Kristen Stewart for Chanel

From Twilight to Chanel... It's official, after several rumors and great expectations here the first photos that shows Kristen Stewart as face of Chanel Métiers d'art Paris Dallas Collection 2014. The images show off the young actress struggling with a photoshoot characterized by a sophisticate native flavor, alternative and original that totally reflects Karl Lagerfeld's eclectic personality. 

Front Row Faces: Paris Fashion Week F/W 2014-15

Is ended just few days ago Paris Fashion Week F/W 2014-15 and everyone can't stop talking about it! The brainwave to set up a fashion show among the departments of a supermarket? Simply brilliant! Ranging from news and some provocations, it has been a great success. Here the best look worn by the fashionistas on the streets.

Paris Fashion Week F/W 2014-15 pills

Is ended just yesterday the last edition of Paris Fashion Week F/W 2014-15 the big event that closes the circle of european fashion weeks. This year more than pasts there were so many interesting proposals and sources of inspiration, so original and, why not, funny at times. Here the collection I liked the most.

SHIATZY CHEN

Played on birght and soft pastel colors, the collection is inspired by the ink stone (the old japanese technique used for ideogrammatic writing). Metallic fabrics, fluid shapes, and delicate embroidery are the main elements of a fresh, young collection, chic and a bit urban.

Paris Haute Couture S/S 2014 pills

Is ended last 23 jenuary the haute couture week s/s 2014 that brought, in the spectacualr and fascinating atmosphere of Paris, the most luxurious show of fashion system.

This year, however, the designers distorted the most classic cornerstones and bringing a breath of fresh air. Among twinkles and precious materials, here walks on catwalks sneakers and kneepads...

CHRISTIAN DIOR

In the romantic and fascinating frame of Rodin Museum's gardens go on stage the collection signed by Raf Simons who proposes a personal and modern reinterpretation of the classic canons of haute couture thought for a young woman, confident, ethereal and feminine. The collection is light and elegant, simple at first sight but also precious, enriched by 3D embroidery and tulle applications, lace and silk in an alternation of white, dark blue and delicate pastel colors.

Paris Fashion Week S/S 2014 pills

Is ended last October 2 the Paris Fashion Week s/s 2014 that, after New York, London and Milan closes the loop of the four most important fashion weeks of the year. In the setting of one of the most important capitals of fashion took turns some of the biggest names of fashion scene.

In the catwalks of the Ville Lumiere there were confirms, surprises and no real disappointment, even if someone betrayed the expectation, just a little bit. Summing up, it's clear that fashion industry is alive and more strong than ever and it's still able to surprise and excite, thanks to its ability in reinvent and reinterpret itself. And now, a short reviw of my favourite collections.

Paris Fashion Week F/W 2013-14

Is ended just yesterday the last edition of Paris Fashion Week F/W 2013-14. An edition full of  interesting collections that confirm, if ever there was a need, Paris as one of the coolest capital of fashion.

Among the many fashion shows that took place during these seven days, there were many collections that I particularly liked, each particular in its own way. Here a selection of my favourite ones.

Paris Haute Couture S/S 2013

It's just ended the Paris Haute Couture S/S 2013, the event dedicate to haute couture that had as its frame the city emblem of fashion: Paris, in the great and magic scenary of Carrousel du Louvre. 

Elegance, femininity and glamour, but also retro inspiration and a more aggressive mood, are the interpretations of these four days of fashion shows during which walked the catwalks the biggest names of fashion scene: from Chanel to Valentino, passing by Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier and Atelier Versace.  As always there were collections I liked most and other I liked less but, at the end of the day, I have to say I'm pretty satisfied. Here the best collections, in my opinion.

CHANEL

It seems to have been transported inside a fairy forest in which beautiful creatures penetrate wearing tweed clothes characterized by gothic inspiration touches, elegant and sensual at the same time as the  evening dresses, made with sequins, feathers and 3D floral embroidery that give to them a romantic and nostalgic allure. The collection is classic for the Maison: dresses and suits are alternated to a fresh twist given by accessories.

