Punk Fashion vs. 50s Rebel Fashion vs. New Rebel Fashion Wave

Does history seem to repeat itself every two or several decades?   The 50s rebels had the greaser thing going on with their leather jackets, jeans, and t-shirts James Dean style.  The 70s punk fashion came packaged with something similar: leather jackets, jeans, tees, and rock patches/pins on the jackets by way of the Sex Pistols and Ramones.  I’ve had a fascination with “rebel” fashion since a young age, wearing custom-made patchwork pants and dresses to high school bohemian style.  Nowadays, I wear light wash ripped jeans, a leather jacket with a pop of color, and pearl adorned sneakers with faux diamond rings, hoop earrings, and cat eye shades for a statement.  The glamorous rebel look is my thing, where diamonds meet dirt, gutter to the stars.  My love of glamorous movie icons like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn meet rebel heroes like Sid Vicious or Marlon Brando in a Hollywood back alley.  The dust kicked up by non-conformist attitudes marries with a love of flaunting beauty and bejeweled spectacle.  Happy almost-weekend!

James Dean Greaser

Sid Vicious Leather Jacket

Reign Diamonds

Throwback Thursday

Here’s to looking back at 2011, when I wrote for a lifestyle/beauty/fashion blog called Lip Gloss Culture based out of NYC.  I had just graduated from Mills College and it was a great first gig.  My Mom Susan Karr, an accomplished writer and editor (Word Suite), showed me the magical Wayback Machine site where I could find prior articles I’d had published.  Here are some beauty posts:

The Benefits of Aromatherapy with Rosewood Oil

Best Facial Masks

Happy Thursday!

Love Lyzardz Pics

Reign Diamonds in Joshua Tree

Johnny Saffire at the Gypsy Men store in the Haight-Ashbury SF

Jacket Customization

I’ve been off in another corner of the universe for a long while working on my music with my boyfriend, a blend of folk, rock, pop, and psychedelic flavors.  The current artistic project of mine is jacket customization with patches.  I bought these two big patches at a killer fabric store in the Mission in SF, which had discounts on materials.  I got the dry cleaning lady up the street to sew on the snake and roses patch, as she had to open up the inner lining of the leather jacket.  I was able to sew the tiger patch on the denim jacket, seeming as there was no lining to open up.  Floral designs are in for spring.  I was inspired by the Guns N’ Roses theme with the snake and roses patch (Slash’s snakepit), which turns the faux leather jacket into a true one of a kind rock n’ roll piece, including the pink Playboy bunny patch sewed on the arm of the jacket by the same woman.  The tiger patch on the denim jacket is a tribute to my Chinese zodiac sign.  I’m an 86′ baby all the way.  Experimentation with patches on articles of clothing or accessories is a fun undertaking.  It all harkens back to when I used to sew band patches onto my bags and clothes in high school.  More posts coming soon!

 

Modeling

Yesterday, I was contacted by a fashion collaboration site by the name of FStop.FM to be featured as a model.  The site is similar to Model Mayhem, where agencies and brands can interact and collaborate with makeup artists, models, photographers, etc…  I like that the blog has an Instagram type of feed where artists can post new projects and agencies can advertise.  If you want to sign up, be sure to use my profile link: https://www.fstop.fm/#p/Kkarr.  Happy trails to you!

 

Hair Dye Drama

The switch to a Marilyn look didn’t go as planned.  Maybe it’s my skin tone.  I seem to do better with Betty Paige black.  Last night’s experiment trying to go lighter with Revlon light blonde mixture was drama central.  It looked like I had a bright orange tabby cat on my hat at the end of the dye job.  Oh God.  My girlish inner fantasy of perfect blond seemed to tatter like a fraying pair of jeans the more dye I applied to my head.  So long to an idealism that didn’t seem to fit me.  Maybe it was truly some past life recollection that in this life could only be remembered and not accessed.  I suppose all girls have their very own Marilyn fantasy and I, Katherine Robbins Karr, go by Reign Diamond as a stage name.  I like to play up the Jersey Jewish American Princess fantasy with darker locks and I sport Juicy Couture velour sweat suits and bags.  So here’s the scoop on how to “do blonde” if you so dare.

