Fashion MONTH! UPDATED!

Hello! Hello!

We're very lucky - we live in the era when information spreads quicklier than it appears. Thanks to the Internet and the television we can stay at home, in comfort and cosiness, attend New York Fashion Week in the Lincoln Center, in London, Milan, Paris, remember Stockholm Fashion Week while reading Yvan Rodic's blog, admire young Tavi Gevinson who has collaborated with Style.com and POP magazine this year.

On the one hand, it's bad that designers didn't follow Natalie Massenet's advice and didn't skip a season. That could be a real strategic decision which would have brought lots of benefits in the future (let us remind you that during an interview with Business of Fashion Natalie Massenet - the founder of the biggest on-line luxury fashion retailer Net-a-porter - insisted that the only solution of the main problems of fashion market
[- millions of losses of fashion houses because of unexpected climate changes.
- imitations, counterfeits, fakes which have a whole half a year (from the designer fashion show to the actual start of selling) to fill the market all over the world.
- reduce of interest to the collection during the period between the show (seen on the Internet) and the appearing of clothes in shops.
- crisis of print-media, when it has to comment collections which have already been carefully studied by bloggers and on-line-media]
was to skip a season and to pass on to the system "In autumn we show Fall/Winter collections, in spring - Spring/Summer".

On the other hand, it's very cool! Because a) this solution is questionable, b) we can admire new, audacious (?), bright (like all the media promised in its fashion forecasts), interesting and not boring (that's for sure) collections of the best desighers.

So, we suggest you looking through our own timetable of the Fashion MONTH (NY + London + Milan + Paris)

New York Fashion Week
When: September 9-16

09/09
Project Runaway - 8th season finale of popular TV-show, we don't to spoiler the fun, so we won't name the winners.

10/09
1. BCBGMAXAZRIA
2. Alexander Berardi

3. Jason Wu
4. Peter Som
5. Rag & Bone

11/09
1. Lacoste - sporty chic of unbelievable colours by Christophe Lemaire
2. Prabal Gurung
3. Edun - organic creation of Ali Hewson and her husband Bono for the first time diverted public by the runaway show.

4. Z Spoke by Zac Posen - one more runaway debut - democratic line by Zac Posen
5. Altuzarra - one of the most discussed shows at the moment.
6. Alexander Wang


12/09
1. Derek Lam - also minimalism
2. DKNY

3. Max Azria
4. Preen - designers Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi presented their own version of minimalism

5. Y-3 - at first, admire blue lips of models and only after that - the clothes
6. Tommy Hilfiger

7. Diane von Furstenberg - first steps of new creative director - Yvan Mispelaere
8. Thakoon
9. Victoria Beckham - universally recognized sensation of the 4the day of the Week


Tendencies: minimalism, white, but also bright colours like neon colours, all kinds of length - mini-midi-maxi, generally loose-fitting

D & P

Sunday UP market

When: September 4-5
Where: Loft-project "Etagi"

At first we wanted to write something like: "Moscow has Fashion's Night Out, and we have Sunday UP market!", but that doesn't sound at all. All we have to do is hope that FNO will come to Saint-Petersburg (and maybe not only hope but also contribute somehow) and attend less important but still interesting events. And SUM is undoubtedly one of them. Why?
- a whole floor of "Etagi" has been given to 2 dozens of ranks and counters for clothes, accesories and bijouterie made by young designers.
- positive mood of all participants, good music vibes, lots of people (who didn't disturb each other).
- two lectures/discussions (it's not easy to find a name for these events, because they differed very much from the initial discription; it might be better to name the first event Q&A session with stylist Alexander Rogov and the second event - discussion with Nadezhda Kogevnikova, Leonid Alexeev and "Sorry we were late, didn't catch your names"/"When you have a mic you should TALK IN IT and not just hold it")))
We don't want talk about things that we didn't like (microphones!!!)
We just want to talk about something that was sickening. If you don't believe in things that you're talking about, don't talk at all. There is no need to invite people who don't believe in Russian fashion industry, who are disappointed in life in general.

And now some photos:




See you soon!

D & P

Developping the sense of smell. UPDATED!

