Spring Florals 2012

"Florals. In Spring. Groundbreaking."

I know. Miranda is right: there is nothing radical, new or surprising about doing florals in spring. And yet, I am very excited about the choice of superpretty floral-prints on the highstreet.

Below are my favourite picks.

Spring Florals 2012

£30 - Dorothy Perkins

£30 - Dorothy Perkins

£24.50 - Dorothy Perkins

£79 - Reiss

£27 - Dorothy Perkins

£110 - Reiss

£30 - H&M

£13 - Monsoon

£20 - Topshop

£40 -ASOS

£16 - Monsoon

I know I'll just need a pretty little top to wear with my jeans, a romantic dress for all-over "I feel pretty" and shall try to clash a couple of different prints!

Let me know what you are doing!

Too much of a good thing?

I need to have a serious rifle through my wardrobe, major clear out and re-organisation. There is also a clothes rail in storage, things hanging in my boyfriend's closet, drawers and boxes full of stuff.

How can I otherwise justify to buy more?!

Matthew Williamson - so close yet faraway...

...I know. The film was called Faraway, So Close but the above really does hit the nail on the head.  Not too long ago that I lusted over Matthew Williamson's AW12 collection and now available to order on Moda Operandi - delivery from July onwards.

Fitted Lady Dress £1350

 

Beaded Disco Tee Dress £3610

 

T-Shirt Column Gown £1800

Fitted Lace Cocktail Dress £4395

Now all I need is a generous Angel. Maybe just the first dress? I've been everso good...

Come into My World...

Only a few days ago I reported about Hoss Intropia's eShop launching soon - and here it is!

Not only do I adore their collections, I also love the shop itself: clean lines, tidy pages, easy to navigate, a wish-list function and cute little videos at the top of each category page.

They deliver to Spain (€6, 1-2 working days), Italy & Ireland (€12, 2-3 working days) and - thank you! - the UK (€9, 2-3 working days). You can request a return within 15 days of having received your order and customer services are available Monday - Friday 10am - 7pm.

The site is clearly still in its infancy with scope for expansion, added functionality and improved usability (and the odd dead link/missing image to sort out) but I like that they kept it simple and focused. The only add-on feature is currently their personal shopper page, on which you can classify your body type and receive some advise about how to dress best for your shape.

My current favourites - and promptly added to my wish-list are

 Wrap Front Dress  €140

Flower Print Tunic Dress  €230

Waisted Raincoat  €198 

Sequin Bolero  €270

Polka Dots Top  €140

So if you are lusting after romantic dresses, diaphanous blouses,  delicate knitwear or elegant yet quirky accessories check it out!

Oh, and another little treat: a snippet of their campaign video...

Happy Shopping and don't forget to register for a chance to win a shopping spree worth £1000!

Late Valentine's Day Gift

Looking forward to it - shall report once I read it!

Paris Fashion week - Mugler

Ooooh, I like...

 

Images just gone live on Vogue.

Multi-Tonal Jewellery

I have always loved rose-gold and especially multi-tonal jewellery but right now my love has turned into some serious lust and even though I have a couple of pieces in my jewellery box, I might just have to indulge...

What - or indeed if - I am actually going to buy, will be largely dictated by budget and as with everything else, the sky is the limit. Here are my favourite options...

Right, first up a real budget find. These Mini Door Knocker Earrings from Topshop mix gold and silver-tones, are small enough to be worn tongue-in-cheek ladylike but also quirky enough to add a bit of edge to a casual outfit. At £6.50 a great little treat!

Another great bargain at £8 is this bracelet from Accessorize. Similarly as with the earrings above, the different textures add to the different tones. Great for a bit of last-minute topping up an outfit!

There is, of course, always the option of going with something delicate and genuine, such as this set of stackable set of rings from Nadina Giurgiu. So pretty, ultimately timeless, classic and probably something I'd cherish forever. At $90 (ca. £56) not dirt cheap but I think that's great value for money for a piece (or rather 12 in this case!) of handmade, real jewellery!

N a d i n a G i u r g i u

Source: Handmade stack rings & bangles (http://s.tt/139kA)Na

N a d i n a G i u r g i u

Source: Handmade stack rings & bangles (http://s.tt/139kA)

N a d i n a G i u r g i u

Source: Handmade stack rings & bangles (http://s.tt/139kA)

Another item in this price-range is this really pretty Disney Couture trio of bangles (sold at ASOS). They are silver, gold and rose-gold plated, feature sweet slogans engraved on each and a gold-plated chain with charms. With a pricetag of £75 possibly a nice gift for your best friend - or yourself? 

