Friday, September 28, 2012

Charity fashion show pro - AISM

As now you already get it, fashion is more than a simple passion to me. And when, thanks to a passion, you can do something good, it's really great!
Last September 22, in Palermo, in the nice location of  the club "Il circoletto", I attended to a charity night of fashion and solidarity organized by AISM, Multiple Sclerosis Italian Association, a disease that affects a milion of people in the world every year and for which are experimenting some cares. When they invited me, as fashion blogger, I was more than happy to give my contribution.


AISM president of Palermo, Marcello Oddo and his staff


The dresses presented ware several and realized with fabrics like silk, tulle, organza and chiffon for cocktail, night, ceremony and wedding dresses refined by lace, embroidery, coral and sequin inserts and matched with ethnical handmade accessories. A collection with great finish that gives a nod to Haute Couture, thought for several occasions.

The wedding dresses were very particular and the cocktail dresses have a nice retrò touch revisited in a more modern way. Nunzia La Rosa, designer for passion, started this collaboration with AISM long time ago and since few years cares the organization and the realization of dresses for the fashion show pro - AISM.

Here, some pictures stolen from backstage





 If you like it, visit my facebook page to see the rest of pictures

Thursday, September 27, 2012

I love shopping around the world: Saint Tropez

Hello everyone! Although late, even this month is back the space dedicated to shopping around the world. This time is the turn of the amazing Saint Tropez, one of the most beautiful and stylish holiday destinations in the world, in the heart of French Riviera.


Just taking a look to the alleys, you can find the atmospheres and the glamour of the great 50's, of holliwood stars who spent their vacations there, of the artists like Picasso stationed in the city, of the amazing Brigitte Bardot and paparazzi... I've been there with my friends for a weekend few years go, and it really was an unforgettable experience.
Today like yesterday, Saint Tropez is still one of the coolest place in the world, famous, in particular, for its nightlife. But what they maybe don't know is that, from little stores in the alleys to the shabby chic boutiques on the beach, here you have the chance to do a super shopping! As  other cities, here you'll find the flagship stores of the biggest brands in fashion world like Chanel (located, for the second year, in the amazing location of the La Mistralee Hotel), Gucci, Dior, Vanessa Bruno, etc...

Chanel at Hotel La Mistralee - St. Tropez
Start your shopping tour from Place De la Garonne: once there obligatory stops iare of course, Gas Bijoux, where you'll find colorful necklaces, earrings and bracelets, in perfect harmony with the mood of the place and  Manoush (28, Rue FranBois Sibilli), eccentric clothing brand famous in the entire France. Going through the port you'll find Zadige & Voltaire (11, Place de la Garonne): you're not a true tourist if you don't buy a cardigan for your glamour nights... Near here you can find in the cavern of Ali Babà: the historical store Bla Bla (Place de la Garonne), loved by teen-agers, where you can find clothes and accessories by 50 brands (like Zazo, Juliet Dunn and Mes Demoiselles) that the owner Izabel buy in countries like Pakistan, France, England, America and Northern Europe, a bazaar where is possible to find always new styles and brands.

Gas Bijoux - St. Tropez
Manoush - St. Tropez

Other place to visit is Rue Gambetta: here I suggest to take a look to ERES (2, Rue Gambetta), classic brand of  chic beachwear; Kiwi (34, Rue Allard), where you can buy a stylish bikini and match it with a embroidered kaftan by Agagoa (Rue Gambetta), french underwear brand. Continuing along Rue Gambetta you can't not to visit the store of Alberto Moretti Arfango (35, Rue Gambetta): here you can choose among the famous moccasins or the sexy python heels. And, if you like bermuda shorts, pay a visit to Be shorts (Rue Gambetta): a store that sells only pants (long or short, colored or not). Another store to see is, of course, THE BOX (2, Rue de la Citadelle), where you can find clutches by Corto Moltedo, cachemire sweater with neon inserts by Je m'en fous, the glasses by Kris Van Assche and the classics by Borsalino. 

Bla Bla - St. Tropez
ERES - St. Tropez

I also suggest you to check out Au Soleil de Saint - Tropez (1, Rue CommerBants), if you like the gipsy mood typical of St Tropez, and go through Rue de la Ponche. Once there, is required a visit to Hermès (Place George Grammont), go to Castaner (20, Rue Henri Seillon): the store is famous for the rope sandals that remind the shoes worn by Brigitte Bradot. And if you want to look like her, go to Rondini (16, Rue Georges Clémenceau): here you'll find the shoes worn by BB and the It-Girls of that time. Now you can't not visit K. Jacques (25, Rue Allard): here you can buy the famous "spartiates" sandals and customize them, choosing materials and embroidery: of course prices are not friendly (they start from 155 euros for a pair) but, believe me, they're totally worth it!

