The most exciting and intellectual amongst designers. 
A fashion style that has never been perceived as fashion only but more as a cultural enchantment is ready to make a comeback. 
In 2006, archives and rights were bought. Today, there is the reopening of the most iconic of the brands, and the return of the Parisian myth. Farida Khelfa: an ambassador that embodies her artistic know-how, with the capability to decline the avant-garde into fashion with similar strengths and precise vision. 
“It's with great enthusiasm and pride that I have decided to represent Elsa Schiaparelli. She is the very first designer who mixed fashion art and Haute Couture, inspiring so many designers over the years right until today,” commented Farida Khelfa.

The 7th of May at the Metropolitan Museum of New York the exhibition Schiaparelli Prada: 
Impossible conversation, celebrates the myth. 
Mounted by the Costume Institute, the exhibition brings into focus how the designer, photographed by Man Ray and portrayed by Picasso, drew Surrealism into her creations, devising a new universe that since then has never been repeated.
In July there will be the opening of the Maison Schiaparelli on Place Vendôme. The residence where the designer dominated the scene during the thirties and forties, her historical address revisited in a contemporaneous view maintaining the ateliers’ allure, where the new collection will be showcased. 
The designer’s introduction will take place in October. Starting March 2013, the first collection pieces will be presented. The new Schiaparelli universe, made up of very special collections representing her style well, with strong focus on accessories, for which Schiaparelli was the creator and protagonist. 
High quality fragrances and cosmetics, today, will exemplify her myth. 


“Elsa Schiaparelli, source of inspiration for many fashion designers for her exceptional and absolutely exclusive ideas, returns to the fashion scene and becomes the real icon of the future.
A very loyal but very contemporaneous representation of her works will pursue its real objectives: go back to the “dream” and its modernity. The aim is not to impose a fashion dictat, but to create a product that is the best you can get in terms of taste and quality, with all the necessary time it needs to be realized.” Comments Diego Della Valle.

One of the brands whose development I've been following in the last few months is Kamenskayakononova.
First discovered at Aurora Fashion Week in St.Petersburg last october, I kept an eye on them and am glad to present yet another insight into their current collection for the Fall/Winter 2012-13 season.

Created by Ukrainian designers Natalia Kamenskaya and Olesya Kononova the label was set up in 2010 after designers won the prize in the Ukrainian «Fashion seasons Look at the Future» contest. 

For this collection they drew their inspiration from the work of Bruno Munari and the photography of Sara Moon and Deborah Turbeville.
The muse of the two designers is an intellectual, sensual and creative woman who stands up for herself and her passions. 

www.kamenskayakononova.com

Aurora Fashion Week's 5th edition took place from the 11th to the 15th of April 2012 and proved once again to be a valuable platform for upcoming and famous fashion brands that aim at positioning themselves on the russian market.
In 4 days of fashion shows, brand presentations, press conferences, events and after-show parties, Aurora Fashion Week gave its very best and pointed out that St.Petersburg is sure to become Russia's next fashion metropolis.
High-ranking companies as Bentley, Perrier, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and media partner Vogue Russia sponsored the glamorous events.

Well done, AFW-team!

www.afwrussia.com




THOM BROWNE

First things first: the absolute highlight of the 5th edition of Aurora Fashion Week was definitly grand master Thom Browne who flew to St.Petersburg with his whole crew and presented for the first time ever his men's and women's collections altogether in one exhilarating show.
The last show on the last day of the fashion week showed the audience of 500 guests how a high-class fashion show is to be done and was surely a great inspiration for all participants.
The men's collection was dominated by tight coats with straight and impressing shoulder lines, sweaters in rugby-style, oxfors-shirts, shorts and safety pins as outstanding detail.
The women's collection was dedicated to the fashion victims who "loved fashion and died for it". 
According to that theme the models wore grey suits and veils. 

www.thombrowne.com


BONDAREV

One of the brands who inspired me most was Bondarev by Sergey Bondarev.

His women's collection was very colourful, witty and sophisticated at the same time.
Bondarev aims at painting everyday-life with joyful colours and shapes without losing a strong attitude.
Classic blazers, pencil skirts and soft dresses dominated his collection.
The funny hairbands with cat ears added another sassy touch to his presentation.


More info about the brand:
www.russianfashionblog.com/index.php/2010/11/sergey-bondarev-kulturra-space/#axzz1uqjFlSz0


ANNE SOFIE MADSEN

Danish designer Anne Sofie Madsen, who launched her brand only in 2011, was my secret favorite of this fashion week and I could not wait to see her collection on stage.
My expectations were high and they were not disappointed. The Autumn-Winter 2012-13 collection was inspired by the godess Sedna of the Eskimo-mythology. 
Anne Sofie Madsen's clothes were decorated with Sedna’s images which looked like someone cut them out of ivory and silhouettes were inspired by Victorian style of men's clothes that strengthened the atmosphere of mystical horror.
Straight, edgy and wearable, the designs showed a strong attitude and so this collection became for me one of the most memorable ones of Aurora Fashion Week.

www.annesofiemadsen.com

Impressions of Aurora Fashion Week Russia by Anna Oberhauser.

Check out the links:

www.vogue.it/talents/le-scelte-di-vogue/2012/04/impressions-from-saint-petersburg-4

www.afwrussia.com

Rajasthan Fashion Week, a three day extravaganza full of luxury, style and glamour with cultural elements of Rajasthan is scheduled to be held in Jaipur from May 24th to 26th 2012 at the Marriott. 
This is the first season of the fashion week that aims to be the articulation of a contemporary modern India, set to match World Class standards in Fashion. Rajasthan being a popular tourist destination, it is only natural to conceptualize a fashion week based in the upcoming fashion hub of the country. 
The RFW looks forward to provide a common platform for international and national designers and also promote Indian designers to the international audience. The Fashion week will be featuring collections of 24 to 30 renowned National & International Designers. This mega event will be patronized by well sought after stars from the Indian Film and Fashion Fraternity where about 40 Top & Super models would be heating the largest Fashion Ramp in RAJASTHAN during the three consecutive days of RFW. 
The fashion week would also bring forward various brands to display their latest collections in runway shows and buyers to take a look at the latest trends.

Happy Easter to all of you!

Aurora Fashion Week coming up!!
www.afwrussia.com

Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani was a guest speaker at the 15th edition of the Annual Public Forum held on April 2nd at Harvard University Memorial Church. The event was organized by the Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders and hosted by Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School. The issue for this year’s edition was the connection between health and beauty.
The event was an extraordinary opportunity to discuss issues linked to eating disorders. Franca Sozzani’s lecture offered many things to ponder regarding the real or presumed influence the fashion industry has on these ailments. 
www.vogue.it

From the collaboration between Karl Lagerfeld and Hogan, a new jointly signed collection, the fourth , is presented for the autumn-winter 2012/13. 

Bringing together accessories and ready-to -wear, the collection borrows from the DNA of both the French and the Italian brands: the “haute couture” working sketches and balanced proportions of Karl Lagerfeld,with the urban-chic lifestyle and the contemporary luxury of Hogan. 

Concentrating on the essentials of a winter season, this new collection centres on the Interactive, Hogan’s iconic style. 
Karl Lagerfeld reinterprets it in multiple versions for day-time and night-time. 
Black or white patent leather with pyramid-shaped studs, nubuck covered with a meta llic cascade of distressed gold or mercury, grey leather embroidered with cashmere pattern s in the style of a tapestry, for the day-time. 
Plain denim with silver leather braiding, grey leather latti cework, and leather or pewter embroidered with twotone mini-pearls and with floral patterns on the uppers, for the night-time.
This is a specific collection that evokes a unique lifestyle: urban-chic, contemporary and every day.

www.hogan.com

In Autumn/Winter 2012-2013, Sergei Grinko’s woman lives and moves constantly in elegant and defined shapes, with precise and very feminine cuts. The 40ies allure echoes the classic forms of fur coats with fine details, as well as in clothes with sophisticated and precise fits. The accessories consist of small or large aircrafts that are brooches, necklaces or earrings, and ornaments for handbags.
Precious jewelry belts and metallic zips applied on the surface of the garments characterize further the collection, and the structures are particularly emphasized on the waist and giving to the female figure a sophisticated elegance and originality.
Large decorative buttons and applied elements of polycarbonate also embellish the creations of the collection and merge with other accessories such as handbags, corsets and collars covered with drops of black silicone drops, executed in collaboration with the renowned artist Marcello Gobbi. 
The color palette reaches from beige, burgundy, English green and black.
The collection is completed by the integration of branded footwear Sergei Grinko by Isabella Lo Russo, with unusually shaped thin wedge heels, all coordinated with the furs and fabrics expressed in the collection. 
www.sergeigrinko.com

The Sportmax Autumn-Winter 2012/13 collection looks boldly towards the coming season with a new play on sport, focusing on the cultured and Zen elements of traditional asian defence arts. 
The look is reformulated in a collection of decisive, edgy and urban garments defined by technical materials resulting in an extremely feminine and body conscious graphic silhouette. Evolution is seen in the lines: athletic and ergonomic, they outline and mold to the body with textured fabrics and combinations of 3D materials including techno-matelassé, quilted nylon, crystal prisms, padded embroidery and precious decorative jacquards.
The new generation of tailored coats and essential dresses are designed by mixing together futuristic patchworks, top-stitched inserts and geometrical patterns that create a 3 dimensional texture. Active details are present throughout the collection. Innovative tailored dresses with metallic snaps mold to the body. Zipper details are found on wedge booties, coats and bombers. These sporty items are shown with plastron designed shirts paired back to trousers or pony hair lampshade skirts. 
New suits or sweaters with rhomboidal patterns embroidered entirely in micro sequins alternated with maxi leather waistcoats fastened with judo belts continue the active look. The Ready-to-wear colour palette ranges from white and stone white through royal blue, navy blue, black and both soft & intense purple tones. English Red is used in leather accessories, like the Dahlia bag, which was re-proposed in matelassé this season.
Special guest at the show was Chloe Grace Moretz, Winner of the "2012 Women in Film Max Mara Face of the Future Award".

www.sportmax.it

Synonymous of class and highest Italian quality, Persol pays tribute to the isle of Capri and to the extraordinary example of art and architecture of Casa Malaparte.
Since its inception, Persol has always been linked to artistic expression, as result of a rare handmade production process "Made in Italy" and a unique work of craftsmanship, expertise, passion and dedication. 
It takes a good thirty days and between thirty-five and thirty-seven manual steps to create a pair of Persol glasses and each model undergoes careful and meticulous quality control. Persol starts from these milestones to celebrate the new Persol Capri Edition. 
Persol Capri Edition features two sunglass models, a men’s style and a women’s style. Each one of them is available in five different colours. 
The palette does not only include the timeless black and tortoiseshell, but also new entry inspired by the colours of Capri: blue overseas and blue eclipse, island green, duna and turtledove.

www.persol.com

True Brit style played out in red, blue and green in the duffel and woolen coats, in the blazers and in the bon ton miniskirts. “College mood” maxi sweaters and cardigans with an inlaid argyle pattern, stripes and yarn embroidery, with a Norwegian inspiration, mixed with the lightness of dresses and silk shirts with a miniature heart print. 
Sorbet shades in fun plays on colour in the baby mongolian and faux fur capes, in the short coats in crêpe wool or woolen cloth with coloured fur collars. 
Like cold-beating cocoons, they reveal a glimpse of flirty minidresses in faille, satin and chiffon with springs of flowers, cartoon prints and knife-pleated ruching. Layering of materials, enveloping volumes in the white looks perfect for the big chill with theatrical mongolian furs and faux fur coats, tricot stitch patterns, woolen lace flowers and silver glints in the croc-print jacquard dresses. 
Mildly transparent effects, embroidery and rhinestones light up handmade sweaters and coats in knits for a spectacular evening in the snow. 
Cocktail code for the black jewel dresses with tonal displays of feathers, rhinestones, floral ruches, see-through effects in lace, sequins and bouclé weaves with flashes of lamé.
www.blugirl.it

On the occasion of the 26th edition of Goya Awards on february 19th, the Spanish actress Blanca Suarez wore a Blumarine dress from the Spring/Summer 2012 collection. 
Blanca chose a long champagne colored silk tulle dress with golden iridescent sequin embellishment.

Lebanese born designer Ghassan Yazbeck drew in a large crowd of international press, models, domestic editors, photographers, VIP's and fans. 
The designer left the crowd fascinated by his unique collection.
The show was off to a breathtaking start as Ghassan's clothing was being showcased down the runway. 
Although a timid approach was made with colors on this collection, classics can do no wrong, and did no wrong.  
The solid reds, whites, and blacks that took over the catwalk were anything but deceiving. As each model walked down the runway, the detailed cuts on the garments were heavily emphasized and symbolic.  
The most fascinating thing about the entire show was that the collection was dominated by a series of boxy collared jackets and dresses, but concluded with a delightfully simple wedding gown.  
The garments overall were structured yet elegant. His scantly cuts and details evidently leave women who put on his clothing feeling sexy and sophisticated, symbolizing Yazbeck's own cultivated personality. 
“One cannot stop their eyes from seeing beauty, for beauty commends the eye,” expresses Yazbeck. “I am excited about my first official contribution to the fashion world.” 
As a graduate from McGill University with a chemical engineering degree, he later changed direction to the pharmaceutical industry. Yazbeck, however, openly expresses that his interest in science was directed by the hands of his parents more than his own. 
He then enrolled in Parsons, leaving behind his former and comfortable life. He graduated with a degree in fashion design and is now on his way to fulfilling his lifelong dream of creating a lifestyle brand.

