Feeds to Follow: Chinatown Pretty

Perhaps one of the most interesting fashion accounts on Instagram is @chinatownpretty. Run by creators Andria Lo and Valerie Luu, this isn’t your typical influencer page. Rather, Chinatown Pretty is a unique project documenting the street style of senior citizens living in the Chinatowns of various cities across North America, including Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.

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Image via.

The page is visually striking due to the colorful nature of the subjects’ outfits as well as the backdrops they are photographed in front of. The portraits captured by Lo and Luu are cheery and bright, capturing the joy and wisdom of the elders they depict. Staples of the Chinatown Pretty style include bright colors, large hats, floral prints, and layers upon layers, with vests being a particularly popular choice of outerwear. The seniors’ style combines bold fashion statements with practicality: many of those documented are grocers and find fun ways to incorporate essential garments such as sleeve protectors into their outfits.

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Image via.

The Chinatown Pretty account is already fascinating due to how captivating and engaging is unique aesthetic is. However, what adds an extra layer of appeal is the page’s depiction of Asian-American elders, who are generally not a group that comes to mind when people envision fashion influencers. The Chinatown Pretty project shows that although these elders may not be influencing mainstream fashion trends and are all but ignored by the American fashion industry, they have an impeccable style of their own that deserves to be shared with the world.

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Image via.

Chinatown Pretty’s celebration of Asian-American elders has been especially important during a time when many members of the community have been subject to great hatred and discrimination. While the page’s primary primary objective is to showcase the styles and personalities of its subjects, it has also noted, “Don’t forget to check in on your elders and show some love to your local Chinatown. Being present in Chinatown is one way to show up for the community and make the neighborhood a safer place for all.”

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Image via.

There’s a great deal of fashion inspiration to be found in these photographs, especially when it comes to layering, pattern-mixing, accessorizing, and incorporating more color. If you’re looking to craft a personal style that allows you to stand out while still looking coordinated, be sure to check the Chinatown Pretty page.

Find Chinatown Pretty through their Instagram, blog, or book.

Cover image via.

The Inbetweeners: Not the TV Show

 

When you’re scrolling down your Instagram feed, how often do you pause to think, “Hey, I look like that!” On the other hand, how many times do you think, “I love what he/she/they’re wearing, I just don’t know how it would look on my body?” 

More often than not, Instagram influencers and their incredible styles are relegated to thinner people; not necessarily size zero, but the lithe and slender figures of Kendall Jenner-esque figures. Most of us don’t look like that.

When we think “curvy,” we think of the Kim Kardashians and Kylie Jenners; their body types are also lean, but with fuller hips and chests. Most of us don’t look like that either.

When we think “fat”––which is, by the way, not a bad word––we think of Tess Holliday or Lizzo; their body types are not lean and often demonized, but you already know that. Most of us don’t look like that either. 

We love representation, and body positivity is only one part of it. We want to look on a screen and relate to the people we’re looking at. I, for one, love looking through style inspo on Instagram; finding new ways of pairing x with y, or styling x with z. What I don’t love is only seeing these outfits on people who don’t look like me, because they inevitably don’t look the same on my body; whether that displeases me or not is a separate discussion, but it would definitely be nice to have a realistic idea of what I’ll look like when I try certain trends.

We all want to see different shapes and sizes in the media, bodies that deviate from the convention of a socially ascribed “good body.” However, we often forget that those of us that don’t look like Instagram influencers are also allowed to want to dress well, to have our unique, trendy sense of style. Fortunately, more and more “midi,” “inbetweeners,” or midsize influencers—often wearing sizes 10, 12, or 14––are coming along. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for any stylists of any size, but the appeal of a diversified feed and realistic models is undeniable. For the last few months, I’ve made a conscious effort to look for influencers as diverse as I can find, exploring styles radically different from mine. It’s definitely spiced up by my Instagram scrolling, and I think it will yours too.

In the following list, I hope you find at least one person who either dresses or looks like you. And I hope they inspire you––to either dress more freely, or live more freely.

1. Francesca Perks (@francescaperks)

A more colorful Y2K aesthetic, Francesca destroys the notion that prints and light colors only look good on thinner people. Side note: Her room is gorgeous. 

2. Winnie Parker (@winnieparkerr)

Real and unfiltered, Winnie’s style is simple and classic. Her wardrobe and her feed, however, are enviable.

