Adventures of Barbarella

LFW AW2012 Day 2: Catwalks (Temperley, Todd Lynn, Issa)

LFW AW2012 Day 1: Parties

 

LFW AW2012 Day 1: Catwalks (Fyodor Golan, Zoe Jordan, Basso & Brooke, Jean-Pierre Braganza)

 

LFW AW2012: Jewelery

I will slowly feature information about the designers that I think are worth checking out...it's impossible for me to write up these articles while Fashion Week is happening and I want to do it properly, because there were some extraordinary talents in these exhibits that I am genuinely interested in. I want to get the chance to talk to them and get some proper photos sent to me, prices, stockists...

Until then, here's some snapshots of what I want for my birthday designs that stood out to me. A lot, if not all of these designers were on the catwalk.

 

 

LFW AW2012 Day 1: Arrivals

Engraved

Monica Vinader Fiji rose gold Metallica bracelet

Valentine's came early after all.

Mix your metals, wear all your jewels, take the bracelets and run

I want to address something today that's very close to my heart...See, in this "fashion by everybody" climate, it's easy to lose the plot, throw all your crap on your body and call it "avant garde". But that is stupid  never works, it doesn't look good, it might trigger your brain at moments - sure , cocoa puffs trigger my brain, but it's still boring to put them on a pedestal at the Tate Modern. They might not mean anything to you.-

Sometimes it's a good exercise to go back and think, and create something with a bit of value. After all, Picasso was an accomplished realist before he started drawing little blue people, and Britney could belt it out before she started whispering. What I'm trying to say is - There's ways and ways of pouring your silverware onto your arms without it being a random aglomeration of gold and gunmetal.

So onto the practical side of things, this is what I did. Say for instance -hypothetically- that you wanna wear your rose gold watch and your silver Great Frog skulls. Unlikely because the watch is is a ladies' and you're probably a guy if you own the bracelet, but nevermind. This is a very real problem. The pairing is not in harmony - it is not -. However. "In life everything is possible" (said the YSL sales assistant when I told her I really couldn't afford that 1700 pounds handbag), and with a little bit of adding up and shuffling around, we can actually come up with a combo that's quite modern and becoming:

Hands today

Karl

A mysterious collar arrived this morning.

YES! (NSFW)

Warning: This post includes gratuitious photos of girls in their underwear.

Bra: Marlies Dekkers

Stacked: Joining the arm party

Attention

Very Important Sweatshirt.

 

NSFW Jewelery

Today I am introducing one of my favourites from my arsenal. This is Adventures of Barbarella for a reason, and there would be no adventures without a good body chain. 

Snake Skull

What better way to ring in the New Year than with THIS

And the Christmas sales start...

I popped into a couple of places and picked up a few functional presents for me..nothing crazy, just the kind of basics I pick up on the sales..pair of shoes, a shirt, black jumper.

This tee, because it was made for me:

If you're thinking of skulls for Christmas...

I came across this store the other day in Covent Garden, which I had seen before but never stopped. It doesn't say upfront but I'm pretty sure the guy who opened it is the guy who used to be the main designer at The Great Frog, and they have pretty much the same stuff, with some really great new ideas (skeletons, bones..). Possibly a bit cheaper, and there is no attitude, which I appreciate.

Absolutely not affiliated but if you're wishing for goth jewelery, I'd take a look at the website:

www.crazypigdesigns.com

Leather trench: in practice

Trench: H&M
black sweaters: Damart, Joseph, Joseph
Boots: Fiorentini & Baker
Watch: Toywatch
Jeans: Citizens of Humanity
Bag: Louis Vuitton Speedy 30

I decided to wear this today and I really shouldn't have because it was FREEZING (5ºC it says?). We've been predicted snow in two days time so, expect to see my hardcore winter gear by the end of the week. That said I did layer a lot and it wasn't *too* bad. Everything as expected...black jeans, 3 black sweaters. Same as ALWAYS. i have very fixed ideas

The JUMP!

Someone has been playing with her camera...

Versace for H&M: Shopping and a massive amount of pictures

Two days: Two crimson jeans

I LOVE this color

Skulls & Daggers

Additions to the family, by Alexander McQueen. I got the one in the centre a few weeks ago. It called my name from a pretty long distance and it was love at first sight. His eyes are very blue and he has a dagger across his head. It is quite chunky though, so I decided to get his little brother aswell, the guys on the left, that are perfect when you need to do things with your hands, like playing guitar or typing.

