It’s obvious, the 90s are back. A rather surprising revival, except for cropped tops, are denim overalls. The farmer and toddler favourite has a bit of a public image problem, but the 2000-and-something version shows off a glamourous, fancy and more grown-up twist. High heels, feminine silk and lace tops and sparkling jewelry are key for creating an adult and smart outfit without that roller disco or farmer touch. Leave the backpacks and pigtails at home and you’ll rock the look. For more inspiration check out Pinterest.
1. The Row sunglasses via Net à Porter
2. J.Crew crinkle boy shirt
3. Elisabeth & James leopard shoulder bag via Net à Porter
4. J.Crew metallic bow flats
5. Paul and Joe Sister Nixon denim overalls via Girissima
1. Mango white smoking jacket
2. J.Crew crystal earrings
3. Frame Denim Le Garcon denim overalls via Net à Porter
4. SWETC embellished sweatshirt via Net à Porter
5. Mansur Gavriel bucket bag
6. Isabel Marant poppy suede pumps via Mytheresa
Images via Pinterest
4th of July always brings up precious memories of my time in beautiful South Carolina. It’s always been one of my favourite holidays there – a day spent with family, friends, barbecue and fireworks in the end. So, cheers to you, America!
Ingredients (serves 4):
- one package fresh blueberries
- one package fresh strawberries
- 3/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)
- 8 to 12 tsp. sugar
- 1 cup plus 2 tbsp. gin
- 1 cup cold sparkling water
- Crushed ice
- Garnishes: fresh straw- and blueberries
Mix gin, lime juice, sugar and sparkling water. Serve over blueberries, sliced strawberries and ice. Garnish, if desired.
I know, I know; Céline’s Trio signature bag copied?! How dare someone do this?! But let’s be honest, we are willing to pay almost 600€ not only for the classic, clean and chic design, but also for the small golden Céline-logo, which, obviously, the JoJo bag from Annabel Ingall doesn’t come with. Even though the design and colour is really similar, the flap makes a clear difference. But it’s just not the original. So crave or save, what’s your opinion?
Nothing to talk about with your colleagues at lunch break or the parents-in-law over dinner? Get through a conversation with the following short news from the depth of the internet.
1. Fashion News: 25 years as fashion critic for The International Herald Tribune, famous Suzy Menkes joins the international Vogue team. She’ll serve as critic and reporter for all international websites (including Britain, France, Germany, Itlay, China and some more). Read her first column for Vogue on “fighting the bitch brigade” and challenging the “ugly face of fashion criticism”.
2. Fun Fact: Think Blue Ivy or North West are crazy baby names? Well, in true Hip Hop tradition, Lil’Kim has given her new born daughter an even more ridiculous baby name; welcome to this world, Royal Reign! (Fashion i-D)
3. Fashion News: I definitely didn’t see this fashion-artist collaboration coming; Jeff Koons is going to turn H&M into an art museum. (The Cut)
4. Art News: One of my favourite artist, the self-confessed Grandmother of Performance Art, Marina Abramovic, holds an exhibition, called “512 hours”, at The Serpentine Galleries in London until the 24th of August. If you don’t happen to be there, see her top works on i-D.
5. Fun Fact: Have you ever wondered if famous authors write and talk in normal life in the same poetic language as in their books? The answer is no, especially not when they are drunk. Enjoy drunk texts from famous authors.
6. Fashion News: Stella McCartney knows how to throw a party. She did so recently for her Resort 2014 Collection, very charmingly and complete with garden tent, puppies, champagne and tea sandwiches. She also encouraged her models to have as much fun as the attendees. Not to forget the really beautiful collection itself. Read more on Harper’s Bazaar.
7. Design News: Need a statement piece for your apartment? You can now find fashion designer Mara Hoffman’s bright, vibrant and psychedelic patterns on pillows, rugs and journals thanks to her collaboration with Anthropologie. (style.com)
I have been hoping since last season’s resort collections, but it looks like the crop top isn’t going anywhere. I have been thinking about this 90s revival since it first came up and still can’t make up my mind; shall I embrace the trend or just impulsively loathe the person who dragged out the crop top of his or her 90s closet (though I am pretty sure it’s been a man we owe the trend to).
In fact, I already had a love-and-hate relashionship with the cropped top before its revival; back in 1994 my mum did not allow me to wear one, because it was inappropriate to expose my stomach, although my (admittedly thinner) friends wore their belly shirts with proud. So far my mum has been right with her advice, prohibitions and predictions in my teens most of the time, which I will never admit to her in person, of course. But there is still the rebellious teenager in me who’d like to show her that I can have my Spice Girl moment now and there is nothing she can do about it.
Still the unanswered question if I would look flashy or trashy… In general the crop top can emphasise a pretty silhouette, but on the other hand it can lead to a dreadful muffin top accident. Gladly there is a little improvement compared to the 90s: the crop top became wider and longer. Maybe I’ll give it a try with a loose fit and high waisted pants (hides the belly button) or a wide skirt.
Would you? Will you?