3. Joanna Pincerato (@joannapincerato)

Y2K princess meets modern minimalist, Joanna is proof that your Pinterest board looks phenomenal on everyone. 

4. Lauren-Nicole (@laurennicolefk)

A contributing curve editor for Cosmopolitan UK, do I need to say any more? No, so I have only one word: glam. 

5. Sarah Kim (@iamsarahkim)

Sarah has the modern minimalist look down. Classic nudes, beiges, and browns, her feed is the dream Tumblr aesthetic.

6. Ishini Weerasinghe (@ishiniw)

Proof that the Desi and Western aesthetics can coexist, and look sexy as hell––together and individually.

7. Holly Ah-Thion (@thekittyluxe)

You probably own at least one of the pieces she has but have just never thought to pair it like that. Holly’s nailed the girl-next-door vibe, with a prettier feed to accompany it. 

8. Rosa (@rosariummm)

“I Only Wear Black” is a song from The Wombats and that’s all it should be. Rosa proves time and time again that you can be hot and fat and wear more than just black. 

Hot tip: Her Depop store is incredible and incredibly affordable. You’re welcome. 

9. Javiera (@javiera)

Her tattoos, her make-up, and the way she mixes vibes. Also, her Youtube channel has phenomenal style inspo, Instagram advice, and brutally honest confidence tips. 

Bonus feature to round out the list, my current crush: Mikayla Klewer (@mikaylaklewer).

And a reminder: You can wear whatever the fuck you want, whatever size you are, and whatever you look like.

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Feeds to Follow: @nygelsartorial

 

The advent of digital media as an arbiter of history has complicated the idea of creative ownership and opened a floodgate of ahistorical takes on fashion (see: the too-common perception that Paris Hilton was the central innovator of “Y2K” fashion). As digital media has supplanted physical media over the last 20 years, a wave of digital archivists are preserving the cultural histories that exist only in physical formats and are in danger of being lost to time and degradation.

Magazines, advertisements, and other physical media are crucial parts of design history—they carry evidence of the stylistic innovations that inevitably come back in vogue as visual trends constantly cycle. Nygel Simons (@nygelsartorial) is an archivist dedicated to the distribution of such content, posting scans of the kinds of aforementioned physical media on his Twitter and Instagram feeds.

An essential part of his posts is the credits he lists in his captions: whenever possible, the photographer, stylist, makeup artist, and any other creatives involved are named. From editorial spreads to album artwork to advertisements, @nygelsartorial lives by the ethos that a stellar photo is the result of a vast nebulus of creative energy, and must be treated as such.

In our booming nostalgia economy, fashion archivism is thriving on Instagram but is often skewed towards designer-based curation, with accounts like @prada.archive, @mcqueen_vault, and @diorinthe2000s boasting some of the biggest followings. @nygelsartorial’s focus is primarily on highlighting the importance of Black women in fashion and design history—a history that fashion establishments have been all too eager to rewrite.

Hypervisible in pop culture but consistently under-credited for their innovation, aesthetics cultivated by Black creatives often return to the mainstream in different (whiter) packages years later. @nygelsartorial takes the time and nuance to properly celebrate the blueprints that make up the moodboards of all of your favorite creatives.

The account often highlights the legacy of Black style pioneers via the references embodied by their successors. As bits and bytes of aesthetic history are constantly being canonized, yet the legacy of Black fashion is often boiled down to the same few beats (looking at you, Lil’ Kim’s jumpsuit/pasty moment and Cam’ron’s pink mink), accounts like @nygelsartorial aim to provide a more expansive view of the vast creativity and eternal relevance of Black creatives.

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Feeds to Follow: Eva Chen

It’s no surprise that Eva Chen’s Instagram page would be rife with fashion inspiration, given that she is the Director of Fashion Partnerships for the app itself. Chen has had a prolific career: originally a pre-med student at Johns Hopkins, she went on to work for magazines like Harper’s Bazaar and Teen Vogue, eventually becoming the editor-of-chief for Lucky before transitioning to her role at Instagram. She has also written four children’s books, including Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes.

As one might expect, Chen’s Instagram is best known for her fashion content. Followers especially love her series of work OOTDs in the form of mirror selfies taken in front of a giant mirror at Instagram’s headquarters. These photos are often taken using a pose Chen has dubbed the baby giraffe pose, intended to make one’s legs look longer. In addition to her work outfits, Chen is also known for the ensembles she wears to major fashion events such as New York Fashion Week and the Met Gala, as well as the casual outfits she wears on outings around New York with her children.

