Fashion, Art and Everything in Between

The Morphing

2012-01-25T21:13:00.000-08:00

Helmut Newton Polaroids

2012-01-23T03:16:00.000-08:00

http://www.helmutnewton.com/

Ang Lee at the Film Society

2012-01-19T17:04:00.000-08:00

So glad I found this online-Ang Lee in his own words on "Ride with The Devil".

Spring

2012-01-18T20:41:00.001-08:00

Jean Paul Gaultier at the de Young San Francisco this March

2012-01-13T16:46:00.001-08:00

More Animation

2012-01-10T11:33:00.000-08:00

To see more animation, go to-
http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2012/01/italian-fashion-ss-2012.html
http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2012/01/journey-begins-ss-2012-shoes.html

Jason Wu 4 Target

2012-01-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

Fashion Animated Shorts

2012-01-05T10:36:00.000-08:00

I have created a few animated shorts, in the spectrum of animation technology they are in the low tech end, but quite fun.

http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2012/01/jason-wu-pre-fall.html
http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2012/01/spring-shoes.html
http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2012/01/versace-for-h-coming-this-month.html

Spring Makeup at Fendi

2012-01-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

Dior's New Book is Out-'Inspiration Dior"

2012-01-04T01:46:00.000-08:00

diorhttp://www.stylecaster.com/whats-next/17517/see-what-inspires-dior-collections-in-inspiration-dior

Artwork that Never got Published

2012-01-03T21:15:00.000-08:00

Nami Style-clothes by Bibico

Keiko Style

Some of The Artwork that Never got Published

2012-01-01T21:38:00.000-08:00

This was created for the short lived online Magazine "Keiko", for its manga "Agachi". This is an illustration of one of the characters named Yuki.

New Fashion Documentary on Ralph Rucci

2011-12-30T10:58:00.000-08:00

http://www.focusonstyle.com/fashion-shows/ralph-rucci-a-quiet-american-movie/

2011-12-25T16:06:00.001-08:00

Alaia At The Groninger Museum

2011-12-13T21:32:00.000-08:00

http://www.groningermuseum.nl/tentoonstelling/azzedine-alaï-de-21e-eeuw

Time For Some Bling

2011-12-13T11:31:00.000-08:00

My photos styling project on Stephen Silver Jewelry "Precious Metal Collection" can now be viewed on their website. To see, go to- http://www.stephensilverfinejewelry.com/jewelrypiece/11signatureoverview/index.php

A Feast

2011-12-09T11:50:00.000-08:00

The Making of Pirelli Calander 2012.

Valentino virtual mesuem

2011-12-08T23:31:00.001-08:00

http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/12/valentino-museum.html

My Impression on Dior s/s 2012

2011-12-05T12:25:00.000-08:00

To read entirety go to-
http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/12/dior-without-galliano.html

New Layout

2011-12-01T12:11:00.000-08:00

I selected a new layout for my second blog "Maintenant", now it's looking much better.

http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/view/magazine

Fashion Now

2011-11-30T21:58:00.000-08:00

Fashion Prediction for 2012

2011-11-30T13:04:00.001-08:00

Lakeside, Lake Tahoe

2011-11-30T12:17:00.001-08:00

Rainbow Trail, Lake Tahoe

2011-11-29T09:34:00.000-08:00

Lake Tahoe

2011-11-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

Nevada

2011-11-27T23:32:00.000-08:00

Carson City

Midtown, NY

2011-11-26T23:34:00.000-08:00

Outside Lord & Taylor

Late Autumn, Downtown New York

2011-11-24T10:05:00.000-08:00

New York

2011-11-22T14:32:00.000-08:00

A synagogue on 11th Street

The view from inside Starbucks in Midtown

The view from our room

Katz's Deli

2011-11-22T13:06:00.000-08:00

Lunch at Katz's, a downtown institution. I ordered a Knockwurst, which is a giant sausage sliced in half with sauerkraut and mustard sandwiched between bread. While I was eating my knockwurst the owner was charming the customers, he stopped at my table and started asking me questions like where I'm from, then offered me samples of their famous pastrami slices, and a plate of pickles.
http://katzsdelicatessen.com/menus/#sandwiches

Day of Action

2011-11-22T12:55:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon Occupy Wall Street's "Day of Action". the crowd was trying to occupy Chase Bank on 5th and 14th while 2 choppers were buzzing overhead.

