I want Lanvin, not flowers!

You can call out a loud 'Yeehaa!' everyone, because H&M has another designer collaboration coming up. Alber Elbaz, artistic director of Lanvin, designed a collection of stunning party dresses for small prices. Many talented designers went before him; Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor & Rolf, Sonia Rykiel, Stella McCartney, Roberto Cavalli, and in November of last year a limited edition by the brand Jimmy Choo. Although I think it's a very smart move of H&M to produce these collections, because of the extreme desiriability of relatively cheap designer clothes (girls have been literally fighting over the clothes in H&M stores), and I think it is somehow democratic and fair, I feel that not every collection has been a success.

When I looked at last year's Jimmy Choo dresses, that hang abandonned on a sale rack and still were bought by no one, I did not feel excited at all, as I had felt by the collections of Karl Lagerfeld and Viktor & Rolf. In my opinion, the designers of Jimmy Choo failed to translate the exclusiveness and fragile perfectness of haute couture when they took their glamourous dresses and shoes to the masses. Dresses looked cheap because of the use of wrong materials, shoes looked almost slutty because of their metallic colour and heels that were just inches too low.

A Jimmy Choo for H&M dress

You can state that the borders of haute couture and prêt-a-porter are not as set in stone as we once thought. There are no limits anymore. If haute couture brands also produce fashion for 'normal' people, what will happen to luxury? This is why Alber Elbaz says in the H&M Press Release: "What does luxury mean today? Can luxury be exclusive and democratic at the same time? Designer's work is usually tailored to a very small group of people, but the collection for H&M was about trying to translate the dream of luxury to the masses."

Pictures from the Lanvin hearts H&M Lookbook

This is a great concept, and a beautiful goal he sets up for himself: now we can asks ourselves if he succeeded. I looked at the whole collection here (and I can recommend everyone to do the same) and I think the answer is a steady YES. Beautifully tailored tuxedo jackets, ruffled party dresses in outspoken neon colours, cheeky prom-style bandeau dresses, a trenchcoat with zebra prints, and warm fur cover-ups that look delicately soft; I want this! Apart from the party look, you can also find funny T-shirts with tongue-in-cheek illustrations and embellishments. There's also a range of accessories: from lipstick to pearl necklaces to leather gloves and pointed pumps. The men's collection is designed by Dutch Lanvin's men designer Lucas Ossendrijver. It is kind of funky, with glamorous blue shoes and bow ties in bold colours and prints.

The black ruffle mini skirt in the Lanvin hearts H&M Lookbook

My favourites of the women's collection are the ruffled mini skirts, the fur coat and the dark blue dress. I find the yellow dress very bold, but I don't think I would ever wear it in real life!

Bold yellow dresses!

Has the appeal of the 'real' Lanvin decreased? Will the brand be sentenced as cheap now? Not if you ask Alber Elbaz. He says: "what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public." And I think that's exactly what happened. The line launches on November the 20th. I guess I know what my prom dress is going to be like this year!

Go with the flow

Sweater: River Island, shorts: Only, wedges: New Look, necklaces: DIY and Accesorize
This is what I wore today. I bought the sweater in Antwerp, where I was with friends for my birthday. Antwerp is a great shopping city with all the big brands and cute little vintage shops. See Antwerp, then die.

You can even have it written on your T-shirt.

I like it when fashion and music collide. Usually, the people who work in music and fashion, are the people I wish were my friends. Take, for example, Coco Sumner. A successful model with great style, and now the force behind the band 'I Blame Coco'. And, in case you didn't know, she calls Sting her dad.
I know that everyone will be prejudiced now, and say things like: 'Oh, she has a music career because her dad's famous,' and 'Oh, another model-turned-musician'. But that's not fair, because she is really talented. And I don't care whether she is famous because of her dad, and what her other jobs are, I just really like her songs. And admit it, she dresses great.

You know you love her! Check out her music videos:

Pretty Much Everything

Yesterday I went to an exhibition of the photographer's duo Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, in the Foam Amsterdam. The amount of amazing photos was simply stunning; 30 years in the business led to more than 300 pictures that filled the walls of Foam. They were positioned in some kind of labyrinth that went on and on. Though I didn't understand all the pictures, the overall feeling was one of bright ideas and very diverse work. From little polaroids to enlarged campaign pictures for Chloé and Balmain, each photo is special. Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin shook up the fashion (and art) world with their innovative use of photoshop, creating a different vibe than the simple, 'real' grunge streamlet that was going on in photography in the 90s. You can't really categorise their work. This is art and fashion, commercial and artistic, personal and for the public.
I tried to photograph these photos, but it was kind of hard because of the reflections. I hope you can appreciate their work anyway.

Ice cream in a desert dream...

When I saw the images of Vivienne Westwood's fall 2010 rtw show, the first thing that went through my mind was: Cocorosie. The clothes were all a bit messy and thrown together, the models wore moustaches and the whole thing breathed some kind of dark vagabond mood. You can apply this description also to Cocorosie, the band formed by two extremely cool sisters, Bianca and Sierra. Look at these pictures and be inspired.

Runway pics from Style.com

And may I add that I think Vivienne Westwood is one of the most inspiring women in fashion? I mean, look at her hair! It's orange!

If you're curious about Cocorosie's music, check out this video for their song 'Lemonade'. Is it just me, or does Lady Gaga suddenly seem perfectly normal?

Pandas are evil.

What's on my mind: hats with bear ears. Aren't they the cutest?? I noticed them first at topshop.com, but then I also spotted them at Zara and River Island. I'm thinking about a DIY - just cutting off the ears of a teddy bear and attaching them at a vintage hat... I'll keep you posted!

At the Zara casual fall/winter 2010 lookbook;

A pic from the Topshop 'Into the wild' collection for fall/winter 2010;

Katy Perry wearing a bear ears hat from River Island;
Wool panda hat from River Island.
And here's the outfit I wore a couple of days ago:

Top: Lady Sting, plaid shirt: vintage, shorts: some Chinese brand, tights: V&D, shoes: Topshop.

Make Me Over

Hi everyone!

As you may have noticed, I haven't been blogging since May. This is because I have been busy, and because I made a backpacking trip with my parents and little brother. We took the Transiberia Express (a train from Moscow to Beijing) and travelled around in China. It was an amazing experience, and I've learned a lot. I can write my name in Chinese!

Anyway, I'm back home and back to school now.

September always seems more like a new year than January does, and with a new school year come new beginnings. That's why I thought it was appropriate to change the design of my blog. Please tell me what you think of my blog make over!

I also have a new style muse, a model who manages to look fashion forward on the runway and off duty. This blue-eyed blonde from Belgium does know about misfortune; in 2006 she got hit by a car and broke almost every bone in her body. But after her recovery, she became greater than ever, and now has walked for Chanel, Givenchy and Prada, and booked campaigns at DKNY Jeans and Mulberry. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Hanne Gaby Odiele!

The Pretty Reckless has fast become one of my favourite bands. Their music is awesome and Taylor's voice is beautiful!