Last minute holiday gift guide

If Christmas shopping is a ritual, I believe in Santa little helpers- those that pick presents at least week before Christmas's Eve in small specialized or vintage shops. Gift as conventional present just in way of form is one thing that is on dislike list. Since very devoted to Retro ways of bestowal, I am rather for receiving something even cheap or made by person itself if its sincere and from heart rather than Hermes scarf if is bought just to be bought (not being Pinocchio)
But we all know how exhausting can be end of the year. Who anymore has time for buying unique? But anyway if we are shopping in that way, we have to think of wishes of beloved ones. And situation of buying presents with last minute, chaos and crowd, doesn’t have to be a bad movie scene, it certainly can have its own lure (particularly if are included snowflakes and hot coffee)
And buying present for fashionable girl, whether it is friend/girlfriend/sister/colleague/cousin, can be very agonizing. What this girl needs due to characteristic of fashionistas as very -I have it all- beings? Some of them (us) are very shopaholics with cured-rehab-tryin’ to make me go to rehab background stories. So what to buy to a girl that has it (almost) all?

Fashionista obsession #1 Books
Fashion people are not crazy only about book signings but collections on shelves. You are probably familiar about her literature so you will be informed about missing words/photos. List is tested and those following are rather flawless reads.
Direction----> Book store

Chanel Collections and Creations by Daniele Bott is visual and textual delight for all Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent Memoirs by Pierre Bergé( co-founder of YSL Couture House and lifelong Yves partner, for YSL fans.
The Thames & Hudson Dictionary of Fashion and Fashion Designers, Second Edition is by the words of Vogue fashion bible, and by misslikey more than fashion channel for every person in industry while Fashion encyclopedia with 150 years in fashion is The Fashion Book of Phaidon Press.
Madeleine Vionnet book is excellent mode to find more about one of the most important couturiers in fashion. Author is Betty Kirke, Foreword written by Issey Miyake.
Photography lovers would enjoy following;
Nick Knight Book - photography retrospective (from 1990 to present) with images picked by Nick himself. Avedon Fashion 1944-2000 as must have for the photography and Richard Avedon lovers.New publication characterized by every penny worth is Juergen Teller:Marc Jacobs Advertising 1998-2009.Famous Scott Schuman is finally in print- The Sartorialist is publication for all fashion bloggers and lovers of street style.
Helmut Newton Work in Taschen edition is summary of Newton work. And every lover of illustrations would look intently on Fashion Wonderland, summary of fashion illustrations.

Fashionista obsession #2; Lola and Lula
Direction ----->Perfumery, newsstand or bookstore

Lola is new fragrance of Marc Jacobs with our model Cheri Karlie Kloss and Juergen Teller, man that completely fits Marc philosophy. And absolutely every girl currently wants to be wrapped in cloud of fuchsia aroma.
Direction for Lola in purple mini hat box: Neiman Marcus
Lula magazine is one of our favorite publication and absolute source for quality photography so buy your friend of girlfriend new issue of Lula Mag (Karen Elson on cover)
photo via Lula Scrapbook

Fashionista obsession # 3 Nude and Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Directions-----> H&M, Topshop, fred flare store

Sleep mask with charming name Holly GoNightly is absolute celebration of one our favorite heroines, Holly aka Lula Mae ($14.00) If your fashionista doesn’t have time for sleep buy her/him Audrey Hepburn DVD collection.
From lingerie I picked from topshop those two splendid pieces of (under)wear – Nude satin bralet ($50.00) and Scalloped lace body ($50.00), and from H&M there is Sonia Rykiel’s luxurious kimono with black satin lapels(consider yourself lucky if you manage to come across this piece)

Fashionista obsession # 4 Sartorialist View of the World
Directions-----> Antique shop, Oak, American Apparel

Polaroid Camera- Every fashionista, from Rachel Zoe to anonymous fashion craver is obsessed with Polaroids. So if you are familiar with antique shops around you, you will never make a mistake with buying Polaroid camera- girl can never get enough of polaroids.
Cheap shades- Only God knows how many of lovely and cheap sunglasses we have and how many more we will get!
If your fashionista is crazy about rounded shades get her/him Tortoise Sunglasses by American Apparel ($30.00) or brown spitfire glasses from Oaknyc ($46.00)

Fashionista obsession # 5 Refined eyes and ears
Directions------> audio-video shop, Urban Outfitters

