a little BREAK

soVIPzone is off to a little weekend getaway. Updates will go back to normal by next Tuesday/Wednesday. Enjoy the Spring!

when foreigners do CANNES

Everytime, around this time of the year, I wonder if those attending the Cannes Film Festival will not succeed; if they will fail through the stony and yet velvety way that the red carpet is. But once more, disappointment has get to me. I shall not be the most stylish being on Earth for another year. (You can send me your condolences in the shape of garments)

Getting back to the matter... We're only on the third day of the Festival and still I can already name Mr. "All-girls-even-lesbians-wanna-s***w-you" Jude Law the most stylish celebrity of this edition. If his usual elegance wasn't enough to eclipse the lady on his side and the rest of stars and crew of the festival, he chose Mrs. Ray Ban as his carpet-companion. Jude —we've been friends since I introduced him to Sienna Miller— went for a casual-chic look for the morning; he glam-ed it up with a black bazer and his signature vest over an underwear white plain tee.

The shoes were absolutely amazing, laced, shiny and pointed; and it all reached perfection with the superb Aviators in gold. Those same shoes, he used for the night event. Even though it started before darkness took over, Law put on his magnificent and always spotless tuxedo and this time he changed his shades for classy Way Farers. Both looks are almost matchless. By the way, that girl standing next to him is singer Norah Jones, who also stars in his film —she is actually the main character, but who cares anyway.
On the hot and girly side of the matter we have to talk about Diane Kruger. I had never really noticed her; I knew she existed, though. But this time I noticed her, I did INDEED! She was stunning and the audience was lucky enough to enjoy her through the whole night since she was the host of the show. She spoke a perrrfect —and rather sexy, if I will— French as a result of her German roots and being married to director Guillaume Canet. Her beauty and good choice on the outfit made her shine so strongly nobody could've ingnored her even with eyes closed.
Another beauty of the night was a particular dame with a very large carrer in the film industry: Juliette Binoche. She is one os those ladies who get more and more interesting and attractive as time makes an affect on them.
Already in her forties, she caught most of the media attention not only for being such a talented celebrity but for that elegant and charming look in her eyes which makes you feel like only both of you exist in the world; like nothing or no one else is needed but you and her. And she wore black, and did it like the greatest goddess. There are very few times when language is usless and inferior to reality; and this is one of these times.
Well, well, well... there's probably no one in the world who is able to do what this magician of fashion does. Il signore Valentino has not always the best tailored and proportioned tuxedo on, but also the sexiest company. Former-Devil Liz Hurley brought some colour into the picture and seduced the flashes with her curves and that lowered look she has always used —must've worked more than once— as she reflected on Valentino's I'll-leave-you-speechless shoes. I guess I'm pretty much out of words when I try to explain perfection.

And know, for the HUGE mistakes of the day... —you didn't expect me to simply talk nice and go, did you? I should warn you beforehand, though. This, I didn't expect either. This gentleman has always showed a particular sense of classyness in all the events he's attended to so far; but even Jake Gyllenhaal screws it up. DULL would probably be an understatement if we try to talk about his ensemble; not only it is indeed dull, but who in a sane state of mind would ever let someone go out with blue suit and brown shoes?!!!!!??!!! There is no human way I can comprehend this. And, ok, before we proceed to his even worse —if that's possible— company, let me just tell you that I just find something very bizarre on his face. But I'll leave that to your consideration. Now, Chloë Sevigny. There's very little to say about this person. I never understood why she has even been considered a fashion icon at times, but THIS!! this is just terrible, a catastrophe. Again, I can only find an understatement: unproportioned. Black & white with gold and puffiness all around? Is she on crack? Please, make me look to her no more. I cannot comment her. Forgive me.
I'm off.

PS. Look at that cuuute golden scorpion and try NOT to throw up.

the LION king

It's here. It's arrived. It's among us.
Stepping in without previous warning —like a rhino in a glass exhibiton— Mr. Summer is in town.
Speaking of rhinos... Whenever we talk about hot weather, we talk about short clothes and whenever it's about summer clothing, we're talking SAFARI. If there's a way to look real chic not jeopardicing comfort and sportyness, that's wearing safari-inspirated clothes in summer. However, as as fantastic as this is, a safarian look is not an easy goal to accomplish for the regular department-storal people. This is why we need some higher help, someone with great vision and a groundbreaking sense of summer fashion: Alessandro Dell'Acqua.
In a similar and yet very distinct way he has done what Frida Gianinni did for Gucci: pulling together women's and men's wear. The difference lays on the fact that the garments intended for women have that more luxurious taste while men's are more urban, but let's leave that for a bit later.

