Fashioned by Love turns 3

When I think about creating my very first post for Fashioned by Love, I struggle, seriously struggle, to believe that it was three years ago. I still remember that day, I remember coming up with an idea of this blog and its name. I remember the blank page feeling, the nervousness and excitement of starting a new chapter of my life. If only I knew where my little blog would take me…

2013 was a difficult year for me. It started well and then suddenly collapsed in a manner of a card tower because the injury happened and balance was lost. The recovery took several  months and taught me to love flat shoes, maxi dresses and never make too many plans.

So, whilst the year didn’t go exactly as I envisioned, it had its moments of joy, pride and enjoyment, so I want to celebrate them fully (and the same way I did it last year).

In 2013 I wrote 270 posts, shared 52 Monday editorials and 100 stylish quotes.

Was nominated as one of the 10 best UK fashion blogs by Company magazine.

Received an invitation from Harper’s Bazaar for the private opening of the Self-Portraits exhibition created by the magazine and Viva London.

Interviewed gorgeous models Karlina Caune and Alexandra Egorova and British designers Liam Fahy and Kelly Love.

Created Fashioned by Love fashion weeks dedicated to Azzedine Alaia, Donna Karan and Calvin Klein.

Said Good-bye to Marc Jacobs era at Vuitton, Emma Hill – at Mulberry and welcomed back John Galliano.

Continued “5 dresses” with the LWD and lace and started new series of post to share my favourite Bag of the Month and Shoe stories as well as gorgeous collections from the past seasons that could only be described and remembered as Timeless Chic.

Created a few designer-inspired looks for less, from Lanvin and Nina Ricci to Louis Vuitton F/W 2013 and S/S 2005 as well as some random outfits for every occasions, from white jeans (including a budget version), flares and summer ideas to a 1920s evening ensemble…

Talked about spring crops, wearable blooms, leather, safari chic and pattern on pattern trends.

Dreamed of a white summer wardrobe and celebrated Christmas in every shade of blue, pink, white and black.

As the autumn approached, asked some fashion models about their season’s must-haves and showcasted some of the most beautiful grey, pink and camel coats to cocoon in as well as gorgeous leather jackets to be worn by the most stylish among us.

Reviewed some of my favourite fashion reads including The Empress’s New Clothes, Supermodels Diet Secrets (and later wrote about detox 1976-style), The world according to Karl, D.V., Allure and Chloe Attitudes.

And leant, once again, that fashion is such a wonderful, exciting and endlessly inspirational world that I will never be tired of.

Thank you for being with me today and always, for your comments and support! I hope to see you over and over again and give you something to enjoy every day as you stop by Fashioned by Love.

 

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Chloe for Christmas

And here they are, my beautiful Chloe’s, a wish list item, lucky super sale find and most wonderful Christmas gift. I wanted them for a while, since autumn 2011, to be precise. First, they were too expensive and then simply disappeared from the face of the Earth.

I survived the (tiny) heartbreak, filed the image at the back of my memory and let it go…

Then, out of the blue, just before Christmas, the pair in my size appeared before my eyes. I stared at them for what felt like a second, though must have been longer because it made my husband look up and ask if I was alright. "Yes," I replied sheepishly. "What have you found?" - he continued the questioning. "Shoooozzzees…" I sighed "But that's ok, I don't need more shoes" (Lie, an absolute white lie mixed with a generous helping of hope for what girl could say "No" to shoes, especially Chloe!). "Oh, let me get them for you," he said and two days later the box was delivered, wrapped up in a shiny paper and placed under the tree. 

The rest is history in the making…

Photo source: personal

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Stylish quote

“One is born with good taste. It’s very hard to acquire. You can acquire the patina of taste.”

Diana Vreeland

 

Photo source: Sofia Coppola wearing Chloe in AnOther September 2009 (photography: Craig McDean)

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Chloe Attitudes

Chloe Attitudes is a sign that some dreams do come true. I dreamed this book. I craved it. I longed for it. For several years I was secretly praying that somebody will publish a book about Chloe. A proper book. The one with stories and photographs. Something to be enjoyed and cherished forever. Something to learn from.

And then, back in October, as I was doing my regular amazon check, I saw it. On the day Chloe: Attitudes was released. I couldn’t believe my eyes and, with my hands shaking, ordered a copy. I think I stopped breathing for a moment. 

Chloe, as a brand, agrees with me. The shapes, the colours, the peony and rose scent of the perfume. Even the name – I love the sound of it, the way it looks when written down… I think it’s one of the most beautiful names that ever existed.

If I could, I would buy something from Chloe every season. For now, I have to be creative and indulge my love and imagination through the written word, beautiful dreamy imagery and an occasional pair of shoes (for Chloe footwear is so comfortable!) and See by Chloe pieces.

Indeed, Chloe Attitudes is a joy for somebody like me. As soon as I read the first sentences of the foreword by Gaby Aghion, it resonated deeply and made me smile.

“I don’t show myself much. I don’t like publicity. I never had my photo taken, and I told myself, “I exist: people will find me.” I don’t explain anything. I lived the life I wanted.” Isn’t it just marvellous how every word and every sentence open up, unfold before our eyes like a beautiful rose?

And then come the wonderful stories written by Sarah Mower covering every designer who worked for Chloe including Gaby herself, Karl Lagerfeld, Martine Sitbon, Stella McCartney, Phoebe Philo, Hannah MacGibbon and Clare Waight Keller, each injecting their ideas into the brand creating beautiful designs that bring joy, a feeling of love, freedom, air, freshness, youth and life.

