soVIP 3rd birthday

Such day as today, three years ago, I made my first post on soVIPzone. It feels like an age ago when I first wrote about Anna Wintour and the Oscars and accompanied the text with rather poorly edited images. A lot has changed since then —a new layout, more diversity in content and, most importantly, my new contributor and friend Giulia. And so, to celebrate my three years as a blogger I am giving you, the people who keep visiting and supporting soVIPzone, a look inside our rooms and wardrobes. Our very own fashion shrines where inspiration comes and goes and where all that you read here is written.

My room in Bermondsey —you can see Tower Bridge and the Gherkin from my bedroom window— is still a long way from being finished (please don't judge my shoe disorganisation) but everything from my inspiration wall to the order of my blazers and my trousers follow very strict arrangements. Also, I took a picture of my favourite daily shoes (clockwise from the grey suede ones: Cos, Lanvin, Acne, Cos, All Saints and Zara) and of my massive collection of blazers that takes up half of my wardrobe (each hanger has at least two and has anything from H&M and Zara to Hugo Boss and vintage pieces).

Giulia's room in Marylebone is the perfect space to dress up —high ceilings and plenty of white space. It gives her select assortment of statement jewellery an understated touch while it makes her jumbo Chanel, her Miu Miu array and her vintage Alaïa totally pop out even just on their hangers. Contrary to me, her shoes are perfectly organised in boxes —where you'll find anything from Zara and Stella McCartney to Louboutins and Dolce & Gabbana. It's her home-made portion of Heaven!

Thanks once more for keep checking back, leaving your comments and, generally, showing some love.

All the best,

Iñaki & Giulia x

[Picture credits: soVIPzone, excuse the bad technique!]

swarming with style

As much as I don't like to admit it, the CFDA awards make me more excited than Christmas day. Some people say the Oscars, some the Met gala; the truth is this is the fashion event of the year. It is not only yet another occasion to wear a new expensive piece of designer clothing, but also the moment to celebrate fashion itself. This year's awards made me quite happy, Tom Ford was recognized for his exquisite vision and delicate craftsmanship in menswear for the first time since back in 2001 when he refurbished and sprang back to life Gucci and YSL. Calvin Klein's designer, Francisco Costa, recieved the womenswear designer of the year award. The Swarovski awards for mens and womenswear also increased my level of joy —Scott Sternberg for Band of Oursiders and Kate and Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte, respectively.

Not many awards are handed in this ceremony, which is the reason why the red carpet and the previous cocktail party are bigger deals. The cocktail party was the time to show off your skills dressing casually, paying the closest attention to detail and making it look like they simply jump of bed, throw on their back the first thing at hand, and hopped into the limo.

Thakoon Panichgul and Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough from Proenza Schouler always get it right, no matter what the etiquette requires. Sadly, most women only looked cute in a common kind of way. Only Ashley Olsen (Duh!) and Katie Lee Joel looked genuinely chic and stylish!

Now, without further ado, let's get on with the photo call. Regardless of my happiness due to the awarded fashionistas, I was in awe by how the tables have turned —it is now men who are stepping up fashion-wise, showing that it is not only the ladies who know how to do it.

However, it was the female attendants who mourned the death of Monsieur Yves Saint Laurent in their own particular way; that is, wearing Le Smoking. Once again, the-love-of-my-life Ashley Olsen did it all much better. Her choice, a Calvin Klein smoking, was not only an utter knock-out, but also a homage to both YSL and Francisco Costa. CFDA president, Diane von Furstemberg (in vintage YSL) and Carolina Herrera —who received the Lifetime Achievement award— joined in with their respective jacket and suitpants, also mourning the death of the man who "set the woman free" (skirt-wise). Victoria Beckham seems to be enjoying being a socialite in the States, she attended the gala in a beautiful puffy-hearted Marc Jacobs and looked very jovial and fun, which was good for a change. Maggie Gyllenhaal pulled off an outstanding Proenza Schouler and instantly made it to the best-dressed top. Naomi Campbell, someone whose choices I don't usually agree with but who provides great fun when it comes to kicking paparazzi butts, wore a sleek YSL I couldn't but adore. Kasia Struss, in Rodarte and Kate Schelter, in Erin Fetherston finish off my list of the best clothing choices.

Nonetheless, I said it was the men who shone brighter this time. And this will prove it. Starting with winner Tom Ford in "himself" and giving a lesson of old-fashioned elegance, and continuing with Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez teaching the opposite, 2008 smart-wear. If you have been reading my past posts about menswear you will not be surprised to see how many different interpretations of a suit can be found among the attendants of the gala. Phillip Lim and Richard Chai portrayed the two extremes —the very modern cropped-pant suit with diverse (quite remarkable) details and the very classic shiny-lapeled black suit. Chris Benz did his thing as he always does, avoiding the tie and adding up his personal touch with ethnic bracelets and a filthy pair of white converse. Alexander Wang is another fellow who can stay true to his personal style while looking much better than most people in the room; he went for black jeans and blazer and a low round-neck tee. Zac Posen did a great job mixing up greys, blacks and bright blue striking a pose in his signature way.

Which one is your favourite?

[Picture credit: Style.com]

I'm off.

PS. Why is it that Style.com's pictures are not that good?