Chen’s two young children, Ren and Tao, are a major part of her instagram. 5-year-old Ren has become a fashion influencer in her own right, having been named one of Elle’s “5 Under 5 to Watch” in 2017. Ren is best known for her use of bold patterns, funky accessories, and unconventional mixing and matching of clothes.

Perhaps what is most appealing about Chen’s content is how diverse it is. In addition to fashion and family, she also posts detailed advice on various subjects, ranging from career advice to fruit selection to getting the most value out of a buffet. She also utilizes her platform to speak up about social issues, such as environmental justice. No matter what kind of content she is posting, Chen’s Instagram is always genuine and full of humor, making her a compelling and personal influencer. Chen is especially unique in that given her role at Instagram, she is able to fully utilize the app’s various features to create as engaging of a social media presence as possible.

Follow Eva Chen (@evachen212) on Instagram to see more posts like these!

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The Virtual Travel Hop: From NYC to Sardegna and Beyond

When my family visited Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, we missed Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. It was a hot summer afternoon, and we chose to wander the gallery ourselves. We had a map, and we spent hours marveling at the gallery’s statues and frescos.

But, I’ll admit that I’ve never liked tours. Like my parents, I’ve always preferred to explore on my own. As such, it wasn’t until we entered the museum’s gift shop that we realized we’d missed Botticelli’s work. We laughed. We hadn’t intended to miss viewing one of the most famous paintings in the world, but we’d nonetheless had a great afternoon. And so we left the museum, and trekked back to our hotel.

A few years later, I found myself wanting to know more about art, from a formal perspective. And so when I ranked my 2020 Spring Quarter classes, I listed 19th Century French Art in the Art Institute of Chicago first. Of course, this class isn’t about Italian Renaissance art. But, I’ve spent years dragging my family to art galleries, and I wanted to learn to think better about the works that I’m often so aesthetically drawn to. More than that, I wanted an excuse to take the “L” to the AIC twice a week. I figured I’d write my MODA articles from a bench in the European Painting and Sculpture Galleries.

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago

I now find myself enrolled in the art history course I’d so wanted. However, while we plan to someday travel to the AIC in person, the class is nonetheless taught over Zoom. We often talk in class about the day we’ll all gather in person - and view the works with our own eyes. But, for the meantime, my art travels (and travels in general) have been suspended.

However, while it’s not nearly equivalent to wandering an art gallery or walking off the tarmac in a new city, I’ve been increasingly studying the instagram feeds of some of my favorite content creators. And I’ve found myself enjoying these “virtual travels.” The photos are a reminder of all the places I someday hope to visit. And while instagram photos are obviously quite different from Botticelli’s paintwork, they nonetheless represent their own genre of artistry. There is something captivating about a single photo, so expertly framed and edited, that it can stand alone as its own story. And I find myself increasingly enjoying these photo stories. They allow me to temporarily travel beyond Columbus, Ohio. And they act as a reminder of the impact that both art and travel can have on individual lives - even from afar.

As such, what follows is a virtual itinerary - from NYC to Sardegna - of some of my favorite Instagram feeds.

  • NYC and Beyond, from the lens of Chloe Chung: @chloejg

From French onion soup cravings to brunch spots, lots of coffee, and walking in the rain, Chloe is a proud New Yorker who documents her explorations around the Big Apple. One of my favorite aspects of her feed is that she captures the city’s grit, without losing a sense of its simultaneous warmth. And studying her feed always makes me want to pull on my boots and head to a local coffee shop.

  • Lisbon and Beyond, from the lens of AI Scientist and Fine Art Photographer Sejkko: @sejkko

This has been one of my favorite feeds for years. Simultaneously whimsical and haunting, Sejkko’s portrayals of lonely houses always make me want to write. I find myself wondering about the possible inhabitants of these fictitious, yet all-too-real, creations. More than that, the colors of Sejkko’s photos make me want taffy.

