Leaf Me Alone
June 3, 2012 § Leave a comment
No, the title above does not have a spelling mistake – it is just the name of the new botanically inspired heels by Charlotte Olympia. This summer is looking like the biggest season for printed and patterned items. Designers took inspirations from the wide range of objects: kaleidoscopic images, colourful scarfs, flowers and jungle. Indeed I blogged about a few print trends already: scarf print post that has received astonishing number of Google referrals just proving how big the trend is and jungle print as seen on Cheryl Cole in her new video. And London based brand Charlotte Olympia is not lagging behind as it has come up with own leafy pattern used for shoes and bags alike (images 2 and 4). And then they just went and stepped it up a notch transforming the pattern to life size leaves and molding them into fashionable items. All in all the collection rules, and if you are looking to spice up your summery outfits why not choose those nature inspired beauties?
- Don’t Leaf Me Bag, £375
- Pandora Clutch (just one out of the three options for interchangeable pouch), £475
- Leaf Me Alone High Heel Sandals, £625
- Meridith Wedges, £565
Love For Books
May 15, 2012 § Leave a comment
I have not read a book for personal enjoyment for a while. And that is one of my biggest regrets in day to day life. A absolutely love reading, experiencing new things through beautiful words of talented authors, sharing lives of wonderful characters. I promised myself to get back to reading good books as soon as I am done with education and the end is indeed near – as soon as I hand in my Masters dissertation in September I will be free from textbooks and assigned reading material for the rest of my life, I hope. But until then my War and Peace, Crime and Punishment, Anna Karenina and other classics are waiting on the shelf.
On a more positive literature related topic, if you like me do not have the time to read the most influential books out there, you can now show your love for good old book by carrying one around with you thanks to Olympia Le-Tan and her beautiful book-clutches. I can not believe I have not blogged about them before! Quirky and interesting yet somehow absolutely elegant and classic these clutches are to die for. And if you follow celebrity fashion you must have seen them on various occasion in the hands of Chloe Moretz, Natalie Portman, Clemence Poesy and especially Michelle Williams who has picked those handbags for various red carpet occasions. Choose from a wide selection available on olympialetan.com with starting price of €1140 (£925).
Splash Of Colour
May 5, 2012 § Leave a comment
Post after post I have been going on about colour as the most important trend setter of the season. And one colour trend in particular is bright neon shades. Earlier this year I have already blogged about bright handbags but this time I have a new addition to the collection – DesignInverso handbags I discovered at Luisaviaroma.com. At £78 they have the designer feel without the high price tag. What I absolutely love about the range is that they are a clever imitation of infamous Chanel shape – quilted and with a long chain. Where is the clever, you might ask? Well the handbags are PVC and not leather plus the colours are world apart from the usual black and red Chanel flap bags we see everywhere. And that is what makes them fashionable – playful and fun interpretation of one of the most classic bags making it not just practical but totally trendy. So pick your favourite shade and wear it with, well, more or less anything for the fashionably required splash of colour!
The Perfect Sport Luxe Bag
April 26, 2012 § 1 Comment
I am absolutely in love with this Diane Von Furstenberg Sporty New Drew bag! At the first look it seems luxurious with its exotic skin embossed leather but with the addition of neon pink strap it acquires currently trending sport luxe feel. This is by far the best handbag interpretation of the trend I have seen so far! Hats off for DVF for getting it so right and making it so desirable. Indeed the fashion house has been going through serious rebranding for a number of years – once famous in 70’s for feminine printed wrap dresses it has once again risen to the fashion heights it deserves becoming a lifestyle brand that offers a wide range of goods from ready-to-wear collections to home accessories! And this bag with its youthful and on-trend approach is another great example of the success story of rebirth of DVF! Purchase your own from dvf.com or matchesfashion.com for £654.
Benedetta Bruzziches
April 13, 2012 § Leave a comment
I love discovering new brands. And this week my find came from thecorner.com. There I came across an Italian bag range created by a talented lady Benedetta Bruzziches whose sewing techniques passed down to her from her mother (I am always in awe of craftsman families who preserve their skills for generations to come).