Along The Highline

2011-11-21T13:10:00.000-08:00

Landscape around the existing track.

The High Line runs along 13th St at the Meatpacking district to the 34th St. It's precious open space for the hectic city.
http://www.thehighline.org/about/park-information

The 9/11 Memorial

2011-11-21T12:56:00.000-08:00

The Fashion Institute Museum

2011-11-20T14:59:00.000-08:00

Most people when they want to see a fashion exhibition in New York city would often think of going to the Metropolitan Museum. A lesser known choice is the Museum at F.I.T. It's free, no need to stand in long lines and they have wonderful exhibits. "Daphne Guinnes Exhibition" is currently on until January 7th, 2012.

http://www.fitnyc.edu/10768.asp

Fashion Gluttony

2011-11-12T12:12:00.000-08:00

I recently completed a project for fashion journalist Michelle Le Mee, you may see a sneak preview here-

http://www.fashiongluttony.com/2011/11/my-new-website-wwwmichellecoopercouk.html

More will be posted on her website www.michellecooper.co.uk

Helmut Newton's Contact Sheets

2011-11-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

Drink and Draw

2011-11-03T13:45:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs Stood Upon the Shoulders of These Giants

2011-10-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

These two inventors established the fundamental breakthroughs that made Steve Jobs' vision possible.

Charles K. Kao-"Godfather of Broadband", his research and development of getting light to travel long distance through glass strands made fiber optics cables(broadband) we have today possible.
"If you really look at it, I was trying to sell a dream ... There was very little I could put in concrete to tell these people it was really real."

Tim Berners-Lee, creator of the World Wide Web. He created the World Wide Web on the platform invented by Apple.
"If I had taken a proprietary control of the Web, then it would never have taken off. People only committed their time to it because they knew it was open, shared: that they could help decide what would happen to it next..and I wouldn't be rinking of 10%!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4NKbJPZq2Q&feature=related

Steve Jobs Documentary 2010

2011-10-07T20:57:00.000-07:00

part 2-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zvBLxvg7ds&feature=related
part 3-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tnz3NpR1xg&feature=related
part 4-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7tdqL_M87Y&feature=related
part 5-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUXUbVG-Lx8&feature=related

Steve Jobs, 1955-2011

2011-10-05T19:02:00.000-07:00

"At a 2005 commencement address at Stanford University, Jobs shared the philosophy that drove him.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life,” Jobs said. “Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/10/jobs/

The Best of Helmut Newton

2011-09-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

"Frames From the Edge"

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-264403023134374658
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRggInPD_p4&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL7B1690CE2ED7EB87

"Mein Leben"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux5SbY0UmXc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUsURU_bA8E&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wc2u6gageE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_vQEdhb6mk&feature=related

"Helmut by June"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_vQEdhb6mk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4__XvpzLjDY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3CEXBjrX_Y&feature=related

Helmut in his own words-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14zA61Ov3RQ&feature=related

The Best of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

2011-09-28T20:11:00.000-07:00

The best is still the very first one produced by HBO, 1987-best editing, music.

Marc Jacobs Documentary

2011-09-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

PART 2-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twe4w0BWf9U
Part 3-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kewx9tIU1mk&feature=related
Part4-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpHhiaaAYvw&feature=related
Part 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuSda_hwpUw&feature=related
Part 6-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3XE1wDX5NI&feature=related

Submitting Art

2011-09-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I submitted art to Photospin, just started again 2 days ago. This is one of them, the other one is already accepted and on their site.

Chanson Triste

2011-09-18T23:52:00.000-07:00

Mid Autumn Moon Festival

2011-09-17T22:44:00.000-07:00

Mixed medium-pastels on black sandpaper and photoshop

Art Of The Day

2011-09-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

Poetry In the Mind's Well

2011-09-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

http://inthemindswell.blogspot.com/

Poses

2011-09-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

Slight change in body position makes a whole lot of difference in a painting or a drawing. The other day when I was looking at some of my paintings side by side, I noticed that although they look very different, the poses aren't drastically different, often it was only a slight shift in the position of the arm, turn of the leg or waist. Of course the skin tones varied, and the direction of light source also has a big affect.

