Circus : Outfits celebrating circus costumes

These garments and accessories are ready for the spotlight! They are inspired by looks that are favorites with the circus, designed to capture one's attention and imagination.

Andres Sarda's metal bustier

Dedicated to clowns: Giles' pastel outfit plus hat with oversized pompom

Junya Watanabe's striped outfit plus white men's-style lace-ups

As blue as the azure sky: Jo No Fui's overalls

Accessories: Stella McCartney's suspenders


 
Moschino's red belt with blue polka-dots

Fun outfits in the theme that break the rules: Manish Arora

Tsumori Chisato

Worthy of a flying trapeze artist: Marni's dazzling top

 

Prada

For the grand finale: the outfit by Pringle of Scotland

Accessories with special effects: Borsalino's sequin-studded top hat

Krizia's metallic blue flame-stitch hat

Ballin's sandals with heel covered with feathers and rhinestones

Maison Martin Margiela's surprising open-toe booties.


By angelapuchetti.it

[Source : Vogue.it]

13 trends launched by Sex and the City

Trendsetter : Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw

 Nameplate necklaces
Originally made famous by rappers in the 80s, wearing your name around your neck made a comeback thanks to the famous ‘Carrie’ necklace. Worn by SJP throughout the series, this sentimental piece of jewellery made a special guest appearance in the last episode of the TV show.

Manolo Blahniks
She adores Jimmy Choo, she worships Christian Louboutin, but Carrie’s real love is Manolo Blahnik shoes. He even especially designed the symbolic blue tootsie-wrappers for the movie! SJP said: “I love what Manolo made for the movie. It’s a beautiful shoe.”

Flower corsages
Once worn only for high school proms, now worn by everyone thanks to the lovely Carrie Bradshaw.

Mix vintage with designer
Carrie taught us to match cheap vintage finds with designer pieces. Result? Oh so fabulous.

Underwear as outerwear
Stylish Bradshaw rocked the “visible” black bra look throughout the SATC shows and always made it sexy.

Mickey Mouse tees
The only thing more memorable than the ‘post-it’ note in the whole Berger debacle was the Mickey Mouse tee Carrie wore on one of their dates. Is there ANYTHING she can’t pull off?

Tutus
While most of us probably won't feel comfortable walking down the street wearing one, Carrie managed to make her tutu look great in the opening credits of the show, no?

Long pearl necklace
In the SATC movie, Carrie showed us you can pretty much wear a pearl necklace (more specifically, an 80cm Mikimoto one) with anything, including your nighties!

Birkin bags
In season four of the show, Samantha cheekily used Lucy Liu as a way to get her hands on a rare red Hermes Birkin bag. Quote: “It’s not a bag! It’s a f***ing Birkin!”

Cosmopolitans
We all took off to the nearest bar asking for Cosmos after watching Carrie et al casually sipping them at the trendiest NYC spots.

Hats
Whether it’s Carrie’s sparkly cap from Paris or Samantha’s massive sunhat, the girls taught us that not everybody looks ridiculous with something on their head.

French chic
When Carrie first stepped (Manolo-clad) feet in Paris wearing navy-and-white stripes and a beret, we thought she was going a bit ‘ooh la la’! But within a week, we were doing the same.

Girl's brunch
We’ll never get bored of gossiping over brunch ‘n’ lunch with the girls after seeing Samantha talk sex, Miranda talk motherhood, Charlotte talk manners and Carrie talk Big over salads and pasta.

[Source : CLEO Australia]

Hue Do You Love : Accessories

From candy-colored spikes to kaleidoscopic jewels, accessories are a bright spot this season.

Photographs by Hannah Whitaker
Styled by Karla M. Martinez

 

 

Fendi’s grosgrain and leather sandal and belt; Prada’s metallic leather clutch.

 

Clockwise from top left: Louis Vuitton’s sharkskin clutch; Bulgari’s 18k yellow gold, turquoise, amethyst, emerald, and diamond earrings; Marc Jacobs’s calfskin bag; Fendi’s acetate, metal, and enamel sunglasses.

[Source : WMagazine.com]

Spring 2011 : Trend Report

Right off the runway New York City, London, Milan and Paris, ELLE brings you the season's biggest trends - from Asian-inspired tailoring, to translucent layering, this is whay\t you'll be wearing this spring.

Blue Jean Baby

Chambray, denim’s lighter cousin, had a strong showing on spring runways. Designers from Celine to Thakoon showed this relaxed, true-blue fabric, usually reserved for California cool girls, in tailored suits, dresses, or scrublike silhouettes. 

