"EVERYBODY NEEDS A PLACE TO THINK"

Good afternoon everyone!

I hope you've been doing great, I've been pretty busy myself but I won't complaint at all, so far 2015 it´s been amazing! ^^ Today I finally found the time to prepare a new post, with some pictures that the amazing Oihane Molinero took few weeks ago (before London was hit by this amazing warm weather!). Once more I would like to thank her for taking the time to participate in this little project. 

The pictures where taken on a lovely Monday afternoon like today, after we had shared a cupcake and some gossips. We were walking by the river side when we found this lovely wooden bench to sit on and it gave us the idea to use something very quotidian as a background. The outfit it's more formal than what you are used to see me wearing but I think the coat it's so cool that brings a more "laid back" side to the result. The hairstyle is a very easy going bun. The skirt and the heels (that I'm in loooove with and are so comfortable that you almost can't believe it!) are from Zara and bring sophisticated pinch to the outfit.  

"Everybody needs a place to think", true enough, and if you also have a good friend and a comfy coat you can sit there think and enjoy the view of the river Thames for hours! I hope you liked it (:

Kisses,

Clara

LONDON JEWLERY DESIGNERS

Hello gorgeous!

Let's talk about jewelry. Well, let me start again, let's talk about jewelry designers! I would like to dedicate this post to all the young designers, brilliant and talented, whom are fighting and trying to find their place in this overcrowded industry that is fashion ( after all we are all in the same boat, isn't it?). Today's post is meant to inspire and delight us. I've been doing some research and I collected images of some creations of jewelry designers based in London. You won't find diamonds or lots of gold (I'm not a fan of either of them) but the creativity, passion and artistic sense are guaranteed! I think some of this pieces are amazing and I would totally use them in any of my fashion editorials.

Which is you favourite?

Kisses!

Clara

CHECKED CASUAL

 Good evening sunshines!

I'm actually writing this post laying in my bed because I'm sick :( But on the bright side I finally found time to update my blog! Today's outfit is an urban style, very casual. This kind of outfits are always brilliant because it doesn't matter if you have a job interview, a meeting or just another evening in the pub with some friends: you can wear them and look smart, trendy and most important... natural! I'll never get tired of mentioning that last point because I'm sick and tired of seeing fashion bloggers and "it" girls showing us (the mortal kind) stunning looks with not even a pinch of pragmatic sense. Life is made of instants, yeah (we all like the pictures were we look beautiful and cool), but a day has 24 hours and I rather prefer spending them being who I actually am.

This post is the perfect example. As you may have noticed the pictures were taken with a phone, my gorgeous (and single ;) ) friend Giorgio and I were spending the day together around Dalston and found this amazing spot. I truly love street art, in my opinion when the painter is talented graffiti is one more piece of art and I adore them.

My outfit, as I said, was very simple: high waist black jeans, checked super comfy sweater (with zippers on the sides which I soooo love), flat black boots and crossbody black bag. Oh! And of course my cat eye glasses that definitely make the whole look more interesting (:

I hope you like it!

Clara

RED & DOTS

Hey ya!

How are you doing guys? I bring you a new outfit that I'm sure you'll love, once more my lovely Oihane was behind the camera. We met in central London, to be more specific in Southbank because we were heading to the BFI and once more London gave us an amazing location. We pass by that vibrating wooden wall immediately stop to shoot there. The red seemed the perfect match with my b&w outfit where I was combining dots on the shorts and blazer with a baroque pattern in the sweater. I was feeling like an authentic londoner with that outfit and 100% me! I'm so in love with that shoes that I bought on Asos, comfy and cute perfect to walk around and so is the backpack. Two perfect complements full of personality and again... comfortable! I hope you like the result.

Kiss-kiss!

Clara

URBAN OPULENCE

Hello cuties!

Today I bring you a fashion editorial were I collaborated as a fashion stylist assistant few months ago in London. It was a hard work , doing this job it's not always easy specially when you are running up and down all around this huge city picking up all the clothes and accessories. Plus it had a lot of handcraft work for the preparation. But at the end, all the efforts have been worth when you see the result. Rossella Vanon is a skilled and amazing fashion photographer. The job she did in this editorial blow my mind away!

The pictures were published in PAUSE Magazine, being one of them the cover of the issue.

