Haute World

Wild Swans (London, UK)

2011-10-23T19:59:00.002+01:00

First off, apologies for the long hiatus from Haute World. A combination of my recent trip to Chicago and NYC, as well as a new day job have kept me from posting as frequently as I would have liked and I'm afraid future updates will most likely be sporadic as well. If you do want to catch up with my travels and window shopping adventures, I would suggest also following me on Twitter and/or Instagram, where I still plan to post more regular updates on anything interesting I may find.

One treasure I still really want to share with you all is a boutique I visited right before I left for the States. Thanks to the lovely Dena who organized the event, a few of us got a chance to browse the beautiful Wild Swans (located in Islington) one evening, while sipping champagne and munching some very decadent cupcakes. Founded by Caroline van Luthje, who opened the first Wild Swans store in Chiswick five years ago, the aim was to give shoppers the opportunity to source some of the best Scandinavian brands - something she had missed since moving from her native Denmark to the British capital.

The boutique reflects the calm softness Scandinavian fashion is usually associated with and everything you find here will have been carefully handpicked and lovingly displayed. Brands stocked range from the more famous offerings such as By Malene Birger and Jofama to more independent designers, including Hanne Bloch and Rabens Saloner. As winter is approaching, the racks were appropriately filled with comfy soft knits and leather jackets. Like most of the girls present, I fell in love with a very flattering pair of leather leggings and a few delicate blouses. Just as tempting: the suede ankle boots, chunky scarves and contemporary jewelry from labels such as Bjorg.

As the images will hopefully convey, you'll immediately feel right at home once you enter the boutique space. Being a bit of a fan of unique decor, I appreciated the glass jewelry case, vintage suitcases and storage cabinets to name a few. And if that's not enough - the spacious changing rooms and friendly staff are sure to make you feel like you never want to leave.

Any Londoners or future visitors should definitely drop by, especially if you're looking for a more unique investment piece, rather than yet another throwaway item from the high street. Pricing is fair for what you get and if you're lucky (or time it right), you'll be able to snag something during a sale. If you're not in London - the good news is that a large majority of the items can be purchased via the Wild Swans online store, so head on over if you need to stock up on your winter wardrobe.

All images taken by Dena and yours truly.

Address: 54 Cross St, London N1 2BA
Opening Hrs: Mon-Sat: 10:00-19:00, Sun: 12:00-17:00
Wild Swans Homepage & Online-Shop

Chanel at Harrods (London, UK)

2011-09-26T19:15:00.000+01:00

Anyone who's spent the last two weeks in London, might have caught the Chanel takeover at Harrods, which saw the luxury label occupy the department store's front facing windows, as well as over 20,000 sq ft of retail space. If you missed the extravaganza, fear not, because I'm finally posting a recap of this installation here.

Part of the Chanel windows at Harrods.

The first part of the collaboration consisted of some very elaborate windows, which brought Chanel's FW11/12 collection to life. The forest fairytale theme came complete with an army of woodland animals (all taxidermy and thus very real) and iconic Chanel bling housed in smaller display units. All of this would have probably been best viewed at night, but hopefully you'll get the idea from the images below.

A small selection of the Chanel windows. All animals featured in the windows died of natural causes.

The fun continued inside, where parts of the ground floor were transformed into a Chanel pop-up boutique, where the magical forest theme continued. In addition to the regular treasures, such as the 2.55 bags, perfumes and jewelry, shoppers also had a chance to buy exclusive cosmetic items and the special edition green shopping bag.

Mannequins in the magical forest (left) and some very coveted trinkets (right).

The second part of the pop-up focused on bags and perfume.

The iconic lion's head adorned all the walls (left) and the famous Harrods bag interpreted by Chanel (right).

The most impressive part of the event however, was the third-floor installation Une Promenade - "a contemporary excursion into the enchanted world of Chanel". Like Alice stepping through the looking glass, visitors could explore the universe of Coco and Karl in an almost surreal setting.

Passing through a curtain of giant pearl strands, I found myself in a camellia garden adorned with various Chanel items, including rubber wellies near the grass and high-end jewelry in glass cases.

The next room saw me literally step into a 2.55 bag, where the walls were lined with supple red leather and a wall of videos showed each step of the creative process involved in crafting the purses.

By contrast, the children's bedroom was whimsical and bright, filled with toys that included the famed Harrods teddy bear - decked out in Chanel of course.

The adjoining Haute Couture room was a reconstruction of Coco's apartment on 31 rue Cambon and came complete with giant dress boxes, mirrored walls and mannequins wearing the exquisite gowns.

Entering the world of Karl Lagerfeld, I was greeted by his Studio 7L (which is also a book store in Paris)... and a cut-out Karl.

For a dose of pop-art, the next space dedicated to the iconic No.5 perfume included art work and a giant bottle with an interior screen displaying some of the more memorable TV commercials.

Ever thought the 2.55 bag could be a tad bigger? The next installation featured a larger-than-life quilted bag, embellished with famous Chanel symbols and a jacket to match.

Finally, the tweed room was dedicated to Chanel's jacket fabric of choice, which lined the walls and floor of the area. The wall art featured chalk sketches of the current jacket models.

While the Chanel special is no longer on, you can of course still shop the luxury label at Harrods and various other stores around the world. But the question remains... what will they do with the giant quilted bag and all the cute Chanel dolls? I'll have to find out...

Louis Vuitton's Balloons & Dunes (London, UK)

2011-09-12T19:07:00.002+01:00

I first noticed these Louis Vuitton windows during the recent FNO in London and as always - despite my ambivalent feelings towards the brand - instantly fell in love with the assortment of hot air balloons on display. Combined with the sand dunes and classic monogram trunks, the very enviable mannequins seem to be embarking on an exotic journey. If only I could travel like this...

Note how some balloons are toting bags - very cute.

Mini trunks / beauty cases.

Overview of all the windows - featuring more balloons on the second floor.

For more window shopping, you can now also follow Haute World on Twitter!

Rakel Hafberg (Reykjavik, Iceland)

2011-08-31T16:27:00.000+01:00

A few months ago during my Reykjavik trip, I came across a store window that displayed some of the most intriguing exotic leather accessories. I couldn't quite figure out what I was looking at - it definitely wasn't crocodile, ostrich or snakeskin. And the pattern of the material was rather unique as well. Would you be able to guess what the collars and cuffs (below) are made of?

A selection from the current lookbook (source: Rakel Hafberg).

Upon entering the boutique and on closer inspection, I had a sneaking suspicion, which was confirmed by the helpful shop owner who turned out to be the actual designer, Rakel Hafberg: Most of the bags and jewelry are in fact made of chicken leather. And if you thought the cuffs, collars, belts and capes had a unique shape, that's because these items in particular are actually made from the skin of chicken feet. Rakel explained that the idea actually came from her husband, and while she wasn't initially sure about using this particular leather, it seemed like a good option considering chicken skin ends up as discarded waste material. After experimenting with the production, she was pleased enough to use the chicken leather as the main material for most of her accessories, which also include beautiful tote bags.

Bags, jewelry and headpieces - all made of chicken leather.

Intricate collars and chokers made of chicken feet leather.

Most people (including myself) may have considered chicken skin a wonderful thing when served crispy along with its meat on a dinner plate - but the idea of toting it around as an accessory may sound a little creepy. Rakel herself admitted to me that chicken feet leather in particular might not appeal to most... initially. I for one never thought it would be something I'd want to wrap around my neck. Yet surprisingly the pieces bear only a mild resemblance to the original source and everything is beautifully crafted. The bags look like regular exotic skin material with a soft and supple finishing that features a striking design of diagonal panels. Best of all, being deemed as waste, chicken leather is a lot more sustainable than other materials out there.

An entire shelf filled with pieces made of chicken feet leather.

For the squeamish, there's also a range of hairbands made of feathers.

More accessories, along with colorful paintings which are available for sale.

If chicken leather still doesn't strike your fancy, there's plenty more to choose from. Rakel's boutique is a treasure trove of other gems that includes clothing and a large range of other jewelry items. With a colorful backdrop provided by the floral wallpaper, most pieces are either displayed along the walls like pieces of art (along with actual paintings that are for sale) or neatly arranged on shelves. Other favorites included laser-cut butterfly necklaces and beaded baubles made of hand painted tagua nuts. While chicken leather could once again be found on hairbands, there were also a few feathered varieties to choose from.

Some of the clothing on display.

Overview of the quaint boutique and the changing room.

More 'traditional' jewelry made of tagua nuts and laser-cut leather.

I have to admit that I was so distracted by the wonders of chicken leather, I hardly paid attention to the clothing. I remembered seeing a few silk tops and gorgeous slouchy jackets, all of which complemented the statement accessories perfectly. Because Rakel herself oversees the small boutique, you do get a sense that everything is handpicked and individual. The setting is intimate and immediately welcoming. If you ever find yourself in Reykjavik, definitely drop by if you get the chance. A select range can also be purchased online and for any other info, you can always check out Rakel Hafberg's Facebook page or send her an email.

More cuffs, chokers and belts - some also made with fur.

Cute chicken leather clutches and more beaded jewelry.

Another look at some of the items on display, including more handbags and simple slouchy clothes.

Address: Laugavegur 37, 101 Reykjavik

Opening Hrs: Mon-Fri: 10:00-18:00, Sat: 11:00-16:00

Rakel Hafberg Homepage & Online-Shop

The Kooples (Paris, France)

2011-08-14T19:31:00.001+01:00

If you've visited Paris in the last few years - or London in more recent months - chances are you'll have seen quite a few boutiques belonging to The Kooples. And even if you missed them, you've probably seen the fairly prominent ad campaign featuring real life couples, posing in very chic clothes. The Kooples (a spin on how 'couples' is pronounced in French), is a bit of a phenomenon that started in Paris and is currently sweeping the UK. The label was founded by the Elisha brothers (Alexander, Laurent and Raphael), who are also responsible for the successful Comptoir des Cotonniers - a brand known for highlighting a different relationship: their ads feature real life mothers and daughters.

Real life couples posing for the FW10 campaign.

The current SS11 ad campaign.

The Kooples concept is based on the idea that people in relationships frequently borrow each other's clothes. And since it's usually the women who steal their boyfriends' shirts, blazers or accessories, it's not surprising that the majority of the collection is slightly more masculine and androgynous than girly. While I was initially told that the clothes were 'unisex', there are two distinct collections for men and women which are meant to complement each other. The line focuses on perfectly tailored clothes with a rock vibe. Most of the buttons, embroidery or jewelry feature the signature skull logo, which give classic blazers and military coats a bit of an edge.

Overview of a typical boutique (top). His & hers blazers featuring a skull emblem (bottom).

Items on display range from basic to feminine and lacy.

The first time I entered one of the Parisian boutiques, I was instantly addicted. I'll start off by mentioning that the prices aren't the lowest, but the quality and tailoring of the garments are superior to what you'll find in most high street stores. The monochromatic color scheme of the shops is identical in each location, and decor is kept to a minimum. The only notable elements are the campaign posters on the walls and a classic couch near the changing rooms. The staff is generally quite knowledgeable and if you end up in one of the new London flagships, you'll note that most of them are French as well.

The signature skull logo on a cardigan (left), and on bow ties & cuff links (right).

Some of the best pieces include blazers, such as the velvet version (left) or the light summer one (right).

It's worth mentioning that the accessories and shoes are just as coveted. Usually adorned with mini skulls, they're a good alternative if you're not in the market for another blazer. Delicate lace and silks are often used for dresses, skirts and shorts, and provide a more feminine style if you're worried about looking too much like your other half. This is probably the kind of label hipsters will flock to, but thankfully the selection is versatile enough to be combined with anything you might already have in your closet.

Another look for the gents (left).

Shorts, shorts and more shorts.

If you're in the UK and Ireland, the good news is that The Kooples are rapidly expanding, but I'm guessing that other countries will follow soon. In Paris, there are several boutiques in every arrondissement, so you'll be spoiled for choice. If you're in France or Great Britain though, you can always take advantage of the very tempting online store - filled with items that are very hard to resist.

Changing rooms (left) and a skull buckle belt (right).

More beautiful lace.

Address: various locations throughout France, UK & Ireland.
Opening Hrs: Mon: 11:00-19:00, Tue-Fri: 10:30-19:30, Sat: 10:30-20:00
The Kooples Homepage France / Great Britain

Assouline at Liberty (London, UK)

2011-07-27T21:15:00.004+01:00

For many people, browsing old-fashioned bookstores or libraries and flicking through various printed publications is a favorite pastime. There's just something magical about spending time among shelves filled with written works. Even in the age of the Kindle or other e-readers, the trusty hardcover still holds its own - and there's nothing quite as coveted as the books brought to us by Assouline.

Overview of the Literary Lounge (top, source: Liberty). A wonderful selection of books in every corner (bottom).

Those who love fashion, art, design or travel may already own at least one publication by Assouline, but if you're not familiar with the publishing house, here's a quick summary: Founded in 1994 by Prosper and Martine Assouline in Paris, the company (which has since moved its HQ to NYC) is responsible for some of the most collectible luxury books dedicated to a variety of topics ranging from architecture to gastronomy. The fashion industry in particular has had a long love affair with Assouline, who have released books on Dior, Chanel and Pierre Cardin to name a few. Filled with beautiful photography/illustrations and luxuriously bound, these volumes go beyond your average coffee table books and are actual works of art.

