Elegant slumming...

For the past five months I 've spent most of my time at home, even while working. So I thought it appropriate to write down what I've learned about "working from home wear" in a post that I wish to dedicate to the M people, that Brit pop band from the '90s that still gets me jiving, and who are responsible for my title which pretty much sums up what this post is all about.

So... how can "slumming" become "elegant"? At first this might be seem like an oxymoron, and indeed at first, from my styling perspective atleast, it was. But that was just because styling was about as far down on my priority list as its ever been since kindergarden. Still, day by day I began to get to grips with it.

Staying at home and working with no one around to see you does not mean you get to stay in your pjs or your sweats. Or atleast it shouldn't. That should be allowed only when you are feeling particularly low on steam or sick. But there is a whole gradation of possibilities between (and including) sweats and a severe suit that you can experiment with until you find the balance that is just right for you. And you probably don't even have to go shopping to find it!

Lets begin by the basics: a straight leg, preferably high waisted jean, one pair of black leggings, a harem pant in a neutral colour such as mink or navy blue, a white shirt, and a sweater dress. You can see where I'm going with this can't you? Yes, the secret is all in structured but never constrictive pieces that are comfy but still allow you to look professional.

One of my main stays recently is a pair of wool trousers with elastics at the ankles and a pijama like waist. I also have them in a silky blue version. And, though their cut is obviously that of a sweat pant, and they are as comfortable as can be, they are also impromptu meeting / visit ready. Especially if you cover them with a T-shirt, a slouchy draped knit cardigan and a blazer. You add some slouchy, 80s style boots or jazz shoes and voila! So that's pretty much become my uniform lately.

A view from the side lines (2)

But returning to the details of the fashion show that instigated these meandering thoughts...

Alvarno's designer duo Arnaud Maillard and Alvaro Castejón showed promise, - I hoped to be able to upload some of them so you can judge for yourself but unfortunately none seem available - damn my unexisting camera!!!So you'll just have to bare with a classic written review or surf other blogs who's owners are 2.0 enough to actually take digital pictures where ever they go!

The draping and the tailoring were good, some whimsical details were interesting and kept things fresh and fun, the choice of materials was luxurious... The clientelle they mean to woo is clearly that same reduced group of socialites that keep Miguel Palacio in business, yet their ideas aren't as formed. They seem to have a sound knowledge of the skills required, but need to dig deeper into themselves.

This designing duo's style is still very heavy on references - most notably to Valentino in a series of lavender concotions. Alvarno still have a long way to go to find their own vision, and create a collection that is truelly personal and original. Maybe a good start would be to consider how their style could be reinterpreted to work before nightfall... I am willing to bet they will find their way.

A view from the sidelines (1)

Today * I returned to the Fashion merry-go-round. I went to see the off- Cibeles / off-MCFW, first collection of a yound duo: Alvarno. It was interesting to return after such a prolonged break. I felt like a well informed outsider. And that somehow, made me feel much more relaxed. There was no role playing needed. Being a freelance, you can be yourself - you do not have to represent the ideal of anyone else.

I was kindly sat on a comfortable Rococo cushioned seat and was delighted to discover my neighbour was a musician with more than a passing interest in fashion. We had a really entertaining conversation while waiting, which was refreshing in that it made me almost sad that there was just a half hour delay to the fashion show.

Generally I find those de rigeur delays absolutely horrid. I am a stickler for punctuality. Its in my genes. And normally the small talk these systematic delays engender is terribly dull or gossipy. I tend to sit quitely and observe, trying not to get drawn in to such conversations. So imagine how refreshing to be able to exchange opinions and discuss fashion with someone who loves it but does not work in it. I wish we had been able to exchange names or that I might have at least given her my card. (Note to self, in my friend Crix's voice (aka, my very own "Jemini Cricket") - I absolutely MUST get new cards made).

We parted ways cordially as we got up, me heading for the door ("no, not the cocktail," - to a waiter - "though I'm sure it is wonderful, thank you, just looking for the door"). I probably should have socialized more, but really, as I looked around I saw few people I knew, and none I really felt like catching up with (that may sound harsh, but its not. Its just a mood / energy level thing). I'd have loved to catch up with the girl who invited me to the show, but she was obviously over her head with work, so I'll call her up tomorrow and see if we can meet up some day soon for coffee.

If there's one thing I've discovered through out these 13 years in the business, its that I am quite happy being in the sidelines. You get a better perspective of the game from them, as opposed to being in the thick of it. Its the right place to be if you have to then tell the full story to others. You can see it all and yet keep your objectivity. In the same way, on a more personal level, I've discovered I'm more a coffee o lunch kind of person than a cocktail or gala dinner kind of professional. I enjoy one on one face time a thousand times better than an all out glamour crowd.

*Sorry this was from 18-02, it just took me some time to figure out the illustration I should add - no bonus points for originality - in the end I simply scanned my seat reservation...

Through the shattered glass...

... I have been mulling over how the fashion world seems like a parallel world and how I feel like Alice after she recrossed the looking glass into the real world.

Then Lee Alexander McQueen died.

And it feels like that glass that separates the beauty of fashion from the cruel real world has been shattered forever by his suicide. There are few talents like his. The intensity of his vision, his unrelenting pursuit of an ideal through a perfect storm of tailoring and Snow Queen like fantasy was unique. And I think we all admired and loved him for it. He made us dream, he made us smile, he made us think.

His vision permeated many things beyond fashion. I sincerely believe that films such as "The Grimm Brothers" or "Underworld" would not have looked the same if he hadn't taken our breath away with every fashion show.