My pick from the collection are two beautiful and perfectly crafted leather bags (£520 each) – completely identical in shape the two could not be less similar in their feel. Moss green bag on the left has a vintage feel and reminds me of luxurious upholstered and quilted sofas from late 18th century while bright snake skin bag on the left could not be more contemporary – it fits well with current season’s trend of bright and patterns!
Here is my find of the week! Have you discovered a new brand worth sharing recently? If so comment below, I will blog about it and give you a special shout out!
This Is Not Chanel 2.55 Flap Bag
April 11, 2012 § Leave a comment
Most (and when I say most I mean 99.9%) of fashion wish lists out there all include at least one Chanel item. And that item is more often than not a Chanel 2.55 Flap bag. I have to admit that while I am a big Chanel fan, 2.55 is not on my list – there are so many copies and interpretations of the bag I would rather find other Chanel gems to salivate about. And that is never a problem! 
This season I have two favourite pieces from the new Chanel collection: Canvas Tote with Calfskin Trim and Logo (above) and Python Embossed Leather Evening Clutch with Clasp (below). Tote is a perfect modern twist to the classics – still so Chanel with the trims and handles. But at the same time the material choice is a paradox: ordinary canvas has never had a higher price tag all thanks to white Chanel logo stamped on its side. The second bag is on the other hand pure luxury – an evening clutch worth saving for special occasions. Beautiful spring/summer colour, python leather, silver logo and the most classic box shape: there is nothing else one can wish for in a perfect evening clutch.
Pinky Swear
March 27, 2012 § Leave a comment
The fashion world this seasons swears by pink handbags: both designer and high street items in the girliest of colours have flooded the market. I could not help but wonder why? (Just had to use Carrie Bradshaw’s favourite quote, excitement for Sex and the City prequel Carrie’s Diaries is in the air.) Maybe they are just giving consumers exactly what they want – a colourful and hopeful break from daily worries that have been brought on us with this long-lasting economic crisis. Maybe it is simply an outcome of different shades of pink proving suitable for two of the biggest seasonal trends: pastel and bright colours. Maybe 2012 is all about love (let’s just assume pink is the colour that represents love) since the rumored apocalypse is looming and we need to find shelter in the most meaningful of feelings. Or maybe we should stop reading into it and enjoy our childhood’s favourite colour making a big comeback to a fashion scene. Below I picked out the most desirable pink handbags to suit any budget for you to enjoy!
- Emilio Pucci Python Shoulder Bag, £1735
- New Look Faux Snake Skin Clutch, £12.99
- River Island Laser Cut Clutch, £28
- Michael by Michael Kors Jet Set Leather Shoulder Bag, £105
- ASOS Laser Cut Zip Top Clutch, £20
- Miu Miu Mini Matelasse Clutch, £670
- Marc Jacobs Single Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag, £530
- Anya Hindmarch Valorie Matte-Rubber Clutch, £250
- Mulberry Bayswater Candy Pink Quilted Dyed Denim, £595
- New Look Jelly Bowler Bag, £15.99
- Mulberry small Bayswater Satchel in Hot Fuchsia Spongy Pebbled, £695
- Mango Shopper Bag, £29.99
Pre-Loved
March 22, 2012 § Leave a comment
Are you looking for more affordable designer items? Or are you reshuffling your designer wardrobe and want to earn on no longer needed pieces? If so your answer is not the untrustworthy Ebay but a new London based store Chic&Seek where previously unwanted designer goodies are handpicked to ensure quality and resold. An environmentally and purse-friendly idea allows you to find treasures among a second-hand items that are yet in very good conditions (many are brand new!). Where can you sign up, you may ask. First step is to visit the online store http://www.chicandseek.com, and if you are certain about an item just buy it there and then, and if not, make a virtual rail of goodies you would like to see in person and book a time to come down to a very chic mews house in Notting Hill to try them on. Isn’t this the most personalised service for finding pre-loved items ever? 
And you know, I just could not avoid picking a few pieces that are going straight to my wish list: great condition, amazing discount and no authenticity worries!
