i am the decisions i make

This is Emily, my new friend, who was in the post the other day ('lit from within'). She is wearing riding pants and a pink/nude dress worn as a top, both from American Apparel. The cardigan is her own.

With her permission, I"m printing her email to me, below. Please bear in mind she is 19, English is not her first language, and she wrote it without expecting me to publish it:

"Jill,once again,thank you for the post. Your words are beautiful and I can say i'm truly happy to see you take a deeper look at someone's way of being,not just the appareance also their personality,character,mannerism. Of course there are some positive and negative reactions,they'll always be and no I don't mind.This is me,good and bad,mature and silly or childish,i'm true to myself and the people around me and I want to evolve and improve myself once I've learned from my own mistakes, not just because someone else says "but it's not right to do that".I am the decisions i make and won't appologize unless my actions affected someone.I have been tought to treat people nice,be understanding and embrace variety and the fact that they have small 'pleasures' doesn't make them less humans.Should vegetarians hate the people that eat meat?Or the other way round. Should people that live a quiet life hate the ones that like to party and dance? We have free will,it's just a matter of how far we choose to push it.

Also,the pictures of you are soooooo pretty,I'm jealous. Hope to see you soon.xx

Sorry if i've made any spelling mistakes,it's been such a busy long day,it's just a matter of seconds until i fall asleep."

cavorting in a field of blue bells on an english spring day, being chased by big black dogs (a true story)

We first found the field of blue bells in the rain and the twilight, last Saturday, after having a wonderful May Day in Oxford with Mr. & Mrs. Crusader, then a visit with friends in the countryside. On the way home, we made a wrong turn, and passed something that took our breath away. Blue bells, glowing luminescent lilac blue in the twilight, as far back as our eyes could see. Just a flash, as we passed.



There's something iconic, magic, mythical about wild blue bell fields in England. I can't explain. People go mental for it. We found this one, and were determined to go back Monday, and (this was Mr. Dot's idea!) do a photo shoot. With him taking the photos. Of me. In some of my borrowed American Apparel clothing.

So we did, on Monday. When we got to the spot where you can park, other cars were there. It was like a Close Encounters of the Third Kind moment: all these people, drawn to this spot... we saw a father shooting his young daughter in what had to be her favourite hot pink dress, being a model.. it was wonderful.



I had just climbed over the barbed wire fence, having traversed the mud terrine (covering my favourite black suede Topshop harlequin pom pom ballet pumps), when the people dispersed. A woman with a big black dog or two appeared (in my memory, she also had a shot gun, but this being England, it's unlikely) and a few of her friends. It's an institute of some sort, and she said it was private property, and we were trespassing.


So we left, being chased by big black barking dogs. And, despondent, metaphorical tail between our legs, regrouped to Marlow, to the safety of a cafe.

Mr. Dot is an Englishman, descended from country stock, with the spirit of Dunkirk and Colditz and the whole British Empire coursing in his veins. He was not going to let that woman stop us from our fashion shoot. So, fortified with bagels and excellent coffee, back we went. And did our shoot: even got a few changes of clothing in.



It's taken me this long to post cause I couldn't choose my favourite shots. This will be a series, I promise, but the blue bells season doesn't last long: two weeks, at best. So, for those of you with a car, in the greater London area:

It's about a half hour from London, on the A 4155, the 'Marlow Road' - between Marlow, and Henley on Thames. Coming from Henley to Marlow, you'll pass the TOAD HALL on your right, and it's on your left. There's a small spot to park. Oh and Mr. Dot asked me to tell you, don't worry about the dogs. He's grown up with dogs and said these are 'just Black Labs, and they're harmless.'

Looking forward to seeing your shots, Cupcakes. Have a lovely Saturday! xoxo

Oh btw: Lemony cream raincoat by Zara (several seasons back), same with the Topshop black suede mud covered harlequin pom pom ballet flats. Riding pants, this season, borrowed from American Apparel. Camel wool jumper, vintage Prada. Wood bangle, TU Sainsbury's. Nude and lavender grey scarf as belt, also vintage. Blue bells: mother nature. Cost: priceless.

stars and stripes

Emily, being such a star, in another look from our American Apparel shoot last week in Carnaby Street ('together we have a voice').

