Spring/Summer 2015 Favourites

So here in Australia we are a bit behind on the band wagon when it comes to new fashion, and it's not our fault that the summer season in the fashion industry begins in the middle of the year. This means that we will have to wait until next year to wear what the trends offer. This isn't so bad, but it can get annoying when you fall in love with something that is going to be in trend, and retailers in your local city can't offer it. By the time they do begin selling whatever it is that you wanted, you might be over your phase, or into something new.

For my summer fashion inspiration I decided to take a look at what some to designers have to offer in their 2015 Spring/ Summer collections. It is summer here and it is 2015, so why not take some inspiration.

Dresses:

Hermes - ready to wear Paris fashion week.

This dress is absolutely beautiful. It's in a great colour of pink, very faded and subtle. The style looks like something that belongs on a Greek or Roman goddess, and it is also very simple. This dress is perfect for summer, it drapes down, it looks comfortable and loose, and the light colour can reflect the sun light.

ZAC Zac Posen: ready to wear.

This is another stunning garment, I am in love with the colours. This dress speaks to me of the beach, tropical wonderland, and summer perfection. My favourite detail is that it is slightly shorter at the front (it still has the maxi format) and then breezes out into length at the back.

Les Copains: ready to wear Milan fashion week.

If you are feeling more edgy, but still want something comfortable for summer, then this dress is your ticket. I love how this dress tries to show off the human body, but at the same time it hides so much. It looks like something that would be great for warm days. Even though the colours are on the dark side, it looks like you won't get too hot in it due to the light, see-through material at the bottom, and open sleeveless top.

Dolce&Gabbana: ready to wear Milan fashion week.

Before I comment on the outfit I have to let you know that this is one of my favourite S/S 2015 runways. It is inspired by the 'heritage of the Spanish culture on Sicily’s history', and the extravagant details on simple designs is just amazing. If you would like to watch it I recommend the edit on the Dolce&Gabbana YouTube channel, I have put the link below.

In terms of this outfit, I actually think it's a top with a skirt, I could be wrong though (its close up is cut in the edit). Either way, the gems are stunning, their layout suits this concept really well. The skirt is something I would wear, it looks loose, wavy, and carefree, but at the same time it shows some maturity. I also love fairy tales and this looks like it could be in one, so more bonus points to you Mr. Dolce and Mr. Gabbana, well done on this beautiful runway and collection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqiT2zEFiNU

Shorts and Pants:

Anna Sui: ready to wear fashion Mercedes-Benz fashion week.

This outfit as a whole is stunning. The colours are so natural, perfect for many day occasions. The floral elements give the a delicate touch and a nice pop of colour. I love the jacket matched, I know it's a little bit out there, but it makes such a bold statement. The shoes finish off the outfit perfectly, they shine, they match the flowers and the bold statement this simple design is trying to make. I want it (even though I'm a dress person in summer).

Emporio Armani: ready to wear Milan fashion week.

Many designers today design women's clothes in a way of what society expects women's clothes to be like - feminine, delicate, mainly dresses, (fashion week has a lot more of them (and skirts) than shorts or pants), or curvy ... etc. You get the picture. I love diversity in women's clothes, and I am so glad that the Emporio collection had some women's clothes that are less conventional. These outfits are perfect for an everyday look. The blazers are my favourite element, they are very chic, simple and blend with the striped shorts. This is a fantastic look for summer, you can take off the blazer if you: are out of the sun, go inside, or get too hot. At the same time you can leave it on if a cool breeze hits you or if you just want to protect your arms from UV.

Karen Walker: ready to wear New York fashion week.

The oxfords, the scarf, the sunnies, there is not one thing on this outfit that I dislike. I love my nudes, and I could not be more pleased. I love how the focus is more on the yellow and gold tones through the scarf edges, the shorts, and the shine on the shoes. My favourite element is definitely the jacket, it has a poncho shape, and when matched with everything else, it makes the outfit more interesting and unique.

Topshop: ready to wear London fashion week.

Up next I have to comment on two outfits. I tried to restrain myself to just one outfit per label, but I couldn't say no to these.