As Sejkko writes himself, these “lonely houses were a way to keep the child in me, and the weird side of myself at peace…” And while Sejkko just recently decided that it is time to move on from these house portraits, he plans to continue his feed. The first photo in the gallery (below, top left), is representative of Sejkko’s transition to new subjects: “This image represents a bit of a transition. I am inside one of those [lonely] houses looking beyond the sun, wondering about worlds that could exist.” Needless to say, I’m excited to see where Sejkko’s future endeavors lead.

  • The English Countryside and Beyond, from the Lens of Photographer and Book Connoisseur Carolyn: @theslowtraveler

With her dog Lenny by her side, Carolyn explores everything from old bookstores, to castles and the Lake District. And while her photos are themselves beautiful, I also enjoy her captions. She’s a careful and honest observer, who finds joy in observing her everyday life. From watching ducks in an English garden, to enjoying her own garden and laughing about Lenny’s exploits, she consistently provides little vignettes of life in the English countryside. (She also dresses Lenny stylishly, for the holidays.) And she just started a monthly women’s book club, @theslowtravelerbookclub, to discuss novels with her community of fans.

As Ally writes in her bio, she’s “probably waiting in line for tacos.” And her feed is an homage to all things retro and summery. From photographing old road signs and haciendas, to Mexican food, midcentury homes, and hiking trails, her feed makes me want to travel to somewhere warm (ideally with tacos).

  • Morocco, Egypt, and Beyond, from the Lens of Emilie: @emilielula

Emilie’s captions are short and mysterious, and her photos are equally sparse. But they don’t need explanation. Her photos often include camels, books, and lots of sand. And the mysteriousness of her feed only makes me more excited to someday explore far flung regions of the globe.

  • Italy and Beyond, from the Lens of Creative Director and Photographer Simone Bramante: @brahmino

Simone is a prolific photographer, with well over one thousand images in his feed. And it’s clear from studying his brightly-colored photographs that each image is a finalized project and story. As Simone writes in his bio, he’s all about aesthetics, story, and message. And during these uncertain times, he’s focusing upon his own surroundings in Italy. Rather than engage in mass tourism, Simone “invite[s] everyone to get to know their territory, their valleys, preferably by helping the economy of small businesses, because they often know how to stay in balance with their own environment.” And while his photos feature regions from all over the globe, he has increasingly begun to depict the Italian countryside.

Click here, for thumbnail image source. The image was taken by @brahmino and features Sardegna, Capo Comino.

Feeds to Follow: Sophia Chang

Sophia Chang describes herself as the first Asian woman in hip hop. She’s been a key player in the industry, having managed influential artists such as A Tribe Called Quest and members of the Wu-Tang clan. However, her impressive career doesn’t just end with her prominent role in the music industry: she has also written a screenplay, produced runway shows, managed a Shaolin temple, and published a memoir.

On social media, Sophia Chang draws upon her unique career as well as her lived experiences as the daughter of Korean immigrants to share wisdom and inspiration. For example, her “Monday Morning Motivated” series on Instagram consists of videos of herself working out at the gym, pushing herself to be stronger physically and mentally. These videos are accompanied by captions that radiate an admirable level of confidence in herself. She also demonstrates not only her pride in her identity as an Asian woman but also the pleasure she takes in defying societal expectations and stereotypes. She refuses to let society tell her that she cannot be powerful or beautiful. In the “Sunday Dome Shave” series, she dances to her favorite songs while shaving her head, sometimes accompanied by her friends. Her joy in these videos is infectious, and her captions are always inspiring and full of sass.

Sophia Chang on her new audiobook, The Baddest Bitch In the Room and finally stepping into the spotlight after a career of uplifting male musicians like the Wu-Tang Clan. Read more: https://jezebel.com/sophia-chang-will-be-fucking-seen-now-1838702616 Jezebel: Gender, culture, and politics. With teeth. http://jezebel.com

“If I let the world tell me what I could and couldn’t do, whether or not I was pretty, smart, or powerful enough, I’d never get anything done.”
— Sophia Chang via @sophchangnyc
Image via

Image via

What makes Sophia Chang’s content so powerful and engaging is her refusal to be anything less than 100% authentic and honest. She’s vulnerable in a way that many people are afraid to be on social media, and she is unapologetically herself in all that she shares. She doesn’t shy away from addressing controversial topics, and she shines light on issues of injustice that aren’t discussed enough. Sophia Chang uses her Instagram as a platform for change, encouraging her followers to live life as more confident and more societally aware versions of themselves.

