So much fun to shoot. I'm going to miss this, but look forward to more outfit shots over the summer as I enlist my poor sister to be my outfit-of-the-day photographer. :)
Friday, April 29, 2011
styling class: zach's final shoot
The other day, after I officially finished all undergrad work, I helped my friend Zach shoot his final. I am so fortunate to find a chick flick, fairytale loving friend in Zach - and that was the inspiration of the shoot. The idea of the shoot was a modern-day fairytale, inspired by those Taylor Swift music videos and cute Asian soap operas. Many thanks to our friend Kelle for being such a wonderful model, and bearing with the 5 outfit changes amidst her busy final schedule.
Guy meets girl, he falls head over heels and tries to start conversation by the book she is reading. What a dork - but a very well matched one at that. The red in her shoes and belt play off of his tie and socks.
Girl left book behind, guy returns the book as an excuse to talk to her. Tries to impress with a semi-dressy shirt and casual jeans, her pink top complements his shirt and hints at the romance about to happen.
Guy and girl start dating, she reads their book to him. A very casual, but light shot, with her light blue sweater top and his white shirt indicating the simplicity and innocence of their relationship.
Guy and girl in relationship, they read the book together. Brown and gray neutral elements used in this shot.
Guy proposes to girl with ring box in book, using a light summer white as the theme for the end to this fairytale.
So much fun to shoot. I'm going to miss this, but look forward to more outfit shots over the summer as I enlist my poor sister to be my outfit-of-the-day photographer. :)
So much fun to shoot. I'm going to miss this, but look forward to more outfit shots over the summer as I enlist my poor sister to be my outfit-of-the-day photographer. :)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
styling class: week 13, post 1
So I kind of forgot what our assignment was supposed to be this week, since I was all caught up photographing the final. I am excited to do the faux-pas dress up though, even though I haven't decided what to wear. Anyway, here's for the long-awaited (yeah, right) post with a semester's worth of progress and work.
Copied directly from what I'm handing in:
Copied directly from what I'm handing in:
Age of the Heart
By Phebe Huang
Statement of Purpose
My personal style is something I’ve long wanted to define with several words, or even better, a single work. I wanted to fall into a category – “classic”, “girly”, “bohemian”, “edgy”, and the many more labels the fashion industry puts on looks and people. Then the realization hit me: I’m everything. My personal style draws from beyond magazine and blog inspirations - it is influenced by my current mood, my personal life, the people around me, and many elements past the fashion industry. The following shoot provides insight to my various styles, most easily categorized by age. When I dress, I become Phebe the cute 5-year old, or Phebe the rebellious 15-year old, or Phebe the sophisticated, Jackie O-like 70-year old. It simply depends on the age of my heart on a particular day.
Concept Idea
The following shoot is a progression through various ages. The concept of the shoot should not be interpreted as costume play of the seven ages and stages of life represented, but rather stylistic elements and influences that can be drawn from these ages. Seven frames are used to depict the progression. Cute and whimsical at 5, casual masculinity at 10, edgy and grungy at 15, romantic and girly at 17, powerful and clean at 25, relaxed minimalism at 40, and sophisticated bohemian at 70.
Location
Local Playground in the Sendera neighborhood in Katy, TX.
Photographer
Dora Huang
Clothing and Accessories
[At 5]
Hat: Claire’s
Shirt: No Brand, China
Green Skirt: Charlotte Russe
Brown Skirt: Mandee’s
Socks: No Brand
Shoes: No Brand, Ebay
[At 10]
Shirt: Charlotte Russe
Vest: Charlotte Russe
Pants: Charlotte Russe
Boots: 59 Seconds
[At 15]
Shirt: 5-7-9
Tank: Charlotte Russe
Skirt: Rainbow
Tights: Silence & Noise
Boots: Dolce Vita for Target
[At 17]
Dress: tfnc London
Socks: Aldo
Shoes: Mudd
[At 25]
Shirt: Mandee’s
Bow Tie: No Brand
Pants: ASOS
Shoes: Fioni
Clutch: xhilaration
[At 40]
Shirt: NY&Company
Pin: NY&Company
Pants: Papaya
Shoes: Forever 21
[At 70]
Trench: NY&Company
Pashmina: D&G
Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters
Eagle Bangle: No Brand, Ebay
Jeweled Bracelet: Forever 21
Elephant Bangle: Forever 21
Shoes: Dexter
Monday, April 11, 2011
styling class: week 12, post 2
A couple of weeks ago, I did a post of a spread that inspired me to add more color to my wardrobe. But I feel there's a reason that more than half of my closet is filled with neutrals. I've been really loving the white movement going on now, which I'm sure you're sick of me mentioning.
