Who's that girl?

As a dedicated fashion person, I'm supposed to be a "chameleon", trying on new trends and identities. I'm supposed to be "true to myself" but also "to experiment". Instead, I sometime wish I was someone else altogether. Someone like this:

Icy blond, with dark brows, someone who's so evidently bold she isn't afraid to wear faded colors and be slightly melancholic (from Shlomit Ofir Northern Lights collection campaign, with the enigmatic model Ola). Someone, let's put it this way, Scandinavian - with bone structure and skin of an elegant Ikea sofa, with precise, understated charm. 

Or mysterious, wise and experienced (like ex-beauty pageant girl Yana Kalman, shot by Anna Yam for Comme il Faut campaign). Anna Yam is a noted Israeli photographer and artist - once I ate crumbly cheese at her galley opening, while she was greeting guests and being demure. I guess this goes to prove art and commercialism can co-exist sometimes, when done by true artists: these shots are amazing, and I've never seen Yana so severe and magical before. One can allow herself with a beauty-queen resume. I wonder if she ever wants to be someone else too.

Screen Heroine: Ava Hessington

Sometimes, I discover things too late. I always thought "Suits" was one of those empty-shell, superficial shows for people who actually have cable TV. Well, I was right, but who knew everything in that office is so desirably glamorous? The dialogues, of course, are way too scripted, and the characters put more effort into their wardrobe them into acting, but the wardrobe department, let me tell you, is marvelous. It is especially marvelous when modeled on a very hot mature woman:

Ava Hessington, the very sexy corrupt mastermind, appeared out of nowhere in season 3 and single- handedly stole the thunder from the svelte Jessica and the naughty Donna - fashion-wise, of course. Her designer ensembles, usually in royal blacks and creams, are spot-on. The capes, the asymmetric sleeves, the big jewelry - if I will have Ava's figure (the actress Michelle Fairley is almost 50), I'm willing to reconcider my bohemian-grandma plan for her style. 

Seeing Red

"Cheap manicures and magazines - that's why I'm still in the US", I told my significant other today. Joking, of course, but those and the cheap garage-sales clothes are, indeed, among the undeniable strengths of the great "America". Just look at all the stuff I got this weekend:

Dress and belt - vintage

Shoes - Osborn

My latest hobby is raiding estate sales and picking up the most cheerful things - a poncho, a red dress, fun shoes, for the price of a candy bar. I fell in love with my new friends - the "matador" dress and the "tribal" ballet pumps the minute I met them. How could other people have things that are so "me"? It's a riddle. The weird, "crumpled" wall also caught my attention while shopping for upholstery fabric, so I had to pose with it, but lets face it - these items deserve a vacation setting, something of Portugal or rural Spain. Hopefully, sometime soon! 

Winter news: 5 Things I'm ambivalent about

In the fast workflow of a journalist warrior, you deal with tons of bits and pieces of info, on daily basis, browsing on your computer. Sometimes you mumble "this is so cool!" to the dismay of your book-preferring partner. Sometimes you're outraged (he dates WHO?) and sometimes you are ambivalent. And this is a very confusing feeling to have. So let's just say this is my therapy:

1. Natalie Portman's "comeback"

I recently wrote an article about comeback for my magazine, and apparently - maternity leave does count! Now Natalie is back with "Thor: Something Something" and I'm not sure how to feel. Her red carpet style is a snooze as usual. Her refusal to look sexy is not cool anymore. But then, she's classy, no? But I'm subliminally bored and the whole Dior thing feels so parve. 

2. Lars von Trier movie posters

So the gloomy Dane's new movie, Nimfomaniac, is due in December, and already causing quite the stir. We hadn't had a good sex movie in years, and all of a sudden this, plus Blue is the Warmest Color - so much for a cold, frigid winter. Although I'v never met a von Trier I didn't like, the posters are part genius, part cringe-worthy, right? Do I really want to see Defoe's orgasm face? 

3. The Homeland obsession of season 3

This one is tough - it happens that the promotional interviews around Homeland's new season pop out well into it (I'm currently watching the 6th episode). And while Claire Danes looks beautiful and I love Carrie Matheson to death, it's been, so far, the weirdest, most depressing piece of TV on earth. No spoilers, I'll just say it's not quite the same, and the obsessing and praising at this time seem disproportional and misplaced. Tough, indeed. I highly recommend this issue of British Vogue though. Good reads. 

4. The Olsen twins line for JC Penney

For a while, I wasn't aware of the existence of JC Penney. But I'm well aware of the Olsen's design career, and quite like Elizabeth and James and The Row, whoever makes those happen. But this cheap effort is underwhelming - Olsenboye has nothing to offer me, so it seams, even though I really wanted to buy something and bask in the reflected glory of an affordable diffusion line. Confusing and disappointing. 

5. And finally, Arizona Muse for Estee Lauder

Next time I'm shopping, I'll make sure to smell the Modern Muse perfume. It might smell like the MOMA? Or maybe like books and ink? Whatever it is, I do love Arizona Muse. But I love her wild, untamed, angular, off a ship on an island, wearing a chunky knit. You get the point. This campaign, turning her into a sophisticated socialite, makes me a little sad. She's too clean, not quite herself. She's not the pretty barbarian princess at all. Discuss? 

Brand (New) Love: Riyka

It's great to start a new blog section, it's even grater when you're able to keep up with it. It's been half a year since the last (and first) "Brand new love" entry, dedicated to brands I love and lust for. Not Alexander Wang and friends, but brands for fashionistas in the know, that I can (almost) afford. As winter keeps knocking on our doors and windows (I pulled out the crochet blanket!), I'm desiring some structure and subdued sex-appeal, executed so well by RYIKA.

Riyka A/W 2013 Collection

Rebecca Johnson, the mastermind behind Ryika (together with her husband) is well known for her pointy corners and triangular patches. I attended her design school graduation show, and must say that allthough she toned it down since, the language is still the same - sharp, edgy, so London cool. back in the day in Tel Aviv, and now she's a Londoner. I love flowers and lace, but now I crave straight lines and color blocks. I guess people change. 

** * Check out previously: Draw in Light