7 Fabulous Fashion and Frank Facts plus one Fab Pic

After a rather mixed week i think i need a little light relief to herald in the weekend so i hereby introduce 7 fabulous Fashion and Frank Facts

Fashion (thats me) :-

1 I have a really loud laugh - seriously loud, scares small children and babies loud
2 I have a huge head - hats - borrowing from the boys - yep thats me
3 I looove peanut butter -  eat it till my mouth is firmly stuck and i can no longer swallow (bright??)
4 I am very disorganised (ask my lovely PA) yet my wardrobe would make magazines weep it is so slick  (obsessed anyone??)
5 I have a degree in fashion but work in bathroom accessories - glamourous huh??
6 I have a top man who is not only prepared to take pics but is actually getting into it - thank you Man xx
7 I love, love, love fashion, frivolity and all that comes with it (probably a bit yeah never would have guessed that one but thought i would reiterate it )

Giving myself a bonus one :

I loooove a smile - seriously bloggy girls we are at our best when we share that gorgeous totally free fashion fantabulous asset our smile!!

Fab Fashion Pic - Proenza Schouler fall 2011 and yes i know she's not smiling but hey she's a model they can pout!! 

Frank (the one with the teeth)

1 He is half Labrador - i know tip of the tail but he IS half labrador

2 He loves bones (animal not human)

3 His best mates since babydom are Penny and Tiddles the stable dogs at work - indeterminate little terrier types - very sweet - very female and very bossy!

4 Helen at work is his fave - her dog, Archie, is not, Archie tries to hump Frank, Frank would rather be the humper and not the humpee

5 He is very handsome ( i know obvious but he is a dog - these facts are not easy to come by!)

6 He adores his Mum - me - i know i am not his mum but for the sake of this piece humour me

7 He has uber respect for Matthew his feline nemesis - he has none for Marmite and Chicken his further feline friends

His extra fact - Did i mention he looves his mum!! x

Have a very good one xx

Pierre Balmain

So, by now, you have probably heard about the launch of Pierre Balmain, a line more affordable than the high end fashion with the 1,800 usd t-shirts.

Missoni and a whole new set of rules

The sun shone on Sunday (wahey blighty - where is the summer??!!) and i got to wear my super duper serious sale bargain 80% off Missoni dress which i looove.  I adored this dress when i first saw it but i had made a new fashion rule - no more mini dresses - you can wear the old ones but do not buy anymore - god i hate fashion rules - self-imposed or not!  Well when it came up at the end of sale bargain basement knockdown at Matches i made a new rule - if a total bargain all previous rules become null and void - i like the new rule! Pity the sales are over i could have applied it more liberally I am sure (weekend's nearly here!!) xx

Isn't this shirt fab - short at the back so you can wear tied like this or as a normal shirt tucked in - so clever - love 2 in 1's - i might just make a new fashion rule about them - ie 2 for the price of one instantly becomes half price ???  serious fashion habit justification anyone ?? x

Mid Week Motivation

Hats, Hats, Hats - oh how i love a hat!!  When it comes to Wednesday i need some motivation and nothing motivates a fashion girl more than a good hat.  Practical - i mean bad hair day??  Flattering - a fringe that you don't actually have to commit to and so, so hot!  So when i saw this stunning little collection it certainly brightened up my mid-week.  What's your fave fall accessory or are we all in hats?? xx

Colour co-ordinating? even your tongue?? but we get the gist 

Double up or how about just the scarf ??

These two! the new wider brim - the colour co-ordination - as i have frequently been known to say - Fashion Love x

Images Flair August courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue

Bobble

Resulta que vemos en todos lados los mensajes que promueven el cambio favorable al medio ambiente y a nuestro entorno, ¿pero cuántos de nosotros en verdad lo hacemos? Generar el cambio está en nosotros, y que mejor que hacerlo de una manera cool y agradable. Específicamente hablando, me refiero a esta nueva idea que me compartieron, del producto Bobble. Tan simple como evitar el consumo de botellas y botellas de plástico, podemos utilizar este nuevo envase que si bien cumple con las funciones de producto que favorece el ambiente, también hace de un envase lindo a la vista.

A la venta a partir del 1 de Agosto en Liverpool

OMG!!

