Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Love Lockdown

I'm wearing:

1. Cardigan, from H&M.
2. Striped t-shirt, from Zara. 
3. Gray skinny jeans, from Zara.
4. Leather sneakers, from Pull & Bear. 
5. Brown hat, from Zara. 
6. Cross rings from Asos.
School started again. YAWN. Like last semester (and the one before that, and the one before) I don't want to go back. Guess I was really happy at home, watching Teen Wolf like a maniac and sleeping 'til noon. I don't know, you're supposed to love school, right? Especially college. But I don't. I mean, yes, there's been some great classes and I love to learn stuff but school makes me feel trapped by forcing me to do things like homework or studying for tests. 

Still, I know that in a few years I'll be longing for more classes. It's my nature. I'm not ready to leave this prison so it feels like a voluntary lockdown. I want to leave but I can't and, at the same time, I don't really want to leave it. And well, this is boring... 

So, how do you feel about wearing hats? I love them. They're one of the few variations I can do with my hair do. So, yes, I love hats. Hats are good. Hats will save us all. And cross rings. And standing on toes. Yes. Safety. 

// La escuela comenzó otra vez. AGH. Igual que el semestre pasado (y el anterior a ese, y el anterior a ese) no quiero regresar. Supongo que era muy feliz estando en casa, viendo Teen Wolf como un enfermo mental y durmiendo hasta el mediodía. No sé, se supone que la gente debe amar la escuela ¿no? Especialmente la universidad. Pero yo no lo hago. O sea sí, ha habido algunas clases padres y me encanta aprender cosas pero la escuela me hace sentir atrapado al forzarme a hacer tareas o estudiar para los exámenes.  

Aún así, se que en un par de años estaré añorando tener más clases. Es mi naturaleza. No estoy listo para dejar esta prisión así que se siente como un confinamiento voluntario. Quiero no ir pero no puedo y, al mismo tiempo, no quiero irme realmente. Y pues, esto es aburrido...

Entonces... ¿qué opinan de usar sombreros? Yo los amo. Son una de las pocas variaciones que puedo hacer con mi peinado- Así que sí, amo los sombreros. Los sombreros son buenos. Los sombreros nos salvarán a todos. Y los anillos con cruces. Y pararse en punta. Sí. Seguridad. 
Sorry if this post was confusing, 
Hen.

Photographer: Ulises Soto. 

Currently listening: The Amplifetes - Somebody New

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Stylish Dudes: Mike Motsok

For the last couple of months I've been interviewing some cool guys and sharing their thoughts here for a new sub-section within Stylish Dudes. Last month, the interviewee was the 21 year old, really sophisticated, Parisian blogger Matthias Cornilleau from Styl(NOX)e. This month, I interviewed Moldovan (bad-ass) blogger Mike Motsok (whose blog shares his name) from Mike Motsok to start the year with a bang.  

// En los últimos meses he entrevistado a varios chavitos buena onda y compartido sus respuestas aquí para una nueva sub-sección de Stylish Dudes. El mes pasado, el entrevistado fue el blogger francés, súper sofisticado, Matthias Cornilleau de Styl(NOX)e. Este mes, la primera entrevista del año fue con el rebelde y buena onda blogger de Moldova: Mike Motsok, de Mike Motsok (su blog tiene su nombre) para empezar el año con gran actitud.

La entrevista no tiene traducción porque no me gustaría modificar las palabras de los entrevistados; así que deberán sacar su traductor interno una vez más. 

Tell me a little bit about yourself:

It would take a long time to talk about my life, my family or my hobbies; but I'll try to be fast & short. I'm living in the Republic of Moldova. Here, I'm working in the entertainment industry, I was art director of a night club and PR'ing for a lot of clubs & cafés in the city I'm living. Now I'm working with a local fashion store & doing a lot of random & social projects. I write for a small Italian magazine & I'm also studyin' Visual Design in Milan at the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Milano (NABA). I'm planning my own small business, so it's still a secret what it will be :)

Describe an average day of your life:

Unfortunately, I've had insomnia for the last 2-3 years, so I don't categorize my day by morning - day - evening - night. It's kinda all in one. But a normal, not random, day would be like this:

Bed - bathroom - coffee - cigarette - taxi/car - office - photoshoots - work meetings - coffee shop - project - project - project - and then... Uhmmm... I wish I could say warm bed with my girlfriend at night, with movies and rose wine but, unfortunately, I'm single now so I'm doing all that stuff alone. 

Your Lookbook page says you are a journalist. Do you study journalism?

I do not study journalism, I just made a little journalism course & I'm working in that industry. I'm studying web design and soon I want to take psychology as my second faculty.


How do you feel about blogging?

