style

There's a top in my closet. A beautiful piece with a delicate floral overlay, from a collection I was obsessed with. It was something I'd wear all the time, and it became a staple in my collection. But as seasons changed, so did my body, and somewhere along the way, it just stopped working for me. 

My Spin on a Staple

November 9, 2025

There's a top in my closet. A beautiful piece with a delicate floral overlay, from a collection I was obsessed with. It was something I'd wear all the time, and it became a staple in my collection. But as seasons changed, so did my body, and somewhere along the way, it just stopped working for me. 
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Summer. It's been a strange one. Not broken, not even really bad, but definitely not the kind of summer I had mentally penciled in.  And honestly, I've been feeling more and more like Sylvia Plath this summer — longing to feel like myself (whatever that is) again.

Un verano sin mí

August 1, 2025

 

Summer. It's been a strange one. Not broken, not even really bad, but definitely not the kind of summer I had mentally penciled in.  And honestly, I've been feeling more and more like Sylvia Plath this summer — longing to feel like myself (whatever that is) again.

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Twenty-something girls vs. thirty-something women, it's a concept and an episode of Sex and the City that's been on my mind these past couple of years. But only recently, as I've been transitioning to a new decade, has the meaning behind that episode really sunk in. My twenties started off innocuously. I had a few hiccups, but by 25, I had a full-blown quarter-life crisis during COVID. So, I had written my twenties off as the worst. I experienced the most self-doubt, insecurity, and debilitating uncertainty in myself between the ages of 25-27. Getting out of that headspace required a lot of help, from doctors, friends, family, coworkers, and grace that I needed to extend to myself.

30 for 30 in Pink

May 10, 2025

Twenty-something girls vs. thirty-something women, it's a concept and an episode of Sex and the City that's been on my mind these past couple of years. But only recently, as I've been transitioning to a new decade, has the meaning behind that episode really sunk in. My twenties started off innocuously. I had a few hiccups, but by 25, I had a full-blown quarter-life crisis during COVID. So, I had written my twenties off as the worst. I experienced the most self-doubt, insecurity, and debilitating uncertainty in myself between the ages of 25-27. Getting out of that headspace required a lot of help, from doctors, friends, family, coworkers, and grace that I needed to extend to myself.
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Hello, friends. It has been embarrassingly too long. This year has started on such a strange foot with so much bad news, a personal loss, and to be quite honest, most days I've just been trying to put one foot in front of the other so, while I'm always thinking about fashion and style, I haven't been that inspired to write about it. Instead, I've been planning a birthday party (quite a feat), working, watching Severance, and ice skating. I just wrapped up 6 weeks of an adult ice skating class where I'm working on my two-foot glides!


So, while there's not a whole lot of new on JMC, I wanted to share some photos of me taken on film (Fuji 400, to be exact). Each photo and outfit tells a story of its own. From comfy natural fibers and designer glasses for a stop to look at the scenic beauty of the midwest to a skirt suit for the ages, these clothes have been my companions through it all, but especially the past year.

A Look Back at Fashion on Film

March 9, 2025

Hello, friends. It has been embarrassingly too long. This year has started on such a strange foot with so much bad news, a personal loss, and to be quite honest, most days I've just been trying to put one foot in front of the other so, while I'm always thinking about fashion and style, I haven't been that inspired to write about it. Instead, I've been planning a birthday party (quite a feat), working, watching Severance, and ice skating. I just wrapped up 6 weeks of an adult ice skating class where I'm working on my two-foot glides!


So, while there's not a whole lot of new on JMC, I wanted to share some photos of me taken on film (Fuji 400, to be exact). Each photo and outfit tells a story of its own. From comfy natural fibers and designer glasses for a stop to look at the scenic beauty of the midwest to a skirt suit for the ages, these clothes have been my companions through it all, but especially the past year.

read more

As the year draws to a close,  I typically reflect on my purchasing habits during the year. This year, however, I want to focus on the clothes I've worn and repaired, starting with this beautiful 1960s or 1970s Junior Aim skirt suit which was reclaimed by my bonus parents and gifted to me.


 Unfortunately, when we took these pictures I busted the dress' zipper! So, it was whisked away to the tailor's shop pretty soon after I received it, but this wasn't the only piece I repaired this year.

I repaired not just clothes, but also shoes, vintage watches, my car, and even a wristlet. 


What I repaired:


Clothes

•Patagonia puffer

•A trench coat I've had since 2011

•A tried and true blue J. Crew dress that I love

•A pink blanket that my grandmother sent that got eaten by the washing machine. I actually had enough punches in my Alyx Jacobs Repair punch card so it was repaired for free!

•My lucky red dress which I continue to bust


Shoes

•Erdem x H&M crocodile patterned leather kitten heels

•I repaired my Arizona Birkenstocks in LFK at Footprints. They needed new footbeds and heels. It was a wonderful repair experience!

•I repaired the heels on my Gucci Brixton loafers

•Shined and replaced the heels on my favorite Chelsea boot, and sole guards were put on my SJP Carrie Heels


Accessories

•Three vintage watches were repaired (Two needed new batteries and one needed a new movement)

•A Hunter for Target wristlet which I have wanted to use for years was fixed by my tailor! 

What I altered:

•This vintage skirt suit needed a new zipper, STAT! I was lucky to get it back in time to wear for a work holiday party and also to see the Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert.

•A vintage skirt that I busted during a photoshoot

•A yellow silk maxi dress from J. Crew

•My bonus mom Diana hemmed some St. Roche track pants for me, not once, but twice!

I was recently telling someone that feel like I spend a lot of my money taking care of my clothes (which I think I can safely say) and I feel incredibly privileged to be able to take care of them. Repairing our clothes minimizes their environmental impact. It extends their lifespan, fosters regenerative living, and creates vibrant fashion communities. Plus, every time I repair my clothing I feel even more connected to them.

A huge shoutout to Alyx Jacobs for her incredible work,  Vladimir at Indian Creek Shoe Repair for keeping my shoes in impeccable shape, and Best Tailor for always making sure my clothes fit perfectly!


Wearing: Skirt suit + belt - Vintage Junior Aim (truly one of a kind, but here's a modern option, another option I like, a vintage option, and a second vintage option), shoes - Gucci (exact)


Many thanks to Rose at Paper Crane Photo who took these photos of me at the Studio Reverie. 

Wearing & Repairing

December 22, 2024

As the year draws to a close,  I typically reflect on my purchasing habits during the year. This year, however, I want to focus on the clothes I've worn and repaired, starting with this beautiful 1960s or 1970s Junior Aim skirt suit which was reclaimed by my bonus parents and gifted to me.


 Unfortunately, when we took these pictures I busted the dress' zipper! So, it was whisked away to the tailor's shop pretty soon after I received it, but this wasn't the only piece I repaired this year.

I repaired not just clothes, but also shoes, vintage watches, my car, and even a wristlet. 


What I repaired:


Clothes

•Patagonia puffer

•A trench coat I've had since 2011

•A tried and true blue J. Crew dress that I love

•A pink blanket that my grandmother sent that got eaten by the washing machine. I actually had enough punches in my Alyx Jacobs Repair punch card so it was repaired for free!

•My lucky red dress which I continue to bust


Shoes

•Erdem x H&M crocodile patterned leather kitten heels

•I repaired my Arizona Birkenstocks in LFK at Footprints. They needed new footbeds and heels. It was a wonderful repair experience!

•I repaired the heels on my Gucci Brixton loafers

•Shined and replaced the heels on my favorite Chelsea boot, and sole guards were put on my SJP Carrie Heels


Accessories

•Three vintage watches were repaired (Two needed new batteries and one needed a new movement)

•A Hunter for Target wristlet which I have wanted to use for years was fixed by my tailor! 

What I altered:

•This vintage skirt suit needed a new zipper, STAT! I was lucky to get it back in time to wear for a work holiday party and also to see the Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert.

•A vintage skirt that I busted during a photoshoot

•A yellow silk maxi dress from J. Crew

•My bonus mom Diana hemmed some St. Roche track pants for me, not once, but twice!

I was recently telling someone that feel like I spend a lot of my money taking care of my clothes (which I think I can safely say) and I feel incredibly privileged to be able to take care of them. Repairing our clothes minimizes their environmental impact. It extends their lifespan, fosters regenerative living, and creates vibrant fashion communities. Plus, every time I repair my clothing I feel even more connected to them.

A huge shoutout to Alyx Jacobs for her incredible work,  Vladimir at Indian Creek Shoe Repair for keeping my shoes in impeccable shape, and Best Tailor for always making sure my clothes fit perfectly!


Wearing: Skirt suit + belt - Vintage Junior Aim (truly one of a kind, but here's a modern option, another option I like, a vintage option, and a second vintage option), shoes - Gucci (exact)


Many thanks to Rose at Paper Crane Photo who took these photos of me at the Studio Reverie. 
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Alas, another summer has come to an end and per usual I hate to see it go. It was a summer with familiar rhythms, but also with entirely new beats. I celebrated life being brought to the world with my family! I moved! I started a new job! I began to find a new routine with my partner, our Yorkipoo, and my new position. I picked flowers and celebrated anniversaries, bottled honey, learned more about my role and industry, traveled to places seen and unseen, and felt stylish.
This summer my wardrobe felt way more like an extension of myself than ever before.  Perhaps it was the forced closet inventory during packing and unpacking that sparked this reconnection. Combined with feeling good in my skin and transitioning to a new dress code, where I revisited and reconnected with pieces that I hadn't considered wearing to work before.
Let's talk about this dress for a moment. I had seen Amy (@stepsofstyle) wear it before and hoped that it might make her annual clothing sale. I was a little worried it might not fit because Amy is seven inches taller than me, but some things are just meant to be. When I tried this dress on it fit me perfectly and didn't even need to be hemmed?! Of course, it had to come home with me.
This summer was a blur. As the summer sunsets, I continue to be in awe of summer's transformative power. Summer is always a time for recreation, rest, and renewal, and for that, I'm deeply grateful.

Wearing: Lyon silk maxi slip dress in lime punch - Asceno (sold out, but similar below), shoes - old Jessica Simpson, earrings - House of Harlow 1960 (Marshalls find, but exact)


Many thanks to Rose at Paper Crane Photo who took these photos of me at the Studio Reverie. Winter is coming which would normally mean that outdoor photoshoots are on hold for me, but step into the comfort of shooting in a studio. Indoor studio sessions are perfect for capturing individual portraits, family photos, and holiday photos with your loved ones or if you're me—your handbags. 


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Lime Light

September 28, 2024 6741 W 135th St STE #A65, Overland Park, KS 66223, USA

Alas, another summer has come to an end and per usual I hate to see it go. It was a summer with familiar rhythms, but also with entirely new beats. I celebrated life being brought to the world with my family! I moved! I started a new job! I began to find a new routine with my partner, our Yorkipoo, and my new position. I picked flowers and celebrated anniversaries, bottled honey, learned more about my role and industry, traveled to places seen and unseen, and felt stylish.
This summer my wardrobe felt way more like an extension of myself than ever before.  Perhaps it was the forced closet inventory during packing and unpacking that sparked this reconnection. Combined with feeling good in my skin and transitioning to a new dress code, where I revisited and reconnected with pieces that I hadn't considered wearing to work before.
Let's talk about this dress for a moment. I had seen Amy (@stepsofstyle) wear it before and hoped that it might make her annual clothing sale. I was a little worried it might not fit because Amy is seven inches taller than me, but some things are just meant to be. When I tried this dress on it fit me perfectly and didn't even need to be hemmed?! Of course, it had to come home with me.
This summer was a blur. As the summer sunsets, I continue to be in awe of summer's transformative power. Summer is always a time for recreation, rest, and renewal, and for that, I'm deeply grateful.

Wearing: Lyon silk maxi slip dress in lime punch - Asceno (sold out, but similar below), shoes - old Jessica Simpson, earrings - House of Harlow 1960 (Marshalls find, but exact)


Many thanks to Rose at Paper Crane Photo who took these photos of me at the Studio Reverie. Winter is coming which would normally mean that outdoor photoshoots are on hold for me, but step into the comfort of shooting in a studio. Indoor studio sessions are perfect for capturing individual portraits, family photos, and holiday photos with your loved ones or if you're me—your handbags. 


Similar:

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Sometimes when you're not looking something magical falls into your lap—a job, a relationship, except in my case it was a vintage tailor made 1960s silk skirt suit, blouse, and hat.

A Silk Skirt Suit for the Ages

July 7, 2024

Sometimes when you're not looking something magical falls into your lap—a job, a relationship, except in my case it was a vintage tailor made 1960s silk skirt suit, blouse, and hat.
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Greetings? I don't even know how to start this blog post. It's been so long. I know it really hasn't been, but it feels like it's been awhile since I've had actually the space to blog.

And Just Like That

June 22, 2024

Greetings? I don't even know how to start this blog post. It's been so long. I know it really hasn't been, but it feels like it's been awhile since I've had actually the space to blog.

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Hello, beautiful people. I know the blog has been out of sight, but it's been on my mind. I've been spending less time online and well, more time, just living, which is in fact a lot these days. I've been focused less on sharing what's going on in my life and more on understanding the crisis in Gaza and sharing community resources at work which is well spent, and also takes a lot of bandwidth. Still, I'm grateful I have an opportunity to contribute meaningfully.

Wearing. Mending. Doing.

March 7, 2024

Hello, beautiful people. I know the blog has been out of sight, but it's been on my mind. I've been spending less time online and well, more time, just living, which is in fact a lot these days. I've been focused less on sharing what's going on in my life and more on understanding the crisis in Gaza and sharing community resources at work which is well spent, and also takes a lot of bandwidth. Still, I'm grateful I have an opportunity to contribute meaningfully.
read more

Are you one of those people where if you love something, you buy it in every color? Because I am. You may remember this blog post, which is probably one of my favorite posts, where I tell the story of buying a dress my Bitmoji wore (tbh my Bitmoji has been wearing this dress for years bc I refuse to give it up).

One of Each

September 22, 2023

Are you one of those people where if you love something, you buy it in every color? Because I am. You may remember this blog post, which is probably one of my favorite posts, where I tell the story of buying a dress my Bitmoji wore (tbh my Bitmoji has been wearing this dress for years bc I refuse to give it up).

read more

A little over a 11 years ago, during a very dark place in my life I started Je M'appelle Chanel on a Macbook in my Mom's house. Originally the blog was nameless, but one day not long after I had started it I was drifting off to sleep, and it came to me, Je M'appelle Chanel.

11 Years Later

September 10, 2023

A little over a 11 years ago, during a very dark place in my life I started Je M'appelle Chanel on a Macbook in my Mom's house. Originally the blog was nameless, but one day not long after I had started it I was drifting off to sleep, and it came to me, Je M'appelle Chanel.

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You may remember my marigold slip dress. The one I had a dream about? Well originally when I first started dreaming about this dress in real life there was only one in mind for me.

Marigolden Hour

June 13, 2023

You may remember my marigold slip dress. The one I had a dream about? Well originally when I first started dreaming about this dress in real life there was only one in mind for me.

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Most of my style blog posts start out with a story of how the piece caught my eye, but to be completely honest I can't remember when I first clocked this piece. Only that I did, and that it feels like I spent eternity (a little under 2 years) doing some Gatsby level pining for this jumpsuit.

Oh Michele

May 25, 2023

Most of my style blog posts start out with a story of how the piece caught my eye, but to be completely honest I can't remember when I first clocked this piece. Only that I did, and that it feels like I spent eternity (a little under 2 years) doing some Gatsby level pining for this jumpsuit.
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Years ago I wrote a post on a LBD (Little black dress). I'm not going to disobey Carrie Bradshaw and mock the clothes but the dress wasn't for me.

and the Little Black Dress pt. 2

January 9, 2023

Years ago I wrote a post on a LBD (Little black dress). I'm not going to disobey Carrie Bradshaw and mock the clothes but the dress wasn't for me.

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I think I've developed a problem–I only want clothes that make my heart swoon. That make me feel the most Sonia like. I've talked about it on the blog before, its probably my number one fashion tip. Hold out for clothes that leave you speechless.

Maia

November 1, 2022

I think I've developed a problem–I only want clothes that make my heart swoon. That make me feel the most Sonia like. I've talked about it on the blog before, its probably my number one fashion tip. Hold out for clothes that leave you speechless.

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Happy tenth birthday, Je M'appelle Chanel. I would've never imagined so many years ago that the blog would still be here and still hold such a special and dear place in my heart.

10 Years Later

July 12, 2022

Happy tenth birthday, Je M'appelle Chanel. I would've never imagined so many years ago that the blog would still be here and still hold such a special and dear place in my heart.
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I'm obsessed with Gen Z. From their style to their march-to-a-beat-of-their-own-drum-kinda-attitude, there's something about this cohort that's special. I'm especially obsessed with their style. I love that they have found a way to balance comfort and uniqueness vis-à-vis different silhouettes that us millennials tend to stray away from.

Dressing like a Gen Z

June 4, 2022

I'm obsessed with Gen Z. From their style to their march-to-a-beat-of-their-own-drum-kinda-attitude, there's something about this cohort that's special. I'm especially obsessed with their style. I love that they have found a way to balance comfort and uniqueness vis-à-vis different silhouettes that us millennials tend to stray away from.

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Life seems to be moving fast again. Between bridal showers, birthdays, weddings, work events, etm. It feels like there's more of a reason to get dressed again. I've been feeling the urge to revamp my wardrobe too. An odd feeling considering its something I haven't thought critically about in a little over two years.

Wardrobe Musings

May 21, 2022

Life seems to be moving fast again. Between bridal showers, birthdays, weddings, work events, etm. It feels like there's more of a reason to get dressed again. I've been feeling the urge to revamp my wardrobe too. An odd feeling considering its something I haven't thought critically about in a little over two years.
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During quarantine I got into Top Chef and my obsession with Padma Lakshmi reached a whole new level. Padma wore this jumpsuit during Top Chef All Stars and the moment I saw it I knew I needed it.  This is one of those pieces that was worth losing sleep over. Problem was I couldn't find it in my size. Until I DID. This was a big resale gods shining down on me moment.

This jumpsuit is so versatile. I've worn it with just about everything and everywhere. Plus the CPW (Cost per wear) is $8?!

This jumpsuit deserved a whole photoshoot and then some. 

Marigold and I are having a moment. Can you tell? Peep the marigold slip dress I dreamt about and then manifested.

Aries season is long gone. Taurus season is here. One of my favorite blogs said, "Keep it simple, keep it curious, go forward with heart." I couldn't agree more. Be well, beautiful people. 



Wearing: Frame - Le Flare de Francoise Jumpsuit in Marigold (exact, similar), shoes - Tory Burch (old, but similar), lips - Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella



Photos by Bella Grace Cordero



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Pretending to be Padma

May 1, 2022

During quarantine I got into Top Chef and my obsession with Padma Lakshmi reached a whole new level. Padma wore this jumpsuit during Top Chef All Stars and the moment I saw it I knew I needed it.  This is one of those pieces that was worth losing sleep over. Problem was I couldn't find it in my size. Until I DID. This was a big resale gods shining down on me moment.

This jumpsuit is so versatile. I've worn it with just about everything and everywhere. Plus the CPW (Cost per wear) is $8?!

This jumpsuit deserved a whole photoshoot and then some. 

Marigold and I are having a moment. Can you tell? Peep the marigold slip dress I dreamt about and then manifested.

Aries season is long gone. Taurus season is here. One of my favorite blogs said, "Keep it simple, keep it curious, go forward with heart." I couldn't agree more. Be well, beautiful people. 



Wearing: Frame - Le Flare de Francoise Jumpsuit in Marigold (exact, similar), shoes - Tory Burch (old, but similar), lips - Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella



Photos by Bella Grace Cordero



Similar:

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The first full moon of the year came along with so many emotions. Now I'm not one to ever turn away from a full moon, but this Cancer moon came with such intense feelings. The full moon is a time to release control and let go, both things that I struggle with.
My yoga teacher Angela said when you let go it creates space and permit myself to not feel the urge to define or fill up that space. Instead, I should allow myself the freedom to explore that space. Angela then posed the question, what do I want more of?

I don't think I'll ever fully let go of people I love, but filling the space they held with something else in time. Well, that's just beautiful. So often people tell you to let go. It feels so callous. You never really let go of people and things you love, do you? Reframing it and asking what I want more of was such an honest way to acknowledge the space that once was and invite in curiosity. Something new. Something golden.

So, I ask myself. What do I want more of? I've come up with a few things. More sun on my face. More presence with Mother Earth. More time rooting for my friends celebrating their little victories and standing by their sides when things get tough. More energy to create. More trust in the process of life.

So here I am letting go in all the marigolden glory. I didn't think I'd share this post, but it feels inauthentic not to share something that was so big for me. There have been more Dear Diary posts recently and it's something I'm proud of. It's funny the night I wrote this post my aunt Nelu who lives in India sent me a text with an image that said, "When you let go you create space for better things to enter your life."

And this slip dress? I had a dream about it. I was wearing a silk marigold slip dress. It was wonderful. If you know me you know that I take my dreams very seriously. So I searched and searched for a marigold slip dress. I had given up when this one appeared. Silk, in my size from a company named De la Terra, which naturally dyes textiles in California. It was a sign. 


This post is dedicated to the memory of Zane Lee Todd III. 


Photos by Bella Grace Cordero


Wearing: Dress - De La Terra (exact, similar), shoes - Valentino, lips - Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella



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On Letting Go

March 5, 2022

The first full moon of the year came along with so many emotions. Now I'm not one to ever turn away from a full moon, but this Cancer moon came with such intense feelings. The full moon is a time to release control and let go, both things that I struggle with.
My yoga teacher Angela said when you let go it creates space and permit myself to not feel the urge to define or fill up that space. Instead, I should allow myself the freedom to explore that space. Angela then posed the question, what do I want more of?

I don't think I'll ever fully let go of people I love, but filling the space they held with something else in time. Well, that's just beautiful. So often people tell you to let go. It feels so callous. You never really let go of people and things you love, do you? Reframing it and asking what I want more of was such an honest way to acknowledge the space that once was and invite in curiosity. Something new. Something golden.

So, I ask myself. What do I want more of? I've come up with a few things. More sun on my face. More presence with Mother Earth. More time rooting for my friends celebrating their little victories and standing by their sides when things get tough. More energy to create. More trust in the process of life.

So here I am letting go in all the marigolden glory. I didn't think I'd share this post, but it feels inauthentic not to share something that was so big for me. There have been more Dear Diary posts recently and it's something I'm proud of. It's funny the night I wrote this post my aunt Nelu who lives in India sent me a text with an image that said, "When you let go you create space for better things to enter your life."

And this slip dress? I had a dream about it. I was wearing a silk marigold slip dress. It was wonderful. If you know me you know that I take my dreams very seriously. So I searched and searched for a marigold slip dress. I had given up when this one appeared. Silk, in my size from a company named De la Terra, which naturally dyes textiles in California. It was a sign. 


This post is dedicated to the memory of Zane Lee Todd III. 


Photos by Bella Grace Cordero


Wearing: Dress - De La Terra (exact, similar), shoes - Valentino, lips - Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella



Similar:

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