Bag of the month: January is for Balenciaga

 

A new classic, this Balenciaga Le Dix Cartable leather tote is definitely one of the investment pieces to think about. Flawless, chic, perfectly formed in calf leather decorated with subtle gold and silver accents. Even the chocolate brown suede interior is deliciously gorgeous! One of the first beauties celebrating the new era at the fashion house now in capable hands of Alexander Wang. A piece of style history to have and to hold (and show off whatever the occasion).

Available at mytheresa.com (in beige), Barneys (in green or black) and Matches (in cream or black)

 

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Nina Ricci Pre-Fall 2014

Whether Peter Copping creates it with lace, leather or fabric, the result is always – always – perfect. After I saw his latest Nina Ricci Pre-Fall, the purity of white, the more sharp than ever cut, the simple accessories that speak volumes – from the nude pumps resembling pointe shoes to the shoulder bag adorned with a stroke of gold, I couldn’t think of anything, but this beautiful collection because this is what the dreams are made of.

Photo source: wwd.com

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Christmas gift guide: every shade of WHITE

Once upon a time, still a teenager, I learnt from a magazine that white is not, in fact, my colour at all. Period. For a developing mind it was a tragedy and in my attempt to remedy the pain I proceeded to wear white despite all rules and limitations. As the years went by it became clear that the person who wrote the no-white nonsense article might have forgotten a very simple, but obvious fact – white, just like any other colour, doesn’t come in a single tint, but in a dozen of nature-inspired hues, so everyone, absolutely everyone, will have a beautiful, sparkling, delicious shade of white that suits them.

Where to buy: 1. Safety pink clutch bag, Versus (£178), 2. Stacking rings, Astley Clarke (from £75), 3. Mineral eye shadow in Sparkling White, Clarins (£17), 4. White fitted dress, Stella McCartney (£855), 5. Rose earrings, Oscar de la Renta (£175), 6. Flagrant Délice  EDP, Terry De Gunzburg (£68), 7. Champagne / Penthouse Candle, LAFCO New York (£46), 8. Diva Dog Bichon with Red & Green Collar Ornament, Joy to the World (£29), 9. White camelia flower brooch, AZ Collection (£125), 10. Merino wool V-neck sweater, Zadig et Voltaire (£100), 11. Black trip PJs, Poplin (£150) & similar, JCrew (£95), 12. White chocolate liqueur, Mozart (£17), 13. Rue the Cat dinky watch, Marc by Marc Jacobs (£136), 14. Living luminizer, RMS Beauty (£30), 15. Gold Layla headphones, Friends (£130), 16. White leather bag, Alaia, 17. White Linen perfumed body powder, Estee Lauder (£35), 18. Love Me shoes, Christian Louboutin (£565).

 

Photo source: Marie Claire Netherlands January 2014 (photography: Klaas Jan Kliphuis; styling: Simone Dernee)

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A special treat

I was most likely the last person in England to discover Urban Apothecary candles. The brand has been around for ages, but became a part of my life by accident – I saw their Candy candles and thought one would make a perfect gift for a friend of mine. To begin with, it was all about the packaging… Each heavenly scented candle came in a gorgeous vintage-looking glass container resting in a beautiful box in powdery colours complimenting the collection and fragrances inspired by traditional British desserts and sweets. Each scent was so delightful, velvety and dreamy that I really had to take my time to choose the one and only...

At the end, I left with the precious Chocolate Orange treasure, a blend of chocolate, vanilla and orange zest – it smelled so authentic and comforting and the peach tinted box and silk ribbon looked most feminine, delicate and classy. In fact, the colour of the box was very similar to the signature Chloe hue used for their perfume and the book. I was very tempted to keep it (naughty, I know!), but then reminded myself that the best gifts are the ones you really fall in love with, and so I wrapped the candle in a pretty paper and gave away. The joy of seeing my friend’s face when she opened her present was absolutely worth it!

Just in case you aren’t big on desserts, I suggest trying the floral & fruity collection (think Peony Rose, Fig or Vanilla Flower)  or the sweetest Teacup candles in a delightful blend of white tea, Earl Grey or Chai. I know I am candle-mad, but these truly are… heavenly! Even if I say so myself.

