Hunger Fixes: Vogue x Hermès Kelly

You might think I'm insinuating confusion for attaching the word "hunger" to the title. But no, I'm in fact speaking in terms of my current appetite for high-end staples. Today's fashion plate is serving one of Vogue's previous issues and THE HERMES KELLY. More on the Hermès Kelly. 

But first, insert here my apologies for coming from a cyber-hiatus. When I'm not fixing my blog or running errands, I'm scouring for things I would not hesitate to invest 'in the bones'. On my latest shopping haul is this 30cm calf leather pink Hermès Kelly bag. I know, I know! This five-figure must-have was sold to me at a veeerry good price. Though it wasn't as cheap as you may think. 

It came to me as a pre-owned item. But who cares if it's secondhand, right? An Hermès bag is still an Hermès bag. It was the one and only bag in store which nobody really cared to notice, thankfully. 

Front view

Rear view

It wasn't the bag the shoppers have recognized immediately as compared to, maybe if it was, the Birkin. I blame it to Birkin-wearing celebs and to Sex and the City (for airing a whole episode of trying to get a Birkin in not that I know when). All these 'public' actions have made the Birkin more popular than the Kelly. Although there is nothing quite significant to be said about their difference-- in price, functionality, and utter perfection. So that once I saw the "Hermès, Paris Made in France" blind stamp, my heart skipped a beat. The next thing in my mind was whether it was fake or not. 

Side view

I was reassured, nonchalantly but beyond doubt, with Google as one of the juries. The heavy not-cheap-looking leather, straight and clean stitches, high- quality hardware and carefully embellished blind stamps spelled the hailing word A-U-T-H-E-N-T-I-C in my face. 

I'm aware of the imitation bags which are already made to look like the original, it's hard to determine, nowadays. I'm afraid of committing a rookie mistake of having the best (and real one) left put; my first time with Hermès. For those in the know, with the following photos as my witness, you also be the judge. 

We know that H. bags are sauntered by A- list fashionistas that it becomes the 'symbol of wealth'. It's not that I want to blend in but having to carry it in the future (on special occasions only, mind you) would perhaps afford me an extra special attention, or not. To be asked to try on a Clive Christian is an overstatement. 

Anyone who can tell me if this K 2 A code in my bag means anything?

This bag is crazy like that, it took me days before sharing it publicly. I thought I'd eschew being asked where I'd get it. I've never written anything brag-a-bag post before besides plain style- infused articles and instagram photos. I just thought I'd be Hermès-less all my life, hence the euphoria. 

Inside my Kelly

I may be overly sentimental but owning one feels like experiencing 'Paris when it sizzles'. I owe so much of my appreciation for great style and great fashion icons, like Grace Kelly (to whom the Kelly bag was named after), to one equally great fashion history. 

Shop Hermès here.

Luxe Parties' Great Gatsby Inspired Party

If I am to love an old trend-- a really, really distant old trend-- I would go for the 1920s. A spread of high luxury fashion and style as best exemplified in Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. 

This Jazz age renaissance seethes as far as design and event planning. And it works wonders how throwing themed parties are come-at-able by nicks of event services-- a certain kind of Martha Stewart in a handy. 

One of these days you can visit Luxe Parties (Quezon City, Philippines 6529 l Contact: +63918 985 1203) or like them on Facebook to see and put in for the party you have long since hoped. 

They concoct deluxe party set up like the one they did for one of their clients in Restaurant La Girolle. Aureate tableware, vintage scripts, pearls and classic heirloom pieces glut the whole place. I should know that one great way to set this perfect mood is to avail their services now. And that's not me being biased for loving the Gatsby. Let the photos (courtesy of Luxe Parties) do the talking. Check the full album of this party here.

They know for certain what would make for an all- out authentic Gatsby themed party. It's no 1920's without adding sophisticated touches of pearls and vintage cars likewise the etsy- fied table cards and feathers.

The table settings are at the same time escalated.

With a flapper dress, a chomp of oyster Rockefeller, a champagne flute on hand and you're good to  go--  the rest you can leave up to them.

I know I am booking them some time sooner!

                                                        

Image Credits:

Luxe Parties

Currently On Trend: Fashion Bloggers in Birkenstocks & Slip- ons

When slip-ons first boomed the catwalk for 2013 spring collection, it was considered a universally walloping fashion mistake. The ugly shoes as most put it. Those thick buckled straps and cork footbed, like the birkenstocks, widely remind us of a walk in the wet market, if at all, or of the days we're at home and would simply hoof it. 

Aside from having that mannish oomph look, there are only two obvious reasons to love these slip-ons-- that is for simplicity and comfort. With its rather normal, 'nothing fancy' impression, I see that the biggest challenge now is how to pull it off without needing for elaborate dresses of some sorts. We say that a true blood fashionista knows how to rock the basics. Tweet about that!

Lately, fashion bloggers' been keeping the trend in right proportions. A faithful revival of old fashion pieces were paired with it. The secret was to actually keep it minimal as opposed to counterpointing it with slinky accessories and detailed outfits-- so it becomes a fashion statement.

But if critics were to be had, as all around they are, another good key is to have a fresh pedicure-- a metallic or neutral color at that.

