cuire Haute Couture

The recipe for Valentino FW10 Haute Couture:

1. Chop up some vintage Balenciaga. Two parts of FW08 and one of SS09. Stir fry for a couple of minutes.

2. Add a whole Hervé Léger FW08 collection and cook until it's nude.

3. Season with Rodarte SS09 and Stella McCartney SS10 to taste.

4. Decorate with a dash of Valentino SS10 (RTW) for an odd after taste.

Serve on a Parisian plate and ready!

[Picture credit: Style.com]

Would you ever eat this?

I'm off.

WINTER espectaculaire

Bring together London, my love for winter and a very inspiring Vogue issue and this is the result after going through my filter. My usual inclination toward plain, simple and clean is particularly disturbed by the event of the year —Christmas. I feel like a treat is in order and what is is a treat in the fashion world but rich accessories and some striking detailing on your clothes? So I made a selection of a few of my favourite pieces from this winter collections and organized them into outfits that I would love to see out in the street. The keys are texture and shafts of colour that blend with grey, black, beige and brown. Have a look.

Boho-rock: Celine jumper, Alexander McQueen leather skinny trousers, Rupert Sanderson ankle boots, Chloé python bag, Erickson Beamon ring.

Glam tailoring: McQ oversized blazer, The Row trousers, YSL shoes, Marc Jacobs shopper bag, Roberto Cavalli ring.

Á la Rachel Zoe: The Row fur coat, Chloé cropped velvet trousers, Marni ankle boots, Mulberry blue leopard bag.

Downtown chic: Rick Owens leather biker jacket, Aminaka Wilmont flare trousers, Christian Louboutin ankle boots, Balenciaga bag, Marni brooch.

Mimic the landscape: McQ oversize blazer, Chloé cashmere cardigan, Michael Kors cropped plaid trousers, Fendi ankle boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs patent leather bag.

Rock layers: Helmut Lang drape cardigan, Thomas Wilde quilted wistcoat, Alexander McQueen leather skinny trousers, Pierre Hardy ankle boots, Givenchy snake bag.

Daring: Elizabeth and James blazer, Alexander McQueen tailored jumpsuit, Christian Louboutin ankle boots, Lanvin leopard bag.

Edgy classic: Michael Kors trapeze coat, Mulberry skinny trousers, Prada purple leopard pumps, Chloé shoulder bag, Chloé poppy cuff.

[Picture credits: Net-a-Porter.com, Barneys.com, Polyvore.com]

I'm off.

everybody loves Hervé

Correct me if I am wrong, but I do not quite recall this happening in the recent past. The Hervé Léger craze of mini-dresses started out as something unusual that pleased the eye but soon turned into a common piece in every Hollywood starlet's wardrobe. However, far from serving as a device to look young and stylish, it just brings out the tackiness within and enhances the wrong curves in most cases. Only a handful of celebrities were able to pull it off, while the rest of them who tried failed tragically. Have a look.

Thoughts?

[Pictures credit: JustJared, Gossip Girls, Mischa-B.com]

I'm off.

fly me to the moon

... and let me play among the stars —aka: give me YSL goodies.
There is always a reason of utmost importance why I ban myself certain things. One of which is strolling around Selfridges, Harrods or any place of the sort with my eternally weak wallet. But it is also very easy coming up with rather brilliant excuses to ignore such bans every so often. And one of these occasions took place only a week ago. This time the department store that had the pleasure of my visit was the one famous for its yellow bags —a characteristic that makes me question the expression "to be green with envy". And so I proceeded to the second floor where all things seem so within reach yet so so far from it at a time. However, there is a particular section on that same floor labeled "Exclusive brands". If Prada, Dries Van Noten or Kris Van Assche are not exclusive God knows what they call to most things I wear. Exclusive, then, includes Lanvin, YSL, Burberry Prorsum, McQueen and so on. It was in that precise section where I had my blind (or maybe not so) date with my cyber-crush —the most tastefully crafted YSL biker jacket in green. Despite the mutual attraction the fact that we belong to different worlds was finally too strong and we couldn't consummate our relationship the way we should have. But if I am anything that is unfaithful and fell for a blue one with black neck and the forbidden bag of my best dreams in black leather.
Only time will tell if a 21st century Romeo and Juliet sans final drama will eventually take place.
Have a look and share your feelings.





[Pictures credit: YSL.com]


I'm off.

bluuuue VELVET, and grey and brown and red...

