with love from balenciaga, paris

I don't usually shop on holidays, because I'm a student and all my money I splurge on flights and accommodation.

But to celebrate graduation, I bought myself something that I've craved for a long time... the Balenciaga Giant Rose Gold Money in Rose Thulian from the new boutique on rue St Honore. The colour isn't that accurate in the photos, it is a lovely cherry red and I think it looks better with Rose Gold hardware, silver just looked too bling.

I just love the two-fold coins compartment, I like myself a roomy wallet.

tribute: dior couture f/w 2007 (60th anniversary)

It will become increasingly clear in these tributes that I am hugely biased when it comes to haute couture, but it's not my fault that the master couturiers are so damned good at what they do.

I prefer Spring/Summer couture collections to Winter/Fall as colours of the latter are almost always too subdue for my taste. But not in the Dior show, which celebrated the maison's 60th anniversary. It was another gorgeous show, though I still think the S/S 2007 show remains the best couture collection to date.

Commentary is really unnecessary.

Source: www.style.com

dior addict fragrance: campaign preview

Oh oh oh oh these are so beautiful... teaser pictures from the Dior Addict fragrance campaign have been released, and the campaign itself will be unveiled tomorrow.

Shot on the French Riviera, Daphne Groeneveld looks absolutely sensational. It's hard to believe this glamorous girl is just 17. (I certainly remember what I looked like when I was 17...)

Channelling Brigette Bardot in wide-brimmed sunhats and pin-up cheekiness with pouty pink lips, this is probably my favourite fragrance campaign of all time.

Source: Dior

couture tribute: spring/summer 2007

I don't remember why 2007 is such a big year in my head... but I highly suspect it is because of the Spring/Summer  2007 Couture season. This was before the big financial crisis hit and the big guns put on show the most theatrical works with minimal regard for economic viability.

Of course much has changed since 2007. John Galliano is no longer with Christian Dior and Christian Lacroix filed for bankruptcy and staged his (possibly) last couture show in 2009. My love for Gaultier fluctuates, but I think he was on the top of his game in this season.

To me, these 3 shows are the epitome of the beauty, extravagance and flamboyance of haute couture. Enjoy.

Christian Dior

I remember the stir this particular collection caused in the fashion press. It is orgasmic. The Japanese references cannot be lost on anyone- the incredible construction of the origami dress, the fuschia suit and the exaggerated peplum of orange bloom. Galliano's skills as a couturier and his eye for colour are unparalleled- shame about the drunken antisemetic outburst.

Christian Lacroix

Spring. That's all I think of when I see this collection. It's not the most original theme, obviously, but Lacroix has the ultimate green fingers (what a clever pun). To this day, a Lacroix SS2007 CTW dress remains my dream wedding dress. I will take any of the above, though I am leaning towards the peach number that falls in the most delicate cascades of ruffles.

Jean Paul Gaultier

This is probably my favourite collection in terms of originality. Who else better than the enfant terrible to bring the Bible into fashion? The headpieces are stunning, obviously inspired by halos crowning the Virgin Mary in medieval religious paintings, and panels of these paintings feature in a couple of the dresses. The blues and the beige/browns really do it for me, especially the medieval-shaped dress on the bottom right and the sweeping blue gown with gold threading radiating from the divine (biblical) Madonna's heart.

Source: Style.com

paris couture week autumn/winter 2012/13

Continuing with the Paris theme (third time today), Mode à Paris has released the schedule for Paris Couture Week! Extremely psyched. Highlights for me:

1 July

Versace

2 July

Christian Dior

Giambattista Valli

3 July

Chanel

Georgio Armani Prive

Givenchy

4 July

Elie Saab

Jean Paul Gaultier

Valentino

Counting down... 18 days.

In anticipation of Paris Couture Week, I think it's fitting to do a series of tributes to past Couture weeks... starting with the legendary Spring/Summer Season 2007 (dun dun dun).

lanvin boutique window installation, paris

Looks like there's another street I'll have to hit in Paris next weekend... Amazing Lanvin has unveiled a gorgeous window installation aptly named 'Birds of Paradise'. These will make the perfect backdrop for a post-dinner stroll down rue du Faubourg St. Honore.

Source: Lanvin

balenciaga saint-honoré boutique, paris

I must admit that even though I LOVE Balenciaga (the first designer bag I ever saved up for and bought with my money is a second-hand 2007 teal Balenciaga City with gunmetal hardware, a limited edition for Nieman Marucs), I've never been to any of their boutiques. I'm not even embarrassed to confess that I find these shops exceedingly intimidating.

