New shoes cure the blues and a gorgeous pair of suede pumps will keep you stylish on many occassions. Opt for colour for the ultimate eyecatching effect and try platforms for comfy heights. I am sure that you will love them either way!
And isn’t Cinderella’s story proof enough that a new pair of shoes can change your life…?!
LoL, Sandra
Walk through the snow or conquer the asphalt in style in those must-have boots. They will keep your feet warm and make you forget about your favourite pair of heels… probably!
LoL, Sandra
Last weekend on November 20th, which is Universal Children’s Day, Gucci launched their first kids collection for S/S 2011 with worldwide children’s parties at six of the most important flagship stores in Milan, London, NYC, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
At the Gucci store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Jennifer Lopez made a great entrance in two different Gucci outfits, a strapless dress from Resort 2011 and an outstanding black combination from S/S 2011. She looked beautiful with radiant skin, false lashes and shiny hair complementing the amazing outfits.
The American actress and singer and her two-year-old twins, Max and Emme, star in a special ad campaign for Gucci Kids that was shot in Malibu by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.
Gucci donated $1 million to UNICEF and $50.000 to Jennifer’s charity, the Maribel Foundation, which focuses on medical care for women and children worldwide.
The fashionable trio looks so adorable on the beach. Jennifer wears pieces from the absolutely gorgeous Resort 2011 collection. The theme of Frida Giannini’s cruise creations is “stylish travel“. Working with a neutral palette of khaki, rust, and army green, the designer also included elements of the equestrian world. This collection is super-wearable with a bit of military and a lot of urban cool. The safari looks present the sexy attitude and glamour Gucci is known for.
It is not surprisingly that I couldn’t resist. One of my favourite pieces is the military green silk jumpsuit. I rolled up the legs and teamed with some vintage Gucci sandals and a vintage Ralph Lauren belt. The long 70s inspired earrings are from Chanel Cruise 2011.
Moreover, I truly adore the brand’s iconic saddle-printed silks in dégradé, a dip-dyed hem. The printed silk-crepe mini skirt (see below) had to be mine. I already wore it with a greige sweater by Stella McCartney, a patchwork Chanel bag and my beloved suede overknees by Gucci, all from F/W 2010. This is a great way of working your new cruise pieces into your winter wardrobe.
The Gucci resort 2011 collection is available now at Gucci stores or at www.net-à-porter.com.
LoL, Sandra
Zara has this months some amazing pieces giving you the opportunity to include some of the new season’s must-haves as well as some solid classics into your wardrobe. Decide for yourself if you want to go steal or splurge. Those styles are both ways great.
I always recommend to understand and recognize quality materials and craftmanship, not only a designer label. With this in mind, you will invest with confidence and mix with less expensive pieces to create your own individual, so hard-to-copy look. But be careful! Your shoes and bag should always be of good quality.
For all Zara pieces click here for the webshop (not available in all countries) or visit the nearest Zara store.
For all designer pieces you just have to click on the label in the text to be transfered directly.
One of the It-pieces for Resort 2011 is Stella McCartney’s ivory wool-twill tuxedo jacket with black and white lapels above.
Animal prints like cheetah (Azzedine Alaia) or leopard (Chloé) are very trendy at the moment. Spotted on an A-line swinging skirt combined with a leather top (Derek Lam) shows the real fashionista. Suede pumps (Jimmy Choo) are always a good investment.
The basics are your wardrobe’s building blocks. A bow-tie blouse (Balmain) combined with a pair of wide-leg pants (YSL) is a truly classic look. The colour combination of black and white always in style. Those items will last for years. Shoes by Gucci.
Of course, no list of basics is complete without the ubiquitous LBD (Little Black Dress) This season has been all about leather and this is going to stay. So why not indulging yourself in the trend material and adding a striking, sizzling touch to the classic piece (Bottega Veneta; Maje). Suede wedges (Bottega Veneta) give another modern, edgy touch.
Happy Smart Shopping!
LoL, Sandra
Over the past six months, the Gucci’s Facebook fanbase has more than doubled (almost 3 million by today) making the Italian fashion house the most “liked” luxury brand on Facebook.
Gucci has realized the importance of social media and has come up with some new and interesting ideas to spread the word and to advertise without a huge budget.
“Eye Want You” is the newest coup, a viral video Facebook application that allows users to share their moods with friends through customized video messages from Gucci models wearing the new eyewear from the Gucci eyeweb collection. Based on their own mood, visitors select a message to personalize with sunglasses of their choice and with their own “Eye Want You” message to the recipient. Once created, the video can be shared on Facebook friend’s walls or sent through as a private message.
What a smart move to advertise the eyewear!
LoL, Sandra
As you already know if there is one piece fashion is gushing over this F/W 2010, it is the camel coat. Being a true classic and always in style, this season seems to be the perfect time to get one. Many designers showed their own unique take on it. Whether it is made from genuine camel hair or not, it is an investment always worth it.
In case you have not decided yet, please find above a summary of the best pieces in stores at the moment. There is something for every taste and budget.
I decided to go for the long caramel camel-wool wrap coat by Chloé. It is a very versatile piece. Cinched at the waist with the skinny tan belt or thrown over loose, the overall impact is pure sophistication.
I love to wear it tone on tone with my chunky wool cardigan dress by Stella McCartney and my suede Gucci overknee boots for an instant sensual upgrade. The Céline box bag adds the perfect minimalistic chic.
The probably most authentic choice is the iconic and much-copied Max Mara cashmere blend overcoat that launched in 1981. It has been the company’s bestseller since nearly thirty years. What the trench is to Burberry, the classic camel coat is to Max Mara, specifically the model with the so-called style number “101801”.
