The Nina Ricci Style

S 2012

The name Nina Ricci is famous, especially the house’s most famous perfume, “L’Air du Temps” (created in 1949), but the brand has dropped off the fashion radar for quite some years. The French fashion house was founded by Maria “Nina” Ricci and her son Robert in Paris in 1932, and has been owned by the Spanish beauty and fashion group Puig since 1998.

After Maria Ricci’s death in 1970, the label went through a difficult phase, with different owners and designers. In 2009, designer Peter Copping, who had worked for Louis Vuitton, took over and since then Nina Ricci has been on the rise again. I absolutely adore Peter’s designs.

Lace

When designing the F/W 2012 collection which will be presented this Thursday during Paris Fashion Week, Peter Copping, Creative Director of Nina Ricci, asked himself what the Nina Ricci uniform would be. First and foremost among the house codes is the little black dress.

Here you can see me in Paris, posing in front of the Nina Ricci store window on Avenue Montaigne in the same dress that was on display:
Ruched taffeta and lace dress iconby Nina Riccitweed and leather jacket iconby Antonio Berardi, Black Mamba gold-plated snakeskin-effect cuff iconby Yves Saint Laurentstudded leather ankle boots iconby Valentino and Constance leather clutch iconby Jason Wu.

NR Dress

Nina Ricci Style

Tweed materials are another house signature; here Copping whipped them up in a feminine and soft style. Combined with a floral skirt, it takes your summer wardrobe to the next level.

Tweed coatopen-knit crew-neck sweatermini pansy-print skirt, ruched linen wedges and Liane top handle bag, all by Nina Ricci.

Nina Fantasy

For all perfume lovers, I recommend Nina Fantasy, a gorgeous Limited Edition version of her classic Nina fragrance, which will be availbale in Switzerland in April, just in time for spring.

Slightly sweeter smelling than the original, the scent combines top notes of bergamot, mandarin and pear with the delicate, powdery heart notes of cherry blossom, rose and heliotropes. Base notes are mate and brown sugar.

The white procelain bottle in the shape of a flamboyant apple is very fairytale-like. It draws inspiration from spring and magical moments. It is finished with a golden stem and leaves, engraved with the Nina Ricci signature, and has some sweet illustrations in golden pink.

Eau de Toilette, Limited Edition, 50ml, CHF 77.-

LoL, Sandraicon

Visionaire pays Tribute to Late McQueen

In Honour of Alexander McQueen

Visionaire, the art and fashion bible, has designed a gorgeous limited edition book in honour of the late Alexander McQueen with the contribution of some famous names like Nick Knight, Lady Gaga, Stephen Klein und Mario Testino. Only 1.500 numbered copies of the boxed set Visionaire58 Spirit, A Tribute to Lee Alexander McQueen will be available at Alexander McQueen boutiques and Colette for €1500.-. The reason why this is so pricey might be on one side the wrapping in a metalized brocade from the S/S 2010 show and on the other the paper quality. The pages are embedded with seeds that, if planted and watered, will bloom real flowers. How cool is that?

Love this outfit!

If this is still not convincing, why not getting a great piece from the last collection that McQueen was working on before he comitted suicide last February. His beautiful fall pieces have already started to arrive in stores. So keep your eyes open. I am completely in love with the chevron-tweed jacket. It has a shredded silk trim which gives its classic cut a fierce twist. Combine it with motorcross leather pants plus a cool tank and upgrade the look with some drama by adding gorgeous heels and a studded clutch. If something is not available anymore, I recommend contacting McQueen directly or visit the online shop.

Have fun shopping and paying your own tribute!

LoL, Sandra