nico

the man behind the genius: Mass' closet is like a Nico D museum.

Wearing Nico Didonna dress, Alexander Wang vest, Jimmy Choo flats.

Are you ready?

...because here we go with the pre-holiday, holiday, post ny pictures. Bear with me and I hope this isn't torture!








LISA: ANDY THE-ANH dress, DANIER rabbit fur shawl, CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN shoes, WOLFORD tights

MASS: ITALIAN suit, DUCHAMP bowtie and pocket square

A couple weeks before the holidays started, our friend threw a little soiree for our friends at a club in London. Incredibly detailed and an eye for fine wines and foods, the organiser KS, created a lovely environment for all of us to dress up and enjoy each others company.

This dress was bought in 2009 during the summer from Toronto at a Canadian designer's boutique - Andy The-Anh. Unfortunately his Toronto boutique is closed, however the flagship store in Montreal still houses some exquisitely hand-crafted gowns. Similar to the one I wore in Paris here, Andy's designs are incredibly form fitting, even for a petite girl like myself (who barely fits anything like a glove!)

Since this evening, Mass has become obsessed with bow ties, wearing them at every opportunity. Watch out for them gracing this blog frequently.

Happy almost weekend!

crazy for coats

Both coats from NICO DIDONNA

If you know me, you know I love myself a good coat (demonstrated here). When fall/winter (more fall than winter) I like to go around the stores, see the latest trend and either buy myself something similar with a twist or if all else fails...a classic.

Coats are a primary in Canada. We have had ourselves some true veterans in the business, like Mackage who have never failed to keep me warm and other European brands like Moncler to transform you into a typical Italian. For me, I like a mix of everything. Above are two examples. The first is a sheepskin coat/cape. Quite short in length but Nico put on two buttons so I could close it during the windier months. Originally I had tried on one of the Burberry Prorsum shearlings but they seem to run small because a size 36 was a little snug for me (mind you I was only wearing a tshirt at the time) and unfortunately they have sold out pretty quickly here in London. Nevertheless, I think the above suits me quite perfectly. Definitely something for years to come.

The second is a fantastic variation of both work wear and casual/semi-formal evening out wear. Crazy warm and an insane colour, it is made from two circular pieces and a sash.

I'll post each of these in turn...though having already shot the first one, it doesn't seem like it was done its justice.

Sorry for the text heavy post but I just have one more thing to say: this blog was created as an outlet to inspire and be inspired by others. The blogging world is jam packed with countless motivating people (fashion and un-fashion related alike). However I think what visitors should take from my and every other blog they read is inspiration to not necessarily copy the look bootleg version (because you'll never succeed like the original) but to transform what you see into your own creative masterpiece.

I know they say imitation is the highest form of flattery...but I encourage you to try your own style inspired by what you see rather than mirroring it piece by piece. Just a thought.

GREY WORLD

LISA: NICO DIDONNA vest/dress, J BRAND jeans, INDEPENDENT STORE IN HK shirt, AA belt, NINE WEST shoes

MASS: PRADA jacket, MARITHE FRANCOIS GIRBAUD shirt, NICO DIDONNA trousers, LARDINI loafers, ETRO pocket square, PERSOL glasses

To put it bluntly, the weather in London has been crap. These photos were shot at the peak of the afternoon and I could've done with another sweater. While everyone is saying how much they want to wear all the new fall collections, I'm living proof that you can.

We stopped by our favourite designer and store, Nico Didonna, last Saturday and picked up this dress/vest. I envisaged so many ways in wearing it that the next post will also showcase a different method. All about the staple pieces.

SOCIAL SUICIDE

Social Suicide, meaning 'to do the wrong thing' akin to 'faux pas', since it's inception in 2004 has always done the wrong thing. This menswear brand takes the staple jacket and suits and makes fashion 'interesting' for the male species. They claim that often menswear plays second string to the women-dominated market, thus providing a niche for those men who are 'interested'.

The line above, modeled by my friend Karim (who upholds the fashion forward French stereotype), is a sport jacket from their winter 2009 collection titled Dictators of Fashion. This line draws style from the likes of Mussolini, Mandela, Chairman Mao, Malcolm X, Fedel Castro, and other tyrannic figures.