Brazilian designer Lourdinha Noyama drew in a large crowd of international press, models, domestic editors, photographers, VIP's and fans on the night of the anticipated show. 
iFashion Network launched Noyama as a bold and innovative emerging designer this February during New York iFashion Week. 
Essentially revolving around evening wear, wedding gowns, and contemporary wear, garments aren't simply pieces of clothing when witnessing Lourdinha Noyama's collection, but accessories within themselves. 
Supplement jewelry to her clothing is evidently unnecessary, as each garment is enough to display on a woman's body on it's own. Noyama's collection the audience with a fabulously sandy discovery. From brown and beige patterned and chiffon dresses to white delicate and laced wedding gowns, each piece, it seemed, came with its own historical background and story. 
Showcasing a substance of new quality this season, Noyama revealed her collection in all gold. Fashion icons, members of the press, agents, models, fashion lovers, and professionals of the fashion industry were all present at the event a standing room section and riser was set up in front of the runway for photographers and press.  
Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Brazil, a spring board for various young designers to enter into the fashion scene, featured Lourdinha Noyama as one of Brazil's most innovative emerging designers, where she showcased her collection. 
Lourdinha Noyama's desire is to present high-fashion that is genuinely and uniquely Brazilian. Her work utilizes traditional raw-materials that is typical of the local handy-work of artisans. The end result is a distinctive embellishment of classic shapes and styles.
Continuous and detailed research is performed of the more traditional artisan communities, extrapolating their humble origins to a more complex and refined presentation. Noyama is to elevate an intrinsically Brazilian product to the luxury world stage.www.lourdinhanoyama.com.br

MISSONI
Do we live to work or do we work to live? 
Angela Missoni, the maison's creative director's, found her very own solution to this crucial question: from time to time we all need a break.
And this is what her men look like in the next Autumn/Winter 2013 season, it's all about travelling, relaxing and making new experiences. The key elements of the classic english leasure wardrobe like parkas, military and hunting jackets are reinterpreted and refreshed. 
Poloshirts with the typical Missoni-pattern are buttoned up, jumpers surprise with crochet collars and reveal the meticulous craftmanship. Woolhats with a large brim are the eye-catcher of the collection and complete the perfect spare time look.






ERMANNO SCERVINO
Modern italian tailoring meets english craftmanship. The result of this combination is the theme of the collection, "Rock-Royal" that plays with the argyle-pattern as leitmotif and sharp tailored suits. 
Fashion that awakes the rocker in every man who appreciates excellent manufacturing and precious materials. Fur-, suede- or velvet scarves and goat leather ankle boots emphasize the mix&match of elements of past and present in this collection.






ROBERTO CAVALLI
With this collection, Roberto Cavalli sends us all on an extraordinary journey, in a phantasy land ruled by the 4 elements which are embodied by 4 animals: Slick Joe the crocodile as water, Maurice Lacroix the tiger as earth, Suave Sam the snake as fire and H-Birdino the bird as air. Those 4, apart since ever, are brought together by the power of blues and the bluesman, Son of Dave, himself.The 4 elements represent the central theme in Roberto Cavalli's current Autumn/Winter 2013 collection.
Velvet jackets with crocodile print, precious pinstripe and jacquard fabrics, elaborate embroidery and exceptional volumes are the outstanding elements.

And yet another talent worth of our utmost attention: KAREN KARAM.
After finishing her psychology degree, Karen went to London to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a fashion designer. 
She graduated at Central Saint Martins in 2006 and started her placement year working at Alexander McQueen in London, then moved to Paris to work at Chloé and ended her year at John Galliano.

In her short career, Karen already won the Mulberry bag award competition and was a finalist at the ITS 5 young talent competition in Trieste and the YKK zip award. She was also a finalist at the Mango young designer competition.
In 2006 Karen’s accessories, that were part of her final year collection, were sold at Colette in Paris. 
S/S 09 marks her debut collection for her label, a new very super cool girly brand - definitely one designer to watch!
www.karenkaram.com

Let's start this brand new year by introducing a promising young label. 
Lynn and Teresa, both cosmopolitan all-rounders, focus their creativity on an accessory that nowadays has a nostalgic appeal but that our great- grandmothers back then would not leave the house without. 
With the brand PENELOPE PARASOLS, Lynn, who can look back on an impressive career as make-up artist for the likes of Sienna Miller and Katie Holmes, and Teresa, THE voice of LA's most heard radio station, KCRW, reinvent this item and put it in a contemporary context where the rising awareness of the importance of sun protection and style go hand in hand.

www.penelopeparasols.com

Dear all! 

I would like to wish all of you a wonderful festive season and a successful and healthy year 2012 full of fascinating challenges!

Thank you for reading my blog so numerously!

All the best,
Anna

GO WEST…A NEW TAKE ON WESTERN STYLE: TOUGH TAILORING JUXTAPOSED WITH STREAMLINED ROMANCE…UNDULATING HEMLINES, SHORT IN FRONT, LONG IN BACK…A FOCUS ON THE ACCENTUATED WAIST…LEATHER AND LACE …A FEMININE APPROACH TO CLASSIC MENSWEAR PLAIDS AND PINSTRIPES … GRAPHIC BLACK AND WHITE PATTERNS…BOLD CRIMSON AND TURQUOISE … LEATHER TRIM AND HARNESS DETAILS WITH AN EQUESTRIAN EDGE..GUTSY BELTS..RUGGED SANDALS..STUDDED BANDOLIER BAGS… POLISHED COWBOY AND RIDING BOOTS FINISH THE LOOK…
www.michaelkors.com

The special November edition of "L'Uomo Vogue” will feature a major retrospective of photographs encompassing the five years editor Franca Sozzani has spent at the helm of the prestigious monthly published by Condé Nast. From Michael Jackson to Nelson Mandela, from Rupert Murdoch to Al Gore, from Jimmy Wales to Don King, from Matthew Barney to Cindy Sherman, from Sean Penn to Keith Richards, from Tokyo Hotel to Beyoncé Knowles, from Julian Schnabel to Eto’o, from Quentin Tarantino to Umberto Veronesi: all these exceptional, iconic characters and more have been featured on the cover of the magazine during the last five years.

This November’s "L'Uomo Vogue" will be published with five different covers (dedicated to Michael Jackson, Sean Penn, Keith Richards, Tokyo Hotel and Beyoncé Knowles), thus becoming a collector’s issue, "The cover book", featuring all 87 cover shots taken by 23 different photographers, as well as four short essays on literature, art, cinema and style, written by Erri de Luca, Francesco Bonami, Gianni Canova and Cesare Cunaccia respectively.

These photos will also be on display in an exclusive exhibition set to be held at Palazzo Sotheby's (via Broggi, 19) in Milan, Sunday 27 and Monday 28 November. On Sunday 27 November, from 3.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., the exhibition venue will also be hosting a new edition of the Vogue Experience: from 11 November, five hundred readers can register at www.vogue.it for a preview visit to the exhibition, where they will have the chance to meet and chat with Franca Sozzani and all the editorial staff. On this occasion, all visitors will be presented with a copy of the magazine, which they may have signed by the editor.
On Monday 28 November Palazzo Sotheby's will be hosting an exclusive cocktail party, attended by leading names from the world of fashion and design; presented on this occasion will be the cover photos that on 19 January 2012 will be auctioned during a prestigious event to be held in Sotheby's in Paris, the proceeds of which will go to Fashion 4 Development, an operative partner of the United Nations - for which Franca Sozzani is a Goodwill Ambassador – that uses fashion as a means to achieving the major objective of implementing strategies for the independence and self-affirmation of women, as well as for sustainable development.

The new Armani Hotel Milano is the second hotel to be launched within the Armani Hotels & Resorts project and marks the continued collaboration with Emaar Properties PJSC. Following the success of the Armani Hotel Dubai, located in Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, the Armani Hotel Milano opens today in the heart of the city, within the extraordinary palazzo at Via Manzoni 31, originally designed by Enrico A. Griffini and completed in 1937 in the rationalist style of the time. 
Inside this building with its austere and powerful exterior, Giorgio Armani has created a world of harmony and privacy, with uncompromising attention to the requirements of guests. Here luxury, calm and beauty are fostered in pure Armani style, imparting a new aesthetic excellence to the concept of comfort. “I have concentrated all my efforts on delivering my personal aesthetic vision within a precisely defined ambience of total comfort,” explains the designer. 
The Armani Hotel experience is epitomised by a unique concept of service delivered by the Lifestyle Department. Lifestyle Managers are the point of contact for guests, whose every need and wish will be fulfilled with discreet assistance at all times. Guests will be looked after from the moment they make a reservation, with personal care that facilitates every requirement and responds to every need. 
As soon as guests arrive in the lobby looking out on Via Manzoni, their Lifestyle Manager will be on hand to welcome them and take them to the seventh floor. Interestingly, this Armani hotel, created within a palazzo, is shaped by the architectural ground plan as an immense “A”. 
This can be seen in the original Griffini drawings, and is something that is only visible from above. Maybe it was destined to be!

The 4th edition of "Aurora Fashion Week" took place from October 10th to 16th. As I wanted to do some research for my clients about future possibilities I was delighted to go to St.Petersburg, city I had never been to and that promised a lot.
I had the honour to participate as a speaker at the "Fashionomica" Conference within the AFW, doing a lecture about "the importance of public relations for new brands development" in front of an audience of fashion students and young fashion designers. 
The atmosphere in the "Manege", St.Petersburg exhibition centre, was great, the air was buzzing with creativity and it was all there to be discovered.
Aurora Fashion Week was supported by famous brands such as Bulgari, San Pellegrino and the Russian edition of GRAZIA magazine which also organised a fashion show with the winners of a talent competition that had recently been launched by GRAZIA. 

Here to follow are those brands that impressed me the most during my stay in St.Petersburg!

First of all, Petar Petrov, fashion designer from Bulgaria with headquarter in Vienna, showcased for the first time in Russia and I dare say that he blew the audience away with clean and effortless cuts both suitable for day- and eveningwear. 
www.petarpetrov.com











My absolute favourite was the brand of two young ukranian ladies: Kamenskayakononova by Olesia Kononova and Natalia Kamenskaya. Their collection stood out by the easy wearability of the single outfits and the creative details such as cutouts and the choice of colors.
www.kamenskayakononova.com













At Aurora Fashion Week young brands also had the chance to present their collections to a broad public of journalists, buyers and potential customers by showcasing in the showroom-area in the "Manege". 
One of those brands was Minna Parikka, a talented shoe designer from Helsinki whose shoes already have been spotted by Lady Gaga, Fergie and Beth Ditto.
www.minnaparikka.com








TOSHA is another brand that impressed me a lot and that I would like to introduce to you. TOSHA is a luxury London based woman’s wear label headed by the young designer Tamara Sariachvili. Her pieces enthused me by their timelessness combined with a modern edge. 
www.toshadesign.com






A big thanks for the great organisation goes to Artiom Balaev and his whole team! 
Aurora Fashion Week is bound to have a bright future! 
Dosvidania in St.Petersburg!

www.afwrussia.com

The third chapter of the story created by Hogan and Karl Lagerfeld stars a vibrant and energetic woman. 
For her, the Italian brand and the artist have created a collection made up of sinuous lines and slender silhouettes.  Dressed in black, white and grey, our heroine leads an elegant and contemporary lifestyle. 
Fitted and soft as a shirt, characterized by a zipper at the hip, the jacket is in denim and lurex or in stretch leather. Tonal or silver stitching, pockets and cuffs with hidden zippers. Details which highlight a woman’s second skin. Hogan’s winged logo is delicately embroidered on collars and the H becomes a tattoo etched at the nape or over the heart.  Zippers at the bottom of ultra slim fit - high rise jeans that are embellished with a belt at the back, the perfect complement to a bold and rock-chic look. Both urban and sophisticated, the Spring 2012 collection also includes a trench coat in black technical nylon, enriched with an ultra feminine capelet. 
Essential yet complete, this pret-a-porter collection also re-interprets the t-shirt. Minimal and in monochromatic cotton, it has already became e staple to collect.
In an elegant woman’s wardrobe, accessories are of utmost importance.  She carries a tote and a clutch in pleated leather in black, yoghurt and grey with a faded look, or bags in patent leather with a quilted bubble pattern in black, white or bronze.
The sexy Elective sneaker reveals a new side of itself in black or white python and in two toned nappa leather.  Patent ballerina flats are embellished with floral patterned perforations, the signature H logo and a matelassè effect in white and black.
A new collection that is the perfect companion for a cosmopolitan and discerning woman who is a true connoisseur of authentic, contemporary luxury. 
For his third time with Hogan, Karl Lagerfeld has conceived a new artistic project. After La Lettre, a short film about love and a series of portraits of thirteen International celebrities, the artist has chosen to express his vision for the new collection through an ouevre where a sequence of photographs and sketches of the top model Bianca Balti and Jacquelyn Jablonski are revealed.  The book will be unveiled in Paris on September 30th during the presentation of the Spring - Summer 2012 Collection. 
www.hogan.com

The Fay Collection, designed under the creative direction of Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi, reflects an evolution that is consistent with the brand’s signature characteristics but which have been re-interpreted in a new  more feminine vein.
Fay’s elegantly sporty ethos is updated thanks to a perfect balance between silhouettes and colors: the fit is practical and sophisticated.  The refined tailoring, which is sometimes inspired by the brand's men’s collections focuses on detail: contrasting leather inserts, elegant stitching, inner pockets and tiny jewel like buttons.
The brand’s iconic styles such as the trench coat and Saharienne jacket are enriched with new shapes and functions: a cashmere bib, wind proof textiles in two toned nylon, as well as soft Saharienne and blousons in washed silk and quilted micro-jackets.
The outerwear collection is complemented by a versatile collection of ready to wear: practical and sophisticated trousers, shorts and skirts, multi-coloured knit wear, crepe de chine dresses, in a palette of colors that include neutral hues as well as vibrant, bright ones in addition to colorful 1950’s inspired prints - geometric patterns, like stripes and diamonds that are elegant and easy to mix and match.
The iconic design of the collection is the Kate, a refined and contemporary parka jacket which meets the needs of an international and feminine woman whose style staples are quality  and comfort; a philosophy that has always been the mirror of the uniqueness of a Fay.The presentation of the collection took place at the PAC, Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea, and stood out by a lively and rousing video installations that were created around the theme of the collection.
Credits: Daniela Selloni (art direction), Clonwerk (Realization), Angela Alò (Ideation and creative direction of contents)

