1.23.2010

Culture Clash


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Wow, finally a new post! Thank you all for the sweet comments on Camilla's photography, we loved reading each and every one. It has been a very long week so far. Tuesday, I finally under went my eye surgery for that blocked tear duct and the recovery time has been a bit longer than planned. Lets just say I'm a lightweight and anesthesia mixed with pain meds don't work well for me. Thank god for my loving family.

Last Sunday Camilla and I headed up to Chinatown to do a shoot we've been talking about for a while. The Asian culture has always been a fascination for us and with the Chinese New Year approaching on February 14th, we thought it would be good timing.  We talked about mixing colors, patterns and layering, and then shooting in the middle of bustling Chinatown as a celebration to the new year of the Tiger.

So much of Asian culture we find inspiring, from the vibrant colors, intricate textiles to the fine arts. But of all our reasons, their love of nature and family has to be the top of the list. I have always been a follower of the Japanese designers since my introduction to them in the 80's and have collected many pieces from Comme des Garcon, Matsuda and Yohji Yamamoto. 
Here is some visual imagery from some beautiful movies where the costume design and scenery is awe inspiring.
 

"She paints her face to hide her face. Her eyes are deep water. It is not for Geisha to want. It is not for Geisha to feel. Geisha is an artist of the floating world. She dances, she sings, she entertains you, whatever you want. The rest is shadows, the rest is secret."
Sayuri- Memoirs of a Geisha


The Last Emperor  1987

Camilla is wearing a Vintage skirt, Virgin Mary tee shirt from Lucky Brand, Fuchsia silk wrap blouse from Calypso, Vintage boys school blazer, Vintage scarf from Hermes, Gladiator Heels from Forever 21, Various necklaces from Anthropologie and cuff from India. Fuji Polaroid Camera. All Polaroids are shot by Camilla.

XX Valerie and Camilla

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my, I'm in love with that outfit! I really love how you 2 always manage to mix and match high-street with vintage with brands all so easily and superbly! <3

Camilla said...

Beautiful photos as always! xxx

sib said...

you look gorgeous!! love your style..

xoxo cla

Becca said...

Wow, I love these photos, the atmosphere is so perfect! :) and the make up fits you so well :)

myfloorisred.com said...

Really love your hair style, the fabric and lenght of the skirt and, of cours, your heels! They look great, want them!

Amber said...

wauw you look so cool!!
xoxo amber

Ligeia said...

glad to hear you're getting better missy :)

fantastic photos, so cool and love your hair-do

xoxo


http://fuckfashionfear.blogspot.com

Rock N Revolution said...

Looks like fun! That outfit is amazing...glad to know you recovered from your down time!

Heini said...

Looks amazing!

Unknown said...

Chinese bumps! I havent had them in my hair for ages, my mum used to say they looked really cute. I am always in awe of those small red hot air balloon, think they're really cool.

J'aime
www.tinominosquared.blogspot.com

The Photodiarist said...

Fabulous photo shoot. I love coming to your blog! I love how much thought and time you put into your shoots. Camilla - you could be a model! Val -hope your eye is doing better. Ciao girls. Have a great Sunday.

Vinda Sonata said...

wow, your style really amazed me. you know, you're so creative in mix-and-match. not so many people can be that creative in mixing patterns, but you did that very well.

your look is like.. chic chinese woman meets french women elegance. i really love that scarf, the skirt, and the boots.

nice pictures too. Camilla is so talented.

p.s. i'd like to feature this style in my blog if you allow me to do so :) please inform me ASAP :)

Tatiana Fogt said...

i love this! what a great idea
your shoes are absolutely stunning and i love the skirt
cute cute cute cute!!!
p.s. you got an award from me on Sticky Note :)
XX

M. said...

these pictures are gorgeous, everything is! i love the styling and hair!

lovelove, M.
http://marissaexplains.blogspot.com

smilla said...

so beautiful photos, wow!!
and a fine and funny hairtsyle and eye makeup!

Siru said...

omg, I love these!

juliet xxx

megara said...

wow this is such a unique and very artistic shoot! you look great. i love all of the colors i'm seeing!!

beautiful!

freshbrownies.blogspot.com

Vinda Sonata said...

re: i'm alrady a follower of your blog from quite a long time too :)

thank you for allowing me to feature that, of course i will link your blog back :) i'll notify you once the post is made.

have a nice day!

Unknown said...

this is intensely amazing. the theme and idea is just wonderful! did you know that chinese new year hits on the same day as valentine's this year? :D

xx

Clo by Clau! said...

Very nice pictures, sorry it takes me a lot to get back to your comment ;)

I follow you on bloglovin

Saludos,
Clau!

Rūta said...

I deffinitelly couldn't call this minimalistic, but i like how things miss-match here: the colors, the patterns, accesories and lenghts. Edgy but not too much. Very beautiful.

Vinda Sonata said...

here's the entry i've promised you:

http://vindavindasonata.blogspot.com/2010/01/east-meets-west.html

thank you so much for letting me feature this beautiful outfit!

SabinePsynopsis said...

Wow, great pics!

sewa mobil murah said...

beautiful picture and girl
i love this blog

sewa mobil murah said...

beautiful picture and girl
i love this blog

Anonymous said...

GORGEOUS
love the colors
beautiful photos
thanks for sharing as always
and thanks for your sweet comment, i really do appreciate it!

-cma
COSMICaroline.blogspot.com

A said...

I have missed you two!!!
absolutely in awe of this post. Everything about it. Come see us... finally back in action :)

xxx

refusestolabel.blogspot.com

LaurenSchoon said...

Your style is so cute!
http://champagneandmarshmallows.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous outfit! Memoirs of a Geisha is one of my favourite books and films. I'll be following your blog from now on! xxx

Rock N Revolution said...

Beautiful pictorial.
xo

Teresa said...

Love this shoot! Absolutely gorgeous styling and backdrop!!

http://www.invasionista.com

Schermerhorn said...

love the hair, very well themed.
not to mention the lipstick caught my eye too. very cute