Dolores Del Rio

Dolores Del Rio was a Mexican Hollywood star in the 1920s and 30s. Del Rio was in 1905 born in Durango, Mexico and died in 1983 in Newport Beach, California. She was born into a wealthy family, but during the Mexican Revolution her family lost everything and had to relocate to Mexico City. Del Rio married at a young age (16) and had a successful career in both the US and Mexico. Her and her husband moved to Hollywood after meeting director Edwin Carewe at a friend's wedding (Del Rio was dancing a tango). She started out in silent films and successfully transitioned to talkies, unlike many other silent actresses. 

She was often mislabeled (purposely) as Spanish and would have to ask to be correctly described as Mexican. At the time her Mexican  heritage limited her opportunities for film roles. She was often, if not exclusively, cast in roles overtly ethnic or exotic. She was often cast in ethnicities other than her own, a chameleon of sorts, a blessing and a curse. Hollywood still will cast ethnically ambiguous actors/actresses for a variety of ethnicities even when someone of the actual background is available. Despite being pigeonholed because of her Mexican heritage, she was an international movie star. When she became disenchanted with the Hollywood portrayal of her, she returned to Mexico and continued to have a successful career on the screen and on the stage. 

What's most interesting to me about Del Rio, besides her amazing style, beauty, business savvy and charm, is that she was herself despite her status, fame, fortune and the perceptions others placed on her via stereotyping and media hype. She lived an amazing life, with a long career into her 70s. She did not let anything stop her.

I'm really inspired by her quote "Living for me is made of three things: love, travel, and good books or music. Success–it never made me happy. Fame–when I had it most, I was miserable. Money-love costs nothing". 

Think about it. This trailblazer had it all and experienced so much of life. Yet what she most valued are things we all can enjoy.

Instead of being concerned about the success, fame and money, I'd rather focus on the love in my life, the travel I get to experience (even the small everyday journeys), the books I can read and the music I can listen to. With the internet, we have insane access to the world. We can talk to anyone anywhere, travel anywhere (if not in person, virtually), read anything we can find and listen to a huge archive of music from the oldest recorded sound to something recorded three seconds ago on the other side of the world. Next time if I find myself thinking about success, fame, or money, or jealous of someone else's, I'm going to come back to this quote. It's a good reminder of what really matters to me!

What really matters to you? Do you think success, fame or money alone can make you happy? 

Dolores Del Rio inspired me to create the Del Rio Robe and the name of her 1943 film Flor Silvestre is the inspiration for the name of my Flor Silvestre Collection. 

Collected Quotes:

During the days of silent films, Miss Del Rio's face, elegant and expressive, made her one of Hollywood's important actresses and one – Dorothy J. Gaiter, NY Times

“The two most beautiful things in the world are the Taj-Mahal and Dolores del Río.” – George Bernard Shaw

“I tried to interest my producers in stories about Mexico. I was forced to play glamorous characters which I hated.” – Dolores del Rio via Film International

“I didn’t want to be a star anymore. I wanted to be an actress. By 1940, I knew I couldn’t build a satisfying career on glamour, so I came home.” – Dolores del Rio via Film International

 “I am not, by nature, melancholy, weepy, sorrowful, languishing, or sweet. I am the girl of What Price Glory? There, for a bit, I could show my real self. I am, by nature, tempestuous, fiery, stormy, eager.” – Dolores del Rio via

“Take care of your inner beauty, your spiritual beauty, and that will reflect in your face. We have the face we created over the years. Every bad deed, every bad fault will show on your face. God can give us beauty and genes can give us our features, but whether that beauty remains or changes is determined by our thoughts and deeds.” – Dolores del Rio

Notable Films: 

The Loves of Carmen (1927), What Price Glory? (1927) Ramona (1928), Bird of Paradise (1932), Flying Down to Rio (1933), Madame Du Barry (1934), Wonder Bar (1934), Journey Into Fear (1942). and María Candelaria (1943). See Dolores Del Rio's IMDB page for her full film credits. 