Firstly the shorts onsie, it is very, very simple in terms of its design. The way it has been put together though is a different story. Its simplicity goes a long way. The white really complements the boldness of the red lips, crimson belt, and red bag and heels. This is a very classic look, with elements from previous decades (1950's especially), but with a modern twist. What's not to like?

The second outfit simply gorgeous. I am loving these pants, they are skinny and high-wasted, and they come to an end at the seen before crimson belt. They don't have much going on, but when you put them together with that singlet, there is a story to be told. In summer here (where UV is a problem), I don't feel like wearing a maxi all the time (when I want to protect my legs from the sun), I do like to wear pants, and I would 100% wear this.

Now it isn't summer without hitting the beach or swimming, especially in Australia, so here is some swimwear.

Moschino: ready to wear Milan fashion week.

This bikini is what I need. The colours are everything that I have ever wanted in a bikini; elements of strong aquatic blue, and a bright and bold colour, in this case it happens to be yellow. The design is great, and I love the matching cardigan.

This one piece is adorable. It has so much character in its simple design. The choice of colours tells me that this outfit is going to be fun if I wear it. The blazer match and hand bag are great additions, these really give the piece as a whole more character.

images from: vogue.co.ukfashion/spring-summer-2015

That is it for this post! I hope that you have found some inspiration for your summer looks.

Gone But Never Forgotten

The fashion industry has faced many great losses recently, some of which are very well known and others not so much by the general public. I will go through a few names because I have personally admired their work, and think they were wonderful contributions to the world of fashion.

First up on the list is hairdresser Aldo Coppola. Not only has he made his mark by establishing Aldo Coppola, what is now a multi-million hairdressing business with many salons around the world, he was also a fantastic innovator. From a young age he worked in Milano with his father who was a barber, and from then on just developed in the profession of hairdressing. What I admire about him is this development, not only had he grown as a better stylist throughout the years, but he was a key player in the development of fashion throughout the years. He is behind the introduction of layered hair, the spiral hair curler, and he also had signature ways that he dyed hair, which have made a huge impact on how many dye their hair today. Of course he isn't like any other stylist, he had to open an academy, this definitely shows that he is in his own league. Coppola has worked with companies of high standard in the industry such as Vogue, and L'Oreal. Some talented designers that he has worked with include Valentino, Armani, Franco Moschino, and Versace. Unfortunately he passed away in November 2013, at age 73. His work as a stylist will never be forgotten.

image from: http://www.spettegola.com/imprenditori/e-morto-aldo-coppola-hair-stylist-delle-dive.html 

Next up is someone who I have been a huge fan of for a long time. His death was a huge shock to my reality. To me this designer was one of the reasons why I love what fashion has to offer, and to see this component gone from the world, I had a hard time adjusting to believe it. Yes, I am talking about none other than Alexander McQueen, passed away February 2010. His works are so creative, they are unique, masterpieces in the world of couture. In my opinion I think it is hard to pull off crazy and extravagant ideas as couture fashion pieces that look stunning, even if you are a well known designer. McQueen has worked his way up the designer ladder to create his legacy. I think it is important to note his spring/summer collection of 2001, VOSS. This collection to me looks like fashion on the verge of sculpture and art.

images from: http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/tag/voss

McQueen may not be here today to give us more of his great couture, but thankfully he has created a legacy that lives on. His brand continues provide the fashion industry something special. Kate Middleton's wedding dress for example was a huge success, the design was perfect for a royal wedding. One of my favorite collections from his brand is the 2013 autumn/ winter collection. It has a very antique and vintage feel with a lot of edge.

images from: http://www.vogue.co.uk/brand/alexander-mcqueen

I am glad that at the very least, fashion got a taste of McQueen, even if it wasn't for a full or expected lifetime. He was a man who was not afraid to push the limits, now that may not always be a good thing, but it can allow one to see how far they could go themselves (*Givenchy past*). He was an inspiration to many, and will definitely remain as one.

