Milan fashion week favourites

Here I am, a Russian Brit, sitting in an empty house somewhere in the South East of England, drinking a cup of Mexican coffee, picking on a soft as a down pillow slice of French brioche and gathering my thoughts on Milan fashion week. “Everything was in confusion in the Oblonskys’ house” as Tolstoy would say…

Milan overindulged me. There was a lot of beauty and plenty of white, enough to send me into my happy place where dreams are real. There was also a lot of transparency cleverly covered with either layers of fabric or frosted illusions of lace and embroidery. There were splashes of colour, mostly of a floral nature that screamed summer and joy.

Milan was definitely a good place to be…

Bottega Veneta, as always, was about quiet quality and craftsmanship that you feel but can’t explain. It was a beautiful collection, head to toe. In fact, one of my favourite in Bottega’s history. The most interesting thing is that the more I look at those dresses the more I fall in love with them.

Vietnam-inspired Pucci collection was like a breath of fresh air, particularly, “the white part” that I loved the most. This and the carved shoes that go up there to join McQueens and earlier Prada and Miu Miu’s. If only I could have them all. Make-up was very natural, yet again, so it looks like “the no make-up make-up” will be among Spring 2013 beauty trends again. And why not? It’s so beautiful.

More of the Orient-inspired designs sprinkled with a signature paisley print and cinched with an obi at Etro. Such a gorgeous collection that made me think of paradise, fantasy, comfortable elegance and summer. A burst of joy!

And more white courtesy of Ports 1961 that made one fall into a trance intensified by layers and layers of transparent silks and lace to be suddenly awakened and surprised by the pops of brightest colours.

Photo source: elle.com, vogue.com

Aymeline Valade: the Autumn star and my secret girl crush

When did I first notice this gorgeous Parisienne? I don’t really know… She just happened. Like a miracle. I loved her face - chiseled cheek bones, eyes, pout – a perfect harmony that makes a supermodel. I think she is stunning, just stunning, without any doubts or explanation.

This Autumn Aymeline Valade was photographed for several big Fall 2012 campaigns and made them look like a work of art. I have already framed one of the Armani shots, so precise, so chic, so very very classy.

If it was up to me, I would make her a face of everything, from perfumes to bags to sunglasses to clothes and jewellery because she adds a touch of timeless quality to every photo. I find her incredibly inspirational.

Photo source: Giorgio Armani Autumn/Winter 2012/13 campaign, Chanel Autumn/Winter 2012/13 campaign, Bottega Veneta Autumn/Winter 2012/13 campaign, Donna Karan Autumn/Winter 2012/13 campaign, Reed Krakoff Autumn 2012 campaign, McQ Fall/Winter 2012/13 campaign.

Bottega Veneta Resort 2013

This collection gave me a strange feeling… I wanted to like it and yet something inside me just couldn’t quite get the track suits… Does Bottega woman really wears a track suit, especially with pumps?

On the other hand these two looks really did agree with me. I know they are all about quiet quality and some may consider them borderline boring, but I  would love to own these clothes and beautiful playful bow-front shoes.

Photo source: Bottega Veneta Resort 2013 via fashionising.com

Weekend sign off

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

Outfit inspiration: Milan fashion week

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