rodarte hong kong diary

Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy along with their friend and favourite photographer Autumn de Wilde hopped on a plane to Hong Kong last week. This was for a very good cause - a collaboration with the actress Maggie Cheung and Hong Kong-based store Joyce on four one-of-a-kind pieces (all inspired by Cheung’s iconic films) to benefit UNICEF.

Not to miss out on an opportunity for inspiration, the designing sisters asked de Wilde to document their adventures on film and she happily obliged. The end result is an album of more than 200 pictures from the Wong Tai Sin Temple, to the innovative windows at Joyce, to the view across Saint Michael’s Catholic Cemetery. And who knows—perhaps you’ll be able to trace some influences in their next collection. Doesn't this make you feel like you want to be there?

Photos via vogue.com

the scent of plants harvested just after the rain

'By creating fragrances woven in the most beautiful raw materials and melted with poetic impetus that is found in the inspired wearer, perfume can be saved from the terrible trivialization that threatens it. This is how I wrote the formula for this first perfume for Maison Martin Margiela, with that special grace that comes with the perception of the obvious, that clarity that gives us wings in the wonderful encounters of our lives.' Daniela Andrier

After 20 years of creating influential avant-garde designs, fashion house Maison Martin Margiela is launching its first fragrance. In a nod to the designer's mysteriousness (Margiela shuns the spotlight and has never shown his face to the fashion public) and unwavering no-logo fashion legacy, the scent is named Untitled.

Although Margiela himself left his eponymous fashion house in December, according to WWD the designer was very involved with the scent's creation.

Untitled is simply about the fragrance - a green/woodsy unisex scent with a strong presence. The principal element of this woody green floral is Galbanum, a fine and rare raw material. Its incisive notes are boosted with the bitterness of box green, the vibrancy of lentiscus and incense, and the smoothness of bitter orange. Like a huge armful of plants harvested just after the rain, its raw state recalling pared-down garments and hems cut open, emblematic signatures of Maison Martin Margiela. Faithful to its philosophy of metamorphosis, of finding a 'second life', Maison Martin Margiela turns this exhumed classical foundation upside down, and contrasts it with resonances of sweet jasmine and musky cedar. Its striking predigree is then edged with a dense, almost filmy warmth.

The first perfume to be produced by Maison Martin Margiela expresses and indicates, with disturbing sensuality, a unique femininity. 'I know that perfume must not follow a fashion or a trend, but an instinct. This first perfume expresses a femininity which does not fit into formal categories.' says the perfumer Daniela Andrier (Givaudan) who pays tribute to the vision of Martin Margiela and his team. She adds: 'I am grateful to Maison Martin Margiela for whispering the formular for this perfume into my ear'.

Top notes: Galbanum essence, Box green, Bitter orange blossom absolute
Middle notes: Lentiscus resinoid, Jasmine, Galbanum resinoid
Base notes: Musk, Cedar, Incense resinoid

Untitled by Maison Martin Margiela available at Selfridges, London.

shoes & sweets is what a girl wants to eat

Fancy a playground filled with shoes and all that is good? Well, Mulberry has cottoned on to the sweet tooth craze. A candy-coloured wonderland of gorgeous shoes and sweets - fringed moccasin booties, Bayswater pumps, fabric sandals and rivet heels, wrapped in a Virgin Suicides meets Tim Walker bow.

In addition, you will also find the entire SS10 clothing and accessories collection, with more variations of the now infamous Alexa bag(I WANT ONE, don't you? So fierce!!!!!) and whimsical charms to personalise your wares.

Why the pause??? Get your skates on and check out their Bond Street store which has undergone a makeover. The whole downstairs area has been transformed into a playground with plenty of balloons, lollipops and even a carousel horse!!!

Mulberry Playground, in the basement,
41-42 Bond Street, London
www.mulberry.com

This is exactly where I want to be right now. Paris by night time and New York in the morning. Missing the buzz of fashion week already but still feeling the excitement in the air. I feel inspired by the places, the people, the air and just being there.... in Paris and New York.

wanna be a man

I have really been inpired by Mr Cortina's style on the Sartorialist blog. As an avid follower of most of his outfits,it's always refreshing to see how he reinvents the classics or basics of a gentleman's wardrobe. He's cool...effortless & sophisticated. Very GQ.