But then I saw these photos of their new boutique in on rue St-Honore in Paris, and I think I might swing by next weekend when I'm in town. I love the clashing colours and patterns, the way the lights are arranged makes it look the store is made up of different runways. It is a perfect reflection of Ghesquiere's modern and even futuristic design ethos. Models would be perfectly at home walking up and down the store in the Spring 2007 RTW collection, still one of my favourite shows to date.

Actually, I could picture myself looking there...

Source: Balenciaga

elie saab: balade a paris

Exams are over, summer is here... well, if it ever stops raining.

I am counting down the 10 days till Paris, my second time in the capital of romance. Looking forward to an amazing meal at Le Restaurant and Au Petit Sud Ouest, lingering at the Musée de l'Armée, eating macarons at Parc Monceau, flitting from stall to stall at the Marché Bastille, and watching the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower.

Coincidentally, Elie Saab released this beautiful short film, Balade a Paris, introducing their Pre-Fall line in Paris last Friday. It's absolutely gorgeous. The screenshots don't do the video justice.

Images: Elie Saab

harvey nichols: jizz in your pants?

I have an exam tomorrow but I must post this: the Harvey Nichols Summer Sale ads.

How bad are these ads? I get it if it's a guy, he's so excited that he jizzes in his pants. Haha (marginally). But what about the girls? So excited that they pee in their panties?

Bad, bad, bad. Or is it just me who doesn't have a sense of humour? (It must be the former.)

Source: Ads of the World

oscar de la renta bridal 2013

Bridal fashion is, obviously, a secret guilty pleasure of any girl, me included (obviously, hot on the heels of the post of Richard Nicoll for Topshop bridal).

I'm rather slow to hop on the bandwagon of worship for Oscar de la Renta's 2013 bridal collection, but in my defence I didn't have a blog at the time of the show. And ohhhhh, it's divine! I'm admittedly not a huge fan of de la Renta, but this bridal collection is just spot-on.

I love the matte, soft textures with just the right stiffness to give the dresses shape- the silhouettes are so classy whilst maintaining a delicate, feminine touch. I love the veils, the very Grace Kelly high lace-collar, and particularly the one-shoulder, almost regal gown with the organza (I think) overlays. The flowers are another great touch, not sure if it's a standard bridal show practice, but the they really set the mood for me.

I was a bit averse to the strong colours at Vera Wang Bridal, I'm still a complete conformist when it comes to bridal wear palettes. The ice-blue bridesmaid dresses are perfect, throwing in just the right amount of colour so the collection stands out. And of course, the flower girls are just adorable!

The dress on the right: the texture of the icy blue fabric and the flowing train = absolute perfection

Images from Oscar de la Renta

richard nicoll for topshop bridal... I say no

I randomly stumbled across Topshop's blog post about a bridal collection a week back, and the couple of pictures released didn't give me high hopes. Now that the whole line's been revealed, can I just say one thing... poor effort, poor effort.

Obviously, 'Blushing Brides' is not meant for the traditional bride. Grazia describes it as a range for 'hipster brides', a writer on the Fashion Spot says 'its definitely unconventional and notable because it's the first bridal-specific offering for Nicoll and Topshop both.' Meanwhile, at Fashoinista, another blogger contends that 'They’d make for excellent, statement-making wedding dresses (for a very bold, non-traditional bride)'.

Am I the only one who thinks that these dresses are a joke?

Topshop, £170

Image: Telegraph
Left: £170; Right: £200

Image: Telegraph
Left: £170; Right: £350

I'm sure Topshop can get away with this... after all it is a very Topshop-looking capsule collection, and it is a niche, one-off event. Only 50 pieces each will be sold. To be fair, I quite like the pink dress above, but definitely not for a wedding. And for £170? No thank you. That white slip of a dress that looks more like a nightie than a proper dress? £170? And the corset with a maxi skirt, for £350?

Seems to me the collection is completely out of touch, but hey, it's Topshop, but this time more than ever it feels like they're rubberstamping their label on a barely mediocre collection and passing it as 'cool'. Just like the ridiculous 'Jubilee fashion spectacular' they held at their flagship store a few days ago. It really makes you doubt the credibility of Topshop as a tastemaker in the industry...

Watch the 'spectacular' here.

Okay, I'm all for the Diamond Jubilee, I think the Queen is one amazing lady with great style. And of course I've expected all the commercialisation of the Monarchy we have seen with Jubilee clothes, Jubilee jewellery, Jubilee teacups, Jubilee aprons... But, eyelashes?

Topshop £12

I know it's not specifically about the Jubilee, but damn, London skyline lashes? I can't begin to imagine how bad these will look.


But I do adore this cupcake set, how cute is it (if a bit steep)?

Topshop £10

 I also have to admit that i rather fancy this ring...

Topshop £10