Therefore, it is no wonder that the Italian brand has recently used the wool and cashmere icon to launch its e-commerce business. The double-breasted outerwear piece has an 42 inch length and kimono sleeves that can be rolled up. Its proportions make it an ideal fit for all women. It can be personalized with a special lining and a name or monogram on the inside label.
Available for purchase exclusively at maxmara.com.
LoL, Sandra
Feathers are a trend that seems to be always there. For F/W 2010 designers showed that fine feathers make fine birds. From beautiful marabou plumes to ostrich feathers, the creations were versatile. Being dressed in full feathers stands for a certain glamourous allure.
So Ladies, start looking for your feathers of prey:
A marabou jacket or cape is a piece for eternity. It adds the right amount of sophistication to every evening outfit or ball gown. I especially adore the ones from Balmain this season and would opt for a colourful piece.
The Gucci dress from the F/W 2010 runway collection is a smart choice as it comes with a removable feather-trimmed bolero.
In case you do not like to ruffle your feathers, I recommend a feather print or just a little detail like the ostrich-trimmed satin bag by Lanvin.
For F/W 2010, the possibilities are numerous. If you turn up your glam factor, you will surely not be shedding feathers.
And good news is, the feather trend is going to stay for S/S 2011. So those pieces are definitely great investments.
Ladies, it is time to adorn yourselves with borrowed plumes!
LoL, Sandra
With the big sock-in-shoe trend, it seems all natural that designer have come up with a very convenient way of doing it: Inbuilt rib-knit stockings.
As for me, I have found it always difficult to decide with shoe size to buy if I have to fit in some thick ribbed wool socks, too. Now, my problem is solved.
Pull those boots on with a mini skirt and your legs will look surprisingly long! You can play with the length of the stocking, taking it all up as a dramatic choice or chopped down for a cool style.
I am all up for it, and you?
LoL, Sandra
It is the beginning of October and we should slowly start thinking of X-mas presents. What is always causing headaches for me is finding something for my hubby. Therefore I thought I have to show you those cool pieces that I have come across recently. From very expensive to absolutely affordable. And for my lovely male readers probably something interesting to treat yourselves a little. Enjoy!
The Versace “Business” watch is limited to 500 pieces and is sold in Versace stores worldwide for €1600.- which is truly an amazing price for a limited edition watch.
Prada offers some beautiful iPad (€150.-/€400.-) and iPhone (€95.-) cases along with matching USB sticks (€100.-), all made of their signature saffiano leather. Available from November in Prada stores.
The Ralph Lauren Home Brabham vice box in subtle leather is ideal for entertaining, with included crystal decanter and four glasses, poker chips, signature cards and coordinating coasters. It is a limited-edition of fifty and comes with an embossed nameplate stating so. The dream has its price: $4995.-
The Hammond chess set is a sleek and modern rendition of a classic favourite, an ideal gift for the luxury loving game aficionado, $1995.-.
The GG pattern shawl by Gucci is an iconic piece and comes in beige and metallic gold with brown GG or in grey and metallic silver with black GG.
Available online or in Gucci stores for CHF 420.-.
The Special Edition has a reminiscent design of early 60s music, fountain pen (CHF 1055.-).
For all music lovers, Montblanc has released the John Lennon Collection, in commemoration of the late legend’s 70th birthday. The writing instruments collection consists of three editions.
I hope that I have inspired you a little!
LoL, Sandra
The Commemoration Edition 1940 is limited to only 1940 pieces and marks the year of Lennon’s birth, fountain pen (CHF 3.875.-).
The Limited Edition 70 is limited to 70 pieces, the age John Lennon would have since this October, fountain pen (CHF 31.000.-).
For all my male readers who have been asking for this frequently, here is my Menswear Trend Report for F/W 2010.
And Ladies, please stay tuned as you never know when this will come in handy. Your hubbies, daddies and boyfriends will love you even a little more for your fashion knowledge. Moreover the menswear trends are very similiar to the female ones. Have fun and get inspired! Even the classic pieces are definitely not boring this season…but see for yourself:
The end `50s and early `60s inspired many designers for their F/W 2010 collections. The well-tailored suit makes its return into the gentleman’s closet. Imagine Don Draper, the main character of Mad Men, shopping on Savile Row and there you go! Back to the basics, black, all shades of grey and camel welcome elegance as the new dress code.
Also back is the 3-piece suit. I like Costume National’s modern interpretation in grey worn with a turtleneck.
Anyway, turtlenecks were seen everywhere on the runways and seemed to have replaced the shirts. Those cozy pieces worn with a suit have this wonderful `70s vibe that is so up-to-date.
Camel is the new black! The camel coat has been a wardrobe staple of almost every fashionable era. This season, there are many different updated models in well-designed silhouettes, dynamic volumes and distinct cuts. A great investment for many years to come!
A vest or a jacket in velvet is a must this season. Beautiful shades make those It-pieces even more desirable.
Added to these revisited classics making them part of the modern times, were narrow tight leather or cropped pants.
The new hemline goes hand in hand with another rising trend for men. Pants were tucked into boots and it looked so hot! So guys, be brave and try it out!
If you like it more bright, you could add just a hint of colour, preferably in royal blue or a berry tone. A little sweater like the Prada one will be a perfect eyecatcher.
Or you could opt for the total look. Tone on tone, from head to toe, dressed in the same colour family or matching fabrics give this creative concept a new take on the masculine dress code.
If it gets really cold, men will have a lot of stylish options this season. Fur was seen along with must-have shearling jackets. I adore the Burberry Prorsum ones very much.
Rustic sweaters evoking a winter sports atmosphere let us dream of after ski and evenings in the chalet.
So Gentlemen, I never want to hear again that you are indifferent to fashion! Enjoy your new look and the world will be your oyster!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of the Brands