I Always Wanted To Be A Tenenbaum

If you've known me in any capacity, you know that I have an affinity for Wes Anderson. One of my all-time favorite films is The Royal Tenenbaums. The Aberdeen Marina Club, a fancy family club that my dad used to run in Hong Kong, had a video store where members could rent films & TV shows. We lived in the penthouse of the main building and I used to spend my childhood summers renting everything & anything I could get my hands on. Joyce, the lovely lady who ran the video store, made that easy & let me get away with renting whatever my curious little heart desired, even though I was only 11. This is where my love of film & mature thematic material rapidly developed. 

I watched The Royal Tenenbaums & although I didn't quite understand it at first, I was in awe. Anderson's style stood out so strongly to me. The characters drew me in so much, even though I was only a child. As an adult, this movie means more to me than ever. Watching it now, I pick up on so many layers of deeper meaning in the plot and character development. I've seen it over upwards of 50+ times but I still manage to discover something new & magical every time I see it.

So, in the fit of a stress that I've been tangled in lately, I decided that I wanted to find 111 Archer Avenue because it's a part of what makes me who I am. I knew that it was somewhere in New York but I wasn't quite sure where, so after hours of heavy research & mapping out the specific coordinates(JK I Googled it in 2 seconds), I found out that it was on the corner of Covent Avenue and 144th Street in Harlem. 

I woke up early on a day that I didn't have to be at work until noon, hopped on the subway, walked the wrong direction for half a mile, turned around & there it was. I just stood there & smiled like a little kid who just arrived at Disney for the first time. It's a stunning home & such a strong part of the film's aesthetic. Everyone in the neighborhood was just walking past it like it was any old house & I just wanted to yell at them & be like, "UH, HI, DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE STANDING NEXT TO? ARE YOU BLIND OR SOMETHING? DON'T YOU KNOW WHO MARGOT TENENBAUM IS?" 

Standing in front of that house really meant something to me. It honestly inspired me. I know it might sound dumb to some people because it's just a film that came out in 2001 & it's just a house that was in a movie one time. But this movie really shaped me. I think in some way, it molded me at a young age & effected how my mind works. I think it will always be special to me. I'm really glad that I woke up early & ventured to Harlem to find the house that Royal Tenenbaum bought in the winter of his thirty-fifth year.

Oh & right across the street was Eli Cash's house.

Love,

A

 

Details: t-shirt: American Apparel // midi skirt: H&M

sunnies: H&M // sandals: Steve Madden // 

bracelet: Madewell //

Role Models

5. Jordana Bevan // Yasmin Paige // Submarine // 2010

   Whenever I used to wear this red coat, I would feel very 'Jordana'. I love everything about her character in Submarine. She is so multidimensional and I can't help but relate to her. Sarcasm radiates from her core, and she just wants to be loved like everyone else. Also, basically no one in the world can rock the mushroom bob quite like she can.

4. Vickie Miner // Janeane Garofalo // Reality Bites // 1994 

 

   When my hair was a bit longer, I constantly felt like I was channeling Vickie from Reality Bites. Sometimes I can totally agree with her 'Fuck you' attitude, and I still wish I could have bought a pair of jeans from her at the GAP. I honestly recommend these baby bangs to anyone who is looking to change their current cut. They are surprisingly easy to pull off, but they do require quite a lot of upkeep.

3. Andie Walsh // Molly Ringwald // Pretty In Pink // 1986

 

   I mean, just take a good look at that amazing Peter Pan collar and her messy, cropped hair and you'll know why Andie Walsh made #3 on the list. Pretty in Pink is absolutely spectacular and although I think that Andie should have been with Duckie right off the bat, I understand the allure of Blane. Andie is the girl next door with a quirky edge, and I just love that about her.

2. Josie Geller // Drew Barrymore // Never Been Kissed // 1999

  I've said this before, and I will say it again: I have a super massive girl crush on Drew Barrymore. I can't quite pin point what it is that makes me love her so much, but I do. There's something so endearing about her character, Josie, in Never Been Kissed. She is brilliant, but cripplingly awkward. Nevertheless, if I had the chance to go back and experience high school again, I probably wouldn't have come out of it with Michael Vartan. Say it with me girls, "I'm not Josie Grossie anymore."

1. Mary Katherine Gallagher // Molly Shannon // Superstar // 1999

 

  
   Mary Katherine Gallagher is what I call, "my spirit animal". Although my Catholic school girl uniform wasn't as amazing as hers, I still relate to MKG and Superstar on an embarrassing amount of levels. She & I are both dreamers who are sometimes oblivious to social conventions. I'll forever try to mirror her quick wit and snappy comebacks, but will always stay clear of making out with trees (at least when nuns are around).


Aisha xx

Who are your fictional role models?