Bonus is that the one on the left can be adapted to your finger, so I finally have something for my ring finger. It's not that easy for me to find a skull with a shape that I find pleasing, and these are so pretty (i think. My sister thinks they're frightening).

"Diana and the Shoes"

The cuffs

You might or might not know, that I am obsessed with cuffs

Rebeca Sanver "cage" shoes

I wanted to show you some photos of these shoes I found the other day, that I really really like. They remind me of the ones YSL was doing a few seasons ago.


These are OLD...but you couldn't believe how solid they feel and how well they're made...I don't know what this material is..it's polished and shiny, it feels like hard resin. God I love shoes. They look like Givenchy.


 

 
Wearing Essie Chocolate Kisses on my toes which I do not recommend, it applies horribly (three thin streaky coats that never dry and are now smudged. Please rec a color that looks the same that applies well?).

Jacketed: Yves Salomon garnet fur + Zara Sequined coat

How glam is this? I saw it in black and loved it, then I saw it in garnet and it won me over completely when I tried it on. The contrast with the blonde is incredible.

I can't wait to go back to London and wear it over my boring black tops. Because we've established by now that all I like to wear on top is boring black shirts and sweaters, stretchy and soft on the skin. I do however love a cool jacket. A wardrobe consisting of 20 jackets and two tops would be ideal for me. Maybe 5 versace patterned blouses thrown in there...i'll stop.

Next up a glittery number 

Some designers reject the term "jacket" in favour of "coat". I can see it; a jacket IS a coat. And this one in particular looks like a cute little coat, and fits wonderfully. It's fitted in the sleeves, and has the perfect amount of structure on the shoulders without being too "stage".

I love sequins but they snag, and you can't wear jackets over them. It makes so much more sense to put the sequin on the jacket. Again another color that does it for blondes, a midnight blue. Every jewel tone looks very pretty on fair girls, actually.

(I cropped my knickers on both because they didn't go with them, soon as i get my hands on a version of photoshop i'll make them black and bare it all. EDIT: Done)

London Fashion Week: Recap & some favorites

I like going against the fashion wave a little, so now that it's all over, I have, as it is my habit, decided to look over some of my favourite looks from two weeks ago. Well, to be frank, I stumbled upon these yesterday and realised that I hadn't even mentioned them.

First the men: I'm a big fan of this, I've been educating myself on male clothing for a while now and I will eventually know how to dress a man. The plan is, I want to be able to dress my boyfriend in the most correct and elegant fashion- should I want to. For years this is something that has haunted me, because I had no idea about guy fashion until a few months ago, and how can I persuade men to wear what I want them to wear if I can't trust my own choices...?

Personally, I like a lived-in rock look, even more than for women. If my guy showed up with brand new pristine clothes from Savile Row matched so chastily I would leave him. But for the sake of research... 

 

I'm really into this one. Only he needs long hair

 

Knit over satin? YES PLEASE. 

 

(Above pictures Hardy Amies from Savile Row LFW Spring '12 (c)LFW)

And I promised myself I would post pictures of this catwalk, because I loved the BLUE. And the movement was amazing, no way to see that in photos.

I've just realised I drank champagne with Ana Beatriz Barros and didn't even recognise her in that outfit. Considering that I've been a huge fan since her days at Replay (what, 12 years ago?) and she is a big deal for me, it is unforgiveable.

The above pictures were from Issa.

I like these from Matthew Williamson:


 
(except, I think platform courts are over, no matter what spring 2012 trends tell me)

And this is so very me. Again, this COBALT!


 
Temperley that was mindblowing as always. Hello Marlene Dietrich:

 

Can always do with a beaded lace jumpsuit

 

And this is my favourite shade of white. Un crudo lechoso.


 

 

 

Valencia day 3 and Lady Dior

Welcome to my home town. Run testing my adlib vest today. I've gotten so white! i hope i catch some sun. I have St.Tropez ordered for when I return to London. I'm gonna be tan for another two months at least, stained sheets here I come.

Siwy shorts
Lady Dior in aubergine color (my mom's)
Pretty ballerina shoes
Paul Smith blazer

Guess what I'm wearing on my lips. You'll never, ever guess!

