You have no idea how fun it was to go inside the Calvin Klein flagship store on Madison Avenue. I nuclear-bombed the kingdom of neutrals (think beige, off-white, white, sand, eggshell) with my, one could say obnoxious, colours. Calvin Klein Collection is the epitome of American minimal chic. I love Francisco Costa and his modern clothes. In my next life, when I reincarnate as a tall, very slender blonde with super thin and straight hair, you bet I’ll always be in head-to-ankle Calvin. It’s a shame I can’t go minimal now because my very colourful and fun personality requires that I dress like a Christmas tree. Maybe I’ll give it a shot someday. Try my hand at minimal dressing, that is.

Sunglasses, stole, shoes from Prada, shirt and sweater from H&M, jeans from Rag & Bone.

Click click click!
CONTINUE READING

I took my new banana print Prada shirt out for a spin yesterday. I love how it’s kitschy and cheeky… however, I’m curious how it looks like to the un-fashion-trained eye. Is this shirt the designer equivalent of the ubiquitous Hawaiian floral-print short-sleeve shirts that middle-aged American men like to wear when they go on holidays?

Anyhoo, I had a funny conversation with my boyfriend yesterday. I was whining how I have nothing* to wear and I’ve worn pretty much everything that I have. I love how he understands what mileage means when it comes to fashion without me explaining the whole “cost-per-use” concept.

Hat from Marrakesh stall, shirt by Prada, jacket by Filippa K, pants from Rag & Bone, shoes from Prada

*When I say “nothing”, it means “nothing new, nothing fresh, nothing unworn, nothing photographed”.

J’adore the gargantuan chandeliers at the Palais des Congres here in Marrakech.

I went to Prada earlier this afternoon and bought this cheeky banana-print shirt I’ve been lusting for months as a special gift to myself.

In life, it’s important to create opportunities for oneself instead of waiting for opportunities to land on your lap. You just have to get out there and chase your dreams and fantasies. Especially if you came from nothing and you have nothing to lose. Today is a magical, surreal day. I can’t, and I won’t, elaborate but let me tell you something… sometimes, all it takes is a short, heartfelt note for dreams to come true in a New York City minute.

Monday could be another very, very magical night. One for the memories. I’m not promising anything but please cross your fingers (and your legs) for me.

In other news, are you excited for the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum? Monday is the opening night gala aka the grand Met Ball.

One of the most important things I’ve learned over time is that it’s better to be early rather than late. Yes, most shows DO start late but Prada is one of those shows where I’ll do anything AND everything to drop whatever it is I’m doing in order to be at the show venue an hour before the show time indicated on the invitation. Season after season, hundreds and hundreds of people queue and wait behind the massive gate at via Fogazzaro before they even open it.

Allow me to share some snaps I took backstage after the jump. Click click click!
CONTINUE READING

Self Service magazine’s photographer caught me photographing my beloved Anna Wintour at the fall/winter 2011 show. So gracious and kind, that woman. And the look on Tim Blanks’ face? Priceless.

Photo via self service.

Beat the blues by matching hues. A splash of yellow doesn’t hurt, too.

Shirt by Banana Republic (shock horror, yes, I bought it there!), neck tie by Prada, jeans by Filippa K.

Separating from a loved one is never easy. Because of my long distance relationship, I’ve gone through this whole ‘see you later’ thing countless of times. The locations may be different but how I feel remains the same: my heart aches every time we drop each other off at the airport or train station, uncertain when we’re gonna see each other next because of my insane schedule. I have to follow where my work takes me, even at the expense of my personal relationships. I haven’t seen my family in months! I missed three birthdays — my dad’s and both of my sisters’. I guess life is a never-ending balancing act. When you think about it, we are extremely lucky to have technology on our side: phone calls, emails, skype video chats. what about people back in the dark ages when there’s no cellphones or internet? What about soldiers who went to war last century? Bah, humbug.

Hat by State and Lake, sunglasses by Karen Walker, scarf by Herr Judit, jacket by Filippa K, sweater by H&M, jeans by Uniqlo, bag by Chanel, shoes by Prada.

It snowed on my last day in Stockholm. I went to my BF’s office to pick him up for our last lunch out (asian food is comfort food) before he dropped me off at the train that goes straight to the airport.

J’adore the colour orange. J’ADR Anna dello Russo!

On me: Karen Walker sunglasses, vintage bowtie, Filippa K jacket, Uniqlo shirt, H&M trousers, Jil Sander shoes, Prada stole. On Anna dello Russo: sweater, dress, sunglasses, bag, shoes all from Prada.

Fashion month may be well over but honey, it ain’t spring yet! We had a blanket of snow yesterday afternoon here in Stockholm.

Going through the endless photos I took in New York, Milan and Paris, I found it very amusing how fashion people wear spring clothes during winter to watch the autumn shows/clothes that are going to be sold during summer time. Some of the key pieces and accessories have already been worn to death by numerous editors left, right and center.