Dope Ambition

Royally weird and a bit dead behind the eyes, Ashley Smith plays some very Tim Burton-esque characters in the December issue of Vogue Russia.

images via noirfacade

I have crushed before, and now I crush again. I absolutely dig her nonchalant elegance and high street aesthetic. Dope.

For those of you who don’t know her, Christine Centenera is the fashion director for Harper’s Bazaar Australia. And she rules.

via 5andrablogs

When it comes to my taste in color palettes, I tend to be quite colorful. I die for aquas and swoon for the right mustard yellow. But when winter rolls around, my tastes become a tad more morose. I gravitate more towards beiges, blacks, grays and deep reds; perhaps my change in color lust comes from the arrival of a 5 p.m. dusk, or maybe I am just one of many who prefer to match the color palettes of most winter collections, which usually tend to be dark anyway.

To accompany my winter obsession with black tights and navy knee-highs, I have found five pairs of winter boots that make hiking in the cold urban jungle less of a chore (or more so, if you you hate sky-high heels). And, my dear friends, I deem these boots lust-worthy because really, who of us can truly afford $1,000 boots when the heat bill is steadily increasing?

Look, lust, love…and if you’re lucky enough, purchase. But for those of us that need full pockets t keep us warm, just take a peek. Which ones are your favorites?

Miu Miu, $995

Christian Louboutin, $1,495

Rick Owens, $1,285

Alexander Wang, $760

Burberry, $995

“…they got green on their mind, I can see it in their eyes.”

“1 of Us” editorial for Contributor Issue N˚2, FW 2010.

Frida Gustavsson’s wide-eyed, childish innocence works in her favor for this editorial for H&M’s winter lookbook, shot by Andreas Sjödin.

I especially love the exaggerated, over-sized houndstooth coat and the satin blazer paired with boyfriend denim. H&M has thus far proven to be the master of affordable yet chic basics, and no offense to Alber Elbaz, but it’s about time I see something new from H&M besides their Lanvin collaboration.

images via noirfacade

Alexander McQueen’s bags last season stirred up quite a frenzy; the four-finger-ringer handles made his clutches easy to tote will looking so simultaneously fierce.

Spring’s renditions offer the same doses of ferocity with only one clutch of the four-finger variety. The basket woven details and the ornate overlapping golden leaves match Burton’s S/S ’11 RTW show, complete with earthy details and befitting McQueen touches. While ridiculously pricey, I’m sure, I’d go as far as saying one of these bad boys is a worthy investment piece.

images via highsnobette

My STL homegirl (not really) Karlie Kloss sports some dope shades in the latest issue of US Vogue, featuring one of the most exciting color palettes I’ve seen in the publication in ages, although the overall spread is still quite a bore.

Remember these Fendi shades I raved about a few weeks back? Kloss is sporting them in the first photo, with the second pair of shades by Balenciaga and the last pair by Prada.

I used to be blind to the appeal of Miss Kloss; I was baffled as to why she opened so many shows and landed so many campaigns, but as time progresses, I’ve grown accustomed to her offbeat looks, pinched lips and ability to transform into whatever fashion-inspired creature she needs to be. Props, girl.

images via fashiongonerogue

image via coutequecoute

Haroshi is an artist who usually reincarnates skate decks and turns them into artistic masterpieces, and while some might argue that a shoe does not constitute a piece of art, I know many who would beg differ…especially in this case. This special edition Dunk was created, in true haroshi fashion, out of recycled skate decks used by Nike Pro’s skate team and includes material from the trashed decks of P-Rod, Brian Anderson, Cory Kennedy and more.

Super dope.

images via hypebeast

Despite my Midwestern upbringing and the (literally) blistering cold weather I am supposed to be used to, I have quite a lack of appropriate winter clothes. By appropriate, I mean warm sweaters, thick scarves. a variety of hats and utilitarian boots. I always go shopping for such things, but often leave with items which I need least: leather cutoff gloves (so close!), small trinkets, vintage floral dresses…you get the picture.

So here is an inspiration flick for me; I need to attempt to comply with winter’s tolling winds and temps, and now that I live in New York, I have no choice but to gear up.

I love this pop of red and the statement necklace too…but mostly I love this fuzzy sweater.

image via stylesightings