Best Dressed of the Weekend: New Year's Edition
JustJared, Celebrity-Gossip

Happy New Year everyone!

Things have been so slow in the celebrity spotting department but it's nice to take a break from work and blogging so I guess it's suited me. I am slowly going back to business –flying back to London tomorrow– so I wanted to start the new year with my Best Dressed of the Weekend post.

I did not have a lot of choice but I did really want to make this post, if only for Rihanna. I absolutely loved the black see-through Tom Ford number she wore on New Year's Eve –a kind of leopard print lace dress with long sleeves and a velvet belt. What makes me love this look is the fact that even though it's totally see-through (you can see Riri's bazooms) she actually looks super classy with a touch of cool. I also love the shoes and the make up. Perhaps only the hair could have been a little better. I am not too keen on having all the curls forward.

It's also Rihanna, this time in Alexander Wang, that has second place this week. I seriously can't get enough of her luxurious take on sportswear. It's just genius –and very SS12.

And last it's Lady Gaga channeling a bit of Marilyn Monroe in Stéphane Rolland Couture on New Year's Eve. I love a bit of crazy Gaga fashion but it's also nice to see her wearing something a bit more normal (in her book anyway) for a change.

Know Wear

If I told you that Stephanie LaCava took a plane from New York to Paris on Friday evening, then a Eurostar train from the French capital to London, and barely had any sleep or time to change you wouldn't believe me. She looked as fresh as she would have after a full night sleep and her outfit was exquisitely put together.

Stephanie –who until yesterday was a LFW virgin, can you believe it?– was wearing a custom made Zac Posen white tuxedo jacket with black lapels (it fit her like a glove!), a black short Alexander Wang dress, and an unbelievable pair of Manolos.

There was something very Audrey Hepburn about this look. Perhaps not literally but I feel like if she had lived this new era of fashion she would have, like Stephanie, embraced and edgy and chic kind of aesthetic.

*Stay tuned: More daily looks from SLC are coming your way and tomorrow Know Wear will be co-hosting the Burberry live stream!

Style.com

Style.com

I did chuckle a little this morning when I saw the new Alexander Wang and Altuzarra collections. When I posted about this yesterday I never expected to actually be right.

To be completely honest, I don't hate these shoes. I think Altuzarra's lace-ups and Wang's ankle-tied shoes are really cool and sexy, even despite the weird heel height. I just wished they had made them in more of a cream or off-white colour. Alexander Wang should have just gone for black, no? Those shoes would look so kick-ass in black.

What do you think about these shoes? Would you wear them?

Don't you love it when celebrities really make an effort for their film tours? I do. I can't wait to see the new X-Men film for many reasons. For one, I am a big fan of the saga and, well, January Jones might have something to do with many others.

January, however, is not looking her best these days on the red carpet. And being pregnant is not an excuse as Jessica Alba has proven. Thankfully, Zoe Kravitz is there at every premiere to make up for Jones. She has always had a certain fashion flair but I've never taken much notice. Until now.

I am really into everything that she's worn so far. Specially the super modern Alex Wang silver velvet dress. There is something very 90's Calvin Klein about the silhouette but the fabric and the colour make it super interesting and I love the attitude Zoe wears it with.

And I might just be going to the totally obvious but she strikes me as a very Wang girl. In the same way that I think she would look so cool in many of Phillip Lim's and Proenza Schouler's designs. I didn't think she'd risk going full-length, given her shortness, but I am glad she did because one can only wear so many cute mini-skirts or cocktail dresses.

So I am hoping for plenty of looks as successful as the above. It's not every day that a true New Yorker gets to show off around the world.

[Style.com, JustJared, Net-a-Porter]

This is not the first time I post about fur heels. In fact, ever since I saw them for the first time at the fw11 Alexander Wang show they have kept growing on me.

Doing my daily tour around my usual sites I came across Aperlaï, a new shoe brand that Style.com has introduced this month. This is their second collection and I'm really keen on their designs. They're mostly very chunky heels of architectural shapes, which I find super interesting and edgy. I'm really hoping to see Giovanna Battglia or Viviana Volpicella in them during the next fashion month in September.

The collection also has more classic pieces like flats and slimmer heels. Amongst those I found the pair above, which instantly reminded me of Wang's idea. Even though I love the bicolour fur that covers the whole front of the shoe I still prefer Wang's smoother fur and peeking toe because it seems more chic.

Would you wear fur heels?

[Style.com, Polyvore]

A couple of days ago when I posted about the new issue of W I said how excited I was to see Alex Wang's apartment in New York and I haven't even had to wait more than 2 days or for the magazine to come to London to see he pictures.

