Alongside a large tidal lagoon in the center of Oakland, just east of Downtown lies the historic Madison-Lake Apartments of 1927 – better known today as Hotel Merritt. A historian at heart for grand architecture I find the San Francisco bay area bestows a nostalgic era when detail was as intricate as the garments worn. Embracing centuries of history that towers before me, I reflect on its true essence of hotel luxury living and Art Deco craftsmanship.
Standing at the main entrance that consists of a pastel terra-cotta facade, a sense of autumn is felt with the addition of a vintage Hermes Wool Houndstooth Pencil Skirt. This classic 1950s design hits below the knee with pockets at the hips and a pleated waist which is complimented with a crew-neck button-up cardigan. Accessorizing these essential fall staples with the beauty of a Brown Aurora Borealis rhinestone brooch and matching earrings both convey a beauty of their own. To complete such luxury I paired a City of Paris millinery design originally purchased by Lucy Sandoval at the Montgomery and Sutter location in San Francisco during 1930s. Today’s style is the epitome of versatility for the transition into the autumn season.
Vintage Hermes Green Purple Wool Houndstooth Long Pencil Skirt (similar here & here) // Halogen Three Quarter Sleeve Cardigan // Brown Aurora Borealis Rhinestone Brooch & Earrings (similar here) // Millinery, City of Paris Department Store // Patent Accessories & Kate Spade Pumps (similar here, here & here)
Many times in my career as a Writer, Model and Consultant I find myself interviewing the brightest minds within the industry. What I perceive significant with these partnerships (beside their personal stories) perhaps is the possibility to one day meet them in person. Many of you might’ve noticed a harmonious union I’ve formed with Davis Brimberg of Davis Fashion, a Los Angeles based label which exudes dress designs that are all classic, yet timeless for the confident women.
From our initial introduction on Instagram in April, a collection of lucrative opportunities had arisen with a momentum that was beyond our foreseen expectations. Aiming to achieve vastness as I always do, in little over three months’ time I’ve curated for DAVIS Fashion, two magazine covers, a highly exposed guest blog-post feature, publication videos, in addition to a sought-after three-page Stalletto Magazine Editorial (releasing September 19th), and the social media outreach in support to these opportunities. Perhaps all of these occurrences could be seen as a compound effect of connecting Davis with the best media exposure possible through of a number of personal marketing principles I practice.
Coming in the month of September, I am honored to meet Davis in person as she tours the San Francisco Bay Area for a number of various fashion events. For those interested, please feel free to join us for an evening of Design, Wine, and Fine Art at Jennifer Perlmutter Art Gallery in Lafayette, additional details can be found below. While I count down the days until we meet I have no doubt Davis’s authentic-self will shine through with strength and confidence mirroring her design motifs. 
‘Ava’ Dress c/o DAVIS Fashion, Use Promo Code: ‘Doris’ // Rhinestone Jewelry (similar here ) // 1950s Crystal Veil, Annie Sandoval // Black Genuine Leather Gloves (similar here ) // Kate Spade Patent ‘Licorice’ // Custom Make-Up c/o Belleci Cosmetics
It’s a man’s world, at least in mine. When I was growing up in the early 1980s, I was surrounded in a male dominated realm which consisted of strength, masculinity, and determination. My father spent many of his days working as a diligent Engineer with my paternal grandfathers, both entrepreneurs in their established trade. One being a Folk-Art artist and the other an Electrician. Throughout my childhood I watched these men deal with a number of unexpected occurrences, always keeping a mild tempo and collected mindset. By the time I was twenty-three, I had formed a persona that could easily be recognized as a ‘female alpha’ where I would orchestrate a symphony of cross promotion as a social conductor bringing ease to any conversation.
Reminiscing on my first encounter with menswear at the age of fourteen years, I found myself embracing my slender form with my grandfather’s Herringbone wool jacket, quite similar to the one I am shoulder robing here. There is something masculine, yet amatory, with wearing menswear, perhaps it’s the dignified structure, not to mention, the punctuation that this particular style projects. I find it quite funny that most men desire women who are natural in contrast of how women find nothing sexier than a man in a three-piece suit accompanied by a tie and pocket square. In society where a European flair of dressing has been over shadowed by an athleisure motif of a new generation from today’s millennials, there are fewer men dressing to their gentlemen roots.
With a feminine touch from a gathered ruched blouse, the plush touch of a high-waisted velvet pencil skirt, and antiquated splendor from a 1950s pearl encrusted rhinestone brooch creating the perfect marriage between a meticulous craftsmanship of menswear and the classic lady.
Velvet Pencil Skirt (similar here) // Alexandria, Long Sleeve Ruched Blouse (similar here) // Vintage Herringbone Wool Jacket (similar here & here) // Kate Spade “Laurette” Pumps (similar here) // Vintage Patent Clutch (similar here) // 1950s Pearl & Rhinestone Brooch (similar here & Etsy)
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