Then there is Manuel Mota, a Spanish designer, known for his wedding gowns. He not only designed, but was also the creative director for the company Pronovias. Pronovias is known for its amazing dresses and it has had amazing designers such as Valentino work for the label. Mota was extremely talented, he produced many designs that could satisfy a myriad of preferences. Here is some of his work.

image from: https://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/dresses/view/123433/Manuel-Mota-Erika-Size-6.html

Image from: http://www.minhafilhavaicasar.com/tag/manuel-mota/

image from: http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/pronovias-designer-dies-at-46-6581300/slideshow/6581340#/slideshow/article/6581300/6581340

He was fantastic no doubt, and if he had still been alive I'm sure he would have not disappointed the fashion industry, especially in the elegant dress category. 

Andre Kim is the next designer I would like to mention. Many see him as South Korea's top designer, and it's no surprise. He was the first person from South Korea to hold a show in Paris, and later his success grew world wide everywhere. He is mostly known for his distinct style that is traditional with contemporary elements, and not to mention, bold colours. The reason why I love his designs is because firstly, they are so unique in the fashion industry, and also because they are so intricate. The detail captured in his outfits differs a lot from many top designers.

This fashion show was stunning, the aesthetics are amazing.

image from: http://iheartfx.wordpress.com/2010/03/03/pics-fx%E2%80%99s-sulli-and-sj%E2%80%99s-siwon-for-andre-kim-fantaken/20701f174b8e5c377ecba5/

image from: http://banillamodels.com/index/bbs/board.php?bo_table=int&wr_id=23

image from: http://forums.luvsuju.net/index.php?showtopic=2184

Andre Kim on the runway.

image from: http://culturemmag.com/index.php/2013/07/andre-kim-after-andre-kim/

Unfortunately he passed away in August 2010. It is sad for Korea to lose this talented and successful man. His work is truly iconic.

Finally the last designer on my list is none other than Oscar de la Renta. I was absolutely devastated when I found out about his loss (October 2014). I have been a fan of his style and clothes for a long time. Loss is one of those sad things that you have to deal with, and the most positive thing I can do is commemorate his greatness. Here are some of his fabulous designs (he has so many that I love, it was hard choosing which ones to feature).

Who can forget this T-Swizle number.

Image from: http://www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/articles/1054655/oscar-de-la-renta-gowns-that-take-our-breath-away

Beyonce looking as regal as ever.

Images from: http://www.vogue.com/867683/from-the-archives-oscar-de-la-renta-in-vogue/

His work is just too wonderful, I have no words.

Image from: http://gotham-magazine.com/personalities/articles/oscar-de-la-renta-the-sultan-of-chic-interviewed-by-linda-fargo

I hope that you have enjoyed this post, and admired some of these designers' works, if not all as I have.

New year. New mind set.

I was going to post something along the theme of my blog, but then I changed my mind. This first (and very short) post of 2015 I thought could be concerned with resolutions, motivation, and continuing into the next chapter. Now, I don't usually have resolutions for the new year, but last year I did have one. It was a very ambitious one that I didn't really think through properly and how it would affect my other goals. In the end it didn't work out the way I wanted it to. Many people don't believe in having resolutions for the new year, they instead like to see the new year as a continuation from the last, and believe that you can set yourself resolutions at any time you want. I do sort of agree with this view, but I like to see periods of time defined. Even if 2015 continues form 2014, I would like to look at 2014 as the year I achieved *amazing goal/s* for myself. Then by 2015 I can grow from that. So, where does this leave me, certainly not having a very ambitious new year's resolution. No, I will start off with a small monthly resolution, see how far I can go with the simple. I will then try to slowly develop (in whatever I'm doing/ setting goals for) over the year without much expectation into how far the goals may take me. I do have a new year's resolution, (setting small goals throughout the year, which might lead to something greater by the end of it), but a less difficult one. This way I don't have to think to myself "oh it can wait, I have a whole year to achieve it".
Hopefully this tactic can keep me motivated, who knows, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Image from: http://1hdwallpapers.com/new_year_2015_background_hq-wallpaper.html

