FIRST CLASS BELONGINGS

Well, creating a branding image of a person is not an easy task.

A series of one-on one meetings have to take place, in order to untangle all the ideas of whomever will be exposed to the public eye. That process includes a series of variables such as the location, the market to which services will be directed, the specific fashion style, the use of the imagery,  and the audience – and each of these will add to each other and create at the that first image – the first visual of the subject.

This particular branding was easy in a way, as the subject Nicole (only Nicole to her readers) has very specific taste, a very sophisticated sense of 1950’s glamour and 1960’s ‘Mad Men’ seal, with a sense of wit and comical elements rescued from her many trips to Japan and her affinity towards Japanese comic art.

Nicole was about to launch her traveling blog called First Class Belongings.

 

The blog, The web site, The Social Media madness about the travels and styles of a wanderlust girl with a fantastic sense of design and fashion. www.firstclassbelonginns.com
The blog, The web site, The Social Media madness about the travels and styles of a wanderlust girl with a fantastic sense of design and fashion.
http://www.firstclassbelongings.com

The new site will contain recommendations, places, trip schedules, travel tips, and savvy reviews of the many cities where she had to the opportunity to travel. Her blog is directed to certain audience that has luxury as a style,  and a demographic where the value of the visuals had to be interesting and appealing. She breathes sophistication and creates a need to follow and see the adventures of this traveler.

We talked and opted to highlight Nicole herself as the subject and to collect specific imagery of locations visited, with a high sense of place and a tremendous value on every single element. From the garments, to the details of the location, to the fine points of clothing and mood, we were off to create traveling editorials.

So, we started at home. But the point of departure is where we really began.

A car and private plane editorial about the meaning of traveling in style served as the kick-off of these very sophisticated series. Behind the lens is photographer, Mr. Chris Loomis, whom I have worked with in the past in many, many occasions, including Fabric & Space,  Anna Vivette new image under The sorceress of Song editorial project, or Portraying Mayme editorial for JAVA Magazine, the Cover Boy editorial for an interview with me in the magazine,  or the My City editorial with an interview about my preferred places and spaces on WHERE Magazine, and a photographer I am a fan of) with the assistance by TV Host and fashionista at heart Ms. Irma Deihl, hair by Haley Bunkers, make-up Ori Brown and me serving as production director and handyman all on a single hot, hot afternoon.

 And so the story starts just like this;
The first images of a take-off experience that Nicole is sharing with all of us via #firstclassbelongings http://firstclassbelongings.com Myself as producer and as a "umbrella holding" behind scene master. Photography: www.chrisloomis.com Location: Pinnacle Aviation, Scottsdale Airport Photo: Chris Loomis Hair: Haley Bunkers makeup: Ori Brown Vintage dress: Fashion By Robert Black
The first images of a take-off experience that Nicole is sharing with all of us via #firstclassbelongings
http://firstclassbelongings.com
Myself as producer and as a “umbrella holding” behind scene master.
Photography: http://www.chrisloomis.com
Location: Pinnacle Aviation, Scottsdale Airport
Photo: Chris Loomis
Hair: Haley Bunkers
makeup: Ori Brown
Vintage dress: Fashion By Robert Black

The first editorial narrates her avid need to keep and bring style to her many travel experiences.

And so we started to create her new image, one that represented the essence of the luxury travel and the image of an elegance that needed to be rescued, with a sense of romanticism and timeless, the editorials took place.

The story has to start somewhere and started with style. An editorial to set Nicole ready for her multiple stylish voyages and experiences. 1960 Chrysler Imperial Kate Spade scarf, corset by Louise of Positano. Vintage luggage provided by Antique Sugar Photographer: Chris Loomis Hair: Haley Bunkers makeup: Ori Brown Location: Scottsdale Airport
The story has to start somewhere and started with style. An editorial to set Nicole ready for her multiple stylish voyages and experiences.
1960 Chrysler Imperial
Kate Spade scarf, corset by Louise of Positano.
Vintage luggage provided by Antique Sugar
Photographer: Chris Loomis
Hair: Haley Bunkers
makeup: Ori Brown
Location: Scottsdale Airport

The real romanticism and imagery of a story that needed to be told.

