Delta of Venus

(above 3 photos behind-the-scenes from my instagram)

I recently had a chance to style my first shoot where I got to direct everything: the mood, the model, the poses, the lighting, the wardrobe and the photographers. My own imagination is so active and I love to tell stories - through little things, like getting dressed every day, and through bigger projects, whether it be writing, creating a book or shadow box, or putting together a series of photos. While I do love working as a stylist alongside photographers to realize their specific visions, I find myself truly at my most creatively happy when I get to dream up and execute my own concept from beginning to end. I suppose this falls more under the title of "creative director" than mere "stylist" either way it's something I plan to do plenty more of in the near future. Knowing so many beautiful people to model and talented photographers who i trust to capture my vision definitely helps! I love art that is created through a communal process and effort - the combination of so many different minds always creates something greater than the sum of its parts.

The inspiration for this shoot really started with my model, Kerri Lebon - who in my mind evoked the dark elegance of Luisa Casati (particularly Man Ray's portraits of her), portraits of Anais Nin, and the  shadows and mystery of 1930's Berlin. Dark and mysterious, soft yet strong - sumptuous and haunting. These portraits of women who were burning with madness, energy and life. They were yearning, passionate, and always shot on deep, velvety black and white film.

Amy Harrity set up lights for the shoot and also took a few gorgeous digital photos in color. 

digital color photos by Amy Harrity
styled and directed by Ashley Pamela Miller
model: Kerri LeBon

Wowzer Trousers

Skirts & dresses are fabulously feminine, but sometimes a good pair of trousers can be just as foxy. These trousers are 50% off at American Apparel at the moment and I want them in every color of the rainbow. 

floral top: thrifted
mint trousers: American Apparel
blue suede pumps: Chelsea Crew Pauline
nail polish: Glowstar by Floss Gloss
lipstick: Mac Vegas Volt

Cry, Cry Baby

 

There's nothing quite like a frilly dress and a leather jacket to make a girl feel invincible.
Just ask Wanda Woodward.

Dress: vintage
Jacket: Nastygal
Shoes: Modcloth
Sunglasses: Karen Walker "Anytime"

Water Babies

I've mentioned before that I am a true California girl. Give me palm trees, give me late night drive-thrus, give me sunshine and swimming pools and hollywood glamour!! Due to my ghostly pallor and literal sun allergies, I don't spend as much time soaking up rays as I would like - I suffered one too many brutal sunburns as a child on Orange County's beaches to make that mistake again. Not to mention the bay area's beaches aren't exactly that kind of beach. And forget about finding a pool! So these days I find myself living out my aquatic fantasies by indulging in an excessive amount of impractical vintage swimwear. In vintage shops I always find myself drawn to the itty bitty bikinis and elegant maillots, pieces i purchase and end up hanging in my closet never to see the light of day. Well that, my dears, is why photo-shoot adventures exist! Show me a reason to dress up, and I'll show you a handful of my most beloved vintage bathing suits!

So my trusty/favorite photographer and I ventured down to Aquatic Park and took a few glamour shots of just a couple of my favorite suits - it was actually quite foggy, cold and sticky but these photos make it look like a dream! I should probably mention that these photos were shot on REAL FILM and unedited - same will go for most of my photos unless they are obviously from an iPhone!

look #1: vintage 1930's pajama tie-top worn with non-vintage hat and shorts

look #2: 1960's Cole of California pastel chevron-striped bikini, worn with vintage cardigan

look #3: 1960's union-made Mondrian inspired maillot

* all worn with Aldo shoes & Karen Walker sunglasses

& remember to head on over to THE SHOP and get **free shipping** with the coupon code CRYBABY!!

a little persimmon

  

every time i get dressed, i have something like a story in my head. it starts with mood (do i feel rock'n'roll? ladylike? hyper-feminine? mod? 50's? etc) and then it proceeds to a color palette (brights? pastels? blacks? and rarely, neutrals) and eventually ends in a full outfit around which i have created a whole vignette in my little noggin. (are we seeing hints of the art school design process here? hmm, maybe school did rub off on me..). The silhouette of this outfit felt very ladylike, very Audrey and a little Godard, with the mid-calf length circle skirt and the fitted cropped top - but the stripes and the DIY denim gave it the rock'n'roll edge i feel a bit naked without. et voila - 60's french film meets audrey hepburn meets rock and roll. and of course, all topped with red-orange lipstick and a pair of black pumps. a lady is always a lady, after all. 

outfit details:

top: Amerian Apparel

skirt: American Apparel

jacket: DIY cropped denim

shoes: Chelsea Crew Pauline pumps
lipstick: MAC Lady Danger