5 Lightweight Jackets for Spring/Summer

Spring is a traitor. It teases you day after day with really warm summery weather. Now confident that winter is definitely behind you, you peel off your layers and you wear a dress without stockings, you put all your fur things in a box under your bed. You think to yourself “life is great.” Until that morning when you didn’t bother to check the weather app, and walked out of your apartment in a camisole – only to find everyone else is wearing a trench coat and scarves.

Don’t be caught in a bind! Here are a few jackets to keep the last waves of winter and the chilly summer nights at bay.

Seen everywhere on the runway, the safari jacket is a key item this season. Cop this Uniqlo U version in a sturdy bonded cotton material.

Western is also a strong trend mainly set by Raf Simons at Calvin Klein. It is a good excuse to look back at this gorgeous suede cape with fringes by Hedi Slimane for Saint Laurent. Trop chic!

This is your denim jacket who grew up and discovered it liked the finer things in life. Roomy, boxy, and sturdy, this Carl Jan Cruz jacket is what denim dreams are made of.

 

A satin shirt-jacket in a dreamy midnight blue color by Lemaire. Perfect for cool summer date nights. The strong tailored shoulder and cinched waist will highlight your silhouette.

Stripes, beads, and cowrie shells. It can’t get more summery than this Loewe long line jacket. It would go well paired with regular blue jeans and even a swimsuit.

 

Styling Cues from Lana Del Rey

 

Hedonistic, explicitly political, and a bit witchy. Lana del Rey is one of the strongest voices of our era, evocative of what the millenial generation values as well as what ails them. She has made anthems about sniffing cocaine in Florida, waiting for one’s daddy, and romanticising domestic violence. Always laced with an undertone of sadness but also, especially with her latest album Lust for Life, a solid will to continue living and a flirtatious frolicking with new-age religion.

While not exactly celebrated as a Best Dressed star, here are a few styling tips from Lana del Rey.

1. Playful footwear

 

It’s good to invest in classics for designer shoe purchases, but a statement, one-of-a-kind piece is also a good option. These snakeskin slingbacks with crystal-studded strawberries from Gucci can be the cherry on top of a dressy outfit or a playful accessory to elevate a shirt-and-jeans look.

2. Cape Moment

An idea: what if we swap our trench coats with a dramatic wool cape to cover up in Spring?

 

3. Red Chuck Taylors with denim

Casual American Chic. Three words I never thought I would put together.

4. Blue Jeans, White Shirt

Just as she prescribed in her song Blue Jeans. A classic, of course, but take it to fashion girl territory by getting this white pleated Issey Miyake top tucked into a slightly flared, raw-hemmed Marques Almeida jeans.

4. The Bigger the Hoop

Wear hoop earrings the Lana Lolita way: big and low on the ear with a skinny red headband, hyperreal skin makeup but with spidery lashes.

5. Striped Straw Hat

Possible collaboration between Jacquemus and Saint James? Pourquoi pas!

NICKI MINAJ TO STAR IN H&M’S HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN 2017

The Swedish fast-fashion label’s new holiday campaign is ready to star Nicki Minaj this season. In it we can see the queen rapper wearing the latest clothing & accessories from H&M’s fall collection.

“I have a special collaboration coming out with H&M this fall and so they are dressing me for the night and they nailed it,” Minaj stated.

The holiday campaign with H&M comes with no surprise as the rapper made an announcement at this year’s Met Gala that she had a special collaboration with H&M. She was also spotted with a glamorous cascade black and red dress from the label that grabbed attention of many.

Nicki Minaj Instagram Post

Minaj posted the photo from the campaign on Instagram, with a caption, “All new @hm Holiday Campaign shot in Scotland. Stay tuned.”

The holiday film focuses on the little girl tracking down the evil brother of Santa Claus in order to save the holidays. Nicki Minaj basically plays both the roles of the mother of the little girl and a fairy named Wisest Thingy. She is also joined by Jesse William as the father and the supernatural fairy.You can also spot John Turturro staring as a double as Santa and his evil brother.

Pernilla-Wohlfahrt

Pernilla Wahlfaehrt, head and creative director at H&M said: “It’s exciting to see our festive designs come to life together with such inspirational talents (…) They definitely added some extra magic to the film and we hope that our customers will love how the fashion is presented throughout the holiday season at H&M.”

The collection displayed in the campaign will be available in stores and online at hm.com during the Holiday campaign period, which starts November 9.

Make sure to watch the teaser below:

 

The full version of the holiday film will go live on hm.com November 28, helmed by directed Johan Renck.

Enjoy the most exciting Holiday season!

