6.28.08 // PHILADELPHIA // Starlight Ballroom + Punk Rock Flea Market

Pure Style-- She's on a Mixte

Her colors are so outstanding. She really stood out in a crowd. There are little skull and cross bones print on her shorts... thought you might appreciate this little detail about her outfit. This is Critical Mass San Francisco.

Pure Style-- She's not on a Fixie

Critical Mass San Francisco. She pulled off to the side to chat with friends. She was one of the very few not riding a fixie. What's her bike tribe? Her bicycle is a step through and she is quite fit.

Pure Style-- Custom Bike & Asym Bangs

Her bangs cut asym..short for asymetrical. Then her orange bike, custom built. She was it's 3rd owner. She is in the Bart System and just happened to be standing exactly where I snapped this pic. She is part of the San Francisco fixie tribe. Or as the Brits might say...The Tribe: Fixed Wheel Nut."

Embracing all bike tribes—Pure Style

Starting with a new series here---I am offering a look into various bicycle rider's personal fashion & style…both in the bicycle they ride and the clothes they wear. I hope to showcase pure style in each and every one of all the various bike tribes. In this case STYLE wins…STYLE trumps over everything else (meaning zero bike snobbery/judgments!)

I started with this premise; “You have a look and a bicycle that makes people take a second look. Words to describe you; chic, fashionable, individualistic, sharp….. AND a bicycle you prize and it’s a ‘looker’ as well.”

Why? Usually I focus on Slow Rides and my preferred bicycle tribe: ‘Sit-Up & Beg.’ However, not so in this series. It’s because I really do love fashion. When ever I find it.

I embrace Pure Style! And ALL the Bike Tribes! Whatever gets you on your Bike! Ride!

{happy weekend + nyc}

Off to NYC for a few days to trade work for play, and short conversations on our mobiles to long conversations over dinner . . .

{p.s.}
Been a busy week here, so here's a wrap-up of the some of the things you may have missed:

electric
summer
stylishly french
karl lagerfeld + versailles
beauty sleep
swank lighting + joe cariati
une fille comme moi
everyday objects as art

Have a beautiful weekend, everyone!

{images: top - french country living by caroline clifton-mogg, photography by christopher drake; bottom - polly wreford}

6.25.08 // PHILADELPHIA // Market Street + Institute for Contemporary Art

night time drawing

so yesterday i got a book with one of my all time favorite artist, Aubrey Beardsley in it.
i got super inspired by seeing his work in print form so that night when i got home from work
i drew this.... hope you likes.

Vogue Girl Korea

photo credit/source: Vogue Girl Korea/popseoul!

'Riding Pretty' Bicycle Girl in Seoul Korea

Bicycles -- In Service for You

{the magic of henry clarke}

{1957 -- joanna mccormick for chanel}

I remember the first time I fell in love with the work of Henry Clarke (1918-1996) -- it was as if I were falling, falling into a world of impossible elegance and incredible sophistication . . .

Included are a few photographs not published in the original post. Although Clarke's work reached its height in the 1950's and 60's, it will always remain timeless.

{1953 - suzy parker for mauboussin}

{1959 - rose-marie for givenchy}

{1959 -- ann sainte-marie for saks}

*see also:
post war elegance
indelible images of elegance

{images: scanned by frederic at fashion cosmos}

The Bikes They Like -- Haight Street

____________________________________________________________________

Shopping - Bicycle Rolls Along

I snapped this in the flower aisle. She brought her bicycle with her, just rolled it in to do some ‘super quick shopping.’ I just loved her pink bicycle set amongst the flowers.

Dolores Park -- Bicycle HotSpot

Lots of people bicycle to Dolores Park and lounge on the grass.

Nearly every afternoon and into evening people ride in and out.

It’s a hub of socializing… bike culture style.

{summer}

. . . fresh blades of dewy grass, whispers of rustling leaves . . . it's summertime, and I'm happily wearing my strappy sandals . . .

{images: 1 - H&G via housemartin; 2 - margot's dining room, style at home july 2008; 3, 4, 5, 7 - polly wreford ; image 6 - anders gramer}

{p.s.}
* also just came across Kate at Girl Meets Glamour's lovely post, a shade of green . . . * see also: st. patrick's

{karl lagerfeld + versailles}

Still sorting through hundreds of photos from our recent trip to Paris and hope to have a few posted this week . . . {if only had thought to invite Karl Lagerfeld along to shoot the Château de Versailles}

{editorial: High Fashion, Haper's Bazaar November 2007; models: Snejana Onopka, Jessica Stam etc.; photography by Karl Lagerfeld}

Sit Up & Beg – Most Ergonomic?--- Good Answer

photocredit/source: Tod/CleverCycles

Great stick figure representation of the various riding positions.

‘How you sit has a big influence not only on your comfort and capacity to move, but on your mind. Just as laughing and smiling, even forcibly, can help lift a foul mood, sitting utterly upright, head high with your shoulders thrust back to “open your heart” exerts a powerful influence on your mind. It is serene, restorative, dignified. Mix well with endorphins and you’re getting there. I love watching people set off on Dutch bikes for the first time, seeing the initial wobbles of the unweighted handlebars relax a block later into a yogic smile and regal poise.’

I was directed to this *article by readers (Donna and Anon) in response to ‘Sit Up & Beg – Most Ergonomic?’ They love their LBS… Clever Cycles. You’ll also so find a lively discussion/comments section with pros cons and lots of bike tech speak.

* warning: there’s a photo of naked guys on bikes in the article from Clever Cycles.

{beauty sleep}

. . . running stunningly low on beauty sleep, but lovely to busy and caught up in the excitement of it all . . . not certain if it's the amazingly calming colour palette, but couldn’t imagine a more lovely place to lay luxuriously about . . .

{images by gemma comas}

Summer Afternoon in the Park --De Young Museum

Nice red Schwinn. Out to see the exhibit at the Museum.

Out by the Baseball Field.

Two pretty pink cruiser parked by the Museum.