Timeless elegance-Recently I had the immense pleasure of watching the Loro Piana Carribean Super Yacht  Regata in Virgin Gorda, the British Virgin Islands.  The boats are complete masterpieces;  with the smalllest boat being 23 meters and the largest 61 meters you can imagine the atmosphere!  At dinner I was sitting next to the truly inspirational visionary-  Mr. Loro Piana, the CEO of  the Loro Piana Group. The  Loro Piana family started working with textile fibers in the valleys of Biella, Italy in 1812. Now into their third generation they have around 132 stores worldwide and  are the leaders in the luxury market.   As a great fan of the Loro Piana clothes  I wanted to find out more about the brand’s philosophy and how they came to the idea to organise superyacht regatas

1) As one of the top leaders in the luxury market and a 100% family owned business- what is luxury for you?

Luxury is uncompromising quality. Precious, functional items that will last forever.

2) Would you say that your clients are loyal to you as they are looking for the best quality, timeless design, rather than following trends? You follow the desires of your clients- How would you describe your typical client and what is essential to him/her?

Our customers are quality addicts, constantly searching for uncompromising quality and yes! they prefer to enjoy and invest in timeless elegance products which are classic- contemporary. They are men and women aged 30+, have a sound experience of wealth, professionally and socially active who travel the world both for business and leisure. Our clients go for the best in each and every aspect of their lives, and treasure our products that last a lifetime and more. Moreover, they are fond of outdoor sports and nature, just like us!

 3) What are the essentials for any man’s wardrobe?

A double breast blazer, a white shirt and of course a super soft Baby Cashmere sweater.

4) I know that you are a passionate sailor. When did you come to the idea to organize Superyacht Regattas and how come? What is the minimum size of the boats that can participate and tell us which has been the largest so far ?

We hosted our first Regatta in 2002 called the 3 Golfi in the picturesque sea of Capri in the Mediterranean. Sailing and the sea have always been two of my family’s greatest passions and I do actively participate in regattas. In line with the family’s authentic enthusiasm and company values, sailing represents the search for technical perfection in harmony with nature. For us, the sponsorship is about communicating the philosophy of our Company. It brings together people who truly love nature and yachting. Moreover these regattas are also great test-grounds for our products, as well as moments of joy and the occasions of meeting some of our customers and friends. Through a deep understanding of this activity, we design and produce garments that seek to satisfy the specific needs of the sportsman: always searching for the perfect union between aesthetics and functionality. Boats that participate to our Regattas are super yachts measuring no less than 80 feet, it’s hard to say  what has been the largest boat so far but I can tell you that Twizzle, which participated to the last edition of our Regatta in Porto Cervo, impressed me for its huge size: 57,5 meters. It is undoubtedly the biggest boat of the last 3 Regattas we hosted.

5) Investing in one clothing item that lasts a lifetime over buying many lesser quality items. Is this your philosophy? Would you say that Loro Piana clothes last a lifetime?

Loro Piana clothes are made to last. We are not a fashion brand, of course we provide our clients with a contemporary style but highest quality thanks to the best raw materials, comfort, elegance and functionality are the key aspects we pay attention to. They are made to last but one has to take care of them!

6) Is a Loro Piana look “low key” or is it becoming a recognizable statement of less is more – understated luxury?

We never liked to show off, so we prefer to maintain a low yet exclusive profile. We always pursue timeless elegance and discrete luxury.

 7) You had an exclusive contract with the Peru government in 1994 to buy Vicuñias, a relative of the llama that live in the high altitudes of the Andes . They were near extinction and you were chosen by the government to reintroduce the fabric into the international market to give incentive to breed the animals.

Indeed and we are really very proud f it. For many years, Loro Piana has been developing a relationship with the Peruvian government.

In 1967, the Peruvian government created the first 6,500 hectares re-population area in Pampa Galeras for the first carefully controlled restocking program.

In 1976, the CITES, the Washington bureau that regulates trade of endangered animals, categorized vicuna as one of the vigilantly protected species in which any trade was forbidden. Since the 1980’s enlivened by the desire to bring the Fibre of the Gods to the market, we made the first contact with the Peruvian Government and the communities of Campesinos. In 1987 Peru successfully requested that CITES earmark several vicuna populations for the international fabric trade, making use of the fibre obtained from live animals. At the same time the local Campesinos were granted a life interest in the vicuna and received an income from legal shearing.

