One of Sofia Coppola’s favorite photographers, Diego Uchitel, included her portraits in his recent book, Polaroids, and I love the romantic aspect he captured. I also love the Polaroids he made of Sofia’s cousin, Jason Schwartzman, très drôle. Born in Buenos Aires, Uchitel began his artistic journey photographing the patients from his father’s medical practice before studying film briefly at University of California Los Angeles. He abandoned school to pursue his love of photography and never looked back, and moved to New York after a decade in California.

Uchitel explains his motivation as a photographer: “It has always been important for me to have my own style and stay true to it over the years. People describe my aesthetic as painterly, elegant, and classic. I am most fulfilled when I look at a photo that I took twenty or thirty years ago and it feels and looks like yesterday. Not always easy to achieve in Polaroid — or in the world of fashion.” When asked why Polaroid photography? Uchitel replied, “I love the amazing tonality of Polaroids and complete lack of pretense... I think people are missing out on the thrill of anticipation that Polaroids forced on its shooters. Those seemingly forever minutes waiting for the image to develop and the crazy effects that can happen in that process are lost. The spontaneity of Polaroids — not being able to retouch them — made them so pure. I miss that aspect in the digital age where everything is completely manipulated and retouched, and the integrity of the image disappears pretty fast.”

Uchitel's work has been featured in publications such as Elle, Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Hommes, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, D, and Rolling Stone, and his lengthy advertising client list includes Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Victoria's Secret, Diane von Furstenberg, Neiman Marcus, Warner Brothers, Nike, Levi's, and Microsoft. His new book Polaroids collects his favorite photographs taken from 1982 to 2006; among his subjects are Gabriel Byrne, Lazaro Hernandez, Jack McCollough, Julianne Moore, Quentin Tarantino, Mary Louise Parker, and David Bowie as well as the portraits shown here of Sofia Coppola and Jason Schwartzman. 

Diego Uchitel is passionate about Instagram and also has a Twitter presence so follow him to watch his work in progress.

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Diego Uchitel photographs courtesy of diegouchitel.com and instagram/elietahari

When asked about her style icons, Sofia Coppola shared her admiration for Aurore Clément: “The seventies seemed like such a glamorous time. It was before sportswear became normal; women didn't wear sneakers. There was a romance and a decadence to the way those women looked that I found very appealing. I remember being impressed by the French actress Aurore Clément, who was married to my dad's production designer Dean Tavoularis and was a friend of the family's. I think she even posed for Helmut Newton when she was younger, and she epitomized a certain kind of sophisticated French beauty. She would wear Yves Saint Laurent — not the super-sexy slash-necked looks but silk pleated skirts with a little blouse and round, flat shoes. She was very chic.”

Sofia Coppola went on to cast Aurore Clément in the role of the “Duchesse de Chartres” in her film Marie Antoinette, perhaps atoning for the fact that her father, Francis Ford Coppola, cut all of Clément’s scenes from what would have been her first appearance in an American movie, Apocalypse Now. The time that Mademoiselle Clément spent working on Apocalypse Now was not a total loss, however, as she was destined to meet her husband on the set and her scenes were later restored in Apocalypse Now Redux.

Born Marie-Thérèse Aurore Louise Clément in 1945 in Soissons, France, she modeled before making her acting debut as “France Horn” in the 1974 film Lacombe Lucien after Louis Malle spotted her on the cover of Elle. Clément is widely recognized for her portrayal of “Anne” in Paris, Texas by Wim Wenders which was awarded the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Also notable is the fact that she appeared in Stan the Flasher, the last film made by Serge Gainsbourg. Of her own style, Clément says she prefers white clothing: "Wearing white makes you stronger.” One can easily see why Sofia Coppola finds style inspiration in this chic and accomplished woman.

