John French - A Monday Tribute to a Legend

My Monday Inspiration this week is John French, the photographer. Photography is an art which most people tend to disregard as an "art". There are thousands of photographers out there, but it takes a special kind of breed to stand out. I guess this is true for every discipline in life. Some people were born with it. 

I was drawn to his work when I bumped into one of his photographs whilst doing research for one of my projects. There was something distinct about his photographs - the pictures and the subjects exuded so much elegance and class I couldn't ignore. I could tell  that he wasn't just a photographer, but also an artist. I have an affinity to artist, maybe because of my limitations thereof. I guess they fill the creative void that exists in my being; opposites do attract after all (cliche). I sometimes wish it would rub off on me somehow.  However, I know I'll have to live with being just a creative side-kick .

Here is a little background about this photography legend I gathered from the Oxford DNB National Biography.

Who is John French

John French ( "French") was born in England on the 1st of March 1907. He attended the Hornsey School of Art from 1926 to 1927. In 1930, he moved to Italy where he studied painting. It was during this period that he began his work as a commercial artist, designing book jackets for various publishers.

Special Technique

French's technical ability and lighting technique, which resulted in clear and beautiful pictures made it possible to use fashion photographs in the the newspaper.

He preferred to work with daylight where possible. He developed a method of lighting his subjects by placing white boards around them to reflect light and eliminate dark shadows.

Character and Work Ethic

French was known to be a perfectionist and professional. He had total control of the styling of his models, and even added accessories where necessary. Talk about a person who enjoyed his job! When you enjoy your job, you do more than the average guy does. 

He also encouraged his models to develop and reveal their personalities in his photographs. Note that this was in the 1930's. He taught them how to pose and position their hands. This is a skill I can't seem to grasp. I struggle to position my hands every time a picture is taken of me. 

Clientele and Contribution

French worked for numerous clients which included advertising agencies, retailers, designers, trade organisations, and fashion magazines, such as Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, and The Tatler. He also worked with several newspapers such as Sunday Mirror, Daily Express and many more.

Where to find his work

His archive of negatives and contact prints can be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

His Work

   

 

  

                  

I'm absolutely smitten by his work. Day made!

Yours in Style,

Nyaxsta your Vintaligious-Chic

Source:  Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. 

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these photographs

Information was gathered from different sources on the internet

                

WcW: Miroslava Duma

The Russian Street Style Queens, all with individual talents!

I've always been intrigued by the Russian traditional clothing from a very young age. When I was in High School, I created a cross-stitch art piece which shows Russian clothing for different seasons. My parents still proudly hang it somewhere in the house. I got excited about 3 years ago when I discovered a group of Russian style icons. If you follow fashion, you will know that the Russians almost always "kill" the Street Style at every Fashion Week.

My woman crush this Wednesday is a petite, elegant and gifted former fashion editor of  the Russian Harper's Bazaar and current freelancer, Miroslava Duma. She is also the architect of Buro247, a website dedicated to different kinds of art. I started following her two years ago at the Paris Fall Couture Week when Ulyana Sergeenko debuted her line. I was so obsessed by Ulyana and everything around her. I couldn't help but notice this cute, petite woman who was with her and other Russian style queens. 

I started stalking her like a 16-year - old who'd just developed a new crush. I researched and collected all information I could about her, but didn't do anything about it (funny). I guess what drew me to her the most is her stature. I guess for a petite woman like myself, it rekindled my passion for styling. Following her squashed the underlying insecurity, and ignorant views that  one has to be tall to have an opinion or make an impact.

Here are some of my favorite Miroslava looks. If you don't know her, check her out. You'll be hooked.

Tod's Fall 2014 cape

My favorite Suit looks

Pregnant looks

My All Time Favorites

Yours in Style,

Nyaxsta your Vintaligious-Chic

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these photographs

Information was gathered from different sources on the internet

Street Style: Spring 2015 New York Fashion Week - White

Fashion month is one of my favorite periods of the year. I love it because creativity is celebrated on the runways and on the streets. Though this month is really about the designers and the runway, the streets are filled with creatives from all corners of the world who contribute one way or the other to the fashion world. I enjoy watching them be themselves - expressing their creativity through personal clothing style, and through photography. 

I couldn't ignore all the white ensembles on the streets. I don't have a lot of white items in my closet for some odd reason. Maybe my attention was diverted this way to slap some sense into me! Here are some of my favorite looks from the streets. 

Yours in Style,

Nyaxsta your Vintaligious-Chic

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these photographs. 
Picture credits: Vogue and Racked.com

Sartorial Splendor

The Prodigal has Returned - My Monday Inspiration

The prodigal has returned. I can't believe that this is the first time I touch base with my secret space this year. I didn't realize that immigrating would be this hectic! I, however, don't regret it one bit. I have grown, and have gotten inspired much more than I'd imagined I would've. My love for old-school things, particularly clothes and photography,  has been fed abundantly. 

It's Monday today - a day I detest the most among all days! How negative of me, right? I've decided to change this by sharing my inspiration of the day every Monday. This, I reckon, will give be a boost I need to get me through the day. I have been collecting and learning a lot about different people, with different artistic gifts  and talents, who have really inspired me. Looking at a beautiful, well taken photograph of a well dressed lady or gentleman, soothes my Monday-sapped-spirit. It puts a smile on my face, and pushes me to do whatever I'm destined to do for the day. I promise you, it work me!

Today I won't introduce a person though. I'll just share pictures I connected with the most.

Faux Fur + Pearls + Leather Gloves + Pencil Tailored Dress = Winner

There is something undeniably sexy, yet elegant about red lipstick worn with a well-put-together outfit
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One outstanding feature which these pictures have in common is the 1940's military style hat. I absolutely adore these hats! Fashion in the 1940's was influenced by the World War II which was centered in Europe between 1939 -1945. Isn't amazing that even through difficult period in our lives, beautiful things can be born! If there's a period I wish I could have experienced in the past is that between the 1920's and 50's. This was a pioneering age of fashion in my view. Trends were born which will last for generations to come.

My Monday's will never be the same again! I can't wait for next Monday to share and introduce a person I've been reading about, and doing a little bit of research on.

Have a fantastic Monday.

Yours in Style,

Nyaxsta your Vintaligious-Chic

My Pretty Seshoeshoe dress in a foreign land

Commemorating South African Heritage month in a foreign land - South Korea.

 

 South Africans often do it in style.

 

Boarders and oceans can't hold me back. The rhythm in my bones cries to dance; it cries for the African beat. The style in my blood longs for the African creations; the beautiful beads designed to hug our curves; the beautiful prints created to show of our beauty.  We are called the Rainbow Nation. We are beautiful people; a beautiful nation. I will wear my Seshoeshoe in a foreign land with pride.

 

I am an African; I am South African; I am a Mosotho.

 

Wearing my Seshoeshoe dress, paired with pink pumps, to my friends birthday dinner