Designer for Hire

Me, My Clothes and I


-- Download Me, My Clothes and I as PDF --


Style. It’s all around us – and especially on the streets. Adiba Nelson – fashionista, blogger, and self-confessed Nosey Nelly – goes in search for it. Photos by Adiba Nelson.

adibaheadshotcropped

Adiba Nelson. Photo by Michelle Rooney Photography.

There is something magical about a person who is unabashedly comfortable in their own skin. When that person is a 6-year-old-girl, spinning and twirling like the world is hers, well, MIND. BLOWN. That is exactly what I happened upon as I scoured Tucson’s Museum of Contemporary Art last month, looking for my next style savior. There she was spinning and twirling and beng hoisted through the air, wearing a zebra print tutu skirt, pink leggings, a black tank top and princess heels. When I approached her to compliment her fashion choice, her boisterous ‘THANK YOU!’ hooked me, and I knew in that instant that I had found THE ONE.

Tucson, your sweet whirling dervish of the month is Miss Ellis Eshelman, Mermaid Princess daughter of Hilary and Andrew Eshelman. She is a sprite and a force du jour. That is the only way to describe her. Equal parts sass, sweet, and self-assuredness wrapped up in rainbow fairy wings, princess dresses, and red cowboy boots. I dictated the interview, she dictated the photo shoot, changing outfits approximately six times, as any young stylista would. I have no doubt that Ellis is going to take the world by storm, but for now, let her rock yours.

 

 

elliscape

Describe your look. I don’t know how I would describe it! I just felt like wearing a dress that night. I was excited to see my Uncle Jim and so I wanted to wear it for him. He likes dresses.

Where do you shop? My mom does most of my shopping at Savers and Target, but it costs more at Target. But it IS my favorite place to shop – they have the coolest toys! I also shop in Omni’s closet. She’s my grandma – and she’s thrifty!

Fave piece of clothing – ever? My Elsa dress, and my mermaid skirt that I swim in. I love my mermaid skirt because I look like a real mermaid when I wear it! You could get a mermaid swimming skirt, but it would take a while to get to you. Mine took forever!

If you could dress anyone, who would it be? You! And Mommy and Daddy and THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD! I could go all around dressing everyone! I don’t know what I would have you all wear, but I would do it!

Ellis - Red Boots 2 What is your staple/go-to item of clothing? My red cowboy boots. They didn’t fit me for a really long time, but they finally do! And I love them!

Who is your style icon? YOU! (Me?) YES! FROM WHEN I SAW YOU AT THE PARTY!! (At this point I all but fell out and crowned Miss Ellis the Interview Queen.)

ellismermaid2

Can I have your mermaid fin? NO!! It’s too small, you’ll break it! But if it fit you, I’d let you borrow it. If you wanted to keep it, I’d have to keep one of your things. (Miss Ellis got a serious side-eye with this one.)

If the house is on fire, and you HAVE to get out – what do you save? Hooper! My cat!

 

ellistreehousecropped

* Read more from Adiba Nelson at her blog, The Full Nelson. You can also read her at The Huffington Post.

Love Ellis’ bold and girly style? Try these looks.

1. Custo Barcelona silk embroidered dress, $34 from OZMA Atelier

2. Rose leggings, $10.80 from Forever 21

3. Eliza J faux fur stole, $98 from Nordstrom

Filed Under: 3 Tagged With: ,

Me, My Clothes and I


-- Download Me, My Clothes and I as PDF --


adibaheadshot2

Adiba Nelson. Photo by Michelle Rooney Photography.

Style. It’s all around us – and especially on the streets. Adiba Nelson – fashionista, blogger, and self-confessed Nosey Nelly – goes in search of it. Photos by Adiba Nelson.

Photo by Adiba Nelson

Tangie Duffy, a.k.a Ginger Sinclaire.

If I told you there was a woman running around Tucson with turquoise hair, you wouldn’t be surprised. I mean, c’mon – it’s TUCSON. But if I told you that same woman was also wearing a killer tiara, a mint green gingham dress, and red cowboy boots, your jaw might drop. If I told you she’s also one of Tucson’s most amazing (READ: insanely, undeniably fantastic) burlesque stars, well honey you might just pass out. I almost did.