In 1994 the ‘Sociedad Nacional de Criadores de Vicuna’ in its search for reliable partners to implement the project, under the aegis of the Peruvian Government, called an International Competition of merit. Loro Piana, at the head of a consortium, gained the honour to re-introduce the monitored and legally sheared fibre in to the world market, it was an exclusive right valid for 10 years.

Even if the species is now no longer in danger and the repopulation has been successful, we still have to take care of these rare and delicate animals and our involvement keeps on growing over the years.

This material is so special because, besides being beautiful, it is extremely fine (between 12 and 13 microns compared to 14/15 of the best cashmere; 1 micron = one thousandth of a millimetre), soft and really rare (each animal produces no more than 250 gross grams of the fiber) and that makes it also very exclusive and precious.
How do you go about looking for the best materials? Any other countries where you do similar things?

Our secret is the selection of the best raw materials available which we painstakingly source and select directly from the local breeders. Loro Piana has a direct presence in all the major markets where raw materials originate – such as China and Mongolia for Cashmere and Baby cashmere, Australia and New Zealand for fine Merino wools, Peru for Vicuña and Myanmar for Lotus Flower.

Vicuna in Peru

9) Loro Piana does a home range as well. Describe your ideal home?

Cozy, elegant, comfortable and….refitted with Loro Piana Interiors fabrics, the line we launched in 2006.(see below). When we project our houses we are often inspired by boats actually: we normally have big common areas -for dining and chatting – and smaller bedrooms

Dedicated to those who have become acquainted with the Loro Piana qualities over time, Interiors is a line of home fabrics conceived to dress one’s spaces with the same intimate elegance one dresses with. The fundamentals at the base of Loro Piana Interiors are: quality without compromise, research for the best raw materials in the world and rigorous controls during each step in the manufacturing process.

We guarantee a personalized service so any client can pick our items to embellish their houses, private jets or their yachts: they can choose the fabric and color that matches better with their furniture and the environment. Our range boasts over 600 fabric variants to upholster padded furniture, curtains and decorative elements that can be customized in terms of colors and patterns to match throws, blankets and carpets. Moreover, the fabrics undergo special treatments that grant top resistance and easy care while preserving their softness, lightness and comfort.

10) What are your next projects?

We are going to make a very important economic announcement at the end of this month of May about our further involvement with the Vicuna. Just an example to say that we constantly continue to research for the best raw materials in the world.

Concerning our future strategy we plan to keep this position by maintaining access to the best raw materials in the world, ensure excellence in the choice of raw materials when designing and producing our range of items and promoting the knowledge and appreciation of true quality amongst our discerning customers, now and in the future.

11) Please share with us your favorite classical music pieces?

I actually live jazz music: my favorite song is “My song”, a beautiful tune from Keith Jarrett which impressed me so much that I gave the same name to my boat.

 12) Favourite travel destination and best restaurant you have been to?

I love the sea so my favorite destinations are enchanting islands in the Mediterranean sea like Li Galli, Ponza, Sardinia where I host my Superyacht Regatta every year in June but also Greece offers marvelous places. Best restaurants for me are Tripoli in Portofino where you can eat delicious lasagna and Maria Grazia Restaurant in Nerano, in the Amalfi coast, that prepares an excellent pasta with zucchini. Every year I also go back to Ponza, the Island where we got married, and celebrate at Acquapazza. Cannot miss it!

13) Favourite city?

There are so many beautiful cities in the world. Rome and Florence are gorgeous, they represent history, culture and Italian beauty. Of course I love New York where I used to work a week every month and Paris, both magic cities. Not to speak about how lively Shangai is becoming.

Below Loro Piana clothes for him and her

www.loropiana.com

Check out the upcoming June Regata here: http://www.loropianasuperyachtregatta.com

I was really excited to see Roksanda’s atelier in East End London. We’ve been trying to meet up for ages but both of our schedules were quite insane in the last couple of months- traveling wise! Finally at the end of January we were both in London at the same time.  I was greeted upon my(messy) arrival by yummy biscuits, fruit and tea. True Slavic hospitality!

