"Poor taste is simply a lack of imagination"
Loulou de la Falaise
Photo source: Glamour Russia December 2010
Stylish quote
“A designer dresses not only for the eyes, but for the other senses as well.”
Karl Lagerfeld
Photo source: Glamour US April 2002 (photography: Walter Chin)
It’s a boy!
Finally the baby, the third in line to the throne, the first Prince of Cambridge in 190 years is here. The little prince was born at St Mary’s Hospital, West London, on 22 July at 4:24PM weighing 8lbs 6 oz, and I am celebrating this moment in British history the only way I can – with the most memorable and adorable fashion editorials and campaigns created over the past ten years.
Photo source: Vogue US July 2002, Vogue Paris October 2006, CR Fashion Book, Vogue Italia September 2007, Vogue US February 2011, Dolce & Gabbana campaign 2013, Glamour Russia April 2010, Vogue, Givenchy campaign 2013, Tiffany & Co. Spring/Summer 2009 campaign, Vogue US November 2008, Vogue Russia May 2012, Vogue UK July 2012, Vogue US July 2002, Vogue US April 2013, Vogue US February 2003, Vogue UK April 2004, Vogue US June 2009, Vogue US April 2011, Vogue US December 2006
Eva Herzigova in Glamour France 1992
Life resembling a classic movie seeing through the lens of Tiziano Magni who photographed nineteen year old Eva Herzigova for this La Chemise story featured in the April 1992 issue of French Glamour.
Photo source: Glamour France April 1992 via tfs
Pretty Please
It sounds very surreal, but Fashioned by Love was picked as one of the Best Fashion Blog category nominees in the Company magazine Style Blogger Awards competition.
Frankly, I felt faint when I saw my blog’s name – faint, but so so so very happy. I never thought I’d make it this far (I didn’t even realise that the results were announced yesterday!) and would love to thank everyone who took time to nominate my little blog! You made a dream possible and the most incredible dream – much closer.
And now I have to ask for another massive favour…
Please take a moment to follow the link and choose Fashioned by Love in the Best Fashion Blog category and then get through the rest of the pages until the “submit” button appears.
Thank you for your support!
Photo source: Glamour UK February 2012
Beautiful high street finds
Here are some of the prettiest high-street finds I’ve been admiring lately. After putting them all together I’ve realised that some can be mixed and matched beautifully.
Hat, £16 | Rose garden necklace, £19 | High-waist pleated trousers, £120 | Embroidered laced court shoes, £47 (was £159) | Beaded clutch bag, £69.99 | Powder pink pleated dress, £70 | Blue shoulder bag, £29.99 | Striped espadrilles, £64.99 | Mint lambswool sweater, £44 (was £110) | Sublimation blouse, £32 | Tassel cross-body bag, £22 | Mint & pink suede sandals, £45 (was £150)
Photo source: Glamour UK February 2012
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
Christmas gift guide: every shade of RED
It is official - I am getting in a mood for Christmas. I think my inner Russian would never allow me to embrace the holiday spirit too soon – first of all, for years, since the revolution, New Year’s was the only official holiday to celebrate and when Christmas was, lets say, re-introduced, it would fall on 7 January according to the Orthodox Church Calendar. History aside, I don’t like wishing my life away too soon either. I like preparing for the holidays a few days before they happen – think of the menu, decorate the house, buy gifts, you know, the usual extravaganza.
But since the world and world wide web seem to be practically celebrating already and we only got just over three weeks before the big day, I decided to go for it and give you a few Christmas Gift Guides a la Fashioned by Love.
There are a few things I always think of when it comes to presents. I do not believe in practical gifts – anyone (and men are guilty of it) who thinks that a pan or an iron or anything remotely related to housekeeping make a wonderful Christmas present, would fail in my eyes miserably. Christmas and practicality are two different planets, no, Universes. They would never be a part of one another. Ever.
On the other hand, I believe in everything beautiful, indulgent and luxurious. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but needs to be very special and pretty because when the present is opened it’s got to be about love, beauty and joy.
My Gift Guides will be grouped by colours – I really like the vibrancy of the same shade and it’s been a real pleasure playing with the ideas below.
