walk this way, talk this way

To wear this collection - you need curves baby! I love it when Miuccia harks back to something that is quintessentially Italian. The full length skirts, bee hives, curvaceous silhouettes....... Prada does this best every time. Remember the 90's when it debuted some of it's best A/W collections? Most of those pieces still very relevant today.

This is a tribute to being womanly. The ample bust was the unavoidable focal point of the silhouette, picked out in balconies of lace ruffles and upstanding pointy-bra formations on raised-waist, wide-skirted dresses and coats. Any girl on the runway who didn't have the natural Bardot-esque equipment was bestowed with it by means of frothy fabric placements, but the eye naturally migrated to the ones who did. The others, young and pretty as they are, marched on in the usual kind of anonymity. In fashion, appreciating the exceptional is always more interesting.

It was nice to see that Prada envisages this being worn by women other than the zombie army of teen models that has roamed her runway recently—and that has influenced others to mimic that uniform aesthetic. Customers, she can be assured, will like that shift—but will it have a bigger ripple effect than that? Miuccia Prada is a fashion-industry influencer. Let's see who scrambles to follow the leader.

crew-sing online

Have long had a crush on J Crew. Now the latest buzz is it is going global with Net-a-porter.com Mid May. This is its first major push overseas for J Crew and I am so totally excited. I cannot wait to click! Nowadays with everything going digital, it is a wonder that with a click of the mouse, you can get a whole outfit in a matter of minutes. I call it shop-a-clicka-lympics now.

This post may be short, but as you know, I have 'priorities' and am salivating over all the outfits modelled by Magdalena and Liu. Bring on cool American preppy style!

chicks, get your kicks!

My latest obsession with luxe sportswear mixed with heavy hip hop influence has led me to salivate over the latest kicks by Jimmy Choo. The King of Pop's passing has clearly started a revival in terms of how his music and style have influenced fashion's pop culture. It's THE thing for Spring combined with those ever-oh-so cute dresses and shorts. The high-top designs are sleek, luxe, and combines a hint of old-school trainer style with a glamorous yet effortlessly cool look. The collection comprises six styles—high- and low-tops—made of patent leather, suede, and elaphe snake skin, and is influenced by today’s music, youth, and pop culture. What kind of sneaker-style will you be kicking this Spring/Summer '10? I, on the other hand will be re-thinking my Converse/Nike line up. Need to expand the fam, y'know!

keeping some fabulous company

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Cartier, world renowned jeweller is currently exhibiting pieces owned by the likes of Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and Gloria Swanson is currently on view in San Francisco’s Legion of Honor celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the French jeweller’s first American boutique, which opened on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue in 1909.

For “Cartier and America,” curator Martin Chapman managed to amass close to 300 jewellery, fashion, and decorative items from the house’s legendary Geneva vault as well as private collections in the US and France, including Grace Kelly’s 10.47-carat emerald-cut engagement ring, Taylor’s ruby-and-diamond abstract suite given by her husband Mike Todd in 1957, and Swanson’s diamond–and–rock crystal bangles that appeared in the movie Sunset Boulevard. Cornelius Vanderbilt III’s diamond-and-platinum pendant brooch, Linda (Mrs. Cole) Porter’s and Daisy Fellowes’s sapphire-emerald-and-ruby “Tutti Frutti” jewels, and a coterie of the company’s great cats—Barbara Hutton’s emerald-eyed tiger ear clips–and–brooch set and the Duchess of Windsor’s diamond-and-onyx panther bracelet—also take their place among Cartier’s greatest hits. (Phew! Must take a breath now)

Some of the show-stoppers or must see pieces: a 1923 pendant brooch of seven carved Indian emeralds—including one from the Mughal era. It belonged to the cereal-fortune heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, who has five additional treasures on display, and was worn at the shoulder, the stones cascading from a diamond buckle. Apparently she was a restless jewellery wearer, constantly having things altered, constantly buying things. Her daughter Dina Merrill, the actress, once said that when her mother became ambassadress to the Soviet Union, they must have thought the regime of the czars had returned! Now that is some bling-tastic story to talk about.

SR pour moi?

Although the frenzy has been all about the Sonia Rykiel for H&M collection. It reminds me very much of her own pieces that has inspired much of this recent collaboration. The gist is all about having fun and channelling the French fille in you.

(Top and bag from Sonia Rykiel, Dress worn as skirt from Silent & Noise, thrifted shoes, Tights from H&M)

good sport/glam sport, tough sport/trend sport

(Top & Gilet from Whistles, Shrug from Free People, Shoes from New Look, Necklaces from FE & Mikey, Rings from Marc Jacobs, Bracelets from FE, Hat & Jeans from H&M)

to pleat or not to pleat

Inspired by all the pleating that went on in the recent catwalk shows, I decided to try something out myself. Rodarte's looks at the S/S10 shows were great, but unfortunately, my hair length seems to short to emulate. So, here goes without the crazy knits and body paint, my own version after a visit to the hairdressers (thanks to the deftly hands of my super stylist) including this season's denim trend.

Bonne weekend!

(Dress from Miss Selfridge, shoes from Reiss, rings from a selection of high street buys, earrings from Mawi)

chyc non?

Well, pondering the beautiful collection by Mr Jacobs, I chanced upon this bag by YSL. Immediate thoughts were: lusssshhh! I want to hug the bag and if it were possible, I'd have both Mr Jacobs' collection and this bag to wear with it this coming Fall/Winter. C'est possible? Just so you know, this is from the pre-fall colllection. I love the classic shape, the luxe leather (it also comes in suede), and the just-flashy-enough metal Y closure. Ironically, this bag is called: YSL Chyc bag.

