Not that, but Balmain, Spring/Summer 2012. Now Balmain may not be Karl Lagerfield's cup of tea, but it certainly is mine. I've recounted my penchant for the Balmain-esque at least twice here, on this blog. You see, I rarely like an outfit if it doesn't have an edgy side to it, a sinister aspect, if you will. [Remember my love for Tisci's Rottweiler and my spike and stud obsession?]. Ironically, the darkest of them all, the lynch pin of sinister - the Skull, I've always quite rejected. And that's the one facade of Alexander McQueen I adamantly avoid. And now I've gone off topic. Back to Balmain.

At the wake of every season, there are new must-haves to take our wardrobe into a whole new direction. Exclaiming something along the lines of  "this is exactly what I need in my wardrobe!!", you know the drill.

Exams are finally over. The heavy tick-tocking clock of Guilt has finally stopped. Now I can post as randomly as I want and actually enjoy it. No more guilt because I've spent the past 4 hours planning my posts. At least for now, I can relish in the fact that I have a few months before my next exam.

Anyhow, the past two weeks have been all about couture in fashion. What no one really mentions is the fashion parade that takes place outside the fashion houses, the street-style entourage. Almost every walking being at fashion week is an artistic expression.

When it comes to fashion week there are no rules. It's all about making a fashion statement - quite literally.
Some of you might find a few of these rather out-of-this-world. But really, I'd love to see more adventurous people, fashion-wise, over here.

Anna Wintour in all her glory. With fur and her signature Chanel sunglasses in hand!

Middle picture: Anna Dello Russo in Givenchy

Carine Roitfield in her signature pencil skirt silhouette and Anna Dello Russo - as perfectly flamboyant as ever.

And some fashion week material goodies...

ASOS clutch, New Look colourful beaded necklace, River Island geometric bodycon dress, Fiorelli ipad case, River Island pants, Topshop backpack, ASOS wedges, Topshop wedges/flatforms, Topshop body harness, ZARA collar, River Island Sandals {Images copyright of their respective owners}

And last but not least - my mum just got me the Vogue Paris Spring 2012 Collections issue from Brussels! It's the best ever - a compendium of each show from Paris, Milan, London and New York :D

[I took some snaps to give you an idea of it!]




I'd feel guilty if I didn't mention ACTA. If you'd like to know what ACTA is about and how it will affect you,  this is a good article. Do your bit and sign a few petitions and help keep the internet and blogs like this alive -
Petition 1
Petition 2

Much love
Tiziana
xx

Just in case I haven't said this enough - I adore Kate Moss. Her style speaks to me. I've already written about Kate's style (click here). Incidentally Mango never ceases to be one of my favourite high-street brands. They have a signature style to their clothing which makes it unique yet so very basic! Quite like the supermodel we're talking about here, in fact. Nothing too over the top but Stylish, classy - and bold. Three qualities I look for in clothing and what I thrive for.

I have a passion for the minute, perhaps seemingly 'irrelevant' details in life. In fact, I'm thought to be a perfectionist by my close friends. Even if I want messy hair, I want perfectly messy hair. If I want laid back and effortless, I want perfectly laid back and effortless. It's hard to define perfection. And to see the extent to which  my perfectionism flourishes - this is the quote I have written in large lettering on my desk -

All that is not perfect down to the smallest detail is doomed to perish.
- Gustav Mahler

And alongside this quote:
Lack of passion is fatal.

But this is not what I've made time to blog about, amid the stress of end of first semester second-year law exams...

I came to blog about details. It's the little details which make each and every one of us irreplaceable. No one can be totally alike to another, some small detail would give us away in the end. That's exactly what defines our style.

This post is to pay due homage to the little details which make my own style unique. I believe details work best in trios - keep this as a rule of thumb when dressing - think in threes!

The Trio - Red lips, Studded collar necklace & studded diamond Earrings Photo by Stefan Vella

Another trio - Sequined clutch, Studded Gloves, Python print Photo by Stefan Vella - view and read about the entire look --> here

The perfect colour combo - petrol blue clutch bag and burgundy cardigan. I took this photo back in Autumn 2010 - but this colour combination is still one of my favourites. Never got around to posting about this look, and it's kind of 'past its prime' now...