I hope you like it! Here the link of the publication, enjoy what's left of this lovely sunday! (;

Nighty  night!
Clara

Photography and retouching - Rossella Vanon
Styling - Marina de Magalhaes
Hair - Noriko Takayama using Bumble & Bumble
Make-up - Lara Himpelmann using M.A.C
Model - Joshua at AMCK Models
Photography Assistance - Phoebe Cheong
Styling Assistance -  Clara Li, Gina Trias and Camilla Sverdrup-Thygeson

 Hair Assistance - Sho

CAROUSEL

Good evening everyone!

How are you guys doing? I've been very busy lately and I haven't been able to publish as often as I would have wanted but it's all for a good reason... I've been promoted! Which is a very cool thing but obviously makes me be much more busy than before (not that I was Miss. Freetime). However, I'm very happy and motivated :) 

Today I found time to bring you a new post. Once more the pictures were taken by Oihane Molinero a talented London based photographer friend of mine. We met for a a drink in central London, I was going to a farwell party later on that evening so I was wearing a "night-out" outfit. While we walked looking for a new cool place (we always enjoy to improvise, trying places where we never been before) we saw a carousel and decided that the universe had put it in our way so we could use it for a shooting. Seriously guys... You can not imagine how many fun we had! There was a moment when I was laughing so hard that I almost felt from the horse! Anyway, I must admit it's one of my favourites outfits so far and I love the pictures Oihane took. Easy and comfortable, just a black playsuit and a gorgeous embroided jacket (which I personally adore by it's originality, simplicity and beauty) a pair of high heels and my favourite necklace (a key that I found on the street when I had been living in London for only two months and I called the-key-to-success, yes, I believe in signs ;) ).

 I hope you enjoy this pictures as much as we enjoyed taking them,

Kisses from London!

Clara

OPIUM

 

Good morning guys!

I guess you are all very excited since today it's Friday and we have the so-waited weekend in front of us. Today I'm sharing with you a fashion editorial that I published some time ago in Blanc Magazine. That issue had an Asian theme so as you can imagine lots of the fashion editorials featured Asian looking models. We wanted to be different and decided to inspire ourselves by the Indian and Arabic stories of sultans and concubines, beautiful dancers and youth treasures kept in harems.

For that occasion all the clothes we used were designed and hand crafted by myself, which I really enjoyed. It's truly fulfilling to imagine a thing in your head and being able to bring it to live. Those skills that I learn with my fashion degree are, I think, the most precious ones to me. I had the pleasure of working again with Anneke Necro in this photo shoot. She is an alternative model from Barcelona who is very dear to me for every time I work with her I can see on the result how she totally understands the concept and makes hers my clothes. The pictures where published under the name Opium and were very popular among the viewers.

Have a lovely weekend !

Kisses,

Clara

 

"Le Bondage" CROP TOP

Hello guys!

This is an old post that I've been working on for a couple of months. Honestly I enjoyed it. I've been collecting images related with this inspirational post to bring something as attractive, interesting and...sensual as the garment I'm talking about. By now, we all got use to crop tops, this short t-shirts, this wink to the 90's that flooded our catwalk and streets. But some of them were meant to bring controversy. I don't know why but usually these are the kind of things I enjoy the most. Once more, fashion nourished from one of our society taboos: Sex, or what's more forbidden fetishism. It's just beautiful how easily fashion can twist the rules! This last season bondage inspiration crop tops have been a valued acquisition for many of us, am I right? ;) I wore one in my post Oriental Velvet. But the side that I loved the most about this trend coming back are all the amazing fashion editorials and pictures that appeared with it. The velt-vest, the corsets, all the random creations inspirited in fantasies… Honestly, It's just beautiful to enjoy all this elaborated complements, made by not so famous artists fellows designers who may not always fit with the commercial standards.

And more, do you remember the song?

"Everybody's looking for something.
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused…"

I hope you'll enjoy the pics, 

Good night!

Clara

The MARK Magazine, Brazil

Hi PALS!

Are you having a nice and deserved sunday? I am! It's so nice having finally some free time for myself, I'll probably spend it working on my laptop, I wanted to go out for a walk if it stops raining… fingers cross! 

This is a post I had ready to go for the last three months and today finally sees the light!

