Surprise 2!!

After the huge success of the draw of the Marni for H&M sunglasses, we've been working to get more prizes for our dear readers. And the very first who decided to participate, with amazing generosity, donating a prize, is my beloved Norma Palkoska, my all-time dermathologist. She's unique and has hands of gold.

So here goes...

The prize? A facial cleansing treatment, made by Norma and her daughter María José, a great assistant.

What you have to do? Post a comment with your name and e-mail address (nothing more!), so we can contact you. You have time till Friday April 6th inclusive.

How? On Saturday 7th we'll be announcing the winner, thanks to the services of random.org, which will pick up the winner (each comment will have a number according to the order of arrival). Unfortunately, this prize can not be shipped by mail, so those of you who know that won't be able to come to Capital Federal to take the facial, please do not participate this time. We will be organizing new draws with prizes that we will be able to ship. The winner will then have to combine with Norma when to take the treatment.

Good luck to you all!

BAAM's (hectic) Fashion week...

Although barely landed from Paris, I could not refuse to attend the many runway shows of the BAAM (Buenos Aires Alta Moda), which, for 20 years now, are held at the Sheraton Hotel with much success. Organized by Héctor Vidal Rivas, and his sons Manuela and Valentín, it gathers the best of local designers. And it's also like a never-ending party... You get to bump into actresses, models, former models, ladies from society... So many women! And they all seem to love each other a lot, because they kiss and hug so warmingly... But with women you never know, right?

I went to four of the many shows:

- Laurencio Adot's, who is a dear old friend of mine.

- Carolina Muller's, who I did not know but of whom I've heard great things.

- Menage à Trois, which is one of the best boutiques in BA and its owner, Amelia Saban, is an avid reader of our blog.

- And, last but not least, Calandra's. As you already know, I've known Teresa Calandra and Gabriela Flores Pirán, owners and designers, since forever.

I had a lot of fun. Let's get started.

Laurencio Adot is a very talented designer and this time he presented a line-up of dresses with a strong presence of color, but without forgetting the classic black. Style and elegance. A special note: all the models walked the runway wearing a black "bandeau" over their eyes, like a mask. I run into Laurencio yesterday and asked him the reason for this... He said it was so as not to see the tragedies of life... Interesting.

Carolina Muller presented a very nice collection, chic, with short skirts and touches of glam-rock. Marked waists. Lots of black, but also dark blue, which is gaining importance in night outfits. Some glitter also, but in correct amounts. 

Menage à Trois was able, as usual, to dazzle with sophisticated looks, with lots of leather (something we'll be seeing in Fall/Winter 2013), extremely-high boots and sequins. Amazing night dresses and fabulous jewelry. One of the best shows.

(Menage à Trois)

And finally, Calandra's, which, apart from its boutiques in Buenos Aires, the brand sells a lot in the rest of Argentina and nearby countries. They started selling sunglasses and then opened a pret-à-porter division. Teresa and Gabriela travel a lot to Europe and know what a working mom with a social life needs to look her best. Lots of jersey, easy-going pieces but with glamour and style.

(Calandra)

All in all, what I liked best were the hairdos (very trendy pony-tails), which looked very well-achieved.

What I liked less... the shoes. Unfortunately we are far from the Louboutins and the Blahniks...

(I want to thank María José Barcat for allowing me to use the picture she took of me for her blog.)

And the winner is Priscila!

Finally Priscila came today to pick up her Marni for H&M sunglasses.
I was thrilled to meet her and see her shinny smile.
We will continue organizing new draws!
Thank you so much for following us!

Fashion Weeks F/W 2012-2013 (Paris)

I'm a bit overdue with my chronicles of the 2012/2013 Fall-Winter shows, but I cannot leave Paris without writing something about this last stop in the Fashion caravan, that twice a year travels around the main cities of the world. 

Paris, as usual, excelled and dazzled. Personally, I felt identified only with Lanvin's collection, which looked luxurious, rich, feminine and even colorful (a risky detail in Winter, considering the tendency to wear always black and grey). A special note for Elie Top's jewelry, which always enhance, with a refined touch, any dress or outfit.

Although I'd never (well, never say never!) buy something by Givenchy, I must admit this season's designs were special, very horsewoman, lots of leather with some sparks of red. A good collection.

As I've already told you, I hated Chanel's show... To think that, ten years ago, I loved it! I still use dresses and suits from those years. I wasn't moved by Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton's collection, but the runway show was, by far, the BEST!! The train, the models dressed as in the 1910-20s, the "porteurs" carrying the luggage... Absolutely fabulous. Once again, dresses and coats over cropped pants, as seen in Prada's and Chanel's collection... Will I ever wear them like that? Not right now, but you never know...

I also liked some outfits by the new Maison Rabih Kayrouz, which had previously called my attention. Maxime Simoens for Leonard's show was also attractive.

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli have strengthen their style chez Valentino. They were able to construct a style of their own without forgetting the legendary Valentino... A huge achievement.

I was let down by Azzaro's collection, as Vanessa Seaward is no longer designing for the house (she was great). The new head designer is the young Mathilde Castello Branco... I went to the show and did not like it one bit. It felt very "dejà vu," quite sad.

Ok then, now a recess till September (with Haute Couture week in July)... Oh, no! I was forgetting BAAM shows in Buenos Aires next week...

Fashion and more fashion!!

And the winner is...

... Comment number 61, sent by Priscila, whose e-mail address begins with pri444...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Priscila, Carla (my producer) will be sending you a message so we can arrange to give you the prize. 

To all the rest, thank you so much for participating!

