Kerrie Luft

A few days ago, thanks to Dazed Digital, I happened upon Kerrie Luft an English designer that creates amazing shoes. She began her design career at the University College Northampton and afterwards she moved to London to study a MA in fashion footwear at the legendary Cordwainers.

Hace unos días descubrí gracias a Dazed Digital a Kerrie Luft una diseñadora de origen inglés que hace unos zapatos impresionantes. Comenzó su andadura en la escuela de diseño de Northampton para trasladarse más tarde a Londres donde realizaría un máster en la legendaria Cordwainers.

Her latest collection called "Nouveau" was inspired by Art Nouveau and its organic forms that mimic nature. She uses materials such as titanium or silver for the heels which makes them especially unique and innovative. No stockist list in her web, yet.

Para su última colección "Nouveau" se ha inspirado en el Art Nouveau y de ahí sus formas orgánicas que imitan la naturaleza. Los tacones, para los que utiliza materiales como el titanio o la plata, son especialmente únicos y originales. Una pena que en su página web aún no haya una lista de distribuidores.

Alexa wearing Alexa

Mulberry has taken full advantage of Alexa Chung's high drawing power and has created the Alexa bag, a combination of the classic satchel and their famous Bayswater. Yay or nay?

Mulberry ha sabido aprovechar muy bien el tirón de la presentadora de origen inglés Alexa Chung y ha creado el bolso Alexa, una combinación entre la clásica cartera de colegial y su ya famoso Bayswater. ¿Qué os parece?

Bonny & Clyde

Bonny & Clyde's costume design is one of my all time favourites. There are others that I love like The rules of the game (Renoir) created by Coco Chanel or Girl interrupted , however this is special. I like how both characters wear a sort of uniform throughout the film. Bonnie, always looks elegant and never boring thanks to silk shirts, A line skirts and her signature beret. Oh! and I also adore her haircut I really wish my hairdresser would eventually cut my hair like that someday.

El vestuario de Bonny & Clyde es uno de mis favoritos. Hay otros que me encantan, como el de La regla del juego (Renoir) creado por Coco Chanel o Inocencia interrumpida, sin embargo, éste es especial. Me gusta como ambos personajes parecen mantener una especie de uniforme a lo largo de la película. Bonnie siempre elegante y nunca aburrida con camisas de seda, faldas de línea A y su característica boina. Ah! Y también ese corte de pelo que envidio y que aspiro a conseguir algún día.

Q&A

Q: What is the burning question on the mind of every dyslexic existentialist?

A: Is there a dog?

New Look

I always try not to prejudice certain brands/shops and keep my eyes open because you never know where you can find something you'll like. I don't always succeed and that's why sometimes I get pleasant surprises like New Look.

Por lo general trato de no tener prejuicios ante determinadas marcas o tiendas y mantener los ojos bien abiertos porque nunca se sabe donde puedes encontrar algo que te vaya a gustar. No siempre lo consigo y por eso a veces me llevo gratas sorpresas, entre ellas New Look.

The few times I visited England I was in some of their stores and the idea of buying something never crossed my mind. However, some days ago while browsing their lookbook for next season I found wearable clothes. I cannot say whether they are good or not in terms of quality, but the fact is that the design has improved greatly.

Las veces que he visitado Inglaterra he estado en alguna de sus tiendas y nunca se me pasó por la cabeza comprar nada. Sin embargo, he podido ojear su lookbook para la próxima temporada y hay unas cuantas prendas que me parecen ponibles. No puedo hablar de ellas en términos de calidad, pero lo cierto es que el diseño ha mejorado mucho respecto al pasado.

Also, since Alexa Chung starred in the spring-summer 2009 lookbook it seems the English high street store is looking for new targets. Perhaps, it's because their customers are getting older and New Look wants to mature with them (?)

Y es que desde que Alexa Chung protagonizase los anuncios de la temporada primavera-verano 2009 parece que ésta marca del high street inglés busca nuevas metas. ¿Quizá sea porque su consumidor se está haciendo mayor y New Look quiere madurar con él?

