London Fashion Weekend

Entrance to the Somerset House

Thanks to a wonderful Miss B. from A Girl, a Style, I was able to spend a fantastic time at London Fashion Weekend. I never actually tend to win anything so to finally win and that kind of prize was amazing! Thank you again Miss B.!

London Fashion Weekend is an event that starts right after the main Fashion Week. It takes place at the exquisite Somerset House, which used to be a palace to the Tudor Family. It was a fabulous set to fashion.

The place was surrounded by fashionistas who wanted to learn the new trends, try on some clothes and in the end of course buy some. Who wouldn’t want to use the opportunity of -70% discounts!

I of course had to check out new collection from Twenty8Twelve, a brand of actress Sienna Miller and her sister Savannah. I’m a huge fan of Sienna’s fashion but I was never able to check out her store. I must say I really liked the clothes! The whole collection was very London look in my opinion. Some ethereal dresses, long sweaters and my favorite – leather jackets. Those last ones were reduced from 400-500 pounds to only 150! No that’s what I call a bargain!

My choice!

I loved the idea of inviting designers who just start to fight for their name in the fashion business. You were able to actually meet them, talk to them and of course buy their designs just before some Vogue journalist will catch them and get them into the magazine. I personally fell in love with Holly Fulton’s style. Especially her graphic dresses, which really stood out! Another brand worth noticing was in my opinion Lowie. The latest collection is dominated by dresses, skirts and sweaters, which all seem to share one element – a bow. Everything was made from organic Fair Trade cotton. You can see that successively English countryside inspires designers. 

When it comes to accessories and especially shoes, all the shoe lovers must have been in heaven when entering The Shoe Studio. In there we could choose from a wide selection of Michael Kors and See by Chloé shoes. I didn’t want to leave this place.

But the fashions shows count on you being on time. Latecomers had no chance to get inside. Everything was perfectly planned. Each “Catwalk Show” consisted of a consecutive series of shows. I really enjoyed Jaeger London collection for fall/winter 2011. This well-known British brand showed a collection of beautiful coats of different colors. I loved the latest collection from Osman, whose collection was a combination of colors and architectural cuts were truly inspiring. I liked especially the mixture of black color and neon stripes. My favorite collection during the show though was Bryce AIME. The clothes were extremely original, his woman is a true individualist. I loved the interesting forms, quite futuristic but still easy for everyday wear.

I really hope to be able to attend this event next time. It’s a perfect place for all the fashion lovers who are not able to get into the shows at London Fashion Week but through this event they get to experience the fashion world at least a little bit. I highly recommend!

One of the colorful LFW attendees

On the way to catwalk

At the show

Models in between shows

JT for President!

Since in Poland we just chose our new government last weekend, I find the October issue of "W Magazine" very accuarete. Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried posing as Mr. and Mrs. President look great! Who wouldn’t want to see them in the White House?

In the W’s editorial we can see Justin and Amanda recreating some classic images of political photography. There is Jackie and John Kennedy or a poster from „The Candidate” with Robert Redford. I personally love the idea of this ed. Politics mix with entertainment world more and more. Just look at President Obama and his previous campaign. All of the celebrities and actors giving support to him. Politics inspire the film world. Now Mr. Timberlake is sporting the politic style. Maybe another career change? Singer/Actor/President? Who knows...

NY Fashion Week: Polish models rock!

New York Fashion Week is the number one fashion week that everybody is looking forward to. It’s the beginning of the season! Following New York, we will go to London, Milan and end the fashion weeks in Paris. This year the Spring/Summer 2011 shows kicked off in New York’s Lincoln Center on September 8^th .

Fashion Weeks are a crazy time in the fashion world. Everything happens quickly and you really need to keep up. The stylists, models, designers, fashion editors and bloggers from all over the world meet for a week to participate in freshman showings of somebody’s visions.

It’s a perfect place not only to see al the newest designs but also to check out our favorite models, to see how many shows they booked and whether they opened/closed shows.

I’m a huge fan of Polish models! I think they are fabulous! Magdalena Frąckowiak in New York took part in 8 shows. 

