Human Rights and #LoveWins for LGBT Pride Month

I am so ecstatic about the marriage equality ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States. This is a wonderful advancement for equal rights, especially during LGBT Pride Month.  In celebration, I wanted to share some thoughts on liberty and equality in America.

Freedom of expression and equal rights are two of the most important protections I enjoy as an American. I believe only you can determine who to love and what makes you happy.  I hope we can create a standard of equality that will allow people to express themselves without a climate of prejudice. Being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender should not disqualify you from equal human rights. By speaking out for these human rights we can create a community and government that truly supports freedom and not discrimination. - Celeste Thorson

I was reminded of my #LGBT #activism 10 years ago with my #grassroots #family at Human Rights Campaign. We were the boots on the ground that met hate face to face, as we strove to build support for equal #humanrights #legislation. Some people politely declined to support #justice, others were kicking and screaming. Some people greeted us with open arms, some with gentle whispers. Today we can #celebrate this #equality, because #LoveWins when #activists #FightTheGoodFight for #justice. No matter how ugly the #hate, #standup #speakout and remember we are all born #free and #equal!

Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

-Thomas Jefferson

Here are the values that I stand for: honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you want to be treated and helping those in need. To me, those are traditional values.

-Ellen DeGeneres

While in San Francisco, Cory Goldberg Images captured this series with my dear friend and fashion librarian, Shaye McKenney.  We admired some intricate Japanese Kimono's from a private collection, rich with artistic details. More images from this series coming this summer. 

The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web.

-Pablo Picasso

Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.

-Oscar Wilde

Some people may be offended by this artwork and respond with hatred. Which is more offensive, a photograph that represents love or the hatred it may trigger?

Do you believe love is boundless?

Do you believe love should be confined?

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

The Magical Masquerades of Carnival Venezia with Celeste Thorson

La Vita Es Un Carnevale

On our quest to experience the best of Carnevale Venezia, we scouted some traditional attire to immerse ourselves in the carnival culture.

Antonia Sautter's Atelier and Best of Ballo Del Doge party sounded like a perfect way to celebrate. Her Venetian costumes in Stanley Kubrick's film Eyes Wide Shut, showcase her incredible attention to detail. She's created thousands of 18th and 19th century costumes and headpieces at her Atelier's in Venice.  Every year during Carnival, she conjures a night of magic and fantasy for her dinner and show at the historic Palazzo Pisani on the Grand Canal. She combines her incredible costume creations with themes inspired by music, history and her imagination. As we time traveled into her 18th century celebration we arrived by water and were surrounded by guest wearing some of her most fascinating creations. It reminded me a bit of Lucent Dossier with a sophisticated Venetian twist.

One of my favorite parts of the festival was the preparation. After traversing the labyrinth of Venice to find Antonia Sautter's Atelier, I felt like a kid escaping to a secret candy store to play dress up. I tried on a variety of styles before falling in love with a tiered 19th century gold gown with floral sequins appliques and cap sleeves and a black feathered beaded headpiece.














We also visited Ca' Macana in Dosoduro to paint traditional Venetian masks and learn some classical styles to mix with our contemporary interpretations. The mask making was especially enjoyable and memorable. Here are some photos of the Blue Moon mask I painted with the guidance of the maestro.


 



Photographer  Davide Palitiere and makeup artist Monica Berton helped capture some of these photographs with retouching by Taron Maroun.  It was wonderful to watch the narrow streets flood with festivities, it brought so much vibrant color to Venezia.

Valentine's Day in Venice, Italy - Gondolas, Mask Making & Dessert with Celeste Thorson

One of the most memorable moments during our San Valentino fantasy was floating on a gondola down the winding waterways, serenaded by the music and history shared by our gondolier.

As he expertly navigated the chilly water, the gondola rocked gently with rippling waves lapping on the sides of the narrow stone canals. I could say there was something magical about it, but that would fail to articulate the mystery and character emanating from these ancient walls. They seemed to demurely allude to the fantastical stories they've witness.

Photography by Davide Palitiere retouching by Taron Maroun.

I changed into a long red gown by Halston Heritage,crystal brooches,crystal belt, Christian Louboutin black pumps.  Tousled wavy hair, red lipstick and wing tipped black eyeliner.

I should start at the beginning, after touring Paris, we arrived at the cozy Londra Palance for a romantic Valentine's Day in Venezia.  The surprise champagne, flowers and mozzarella platter waiting for us was the perfect thoughtful snack to start our adventure.  We spent much of our day meandering through the stone maze and liquid veins, admiring the bridges, canals, shops and architecture.




Rialto Bridge



To get into  the Carnivale spirit, we immersed ourselves in some artistic Venetian culture by hand painting masks at Ca'Macana. Getting creative and learning a variety of traditional and modern techniques was a major highlight, highly recommended. Who would've expected we'd have that much fun with aprons and blow dryers?





After exploring the city by foot, of course we wanted to experience Venice by gondola.  Worth it.

The evening got even better when we had dinner at Do'leoni. the food fare was light, classic and delicious and the lychee martini was heavenly. The staff and chef's were very accommodating with all of the meals during our stay. Complimenti!



We were lucky to find a few authentic restaurants during our trip and enjoyed local seafood delicacies at every opportunity. The best places were so good they deserved their own post so, I would love to tell you my top 3 favorite restaurants in Venice sometime.

Shanghai 1930's Birthday Celebration at the W Hollywood with Celeste Thorson

For our birthdays, David Christopher Lee and I planned a double trouble Shanghai 1930's celebration. Everyone looked beautiful in 1930's era art deco attire and cheongsams under the starry skies at the W Hotel in Hollywood. It was a mosaic of feathers, sequins, lace, pearls, red satin,  luxurious embroidery and elaborate headdresses. We were honored to share our travel show Destination Luxury with over 700 of guests. I wore a dusty rose feathered evening gown and headpiece by Sue Wong.  We honored the UNICEF Chinese Children’s Initiative, a great cause that supports some of the most vulnerable children in China. I'm so grateful for our media sponsor Phoenix International Magazine and the other generous sponsors who helped create an unforgettable evening...

My one big birthday wish was to have a performance by Chinese dragon dancers and the San Gabriel Valley Chinese Cultural Association went above and beyond with a roaring performance.  The giant red dragon was smokin', literally blowing smoke through it's nose, that was my favorite part of the night! Then the adorable furry lion dancers pounced around festively and circled through the crowd.

From the beautiful red rose floral arrangements by Butterfly Floral Design to the gorgeous three tiered cake crowned with a golden phoenix by Baby Bea's Bakeshop, I was very grateful for everyone's generosity.   The white, red and violet sparkling wine from Vina sympatica was lovely and the Tequila 88 ultra premium and Sacacuento Mezcal had a smokey kick. Mannfolk PR , Jin and Quinn and  Charis Events and Design helped organize.   The beats by DJ Christian B  kept us dancing all night.  Special thanks to the photographers Greg Autry, Joyce Chow and Nelson Shen Images, who all made great captures that night.

 

     

Some photos of a few of our feathered friends

Stanley Kubrick Eyes Wide Shut Halloween with Celeste Thorson

Eyes Wide Shut + LACMA Neon String Lights 

After a crazy karaoke circus the weekend before Halloween, it was great to spend the 31st checking out the Stanley Kubrick exhibit at LACMA and admiring the incredible costumes seemingly incubated in Jim Hensen's and Tim Burton's secret workshop.  I was fascinated by the whole exhibit from 2001: Space Odessey, Clockwork Orange, Eyes Wide Shut, The Shining, Napolean, Full Metal Jacket and well too many to list.

Last years Tim Burton exhibit was designed by Burton so it had a lot of his signature nuances peppering the experience, Kubrick's felt more like a classic museum presentation with plenty of posters and production materials to peruse and the occasional costumes, models, slates or props.  My eyes fixed on the lenses and cameras like carats of diamonds in display cases and on pedestals.  Stepping into the Milk Bar was eerie, all while A Perfect Circle soundtrack twinkled in my mind.  The live milk bar mannequins and the shining sisters really brought the exhibit to life.  

I designed this burlesque costume using a black and crimson lace and satin corset with a custom black beaded applique and a black and red feather jeweled brooch in the center bodice, crimson tiered lace and satin skirt, a black and red feather boa bustle with black satin ribbon bow, thigh high stockings with a small bow and black seam up to the the back, sequin black pumps,  beaded fringe art deco clutch purse and black satin gloves with a black and red feather jeweled half mask.  It was a fun art project to create and even more lovely to wear.

Burlesque Milk Bar

White Woman Red Woman

N + C + The Shining Sisters

N + C

Clockwork Orange Halloween

Here's Johnny

All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy

Life Through Kubrick's Lens

A Cam

Masked

Unmasked

C + J CIRCUS 12