Both vintage and new books were on display, accompanied by unique antiques and art.

The Assouline retail spaces are just as beautiful and I still have fond memories of the Parisian boutique, where one could spend several hours just browsing books while lounging in the seating area. Thankfully, London now has its own Assouline haven, housed in Liberty London's Literary Lounge on the ground floor. Over 1000 square feet large, this is Assouline's first flagship in the UK and the ultimate place to go if you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of photography, art or design. Like other Assouline spaces, this one has a huge selection of both new and vintage books. Yet what really makes the store special are the hand-selected antiques, which grace various shelves and tables, while the plush calligraphy carpet provides a very fitting center piece.

Paperweights, stationary and a MCM trunk (left). A magnifying glass helps you browse without having to bend down (right).

From rock to chic: skull stationary and Chanel books.

The Asian inspired corner filled with more vintage books and antique decorations.

Aside from some very tempting titles, such as the American Fashion Cookbook, Windows of Bergdorf Goodman or American Fashion Travel, you'll have a hard time tearing yourself away from some of the gift items. These included everything from stationary and candles, to the very indulgent special-edition Goyard trunk - filled with over a hundred books to kick-start your very own collection.

Tea for two or more (left) and the very extravagant Goyard trunk filled with books (right).

Another view of the main book shelf.

African inspired art (left) and a couple of antique bookends (right).

If you're ever in the area, you should definitely drop by and the good news is that Assouline also has boutiques in NYC, Las Vegas, California, Istanbul and Mexico City... in addition to the Paris location and various global retail partners. If you need an immediate fix though, there's no better place to go than the official online store. But be warned, you may soon end up with your very own Assouline library at home...

More literary delights and a very lovely white portable book case.

Survival Kits (left), satin wrapped and bound editions (center) and a quick look at African Cities (right).

Address: Liberty London, Great Marlborough Street, London W1B 5AH
Opening Hrs: Mon-Sat: 10:00-21:00, Sun: 12:00-18:00
Assouline Homepage & Online-Shop

For more boutique hopping, you can now also follow Haute World on Twitter!

Window Shopping at Prada (London, UK / Paris, France)

2011-07-19T19:27:00.003+01:00

This is just a quick post, but hopefully it should provide enough eye candy to brighten your day. And one can rarely go wrong when it comes to Prada. Whenever I pass the brand's flagship on Bond Street, I always find myself snapping a photo or two, so I thought I'd share some of the images I've taken so far.

Sporty chic during SS10.

Staying cool in minimalist white (SS11).

Beautiful display featuring a few bags and the baroque sunglasses.

Traveling in style.

Going bold red in the most recent display.

Strangely, I always failed to do the same in Paris, where the boutique windows were always dominated by an army of mannequins. Many people I know find them creepy - and the fun usually continues inside...

Taken in SS11, Prada Paris. The New York and Milan boutiques feature even more mannequins.

It seems to be a Prada thing to apply so much of the visual merchandising within the retail space as well - something you usually only see in department stores. What are your thoughts: the more the merrier or mannequin overload?

For more window shopping and boutique hopping, you can now also find me on Twitter.

The Hummingbird Bakery - Spitalfields (London, UK)

2011-07-13T19:05:00.002+01:00

As some of you may or may not know, I have a very sweet tooth which is why now and again, I like to feature some tasty treats on this blog. Few people can argue that cupcakes aren't just delicious, but as pretty to look at as a pair of shoes. So when I got the chance to view the newly opened Hummingbird Bakery in Spitalfields, I knew I was in for something special. Those of you who live in the UK may already be familiar with the bakery, which opened its first branch seven years ago in Notting Hill. As London's answer to NYC's Magnolia Bakery, The Hummingbird Bakery was the first to offer Londoners real fresh cupcakes - moist and fluffy with a buttercream icing - in addition to decadent layer cakes and genuine American pies.

Mouthwatering goodies: seasonal cupcakes with handmade decorations (left) and some of the classic varieties, including Red Velvet and the Black Bottom Cupcake with a dark chocolate sponge, cheesecake center and cream cheese frosting.

The concept proved a success. Not only did The Hummingbird Bakery start expanding the business, making the new Spitalfields location its fourth (with other branches in South Kensington and Soho), but you can now also indulge in whoopie pies, brownies, a variety of special edition cupcakes and hot or cold beverages while you're there.

Overview of the Spitalfields branch.

The seating area (left) and some very cool cupcake art (right).

The non-cupcake selection includes brownies, pies, layer cakes, cheesecakes and whoopie pies. Drooling yet?

Of course the baked delights are only part of the charm. If you've never set foot in one of the stores, I can tell you (as will these images) that the decor is just as enticing. Kept in the signature pink and brown, the sleek space in Spitalfields immediately felt welcoming once I entered. I was greeted with a seating area near the entrance, where the walls were lined with bright Warhol inspired cupcake pop-art. An abundance of cakes, pies and of course cupcakes were on display. These included classic favorites such as the Red Velvet, Vanilla or Chocolate varieties, many of which are also available gluten free. In addition, I spied a large range of colorful seasonal cupcakes which almost looked too pretty to eat. What's more, if you have a special occasion coming up, Cakes by Consultation allows you to order something bespoke to mark that important day.

View of the space overlooking the seating area.

A peek at the large kitchen, where the scrumptious cakes are baked daily throughout the day.

The very chic Cakes by Consultation area.

A quick tour of the kitchen revealed that all goods are freshly baked on site each day throughout the day. Though I wonder how the bakers manage to restrain themselves from gorging on cakes all the time - I know I would have a hard time resisting. The good news is that you can also recreating some of the yummy delights at home thanks to the bestselling cookbooks The Hummingbird Bakery and Cake Days, which can be purchased either in-store or online (the latter is also available as an iPhone app).

Drool-worthy reading material: The Hummingbird Bakery cookbooks.

The new East London space is conveniently located close to Liverpool Street and Shoreditch so if you're in the area or near any other Hummingbird Bakery location, definitely drop by for a visit, as these are some of the best cakes and cupcakes I've tasted. If you're stuck at work, fear not... you can even order online (London only). Supposedly other branches - even outside the UK - will be opened in the future. So keep an eye out and your fingers crossed, that a store will be heading your way soon.

The cash desk adorned with cute pop-art business cards.

The very tempting window display.

Address: 11 Frying Pan Alley, London E1 7HS
Opening Hrs: Mon-Fri: 8:30-18:30, Sat-Sun: 11:00-18:00
The Hummingbird Bakery Homepage & Online-Shop

All non-watermarked images © Benjamin C. M. Backhouse.

Yohji Yamamoto at the V&A - Exhibition (London, UK)

2011-07-07T17:11:00.005+01:00

When Yohji Yamamoto mania first hit London a few months ago, I posted about two of the installations hosted by The Wapping Project (Yohji's Women and Yohji Making Waves), which you can read about here. The main event however was the actual Yohji Yamamoto exhibition at the V&A - and if you're a Londoner or a London tourist who hasn't seen it yet, I'd strongly urge you to go, as it closes this week. Like most exhibits I've visited at the V&A so far (including the Grace Kelly showcase), the main presentation was confined to a relatively small area in Room 38. On display were over 60 of Yamamoto's pieces along with a multimedia timeline, revealing the designer's wider creative output. Unlike most exhibitions however, the pieces weren't grouped chronologically, as Yamamoto often cited his works as being timeless rather than seasonal. While some mannequins were arranged in groups, these clusters acted as subtle pointers to a certain theme, such as layering or androgyny to name a few.

But the biggest difference about the exhibit is probably the fact that visitors were invited to walk among the designs and could freely touch or examine the garments, which weren't hidden behind glass panels or barriers. It made sense considering Yamamoto's love of textures, fabrics and volume - and it definitely added to the appreciation of his techniques.

A few Yohji pieces on display in the main exhibition space (left) and the multimedia timeline along the wall (right).

While Room 38 featured the bulk of the collection, the beauty of this exhibition was the addition of various satellite spaces, which showcased Yamamoto's work among V&A's permanent displays. In a way, this presentation almost proved to be more interesting given the surroundings and the way the clothing's textures and silhouettes mirrored the various tapestries, paintings or other works of art.

Though I did manage to snap a photo of every piece on display, I'll only post a selection here. The exhibition ends this Sunday, but if you don't get a chance to go, I'd highly recommend picking up this companion book.

Main Exhibition Space

Fine examples of pleating and other small details, such as button embroidery or exposed seams. Far left: Navy pleated skirt & integrated blue shirt, SS03. Far right: Black halter-neck with pleat detail SS05.

Long turquoise dress with open back and netting, FW96/97.

A few menswear looks - from left: Tartan shirt with integrated scarf-wrap, FW07/08; Coat with embroidered stars, FW06/07; Red dress coat, FW07/08 and Inside Out long jacket with embroidered back, FW09/10.

Left: Jacket, top and rotating polka dot skirt, FW07/08. Right: Checkered strapless top & skirt with crinoline, SS99.

From left: Deconstructed punk-inspired coat with zips, cropped top and cropped trousers, SS94; Long dress with top made of triangular patches gathered by metal chains, SS04; Cage corset, oversized jacket with kimono sleeves & long skirt, FW06/07.

From left: Pin-striped sleeveless suit jacket with unfinished seams, beaded date-jime kimono belt & blue yuzen-dyed skirt with floral print, SS02; Kimono-style draped dress with shibori-dyed detail, SS95; Asymmetric dress with yuzen-dyed multi-colored motifs, SS02.

Left: Yellow strapless silk dress & oversized coolie hat covered with draped silk, SS97. Right: White shirt-dress with long train & broderie anglaise ruffle detail at the back, SS07.

From left: Floral green, blue & orange velvet suit, black shirt with integrated bow, FW03/04; Multi-color printed suit, SS11; Floral pattern suit with metal flower brooches, FW98/99; Green coat with knitted front panel & 3/4-length trousers with purple piping, FW07/08.

From top left: Dress with structured cubic top & arm details, FW90/91; Asymmetric felt dress with crinoline, FW90/91; Sleeveless pleated dress in homage to Madame Grès, SS05; Boiled wool jacket with gathered front & long skirt, FW09/10; Tartan fringed jacket & hound's tooth check fringed skirt, FW03/04; Long-sleeved jumper & knitted skirt, FW98/99.

From left: Long asymmetric shirt-dress, SS05; Long zipped dress with open back & embroidered pattern cutting details, SS00; Satin suit with suspenders, SS99.

Left center: Ruffled cape & dress with crinoline in homage to Cristóbal Balenciaga, SS99. In the background: Tweed jacket & skirt with gathered waist, SS08/09; Hound's tooth check jacket with puffed lower sleeves & long skirt in homage to Dior. Right: Wool jumper over gray layered dress with exaggerated hip crinoline & toque hat, SS99.

Satellite Spaces

In the Hinze Sculpture Gallery: Jacket with quilting, FW09/10; Jacket with white embroidery, SS09; Suit jacket with lace back, SS09. Lower right: Overview of the space with all three jackets.

In the Norfolk House Music Room: Dress with open back & black skirt & dress with high collar, both FW96/97.

In the Paintings Gallery: Long sleeveless dress in homage to Pina Bausch, SS92.

In the Tapestry Gallery: Two long red coats with netting, long black gathered dresses with front pockets & black mesh tops; Black buttoned coat with netting. All from FW95/96.

In the British Galleries Landing: A selection of white shirts, dark suits & black dresses/skirts, all impeccably tailored for the woman, yet androgynous in shape (ranging from SS98 - SS05).

In the Ceramics Gallery: Coat, scarf & jumper with manga characters and trousers, FW07/08; Utility jacket & trousers, FW03/04; Screen-printed shirt & blue denim with white painted stripe, SS02.

Louis Vuitton's Zebra Madness (London, UK)

2011-06-30T23:57:00.003+01:00

Back in January, I briefly featured the Louis Vuitton windows of the Paris flagship, which showed two very active zebras having fun with a few of the company's signature handbags. A few days ago, passing London's Bond Street boutique, I had a sense of déjà vu when I sighted not just two, but six life-sized zebras in total. And that's not counting the army of mini zebras in the smaller windows.

I've always wondered how certain flagships of larger brands share their props. Chanel has identical windows throughout the world during the same time frame, but the likes of Lanvin and now Louis Vuitton seem to have touring visual merchandise. In which case, if you have a Vuitton boutique in your neck of the woods, watch out - the zebras may be stopping by in the near future (if they haven't already).

The three zebras in the first section of windows. Note that the mannequin has a matching outfit - very appropriate.

The herd of mini zebras in the mid-section, surrounding a necklace.

A zebra and his scarves. The second storey shows the rest of the display.

A zebra on the second floor, dangling a purse.

The final zebra performs an impressive balancing act (again, continued on the second floor).

The entire display in the second section of windows.

The two smaller windows around the corner, featuring more mini zebras - and bags.

Liz Black (London, UK)

2011-06-25T12:37:00.001+01:00

During a press day a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of checking out the collection of recent Central Saint Martins graduate Liz Black. Though I was unfamiliar with Black's collection at first, the structural, eye-catching pieces instantly had my full attention - and I had to agree with the showroom assistants who were certain that she would be the next big designer to emerge from the London fashion scene.

Lady Gaga in a Liz Black Circle Bow Dress.