By Gaby’s own admission, Chloe was very avant garde from the start, moving away from ultra feminine and beautiful, but over-the-top expensive couture into more wearable and affordable clothes that still had style and personality – something you notice when browsing the array of images filling the book to the brim. While each “era” was inspired by the time those garments were made in, those dresses had an impalpable feel of timelessness about them as if each designer could, in a way, see the future and dress a woman who dares to look into it, breaking the rules of gravity and going against, as Cecil Beaton once put it, “play-it-safers”…

An amazing edition celebrating history of one-of-a-kind fashion house and people who made it happen. Absolutely delightful!

Chloe: Attitudes: Six Decades of Style is available from Amazon

Photo source: personal

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On a rainy day: Intimes sensations by Paolo Roversi

Beautiful sensuality captured by Paolo Roversi for Vogue Paris. A sweet Parisienne in a middle of autumn. Gorgeous cosy and chunky Pringle of Scotland, Marithé + François Girbaud and MaxMara knits, classic Isabel Marant coat, a silk barely there Galliano dress and satin Lanvin slip, all topped up with an Hermes fedora. I just want to be this girl… Or have all these clothes…

And in a sort of clothes-related P.S. … Have you left your details for a chance to shop a super not-to-be-missed secret Christian Louboutin sale yet? Follow the link and try your luck – apparently, the invite will find its way to your inbox if you get picked… You are welcome.

Photo source: Vogue Paris October 2007 (photography: Paolo Roversi; styling: Anastasia Barbieri)

 

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Paris fashion week S/S 2014

Slightly overdue, this post is still going to happen. I simply could not skip the entire Paris fashion week just because I chose to be off the face of the universe for a few days.

Of course, I followed the shows and news (the Alaia exhibit at the Galliera Museum, premier of Mademoiselle C, Marc Jacobs’ departure from Louis Vuitton). Of course, I fell in love. And, of course, I faced a few disappointments, though predictable, but nevertheless hurtful (mainly to the eye rather than the well-bubble-wrapped mind, though – I was emotionally prepared as you can tell).

Everything that made it to todays post was about love, beauty, memories and dreams as well as a vigorous quality control for I truly believe that any form of fashion magic requires a perfect cut and fabrics otherwise all the eye is going to see is the garment, not a woman who is wearing it.

Chloe was by far my absolute favourite. After the show ended, I found myself dreaming of it, craving of it, waking up and going to bed thinking of it… It was all about the white dress, plisse fabric and the lightness and airiness of it all. Quietly gorgeous and incredibly liberating it brought back memories of a suit made of a similar textured fabric – as simple and basic as that wide-pant-long-sleeve-top set was, it made me feel beautiful… happy… summery… As soon as the dress appeared on the runway, those emotions returned as an endorphin rush.

The now-known-as-dream-dress was followed by a bouncy pearl blue oversized sweater worn over a pair of bow-tied shorts covered in tiny pink gold specks and, as the grand finale that completely seduced my weakened fashion-obsessed brain, a belted pleated olive and khaki dress. So ethereal, the collection was brought back to reality by the sensually smooth minimalistic bracelets and an array of bags that, despite their visual pliability, definitely had a masculine touch to them. The earthy tones were as calm as a sleepy olive garden and the blues were as striking as the sky and the sea. As far as the summer style goes, one cannot wish for more (may be the only wish I’d have is to wake up with legs like Bette’s)…

Guy Laroche was good, too. Not all of it, mind you, but there was enough to adore and desire. I didn’t think much of some jackets or a poisonous yellow hue that popped up in a form of a few very beautiful frocks, but I loved the mellow part made of pleated cocoon dresses (the shape was originally called "a sack", but I prefer the poetic form to the original), bouncy skirts, ingeniously pleated trousers and classic coats.

At Nina Ricci Peter Copping mixed the Yin and Yang creating a collection that embodied the brand's romance, but also included pieces with a modern, clean and sharp feel to them. The love thing happened again for I do have a soft spot for Peter Copping/Nina Ricci deliciousness.

So here are my top three collections that will be remembered as the beautiful part of Paris fashion week.

And then there were "the other shows" and events... The angry teens at Rick Owens and topless protestors at Nina Ricci, and the looks that killed, almost literally.

The cacophony of colours, sounds and claustrophobic space at Dior made me,  once again, realise how confused Simons was about the brand. I admired the workmanship that went into each garment, but the overall collection felt harsh, dull and far, far, far from elegant. I am not sure what kind of woman Simons pictures as a Dior client, but, in my humble opinion, a woman of class would never want to go out in a dress covered in slogans, a skirt with a hole or, even worse, a fanciful concoction resembling a pair of shape wear knickers worn over pleated shorts. 

As if realising that the initial collection wasn't up to the level required by Dior, Simons then sent out a completely new set of looks that resembled his previous designs. 

The show that was confusing and painful to watch soon followed by the Ungaro one - a public spectacle where the brand has been slowly murdered by a string of so-so designers who, as it feels, don’t really care. What I don’t understand is why the owners can’t approach Galliano and ask him to revive the house? You’d have to be blind not to see a similarity in aesthetics of Ungaro and Galliano designs. Both were sensual, feminine, somewhat mysterious and teasing. They even favoured the same models! Oh, Galliano with his incredible talent could turn it into something so fabulous and legendary. Instead we got to see what we were presented. A murder on a catwalk floor.

Paris certainly delivered a lot to think about and made the provocative world of fashion feel exciting yet again. For all kinds of reasons, but that's a different story... 

Photo source: wwd.com, stylebistro.com

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