Oh and just in case you were wondering, the quality is not substituted in the least despite it's provoking designs. Their block was developed on Savile Row using the purest and finest fabrics.

Thanks Karim for making a guest model appearance on the Italianese!

Ciao for now!

help i'm alive my heart keeps beating like a hammer

Wearing: Louis De Gama dress/top (Portuguese born, London Independent Designer with an awesome eye for flow and structure in one), H&M high waisted sequin shorts and necklace gifted from Mass, DVF Opal wedges, Louis Vuitton purse, Rayban Wayfarers

Yesterday was one of those rare HOT and sunny London days. One of those days where you walk for miles just to make sure you catch all the rays because this sun won't last as long as your burn.

Fortunately for us, today is also one of those days.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

Ciao darlings.

It feels like wooooo.....

When we were in Shanghai we had a chance to stop by the two art districts. The first one seemed like the place for tons of expats and tourists to go to because the entire pop-art area was buzzing with people sitting outside, hanging out, watching the people traffic go by. Of course amidst the art funk, I find a place to shop. Woo Scarves is where we spent a good half hour speaking to the salesladies and buying a total of 6 scarfs, from silk to cotton. China has been known for their sericulture for centuries but often tourists get sucked into the warehouses to buy the fake or A grade fake ones. Woo is not one of those places. They have a few locations but this one, as you can see from Mass and I's picture up there, has been graced by a number of 'celebrities', none of which I know.

The rest of the pictures were taken throughout that day. The area was so buzzing that I even got 'style blogged' by another fellow blogger. But silly me didn't ask her for her name/website (not so much silly as just hopeless in communicating in Mandarin) so if anyone comes across a Shanghainese blog with me in that outfit, let me know! (maybe I was photographed for worst outfit ever, who knows)

Wearing: LaVie grey jacket (Shanghai - awesome awesome coats, make u wish it was winter all year round), Marc Jacob sunnies, Cesare Paciotti brogues, Purse from that store you saw me blog about here, White shirt from another Shanghainese boutique designer, AA leggings, Tiger and M/F ring, Snake and panther bracelet, all from Shanghai.

Hope you're having a fabulous week.

Ciao

Shanghai Finds

I finally get my life back after being in the library for 14-hour shifts nearly everyday (that's not say I don't have another one in a few weeks but at least there's a break).

Shanghai is a beautiful city that changes dramatically everytime I go back. This time was no different. The Shanghai Expo was taking place a few days after we left so the city was buzzing with pre-expo excitement. They're the only city I know that lines their highways with plants (or paints them for that matter).

Last time I went, I didn't get to do much shopping so this time (partially because of the ash) we were able to take full advantage. We walked down a smaller boutique street (contrast to the branded stores along the Bund/our hotel) and came across this really cute entrance. Of course the temptation in me led me upstairs (this could potentially be a bad thing) and luckily, I found a sweet little leather shop. We walked in and these two little girls sat us down and served us tea. Then came the shopping. We flipped through their lookbooks and tried on literally every bag in the place.

Finally, we settled on below. It's this gorgeous brown leather bag, completely rough around the edges. It can go from short to long (which was a prerequisite in my purchase) and is big enough to throw everything inside. Next time, I'll try to remember what the name of the store was (though I'm pretty sure it was in Chinese).






More to come! I'll try to make the next few posts on my Shanghainese finds.

Ciao for now!

oliveology

Lately, my travels have consisted of finding the best native (in)expensive food that the city/country has to offer. The great thing about London (contrary to popular belief) is that it has a dense variety of food lovers, hence an abundance of native food right at your doorstep.

It started around 6 years ago when I had an (ex) boyfriend that loved to dine. By dining I mean wining and dining. He loved going out to taste test various restaurants around town and I became accustomed to the variety of great food. Unfortunately for my subsequent boyfriends, I didn't lose the love; I'm no longer dating him, but I have become a semi-kinda-foodie.

Today, I'm so lucky to have found a bf that loves food (and wine) more than I do, therefore can appreciate a good meal when presented with the opportunity to try one. Mass is much more into wine than I, so much so that he wants to take a sommelier course. That palate is still being refined for me. He's taken me to fantastic restos in Italy, whereas I've taken him to eat the best of viet pho in Markham (you Torontonians know exactly what I'm talking about).

