"ROARING 20'S NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY" IN LUZERN.

The "Roaring 20's" themed party thrown at the Grand Hotel National in Luzern, Switzerland was the most incredible way to end 2017 in style, not only for those like me who are obsessed with 1920's glamour, style and sparkling festivities. The end of the year is a perfect opportunity to celebrate all things Gatsby-style, grabbing a glass of champagne, in a dazzling visual atmosphere, where gold and cristal chandeliers and candelabras, large pastel-colour feather accents in centrepieces and floral arrangements, strings of pearls / crystals hung from the ceiling and on the back of chairs, as well as an accompaniment of jazz music from a band to dance the night out.

The dress code was formal and looking back to this decadent age, so lots of women guests, chose to wear delicately beaded dresses with soft silhouettes and elegant drop-waists, in an elegant inspiration to the wonderful fashion of the age, adding to a truly dazzling general mood. Personally, I chose black chiffon and velvet adorned with a vintage set made of glittering bracelet + dangling earrings for a dramatic effect. 

Everything was perfect in the inspiring setting of the Grand Hotel National, surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the idyllic lakeside and surrounding Alps in the clear moonlit evening. 

And when waking up, on the 1st January, the sunny breathtaking view of the mountain panorama from my bedroom was the proof that I wasn't dreaming but another day was beginning full of expectations that were not disappointed until 8 p.m., when a firework show was organised on the lake, accompanied by an apéritif with music and followed by a romantic dinner and walk through the historic city centre shimmering with holiday fairy lights.

PARTY DRESSES FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE.

Got a party dress you want to wear New Years Eve? Probably not… And few evenings call for dressing up more than New Year's Eve.
Sequin Dresses are defiantly the way to get glammed and bring in the New Year just fashionably right. I know you know that sequins have been on the hot trend list for quite some time now and I have already talked about them in a previous post, but seriously we just can’t seem to get over them. More high-end designers such as Fendi, Saint Laurent, Tom Ford, Louis Vuitton, Rachel Zoe and more are getting comfortable embellishing their latest collections with more and more sequins, so shimmering inspiration is flaring to new heights with more creative looks. 
Sequins are the perfect party girl look. Don’t be intimated adding a bit of shine to your New Year’s Eve dress. Some advice… Sequins come in all shapes, sizes, and colours… 
Check out what I mean below, and see some tips for pulling off the perfect sequin dress, either elegant and long for a gala party or short and fresh for a more effortless glamour. My only piece of advice is strike a subtly alluring chord trying a festive but stylish outfit, to have heads turned for the right reason...

Happy New Year, dear readers, and... stay chic!

SHIMMERING HOLIDAY DRESSING STYLE.

With the flurry of holiday invites comes the inevitable "I have nothing to wear" conundrum. Instead of going all in on a new outfit for every event on the calendar, consider incorporating a few choice pieces in rich fabrics like silk, velvet, lace and metallic with hardworking pieces you already have in your closet, (as skinny black pants, a midi skirt). 
Here follow my suggestions about how to choose some festive picks without breaking the bank, but feeling always adequate and something more, even at the most formal events:

1) There's something about the holiday season that makes us want to dress like a disco ball, and sequins serve as our preferred method for doing so. I suggest you to go about it in good taste, of course, meaning it is better to opt for clean lines and classic silhouettes. Going beyond gold and silver is also important: choose glimmering black for subtlety, or colourful sparkle for a bolder moment. And, if you go the vibrant route, be sure to keep your accessories streamlined.

2) If not a head-to-toe look type, tempering a sparkly top with denim is also a good choice, especially for younger ones. What's cooler than a one-shoulder-silhouette with either low-waist jeans or a mini-skirt and a killer party-shoe or suede above-the-knee boots. 

3) A simple mohair/cashmere sweater or silk shirt tucked into glittering high-waist trousers or matched to a shimmering skirt is likewise achingly chic. Of course the best pared-back accessories for this showier look are a satin/velvet pouch and simple sandals or shoes. 

3) Another very trendy option this year is a velvet or flower-print long dress, matched with suede ankle boots and a velvet small cross-body bag, a favourite of front-row attenders. 