Denim, velvet, tweed

Every Sunday afternoon is devoted to reading newspapers and their magazines. Without exception, I always read a section of Magazine called "Globish" written by John W. Wilkinson, in which he -usually- examines the etymology of an English word that is sometimes connected to a piece of news.

I have found today's article particularly interesting, so I'd like to share with you. Due to the translation some parts may seem a nonsense. Please, forgive me.

"When we say blue jeans we mean denim jeans. Jeans come from Gene, which by variant spelling, refers to Genoa, where this type of pants was manufactured. Levi Strauss began to make them in California during the gold rush with a very rough fabric called denim, which comes from serge de Nimes, a fabric from that city in France, therefore, we can speak of a denim shirt or denim skirt. Corduroy is also of French origin, it comes from corde du roi (the king rope), a heavy fabric like velvet with vertical cracks, but if called velveteen is smooth, and different to velvet. Tweed's name, however, came by chance after a London merchant mistook it with tweel, which is the name the Scots gave to this resistant wool fabric."

Cada mediodía de domingo lo dedico a leer los periódicos y sus correspondientes revistas. Leo siempre sin excepción una sección del dominical Magazine llamada "Globish" publicada por John W. Wilkinson, en la que -normalmente- analiza la etimología de una palabra inglesa que suele conectar con algún hecho concreto de la actualidad.

La de ésta semana me ha parecido particularmente interesante y por eso me gustaría compartirla con vosotros. Lee así.

"Cuando decimos blue jeans queremos decir vaqueros. Lo de jeans viene de gene, que, variante ortográfica mediante, nos remite a Génova, donde se fabricaba ese tipo de pantalón. Levi Strauss empezó a confeccionarlos en California durante la fiebre del oro con un tejido muy resistente llamado en inglés denim, que procede de la sarga de Nimes, o sea, una tela de esa ciudad francesa; por tanto, podemos hablar de una denim shirt (camisa) o denim skirt (falda). Corduroy (pana) también es de origen francés, pues viene de corde du roi (cuerda del rey), una tela gruesa semejante al terciopelo con hendiduras verticales; pero si es lisa se llama velveteen, mientras que el terciopelo propiamente dicho es velvet. Tweed, en cambio, se llama así porque un comerciante en Londres lo confundió con tweel, que es como los escoceses llamaban a esa resistente tela de lana."

Walk out the winter (?)

I hate summer. It's always the same, the same story. Time seems to stop, or even worse, it seems to run against me. Every single year, without exception, I wish it would go away, I want the autumn to arrive and my stability with it. And each year, I miss it when it's over.

Odio el verano. Es siempre lo mismo, la misma historia. Parece que el tiempo se detuviese, o peor, que corriese en mi contra. Cada año sin excepción deseo que se vaya, que llegue el otoño y la rutina y con ellos la estabilidad. Y cada año, después de que se haya acabado lo echo de menos.

Maybe that's why my winter wishlist has been ready for weeks now. I did a very short one because I have to safe money for a couple of upcoming trips. From left to right and top to bottom:

Será por eso que hace ya semanas que mi lista de adquisiciones invernales está preparada. Esta vez tiene que ser muy corta porque tengo que procurar ahorrar para un par de viajes que tengo en mente. De izquierda a derecha y de arriba a abajo:

-T Alexander Wang t-shirt. It doesn't necessarily have to be this one, but I like the design.

-Camiseta negra de t-Alexander Wang. No tiene porque ser necesariamente de este diseñador, pero bueno este corte en concreto me gusta.

-Play Comme des Garçons cardigan. I've been coveting this cardigan for so long, I hope I can finally get it this season.

-Chaqueta de Play Comme des Garçons. Llevo mucho tiempo queriendo comprar éste cardigan y nunca puedo, espero que esta temporada si lo consiga.

-Erica Weiner Penis Bone necklace. For no specific reason, I simply like it.

-Colgante de Erica Weiner. Ninguna razón específica, simplemente me gusta.

-Repetto ballet flats. If I finally get them it will be in patent leather, I think they will last longer.

-Bailarinas de Repetto. Si finalmente las compró será en charol, creo que resistirán mejor que las de cuero.

-A big shawl in an earth tone. The one in the picture is Margiela, but unfortunately is out of my budget.