Image sources: Pinterest
There isn’t anything quite like the supermodels of the ’90s, a decade considered the golden era of supermodels. The famous beauties had a reputation not only for modeling but also for dating rockstars. Not only famous for their private liaisons, the combination worked very well in music videos. In the ’80s and ’90s, having a supermodel in a video was a status symbol. Musicians were scrambling for top names resulting in some of the best supermodel-rockstar-music-videos such as Billy Joel’s ‘Uptown Girl’ featuring Christie Brinkley (back then his girlfriend, of course) and Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’ with a very sexy Helena Christensen.
My two personal favourite videos somehow managed to bring together the highest caliber cadre of 1980’s models: having pioneered the use of supermodels in music videos in the ’80s and ’90s – including Christy Turlington in ‘Notorious’ – Duran Duran returned to the gimmick in a big way for its ‘Girl Panic’ video in 2011. Featuring supermodels portraying the band members (Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Eva Herzigova and Helena Christensen), the women are interviewed about the rock star life. But besides getting the supermodels together, the clip making was not easy. As John Taylor admitted, ‘Naomi was a little late arriving and as soon as she arrived she had to be taken away to her own room and we thought, hmmm, is this going to be one of those Naomi days? But I have to say she walked out there and she nailed it—and you just go ‘superstar’—that is what she is.’
But for me THE supermodel video of supermodel videos is George Michael’s ‘Freedom’ featuring Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Tatjana Patitz, and Naomi Campbell at the height of their superpowers in 1990. Directed by David Fincher, the video depicted the women lip-syncing to Michael’s anthem while three symbols of his career – a jukebox, a guitar, and the leather jacket from his ‘Faith’ video – are destroyed. There are also top male models in the video – not that anyone noticed.
videos via youtube George Michael ‘Freedom’ and youtube Duran Duran ‘Girl Panic’
I am 32, so I think I am officially a woman and not a girl anymore. But I sometimes have the feeling my wardrobe doesn’t always reflect that. You’ll find all sorts of ballerinas in bright colours, distressed jeans and long-sleeves in my closet instead of classic pumps and blouses or fine jewelry.
So I have been thinking quite a lot about investing in some big-girl pieces lately. I summed up the ones I believe would be worth investing in and would give my wardrobe a more classic and adult look.
Have you invested in any grown-up additions to your wardrobe already? And for which piece did you decide?
Image sources: Pinterest
It’s sweet and topped with strawberries. Do I have to say more? If you are a sweet tooth and a strawberry lover like me, you’ll love this dessert. It’s baked on a low heat until the outside is a crunchy meringue and the inside is a marshallow-y delight. Even though pavlovas aren’t difficult to make, it took me a while to find the perfect recipe (to get the right consistency can be very tricky). But I think I found the perfect one and love to share it with you.
You’ll need (makes 3 pavlovas):
6 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1 tablespoon of cornstarch
1 teaspoon of white vinegar
1 pinch of salt
a small box of strawberries
a few mint leaves
1 cup of whipped cream
1. Start by beating the egg whites in a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Turn the mixer on low speed until the whites become bubbly frothy. Add vinegar and salt. Turn to medium speed until soft peaks form. Add the sugar in a little at a time. When all sugar is added, turn the speed on high and whip about 3-4 minutes. Add the sifted cornstarch and whisk on high speed for a couple more minutes until it is fully incorporated.
2. Preheat the oven to 230 degrees F° (110 C°). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spoon large disks of the meringues evenly onto the baking sheet. There should be enough meringue for 6. Bake for 1 hour. Turn off the heat and crack the oven open a few inches. Allow to cool to room temperature.
3. Put strawberries into a food processor and blend until smooth. You can add a spoon of vanilla sugar, if you like it sweeter. Whip cream.
4. Carefully remove the meringues off the parchment paper. Lay one meringue on the bottom, spoon whip cream over it and place another meringue over it and dollop more whip cream on top. Drizzle the strawberry sauce over the pavlovas and top with fresh strawberries and mint leaves. And enjoy!
I was hoping for a nice sunny weekend to spend outside, but I think I’ll be disappointed. Again. So it’s going to be a comfy and relaxed weekend at home, sleeping in, breakfast in bed, reading a book or magazine and listening to music and the raindrops, knocking on the window. As you can see, I am already in a spring-rain-melancholy mood, which I actually enjoy from time to time (but definitely not the entire May). My playlist for the weekend reflects this mood, with a bit of soft guitars and sassy French lyrics. Enjoy the music and have a relaxing weekend!
vintage online shops
Aren’t we all secretly dreaming of an original 2.55 Chanel bag or a vintage Hèrmes scarf? But price tags and waiting lists can seem very daunting. So if you don’t mind that your fashion is pre-loved and with a bit of character, look no further than at these vintage designer sites, where you can gain a real bargain. Don’t expect old-fashioned and mothballs-smelling-lik fashion and accessories, these online shops have very carefully selected pieces (and they have been tested for their authenticity). At most shops you can sell your own pieces as well – just in case you spent too much money.