May you rest in peace, Lee.

Just goes to show...

I picked up an interesting "article" the other day about the trends to watch in 2010. And was very happy to find out I was in many ways "ahead of the curve". A taste maker instead of a simple "early adopter". And here I was, thinking I was going down a strange and lonely road!

To whit, the article was this one: http://www.enfemenino.com/tendencias/ultimas-tendencias-tendencias-sociales-2010-d11330.html

I "turned red" within days of opting for my health over my job (my way of adding a bit of flare to that dangerous and revolutionary decision), have just recently revisited facebook after "snubbing" it since the birth of 2010, have been recycling big time, and limiting my shopping even more (and not only because I have to penny pinch)! And I've always preferred to cook from scratch, but have never been good at anything other than basics with a twist.

Can't see myself doing Jerkin anytime soon, but I had already heard and seen it, and have always enjoyed a good night out with friends, though preferably not at a bar (overcrowded, smokey, can't hear what they have to say, plus, never even enjoyed alcohol, much prefer the taste of a ginger ale!). Going to a skating rink would be like returning to my teen years in Tokyo. Bowling would fall under the same category. Twister on the other hand... maybe there are some things better left in the past ;-)

The seven month itch

I have to admit a little secret. I have been checking out the new collections, live, at stores again recently. The paranoia I feel about being slower than before translates into arriving early to most meetings. So I go walk about while I wait, visiting nearby boutiques and chain stores. And the itch is back!!!

Check out this sweater + shorts combo by Sonia Rykiel fo H&M. Its so chic, so easy, and each piece is so basic... what's not to love, nay! lust over? Makes me want to go inspect it come the 20th of February, when the new collection will reach the stores.

But its not only designer signature styles that I have my eye on. The other day I discovered a knit jacket at H&M that, in other times, would already be a prize part of my look for the upcoming months, in 2 colours!

And at Zara, I have my eye on a very cool silk shirt dress and a fancy sport T-shirt.

This definitely signals I am on my way BAACK! But what really makes me proud is the fact that none are as of now aleady in my wardrobe. Finally, self control is mine!

Ingres's legacy

I just had to share this gorgeous revision / hommage to French painter Ingres's odalisques for jeweller Bvlgari's latest ad campaign. Not only are the colours and textures gorgeous, but they have chosen one of my favourite actresses to star: Julianne Moore.

Impossible not to remember Titian's voluptous sensuality too. I remember another beautiful recreation of a classical painting for an ad campaign featuring Kate Moss about a decade ago, I think from an original by the great Venetian painter. If I remember the name of the brand and find an image of the campaign, I will be sure to post it too!!

The smell of honey

This may sound strange, but I love the smell of honey. Its clean and pure yet not sickeningly sweet or cloying. In the Songs of Songs - yes I am quoting Solomon from the Old Testament - "Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon" (4:11). Back when I was a child hearing this for the first time I wasn't sure why honey was so important. I thought of it as sticky and gooey. But now I completely understand. Not only is honey good as a sweetener, smoothing over a sore throat, it is also a great cleanser, antiseptic and good for healing irritated skin.

That's why I couldn't resist the sales on the ecobeauty web page www.bottegaverde.es. I had signed up to receive their newsletter out of curiousity and to discover the ecological beauty products they sell. At a 70% discount, I couldn't resist trying some of their products, so I bought a few things I was running out of and a couple of luxuries (a glycolic acid peel off mask and a vanilla and myrrh body wash - sheer indulgence). All the others shared one main ingredient: honey!!! So now, I am staring at my little treasure trove, that arrived in a non-descript little box a few days ago. The smell of honey emanates from my new night cream, body cream, bath gel, and face wash. And I relish it!! Watch this space to know whether this miracle ingredient will help me tame my ever more rebel sensitive skin.

I am looking forward to the spring and switching my incense infused winter fragrance for the L'Occitane honey and lemon fragrance I discovered last summer during my protracted visit to the Palma airport. Also as ecofriendly as they come! With so much honey around, I am hoping to become the Queen Bee!!!

Coming in, going out...

Its been just over six months since my knee gave up on me after a stupid fall. During that time, I decided to make a commitment to clean out my flat, and by doing so help clean up and focus my mind. It was a useful way of getting to focus on something other than the pain and feel like the time spent at home was spent with some purpose.

One of the challenges I set myself was to have more things coming out of my home than came in. I realized that was the only way I could actually manage to reduce the amount of stuff I accumulate. And hopefully, over time, that would transform my home into a clutter free zone. You have heard of a few of the things done to reach this objective: cleaning out and reducing my magazine collections, taking a shopping trolley full of cheap airport novels to la cuesta de Claudio Molyano so that they could find a new owner, selecting two bags full of summer clothes that I do not use so that they can find new homes in Haiti...

Now, all those articles that I saved up to read have been read (YUPPIIII!) and are facing recycling and a new incarnation, maybe as the sequel of the Vampire Diaries or some such best seller. One by one, I am using all the notebooks I've collected over the years to write down thoughts, fantastic projects, the outline of a novel or simply a compendium of decorating ideas for when (if) I have a real home of my own. (Or, when my imagination is really on a roll, I imagine it is my masterkey to buying, reconverting and then selling off homes near the sea, up in the mountains and spectacular flats in the most incredible cities the world over) ...

The next step of this plan? To bring into this house only those things that are perishable and those which I consume: namely, food and the cleaning and beauty essentials. Wish me luck!!!