A bow to those days, to the Hollywood stars that con sider traveling what it is, a luxury and made the event an experience that enhanced the moment and the essence of arriving, experiencing and depart. Pinnacle Aviation, Scottsdale Airport chris Loomis fashion by robert black Hair: Haley Bunkers Makeup: Ori Brown
A bow to those days, to the Hollywood stars that con sider traveling what it is, a luxury and made the event an experience that enhanced the moment and the essence of arriving, experiencing and depart.
Pinnacle Aviation, Scottsdale Airport
Photography; http://www.chris Loomis.com
fashion by robert black
Hair: Haley Bunkers
Makeup: Ori Brown

The initial trips took her to places within the USA, but to spaces that had a history and a place in time that we all remembered. Once again, that story line she wanted to tell was elegance, timeless fashion and incredible sense of self discovery.

The Rockefeller Center was the initial gravitational space and place to set the pace and spread the wings for First Class Belongings. Location: Top Of The Rock dress by: first-class Belongings Photographer: Gonçalo De Silva for Flytographer
The Rockefeller Center was the initial gravitational space and place to set the pace and spread the wings for First Class Belongings.
Location: Top Of The Rock
dress by: first-class Belongings
Photographer: Gonçalo De Silva for Flytographer

Times gone by, and now revived in style.

The idea of the time to come back is always there on First Class Belonging editorials, but what Nicole is narrating is the elegance of the modern era applied to today's life - a step up in the game of luxury. TWA terminal designed in 1962 by Aero Saarinen. JFK airport NY Vintage 1960s cape, Celine shoes,vintage cashmere sweater Vintage by Misty Photography: Proper Pix
The idea of the time to come back is always there on First Class Belonging editorials, but what Nicole is narrating is the elegance of the modern era applied to today’s life – a step up in the game of luxury.
TWA terminal designed in 1962 by Aero Saarinen. JFK airport NY
Vintage 1960s cape, Celine shoes,vintage cashmere sweater Vintage by Misty
Photography: Proper Pix

Of course, the travels in style, deserve a view in style. By the way, she will give you any feedback you need about any luxury hotel or spa (she had visited) if you need by simply sending an email to http://www.firstclassbelongings.com

Manhattan saw Nicole at a very early age, and saw her affinity to travel and style, now is going back to get inspired and to start many of her trips.
THE CITY Manhattan saw Nicole at a very early age, and saw her affinity to travel and style, now is going back to get inspired and to start many of her trips.

And of course Manhattan is not the same if a Fashion lover cannot attend the maximums summit every year, the New York Fashion Week, and of course, you ought to attend, in style!

An event not to miss to any fashion aficionado, fashionista, fashion fan, or a fashion and style avid follower. New York Fashion Week, location: Lincoln Center, New York New York Fashion Week Hair and makeup by: Exclusive Stylist Dress & Style: First-Class Belongings
FASHION FIRST An event not to miss to any fashion aficionado, fashionista, fashion fan, or a fashion and style avid follower. New York Fashion Week,
location: Lincoln Center, New York
New York Fashion Week
Hair and makeup by: Exclusive Stylist
Dress & Style: First-Class Belongings
Raised in Manhattan, she went back to bring fashion to go with her around the globe.
MANHATTANEER! Raised in Manhattan, she went back to bring fashion to go with her around the globe.

Hollywood is the place where dreams are made of gold (they say) – so, she is heading to a new chapter by opening a YOU TUBE channel where all her experiences are narrated with tons of suggestions, recommendations and tips for the luxury traveler.

Where else? do you dream?, can you dream to be a star?
LA LIVE Where else? do you dream?, can you dream to be a star?

The best place to make all productions a reality? Tinseltown, well known as Hollywood, and for that a style that belongs to a true diva.

With the style of a movie diva, Nicole walks confident with her inseparable traveling case. Location: Hollywood sign, Los Angeles Hair and makeup: Ori Brown Vintage coat: Vintage by Misty Sunglasses: Tom Ford Gold pants suit: Nordstrom Photographer: Andrea Miner for Flytographer
HOLLYWOOD GIRL With the style of a movie diva, Nicole walks confident with her inseparable traveling case.
Location: Hollywood sign, Los Angeles
Hair and makeup: Ori Brown
Vintage coat: Vintage by Misty
Sunglasses: Tom Ford
Gold pants suit: Nordstrom
Photographer: Andrea Miner for Flytographer

We all have to experience every coast of the country and even find ourselves submerged within the culture and the style present within that space,.. and Nicole does it wisely, using vintage and now, her own designs.