White Bikini

2011-09-07T14:41:00.000-07:00

Brand New Work

2011-09-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

It's been almost three years since I picked up a piece of pastel (the last few years were all digital art and sometimes watercolor, but I got a big body of work out of it, and many new tricks and skills learned, not to mention this blog which derived from all that digital art). So naturally it took several attempts to get the flow back and to regain the ease, but I think it's like riding a bicycle, you could never forget how to get the balance back, but in order to maintain and improve the flow and ease of techniques it all comes down to practice, practice and more practice.

Watercolors

2011-09-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

Pastel Nudes and Portfolio

2011-08-31T10:12:00.000-07:00

Paintings that are currently in Belleza Gallery, Bisbee. http://www.bellezagallery.org/
To see portfolio go to http://www.coroflot.com/kawaikat/figure-paintings-in-pastels

The Drink and Draw Group, Bisbee

2011-08-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

viewing each other's work after drawing session.


Bar cat

The Drink and Draw Group every Sunday at around 4 meets at Room4 Bar at the Brewery Gulch in Bisbee.

Between Fashion and Art

2011-08-22T11:04:00.000-07:00

Models of All Time

2011-08-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

To see the list and more, go to http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/08/models-hall-of-fame.html

Helmut Newton

2011-08-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

Fashion Photographers

2011-08-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.terrysdiary.com/
http://www.mariotestino.com/
http://www.demarchelier.net/
http://www.arthurelgort.com/
http://nickknight.com/
http://gillesbensimon.com/
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/c/bill_cunningham/index.html
http://www.bruceweber.com/
http://inezandvinoodh.com/
http://juergenteller.tumblr.com/

Calvin Klein fall 2011

2011-08-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/08/clavin-klein-tv.html

Givenchy

2011-08-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/08/givenchy-fall-2011.html

Karl's World

2011-07-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/07/world-according-to-karl.html
You might like this as well-Anna Dello Russo, http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/07/force-of-nature-anna-dello-russo.html

Chanel Fall 2011

2011-07-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/07/chanel-fall-2011.html

Versace 2011 Fall

2011-07-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/07/versace-fall-2011.html

Tom Ford For Women

2011-07-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/07/tom-ford-fall-2011.html

Azzedine Alaia

2011-07-10T21:42:00.000-07:00

Azzedine Alaia fall 2011-http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/07/azzedine-alaia-fall-2011.html

Also see "Chloe fall rtw 2011"-http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/07/chloe-fall-rtw-2011.html

And "Celine pre-fall 2011"-http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/07/celine-pre-fall-2011.html

Pink

2011-07-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

"WonderBoy"-http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/2011/07/alexander-wang-fall-2011-makeup.html

US Vogue June Issue

2011-06-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

"Walking On Sunshine"

Summer 2011 looks According to U.S Vogue

2011-06-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

Watercolor

2011-06-03T15:19:00.000-07:00

Summer Handbags

"Active Wear"

Birmingham, UK

2011-06-02T10:27:00.000-07:00

Cats in Alghero

2011-06-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

McQueen Fashion

2011-05-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

Fashion Doodles-Valentino and McQueen

2011-05-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

Balenciaga and Spain

2011-05-04T12:20:00.000-07:00

Cherry Blossom Festival Weekend

2011-05-04T12:15:00.000-07:00

No, these pictures were not taken in Japan. they were taken in San Francisco Japan Town during Cherry Blossom Festival Weekend in April.

Summer Ideas

2011-04-13T15:45:00.000-07:00

Bright colors, long shoulder bags, bold prints, sculpted jewelry, and show plenty of legs.

Summer Trend

2011-04-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

Bill Cunningham New York

2011-04-11T14:07:00.000-07:00

Must see-"Bill Cunningham New York"

http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/billcunninghamnewyork/index.html
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/03/16/090316fa_fact_collins?currentPage=all
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A03E5D6153DF934A15753C1A9649C8B63&ref=billcunningham

Back to Swanage and Coming Home

2011-04-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

Happy chickens at The Square and Compass, a pub in Worth Matravers, Dorset

We had breakfast in Mallorca, and by early afternoon, we had already returned to our village in Dorset and lunched at the local pub, greeted by the British weather as well. Really good trip overall, the flight change at the very beginning of the trip gave me a great send off for this journey. I have been pretty lucky with my travels-knock wood, and I hope to keep some of the mindset I have on travelling in my daily life-that is take things as they come, see the beauty in ordinary everyday life and surroundings, because afterall isn't life itself a journey and we are all travelers?

