Fashion Icon of the month: Bianca Brandolini D'Adda

The fashion icon I chose for january is one of the most popular european socialites and style icons of the XXI century, Bianca Brandolini D'Adda, ambassador of italian style in the world. Class 1987, physique of a model, flowing hair and a very sweet smile, she a regular in the parterre of fashion shows, vernissage, parties and social events all around the world.

Born from an old noble italian family, grown up among France, Italy and Brazil, Bianca gets popularity in 2008 due to her love story with her cousin, the scion of the Agnellis, Lapo Elkann, that opens up to her the doors of the fashion system.

Beyoncé Knowles

Music & Fashion: Beyoncé Knowles

Hi guys, happy 2014 to all of you. After a little break for Christmas holydays, we can restart with another appointment with Music & Fashion. Protagonist of this month the beautiful and talented Beyoncé Knowles: successful singer, actress, director, wife, mother, model and business woman, recently elected one of 100 most powerfull women in the world by the the New York Times. A rising star that, after almost 20 years illuminates the international music scene. 

Gwen Stefani music icon

Music & Fashion: Gwen Stefani

Before Christmas holidays I annunced some news for 2013... one of them is this new column, Music & Fashion. I think that the title says all: it's dedicated to the special union between fashion and music that, together, create one of the coolest form of communication. We start with one of the most glam icon of music scene, miss Gwen Stefani.

Twenty-seven years, two children and there she is, the same flat stomac and the ska mouvments mixed with an eclectic and original style that made her an icon. After a period of relative silance, Gwen is back now with the No Doubt, the music band with which she got the fame during the 90's, and the new single Settle Down that anticipated Push and Show, released the last septmeber 25.

 

It was the far 2001 when the band published Rock and Steady, the last album before a long break lasted more than ten years and Gwen was still the girl with a rock soul, colored hair and steel abdominals that she shown off with micro tops and sporty pants, a look that was her trademark on stage and behind the scene.

Accused to be another clone of Madonna, Gwen quickly showed who she really was creating her own personal and original style that immediately inspired millions of girls around the world and that is keep inspiring such artists like Rihanna and Katy Perry, who often appear like a revisited and corrected (but not too much) version of her and who don't hide to look at Gwen like a source of inspiration in creating their own style.

For those who remeber her in the time of Don't Speak (it was the 1996), with the red lips and the bone of contention in her hands, it's hard to believe how that jumping girl is become the sophisticated woman that today, glamourous than ever, joins fashion shows and walks the red carpet of premieres and social events.

Don't speak - Miu Miu's polyvore

Her is a slow transformation started in 2003 (the years during which she created her own clothing brand, L.AM.B., apprecciated by celebrities and fashionistas, followed a short time by Harajuku Lovers) that made her through several phases: from lolita to animalier style, from  fantasy (she was simply amazing as Alice in Wonderland in the music video of What you waiting for?) to a chic burlesque style (who doesn't remember her as sexy pirate surrounded by gold in the video of Rich Girl?), passing by retro (she was beautiful in her 40's style clothes as Jeane Harlow in The Aviator, the movie directed by Martin Scorsere, and  in the video of It's my life) and bon ton style characterized by big hair in videos like Cool and 4 in the morning, until the 2012 version: sexy, ladylike and wraped by dresses that emphase her perfect body.

But watching her in the music video of Settle Down her look doesn't seem to have changed from the days when as great bad girl she broke loose on stage with her band: white tank top and large pants, Gwen seems to be the same girl of ten years ago... What version do you like the most?

I like her style: she's sexy without being vulgar, irriverent but not extravagant. There's always a touch of red and black in her looks, sometimes leather that makes her so damn cool... I mean she has the perfect dose of glam and rock attitude. She's always stylish no matter what she wears! Here a slideshow of her best looks...

What do you think?

I love shopping around the world: Shanghai

Hi ladies! Welcome back to the little space dedicated to shopping around the world! We start again with an exotic touch... This moth we are in Shanghai, one the most beautiful and big cities in China, perfect uinion between east ans west, and true paradise for all shopping lovers!