I was firstly struck by the glossy decor. All the shiny black and silver and gold metallic detailing made me think that's what it must be like to live inside a Tom Ford perfume bottle. I expected a lot of black but more in the line with battered ebony furniture and lots of dark and grotesque ethnic figures. Minimalistic but with character.

The zebra rugs look almost tacky and the white lilies remind me of those stereotypical and bland Vogue offices. However, I did absolutely love some pieces like the A-shaped legs of his table and the croc dining chairs.

Seeing his actual flat it's easier to see how his latest FW11 collection takes on lounge and sportswear in such a luxurious way. Natasha Poly in a silk black gown and furry heels would fit right into Wang's apartment. 

[Style.com, RDuJour.com]

I have mentioned a couple of times in the past about how big a fan I am of the so called 'airport chic' style. There is something about dressing up or down or wearing odd clothes combinations that simply fascinates me. I have a lot of fun doing it myself and I even go as far as buying things I will only wear to fly (i.e. my Lanvin x H&M merino wool bottoms). I also keep a good folder of celebrity airport look pictures. My absolute favourites are Charlize Theron, who always looks so effortlessly stylish, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who will literally wear everything and anything paired with anything from a furry puppy to a vintage Kelly bag. I'm also quite keen on some of Victoria Beckham's and Rachel Bilson's looks as long as they're not too dramatic. And it's because of this that I'm fascinated with Lily Allen's latest look. She was recently seen at LAX carrying a Pegase 65 Louis Vuitton suitcase with the initials L.R.C. and one of Prada's Mexican delirium totes from this season. So I obviously went looking for my favourite travelling bags on line right away and this is the result.

1. Personalised Pegase 55 trolley @LouisVuitton.com , 2. Trussardi 1911 ethnic print bag @ Yoox.com, 3. Lanvin quilted leather suitcase @ Net-a-Porter, 4. Prada striped tote @ Saks.com, 5. Mulberry hot pint fold-up bag @Net-a-Porter, 6. Missoni travel bag @ Yoox.com, 7. Alexander Wang leather back pack @ BrownsFashion.com, 8. Personalised Keepall 55 @ Louis Vuitton.

I have to admit I have sometimes been slightly baffled with the names that brands give to some of their bags and that often spread to other designers eventually creating a kind of new category. We had the dufle and the satchel, which still made sense. Even the tote and the shopping bag did. I started getting a little lost with the hobo, which didn't sound very attractive. This summer's hit has to the the bucket bag; very appropriately named as it looks a lot like, well, a bucket only fastened at the top with a drawcord that might come in leather or chain. I love this shape not only because it's usually a good enough size to fit everything in but also because it works as both a boho chic beach and an urban cool bag. My absolute favourite's are Alaïa's, because the leather seems so delicately worked, and Bally's, because it's a slightly retro classic. Alexander Wang's is also very very cool but all the studs make it slightly heavier than it should be. Are you a fan of the bucket bag?

1. Azzedine Alaïa @ Matches, 2. Alexander Wang @ Net-a-Porter, 3. Bally @ Net-a-Porter,

4. Chloé @ Net-a-Porter, 5. Diane Von Furstemberg @ Net-a-Porter, 6. Stella McCartney @ Net-a-Porter.

I'm off.

[Pictures: As credited above]

Collage Sunday, 13.02.11: Anoraks and fluffy heels

That time that comes every six months that makes Giulia and I so happy is here again. Fashion Month kicked off last Wednesday in New York and we've already seen quite a lot of the usual NY blandness but also some of the genius names that show in the big apple. My favourites so far have been rather unexpected —Lyn Devon, Jenni Kayne, Jeremy Laing and Suno all amazed me in different ways, something which I rarely experience with NY shows. Rag & Bone keeps walking in a straight but really creative line and making collections full of hit. Alexander Wang and Joseph Altuzarra, two of my absolute favourites from NY, showed yesterday and I was happy to find many parallelisms between their collections.