CHRISTIAN DIOR

A romantic and elegant collection proposed by Raf Simons at his second trial as director of brand Dior. A collection that referes to the historical classis of the Maison. Beyond the inevitable tailleurs and smoking Bar, the designer presented dresses inspired, in shapes, materials and combination of colors, by flowers. Along a fairy garden the models walk wrapped in splendid tulle, organza, lace and embroidery into an atmosphere of etereal grace.

ELIE SAAB

Grace and lightness are the exact interpretations of the haute couture collection proposed by Elie Saab for S/S 2013 that might non shine for originality compared to the other collections presented by the designer, but that doesn't betrayl the aspectations. The dresses are, in fact, a tribute to femininity, made in delicate colors like light blue, mauve, champagne and pale pink, and fabrics like chiffon, organza and tulle. Every single dress is enriched by sequins, jais and crystals inserts or embellished by silver threads. A tribute to romanticism and a sophisticated elegance that made the fortune of the brand.

VALENTINO

When it comes to fashion Valentino is alwyas an assurance. The brand, emblem of class and timeless charm, doesn't disappoint this time either and proposes an amazing collection for S/S 2013, played on the shades of white, black and red (main color of the maison) that shine in the finale of the show with a shower of sequins on the evening dresses. A triumph of elegance and delicacy and a tribute to the season are evident on the floral explosion that appears like a painting on clothes. The pastel colors,  the shine touches of gold and crystals, the flowers apllied on corsets and on lenghts are the characteristics of an opulent and magnificent collection that will make you dream.

ULYANA SERGEENKO

One of the most appreciated and photographed It-girls in the world (honorary member of what the insiders call The russian fashion pack), inevitable presence in the parterre of the fashion shows of the biggest brands and idolized trendsetter decided to play the role of fashion designer presenting  a great collection  for S/S 2013. Inspired by movies like Go with the wind and The wizard of Oz, Ulyana Sergeenko has been able to emphasize the sexy side of the protagonists of these movies bringing on catwalk corset dresses matched with micro culottes and straw hats, flared skirts with bucolic prints worn with oversized ruffle and fedora shirts and micro dresses with bustier belts. On her second trial, I'd say she passed it great!

ALEXIS MABILLE 

Ladylike, elegant, lively and light... Any adjective would be sweet enough to describe the S/S  2013 collection by Alexis Mabille. Delicate pastel colors paint dresses made with soft tulle and precious organza and embellished by splendid embroidery and floral applications... Like magic creatures the models brought on catwalk a little bit of that magic that only fashion can create.

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

With this collection the brand proved how even in animalier inspiration can hide a sophisticated and classy mood that has nothing to envy to other collections. For S/S 2013, Valli is clearly inspired by animal world, dominated by tigers, zebras and crocodiles denaturating the most commun and aggressive, almost sensual, side giving to it an etereal and expected allure. The dresses present 3D floral inserts, applaied on tulle and organza, and colors that look like strokes on a canvas. This collection is a true artwork, the proof that haute couture is not a monopoly of rich old women, but also of beautiful and confident young women, like the It-girls friend of the designer.

ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

The collection is inspired by a modern, sensual and confident woman who, during the day, wears smoking suits without shirt from which neckline is possible to see the navel, while at night she preferes wear clothes that emphasize her silhouette thanks the good use of asymmetries and dizzy gaps, enriched by sequins and organza inserts.

What do you think?

Odi et Amo: Hula Hoop bag

Hi guys! As I've annunced few months ago, this year I want to inaugurate a new column. Has it never happened walking in the street, taking a look to fashion shows or check out the magazines to see stuff you like and you fell in love with immediately and other ones that inspire in you diametrically opposed feelings. If this happened to you at least once, you were victims too of what I call Odi et Amo Syndrome. This new column is dedicated to it, to all those stuff that you can only love or hate.