Further Reading: 

• The First Latina to Conquer Hollywood 

• The Face of Deco: Dolores Del Rio
• Dolores del Rio, Mexican Movie Star, Was Photoplay's 'Best Figure In Hollywood' In 1931

• Dolores del Rio, a Mexican beauty

Collage Sources: 

• http://www.bikiniscience.com/chronology/1930-1935_SS/1930-1935.html

• http://jon-doloresdelargo.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-think-today-should-be.html

• http://joltenjoeswife.livejournal.com/?tag=quotes

• https://www.nwhm.org/html/exhibits/film/22.html

• http://toniokruger.blogspot.com/2013_08_01_archive.html

• http://planetbarberella.blogspot.com/2011/01/actress-o-nightdelores-del-rio.html

• https://screendeco.wordpress.com/2012/05/18/the-face-of-deco-dolores-del-rio-by-annette-bochenek/

• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/22/dolores-del-rio-photoplay-best-figure-in-hollywood-1931_n_3132243.html

• http://backlots.net/tag/dolores-del-rio/

• http://shyturnip.com/2010/01/09/dolores-del-rio/

• http://www.photographersgallery.com/photo.asp?id=2184

Cleaning out your closet

During my Laguna Beach vacation I was catching up on Pop Fashion and came to the episode about extreme minimalism (the James Bond/12/11 episode). They talked a bit about how to use minimalism as a way to approach your closet. I'm a big believer in less is more...but it's still hard to keep an uncluttered closet. 

Having less things means you can keep track of all your goods and take better care of the things you do have. With clothes, it means you don't have to dig through junk to get to your favorite pair of pants because you only own the favorites. 

I've moved from one country to another, from the West Coast to the East Coast and I often have to pack up for short and long trips. What I've learned from lugging around lots of things is that I'd rather own only the things I really truly love. It's easier to move, easier to pack and much easier to live. 

Every time I move I do a major overhaul. I basically clean out my things and anything that doesn't fit into my desired life has to go. It's hard, but it is very rare I ever regret getting rid of things (except for all the coats I gave away when moving from SF to DC -- those were great vintage/thrift finds and you will always be missed). I'm moving soon, so this past Sunday I cleaned out my closet and made a stop at Buffalo Exchange to sell/donate the clothes and shoes I do not need or want. 

Kaarin Vembar, fashion consultant at Closet Caucus, writer and co-host of Pop Fashion, gave some great tips on cleaning out your closet and building up your dream wardrobe:

The one question to keep in mind above all others is this: "Does this item bring me joy?" Fashion trends will come and go, but the idea isn't to bow down to ever-changing style ideals. What you are building is bigger than that. For most people clothing is just a small part of the larger whole of their daily experience. That is what it should be! Getting dressed should be a fun, body-positive practice. You throw the things on and you are out the door - ready to conquer your day. -Kaarin Vembar

When going through your closet ask yourself these questions:

1. What is it?
2. Why do I own it?
3. When did I last wear it?
4. Does it fit the image of myself that I want to present to the world? 
5. Does this item bring me joy?

If it's something you don't own for a really special reason, haven't worn in a long time, does not fit the image of yourself that you want to present, and/or it does not bring you joy, get rid of it. 

Simple as that. 

Another approach is to pretend you are going on a one month vacation to a place with multiple climates. What would you bring? Pack your bag. Now, what did you not include? Do you really need all the other stuff? 

When you've found the essence of your closet you take the fuss out of getting dressed. And then you can actually get dressed.

Happy closet cleaning!

xoxo, 

Stephanie

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This is my closet. 

a room with a view.

Something I've always wondered about style bloggers: Who takes the photos? Are you setting up a tripod everyday? Do you just live with a tripod setup? Do you simply have a person that takes pictures of you on hand? No one has ever given me a good answer. Just something I thought about today. Then I took some photos. I love my room--it's small but has nice windows and light. Best for watching the snow outside, reading, sketching and thinking about how long my flowers will live. Here are some photos featuring my favorite things: my pearl ring I found at my favorite vintage store in San Pedro, Casio watch I got at Tortoise General Store in Venice, brass bracelet made in Cape Cod, which I never take off, warby parker glasses that I sometimes love and sometimes hate, the windows, muji notebooks that just make everything better, my lipgloss, picture of California that I acquired from my one-month stay in Columbia Heights, heels I can actually walk in for long periods of time, a necklace my best friend gave me at her wedding, tote and Canon.

Listen: Shelter by the Temples

the year of the horse.

