fashioned by love

Weekend sign off

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

It’s been a good week and now I am just looking forward to slowing down and recharging my inner energizer bunny. It’s time to take a deep breath and embrace little simple pleasures of life. Walking, cuddling, sleeping in, exercising, going out for coffee, reading the latest ELLE and Vogue and watching Midnight in Paris.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Always yours,

Photo source: Elle Argentina December 2011

Blonde ambition

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Being a blonde gives you power beyond belief and makes the world concentrate all its attention on you and your gorgeousness. Your blonde hair becomes a focal point and subject of many conversations. You turn into a Goddess of light, the beautiful fragile creature every man would love to hold and protect and an envy of many women who secretly want to be you (or at least have your hair). This is the fabulous side of reality that, however, always comes with a “but”…

As we all remember, with great power comes great responsibility and this is exactly the “but” part that we need to discuss. Once you choose to go blonde you have to find a perfect way not only achieve the colour of your dreams, but also maintain it accordingly.

The thing about hair dying is that there are quite a few things that may go wrong and I am sure many of us can vividly recall the traumatic experiences of going green, orange or patchy or ending up with haystack on your head.

If your goal is to have hair that resembles silk and looks blonde, not brassy, Garnier Nutrisse is the perfect choice. Of course, there are stylists and hair salons, but even glossy magazines now admit that not every woman would need to book a visit to achieve a hair of her dreams and could certainly DIY whenever she needs a touch up.

These days the formulas are so advanced that the product can be used by any woman who wants to add radiance and shine to her natural colour, change it to something different or cover greys. Until I chose to go with what nature intended for me, I always went for Nutrisse because I could easily find a shade I wanted (and there are so many gorgeous ones!), use it at home and apply with ease. It never run all over the place, provided some essential oils for extra nourishment and never ever went patchy. The only rules anyone would need to follow are: do a 48-hour patch test, never use the product straight after a perm or on top of henna (trust me, you are likely to go green if you do!), never try to change your original colour dramatically and stick within the 2-shade difference range, remember to use conditioner and… be prepared to turn heads and accept compliments when you emerge looking oh-so-beautifully-blonde!

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Photo source: Elle France December 2009

Donna Ida: 20 rules for denim addicts

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Donna Ida is indeed the Queen of Denim and the best person to turn to with all the denim related dilemmas and her advice about choosing and wearing jeans really is like a page from the Denim Bible – absolutely worth reading and remembering.

1. Be open minded. Always visit a denim specialist and be open to the suggestions the assistant makes. Like any garment all jeans are essentially the same - two legs, five pockets, but the magic is in the individual fit.

2. If they go on easily, go down a size. Kicking your way into the legs isn't unusual.

3. The waistband should be snug, if you can fit two fingers down the back that's good, a whole hand is not.

4. A curved, or pieced waistband, is ideal. This will be slightly higher at the back than the front and will curve into your waist rather than sit straight up.

5. High waisted jeans without a yoke can make the bottom look longer. Look for styles with a yoke if this is a concern.

6. There should be no 'grab' room at the crotch when trying. The jeans should be nice and firm when you buy them, and loosen with wear.

7. When buying jeans with super stretch, look for good quality denim that has great memory. The 'memory' is how quickly the denim springs back after wear.

8. When buying jeans with super stretch buy them firm but not overly tight. If you have 'seam strain' down the legs, they are possibly too tight and this could damage the stretch.

9. Look for white jeans with faux front pockets. If the style you choose has front pockets you can ask the tailor to remove them for a neater look.

10. 'Whiskering' adds interest and depth on jeans around the crotch area and is a flatting feature. Lighter styles with no whiskering can sometimes look a bit 'blocky'.

11. When having your jeans hemmed for flares take the shoes you want to wear with them to the fitting. You should decide on the shoes and stick with those shoes for your flares.

12. When having your jeans hemmed make sure the tailor always measures them from the back of the leg, i.e. at your heel, otherwise they may come back too short.

13. Alterations can give you the perfect jeans. Think about adjusting the waistband or slimming the legs - small adjustments are not unusual.

14. Pear shaped or curvy ladies who like skinny jeans should look at high waisted styles - it elongates the leg and slims down the hip.

15. Apple shaped girls should look for plenty of stretch in a straight leg in a dark wash as they are the most flattering.