Roksanda at her desk in one of her stunning purple dresses

Last time  I saw Roksi was at her SS 2013 show at the Savoy hotel in London . Her deigns are as you might have noticed one of my favourites. Why? The Roksanda Ilincic woman is a lady. With a modern British twist.  There is something to be said on how her clothes  are   oozing femininity by floating around the body. Also her clothes are like sculptures- they would make a great exhibit in a modern art museum. and are real life walking sculptures. One of my favourite dresses of all times is below from the SS 2012 show.  Let’s not forget the stunning skirt suit from Fall 2012 too

Nor this  Pre Spring 2013 beauty

Me in some of her creations

Pre Fall 2013 was inspired from what American fashion designer Claire McCardel did in the  40′s and 50′s. I immediately fell in love with the small waisted grey dress with a  dominant  grey skirt and  pink collar. I felt very “sage” in it. I usually like how her clothes fall loosely around the body but this dress had a different cut. Roksanda is not afraid of vibrant colours and  this collection states that very clearly! Apart from talking clothes we really had “girl’s chat”: which is off the record and certainly NOT for the blogosphere…

You can read the rest of my interview here: http://style-trail.com/categories/interviews

http://beautybanter.com/makeup-bag-model-sara-brajovic

Matthew’s home reflects his uber colourful collections inspired by India. I just love his house and how he decorated it….gold pineapples, bell jars, birdcages and wheat sheaf tables. I had to take snap shots of it!  No wonder that you really connect with some designers! It’s about having similar aesthetics, recognising this and inspiring one another. In the pictures above I am wearing vintage Matthew Williamson.  Below is my favourite shot of his first collection in 1997

I remember being obsessed with this dress. Helena Christensen in the famous cobweb dress

Dress: Matthew Williamson
Sienna Miller in the Butterfly crystal dress

Dress: Matthew Williamson

Some snapshots of Matthew’s beautiful Primrose Hill home…enjoy

I truly believe that our wardrobe should consist of items that can be worn now and in 10-20-30 years to come. The basics as I call them. Here in this in this interview for the Telegraph I talk a bit about the most timeless piece in my wardrobe, i.e. pieces that don’t age and are not victim to trends- Hermes Kelly.  You can read the interview in today’s Telegraph to here online : http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG9540799/Cool-customers-four-women-on-the-timeless-classic-they-cant-get-dressed-without.html I am wearing an YSL top and trousers from the Fall 2012 collection and Rupert Sanderson Prunia shoes. Thank you Phong Luu,  Aurelia Donaldson and the Telegraph team!

Beautiful Tatiana on her wedding day and what a stunning wedding. Dress by Angel Sanchez. Above
Tatiana: The blue strapless dress is Armani, it was such a beautiful day and great occasion we were celebrating- it was the night before Prince William’s wedding. I can always count on Armani for elegance. Below

Tatiana: I could never get through describing my style without mentioning the divine Venezuelan Angel Sanchez- who knows my body and always understand what it is I want. Below

Tatiana: J Mendel- an exquisite Grecian style dress that I wore the night before my wedding. I must say it is probably my favourite of all the looks. I really felt like that dress was a true expression of my style. Below

True style icon- I am not saying this because she is one of my oldest friends, from early teenage years!Even aged 13 she outdid us all with her spontaneous combinations of bits and pieces from New York, Latin America and Spain. Jewellery was always spot on! Refined, regal but always with a twist- a perfect example how a modern day princess should dress. We talk about her impeccable style and what are her latest finds in jewellery.
How do you pick your dresses and jewellery for your events?
Unfortunately I am not very organised when it comes to getting dressed for a big event. I leave it to the very last minute, I am usually in a panic, even though I have had months to prepare…
I never wear anything tight fitting, I am quite self conscious- and I love dresses that flow, that move as I move, that allow me freedom.
I am definitely a girl who loves accessories- I always try and add a hint of ethnic jewellery to a black tie dress. My mother has the most amazing style so I never go without asking her advice- and possibly “borrowing” some pieces. I love looking for unique pieces in markets around the world.
I also love Mesi’s unique shell rings, http://www.mesijilly.net/ Annal Lu Ponti for the most exquisite elegant jewellery. Hemmerle https://www.hemmerle.com/ is my current obsession and I can always rely on Couture Lab http://www.couturelab.com/ for unique jewellery as well as the fabulous Mauro Durant who works there for some tips.
Mesi ring

Hemmerle earrings

Hemmerle necklace

Is there a dress code for royal events- for example covered shoulders, etc…?
For white tie events, or if attending a ceremony in a church, I always cover my shoulders- as in the purple dress , usually with a little bolero and then take it off after dinner.