Anoraks had been denied entrance to the fashion world for years until Remo Ruffini took control of Moncler and made Thom Browne creative director. The latter reinvented the idea of luxe sportswear and centred his collections for the French brand around anoraks cut in shapes and produced in fabrics that were previously only related to tailoring. The success of Moncler in changing its perception made everyone change their mind about anoraks, which has designers turn their efforts towards this garment and made it protagonist of several FW11 collections. Wang and Altuzarra have interpreted the anorak both in its traditional coat shape but also as parkas and capes or ponchos. Wang even went as far as making a tuxedo blazer out of it. The other common element on both collections, which will also become a trend if it hasn't already, are the furry heels we saw at both shows. I wonder if they are warm even though they're pretty much sandals. Although, if Prada's chandelier sandals were a hit, why not these?
I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com]

Gossip Girl Fashion: "Easy J"

I have decided to make of the Gossip Girl Fashion a more constant feature on soVIPzone seeing as I enjoy so much creating them and some of you guys seem to like them. I try not to go much into detail when it comes to the plot of the episode but I can't guarantee a 100% spoiler-free post either, so read on at your discretion.
"Easy J" (Season 4 Episode 6) has probably been one of the more fun episodes of this season. We kind of went back to the old GG plots where a million things happen at once even if there's no way you could fit all of that action in 24 hours. They change a lot as well. Let's start with Serena. She starts out the episode with a great outfit with some amazing pattern mixing going on. But the highlight of the episode has to be the Maxime Simoens two piece she wears to the party. It looks sort of Matrix-y on the model but Blake pulls it off incredibly well, making it look like something Victoria Beckham would make for her line.

Speaking of Victoria Beckham, that's exactly what Blair wears to the same party. And it's none but my favourite dress from the FW10 collection! I am surprised they don't put Blair in more form-hugging dresses. If you look at the dress from the back you can see how unbelievably well it fits her. It's classic, tasteful, refined and sexy. I want to see more of this Blair.

This episode was also full of fashion personalities. My favourite, of course, the legendary Tim Gunn playing himself. It is absolutely hilarious how he tries to act here and there. It doesn't really work but we love him anyway. I did love how he says to Jenny "that was bold" with the same singer-y tone he asks Project Runway designers to "make it work". A Tim Gunn tag line would have been extraordinary...! Something of a tagline was my favourite line from the episode. Jenny: "Yes, is it 100% vintage crazy-ass Blair". Who doesn't like a bad-ass fashion reference?

Isaac Mizrahi did the best work at acting. Although it's fair to say he was only on screen for a fourth of the time Tim Gunn is and he says about two words. In any case, look at that genuinely ecstatic face when he sees Lily, who, by the way, is wearing one of his designs. (Having industry on the show is starting to become a trend at this point).

The other popular face on the show was Ivanka Trump (and whoever she's married to) who looks fabulous in an Upper-East-Side take on the flapper. Also, she doesn't have to act because she is a Trump and we should be thankful just for having her on the show. NOTE: I loved that, for once, the party was at space with light instead of inside a dark hotel lounge.

These three totally crack me up. It absolutely escapes me how it makes sense to still have these childish scenarios when they're all in uni but I am so entertained by them. I especially love the fact that Penelope wears the same as the other two but in a different way, as to mark the difference in hierarchy. Them and Blair also had the best conversation of the episode:

Penelope- "The Boom Boom is a private club and we're having trouble with the guy at the door, can you help?"

Blair- "Penelope, this isn't Congress. Accomplish something!"

Eric's character is a bit of a mystery to me. He isn't always there and we don't really know what he does with his life apart from helping Jenny and being considerably shorter than all his cast members. It seems as if now that he's got a much needed haircut he is determined to become a mini-Dan. His body language speaks for himself.

And lastly, Blair in pyjamas. I can't remember well if we've seen a moment like this before but if we have I'm sure she was wearing a night gown. I find this masculine choice extremely refreshing and insanely sexy!

I'm off.

[Pictures: Screen caps, cwtv.com, ssense.com, maximesimoens.com, style.com]

Wang gets it

Sometimes I feel like the Gods of fashion never stop watching me and purposely put things in my way so I can see reason. I woke up to the looks from Alexander Wang's Cruise 2011 collection. A line that defies everything I said yesterday about Bottega Veneta and Burberry Prorsum. I don't always agree with Wang's vision or ideas but I always admire how extremely focused they are. His resort collection epitomises both who Wang is as a designer and what a cruise line should be like. He proposes basics with a twist (his) and made with light fabrics in muted colours. The knit dresses, the leather shorts, the cotton jumpers, they are all versatile and season-less. They are the sort of purchase you may make before going on holiday but one that can stay in your wardrobe as a utilitarian piece for a long time.

