Chameleon Soul x Greta Bellamacina

Perfect Wasteland

We travelled like we were more than just passengers.

We travelled like we could see the sun and stars.

We travelled like we were wind between the enormousness of the skies and the Utopias of the background air.

I declared myself a bee in my need for the frowning sun with two pairs of wings

and a welcoming tree to call my local nightshade,

in the reliability of greenness rung with empty flags, like the way the moon is the earths shadow.

Skipping past the junkyard,

we barely blink the bric-a-brac’s full elegance-

because we put it there like it had a purpose and a punch line,

cutting the soil like unique distant noor in dazzling motifs making generations and generations.

We travelled like the afterlife was a mosque crossword

in someone else’s version of a rose-bud.

And in the heap we asked, is this just rubbish in air

or just another perfect wasteland.

(Ph: Mara Palena) 

Last time I was in London, I read a couple poems at some hole-in-the-wall reading in the heart of the city. It was there that I crossed paths with multi-talented, poet extraordinaire: Greta Bellamacina. Not only has Greta published words in Vogue, NYLON, Tatler, and Harper's Bazaar, but she has also modeled for Burberry, Tom Ford, and Dolce&Gabbana under VIVA Model Management/was short-listed as the Young Poet Laureate of London in 2013/collaborated in fashion campaigns for All-Saints & Vivienne Westwood/is the current poetry&prose editor for Champ Magazine. 

(Are you questioning what you've been doing with your life yet? I kid, I kid. Kindasortamaybe.)

As a young twenty-something, Miss Bellamacina has certainly racked up a hearty list of accomplishments and the Renaissance woman shows zero signs of stopping. 

What is most impressive about Greta, however, is her ability to pull a genre of writing that is often labeled as "unmarketable" out of its niche and successfully intertwine it with more popular forms of art: fashion, film, photography. Such a feat in this day and age (I mean, do kids even read poems anymore? I feel like they're all on Instagram...) is truly a notable one and it's because of this (in addition to Greta's slew of achievements and her hauntingly beautiful, moon-dipped poetry) that I couldn't resist hitting up the lyrical and poignantly philosophical poet for a Q&A part deux. Scroll down to read this lovely genius's thoughts on poetry, fashion, and music. 

Last time we talked you just created a fashion- poetry film for Harper's Bazaar, what have you been up to since then? 

Where to begin, hmm. One project I made over the summer, which got short-listed at various fashion film festivals, is a Surrealist film I made for CRFashion Book with Natas Pictures.

Here is the teaser version below:

http://www.crfashionbook.com/video/after-dark/

I have been working on my own collection a ‘Devotion To She’ as well as my debut novel.

I also finished editing a collection of poetry entitles ‘Nature’s Jewel’s’ with MACK publishers that launched this year. And in the heart of working on numerous film/documentary projects.

But mainly surviving with my experiments and dreams.

I am very interested in how you've been able to fuse fashion with poetry since they are two of my favorite art forms. Whilst the fashion world has been welcoming creative writing (Vivienne Westwood with poetry and Prada with prose) it seems that poetry still isn't used ubiquitously in fashion or is still featured separately from fashion in magazines/blogs/etc. Do you have any ideas on how to make poetry more relevant to fashion? 

I think art creates culture whether it is poetry, fashion, or music. It can educate and  influence  people  from all  arrays  of  life and that is invaluable regardless. Vivienne Westwood often refers to Matthew Arnold’s view on culture and art: creating one's ‘best self'. So with this in mind- I think there are endless possibilities.

Do you think there is any way to fuse poetry with journalistic forms of writing? 

Interesting, I was talking about this the other day. I think if you can write something topical, which responds to the time, then indeed I think it can offer a journalistic narrative and be quite informative. 

You wear many hats: writer, poet, model, to name a few. Do you identify with each label separately or do you wear all the hats at once? If so, how do you manage to model and write? Do they feed off each other?

I think the misconception of generations is to label people with labels. I think we are all complex strangers who are always adapting. So in answer to the question I think all roles seem to be interplaying at once and indeed feed off each other regardless of names.  

Since you started off as a model, was it hard to get people to see you as also a poet? 

I don’t really know- I just try and focus on what I am creating at that moment. I think if you have conviction in what you are trying to create regardless of the role, people will join in and become a part of it.

