Cocolah Blog - Fashion as Art - say ahhh!!

I go with everything

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 11:40:00 PST

Dark &Lovely

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 11:35:00 PST

No Comment

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:35:00 PST

Branding + Digital Innovation = Cool Shit

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:11:00 PST

Animating Chanel on Nowness.com.

Shopping Fix of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 12:04:00 PST

At work reflecting on last nights outing figuring out how to scratch my unavoidable, reoccurring and insatiable shopping itch.

Two pieces of jewelry stand out in my mind...one that looked irritatingly like something I have designed for the last few years and this...the falling whistle. Amazing story and pretty cool looking site.

Since this somewhat feels like a charitable donation I think momma deserves another "you're such a hard worker putting in 10 hours at work on a Sunday present."

Off I go to find another token of self-appreciation.

Reward thyself.

the medium is the message

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:44:00 PST

Haunting and beautiful.

Tinkering with extremes of art and fashion while riding the fine line of androgyny...HAHN-BIN

Am I that simple that style would make me start paying attention to classical music. YES OF COURSE...
I'M IN LOVE...

Fine Lines

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 08:46:00 PST

Rene Gruau

Life Lessons

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 10:12:00 PST

Fashion + Direction

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:48:00 PST

Swedish designer Richard Söderberg

Love when the clothes and the art go in the same direction.

Regardless of the fact that this looks like a cross between Rick Owens, Gareth Pugh and Julius Garden. Just sayin.

Cobra

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 06:42:00 PST

Hi kids!

Amazon women are a rare visual treat here's a fave. Vintage Brigitte Neilson looking amazing and yet another reason why I don't drink, do hard drugs or party excessively. Scary that you can one day look like this and then a few years later be a complete mess. SMDH.

Brigitte Nielsen by Greg Gorman

Brigitte Nielsen by Herb Ritts

Vintage Brigitte Nielsen

Hard Shell Soft Center

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:11:00 PST

Peter Lindbergh

The 90s look pretty fucking great weren't they.

FADE TO BLACK

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:11:00 PST

The Masterful Herb Ritts

ANNA DELLO RUSSO IN GARETH PUGH

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:53:00 PDT

I'm an honest women...for the most part. I don't rob or steal but there are certain people that spur a level of jealousy so deep in my core that I spend countless waking hours trying to figure out how to go about plotting a walk-in closet heist ala 007's Plenty O'Toole.

To be continued...

Watch Your Back ANNA!

YakBlak Sunnies & Specs

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 06:55:00 PDT

Is your Face ready for the fall?

Join us this Sunday at Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn for your chance to get your Fall Sunnies.

ASK ME!

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:13:00 PDT

I'm not a diamond ring kinda girl so I was beyond excited this morning to stumble upon this art piece. I have finally found my very perfectly imperfect engagement ring.

I do be do be do.

Indigenous. Tribal. Art. Fashion.

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:01:00 PDT

I could design three collections inspired by this video alone.

Sigh.

Neutrally Dark

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:32:00 PDT

Welcome to the dark side.

I've never been drawn to bright colors and being a Latina woman I've always had to justify my dark side. In my culture, a lack of brights is associated with everything from depression to attracting negative spirits and energy.

Trust me, I fully understand the effects of color on mood, how it enhances your skin tones and gives off subconscious messages about your personality. I get it. Red means power. I get it.

Nevertheless I find comfort in neutrals; chocolate brown, gray, camel and of course black on black. Not only do they speak to my introverted nature, I find these colors chic, rich, sophisticated and versatile.

Neutrals allow me to add a piece to my wardrobe without having to buy a whole outfit. Everything goes with the flow and follow me to the dark side. There is nothing to be afraid of. Nothing makes me more excited than a monochromatic charcoal gray palette and when adventurous with a dash of burgundy.

Some colors are just too bright for my taste, the few times I wear a bright top I gotta keep my shades on. So what do you do when things seem too loud for your taste? You mute it.

Thankfully this fall muted brights are here to combat all the negative spirits!

Nowadays I find myself adding a dash of color with accessories, jewelry, a bright nail polish here or an off beat broach there. All black outfit with a Guatemalan purse made of woven fabrics in every color known to man.

Adding an unexpected pop of color to an other wise neutral color palette when done well gives a flair of sophistication and place for the eye to rest and of course...combat negative spirits.

Hello? Is it me you're looking for?

