All the greats seem to be dropping like flies. Last week Anna Piaggi and today Helen Gurley Brown passed away at the age of 90. With her 1960's Best Seller "Sex and the Single Girl", she challenged society's preconceptions and ideals of women and as a result empowered women in society. She instilled in them a new found confidence to create their own identities. This was further transpired into her work at Cosmopolitan Magazine. Brown is credited with revamping Cosmo from a dull general-interest women's magazine — in an era when the publications were helmed by Ivy League gentlemen with a less-than-regal respect for their female readers. David Carey, president of Hearst Magazines said Brown "brought the subject that every woman wanted to know about but nobody talked about, to life, literally, in Cosmo's pages." She was a powerful women with great strength of self and soul and she will be sorely missed.
RIP Helen, you have helped women around the globe more than you probably know.
xx
Yesterday we walked all over San Fran, David, his girlfriend Rachel and I. We went to Haight Street which is a cleaner, more chic version of Newtown. It's so interesting. One of my favourite attractions here was a building that had a sculpture of a woman's legs dangling out the window. She was wearing red stilettos with fish net stockings... She appeared to be a slut. Not sure what it was for, it didn't seem to have relevance to the shop in the building but that's Haight St for you. They do it because they can.
We then had a bite to eat, I had the largest burger ever made. Even the BFG couldn't have fit his mouth around it. It was pretty delish, think it will be my last burger for a while. So filling. After that we then headed to the Painted Ladies - which is a row of iconic victorian houses in San Fran right opposite Alamo Square. Here we ate cheese and sourdough bread whilst sipping ciders and enjoying the incredible city skyline view.
What a great day.
Highlights:
In and Out Burgers are drool worthy.
Haight St is a better version of Newtown.
The Painted Ladies are stunning.
Alamo Square is ideal for drinking cider and hanging out with good company.
Howards Diner in San Fran is a must see and eat. Authentic american diner experience.
America has the coolest vintage restored cars.
Starbucks is on every corner.
Novelty Police Cars. I thought they looked like that just on TV. No. It's real.
Today is my last day in San Fran as I head to Sacramento tomorrow to move into College. My last day in San Fran will be spent exploring the Mission. But more on that later.
For now. Enjoy the pictures.
xxx
I have already had the most incredible time. I have been able to visit my American family, my Aunt in San Jose and for the last few days I have been staying with my cousin David on Fulton St 6th Avenue. His really cool art deco apartment is right opposite the Golden Gate Park which was super convenient for me as thats where Outside Lands was held.
At Outside lands I met up with my friend Andrew who is from Seattle and hung out with a few of his mates. Metallica, Passion Pit, Alabama Shakes, Sigur Ros, Big Boi and Nora Jones consumed my day and were incredible to watch. Outside Lands was bigger and better than any previous festivals I have been to, it shit's all over Sydney festivals. Other than the music my favourite element was the fairy lights. As the daylight began to dim, the fairy lights scattered all around sparkled under the foggy reddish sky. This was incredibly picturesque.
Going to Outside Lands has inspired me to continue to go to music festivals all around the world. Before this I didn't appreciate or really value spending a day at a festival. Consider my opinions officially changed.
xx
I finally made it to Cali, but it wasn't as seamless as one would think. I firstly was incredibly overweight with my check in luggage, and being a hoarder at heart who oozes impracticality I decided to not send the excess luggage home with the family... no I proceeded to sift through my bag in the middle of the airport and stuff what I could into my carry on. 4 carry on's later I was getting a serious warning by one of the flight attendants for abusing the rules. I was happy to take that as it meant I didn't have to part with anything. After we sorted all this out I said goodbye to my beautiful family. I really can't fathom that I am going to be gone for 8 months. I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared. But it's now or never.
After the rocky start I then had my name called out over the airport loud speaker. Secretly one of my worst fears. Super embarrassing. Everyone whips their heads around and fixes their gaze on you. Walk of shame comes to mind - I felt like I was walking home in the daylight after a big night out - stiletto's in hand.
And as the icing on the already some what ugly cake I had an arduous flight with a 60 year old retiree, drinking like a fish. With each additional drink his confidence and inhibitions grew and so did his inappropriateness with me. Mile High Club... I think not Trevor. I officially hate window seats and will never offer someone a piece of gum before taking off. Lesson Learned. Despite a crazy start to my trip, everything has improved leaps and bounds. It is all up from here.
I hate to break the news to all the little monsters, material girl obsessee’s or the Minaj young money patriots that are out there but long before these icons were fucking shit up so to speak….. Anna Piaggi had already been there done that and sent a postcard. She paved the way for future ‘stars’ if you will, to dress eccentrically and challenge fashion norms and social constructs.
Such an incredible influence she was on the fashion industry, even to the day she died she dressed in an exuberant, unique and eclectic way, never appearing in the same outfit more than once in public. Some outfits more questionable than others, but she always had the world sitting on the edge of their seat asking themselves “what will she wear today?” It is a shame we can longer ask ourselves this.
Even if you don’t like her style (god knows how that would be possible) but say you didn’t you would still be incredibly envious of her rather large and irreplaceable clothing collection, including 2865 dresses and 265 pairs of shoes at last count. Is it too late to include me in her will? I’d happily take those off her hands.
Such is her influence and knowledge in the fashion world, Manolo Blahnik has dubbed her 'the world's last great authority on frocks'.
Yet another classy and rare bird who I have a undeniably large soft spot for.
Rest in Peace Anna, you did good.
x