Read on for more images and rest of the interview Read more

We had to style ourselves ( of course) on the set for the Net a Porter shoot and I choose two looks. Why? Well something that best represents my dress moods. First outfit is so simple but yet so effective- beautifully cut high waisted trousers with a silk body that shows plenty of skin- the whole back is open and in the front it tickles the imagination- not too much and not too little is shown- paired up with a sharp cut evening jacket and high fun heels. Jewellery adds a youthful and playful touch to a classic black and white outfit. Masculine femininity. I like to keep things simple the majority of times in my outfits. Read the full interview http://www.net-a-porter.com/magazine/#/139/13
Shop the look:
Body top: Gucci
Jacket: Gucci
Necklace pendant:Pamela Love
Necklace : Lanvin
Trousers: YSL
You can’t see them but I was wearing there: Shoes: Charlotte Olympia
You can also shop my style directly from Net a Porter on this link : http://www.net-a-porter.com/Shop/List/Sara’s_Style?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-ProductList-_-SarasStyle-_-TheParisPortfolio

It’s wonderful to see affluent individuals in the fashion industry getting involved with food and promoting healthy eating. This is exactly what I had the pleasure to see when I popped into Ellettra Wiedemann’s pop up restaurant, Goodness in Uptown New York. A model, dj, Lancome spokesmodel with a Masters Degree from LSE ,the daughter of Italian actress Isabella Rossellini is quite the Renaissance woman. Her pop-up restaurant, Goodness, second year running, is only open during fashion week and healthy eating is a priority. Location is Museum of Arts and Design on Columbus Circle a short distance from Lincoln Center where most shows take place. This season’s Goodness has earned the approval of the CFDA Health Initiative. We talk about her projects, inspirations and future goals. http://www.goodnesspopup.com/

The themes and subjects of her photos are off beat, dark and raw.I am thinking the modern Diane Arbus? Most definitely. In modern day fast paced society Andrea is focusing on the possessions that an individual leaves behind once they die. A bit morose? Well….depends how you see things…but the fact of the matter is that these are not usual subjects. It’s the things we forget about or don’t see or rather choose not to pay attention to because it makes us nervous and uncomfortable. A bit like Arbus. Other works portray animal carcases and fresh blood or lonesome graves in highlands. Images are eerie , some provoke a beautiful numbness and others touch you with their rawness. You feel like you are standing next to her looking at it- the images are so real! We caught up in her incredible townhouse, a space that makes you feel transported to another world where for a minute you forget that you are in the heart of busy downtown New York City.

How did you get into photography? I took a photography class in high school and was immediately drawn to the magic of the darkroom.
Where do you draw inspiration for your work? I draw inspiration from my experiences. I think that (like most people) there’s enough material there to inspire several lifetimes of work. Read on for more images Read more

Elegance, refinement, luxury. I associate closely with those three words  and would also use them to  describe J.Mendel’s creations. I had the privilege to visit Gilles Mendel at his atelier and the headquarters in New York to view the Fall 2012 collection, just two days after his New York show. As well as having a Marilyn moment with the designer above I got to browse through the entire Fall collection and have a chat with Gilles. Amongst all the collections in NY fashion week Mendel’s collection stood out for me as I find it very wearable for different age groups, diverse professions as well as for day or night wear. Lots of white and neutral colours make it quite a soft classic collection without forgetting some very strong looks, mostly in black and some maxi dresses that are sheer but overall it’s a very user friendly collection. There are some designs that can definitely be worn for the red carpet, not traditional Mendel red carpet dresses but more younger, upbeat versions giving the red carpet the cool factor. I loved inspecting the clothes. As you can imagine seeing them on the runway on models is not the same as seeing it in person or on yourself. Certain tops are structured corsets and fit incredibly. The Mendel coat is a definitive investment piece…you will wear it for years to come and perhaps pass it on to your daughters? The chiffon blouses are a must buy, so easily worn and again a must have in one’s wardrobe. All the trousers are an amazing fit and the leather ones a treat. The pleated skirts of different lengths  are a clever addition to any wardrobe. Don’t forget that this is all TOP quality. Enough of me chatting and boring you- I leave you to scroll down and see J.Mendel’s atelier, his inspirations for this collection and the fascinating process of how  fashion collections come together. Btw, before I forget- the shoes are by Manolo Blahnik.