In spite of the economic difficulties that concern the whole world, in Shanghai there's no crisis that can put a stop to shopping. Despite every forecast, in fact, in last years are born several shopping malls and stores, for the happiness of all sophaolics! No matter what you're looking for or what is your budget, in Shanghai you will find it. 

Like any other metropolis of the world, Shanghai also has its streets dedicated to shopping; it's divided into "four streets and four cities". The first is Nanjing Road that is considerated the most important shopping street in Shanghai: born during the 20's, despite the years, it's still alive and full of interesting opportunities; here is possible to find a great variety of prestigious stores, from the oldest ones to the biggest flagship stores of brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Burberry (just to quote few), to shopping centers. A little less sparkingl than Nanjing Road, but not less important, is Huaihai Road, economic chinese capital that still is one of the most fascinating streets of the city, celebrated for its elegance, with more than 400 stores of every type. Here, you can also find the flagship stores of some of the biggest designers of the world. Continuing this little trip, we are now in North Sichuan Road, apprecciated by youth and full of stores of the biggest low cost brands. Last but not least there's Middle Tibet Road, main destination of tourism and great food, chinese style!

Nanjing Road

If you have the chance to visit this amazing city, suspended in a timeless space between tradition and modernity, here some little tips about shops to not miss. I suggest you to take a look to Shanghai Tang, a famous chinese clothing brand: here you'll find super cute korean collars and amazing dresses with dizzyng gaps. Prices are expensive but the quality is granted: pure silk, precious cotton and jade buttons; Parkson Shopping Center: in this mall you'll find reasonable prices and many special offers in the form of discounts and other promotions. Even the brand-name clothing is reasonably priced here; Maison Mode: in this store , considerated the heart of Huaihai Road, you can breath a western breeze thanks to the pieces of brands like Salvatore Ferragamo, Hugo Boss and Bally (prices are naturally expensive, but you know what they say: what wouldn't you do for love...); Yuyuan Tourist Mart, Xujiahui Shopping City and Jali Sleepless City: here you will find the best of chinese handicraft, several outlets and goods suitables to every pockets, especially amazing jade and silver jewels that totally deserve the visit.

Parkson Shopping Center

Maison Mode

If what you want is some cute clothes that don't cost you a fortune I suggest you to see Honk Kong Famous Shop Street and Xiangyang Road. I also suggest you to take a look to Dimei Shopping Center: here you'll find lovely and stylish clothes with very small prices. And to those who, like me, have an insane passion for shoes, I say to not miss North Shaanxi Road, specialized in selling shoes, blessing of every woman.

Xiangyang Road

If you have the chance to spend more time in Shanghai, don't miss the fabric market in Lujiabang Road: watch the colored and bright silk, the cotton and other precious fabrics, it's really great... without count the fact that near there you can make realize tailored clothes. A great example is in Katano Maoming Road, where in a small store, an old eighty tailor will create your own tailored dress. 

Katano Maomi Road

Beautiful, interesting and rich of a mysterious charm, Shanghai is a city to discover and live! I'm totally in love with this it and I hope to be able to intrigue you too. The appointment with I love shopping around the world is next month. I see you around the world!

With love

Ladyfairy

Fashion icon of the month: Miroslava Duma

The first fashion icon of 2013 comes directly from Russia with love... and style! She's young, successful, married with a russian tycoon, works like fashion editor for Harper's Bazaar Russia and she is the style icon of an entire country. With other young ladies like Alexa Chung, Olivia Palermo and Poppy Delevigne, Miroslava Duma is one of the coolest It-girls of the moment, regular of fashion week around the world, acclaimed by fashion magazines and paparazzi that compete each other to photograph all her outfits.

Francesco D'Isa

Art and Expression: Francesco D'Isa

Hello guys! After a short Christmas break, here we are with another rendezvous with one of my favourite column, Art & Expression. We start again in great style, with an amazing artist, a talented and original illustrator that I had the fortune to discover on internet recently. I'm talking about Francesco D'Isa, artist and curator who with his thirty-two years old, already has made many group and solo exhibitions, won several awards and which artworks have appeared on several magazines.