Milan Fashion Week

In Milan, fashion shows packed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday oozing sex appeal, with Versace, Cavalli , and Pucci whereas Bottega Veneta Jill Sander, and Marni collections were studies in creative shape and volume. Sure the big bold names—Prada, Versace, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana—all churned out buzzling collections. We are commenting on most standout collections you may have watched or missed. It made me ask again, what do I dress for; to impress other women, to impress men or simply to boost my alter ego. For me it always has been the latter, with me it is like food, I eat to satisfy my love of food, and it is the same way with clothes. Like food I adore clothes. You can be exuberant and the fashion houses at Etro, and Missoni and many more exploited just that feeling. What impressed me more is the glamour and the richness of the colour gold and expensive materials of the clothes of Dolce & Gabbana. 

Sportmax was packed by people, watching models wearing cutre mules with pom poms like scoops of ice-cream and dresses with polka dots the size of oreo cookies.

Sportmax

Sportmax

Sportmax

At Armani the dresses were shimmering in muted pastels, some mixed with bold black straps and crazy pin curls. At Etro dresses were silky and filled with paisley.

Armani

Armani

Etro

Etro

To very loud music Versace ended the show with a model in a dazzling black and silver gown. Bottega Veneta showed sensuality in ruffles. The show was refined and elegant. So feminine...a perfect collection. The look I loved was the short ruffle skirt with boxy shirt look.

Bottega Veneta

Versace

Bottega Veneta

Cavalli had a festival of bling and glory. Jil Sander had a mix of simple coats, cropped pants and artistic prints. I loved a shinning dress paired with gold loafers.

Cavalli

Cavalli

Cavalli

Jil Sander

Jil Sander

Pucci was all about beads, beads and more beads. I loved the beaded jackets and motocross pants. Marni show depicted Japanese influences, with visors and phenomenal skirts covered in thousands of florets and jackets encrusted with giant beads. One of my favourite as I highlighted above was the sensational golden bevy of girls at the Dolce & Gabbana finale. But they also had stunning red dresses, some of which were belted at the waist with a huge gold coin belt, It seemed to be that of an old Italian movie, like the Dolce Vita. Prada sent models down the runway in military-inspired khaki dresses topped with bejeweled bras.

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Marni

As always, Prada was absolutely creative and we are sure that these glamorous bras are going to be the fashion.. “The intention was to set off this idea of women, of the strength of women,” said Prada. “They are kind of fighters. We like to make men afraid.”

Prada

Prada

Prada show was in an auditorium covered with murals of women faces. These faces were also adorning coats and skirts. Everything was sending a social message: Women in Power.

What do you think? Tell us which collection you most enjoyed watching or dream to dress like this coming fall and winter of 2013-2014

Travelling Effortlessly Chic

Some of you have been asking me for some styling tips for when travelling abroad. Let's face it, it's quite a headache having to pack, especially if it's for a short stay, that is for a day or two (business trip). The most important thing though is that you always try to look comfortable and stylish at the same time. 

First things first..
1. Check the weather. 
This is the most important thing to do before starting to pack as you have to dress for the season. No matter where you are travelling abroad you to need to wear some layers whether it's a coat, scarf, a cardi, etc....

2. Respect the country/culture you are visiting
This naturally depends on where you are going but try to avoid wearing shorts,  (Daisy Dukes style), mini skirts, transparent garments or anything strapless as these may cause unwanted attention.

3. Duration of your stay/holiday
Go for lightweight travel clothes, and if you are not going to wear it for more than three times just do not pack it! Make sure that every garment you take complements every other garment or that at least it has two uses (scarf worn as a wrap, sarongs worn as a skirt/dress, white shirt). Also rolling your clothes rather than folding them saves some space.   