Here's a better view of the Lady Dior. I remember when my mom got this bag a few years back, I hated it, i thought it was the most ridiculous thing. Now she says it's annoying and I love it. I think it's exquisite.

Ibiza: August Favourites

The FOOD! This is what life is made of..

Jewels

Here's me wearing my mommy's rings, which I love...the diamond for obvious reasons, and the wedding ring that she wears is a custom made platinum band that says Love Is All in her handwriting

Today was leggy

If you look closely you can see the chords to "Michele". Note to self: playing "Michele" with a major distorsion is a stupid, stupid idea.

The shorts and the white shirts

Shirt is a silk top from Zara, very similar to my Theory one in weight/texture but with long sleeves which looks very pirate-like, which I enjoy. Pirates = sexy.
Siwy shorts.
Belt is from John Lewis I don't believe it has a brand, i got it because the price was great and I loved the leopard. The buckle was a glaring shiny yellow gold colour originally, so I changed it into this pretty matte rose gold. I basically threw some oven cleaner and vinegar on it and scrubbed away. I'm happy it turned out so well; it could have been a disaster. I hate shiny gold hardware, it makes everything look so cheap. Someone should inform Tod's.

Short coat from h&m that I got a couple of weeks ago and I haven't worn until now because I wanted to change the buttons. In my peregrinations to Liberty I eventually found some big shiny beautiful buttons.

I'm pretty sure this coat is inspired on a Stella McCartney one that I've seen afterwards and that looks just like it. This one caught my attention because of the weight, it moves really nicely, it's the viscose. I hadn't been to h&m in ages! The atmosphere always puts me off..clothes in piles...it hurts me to see clothes in piles. But they had some cool stuff.

I go through stages with these "trendy" chain stores. Right now I feel like Topshop is soo overpriced and the quality so lacking. Last time I went there I couldn't find a beaded top that wasn't broken, and they were like 80 pounds. I might aswell go to Antik Batik. (Also why is everything mustard coloured??) For me, affordable is 30 pounds or less. Anything over that, unless the quality is good, is just false economy. If you think about it, these companies wouldn't be so rich if the cost wasn't ridiculously low compared to the benefits.

Another Summer trench no brainer

Yes, cut-off jeans look kind of weird between the legs, I've noticed.

Jill Sander sunglasses
Monica Vinader earrings
Aquascutum Trench
Sweaty Betty tank top
Siwy shorts
Repetto Shoes. These have become my FAVOURITE thing. They are so comfortable. It's incredible.
Chloe bag. This is (shhh...) new. It was singing "take me take me" as most cute little handbags do. Sneaky. And the sales assistant was so charming we spoke for like 15 minutes about latin roots of words. Hey, roots of words is an exciting topic.

Bangles

Wearing on my face:
- Garnier BB cream in Medium (I was very curious about this and really like it. The coverage is very comparable to the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer)
- Bobbi Brown Slate cream eyeshadow
- Dior Extase mascara in black
- NARS Belle de Jour lipstick

Bangles are from Liberty. I love these, they make me think of 60s caravans and fields. They'll be very cheerful in winter over a sweater

Red Nails

we had a pampering session over here. Model is wearing Chanel Fire. I just love it.

QUOTE OF THE NEXT DAY

- Mini, how do you take these off?
D- What do you mean, you don't like them
- Well..yea..but people are looking at me, I'm just not..
D- You know what, they don't go with that yellow shirt. Maybe that's why they're looking at you

The 54cm waist trousers: Herve Leger

I hate writing descriptive titles but for the purpose of google search i do...I know how irritating it is for me to never find what I'm looking for because the title is so poetic.

As you might have heard, I have a really big issue with waists. Nothing is ever produced smaller than a 62cm (66 being the "average" for the smallest clothing size, in my experience. Which is crazy). Not good enough.

Well well look what I found. Female clothes with a female shape! A rarity. These pants are 55cm on the waist laid flat, though they do stretch of course, they have stretchy bandages in the corset area. I can pull in my tummy to 55 but rest assured I don't walk around that way, and these are super comfortable. They also have enough space for my bottom! Incredible.