After a little anticipation dedicated to the ugliest shoes in the world (in my opinion), the Beckett shoes by Isabel Marant (of which I talked about here), I couldn't wait to start officially and, finally, now it's time! Few months ago, it was october, I was focused on magazines and fashion channels in occasion of Paris Fashion Week S/S 2013. After seeing and appreciating the collections of Dior and Chloé, I was watching the Chanel fashion show. I started complimenting the clothes and accessories, reflecting about the great taste of the collection and thinking that Chanel is always Chanel and then it comes: white leather, round... huge! Is the Hula Hoop bag, Karl Lagerfeld's personal tribute to one the most famous toy in the world, appreciated by kids and adults, presented in two versions: maxi and mini.

Okay, let's talk about it. We all agree that to succeed in fashion scene you have to be always original and never ordinary, we all agree that from a poliedric and sometimes eccentric personality like Karl Lagerfeld one we can expect everything, but this?! Watching the models wearing this impractical wheel with an unlikely nonchalance, the first question that crossed my mind was: why? And the second: seriously? Two rigid circles, equal to the circles that hover around the waist of little girls, are the handles of bag placed between the two. The result? All shock and no chic!

Oh, come on! On what occasion could you wear a bag like that? Ah, of course, on the beach! Karl said it too... I can't stop laughing thinking about the face he did when, a bit annoyed, after the show, he had to explain to an arm of stunned journalists the use of this bizarre creation: <<It's for the beach. You need space for the beach towel, huh? and then you can put it into the sand and hang things on it>>. 

Seriously Karl? But thinking about it has a point... I mean, if you are not comfortable to look like Wilma Flinstone and walking a wheel, you can always work of immagination and experiment new uses. Are you running out of ideas? There are some that might interest you...

• Did you exceed with food during the holidays and you put on a few extra pounds? No problem! Goodbye losers and smelly gyms, I do exercise with hola hoop in the rythm of Chanel!
• Is hot outside and you are scared to get sunstroke? You can always use it as hat... but hurry up. Thats's just a question of time before Anna Dello Russo steals to you the idea!
• Your boyfriend or your friends dragged you in camping and you don't want to give up to glamour? Don't worry: open it and do a tent;
• Did you say to your boss that you're sick but you're actually doing shopping and you're scared to be caught? Well, if you're fast you can hide inside it and no one will ever find you... for sure!

What can I say? A bag of thousand faces for thousand different personalities! Now, beyond irony, I'm sorry if my words will hurt the tenderhearted feelings of the most addicted fashionistas, who elected it (in its smallest version) as best accessory of 2013, but I really don't like: I think it's ugly, uncomfortable and unusable excepted for some photoshoots realized by some glossy fashion magazines, even if matched with... no, neither in that case! Whatever my opinion is, the harsh laws of fashion have made of hula hoop the new trend for the next spring/summer season. Will it be a success? Posterity will judge! 

What do you think about it? It's odi or amo?

P.S. This is what happened in my head to the sight of Hula Hoop bag... enjoy it!

Paris Fashion Week 2012

Is ended yesterday the Paris Fashion Week 2012 that, with NYFW, LFW and MFW, has always been considered one of the most important events of international fashion. During this week, we've seen a mix of designers, styles, journalists and other people more or less tied to fashion world. 

As always there have been collections that I liked more and other that I liked less but, honestly, in spite of other years, this time I have to say that I aspected something more. In many shows, despite there were beautiful collections, I didn't find that particular originality that characterizes french fashion. Anyway, among collections presented, these are the ones that I enjoyed more.

AF VANDERVORST

The s/s collection 2013 by AF Vandervorst is really sumptuos. A collection with a rock 'n roll soul enriched by suggestive baroque atmospheres that are perfectly mixed with a touch of jazz inspiration, for which are used materials like leather, brocade, wool, silk and cotton.

AKRIS

Simple lines and a clean style characterize this collectionplayed on neutral colors and more lively other ones. The shapes, sometimes stright and sometimes flared, emphasize softly the silhouette giving to the collection a graceful and elegant look.

