What Stephanie LaCava wore - LFW Day 1
Know Wear

Even though London Fashion Week kicked off I count today as day 1 because my dear Stephanie LaCava just touched down! We had a lot of catching up to do because we hadn't seen each other since September.

Last season I tried to do a little photo diary of what Stephanie wore everyday but we ended up having a ridiculously hectic few days so we kept forgetting. Hopefully this time around we get around to it. So far so good. Today I snapped her outside one of her first appointments in London dressed up in one of her famous chic ensembles.

She is wearing a khaki Thakoon jumpsuit gathered at the waist – you should see how amazingly it fits her –, a Jil Sander coat, Ann Demeulemeester boots and the greatest Maison Michel hat!

Show-wise, I am keeping things simple this season because I don't seem to be in a crazy fashion week mood. But I am covering a few really good shows I'm super excited about starting with Acne this evening. So stay tuned for updates on LFW!

Saks.com

To help getting our wardrobes all stocked up for winter –I don't know about you but I haven't properly felt it until today in London– Saks Fifth Avenue is offering an flat international shipping rate of $9.99 until November 27th. All you have to do is click on any of the links below or go on Saks.com and enter code UKCANSHIP at checkout.

Because some of our favourite American designers are a little harder to find in in Europe, Giulia and I tried to pick a handful of our favourite dresses from the range on sale at Saks. This is a good chance to start preparing not just for the winter but, most importantly, for the holidays. I know it's cold but who said you can't wear a stunning short dress under your full length shearling coat and chunky scarf? Exactly!

Thakoon Rococo sleeveless dress, Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony pinafore dress, Thakoon silk drape dress, T by Alexander Wang racerback tank dress, Thakoon black waist dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim laser-cut dress, Jason Wu floral chiffon dress, Alice + Olivia embellished blouson dress, Alexander Wang leather-trim dress, Proenza Schouler printed silk dress.


*This post is sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue

Courtesy of Karla Otto

Thakoon has developed a Limited Edition Masai Plaid Scarf to help raise funds for the children affected by the crisis in the countries that make up the Horn of Africa – especially Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. They are currently experiencing one of the most dire nutrition situations in the world. Widespread drought and limited food supplies are threatening the region’s children and families. Hundreds of thousands of children’s lives have been lost already, and many more are at stake.
For each scarf sold, they will donate 100% of the proceeds to an international children's relief organization working in the Horn of Africa.

Click here to purchase yours and help with this good cause and add a stunning statement piece to keep warm in the upcoming season.

Ticking the boxes

I am not sure there is such a thing as set standards for Cruise collections. Personally, I feel there are certain things that always must be present —a maxi skirt and dress, a cocktail dress, an LBD, a tailored cotton trouser, a well cut blazer, shorts and a slightly loose knit jumper. Then, of course, they are to be played with and more interesting pieces to go with them are to be added but I feel a good resort line must include all of the above to be considered so.
Looking at the Cruise 2011 collections shown so far I have to admit I am a little impressed with the improvement. I suppose designers are also learning what to make of these odd and season-less lines they must produce. Since we can't speak of trends per se, for that is the whole point of these collections, I looked at colour. Along with white and black, orange has been very present in most collections. It works in a multitude of tones, it looks fresh but it's not too wild, and is apt for any scenery.

YSL and Michael Kors are two of my favourite Cruise 2011 collections. The first felt very fresh, as Stefano Pilati rarely uses any colour, let alone bright ones. The designs were along the classic lines of the French house but had a very cool edge that I personally loved. Kors, who usually plays it ridiculously safe, really surprised me with his line. The clean lines and simple clothes were full of East-coast coolness. I want more of that in his regular collections!

Oscar de la Renta's show was odd. The first half of the collection was all over the place, with sloppy combinations of garments, colours and prints while the second was this explosion of glamour. Gowns in the best colours, prints and shapes walked the runway until the end. My favourite was the white polka-dotted one above.

I found Rachel Roy's Cruise 2011 collection absolutely stunning. There was a lot of maxi dresses and skirts and some very cool layering and see-through-ness. She really made her collection look completely new using wardrobe staples and twisting them with very chic hands.

Which collection did you love?
I'm off.

[Style.com]

As of late, I have developed two new obsessions when it comes to TV shows. One is True Blood, and the second one is this, Mad Men. All the action is based between the then flourishing advertising industry and the suburban life of the employees of one of New York's main agencies in the 1960's. January Jones (below) plays Betty Draper, the wife of a successful advertising executive. Her style is very much reminiscent of the 50's, and Dior's New Look still plays an important role on a woman's wardrobe. It has been my endeavour to find some similarities between the fashion then and the collections from the last couple of seasons.

From left: Jason Wu, Prada, Valentino.

From left: Chris Benz, Paul Smith, Thakoon.

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

I'm off.