Sunday Fashion Finds...Stripes

When I saw the picture of a girl wearing stripes on  The Sartorialist  I loved it right away.  She had striped top, and  also she added a striped bag for a good measure.  Never-too-much-of-good-things attitude that I like.  This type of stripes I love unconditionally.  By the way, I would like to share with you that I found good looking striped long sleeve casual top at Boden in beautiful french blue and cream.  However, I have to wait 10 weeks before I can try it on.  Looks like this is very popular item and it is on back order.  The french blue stripes on white always remind me of Russian sailors uniform, as well as Chanel's innovative creations inspired by sailors uniform.  For the Spring/Summer 2012 designers showed different interpretation of stripes.  My conclusion - you can never go wrong with stripes, and if you have a nice piece with stripes in your wardrobe, it will be always in.  Via Vogue Italia

Fendi

Akris

Jean-Charles de Castelbaja

Gareth Pugh

Jean Paul Gaultier

Ann Demeulemeester

Burberry Prorsum

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Make-up Trends for the Summer of 2012

According to Fashion Mag  the summer of 2012 marks the return of color and shine for a fresh and healthy glow effect.  For those who like to play with colors - coral, pink, blue or purple.  If you use soft colors - nude color becomes slightly bronzed and glamorously glossy.

What I personally like about makeup trends for this summer, is that we have two trends - color and no color.  I know how one day I want to wear colors, and the other day - not so much, or simply do not have time to pull together the colors on my face the way I want.  This season it is not a problem!  Both looks are in fashion!  For example, one day you can  wear makeup with striking look of  blue eyeshadow  and maybe  red lips with warm tone  and the next day Angelic Look    to show different side of your personality!  I love it!

 Here is what Olivier Echaudemaison, the artistic director of Guerlain says:  "There will still be lots of colors this summer, in makeup for the eyes and lips. It's really the return of orangey colors like coral, which are colors that we haven't seen for a long time in makeup. There are plenty of pinks, pink is a true classic anywhere, but striking pinks. There is a lot of shine, especially on the eyelids, the cheekbones, and on the lips.

What's striking is the difference between very colorful makeup, a cheerful woman and a very simple woman. These are the two strong trends. You know, makeup is great for the personality, but also for the morale."

Here you have it! I can sign under the statement that makeup is good for the morale. Enjoy your summer! 

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Sunday Fashion finds... Skirts!

This season dresses and skirts are as popular as they were in the middle of the last century.  I am referring to 1950's.  When I look back and remembering how my closet looked just a couple of years ago, I confess that I rarely wore a skirt.  I even did not have them in my closet.  Skirts were not interesting enough to me, they all looked boring.  Now it is changing.  I have skirts and dresses in my closet AND I WEAR them.

Valentino Garavani once said: "Elegance is the balance between proportion, emotion and surprise."  He could not have said it better.  Valentino described in simple words exactly what I like in fashion.   Proportion - yes, this can make or brake the look. Emotion - this is what fashion all about.  Surprise - yes, this is what I am always looking for in an outfit, that WOW element, whether it is an interesting print, color, cut or pay of contrasts.  

Spring/Summer 2012 season offers plenty of design ideas for skirts that has an element of surprise.  You can use it and create the look that is just right for you depending on the mood or the occasion.  Personally, I like balancing bright colored or printed skirts with simple top like it shown on the 3rd photo from my  previous post  , I am referring to a picture with inspiration from Roberto Cavalli.  Sky is the limit for those who like to experiment.  Here are some examples via Style.com   

Prada

 Alberta Ferretti

D&G

Armani Prive

Aquilano Rimondi

Proenza Schouler

 Dolce & Gabbana

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Valentino... Creation of a lace dress

I was always fascinated by the process of how beautiful items are created.  This is why I love watching "making of..." videos.  The magic of converting a piece of fabric or a block of a raw material into something beautiful, is like watching when the piece of art being born in front of your own eyes.  Recently I saw video  The Secret of the Little Black Jacket    by Chanel and I absolutely loved it.  I have to note that music for that video are no less exceptional that video of the creative process or the Little Black jacket itself. 

I thought it would be interesting  to see here The Valentino video.  They show how they make their lace dress.  I was so inspired by this video that even made   Detachable White Lace Collar  and shared with you how I did it so you can do the same if interested.  I hope you enjoy this short video showing Valentino craftsmanship as much as I did. 

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Sunday Fashion Finds... White

White color is BIG fashion story for Spring /Summer 2012 and not only.  Designers showed a lot of white for Fall/Winter 2012 season too.  The interesting thing about white color is that it has the ability to STAND OUT without being extravagant or vulgar.  Whether you use white with clean lines or with  elaborate and chic tailoring details, white is an idea not only for summer casual outfits but great for evening wear too, all year round.  Via Vogue Italia

Comme Des Garsons

Cushnie Et Ochs 

Haider Ackermann

Valentino

Ralph Lauren

The Row

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Sunday Fashion Finds - Peplum

What is peplum? This is a short flared, gathered or pleated strip of fabric attached at the waist of a woman's jacket, dress, blouse or skirt.  I find this silhouette very flattering for most of women body types.  For example, if you have smaller hips and would like to enhance the appearance of it - peplum will do just that.  At the same time, if you would like to minimize the appearance of your hips - strategically positioned peplum  will do it as well by balancing proportions of your figure.  I am glad this silhouette is back and already planned one new piece with peplum in my wardrobe.  Here is my selection of the examples for this trend via Vogue Italia

Alexander McQueen

Celine

 Givenchy

Yves Saint Laurent

Preen

Burberry Prorsum

Rodarte

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Kate Moss for Mango... Summer 2012, The Making of

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Fashion Finds - Sheer and Layers Spring 2012

Sheer and Layers are very popular this spring.  I like the look of short skirts over skinny pants.  The same goes for sheer skirts or dresses worn over short skirts or leggings.  First of all it is very forgiving, if you know what I am talking about.  Second, I can imagine possible combination of different pieces I have in my closet - endless.  My picks from Spring/Summer 2012 Mulberry collection via Style.com

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Colors of Easter Eggs

If you will be celebrating Easter this Sunday and getting ready to color hard boiled eggs for your dinner table, this info might be useful.  I would like to share with you how we colored eggs for Easter with all natural dyes back in my country.  I still use this method here in the US.  This year I chose to make beautiful light pastel colors, just like Spring/Summer 2012 Louis Vuitton collection.  To get more intense color I would have to keep hard boiled eggs in the cup with liquid dye overnight in the fridge.

To extract color from the ingredient of your choice, just boil it in a sauce pan.  Then pour the liquid in a separate bowl or cup. All you have left to do is add 2-3 tbs of white vinegar and then put hard boiled egg into this colored liquid.

To achieve golden orange color I used yellow onion skins, for reddish brown color - red onion skins, for blue color - red cabbage leaves, for light green - spinach, for light pink - beets.

Important: While coloring, make sure to wear clothing that you are not afraid to stain.  Most natural dyes can easily be transferred when it is wet.  It is safe after shell has dried.  Tell me if you had a chance to use this recipe.
*2 images above from Spring/Summer 2012 Louis Vuitton images courtesy of Vogue.it  Pin It

A Notch on Louis Vuitton's belt

Saul Bass inspired animation by Jo Ratcliffe presents new promo film on Louis Vuitton's 2012 belts collection.


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