Wish List

Well, it's impossible to get all that you want. But you can always make your own wish list. I'm actually not planning big spending for spring/summer season. I decided to first look what I have in my own wardrobe if I really want something. Here's a list of my favourite designers' items. I'll post another list later with more affortable clothes. If I had a lot of money, that's what I'd buy:

1. Spotted Silk Dress - Marc by Marc Jacobs
2. Striped Applique Sweater - Marc Jacobs
3. Silk side-pleat skirt - Jason Wu

4. Edwardian blouse - One Vintage

5. Silk-Charmeuse Ruffle Blouse - Stella McCartney

6. Couture Patent Leather Pumps - Valentino

7. Carmen Stretch-Silk Bodice - Ender Legard Corsetry

8. Raffia and Suede Pumps - Fendi

9. Nikita Cat-Eye Acetate Sunglasses - Tom Ford

10. Sequined Silk Vest - Matthew Williamson

11. Heart-Print Silk Dress - Anna Sui
12. Velvet Cape Dress - Issa

13. Embroidered Lace Skirt - Philip Lim

14. Cutout Mini Dress - Camilla and Marc

15. Danielle Direction Dress - Theory

16. Leather and Cotton Dress - L'Agence

17. Crepe-Knit Pencil Dress - Giambattista Valli

all pictures - net-a-porter

Heels or Flats?

Always the same - choose comfortable flat shoes or sexy high heels? I choose heels more often. Not always very high, but I get the effect. It depends on the weather condition, because for example it wouldn't be possible to walk on icy surface and feet swells and sweats when it's hot. There was a time when I was buying and never wearing heels. You know, they look nice on the shoe-rack and it's great to look at them from time to time. And I'm not alone, am I A.? One day I deemed that a real woman HAS TO know how to walk in a high heels. At my friend's advice I started to walk at home, then to the shop and to work at the end - the bus stop isn't too far and there were soft carpets in whole building, and I was sitting at the desk whole day, so it wasn't that hard. Even so I still have a few pairs of comfy ballerinas and other flat shoes on my shoe rack which I choose when I'm not sure about the condition of the place I'm going to. Sometimes I help myself by the wedges. The most important are good size, profiling, stability, soft fabric and shape fitted to the feet shape. I keep to a few rules and for example won't wear flat ballerinas with a skinny trousers. A lot of women is doing this but I think that they just shorten their legs and widen their hips. There's no other part of outfit that affect the entire silhouette and self-confidence as high heels. Designers like Christian Louboutin or Jimmy Choo know about it and still seduce by new designs.

In the past high heels were symbols of position and prestige. Today it's more a matter of personal preferences and comfort. In the past few years they got their popularity back thanks to the movies like 'Sex and The City'. Recently I've read about British trade union's idea to ban high heels from work. I think it has sense when you stand whole day but when you sit you can just discreetly take the heels off. And below a few reasons why wear or not to wear heels and flats.

HEELS:

+ add self confidence

+ are sexier and more feminine

+ a leg looks better, calf and bums are tight

- they can cause back issues, pain of different body parts, varices, cellulite and bunion - specialists suggest that for the back the best heel height is about 2-4 cm

-you need to first learn how to walk in them

- they're not suitable for extremal weather condition

- a women who can't walk in high heels but wear them anyway look silly

- abrasions, cramps and corns are everyday life - a different kinds of jelly insole and sole stickers will be useful 

- too high = no balance

FLATS:

+ more mobile

+ more practical

+ more comfortable for the most

+ perfect for pregnant women

+ a lot of designers discover flats and create better and better designs

- they can shorten the legs and make you look heavier

- completely flat shoes aren't good for your back either and can cause pain (at least 2 cm heel as above)

- from my own experience I know that the sole is very often too soft and too thin which can cause feet pain and lack of comfort during walking

- flat sandals almost always cause abrasions and corns

- you can look unprofessional if you wear flats for a job interview

As yo can see, high heels are more profitable in respect to aesthetic while flats to comfort. Well, it's important to remember that even the most stylish shoe, flat or high heel, won't improve the appearance if the foot are sloppy. But it's not time to speak about it in this post.

picture: Christian Louboutin, Marc by Marc Jacobs
source : net-a-porter

Who Likes Hats and Veils?