As for color and pattern mixing, I feel I'm a true by-the-book, if the two don't share enough similarities or work as contrasts, then it doesn't work. It's much easier to explain this visually.
source: fashion gone rogue
As for color and pattern mixing, I feel I'm a true by-the-book, if the two don't share enough similarities or work as contrasts, then it doesn't work. It's much easier to explain this visually.
source: jcrew ss2011 | harper's bazaar korea march 2011 | lmdu | clothes horse | fashion infusion | all the pretty birds
styling class: week 12, post 1
This past week we talked about one of my favorite things about fashion and personal style - mixing and matching colors and patterns! A part of our assignment was to consider how to incorporate color into our wardrobe by starting off with our favorite color. Mine is white, and lucky for me - the all-white trend is so very hot for the summer. I think I'll be doing that a lot. Must get more white in my wardrobe. I didn't get a chance to take many outfit photos this week since my focus has been on the final project, but mixing colors and patterns is definitely an element in at least several shots. For example, as a preview, the following photo (though you can't see very well) mixes beige floral socks with gold brocade floral sandals. I'm really getting into similar color and pattern mixing. The non-matchy matchy of the matchy matchy is what appeals to me, if that makes sense.
[dress | tfnc london | $33.00] [socks | aldo | gift from eva] [floral brocade sandals | ebay | $8.50]
Monday, April 4, 2011
styling class: week 11, post 3
This post is mainly for Deanne - my proposal for the final project. But for the rest of you who read this blog, this will be a series of photos of me in a editorial-like shoot to be posted in several weeks.
As detailed in my previous posts, I've been struggling a lot with my current style, so I was thinking of doing a shoot to revisit my style in the past and how I want to dress in the future - when I've reached a certain age and maturity. It's less of - "this is how I dress when I'm 5, 10,15, 17, 25, 40, 70" but more of themes I revisit or ponder when I dress myself. The series of photos incorporates many different styles, but hopefully some sort of consistency will be revealed in the clothing and accessories I choose.
The photoshoot will take place on a playground, and will be a series of 7 shots:
Shot 1: Phebe at 5 (on the bottom of the slide)
I will be wearing some of the ridiculously cute items in my closet, that I still pick up at the store because I can't resist looking like a baby sometimes.
Shot 2: Phebe at 10 (being badass and climbing the bars)
I was a huge tomboy in elementary school, playing soccer and hockey with the boys, etc. I'm planning on wearing some more rugged, less structured items in my closet.
Shot 3: Phebe at 15 (on top of a "playhouse" roof)
I was never really the angsty teenager in how I dressed - but I definitely went through that phase. This shoot will incorporate mostly dark neutrals, heavier makeup and accessories.
Shot 4: Phebe at 17 (twirling in grass field)
I had my first love at 17. I ditched my jeans for dresses and heels, but lost even more of who I was for this guy. This shoot will embody the feeling of innocence. Lots of light colors and chiffon.
Shot 5: Phebe at 25 (Standing on a bridge)
I still dream that one day I will become a powerful careerwoman. This shot should convey power, confidence, and be styled sort of like the asian "OL" style.
Shot 6: Phebe at 40 (leaning against the sliding pole)
I want to be a cool middle-aged woman like Anna Dello Russo and Carine Roitfeld. This will be a sophisticated, somewhat minimalistic, lots of draping look.
Shot 7: Phebe at 70 (sitting on a bench swing)
I am going to be one of those stylish grandmas on advanced style. I'm thinking a conservative, neo-bohemian take on this one, to be dressed younger than my age - but not in a bad way.
As detailed in my previous posts, I've been struggling a lot with my current style, so I was thinking of doing a shoot to revisit my style in the past and how I want to dress in the future - when I've reached a certain age and maturity. It's less of - "this is how I dress when I'm 5, 10,15, 17, 25, 40, 70" but more of themes I revisit or ponder when I dress myself. The series of photos incorporates many different styles, but hopefully some sort of consistency will be revealed in the clothing and accessories I choose.