When in search for that touch that will transform your outfit into the ultimate winter ensemble velvet is the key. Specially amongst men collections blazers and trousers can be found velvety both in traditional colours and in more fashionable hues. This might not be a fabric easily found when reaching into your wardrobes, but it proves itself most versatile and suggestive when it comes to texture. Velvet introduces light and different shades of a colour into an outfit, making it easier to put together hues of the same palette avoiding looking uninteresting. Let's have a look at the best proposals from the most relevant runway shows.

Since Frida Giannini entered Gucci the house has seen itself influenced by the designer's colourful soul which was instantly injected into the dark brand's past, not making it any less chic. This is why, once more, I have to crown Gucci one of the best collections of the season. In addition, just as it happened with the womenswear line, there is a sort of boho and hippy vibe which includes playful patterns to make it all even more eye-catchy.

Velvet, however, seems to require high levels of confidence. This is why I have collected some more traditional and classic velvet options as well as the daring new ones. There is a velvet choice for every kind of man. Black and brown are always a safe pick for the traditional men, but go velvet for a bit of an edgy feel. J. Lindeberg, Hermès and Giorgio Armani offer full suits and separate pieces in both colours so you can choose. It is YSL, nonetheless, that offers the most beautifully tailored blazer in black.

Now, for those of you reading and realizing you should spring life into your wardrobe, look closely. There is no need to go overboard with colouring. You can start by trying velvet on a weekend to get the hang of it. Grey (Giorgio Armani), brown (Junya Watanabe) or dark green (Rykiel Homme) are perfect hues that will match anything from your winter closet. Find other items from within the same palette and you're on business. Blue velvet (Dolce & Gabbana) might be harder in the winter but is a very stylish option when mixed with grey.

Olive green and different shades of "mustardy" beige seem to be the most original and stylish pick when trying to bring colour into darker combinations of clothes. If you are past confidence issues and black and brown are a little "blah", this is your colour range. Again, YSL produced perfection in the shape of a blazer. Junya Watanabe's innovative collection included trousers and blazer in some of this colours throughout the entire runway show, which makes it a good designer to resort to. D&G's brown velvet suit is perfect for elegance and edginess in the appropriate dose.

Lastly, for the brave he-fashionista, a range of bold bright hues that will surely make you the centre of any party. Have it bright green (3.1 Phillip Lim), pearl grey (Kris Van Assche), fuchsia (Dries Van Noten), or simply mix it up clearing your mind of any fashion preconceptions (Yunja Watanabe).

Has anyone seen the light after reading about the suggestive powers of velvet?

[Pictures credit: Men.Style.com]

I'm off.

dress COAT

Coats are key garments every fall. They provide protection against harsh weather while making it possible to look chic. But if there was ever a season when their of the outmost importance that is Fall/Winter 2008. If you have been obsessively going through the latest Vogues, Elles and Bazaars you surely have noticed the slightly overused and rather confusing term statement coats. As I see it, coats are and have always been one of the most important parts of the winter outfits as they are the first part of them to be spotted. However, those who coined the term do deserve some credit as coats for this season are particularly characteristic. The widest range of cuts, colours and patterns make an appearance, but it is the big coats that seem to have caught most of the attention. Whether it is puffy, slim or faux-fur they are trying to fetch attention from dresses, covering them most extraordinarily —have a look.

Let me, then, start with my favourites. I ought to admit that narrowing it down to only three was tough, as I am quite keen on coats. Eventually I went for these three. YSL’s spotless winter collection was sure to provide some extraordinaire pieces like this black coat. I love how the zip and the side pockets add some dynamism to the sleek design. Ghesquiere’s very fashion-forward vision of a coat transforms the piece into a very structured patent leather garment that brings a piece of the future to the present. And last on my top three is Stella McCartney’s oversize version of the classic pea coat. Lapels and sleeves widen up working perfectly with the length and colour. All three garments do not seem to be covering anything, giving the impression that they might have been created as a warm version of the summer dresses.

Continuing this tour through the season’s best coats we find Burberry Prorsum’s reinventions of a classic coat and a mackintosh. In the first case, it is a slim coat, a more body-conscious one. The second one, on the contrary, is wider on the body and sleeves leaving more room for imagination. In addition to the previously talked-about coat Stella McCartney came up with this striking bell-shaped coat. A quite chic and feminine proposal, if you ask me.

With winter, all types of rich faux-animal skins come back. Hermès keeps sticking to its idiosyncrasy and we like it. This delightfully sophisticated leather and fur coat will give satisfaction to both young and old. Dolce & Gabbana’s über-talked-about collection provided this sleeveless furry option for the cold —it will not go under the radar and will add texture and colour to your outfit. When talking chic Carolina Herrera must not be left apart. This full-length coat introduces movement through the subtle ruffles on the sleeves and at the bottom and still keeps it rich and interesting with the fur around the neck.