Every conscious girl is aware of how big influence is Jimi Hendrix’s heritage on today’s fashion and trends and she is enthusiastic about LP’s so The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced? double LP can be very idea for the gift.(available at Urban Outfitters) She has the same opinion about Grunge culture so she would enjoy reading Grunge by Michael Lavine & Thurston Moore from Urban Outfitters book store.
If they are rock'n'roll in heart Bob Dylan’s Christmas in The Heart album is great warmer for festive spirit. Great idea for a gift since is must see and great reminisce of supermodels, is documentary called catwalk, directed by Robert Leacock with all totally important persons featured there, (just to name a few) as Linda, Naomi, Alaïa, Grace Coddington, Lady Amanda Harlech, Galliano, Gaultier

Fashionista obsession # 6 Eternal storage
Directions----> Urban Outfitters, Debenhams (if in UK), Oasis

Jewelry is one of the most important things so it’s always very essential for these kind of girls that pieces don’t tangle- that’s why at Urban Outfitters came to idea of jewelry stands with look a like of bird cage which is totally lovely ($32.00).
We love to store our rings in metal boxes like this with butterflies & florals from Debenhams (15GBP). Another storage gift is Oasis case, which is absolutely lovely and very vintage charming. (50GBP)

Fashionista obsession # 7 Sometimes very practical
Direction------> Oak store, Opening Ceremony store
Gift guide is closed with this practical and useful black army canvas bag from Oak ($45.00) and the item that every of us considers as totally essential since we know there are never enough of stretching high-wasted skirts (this one is available at Opening Ceremony store for $39.00


p.s. Now don't e-mail this list to your friends, boyfriends, parents. Or you can ;)

Pursuit of sweater

When we talk about seasonal types, weather and favorites I must say winter is certainly not one of mine prefers. I like to consider myself as early spring (autumn) type, and that might be just because I don’t know how to dress appropriate in winter. Every time I go out of “warm baby its cold outside” inside,I return very frozen and with headache. Is really the term of fashionista statement for a victim?
Or maybe is true what some are tattling around- that people that live inside of fashion don't know how to dress proper?
The case of my closet is one season,In not meaning of throwing away after one season (oh gosh that is harsh), more of inability of distinguishing summer from winter clothes (that is way too cruel if you ask me. That is what makes my mother style very different from one I have, but in the same time is creating those frozen moments of which she if sees me would suffer hearth-don’t try to save me this time-attack. But I sincerely, don’t have much of idea how to match fur coat or heavy winter coat on boots. That’s why canvas on fur, ballerina flops or oxfords on coats, is what I wear the most. I can hardly imagine wearing boots in winter (only person that comes to my mind looking gracious in combination is Carine Roitfeld), or not buying summer dresses in winter.
Last week in my obsessive compulsive behavior inspired by Margot when I was smoking while having a bath or doing my nails, I wore long plaid dresses on faux fur coat. This week I am not feeling The Royal Tenenbaums any more, I just want to feel warm. But I am not finding any of that kind of items in my doors to Narnia.
All of my knitted vests are cardigans, long, cut or oversized, and they are not woolen but cottoned. Woolen dresses are all short sleeved, and they match silk blouses and white cotton shirts. There is sign of warm woolen sweaters in my backup places, but since they are very itching factor, I doubt they’ll ever look up the daylight. It’s normal that in inspirations-less moments in layered clothing behavior, girl at least needs three decent warm pieces of clothes. Not three layers of spring shirts. And on fall runaway, seems that it was only Marc Jacobs ( Missoni is exception) that didn’t want for us to catch a cold.

“Definitely I need more warm clothes”, announces she and thinks thrilled about Monday when she will finally go shopping. And this year in pursuit of sweater she will forget about fair, isle patterns and Marc Darcy’s Christmas sweater as inspiration and won’t get carried away with festive spirit, she is determined. Rather something very fine and bonnie. And wearable after Christmas.
So she makes her To Decide List
Phillip Lim gray cardigan, is not real sweater, but with peach ribbons is like first crush, not woolen but combination of cotton and polyester seems to have bit richer knit. Little disadvantage is dry cleaning. Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony leopard unisex pullover except of softness by woven angora seems wearable on boots (never know)
Knitted cardigan with the look of real sweater in cobalt color with black polka dots as celebration (once again) of Minnie, is a little shorter but black chemise would take care of that.(80s purple)
Flowers in winter are heart melting. Floral cardigan is absolute favorite but sweater also, especially if is like this one with flower apps from nasty gal (who would say Roseanne and other 80-90s sitcoms stars would become icons?). One more angora lovely is coming from vintage nasty gal, this time in ivory very snow flake look with floral patch in front. Luella’s cashmere is always very hardly irresistible with its luxury glance so also ends up on thinking list (cashmere is not just warm cause of word cash in it). Of course topshop's charming sweaters are on audition.