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:23:00 PDT

I've been formulating this post for over a month. Asking the questions and then dissecting the answers because I'm the last one to believe anything my mind tells me. She loves to play tricks on me, loves to give me the answers that satisfy the voice I am trying to silence. My mind is innately resistant to change and sometimes she spins me around and has me end up in the same place all the while I'm thinking I've been moving forward. OK.

Let's start all over again.

Where am I? What am I doing? Where have I been? What's going on with Cocolah? What does the future hold? Questions about my commitment, passion, drive. Did it dissolve? Did my trip to Africa transform me? Did it alter my reality to the extent that what fueled me no longer holds my interest?

I hear you asking and those are the questions I too ask myself. The trip did change me. I hate to admit it because it's so cliche. You go to Africa, Mali to be exact and you come back and sell all your personal belongings because you realize you already have everything you need within yourself. (Rolling my eyes, after school special or Lifetime movie of the week?)

The trip allowed me the space to let my mind roam. It allowed me to see myself through the eyes of a culture that had no preconceived notions of who I am, where I come from and who I'm supposed to be. Allowed me to see a culture based on exchange of goods, crafts, artistry and services for cold hard cash and not for the love or the passion or all the frou frou stuff we idealist have conceived is the source of our happiness.

That combined with the fact that I spent a month in somewhat of a silent retreat with only two people around me who spoke English well enough to actually hold a conversation with me. The sights, smells and sounds did change me it was inevitable for all I could do was pay attention so hard my brain hurt. I was just trying to understand, be understood. Where asking for a glass of water came with much effort.

Add all that to the witches brew then combine it with my desperation to be successful in the world of fashion that is rapidly changing to a world of hype, a world of marketing and branding. Where how much you twitter or how clever your marketing campaign determines your success. Where being seen is more important than what you do. I've always been the girl in the shadows so I've had the ongoing struggle with being visible as a brand and being true to my introverted nature.

THEN!!! as the whipped cream to the banana split add the fact that I as a spiritual person have starting traveling to undiscovered places in the crevices of my mind to find my true voice. Everything there tells me to be still, to listen, to watch with eyes closed to not react but to absorb. I'll stop there before I get too deep.

Then how can I continue to be a brand, to continuously shout from the rooftops LOVE COCOLAH.COM while I continue on the lifelong quest to make my mind like water.

What is a banana split without nuts?! Try visualizing this: I am a 33 year old VERY SINGLE woman raising a 15 year old son. The madness, heartbreak, confusion, aggravation that I deal with on an ongoing basis is one for the storybooks that those that have not yet experienced are not ready to hear. Teenagers are freaks of nature, the real struggle is trying to comprehend the imbalance, a personal struggle of fighting the urge to kill the person you love the most. Teenagers can convince themselves that they no longer need you, will give you the silent treatment and then ask you for $5. A teenager will reduce you the parent to the lowest form seeing everything you say and do with contempt. DON'T GET ME STARTED.

I can not help but be influenced, drained, distracted by....

That combined with the fact that for the last 2 years I have dedicated my life to this site, spent countless hours and sleepless nights. Managing everything.

Web design
Photography
Graphic designer
Buyer
Marketing
Branding
Customer Service
Shipping
Packaging
Blogging

The list goes on and on.

Then I have s'aint yacque the jewelry line. YakBlak the vintage sunglasses line. I also freelance on a regular basis to pay rent because after all of the above has been more about the love of fashion than profitability.

I lost myself somewhere. Today I feel less tension in my neck and shoulders. My mind is not cluttered with endless to do lists. I don't spend hours on the computer and when I do I'm getting paid for every minute. I now take the time for facials and manicures, time to work out, to sit still enjoying nature, have dinner and hour long conversations about life and love. I've read five books and countless articles, I have learned a year world of knowledge in 30 days. My mind was/is thirsty. Best of all I have taken the time to purge, spiritually cleanse my mind, body and home and have taken that time to give thanks to the universe for always keeping my mind searching for a better life/existence.

Cocolah started to feel like work. I'm not sure is this post said to much or not enough. I'm not sure where I'm going. What the solution or if there is even a problem. I figured I owed you at least an update not necessarily answers but at least an update that I'm still here. Better than I've ever been. Reevaluating my business model and coming back with an effective plan where my business works for me and not the other way around.

And because every life story deserves a sound track here is the latest podcast by my dear friend and self proclaimed life couch DJ Sakir.

Onward and forward.

Enjoy everyday.

She's Not a Square

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 09:39:00 PDT

Last week we welcomed TALONALIA to the Cocolah family and here ladies and gents is the mastermind behind the scenes working her claws to the bone to bring you these tasty treats*.