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Christmas gift guide: every shade of BLACK

I bet, black wasn’t something you were expecting to see as a part of gift guide and I feel that I do owe you a little explanation before we proceed.

Black was, indeed, a surprising, but equally logical choice for me. I did think that publishing it as a part of Black Friday could have been a better and more organic idea, but it crossed my mind a week too late and was a little annoying to realise. Still, the black is here because it is such a classic that avoiding it purely because it’s the least cheerful shade would be an unfair mistake.

Black is timeless and so will be the gifts below. Chosen for their ability to remain beautiful despite any trends and fashions, these pieces are here to make life a little bit more special and classy, add a touch of elegance and style to an outfit you wear or the place you live in.

And the sparkle? It’s Christmas, so sparkles, diamonds and sequins are practically mandatory.

Where to buy: 1. Leele sequined sweater, Reiss (£89), 2. Diamond drop star earrings, Mary Jo Matsumoto (£1285), 3. Star stud hat, DP (£10), 4. Sunglasses, Marc Jacobs (£60), 5. Maison Noir scented candle, Voluspa (£35) – US or UK/Europe, 6. Crystal embellished clutch, Miu Miu (£350), 7. Rouge Coco lipstick, Chanel (£24), 8. Gold plated crystal earrings, Erdem (£295), 9. Bisou Bisou lace bra & matching thong, Mimi Holliday (£26 & £22), 10. Metallic lace cocktail dress, Notte by Marchesa (£435), 11. Textured leather cosmetic bag, Gucci & NAP (£185), 12. Signature shampoo, Oribe (£28), 13. Exvota 140 metal-appliquéd leather sandals, Christian Louboutin (£383), 14. Courtly check enamel canister, Mackenzie Childs (£78), 15. Floral crystal cuff bracelet, Lanvin (£1705), 16. T-bar leather pumps, Mango (£59), 17. Black orchid, Tom Ford (£35-£85), UK/Europe & US, 18. Jewelled flower box clutch, Karen Millen (£140), 19. Black cat iPhone case, Kate Spade (£29), 20. Cutout leather ankle boots, Sergio Rossi (£414), 21. Cat round bag, DvF (£250), 22. Black taxi toy, Harrods (£9.95), 23. The world according to Karl, Amazon (£11)

 

Photo source: Harper’s Bazaar Singapore October 2013 (photography: Mari Sarai, styling: Kenneth Goh)

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Donna Karan Pre-Fall 2014

When you look at this Donna Karan Pre-Fall 2014 collection, it makes you realise, once again, that simplicity truly is the ultimate sophistication. You want to have all these clothes in your wardrobe to adhere to Karan’s formula of having a few timeless pieces that create style synergy. You want to hold those weightless and impeccably tailored garments in your arms, hug them with an overwhelming joy, press the soft fabric gently against your cheek, and then put something on and feel so, so, so incredibly beautiful.

Here is my perfect dress…

So simple – after all it’s just a skirt, a shirt and a jacket, but those proportions, lines, fabrics and the beret as a finishing touch are working their style magic giving us such a chic look!

Cashmere and silk… An ultimate combination.

This last look makes me think “young Parisienne”… Such a wonderful mix of romantic, sporty and elegant.

 

Photo source: wwd.com

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Currently loving…

Olivia Burton Humming Home, Englatyne, Undisputed Class, Always Papillion & Excuse Me, Miss watches.

I’ve always said that I’d rather wear a beautiful watch than a handful of bracelets, so I do believe that time pieces deserve a lot more attention than they actually get these days.

My introduction to Olivia Burton watches began with “the woodland butterfly” only to make me discover a fantasy land full of gorgeous treats, hummingbirds and owls, bees and butterflies, all but unicorns - utterly charming, unmistakably stylish and surprisingly affordable, each telling the world a little story about a girl who wears one of them.

At the moment I am trying to decide whether to get the big dial, excuse me, miss, colour crush or the hummingbird – which one would you choose? What kind of Olivia Burton girl would you like to be?