Only a week or so later, Lady Gaga exited a London hotel, wearing one of Black's designs, so I guess we weren't that far off. And while the Circle Bow Dress is one of the most iconic pieces you'll find in the collection, the majority of what I saw was very wearable - even if you don't have Gaga's flair for drama.

Runway looks from Liz Black's degree collection for Central Saint Martins, 'Arty Society'.

A circle jacket from the 'Arty Society' collection.

Simple in the front, funky at the back - the structural mini dress featuring a Pollock inspired print and cut-out at the back.

Much of Liz Black's AW11/12 'Concentric Thoughts' range builds on her degree collection titled 'Arty Society', which featured geometric and circular shapes inspired by the orphist artist Sonia Delaunay and vivid prints à la Jackson Pollock. While it's best to let the clothing do the talking, I found the following press release description to be quite accurate: "The Liz Black label reflects conceptual creativity and a focus on wearable statement pieces with timeless appeal; a minimalist and elegant aesthetic with an emphasis on structural shapes; impeccably tailored and chic pieces that complement the feminine silhouette for the modern fashionista."

A closer look at the Circle Bow Dress as worn by Lady Gaga. The bow cut-out detail at the collar provides a cute accent.

Simple tailored chic. A modern alternative to the classic blazer.

Cut-out detail top and mini skirt with circular panels.

If you favor the Japanese or Belgian designers (especially Margiela) - and even the simplicity of Celine or Jil Sander, chances are you'll love most of what Liz Black has to offer. The wearer of her clothes is described as being both a daring yet elegant dresser, and while I may not be bold enough to run around in a circular jumpsuit anytime soon, I can definitely see myself in the structural dresses or the tailored coats. The quality was impressive and the attention to detail made every piece unique - whether it was the cut-outs, the sheer elements or the color blocked sleeves.

Another sleek dress - this one comes with a sheer back.

Long shirt with a sheer sleeve.

Structural long sleeved dress.

Printed trousers with panel details at the knee.

Though I'm not aware of any stockists at the moment, I'm certain Liz Black's pieces will be picked up by the more prestigious boutiques and department stores in the near future. For now, if you're interested in any of the pieces, I suggest you head to the official website where you'll find contact details for sales or other enquiries.

A selection of looks from the AW11/12 'Concentric Thoughts' collection.

History of Contemporary Fashion Exhibition: 1990-2010 (Paris, France)

2011-06-18T11:23:00.001+01:00

As some may remember, a while ago I blogged about the first part of the History of Contemporary Fashion Exhibition (aka 'Histoire idéale de la mode contemporaine'), which covered the 70s and 80s. Hosted by the 'Musée des Arts Décoratifs', the showcase featured the more iconic styles of eras long forgotten by some. The second part of this installation, which was presented this Spring, might be a little closer to heart for most though, considering the pieces presented, stem from very recent history. Curated once again by Olivier Saillard, the journey through the 90s and 2000s took a look at key designers who revolutionized the fashion world and runway shows with their unique voice, whether it was the Japanese heavyweights Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo - or subsequently the Belgian designers who followed in their footsteps: Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester or Veronique Branquinho. Then there were the newcomers such as Alexander McQueen or Hussein Chalayan, not to mention the designers who gave established fashion houses a breath of fresh air: Galliano for Dior, Ford for Gucci, Lagerfeld for Chanel, Elbaz for Lanvin and Ghesquière for Balenciaga.

The key look from the exhibition poster: Maison Martin Margiela blazer.

As with all exhibitions, it was impossible for the curator to feature every designer from recent history. So while some may question the lack of American talent (with the exception of Tom Ford) or omissions which included Jil Sander, who ruled 90s minimalism, - or fellow female creatives such as Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo to name a few - it was definitely still a very well laid-out and expansive presentation. At times it was a bit odd to see pieces, which had so recently graced the runway or appeared in boutique windows, displayed in a museum setting. But if anything, it's a nice reminder that even collections of the recent past, already deserve a place in fashion history.

Apologies if some of the images aren't of the best quality. The lighting wasn't ideal for photography.

Maison Martin Margiela

Veronique Branquinho

Ann Demeulemeester

Dries van Noten

Junya Watanabe / Issey Miyake

Comme des Garçons

Yohji Yamamoto

Azzedine Alaïa

Helmut Lang

Prada

Lanvin par Claude Montana

Hussein Chalayan

Alexander McQueen

A dress from SS04, which was almost impossible to capture.

Christian Dior par John Galliano

Click here to see the rest of the exhibit, which includes Vivienne Westwood, Chanel, Lanvin, Balenciaga and more.

Christian Dior par John Galliano / John Galliano

Viktor & Rolf

Vivienne Westwood

Gucci par Tom Ford / Dolce & Gabbana

The Dolce & Gabbana metal corset (center) was specially made for the exhibition.

Jean-Paul Gaultier

Christian Lacroix

Chanel par Karl Lagerfeld

Lanvin par Alber Elbaz

Balenciaga par Nicolas Ghesquière

Unfortunately the exhibition is no longer running, but for those interested, I would highly recommend picking up Saillard's accompanying book available here.

Kronkron (Reykjavik, Iceland)

2011-06-12T19:35:00.002+01:00

I've been meaning to write more about my Icelandic fashion adventures for a while, but somehow got caught up with everything that's been going on in London at the moment. Nevertheless I really want to share a few more cool labels from Reykjavik with you, and unlike the one boutique I already posted about here, the rest of them stray far from the traditional classic designs you often see in most stores around Europe. In fact, if you ever wondered why the likes of Björk seemed a little over the top with regard to their fashion tastes, browsing the local boutiques in the Icelandic capital will make you understand that perhaps they're merely representing local style.

Overview of the store from the entrance (left). A few cute tees on the wall (right).

Kron is a brand that isn't all that uncommon among those who seek individual style. Already available in hip boutiques like London's b Store, the Reykjavik label first started out in 2000 as a small shoe shop that sold a variety of brands including its own products. Borrowing their name from the main Reykjavik supermarket that shut its doors in 1990, the idea behind Kron was to create the city's one-stop place for fashionable footwear. The success of Kron lead to the opening of a second store 'Kronkron' in 2004 which also stocked clothing and a range of accessories in addition to shoes - from the likes of big designers such as Sonia Rykiel and Vivienne Westwood to smaller labels such as KTZ and Wood Wood. The biggest draw however is the house label Kron by Kronkron (confused yet?), which started out as a shoe brand in 1998 and has evolved into a company that designs everything from cute dresses to colorful tights.

A very tempting shoe shelf near the entrance (left) and racks of colorful clothes towards the wall (right).

A closer look at the shoes, which feature cute bows and a chunky heel.

The two people behind both the boutiques and the unique collection of shoes are Hugrún Árnadóttir and Magni Þorsteinsson, who graduated as fashion designer and hair stylist respectively. The fun and colorful shoes are mirrored in the store concept, which according to its owners resembles a confectionery shop, filled with goodies you crave. Upon entering Kronkron, that's definitely the impression you get and that's mostly due to the incredible selection of Kron shoes. For anyone who's unfamiliar with the brand, it's probably best to take a look at some of the photos, though if pressed to find a description, I'd say the shoes portray the ultimate foot candy: fun, colorful, funky, girly and highly addictive - minus the evil calories of course.

Body suits and shorts suspended from giant hangers.

The area near the pillars: feminine dresses and more accessories...

...and shoes of course.

And like little gems, the shoes were displayed on various shelves near the entrance. I can't recall how many styles there were, because I was dazzled by the variety of colors and materials. Trying to distract myself - no easy feat - I decided to take a look at the clothing first and spotted a few familiar brands such as Marc by Marc Jacobs or Acne. Kron's own clothing designs hung near the windows and included adorable dresses with Peter Pan collars and cinched waists that had a distinct retro quality. More dresses were displayed near a large pillar, while other items were suspended from giant faux clothes hangers. I had a quick look at more garments on the racks, but kept returning to look at the shoes or the abundance of accessories on display.

Not just shoes... some of Kron's dresses (left) and tights (right).

More socks and shoes by the window.

For the gents: Boots and brogues.

I should probably also mention that menswear was stocked as well and the selection was fantastic. I was particularly envious of the men's brogues, but considering the ladies have a larger selection of Kron shoes, I can't really complain. Ah yes, the shoes. When I finally did make it to the actual shoe section, I didn't know where to begin. I'll be the first to admit that overly colorful cutesy shoes aren't necessarily my style, but some of the laced ankle boots and wedge sandals did seem to call my name. All designs are conceived in Reykjavik by Árnadóttir/Þorsteinsson and handmade by artisans in Elda, Spain. So while the kooky creations may distract from the workmanship behind these designs, the high-end materials (leather, brushed leather, suede, patent and net) and intricate details will soon make you realize that these beauties are on par, if not superior to some of the luxury goods out there. There were even a few rubber wellies nearby and a stack of CDs, but you'll most likely want to focus on the current season footwear - or better yet, the previous season selection which was on sale. And if you want to take it up a notch, fun socks and tights were available too.

The main shoe area.

An impressive range from the Kron collection... sigh.

And these lovelies were on sale. A shame they weren't in my size.

The great news is that while Kronkron is best viewed in person, the company also has a pretty good online store, which stocks the majority of the labels they sell - but more importantly also offers the Kron line (shoes, clothing and tights). So if you want to inject a bit of fun and whimsy into your wardrobe, yet don't plan on heading to Reykjavik soon, an online browse is highly recommended.

A must in Reykjavik - wellies (left) and some local music (right).

The entrance area as seen from the back (left) and some wall art I spied on my way out (right).

Address: Laugavegi 63B, 101 Reykjavik

Opening Hrs: Mon-Thu: 10:00-18:00, Fri: until 18:30, Sat: 10:00-17:00

Kron Homepage & Kronkron Online-Shop

Topshop Secret Store (London, UK)

2011-06-07T22:29:00.000+01:00

Anyone who's been to Topshop's London flagship on Oxford Street (and possibly NYC's equivalent), will know that it can be a scary scary place. Unless you go first thing in the morning or shortly before closing time, it's always packed - primarily with young teens and eager tourists. Despite my courage when it comes to tackling crowds (using public transport in rush hour, braving mosh pits/front rows in rock concerts & festivals or fighting my way through designer sample sales), my tolerance when it comes to the bustle within the fluorescent-lit, windowless space is surprisingly low. So when I was told that Topshop had launched a special pop-up 'Secret Store' - which was hidden away from the rest of the retail area and that promised to evoke the charms of a treasure trove - I was both skeptical and intrigued.

'Wild At Heart' Florist by Meadham Kirchhoff & the hidden entrance to the Secret Store.

More from the floral display (left) and the flowers leading the way to the store (right).

The small potted plants and flowers included cute adornments, such as the eyes (top). Left image via Topshop.

To make matters more challenging, I decided to visit on Saturday, since I happened to be in the area. Thankfully the store was less busy than expected, and following the floral footprints to the lower level, I was lead to the beautiful 'Secret Store' entrance that doubled as a florist. This gorgeous 'Wild At Heart' floral arrangement was curated by Meadham Kirchhoff, who had also taken it upon themselves to hand paint flower pots and choose the most adorable decor to add to certain plants. Everything was for sale and made a great souvenir if the pieces in the actual store were a little too pricey for your liking.

Overview of the Secret Store interiors (image via Topshop).

Topshop Boutique items in a wooden trunk.

Meadham Kirchhoff stacked rings and bracelets in a heart-shaped box.

Tearing myself away from the flora, I finally found myself inside the Secret Store, which was like stepping into a completely different world. Antique furniture was carefully placed around the small area, which held limited-edition one-off pieces from some of London's and New York's most renowned designers in collaboration with Topshop. On display were also sought-after items from the 'Unique' archives and the 'Boutique' range, as well as carefully selected trinkets.

Emma Cook lingerie.

Michael van der Ham velvet wedges displayed in a cabinet.

Nasir Mazhar hair accessories (left) and Pamela Love jewelry (right).

Some of the special designer goodies I spotted included the stacks of rings and bangles by Meadham Kirchhoff, which came in an embroidered heart-shaped box. Pamela Love's current collaboration pieces could be found in a cabinet nearby, while funky wedges by Michael van der Ham were displayed on plush velvet cushions. Some garments, such as Tom Scott's cropped tops hung from the walls like works of art. Others either had their own wardrobe space or were placed along the racks on the far side of the shop. The cozy changing room with the fringed lamp, gilded mirror and retro wallpaper was a nice touch as well and added to the vintage boutique vibe.

Topshop Boutique items among vintage decor and flowers.

The lovely changing room (left), Tom Scott tops (top) and more Pamela Love jewelry (right).

More trinkets including furry hats (left) and nail polish (right).

Aside from the fashion treasures within the store and the vibrant flowers in front of it, the best thing about the Secret Store was the enchanting atmosphere and the fact that you could actually escape from the chaos beyond its walls. The pop-up space will shut this week, so I urge you to go before it disappears. It's open exclusively in the Oxford Street branch and in NYC's Broadway flagship, but if you can't make it to either - don't worry: most items can be found in the online version of the Secret Store here.

Nasir Mazhar hair clips (left), Topshop Boutique crochet top (right).

Another view of the Secret Store (left), various gowns (top), Maria Francesca Pepe tank & jewelry and Ann-Sofie Back crochet top (right).

