Stylish quote

“Perfection is never achieved, so you need

to go on working.”

Azzedine Alaia

 

Photo source: Gisele Bundchen wearing Alaia in Elle US January 2003

Weekend sign off

I’ve been feeling a teeny tiny bit down this week, partially, because I’m missing an hour of sleep (my fault – I read in bed and seem to forget about the time) and partially because some gremlins from the past revisited me with some updates and while the updates are alright, the memories they bring still hurt me a little, in a way that I sort of want to cry, but have no tears and end up with a knot in my throat.

On the other hand, I’ve got a hair appointment today, so we are planning a wonderful drive through a gorgeous Autumn-coloured country-side (my stylist is about an hour away from where I live), a cup of coffee in a lil’ cafe and a stroll. Pupster is never keen on my salon visits as he’ll have to be home alone for a few hours, most likely spent sleeping on my cardi that he’ll drag to bed (ours, not his) to use as a comfort blanket.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Always yours,

Photo source: Elle US 2000

100 contemporary fashion designers

“You can say that designing is quite easy; the difficulty lies in finding a new way to explore beauty.”

Yohji Yamamoto

I’ve been wanting 100 contemporary fashion designers book for a very long time and finally it’s mine. The 7kg special edition arrived last week and made me feel very happy and inspired, indeed.

“Be true to what you believe in and follow your passions.”

Giorgio Armani

The book itself is gorgeous and consists of two volumes nesting inside a beautiful folder. Written by Terry Jones, the founder and creative director of i-D magazine, it is packed with probably the most comprehensive and detailed list and information about designers who are making history of the 21st century fashion from Alaia, Armani and Ackermann to Alexander Wang, Yamamoto and Dries Van Noten.

“There is nothing more attractive than a woman who values her uniqueness.”

Donna Karan

Each chapter includes a one-page bio in English, German and French that covers the designer and the brand, followed by an interview that opens a window into the designer’s mind, philosophy and inspirations and becomes sort of a story itself. We also get a chance to see stunning editorial images and a few outfits from fashion shows.

“Beauty is something coming from the inside; it is a reflection of personality.”

Roberto Cavalli

I was particularly happy (and had a lump of tears in my throat at the same time) to see  pages dedicated to Alexander McQueen and John Galliano.

“I am here to make people dream, to seduce them into buying beautiful clothes and to strive to make amazing clothing to the best of my ability. That is my duty.”

John Galliano

This really is a must-have book for anyone who loves fashion and want to learn more about the designers whose names are currently on the lips of many fashionistas and pages of fashion magazines and yet their stories are still very minimalistic compared to the fashion classics of Chanel, Dior and Yves Saint Laurent.

A real pleasure to browse and read and a treasure to own.

“I believe in style, not fashion.”

Ralph Lauren

Available on Amazon

All quotes are taken from the book, photographs and quotes may not belong to the same designer

Photo source: cover photo via Taschen, other photographs of the book pages are taken by me