Capture Fashion by Amanda Del Duca

That’s right it’s Resort Season in Miami. What better way to celebrate the weather than with new 2013 swimwear? I know, my thoughts exactly.

I partnered up again with the lovely ladies at iShine365.com on this look book for the new year. Living and working as a stylist in Miami has me working swimwear all year long. When the new collections come out, I am so ready for fresh styles. Swimwear this year has a much more toned down feel compared to last season’s mega trends – neon and fringe.

This years’ swimwear is all about prints. Lots of prints with emphasis on python, tribal/inca themes, animal skins, cut-outs on the tops and bottoms, and most of all – a super natural color scheme.  You got that? Don’t worry, Miami has been so warm this “winter,” I’ll be bikini shooting from here on out. By summer, CF will have a nice selection of inspiration for all your swimsuit shopping needs.

In this series, I was heavily inspired by two of last years’ obsessions that still resonate. First and foremost, the Diamonds Are Forever cruise 2013 Wildfox look book featuring Cintia Dicker by Mark Hunter. I can stare at those photos over and over, finding new things to love about them. Look books are just so dope.  I’ve worked on a few now and am itching to do more. The Diamonds are Forever look book is hands down my fave right now. It just works. Oh, and let’s give props the redheaded goddess Cintia Dicker. #Slays.

The second influence, and most obvious, Lana del Rey. Flower crowns are still my jam, and I’ll never get sick of them. Hm, scratch that. I won’t get sick of them until Coachella. You don’t have to be a stylist to predict that situation.

Now, lets talk about how badass this rose crown looks in an old pool without water. Cool, right? How we ended up shooting at this spot is completely random and totally awesome. We were supposed to shoot on a rooftop in North Miami,  but our location cancelled two hours before we were set to be there with our little CF crew. Not wanting to cancel the shoot because the weather was perfect and I had a flower crown with a limited lifespan, we reached out to good friends and local blogging dream time Vintage Mavens.

Jorge and Shareen run a sweet online vintage store and blog here in Miami. The two are always shooting in a great locations around the city, and we thought maybe they could help. After explaining the concept, Jorge suggested this house on on 126th Street. He immediately called the residents to check and see if we could come take photos around their home on a Saturday afternoon. Dudes, it worked! We got on location only an hour behind schedule and were blown away by how cinematic the property looked.

BIG thank-you to our new friends for lending us your home, and to Jorge and Shareen for your amazing willingness to share a great location.

Check out iShine365.com to shop the looks! Enjoy, xx.

When it’s fall and I’m getting dressed, I want to be all about textures. Leather, chunky knits, over-the-top furs and, recently, all-mesh-everything.

The thing about Miami is that it’s still kinda hot outside. There are random days when we will experience a short-lived cold front; I live for these moments when I finally get the chance to wear that beanie I’ve been trying to make happen and not look completely temperature-delusional.  I know I probably shouldn’t complain, and to readers living up north this rant could border on obnoxious, but let’s be real; the grass is always greener…am I right?

I’m planning a trip to NYC soon and I’ll get to wear all kinds of layers…and also a cold bitch-slap to the face, I should presume.

Until then, it’s all ‘let’s go play cold weather on the beach!’

Speaking of the beach, I’ve been so anxious to share this bikini with you all. I hinted on Instagram that it was happening and here it is –  my new swimwear obssesion: Minimale Animale. I want all the swimwear. All the swimwear right now.

I’ll definitely be investing in more pieces to stock up for spring. The first order had to be the “Naomi” ….mesh, cut-outs, 90s supermodel inspired. Need. x

Bikini: The Naomi by Minimale Animale, via ShopMiamiStyle.com. Leather pants with zipper detail, via Paker NY (on sale now at Bloomingdales). Faux-fur coat, ASOS. Lips, MAC in Cyber.

Here it is…Art Basel 2012 style feature by Capture Fashion. I did my first Basel editorial last year with Kanon Organic Vodka. The photos are still some of my favorites, so the pressure was one this year to top the originals.

My first thoughts on bringing this years’ shoot to the next level? Scoring Ashley Sky as the leading lady, of course! I knew Miss Sky would be in Miami because I was dressing her all week for all Art Basel everything. I quickly realized the perfect chance at a bigger and better Art Basel feature was with my favorite styling client.

We shot the story on Sunday in Miami’s Wynwood Art District. The area is so special. It’s amazing to watch the ‘hood grow and change everyday. It made sense to shoot here for an Art Basel story and because Wynwood is just awesome. x

BIG thank-you to The Workshop, ALEXIS, Sheenon Olson and the incomparable Ashley Sky.

Pop-over to link for fashion credits. I’ll be posting my looks from Basel this week and a Shop the Story feature, check back soon! Read the rest of this entry »

After Hostess announced that the iconic brand was going out of business, people totally flipped out. I read something about a “twinkie-pocalypse” and other random tweets crying out over the loss of childhood treats. I didn’t pay too much attention until my friend and fellow stylist, Rachael Russell, called me kind of freaking out too. My immediate thoughts….Ew, Twinkies are gross. Who cares?

Then RR bitch slapped me with the reality of a sick photo shoot concept – TWINKIES. I loved it the second she said it. Beauty/Accessories feature + going out of business cakes = let’s do this.

Next came the hard part. Actually locating this dying breed of American goodness was super annoying. I went to like 11 Publixes, a couple Targets, the Winn Dixie on Key Biscayne and basically it went like this:

Me: Hi, do you have any Twinkies?
Grocer:  You’re way late, lady.

I did end up finding almost one of everything I was looking for though: hohos, twinkies, zingers, powdered donuts, and honey buns. My friend and past featured model on CaptureFashion, Meryl, hooked it up big time while she was visiting home in Miami for the holidays. Meryl was smart and heard the news on her flight from NYC the day of the announcement and headed straight to Publix upon touching down in MIA. When I told her I was on the hunt for anything Hostess she gladly gave up her stash. If you have had a single Twinkie recently, you can relate that one is enough for like, a real long time.

The fate of Twinkies is still undetermined, there is some talk going on to save it. Maybe some rich and benevolent cupcake lover might step in to save the day? This we do not know. What we do know is that donut powder look awesome on camera. x

Special thanks to the amazing Fusse Studios.

Pop over and view credits and the inspiration board I created in prep of the photo shoot Read the rest of this entry »

Photography by David Lundblad. Hair and Makeup by Arlene Delgado.

I’m delighted to share the final images from CaptureFashion’s latest editorial. -BODY TALK – We shot this series on Saturday morning with the beautiful Taylor Hannum on 8th and Ocean in the heart of South Beach.

David and I live really close to this spot, we walk past it almost daily, not sure exactly what to call it. I’ve been referencing it as the “old school workout area,” so until I’m corrected…

The old school workout area is one of the more entertaining points on Ocean Drive – it’s in between Palace, The Versace Mansion and the actual ocean – the various walks of life hanging out within the block is a sight to see. We were desperately hoping that an Arnold Schwarzenegger-type would happen to be working out at sunrise. Unfortunately, when we arrived the only other people were a small group of hipsters singing Sublime’s What I Got. Live entertainment on a shoot, definitely not a bad thing, but also nothing that would bring up the production values like a muscle man in a pink speedo. Ah, next time.

I’ve been wanting to do an “Athletic Glam” shoot for a couple weeks now. The process always starts by saving images until an idea jumps out and then said idea is all I can think about. I decided I should probably start sharing the inspiration boards, so last week I did (here).

I hope you enjoy seeing the process from idea to final product. I’m taking it one step further this week and adding a “Shop the Story” feature below. I would love to hear your thoughts. x

1. 3.1 Phillip Lim Sequin Sweater. Kelly Bergin Perforated Leather shorts. 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashil bag. 3.1 Phillip Lim Ankle Boots. Tory Burch Charlie Box Necklace.
2. Ankora Chloe Large Square Hoop Earrings. Elin Kling for Marciano Selma Bustier Top. Billtornade Orange Jacket. Aviator Nation Rainbow Stitch Sweat pant. Converse Chuck Taylor Canvas Red High Tops. Abyss Metallic Purse.
3. Maison Martin Margiela for H&M Disco Pants. Tilly’s Neon Beanie.  T by Alexander Wang Cropped Pullover.  ADIDAS Stella McCartney Tote. DKNY Satin Bomber jacket. JBrand Metallic jean. Nike Eclipse II Sneaker. H&M Rhinestone and Metal Necklace.

The weather has been so delicious in Miami. Cold in the morning then sunny and breezy all afternoon. Completely glorious.

Over the weekend, David and I headed to North Beach to take these photos. We always shoot on South Pointe for beachy-shoots, but honestly I don’t know why. It’s always packed and there are always photographers shooting in the good spots. North Beach was amazingly quiet and we had the scene to ourselves. I’ve grown used to “posing” in front of people, but that doesn’t mean I like it. Especially when I’m in more “editorial” looks that obviously are going to garner attention. These outfits would have been fine, go figure.

Anyway, did anyone brave the Maison Martin Margiela x H&M launch? I did! Yup, I got to the Lincoln Road store at 7:30 am and was in by 8:25 am. It would have been an incredible had my location received the ONE item I was dying to own – the oversized jeans. Yea, I kind of threw a fit right there in the women’s section. It just seemed so unfair. I was there! I was early! I’m sure there are far more dramatic stories, please feel free to share. I did buy a necklace, though, and it made everything better.

Fringe dress viaParker NY (It’s 40% off right now at ShopBop). Necklace, MMM x H&M. Mixed Up Knit Sweater via Wasteland. Light wash jeans, Zara. Long necklace, Deep Antiquity.