"If flower power inspires you, why not!", says Nicole from www.firstclassbelongins.com
THE ESSENCE OF A PLACE

Her garments are selected time in advance as they are inspired by the places she visits. Have you noticed her vintage luggage that goes with her everywhere? well, is her salute to the luxury traveler and the vintage lover.

When traveling to any place, Nicole studies the locations, the styles and sense of space, and even the lighting to make sure images like this are simply timeless. Location: Chinatown, San Francisco Hair and makeup: Nicole Vintage dress: Antique Sugar Photographer: Maria Del Rio
When traveling to any place, Nicole studies the locations, the styles and sense of space, and even the lighting to make sure images like this are simply timeless.
Location: Chinatown, San Francisco
Hair and makeup: Nicole
Vintage dress: Antique Sugar
Photographer: Maria Del Rio

By working with local photographers and local MUA, Hair Designers and other locals, she is able to locate places that not a typical traveler is able to find and locate. The result? well, stunning images of her luxury travels.

So, Nicole works with teams that knows the location(s) she visits, creating breathless imagery like this. Location: under the Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco Vintage dress Hair and makeup: Nicole Photographer: Maria Del Rio
So, Nicole works with teams that knows the location(s) she visits, creating breathless imagery like this.
Location: under the Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco
Vintage dress
Hair and makeup: Nicole
Photographer: Maria Del Rio

Mid-Century Modern Design is one of Nicole’s favorites, and you will see her dressed and visiting Modern spaces with incredible design as you discover,

Her love to Mid-Century Modern Design, Art, Fashion and Architecture is always present. Nicole gives always a time in her multiple exciting trips to visit structures, places and spaces designed and lived in that era. Of course, the fashions have to be to the time!, but with a modern twist! Location: Palm Springs mid-century modern private residence Vintage floral dress Hair: Read Brown Salon Makeup: Nicole Photographer: Dre Naylor
Her love to Mid-Century Modern Design, Art, Fashion and Architecture is always present. Nicole gives always a time in her multiple exciting trips to visit structures, places and spaces designed and lived in that era. Of course, the fashions have to be to the time!, but with a modern twist!
Location: Palm Springs mid-century modern private residence
Vintage floral dress
Hair: Read Brown Salon
Makeup: Nicole
Photographer: Dre Naylor

And much more Modern Era, with all it’s perks and details. Tastefully captured, and stylishly set.

The domestic life always will be present in her trips, that is where all reside, to meet and know the locals, to find the essence of a place… Location: Palm Springs, airstream park Hair by: Read Brown Salon Makeup by: Nicole Floral corset and Capri pants by: Louise of Positano Photographer: Dre Naylor
The domestic life always will be present in her trips, that is where all reside, to meet and know the locals, to find the essence of a place…
Location: Palm Springs, airstream park
Hair by: Read Brown Salon
Makeup by: Nicole
Floral corset and Capri pants by: Louise of Positano
Photographer: Dre Naylor

Within the travels, she finds those places with unique, very unique style that match her thirst to design and style. “Oscar, finding those places always makes sense to my life and my travels, it’s the essence of the time, and a style perhaps long gone?”, once she told me.

The location, the place where you rest your head as you have experienced a location is key. It is all a true and valuable experience! Location: The Parker- Palm Springs vintage dress: Vintage by Misty hair: Read Brown Hair Salon Photographer: Dre Naylor
The location, the place where you rest your head as you have experienced a location is key. It is all a true and valuable experience!
Location: The Parker- Palm Springs
vintage dress: Vintage by Misty
hair: Read Brown Hair Salon
Photographer: Dre Naylor

Now, many months later and having conquered almost all continents and all hemispheres, as you see here on this blog post, Nicole has collected not only experiences she is writing about and soon she will launch a YouTube channel with a video journal about her travels, but also she found and understood the traveler she wants to speak to. The sophisticated and elegant traveler that needs and requires comfort but keeping the design aesthetics and fashion design on the forefront, or course!