The photoshoot will take place on a playground, and will be a series of 7 shots:
Shot 1: Phebe at 5 (on the bottom of the slide)
I will be wearing some of the ridiculously cute items in my closet, that I still pick up at the store because I can't resist looking like a baby sometimes.
Shot 2: Phebe at 10 (being badass and climbing the bars)
I was a huge tomboy in elementary school, playing soccer and hockey with the boys, etc. I'm planning on wearing some more rugged, less structured items in my closet.
Shot 3: Phebe at 15 (on top of a "playhouse" roof)
I was never really the angsty teenager in how I dressed - but I definitely went through that phase. This shoot will incorporate mostly dark neutrals, heavier makeup and accessories.
Shot 4: Phebe at 17 (twirling in grass field)
I had my first love at 17. I ditched my jeans for dresses and heels, but lost even more of who I was for this guy. This shoot will embody the feeling of innocence. Lots of light colors and chiffon.
Shot 5: Phebe at 25 (Standing on a bridge)
I still dream that one day I will become a powerful careerwoman. This shot should convey power, confidence, and be styled sort of like the asian "OL" style.
Shot 6: Phebe at 40 (leaning against the sliding pole)
I want to be a cool middle-aged woman like Anna Dello Russo and Carine Roitfeld. This will be a sophisticated, somewhat minimalistic, lots of draping look.
Shot 7: Phebe at 70 (sitting on a bench swing)
I am going to be one of those stylish grandmas on advanced style. I'm thinking a conservative, neo-bohemian take on this one, to be dressed younger than my age - but not in a bad way.
styling class: week 11, post 2
So I've been thinking about my post from yesterday, and while I still feel bleh about life and personal style right now, I do feel challenged and ready to take on each assignment we're given each week. Big apology that I'm not going to be able to complete part 2 of this assignment this week - I've honest to God thought about what to wear, what kind of ensembles to wear for each of the 6 different types of mixing styles, but I wasn't satisfied.
For example, on Saturday morning, for "Function", I put on a pashmina scarf as a "sari bra" (using a bunch of safety pins), and wore it with my black harem pants and my black wedge boots. Within 10 minutes, I changed into a t-shirt and shorts. Why? I wasn't satisfied. I felt like I was copying a mix of Karla and random editorials.
But for the sake of the assignment this week, I for sure did my fair share of browsing for inspiration to come up with these ideas.
Style: a mix of girly and grunge, or romantic and edgier elements (side note: i want to puke everytime someone says, and add a leather jacket or some leather boots to a floral dress to take away from the girliness and make it edgier. seriously, how many more times do we have to hear this? isn't there ANYTHING else that can be done?)
Cultural: a mix of eastern cultural prints, but with western silhouettes and carried with western attitude (by this, i mean more relaxed and less conservative rather than cute, bubbly, and traditional qi-pao cuts, etc.)
Seasonal: heavy knits paired with romantic, flowy, silk-chiffon fabrics - as seen in class earlier. exactly the example i would have thought of first as well.
Gender: a pantsuit, but as to not veer too far into masculinity, color/patterns, silhouette/structure, shoes/accessories can be used to play up femininity (both the examples below are actually much more feminine that my "Gender" mixing ideal)
Function: wearing something in a non-traditional, non-purposeful way
For example, on Saturday morning, for "Function", I put on a pashmina scarf as a "sari bra" (using a bunch of safety pins), and wore it with my black harem pants and my black wedge boots. Within 10 minutes, I changed into a t-shirt and shorts. Why? I wasn't satisfied. I felt like I was copying a mix of Karla and random editorials.
source: karla's closet
It felt really awful, because it only reminded me that everything I do now I've learned from religiously reading blogs and magazines. That's why I can transform myself into any kind of style so easily - and have a closet full of pieces from all different styles - because I have no idea what is "me". I feel like I'm all over the place - and to prove all of this briefly - Function is "edgy bohemian", "Occasion" was "bohemian glam", "Gender" was "nerdy prep", "Seasonal" was "mori girl", "Cultural" was "classic bohemian", and "Style" was "edgy soft". Nothing was consistent and everything felt like "poser". I know it takes time to refine personal style, but it's become so frustrating lately as I become more aware, and I feel like Square One is where I need to start again.But for the sake of the assignment this week, I for sure did my fair share of browsing for inspiration to come up with these ideas.
