Funny Inspiration of the Day

Hello lovelies! I hope you've had a great week so far! I'm really tired right now (which explains today's coffee beans owl inspiration), but also very excited about these past and next few days! On Tuesday evening I went to a very interesting fashion event, called Gala Avanpremiere, where I got to see a ton of runway shows presenting the latest collections of 7 Romanian designers. It was a lot of fun and I have loads of photos to show you, but that will be for tomorrow, as sorting through all the photos revealed itself as quite the task. And as for my excitement for the next few days, I'll be going on a well-deserved mini-vacation! Yay! This week couldn't have been any better!

Miss Dior Fall 2012 Ad Campaign

Brand: Miss Dior
Season: Fall 2012
Model: Mila Kunis
Photographer: Mario Sorrenti
Styling: Carine Roitfeld
Location: Los Angeles

The Miss Dior Fall 2012 handbag ad campaign stars Mila Kunis for the second time as a stylish modern woman surrounded by paparazzi wherever she goes. The photographers follow her around Los Angeles and she smiles obligingly and sighs as they document her every move. Shot by Mario Sorrenti and styled by Carine Roitfeld, the print ads and the video are inspired by 50s Hollywood glamour portraying a timeless and elegant Mila Kunis in black and white. Dior itself describes the photographs as "the very essence of the House of Dior". Quite a comliment for Mila Kunis!

So Fern, So Nah: Tony Garrn for Vogue Germany

Magazine: Vogue Germany December 2012
Model: Tony Garrn
Photographer: Alexi Lubomirski
Styling: Christiane Arp
Location: Mongolia

Stylist and Editor for Vogue Germany Christiane Arp decided to take us on a magnificent journey to the ice cold, imperial Mongolia. Entitled So fern, so nah - German for So far, so close, this editorial is a perfect portrayal of winter elegance. The visual image is stunning, with outfits mixing fashion instinct and costume: lots of layers, long kimono sleeves, wide obi belts and warm fabrics such as wool to resist the harsh climate. Model Tony Garrn is a rosy cheeked vision in the forest with multiple braids and powerful head wraps. This editorial reminded me a lot of a photo of a Mongolian reindeer that I posted a few months ago. The same  feeling of cold and royal surroundings comes across from both sets of photos. Don't you wish it was snowing already? 

Photo of the Week: Egyptian Woman

This week's photo inspiration comes all the way from Egypt with this incredibly mysterious woman called Jasmin. The focus of this shot is on her eyes and the contrast between the woman's olive skin and the bright colored scarf around her head. The viewer is drawn into the photograph by her magnetic look and can only sit and make suppositions about what she is looking at so intensely.

Photo: Martin La Delfa, My Shot - National Geographic

Happy Thanksgiving!

Although we don't celebrate Thanksgiving around here, I would like to wish a very Happy Thanksgiving to all my lovely readers who do celebrate it! Enjoy the holiday, enjoy the quality time with your family and friends, enjoy the game and the parade and of course enjoy the amazing food! 

All turkey jokes aside, on this special day I would like to tell you how grateful I am for your support and how happy you make me every day when I read your comments! Thank you for being here with me on my blogging journey!

OPI Instinct of Color: Short Film Campaign

OPI the nailpolish brand most of us swear by because of its humorous polish names, great variety of color and trendy special editions, launched its first short film campaign. Instinct of Color is surprisingly artistic and surreal. It starts off presenting four dancers each characterized by its dance style and nailpolish, thus emphasizing the nail lacquer as a means of self expression: Pink-ing of You for the ballerina, Red My Fortune Cookie for the passionate step dancer, No Room for the Blues for the contemporary dancer and Need Sunglasses for the very energetic hip hopper. None of these dancers however is the true star of the film, the star is revealed as being an impressive and very artistic thoroughbred horse called Lady in Black after the namesake nailpolish. Lady in Black makes her debut as a dancer in a surreal dance-off with the other 4 women sporting the different shades on her hooves whilst interpreting the different dance styles.

OPI Executive VP and artistic director, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, said "I always said that nail lacquer can change your look - and your outlook. Today, nail color can convey feelings and emotions, expressing on the outside what the wearer is feeling inside. In this short film, four women communicate through dance and color. With a trained thoroughbred we could replicate the dancers' moves with very little digital enhancement, we were able to capture the unique energetic and creative culture that epitomizes the OPI brand."