Rondini - St. Tropez
K. Jacques - St. Tropez

Another center of shopping is Place de Lices: here you'll find some of the prettiest  (and expensive) boutiques of the city. But don't be discouraged! On tuesday and saturday, there's a market suitable to all pockets: in fact is possible to buy bags and shirt for 15 euros or less. I recommend to you to buy the colorful baskets and the espadrillas... 

Place de Lices Market - St. Tropez

Now you're ready to go on the beach... There I suggest you to visit stores like Nioulargo, a mini boutique the original silk dresses by Poupette and Club 55 (Plage de Pampelonne), where you can find  vintage scarves, pillows and bracelets: to not miss!


As always I hope that this my little "guide" has been helpful! See you next month!


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Milan Fashion Week 2012

Today ends the Milan Fashion Week 2012, one of the most important events in fashion world and, even if the collection presented were pretty nice, I have to admit only few of them really impressed me. Everything was already seen, I didn't find a lot of innovation but, in general, it has been pleasant.


Among different styles and collection presented, these are the ones that, personally, I liked the most:


ALBERTA FERRETTI
Soft and elegant, the collection gives to women who wear it a romantic and sophisticated allure. Following the concept of lightness as liet motiv of the collection the designer uses soft and delicate fabrics like organza, tulle and silk enriched by crystal and pearl inserts and lace, based on pallet of colors that go from ivory to blue, to black. "I was feeling the need to design a collection of dresses in which women could move light and floating as if there was an absence of gravity yet being strong", said Alberta Ferretta after the show". Mission accomplished!

ALVIERO MARTINI 1° CLASSE
A nice show for the brand that has always been a guarantee of class and elegance. Shapes and volumes are well balanced between feminine silhouette  with strong details and classic must-have sweetened by ruffles and illuminated by gold touches or by floating and sophisticated feathers.

ANDREA INCONTRI
A feminine and practical collection, with linear and clean shapes sweetened by floral prints and neutral colors that, step by step, leave place to the timeless black that makes the dresses more sensual.

BLUGIRL
All the seductive strenght of animal print made more delicate by the discrete and  feminine elegance by the transparences and by laces that give a romantic touch to the collection that evolves, during the show, in amore hippy chic style, made more glamour and modern by the swarovsky and sparkle inserts.

DOLCE & GABBANA
Another time the designers find a great inspiration  into the sicilian folk traditions. Puppets, carts and ceramics insire the prints of the clothes with fun, energy and color that remind me the spectacular scenery of the folk festivals of a Sicily kissed by the sun.

BLUMARINE
For this collection Anna Molinari imagine an elven woman, who loves the simplicity and the softness of fabrics like lace and voile, the prints inspired by nature, based on pastel colors, and the elegance of black for the night, made more sensual by games of transparences on the dresses.

BYBLOS
During the show the collection undergoes an evolution: from a girlish style, made by lively and other acid colors matched each other with a fun mix and match of fabrics and prints, to a more mature and sexy spirit with deep necklines and sensual transparences.

EMILIO PUCCI
This collection, signed by Peter Dundas for Emilio Pucci, is inpired by the suggestive atmospheres of Indo-China. The party-girl proposed by the brand is sensual and elegant, with a glamour and oriental allure.

FAY
This collection seems to come out from the great 60's, the years of Twiggy and the revolution of the mini skirt. So, go with the classic bicolor suits with lively colors like apple green and pink, made more frizzy by metallic fabrics of skirts and pockets. A very cute collection, so funny and colorful.

EMPORIO ARMANI
In this collection king Giorgio proposes the minimal style and the rigour typical of 90's. So go with tailleurs and shorts with male cuts matched with flat shoes, to confirm a serious and rigorous look. But the woman imagine by Armani, at night shows off all her seductive power with metallic shorts and mini skirts keeping that look masculine that creates a stylish contrast.

ETRO
Another nice collection ofr the brand that, this time, presents a fabulous collection ispired by the atmospheres of China that materialize in the prints of the clothes. Among floral prints, there also are butterlfies, parrots and flamingos that complete the language of the collection.

FENDI
This year the brand celebrate the meeting between modernity and craft, crowned by the traditional handmade, trademark of the brand Fendi. For s/s 2013 Karl Lagerfeld proposed a collection inspired by the mix and match of materials, shapes and colors, with references to 60's.