It is print-season. Prints have been around for two collections already and people don't seem to be done with them, au contraire, they love them more and more every day. But with crazes along comes tackyness. Someone close to me put it like this: "I thought I was having a heart attack" when referring to Dolce & Gabbana's Animalier, their special collection devoted to leopard. This is why we need our dear "Mr. Water" (Aqua means water in italian) to guide us through this jungle animal prints are. So here we go.
We begin with the women's line —for I am a gentleman. As I pointed out before, there's more of a luxurious view for women. I should warn you ladies that this luxury is due to the use of lots of black, white, grey and some sand colors combined, nevertheless, with glimpses of silver and two of Vogue's chosen colors of the season: emerald and raspberry.
Don't get too excited, though, the apperance of this two jewls of the summer is limited to very few outfits and garments and is ONLY used to give them some life, not to be protagonists. But we have to clear up our minds about colors in summer, we can play only with black and white as much as we can with red alone; you should keep that in mind at all time. So just imagine how much more we can do if we add all sand colors, grey, silver and beige to the sum. And now let's multiply; Mr. Dell'Acqua goes straight to mini-dresses. You can ignore one trend of the season, but not another which made such a strong entrance as minis did; this is why most of his creations come in short. You have them plain-colored one-piece, printed-two-pieces, or once-pice covered with gauze... just whatever you can think of. And just in case you didn't have enough, the designer had the courtesy of having done some full-lenght creations. But however they are, the waists keep going up with the help of corsets and wide fendi-like belts.


Alright, don't worry, I haven't forget: PRINTS. Any self-respecting safari-inspired collection needs TONS of prints; and Alessandro is very aware of that. And I have to confess that as much as I "dislike" the leopard confusion going on in the world, I really love the way he has dealt with it. The major part of the prints he used are what we usually and mistakenly call leopard, however, it's not quite so, but more like giraffe. And this is really great because it is the best way to have both the geometric trends and the print ones at a time on an outfit . And giraffe also turns out to be a very versatile mean to play with colors since we can have two of them on the same garment so easily (see the pics to see what I mean). Anyhow, what I love the most about this collection is how masterly the designer plays with textures and fabrics. Cotton has to be the predominant for it's summer; but gauze joins in in sevaral ways: as a layer-cover for some of the mini-dresses and also as main piece of the dresses themselves printed with snake-like patterns and also in the colors of the season. And, ok, to conclude I shall just say that platforms in leopard —Ashley Olsen wore them first— are the latest for your feet but gladiator sandals come kicking them in the butt, so it's your call ladies!



Alright guys, it's our time. I know it is not fair to always be the last ones on the list, but this is what it takes to be a real gentleman —write that down. Speaking of which, we are going to look HOT this summer. Comfort takes over anything, but care in design is not forgotten. Short is the key word —as it was for women— when it comes to pants and they come very safari; two bottoned pockets flank them. For some reason, the color range for us is widened up to some yellow, violet and khaki as well as prints are: zebra, tiger... So we have more to choose from. Dell'Acqua has done pretty much what he did for women; and that is mixing up the classic colors (black, white, grey, sand colors, beige and silver) with all the prints and the only-for-men bright hues. But there's one more innovation specially made for us; the leather and the military motifs that give more of a urban look to the outfits. Sadly, I don't have that much more to say. Shirts and polo-shirts keep on reigning over t-shirts —there are some but, believe me, you don't want to know— and only a few loose and unwashed denim shows up. I still wonder why everyone keeps creating sweaters, jackets and blazers for summer when this freaking global warming thing won't let us use them; even at night. But they do, so we can find lots of v-necked sweaters in plain colors over printed shirts, jackets with a combination of canvas and leather and gorgeous blazers. So... to get it over with I will just tell you to keep an eye on those silver shoes that start to pop out everywhere and the superb also-printed belts.


Remember you can see the large version of my selected highlights by clicking on them and you can also check the entire collections online.
Hope you've enjoyed my review. I'm off.