A few weeks ago my gf asked if I wanted to join her in a private supper club created by a friend and his partners. I ventured into Shoreditch (who am I kidding, it was right around the corner from my place...perfection!) and had dinner with another 11 people around a dinner table (9 of which were strangers). It was a cute concept of dining where it's done in a discreet location through word of mouth, kind of like eating at a friends place but with very cool decor. The interior was made all from sourced material and the overall atmosphere was quite relaxing. The food and tasting menu was provided by Oliveology where they taught us a bit about olive oil, olives, and their organic farm in Greece. Then, we had a lovely meal prepared by them. It was the second meal Full House had put on but I see big success in their future. Definitely where passion for food meets ambiance.

This is a quick shot of the dinner table (beet root salad as our first course) I took with my phone. I usually can't wait too long before indulging, hence why I never take pics during dinner. yum.

Before leaving the house, I decided to snap a couple shots. Mass is in Istanbul tonight, so I'm home alone :( This is what happens when I'm left to my vices (aka my camera).







Today I'm wearing a sweater/cardigan from Italy bought by Mass' mother (who has great taste, I swear my mom was buying me stuff I would never wear from HK for years until just recently where she discovered my love for fur), a tank zip up vest from Nico Di Donna, Current Elliot Jeans, J. Lindeberg belt, Jonais boots from Paris, Intimissmi socks (I LIVE on these socks, I have about 10 pairs - they are AMAZING, Mass got me seriously hooked on Italian socks), and Roberta Freymann necklace.

Ciao, buona notte

Apologies...

Firstly, apologies for the very much delayed post. In the aforementioned, I spoke about going to Paris. I was sent there to represent my school in a Negotiating competition organized by the ICC (International Chamber of Commerce). This intense competition ran for 5 days, 50 law schools globally, and 30 countries represented. Though we didn't place, it was an awesome experience (although our fellow UK team did! Congrats to Nottingham Trent!) My team and I prepared months for this and put in a lot of time and hard work, needless to say, we're much better for it. We're even looking to pilot a project based on it for the UK (details to follow) which I'm very excited about.

Anyway, I managed to squeeze in some shopping time - without any pictures - and snatched up a couple goodies. Got this pair of ankle booties on sale at La Fayette, I was so excited, I wore them that night out to dinner.



Everytime I go to Paris, I am reminded about just how breathtaking (in every sense of the word) it is. The food is also no exception. I have most recently revived my love for butter. Bisous.


View from our room in the Bahamas.

I came home from Paris to find myself on a flight to the Bahamas the following morning. This trip is actually a delayed birthday trip from Mass as I couldn't take it in November because of passport issues. Though the weather wasn't as loveable (it was really windy and at times, cold), Mass and I had a great time. It was the first trip we've ever taken just the two of us (though we love our friends and fam :) ) so we really thrived on it. It was his first time in the Carribean and he loved it so much, the night we came home, he was looking up dates to go again. We stayed at the Cove and had a continual debate all trip long on whether we should stay at the Ocean Club or the Cove next time. Personally, I loved the Ocean Club. We went for dinner at the Dune Valentines night - which had absolutely impeccable views - and I fell in love with the place.




My V-day outfit: Maje dress (another sale find from Paris, I love the swooping back and full front), Elisabeth and James shoes (also found on sale!), Roberta Freymann bib necklace (she is one of my most favourite jewelry designers), and Louis Vuitton s/s 2009 African Queen clutch in Masai Silk (my favourite purse ever).


A shot of Mass and I's shoes. No socks = heaven on a man.

The thing I didn't like about the Cove was the amount of fakeness and plastic everywhere (all Heidi Montag look alikes). Although the amount of yummy mummy's surpassed any hotel I've been in, I couldn't help but look at all the fake boobies everywhere.


Finally, as if going to Bahamas and the massage wasn't enough, my very thoughtful bf bought me the above dress from Nico Di Donna (see previous post), as a valentines day present. The story behind this is that during the summer, we went to Nicos store and this was one of the pieces I loved when I tried it on. However, Mass didn't like how it was so transparent (though I really don't see that!) so he didn't want me to get it. Then it magically turned up in a bag on my bed in the Bahamas. :)

Again, apologies for the extremely lengthy post! Hope you've had a fabulous couple of weeks.

Ciao, from Paris, Bahamas, and now...London.