You might remember Alicia from my previous hate rant complaining on how she owns the Acne Shoes of my dreams. I've since forgiven her...obviously.

Check her out over at INNY VINNY where she's a blogging fool...I mean you could enter her um contest to win a super dope necklace from her other collection DRKGMTRY. But um...don't bother cus I've already decided I'm the winner. YUP! YAY ME!

Miss Thing Alicia Nassardeen

# What is the first thing you think about before getting dressed?

"I hope I can find a pair of jeans I didn't wear yesterday"

# What's your hustle?

Aside from my 9 to 5, I slang brass bird claws and other assorted things. Sometimes it's jewelry, sometimes it's clothing, sometimes it's vintage.

# What is your design process?

Most of the time, I'll think of something, quick sketch it to make sure it's technically possible for me to execute, and then try to knock it out. If I can't get it the way I want it, I put it on pause and move on to the next idea. I have steno pads and post-its everywhere to keep track. That system isn't working too well.

# What is your fashion pet peeve?

Socks with sandals. I've never understood it and never will.

# Share one of your fashion secrets?

Black skinny jeans make you 3 inches taller even if you don't have on heels. Don't tell anyone.

# Name a recent fashion inspiration.

Viktor and Rolf's F/W 10 show. I'm all over convertible clothing.

# What trend do you see in the future for underground fashion?

Pocket squares. I've never seen it before, and I really want to start seeing it. Really.

# What trend do you wish would just die, die, die?

The aforementioned socks with sandals. Spring is coming and I'm going to be assaulted with them, I just know it.

# Who is your fashion muse?

Zoe Kravitz because she wears whatever the hell she wants and always looks completely comfortable and unforced. Lady Fag because she is incredibly ballsy. She'll wear a shower curtain over a bathing suit with Margiela boots and would probably sock you if you said something about it.

# What would you choose: a personal tailor or unlimited shoes?

Unlimited shoes, no question. I have no use for a tailor as someone who wears oversized shirts, belts over boxy dresses and jeans.

*No animals were harmed in the making of this product.

Death by Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (COCOLAH NYC) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 06:47:00 PDT

Um, hello do you see what is being done here with leather. Ooof! Pieces like this is what drives me to work 14 hour days. What keeps me tossing and turning at night trying to figure out how to take my brand to the next level. Trying to figure out how to get, keep, manifest your attention to fashion greatness.

What does a girl like me have to do to get a closet full of couture pieces like these!?!? Tell me!!!!

These pieces are commanding and structured yet supple like yours truly. hee hee.

I'm sorry but I'd have to accessories these outfit with a chauffeured Bentley that's just the bottom line.

Hermes Winter 2010/11 Women's Collection

That shoulder piece is to die for. If I faint do not resuscitate. This is how I wanna go. Death by Fashion.

No Time To Sit

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 06:01:00 PDT

Vintage Calvin Klein Ad

STYLE

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 15:03:00 PDT

Dusted this off from the "still need this in my life please" files.

Jeremy Scott

First I was afraid / I was petrified

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:58:00 PDT

UGO in TEN

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:52:00 PDT

Introducing the man behind the indie brand Aston Mozie; Mr. Ugo Mozie. Keep your eyes peeled for this fella. He's got "it" I mean just look at his riding boots...nuff said.

Designer & Image Consultant Ugo Mazie

UGO in TEN

# What is your fashion pet peeve?
- My fashion Pet Peeve is people who are not true to themselves when dressed up. when i see people trying too hard and not respecting there inner selves. I can easily spot a fashion fake a mile away.

# Share one of your fashion secrets?
- umm... I used to add Shoulder pads to Tee Shirts.

# Name a recent fashion inspiration.- My Most recent Fashion inspiration was This African guy i saw in Harlem. He wore a full out Mustard Yellow African ensemble with a huge extravagant chain and a cap. I think it may have inspired my summer look. :)

# What trend do you see in the future for underground fashion?
- Men in skirts. Straight guys wearing Kilts and sneakers.

# What trend do you wish would just die, die, die?
- Girls in skinny jeans and sneakers. Im all for girls in heels, even flats but no Js please.

# Who is your fashion muse?
- Kelis

# What would you choose: a personal tailor or unlimited shoes?
- Unlimited shoesss. Ill tailor my own stuff. lol.

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE FASHION CHALLENGE!

noreply@blogger.com (Yacira Valdez) — Mon, 31 May 2010 19:32:00 PDT

WIN THIS!!!