The 2 places we frequent while staying in Dorset county.
http://www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=2
http://www.tawnyswinebar.co.uk/

Last Full Day in Palma

2011-04-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

On our way to Castell de Bellver

Along the steps going up to the castle

Castell de Bellver

Looking down from the top of the castle

Castell de Bellver

Back in historic Palma

Back in Palma historic section

the view from Castell de Bellver

At our favorite cafe

It was Tuesday, Palmer was alive again(many stores were closed and the streets were quiet on Sundays and Mondays), many people were out and about. The weather was gorgeous, and we just wanted to soak it all up. We walked about thirty-five minutes from historic Palma to visit Castell de Bellver. Built in the 14th century for King James 2nd of Mallorca, this Gothic style circular castle was used as a military prison between the 18th to the mid 20th century. In the afternoon we strolled back to historic Palma, and just relaxed and chilled out at by then our favorite cafe.

http://www.destination360.com/europe/spain/mallorca/castell-de-bellver http://www.destination360.com/europe/spain/mallorca/castell-de-bellver

Adios Soller!

2011-04-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

On the tram on our way back to Soller Town center from Puerto Soller, passing the orange groves

Cathedral of the town center

At the town square

Heading back to Palma

Puerto Soller

2011-04-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

On the tram from town Soller to Puerto Soller, passing country estates.

A cat on the street in Puerto Soller on a sleepy afternoon

Little things one does on foreign trips are often more memorable than visiting famous and grand landmarks. On this lazy afternoon in Puerto Soller, we took a nap and ate local oranges on the beach, watched the ducks swam in the sea. The place had few tourists this time of the year, if we came in the height of summer we probably couldn't find a spot to sit on the beach. There were still some time left before heading back to Palma, so we had our last afternoon tea at a beach front cafe and enjoyed the warm Mediterranean sun, before hopping back on the tram.

Companion Books

2011-04-07T14:53:00.000-07:00

I brought two books with me on this trip, an English book called 'Shadow of the Silk Road' by Colin Thubron, and a Chinese one called 'Travelled a Thousand Seas and Mountains-Chronicle of Journey in Central and South America' by Echo Chen.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/15/books/review/Adams.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanmao_%28author%29

Another really good book I am intending to purchase, a book I had but since lost, called 'Places in Between' by Rory Stewart.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/11/books/review/11cover_bissel.html

Soller Town Square

2011-04-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

The tram that runs between the town of Soller and Puerto Soller

These pictures were taken during a beer break in the town square. The region of Soller is quite popular with bicyclists. From the town square to Puerto Soller, there are many sites to see and things to do, between charming historic town center, small villages, orange groves, to the restaurants lined sea point.

In Soller

2011-04-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

From Palma to Soller

2011-04-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

On the way to the train station

almost there....

An hour train ride from Palma, Soller lies in a bowl shaped valley and extends to the sea front, 'Port de Soller'. Soller is famous for their orange groves and ancient olive trees. We started our day trip on a lovely morning and found the train station quite easily (situated at the outer skirt of the historic section). If you ever visit Mallorca, do try to make this trip, it's very worth it, be sure to take the tram at the town center to Port of Soller, a charming sea front resort, for some fun in the sun.

http://www.sollernet.com/trendesoller/en1.html

Palma, Mallorca

2011-04-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

It was Sunday afternoon when we arrived therefore many of the shops were closed. First thing first-tapas and vino. After that, we decided to check out the self guided tour of the Arab Bath.

Finding the destination was half the fun. The old section of Palma was indeed closed on Sunday, very few locals were on the streets. We wandered to the rambla, up some steps to the city center, passed more narrow streets to the city wall. The entrance of the Arab Bath was located in one of the narrow streets in the Medieval quarter, near the base of the city wall.

The self guided tour started in the entrance room with a video explaining the history, then you turn and walk into the dome chamber with round apertures for relief of steam, as it was the actual room for hot baths. A way out at another side of the chamber leads to a lush court yard.

olive tree

hotel court yard

hotel reception hall

Big advantage to travelling during off season is not having to deal with crowds of people, one could take time to reflect and absorb the surroundings. We found a very nice little cafe near the Arab Bath for some tea, then it's siesta before dinner.