Selfridges: Project Ocean - Washed Up (London, UK)

2011-06-03T16:59:00.000+01:00

As you all know, the fashion and retail industry is at its best when it doesn't just present the world with pretty clothes, but fights for a charitable cause. This May and June, Selfridges launched a special campaign titled 'Project Ocean' that saw the department store tackle the problem of over-fishing and poor fishing practices. Partnering with over 20 environmental and conservation groups, the main goal was to celebrate the beauty of the ocean, help the general public understand the threats to the ocean and make positive choices about the right fish to buy and eat.

As part of Project Ocean, Selfridges is raising money for the Zoological Society of London to create Marine Reserves – protected areas in the ocean set aside as safe havens for fish and their ecosystems. In addition, the store is featuring a host of activities including everything from celebrity chef cooking demonstrations to craft events for children. But the event that immediately caught my eye, was the 'Washed Up' fashion exhibition, curated by Judith Clark.

Overview of the exhibition space. The pieces were displayed in glass tanks, while visitors walked along wooden planks surrounded by corals.

Housed in the concept store, the exhibition showcases the most interesting ocean inspired pieces from big-name designers such as Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan and Gareth Pugh to name a few. Also on display is Lady Gaga's famous lobster hat, designed by Philip Treacy. According to Clark "it is a rare opportunity for a curator of dress to be able to draw attention of such great political importance and urgency”. Having visited this exhibit last weekend, I was stunned by how incredible the exhibition space looked and think Clark did an excellent job. The haunting and desolate backdrop of driftwood and dead coral (salvaged from customs after it was seized from illegal smugglers) provided a stark contrast to the exquisite pieces on display and highlighted the critical environmental issues of Project Ocean. The corresponding window display was equally striking. Each set of designs was categorized into groups such as 'The Deep' or 'Atlantis', depending on what the pieces were inspired by, and an accompanying fact sheet gave additional information on the subject.

Radiolarum: Hussein Chalayan / The Deep: Hussein Chalayan

Left: Hussein Chalayan- Bubble Dress FW07/08. Right: Hussein Chalayan- LED Dress, February 2009 (made of 15 000 LED lights under fabric), both in collaboration with Swarovski.

Underwater Flora: Maison Martin Margiela, John Rocha / Oil Spill: John Rocha

Left: Maison Martin Margiela Artisanal- Flora Dress FW11/12, John Rocha- Reef Dress SS11. Right: John Rocha- Black Reef Dress FW10/11

The Beach: Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Mariel Manuel

Top: Jean-Charles de Castelbajac- Shark Dress SS10. Bottom: Mariel Manuel- Lobster Bodybuilder Ensemble (left) and Octopus Dress (right), both from the 'Keep Your Eye on the Doughnut' collection, 2010.

Structure & Geometry: Junya Watanabe, Sandra Backlund, Iris van Herpen

Top: Junya Watanabe- top, private collection (left), Sandra Backlund- Origami top, Ink Blot test paper (right).
Bottom: Iris van Herpen- 3D printed top and skirt, Crystalization collection.

Texture: Gareth Pugh, Iris van Herpen

Left: Gareth Pugh- Fisch Scale Dress SS11. Right: Iris van Herpen- RI011, Radiation Invasion, Ecco Leather, Porcelain Treatment.

Atlantis: Alexander McQueen, Andrea Cammarosano

Top: Alexander McQueen- Jellyfish Print Ensemble (left), Plato's Atlantis SS10. Andrea Cammarosano- Seaweed Dress, Serenada Moleculare 2008 (right). Bottom: Alexander McQueen- Jellyfish Dress, Plato's Atlantis SS10.

Octopus: Iris van Herpen

Iris van Herpen- Octopus Dress, Escapism Couture.

The Water's Edge: Vintage / Looking Out To Sea: Vintage

This category focused on the history of swimwear and seaside inspired leisure dresses. From left: Blue & yellow skirted swimsuit 1820s, Swimsuit C 1900, Blue & white striped bustle dress 1870s, 'Stored' dress with abstract fish motif 1850s.

Hats

Left: Philip Treacy- Lobster Hat, courtesy of Lady Gaga. Top: Naomi Filmer- Crystal Swimming Cap. Right: Stephen Jones- Sway Hat (right).

Top: 1920s Brain Coral Cloche; Judith Clark- Pearl Waves: A Hypothetical 1930s wig (embroidery: Rosie Taylor-Davies).
Bottom: Stephen Jones- Beach Comber Hat; Philip Treacy- Zero Gravity Hat.

From left: Philip Treacy- Feather Ocean Worm Hat, Justin Smith Esquire- Rope Octopus Hair, Emma Yeo- Swan 20 Headdress, Stephen Jones- Shoal Hat, Justin Smith Esquire- Rope Beach Bonnet.

Stephen Jones- Fish Mobile Hat.

From left: Dai Rees for Alexander McQueen- Echinoderm Headdress, Emma Yeo- Dragonfly 9 Headdress, Zana Gorman- Headdress, Zara Gorman- Shell Hat, Philip Treacy- Leaf Hat.

If you happen to be in the London area, I'd highly recommend a visit (the exhibition ends June 8). As a fish eater and scuba diver, I had witnessed the damage done to the marine world, but wasn't all too aware of which species were actually endangered. If you're not in the area or still want to play a part in rescuing the ocean, you can donate to Project Ocean here or inform yourself as to what type of fish you should and shouldn't eat. Selfridges has not only created a free pocket guide, available in their stores, but also designed a (free) iPhone app, complete with a fish guide, fish recipes (yum!) and restaurant reviews. And lastly, if you want to make a real statement, you can also purchase special edition Project Ocean items, including totes, tees and shoes online.

Electrum Gallery: Past, Present and Future - Jewelry Showcase (London, UK)

2011-05-28T20:49:00.000+01:00

There are few girls who don't have a thing for jewelry - and there's nothing I love more, than to peruse both contemporary costume jewelry or vintage high-end pieces. However, I don't feature baubles and bling on this blog as much as I'd like, simply because - compared to clothing, shoes and bags - finding unique jewelry specialists can be a little tricky. So when I heard about an ongoing jewelry exhibition at Electrum, where most of the displayed items are actually for sale, I knew I had to take a peek.

Rings by Polly Wales.

Electrum, which is located on South Molton Street (near Browns), is one of the world's most renowned contemporary jewelry galleries that also serves as a boutique and features a constantly changing exhibition program. The current showcase celebrates the gallery's 40 years since opening in 1971 and its role in championing some of the world’s foremost pioneering jewelry artists of the 70s, 80s and beyond. Though the exhibition space is relatively compact, I was astounded by the selection and the variety of pieces. You'll find everything from neon perspex bangles to delicate gold necklaces to playful statement pieces. Best of all, everything is handmade and the majority of the jewelry on display is one-off, so if you do decide to purchase anything, you're definitely getting a unique piece. What's more: Electrum is a not for profit organization run by the Contemporary Applied Arts, so proceeds go towards resourcing exhibitions and educational programs at CAA.

Wendy Ramshaw CBE. First showed at Electrum in 1971.

Here are just a few of the pieces that caught my eye, but if you want more, I'd highly recommend heading there yourself. This exhibition will run until June 4, but if you're not in town, you can still shop some of the pieces online via their webstore or contact the sales staff directly by email/phone.

Left: Alan Crawford. First showed at Electrum in 1971. Right: Paul Preston: First showed at Electrum in 1979.

Charlotte De Syllas.

Susanna Heron. First showed at Electrum in 1971. Re-issued Perspex Multiples (right) made in conjunction with Tatty Devine.

Roger Morris. First showed at Electrum in 1972.

Left: Castello Hansen. Right: Daphne Krinos.

Christina Soubli.

Caroline Broadhead. First showed at Electrum in 1973.

Fritz Maierhofer. First showed at Electrum in 1971.

Left: Nina Bukvik. Right: Malcolm Betts.

David Poston. First showed at Electrum in 1972.

Catherine Mannheim. First showed at Electrum in 1971.

Maria Militsi: Necklaces made out of discarded toys, such as mini trucks, figurines and action heroes.

Address: 21 South Molton Street, London W1K 5QZ

Opening Hrs: Mon-Sat: 10:00-18:00, Sun: 11:00-16:00

Electrum Homepage

Mulberry: 40th Anniversary Book & Windows (London, UK)

2011-05-23T13:23:00.000+01:00

When I first passed the Mulberry flagship on Bond Street two weeks ago, I was a bit surprised to see the overly busy windows: it basically looked like a visual merchandiser had raided a prop store and decided to randomly fill the space with everything he or she could find. What I soon realized, thanks to a speech bubble and a few familiar items on display, was that this was Mulberry's way of celebrating their 40th anniversary and also advertising their celebratory book to mark this occasion. The seemingly random elements of the store windows were actually props from previous displays - all jammed into one giant hotchpotch of a showcase. In a way, Mulberry created a store window version of a scrapbook or collage, culled from past campaigns and displays.

Top image & this image show the two main Mulberry windows in all their glory.

Though what I saw initially made my head spin, once you focused on specific sections - the charm of Mulberry windows past revealed itself...

Merry-go-round horses from last year's SS10 windows.

Sparkly panthers from FW10 wedged between giant apples.

Cute cut-outs of illustrated girls, surrounded by large Scrabble pieces and image collages of teddy bears.

Sparkly scorpions on a giant apple and around pink flowers, which were part of the current SS11 windows.

So pretty - Mulberry balloons!

Of course, the actual Mulberry 40th anniversary book is the real highlight. Conceived and designed by the London-based studio Construct, the book holds an impressive 480 pages, has an embossed full-color cover, is bound in linen, has two silk book markers and comes with a set of stickers and picture cards. Mulberry's history, dating back to 1971 is recounted in the introduction, while the predominant portion is dedicated to captionless photographs of the brand's factory, shops, fashion shows, behind-the-scenes footage and towards the back - obligatory shots of their iconic bags, such as the Bayswater or the Alexa. According to Mulberry's brand director: "Rather than a dry historical round up of the past, the book is a glimpse inside our world, a fly-on-the-wall, warts and all journey through the past two years of the brand's life. It shows our public and private life, the highs and lows and the extraordinary Mulberry 'family' that work so hard to make it all seem so effortless."

Two photos from the book: a hilarious shot of a giant Bayswater balloon trying to hail a cab (top) and stamps used to emboss the Mulberry logo on bags (bottom). Both images via The Guardian.

A look at the beautiful packaging and details of the book, which comes with stickers, picture cards and full-color double page photographs (images via Creative Review UK).

If you love the Mulberry brand or simply have a weakness for beautiful coffee table books, you can pick up your copy (for £55) at select Mulberry stores or online via their website. I'd also suggest visiting their homepage if you wish to see more of the book: a cute video allows you to virtually flick through some of the pages.

Cox Cookies & Cake (London, UK)

2011-05-18T19:45:00.000+01:00

This post may seem a little random, considering this isn't a food blog, though I have featured tasty treats in the past. But this is my (belated) way of celebrating my birthday, which was this past Sunday, and Cox Cookies & Cake is actually something I stumbled upon, while searching for some yummy delicacies I could serve that day. Not only that, but this small cake shop, nestled in the heart of Soho also has a fashion connection, as it was founded by shoe designer Patrick Cox. The designer's inspiration to venture into the food business, lies with his mother, who would bake with him every Saturday morning and who after his move to the UK (from his native Canada) still sent him care packages with baked goodies. Together with Eric Lanlard, one of London's finest cake makers, Cox Cookies & Cake was launched last September and has already gained a huge following.

Overview of the store interior (image via weheart.co.uk).

Much of that has to do with the unique decor and the extraordinary cupcakes on display. If you're one of those people who is 'over' cupcakes, because they're everywhere or always hated the vintage-girly look of some of the more typically famous cupcake emporiums, then this might just be the place for you. Situated among adult entertainment shops and some of the best foodie outlets, Cox Cookies & Cake manages to combine the two worlds. If it weren't for the cupcakes in the windows, you might just mistake this for yet another seedy store - an employee by the door was even wearing a very S&M-esque leather apron. While the bright neon sign and the all-black interiors may be misleading, the actual cupcakes are quite cute... and almost too pretty to eat.

A selection of limited edition cupcakes celebrating the Royal Wedding.

I want them all... some of the specialty cupcakes I sighted.

The range includes regular cupcakes, such as red velvet or lemon and white cheesecake (£2 each) and more elaborate examples like the Marilyn Monroe 'Pop' cake or the ones featuring black and red skulls (£4 each). But in keeping with their surroundings, you'll also find the naughtier treats from the 'Soho Specials' line that features various naked male and female body parts - some more disturbing than others.

A selection of regular cupcakes.

Previous limited edition cupcakes celebrating Christmas and Easter.

The cupcakes definitely steal the show, but you'll also find a selection of brownies and other treats, as well as a large choice of hot beverages. The leather aprons are for sale too and if you'd rather just stare at cakes all day long instead of eating them, you'll also find a few colorful glass figurines of your favorite treats. During special events or holidays, look out for limited edition cupcakes, which in the past have included Royal Wedding themed delicacies or cute Easter pastries.

Neon-lit displays showcased the cupcakes in the windows. Top: Marilyn and skull cupcakes. Lower right: Yes, that's a cupcake shaped like a boob. Other 'Soho Specials' include a man's ripped torso and a bulging bicep.

Very pretty: limited edition cakes for Mother's Day, Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day.