“When Sophia Chang steps into a room, you will feel my energy because my greatness can’t be contained. My vibrations and frequencies will slap you in the back of your head. ”
— Sophia Chang via @sophchangnyc

For more of Sophia Chang’s content, check out her Instagram, Twitter, website, or memoir.

Cover image via.

Feeds to Follow: @mystendhalsyndrome

There are numerous Instagram accounts that produce fashion-related memes, from @hautelemode, who constantly sasses the high-fashion world through text posts, to @itsmaysmemes, whose photos can be described as a wonderful cross-section between streetwear and funky proportions.

A newer account that has been on my radar lately: @mystendhalsyndrome. The username is a reference to Stendhal Syndrome, a psychosomatic condition that causes dizziness, confusion, and even possibly hallucinations when viewing beautiful art.

Created by Antonio Patruno Randolfi, the account posts classical artwork that has been edited to include clothing and accessories from a variety of designers, ranging from luxury labels, such as Prada and Gucci, to newer names, including Eckhaus Latta and Jacquemus. There’s a great variety amongst the styles chosen; some portraits are adorned with romantic, classic styles while others show people in streetwear.

In an interview with Hypebae, Randolfi explains, “the idea for my artworks came almost by chance from the union between my obsession for historical portraiture and my work [in fashion]… I wondered how the great protagonists of art history would look in contemporary clothes; I started trying and I have not stopped yet.”

Randolfi’s works are less overtly humorous than some posts from other fashion meme accounts, but there’s a certain tongue-in-cheek charm to them that makes his photos feel refreshing and fun. Though he currently only has a little over 5k followers, there’s no doubt his account will soon blow up.

Feature image via. All other images via @mystendhalsyndrome.

Feeds to Follow: @fruitassembly

Gone are the days of conventional still life paintings of fruit displays. Instagram account @fruitassembly takes traditional compositions and turns it on its head. Think of the typical editorial photoshoot: exquisite backdrops, props, fine jewelry. All of the elements are present, but the model is fruit instead of a person.

It is no wonder why so many people are intrigued by the aesthetically-pleasing fruit displays, garnering the account a following of 24.8k (and rising) on Instagram. There is something oddly satisfying about fruit displayed against purposefully crumpled silk sheets or colorful paper backdrops. With at least one picture posted every day, @fruitassembly is brings added meaning to getting your daily serving of fruit. Enjoy!

All images taken via.

Feeds to Follow: @tasteofstreep

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In 1983, Meryl Streep sported a golden caftan with sequined embroidery for the Oscars. The shimmery design coupled with her pregnancy gave her that dazzling, expectant-mom glow. What Meryl probably didn’t expect is that years later, her look would be redesigned into that of a churro.

The image is simultaneously bizarre, intriguing, and magnificent. The description for it is completely nonsensical: “Meryl Streep is posing alongside life-sized churros.” But, in all honesty, the picture just works. The color scheme is cohesive; the warm gold is even throughout and the churros somehow seem to be the exact same color. The texture also matches—perfectly. The embroidery of her dress stems outward as it transitions into sharp, shiny specks of sugar coating each and every churro. Someone, somewhere, somehow managed to make Meryl Streep surrounded by churros look aesthetically pleasing.

Enter @tasteofstreep, an Instagram account run by Samantha Raye, a Brooklyn-based actor and graphic designer. Raye, in an interview with The Cut, recalled how the whole account started with her photoshopping Streep (from a scene in She-Devil) into a strawberry-frosted doughnut. That one creative spark led to the creation of @tasteofstreep. On there, one can scroll through hundreds of Streep + food focused pictures—with the occasional slip of a new celebrity figure (the latest one to appear is Lady Gaga).

Here’s a personal favorite of mine:

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All images via @tasteofstreep.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/tasteofstreep/

Feeds to Follow: @duyguozaslan

As a Turkish American, I am always fascinated to see what trends both countries are on top of, and what people our age are looking to in terms of style. Prominent Youtube vlogger Duygu Ozaslan is known in Turkey for her profoundly bougie tastes, makeup videos, and almost religious adherence to any mainstream trend. Check out her style below and a few of her videos (all in Turkish, but hey, good makeup techniques are universal).