FRANCESCO SCOGNAMIGLIO
The woman proposed by the brand  is romantic and refined, almost ethereal, wrapped by the softness of fabrics like lace, linen and silk and by games of volumes and decorations. The soft and clean shapes emphasize softly the silhouette and give an grace and elegance.

GIANFRNACO FERRE'
A minimal style, simple, clean and elegant in shapes and colors, made more sexy by the adding of animal prints and a sensual game of transparences and lenghts.

JO NO FUI
The travel is the inspiring theme of the collection. The designer Alessia Giacobino mixes customs, traditions, colors and materials of different cultures. The result is a style, perfect for daywear, glamour and chic, wereable even at night thank to sequin inserts and sensual veils.

JOHN RICHMOND
For this collection the designer reinterpret the 50's style and shapes in rock version, played on contrast of materials, like leather/silk, and the adding of feather details or geometric prints.

KRISTINA TI
Delicate, romantic and elegant in its simplicity the collection plays with floral prints, soft fabrics like chiffon, sensual transparences and soft and floating shapes. Another strenght of the collection is the pallet of neutral colors interspresed with other warm ones.

LUISA BECCARIA
The inspiring theme of this collection is gipsy chic style, made by laces and prints, soft fabrics and maxi and mini lenghts.

MARCO DE VINCENZO
The s/s collection is called "Minerals" and is inspired by the earth and its energies. Simple and clean shapes and basic colors give to the collection a refined and elegant effect.

MILA SCHON
This collection is a true explosion of colors, feminine and lively even in the hourglass and roundish shapes. Delicate and light fabrics, like silk and organza, and pastel colors that go from white to cream, from peach to turquoise, make everything more chic. 

N°21
A relaxed and practical collection, with long t-shirts and t-shirt dresses, but, at the same time, glamour and elegant thanks to silicone and lace inserts.

PAOLA FRANI
The woman proposed by Paola Frani for s/s 2013 has an exotic, colorful and feminine look, realized with fabrics like silk made more lively by prints and different combos. 

PHILIPP PLEIN
Pattern power: is the key concept of this femininine and sexy collection, made more seductive by the leather matched with lace and mini lenghts.

PRADA
A romantic collection inspired by the heart's contraddictions with a dark spirit, like a modern Madama Butterfly who chooses oriental shapes like kimono sleeves and origami cuts.

ROBERTO CAVALLI
Laces and prints are the main elements of this collection, delicate and sexy at the same time. Leather, necklines and sparkle effects are other distinctive characteristics.

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO
It's a basic but glamorous collection, simple and elegant, made sexy by the wise use of metallic materials and leather.

VERSACE
This feminine and sensual collection, shows off references to the California's beauties  of 70's and characters like Farrah Fawcett with dresses that emphasize the curves, inspired by lingerie and safary style, like a modern and sexy Charlie's Angel.


And you? What is your favourite collections?

Friday, September 21, 2012

Adele: young promise of fashion?

Flash fashion news: it seems sure a next fashionable collection for Adele. The singer, defined by Karl Lagerfeld "too fat", rumors has it, would be contacted by Christopher Bailey, creative director of the brand Burberry, after their first collaboration for Grammys and Brit Awards, (he designed the dresses worn by the singer), for the realization of a "plus-size" collection, dedicated to curvy and fashionable women.


We don't know anything more about this collaboration. An insider said: "Adele has always had an interest in fashion and Christopher is keen to get her involved because she knows exactly what suits her and likes to be involved in the creative process".

After Beth Ditto, leader of the band The Gossip (model for John Galliano, she also designed a sunglasses collection and a make up collection for MAC), another curvy icon enters in fashion world. 

What do you think about? Will Adele leave a mark?

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

London Fashion Week 2012

It's also ended yesterday the London Fashion Week 2012 that, with New York, Milan and Paris, is one of the biggest events in fashion world that brings to it the greatest representative of fashion. 


As always, there was many different but great styles but, in general, I was pretty satisfied by collections presented. Among confirmations and great comebacks, these are the collections that I liked the most.

ANTONIO BERARDI
This collection looks like a collage of asymmetries, destructuring, overlaps and patchowrk of materials and textures. Graceful and innovative, it's a tribute to tailoring tradition.

BURBERRY PRORSUM
Tradition and innovation united into a unique solution, rich of style and energy, precious in the jewel colors, contemporary for the use of tech and reflective materials that express brightness and enhance a classic style interpreted with a surprising versatility.

