Entries from November 1, 2010 - November 30, 2010

Monday
Nov082010

Mixed Bag: Karen Walrond

A few times every month we'll be showcasing our Epiphanie bags with various wardrobe combinations based on someone whose style has inspired us.

The photographers / models selected their own outfits for the Look Book. We love the variety, and how everyone's individual personality came through. We're also impressed by Karen's ability to look like this (in a cardigan!) on a 90 degree NYC day, while wearing 6 inch heels!

Our interpretation of her selections:

Bag: Epiphanie

Dress: Spoiled Brat

Cardigan: LL Bean

Leggings: American Eagle

Shoes: Fergie Shoes

Necklace: Superhero designs

Friday
Nov052010

on the "sparkle" 

Recently, I was attending a talk by my friend Brené Brown. Brené’s talks are always riveting, but about halfway in, she said something that really resonated with me: she said that all humans are “hardwired for connection.” Amen, I say. This statement, in fact, is actually why I first became interested in photography. The truth is, I love faces: I sincerely believe that every single one of them is beautiful – and photography gives me the tools to communicate the beauty I see to everyone who looks at my photographs. In taking photographs, I want to create images that allow the subjects , through their uncommon beauty, to connect with the viewers. Needless to say, this isn’t always easy. See, the thing is, this is more than just photographing a pretty face. In fact, I believe judging a face as “beautiful” or “ugly” by the standards established by corporations who make these sorts of decisions to sell products avoids the profundity by which the human face is capable of expressing beauty. In my opinion, commercial beauty is superficial. True beauty, however, goes beyond the surface. True beauty is an attribute that stirs at the soul level. And so, it’s for this reason that when I photograph someone, I’m never really looking at the physical. I'm more looking for the sparkle -- the little glimpse of spirit that a subject will allow me to see. Because that spirit? That spirit is the source of indescribable beauty. It doesn't always happen immediately: the person is a bit nervous at first, or hasn't quite gotten to the point where they trust me, and so I find myself tending to talk constantly while I'm shooting, because I'm trying to get the person to let down their guard for an instant, and let me see that sparkle. And generally, when the sparkle happens (and often only happens for an instant, so I have to be quick), that's when the resulting photograph is of a really beautiful person, and the physical just absolutely falls away, becomes secondary. So if you’re new to photography, and you’re as drawn to faces as I am, I encourage you to look for the sparkle. And for inspiration, be sure to check out the work of these amazing photographers: Alison Joshua Justin and, of course, Maile. See? It’s all about the sparkle. Karen Walrond is a writer and photographer in Houston, Texas. Her book, The Beauty of Different, is available from Bright Sky Press and Amazon.com. Read and see more of her life at Chookooloonks.com and click here to see how The Beauty of Different is for and about you.
Thursday
Nov042010

Behind the Scenes: Karen Walrond

The idea for this campaign was to shoot real photographers in distinctively different locations. And what could be more different from the desert than New York city?  

Lauren is a friend, and also works for Epiphanie doing everything from helping with support to managing media relations. I think her official title is: We Don't Know What We'd Do Without Her Coordinator. So she came along to play help, and to basically just be her small yet Very Mighty Self. Go Lauren go!

When I asked Karen to model, I knew she was photogenic. I had no idea however that she was going to blow it UP! Seriously. She took no time to warm up in front of the camera and rock out frame after frame of pure fierceness. SO MUCH FUN TO SHOOT. Here are some images that weren't posted in the look book

You may already know Karen. Besides being a photographer and writer, she's a non-practicing attorney, has a very popular blog, has been on Oprah, and has done many other impressive things. Among them is the work she's doing in her new book The Beauty of Different, which inspires and challenges the narrow way we often tend to define beauty. I've asked her to share a little here and she agreed! So come back tomorrow to read about that one crucial element that Karen's always looking for when she shoots! 

Monday
Nov012010

Mixed Bag: Promise Tangeman

Today marks the beginning of our new "Mixed Bag" series. A few times every month, we'll be showcasing Epiphanie bags with various outfit combinations based on someone whose style has inspired us. All of the ladies who modeled for our new website launch fit very well into this category. So look for them over the next few weeks. 

First up today is Promise. She has a fantastically unique style on her own, but for her shoot she enlisted the help of her friend and stylist Alex Avjen. We were blown away by their creativity, especially because much of her outfit was made, or found thrifting. So here we pieced together our own interpretation. 

Epiphanie bag: Red Lola

Plaid Top: American Eagle 

Geometric Tee: Mod Cloth

Cut offs: Yes Style 

Gladiator Sandals: Kenneth Cole

Feather hair clip: Swell