                          
4) For lovers of a more classic style, go for velvet and chiffon or lace: a timeless chic sheath dress, or a midi skirt either flared or ruffled plus top will make you feel like a princess.

After having discovered my favourite eye-catching pieces to wear for the party circuit to come, I will wish you happy holidays and shine bright in style!

AN AFTERNOON IN MILAN WITH LOUIS VUITTON.

During last weekend I spent a whole afternoon of shopping in Milan, which is always a rewarding experience, since the "Quadrilatero della moda" offers such a vast choice of high-quality brands! I have always loved this city, with its international and soberly elegant urban mood and appreciated a relaxing, light-hearted stroll through the centre during the mid-season months with its atmosphere full of expectations and the smell of roasted chestnuts from the stalls under the arcade in Corso Vittorio Emanuele, as well as its cafés inviting visitors to a pleasant break.

As always, I stopped at La Rinascente. In this iconic mall they have created a multi-brand department on the mezzanine, where all internationally famous bags' brands are represented with a dedicated corner, so that you can have a look at the most trendy models of each, when you have no time to visit all the flagship stores. 

And in spite of the fact that it is always crowded with tourists, the reception is very warm and welcoming. At Louis Vuitton I was offered a glass of sparkling wine from two obliging sales-assistants, while examining some models of bags and inquiring of their availability, while at Céline, I discovered that my previously purchased Céline Mini Luggage Tote is still a most coveted model, especially by Japanese young women, a small group of which was fussing around, trying all combinations of colours; in the department store I found also a vast selection of shades of puffball charms to be matched with my Céline bag, so I chose one in the same coral shade of the cashmere poncho bought in Geneva, which provides a nice contrast with the deep black smooth leather of the bag and is so Halloween-themed! 

MY CHANEL GRAND SHOPPING TOTE.

Today I am going to talk you about my Chanel Grand Shopping Tote, or better known as the GST.

This bag, which is a favourite among celebrities in either the fashion world or among Hollywood stars, is very representative of the Chanel brand and considered one of the evergreen classic bags in fashion, since it reflects Chanel's timeless style perfectly.

As you can see, it is an elegant and versatile tote, ideal for everyday use, especially when you need to choose a look that should be adequate from morning to evening.

This stylish shopping bag is crafted of diamond-quilted caviar leather and features leather-threaded polished golden/silver chain link shoulder straps with leather shoulder pads. 

Its distinctive exterior details are a prominent quilted Chanel CC logo on the front and a flat pocket on the rear.

I chose my Chanel GST in classic black leather with golden hardware, but also the beige model is very popular and chic, especially in spring/summer.

Since I have a soft spot for stylish accessories and I like adding a personal touch to my bags, I decided to hang a bag charm to one of the chain link strap rings, so I chose a very cute black and white Karlito, made of fine raccoon fur and inspired by the iconic image of the Chanel's stylist, which 

I bought online from Hauteacorn via Etsy .

The bag is open at the top and has a partitioned black fabric interior. There is a central zippered section, which I find very useful to store my I-Phone, as well as patch pockets, where I keep the keys and some other decorative and useful items such as a Chanel N.5 Eau de Toilette spray and a Chanel lipstick. There is also a further interior small zippered pocket for documents, while the two largest open compartments can easily store an I-Pad Mini, a small make-up pouch, and my Golden Agenda MM size.

This GST is a medium size and it measures: 13" length x 9.25" height x 5" depth x 9" strap drop.

So, either if you are a fashion blogger and need to have everything spot-on and impeccably branded, or a glamorous business woman, you will find this bag very practical to carry all you need for a long day out of the house for both work and your free time...

FALL TRENDS FROM PARIS INSPIRING MY FALL 2017/2018 WARDROBE.

The official beginning of fall, last week, was also the starting date for wearing the so-called transitional pieces everybody has in the wardrobe.

Actually, there are very good news about fall 2017 trends. In fact, rather than the old-fashioned system of one trend being out while another one is coming in, designers have exceeded the boundaries of what can be considered "in". So, many trends have been in favour for their third or fourth winter season, and this is vey helpful, meaning that it's highly likely you'll own one or more pieces to wear again without delay.