On January 31 the (Chinese new) year of the horse begins, so dig up your cowboy boots and let's get riding. I have spotted a person riding a horse on the sidewalk here in Gilbert, Arizona. My sister spotted another, but neither of us have a photo. Thanks snapchat. Here's a pony from next door, which is much cuter than the horse in the background.

My style picks to celebrate horses, ponies, and trying something new this 2014:

1. Lucky Ring by Vera Meat $48

2. Horseshoe and Stirrup Silk Scarf by Aspinal of London $139

3. Blazer-ish Jacket by DKNY $346.50

4. Creatures of the Wind Button Up

5. Leather Flap Crossbody by Emma Fox $87.99

6. Wyoming Buckin Horse Leather Cuff by LOVLeathers $25

7. 1921 Collection Boots by Gucci $1235

8. Belle de Jour Lipstick by Nars $26

9. Equestrian Riding Jodpurs by Ralph Lauren $123.25 

Now...

Get off your horse and drink your milk. John Wayne  

NYC to the Mission, guest blog post by Lirany -- local jewelry designer

Lirany of Pretty Little Thing shares where she hangs out around her new studio! I've recently relocated the studio for my jewelry line, Pretty Little Thing from New York City to San Francisco and it's been really exciting settling into a new city and a vibrant neighborhood like the Mission.

The studio is right in the heart of the Mission on 17th Street, at a space called Studio 17, which is home to other designers, artists, tech start-ups and young entrepreneurs. I love the eclectic and creative energy of the space and of the neighborhood itself. After lots of exploring, here are some of my favorite spots to eat, drink, shop and have a good time in the Mission in San Francisco!!

Food: Delfina Pizzeria for good pizza and a cold beer. I love having lunch at an outside table--perfect people watching spot. ( 3621 18th St.)

 

Drinks: The Elbo Room is perfect for Happy Hour. They have great live music on the second floor at night and the retro arcade games are a fun bonus. (647 Valencia St.)

Snacks: Bi-Rite Creamery is a go-to for their legendary ice cream and sweets. The only downside is the crazy line outside--velvet rope and all--but worth the wait! (3692 18th St.)

 

Shopping: I love vintage and one of my favorite vintage shops, Clothes Contact is in the neighborhood. You have to hunt and dig sometimes, but I've found lots of great dresses and accessories here. You can buy clothes by the pound too! (473 Valencia St.)

Dolores Park and the Dolores neighborhood is my favorite spot in all of San Francisco because it's the sunniest spot in a city that feels like its windy and chilly 80% of the year! The park is huge and beautiful, and is the perfect spot to sprawl out on a blanket and hang out with friends or alone with a good book and an iced Coffee from Dolores Park Cafe. The neighborhood that surrounds the park has a little bit of everything: shopping, food, and bars so there is always something to do after a day at the park.

Lirany made this for my birthday, it is the absolute best gift ever! I have literally been wearing it everyday. Get your own or find your own favorite on her online store.

About our guest blogger: I met Lirany Vasquez out and about in the city and we love her bi-coastal style and reading her Monday Muse posts. Lirany is the owner and designer of Pretty Little Thing Jewelry, you can see her designs on her online store and find out when she has pop-up shops by following her on twitter and instagram. She blogs about fashion, style and jewelry here!

Amor de Dios...Flamenco, Fearless

Madrid, Spain.

I remember getting lost in La Latina searching for Flamenco shoes. Finding a small shop and being fitted with these black leather, heeled works of art that looked like artifacts compared to the costume shoes I used to wear in dance performances growing up. I splurged for a skirt. I went back to my place in Salamanca and tried it all on, with a black leotard, put my hair in a low bun and tried to make my best Flamenco face. I took out my map of Madrid and tried to memorize the way to Amor de Dios, so I wouldn't look like a tourist. A visitor. Someone that doesn't belong.

I wrapped up in layers, it was fall, and walked to the metro. Took the blue line to Antón Martín and took a peak at my map. I wandered the old cobblestone streets, past la Jamonería, past Cine Dore, through a market, up the stairs and stumbled into a bare room. Christián was the teacher. I was never the same.

I've always been inspired by Flamenco -- the passion, the music, the style, the movement, the arms. Even though once my sister and I snuck out of a performance half way through, because we couldn't take any more wailing, I love it.

Here are some photos that inspire me and I hope inspire fearlessness in you!

Here are a song from Christián's flamenco cd that he gifted me when I left Madrid: Flamenco de Christián uno