Places I wish I was Vol 1.

Fashion Profile: Nora Liu

Year: 2015

Major: Economics

Hometown: Suzhou, China

Q: How would you describe your style?

I don’t think I have a particular style because I only wear what I like. I think it depends more on the mood of the day. I have some basic colors like black and burgundy and nude that I’m particularly drawn too though.

Q: How do you think growing up in China has influenced the way you view fashion?

China has definitely influenced me stylistically. Everyone is crazy about big brand names, and I think as a result they don’t have their own personal style because they are constantly looking to the current trends. This is especially true in big cities like Beijing or Shanghai. But some people have their own style, and there is amazing street fashion. My mom has also influenced me a lot. She used to dress me up like a little doll and as I’ve gotten older I’ve become interested in more fancy clothes.

Q: Where do you find your inspiration?

From everywhere. I read a lot of magazines. There is a magazine in china called Vision, which is a design magazine and every issue has a fashion, graphic design, architecture and lifestyle section. I am really interested in the architecture part, I don’t know why but it really interests me. I don’t really read fashion magazines though.

Q: If you could live in any decade for fashion, which would it be and why?

Definitely the 1960s. There was a really interesting mix between western and eastern style. The eastern styles during that time were very interesting, but not very functional.  Like qupao dresses, which is a non-functional style of dress, but I think very beautiful.

Q: What is your favorite thing in your wardrobe?

My tights. I am crazy about tights. I have a huge collection of different colors and patterns. I wear different types for different seasons. I’m also a crazy shoe buyer. I think right now my favorite shoes are the ones I’m wearing from this website called Modern Vintage. The texture and color combination are really good.

Q: What are your winter staples?

Scarves, warm tights, huge overcoats and sweaters, of course.

Q: What would someone rarely or never find you wearing?

I hate loud styles. Like people like to combine a lot of loud patterns and colors, I would never do that. The style I hate most is a loose t-shirt with non-fitted jeans. 

Q: What are the top 5 things you can’t live without?

My tights. Lip balm. Hand cream. Music. Movies.

Q: What are some of your favorite movies stylistically?

Any black and white movie. I also love documentaries. I recently watched the Bill Cunningham documentary and I found it fascinating.

Q: Who are some of your fashion designers:

I love ACNE, Jill Sanders and Karl Lagerfeld, obviously.

Q: What are you wearing right now?

Modern Vintage flats that fade from black patent leather to burgundy suede. Burgundy thick tights, leather shorts from Zara and a basic long sleeve black t-shirt. Over it, I’m wearing a fur vest and a huge charcoal grey overcoat. I’m also wearing an Alexander McQueen skull bracelet and round-framed ray bans.

Q: Do you have any advice for the less fashionable Carls?

Just wear more fitted clothes. Most of the time people just grab some t-shirts and jeans go to class. 

knitty gritty

Knitted wigs that resemble ice cream scoops are always appreciated. 

Photography by Louise Walker

DAISIES: the most marvelous film almost ever

I've been putting off writing this blog post because I haven't had this many feelings about a film in a very, very long time. Let me begin at the beginning. The other day I was sitting in a coffee shop pretending to do my film theory reading (actually counting the tiles on the wall and staring at an uncomfortable middle aged couple feed each other small pieces of a muffin) when I decided to go on instagram. As I scrolled through pictures of baked goods, Annie Larson's knitwear process and the all-to-occasional selfie, I stumbled upon a picture of two girls in retro bikinis laughing under the sun. "DAISIES," the caption read. "the most marvelous film almost ever." Fully embracing any excuse to pull myself away from Kracauer, I began to manically search any and all information I could find on this marvelous, marvelous looking film. Marvelous indeed. 

The following afternoon I forced my boyfriend to forgo his previous plans and instead walk 50 minutes to get an almond lemon pound cake and watch Daisies with me as the sun set outside. I never recovered again. Maybe it was the fact that I was able to dance around in a light unbuttoned cheetah print jacket hours before (a novelty for Minnesota winters) or the fact that I was eating the most delicious cake I've ever had (a novelty for Minnesota always) but it was most likely the fact that Daisies is just the best film almost ever. Seamlessly weaving shots of purple tinged roast chicken, polka dot frocks and pigtails with flashes of butterfly wings and acid green apples, the film invites you into a surreal dreamworld you never want wake up from. Described as one of the first psychedelic feminist farce, Vera Chytilová's 1966 film Daisies oozes commentary on identity, sexuality, indulgence and femininity strung together with the piercing sound of teen giggles and a very good crown of daisies. So please dear readers, watch Daisies, eat a slice of almond lemon pound cake, and never recover again. 

dapper ladies

Because even during Paris men's fashion week, women still outshine. 

Photos by NAM

GIRL CRUSH: Haim

I don't usually write about music (seeing as Call me Maybe is my 3rd most played song in Itunes--sidenote: no shame) but I felt it was necessary to make an exception for three sisters who sound like the love children to Stevie Nicks and John Waites and a look like the cover photo for the Coachella guide to style. Este, Danielle and Alana began their music career in the Von Trapps tradition by joining their parent's cover band, Rockinhaim. In 2006, the three sisters broke off and started their own band called Haim (as in, rhymes with time-- shocking, I know). Only 6 years old, the band has already opened for artists such as Mumford & Sons, Florence and the Machines and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and last March, preformed for the first time at South by South West. Watch out world, the time is Haim.

really nice things: collages pt 2

collages by various artists

saving grace

I'm only a few chapters into Grace Coddington's memoir (merry christmas to me!) but I think it's safe to say that her illustrations overshadow the majority of the text. For a lady known for her red locks, Grace definitely knows how to shine in black and white. 

All illustrations by Grace Coddington from Grace: A Memoir