Balloons!!!

Aaah, balloons have been popping up all over fashion shoots and editorials over the past couple of years, and this fun phenomenon doesn't seem to be losing any helium, er steam. These colorful globes on shiny strings always lend a super playful and party atmosphere to any scene. I just love a plain horizon filled with balloons of all different colors, as long as I don't have to stand next to them. I'll never forget how I once drove home with a car full of balloons and my cousin in the passenger seat, his face squashed flat under blue and white inflatables. With the windows rolled down and fighting for a view of the gorgeous sunshine, the balloons started to pop one by one as I sped through traffic as fast as I could safely get us home with at least three whole balloons in tact.....













Photos courtesy of vogue.com , sarahkaye.com, stylecaster.com, Vogue China lacouturiernyc.wordpress.com, French Vogue couturecarrie.blogspot.com, dailymail.co.uk, fashionologie.com, greenmystyle.com, Stella McCartney style.com, Vogue China theunemployedstylist.blogspot.com, Vintage cocokelley.blogspot.com

Hans Madsen in New York

As mentioned earlier in the week, one of the real highlights of LFW was the launch of NEWGEN MEN. The exciting initiative rightfully places menswear right at the fore front of fashion and provides a platform for the very best menswear talent. James Long and Carolyn Massey were of course the inaugral recipients of the the award but what of the designers who graduated from the MAN platform before this new initiative came in to place. Fashion156 posted a nice little 'Where are they now' feature back in March where they rightly praised the Topman/Fashion East MAN showcase and updated their readers on the progress of their graduates. At that time, there had been a total of fourteen designers who had taken part in the MAN showcase. Names like Aitor Throup and Kim Jones were still familiar and prominent but there were a number of talented designers who had fallen off my radar somewhat. The best example is Hans Madsen.

Danish native Hans Madsen graduated with an MA in Knitwear from the Royal College of Art in 2007, recognized for his well-crafted, conceptual and approachable pieces. Since graduating Hans went on to show his debut AW08 collection as part of MAN and returned the following season with his SS09 collection. Since moving on from showing as part of the MAN lineup, he has continued to hone in on his raw edged and ever so slightly romantic take on street-influenced menswear. Despite his designs being available here in London at b Store, I have to confess that he had fallen off my fashion radar. So I was extremely pleased when I heard the news (thanks to Dazed Digital) that FAE (First Among Equals) an independent purveyor of obscure labels will give Madsen his first American debut with his AW09 collection. This piece of news reminded me how much I love his nordic influenced designs. Here's hoping that he returns to London Fashion Week as part of an even larger Menswear lineup next season.

//Stam//

The simplicity of this outfit makes it look so good.

tfs

Mikimoto Pearls: Must-Have Fashion Accesories

Pearls as fashion accessories are having a comeback nowadays. It started when Michelle Obama used pearls during the presidential campaign last year. Tracing back the history, a lot of first ladies worn pearls in every social event. Jackie Kennedy was famous for her choker pearls, Barbara and Laura Bush had simple pearl necklaces. Other politicians such as Dianne Feinstein, Hilary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi did not hesitate to follow this fashion trend.

Now, if you want to ride this fashion bandwagon, you can buy finest quality pearls from Mikimoto Pearls. MIKIMOTO was founded in 1893 by Kokichi Mikimoto. Mikimoto pearls are high quality and with elegance. So what are you waiting for? Visit the site and shop some Mikimoto pearls and use them as your fashion accessories. Here are some of the Mikimoto pearls sample:

Milan Fashion Week Last Look: Bottega Veneta

Such origami-crisp simplicity from designer Tomas Maier in his mostly neutral collection with occasional flashes of mega-watt color. Beautiful!













Photos borrowed from style.com

Be the Next Victoria's Secret Angel!

If you've the looks and the body, grab your once in a lifetime chance to walk the runway during upcoming Victoria's Secret Angels Fashion Show. Check out the official guidelines and screening schedules to join Miranda Kerr, Alessandra Ambrosio, Heidi Klum and other angels.

Etro Spring 2010

Etro has always been synonymous with gorgeous colors and prints, and this collection sticks beautifully with tradition. I love the '70's style dresses in billowy chiffon, the delicate ruffles, the deliciously frizzy hairstyles...Bellissima!














Photos borrowed from style.com