And what better moment than this to announce the winner of the ShopBop.com $100 gift card! Congratulations to Kristin, whose passion for Wang's creations was so contagious she almost made me buy something. She said:
"This past weekend I traveled to New York City for a couple of days and on one day I made the trek to Opening Ceremony solely to gawk at all of their Alexander Wang clothing, shoes, and bags in person. Needless to say, there was a lot of cuddling, groping, and staring (both by me towards all of the Alexander Wang pieces, and by people towards me while they witnessed my undying love for said pieces).
Alexander Wang produces some incredibly beautiful work, but personally I feel like his bags really steal the show. I've seen the Darla Pyramid Clutch online many times and although we've had passionate affairs during these viral visits, we fell in love upon meeting in person this past weekend. The clutch is surprisingly heavy with it's pyramid of stud-like protrusions, and this weight, paired with its unbelievably soft leather body is enough for me to feel confident enough to declare us soul mates!
Thank you for this giveaway, and for making those with fashionable desires, but smaller budgets, more capable of indulging in some Alexander Wang!"

You're $100 closer to your Darla clutch! Let us know when you get it!
Thanks a lot to the people who made this giveaway possible and to all of those who left a comment!
I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com, Shopbop.com]

Giulia's SS10 musts

I have gone through my favourite e-tail spots and chosen my season's must-haves. For me, it's all about muted colours (loving the nude this season), a bit of black (always!) and a dash of gold and pink without going too crazy. Enjoy!

Clockwise from top right: Alexander Wang bomber jacket, Vanessa Kandiyoti necklace, Camilla and Marc grey dress, Aurelie Biederman black cuff, Christian Louboutin studded pumps, Giambatistta Valli fringed dress, Daisy Knights studded gold rings, Current/Elliot ripped jeans, Philippe Ferrandis turquoise necklace, Bess fringed shoes.

Clockwise from top right: Madeleine Thompson jumper, Missoni bikini, Marie Helene de Taillac earrings, Isabel Marant pink tunic, Stella McCartney one-shoulder dress, pink Chanel Le Vernis, Jason Wu feather skirt, Proenza Shouler shoes, dark beige Chanel Le Vernis.

Giuls xx

[Pictures: Style.com, Net-a-Porter, MatchesFashion.com, HarveyNichols.com]

Win a Shopbop voucher with Alexander Wang

For a while now, I have been thinking of the best way to make a post about Alexander Wang's SS10 collection. I found his summer line absolutely fascinating, as he managed to create the classics needed in times of crisis and twist them in a way that represented his vision. A very focused point of view so unlikely coming from young designers. So when Shopbop.com contacted me about collaborating on another giveaway and letting me choose a designer to centre the contest on, I couldn't think of anyone else. We are giving away a $100 gift card so you can buy Alexander Wang for that much less! Read below to get your Alexander Wang discount.

It is funny how certain items become it pieces overnight. Every girl I talk to is dying to get her hands on Wang's Alla shoes or his Diego bag. Including Mary-Kate Olsen, who loves Alexander Wang bags, specially the Rocco. And I must admit that every inch of leopard and leather is 100% desirable. The clothes cover all your season must-haves as well. There is the expectable dose of khaki and leather, the edgy LBD, the jersey and the chiffon. A totally well-rounded assortment of trendy classics.
To win a $100 Shopbop gift card answer this question:

Which Alexander Wang item from Shopbop is your favorite and why?

The person that leaves the most stylish comment will win the voucher to indulge themselves!
The contest ends May 31 at 11:59pm GMT. That's all. (Said in a Miranda Priestly voice)
I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com, Shopbop.com]

Met Gala 2010: The afterparty

As you know, I am addicted to the parties section of Stye.com, so I panicked when I didn't find any pictures of the Met Gala afterparty there. Luckily, I remembered that there is life outside Style.com and found them on the WWD website. And these are no ordinary party pictures, they are all full of First of all, Blake Lively stripped down to a t-shirt (presumably Alex Wang, haha) and a pair of converse! Completely genius, and sexy. Changing for a party isn't actually unprecedented but it kind of is to me since I have never seen graphic evidence before. Then, Matthew Morrison from Glee dancing with Natasha Poly, which was simply genius if you ask me. Although nothing wins over the picture of Sienna in jeans and a tank top looking (allegedly) hammered and Jude's face of love-meets-drunkard-sympathy.

Check out the rest of the pictures from the WWD website here. And have a look at this video below for a bit of the dresses in motion.

I'm off.

PS. Is anyone coining a term such as Jenna for J&S? I feel like we really need it.

[Images & video: WWD.com]

15 essentials for SS10

Every season, together with the must-have bags and shoes, lists are made about the key silhouettes, colours, textures and garments that a woman must add to add the required savviness to her wardrobe. We have chosen our soVIP essentials for SS10 with a selection of our all-time favourite designers, the most acclaimed of the season and a couple new additions.