Sofia Coppola and Aurore Clément photographs courtesy of davidvalteau.com, toutlecine.com, © Tony Korody/Sygma/Corbis, wireimage.com, Getty Images, actustar.com

In the comfy chic category, Sofia Coppola prefers the simple and elegant t-shirt dress designed by Alexander Wang. In fact, she confessed to Self Service that she owns a few of them when listing her essentials, "I like basic ones: white, black, or I have a gray with navy stripes." Famous for his signature style fondly known as "model-off-duty," Alexander Wang is a rising star in the fashion world, garnering numerous awards despite being a mere 28 years of age and a college dropout. Wang was born and reared in San Francisco before moving to New York for a year at Parsons and internships with Teen Vogue and Marc Jacobs. After this experience, he decided to trust his intuition and launch his own line which has met with great success. What inspired Wang to launch his eponymous label at such a tender age? He explains, “I went with my instinct and created clothes people can wear — brought back something missing in the industry; cashmere basics, that perfect motorcycle jacket, or that little black dress. I was able to connect with my customer and it's been going really well... Marc Jacobs said something really inspirational to me once; 'Give them something that's going to take time to sink in. By the time they get it, change it again — you've got to keep them guessing!'” Sofia is pictured here in 2006 wearing an Alexander Wang t-shirt dress in black, pregnant with her little dove, Romy.

Sofia Coppola photographs courtesy of laineygossip.com.

Let’s borrow Sofia Coppola’s ears and discover one of her favorite bands — the Trippple Nippples! An electropop, art rock outfit from Tokyo, Japan, Trippple Nippples formed in 2005. The members of the group are Qrea Nippple, Yuka Nippple, and Nabe Nippple on vocals supported by Joseph Lamont on electronics and bass, Jimmy Masheder on electronics and guitar, and Eddy Clay on drums. Prior to forming the band, the group spent time bonding on the sunny beaches of Mexico where they crossed paths with a brujo (or in English, witch doctor). Qrea reflects, “He said we are fated to be together, and said something about music. And here we are now. We don’t exactly know who he was, but we will go back there again soon. We have to.”

Trippple Nippples are infamous for their outrageous live shows which in some cases have resulted in their being banned from venues. There is absolutely no modesty with this group which strives to create true shock and awe performance art with every prop imaginable: body latex paint, nipple tape, diapers, headdresses, feathers, glitter, even hot dogs. When the Trippple Nippples bring the show to your town, brace yourself for kinetic energy and OMG-WTF?! One listener describes their memorable performance thusly: "It's like hearing a clock factory copulating with a toy shop, then having a cake fight."

But all of this mayhem translates perfectly with their music. Listen to L.S.D. or M.I.A.M.I. and you will hear catchy tracks that are hyper to the point of explosion! Both are silly, colorful collages of screaming Japanese tribal cheerleaders. 深圳 Shenzhen is electropop at its finest with beautiful, soothing synths and a killer hook. Their newest video, Quetzalcoatl, is purely primal, awakening your inner warrior orisha (spirit) with prayer-like chants and drums that speak to each other. Yuka explains “Once upon a time we were all warriors! It's in the blood, can't you feel it every now and then?” Yes, Yuka, I totally feel it.

Pharrell Williams is a major Trippple Nippples fan, too. He had heard about the Nippps’ wild performances and decided to feature the group's live show in the documentary Tokyo Rising, a series of videos dedicated to the return of Williams to Japan after 3/11. Turns out that Williams was so impressed that they have promised to collaborate musically some time this year. Stay tuned for much more wacky sound to come from the Trippple Nippples!

Trippple Nippples photographs courtesy of heartymagazine.com, soundcloud.com, shanghaiist.com, biginjapan.com.au

In the March 2012 issue of Vanity Fair, Sofia Coppola offered her beauty picks including her favorite toothpaste, Elmex. Created by GABA International in Switzerland in 1962, Elmex was the first toothpaste developed to guard against dental caries using the secret weapon olaflur, or organic amine fluoride, which is absorbed by the dental enamel, mineralizing and protecting the teeth by increasing resistance to potential cavities. For beautiful teeth like Sofia's, remember to brush after every meal and floss daily for healthy gums, and consider brushing with Elmex, Sofia's preferred paste in the battle for perfect genetic hygiene.

Elmex image © 2012 GABA International. Sofia Coppola photograph courtesy of Fashion Spot.

There is no question Sofia Coppola has great style. But she also has great hair! Whether she wears it short or long, straight or wavy, her hair always has a natural, healthy sheen to it. What is her secret? Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Oil.

For over forty years, Dr. Hauschka has offered a natural, holistic approach to skincare making it one of the world’s most famous and trusted organic brands. Each product is created using ingredients grown in Dr. Hauschka’s biodynamic gardens in South Germany. Biodynamics is a holistic, sustainable form of agriculture that focuses on the unique rhythmic patterns of nature. This process produces the highest quality natural ingredients without the use of synthetic additives or stabilizers creating a truly holistic skin care line. Dr. Hauschka’s goal is to activate the skin’s natural healing process and to address the underlying problems rather than masking the symptoms.

Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Oil is ideal for all hair types and provides intensive care for chemically treated or dry, brittle hair. This restorative oil soothes irritated skin, stimulates circulation, encourages hair growth, softens dry hair, and strengthens fine hair. Hair becomes softer, more manageable, with a natural shine. Wheat germ and rosemary essential oil work together to protect and invigorate the scalp while neem leaf and chamomile extract calm and nourish the hair adding body and luster.

Having recently been taken from a level 3 to a 7 in hair color (1 being black and 10 light blonde), my stylist made me promise and pinky swear to deep condition my hair at least once a week. After doing some research on this product for IWTBAC I decided to make good on my promise and try Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Oil as my deep conditioning treatment. Immediately after the first treatment my hair felt incredibly soft, strong, and shiny with tons of volume!  Also, I absolutely love the scent! Neem oil on its own has a nutty aroma much like the smell of garlic, but I find that the herbal scents of chamomile and rosemary camouflage the intensely bitter odor, giving it a slight medicinal twist.

For a deep treatment, use Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Oil before shampooing. Start with damp, warm hair and massage a few drops of the oil into your scalp, then comb it through your hair and wrap your head with a towel. The length of time for your treatment depends on the needs of your hair. For fine hair, leave the oil in for 20 to 30 minutes; for dry hair: leave it in for 30 to 60 minutes. Alternatively, you can leave the treatment in your hair overnight. Finish by shampooing, conditioning, and styling as normal. Enjoy your new tresses à la Sofia!

Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Oil photograph courtesy of Amazon. Sofia Coppola photograph © 2004 Condé Nast

Early on, Sofia Coppola explored different career options. From painting to fashion design, photography to filmmaking, her varied interests have led to quite an extensive art collection. One of her favorites artists in this collection is Japanese photographer Takashi Homma.

In the late 1980s, Homma started out as a photographer for various advertising campaigns and editorials for fashion magazines such as i-D. In 1998, he won the prestigious Kimura Ihei Award for Tokyo Suburbia. This collection influenced Japanese photographic expression using images of empty suburban landscapes with the youth that roam its streets. Homma’s photographic style lies in the detachment — even though we have taught ourselves to ignore these unremarkable spaces, a scene from the everyday can be beautiful and cinematic.

With Tokyo and my Daughter we see a shift from the emptiness of suburban landscapes to scenes from Homma’s inner world. This work focuses on beautifully intimate interior shots and portraits of a father and daughter’s life in the city. Even though the girl in the series is not Homma’s daughter, he still manages to capture that special bond between a father and daughter.

Homma provided an introduction for Sofia’s photobook titled SC 2003: (Some Pictures from This Past Year). Published only in Japan, Sofia snaps fifteen colorful images of her friends and family including mother Eleanor, brother Roman, niece Gia, cousin Jason Schwartzman, then husband Spike Jonze, Kirsten Dunst, and Marc Jacobs.

More recently Homma turned his lens towards nature with New Waves. The waves from the North Shore in Hawaii provide Homma with endless opportunities to photograph their changing appearances. Takashi Homma blogs at Between the Books.

Takashi Homma photographs © 2011 Takashi Homma. All Rights Reserved.

Mario Badescu has quite the client list ranging from Liv Tyler to Lil Kim, from Julia Restoin-Roitfeld to our very own Sofia Coppola. They all flock to his skin care line seeking healthy, luscious, and radiant skin. Sofia’s favorite Mario Badescu product is the Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater. This little gem is all natural, listing its main ingredients as aloe vera gel, bladderwrack (a seaweed rich in minerals), and herbal, rose, and gardenia extracts. The light aromatic mist hydrates dry, tight, and uncomfortable skin leaving a dewy glowing appearance.