I don't know about you but for me jewellery doesn't come much better or more romantic, than in one of those little "robin egg blue" (apparently that's the official name!) boxes:

There are quite a few really lovely pieces in the current collection, mixing rose-gold, silver and sometimes yellow gold but I like this piece for it's unabashed reference to the jewellery house's heritage: two interlocking circles, hallmarked with the company's founding year. At £485 likely to be something to save up for or to ask as a gift for a special occasion!

Now, talking about special, this would definitely apply to the following item. The Expansion Joint Cuff by Eddie Borgo (pre-order on Moda Operandi) is just a spectular statement piece. At $1850 (ca. £1162) a far cry from anywhere near my budget but something so unusual and fantastically strange. Just imagine wearing it with a floaty evening gown or with a simple white tee. *Sigh*.

Do let me know if you like the trend and whether you have any multi-tonal jewellery in your jewellery box?

Wednesday Lunchtime Treat!

So we are officially half-way through the week. Is there a better time for little pick me up? 

Reason 1: I reward myself for having gotten to Wednesday without major breakdowns.

Reason 2: I give myself a little cheer so I will make it to the end of the week!

With it being the 29th of February, I could do one of those "ladies, propose to your man - buy him a ring/watch/... here" but I think it's a rather daft concept to only be "allowed" to propose once every 4 years. So I shall ignore that tradition.

Instead, I'll give you a quick rundown on the leapyear promotions I've been getting. Most of these are only valid for today so be quick!

ASOS

Up to 29% off with Promocode LEAPDAY10 

LaRedoute

29% off with Promocode 5250

Dorothy Perkins

Up to 50% off Sale starting today

Cocosa

Melissa Shoes up to 60% off
Hurry up, just a few of the gorgeous Vivienne Westwood PomPom Heels left. Also get ready to check out the Alice by Temperley Sale launching tomorrow!

Enjoy your lunch!

Magical Kinder Aggugini

I was lucky enough to attend Kinder Aggugini's AW12 show as part of London Fashion Week.

I have to admit, some lines were really not my cup of tea (not a big fan of those coats that swamped the incredible fragile models' frames) but towards the end I was salivating over the beautiful dark blue and gold lace dresses...

 ...and the pair of evening gowns that seemed to be crafted out of a wool felt. Juxtaposing an earthy, coarse-ish material with such an elegant style was just brilliant.

Anyway, fashion insiders will have known for some time but I only just came across the fact that that Aggugini has designed the costumes for English National Ballet's The Rite of Spring. So far I could only find one sketch and it makes me want to see more. 

There is certainly some of the magic of the dark blue and gold lace dresses in there but it also conveys strength and agility.
Interesting also that wearability is something that comes up regularly when catwalk fashion is discussed. They won't just wear it, they'll dance in it!

Oscars - Hit and almost no Miss

Ok, so I am rather late: more than 24 hours after the red-carpet-fest and everybody has given their opinion, evaluation and judgement of who was hot and who not.

White was without a doubt the colour of the night. So that much about my verdict about pastels at the Oscars'...

Anyway, here is my hit & miss list!

My top 5:

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford

Elegant. Effortless. That cape looks so glam yet relaxed, like she nonchalantly threw her boyfriends jacket over her shoulders. And did you notice that there are absolutely no visible lines of any type of undergarment?! Covered up but oh so sexy!

 

                                                 

Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton

I think reds are always a bit of a risk for blondes but this coral is so flattering on her skintone, making her look freshfaced and young. The ruffles and the peplum are fun, the shape classy and elegant, the backless detail adds a bit of tongue in cheek sexy and she's got it spot on with the accessories. Some fashionistas might shoot me but she reminds me of a younger, contemporary version of Pretty Woman's Vivian in *that* red dress.

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

Ultimately flattering, making her look curvy and glamorous. Makes girls like me wish we had curves like that!

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad

I won't even go on about that breathtaking cleavage. For that alone, I think the dress has the chance of becoming a remember-forever dress like that Versace Jungle Dress. But her shape, emphasised by the sculptural lines (very art deco) makes her look like a statue. 

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen

Exquisite. Hand-embroidered. Opulent. Makes me think of dresses you normally only get to see at the V&A. But more flattering.

...and my bottom 5 ...
Although I have to say that there were no real howlers, the following five are just my least favourite. Most mere mortals would be more than happy to scrub up this well...

Penelope Ann Miller in Badgley Mischka

When interviewed on the carpet she said she had some input into the design. Hm. Just too pedestrian and blah for me...

Sandra Bullock in Marchesa

It just looks all wrong on the front. Not fitted enough. Backless can be done a lot better.

