some velvet mourning

It's been decades -- lifetimes -- since I've visited my former world of lace veils and marble-sweeping gowns a la Lydia Deetz. I guess when you do something too intensely and too often, you get bored with the entire concept and lose interest in even the idea of reinventing it. So I let go of traditional gothic, of graveyard chic, of funeral fashion. Finally I've been reincarnated enough times to desire a return to my former signature. Here I am, cloaked in only the most depressing velvet and melancholy maxi lengths - a draping dress and feathered hat custom made by a fabulous UK artisan named Tonie. The old-school masterpiece I'm wearing here was especially made for me in all my glamorous goth glory. It's good to be back! 




Hats by Tonie Roselle, Etro velvet evening shawl, Akira maxi dress

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

spring persueded

Paisley. Velvet. Suede. Spring. Spring. By the look and feel of things, this season won't be any peppier than the others (which is not at all if you're me). But I'm hoping that great weather will bring greater incentives to walk outside and soak up some vitamin D for an extra 'happy kick' here and there. Maybe this time of year will change me in more ways than sun exposure... after all I am turning 22 in May (the 7th to be exact, just in case any of you wonderful people are considering throwing me a *surprise birthday party* wink wink). I don't really know how to go about processing my age because it doesn't match my lifestyle or attitude or expectation. As a kid, the '20s' seemed pretty old, sophisticated, fun, sexy. I imagined myself in a maxi skirt attending college in Boston, already working on my second or third novel in the courtyard grass. I thought I'd already be published, well-known, independent enough to live in a dorm room, disciplined enough to even get into an ivy league at all. Instead I'm wearing yoga pants, living with my mom, bitter about my academic failure and nowhere near publishing anything except this blog post. My net worth is even identical to what it was in sixth grade when my only expenses were Starburst and Orbit gum. I know life is full of surprises but I didn't realize they'd all be this... unflattering. My only solace, my constant respite, is clothes. They make me feel good about myself even when my track record doesn't.

My mom and I arranged this outfit together. I find that including my mom in the process of arranging a look, choosing complementary locations, and photographing the whole shabang is SO much more gratifying than riding solo. I might be bossy but lord knows I could use a reality check every once in a while from mama-knows-best. ;)



Romwe sunglasses, Etro paisley and velvet scarf, vintage turtleneck and suede miniskirt, Jimmy Choo Rhea purse, Missguided platform boots

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

viva rosa

Since bandana paisley and floral print are clearly my shit this season, today's outfit makes me feel like I did myself a generous service. Several other elements of this look that more or less define my personhood: impractical vinyl wedges paired with hyperpractical velvet joggers, clubmaster sunglasses (especially ones reflecting the downtown Vegas skyline), striped faux fur and a spectrum of reds from matte rouge on my lips to a maroon orange in the bricks behind me. Athletic glamour will never go out of style. Like, ever. I mean at least until its ineffable charm is subsumed by a Wal-Mart boardroom of coolhunters. We still got time, people.

This oversize tee, which functions just as well (if not better) as a dress, is accented by both a rose bouquet around the collar and a silver zipper that splits up the hem as it draws eyes down to the second half of the ensemble. Y'all gotta check out Ovidius Clothing and their other designs -- prints are the team's specialty. There's def a lot going on in this look but I better not need to explain why that isn't a bad thing... if you're on this blog, you're no stranger to maximalism. Living in a highly excited state of overstimulation since '93.





Ovidius Clothing "Rosa" XL tee, MeeMee Mono Stripe Faux Fur Coat, Sheinside joggers, Pink Brix Coco Ring and Brandi Choker

Everything is infinite,

Bebe

heiress

In this outfit I'm roleplaying an Eastern European (possibly Russian?) heiress who wears exclusively velvet pantsuits and extravagant furs. Of course my leopard is only faux, but my alter ego knows no difference. She's only old money in the script I write for her. If there's one thing we fundamentally have in common it's intimate appreciation for this Chanel framed bag, my little pet art purse named Marcel. I could go on, but you probably heard enough in my Modulart post when it was first introduced. 

Thank you Bardot for adorning me in the leopard opulence crucial to this lavish role. Australia always getting it right.



Bardot leopard crop coat, Sheinside velvet pantsuit, Chanel Priveé frame bag

Everything is infinite,

Bebe

candy floss

Because sometimes looking like a baby doll assuages the torment of not feeling human.



