Imdb, christine-b.org

It's funny that the reason why I'm doing a Collage Sunday today is the same reason why I haven't done one for a while. That reason is "The Good Wife". I followed a friend's advice to start watching it and I was instantly addicted. And that is what a lot of my weekends have been devoted to since.

The show is entertaining and cleverly written and Julianna Margulies does an incredible job as the main character. But it's not her that I wanted to post about.

Christine Baranski is one of the supporting actors in the show. And when I say supporting I mean she has one of those parts like Helena Bonham Carter's in "The King's Speech" where the acting is so good the character should be called a main.

You might recognise Christine from other supporting roles in "Mamma Mia", "How the Grinch stole Christmas" or "Chicago". It's hard not to notice her attractive features and elegant style. And I do mean elegant. She carries herself with a lot of grace, always dresses appropriately and even her mannerisms are elegant —the way she flicks her hair or holds her chin.
She apparently had a slow start in acting and performing, which is why it has taken her this long to score better roles. Don't miss her on "The Good Wife", you have two seasons to catch up with and a third one will start airing in September!

- Happy Sunday!

It has been a while since I last posted a Collage Sunday so I thought I'd turn my original idea for today's post into one. I know shoe designer Charlotte Olympia (Dellal) has been around for a while but I'm been really getting into her style lately. Just as Louboutin would do with the (trademarked) red sole Charlotte created her signature style by exposing the front platform of the shoe, which is usually merged into the design.

In her SS11 collection she's combined this way of making shoes with a Spanish inspiration. There is a lot of espadrille wedges and platforms and flamenco-inspired polka dots. However, for today's collage I had a look at her previous collections to pick my favourite pieces by her.

Happy Sunday!

[charlotteolympia.com]

First of all, welcome to Know Wear! I am so excited that it's actually going live today. I have worked on it for many hours and I can't wait to hear what you all have to say about it. Bear with us to complete the transition from soVIPzone. The above menus will be up and running in the over the next week and I have done my best to adapt the old posts to the new layout but I haven't got around to doing all of them yet so don't get grossed out if some look awful.

Now, back to the collage. I remember posting about camouflage last year when Rag & Bone showed a couple of pieces on their FW10 collection. I didn't like it at all then and I still quite dislike what they did with the tricky print now. The reason why I changed my opinion about camouflage altogether is Viviana Volpicella. Her fur-collared jacket worn with purple trousers and Prada's striped shoes really won me over. The fact is that if visionary designers like Miuccia and Junya Watanabe had also shown some pieces that season it was a trend long overdue. It's still hard to pull it off and find the right combination of shapes and colours. I will start by giving it a try with some ASOS shorts this summer, you?

[Pictures: Style.com, The Glamourai, Stockholm Street Style, Tommy Ton]

It seems like Miu Miu set the trend to take inspiration from comic books to dress for the new season. But it's not only them that have found a modern and sexy approach to it. Looking through what online shopping has to offer for SS11 it seems only evident that leather is king, whether on shoes, skirts or dresses, and that a big part of the clothes are looking to find a sexy way around comfy clothes. With big superhero films coming up in the next few months I wanted to have a look at what fashionable heroines should be wearing for Spring.

Clockwise from top right: Dion Lee pleated chiffon dress, Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, Miu Miu skirt, Versace cutout sandals, Christian Louboutin peep toe shoes,  Acne wedge boots, Chloé leather dress, Antonio Berardi dress, Camilla Skovgaard platform sandals.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Net-a-Porter, Vogue.fr, rantchick.com, popculture4fun.com]

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]

Collage Sunday, 06.02.11

Having Mischa Barton as the centre of our Collage Sunday seems a little anachronistic, I know. But when Giulia did her Rachel Zoe's girls post I felt like there was a main figure missing. It would have been unfair to simply add a couple of pictures of Mischa in it because, even though she's not fashion-relevant at the moment, hers and Marissa's wardrobe in The O.C. marked a before and after on the role of fashion on TV (at least for younger, hipper audiences than Sex and the City's). Mischa and her alter ego personified the ultimate boho chic style (brought to perfection in the Missoni look below and in this other one) in the most effortless of ways. She seldom wore heels on TV and every bag design Chanel ever made was worn by Marissa to school. In 2006 Mischa left the show in style wearing Chanel's SS06 closing look paired up with gladiator sandals for her graduation after three years of continuous hits.

On a more personal note I'd like to comment on The O.C.'s influence on my friends' and my own fashion sense. This show encouraged in us the idea of fashion as a way to express yourself in a natural way. And because of that, and because of how much some of us tried to emulate it I'd like to dedicate this post to my friend María. Her Prada boots and D&G tops were the Coop to my Cohen argyle jumpers.
I'm off.

[Pictures: OC-addict.com]

Collage Sunday, 22.01.11

Last Monday, after the Golden Globes, Iñaki and I were talking about how Rachel Zoe's girls always look a lot more bananas on the red carpet than the rest and how it was a shame no one even mentioned her name during the event. So I thought selected some of her best moments. I tried not to go for the obvious but looks like Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Couture still make me die, so I couldn't skip it. Making the collage I realised Rachel always puts her girls in colours (I mostly only wear white, pink and black) and designs I would have also picked (ruffles, bows sequins and feathers). What are your favourite Zoe moments?

