Monday, December 31, 2012

1993

LAST POST OF 2012 SO WHAT BETTER WAY TO HONOR THE OCCASION THAN WITH AN OUTFIT HOMAGE TO THE DECADE IN WHICH I WAS BORN?!?! I'm repping '93 and the golden age of grunge. Surely the concept of a superficial fashion post about the aesthetic elements of an anti-corporate movement comes across as irritating and ironic to 90s OG's, but since I'm already pretty progressive, I think I can get away with this one. ;-) I went with the most classic vintage (or vintage look-a-like) pieces in my wardrobe to capture the essence of a generation that survived on garage rock and microwaveable burritos. My greatest accessory: a sticker-coated Walkman and Pavement cassette in tow.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Sunglasses - Buffalo Exchange
Tattoo choker - Cobrashop
Guitar pick necklace - Gift from my friend Leigh Alexander, my #1 90s style advisor
Cargo aviator coat - Chicwish
Calvin Klein crop top - Vintage from Shoppalu
Plaid shirt - Ralph Lauren
Denim circle skirt - Chicwish
Skechers boots - Buffalo Exchange

There's a million and one other sartorial ways to do the 90s justice. Crew neck sweaters with a single navy stripe across the chest, paired with Dr. Martens and light-wash boot cut jeans. Middle-parted brown bowl cuts for the dudes, pixie 'dos with maroon lipstick for the chicks. Inspiration is endless. What's even crazier is that the next generation will look back at us, pioneers of fashion in our own respect, and admire the styles we take for granted in 2012. Here's to 2013 -- savor every trend, relish your youth, adore the present like it's a page out of tomorrow's cherished history textbook (or nostalgic Tumblr reblog in the future of URL). Doesn't always feel like it when it's happening, but maybe your golden age is right now. So respect the shit out of it. It's a concept as obvious as it is underappreciated... so make a change and take advantage! You never know.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

Saturday, December 29, 2012

4EVER A H8R

Sometimes I get really down and depressed and feel like the blogosphere is especially lacking inspiration and thrill and camaraderie. And then something really awesome like THIS happens. By "this," I mean my jacket. And by my jacket, I mean the incredible work of art that Madi, a reader, shopkeeper, and hands-on designer extraordinaire, fashioned for me in the spirit of the creativity and rebellion that her online store PARADOX stands for. This chick represents everything I care about as a member of the DIY community, online and in real life. Wise words from her shop's bio: "We celebrate individuality, recklessness, and creativity. Young & loud & vulgar. We're cheap and we're proud of it, poor kids rock. We love you, so come as you are." You're the shit, Madi. Thank you for this unapologetically bad-ass jacket, and for establishing a brand vision that keeps it real.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beanie - 99 Cent Store
DIY Acid Wash Jacket - PARADOX
New York Pajama tee - YES STYLE
Pink pants - Joe's Jeans

I've kept my distance from pastels lately, but couldn't resist pairing this baseball tee from Yes Style with my carnation pink skinnies from Joe's Jeans. Styled these over a year ago with a mint Ralph Lauren sweater and ivory pumps (Flower Power)... and now I'm taking them to another, grungier level with my leopard Hellbounds (AGAIN, sorry 'bout it!) and a solid beanie. Easy look to imitate... if you have a jacket as rad as mine. And if not, CHANGE THAT PRONTO by ch ch checkin' out Paradox. ;-)

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

Friday, December 28, 2012

CROSS YOUR FINGERS

Blonde and goth... this is new to me. What I love about having short hair is NEVER having to curl it overnight. Gone are my days of sponge rollers. I love how slick and efficient the blown-out side part looks. Even under a beanie, it's easy to manage. And during a windy photoshoot like this one, the rogue flyaways don't give me as much trouble as they used to. Or maybe they do, and I'm just so happy with having blonde locks that I don't care about a few strands getting stuck to my glossy mouth. #Bloggerproblems????



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Beanie - H&M
Chain necklace - Forever 21
Cross sweater - ROMWE

Skull bomber jacket - ROMWE
Leatherette shorts - ROMWE
Ankle boots - YES STYLE
Studded bag - THIS IS TRANSITION

Romwe really brings it hard with their winterwear selection. Though not the warmest choices, I layered a grungy, cross-print sweater with a skull design silk bomber jacket. It's an obvious pairing for a gal who swears by baggy knits and satin. And the simple shorts fill in the spaces in between -- they'll certainly command a presence this spring and summer when it's warm enough to pair them with cropped tees and bandeaus. For now, they look perfect with opaque tights and ankle boots. I could get used to this!

