A Technicolor Summer

Lets take it back to the glamour of synchronized swimmers, graceful swimsuits and million dollar mermaids! This is the latest piece that I directed and styled for the Zocalo Magazine in Tucson, Arizona. The article will be published in the July 2012 Issue.

 "Old Hollywood Awaits" by Sydney Ballesteros

The glamour that once was, is actually right under our noses.....
"When you are within the private walls of The Arizona Inn, you feel like you stepped into the screen of a technicolor film. Complete with lush gardens, charming vintage patio furniture, bright sunshine, sophistication, and that quiet peace that only the desert can provide."
~Sydney Ballesteros

The resurface of the flattering vintage bathing suit styles from the 1950s in modern fashion, not only makes my grandmother proud, but apparently designers like Miuccia Prada and Dolce & Gabbana have the soft spot for the look too {as we saw homage to the timeless suit, strut down the spring 2012 runways and in magazine editorials over and over again} .

P.S- Who said that you can't play croquet in your bathing suit?

Credits:

Photography: fotovitamina

Publication: Zocalo Magazine

Creative Director & Fashion Stylist: Sydney Ballesteros

Producer: Demion Clinco, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation

Makeup: Tangie Duffey

Models: Aimee C., Ana Victoria Contreras and Ben Ryan

Wardrobe: Black Cat Vintage, Desert Vintage 

Location: Arizona Inn-Tucson, AZ

*These photographs are part of a 2013 twelve month calendar series, that was documented for the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation. The calendar will display the art of mixing historic Tucson landmarks and buildings with locally sourced vintage fashion and will be available for sale in the early fall of 2012.

Please kindly ask for permission to use photos and credit back properly!

Thank you ~Syd

Raspberry Beret

I just can't seem to shake my habit for wearing my red beret these days.

You caught me with (so to speak) with my pants down, the last two days in a row!

{1}

red beret- the kind you find at second hand store: thrifted
white ruffle blouse: vintage
red and navy crop jacket: h&m
belt: f21
blue and gray hounds-tooth circle skirt: vintage 1950s
red shoes: karmaloop.com

{2}

Inspired by my longing for Paris:
again....the beret!
black and white stripe top: target
denim wide leg, high waisters: old navy (a few years back)
red shoes: karmaloop.com

xo~Syd

A Pop of Peach!

The combination of black and white is always a classic and never fails to make everything look good and simply polished!

Sometimes, it longs for a little color in it's life, why not give it a pop of peach?

And of course, then there are the ones that made the Instagram cut!

blouse: f21-thrifted
peach skirt: vintage 1940s- How Sweet it Was Vintage (Tucson, AZ)
polka dot tights: Target
shoes: vintage Ferragamo- thrifted
purse: vintage 1950s- thrifted


xo~Syd

Black & Yellow

Happy Saturday!

A pretty yellow floral blouse just makes me happy, kinda like this little number I picked up fairly recently. This picture was taken while we were on vacation in Austin, Texas.

I sure do miss the green grass, trees and rolling hills....

blouse: forever 21

skirt: vintage 1940s

tights: target

shoes: urban outfitters

purse: vintage 1950s

Shirley Kurata

 image via: Refinery29

I love the vintage aesthetic in Shirley Kurata's style! It definitely shows through in, the fashion editorials and bands that she has had the opportunity to style in her career. Zooey Deschanel, The Decemberist, Paper Magazine and campaigns for Oliver Peoples to name a few.....

I recently ran across this article on the (Refinery29) website and was so happy to see that they wrote a feature up about her, and even shared some photos of her living space!

Her house, located in the beautiful Los Feliz area of Hollywood California, is sort of just how I would have pictured it, colorful and perfectly 1960s quaint.

Here are some teaser pics....

 image via: refinery29

 A perfectly color coded bookcase (I am working on this myself, at the moment)

image via: refinery29

Isn't that just a fabulous yellow staircase?

image via: refinery29

Bright and airy, yellow just makes me happy!

image via: refinery29
Orange bubble lamp!

p.s- she has a record player that is to die for! go have a look....

~syd

Editorials

Better late than never......

Here are some of the images that I styled for the October fashion editorial at Black Cat Vintage titled, "Gothic Chic"

Photographer: Stacia Lugo (Moxie Mae Photography)

Fashion Stylist & Creative Director: Sydney Balllesteros

Vintage Wardrobe: www.blackcatvintage.com

Model: Jessica Zindel

Hair: Courtney Stanley

Makeup: Adriana Fontes

xoxo~Syd

Riding Boots and Capes!

Would you believe…. that I found this amazing cape a few months ago at my local Buffalo Exchange. I couldn't believe that nobody had swiped it up! I guess it was just waiting to come with me and find a new home in my closet. I love the fact that it is a below the knee length cape, a plaid pattern in brown & black, AND has this amazing structured cut-out in front. All of this for only $15.00 folks, that was a successful day for treasure hunting, if I do say so myself.

I got to play with this cape a little bit when I was in Austin in November. The second day we were there it was around sixty degrees outside. So yes, that is cold where I come from. I was thrilled to be able to dust off my brown leather riding boots, my beret and THIS amazing cape! And not look ridiculous doing it. In Arizona, sometimes November can still mean desperately longing for fall fashion and trying to wear these things in eighty plus degree weather.

 Details:

Cape: Buffalo Exchange {Tucson, AZ}

Black Turtleneck: Target {Mossimo}

Pants: Target {Mossimo}

Riding Boots: Vince Camuto
Messenger Bag: Vintage Coach

Belt: Seventies Vintage {Desert Vintage- Tucson, AZ}




xo~syd

Back from Texas! Part 1

Hey Ya"ll,

Ya, I said ya'll, I was bit by the bug! After spending a week in Austin Texas, it's only natural right? That was such a friendly and awesome city! I had never been before and always heard from others about it's funky charm, creativity, vintage aesthetic and grassroots vibe. So we decided to take a spur of the moment road-trip, out to see our friends and spend some time seeing for ourselves (best idea ever!)

There is undoubtedly inspiration on every corner in Austin. From the great vintage typography and signage, to a plethora of food trucks, music, art and local shops. Not to mention the beautiful rolling hills and green trees that surround the city. That is a really big deal for me folks, due to the fact that I was born and raised in the desert. Here are a few things that caught the likeness of my eyes!

There were quite a few pictures, so I decided to break this post up into two parts, enjoy!

An appreciation for vintage signage everywhere!

I spotted lots of Vespa's, which I can never get enough of.

I think I went back to get a cupcake more than once....

More vintage salvage and signage, I love it!

A beautiful, serene place to lay your head and a quick pose in front of the gates of the San Jose Hotel.

Wish that was the front door to my house!

A quick jaunt down to San Antonio, to experience the River Walk. It was a beautiful day and we had a nice lunch on this patio.

Romeo didn't waste any time finding his local spot. This circus themed candy store and old fashioned style soda fountain was just too cute for it's own good!. 

I am already planning another trip back soon and I can't wait to get my second dose, of what I missed the first time around. There are a few more food trucks on the list to hit up for sure! I don't think I would ever run out of places to eat. 

xoxo~syd

p.s.- stay tuned for part 2