smells of tv

Ever since Stuart Vevers entered the house of Loewe in January 2008 the whole appearance and feel of the brand has evolved from the rather sloppy and unfocused Spanish brand that it once was to a more sophisticated and internationally known one. This Christmas they have launched a new perfume and advert (I believe only in Spain) which very much caught my attention. I love the photography, the colours and the model in it.
Click here to watch the Aire Loco de Loewe advert.

I'm off.

wine tasting

I didn't realise what a fantastic colour maroon was until I found myself wandering around the China and Japan sections of the V&A museum. It has been the colour choice in Asian furniture and ornaments for centuries. And so, my current obsession consists of all-black ensembles with a flash of what I like to call "wine". These below are "wine" options for all the women who'd like to join in my craze.

Clockwise: Vanessa Bruno silk dress @ Net-a-porter, Alexander McQueen scarf @ Matches, Ray-ban clubmasters @ Liberty of London, Burberry Prorsum cardigan @ Net-a-porter, YSL suede pumps @ Brown's, Pink Fly demi necklace @ Liberty of London, YSL belt @ Matches.

Clockwise: Miu Miu dress @ Net-a-porter, L'Wren Scott sequined cardigan @ Net-a-porter, Wendy Mink ring @ Liberty of London, Lanvin dress @ Matches, Burberry lace-up wellies @ Net-a-porter, Aubin & Willis checked dress @ Net-a-porter, Gold and sapphire earrings @ Browns, Burberry Prorsum shoes @ Net-a-porter.

Are you in?

I'm off.

be my HERO

Like everything you bite your nails waiting for, this year's Costume Institute gala at the MET left me quite disappointed. Just like when you walk out of a well-named restaurant feeling full yet unsatisfied. I can't say whether my disappointment is caused by the lack of originality or risk choosing gowns or by the very few attendants who actually took into consideration the gala's theme —Superheroes.

Only my darling Anna Wintour and fashion-sprout Christina Ricci were able to bring together the theme yet pull of an extremely glamorous look at once. The boss of bosses in a Chanel Haute Couture words cannot manage to describe; the latter, in a wonderful Givenchy loaded with gauze, showing a heart through. Just magnificent.

However, it can not be said there was nothing that caught the eye. I believe the best way of giving the Superhero theme a go was by including loads of crazy colours in your outfit, no matter how you did it. Kate Bosworth did it with sequins made in Chanel HC, models Coco Rocha and Anja Rubik did colour trusting one of its masters —Pucci, and Zac Posen and Co. ruled the night in the brightest shades of blue and yellow.

Additionally, I am particular fond of these three picks. I was literally astonished when I first came to see Katie Holme's Armani utterly packed with red sequins and coped with blinding-blue Louboutins. A crazy choice, perhaps, but one that I adore. To her right is GG's latest addition, Michelle Trachtemberg, in a very rich version of a greek goddess by YSL. Not so much Superhero-ish, but beautiful all the same. Last in the picture is designer Max Azria, a gentleman I now admire for this obvious but unconventional way of proving how easy it was to stick to the theme of the event.

I was particularly happy to find several very elegant-looking gentlemen who put their trust on those who master the art of suits and tuxedos to dress them that night. They are Marcus Wainwright and David Neville (from Rag & Bone) in "themselves", Jason Lewis in Dolce & Gabbana, Chace Crawford in Calvin Klein Collection, and Steve Colb in a grey suit whose designer I long to know.

Last, the biggest disappointments of the night. First, the Olsens. Ashley and Mary-Kate managed to look good in their Diane von Furstemberg's but due to the high standards they've set for themselves, we can't but be completely bored. And, seriously, why is it that Ash looks like a sexy grown-up woman while MK looks like a haggard goblin!?! On second place, another disappointment was Ms. Rachel Bilson who not only got it terribly wrong with the gown but also with the hair. What a mess! That Calvin Klein looks like a hybrid between a mermaid costume and a Michael Phelps swimsuit.

- Your thoughts?

[Picture credits: JustJared, Style.com and GossipGirls]

I'm off.