But today, she will wear high wasted skirt on tights with over-knee socks. Black all over. On top she transforms topshop dress with flower applications into short sleeved top. She chooses cardigan and sandy-beige cape over the fur. "Its cold out there, would I go for boots (maybe lace-up) rather", she asks the mirror? "No, its casual weekend getaway", she says and puts beloved black canvas on her feet. Except they are totally cozy, they are transparent- and reminder of her luck in sale catches. “Snow storm is not totally big as I thought”, she utters while enters car. And her friends are once again totally tripping with annoying “who wears skirt on snow “exposition. When will they stop grumbling?!

first photo via totally addicting TURNED OUT

Holiday Accessories Report

A Woman's Right to Shoes

Miu Miu shoes are always on our wish list and this nude pumps with ankle strap are already crush of one of our faves iconic girls, Giovanna Bataglia, while chic chocolate crush comes from Proenza Schouler. Who can resist Proenza’s this season wooden platforms? Wedges this year came back with style, and Acne wedges you can either love or hate. No matter of your feelings toward them they deserved IT status in blogosphere. This love it’s on with Alexa Chung. And Rumi Neeley.
Still there is nothing sophisticated and classic enough like good old Mary Jane's. Since are holidays right time to be glossy on right place, why wouldn’t Mary Jane be metallic(Rupert Sanderson)
Last crush is absolute lace up booties tidbit from Korean Pastar, in suede leather with gold buttons (Louboutin inspired)

Satchel is oversized clutch

Designer houses are bit short of oversized clutches so we decided to transform our satchels into the clutch (remember Tolula Adeyemi and her orange satchel/clutch love). Since we did that practical thing, we are ready to run from school (office) to party in-a-minute.
Obsessions are Boyy model Slash (discovered Boyy through Dream Sequins, one of the dearest fashionista bloggers), Proenza Schouler’s PS1 inspired by classical satchel, this year irresistible in purple suede. Same feelings are toward Farrow, oversized clutch in cognac rustic leather from Hayden-Harnett

Take a Bow

Long time we’ve been very obsessed with hair decorating. It’s probably because we want of our little heads to be very prominent. That’s why we had flowers, birds, LV bunny ears on them, and even mingling as a Minnie’s with mouse ears (just take a look at Chanel Iman in Vogue Germany editorial)
Current obsessions of evoking childhood memories, except our sweetest Tavi, are bow headbands. We heart Natasha Poly in Vogue Paris editorial (Givenchy headband) and the most stylish twins after Olsens, Caroline & Alice Rausch (photo via refinery29)
Will you choose big (Promod) or small (Juicy Couture) bow or you will attach one on the top of your chignon?

Sprinkle little stardust with the finest pieces of jewelry

Vintage medallions are obsession of art and fashion lovers, and we find irresistible those on the chains (Vintage Carnelian Cameo Locket Necklace)
We loved stars on tees now we put them on our ears (Kenneth Jay Lane's gold plated stud clip-on earrings). But still, we adore vintage earrings(Rachel Leigh’s Vintage Crystal Drops ). And lot of rings, especially when we wear them all together (oval peach Moonstone ring, Sheila Fajl ring with etched lettering, John Hardy 'Dot' ring) We don’t have to mention what we feel about nice, elegant detail bracelets in black and gold blend (Marni)

Last but not less important

Oh how we loved sheer tights with little polka dots that we saw on Balenciaga this fall (hat inspired lot of retail stores like oasis). If you are classic I strongly recommend Accessorize UK tights. Faux Fur scarves always mellow my heart; they take me back on Portobello Road in my imagination)- we picked black faux fur with satin bow from Debenhams and Eskell faux fur scarf from refinery29shop.
And gloves (Gaga, ooh la la) we don’t need to mention because we know how those beauties spice things up; Phillip Lim's short studded black leather gloves, ModCloth sheer gloves with black polka dots