-Una bufanda grande en tonos tierra. La de la foto es de Margiela, pero mi presupuesto no da para tanto.

Jonesing for...

This See by Chloé sweater. I love how the folks at UO paired it with a leather skirt.

Necesito este suéter de See by Chloé. Me encanta como en UO lo han combinado con una falda de cuero.

Breton t-shirts

Gradually, striped sailor shirts have become a staple in my closet. So much that they are uniform that somehow defines me. When in hurry I always choose to wear my trusty blue and white striped t-shirt and it never fails, I feel very comfortable with it.

Poco a poco las camisetas de rayas marineras se han ido convertiendo en un básico en mi armario. Hasta tal punto es así que se han convertido en una especie de uniforme que de alguna forma me define. Cuando tengo prisa y no sé que ponerme opto por mi fiel camiseta de rayas azules y blancas y nunca falla, siempre me siento muy a gusto con ella.

Truth is that is difficult for me to find Breton shirts that I like. Many will think: what a nonsense! they sell tons in any Zara. And you're right, but they are either of poor quality or the design doesn't convince me.

Pero lo cierto es que me resulta muy difícil encontrar camisetas marineras que me gusten. Muchos pensareis: ¡menuda tontería! las hay en cualquier Zara. Y no os falta razón, sin embargo o bien son de mala calidad o el diseño no se me acaba de convencer.

So when I came across Lark, I knew my prayers have been heard. I love the design: they are loose and there are several types depending on the type of neck and sleeves. They also come in six different colors. And the quality seems to be excellent which is partly confirmed by the tag: 100% carded jersey. Heavyweight. Made in France. What else could you ask for?

Así que cuando di con Lark mis plegarias parecían haber sido escuchadas. El diseño me encanta: son holgadas y hay varios tipos dependendiendo del tipo de cuello y mangas. Además vienen en seis colores distintos, y la calidad parece excelente. La descripción lo confirma: 100% carded jersey. Algodón pesado. Hecho en Francia. ¿Qué más se puede pedir?

Camilla Skovgaard

Six little things that make me happy

1.- Baking muffins

2.- Listening to vinyls at the largest possible volume.

3.- Watching storms -and feeling safe at home.-

4.- Browsing my inspiration folder. By the way, I dream about this dress by Lyell. It's one of the most beautiful frocks I've ever seen, and I'd love to get my hands on it.

5.-Making lists

6.- Old houses with high ceilings.

Heart in a cage urged me to do this lovely tag. Rules: Link back to the person who tagged you. List six little things that make you happy. Tag six bloggers and let them know they’re “it”.

Atelier, Joanne, Gold Sphere, Tamara, Madelene and Sally , feel free to do it if you want.

Sources: 1 , 2

Age of Enlightenment

Elle US september issue.
Stylist: Camille Bidault-Waddington
Photographer: Lina Scheynius


When masters get to work together they are able to offer great things,like this editorial.

Cuando los maestros tienen oportunidad de trabajar juntos son capaces de brindarnos grandes cosas, como este editorial.

Et Dieu ...créa la femme

How beautiful Lara looks as a brunette? Allow me to exaggerate, but I almost fainted when I saw her. Carine knows how to play her cards right and this time she surprises us in the most important issue of the year, September.

Qué guapa está Lara de morena, ¿verdad? Si se me permite la exageración, casi me desmayo cuando la vi. Carine sabe como sorprender y guarda sus mejores cartas para el número más importante del año, septiembre.

Jasmin Shokrian

Life sometimes seems to be a chain of coincidences. For instance, I discovered Jasmin Shokrian thanks to her line of basics Draft nº17 while flipping Totokaelo -with delight-.

La vida a veces parece estar hecha por pequeñas casualidades. Yo, por ejemplo descubrí a Jasmin Shokrian gracias a su linea de básicos Draft nº17 mientras hojeaba con deleite las páginas de Totoakelo*.

Honestly, my first impression after reading her bio in her web page is that she is a woman who knows what she does, and she does it very well indeed. "Shokrian has been able to meld her lifelong interests in sculpture and form with her talent for design and her affinity for the intimacy inherent in fashion."