16. Boyish shapes can wear most styles. Add some shape and interest with zips and details on back pockets.

17. Long legs look best in a mid to low rise to keep the waist at the right height, whereas petite girls look great in a high rise that accentuates the waist and elongates the legs.

18. Don't be afraid to hem cropped jeans. People often think that if cropped jeans aren't the right length then they're not the jeans for them, but cropped jeans should be hemmed to fit properly, just like a bootleg or straight leg.

19. Read the care instructions. Most premium jeans are best washed COLD, that’s cold and not 30 degrees, Any warmer and you are damaging the fabric.

20. Have fun with your denim…the traditional five pocket jeans now come in a myriad of colours, patterns and fabrics. Just wear them with a simple white tee.

Got another Denim Dilemma? Get it solved at Donna Ida

Photo source: Vogue Italia May 2005

Stylish quote

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

“Dress for yourself and the man you love (if there is one). Women dressing to impress other women — forget about that. It’s a very bad way of thinking.”

Karl Lagerfeld

Photo source: Vogue Germany October 2009 Beauty

Outfit inspiration: Paris fashion week

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

With a slight delay here I give you my Paris Fashion Week inspired outfit. This time I decided to go for nudes and greys with a touch of perfect rich red courtesy of Yves Saint Laurent. The Rick Owens jacket was the last minute choice to shield my imaginary fashionista from the elements as the weather became colder and rainy. The idea is to wear it casually, unzipped or wrapped around in a manner of a scarf – a wonderful thing about Rick Owens clothes is that you can wear them in so many different ways.

Another note will be about the perfume. I know there are many beautiful fragrances, but personally Serge Lutens is my number one whenever I think of a French perfume. His Feminitè du Bois is so quintessentially Parisian and will definitely suit this particular look.

Lambs leather jacket by Rick Owens, leather & linen blend dress by Chloe (currently 70% off), lock tote by Rochas, Isabella sunglasses by Nina Ricci, Tribtoo platform pumps by Yves Saint Laurent, gold-plated cuff bracelet by Philippe Audibert, Future Skin foundation by Chanteccaille, perfume Feminitè du Bois by Serge Lutens, Nail polish by Chanel, lipstick Rouge Volupte by Yves Saint Laurent

Photo source: Chanel Ready to Wear 2011 via Voulue Boutique

Natalia Vodianova in Harper’s Bazaar 2002

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Since everyone seems to be happy with regular Natalia-themed posts, let me indulge you again by sharing a story called “Undercover Elements” from the May issue of Harper’s Bazaar US photographed by Mario Sorrenti.

Photo source: Harper’s Bazaar US May 2002

Christian Dior Fall 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I am writing this on a Friday afternoon just so I can gather all my thought and emotions while they are still at a raw state, so buzzing and overwhelming it hurts my brain and squeezes out an occasional but much needed teardrop.

The unthinkable happened – I fell in love with Christian Dior created by Bill Gaytten. This time it felt natural. As the looks kept changing before my eyes, I opened my heart and allowed Gaytten in, the same way I did Galliano many years ago. Galliano was the one and only for me and he will remain so for the rest of Dior's era.

Gaytten was a different story. He was a replacement for a genius and, until recently, it never felt right for there's nobody else who could be compared to Galliano. I still feel that Dior made a mistake, but right now all I want to do is admire the Fall collection.

No longer I think that the new Dior’s designer is alien to the house. In fact, I was very close to admitting it after seeing his Pre-Fall designs. Back then I hesitated because the stubborn old me, I do take time before falling in love with people and things. Now I confess my feeling.

I cannot fault the Fall collection. It makes me feel happy and inspired just like all things beautiful do.

It makes me sad because I realise that Dior may not give us (and Gaytten) a chance to continue enjoying this new chapter that becoming more and more exciting and… so very Dior… so flawlessly timelessly elegant. There is a possibility that Gaytten will be signed up for up to 6 seasons or just a year or may be leaving shorty... Nobody knows... It's like a cruel game that Dior chose to play with everyone.

I so wish they stopped because not only it's incredibly distracting for most of us, but can be impossibly destroying to people who continue creating stunning collections to keep the house going no matter what kind of madness happens behind those close doors.