Another trio, yet again - Vintage Statement Metal Necklace, cobalt blue gem ring and closed-collar denim shirt (and I love the way my hair colour literally resonates here haha!). Photo by Stefan Vella - view entire look --> here

Studded wrap bracelet, Swatch silver and gold watch, vibrant red clutch Pleats, Stripes and White nails Trio theory works its magic - AGAIN. Photos by Stefan Vella - Looks here and here respectively.

What is this Trio number 6? Studded black leather back, vintage tan leather belt, gem rings. View entire look here

The trio theory may just become a thing!! The large floppy hat, the radiant, messed-up hair and ruffled shoulders. Entire look ---> here I will formulate the Trio Theory some time soon and you, my dear readers, will be the first to know ;) I will end this post wishing all those studying for end of term exams good luck!! much love Tiziana xx

With Valentine's Day in less than a month- red is definitely having a moment. I'm smelling red all over the fashion sphere....

1. Wear a dress in "the hue of the moment"

Vogue India - December 2011

2. Red leather


3. Red Velvet

MENSWEAR: Alexander McQueen SS12; Dolce & Gabbana FW12... and Steven Alan velvet blazer for Women!

4. Lip Service

5. Red Heels on the Runway


6. Red on the Runway

Christian Dior, Nina Ricci Valentino SS12

7. Red It Bags


8. Pops of Red

Dior Nail Varnish, Topshop Nails, Miu Miu Sunglasses, Kenneth Jay Lane Statement necklace, Style.com first print cover featuring Lindsey Wixon , Miu Miu heels

9. Red Hues

Alberta Ferretti

Chloe'

Vogue UK - February 2012

There is something I must say before I commence with today's topic. I not only like it when readers give me suggestions, but I encourage it! Of course, I intend for this to be my own personal style blog, but it's also your blog - because without you my beloved readers, this blog is nothing but an increment to the mass of jumbled data that is the internet - and I could just talk to myself. So I take this opportunity to thank you all for helping this blog grow!

My original goal was to be an inspiration, to motivate people into putting an effort into getting dressed, even if to just one person. So when readers tell me I am an inspiration, or that they keep my ideas in mind when shopping or picking out an outfit, it is, to me, a cause of joy and is, to say the least, tremendously alleviating. It's what keeps me going!

Anyway, back to today's subject- a reader asked me to write about what to wear (and not to wear) at weddings. Coincidentally, I had just watched Letters to Juliet and was fascinated by Amanda Seyfried's outfit as a guest at the wedding...

I've noticed that here in Malta, people do limit themselves a lot when it comes to weddings and anything formal, really. We're caught in a rut over here. Most seem to think that glamour lies solely in diamonds and silver sandals... AND boleros - I am getting sick of seeing boleros at weddings. There is something called a shawl, people.

On the other hand, I do believe that weddings are not the place to make a fashion statement. When the dress code is formal, even solely out of sheer respect for the bride and groom, who have invited you to celebrate with them an important step in their lives, dress formally.



So before I begin to present you with a few ideas, let's set a few ground rules...

1. Follow the dress code. 
I cannot stress this enough. Generally, the invite indicates a preferred dress code. The lines are rather blurred when it comes to distinguishing between each dress code; there are various grey areas - so amongst the words that may be thrown at you here are a few - 'black tie', 'creative black-tie', 'formal', 'semi-formal', 'evening'.

As a side note - I know for a fact that there is a number of thriving 'fashionistas' who think they'd be better off 'doing what they do best' and try and look 'different' and original. I repeat - weddings aren't the time to experiment.  On the contrary, I believe it's rather rude when people disregard dress codes. Dress codes are there for a reason.

Now, back to the scale...
White tie is mainly for state weddings - women wear a tiara and opera-length gloves and men a white bow-tie and a tail-coat. I won't go into the details of this since it's rather restricted when it comes to attire and hardly a daily happening for the majority of people - but you get the drift.

Black tie - this is to higher profile events than those on the lower end of the scale. In a black tie event, an elegant cocktail dress or even a gown is required and, of course, a black bow tie or black tie for men, and hire/buy a tux please!

Optional Black Tie - 'optional' generally added so that invitees who do not afford a tux aren't excluded. If it's optional - it's exactly that, but still adhere to the guidelines of formality as close as you possibly could. Optional black tie STILL doesn't mean you can go in combats or day wear.

Creative Tie - this may perhaps be the most popular among fashionistas - since it is what it is - creative. It allows space for trendier, or fashionable versions of the classic black tie look. Enjoy it - but do not go overboard - it's still a wedding.