Oh, I love bloggin' but, since last year, I do not have time for that and that makes me sad. I miss my Lookbook & blog times & I simply love the part of creating a small story in my posts. 

When did you become invested in fashion, how was that process?

I've always tried to look good & dress well, but I became involved professionally in fashion like 2-3 years ago. It was spontaneous and I had the help of my ex-girlfriend Doina Ciobano from www.thegoldendiamonds.com, we started together. 

Who would you consider a stylish dude from this time and why?

Definitely Kanye West, man, he's just a genius. He's one of my favorite artists and I really think he's the best dressed man in the house. I also like Jared Leto's style and can firmly say I like the style of some of my friend bloggers like Yannick K. from Germany, Mike Quyen from Romania and Adam Gallagher from USA.


Your looks are always cool and with a rebel vibe. What's the fashion scene like for guys under 21 in Moldova?

Here's the problem, guys in our country don't have a fashion sense and we do not have a good fashion scene here. I'm like one of the few people from here. 

I really like your tattoos. When did you get your first one and which one is your favourite?


Oh! I was 16 when I made the first one, it was my initials on my right wrist. It's hard to say which one I like best, 'cause I have 12 and love all of them but I guess my favourite one is the one on my chest. 

Where do you see yourself in five years? What will you be doing?

I hate questions about my future! I really don't know. I've got a lot of plans & dreams, and I'll try to reach all of them but one thing will definitely be: a family, and a baby girl named Miabella :)


When you're feeling pressured or overwhelmed, what activity helps you re-find your center?

I ride. I just ride the lonely night streets smoking a cigarette and it's very important to hear music from The Weekend, Radiohead, Kings of Leon, and other genius artists. 

What are some your favourite books, TV series, musicians and other artists?

Musicians: Kanye West, 30 seconds to Mars, Lana del Rey, Andre 3000, Kings of Leon, The XX.
Writers: Osho.
Painters: Salvador Dalí.
Actors: Leo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, Jared Leto, Will Smith, Rachel McAdams, Jessica Alba. 
Photographers: Terry Richardson.

What would you say to someone seeking general fashion advice?

Guys, just be yourself and don't try to copy someone else. You are unique, try to remain so. 

Haters make me famous.

Thank you Mike! If you wanna know more about this awesome guy, be sure to catch him at his blog: Mike Motsok; his Tumblr; follow him on Twitter and see his looks at Lookbook.nu.

Hen.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Links à la Mode: January 24th round.

 As you might have noticed (if you checked out the online platforms in which I'm present on the right column of this page), I'm a part of the Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB) community and it has been a great way to meet other bloggers and see many different blogs.

Every week, the admins choose 20 posts from different blogs around the world and the result is "Links à la Mode"; if you're selected, the main idea is to share the other links on a post and show some love to the bloggers out there, they're making a marvelous effort to entertain their audience.

This was the first time I applied and, in a cool twist of fate, actually got selected so, without further ado, I'll share some thoughts from Taylor Davies, an editor at IFB:

// Como quizá se habrán dado cuenta (si checaron las plataformas en línea en las que tengo presencia en la parte derecha de esta página) soy miembro de los Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB), esta comunidad ha sido una gran manera de conocer a otros bloggeros y ver muchísimos blogs distintos al mío. 

Cada semana, los administradores eligen veinte posts de distintos blogs alrededor del mundo y el resultado es "Links à la Mode"; si te seleccionan, la idea principal es compartir los links de los otros elegidos y, de esta forma, darles un poco de amor, están haciendo un esfuerzo bien padre por mostrar y compartir sus ideas para entretener a su audiencia. 

Ésta es la primera vez que apliqué y, en un buen giro de la fortuna, quedé entre los seleccionados. Así, sin más que decir, comparto unas palabras de Taylor Davies, editora en IFB:

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP JANUARY 24TH

Thanks IFB team for choosing me and good luck to all the other bloggers. 

Love, Hen.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

H&M + Brick Lane Bikes: A very smart collection

You know how I've been creating posts about H&M and their new collections? (Spring '13 here and Maison Martin Margiela here). Well, now I have some news about their next partnership, this time is with Brick Lane Bikes, which is a super cool UK bicycle company and this collaboration is completely logical since H&M is trying really hard to go super green this year and give support to the current planet situation. 

// Han visto cómo he posteado cosas sobre H&M y sus nuevas colecciones ¿cierto? (Primavera '13 aquí y Maison Martin Margiela acá). Pues ahora tengo noticias sobre su siguiente colaboración, esta vez con Brick Lane Bikes, que es una compañía británica buena onda de bicicletas y esta asociación es completamente lógica ya que H&M está trabajando con fuerza este año para ser una compañía muy, muy, verde y apoyar la situación planetaria actual. 
The collection is exclusively for men and it features around fifteen pieces, perfect for complementing the wardrobe of an ever increasing number of cyclists. It's a very smart collection, they really took attention in the garments' detailing (besides the necessary and obvious ones, like breathe-through pieces or stretch fabrics). For example, the jeans and trousers don't have back pockets because, well, your butt could squeeze the life of the objects in them. Instead, they put the pockets on the back of the shirts and jackets. 

