South Asian Fashion

I was very surprised when my dad told me that there were South Asian designers on the catwalks of Milan Fashion Week (yes, I know that was way back in September). I do like South Asian Fashion, so was very interested to see what they came out with.
I tend to only wear traditional clothes at weddings, and am always looking for ways to modernise them. I always find it really uncomfortable to wear them for more than a few hours at a time, so I happily welcome any modern and comfortable ideas for them.

They were being showcased in Milan on the 30th September 2009, as part ‘N-U-DE New Upcoming Designers Project’, launched by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana to enhance international designers.
I'm looking at three designers that were there: Deepak Perwani, Maheen Khan and Rizwan Bey.
Hopefully I can look into each designer in depth some time in the future, but for now, here are the photos from the show:

These first pictures are from Deepak Perwani. The colours and styles of his clothes are magnificant. I googled him a while back and some of his collections are fantastic.

These next ones are from Maheen Khan:

And finally, these ones are from Rizwan Bey. They have to be my favourite from all of the collections.

Which ones are your favourites and are there any out of these 3 designers that you'd like me to research some more?

Sherin xx

All pictures from Dawn Newspaper.

Coatigan

This summer we had jeggings; now it's coatigans (coat + cardigan)! The fash pack definitely keep us on our toes with all of these newly-coined words. I know the terms can be silly sometimes, but the concepts most certainly aren't!

Pre-coatigan

I've been wanting a long, thick cardigan for ages because they're so versatile and comfortable. Last month I got one from French Connection that I wear all the time (but mostly around the house on top of pjs, which is why I haven't featured it here!) - it's comfortable, but quite plain.

The other day, I went for a walk to take a break from my studies and ended up on Oxford Street (how on earth did that happen?!) I haven't been high street shopping for a while and am actually quite tired of it at the moment. I much prefer boutiques and smaller shops - they have more limited selections, but you don't end up wearing or buying the exact same thing that everyone else seems to have. We ended up in a small boutique off Oxford Street which has great items - often samples - for reasonable prices.

My mum says I have an eye for coats, which is strange, because I grew up in a hot country where coats weren't required and I think it's really difficult to find a flattering, pretty coat! But I think it's important to have outerwear that you love, because, as Claire once told me, if you live in a colder place like London, it's what most people see you wearing much of the time.

Whatever the reason, I was drawn to this 'coatigan' and wore it for a quick lunch and walk (before it started raining and we raced home). It's so comfortable, and is perfect for transitional weather. I can see myself wearing it a lot this season! I think it would be great to layer under a coat for when the weather gets bitterly cold, don't you think?

Do you like that flower arrangement on the table?

Mum made it in her flower-decorating class!

Orchids and roses.

Wearing no-label coatigan

Massimo Dutti sweater dress

No-label liquid leggings

Beverly Feldman wedges

Juicy Couture patent handbag

Revlon One Perfect Coral nailpolish

Oh! And here's a bonus picture of my mum and I. We both wore a variation of a white sweaterdress + leggings (it wasn't on purpose, I promise!)

I love her gold brogues. As you can see, I had switched into flats because we were going for a walk and those wedges are really uncomfortable.

Would you wear a coatigan? Do you already have one? Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

xx Leia

Some Outfits

I've had some interesting places to go recently, so I thought I'd do all the outfits in one post. This outfit is what I wore to our friends 21st birthday. She's the youngest in our group, so was the last to turn 21, which gave us all an excuse to party the night away.


I'm weaing my Over The Knee Boots (I'm telling you, I'm going to wear them all winter) and my skirt is the one I got from Joy. And my top is from Jane Norman. I've actually had this top for years, but have never worn it.

This is my second outfit: I wore to my graduation ceromony. In theory, I graduated in June, but for some reason our ceromony had to wait until November, when the weather is rubbish. So while everyones elses graduation pics are in the sun, ours were in the wet and cold.

My dress is another thing from Joy. Yes, I know I've worn it before, but I've been spending loads recently, so had to 'shop my closet'. I do love this dress though. My heels are from Nine West. However, I didn't stay in them for too long. I switched to my comfortable Coco Rose flats as soon as I could! Also, this picture was taken towards the end of the day, after all my make up had vanished and my cheeks hurt from all the smiling for pictures.
The gown was not the most flattering piece of clothing, but it was fun to wear. Although, my hat did keep falling off!


Sherin xx

Shanghai Tang Holiday 2009

In September, I had just discovered Shanghai Tang. Some of you had heard of the brand and some of you hadn't - but most everyone liked the pieces I posted!

Their Holiday 2009 collection has just been released and I wanted to share a few of my favorite pictures with you. I loved the balloon art theme in the catalog - isn't it so creative and fun? Aside from showcasing an item (or a few) from their collection, each picture could easily be mistaken as artistic photography, don't you think?