The mood board for this collection was a Vogue fashion story shot by Helmut Newton through  Diana Vreeland’s vision on the grounds of Gaudi’s Sagrada Família cathedral in Barcelona




This light brown ensemble of shirt and trousers is so incredible, accessorised here with a fur jacket or why not a simple blazer or cardigan?

The mood boards for the materials used in the collection: cashmere, wool, fox, silk, crocodile…

Where all the magic gets made


xxx Read more

Two months ago  I went to the opening of Natasha Zinko’s first store in Mayfair in London and completely fell in love with the playfulness of Natasha’s jewellery designs. The “oh so seen” jewellery motifs such as the skull and the cross take on a new dimension in her designs. A fun one! Look at her vision of the human skeleton above. It’s a fantastic pair of earrings (they are also quite large in size) and make any outfit a good 10 years younger looking. Apart from skeletons,you can find many different symbols as well as….wait for it… rabbits and elephants!And it strangely works. Serious jewellery, as it is made of only precious materials and stones, but for that mischievous  girl always present in us. The store is at 46 Maddox Street , in the heart of Mayfair  and here you can also get a glimpse of her pret a porter collection called Abrakadabra which I dare say is reminiscent of Rick Owens. We talk about her inspirations, her new store in London  and her quirky jewellery and pret- a porter collection…
How did you get into jewellery design?
I have always had a passion for jewellery. I enrolled at Central Saint Martins and graduated with honours in a BA degree in Jewellery Design. I started by experimenting with objects to create jewellery and then I tried to focus on one theme to create an entire collection. Before entering Central Sain Martins, I enrolled myself at Chelsea College of Art and Design where I took a course in Fashion Design.

What inspires you?
Different things really. It could be a painting or piece of furniture or other concrete objects. But I am also inspired by concepts…like the idea of big and small. In my latest jewellery collection, I played with the contrast of bunnies and elephants. How they could co-exist, play, and interact. We called this collection David & Goliath. Go figure.
Read more

I’m really happy to post this interview with the amazing Eugenia Silva who is the brand ambassador to  the swimwear brand Tatjana Anika designed by the very talented Tatjana Pesko.  I arrived this summer in Ibiza only to find out that the airline company lost my luggage and I was without any clothes and cosmetics for a good three days. Tatjana ran to my rescue and gave me her Tatjana Anika bikini and a beautiful dress to wear. Wow. I can safely say that the fit is incredible and the material is so soft. See what Eugenia has to say below about her style, this incredible brand and life in general….straight from a supermodels mouth….

How did you start modelling?
My first fashion contact was in 1992 when I was 16 years old and I won the Elite look of the year award.

You are absolutely stunning…could you let us in into your beauty regime?
Thanks a lot. I take care of myself but not obssesive at all. I eat eaverything and very healthy. I use nice products to take care of my skin and in madrid and in NU I have my facialist that help me when my skin gets tired. I practise yoga and pilates and in ny i go to exhale spa to a class called core fusion. Read more

I am so excited to post this interview with the Executive Director Julien Pruvost of Cire Trudon. Cire Trudon is the world’s oldest candle maker established in Paris in 1643 and  has  supplied to the court at Versailles, through to Napoleon and beyond. It has the most beautiful collection of candles and most importantly heavenly scented candles that I can confirm burn very very long. It’s my favorite thing to buy for the house or give as presents. 