I think also because the nature of fashion is married to some kind of statement- it seems almost normal to be an author within it.

Favorite person you've worked with recently? 

I very much enjoyed an impromptu poetry reading at a bus stop in Hackney with artist and poet Zimon Drake and friend James D Kelly a few weeks ago.

Also I made a poetry film vignette with director Paul Franco in Paris last month- most of it was shot in the suburbs or Paris with a horse to represent the surrealism of place.

http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2014/10/paris/

Opinion on poetry readings? 

I think they are quite an organic way to self edit your work.  But also a spiritual approach to connecting to someone’s soul through the writer's voice.

Upcoming projects? 

I am currently editing a contemporary British collection of Love poetry, which will be launched on Valentine's Day next year. I am determined to feature the language and poets of our time and feature all the different versions of love.

I am also working on a few exciting film/documentary projects.

Do you listen to music when you write? If so what's your favorite song/album you listen to?

Bands like Rowland S Howard, The Waterboys, Joy Division

Any last comments?  

Time to go outside.

Chameleon Soul x Project B

This weekend I met up with Charlotte Bata of Project B. She's the great granddaughter of the founder of Bata shoes and her blog serves as a platform to showcase shoes from Bata as well as her own creative work. Since she was born into a fashion family, she's basically the real life equivalent of Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl but, unlike Queen B, Charlotte's incredibly sweet and down-to-earth. After shooting these snaps around Soho, I sat down with Charlotte and asked her some questions about her experience in the fashion industry, her life affinities, and (of course) Bata shoes. Read on to get a glimpse into the life of a London fashion maven. 

Do you have any cool stories from growing up with Bata shoes?

Every summer, the Bata clan (there are 24 of us) go to a cottage in Canada on the Great Lakes for one weekend and we have something called the Bata Olympics, which consists of competitions in canoeing, water polo, and even building forts. Sometimes we have guest speakers that talk about family bonding and team building. It's really silly and a lot of fun!

What was it like growing up in fashion?

Growing up, my dad would always talk about fashion and right now my brother works for the company. I don't work for the company, but I've been able to go to a lot of fashion events with Bata. My favorite is the Milan shoe show, which is a big exhibition with different brands of shoes. You get to meet people, make contacts with suppliers, and also see what is up-and-coming for next season's shoes.

Since you currently don't work for the company, what has been your fashion experience?

I've had a lot of varied experience. I worked for Selfridges as a buyer and worked for Diane von Furstenberg as a showroom assistant. One time Diane von Furstenberg came in and she was really bubbly. It was super cool to meet someone high up in the industry and see her be so friendly. The whole theory that people in fashion are bitchy is not true from my experience. (Yes, mine too!)  

You were born in Canada, but grew up in Switzerland and now you've been living in London for 5 years so you seem to be quite the traveler! What is your favorite travel story?

I went on a whole Asia tour with my dad one summer. We went to Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Bangkok. I got to see all the Bata factories in China, which was really cool. It was good to see where the shoes were coming from and meet the people that were making them. 

On top of traveling, what are your favorite things to do?

I enjoy skiing in Switzerland, sailing in Canada, and shopping (at Le Mairas) + eating (at Che Leon, a mussel and fries restaurant) in Paris. 

You also live in Chelsea (Fulham) and since I am an avid fan of Made in Chelsea, I just have to ask, what's it like? 

I absolutely love it. All my friends live in Chelsea and there are a bunch of great restaurants and bars and it's really easy to commute to Central London. I see people from Made in Chelsea from time to time and I'd say they are like their characters on the show. 

That's so rad! Before we wrap up, do you have any last comments?

I'm really excited about Project B. I've gotten over 2,000 views in the last two days and I can't wait to keep creating outfits + blogging posts. I want every post to be a different theme: work theme, edgy theme, etc. I like to call them Brogues in the City or Autumn Boots. Oh and every shoe is from Bata! 