Her younger friend Monika “Jac” Jagaciak walked in 17 of them (opened 1 – Jill Stuart, closed 1 – 3.1 Philip Lim). 

Zuzanna Bijoch, the newest star in fashion did 23 of them! She opened 1 – Derek Lam, closed 3 – BCBG Max Azria, Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc by Marc Jacobs. That’s some nice performance in New York. Zuza is a total star. With growing numbers of campaigns, she makes her way up the fashion ladder. 

Now I keep my fingers crossed for ladies as they move forward to London, Milan and Paris!

68th Venice Film Festival 2011

Movies and fashion do mix as I always say and my perfect job would be to mix both! I’m obsessed with films. I need to watch all the new ones that are hitting theaters, catch up on the oldies and additionally find some time to re-watch my favorites. I wish I could have just a few more hours in a day! I’ve been to a few international movie festivals but only in Poland. Of course I hope one day I’ll be able to go to Cannes, Berlin or Venice. That would be great to be able to see the movies plus all my favorite celebs on the red carpet!

This year’s Venice Film Festival, that opened last week, has to offer some amazing cinema, plus the actors that are promoting their movies there. I must say that content wise Venice 2011 seems simply amazing.

In the main competition there are 22 films competing against each other. I could not wait to see at least few of them! Here are my favorites:

The opening movie THE IDES OF MARCH,  a new movie directed by George Clooney, who got to invite an amazing cast including Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman,Paul Giamatti and beautiful Evan Rachel Wood and Marisa Tomei. The movie is about an idealistic staffer for a newbie presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail. Based on the play by Beau Willimon.

The crowd went crazy when Mr Clooney appeared on the red carpet. Ryan Gossling wasn’t in attendance unfortunately due to his work.

Another hope-to-be amazing picture A DANGEROUS METHOD, directed by David Cronenberg and again with a dream cast – beautiful Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen and Micheal Fassbender (whom I love ;)).The movie is about a look at how the intense relationship between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud gives birth to psychoanalysis. And Keira's character has lots to do with it...

I’m really looking forward to watch a new movie by one of the greatest directors of all time (and a Pole), Roman Polanski. CARNAGE with Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly. The movie tells the story of two sets of parents who decide to have a cordial meeting after their sons are involved in a schoolyard brawl. 

Last but not least a new version of WUTHERING HEIGHTS has a premiere at the festival. I’m a huge fan of the book and of the 1992 movie version with Ralph Finnes and Juliette Bonoche. This time the Skins actress – Kaya Scodelario got her chance to play Cathy and I’m really excited to see what she’s done with the character, especially since I really liked her Effy in Skins. I think it might be a break for her.

But enough about movies. Let’s talk about who wore what to the premiers and press conferences.

I’ve spoken before about Keira Knightley. Keira is my one my favorites. I love her style and movies choices. This time she stars in an even more dramatic role in the "Dangerous Method". Both of her looks at the Festival amazed me. The press conference look, where she wore a Mary Katrantzou Fall '11 was simply fabulous! A premiere look was like taken out of a period drama. Keira knows how to play with fashion. 

My favorite Diane Kruger got two fantastic looks in Venice. Even though she wasn’t there promoting any of her movies, as a L’Oreal face, she looked incredible first at the premiere of “Ides of March”, where she wore an Elie Saab gown and later on at the party where she rocked a Chanel Haute Couture.

Jessica Chastain in on fire theses few past months – first her role in the Cannes Festival winner The “Tree of Life” against Brad Pitt, then “The Help”- a movie based on a bestselling novel, which tops box office in America 3 weeks in a row! I was lucky enough to see it last night and must say I loved it, especially Jessica as Celia Foote – just as I imagined this character! And now Jessica is in Venice to promote her newest picture “Wilde Salome”, in which she stars opposite Al Pacino! Wow what a career! At the premiere of her new film Jessica wore an Elie Saab gown.

Now what’s left to do is to wait and see when would those movies get to the regular movie theaters all around the world. Please make It fast ;)