Weekend Inspiration

Photo via Vanessa Jackman

Photo via All the Pretty Birds

Photo via Vanessa Jackman

Sandy Skoglund

Eerie and beautiful work from Sandy Skoglund.

Friday Inspiration

I have been doing a lot of research on Samurai culture and its attires for the past two years while visiting Japan.  As I’m packing my big suitcases heading back to New York.  I thought that I do more homework of where I can see more pieces regarding Samurai culture.

It is my lucky day.  This 17th Century Japanese black lacquered samurai helmet is currently on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  I can not wait to go back to the MET.

My friend Beka realized of my current obsession.  She sends me the photos of Chanel take on Samurai warrior armor.

Artist Tetsuya Noguchi has created some concept samurai armor suits designed to appeal to the fashion-conscious warrior. Made from resin, cashew lacquer, cloth and glass, the exquisitely crafted protective suits sport the iconic double-C logo, allowing the wearer to flaunt his superior social status while crushing the enemy on the battlefield.

Images courtesy of the MET and Chanel.

Wishing you a lovely Friday and a fantastic weekend.

Seahorses at Similan Island

I love anything that has to do with the sea.  I love the smell, the wave, the salt, and its creatures.  I grew up in a place where the ocean is so warm and inviting.  There are much to explore on the beach and under the water.  My mother has always been passionate about saving the corals, the reefs, the fish, the seaweed and anything and everything that has to do with the ocean.  Surin islands National Park has been one of our family favorite spot to explore the ocean in southern Thailand.  There is no resorts or fancy places to stay on the islands.  We adore the peacefulness and its beauty on these 5 small islands.  We worried of how life under the ocean were doing after the unfortunate tsunami.  My friend Por knows me so well.  She sends me photos of her trip to reassured that sea life are doing quite well.  She was recently helping a Thai non profit ocean group at Surin islands and Similan Island.  They released more seahorses at Similan island.  The photos are gorgeous.  Thought that I would share them with you.

Surin Islands.  One of the most famous dive sites in the world.

Seahorses before their release.

Hooray to the freedom of Seahorses!

More seahorses are free.  Great thing about Similan islands national park is that you can only visit for a day.  Nobody is allowed to stay on the island.

Little fish at Surin Islands.

Much of the ocean life in Surin and Similan islands have recovered from the tsunami.  We are so happy.

Thank you to my wonderful friend Por for her beautiful pics.  You made my day!  I miss you and the ocean.

P.S.  Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Lance.  Wishing you a very exquisite year!

Incredible Paper Structures

These stunning paper structures by Kendall Buster made me so happy.  Hope that you will enjoy them as well.

All images via Le territoire des sens.

Wishing you a wonderful week.  Thanks very much for your time.

Amazing Schiaparelli + Dali

Thank you so much to our generous patrons for helping us raise money for Haiti relief fund in the past week.  IDOM will donate 10% of its sale from the last week to Mercy Corps. Thank you!

Enjoy some incredible pieces from Schiaparelli + Dali.

Skeleton dress (1938) and Tears dress (1938), both by Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dali:

“To many contemporaries the sinister black skeleton evening dress with its padded representations of human bones was an outrage – an offense against good taste. Although otherwise in elegant harmony with the prevailing lines of late 1930s evening wear, the skeleton dress is so constricted that it became a second skin and the imitation anatomy sat defiantly proud of the fine matt silk surface. Schiaparelli exaggerated the usually delicate trapunto quilting technique to make enormous ‘bones’ – the design was stitched in outline through two layers of fabric, then cotton wadding inserted through the back to bring the design into relief on the front. The shoulder seams and right side are closed by bold plastic zips.”

“Savage rips and tears cover Elsa Schiaparelli’s slender evening gown and head-veil. . . . The dress is printed, and the rips in the veil have been carefully cut out and lined in pink and magenta.”

If you are in London please visit these beautiful dresses for me.  Image courtesy of Victoria & Albert Museum.

Sunday Collective Sale

One more day of Collective Sale at the Cleaners via Ace Hotel.  Salwa and I will be there from 11-5 pm today.  Many thanks to everyone who came out yesterday.  It was lovely seeing all of you.

You can find this beauty “Don’t Think Twice It Is Alright Dress” on sale for 70% off from $275 and currently for $82.  Come spend your Portland gray rainy day with us looking for treasures.  Wishing you a fabulous Sunday.

Collective Sale this Saturday + Sunday 11 am-5 pm

IDOM is delighted to be a part of Portland Collective Sale happening this Saturday, 23rd January and Sunday, 24th January @ the Cleaners at Ace Hotel, 1022 SW Stark.

Nine fabulous boutiques filled with amazing treasures will all be housed in one space for one weekend only!

The sale runs from 11 am until 5 pm on both days.

Please note: IDOM is donating 10% of this week’s sales– from 18th January until 24th January– to Mercy Corps, an amazing agency currently helping earthquake victims in Haiti!

Looking forward to see you this weekend!

Weekend Inspiration

Photo via Stylesightings

Friday Inspiration

Many thanks to Marjorie via The Mercury for supporting us last night.  Also to my dear friend Elizabeth and her sister Jennifer for always supporting us as well.  Thank you so much to everyone who came by through out the day.  We are so excited to contribute more funding to Mercy Corps for Haiti earthquake victims.  Thank you!

I’m delighted to see that we are moving away from the tough hard rock and roll 80’s inspired looks.  I enjoyed it while it was here.  But, I love change.  It is time to move forward.  I’m intrigued by this soft romantic fluid dress pairing with a structured blazer.  I was not a fan of maxi dresses.  However, this longer silhouette of this piece has more pleating, draping detail, and thoughtfulness  than the craze maxi madness.  I’m predicting that we will see  a lot more lighter palette and fabric.  Perhaps looser fit and more movement within the pieces.  I think we are moving away from skinny jeans and tight fitting looks.  My next S/S 10 will also have more feminine minimal sensibility to the collection.

Enjoy your weekend.  Thank you for reading.

Image courtesy of Jack & Jill.