Derek Lam

Stella McCartney

Building Blocks

Patterns took a cue from Rubik’s Cube this season, with strong strokes of bubble-gum brights and rich jewel tones creating bold color blocking on shifts, dresses, and tunics.

Gucci

Aquilano E Rimondi

Eastern Front

Traditional Eastern influences abounded this spring. Runways from Haider Ackermann to Dries Van Noten to Reed Krakoff showed elongated tunics and vests paired with loose, cropped pants, Chinese and Japanese prints, and kimono-style wrapping. 

Haider Ackermann

Reed Krakoff

Into the Wild

Designers indulged their primal instincts far beyond fall’s basic leopard prints. Animal shapes, jungle themes, and feathered skirts proved that fashion’s animal magnetism is still going strong.

Giambattista Valli

Viktor & Rolf

Lace Race

Lace was everywhere, but the message was more daring than “doily.” Full-body lace in sophisticated, feminine silhouettes is fresher than anything you’d find in Grandma’s trousseau.

Dolce & Gabbana

Valentino

Sheer Bliss

Designers played peekaboo this spring by layering transparent separates over solid underpinnings, with varying levels of modesty.

Rag & Bone

Alberta Ferretti

Down to Business

Modern, monochromatic takes on men’s suiting were very visible this season, but classic proportions were abandoned in favor of futuristic cuts at Gareth Pugh, dress suits at Margiela, and fluid satin shapes at Bottega Veneta.

Maison Martin Margiela

Lanvin

That 70's Show

Retro bohemian staples like peasant blouses, floor-grazing skirts, and wide-leg trousers reminiscent of Ali McGraw in Love Story carried collections from Etro to Salvatore Ferragamo. This is the new bohemia: cleaner, crisper, and much sleeker than its flower-child predecessors.

Fendi

Etro

Punk'd

Tomboy toughness was translated across a very broad spectrum: Masculine met feminine at Balenciaga, while Balmain got a little grittier and more deconstructed.

Balmain

Burberry Prorsum

Prints Charming

Houses from Christian Dior to Miu Miu engaged in pattern play for spring. These hypnotic geometries and watercolor blooms would look great as wallpaper—but they’re anything but wallflowers.

Loewe

Louis Vuitton

[Source : ELLE]

Serve up some brunch

If you are fond of eggs just as much as I am, you may want to try out this recipe from Forage

Spanish Potato Omelette with Balsamic Mushrooms

Serves 4
Prep 20 minutes
Cooking time 20 minutes


Ingredients

6 large potatoes, peeled and boiled tender
7 – 8 free-range eggs
1 tbspn wholegrain mustard
1 onion (optional)
1 clove garlic (optional)
500 g mushrooms (about 2 punnets)
Balsamic vinegar
Soya Sauce
Fresh thyme
¼ cup cream or full cream milk (optional)
Butter or olive oil


Instructions

Make the Tortilla

Step 1
Slice the potatoes thinly.

Step 2
Chop the onion and garlic very fine and saute slowly in the pan with a blob of butter until soft but not brown.

Step 3
Add another good glob of butter or olive oil to the pan and heat until sizzling. Layer the potatoes in the pan with the onion, making sure each layer has been seasoned with salt and pepper. Shake the pan to make sure the potatoes don’t catch on the bottom. You want the potatoes at the bottom to take on a bit of colour but not brown. (About 5 min)

Step 4
Turn the heat down to medium. Beat the eggs and season with salt and mustard. Pour over the potato mixture.

Step 5
Use a spatula to draw the side of the tortilla a bit to the middle and shake the pan to make sure that it doesn’t stick to the pan. About 5 minutes.

Step 6
When set, use a plate to turn so that the top side is now in the bottom of the pan. Cook for another 2 minutes. (Or if you don’t want to turn it, slip it under a very hot grill just before serving)

Make the Mushrooms

Step 7
Brown mushrooms on a high heat in olive oil or butter. Remove the mushrooms with a slotted spoon and reserve

Step 8
Turn the heat down and deglaze the pan with 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar. Add a tbspn of sugar and black pepper. When the mixture becomes a bit syrupy and slightly thicker, add two glugs soya sauce and a few sprigs fresh thyme. A bit of garlic is also good.

Step 9
Taste and add more soya sauce if needed. If it is too sour you need to boil it some more. Add mushrooms back in the pan and heat through. Add cream or milk, if using and bring to a fierce boil. Remove from heat immediately.