Campari Calendar 2013 feat. Penelope Cruz

The Campari Calendar is becoming one of the world's iconic artistic calendars featuring famous actors, actresses and models throughout the years, such as Eva Mendez, Milla Jovovich or Benicio del Toro. Disitributed in only 9,999 copies, it is represents a collector's item. 

This year's calendar features Oscar winning actress Penelope Cruz and is entitled Kiss Superstition Goodbye and is centred around the number 13. The actress engages with mystical superstitions, such as black cats, broken mirrors, walking under ladders and on cracks. Dressed in a variety of gorgeous red-themed dresses and shoes from top fashion houses, such as Monique Lhuillier and Salvatore Ferragamo, as well as jewelry from Chopard, the actress is stunning in every shot.

January - Zac Posen

February - Alaia

Moves like Jagger: Georgia May Jagger for Harper's Bazaar

Magazine: Harper's Bazaar Australia December 2012
Editorial: Moves like Jagger
Model: Georgia May Jagger
Photographer: Jason Kibbler
Styling: Thelma McQuillan

I know the weather is getting colder and colder each day (at least for most of us!), but I couldn't help myself and not show you this gorgeous editorial for the December issue of Harper's Bazaar Australia. It's all so summery and fun, you lucky Australians, we still have to wait for a long time for weather like this! Entitled Moves like Jagger and starring Georgia May Jagger, this summery editorial features opulent jewelry and embellished party pieces in an incredible mix of colors and patterns. Enjoy these rays of sunlight!

Photo of the week: Sparks in Pakistan

This week's photography inspiration comes all the way from Karachi, Pakistan with this incredible play of light and shadows. The photograph shot by Asif Hassan shows a vendor sharpening a knife before the Festival of Sacrifice in Pakistan. What I like most about it is the mix of warm and cold colors with the sparks gently floating in the air and the blue-grey work shirt of the man.

Photo: nationalgeographic.com

Designer Purdsey Teddy Bear Collection 2012

Burberry

Victoria Beckham, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Fendi are among the 30 big names in fashion  that decided to take part in the BBC Children in Need charitable campaign and redesign Purdey, Britain's best-loved teddy bear. The 28 inch teddies will be auctioned off to charity at Christie's starting November 15th. Check out the bids so far, the auction is open until Sunday afternoon!

The second edition of this campaign presents a Purdey dressed in a variety of different fabrics and styles, from suede and silk to leather and Swarowski crystals, all reflecting the creativity and breadth of the fashion industry. The creations are inspired by the runways and the trademark styles of the designers, featuring such iconic looks as Prada's Schoolboy Pudsey, McQueen's Floral Pudsey, Gucci's Equestrian Pudsey or Burberry's English Gentleman Pudsey sporting the brand's classic trenchcoat and an umbrella.

Alexander McQueen

Victoria Beckham

Inspired by: MUSTARD

All these autumn leaves around me inspired me for today's mustard colored post! Not as bright as yellow, but equally enticing and with a hint of more warmth, mustard is a great color for the cold season either as an accessory or as a main focus piece. Color your mood today!

Chopard Disney Princesses Jewelry Collection

The renowned Swiss jeweler Chopard teamed up with Harrods to illustrate their Disney Princesses Christmas fantasy through an Haute Joiellerie collection inspired by the Disney Princesses. The collection comprising necklaces,  bracelets, earrings, brooches, rings and hairpieces is built around the iconic princesses and key moments in their respective stories. The pieces are now available exclusively in Harrods Fine Jewelry Room until the end of December.

L'Invitation au Voyage: Louis Vuitton Ad Campaign

Brand: Louis Vuitton
Model: Arizona Muse
Photographer: Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin
Location: Paris

Louis Vuitton just launched another first: their first advertising campaign film shot by Inez and Vinoodh and featuring a stunning Arizona Muse as well... their muse! I could talk endlessly about the campaign, the styling, the clothes, the fabulous chocolate brown Speedy, the colors or the unexpected ending, but I'll give the word to the brand itself, their description of the campaign cannot be matched:

"Paris and its mysteries... For centuries, the most wonderful intrigues have been woven in the Louvre, a haven of culture and history. An intrepid young woman enters this universal temple and unwinds the skein of time. After an encounter with the Mona Lisa and the Italian masters, armed with a key, she releases the secrets - also desired by a man hot on her heels - enclosed for more than 150 years in a legendary trunk created by Louis Vuitton. Like a thread stretching across time and space, a hot-air balloon rises above the Cour Carrée. The beautiful unknown woman leaves the Louvre for a far-off destination in pursuit of her destiny."