- Isabel Marant Floral Dress, £175
- Christian Louboutin Mary Jane Shoes, £225
- Tods Patent Clutch, £300
- Chanel 2.55 Handbag, £1750
- Marni Necklace, £120
- Bottega Veneta Boots, £200
- Matthew Williamson Strapless Sequined Dress, £250
- Hermes Scarf, £175
Believe It Or Not: Trendy Backpacks
March 17, 2012 § 18 Comments
Backpacks. They have been off the fashion radar for a while but due to their functionality have remained an essential item for many despite lack of trendiness. Indeed if you have a lot on your shoulders (pardon the pun) backpacks allow you to spread the weight – hence they are perfect for things like hiking (I am not going to expand on the topic, hiking/camping and other outside activities have never been my thing). And despite some people’s aversion towards this type of bag, even a few celebrities known for their style choices have been spotted with backpacks repeatedly. For example Rihanna who changes hair colour every other week (I’m not judging, I wish I could pull off just as many shades) has surprisingly remained true to backpacks as you could see on the pictures below. 
But we all know – fashion trends rarely engage themselves with notions of utility. This season though is an exception. Backpacks suddenly became the hottest way to carry your essentials and have been spotted on catwalks of major designers ever since Spring Summer 12 shows. And fashion’s sudden love of backpacks might be slowly making my heart melt towards them- and to prove it I found a selection of backpacks I would not mind having. To tell you the truth even though I do consider some designer backpacks quite cool (I am not completely turned) I would not pay for its hefty price tag even if money was not an option (The Row, £2635 for example) because at the end of the day – it is still a backpack (all horrible images of what camping must be like flood my head).
Nevertheless here is the selection of backpacks for any budget – and if I like them, chances are you would absolutely love one or two!
- Asos Leather & Print Backpack, £70
- Paul Smith Floral Printed Backpack, £280
- Diane Von Furstenberg Printed Canvas and Leather Backpack, £225
- Asos Ice Cream Backpack, £35
- Topshop Frost Plastic Backpack, £25
- Essl Austrian Backpack, £58 at farfetch.com
- Topshop Unique Leather Rucksack, £180
- Barbour Caramel Canvas Beacon Backpack, £159
- The Row Leather Backpack, £2635
- Zara Vintage Backpack, £119
- River Island Navy Pocket Rucksack, £28
- Fleet Ilya Linked Strap Rucksack, £1019 at farfetch.com
Dressing Up Denim Shorts
March 15, 2012 § Leave a comment
I wish it was warmer outside. I am already feeling the spring vibe and can’t wait to wear my favourite warm season piece of clothing – denim shorts. Last summer when I was exploring West Coast of US denim shorts in all shapes and colours were the only ‘bottoms’ option in my suitcase, the fact I did not once regret. And now even thinking of wearing all those garments mentally transports me back to my American adventure. So for emotional boost of getting through the not-so-warm-or-sunny London days I compiled a few outfits with my beloved denim short. 
The one above is urban spring chic with metallic accessories (courtesy of Topshop). It is essentially summery but the colour palette suggest I remember it is still London in mid-March:
Oversized Lightweight Parka, £68
Metallic Vintage Rucksack, £38
Pilot Sporty Curved Wedges, £85
Spike Stretch Hair Band, £10
All Over Skull Bralet, £12
Moto High Wasted Kristen Hotpants, £32
Total: £ 245 of Topshop goodies
This second outfit on the other hand shows that denim shorts don’t have to be just for casual weather – with right accessories they become very lady-like! Vertical stripes are slimming, shirts with collar tips are currently very trendy and these pointy studded courts are to die for. All items are from one of my high street favourites River Island:
White Diamante Trimmed Shirt, £28
Silver Tone Twisted Diamante Hairband, £8
Light Pink Bow Hinge Skinny Belt, £15
Blue Striped High Waster Shorts, £25
Pink Colourblock Bowler Bag, £40
Light Pink Stud and Spike Point Court, £55
Total: £171 for this feminine denim ensemble
So if you are not feeling the weather and need something to lift you up, why not compile an outfit for yourself? Fashion satisfaction is guaranteed and you won’t spend a penny!
MY FASHION WISH LIST 