What to wear:

• comfortable pair of walking shoes 
• cardigans, sweaters, wraps, scarves, pashminas
• secure purse/bag - to avoid pick pocketers
• dark coloured/pattern garments - great at trying to camouflage stains and wrinkles/creases
• a good pair of sunglasses 
• white shirt
• pair of jeans
• black dress/black pencil skirt (you can never go wrong with the little black dress!! :))

What not to wear:

• a new pair of shoes
• anything that is very expensive such as jewellery/bags
• baseball caps
• tracksuits
• white runners

Rosie travelling in style 

Miranda Kerr 

Autumn Trends: Clutch me if you can

1,2,3,5,6,7, 10, 13 - Accessorize
4 - River Island
12, 15 - New Look
14 - Oasis
9 - Zara
11 - Miss Selfridge

Autumn Trends - Tartan Obsession

1. H&M
2. Zara
3, 4 - Asos
5. Zara
6 - New Look
7 - Miss Selfridge 
8 - Asos
9 - Asos

Autumn Trends: Abstract Print skirts

1- Topshop
2 - River Island 
3 - River Island
4 - Topshop
5 - Topshop
6 - Zara
7 - New Look
8 - Topshop. 

LFW:Burberry Prorsum

So far I have not been able to view much of the runway fashion show that were held during the New York fashion week.  I have been lucky only to see Christopher Bailey’s Burberry Prorsum show, and I liked it for the simple fact that it is wearable and do able. 

At the finale of the Burberry Prorsum show, there was a rainfall of rose petals, milky custard yellow blushed with pink—that tumbled from the skies “I wanted this English rose,” explained Christopher Bailey backstage, “soft and tender. It started with a mood more than a theme—something gentle and kind.”

There was an impressive front row of English celebrities including Sienna Miller, and Suki Waterhouse, among others.  There was something that suggested the 1950s suburban dream girl in the fluffy knits and lacy pencil skirts, that I simple adorned and wish to have in my closet for next spring. The atmosphere at the show seemed to be very romantic indeed, as Christopher would have like it to be.

Every woman’s look was shown with the same needle-heeled sandal, anchored with a strip of rubber in strong pink or vivid green. The flat purses were worn in the latest fashion, not only clutched, but folded and crushed, too, a styling trick that certainly looks stylish, but of course wouldn't allow for as much as a lipstick. 

Certainly as always, Christopher pushes the strong fashion message in his collections the house’s iconic raincoats and trenches that were transformed into sleek fifties cocktail dresses with necklines draped across the shoulder, cinched with bejewelled “necklace” belts, and that signature Burberry water-resistant cotton was used not only for a trench, but for a pencil skirt with embroidered cut outs, elaborate as an Edwardian Ascot frock.

I will surely try to steal some of the looks and try to emulate the outfits of the models.  I have a few pencil skirts, some of which are lacey.  It is still far away to think about it, we have autumn coming up to think about.

NYFW: Summing it all up

Hi to all GTL blog fans (old and new ones). It has been over a week since we posted in our blog. Last week,  we were busy, excited, eager and in awe of what top level New York fashion designers are proposing for Spring summer 2013/14.

Some of the trends/styles that dominated the catwalk at the New York Fashion Week were:

• pleats
• mannish shirts and trousers
• pencil skirts
• oversized jackets
• fringes 
• sheer, organza
• lace

It seems that black and white is here to stay. Narcisio Ridriguez, Ralph lauren, Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera are amongst the designers that are still proposing monochrome for Spring/Summer 2014. Even though, Ralph Lauren made a striking change in his catwalk from monochrome to acid-bright colors. 

Calvin Klein - oversized sheer blouses

Calvin Klein - fringe 

Carolina Herrera - monochrome

Ralph Lauren - monochrome school girl look

Ralph Lauren - monochrome school girl look

Ralph Lauren - striking change to bright colors

Earth tone and pastel colors will also be very popular. Amongst the designers who are proposing these colors are Micheal Kors and Phillip Lim, with the latter describing his collection as  "as a survey of raw landscapes and terrains". Safari separates also ruled the runway at Micheal Kors.  

Micheal Kors - Safari 

Phillip Lim - oversized sheer blouses 

Phillip Lim - Pastel colors, oversized jackets

Narcisio Rodriguez introduced the "half skirt" that is the skirt & shorts hybrid. His collection consisted mainly in masculine cut garments with layers of shine and lace to give that feminine look. 

