#MyLipMagic with Maybelline Color Elixir

I recently had the pleasure of styling three Maybelline Color Elixir glosses for the #MyLipMagic sponsored social media campaign with Refinery29 and wanted to share the photos from the shoot I did in LA! Since makeup is an element of style worth spotlighting on a blog dedicated to ~the empowerment of beauty,~ I figured it'd be fun to include cosmetics in a conversation about accessories. Something simple like a glossy pucker that corresponds to the rest of an outfit's colorway can elevate a look from "well-curated" to "picture perfect." Maybe it's just me but the goal is always to look like I popped out of a magazine editorial... and what kind of model would I be without the most vibrant lips in a fifty mile radius?

Each outfit was inspired by the "aura" of the color and accessorized with a bouquet of silk flowers to symbolize the timeless nature of beauty. Was so much fun to play with these glosses and the best part is it isn't over... long-lasting shine means playtime for days. ;)



Check out the entire Maybelline Color Elixir collection online!

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

GOLD SCHOOL

The fast fashion set has seen some remarkable aesthetic changes in the past couple years as designers have established a distance between their recent collections and the maximalist, retrogressive themes of seasons prior. Versace's H&M moment in 2011 presented one of the most sartorially exciting collaborations for consumers looking to brand themselves with the ostentatious kitsch of luxury for the masses. An obsession with appropriating saturated versions of other cultures' symbolic markers emerged and manifested in tropical, Polynesian prints, Greco-Roman motifs, and Japanese cherry blossoms. Excess, flamboyance, and even the subtle insinuation of entitlement to translate world cultures into playful commodities became chic in mainstream fashion circles. But by 2013, the trend tables have turned to favor austerity, futurism, and an idea of a globalized world where cultural themes cannot be appropriated because they simply do not exist. Instead of ironic baroque print bomber jackets, the fast fashion set is now scrambling to be seen in sterile silver and white or minimalist active wear. Function has finally trumped form -- perhaps not because it deserves to, but because commerce demands that new aesthetics develop and conquer in order to stimulate a subsequent trend that people feel obligated to buy into. 

Well. Not me, not today. I'm gonna back track and continue to wear the flashy clothes that I have because I honestly can't afford to trade my rococo for Raf Simmons. Yes, it's cool to enter a new phase of fashion in which innovation is rewarded and efficiency is held to a higher standard than appearance alone. But it's not cool to feel "pressured" to buy membership into that movement. And it's not cool to feel excluded and ashamed because what you're wearing is representative of a conflicting (maximalist) paradigm. 

I called this look "Gold School" because, besides the obvious metallic reference, my look is commemorative of a luxury hip hop theme that probably won't be considered "novel" or "innovative" anytime soon. Old school, new perspective, same aesthetic allegiances.



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Embellished snapback - OASAP
Gold and amber necklace - DAILY LOOK
Crop top - American Apparel
Transparent waist skater skirt - MUSTARD CARTEL
Modern sandal heels - DAILY LOOK

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

CHECKMATE MOD

If I say that I'm really seriously committed to blogging consistently again would you believe me? Feels like I keep dropping in then peacing out... but I swear on all that is holy that this time is different. If there's one thing I could use more than an Hermes personal shopper to hook it up with a Birkin bag it's a #lifestyle change. And part of this season's new lifestyle is blogging every day, without fail, as an exercise in relieving ~emotional tensions from within~ through the very cathartic and creative process that is fashion blogging. Yep. I feel like putting myself out there both visually and verbally is the most constructive way for me to keep my "sartorial chakras aligned." These photos are from a couple months ago, back when my hair was still a perfect shade of platinum blonde. I've since dyed it brown and watched it fade into dirty blonde territory but the memory lives on nonetheless... bye bye Blonde Beeb. Onto the next phase of my personhood.