So as the good weather beckons, I'm thinking of the South of France, panama hats, boat shoes, Ray Bans etc. What about you?

(Shirts are from H&M, Trousers from Gap, Flip flops from Havaianas, thrifted hat)

the fantasy we all have of being able not to work

This look was all inspired by the sea. As the weather seems to be getting warmer, I have been daydreaming about holidaying on the beach. This look is an aspirational one, a take on Hussein Chalayan's SS10 collection. I loved the sculptural and textural details from the collection. His aim was to evoke a leisured, civilized lifestyle—or, as he put it, "The fantasy we all have of being able not to work."

The collection, with its dainty cantilever-heeled ballet pumps (love that) and cartwheel straw hats with integral flipped-down sun visors projected the aura of a long sojourn somewhere warm and expensive.

Conservative classicism this look is not, but this mix and contrast of prints and texture is to suggest ocean waves. This is simple-chic without being "lady"— a fine line?

(Top from Zara, Skirt from Matthew Williamson for H&M, Cuff & ring from Miss Selfridge, Shoes from Topshop)

This song reminds me so much about how fun it is to let your hair down and dance. It has all the musical elements that I love, and love to dance to. A bit of jungle, drum and bass, electro etc. The beat is so so so so addictive. This reminds me of a 'Step Up' moment once in a club with a group of friends a few months ago. It was a dance off that turned out to be so much fun. Lauren, if you are reading, big up and big love to you and the girls. It was a truly awesome night.

beauty to boot

Marilyn Minter has long had a talent for transforming the mundane into the provocative. Since March 2006 when Minter took out ad space on four billboards in Manhattan’s Chelsea district where she presented photographs of high heels kicking around in dirty water, they stayed up in Chelsea for a month! Minter also had a spot in the 2006 Whitney Biennial. Now the full range of her work, from the early, painterly still lifes of household objects through the more recent, vividly imagined fashion- and beauty-inspired pieces, has been collected in a gorgeous new book. The power of Minter’s photorealistic paintings often lies in the almost pornographic proximity of her subjects. One of her most buzz-generating series, in the late 1980’s, featured images of hardcore sexual acts, but she brings that same up-close-and-personal perspective to sumptuous studies of everything from food (an egg being cracked) to designer shoes (sparkling stilettos covered in mud) to makeup (a sweaty, red-lipsticked pout chewing on a diamond necklace). My favourites? A pair of dirty feet with a green pedicure that happens to feel, thanks to the continued popularity of Chanel’s Jade and its many imitators (big fan of the Barry M nail shade), very on-trend and dirt kicking heels.

Styled by Barbara Martelo
Photographed by Marcin Tyszka
Modelled by Anja Rubik, Karlie Kloss, Constance Jablonski, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Shu Pei, Alana Zimmer, Maryna Linchuk, Valeria Kelava, Karmen Pedaru

The issue boasts an abundance of couture and comes in a limited-edition English version (2,000 copies).
Start salivating peeps!

xoxo...

This was a Blair-rite moment (GG for those in the know, duh!). The moment was all about changing my style direction from the oh-so edgy (some may disagree) to the sickly sweet kinda preppy girl look. Tah da - the result. But what to carry with? Choices, choices. Blue or red?

Too many macaroons over tea later that afternoon, it was the blue bag that caught the attention of passersby. Must have been the right choice then, hick!

(Top from Zara, Skirt from Silent & Noise, Shoes from Marc by March Jacobs, Bracelet from Forever 21, thrifted watch, headpiece & ring, bags from Lulu Guinness, Tights from H&M)

splat!!

You must be thinking that this is ridic, right? Well, yes, kinda.... you can say that I was just having some kinda artistic/Banksy moment there. The weather has been kinda so cold and then all of a sudden everything seems to have cleared up, the temperature milder and you kinda feel, well..... how do I dress today?! No?! I have had several of those moments lately, especially when you think, 'Nah, too good to be true'. You may ask what the heck has the weather got to do with the artsy incline? Blah. No idea.

My latest crush is on long silhouettes, dresses more to the point. And how to translate this to Spring/Summer? Well, here is my take on one - buzzwords being: cool and casual, slightly more relaxed and possibly trans-seasonal? I'll let you be the judge.