- Have a lovely Sunday!

Giuls xx

[Pictures: Zimbio.com]

Collage Sunday, 09.01.11

Who else, but the new Rédactrice en chef of Vogue Paris. Giulia and I were at first unsure of whether Emmanuelle Alt would replace Carine Roitfeld as the head of the French bible. Thinking it throughly, there is probably no one (except Carine herself) who knows as much about the magazine as Emmanuelle does. Style-wise, she epitomises a new kind of French woman. She retains that chicness for which they've always been famous but she mixes it with different references. She's a big fan of rock elements like the biker jacket or the leather pants but she just as easily wears military-inspired coats, breton tops and skinny jeans. It's the kind of very refined, almost minimalistic style that one normally sees on the streets. (Even though I have a friend who dresses exactly like her, only she's blonde. Yes, I'm talking about you, S.) We wish Emmanuelle all the best and we can't wait to see what she does for her first cover. After all, some of Vogue Paris' most famous editorials were styled by her.  - Bon Dimanche!

I'm off.

[Pictures: fashion.telegraph.co.uk, TFS]

Collage Sunday, 19.12.10

I've been talking about keeping warm and looking chic over the last few weeks and I'm hoping that, by now, you've all managed to find a way around it. But just in case you haven't here is some more proof that it actually is possible. I met Camilla, Caroline and Marthe at LCF, where I quickly realised how present style is in their everyday lives. They recebtly started a blog —Stylevation Army— where they share everything from inspiration and photo diaries to their personal style and their press day picks. I'm a fan not only because we're friends but because I like their genuine point of view, their eclectic style and their bubbly personalities. After all, they're Scandinavians. What else could we expect?   —Happy Sunday!

Don't miss their blog and remember to add them on twitter: Caroline, Marthe, Camilla.
I'm off.

[Pictures: stylevationarmy.blogspot.com]

Collage Sunday, 28.11.10

London's polar weekend weather and Kylie Minogue in her Chanel coat have triggered something in me. I can't stop thinking about coats and wraps (the inedible ones) and hats and gloves and boots. And so, I've gone into my little archives to put together an inspiration collage to get warm this winter. Now, it might be fair to say the nice furs and shearling coats are on the verge of unobtainable if one doesn't have a generous credit card but no one can argue that they are, without a doubt, the best way to fight the cold while looking glamourous. Nonetheless, I am also a big fan of the new deceiving faux-furs, stylish capes and even some ponchos. One could even get away with a good-looking blanket nicely wrapped with a safety pin.  —Enjoy your Sunday!

I'm off.

[Pictures: Telegraph Fashion, Vogue Italia, TFS]

Collage Sunday, 20.11.10

I knew from they moment I chose her as the centre of my Collage Sunday that Kim Kardashian might not get the warmest welcome from fashion lovers, which would be unfair. I've never known much about her apart from the fact that she is sort of related to Brody Jenner but over the last few months she's been catching my attention a lot. I really like the drama in everything she wears and how she doesn't hold back with the accessorising —fur, big hats, thigh-high boots, Birkins... I also like the fact that she's not really trendy, which strikes as a surprise. She does wear season pieces but her personality shines through every time. Plus, she is incredibly clever about the way she choses her clothes to nicely show off her body in a sexy but not obvious way (please note her remarkable derrière). Like it or not, the woman can dress!   —Happy Sunday!

I'm off.

[Pictures: Zimbio.com, JustJared.buzznet.com, Celebrity-Gossip.net]

Collage Sunday, 14.11.10

Red is one of those colours that never really goes out of fashion. However, for FW10 is is very much in. Everyone from the big French houses like Chanel and Givenchy to the fashion-forward rebels the likes of Ann Demeulemeester and Margiela to younger designers like Kamola and Dsquared2 have made red one of the strong points of their winter collections, be it on full looks or as dashes of colours. Even Vogue Italia gave a red Giorgio Armani the cover of their latest issue. If, like me, you are also a Christmas fanatic you'll find that red is not only the chicest way to a bright winter ensemble but also the merriest way to get into the the season's spirit. —Happy Sunday!

I'm off.

[Pictures: Kamola.co.uk, TFS, Style.com]

Collage Sunday, 07.11.10

I have realised how our Collage Sunday has gradually and organically become more about fashion individuals than trends. Something that is quite significative of where some of the trends are forged these days. Today's collage centres around a lady I've loved from the very first moment I laid eyes on her. Viviana Volpicella  is one of the Assistant Fashion Editors of Vogue Nippon and, hence, part of AdR's fantastic team. Her olive skin, brown hair and radiant smile are the perfect accessories to any Marni, Prada or Zara item. Pair these up with her signature degradé Way Farers, her Italian know-how and her innate effortlessness and you'll get the perfect recipe for a natural personal style. My only hope is to ever be able to say this in person. Next LFW maybe? —Buona domenica!