With the next Spring/Summer 2012 collection, Ermanno Scervino takes us on a voyage across the India of Rajasthan and of the Maharajas.
On distinctions between sporty and couture melt away in this new collection, one that offers daring combinations of different materials and different worlds. Graphic fishnet or cotton lace, a weave which evokes Vienna straw yields a style with essential volumes of sartorial structure.
Glamorous sporty style blends with sophisticated couture, playing with unexpected combinations. Large zippers, eyelets, drawstrings and big volumes interpret the technical fabrics such as the duchesse, at times double. 
The leather is embellished by technological and handcrafted workmanship that creates original inlay and fringe patterns. The straw braid weave appears as if it were precious embroidery. Melts with lace in an experimental work with a used, three-dimensional effect for the couture garments – with a rock n’ roll look – and for the colored accessories. 
The handmade shirts to be donned over long chiffon skirts break the rules for evening, sometimes evoking the Indian sari with their slits.
www.ermannoscervino.it

Fashion 4 Development, an official platform on South South News, partner of the United Nations (UN) private and public sectors, has chosen Franca Sozzani as their first Goodwill Ambassador. F4D is a global awareness campaign that unites diplomacy, business, media, and the creative industries for the purpose of helping to achieve the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals through the Expression of Fashion. The main goal is to implement creative strategies for sustainable economic growth and autonomy. “Fashion 4 Development, has the full support of South South News, the United Nations and its Member States “ said Ambassador Francis Lorenzo, president of South South News.
Such prestigious and challenging recognition will be officialised in New York on September 19th at the South South Awards Gala at New York’s Waldorf Astoria concurrently with the opening of the 65th session of the United Nations, in the presence of Heads of State and First Ladies from all over the globe, personalities from fashion, the diplomatic world and the media.
The theme of the First Ladies & Fashion for Development Luncheon during the day on September 19th , will be ‘Giving Back is the New Luxury’ and will revolve around the increasingly decisive role of fashion in creating economic growth in developing countries. Franca Sozzani will be acknowledged and speak to an audience of first ladies from around the world and other distinguished guests.

Only a few more days to go until VOGUE FASHION’S NIGHT OUT hits the streets and stores of the major fashion capitals of the world yet again!

For THE fashion event of the year, Alexandra de Curtis invites you to preview the new Autumn/Winter collection, on sale exclusively online on www.alexandradecurtis.com, on thursday 8th of september.

Sign up for the newsletter and you could win one of two stunning bangles printed python and crocodile leather!

This brand is a revelation to all those ladies who consider a nice tailored jacket the very base of their wardrobe. I'm glad to introduce to you "Maison Albert", one of those jackets sooner or later is bound to make its way into MY closet.

Born in Morocco in 1981, Gaelle Sebbagh travelled the world before settling down in Paris in 2000. Many cultures and environments have influenced and sculpted her sense of aesthetics.
After graduating from the Fleuri Delaporte fashion school and ISEM, she got into several RTW fashion houses in Paris and New-York where she acquired an acute and avant-gardist sense of fashion.
When the time had come to choose her own path, she decided to create her very own brand specializing in jackets. Her unmeasured love for shoes made her want to create a clothing line consisting in a wide range of jackets she would be able to wear just as much as her multiple pairs of shoes. 
A product that would be turned into a unique and precious accessory - and well she did.

www.maison-albert.com

Ermanno Scervino opens its first flagship store in Kiev, Ukraine, bringing the number of Ermanno Scervino stores worldwide up to thirty-seven.

The new store looks onto a central square through eight large display windows which, along a semi-circular outer edge, showcase the must-have pieces from the men's and women's collections.
Over 200 square meters arranged on two floors where modern elements (steel, cement, windows, mirrors) trade off with natural materials (leather, hide, wood, stuccos) within a setting of neutral matt colors, floors in light grey cement and dove-colored carpets-the House's colors.
Furniture created by Florentine artisans combines with designer elements, maintaining a balance between works tied to the Group's cultural tradition and innovative contemporary solutions, in line with the brand's project concept.
www.ermannoscervino.it

Hong Kong is big. Very big and tight.
Compared to spacious Beijing I felt slightly hemmed in the narrow streets with tremendously high buildings. 
It's a city that offers something for everyone: shoppers will find their satisfaction as well as tourists looking for historical spots and places to remember. 
Hong Kong's skyline at the harbor is surely one of the most impressing that I have seen in my life, a view you will never forget. 

We stayed in a marvellous hotel, that I warmly suggest for your next stay in town: http://www.sino-hotels.com/Island_Pacific_Hotel/en/default.aspxSituated on Hong Kong Island it offers fabulous service and rooms with an exiting view on the harbor. 

Hong Kong ladies like to dress up and care a lot about fashion and current trends. That explains the huge amount of shopping malls with a quantitiy of stores of the world's most famous brands.
One funny thing I heard is that the colder the air-condition the more luxury brands there are, makes sense somehow.

Women and girls like to dress either elegant and sober with exclusive accessories and the inevitable umbrella, whereas there is also a trend towards a very sexy, girly style - in any case, never ever without high heels. 

Much of the social life goes on in the various shopping malls as they offer anything you could desire: clothes, food and entertainment...and lower temperatures compared to the outside air humidity.

Seen the constant afflux of potential clients the stores did well and show great creativity in the dècor of their displays. 
I did my part of window shopping and was amazed to find some young and unknown brands, too. Give it up for them!

UNIQUENESS, the joint brainchild of Pinko co-founder Pietro Negra and Alessandra Facchinetti, is a new ready-to-wear line that will be unveiled in Paris. 
The collection is where an uncommon talent for design meets a fascination with the online universe. 
It’s a fresh approach to fashion - a strong collection that rewrites the rules of the game. Coming from the fusion of these two restless minds, UNIQUENESS is a project that processes and then reworks in fashion form today’s intense technology-induced sociocultural forces. 
Introducing a product distribution system that reflects a pioneering vision and holds all the promise of a remarkable future. Where the clothes appear for sale both directly on the Web and through a network of select retailers. Where customers enjoy on the spot service and the collection gets past the idea of seasons.

“I’m excited to have the chance to work on such an innovative and unconventional project, where the freedom to interpret the times effectively becomes the brand’s DNA,” says Alessandra Facchinetti.

“Il progetto realizza il massimo dell’innovazione possibile in tecnologia e marketing, rappresentando una serie di “plus” già presenti nel mondo Pinko, ma mai espressi assieme e ad un così alto livello creativo” dichiara Pietro Negra.

Two weeks spent in China: first Beijing, then Hong Kong and last but not least Shanghai.
3 cities in 2 weeks and uncountable impressions.

Let's start out with Beijing.

One thing that is sure is that my affection for this huge country and its people has increased even more than I would have imagined and I loved every single second of this trip!
The first thing that comes to my mind, thinking about Beijing is: WOW!
I had been to other big cities before but Beijing is very different from everything that I had seen so far. 
What struck me most was that there seemed to be space for everything and everyone. 
Space is distributed very generously and except on the metro I never felt worn out by masses of people.
I expected to meet more foreigners aroung but it seemed that we chose the right time to travel. 
My little mandarin skills helped to get more immediately in touch with people which was a very fascinating experience.

Some streets are, as in every metropolis, the same as everywhere, the big brands are present and well visited by wealthy Chinese. Common Chinese like to go and bargain on the local markets and so did I. What an incredible experience, I got the first piece without discussing the price and walked out being a perfect pro when it comes to haggle for the lowest price!

I felt that Chinese women are very aware of fashion and do care a lot about their looks. They mix what they see in magazines with what they like most and create their own style.
One outstanding accessory that I could not believe can be worn with temperatures above 38 degrees celcius were nylon stockings.
The trend that is going around the world this summer is also hot in China: gladiator sandals, to be seen everywhere!
Furthermore, I kinda liked the habit to go out in your PJs in perfect daylight, irritating at first, looking funny and odd on some but glamorous on others. I bought a wonderful night-blue gown on the market but Milan is not ready for this fashion yet and nor am I.

Hogan’s future roots is a project which has embraced creative minds from all over the world, each portrayed in their working environment or next to objects which best summarise their personalities and characters. portraits of elegant people, real personalities who enjoy a refined yet informal lifestyle, who live in world capitals that are the symbol of the cultural and artistic avant-garde.
All the men and women portrayed are wonderfully talented artists, architects and designers, undisputed pros who have been chosen by Hogan because they reflect our creative reality and the heritage of the future. a world where innovation and research move forward while remaining faithful to their roots, by enriching but never by distorting that reality - this is the key idea behind future roots.

The Hogan future roots philosophy is perfectly embodied by the Men's Spring/Summer 2012 Collection.Authenticity, research, innovation.
DRESS is the epitome of Hogan's formal wear, a unique combination of laid-back elegance and pure design - a progressive vision of classic men's style in a perfect balance between tradition and modernity.
Essential lines, finest materials and traditionally inspired craftmanship are the foundation of Hogan's innovative urban aesthete. Accessories and ready to wear that are perfect for every day life. 
An elegance that is any that is anything but conventional and meets specific expectations of quality and functionality.

"Real Beauties": this is the title of the cover of Vogue Italia, on the shelves from 3 June, which features three softly curvy women at the table, part of an extraordinary photo shoot by Steven Meisel.
“Curvy women are back in all their splendour. The exuberance of a body with rounded lines is much more alluring and sexy”, says Franca Sozzani, editor of Vogue Italia. The revolutionary decision of Vogue Italia is perfectly in line with the ethical and aesthetic philosophy the magazine and its editor have been embracing for some time now, aimed at bringing the world of fashion closer to women of all shapes and sizes and the modern lifestyles they lead.
This cover is a further step along a road heading in a precise, clearly articulated direction, one milestone on which was the opening of the Curvy channel on Vogue.it when the website made its debut just over a year ago. The channel is dedicated to those women who feel perfectly at easy in their curvy bodies. 
"A growing number of readers are now asking to see – even in fashion magazines – a real world, made of real people who are not obsessed with staying thin, but are able instead to naturally accept and respect their bodies as they are", explains Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani.

Girls - still looking for the perfect beachwear for this summer? Here's something for you then! 
Ruth Ferguson is the Founder and Creative Director of  the brand "Olga Olsson". After studying Fine Art and Politics and living in Cuba, Ghana, and Central America, Ruth went to Rio de Janeiro to paint murals on the walls of an orphanage in Duque de Caxias. 
She started working for a fair trade project that supported cooperatives of women seamstresses in the favelas. 
And that's where it all began: she moved to London, studied at London College of Fashion, and honed her design and technical skills for five years with Alexander Mcqueen, Matthew Williamson, River Island, Principles, and Harrods, before starting Olga Olsson in 2010.
Ruth draws her inspiration from the beach, the mountains and the city - from wild swimming in the Scandinavian lakes, to camping out on Mexican beaches, to all night parties in London and flea markets in Paris and LA.
www.olgaolsson.com

"Innate elegance and irreverent modernity" - this is the concept of Ermanno Scervino’s new advertising campaign, whose interpretation has been entrusted to Alice Dellal. 
"I don’t want top models for my campaign", explains Ermanno Scervino. "I’m looking for life’s movers and shakers, for women who – by boldly subverting traditional canons – embody  the concept of a new, sophisticated elegance." 
In an aristocratic environment cleverly set up in the studio of the Meat Packing District (New York), the color shots of Francesco Carrozzini capture real live moments to reflect the intriguing theme of a contemporary femininity. 
An unprecedented blend  of contrasts – desecrated tradition and contemporaneity – are the hallmark of the Maison’s collection. 
The new campaign will be visible, from the month of July, on the magazines and through a video version, on the website www.ermannoscervino.it.

The long kept secret who would be the new designer at luxury brand FAY has been revealed today. 
The choice fell on the well known designer duo Aquilano and Rimondi. 
As to me, a passionate fan since their rise-up a few years ago, the combination could not be any better!
Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi started out in 2005 with their own label 6267 which subsequently was named Aquilano.Rimondi. In 2008 they started a collaboration with "Gianfranco Ferrè" which with their help returned to be part of the very top of italian fashion brands.
At Fay the two designers will sign responsable for the creation of the "F Collection", the brand's more glamourous line and will surely also influence the main collection. 
The first result of this outstanding collaboration will be shown during the next Women's fashion week in Milan in september. The countdown starts - now!
www.fay.com

Alexandra de Curtis has the ultimate accessory that will make your mum feel special and chic every day of the year.
The leather bangles are THE perfect accessory for the upcoming summer season. They are available in various colours (pink, coffee, blue and white) and the python and crocodile textures add an elegant and sophisticated touch to every outfit. 
There are no limits to creativity when it comes to styling them: wear this textured Alexandra de Curtis piece alone or stacked with multiple chunky bracelets – the possibilities are endless!

www.alexandradecurtis.com

The brand Velbet was created by Vanesa Elbert. After having worked in the fashion industry for 17 years she longed to realize her vision and started out designing her first collections.
Vanesa's ambition is to create unique objects by modifying them and taking them to a more original and personal level. She is continuously searching for undiscovered mixtures, which is reflected in this collection made with autochthonous materials such as horn and bronze.
Handmade, one by one, in exclusive limited editions of 50, each model, each creation, with their unique “Fermoir”, done in collaboration with artists using authentic Argentine leather.
www.velbet.com.ar

One of the most interesting and innovative brands that I met at Tranoi was Âme Soeur.

It all started out with two sisters - Sabina and Madina Taschén who always wanted to put together their minds and start their own label. So after their studies, Madina has a degree in Business Administration and Sabina studied Fashion at Esmod Berlin, they founded Âme Soeur in 2008.
The name Ame Soeur is french and means soulsister/soulmates and appeared as a fitting name for a label founded by two sisters.
With its One-Cut Concept Âme Soeur introduces a new concept to the designing and creating procedure; a single pattern piece is selected and modeled „par moulage“, precisely placed stitches give the pieces architectural forms and unique volume. 