In the meantime, I'll continue having fun with the artsy thang.

(Jersey dress from Topshop Boutique, Hat from H&M, Necklace by FE, Sandals from Primark)

cammina con me

These were taken while rushing from one location to another during London fashion week. It is a reminder how quickly time flies. Little did I suspect that this kind of trend is to hit us for Fall/Winter (very obvious in Paris - the colour beige & tailoring) as I try and brush up on my Italian while rushing in between appointments in the lead up to Milan fashion week.

(Top & earrings from H&M, Jacket & trousers from Amanda Wakeley, Scarf from Zara, Shoes from New Look, thrifted clutch bag)

you had me at.......

Aaaaahh... tell me which part of this collection do you not want? This is total chic non? As I gaze at the looks on perfectly groomed models streaming down the catwalk, it was like a much needed reverie. I want these clothes now! It looked perfectly tailored for the smart, powerful businesswoman. It was clean, polished, and chic—three buzzwords of the season. Naturally, the tone is set as we prepare with baited breath (ok, maybe just me), for the sequel to Wall Street. Yes, the boardroom has never looked so sexy since the 80s. About time! And of course the don himself, Michael Douglas reprising his Oscar-winning role as Gordon Gekko. Greed is GOOD! (Well......that is if you really really really want to own every bit of lusciousness that I've just witnessed during Paris fashion week!!)

mussels & trim

It was one of those days where I had to get through a huge to-do list while also trying to cram in some time for a spot of comfort food. This time, it was mussels in a green curry broth served with fries - totally scrumptious. The to-do list consists among many things, giving my hair some much needed TLC. Thank goodness the sun was out! The weather still relentlessly chhhhiiillly, hence the warm-ish getup. This boiled wool jumper has seen me through most of this winter - a loyal outfit accessory. I cannot wait for spring to arrive now.

Bonne weekend everybody! X

(Boiled wool jumper from Whistles, Tunic dress & leggings from H&M, Scarf from Zara, Long rope thrifted necklace, Spider charm necklace by FE)

red clutch, blue stripes, tick tock, count the clock

Big thanks to my Swedish posse who gifted me this lovely Bird ring. LOVE!

(Top & shoes from Zara, Dress & ring from H&M, cuff from Miss Selfridge, Clutch by Vivier, Bird ring from Accessorize)

encore Yves

“I’ve always had the highest of respect for this profession, which isn’t an art form per se, but which needs an artist in order for it to exist” - Yves Saint-Laurent.

The Fondation Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent and the Petit Palais (City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts) are showcasing the first Yves Saint-Laurent retrospective exhibition since the fashion designer passed away. A total of 307 haute couture and prêt-à-porter models are on show, ranging from the designer’s beginnings at Dior in 1958, with the famous “Trapèze” collection, to the splendour of the evening dresses from 2002. This Saint Laurent retrospective, opening tomorrow at the museum, is the biggest yet.

“Chanel liberated women, but Yves Saint Laurent gave them power,” Pierre Bergé, Saint Laurent’s partner in business and life.

From 11 March - 29 August 2010
Petit Palais
Avenue Winston Churchill - 75008 Paris

lady rouge

Marion Cotillard as “Lady Rouge” in her latest campaign for the Lady Dior bag. Here’s a look at the whole video, with Cotillard crooning Franz Ferdinand’s “The Eyes of Mars.” My first thought: better than Nine! LOVE!

prelude to a holiday: the journey

In the lead up to my holiday day dream, I re-visited these photos taken by Annie Leibovitz (US Vogue's February issue). These photos echo the very setting of the mood I'm in. Kinda like a film. The wardrobe and styling fits the mood perfectly whilst this brief encounter takes place. It seems like a long lost art form of travelling - and all its romantic grandeur.

Trains are a key feature of Last Train to Paris, the new Sean "Diddy" Combs album, and as far as Diddy sees it, trains mean love. "Trains are very intense, very sensual," he was saying recently while taking a car to a plane after a long day on tour. "Trains are related to the rhythm of your heart.

Well, suffice to say that with a wardrobe like that (hinting at what is to come for Fall/Winter); taking a journey like this to a destination like Glenmere is definitely going to be intense, sensual and memorable.