1. David Delfín's hospital green, 2. Marni's head scarves, 3. Chloé's denim patchwork, 4. Céline's structure, 5. Rag & Bone's jersey harems, 6. Isabel Marant's cropped tweed, 7. Prada's palm landscapes, 8. Dries Van Noten's printed wraps, 9. Prada's bejewelled-ness, 10. Stella McCartney's denim, 11. Givenchy's stripes, 12. Altuzarra's suede and lace, 13. Preen's fuzziness, 14. Christopher Kane's gingham, 15. Alexander Wang's leather and jersey.

[Pictures: Style.com]

I'm off.

couleur face-off

Just by glancing at Kate Bosworth one knows she is very much clued in when it comes to trends. Her outfit of soft lines and muted colours paired up with neutral-coloured shoes and bag epitomises the look of the season for SS10. Looking at any shops it seems evident that these colour palette will take over the upcoming season but let's not forget the other significant trend of the season —military khaki. Which one will you be sporting for SS10?

Below, clockwise from left: Chloé cotton suit, Chloé silk-crepe blouse, Marc Jacobs satin top, Jason Wu chiffon skirt, Vanessa Bruno Athé shorts, Elizabeth and James embellished skirt, Missoni wrap top. All from Net-a-Porter.

Below, clockwise from left: Splendid jersey top, Balmain tank top, Elizabeth and James silk shirt, Balmain cargo shorts, Stella McCartney camouflage shorts, Alexander Wang asymmetric skirt. All from Net-a-Porter.

[Pictures: JustJared, Net-a-Porter]

I'm off.

First of, Happy Christmas, Chrismukkah and Boxing Day everyone! Hope you're all having fun playing with your toy planes, Barbie dolls and Manolos.

On this lazy and happy day I have decided to post a little about everything and nothing. I figured there is nothing better than some entertaining to kill some free time and forget about stomachaches.

With too much of this free time on my hands I started to have a look at the Pre-Fall 2009 collections even though I had promised myself (yet again) I would not. The traditional disappointment was substituted by some kind of odd surprise. Diane Von Furstemberg and Donna Karan provided a certain excitement, de la Renta some yawns, and Versace, Alexander Wang and Cavalli a bunch of smiles. If, like me, you have nothing better to do than filling your brain with a bit of harmless fashion click here.

I realized I rarely post about music, when it is in fact a big part of my life and inspiration. Today I was happy to find the first ever Dead Man's Bones (Ryan Gosling's band) video ever. Gosling (piano and vocals) and his mate Zach Shields (drums) have come up with an indie mixture of gospel and gothic. I do not know if it is good or bad music but it certainly is enjoyable. Go here to watch their video. Also, look for Gosling's "Put me in the car" —a song he recorded ages ago that is part of my list of favourite tunes.

For some more music, I would recommend Britney's Circus, Beyoncé's CD2 Sasha Fierce (plus her performance on the World Music Awards), and any Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and John Mayer.

Paper-wise, I have been trying to think a bit out of the box and avoid buying another version of Vogue. Instead, I bought a seasonal magazine called View of the Times. As far as I know it is Spanish, but I have just discovered it so correct me if I am wrong. It reaches a good common-ground between alternative and mainstream fashion. The layout follows the same logic and it is both affordable and long enough to fill a couple of afternoons or even three when keeping your laptop by your side.

I recently finished reading Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger —the author of The Devil Wears Prada. Change the magazine for a PR company and add some upper-East-side drugs and parties and what you get is a book you cannot let go of your grasp. I am currently reading Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh —I loved the TV show and will like the film about the decadent lives of a British noble family. I usually like having one or two extra books to read in between the main one. They have to be short stories or something that is easy to follow if not read in a while. These two books are The Diamond as big as the Ritz by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Return of the Timewaster Letters by Robin Cooper, both of which I would also recommend so far.

In the fashion department I would encourage all of you Londoners out there not to stop visiting Beyond Retro, Rokit and all those fabulous vintage shops in the surroundings of Brick Lane. If you are looking for some chic relax go to Harvey Nichols and have one of their delicious Mojitos. Being home in Madrid has also provided some new shopping experiences such as the brand-new Marc by Marc Jacobs shop (with wicked accessories for the holidays) and the Oscar de la Renta boutique (a type of fashionable sightseeing). If in Barcelona, pay a visit to el Born with its cool shops full of Isabel Marant, Danielle Alessandrini and Vanesa Bruno.

[Pictures credit: Style.com, Amazon.co.uk]

I hope I killed enough of your time. I surely killed mine.

I'm off.