Lady Gaga and Agyness Deyn were among the attendees

License This Image	License This Image	License This Image
License This Image	License This Image	License This Image
License This Image

It’s all because of those citadels of fashion on West Queen West that I’m kept beautiful. It seems as though every time I shop in the area, I’ve entered the emporium belonging to fashion avatars.

First I walked into Chasse Gardee. A long, body conscious black dress with a thick braided scarf along the neckline, sat draped in the storefront. It looked more like an installation than something one would wear. But then – as I looked up – I was transfixed on the sea of shoes. They were positioned  as if marching upwards, perhaps to the pearly gates of a shoe paradise. There were biker boots, shoes embellished with gold-pleated rivets, and hard-edged “bitch boots.” It was all – as they say – a sight for sore eyes. But what got  me was a piece of architecture with black pony hair and a varnished, diffuse-porous wood heel. But, it wasn’t just any heel; I perceived the illusion of a shoe without a heel. I brought the shoe within closer circumference to get a better look. When I looked at the insole, the label spelt “Finsk.” I was in bewitched.

Julia Lundsten, a Finnish-born graduate from the London College of Fashion, and Royal College of Art, launched her shoe line – Finsk, in 2004. “I approached shoe design like architecture or furniture for the feet rather than conventional footwear when studying for my MA at the RCA,” said Lundsten about her concept in an interview with Design Forum. “There is no need for a heel to have a ”heel-like curved shape”. It is not functional, and can therefore be changed. But a shoe should be flattering to the foot and the body.” Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik are cobblers who have both mastered the finery of foot fetish. But who better to design a woman’s shoe, and understand her feelings towards her shoes than a woman?

Next I paid my family at Carte Blanche a visit. As my eyes scanned the room, I became entranced by a bright object on a rack cloaked between a caboodle of clothes. I walked over to the rack and examined the object further. It was an elongated button-up blouse with caped-sleeves encompassed in colorways of candy pink, clementine, and metallic silver, and outlined with black lines that resembled a stained glass window. It was truly – a work of art.  (There is also one with green and blue colourways, pictured.)“That’s Horace,” the Sales Assistant, Nyssa, had advised me. I walked to the second section of the store and looked at some pieces by Gareth Pugh (my favorite designer), and Jeremy Scott. But then I saw another long, complex, black-knit shirt with two almost floor-length drapings. “That’s also Horace,” Nyssa advised me (I officially consider her to be my personal shopper). Horace had outdone Gareth for me with these items, and as I left I advised her “I’ll be coming back for Horace.” Then I rushed to a computer to find out more.

Horace is a British line created by Adam Entwisle and Emma Hales in 2002. According to Fashion UK, the brand made it’s fashion week debut in 2007 despite it’s tenure in the business.

Working out of designs studios in Bali and London, the design duo has gained worldly inspiration resulting in a collection that’s androgynous, yet primitive. The line has gained accolades from top fashion editors globally, and celebrities including super models Kate Moss and Agyness Deyn covet the line.

I’ve learned more about fashion now that I’m back in Canada then when I lived in London. Though I’ve always craved fashion, now, thanks to walking down the promenade of curiosity, I feel myself delving deeper into the depths of fashion as an art form.

Chasse Gardee

1084 Queen St West, Toronto, ON M6J 1H8

ph. 416-901-9613

Carte Blanche

758 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5A 1S2

ph. 416-532-0347

Auf dem Holzweg? Keineswegs! Diese “Jodhpur Boots” (in der High-Heel Version) sind mega in.

2008 wurde die schwedische Firma “Swedish Hasbeens” mit dem Design Award ausgezeichnet und überzeugt nicht erst seit diesem Zeitpunkt Kundinnen auf der ganzen Welt.

Agynss Deyn trägt die handgemachten Schuhe aus dem hohen Norden ebenso wie Sarah Jessica Parker. Letztere wählte allerdings die Sandalen Variante am Set von” Sex and the City 2″ und wir alle wissen, was das heißt:

Klappernde Clogs kommen!

Also einfach mal reinklicken unter:    http://www.swedishhasbeens.com/our-products.php

P.s.: Auch wunderschöne Taschen und Gürtel stellt das Label her.  Für alle Trendsetterinnen die lieber auf leisen Sohlen wandeln.