With all the celebrity endorsements and a favorable review from Paula Begoun, the "Cosmetics Cop," I really want to like Mario Badescu, but he has failed me in the past. You see, I have purchased the Hyaluronic Eye Cream, the Whitening Mask, and the Drying Lotion and now they sit in the bathroom drawer devoted to failed beauty products. However, when Kellina assigned this Favorite I decided to give Mario Badescu another chance because I love Sofia’s clear complexion. Well, this product won me over — I use it before applying my daily moisturizer and again at night. I have noticed my skin is softer and smoother and does not flake anymore. The Facial Spray definitely came in handy during the extreme temperatures this summer, providing a perfect cooling blast of moisture. You can also use it to set makeup or refresh your dry hair.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray image courtesy of Amazon. Sofia Coppola photograph courtesy of ibtimes.com.

The banner illustration for I Want To Be A Coppola by Hogan McLaughlin is inspired by a photograph of Sofia Coppola taken at the 2010 Venice Film Festival’s premiere of Somewhere. In the photo, the director opts for classic glamour wearing Louis Vuitton from head to toe — a dark floral print with a sweetheart neckline from the 2011 Resort collection, a clutch of her own design, and the Syracusa wedge sandal.

I love how Sofia wore this particular shoe to several events at the festival. When you truly love an item and it looks amazing on you, why would you wear anything else? The beauty of these suede wedge sandals is in the details, the curvaceous lines and the delicate bow adorned with the golden LV logo add subtle glamour to any outfit.

At the daytime press conference, Sofia goes for garçon chic, pairing the Syracusa wedge with another favorite, a Charvet shirt, tailored shorts, and a different bag of her own design for Louis Vuitton. On closing night, Sofia looks beautiful wearing a floral print cocktail dress with her beloved Syracusa wedges to accept the festival’s Golden Lion award.

Louis Vuitton Syracusa Wedge Sandal photograph courtesy of louisvuitton.com. All Rights Reserved.
Sofia Coppola photographs © 2010 Abaca and courtesy of zimbio.com and telegraph.co.uk. All Rights Reserved.

Milkfed, or ミルクフェド in Japanese, is Sofia Coppola's clothing line which is sold exclusively in Japan. She started the label in 1994, and it is still very popular in Japan. The shops are called Heaven 27 and the flagship store is located in Harajuku. Sofia describes the inspiration behind Milkfed: "I always wanted to be a designer, but I didn't think I knew enough. When I helped Kim Gordon and Daisy von Furth put on the X-Girl show in SoHo, I discovered they didn't know how to sew, either. I realized I admire people who just jump into things and do it. So I started this with Linda Meltzer who has a line out of L.A. called Tease Tee's; she did the first shrunken T-shirts, which became know as 'baby Ts.' I designed the clothes and she's the grown-up; she put the rest of it together."

The Milkfed collection is very feminine and colorful and the cuts are simple yet chic. The clothes are fun but also practical: sundresses, tunics, shorts, and an extensive line of tshirts. Milkfed also carries various accessories, such as umbrellas adorned with heart-shaped patterns, knee high socks, delicate pendants and earrings, shoes, canvas totes, and swimsuits. As Sofia explained her fashion philosophy when Milkfed launched: "I'm more into the 'Mom sensibility' than the little girl thing. I'm sick of all the A-line minis. I did one skirt just above the knee — it's a bit Calviny. I guess it's a bit fashion victimy. 'The Lady Skirt.' It's a silk charmeuse slip with a tiny bit of lace at the hem. Do I sound like a fashion designer now? I'm starting to do all that corny talk!... You know, most clothes in this price range are pretty generic. The Gap all looks the same. My clothes are definitely different. Now my father wants to know when I'm going to do my perfume!"

The boutique itself is alluring and girlie, with plush sofas and rugs, dainty display cases, and full-length mirrors. The shop is decorated with some of Sofia's photography and keepsakes, cupcake-themed trinkets, and her cute cans of Sofia Mini sparkling wine. Her photo and film-related books are sold there on occasion in Japanese. I love going to Milkfed in Harajuku. Not only is it located on a beautiful, quiet street, but it is also a mini Sofia museum and everything in the shop is so gorgeous. Watch this brief video with Sofia Coppola about Milkfed or browse the photo gallery for more.

Lisa Ann, Amanda de Cadenet, Sofia Coppola, and Zoe Cassavetes wearing Milkfed clothes photographed by Paul Jasmine for W (December 1994).

Sofia Coppola photographs courtesy of Seventeen Magazine, flickr.com/glowingstar, anacecilia.com.au, © B's International, tumblr.com, and milkfed.jp.