As some of you might remember, I was assisting a London stylist as an extra job few months ago, here you have the pictures of the first shoot I took part on. It was for The Mark Magazine from Barzil. The shoot took inspiration on the concept "heroin chic" but then evolved with the team style. Here is the result! I personally love the jacket of the first picture and the one below the text, what an amazing expressing garment full of color! I hope u guys like the result.

Kisses!

Xx

Clara

BLUE

Hello!

Good morning guys! It's Friday! I couldn't be happier cause I'm flying home in less than one week ^^

Today I'm sharing with you another casual outfit, one very cozy and comfortable, made up by Topshop garments. I showed you the trousers on the post  RUDE, as you can see I tried to create to different feelings with the same trousers. On this one, I add a blue sweater creating a monochrome outfit. The result was very 80's and sweet, so I decided to brake it a little and old biker boots (I love old and use garments and complements… to more destroyed they are the more authentic they look to me). The belt is vintage, another treasure from a second hand store from Dalston, don't worry, one day I'll made a post only about that subject.

I hope you guys like the result as much as I did: simple but elegant and 100% myself. I also love the scenario of this pictures, you can see behind me the Hotel Saint Pancras of London, which has a amazing and gorgeous building. All the pictures made by Oihane Molinero.

Have and amazing weekend,

Cheers!

Clara

"CLUB TO CATWALK, LONDON FASHION IN THE 80s"

Hello again!

One of the worst things of me not posting during the last two month is all the things I miss to share here. One of them, and it really make me mad with myself, is the exhibitions post of Club to Catwalk, which finished last week. Even though you won't be able to see it anymore I think it's worth to share my thoughts about it, the subject might interest you and you can do some research if you'd like, or perhaps you saw it and want to share your opinion with me (which I would sincerely enjoy!).

The exhibition was a the V&A Museum, I went the with my boyfriend who also enjoyed the exhibitions, almost as much as I did. Unfortunately for all of us pictures were not allowed, so I can only explain what I saw and felt. As soon as we got in, all kind of tunes from 80's hit us. It was playing "sweet dreams" from Marilyn Manson. The exhibition had to floors on the lower one we found window displays with mannequins showing some of the creations of the main designers of the decade: Chrissie Walsh, Willy Brown, Paul Smith, Joe Casely Hayford (who worked with the The Clash, band that I personally admire in many aspects), Georgina Von Etzdorf, Timney Fowler,  Scott Crolla, Helen Storey (whom dresses wore Madonna and Cher), Milliner Stephen Jones, Margaret Howell, Betty Jackson, Jasper Conran, Katherine Hamnet and among them John Galliano and Vivienne Westwood.

Magazines such as i-D, Blitz and The Face featured models drawn from the streets and the club, who redifined the ideals of beauty. Magazines were at the heart of the new concept of styling that was more about an attitude than creating a fashionable look. Customizing was one of the keys of the periode, garments like denim and ma-1 flying jackets bexame popular and people start costumizing them turning and uniform into autentic individual and unique outfit. It was an era of unadulterated creativity. The voluminos shape of the 80 disapeared and was replaced with a new figure of hugging look. The trend was driven by advances in the textile technology which allowedalmost any material to have strechabke fibres woven on it.

What we saw on those windows and the catwalk and performance videos projected on the walls was creativity on top. Everything was allowed, all was meant to explore. And no garment was similar to another. A Galliano's quote that I read there resumes perfectly what this decade and the people where about: "On friday everybody at school (Central Saint Martins) was busy finishing the outfit for the night". 
Clubs,  became a place to show yourself: everybody was trying to be different, to be seen, to go further than the others on their way to build their singular personality. The New Romantic style began at the Blitz Club where Steve Strange doors policy assured only the most creatives get entrance. New romantic wardrobe was defined by its individualism the fashions were nostalgic and theatrical.

The hard times look with ripped t-shirts, torn jeans and marlon brando inspired leather jackets: though, masculine and sexy. The antitesy of the new romantic. 

Another style of the period was glam fetish: malcom mclaren and vivienne westwood introduced fetish and bondage wear to the club and the scene.

Goth look emerged from a combination of punk, fetish and the 80s obsesion with dressing up.  sensibility and dramaric style black taffeta, lace and leather were combined with deathly make up dyed black backcombed hair and macabre references to the occult.