The Cinema Society hosted a screening of “Me And Orson Welles” at Clearview Chelsea Cinemas yesterday in New York City. The cast, including Zac Efron, Claire Danes and Christian McKay were all in attendance.

Models Amber Rose and Lydia Hearst were also scout’d at the screening.

Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire were snapped at the premiere for the new film “Brothers”, featuring both of them in lead roles. The film tells the story of two brothers, Captain Sam Cahill (played by Maguire) and  Tommy Cahill (played by Jake Gyllenhaal). Sam is about to embark on his fourth tour of duty. He’s married to his high school sweetheart, Grace (Portman), but when he goes missing, Tommy moves in to take care of Sam’s family (two daughters and Grace), and eventually falls in love with his brother’s wife….

Model Agyness Deyn and actor Terrence Howard were also in attendance.

The premiere of new musical “Fela!” on Broadway at Gotham Hall went down last night in NYC. Among those who turned up = Jay-Z, Spike Lee, Harry Belafonte and of course Bill T. Jones (who wrote the book alongside Jim Lewis).

i wish i was from south america

i wish i from uruguay

i wish i was from montevideo

it’s hard to explain

i wish my head would fall off

hehe

Don't forget to ring Aggy!

‘‘Hey how are ya doin’ …Sorry you can’t get through …Why don’t you leave your name and your number…and I’ll get back to you!”

In some kind of bizarre way this song (Ring, Ring, Ring by De La Soul, TD) is the thing that comes to my mind when I look at this picture of Agyness Deyn. The sweaterdress is to blame for this! This design from Jeremy Scott is just to hilarious.

Aggy was spotted in this sweaterdress while shopping at the Marc Jacobs store in New York. And if you look closely, you’ll see that she’s also wearing another funny accessory…a Scissor-shaped earring.

Don’t you just love Aggy’s ‘always-wear-fashion-with-a sense-of-humor-style’? We do!

inside Nov. 09 British Vogue

The new Kate Moss is Brazilian.  The first time I spotted her was in Nylon’s October 2007 issue, featured as a rising star.  Alice Dellal’s wild hair cut and foreign features caught my eye.  I also noticed Dellal was not as leggy as the average editorial model.  Still, the camera captured a strong presence and spirit.

I came across Dellal again in this month’s British Vogue. She has graced the pages of other magazines including Dazed & Confused, French Vogue, and L’Officiel. At only 5′5”, the Brazilian rebel has been deemed the new Kate Moss.   This title is fitting as Dellal has been seen out on the town with questionable company partaking in questionable activities not unlike Moss did in her youth.  Last year she replaced Moss as the new face of Agent Provocateur. Dellal’s style is also similar to the 90’s grunge of Kate Moss.  She champions cut off denim, floral minidresses, and chunky shoes.

Dellal is currently London’s it girl.  The boss of Britain’s fashion scene, i-D magazine, has shot 12 different covers, each featuring one of the “Best British Models.”  Dellal will make her official British debut with her cover.  The 12 models also include legends Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Twiggy as well as newcomers Agyness Deynand Jourdan Dunn.

Dellal was famous before she was famous.  Her mother is Brazilian model Andrea Dellal and her father is a millionaire and bodyguard to the stars.  Her friends include Pixie Geldof and Daisy Lowe, two of my favorite British models/socialites.  The three recently left Select Model Management to sign with Next.  It’s rumored Select was not a fan of the girls’ hard partying. But girls will be girls.  One of the biggest perks of fashion modeling is the social scene.

What I love most about this girl is her personal style.  The way people dress in their down time speaks mountains about a person.  Dellal pulls off the fierce haircut, combat boots, and leather details on the daily.  “I like my style. If people don’t like my hair, then they don’t have to book me,”  Dellal said on Vogue.com.  But it looks like that hair cut will be landing her a cover sometime soon.

“When I was seven, I caught my reflection in a spoon and though, ’Wow! I‘m ridiculously good-looking.‘”- Dellal in Nylon, Oct. 07

• Alice Dellal Bio [Modelina]

La prima di New Moon che si è tenuta a New York poteva quasi fare invidia ad una notte degli Oscar per la quantità di attori, modelle, stilisti, cantanti e altre celebrities che vi hanno partecipato. Chiaramente sotto i riflettori vi erano gli attori di New Moon, che si sono presentati super eleganti. Non mancavano di certo Robert Pattinson, Kellan Lutz e Taylor Lautner, ma come al solito un occhio agli outfit lo dedichiamo alle protagoniste “donne”.

