Posts made in December, 2011
MARIOS SCHWAB FW 2011-12 / HOMEMADE BLOODY MARY
For the Fall/ Winter collection, Mario Schwab imagined a woman who loves short clothes. Have a look here and you’ll understand. I was really impressed by the bight color of this above the knee dress with V-neck and waist belt. Also the slit of the dress plays an important role and provides even more dynamism to the look. Anyway, returning to the theme “I make my drinks at home” here comes a classic: the Bloody Mary. When you invite someone to your place, you are the only one responsible if the party is a flop. There are some necessary precautions to take care of your guests. I say this because if someone does not want to make any efforts to create a pleasant time to share with others, it is better if he keeps that moment for himself and saves others the trouble of a boring dinner. But why should I bother going to a homemade cocktail at the most critical hour, when my stomach is asking for food, and having to spend the necessary time to overcome the threshold of bad manners and finally say: “That was very kind of you, but now I have to go!” And then plunge headlong into the first pizzeria of the neighborhood? Thanks to all my friends who have really understood that chips have to be open as soon as the guests ring the bell, instead of opening them in the afternoon, making them become flabby and disgusting. Thanks to all my friends for having figured out that if you do not have enough chairs in your house, you are the one who has to get up and stand, and not the guests. Thanks for understanding that if there are ten of us, you need at least twenty canapes, more than two bottles, the television turned off, and forget the neon light. Over the years I really went through the mill. Here is a tip: if you really think you can invite someone to your place, it is because it comes from your heart and you know that you can offer a respectful treatment. Otherwise don’t do it: no one will stop talking to you if you don’t do aperitifs at home, don’t worry.
LANVIN FW 2011-12 / CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER, POTATOES AND MUSHROOMS OF THE EAST SOUP
If there is a designer who I particularly love, this is Albert Elbaz, Lanvin’s creative mind. He is an artist with a great sense of irony who often puts himself into question. Sometimes we need someone who does not take himself too seriously and brings a smile to our faces. I suggest you see the advertising campaign on the maison’s website and you’ll understand that he is a very fun person who has turned his funny aspect into a strength. Have a look at the website, it’s always interesting. For this collection, the designer plays with the attraction of opposites: dark and light, large and heavy volumes and thinner silhouettes. It’s like tasting different flavors (Parma ham with melon, cheese with honey) and realize that they go together perfectly. The first time I saw this look I thought “I love the wide brimmed hat, it looks like a mushroom“. Just for you to know, I love hats as much as mushrooms, so it isn’t any insult. But you know what happens to me …I live in a constant confusing state of mind that splits my brain in two parts: on one side is fashion, on the other is cooking. It’s quite normal for me to create mental connections. Since we started from the opposites, today’s final outcome could be anything but a dish where black co-exists harmoniously with white, and seemingly different flavors come together. Take a white local cauliflower and add a touch of East with “Judas’s ears” mushrooms.
MARY KATRANTZOU FW 2011-12 / “MENDICANTI”
Everyone has his own destiny, we can’t deny it. That of Mary Katrantzou was definitely becoming a successful young designer. It was written in the stars, in space, or perhaps on a planet that only she knows. It seems that she knows other worlds very well. I believe that at night her mind rests in some very peculiar galaxy that inspires her to create beautiful visionary prints, intense and full of motifs. When I complain and say that there is still someone who gives boxes of chocolates as a present, I mean those awful boxes with the picture of what you’ll find inside. I love chocolate, and chocolate candies, as long as they are special and highly respectable. I recommend you try to create these ones, so full of details and motifs like the prints of Mary Katrantzou. Your kitchen will be filled with a wonderful smell of chocolate and that is not bad at all. You can vary the ingredients for the filling at will. Once ready, think of a nice package and voila, your business card is served.
CÉLINE FW 2011-12 / HOMEMADE RYE BREAD WITH SMOKED SALMON AND FRESH CHEESE
Once you have a nice coat, you’re half done. Phoebe Philo knows it very well. For Céline she created beautiful coats this year, the kind that when you wear them, the others can only watch. A coat in orange felt, like this, can really change our image and our wardrobe. Its egg-shaped silouhette with concealed closure and the amazing collar make for a refined coat. Turtleneck sweater, straight leg pants with exposed zip and that’s it. Visit the web site to see the whole collection. When we say that there is nothing else to add or that one can not take anything away from it, I think it means that you have achieved perfection at that point. For example, with a good glass of white wine (I usually prepare homemade aperitifs) I like to enjoy excellent canapés with smoked salmon and cream cheese. Such different tastes create a perfect harmony together. If we add an olive and a dash of pepper, then perfection is almost achieved. What else? The right company.
3.1 PHILLIP LIM FW 2011-12 / ASPARAGUS WITH POACHED EGGS
The Thai designers is highly regarded for his idea of cool and easy fashion. Phillip Lim loves dressing the women in a “everyday-look”, to make them feel always at ease while maintaining a subtle allure of elegance. The tight pants cut off above the ankle have a delicate tone on tone jacquard print and are dazzling green. The peculiarity is the closure with an elastic band at waist: nowadays, clothes that adapt to your weight/belly changes are a great thing. If you feel the urge to buy them, have a look at the online shop. These pants are an investment! They will fit you also the following year, even if you put on weigh. But if you don’t have these kind of problems (or you do anything not to deal with them) I suggest a very light and delicate dish. Asparagus, green as these pants, and poached eggs, white as this shirt!
