Online Vintage Store

Hello Style-Savvy readers & followers!

Yes, I know...I have been MIA -really missing in action- but I'm back with stellar news; I have just launched SamsaraModa Vintage Store! All things fashion from runway to closet... to closet.

All items filled with frill and edge!  Handpicked for you!

Go to the link on the right to SHOP SAMSARAMODA,  

http://samsaramoda.bigcartel.com/   and check back often. 

Please contact me at Samsaracouture@gmail.com with any inquiries.

Fashionably yours,

 Samsara

Winner photo "ZARA People" Contest

by Samsara

This was a collaboration between stylist Adelina Aleksandrova and myself. We were just informed today that our photo was chosen to feature in the ZARA People Contest!
I always find that if two or more artists can get past each other's bizarre and obstinate nature..they can do fabulous things together!
...Sorry, have to run now, we are off to spend our prize money at ZARA!

This is the link:
 http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category/us/en/zara-S2011/99512/Week%2B%232

On the Street...with Adelina Aleksandrova

On the streets of Las Olas, fashionably styled by Adelina Aleksandrova. 

All Zara, spring collection 2011. Photos by Samsara.

In Full Bloom...

In one of my posts dating back in February I mentioned how sorbet hues would be in full bloom this spring, well, this is what I had in mind! Well done Bebe! Stellar line and photo shoot;  I love it all: colors, textures, makeup and accessories!

by Samsara

O’Shun…the Goddess of Love, Rivers and Beauty

 by Samsara

When my dear friend Sherine B. showed me her brochure designed for her full line of skin care, sun care and massage products, I immediately envisioned a photo session … and I was ecstatic at the idea to take upon this task.

    Sherine, a cosmetic chemist, was raised in Senegal and graduated from the Institut de Parfum, Aroma and Cosmetics in Montpellier, France. Her line of products is formulated with organic extracts such as Green Tea and Baobab, strictly void of animal-derived ingredients, nut oil, parabens or silicones. These products strike me for their fresh fragrances, velvety textures and adorable packaging.

   When visiting her home for a few test shots, Sherine enlightened me -in her very gracious French accent- with the mythology of the Goddess O’Shun and, the reason why she chose to use this name as one of her labels became very clear. O’Shun, the West African Goddess, is the mother of water, love and everything beautiful such as jewels, amber, cowrie shells, brass, gold, river rocks, perfume, mirrors, shades of yellow. She represents the cosmological forces of water, moisture, and attraction. 

   “My philosophy is to spread beauty” admits Sherine “love and harmony in the World.”

These are the photos we took.

For more information on Sherine Bichara's line, contact:

SB Cosmetics, Inc 

sherine@sbcosmetics.com

Just for fun...

by Samsara

Another pair of fabulous YSLs and a few pieces of my favorite jewelry. Vintage background. 

A Matter of Taste

by Samsara

When stumbling upon my fellow Italian, photographer Fulvio Bonavia’s artwork a few weeks ago,  I wondered how I had missed out on such a creative artist. I also thought to myself “here is a two fold post; photography and fashion accessories!”

Author of the book, A Matter of Taste, Fulvio started off as a graphic designer creating movie posters to later follow his true calling: photography. Because every photographer should be a good graphic designer, both skills go hand in hand. Fulvio is outstanding in both professions. Adidas, Heineken, Swatch, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Saab and BMW, just to name some of his clients, Fulvio's work is more than edgy and innovative, I would describe it as mind blowing!

A Matter of Taste is a collection of Fulvio Bonavia’s photographs/assemblages of accessories made with food: fruits, vegetables, pasta, fish and candy... He has worked with flowers and other mixed media as well. Does this make him a sculpture too? You can be the judge of that. I'm just happy he is not a designer, so all us fashion enthusiasts won't be going out on a shopping spree -for once-  for an item of his latest collection! Times are tough.

Here is some of his fantastic work.

Ring a bell?

by Samsara 

There is such a wide variety of rings out there lately aside from our ordinary and classic ones;  cluster rings,  knuckle rings, two finger rings, bubble rings,  flower rings, stacked rings, fringe rings, cut-out rings and many more… Have we always had such an ample choice of shapes, styles and symbols? Dazzling rings encrusted with plant forms and animals -birds seem to be a big trend- rings adorned with not only stones but feathers, fur, wood, enamel and lucite. Then again, animals have been an adornment since the most remote times; a typical representation engraved in Egyptian rings was in fact the scarabaeus; early Christians used the Greek symbol Icthus, resembling a fish. And numerous materials were used even in ancient times. Maybe we haven’t invented much after all, nonetheless we can indulge in these magnificent jewels, stand assured there will be one to fit your style and budget. These are some of my favorites pieces. 

1. Aquamarine & Diamond Ring $6,310 barney.com

2. Rachel Roy $55 rachelroy.com

3. Peridot Ring $88 charmandchain.com

4. Faceted Faux Stone Ring $4.80 forever21.com

5. YSL Oval khaki $295 cultstatus.com.au

6. Raw Jewelry by JLRicci Round Camelian Cocktail $750 maxandchloe.com

7. YSL Saint Laurent Arty glass ring $185 net-a-porter.com

8. Ming by Mango Green Ring $20 jcpenney.com

9. Double Greek Ring in Tourmalines $3.735 yland23.com

10 Labradonite and Quartz Midnight ring $1.580 ylang23.com

11. Coral Slice Ring $15 dorothyperkins.com

12 Decadent Swanky Ring, Moonstone $122 charmandchain.com.

Birds of a feather...

By Samsara

Thursday evening I attended a Lola James trunk show at Liliac&Lilies,  a charming upscale local boutique. Kourtney Kardashian, E News host Giuliana Rancic among other celebrities, have been spotted wearing the trendy jewelry.  Butterfly necklaces, beaded bracelets, drop earrings, hearts, elephants and other good fortune charms.  The jewelry however was not the only highlight of the evening. The boutique carries a hip line of merchandise, I had to feast my eyes on.  I have to admit I was blown away by a theme: feathers. Not that I was oblivious that feathers were going to be a big trend this season, but they were everywhere, on hats, shoes, handbags, earrings.  This was pretty ironic due to the fact that just that evening I was wearing a structured cream blouse and a black lace mini trimmed with…yes, feathers, yet a moment before leaving the house I decided that the feathers were perhaps a bit over the top for a trunk show so I changed into an understated Marc Jacobs skirt!

I guess you can say I chickened out!  Little did I know I would have fit right in.

   All jokes aside, feathers are a dramatic touch and you have to know how to wear them, they can be rather kitschy if not styled well.

We have indeed seen lots in the past few months:  on Natalie Portman in Black Swan, we've seen them on the Catwalk with Dior and Givenchy, Gwyneth Paltrow was gorgeous in her fuschia feather earrings during the Grammys, and finally on Oscar night; Hilary Swank, Sharon Stone, and Naomi Watts wore ostrich feathers w/ such feminine flair and elegance, I am now feeling a little bummed to have been missing out on such a trend! 

Photo of the Day

by Samsara


Well, it’s time I came up with a gem of some sort, as I promise in my blog description.

These are my latest gems/purchases: Yves Saint Laurent blush patent leather mary jane stilettos, Melie Bianco Tulle handbag and Hair Accessory by Aldo.

And…before I forget…thank you to whomever dropped off these pristine YSLs at Couture Exchange, my favorite consignment store. I was able to purchase these beauties for only a fraction of the cost! 

Marc Jacobs' Fall-Winter 2011 collection, genius!

by Samsara


     Of all the 100 shows debuted this month during the Women’s Fall-Winter 2011 runway season , one collection had me at the edge of my seat… alas the seat of my home office as a YouTube spectator – but that’s a story for another day.   On a mirrored runway and a venue lined with tufted blue vinyl columns, Marc Jacob displayed the most interesting and whimsical collection of the season! His ensembles were simply dazzling.  The elegant lines, the textures, the harmony of colors, all together in a walk down memory lane of 1940s silhouettes …personal assistants      ( then“secretaries”) , flight attendants (then “stewardesses”), yet in contemporary, or better, futuristic materials.  Elegance did not spring from Jacobs’ quite eclectic choice of fabrics -rubber, polyester, crepe, guipure-lace, paillettes, fake-crocodile, organza and fox fur- but from the peplum dresses, the pencil skirts and sheer blouses. As a result, the contrast of old and new was genius! 

Ok, let’s face it, a little over the top. Some reviews described the show as “simple eye candy”. However these trends –the polka dots, the cupcake hats, the color scheme and the plastic will become a part of our everyday lives.  Some of us will take a liking to its vintage facets, others will be inspired by the edgy and innovative; somehow this collection will all end up in our wardrobes.

Thank you Marc Jacobs!

  Photography by: AP Photo/ Kathy Willens

Bon Chic, Bon Genre...aka BCBG

by Samsara

Simply put, BCBG is by far one of my favorite labels! The Max Azaria label -designed by husband and wife team Max and Lubov Azria- creates fine garments, made with outstanding fabrics and detail. Yes, indeed a bit subdued and minimal. But this allows to mix and match, layer and accessorize. The tailoring is very sharp and elegant. The accessories are always fun and fashion forward, and the footwear, a fusion of trendy designs and high quality materials. I know women who swear by only wearing BCBG shoes.  Daniel Dykes, coauthor for Fashionising.com refers to MaxAzria’s 2011 fall collection as:

 “ A collection whose fabrics are spun in greys, blacks and olives. Detailed yes, layered yes, but overt no.”  I never would have labeled BCBG past seasons as “overt”, figure hugging lines are not necessarily “overt”.  I find most collections to be very feminine and polished.

 BCBG Max Azria’s fall 2011 catwalk displayed longer hemlines, overall flowing and loose garments, lots of turtlenecks, piping and slim belts. Some name this trend 70s sophisticated glamour; remember the high waist wide leg pants and the tunics or maxi dresses?  But...is more fabric equivalent to sophistication when it comes to fashion? The 70s were also known for its Bohemian trends!  Quite honestly, I’m just glad the block bandage dress is finally out. If that means Boho is back, so be it.

Yet sophistication is a key word when it comes to BCBG. I never regretted a single purchase, and if you order online, your pieces come in boxes or garment bags, depending on the items, which makes all us fashion enthusiasts feel special.

  Hence…good style, good attitude, as the French say: Bon Chic, Bon Genre. 

If Chanel, Valentino and Chloe’ say so….

by Samsara

   Sorbet colors will be in full bloom this season; the spring-summer collection will bring us orange, yellow,  fuchsia, lavender  and green …designers and labels have introduced a plethora of garments in these uplifting hues. but …don’t we still need to get the nudes, blushes, and whites out of our systems.

 Yes,  flesh tones were  last season’s trend however  they needed to evolve and transform. They have been embellished with fringes, tassels, feathers, frills, and bows. Lace –eyelet especially- and pieces constructed out of luxurious silks and sheer will make their way into our wardrobes.

 Run your eyes over  Chanel, Valentino and Chloe’s 2011 catwalk  trends -among many other designers-  a neutral palette still dominates … minimalist or fussy, haute couture or mass production,  key pieces remain chic blouses in powdery beiges,  sharp tailored jackets, tulle and tutu-like skirts, vintage petticoats, and maxi tunics.  As far as footwear –booties and wedges will be with us for sometime yet, to contrast and at times, to shock.

Sassy garments that flow,  extrude femininity and sophistication, we love/want  them all.

Cropped Puff Jacket Bebe, Equestrian cropped pants Pinko

                              

   

 

 tank top BCBG, tutu skirt Bebe

I lost my Miu Miu's

by Samsara

This was an interesting shoot. I was at a venue in South Florida for a gig that turned out to be a flop when the talented designer of this charming line of cover ups asked if I could take some shots.

The designer was not too fond of my pictures, I guess she was hoping for full body catwalk shots of her models in full stride. Most of my shots were rather cropped, by design...

Well…the catwalk was only about 20 feet long, sitting on the sand, and at my opposite end was a crowd  of spectators… not quite the Karl Lagerfeld crowd,  so to speak.

Talk about unreasonable requests.

It gets better, by the time I was done gathering my equipment, my pink Miu Miu slip-ons -which I had tossed aside while shooting- were nowhere to be found.

I walked back to my car, after a long day, a gig gone bad, a dissatisfied client, my Miu Miu’s were long gone, barefoot on the scorching asphalt…but I was happy because I was doing what I love to do.  

This one is my favorite shot, yes cropped, but it tells a story.