TOP 5 FASHIONABLE AND AFFORDABLE WEBSITES

If you love to keep your wardrobe updated with stylish and trendy clothes, your budget and your taste definitely have battled many times. If you are into new trends and frequent buying, you’ve some new finds from Zara and H&M in your collection. And if you are online purchaser then you’ve undoubtedly gone through Boohoo, Missguided, or ModCloth at least once.
This summer, refresh your style with special and unique pieces from these best online stores. They don’t only save your bucks but also save you from bumping into your outfit twin. Check out these affordable stores and get ready to welcome your soon-to-be favorite pieces.

1. TOBI
If you want designer outfit and basics at the same time, Tobi is what you need. The website is stocked with all the wardrobe essentials for any event. The best thing is it offers free shipping to many countries including France with no order limitation and you’ll get 50% off on your first order. Isn’t it an amazing offer?

2. LULUS
There is always some offer going on on this page. Right now there is the discount on some beautiful pieces from 20% to 70%. While checking the accessories section, don’t forget to go through tech and novelty. From embroidered phone case to copper metal straws, you want to own everything on this website!

3. STYLENANDA
Stylenanda has something different to offer. On the famous Korean fashion site, you can find fashion staples on Nanda Made, cosmetics on 3CE and their athleisure collection on KKXX section. If you love quirky fashion, this is a right online store for you. The special edition is must-check when you are on this website.

4. POPPOLY
Free Shipping! Free Shipping! Free Shipping! Yes, they ship free worldwide and offers 30 days return warranty. You will find amazing fashion at the great price on the Poppoly. Summer prints are all over the website right now. Read the reviews before ordering any products for the better purchase experience.

5. PRETTYLITTLETHING
Another online fashion store with makeup products is a go-to site for affordable fashion. PLT Ranges section is packed with something for everyone; PLT Sport for athletes, PLT Premium for party animals, PLT Shape for every body type, PLT petite for short heights and PLT Slogans Style for the real Pretty Little Thing fans.

By Princika Baniya

 

Summer Packing List

The temperature is warming up, your skin is starting to tan (or burn in my case), the sweat begins to appear and the ice creams begin to melt. All elements that tell us the summer season is upon us. What does this mean? SUMMER VACATION. Packing to go away can be stressful, especially if left to the last minute. We always want to pack everything and end up needing nothing. Below I have listed the perfect packing list that won’t push your suitcase over the annoying weight limit.

Sun Protection

Camila Kaftan €520, Aesop €33, Eugenia Kim €473

Swimsuits

 Marysia €380, H&M €40, Fella Swim 195 AUD

Sun Dress 

Reformation $178, Mango €19.99, Realisation Par $180

Accessories 

Seafolly $99, Zimmermann $260, Zara €39.95

Sunglasses 

Miu Miu €290, Forever 21 €7, Quay €30

Hope this packing list helps you 🙂 ENJOY YOUR VACATION

Izzy x

What to Save Space for in Your Suitcase: Japan Edition

Summer is upon us. The time of sun, fun and travels! I’ve just come back from a quick trip to Japan and wanted to buy every souvenir from every little wooden shop. Alas, I hadn’t the suitcase space. If you’re heading to Japan this summer, here is what to save space for in your suitcase.

Kokeshi Dolls

Perfect for decorating. Get yourself a kimono-clad Kokeshi doll as a memory of your trip to Japan. These little wooden dolls won’t take up too much suitcase space and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They can even double up as a useful storage item. Some of these are built with little holes in their head so that they can be used as toothpick holders.

Yukata (Summer Kimono)

Unlike a winter kimono, a yukata is built for summer. It’s usually found in cotton and is unlined making it the perfect robe to lounge about in on those hot, sticky summer days. Pick one up while you’re in Japan and make a unique fashion statement in your breezy, new garment.

Sake Set

If you’re into grabbing a glass of wine every now and then, a sake set might be a fun souvenir to have. Sake is a Japanese rice wine and can be had hot or cold from little cups resembling shot glasses. Sake sets are usually quite delicate with gorgeous designs, so they also work as beautiful pieces for your home.

 

 

If you’re travelling somewhere closer this summer, check out our guide on how to pack for a Moroccan getaway here.

Happy travels xx

Prema Chablani

Pictures from: japantrends.com, kokeshishop.com, kickstarter.com, domodaruma.com

5 Independent Online Stores to Shop In!

Fancy shopping online? I can imagine the feeling of adding that “always in my wishlist” dress into your shopping cart. Shopping online can train you to know your body features and measurements (or your wallet content). It’s a great alternative from going to the stores, queueing in front of the fitting rooms, and patiently lining up to pay.