I'm not really sure what's going on fashion-wise these days, especially following Spring 2014's NYFW. I do know that "dazzling blue" was named Pantone's Color of the Year, but that's a bit irrelevant to me since I very rarely (if ever) wear bold colors besides pink and red. So I'm sticking with what I know best, and that's compensating for color with clash. I'm black and white head to toe, but a far cry from minimalism nonetheless. This checkerboard and diagonal stripe juxtaposition is more "cheeky" than "chic"-- perfectly in sync with how I'm feeling these days. ;)



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Hat - Vintage
Rhinestone cuff necklace - ROMWE
Check print top/dress - ROMWE
Diagonal stripe skirt - ROMWE
Patent heels - Daily Look

Clearly inspired by the 60s, but particularly the boxy check print resurgence we first saw in Louis Vuitton's SS 13 collection. Oh, and yeah, this would be the first time in a really noticeably long time that I'm wearing socks with heels again.^_^

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

LET'S GET IRL: H&M AT THE GALLERIA IN HENDERSON / LAS VEGAS!

As a long time customer of H&M, I'm especially proud to announce that I've been invited to celebrate their latest store opening here in Las Vegas! Tomorrow at noon, I'll be greeting customers at the new location in the Galleria mall in Henderson. And as part of H&M's global garment recycling program, I'll also personally style customers who donate any old or unused apparel (regardless of brand) as a way to encourage environmental responsibility. If you donate, you'll also be entered to win a gift card from $50 to $100! So you're donating clothes for a progressive cause, and you'll walk out looking super cute -- I promise!

H&M is the first retailer with an innovative and environmentally-conscious program like this, so I'm really excited to take part. And having the opportunity to fashion fresh looks for customers like me is a bonus, too! The first 100 shoppers will receive a free H&M t-shirt and Access to Fashion Pass (valued from $10 to $300 - woo!) so come earlier than later. Party, shop, do something constructive for charity, and maybe even win a gift card all at the same time. IT'S A DATE.

I'm stoked to meet you guys and share my creative inspiration with you in person, so pick out something cute to wear for tomorrow and don't make any other plans. ;) Can't wait!

WHEN: Thursday, September 19th, 2013
              Doors open at 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: H&M at Galleria at Sunset
               1300 West Sunset Road
               Henderson, NV 89014

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

FUCHSIA FLUSH

A little while ago I decided to give 'The Traditional Club Look' a test drive by stepping out in a fuchsia peplum bodycon dress from Fairground. I'm usually the type to wear something most people would consider "unflattering" to an event in which neat silhouettes and feminine styles are encouraged. Validating a dress code is most definitely my worst fashion nightmare. But after some indiscernible quantity of public appearances in garishly unorthodox ensembles, the novelty wears off. And it paradoxically becomes even more head-turning to wear a look that does conform to expectation. So after enough hesitation, this outfit coalesced... and it turned out to be much more of a sartorial surprise than a look that would have actually been true to Bebe Zeva character. You know, like harem pants and sneaker wedges and an iPhone 5 charger wrapped twice around my neck. Instead of the usual response -- hands on hips and a lighthearted "you would..." -- I was met with (for the first time ever) a "you wouldn't!"



FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Gold necklaces - ROMWE, Daily Look
Fuchsia peplum bodycon dress - FAIRGROUND
"Modern sandal heels" - Daily Look

Maybe I'll just start dressing like this forever? Like literally just showing up for class in ass-accentuating mall dresses and ostentatious costume jewelry... this seems like a good segue into a conversation I'm going to force my readers to have with me about the Female Dialectic. I'm expected to honor an aesthetic wherein my "feminine qualities" like boobs, hips, and a butt are highlighted, otherwise I'm considered unattractive. And as a woman, my attractiveness is directly proportional to my worth as a human being. But then when I actually wear this shit out in public, I get slut-shamed for trying to draw attention to my body and appearance. I'm labeled 'superficial' and 'trashy.' As a consequence, lots of women instead opt for "the natural look" or pride themselves in resembling "one of the guys." But I find that behavior to be problematic as it encourages assimilation to androgyny and a concentrated movement away from symbols of femininity. I don't believe that women should ever reject clothes or products they associate with a "socially constructed idea of womanhood." I don't believe that is productive to the feminist cause. I believe that embracing what is associated with womanhood sends the message that there is nothing to be ashamed of. High heels, heavy makeup, tight clothing, so what? Shaming these symbols because they are "fake" is like expecting a POC to reject elements of their own "socially constructed culture" because it contributes to their oppression. NO. SHAME and REJECTION contribute to oppression. Celebration does not. Agency does not. Subverting what society encourages us to move away from because it is 1) a threat to conformity and 2) a reinforcement of diversity is empowering.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

