Monday, August 27, 2012

The Creatives: An Interview with Tania Zarak



Tania Zarak hails form Mexico, but is every bit a stylish New Yorker.  Since beginning her film career at the storied Tribeca Films she has worked in the development and production of films such as Pan’s Labyrinth, The Departed, Backyard and an adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’ News of a Kidnapping. In 2007 she returned to Mexico as president of Argos Cine, the largest independent film studio in Latin America. Two years later she left the position and created Bonita Films based both in Mexico and New York focusing on projects of international character. I met Tania on the set of The Girl, Bonita’s first feature produced by my husband, Paul and was immediately taken by her warmth, curiosity and vision.  Up next, for this mover and shaker is the Uruguayan-Mexican film Tanta Agua, directed by Ana Guevara and Leticia Jorge.  When Tania isn't plying the vanguard of film to transcend geographic and cultural boundaries, she is busy changing the world one project at a time by telling stories that amaze because, as she says "if something can be lived and loved, it can be filmed."

What do you see trending in fashion now?

Bright colors. Floral and astral prints. Textures. Jewelry. People are “detailing” themselves much more than they used to now so I think accessories are a bigger fashion staple. A stylish pair of flats, a nice handbag or even a solid set of rings are just as important as the rest of the clothes. One-of-a-kind pieces and simple things like braids twisted up into a bun or red lipstick are also, in my opinion, enough of a statement.
 
When was the last time you had a fashion epiphany?
I am loving the “female DJ” look of Solange Knowles. My assistant Memo also recently introduced me to the women of “Advanced Style” (http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com) and I’m obsessed -- so much to look forward to! Those ladies shine not because of what they are wearing, but because of the amazing people inside their clothes.
What is your favorite High brand? And your low brand? How do you mix high and low?
It¹s getting harder and harder to define what is high and what is low. I'm a big admirer of the Mulleavys from Rodarte and of how they translate crazy concepts like Japanese horror films into actual clothing. I¹m not that into labels although I do love my Miu Miu. But I love Black Milk and American Apparel leggings just as much. I keep things fun and eclectic precisely by mixing the highs and the lows. That’s life.

What is your go-to uniform for a day of work? The weekend? What are you living in these days?

Well-groomed eyebrows are my most important go-to anything. Always. I can¹t seem to take off my Mother Denim cut off shorts. They are so nice fitting and comfortable for the summer. I wear them to the office, for an evening out or even just at home. They are versatile and nice to mix with a fun necklace or a Zara vest. I’m also wearing my K Jacques sandals almost every day. I discovered K Jacques in le Marais in Paris years ago and it¹s wonderful to see that they now sell all over the place.

What is your favorite ILR piece and why?

The Eclipse and Full Moon rings. By far. They take me places.

Who are your style icons?

My grandmother was my idol. She recently passed away but she was the most polished person I know. She did it in a very easygoing, natural, feminine way though and that alone is elegance. I remember she wore the sweetest cologne to bed and from her I learned how to organize my (any) closet to its full potential. She influenced my entire style and approach to life. I inherited several of her pieces, which are great clothes in themselves and obviously have a very big sentimental value. But, another icon of mine would be Anna Karina in “Une femme est une femme” and I would love to see what’s inside Agnés Vardas’ closet one day. I think Sophia Coppola has great taste and I also find great inspiration in friends like Gabriela Artigas or my sisters.  

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Ilsa Loves Rick at Pretty Mommy

I am thrilled to announce that the Ilsa Loves Rick line of rings is now available at Pretty Mommy, a premier online boutique for emerging labels and darlings of the fashion world. Michelle LeBlanc has perfectly curated the must have collection of all things beautiful with wears by Ace & Jig, Clare Vivier, Object + Totem, Wren, Ermie, Tucker, John Robshaw, along with other stars.  Feeling awfully excited to be in such good company!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Must See: Plywood at MoMA

Ongoing at the mecca for design in NYC is "Plywood: Material, Process, Form". Popular Science in 1948, described plywood as "a layercake of lumber and glue.” It has also given 20th-century designers of everyday objects, furniture, and even architecture greater flexibility in shaping modern forms at an industrial scale. This installation features examples from around 1930 through the 1950s complete with archival photographs that detail the process of design and manufacture.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

The Creatives: An Interview with Katherine Nolfi

Katherine Nolfi is one of a small group of film makers redefining what we expect from the independent film world.  Her debut feature film, UPSTATE (co-directed with Andrew Luis), premiered in competition at the 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival where it was selected as  “Best of the Fest” by LA Weekly. She has written and directed several short films of note, including UNLIMITED (co-directed with Andrew Luis), which was an official selection of SXSW 2009, MOUTH BABIES (co-directed with Lisa Duva) an official selection of the 2011 Slamdance Film Festival and which won Best Short at the Seattle True Independent Film Festival.
Her current screenplay, THE WORLD OF MEN, was a finalist for the 2012 Nantucket Film Festival’s Tony Cox Screenwriting Award.  When she is not behind the camera, she works in various capacities within the film and television industry. Like the other smart and compelling women featured in The Creatives posts,  Katherine has a easy and effortless style wholly her own, part gamine, part downtown, and utterly covetable.


What do you see trending in fashion now?

High-waisted everything, head wraps, clogs.  Did I just describe the cover of a Vashti Bunyan album?

When was the last time you had a fashion epiphany?

Recently I watched Andrzej Żuławski’s POSSESSION.  Isabelle Adjani spends the whole brilliant freak-out of a movie running around making love to invertebrate creatures and luxuriating in spilt milk on the floor of a subway station.  She wears a blue dress throughout and it gets pretty gnarly towards the end but she still looks glamourous.  I guess my initial epiphany was “Be Isabelle Adjani.”  Short of that miracle, I think the clothes slowly form to you so don’t stress about it so much.  Is that an anti-fashion epiphany?

What is your favorite High brand? And your low brand? How do you mix high and low?

There’s not a lot of High in my life, but I do occasionally throw a seriously crisp cream and white Theory blazer over my usual T-shirt and jeans.  Major fairy godmother results.    Add the perfect Yves Saint Laurent black flats scored from eBay and I rock a real Working Girl vibe on my way to the train in Queens.

What is your go-to uniform for a day of work? The weekend?

You’d think after after twelve years of catholic school I’d never want to wear another uniform again.  Alas, every day I can be found in my school colors: white T-shirt, blue jeans, blue shoes and frankly sometimes my old penny loafers.  I do throw on a non-regulation pastel-marled cardigan for when I get the chills. 

What is your favorite ILR piece and why?

I’m currently losing it over The Couplet Ring.  I love the modern design offset by the hand-forged details, both of which make The Couplet Ring feel really alive.  It’s like seeing Zeus’ fingerprints on a lighting bolt.  So dope.

Who are your style icons? 

As a broke young woman my grandmother drew black stripes down the back of her legs so it looked like she had nylons, she raised six kids, briefly ran a vintage store that provided the props for my childhood fantasies and fed the raccoons even though everyone said they were a nuisance.  Oh and she looked good doing it all.  She was one of those people who could pull off a jaunty hat, you know what I mean?

What are you living in these days?

The perfect white V-neck T-shirt that will disintegrate on my body, Raleigh Denim, blue suede oxfords (see above uniform).  Now that the mercury is rising, I’m mixing in a wide-stripped jersey pencil skirt and Sanita clogs for this Spring rain.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Ilsa Loves Rick at Shop Sixty Five

I am thrilled to announce that the Ilsa Loves Rick line is now available at Shop Sixty Five, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Located at 53West State Street you can find more information on line at:

www.shopsixtyfive.com