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)
Life is all about inspiring others, as we all have an incredible opportunity to influence the next individual that crosses our path. This is why we purposely must always be aware of how our verbal and physical actions are carried out and come from a place of authentic love. One that comes to mind is nestled within a mother’s love, which consists of home traditions and compares to the significance a single red rose presents.
On this particular photo-shoot, Rich and I celebrated a woman who was the true inspiration during his youth, symbolizing both love and beauty; that women is his mother, Theresa Fisher, or better known to many as “Teddy”. Today would’ve been her 88th birthday, and what better place to embrace her beauty than surrounded by an Amphitheater of Roses. Created in 1933, the Morcom Rose Garden houses well over a thousand perennial blooms. They are spread across seven acres off Grand Avenue, a premier street in Oakland where Theresa was raised with her 3 siblings. Standing among the public garden, which today remains a 1930’s gem, I felt a harmonious poise from the winding paths, graceful stairways, and dramatic water features. I entered through the grand entrance of the amphitheater and stood hand in hand with Rich, as we consumed the crisp morning dew, while our eyes wandered to the vast photo opportunities. With a few additional steps forward, we had noticed a bronze plaque that stated, “Mother of the Year Award,”’ an award given annually since 1954, honoring those in the community symbolizing the finest traditions of ‘motherhood’.
To display the love I have for Rich’s mother, I wore her gold plated pearl earrings, a piece of jewelry frequently showcased here on the blog from time-to-time. When these earrings were acquired, I had discovered they were missing a mate. Anyone else might have disregarded such an earring, but for me it brought more of an authentic reason to find a clever way to model them. Though the soft pin curls abundantly cover my left ear, I am able to showcase this single earring on my fully -exposed right ear in honor of a mother I had never met, but feel I had.
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In loving memory of Theresa ‘Teddy’ Fisher – a woman, mother, and wife with a generous heart of gold. She was satisfied by the thought of providing for others, and her smile celebrates the joys in life.
Red Lace ‘Karen’ Sheath Dress c/o DAVIS Fashion // Golden Framed Renaissance Cameo Brooch Etsy // Vintage Pearl Earrings (Theresa Fisher) // Coach ‘Teddi’ Pumps // Cosmetics c/o Belleci Beauty
The relationship between one’s journey of self-growth and courage tends to evoke feelings of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, but allowing such emotions to take center stage is moral injustice. I always knew what I wanted to be in my life, as if it was embedded into my genetic makeup, but how and when were the two underlying questions that always plagued me. Sure, the goal for anyone is to be a leader of a community, share your child-like admiration’s, while forming a sense of wealth and personal freedom. The pressing question is: how does anyone ever get there?
I grew up speculating on every action and occurrence that had arrived in life, often with a burning feeling from within that there was more to life than this. Having the courage to always stand out in the crowd with such diversity of the glamorous appearance I graced, to the poetic words I wrote and spoke, a passionate sensation always resided. For me it was hard to live a life anything less than festive, as I found myself breaking away from conformity and forming a life outside of the daily fears. Altering my mindset when setbacks had occurred, I began at the age of 26 to embark on a journey that led me to writing my debut coming-of-age novel, Confessions of a Job Whore, which is now sold on a world-wide publishing platform (here, here & here). It also gave me these strength to fulfill my childhood aspirations of being a published writer and model in a number of premier magazines. But there comes a time in one’s life, they must have the courage to tell their story despite the fears that might originate.
On the evening of October 22, 2014, I was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic, a chronic condition that results from the autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Until now, I didn’t want to share it publicly nor wear it as a sympathy garment; instead I would rather refashion how others perceive such a life-altering disorder. Aside from a select group of family and friends that knew of my health struggles, most of you who viewed each week’s styles just saw a glamorous model who adored the timeless era of the 1940’s. We, as a society, have a tendency of suppressing our fears, as mastering those can be difficult and takes large amounts of will and courage to look in the mirror and say, “I will succeed; I can do this!”
A passionate urge to continue, despite what seems to be a setback, was only a setup for a new journey I’d embrace with a number of mentors. I cannot express enough the importance of obtaining a group of mentors of all ages and industries to assist you when failures arise. In reality we are the master train operators of our universe, laying the tracks down to what we think, desire, and imagine to be true. Everything we are given in life should never be dealt lightly; a sense of gratitude should be given, for that is the only way you achieve the abundance of the universe.
A sincere appreciation goes to:
Kaesrten Cooper of MARGE
Valerie Martinelli, Director of the Center for Economic & Policy Development, INC
Television Personality & Host Francesco Bilotto
&
Rich Fisher, Professional Photographer & Business Partner
for their valuable support, love and dedication, please accept my appreciation and gratitude.
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Thank you
Tatyana Blue & Black Sapphire Dress c/o Bitter Root Vintage // Vintage Black Wool Handbag (Annie Sandoval) // Pearl Earrings with Gold Plating, similar here & Bracelet // Ivanka Trump Suede Pumps // Really Red Lipstick c/o Marykay // Skincare, Nucerity
richinlovefashion.com 