Passion for fashion: 3 looks for less than £200

And so, despite not winning anything first time round, I decided to enter the Passion for Fashion competition, the spring edition, and create three outfits for less than £200 each. Some may call me silly, others may say that determination equal success, but frankly, I just find the whole process of creating looks very relaxing and fun and that’s the main reason why I am taking part.

Would love to hear what you think of the ideas below, so please do drop me a comment.

The Casual look is the perfect example of what I’d normally wear if I needed something comfortable and quick without compromising on style.

Take a pretty cotton sweater, add the jeans, some simple jewellery, sunglasses (I never ever leave the house without them), and a roomy bag, slip on a pair of the sweetest wedges, top it up with a trilby and you are good to go. I adore the fact that the open knit pattern of the sweater (have a look at the website for close-ups) is similar to the one of the hat. And I love those shoes that remind me of Chloe and Celine circa 2010 – flatforms for a bit of extra height, comfortable for running around and way more stylish than trainers or flip flops.

To finish the outfit, I added some make-up and a perfume because, really, you’ve got to dab a drop of perfume here and there before leaving the house and I Love Love is such a fresh, happy and beautiful scent!

Total cost: £173.78

Where to buy: Sunglasses, Forever21 | Bracelets, Mango | Drawstring shopper bag, Boohoo | Sweater, La Redoute | Boyfriend skinny jeans, Warehouse | Trilby, Figleaves beachwear | Gansa sandals, Michael Antonio | Perfume (mini), I Love Love by Moschino @ FragranceNet | Nail polish, mascara, lip gloss, all L’Oreal

The Holiday/Beach outfit began with the dress. I choose it for several reasons: a) the fabric wouldn’t wrinkle b) the cut is feminine but allow you to move and relax c) the dress goes on like a t-shirt (and comes off like one, too) d) the fabric is dark enough, so should you choose to wear it to the beach with a bikini underneath, nobody would see the swimsuit through the material.

The rest of the look is pretty self-explanatory – sunglasses that pick the colours of the dress, statement ring that highlights the pink hues in the fabric and a perfect match of espadrilles, trilby and straw tote.

The only make-up I’d wear is a lip gloss and I picked the Daiquiri by Philosophy because it’s pink and the name screams holiday. The organic paraben-free sunscreen was another essential item. I decided against any perfumes this time because wearing one on the beach isn’t something I’d do or recommend.

Total cost: £156.93

Where to buy: Opaque frame sunglasses, Warehouse | Statement ring, Mango | Scent free organic sun lotion, Green People | Daiquiri lipgloss, Philosophy | Platform espadrilles, Hobbs | Hat, Eluna | Striped hem dress, Izabel London | Bikini, TopShop | Straw tote, Seafolly

The Party outfit is all about the dress. It looks like a petal or leaf, delicate and fresh - simple, light and incredibly versatile. For the summer party ensemble I decided to create an art-deco-meets-Greek-Goddess feel by pairing the “petal” with crystal earrings, clutch and sandals to make it unfussy and elegant. A touch of neroli-based perfume and light make-up to finish the look.

And when the party is over, the dress can be worn with Gladiator-style flats and gold cuff or bracelets, or black strappy sandals and biker jacket to create two absolutely different daywear outfits. I promised you it was versatile, didn’t I?

Total cost: £196.37

Where to buy: Crystal earrings, Mango | Colour block clutch bag, Oasis | Lime green dress, Helmut Lang | Solid perfume, Bulgari by Bulgari @ FragranceNet | Mascara & lipgloss, MUA | Nail polish, 2True | Suedette & metallic sandals, Boohoo

Photo source: Cosmopolitan US June 2012

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Russian top-models: Alexandra Egorova

“My worst childhood memory? Having to spend summer in a garden picking currants – my father has always loved making jams and preserves, it’s his passion.” Alexandra smiles. “And all we wanted to do was to be on the beach until dawn…”

Her words take me back to Yalta where Sasha and her sisters were born – the buzz, the cypresses, the flowers, the dark glossy cherries and juicy peaches and apricots, the Black sea full of playful gold sparkles, the seagulls and the salty air that cover the tops of the distant mountains with a soft blanket as the night falls.

She left everything behind at the age of 14 to follow her dream and continue studying flute at the Gnesin Music Academy in Moscow. “I still have absolutely no idea how I managed to talk my parents into letting me go there! I was on my own,  a teen, living in halls, totally independent.”

