A closer look at Sarah Jessica Parker’s Vogue office in Glee

The creators of Glee are really pushing the guest stars on the new season of the show. In the three first episodes only we've had a double Kate Hudson cameo (please don't let this be it) and an Sarah Jessica Parker one. Of the latter, we have heard much over the last few months as she plays a Vogue.com editor, something that had to be okay-ed by Anna Wintour, evidently. It was also Anna who chose SJP's clothes for the show – a Faster than Paris tartan dress, which was cool and much after Anna's heart but also something SJP would wear.
The episode is, obviously, not to be missed and even includes a musical number with SJP in it. But I was almost more amazed by her office in the show. Not only it included some amazing furniture but the  set and art direction even included some high fashion props I personally really appreciated. Please note the Hermès tea cup and saucer on the desk close to a purple Prada doctor's bag from the FW12 collection. But my favourite, by a mile, was the Myriam Schaeffer bag lying on the sofa at the back – have they, perhaps, been reading Know Wear? I love it when TV is fashion-forward.

Win a Birkin bag!

When the lovely people from GO City Girl emailed me this morning telling me about their competition to win a Birkin bag I couldn't think of anything better for today's post. It is practically every woman's dream to own a Birkin. God, I would love to have one even if it was just to keep my belts at home! Well, they are giving you the chance to win one as long as you enter the competition before April 18th. All you have to do is register on the website.
Please, do not miss the promotional video below. It is genius and inspired and absolutely hilarious. I have watched it about ten times because it's just brilliant.
Have a nice Friday!

I'm off.

une affaire Française

Exactly two days ago the most important fashion news alerts warned their subscribers of Jean Paul Gaultier's departure from Hermès. I don't think he was dismissed because of lack of success but because Hermès is in desperate need of an injection of youth. Which is why the French brand has chosen Christophe Lemaire to fill his shoes; a younger designer with an art background twice winner of the ANDAM (Association Nationale pour le Développement des Artes de la Mode) award. I find this choice ever so clever. Lemaire is renowned in the industry for revamping Lacoste's style, making it relevant in terms of current fashion. He has been creative director of the famous French sports brand since 2000. In 2007 he created his very own name-sake brand which showed a more profound vision of fashion and which took most of its inspiration from the Japanese style of the 70's to dress men and women.

One could think his two jobs at his own label and at Lacoste incongruous. The truth is that is it precisely this combination of extraordinary sportswear making skills and his mastery of tailoring and different materials and understanding of heritage that makes him a perfect fit for Hermés. Even certain, unarguable, similarities with Gaultier's previous work for the brand prove this right. I cannot wait to see what Lemaire has in store for S/S11.
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[Sources: nytimes.com, ChristopheLemaire.com, telegraph.co.uk, Style.com, leFigaro.fr]

the last day

As it's become some sort of tradition, Marc Jacob's creations for Louis Vuitton were amongst the other designers' that closed Paris Fashion Week and the month of international fashion extravaganza. Jacob's joined the group of designers that took the most famous silhouette of the 1930's and forwarded it into our time making a stop somewhere between the 50's and the 60's. Comparisons, hence, of Louis Vuitton and previously shown collections is unavoidable. However, the success of similar viewpoints such as Prada seem somewhat incomparable to Marc Jacob's. The American designer resumes his praise-hoarding more for the fame of his name than for his work. But then again, we are becoming quite acquainted with that phenomenon watching it happen to Lagerfeld and Galliano.
Jean Paul Gaultier, who somehow removes himself from the fashion circus of fame, delivered yet another take on the Hermès classicism. The references to a Saville Row world are inescapable as is the fact that Gaultier tackles the problem of creating recession-concious garments that still stir the audience and push the brand forward.

[Pictures: Style.com]

Once again, Miuccia's diffusion brand created FW10 instant hits. Miu Miu is steadily becoming a cult brand that doesn't have to hide embarrassed behind its older sister anymore. Miu Miu FW10 was proudly sixties, the time of "minis", bold colours and leg, lots of leg.
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she-bag

Some are old and some new. Some a sigh and some a snort. But they all took their name from someone special to their creators. The Birkin and the Kelly are veterans and the ladies they took their names from marked a style in their era. The Ricky (Ralph Lauren's wife) and the Gisele (Bündchen) have been in the market for a few years already and they keep getting facelifts trying to find their place in fashion history. And the Hayden (Panettiere) and the Alexa (Chung) are the latest additions to the club —to me the first doesn't stand a chance and the second is stunning. Which one is your favourite?