The place she calls home, plus dressed "a-la Eiffel Tower", of course!
NICOLE IN PARIS

The story had to go on, and had to keep feeding the now global audience, so Nicole went to the places she loves and the new ones she found and she wanted to experience.

Once she told me, that is the place! - my home away from home, or actually, my home, Paris! Location: Louvre pyramid I.M. Pei design Outfit designed by: First-Class Belongings with fabrics from Mood NyC Photographer: Nathan Ishar
Once she told me, that is the place! – my home away from home, or actually, my home, Paris!
Location: Louvre pyramid I.M. Pei design
Outfit designed by: First-Class Belongings with fabrics from Mood NyC
Photographer: Nathan Ishar
Nicole had consider Paris her home to cross the other continents and she considers as well, that the city of lights always call her back.
FORM PARIS WITH LOVE Outfit designed by: First-Class Belongings with fabrics from Mood NyC
Photographer: Nathan Ishar

Then the experience took off and many places visited and many hours and days and experiences lived. Well, of course is not the end yet, there is more to come, and here is a recount of some places. The best way to find Nicole, is by simple search #firstclassbelongings on your search engine.

 

VIsiting a half of her roots was just synergy to go back and create an essence of the time and the place, the costumes and the spaces. Mexico City Hair by: Maria Mexican print dress: Vintage by Misty Photographer: Valeria Castillo for Flytographer
VIsiting a half of her roots was just synergy to go back and create an essence of the time and the place, the costumes and the spaces.
Mexico City
Hair by: Maria
Mexican print dress: Vintage by Misty
Photographer: Valeria Castillo for Flytographer

 

Once we chatted and I asked her if it was too much work to do all this and get ready, and produce these incredible images and experiences, she replied; - "No, it is and it's not, it is life for the a luxury traveler, is the know how and the get there, it is a life experience, an invaluable one" Location: Capri, Italy Faraglioni Photographer: Umberto D'aniello Caftan designer unknown
Once we chatted and I asked her if it was too much work to do all this and get ready, and produce these incredible images and experiences, she replied; – “No, it is and it’s not, it is life for the a luxury traveler, is the know how and the get there, it is a life experience, an invaluable one”
Location: Capri, Italy Faraglioni
Photographer: Umberto D’aniello
Caftan designer unknown
Nicole makes sure that the place she visits feels like home, and creates a conversation with the place and the locals alike.
EVERYDAY LIFE Nicole makes sure that the place she visits feels like home, and creates a conversation with the place and the locals alike.

A bow to places that are emotional and mean to all of us! From first hand, you can read on her social media her reactions to the first encounter with them.

Her diary talks about her emotions and feeling s at the time she places herself in a place where experiences of others have been written, and this one is one of them. Read her comments about this moment on her social media outlets #firstclassbelongings Location: Holocaust Memorial Berlin, Germany Hair and makeup: Nicole Photographer: Rene Fietzek
Her diary talks about her emotions and feeling s at the time she places herself in a place where experiences of others have been written, and this one is one of them.
Read her comments about this moment on her social media outlets #firstclassbelongings
Location: Holocaust Memorial Berlin, Germany
Hair and makeup: Nicole
Photographer: Rene Fietzek

 

 

THE NEVER ENDING TRAVELER
The never ending feeling of a traveler, the experience outside your door.Location: Holocaust Memorial Berlin, Germany Hair and makeup: Nicole Photographer: Nathan Ishar

And farther out from home she went! – visiting once again a place that is simply the roots of her love to the far lands of Asia, more so Japan. Giving herself time to create an editorial at iconic places in the long thin island, from the more traditional and inspirational Japan, to the modern and always changing Japanese pop-culture.