After graduating from the Academy Alexandra decided that she didn’t want to be a musician. Instead a modelling job at Sretenka fashion house became her “school of life” and first step into the industry. She worked with the house designers taking part in numerous fittings, fashion and tv shows. It was a very exciting world to be in.

Fashion has always been a part of Sasha’s life. Her grandmother was a professional dressmaker and loved knitting and embroidery while Sasha’s mother enjoyed making clothes for herself and her daughters as a hobby.

In 1995 she heard about a modelling competition hosted by Cosmopolitan and L’Oreal. Alexandra went for an interview and got through! “I really wanted to get to the final, win and go to Paris to meet Elite. And, of course, work in France if they’d take me on. It was my chance of a lifetime!”

In September 1995 the Cosmo editors proudly announced the winner and Alexandra’s photograph appeared on the pages of the magazine, followed by an editorial and then the much anticipated trip to the city of lights.

In Paris the time was moving at a speed of light: visiting L’Oreal laboratories, Louvre, Opera, meeting the French Cosmopolitan team and, of course, Elite.

Unlike many Moscow agencies and despite the girl’s concerns, Elite felt that Alexandra’s age and height (she is only 1.73cm tall) weren’t a problem and sent her to Nathalie, their sister agency that just opened.

The first 6 months were the toughest. Daily castings, shoots, constant travelling… She reached the top step by step, working hard and staying focused… Small jobs led to fashion shows and opened doors and soon Alexandra found herself working with the most influential photographers, walking for Ferretti, Etro, MaxMara, Miu Miu, Prada, McQueen, Dior, Missoni, Marc Jacobs, Kenzo, Lacroix, Guy Laroche, Dolce&Gabbana and Sonia Rykiel. She also became the face of several campaigns including Alberta Ferretti (where she was photographed together with her twin-sister, Lida, also a successful model), D&G and Missoni.

“This job isn’t as easy as it seems. You have to be disciplined, professional, trust your agent and most importantly learn how to present yourself at castings and meetings. You can have an attitude, but you must remember to use it the right way.”

A few days after arriving to Paris Alexandra met a young man who moved to France from the States to complete his doctor’s degree in chemistry. It turned out that the subject of chemistry wasn’t purely about science because the two fell in love…

She never thought of herself as a star, a top model. When I ask about it she simply admits that her job gave her a wonderful opportunity to meet some of the most talented people. “I am very grateful for being given a chance to work with such unique talents like Steven Meisel, Paolo Roversi, Patrick Demarchelier, Mario Testino, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, John Galliano… To be able to see the creative process.

I will never forget my fitting for the Dolce & Gabbana show. There was a moment when Domenico decided that he no longer liked the trousers they designed for the collection. He took a pair of scissors and turned those pants into a vest! It was mind-blowing! Not only a fantastic designer, but also a skilful tailor, too.

Those talented people make you realise that everything they do will be perfect. And they will make you look perfect, too. This is what the making of the top-model is all about.”

Alexandra stopped modelling in 2008. She lives in Japan where her husband was offered a job by the Tokyo University. In a few month she will be graduating from a fashion college where she is competing a course in jewellery design making another dream of hers come true.

 

Photo source (courtesy of Alexandra Egorova): Elle France, Elle UK, Cosmopolitan Russia September/October 1995, Elle France, Vogue Italia December 2000, Alberta Ferretti campaign, D&G campaign, Glamour US

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Fashion models in their bathrooms

So did I get the title right to grab your attention? Today’s post was inspired by our on-going bathroom renovation project and my love for beautiful fashion editorials. I combined the two and came up with a small collection of images where bathrooms became a background for some of the most gorgeous fashion models.

Photo source: Elle Russia November 2010, Allure September 2011, Cosmopolitan UK June 2012, Tatler Russia 2010, Tatler Russia May 2010, ???, Vogue Germany July 2011, Vogue Italia 1993, Vogue Italia March 2011, Vogue Italia November 2002, Vogue Nippon June 2010, Vogue Italia May 2008, Vogue Russia December 2010, Vogue UK 1990s, Vogue Nippon March 2009, Vogue Paris March 2012, ???, Numero June/July 2008, Vogue US April 2012, Elle Spain April 2011, Elle February 2009, Elle UK April 2011, Allure March 2009, Elle France January 2007, Elle Italia May 2011, Elle Russia March 2008.

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Stylish quote

“Youthfulness is about how you live,

not when you were born.”

Karl Lagerfeld

Photo source: Cosmopolitan UK May 2012

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