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

Thursday, December 27, 2012

LAND OF A THOUSAND GUILTS

Could have went with a Metallica lyric for the title of this look, but "1979" by the Smashing Pumpkins is infinitely more inspiring. It's my last year as a teenager, and the gritty city landscape I posed alongside plays into my urban adolescent theme. Nothin' 90s about a spiked snapback and 6 inch square heels, but the 'frustrated rebel youth look' is timeless. BILLY GETS ME FOR SURE. I'm rocking a pair of UNIF Hellbound Platform boots (limited edition on Nasty Gal) -- very exclusive, much adored, and a perfect fit for my print-crazy wardrobe. They look so cute next to my other two pairs. A little Hellbound family. Thank you, Nasty Gal, for offering me the opportunity to give the Las Vegas concrete a piece of me with some sky-high stomp treatment. These platforms pair well with my winter gear: ripped jeans from PacSun and a two-piece denim jacket from Chicwish.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Spiked snapback - ROMWE
Ladder necklace - Vanessa Mooney
Jean/mustard jacket - CHICWISH
Metallica crop top - Hot Topic
Belt - Yes Style
Ripped jeans - PacSun
Backpack - Yes Style
UNIF HELLBOUND PLATFORM BOOTS - UNIF x Nasty Gal

So... this is the UPDATED version of my hair. Bleached a cool ash blonde, blown straight, and cropped. It had to be done. Bleaching it brass was a thrill and I wish I could have kept it, but I have no regrets about this new 'millennial' style, too. A colorist named Gianni at the Wynn salon chose the look for me after reading my style through an outfit I walked in with. Black pantsuit, turtleneck, beret, and vintage Ferragamo pumps. It was an enlightening experience, shedding my split ends and adopting a chic new aesthetic at the dawn of a new year. Similarly, it's the dawn of a new era in my own life, and the spankin' new 'do feels fitting. Every time I look in the mirror, I'm reminded of the crazy changes I've made over the past few weeks. Blonde is a symbol. More fun in 2013???? We'll see.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

IT'S HIP TO BE RHOMBUS

Been waiting forever to debut two things: 1) this mod, rhombus-print box dress from OASAP and 2) my hair. I actually got a new cut and color since photographing this look, but the bang of the blonde is still full force. Let these pics serve as a teaser for my 2013 look. I've lately been turned off by the entire concept of nostalgia in fashion because it glamorizes a past that was just as problematic as the present. Making people emotional slaves to the aesthetic of their youth seems unethical to me. Ultimately it's a distraction from social change and a threat to creativity. So I tried to modernize this dress with some urban motifs: a neon beanie, sneaker wedges, and my standby leatherette backpack from Yes Style.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Beanie - Secondhand
Sunglasses - 80s Purple
Rhombus print dress - OASAP
Backpack - YES STYLE
Socks - c/o American Apparel
Wedges - American Eagle Outfitters

Tomorrow I'll unveil some updated photos of my blonde hurrr. But I certainly won't object to you following me on Instagram if you're impatient and curious in the interim ;-) ;-) ;-)
http://instagram.com/bebezeva

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

Monday, December 24, 2012

ANCHORS AWEIGH

Debuting my nautical Frank Olive beret today and I don't intend to put it away any time soon! Couldn't help but to pair it with this incredible Chanel blazer from the Moscow 2009 collection. Sure, Russia and seafaring don't have much to do with each other, but the color schemes are irresistibly complimentary. Paired with my gold-plated Guess booties, this outfit takes nautical kitsch to a functionally fashionable level. Heave a ho there, sassy sailor!



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Beret - Frank Olive
Blazer - Chanel Moscow Collection
Scarf - Chanel Moscow Collection
Boots - GUESS

Red, blue, and gold are seriously underrepresented as a trio this year in fashion! Someday a designer will put out a line that combines all my favorite elements of the 'chic nautica' theme and I'm gonna go NUTS. It's timeless. It has to happen. Anchors and sailor stripes will never be fast fashion. And if they ever do reach that point... of trendy no return... I'll put out my distress signals. S.O.S.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva