After years of friendship, renowned photographer Allard Honigh decided to uncover the soul behind O., better known as Odette Schoonenberg aka Miss O. Covered by the curtains of a driven businesswoman, whose eclectic creative mind rewarded her with the “success” stamp, Honigh managed to capture that what lies beneath.
“Although I’ve never been frightened to show the real me, people still tend to see my professional identity, instead of the me in me. Ironic, as it is the layer beneath - call it my soul- that created the business successes, rather than the polished outer layer, as so often expected by society.
When Allard Honigh asked me to do this project together, there was never a single doubt in my mind. Not because I wish to be exposed, but simply because of a strong longing to promise the world that by being who you truly are, you can achieve whatever you wish in life. “ – O.
“The first moment I met O. we had a click. Within the past 12 years we became very close friends. This project gave me the opportunity to go beyond fashion and dive into a fascinating journey into the soul that drives us all. In this case it was O., yet we all are humans, driven by an almost invisible force, that in most cases is kept hidden, yet in the end is the driving power behind all of us.” – Allard Honigh
Photo credits – Allard Honigh
A travelling exhibition starting... Kick-off: May 18th- Splash, Lijnbaansgracht 241, 1017 PH Amsterdam
Once in a while there are these really special exclusive events where a dress code determines who you are and what you represent. Most celebs need stylists to dress them to perfection, wearing that one gorgeous dress. As let’s be honest: at parties like these, you ought to look outstanding and surprise your followers and the public with your look.
Therefore it is utmost important you have an assistant who understands you, knows your sizes and has the contacts to
“ borrow “ that eye-catching outfit from a label.
When Vogue organises a Ball, you know that it’s “ Fashion Serious”, and you have to make sure you shine in a gown that nobody wears that same night. So stylists and PR-agents are extremely aware who is wearing what, because no one wants to be confronted with someone else in the same dress. Of course this hardly ever happens. So this is a special thank you to all those stylists who make sure celebs will be featured in red carpet report online and in magazines.
Moët Hennessy, Vogue NL and the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam organised the Queens Ball to honour the abdication of the new King Willem Alexander & Queen Maxima and give Queen Beatrix a beautiful goodbye. The dress code of the night was Black Tie. Have a look at the stylish looks & enjoy!!
When a woman has a strong personality it reflects to the world. In this world we do care what we wear and how we reflect to others.
We strongly believe that when your personality is true to your heart you can almost wear anything. The world will see your beauty.
The Netherlands was very much worldwide news because of the crowning of the new King Willem Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima.
We are very proud that our new Queen is very sensitive when it comes too fashion.
There is an inner beauty about a woman who believes in herself, who knows she's capable of anything that she puts her mind to.
There is beauty in the strength and determination of a woman that follows her path and isn't afraid of obstacles.
Our lovely Queen Maxima has that power of combining personality, beauty and fashion.
We are also very much fascinated by the Middle Eastern Royalty Sheika Moza Bint Nasser Al Missned at the crowning ceremony. She also showed us that a beautiful strong personality and a good taste in wearing high fashion, makes the perfect appearance.
Two remarkable women, that inspires a whole lot of women in the world.
Therefore we want to give you this quote by Rachel Zoe.
Here it is, my introduction to this blog, you're gonna get the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
When I was about nine years old my aunt (a holistic healer) led a meditation group for kids. She guided us through a wonderful world of colours, sounds and warm fuzzy feelings. After the session she had us draw a picture of what we just imagined in our minds. Every kid around me drew the most exotic paintings. Me? I blacked out. I did the worst thing you could imagine! I cheated. I painted a picture of a dancing pig in front of a rainbow, because I didn't want to let her down. I hope she doesn't read this.
After this epic failure I never practiced any form of meditation again, until that rainy Thursday morning in the last week of December. Before I get into the curiosities of this adventure I have to tell you how I actually got there. I'm a very addictive person, I get obsessed over stuff easily and totally lose myself while doing it. When my boyfriend and I moved in together, every day felt like a party, a dinner party that is. Oozy banana cakes fresh out of the oven, al dente pasta puttanesca with shaved Parmesan on top and bottles of Chardonnay to wash it down with.
After a couples of months of nibbling away I couldn't fit into my clothes properly. And so my quest for a healthy, fit, glowing me started. On YouTube I found a Chinese girl teaching Pilates and let her kick my but for weeks straight untill I couldn't bear the squeaky sound of her voice anymore. On the same channel I found Tara Stiles, model turned yoga teacher, after two videos I was hooked. I watched every single clip, re-red her blog over and over and believed every single thing she said. I've done the vegan thing, raw food cleanses, green juices until noon, hot/hatha/vinyasa and yin yoga, gluten free diets, daily wheatgrass shots, kale chips in tastes called 'thickling thai', daily affirmations, 'om' chanting, calling fruit nature's candy and so on. And as 'yogi' as it might sound I felt pure, genuine, kind and loving to my mind and body.
Anyway, back to that emerging Thursday morning. To end the year with a bang and end this fear of meditation once and for all I decided to join a guided mediation session. And so here I was in this patchouli-scented room with my private guide, eyes closed, senses opened. After what felt like a decade of silence it was time to open my eyes. In front of me there was a candle, placed there for me to stare in, deep and uninterruptedly. “Your eyes might get teary, but not to worry, nobody ever got blind doing it” he reassured me. I was going to die right there and then. I freaked out; no one would ever look for me here at the attic of this random yoga studio and why would they?! I did it again, I went overboard and dug my own grave.
Obviously I survived. I even left loving life (probably because I almost saw the light at the end of the tunnel) and figured I can have my raw avocado/keylime pie and eat it too, but I do need to wash it down with a glass of Chardonnay every now and then.
Do you remember the model of the TV’s from the ’70? That square shape they had? Well I love glasses that look like those old televisions, simply because they have the same frame structure. Although these glasses might not fit everyone, like the rounder shaped ones, they sure are COOL!!! We used to call them nerd or geek glasses, but now there sooo back in fashion ;)!
The look of a so-called nerd/geek has become such a trend, because we wear what we like, with a sense of style! Let’s not talk to much about the vintage ones but have a look at what the designers now-a-days are doing with it.
Did you see the ones that Victoria Beckham had in here collection? I Love them! They are big and have the big Jackie O feel to them, different but with spunk! That’s why black square clear lens glasses have so many fans now.
Other than a geek, on a fab actrice like Anne Hathaway they look girly and quite! Though she is not the only one that has taken this vintage frame to another level…also Emporio Armani, Tom Ford, The ROW and many more went for this cool style. Being a style-conscious woman, when you wear them and walk into a room or down the street: you will for sure turn heads.
Wear them with your own style (an oversized jacket, skinny jeans and man shoes, or a pencil skirt, t-shirt & cardigan and you will look hot and fashionable with these kind of glasses and they will look great on YOU ;)! Love Black,