We will be organizing new giveaways soon!

Attention!

Tomorrow is the last day to participate in the giveaway. At 0:00 hrs of Saturday 17th we'll announce the winner!
Good luck to you all!

Thank you so much...

... to all my readers who left me messages and comments because of my birthday!
It was one of the most original in my life: I spent the day replying to everyone...
I absolutely loved it.
Thank you once again...

Surprise!

As many of our readers were not able to go to the sale of Marni's collection for H&M, I want to organise a giveaway...

The prize? A pair of Marni sunglasses from H&M's exclusive collection.

What you have to do? Very simple. Just leave a comment with your name and e-mail address so we can contact you.

You have time till Friday 16th inclusive. The following day we'll announce the winner in a post in this blog.

(We'll be using the services of www.random.org to withdraw the winner. Each comment will be assigned a number according to the order of arrival...)

And when I return to Buenos Aires, I'll be taking the prize to you with me (shopping bag and all).

(Worry not, we'll find ways to send the prize to those living outside of Buenos Aires!).

Good luck!!

Marni for H&M

I couldn't help myself and, although I'm not a Marni person, I went back to my "combat" outfit (sweatpants, jacket and ear-muffs) and, together with the Russian wife of a Belgium cousin, we hit the megastore at Ave. Champs-Elysées.

As she had never been to one of these, I was the main chief of the operation. To my great surprise, the people waiting in line were three times more than when Versace's collection was launched, or even Lanvin's... Inexplicable. Marni is a well-known brand, but not extremely popular...

As the sun shone and we had plenty to talk about, we easily endured the one-hour wait. 

When we finally got inside, it was was total madness... Little was left of the accessories (Marni's strong point) and many women raced from one corner to the other like hunters. As I consider myself the "best" of hunters, I grabbed a bag and started with our rounds... We ended up catching most of what we desired. However, we have 30 days to return the pieces we don't want and receive our money back.

Back home, I did a selection and I'll be returning quite some things (Marni's looks are not my style) and giving other pieces as gifts. For me, I kept just two or three things (please, allow me not to tell you which right now...).

Anyway, as usual, a great work of marketing: each piece is of great quality and according prices. Shopping bags and packaging: colorful and fantastic. 

Who will be the next designer to be invited by Margaretha van der Bosch (H&M's head)?

Who konws?

YSL Automne/Hiver 2012-2013 show (Part II).

I chose to attend this show for many reasons... First, because of the time (7:30 pm), which was very convenient so as not to have to alter my daily activities. And of course then, because I love YSL and know the owners of the brand...

What I did not contemplate was the return of the bad weather and how far away was the magnificent Galerie de Minéralogie et de Géologie, where the show was to take place.

Anyway, I faced the cold and the rain (even my invitation got soaked), and got there.

It was worth it.

The whole place was stupendous and the mise en scène amazing. But, above all, it was announced as Stefano Pilati's last collection for YSL, because he will officially leave the Maison after 7 years... Many special guests (not all of them exclusives, for they were seen at other shows): Katy Perry (blue hair and all), Alicia Keys (who I love but at first could not recognize because she's a bit chubbier), actress Rosario Dawson, Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Salma Hayek (wife to the owner) and, of course, Anna Wintour, André Léon Talley, Grace Coddington and all the top fashion editors of the whole world.

The show started with a half-hour-delay (an act of rebelliousness by Pilati, maybe?) and a total line-up of 39 looks were presented by 39 models, all with absolutely tight chignons by Guido Palau and shinny blood-red lips by Pat McGrath. I found myself asking how I would feel if I had to walk the runway looking like that... pretty uncomfortable, I guess. But then again, these girls are more professional than myself...

The collection showed lots of leather, black, pants and some chain mail dresses I really liked. Over all, a very interesting proposal, with touches of true YSL (I must say many designers nowadays shamelessly copy him all the time).

Who will be Pilati's heir? Hedi Slimane, as some say?

We'll see...

YSL Automne/Hiver 2012-2013 show...

Returning home under the rain... I'll keep you posted soon!

Fashion Weeks F/W 2012-2013 (Milano)

Until now, the best shows I've seen...

Starting with Prada's, who, as usual, presented very original and innovative ideas. Lots of black, mid-calf pants with tunics on top, amazing embroidered coats and shoes with platforms. Also some outfits with 70s-style prints, in purple and orange. Make-up by Pat McGrath, so Blade Runner. Definitely, a very creative collection.

I also liked Versace's. In the 90s, I was a huge fan of Gianni Versace and I cherish with outmost care the pieces I have from him. I was even invited to have lunch at his (beautiful) New York's house. He was a very talented man. With his death, the brand faced an understandable downfall. However now, 15 years later, it seems as if his sister Donatella has found the path and her collections are once again amazing. Black velvet for day, short dresses (above the knees), touches of yellow and orange and, for the night, long chain mail dresses.

Among my favorites, also Peter Dundas for Pucci. Then again, lots of black, revealing transparencies and some pants. I believe Dundas to be an excellent designer and he does live up to the name of Emilio Pucci.

On the other hand, I was appalled by Roberto Cavalli's collection, although I generally like what he does. Too many animal-print-fabrics, too many things going on, one on top of the other, very overelaborated.

And finally, I must confess that I absolutely loved Frida Giannini's collection for Gucci. As time goes by, I like them more.

So chic, so femme fatale! Black, olive green, bordeaux, velvets... All of the very best to dress up a woman sure of herself, a bit "matadora," but amazingly seductress.

After all these displays of creativity, let's wait to see how the French try to catch up with the Italians...