How did Cire Trudon develop to what it is now in the 21st Century?  Cire Trudon has become a synonym for the finest scented candles.  Carrying a strong heritage and genuine expertise, this institution has established itself through the centuries with a careful commitment to quality. Cire Trudon uses a perfect wax formula housed within a beautiful glass vessel and continues to unveil unique candles made with premium quality vegetal wax in respect to the environment. Crafted by glass artisans, each glass is unique and decorated with a gold shield. Traditional know-how, craftsmanship and innovation are values that symbolize Cire Trudon, a French Maison intimately linked to the City of Lights.

Constant adaptation to each period in history and the evolutions of science while keeping in mind what Cire Trudon does best: candles.

Read on for the rest of the interview Read more

I love working with Patrick Demarchelier. He makes you look stunning. He has such an enormous talent and is such a kind person. I will never forget our first shoot together, in St Barths, Patrick if you are reading this wink wink wink! Again an amazing shoot for US Vogue this time. Thank you to such a great team! The gorgeous dress is by Lanvin….and of course the rings are by my favourite jewelry brand in the world …REPOSSI! I won’t mention the 7 million dollar jewelry I am wearing around my neck….Shame you can’t see my shoes- I wore the Erdem black and red velvet platforms.

I remember seeing Mallarino jewelry for the first time. My journalist friend asked me if I minded that a friend of hers joins us for lunch and there it was-  I saw this beautiful ring sitting on her pinkie finger. Gold, small, delicate and beautiful. This is when I met Lucia Bueno Mallarino , the designer behind the jewelry brand Mallarino. Amazing girl and such a talented designer! The artisans that make Lucia’s designs use a delicate technique of filigree which consists in hand- sewing jewels with a silver thread and requires extraordinary manual skills and the love and knowledge of noble materials.  The tight relationship she has with the artisans is key to bringing the best of both worlds into her unique jewellery. We talk about her jewelry, Paris favourites(where she lives) and just all things girlie…. Read more

I am very happy to be able to talk to the jeweller to the stars Loree Rodkin in person. I always thought that her designs were incredibly clever and visionary. She created the “bondage ring” some 18 years ago, a long time favourite of mine, which set this trend in jewelry making. We can see this trend present in many jewelry collections today whether it’s fine jewelry or fashion jewelry. The designs of Loree’s jewelry tickle my fascination with the occult. Loree is a true rock’n'roll chic at heart, a true eccentric, an avid collector of vintage jewelry and medieval armour… prime example where creativity sees no boundaries. She explains to me how she gets inspiration, her unusual beginning is jewelry making, why Michelle Obama and Elizabeth Taylor collected her jewelry and much more….

Jewelry making started off as a hobby for you. How did it all take off and when did you create your first collection?

Jewelry has been a passion of mine since I was a little girl. Instead of Barbies it was jewelry. My mother would give me jewelry and I’d already had an opinion about it whether I liked it or not. Later on in my life whilst I was managing actors I became close with Robert Downey Jr. who was a client. He had a very turbulent existence and an addiction to substances. I was babysitting him. Since I did not drink or do drugs I would make jewelry to keep myself awake at night to watch over him.

In 1988 I made a diamond skull ring which was noticed by the owner of the influential Maxfield boutique in West Hollywood. My first collection was launched and sold out.

Read more

Meet the Dannijo girls….Danielle and Jodie.I’ve been a fan of their jewelry for quite some time and was excited to meet  them at their showrom in the Meatpacking district in NYC. Their jewelry is unique- every piece feels like a sculpture . Absolutely in love with the oxydised silver Kalbari necklace below. Chunky silver and colourful at the same time. Perfect match.

It can do wonders to any outfit, be it a summer long boho dress, jeans shirt and shorts decontracte  look, a smart white blouse or a simple black dress. The combinations are endless…. wearing mine non stop- I only take it off when I sleep.

How did you get into jewelry making? We grew up in Jacksonville, FL by the beach. We were always really creative from a young age. Jodie used to make cool beaded jewelry and once I found my dad’s medical tools, I taught myself how to wirework. We started collaborating and our designs got more and more intricate. We sold to local boutiques and ultimately our hobby turned into a business. Read more

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I am the eldest grandson and namesake of Pierre FREY, the founder of our 75 year old French fabric house. He created it in the heart of Paris where we are still located today. Since 1972, my father Patrick is running the company, as well as remaining the Creative Director.

