Acceptable in the '80s

S

Marietta from Dreamville recently tagged me to reveal a fashion or beauty secret. Actually I have a really good one and I could not think of a more appropriate crowd to share it with.

A few days ago, a friend of mine who works as a professional stylist on tv called me and said she had discovered a little '80s-wear paradise in the centre of Athens. Everything original, real retro. Those people were forced to close down and had lots of stock which is now squeezed in rails, dusty and neglected.

"When was the last time you saw something made in Greece?" she said and she was actually right. Most Greek companies produce abroad nowadays (saying that, my Know-How clothes are all made in Greece, must be among the last companies who still do this).

Her words sounded like a fashion history alarm in my head! I am such a fool for 80's clothes! So I went to check it out:

And OMG she was right! It was all that and even more, at prices that are a sin considering the design and the quality. 3 euros, 7 euros, amazing tailleurs for 15 euros! It just felt wrong!

"Clothes like these, don't exist anymore. They don't make them like this anymore" were the words of Mrs Eleni, the very kind old lady who works there as a sales assistant. She also told me so much about how it used to be back in the days, how these clothes were worn and dag out the best pieces for me.

"You girls seem to really appreciate them, it is touching" she went on. People who walk in here are mainly those who just can't afford anything else. "But why so cheap?" I asked. "The boss wants to get rid of them" was the reply.

I bought a huge bag's worth of amazing, historical pieces at the price of 30 euros... This dress cost me 10:

(I love padded shoulders!)

Sorry for not putting it on for you, it seriously has to be washed before it comes anywhere near my skin. Still, it's my treasure. If you like 80's fashion go save some yourselves! (this is between revealing my secret and begging you)

Location: you take the train and get off at Omonoia. Then you walk down Ag. Konstantinou str. (Pireos) and you take a left on the first street which should be Sokratous. This shop has no sign outside but is easy to spot. It's the 3rd or 4th shop on your right. You won't regret this. Also say hi to Mrs Eleni, she's so sweet.

S

Mango to Tango with Adam Lippes-oh!

S

Mango's menswear - HE (Homini Emerito) - is gonna get a top designer collabo this March with the capsule collection by Adam Lippes. Who's he? Lippes began his career in public relations at Ralph Lauren, and trained as creative director at Oscar de la Renta. Now, with his own brand Adam, he's part of the prestigious fashion council and has had his collections exhibited in Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.

So, what's the big deal with Adam Lippes for Mango? I think it's gonna be great with the injection of simple chic American look. Or even fusion with some Yankee-Spanish appeal. But judging with these pre-collection pixs, yes they do look simple. Yet, the hues of grey that dominates the color palettes is very urban. The suit kinda cool too. So as the half-buttoned top. And I will get the leather sandals anyway (rumoured to be only £35).

I'll wait this weekend to take a tried-and tested session again at their Oxford St. store if they gonna stock it on the rails.

S

Japanese Car: A Celebration of Design

S

We in London is a bit blessed coz there's so much museum we can visit to. There's Victoria and Albert Museum for some ancient art installation; Tate Modern for modern art; Tate Britain for the immaculate Brit's art and Design Museum for anything from fashion to architectural design. Most are free entry, what more better than that.

Adding to the list is Science Musuem at South Kensington that currently holding the exhibition of Japanese car design. I love cars, and I like Japanese design. Theirs might sometimes look quirky but Japanese designs always be up there and cutting edge. The cars on show is a mix of futuristic as well as plain looking. Expect lots of white to be on show. Clean, simple, pure and chic. Very Apple iPod too.

There's Toyota i-Real for one-man maneuver. It's a cross between a cosy armchair and a moped. Then there's Toyota iQ - probably stands for uniQue (dunno what's unique in their specs anyway). The Nissan PIVO2 look like a freaky alien. And the cube-shaped Nissan Cube that I previously saw at British Motor Show last year and on the street at Embankment previous weeks. As quirky as the car designs, the promo poster also look kinda awkward. Bit like a sperm. LOL!

The exhibition ends mid-April. I think I'm gonna pay a visit this weekend.

(Pix from sciencemuseum.org.uk)

S

150 years Louis Vuitton

S

Not now, but in 2004.
Since we are hot on the Louis Vuitton subject, it's a good chance I did something with the pictures I had taken back then of the Galleries Lafayette windows.

It was that year I discovered this story (pasted here from Wikipedia, where you can find all kinds of interesting facts about the brand, including history and knock-off action):

"The French book Louis Vuitton, A French Saga (authored by French journalist Stephanie Bonvicini and published by Paris-based Editions Fayard) tells how members of the Vuitton family actively aided the puppet government led by Marshal Philippe Pétain, increasing their wealth from their business affairs with the Nazis. (...).

