Fashion Show Appropriate

With the London Fashion Week in full swing, a question of `fashion show appropriate attire` comes to mind, as style doyennes contemplate `what to wear where`. It used to be so easy – one would put on a dress by the designer whose front row (or any other row) one was invited to seat at.  Then, the `look`  for a fashion show changed, and 2 leading, but opposing options, were created: to appear casually dressed in jeans and a  boyfriend`s jumper (but accessorised with a Rolex and a Prada bag), or to dress up immaculately, with exaggerated elegance, complemented with some real `bling`. And now? What is `fashion show suitable` now?

Over the years, I have had a few hits, as well as 1 or 2 misses, but my most successful look came out at DAKS London Fashion Week`s Spring/Summer 2012 show. A few days before, I purchased an oversized dress (looks good only on a slim frame) from a pop up boutique, in London`s Carnaby Street. Designed by a talented fashion student, it is made of neoprene (wet suit material) and fur. Part nonchalant, part glam (the fur) solution.

London Fashion Week, Somerset House, accessorised with a Fendi clutch and Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses

Perfect for standing out from fashion crowd, and models who looked as if they last ate anything in Autumn/Winter 2009.

`But We Are All Fabulous` said Donatella Versace....

…when I asked her for tips on looking `fabulously forty` and not `frumpily forty `. I realised what she meant when I went to Europe last week, for an important family celebration. I met with – amongst other members of my family – my two sisters, Gigi and Barbara. They lead interesting lives: Gigi is currently redecorating her antique-filled home, working on exciting editorial projects, and caring for a supermodel-looking son. Barbara had published a book, and is successfully utilising new media in her business venture, while looking after her family and letting her hair down during Zumba classes.

LtoR: I am wearing a pink Versace dress and diamond earrings from Dubai; Barbara (centre); and Gigi (right)

They both take great care of themselves, experimenting with a new minimalist look, while still maintaining her favourite bohemian appearance most of the time (Gigi) or welcoming the new season with a glimpse of something unexpected: juxtaposition of colour or dangerously tight, elaborate necklace (Barbara). They know who they are, and don`t shy away from discovering new ideas. In fact, they welcome life changes and enjoy making the best out of every situation. I am certain they are the women Donatella referred to when she uttered the word `fabulous`.   

Back to Black

When the leading labels such as Valentino, Fendi, Ferragamo, Dior and Gucci sent glamorous rebels and vixens, clad in glossy black leather, down the catwalks across the globe, and Chanel introduced a new fragrance, called Noir, bottled in an opaque dark flacon, the message become clear– black is back! It played on my mind when we visited Africa a few weeks ago, searching for furniture to decorate our newly acquired abode. While we were there, I noticed a lovely leather bed (black, of course!) in an Italian boutique but felt it was too bulky for our airy apartment. After a couple of days, having visited every single furniture shop in town, without a positive outcome, we knew we needed to find a local craftsman and go the bespoke route.

I am eyeing up this marvellous sofa/bench, made by world-renown artisans from Mali, which I discovered in a gallery in our African town, as my next purchase. It would add charm and finesse to our penthouse

We were lucky to discover the very same evening a fabulously loud reggae bar, on a rooftop, with breath-taking views over the ocean and the town centre; the place was so cool and slick, and decorated with shiny, black-coloured coffee tables, black sofas and loungers, and all kitted out with comfortable cushions, made of soft fabric in the same hue. A helpful owner introduced us to his Ghanaian furniture maker, who – in turn – initiated a meeting, the next morning, with a carpenter from Guinea Bissau, who agreed to make 6 pieces of furniture for us. All bespoke, carefully measured to fit specific areas of our apartment. We are very happy we are feeding money into the local community rather than forking out for hugely expensive and hazardously unreliable shipping of furniture from Europe. I can`t wait for my couture pieces!