A pictures showing artistic presentation of zodiac signs. Please check out the web for more pictures from this editorial. They're amazing!

Source: Vogue Russia, 2010

Photographer: Matt Irwin

Model: Anastasija Kondratjeva 

PRE-FALLS 2010 SUBJECTIVELY (part 2)

Tory Burch
The collection is simple and a bit boring, but there's a few interesting elements. It was inspired by Louise Nevelson's sculptures. The dominant colours are gold, beige and black. What I really dislike are the shoes. A nightmarish, cut rubber boots. But without them the collection would be even more boring. At least something is happening. What do we have here? Leggings, 70s style prints, classic, simplicity, some blink, nylon jackets. Some of the models remind me of a boring work-uniforms. The first impression was good but the longer I look, the more I dislike it. It may seem that the clothes have something in common but I just don't see any cohesion. Here are leggings with an over-sized jumper, then the previously mentioned nylon jacket, a dress with print that looks like a cheap carpet, a terrible checked cardigan mixed with a circles-print skirt and a shapeless black dress at the end. I like only 2 sets: a blouse with metallic gloss mixed with a beige trousers and hued dress with a bow at the hip.

Carolina Herrera
An inspiration for this collection was a dance - Herrera discovered a colourful 1920's print of tango dancers. I admit that I like very much the first part of collection. It's a style showing a concept of classic femininity, without any weirdness, stressing but not deforming silhouette. Similar to Oscar De La Renta, she also proposes a rich, cheerful designs. Amazing, juicy colours dominated the collection - various shades of red, blue, canary yellow, deep black, grey. A real cocktail of colourful fabrics and crazy prints. A pure intriguing femininity. The dresses seem to delicately wave but get heaviness and massiveness at the end. Herrera said 'I wanted everything light as a feather' but she didn't realise this concept. Why? For example - because black tights don't go with everything. For sure not to the blue and yellow dress, or to the one-arm maroon one. Thinking 'lightness' I have different images in my mind. And is it only me who remember not to wear a black tights with a peep-toe heels? Even if these heels are pretty, who's going to wear them during winter weather? And by the way, are these clothes suitable for the generation younger than 30? And will they be liked by the 20 years old? In the night dresses I see women like Renee Zellweger or Cate Blanchett in these designs. My favourite ones are the blue skirt with sun-shape embroidery and similar jumper, sky blue dress with sculptured neckline and 3-coloured coat. 

Jason Wu
 Designs similar to Bulberry Prorsum. We have here uniforms, military colours, waist emphasised by leather belt, wide-strips tights. The main colours are navy blue, forest green, black, grey and muted red. Heavy fabrics like wools and tweed don't weigh the silhouette down. Almost complete lack of ornaments was compensated by strong silhouette line, ruffles, glitter threat and sequins. Every design is made to perfection. I especially like the glossy dress with interesting piece of leather on the neckline. If I have a choice, I choose mini and also because of the length this collection gets my appreciation. Thanks to that even conservative designs get modernity and lightness. It's definitely collection for women who value practicality and comfort without loosing attractiveness.

Doo.Ri
Nothing exciting but makes good impression. A simple shapes and comfort are the key of this collection. But isn't it too simply and not too little? Is it what one look for at the catwalk? Such clothes can be found in almost every shop. I wouldn't give Doo.Ri the highest note but I don't treat this collection as failure. Sometimes simplicity and comfort are everything what you need. For sure I like the experiment with a moon-surface-like print and patches looking like a careless paint smacks. I'm going to find similar white blouse with flower embroidery. There are girly cocktail dresses, feather at the collar, a spicy long leather gloves and thigh-length boots. Well, overall I'm a bit bored by this collection.