Needless to say, some genuinely new trendy pieces are welcomed to lift our spirits, when all else seems a bit grim around us, so here are my favourite trends from Paris catwalks for this fall/winter:

The midi skirt every fashion girl is fond of at the moment, is stylish in a combination with either a chunky knit for a more casual look, or a cropped top and leather biker jacket to make the most of our waist. The most recent trend shows both combos worn with statement jewels and cool bags, as well as with high-heeled ankle boots or fur lined mules.

Floral print dresses, are always perfectly feminine and glamorously flowy. The best combination is with high suède boots and a very chic Parisian beret to add the right touch of edge and drama to the look, even if you are, like me, not much of a hat person.

Long lace or tulle flown dresses, which are so fun to wear and for which I have always had a soft spot.

Shearling. With winter approaching, we need to focus on warm and comfortable pieces. If you, like me, are not keen on wearing puffer coats in the city, this season, designers help your choice and indulge themselves in presenting different variations of shearling coats in new silhouettes, fits and obviously colours.

Crystal-laden shoes, made their appearance on some of my favourite runways, and in real life are perfect pick-me-up for any casual outfit, especially if combined with a pair of jeans. Moreover, this fit-for-a-princess heels mania is certainly a trend to be worn throughout the whole spring too.

High-waisted pinstriped pants are going to be a pillar of any girl's autumn wardrobe, especially as a comfortable and chic choice for the office. The trend has been updated in myriad ways to suit whatever your silhouette or style preferences may be, and if you choose a floor-length pair, your silhouette will appear elongated, which is a non-negligible detail for "petites" like me. Personally, I like to wear them with a basic white t-shirt which dresses them down a bit as well as with finishing cool touches such as aviator sunglasses, and a neckband or a few layered necklaces.

Ostrich feathers reign this season and we have a feel this trend is here to stay, since these delicate trimmings to all kind of garments lend them a graceful fluidity, so well-known to flappers from the roaring twenties.

High-collar tops bring ladylike vibes to any raw-edge denim garment, especially if combined with kitten heels and cool bags for an effortless polished style.

Red is the one hue that screams F/W 2017 from a mile off, either worn boldly on catwalks, or as a colourful idea that is approachable also for mere mortals. Personally, I prefer coral hues that I find most flattering on my skin and hair tones.

Blue, which has made a timid appearance throughout a few seasons, has been  given a whole new perspective with its range proximity expanding from the coolest of cools to the deepest of depths during this season. Counteracting its intense hues are shades of light gray, all concluding in a fluctuation induced by tones and tints of the same family. 

Fur, fake or real, bold-toned and graphic, this everlasting winter classic this season is injecting youthful appeal to outerwear and accessories, even if only as a trimming detail. The trend for coats is certainly showing short, coloured fur options, constantly eclipsing minimalist and more traditional models.

The aviator jacket is one off the key pieces I am going to add to my closet this year, since outerwear is certainly the most important element of any fall outfit. The right jacket has the power to effortlessly elevate a casual jeans and t-shirt outfit, and the light coverups can hold their own next to your fanciest dress. 

Leather is not always a synonym for toughness. In fact, finest glove nappa leather appeared in numerous collections, getting a ladylike edge. It looks particularly sharp not only in leggings, but also in dresses and skirts.

Sparkle, with silver and sequins from the disco era of the 70's for a happy trendy touch to our fall wardrobe during the darker months. And if our real, social lives are dissolving into evenings spent watching TV under a warm cover, on the catwalks designers have been inspired by the return of night-time escapades and a revival of dressing up. Sequins are increasing the drama for a new fall/winter rule: forget denim and tracksuits after 6 o’clock…

       

Finally, for girls who, like me, are always after French women effortless style, how not to be mesmerised by the street-style scene at Paris Fashion Week, where locals donned renewed versions of The checked Blazer, claiming it unanimously a total must-have and combining it with either a great pair of jeans or a t-shirt and a couple of winning accessories.

                                        

So, what is the final motto for this post dedicated to fashion updates? Remember that even the simple addition of some loud and cool, but above all well chosen accessories will bring our personal fall/winter collection into the here and now...