Ikat Culture

This weekend I'll be heading back to my American roots known as Minnesota. Minneapolis, to be exact. Brooklyn park to take you totally off the map if you have never heard of the small city right outside of the bigger city. Back to my long lost family who's been extending their own roots making their own families. Long lost because it feels like forever since I've been back.

This post I want to celebrate my roots in relation to going back home to my family and being amongst my culture by taking it back a little further to Laos where I was born to connect you to my outfit here. There has been a lot Ikat prints seen lately in fashion trends. My Ikat cropped jacket is made from a cloth woven in Laos that my mom brought back from her trip to the home country. I asked to have it because I loved the print so much and I wanted to make something modern out of the traditional print that I hadn't seen used out of that context. Last weekend I was shopping in downtown Los Angeles for fabrics and came across all of these amazing Ikat prints reminiscent to the prints I've seen from my cultural clothing throughout my upbringing. I thought of my mom and how she would love them too since whenever she wanted traditional clothes for us or herself she'd have to make a trip to Laos which was always expensive to do in the end of it all.

Of course I cannot pass through this blog without giving some details of my other lovely pieces to the outfit that I also made. The printed satin tank top underneath the jacket has metallic straps across the back to give it a fun detail. The pleated mullet skirt has extreme lengths from thigh high length in front to sweeping the ground in the back adding drama (see through fabric for a little bit more drama). What do you wear under a see through skirt but a high waisted comfy short shorts. Even more drama!

accessories: knitted cap; urban outfitters, knee highs; zara, wedges; bakers shoes
outfit photos: Katie Ralston

 

 

Cross My Heart, For Real

Happy Lao New Year! And Thai New Year, and Cambodian New Year! This post has nothing to do with me celebrating my heritage (Lao'd and proud!)... I just wanted to throw it out there since I didn't get to do anything culturally fun to celebrate this holiday. Maybe next year I'll be luckier. I'm far from everyone who would really know the importance of it is my excuse. So, to make use of my time, here's another post! I vamped up this neon yellow sweater with faux leather cross patches on the front and elbows because I felt the sweater was too much of an electric blob just plain. AND I made the MOST comfortable leggings EVER! The material is so soft and light I need to make more and more in different prints! You can never have too many leggings. Look at my matte grey-green nails!!

Scuse Me, What's Yo Name? Jigga Who?

I'm not hating this outfit one bit. Let me holla! Scuse me, what's yo name? Ok, let's really focus on the best part of the post. This outfit was inspired by the handsome camouflage sweatshirt. I've been in love with this pattern for awhile now and it's not going away so I keep making stuff with it so bare with me. I love giving the grey dress pants a more laid back look with sneakers, knit cap, and of course a sweatshirt. I updated the comfy sweatshirt look with leather shoulder detail and metal studs. Then keeping to the dress pants with a button down collar shirt underneath. Dressed up but not fussy. OUTFIT: knit cap; urban outfitters, button down shirt; nordsrtoms rack, dress pants; h&m, shoes; nike.

Black on black on black and a Little bit of this

When you can't hide under a sheer top or a cold shoulder, you can hide in your pockets. Your hands and little things like lip gloss, ID, or credit cards are well hidden in this tiny little skirt. And a skirt of this volume you might even be able to throw in a cell phone! Sometimes you just don't want to lug around a purse. Top and skirt (my designs), necklace; Santee Alley, knee highs; Zara, shoes; Steve Madden. Photos by Katie Ralston and Arturo Pulido.

Glitz and Glamour

Remember the black sweatshirt with the small glitzy contrast pocket from the Bull's outfit? Of course you do! It was only my last post. When I saw this fabric I knew I had to do something big with it. The print is amazing. New Year's Eve was just around the corner so I had to do something for that. Yes it was a few weeks ago, so here is what I wore out. A high slit evening dress which you can wear as a halter style, off the shoulder, or single strap. Ooh la la. Oh, and see my NYE nails! Incredibly jeweled! Pointed shoulder bolero jacket; Papaya, platform heels; Bakers. Photos by Katie Ralston and Arturo Pulido.

Bulls fan, No Lie

 It's basketball bonanza today! All the big NBA teams are playing throughout the day. The game I'm for sure going to watch is the one at 2pm. The Bulls. I have to DVR it for later though because supposedly it's Christmas today and I have to be social.  No one tell me the results, please. I've become a fan since seeing one magical game Derek Rose played last season. From that moment on I have been checking if he will ever come back to play. But no, he's hurt. So here's to crazy looking Noah, Boozer, and Belinelli to put it in the basket more than the Rockettes today! About my outfit: Bulls cap, Adidas; beaded peter pan collar necklace and bracelet; santee alley; sweatshirt with a touch of me (pockets), H&M, Skirt; my creation.

Rainy Xmas Eve

Happy Holidays, everyone! If you don't feel like your in the Holiday spirit, dress accordingly and your mood will change! Time for some glitter, metallic, and shine in your life. Just don't go too dust fairy crazy and you'll be swell. Holidays are fun and so should be your outfit. The metallic stripe cropped long sleeve and brocade bow tie skirt, chain bracelets are made by moi. Clothing will be put up on my Etsy store for your purchasing pleasure soon!