simple vs flamboyant

Models off duty. I adore them. This is so much different to the show, where fashion and design obliterates individuality. But when the lights are switched off and the all champagne glasses are empty, models can stand out.

Of course they are effortless,  natural and timid in a way. Maybe a little bit boring for hipsters, especially  this sacred ensemble: skinny  jeans, t-shirt and motorcycle jacket. But fashion has two dimensions for me. One is the space for these unique, bold entities, wearing opaque pants or actually wearing almost nothing. The other, which appeals to me so much is the casual one, slightly conventional, but comfy and cosy. Still there is this paradox that happens to me every time: when I favour for simplicity in my clothes , the only people I spot on the street are these colorful and unorthodox. And the other way round. So I am going crazy, always regretting my fashion choices.

This is a question if both of these spaces can be dubbed ‘style’? I am really obsessed with that word. Probably it is more important than ‘trend’ . I guess models realise that, so I believe they have an uncompromising attitude to clothes, proving this is all about the way you can show them off and convince people this is real fashion consciousness. So tomorrow I am wearing just a sweater. Just skinny pants. Plain coat. Hope, it will feel good and confident, eventually. X

fashion show !

Soundtracks are so cool. I would like to have my life soundtrack one day. They are everywhere. Every place, depending on its character has it soundtrack. Today I entered the lomography shop in Newburgh Street. They played the ‘El camino’ album by The Black Keys. So nice to not buy anything and listen to great music. So nice to emphasise the laid-back atmosphere.

Music at catwalks intrigues me. These very often electric, vibrant sounds synchronized with models’ pace do not appeal to me that much. They so rarely accentuate the collections and just do not bring any originality. But it is changing now. So I just made a playlist of lest mainstream and most quaint music background at latest fall/winter 2012/2013 shows. Enjoy !

Balmain plays Depeche Mode classic 90’s sound as a background. I am just thrilled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw61Ekf8QTQ&feature=fvwrel

Etro takes a risk and plays the remix of ‘Video Games’ at its quaint show I am dying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlAQoS8dLKI

Sonia Rykiel is so classic. Both in design and the scenery and with Grace Jones track. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI6UhpMawOQ&feature=related

And Balenciaga show! ‘Love is in the air’ is repeated quite a lot, quite catchy and so charismatic! Music changed the whole view of the collection, as for me. X

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQGwfaxhgpI

berlin

Hi Berlin! How are you dear ? I have not seen you for ages. Is there a lot of change going on? I hope not cause on my departure last year I forgot to tell you how I like the way you are with all your flaws and imperfections.

Well, I remember walking down FriedrichStrasse on the first chilly evening of February. I don’t think it was about the shops, it was about the lights in the dark gleaming around. I really enjoyed that.

But when I met you closely there is even more to discover. I remember the view from the TV Tower and second-hand shop near Alexanderplatz. It was so out of the blue near all these boutiques, but you did not mind that and I liked it so much that it was the only place I popped in.

I am so attracted to your commitment to history. Holocaust Memorial and Jewish Museum prove that you do not deny it, you just admit it. But when I am tired of grief, I stroll down to the Brandenburg Gate and enter my beloved Kennedy Museum.  And while tourist get lost at the square, I keep repeating ‘ Ich bin ein Berliner’.

What you do best is combining modernity with communism. I can stare at the Sony Centre and then spot the rows of blocks of flats which I begin to find more appealing than any miracle of architecture

.

If I can add one thing, it would be great thanks for all these Dunkin’ Donuts just around the corner of every street. Donuts are cool. So are you.I have a great plan to see you next holiday. I hope it won’t bother you. X

                

music needs fashion

Good music will defend itself. That is for sure. But I think music needs fashion. Cause as an art form is background, which is the image, should be the form of art too. So when we see what stands behind the music, clothes which add some story and appeal, we can identify more with what we hear and interpret it in the end.

What would we know about Bruce Springsteen singing ‘Born in the USA’ if we did not see he is wearing navy blue Levi’s jeans, white t-shirt and a red cup?  That he is a patriot, not a disheveled rebel identifying with his country.

I would say the same about Jim Morrison, whose leather, skinny pants and shirts were the perfect reflection of the unsettled, rebellious generation he stood for. With an aim to be a weirdo he managed to prove that not only with music but the image he created, calling himself Mr. Mojo Risin’ or the Lizard King.

But now, when we do not have so much to revolt against, artists go back in time, trying to resemble the 60’s or the 70’s like The Drums, with their blurred video clips, college sweatshirts and socks sticking out the gym shoes. Without that ,,Me and the Moon’’ songs’ lyrics would just be a banal ballad without this edgy reminiscence of the past.  Then think of Lana del Rey and her ,,National Anthem’’. Would I understand the hint if it was not for the retro, simple Jackie Kennedy look in the music video?

 I do not mean ‘fashion' in terms of trends, but in terms of what style do artists create. It complements music, makes performance exceptional and more profound. And as for me, this is great art. X

fashion route back

I think I love fashion because it is so distinctive in the modern world. I can’t use Windows 93, I can’t make calls from Nokia 3310, I can’t see demolished modernist buildings. But in fashion we can do everything. It’s like getting into a car and choosing if we want to move forward or put the reverse gear.

I have taken a quick look at spring/summer 2013 collections and they impressed me so much. Not in terms of fabrics or pattern, cause I am not a textile or design expert, but they  give such a lot of space for interpretation.  I can imagine Jackie Kennedy wearing this wonderful Marchesa dress. Or Daisy Buchanan in the one from Blugirl collection. It is so good that when we strive for modernity and development , fashion gives us an option to  go back in time.

I think this generation of fashionistas has an appreciation of detail and quality that clothes used to have. We pay tribute to that on behalf of love for vintage. But we also discern the chance to mix it all up, modernize it and create something exceptional as contemporary fashion. And that is why fashion will never pass its prime. We need it to have fun and fun comes from all the chances it gives. X

stockholm

Hi Stockholm ! You are a wonderful city ! Basically, I have visited You as a tourist on the lookout of landmarks and IKEA store, but I came back with something completely different than just mere photos of me and the town hall.

I appreciate you are not a tourist destination. You still got this mystery, undiscovered charm and calmness. There are boats along the bank and people sitting there, enjoying time until  the sun goes down, which is at 12pm in the summer. No polar bears or snow, just chilly evenings after warm days.

I love that you mix modernism with tradition. I can visit Kulturhuset and then take a boat to Djurgarden island to see white wooden houses with shutters. I can enter the forest and see small gardens of private properties where people grow carrots and parsley and horses stroll.

Then when I feel I want to find myself in a metropolis I just go to Sodermalm, having drinks with hipsters, spending money on vintage clothes, talking about art displayed in Moderna Musset and Fotografiska.

If I miss history, I take a walk around Gamla Stan, pop in an English Bookshop , grab a cinnamon bun from the ‘bageri’ and go back and forth your numerous bridges. Or take a bike. Or just sit at the bench overlooking this remote  part of the city on the other side of the bay.

All your shops offer moose on the kitchen apron or blanket, Astrid Lindgren books and Moomins. I like this passion for tradition and symbols. And I like Your symbols, which reflect so much Your aesthetics and atmosphere.

So when I have to leave and my plane is about to take off I already miss you. You are so easy to reach and hard to comprehend. I really want to see you soon.  X