From the time I was born, my father has shared his love and appreciation for design, and not always in obvious ways.  It was the small details in everyday life, whether while traveling or at home, that he would point out to me.  It was the same for him and his father.  The company is very much a part of who I am, and who we are.  I think every family holiday we have ever taken has resulted in a fabric that is added to our collection. Read more

http://www.facebook.com/Be.laRuche

I’d like to introduce you to Caroline de Maigret, a French model who has had a wide spectrum of jobs in the modelling industry- from very edgy to classic and from commercial to beauty. Lindbergh, Testino, Terry Richardson, Inez and Vinoohd ,Juergen Teller to name just have photographed her. I’ve known Caro for a while now and have to say that I have always liked her androgyne look and her admiration for music. Go aquarius! She owns Bonus Records now, is the hippest mum and just has that lovely relaxed vibe about her. We talk about her modelling career, Paris, her record label, fashion and much more…

How did you start modeling?

Marie Louise Scio- second from left

http://www.pellicanohotel.com/
I’ d like to introduce you to  the stunning Marie Louise Scio, the creative director and daughter of the owner of Il Pelicano hotel. This is such a unique destination not only because of its beauty but because of the rich history, tradition, exclusivity and quirkiness  and thus its capacity to  set  a high standard in the hospitality industry. We talk about the history of the hotel, her design studio, her style,etc…

What is your role at the Pellicano Hotel?

I started of by giving it a “facelift” as I studied architecture, from that I got into changing the whole image of the place and working in all areas of the hotel…I would say I’m the creative director of both hotels, the other being la Posta Vecchia which is 30 mins from Rome. Read more

http://www.christiancota.com

I’d like to introduce you to the hip NY designer Christian Cota whom style.com after his very  first collection named one of their “Ten Newcomers to Watch”. In July of 2010, the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue named Christian Cota a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist. Definitely one to watch! Stunning clothes! We talk about his inspirations, style, his collections, and life in general…

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I am from Mexico City and after high school I went to Paris to study painting. There I realized the importance of fashion and how I could combine my two passions. Then I decided to come to NY and go to Parsons. After graduating and working in the industry for a little while and realized there was something pretty unique I could offer and in 2007 I decided to launch my own brand. Read more

I’d like to introduce you to the very beautiful and talented jewelry designer Noor Fares. The whole N.oor collection and its different ranges can bee seen on http://www.noorfares.com/ . After having studied at Tufts university in the US, courses in fashion PR and journalism at London College of Fashion and graduating from GIA she decided to pursue her greatest passion: jewelry.  We talk about her inspirations, collections and life in general….

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

My bio is on my website for anyone who cares to see it but when it comes to a personal look at myself, I consider myself to be like other women my age but with the added experiences of traveling.  I am very fortunate to have seen a lot of the world and that has made all the difference to my outlook and personal style. At heart, I consider myself an artist that tends to view things around me from that perspective.

Read more

When I first saw George I was blown away by  his allure. His style, reminiscent of 1960′s Amalfi Coast  with a hint of Britishness was just the glazing on top of his gentlemanly, eloquent and sharp persona.    As I don’t watch British TV very much apart from the news or the occasional Crimewatch I had no idea that he  is a very popular TV presenter. He also happens to be the partner of my friend designer Adrian Sauvage ‘s brand A.Sauvage http://asauvage.com/ that is very in demand in the UK.  We caught up at the  restaurant E&O in Notting Hill.

Considering that your father is a well known actor you did not follow  in his footsteps- how did you get into TV presenting?

I think acting is a transient business. I watched my father’s highs and lows and how his job played with him. He is a very proud man and it was not nice to see the how the uncertainty of the acting career messed with him.  My mother is an entrepreneur and she never encouraged me to get into acting. I started managing DJ mates in the 90′s- I was fully emerged into the world of dance music and clubbing and then when I spotted Lily Allen I decided to manage her. We made an album together but then people kept telling me that it was not it so I left that project. The album actually did very well.  When I reached my mid twenties I was a bit lost, did not know what to do and was ready to do just about anything! At this precise point a friend asked me if I wanted to present something on TV.  I realised that I really enjoyed working LIVE – the pure adrenaline of being live in front of the camera. I think I found my thing! Read more

I’d like to introduce you to Valerie Boster.  When I first met her  in NY whilst modeling I thought she was a model as well- in fact she works at American Vogue!   A fashionista but also a real surfer girl which accounts for her wonderful solar energy and down to earth attitude.