This concept gives Âme Soeur room for experimenting with creativity on a new, yet sparsely explored level. 

www.amesoeurfashion.com

During Paris Fashion Week I had the pleasure to personally meet charming Jeanne-Marie Chan, creative director of Hedone Romane.

I instantly fell in love with her creations, especially with a pair of earrings that had to be mine! 

Jeanne-Marie has worked for several luxury houses including Van Cleef & Arpels and LVMH Watch & Jewellery in international strategy development and marketing. 
Her longstanding desire to share her vision of fine jewellery marked the beginnings of Hedone Romane in Paris 2006. 
Jeanne-Marie was born in Manila of Cantonese descent, diamonds and rubies are part of her culture and distinguishing beautiful stones comes innately to her.
She does commissioned pieces and designs for women whose exquisite taste carries both fine jewellery and fashion jewellery. 

Before starting the series of designer portraits who I met at the fashion fair "TRANOI" in Paris, I want to introduce to you another young and very promising fashion designer.

Christina Crawford, besides being a wonderful friend of mine, is doubtless one of the talents we should have an eye on in future. 

The Fall/Winter Collection 2011/12 is dedicated to a strong-minded and independent woman who likes to play with fabrics and shapes. Christina's muse is a woman who likes to adorn herself and wants to be noticed - and sure she is!

Austrian actress Susanne Wuest at the Hogan by Karl Lagerfeld Event during Paris Fashion Week wearing a pochette by Alexandra de Curtis and Hogan booties.

Once again, the talent and the know-how of Karl Lagerfeld and Hogan have joined forces for a new collection. The collaborative project focuses on apparel and accessories, leather and high-tech materials for a second season.
The Hogan by Karl Lagerfeld collection is ready to take the chill off next winter with its range of ultralight down coats and windbreakers, zip-through jackets and sleeveless bodywarmers, bomber and jackets. Complementary shopping bag, sneakers and footwear provide the perfect finishing touches to a collection replete with masterly precision, elegance and creativity.
The padding of the bomber jackets and the short and long versions of the down coats is embellished with snappy and asymmetrical geometric quilting. The irregular diagonals are often enhanced by silver zips. Gently-fitted or pulled in at the waist by a drawstring, they are cocoons of nylon injected with ink that produces an unexpected embossed effect, hiding a multitude of pockets, plus a maxi zip-through detachable collar and XL mittens. The short coat, on the other hand, falls in a straight line to the hips, referencing street art: silver brushstrokes against a background of black leather with the same graffiti effect featuring on the sleeves. 
The slightly A-line, quilted bodywarmer is worn on top of the short coat, combining volume and graphic pattern. The accessories are the absolute must-haves in the new Hogan by Karl Lagerfeld collection, flying the standard of the famous codes of the two maisons. The sneaker can either be ankle or calf height and focuses on the essential combination of black and white – intimately linked to the style of Karl Lagerfeld. High-heeled Oxfords with rubber soles have a modern allure that is also the mark of the shopping bag in leather with painted stripes in silver, available in M and XL versions, with a flap closure signed by Hogan by Karl Lagerfeld and contrast leather bellows and bottom. Taken as a whole, the Hogan by Karl Lagerfeld collection makes you look forward to stepping out in style next winter.
WWW.HOGANWORLD.COM

Borbonese presents the Borbonese 1910 collection, designed for the first time under the direction of Creative Director Gabriele Colangelo.
The Fall 2012 collection is inspired by the works of Jean Deprés, the art decò jewelry designer who captured the streamlined, modern aesthetic of the age of the machine and transformed it into objects of great beauty.   
Colangelo has envisioned the Borbonese woman as rigorous and sophisticated, in search of  purity of a  style that is informed by the  modern shapes and geometry  of the contemporary spaces within the storied Maison's  headquarters.
That space, peppered  with objects and furniture, reflects the world and heritage of Borbonese and the image of a woman with a modern and sophisticated taste. A natural elegance at it's best and most luxurious.   
Colangelo's  pret-a-porter collection goes back to the roots of Borbonese style, taking the  brand DNA  and creating a total lifestyle, beginning with the rich clothing collection and revitalizing the jewelry and foulards that perfectly complement the bags, the unique driving force of the collection.    

www.borbonese.com

INTERVIEW WITH SANTONI-OWNER GIUSEPPE SANTONI

AO: Mr.Santoni, what is the inspiration of the current F/W 2011/12 collection?

GS: There are 3 distinctive themes, one of them is dedicated to the glamourous evening with precious materials such as velvet, feathers and pony fur. The day-theme gives attention to the male influences in women's shoes so we have flat shoes but also high heels that can be worn both at work and in the evening.
America and most importantly, Tennessee are the inspiration for the third theme of the collection. The image of out-door activities on and off horse is ever-present in these items that are rich in details.

AO: Mr.Santoni, how would you describe the woman who inspires your collections?

GS: Our muse is an independent woman, a trend setter with high aims who knows how to achieve her goals. She loves unique pieces and so does her companion, a decision-maker with a strong personality.
AO: Mr.Santoni, thank you very much for your time.

www.santonishoes.com

MAURO GRIFONI
The F/W 2011/12 collection was presented in the brand's cosy showroom in Via Santo Spirito. A young and very talented singer made the event even more an enjoyable happening. 
The mood of the collection can be described as easy-going with light fabrics and earthy colors, some color-spots as the red shoes on the right reminded of the IT-color of next season.

www.maurogrifoni.com







SPORTMAX STORE OPENING
The event of the store opening in Via della Spiga 30, attracted the who's who of the fashion world that populated Milan those days. The clean architecture and beautifully, on 2 floors presented collection makes this shop an enrichment for the fashion district. 

www.sportmax.it

FAY
Fay presented the F/W 11/12 collection in the striking setting of the contemporary Art museum, PAC, and led us into a world where everything is possible and dreams can come true. 
The space's walls were covered with colorful videos of surreal happenings, carousels with coats, flying buckles and much more - the perfect frame for the variety of jackets and coats which sported a trendy new look.
www.fay.it


SERGIO ROSSI
"Become your best self, but keep playing", is the dictum for the F/W 11/12 collection by creative director Francesco Russo.
And there is room to play in this current collection, Russo drew his inspiration from the Venetian Carnival masks and so the whole collection celebrates the "Commedia dell'Arte"; a theatre filled with wonderful characters whose roles are depicted by the masks they wear.
www.sergiorossi.com


PERSOL
One of the highlights of this fashion week for me was the event organized by Luxottica for Persol.
In the evening of the 24th, Persol presented the new collection Persol Roadster Edition at the Teatro Franco Parenti. Pierfrancesco Favino, a famous italian poet, recited a monologue about the emotions of speed and the racing power of the legendary Roadster vehicles. 
www.persol.com

Yesterday night, Vogue Eyewear celebrated the collaboration with pop idol Katy Perry, after her only concert in town, with an exclusive after-show party in one of Milan's funkiest clubs, the Plastic.

In her next video to the single "E.T.", Katy wears Vogue Eyewear sunglasses that are already available in all stores and have immediately become a must-have!

The fashion crowd, editors, bloggers, stylists, a lot of them wearing glasses or even sunglasses (me included) agreed on the ongoing trend and the absolute must-have status of this accessory! 

www.vogue-eyewear.com

Italian accessories designer, Alexandra de Curtis, has launched her first mainline collection of exquisitely designed handbags crafted in sumptuous leather with crocodile and python textures. This stylish and yet functional new line of handbags come in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit all occasions. From ‘shopper style’ daytime bags that will look as stylish in the office as worn with casual jeans and tees, to elegant evening clutch bags that embody the sophistication of cocktail hour and glamorous evenings out on the town. In order to meet the need of an ever changing fashion market and global economy, her designs embody a chic elegance and represent today's concept of affordable luxury - premium products at a reasonable price.

Inspired by style icons such as Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly, Jaqueline Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn, her label epitomises today's 'modern chic' woman; she is a lawyer, a manager, a mother. But most importantly, the Alexandra de Curtis woman appreciates understated luxury and uses her accessories to add a touch of subtle opulence to her outfit.
www.alexandradecurtis.com

The collaboration between Hogan and Karl Lagerfeld is without a doubt one of the most exciting bonds of the last few years.
As shown by Kiera Chaplin, the look of the collection Hogan by Karl Lagerfeld remains true to the tradition of cool easiness of the italian lifestyle brand and adapts perfectly to every day's necessities. 

For the occasion of the F/W 11/12 fashion show of Chado Ralph Rucci, Milan-based accessories designer Max Kibardin contributed a marvelous shoe collection.

Check out the whole collection:
www.style.com/fashionshows/review/F2011RTW-CHADO

Sensual and sparkling, irresistible fiery red satin sandals, an ankle band studded with 2500 red Swarovski crystals and seven hanging hearts and a characteristic sillverstardust sole; it is the latest creation by René Caovilla for Saint Valentine’s day. 
Seven hearts because seven is a magic number that reoccurs in various religions, esoterism and astrology which represents balance and perfection. 
Red satin like the passion between two lovers, this limited edition is a precious gift, a refined jewel to adorn your beloved’s feet. Only available at the René Caovilla boutiques in Milan, Rome, Venice, Paris and London.
www.renecaovilla.com

Jia Li, grew up in Yunnan, literally "South of the Clouds", which is also the most diverse province of China, biologically, culturally, and ethnically. Infuenced by the beautiful nature and the many minority groups dressed in laboriously crafted costumes with kaleidoscopic colors, embroidery and beading, Jia grew up drawing and writing Chinese Calligraphy. In 2000, Jia obtained a Master of International Business degree from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration. In 2005, she graduated from Fashion Institute of Technology in New York with Summa Cum Laude. After graduation Jia interned and worked at Anna Sui, Maggie Norris Couture, Macy's Merchandising Group, Perry Ellis International and China Ting group to learn both the contemporary and couture side of fashion business.

Seeing a void in the market, in August 2009 Jia started fashion label "Jia" to create fashion knitwear that are timeless, comfortable, and versatile. Through eclectic mix of yarn/stitches using only the finest materials and creation of discreet yet distinctive silhouettes that can be worn multiple ways, Jia's designs appeal to modern women who want a simplifed yet versatile wardrobe that is easier to dress from for work, party, socializing and traveling.
www.jiacollection.com

With the Autumn-Winter 2011/12 collection, Hogan goes through a real evolution, and anticipates a global and cosmopolitan lifestyle that joins the brand’s innovative soul with authenticity and the best know-how in the business.
The new collection is presented in a high tech setting. A futuristic museum with 3D projections that run within ethereal crystal display cases.
The contemporary design of each product is born of the fusion between the latest technology and the excellence of expert technicians who share the same virtuosity of master watchmakers.
City Tech.  A lace up with an Avant-Garde silhouette and workmanship. it is inspired by classic styles but crafted using an innovative technique known as “cucito e rigirato” (sewn and reversed), a technique where the leather that makes up the upper is lined on the reverse side then subsequently turned inside out and hammered out hiding the stitching. a clean and essential design, that is contemporary, elegant and formal is the result of this unique shoe crafting technique.

Alise Trautmane studied Law and Econocmics before following her real passion for fashion and founding her brand NARCISS about 2 years ago. 
She started out in Russia and is now present in showrooms all over the world: New York, Berlin, Paris, Moscow and London.

The ultimate aim of the brand, deriving its name from Greek mythology, is to make a woman love her reflection - be it in the mirror or in the eyes of men surrounding her. 
NARCISS stands for sophisticated glamour for women who do follow fashion trends but do not succumb to them and define their own style. 

Check out the website: 
www.narciss.lv

Anya established a company in her own name in 2007. The company trades from a studio in London and specialises in high quality leather handbags. 
The bags are all produced in London and Italy. 
The Anya Sushko brand is known for its strong silhouettes and high quality finishes. 
Anya takes her inspiration from architecture, nature, music, fashion. Her bespoke range, CHICnSHAPE, was inspired by the Art Deco period and the glamour of Hollywood in the 1920s and 30s. The Art Deco period emerged as an antidote to the austerity of World War 1 making it the perfect inspiration for a world emerging from recession. 
The collection comprises a range of handbags featuring bold geometric shapes with folds and pleats and finished with shiny silver fittings.  

The latest autumn | winter 2010 Collection which was shown at Tranoi includes a lot of luxurious skins like python and once again combination of shapes and large fittings like zips which give bags an edge.
www.anyasushko.com

Following the previous season’s trend, FAY - through an interesting project - continues to translate its brand's soul into pictures.
The terms associated with FAY are Double Life, meant as the perfect balance between business and casual - work and play - formality and informality - comfort and elegance, contained in a single word: VERSATILITY. 

Last season this duality was described in the book entitled Double Life.
This time we have chosen a photographer from the West Coast, Lisa Eisner, who is famous for her irony and her unique photographic style. 
Her goal? To portray Fay’s eclectic nature.
Lisa was helped in this task by a few friends (actors, socialites, artists), who collaborated, with great irony, in creating this portfolio. 

The results: ten photographs where pairs of people, including mothers and daughters, friends, fathers and sons, are portrayed in the wildest, most bizarre circumstances, where the only common element is a FAY garment. 

Rene Russo, Rosanna Arquette, Kelly Lynch, but even Academy Award winning Director Stephen Gaghan and artist Edward Ruscha participated in this exciting project.

London born designer, Eyola, studied Fashion Design at Central Saint Martins before completing her Masters in Fashion Communication and Styling at IED Moda Lab in Milan. 
Having interned at Alexander McQueen and Missoni, Eyola set up her own label in 2008.
Soon after, Eyola was recognised as an emerging talent by Vogue Italia’s Senior Fashion Editor, Sara Maino, who then selected her for the Vogue Talents supplement in 2009.
With a sharp focus on structure and ultra-refined silhouettes, the influence from her time at McQueen is clear. 
Eyola’s style philosophy and aesthetic is trend-averse and exclusive; interpreting the Victorian era’s opulent, frivolous and decorative style for the 21st century. 
Her collections take the form of Octettes which comprises of eight individually crafted and distinct designs; each with its own personality. 
Eyola creates one-of-a-kind pieces for ‘haute fashion’ lovers, as well as limited edition pieces to a maximum run of eight in a particular fabric or colour.
www.eyola.com

Still looking for some special Christmas gifts? 

