traveling the streets : inspiration on the go

part of staying at home and learning this city

has been taking the dogs on long walks around west hollywood

(weho to the natives)

and remembering how much we have missed living in a CITY neighborhood,

one that is constantly changing,

that feeds you surprises and stimulation every walk.

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take the very cars parked on the side of santa monica boulevard.

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yes, this el camino was literally COVERED with the erotic images of

TOM OF FINLAND.

(loved this so much, wanted so much to shoot it, tim had to drag me away.)

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yes, decoupage.

the only let-down.

but hell, get one of my girls, an eyelet sundress and picnic basket from bottega,

a "wolf" in chaps,

and we've got ourselves a shoot!

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or how about this insane yellow land cruiser?  land rover?  range cruiser?

i get them all crossed.

but i had an office this exact color once,

i think the shade was called "leap of faith".

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once we crossed this little storefront, then doubled back,

because the smells and the sign were TOO enticing.

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it's a storefront deli cum restaurant cum cafe

called

FOOD LAB

and it's like a petite dean and deluca meets social experiment

with the best sandwiches and take out treats in the whole neighborhood.

ices in original fruit husks anyone?

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and some days,

the inspiration

(or implied message)

is just right in front of you.

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which is something neither of us, actually, ever are.

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EDUARDO LUCERO - the "torera" dresses

woman goes mad for love.

oldest story in the book.

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latest version : "Torera"

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three dresses stood out and helped tell the tale:

the lace seduction dress,

the blackbird madness dress,

the caged angel dress.

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EDUARDO LUCERO - the "torera" out-takes

in between takes on the film,

we grabbed the actors and would shoot like crazy to pick up as much of the clothing

and mood as possible.

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there was so much beautiful work to cover, not all of it made it to the cut.

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here are some of my favorite print pieces from that day

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and yes, that is the amazing ms. connie bang,

pinch hitting as a model and muse.

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EDUARDO LUCERO COUTURE -

the summer exploration started when eduardo lucero,

the los angeles based celebrity red carpet mainstay designer,

asked me to come see his runway show at a museum gala,

and then collaborate on a project inspired by the clothing.

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this led to a short based on the concept of a female matador,

a whirlwind of filming in an empty storefront on melrose place,

actresses and models and topless moments,

and a bunch of new friends.

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it also led to photographing eduardo's work,

which is exquisitely hand detailed,

with amazing silhouettes.

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the man even does a mean hat:

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pretty things worth posting (from september, before i got all heavy on you last week)

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the cover of vogues hommes, japan

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the return of kristen mcmenamy, modeling again past 40

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the new (not just concept but for real) BMW hybrid (that they quit formula 1 racing to develop)

that finally proves the point that GREEN DOES NOT HAVE TO BE FUGLY AS HELL

(take note prius.  your reign of aesthetic terror will end one day.)

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kate lanphear's haircut.  did i post this already?  i don't care. i'm obsessing on her a bit.

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where i will put my money when it surfaces someday.  soon.

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just some glorious inspiration picture that's haunting me a bit.

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