I picked some expensive gifts, like the Chloe bag and Jimmy Choo shoes I recently found at Cruise Fashion, a great on-line destination that stocks quite a few fabulous brands, added some gorgeous candles that I would love to receive as a gift myself, sparkling jewellery, delicious Christmas treats and a few very special high street finds that won’t break the bank including a beautiful dress, a cashmere sweater, bags and more. Hope you will find something special.
Where to buy: 1. Red frame Andy round sunglasses by Selima Optique (£91 Was £260), 2. Red feather collar by Miu Miu (£242 Was £440), 3. Gold plated crystal earrings by Kevia (£88 Was £195), 4. Paraty medium red leather bag by Chloe (£1145), 5. Dawn lava red dress by Reiss (£94 Was £189), 6. Red suede shoulder bag by Mango (£59.99), 7. Red cashmere gloves by Gladys & Pixie (£48), 8. Nazareth cinnamon, orange and clove scented candle by Cire Trudon (£60), 9. Japanese camellia body oil by Elemis (£29.50), 10. Naked glamour set by Calvin Klein (£35 + £29), 11. Red satin twist lock clutch by Moschino (£166), 12. Christmas blend spiced tea at Harrods (£8.95), 13. Cashmere sweater by Uniqlo (£59.90 Was £79.90), 14. Lena M pony skin red tote bag by Alan Hayden London (£190), 15. Large bead bracelet by Marni (£105.47), 16. Crown red glitter peep toe shoes by Jimmy Choo (£455), 17. iPhone case by DvF (£28), 18. Rouge pur couture matt lipstick by YSL (£23.50), 19. Little red riding hood hand-made doll by Laura Long (£25), 20. Italian blood orange soapette by MOR (£9.50), 21. Berry crocodile embossed bag by Wallis (£21 Was £30), 22. Empress cuff in red lizard by Aspinal of London (£79), 23. Crystal zone watch by FolliFollie (£165), 24. iPhone case by Alexander McQueen (£135), 25. Oriental disk bracelet by Accessorize (£4), 26. Strawberry truffles by Charbonnel et Walker (£11.93), 27. Red patent and ruby crystals key ring by Aspinal of London (£35), 28. Jasmin rouge perfume by Tom Ford (£135-195), 29. Allure by Diana Vreeland at Amazon (£16), 30. Ana scarf by Reiss (£45), 31. Red leather gloves by Agnelle (£77.63), 32. Brick suede mercury sandals by Aperlai (£490), 33. Lucky butterfly in ruby red crystal by Baccarat (£66.29), 34. Tubereuse candle by Diptyque (£55), 35. Ballerina bow shoes by Oasis (£15), 36. Le pomme rouge candle by DL & Co (£78).
Candy change purse by Anya Hindmarch (£100), available on-line via official website, here and here.
Photo source: Glamour US 2005
Why Shalom Harlow is looking so unhappy
Once upon a time in 1997 Carter Smith photographed beautiful Shalom Harlow for a story published in the October issue of British Vogue. The editorial was indeed so special that it inspired photographer Chris Craymer and fashion director Charlotte-Anne Fidler who obviously hit the inspiration wall and decided to use the original for their own creation published in the November issue of Glamour UK. Well, as Rose Bertin, the French milliner and dress maker to Marie Antoinette, said once, “there is nothing new except what is forgotten”. And how embarrassing it must be when the iconic image loved by many for years just pops up out of nowhere…
Related Deja Vu posts: Vogue Paris vs Vogue Italia, Marie Claire Spain vs Vogue Nippon, Roberto Cavalli campaign vs Versace ad, Elle Ukraine vs Russh & Vogue Paris
Photo source: Vogue UK October 1997, Glamour UK November 2012
Weekend sign off
I’ve just celebrated my birthday. I can, of course, write an elaborate post about it and bore you to death or keep it short and sweet, so you can close the page and go to enjoy the weekend.
As the years go by, I’ve come to understand that no matter what happens in life, there’s always a place for a little happiness in it. We need to create happy moments as we wake up, see them in a ray of sunshine, a good-morning kiss, a cuddle with a pet (since Oscar made it his job to wake me up, we do cuddle often), smell of morning coffee, a me-time with a good book or an impromptu trip… Never wait for a happy moment to come on autopilot – create it yourself right here, right now because life is too short to spend it waiting.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Always yours,
Photo source: Glamour France September 1991
