Magazine Mention : "Old Fashioned at 29"

The other day I was browsing through O Magazine, Oprah Winfrey's own publication and noticed a spread titled  "O, Yes You Can!" featuring different women at different ages showing off unexpected style choices at their age. I was soo thrilled this lovely women was featured. Embracing the Vintage/ Retro look! The woman featured is 29 year old Jennifer McClain who is a sales diector of the NYC based vintage store What Goes Around Comes Around. The article says not only does she wear the clothes, she lives the lifestyle: "My apartment is furnished with antiques, and I organize my closet by decade, I love playing dress up every day." There have been so many times when people and myself why do you dress like this especially at your age? Because I want too! haha Well I've received many more positives then  negatives. I have a friend at school who calls me Granny Goose because of my "granny" style and taste haha but I love my nickname! I think it really is wonderful that we have more people females and males who are embracing this classic style. I think it's much more accepted today then say maybe 20 years ago, even though the 1990's had a huge retro revival. With hit shows like Mad Men (which was a blessing), vintage becoming trendy, and today's vintage/ retro style and burlesque queen Dita Von Teese they all have helped I think bring more of an interest and acceptance of  vintage retro style. However there is a time and a place for everything regardless of age. I know if I was going to something like a serious job interview I wouldn't want to necessarily go like I completely stepped out of a time capsule, I might want to tone it down a little ( I know I have days were I look more contemporary then usual). Also I think age plays a factor how old should you be or allowed to dress like this? Well to each his own, if you want to more power too you. In fact I had a couple of friends tell me there was an episode of the tv show "What Not To Wear" were two stylists make over someone who's wardrobe is deemed horrible by friends and/ or family and our in desperate need of a makeover. I'm familiar with the show, and on this episode  they were making over a 47 year old woman who was a big vintage collector. Now I haven't seen this episode, but they did get rid of her wardrobe which is sad, however her ensembles she came up with were quite questionable. ( Frankly I think she looked much better after. I think that her age has a lot to do with it.)



It's like a love/ hate relationship with the show, sometimes they just take away peoples uniqueness, and I love that Oprah's magazine embraced it! Plus I love that they gave little tips if you want to hop on the retro bandwagon, which are very helpful:
"When looking to capture a specific era or style, the key is in the details, from the print on [McClain's] a dress to [her] carefully coordinated jewelry, hat, belt, gloves and shoes."


* Start with small doses. You can pair vintage costume jewelry with jeans and a tee. Gradually work up to more pieces, like a scarf, hat or skirt.


*Pay attention to fabrics. Clothes from the '20s were often made of thin silk and tend not to preserve well. Later decades incorporated synthetics like rayon, which drape nicely. (Ignore sizing- a 14 then might be a 6 now.)


"People think I dress like Mad Men characters. Nope, just my outfit today!"


 I love it! That's happened to me plenty of times, (funny thing one time I was on set of where Mad Men was shooting and one of the techie guys thought I was an extra haha) and I'm sure it's happened to you too!




-Victoria

Random Happiness

 red orange rose (lovely)

giant burrito (so good)

green and leopard fabric (I love the combination)

cute retro cat fabric (I'm so in love with this)

pink iced and sprinkled doughnut (doughnuts with pink icing are my favorite)

miniature chinese parasol (a recent thrift store find)

lipstick covered cloth napkin (mine of course)

sand one artwork on truck, off of whittier blvd. east los angeles ( I'm really in love with her work)

new obey/ shepard fairey artwork (spring & 3rd st. downtown los angeles)

All photos by. Victoria Inez Rivera

Cheap and Chic

Yesterday I made the most wonderful purchase! Wednesday evening I was dropping off a package at work when I walked by the Fashion Bookstore located in the California Market Center in Downtown LA's Fashion District. I always love to browse in there, flip through the international fashion magazines and books that I wish I could buy up. I noticed they were having a huge 50% off sale; I was in heaven! Since the store was about to close for the day I quickly gathered up the books I wanted and begged that they would hold  them for me so I may pick them up tomorrow ( I didn't have enough cash on me). Luckily they held them and I greatly appreciated it, not only that when I picked them up that day I received an extra 20% off; a student discount yay!! I got all these lovelies for a steal, brand new and under $60!! I'm in love, I've been wanting some of these books forever! Each book is filled with marvelous photographs and information all which would provide me with hours of entertainment and inspiration!

