PHOTOS

Old Hollywood Awaits

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.

Bright Done Right

As the sun gets brighter, so does fashion – bright colors are in!  We are seeing them on the runways, in stores and in magazines; now we are seeing them on Tucson’s streets. The black, white and muted clothing colors on the vintage murals of Downtown’s Broadway Boulevard are a thing of the past.

Akiko Senda, owner of Tres Boutique, the latest addition to the 4th Avenue vibrant fashion scene at 210 N. 4th Ave., agrees: “When we first opened our shop in 2011 we focused our color palette on neutrals: black, beige, taupe… but this season it’s all about bold and bright hues. Color is definitely the way to spruce up any wardrobe from bright accessories to head-to-toe color blocking.”

Bright colors are not for the faint of heart and the possibilities are endless. If you are daring enough to rock the latest trend, here are a few tips for how to do it in style:

• Examine the color wheel. Each half is a family of either warm tones (red, yellow, orange and pink) or cool tones (blue, teal and green).  Jeans and tops now come in every possible color. Have fun by mixing and matching any color in the same family for an effortless look.

• For a much bolder look, pair the color you’d like to use with its perfect opposite on the color wheel. Yellow and purple or teal and brick red and violà…bright done right!

• A monochromatic look in a combination of different shades of the same color usually goes well together. Pair a summery light colored dress with its most intense shade for shoes and your look will go a long way.

• For a more conventional or office appropriate look, spice those “same old” neutrals with a bright colored bag or multicolored shoes to make a statement. And don’t forget about jewelry and even nail polish, they are the perfect complement to your bold wardrobe.

Yekatherina Bruner is a local fashion stylist and founder of Tucson Fashion Group. Visit her website at YKStudioOnline.com

Credits: Photos by Liora K. Photography. Styled by Yekatherina Bruner. Hair and makeup by Danielle Gary and Starla Cocio. Models: Jessaca Marie Haag, Christin Gilmer, Emily Glynn, Sarah Ward, Cory M. Kuehn