#1 Party dress report...DIY

Misslikey calendar
There are rumors that some glam girls are waiting whole year for Christmas holidays to shine up and be absolutely irresistible in holiday season.
Whether you’re not that passionate fashy from that block, there is still tiny part of us that is really looking forward for the sparkle of holiday. With all the glossy magazines, party reports with holiday shopping lists, even the most stubborn of us are allured.
And if you are wondering what to wear, misslikey decided that this year December Issue will be dedicated to holidays.
Since this year the whole DIY thing trend went far away first report regarding party dresses is idea for dress that you can make by yourself. If you are not big fan of DIY, this month here will be shown lot of inspirational goodies (party dresses, accessories, shopping reports and those on the budget)so make sure you mark misslikey on your holiday calendar.

How we going to make our DIY party dress:
DIY #1


My inspiration for holiday dress is Marc Bouwer dress that Zoë Lund wore for Manhattan Mag photo shoot back in 1985. Since I couldn't find similar dress in stores (only mini versions have detailed shoulders) I made myself ready to DIY. This dress has luxurious 70s cut but with eighties detailed shoulders I decided I'll say goodbye to eighties with style.

WHAT WE NEED
1. One free afternoon of creativity
2. Nice melody on the radio (recommendations- "Je t'aime... moi non plus" and Dinah Washington joints)
3. Simple long sleeved maxi black dress (in cheap version). Find one on eBay, in charity shop or cheap retail store. For easier handling with materials and chic outcome, recommendation is velvet, elastic cotton or jersey fabric.
4. 1 or 2 pack of studs (you choose-pyramid, dome or spikes) or sequins
5. Tailor chalk for marking
6. Needle and black thread if you will use sequins
Iron your dress. First try it in front of the mirror and with tailor chalk mark where you'll make your sequined or studded shoulders. Take it off and put it on table to be more precise. Pin the studs on marked area (or paste- consult in the place where you’ll buy them),If you are using sequins you'll need to sew them.


DIY #2
For those sick of eighties with the same kind of dress but with round lace cutout on the back

WHAT WE NEED
1. again attitude
2. again l
ong black dress.
3. lace (1 meter)
4. tailor chalk
5. scissors, needle and thread
First ask someone to assist you to (to hold your dress so it can be lined). Once again, with chalk mark the shape of your cutout and with scissors cut out the fabric. Then turn the fabric and on inner side sew your lace (be careful with edges and when you are buying lace ask for one that won’t shrink)


p.s. DIY is not because of recession(misslikey doesn't believe in words that are starting with R letter)- its because of creativity. So enjoy and be proud of yourself! You just made a dress and even you are not couturier you are member of my couture. And if you meet someone wearing the same dress buy her drink and remember of misslikey

photos of Zoe Lund via zoelund.com

On Aura Tout Vu

With the name that in French means you think you’ve seen it all seems that On Aura Tout Vu used good old fashion lawn of nonentity of enough and unveiled what they have to show. Approximately fifteen-year-old French fashion house was first creator- provider of garments for couture and ready to wear houses on relation Givenchy-Galliano and few others, before they started creating their own collections as also collaborations (including Chopard). They debuted with haute couture shows in 2002, as invited members of Federation francaise de la couture. Apart from couture,rest of collections are not any less haute; ready to wear, accessories (my left wrist is absolutely crying for their bracelets) and various lines of products such as for home, offices to high-tech goodies. If they thought of geeks obsessed with jewels on their computer boo-boos in very out of the ordinary way, with things like smoker accessory they enchanted and in the same time made regular smoker as me sad, because their bejeweled cigarette box makes pack of my fav smokes so ashamed that even I cannot look at them anymore. I won’t mention my ashtray and what On aura tout vu did to it (not that we are promoting smoking here on misslikey- bad, very very bad thing)