This place is definitely worth a browse if you're ever in the area. The cakes I tried were excellent and I find it refreshing not to be surrounded by pastels when I'm in a bakery. If you're not in London though, I just found out that Cox Cookies & Cake will be releasing a cookbook soon, which is available for pre-order here. Snap it up, and soon you'll be able to make your own Coco-Cola or Xmas Bauble cupcakes!

A cake for fashionistas: London Fashion Week treats (left). Kylie Minogue and Elton John limited edition cakes (right).

Glass cupcakes and glass cake stands.

Cute and creepy: Halloween cupcakes.

Address: 13 Brewer Street, London W1F 0RH
Opening Hrs: Sun-Thurs: 11:00-20:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00
Cox Cookies & Cake Homepage

K.Brat (London, UK)

2011-05-12T12:09:00.002+01:00

The first time I saw images of K.Brat's AW11/12 collection, courtesy of the designer herself, I knew I was on to something special. I was immediately drawn to the sculptural pieces that seemed to exude both toughness and soft femininity. I knew I had to see and learn more, so I was delighted when I got the chance to view the collection in person during a recent press day.

My first glance at the K.Brat collection on the racks (left). Campaign shot (right, source: K.Brat).

Before I talk about the actual clothes though, I thought I'd share a bit about the designer, Keren Brat, who, as a London College of Fashion graduate, launched her label in 2008, having previously worked with London based designers such as Louis De-Gama and Aluma Klein. Interestingly enough, her first two collections, titled 'Cutting Through' and 'Boundaries', were primarily handbag collections ('Boundaries' also included a selection of corset leather belts). Entirely handmade in London with great attention to detail, the bags were an indicator of what a K.Brat women's wear line would look like. This first AW11/12 women's collection doesn't disappoint: Under the name 'Comes Within', the range focuses on contemporary leisure day and night pieces that combine a soft tailoring with strong construction. All materials are sourced within the UK, where the garments are also handmade by local artisans in accordance to the ethical responsibilities of the label.

Beautiful from the front and back: purple merino wool asymmetric dress with cut-out details (right images: K.Brat).

Classic with an edge: light grey wool velour coat with jersey inserts, panelling details, hidden zip fastening and side pockets.

Soft yet strong: light grey full-length leather dress with side frills, panelling details and an open back (lookbook images: K.Brat).

The collection features a variety that includes everything from leather jackets to loosely fitted silk tops. When I saw the line in person, I was instantly struck by two things: The beautiful construction complete with wonderful details such as frills on skirts or panelling on dresses, and the fact that every garment didn't just impress from the front, but had a unique (and often different) look from the back as well. When asked about her inspiration for 'Comes Within', Keren shared that she was fascinated by anthropology and that this collection in particular was inspired by traditional Samurai armors - with a modern twist of course. The mood and spirit of the collection stems from a photograph (of model Danielle Zinaich, shot by Lina Scheynius), which to Keren portrayed independence and empowerment, but also fragility, thus representing the woman she designs for: someone who is both strong and fragile at the same time.

A Little Black Dress with a twist: black merino wool sculpted dress with a cut-out back and side frills and flaps detailing (right images: K.Brat).

Purple Crepe de Chine silk top with roll sleeves and an open back.
Light grey leather shorts with a large front fold and a layered effect (right image: K.Brat).

More from the lookbook. The look on the far right as seen in the previous image. (source: K.Brat).

The contrast between soft and strong isn't just evident in the design, but the choice of materials. Leather - something usually associated with 'toughness' - seemed almost delicate, as seen on the layered grey shorts or the full-length leather dress. While all the garments are feminine and figure flattering, the architectural design and details also give an air of strength and power. And though I initially focused on the skirts and dresses, I had a hard time keeping my hands off the soft-tailored trousers with the large pockets (see image above). All in all, these are pieces that would speak to any woman, with the added bonus of being incredibly well-made.

Light grey merino wool sculpted open back dress with an exposed front zip and side frills and flaps detailing.

Single strap black merino wool dress, as seen in the lookbook collage above, grey merino wool dress and black merino wool pencil skirt with frills and flaps - both as seen in lookbook collage below.

If you are interested in learning more about the collections or would like to purchase some of the pieces, you can either contact Keren directly via the official K.Brat website or get in touch with her agent Anthony at AMF Sales. Bags and belts are still available as custom made orders (with your choice of color and material). In addition to the collection pieces, K.Brat also takes on commissions from private clients if you ever need that standout dress or accessory for a special event. Otherwise, keep your eyes peeled, because I'm certain that very soon we'll be seeing K.Brat in stores all across the world.

Another selection from the lookbook (source: K.Brat).

Blacks satin wool soft-tailored trousers with stitched darts detailing, large pockets and an inserted belt.
Dark grey satin wool soft-tailored trousers with angled pleats and twisted seams detailing.
Purple merino wool long sleeves top with panelling details and an exposed zip at back.
Light grey Satin Wool soft-tailored skirt with a large front fold, stitched darts details and an inserted belt.

A selection of bags and belts from the AW10/11 'Boundaries' collection. All bags are lined with silk embroidered material sourced from East Asia.

For more information, please visit the official K.Brat website.

Many thanks to Keren Brat for all the information provided and to HPR London for their help during the press days.

Links à la Mode

2011-05-12T12:07:00.000+01:00

Savage Blogging

Edited by Vahni of Grit & Glamour

Savage Beauty. Don’t tell me you haven’t heard the paradoxically exquisite title of the Alexander McQueen exhibit currently mesmerizing the fashion world and the blogosphere. I mention it for two reasons. First, a couple bloggers in this week’s roundup show you the exhibit in New York—as well as a satellite version in London—through their own lenses. So if you didn’t know about it, check out their posts and resurrect your fashion cred.

Savage Blogging. Now that’s my title, and while it was inspired by the McQueen exhibit, it also characterizes the approach many bloggers take, as well as entries this week that speak to the issue. Want to be haute stuff in the blog world, like The Sartorialist? Think it’s all a numbers game? Well, I certainly hope not. That is savage blogging: when your objective ceases to be the art of it, the connection, and you are devoured by an obsession with your numbers. When you get so big that you forget you used to be a nobody until fellow bloggers read your blog and lifted you up. When you stop conversing, and simply become a talking head. With a camera. No thanks.

As blogging and social media mature, many are finally realizing what my mama told me years ago: You get more flies with honey. Don’t be savage bloggers, loves. When you give and interact genuinely, your star will shine, I promise you. Your numbers will grow, and people won’t write you any “open letters” to remind you that you’ve gotten a little too big for your britches. Honey, honeybuns. Got it?

A Reason to be Fabulous: The classic white button-down remixed for work and play.
Best of Bklyn: The six shoes every girl should have for a complete shoe wardrobe.
Beyond Fabric: How to solve your hemming conundrums.
Boheme Noir: The 20 most pointless designer accessoires ever.
Brunette Blogging: Blogging Commandments — do’s and don’ts for bloggers.
By Anika: Colouring outside the lines, in fashion and in life.
Consider Me Lovely: Things I Now Know For Sure (lessons in blogging)
Dozen Dresses: The First-Timer’s Guide to Shopping In Paris
Decoding Dress: An open letter to Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist)
Finding Tokyo: Why do you blog? It’s not about numbers….it’s about the connection.
Grit & Glamour: Shots You Never Saw and What They Taught Me
Haute World: Harvey Nichols brings “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” to London.
Her Catwalk: 7 More Ways to Stop Impulse Spending
IFB: How to Break the Ice at Events
KP Fusion: Moment of Honesty: What’s the purpose of your blog?
Letters to Daria: Travel in style or comfort?
Lights So Bright: The difference between leopard and cheetah prints.
NY Don’t Leave Me: Tackling sandals and socks!
Shoeperwoman: The Trouble with Dresses
The Citizen Rosebud: The I.O.U. Project—a new online venture aiming to make a difference.
This Is A Yes: Alexander McQueen Exhibit at the Met

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty @ Harvey Nichols (London, UK)

2011-05-07T11:55:00.006+01:00

If, like me, you're not in New York at the moment (or anytime soon), you're most likely feeling a little bummed to be missing the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition, currently on display at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. If you happen to be in London though, here's the next best thing: in order to celebrate the opening of said exhibition and as a way to commemorate the late Lee McQueen, Harvey Nichols has 15 of his pieces on display, spanning over a decade. The UK department store is the only one to have been chosen for this honor - and though the showcase won't match the real thing in NYC, the pieces in the windows are still stunning to behold.

Of course if you're not in NYC or London, I would highly recommend purchasing the Savage Beauty book, which is easily available (and on sale!) via Amazon here.

Below you'll find all the pieces in the Harvey Nichols store windows, including shots of some of the beautiful details. The windows will be up until the end of May, so head on over if you get a chance - they're definitely worth a look.

'The Girl Who Lived in the Tree' - FW08

'It's Only a Game' - SS05

'No 13' - SS99. The top is leather, skirt is wood.

'The Horn of Plenty' - FW09

'The Horn of Plenty' - FW09

'The Horn of Plenty' - FW09

'Plato's Atlantis' - SS10.

'The Girl Who Lived in the Tree' - FW08.

'Irere' - SS03.

'La Dame Bleue' - SS08.

'Natural Dis-Stinction Un-Natural Selection' - SS09.

'La Dame Bleue' - SS08.

A must for any McQueen fan: The Savage Beauty book.

Andersen & Lauth (Reykjavik, Iceland)

2011-05-01T21:15:00.001+01:00

As mentioned in a previous post, Reykjavik surprised me with its huge selection of indie and local designers who's boutiques were mostly situated on the main shopping artery of Laugavegur. And the most wonderful thing about Icelandic fashion was the variety: from bold and colorful, to quirky and fun, to dark and gothic - you'll find anything to suit your taste. Andersen & Lauth was one of the few labels that had a more traditional approach and a long heritage that stemmed from its history as the first tailoring house in Reykjavik, opened in 1908 by Ludvig Andersen. Over a 100 years later the revamped label (established in 1934) is still going strong, producing beautiful vintage inspired, romantic clothing in the best quality.

From the SS11 (top) and FW11(bottom) lookbooks (images: Andersen & Lauth)

Before I even had the chance to view the clothing up close, I instantly fell in love with the decor of the store, which already gives a strong indication of the collections you'll find there. Even though the boutique was very spacious, with racks only situated against the wall, the interiors felt warm and inviting. The details seemed to have been chosen with great care: large rustic tables, an antique looking sofa, beautiful cabinets and of course the most eye-catching element of all: the fake fireplace with the stag head above it. The garments are made with even more care. Most pieces are handmade and designed in the style and spirit of production methods of the 19th century. While Andersen & Lauth favors the Victorian era, the collections span a variety of periods, with the women's range generally featuring feminine draping, elfin silhouettes and elaborate materials. The menswear has a romantic dandy feel to it, while also incorporating the vibe of Reykjavik's eclectic music scene.

Loved these tree trunks in the window display.

Overview of the store from the entrance.

According to the company manifesto, Andersen & Lauth is a romantic journey through time with a strong belief that all women deserve beautiful things made with love and passion. Browsing through the pieces, this sentiment was evident and I was quite taken with the superior quality and the intricate details. There are basics of course, that include simpler cotton dresses, tailored trousers and fine knits. Among these, you'll also find items from the capsule 'Atelier' collection which is entirely handmade in Andersen & Lauth workshops and utilizes ancient techniques of embroidery or stitching. The official blog provides fascinating insights into the production process. The pieces reflect the company's love for old-fashioned workmanship and in some cases feature more traditional materials, such as vintage lace. But if you fear the clothing my look dated, no worries. The shapes and cuts are modern, timeless and won't leave you looking like your granny.

The boutique as seen from the back. The large wooden table featured basics and smaller items. Pastel shades dominated the racks.

The large wardrobe/cabinet was filled with knickknacks and accessories.

Beautifully embellished and embroidered pieces made by hand, from the 'Atelier' collection.

Most of the looks I sighted were from the SS11 collection, titled 'Poetic Couture', which mirrors the Andersen & Lauth aesthetic perfectly. I'm not really a 'romantic' type when it comes to style, but found myself falling for the pastel colored dresses and the delicate cardigans. The FW11 collection is slightly more up my alley with its chunky knits and dark sequined gowns inspired by the 20s flapper style.

Yes, I could live here. The gorgeous fireplace area (left) and the very spacious changing rooms (right image: Andersen & Lauth).

Select items were hung from walls like works of art (left) and more traditional artwork featuring old images of the shop/atelier and inspiration shots (right).

So many pretty clothes... with more embroidery and lace.

If you happen to be shopping with a guy, definitely head to the menswear store next door, which is filled with very cool suits, coats and jackets - all impeccably tailored of course.

A quick look at the menswear boutique next door (images: Andersen & Lauth).

The pricing is surprisingly decent, considering the handmade quality of the items. If you want a bargain, there's a 'vintage' store down the street which sells past-season collections for a fraction of the price. Yoox also stocks previous collections for a steal. Supposedly Andersen & Lauth is available in over 30 countries, though I couldn't find too many details on their official website, so keep your eyes peeled. Alexa Chung (who's snapped up a few nude colored dresses) and other celebs are already huge fans, so I'm sure the label will be popping up everywhere in the very near future. And if you're ever in Reykjavik, the boutiques are the best place to escape the cold and indulge in a bit of cozy warm retail therapy.

Cool stuff from the FW11 menswear range (images: Andersen & Lauth).

A home decor range is available as well, featuring mainly embroidered cushions and other smaller items (images: Andersen & Lauth).

