Diane von Furstenberg

I just found this lovely homeware collection from Diane von Furstenberg via Oprah.

I love the sunny colours. Lovely bright colour palette to brighten up any home.

In the 1970s, Diane von Furstenberg was a plucky young European princess when she made history with a versatile, universally flattering wrap dress—created, as she puts it, for "a woman on the go, who is completely global, of any age, any nationality." This month the designer—long divorced from her prince, though still plucky—brings her signature unfussy sophistication to a new home line, with everything from leopard-patterned bed linens to sunny porcelain teapots.

"Surroundings are very important to me," says Von Furstenberg, a yoga-toned 64. "I travel constantly, but even in a hotel room, I'll drape a scarf over the lamp." She's tucked behind an imposing black Ruhlmann desk on the fifth floor of the teeming New York City studio where she lives and works amid hot pink walls and Warhol portraits of herself. For Von Furstenberg, the home "is a projection of who you are," as important as what you wear and the people you surround yourself with.

Von Furstenberg's own home is inspired by her life: "When I go places"—recent travels include Dubai, Istanbul, Vanuatu, and Tahiti—"I'll pick up a basket or a plate, things I love and that give me pleasure to look at." For her housewares line, she wanted to design "not a matching collection but a language," she says, full of pieces that combine effortlessly with a woman's own finds.

Like her elegant, asymmetrical porcelain dishes: Their shape (Von Furstenberg calls it the "power stone") recalls the striking corrugated glass dome she constructed atop her studio's building to let in light. Available in a range of patterns plundered from her fashion archives, the plates are both more formal and more interesting than the usual everyday set—and the only statement pieces a well-dressed table needs.

Dolce and Gabbana Spring 2011

I am totally in love with the floral prints and the colour palette is so divine reminiscing spring.

Interview : Christos Dovas New York

Christos Dovas is a gifted designer - one who understands the classical form of a woman's body while delivering sensuous appeal, crafting luxurious items which are also accessible, the dynamic of luxe with edge which makes his styles so intoxicating to the female sensibility. 

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What is your educational background?

