Maison Marchand

Living in Southern California is every kid's dream come true.

I remember growing up in Brazil and going to Disneyland on vacation with my parents and those are the happiest memories of my childhood hands down.

As an artist years down the road, I can't deny the heavy influence that Walt Disney has in my personal aesthetics as well as the element of childhood curiosity, fantasy and make believe.

So much of Fashion is born in make believe, in the "what if's" and "how about's" that's why it's important for a designer to get their hands dirty with materials and machines because it's in the process of creation that inspiration comes to an artist and takes over the work.

Stay curious, stay naughty...

xoxo

Shoes : Call it Spring

Skirt : American Apparel

Bodysuit : Nastygal

Jacket : UNIF

Working with new Designers is both challenging and exciting. Since Fashion is Art, it's all about personal taste. In teaching I have found a love for the new and a constant evolution of taste as I am presented with new ideas on a regular basis.

In the past year I was lucky enough to have among my students a young men named Drew Kessler. With a passion for the outdoors and nature, Drew worked on a collection with a Nomad tribe in mind that mixes leathers, furs and canvas material. He has not only created all looks but also the shoes, handbags and head pieces that adorn this most incredible collection.

To me, more than trying to get a point across of a way in which an artist should or should not work, as a teacher, I am more interested in motivating the artist; in leading the artist down a path of exploration and curiosity with a positive light. Motivated people always produce better, more prolific work.

Here I am wearing one of Drew's looks...more to come!!!

Stay naughty...

xoxo

The Woodbury Fashion Donor Dinner Event held at the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History was a celebration of the University's Senior Fashion Class of 2013.

As one of the school's Design Instructor, along with iconic Red Carpet Designer Eduardo Lucero, Kathryn Hagen and Jared Gold to mention a few, I couldn't be happier with the student's body of work.

Ironically enough, as Fashion becomes more and more relevant in today's society, true Fashion Design can be considered a dying art. As computers and overseas factories start taking over the market place, the Designer who actually invests his time in the craft of hand drawing and illustrating, draping, flat patterning, fitting, tailoring and sewing garments himself is the true artist in this business, and the only one capable of creating the new.

As an artist myself, I see no better way to contribute than to mentor new generations of Fashion Designers and Illustrators, and pass along the teachings that were once passed down to me, by artist whose words will forever resonate through my work.

Stay curious, stay naughty!! xoxo

Dress - Gloria Coelho (Brazilian Designer, Tulle Dress)

Shoes - Christian Dior Mesh Platforms

Bag - BCBG Feathered Clutch

Coat - Vintage

Look of the day...August 15th.

Super Heavy!

This look is all about the naughty but nice peek-a-boo of the neon through navy blue lace and leopard booties. The element of transparency is always something a girl can rely on in order to create a sexy look.

Playing basics with the RGB (Red, Green and Blue) color scheme, I am actually wearing a Barney's Co-Op knit men's tie but here tied in a bow.

I say, if it looks good, who cares which section of the store is selling it, as long as you like it... make it work! 

Look of the day...August 14th....

Purple Haze

Purple is one of those childhood colors that are so rich and exciting it's easy to get obsessed with, especially with the neon craze that's going around. Neon yellows are my favorite to match it to since the green makes me really think of the Incredible Hulk.

Here I'm wearing a purple strapless color blocked little dress and I'm toning down the palette with a black cardi. The neon heels pick up the neon detail of the dress as well as jewerly and this is an easy, fun look for the summer.

I had the HONOR to be photographed here by my partner in crime and AWESOME artist Miss Susanne Melanie Berry <3

Remember..everything looks better with a natural tan!

August 13th...

Leather and Lace

Celebrating my eternal obsession for color schemes here is one of my top 5 favorites, the Chanel color scheme. The soft yet-not-exactly-baby pink with black lace and leather details creates a mix of innocence and darkness that I love. The baby blue nails are my little pop of color.

Here I'm wearing the Alexander McQueen Pumas as well as sunnies from Marc by Marc Jacobs resort 2011 collection for men, I just couldn't resist the pink ombre on these shades, as well as his "watch" belt (one of my all time favorite acessories). The dress is a mix of mesh, tulle and satin and it's perfect for the long days of California summer...

Saturday out and about in the streets of L.A. with M.G. Baker Co. Here @ Mister Freedom Look of the day... August 11th.