The moment you try clothes that have a good fit, you realise just how unflattering 99% of the clothes you own are. They become totally irrelevant. I have to keep reminding myself of this. I should never have to "think" about what I'm  trying on. When it's a wow, it's immediately obvious. Everything else is not worth the wardrobe space, period.

Having said this, it's a good idea to steer clear of things you could never in a million years afford- because well-fitting clothes are dangerously persuasive.


QUOTE OF THE DAY

- Look at these! These actually FIT me! isn't that amazing. Just out of this world
- Yea. You know I bet there's a lot of women who don't find clothes in their waist size. You could be the ambassador for those women
- What do you mean. Of course I am the ambassador for those women. I'm gonna write about this right away, we're gonna write a manifesto






Aren't they wonderful! They make me look like a mermaid. (If there's one thing you always want to look like, like a mermaid is it)

PS- No, I don't plan to wear them with a ribbed tank top.

I picked up some flowers

They had been overlooked all season and needed a good home.

And then, because it is always best to invest in property and encouraged by my main partner in crime who found it absolutely necessary, I got a CASTLE!!!



One can always tell when she's found a good pied a terre. And check out who's in the tower! ME! how cute is that!

They're both collectors items from Lulu Guinness. A girl needs little else than flowers and a castle.

Unless of course she doesn't own a fan. And I didn't, which was tragic really.




Fan from El Havanico. It comes with instructions and they are so exquisite. (I came across the language of fans for the first time in my friend Sandra's blog and I found it so charming).

The following must be an error but it is very funny:

 

 

Sales: Continued

As you may have heard I have a great interest in luxury sales. They're fun and they save a lot of money. For one, I kind of like being able to walk around the store with a handful of shoes in my arms and then drop to the floor and try them on in the middle of a crowd. It's more relaxed and you can take iphone pictures of your feet and send them to your friends without some snotty sales assistant sitting next to you.

And when I say shoes I mean anything: ysl scarves, - oh how liberating to pick them all up and lock yourself up in a changing room when no one's looking, and reaaaally be able to go into a zen meditation state and consider whether it *speaks* to you or not. Handbags are another thing we should be allowed to try in changing rooms.

But without further ado:



How cute is this box??? I'll pay a 1000 dollars and my reign in the antartica for this box.

I've been sort of obsessed with these Lanvin booties ever since I saw them when they came out (I think I might have posted pictures here?), which was ages ago. I found them at 70% off today- I don't even know how that happened! They were sitting on a shelf, ignored by the other girls, whispering "Diana save me, I'm yours!". Very excited! Can you believe they even got me a new pair?? How on EARTH have these not sold? Sure, they were expensive but they are HOT. Can't wait to take them for a stroll.

As for these..these are not gonna walk anywhere! You'll see what I mean.




This is how they look on from my point of view:

Sexy, right? Sky high mules...not the best footwear for running around on cobblestones in rainy days like I do most of the time. I've been infatuated with them for so long..that for a mere 100 pounds. Well it would have been rude not to. I love mules, as impractical as they are.

Things they are good for:
- Making breakfast
- Lying by the pool
- Painting
- Getting a cab and going to see your boyfriend. Sitting down on his sofa/chair/toilet/lap.

And finally *drumroll*..I have this thing for leopard print scarves with purple/lavender patterns on them. I was obsessed with a fuchsia Cavalli one that I saw a while ago but I think it's gone because I didn't see it. I found this one, though, by Givenchy that I ADORE:







It's quite big but so fine, it works perfectly as a neck scarf. Rolls up to barely nothing! I can fit it in my fist.

Who else found good treasures?

Two things

I just love everything about these items. They're soft, smell delicious and are as simple and not ostentatious as a Fendi bag and a Balenciaga jacket can be.

Shall I tell the story? Yes! Love a shopping story. Well my ladies and lads, today "Selfridges Sale Starts" was jotted in my diary. I wasn't completely sure because I hadn't heard about it and there was no mention on the website but it tends to go along with the fashion houses presales- so ANY WAY. I had made sure I would be free so I headed down there, and sure enough, sales everywhere and hoards of asian women snatching everything in view. The whole YSL bags display was practically empty already (2pm I believe?) and there was a block-long queue outside Gucci. I had no intention of stopping at either brand so our tale continues.

