looking back on flickr archives: whats changed in a year?

The past few days have been really odd here in Arkansas; snow's been falling like crazy and school's been canceled every day. In the past two weeks I've missed more school due to snow than students have missed in the past three years combined. It's been a winter wonderland full of giant snowflakes and unusually freezing temperatures, and since we lack the equipment to clean it off the roads it's been a guaranteed party at my house. Lot of friends, lots of snowball fights, lots of Wii competitions.

I guess the only downfall is that I've lost complete interest in fashion and surrendered all my efforts to comfort, leaving me with very little options as to blog content. Hence, the old flickr archives. It's funny to see the difference in weather from last February to this one, but I assure you all the old photos are from then. This is a small scale shoot Cody did for one of his beginner photography classes. The assignment had to do with highlighting someone 'on the job' so Cody choose to focus on my work as a fashion designer (I only did a few pieces before giving up the hobby) and as a vintage shop owner (boy, do I look like a quitter).

His creativity and off beat thinking never ceases to amaze me.

Shirt: F21 $4
Jeans: Target $20
Vintage 40's Jacket: Goodwill $5
Feather Headband: UO $12
Vintage Sunglasses: Flea Market $15

More stop action film & stills

Below are some of my favorite stills from the pitch black/strobe light shoot we did the other day and one more new, (and yet again) pointless video I made in my spare time. It's silly, but fun. I feel like a video-makin' machine these days. I just wish I had more footage so they could be longer than a minute. I want to fill a whole song!

Damn you vertical photos. Your nearly impossible to see in movie format, but you'll have to do.

Since the cold, rainy weather and my lack of spare time have prevented me from taking any photos lately, I've been living vicariously through my flickr photostream. I find it interesting to look back and see what I've accomplished in a year. You know, goals met, goals forgotten, all those dreams you were gonna make real.

In the fall of '08 I was gung ho about opening a vintage shop. I did a whole lot of buying with constant trips to the Goodwill and Salvation Army here in town. I had this vision where all I wanted to do was style and coordinate editorial type photoshoots with my pretty girlfriends as the models and my talented gay friends as the photographers. For one time and one time only, my vision took form. 4 models, 2 photographers, 1 makeup artist, and me, the stylist. Oh, what a fun day we had.

I had everything so organized. Looks were styled per girl with very close attention to who was wearing what shoes and necklace at what time to make sure nothing interfered. There was a dress rack for the clothes and a pop up tent for changing. We made sure to make it a big 'ta do'.

Here are some of my favorites:

Betsey Johnson dress (looooove)

I was so proud of this pocket. I made it from the hem of the dress using the stripes!

Oh, I miss it.
Perhaps I should do something similar soon. What ya think? Lord knows I got plenty of clothes still hanging on the dress rack ready to go somewhere.

All photos by Cody Henslee & Stephen Forrest.
Models: Kristi Duff, Danielle Green, Hannah Keen, & Diana Portilla
Hair & Makeup: Mollie Booth
Stylist: Moi!

B+W Pt.5 & The Journey Back To Color

I've enjoyed this black + white series, but I'm pretty happy to be returning to color today. I've missed my daily explorations for bare land and the uncomfortable trots in my heels chasing a decent outfit photo.

Viola!
I'm back.

All photos by Cody Henslee

Vintage Dress: Flea Market $6
Vintage Blouse: Stifft Thrift $7.50
Tights: Target $5
Cutout Heels: U.O. $30
Vintage Purse: Thrift $5
Flower Hat: Thrift $3
Velvet Blazer: Saver's $6
Cameo Ring: Rue 21 $5

B + W Pt.4

Alright, so I kinda got a think for Charlie Chaplin.

All photos by Cody Henslee

Silk Turtleneck: Saver's $5
Vintage Pinup Shorts: SallyJaneVintage $34
Tights: Target $5
Bowler Hat: Target $15
Cutout Heels: U.O. $30

Just one more day of black& whites. I have to admit, I kinda miss taking normal outfit photos!

B+W Pt.3

Vintage Velvet

All photos by Cody Henslee

Vintage Velvet Dress: Stifft Thrift $25
Vintage Hat: Estate Sale $8
Tights: Target $5
Cutout Heels: Urban Outfitters $30

Black + White Pt. 2

Sequins + Stripes

All photos by Cody Henslee

Striped Villager: Salvation Army $5
Skirt: Forever 21 $15
Tights: Target $5
Sequin Belt: Wet Seal (from years ago)
Sequin Hat: Forever 21 $8
Vintage Cami: Salvation Army $4
Heels: Urban Outfitters $30

Black + White Pt. 1

After a couple months of dreaming about an all black and white photo shoot with my friend Cody, we were finally able to coordinate some leisure time together. I think I had a lot of inspiration in the back of my mind, but the two things I know had a bit of influence was the photographs from this shoot and all the genius that came from this lady.

For the next few days I will try to entertain you with our progress.

Photos by Cody Henslee

Edwardian Blouse: Stifft Thrift $6
Skirt: Saver's $6
Suspenders: Target $15

Tights: Target $5

Cutout Heels: Rue 21 $30
Boater Hat: Estate Sale $4