Street Style: Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week

As the days get shorter, colder and rainier, I find myself thinking about sunnier days and what could be better to lift your mood than a few stylish shots of Paris in full bloom?

Usually during Fashion Week what happens outside the actual show venues is equally interesting. When you're in Paris, where stylish people already roam the streets daily, seeing the effect of fashion week is even more interesting. Have a look at some of my favorites street style looks throughout the last Haute Couture Fashion Week, be it off-duty models just out of a show, front-row guests or just interesting people on the streets:

Inspired by: Midnight Blue

 

 

Midnight blue seems to be my inspiration for today, be it in an understated outfit, a simple table setting or decorating one's home. While for some blue and its darker counterparts may seem a bit too moody and sad, navy is definitely one of my favorite colours. It's always flattering for any body shape, you can pair it with a multitude of colours for a look that pops or keep it elegant and understated. Midnight blue opens up a world of chic possibilities.

 

 

 

Photo of the Week: Migration of the Zebras

Captured during the migration period of zebras in the serengeti of Tanzania, this image shows the zebras gathering on the edge of a river, waiting for the best moment to cross. What I like most about this shot is the mysterious air brought by the intense fog and the image of the trees emerging from the distance. The fact that the shot was taken in black and white reveals even more the rich tones and the play of colors between the zebras and the surrounding vegetation.

What do you think of wildlife photography? I think it's a very big challenge for a photographer to catch the perfect shot of these majestic animals in the wilderness, you have to have a lot of patience and take numerous shots until you will get the perfect one.

Photo: Giulio Zanni, My Shot - National Geographic

Photo of the Week: Fisherman's Net

Shooting fishermen at work surrounded by their nets is quite a common sight in Vietnam, but the rich colors and textures of this photo is what made it feel special to me and I decided to feature it as this week's inspiration. I really like the contrast that the full silhouette of the man makes against the light fabric of the nets. The picture was shot on the banks of the Cua Dai river in Vietnam.

Photo: Ly Hoang Long, My Shot - National Geographic

Swimsuit Inspiration

Like I promised you guys a couple of weeks back, here is part two of the swimsuit inspiration series, I couldn't leave these ones out! Apart from the beautiful colors on some of the bikinis or the inspiring landscapes, this time my inspiration came a lot from one-piece bathing suits. One-piece suits can be tricky, as they are not all flattering for different body types and they are also difficult what tan lines are concerned, but some of them are just too beautiful to resist! I'm already imagining myself sitting poolside in one of these gorgeous pieces with a summery cocktail in hand! Countdown started: 10 more days until Barcelona! 

 

 

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week AW 2016 Valentino

I've always waited on the Valentino show as impatiently as I would wait for the Chanel one or the Dior collection, while Mr. Galliano was still in charge. There's always something magical about the garments and the story that the designer duo envisions, always keeping the same lines and shapes the House is known for, yet still constantly innovating, either through a new color, a new embroidery, a new pattern or a different degree of opacity. This collection  represented a return to the roots for the the designers, as they decided to show this collection in Rome. The symbolism of the collection is best expressed through their own words: "We wanted to show people Rome through our eyes. The layers and layers of history which can exist even in one place, where ancient temples lie beneath buildings which have been used for centuries,even till today." Taking this into consideration, the choice of the venue fit like a glove: the sixteenth-century Palazzo Mignanelli is both an example of Roman historym but also the place where the designers and seamstresses work every day.

The collection is a work of art, an enormous inspiration of fragile, full-length lace dresses, paired with occasional embroidered capes. The spectators were drawn into the atmosphere, as different centuries in Roman history seemed to pass in front of their eyes. If one let one's imagination flow, one could easily recognize women throughout the ages from pagan handmaidens and Renaissance princesses up to women in modern-day nobility or symbols such as the robes of priests and cardinals in the Vatican City or gladiator armors. The collection was a stunning moment full of poetry, with an erotic and sinister undertone, addressing also the darkness of the city.

I could barely choose what garments not to include here, so picking favorites this time will be impossible. I haven't been moved by a collection so much in a long time! A few favorites however would be the dress in the opening photo and the black dress with stars embroidery paired with a matching cape. Have a look for yourselves and tell me if you managed to pick a favorite!

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week AW 2016 Chanel

Tuesday's highlight of the couture shows was the Chanel show - always bigger, better, more innovative. This time the designer recreated an Art Deco-inspired casino inside the Grand Palais with card and roulette tables in the middle of the venue, where front row guests were playing during the show and slot machines framing the perimeter. Among the star-studded tables one could recognize muses of the House - Julianne Moore, Kristen Steward, Lara Stone, Lily-Rose Depp, Vanessa Paradis or Baptiste Giabiconi among others. Some of them even took roulette or cards lessons prior to the event!