Sinceramente, mi primera impresión después de leer el apartado biográfico en su página web es que se trata de una mujer que sabe lo que hace, y lo hace muy bien. “Shokrian ha sido capaz de combinar sus intereses por la forma y la escultura con su talento para el diseño.”

She explains better than anyone her pieces "“My love for architecture and space, has inspired a collection with clean lines that move and flow in an organic way. “

Ella explica mejor que nadie como son sus prendas “mi amor por la arquitectura y el espacio, han inspirado una colección de líneas limpias que se mueven y fluyen de manera orgánica.”

*Thanks Jessica!

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1,0.

Last night, instead of going out with my friends I decided I would lie on my couch under a blanket, eating ice cream to make the toothache a little more bearable and seeing Reprise (2006), a Norgewian film which promised to be good. The story grabs you and this is largely due to the excellent work of the actors, plus the cinematographic techniques of director Joachim Trier.

Anoche, en vez de salir por ahí decidí quedarme en mi sofá bajo una manta, comiendo helado para hacer el dolor de muelas algo más soportable y viendo Reprise (2006), una película de origen noruego que prometía ser buena. La historia te atrapa y eso se debe en gran parte al excelente trabajo de los actores, a lo que se debe añadir las técnicas del director Joachim Trier.

Plot from imdb: "Two competitive friends, fueled by literary aspirations and youthful exuberance, endure the pangs of love, depression and burgeoning careers." Highly recommended.

La sinopsis de la imdb dice así: "Dos amigos competitivos, impulsados por aspiraciones literarias y exuberancia juvenil, soportan los dolores de amor, de la depresión y de sus florecientes carreras." Altamente recomendada.

Candy Store collective

Most times the mission of finding nice clothes made of good quality at affordable prices is almost impossible. Truth is that with the rise of stores such as Pixie Market this task is becoming easier. Candystore collective is another one of those shops which makes your life better by stocking brands suchs as Built by Wendy, Sophomore or Society for Rational Dress.

La gran parte de las veces la misión de encontrar ropa bonita,de buena calidad a precios asequibles se hace casi imposible. Pero lo cierto es que con la aparición de tiendas como Pixie Market esa tarea cada vez se hace más sencilla. Candystore collective es otra de esas tiendas que nos facilitan la vida gracias a marcas como Built by Wendy, Sophomore o Society for Rational Dress.

"Founded by Jennifer Jones,Candystore Collective began as a 28-day temporary shop called Hot! in December 2004, which focused on independently designed and crafted home goods, gifts, jewelry and accessories from all over the world." The stored was later reopended as Candystore Collective, and the e-shop was launched.

"Fundada por Jennifer Jones, Candystore Collective comenzó como una tienda temporal de 28 días llamada Hot! en diciembre de 2004, que se centró en productos independientes y artesanales, regalos, joyas y accesorios de todo el mundo." La tienda fue abierta más tarde como Candystore Collective, y el comercio on-line se puso en marcha.

I love this statement (from their site).

"We strongly believe that the things we wear, fill our homes with and give as gifts should mean something. The world already has more stuff than it knows what to do with it, so we set out to find the kind of things that made us happy each and every time we saw them, wore them, or thought about them.

We set out to connect with designers on a personal level, encourage their growth through support and community, and be dedicated the the success of those with vision, ideas, and the desire to create. All of the "big" brands we carry, we have carried from the time the brands were new and unknown. We do not have a hierarchy to the goods we sell. We believe that a small designer starting out with a tiny line is as important as a well known designer that has reached a marked level of success.

Our goal was to gather in one place things that inspire us. These things could be simple, beautiful, make us laugh, be well made, hand made, have a great story, be the result of a passion, obsession, a great idea, or just a plain-old weekend hobby. But most importantly, be made with love and dedication to craft at every level. Whether that be a tiny hand crafted detail on something made by a small, independent designer, or the way a business is run and the relationships we've fostered with a large international company.

Clothing and objects are an expression of humanity. They connect us through generations, ritual, history, and diversity. We strive to have the things in our lives matter to us.

