Author Archive: Sydney Ballesteros

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Tip Your Hat

November 12, 2012 |

by Sydney Ballesteros + Claudine Villardito

Among fall’s many pleasures is the opportunity to indulge my appetite for accessories.  Living in the desert, I am starved for weather that gives me an excuse to pull out—or acquire more of—the scarves, gloves and boots that punctuate autumn looks. The accessories I get most excited about, however, are hats. Time was, a woman wouldn’t be seen walking to her mailbox without her head covered.  And why not?  Hats draw attention upward, they frame the face, instantly glamorize, and pull whole wardrobes together.  What’s more, hats—especially vintage ones—are wearable sculptures; fine millinery takes such skill that to wear a beautiful hat is to be a work of art oneself. This month’s editorial celebrates the power wielded by beautiful accessories, with special focus on the artistry of the hat.  And who better to illustrate it than one of history’s most notorious milliners: Elsa Schiaparelli. The black and white number is one of her divine creations.

P.S.–A black turtleneck goes with everything!

Credits

Creative Director + Stylist: Sydney Ballesteros, SydneyBallesteros.com

Photographer: Stacia Lugo, StaciaLugo.com

Makeup: Tangie Duffey

Hair: Raul Mendoza

Model: Katie Reed

Wardrobe: Black Cat Vintage, BlackcatVintage.com

 

The Lady of Spain

October 3, 2012 |

Though baroque influences abound in fashion history, this fall’s focus on ornate embellishment (see Dolce & Gabbana’s needlepoint and tapestry handbags for proof) allow us to once again appreciate the craftsmanship required to produce exquisite garnishes.

So….to seek and find the original beauty, I walked through halls of vintage clothing, only to find what was once old is brought to life again. The grandeur of rich fabrics, textures and colors left me with a taste of Spain and a gilded lady good as gold!

Credits:
Creative Director + Stylist: Sydney Ballesteros sydneyballesteros.com
Photography: Stacia Lugo
Model: Becca Hammen
Makeup: Tangie Duffey

Hair: Raul Mendoza
Wardrobe: Black Cat Vintage blackcatvintage.com

Old Hollywood Awaits

August 10, 2012 |

The glamour that once was is actually still right under our noses. When you are within the private walls of the Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm St., you feel like you stepped into the screen of a Technicolor film. It’s complete with lush gardens, charming vintage patio furniture, bright sunshine, sophistication, and that quiet peace that only the desert can provide.

The resurface of flattering vintage bathing suit styles from the 1950s in modern fashion, not only makes my grandmother proud, but apparently designers like Miuccia Prada and Dolce & Gabbana have the soft spot for the look too – as we saw homage to the timeless suit, strut down the spring 2012 runways and in editorials over and over again.

For the aesthetic of a summer style shared with the Arizona Inn, we had to take the bathing suits back to the demure hint of flirt, back to the gracious era that once was, bathing caps and all. There is an inner bathing beauty in all of us, so find her (and her bathing suit) and make a date poolside at the Inn. Order a refreshing summer cocktail and tell them I sent you! You will feel like a starlet in her own motion picture and in her own little corner of happiness!

Who says that you can’t play croquet in your bathing suit?

 

Credits – Photography: fotovitamina. Creative Director & Fashion Stylist: Sydney Ballesteros. Producer: Demion Clinco, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation. Makeup: Tangie Duffey. Models: Aimee C., Ana Victoria Contreras and Ben Ryan. Wardrobe: Black Cat Vintage, Desert Vintage. Location: Arizona Inn

 

*These photographs are part of a 2013 twelve month calendar series that was documented for the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation. The calendar will display the art of mixing historic Tucson landmarks and buildings with locally sourced vintage fashion and will be available for sale in the early fall of 2012.