Annnnnddd in case you are curious, which I'M SURE YOU ARE! I also collabed with Project B! Modeled some Bata shoes around Soho. Had to pose in some dark alleyways, swing around a pole, and climb some black box thing (not sure what it was but it was plopped randomly in front of a bar on Greek Street). Whilst on top of the box, one of the bartenders tried to lure us in with the promise of free drinks but we were like no we have to go meet our boyfriends and then scurried away post-photosnapping. He was quite persistent but also helpful cuz he took a group photo for us that I'm probably not gonna post on social media since I look derpy. Anyways, this is my favorite photo from the bunch. I think I mastered the fake laugh look quite well. Don't remember what I was thinking bout though. Maybe Shia LaBeouf (Shia if you're reading this, we should create art exhibits across the globe together and buy bulk bags of SunChips from Costco):

To lurk the rest of the photos (shot by Fen Sandelson), click here. 

Music

World Spins Madly On by The Weepies

Fireside by Brett Bixby

I Do by Susie Suh 

xx

I'm Into You

 Welcome to the photo diary of my first week back in Londres. A year ago, when I studied abroad here, I made a vow to myself that I would return. Now, I'm back and I'm still pinching myself because this place. It's everything. In fact, walking around the city makes me a little teary eyed (literally; I've literally teared up) because the streets/the people/the energy fill my veins with an overflowing amount of djalds!! I know, I know, I'm such a cheeseball and it's totally gross, but seriously. Every day is an adventure. There's just so much going on all the time and it's exhilarating and dizzying and so deliciously wonderful. I'm obsessed. 

Since you're probably tired of my love letter to London, I'll recap what I've been up to this week. I started the Conde Nast Vogue Program on Monday and it feels like a futuristic dreamland of immaculate white walls and glossy magazine pages. Everyone is incredibly sweet and good-looking and well-dressed. It's certainly a change of scene from the frequently sweatpant-clad folks from my university. But now I actually have to try everyday, which makes me miss the sartorially dgaf environment of Notre Dame, but that's what joggers and culottes are for. To remain comfortable and efficient in the mornings, I've been sneakily sticking to the snug pant options. Thus, making it seem like I put a lot of effort into my ensemble without actually expending large amounts of energy. Hehe. 

Anyways, the first day was filled with fancy food (not sure what any of the foods were but they were nomz; I wanted to get seconds but didn't cuz #fashunz plus I'm on a diet so I shouldn't be devouring obscene heaps of food anyways). Then, we walked around the building and I salivated (and photographed cuz I'm a millennial and an Instagram-holic) over all the issues of Vogue (the blue books on the shelves contain all the issues of Vogue from the first to the most recent #swoon). Then, we all bonded and became a cozy little Conde Nast family. A fab first day, I think (the 'think' is not a dubious one; I'm using it as a filler cuz 'A fab first day' by itself felt too short). 

For the rest of the week, I explored the V&A museum and Tate Modern and oh my gahd I actually cried when I returned to the Tate because it is the best place in the entire world. It felt like home. Being reunited with the familiar (and incredibly missed) canvas-faces of Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner, Cy Twombly, Mark Rothko, Gerhard Richter, etc. Even the Ellsworth Kelly is cool. (I was a bit unimpressed by the E.K. pieces at the Art Institute, but the geometric pieces at the Tate were mesmerizing.) I found the large abstract shapes to be way more interesting than the side-by-side single colored canvases in Chicago (I still love AIC though; it's my second favorite art museum after Tate Modern). 

And today, I met Nicholas Coleridge (President of Conde Nast International), Kate Reardon (Editor of Tatler), and Geordie Greig (Editor of The Mail on Sunday). There were many humorous stories about the journalism world and the fashion industry that were exchanged, but I was sworn to secrecy so I cannot relay them on my blog. I'll just say that the fashion industry is a very, very comical and astonishing world. 

Welp, that was my first week in a nutshell. I plan to hit up South Bank and Notting Hill (Portobello Road!) this weekend and snap some blog photos. So stay tuned. 

