EASY XMAS: SAFE HOUSE USA

If you are looking for an amazing Christmas gift this season, I suggest a throw blanket from Safe House USA.  They are unique and useful for cozying up when playing with your new iPad or PS4.  The throws are available in both fleece and jersey so they can be gifted (to yourself or a loved one) no matter the climate or time of year.  I obviously have a preference for opulence marble, but you can check out the other prints on the SAFE HOUSE USA website here.

JE Model Celebrates their 10 Year Anniversary

Vladimir Ivanov, Noel Kirven-Dows, Michael Fortes, and Bryce Jamison are styled by Travis Alexander Walls.  Hair by Kien Hoang for Oribe Haircare at Umbrella Salon.  Make up by Janet Mariscal.

Anthony Deeying asked me to art direct JE Model's top men for their 10 year anniversary promo.  It was such a pleasure to work with this talented team!  The clothes were great, the hair and make up flawless, and I made some great friends with these models (including Michael Fortes who I shot backstage at David Hart SS14 during NYFW).  The images were published in The SF Chronicle and on The Fashionisto.  See the whole set here!

RYAN JORDAN SS 2014

Wednesday, September 11th

Former Lady Gaga Designer Ryan Jordan Leaves A Memorable Impression At New York Fashion Week

New York, NY – New York Fashion Week is in full force and the debut fashion presentation by Ryan Jordan left guests and top-tier fashion media from around the globe in awe of this groundbreaking designer and his undeniable raw talent. The highly anticipated Spring/Summer 2014 collection featured bold statement pieces defining the Ryan Jordan woman. Looks were delicately paired with jewelry by Third Crown and hats by Eric Javits. Models showcased 11 looks by the designer, each a unique vision of sexuality and female empowerment. Known for his impeccable craftsmanship and custom work for Lady Gaga, Ryan Jordan’s S/S 2014 collection brought a strong yet approachable take on luxury womenswear, leaving his first official imprint at New York Fashion Week.
 

Guests of the event enjoyed specialty cocktails and Tiger Beer, while G*LEE, founding lady of Liason Femme, an all female DJ collective, spun beats all evening.
 

Ryan Jordan began his career in fashion at only 14, going on to attend the prestigious Parsons’ School of Art and Design. He has completed internships with W Magazine, Alexander Wang, Alexander McQueen, Visionaire, Sonny Groo, and Tom Ford. He worked under the eclectic art direction of Nicola Formichetti and is a favorite of pop icon Lady Gaga. Jordan’s impressive experience and skill have made him a rising star in the fashion industry.

Ryan Jordan’s official stylist Peju Famojure has worked as a contributing stylist for L’OFFICIEL Paris & L’OFFICIEL ART. She has worked at prestigious titles such as, W, WWD and several international Vogue publications.

Patent and iridescent pumps and loafers were graciously provided by designer Andrew Kayla.

Official Makeup Sponsor, Mac Cosmetics, and Hair Sponsor, Prive Salon, collaborated with Ryan Jordan, creating specific looks for his collection. Nails were done by celebrity manicurist, Mar y Soul, and Nail polish was provided by The New Black.

A very special thank you to the evening’s supporters: Uber, Skin & Co, Tiger Beer, and Kindsnacks.

It was an honor to be able to watch Ryan realize his dream.  He has worked so hard and he deserves every bit of praise he is receiving right now - the clothes are modern and fresh, and well made.  His family attended the presentation, and I couldn't help but tear when I saw his mother sobbing with pride. Ryan's cousins and grandmother made an appearance and any room filled with Filipinos makes me miss my family so much.  This was such a special show to see from a future star.

- jerome

David Hart Spring Summer 2014 Backstage

For more backstage photos, visit my Flickr HERE

David Hart's SS14 collection is a brilliant display of menswear.  The aesthetic clearly takes cues from the past, but proportions and details keep each piece modern and wearable.  I wanted to take the whole collection home!  His masterful use of color and print are surpassed only by the quality of the clothes - craftsmanship we have already come to know and love from Hart's famous tie collections.  The Hawaiian vintage vacation theme was set to the live sounds of Nick Waterhouse.  From the music to the styling, the show was an excellent production.

It was an honor to shoot backstage for the Oribe Hair team, led by Kien Hoang.  I have worked on set in San Francisco with Kien before, and it was a delight that a model from the Bay Area was cast in the show as well.  It was such a surprise you guys I literally gasped when they announced this and everyone turned and looked at me it was really awkward when I found out Nick Waterhouse was playing live for the runway show and presentation!  Such a special group made me miss home.

- jerome  

Remembering a moment with i-D

I have probably said this before, but i-D is one of my absolute favorite magazines.  I have every issue since I was 16 or 17 years old.  Their point of view on zeitgeist and youth culture always impresses me, and I have remained an unwavering fan over the years.  So when my friend Ashley told me that she needed help with a shoot for i-D, I immediately collapsed to the floor in tears I said of course!  Helping to style this shoot was a dream come true - and all done with a team of good friends.  I didn't post this during my hiatus for some reason, but taking subway selfies on the security camera today reminded me of one of my favorite memories in New York.  Here is the write up from i-D's website:

“My main objective was to capture the essence of New York City. Having recently moved here I wanted to highlight both its alluring charm but also the harsh reality of a cold city, literally and metaphorically. New York can often feel overwhelming and lonely, which is something people may draw from watching this. Often we find ourselves on trains or in the street surrounded by strangers yet we feel completely alone, brushing past each other but never touching. My choice behind shooting sequences from the air had to do with the idea that events we experience can be viewed from many different perspectives. I wanted to create an environment for the viewer to know exactly where they were but more importantly to make a more believable experience. I guess you could call this project a self-portrait of sorts. I may not physically be in the film however you can see me in every frame.”

