Dreaming of Polka Dots

My friend Mitch loves Polka Dots.

  

The reason?

She lived in Sevilla and 

fell in love with flamenco 

and polka dots.

I love this about Mitch so much I am encouraging her little one to have the same love (via gifts in the mail).  But don't worry, I'm subtle about it.

Collection of my Dreams

I've been thinking of Frida and Diego a lot recently.

I hate to be so predictable but,

when I saw this photo (at Casa Azul) I teared up:

Contrary to popular belief or what I write on this blog, I don't normally cry at photos but this one really had a hold on me. You could see how tightly they were holding each other - like if they let go one would disappear (most likely Diego).

You know Frida would dress up in traditional Mexican costumes for Diego? I feel like she would have done anything to engross him, using her feminine and artistic wiles to keep his attention focused on her. It worked but only for a while.

I don't have a Diego Rivera but I do appreciate wearing traditional clothing of Spanish and Mexican decent. I wear my peineta,

my shawls

and Lucha Libre masks to honor the women of my family and also because they're pretty.

I cannot wait to see Moschino's collection next spring. It has all the trappings of a perfect Spanish wardrobe - whether I want to be muy masculino o muy feminina. Plus all the accessories for head and hair are making me weak in the knees.

This would be the perfect way to pay tribute to the matriarchs of my family and maybe Frida as well.

Dreaming of Spanish Home Decor . . .

. . .That I could also wear.

What I Wore . . .

. . .When I wanted to dress 'Autumn' in the never-ending summer.

A black felt hat.

I know about the different styles of hats

and I KNOW this isn't a Spanish Cordobes hat

-- it's a Pork Pie

(that I bought at the lovely Village Scandal).

But I love convincing myself this is more Spanish

than the alternative.

Images of Spain are more lovely to contemplate than say,

images of Boy George.

I know the pork pie was worn by Buster Keaton

and Gene Hackman

but for some reason I think '80s' when I hear 'pork pie.'

And 'a savory British meal.'

Maybe I need to make the plunge to a wider brim

for everyday use.

So I can stop deluding myself.

But back to dressing fall-in-the-summer . . .

I still can't stop wearing these Isabel Toledo's shoes

from her first Payless collaboration.

They satisfy my newly instated heel height requirement for shoes.

And I can walk in them for hours.

Plus, I adore her and her husband Ruben and like wearing anything that reminds me of them. They walked past me during my last NYC trip and I got a bit giddy. They are just as small and beautiful as you would imagine.

Dreaming of Spain

I can't wait to wear a veil in Spain.

Harper's Bazaar August 2010

Shot by Alexi Lubomirski

Dream Ad Campaign

Once in a while I freak out over a campaign.

Don't you want to go to there?

Photos by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin

For Gucci's Fall 2008 season

Shot on a magical island off the coast of Spain