When you see all this kind of goodies under the same name, you become suspicious about it- that is chronic after-after effect of all those infant prodigies characterized by volume of avocations in the same line(don’t expect I am mean and don’t think of relationship LiLo-Ungaro)
Questioning about it? Of course you do- how is possible-where are they getting ideas-how many designers these people have, and you close it with very very strange! Realized that in fact is not so bizarre, when I dig a bit- Maison is trinity of people with background in jewelry, graphic design and fashion. Impact of those versatile contributions is very visible in their designs. Every time you see this kind of synergy in a world of fashion, you have to recognize something excellent is coming out of it. Synergists pay very attention on details, which is sometimes elementary key to everything.
And On aura tout vu surely has a very developed sense for detailing, fabrics as products. Seams that except great creativity and ideas, everything is planned very well, so even foliage attached on the gown, is thickened in translucent material like foil.
Foret enchante, last collection, part of Paris Couture Accessories was celebration of nature, very vision of romantic, happy magical garden with all the elements of same; trees(attached to dresses, as bang handles, brushwood around models hands), feathers and bird songs as background melody. If it is display of secret world that popped out from pages of old fairy-tale, models are not the little flying beards, they are delightful dryads.
What I felt from On Aura Tout Vu except proper tailoring and sense for society is great dose of alternative, big independence in design which is hard to have in fashion maison nowadays, with lot of freedom in artistic creation, everything sprinkled with magic dust.
On aura tout vu, as they tattled on their web (which won my award for best internet along with Hermès), certainly loves to distort fashion and glam. And yes we haven’t seen it all until we saw On aura tout vu.


photos via; Reuters, telegraph, daylife, oatv facebook group

Oh So cover me with chic blanket

Since the beginning of the year, knitwear certainly made ascend on the scale of trends. Runaway announced comeback of it, from basics to lurex (think of Marni), items embroidered with sequins or knitted laces (think of Missoni)
It’s pretty handsome to see all of the 80’s sparkly, glamazon crave which often implies marvelous fur, while on the other side warm fall glance is more cozier, with more of neutral or warm colors including all of the goodies as tweed or woolen jackets and trousers, knitted vests and scarves. But if looking back in the time, there is no way that 80’s style elides knitting. If you don’t remember just think how Marc Jacobs adorably connected both. With layers of fine knitted items, afraid for freezing is diminished. But with more of colder days, the hedonistic side of our hearts is growing so often chocolate or tea, movie or book and the blanket inside your private paradise(meaning warm) is preferable than strutting on the streets.
Oh how we love blankets.
Who was the person that left the warm inside wrapped in the blanket, we don’t know. Maybe someone greedy for productivity and too cold, but she/he did the fashion forward for blankets as outwear. Since then we realized that outwear with blanket lookalike makes us balmy in our hearts even on the streets. That is why we are saying; Oh so cover me!
HOW TO WEAR
For knitted outwear, capes, wide scarves in-blanket –glance, oversized is essential.
Pattern or color to choose is matter of personal style. If you are more common with bohemian you’ll choose isle or DIY patterns. Overlay it over basic clothing, cotton dresses, knitted tunic tops on tights or jeans. It matches perfectly with canvas. But also with heels.
WHERE TO BUY: There is very possibility that your grandma has it in closet or visit nearest vintage shop.
Coats 1. Missoni from matches, 2.Henrik Vibskov from farfetch,4.knitted coat at mytheresa Scarves 3. Asos, 4. Topshop
Alison Mosshart of The Kills

Vision of Art and Couture- Stéphane Rolland

If main characteristic of haute couture is its uniqueness, than Stéphane Rolland as 11th. Member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, justified his membership.
Stéphane Rolland launched his couture Maison, that has been financially supported by just two shareholders, in 2007. Before love in his own couture, was a creative director at Balenciaga, has launched prêt-a-porter collection, and worked in Jean-Louis Scherrer house on womenswear and couture.
At Palais de la Découverte, this year in July, first time as official couturier Rolland presented 40 Haute creations together with leather goods for fall/winter 2009. What inspires this Parisian couturier mostly is art; contemporary, modern, architecture or sculpture, and that really is big influence on his designs. Inspiration for graphic mosaic embroidery from this show came from the wall of one New York apartment. Silhouettes of Rolland’s dresses really look like sculptures enliven that had un-notable walked out from some museum retrospective to runaway.
Except mosaic embroidery sign of last collection were rounded, sometimes bit asymmetrical cutouts (enchanted especially with cutouts on the back). Through whole collection, Stéphane plays with openness of the woman’s body parts.
Train dress is rich and despite big shoulders with bateau neckline, on the back will have little cutout that balances with silhouette. If it’s one sleeved, that sleeve will be pleated and bit avant-garde. He put sheer details on the back on long velvet dress with power shoulders and mosaic details all over. Long tailored blazer with details on the shoulders is paired on the runway with long dress and I can clearly imagine high class socialite on art exhibition in front of Monet's painting. Stéphane made me to fall in love with his long -floor touching-dresses and with one of those, in white, he closed his show, while other models in black dresses where aligned on stairs of Palace. That image clearly portrays Rolland’s art obsession.
Maybe the idea of timeless is reason of lots of diamonds embroidered in fabrics like cashmere, beige camel, gazar, crepe and jersey.
He also showed bags which varied from day bags to evening clutches (22-karat gold metalwork and diamond-encrusted closures) with prices from €10,000 and higher, depending on client specifications. And we say yes to Rolland same as we said yes when we saw Rihanna in Rolland’s ivory satin mermaid gown at Glamour’s woman of the year.

