A Masaai summer with PIKOLINOS Masaai Collection 2013.

 

PIKOLINOS stop NYC

When you think about Kenya, what comes through your mind?! Safari, honeymoon (well, at least I do), picturesque landscapes, amazing colors and Masaai! The Masaai is one of the last authentic tribes left in Africa whose name continues to be associated with courage, tenacity, determination and fashion. And now the Masaais are giving us another reason to feel inspired.

Being involved in Charity work myself, I felt that I had to talk to you about this great initative of William, Masaai tribe leader. The Masaai project is a reminder of Africa as an endless source of inspiration. Launched in 2008 ,“The Masaai Project” is the result of the collaboration of Pikolinos (Spanish footwear brand), non-profit company, ADCAM and of course William. From this collaboration, a footwear line was created and the earned profits are intended to further women development and additional projects in the Massai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

I bet you can't help but feel endlessly inspired by such beautiful colours…

The new project’s ambassador, Oliva Palermo shot the Pikolinos Masaai collection 2013 in Kenya. The brand, which is currently releasing their 4^th collection, opened their newest pop-up store in NYC last week, presenting the beautifully embroidered and breaded designed from the women of the Kenyan tribe. Pikolinos also hosted a black tie gala at the United Nations to benefit the Masaai tribe through ADVAM NGO and BBALP.

Masaai Project Campaign 2013

Which such a great campaign, and with summer round the corner, it seems to me that the Masaai collection is the perfect match to a colourful and inspired summer good for fashion and for development...

The Zara mania explained!

Hi guys!

Today's post is looking at what I like to call the "Zara mania". Who do you think is the most powerful man in the fashion industry? You are probably thinking about a top designer such as Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs or Tom Ford.  Well, not exactly. The most powerful man in the fashion industry is no other than Mr Amancio Ortega, fashion executive and founding chairman of Inditex, best known for its chain Zara. According to Forbes, Mr Ortega is among the top five world's richest people! 

As I was going out the other day, I realized that 90% of my outfit was Zara made. Celebrities and other socialists are also becoming Zara addicts. And guess what, you can now find fake Zara bags on the streets of London! Just like Chanel, Dior or Louis Vuitton, it seems that Zara is the new victim of the fake goods market. Part of it is because Zara's collections are largely inspired by designers such as Louis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci.

Olivia Palermo wearing jacket, top and skirt by Zara

So what is it about Zara? Why would you want to own a fake Zara made item ? Is wearing Zara a style statement?

A Zara style. You walk into a Zara store, see anything you like?, thought so! Other scenario, you have an event coming up, you are looking for something classy and gentle to your wallet, where are you going to?! Thought so!

Zara’s Style appeals to almost the everyone. Zara’s style wants to be cool and classy at the same time. There is a something about it, that attracts a large number of people with different sense of style. In other word, Zara gives you the liberty to make their clothes your own. In that respect, Zara managed to give its customers what few high street retailers have managed to achieved over the past few years: the feeling of exclusivity.

Mass but class. Zara's is headquartered in Spain where core customers have always liked curvy cutting to flatter a proud bearing.  Zara tailoring, in particular when it comes to their coats and trousers, seems higher quality than other retailers and the styles are on-trend as opposed to too trendy. The impression that you are "shopping classy" also comes from Zara's seductive store design. When you walk into a Zara store the atmosphere seems to be airy and light to give you a designer treatment without the designer bill! 

Fast response to specific trends. Have you ever bought a Zara made item in a specific color and then a few months later you realize that they created the exact same item in different color scheme, or in a slightly different shape?! That's what Zara is all about.
A system is in place for retail staff to transmit customers' feedbacks straight to the massive design team located at Arteixo, a tiny town on the north-west tip of Spain. This system allows the brand to ensure that every new item becomes a sell-out within a fortnight!

The campaigns. Again, think about it, have you ever seen a Zara advert on television? You have not because they simply do not exist! Most designers have recourse to television ads, but not Zara. The website is used as a great platform for the chain's campaigns as well at the stores. So, instead of using tremendous amount of money on publicity, Zara focuses its attention on the production and the design great pieces of clothing!