 

Photo source: c/o Olivia Burton

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Bag of the month: December is for Desa

Desa 1972 may not exactly be the brand everyone is familiar with, but this Turkey-based family-run company has been the industry's secret for over 40 years. Known for some of the best leathers and an impeccable craftsmanship, Desa worked with the leading Italian and European fashion brands producing some of the most scrumptious handbags before creating their own line of ready-to-wear and accessories where tradition, quality and modernity are the key points.

This Desa 1972 “Four” bag was, in fact, my only choice for the December edit – I instantly fell in love with its sophisticated and minimalistic design, most perfect shade of grey and the elegant finishing touches. I couldn’t (and didn’t want to) think of anything else.

If Santa is real, I would very much love to find this beauty under my Christmas tree…

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Shoe stories: Liam Fahy

Would you like to look into the future? See the shoes that will make you wish you were Cinderella and had a Fairy Godmother who would treat you to a pair or two?

Well, here I am with a little preview of Liam Fahy collection for the upcoming season and if this is what Spring/Summer 2014 is going to be like then it’s just beautiful! The treats include Liam Fahy iconic designs made of canvas (Charlotte, oh, Charlotte is like an Italian sun-kissed signorina who wears floaty white lace dresses and dabs neroli perfume on her exquisite wrists) as well as some new additions that take a girl from day to night, step by step, pair by pair…

Canvas, prints, nappa leather, wood, metal, raffia… Mirabel, Alys, Lyla, Elle, Sadie, Fleur, Nina, Caroline, Jolie… I will introduce you to my favourites as the time goes by. What think I know, though, is that choosing the leading lady will definitely be a challenge, with a few heartbreaks in between.

Photo source: Mirabel in red nappa leather, Lyla in canvas with wooden sole and Charlotte in navy canvas, all Spring/Summer 2014, c/o Liam Fahy London

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Bag of the month: November is for Nina Ricci

Softness, lightness and elegance. Three words that perfectly describe Nina Ricci’s core values and one of the Maison latest creations – the Ballet bag inspired by the functional, streamlined dance bags used by ballerinas.

Feminine and modern, with its slim handles, delicate hardware and finely wrought finishings, this timeless beauty is topping my ultimate wish list. I feel that, with my affection for both Nina Ricci and ballet, we could be friends should our fate ever brought us together…

To mark the launch of this creation, the Paris-based artistic duo “I Could Never Be a Dancer” has choreographed and directed a an electrifying and sensual film about the bag consisting of a single performance during which three dancers from different schools use their art to interpret their emotions about the Ballet.

 

The Ballet bag comes in several colour and material combinations and is available at MyTheresa, Saks Fifth Avenue and Monnier Freres.

Photo souce: ninaricci.com

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Currently loving

I have been looking for a pair of classic pumps and Cilla seems like a perfect choice. I cannot get enough of the shape – there’s something exquisite about the line of the soles and that glossy stiletto heel.

Another gorgeous Kurt Geiger creation.

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A beautiful dozen: grey coats

It is only when I embarked on a quest of collecting twelve grey coats I realised how challenging the task was going to be. I craved the Dior grey, the icy, silvery hue, almost as if made by elves from the lightest web and fogs woven through it, the colour of haze that spreads over the dewy fields on a September morning – not a heavy, dusty cloud stuffed with rain drops ready to fall, a subtle nuance that can turn something sparkling and gorgeous into dull and lifeless.

I think that the love for the shade was brought by my memories and nostalgia for the colour does remind me of snow and moody Russian winter forest where every tree, every bush and twig are generously frosted with those blue-grey ice microcrystals. It also takes me back to rainy Paris and its mirrored streets. And the window of MaxMara shop where I first saw a light grey cashmere coat – so beautiful, desirable and perfect in its luxurious wrap-around-me softness.

There are very few colours more beautiful and elegant than grey, but there are quite a few that will look harmonious with it, so a classic coat serves as a wonderful investment piece, especially for the girls with pink skin undertones when the came shade looks a little out of place and the black – to harsh to bear.