Here's one for you, check out the HOGAN GIFT CARD! 

Available in the shops of Milan, Rome, Florence and Porto Cervo!

www.hoganworld.com

Here some more talented designers presented by The Shopping Villa. Keep an eye on these ladies!



Carola D'Alesio graduated in communication and used to work as a model for quite a long time until she figured out that what fulfilled her most was not only wearing but also creating fashion. And she does it very well as you can see on the picture on the right. And who could present them better than herself? She likes working with elastic fabrics so all her clothes are very fitted and comfortable at the same time. The fabrics of her current collection are velvet and silk.
www.villamercadante.com/EN_tsv1.htm






Sabrina Miraglia created her jewelry brand SAGOMA 6 years ago, before she used to work as a sociologist. She defines herself as a "bronze-artisan" as she uses this material a lot in her designs. What I found very particular is that she draws the inspiration for her creations from her dreams. Being friends with Carola D'Alesio they started collaborating so Sabrina often creates jewels that go with a certain look.
www.villamercadante.com/EN_tsv1.htm#1






Marinella Piccinno is a multitasking mother of 2 and only recently got into her real passion: creating clothes. Her mother used to be a dressmaker and Marinella grew up with fabrics and patterns around her but then went into Economics which at the time seemed to be more realistic than becoming a Fashion Designer. Fortunately, she has changed her mind and followed her true vocation and opened up a little atelier in Rome. Marinella doesn't follow any trends, she creates them herself in order to remain untouched by seasons passing. 
www.marinellap.it

One more time, on the 1rst of December, the VM Events staff around Simona Romagnoli organized THE perfect shopping event before Christmas in the elegant setting of Villa Mercadante in the centre of Rome. 
At that occasion many young and uprising designers were able to both present and sell their collections to an overwhelmed audience who by now looks forward to these events which become a springboard for the new talent squad in the fashion world.

Chiara Baschieri surely is one of them. Chiara is a young Roman fashion designer who, before launching her own line in 2010, worked in the design team of Blumarine. Architecture is one of her passions and the major inspiration for her designs.
www.chiarabaschieri.it


Elisabetta Cosmo started out as an architect until her passion for fashion drew her to the creation of a little laboratory where she began developing her first bags, entirely hand-made. 
She loves rich details such as precious stones and pearls and mixing materials like silk, satin, brocade and lace. 
For some time now she's been collaborating with the shoe-factory "La scarpetta di Venere" which seems to be a very promising collaboration.
www.elisabettacosmo.it


Two years ago, Alice and her brother Gianluca Vitelli decided to meet the challenge and launch their own shoe brand under the name "La Scarpetta di Venere" - a brave step considering the only rising economical crisis. 
Supported by their traditional family business which for many years has been producing footwear for third parties they went on designing and producing their shoes in the finest tradidion of "Made in Italy".
Alice who has a degree in economics and is now the creative mind of the brand, explains that she draws her inspiration from all sorts of things: colors, scents, different fabrics, leathers - but the most important thing besides beauty is, for her, comfort. The shoes of the young brand are wearable throughout the whole day - the must-have for every woman!
www.scarpettadivenere.it

Cheers for the differences. 
The long interview The Washington Post has dedicated yesterday to Franca Sozzani, Editor in Chief of Vogue Italy, it is a paean to her creed: to bear diversities in mind. Robin Givhan, Fashion Editor of the American newspaper, collected Sozzani's confessions about how has grown the idea of giving more space and support to the categories "different" from the ones that usually run the catwalks. In fact not just Vogue magazine, but also Vogue.it website, have welcomed the section Black, focused on the models but also on culture, fashion and arts coming from the black continent, the section Curvy, apology of the curved shapes and finally the Talents one, section committed with the young fashion designers, some of whom Vogue wanted for the big parade last September in Piazza Duomo in Milan. 
Franca Sozzani's choices are brave. 
She perfectly understands how giving space - or even an entire issue on July 2008 - for instance to black fashion does not mean talking just of fashion itself, but also dealing with racism, discrimination, integration.   The turnabout the most prestigious fashion monthly is experimenting is also a result of the changes Italian society is knowing in this historical moment: a growing immigration rate, but also a fatter population, have been for long issues without a voice on the dedicated magazines. It is not just a marketing strategy, it is much more: "For me, it became a commitment," Sozzani said. "I talked to these girls. I promised to take care of them".

FENDI collaborates with the architectural studio Aranda Lasch on a multimedia installation and performance at this year’s Design Miami. 
Part of a twostage project, Modern Primitives features a collection of furniture and objects that resemble over-scaled minerals, first launched at the 12th Venice Biennale of Architecture in August and culminating at Design Miami this December. 
In its debut at the Venice Architecture Biennale, the project is installed as a landscape, with the mineral furnishings dispersed loosely across the entry of the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in the Biennale Giardini, creating a garden lounge that Biennale visitors are encouraged to explore, use and enjoy throughout the exhibition. 
At Design Miami, the project develops into a collaborative performance that exposes the design process behind the furniture. The pieces initially displayed in Venice are transformed by Silvia Venturini Fendi through the application of FENDI fur and leather. During Design Miami, Aranda Lasch will work on site to construct new designs, growing the installation space itself over the course of the 5-day event, where the fair’s visitors are invited to participate in the performance by creating their own designs. 
Together, the different aspects of the installation comprise a synthesis of Aranda Lasch’s technologically informed design with FENDI’s legacy of innovative craft - an experimental exploration of the creative space shared by architecture, design and fashion. 
Furthermore, a special FENDI Peekaboo bag and Scarf featuring a pattern designed by Aranda Lasch will be presented on site. This special 2D Pattern, elaborated from the interactive application used to create the furniture pieces, will be made from a traditional handmade Japanese fabric called Washi. 
This innovative, ecologically-sound luxury fabric is made from the unique organic fiber contained in Washi – a paper-like, plant-based traditional Japanese material mixed with natural materials like silk, wool or cotton. 

Modern Primitives is a study in contrasts; it is about how simple geometric shapes combine with luxurious materials into something new, about how hard and soft materials meet. 
It is also about how different creative methods become compatible, how design is both technology and craft, computation and intuition. Ultimately it is about how architecture and fashion meet.

Bottega Veneta has opened a new store in Bangalore, India, within the luxurious UB City mall. 
The new store measures 54 square meters and offers handbags and men’s and women’s accessories and shoes. 

The store is a reflection of Bottega Veneta’s defining qualities: exceptional design, modern functionality, outstanding craftsmanship, and the use of the highest quality materials. 

Bangalore is the third largest city in India and a thriving IT and high-tech industrial center. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the southern part of the country, it is home to many well-known colleges and research institutions and is India’s fastest growing metropolis. 
UB City, located in the heart of Bangalore, is an entertainment and retail destination combining highend retail boutiques, restaurants, offices, apartments, and a hotel.

The brand of jewels and contemporary accessories has been created in 2007 by Christelle Traoré, French designer living in Berlin. 
Being divided between Paris and Berlin, the designer takes the best from the two capitals and melts it into a particular identity: parisian luxury and sophistication meets the berliner taste for diversion.
The specificity of the brand lies in its radical choice of "damaged" creations.
You will find details in the abrupt finishes, engraved metal, sewings as scars and almost raw leathers, conferring a unique character to every creation. Each item is made of noblest materials: crocodile, python for bags and other accessories, the most precious metals such as gold and platinum for jewels. 


www.zolanding.com

The brand “Alessandro Dell'Acqua" relaunches by granting new licenses to strong Italian partners such as Women's Ready-to-wear brand Mariella Burani Fashion Group, the historical shoe factory “Lario 1889”, women's and men's sports shoes company Zengarini and the upcoming Florentine company Gamma Tre for bags and leather accessories.
With the Spring/Summer 2011 collection, “Alessandro Dell'Acqua” sticks to its roots and presents its concept of a “contemporary lifestyle”.
Russia and the Far East are the focus of the brand's expansion and strategic projects for these areas are in process.
The relaunch concentrates on the revaluation and the internationalization of the brand.

FOR SPRING SUMMER 2011, KARL LAGERFELD HAS DESIGNED A CAPSULE COLLECTION FOR HOGAN. 
YESTERDAY THIS COLLECTION WAS PRESENTED DURING AN EXCEPTIONAL EVENT IN PARIS. THIS OUTSTANDING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN A MASTER OF CREATION AND HOGAN CONFERS STRONG ENERGY TO THE SEASON'S TRENDS. 

SIX PIECES: A SOPHISTICATED SNEAKER, A COWBOY BOOT, A CLUTCH BAG, A MESSENGER, A TRENCH COAT AND A JACKET. BETWEEN STRENGTH AND GENTLENESS, THE ALLURE OF THE HOGAN BY KARL LAGERFELD WOMAN ADOPTS PARACHUTE SILK, LEATHER, SUEDE AND TULLE - IN WHITE, BLACK, NAVY, CLOUD, POWDER, SAND AND SILVER. 

KARL LAGERFELD’S REVOLUTIONARY CREATIVE VISION REINTERPRETS HOGAN'S ICONIC CODES AND PRODUCTS. THE WINGS OF THE ITALIAN LOGO SPREAD OUT IN TON SUR TON TOPSTITCHING, THE INTERACTIVE SNEAKERS ARE FEMINISED BY A DOUBLE ANKLE BRACELET, THE TRENCH COAT CHANGES INTO A JUMPSUIT, THE BAGS ARE ENRICHED BY GRAPHIC ELEMENTS IN LEATHER AND SUEDE WHILE THE SHOULDER STRAP IS ADJUSTED INTO A LOOP FIRMLY HANGING FROM THE CUFF.

EXCITED BY THIS SPECIAL PROJECT, THE DESIGNER EVEN INSPIRED THE FILM DIRECTOR, AN EXTREME PERFECTIONIST.

KARL LAGERFELD WANTED TO GO ONE STEP FURTHER AND DECIDED TO STAGE THIS COLLECTION IN A SHORT-FILM ENTITLED "LA LETTRE". 
SET IN A PARISIAN URBAN SCENE, PASSION IS THE WHOLE EPICENTRE OF THE MOVIE. ALONGSIDE BAPTISTE GIABICONI, TOP MODEL MAGDALENA FRACKOWIAK ILLUSTRATES THE HOGAN BY KARL LAGERFELD WOMAN: FRANK, DARING, PROUD, IMPETUOUS. 
THE CONTEMPORARY HEROINE OF A UNIQUE AND TIMELESS LIFESTYLE.

On September 9th, the second edition of “Vogue Fashion’s Night Out”, an initiative promoted by Condé Nast and Milan municipality, took place.

The designer Anna Molinari did the honors of Blumarine, Blugirl and Miss Blumarine boutiques: among the guests, the Editor in Chief of Italian Vogue, Franca Sozzani and Milan Mayor, Letizia Moratti.

Bottega Veneta has opened a new store in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at Al Khayyat Center. 
The new store measures 100 square meters and offers handbags and men’s and women’s accessories and shoes. Among the notable design features are aerodynamically shaped, vertical window louvers of palm wood and steel; finely crafted display counters with slide-out billiard-cloth presentation pads; walls covered in ultra-suede; mohair furniture upholstery, and custom-dyed, pure New Zealand wool carpets. 
A quiet, sensuous palette of matte neutrals and earthtones underscores the privacy, sophistication, and comfort of the shopping experience.  
Jeddah is located on the Red Sea and is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia, after Riyadh. An important port city, it is also a favored tourist destination within Saudi Arabia, featuring a beautiful, 80-kilometer corniche along the Red Sea Coast. 
Al Khayyat Center, home to many luxury brand boutiques, offers some of the city’s most sophisticated shopping. Bottega Veneta is growing at a strong pace in the Middle East. The store in Jeddah is the brand’s second in Saudi Arabia and an important expansion of its presence there.

The special project HOGAN by KARL LAGERFELD will be presented during an exclusive event held in Paris on October 2nd. The Women's Spring/Summer 2011 Capsule Collection will include distinguished accessories and Ready to Wear designed by Karl Lagerfeld as well as Hogan's iconic pieces reinterpreted by his distinctive hand. Additionally, the fine artist has filmed and created a short movie which beautifully captures the Hogan Universe. 
The HOGAN by KARL LAGERFELD project is an exceptional partnership embracing the unquestionable wonder of Karl Lagerfeld and Hogan's original philosophy, an example of unique and timeless lifestyle.

The prestigious magazine is the first fashion magazine in the world to publish a cover and a special fashion story in 3D.
You’ll find enclosed in the monthly publication a pair of 3D glasses, that will allow you to see cover and fashion story Miranda, shot by Steven Meisel.
The protagonist of the 22 pages is the perfect face of Australian top model Miranda Kerr. Images will therefore acquire almost a real consistency, conveying new and spectacular emotions: readers will enjoy a unique and exclusive vision, the fruits of the innovative soul that has always distinguished Vogue Italia and its director Franca Sozzani.
Surprises carry on with a second 3D photo shoot, The Scent of the Future, shot by Tim Walker, which tells about the most interesting and recent experimentations with perfumes and essences, and about the influence the world of flowers still exerts on them. The Scent of the Future is also the title of a revolutionary 3D exhibition, a multi-sensory experience organized by Franca Sozzani and P&G Prestige at Palazzo Citterio, in via Brera 14, Milan which will take place during fashion week in September. www.vogue.it

FENDI consolidates its relationship with the world of Limited Edition Design by partnering with the New York based architectural studio Aranda\Lasch with a twostep project starting on the 26th August at Venice Biennale of Architecture and seeing its completion at Design Miami/ in December 2010. 

