I can never go too simple with accessories as you probably have noticed. I am wearing a leather necklace that is perfect for layering and a gorgeous pendant of a hand. Oh, and how I love objects with symbolic significance...the hand is a Hindu mudrā. A mudrā is a hand gesture; hand gestures are integral to sacred dance and other practices, and are meant to focus the mind and charge the body with spiritual power. The symbol on the hand is OM, a sacred incantation (you've probably used it in yoga) to be intoned prior to any prayer or mantra.
THE BEAUTIFUL MEN AND WOMEN OF WORLD PHOTOGRAPHER GREG DAVIS
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| Santeria Sass, Havana, Cuba, 2009 |
Isn't she fabulous? Greg Davis, a National Geographic Image Collection Photographer whose work has been widely exhibited and published by National Geographic.com, MSNBC.com and Professional Photographer Magazine, has captured not only the brilliant colors and dramatic juxtaposition of forms and textures, but most important the powerful stance of this Cuban woman. She is strong, beautiful, self-reliant, and.....well, incredibly stylish. I want everything she is wearing, from the deep cerulean head scarf to the crimson flower to the dangling earrings to the stone necklace, to the fan.
Davis has titled this image Santeria Sass, which embodies everything about it-culture, religion, attitude and yes, stunning accesorizing. Santeria is a religious tradition that evolved from the Yoruba religion brought to the New World by slaves, merged with Roman Catholic and Native Indigenous traditions.
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| Diva Amor, Cienfuegos, Cuba, 2009 |
And what about Diva Amor (Diva Love), also from his Cuba series? Davis has focused his lens on the central subject, which is off-centered allowing us a view of the intrinsic carving of the wooden traditional chair while the haziness of the background, the white staircase and sculpture bust, highlight our Diva. Of course, as you can imagine I want to wear the golden turbant, oh yes.
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| Hamer Beauty, Ethiopia, Omo Valley, Ethiopia, 2011 |
As cliché as it sounds, it is so very true; the eyes are the windows to the soul and Davis possesses the gift of creating a connection with the individual and capturing the mindset of a single moment. There is vulnerability and gentleness in Hamer Beauty while in Dassanech Well there is a poignant intensity and defiance.
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| Dassanech Well, Ethiopia, Lake Turkana, Ethiopia, 2011 |
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| Whip Sharpening, Ethiopia, Turmi, Ethiopia, 2011 |
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| From the Cup, Ethiopia, Turmi, Ethiopia, 2011 |
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| Red Stripe, Mount Hagan, Papua New Guines, 2009 |
Until next time art lovers and fashionistas...un beso!
All images courtesy of Greg Davis