Photo source: style.com

Links a la mode: 1 March

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The Eyes of March

Edited By Taylor Davies

Here we are, the first day of March - can you believe it? Spring will officially start this month, flowers will start to bloom (we hope!) and winter will finally start to let us out of it's icy grip. This week's Links a la Mode selections run the gamut from fashion week round ups to DIY projects and runway colour inspirations.

A friendly reminder to all of you who graciously submit your posts for LALM: If your post is chosen for the round up, you must post the code from this post onto your own blog. The purpose of our round up is not only to share your links with our readership, but to share your fellow bloggers' links with your readers as well. This allows each blogger to get 20 outbound links to their blog, and yours too! Many of the blogs we have been selecting lately have not been posting the code, so we are going to be policing this more carefully in the future. Thanks again everyone!

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: 2 MARCH

Aspiring New Moms: Floral Silk Dresses
Designer Purushu: Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week AW2012
Dress Code: High Fashion: Trend Colour SS12 - Purple
Girl Loves Color: London Fashion Week Fall 2012 Round Up
Girl Next Door Fashion: How To Cope With Your Remix Kyrptonite
Fashioned By Love: Outfit Inspiration - Milan Fashion Week
Fashionopolis: Tango With Tangerine
Fashions On Top: Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush Review
First Came Fashion: NYFW Favorites
Fly Songbird: Shoe Love - Platforms and Wedges
Just Pandippo: everyday so caffeinated, I wish they were golden gated
Lulu Abroad: IFB Conference: Before You Go
Lure Of The Dark Side: Trends: Would You Wear Them?
Miss Vicki Secrets: Are Unpaid Interns Modern Slaves?
Ms. Fabulous: Red Carpet Dressing With Janet McTeer
Pretty Quirky Pants: DIY Halter Shirt
StyleDelights: 5 Handbags That Will Suffice (Gasp!)
StyleEyes Ethical Fashion Blog: The Good Fashion Blog
The Sparkle In Her Eye: The Joy of Toile
The Merchant Project: The Dress Code

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Weekend sign off

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Finally, finally, my favourite season is here! It makes me want to dance and smile all the time, which would probably look slightly odd to other people, but that’s a thing about spring – it makes me feel so carefree.

So what should you expect to see on Fashioned by Love in the next four weeks? Well, it’s still Paris fashion week, so an outfit post is due to appear shortly followed by a story about my favourite looks and collections. I’ll also tell you about another Russian top model and browse through the pages of one of the Burda’s spring issues. And of course, it’s time to get back to my own Fashion weeks, so if you like them, stay tuned.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Always yours,

Photo source: Vogue Paris June/July 2005

Introducing: Nikolay Krasnikov

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

WHO: Nikolay Krasnikov, Moscow-based fashion designer

WHAT: his very first Spring 2012 collection inspired by Russian art and history

WHERE: stay in touch via Facebook or visit official website

WHY: a beautiful blend of modern and classic that never goes out of fashion

LOOK FOR: beautiful tailoring, floating silks and gorgeous prints and lace that celebrate female form and beauty

As soon as I saw Nikolay’s collection I knew I was there for a treat. If I could compare his work to anything out there, I would definitely choose Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera Ready-to-Wear combined with some Galliano for Dior touches when it comes to Haute Couture pieces. Virtually unknown in Europe he seemed to have come from nowhere bringing a burst of colourful silk-wrapped Malyavin-inspired magic with him. Needless to say, I adore this designer not only for his incredible talent, but also an ability to keep Russian traditions, colours and style alive without making the clothes look old-fashioned or out of touch from the rest of the world.

His CV is already pretty impressive: a winner of several competitions, a student of the prestigious Lab founded by Vyacheslav Zaitsev, then – his apprentice, now – a Moscow-based boutique curator for Dolce&Gabbana and finally a designer in his own rights.

It's been a great pleasure for me to interview Nikolay for Fashioned by Love and share his story with you.

What is fashion for you?

Fashion is a very complex substance that is constantly changing depending on what’s happening in the world and the society. I think that a good designer is able to express those changes in his creations and, of course, build-up a profitable business.

When did you realise that you not only want to be a consumer, but create your own fashion?

It was 1993 when I first learned about Haute Couture. We used to have a TV programme called “Matador” hosted by Konstantin Ernst. One of the episodes was about collections from Haute Couture Fall/Winter 1993 and included a story about Gianfranco Ferre’s collection for Christian Dior with the commentary by Vyacheslav Zaitsev. For somebody living in a country of deficit it was something so fascinating, something I’d never experienced before in my life!