We love ad campaigns of new men's fragrances.
1. Boss Bottled Night with Ryan Reynolds.
After having exchanged compliments:
Ryan: "BOSS is a brand that not only represents classic style and sophistication, but inspires men to work hard, embrace opportunities and strive for success in all aspect of their lives. I’m honored BOSS invited me to be the face of its new men’s fragrance".
Marketing Director of Hugo Boss Tomas Burkhardt: "He is stylish, dynamic and confident with a tenacity and determination that make him an ideal role model of modern success".
Ryan and Hugo made a beatiful video with lots of nice black colour:

BTW, there is one more interesting thing with Hugo Boss: Natalia Vodyanova has become "Boss Black" new face!

2. The Big Pony Collection
The best way to describe this video is a youtube comment from HollyJ93: "i've never seen so many good looking people at once! i'm not even noticing the girls, i'm too busy staring at those amazing men!!!!"

3. Marc Jacobs "Bang"
If you want something done right, do it yourself! Marc Jacobs repeats this mantra every day and he follows it.
Model: Mark
Photographer: Juergen Teller

The results of herd work:


You loved it too, admit it!

See you soon, girls and boys!

D & P

PS: Bleu de Chanel
As always, Chanel is an absolute leader. Martin Scorcese produced a short-film starring Gaspard Ulliel

From mini to maxi

We still cannot come to our senses after one of the last looks of Alexander Vassiliev (frankly speaking, we didn't recognise him at first).

And the previews show that the experiments with his appearance has only begun (pay attention to his hair styles))):

Obviously stylists or Monsieur himself have bought the complete Ray Ban collection.
Ok, enough mockery of TV life of Alexander Vassiliev! Let's return to his initial profession - historian of fashion. The exhibition "From mini to maxi" has already gladdened the hearts of Saint-Petersburg' inhabitants during Aurora Fashion Week, but back then it was very short and difficult to access. However, it had such big success among people that Alexander Vassiliev decided to leave it for more time. It was moved to the Saint-Petersburg State Museum of Theatre and Music, to its branch - Sheremetyev Palace.
Address: Fontanka Embankment 34, Saint-Petersburg.
At the exhibition one can find 30 dresses from the best designers and fashio houses: Christian Dior, Chanel, Pierre Balmain, Nina Ricci, boutique Le Grenier.
Hurry up: the exhibit is open till the 5th of September!!! Nice thing - it is free for students.
And now some photos:
1. Dress for sea cruises, Organza, Larissa Andersen's wardrobe

2. Evening coat, jersey, decorated with beads, Nina Ricci

3. Cocktail dress, moire, Christian Dior | Mini-dress, crimplen with embroidery, boutique Le Grenier

4. Day ensemble, dress and jacket, Christian Dior
We loved how this garment and a Soviet dress from the same period were shown near each other (summer dress, muslin).

5. Evening gown, silk crepe with embroidery, Pierre Balmain

D & P

The only word: QUEUE

Today the new H&M store was solemnly (with a red carpet and lots of guards) opened on the Nevskiy avenue. A lot-lot-lot of people! We publish a short photo-report:




D & P

La Bella Italia...

I came to tell you about shopping in Italia) You are NOT interested in shopping in Italia? You're joking, right!

Ok, without further twaddle... THE MALL!
I think, this is the most important place! In the mall one can find clothes, shoes of a very haute gamme (McQueen, Balenciaga, Salvatore Ferragamo), with a great discounts. Don't be silly: a skirt from Dior or McQueen for 50 euros - it's very cheap, an YSL dress for 200 euros - is also really cheap.
This summer I found there two Russian drunk guys who were shouting in their mobile phone: "Here every single piece of clothes is a masterpiece... A masterpiece!!!!"... The very truth itself!))



About the address: you cand find all the information about the means of transportation (also in Russian, Russians are very welcomed there)) on the Mall's site. But if you don't understand the instructions on the site... go by train to the station Rignano Sull'Arno, take a taxi (the journey will take no more than 5 minutes). To elaborate the itinerary to the Rignano Sull'Arno station you can use a ticket-machine situated on every railway station (these machines will be happy to help you! they also prompt how long the trip will be). We reached the Mall after 4 hours of travelling: from Formia with 2 changes in Rome and in Florence. Attention: the ticket could be unique for (in our case - 3) all trains. That's ok! :)

As for Florence... Shopping in Florence is extremely good too. The prices are lower than in Rome, as for the brands - they are the same - from Chanel to Domenico and Stefano ;)

You can start with La Rinascente - Italian version of Galleries Lafayette. The site of the department store. While being in Rinascente, go to the -1 floor and admire! A whole floor of underwear, which is, as you all know, "basic human need"))) The department store is situated on the Square with an arch and a merry-go-round. Look for the exact address on the store's official site, but believe me the merry-go-round is a perfect reference-point! On the store's roof you'll find a delicious dinner and an incredible view!