La più attesa era senz’altro Kristen Stewart, che ha sfoggiato un abito Valentino e un paio di decoltè open toe Sergio Rossi con plateau. Capelli raccolti ed occhi in primo piano: finalmente non scivola sul look. Altra star amata dai twilighters è Ashley Greene, che indossa un mini dress D&G. Un outfit costruito tutto sui toni del bianco e nero, con un tocco di rosso sulle labbra: decisamente perfetta.

Attrice non altrettanto amata dai fans della saga è Nikki Reed, che ha scelto invece un abito in raso beige D&G e dei sandali Jimmy Choo. Passiamo ora agli ospiti, perchè a New York non poteva mancare di certo Taylor Momsen. Se gli attori di Twilight hanno preferito togliersi di dosso l’immagine vampiresca, gli ospiti sembravano usciti da un party di Halloween dal tema gotico. Infatti, Taylor indossava un abito Dolce & Gabbana e dei tronchetti neri. Il trucco è nero e pesante intorno agli occhi, con la bocca rosso sangue (non vi ricorda Leighton Meester?).

E tra le modelle ecco Agyness Deyn, con un look gotico, creato grazie a giochi di pizzo e di toni scuri, come il nero ed il blu. Jessica Szohr punta su una camicia bianca ricca di merletti e rouches, abbinata ad una giacca nera e jeans in tinta. Anche gli accessori sono rigorosamente black: borse in vernice e scarpe nere, impreziosite da particolari bianchi.

Red Carpet ricco di star di Gossip Girl, dato che vi era anche Ed Westwick. Mentre tra i cantanti troviamo Fergie e Joan Jett, ormai “madrina” di Kristen.

Inspired by Burberry’s new ’social networking site’, Art of the Trench, I met up with my Italian friend Cristina for breakfast and a long-overdue trip to the Burberry Factory Outlet at Hackney Central (ah, the luxury of Bond Street shopping just five minutes away).

Having heard rumours on the net about Burberry disciples hunting out jackets for a mere £80, we had high expectations and fully intended to emerge dressed like the slightly smug, Sartorialist-snapped hipsters on the site.

The outlet is like a shining fashion beacon, almost temple-like, in the middle of a particularly non-descript part of Hackney. On arrival, we were asked to put all of our world belongings (apart from our purses, conveniently) in the lockers at the entrance. Usually I’d be horrified at the thought of being separated from my keys, phone and other handbag essentials, but it actually lent to more efficient browsing and I knew my possessions would be safe under the watchful eye of the burly security guards and stern Italian lady on the door.

Our hearts leapt when greeted by a large, checked, although slightly hideous bag at the front of the store, which was just £149.  We were ready to scoop up some of the more tasteful pieces, however, the so-called bargain was more of a mirage than a taste of things to come. The bags that you’d actually want to have on your arm, from the runway collections, were priced between £300 and £700, although this was a mighty discount from the original £1000+.

Discounts range from a shy 20% up to a massive 70%.  Cristina found a gorgeous silk and net cocktail dress in either brown or red that was reduced from £1230 to £120!

Burberry tend to go for one style of shoe for the catwalk shows, and low and behold, I spotted the black patent leather heels with ruched straps from the Autumn/Winter 08 show and the olive green lace-ups from the Spring/Summer 09 collection, all gracing the tootsies of models like Agy, Daisy, Irina and Sasha.

My tops picks of the trip included a delicate, iridescent silver mac for £150, some studded/warrior leather gloves for £89 and some incredible black lace-up, calf-lenth boots for just £200. Cristina hunted out a gorgeous silk and net cocktail dress in chocolate brown or berry red that was reduced from £1230 to £120!

There are some more affordable items like perfume gift sets from £29, checked wool scarves from £69 and a selection of purses and jewellery, including the square warrior cuff from last summer.  The great thing about the Burberry outlet is that there are timeless, investment pieces that you buy for a snip of the price and can keep forever.  The prices aren’t exactly cheap, but if you’re in the market for one excellent quality bag or trench, then you can upgrade from high end high street to luxury for just a little bit extra.

The outlet doesn’t offer refunds or exchanges, so make sure you’ve tried on your purchase, that there are no visible production faults and most of all, that you really love it.  It can be quite easy to kid yourself into liking the best of the pile in the name of a bargain! Come armed with Christmas money and scour the clearance rails with a fine tooth comb for the real discounts.