What a red letter day!  when i checked my mails this morning Kellina told me my article was published and i was so very chuffed and then i found that Tabitha of http://bourbonandpearls.blogspot.com/ had featured on of my man and I's very first shoots - excuse the english i am so very excited - again go over and have a look she is absolutely lovely and her blog is exciting and witty much like herself!!  xx

Thank you, thank you, thank you to both Kellina and Tabitha x

Glamour waylaid

Ooh i had such a good night on Saturday - Dolce met Lanvin and had soooo much fun!! 

Now i think i may have waxed lyrical previously that in life there is always a ying and a yang - so for every bit of glamour ......  

Roll on Monday morning - day off - head thick as marmite - old vest - cannot surface - ring the lovely Claire to check on work - can hardly speak - cat crying - mouse in mouth - ohh no - claire says leave it - i say got to go - me, vest, head, cat, mouse - pick up cat - cat bites mouse, mouse bites me - i scream,  mouse screams - mouse still at large in mans room!!  Seriously! The  sheer and utter glamour!  

Happy Tuesday xx

I want to be a battaglia!!

Fellow fashion lovers i have news!!!  So very chuffed - i most of you will know i recently featured the stunning Giovanna Battaglia in Erdem on my blog, well the lovely Kellina at iwanttobeabattaglia asked me to write an article for her featuring the skirt - how very, very exciting!!  I know i have said it before but go over and take a look - the blog is amazing and i am sooooo very flattered - fashion squeals all round!! xx

http://www.iwanttobeabattaglia.com/journal/2011/7/25/dress-like-your-muse-giovanna-battaglia-in-erdem.html

Bibhu Mohapatra

When

Whenever I hear about a story of success I couldn´t help but wonder that everything we want, we could get it. Stories like Bibhu Mohapatra, a well-known Indian designer that has nowadays become a very successful one. With experience in fashion, working with legends like Halston and J. Mendel. Having clients like Hillary Swank and being elected in 2010 as part of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Bibhu answer some questions I asked him for this interview for my blog.  
CLICK HERE



1.    What´s your first memory in terms of clothes and fashion?
The most incredible black and white print Cotton Voile saree my mother had.  I remember the striking patterns and the cool feeling against the skin when my mother held me up while wearing the saree.


2.    Was it difficult to decide to move to NYC?
It was actually too easy a decision, I mean, we are talking about NYC here. 


3.   What let you work with Halston?
The opportunity came with an internship I got there, which, after 2 weeks, turned into a job.  I loved that experience.


4.    What plan you took to create your own line?
To stay lean and mean
To create a product that becomes 100% of my language
To build the most inspired team.


5.    What do you feel when you see your designs in stores like Bergdorfs?
A New York Dream Come True story….at least the first chapter of the story.


6.   In what sense is difficult for a foreign designer succeed in NY?
It is the process of learing about breaking the cultural barriers and changing the traditaional ideals of aesthetics, in order to appeal to a global audience.  This is the biggest learning process.


7.    Is there any latin designer you admire?

Undoubtedly, Christobal Balenciaga.

8.   Finally, What advice would you give to a guy or girl who wants to become a designer? 
Look within, get clues, there in lies the secret to make a woman feel special.

FOLLOW ME   @fashionandabout

Monday Logo Mania

Now i am not a logo mania girl but this brought a very large smile to my very hungover face this morning - lets start off the week in a fashion fabulous way girls!! xx

Marie Claire Italia courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue

Remembering Amy Winehouse

Ok. So everbody has been writng, tweeting, posting, talking about Amy during the last 2 days. So, it´s now my turn. 

I can´t remember the first time I noticed Amy, but what I remember is that I loooved Rehab, and I instlantly put it on my playlist called Not in the mood, in my ipod, I downloaded all her songs. And I still have them.  With her, Fiona Apple, Bjork and Tori Amos were constantly singing me everytime I was not feeling quite well. Or those times, when you (excuse me for saying this) are feeling like shit. 

The thing is not my moods or if she was a really good medicine for those times when you are feeling blue. The thing is HER. I couldn´t help but thinking about the similarities between her death and Alexander McQueen´s. One of the first thing I thought last Saturday was that I really think someone could have done something to avoid this. It´s the same with McQueen. There should have been someone telling them that they are not doing well. In the case of Amy someone that really love her just have said she has to stop drinking and having drugs, In Alexander´s there should have been someone supporting him and giving him therapy or something to get over the pain of loosing her mother. 