Revlon Haul

Christmas is the time of the year when people are supposed to be generous, give to others and spend time with family. The next day is what I like to think of as the selfish Christmas, the day when you can treat yourself a little bit, Boxing day. Many retailers try to get rid of old stock in order to make room for something new. The city goes mad with shoppers as they all try to get special deals on many goods that would not usually be on discounted prices. I too like those many shoppers decided to see if bargains awaited for me. The cosmetics industry did not disappoint, and I am quite happy with some of the Revlon products I purchased. I own/ have owned some Revlon products such as lipsticks and face products. I do have mixed feelings for these, as I love some of them, however others not so much. This post will discuss none of that though. I will only focus on the items I purchased, and this includes lip glosses, lip stains, lipstick and a mascara.

First on the list are the Colorburst lip glosses. These came in a pack of four, so I couldn't really choose the colours from the entire range. I did buy them though because I loved some of the options.

This first Colorburst is in the colour Peony (008). Initially this was the one I liked best just by looking at the box it was in. It looks like a very peachy pink, very natural, and something I could wear on a day to day basis.

When I tried it on, the colour did not impress me as much as I thought it would. The reason for this is, it wasn't as pigmented as I wanted it to be. The gloss only enhanced the pink on my lips, and made them look quite shiny, it did not really make a major difference. I would recommend wearing this gloss over some lipstick or if you wish to achieve that no make-up make-up look. Sometimes I do like to line my lips and add gloss for more definition, Peony is a little bit translucent for this though.

This next shade is called Orchid (012). It is very similar to Peony, but a little bit more on the pink side rather than the red.

Wearing this one is also nice for an everyday natural look (at least for my pale skin tone). I prefer it more than Peony because it looks more pigmented and less translucent, which means I would be more likely to wear it on its own. Conveniently I can match it up with a suitable lipstick or with some lip liner. I tried to take the photos in the same light. I guess I failed a little bit in terms of image quality because Peony and Orchid look almost identical in the lip photos, but they are different on my lips.

My first impression of Adorned (060) was that it looked like a shade I wouldn't really wear. The colour is a very strong hot pink with a lot of blue or violet like sparkles. I thought that this was clashing and would not look that nice on lips.

When I tried it on I actually fell in love with it. It surpassed my expectations. This is not a colour that I would usually wear considering the brightness and intensity. Adorned proved me wrong, and changed my opinion. The consistency was rich and made my lips plump, which is what I like in a good lip gloss.

Lastly there is Embellished (056). This was my other favourite colour from when I first saw the box. I love deep warm, dark tones, and I thought that this one would not fail me.

Like Peony, Embellished was not very pigmented, and I did not like it as much as I thought I would. I would recommend applying this one in addition to a lipstick. This does depend on your natural lip colour though If you have a different tone to your lips than mine, or less pale skin than mine, then it might be good on it own.

Over all I am happy with these Colorbursts, but not ecstatic. I was hoping for some of them to be more pigmented than they were, nonetheless the application was smooth with all. The viscosity was quite nice and there was no undesirable scent.

The next set of products that will be outlined are the Colorstay moisture stains. I am so happy that I have finally got my hands on some of these.

What is also really exciting about them is that their names are after major cities around the globe. I shall start off with the lightest (of the ones I have), Barcelona Nights (015).

This stain promised to be exactly what I hoped it would be, fun looking, and vibrant but not too bright. I would most likely be wearing this one in summer, or for a semi-casual special occasion.

Going darker, and a little more red is the beautiful New York Scene (045). This is my favorite, it is something that I can imagine myself wearing in winter on an everyday basis, or for a red lip occasion.

It was slightly lighter when I tried it on, I do find that I have to layer a little bit, but the colour is worth it. All of my photos were taken in bright natural light, so this stain can appear darker in shadier places.

I was very excited to find out that there was a purple coloured one in the range. This one is called Parisian Passion (005). Like New York Scene, I can easily wear it during the colder times of the year or for evening occasions . It is also a great colour to pair with a dark lipstick or lip liner.