I love style, and I love color, but even I have been known to shy away from marrying the two in such a bold way. Not this firecracker though. She is not a slave to fashion – fashion is a slave to her. It begs her to twist it and flip it and turn it into something amazing it didn’t even know it could be. Tucson, hold on to your saddles. There’s a new starlet  in town, and her name is Tangie Duffy. Or as you may know her, the fabulous Ginger Sinclaire of Black Cherry Burlesque.

Photo by Adiba Nelson

Tiara, turquoise and cowboy boots – because why not?

Describe your look. Boho retro. I am eclectic, to say the least. I like lots of color with a vintage cut. It has to be flirty and feminine, and instantly produce a smile on my face.

Where do you shop? My favorite place was Anthropologie. I would stalk clothes until they went on double markdown. It was pretty bad. Recently, however, I have gotten back to my thrifting roots. I have a favorite honey hole of a place, but I’ll never let that secret go. NEVER.

Fave piece of clothing – ever? Just one? Dang! Ok, my Nana’s green lace cocktail dress. It fits me perfectly and I have pictures of her in it. It’s just beautiful. I never really saw her as fashionable until she passed and I was given some of her clothes. That gift unlocked a piece of her that I was unaware of. There’s magic in that. It makes me feel like I can channel some of that sass.

If you could dress anyone, who would it be? Only me. Ok, maybe Marilyn Monroe, and that’s only because I’d love to hang out with her. She knew how to dress to receive the reaction she wanted. She was very methodical in that way. She knew how to put on the “Marilyn”, and I relate to that with “Ginger”  – my burlesque alter ego. I’d love to watch her go through that transformation.

What is your staple/go-to item of clothing? Ummmm, overalls. Seriously, don’t laugh. I wear them almost everyday. Ask the husband, he’ll confirm it.

Who is your style icon? Madonna is my icon for everything. She is fearless and she is a warrior. Those are the kind of women I look up to: bold, fierce, strong, revolutionary and determined to heal the world.

Can I have your crown? You can borrow it. But I think every queen should have her own. There’s one out there right now with your name on it. I’m certain of it.

Photo by Adiba Nelson

Tangie’s grandmother’s necklace is a talisman for her.

If the house is on fire, and you HAVE to get out – what do you save? Ok, assuming the kids and the animals are out of the house, my other Grandmother’s necklace. It was given to my Grandmother by my Great Great Grandmother on her 18th birthday, who in turn gave it to me on mine. It’s a glass acorn (symbol of luck in the victorian age) and has a mustard seed in the middle of it. I only recently learned what that meant, and it’s really lovely. Basically, if you have faith you can move mountains. It’s my talisman.

* Read more from Adiba Nelson at her blog, The Full Nelson and on The Huffington Post.

Love Tangie’s dress? Try these gingham looks this summer

 

find-the-look

1. Fit-and-flare vintage style dress by Mata Traders, $99.99 from ModCloth

2. Pocket shirt by Atwell, $49 from Gilt.com

3.  Embellished cotton dress with contrasting belt, $99.95 from eShakti

Filed Under: 2 Tagged With: ,

Me, My Clothes & I


-- Download Me, My Clothes & I as PDF --


Style. It’s all around us – and especially on the streets. Adiba Nelson – fashionista, blogger, and self-confessed Nosey Nelly – goes in search for it.

adibaheadshot2

Adiba Nelson. Photo by Michelle Rooney Photography.

So, a girl walks into a bar wearing metallic gold ballet flats that masquerade as heels. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Yes Tucson, yes. Just when I thought I had seen all the beautiful shoes this town had to show me, in walk these bad boys – just taunting the hell out of me. And into Reilly Craft Pizza’s basement jubilee The Tough Luck Club, no less. It was just that – my tough luck – because these shoes were not in my closet. Neither was the adorable vintage velvet, cropped teal blazer this little style maven had on! Who was this girl? Where did she shop? And could I have her shoes? In the words of my 8th grade Spanish class text book – AY DE MI! Tucson, I had to know! So what did I do? What I do best of course. Accosted her and her equally adorable friends and boyfriend as they left the bar, and asked my favorite 7 questions. What? You didn’t think I’d really let metallic gold pumps get away, did you?

