4.28.2010

Joie de Vivre

This past weekend we celebrated Camilla's 18th birthday. We wanted to share the happy day with a shoot celebrating our Joy of Life that we have right now
   The day before Camilla's birthday I pulled out this dress I have kept for her from my closet of precious keepers. It is by the designer ISAIA. 
Never heard of him? 
Isaia Rankin was designer in NY back in the 80's who made clothes out of cotton lycra. But he also combined it with other fabrics like cashmere, turning it into body conscious, modern, and sleek designs that were also affordable. He was a huge hit in the late 80's and sold out regularly at stores like Barneys and Charivari. He was actually a genius and on top of that a really wonderful person. He would go to Barneys and pretend to be a sales person to get the customers take on his clothes. I remember the time I went up to his studio to visit a friend who worked with him and that was the first and only time I met Isaia. But he was so gracious and kind and I thought my friend had the best job ever.
Sadly, Isaia died at the young age of 35 and with his death the company couldn't continue, even though they tried. I found this Video of him on Fashion TV Flashback that is so worth watching. It shows him and his clothes and will surely make you smile. When I showed the video to Camilla and her friend,  her friend said  "Oh wow, it looks like American Apparel!" to which I replied  "Well, there would be no American Apparel if there hadn't been ISAIA.
You tell me what you think? But he was fabulous, and he made a lot of people smile:)
 So,  Joie de Vivre and Enjoy!
XX
Valerie and Camilla




24 comments:

C. Anne said...

Gorgeous, this should be in a magazine! Looks like a fun day was had!

Marcie said...

Awesome pictures. I just love the balloons! :)

xo,
Marcie

Vicky said...

great pictures, looks like alot of fun :)

thesebittersweetcitystreets.blogspot.com

Jen Hsieh said...

These pictures you took are stunning! :)

Anonymous said...

Most of these pictures look a little oversaturated--which tends to be a bit unrealistic. Otherwise, excellent.

Cindy / Aka Chymecindy said...

Awesome. You are so pretty with those ballons

Madeleine said...

absoulutley nice pictures

Cha ♥ said...

You're so pretty! And what a lovely photoshoot that was <3

FESI-NOIR said...

You're beautiful. Amazing pictures.
Love this blog!

xx fesi-fashion

Anna Stelmakh said...

Amazing pictures, I love your style! Gorgeous dress))

xx

Makena O. said...

that dress is sooo cute!!! i loveit!! hey and are those thake in the newport harbor? looks very familiar.

Viv said...

the pictures are stunning! you look great in them!!




myblissisthisway.blogspot.com

Amber said...

nice pictures!
x amber

Camilla said...

so fun!


INTOTHEFOLDFASHION.BLOGSPOT.COM

Luca Belotti said...

yeah girl...very cool pict...
Please visit my blog and tell me what you think about...and if you want become a follower.
Bye LB

http://lucabelotti.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Seems like all the blogger are posing with balloons. Very cute!

I saw you liked "Clocked Fashion's" DIY Miu Miu heels - just thought I'd share my DIY Miu Miu tights with you: http://www.fvncy.com/2010/03/miu-miu.html

KeepItFvncy,
M.E.

Anonymous said...

i like the pics! and the blog is really cool!
www.myclosetispurple.blogspot.com
xoxo

Unknown said...

Wonderful, wonderful photos REALLY!!

Thanks for sharing ISAIA, what great memories.

Rūta said...

those pictures are so beautiful such a good mood there!

Stephanie said...

wow I just found out about your blog and I'm in love with it so far, all your pics are beautifully taken!

this post is amazing,love the casual look, gotta love Long Beach!! :)

xxxx
Stephanie

steointhecastle.blogspot.com

Ana said...

You are so right... Isaia was so amazing... Everything he created was so unique and beautiful

Thanks for posting the vid!!

ana

http://anasdolcefarniente.blogspot.com/

The Photodiarist said...

Happy 18th C! So when are you going to move to New York or Paris and become a famous model?

Schermerhorn said...

Looks like a fun day at the pier, a great day for balloons.

Unknown said...

Hello, Valerie and Camilla! I just finished reading Patti Smith's brilliant and heart wrenching book about her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe, Just Kids. I felt many connections, most of which was the loss of one of the best friends of my life, Isaia. Robert took many wonderful pictures of Isaia and they died within months of each other from the same wretched disease that claimed so many of our young geniuses. I so love your blog about Isaia. You have totally captured him. I used to call him "Mr. Sunshine." I thought we were going to laugh together through our whole lives, but that didn't happen, and I am still sad about it. I miss him. You have brought him to life with your delightful depiction of him. He would have loved it, I assure you. I have a very beloved stash of his masterpieces that I love to pull out and try on. Thank you!