Back then I was only 16 and didn’t really know what career I would like to choose, but that story completely occupied my mind. There was nothing else I could think of and it totally changed my life.

What did your family think of your ideas and interest in fashion?

They’ve given me so much support. I am not sure I would be able to get through all the challenges without them.

Were you still living in Perm when it happened?

Yes, I was. I received my education there, too, and then started everything from zero. I went to study dressmaking, became a dress cutter, a tailor, a pattern designer and moved to Moscow in 1999.

Work for Vyacheslav Zaitsev

What was it like to find yourself in Moscow and start your new life there?

To be honest, I was surprised to see how many people were willing to help me – they found me a place to live and helped to get accustomed to life in the city. We stay in touch, although some are now living in Italy and others took a different path. The most important thing I’ve leaned from this experience is to be grateful to people who were there for me and, in return, be there for people whenever they need my help.

You’ve spent several years as an apprentice to Vyacheslav Zaitsev. Do you remember what you first day was like?

I’ve dreamed about this apprenticeship for 6 years. It began when I won a prize in a young designers competition called “Exercise” where Zaitsev was among the judges. Right after the competition he invited me to take part in The Lamanova Prize competition for Professional Fashion Designers where I got to compete against several students from the Zaitsev’s Fashion laboratory who showcasted their works. One of the Lab students, Sultana Frantsuzova, won the 1st prize. I was absolutely blown away by their designs and imagination that seemed to have no rules or boundaries. They turned fashion inside out and upside down.

It’s impossible to describe how much I dreamed of being a part of the Lab, but the course fees were quite high. The answer came from Vera Tugova, the founder and president of the “Exercise” who helped me find my sponsors.

Work for Vyacheslav Zaitsev

And then the first day has finally come… We all gathered around Vyacheslav Zaitsev and listened to his stories about childhood memories, post-war hunger and years he spent establishing himself as an artist.

The course was incredibly interesting. Perhaps, there were difficulties, but I was so happy about being there I didn’t notice anything else. I took part in two competitions and won 1st prize in the Lomanova’s one and 2nd in the International contest in Berlin and was offered an apprenticeship at Vyacheslav Zaitsev Haute Couture House. I was the first Lab student who’s ever received an apprenticeship of this kind. During this time under his watchful eye I have created seven couture collections.

Has Zaitsev ever given you any advice that you will remember for the rest of your life?

He hardly ever gives any, but instead pushes you in a right direction. It was much more valuable to me than any advice.

Work for Vyacheslav Zaitsev

If you had a chance to meet any fashion designer who would it be?

John Galliano, no doubt about that. Others would be Dior, Saint Laurent, Chanel and Ferre who are no longer with us, unfortunately.

You’ve created so many beautiful collections while working with Zaitsev. What made you decide to move on and work for Dolce&Gabbana team?

I wanted to try something new, see what it’s like to work on an European level, and they paid well. I received a lot of support from Natalia Kozlova, a journalist and host of Russian TV show called “Magic of Fashion” / “Магия Моды”. I can’t thank her enough.

What is your role at Dolce&Gabbana?

I look after the merchandise managers and design of the Moscow boutiques. I work with a small but very talented team of designers. To be a luxury brand merchandiser in Russia is very different from Europe where your desire and hard work are enough to get the job. In Russia one must have a degree in art as a required minimum.

How did it feel to begin working on your own collection?

I haven’t done it for about 10 years and it felt as if I lost the skills and ability to create, but it turned out that I’ve gained so much experience, both as a designer and stylist. It was frightening to make the first step, but my confidence grew as I “kept walking”.

Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection

What inspires you?

Russian art, theatre, paintings, ballet, Russian crafts, history are my endless source of inspiration. My job is to adapt them to the modern reality.

From the choice of fabrics, couture embroidery to one-off prints and silhouettes, “The Improvisation of Inspiration” is a technically demanding collection. How did you manage to combine all the element in such a harmony and what was the most challenging?

The embroidery was created by Russian artisans – luckily we still have these wonderful people who know this art, while I designed every single garment, from the very first sketch to the very last stitch. My experience made is quite easy for me to achieve.