The first dye job may be an orangeish end result.  So from there, you will want to get an ash blonde kit to tone the hair so it will turn a yellowish shade.  You need to make sure it has a blue based tone instead of purple.  According to Bellatory.com, to prepare the dye, mix the chosen color with 10 vol developer with a tinting brush and bowl.  Follow the same process with dyeing the hair and leave the dye in so as to neutralize the orange tone.  Make sure to condition the hair thoroughly.  If you want to make the hair lighter, do it a week later with even more bleach.  Use a pearl, ash, or natural tone of blonde.  If you want your hair to be blonder, leave the mixture in longer.  For care and upkeep, use a purple tone shampoo to keep the hair light.  Of course, if you don’t want to put up with the entire bleaching process and want your hair dark again, get black or dark brown dye!  Happy hair dyeng!

 

Top Flea Markets in the Bay Area for Treasure Hunting

What would the summer be without hunting for treasure at outdoor flea markets?  I’ve been around the Bay Area to various flea markets and have compiled a list of cool and exciting places to shop for bargain goodies!  Here they are:

Alemany Flea Market (***)

I love this flea market for the fun vintage stuff sold and that it is near the Mission, which is conveniently located near where I live.  It can be pricey, however at some tables and there isn’t any food.  Definitely a neat Mission-style market to check out for the antiques!

Laney College Flea Market (*****)

The Laney College flea market has a nice Oakland flavor to it.  The first section of the flea market has tables with used or less expensive stuff and the area with newer merchandise costs only $1 to get into.  Not a bad price!  I love that there is a good balance of used and new stuff.  There are plenty of awesome food stands to delight in.  I like the roasted corn on a stick and the flavored shaved ice.  A five star rating in my opinion because it’s not too far over the bridge and parking is easy.

CCSF Flea Market – ocean campus- resevoir parking lot

Treasure Island Flea Market (****)

The Treasure Island Flea Market is great for it being right on the water and for the scenic view.  It tends to cost more to get in there due to the nicer stuff sold.  Parking can be a little tricky, but there are some great food trucks and there is always live music!

Oakland Coliseum Swap-Meet (*****)

This flea market is mid-priced for getting into.  I love the boiled corn on a stick outside stand and the inside American food joint.  The $5 tee-shirt stand is a must!  I like that there is usually a live band and that there is also a play area and slides for kids, which makes this flea market very family friendly.  Definitely a do!

Alameda Antique Fair (*****)

The Alameda Antique Fair is the largest antique fair in Nor Cal.  You can buy anything from collectibles to clothing to pottery.  It is great that it is by the water and that parking is free.  You can also take a free shuttle to and from the flea market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elle Woods Two-Piece Outfit!

I was left quite speechless walking into the Crossroads store on College Ave. in Rockridge upon seeing a two-piece skirt and top set in bright bubblegum pink, an homage to Barbie!  It was only $15!!!  I couldn’t believe what a grand sweep I had made with that golden purchase.  Every once in a while, I see some new and inspiring outfit at Crossroads, amidst all the other used clothing items.  I love two-piece sets because you already have the full outfit assembled for you and you just need to add shoes, a bag, and accessories!  Genius way to cut dress-up time in the morning in half.  Easy as pie!  Elle Woods here we come!  ❤ ❤ ❤

Cole Haan Brown Leather Thigh High Boots!

I found these babies at Closet 1951 on Union Street!  The sales people Bryan and Tania are always a pleasure to do business with!  I love the feel of real Italian leather!  Dee-licious…  The heel height is perfect and there is enough room in the toe box to walk around the streets of SF in comfort.  Stop by the store on 1951 Union St. between Buchanan and Laguna for excellent service and affordable and unique fashion finds!! ❤ ❤ ❤

New Kicks!

How I love shopping at Nirvana in Westfield, NJ!  Bought a pair of camo Kim Zozi Hippie Bling sneaks on their 70% off sale!  These kicks have neat silver chains on the backs of the them and silver lining by the laces.  Gonna strut down the hot pavement in the East Village tomorrow in these bad boys and see my friend Geoff’s punk rock band Gillian at Arlene’s Grocery!