Dita: Striptease

Stiletto

Fashion & Surrealism

Rebel Style

Adrian: Silver Screen to Custom Label 

Elegance: The S'eeberger Brothers and The Birth of Fashion Photography

Take a Looksie

  Rebel Style and Fashion & Surrealism

Dita Striptease Flip Books

 Stiletto

Adrian = Amazing

Elegance; Indeed

-Victoria

4th Annual Latino Rockabilly Festival

This year's Rockabilly festival was just as big as last year's, but not as fun. I think it had something to do with the the weather, it was freezing outside! It seemed like there weren't as many vendors and bands, plus by the time I arrived the last rockabilly band was playing, so I kind of missed out. It wasn't as eventful as I was hoping it would be, but it was fun. They had a raffle and a car contest, but no other awards this year. I was really hoping to see some familiar faces, especially some lovely bloggers. No luck on the bloggers, (or maybe I didn't see you? lol) I did run into some friends. I also was anticipating to see some great outfits. Not happening, very few girls braved the cold and went with a skirt or dress, myself included. We were only a small percent in a sea of jeans, leopard prints, and ill fitting clothes. My poor brother complained, saying he didn't want to deal with this stupid rockabilly crap. So we didn't stay for very long. Hopefully next years will be much more fun, sunnier and warmer too! I'll see you there next year!

Jivers! 

A familiar face, that's the girl Darlene that I photographed at last years festival. Yet again her outfit and dancing were great!

The Wiseguys

A rat pack esque group from Montebello, California. They're very close to my neighborhood and often perform at nearby events. They're good, but they're not really one of my favorites.

Steven

I named him yet again best dressed guy at the festival. I took his photo and didn't even notice his eyes were closed (so sorry Steven). This guy is always dressed to impress, even though I only see him at the festival I'm curious to know what other great outfits he comes up with. I completely forgot to ask him if he would be interested in modeling for me for at my school's fashion show this year (I'll be showing my own work), I think it had to do with me being slightly nervous; he's a handsome guy. So if anyone knows this Steven or if this is you? Can you please contact me, the modeling offer is still open!

Tonya

Yay! A gal who's not wearing jeans! Tonya braved the cold and wore this cute floral retro dress, I love the aqua blue. And her hair do is amazing, a cluster of rolls with swirls of blonde. So cute.

I'm in love with this Chevy! 

Showing off my Backseams

 I ran into my two friends Jr. and Andre. We met at a friends birthday party last year, and were reunited at the festival! We were wondering if one another was that "person we talked to at the party" haha yeah It was, now we can finally keep in touch all because of the Rockabilly festival!

(All photos by. Angel Rivera & Victoria Inez Rivera)

-Victoria

Happy 21st Birthday Violator

Depeche Mode's Violator 

(Released: March 19th 1990 UK, March 20th 1990 US) 

I'm soo in love with the artwork for this album and the overall theme for the album, songs, videos and tour all done by one of my favorite artists, Anton Corbijn

Yes this year both Me and my favorite Depeche Mode album turn 21!!

 As I mentioned in numerous previous blog posts I love the Violator album and feel strongly connected to it! After all this was the album who's songs first introduced me to DM. Released the same year of my birth and even better released the month I was conceived! I did the math, I don't quite know what day, but hey it's the same month and year! haha I wished I was conceived while this album was playing haha but that wouldn't happen my parents didn't know who Depeche Mode was. But enough of that and back to how this is one of the greatest albums of all time!! Depeche Mode were big before the release of their Music For the Masses album which totally took the band to new heights, but with Violator it took them to a whole other level! I feel because of this album, it has definitely contributed to the legends that they are today. This album not only inspired a ton of artists but changed music as well! I guarantee you, go to almost any 80's flashback club, party, kereoke or whatever and your going to hear either Personal Jesus or Enjoy the Silence. When I ask people if they have ever heard of Depeche Mode they say No. As soon as I say, "Well have you heard 'Personal Jesus' or 'Enjoy the Silence'?" and start to sing and hum the song they're like "oh yeah!" haha! Till this day Violator remains Depeche Mode's best selling album worldwide! Rolling Stone Magazine even placed it on the list of " 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" (at number 342) and Personal Jesus was listed on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" (at number 368)!!

