Catherine Baba is a woman of striking and captivating style. It’s guaranteed that if you see her strolling down the street you can’t help but stare at her, because she looks like she is from a different world or at least from a different era- 30’s glamour, 20’s pencil eyebrows, cocktail jewelery, turbans in vibrant colors, complimented by daring and bold outfits.

Catherine Baba is a freelance stylist who was born in Australia and has moved to Paris more than 15 years ago .  Baba has extensively worked for many fashion houses including Chanel, Givenchy, Ungaro , as well as styled for magazines such as DAZED & CONFUSED, VOGUE and VANITY FAIR.   Catherine is no stranger to making an entrance or a statement in all that she does, even bicycling her way around Paris in her gorgeous killer YSL heels. Like it or not, Catherine is told to be one of the most stylish woman in Paris- now that’s a title!

“Know who you are, be prepared for everything, drink every experience to its extent and expand!  It can be a bumpy ride, trust me but it’s worth it DARLING.” - Catherine Baba

The hottest spring accessory this fall is a men’s inspired watch. It’s definitely a statement piece that will make or break your outfit. The key when wearing masculine pieces is to always balance out with feminine pieces. So, whether you’re wearing jeans and a basic tee, a sweet ultra-femme frock or a sizzling cocktail dress, an oversized man’s watch infuses that perfect dose of irreverence that ups the cool quotient of any outfit.

I know tons of women out there who prefer men’s watches. Ladies, there is no need to borrow your men’s watch anymore; you can now have one of your own.

Below you can see some of my favourites for very different budgets from affordable to expensive to super expensive. Movado version is one of my favourites.

What do you think of this trend? Are you a supporter of the whole masculine fashion movement?

The Interview

La Mimi: Name, Age, Location:

Sophia, 24, Boston

La Mimi: What does Fashion mean to you?

Sophia: I see fashion as art, business, a reflection of culture, society and history, but most importantly, self-expression.

La Mimi: What has prompted you to start blogging?

Sophia: I started blogging in 2006 out of curiosity and passion for the subject. I was reading Style Bubble at the time and enjoyed it thoroughly. On the side, I was poring over runway shows, online magazines and books on the history of fashion houses and design terminology. It was just a hobby. I’m pretty sure I only had something like 3 readers in 2006, but I loved it. I took a blogging hiatus for a few years and returned in 2009.

La Mimi: What’s your ideal career?

Sophia: I’ve always been a very practical person as demonstrated with what I’m studying in school at the moment, but somewhere inside is this gal who just wants to create and innovate. Ideally, I’ll be creating, designing, or doing something that pushes the envelope in whichever way, be it design, fashion, technology, so forth.

La Mimi: How long does it take you to get ready in the mornings?

Sophia: Most days, 10 minutes maximum. I throw on some basics, brush my teeth, wash my face, grab my bag and I’m out the door. I waste no time! However, on weekends or days where I don’t go in early to school, I can take my time and put more conscious effort into what I’m wearing.

La Mimi: Whose personal style do you admire?

Sophia: Not any one person in particular, more like a conglomeration of many. I love Charlotte Gainsbourg’s laid back effortless style, Alexa Chung’s tomboy schoolgirl vibe, and the model-off-duty look is so practical. I love making a loud statement, but at the same time, practicality is still a must. I also find myself gravitating towards a darker and more minimal aesthetic in the end after I’m bored of all the trends, so I guess I’m also influenced by 90s minimalism and goth rock and post-punk. Somehow, it works in the end?

What’s in your make up bag?

Burt’s Bees pomegranate oil lip balm. And, that’s it. Apologies for having the most boring make up bag!

What trends are you loving at the moment?

Sheer sheer sheer! Transparency, layering lightweight fabrics, and leather in browns, beiges and creams.

What’s the biggest lesson life has taught you?

I used to be a person who loved to plan out everything to the smallest detail. Life is too complex to put down in a to-do list. You have to be flexible and creative. Another thing is, always leave your mind open, constantly seek new knowledge, and don’t ever be afraid. I used to be afraid of many things and it got me nowhere. If you’re going to do it, don’t be afraid.