images via LE FIGARO
Since there's not enough reporting about Haute Couture, from now on, every week on misslikey will be published post regarding Couture

The story of Gia

If this year we are having the great comeback of 80s, there’s a person that we should reminisce of, since she was true symbol of early years of decade.
Gia Marie Carangi was often nicknamed as America’s first supermodel and along with Janice Dickenson and Beverly Johnson (Johnson was first black model to appear on cover of Vogue) had pave the way for glamazons in fashion modeling.
Gia, the rebellious Philly teenager, that was in the high school hanging with Bowie clique (David Bowie and androgynity fans) came to New York when photographer Maurice Tannenbaum, that spotted her dancing in local club, arranged meeting with Wilhelmina Cooper, the famous agent. Wilhelmina literally faint when she saw Gia. There was something special about that girl’s appearance that was making her real. In the world where smiling long hair blond was symbol, Gia was total outsider. And Brunette.
Over the night Philly girl transformed into the face that everybody wanted to work with and for about two years was at the top. She did campaigns for Dior, Diane Von Furstenberg, Lancetti, Versace and Cosmopolitan, Bazaar, Vogue covers and editorials. She was part of series Woman into man by Helmut Newton and worked with greatest photographers of the time; Patrick Demarchelier, Avedon, Irving Penn, Denis Biel, Andrea Blanch, Chris von Wangenhaim, Stan Malinowski.
Another famous photographer Francesco Scavullo, which was also one of her closest friend, said "It was like working with a wild young horse. Once I got used to working with her, she spoiled me. “
In 1980 Richard Avedon photographed her for her first and only Vogue US cover,
With covers, editorials, overseas traveling she was in the center of New York social scene, regular in Studio 54, and the list of those who wanted to date Gia was long as list of those who wanted to work with her (Salvador Dali asked her for a dinner but she turned him cause she wasn’t really hungry). She also appeared in Blondie’s video Atomic which was one of her favorite bends.
Photographers that worked with Gia are testifying that everything could be pull out of Gia because she had kind of energy that was unseen before; Gia strikes sparks not poses, said Scavullo.
Janice Dickinson, her model fellow describes her: Put on the red string bikini, walking next the horse, forget Bo Derek. I'll never forget this visual, the sun's going down, the waves coming in and Gia, just one minute she was being real punk like Yeah Janice c'mon lets go drink some tequila, lets go get the chips , lets go pick up some Mexicans. Am like Gia were doing Vooogue! This is V.O.G.U.E, honey.

The world seems to be based on money and sex ... I'm looking for better things than that, like happiness and love and caring......Gia Marie Carangi
Though in social circles often referred as party girl, people who knew Gia describe her as lonely girl, with self-destruction as biggest sensitivity. The irony was that sensibility of hers made her different from the rest, and in the same time along with lack of love carried away her to heroin addiction.
She died at the age of 26 of AIDS and most shocking at the time was that no one from fashion industry, including her colleagues and friends knew that Gia passed away. At that point is created some kind of Gia’s myth. Stephen Fried described her turbulent life in book called Thing of Beauty and later HBO did the movie with Jolie as Gia which according to her friends and family is very different portray of who she really was.
2003. on Tribeca Film Festival was shown documentary The Self-Destruction of Gia in which producer J.J. Martin reveals Gia’s life through unseen rare interviews, home videos, photos and interviews with Scavullo, DVF,Vera Wang, her ex lover Sandy Linter
Gia was one of the first women to die from AIDS and after her death its established Gia Carangie foundation to help prevent the spread of AIDS and using drugs by raising public awareness and education.
She wanted for kids to see what drugs can do and that is not everything glossy behind the magazine cover. It is sad that same industry that raised Gia, after her death pulled out heroin chic as something cool and with the special look. There are lots of fashion terms that are witty and neat but heroin chic is not one of them. The story of Gia is just an illustration of that.