Isn´t that what we all do with our friends, our relatives, our collegues, our neighbors? Isn´t the right thing to do is help each other to feeling them better in times of pain and sadness? Well, I think that´s why I feel sorry for these people getting deeper and deeper in an abysm that no one could take out of it. 

That´s also why I feel in a way sad, for loosing talented and great people like Amy and McQueen. Imagine if we could have them still today. What great new song would she have released? What amazing new show would Alexander have make? This is something we won´t never have, so that´s the importance of having good people and souls in our lives that really see for ourselves and help us became better persons and continue having a life of success and hapiness.

By the way, because this is a fashion blog, I have to post something related to it. Karl Lagerfeld, was one of the many many fans of Amy. He felt inspired by her and also used her looks to style the models for a show for Chanel. Here are some pics. Long live Amy Winehouse !!!

Emma Stone

Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli: Gorgeous !!!

Sunday on a Thursday

Having had a rubbish weekend stuck indoors poorly last weekend and missing seeing my good friend Alison who i love loads and always have fun with, i have no outfit posts to share. To rectify this blogging dilemma i decided to preview Sundays, I am about to have a mad busy weekend which will make up for last and is just the way i like it.  

I am going to a sedate luncheon in Sussex on Sunday and i know after a very un-sedate night and day out in London i will be grumpy, hungover and a very poor wife who does not want to go to said luncheon back in the countryside and will certainly be far too busy being Vicky Pollard to have her photo taken!  So i am preparing my don't offend anyone, not overtly loud, or sexy outfit to match the smile that will come over my face on arrival as one must always remember ones manners and then hope to go home soon!  I will also have my alaia heels to look on fondly and entertain myself with should i need to (which some might say is quite likely)!  

Although written with tongue firmly in cheek - the seed of truth is certainly herein buried - sorry Mr Fashion and Frank i will make up for it by being a top date the night before!!  The champagne is definitely on ice!! and i love a night out xx

I think it is fair to say - Frank is rather bored of his modelling days - i mean the make-up, the posing, the waiting about not to mention his calorie controlled diet (??) - its just all too, too much!  xx

Have a good one all my blogging friends!

Claudia Schiffer

Claudia Schiffer for Vogue Germany.

Is she ever going to keep so perfect and immaculate?

Mid Week Wicked

What is not to love!!! x

Image : Exit Magazine Spring Summer 2011

Entrevista Christian Cota

Christian Cota, el mexicano más exitoso actualmente en la industria de la moda en Nueva York, ha ido paso a paso formándose de un nombre que represente sofisticación, elegancia e inteligencia y a la vez un portavoz de la cultura latina y el potencial de ésta para poder lograr éxito en un lugar tan competitivo como lo es la Gran Manzana. Grandes columnas de la moda mencionan a Christian como latino favorito, es más la notoriedad que va teniendo, más las celebrities que portan sus diseños en red carpets, más los reconocimientos que se le van añadiendo y más el orgullo que México va sintiendo de verlo crecer y mantenerse tan alto. Con ya una nominación al CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, Cota es apoyado y reconocido por la figura más importante de la moda en todo el mundo, Anna Wintour. No obstante, se esfuerza día a día a seguir haciéndo de su nombre una marca que posicione a México y háciendolo un digno embajador de la cultura latina.

LEE LA ENTREVISTA AQUI

1. ¿Cuándo y porqué empezó a interesarte la moda?

Desde muy pequeño la moda me llamó la atención. Me acuerdo ver a mi abuela arreglarse y eso me hizo darme cuenta desde muy pequeño el poder que tienen la moda y el estilo en una mujer.  Y aunque no sabia que era un negocio todavía, desde chiquito me encantaba hacer los disfraces para las fiestas que organizaba mi mamá.

2. ¿Cómo consigues llegar a NY y crear tu línea?

Al terminar la escuela en México, decidí irme a Paris a estudiar pintura. Ahí me di cuenta de que la moda no sólo era una pasión si no un negocio; por lo cual me decidí ir a NY a estudiar a Parsons. Al graduarme y después de trabajar un poco en la industria me dí cuenta de que había un nicho de mercado al cual yo podía ofrecerle algo muy especial y decidí empezar mi propia empresa.

3. ¿Cuál es la mejor lección que has aprendido como diseñador?

Mantener un punto de vista definido y enfocado, nunca olvidar lo que quiere y necesita la mujer que compra mis diseños. Y trabajar y trabajar mucho.