I'm off.

[Pictures: The Sartorialist, Garande Doré, shoothebreeze.blogspot.com, TFS]

Collage Sunday, 31.10.10

When I started preparing today's Collage Sunday I first thought about putting together a Halloween-themed collage. But I changed my mind because I'm not one for costumes. Ever since I was a young kid I was never into dressing up —in a non-stylish way anyway—, which is why the last time I did dress up was as a Mad Men character. I know, you can't believe it. And so I realised how perfect Rachel Zoe would be as a Halloween costume. It'd be easy to create and absolutely "beyond". And I also wanted to dedicate her the collage because her passion for fashion can't be topped (except for, perhaps, AdR) and she is expecting what will most likely be the most stylish kid ever to live in this world.

Happy Halloween!

I'm off.

[Pictures: JustJared.buzznet.com, Zimbio.com, TFS]

Collage Sunday, 24.10.10

To continue with our Fashion Month inspired collages I decided to choose the model that stood out the most during the SS11 season —Karlie Kloss, an 18-year-old American girl whose "death stare" and famous walk have donned all the most important designers from Rodarte to Dolce & Gabbana to Chanel. Even Fashionista.com dedicated an ode to her this season. I wasn't lucky enough to see her walk in the flesh this season but I was mesmerised by her catwalk pictures from Style.com and kept saving them to my archive even if I didn't like the designer look she was wearing. Here comes another supermodel. -Happy Sunday!

I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com]

Collage Sunday, 17.10.10

Today I'd like to devote our Collage Sunday to one of the editors that stood out the most during the SS11 fashion month and from whom we can expect great things. The outfits from Taylor Tomasi, the current style and accessories director for US Marie Claire, had me mesmerised for weeks. She has an ability to mix very girly and fragile pieces with tough ones with a very urban feel. Regardless to say, she is a very beautiful woman and she really knows how to carry herself. I almost walked into a group of people for staring at her during LFW the day she wore the sheer lime shirt with the quilted khaki shorts and the Dries Van Noten leopard scarf! These below are my favourites from this season. Enjoy your Sunday!

I'm off.

[Pictures: The Sartorialist, Jak & Jill, Refinery29.com, TFS]

Collage Sunday, PFW Edition

Today I decided to blend together Collage Sunday and Paris Fashion Week in the shape of a visual catch up. Some of the biggest names from the French capital showed in the last couple of days and we saw a bit of a change. Balenciaga took on Marni's challenge to create luxurious sportswear. Ghesquière showed us a boyish punk point of view mixed with dug out archive pieces. It was, as Balenciaga always is, rather technically intricate in the most interesting manner. Alber Elbaz's twist on the Lanvin woman was one of the biggest surprises (to me) from Paris. He always addresses his collections from a woman's point of view, which this time resulted in a vast assortment of wardrobe options in a way that redefined modern elegance.

As much as I've always adored John Galliano, I must confess I have often wondered if I was the only one who noticed his themes chez Christian Dior were too recurrent or if I was a mere ignorant. As it turns out, he is capable of making fresh clothes à la Galliano. For SS11 he traveled to Hawaii with his couture collection, which transformed into effortless silk numbers of tropical motifs and hues with a slight 50's air and masculine sailor-inspired parkas. Margiela's collection started following last season's line but soon morphed into an experiment of shape abstraction. Nicole Phelps, from Style.com, said the collection fell flat. I dare to disagree because, even though it is 100% unwearable it pushed the envelope shape-wise. After all, it was MMM who first introduced the pronounced shoulder shapes we came to love.
I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com, GaranceDore.fr]

Collage Sunday, 12.09.10

There were once, charming ladies that were, and still are, called style icons. Jean Shrimpton, Audrey Hepburn, Françoise Hardy, Jackie O, Anita Pellenberg and Jane Birkin.

Which is your favourite style icon from the past?-Giuls

Collage Sunday, 05.09.10

It's been a while since we had a Collage Sunday so I thought it would be a great idea to bring it back. So I have tried to look at 'le corset' back in time -through the eyes of masters like Helmut Newton and Ellen von Unwerth and at its contemporary reinventions by Cavalli (SS07), YSL (FW09) and Antonio Berardi (SS10). Enjoy!

- Giuls
[Pictures: Style.com, Vogue.fr, Helmut Newton, Ellen von Unwerth, Jeanloup Sieff, Frances Pellegrini]

Collage Sunday, 13.06.10

Summer is here (only some days if you live in London) and it's time to make your swimwear picks. I am tired of the good old triangular bikinis, which is why I have tried to give a bit of a contemporary-meets-vintage feel to today's Collage Sunday. Think 70's with a touch of 20's brought to today. Avoid pink and go for orange and choose interesting shapes and prints for your swimsuits. Happy Sunday!

I'm off.

[Pictures: CoutequeCoute.blogspot.com, Net-a-Porter.com, Hermes.com, Demarchelier.net, StevenKlein.com, Mariotestino.com]