How is it working with Anna Wintour?

Inspirational. She is always a step ahead.

You must have access to the most amazing clothes at Vogue-are Vogue girls allowed to borrow?

Working here definitely exposes you to the best of the collections, and of course designer introductions, but we do not borrow anything that has been reserved for an editorial. Read more

Cora Sheibani born Bischofberger is the daughter of the great art dealer Bruno Bishofberger who was immortalised on the silver screen  by Dennis Hopper in Julian Schnabel’s 1996 film Basquiat. Yes. This charming family situation resulted in Cora collaborating with the world’s greatest artists -”for fun” -when she was four years old.  The artists in question? Just to give you an idea – one was Jean Michel Basquiat .Francisco Clemente also did a portrait of her.  Well we caught up at her home to chat about her magnificent jewelry line which is like herself unique and authentic. Be warned -  big budgets apply but you do get real quality  as it is hand made and you  won’t see another person wearing the same piece as you. Also wearing pieces designed by someone who was exposed to master- pieces from early childhood and who constantly interacts  with some of the most influential artists  today is not a bad thing either.

How did you get into jewelry design?

Well, I don’t like most jewelry out there so I wanted to make jewelry I like. For example I bought two bronze antique rings and wore it when we were at school together. Then I wanted to get into packaging and design but realised I would be told what to do by the clients and my creativity would be halted. Also it would have involved a lot of time in front of the computer. I wanted to have complete creative freedom and yet be involved  with a  hands on approach. I studied at GIA in London. Read more

My dear and very old friend Ito was made Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters in Paris by the French Minister of Culture Frederic Mitterrand. This is a great honour in France and is given to individuals who significantly contributed to the enrichment of the French cultural inheritance. Ito and I met as teenagers in Paris with not a worry in the world and would roam around the city with our crew getting up to no good.  When I received the invite in the post  for this great occasion I went to support my friend and I was very proud of him.  Bravo Ito! We talk about his beginnings in design,his projects, his beautiful home in Paris, more design and fashion….

How did you get into design?

I got into design as a kid. I took on  the big luxury brands  logo and identities (LV, Apple, etc) with no permission  and created models that did not exist.   I was the first person to put fake products on the internet  which created a huge confusion in the market as journalists would be writing about these products that did not really exist.  A young pirate. It all turned out well as my work was recognised by museums and I did not get sued. Read more

I’d like to introduce you to my lovely friend Lauren who apart from having the  looks and wonderful manners  a is  savvy , independent and capable young lady. . Beauty+brain+manners rarely mixes together I find…..but in this case it ‘s a winning combination. She is the founder and CEO of Vensette- a house call professional make up and hair styling service for the multitasking women out there….

I feel like we have known each other for ages -  we met when you were studying at Columbia University in New York.  What did you major in?

I know, it has been ages!  We met when I was living in London for the summer.  Afterwards, I went back to Columbia, where I majored in English Literature.

You worked in a hedge fund/bank for a while. How was that?

I loved the intellectual stimulation of finance and working alongside colleagues who consistently inspired me. But in the end, there was not enough of a creative challenge to hold my interest long-term.  I love my job right now because I have the structured environment that I enjoyed having in finance, but also the ability to create innovative ways of looking at the beauty industry. Read more

I’d like to introduce the incredible Sonia Sieff, daughter of world famous French photographer Jeanloup Sieff (his numerous monographs sit on bookshelves at my parent’s home library). Sonia is for me one of the freshest photographer’s out there today. I love the way her lens captures women’s personalities showing us their vulnerability and sensuality. We talk fashion, photography, her inspirations, travel and Paris…

Tell us a bit about yourself? Childhood, growing up….
Well, I grew up in a quite amazing family with a dad photographer and an intellectual and a German mother who was model. And they met… in a studio!

How much did your father influence you and your work?(you can see some of his work  below)
He influenced me first as a human being. In everything, taste, humour, character.. Read more

I would like to introduce you to my friend Saloni Lodha, a London based designer with really cool dresses and share with you  her thoughts about  style, inspirations and her collection. Read more