Nur Hellman by David Gubert

Nothing can compete with the beauty of a white dress on a stunning woman. David Gubert photographed Nur Hellman in Villefranche sur Mer, France, which is located just west of Nice. With its effortless glamour against a backdrop of the deep blue Mediterranean Sea, the south of France is one of my favorite places in the world.

The two dresses below are my favorite from this set. The zig-zag lace adds bohemian flair to an otherwise simple design.

The fabric below has enough weight to create a full skirt. A small cutout on the midriff area gives the tailored dress a surprisingly flirty touch.

Concept Korea Spring 2012 Presentation

On Friday, I attended my first-ever show during New York Fashion Week. I was invited to the Concept Korea Spring 2012 Presentation, which featured five Korean designers. The presentation was held at at Lincoln Center in Avery Fisher Hall, a beautiful modernist space with high ceilings and numerous windows. At 6:30 pm, the sun was streaming through the glass, catching the different fabrics in its light and creating an ethereal atmosphere.

Please pardon the quality of these pictures, as I only had my iPhone with me and not a regular camera. They are more clear if you click on each image to see it full size.

[Below] The balcony of Avery Fisher Hall overlooks the central plaza and fountain of Lincoln Center. The presentation had an open bar, of which I gladly partook. I stood out on the terrace, drinking white wine and watching all the fabulous people walk around in their stylish outfits. It was a truly luxurious experience.

[Below] My favorite designer of the five was Son Jung Wan, whose garments were at once feminine and modern. Glass in various shades of blue inspired her to create these pieces.  The white jacket/top in the second picture was chic in a minimalist way. I wasn't able to fully capture the beauty of its simplicity in this photo.

[Below] Also of note was Doho, whose intricate interlocking designs were woven from strips of fabric. I took the photo of the back of the gown through a window, so it didn’t turn out as I wanted. The back had a cutout as well as a short train, which gave it some extra dramatic flair.

[Below] I loved the architectural structure of the blouse this woman wore. She was in attendance at the presentation, but did not speak English, so I was unable to ask her anything about who designed the top or where she bought it.

I could not have had a better time at the presentation. I couldn’t believe I was finally getting to experience New York Fashion Week. Hopefully there will be more shows to come!

Starbucks Cups

How awesome are these Starbucks cups by artist Bernadette Moke (aka Downtown Doodler)? What an imaginative way to create art out of something so ordinary. 

Check out more of her work on her website.

Look at her...

Letter Project

Snail Mail My Email was a project that took place last summer. The organizers wanted to revive the art of letter writing and offer a more personal alternative to today's digital communication. Volunteers around the world signed up to pen letters, which were sent in via email. The letters were sent free of charge to the specified recipient.

I wanted to volunteer to write letters for Snail Mail My Email, but sadly, the project ended in mid-August. I have always been somewhat obsessed with writing letters. I have too much stationery to ever use myself. I love the excitement of opening a handwritten letter and it saddens me that this method of communicating is becoming extinct. So, I've decided to launch my own mini version of Snail Mail My Email.

To participate, please send me an email (kimjoymhanna@gmail.com) with your letter written out, along with the recipient's name and address. Please include your own return address and name as well. If you wish to remain anonymous, please let me know and I will gladly leave out any identifying information. The letters are 100% confidential and I promise not to use your email address or the mailing addresses for anything other than the sending of this letter. Whether sending a letter to simply say hello or to express something deeper, it will undoubtedly make the opener smile.

For more information on Snail Mail My Email, visit the http://snailmailmyemail.org/.