For us, some of this designs might look like costumes now a days, but I can guarantee you some others are master pieces, challenging patterns and gorgeous drapeaus, daring colors and prints that created an era defined by self identity.

Have a lovely day,

Clara

PRADA s/s 2014

Hi guys!

I've been whiling to do this post since I saw, few days ago, the video of Prada's spring/summer 2014 women's advertising campaign. 

We saw their new collection on latest Milan fashion week in a show that left us all breathless and became one of the strongest performance in this mfw. Let me make my point, I'm an always-black person, I just love it and for me to fall in love with a colorful garments it's never easy. This collection took over me: It was REBEL. There was an artistic element influencing everything, starting with the murals that were the background of the show: all kind of visions of womanhood, bringing the graffiti street art to the scenario and the clothes as well. The color block of the collection couldn't be more provocative and smart. This collection and it's woman were calling feminism and it couldn't hit me louder.

The video is another brilliant creation: A black background, great choice of sound, beautiful models with different characteristics, and the clothes... I just love it.  I think is smart and funny the way they played foolish the models in some of the scenes, this is just my opinion but I think is something the public enjoys. 

This campaign reach us, and makes us want more. I played the video five times trying to watch the all the girls, their reactions, their acting, their performance... And after viewing it so many times I conclude the result it's brilliant, fresh and inspiring.

Kisses from London,

Clara

SUNGLASSES

 Good morning babes!

It's been a long time since I made any inspirational post... So here you are: New week, new inspirations! As many of you will probably do too, I spend lots of time picking images on internet, it's something that I enjoy doing and I'm constantly stocking them to be used as inspiration, idea, concept... for a future fashion editorial. Everything can help and everything counts! Lately, maybe because I was looking for sunglasses for myself, I found many interesting images related with sunglasses. I wanted to share them with you, and I know what you might be thinking "Clara, but it's almost December!" I know... But, So what!? Sunglasses are a brilliant complement that makes richer every outfit and there's no need to remark that we not use them only in summer (; As I was saying, I'm decided to get a new ones for myself and I'm almost decided to go for a round shaped ones in the style of the first picture after the text, what do you think about it? Of course it's all related to our face shape, but in my case it is quite long, so round glasses help me to bring balance.

Anyway, here you have the pictures, I'm sure you will fall in love many of the glasses as I did, enjoy and have a lovely day!

Kisses from London!

Xx Clara

90'S - VELVET CRUSH!

 Hey ya!

Life is wonderful, isn't it!? Today I'm in a good mood and I would like to share it with you through this post, with an outfit full of energy and good vibes (; As we talk one month ago here, one of the trends of this season are the velvet garments, we are seeing it everywhere (especially now that christmas are already here). But I wanted to show you that velvet doesn't mean long sleeved dress and classy winter style, velvet can be exotic, sensual, retro or rock! As always, it's all about how we combine the garments and how we feel, attitude is what counts at the end.

For this outfit I chose a burgundy velvet crop top, jeans and a jacket with biker design inspiration. The mix reminded me of the 90's style so I decided to made an "all in!" with the hair style! I loved the result,  stylish but naughty, best combination if you ask me! I hope you guys like it too!

Kisses from London,

Clara xX

Pictures by Oihane Molinero

"EASY GOING!"

Hello folks! 

I'm sorry about my lasts two weeks, I'm not posting as much as I would honestly like but it's for a good reason! I started working assisting a professional stylist and at the same time I still working in the Royal Academy of Arts in London with a part time to pay my rent, (gosh! Living in London is *ucking expensive!) So it's more difficult for me finding the proper time to do some nice outfits shooting. I would like to keep this blog updated at least three or four times a week, but I rather prefer doing quality post than taking some crapy pictures just to upload every day. 

Today I show you some pictures that my photographer friend Nico Ortiz took few weeks ago. He just arrived to London and we met for a coffee in Putney, he enjoys taking portraits so he just shoot me the way I am, with the clothes I was wearing that day: jeans, soft sweater (from New Looks winter collection) and Adidas snickers. Perfect look to walk around London, simple, warm, comfortable... and totally me! I hope you like it, have a lovely day... Ah! And if you like lemon cakes... Try the one on Costa ;)

Kisses from London!

xX Clara

COSMO GIRL!

Good morning!