Caroline Babulle, a spokeswoman for the publisher (Fayard) said, "They [Louis Vuitton Co.] have not contested anything in the book, but they are trying to bury it by pretending it doesn't exist." Responding to the book's release in 2004, a spokesman for LVMH stated that "this is ancient history...The book covers a period when it was family-run and long before it became part of LVMH. We are diverse, tolerant and all the things a modern company should be."

Another LVMH spokesman told the satirical magazine, Le Canard Enchainé, that "We don't deny the facts, but regrettably the author has exaggerated the Vichy episode,". That publication was the only French periodical to mention the book".

I feel this is tragic.

I should say at this point that I am totally persuaded that the company Louis Vuitton is today has nothing to do with it's horrible image back in the 2nd World War and that awful sign at the entrance of the boutique reading No Dogs. No Jews. Besides, Bernard Arnault himself, the president of LVMH is jewish, no?

Anyway, glad I shared this, feel free to draw your own conclusions.

S

Don't Go For Second Best

S

About 4 years ago, I was in visiting Paris with my Mum who pulled me into the Louis Vuitton section of Galleries Lafayette the minute we stepped foot into the store. "It's about time you got a classic" she had told me and back then I had found her persistence to buy me a Louis Vuitton original a bit over the top. With the amount of money we'd spend on one bag, I could have bought 20 or even 40 other!!

I will never forget the look of disapproval she gave me when I dared voice that thought. "Listen" she'd said, "you can buy as many cheap crappy trendy bags as you like, but a classic will always be in fashion and will last forever" and twisted my head away from the Murakami special editions and over to the traditional Louis Vuitton monogram ones.

So I got this one:

Now, 4 years later, I can't thank her enough for that. She was absolutely right: it still turns heads, it is in excellent condition (apart from the oxidised handles which can b replaced) and is one decent bag to hold in formal occasions. It is no Gucci or D&G fluff (even though those could cost you a lot more) and it will never be out of season like them.

Indeed, it is very different to spend a salary's worth in a bag that will be so last year in about 6 months to spending it on a bag that will last a lifetime.

So how did all this come up? I was having coffee with a friend somewhere in Athens and a girl with a clone of my bag on her shoulder sat right next to me. I spontaneously took a look at it and guess what: it was fake. Here's how I could tell:

(video by videoJug.com)

I totally disagree with buying fakes. And before you give my blog the same look of disapproval I gave my mother, let me explain myself.

I fully understand that not everybody can afford the real deal, I can't. But why buy a logo emblazoned item just to pretend you can? Buy a bag you can afford and matches your wardrobe or buy nothing and learn how to save money to buy your favourite classic. It is really worth it.

By buying fakes you are supporting an industry that a) is the basis of paraeconomy and b) produces masses of excess products that will soon end up being garbage and therefore harming the environment too. A "fake" costs so cheap because it IS cheap.

Then again if you think that classic bags are priced at unfair rates, punish them by not buying them and don't sport a knock off instead. You don't agree with what they do so why be seen carrying one anyway?

Let me know what you think.

Aaaaand...my last award!!!Marietta, this is for you.
She says that Dreamville is a "silly blog about clothes, fashion, celebs, food, and my latest love.. make up". I don't think it's silly, I think it's fabulous. And it is all Marietta;)

Award info here.

S

Kurt Geiger Albert Brogues: Too much pastel...

S

I don't know how to react when I see the Kurt Geiger's Albert brogues. The design kinda cool, but the color is a bit off. Too pastel. Too girly, especially the pink one. The material - suede - is really not my kinda thing coz when you wear it during rainy season, then you'll guess what's gonna happen. Soaking wet. Not cool at all.

Another thing - where should a man wear this shoes? To the office? At the beach? I still can't compute in my overloaded brain.

GQ Mag this month said it's gonna be the new big thing next season. As much as I love brogues, I think this one I'll pass.

S

Seeing Double: Imitation or Running Out Of Ideas - Part 2

S

Again, it's the case of 'imitation is a form of flattery'. Now it's the shoes - the Penny black and white loafers, to be exact. Seen at both highstreet and online stores. Look similar, but not the same. The difference? Price. The one by Kurt Geiger cost almost £200, while YMC @ ASOS cost just below £140.

Both are leather. I like Kurt Geiger's Fletcher Penny loafer better because of its smooth trim and almost seamless hem. The one by YMC is a bit casual coz the thread is kinda showing a bit. Btw, I like black and white. Very chic to wear for any evening function. Formal dinner perhaps?