This post is published due to anniversary of Gia’s tragic death(November 18th)
Another tragedy happened yesterday in fashion and modeling world. It's reported that 20 year old model and blogger Daul Kim died. RIP Daul.

What Tolula Wears

Short curly hairstyle, body to envy on and the poster of a diva, Tolula immediately catches your eye. Small presence in media for such an exceptional style, you begin to wonder where the girl is hiding? ANSWER is the UK.
Tolula Adeyemi is 25 year old model and aspiring actress (role in Last Chance Harvey and recently has launched own theater company La Teatra, according to vogue uk)
She is face of Lainey Sheridan-Young label Hari and Vivienne Westwood cosset. We love Tolula’s style because it is everything but boring, and doesn’t fail even if she wears metallic blue nail polish or two diverse leopard patterns in the same outfit. Name the person that looks style icon in white chemise dress, leopard heels and hat, all spiced up with big orange clutch. Tolula’s eclectic style no matter she is red carpet walking in astonishing dress or is the pants with little longer blazer, is always put together. Items like orange bag that she turns into the clutch, which seems that she adores (we too), punk bracelets, rings or metallic wedges, just work for ladylike eighties edgy. At the end we all know Vivi has an eye for extraordinary.
That’s why we want more of What Tolula Wears reports.

On the photo first, Tolula is wearing black silk taffetta gown from young designer Ana Sekularac

With Tinsley Mortimer and Natalie Press on LFW wearing sequin Manjit Deu dress
Photos; Tolula with tartan bow from A shaded view on fashion, Rest via Guardian, Daylife,WWD,Vogue Australia

5 YYYES for lace up boots

1. They raze the statement ˝boots are for summer, flops are for winter˝
You know how it feels in the winter when you have layers of outwear and you still need to wear giant shoes. Lace up boots, for some reason adhere on leg more naturally than most of the boots, and laces are making the effect of detail so you don’t have to do additional effort.
2. Feel of the model off the duty style
Long before Ann Demeulemeester or even when this trend of lace up started, the girls that walk the runaway had sense for motorcycle style.

Hana Soukupova, Joy Bryant wearing lace up boots

Alexa Chung, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Flo Gennaro in lace up boots
3. Heels or flats
Just choose which makes you feel more comfy daily because even flats lace up boots are very wearable for the night, parties (giving your outfit strong, confident glance)

Abbey Lee Kershaw in Ruby Leather Lace up boots from Urban Outfitters, Eniko Mihalik
4. Findable from 1000 $ to 50$ depending on what brand you will choose. From flats my favorites are models with tradition like Martens, Timberland’s or Justin’s (vintage Justin lace up boots are like melody for my heart)

Combat oak boots, Mentor lace up boots, Zeha Berlin boots, Jeffrey Campbell navy lace up boots, Timberland lace up boots
5. Working for the in- a- minute chic
Just think of white long tees and stockings or even nude legs when it’s little warmer. Think of all the high wasted skirts and ripped jean.

first photo; Grace Small for I LOVE FAKE #13 by Viktor Vauthier
Photos via flickr, style.com, modelinia

Vest trends for fall and winter

For centuries waistcoat was a part of men's formal attire and usually double breasted to stretch the belly.
Waistcoat or popularly vest (fr gilet) is a part of wardrobe that doesn’t go out of style lately and whoever came up with this trend is fashion friend.
First we started wearing the simple vests and craving those cottoned or suit waistcoats, but soon moved forward to lot of details on our gilets( think of studs)
Vests usually can ˝pimp˝ the plainest outfits. What is more rock'n'royal than a basic black cotton dress with denim vest. And if it is done in DIY manner from a old Levi’s jacket and studs you did real fashion forward.
Runaway collections from those that wear screaming grunge to those ladylike, showed lot loving for the vests. Fur, leather, tuxedo long vests, embroidered, even those leopards were stars of the season. One can certainly add trendy vests to his wardrobe but still not to forget to wear the old ones because the vest is always vest and we really detest throwing away our clothes, especially when it comes to good key pieces. And vest proved for seasons it is.
What to choose, what to add, where to buy, who wears it...
1. Fur vest
If vest was star of the runaways, fur vest was lodestar; from Philip Lim, Vandervost, Lagerfeld, Kane, Mendel, Marni, Lang. Some even said that the fur coat died when fur vest was borne. We wouldn’t go that far because it certainly cannot warm you up like coat but is very trendy and very practical to pair. Very popular is still Mongolian black fur but not less desirable those made of faux fur or the different types of real fur

