My dear readers,
I’ll post here one of the articles I wrote for the December issue of Mustique magazine, which arrived to newsstands today… Hope you enjoy it!
After spending a long 2011 summer in Europe, with all the 2012 trends till fresh on my mind and the looks of the last runway shows, I am ready to organize my luggage for my summer vacations down south.
I’ll put on my list a mixture of the clothes I used and loved in July and August, plus the new hits that are beginning to appear on Paris and New York boutiques, which I will happily incorporate to my wardrobe. And, of course, one or two timeless classics that I know I’ll use, come what may…
1. A denim short. I have at least three or four. From my first Kosiuko, of 8 or 9 years ago, to my new “destroyed” Abercrombie & Fitch, which looks the oldest…
How to use them? Of course, with a white or black bikini, a white tank top (better if printed with the American flag) or a tartan shirt, in summery colors, such as turquoise or fuchsia, very informal. To look more chic, an impeccable white shirt. As shoes, I’ll wear them with my Louboutin’s cork platforms, but a pair of golden Havaianas will work just fine.
When? Always, from dusk till dawn, to go to the beach or to go out at night, with a sequined or embroidered top. Unique requirement: perfect legs…
2. A white blazer. It first appeared on Stefano Pilati’s Fall/Winter 2011-2012 Collection for YSL. In that case, paired with white trousers, à mode de smoking.
Other designers, such as Roberto Cavalli, presented it the following season over summery printed dresses, carried over the shoulders.
How to use it? I loved the contrast between the tailored jacket and the light dress. It also works wonderfully with a short and a black top.
When? Always, as if it were a denim jacket. Something new to update your looks for summer nights.
3. A green dress. Because green is the color of hope; because it looks great on slightly tanned skin; because it catches everyone’s attention and because it represents nature after so much urbanization throughout the year.
When? Preferably at night, in total look. Mine is from Intermix, but many designers, such as Ermanno Scervino, Tomas Maier for Bottega Veneta, Moschino or Kenzo, presented them in all the possible green hues… from olive to pistaccio. My favorite is emerald, of course.
4. Two identical bracelets. Or Poignets, as the French call them. Since last year I’ve observed how the use of two thick rigid bracelets, be them golden or metallic, decorated with stones or plain, was becoming a popular and chic trend. I bought two golden ones with huge stones, two green ones from Pucci and two silver ones at a fair in Ibiza.
How to use them? They look great on every piece and lift the simplest of outfits. A black classic dress changes completely when accessorized with them. Of course, when using twin bracelets is better to forget about using earrings, necklaces or rings. They must be the vedette piece of the ensemble. Better with pure colors than prints.
5. Technicolor dresses. I want to avoid black this season. A bit of joy and color. Hurray then to yellow, in total look, to match the sun, in all its hues: from duck to lemon to saffron. Lanvin, Versace, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Vionnet chose yellow in their 2012 Summer Collections. But also fuchsia pink, which looks great on everyone. Or turquoise, the color of the Caribbean sea. Or coral, as my Lanvin dress, to illuminate party nights. All this colors work better in total look, with the exception of a pair of black, beige or golden shoes.
6. Prints. We’ve been incorporating prints to our wardrobe for a long time now. At first, I was not very convinced… I was afraid they wouldn’t favor the silhouette. But I’ve come to realize I was mistaken.
How to use them? The key lies in choosing a sober print, maybe geometric, and pair it with the proper accessories. Do not overload the look and distract from the original aim. Nude shoes, a clutch, little jewelry. My Roberto Cavalli, white with pink, black and green designs, is one of my favorites. For Summer 2012 I’ve already set my mind for a Pucci gipsy top. But I’ve also seen nice things from Prada and Marni.
I would however avoid leopard… too copied. Better to go for zebra. Very chic looks from Giambattista Valli.
7. A black leather jacket, with studs. Or without them. Or biker. You can no longer not have a leather jacket. Old, used, borrowed from your boyfriend or brother. It goes with everything and it’s the symbol of the freedom of the holidays. The more you wear it, the better it ages. I have one from Balmain, with studs on the back and on one arm. To make it more luminous, the designer masterfully added some crystals in between the studs.
To use with the denim shorts, a black dress… or with everything!
8. A hat. It’s the best anti-age possible. Better than botox or liftings. It protects us from the sun, our enemy/friend, and I can no longer spend my summers without them. I like the broad ones, made of straw, raffia or fabric. The best, and hardest to find, are those by Annabel Ingall, an Australian designer. They are unbreakable, you can fold them and place them on the bottom of your luggage, that they will return to shape easily.
But any hat will do. The thing is to wear them from morning till dawn. They protect our face from harmful rays, but also accessorize our look and gives us glamour.
9. Shorts and tops to work out. They use little space in your luggage but give meaning to vacactions: sports and the time to practice them. I carry many quite old, because I love to exhaust them. I like the idea of using them as much as possible… It means I’ve really done my workout.
10. My Oscar de la Renta folk dress. It has gone with me to every vacation in the past 7 years. I’m not afraid to use it hundreds of times. I love the way it looks, its embroideries, the fall of its fabric. It represents summer to me. Every time I wear it I’m happy…
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