CRISIS // Nikka X Dfrntpigeon

       

       

    

   

Seldom do you come across fashion labels that stem from a worthy cause. This month, I'm very proud to be collaborating with dfrntpigeon, an apparel line from New Avenues for Youth that helps young adults who are at-risk of homelessness by providing them with a place to work while also teaching them the essential business skills and experience to make a career of their own.

Expressing who they are through fashion, dfrntpigeon is run by a handful of young adults from Portland, Oregon, ranging from the ages of 16-25. They just recently released their new spring collection during Design Week Portland, which consists of unique, grunge style tees that express who the creator's are by their individual designs.

The name dfrntpigeon (pronounced 'different pigeon') came to be from the "negative perception people in urban areas commonly have of the pigeon as a street pest," says Angela Hathaway, the woman who introduced me to this inspiring brand. I thought that was a creative way of coming up with a name through the symbolism of a pigeon, while, continuously flying about the city streets, have incredible worth and hidden potential as well. 

I styled my dfrntpigeon CRISIS Tee with black jeans, a leather jacket, and of course, statement boots. 

  

  

Dfrntpigeon is more than just a clothing brand. It's a fashion label that raises the voices of the unheard, challenges the perception of marginalized youth, and opens up the doors for many talented and creative people who deserve to be recognized for their bravery and unbreakable souls.

For more information, check out their website at dfrntpigeon.com. View their apparel here. Not only are they stylish, but they're affordable. Plus, you're contributing to a great cause.  Xx-Nikka

SHOP THE LOOK: 

CRISIS Tee

Leather Jacket

Topshop Boots

Topshop Jeans

                                                           

Inspiration of the month: Paperbag Pants

For the past few months, I've been dying to get my hands on a few pairs of statement pants. Whether that be zigzag patterns, bold colors of orange and yellow, or pinstripe, I was craving something-- different.

 Yes, I do love a good pair of mom jeans or high waist skinnies, but more often than not, I felt restricted with the jean material. Also, to be quite honest, I grew tired of them. Fast. 

I know, there's always that slight hesitation on investing in statement pants. It's as if there's a stigma in the air that styling statement pants can be tricky, and maybe too much of a risk for what it's worth. Well, you will never know if you never try, right? 

I was thrifting in my hometown a few weeks ago when I came across some cream colored Ralph Lauren pants. They weren't just any kind of regular pants though. It was a type of Paperbag pant, so I've soon discovered the name. 

As unflattering as the name sounds, the pants were priced at a very affordable $6. I repeat, 6 flippin' dollars for Ralph Lauren! I've also never owned any bottoms that were white before, so I decided to give these bad boys a try. 

To me, they fitted beautifully. Not only were they the perfect length, but they were high waisted and gave me that retro 70s aesthetic look I've been attempting to incorporate with my outfits. It was definitely an A+ purchase I made over spring break. 

The thing about cool statement pants like these, is that you can totally dress them up or dress them down. Pair them with some golden boots and a red blouse and a black clutch if you're going out. Or maybe a black halter and sneakers if you're running errands around town. Even with some black pumps and a blazer, you can dress it up in a formal manner for your work or school presentations.

I styled my pants (similar here) with loafers, a leather jacket, and a red tee (my shirt says "Be a Hero with Chris Phillips, my brother. The day this photoshoot was taken, my little brother won a talent show event at his highschool. So incredibly proud of him!!).

Here are some of the many ways I would style Paperbag pants. 

I love the scrunch of the waistband and how the pant fits loosely around your legs. If gives you more freedom to stretch. Seriously. It's a very comfy yet very stylish and unique piece of clothing you need to own or at least try. 

Shop in the gallery below to find your perfect color of Paperbag pants. 

Très Élégant

It's January, which means the holidays are over, school has resumed which usually feels like the longest stretch until spring break, it's still cold outside, and I'm just tired. I don't know, I've never really enjoyed the remaining winter months for some reason. I just feel so exhausted and empty.I'm done with the cold weather and I just want the sunshine.

 During these times, I tend to daydream about what it would be like to be in one of my favorite foreign countries. Walking around old streets, reading poetry in tiny cafes, and enjoying the culture that I'd immerse myself in. After the holidays, my style turns from this rustic boho look to just plain, simple colors. I wear a lot of black until it starts warming up in Portland.

So do you know what other place tends to be gloomy but still remains to be one of the most famous cities in the world? Paris. About a year ago around this time, I started listening to jazz music, I began to invest in drinking dark coffee, and I guess that was the time I started creating bangs with my curly hair. Aren't those all kind of minor essentials to being Parisian? Or at least feeling like you're Parisian? 

This was also the time I finished reading a biography on the legendary Coco Chanel. She, herself, created the  fundamentals of what it really meant to be the Parisian woman. Scratch that. She defined what it meant to the THE ultimate elegant woman.  Whether that be having minimal attire in your wardrobe (less is more), owning simplistic jewelry, or never forgetting to leave the house without a signature fragrance you can call your own, it doesn't even seem like you need to be wealthy to live that elegant lifestyle. Even in Christian Dior's Little Dictionary of Fashion, he states that elegance must be "the right combination of distinction, naturalness, care, and simplicity." I actually find this really great, especially since school has started again. You really must take care of yourself. Eat right and dress appropriately for the weather (something you'll notice I really didn't do in my ootd post since I wore frikin slip ons in 30 degree weather. A hypocrite, that's what I am). 

Thanks to the influence of Paris, I wanted to do a photoshoot that incorporated such plain pieces, but altogether, creating such a simplistic and stylish look for the rest of winter. It's definitely something I found to make me happier when the dull school weeks just drag on.  It lifts my spirits up and gets me out of the old blues I always seem to be in at the beginning of the new year.

I wore this Francesca's cropped turtle neck (similar one here), vintage trousers (similar one here), a vintage trench coat (similar one here), eBay transparent aviators, vintage belt, and these brand new forever 21 loafer mules. Insane how it looks exactly like the Gucci ones for like- $595?!

Say hello to my new Boy Chanel! Got this little guy from my mummy for Christmas. She's the only one who gets me. Honestly. 

I've also created some inspired Parisian looks and hopefully you guys can also start living that simple lifestyle while you finish up midterms and all that jazz. Can spring come any sooner? 

Au revoir, mon petit amis! Xoxo

Rustic Escape

Happy Sunday! This week has been phenomenal. Probably one of the best weeks in awhile. I got hired at forever 21 (yay me!), purchased some Italian poetry books at Powell's, finished my art homework, and enjoyed the sun by going out and exploring more of my beautiful city. 

Today, my friend and I headed to an amazing place called "Hollywood Vintage" where, if you can guess it, they sell vintage merchandise and thousands of Halloween costumes from Classic movies! We were in there for so long, using the Polaroid cameras, trying on shoes from the 50s, and looking through boxes of vinyl records and old magazines. It. Was. Incredible. I'll definitely be going back to purchase a beret (they have almost every single hat possibly made throughout the years of fashion) and maybe some Audrey Hepburn inspired items! I hope you all had a great weekend :) xx