Red, White and Blue

Everybody has a friend, that person that sort of sneaked into our lives and became the lifeline, the missing link you were looking for in order to be happy, mine is M.G. Baker Co. (mgbakerco.com). We were designers together at Hurley and really learned from each other and collaborated in some pretty amazing projects.

Now M.G. Baker is out on his own with a killer line of self tie Bow Ties that are all the rage in Hollywood among celebritiies and trend setters but that's not all, soon he will have more products for boys to look cuter than ever, so girls...if there's a special boy in your life...hint hint.

This is another one of my fashion obsessions, the Nautical look...I guess this girl loves more than just a man in an uniform! Here I'm wearing a simple navy blue dress which I pop with the red elastic and patent leather belt that matches the shoes and sunnies. Offset by the big white bag I create my Uncle Sam palette perfect for the Mister Freedom wall.

If you have never been there it is a killer place to visit and revisit designs and initiatives from long long ago. I'm a sucker for fifties fashion, style of garment construction as well as design and lifestyle so Mister Freedom is an incredible place to reminisce and get inspired.

Stay naughty!

Look of the day, Friday 10th...

Putting on the Ritz

Tonight my long time friend and former Viper Room co-worker Mr. Mark Gracious is taking me to see Mr. Jack White at the Shrine in Downtown LA. This place is over 100 years old and has been through some major renovations, it looks incredible!! Also, it's a place where all the biggest acts come to perform.

I'm taking advantage of Jack White's flamboyance and wearing my evil pirate vintage hat. I'm a hat fanatic and this was definitely a huge find, conveniently enough I found it in my mom's closet. Because of my hat obsession I guess, my mom started paying attention to vintage hat shops when she travels and she found this baby in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is black velvet and dates back to 1953.

In terms of clothes I'm wearing two brazilian designers here, mother and son as a matter of fact. The dress is knit teal with studs by Carlota Joaquina and the vest/coat is by Gloria Coelho. The heels are Dior mesh platforms.

August 9th....

 Official Bow Tie Day 

Today is my BFF's birthday and since he is the maker and creator of these FABULOUS self tie Bow-Ties I declared August 9th National Bow-Tie day...in observance I'm here sporting the "Bunny Hop", totally one of my favorites even though it's IMPOSSIBLE to choose a favorite one. 

In the mix is also a black Herve Leger front zip-uo skirt with Marc by Marc men's suspenders and sunnies, a fine soft-pink lacey pair of tights, Allsaints ruffled bib white shirt, cropped tuxedo jacket and leopard platform short boots.

This is more of a black and white classic boy look, adapted to the Renaughty poin of view with a soft pop of color as well as print coming only from accessories. Keep it simple, keep it clean, keep it cool. And visit www.mgbakerco.com

August 8th...

Space Cowboy

I know, my titles are so silly, but it's the first thing that comes to my mind when I see the pics or trying to describe to myself what is it that I wanna channel that day.

I LOVE my cowboy boots, I know people will hate, but one lesson I have learned in this life is "What people will say must give way to bliss", so here they are.

I'm wearing this Hurley open back tee with a super cute metallic mesh yoke detail and a Hurley soft pink Winchester Slicker. The Winchester is pretty much a must have in any closet, they have had many fabrications through the seasons as well as different colorways but the classic black or navy fleece ones as well as this pink, the grey, olive greens and bone colors are also super comfy and versatile. 

Boys liked it ;)

Thank you Chris Nolan for keeping excitement alive...

August 7th...

Varsity Catwoman 

Ok, this look could easily be called "These are a few of my favorite things", because honestly, that's what they are.

First is this amazing Hurley JAPAN wool and leather varsity jacket sent for me from my beloved friend and designer Shogo Shibata..LOVE YOU BUDDY!! 

Next it's a Patricia Filed original black catsuit from the early 90's, before all the Sex and the City craze when her store was an underground semi-dungeon in NYC.. yes I made my parents take me there and actually convinced them to pay for things at age 11. This piece is a little see through but it shapes you up like no other.

Last but never least, the Alexander McQueen collaboration shoe with Puma, before wedge heels sneakers were all the rage and actually back when he was still alive. I remember the first time I saw these online I lost it.. I was still going to school and couldn't really afford them but you know what, I had to have it. I called a few stores in Beverly Hills and had them the same day... that's true love at first sight story <3

Photo credit goes out to an AMAZING young artist Dakota Gomes, from a family of gnarly, beautiful and crazy talented people, love him to death and if you love Hurley T-shirts, chances are you love him too, he is one of the great geniuses of the Hurley Art Dept.