I begin by pinning the fabric to a mannequin. It’s a very old-fashioned way of dress making that can only be found in Couture houses these days. Then I transfer everything into paper and create patterns. This technique allows one to be more creative when it comes to creating a silhouette of a garment.

Who created the fabrics and gorgeous prints for the collection?

The prints were custom-designed and created in Italy. First, the pattern is created out of all the elements, then scaled and, once ready, printed on fabric. All my clothes are made from silk, linen, chiffon and silk lace.

Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection

Your Spring 2012 collection is very feminine and resembles a dance of flowers. What kind of woman you design your clothes for?

First of all, she is confident and, of course, intelligent, beautiful and a little bit romantic. She has a strong sense of style and is a winner in any situation. It sounds a bit too perfect, but isn’t it what we all are trying to achieve?

Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection

Your Fall/Winter 2012/2013 collection will be shown in March. Can you give us any idea, a hint of what we should expect?

The new collection will be even more technically demanding that the previous one in terms of tailoring and textures, but the colour scheme will be toned down.

It’s inspired by Matilda Kschesinskaya, the Russian Prima Ballerina who was able to perform 32 fouettes. The richest woman of Imperial Russia she was also a mistress of two Grand Dukes and the future Tsar Nicholas II. She lost everything during the revolution, but managed to save herself and her family, find strength to overcome the loss of her homeland, friends and title and start a new life in Paris.

Where do you see yourself in, say, 5 years from now?

Future is such an unpredictable thing. It’s hard to plan something for sure, but it’s worth trying to achieve something special.

So… are we talking Paris, Milan, London, New York or is it going to be Russia?

We’ll see… I am quite superstitious. Only time will tell…

4 things about Nikolay Krasnikov:

Favourite dessert: anything chocolate

Favourite season: Russian winter, but I do love the sun.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would you find yourself? Italy. I love this country, the mixture of ancient history and the latest technologies, art and wonderful weather. And, of course, wonderful Italian cuisine!!!

Most favourite item in your wardrobe right now? Shearling jacket and fur coat – it’s freezing in Russia.

Books or glossies? Bulgakov’s Master & Margarita – he has an ability of expressing all the tragedies and contradictions of a human race with such an ease… it’s so inconceivable, so beyond me…

I also love Pushkin. His Evgenii Onegin is not just an encyclopedia of Russian life as it’s often referred to, but also a wonderful source of irony and wit.

Photo source: Nikolay Krasnikov Spring 2012 Lookbook courtesy of Nikolay Krasnikov, photos by Anton Bundenko

See by Chloe Fall/Winter 2012/2013

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

The very first and much anticipated and welcomed See by Chloe defile, a true representation of a movable feast for the eyes. I really love See by Chloe clothes for their carefree spirit that awakes that flirty dancing girl inside you. I adore the quality, beautiful tailoring and that fact that it’s still Chloe, but for less. It’s full of timeless pieces and wardrobe statements that can make you feel good about yourself 24/7. My wish list is getting longer…

And a quick P.S. Have you noticed that the See by Chloe girl carries her bag upside down?

Photo source: chloe.com

Stylish quote

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

“The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.”

Lucile Ball

Photo source: Vogue US July 2005

Milan fashion week favourites

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I wish Milan fashion week was longer, stretched over days and even months because following it was like opening a box of treats every day – you never knew what to expect and there was always something special to enjoy.

I was lucky to watch some of the live streams and incredibly grateful to be given such an opportunity. It’s a shame that Bottega Veneta was all very much a private affair because I would love to see it in motion rather than stills that, as beautiful as they were, didn’t move me enough to talk about them much longer.

And so before we travel to the Holy Grail of fashion I want to share some of my favourite looks from the catwalks of Milan. My choice is based mainly on the gut feeling and my desire to own and wear the clothes.

Dolce & Gabbana show was as Italian as it could possibly be: the theatrical setting, the music and, of course, the clothes created for a woman who knows how beautiful she is. It was also wonderful to see how Domenico and Stefano remain so true to their philosophy and style and yet manage to play with the silhouettes, mood and fabrics in a way that’s so exciting.

I love love love this Emilio Pucci dress! It looks like a second skin that makes you look like you just walked through the moonlight. Absolutely mesmerising.

