Bohemian Goth

In today’s world, All Hallows Eve is a night that allows us to put on a mask and become a completely different person. But historically this night had much more sinister implications. 

Halloween had its beginnings in an ancient, pre-Christian Celtic festival of the dead. The festival was called Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween)and it was the biggest and most significant holiday of the Celtic year. The Celts believed that at the time of Samhain, more so than any other time of the year, the ghosts of the dead were able to mingle with the living, because at Samhain the souls of those who had died during the year traveled into the otherworld. Creepy stuff.

This may not be the popular belief of modern times but Halloween certainly raises awareness of the fabled existence of the afterlife. So with that in mind I decided to take a different approach to Halloween this year and reinterpret a tried and true costume- the witch.

What might a modern witch look like? I doubt you’d catch her in a tall pointy hat or knee high striped socks and surely she would have invested in a skin care routine that would alleviate those pesky warts. No, a 21^st Century witch would not only take on a new appearance, she may even identify with a current style trend- the Bohemian Goth.

The Bohemian Goth is a girl who feels more comfortable in black, believes in all things magical, channels the energy of the stars and the universe, shares a connection with Mother Nature and probably owns a sage stick or two…

Some of the photos below are purely inspirational and others come directly from noted fashion publications such as Elle and Harper’s Bazaar.

Fall Style Inspiration

Before my move to LA three weeks ago I assumed my time here would be full of exploration, new photography projects and being surrounded by California landscape. Unfortunately LA had other things in mind like a harsh reality check: moving across the country is actually way more difficult and time consuming that I could have anticipated. I haven't exactly had as much free time to work on photography as I had hoped (shocking I know). That is not to say I regret the move. Finding a new job, a new car, a new apartment and a new group of friends in a new city is challenging to say the least but I can already tell (only 2 days into my internship) that I will learn so much more than I could imagine.

All that being said, I've been finding inspiration in the most unsuspecting places...

I came across a photo from a photographer (Van Styles) I've been following for a couple of years that seemed to resonate with me more than usual. It's a black and white still shot of a single building obscured by thick fog. The criss crossing architectural features, light and dark contrast and play on transparency all got me thinking about what to look forward to for Fall. It's somewhat ominous mood is not necessarily foreboding, just mysterious. Living in a climate where the autumnal equinox doesn't necessarily equal cooler temperatures means that Fall style takes on a new meaning and calls for a little reinterpretation.

Scroll below to see my fall 2014 inspiration photos.

Fall Forward

This will be one of my last social media shoots for Free People since I will be making the move to LA in a couple of weeks! It's bittersweet but I know the change of pace will be a positive transition for me.

The theme of this shoot was "Fall Forward" since we've been getting tons of cozy sweaters, jackets and cardigans in the store. We took a trip down to River Street because I thought the historical background, typical of downtown Savannah, would give the clothes a vintage appeal. Jordan modeled for me and as always, all clothes are Free People.

Swim Week Recap

Miami Fashion Week Swim in a few words: 

Vibrant, fast-paced, stressful (believe me) but mostly just really, really fun! 

As someone who has been interested in fashion and swimwear for most of her life, it was lovely to finally get a look inside the industry and a sneak peak the 2015 collections. 

Working for an online retailer as opposed to a single company gave me the opportunity to meet different designers and get to know different attitudes and aesthetics that are making an impact on the evolution of swimwear. 

For those of you wondering what to look foreword to in 2015, here's the breakdown....

Mara Hoffman was probably my favorite of the week. Of course you'll be seeing more of her signature geometric prints but you can also expect some innovative takes on silhouette, cut-outs, rash guards and strap detailing. Also- cheetah, a lot of cheetah.

Next, Acacia. While designers Lyndie Irons and Naomi Newirth continued some of their most popular cuts and silhouettes, they also made some distinct changes that are sure to turn heads. Snake and cheetah prints traditionally used as lining in their suits were translated to the exterior and paired with neutral color-blocking. Plaids and checks appear along with more Hawaiian-inspired florals. Most noticeable were sophisticated cover-ups echoing a kind of upscale, nonchalance that will easily double as both comfortable beachwear and stylish every-day wear.

Some others designers that impressed: Minimale Animale, Mikoh, Indah (think braiding, weaving and tassels!), Beach Riot (graphic statements, sportswear inspiration and zippers) and Mandalynn.

Finally, here's a short photo diary of my experience working for ISHINE365!

P.S. stay tuned for some upcoming adventures in LA....