With the lingering feelings of summer following us into a crisper season, we’re reflecting on that sense of newness that comes with fall. Maybe it’s all the ingrained “back to school” conditioning from childhood, but there is something about this time of year that makes it feel like a fresh start is just around the corner. Distant Past - Everything Everything

iT - Christine and the Queens

Subway - The Avalanches

Shut Up and Kiss Me - Angel Olson

Laisse Tomber Les Filles - France Gall

Same Way - Salami Rose Joe Louis

Yeah, I Know - Otherkin

Samba De Merda - Jean Touitou

You, Me, Cellphones - Husbands

The Monterey Car Coat || Photographed on @raniabenc

BEHIND THE SCENES: SALTT

A word from our designer, Jenny Alaimo

Mae Van Der Weide. Do not forget this name. 

It’s a strange feeling to see a face and know immediately that they are destined for grandiose success.   

Our second shoot with Mae created an environment with such visceral excitement, it could almost be heard as we set up for our first look.   

Among familiar faces of impeccable capability and new talent to be reckoned with, I watched our firecracker muse shape shift from a midwest doe into a femme fatale.   

She swayed elegantly in silk charmeuse and posed in suiting with such authority, I had to remember to blink.   

We moved around in the scorching afternoon heat, in and out of set ups and hair and makeup. We laughed and awed; we sat in silence and we reveled at the sight of our garments coming to life.   

With the help of our now dubbed ‘dream team’, we told the story of Saltt on a hot white set in the middle of nowhere. 

I won’t soon forget the magic that happened this day as we worked into the sunset. 

If there ever were an original Saltt woman, it would be, without a doubt, Mae Van Der Weide.   

BEHIND THE SCENES: HERRON 

A word from our designer, Jenny Alaimo

Over the course of about 5 years, I have grown accustomed to the heat, the beauty, and the life that is the Southern California desert. My love affair began with a chance musical occasion that turned into one of the most magical nights of my life. This is a story for another time, however. It continued with frequent visits for nights under the stars, natural water springs; space ship meditations and of course: live music.

The Herron Shoot: 

We worked into the wee hours and left the office in the dark for our drive. A quick stop for fuel and food and we were on our way. The colorful hotel welcomed us in the stagnant familiar heat. 

I lay my head and immediately fall into a dream state with the child like anticipation of our early morning shoot. 

The sun has barely risen as we pull up to a perfectly furnished mid century modern gem that looks as if it were dropped out of the sky just for us. Rania Benchegra is a sight for sore eyes. Her presence is one that you can’t quite put your finger on. Her beauty is shocking and rare: inviting and intimidating at the same time. Her face like something I have not yet seen and once her eyes are gilded gold, she is a goddess walking amongst us. Jean Pierrot and ______ are the kind of lanky, beautiful artists that you’d expect from a European indie film and when they stroll up I almost do confuse my real life for one.

Meticulously, artfully, and beautifully capturing each look on film is something of an honor to watch as Pierrot works through each garment. He sits on the clean white bed to shoot Rania through a mirror reflection in his neatly tucked in tee shirt. I gaze at them in adoration for how perfectly they are encapsulating the Herron woman. 

BEHIND THE SCENES: ONE FIFTY THIRD

A word from our designer, Jenny Alaimo

When I moved to California, I was 18. Everything was shiny and new. Every road was a story, every song was an event. The glittering city lights and starlit boulevards made for wild and magnetic nights but it was the long canyon drives, full of stories and secrets that truly stole my heart.   I threw myself into literature on Laurel Canyon’s incredible music history and made myself into a character while cruising Mulholland Drive. These winding paths became a source of hope and inspiration, and as years passed I always think of them as a more simple youth.  

The One Fifty Third Shoot: 

Location: Laurel Canyon

When I pulled down the long canyon road that had become a stranger to me after years away from the valley, I felt a familiar warmth course through my veins. I look into the open windows of tree house-like estates and imagine Joni Mitchell wandering in a creative daze; Mama Cass hosting an all night jam session with a guest list you could never imagine. 

Now here I am: in this back, back house with creative geniuses of my time. Painting faces; slicking manes; capturing moments; and making magic. 

The space is warm and familiar with a futuristic touch. The sliding glass doors are windows to brainstorm smoke breaks at the cafe dining set outside. The back room is filled with unique gems, bags, trims and shoes that are all too fun to be precious. 60’s French pop plays in the background while we gush over the inspirational hair and makeup corner. 

Our muse: Lera Pentelute is a subtle sort of stunning. I say this because she has the immediate face of a classic movie star, but with a deeper look, she is something all her own. She is graceful and playful at once, with humility despite her obvious talent.

To work with her is an ease so rare that I almost have to pinch myself after we start shooting.