{2012}

2012 Collage

What a year. It’s funny, it seems as though it was so long and eventful (to say the least!) but at the same time, the memory of this very day last year stands so fresh in my mind… I think that more than anything for me this year was all about pondering. The last 3 years were probably the most hectic {and game-changing} in my entire life and within all the commotion I rarely had the luxury to pause and just think about it all for a moment… This year I forced myself to reflect, to have a close look at who I’ve become, who I aspire to be and how long is the distance between the two. I think that this year, sort of against all odds -ironically- something clicked into placed and perhaps that’s just part of maturing but I’ve realized that some things just are what they are and that is ALRIGHT. It won’t come as a shock to you all when I say we live in a very competitive world in so many different aspects of life; our looks, our intelligence, our pockets, our fashionable taste buds, the amounts of our creativity, our endurance under the stress and our talent persistence are all put to the test of “fair” competition, day after day. And that is alright too, but the point is no matter how hard you try, you can never beat “the hand” and the cards you’ve been handed are the only ones you can use for your victory.The question is are you willing to learn the trade and use what you’ve got to produce the best outcome under the circumstances. I won’t sugar coat it guys, it’s been a tough one for me but at times also simply wonderful. Looking back on it all I can’t find the words to express my gratitude for all the incredible people life has sent my way; my talented friends without whom I could never make it through the year ,my handsome beau that challenges me every single day to be the best version of myself, my dear family that I miss so terribly and all the contributors I had the great honor working with this year under operation CHIC a’ la RUSSE! So before we move forward and set the tone for what’s to come, let’s have a look, shall we?

Eldad CarinThis year started out in Israel with a series of reunion collaborations with a dear friends, Eldad Carin and Alona Bell that I’ve known for years from my modeling days back home. Goes without saying these are a few of my favorite posts ever shot for the blog (see the full posts here, here, here and here) I can’t wait for the next time! Amir WeissAlong with good friends I had the chance to work with new collaborators, up and coming young Photographers from the industry in Israel. Shooting in my hometown with Amir Weiss (above) and with Guy Prives in Rabin Square in Tel-Aviv (see full posts here and here)img_6151Another promising collaborator which I foresee a great demand for is Julie Teitler that I had the pleasure joining forces with for our Open Field post (below)Julie TeitlerBack in the city working with established collaborators from 2011 like Greg Adams (below)Greg AdamsAnd opening the summer season in NYC with Mario Delgado in *Eye Candy* (below)Mario Delgado How can I forget our {Elecrtic Blue} incounter with Jacob Skoglund, probably the youngest collaborator in the history of CHIC a’ la RUSSE! (below)dsc_2196-cropedAnd off course our Brazilian wonder, Barbara Raso, in Neon Touch and Snake Skinned (Below) Barbara I miss you!Barbara RasoAlso the two latest additions to the CHIC a’ la RUSSE family Jaehee Hwang (below)Jaehee HwangAnd Oren R Cohen that was a sweet chaperon for a few CHIC events this year…(below)Oren R CohenIncluding TLV Fashion Gala, a first event of it’s kind in the big apple celebrating the new crop of Israeli Fashion Designers, including Maria Berman, a personal favorite! The Gala was gracefully orchestrated by Galit Reismann, in collaboration with Dor Chadash. I was sporting a young Israeli designer of my own, Daniel Silverstain, wearing a fresh frock from the Runway (below)tlv-fashion-gala-instgram20121115-_dsc03982Speaking of runways, there’s no way I can wrap up this year without mentioning the colossal success Daniel had this year, starting of with a VOGUE Italy top 10 “MUUSE’s most promising designer acknowledgment and followed by an ELLE Fashion Next runway show in Lincoln Center NYC!!! (below) And I don’t want to spoil any exciting surprises but let’s just say much more is coming your way in 2013!ELLE fashion next However to conclude 2012, the cherry on the top for me is an exclusive partnership with  Harper’s BAZAAR as a Style Ambassador! Thank you for considering me to be worthy of the title, I hope the new year will bring along many more exciting endeavors! Below is a peak into my first assignment with DIOR, at the launch of the Dressy Nudes palette…dior-instagramAs I said- what a year…! Thank you all for accompanying me in that journey, I hope we all have an epic 2013 that will top any plans we have in mind! Stop by in 2013…!

ELLE Fashion Next {The Whole Shebang}

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

Hi Everybody! With Fashion Week in town New York is in full glory. Models rushing on the streets waking suited stock brokers from their daily commute, all the fashion Monde is taking an extra moment in the morning wardrobe battle and the results, are dazzling! I think that is precisely why my heart belongs to the demanding mistress we call fashion, because for a moment there, absolutely nothing else matters, gushing wars of politics, elections and god knows what stay still while great forces such as grace, piercing elegance and true beauty fill up the rooms… And that’s my friends, is why it’s all worth it.

As you can see this strike of inspiration is not incidental because the full coverage from ELLE Fashion NEXT is finally here! I hope you guys enjoy the ride, for me, with all the added value this event had for me, it’s really hard to contain what was there in photos…

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

Daniel Silverstain image by stylebistro.com

Daniel Silverstain image by stylebistro.com

Daniel Silverstain image by stylebistro.com

Joshua Myrie ELLE Fashion Next image by stylebistro.com

Taekyung Kim ELLE Fashion Next image by stylebistro.com

Danielle Ridarick ELLE Fashion Next image by stylebistro.com

Jongsuk Park ELLE Fashion Next image by stylebistro.com

Amanda Carlson ELLE Fashion Next image by stylebistro.com

Kieran Dallison ELLE Fashion Next image by stylebistro.com

Yvonne Luong ELLE Fashion Next image by stylebistro.com

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

The Proud Silverstain Family

Winner Tae Kyung Kim

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

Yvonne Luong and Daniel Silverstain

ELLE Fashion Next by CHIC a' la RUSSE

Daniel Silverstain and I

Now that was fun! I think that was a remarkable representation of the next crop of young designers, I took the liberty of adding a few of my favorite looks from the runway, but if you’re thirsty for more or just itching to see the show again, please do! Thank you again ELLE Magazine for having us and a huge thank you to Jaehee Hwang our photographer , that tagged along to document the show, always a pleasure 😉

(All images on this post are credited to Jaehee, unless stated otherwise, hoover on top of the photo for credits)

{Black & White} Encore

CHIC A LA RUSSE Black & White

Lately I had a recurring infatuation with the good old Black and White wining combination… It seems to me that no matter how you compile the two together, it always creates a sharp look with a timeless allure. Keeping things contemporary, if you ask me, is all about silhouette…. And if you’re following me for a while now, you probably have noticed that boxy is not my typical go to, but none the less, we all ought to try something new no??? I can’t tell you how long I have been looking for the perfect pair of white sunnies and I simply can’t stop wearing these! (In case you haven’t noticed, they are identical in shape to the ones featured on my previous *Eye Candy* post).

CHIC A LA RUSSE Black and White

CHIC A LA RUSSE Black & White

CHIC A LA RUSSE Black & White

CHIC A LA RUSSE

Boxy neoprene top from Joe Fresh, Skirt from Forever21, Sunnies from A.J. Morgan, Bracelets Vintage and Express, Stud earnings from H&M.

 

Oh and by the way, please do welcome aboard Jaehee Hwang, a new and unusual collaborator here on CHIC a’ la RUSSE. And the reason I say “unusual” is because Jae has an extensive background in Photography but from the Fine Arts point of view… See for yourself