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"The way of the future"

Once again I couldn't help myself. Something of the like happened the last time I watched Out of Africa, the film sucks me in and I cannot stop thinking about it until I put together something like this. This time the film is The Aviator. Funnily enough both of them were movies I had seen several times before but it seems as if once never suffices. I was surprised by how contemporary and fashionable the styling looks in the film.

Howard Hughes and Katharine Hepburn mix tailoring and knitwear like pros adding round sunglasses and fedora hats as finishing touches.

Above: Jenny Jayne F/W09, DiCaprio and Blanchett in their alter ego's ensembles, and Ralph Lauren F/W09

Hepburn epitomised the boyish look. Suits and shirts à la homme far from body-con yet extremely sensual.

F/W09 - Hutson, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Dolce & Gabbana

F/W09 - Etro and Dries Van Noten

DiCaprio walks around in his leather Belstaff jacket that was made into a special edition. A look from which Hermès and Richard Chai draw inspiration for next season.

Ava Gardner could easily be a fashionable woman of today. In contrast with Hepburn's style, Gardner was more pompous and exhuberant. Striking colours and cuts mixed with big accessories.

From left: Gianfranco Ferré and Louis Vuitton

Now, these I have been trying to track down on the Internet. They are my most desired item of the season. Sadly, Proenza Schouler did not commercialize their metallic version from the runway.

From left: Michael Kors S/S09, DiCaprio wearing my desired shades, and 3.1 Philip Lim

[Picture credits: Style.com, Imdb.com]

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eternal sunshine of the spotless ACCESSORY, part I

It is quite a paradox. The deeper I get into fashion the more I like it and the more I want to know more things about it. The more they give me the more I want to be given. Yet at some point during this process I need a rest to quietly sit down and think. New seasons for years that are yet to come are introduced before their predecessors even being, which makes (fashion) life confusing. Nonetheless, I took my chances and made the decision to put together a little S/S'09 accessories special before I find myself too deeply submerged into F/W'08. I have selected my favourites out of as much collections as I could humanly go through in two days —have a look!

Proenza Schouler made me think of a time machine. The Middle Age merges with the Industrial Revolution and the two are seasoned with Lazaro and Jack's very good taste. The result? Extremely stylish metallic and black accessories.

Chunky shoes were away for a while but Dolce & Gabbana want them back. For a little updating they added a fine platform that leaves a hole in the middle of what would have been the wedge. For bags, lots of colour-mixing and unending sequence.

Dior was very much tribal, about Africa. Small versions of fertility goddesses serve as heels and rope-like stripes climb up the ankles from the animal-printed platforms.

Gucci was the ultimate look for the sexy Italian fashionista. Hats are everywhere and their straps match the flowery outfits. Heels go up to unthinkable highs and include bold, shiny fabrics in striking colours.

I always Hermès' innovation within their own little world. Animal prints stick on the sides of hand-luggage and driving gloves are very present adding a rather old-school glamour touch.

Not only Lanvin's silhouettes were stunning but the accessories are undoubtedly intriguing. Crocodile predominates in hues that go from the traditional black to the playful emerald green or yellow. Heels are embroidered and locks decorated with precious-like stones.

The suggestive shoe shapes of Marni already caught my attention a few seasons ago. They keep playing with colours and suede and rather pointy heels. I was also particularly drawn to the very plastic deconstructed flower necklace.

I am becoming fonder of Cavalli as of late. His small but over-decorated accessories are perfect to spring up simple outfits to life.

Wire and chains over high platforms does not sound specially attractive even to the fashion-oriented. However, if the hands of the sisters of Rodarte take part in the design process it is a different story.

Just as it happened with Cavalli I lately like Versace more. Donatella has found a good line to follow and she, too, went for statement accessories that keep great company to clean chic ensembles.

The slight disappointment from Stefano Pilati did not inhibit my adoring of Yves Saint-Laurent's metallurgic shoe-making. Even though I am not quite sure about their wearability.

Zac Posen caught my attention for his bejeweled clutches, over-the-top earrings and futuristic, sharp makeup.

Stay tuned for the second part.

Thoughts?

[Pictures credit: Style.com]

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Anybody seen anything cuter or more fashionably perfect?

[Picture credit: JustJared]

Have a look down at all the shoulder play going on next S/S!
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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]

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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.

to be or not to be... a MAN

Everyone knows fashion is more of a women's world, there is no wonder about that. But how unfair is it that only because of that overlook-able fact we men must wait around for a year in order to get those trends in our sizes. Whether you are looking for gladiators, a boho look, new hippy or neon you might as well wear last year's clothes with wit and find a good amount of patience. Then, of course you can be lucky enough to be a pocket-size guy with extraordinarily small feet so as to find your beloved item among a pile of unwanted womenswear. Something which seems highly unlikely all the same. However, we shall not be fully disappointed as Milan fashion week is well on the move, showcasing what seem to be the innovative ways of transporting S/S'08 womenswear onto the male side of fashion. Upset as that fact could make us, it can also be taken as a better way of approaching the now super fresh trends. Designers have time to let their ideas mature and experiment with them for some months. And it looks like that is precisely what has occurred. S/S'09 offers all we could wish for specifically adapted for us —oh what an honour.