CHRISTOS DOVAS: My first school was my father’s workbench. Later during my teenage years I started working in sales in a clothing store doing styling, buying, merchandising and taking care of the window-displays. Such I became more involved in fabrics and I found myself being creative on someone’s appeal. Then studying Fashion Design in a private school in Athens and working as assistant designer in a haute couture atelier. TV modeling was very helpful to improve my social skills and open up to people. Questing for more I was fashion student in a prestigious college in New York City. Four years of dedication were awarded with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and additionally a year of theatrical studies, stage and costume, earned me an internship in New York Metropolitan Opera, Costume Department.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:I am a dreamer, I watched movies and I closed my eyes, I watched people talking and I closed my eyes thinking how could I bring to reality thoughts of my imagination. To create over the layers of secretive world and again to create again bringing up stories from books, paintings, sculptures, secret stories in light with my pencils and threads.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What was the first article of clothing you ever designed?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:At an early age I was apprentice to my father, a custom shoe designer. I grew up next to his workbench. From him, I acquired the foundation for my passion to create innovative and classical designs crafted with a master’s attention to impeccable construction and precise design. I remember I was 8 years old when I was so motivated I was designing my own shoes. I had all I needed, a father shoe designer, lots of leather and more of inspiration.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What does fashion mean to you?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:I have seen so many fashion styles with my eyes, 70’s 80’s and some old 60’s original samples from my father’s archives. The ultimate destination is to deliver what women want, design of unique style, craftsmanship with attention to detail, elegance of timeless beauty.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: Where do you get your inspiration? When you create what goes through your mind?
CHRISTOS DOVAS: Imagination is my driving force that delights my clients. I love a beautiful woman, I love beauty, and I love to create, to make women to be beautiful. Source of inspiration life itself, people, their personalities, the way they move their body, the space that surrounds them, their personal story, stories, history, our past, our civilization, the human civilization, the senses, the forms, the touch, the texture, a glance, the whole world.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: Tell us about the process of sketching a design.( papers and pencil/pens you use?)
CHRISTOS DOVAS:Idea comes first. You want to express it right away no matter what the medium, pencil number, paper pad or table cloth, you start drawing and the story begins.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: Can you describe to us the general process you go through to design and realize a piece of clothing.?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:Sketching ideas, silhouettes, and fine details, then some water color to give life to drawings. Draping follows to produce the pattern, cut on fabric, stitching, sewing, detailed hand work.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: How long does it usually take you to construct a piece?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:The key word is intricacy, based on the engineering of the design, time frame is defined.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: Where do you buy your fabrics and other sewing materials?
CHRISTOS DOVAS: Here in my neighborhood, fashion avenue, in the fashion district, 7th avenue New York.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What are your favorite fabrics to work with and why?
CHRISTOS DOVAS: The moment of conceiving of a design is divine. Demands discipline in the execution and correct choice of fabric. Natural fibers like silks for the ethereal vision, leathers for the earthy dimension, three-dimensional objects for the theatricality, semiprecious stones for the luxury and for the unique presence of dynamic personalities, all worked by hand, giving attention to detail for grace, elegance, beauty.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What matters to you most as a fashion designer?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:I am passionate about design, style and especially beauty. A designer is creator. For me is the mingling of many elements, pictures from my childhood, colors, sounds, paintings, statues, books, faces, body contour, movements and details that I love my own eyes to follow and processing in every aspect. All these elements I compose on a piece of fabric, in a creation that comes to life when worn by an ethereal creature.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What are some of your accomplishments as a designer?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:My personal need for expression. To create for women beautiful designs with attention to detail from its inception as a simple sketch to the final stitch by hand to every creation that bears the signature “Christos Dovas New York.” To achieve the perfect design that reflects inner world, emotion, thoughts, character, personality and internal female beauty. I work endlessly displaying my creations from Tokyo to Athens, from Soho to Hamptons and LA to celebrities, Sophia Milos at the Oscars with Elton John’s after Oscars party.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: How would you define your personal style?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:To conceive and create innovative with perfect execution; resulting in designs that naturally enhance a woman’s beauty. My philosophy is clarity, beauty, refinement, nobility and poetry. What covers the female figure must be chosen by criteria of simplicity, elegance, craftsmanship, and quality. Always must have in mind the picture as a whole for a charming presence. Besides, the relationship women have with fashion is absolutely attractive, intoxicating, exhilarating I could say challenges my creativity in every design. The uncontrolled female fantasy gives wings to my spontaneity and teaches me the difficulty of an intricate design and how to execute it.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: How do you intend women to feel when wearing Christos Dovas label?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:They will find passion, detail, definition of line, art, imagination, style, tailoring, craftsmanship, poetry, quality, elegance, beauty. Often compared to sculptures and paintings, “Christos Dovas” designs naturally enhance a woman’s inner beauty. I combine elements of the modern and classical worlds viewed from different angles to reveal new aspects of her beauty. To feel amazing a woman must appear unique and at ease with herself. “Christos Dovas” takes great care to make this happen. I respect and embrace that purity of form, function, and composition can harmoniously become one, bringing to life a world of imagination, beauty and luxury.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: How do you select your models?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:Truth of character, great personality, theatricality. confidence, performance.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: Where can readers buy your clothes?
CHRISTOS DOVAS: www.ChristosDovas.com

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What are some of your favorite fashion magazines, or books?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:I love internet fashion magazines, however a hard copy is always of my favor. Vogue, Harper bazaar, Elle, books many books either when on vacation or going to bed.

CELEBRITIES STYLE: What are your general professional and non-professional interests?
CHRISTOS DOVAS:I love going to museums, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Frick collection, Guggenheim my favorites and then conferences, galas where fashion meets its own people.

Christos Dovas New York Corp. is based in N.Y.C. The name and emblem of our company are registered trademarks, we are open in every aspect of partnership.

Look Book

2011

Alberta Ferretti - Italy

I am in love with this gorgeous gown worn by Camilla Belle at the Alberta Ferretti Show in Florence, Italy.

source

Sneak Peak - Rachel Zoe's Collection

A few of my favourite pieces from Rachel Zoe's Collection for WWD via Fashionista

'If you thought Rachel Zoe had toned it down what with her pregnancy and skipping out on Milan and Paris spring fashion weeks, think again.