Address: Laugavegur 7, 101 Reykjavik
Andersen & Lauth Homepage

Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion - Exhibition (London, UK)

2011-04-26T18:33:00.006+01:00

Before I bombard you with all the fashion treasures I uncovered in Reykjavik, I thought I'd share a post that's so long overdue, I wasn't sure if I should still bother blogging about it. But since this was one of the best fashion exhibitions I've seen to date and the subject matter is quite timeless, I thought it might be worth sharing. The 'Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion' exhibition, which most Londoners may be familiar with, was hosted by the Barbican Art Gallery and showcased avant-garde Japanese fashion from the early 80s to now. Along with visionaries such as Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo, who challenged the Western fashion aesthetic and redefined it for the world, the new generation of designers such as Tao Kurihara and Mintdesigns is featured as well.

As the first gallery in Europe to extensively highlight contemporary Japanese fashion, I thought that both the Barbican and Japanese fashion historian/curator Akiko Fukai did an excellent job. What I enjoyed most (apart from the clothing) was the layout, which not only saw the numerous pieces divided and grouped in a large space surrounded by sheer fabric draped from the ceiling, but also followed an order that for once wasn't chronological. The ground floor had a thematic approach, with four categories that included 'In Praise of Shadows', 'Flatness', 'Innovation and Tradition' as well as 'Cool Japan'. The top floor presented the main Japanese designers separately and also featured additional material such as runway videos, inspirational literature and other memorabilia.

For anyone who wasn't able to attend the exhibition (which unfortunately is no longer running), I'd highly recommend getting the official book by Akiko Fukai, which can be purchased via Amazon here (and it's even on sale!). It follows the basic structure of the exhibition, but includes plenty more background information and photography. Definitely a must-read for any fashion lover.

Below you'll find a few highlights from the exhibit (and book), categorized as described above. Don't forget to click the link, to read more after the jump.

In Praise of Shadows

This section reveals the love for monochromatic shades adopted by Japanese designers, which allow a focus on details and textures, rather than color. According to Fukai, the color palette stems from the cultural sensibility attuned to light and shade, as well as the power of black.

Pieces by Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto and Jun Takahashi.

More black artworks by Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto.

Flatness

This category showcased the love and contrast of both flatness and volume. During a time when Western fashion was dominated by bodycon garments, the Japanese were fascinated by creating space between fabric and body - an expression of 'ma', a Japanese concept that views voids between objects as rich, energized spaces. Commissioned by Rei Kawakubo, photographer Naoya Hatakeyama's works reveal the geometric shapes and 'flatness' of Kawakubo's garments when unworn.

Issey Miyake's famous Pleats series created extraordinary outlines which had an abstract relationship with the body.

Rei Kawakubo's voluminous gowns in contrast with their 'flatness' (courtesy of Naoya Hatakeyama) when unworn.

Innovation and Tradition

Modern Japanese design also saw the complete reinvention of traditional garments and techniques, such as the kimono and origami, as well as the integration of traditional patterns in contemporary pieces.

These incredible Issey Miyake pieces showed how garments were created from just one piece of long fabric.

The use of structural origami inspired techniques as used by Yohji Yamamoto (top left), Junya Watanabe (lower row) and the beautiful gold dress by Koji Tatsuno.

Rei Kawakubo's use of Japanese iconography, embroidery and layering for Comme des Garçons.

Traditional patterns and structures reinvented by (starting left) Kenzo, Matohu, Yohji Yamamoto and Tao Kurihara.

Cool Japan

The final section on the lower level presented the young wave of designers influenced primarily by Japanese streetstyle and the crop of independent labels that defined the look in the Harajuku area. In addition to the use of manga and cartoon characters, the showcase lightly touches on the cosplay (costume play) phenomenon, as well as the Lolita and Gothic Lolita styles which have made their mark on Japanese high fashion.

This colorful area featured manga and other cartoon inspired designs. Pieces by Ohya, Zucca and Junya Watanabe.

Looks by Jun Takahashi for Undercover (top). A playful dress with a 'doll' collar by Fumito Ganryu (lower left) and a frilly number by Tao Kurihara for Tao Comme des Garçons.

The second part of the exhibition, which focuses on individual designers (including Yohji Yamamoto, Rei Kawakubo, Issey Miyake, Junya Watanabe and more), can be viewed after the jump.

Issey Miyake

Issey Miyake's newest venture 132 5, is a series of intricately folded polygons made from sustainable PET. Completely flat on the ground, they transform into geometric dresses once worn.

Rei Kawakubo

As one of the most influential living designers, Kawakubo's pieces envelop, rather than flaunt the female body and while the above pieces show her colorful side, Rei favors black fabric.

Yohji Yamamoto

The most poetic of the Japanese designers, Yamamoto combines European couture, workwear and men's tailoring influences with a traditional Japanese aesthetic. His featured works include his Y3 collaboration with Adidas.

Junya Watanabe

In addition to working for Comme des Garçons, Watanabe's own work demonstrates his love for modern performance fabric and innovative shapes, as well as a complete (and admirable) disregard for current trends.

Jun Takahashi

By his own admission, Takahashi's designs tread a fine line between beautiful and ugly. His current work is much more wearable though and strays slightly from the typical and shocking goth and punk rock aesthetic of his Undercover label.

Tao Kurihara

With Rei Kawakubo as her mentor, Kurihara (much like Junya Watanabe) disregards trends. Her designs under the Comme des Garçons umbrella incorporate elements that are more playful and feminine than those of her Japanese counterparts.

Mintdesigns

Mintdesigns' look is almost exclusively based on graphics and prints, including everything from graphic novels to blueprints. Some of the above garments are made from shredded envelopes and sailboat material made of polyester.

Next Generation

Sharing a boldly conceptual approach to material and form as first pioneered by Kawakubo, Yamamoto and Miyake, the new generation of Japanese designers is set to take the fashion world by storm. Pieces by Tamae Hirokawa for Somarta (top left), Taro Horiuchi (lower left), Chitose Abe for Sacai (center), Mikio Sakabe (top right) and Akira Naka (lower right).

Impressions of Reykjavik (Iceland)

2011-04-18T23:23:00.002+01:00

Tjörnin (lake) and the City Hall in the center of Reykjavik.

Most of my friends thought I was insane when I announced I was flying to Reykjavik, Iceland, considering London has been blessed with beautifully sunny and warm weather as of late. But since the hubby and I had always wanted to visit, we packed up our long forgotten winter gear and headed for the Icelandic capital. Upon arrival we were greeted by snow, dark clouds, rain, sun, hail and a chilling wind - all within a span of an hour. I would soon realize that if I didn't care for the weather at the moment, I'd only need to wait five minutes. Unfortunately it never really got close to warm, but considering summer in Iceland translates to an average of 15°C (59°F), I wasn't really that surprised.

I knew little about Iceland and Reykjavik before my visit, apart from the usual musical references (Björk, Sigur Rós etc.), the aforementioned cold climate and that unpronounceable volcano Eyjafjallajökull, who's eruption grounded all those flights last year. While I expected Reykjavik to be very creative given its famous musicians and its love of design, I was a bit surprised by the relatively monotone architecture. A local guide later informed me that Iceland only started booming around the 50s and after, which is when most of the houses and buildings were constructed. This explains why you won't find a lot of traditional historic architecture as you would in other European cities. By contrast, you will see its history in the volcanic, glacial and mountainous landscape, some of which was used by the Vikings as settlements.

More modern than historic - typical houses in Reykjavik (lower right image:Bjørn Giesenbauer via Wikimedia).

What also stunned me a little was how few people I would see during the day, out on the streets. It never occurred to me that a national population of roughly 320,000 (120,000 live in the capital) in a country slightly smaller than the size of England (with over 51 million inhabitants) would translate into a distinct lack of crowds. It also doesn't help that Reykjavik is such a sprawling city, so most locals will be in their cars - though traffic jams are virtually non-existent. But many cafes and restaurants were buzzing with activity and if there's one thing that had my heart beating faster than the incredible Icelandic scenery, it was the abundance of local independent fashion designers... many of them with their own boutiques on the main street Laugavegur - I counted at least 20 if not more. Stay tuned for upcoming posts on some of them. I was also pleased to see that locals were very stylish and didn't dress like clones. I have a theory this might be due to the lack of high street retail chains, of which only a few can be found in two outlying malls. In addition, I was informed that prior to the financial crisis and recession, Iceland was a very wealthy nation - and it's still very expensive - with a population that loves to splurge on art, design and clothes; something that might explain their sartorial preferences.

Would I visit again? Definitely. But next time, I'm going in summer...

Hallgrímskirkja - the largest church in Iceland.

Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station. Thanks to the high concentration of volcanoes, Iceland can take advantage of geothermal power - a renewable energy source.

Jewelry containing local lava stones were incredibly popular.

A smaller waterfall in the Golden Circle area around Reykjavik.

Reykjavik's main high street Laugavegur in the old town center. Note the lack of people on a Friday afternoon.

Kerið - volcanic crater lake.

Icelandic Horses (almost as small as ponies) were very amicable and adorable. They kept trying to eat my coat and jeans. I also had major hair envy - look at those manes.

The very active geyser Strokkur.

If you want something local, Icelandic wool is popular. If you want something local that will get a bit more attention - there's always fur (what's up with that scary animal hat?) and fish leather (those are ties and purses).

The rift valley of Þingvellir, which marks the Mid-Atlantic Ridge - the tectonic plate boundary between Eurasia and North America. Geographically, Iceland is actually closer to America (Greenland).

Pretty but man-made. The 'glitter' stems from coins thrown in the water by tourists.

Tasty delights: The famed lobster soup along with seafood (above), Icelandic fish & chips (lower left) and more interesting meat options which I didn't get to try out (right).

Gullfoss waterfall.

Viking boat sculpture along the shore of Reykjavik.

Overview of the Þingvellir National Park - the site of Iceland's first assembly and parliament as chosen by the Viking settlers. The continental drift between North America and Eurasia is visible via the cracks in the landscape, many of which are filled with water.

From the Land of Björk, Puffins & Vikings...

2011-04-14T13:53:00.003+01:00

Not the real Björk....

Not real puffins...

Not a real Viking...

More very real impressions of Reykjavik, Iceland to follow, once I'm back in the UK.

Yohji Making Waves / Yohji's Women (London, UK)

2011-04-07T12:31:00.002+01:00

The Wapping Hydraulic Power Station.

If you're in London, you may have noticed that the city is presently celebrating all things Yohji Yamamoto. In addition to the newly opened Y-3 flagship store, one of the most talked about happenings is the series of exhibitions that was unveiled last month in honor 0f the iconic Japanese designer. The main feature is the retrospective currently held at the V&A museum, which I'll be posting about as well. However, I thought I'd start backwards (in the order I actually visited these exhibits) and begin with the other two parts of the series first which are now on display, courtesy of The Wapping Project.

Yohji Making Waves

First off, I'd like to thank Google Maps (iPhone) for giving me very accurate directions to this place - the large Boiler House of the Wapping Hydraulic Power Station - which lies somewhat off the beaten path. Now that I know where it is, I might go back though, because the first thing I saw once I entered the spacious interiors was a very cool-looking bar/restaurant. This is also where I caught my first glimpse of Yohji magic, in the form of the FW98 runway show which was running on several TV screens towards the back of the room.

Inside the power station, the restaurant area was decorated with TV screens featuring Yamamoto's runway shows.

The actual installation was in a separate room and showcased only one major piece: the celebrated , oversized white silk wedding dress with bamboo crinoline from the aforementioned FW98 collection. Suspended upside down from huge metal tanks which form the roof of the Boiler House, the gown seemingly falls towards a bottomless tank of water below. Once I entered this area, it was like stepping into another world. Immersed in the dark - with the exception of the illuminated dress in the center and the sparse lighting towards one wall - I was greeted only by the sound of dripping water and ambient noise from the speakers, in addition to the reflection, shadows and movements of the gown interacting with the light and water.

The wedding dress as seen in its normal upright position.

I took most of these photos from the platform, but a small wooden boat will enable a closer look of the piece if required (a boatman is included). According to the official description of the installation - "This is a calm, contemplative work which should also disarm and amuse, bringing together a sense of fun and juxtaposing it with an austere beauty. Paradox lies at the heart of Yohji Yamamoto's clothes and it is with this striking installation that we attempt to do justice to his vision."

The gown on display inside the flooded Boiler House, suspended from the ceiling.

Close-up of the dress.

The dress and its reflection (left) and a close-up of the bodice (right).

I became a little obsessed with photographing the reflection.

A short video clip highlighting the sound and darkness of the boiler room.

Yohji's Women

A few days later, I headed to the second part of the Yohji series, which was hosted by The Wapping Project Bankside in a more convenient location (next to the Tate Modern) and in contrast to the above, offering a more contemporary setting. The compact exhibition space showcased the works of seven international photographers who had teamed up with Yamamoto in the past and who were said to have found their individual voices during their collaboration with the designer. Photographs on display came from the likes of Nick Knight, Peter Lindbergh, Craig McDean, Sarah Moon, Paolo Roversi, Max Vadukul, Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin.

Left: The first photograph on display: from the Yamamoto Fall 1999 campaign, featuring Maggie Rizer, shot by Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin. Right: Works from Paolo Roversi.

