THE CITIZEN INDEX

Thursday, June 2, 2011

outfit post: Mexican Milagros


            Lambent
           (for Lyssa)

           You are the flame that burns
           late nights, ash-wicked

           your grin all flash and glare
           the orange trick of sunsets

           the coral and lipstick vanity
           of a Mexican starlet

           the candies and candles 
           of alms on the altar

           You are the pink of mariachis
           the blush of flamenco
           the heat of cuban cha-cha-chas

           You are the honeyed sweetness of las hermanas,
           with names like Lourdes y Guadelupe
           
           the young ones
           with the velvet skin
           that reek of salt and cinnamon

           the dusky brown girls
           with thick rose-petaled mouths

 
       
            and negrita eyes

            You're the silver jangle,
            the zinc blur of arms and hands

            an orgy of milagros

            flashing and twisting
            in the catatral of candlelight
            amber torches in the night

           The sky here is blue

           blue like you

           ever hopeful and forgetful
           of days dotted with cloud cover
           and the constant threat of rain

           all 9 varieties, from mist
           to the heavy lidded drops

           that explode on your back
           the size and weight of fingers

           You feel like that rain
           silken Kamikaze pilots

           that plummet down

           a chandelier of hope
           swollen with nuclear charm.

Lambent, Bella Q (circa 1994)
Now Wearing: 
  • red plaid trilby hat, Target
  • vintage malachite/Saint charm necklace
  • Anika Burke gold-stone necklace set
  • vintage 1960's Cheetah print coat, thrifted
  • vintage Santos pin (on coat)
  • Izod cotton button-down shirt, freebie
  • We Love Colors, fingerless gloves
  • Mexican Virgin Mary bracelet, gift
  • cotton plaid skirt, Target
  • BUTT UGLY Last Supper tapestry bag
  • fish net tights
  • wool striped socks, J. Crew
  • vintage Justin grey leather boots
Perhaps it was watching this wonderful documentary that inspired my rag-tag outfit:  Waste Land.  Lucy Walker directs this 2010 documentary about renowned artist Vik Muniz in one of his most inspired collaborations of his career, joining creative forces with Brazilian catadores -- garbage pickers who mine treasure from the trash heaps of Rio de Janeiro's Jardim Gramacho landfill. In this Oscar-nominated documentary, the catadores prove to be unique and surprising individuals in their own right, waxing philosophic as they impart a valuable lesson about what society discards.

Watch it on Netflix

34 comments:

Sara Kristiina said...

You always look sooo awesome! That coat <3

mispapelicos said...

Goose pimples skin, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh What to say, when everything has been said?
I want your bag.
Love you powerful, fearless and spirited woman.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

mispapelicos said...

Bella, what is this ( +1)new sign, and should be use it???
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Semi Sweet said...

Fantastic poem! You wrote that in 94? I really like it:) Was this written for someone?

My mom is a writer and loves poetry so I'm going to direct her to this post:)

And your outfit is kickass! I love the leg warmers with the fishnets!

Ofelia said...

I love Vik Muniz. I saw some of his work (a mickey mouse sculpture made out of found wood and old nails, cloth and strings) at Miami's Art Basel back in January.
You look very rock and roll cool!

The Style Crone said...

Fabulously creative outfit. Your talent amazes me and always raising consciousness in the process.

Shybiker said...

Love the gloves. I thought I was the only one courageous (and wacky) enough to wear these...

Jill said...

Deeply loving the leopard coat. I think I need to see your birth certificate because I STILL do not believe you are 46! What? Are you coming to NYC anytime soon because I want to buy you a celebratory drink (or two, or three)! Happy (belated) Birthday Bella!

Unknown said...

Oy veh! Leopard and tartan and stripes and checks and fishnets!!! FABULOUS!

Sarah xxx

Vix said...

Those words, that coat, you! You are so freaking fabulous, come to England so's I can buy you a birthday drink! xxx

Unknown said...

Love the coat, have one though. So therefore I want your bag. DANNNNG that is one hell of a cool bag! And its not butt ugly, if you hate it. Well I'll take it for you.:) Great outfit! Even better poem, very descriptive, words....sigh I love words.

Unknown said...

Forgot, good use of Ropers! Aren't they the best work boot ever?

Isquisofrenia said...

this outfit is very grungy punk at the same time

Unknown said...

I love your incorporation of social issues into a fabulous outfit post.

--Courtney

theequinebovine said...

how do you do it bella!? you always look jaw dropping rad!!

mispapelicos said...

I know now what the (+1) is. It is the equivalent to I like it.
Good morning, Bella!!!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

gabrielle said...

omg that last supper tapestry bag is out of control!! i love it! you have such awesome style.

xxoo

Anonymous said...

The poem was beautiful my favorite part "an orgy of milagros." :P

You seem to be having fun with your outfit. The best part of fashion is being able to have fun. Great post, more poems please.

Ps. How was wasteland? You are so eco-friendly. love it.

Fajr Muhammad said...

This is a fantastic, devil may care outfit! Reminds me of something my younger sister would wear. I've heard about the Wasteland and how they make art from the trash, I will add this to the Netflix queue!

Aquí said...

looove your coat! really cute!

Kara Endres said...

Woah, this outfit is insane!! love it. And the bag is amazing. I like when movies inspire my outfits.

Thanks for your comment (and for following!) I do love Kirstin, so glad I picked her! She definitely has a lot of diehard followers and I love that about her. I've been here before, but don't think I've commented, but I'm following now so I can keep in touch :)

xx Kara
Sprinkles in Springs

Vanessa, Take only Memories said...

Amazing coat! So cute!

sorelle in style said...

The mix of prints looks fantastic! That cheetah coat was such a great find. I'll have to check out that documentary.

-j
sorelle in style

rc said...

i love you so much, my dear rq. i treasure every poem you've ever written for me, you gorgeous kitten. (and rawr those boots!)

xo
lyssa

The Closet Shopper said...

You can pattern mix like no other. Fishnets make me happy. I can't explain it.

xoxo,
Tracy

Comtesse de ferveur said...

Bella! I've totally missed your birthday so here's to you, you fabulous, fierce, poetic in word and looks, young and wise, beautiful and sparklingly bold woman! Big hugs from Ireland! xxxxxxx

Lee Oliveira said...

Drooling all over this outfit.. The explosion of great style is just superb
Lee x

Bonnie said...

I want to make that leopard coat my pimp coat.

http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88

FASHION TALES said...

This was fantastic, Wasteland. I'm so happy that you did this post... You're gorg doll! I love my rose pedal lips as much as I love your hat &(circa 1994) fabulous photos. Good post dear! Happy, happy weekend, burst of inspiration! -xo

My Heart Blogged said...

I really love all the prints, and textures i your outfit. You dress like you are a piece of beautiful art to be displayed. That documentary sounds really interesting, and I will check it out.

Casee Marie said...

As I was reading through the poem I kept thinking, "Wow, I have to know who wrote this." Absolutely breathtaking, Bella, and I love the outfit and how you used fashion to express how the documentary inspired you. I'll be sure to check that out.

Basically, all I can say is a big YOU GO, GIRL. Have a fab weekend!

Heather Fonseca said...

Ooo! Sounds like a good documentary. I'll put it on my netflix que.

Lisa-Marie said...

Lady, you completely rock clashed patterns. LOVE IT.

Luna Tiger said...

This is a beautiful outfit for an amazing movie, I saw it with my 12 years old students and it really changes their vision of life, it was very moving. And personnaly, I can't help crying when I see it !