Fab Five (Milan edition)

Milan fashion week has ended, and I am doing the Fab Five thing, choosing my 5 favourite looks from all the collections. I admit Milan fashion week is my least favourite. I can't stand the tackiness of Cavalli, Dolce & Gabanna and Dsquared2. And don't you think, Prada - aka don't believe the hype- is so overrated?

This spring more than ever, and thanks to the work of Giles Deacon for Daks, we will be surrounded by flowers.
















Consuelo Castiglione respected the classic Marni silhouette, adding her distinctive touch and covering this top with petals.

Raf Simmons is doing a incredible job with Jil Sander. Honouring the classic clean lines of the label, he makes the difference with colours: magenta, royal blue, orange...

Alberta Ferreti inspired by the Ancient Greece created the most beautiful collection.

Although the collection didn't respect Gianfranco Ferré's legacy, I do believe he would have favoured this dress.

Song: Cuore - Rita Pavone

Suffer in the name of BEAUTY

Yesterday I got a facial done. And it was the most painful thing I've done since I was 6 years old and my tonsils and adenoids were removed without anaesthetic. Don't think I am a moaner, because (I promise) I cried of pain.

After two hours, I left the beauty center with a puffed up face and thinking about the results. The beautician said in two days my face will look flawless, but even with that I don't know if I should follow her recommendation and come back in two months.

What about you? Do you suffer in the name of beauty?

Song: Pain - Jimmy Eat World

Fab Five (London edition)

I know I am a bit late doing the London fashion week report now, but it takes time to watch all the shows and decide which ones are your favourites.

If you understand Spanish and want to know the private matters of Giles Deacon's show visit katelovesme.

I praise Marios Shwab for renewing the classic LBD.

Felder-Felder proved 90's are back.

Ashley Isham showed, in my opinion, the most interesting silhouettes.

Luella, was definitely my favourite show (the liberty prints helped). She gets better and better.

Giovanna Battaglia

I confess: I have a girl crush on Giovanna Battaglia. You might have noticed her web is in my list of links since a long time ago.

She is the fashion editor of L'Uomo Vogue, and one of the best dressed woman I've ever seen. Giovanna is very elegant, but not in a boring way, always with a twist. For what I see in the pics, her favourites labels are Balenciaga, Prada and Chanel all very expensive and far away from my budget.

Enjoy this inspiring photos.

All pics by The Sartorialist.

Song: Monkey gone to heaven - Pixies

New York, New York

The gang of Sex and the City is already filming...And I spot an Eiffel tower bag...looks promising...

Song: Leaving New York - R.E.M.

Lyell

While in London -and Madrid- the spring summer collections are going strong, I am still thinking about winter clothing. Which isn't that weird living in the northern hemisphere.

I first discovered Lyell last season, and I was amazed by Emma Fletcher's designs. Every single piece is like a time trip.

Her clothes have the ability to take you back to past times and looking at the pictures you can feel the vintage vibe this garments are impregnate with. But Lyell doesn't forget the necessities of women nowadays, and adapts this pieces to our times.

The fall/winter collection is full of front-tie blouses, wool pea coats and dresses in a wide range of colours from black and white to brown or blue.

Song: I'm the man who loves you-Wilco

Lou Doillon by Lee Cooper

The Chloë Sevigny collaboration with Opening Ceremony is getting a lot of coverage, and I'm not complaining (I swear!) because is the best celebrity line I've seen by far. However, hardly anybody talks about Lou Doillon's collection for Lee Cooper. She signed for three years to design sixteen pieces including; high-waisted pants, t-shirts and accessories.

Lee Cooper is an English label initially created for workwear in 1908, becoming a well-known denim brand later.

Vogue Paris features in its web this cool video where she talks, draws, models and sings (don't know why but her voice there reminds me so much of Devendra Banhart). She names Oliver Twist as one of her main inspirations for the collection, but I do see her own style as the hugest influence.

Watch the video to see the complete -disappointing- collection :

Fab Five

New York fashion week is over, and I haven't commented it yet. The reason: there are tons of talented bloggers out there doing one hundred better reports that I would ever do. The purpose of this post is just to choose my five favourite looks.

Rachel Comey conquered everyone with the nerd look. Bright coloured and printed fabrics were shaped in high-waisted shorts paired with lovely blouses.

The change of scene did good to Preen. The silkiness of this dress can be felt through the pic. I am mad for the sandals.

As I already wrote in a previous post, I am a bit obsessed with Marc by Marc Jacobs lately. His spring/summer collection didn't disappoint me: tons of shorts, polka dots and sailor looks.

The Proenza Schouler show was fantastic in my opinion. Their designs are more mature, basically because the move on from the bustier. They proved they can do other things and do it very well indeed. By this time you might have noticed I adore those guys.

And finally the collection who everybody adores (I do too, but not the entire collection) : Rodarte.

Song: Natural's not in it - Gang of four

Ulla Johnson

One of my latest discoveries is the American based designer, Ulla Johnson. Her fall/winter line is clean and simple but with such an attractive and romantic vibe. The collection is full of knitted pieces revealling her savoir-faire in that particular field. She is able to combine fit and quality two very difficult characteristics to join together.

One of my favourites combos are the shorts paired with tights and big chunky pulls. A very simple way to stay comfortable and feel feminine.

Perfecto

This season, those of us who don't use leather and want to stay trendy are in trouble. Punk is going strong this winter, as well as perfectos. April 77 is the answer to our pleas. For their S/S 07 collection they made this lacquered cotton motorcycle jacket.

Sorry for the lack of post this past week. I had problems with my connection.

Song: Meat is Murder - The Smiths

Je vais te dire un (woman) secret

I swear everybody has an obsession, a fetish, concerning fashion. Some just can't stop buying shoes, some others do the same with bags, dresses, sunglasses...the list is long.

Mine is lingerie. I really believe it is very important not to look good only on the outside, but also on the inside. Even if nobody sees it.

Yesterday I went shopping for underwear to start the new season as it should be done. One of my many must-see shops is Women's Secret. It comes to no surprise that this label is a hit here.

I bought this one:

Pea coat

Today, making a concession to my irrational instinct, I decided my winter will be wrapped up with a pea coat. As if they mission of finding a coat wasn't difficult enough...(why on earth they do short sleeves coats?)

This impulse answers a childhood reminiscence. I remember I had a lovely red pea coat with velvet edgings and gold buttons.

The one on top is Built by Wendy and quite perfect. If only it was a bit longer!

*Paul & Joe/Wren

Two street-style pea coats worn well.

*Click on the images to enlarge.

Song: "Una furtiva lagrima" -La Traviata- Verdi