That's it,  for now!

Zou bisou bisou

Mr Porter, sell me a dream !

Ladies if you are still looking for the perfect St Valentine's gift for your other half, look no further!

After the hugely successful Net-a-porter website dedicated to Women's fashion, Natalie Massenet has brought us Mr Porter, dedicated to Men's style. The website was established in 2011 and represents a rather logical move from Net-a-porter to get into the Men market.

The website offers a A-Z list of more than 90 High Street and High End designers, from Alexander McQueen to Saint Laurent. It is very easy to use and highlights the latest additions to the site so you can stay up to date with the newest lines available. Each item is photographed in a simple and elegant manner so all you want to do, is to click on the "add to bag" section! 

The site has a good mix of European, Us and British men's luxury brands, but it does not stock the more extravagant  "catwalk only" high-fashion items. So it you are looking for more rare eccentric or collectors' pieces, you will probably not find them on Mr Porter which offers more conservative collections. 

My favorite aspect of the website? Portraits and pictures of classic and modern style icons with their outfits laid out for you ready to be purchased online! 

True, Mr Porter will never replace the personal touch of an attentive stylist or tailor, nor does it provide  personal advice, but it certainly offers a great deal of items that can make your man smile...

Official website: http://www.mrporter.com

Zou bisou bisou

All eyes on : Innisfree Aroma essential oils !

If you believe that Style is just about clothes, well guess what, you may have to try again! Jane Austen once said, " there is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."
For those who (like me) love treating their interior, I have the perfect product for you!

What if you could lay on you bed, relaxing, inhaling the most amazing natural scent? Let me introduce you to Innisfree Aroma essential oils, a little something brought back from Korea by my dear husband...

Innisfree is on the South Korea leading brand in cosmetic that uses all natural ingredients and was launched in the year 2000. They sell a large ranch of skin care products and essential oils. Taiwanese, Japanese, Chinese and of course Koreans, adore this brand, and at the moment, it is rapidly expanding in America and Europe!

Innisfree has what you can call a "guilt-free buying experience". The ingredients are all natural and the packaging is Eco-friendly. In addition, since 2003, the brand has been deeply involved in environmental activism, starting to promote recycling and other green practices.

And if that's not enough for you, they also pursue something called "ethical consumption", which offers quality products at affordable prices !

I had been looking for a product to perfume my linen and bed sheets for quite some time now and I was not satisfied with my findings... So when my husband told me about their products, I very was skeptical...

I used few drops of my Aroma essential oils on my bed sheets before going to bed and was amazed by the lightness and purity of the scent. And let me tell you that I slept like a baby and could still smell the scent of the oil the next morning, brillant !

Their products can be found on ebay or amazon. The Arome Pacific has business sites in China (Hong Kong, Shanghai), America (LA, New Jersey, NYC) and in Europe (Paris and Chartres)

I use two types of scents, lavender- orange- bergamot and rosemary-eucalyptus- lime which are adore! 

You can use it for so many things: Relax in your bed alone, or with your other half, use it on your towels as you get out of the shower, or, my favorite, a few drops in a hot bath with a candle or two... humm nice !

Zou bisou bisou...

How to choose the perfect winter coat?!

Burberry 

A winter coat is always one of the the biggest purchase of the year and now is the time to start looking for your coat before the weather turns too chilly - and the best ones sell out!

First, spend some time deciding your budget and what you are looking for: which coat will suit your bank account, body shape, lifestyle and PERSONAL STYLE?!

Larger figures will look best in leaner straight cuts and should avoid double-breasted coats or those made of thick material such as sheepskin or 'puffa' padded nylon. If like me, you like wearing your coat open, don’t forget to try it out open as well!  

Belted coats look best on slim and petite figures - opt for one with a wider belt which will flatter a thicker waist.

Anyone under 5' 4" ( around 1.65 cm) should search for coats in "petite" sizes to take advantage of their flattering smaller proportions. Long coats will swamp your frame so stick to on-the-knee lengths and I suggest that you wear long boots in the same colour as your coat underneath. This will lengthen your silhouette!