Tucson, meet Robin Richards, med student by day, adorable fashionista by night.

Photo by Adiba Nelson

Robin Richards. Photo by Adiba Nelson

Describe your look. Hmmm I’ll go with simple, with a dash of spunk. Unless its a particularly fancy or festive occasion, I often opt for outfits with a solid color base (black, grey, white, etc), and then throw on accessories to spice it up – jackets, scarves, leggings, fun shoes, jewelry, etc. I’ve been a student forever, and so this is an inexpensive but fun way for me to express myself! I stock up on the staples – pants, shirts, skirts, LBD’s (little black dresses) etc. Over the years I’ve been collecting the accessories. Many are gifts from wonderful (and stylish) friends, or things I found at cool little boutiques from different places I visit.

Where do you shop? EVERYWHERE! Nordstrom Rack, little boutiques wherever I go, Buffalo Exchange, CrossRoads, thrift shops, NW 23rd   in Portland, OR, Nordstrom and Banana Republic sales, H&M, T.J. Maxx, outlet malls, etc. I’m a bargain shopper for life!

Photo by

Photos courtesy of Robin Richards.

Fave piece of clothing – ever? Right now, I have to go with my Doc Marten boots. They make me feel funky, alternative and strong. I grew up in Portland in the 90s and all my friends rocked them, so they also give me some happy nostalgia and I always half-joke that they “connect me back to my roots.”

If you could dress anyone, who would it be? My cats! I wish I could get them in little outfits but they hate it when I try. For example I have dragon wings for them– but alas, they refuse such gimmicks!

What is your staple/go-to item of clothing? Right now I have to say my black skinny jeans. They fit perfectly and are perfectly slimming. I got them from H&M and wear them all the time! I can make all sorts of outfits with them.

Photo by

Photos courtesy of Robin Richards.

Who is your style icon? My Portland bestie Maki! She is the most fashionable person I know, with an amazing knack for colors, layers, and great accessories. She incorporates fresh styles with old classics and knows how to find great deals. She inspires me and keeps me hip.

Can I have those adorable gold pumps? No way! These babies and I go way back. They were gifted to me by friends in Vegas when I was 21- I have worn them for many of my life’s greatest (READ: FANCY) moments. I have so many memories wearing them– I’m keeping them forever!

If the house is on fire, and you HAVE to get out – what do you save? OK, clothing-wise I think it would be my Tylie Malibu purse. I love that thing. The jeweled strap dresses up any simple outfit; and I get so many compliments on it. And, I’d put my cats in it, obviously.

* Read more from Adiba Nelson at her blog, The Full Nelson. You can also read her new blog on The Huffington Post.

Love Robin’s shoes? Try these ballerina pumps with a difference

1. Women’s perforated scrunch ballet flats, $22.94 from Old Navy

2. Yosi Samra camo flats with removable strap, $96 from Shopbop.com

3. Lotus wedge heeled ballet shoes, $29.99 from T.K. Maxx

 

Filed Under: 3 Tagged With:

Me, My Clothes and I


-- Download Me, My Clothes and I as PDF --


Adiba Nelson. Photo by Michelle Rooney Photography.

 

Style. It’s all around us – and especially on the streets. Adiba Nelson – fashionista, blogger and self-confessed Nosey Nelly – goes in search of it.

Photo by Adiba Nelson

Tucson, I think I have a problem. I can’t help myself. When it comes to great style, I must say something. I simply must. Not saying something would be the methaphorical equivalent of being face to face with Prince, and instead of asking for a selfie and an autograph, I stare as he walks on by in his purple haze of glory. Once in a lifetime moment – gone.