At the Venice Biennale of Architecture, FENDI supports the installation the architectural duo have been commissioned by the Pritzker Prize Winner and Biennale Curator Kazuyo Sejima. 
The installation, called Modern Primitives, explores technological sophistication with hand-crafted elegance. Modern Primitives is an installation composed of foam structures, derived by small primitive pieces connecting into larger ones that can be sat on, leaned against, held in one’s arms. 
This setting will describe a space of dialogue where events and conversations are conducted, recorded and broadcast. The installation site is across the entry of the Biennale and the Carlo Scarpa Sculpture Garden. The result is a multiple level installation that will find its ultimate essence and completion in the Miami part that will embody and sublimate the world of design, fashion, art and architecture.

Whoever happens to Panama City should definitely check out this new and exclusive shopping location!

The Silberberg family, re-known for their business in fashion worldwide, have 25 years experience in luxury high end stores and decided to open up their own shop in August 2009. 
"Rijoux" is located in the heart of Panama's high end shopping district of Avenue Samuel Lewis in Plaza Obarrio and has become a prime location among neighboring fashion stores.

The owner's philosophy is based on the belief that the ultimate dedication to the client and his satisfaction are the utmost priority; a credo that reflects in the exquisite personnel services that ensure an extraordinary shopping experience. 

Brands include 3.1 Phillip Lim, Blumarine, Blugirl, Carlos Miele, Miele Jeans, Dior, La Perla, Rene Caovilla and many other.
You will find everything from evening wear to lingerie, shoes, bags, and jewelry for all occasions. 

www.rijoux.com

It's an honor to introduce an extremely talented fashion designer and outstanding personality, another proof that fashion is not only about clothes but also an important communication medium. 

Tala Raassi, 27, spent most of her childhood in Iran, a place in which by Western standards the lives of women are severely limited. 
While today most women enjoy the precious right of expressing their identity and individualism through fashion, Tala received 40 lashes as her punishment for wearing a mini skirt in the privacy of a friends' home.
In many places, this simple freedom of self-expression is as distant as another world – women are forced by law to cover their bodies and clothes are simple tools to achieve that purpose. 

Fashion has always captured young Raassi’s imagination, but it is this unfortunate encounter that gave her the purpose that would later bring meaning to her designs. 
In June 2005, Raassi started her own clothing company, Tala Raassi, LLC, and launched her flagship line, Dar Be Dar – which means door-to-door in Farsi.

To Raassi, fashion equals freedom and so Dar Be Dar is more than a clothing line - she seeks to promote freedom of expression for women through sensual apparel that accentuates and celebrates the female body.

Dar Be Dar Swimwear has been chosen as official swimwear sponsor for the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant, a fabulous opportunity to promote Tala's philosophy and cherish women's freedom on a global level.

www.darbedar.net

Everything started with the dream of creating a brand that people not only enjoy wearing, but one which evokes feelings of tenderness, passion and rareness. 

Esra Bezek, the creator of "Cashmere In Love", is a graduate of the Parsons School of Design for Fashion Marketing. Prior to attending Parsons, Esra had a career in advertising and graphic design. 
In addition to her valuable course work with eminent Parsons Professors, while in New York, she worked with a number of successful brands and showrooms, including Ellen Tracey. 
When Esra’s deep interest in color and shapes found a medium in cashmere, her passion to create her own brand was the spark which led to "Cashmere In Love".
She gathered around her a team of young energetic artists who are responsible for the entire process, from initial design all the way through manufacture and sale. 

www.cashmereinlove.com

I'm very happy to introduce to you a new talent who dedicates her ideas and draws her inspiration from the most innocent and wonderful creatures in our society: the children. 

Juliana Conde, founder and designer of "Once upon a time", was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where she graduated in Pedagogy and Graphic Design.
In 2003, she moved to New York where she studied jewelry design at the FIT.
She moved to Rome in 2007 where she graduated in jewelry design at the ”Istituto Europeo di Design”.

Nowadays she lives in Italy, where she dedicates herself to designing jewelry for children.
Her designs are inspired by famous fairy tales such as Cinderella or Hänsel & Gretel. 
Have a look at her website, you will instantly feel the desire to buy a necklace or a bracelet with a lovely pendant for your daughter, niece, granddaughter...
www.onceuponatimestore.it

Bottega Veneta inaugurated a new boutique in Shanghai’s International Financial Center in Pudong. 
The store measures a spacious 345 square meters and carries a wide range of Bottega Veneta products, including handbags, luggage, women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, shoes, small leather goods, eyewear, and an assortment of items for the home.
Shanghai is the most important economic, financial, trading, and technology center in China, and also is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. 
The International Financial Center, located in the rapidly developing Pudong area, offers hotels, service apartments, offices, restaurants, and most importantly, an impressive assortment of international fashion and luxury brand stores. It is one of the landmark shopping destinations in the city.

Emerging ECO label “Ivana Basilotta” was founded in 2009 and is entirely dedicated to the best in Eco-sustainable contemporary high fashion. 
Designed with an Eco-conscious approach, Ivana Basilotta uses the best and most innovative in organic, eco, biodegradable, peace silk/ vegetarian silk and recycled fabrics. The collaboration with local artisans, small manufacturers and suppliers is an important part of Ivana's concept. 
Italian by nationality, born and educated in Germany, Ivana Basilotta is based in London, Notting Hill. 
Not only a designer, Ivana has been dedicated to her spiritual study since 2000 with the guidance of some of the world’s renowned spiritual teachers. 
Ivana spent a great deal of her time in silence and on meditation retreat in India and Italy.  
At the end of 2008 Ivana chose to establish her Eco designer label, embracing the world through different eyes.  Ivana supports several charities and is also a teacher of meditation.
www.ivanabasilotta.co.uk

That is an event after my fancy: 

Up and coming fashion designer Christina Crawford gathered some fellow designers and creative talents and lines them up from June 26th until July 3rd in a temporary store in a location in the heart of Milan, in prestigious Via Dante Quattordici. 

An event will take place on Saturday, 26th of June, in order to inaugurate this outstanding initiative so in case you want to pass by send a mail to ccrawfordx@gmail.com.

The temporary store will be open all week from 10 to 19.30.

HOGAN
presented the Spring/Summer 2011 Men's Collection on June 21rst in the Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea, PAC, in Milan.
The focus of the collection centered on essential accessories and ready to wear- functional and versatile- distinguished for their laid back elegance and contemporary design, while keeping unique details of great personality. 
The pieces stood out by the use of ultra-light and innovative materials of extraordinary quality.The key piece is the jacket CITY RUSH that you can see on the right.This is Hogan's masterpiece- with its distinctive logo on the collar, it is proposed in a new button-fastening version. Standing out with essential lines and strong and steady cuts, City Rush is realized in different ultra-light fabrics: from delavé nylon and stone washed cotton to the innovative reflex material in optical white. The distinctive marks of the jacket are its double collar with border and logo.

MISSONI
chose the marvelous location of the "Vivaio Riva" in Via Arena 7 for the presentation of its S/S Menswear collection. The mood of the collection was distinguished by a patchwork of color shades and textures that evoked visual and tactile experiences of different cultures that meet in a metropolitan context. Orange, acid green, turquoise, blue, lemon yellow, grass green, black or brown underline the classic neutrality of beige or sand for a collection which draws its inspiration from one's leisure time. And you can breath this mood in every single outfit which is composed by different layers that invite to compose and decompose your dress according to your current humor. 

FAY
Fay's S/S 2011 Menswear collection is dedicated to the travelers, explores and reporters among us. Men who don't think twice about taking off to foreign lands and who need practical, wearable garments with a lightweight, functional look. Their perfect travel companions are made of cotton in natural, dusty colors. 
The SPEEDRACER is the key piece of the collection and is inspired by the world of bikers. It is a young and aggressive garment, designed for the "high speeds" of daily living. The design is sober, highlighted by stitchings that contrast the large pockets with firm and decisive cuts.

Vassilisa is a luxury fashion label named after a well-known and much-loved fairytale heroine, Vassilisa The Beautiful. 
And there could be no better name indeed, considering the marvelous gowns that seem to arise from some other time and place. 
The basic mood is inspired by Russian aesthetics, myth, history, art and aristocratic tradition.

Designer Nadja Solovieva successfully graduated from St.Martin's College of Art in London and after training at major fashion houses such as Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen she set up her own brand in 2008.
Her Russian roots are plain to see in her exquisite designs; she also draws her inspriration from the profound research in history and nature.

The current Autumn/Winter collection focuses on romantic dressing sporting a mix between modernity, Nadja's Russian homeland and British romanticism.

Also note Vassilisa's trademark, the custom-made prints, which can be seen in the current collection and in the elegant scarves.

www.vassilisa.com

Bottega Veneta opened up a new boutique in Chengdu’s Maison Mode department store. 
The boutique measures a total of 186 square meters and carries Bottega Veneta handbags, luggage, men’s ready-to-wear, men’s shoes, small leather goods, eyewear and an assortment of gift items.
Every element of the boutique interior, from the walnut tables and handcrafted vitrines to the door handles sheathed in leather, has been custom-made. 
Among the notable design features are aerodynamically shaped, vertical window louvers of palm wood and steel, finely crafted display counters with slide-out billiard-cloth presentation pads, walls covered with ultra-suede, mohair furniture upholstery, and custom-dyed, pure New Zealand wool carpets. A quiet, sensuous palette of matte neutrals and earth tones further enhances the privacy, sophistication, and ease of the shopping experience. 
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is an important economic, transportation, and communications center in Western China. 
Maison Mode is one of the most prestigious retailers in China, offering an impressive assortment of international fashion and luxury brands. 
It is the premier shopping destination in this fascinating city.
www.bottegaveneta.com

Nowadays women want it all and fight to get it: 
eternal youth, a family and last but not least a career. Fashion provides the perfect equipment to help and make the ultimate appearance but how choose the right outfit for determinate business environments?
Check out RoQua, a brand created in 2007 by Myriam Chebance and specialized in producing fabulous business and evening wear for self-confident women.
RoQua wants to clothe the working woman twenty-for-seven and offers 3 different lines going from classic to trendy and romantic. 
The brand stands for straightforwardness and versatility, characteristics which are plain in the clothes that can be combined among each other. 
The collections are made in Germany and are available online and in the recently openend store in Munich.

www.roqua.com

Some days ago I read an article about how uniqueness becomes ever more important in all aspects of modern life.
Fast fashion surrounds us and takes over every corner of the major cities. The desire to break out of mainstream and find unique and personalized pieces grows stronger and stronger.

So here is a wonderful suggestion for all those who are longing for one more special item in their wardrobe: the exclusive clutches by Japanese brand Chako.

Chako was launched in 2003 by the mother and daughter team, Fusako Nakanishi and Kazumi Lomri.   
It all began one summer when Kazumi asked her crafty mother to make a handbag out of an obi that she found in an antique market in Tokyo. The outcome was stunning so the pair went on to transform the traditional kimono & obi into handbags made for the modern day woman. 
The symbolism of each intricate silk fabric inspires the unique design of each one-of-a-kind clutch bags. Chako preserves the gorgeous vintage obi & kimono fabric by giving it a new modern life.

www.chakotokyo.com

Multiple lives within a single life: this is the reality for both men and women today. Parents, professionals, athletes, social activists: Yet individuals who remain unchanged in all aspects of their existence.
This double life is what the creative philosophy of Fay is based on, and “double life”, an elegant coffee table book edited by Martina Mondadori, illustrates the various facets of these existences.
A collection of black & white shots of celebrities from all eras narrate contrasting moments of their lives: women like Carla Bruni (top model and premiere dame), Grace Kelly (princess and actress), Angelina Jolie (splendid celebrity and goodwill ambassador), Madonna (chameleonic artist and adoptive mother), but also men like Steve McQueen (loving father and indomitable sex symbol) and many others.
The book, published by Mondadori Electa, is the perfect emblem for fay’s philosophy and its iconic garments. On the one hand ever-active men and women who inately understand how to enjoy the best life has to offer; on the other, authentic, versatile, perfect fashion to dress their “double Lives”.
On the right from above: Charlize Theron and Jack Nicholson

This concept of versatility is also supported by Fay's eclectic collection which provides clothes that can be used, with few modifications (such as adding a pair of high heels in the evening), at every occasion. It is a collection dedicated both to professional and private life; every item is neither too casual nor too elegant but the essence of both - that's what creative director Giles Deacon calls "glamorous practicality". Also note the keylook of the Spring/Summer collection 2010 which represents perfectly the "2 in one" philosophy of the Fay collection by Giles Deacon.

Reed Krakoff is an American designer with a design career that has spanned over 20 years. Krakoff recently struck out on his own to create the Reed Krakoff Collection.  

The collection, which bares Krakoff’s personal design aesthetic and philosophy, embodies the spirit of New American luxury and will debut in the fall of 2010 with a full line of women’s ready-to-wear and accessories. 

Krakoff entered the fashion world from the ground up, first joining the ranks at Anne Klein and soon catapulting into top positions with other prominent design houses, including five years at Ralph Lauren and 13 years as Executive Creative Director at Coach. 

Krakoff has garnered the respect of his industry and peers and has received countless professional accolades to match. In 2007, Krakoff was elected vice president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), an institution that has been extremely supportive of his work.  In 2001, the CFDA bestowed Krakoff with a distinct honor: Accessories Designer of the Year for his work at Coach. In 2004, the CFDA once again awarded this distinction. 

Most recently, Krakoff has added photographer to his resume and his work has been shown in exhibits in New York City and Tokyo and featured in magazines such as Elle Décor, Town & Country, and Interview.
He has also published several books of his photography, including Claude & Francois-Xavier Lalanne, Fighter: The Ultimate Fighters of the UFC, and the forthcoming Mattia Bonetti. 
Krakoff is a consummate patron and supporter of the arts and is closely involved with the Cooper Hewitt Museum and the Whitney Museum. 

