The Year of the Snake

Since 10 February, according to the Chinese calendar, we are in the Year of the Snake. Apparently, those who are born in this year are charming, charismatic, and are good with money. The Year of the Snake is considered to be so lucky, that - I`ve heard – many couples plan their wedding or the birth of their child to fall within the next 12 months.  

I am currently reading a fascinating book entitled `What Chinese Want` by Tom Doctoroff; he is an expert on marketing in China and Chinese consumer culture,  and his theories on how China really works are a real eye-opener.  

I revere snake accessories; here I am in London`s Soho Hotel in a Chloé dress, snake-pattern embossed on leather boots from Zara, and snake bangles from Africa, gold and semi-precious stone rings are from Missoma 

Snow White Captured My Heart

Rabbit and fox gilet from Ducie; leather sleeveless dress by M&S (I bought it about six years ago); snake bangles from Africa

Which S/S13 trend makes your pulse beat faster? For me it is definitely `white on white`. I like the idea of wearing any colour head to toe (legacy of early years spent in Paris) and white shouts `sophistication` and `cleanliness` to all who happen to witness this assembly. What is not to like? I was therefore happy to discover on Sunday – at my latest shopping spree – that Ducie were selling white fur gilet during London Fashion Weekend at the Somerset House. I will pair my newest purchase with white t-shirt and jeans (note to myself: buy white skinnies!) or with white, sleeveless dress by James Lakeland. Will keep jewellery to a minimum to let rich textures shine on their own. I welcome the simplicity of this look and await sunnier and warmer days. The winter, however, didn`t want us to forget who is still in charge, by sending a few snowflakes our way, when Alice and I left the event.

Legacy of London Fashion Week

These spiky flats from Salt & Pepper – one of my recent purchases – will be road-tested soon

As a devotee of towering heels and elevated platforms, I wasn`t pleased to see during London Fashion Week designers such as Christopher Kane and Burberry displaying on their catwalks, flat boots and low wedges. Well, to be honest, I should have seen it coming. After all, a few of my girlfriends have been practically living in their trusty ballerinas. The trend, judging by the latest collections, is here to stay. So should I? Would I? Shall I allow comfort to triumph over decadent desire for longer and leaner limbs? I am certain my back would be grateful (!) so I will give it a go and – on occasions – mix high fashion with low heels.

Is Socialising the New Shopping?

At Home House in a Roksanda Ilincic dress

With the retail spend contracting month on month, over the last year, it seems like the army of consumers had moved from entertaining themselves in shops, to attending large gatherings in clubs and bars. I have noticed deserted shopping arcades but – at the same time – overcrowded clubs and fashionable parties.  A sheer number of people that gather at these events can be astonishing. But this is consumerism `on a cheap` as I witnessed people in unattractive clobber everywhere, and –on one occasion – a few ungrateful individuals who come to a fabulous birthday party with a tiny gift for an elegantly dressed hostess who went into trouble to offer refinement in food and entertainment.  I call it `sad socialising` and hope we can all raise a bar and be more civilised; I am not calling for everyone to dress up in a star-of-the moment, split-up-high dress by Blumarine, but a bit of an effort wouldn`t go amiss and aid our quest for fun and frivolity.

In my own living room in London; dress by  Roksanda Ilincic;

Made-to-measure curtain by Osborne & Little

Sale Away

A couple of examples from my much larger haul of cushions for my African penthouse

After numerous Christmas and new year celebrations - we started with a champagne reception with friends on Christmas Eve - my focus, inevitably, turned to sales. No, I don't do sales; I am happy to leave fighting over last season goods, to handbag-status-crazy Chinese fashionistas, and those for whom this is the only time, they can purchase discounted goods. I won't allow myself to participate in a sad spectacle of people elbowing each other in overheated stores, just so they can find something that has not sold for months and months, in a first place. But....but there is one event that I break my 'no sale' rule for: Colefax and Fowler's annual discount of fabrics and wallpapers, which includes fabulous designs from my favourite Manuel Canovas, as well as Jane Churchill, and Lasen. I have found many beautiful and stylish pieces in there over the last decade (!) and am gladly coming back for more, year after year.

So yesterday morning I was on a mission to dodge fluffy snowflakes, ignoring the fact that I was skidding in high heels on icy pavements, to reach Lindley Hall, in search of cushions for my African penthouse.

Mission accomplished!

Je Suis Une Style Writer

I become a contributing editor at a prestigious online boutique, The Hamptons. I love their elegant occasion wear and a stylish site.

Please check out my short story about one of my favourite dresses from the Hamptons` portfolio: 
http://www.thehamptons.biz/magazine/2012/12/a-short-story-about-the-hamptons-dress-sebastien%e2%80%8f-by-claudia-faban/

Writer in residence: wearing a MaxMara dress, in my croc design-tiled bathroom, in London

The Hottest Hue for 2013 at Hoss Intropia

Photo by José Farinha, taken at Hoss Intropia; I am wearing a MaxMara dress; and the models are in

designs from Hoss Intropia  collection....note the emerald colour!

On 5^th December I went to a fashion show at Hoss Intropia, one of many gatherings; cocktails; and happenings I`ve attended recently, where I discovered  and fell in love with a truly exciting colour - emerald. Hoss Intropia, a Spanish fashion emporium, offers fusion of originality and eclecticism. At the fashion show we witnessed plethora of textured fabrics, made into embellished tops and velvet dresses, as well as boldly coloured chiffon blouses and animal-print occasion wear. All expertly styled with daring platform heels, and hapilly washed out with champagne, by those who were watching.

I adore emerald! Hoss Intropia is not the only designer who made this hue their favourite for 2013. Gucci, Michael Kors, and Sportmax were amongst those who included this intricate colour in their S/S13 collections.  

For my emerald fix, I will pair it with bare legs; navy; blush; silver; or burnt orange, but will avoid black – too 80`s and too boring!