Kurt Geiger (L), YMC @ ASOS (R)

S

Rockabilly Sunday

S

Hope you all had a good weekend...
I am never at my best on a Monday morning, but I had a great time last night so today, at least I am smiling. Iwent to this rockabilly live at TIKI bar Athens, which really did make my feet swing after a long-long time! Performing: The Rockets.They were too good. I had no idea we have rockabilly bands in this country. They sing the part, they dance the part and they... wear the part! I have to say, the guy on the bass (and the bass itself) is quite something.

As I love any excuse to dress up, I dag out my pin-up(y) 50's dress and tried to look the part too. Getting there I realised everybody else had done the same. And I tell you, this crowd swings!

Detail 1: For some reason, navy details are so characteristic of the pin-up style.

Detail 2: one of my favourite necklaces by AnnaLou of London was a perfect match.

My 9th award goes to Queen Marie and Queen Michelle of Kingdom of Style:
Those girls know very well what style is all about, so beyond fashion. They'll post about shoes and clothes, but also about art, design and favourite objects and all this in an amazing sense of humour. Oh, and Queen Marie has a ...pet donkey:) A post they did a few days ago still has me in stitches! You must have a look!!

Girls, please find award info here.

Happy Monday people!

S

Seeing Blue: Cobalt, Electric and all in between...

S

Roses are red, violets are blue... Blue blue bags, I love you. LOL!

The coveted color for next season - blue - is seen everywhere now. Designers has stocked them in their men's bags collection. Cobalt, electric and all blues in between. From the material of the season - nylon, to cotton canvas to leather.

So who's gone blue? Emporio Armani goes nylon for the bowling bag. Bottega Veneta in leather, looking very simple yet luxurious. Marc Jacobs did a bit playful with blu cotton canvas and prints. And last but not least, Bill Amberg @ Notting Hill has come up with their striped, canvas collection which is avilable in loads of colors including blue. Like the Clipper rucksack.

And today is Monday. Do I have any blue(s)? Yes - my HE by Mango cobalt blue tote. Yummy.

S

Jelly Nostalgia

S

This weekend while going around to all of the Nashville boutiques to find sponsors for the fashion show, I happened across these jelly heels by Melissa. They were so adorable and a steal at $17 that I had to buy them. The strap even velcros shut, and since they are plastic you can just wipe them clean, yay!

Speaking of fashion show things, well I suppose I haven't even told you. The boutique I manage is on campus at my school, and we are working on our annual fashion show, which will be held on April 2nd. I have been in quite the tizzy running around trying to do everything for it, finding models, holding fittings, working on my collection ah! But it's quite exciting and I'm so happy to be a part of it.

S

Not-so-new News: It's London Fashion Week!!

S

New year, new season, new collection. Alas, London Fashion Week hit the capital last Friday to showcase the trend for Autumn/Winter 2009/10. The main event that took place at Natural History Museum, South Kensington (not in the museum silly, but at their 'lawn') as well as at other venues around London where some catwalk shows will be held.

So who to look for during the 5-days event? The Londonpaper listed out some of hot designers to make their mark:

• Vivienne Westwood - The Grand Dame will took on Anglomania to the greatest height. Expect some avant garde collezioni (flamboyant tailoring, tartans and mohicans)
• Twenty8Twelve - It is meant to be the start attraction, coz it's owned by Sienna Miller and her sis, Savannah. Famous for sophisticatec garment and with vintage yet contemporary feel.
• Luella Bartley - famous for it's trademark tongue-in-cheek preppiness, with a nice sideline of floral prints.
• Giles Deacon - proven to be bankable due to his line snapped by New Look and Harvey Nicks.
• Christopher Kane - whether Kane gonna come up with flamboyant, outta-this-world collection (like his flower petal dress for SS09), will remain to be seen.
• Erdem - a red carpet fav with the dress that exudes femininity.
• Marios Schwab - dubbed as the 'Creator' due to his creatively used of material and add-ons such as 'rope' on a Grecian-look dress.
• Jaeger - one of the highstreet fav trendsetter.
• House of Holland - for quirky design and bold, clashing colors.

Predictions for AW09/10? Probably the designers will come up with design that screams 'economic downturn' or 'credit crunch'. If Micheal Kors already done it in New York last week, why not London to follow suit. And for start, credit crunch already hit the Fashion Week. Less models strut the catwalk, food being cut and minimum champagne flowing (good, at least follows what the Muslim do - no alcohol silly!)

P/S: Looking forward for MAN by Topman show. The only coveted menswear collection to be showcased in LFW.

S