Photographer, Videographer and Director: Marco TorresStyling: Ashley Abtahie
Styling Assistants: Brandon Giordano and Jerome IsonModel: Teresa Oman @ Re:Quest Model Management / The Agency Australia
Make-up: Dana Rae AshburnHair: Jeanie Syfu

All original music by Cove

Look 1: Shirt and Jacket 3.1 Phillip Lim. Skirt Amarcord Vintage Fashion. Sunglasses Mercura, Necklace Organic Peroxide NYC. Look 2 (in camera): Jacket Blank NYC. T-shirt, Dress and Boots 3.1 Phillip Lim. Leggings stylist’s own. Necklace Organic Peroxide NYC. Look 3: Jacket and overalls 3.1 Phillip Lim. Shirt Amarcord Vintage Fashion. Vest Amarcord Vintage Fashion. Boots Carven. Necklaces Organic Peroxide NYC. Look 4: Trench coat Valentino. Shirt Only Hearts NYC. Trousers Amarcord Vintage Fashion. Sunglasses Mercura. Necklace Organic Peroxide NYC.

Phillip Lim is one of my favorite designers, so it made me happy to play with a story that included many pieces from his brand.  I was also floored by the eyewear at Mercura NYC!  How gorgeous are the pearl shades?!  A large part of the shoot included pieces from Amacord Vintage.  As up and coming stylists, we do not always have access to major designers.  I think it is important to know how to style with any set of options you are afforded - and vintage is an amazing resource.  Clothing is not rendered unfashionable just because it was not made this season.  Truly great stylists can pull looks from the past that are relevant to the current mood in fashion.



- jerome

Souvenir Jacket/Skazan/Sukajan No. 2

Vintage Script Japan souvenir jacket, J.Crew tee, Levis denim, Frecap Shoes

Here is another souvenir jacket in my collection.  I acquired it in a small thrift store in Seoul.  It was in pretty awful shape, but it reminded me of an antique that just needed a little refurbishing.  The colors shine bright after dry cleaning and the details in the embroidery stand out.  A few stains remain to remind me of its age.  Red, gold, and green combined is lovely.  This jacket reminds me of the holidays without looking costume - I think of home whenever I look at it.

Script Flower Trip Orchestra is a brand from Japan that creates beautiful souvenir jackets.  The colors they use are unique and their quality is unmatched.  Looking through their current offerings online, I am intensely overwhelmed by how many styles I want to get.  There is an attention to detail that makes each jacket worth every yen penny.  All of their souvenir jackets are reversible: one side featuring the standard double breast design front with contrast sleeves and the other side with embroidery encompassing the entire garment, often over seams and zippers.

This particular jacket may be a brand special.  The bird (I am not sure if it is a crane or phoenix) is actually the brand's logo - not to mention the brand name "SCRIPT" emblazoned on the back.  The other side features a beautiful dragon that wraps around the shoulders and onto the chest.  I like the symbolism of a phoenix and dragon in one piece - masculine and feminine.

- jerome

Hard and Soft

Alexander Wang by Melvin Sokolsky for Harper's Bazaar US August 2013 

Alexander Wang presented stunning marbled pieces for his first collection at Balenciaga.  His unexpected succession to Nicholas Ghesquière had me nervous for what was to come.  Ghesquière's whimsical genius made me a fan and I thought Wang's aesthetic, though cool in a different way, was a departure from what made Balenciaga a powerhouse in contemporary fashion.  When I clicked through the looks, it was clear that Wang had stayed true to his point of view while innovating in the spirit of Balenciaga, thereby creating a new identity for the brand separate of Ghesquière.  Success!

In my head marbled prints translated well for fashion, but it was not until I saw this photo in Harper's Bazaar that I got excited about applying marble print in textiles for interior design.  The marble printed chair Wang is sitting in comes from designer Maurizio Galante's collection "Louis XV goes to Sparta."  My brain is telling me that the chair should be as cold and hard as marble, but the silhouette would lead me to believe that it is as comfy as any vintage velvet arm chair - AND THAT I NEED ONE BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

My obsession with marble patterns comes from my mother.  When our house was being built, she was very specific with her marble choices - everything imported, everything authentic.  I would lay down on the cool floors of our foyer on hot summer days, tracing the cloudy lines in the marble tiles with my fingers and making up stories with the shapes.  I could hear the clicking of shoes every time someone came through the front door.  The luster that appears when the sun hits the stone at the right angle still reminds me of my childhood.  I like how marble can be manipulated in different ways.  It is hard and cold, but can be chiseled into the most stunning and timeless sculptures.  The unique patterns in marble can be seen everywhere in nature, but the minimalist in me loves a good monochromatic moment that comes from the rock.

And what do you need to go with your marble arm chair?  Marble duvet covers of course!!  These duvet sets from Safe House USA are another great use of a marble print.  Once again, the print is used to create a soft and comfortable product.  While the pillows maintain a rectangular, solid shape, the duvet is more fluid.  I love marble sculptures of people that are worked so masterfully you can almost feel the softness of the fabric through the hard stone.

I have this grand, ornate, baroque style bed frame, so this wouldn't match my bedroom very well, but I am almost tempted to get a set just for my couch in the winter months.  So great!  If anyone sees anything else like this, a play on hard and soft, please let me know.

- jerome