Giorgio Armani
A modern glamour. A well-fitted jackets with emphasised arms and strong colours are the most striking details. The colour palette was limited to just a few. Armani is keeping to his well-known style and don't make any mistake. To be honest, to me a huge arms are the biggest nightmare of current trends. But Armani in the way known only to himself transformed them to elegant and sophisticated. I really like the fabrics - satin-like, with a gloss. The blue is just amazing. I'm not a real fur fan but have to admit that the Armani's are beautiful. A collection definitely for luxurious women that don't need kitsch and loudness to be noticed. My types are the small black hat with elegant suit and fur sleeves with black dress.

Diane von Furstenberg
The inspiration for this collection was Stella Tennant's style. I see here a lot of Kate Moss and Serena from Gossip Girl. The collection shows afternoon style of a young, dynamic woman. I like the mixture of ethnic prints with British province, crazy music festival with elegant cafeteria for snobs, heavy and large with light and thin, carelessness, a feeling that someone just thrown over a clothes found on the floor. Everything is a size or more larger. A colours are grey, grey, grey, red, black, some pink and brown. Sequins and glossy threat. Every woman should find something for herself in this collection.

pictures - style.com

Sasha Pivovarova in the Mysterious Forest

I always think what story lies behind such pictures.

Source: Vogue UK, December 2007

Photographer: Mario Testino

Model: Sasha Pivovarova

Celtic Jewellery

There's a lot of thinks that I like in Ireland. One of them is a traditional Celtic jewellery. Irish love their history and they have a reason to be pride. It's difficult to get bored by variety of designs and used materials. Everybody will find something interesting. They can be worn separately or few at once. You can be sure that they will draw attention. One of the most popular designs is the Celtic Cross. The Irish legends say that the first Cross was created by St. Patrick himself when he drawn a circle over a Latin cross. He wanted to show the pagan the importance of the cross by linking it with the life-giving sun and draw them to Christianity. It's also believed that the 4 arms of the Cross represent the elements - earth, air, water and fire. The Claddagh ring got its name from the town located outside of Galway. Such ring shows a heart (love) with a crown at the top (loyalty) held by 2 hands (friendship). If you wear this ring on the left hand with the heart turned inward, it symbolizes the marriage or being in the relationship. If outward - engagement. To show that you are not in any relationship but are looking for love - the ring needs to be worn on the right hand with the heart turned outward. The other popular design is the Celtic Knot which is believed to represent eternity, interconnectedness or life cycle. Because you cannot see a beginning or the end of the knot, you are reminded of the timeless nature of your spirit.

pictures from here and here

Alice in Wonderland Jewellery

Tim Burton's movie didn't have its premier yet but made a noise already. The last project is limited jewelery collection designed by Tom Binns with the co-operation with Disney Co. The luxury collection, 'Tom Binns for Walt Disney Signature' will consist of 6 pieces and, as the pictures show, is as amazing as the fairytale itself. The price is $1000 - $2000 USD. The less luxury collection, 'Tom Binns for Disney Couture', will consist of 35 pieces and the price will be $100 - $500 USD. Each piece is inspired by different character or event. The collection will have its premiere in summer 2010 so together with the movie's. As I know the jewelery will be available to buy only in the luxurious shops and boutiques. I hope it'll become available on-line. On the picture below there's broken porcelain necklace. I unfortunately didn't find pictures of whole collection. I found a lot of posts about it but I'm not sure if the pictures relate to the collection and I don't want to mislead anyone, so only this 1 picture.

Here's a short film below from tea party that taken place in Las Vegas where the collection was presented.

And the latest movie trailer:

Urban Decay company created eye-shades palette inspired by the fairytale. The box shows a scene of Alice walking through the mushroom forest. It will be available on-line only in Urban Decay's shop. There was also a nail polish collection created.

