From Barcelona with love...

Leaving Barcelona yesterday felt like leaving home to go somewhere new and in a way, it was. As my boyfriend drove into airport to drop me off on his way to practice a sudden wave of emotions just rushed over my body and I couldn't stop myself from crying. We kissed, hugged and I shoved my face into his chest and cried like a child when you drop him off at the kindergarten for the first time and he is begging you not to leave him at this strange new place. He squeezed me tightly and took a deep deep breath.

An hour later, drowning my sorrow in the venti-cup of cafe late and September issue of British Vogue I could not help but wonder why are we putting ourselves through all this. We are both young, capable and successful. Could there be an easier way to all this?

At about page 115 reading about Sicilian baroque trend I got a bit more optimistic and realistic, so I took a break from Vogue and browsed through my last several photos from days spent together and realised how strong and how much we grew as a couple in last couple of weeks. That has to count for something. All at its own time I concluded.

Bellow I am sharing photos from our last couple of days spent together, my short shopping visit for some make up and cosmetics basics at El Corte Ingles where I got lovely Bobbi Brown oil free foundation - natural 4 and sheer finish powder - warm natural 6. I also got some Effaclar face wash and renovating serum.

Later in the day, few hours before departure, I carefully packed my valued jewelry and delicate garment pieces and "death-march" walked to the car.

Be jeweled.

How do you pick your jewelry darlings?

I got to thinking about it the other day in hospital, as I was playing with the Kabala bracelet on my wrist which I recently got from a dear friend from Egypt. What does it mean to you? Is it emotional and religious? Does it vary season to season? What is the purpose of wearing it?

For me, jewelry tells the story about the person, just like tattoos or scars it gives you a bit of a background or deeper understanding about the person wearing it. It is definitely emotional, brings back some memories and it is cherished more than trendy clothes we change each season. 

With all this in mind, I was inspired to collect and show you the pieces that motivate and inspire me personally – I  expecially adore costume jewelry and every piece of jewelry in my  jewelry box (es) has its own story. 

Why stop at wearing rings, bracelets and necklaces – how about wearing an ear piece or fully dress in piece of  a jewelry…no need to name it... just wear it!

Enjoy lovelies!

"The most precious jewels are not made of stone, 

but of flesh."

~Robert Ludlum~

Fierce spring couture

This is how you hail a cab in the City! 

With some attitude, drama and glamour! :)

For me, alhtough I really support, enjoy, wear and love street style fashion and street inspired looks on runway, couture is the essence of the fashion. It represents dreams and takes you to the world where everything is possible and acceptable.  It is the reason why I love the fashion so much.

My favourite couturist after late McQueen is definitely John Galliano! Here are the looks from his Spring Couture 2011. line. Looks like the trend in fashion's la-la land is fierce, passionate but romantic voluminiousness. :) 

Don't you love it darlings?

"We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. 

Some of us let these dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; 

nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who hope that their dreams will come true."

Woodrow Wilson

Talking Fashion

Where did the summer go?
I am not quit sure what is happening this year but I felt like summer has just swooshed by in a light year kinda speed. I vaguely remember snow this year in the City, meeting my boyfriend, having a spectacular two people New Years party with him and than it got warmer ( yes it got warmer in January!) , fashion week in Bryant Park, the showroom rush and than sum...and than ..mer was over! I just don´t get it, do seasons last weeks rather than months now?

Well, designers certainly recognized and are fully aware of the demand for "all seasons" fashion pieces. This was particularly noticeable in Fall/Winter 08 going on Resort 09. Due to the current situation in the global economy and the ever more visible effects of global warming, the fashion is changing and adapting to consumers needs for more affordable, practical and better quality fashion pieces, wearable year round.

On the other hand, when it comes to couture collections the rules of demand are not the same. All of the higher profile fashion houses (Dior, Chanel, Gucci, Armani, Ralph Lauren) have focused and adapted on their highest paying customers and most developing markets of Middle East, Asia and India. After watching the shows and showroom pictures I have picked my favorites for both Fall/Winter 08.

Fall 2008 .
My absolute favorite shows were Galliano´s and McQueen´s shows. I also loved Ralph Lauren and DSquared collections.

McQueen used his trip to India as well as British Empire as inspiration for this collection. McQueen showed great craftmanship, his model was Victorian punk meets British royalty and queen Elizabeth. I loved the tulle skirts, India inspired jewelry, beautiful Fabergé egg purses, interesting skinny trousers and "the prince suit", gorgeous knit dresses and beautiful "feather lace"fabrics. McQeen´s fabrics were rich and royal, he used red, white, black and gold fabrics made in India, beautiful embroidery and feathers.




Galliano´s collection was beautifully insane as always. His scene was" a pastiche of a Rudolf Valentino-era silent-movie set"(Sarah Mower). I absolutely adore his houri pants, oversized head pieces, thirties chiffons, floral print dresses and coats and gorgeous free falling furs. The color pallet was wonderful (pale pinks, blues and burgundies).










DSquared showed vicious but wearable looks, I am sure Texas or Indiana would not be the best selling markets but it will be a definite success for New York as well as for many other fashion capitals in the world Paris, Tokyo, Milan etc. DSquared´s model was naughty secretary/librarian who wears fishnet stalkings, high waisted red plaid skirts, black fur, red lips and long leather glows. Batter return your books on time people!










On the other hand Ralph Lauren showed safer but very elegant and timeless collection. I loved one shoulder velvet dresses, high boots in red and purple, precise tailoring, gorgeous leather belts and Ricky bags, as well as feather and leaves embellished pieces. The color pallet was black, white, red, green, gold and purple.





In conclusion, Fall 08 Ready to Wear was artistically beautiful (Galliano and McQueen), timeless, elegant and classical ( Chanel, Ralph Lauren) and young and naughty(DSquared).
The trends are:

-Peplumed 40s style dresses and houri pants
-Plaid skirts and shirts, tweed
-Velvet/ shearling one shoulder dresses
-Silhouette skirts and coats
-Less is more philosophy (unless you are going for Diva Glam look)
-Black is a new black
-Minimalistic tendencies
-Futuristic caped jackets
-Funnel-collared furs
-High boots(red and purple is great)
-Chunky knits
-Feathers


Dress it up people September is behind the corner!




~Kat