One thing I do wish is that there were more Duygu-level popular Turkish insta baddies who were more accessible to the Turkish public as a whole: with the Turkish economy in relative freefall and goods harder and harder to attainably get ahold of, I can understand why Duygu’s feed can be aspirational, and maddeningly so, but until that void is filled, Duygu has the hold on this authority.

Check out her content below:

MAC çekiminin kamera arkası kanalımda yayında, linki bioda! Benim için çok anlamlı bir video oldu, izlerseniz çok mutlu olurum🕊

51.7k Likes, 196 Comments - Duygu Özaslan (@duyguozaslan) on Instagram: "MAC çekiminin kamera arkası kanalımda yayında, linki bioda! Benim için çok anlamlı bir video oldu,..."

T G I F 💥 Bir haftada neler giydim vlogum kanalımda yayında! Hepsi uygun fiyatlı ve size özel bir indirim kodum da var!

62.2k Likes, 194 Comments - Duygu Özaslan (@duyguozaslan) on Instagram: "T G I F 💥 Bir haftada neler giydim vlogum kanalımda yayında! Hepsi uygun fiyatlı ve size özel bir..."

Bir önceki uygun fiyatlı ürünlerle makyaj yaptığım videoda uzun zamandır kullandığım ürünler olduğunu ve de yeni şeyler görmek istediğinizi söylediniz. Ben de sizin önerdiğiniz listedeki uygun fiyatlı ürünleri aldım ve bu videoda denedim. Her zamanki gibi bilgi kutucuğunun devamında kullandığım ürünleri bulabilirsiniz.👇 Benzer şekilde bu videonun altına görmek istediğiniz pahalı ürünleri yazarsanız onlarla da bir video yapabiliriz.

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For Hot Takes on All Things Fashion, Follow Haute La Mode

Fashion is super intimidating. From the seemingly infinite brand names, influencers, designers, and models (not to mention the endless and ever-changing stream of trends and seasons), it can definitely be hard to keep up with all the buzz… especially as a UChicago student.

Enter Luke Meagher, a self proclaimed “fashion commentur and meme queen,” who runs Youtube channel Haute La Mode. His channel currently boasts 118,000 subscribers, making him a definite contender for the next big YouTube star.

i don't even know what it looks like but i somehow know i hate it

5,739 Likes, 128 Comments - Luke Meagher (@hautelemode) on Instagram: "i don't even know what it looks like but i somehow know i hate it"

Luke covers and reviews fashion brands and the industry as a whole in order to make events and happenings more digestible for the average viewer. He has uploaded videos discussing award show fashion looks and seasonal fashion shows from large, beloved fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga (to more recently controversial brands like Dolce and Gabbana) Some of his latest videos feature Harry Style’s Gucci campaign, the Celine Spring 2019 show, and fashion reviews of other popular Youtube stars such as Emma Chamberlin, James Charles, and Jeffree Star. He also runs an Instagram and Twitter account by the same name, posting daily fashion memes and satirical commentary.

So whether you are a fashion queen or merely someone who’s looking to keep up with the latest the fashion world has to offer, Haute La Mode is definitely a channel worth subscribing to. In the mean time, check out our own recap of all Fashion Month had to offer.

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Feeds to Follow: @eleonoretoulin

Model, photographer and Chanel muse Eleonore Toulin has French girl style down to a science. In fact, you don't have to look much further than her star turn in the satirical Oui yogurt ads for a series of shots in which Toulin dines on pastries and red wine and strolls along the Seine. Better yet? Her Instagram bio contains the emojis 🇫🇷 🍷 🚬  – it doesn't really get more French than that.

🌞🌞🌞 📸 @andres__altamirano

A post shared by Eleonore Toulin 🇫🇷🍷🚬 (@eleonoretoulin) on

@eve_denim ❤️

A post shared by Eleonore Toulin 🇫🇷🍷🚬 (@eleonoretoulin) on

From documenting behind-the-scenes chaos at Chanel shows to partying with her close friend, designer Simon Porte Jacquemus (of the brand JACQUEMUS), and enjoying cigarettes on balconies overlooking Paris, Toulin unabashedly embraces all of the quintessential French girl tropes with her tousled hair, loose fitting denim and affinity for red wine.

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Image via

Perhaps most compelling, however, is her stunning collection of film photography in which she documents her travels with friends around the world. From vacationing in Milan to gritty New York City street shots and her treks throughout the French countryside, Toulin's photography lends the environments and people around her a certain dreamlike, introspective quality. See the gallery below for some examples of her work:

Follow Eleonore Toulin on Instagram and check out her photography on Tumblr.

