I have a very special place in my heart for the beautiful and romantic San Francisco, and my absolute favorite boutique is AZALEA SF. You will definitely find me in their Hayes Street store whenever I’m in town. Their selection is a bit bohemian and earthy like myself, mixed with the classic down-to-earth minimalism that just oozes out from the easy, breezy Bay Area. A place where I never leave the hotel without a light coat. The city’s crisp fresh air has allowed us to perfect the lightly layered, warmer winters you find on the West Coast. Dylana and I worked with the AZALEA SF team to style their latest A/W ’15 collection, and hit the stunning, yet steep San Francisco streets. This season, I’m all about the structured coat, boyish beanies, slouchy trousers. But then again, I have to have that outstanding fringed jacket, nubby knits, and paisley mini dresses. This is our take on classic San Francisco style. We are always going to remain California girls at heart.
Korea was an incredible experience. The colorful town of Itaewan in Seoul, South Korea inspired this video. It was our very last day in Korea. I had been living in my Reef “Rover” sneakers, as I always do when I’m traveling. Because I love to explore. They’re made for hiking, running, sitting front row at Seoul Fashion Week, and still then wearing out to the local bar with my favorite pair of jeans. I wore the grey suede Rover sneaker nearly everyday. They go with just about everything.
With my job, I’m always traveling. And on the last day of every single trip, I get a bit emotional, which in turn inspires me to write music. It’s that in-between feeling. The feeling of sadness knowing that the excitement of your travels are soon to come to an end, yet a craving for what is to come next. I keep a little leather journal in my bag to write down melodies that go through my head. Which eventually turns into a sort of free style writing. Soon after, the notes come to me naturally when I’m on my keyboard. Like this song, which I recorded once I got back home in NYC after a good long week away from home in Seoul.
This song, Heavy, is a little bittersweet song about constantly being on the go. As a Reef ambassador, we’re always #JustPassingThrough. We’re always moving. Whether it be digging our feet in the sand of an untouched island, or discovering the culture and food in a foreign country. Though it’s exciting and exhilarating, traveling can be a bit emotional. Missing home and familiar faces. Getting lost in your own head when you are walking down new streets alone. That heaviness in your heart when something new takes your breath away from you. I went to Bukhansan National Park on my last day in Korea to see the beautiful fall leaves, and feel the crisp air. With this trip, I pushed myself a little harder to discover more unknown places. I came across this stunning temple. It was quiet and all I wanted to do was close my eyes. It’s nearing the holidays and the new year. A time that I’m always reflecting, and thinking of what I want to do next. Where do I want to go? This song is a little bit of a moody, breathy note to end this beautiful, fortunate year. Though when I’m traveling, I wonder if this will be the last time I see this beautiful place…I remember that when I’m just passing through, I’m still savoring every single moment. Every single breath. #JustPassingThrough is just part of the journey. Leaving your mark. The ability to be unforgettable wherever you go. There’s so much more that comes with it. Recognizing your roots and where you belong. But also recognizing all the different places you can go to or someday belong to, as well.
Korean fashion definitely has that French influence. Funny that I already had this vintage beret packed. But it wasn’t long until I realized I needed another for my hat collection and made a quick stop at a hat shop to find that perfect souvenier.
After an early morning of shows at Seoul Fashion Week, we were on a mission to discover a taste of Korea’s history. We headed to Gyeongbokgun Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces of the “Five Grand Palaces.” It’s crazy that this beauty was built Joseon dynasty…back in the 14th century! Talk about taking a step back in time. I fell in love with it’s pastel pink walls, and exotic Korean designs painted on it’s roofs. With all 7,700 rooms, it’s pretty unreal. We were greeted by the palace guards, in traditional outfits. They stood so still…I was almost positive they were mannequins until I stepped right up close and saw a blink. They were real. Marching through the entrance of the palace after a ring of the bell. Swinging their swords. The rich blues and reds and teals of their traditional dress shimmering under the sun. Tourists from all over the world couldn’t put down their cell phones and selfie sticks. It was amazing capturing a moment filled with so much history and color.
As the sun started to set, we walked alongside the side of the palace to the back streets of Insadong, an older part of Seoul filled with Korea’s charming traditional homes. The streets were lined with adorable little shops, art, and of course food. It was exactly the place to pick up some fun gifts for your pals back home. Ashley picking up a cheeky pair of furry toes sneakers, as Dylana and I prowled the streets up and down for the perfect bowl of bulgogi (a not so simple, simple bowl of rice topped with perfectly grilled thin beef). I still salivate thinking of it. With so much time for our feets, it was about time us explorers just needed that cold Cass beer to knock us out in preps for a new day in this foreign land.
I fell in love with the print of this vintage Japanese dress. Daisies on daisies. I scoured it at the Greenpoint studio of Doppelstandard, and I knew it was just perfect for my Seoul Fashion Week travels. Now I am a lot more picky with my vintage. The fits. The quality. The colors. It’s always hard finding something unique that doesn’t require a trip to the tailor. I had a very unfussy day at the shows in Korea. Our shuttle, so quirky and full of colors and prints, always right on time at our hotel for pick-up. I loved arriving to DDP before the crowds of streetstyle stars (and street style babys) walked up and down the ramp…with the slew of photographers on their knees getting the right shot. I just wanted to see the shows. Constantly blown away by Korea’s eclectic taste and styling. I look at the runway and I’m thinking “wow, that is exactly how I would have styled it.” One show that really stood out to me was Lucky Choulette. It was an 8pm show on the terrace of DDP though I easily could have crawled back into bed at The Shilla, I had a feeling it was going to be good. Sequins with sparkles. Gowns with baseball caps. 50’s padded shoulders. Western influences that’d make any cowboy turn his head. It was a mix of Isabel Marant westerness, meets Marc jacobs quirkiness, meets Natalie Off Duty’s closet, meets eclectic Korean fashion. Even though there was a ton of styles in the show, the fabrics and cuts seemed to all blend. I love when I can’t expect what look will walk down the runway next.
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