Trying to get inspired I looked at some of my favorite bridal designers. Oh, and of course I couldn’t help but fall in love with this season’s ultra-femme bridal trends and accessories.  For all of you future “Mrs” out there, key looks for gowns are in the fabrics and details.

Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera combined formal, vintage-inspired silhouettes with contemporary beaded sheaths and tea-length styles for a more refreshing and modern take.  Asymmetrical, origami cuts are still in, with the addition of hand-painted tiered skirts and cut-outs.  Picture a garden wedding with piled ruffles of tulle and organza, embellished with layered silk rosettes and lace beading.  Faint hues of blush and splashes of color or black are also options for a more non-traditional look. Want a unique piece to add to your wedding look?

Retro accessories are all the rage including birdcage wedding veils , feathers, and 20’s derby hats. Also, shoes are such an important part of your wedding outfit. It’s great to add a pop of color with a bright , eye-catching hues like electric blue or fuchsia. It’s definitely an unexpected detail that will add so much more interest and drama to your wedding ensemble.

Do you know what kind of dress you’d like to wear for the Big Day? How about accessories? Please share your ideal wedding outfit or if you are married, tell us what you wore for your wedding day.

I’ve personally started doing some spring shopping a couple of weeks ago and I just can’t wait to wear the clothes and accessories I got- bright printed scarves, sandals, ballet flats, new shades, light jackets. Oh my! No wonder spring is my favourite season of all.
Not sure what to keep in mind when shopping this spring?

Then check the Five Spring 2010 Must Haves below…

What are you excited to wear this spring ?

I get asked quite frequently personal questions by La Mimi readers wanting to know more about me, what I do for a living and whether writing for La Mimi is my full time career. So, I decided to dedicate a short post to tell you a little bit more about myself A.K.A the person behind La Mimi.

Why did you start La Mimi?

I’ve founded the La Mimi blog about two years ago, as an attempt to gather all my fashion and beauty research, knowledge and inspirations in one place and share it with like minded people. It’s not my full time career, however writing and researching material for the articles I regularly post on La Mimi helps me with my career as I always have to stay updated with not only current fashion trends shown off by the greatest designers but also getting inspired by countless number of truly talented fashion bloggers.

What do you do for a living?

I’m a part-time fashion stylist, as well as full-time personal stylist in Toronto, Canada. That means I work with personal clients one-on-one, styling them for special events or for every day life. As a fashion stylist, I work with companies and provide wardrobe styling services on shoots for print ads, commercials, as well as fashion shoots for various companies and publications. Some of the companies I’ve worked with in the past include TD Canada Trust, Harlequin Publishing, The Biz Media and Ontario Tourism. I love what I do because it allows me to constantly travel, meet new people and be around clothes all day.

Who are your personal clients?

Well…I can’t tell you specifically who they are due to privacy issues, but if you are curious to know what kind of people hire a personal stylist then I can definitely share. Most of my clients are high-profile individuals who are very successful in many aspects of their life. They all come from different career fields, some are executives, business owners, others are actors or just social housewives.

There are a few things though that all my clients have in common and that’s the need to always project an impeccable image, as well as try to save as much time as possible. How do I help them?  I go personal shopping with or for my clients and their family. Style my clients for special occasions and red carpet events, and help them pack for regular business trips, as well as vacations. I am passionate about people and clothes, so my career allows me to combine both of my passions. I’m extremely grateful to be doing something that I truly enjoy and it hardly ever feels like work for me, because my clients become my friends and I genuine love helping them. And that is the best part!

If you’d like to find out more about what I do, feel free to visit my website personal stylist website- La Mimi.

I hope that answered all your burning questions. Feel free to ask me anything else you would like to know.

Here is also my appearance on Toronto’s Breakfast Television talking about the importance of personal style:

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Thanks for visiting and keep in touch ~ Mimi.