As the readers already know one of my passions are fashion editorials, that was the reason why I choose to study fashion design, to express and created concepts through fashion artistic side. 

Today I would like to share with you a fashion beauty editorial realized by the photographer Martin Sweers.  The first time I saw it I felt in love with the whole idea: the make, the clothes, the colors, the accessories, the attitude of the models ... I'm sure you'll agree it's beyond original! Those are the kind of shootings I love! The ones which express something, the ones that hit you, that make you react! 

What do you think about it? 

Make-up Ingrid van Hemert | Styling Iris Esther Woering| Models Puck @ Tjarda MM Sanne @ Micha Models

- BLOGLOVIN-

check it out !

V&A TEXTILS AND FASHION COLLECTION

 

Hello sugar pies! 

I had the idea of doing some posts from time to time about exhibitions going on in London related to Fashion. I thought since this blog talks about London and about fashion some of you might be interested on it. I'm just giving my humble opinion, so please don't be offended if I don't like something that you loved or I love something that you hated, at the end of the day this is a free world!  ;) 

Let's move on! I would like to start the first post about exhibitions talking about a regular one of the Victoria and Albert Museum. I saw it two months ago and I really enjoyed it, you can find it on the first floor of the museum (the museum holds many different exhibitions, some of them only for a short time) it's worthy to see it. I specially enjoyed the fashion collection: it spands five centuries. From 16th to some Vivienne Westood designs. I love costume clothes, so this exposition made my day! Male, female and even kids clothes mainly European (predominately English and French). You'll find stunning garments with all kind of details: folds, pleats, embroidery, ruffles, authentic art pieces of attire! The collection also includes a wide range of accessories that will left you speechless.
And don't forget about the textiles exhibition part: textiles from Predynastic Egypt to the present day. Almost all textile techniques are represented in their collections, including woven, printed and embroidered textiles, lace, tapestries and carpets. And if you still not tired, my suggestion would be to go to the asian exposition: you would find there some gorgeous kimonos sample and stunning  handmade katanas.

So, if you are around London go to South Kensington (underground Picadilly or District Line), and enjoy this exhibition for free ;) and let me know your thoughts about it!

xX Clara

CASUAL CHIC!

Morning! 

I'm sure you are having a lovely week, I just feel in the mood to share with you this outfit, which I found appropriated for the weather we are staring to deal with here. Last week I met with my sweet Oihane. We went to the British Library, such a stunning place! And had some coffee and chatting there, jeje. It was a Saturday evening and weather (sunny in the morning) was quite cold. I took advantage of the situation and wore (for the first time!) my new coat from Primarks new collection which as some of you might remember I'm in love... I was wearing my topshop black jeans, from their MOTO collection, high waist all shcool, they keep every outfit rocking! And two old freinds, my stripes t-shirt and my favorite leather cap (don't alarm! it's not real leather). I love this cap, really it's so... me! The result was a casual outfit, nothing complicated but really cute in my opinion, a half mix of grunge and "je suis trés chic!" Nothing like mixing styles, isn't it?

All the pictures made by Oihane Molinero.

xX Clara

"GENTLEMEN LADY"

 Hi sunshines!

Here you have a new inspirational post about a trend that's coming stepping hard! I'm talking about the suit garments, the adaptation of male clothes for our wardrobes. I LOVE IT! Noble materials like wool and cottons, serious colors combined with pale ones and check prints above it. I'm a big fan of this trend, actually I'm a big fan of garments inspired on male clothes, because even they are not tight, or obviously sexy for me there's nothing more attractive than confidence and that's something we should wear everyday ;)

Have a nice tuesday!!

KIMONO JACKET

Another sunny Sunday in London! ^^ Life is wonderful!

Todays post is about a garment that I personally find stunning: This PJ Kimono Jacket. I found it in Topshop, and it was a crush! It remined me the past Louis Vuitton collection, mostly made by pijamas and night-time dresses, full of silk, gorgeous prints and jacquards. The rule saying all this garments were only meant to wear on our bedrooms is now broken. We saw the fashion pioneers wearing some samples of this clothes on the lasts fashion weeks and with todays pictures I join them!

I combined this dark blue kimono with a lovely green back crossed dress, simple, nice and comfortable! Have a lovely day folks! Kisses from London!

Xx Clara