Isabel and Ruben

The Toledos...

What can I say?

They are so amazing and so Beautiful.

Many know Isabel Toledo as the designer of Michelle Obama's inauguration dress but, the designer has been around since the 80s and was creative director of Anne Klein for a little while. She is an amazing designer and artist and is married to an absolutely BRILLIANT artist, Ruben Toledo.

I have to admit, I had not clue who Isabel was until Michelle Obama displayed her lovely creation during the inauguration ceremony. Then, when I moved to NY, before school started and I actually had time to explore, I visited the Museum at F.I.T where they had an Isabel Toledo exhibit. There, I learnt more about the designer/artist and saw her work. 

Just Brilliant. 

She sees construction as the real art in fashion design and therefore, her methods of draping, patterning and sewing are highly experimental. She works very closely with her husband, admitting that sometimes she just describes a feeling or idea to him and he designs. It's really beautiful and artistic! I love the idea of turning an emotional experience into something visible

I just love this couple.

Imagine, two artists under one roof. They live in their art

He fell in love with her at the age of 13 in high school. 

She fell in love with his art...

They inspire each other with their work. Ruben uses a lot of his wife's designs in his art, she is his muse and she uses his paintings and illustrations as inspiration for prints and what- nots.

 Here is an excerpt from an article in Latino Leaders, written by Mariana Gutierrez who interviewed the couple for an April/May 2009 issue of the magazine.

Ruben: “ ‘It was love at first sight!’ …. ‘ I was blinded, truly. She was and is still glowing in her gorgeous inside, and I love what she was then, what she is now and what she will become.’ “

Isabel: “ ‘ Ruben moves me more than anything else.’ … ‘ He is so full of  energy, mystery and inspiration. A quiet rebel, a loner with a huge heart. We collaborate daily: whether we know it or not, it is a constant dialogue, an endless tango of ideas, an incessant explosion happening between these walls. And that moves me from my core…’ “

They are a sweet escape
Love, passion, art

Just Freaking Beautiful!!!

They create the unexpected, totally thinking outside of the box. They kind of live in their own worlds where they just want to be immersed in beauty and art and as a result, their work is magical and surreal. Although Isabel has been designing for years (she attended Parsons...) she does her own thing, on her own terms and in her own time. She ignores the fashion calender and chooses to work on garments until they are perfect. She keeps her business small, owning 100% of it. She believes that this way, she is better able to give her business all the love

And Ruben.... I kinda love that man...

He uses a bit of magical realism. Putting the unexpected in a completely realistic atmosphere

 He has been working for Nordstrom and Vogue for a while, creating really beautiful images and backgrounds for editorials.

Some of his work for Nordstrom:

This one is my fave!

Here is a portrait of his wife Isabelle:

He has an AWESOME book called Style Dictionary and it seriously has me laughing out loud. Filled with his illustrations on the A-B-C's of fashion. Here are some of my faves from the book:

B is for Bustle - Dress maker's homage to African Beauty:

Y is for Youth (I thought this was too funny!):

 

(I love the shirt on the left that says 'Eat Your Parents')

Be kind to animals! Grow your own fur this winter!:

Confused about fashion, the contemporary lady gives up clothes and wears fashion magazines:

Sigh...
I just love them! They live in this world of imagination and creativity. Sky is the limit for this couple. They don't let society dictate their art and create a completely emotional experience in their work

The Sweetest Escape!