Now,  it’s time for us to check out some of these independent stores offering stylish ready-to-wear pieces! With advanced e-commerce technology and great shipping services, you can get your dream wardrobe from all over the world!

1. The Frankie Shop

The Frankie Shop

Setting mid-tier standards with luxury in mind, The Frankie Shop offers more than just clothes for your daily activities. Debuted in New York, the brand is now affiliated with the RLB store in Paris. Frankie Shop’s style is described as minimalist with a twist for every occasion. They aim to offer something timeless without robbing the customers’ bank accounts. Another cool feature? You can find many international designers as well here.

      2. Matériel Tbilisi

 

Matériel Tbilisi by Aleksandre Akhalkatsishvili

Remember our post about emerging fashion capitals? Tblisi has Matériel, a local pride of the country’s creatives. As an extension of the offline store, the online section has various brand options with different positioning. This multi-brand e-commerce ships worldwide and will cater your fashion needs in just a few clicks! Many of the designers participated in prestigious fashion events, such as Mercedez Benz Fashion Week Tbilisi.

    3. House of Sunny

 

House of Sunny

 

A fashion house based in London, House of Sunny is made for women who like practicality and simplicity. Accommodating the needs of affordable clothing that defies trends and time, the brand now has 50 stockists around the world. Pretty impressive for an independent brand! Now it focuses on communicating with the customers through their social media (Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter).

 4. NIKICIO

 

NIKICIO White Label X Sixteen Denim Scale

 

Nikicio is an Indonesian local pride made by Nina Nikicio, way back in 2007. An ode to modern lifestyle, the brand shares its passion for women empowerment and local roots. Portraying the image of a bold, independent lady has always been NIKICIO’s forte. The brand has now expanded into two markets, White Label and Black Label. Each of these carries special market segmentation targeted for customers of the different age range.

5. Loéil

 

Loéil

 

Loéil shows that you can be expressive without being too flashy. This notion is shown through their muted and earthy color palette, abstract silhouette and reasonable pricing. The Los Angeles-based brand is getting more and more innovative in designing their collection since 2015. Another reason to love Loéil? Their initiatives in creating sustainable relationship with suppliers and workers!

The rise of the online shopping competition forces offering customers endless options in buying clothes. This forces new brands to be creative and unique, and I think these 5 brands have succeeded.

What’s your favorite online brand? Let us know!

 

Written by Florencia Owen Irena

Pictures via House of Sunny, The Frankie Shop, NIKICIO, Loéil, Matériel Tbilisi

Top 5 Jewellery Designers For Your Spring/Summer Wardrobe

As the summer season approaches and we loose our winter layers, we begin to add layers in a different way, Jewellery. Below I have included my top 5 jewellery designers that you should add to your spring/summer wardrobe.

MISSOMA

Famous for their on trend super fine jewellery style, this British based company creates the perfect piece for every occasion. The jewellery is all incredibly fun and playful, it combines precious stones with either silver or gold vermeil which adds a touch of sophistication. I like how their jewellery is designed to be worn alone but also together, perfect for layering. This mix and match option allows all customers to embrace and create their own unique style.

 

SARAH AND SEBASTIAN 

This brand is designed and hand made in Sydney, Australia and is a combination of modern and classic. The pieces are all created from reclaimed gold and silver. Many of their designs also include ethically sourced precious stones, including my favourite, Sapphire.

 

KAREN WALKER 

For this New Zealand designer, jewellery is just one element of the extensive product portfolio, but for me, it is a favourite. There are pieces to suit all needs, whether you like something flashy, something simple, something chunky or something fine. The price is also a huge asset in this range, as you can purchase a diamond ring for $33,000 or for $79. The options are endless. This collection really suits everyone, I would be surprised if you couldn’t find something you liked here.

 

LOQUET LONDON 

Another British based design team, taking the jewellery scene by storm. This company is one of my favourite, particularly because of the amount of personalisation their brand offers, no product is ever the same. Customers either in store or online are able to create their own personalised lockets, whether it is on a ring, a necklace or a bracelet, there are so many things to choose. Bear in mind, the more you add the higher the price goes so be careful and don’t go too crazy on the charms.

 

ADORNMONDE 

This brand is all about exclusivity, they create limited edition jewellery collections, which are released in no particular order or time line. Their main focus is on costume jewellery, providing fashionable on trend items at affordable prices. Even though they are classed as costume jewellery, they do not skimp on quality. The jewellery contains Swarovski stones and stirling silver is used for the base.