Pemba Boutique Candy Floss bow dress, OASAP velvet platform, Zero UV sunglasses

Everything is infinite,

Bebe

FAST TRACK

Since moving to LA with only ~2 suitcases of clothes to cycle through, I've learned to make practical use of a few pieces that I majorly took for granted back in Vegas. I've had these velvet track pants for over six months, but only started wearing them as frequently as I do now (which is once a week at the very least) in November, when my options were severely limited to what I could fit in luggage. I never really appreciated having such an expansive wardrobe back at home -- I never even wondered what it would be like to have to eventually wear an item of clothing multiple times out of necessity and not ironic fun. Now, having a closet that I can zip neatly into a suitcase means having to get *seriously* creative with unfamiliar limits. Fortunately the sweatshirt is new (c/o OMG Fashion) although I promised myself I wouldn't go into flowery detail about how "luxurious" the quilted fabric feels against my bare skin in wintertime because sadly no one ACTUALLY cares about that shit. Not even me.

A motivational New Years prep talk for myself: I want to be more earnest about my pursuit of a fulfilling life. That means expecting others to be more honest and communicative with me only after I am confident that I can offer them the same respect. You get what you give, and so far I don't feel like I've given as much as I am capable of. I am often selfish and greedy, lazy, fearful, self-sabotaging, and unmotivated. Finally I'm learning to accept that despite these shortcomings, I deserve secure relationships and a rewarding career. I'm not better or worse than anyone, no more or less deserving of intimacy and love. Everyone is equal. And there is no one in this world who should have to look out for their goals while guiding mine because I'm supposedly too special to rule my world myself. I'm an adult now, 20 years old. And with the reluctance of my inner begrudging teenager, I independently have to look out for my well-being without expecting to be 'saved' by others. Only I am responsible for my own happiness, and 100% in charge of the 50% role I play in my pursuit of love. 

Happy 2014, enjoy the commemorative 2013 throwback beanie. It's hard to part with the past. 



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beanie - Gift
Clubmaster sunglasses - Zero UV"Quilted Monochrome Jumper" - OMG Fashion
Track pants - Sheinside
Heels - Missguided

Don't forget to follow me on instagram! @BebeZeva

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

HOLIDAY IN THE SUN

If you follow me on Twitter (so sad that this is even a CIRCUMSTANTIAL scenario - if you're reading this, that means you have an Internet connection, and if you have an Internet connection, that means you should have a Twitter, and if you have a Twitter THAT MEANS YOU SHOULD FOLLOW ME??) you ALREADY know that I'm a Mary Kate and Ashley enthusiast. I believe in everything MK and Ash represent: creating an empire out of the novelty that is your youth and selling out to the Big Boys. In my humble opinion, HOLIDAY IN THE SUN is the magnum opus of the Olsen twins' film career. We're talking about a movie that stars two babes in tinted, wire-rimmed glasses hanging out at the ATLANTIS RESORT™ for 87 minutes. Better yet, Weezer's on the soundtrack and Megan Fox plays a character named "Brianna Wallace," first class brunette bitch with a 'tude so fierce it even knocks me off my impossibly high horse. "Messages please?" she spits, with her signature sexy sass. I know she and the twins are pitted against one another as they duel it out for irresistibly surf chic JORDAN (Brianna knows what she wants and it's him,) but I'm the kind of film connoisseur who roots for every character, as long as they have an awesome sense of style. And I'll be the first to tell ya... protagonists and antagonists alike, the fashion in this tropical work of avant cinema is IMPECCABLE. So superb that I designed an outfit inspired by the VHS cover.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Hawaii snapback - Gift
Baroque print jacket - AKIRA
Palm tree top - BLOOD IS THE NEW BLACK
PU Leather shorts - OASAP
Heels - Missguided

Sooooo... The Baroque Jacket. The pattern is very 2012, but opulent gold motifs are still in service so definitely worth the debut. ~ Thanks SHOP AKIRA for keeping my look "a look."

The BITNB top has been waiting for a cameo since I was 19 or something... oh the distant glow of youth. Has a similar aura to the yellow > orange > brown gradient.  

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

SPIRIT OF THE MIND'S EYELESS

Not sure what all this new age "third eye" crap means, but I've heard a million and one people reference it in passing over the years. There's a lyric in a Slipknot song called 'Eyeless' that goes "look me in my brand new eye." I have no idea what that means either, but I'm willing to guess that it has more to do with psychosis than spiritual enlightenment and chakras. Nonetheless, I couldn't resist a sartorial mash-up between the hard shell of a metal band and the soothing nature of Eastern philosophy a la Paul Hardcastle. The result: a party city rhinestone posing as a sparkling tool for clairvoyance, a mysterious velvet robe (one that's made many an appearance here on FTBH), and, yes, Slipknot SHORTS. The genius behind band tees for ya booty is Kay from Look Killer. Check out her Facebook page for the good stuff!



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Beanie - 99 Cent Store
Robe - Frederick's of Hollywood
Necklace - Vanessa Mooney
Mesh insert bodysuit - Ooh La Luxe
Slipknot shorts - LOOK KILLER
"Conquest bootie" - Pink & Pepper

And if you're still not feeling 'out of body' after a meditative Slipknot listening sesh, try this Paul Hardcastle track instead... the second half of my Look. OG Aesthetic.






Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva