I’ll never forget this girl named Katrina in my school bus back when I was in freshman high school. I must have been 13 at that time. While all the other kids played with each other in the bus, I chose to read my mom’s magazines. Back issues of Vogue were my after-school best friend. They made that agonizing thirty minute ride home bearable. Whenever Gucci ad pages came up, Katrina, who sat across me, always chanted “look at my Gucci watch, look at my Gucci watch!” before shoving her wrist to my face. If memory served me right, she was the daughter of a lawyer and for what seemed like eternity, she bragged about her stupid Gucci watch that she received as a gift. It was sickening. Deep down inside, I felt rather inferior because all I had at that time was this neon orange and neon green rubber and fabric “POP” Swatch that my aunt gave me as a Christmas present. I’m not a combative type of person so I didn’t say anything. Besides, she was a year older than me. She had Benetton accessories. I had Penshoppe (a Filipino brand akin to I dunno, Forever 21). I simply shut up and flipped through my magazines. That same year, I begged my parents to buy me that iconic Prada black nylon backpack with two pockets on the front. My parents weren’t having it from a thirteen year old child, of course. It wasn’t until I was fifteen that my mom finally bought one for me.

Fast forward a decade and a half later… I popped by the Prada store on Corso Venezia in Milan last week to stock up on some spring/summer goodies. I bought another pair of golf shoes, two trousers and this navy blue backpack. Just seeing it on the rack (they come in gray and brown as well) brought back childhood memories. I took it out for a spin in Amsterdam this weekend.

Hat, shirt, shorts by Acne, sunglasses by Yves Saint Laurent, jacket gifted by Versace, backpack and shoes by Prada

I guess one cannot erase the emotional scars of yesteryear (I can’t say I’m very angry because thinking about it, we were all young and naive) but let me tell you, walking out of a store after buying something you really like, on your own terms, with your own money, is always an exhilarating experience.

Like a big FUCK YOU to everyone.

Spring/summer is always a good season for Prada. It’s no secret that Mama Miuccia makes some of the best men’s shoes around. I love how they followed-through on the success of the spring 2011 blockbuster “flatform” brogues (here’s a pic of me around the same time LAST YEAR) by releasing yet another multi-colored twist on a time-tested classic: the golf shoe.

Sunglasses by Yves Saint Laurent, vintage J. Crew sweater (bought at Kiliwatch in Paris), black shirt by Uniqlo, watch by Michael Kors, clutch gifted by Corto Moltedo, trousers by Zara, shoes by Prada.

Here’s the full-length video of the fall/winter 2012 Prada show in Milan.

A trip to Milan won’t be complete without paying Prada (aka handing out cash you’ve earned in between seasons) a visit. I picked up two of their stunning spring/summer 2012 shoes before Fashion Week began.

Black mesh bootie by 3.1 Phillip Lim, houndstooth loafer gifted by Versace, sneakers by Pierre Hardy (click HERE to buy), golf shoes from Prada.

This is one of my favourite looks to date. Daniel from my favourite Stockholm Street Style blog snapped me on my way to the 9AM Moschino fashion show yesterday morning.

Hat and coat by Francesco Scognamiglio, shirt and shoes by Prada, belt by J.Crew, suit and bag by Dolce & Gabbana, sunglasses by Michael Kors

As always, Anna Dello Russo brought so much joy and sparkle at the Prada fall/winter 2012 fashion show earlier this evening. Her energy is so infectious!

How gorgeous are the colours and the styling of Prada’s spring/summer 2012 ad campaign video?

Here’s the full-length video of Miuccia Prada’s powerful fall/winter 2012 fashion show. See if you can spot Jamie Bell, Emile Hirsch, Tim Roth, Willem Dafoe, Adrien Brody and Gary Oldman in the cast. Meanwhile, I wish Garrett Hedlund didn’t act like a douchebag.

It’s always awkward asking random strangers to take photos but pride must be swallowed from time to time to get the shot.

On me: sunglasses, shirt, coat, socks and shoes from Prada
On Rumi: coat and shoes from Prada

Rumi and I ventured out of the hotel to take some photos but alas, the afternoon rain curtailed our plans. We ended up taking solace at the nearby 7-11 two blocks down.

Shirt, socks and shoes from Prada