Price on request, available at YSL stores in mid-summer.

sleepwalking through El Paso to Marfa,Texas

Here once again, a collection that has me in awe. The Mulleavy sisters have done it once again. Like Marc Jacobs, the serenity, not darkness, was the abiding impression. Under the dark light during the finale, the models' candlestick heels suddenly glowed as if lit, Nicholas Kirkwood's towering shoes, the heels this time cleverly designed to look like melting wax.

Rodarte's latest trip - a long drive from El Paso to Marfa, Texas, got them thinking they might like to explore their Mexican roots. From there, they became interested in the troubled border town of Ciudad Juárez; the hazy, dreamlike quality of the landscape there; and the maquiladora workers going to the factory in the middle of the night. And that, according to the designers, who certainly know how to romance a pitch, led to this conclusion: They'd build a collection off the idea of sleepwalking.

no to racy, yes to lady

A big leap away from all that is OTT. This season, Mr Jacobs, has yet again pushed the envelope, or shall we say gone against the grain. Personally, I am loving the new hemlines, a breath of fresh air from the cringe-worthy past two seasons where real interpretations on the everyday outfit has made it difficult to manoeuvre your way past pavements and streets without noticing some form of exposed underwear!

The mood now is very much serenity.... and I think we all secretly agree that we crave that sense of normality back. This is is the new seduction. Jacobs, subversive as ever, said after the show. "There's so much striving for newness now that newness feels less new. Cynics might argue that he took the easy way out this season. Let them; Jacobs would probably argue right back. These clothes are money in the bank not because they're "safe," but on account of their built-in resonances for the house's many followers. For all our technological advances, it's the emotional connection that makes the sale these days.

kiss me in colour

When I heard that Lulu was opening a pop up shop off Carnaby Street, I was très excited. The shop is filled with all of Lulu's signature goodies. Like a bag and accessories kind of candy store (love, love the lipstick keyring!!!!). The main attraction is of course the Lip Clutch in every colour imaginable! So, whilst chatting to Gemma, Laura and Zoe who were so so lovely and welcoming, we decided to take a group photo. I call it kissing in colour.

PS: To Gemma, Laura and Zoe, it was a pleasure to get to meet you all. Hope to see you again soon!

mcfancy??!!

I totally refuse to believe that anything Hermès can possibly be bad for you--even if they are deep-fried frites. Meet McFancy, an upmarket temporary McDonald’s location launching during Fashion Weeks around the globe, from New York, London, Milan, and Paris to Sydney and Hong Kong. The Big Macs and sundaes might taste the same, but somehow, a Burberry wrapper is infinitely that much more delicious. Let's hope they keep the price of the menu in tact.

and all the dashing men

Every year around the end of January when men's fashion week kicks off, I always feel a real buzz. It is always a time to look into and/or catch a glimpse of real people with real clothes that are not only stylish but effortless )or at least look it). This kicks off with ogling at all the people who attend Pitti Uomo in Florence. In recent years, Mr Schuman has made it more accessible and possible to capture the idealistic romance of the way men dress and how they should be - in real life. Jeans, trainers and t-shirts aren't meant to be just a wardrobe basic or staple for the modern guy. If anything, as fashion becomes more and more democratic with the times, choice is everywhere and the possibilities of putting together an outfit more fun (and maybe challenging too at times).

Here, are some of my favourite shots captured by Mr Schuman during Pitti this year. These are real men, real clothes, effortlessly put together and more importantly, sartorial interpretations that transcends all ages. So, to the modern guy out there... instead of your everyday jeans and t-shirt... and occasional shirt/jeans/jumper combo; give your look a little thought, a little tweak, a little edge!

Have a great weekend and a fabulously romantic St Valentine's Day. x

To Mr McQueen,
My thoughts are with you and your family. Sad news. Sad you have left.
Rest in peace.
1969-2010

All photos courtesy of the Sartorialist

It's called: The greatest reality show in the history of reality shows

The latest addition to reality shows by Bravo - Kell On Earth! According to Kelly - “The seating chart is a ritual. It’s important who’s where for a lot of reasons. Where you sit says how much power you have, how much money you have, where your level of importance is in the fashion industry. So if you’re in rows one, two, or three, you’re in the game. If you’re in anything above row three, you’re not in the game.” I want to see this! So badly!

canyouseemeseeyou

My one consolation on a day as cold as today? At least the sun is shining. Which means that even when I'm bundled up in lots of black, I still have an opportunity to take a rosy view of the world–well, rosy, or orange, or green. Leave it to the colorful duo of Henry Holland and Linda Farrow to team up to create these sunnies, an acrylic merging of lens and frame that will put a spring in your step no matter how low the temperatures drop.
While browsing all the pretty offerings at Oh Joy! in New York,I came across this delightful cerulean sunglass case by Jonathan Adler, purveyor of charming home goods. Maybe it’s the grey skies, but I've had shades on the brain lately. So whether you’re protecting your old reading specs or your Alexander Wang for Linda Farrow sunglasses, we suggest this cheeky needlepoint case.There is also no chicer way to protect your retinas from harmful UV rays…behold Alexander Wang for Linda Farrow sunglasses... and lastly, through the grapevine.... we hear a collabo with Whistles coming soon to a store near you!