CHRISTOPHER KANE
Fascinating and elegant, this collection is a continous metamorphosis of styles: ladylike style that is turned into biker style, for example. Despite it don't seem that these styles are matchable together, the finale effect is very glamorous and feminine.

DAKS
A feminine collection, elegant in its simplicity. Based on pallet of neutral colors  that go form white to black, passing for beige and brown, it's a tribute to minimal chic style, dedicated to confident and classy women.

DION LEE
The emergent designer gave great proof of his talent creating a collection  with a linear style, almost futuristic, characterized by clean cuts and a multiform silhouette. Based on a pallet of colors that go from white to blue, to orange with some touches of black that give to the collection a feminine and elegant allure.

EMILIA WICKSTEAD
Romanticism: this is the key word to describe the collection with a lovely retro allure, with references to 50's and 60's  that remind me characters like Audrey Hepburn. Anyway there also is a modern touch represented by peplum and necklines. Dedicated to the most romantic fashionistas but not only.

EUDON CHOI
Sportwear reintepreted in tailoring way, delicate and elegant. With references to 60's, in cuts and shapes, it also presents  a futuristic soul evident in metallic fabrics and structured lines. In general, a collection with a strong personality.

GILES
The black and white is the liet motiv of the collection, perfect for day and night. Lace, feather and embroidery decorate fabrics like tassel and denim and other more precious like silk and crepe, made more rich by Swarovsky crystals.

HOLLY FULTON
A funny and girlish collection that is different from the others for its particular attention to the decorative elements: geometric and floral prints, true liet motiv of the collection. With delicate colors and a strong summer taste, the style proposed is perfect for a super chic vacation. Are you ready to go?

JONATHAN SAUNDERS
The collection is totally based on contrast: male/female, futuristic/retro. Metallic fabrics and clean and linear shapes are the main elements. 

MATHHEW WILLIAMSON
For this collection the designer takes inspiration form India and its colors. Thanks to a great mix of prints, colors and clean and soft shapes, is dedicated to all fashionistats who love glamour and practicity.

MULBERRY
A simple and elegant, feminine and delicate, the collection is a gift to all women who love a clean and chic style that is intepret  of a refined and discreet elegance. Light colors, soft and linear shapes and soft fabrics make this collection even more beautiful.

NICOLE FARHI
The designer realized a tribute to minimal style: simple and classy. The entire collection develops the essence with soft clothes, neutral colors with some touches of prints, and cleand and soft shapes.

PETER PILOTTO
The eccentricity seems to be  the main theme of the show that proposes the mix of prints, already seen in other past collections. Not innovative, maybe, but with a nice effect.

PPQ
A lively and colored style that honors 60's and 70's prints, with soft and flared shapes. Dedicated to young fashionistas who love a glamour and funny fashion.

PREEN
The brand celebrates its 150th anniversary with one of its best collections. Inspired by the movie Buffalo 66, it proposes contrasts and games of texture, fabrics and shapes, patchwork and overlaps. Tradition and innovation that are united into something great!

SASS & BIDE
A great comeback to the London Fashion Week for the brand that, for s/s 2013, proposes a  collection that is consistent in its precision, with a game of male and female concepts with a strong presence of smocking suits revisited in a modern way with origami style folds and geometric details. The designers, thanks to soft and shaped shapes, are able to play with the silhouette ina chic and captivating way.

SIMONE ROCHA
This collection is totally inspired by teenagers's spirit: romanitc, pure and, at the same time, rebel. The brand proposes virginal clothes, in broderie anglaise and tweed, that presents malicious transparencies.  Nice colors and soft fabrics, give a further romantic touch to the collection.

UNIQUE
The collection is pervaded  by a minimal chic allure, dedicated to confident and stylish women. Soft shapes, clean lines, floral, graphic and striped prints, neutral colors (like white and black), interspresed by other acid ones and sensual transparencies, are the main elements.

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD RED LABEL
A riot of colors and a tribute to british style reinterpreted in a contemporary and personal way, Vivienne Westwood style, with that touch of eccentricity that distinguishes her.

WILLOW
This collection is called "Willow the whisp" and, in my opinion, is the best collection presented in London Fashion Week. Soft and delicate, it reminds me the unreal atmospheres of dreams. The tailoring details are in contrast with the lightness of fabrics that are interpresed to other ones like leather that gives to the collection a contemporary touch maintaining, at the same time, a delicate and innocent mood.

What do you think about?