Burberry Factory Outlet, 29-53 Chatham Place, Hackney, London, E9 6LP

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm.

How to get there:  Overground: Hackney Central   Tube: Bethnal Green + 106/254 bus to Hackney Town Hall or 20 minutes walk.

Hi gummiebears!

I just wanted to introduce you – very quickly!- to some of the female celebrities that continue to inspire me every day with their stunning looks, worthy lifestyle and the belief that a dream can come true.

The Divas

My top three divas…One by one sincerely beautiful women who carry out an admirable strength.

Iman

• Who? One of the first recognized Afro-American top models.
• One fact about Iman I really like: She’s the proud wife of the one and only true chameleon of music history, David Bowie. Oh.My.God. Girl…jackpot! I’m secretly in love with Bowie although he’s kind of a grandpa now…Hmm.

Tyra Banks

• Who? Also one of the first recognized Afro-American top models and host of the succesful in-depth talkshow “The Tyra show” ánd “America’s next top model”.
• One fact about Tyra I really like: She revealed she’s so ashamed about her natural hair that she constantly wears wigs and hair pieces. I love how very open she is about her flaws. Proves that all of us women are kinda the same when it comes to looks; we worry, we worry…

Rihanna

• Who? She grew from a one-hit-wonder to an internationally praised superstar.
• One fact about Rihanna I really like: She recently spoke out on her experience as a victim of domestic violence, (her ex-boyfriend and singer Chris Brown scandalized her face by repeatedly hitting her in February) and by doing so, she inspired abused women all over the world to break their silence and to stop any injustice happening towards them. All I can say is: you go girl!

The Fashion Icons

You don’t meet too many people who look dazzling with pink hair, boy Tees and lanterns on their heads…

Audrey Kitching

Who? She’s a model, designer, blogger and the newest IT-girl who deserves to be in the spotlight.

One fact about Audrey I really like : She fights and works really hard to achieve her dreams without doing the nasty with half of Hollywood. Halleluja and amen to that!

Agyness Deyn

Who? She’s an androgynous model & designer muse.

One fact about Agyness I really like : Her Tomboyish style combined with her down-to-earth attitude turned Agyness into a unique person – not persona!-  in the fashion industry. It fascinates me when the strict borders between what’s male and what’s female are being pushed…

Lady Gaga

Who? Internationally praised singer & performer that earns whispers saying “she’s the new Madonna!”

One fact about Gaga I really like : She’s so, so, SO over the top and that’s what makes her so interesting to watch. You could actually say she’d make quite a career as a museum piece with the outfits she wears. And I really -pretty please?- want her Kermit the frog dress…gimme!

The natural beauties

Some people even look good when they step out of bed…jealous, much?

Chantelle Paige

Who? Former model & talented new singer (in the band Flipsyde and solo!)

One fact about Chantelle I really like : She cares about her fans and supporters so much… I think she spends hours reading their messages and replying to them on her personal pages! I really respect Chantelle for giving her fans the recognition every fan dreams of. If only more stars were like her…*sighs dreamily* If I were a boy, I’d marry her, yessur!

Kristen Stewart (+ eyecandy!)

Who? Young actress who’s the next big thing in Hollywood ever since the succesful Twilight trilogy.

One fact about Kristen I really like : She’s dating Edw-I mean Robert. Bless them two for falling in love off screen as well!This gives me hope…If I become an actress and star in a movie with -let’s say- Johnny Depp, I’d stand a chance to become his…-I can barely say it- WIFE in real life! (I’m kidding of course Vanessa…You and Johnny look gorgeous together *sniffle*)

What is it with me falling for grandpa’s?

+ I only put Kristen on here because I wanted to show off Robert.

I kid, I kid.

Hayley Williams

Who? Proud redhead and the singer -and only girl!- in the rocky teenband paramore.

One fact about Hayley I really like : Her tweets. On Twitter. Just hilarious. Random example: ”good morning. whoever is responsible for #youknowyouruglyif is a dummy. it’s YOU’RE. with an “RE”. once again, good morning.” I think Haylz and me could be BFF’s!

GLEE.
Shut up and look/listen!

Agyness Deyn and Alexa Chung on Halloween

This cool dude from The Sartorialist

These PostSecrets

The dreaminess that is Zach Braff! Swoon