I did find that I had to layer this stain like New York Scene. What happens though, when you wear it, your lips get stained, so the more you layer the longer your lips will remain stained (or it can be harder to take the stain off). I wore these for a whole day, and they do stay. The sheen does fade, especially after meals, so I did have to reapply. What is also tricky with these stains is that they take quite a bit of effort to take off as I mentioned earlier. I layered New York Scene and Parisian Passion on my lips several times, so it was almost impossible for me to take off the stains. Overall I am very happy with all three of these products, probably my favorites from this haul. They made my lips feel so fresh and smooth (and remain in this way for a long while). They did have a slight fresh scent to them, and this for me, added to the freshness factor upon application.

I do own lipsticks from Revlon, however none from the Colorburst Lip Butter range. The reason for this is, I always thought that this range would be too shear and lack in pigmentation. There was a Christmas gift pack with a ColorBurst Lip Butter (that included nail polishes I wanted), so I got it. If it is something that I learned after this purchase is to never judge a book by its cover.

Not only did the lipstick look bright and pigmented, once I applied it, it looked so much better. The colour that came in my package was Sweet Tart (090).

When I first opened the lipstick I thought that the colour on my lips would be similar to Barcelona Nights or Adorned. To my surprise, the shade turned out to be a soft almost pastel pink. The consistency was also amazing, I got excellent coverage as well as good shine on my lips. I have not tried other colours from this range, but I think I will now because I am extremely happy with this product. The colour and consistency combination make it a great lipstick that can be dressed up or down, suitable for various occasions.

This next and final product is not a lip product. I thought I would review it anyway because it can be worn on its own in a simple look with most of the lip products mentioned. It is a Revlon mascara called Lash Potion  Volume + Length Mascara by Grow Luscious, in the colour Blackest Black Noir Intense (001). I have not owned any Revlon mascaras before, I'm a little too picky when it comes to mascaras, so I play it safe and experiment little. This mascara though came in the pack with the Colorburst Lip Butter. I was feeling curious and wanted to try something new, so I had another reason to get the pack.

When I first opened the bottle I was impressed by the brush, it was quite big and wide with many bristles. I know I am more likely to trust a mascara with a wider brush, because mascaras with thinner brushes have usually failed me. So far so good I thought, next up, it was time to try it on.

I applied one coat on my top lashes only. There are pros and cons to this mascara. What I love about the Lash Potion is that my lashes were clump free, they also extended a fair amount (possibly could have extended more if I applied more than just one coat). The volume I was not as happy with, I prefer really full lashes, and this mascara did not provide the volume that I had hoped for. I would suggest this mascara to be worn if you want to achieve a really natural look; there is a bit of volume, enough length and no clumps. My recommendation is to match the Lash potion with a lip product such as Orchid, or New York Scene for a casual look.

Overall I am pleased with these products, and would wear most of them on a regular basis.

Golden Shock Lipstick

Christmas is just around the corner and everyone is ready to celebrate, the city becomes decorated with round and dew drop shaped ornaments, and it is also the time of the year when businesses release limited edition Christmas products. Like most makeup brands, Dior has released the Golden Shock collection. One of the products in this range is the Diorific Golden Shock lipstick, it consists of two colours ( a matte and metallic ). I was in love when I first laid my eyes on it, the colours in the range were amazing and the idea of a two-tone lipstick was quite unique.

I decided to purchase the colour Daring Shock, and I have to say I am not disappointed.

In the first row of the image below are my lips with the bold matte colour. In the final row are my lips with nothing but the shear colour. The middle row however shows my lips with an ombre effect. The way I applied the colours was by first lining my lips with the matte side, followed by filling the inside of my lips with the metallic, and then finally adding more of the matte to blend the two colours and to create a smooth gradient. Initially I thought this lipstick had two tones for this purpose which is another reason why I bought it. I believe that the way you are actually supposed to apply it is by firstly using the matte followed by the metallic on top.

(I tried to get the best light possible, however this was a little bit tricky for me, but I did the best I could! sorry ):    )

Overall the application is extremely smooth, the colours are great for the Christmas season and the durability is satisfactory.

As I mentioned before, I fell in love, and I am not falling out of it for this lipstick.