Don't be afraid to emphasise your "modelestic" stature if you are very tall. An ankle-length coats can look particularly dramatic, but be sure the sleeves are long enough to avoid looking as if you have out grown your coat. Not stylish at all!

Also, think about WHAT you will be wearing underneath your coat and WHEN you will wear it: travelling to work, for evenings out, or at the weekend?

When choosing colour, remember that despite the trend for bold colours and patterns around this autumn,  you should stick to classic colours such as black, navy, brown and cream that won't date. Remember, a new coat is an investment!

Having said that, if you can afford it, it's often worth investing in two coats. One darker and one lighter coloured. You could use the darker for day-to-day activities and keep the lighter-coloured coat for special occasions and evenings out as nothing can beat the glamour of a winter white belted coat...

And finally,

Take care of your INVESTMENT and it will last you years! Trust me on this one, I have been keeping some of my coats for ages! Dry clean your coat often (if you can afford it) and be sure to hang it on a WOODEN hanger rather than a hook on the back of the door. The silhouette of your coat relies on the shoulders and once they go the coat will look shapeless and worn and that, we don't want!

Voili voilou !

Are flat shoes sexy?

Yesterday, I read an article on the FootwearNews magazine confirming the results of this year "sexy shoes" contest. Christian Louboutin red stubbed patent leather pumps won the first place. This contest was created by FootwearNews magazine and Saks Fifth Avenue, New York. Looking at the top four shoes, I noticed that all of them were high heels! 

Christian Louboutin

Flat shoes are normally associated with comfort or elegance. But, are flats  shoes sexy?

Most women and men believe that wearing a pair of high heels brings on the sexy. Some women are so used to wearing high heels that they don't feel comfortable without an extra height. Some, simply don't like the look of flats on themselves while others, just don't feel sexy without a higher heel.

Well, I don't know about you, but I am a flats lover. In fact, I wear flats most of the time! I personally believe that wearing flat shoes can make you look sexy, chic and stylish in no time!

Stuart Weitzman 

Charotte Olympia "bisous" shoes

The truth is if you've got it, you've got it. In this case, size do not matter! High heel, low heel or somewhere in between.

And if you do not think you are sexy, wearing heels will not change anything. Just like your personal style, feeling sexy comes out of confidence and attitude. You've got to feel it, own it and reveal it!

So, are flats shoes sexy? I say, sure thing! but it depends on the person who wears them. And If you don't feel sexy wearing flats, then keep rocking those heels !

Zou bisou bisou.

Attitude: Chloe.'s Fashion Revolution.

How modern women should live? With Attitude, lots of it!

Chloé. Attitudes is the very first exhibition dedicated to Chloé, a celebration of the Maison’s 60-year contribution to fashion culture. This spectacular exhibition offers a playful interpretation of the Chloé spirit that spans seven decades. Located in Paris' Palais de Tokyo, the exhibition features the top 70 designs from the brand's nine key designers, among them: Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld and Phoebe Philo. 

And for those of you who think they know everything about La maison Chloe, this exhibit will prove you wrong! It paints a picture of Chloé in a rather playful and unexpected way. Iconic looks are presented alongside lesser-known yet equally influential designs. Many of these were rediscovered during the creation of the new archive developed since Waight Keller’s arrival. Most importantly, these are on display to the public for the very first time!

Never-before-published drawings dating from 1958–85 and iconic fashion photography by image-makers including Helmut Newton, Guy Bourdin, Jeanloup Sieff, David Bailey and Deborah Turbeville suggest multiple interpretations of the classic Chloé woman.

One may think that the Chloe's woman is very Bohemian in spirit, in reality, it’s much, much more than that.She has a free-spirit. She is carefree and almost provocative at times. She is driven by the 60's attitude and believes that everything is possible. In my opinion, everyone should believe in endless possibilities and opportunities. Don't you agree?

The Chloe woman typifies the independent spirit of the modern woman.

Voili voilou!