Sister Jane - Parallel dreams

There are some brave people out there and Spanish designer Beatriz Deza has shown that she had the guts to leave her comfortable job in finance to start a completely new venture by setting up her own fashion brand: Sister Jane.

Her style is clearly influenced by her 10 years living in London and the clothes are inspired by the British look, mixed with some vintage ingredients. 

A touch of rebellious attitude against the fast pace of current days.

Sister Jane first collection was launched at Topshop, and now it can be found at Asos and in both department and independent stores.

The last collection is nostalgic and focuses on individuality. It reminds me of Sofia Copolla's film The Virgin Suicides and nonconformist Lux Lisbon. 

Crochet tops and high-waisted shorts.

Black and white lace dresses and silk blouses.

Fringed cardigans on paisley and floral prints.

An air of innocence, fire, and feminine power

Designer Breatriz Deza with one of her designs

Yayoi Kusama for Louis Vuitton - Path to infinity

In late May this year we were revealed the details of the new collaboration between the French Maison Louis Vouitton and Japanese pop artist Yayoi Kusama. 

The fashion brand has immersed itself in the infinite world of the iconic polka dots to give birth to an amazing (and controversial for LV bags' lovers) collection of garments and accessories inspired by the Japanese artist named Infinitely Kusama.

As pop artist, Yayoi Kusama has a very particular view of the world, influenced by the abstract expressionist movement, and exhibited in New York City during the 1960's alongside contemporary artists like Andy Warhol and George Segal.

Whether you like (or can afford) LV bags is another story.

But it's great that two art talents so different from each other in terms of vision, even age and background, got together and put their energy and passion of making work to create a dynamic, vibrant and animated collection.

Timeless

Endless

Infinite

Nike x Liberty - Modern legacy

What happens when somebody combines heritage and tradition with modern and sports?

I could be disastrous, but this time it was sportswear giant Nike joining forces with London heritage emporium Liberty to create a summer collection with Liberty's iconic prints. 

The range included some of Nike's classics Air Max 1 and Cortez on Lagos Laurel and Imperial Purple Liberty prints.

Yes, I know what you're thinking, some of you are not runner fanatics. So below are some ideas on how to style them: great option to dress down a peplum dress or to modernise a vintage look. Or just with a pair of skinnies.

Open your mind and let your imagination run

Cortez in Liberty's Lagos Laurel 

Air Max 1 in Liberty's Imperial Purple

As styled by Sincerely Jules

Paired with patched denim jacket and midi skirt here

With a pair of jeans here

Worn by blogger and fashion lover Tamia

Music and fashion (7): The Knife

One of the most intriguing bands of the early 21st century. 

With the new millennium a whole universe of experimentation was opened in the music and fashion industries.

It was the end of the world as we knew it and a new era began.

We started hearing about The Knife, an electronic music brother-sister duo from Goteborg, Olof and Karin Dreijer.

They didn't like their picture to be taken. They set apart the artist and wanted to focus on the music. With their politically controversial album Deep Cuts they talked about women's rights, deep love and the citizens' duty to pay taxes (oh! righteous Swedish). It was an image of isolation represented by long black coats and wigs, crow-like Venetian masks, with a cold, dark forest as background. Occult and funny, in their own way. 

For Silent Shout they went deeper and we needed more time to decipher the subtle messages hidden in the lyrics, where they talked about TV addicts, scared housewives and loneliness, dressed as gymnasts from the 80's. 

There is no repetition. Only a big commitment to their music, not to the audience and critics' expectation.

It's raining like hell in London today

But it's Friday, anyways

Take a deep breath

Who's next 2012 - Rising talent

It's been an amazing long weekend in Paris at Who's Next 12 Pret a Porter. The world's best young fashion talent gathered for the last 4 days to show us their designs, share with us their philosophy and vision, and set the trends for next season.

From leather to the most delicate silky garments. 

Black & white vs neon colours.

Radical prints and daring shapes.

This is a sample of their work I hope you'll enjoy.

The question is: who will take over the big guys?

Bets are open

Adddress plays with the combination of neutral tones and neons

Feminine and elegant shapes by Elise Kim

A medieval influence reinterpreted into cape-like sleeves from Hilda Maha

Ines & Marechal present black garments perfectly balanced by the next must have colours: aquamarine and seafoam green

Bold colours in a girly look from Lug von Siga

Cocoon shapes in bright orange from Margareth & Moi

Another of the trends for 2013: iridescent finishes presented by Morgan Kirch

Digital effects for bold jewelry by Nadia Dafri

Geometrical prints by Raphaelle H Limi

Japanese influence at Susana Bettencourt's collection

Ropes and cords: next generation's jewelry by Alienina

Relaxed and sporty look by Holy June

Nobody ...makes them this way

Only a few times the words denim and heritage can go together.

When you can see how do they cut the patterns by hand, the way they dye the garments, the endless rolls of fabric and thread at the showroom/factory, the careful attention to every detail, it's then when the clothes are awarded with a different meaning.

And that's what Nobody does.

They have been experimenting with denim for the last 30 years, being accredited with the Ethical Clothing Australia standards due to the transparency of the manufacturing process.

 These are perfectly finished and hand customised denim garments.

Where tradition meets innovation.

Fit for queens and kings of the modern 

(Source: trend forecaster WGSN)

Carven - Transition time

Founded by Madame Carmen de Tommaso, the French fashion brand Carven has been under the artistic direction of Guillaume Henry for the last 3 years, maintaining a fresh look and keeping loyal to the French chic so iconic to the brand.
The key? A careful choice of materials for designs studied to detail.
Elegant garments that enhance the inherent women feminity and the relaxed look of Parisienne women.
It's summer in some places, but it hasn't arrived to London yet (don't think it's going to get here ever...)
So instead of thinking about ss12 sales, I have my head on the next season already.
Carven Hiver 2012 Introduction Collection presents a palette full of mustard, earthy and blue tones.
Baby-collar blouses and mini-skirts.
Wrapped or balloon dresses, depending on your mood (or social commitments).
The full Winter Collection has been recently presented, but we'll leave that one for another day.
Til then, enjoy the warm and sunny weather.
If you can  

The artist: Guillaume Henry