Where to buy: 1. Double-breasted wool-blend coat, Stella McCartney (£1085), 2. Tropez belted wool coat, Reiss (£275), 3. Oversized wool coat, Richard Nicoll (£1395), 4. Mesmerize coat, A.F.Vandevorst (£1256), 5. Wide lapel wool blend coat, Mango (£139), 6. Light grey cashmere coat, MaxMara (£877), 7. Wool blend oversized coat, Mango (£119), 8. Grey wool Maple coat, Surface to Air (£380), 9. Double-faced mid-length coat, Jaeger (£350), 10. Palomba coat, Sportmax (£565), 11. Florelle soft grey tailored coat, Fenn Wright Manson (£250), 12. Double breasted wool coat, Maison Martin Margiela (£1220)

 

Photo source: Vogue UK August 2010 (photography: Willy Vanderperre; styling: Miranda Almond)

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Bag of the month: September is for Smythson

Luxurious? Yes. Beautiful? Of course. Timeless? Very much so. And these are just a few reasons for loving this gorgeous Smythson Grosvenor tote made from the soft French calf leather adorned with subtle touches of polished gold. It’s refined, understated, classy, "charming in appearance” and “useful in character". A real gem for fashion connoisseurs from an iconic British brand that recently celebrated its 125th anniversary.

Also available in birch, a delicious shade of milk chocolate.

If the bag is out of the question, but you love the style, treat yourself to a Grosvenor passport cover, iPad case, travel wallet or a scented candle presented in a very special leather-covered pot. 

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Milan fashion week favourites

Fashion certainly is a wonderful phenomenon that can reveal so much. Take Milan… The fashion capital of a country where the food is full of flavour, life – emotions and the world – colours. The place where the sun, passion, flavours and sensuality are turned up to their maximum volume which can be absolutely intoxicating. This is the place where you can, metaphorically speaking, catch the rainbow, hold the rainbow, wrap it around you, put on your best bra and heels, handfuls of gold jewellery, dot a bit of Dolce&Gabbana perfume and pretend to be Sophia Loren. Or Isabella Rossellini if you are more Marni than Cavalli (in this instance you can scrape the silky lingerie part and keep it simple).

Milan was that rainbow for me, indeed. Or a flower bomb. I felt blinded and concussed for a while. Then I saw Ferre and Marni. And with them came a sense of calmness and tranquillity that I craved. They balanced everything nicely.

Marni with its drapped skirts, graphic pleating and beautiful prints made me think of a Japanese garden, waterfalls and origami, serenity and peace. I loved the accessories and jewelled details very much, too. Nobody does it quite like Marni (or Consuelo Castiglioni if you please). Whenever I replayed my Milan fashion week visuals in my mind, it was Marni that stood out for me the most. I will remember it, I will crave it and I will certainly try to make some of those  pieces mine.

Gianfranco Ferre was my other favourite because the looks inspired by classic Ferre designs and Gia Carangi were very, well, Gianfranco Ferre – it was like a piece of architectural design made into elegant clothes. The shimmering fabrics felt luxurious and every fold and stitch were impeccable.

And there was Fendi. As I was waiting for the live stream to begin I found myself wondering what it was that made me love Fendi in a first place years ago. I couldn’t find that start off point… And then the lights flashed and the show began and there was something so magical about the delicate layers of laser cut organza and the soft fur and shiny plastic that my questions varnished. It was a beautiful show made of weightless and intricate designs, and the collection became of my most favourite Fendi ever made.

And then there were a few designs from several collections that I adored and would love to wear (allow me to dream a little here…), so my imaginary wish list included… 

…this Sportmax dress – the right amount of flow and polka dots. It would make a nice alternative to a plain little white dress.

And… 

…these looks from Dolce & Gabbana.

I must say, this time the collection felt a bit over the top to me, but I just couldn’t help loving the cherry blossom dress and a few simple, but feminine shifts… I guess, when it comes to Dolce&Gabbana there’s something for everyone.

And princess’y Alberta Ferretti dresses and ribbon tie shoes – perfection!

Photo source: main photo via Dolce&Gabbana official website, collections via wwd.com, details via style.com and fashionising.com

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