Lounge Suit - a less formal look. Men wear business suits and women may even wear a suit or a cocktail dress. This might be the most popular option amongst the Maltese.

2. The Location
The location is often times overlooked, yet it's a crucial aspect in deciding what to wear for such an occasion. Will the reception be set in open air or will it be in a closed hall? Also - the type of location will give you a good idea of what you're expected to wear.

3. Time of Day
Morning or Evening? Adapt accordingly.

4. What are the Bride and Groom Like?
This is immensely important, yet no one seems to bother thinking about what the bride would like. Or what the groom would like at that. It's their wedding after all. If you know what the bride and groom are like, you will generally know what they expect you to wear at the wedding, even if the indicated dress code isn't that clear.

5. Whose wedding is it?
Family, distant family, close friends, friends, colleagues. It makes a great difference.

Now that we've cleared all that up -
Some other issues...


HATS
Hats aren't an obligation for morning weddings, period. The prior tradition to wear a hat at a wedding may have been linked to women's obligation to cover their heads in church. Fascinators are gaining momentum as  a replacement for hats - if you simply must wear something. There are a few pretty ones on the market!

[all from ASOS]

Catarzi pill pox hat, ASOS feather pom fascinator, Pieces feather fascinator


Boleros
Please, please don't! It wasn't elegant 5 years ago, and it's not elegant now. A shawl from exquisite fabric is so much more elegant and sophisticated. Do take some time in picking out the right cover-up for weddings. If you're going to be wearing a jacket all the time, be sure it complements the dress and that it doesn't cover-up the dress. After all it's the dress you want the focus on and not the jacket.

Black and White
Black is allowed - just as long as it doesn't look like you're at a funeral and not at a wedding. So avoid demure dresses if you're going for black. Play with texture or brighter accessories (a gold statement necklace would be ideal).
As for white - keep away from it! The bride may not mind, but the bride's mother or close relatives/friends might throw a few looks at you. It's not worth being so self-conscious the whole time just because you wanted that white dress so badly... Once again, context is everything! So weigh the pros and cons well beforehand ;)

Jewellery
When it comes to accessorising your outfit there are a few rules you must follow, but really they all boil down to one: Keep it simple!
Avoid costume jewellery. Colourful statement necklaces should be locked some place far, with the key thrown away, in the evening. They're adequate for a morning wedding (a coral necklace would work just fine, and is a timeless classic).
Go for the real thing. If you must wear a fake, it must be a really, really good fake. Otherwise, don't wear anything.

I've prepared a few polyvore sets for some 'wedding guest' outfit ideas, suitable for most weddings.


If you've got any specific questions feel free to ask (comment section, facebook, through tumblr, by email (go on contact me) . I'm here to help ;)

xx

Thankfully, this time round I managed to watch live streaming of the Burberry menswear show and along with most of the fashion world I realised that velvet will be big next year for men. I was surprised the word 'velvet' didn't trend on twitter. Yet, that's not what I'll be talking about. As you might have noticed, I am more of the Dolce & Gabbana type of girl (do not think of fake D&G belts at street markets, please - Dolce & Gabbana is another brand altogether to D&G, anyhow).



Dolce & Gabbana are THE kings of Black and Gold, intricate lace detailing and baroque allusions. Milan Fashion Week opened with Dolce & Gabbana along with Jil Sander, Burberry Prorsum, Roberto Cavalli (photos are being published live on NOWFASHION at this very moment) and a few others. Dolce & Gabbana has been my preferred collection so far. I felt it kind of alluded to Autumn/Winter 2010 women's collection - that show will always remain one of my favourites.

Velvet played a predominant part, once again (Cavalli update - it also made a presence in the Cavalli show -sorry about this sudden outburst, but as I said, I'm watching live photo streaming of the Roberto Cavalli show).


There was a bit of a pygama party going on. Can't decide if I like or not. It was big in fashion this season, in women's wear. I guess it's kind of a hot geek kind of thing, especially with those specs. Yum. [I have to say I prefer Italian choice of models over British any time...]. And they're wearing pjs!!!




The intricate detailing on the coats was superb - it almost looks like you're stuck in some Italian baroque church in Milan - in a good way. The Milanese heritage was eminent in these looks - I love a brand true to its roots, just like Burberry with the British heritage aura...


The collection was elegant, sophisticated and well-executed, the Dolce & Gabbana way.