Balmain's new hippy comes via Gucci for next summer.

It's also Gucci that brings in Prada's graphic fantasy and colours.

Hermès oriental touch is courtesy of Asia-lover Giorgio Armani.

Neon as seen in Blumarine can also be found at Salvatore Ferragamo and Calvin Klein Collection for next summer.

Cropped tops for men are introduced by Prada, just like Jil Sander did.

In this case, Etro uses their own trends and patterns for their womenswear'08 and menswear'09 for the summer season.

[Pictures credit: Style.com]

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UPDATE: I have just changed the header, it needed some refreshing. What do you think?

look at the BOTTOM

Once again, it's time to talk about menswear on soVIPzone. I have to admit I may have a problem concerning clothing, it is what I think about a worrying percentage of the day. For one part I guess it is normal taking I will some day make my living in this industry, but on the other hand, thinking about trousers, shirts, scarves, hats and shoes for the most part of the day is probably not a good sign. Anyway, a few weeks ago one of my friends brought me to uni the H&M magazine, something I didn't know even existed. Although, truth to be told, it's nothing very special, there was a shoot in it about English style making a comeback for menswear. Ever since I laid eyes on those photos I haven't managed to stop thinking about tailored pants. Well, I submerged for the bizillion time in the Summer collections and found the greatest variety of trousers and, most importantly, bottom-do's.

From left: Perry Ellis Signature, Kris Van Assche, Fendi, Hermès, Costume National.

Tailored pants may sound like such a bore and old-fashioned, but they actually come in all colours and fabrics and have been added details to get adapted to current fashion.

From left: Fendi, Rag & Bone, last two: Paul Smith.

If tailored trousers are in, even more in are cropped pants. Get ready for some wacky sock displaying.

From left: first two: J. Lindeberg and Band of Outsiders.

If you already own the trendiest of trousers for the season, get them updated by rolling up their bottoms, just as you do with your blazers' sleeves.

All Gucci.

Cuffed bottoms are back too! There is nothing more English-like and elegantly classic as cuffed suit pants. Try wearing them just as casual trousers too.

From left: Duckie Brown, Kris Van Assche, Rag & Bone, Perry Ellis Signature.

Shorts come tailored too. And, of course, you'll find them cuffed and rolled-up as well. Try getting these effects with the pants you already own.

Something is clear: pants are not to touch your shoes. Get yourself a good assortment of colourful crazy socks and rock the look!

[Picture credit: Men.Style.com & HM.com]

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it's all about the SCARF

The weather is crazy and, honestly, we don't need more incentives to grow insane. Pulling up the blinds every morning I wonder, would today be Spring, Fall or Summer? I do not know about your home cities around the world but Barcelona is quite the adventure. Having this assumed, then, the only item I am sure to be wearing is a scarf; thicker and warmer for out-of-season weather and lighter, more colourful ones for the adequate season temperature. In addition, I ought to point out that I have always been obsessed with all sorts of scarves and I own more than I will ever admit. That is why I happily looked for my favourite women scarves of the season; this was the result.

Of course, no scarf drawer should lack at least a couple of silk old (or not so old) scarves, preferably by Hermès, the top when it comes to silk. I selected a few from the last collection, they're all going for quite vintage prints and for a certain colour palette. I particularly liked the orange, another of Hermès fortes. If you're looking for a way to make your plain white tees look rich, this is it!

On a funkier, trendier, note I found several very summery proposals by some of my favourite designers. Matthew Williamson's very hippie collection was sure to provide very good accessories to spring you outfits to life as was Alexander McQueen's colour-feast collection and, hence, this amazing printed scarf. See by Chloé feels more like playing with geometric shapes, which would also look very interesting over a light plain ensemble.

Then I looked for a few scarves that you would feel like wearing every other day, like Rachel Bilson does. That one item that looks so good and fresh that you just fit into all of your looks.

Left to right, top to bottom: Bajra, Roberto Cavalli, Top Shop, AKA New York, Diane Von Furstemberg, Millions of smiles.

[Pictures credit: Hermès.com, Net-a-porter.com, TopShop.com, ShopBop.com]

I'm off.