Together, we do. And we can now use this voice for.. oh, endless possibilities. Thank every single one of you who posted, tweeted, commented, spread the word.. if I haven't personally commented on your blogs on the post you did, apologies: I will. Or please comment again and let me know.

To think: this wasn't even for any particular 'reason' or benefit to you, yet you all got it about our collective voice, and the potential in that. That kind of support.. I'm like an elephant, frankly. I never forget.

Emily is wearing red and black dress by American Apparel, striped leggings, too, and the cardigan and shoes, model's own.

together we have a voice

Can you keep a secret? God knows, I can't. And I've been keeping this since.. sometime in January.

After American Apparel asked me if I wanted to run their ad, I ran this idea by them, and they got it: take a girl off the street (in this case, Emily, who I spotted and dotted outside Topshop last November: 'emily's style'). I asked her to meet me at American Apparel's Carnaby Street shop yesterday, wearing whatever she wanted. I didn't want to know. She knew that we were doing this for free, but did it anyway. She's starting to do catwalk modeling, so I caught her just in time. I am so lucky, and so grateful!



This is how she looked when we met (not bad, obviously: this is not a make-over! I chose her because I feel she's a natural style icon: a DOt icon, if you will ; ) We then went 'shopping' - basically, tried on a few things. It's funny, the first thing she chose was their new riding pants (translation: trousers, not knickers), in black (I've got my eye on the same pair, in taupe). Oh and btw: if you want to buy these trousers, and click thru on the ad, I'll get a commission!



We shot her on the street, with everyone passing by (and countless guys clowning around, getting in the shots, leering, you name it). It was a quick thing. It was really hard to choose, you'll see more in time (and other looks: this one happened to be all black), but I just wanted you to have a taste.



Here's what I'd like you to do: Please use the top shot on your blog - just let me know when you do, by leaving a comment on this post. It's like being tagged, but you're basically tagging it forward. If you'd like, tell your friends. You can reduce the shot, write what you want.. I want to show American Apparel how much of a collective force we are.



Would you mind spreading the word? If you do, definitely comment with the link to your blog, so we can check your blog out.

Even if you don't have a blog: if you comment here that you saw this and like the trousers.. who knows? If enough of us pick them up they may let me do it again. And there could be ways we all can profit. I mean, let's face it: most of us who blog are already doing our bit, for free, for our favourite brands' PR. It's just a fine line, really. I want to do this as a series, shooting YOU: the Dot Icons on the street. Together, we can transform how advertising works.

Together, I passionately believe, we have a voice.

Emily's black riding pants are by American Apparel, ladylike big black purse is her mom's, lace body is similar to one also by AA, and everything else, model's own.

serendipity: ashley

Posting this from stormy Florida, so we've nixed our planned trip to Miami today. AND one of my best childhood friends just flew down from NY: her mom had emergency surgery (she's miraculously doing well). They're minutes away. She & I are like that all the time: the weirdest coincidences, like running into each other in the Hamptons by chance. And we've discovered that yesterday - without knowing either one was in the state of Florida - we went to our beloved re-located childhood bakery Flakowitz, at the same time. Literally missed each other by a minute. And were served by the same guy!



What does this have to do with Ashley, who I met on Lincoln Road in South Beach, Miami? Nothing. Apart from a bit of serendipity (or coincidence). I love her look, and while I was shooting her, right on cue, a little dog got into the shoot. And as I snapped, I asked where she got that great bustier & skirt & she said 'American Apparel: I work there' - and indicated a branch across the street. Which is ironic, considering I'm running their ad (more on this in yesterday's posts comments, if you're interested).



I love her style: her use of colour is so subtle. Can you see the red in her bustier, and the purple-ish tones in her lace up 'brogues' (in British, or 'Oxfords', in American speak)? And the subtle sophistication of pattern mix-up: you'll be seeing a lot more of this trend, I predict. If we get down to South Beach tomorrow, I hope to catch her again, see what else she's got up her sleeve. But of course, only if it's meant to be.