The last Jil Sander by Raf Simmons collection was a midsummer dream, so ethereal and delicate like a dance of petals in the wind. It reminded me of something designed by Yves Saint for Dior and I secretly hope that this is where Simmons will be heading…

Finally there is Sportmax. In one word: LOVE. This is a kind of sporty and slightly edgy elegance that I crave and adore and would wear day in and day out if only I had a chance to.

Photo source: elle.com

Natalia Vodianova in Vogue 2002

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I will understand if you develop an intolerance to my weekly posts made of editorials featuring Natalia Vodianova, but I really love them and can’t help it.

Photo source: Vogue Nippon November 2002

Gorgeous Doutzen in Harper’s Bazaar

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

To be honest, I could easily call this editorial and post “And God created Doutzen” because she looks so incredibly beautiful that every time I look at these photos they take my breath away. There are some models that look like a work or art and she is definitely one of them.

Photo source: Harper’s Bazaar US March 2012

Weekend sign off

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Last week was a mix of work and fashion for me and I really enjoyed it. I have watched Part 3 of Pardon my French, a short film A Woman Dress created by Giada Colagrande for Miu Miu, pre-fall 2012 Bottega Veneta collection, as well as two wonderful documentaries that I will definitely blog about in March.

An invite to a private sale came in out of the blue – an incredibly exciting offer I couldn’t refuse and will be telling more about as soon as I attend it.

Of course, I couldn’t ignore the news about Raf Simmons leaving Jil Sander after today’s show and his position will be filled by Jil Sander herself. There are rumours that Simmons may be heading to Dior or even YSL, but nothing has been confirmed yet. He’s been wonderful at Jil Sander, so I am sure he will do a wonderful job wherever it might be.

I also discovered that our Royals, Prince William and Kate now have a cocker spaniel puppy. I am so glad they chose a cocker – they are the most wonderful dogs in the world (and one is sleeping on my lap as we speak as it’s his post breakfast nap time).

And of course, I have been enjoying the fashion week and, apart from constantly checking the calendar on vogue website and photos on style.com, got a chance to watch McQ, Gucci, Prada, Moschino and Versace streams.

That’s all the news and updates for now.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Always yours,

Photo source: Elle Belgium 2011

Bare minimum

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

We wore them as underwear and then outerwear and showed a little bit here or there and now it looks like we won’t need our bras at all, after all the efforts and thoughts.

So far neither Gucci nor Alberta Ferretti used this delicate piece of every woman’s wardrobe to stimulate imagination or provide extra coverage or support. Instead they went all sheer and bra-less giving the world a chance to see it all as nature intended.

What do you think? I feel that it’s definitely a good way to go if you are watching your spendings because no longer a girl would need to worry about buying both a Gucci sheer blouse AND a gorgeous La Perla bra to match, but concentrate all her financial efforts on the blouse only.

It would definitely be a treat for every man’s eyes, particularly those lacking an ability to imagine things whenever the view is obstructed. On the other hand the trend can be definitely dangerous when introduced as a daywear because it will certainly affect the traffic and increase the number of accidents both on the road and in the workplace.

Should you feel like embracing the look, do consider a blazer. After all, some things are still best to be left unseen no matter how beautiful they might be.

Photo sources: Vogue Russia September 2010, Gucci Fall 2012, Alberta Ferretti Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear

Outfit inspiration: Milan fashion week

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Outfit number 3 to celebrate one of my favourite fashion weeks. I know I am a day late as Milan fashion week officially started yesterday, but I am a creature of habits and Wednesday is a Stylish quote day, so the outfit had to wait.

On the other hand they say best things happen to those who wait, so I really hope that you will like my Milan-inspired look.

It all began with an Etro jacket that had amazing details and I wanted the outfit to reflect some of the most beautiful elements of the garment.

I picked the light blue dress because Italians are very much about femininity and sensuality and a combination of powdery colour, silk, elegant ruched details of the back (you can see it if you follow the link below) and delicate pattern of the skirt were absolutely perfect. Then I thought of the shoe option and my mind went back to this very Dolce&Gabbana pair made of macramé lace – sort of the same pattern as the front panels of the coat.

The rest was easy. A statement ring for a bit of diamond sparkle and beautiful Murano glass necklace, delicate enough not to overpower the dress, but to add the tiny accents with the ice-like beads circled in gold and tangerine strokes of melted glass.

