VAIN Blog

My challenge for myself while in Spain was to take pictures of PEOPLE and STYLE, little glimpses of what we create at VAIN – but found around the globe.

[Hair + Beauty Salon]

Once there, however, I wasn’t sure how my appreciation would translate. My Spanish is rusty enough that I felt like I’d just come across as a creepy American with odd intentions. There was one girl with bright red panels underneath her long dark hair who I nearly chased after, Canon in hand, through an open air market. I couldn’t make it to her in time, however, nor would I have known what to say. But that little lady was one of only TWO vibrant colors I saw during my two week stay there.

It should be noted that we were primarily traveling in slightly smaller towns along the south of Spain; maybe the conservative tones were shaped by geography. Indeed, the only other time I saw color was not in Sevilla or Granada but as we traveled through the airport in Madrid – a Burgandy Wine bob that stood out from across the waiting area.

It seemed that the bold color statements were left to attire, and displayed there with flair. Bright green t-shirts with matching neon sneakers. Red socks, red shirt, red accents on eyewear, all at once. Floral sundresses on women of all ages, and every color in the rainbow pouring out of stores with local wares.

One of my favorite sights was a Sunday drive past a group of women on their way to church. Even in the almost 100 degrees weather they looked crisp, cool, put together. Small purses in hand, and a helmet of curls helped by uncertain amounts of hairspray. They evoked an era that is, for me + my life here in Seattle, foreign but picturesque.

The idea of those conservative ladies vs. neon green Nikes seems like a reflection of what I saw in the country itself – a lot of history but with bold statements of modern life, the old and the new balancing in a way that shouldn’t be congruent but nonetheless was. Special Effects colors can’t be far behind.

[Like the VAIN wall, a world away]

xo,

Sarah Jo

I finally got to take my long awaited return trip home to San Francisco last week. The weather was absolutely gorgeous- bright and sunny with not a single cloud in sight. I happened to fly in on St. Patrick’s day. One could only imagine how jam packed the streets were with the most interesting characters. One person in particular who caught my eye was the dapper gentleman you see below.

Meet Michael Sandoval:

Michel and I were both waiting at the bus stop in front of Hobson’s Choice Pub on Haight Street. His super stylish (not to mention holiday appropriate) outfit caught my attention, as did his expertly groomed mustache. I stared at him for several minutes before getting the nerves to ask if I could snap his photo. He enthusiastically agreed, while telling me all about how he made both the kilt and leather bag himself. I boarded my #71 bus towards downtown, hoping that I would run into him again.

Then my wish came true. Two days later I was on the E-line heading to Embarcadero station when Michael boarded. This time he wasn’t wearing a hat, instead showing off his impeccably groomed hair with another snazzy outfit. As we both stepped off the train and walked separate ways he jokingly yelled out “I hope these pictures aren’t being taken because I’m a style DON’T.”

Nope Michael, you’re a definite style DO!

♥

-My

(VAIN dowtown front desk + resident shutterbug)