More on clothes...

Let's talk some more about clothes... specially since you've been sending me so many questions lately...

We must be sincere on this: thinking of renovating our entire wardrobe each season is insane... or even worst... I think it's rather obscene, specially now that we are facing economic meltdown and unemployment everywhere. Around the world it is being said that the "Era of Luxury" is coming to an end and consumers are asking for quality and, above all, price.

Bearing all this in mind, I'd like to give you some advice on how to give shape to your wardrobe without having a panic attack every season: 

- When in doubt, go for a classic piece instead of something too trendy.

- Know to appreciate and recognize the differences of quality between fabrics (leather, cashmere, silk) and of tailoring, because this is what sums up to the final price. Handmade clothes are expensive. Read the labels to know what cares the garment requires. Do not buy those things you are not willing to care as they should.

- Remember that the final price of something is also given by the status and image of the brand. If you are not comfortable with this, shop on more generic stores. It's not worth complaining. It's the industry. H&M or Topshop are great examples of trendy stores (they even hire well-known designers to create exclusive lines) with excellent pricing. They can be found on many cities around the globe. I hope they would soon come to Argentina... Anyway, we have a lot of chic and cheap stores here too: find those which suit your budget best...

- Always buy the size appropriate to your body now. Do not buy a piece expecting to put down some weight to use it. It is not our body the one to fit into clothes... it's clothes what should fit into our body perfectly.

- Too-tight things are no longer trendy. Clothes that slightly follow our curves are the best to hide imperfections and they give freedom of movement and air of elegance.

- When necessary and if available, use the tailoring service of the boutique. If not provided, find one you can trust and modify all your clothes to your taste. Only we know what looks great on us. Me, for example, I like skirts and short dresses to be over my knees so I always modify the hems to that length... no matter if it's an Oscar de la Renta...

- When having to decide, it's better to buy one expensive good piece than 5 really cheap.

- Choose those fabrics that feel good on your skin and prefer cuts that enhance your body.

- When the season of sales arrive, do not buy things that don't go with your style or won't sum up to your wardrobe. No matter how cheap they can be. You'll end up not using it and you would have wasted your money!!!

I hope these tips help you feel good about the clothes you have in your wardrobe and buy rationally next time!

We and the clothes...

Let's talk about clothes...

Why deny it? Fashion is an important part of my life, I live by it every day. I read, follow and study the trends of every season from various maisons and I enjoy it very much. I do so not as a potential designer, but to understand them, adapt them to my style and advise others who seek my opinion.

I do not think of myself as shallow for it and I believe that there's a false misjudgment usually related to those of us who enjoy fashion. Let me say this straight: fashion trends reflect the historical moments faced by our societies, and to understand them correctly you must have some general knowledge. Since forever, fashion has absorbed and adapted details from diverse artistic or literary expressions (there are hundreds of examples of collaboration between designers, painters, musicians, architects...) and knowing about them, being a good reader and observer, allows us to understand the reasons behind everything we use daily and ultimately enjoy the whole process of dressing up. Of course, there are those who get dressed just not to hit the streets naked. I consider myself lucky because I'm able to choose what I wear everyday and I do so knowing that I am part of the last link in a long chain that involves the work of many and which intimately reflects the joys, fears and hopes of the World we live in.

That said, and no longer afraid of criticism, I won't deny that my house is a huge closet: I love clothes, shoes and bags. I am very meticulous and tidy. I register every new piece I buy on a journal where I write all of its details and the date I bought them. However, I do not consider myself a shop-aholic. I've been investing in my wardrobe for years. That's why I don't need to renovate it completely season after season. I've always preferred good-tailoring, high-quality pieces, even if they are simple basics, because they last longer. A good black Chanel suit is classic and everlasting. 

I'm a passionate advocate for rational shopping. I know perfectly well what I have in my closet and when about to buy something new, I think carefully how I'm going to use it and how it will mingle with the things I already have... I only buy what I need. As for dresses, I decide according to which and in how many events I'll be using it and how they'll work with the accessories I have at home. It is a myth that I don't repeat dresses: I just try to use them in different meetings, with different crowds. I even like using pieces from passed seasons, updating them with a modern touch. 

