my platonic Russian Lady Love and Band Mate, 'Margot'. We are unintentionally two sides of the "red lipstick and leather" look; I went for the casual dressed-up look and she went for the dressed-up casual look. This photo was taken outside of an art show at P165 in Kensington Market, Toronto.

I had just dyed my hair back to dark brown after 7 years of red (an effort to blend slightly in Japan).

THE OUTFIT

The Dress- This dress was a cheap little vintage number I found at my favourite Value Village. I loved the colours and how casual the cut is. I added some cinching at the waist using my elastic and leather all-purpose corset belt, also from Value Village, and a white scarf from my mother's collection.

The Jacket- This jacket was an early birthday gift from my parents as that I would be in Japan. It is the only new leather jacket I have ever owned. Though I feel conflicted about it from an ethical perspective I also love it so much! It is a forest green, buttery leather, exaggerated collared jacket from Danier Leather with loads of stitching detail. My mother calls it my grown-up leather jacket.

ACCESSORIES

White Woven Oxford Style Shoes- These shoes are lovingly referred to as my "Martina's" because a girlfriend of ours consistently rocks them. These were bought at Good Will while visiting my parents at a cottage in Northern Ontario. They are Dr. Scholls, so they don't have the thin soles usually found on shoes like this.

Stiff Grey Leather Purse with a Woven flap- The leather flap is woven in the same material as the rest of the bag. It was yet another Value Village purchase.

Straw Veiled Mini Top Hat- While all my others are vintage, I saw this one in the window of Le Chateau, a store I usually avoid like the plaque, mainly because I avoid malls* and think their products usually look cheap. This however, was a beautifully crafted little number reminiscent of a time and place I love. Walked in, bought it, walked out, happy.

Tights and Necklace- I wish the tights were more opaque as that I am blessed/cursed with muscular legs. And the necklace was replica of a 45" RPM Adapter, purchased from and artisan vendor in Montreal while on a road trip.

*Malls are like zoos for fashion. Like the animals garments are taken out of context and made more palatable for a broader audience. Both leave me feeling sad, even if I have had a couple of oohs and aahs moments.

This was taken prior to going to the Evil Dead Musical. I wanted to wear white because we were sitting the splatter zone. Dress: Vintage from 'Beacons Closet' in Williamsburg, New York. Bra: Freya from 'Secret's From Your Sister'. Glasses, a 2005 street vendor purchase that I have since stopped wearing, but do love. I guess at the time I thought the glasses and super minimal makeup, kept the outfit from looking too slutty.

Current Obsession

As I write this, spring has just sprung in the land of the rising sun. Along with the beauty comes the rain. The contradiction between the bright blossoms and grey skies is appropriately Japanese. Today is an even numbered day, so it is sunny, funny enough, most odd days and more have been rainy; making me feel strange and a little blue. Something, that rain or shine makes me feel better is looking at pictures from another time.

My current obsession is the work of John French (1906-1966). The clothes are gorgeous, the models are gorgeous and the photos are gorgeous. Check it out here:

http://www.glogger.ru/blog/2/13/134602.html

Though I can definitely dig the ease of jeans and a t-shirt (I often play it up with a punk or grunge feel or camping look), there is something so special about outfit dressing (head to toe) and about being able to push boundaries. These days everything seems to be done so we have nothing left to do but be ourselves. I am just glad my self happens to be a 50s housewife in the kitchen, a 60s glamour puss (sometimes in mourning) when at parties, a 40s/50s pinup in the bedroom, and a 70s/80s punk and 90s “grunge cream dream”* queen, when I am casual. My life and wardrobe is a mash-up and as eclectic as my record collection.

*A term inspired by my husband who is a total Grunge Cream Dream

Other sites to explore:

http://myvintagevogue.com/

http://www.shorpy.com/node?page=1

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1282632@N21/

But really, google when armed with a few key phrases and some patience is my favourite.

If anyone out there in the internet abyss has some suggestions, I would love to hear them.

Wait for me my lovelies....

I am not teaching any classes today and was wise enough to bring my computer along. I have spent the better part of the morning looking on various food and fashion (with a focus on vintage or independent designers) blogs. I am now quite hungry and mourning the distance between me and many of my beloved outfits. Thus, I dedicate this posting to all the outfits patiently awaiting my return and their ever-changing incarnations.

All photos below are by the very talented Sabrina Lantos circa June 2009. Nothing was planned, on her way out the door I asked her to quickly snap a few pictures of outfits I would not be bringing along to Japan, so we slapped together a 10 minute photo shoot in my very messy room. Every single item that I am wearing is vintage, aside from my undergarments and the stockings that are new vintage.