Papaya Collaboration: Creative Process, Color, and Inspiration

The whole world, as we experience it visually, comes to us through the mystic realm of color.

Hans Hofmann 

A few months ago I was sent a beautiful box of goodies by Papaya as part of a fun collaboration. I shot a few self portraits inspired by the beautiful colors and women created by artist Anahata katkin. I have been a looong time fan of her work and Papaya so this whole thing was surreal for me.

I was given creative freedom with what to create so initially I had no idea what direction I would take. I was most inspired by the COLOR and positive vibes throughout the pieces. The quote above is one of the many beautiful and inspiring quotes that run throughout Papaya. In terms of color I was really feeling the pinks and teals surrounded by a darker backdrop. From there I started playing around with different shades in my makeup collection, and the patterns and textures in my clothing and accessories. I was also really inspired by the flowers in her work and wanted to incorporate those as well. These images show some of the initial play time I did. I will be sharing the final portraits in the next post!

XO
Feda

Mountains

“I sit before flowers hoping they will train me in the art of opening up 

I stand on mountain tops believing that avalanches will teach me to let go

I know nothing but I am here to learn.”

Shane Koyczan

"As you change your point of view, your views bring about a change in you." George Alexiou

"Wherever you are, you're in the right place. So let yourself enjoy the view." Unknown

Mountains have a way of putting you in your place. It's amazing how seeing from a different view can put things into perspective. You feel quite small and humble in the scope of things. They take my breath away while simultaneously giving me the exact breath of fresh air I need.

I took these on the way back from a mini vacation we took to New Hampshire a few weeks ago for our anniversary. Most of them were taken driving by but some were also taken at stops along the way to take it all in. We had a great time exploring, skiing and enjoying each others company in a different environment. I often crave seeing with new eyes and I always feel a strong pull towards mountains so this hit the spot. Hope you enjoy a small piece of what I brought back with me :)

Winter. Spring. Blanck & White. Contrast.

“Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Each teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring." William Alexander

"There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.” Charles Dickens

I realized that I have been experiencing a lot of contrasts lately. It's been a long winter in Boston. We've had record snowfall with lots and lots of shoveling. I don't hate snow, I actually enjoy the seasons in New England, but it can test your patience when it's week after week of snow piling up with no place to put it. That along with some of the incredibly ugly things happening around the world had me feeling some pretty low lows. Winter blues started to take on a different tone this year and I was having trouble working through it all.

I do feel that without the bad, in contrast you can't appreciate the good. I mean without winter do you really appreciate when spring finally arrives? There is beauty in all the stages but we have to be wise enough to trust and know that it will pass. Without the lows you can't appreciate the highs and everything in between. It is a process and a cycle just like nature.

I've actually been wanting to photograph this outfit for some time. Once I got through some of the mental block that had been piling up, I mustered up the courage and just did it. It felt sooo amazing to do this little outfit post for ME. The mind can tire you out and it's important to do things that make you feel good. Things that help you to let things out and express whatever it is inside. For me it's dressing up, putting colors and textures together and creating art on my body. In those moments I can let go and play. What good are you to the world if you're constantly in a negative state of mind?

This outfit was inspired by winter and the awakening of spring. I had fun doing the makeup with this one with pops of pink and yellow. Speaking of contrast, I've been wearing a lot of black and white lately. I was excited when I found this very in trend checkered print vintage dress while thrifting! The outfit is almost all thrifted by the way besides the boots and the jewelry. This scarf is just my favorite ever and I thrifted it last year when Jean from Drossintogold came up to Boston. She gave me some lucky energy that day ;) I'm just sooo in love with the Russian/Eastern European floral prints and I'm not sure if I'll ever get over them. I did an entire editorial with them with an amazing team but it will be some time before I can share anything. The necklace was very kindly gifted to me by Alina of Zamarut Jewel and it added just the right touch of tribal energy along with the ring from Avizeh Jewelry.

My husband Anthony was kind enough to take these for me in the freezing cold. Thankful <3

Fringe coat: Otello Pelle Vintage thrifted
Belt: thrifted unknown
Checkered black and white dress: Appleseed's vintage thrifted
Moto vest: DIY cut jacket thrifted
Boots: Steve Madden Marshalls
Scarf: thrifted unknown - has a stamp on it with 1992 but I can't make out the name
Necklace: Zamarut Jewel
Large blue ring: Avizeh Jewelry
Small round ring: cart in Boston commons
Lipstick: Wet N Wild Liquid Lip Color in Back to the Fuchsia

How has your winter been? How do you overcome the not so pleasant sides of life??

MUCH LOVE TO YOU ALL!
XO
Feda

Technicolor Fall

I wore this outfit to the Carla Fernandez show and I really wanted to do an outfit shoot for the blog because I loved it so much. There is also an interesting story behind the jacket. A very sweet woman named Heidi gifted me this stunning piece along with a bunch of other garments she was not using/wearing anymore. She messaged me one day and said she kept getting this feeling like she needed to give me this stuff. I had never met her in person so it was nice to have lunch and chat. She has AMAZING style obviously and this jacket was actually given to her but she said it was a bit too colorful for her. Even I thought it was a bit too colorful but I knew I could make it work somehow and I did! I think?! It's actually handmade in Lebanon by a company called Atelier Nanou that creates pieces that take you "back to a space and period of time in the Arab world." Sounded right up my alley and it also reminds me of hippies which I love! I was in a witchy mood so I paired it with mostly black. I added the touch of pink at the waist and some colorful new rings I just got from Avizeh and Zamarut Jewel. I've been on an jewelry high lately. It's the only thing I ever splurge on because it's my weakness! Everything else is basically thrifted.

Have a wonderful festive weekend! I'll be staying in watching scarrry movies and eating food.

Much love and PEACE OUT!
Feda

Boston Fashion Week: Carla Fernandez

Saving the best for last, witnessing the Carla Fernandez Spring/Summer 2015 show at the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum was a breath of fresh air and the highlight of Boston Fashion Week for me! I felt so fortunate to be able to see her in Boston in such an intimate and artistic setting. It was also my first time at the Museum and admission was complimentary with the ticket so I wandered around after the show as well. If you are ever in Boston or live in Boston, this museum is stunning and a must see simply for the architecture alone. It was modeled after a 15th century Venetian palazzo and it's walls and art spoke of another time and place.

Seemed liked the ideal atmosphere for Carla's designs to walk through. "The Barefoot Designer", Carla, is a Mexican designer that works with artisans in Mexico to bring back indigenous textile techniques while simultaneously supporting the artisans socially and economically. When reading more about her I was struck by her methods of creating together with the artists, buying their work but also their artistic integrity in design. Carla also utilizes sustainable techniques using squares and rectangles to reduce waste. This also lends to the geometric quality you see in the pieces.

This was the first time the Gardener Museum had an in house fashion exhibit/show. The show was actually inspired by the Museum, titled Gardener, and featured animals/creatures/designs taken from 17th century Mexican church tiles that are on display on the walls of the Spanish cloister. The talented Dynasty models walked with their feet painted in white, into the center of the room where they stood on a white tiled square turning into each direction of the room then walking back out. Effortless and fresh makeup was done by the amazing Mariolga of DB cosmetics. I can't recall who did hair (bad memory and I can't find it online! Please fill me in if you're reading this and you know.) and I believe her son was DJ.

Just as the walls spoke of another time and place, the presentation of the pieces as they entered also transported you to a new space in your mind. It was just beautiful and refreshing to see. I will stop blabbing now and hopefully you can feel this for yourself through the images. These were some of my favorite looks from the night :)

Amazing right?!
Enjoy the fall festivities and weekend!