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Violette and Estée Lauder Create French Girl Beauty for the Masses

I'm simultaneously a self proclaimed makeup junkie and a self proclaimed cool french girl wannabe, so imagine my joy when I stumbled accross @violette_fr on istagram and youtube! Violette is a french makeup artist and online influencer with a very french girl chic kind of vibe. Basically, she makes me want to try out everything minimalistic. If you want to know how to look effortlessly cool, while simultaneously keeping up on the daily life of a very successful makeup artist, make sure to check Violette out. 

 
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Feeds to Follow: Our Food Stories

Our Food Stories is a blog and Instagram account run by Berlin based food stylists and photographers Nora Eisermann & Laura Muthesius. From their impeccably shot and edited photo stories to their health conscious recipes (Eisermann and Muthesius cook vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free recipes), Our Food Stories should become your go-to reference for meals that are just as incredible to look at as they are to taste.

Eisermann and Muthesius frequently split their time between their Berlin and countryside studios to stage their shoots and dream up new recipes. They frequently invite friends and family over to participate in their shoots as well; "as we love to share our food with other people, family and friends we started the series Dinner Stories. The thought behind this series is to show people (who are not used to eat gluten free) how easy and delicious it is, to prepare gluten free meals and that you don’t have to eat alone, if you have to follow a certain diet."

Eisermann and Muthesius' cooking philosophy is heavily inspired by nature, and whenever possible they choose to incorporate ingredients from their garden, local grocers and farmers markets into their recipes. To see their beautifully staged photos and peruse through their one-of-a-kind recipes, check out Our Food Stories blog and Instagram account!

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Meet One of Instagram's Most Followed Fashion Brands

Donned by celebrities from Teyana Taylor to Christina Millian, Fashion Nova has been dominating the fashion world and our Instagram feeds for a while now. Based in Los Angeles, the clothing brand features a wide array of sleek and affordable styles. Despite several physical stores in Southern California, most of the brand's success comes from the store's popular website. 

Ranging from matching sets to bodycon dresses, Fashion Nova has a variety of options that are available to any shopper looking to feel sexy and comfortable in their bodies. Their online presence has constituted a majority of Fashion Nova's growing success, with over 10 million followers on Instagram and over 1 million likes on Facebook. According to the founder Richard Saghian, the accessibility to customers all over the world in a fun and creative outlet like social media allows the company to listen to the needs of their clients and appropriately adapt. 

Me wearing Fashion Nova's Andromeda Dress!

Me wearing Fashion Nova's Andromeda Dress!

After some backlash over using size 2 models for plus-size clothing, the company recently launched Fashion Nova Curve for curvy and confident women to showcase that sexy can work no matter your shape and size. This initiative, along with offering plus-size options for all clothing options for straight size clothing, is the beginning of Fashion Nova expanding their diversity in including all body types and shapes.  

Model seamlessly modeling a spring collection from Fashion Nova Curve. 

Model seamlessly modeling a spring collection from Fashion Nova Curve. 

Check out their website for the hottest sales and deals!

Images courtsey of Teyana Taylor, myself, and Fashion Nova Curve

Feature image via

Feeds to Follow: @thatschic

Rachel Nguyen of That's Chic is a media mogul fit for the millennial generation. Her Instagram, Youtube and personal blog/website account for over 200,000 subscribers, readers, followers and fans, who receive regular updates across all platforms on everything from "Easy Last Minute Halloween Makeup" to her latest surfing outfit (she lives in LA and regularly catches waves with her photographer boyfriend) to her New Year's resolutions or her favorite jewelry line as of late.

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Nguyen's appeal largely stems from her success at curating an effortless Parisian chic meets LA bohemian vibe; her style draws from familiar brands and references like Reformation, Miu Miu, the Row and Urban Outfitters, mixed with bespoke, vintage pieces. Her makeup (often minimal) epitomizes the Glossier "no makeup makeup" craze, and her tutorials often mimic the low key, intimate setting of the brand's "Get Ready With Me" series.

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Check out her social media accounts for an honest take on beauty products, styling tips, day-in-the-life vlogs and general wellness advice: Instagram + Youtube + blog/website.

All images via ThatsChic.