Places to visit and stay in Palma-
http://www.hotelborn.com/
http://www.mallorca-spotlight.com/palma/baths.htm

London Stroll-2nd Day

2011-04-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

With only half a day left in London, we decided to stroll to Mayfair, to Manchester Square to visit the Wallace Collection, then to China Town for some noodle soup lunch. The Wallace Collection is a national museum in an historic London town house; tucked in a lovely neighborhood, it displays collection of 18th century paintings, furniture, porcelains, and arms and armour of Europe and Asia, some of which date back to the 16th century. The museum was just the right size for the time we wanted to spend. Afterwards we had a beer break and lunch as planned, then we just kept on strolling to Convent Garden for more people watching. The weather was gorgeous and Londoners were all out and about. It was a Friday but felt more like a holiday. People were relaxing on the streets and feeling good-that was all going to change in twenty-four hours (The next day a massive anti-government budget cut protest took place in Central London).

To learn more about The Wallace Collection, http://www.wallacecollection.org/index.php
Photo from top #10 & #11: "The Lion In Love", 1836 by Camille-Joseph-Etienne Roqueplan
#12: Convent Garden

Day 1-Getting There

2011-04-02T08:36:00.000-07:00

The trip to the U.K didn't look so promising at first. My flight from SFO to LAX was being delayed for three hours and that meant I would miss my connecting flight to Heathrow. As I was in line at the United Airline customer service counter I was thinking what possibilities they could arrange me with, and if my whole trip was going to be screwed since this was only going to be a short getaway for a few days. So when it was my turn, the guy in uniform looked at my boarding pass and typed something into the computer, wouldn't answer me when I asked him if there was anyway to change plane in New York ( I was thinking of the worst possibility and that UA might have more flights flying from NY to London).

"I am not going to tell you. I will let you find out on the ticket..."
"You do this to all your customers, I bet."
"Yeah, it's my way to have some fun."

Then he handed me my new boarding pass-8 pm flight from SFO to Heathrow (It was around 3 pm at the time), "You see that plane over there?" He pointed at the plane parked at the opposite terminal from our view, "That's your plane, now you just have to find your way to the International terminal."

He even assigned me the best seat in the economy class-aisle seat at the emergency exit row. When my flight touched ground at Heathrow, it was a warm, gorgeous, sunny spring day, and I got plenty of time after dropping off my luggage to do my routine London wandering about.

Tip: Do carry on with your luggage if possible when travel by plane, it speeds everything up when an emergency occurs.

Last photo at bottom: After 2 years of vacancy, what used to be the Virgin Mega store at Piccadilly Square is now being occupied by another mega clothing store called "The Sting".

The HBO Special that Started It All

2011-03-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

This is the HBO special that started all the annuals "Making of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue". The year was 1989. It's still the best produced of all the "MSISI"s. That year's cover girl was Kathy Ireland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M70sOCS6yDU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5s3ZT2iyWE&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaZjJYX6TiY&NR=1&feature=fvwp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6PTdIXNF7M&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc6D89Y3e0k&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKZikH-DVZw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5l1CGxBmNo&feature=related

Spin off of this blog-http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/

Dennis Hopper

2011-03-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

Artist, director, actor, and a damn good photographer.

Bio-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Hopper

Interviews on Charlie Rose-

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/11041

Photography-
http://www.taschen.com/lookinside/04979/index.htm

Lace Trend on Rosaline Jewelry

2011-03-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

This is the latest post avec illustration I did for Rosaline Jewelry on lace trend in fashion and jewelry. To see the entire post, go to http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150157874834434&set=a.117007544433.120049.101265044433&ref=nf

Check out my trends reports on http://www.facebook.com/RosalineJewelry

Turquoise

2011-03-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

Through my project research I learned these facts about turquoise.

Turquoise adorned the rulers of ancient Egypt, Persia, Aztec, Mesopotamia (area largely corresponding to modern day Iraq, as well as parts of northeaster Syria, southeaster Turkey, and southwestern Iran), and ancient China (since the Shang Dynasty-roughly between 1600 BC and 1046 BC).