If only the balloons could be included with the purchases!

Sultry lingerie...

Wouldn't this make a great present?

I just love this picture.

I need a balloon in the shape of a key for my keychain! Okay, I know that's not entirely practical, but doesn't it make for a great picture?

I think this is a wine stopper. Isn't it the prettiest one you've ever seen?

If I drank wine, I would definitely get it.

I need to have masses of pink balloons in my cupboard behind all my clothes.

Ahh! This is so awesome.

Another perfect present, I think.

Love that random pop of green in the picture.

Wouldn't it be so cool to store your belts on balloons?!

Gorgeous little jewelry box.

If you're into Chinese-chic, these would definitely make great Christmas presents. Prices start at USD 60. They have stores in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the US, so if you're interested in buying something, click here to find out details of their stores. You can also shop online!

Which pictures did you like best? Will you be picking up some Shanghai Tang pieces this season?

xx Leia

Style Swap with Ana

One of my favourite things about blogging is all the amazing people I get to know from around the world. A lot of you bloggers have become really good friends and that's what I'm loving. One such blogger is Ana from Coffee Break. Her blog is filled with some great travel posts, that show you what a gorgeous place Mexico is, and she has a lovely fashion sense.

1) Tell me a bit about yourself:
I'm 28, I'm Mexican. I've been married for 1 year. I love to travel and I work for a French company in Mexico but I don't speak French, only Spanish, English and a little bit of German because I lived in Vienna for 1 year. My hubby is also Mexican and I live in a very beautiful city called Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco where Tequila comes from.

2) Why did you decide to start a blog?
Many times I wanted to express myself on the web, but I was a little bit scared about reactions and privacy, then when I used to search some things on google it took me to many blogs, then I found personal blogs who talked about fashion, photography, travel and in that instant I wanted to share what I like, what I admire, my country and my thoughts. I started my blog and then I found a great community of really nice and creative people from all over the world, and I'm very glad I found them because we have many things in common that we can share. And many of the blogs I read have been very helpful in many different ways and I will always be grateful to them.

3) How would you define your personal style?
In my heart I'm a rocker but on the outside I consider my style elegant and classic, I must confess I don't take risks to dress; I think a nice white shirt, with black pants, a nice jacket and cool accesories will make a perfect outfit always. But I'm also fan of the mix and match tendency!

4) What are your hobbies/how do you like to relax?
I love to read fashion blogs, interior design blogs, travel blogs!!! Any blog that's interesting... my hobbies are to re-decorate my home with anything that comes up to my mind, I like going to museums and having long walks in the city.

5) My favourite feature of yours is Wedding Mondays; why did you start this feature and where do you get inspiration for it?
When I got married... I searched the internet for wedding ideas but I didn't find as many as I wanted, then when I started the blog I got to know many other blogs about weddings, so the idea of Wedding Monday is to show you the beautiful things I found on the web, blogs or real life and maybe one day you can use that idea for your own wedding or another important event.

6) Whats something unique to you?
I understand something about myself that is unique? mmm... jaja I'm very organized with my life, work and money. I will do to you any favor you ask me, any time not expecting if you some day will do me a favor too. Before I knew my husband I wanted to go to parts of the world who were in war conflict or so to help as volunteer.

7) Who is your biggest role model/inspiration?
I will say Queen Rania of Jordania she is so inteligent, pretty, and fights for what she believes. And in fashion I admire the style of Olivia Palermo very much.


8) If someone had one weekend to spend in Mexico, where would you reccommend them to go?
OMG this is so difficult!! I will say a place where you can have forest, beach and nice cities, that will be the state of Michoacán. Friday on a beautiful beach in the Pacific ocean, saturday morning on the lovely National park of Uruapan, saturday evening on a typical town full of color like Patzcuaro and on Sunday a walk in the streets of Morelia, an amazing colonial city. But it depends on what you are looking for, the south of Mexico is full with pyramids and history. Mexico City is great for museums and night life. And Guadalajara is where all the Mexican things that are known in the world are from like tequila or Mariachi. So if anyone is planning a trip to Mexico, ask me and I will be pleased to tell you where to go.

All pictures have come from Ana's blog: Coffee Break.

P.S. I'm glad to say that I have been keeping in touch with Hannah from London--Rose these last few weeks. She really is a nice person. For all you British bloggers out there, Hannah wants to arrange a fun meet up in London, in December. If you are interested, check out her blog and let her know you're interested. She's also put up a poll about what to do here.


P.P.S. We've briefly mentioned the Timeless 50 in the past. There are lots of categories and you get to vote for the timeless piece in each one. There are loads of prizes to be won if you vote and the poll closes on the 15th of November.