 

Entitled Cercle Privé, the collection keeps the classic lines of the House, the tweed jackets and suits, contrasting collars and gowns. To keep it simple, all the models wore the same hairstyle - a very strict and extremely short bob - and the same shoes - black mules with cutout in the front and curved heels. Adding to the designer's ever changing vision of the bride, this year's couture bride is wearing a  double-breasted white pantsuit accessorized with a long veil floating behind her. Who better to portray her than the fashion world's newest inspiration - Kendall Jenner?

 

It's difficult to pick favorites, I'd say I really liked the white suit adorned with a black ribbon and bejeweled neckline, the dark blue boxy oversize jacket, the classic look in the opening photo or the dark blue dress with a falling waistline and long collar. Pick your own favorites:

 

 

 

 

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week AW 2016 Christian Dior

The second day of the Haute Couture shows brought us the wonderfully poised collection of Raf Simmons for Christian Dior. Clean shapes, flattering A-line skirts, tube dresses and gorgeous coats in mixed fabrics were the main attractions. In an attempt not to forget the warm temperatures in fall, beautifully crafted, nude wedge sandals completed the looks. The clothes spoke for themselves, accessorizing was minimal, only a few gold chains around the neck for the simplest outfits, as were the hair and makeup. A beautiful, classic Dior collection!

 

Among my favorite looks was the beautiful ensemble in the opening photo, the neckline is gorgeous and balances out the full skirt. Other gorgeous looks were of course the fuchsia dress paired with a generous coat, the short white dresses, the mid-calf length dresses with flared skirt,the long dresses with plunging necklines or the gorgeous khaki and coat with a large black collar. Have a look at the most interesting garments on the runway:

 

 

 

 

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week AW 2016:Atelier Versace

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week is always a highlight of early July, just in time to catch all the shows before people start going around on vacation. This year's shows started on Monday with Donatella Verasce's couture collection for Atelier Versace. Showcasing muted tones, sexy, flowy dresses and delicate embroideries, the show was a very good opener for the week to follow.

 

Among my favorite looks were the pale skin-colored dress above, the knee-length pink dress, the fuchsia gown, Joan Small's outfit and of course the gorgeous gowns towards the end of the show, especially those worn by Doutzer Kroes and Karlie Kloss. Have a look at the most interesting looks on the runway and pick your favorites!

 

 

 

 

Summer's Hottest Swimsuits

Vacation plans are ringing in my ears, as my summer holiday slowly approaches, so naturally I started looking up swimsuits online, you know, just to keep from going insane while waiting! It's standard pre-vacation procedure haha! Unfortunately most of Europe is still denied the joy of its own Victoria's Secret stores, nevertheless I still usually end up browsing through their gorgeous photos. Who could resist them? There are so many different shapes, colors and straps, sometimes I'm glad that we don't have a store nearby because I wouldn't know what to choose... and then I think again! I thought that maybe some of you might be on the lookout for a new addition to your summer wardrobe and I rounded up my 10 favorite pieces from their website. Enjoy!

 

I thought I should also add that this is not a sponsored post, I simply really, really, really like their swimsuits and I couldn't not share my favorites with you! I hope you enjoyed the post as much as I did while browsing for the perfect top 10 pieces :) 

 

 

 

 

Summer Drinks Inspiration

Once the summer temperatures hit the high end of the thermometer we are definitely starting to spend most of our evenings outdoors, be it in our cozy backyard, on a terrace or in fashionable outdoor cafés. What can get you better in a vacation mood than sipping a colorful refreshing drink that has summer written all over it? Lacking ideas? Here are a few recipes to try this summer!

 

 

 

 

Watermelon Mojito

 

In a tall glass combine mint, one tablespoon of sugar and the half of a lime. Crush the mint and lime with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves. Add the juice of two watermelon chunks, stir the mix and then add 1/4 cup (or two ounces) of white rum. Stir again to combine the mix, add some more mint sprigs for garnish and top with ice cubes. For a fancy touch, you can add a small wedge of watermelon or lime on the side of the glass. Serve immediately!

Milan Men's Fashion Week SS 2016: Street Style Part Two

To wrap up Milan Men's Week and before I jump into showing my favorite shows from Paris, here is a round up of the best street styles in Milan last week. Well dressed and always at ease be it casual or formal, there is a natural charm to men on the streets of the Italian fashion capital.

 

 

 

 

Milan Men's Fashion Week SS 2016: Giorgio Armani

Besides the fabulous Missoni collection, my other favorite show from Milan was of course the one and only Giorgio Armani - the gentleman by definition. The collection was reminiscent of his classic looks, the ones that he introduced to the world a few decades ago: double-breasted cardigan jackets, voluminous high-waisted trousers, light jackets in even lighter shades of powder pink or gray, everything converging in flowy, yet very tailored looks. A definite plus of this show: the tailored looks for women, there were some amazing pieces on the runway!

Have a look at my selection of the most interesting looks from the runway, the dark blue ensembles, the white suit paired with a buttoned-up shirt and the checkered jackets are my absolute favorites! 

