Spain in the Fall

As I sip a coffee, glancing out my living room window, the day greets me with light rain, grey skies and temperatures that continue to drop. This is Belgium after all. I am now crossing fingers that no strikes (national or international) hit the air traffic this Sunday and I will be happily seated on a plane to the south of Spain, beautiful Cordoba.

Apart from having long sessions of coffee drinking after tapa eating, one of the things I love to do is exploring the shops when everyone else is having lunch. It’s the best time – stores like Zara and Mango (which are a must if you are in the country, so much cheaper than abroad) are open and free of long queues, screaming children and pushy teenagers.

On my must-check-out list, the aviator style sunglasses from Mango featured below.

I will also be heading to my amazing stylist, Alfredo, of whom I cannot find a website so I can’t share it, sorry!!! he’s all mine… and my sisters’, and mum, and even brother… Alfredo has a brand new salon and I cannot wait to see it.

I may also try these pretty ballerinas. I’ve been after a leopard-print pair for a while and these Zara ones may do the trick.

I’m off now to fill my suitcase, or at least decide what I’m taking. I know it’s going to take me ages and I will end up packing more than I actually need, but don’t we all do that?

Statement Shoes Are for Strong Souls

Sunday. It’s been raining all night and now, all morning. Suddenly some warm sunny rays surprise us: my miniature dachshund mix is soaking it all, lying next to me whilst I browse the Internet in search of shoes. A lovely pastime, I keep teasing myself with this ever-present addiction. I already showed you my modest collection, but we are not talking just shoes today, we are talking statement shoes.

Pictured above is our Shoe of the Week, or may we say, of the Month? With decreasing temperatures and reduced hours of light such treasures become not luxuries, but essentials to lift our spirits and power through. These beauties are by KG by Kurt Geiger. To top it all, the bow can be removed and placed elsewhere on said delicious shoes – oh my, sheer genius.

Speaking of genius, let’s talk about Manolo, dearest Mr Blahnik. I don’t usually buy Tatler, but with the stunning January Jones cover I couldn’t resist. However to one’s despair, nothing seemed exciting. Maybe the weather taking its toll, my mood was a tad low. Suddenly I came across an amazing fashion shoot with Manolo Blahnik as shoe hero. The picture above is my favourite and can you blame me with such gorgeous white booties on show?

Manolo Blahnik keeps one of each of shoes he’s designed. He treats them as jewels, designing them with care, creating the first prototype and lovingly producing such unique pieces, and can you blame us for return that love with lust? And yes, we all know Sex and The City have a lot to answer to.

Statement shoes are an attitude on heels. They alter the way you walk, they add a powerful yet discreet sexual tint to one’s look when done correctly. However, statement shoes are also – using a Carrie Bradshaw term – “frenemies“. They can lead to a torn ligament. They make us go over our credit cards limits to bag a sometimes very painful stiletto. Yes, statement shoes are always a risk, but they are mostly a treasure and a beloved possession. As much as I love comfortable boots and reliable trainers (with sparkles please) I dream one day I will own a pair by His Shoe Majesty, Manolo Blahnik.

Oh and via the fantastic Face Hunter, a gigantic (shoe) statement

Any statement shoes you are coveting?

Pictures: Tatler, Mywardrobe.com, Face Hunter

Brand Love or I Want What She’s Wearing

Oh was I a lucky creature last week. I had an excuse to visit London. Fashion capital and crazy goblet of ideas, colourful prints, understated (and overstated) coolness. I was there to follow a short yet intense course on Creative Branding at the London College of Fashion. It resulted being a fantastic experience  as I learnt a lot, got greatly inspired and met some really cool people in the process.

Branding is a lot about getting the brand/image right, communicating efficiently to achieve the ultimate goal: sell. And sell… and sell a little more.

One of questions raised was whether there were any brands that got it right, inspiring us or reflecting a certain lifestyle or message, making us buy into it. A brand we followed. Whilst everyone came up with a name, such as Adidas or Moschino, I failed at deciding what particular brand “did it” for me. My mind scanned the contents of my wardrobe, my latest buys, brands I had blogged about, but no names sprung up as “yes! I love what they’re about and buy their stuff”

I did, however, think about what made me buy a certain pair of stockings last week – a certain It girl. People, not brands, inspire and shape my style. For instance, I love the way Alexa Chung combines boyish or comfortable items with catty heels and edgy skirts. This easily reflects my love of opposites such as comfort and sexiness. Seeing Alexa pull off a look I may simply fantasize about, makes me replicate or give it my own twist.

In Madonna’s music lies much of my philosophy in life, my mantras. It’s no surprise that her different looks heavily inspire my own. Her make up is always flawless and her use of the red lip look is so natural and effortless… I am still to master that one.

That’s how I do it. I browse the shops remembering what Fearne wore (above) how Alexa styled it or how Daisy accessorised it. Maybe I see brands wanting my money too much? Maybe the lifestyle I aspire to is better portrayed on these independent and successful women and not on a certain slogan? One could also argue that my ever-changing style and my love to experiment may slip a specific brand’s image.

Some people are not absolutely convinced by eye-catching logos or effective advertising campaigns. There is a growing number of fashionistas browsing through Facehunter or The Sartorialist in search of a boy or a girl representing what they aspire to look like. And then there are the Jordanistas, but that’s a different kettle of fish.

How does it work for you? can you name a brand that inspires you and faithfully follow?
Update: to read another fashion blogger’s opinion on this matter, visit the lovely Cloud of Secrets here.

Pictures: Official Fearne Cotton, Converse, Glamour UK