HALO RANCH

I haven't worn anything particularly Western inspired lately, so this look was especially fun to put together since it tapped into a more or less dormant region of my sartorial repertoire. I LOVE manipulating old standby themes to reflect more recent trends -- the small details like gold chains and a baroque patterned blouse elevated this look from "desert rock" to "desert luxe." The dress, which seems like a simple white gown in the front, actually features a brushed gold chain arrangement in the back. It's appropriately titled the "Pyramid Chain Dress" and looks damn good even when it isn't paired with a *colossal* floppy hat and costume jewels. Thank you, Bold Cupcake!

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Hat - Zara

Baroque print blouse - YES STYLE
"Pyramid Chain Dress" - Bold Cupcake

Boots - Buffalo Exchange

I put together a small mood board of photos that inspired this outfit's "vibe." There's a baroque and Renaissance element, halo motifs, but mostly a Californian desert aura suspended in a lens flare...

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva

PACIFIC HI-FISLANDER

You've definitely seen this tropical print on me before -- I've worn the bomber twice already, once with velvet leggings (HIBITCHSCUS) and once with leopard print shorts (TROPIC FEVER). But you've never seen its matching dress! Yes, the hibiscus bomber has a hibiscus twin. Prints on prints are popular this year, especially as matching sets gain popularity and designers, stylists, and consumers alike opt for looks that feel deliberately 'put together.' I didn't even buy the bomber jacket from the same website as I bought the dress! I just knew I couldn't debut the latter without the former... it needed one extra layer. And what better than identical outerwear?

I should probably acknowledge my awkward ~1 month absence from blogging... August was *the* most hectic month of my summer/entire life. I moved out of my mom's house, temporarily lived in a hotel, temporarily lived with a friend, then begrudgingly moved back in with my mom, went to New York City for 10 days on an admittedly cliche soul-searching expedition, then re-enrolled in college, where I am right now, typing out this blog post. I have also eaten 400 calories worth of wheat thins since I started this paragraph. So as you can surmise, I am completely out of control and not even remotely closer to understanding 'who I am' or 'what I want to do.' All I know is that I am compensating for an absence of identity with copious amounts of whole grain crackers. I'm hoping that having to attend classes and respect deadlines will reinstate some structure and normalcy in my life... and as a result I'll get back to blogging more regularly. ^_^




FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:

Silver baseball cap - Buffalo Exchange

Hibiscus bomber jacket - YES STYLE

Hibiscus print dress - ROMWE

"Modern Sandal Heels" - Daily Look

I've worn this silver baseball hat at the very least 500 times between now and last August when I bought it... made its initial grand appearance in LA and has topped off outfit themes like sports luxe, cyber swag, and everything in between. I'm SHOCKED that I haven't showed it to you before?!?! I feel like every one of my readers has been cheated of some veeeeery central information.

It's probably a good thing that I haven't played out the silver hat signature... I'm definitely on the fast track to becoming predictable with my cuff necklace and lucite sandal obsession. Pray for my creative process. PRAY. I should probably invest in more jewelry and shoes. I'm just too overwhelmed with life right now to allot any time to online shopping. Still need to buy all my college textbooks, print out my homework, write my novel, and respond to the one million unanswered emails festering in my inbox. 

Jk.

Shopping online eternally comes first.

Everything is infinite,

Bebe Zeva