That’s exactly how I feel when I see a great pair of shoes walking towards me, or a fabulous cuff reaching for a cup of coffee, or a shirt so deliciously wonderful it should be framed. So imagine my utter shock when this style trifecta walked into Prep & Pastry and sat down at the table right next to mine. It was like a clothing unicorn had just floated in and, well, I’m just going to be honest – I kind of couldn’t breathe for a minute. I stared and lollygagged, lollygagged and stared. And when he was finally done eating I did I what I always do. I accosted him in true Adiba fashion, and asked my favorite six questions – with one extra thrown in for good measure, because I knew his answer would be pure fashion perfection. Folks, the unicorn did not let me down.

Photo by Adiba Nelson

Steven Quinkert. Photo by Adiba Nelson

Tucson, meet the newest soon to be downtown inhabitant who, truthfully, left me a little breathless. He is an interior designer. He lives in Detroit. And on this particular morning, he was all kinds of fabulous in his patent leather bowling shoes. He is Steven Quinkert.

Who he is: Steven Quinkert, interior designer and owner of Q Design. From Detroit, with a vacation home in Tucson.

Describe your look. Kind of funky. I came into my style in about the 7th or 8th grade. I realized I could pick my own clothes and didn’t have to wear what my parents picked for me anymore. I didn’t want to do the preppy look or the punk look, so I mixed and matched and made my own .

Where do you shop? Online. My favorite online store is MatchesFashion.com. They are based out of London, England. I love dress shirts from this store – but not like suit shirts, just button down. And the funkier the pattern the better for me. For instance I am totally digging last season’s Givenchy basketball motif and their Rottweiler motif! I love to mix dress-up clothes with dress-down.

Shoes - including these - are the staple of Steven Quinkert's wardrobe. Photo by Steven Quinkert

Shoes – including these – are the staple of Steven Quinkert’s wardrobe. Photo by Steven Quinkert

Fave piece of clothing – ever? A few years ago I bought this wonderful charcoal colored sports coat with purple and pink dots all over it. I love that coat. I typically pair it with my charcoal pants and red metallic patent leather Hugo Boss dress shoes. When I wear them my friends say I’m Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, and as long as a house doesn’t land on me and someone takes off with my shoes, it’s fine with me. They are amazing. It has to be really special occassion for me to pull those out.

Photo by Steven Quinkert

Photo by Steven Quinkert

If you could dress anyone, who would it be? Hugh Jackman [*sidenote – I loved him for this answer – YES. HUGH. JACKMAN.] He has a similar build to me and I think I would know exactly what would look good on him. His broad shoulders and narrow waist – you could put really great clothes on him and they would just hang perfectly, like they were on a model.

What is your staple/go-to item of clothing? Shoes – always shoes. Sometimes I will actually pull out a pair of shoes and build an entire outfit around them. Great shoes are like the dot on the exclamation point. They complete an outfit. I feel like a lot of time people make first assumptions about who you are based on the shoes you’re wearing, and I love to make people wonder about me.

Who is your style icon? Me! I make my own style, and follow my own style rules.

Can I have your patent leather bowling shoes? No

Here it is, folks – the question du jour. If the house is on fire, and you HAVE to get out – what do you save? The shoes I’m wearing. The shoes are Bally, but they come from their Berlin line. My favorite city in the whole world is Berlin – so it’s a two-fold bonus! Didn’t even have to think twice – about buying them, or saving them!

Photo by Adiba Nelson.

Steven displays another fave accessory: a leather cuff with studs. Photo by Adiba Nelson.

* Read more from Adiba Nelson at her blog, The Full Nelson. You can also read her new blog on The Huffington Post.

Love Steven’s shoes? Try these looks for your (and your toddler’s) feet

1. Mary Jane Bowling Shoes by Dexter, $39.00 on amazon.com

2. Toddlers’ cap toe bowling shoe by Amour & Angel, $36 on Gilt.com

3. Linds Men’s SE Classic Regal Blue/Metallic Silver Right Handed (Limited Edition), $139.99 on bowlingball.com

get-the-look

Filed Under: 1 Tagged With:

Me, My Clothes and I


-- Download Me, My Clothes and I as PDF --


adibaheadshot-2

Adiba Nelson. Photo by Michelle Rooney Photography.