Continue our little promenade: drop in Gianfranco Ferre and Prada on the way. There it's possible to find unexpected superdiscounts, especially in the end of July-in the beginning of August.

Pay attention to the Braccialini boutique

I suppose that on Arno banks this madness costs less than in Rome.

And then just continue to walk in Florence's streets - local shops bring an endless pleasure (you'll enjoy it even more if you failed to enter Uffizi. BTW, buy you ticket to Uffizi in advance - on the Internet, or try to join a tourists' group. Otherwise, you'll spend the rest of your life in the queue).

Last but not least, if you look for a perfect dinner in Florence, go to Buca Lapi.

Don't forget to reserve a table in advance!!!! And you definitely can entrust wine choice to the waiters. They are very good at it!

Other dinner options:
ACQUA AL2
OSTERIA DEL CINGHIALE BIANCO
OSTERIA DEL CAFFE ITALIANO

D & P

HEAT

The main word of the season. Half of the news is dedicated only to the HEAT. Because of the HEAT weather forecast was moved from the shameful line, parallel to the announcer's words "Thank you for your attention! Have a good evening! And right after the News there will be a premiere of another never-ending TV-show starring Yegor Beroev (sorry, bro), the one that your grand-mother will tell you a lot of times about", - to the very beginning! Who cares how many children were kissed by and how many calves were fed by Putin or Medvedev, when it's +35 C and it's super HOT?!

It seems that they have promised a little pause to us, but the meteorologist was so unhappy while saying that, maybe he was threatened. At the same time he was showing some tornado-looking lines and points on the map. So, the heat is still a topical problem and that means we should fight against it! But only wish fashion methods!

1. Drink more water!

Paul Smith created a limited version of Evian bottle. The bottle is decorated with his classical stripes (if somebody asks Paul Smith to style te Earth he will take an enormous paint roller, dip it adroitly in paint in a way that there will be stripes on it and then he will paint the planet with these stripes from one Pole to another). This bottle contains 750 mL of water. The creators also propose to collect the lids. But it's not clear what for. There is only one defect - the bottle is really heavy, but after being drained it can be used as a nice vase.
To learn more about the collaboration between the designer and Danone (yes-yes, Evian brand is owned by Danone) you can go to the official site. But we recommend to just watch this video.

Highlights: "Life is about living young, being useful and enjoying yourself every day, because every day is important"
"My whole life is about being childlike... not childish but childlike"
"Yesterday's newspapers nobody wants"
If you liked his positive mood and if you want to know more about Paul Smith, welcome to his personal blog (Warning: he loves bicycles... sometimes too much)

2. Go to the beach!

Moreover, on the beach you can find not only sand and sun, but also some interesting events. On July 10-11th the was Old-Fashioned Weekend in Saint-Petersburg. All the guests of "Air" beach (Krestovskiy island) could rest by the pool or on the sand beach, and also see the clothes and accesories made by young designers. Great idea... But the execution left much to be desired:
- not enough space for the clothes
- shades and parasols didn't protect from the sun
- how people were supposed to try clothes with this heat? (and in these cubicles???)
- all the event looked more like an exhibition and not like a fair/market - consumers - in one part of the pool, designers - in the other part.
However, we didn't leave without a purchase !

3. A fan!

A few elegant moves and there is no more problem! The point is to find an extraordinary fan. Follow examples of famous fashionistas: Mila Jovovich at Schumacher by Dorothee Schumacher (Berlin Fashion Week 2010)

4. Wear hats!


5. Go shopping!
Sometimes shops are provided with the best ventilation systems! We are sure that it will be fresh here:

While you're pave the shortest way to the shop, because you want to be the first buyers and maybe the lucky ones and receive some bonuses (like at the openning of the first store of 'Hennes & Mauritz' in Mega Mall) we show you the new campaign with Daria Werbowy:


See you soon!

D & P