One Last Nola Weekend

(Topshop sequenced tank, BCBG mini, Aldo pumps, Coach clutch)

My last weekend in my hometown of New Orleans (or as the locals call, Nola) before I head back to DC for school. Rounded up some of my favorites and headed to Sake Cafe on Magazine Street...

Check ot these Dale Chihuly-esque chandeliers at Sake Cafe!

and later a night out on the town at Le Phare...

Another fantastic Nola Night was topped off with a fantastic Saints win the following night. The end to a perfect weekend! It's going to be a Black-and-Gold Superbowl and New Orleans was on FIRE! I have been waiting for this moment since I can remember and so has my city.

Very emotional + Simply put, Best feeling ever!

Solid + Void

Dazed and Confused February 2010: Viktor and Rolf

The reason the shape and geometry of the dresses seduce the eye is due to the fundamental idea of architecture: Solid + Void. So compelling! Love it.

Images: tfs. dazed & confused. Behind the Seams

Skyscraper Heels

In the past decade, there has been a boom in the business of skyscrapers. A race in the sky to hold the title of the Tallest Building in the World. Well, the Burj Khalifa of Dubai has officially claimed that title and has now opened itself up to the public this month. It spans the height of 2625 feet (800 meters) which is twice the height of the Empire State Building! The engineering behind this architectural feat is truly mind blowing and absolutely gorgeous!

So, what do skyscrapers have to do with high heels? Do you ever think about the structural phenomenon that is a 4" stiletto? That tiny strip of a heel supporting an adult person's body weight and bearing all that concentrated weight onto an incredibly small 'foundation' or point of the shoe. And, let's face it, it's also designed to accommodate to all shapes and sizes too. The pain and aches that come with standing in a shoe for too long is very similar to the structural stress a building would experiece. Fortunately for us, uncomfortable high heels are now a thing of the past.

Gordon Thompson III, vice-president and lead designer of Cole Haan Footwear. He has revolutionized the heel by understanding the structure of it. Surprise, surprise! He is an Architect! He was the lead designer behind the Nike Air brand and brought that Nike technology to the women's high heel. Super comfortable and affordable too! (Samples of the line above)

Philippines

Every couple of years, we go back to visit the family in the Philippines. This year was very special, because we celebrated my mom's 60th birthday! She was so happy and it meant the world! Here are the pics:

(The Province/Beached fishing boats/Alarm clock/Two young girls/Two young ladies/Little rascal)

(My cutie-pie-cousin Aaron/Walking with cousins + aunties/Tricycles in Butuan City)

(The real reason we are here/Blowing out the candles/Parents dancing/Cousin My-My/Aaron keeps a picture of me with the Eiffel Tower/His brother Angelo keeps my picture in his wallet too, so cute/My brother and I posing like the locals)

(Coconut Harvest/Cousin Randy/Carving out coconut milk/Lunch + Mangos/Lechon/Pretty Be-Be)

(Lounging/Parent's wedding photo at my uncle's house/Saying good bye/Walking through the flood/Family flipflops)

(Funky Cab Ride/Outside of the Mall of Asia/Street beggar, tragic truth)

(View out of hotel window/Mom and I at lunch/Mango smoothie/Mini-photoshoot/Goofing around with dad/Plane ride out of Manila)

It's Here!

Hot Damn! It's here!

My Nikon D90. This bad boy was supposed to arrive Christmas morning, however, Santa must have taken a wrong turn near my house. But no worries! It arrived just in time for my trip to the Philippines which I leave for the airport in any minute. So this post is pushing it. ;) I just wanted to let you guys know I will be MIA for the next couple of weeks, but promise to return with some fabulous pics and hopefully new photography skills! xo

A Pug Life

(Silence + Noise blazer, French Connection tribal tee, F21 shorts, Aldo heels, House of Harlow 1960 Necklace, UO bangle, and the best accessory of all, my lil' pup Presley)

I am currently studying architecture at Virginia Tech's Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center otherwise known as the WAAC (pronounced "wack" - a name that applies to far too many 'that's what she said' jokes). When school is in session, my social life is a struggle to maintain. So when I am back home for the Holidays, I try to cram in as many happy hours and dinner dates with friends as much as possible. Plus, some one-on-one time with my little man.

TwentyTen

Had a blast ringing in this New Year with my dearest friends! Excited to start off 2010 with my new blog and hope you guys enjoy! :)

(Walter Dress, Express Tights, Aldo Boots)

Gaga for Gehry

A recent example of architecture fusing with fashion is Frank Gehry designing a hat for a Lady Gaga benefit performance at LA's Museum of Contemporary Art. The transition from buildings to headgear was a bit challenging for the architect, "Since I've never designed a hat before, I was afraid she wouldn't be able to walk... I did have an idea that involved people with sticks holding it up, walking behind her. I didn't know how far I could go with this thing." Which seems to me exactly why her team called on him.

If you don't know any architect, know Frank Gehry. He is an elite group of architects known by their admirers as the "starchitects". Gehry is the most celebrity of the group particularly due to the phenomenon known as the Guggenheim in Bilboa. (Pictured: Dancing House in Prague, Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa, Disney Concert Hall in LA)

This is not Gehry's first time crossing over into the fashion world. He has been designing a line of jewelry at Tiffany & Co. for a few years now. Below are some examples of his work.

To New Beginnings...

Here goes my first entry... I will be updating sporadically, so if you would like to keep posted please follow me! :)

To introduce myself, I am an architect who adores fashion! So, the intention of this blog is to explore and investigate the parallels between fashion and architecture. Although there are apparent differences between the two, fundamentally and conceptually they are the same. Both protect and shelter the human body while providing a means to express it's identity. Both started by means of necessity and are now understood to be forms of art.

In studio I notice that those who are most expressive in their clothing tend to generate the most interesting concepts in their projects. Which leads me to believe that the process of composing/designing an outfit utilizes the very frame of mind in which architects build from. Color, shapes, lines, volume, scale... Even the vocabulary is the same.

I cannot write about fashion (design) without incorporating architecture, however, I promise this blog will not disappoint!! My mission is to introduce one to the other while keeping the primary focus still very much on fashion and style. Being an avid reader of fashion blogs, I am happy to finally join the family! So here's to new beginnings! Cheers!