And of course, a bag that’s big enough to carry all the necessities, but beautifully shaped and compact, and a pair of sunglasses for you cannot be in Milan and not wear any.

Patchwork jacket by Etro, ruched and crochet-knit dress by Missoni, Flume Murano glass chocker necklace by Antica Murina, Rita 2 sunglasses by MaxMara, Chioccia ring by Galante Visconti, Macramé Lace Ankle Boots by Dolce&Gabbana, Silvana bag by Fendi, perfume Bottega Veneta by Bottega Veneta

Stylish quote

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

“It is better to fail in originality

than to succeed in imitation.”

Herman Melville

Photo source: Vogue UK August 2011

Kinder Aggugini designs for the English National Ballet

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

First it was Coco Chanel, then Versace and Lagerfeld and now we have another designer to join the creative force behind stunning ballet costumery.

Just like Chanel and Lagerfeld, the Italian born Brit Kinder Aggugini will be creating one-off pieces for the production of The Rite of Spring, a performance that was once a part of Diagilev’s Ballet Russes dance company and later successfully reworked by Sir Kenneth MacMillan for the English National Ballet.

“It's not just a costume, it's the resurgence of an iconic work of art.” said Aggugini in his Vogue interview.

And for me it’s not just a celebration of many things that are so dear to my heart, but also a very important moment in a history of ballet and fashion. If you don’t want to miss such a magnificent event that takes place between 22 and 27 March, the tickets are still available.

Photo source: vogue.co.uk

Natalia Vodianova in Vogue Paris March 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:02:00 +0000

Today is definitely a Natalia Vodianova day and I couldn’t be happy about it. Having posted a beautiful editorial this morning I had to get back to my “drawing board” in the afternoon to share this gorgeous photos of Natalia photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott for the March issue of Vogue Paris.

Simple. Stunning. Sensational.

Photo source: Vogue Paris March 2012

Natalia Vodianova in Marie Claire 2001

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" border="0" alt="model: Natalia Vodianova
source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zlYApqbY9NY/T0EaZCNlrxI/AAAAAAAAJLI/vXCR4Q98VX0/marie-claire-it-march2001-vodianova-1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="708">

I really don’t know why Lolita became an inspiration behind this photo story because, frankly, that’s the last thing I would think of. On the other hand, I do love the editorial shot by Jacques Olivar for Italian Marie Claire back in 2001. It’s one of those perfect ones you would want to keep forever.

source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" border="0" alt="model: Natalia Vodianova
source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H7JqypzMD4U/T0EaatP708I/AAAAAAAAJNo/oSsDEGTv45Q/marie-claire-it-march2001-vodianova-2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="712">

source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" border="0" alt="model: Natalia Vodianova
source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F3PZ7oiNf9c/T0Eaf5-XzYI/AAAAAAAAJNw/A2cDWKkwYKE/marie-claire-it-march2001-vodianova-4_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="712">

source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" border="0" alt="model: Natalia Vodianova
source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZK9wYTpT0IU/T0EaiDMZNHI/AAAAAAAAJN4/U_sKX0sxvj4/marie-claire-it-march2001-vodianova-5_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="716">

source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" border="0" alt="model: Natalia Vodianova
source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hbkHD_7ZgiE/T0Eaj43idxI/AAAAAAAAJOA/KZ0hr0yhQJc/marie-claire-it-march2001-vodianova-6_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="723">

source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" border="0" alt="model: Natalia Vodianova
source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kz6a-VQFbog/T0EaljbfzMI/AAAAAAAAJOI/FBkunJjU94g/marie-claire-it-march2001-vodianova-7_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="716">

source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" border="0" alt="model: Natalia Vodianova
source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f0YKOzk4Z0Q/T0EaoWN90JI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/yB3nUUoOLhM/marie-claire-it-march2001-vodianova-8_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="719">

source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" border="0" alt="model: Natalia Vodianova
source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FSfsKr7nu0Y/T0Eb082EIfI/AAAAAAAAJOY/Ui1V1sBnNec/marie-claire-it-march2001-vodianova-9_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="716">

source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" border="0" alt="model: Natalia Vodianova
source: Marie Claire IT 03/01
editorial: "Lolita 2001"
foto: Jacques Olivar" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2iYJABphwA0/T0EarzA0VzI/AAAAAAAAJOg/HZNDNaBTfXU/marie-claire-it-march2001-vodianova-10_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="716">