We know where everything comes from in our store, who made it, why we love it, and why you might like it too. Plus we like old-fashioned candy. "
We strongly believe that the things we wear, fill our homes with and give as gifts should mean something. The world already has more stuff than it knows what to do with it, so we set out to find the kind of things that made us happy each and every time we saw them, wore them, or thought about them.

We set out to connect with designers on a personal level, encourage their growth through support and community, and be dedicated the the success of those with vision, ideas, and the desire to create. All of the "big" brands we carry, we have carried from the time the brands were new and unknown. We do not have a hierarchy to the goods we sell. We believe that a small designer starting out with a tiny line is as important as a well known designer that has reached a marked level of success.

Our goal was to gather in one place things that inspire us. These things could be simple, beautiful, make us laugh, be well made, hand made, have a great story, be the result of a passion, obsession, a great idea, or just a plain-old weekend hobby. But most importantly, be made with love and dedication to craft at every level. Whether that be a tiny hand crafted detail on something made by a small, independent designer, or the way a business is run and the relationships we've fostered with a large international company.

Clothing and objects are an expression of humanity. They connect us through generations, ritual, history, and diversity. We strive to have the things in our lives matter to us.

We know where everything comes from in our store, who made it, why we love it, and why you might like it too. Plus we like old-fashioned candy. "

The age of wisdom (?)

I got two wisdom teeth extracted and I can hardly write because I am holding ice to my face. Back in two days.

Me han sacado dos muelas del juicio y apenas puedo escribir porque tengo que estar sujetando hielo sobre mi cara. Volveré en dos días.

Lyell for UO

Lyell, one of my fauvorite independent brands, has joined forces with Urban Outfitters to create a capsule collection through which the ubiquitous Emma Fletcher's vintage spirit runs. Some items are already on sale -a dress, a top and a pair of shorts-but there are more pieces to come, including a tweed peacoat. A great opportunity to get some silk clothes at good prices.

Lyell una de mis marcas independientes favoritas, se ha unido a Urban Outfitters para crear una colección cápsula por la que corre el espíritu vintage que siempre inunda la ropa de Emma Fletcher. Algunas prendas ya están en venta -un vestido, un top y un par de shorts- pero hay más piezas por venir incluido un abrigo de tweed. Una gran oportunidad para conseguir ropa de seda a buenos precios.

Boots

This year my list of winter acquisitions will have to be very short. I am on a self imposed shopping ban because I have to save for an upcoming trip to London. The list includes a pair of boots. I hardly ever wear boots because I am rather small and I am very concerned about proportions. But it rains a lot in winter here (actually throughout the year) and a protective shoe is often required.

Este año mi lista de adquisiciones invernales va a tener que ser muy corta. Me he prohibido a mi misma comprar nada durante un tiempo porque tengo que ahorrar para un próximo viaje a Londres. Esa lista incluye un par de botas. Yo casi nunca llevo botas porque soy más bien de estatura pequeña y me preocupan mucho las proporciones. Pero aquí llueve mucho en invierno (en realidad todo el año) y muchas veces se hace necesario un calzado que proteja los pies.

At first, I had in mind a pair of classic Chelsea's, but when I saw the ones above from Free People, it was love at first sight. They are quite expensive for me, but I find them very versatile and timeless. Anyway, it makes no sense to continue dreaming about them since they don't ship to Spain. The search continues.

En un principio, había pensando en las clásicas Chelsea, pero vi éstas de Free People y fue amor a primera vista. Son bastante caras para mi, aunque me parecen muy versátiles y se podría decir que atemporales. Pero bueno, no tiene sentido que siga soñando con ellas porque no envían a España. La búsqueda continúa.

Pause

I know I've been neglecting this blog so much lately. First it was the trip to Paris and then since sunday I've been sick as a dog. No kidding. Also, I must confess I am not feeling very inspired. I hope new posts will resume in the coming days. Thanks for your patience!

Sé que he descuidado mucho este blog últimamente. Primero fue el viaje a París, y ahora, bueno más bien desde el domingo estoy con una gripe tremenda.Pero también debo confesar que no me siento muy inspirada. Espero reanudar mi ritmo normal de posteo en los próximos días. Gracias por vuestra paciencia.