Perhaps one of my favorite editorials from First Class Belongings. The Modern Japan, the playful pop-culture and every incisively entertaining colorful new Japan. Tokyo, Japan Location: Shibuya Crossing Stylist: Halka Hair: Uco Makeup: Shihomi Photographer: Kentaro Minami
Perhaps one of my favorite editorials from First Class Belongings. The Modern Japan, the playful pop-culture and every incisively entertaining colorful new Japan.
Tokyo, Japan
Location: Shibuya Crossing
Stylist: Halka
Hair: Uco
Makeup: Shihomi
Photographer: Kentaro Minami

 

To me? Nicole-Heika….as her trips makes her royal!...Perhaps one of my favorite editorials from First Class Belongings. The Modern Japan, the playful pop-culture and every incisively entertaining colorful new Japan. Tokyo, Japan Location: Shibuya Crossing Stylist: Halka Hair: Uco Makeup: Shihomi Photographer: Kentaro Minami
To me? Nicole-Heika….as her trips makes her royal!…Perhaps one of my favorite editorials from First Class Belongings. The Modern Japan, the playful pop-culture and every incisively entertaining colorful new Japan.
Tokyo, Japan
Location: Shibuya Crossing
Stylist: Halka
Hair: Uco
Makeup: Shihomi
Photographer: Kentaro Minami
- "Asia a vast continent", she says, but I feel home, or they make you feel home.
WALKING WITH ELEPHANTS – “Asia a vast continent”, she says, but I feel home, or they make you feel home.

 

Having designed hundreds of garments, and accessories, as well curated vintage fashion purchased in distant places or gathered in sophisticated vintage stores where she shops, she decided for the first time to host a POP-OP SHOP! – yes, she is planning to have a sale of her incredible finds and designs she has worked on for her exotic trips.

Spaces and Places any modernist would love to experience are now part of Nicole's portfolio, as well as the clothes and garments she is worn for each of there incredible exotic and distant trips. Helsinki Finland Clothes designed by First-Class Belongings with Marimekko fabrics Photographer: Karolina Baszaraiewicz for Flytographer
Spaces and Places any modernist would love to experience are now part of Nicole’s portfolio, as well as the clothes and garments she is worn for each of there incredible exotic and distant trips.
Helsinki Finland
Clothes designed by First-Class Belongings with Marimekko fabrics
Photographer: Karolina Baszaraiewicz for Flytographer

There will always be experiences to narrate, and so it will be this one, in Turkey. When you see Nicole, ask her about it, much to tell.

The making of an editorial while getting to know the location, even with photographers that know the are could bring surprises you just will have to listen from Nicole. Location: The Blue Mosque, Istanbul Turkey Hair: Mehmet Tatli Hair Salon Caftan: Vintage by Misty Photographer: Ufuk Sarisen for Flytographer
The making of an editorial while getting to know the location, even with photographers that know the are could bring surprises you just will have to listen from Nicole.
Location: The Blue Mosque, Istanbul Turkey Hair: Mehmet Tatli Hair Salon
Caftan: Vintage by Misty
Photographer: Ufuk Sarisen for Flytographer

There will be an opening this November 14th from 10am-7pm  at Vintage by Misty in downtown Scottsdale 7046 E 5th Ave, 85251 where you will be able to meet and greet the design oriented world traveler, and acquire her pieces, but best of all? you will be able to briefly meet with her and hear the stories of her adventures in all these distant places, all the moments she has captured in her memories and better yet, listen from her kind persona what is coming next for First Class Belongings and where is she heading to this winter and subsequent seasons.

Nicole is ready to take-off in few days, but wants to make sure she is able to sale some of her current treasures, there is more to see, more places to go and more to narrate.
Nicole is ready to take-off in few days, but wants to make sure she is able to sale some of her current treasures, there is more to see, more places to go and more to narrate.

 

This Saturday November 14th/2015 from 10am to 7pm, our Nicole will have a sale of her incredible collection and will tell stories of her exotic stylish trips. Visit www.vintagebymisty.com for more information and details.
This Saturday November 14th/2015 from 10am to 7pm, our Nicole will have a sale of her incredible collection and will tell stories of her exotic stylish trips.
Visit http://www.vintagebymisty.com for more information and details.

When thinking about traveling in style, of course, Nicole of First Class Belongings is your best guide, trust me!

Always in style,

Oscar-

DISCLAIMER:  All ideas, photography, styling and media on this blog photography, written or video  are exclusive for the use of  Oscar De las salas under www.whatwouldoscardo.com blog. Any use, copy, crop/paste action, or any similarity of this material is strictly prohibited unless authorized by http://www.whatwouldoscardo.com or by Author. All Copyrights laws for internet or media use are applicable. If you want, need or require any of this material for any reason please contact my agent – Always in style – Oscar.)

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