Tokyo Timewarp: Modern Geishas in Shibuya

While staying in Tokyo's popular district of Shibuya at the Cerulean Hotel, I caught up with my friend Sasha Okamoto and Photographer Gregory Brown to capture the view and some street style.

Shibuya crossing is always buzzing, vibrant with about a million people per day. Together we melted into the crowds, followed the sights and sounds, with the click clacking of our wooden Geta shoes.

Fashion stylist Naomi Kubo unearthed a regal, antique, red kimono and an edgy, colorful, splatter yukata to create this stylish Tokyo timewarp for the modern Geisha.

We followed the paper lanterns lining the streets and the smells of grilled Yakitori chicken wafting thru billowing Noren fabric doorways.

Even in the heart of the city you can discover quiet, little, crevices, rich with texture and contrast.

It seems everywhere you turn there is a distinct Tokyo style and culture, that sets it apart from other areas of Japan.

Tokyo is a spirited muse that will always tug at my imagination. It is easy to get lost in the palpable energy of the city.

Makeup artist Yuri Kondo's editorial hair and makeup highlighted the East meets West heritage of both Sascha and I. When we shot at the Cerulean we transitioned the traditional musubi and obi belts into the modern leather belts for an avant-garde spin on kimono style.

Whisper Fire Tokyo Breeze

Fuel My Imagination 

Dream Spirited Muse

-  Haiku, Celeste Thorson

Blowing from the west 

fallen leaves

gather in the east.

- Haiku, Yosa Buson

Photo:  Gregory Brown Photography / Models: Celeste Thorson, Sascha Okamoto / Wardrobe: Naomi Kubo / Hair and Makeup: Yuri Kondo

Treasure Island: Bay Bridge to Nowhere

...That time Low Tek Studios and I got down and dirty for a spontaneous photo shoot on Treasure Island in San Francisco.  The location had kind of a Breaking Bad vibe, so we kicked it by the chain link fences and old turn knob TV sets for a lazy afternoon by the bay bridge.

I wore some edgy variations of the little black dress, with hi-low skirts, studs, metallic accents, and cut outs.  We found wildflowers, water towers, and graffiti  treasures around every corner. Then we stumbled upon a vacant pool filled with epic memorials a midst the abandon buildings. San Francisco has so many unique environments to get inspired by life and fashion.

Art Deco Daydream in Venice: SNOWY WHITE MEMORY

Some creative highlights from our Italian adventure were the fleeting moments of inspiration while strolling the streets of Venice. I enjoyed collaborating on this SNOWY MEMORY series in front of St. Maria Saluta Basilica with the talented photographer Filippo Ciappi.

We lucked out with a few magical moments in our hotel room at the Westin as gondolas drifted by on the Grand Canal. Then we had the chance to admire the Italian architecture and beautiful stone steps of the Semenario Partriarcale de Venezia. For me, this series conjures a ghostly and romantic interpretation.

I fashioned some natural makeup and wore a white and silver beaded gown by Aidan Mattox, my grandmother's antique diamond necklace and bracelet and my crystal hair brooch pinning an updo bun, he wore a black Hugo Boss suit and shoes. Special thanks to Filipo Ciappi and his assistant for seizing the day with us.

Listening to: Never Let Me Go by Florence + The Machine