 

Happy shopping 🙂

 

Written by Isabelle Schoo x

Pictures via Missoma, Sarah and Sebastian, Karen Walker, Loquet London, and Adornmonde

What H&M Group Will Bring This Year

Arket, the Swedish word for “Sheet of Paper”, is the newest venture of the world’s retail leader, H&M Group. Based in Södermalm, Stockholm, this newly anticipated brand offers the timeless, Nordic identity through their designs and has become the talk of the industry since late March. If we can “judge” by looking at the brand identity (which hasn’t much to say at the moment), the brand will not be as trendy and as fashion forward as its previous successors, but merely representing the group’s Scandinavian roots and atmosphere, very different from the young and universal brands like H&M and Monki.

Ulrika Bernhardtz, the appointed creative director stated that menswear, womenswear, children and home wear knick-knacks will be the main specialties of the brand that will open its first shop in Regent Street, London. Arket’s managing director Lars Axelsson also explained the story behind the brand: it was built not only by people that work in fashion industry, but also by team members from different backgrounds like architecture, literature and food industry to make the brand very versatile, long lasting and functional. Thus the Swedish characteristics are embodied through these merging visions.

Arket’s opening in London this late summer, will be followed with an online store launch made available in 18 European countries, and more offline stores opening in Munich, Brussels and Copenhagen. Prices are claimed to be slightly higher than H&M, ranging from €39- €115, which is logical if they aim for higher quality and timeless persona. After all the brand’s objectives are all about timelessness, quality and warmth, as Bernhardtz added.

What’s the most interesting is that some of the offline stores will feature classical Nordic cuisine in their “cafés” where people can rest from their shopping sessions. For me it’s something fresh to look forward to from a group that always offers the most timely and fashionable clothes.

 

Written by Florencia Owen Irena

Pictures via BoF, H&M Group

A New Store Review: Opening Of WEEKDAY in Paris!

What a weekend! Swedish brand, WEEKDAY, opened their first store in Paris this past Friday and it was awesome!

I first heard about the store opening through a Facebook event that had been swimming around through the inter-web. When I read their description, I immediately got excited when I saw that they were giving away free jeans to the first 100 people who enter the store. Since my closet has been lacking in the new clothing department, I knew that I 100% wanted to check out their store opening! Plus, their apparel looked cool on their website.

I got there an hour beforehand (crossed my fingers that I’d still be one of the first 100 people)

As I waited in line with a friend (and classmate), the WEEKDAY staff were oh so kind enough to give everyone their FREE JEANS voucher along with a drink to keep us from getting grumpy. This was cool because it reassured me that I would, indeed, get my free pair of jeans.

Side note: That drink tasted like the unwanted child of Coca Cola and Root beer… So basically Dr. Pepper :p

At exactly midday, the doors opened up and the line started to move. When my friend and I walked into the store, we were greeted by a wall of staff members with iPhones, all documenting the glorious event on social media. I felt like a rockstar!

We followed the rest of the crowd downstairs where my immediate reaction was, WHOA!

It was like preparing for battle down there. People were scrambling and pushing each other to make sure they got their correct size. The line for the fitting room was the worst. In fact, it was so bad, my friend and I didn’t even bother trying on our jeans because one of the staff members told us we were able to exchange them on a later date.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

After picking our jeans, we decided to go back upstairs to see what the rest of the store had to offer and I was pleasantly surprised. The store decor was nothing too special, but the store planning had a nice flow to it. It led customers to the back of the store where there was also another fitting room (that hardly anyone knew about) and another backroom which I dared not go into, due to the huge line. It was then that we knew we should skedaddle.

On the way to the cash register, my ADD for clothes shopping went into hyper-over drive and I felt like I wanted to buy everything in the store! Keeping in mind that my bank account probably wouldn’t be thrilled with so many purchases, I held back my urges.

Once I arrived at the cash register, this girl in awesome electric blue hair rang me up. By giving her my voucher, I officially got my free pair of blue jeans! Yippie! I also bought a 40€ black jean skirt which ended up only costing me 32€ because blue haired woman is a goddess and gave me a discount. ON TOP OF THAT, she included a 50% off coupon on a pair of jeans for the next time I come into the store in the month of May PLUS a free cool tote bag!

WINNING!!

Overall, the store opening was exciting and also a bit overwhelming… but mostly exciting! WEEKDAY, well done on your excellent marketing and congratulations on your new store opening!

If you would like to check out the new store in Paris, you can find them at this address:

121 Rue Vieille du Temple

Paris FRANCE 75003

By Ehryl O’Rourke

All images taken by Ehryl O’Rourke