If possible, going shopping shouldn't be an improvised matter. Going shopping when depressed, unsure or willing to hide some other problem will end up pushing us to buy things we don't need or will never use. For an effective rational shopping, you must have time and the will to try every piece, knowing why you need it. Fashion trends are so different and there's so much to choose from, that it's very easy to make mistakes. There are thousands of marketing techniques in malls and stores to push us to the cashiers, as for example, no windows (so we don't see as time goes by), escalators on opposite sides of the mall (so we have to walk the entire floor to reach them), nice scents and "magic" mirrors that somehow make us look thinner. Everything is arranged for us to lose our heads and money! So it's important to stay in focus.

I'll be telling you more on how to give shape to your wardrobe... wait up!

Buon Compleanno Franco!!!

As an Italian living in Argentina for a long time now, I feel very proud of having met and being a close friend to Franco Macri, a true advocate of both my countries. Today he celebrates 80 glorious years. 

I've just returned from his birthday party, given by his family so he could celebrate with all his friends who, although different in age and origin, share the same love and respect towards him.

Franco arrived to Buenos Aires as many other immigrants alrmost 60 years ago. He first had construction companies and the rest, how he made his fortune and became one of the most important businessmen in Argentina, is publicly known. What many don't know for sure it's what behind his public persona, his father-to-five-children, women-lover character: his enormous generosity, sense of humor and solidarity to the needy. 

Looking as if he was 20 years less, tonight he celebrated a well-lived life, surrounded by his loved ones, many of who expressed their unconditional love towards him in a heartfelt video. He's ready to keep working, discovering new things, promoting connections with different cultures, such as the Chinese, which he recently discovered and is fascinated by it.

That might possible be the secret to his youthfulness: having always new projects and nice women to conquer.

Happy Birthday dear Franco!

Plastic surgeries: yes or no?

I've been meaning to write a post on this for some time now, mainly because you readers ask me constantly about my views on the matter, and then because it is of course rather a current issue... such so that the serious, intellectual and political French magazine "Le Point" dedicated its April 8th cover story (with 16-inside-pages) to the new plastic surgeries. 

As I spend an important part of the year in Argentina, which, next to USA and Brazil, is possibly the country where more interventions are registered, I do have clear ideas on the subject!

Personally I have nothing against plastic surgeries...  However I must confess that nowadays I tend to favor more-preventing-and-less-invasive techniques (laser, botox, LED, etc.), mainly because I've developed a growing panic towards operating rooms and anesthesia!! Yes, yes, I know... Today's anesthesia is not what it used to be, it's more local and less aggressive but still... In fact, because of my fear I've never been courageous enough to get my nose fixed (even when everyone was having nose jobs!) and I see a face -lifting as something very far from me now... 

But I do know a lot about surgeries, because I'm fascinated by them... I even loved watching Nip/Tuck's episodes... even those of Extreme Makeover... I guess that's where I got my fear to operating rooms...

Anyway, today plastic surgeries have become so accessible that our body is no longer a burden given to us by birth but something that can be modified, transformed and molded. The cult of Beauty has become a common ideology to human beings, as philosopher Isabelle Queval recognizes. 

I believe that used with moderation it is a great tool to lift your self-esteem and strengthen your personality... However, I repeat, my actual lifestyle philosophy seeks prevention (eating less and working-out more instead of liposuction) and changing our everyday habits: less sunbathing, no alcohol, no drugs, no cigarettes, more good-night sleeps... Of course, if your nose is too evident or you are uncomfortable with your bust size... why not?

There are great surgeons around the world, many of which are true artists and capable of producing miracles... I remember meeting Ivo Pitanguy, now 83, some time ago. He was one of the first and greatest surgeons, who did both cosmetic and repair surgeries, mainly to children severely burned. He has taught many of today's professionals. 

It's true also that many interventions have become so common that there's a website, SurgeonHouseCall.com, where if you send the picture of what you wish to modify, and after answering some key questions, in a matter of hours, you receive a bunch of budgets and professional contacts willing to take your case.

What can I say? It seems so easy and complicated at the same time... Each one knows what to do to feel better about oneself...

You can read the cover story of Le Point (in French) here.