Another super cool and clever thing comes in the form of inside straps for quick storing and attachment to the body so the pieces won't fly away when you go very fast on your bike, they're present on the shirts and jackets. 

Overall, I really liked the idea and purpose of this collection. It goes to show you that cyclists are not enslaved to bright neon spandex suits and they can actually wear quite cool yet functional pieces. 

// La colección es exclusiva para hombre y tiene alrededor de quince piezas, perfectas para complementar el guardarropa de un siempre creciente número de ciclistas. Es una colección muy astuta, en serio pusieron atención en los detalles de la ropa (además de los obvios y necesarios como telas que permitan mayor paso de aire o que estiren y sean cómodas). Por ejemplo, los jeans y pantalones no tienen bolsas traseras porque, pues, tu trasero podría terminar con la vida de los objetos adentro. En vez de eso, colocaron los bolsillos en la parte de atrás de las camisas y las chamarras. 

Otro detalle ingenioso viene en forma de agarraderas internas para almacenamiento rápido y forma de asegurar que las prendas se mantengan en su lugar y no vuelen por la increíble velocidad que alcanzas en tu bici; éstas se encuentran presentes en las chamarras y camisas. 

En general, me gustó mucho la idea y propósito de esta colección. Sirve para demostrar que los ciclistas no tienen por qué estar esclavizados a atuendos fosforescentes de spandex y realmente pueden utilizar ropa buena onda y que, al mismo tiempo, sea funcional.
And that's me y'all, wearing an amazing jacket while not being a cyclist. 
The collection will hit stores in March.
Love,
Hen.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

When I was little I wanted to be God

When I was little I wanted to be God
When I was little I wanted to be God 3
I'm wearing:

1. Denim jacket, from Pull & Bear. 
2. Gold shirt, from Maison Martin Margiela for H&M.
3. Red super skinny jeans, from People's Market. 
4. Denim sneakers, from Converse.
5. Feather necklace, from Asos.
When I was little I wanted to be God 6
Amélie Nothomb said once: "When I was little, I wanted to become God. The Christian God, with a big G. Around age five, I understood that my ambition could not be realized. So I poured some water into my wine and decided to become Christ. I pictured my death on the cross in front of all mankind. At age seven, I became aware that this would not happen. I decided, more modestly, to become a martyr. I kept to this choice for several years. That did not work either."

That quote comes from her book Stupeur et tremblements, and it quite fits into my own life. I've always wanted to be God and take charge of everything but experience showed me that wishing to be God has been a sad mistake. Then I wanted to be like Christ and have people worshipping my actions. Since that failed, I've been struggling with finding out what I'm here to do. In the end, and more modestly, last year I became a fashion blogger. 

I'm going through a personal crisis today. Sorry if this blog post is confusing. 

// Amélie Nothomb dijo alguna vez: "Cuando era pequeña, quería ser Dios. El Dios cristiano, con la D mayúscula. Por ahí de mis cinco años, comprendí que mi ambición no podía realizarse. Así que vertí un poco de agua en mi vino y decidí convertirme en Cristo. Imaginaba mi muerte en la cruz frente a la humanidad. A los siete años, descubrí que eso tampoco podría pasar. Decidí, en un ataque de modestia, convertirme en mártir. Mantuve esta decisión por varios años. Eso tampoco funcionó."

Esa cita viene de su libro Estupor y temblores, y creo que encaja bastante bien en mi vida. Siempre he querido ser Dios y estar a cargo de todo, pero la experiencia me ha enseñado que desear ser Dios ha sido un error terrible. Después quise ser como Cristo y que la gente venerar mis acciones. Desde que eso falló, he luchado con descubrir cuál es mi misión de vida. Al final, y más modestamente, el año pasado me convertí en blogger de moda. 

Estoy en una crisis personal el día de hoy. Lamento si este post es confuso. 
When I was little I wanted to be God 4 When I was little I wanted to be God 2 When I was little I wanted to be God 5
Without you I'm nothing,
Hen.

Photographer: Arturo Cortés (DEBUT!).

Currently listening: Brooke Waggoner - Meek; Wild.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Practical Prom. Part 2: Prom

This is the second part of the Practical Prom photoshoot: PROM. If you missed it, here's the first one: PRACTICAL. The name came from a comment someone made about the varsity jackets, saying that we looked like we belong on a sports team (my dream come true, since I'm suckish at sports) and we were going to prom looking like that. 