Erin Wasson and Mary- Kate Olsen wearing fur vests

Elizabeth and James fur vest from netaporter, faux fur from H&M
2. Leather vest
Biker style left impact and brought the certain splendor, which refers on all of the leather items or boots. The leather vest is this year little longer or cropped with layered collar or with the fur. Another superb from motorcycle style, even if you were never punker is kutte (studs, badges and band logos in DIY manner)

Kate Young and Byrdie Bell wearing leather vests

Erin Wasson X RVCA Hard Loser Waistcoat from La Garconne, Alexander Wang Leather motorcycle vest from netaporter
3. Knitted vest
Not that from the runaway, as is the contributor of warm fall and winter look especially for the fans of layered clothing. Lots of patterns, like isle or different knitted versions make knitted vest city to ski chic option. Go for it.

Charlotte Ronson wearing knitted vest, Shop items; Patterned Knit Vest from YESSTYLE,Twenty8Twelve isle pattern waistcoat at mywardrobe,Retro Waistcoat from Wendy Keith Designs
Photos via style.com, nymag.com, elle.com

Rebirth of tuxedo

For years I used to be very suspicious on the subject of tough power-clothing or man cuts. Especially when you are younger there is some settled society chase for femininity, and you do effort just to avoid tough glance. Luckily for us things have changed. Do you reminisce of pant-less eras on the catwalk few years ago? Designers obviously seemed to forget how we have to go to work and actually wear pants. Except those from who we were expecting trousers like YSL or Lang, there wasn’t really some major buzz about the pants. Bad recession time seems that prompted detailed luxurious clothes, on one side and on the other, the basics. And they did work hard and bring to us all kind of suits including trouser pants for the fall season. And often, jacket or pants are in recognizable tuxedo style. Suit that contains good tailored trousers and blazer jacket still is reverberating powerful clothing but has softness that makes it very wearable. Pair of stilettos, length or wideness of the pants, materials or details (think of satin lapels on Balmain suits); they are all put up to improve gentle side of men's suit.
During the years I've always had an excuse for not wearing tuxedo suit; It's not really Le Smoking couturiered by Yves Saint Laurent and I don't own really starched white blouson. That was my very personal and vivid vision of evening tuxedo suit and glass of champagne in very old school way. Then I caught myself wearing recently harem pants with tuxedo blazer and black skinnies on same blazer and my past theory fell apart.
From what's seen on the runaway and that offered in the shops you can really put up your suit with the different parts to create the tuxedo or smoking style. Sometimes you are for cropped blazer and very wide length trousers. Sometimes you may feel you need stitch into your skinny's pants and long blazer to make a nice tuxedo combination. The way you put it together can make it further than just an evening outfit.
For the daily style or work, formality can be dissolved by bracing long blazer with thin belt like Donna Karan does. Hannah McGibbon with the softness of fabric and color makes very splendid suits(especially See by Chloe formal tuxedo jackets). Zac Posen creates sexy formality by bringing tighter pants and V neck blazers. Phoebe Philo proved once again her designer abilities debuting for Celine resort with tuxedo jackets made of tender, flexible fabric with the collar in different color. More Masculinity can be achieved with strong shoulders and leather pants, and if you are more into the warmer dandy English looks take a peak into the Ralph Lauren collection. Anna Sui for those unfamiliar with any kind of trousers suggest jeans on classic frock jacket.
For the evening wear silk blouse on wide leg tuxedo trousers (Currently hot cropped above the ankle) and have the glass of champagne. Very Katherine Hepburn.
Girls and they various tuxedo solutions



First four photos of Vogue France street style, image of Freja via nymag, Annabelle Dexter Jones and Liya Kebede via zimbio