Harrods Disney Princess Window Displays

Elie Saab - Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

Harrods is channeling the little girl under our fashionista skins with their Christmas window displays this holiday season. A team of high profile designers including Valentino, Versace, Elie Saab and Oscar de la Renta have been summoned for this task: re-imagining the iconic Disney Princess dresses. Have a look for yourselves at these sketches of Oscar de la Renta's version of Snow White, Versace's Cinderella, Marchesa's Ariel or Elie Saab's Sleeping Beauty.

Marchesa - Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Versace - Cinderella 

Photo of the Week: New York City Skyline

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of

I chose this photo of the New York City skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building as my photo of the week, because of how much of an inspiration this city is for me right now after an intensive Gossip Girl marathon with my boyfriend (yes, he actually enjoys it!). The city that never sleeps, the city of dreams, the city with probably the best hot dogs in the world, the craziest fashion, the biggest park, the best pepperoni pizza, the home of so many artists - New York, you are an inspiration to me!

What's your city inspiration of the moment?

Photo: weheartit.com

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2012

One of the biggest and most extravagant shows on our fashion calendar, the Victoria's Secret fashion show took place in New York on Wednesday night. The 65 different looks for this year's show were inspired by blossoms, circus and Dangerous Liaisons. Among the many other gorgeous Angels strutting the runway this year were the usual stars Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr, Candice Swanepoel, Frida Gustavsson and Doutzen Kroes, while Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars were in charge of the live performances. 

Maison Martin Margiela for H&M Collection: Lookbook

As I promised yesterday, here is a more detailed view into the men's and womenswear looks from the Maison Martin Margiela for H&M capsule collection due to be launched next week! The garments stay true to the traditional style of the Fashion House, with oversize elements and perfectly tailored cuts being at the forefront of the collection. 

Maison Martin Margiela for H&M Collection

I can't believe that the launch of the Maison Martin Margiela for H&M collection is so close, it feels like ages since I was first talking about it! The campaign photos shot by photographer Sam Taylor-Johnson and the official video of the capsule collection are already out and they're fabulous! They show us a preview of both the mens and womenswear in store for this collaboration: the focus is on the silhouette and the cut, the trademarks of the French fashion house. The collection will be launched next Thursday, on the 15th of November, I can't wait!

"The collaboration with H&M presents a re-edition of iconic Maison Martin Margiela garments and accessories for men and women. Each piece is specifically labeled with a unique tag indicating the season from which it originated, spanning 23 years since the Maison's funding. The most representative pieces of Maison Martin Margiela are reproduced in updated shapes and materials and offered to the broad public as an exclusive synopsis of their history."

L'heure du Départ: Kendra Spears for Vogue Paris

Magazine: Vogue Paris November 2012

Editorial: L'heure du départ
Model: Kendra Spears
Photographer: Lachlan Bailey
Styling: Claire Dhelens

Photographer Lachlan Bailey was also in charge of a second editorial for Vogue Paris in November, this time focusing on stylish timepieces. L'heure du départ showcases beautiful watches and pieces of jewelry on very autumnal looks created with neutral shades and fabulous fedoras. A dark burgundy lipstick completes the styling and locks in the viewer.

Sur la Route: Anna Selezneva for Vogue Paris

Magazine: Vogue paris November 2012
Editorial: Sur la Route
Model: Anna Selezneva
Photographer: Lachlan Bailey
Styling: Geraldine Saglio

Model Anna Selezneva is hitting the road for this rugged editorial for the November issue of Vogue Paris, showcasing her inner rebel with biker outfits with a feminine twist. Shot by New York based photographer Lachlan Bailey, this editorial mixes denim, leather and western accessories to create the image of a powerful woman on the road. The tousled tresses and smoldering smoky eyes are the perfect match for the strong looks.

Sunday Illustrations: Fashion Icons

I'm back with my Sunday Illustrations to bring a smile or a laugh on your sleepy faces! For this week, I felt inspired by a series of drawings by Manhattan-born and raised illustrator Joanna Avillez. She collaborated with Refinery 29 to illustrate a series of the most iconic and influential fashion personalities of the moment. 

In today's fashion world personality and unique trademark items seem to be the rule of thumb and each illustration highlights what's most specific for each of these high profile style icons. They also come with very witty sidenotes to drag you into their exxcentric world. I'm sure you're going to love them!