Narcisio Rodriguez - black & white

Narcisio Rodriguez - "half skirt"

I was very intrigued with Donna Karan's collection. She described her collection as one which " was about bringing day into night". Karan proposes mannish shirts, ethnic prints,  and artisanal bags and belts.  Karan,  "blended primitive motifs and hand blocked prints with artisanal quality."  What stood out though in this collection is that garments looked both versatile and wardrobe ready.  

Donna Karan - artisanal leather bags

                              

Donna Karan - urban ethnic prints

Mark Jacobs closed the NYFW "with a bang." His collection was very dark and aggressive with short/long matador jackets and Victorian gowns. 

Marc Jacobs - tassel matador jackets

Marc Jacobs - victorian dresses

Accessorizing tips for Autumn/Winter 2013/14

Every fashionista knows that accessories have become a huge part of the fashion industry. Fashion trends change from season to season, accessories  trends change as well. There are hot styles in every season of bags, shoes and jewelry. Summer is almost over.   Here are the must have accessories for fall/winter 2013/2014. 

Black and white clutch bag

Opposite colored accessories will be a big trend this upcoming season, especially those in black and white. Clutches are still very popular among bags so why not get a black & white clutch bag! I have recently bought a fringed velvet clutch bag from Suite Blanco.  I use it for the office also.  It is very versatile.  The time when we used clutches only for special occasions and a more elegant look are long gone.  Today we use clutches whenever we want cause there are so much styles and sizes that we can find one for every look 

Accessorize

Accessorize

Zara

Hunt

Velvet Shoes

My sister and I through this blog had  already informed that velvet was one of the favorite material for the designer on the Fall/Winter 2013/2014 fashion weeks. Same goes with accessories, especially shoes. With velvet shoes you can add a feminine, elegant touch to every look. Look for pumps in crimson, emerald green, indigo blue or purple velvet. If you are daring,  go for an animal print velvet shoes.   Another total hit for this fall  bejeweled block heels. Look fabulous on velvet shoes.

Charlotte Russe

Charlotte Russe

Gold Necklace

The golden necklace gets a new dimension this season. Statement making golden necklaces are present in every accessories collection for the upcoming fall. Buy chunky gold necklaces. Go for  one with medieval look embellished with gemstones. Another trend that I observed on the runways statement making necklaces showing words like love, peace and even mommy.

ASOS

ASOS

Thigh High Boots

Thigh high boots are such a hit for the upcoming season that designers even found a way to make a false thigh high boots look to make the trend more wearable. They paired leather leggings with ankle boots.  I would not purchase such boots but my alternative is going for boots that are at least a little above the knees.

DSW

Topshop

Fur Bag

This winter you must have at least one bag accessories made of fur, or a mix of leather and fur.  It is wearable in the morning and in the evenings.

Furla

RiverIsland

RiverIsland

RiverIsland

RiverIsland

Chandelier Earrings

Chandelier earrings were designers’ favorite at the fashion weeks. Balmain and Ralph Lauren used classical chandelier earrings with big crystal elements, while Dolce&Gabbana stayed true to the medieval look and choose earrings with Byzantines crosses. Whatever style you choose or prefer you must have at least one pair of chandelier earrings.  River Island has such accessories.

ASOS

NewLook

RiverIsland

Boy Shoes

Men’s wear is a big trend for women in the upcoming season and  men shoes are another popular choice for fall 2013. Look for a pair of high heeled or flat shoes with laces that have that masculine look, and wear it with more feminine clothes like dresses for example.

Topshop

Zara

Zara

Grey Ankle Boots

It must be the popularity of the novel 50 shades of grey, and  it was noticed also on nearly all over the runways at this year’s fall/winter fashion weeks. As ankle boots are another popular trend in the accessories department. They are trendy and go well with everything.

Topshop

ASOS

H&M

High Fashion Backpack

Well, believe it or not – backpacks have gone high fashion! It seems like every designer has them in their collection. And we use them 24/7. Seriously, backpack is the IT accessory for the upcoming fall/winter 2013 and you should start looking for the perfect one. I got mine from Suite Blanco and I very well recall and reported about it in my Cavalli blog that Roberto Cavalli has them also  in his collection.

Furla

RiverIsland