PS. Comments will be answered shortly. I am loaded with work!! AH!!

power GIRLS

I am back with a celebrity post, something I haven't done for a while even though every once in a while one or two show up. As the weather changes the rich and famous search for new ways of looking stylish before the paparazzi while not passing out under the hard LA sun.

My winners of the moment are Heidi Klum and Lauren Conrad. As you may have noticed I am feeling quite fond of colour lately and they have pulled of very simple, colourful outfits. Heidi goes for grey skinny jeans, a white tee with beach-inspired prints in various hues, and purple flats with gold embroidery. If you ask me, the perfect touch are the sharp-cut bangs and the kick-a** orange sunglasses.

As with Lauren, it struck me that she was not wearing a dress or a skirt but red jeans! Hell yeah, girl! I have to say she looks specially hot in those and I thought the v-necked plain white tee was the perfect top for the jeans. Also, I would've never expected those huge red shades à la Kanye West but she rocked them too; and I am so glad she had her hair in a pony-tail, so she stops fixing her bangs every two seconds.

Anne Hathaway leaves me well impressed every time I glance at her candid outfits as of late. This time, however, it is the role in her last film that impressed me, or rather, her looks in it. I have always been a big big fan of though girls with good looks (Buffy TVS, Bond's girls...) and it seems Hathaway has just joined them in my very personal soVIP hall of fame.

Lastly, I wanted to include LiLo because I was enjoying much her looks up until this one when she decided to go back to her old boring self. Coco from Coco's Tea Party already pointed it out on her Hit and Miss of the week but it felt just right to put it out there once again. And, no, I don't like her as a blonde! (Notice the Miu Miu bag, Victoria Beckham wore it first; will it be the it bag of the season?)

[Pictures credit: JustJared and GossipGirls]

I'm off.

PS. None of you knew about this but I applied to London College of Fashion for next year and I just heard from them: I GOT IN!! :D I'm deliriously happy!!

just for FUN

It is a deliriously sunny, warm day here in Barcelona. The previous sunny days were simply preparing the territory for an outstanding Saturday morning, so I felt it was my duty to go out and enjoy a good breakfast beneath the sunlight. I did so as I chatted on the phone with a friend, read a little, and had a close look at what people were wearing for this specially nice weather. And I was struck with an awful sort of surprise, those who were not still wearing their dull dark-coloured jackets or sweaters (I do not know who they survived, by the way) wore shorts and tank tops. Now, seriously, isn't there anything to do but go to the extremes with the slightest climate change? Whatever happened to the Spring wardrobe? The bad or lack of use of colour seems most incomprehensible to me, with all those florals and bold colours showing up everywhere!

Because all of this, people's lack of fun and colour for dressing today, I write this post. There is a brand that came my way not long ago and that I've been finding interesting lately. It's called 55DSL and it was initially created as an experimental spin-off from Diesel to later establish itself as an independent brand. "The line was originally inspired by radical sports – snow, surf and skate – and these remain anchored in its DNA. But as the brand grew, it embraced the fusion of sport and urban culture that is the foundation of today’s street style.", this is how the brand describes itself. I know that to most of you, fashionistas of the world, this will not sound very promising, but I ask you to have a look first.

I personally find very interesting the manner in which they play around with the named extreme sports inspiration, you can see it yet it's not so evident. Then, I'm quite fond of the colours they've used and the fits of the clothes as well as that very cool degradé (like Prada's). I don't know about you, but in the summertime I usually find myself searching through my closet trying to find something that it's not so tight nor too loose in which to feel comfortable and stylish. I reckon 22DSL has achieved that point.

I really like the colour jeans, I was surprised to find them in pink for guys! What do you think of them? and I am also in love with the checked shorts and the bunnies t-shirt!

Also, I found this jumpsuits and dress for girls. I have been wondering for a while whether I'll see any girls wearing jumpsuits about town, but looking at these has made it easier for me to picture them on the streets. I quite like the grey one because it looks like the kind of garment that you could wear just like that plus some Converse or stylish it up with a belt and some heels.

[Pictures credit: 55dsl.com]

For more information about 55DSL, click here.

I'm off.

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.