Rent The Runway | Artist in Residence

I'm excited to finally share the work I created for Rent the Runway's Artist in Residence series, a series in which they basically let me dream up a shoot and shoot completely in my style. This shoot was also a super fun opportunity to work with some of my favorite people. I don't shoot people very often, but when I do, I really want it to feel environmental, editorial, and still a bit still-life in nature. To me, that's the closest to keeping it to my style.



My take on this series involved a "day in the life" (a very loose interpretation and extended day, if you will) of a very busy lady, who wears many hats throughout. In this case, it was not at all an inaccurate description for my leading lady, Lisa Przystup, who is a writer and florist who happens to also look stunning in photos. I always used to think Rent the Runway was only for formal events and dresses, but it turns out they rent out all kinds of more casual looks too (not to mention accessories!). We had a great time styling a range of looks from a casual grey vest to a fiery red gown. I got to live vicariously because hey, some of those gowns were longer than I am tall. Maybe in six-inch heels I could begin to dream of pulling off one of those longer pieces. Alas. (Good thing there's plenty of short cocktail dresses for the height-challenged like myself.)

You can find all the looks on my Artist in Residence page, but I've listed out some product details as well.

Look 1: Waverly Grey Vest // Rebecca Minkoff Handbag // Gorjana Necklace
Look 2: Theory Blazer

Look 3: Rebecca Taylor Top // Tibi Culottes
Look 4: Tibi Top // Tibi Skirt

Look 5: Ronny Kobo Dress
Look 6: Milly Top // Shoshanna Skirt // Inge Christopher Clutch

But really, if only Rent the Runway existed when I was a senior in high school buying a hideous prom dress that was banished to the back of my closet, never to be seen again. Even looking back on the past few years, I've bought an embarrassing amount of pricey dresses thinking I'd get more than one use out of them, but I never do because I always want something new the next time a fancy event comes around. When will I learn!?

Look 7: Reem Acra Gown// Lulu Frost Earrings
Look 8: Cedric Charlier Gown // Elizabeth and James Cuff // Kenneth Jay Lane Ring

Look 9: Osman Jumpsuit // Rafé Clutch
Look 10: Cedric Charlier Gown

Huge gratitude to Rent the Runway for partnering on this post and giving me so much creative freedom. Many thanks too to Sixty Hotels (your Soho Loft was perfect) and Georg Jensen for lending the beautiful teapot, cups, and pitchers!

LSD for More Magazine

A bit late on this, but earlier this year, I photographed Lauren Santo Domingo (co-founder of e-tailer Moda Operandi) for MORE Magazine's "In Her Closet" feature (it was out in the September issue). If I could somehow raid anyone's closet, hers would be veryyyy high up on my list. She has this terribly effortless way about things too. She makes the clothes look good, instead of the other way around. It's enviable, to say the least!

Below are some outtakes and selects for the final layout.

Details on all the dreamy items: Rodarte Poppy Dress // Marni Clutch (no longer available, but similar on-sale version here) // Dolce & Gabbana Pumps (how beautiful are these??) // Crazy Boots (cannot remember who makes these!) // ALC Top (on sale here and here) + Tibi Culottes // Marni Top

Makeup & Hair by Min Min Ma
Prop Styling by Jo Jo Li

Dia:Beacon

I can't believe it's taken me this long to visit Dia:Beacon up in Beacon, NY, which is just a 90 minute drive or train ride away from Grand Central. I know this sounds cheesy, but the visit really felt good for the soul. I had always seen others' photos of Richard Serra's Torqued Ellipses but there is nothing like seeing them in person. And watching the light move through the room was endlessly inspiring. Oh god, and the Agnes Martin rooms – I could camp out in those all day with a book and feel perfectly content.

Other highlights for me were seeing Sol LeWitt's work up close (truly entrancing, the detail) and Michael Heizer's North, East, South, West. There was a lot I didn't even attempt to photograph, because it's hard to do the works justice. I encourage you to visit yourself, but here's a little glimpse of my visit.

For the curious, outfit details (I was attempting to channel some chic French woman, but alas my height may prevent me from succeeding):
Everlane Mockneck – I can't wait to wear this with EVERYTHING this Fall. I got it in nude as well and will likely be living in these two pieces for the cooler weather.
Acne Row Jeans – There's a really nice weight to these and they almost make me feel like I'm wearing a great pair of vintage Levis.
Hermes Flats – Sigh, these are still my all-time favorite pair of flats, but I'm wearing the pointed tips down from all the walking I do in them. This is not a bad similar pair.

And I recently picked up the Fuji Instax Classic, because hell, it's just fun. I love having little polaroid memories of outings now.

Velvet and Suede

The last time I wore velvet was probably in, like, 5th grade and it was likely in the form of purple track pants or something – yikes. But as a still life photographer now, I really appreciate the richness of the fabric and how beautifully it shoots. I've already totally abused my blue velvet sofa in the sense that it appears in many of my at-home shoots, as a backdrop. And it works so well. With velvet, you have to really know how to light it. In the wrong light, it can be dimensionless and just absorb or reflect all of the light. There's very little I hate more than flat, blah lighting.



This mini velvet clutch is from Mary Katrantzou's latest line and can be found on Lyst. It's ridiculously cute (note, it will just barely not fit an iPhone 6+!) and has a removable strap, which is always a nice bonus. I love shooting accessories these days and I knew it would shoot well in the tiny bit of time my couch gets lit like this (basically between the hours of 6:00 and 6:15pm). It's always hectic when you have just that sliver of time to get your shots. Then the magic is gone. I wanted to highlight a sick (and slick) pair of suede tie-up heels in this lighting too. These have that minimal feel with an extra touch of femininity.

(Other: Self-Portrait Dress)

Disclosure: The clutch was a gift from Lyst. See their full line of bags here. The shoes were a gift from Alexandre Birman.