Photo source: Marie Claire Italia March 2001

Sweet Sunday: French flourless chocolate cake

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

I found a recipe for this cake in Michel Montignac’s book several years ago and it became one of my favourite recipes to use whenever I crave something delicious, light and healthy. There are quite a few good things about this cake. This impressive dessert with a mousse-like texture is easy to make and has a low glycaemic index, which basically means that it won’t affect your blood sugar and figure the way most other cakes would (subject to portion control – still no miracles here, I am afraid). It’s not only flourless, it’s also made without added sugar, butter or cream. All you need is chocolate and eggs. That’s it.

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE

INGREDIENTS

310g dark chocolate (70% of higher) plus

100g dark chocolate for topping (sometimes I replace it with cocoa powder or ground walnuts)

broken into pieces

10 large eggs, separated

YOU WILL ALSO NEED

20cm round spring form tin, baking paper, two very large mixing bowls and electric mixer

IMPORTANT

The secret is to have your own as hot as possible and to work quickly once your chocolate has melted. Use the best quality ingredients for a rich but not overpowering delight.

TIP

This cake can be frozen to up to a month. Slice before freezing, so you can defrost just enough for a delicious dessert.

DIRECTIONS:

Line a 20cm (8 inch) round spring form tin with baking paper, both the bottom and the side. The collar lining the side of the tin should rise a few inches above the top of the tin. Preheat oven to 250C (gas mark 9).
Place a large clean dry bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, making sure the bowl does not touch the water. Put 310g chocolate in the bowl to melt, stirring often.
Put the egg whites in a large bowl and, using a hand-held electric mixer, beat until stiff peaks form. Do not overbeat.
Transfer the bowl with the melted chocolate from the pan to a work surface. Gently stir the beaten egg yolks into the chocolate. Add a couple of tablespoons of the egg white and stir just to combine. Quickly and gently fold in the rest of the egg white until the mixture has the consistency of a soufflé or light mousse. Do not overmix.
Pour the chocolate mixture into the tin and bake in the oven for 8 minutes exactly. Remove the pan from the oven and cool for 30 minutes, then chill in the refrigerator for 12 hours or overnight. Do not take it out of the tin yet.
To finish, take the cake out of the refrigerator and turn out onto a large plate or a piece of cling film on a flat surface. Melt the extra chocolate in the same way as in step 2. Pour a thin film of chocolate over the cake and spread evenly with a spatula. Chill in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. To serve, dip a sharp knife in hot water and use to slice the cake.

Bon Appetite!

P.S. I promise to replace a picture of chocolate with a photo of the actual cake later today.

Weekend sign off

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

It’s been a very good week even if I say so myself. Now I am planning to relax, prepare a special dinner, make a delicious chocolate cake (check the blog tomorrow for the recipe), do a bit of shopping and, of course, browse the latest collections on style.com.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Always yours,

Photo source: Elle France 2004

Outfit inspiration: London fashion week

noreply@blogger.com (Little Rus) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Backstage at the Michiko Koshino show.
Photo: Edmond Terakopian / PA" border="0" alt="London Fashion Week, Natural History Museum, BFC Tent.
Backstage at the Michiko Koshino show.
Photo: Edmond Terakopian / PA" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S5DUXECM_Fc/Tz0QMWQhu7I/AAAAAAAAJJ4/TRWEAqzWo1s/Michiko_Koshino_London-Fashion-Week-Backstage_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="414">

Moving swiftly to London now and celebrating the start of the fashion week with a new outfit. Unlike the previous one, this look is a mix of high street and high end designers because that’s very British to me. “The local” high street is known for beautiful pieces and accessories, so it would be a shame not to use any.

On a P.S. kind of note. A couple of days ago yours truly bumped into a group of models rushing to their castings. Frankly, have never seen so many gorgeous girls at once. How designers manage to choose just a few? It’s seems like a very difficult task.

Felt-panelled wool dress & woven wool coat, both by Nicole Farhi, beaded bib necklace by Jaeger, Aviator Beatty platform sandals by Burberry London, Romeo quilted chain shoulder bag by Reiss, Fleur Oriental EDP by Miller Harris, lipstick in Sonnet by Illamasqua, nail varnish in La Moss by Butter London.

Photo source: lightstalkers.org