ALBINO

The collection proposed by Albino for s/s 2013 is sober and chic with linear and clean shapes. The image that this collection gives us is of a elegant and innocent  young woman who stands out the crowd for her style, perfect in its sobriety.

ALEXIS MABILLE

In this collection the designer combines female spontaneity with a super glamour metropolitan style. The classic ginghams are proposed on pants and dresses but their are made more modern by the combination with big accessories that, beside giving an urban chic touch, so loved by fashionistas, enrich the simplest outfits.

ANDREW GN

This basic collection has a refined and sensual taste. The brand proposes us a sophisticate woman who perfectly embodies the Mademoiselle Chanel's motto "A girl should be two thing: classy and fabulous", who loves the elegance and who flaunts her charm and her confidence wearing clothes with vintage references that made her a perfect middle bewteen Marilyn's sensuality and Audrey's timeless charm.
 

AZZARO

It's cocktail time! This is the inspiration of the s/s collection by Azzaro. Dresses with simple lines that wrap softly the body, are realized using soft fabrics like silk, satin and organza and enriched by crystal inserts that give a glamour touch to the minimal style of the collection.

BALENCIAGA

The collection is focused on male/female contrast and looks like a riot of shapes, lenghts and volumes. Following the theme of contrast, Nicolas Ghesquiere combines different materials and styles for a sexy, elegant and surprising result.

BALMAIN

This collection represents an evolution of the brand's style, incorporating a mix of street art, 90's style, the atmospheres of Miami and Cuba and male look reinterpreted in a more modern chic way. Jackets with oversized shoulders, for example, are matched with embroidered leggins, just like flared skirts are matched with emroidered sweatshirts. Everything is completed by patent accessories and stiletto heels.

BARBARA CASASOLA

The s/s collection is refined and delicate like a breath, with flowing shapes ready to follow the moves of the body. Fundamental is the use of color: white and black are opposed to nude or solid shades. The result is a clothing with a geometric taste, softened by the types of materials used: silk, chiffon, jersey and organza give to it an almost hetereal look.

CACHAREL

This collection is a tribute to femininity. A lovely floral theme dominates on gauzy skirts, cocktail dresses made more lively by delicate ruffles that emphasize the silhouette. Elegant and chic this collection is made more pretty by thw wise use of sweet pastel colors.

CHLOE'

The union of tradition and modernity is the inspiration theme of this simple and elegant collection played on over proportions  and volumes, drawn with the compass.

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

Italian style and the taste are, even this time, are confirmed as winning elements in the creation of a pret-à-porter collection that casts the eye to haute couture. Delicate in the use of fabrics and shapes, the collection show off  a touch of sporty inspiration, interpreted in a more chic way, perfect for the modern It-Girls who love a simple and sophisticated fashion.

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

Taking a first look, is evident that the inspiration of this collection is a tribute to 80's and its icons, first of all Madonna, but also David Bowie and Boy George, reinterpreted trough the personal style of the designer that is still one of the most whimsical talents in the fashion scene.

JEAN CHARLES DE CASTELBAJAC

One of the few surprises that I've seen during this PFW is the s/s collection by Jean Charles De Castelbajac, famous for his pop style, a bit eccentric, certainly not trivial. Inspired by an imaginary urban jungle we can see, in the prints, themes that look like leaves and skycrapers matched with other animalier ones. The daywear reinterpret classic pieces of sportwear in a refined key, while for night  the dress code includes cocktail dresses enriched by animalier prints. Another time the designer gave prove of the grandeur of his genius and his talent.

MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

The collection is elegant and presents an innocent look thanks to dresses with geometric shapes, sometimes oversized, and important volumes.

OLYMPIA LE-TAN

Inspired by 50's this nice collection by Olympia Le-Tan, presents corset dresses and flared skirts matched with micro cardigans and college jackets. Everything is made more fresh and lively by the clear musical references.

