Vivienne Westwood: There is one wood in the West

Just my luck that I can attend this high conceptual fashion show I must say thanks thousand times to the kindhearted  executors who allowed my to enter inside the backstage and stay in the room as a photographer even though I'm just an amateur.

My dream has come true. At least, I have attended Vivienne Westwood fashion show once in my lifetime and at least, I have seen her once, at this near.

Vivienne Westwood show ending 

This fashion show is a great combination of performing arts and interior designs: music in concert, theater, mimic and some dramatic faces ^^. It reminds me somehow of the shows of Galliano, which always surprised people by its unique way of walk

 Dance with oversized shirt 

The collection is full of contradictions. These high-romance looks seemed cobbled together from leftovers and detritus, both the exquisite (satin, lamé, sequins, lace) and the ordinary (nylon, webby fishnet knits) go along with the clownish makeup. Once more time, this ecological activist takes her action and put the concept of Green economics in her designs. 

Then she closed the show couture-style, with a lovely bride in a pannier gown of rose-embroidered sequins. Is a new beginning about to come?

Nostalgic dresses --> 18th 19th century

More photos are available on Style.com or Vogue.fr . Their pro photographers seem to be able to take the best pictures of every fashion show. So I'm not supposed to compete with them ^^

Today I'm so lucky that  I cross many stylish and iconic people as I walk here to there in Paris. I will have a whole entry for street style in PFW and express my feelings. To bi honest, I was upset at the beginning but now, things seem to get better. You will find out why and what make me feel this way, not long after ^^

Manish Arora: Lovely Kooky

Manish Arora is my favorite up and coming designer. I fell in love for his SS2011 and went watching his show with big big eager yesterday. Haha ^^ some critics found that his collection fulled of normalcy but, in my opinion, this time, his outfits are daily wearable and all of them look kinda lovely, sheering, and sparkling. 

I think we will see these outfits on Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry several months after 

Overall, the shows combined with the music and other effects make me feel that I was lost in an exotic fairy garden. Butterfly-wings sequins and rainbow glitters are largely used along with pastel, neon colors, all of them contribute to make this collection as sweet as candy, as sparkling as the smile of happiness. Oh Holy 

Carven SS2012: A French interpretation of Missoni this season ?!

 Carven is one of my favorite brand this since 2011 as it launched a wallet-friendly SS2011 collection. The outfits are designed to be versatile and clever with removable collars and plenty of add-ins. I particularly fell for the monochrome print sleeveless dress. You just need about 200EUR to own a lovely dress from this brand. Quite affordable.

This SS2012, Guillaume Henry opted for vivid colors to deliver a fresh look. I feel myself lost in a secret garden with flowers, wind and birdsong. Remarkable things: 

- The main color of this collection is Orange, Flashing Pink, Mustard, Black and White 

- These colors go along with strapless shirt and pleated skirts to make a sage look in general. 

- Leathers and Voluminous fabrics dominate the collection. Details are pigmented by meticulous lace works and beads 

- Colorful zigzags stripes are largely used while floral and polka dots are absented. 

All the basics needed to constitute neat and classy looks for young girl. I LOVE this collection because it is applicable to daily life and its prices are not ridiculously high like other French brands. 

However, since the designer used a lot of colorful zigzags and stripes, I found this collection has many in common with Missoni. Just fine, Carven will be certainly more wallet-friendly then Missoni... Hope so 

Then I will give you a pix from Missoni to compare (Credit: Style.com) 

Manish Arora is coming soon...

Paris Fashion week 2012 invitations

P for Passion, F for Finest, W for Whelming... PFW for Paris Fashion Week . 

From Tam Tam with love ♥ 

Carven and Manish Arora SS2012 collections are coming soon  ^~^ 

Paris Fashion week day 1 and 2 : Style revives the pavement

Receive Limi Feu's and Moon Young Hee's invitations just 1 day before J-Time uhmm, however, I was really excited because I thought that my applications were not good enough ^~^. F for Fortunate haha

Moon Young Hee's show invitation was simply simple just as her collection. To be honest, I was not impressed by her designs and it was less than what I expected from her show. Therefore, I'm not convinced. The materials is not innovative. Even though she tried to deal with geometric, voluminous and pleated designs, the collection lacks something, I don't know, may be the some colors and details. Here are my favs:

Fall for these pants

Fairly used color blocks

Pleats pleats. This reminds me of Issey Miyake

In contrast, Limi Feu's invitation is lovely as it is decorated by 2 bling bling stars... you will know how Limi uses them right next

Those lovely stars come from nippies- Bristols six, the partner of this fashion show. I have never heard about this brand but it is fairly a good way to marketing. Make up from Shiseido and Hair made by Hirofumi Kera. I really love the hairstyle which is quite simple and applicable for evening event paired with simple (or gorgeous cocktail dress ^^): Lightly curled Ponytail (bounces and swishes as the girl walks) along with high-volume French Half twists.