What can you find when your're not looking

I was looking for something completely different and found PhaseEight. I used to think that there are only clothes for... older ladies in such shops, but there're actualy a lot of pieces which I like. Maybe it means I'm getting older? There are only items being on sale at the moment which you can see below. I like them because they're very feminine, they can be worn for almost every occasion and they look solid. They are made from beautiful fabrics, with a great care for details and with vintage soul. They don't deform women's figure. I'm a bit tired of clothes which I see on the street, by trash and garish. I need something moderate, something in this style. Such style is timeless. You can find a dresses of such design in modern magazines and on the stars of old movies. I will have an eye on this shop. I'm enchanted.

pictures - Phase Eight

PRE-FALLS 2010 SUBJECTIVELY (part 1)

Versace

I've always associated Versace with a trash. This time I was positively surprised. I like the colours for sure - navy and sky blue, red, black, aquamarine and orange. I think that the shoes and accessories will be best sellers. It's very tight, short and sexy. The last dresses look like from sex shop and it's a bit plastic, but I kind of like it. Well, this season is dominated by sequins, next one can be by plastic. Only skinny person will look good in such clothes, so I don't think that the bigger models which are popular lately will show up on the catwalk...

Chanel

What a failure. There's really a little I like. Everything seems to be heavy and ugly. I usually like very much Chinese inspirations, but a Chinese uniform with a strange trinkets together with Mao cap and a fisherman's plastic shoes are a bit too much for me (the last picture). The bags are beautiful and will sell well surely but won't save a whole collection. The peaked hat is a nightmare, hairstyle terrible. The colour palette from a graveyard or swamp. And these deforming exaggerated coats and awfully large arms...bleah (you need to search them on-line as I didn't add them to the pictures). There cannot be a Chanel collection without feminine suits and only they hold together. Karl Lagerfeld went for a journey to Shanghai and through Chinese history but I'm not going with him.

Oscar De La Renta

Everything! I like of course. Spanish señorita mixed with 50s kitten. And a little bit of Chanel. Only make-up seems to be a bit exaggerated. The amount of colours and patterns won't be liked by everybody, but it's impossible to deny the collection's charm. I hope to find more clothes of this style in the shops. We'll see if all fashion victims wearing rocker leather jackets and huge arms will change the content of theirs wardrobes for pink-lolita-floral. Maybe everybody will try to look like Alice in Wonderland? All these studs and 80s are totally not my style. There's a little I like from the 80s. A while ago my mum found a white jersey embroidered with pearls. Very 80s but without the nightmare straight from Bon Jovi or Metallica's concert. Very delicate and girly. But let's back to the collection - Oscar De La Renta is taking my favourite designer's place now. I fell in love from first sight. In the colours, in patchwork, the dresses shapes, rose in the hair (which I wear myself from ages), patterns, embroidered cardigans, even in the trousers with high waist.
ps. I've got leopard's print coat for x-mas. Next year I wan a pink one (so remember about it babe).

Burberry Prorsum 

No surprise and no disappointment. A World War I militaries and restrained colour palette, laces and furs. A perfect match of hard and soft. Green, khaki, blue, white and maroon. The shoes can only go up so I'll need to find similar pair. Everyday clothing. As classic that almost boring. Again belts over the dresses and coats, so waist will be nicely strassed. The collection doesn't discover America and they used everything what's best known in the brand.

Naeem Khan 

The collection seems to be a mixture of what was fashionable lately or is at the moment. Late. Feather's skirt? Sequins? One-arm Grecian dress? Some trinkets? Some orients? Some tunics? It seems to be pretty but something is missing. The name is known mainly because of First Lady - Michelle Obama, who wore his dress at state dinner. Nothing impressed or interested me. Boredom.

Zac Posen 

There are collections that I fall in love with. This one isn't one of them. It's really weak. I like few designs, or better - single things, but I'm not delighted. I especially don't like the swan print and strange looking shoes. Again there's no cohesion. I don't know what was the Posen's motto/theme for this collection. Did he watch too many fairytales? Little Red Riding Hood? Alice in Wonderland? We have here swans, mushrooms, ugly furs, dresses which were going to be elegant, dresses for 5-years old, stewardess uniform, faded colours and red lips that don't fit anything. The previous collection was tragic, this one is even worse. Well, I'll try if I like it after a while. And don't they have a pretty models anymore?

pictures: style.com