Camille Charrière of Camille Over The Rainbow | Bryanboy of bryanboy.com | Rowan Reiding of Red Reiding Hood | from Too Fashion 4 U | Kaitlyn Modern of Mordern Legacy |

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Fashion Trends from the London Fashion Week S/S 2014

Fashion weeks are preview of what you're going to see in the high streets for the year ahead. New trends, new brands, new stores and the street style unveil which bloggers and trendsetters should watch out for. 

The recent London Fashion Week Spring/ Summer 2014 that took place in the Somerset House was a poignant success. September 13 to 17 was the week for A- list dressers and front row head honchos from over 50 countries; all with the privilege to bask in such a high profile event. 

The British Fashion Council opened its first store. It vended selected pieces from eight designers- Sophia Webster, Bella Freud, Zoe Jordan, Markus Lupfer, Prism, House of Holland, Dominic Jones and Lulu & Co. 

It's easy to get swooned over trends with all these insightful fashion names parading in the runway. But the most interesting part is always taking the style on the street level. 

Often fashion is equated with congruence. You pair skirts with pumps or wedges, and shorts with floppies and slip-ons. But the LFW is a switchover to that. It is where fashion doesn't need to match but go together. It's an eclectic blend of bold and classic prints and geometrical cuts, and an elaborate dare to be womanish and rugged at the same time. I think that if relationships can be fashion, it should be like the SS14. The boy goes with the girl, and so the other way.

Here's a snatch of photos from the LFW ramp, captured by Catwalking.com, of how designers matched androgynous basics with classic feminine pieces.

You can hop on over to London Fashion Week to see the designers' full collection. Follow London Fashion Week on Twitter.

Outfit

Oversize jumpers and A-line skirts ranked top in the collection-- from Antipodium, Christopher Kane, Burberry Prorsum, Fashion East, Holly Fulton and Orla Kiely.

Click to view photos

 

Domineering angular fashion also made its appearance in David Koma, Antonio Berardi, Erdem, Jean-Pierre Braganza, JW Anderson and Preen by Thornton Bregazzi collections while Peter Pilotto experimented it with the 90's crop trend combined. Zoe Jordan muted the measurements by pairing geometric skirt with a preppy printed top. 
   

The oversize trend absolutely took its own life in the catwalk. It morphed between trend and season in the form of maxi boyfriend coats which showed up in different styles. Antonio Berardi sported it with a posh mix of dress. Eudon Choi attempted a good reinterpretation of the look with an asymmetrical dress and the 'socks in sandals' trend. Jonathan Saunders set the template for a sporty look using varsity colors and textures into the jacket and paired it with silk shorts and skirt. Markus Lupfer drowned the trend in prints while Mary Katrantzou and Mulberry went all covered up.   Roksanda Ilincic moved the masculine side to a higher scale by pairing her collections with brogan shoes and a bit of summery neon colors. And Thomas Tait played up pastel colors. They created a perfect fusion of details, color and balance to pull it off.
 
The 'thigh high split trend' also made a good come back. Daks, David Koma, Jean-Pierre Braganza, and Ostwald Helgason gave it justice. Erdem on the other hand pivoted with an 'overlap skirt' style which is rather more seductive. House of Holland added a little touch of floral, a 'shirt wrapped around waist' trend and a snapback cap-- some sort of 'pops of tomboy' you can swear by the atmosphere of the 90s. 
 
Cropped tops and 'shirtwaisters' both came worth investing in. Antipodium used aboveboard cropped tartan jacket paired with floral trousers; as for Bora Aksu, Fashion East, Mark Fast, Peter Pilotto, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, Richard Nicoll, Mary Katrantzou and Sister by Sibling who did a good and classic twist by using plain colors and patterns. 
Jean-Pierre Braganza and Osman went for shirtwaist style-- the 90s tucked in trend-- paired with pants while Holly Fulton, Ostwald Helgason and Roksanda Ilincic paired it with mod full length and calf length skirt. 
   

Luxurious clouque' fabrics, floral designs, and elaborate graphic prints made a statement. This print trend dissected art and summer glow collectively.

Eudon Choi, Fashion East, GILES, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Makus Lupfer, Ostwald Helgason and Tata-Naka collections were very well appliqued. Holly Fulton and House of Holland flaunted baroque embellishments while Sister by Sibling and Sophia Webster donned girlish sweatshirts over neutral underclothes. 

     

Fierce grunge look also fell in with a touch of sexy. Fyodor Golan's see through organza skirt paired with a monogram jumper was a pure excellence. Holly Fulton bragged some flesh in her cut out dress collection alongside Marios Schwab who designed a classic punk ensemble. Haizhen Wang, Orla Kiely, Paul Smith, Todd Lynn and Zoe Jordan picked comfy shorts and open coat style. KTZ pushed a metallic grunge-- a rhapsody of modern avante-garde. 

   
Shoes and Bags
Cutting edge bags and shoes were never absent of course. Manolo Blahnik designed a double dose of on trend style-- 'all eyes shoes' and slide sandals while open ankle shoes forefront Pringle of Scotland collection. Anya Hindmarch's neutral snake print and double clutch collection was also perfect to fancy.
 

It's no surprise that a combination of man and woman style will go all out in the months to come.




Photo Credits: Catwalking.com