TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE DISASTER

Dear Project Runway Season 8,

Why is it only Episode 3 and my favourite model has already been eliminated!?!?! In remembrance, I wanted to feature her here on Lola Re. 

Her name is Julia Rodriguez, and she's a Mexican model of African descent. I think it's cool to think there are women of colour from all around the African Diaspora (especially since a branch of my mom's family apparently went to Mexico). Here are some of my favourite photos:

Bella! She'll be featured in next month's American Elle I believe, so keep an eye out for that. 

This post's post-apocalyptic title is also the title of one of my favourite bands, (and not just because I'm friends with the members). It's called Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster, and they do atmospheric, instrumental, progressive rock that makes "movies in your mind." Their music kind of reminds me of the first 10 mins of 28 Days Later. So, here's a clip of them playing a song called 'Calligraphy,' followed by a short interview with the band. 

If you like what you hear, and you're in London, they're playing a gig at Old Street on August 27th 2010 (Bank Holiday weekend). More info on their Facebook Page.

[All photos from thefashionspot.com]

ME, MYSELF AND I ARE ALL IN LOVE WITH YOU. WE ALL THINK YOU'RE WONDERFUL, WE DO.

Everyone is talking about the opulence of Fall/Winter 2010. When I think of opulence, I'm inspired by Bollywood films, Lebanese pop singers, and timeless American jazz.

Madhuri Dixit as Chandramuki in the film Devdas (2000). She plays a courtesan who falls in love with Devdas, who is mourning his ex. Another patron bet her that if Devdas wouldn't come - and if he didn't she'd have had to spend the night dancing for him. But he showed up, which is why she's so happy lol.

Lebanese star Haifa Wehbe singing a lullaby to her son in a song called "Baby, Be Good"

For me, opulence will always be represented by African American and legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday. I was really excited when I found there are YouTube videos of her singing!

What is elegant and opulent to you?

[This post came from a song called "Me, Myself and I" sung by Billie Holiday. The full lyrics are:

Me, myself and I are all in love with you

We all think you're wonderful, we do

Me, myself and I have just one point of view

We're convinced there's no one else like you

It can't be denied, dear

You've brought the sun to us

We'd be satisfied, dear

If you belonged to one of us, so...

If you pass me by,

three hearts will break in two

'Cause me, myself and I

Are all in love with you]

THE NEW SOCIETY

OK so BACK TO FASHION. My aesthetic for Fall/Winter 2010/2011 was partly inspired by Hillary Clinton. That is not a typo. I saw a pic of her from the 70s wearing these big glasses, and I imagined what she must have been like to speak to when she was a brilliant, young grad student at Yale. I thought, YES! Intelligent bohemia. It's more thoughtful, forward thinking and idea driven than what I've been doing. It's the young woman at the coffeehouse in Greenwich Village arguing about ideas, culture, art and politics. And it's very, very 70s.

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In terms of designers, I think Anna Sui, Erdem, Philip Lim 3.1, Emilio Pucci and newcomer Sophie Theallet are all on the same page. 

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[This post's title comes from a popular photojournalism magazine called New Society. It ran from 1962 to 1988 and portrayed everyday life in the UK.]

[PS: This post has nothing to do with politics]

I HOPE YOU GUESS MY NAME

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[Post's title was inspired by listening to 'Gimme Shelter' by the Rolling Stones, featuring Merry Clayton. The title's lyrics are from the song 'Sympathy for the Devil']

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: KANYINSOLA ONALAJA

At this year's Young Designer Show 2010, I got the chance to meet the doe-eyed, soft spoken Kanyinsola Onalaja. She presented one of the most striking collections of the evening, and was actually the winner of the 2009 Designer of the Year Award from the YDS.

I invited her out for coffee to learn more about her... and get a closer look at her fantastic clothes.

(avante garde model and wearable Kanyinsola)

One of the first things I learned is ... Kanyinsola's only 17. That's right -- she's still a student and constructs clothing in her free time. (jealous face) Kayinsola says she learned the traditional Nigerian tie-dye technique she uses from her mom, a woman with both a modern sensibility and a love of her native country.

Here's the scoop: The garments she makes are hand-dyed raw silk, detailed with paint and crystal applique. I must say, these dresses are extremely well constructed. I looked at the seams, turned them inside out, held them up, examined the hems - and they're impeccably finished and fall perfectly on the body. Somehow, she's made tie dye wearable and chic. I kept thinking, "office, brunch, drinks, beach" while ticking the garments off in my head. Every piece is both appropriate and adventurous - a notoriously hard balance to strike! Here are some images from her lookbook:   

Office!

 Brunch!


Drinks!


Beach!

I asked her Kanyinsola what was next for her (besides finishing her A-levels). She said she wants to work with nudes, branch into accessories, and begin taking private orders for customised garments. (At that point, I double checked to make sure she had my number...) Though it must be obvious at this point, I think she's a fantastic, professional designer and a very sweet person with a bright future.

To get in touch with Kanyinsola, email her at: konalaja@aol.com