In addition to serving on the board at Parsons School of Design, he is a mentor for the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund.

www.reedkrakoff.com

Have a look at my new service dedicated to the brides among us! I will take you shopping in selected stores and showrooms in order to find your perfect dress and also care for your wedding reception.

Bottega Veneta inaugurated a new store in Singapore at ION Orchard in April, 2010. The 279-square-meter store offers an extensive range of Bottega Veneta product, including women’s ready-to-wear, handbags, luggage, jewelry, shoes, small leather goods, gifts, home accessories, and eyewear. Every element of the boutique interior, from the handcrafted vitrines to the door handles sheathed in leather, showcases Bottega Veneta’s dedication to artistry and excellence. Notable design features include aerodynamically-shaped, vertical window louvers of palm wood and steel; finely crafted display counters; walls covered with ultra-suede; mohair furniture upholstery; and custom-dyed, pure New Zealand wool carpets. Muted, matte neutrals and earth tones comprise the understated palette. ION Orchard is located at the gateway to Orchard Road, Singapore’s central shopping and entertainment artery. The distinctive retail destination features more than 300 stores offering a broad spectrum of fashion, food, and lifestyle shopping on eight floors.

The event SHOPPING VILLA at the Villa Mercadante near the wonderful Villa Borghese in Rome on April 21rst was the place to be in the capital on that day.
Simona Romagnoli and her staff set up a perfectly organized happening that left nothing to be desired.
They created an elegant and at the same time cosy atmosphere by bringing together different creatives from various fields: kids and women's fashion, design, multicultural handiwork, accessories, art, confectionery, jewelry, vine and flowers.
There was something for every taste and this well measured mixture generated a creative pool where ideas and thoughts could be exchanged and projects could be envisaged.
And obviously the shopping experience was unique, being able to get to know the most different brands and their products.

Among them there was ALESSANDRA LIBONATI with her jewelry collection. She aims at making women's dreams come true by creating jewels that stand out with their unique style strictly related to italian art, fashion and design.
She likes to work with different materials, such as metals like silver and bronze which she combines with gemstones that transform them into truly luxurious objects of desire. The three current collections "Resort", "Natural" and "Glamour" reflect the leading moodinspired by the flora and fauna of her mediterranean home.
www.artesgioielli.it

The coat on the right is part of the collection presented by argentinian brand MANTO.
Clara de La Torre and Diana Dai Chee Chaug are the designers of the brand. Its name stems from the Quechua culture term ANAQMANTA, which means "from the sky, from above"; word still heard in Andean towns that enjoy textile art as a means of work and permanence in their identity memory.
The coats are unique pieces, handwoven by argentinian weavers, they are multi-colored and can be closed with a metal brooch that is perfectly in sync with the ethnic design of the coats but can also be used at various other occasions. www.mantoabrigos.com.ar

Underneath you can see a painting by KATHARINA BLANKE, a german artist with base in Berlin.Several paintings were arranged in the entrance hall of the palace where the event took place. The images represent luxurious and exuberant dresses on a white background. They stood there like independent scaffolds referring to architectural fashion or textile sculptures that welcomed the visitors to that extraordinary event. The artist personifies the dress and makes it stand out like an object by itself with its own identity and far from the concept of wearability. www.katharinablanke.net

The brand MONSIEUR CUCU presented its kids and women's fashion collection. The focus laid on the kids collection which was all about playful designs that really were out of the ordinary. The determinant elements that make this brand stand out among others are the high quality fabrics, the profound research and accurate care for details and the combination between contemporary design and italian handiwork. The clothes have their own strong identity and looking at the lovely pictures of the mini-models they are also fun to wear. Seen the success of the kids collection, the designer Alessandra Saccani also introduced a line dedicated to the moms of the "Monsieur Cucù" kids, and well she did. The clothes are simple and pure at first sight and reveal their elaborated structures only by wearing them.
www.monsieurcucu.it

You've always longed for a Kelly Bag or a suitcase from Louis Vuitton? It's no longer a dream, at least if you're satisfied with the pastry version of the dreamed of accessories.As that's what you get at SWEETY ROME.
They prepare all sorts of pastry, cakes, cupcakes, biscuits in every taste and of every shape you can imagine. You can order pastries for every thinkable occasion, I was explained that for a photo shooting with a fashion magazine they prepared something like 500 cupcakes in just as many flavors and colors in order to decorate the gown of a mannequin. And they do not only look gorgeous, their taste is divine and worth a sin once in a while!
www.sweetyrome.it

Simona Romagnoli had told me beforehand of a designer who creates her bags out of garbage bags. I admit I was quite skeptical of what that could be and did not know what to expect. Eventually, I was very surprised that the bags were actually very wearable, they are of various colors (who would have thought that you can have a purple garbage bag - how chic!) and different shapes.
The designer of JETABLE who is a very friendly and open minded lady explained to me how she got into creating bags in such an exceptional manner. She told me upfront that one night when she couldn't sleep she questioned herself if it was possible to make a bag out of a bin liner, got up instantly in the middle of the night and made the first try. And seen the surprising success she decided to go on - that's what I call entrepreneurship!

“New culture” takes place in the exclusive lounge of Villa Mercadante.
After the great success of Shopping Party Roma, Villa Mercadante transforms once again into a unique venue for the most exclusive event of the capital, “The Shopping Villa”.
Save the date for Simona Romagnoli’s exclusive lounge “The Shopping Villa” Wednesday April 21st 2010, where you will be able to relax and enjoy the latest fashion trends and niche products, “world fusion” designs, photo shoot, live fashion performances and artistic installations.
The rooms which have hosted different “takes” from the famous television series “Romanzo Criminale” and the most chic parties in Rome, are ready to fully astonish and blossom with new events in spring. They will host a selected group of designers from around the world united by their shared passion: working traditionally, creating handmade pieces using quality materials and inspired by unique and original styles.
If you are looking for a unique necklace, original apparel, intriguing designs or a work of art, this is the event you can’t miss.
www.villamercadante.com

Fendi and Design Miami/ present the new project Design Vertigo, on the occasion of the Salone del Mobile, from the 14th to the 18th of April, hosted in the Spazio Fendi in Via Sciesa, 3.
The joint partnership between FENDI and Design Miami/ represents a shared and common vision that both parties are keen to expand upon: explore how people interact with design and take craftsmanship to a further level with a look always
towards experimentation and innovation, continuing to support young talents.
FENDI is solidifying its reputation as a strong supporter of culture, pushing the boundaries and encouraging the cross-pollinating of different creative fields outside fashion, to show designers in a different context.
To celebrate the collaboration with Design Miami/, Silvia Venturini Fendi has created a Selleria Collectors' Edition Shopping Bag dedicated to Design Vertigo.
The Design Vertigo Shopping Bag, in 100 pieces limited edition, is made of linen with the distinctive Selleria handles in Roman leather.
With Design Vertigo, Fendi renews its support to creativity without boundaries and defines again the concept of "Fatto a Mano", offering a multi-sensory experience that will encourage new visions and perspectives.

In mid march Hogan and Karl Lagerfeld announced a unique collaboration with a special project for the Spring/Summer Collection 2011.
This exceptional partnership is bound to be a success, embracing Karl Lagerfeld's outstanding creative talents and Hogan's innovative, urban-chic yet timeless lifestyle.

In January 2010 Bottega Veneta opened up a new department store in Nanjing.
The boutique features the brand's signature store concept, designed by Creative Director Tomas Maier, and reflects its defining qualities: exceptional design, modern functionality, outstanding craftsmanship, and use of the highest quality materials.
The store offers a broad range of Bottega Venetaproducts, including handbags, luggage, fashion jewelry, shoes, small leather goods, eyewear, and home accessories, in an inviting, sensually engaging environment.
The intention is to provide a distinctive and private shopping experience for the customer, one that reflects the Bottega Veneta tradition.
The guiding inspiration for the store is thesame as it is for the brand: to design and create contemporary, timeless, and beautiful objects.
www.bottegaveneta.com

Ayala Raiter is a canadian jewelry designer who got in touch with me a few months ago, sending me some pictures of her work.
And well she did as I instantly loved her creations.
She describes her works as a mirror of herself and her passions, one of them being art, and tries to convey each of her artworks the feeling to be tailor- made for every wearer.
The pieces are delicate and strong at the same time, they come to life and are transformed into very personal items that express the respective woman's uniqueness.
The use of gemstones in different colors which are the heart of these particular necklaces, in combination with other materials makes them light as a breath of fresh air.
Ayala's motto is to create unique items, there will never be one necklace that looks like the other.
So every customer can be sure to be wearing a necklace that's one of a kind.
Have a look at her website:
www.ayalaraiter.com

With the current S/S collection Moschino aimed at reinterpreting the past by revisiting its iconic pieces such as the suit with pearl trim, the biker jacket with coloured pins and the women's trench coat among others.
The italian theme is very strong in this collection, you can see it in the shapes, the colours; every outfit breathes the mediterranean mood.
The general spirit is expressed by strong colours (cherry prints), embroidery (in coral and turquoise) and traditional decorative trimmings.
Traditional elements meet a sexy allure in a very delicate combination softening the bodies outline into a feminine silhouette.







As ever, accessories are the key pieces of the collection, completing the outfit to its very best, adding that special touch that unmistakably distinguishes Moschino and makes the brand stand out among all the others as a brand that combines quality, comfort, creativity and lots of fun!
www.moschino.com

FAY
presented its Fall/Winter collection in their Milan base in Via Savona, creating an easy atelier environment with a laid back atmosphere.
There was a very british flavor to everything.
Giles Deacon, creative director of the maison, has gone back to the roots by confering the collection an english country style touch.
Some jackets looked rather masculine at first sight but after a further glance one could see that the strict cut, heavy fabrics and details like pockets (inspired by military uniforms) were softened and merged into a feminine silhouette by adding puff sleeves and velvet trimmings on collar and cuffs.
The key piece of the collection is the jacket "Jasmine", dedicated to this collection's godmother and supermodel Yasmin Le Bon who attended the presentation with her daughter Amber.
My personal favorite that you can seen below, was a poncho-like jacket made of a heavy wool fabric combined with other materials like fur around the hood and quilted patches on the elbow.
Fay is always good for a surprise and it has been made clear with this collection. They showed that beside being a company with a very classic background, they are open to the future and new experiments in order to satisfy the modern woman's needs.

MAX KIBARDIN
presented its new collection in Via Sant'Andrea in what resembled to an art gallery ambiance.
A part of the collection was exposed in niches in the wall surrounded by golden frames giving them the look of precious paintings.
And pieces of art were the shoes and bags shown at this presentation.
Inspired by the movie “La notte” by Michelangelo Antonioni and its Jazz spirit Max Kibardin created shoes and bags as objects of desire, using the color palette of the film, black and white and adding gold, beige/nude and puce-powder. The collection reflects the atmosphere of a jazz club with its innate glamour by the use of different materials such as satin, feathers, leather.
Jewelry applications like on the bootie below add to the nightlife feeling just as the golden sandals that seem to be made for dancing the night away...


FURLA
When looking at the new F/W collection one could immediately sense some old school spirit about it.
The elegant and feminine silhouettes from once upon a time were put into a new light in order to serve the daily worldly woman who likes to explore her environment, in sync with past, present and future.
Here again the use of different materials merges into one and the same spirit - the exploration of limits, the play with different weights seem to be the Leitthema of the current collections.


SERGIO ROSSI
presents a collection more sensual than ever.
The transformation of the showroom for the event
with rooms draped in midnight blue evoke the feeling of attending some kind of spiritual session...
The pieces are exposed each one on a basement for itself, like a very precious jewel.
The use of tribal elements like the cuffs hugging the ankle, peacock feathers, micro fringes and fetish shapes display the spirit of the collection: seductive and powerful items made for strong women who like everything but understatement, they like to attract everybody's eyes, and that's one thing that happens for sure with Sergio Rossi's shoes and bags. 


POLLINI
The credo of this collection is "more is less".
As times before in these days I noticed the striking
mix of different materials. Light/heavy, shiny/matt, strict/playful - those were the contrasts I spotted and that I really liked but at the same time I found it confusing sometimes (not only at this exact occasion but at all the others I had attended) and a reflection of the current mood in peoples minds.
A traditional coat of a traditional winter fabric with vinyl inserts caught my eye, just as, as a contrast to it, the dress of a lace-like material. Matt meets shiny, traditional fabrics combined with to synthetics; interesting contrasts that enlighten the whole collection.

TOD'S
for me is the best organized Italian fashion company, beside deserving respect for its unique backbone, something many companies are lacking in these days.
The brand not only stands for extraordinary quality but also for constant innovation, always searching new ways for creation.
Today the presentation of the new Fall/Winter collection took place in the marvelous Villa Necchi in Via Mozart.
The location was enchanting as the interior of the mansion perfectly harmonized with the colors and the style of the presentation.
It almost seemed that they were made one for the other!
The collection was composed of some well-known classics, such as the loafers, that had been revisited and put into a new light and some new items that will surely make their way into the "best of" list of the brand.
The iconic D-Bag, the brand's ever-present IT-Bag, made of bucked crocodile leather, has been re-interpreted in a very light and stylish way.
A new bag that certainly has icon-potential is the one sported by lovely Marua Hassan. It has been presented for the first time during this fashion week and I'm sure it will be one of the must-haves of the next winter season!
One can choose between different materials, leather, bucked crocodile leather or other, it has the perfect shopper size and is wonderfully light.
What more to say than that it has been an amazing presentation!





CASADEI
put its focus on the use of different materials.
The collection, sexy as usual, has been subdivided in different themes such as 70ies, jewelry applications, lace, leo prints among others.
I loved the peeptoes with the jewelry and sequin applications, innocent though very seductive at the same time.
The key piece of this collection for me is the heel with the applied lace, the material underneath being nude colored, gives the heel an extraordinary lightness and subtleness.