And I love coincidence (or, serendipity): to me it's proof of something bigger at work than just me. It's like that old line: if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.

Have you had any incidents of serendipity in your life recently?

. . . . update:

I didn't realise at the time, but just heard from Ashley again, who just mentioned she took photos on a recent trip to India. She's a fabulous photographer, take a look here. Why am I not surprised: a good eye for style is usually connected to creativity in other areas. And she's so so nice!

portrait of an american girl, in grey and gold

The incredible snow fall we've had has got me in the mood for this colour scheme: black, blue grey, gold.. I can't really do this post without playing that fabulous Tom Petty song, but embedding is disabled by request, so you'll just have to click here and crank up the volume. The one I found is a really good version.

Okay, got another window open & playing it? Good. So it was back in 2009, the last day of the decade, 8:30 in the morning, and Mr. Dot, the cat, & I were lounging in the bed when the doorbell rang. Don't answer it, said I. He did, of course.

It was the FedEx man. We never see a FedEx man. It was from American Apparel. They were sending me samples to try out. It was like Christmas came early (well, Christmas 2010, that is). I couldn't believe it: I loved everything they sent, apart from a purple polo shirt, but I bet even that, I'll find something to do with it. So after we toddled off to Richmond for the best little two day New Year's Eve party we've ever had, we did one of our little 60-second photo shoots.



I love this grey jumper, it's slim & fine as a tee shirt, so so comfortable & warm, & I've been wearing it non-stop. I'd been out in it with black tights, heavy pale pink socks hidden under Ugg-like boots, and of course, Mr. Dot being Mr. Dot, the shoot seems to have started before I was quite ready. Ah, sigh: a model's life ain't easy.

The bag is also American Apparel: lightweight and sturdy and seemingly made of real gold foil. I love it. This is the future, for me: no more big leather bags. Let's save those skins for shoes, shoes, shoes. Expensive IT bags are so 20th century. I just need something big, synthetic & light weight, because what with my camera and water bottle, a book or two, my notebook, sunglasses etc, my load is heavy enough.



I'm not telling you where to shop, but if by any chance you were going to buy anything from them online anyway, if you could please do it thru clicking on my ad on the right, they'll pay me a small fee! But better than that: they might be impressed that people are actually out there, reading this, and might send me more great stuff. It's only fitting, as I am, after all, an American girl. Granted, a very very old girl, but female, nonetheless.

p.s. Someone asked about the court shoes: they're Zara, I bought them in September because I never wear heels, never wore them, even brought them to the New Year's Eve sleepover party but wore black ballet flats instead. The minute the shoot was over I took a step and realised I'd wedged the heel into the soft earth between the old cobble stones. I wish Mr. Dot had shot me trying to break free, it was hilarious. There must be a trick to wearing heels that I haven't caught onto.

stefania, in uniform

I was walking down the street near home - not far from Chanel & Brompton Cross, actually - and these... LEGS passed, really quickly. Mostly what I noticed was the tassles of her boots swinging like horses' tails. It was that brief nanosecond thought process of, do I have time? Should I? Will I be able to live with myself if I let this one go? And I turned around and ran after her (my legs are long for my height, which is 5'4", but let's face it: she was definitely outpacing me.)



When I caught up, gasping for breath, and asked if I could shoot her for my blah blah blah, she looked at me and said: 'You're shot me before.' I looked at her: did I? When? She said 'Kensington High Street.'



Sure enough: it was the Mystery Brunette! From my 'night vision' post. The tall stylish girl whose name I forgot, thought it was Marcella, or Nicoletta. Well, she is neither. She is Stefania! I hadn't taken her details, and she lost the card, but there she was. She's from Rome originally (as her boots, which are 'something Italian') but, like me, feels totally at home in London.