Music

I'm Into You by Chet Faker 

Umbrella by Scott Simons 

Hey Ya by Obadiah Parker 

xx

Chameleon Soul x Livin' Like Larz

Landed in London yesterday and discovered I’m neighbors with Riley from Made in Chelsea, Paul McCartney from The Beatles, and my best friend’s cousin (aka one of the two people I know in London). Since Bryan (Carrie’s cousin) literally lives 2 minutes away from me, we hung out around Oxford Circus this afternoon. Went to Topshop and bought an outfit to wear to my first day with Vogue. Then, met up with Larz of Livin' Like Larz, a fellow fashion blogger from Teen Vogue Fashion University, for a blogger collab. We took photos around Trafalgar Square and the London Eye and then I conducted a quick Q&A cuz she’s a #GIRLBOSS. Read on to hear about Larz’s adventures with Brandi Cyrus (Yup, Miley’s sister), Red Carpet celebs, and Paris Fashion Week.

When and how did you start blogging? 

I started a year and a half ago. Every place I'm at, I create an opportunity for myself by talking to people. For example, I'll go into a store with a business mentality. I focus on connecting with the people in stores and take the initiative to collaborate. That's how you make people believe in you. 

How did you get inspired to create a blog?

I had a Tumblr in high school and I've been an artist my whole life. I love craft. In 6th grade, I took a vintage record and made a picture collage out of it. I made my first business card in 5th grade because I started a headband business. My blog is a combination of my love for creativity and entrepreneurship. 

As a blogger, you get to work with a lot of brands and people. Do you have any favorites? 

My favorite moment would have to be working as an intern for Dannijo the weekend before the CFDA awards. We shot photos in a boxing place and Sophia Bush helped me put on a necklace. 

That's so cool! I also remember seeing that you worked with Miley Cyrus's sister on your blog. What was it like working with Brandi Cyrus? 

We met at a Lululemon brunch and I'm actually really good friends with her. She's super chill and we hang out at her house so I see photos of Miley on the walls, which is like whoa. She just created a blog called Style Native and it's really awesome. I was featured in her first post. 

Since you go to school in Nashville (Vanderbilt University), do you find it difficult to stay connected to the fashion industry since most events take place in NYC?

Yes, it's been really hard and I wanted to transfer to NYU after my freshman year, but one day I walked into Lululemon and the exec was there that day and we talked and she invited me to the Lululemon brunch because she liked my energy and from then on I found my creative family in Nashville. 

I noticed you're also active in the Chicago blogging community. How did you get started in Chicago? 

I grew up in Chicago. One day, I went to a Henry & Belle event and met the creative director of Glossed & Found. I told him I loved what he was doing and then I asked if I could help on set so I got to create an installation for a Glossed & Found event with Topshop!

And now you're studying abroad in Paris and covered Paris Fashion Week. How'd you get into shows? 

The CEO of LOOKBOOK emailed me because I'm one of the most active users on the site and I told him that I could cover Paris Fashion Week street style for them. Then, I emailed Paris Fashion Week press people and told them I was working for LOOKBOOK so I got my pass into the shows. 

How would you describe your style?

It's very me. My friends are always saying, "Oh that's so Larz." I think my style reflects my capability to connect with others and I like to wear what I think looks cool rather than brand names. If I had to describe my style using adjectives, I'd say funky, pop, boho, and urban chic. 

Now for a basic, boring question. What's your major?

Creative strategy, marketing, and communications. It's one major. 

Do you have any last things you want to say?

I really try to inspire other people via my blog. I want to encourage people to explore, take risks, feel pain. You gain a lot through taking risks. For example, my friend was on a plane with a man who said he liked her style and asked if she wanted to work in fashion and she said no but gave him my blog's business card. He ended up calling me and asking if I wanted to meet up for dinner. I took a risk and went to dinner with him (even though it was potentially sketchy because I didn't know him) and he ended up introducing me to the exec at Nasty Gal. I'm always trying to meet new people and connect with them. When I was at my internship with a PR agency in LA, I was in a Lyft car and my driver had a friend at that PR agency so he asked me if I could help him escort celebrities at the Emmys. I took him up on his offer and got to walk on the Red Carpet and hand celebrities their trophies (they use the same trophy on stage so celebrities have to go to a separate room after exiting the stage to get their trophy). My favorite moment was when the people from the Daily Show held their trophies and cried and told me to keep following my dream. It really inspired me to work my butt off and make things happen.

Larz's main message to da readers: FOLLOW YOUR HEART AND WERQ TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS INTO REALITIES!

Music

1998 by Chet Faker 

Perfect Day by Lou Reed 

This Is All Yours (Live Album) by alt-J

xx