PS. If you feel like a little dizzy from all the times I've said print or one of its derivatives, go have a Starbucks. I feel dizzy too.

one out of TWO

They say twins are linked from the very moment of their birth. And it is true indeed. It is scientifically proven that the two human beings who come out of the same feminine cell share a lot of parts throughout their lifes. They could probably answer exactly the same to a question, even doing it at the same time. They can like the same music, the same colors, the same films. This rule, however, does have an exception. I don't know about the millions of twins from all over the world, but at least this particular TWO differ in something: picking up their clothing. Too bad, though, only ONE succeeds in this task. Her name is Ashley OLSEN.
Who could have imagined that this so mignone girl and her look-alike sister Mary Kate would have gotten this far. In "Full House" we thought it was only one Michelle, when there were actually two of them. And it was that role as very little girls which rocketed their carrers to starring and producing movies and TV shows and even launching their own clothing line "MaryKateAndAshley". Sadly, this experience into the fashion bizz was as economically successful as a compilation of awful creations made reality.




This is why I couldn't believe it when a few years ago the Olsens started poping out on red-carpet events looking superbly chic and stylish. Unfortunately, MK fell into the hole of anorexia and probably lost part of her sanity on the way. Ashley, on her part, managed to stay sane —at least apparently— and develop the style skills to get to Vogue's top five best dressed of the week just a few days ago. And this happened with her wearing an outfit which was supposedly very casual and random —so go figure how she looks when she does think about it. However she does it, the point is she looks A-mazing 24/7.
Before we proceed, I feel the need to point something out: we are talking about a girl who is 5'3'' tall (1'60m) and pretty petite. OK, this said, I can resume my speech. The thing is that the 2-minute older sister —maybe that's the key to mental health— is going in and out of SUV's and stores and Starbucks all the time. And thank God! because we get to enjoy her great usage of the women's wear. Nevertheless she is not one of those celebrities who won't wear a garment, bag or pair of shoes twice, no —and that is what makes her even more special—, she uses and re-uses her bags and accesories to death. Who hasn't seen the black crocodile Fendi bag or the dark little Chanel one or the now über-trendy Way Farers? This is the secret to look good all the time: having the rare but fantastic skill to mix everything up and make it work. Of course —let's not be cynic— style runs through her veins, otherwise she wouldn't be able to do this. She knows classics never get demodé and that basics match with everything, especially if these basics have colors in common (white, black, grey, khaki, sand colors...) And then there is the more than obvious key that budget is. I'm not saying that you can't look really perfectly and stylishly dressed with ready-to-wear from any department or even thrift store, but money plays quite an important role in this world —the fashion world.
One way or another, my already beloved Ashley is soVIPzone's most stylish and best dressed celebrity of the season. I invite you to track her every and daily step and see for yourselves. In the meantime, take a look at my preferred outfits from the oldest Olsen sister.

I'm off.

sunshine, LOLLIPOPS and... rock'n'roll

As reluctant as a kid who chooses a lemon lollipop over strawberry, I chose to give Frida Giannini a second chance. Fall/Winter 2006 was —how to put it nicely— CRAP. But as a kid who gives one more shot to an apple lollipop and loves it, I changed the bitterness in my tongue for a sexy and exciting sweetness. A candy store was never as HOT. Come along to see what happens when rock, hippy and Tyrolean converge in amazing symbiosis and rocket Gucci's S/S collection to the podium of fashion creations. This is why this collection is soVIPzone's FAVE for this season.
Next stop in the candy store is getting some Skittles —oh I love them! — and finding out there are actually two flavor-packs: Fruits and Crazy sours. Deciding... so much for a young mind. Just get the two of them, men's and women's line. This is unordinary not having to choose, to go for one thing over the other but, why choosing if it's all pretty much the same? Go women, go men. La signora Frida definitely went for Skittles. For one of the first times in fashion, same inspiration and same flava for both sexes' clothes are to Spring us up. Think PATTERNED, that is the key to look Gucci this summer, but don't forget to bring in a beachy and renewed hippy vibe to it. Let's get the show started.