China has been a source of turquoise for 3000 years, they are found in the Herbei Province, and Marco Polo reported turquoise found in present day Yunan. Other turquoise localities are Tibet, Australia, United States, north India, Northern Chile, Cornwall, Turkestan, Silesia, and Afghanistan.

Southern United States has rich sources of turquoise in the regions such as Southern Arizona, parts of California, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada (Arizona is currently considered to be the most important producer of turquoise).

source-wikipedia

Spin off of this blog-http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/

Monsieur Christian Dior

2011-03-06T14:01:00.001-08:00

With all the drama and debates surrounding the firing of John Galliano and the House of Dior, maybe people need to refer back to the history and background of its founder, Monsieur Dior, in order to regain some common sense perspective on the whole thing.

1905-born in Granville, France.
1928-with the money he received from his father, Dior opened his art gallery.
1930's-40's-worked with fashion designer Robert Piguet until he was called up for military service.
1942-joined the fashion house Lucien Lelong where he and Pierre Balmain were primary designers.

"According to Sidney Toledano, the chief executive of the present day Christian Dior, World War Two was very traumatic for Christian Dior as his sister was sent to the concentration camp Buchenwald."-Wikipedia

1946-with finance backed by Marcel Boussac, the cotton-fabric magnate, Christian Dior founded his fashion house.
1947-presented his first collection, originally was called Corolle (literally the botanical term corolla or circlet of flower petals in English-wikipedia), but would forever be known as "New Look", a phrase given by Carmel Snow, American fashion editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar.
Dior's opulent and ultra feminine "New Look" reestablished Paris as the fashion capital of the world after World War Two.

1957-Dior died in Montecatini, Italy.

source: Wikipedia

Fashion Books

2011-03-01T09:31:00.000-08:00

All thoroughly very good, all autobiographical.

Grace Mirabella's, "In and Out of Vogue" http://rdujour.com/2010/07/13/in-and-out-of-vogue-by-grace-mirabella/,
Andre Leon Tally's, "ALT",
Helmut Newton's, "Autobiography". http://www.vogue.co.uk/biographies/080422-helmut-newton-biography.aspx

Jade Trends Report and Illustration on Rosaline Jewelry

2011-02-23T09:32:00.000-08:00

My illustration of jade luxury/lifestyle report is on Rosaline Jewelry facebook page now, to see entire post please go to
http://www.facebook.com/RosalineJewelry

Spin off of this blog-http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/

Best Book Cover Design in 2010

2011-02-19T12:13:00.000-08:00

The moment I saw this cover ("Decoded") I thought it's the most brilliant idea for a book about the history of hip-hop. Printed in gold against stark white, the conceptual design embodies a sense of ultra coolness, and implies complicity (the labyrinth-like design is an image of Andy Warhol's "Rorschach"), a journey, getting down to the most basic and fundamentals, the DNA.

What Jay-Z wanted to accomplish in writing this book: "When I first started working on this book, I told my editor that I wanted it to do three important things. The first was to make the case that hip-hop lyrics-not just my lyrics, but those of every great MC-are poetry if you look at them closely enough. The second was I wanted the book to tell a little bit of the story of my generation, to show the context for the choices we made at a violent and chaotic crossroads in recent history. And the third piece was that I wanted the book to show how hip-hop created a way to take a very specific and powerful experience and turn it into a story that everyone in the world could feel and relate to."(exert from "Decoded")

http://www.billboard.com/column/the-juice/jay-z-decoded-book-cover-revealed-1004115933.story#/column/the-juice/jay-z-decoded-book-cover-revealed-1004115933.story

Rosaline Jewelry Fashion/Trends/Lifestyle Posts

2011-02-17T10:28:00.000-08:00

I have just started to contribute writing and illustration to Rosaline Jewelry's Facebook page on fashion trends, China's luxury trends and lifestyle reports, mostly would be focused on jewelry and current fashion trends. http://www.facebook.com/RosalineJewelry#!/RosalineJewelry

Naughty Agent Provocateur

2011-02-11T15:54:00.000-08:00

It's more fun to be bad and naughty. Agent Provocateur has put out a brilliant video for their latest campaign-too hot for mainstream America.
http://www.agentprovocateur.com/videos/josephine.html

Could I get flagged for posting the link?

Spin off of this blog-
http://illustratingfashionbycatherine.blogspot.com/

Fall/Winter 2011

2011-02-09T09:27:00.000-08:00