The balloons were a little personal tribute to Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn) on Funny Face. If you go back to this post you can see my take on the balloons, I really didn't want to upload the same photos again. 

// Aquí está la segunda parte de la sesión Practical Prom: PROM. Si se la perdieron, aquí está la primera: PRACTICAL. El nombre vino de algún comentario diciendo que con las chamarras beisboleras parecía que pertenecíamos a algún equipo deportivo (sueño hecho realidad porque soy súper malo en los deportes) y que íbamos a ir al prom luciendo así. 

Los globos fueron un pequeño tributo personal a Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn) en Funny Face. Si vuelven a este post, pueden ver mis fotos con los globos. Realmente no quise subir las mismas fotos otra vez. 
I hope you liked the photos as much as I did. See you at prom! 
Hen.

Currently listening: Janina Gavankar - Love Lockdown

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Practical prom. Part 1: Practical

Finally these lovely photos saw the light. My friends and I took them several weeks ago in my rooftop and backyard. The challenge was to feature various outfits but still keep the cohesive aspect between us and between stages of the shoot. It was really fun and I kinda love the final result. 

This is part 1: Practical. And here you can see part 2: Prom.

// Al fin estas encantadoras fotos ven la luz del día. Mis amigos y yo las tomamos hace varias semanas en mi techo y patio. El desafío era utilizar varios atuendos pero, al mismo tiempo, mantener la cohesión entre nosotros y entre las etapas de la sesión de fotos. Estuvo bien padre y amo el resultado final. 

Esta es la parte 1: Practical. Acá pueden ver la parte 2: Prom. 

Love,
Hen.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Valiant

I'm wearing:

1. Blue varsity jacket, from Asos. 
2. Black hoodie, from Pull & Bear.
3. Striped t-shirt, from Pull & Bear.
4. Super skinny jeans, from Zara. 
5. Leather and suede desert boots, from Asos. 
6. Charm bracelet, from Asos. 
I've always loved the idea of floating and flying through the air. Unfortunately, humans only are capable of jumping. That's why I try my hardest to jump as high as possible. Wanting to reach the sky, to me, means some kind of bravery, the feeling of being valiant and fearless. 

But dreams aside, this was a cold day that needed some layers and the hoodie fused into the varsity jacket really easily. But, since we're talking about me in here, I don't really care about the weather, that means: rolled up jeans, desert boots and cold metallic accessories. 

I really love these shoes, and it was the first time that I wore them; there's something about desert boots that looks really cool, plus they're super comfortable and are great with jeans, trousers, rolled-up jeans and shorts. For the rest of the outfit, a simple striped t-shirt and, of course, skinny jeans worked out great. 

// Siempre me ha encantado la idea de flotar y volar en el aire. Por desgracia, los humanos sólo pueden ser capaces de brincar. Es por eso que intento brincar tan alto como sea posible. Aspirar alcanzar el cielo significa, para mí, algún tipo de valentía, ser atrevido y sin miedo. 

Pero dejando de lado los sueños, era un día frío que imploraba un par de capas, la chamarra con capucha quedó bastante bien con la beisbolera. Pero, como hablamos de mi, realmente no me importa tanto el clima, eso significa: jeans enrollados, botas de desierto y accesorios metálicos fríos. 

Amo mucho estos zapatos, y ésta fue la primera vez que los usé. Las botas de desierto tienen un algo especial que las hace ver bien padres, además son súper cómodas y van bien con jeans, pantalones, jeans enrollados y shorts. Para el resto del atuendo, una playera simple de rayas y, por supuesto, jeans entubados funcionaron bien.
Love,
Hen.

Photographer: Daniela Vendramín (DEBUT!),

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Get to know Hen


I've always loved when photographers or models decide to show a little bit more of themselves (no pun intended, hehe) and they shoot a video, upload a song or something because that makes them more approachable, more human. 

The same thing happens with bloggers, I appreciate when a video is uploaded and their audience gets a chance to see them outside the posing of most outfit shots. So yeah, I did that and here are the results. Let me know what you think! 

// Siempre he amado cuando los modelos o fotógrafos deciden mostrar un poco más de ellos y hacen un video, suben una canción o algo porque eso los hace más reales, más humanos. 

Lo mismo sucede con los bloggers; aprecio cuando suben un video y su audiencia tiene la oportunidad de verlos fuera de las poses en la mayoría de los posts de atuendos. Así que sí, decidí hacer algo así y aquí están los resultados. Déjenme saber qué piensan (:

Love, Hen.

*I'm wearing this t-shirt.
**The song in the background is "Lights" by Ellie Goulding