INSPIRATION: the intersection of business and beauty

The 4 Fs:
Fashion, Food, Fotography, Fun.
and friends (that's 5Fs)

image: joombloger

I love standing at the intersection of business and art.

Without business, beautiful things are merely a hobby.
(don't jump on me here)
Without art, business is just the ugly action of buying necessary stuff.

I mean, can something really be fashion if the single greatest shirt you designed that doesn't make the cut and is never produced? (it's the pre-production manager in me talking). Or in other terms, what about the editorial that never got picked up? Are those photos a hobby, or an editorial? Does it really matter?

okay, okay.
We all want the same things....

to communicate;
to call out-
to spread our message.
and hope that someone answers our call. To feel that we've either inspired, challenged, or made a contribution somewhere...and hopefully live off that message.

Because all we want is to do what we want. do what we love. express ourselves. and if we get a response from someone who either agrees with our viewpoint or ideas, it's justification. or a feeling of acceptance; that someone's in our corner. Or that we've taught someone to see something from a different or new point of view.

I've been doing a lot of thinking, and  here are a few things I've learned along the way while traveling the intersection of business and beauty, between the fine line of indulgence and necessity-

from running retail chain store operations,
overseeing pre-production for apparel manufacturing,
retail sales at a contemporary/young designer boutique with high end clientele,
and creating sales strategies for-and-serving foodies.

1. the perfect job doesn't exist.
you have to create it for yourself.

2. support others, and the support will follow.
build and maintain your support system.

3. always work as though you are the owner of the company

4. to be successful you have to be passionate. you should love it. it will give you the edge.

5. it doesn't matter what everyone else is doing, just follow the voice in your heart.

6. always continue to stay inspired by exposing yourself to new experiences and ideas. shake up the game a little!

Granted, these aren't hard and fast rules...just ones i've decided to live my own life by. Or, have already found myself living...and wanted to make concrete and permanent out in the universe. They might even sound a bit trite. What about you? I'd love to hear your own life "rules." Maybe I'll find a few new words to live by.  Thanks for letting me communicate.

tegan and sara

FOOD: your glowing banana

choco bananas in japan. image:chozuru

Today I was doing research on food stands and came across this strangely phallic photo of chocolate covered bananas. Somehow, in neon green and covered in sprinkles, they make me feel a bit funny...and not one bit hungry. Just had to share.

They make me think of ninja turtles...

LIFE: call to action- bodies in motion at Athleta

all photos: athleta

Every time I receive the new Athleta catalog, something sparks within me- and this time, I discussed my awe about it last night with my friend Albert of PorkBelly Studio. Wonder what he thought about me obsessively looking at pics of womens' chests and legs...

Athleta is an activewear brand owned by Gap. What I find most provoking about their campaigns are their models They specifically choose very fit, muscular models. I'm not knockin the image of a strong woman- and it's definitely a refreshing look at the female form outside of the sickly-thin fashion industry- but they are deliberately making a point here by casting the way that they did. I do like the bold strength behind the statement- because if you don't go against the grain, then you're following what everyone else is doing.

The models chosen by Athleta are all very similar, which tells me this is exactly what they were going for- buff, broad, strong women with solid, muscular torsos, small chests, and broad shoulders/wide ribcages (enough room to breathe!): a bit masculine, if you will.  I mean, check this out:

now don't get me wrong- i appreciate a strong body- what I'm commenting on here is the standard vs. the real... or rather, the standard of conventional "pretty," and the reaction that initially hits me since we're never really exposed to body types like this in mainstream advertising.

But you know what? They are marketing to a very specific active customer...and whether they like it or not, it's probably not the same customer as Lucy and Lulu Lemon (the difference being sexy vs comfy while working out). Must be working though, since they've recently opened a Athleta bricks-and-mortar store in SF.

Am I the only one who reacts to this? Let me know!