It is a time of changes: the weather changes, the mood changes, and clothes short up —lucky us! Either way we’re celebrating the ladies. If you, beloved readers, have gone through the pages of the great piece of literature and art that is Vogue you will know by now that Tyrolean rocks this season’s collection! Getting all “Yolerou-hi-hou” is what’s hot at the moment, meaning squares, triangles, rhombs and any other geometric forms in colors that look more from the 60’s. Frida mixes it up with high belt-corsets in brown and black shiny leather that include patchwork of the same patterns in the dresses and she puts the ultimate touch with gorgeous mountain boot-looking heel sandals also in brown and black leather. The hair is simply done in a clean and pretty ponytail. Mini and tight are must vocabulary for the rest of the collection. Who —and I’m including guys in this— doesn’t love a mini dress? Duh! But don’t get too excited, suits for girls make a strong arrival, in a very rock’n’roll way. It is sort of a The Killers look: pants get closer to the body and shorten up to let us have a glimpse at the boots. Blazers shorten up too, we can see more of the waist (and the belt) and they are also a little shorter on the sleeves, perfect to wear that gorgeous timepiece you want to be showing off. However, Gucci’s newest Creative Director didn’t forget the roots of the label: BLACK. It is a main part of the suits in all its range, different shades of black, going to grey and even to its luxurious zone: silver. Black gets interwoven once more with patterns, also geometric. The original thing to it is the fact that both pieces of the suit do not match up. Blazers and pants have a different design with a similarity of color as a link between them.



Nonetheless, there are some specific pieces that shine brighter than their companions. Those classic candies that we haven’t tried for a long time but whose intense flavor we cannot forget easily. This is the sensation that took over me when I spotted this masterpiece. Actually there is not only the one, but among all the “look-alikes” this is the one that captivated me the most. It tastes like a magnificent strawberry candy and yet it has the sexiness of the apple and the excitement of cinnamon. It’s made of black-backgrounded gauze printed with Paisleys in white and the colors of Giannini’s summer: purple, red and fuchsia. All this falling down to different heights from a two-color strap in the neck. As stupid as it may sound it looks “Sound of the Music” meets “Aquarius” in its improved version.


After all this storm of glamour there is not much left to say about the men’s line. As I said before it is very much alike the women’s. But I’m gonna try.


Despite the fact that both collections are more than bonded to each other, there is ONE thing that the girls won’t be able to enjoy as much: hippiness. Since we don’t wear mini dresses —thankfully— there had to be something exclusively made for us and this is the über-colorful printed pants in summery colors. But do not despise it yet, because they go together with lots of black to keep it wearable. Then the suits. As they did with the ladies’, both pieces shorten up and get tightened to the body to let us —or those who can anyway— show off some skin. As far as men are concerned, the pattern mix occurs between the blazer and the shirt and the tie. It really does look COOL. The pants are kind of denim-like and a little shiny to give that rock kinda vibe. As for colors there’s no much to say, more black and grey and some red to Spring it up. And last, the shoes. I found it really interesting that they change from ankle-high boots to sandals in a heartbeat. But each of them in a different context: boots for suits and sandals for hippy looks. We are encouraged —I didn’t need it, though— to look extra spotless and super CLEAN.





Take a look at my highlights and don’t forget to check out the entire collection and the web to elaborate your wish list.
It’s been a pleasure. I’m off.

…it’s glamorous indie rock and roll…

and the BEAT goes on, and the beat GOES ON...!

Oh welcome the equinox may be! The first day of the Spring is already a day behind our lives. It is a day on which fantastic things are to happen, a day when the most important —and yet most irrelevant— people were, are and will be born. Aka?: it's my birthday.
Nineteen Springs have gone by in the blink of a perfectly moisturized eye. Thanx to everyone for making such a good day out of it. Seriously, you don't deserve me. But this is how I am, so close the the plebs and all.
However, this is not a post about me, but about someone more important, about her highness. Someone who's been there not for the whole nineteen years of my existance, but still has been there long enough to matter. This would be —of course— Ms. Britney Spears. My most outstanding present was the release of Brit from "Promises" rehab center yesterday. How awesome is that? Apparently she has done better than expected and has been able to leave the rehab facilities in advance. A regular stay in the center is around 45 days, and she has only been there for a month. Also, it looks like this 30-day stay at Malibu's center has helped Britney to clear up her mind. Kevin and her will be sharing 50% of custity of the kids —18-month-old Sean Preston and 6-month-old Jayden James—, which is just great because this way they won't have to get into any kind of trial that will only end up feeding those nasty ruthless piranhas the tabloids are.
Now let's just hope for her to hop back on to the recording studio and make a kicking come-back in a few months. Because, even if the media hasn't let this through, Brit's support from her fans —myself OBVIOUSLY included— is larger and more intense than anyone can even guess. We are gonna make Britney the artist with the most freaking successful come-back in the music history!!

I'll be back sooner than you think with Gucci's collection review.
I'm off.