Two black ballers kept me well away from Miu Miu and directed me to "the second queue", a type of disconnected labyrinth that you had to go to before getting shuffled through to the actual queue amidst the torrent of people. I got there, nothing exciting. I always assume, surely the girls working there take all the really good stuff before there's even customers.

Then I went over to all the usuals: Prada (sells out before the sales), Chanel (they don't even tell you what's on sale), Chloe...(2000 pounds brown fabric bag, anyone..? Good for the environment AND for the economy at the same time), Celine, too-good-for-sales-Balenciaga (not on sale), Lanvin (only fuchsia bags left), and finally Fendi. YSL was not a contestant because, as I said, someone hauled all their bags this morning.

Fendi- I like Fendi. It's so overdone it's kind of cool again. And I don't see very many pretentious hips wearing it (*cough cough* alexanderwangbags) which is always a plus. I absolutely love their quality, and I love the fact that I often see people carrying Fendi bags which are falling apart.

Wearing your clothes to death is the most elegant thing. The clothes are lived-in, they belong to you. I hate the wear once and trash habit. All the people I admire have one thing in common: I spot them with one same dress or one same bag for YEARS. I love that. I wish I would wear only one dress all the time, it's my ultimate aspiration.

I am getting distracted, I apologize. We were rambling about Fendi. I need to include good inspirational pictures right about now:

I love the Monaco family, so free spirited, so true to themselves, so natural.



I must have been fifteen when I saw that photo for the first time and saved it in my "tearsheets" folder. Laptop after laptop, the photo remains. Yes I'm kind of persistent. Maybe I was 20. Who keeps track of one's age anymore.

To resume.

Jacket, leather, I love leather and I love jackets. I love the aviator style and I hope from now on and for ever we have this huuuge selection of aviator everything, because I really, really appreciate that. Now, I don't want to look like I'm in costume.

Or do i?

Hmmm

No. But anything aviator/biker leather (or aviator/biker glasses) is a win for me. And oh the color! (I know I switch between British and American, I do it on purpose to give my readers and equal chance of complaining about my incorrect spelling) The rich, natural brown! Now that we all own 3.459.834.345 black leather jackets, what hope is there for us but to branch out to BROWN leather jackets!

YES!

Brown and black, together! That is such a fashion faux pas that I'm gonna enjoy faux passing.

I think that's all I wanted to say today. Google is being stupid and not showing me pictures of "70s actresses in camel brown aviator leather jackets", which would so nicely illustrate my speech. I need to go take a bath.

xxx

 

Diana

Disco jewelery

Came across this spread in this month's Instyle and I had to photograph and post it. The makeup, the clothes, the jewelery! The jewelery is a mix of fine like Bulgary, Pomellato and designer costume pieces from fashion houses, and i love the way in which it's piled on there.

 

Cuffs

How hot is this?

I am so completely obsessed with cuffs at the moment. Below my bangle by Lara Bohinc:

My wardrobe looks like an advert

Oh my god it's soo frilly and pretty

"pamelina" by AP

Sent from my iPhone

Looove this

Agent Provocateur "Pamelina"



But i don't have 300 pounds to spend on it at the moment. Seriously AP? It's not that intricate, to be priced like a swarovski bikini

Sexiest clogs!

Sent from my iPhone

Proof that a dress can be curve-hugging with no stretch

It's called "cut"

Mid-end designers should take note.

This dress is glorious. (YSL)

Sent from my iPhone

M.C.L. Jewelery

How to blow your nose (for snobs)

1. Find a Manolo Blahnik hankie from Liberty

2. Blow

Today i got:

-Lilac hearts confetti
-Black ribbon (for ponytails. I have a vision)
-And a buddhist prayer deck because i'm a buddhist, i pray, and also i'm a sucker for decks

See even when you don't need anything you can find things that are essential to your life

That sounded like a buddhist fail.

EDIT: I've also gotten a theravada meditations book. I wanna shoot someone right now, but instead I'm gonna read this nice meditations book while his karma rots.

Sent from my iPhone

I may have been baaad

Miu Miu ankle boots

Sent from my iPhone

Skull jewlery

 

(above) silver bracelet from The Great Frog, silver necklace (not sure where this is from, it's Peter's but he left it here)



white gold Peace ring, my guitar's (i call it the Slash) skull ring, my silver skull ring