Couple of things before I get into the umbrellas below.
First of all, I hope everyone made it through the hurricane as best as possible. Particularly those in flooded areas. Not a good situation.
Secondly. As the blog has grown a little quicker than I had initially anticipated, there's been some maintenance going on in the background. Which answers the question as to why the posting hasn't been as frequent lately. I should be back into more of a regular routine towards the end of this week or into the beginning of next. Consequently, you'll most likely be noticing some new blog elements popping up here and there with regard to the format, the layout, the columns, and whatever else. Thanks for your patience while the blog grows.
Now. The inspiration below I think is obvious. It's an often overlooked item. Substituted perpetually, and I'm guilty of this as well, by three dolar versions from a stand on the corner. Which inevitably go inside out. If not in minutes. But actually, there is an entire umbrella universe out there. Tons to choose from in terms of design. And even some people who border on having complete mental obsessions with them. Particularly vintage ones, believe it or not. So I tried to get the best sample platter possible. There is even one for the boys at the bottom. As they've been neglected on the blog lately, but that will be changing shortly I think. It's a real man's man umbrella. Shoulder slung and all. I love it.
Thomas-Michael
www.lisastickleylondon.com Polka Dots: ...maybe you just want some polka dot plates. 
www.paper-source.com Polka Dots: ...or an environmentally friendly polka dot ceramic coffee cup. 
www.katespade.com Polka Dots: ...you'd need this polka dot I-Phone cover from Kate Spade of course(with your coffee cup). 
www.dolcegabbana.com Polka Dots: ...to fashion where the inspiration came. Here's the Dolce And Gabbana Fall 2011 Ad Campaign(polka stars I think). 
www.dolcegabbana.com Polka Dots: ...and on the runway more polka stars with Dolce(kind of regal polka on the skirt). 
www.sergiorossi.com Polka Dots: ...paired naturally with some Sergio Rossi polka dot shoes. 
www.laviecestyeye.blogspot.com Polka Dots: ...and a specialized polka dot collar from La Vie C'est Yeye. 
www.weheartit.com Polka Dots: ...had to have one period black and white polka dot photograph. 
waldemarhansson.com Fashion Photography, Movement And Contradiction. Waldemar Hansson. This was the image that originally gave me the idea for the post. In a way, it's so still. The stong definitive sense of a geometrical composition. But then there is the immediacy of that tilt. Like she is frozen, but about the lean over. The handrail is solid and static, but also feels like it's moving along perspectival tracks. Like a train passing through the image.
assemblynewyork.tumblr.comFashion Photography, Movement And Contradiction. Guy Bourdin. Even more subtle. Everything is natural save the tilt of the head. The angle is so dramatic that it almost seems uncanny, thus creating a sense of emotional immediacy and suddenness within the perception of the image. 
coupdegrace.tumblr.com Fashion Photography, Movement And Contradiction. The vibration created by seeing two distinct images at once. Both completely still. 
petrovskyramone.com Fashion Photography, Movement And Contradiction. Petrovsky & Ramone. Similar to the previous image in the sense that there is an overlay. The lights. Somehow that simple overlay of white dots immediately produces a sense of motion. Yet the image itself is almost entirely flat black. 
Fashion Photography, Movement And Contradiction. And lastly, anticipation. Maybe trajectory is a better word. It's so quiet and still, yet the immediate sense is her prior or eventual movement. 
modern-twist.eu Contemporary Art And Design, Rex Ray. This one is a placemat design. It could be so many things, couldn't it. 
modwalls.com Contemporary Art And Design, Rex Ray. And finally some subway tiles for the wall. I love information inspired design. 
chanel.com Early Autumn Fall Color Inspiration. Finally, a hint of fashion. Beautiful golds and browns mixed in with Chanel. I love how they are pulling cultural influence from Egypt and the Byzantine into the season to achieve the palette. 