Step 10
Serve piled on top of the tortilla with shavings parmesan. Tortillas are great served at room temperature or even the next day. Perfect for a picnic.

Work Style: 5 Ways to Impress for Less

Try Chic Separates

"The way today's working woman dresses is much more relaxed," says Ann Taylor fashion director Kristin Rawson, who stresses that separates are perfectly acceptable—and often more versatile than a suit—for an interview. Choose classic shapes like a pencil skirt and a cardigan or blazer, and add interest to the look with a leather belt, statement necklace or printed blouse. 

 

 

Shop Your Jewelry Box

Before hitting the stores, sift through your jewelry box—that piece you've forgotten about from years ago may be the perfect personal accent to your outfit. "The important thing with jewelry, real or fake, is that it doesn't look cheap, or garish," says J. Crew creative director Jenna Lyons. She suggests "wearing multiple strands of similar or unmatched necklaces together" for a sophisticated-yet-modern look. 

 

 

Wear Luxe-Looking Shoes

"Shoes and bags are generally where you do want to spend money, but there are many affordable options that look quite expensive," says InStyle fashion director Cindy Weber Cleary. Specifically, shoes made of stamped leather that resemble croc or lizard in neutral colors are sure-fire luxe-looking choices. 

 

 

Look For Modern Details When Buying a Suit

"It's not that a suit is more appropriate [than separates]," says Liz Claiborne New York creative director Isaac Mizrahi, "it's just so easy to wear two matching pieces." To make a lasting impression, look for a classic suit with modern details like fitted tailoring, three-quarter sleeves, and Mizrahi's favorite, "strong shoulders." 

 

 

Punch Up Your Look With a Sleek, Colorful Bag

While neutrals always look great, J. Crew design director Tom Mora says carrying a bag in a great color is a fun and inexpensive way to update your look. Just make sure it's on the small and structured side. "Generally oversize bags can overwhelm the wearer and give her a sloppy appearance," says Mora. 

 

 

[Source : InStyle]

7 Ways to Look Cosy Chic

Living in a country where there's no winter? 

Well then take advantage of the rainy season to rock these layered looks.

Cuff Your Jeans

When the temps turn freezing, nothing sounds more appealing than putting on your favorite pair of jeans and an ultra-long grandpa cardigan. Avoid looking dowdy by cuffing your denim like Joy Bryant—the rolled-up hem slims the cut of the jeans, balancing out the cardigan's bulk. Bonus: You get to show off your favorite winter boots! 

 

 

Pair Sleek Accessories With Skinny Jeans

Keep your bundled-up top half in check with a skinny jeans/sharp accessories combo. The slim leg will balance out a heavy coat, and patent accessories, like Cameron Diaz's, will keep the look sleek, not frumpy. 

 

 

Slim Your Silhouette With Leggings

Your favorite roomy wrap sweater needs only one thing to go from couch to street—leggings! The stretchy (hence comfy) pant creates a slender bottom half, balancing out your sweater's bulk. Add a waist-defining belt and leg-lengthening platforms like Rihanna for a chic, cold-proof look! 

 

 

Pile on the Thin Knits

When it comes to your favorite sweaters, choosing only one is never easy—so why torture yourself? Wear them all! The trick is avoiding chunky knits and opting for thinner sweaters and cardigans that layer easily, without adding bulk. Take a cue from Milla Jovovich and choose knits in the same color family to keep your picks from looking random. 

 

 

Wear Soft and Flowy With Warm and Wooly

Don't shun your entire warm-weather wardrobe: Silk and chiffon dresses can be perfect with wool sweaters and heavy coats—their flowy silhouette keeps bulkier pieces from overwhelming an outfit, plus they showcase your legs! The trick is to choose lightweight skirts and dresses in seasonless colors like Diane Kruger's black and white printed version, making it anyone's guess when you bought it! 

 

 

Trade Your Coat for a Cape

Sick of wearing your huge winter coat day in and day out? Change things up with a sleek cape for almost as much warmth, but a lot less fabric. Get a fresh, preppy look like Natalie Portman by pairing wide-leg jeans and a printed scarf with a nautical-inspired cape. 

 

 

Trade Up With a Fedora

Swap your chunky beanie or oversize trapper hat for a sleek fedora like style setter Sienna Miller. The streamlined silhouette keeps your ears warm (promise!) and avoids the bulk of a wooly scarf, glove and hat set. 

 

 

[Source : InStyle]