According to the press release "Yohji's Women expresses Yohji Yamamoto's love of strong women who do not fit the conventional magazine archetypes. His women are independent, exciting and can wear his complex clothes with authority. Theirs is a serious beauty which finds its expression in his work. The photographs capture the vigour, wit and intelligence of Yamamoto's works as well as a remarkable moment in time in which clothes, designer, icon, place and photographer spoke with one voice."

I've posted just a few of the works on display, though my pics don't really justify their beauty. Prints of all photographs can be ordered at the exhibit if you do want to take one of 'Yohji's Women' home with you.

FW87 campaign photo by Nick Knight.

Top: Works by Sarah Moon. Lower Left: From the FW87 catalog, featuring Naomi Campbell, shot by Nick Knight. Lower Right: Overview of part of the exhibition area.

Both photographs: Peter Lindbergh.

Both photos: Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, campaign forFW99 (left) and SS98 (right).

If you get a chance, I would highly recommend a visit. Both of these exhibits have free entry and while they're not as extensive as the main V&A retrospective, I was surprised by how much time I spent at each one. And if you're still craving a bit of Yohji after that - well, there's always the actual clothes...

Yohji Making Waves: 12 Mar - 10 Jul, 2011, The Wapping Project
Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, Wapping Wall, London E1W 3SG
Mon-Fri: 12:00-22:00, Sat-Sun: 10:00-22

Yohji's Women: 12 Mar - 14 May, 2011, The Wapping Project Bankside
65A Hopton Street, London SE1 9LR
Tue-Sun: 10:00-18:00, Mon by appointment

Links à la Mode

2011-04-07T12:29:00.000+01:00

I'm off to Reykjavik, Iceland next week so I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to update the blog before I leave or while I'm gone. I'll definitely be visiting some cool fashion-related destinations during my trip though, so stay tuned for more. Until then, here are some lovely links from the IFB community.

It's Not All About the Clothes

Edited by Meghan Donovan at WIT & Whimsy

If you’re a fashion blogger, you know that personal style is often not just about what apparel you put on each day, but it’s about accessories and shoes and beauty, but even more so, it’s about the little elements in every day life that inspire you and influence your taste. As fashion blogging continues to evolve I’ve watched more and more bloggers share little intimate looks into their every day lives, the moments that fill their weekends with joy and those unexpected experiences – as trivial as they may be sometimes – that have you taking to the keyboard and storytelling to your readers.

Aqui: DIY Vintage Manicure
Are You Dressing Up or Dressing Down: Designer and High Street Collaborations
Awakened Aesthetic: ASOS Goes Eco-Friendly for Collection with Jessica Ogden
Chic n’ Cheap Living: Jewelry: Going for the Unexpected
Fiamma’s Fashion Spot: The Importance, Influence and Evolution of Fashion Shows
Haute World: A Visit to the Oxfam Curiosity Shop at Selfridges, London
IFB: 7 Magazines Every Fashion Blogger Should Read
In Her Stilettos: SXSW and Texas Style Council Recaps
Khola’s Kloset: Ode to Yves Saint Laurent
La Moda Inspire: The Best in Tribal Apparel
Mimosas in Bed: Inside Look at San Francisco’s Charity Fashion Show
Notes From a Stylist: Notes from a Stylist at the TriBeCa Ball 2011
Passionista Place: A look at Jewlery Designer Melody Ehsani
Pretty, Shiny, Sparkly: Style Icon, Kristen Stuart? Not Quite.
The Simply Luxurious Life: Going Parisian Chic
Snapshot Fashion: Colorful Pants for Spring
Studded Hileeery: How Not to Wear Leggings
Two Birds: Vintage, Re-mixed
The Well-Appointed Catwalk: The Artisan Corner at Gucci Boston
WIT & Whimsy: Styled 3 Ways: The Chambray Shirt
Wonderpug Graphics: Portrait of Fashion Illustrator Jessica Durrant

The Oxfam Curiosity Shop @ Selfridges (London, UK)

2011-04-03T21:05:00.005+01:00

Have you ever wanted to own a red carpet dress as worn by Scarlett Johanssen? Do you adore Colin Firth to the point where you'd just like to snuggle up in his cashmere sweater? Well, fear not... all of the above and more is now possible thanks to Britain's largest charity pop-up store, which opened its doors on April 1 in Selfridges' Ultralounge. Organized by Annie Lennox, the ten day event is in its second year running and includes items donated by celebrities such as Lennox herself, both Colin Firth and his wife Livia, Scarlett Johanssen, Jude Law, Dido, Florence Welsh, Alexa Chung and Elle Macpherson to name a few, as well as donations from designers such as Stella McCartney or Vivienne Westwood. In addition, sought-after samples and vintage pieces, both high-end and more affordable have been pulled from over 700 Oxfam shops in the UK and will be made available in the pop-up store.

Some of the items up for grabs include Annie Lennox' s Alexander McQueen gown (left), Livia Firth's gown (center) and Carey Mulligan's Vionnet dress (right). The first two gowns are available online.

More stuff for sale, including Alexa Chung's Mulberry skirt suit (top left), Alison Goldfrapp's Miu Miu shoes (lower left), Vivienne Westwood dress (center), Vivienne Westwood bag (top right) and Elle Macpherson's Celine tote (lower right).

According to Oxfam: "All the money raised will go to fund Oxfam's women's projects across the world from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to Democratic Republic of Congo, West Africa and South Africa. These projects protect support and empower vulnerable women: campaigning against violence, empowering them to fight HIV and AIDS and offering the poorest girls the chance of education. The projects funded by the shop include a women's tailoring project in Liberia which Laura Bailey recently visited with Oxfam. The money raised from last year's event has helped to transform the lives of countless women already." Last year, more than 30,000 customers visited the shop in just one week, raising an amazing £250,000 for Oxfam’s work.

A huge selection of vintage goods...

I spied cute purses and a pair of Marc Jacobs sandals.

If you're nowhere near London, don't worry: some of the most coveted pieces, including the gown Livia Firth wore to the BAFTA awards to support husband Colin, a stunning Alexander McQueen dress donated by Ms Lennox or a sequined number from Kate Moss are all available online here. There's no excuse not to visit Selfridges if you are in London though, especially considering the great cause. I dropped by the store yesterday and even though I'm usually overwhelmed by vintage shops, the spacious and colorful sales area was easy to browse and had a fantastic selection of both celebrity goods and regular (i.e. less pricier) vintage fair.

The gents had a great choice of ties (right), while the ladies could choose from a multitude of scarves and knits (left).

Loved the colorful displays, which showcased the Michael Kors heels (top right) nicely.

So many clothes, so little wardrobe space... sigh.

In addition to clothing, there was a wonderful selection of scarves, ties, bags, shoes and even trinkets such as an antique Singer sewing machine (already sold... bummer), music records, books and homeware items.

The Singer sewing machine (left) was already taken, but lots of scarves and bags were still available.

Sick of clothes? There's always the record collection or retro radios. I quite fancied the picnic set (right).

Tea for two... or more with the lovely porcelain set (left) and more for the music fans (right).

Of course the biggest draw will be the celebrity donations. Even though I didn't have the funds to buy any of them, I made a point of touching every single Colin Firth item (both he and his wife donated a lot), realized that Dido has excellent taste in clothes (her Hussein Chalayan and Vivienne Westwood coats were very cool and in great condition) and marveled at how varied Annie Lennox's style was (everything from black and simple to bright and printed).

Pre-loved Hussein Chalayan coat from Dido (top left), two dresses from Annie Lennox (lower left), Stella McCartney top (top center), Colin Firth's overcoat (lower center), Dido's Vivienne Westwood jacket (top right) and Annie Lennox' s Shanghai Tang dress (lower right).

The cutest area was undoubtedly the little corner that actually resembled a small vintage shop. It was stocked full of the more glamorous celebrity items, while ScarJo's Dolce & Gabbana dress and Colin Firth's leather jacket fronted the space. Inside, a video showed some of the celebrities describe the items they were donating, while the walls and shelves were adorned with more goodies than I could take in properly.

How cute is this shop-in-shop? And more from Colin in the form of a leather jacket. Scarlett donated this lovely Dolce & Gabbana dress (boy is she tiny...).

Inside the shop... more celebrity gowns and memorabilia. The embellished dress (lower right) is by Stella McCartney.

Shelves filled with accessories (right), while a screen featured video clips (top left) and yet another Annie Lennox find: the iconic wet-look trench.

I might actually have to go back to browse a second time and if you're in London, you'll have the chance to peruse the selection yourself - until April 10. As mentioned before, all others can still check out the online auction. I've provided a small selection of what's currently available below...

From the online auction (starting left): Livia Firth's gown as pictured at the top of the post, Kate Moss' dress, Stella McCartney boots from Beverly Knight, Colin Firth's coat and a beautiful Alexander McQueen gown by Annie Lennox (as pictured at the top of the post).

More auction items (from left): Ashish dress by VV Brown, Termperly kaftan dress, vintage Chanel suit, Emma Thompson's Jaeger dress, Jude Law's Oscar tuxedo, Jane Shepherdson's Camilla Skovgaard heels.

Selfridges Auction Homepage
The Oxfam Curiosity Shop Homepage

London In Bloom - Spring Florals

2011-03-31T00:35:00.004+01:00

Mount Street Gardens.

Spring has finally sprung - at least here in London. Temperatures are rising, the days are getting longer and the sun is making more frequent appearances. But of course Spring would be nothing without the beauty of blossoming flowers. And because the eight cherry trees in front of my living room window are a constant reminder of how wonderful this time of the year can be, I've been inspired to hunt down more floral delights in the shape of both the real thing and the fashion world's recurring love affair with the flower print.

Are you embracing floral patterns this season? Or would you prefer to just admire the botanical version instead? I know that there are a few pieces below I wouldn't mind owning...

Mulberry flagship window display (Bond Street).

Left: A stunning gown from Central Saint Martins graduate Hermione de Paula. Right: A blossoming tree in East London.

Left: Liberty's flower section. Right: A fun print on a Christopher Kane SS11 dress.

Current season Alexander McQueen (skull) scarves take on a floral twist.

Left: A vibrant dress by Cacharel. Right: Flower power at London's Bankside.

Claude Monet's Water-Lilies (1916), photographed at the Tate Modern.

Left: More flowers in front of Liberty. Right: A beautiful Dries van Noten piece.

Left: A modern take on the floral trend from Thakoon. Right: Jonathan Saunders mixes flowers with graphics.

Liberty's current in-store display, caught in a blur.

Another Jonathan Saunders creation.

Left: One of the many cherry blossoms in front of my window. Right: A gorgeous draped Vivienne Westwood dress featuring pink flowers.

Henry Holland's 'Debut' - Charity Event & Exhibition (London, UK)

2011-03-26T19:31:00.004Z

There's nothing better than spending money on something when you know it's for a good cause. Which is why the combination of fashion and charity is such a great mix. The last time I posted about a charity collaboration, it involved designer dolls, which some of you (and yours truly) deemed to be a bit creepy at times. An event that happened this week titled Debut was decidedly less sinister, since it involved actual clothing, art and other memorabilia.

Launched by Henry Holland, Debut saw the designer recruit the help from fellow British creatives and friends, resulting in a large collection of coveted pieces which were first featured in a pre-event exhibition, then auctioned off on March 24. All proceeds went to Cancer Research UK, the world's leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research.

A gorgeous venue: auction pieces displayed in the converted church that is One Mayfair.

I got a chance to catch a glimpse of some of the pieces prior to the auction event, all of which were presented in the stunning One Mayfair venue (a converted former church dating back to 1825). The lots up for auction focused on British fashion through the ages, featuring donations from the likes of Christopher Kane, Nicholas Kirkwood, Kate Moss or Paul Smith to name a few - while Agyness Deyn starred as a DJ during the actual auction.

Loved the pink-black combo of the seating area. The official booklet listed all auction items and the event schedule.

Below you'll find a few of the pieces that went up for auction. Which item(s) would you have bid on? Let me know!

Left: Peter Pilotto dress; the design was worn by Kate Bosworth. Right: Dress by Erdem, designed for Browns boutique to celebrate 40 years of British Fashion.

Donations by Henry Holland himself, included the signature House of Holland slogan shirts and an afternoon out with the man himself (left). A beautiful creation by milliner Stephen Jones (top right) and an autographed photograph of Kate Moss during Alexander McQueen's 2004 runway show, photographed by Richard Young.

Left: Christopher Kane red bandage dress from his first collection, as worn by Victoria Beckham. Right: Richard Nicoll dress featuring artwork by Linder Sterling.

Fashion as art: David Downton illustration of Erin O'Connor (top left), oversized limited edition signed Mary Quant stamp (lower left), painting from Alex Echo, who's art inspired Paul Smith (center), Simon Claridge pop-art of Kate Moss (top right), Dior by John Galliano photograph (lower right).

Left: Erdem floral dress. Right: Bellville Sassoon evening dress.

Top: Kate Moss for Longchamp bags designed exclusively by Kate for Debut (incl. handwritten note). Bottom: Nicholas Kirkwood shoes designed exclusively for Sarah Jessica Parker.

Left: House of Holland wedding dress reading 'Who needs a husband I've got House of Holland'. Right: 'History of Rainbows' dress by Tracey Boyd, exclusively for Debut.

More impressive shots: Twiggy (top left), Sid Vicious (bottom left), Tamara Rojo photographed by Paul Smith (center), David Bowie (top right), signed copy of Alexandra Schulman's first publication of Vogue UK as acting editor (lower right).