And what I love about this freak coincidence - because after all, this was in two different parts of town - is that in both cases, different as her looks are, she's wearing blue denim shorts over black tights. I love the big turquoise scarf with everything else shades of black & navy: this is a nice chic look I'm seeing a lot of around town. She said she wears this (shorts & tights) a lot: she likes to be comfortable. And let's face it, it's a fabulous look with those legs.

That's exactly what I tend to do, too: at any given time, I've got a uniform, that I vary slightly. For the same reason: to be comfortable. At the moment - and this moment has been going on for, wow, a month?? It's the same black riding boots, and black thermal American Apparel leggings (AND a little fashion tip that I shall be posting tomorrow). I vary the top, and the coat, but let's face it, with the cold weather, my warmest option is the Motel leopard. But I do vary the tops, I promise! (and my undergarments, even tho, I suppose, you could say that thermal 'underwear' as leggings is technically underwear as outerwear ; )

What's your uniform these days?

a hard day's night

It was Friday at rush hour, and Camden High Street was transforming in the twilight: couples heading out for the night, or, in the case of these two, just meandering thru shops together. I had had a long and very lucrative day street shooting, and, realising I didn't have time to stop home & change before we went out, and not wanting to wear my naturally distressed jeans, I popped into an American Apparel & bought my best investment this fall: black thermal leggings: my current uniform (see motel rocks, I'm wearing them there).



On the way out, I saw this lovely woman, on her way home from work at MTV. (In my NYC days, I worked with a wonderfully creative & charismatic - & sytlish! - animator, Eli Noyes, Jr, doing MTV animation & music videos). As exhausted as we both were, she still patiently posed for shot after shot, holding still as she could. In the darkening twilight, I just couldn't get a shot that wasn't blurry. In fact, knowing how it drives Mr. Dot mental.. well, I"m posting the blurriest of the bunch & calling it art!



Then I dragged her into the shop for one last attempt at a sharp shot. Posting these shots together to show two variations on the black jacket, which is so hot this season, it's cool. (In fact, black leather motorcycle jackets, especially with studs are pretty much in the classic category by now, and a definite wardrobe staple).

Thank you for your comments on the fur real debate. And I hope it's sharp enough for you to see what I love about this look, the studs on her belt, jacket, grey suede cuban heel booties, and the print on her dress & fabulous texture to that great big gorgeous hand bag. All from 'nowhere special' which, to her, means shops like River Island and Russell & Bromley. Not too shabby, as my friend Daniel would say.



Then less than 5 minutes later, inside the tube, I met this girl with her brother. Another great look with a black leather jacket, making it three in under an hourl

Leaving you with one little treat, from me to you. Worth hitting play, even if only for the first chord, which has become an iconic and nearly impossible to recreate element of rock and roll. The Beatles, by the way, before Brian Epstein got them into matching suits & their iconic Fab Four, were totally black leather motorcycle jackets, pompadours and winkle pickers, in their early Berlin days. And with that, I'm signing off.

not desperate, nor housewives

Spotted Tom and Lynnette on Bond Street and absolutely HAD to dot them. It wasn't til much later - even after watching an episode of Desperate Housewives - that I realised: Tom and Lynnette! And these two fashion students are so absolutely NOT desperate. In fact when I was telling them how I was on this quota for a deadline for a company in LA to shoot a trend for May to go to Conde Nast in Beijing and Moscow on London streetstyle (it's a funny world, what can I say) but I couldn't find any bright wild prints because everyone's wearing black, Lynnette just smiled that fabulous smile and said 'Black is back!' (As to what she's wearing, she looked around her own outfit, touching the shaggy jacket, and replied 'Nothing special.') I'd love to see what she comes up with when she makes an effort!



Black is absolutely back, baby. In fact, even at the Hay Festival, in Wales, in hot summer heat, where you'd usually find a lot of floaty hippie flowery prints.. they were still there of course, but so were a lot of very sleek, minimal, black chic frocks (including yours truly, in my new hot pink plastic celebrity sandals, and a black racerback ribbed cotton number from American Apparel).


Black isn't backing down any time soon. London hasn't seen anything like it since poor old Prince Albert left this mortal coil. In fact one could say black is.. well, the new black.