Philippe Starck in Buenos Aires!

Although not for the first time, Philippe Starck is in Argentina...

I've just met him personally today, at the cocktail held to announce the launch of the new Yoo buildings at Nordelta, inspired and designed by Starck. Charming, funny and smart, dress in a fashion only permitted to artists and of course, with a lovely brunette by his side.

But who is Starck?

Philippe Starck was born in Paris on January 18th, 1949. He studied at Notre Dame de Santa-Cruz in Neuilly-sur-Seine and then at the Nissim de Camondo school in Paris. But he spent most of his childhood playing under his father's desk (an airplane designer), cutting, pasting and nailing stuff to bikes, motorcicles and other everyday objects. He liked doing and re-doing the world surrounding him.

Although he became Pierre Cardin's artistic director by the age of 20 and by the seventies he was already designing furniture and interior decoration, it was by the 1980s that he became internationally popular. In 1979 he founded his enterprise "Starck Products" and many Italian editors began to commission furniture pieces. The President of France asked him to redecorate some rooms at the Elysée Palace. He also decorated the traditional Café Costes, on Rue Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, and designed Paris' National Decorative Arts School and Bordeaux's Airport's Control Tower. Also in Paris, he decorated Jean-Paul Gaultier's boutique and two restaurants: Bon and Bon 2.

But, he also took his unique style outside of France, to the main cities of world. In New York he designed the Royalton and the Paramount, the first of his classics in hotel decor. Also the Hudson. In Hong Kong, he decorated the Peninsula Hotel, followed by the Delano Hotel en Miami, the Mondrian in Los Angeles, the Clift in San Francisco and the Faena in Buenos Aires. In London, apart from Gaultier's boutique, he also did the Sanderson hotel and the San Martin's Lane. He has many other works in the making in Australia, Turkey and Mexico. Museums around the world are happy to exhibit his art.

Brilliantly crazy and smart, he is a breathless artist, drawing out of necessity and pleasure, for himself and for others. For Philippe Starck, design is not only a tool for creating daily-life objects, it is above all an act of creation that mixes passions, desires, motivations, quests and our perception of our environment and world. In each of his designs he puts his heart, creating objects that are often good other than just pretty. 

Have you seen the juicer he did for Alessi?

In today's cocktail I heard him say that he loves Buenos Aires...

Men's Style...

This post is dedicated to all my male readers, who sometimes feel forgotten in so many posts for the girls and none for you, boys!

To begin with, I must say that my approach on the subject is very classical. Nothing looks more elegant on a man than a good tailored blue jacket, a grey trouser in winter or creamy one in summer and a light blue shirt. Maybe it's because I'm Italian and most men there dress like this, specially since it was established as fashion by the late Gianni Agnelli, Fiat's owner and Italy's most elegant man. His style was unique and the way he carried a grey suit, in a mixture of informality and class, was hard to imitate. In general, Italian and English men are among the best dressed on the entire Planet. 

Oh, and also Argentine Polo players, who dazzle women around the world!

Hence, here some tips...

- Dark colors, as blue and black, are great for the afternoon/night, while light grey and beige (specially in Summer) are best for day.

- A Tuxedo is THE most elegant piece to have. 

- Know this: it's easier to make mistakes with comfortable, every-day clothes. For example, caps or hats... Caps should be used only for what they were invented for: outdoor recreation and protection from sun. It's pointless to use them when in a restaurant and it looks horrible. Even worst if used backwards.

- Shorts must be a little over the knee, not shorter or longer. 

- Modern t-shirts with bold colors or prints look good only on young guys. It's best to invest in some Polo t-shirts in luminous colors, such as pink, turquoise or green. They help you look very youthful. 

Of course, the same rules of style for women apply to men: always step in front of the mirror and look at yourself carefully. The aim is to hide flaws!

I do not believe that a huge budget is necessary to be an elegant man. In fact I know a lot of people that with wit and a good eye know how to be very stylish (my friend Roberto, for example). It should be easier for men than it is for women, specially because male fashion changes less rapidly... if you go for classic pieces, your wardrobe could last a lifetime!

Best tailors for men? Caraceni in Milano, any of the ones on Savile Row in London and Cheverny in Buenos Aires.