What did I wear for Limi Feu fashion show?

Boyfriend dress shirt 

Vintage Vest from Comme des Garcons

Louis Vuitton sneakers 

Proenza Schouler handbag from AW2010 

The opening and ending of this show send to attenders this message: Stand up all the Genius doctors of the world, Kids in Japan need your help for future... 100% touching as Japan has passed the most painful accident since atomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki 1945... In one word: HUMANISM

Here are my favs from Limi Feu SS2012: (Credit: Style.com). I don't have my own pix since I need Photographer's pass to peep my camera.

Black and White leggings: I'm pretty sure that the idea comes from 101 dalmatiens

Love this vest 

I'm always Limi Feu big big big fan. I love her attitude and her design. She was a rebel girl and she confessed once that if she was a boy, she might risk her life in extremely dangerous motorbike races. She used drug and had to go to rehab many times for drug overdose and depression... However, she manages well her life and become a well known designer. Worth to be praised, right? 

Well. that's all for day 1 and 2. Tomorrow, I'll go watching Carven and Manish Arora since there is no class before 13h. God bless Tam Tam. I really want to go to Balenciaga show but have no invitation and the show is hold in private place... Poor

Hello Ms. Paris Fashion week 2012

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Well, it's time J as all French brand names come to stage and the streets become catwalk for fashionable people. I keep asking myself if I participate to this big event... Classes end late everyday, and I have to work my ass off in order to prepare 2 upcoming mid terms... Poor me. However, I will go watching Tsumori Chisato and Loewe this week-end for sure, whatever happens. 

Here is schedule of Paris Fashion week SS2012

Mardi 27 septembre 2011

13h : Fatima Lopes / Tour Eiffel, salle Gustave Eiffel, champ de Mars, Paris 7e
14h : Moon Young Hee / Espace Commines, 17 rue Commines, Paris 3e
15h : Harryhalim / Maison des Métallos, 94 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, Paris 11e
16h : Aganovich / Galerie Nikki Diana Marquardt, 9 place des Vosges, Paris 4e
17h : Corrado de Biase / Galerie Bailly, 25 quai Voltaire, Paris 7e
18h : Anthony Vaccarello / Cité de la Mode et du Design, 34 quai d’Austerlitz,Paris 13e
19h : Commuun / Cité de la Mode et du Design
20h : Thimister / Garage Turenne, 66 rue de Turenne, Paris 3e
21h : Julien David / Hôtel du Grand Veneur, 60 rue de Turenne, Paris 3e

Mercredi 28 septembre 2011

10h : Devastee / Showcase, sous le pont Alexandre III, Paris 8e
11h : Damir Doma / Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, 11 avenue Albert de Mun, Paris 16e
12h : Guy Laroche / Espace Ephémère Tuileries, jardin des Tuileries, Paris 1er
13h : Nicolas Andréas Taralis / Commines, 17 rue Commines, Paris 3e
14h : Limi Feu / 155 rue Saint-Martin, Paris 3e
15h : Dries van Noten / Voir invitation
16h : Felipe Oliveira Baptista / Jeu de Paume, 1 place de la Concorde, Paris 8e
17h : Rochas / Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild, 11 rue Berryer, Paris 8e
18h : Gareth Pugh / Garage Turenne, 66 rue Turenne, Paris 3e
19h : Peachoo Krejberg / Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, 11 avenue Albert de Mun, Paris 16e
20h : Rue du Mail (by Martine Sitbon) / 5 rue du Mail, Paris 2e

Jeudi 29 septembre 2011

10h : Balenciaga / Voir invitation
11h : Carven / Jeu de Paume, 1 place de la Concorde, Paris 8e (affordable fashion)
12h : Manish Arora / Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, 11 avenue Albert de Mun, Paris 16e (fairly detailed and nice looks)
13h : Ann Demeulemeester / Couvent des Cordeliers, 15 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine, Paris 6e
14h : Sharon Wauchob / Théâtre de l’Odéon, 2 rue Corneille, Paris 6e
15h : Balmain / Intercontinental Le Grand Hôtel Paris, 2 rue Scribe, Paris 9e
16h : Barbara Bui / Hôtel Ritz Paris, 17 place Vendôme, Paris 1er
17h : Rick Owens / POPB, salle Marcel Cerdan, porte 28, 8 boulevard de Bercy, Paris12e
18h : Lutz / BETC, 85/87 rue du faubourg Saint-Martin, Paris 10e
19h : Nina Ricci / Lieu en attente
20h : AF Vandevorst / Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, 11 avenue Albert de Mun, Paris 16e