NINA RICCI

This collection is a tribute to a distant, childish, impudent, dominatrix, subtly mean femininity, all the more seductive as unreachable. Peter Copping created for the next s/s season a collection with elements of elegant bondage that casts the eye to the typical style of the "femme parisienne".

ROCHAS

Sportwear inspires the s/s collection by Rochas. Linear and clean shapes are valued by the use of fabrics like taffeta, silk and chiffon. Even if  thin, the shapes are interspresed by volumes that create a funny game of counterpoints. The prints present a great bloom of abstract chrysanthemums that, in the finale of the show, explode in a beautiful crimson red, giving a dramatic look to the collection.

SAINT LAURENT

One of the most famous brands in fashion world reinvents itself changing, as first step, its name.  For next s/s season, Saint Laurent proposes one the most classic pieces of its tradition reinterpreted in a new way. The collection also shows off rock, gipsy and 70's references.

TOM FORD

The collection is the perfect union bewteen classicity and fetish style. The silhouette remains in the typical channels, while classic garments like suits are reinterpreted in a sexy way, in the total black version, matched with leather, patent and vinyl accessories.

TSUMORI CHISATO

The collection is a tribute to swiss alps reinterpreted in cartoon version with bright colors and floral patterns. Other main elements of the collection are: the hourglass (a bit draped) shapes, geometric lines and the movement obtained thank to floating fabrics like silk.

VANESSA BRUNO

In the s/s season of Vanessa Bruno the bohemien style meets the classicity with 70's references: cotton and lace dresses are ankle-lenght for a perfect watermark effect. The flared skirts are matched with decorate oversized shirts. The ruffles, instead, add a girly touch to the collection, simple and natural.

Paris Haute Couture F/W 2012-13

Is ended last week the Paris Haute Couture F/W 2012 - 13, during which has been honored the opening of Maison Elsa Schiapparelli in the original location of 21, Place Vendome, next to Ritz Hotel. A very suggestive place where Farida Khelfa guided her guests in a "tour" telling and showing them changes and developments that we'll see in the Maison. Among several collections presented, these are, in my opinion, the best.



Farida Khelfa, Pierre Passebon, Jacques Grange and Ines de la Fressagne



CHANEL

In this collection we can see a "new vintage", the personal tribute of karl Lagerfeld to Haute Couture dedicated to all women who love elegance and the timeless charme of the Maison Chanel. A palett of dark colors like black and grey alternating to other ones like pink and apricot dominate the classic tweed tailleurs, the dresses, the coats, etc... A particular attention to details: embroidery and appliqué are matched with diamond, tulle and sequined inserts.

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

A tribute to the androgynous and masculine style of the franch writer George Sand that Jean Paul Gaultier put on scene proposing a men's clothing translate into hourglass silhouettes, a minimized version of tuba, , amazing smokings and elegant jumpsuits matched with bolero jackets and dresses with 20's femme fatale cut. An elegant, chic and innovative collection that reflects perfectly the personality of the enfant terrible of fashion world.

ALEXANDRE VAULTHIER

In this collection the designer put together the sportwear references with the classic elements of Haute Couture. The leather jackets are lined with lynx fur, the swimsuits are printed of gold and the jumpsuits are enriched by draped silk. . For daywear there are blazer with operated hems matched with mini skirts; for nightwear, insted, there are embroidery and lurex details. The final effect is a timeless elegance and an amzing winter touch.

CHRISTIAN DIOR

A riot of flowers in the amazing rooms of Gublenkian Foundation of Paris was the stting of the fashion show signed by Raf Simons for Christian Dior. A minimal spirit is the lietmotiv of the collection: bar jackets, coats and hourglass dresses; bustier mini dress for night enriched by flower embroidery etc. A palett of colors played with light and dark shades for a sober, elegant and refined collection, in perfect Dior style.



VALENTINO

An unexpected show proposed by the brand that pays tribute to blue in approaching with renaissance references, prints inspired by tapestry and in contrast with the classic and passional red. A sober and refined elegance is the lietmotiv combined with trasparences and light and soft fabrics like chiffon, silk and organza.