Ever since the Depeche Mode's World Violation Tour you can not go to show without hearing a Violator song it would be entirely impossible if the did not play Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence, which could possibly be the best song ever!! I never tire of it! Also did you know the great Johnny Cash covered Personal Jesus which is really remarkable and so did Marilyn Manson, which I must admit is good cover. You know Hilary Duff even tapped into Personal Jesus which was such a mistake and horribly wrong that's all I'll say, she should never go near DM, ever! ( If you must know I really dislike her 'work')

 Overall if you've never heard DM give Violator a try, I guarantee it you'll become hooked sooner or later. Even if you don't fall madly in love with the band or even like DM I'm sure you'll like at least one Violator song. How do I know this? Because I've tried it with my family. First with my Mother and then my Brother Angel, who is by far the hardest person to convert! haha  I must also note that if you love the Violator album you just have to hear the bonus tracks they're soo good!!! 

I can go on and on about how great the album and band is, I'm telling you they really are the best!

Much Depeche Mode love to all and all the fellow DM Devotees!

 Mode on!

I've posted the links to the youtube videos of some DM Violator songs with their official music videos, just click the song titles below!

Enjoy The Silence

Most likely the best song on the Planet!! It will never ever get old! The music video was actually inspired by the classic children's book "The Little Prince".

Personal Jesus

Of course the classic! Personal Jesus! You know quick fun fact this song has even been in popular video games!!

Policy Of Truth

Gotta Love it!! Especially the guitar riff at the end up the song (which isn't in the video)! This song is quite popular with m family it's probably my two closest and favorite cousins fav DM song!

Halo

The Halo dance! One of the two dancing girls in the video (the tall one) is American actress Jenna Elfman. My good friend and who I call my DM sister, Andrea, we both know the Halo Dance. We're just waiting for the day to do it in the nightclub together! By the way I want a Bullet Bra like that for myself.

Clean

The wonderful, romantic Clean video. Martin Gore fans go crazy for this video often wishing they were the girl, haha

World In My Eyes

So sexy without the sleaze! If I guy used these words on me I'd melt! Love the video too! The first few seconds of Dave just laying there pure bliss! Who wouldn't want to go on a date to the drive in, in a classic car with Dave Gahan?!

I think this song is by  far one of the most overlooked DM songs. It's one of my obsessions I love it too much. Plus this fan made video of different Violator videos put together is perfection!

I absolutely adore this song. It's so romantic and soothing, a complete lullaby.

My favorite bonus track off of Violator!! Happiest Girl! This isn't the official video, since there isn't one. But I'm extremely happy with this, Bettie Page and DM!! It's perfection! (clips are from the movie "The Notorious Bettie Page")

~ Victoria

Godfathers of Glam

Not to be confused with Glam Rock. Sunday's  (March 13, 2011) New York Times Style Section featured musicians who's music, style, and skinny suit make them ultimate cool guys even if they're over 40.

And boy was I thrilled to see two of my favorite fellas:  Iggy Pop & Dave Gahan!!

Leading the spread with the awesome Mr. Pop. Even though he is a 63 year old punk rocker he still looks good. 

This made my day. The always awesome, always stylish, the man! Mr. Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode!!

Check out this link for the full photo spread:

Godfathers of Glam

~Victoria

"Precious"

I
Have
Learned
So much from God
That I can no longer
Call
Myself

A Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim
A Buddhist, a Jew.

The Truth has shared so much of itself
With me

That I can no longer call myself
A man, a woman, an angel
Or even pure
Soul

Love has
Befriended Hafiz so completely
It has turned to ash
And Freed
Me

Of every concept and image
My mind has ever known.

'I Have Learned So Much'
By. Daniel Ladinsky

Well watching my Depeche Mode Tour of the Universe : Live in Barcelona DVD the other day, during the performance of the song "Precious" which deeply resonates with me and is one of the songs I consider to describe my life. It was a beautiful  performance but what caught my attention even more was the poem on their screen backdrop as it's revealed slowly on a typewriter. Translated by American poet Daniel Ladinsky, by Iranian poet Hafez. "I Have Learned So Much"

So honest, beautiful, pure, simple, true. I love it.