Nobody is capable of elaborating more perfect coats that the British —so it is no surprise that Burberry and McCartney introduced the most innovative coats. Christopher Bailey plays around with volume and metallic finishes. They are quite futuristic yet wearable pieces. Stella McCartney, on her side, goes super short and uses light draping to create an amusing puffiness.

Winter is also the best time of the year to wear as much black as we wish to. However this does not mean boring, au contraire. Lanvin, for instance, proposes a superb balloon-shaped coat with pockets up and down and with a belt to show off your figure. Hermès produced a spotless double-chested coat just over the knee. A very versatile option for both the office and those desired stylish weekends. For a more updated coat version think Brian Reyes. The designer leaves room for your creativity with the short sleeves and the slightly open v-neck —dress or coat?

And last, some more visions of the key winter garment. When looking for plaid and tartan D&G is most likely to be the best option. The Italian couple messes around with big and smaller checks and colours achieving outstanding pieces that combine classicism and modernity in perfect unison. If black is the king of winter, brown is the prince. Personally, I love a chocolate coat —take is as you want. Derek Lam merges coat and trench in this favourite hue of mine looking very F/W08 with the length. And the last coat is also a mix, but of a parka and a trench this time. Brian Reyes is very right when choosing khaki for winter —it matches everything and effortlessly adds some colour.

This season, are you sticking to the basics or are you trying something new?

[Pictures credit: Style.com]


I’m off.

style was invented by the British

I am back. Alas, not for very long. My holiday in Fuerteventura was superb —sun and relax to the maximum. This will probably be the only post in a few days since I am flying (and moving) to London tomorrow and it will take me a while to fully settle down in my new flat. Hopefully I’ll be back around Monday with fresh inspiration made in the land I so much adore.
This is won’t be a long post but I could not ignore the release of this pictures. It is no secret that pure style runs through Jude Law’s veins —his cocky-self lets know he, too, is well aware of it. I have to admit that as much as I admire him and his damn skills to pull off everything I am also green with envy at the sight of the following pictures.

Jude is the new image for Dior’s Homme Sport fragrance and also for the British house Dunhill fall/winter'08 collection.The latter is one of those old Brit tailoring brands that never strikes me as boring old-fashioned rather than as fresh or fashion-oriented. Their marketing department should be happy to know that their idea for the campaign has utterly changed my mind in that sense. Dunhill is portrayed as the wardrobe for the 21st-Century dandy. A gentleman of the current times who has the style and confidence to mix smart and casual-wear looking elegant and modern, classic with an edge.

[Pictures credit: JustJared]

I’m off.

PARISIAN highlights

Alright, I spoke too soon. As I saw Paris Fashion Week fade away it seemed quite clear I couldn’t possibly keep my word —I will not refrain from posting about the Haute Couture shows. However, I will stick to my shameful knowledge in the field as an excuse not to comment the catwalk and only show my favourites. So behold.

[Pictures credit: Style.com]

Which of the above would you wear? Why?

Also, does anybody else find Chanel's collection quite explicitly dedicated to Queen of Fashion, Anna Wintour?

I'm off.

surrender

I make it almost a rule to myself not to more than sneak a peek at the collections that will have me running around in my underwear first thing in the morning panicking about what the hell to wear that day. It was much easier years ago when the Internet was a rather unusual tool and all I could do was buy Vogue and wait for the three dry and sadistic seconds the collections showed up on tv. But here I am now, trying to live up to my unnecessary and boring rule while searching for a stylish way to finally put an end to it. So far I have only managed to push it a little further, going under the radar of my personal police.

Yesterday afternoon, after possibly the dullest of classes I've had in my existence, I was walking down Diagonal in pursuit of this year's birthday present (which is in three weeks). After satisfying my fashionista ego I kept walking down the wide now bursting with people boulevard until reaching Passeig de Gràcia, one of the main streets connecting the picturesque downtown with the snob upper side of the city where the big stores look more like closed uninteresting museums than sparkling beacons of art. For a fraction of a second I thought of going into YSL to ask about one of the out-of-a-dream blue blazers as though intending to give it as a gift but having to try it on myself to make sure that it would fit the unexisting receiver. Sadly, my mind send the marvelous idea to the trash can leaving me there, walking back home among a mass of miserable dressed citizens of the world only gazing at Chanel's boring windows ignoring the exciting unending worlds hanging at their neighbors'.

Hence, the treat of adoring YSL's Fall/Winter 2008 collection without regret.

[Picture credit: Style.com]

I'm off.