Not one to be slowed down by pregnancy, the superstar stylist has been keeping plenty busy working on her first line, the Rachel Zoe Collection, and having it all filmed for the fourth season of her popular Bravo reality show.

Zoe, seven months pregnant, and her sizable entourage (Bravo crew included) stopped by WWD to style a shoot for the paper with a few looks from her forthcoming collection. The collection is pure Zoe–tailored (there’s plenty of suiting, including, according to WWD, a le smoking-esque tuxudo jumpsuit), dramatic, with a ’70s flare. Even though, Zoe says, ““I’d imagine everybody is expecting something from me that’s kind of a Seventies, uberboho-glam kind of thing, and, you know, very accessorized. And it’s not.”

Unlike Zoe’s small affordable collection for QVC, the Rachel Zoe Collection will be a contemporary line which includes outerwear (with capes galore, obviously), shoes (four inch high stilettos with massive platforms, obviously) and handbags (Zoe literally screamed when she saw the first sample). Prices will range from $250 for a day dress up to $700 for a full tuxedo look. Zoe’s manufacturing firm Li & Fung say they haven’t secured any retailers yet, but Zoe says she envisions the collection on the racks next to Alexander Wang and DVF and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Of course, the Zoe tornado couldn’t tear through WWD without leaving some gossip detritus behind. Zoe apparently let slip numerous times that she’s having a boy (I hope he likes vintage!), and that while she’s skipping the fall shows this coming February since docs have ordered her to “slow down,” she will still be there by Anne Hathaway’s side at the Oscars, eight months pregnant and in four inch heels to oversee Hathaway’s outfit changes. And apparently we’re to be on the lookout for a “leggy brunette” named Mandana who has replaced Brad.

from fashionista.com

Prada's New Line

Taking a look at the Harpers Bazaar site I cam across the latest collection from PRADA. This is one of the latest 

capsule collection entitled Prada Made In..... which showcases artisan projects from around the world.

I love the quote Prada told the International Herald Tribune....' You have to embrace the world if you want to live in it now.'

I must say this collection took me by surprise with the earthy tones. To me it showcases SUMMER. 

I would love to know your thoughts on the collection........

Line We Love:BEASTofBURDEN

BEASTofBURDEN was created by former Roberto Cavalli designer Richard Taylor who combined with his native Zimbabwean/Italian partner to form accessories label BEASTofBURDEN. BEASTofBURDEN  is a celebration of local artisans with a global approach. The couple responsibly source and tan the highest quality natural Nile crocodile and ostrich skins directly from Zimbabwe, Africa where they work in partnership with indigenous crocodile farming communities. They then combine with artisans in Florence to hand make each piece individually. 

The process is totally unique and the bags really show it!.
The label’s style is utilitarian luxury and like the designers who spend their time travelling and working between Africa, Italy and the UK the label is
designed for the jet-setting girl in mind.
For all international sale, contact the website directly- www.beast-burden.com
Prices range from £1000-£3000

     

12 days of Christmas.....

Rachel Riley - White + Silver Party Dress


Simple Kids - Bobble Necklace


Rachel Riley - Silver Shoes


All these designer brands can be found at Alex and Alexa

12 days of Christmas.....

Trelise Cooper 

Bunny kins 'Little Sister' dress

Bunny Kins 'Charlottes Web'  Skirt

Wonderland 'Cater-Frilla' Pants

Celebrity Style File - Emma Watson

I love this shot of Emma Watson with her new style from the Marie Claire shoot. 

Emma's look :: 

Top - Helmut Lang 

Panty - Marc Jacobs 

Shoes -  Jimmy Choo 

Oscar De La Renta for Girls

I am in love with these exquisite dresses from designer Oscar De La Renta

I just had to share. 

Which one is your favourite??

The Basic Grey Knit Makeover

I love grey for winter and it is a lovely staple to add to your collection. 
Grey can be boring too but take a look at some of the latest collections here.

Bow detail knit from Bardot 

Lace knit from TopShop

V Neck Knit from Dorothy Perkins

Draped Jersey wrap from Just Jeans

Metal stud Knit from Witchery

Grey Cotton Shift Sweatshirt Helmut Lang