Meet Xenia Marie Viray…A small and ferocious creative girl who works for the Original Online Glossy ZOOZOOM. A poet and screenwriter at heart, she loves looking at fashion as a cultural artifact and at all of its creators as artists, and also people, with wonderful and absurd stories to tell about how they got where they are, and why they choose to make things.
Photo by David McIntyre
WHO AM I TO TELL YOU?
People always assume that we don’t have one another’s best interest in mind.
I think that’s false. I am always searching for head gear and unique jewelry and affordable clothing with a long shelf life, and the people around me often are too. As a stylist and a fashion writer at ZOOZOOM I get to spend many of my daylight hours on my search. (It’s work!) And I really want to share my favorite finds with you because I really want you to share your finds with me. And also, what’s better than supporting the arts just by looking good? Here are my favorite’s on Smashing Darling.
AMBIGUOUS STAPLES
I want to start with pieces you can wear to work (assuming you don’t work in a drone-ruled office) and also out for a happy hour (or two.)
KRELwear’s cotton tunic has the loose silhouette and minimal design akin to some of my favorite high-end knit wear brands. It’s all about shape and textiles, and virtually seamless (literally!) Karelle Levy knows what she’s doing, she knits her own fabrics!
Along the same lines of exaggerated shapes with minimal embellishment, Pantora’s cowl neck sweater dress is a versatile canvas to wear in the fall and even when it starts to get warm again. It’s certainly not a loud piece; it’s subtle, and both practical and sexy, which are not qualities that traditionally coexist.
OLD AT HEART
Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m geriatric chic. I like old and old-looking things. The Urge to Adorn’s found photography belt buckles are the perfect ’something old’ to your ’something new.’ 100 percent pewter and often made with recycled materials (like tires), The Urge to Adorn’s goods are a feel-good and unique source of accessories you will probably keep for life.
HEAD OF THE CLASS
Besides being an old lady at heart, I am also obsessed, and I mean OBSESSED with millinery and head gear. I love hats, and if I wasn’t so short that I lose a lot of my peripheral vision when I wear a cloche, I would most definitely buy any and all of Anne De Pasquale’s creations, especially her Art Deco felt Cloche. Since I’m wary of not being able to see anything higher than five feet, I personally opt for Katie Burley Couture Millinery’s delicate chantal hand-shaped sinemay with vintage stamens. It is delectable and is sure to get you many an envious look.
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A DEPENDABLE DESIGNER
…then you better look at everything that Laura Dawson makes. To me, as a lady who has seen many up-and-coming designers float and sink, I can tell Laura Dawson has the staying power and vision to be around for a long time. She’s worked with the Scissor Sisters, Brazilian Girls, Richard Avedon, Mick Jagger & Steven Klein. She’s no joke.