 

Style is all around us – especially on the streets. Adiba Nelson – fashionista, blogger and self-confessed Nosey Nelly – goes in search of it, and you won’t believe where she finds it.

Style. It’s all around us, and Tucson is overflowing with it. This time, I found it in a midtown Target. Yep, you read that right. Style that stopped me dead in my tracks – at Target. Well, let me back up – it stopped me dead in my tracks because I almost ran into a gatekeeper of style as I exited the restroom. I know. So romantic, right? I did a quick eye scan and immediately spotted IT: THE PURPLE MOHAWK. I waited for her to exit the restroom and then accosted her, like any good fashion writer would.

Photo by Adiba Nelson

Linda Addison builds almost all her outfits from a great pair of tights or leggings. These ones are from Desigual in New York. Photo by Adiba Nelson

Photo by Adiba Nelson

Linda Addison. Photo by Adiba Nelson

Folks, you are not ready for this 62-year-old transplant from The Bronx. From the Mohawk to the gold multi-spiked ring – WHOO, Y’ALL AIN’T READY! She agreed to answer my six Nosey Nelly questions, and I will neither confirm nor deny the fact that I may, or may NOT, have gone on a mini shopping spree after our interview.

Who she is: Linda Addison, fiction horror author and poet and four-time Bram Stoker Award winner.

Describe your look. “This is my “running the streets look”. I have a tendency towards dark colors, but this sweater makes anything pop. The hot pink added a great pop of color as well.”

Where do you shop? “I used to live in New York so the majority of my clothing came from there when I moved. I’m still looking for some great stores here in Tucson, but I have gotten a couple of great things at the 4th Avenue Street Fair. I also do a lot of online shopping, but I don’t shop from any one particular online shop. I shop for a look, and whoever has the look I’m looking for, that’s where I’m spending my money. However, if I had to say I shop at one store online more than others, it’s pyramidcollection.com.”

Photo by Adiba Nelson

Photo by Adiba Nelson

Favorite piece of clothing ever? “I have a pair of heels that are just sexy as hell. They are my ‘I’m going to dress, and when I walk in, I’m going to feel like Superwoman’ heels. They’re a black, strappy open-toe wedge heel, and the back is delicious! Straight up and down the back of the heel is a leather lace-up. They’re just divine. If these shoes ever go, I don’t know what I’m going to do.  They’re my power shoes. If they ever go I’ll find someone to rebuild them. I’ll be 80 years old and STILL rocking!”

Photo by Adiba Nelson

Photo by Adiba Nelson

If you could dress anyone, who would it be? “Hillary Clinton would be a great challenge. She wouldn’t even recognize herself when I was done with her. She would have two earrings in each ear by the time I was done! She could definitely stand to dress with some style – any style.”

Photo by Adiba Nelson

Photo by Adiba Nelson

What is your staple/go-to item of clothing? “I guess my staple is tights. I’m currently obsessing over some black tights that have colored pencils on them. The ones I’m wearing now [pictured at top] have words all over them. I actually got these at this fantastic store in New York City called Desigual. I have a pair of Superman tights and a pair of killer hologram tights. They literally look like a moving hologram, or prism if you will, with every step I take. I build almost all of my outfits from a great pair of tights or leggings.”

Who is your style icon? “My cousin Amber Doe. She’s an artist and natural stylist. She uses my nail polish, but the rest is all her.”

* Read more from Adiba Nelson at her blog, The Full Nelson.

Love Linda’s tights? Try these looks for your legs

1. I’ll Stand by Mew tights in taupe, $17.99 from modcloth.com

2. Metallic Leggings in black/silver, $17.95 from H&M

3. Zkano ‘Rose’ over-the-knee organic cotton socks, $17 from Fed by Threads.

Photos courtesy of (left) Mod Cloth, (middle) H&M, (right) Fed by Threads

Photos courtesy of (left) Mod Cloth, (middle) H&M, (right) Fed by Threads 

 

Filed Under: 2 Tagged With: ,