Angelina Joli in Atelier Versace

Slit on the thigh? Tick. Black velvet? Tick.  Yes, her figure looks great but just a shame she turned up in such a cookie cutter dress. And black. Again.

Viola Davis in Vera Wang

Plus: shape, colour, detailing. Minus: strangely shiny, weird ruffles, and  am not a fan of that pushed up cleavage. Dated.

Stacy Keibler in Marchesa

Oops, another Marchesa. I heard people mention "she looks like an Oscar statue" - and that's a good thing?! And what's with that flower/flourish thing?

Special mentions:

These three were not very high-profile (think Diane wasn't even on the red carpet) but I just love them.

Diane Kruger in Calvin Klein

Elegant from afar. So sexy close up.

Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab
When I saw her at the very beginning, I thought that was it. We've peaked. Just beautiful.

Kristen Wiig in J. Mendel
The naked dress gone classy.

Secondhand - sorry - Vintage Oscars

Ok, so I am not invited in the sense that I actually will be going there. Instead I shall make do with watching the red carpet on E! and catching up tomorrow with who has won which award. (A girl has to sleep at some point.) 

But if I was, what would I wear? There has been some very exciting speculation about who will wear what and I think Gemma of Catwalkqueen has got it spot on (at least I'm kind of hoping she has).

I know, the stars have dresses at their disposal that are, again, way ahead in the fashion stakes but let's say I had at my disposal the cast-offs from said stars strutting their stuff on the red carpet last year. I am feeling all girly and pastelly at the moment so my top three would be these:

Cate Blanchet in Givenchy

Funny that this dress received rather mixed reviews last year but it feels so right; all sugary pale pink with a floaty skirt and elaborate embellishment.

Mila Kunis in Elie Saab

Lavender lace, dreamy chiffon, floaty layers - what's not to love?!

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein

Metallics are still going strong and this one is just at the right end of shimmer, not too blingy and such a classic, timeless shape.

Right then: Cate, Mila, Gwyneth - fancy swapping some clothes..?

Who needs an eShop?!

Mere hours after I write about the the soon to come Hoss Intropia eStore, they try to entice me back into their store. And bribe me with Cava. Hmmm.

I am loving the pretty, dusky tones...

No! I still want the eShop - so get on with it!

Guava

Don't ask.

Finally coming to a browser near you...

A couple of years ago I came across some stunning shots in a German magazine.

Think 1940's inspired dresses, figure hugging cuts, gorgeous prints. There were  couple of dresses that immediately landed in my "cut out and keep" pile.

A few weeks later, when I actually had the time to go through said cut outs, I noticed that in the past months I had collected about five images from a label called Hoss Intropia. They were mostly dresses, distinctly elegant yet a little quirky.

An online search lead me to a very nicely done homepage and I learned that the brand had been going since 1994. Their quote
  

At Hoss Intropia we believe that the main role of fashion 

is to help every woman be herself.

spoke to me in particular.

---Yes, I love fashion and I also do think of it as art but I also believe that there is a distinct difference between what I see on the catwalk or something that I might wear for fun on a particularly brave day,  and what I need in my wardrobe for day to day feelgood dressing. And that means feeling like I'm wearing "my" clothes and not somebody else's.---

However, the site also revealed no stockist nearby, only three stores in London (Regent Street, Sloane Square and Covent Garden) and no online store.

No major results on Ebay. Some last season lines on yoox. Nothing in Germany either. Sigh.

My next trip to London featured a specifically planned Hoss Intropia visit.  Literally within two steps into the shop, I spotted a dress - and fell in love:

Needless to say, I didn't leave the store without it.

I think it is from the SS11 range and I still love it as much as when I bought it. Possibly even more as it has perked up many gloomy days for me.

Anyway, I have since purchased a couple more items - alas all during trips to that London.

The reason why I am writing now is that, during my last trip to the Regent Street's store, I overheard staff talking about their new online store. And now Hoss Intropia have officially announced the imminent launch of said eShop. How exciting is that?! (If you sign up now, you can even win a £1000 shopping spree! - needless to say, I've done that.)

I can't wait - and if you can't either, here is a little taster...

Butterfly?

What if my blogvirgin blog could just go into a tiny little cocoon and emerge a little time later as a pretty... new and different blog?

So I have been thinking for a (long) while that it's time to say goodbye to this blog. My personal ramblings, entertaining as they might be at times, don't give me enough of a reason to write regularly enough. After all - how often do you write about "stuff"? I've been meaning to set up a slightly more directional blog about fashion/style/nice stuff I like (oh, we are getting so much more directional, right?!) so I will be doing this very shortly. To anybody who stumbles across Blogvirgin and would like to continue to read, I will post a link to my new blog soon, and who knows, I might even be back on here at some point...