Style: a mix of girly and grunge, or romantic and edgier elements (side note: i want to puke everytime someone says, and add a leather jacket or some leather boots to a floral dress to take away from the girliness and make it edgier. seriously, how many more times do we have to hear this? isn't there ANYTHING else that can be done?)
source: fashion infusion
Cultural: a mix of eastern cultural prints, but with western silhouettes and carried with western attitude (by this, i mean more relaxed and less conservative rather than cute, bubbly, and traditional qi-pao cuts, etc.)
source: pattern people
Seasonal: heavy knits paired with romantic, flowy, silk-chiffon fabrics - as seen in class earlier. exactly the example i would have thought of first as well.
Gender: a pantsuit, but as to not veer too far into masculinity, color/patterns, silhouette/structure, shoes/accessories can be used to play up femininity (both the examples below are actually much more feminine that my "Gender" mixing ideal)
source: karla's closet, yeojin bae s/s2011
Occasion: making a casual item more formal, or making a formal item more casual by incorporating what is traditionally viewed as formal/casual wear (side note: the marc jacobs dress below is my all-time favorite dress)
source: racked
Function: wearing something in a non-traditional, non-purposeful way
source: cool things
Sunday, April 3, 2011
styling class: week 11, post 1
Warning: An unpleasant post that is a bit related to fashion and has no pretty pictures to redeem the awful content.
So I have a little confession to make: I've been feeling a bit disconnected from my interest in fashion and my personal style recently. At first, I thought I was having some kind of style crisis as I've become less attached to the cute, girly style of K is for Kani and Keiko Lynn and identifying with more simple and sophisticated ensembles as often worn by Blushing Ambition and park&cube. But then, I realized that's not really it either. As I scroll through my 600+ daily posts from various fashion blogs, I find that there is little that I like, little that I'm interested in seeing more of despite the fact that I read blogs of so many different types of styles. I've asked myself why this is, why do I all of the sudden, to put it bluntly, do not give a damn? I think it has a lot to do with the fact that personal style has always been a reflection of my life.
More silly confessions: Freshman year of college (which is when i believe my interest in fashion started), I started to truly embrace the girly girl in me. I wore lots of pinks, lace, chiffon fabrics, floral patterns, headbands, etc. I was all about being a girl's girl and still had that hope of finding someone to fall madly in love with in college. I had such an optimistic outlook on life, and love, and the way I dressed practically screamed "Love me!". Things started to go downhill the next year, and after more than a few unpleasant ends to relationships, I had enough of boys, hope, and all that crap I idealized in freshman year. I chopped my hair to the shortest it's ever been since I was 4, wore heavier makeup, and made dark neutrals a staple of my wardrobe. Of course, there'd be that girly skirt I'd wear every now and then, but it looked a whole lot different on me than it did the previous year. Due to internships/work/interviews last semester, people rarely saw me out of work suits.
Then, now happened. The issues in my life have been passive - as in I don't actively react to my problems for fear of hurting myself and other people. I tell myself, Phebe, only x more weeks in this shithole. I'm sick of extracurriculars, college events, public and private parties, and a good number of my friends. My classes have actually become the one thing I've consistently enjoyed, and that's just plain awful. So how does this reflect my personal style? I see myself more and more in my gym shorts, a free Rice t-shirt, and the grandpa cardigan I wear when I'm lounging around. I've honestly tried to care more, to put as much or even more effort into how I dress than in the past, but every single time I put on some of my nice clothes, I don't feel like myself anymore. I feel like a poser, posing as Phebe in the past or the future, but certainly not Phebe of the present. When I'm complimented for my style, I feel undeserving and ashamed.
I feel that the timing of this identity/style crisis is so unfortunate. While this class has been wonderful in forcing me to become more aware of other styles and should certainly relate to my awareness for my own style, I feel like I'm underperforming. What has been on this blog so far has been a reflection of my knowledge of style, of fashion, of what works and what doesn't. It hasn't been a reflection of who I am currently - because I've really been struggling with that. I realize that what I've been lacking is this "Execution" node - but how do I execute when all I feel is detachment from so many aspects of my life? What if, this uniform of gym shorts, a big t-shirt, and this old grandpa cardigan becomes the thing I feel most "me" in, the most comfortable and least annoyed at life in? I think the once stylish Phebe would cringe and die from this statement.
