Saturday, May 26, 2012

Royal Blue Obsession



Whether its a pair of socks, a basic t-shirt, or chiffon--I'm currently obsessing over the color royal blue. It looked so good and vibrant on this young lady walking along Pine.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Inside the Home of Mary O'Regan

Inside the home of Mary O'Regan-- the founder of the style blog Art of Wore and senior features writer at Nordstrom. 





You grew up in Minneapolis. How has it influenced your style?
It opened the door to thrifting. Minnesota has amazing vintage clothing, jewelry and décor in thrift stores peppered throughout the state. Living there gave me access to regular treasure hunts, and I learned how to take vintage pieces and reinterpret them into contemporary looks.

Your day job is senior features writer at Nordstrom. What does that involve exactly?
I write trend guides, lookbooks, styling tips, designer Q&As, blog entries, and things like that. It's fun!

How did you start your style blog- Art of Wore?
I started when I was a senior fashion editor at a magazine publishing company in Minneapolis. My day job was limited to the local fashion scene, and I wanted to be able to write about anything that struck my fancy—an outlet for my style obsessions, local or not. My blog has enabled me to write about items I'm coveting, trend reports, Fashion Week, my personal style and favorite designers.

What inspired you to start working in the fashion industry?
I discovered my love for fashion during my trek around Europe. It was so inspiring seeing the uninhibited way many Europeans dress. When I got back to the states, I started writing about the local fashion scene and eventually got to where I am today.






Who are some of your favorite designers?
Mary Katrantzou, Proenza Schouler, Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang, Alexander McQueen, and Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen.

What other elements influence your personal aesthetic? 
Street fashion. I feel it's more genuine and less contrived versus fashion shows and campaigns which are highly stylized. I love show and campaigns, but when it comes to inspiration for how I'm actually going to dress, I like to see how real people wear things. 

What are some of your favorite style blogs?
Fashion Toast, Oracle Fox, The Glmaourai, Frou Frouu, Garance Doré, and Tommy Ton. 

What are some of your fashion faux pas?
When people wear clothes that don't fit properly. Knowing your size is the first step to dressing well. I also don't like how overly casual everyone has gotten. People don't even dress up to go to the theater anymore. And I know some women who don't own a single pair of heels. It's a shame.





Do you have a daily mantra?
It's more of a way of living: Be carefree, lighten up, have fun with life. Do what feels good and don't care what other people think. 

What's your most valuable possession?
In terms of practicality, my laptop. It's my connection to the outside world. Sentimentally, I'd have to say a delicate vintage koi fish necklace that my boyfriend gave me. 

If you could be anywhere, where would you be?
Pink Floyd, live at Pompeii, Italy 1972. 

What's on your personal soundtrack?
Tons of classic rock, soul, 90s hip hop, and indie rock. I love Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, The National, Bon Iver, Frightened Rabbit, My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses, Sleigh Bells.

What's the last book you read?
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. 

Current read?
Gay Men Don't Get Fat by Simon Doonan.





What has been one of your most gratifying experiences to date?
 Taking off on a solo backpacking trip across Europe for three months. Best thing I ever did.

What're you looking forward to?
Summer in Seattle. Everyone keeps telling me about it. I'm excited for music festivals, sunshine, boating, hiking, sundresses, sunglasses, freckles and bonfires. 

What you do admire most in a woman?
Strength. A woman who knows what she wants, goes for it and doesn't let fears or insecurities get in her way.

How about a man?
Respect. A man who respects the things around him and himself. A smart man with manners, charm, and a sense of decorum.

What's your advice?
Don't worry about what other people think. Do what you think feels right. Go with your gut.







Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Vintage Photos

This past sunday I went to the Fremont flea market  with a friend and discovered some cool vintage photos. I will be posting an old photograph every couple of days. I hope you enjoy these as much I do. 

Cheers,
Kirby


August 1947

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Inside the World of Emily Smith


A few weeks ago I was invited into the home and wardrobe of Emily Shepard Smith, Co-owner of Pacific Standard. Emily welcomed me with a lovely cheese plate and prosecco.  What a darling lady and what a fantastic sunday! 



So you're from Moscow, Idaho. What brought you to Seattle?
I went to undergrad in Seattle, met my husband, and then went to law school in NYC.

You studied at Columbia University and lived in NYC for ten years. Do you miss the city?
Yes, New York is such a great city and it's so inspiring. My ideal is to be bicoastal.

You're the Business Director for Pacific Standard. Can you tell me a little about the company?
I'm transitioning out of that role to focus on the magazine and some other projects -- but the name was created while traveling down south in 2005 and talking with my husband, Strath, about starting a Northwest-focused magazine when we eventually moved back from the East Coast. Strath and I would go out to bars in brooklyn and brainstorm ideas for the magazine and other creative projects, and Strath started the blog with the name while we were still in NYC. We set up the studio when we moved back in 2008, and it's mostly been a place for Strath's graphic design business, but we talked a lot about expanding the space to include a gallery, pop-up shops, that kind of thing. As we're about the launch the magazine, Strath is moving forward with some of those other projects at a new space. 

Where do you see Pacific Standard heading in five years?
Ideally I see the magazine as continuing to shine the light on the Northwest aesthetic and the creative things people are doing here. It really is a place like no other. 

What's been your proudest moment in the past year?
I taught a class at UW's law school and survived. I will also be very proud when the first issue of Pacific Standard is released on June 15th.



What are some of your favorite past times?
I love reading, sitting down with a magazine, looking at art, talking about art, camping, hiking, being outdoors, and working on Pacific Standard and making it a reality. 

If you could be anywhere, where would you be?
Out on the coast. I really like it in the spring when days are getting long and its still pretty cold. 

Do you have a daily mantra?
No I don't but I probably need one. 



Who are some of your favorite designers?
Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, Raf Simons, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garcons, and Pierre Hardy (shoes).

Do you have any fashion faux pas?
Seeing a girl walk in heels looking uncomfortable and not natural. Everyone has a look that works for them.

Where do you gather your style inspiration?
Magazines and places. I think about matching clothes to the environment and vibe I'm in. Old photographs from the 70's, it reminds me of growing up in Idaho-- "the whole hippie, back-to-the-land movement."Bill Brandt's photos can also really set the mood. 



What's the last book you read?
Just Kids- A Patti Smith memoir

What are you currently reading?
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion

What's on your personal soundtrack?
A$AP Rocky, Grimes, Burial. In terms of local bands I think Witch Gardens is amazing. 





How do you typically spend a sunday?
Recently it's been working on the magazine but normally I'd spend a sunday drinking coffee, reading the times, and cooking dinner.

What's your vice?
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

What are you looking forward to?
The completion of the magazine, first show of contributors, curating, and thinking about the second issue.


Emily Shepard Smith, Volunteer Park, Seattle, WA.