4. ¿Cómo definirías a la mujer que usa Christian Cota?

 Mis diseños son femeninos y sofisticados, con un toque intelectual. Mi colección es para una mujer elegante con un punto de vista creativo. Mis vestidos siempre tienen un toque artístico, que está basado en mi experiencia como pintor, reflejado en las pinturas a mano, estampados creados por mí y bordados.

5. ¿Qué tan importante ha sido para ti tener el apoyo de Anna Wintour y Vogue USA?

¡Súper importante! Ella es una de las figuras más importantes en el mundo de la moda. Fue un gran honor que haya ido a la presentación de mi colección Otoño Invierno 2010. Era una presentación, así que tuve la oportunidad de explicarle la colección. Al principio tenía muchos nervios pero sabía que era una oportunidad en un millón, así que me tranquilicé y seguí adelante. Mas tarde, cuando me nominaron al CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund el apoyo de Vogue fue fundamental.

6. ¿Qué opinas de la moda en México?

Creo que la moda en México está creciendo y se esta formando una industria poco a poco. ¡México es un país con grandes creativos y gente súper talentosa! Pero creo que una de las cosas fundamentales es que la clienta mexicana crea en los diseñadores mexicanos y compren su ropa.

7. ¿Hay algo que no te guste de la moda o algo que desearías cambiar?

La verdad es que estoy enamorado de esta industria. Creo que no puede ser de otra forma. Aunque a veces me gustaría que hubiera un poco mas de tiempo entre colección y colección para poder disfrutar lo mucho que trabajamos... es una industria en donde todo pasa demasiado rápido. Pero al mismo tiempo eso es parte de lo que la hace tan interesante.

8. Por último, ¿Qué consejo le darías a los jóvenes en México que desean convertirse en diseñadores?

Que no olviden que a final de cuentas la industria de la moda es un negocio. La moda por más creativa que sea sigue siendo un negocio. No importa que seas el diseñador más talentoso, si no tienes una empresa bien fundamentada no funciona. Hay que prepararse muchísimo, formar un gran equipo y trabajar aun más. Ah! Y que nunca pierdan de vista quienes son.

ENGLISH

When and why began your interest in fashion?

Since very little fashion caught my attention. I remember seeing my grandmother fixed and that made ​​me realize from an early age the power of fashion and style in a woman. Although I knew it was a business yet, since little boy I loved to do the costumes for the festivities organized my mom.

How do you get to NY and create your line?

After finishing school in Mexico, I decided to go to Paris to study painting. Then I realized that fashion was not only a passion but a business, so I decided to go to NY to study at Parsons. Upon graduating and after a little work in the industry I realized that there was a blue ocean to which I could offer something special and decided to start my own company.

What is the best lesson you've learned as a designer?

Keeping a view defined and focused, never forget what women want and need when it comes to buy my designs. And work, work very hard.

How would you define the woman who wears Christian Cota?

 My designs are feminine and sophisticated, with an intellectual twist. My collection is for an elegant woman with a creative standpoint. My clothes always have an artistic touch, which is based on my experience as a painter, reflected in the hand paintings, prints and embroideries created by me.

How important is for you to have the support of Anna Wintour and Vogue US?

Super important! She is one of the most important figures in the world of fashion. It was a great honor that she was coming to the presentation of my Autumn Winter 2010 Collection. It was a presentation, so I had the opportunity to explain the collection personally. At first I was very nervous but I knew it was a chance in a million, so I calmed myself down and kept going. Later, when I was nominated to the CFDA / VogueFashion Fund Vogue's support was essential.

What do you think of fashion in Mexico?

I think  fashion in Mexico is growing and is forming an industry slowly. Mexico is a country with great creative and super talented people! But I think one of the key things is that the client believe in Mexican designers and buy their clothes.

Is there anything you do not like in fashion or something you wish to change?

The truth is that I'm in love with this industry. I can not be otherwise. Although sometimes I wish there was a little more time between collections to enjoy all the hard work. It´s an industry where everything happens too fast. But  that's part of what makes it so interesting.

Finally, what advice would you give to young people in Mexico who want to become designers?

Do not forget that in the end fashion is a business. Fashion can be very creative but that is still a business. No matter you're the most talented designer, if you don´t have a well-founded team it does not work. We must prepare a lot, make a great team and work even more. Ah! And never lose sight of who they are.