I've thought about how to overcome this problem. Since I'm absolutely sick and fed up with my surroundings here at Rice, I've been going home on the weekends to feel different - to feel happier. It seems like only in a setting with the lack of all things college, can I actually sit down and happily concoct an outfit. So I'm not really sure what the point of this long rant is. Maybe I needed to hear everything out for myself, and maybe I feel that I owe this kind of a disclaimer to anyone that reads this blog - especially Deanne, who's been helping me a lot with finding out what it is I need to work on.
With all of this said, however, I have been thinking a lot about these weekly assignments. In fact, during the 3 hours of STAT 385 every week, I plan the week's outfits and look for the inspiration I need. The work I've actually been doing will come up in a post tomorrow.
So I have a little confession to make: I've been feeling a bit disconnected from my interest in fashion and my personal style recently. At first, I thought I was having some kind of style crisis as I've become less attached to the cute, girly style of K is for Kani and Keiko Lynn and identifying with more simple and sophisticated ensembles as often worn by Blushing Ambition and park&cube. But then, I realized that's not really it either. As I scroll through my 600+ daily posts from various fashion blogs, I find that there is little that I like, little that I'm interested in seeing more of despite the fact that I read blogs of so many different types of styles. I've asked myself why this is, why do I all of the sudden, to put it bluntly, do not give a damn? I think it has a lot to do with the fact that personal style has always been a reflection of my life.
More silly confessions: Freshman year of college (which is when i believe my interest in fashion started), I started to truly embrace the girly girl in me. I wore lots of pinks, lace, chiffon fabrics, floral patterns, headbands, etc. I was all about being a girl's girl and still had that hope of finding someone to fall madly in love with in college. I had such an optimistic outlook on life, and love, and the way I dressed practically screamed "Love me!". Things started to go downhill the next year, and after more than a few unpleasant ends to relationships, I had enough of boys, hope, and all that crap I idealized in freshman year. I chopped my hair to the shortest it's ever been since I was 4, wore heavier makeup, and made dark neutrals a staple of my wardrobe. Of course, there'd be that girly skirt I'd wear every now and then, but it looked a whole lot different on me than it did the previous year. Due to internships/work/interviews last semester, people rarely saw me out of work suits.
Then, now happened. The issues in my life have been passive - as in I don't actively react to my problems for fear of hurting myself and other people. I tell myself, Phebe, only x more weeks in this shithole. I'm sick of extracurriculars, college events, public and private parties, and a good number of my friends. My classes have actually become the one thing I've consistently enjoyed, and that's just plain awful. So how does this reflect my personal style? I see myself more and more in my gym shorts, a free Rice t-shirt, and the grandpa cardigan I wear when I'm lounging around. I've honestly tried to care more, to put as much or even more effort into how I dress than in the past, but every single time I put on some of my nice clothes, I don't feel like myself anymore. I feel like a poser, posing as Phebe in the past or the future, but certainly not Phebe of the present. When I'm complimented for my style, I feel undeserving and ashamed.
I feel that the timing of this identity/style crisis is so unfortunate. While this class has been wonderful in forcing me to become more aware of other styles and should certainly relate to my awareness for my own style, I feel like I'm underperforming. What has been on this blog so far has been a reflection of my knowledge of style, of fashion, of what works and what doesn't. It hasn't been a reflection of who I am currently - because I've really been struggling with that. I realize that what I've been lacking is this "Execution" node - but how do I execute when all I feel is detachment from so many aspects of my life? What if, this uniform of gym shorts, a big t-shirt, and this old grandpa cardigan becomes the thing I feel most "me" in, the most comfortable and least annoyed at life in? I think the once stylish Phebe would cringe and die from this statement.
I've thought about how to overcome this problem. Since I'm absolutely sick and fed up with my surroundings here at Rice, I've been going home on the weekends to feel different - to feel happier. It seems like only in a setting with the lack of all things college, can I actually sit down and happily concoct an outfit. So I'm not really sure what the point of this long rant is. Maybe I needed to hear everything out for myself, and maybe I feel that I owe this kind of a disclaimer to anyone that reads this blog - especially Deanne, who's been helping me a lot with finding out what it is I need to work on.
With all of this said, however, I have been thinking a lot about these weekly assignments. In fact, during the 3 hours of STAT 385 every week, I plan the week's outfits and look for the inspiration I need. The work I've actually been doing will come up in a post tomorrow.
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