 

 

Milan Men's Fashion Week SS 2016: Missoni

Missoni presented on Sunday one of my favorite shows from Milan. Soft fabrics and muted  colors set the mood for this Indian-inspired collection, as the models walked on a flower petal path on the runway. The subtle and timeless house prints were on display adding a lighter note to the looks. The collection represents the perfect transition towards the warm season, providing knits and light layers.

 

Among my favorite looks were the beige suede jackets, the striped green cardigan pictured just below, the shawls, the striped cardigan paired with white shorts and the dusty green suede jacket paired with rust-colored shorts. Have a look at some of the best looks from the runway:

 

Milan Men's Fashion Week SS 2016: Street Style

The menswear shows have just begun last week and Milan is in full bloom right now! Warm and sunny outside? Leave it to the Italians to find the perfect light summer suits in order to keep being stylish no matter the weather! Bright colors and perfect tailoring are the definite eye catchers around the city.  Here is a roundup of a few stylish gentleman out and about in Milan:

 

 

 

Online Shopping Feature on Instagram

Impulse shoppers and fashionistas beware, online shopping was made even easier! Instagram has just announced the release of a new feature - the "Shop now" button, helping us reach a completely different level of social engagement with brands. Just imagine: you're browsing through your Instagram feed, you see the cutest pair of shoes or that perfect dreamy dress you were hoping to find for a wedding you're going to attend and bam! you click the shop now button and you order it in a matter of seconds. Sounds just like a shopper's dream! The only thing that has to keep up with us are our bank accounts haha!

 

Brands are already excited about the possibilities this feature opens up and we're probably going to see a lot of endorsement from their part. Old Navy media director Michele Schuh stated for Adweek that "[Instagram is] an ideal platform to shop on as it's so visual and fashion oriented. We're thrilled that Instagram is now offering users the ability to click directly through to a product, creating instant gratification without any cumbersome steps."

 

This is how the feature should look like on certain promotions:

Style Story: Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic

The latest edition of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic was held last weekend in Liberty State Park, against the backdrop of  Manhattan's skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Over 7 000 polo and champagne enthusiasts enjoyed a stylish day out in the sun, officially kicking off the summer season. As the event encourages wearing linen suits for the gentlemen and summer dresses and daring hats for the ladies, great style would be guaranteed!

 

Have a look at some of the chicest ensembles of the day:

 

 

 

 

 

New Face for Parfums Christian Dior: Johnny Depp

Fans hearts all over the world will start fluttering with excitement, as Johnny Depp has just been announced as the face of a new perfume by Parfums Christian Dior. As an actor known for carefully picking his roles and who limits his public appearances, this represents a first for him. There is no word yet about the name of the new fragrance created by François Demachy, other than that it will be released this fall. I know I'll be looking forward to seeing the first ads, how about you? Does the face of a fragrance influence your decision to try it?

Photo: Vogue

Paper Towns Trailer feat. Cara Delevingne

The official trailer for Cara Delevingne's movie, Paper Towns, is finally out after a short teaser was released a few months ago! I have to admit that I'm always a bit skeptical when models or singers want to turn to acting or vice versa, but with Cara I kind of was expecting it to be something good. Nevertheless, I didn't expect it to be so good! I really like how she moves and looks on screen and I was pleasantly surprised by her American accent. What baffles me even more, is how young she looks! The part could have been written for her, that's how much she identifies herself with the impulsive main character.

The film based on the eponymous bestseller written by John Greene tells the story of Margo Roth Spiegleman, a reckless teenager living in the moment, who is so fascinated by mysteries that she becomes one. After disappearing, she creates the scene for a coming-of-age journey centering on her friend Quentin who has to find her, following cryptic messages left behind by Margo. 

Have a look at the trailer if you haven't seen it yet and check out the hilarious bonus video below it with John Greene interviewing Cara:

 Question Tuesday with Cara Delevingne of Paper Towns:

I can't wait for one of Cara's fans to draw that picture of her haha! I can see her evolving really quickly, she's definitely got the talent for it. What do you think about this new career step?

Photo: bestfan.com

Menswear Inspiration: Suits and Accessories

Today's inspiration comes in form of a style journey through menswear trends, from casual street wear to double breasted jackets and three-piece suits. Men usually favor the classic dark colors when it comes to choosing a suit, but as we will see later on, taking a chance with softer shades, a different, fuller fabric or a bold accessory can be a game changer. While brown leather continues to be a go-to pick to spice up a dark look, why not step it up a notch and try adding a pocket square in a contrasting color, a scarf, some knitwear, a pair of leather gloves or even a pair of fantasy sunglasses or sneakers? Here's my pick of inspiring looks for the day:

Fashion Week AW 2015 Street Style Looks

Earlier today I was feeling nostalgic about the past Fashion Month that I missed (the first one that I completely miss since I set up the blog) and I was looking through some street style photos to ease the longing for interesting looks and fresh ideas. I thought I might share with you some of the best looks that inspired me today, so I'll take you on a journey through New York, London, Milan and Paris. What have you been up to these past two months? The fashion world sure has been through a lot since my last post!