The Women's Fashion Weeks twice a year, just as the Men's, are an occasion that I just cannot miss. An entire week full of shows, presentations and events all around Italian brands, the long waited for happening to show the outcome of months of hard creative work.
Unfortunately it is regularly restrained to a couple of days where the fashion crowd rushes from one event to the other, often lacking time and patience to really discover new trends and especially younger designers.
It's a real pity that the Italian Fashion system does not show its own identity, depending too much on “very important persons's” opinions. But so much to my general view.

HOGAN
presented their new collection, as several times before, in the Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea (PAC).
You could instantly see that something was different this time. Whereas in the past all the collections had a very stylish but sporty touch this one is purely sexy, tough and practical at the same time.
The military theme is clear to be seen and the all-time bootie has been re-elaborated to a totally city-fit item, perfect for every occasion.

ERMANNO SCERVINO
I didn't really know what to expect of the presentation of Ermanno Scervino. I loved all their accessories in the past and was very curious to see what they had come up with this time.
The event took place in Palazzo Litta - I was absolutely stunned at the sight of a construction that had been built up in the centre of the courtyard. People entered one by one through a revolving door and were led inside into what felt like a spaceship. The models's masks also recalled that feeling. As to me, the videos that ran on the walls did not have much to do with the rest, but I liked a lot the concept of the ever-present future itself.
I loved the clothes very much, the focus laid on the downjackets that were shown in very feminin and strong combinations as you see below. Waist and shoulders are ever more present in this fashion moment and will apparently last for another while - thumbs up!

One of the most extraordinary accessories designers that I had the chance to get to know in the last few years is Alexa Wagner.
Beside being a wonderful person she knows better than many others what most women really want of their shoes and bags: style and personality!

In February 2004, Alexa started her own business launching the zero edition of Alexa Wagner shoes in Paris and Milan.
The success was immediate and no surprise for me!
In the last years Alexa specialized in working with crocodile leather and is currently developing new treatments on this material.

Recently, she designed a bag collection where every single item can be created according to the client's wishes - “made to measure”.
Every client can choose the color of her personalized bag and on the inside it is possible to have one's initials attached at a chain.

Alexa Wagner's shoes and bags are made of the finest and most luxurious materials and every detail is being cared of.
The cost is not minimal but how can you estimate the satisfaction of getting the best service possible and accessories that are made to last for a very long time? I think you can't.
www.alexawagner.com

For some people it's a day like any other, for some it is the most special day in the year where to reveal all your feelings to your partner.
In my opinion, every day should be a little Valentine's Day where to show how much you care...
Still, it can be one of the days where you would want to dedicate something special to your loved one and lack of inspiration.
Here's an idea for you: have a look at the marvellous combination of necklace and earrings by the German jewellery brand immerdein.

immerdein is composed by two young ladies, Saskia Noël and Sogol Shirazi, who created their own company in June 2006 and opened up their shop in Karlsruhe in January 2007.

You can purchase their jewellery in the store or online on their website www.immerdein.de!

At the end of January I attended the opening of the Roy Lichtenstein exhibition at the famous “Triennale” museum in Milan. Being a longtime fan of Lichtenstein's art I was amazed to see that among the typical Pop-Art pieces known to all of us, a range of works were shown that accounted for the extraordinary width of the artist's work.

Borbonese, an italian fashion house with a long tradition in producing accessories and jewels, known for its passion for art and culture, for the occasion of the brand's centennial this year generated a fascinating collaboration with the Fondazione Lichtenstein and created a small collection of bags inspired by Lichtenstein's artworks that was added to the exhibition.
I strongly recommend to go and visit the exhibition and admire both Lichtenstein's works and the bags which are part of a limited edition available in selected stores around the globe.

Check out the small evening-version of the iconic “Luna”-Bag, first created in the 70ies in order to commemorate the landing of the first man on the moon and one of the all-time classics that have been re-interpreted in this Spring/Summer collection.
They are available in different sizes and materials, easily adaptable for every occasion and very very comfortable for every woman who needs a versatile companion for her job, travels and shopping tours. www.borbonese.com

My love story with Pollini began a few years ago with the purchase of my first shopper!
I walked in, saw the bag and knew we were meant to be together – soft dark brown leather, classic though very up-to-date at the same time, the perfect shopper-size. Definitely a bag to carry around all day long and for a very long time!
And it still is my everyday-favourite!

Pollini rises in 1953, starting out with the production of traditional artisan's craftwork such as leather goods and footwear. In the 70ies the company gets into fashion and starts showing its collections twice a year on the international carpet and starts to open up boutiques all over the world.

Nowadays Pollini is one of the “big names” in fashion – in 2008 two young designers took over the creative direction of the maison.
Jonathan Saunders is in charge of the ready-to-wear collections and Nicholas Kirkwood takes care of the accessories department, leading the style direction for the shoe- and bag collections.

The current Autumn/Winter collection stands out for its traditional shapes, the quality of the used materials and the innovative details.
Have a look at the gorgeous ankle-booties in soft black leather, perfect for every occasion! I also love the gloves in green, perforated leather, which will spice up every outfit!
www.pollini.com

We've just entered a new year full of expectations and challenges to come!
As mentioned in the beginning, one important goal of this blog also is to become a platform for young and famous-to-be designers. That also includes introducing events and stores representing them.
One of the stores that I discovered lately is PARK, in the 7th district of Vienna, a district becoming more and more the lifestyle-centre of the city.
The idea of the shopowners, Markus Strasser and Helmut Ruthner, was to support young and talented designers to break through and to show their collections to a broad audience.
The interaction between fashion (Ann Demeulemeester, Raf Simons and Martin Margiela among many others), streetwear, vintage, design, furniture, books and magazines generates the perfect environnement for innovation.
PARK is path-breaking, merging different concepts and creating an atmosphere where everybody, from the experienced design-consumer to the new generation of eclectic customers, can feel at ease!
www.park.co.at

Check out my new service dedicated to the Winter Sales in Milan and Vienna!
I will take you shopping around the best stores, help you choose and make you save time and money!

First of all - HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Let’s get started into a fabulous 2010 with ever more enthusiasm and curiosity!

I spent my New Years Eve in one of the most thrilling cities: Istanbul!
Fascinating, mysterious, rough and soft, bitter and sweet:
The city on the Bosphorus crosses borders (in every possible sense), merges contrasts (Asia and Europe, Past and Present, Tradition and Modernity), enfolds you in a tight embrace and takes you away on a trip between Thousand and One Nights and the contemporary modern life.

Here just some of the favourites of my trip!

Fashion is a very significant matter in this uprising city, besides the very European shopping streets with the most expensive designer stores, there are areas concentrated on upcoming creatives.
Next to the Galata Tower you can find some very interesting designer shops where young turkish fashion designers expose their collections.
One of them, Bahar Korcan, has her own store and I was instantly fascinated by her beautiful and visionary clothes, precious materials and imaginative cuts. Not far from there my turkish friends led me to another fashion store, Doors, which is definitly worth a visit.
I loved the concept of fashion (and not only) shops with integrated cafés and art galeries - the perfect environnement for inspiring get-togethers.

Also Food is a very important part of the Turkish culture and I loved getting to know the various dishes stopping at every corner and trying out either Kumpir- a potato filled with butter and cheese or with whatever else you like, I went for the all inclusive- , Simit - a pretzel like bread with sesame seeds - or Sütlac - a milk rice dessert. Everything always accompanied by a cup of wonderful Turkish tea, Cay. The place I liked the most and where we went to twice in a row is ARA, a restaurant in the crowded Taksim district. It is inspired by the famous turkish photographer Ara Güler and you can see his artworks everywhere around the homely space.

Istanbul is old and young at the same time, takes the best out of the past and transfers it into a ever changing present and an expectant and thrilling future!

One of this Autumn/ Winter season’s most ongoing trends is surely the one inspired by the 80ies: dark glamour with a punch of sophistication.

For his current collection, Giuseppe Zanotti took his inspiration among other from the music of the legendary Uriah Heep and songs like “Lady in black” and “Wizard” to create the more punk style models. Mozart and “The Magic Flute” was his muse for the more elegant models.

Let’s forget about feather boas and leo leggings and take back the best that extraordinary decade had to offer: strong statements above all in the women’s fashion (and not only) world.

Take a look at the black suede bootie, it might seem difficult to walk in it but trust me, it is not.
I tried them on and felt ready to conquer the city!
And usually I'm not the queen of high heels or wedges although I love them! The clutch beneath is the perfect match, also in black suede and with golden clips!
www.giuseppe-zanotti-design.com

Christmas is at the door!

And for all those who still need an idea for a special present, here’s an elegant suggestion!

Culti has been known for over 20 years as the leader in creating exclusive home collections which include furniture, fashion, fragrances, candles. Alessandro Agrati, founder and creative director of the maison, has now conceived the new home perfume collection “Magnum”, a perfect Christmas gift that will scent every environment for many months (4000 ml). Some time ago I bought a home fragrance for myself and it instantly valorised the whole appartment. Therefore I often choose it as a gift which is always highly appreciated.
I also recommend the new candle collection “Infinito” - the outstanding quality of the employed materials and the extraordinary craftsmanship of the vase (glass with silver decorations) make them an exclusive present for every occasion.
www.culti.it

In September I was strolling down Landstrasse Haupstrasse in Vienna and decided to go and explore the small side streets. That’s where I came across the shop of the fashion label LINIERT. The coats exposed in the shop window instantly caught my eye and I wanted to get to know more about them and the brand itself. As I’m always searching for interesting inputs and upcoming labels I contacted Ivon Gasque, fashion designer and one of the founders of LINIERT (Christian Kollarovits, an architect, is her co-partner) and she explained me their brand concept which consists in creating clothes with a “personality” of their own, using unusual materials and finely conceived styles.
You can see that very well in the coats that struck me at first - go and have a look at it or contact me and I will get you there!
Check out www.liniert.info

In November and December the exclusive “Shopping Gallery” of 10 Corso Como hosts Roger Vivier’s legendary “Salle d’Argent”, a Parisian salon where 10 of Monsieur Viviers collages are exposed.
I went to the presentation of the new collection “Playing hearts” on November 26th and was fascinated by the elegant interior of the “Salle d’Argent”, the walls painted in a soft rose or covered with silver leaves.
Besides, one could admire all-time classics such as the iconic “Metro” bag, the “Belle Vivier” pumps and other bags, shoes and sunglasses (you have to check out the shades, they are just fabulous!).
Roger Vivier is always good for a surprise so if you get the chance I recommend you to stop by or give me a ring and I’ll be there with you!

Since the first time I got to know Max Kibardins accessories over 2 years ago, I fell for them and he was meant to become one of my favourite up-coming designers.
Max Kibardin studied architecture in Moscow - his keen sense of structure and design can be seen in all in his creations.
After a brief spell in Paris, he moved to Milan and started designing his own collections in 2004. In 2006 he entered for the “Who’s on next” competition organized by Alta Roma and Italian Vogue and reached the final three in the “Women’s shoe design” category.
He also collaborated with Furla, creating a shoe collection as an outcome of the “Furla Talent Hub” - a wonderful and important initiative started by Giovanna Furlanetto in order to promote new young talents.
Italy has many young and talented designers who unfortunately are rarely given the chance to make their way and create their own brand; it would be refreshing to see more designers like Max Kibardin who bring a breeze of fresh “style” air in the sometimes rigid fashion system.
My favourites of this Autumn/Winter season are the black sparkling lace up shoes which add a glamorous touch to your everyday styling (combined with a pair of dark jeans) as well as to your evening outfit (combined with a dress, a waist-skirt or a cool lady suit). Also have a look at the marvellous bag that goes with the shoes!!
www.maxkibardin.com

When Fashion meets Art, the outcome of such collaboration is bound to be extraordinary and pathbreaking. Hogan invests lots of time, research and dedication into new projects whose proceeds benefit non-profit organizations such as BEST BUDDIES and NOMADIC DIVISION in 2009.
In June 2009 Hogan presented at PAC, the Padiglione d’Arte Contemporanea in Milan, the Olympia 3000 - the Spring/Summer edition of the urban style sneaker. For this occasion, Hogan invited the muralists TATS CRU from New York City and asked them to spray-paint the sneakers with the city as its theme and HOGAN as its hero - the project ARTRIBE was born! During the event, the muralists created their artworks "live" while people watching them - it was great to experience the immediate fusion of fashion and art!

From the 10th until the 20th of December 2009, HOGAN will auction on eBAY 10 pairs in white leather of the Olympia ARTRIBE.
Don’t miss the opportunity to get hold of these unique collectibles!!

This project mirrors the young, dynamic and transversal spirit of the brand which is continuously searching for new endeavours, trying to go beyond limits pushing forward into the future!

All proceeds will benefit DOCVA, a non-profit organisation for the promotion and diffusion of contemporary Italian and international artistic research.
Check out www.hoganworld.com and www.docva.org !

On November 5th, Fay presented in its Milan boutique in Via della Spiga, every football/ and sportsfan's new must have-item: the Grand Stadium Jacket. It debutted first in 1990 and has now been reinterpreted reassuring maximum comfort and a tailored form which makes it the perfect item not only for sportive events but also for everyday life. A new jacket has also been launched: MY Stadium, which can be personalized with the colours of your favourite football team, a dream come true for every fashion-conscious sportsfan. You can buy both jackets in all Fay and DEV stores and in retail shops. Check out the new website: www.fay.it

During a recent visit at the Roger Vivier Shop in Via Sant’Andrea in Milan I came across some items that are supposed to become this winter (and not only) must haves. I’ve been adoring Roger Vivier accessories for ever: the brands’ elegant and at the same time very modern touch confers every single item a contemporary identity of its own. Trying on my favourite shoes, the "Belle de Nuit" in black varnish with the typical Roger Vivier buckle, I truly felt like walking on a soft cushion. They are easily adaptable to every occasion and are a precious addition for each wardrobe. Check also out the pink satin-clutch "Drape" on the photo, it will add that special something to your outfit and will be the star of your every move.www.rogervivier.com