Vintage items, incl. a sparkly cardigan from the 20s (left).

If you missed 'Debut', you can always donate to Cancer Research UK via the official page. Henry Holland will be doing more charitable work next month when he runs the London Marathon for Oxfam along with a few friends (including Agyness once again). Donations for that can still be made via this fundraising page.

On a final note, if you happen to be in London this weekend, eco-brand People Tree is running a 'Sample Sale for Japan' until March 27 (near Aldgate East), with all proceeds going towards 'The Second Harvest Charity', which will provide food for the victims of the recent earthquake/tsunami in Japan.

Louis Vuitton's Roller Coaster Ride (London, UK)

2011-03-22T19:37:00.003Z

I might have a bit of a love-hate relationship when it comes to Louis Vuitton (not a fan of the monogram bags, yet certain collections, shoes and large cases are drool-worthy), but if there's one thing that will make me go anywhere near a tourist-laden flagship of theirs, it's the creative store windows.

This time around, London's Bond Street boutique had an amusement park theme, which saw keychains, bags and boots go on (moving) ferris wheel rides, while suitcases enjoyed the (stationary) roller coasters instead. Unfortunately the mannequins themselves didn't get to join in, but at least one of them attempted to hang upside down from the rails...

Bags on a ferris wheel...

Damier print luggage on a roller coaster.

Impressive: the roller coaster went all the way up to the second floor.

A few SS11 looks.

Shoes enjoying a ride.

This chic lady was replaced a few weeks later...

by this acrobatic mannequin in the same window.

All three windows above joined to create one long roller caoster.

Two miniature ferris wheels in the corner window adorned with keychains.

To see previous Louis Vuitton window displays, click here.

Surface To Air (Paris, France)

2011-03-17T18:57:00.003Z

Anyone who's spent a bit of time in Paris, keeps up with every 'it' fashion brand or is an avid follower of Garance Doré's blog, might already be very familiar with this label. I, like many, first stumbled upon it when I sighted the hugely popular buckle wedges one day and suddenly Surface To Air seemed to be everywhere: on Jessica Alba's feet, in some of the coolest fashion magazines and even as a collaboration with Kings of Leon (who designed a few menswear pieces for the label last year).

FW10 lookbook (images: Surface To Air).

SS11 lookbook (images: Surface To Air).

Style wise, Surface To Air (or S2A) can be described as a cross between Acne and Alexander Wang offering casual luxe pieces with an edge - and an eye for detail that goes beyond simple basics. Like Acne, Surface To Air isn't just a fashion label, but also consists of a creative direction/consultancy studio (clients include Louis Vuitton and Sony) as well as a film division that covers everything from music videos to TV commercials. Founded in 2000, the company started out as a group of friends who merely wanted to work on projects they liked - most of these involved fashion, photography, music, art or films. In a shop and gallery near the Louvre, they would exhibit and publish works from the likes of Banksy or Feist. These days though, the easiest way to appreciate their work is to take a leisurely browse in their Marais store, which is just one of two flagships in the world (the other can be found in Brazil).

Slouchy bags in the shop window (left) and a few floaty pieces on the first rack (right).

A quick look at the gallery area (left) along with some of the work exhibited (right).

Once you step into the boutique, it's a little hard to ignore the 'artsy' side of S2A. When I last visited, a small area near the entrance had been transformed into a gallery space, showcasing various graphic prints and an engraved axe to name a few. Chances are, you'll be more interested in the clothing and accessories. The brand is also hugely popular among the gents, so don't be surprised if you find more hip guys than girls perusing the collections. And because S2A has just recently launched a line for boys, I'll be expecting cool toddlers to be browsing the shop next.

Overview of the front part of the store (top), a few belts and the bead curtain of the changing room (bottom).

Wall art near the shoe section (left) and a first look at the tempting shoe area (right).

Oh, so many shoes! The iconic buckle wedges in various colors (left), and a few close-ups of the boots (right).

Yet it's still the ladies who get some of the best stuff, including beautiful cape coats, edgy leather dresses, flattering jeans and leopard-print cardigans. The store layout follows the gallery vision ingrained in S2A's philosophy. You'll never find more than a handful of clothes occupying a rack... and these can only be found along the walls, while the center is either reserved for benches, display tables or other decor. While the front area had many of the seasonal looks for women, most shoppers will undoubtedly end up gravitating towards the shoe section in the middle, where the famous buckle wedges (in various colors - this season's 'it' style features floral prints), boots and current season sandals are lined up neatly.

The second half of the store (top), where I found more lovely dresses and coats (bottom).

Clothes as wall art (left) and the illuminated pyramid.

Passing the snazzy changing room (adorned with the S2A logo), you'll find more in the back, including menswear and additional goodies for the ladies. Key looks were arranged along the wall, with garments showcased like works of art, while miniature TV screens underneath showed pictures from the lookbook or runway. Though the first part of the store might give a more rustic vibe with its wooden floors, the cool marble in this area definitely has more of a gallery feel. And the coolest prop? Probably the black pyramid in the center, which mirrors the company's logo, but most likely also pays homage to their first location near the Louvre.

The second part of the store as seen from the back (top). The modern shelves filled with cute kiddies' clothes (bottom).

Men's shoes in the middle of the room and yet more clothes on minimal racks (right).

If you like cool feminine looks (some draped and slouchy, others tight and fitted) or if you're a shoe fanatic, this is the ultimate place to be. Despite its popularity, the label's styles aren't as ubiquitous as even some of the more expensive designer brands. Pricing is in the mid-range and global stockists include Saks (in the US) and Browns (in the UK). But if you don't feel like fighting the models, fashion editors and creative types for that last boot wedge or drape cardigan, I suggest you head to their well-stocked online store instead.

A small selection of this season's shoes - and one really nice bag (images: Surface To Air).

Address: 108 rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris
Opening Hrs: Mon-Sat: 11:30-19:30, Sun: 13:30-19:30
Surface To Air Homepage & Online-Shop

Shoe Art at Selfridges (London, UK)

2011-03-14T20:09:00.001Z

Last autumn, London department store Selfridges revamped their footwear section, thus creating the world's largest shoe department to date. Aptly titled 'The Shoe Galleries', sandals, boots and heels - from low-end to designer - are displayed like works of art. Rightfully so, of course. But there's more...

When Selfridges first unveiled the new area, they approached Dutch creative team Lernert & Sander, who came up with 11 installations that "take iconic shoe design to surreal extremes". According to them: "We have taken the most mundane of household domestic appliances and comedically refashioned them into divine creations. A humorous take on fashion as an ideal escape from the daily grind.". I snapped pics of two of these sculptures a few months ago, which you'll find below along with a summary of the other works presented.

Sewing machines as platform heels.

Dishwasher clogs.

More household shoes, including irons, washing machines, brooms, cupboards and watering cans with a striking resemblance to McQueen's Armadillo heels (images: Lernert & Sander/Blinkart/Lex Kembery).

Though the above is relatively old news by now, I will give Selfridges props for displaying other fascinating shoe sculptures of the grandest scale, which still serve as decor in-store at the moment. The one made out of steel pots is probably the most impressive.

If I ever have too many pots, this is what I'll do with them. The actual pots are used for the sole and heel, while the lids create the vamp. Made by Joana Vasconselos.

The giant blinking strappy sandal.

Funky and casual - the oversized brightly lit sneaker.

Sighted near the Louboutin section, what I assume to be a gigantic mirrored Pigalle (without the red sole).

And then there are the actual shoes themselves, which will rival any work of art. Here's a prime example, brought to us by Alexander McQueen (SS11):

From runway to store shelf. I couldn't keep my hands of these. The four digit price tag stopped me from taking them home though.

Art worth investing in? Oh yes!

History Of Contemporary Fashion Exhibition - 70s/80s (Paris, France)

2011-03-09T17:51:00.007Z

With the end of Paris Fashion Week looming, and everyone eager for all that is FW11, it's sometimes nice to take a step back... or almost literally step back in time. One of my favorite museums, the 'Musée des Arts Décoratifs', which had previously hosted terrific exhibitions dedicated to Madeleine Vionnet and Sonia Rykiel, recently decided to present a complete history of fashion spanning the four decades between 1970-2010. Titled 'Histoire idéale de la mode contemporaine' ('an idealized history of contemporary fashion') curator Oliver Saillard, who has also published a book under the same name, decided to showcase long forgotten works by some of today's finest couturiers. Split in two parts, the first exhibition, which covers the 70s and 80s, ended last year, but if you're in Paris now, I strongly urge you to check out part two (90s and 00s) which will be featured on this blog soon.

The first looks at the entrance displayed early YSL and Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Though the 70s and 80s, don't necessarily trigger fond memories in the eyes of fashion critics, it was the more controversial works of Yves Saint Laurent (and his infamous 1971 collection) as well as Jean-Paul Gaultier's tattoo and cone-shaped bust pieces at the end of the 80s, that inspired Saillard to examine how modern couture sought to provoke and became ingrained with celebrity. Other highlights of the more low-key kind include Karl Lagerfeld's stint at Chloé and his first collections for Chanel, as well as the rising popularity of Japanese designers Yohji Yamamoto, Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garçons, Kenzo and Issey Miyake. Couturiers that ruled the 80s, such as Thierry Mugler, Christian Lacroix and Azzedine Alaïa were represented as well.

Arranged on two levels (each decade presented on a different floor), the exhibition was very well laid out, while the actual pieces were stunning to behold. The pictures I took are only meant to provide you with a glimpse of my impressions but hardly reflect how incredible and timeless most of these gowns still look to this day. If you're not in Paris anytime soon or want to see more/better images and read the accompanying text, I recommend you pick up Saillard's book, which can be ordered here.

Don't forget to check out more pictures (which include Chanel and Gaultier) after the jump.

Madame Grès

The feminine draping of Madame Grès, a favorite of Grace Kelly (1978).

Sonia Rykiel / Cacharel

More for the ladies, including Rykiel's soft knits (1974-1977) and Cacharel's Liberty prints (FW 75/76).

Chloé par Karl Lagerfeld

Hard to believe these are the works of Kaiser Karl (early to mid 70s).

Issey Miyake / Jean-Charles de Castelbajac / Ter et Bantine / Kenzo

Top left: Jean-Charles de Castelbajac (1974). Lower left: Ter et Bantine par Chantal Thomass (1972). Center: Issey Miyake (1974). Right: Kenzo (1971-1978).

Yves Saint Laurent

YSL's 70s art-inspired collection.

Claude Montana

Structured and leather pieces by Claude Montana (1978).

Thierry Mugler

Starting the 80s portion of the exhibition, the Mugler pieces were definitely the biggest draw and kept me coming back. Lady Gaga can prance around in Nicola Formichetti's creations all she wants, but nothing beats the 80s originals.

Beyond gorgeous, the ballerina dress dating back to 1986 decorated the stairwell, while the shiny 'angel' gowns (FW 84/85) had a group of schoolgirls (and me) literally glued to the glass cases. The winged gown on the left is the same one used for the exhibition's poster shot (top of the post).

Even the black dresses were eye-catchers, especially the one in the center adorned with headlights.

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac

The wonderful crazy world of Castelbajac including coats made of toy animals and dresses featuring giant prints (1983/84).

Popy Moreni

The most beautiful chiffon gowns...

Yohji Yamamoto / Issey Miyake / Comme des Garçons

Clean lines, structural shapes and colorful draping courtesy of Yamamoto (top left, bottom right, 1987/88), Rei Kawakubo (lower left, 1983-1989) and Miyake (center, top right, 1980).

Christian Lacroix / Roméo Gigli / Sybilla

'It's Lacroix darling!'... Lacroix (top right, lower center), Roméo Gigli (left) and Sybilla (lower right) - 1987-1988.

Jean-Paul Gaultier

The sailor look and more importantly, the cone-shaped madness made famous during Madonna's Blonde Ambition tour (1989-1990).

Chanel par Karl Lagerfeld

Kaiser Karl is back, but this time with tweed, pearls and luxe materials. Haute Couture SS83.

Azzedine Alaïa

Timeless shapes from Alaïa (1990).

Flowers, Macaroons & More @ Hermès (Paris, France)

2011-03-05T16:23:00.004Z

I know I've heavily featured Lanvin windows on this blog before, along with other random displays here and there. But until now, I've refrained from posting some of the most opulent windows of all, courtesy of the incredibly talented Leïla Menchari - Window Design Director of Hermès' main flagship on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. While the large boutique comes with several store windows, it's the main display corner that generally has pedestrians stopping in their tracks.

The current windows are extravagant as usual and perhaps it's the delicacies in the form of colorful macaroons (supplied by Pierre Hermé) that finally prompted me to take some photos. Or maybe it's the cute zebras and polar bears I spotted. I also took a few snaps of some of the neighboring windows, which are a little more classic, but over-the-top nonetheless. To read my previous feature of the flagship and see more from the inside, click here.

The impressive main windows of the flagship.

Some of the neighboring windows. Can you spot the Birkins?

And to make up for my lack of Hermès and Leïla Menchari love (the Tunisian born artist has been doing this for the fashion house for over 30 years), please find below a few of her previous windows. Some came accompanied with music or sound effects (birds chirping, leaves rustling etc.) and though some displays in the past were a little 'too much' for me, there's no denying they're quite extraordinary.

All images below courtesy of Hermès. For more stunning windows, please visit Hermès' FB fan page.