Vendredi 30 septembre 2011

10h : Roland Mouret / Hôtel Westin, 3 rue de Castiglione, Paris 1er
11h : Hussein Chalayan / BETC, 85/87 rue du faubourg Saint-Martin, Paris 10e
12h : Gaspard Yurkievich / Intercontinental Le Grand Hôtel Paris, 2 rue Scribe,Paris 9e
13h : Anne Valérie Hash / Jeu de Paume,1 place de la Concorde, Paris 8e
14h30 : Christian Dior / Musée Rodin, 77 rue de Varenne, Paris 7e
15h30 : Isabel Marant / Couvent des Cordeliers, 15 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine,Paris 6e
16h30 : Maison Martin Margiela / Cité de la Mode et du Design, 32 quai d’Austerlitz, Paris 13e
17h30 : Lanvin / Espace Ephémère Tuileries, jardin des Tuileries, Paris 1er
18h30 : Vivienne Westwood / Intercontinental Le Grand Hôtel Paris, 2 rue Scribe,Paris 9e
19h30 : Amaya Arzuaga / Cité de la Mode et du Design, 34 quai d’Austerlitz, Paris13e
20h30 : Yohji Yamamoto / POPB, salle Marcel Cerdan, Porte 28, 8 boulevard de Bercy, Paris 12e

Samedi 1er Octobre 2011

9h30 : Junya Watanabe / Voir invitation
10h30 : Haider Ackermann / POPB, salle Marcel Cerdan, porte 28, 8 boulevard de Bercy, Paris 12e
11h30 : Tsumori Chisato / Centorial, 18 rue du 4 septembre, Paris 2e
12h30 : Martin Grant / Hôtel Westin, 3 rue de Castiglione, Paris 1er
13h30 : Viktor&Rolf / Espace Ephémère Tuileries, jardin des Tuileries, Paris 1er
14h30 : Cacharel / Couvent des Cordeliers, 15 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine, Paris 6e
15h30 : Véronique Leroy / Cité de la Mode et du Design, 34 quai d’Austerlitz, Paris13e
16h30 : Sonia Rykiel / Halle Freyssinet, 55 boulevard Vincent Auriol, Paris 13e (Colorful)
17h30 : Comme des Garçons / Voir invitation (Japanese brand must watch)
19h : Jean Paul Gaultier / 325 rue Saint-Martin, Paris 3e
20h : Loewe / Ecole de Médecine, 12 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine, Paris 6e (Spanish luxury brand, lady looks)

Dimanche 2 Octobre 2011

10h : Akris / Palais de Chaillot, 1 place du Trocadéro, Paris 16e
11h : Andrew Gn / Hôtel de Crillon, 10 place de la Concorde, Paris 8e
12h : Costume National / Centorial, 18 rue du 4 Septembre, Paris 2e
13h : Céline / Voir invitation (this brand has had a HYPE by launching new lines of handbags)
14h : Alexis Mabille / Les serres d’Auteuil, 1 avenue Gordon Bennett, Paris 16e
15h : Issey Miyake / Espace Ephémère Tuileries, jardin des Tuileries, Paris 1er (Classic for people who love pleats, geometrical designs)
16h : Hermès / Voir invitation
17h : John Galliano / Voir invitation (quite interesting to find out how he works after many scandals)
18h : Kenzo / Voir invitation (Flowery, floral, sheer designes)
19h : Steffie Christiaens / Institut National d’Histoire de l’Art, 2 rue Vivienne, Paris2e
20h : Givenchy / Voir invitation (interesting since the main designer always have new ideas in the way he decorates his pieces of work)

Lundi 3 Octobre 2011

10h : Stella McCartney / Voir invitation (Sheer and girly)
11h : Emanuel Ungaro / Voir invitation
12h : Léonard / Jeu de Paume, 1 place de la Concorde, Paris 8e
13h30 : Giambattista Valli / Couvent des Cordeliers, 15 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine, Paris 6e
15h : Valentin Yudashkin / Hôtel Westin, salon Aiglon, 3 rue de Castiglione, Paris1er
16h : Chloé / Espace Ephémère Tuileries, jardin des Tuileries, Paris 1er (sophisticated looks)
17h : Thierry Colson / Cercle de l’union Interalliée, 33 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, Paris 8e
18h : Vanessa Bruno / Grand Foyer du Theatre National de Chaillot, 1 place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, Paris 16e
19h30 : Yves Saint Laurent / Voir invitation (classically French)

Mardi 4 Octobre 2011

9h30 : Ji Choi / Christies, 9 avenue Matignon, Paris 8e
10h30 : Chanel / Grand Palais, avenue Winston Churchill, Paris 8e (A must)
11h30 : Hakaan / Hotel Ritz, 15 place vendôme, Paris 1er
12h30 : Jean Charles de Castelbajac / Le 1515, 32 rue Marbeuf, Paris 8e
13h30 : Ingrid Vlasov / Intercontinental Le Grand Hôtel Paris, 2 rue Scribe, Paris 9e
14h30 : Valentino / Espace Ephémère Tuileries, jardin des Tuileries, Paris 1er (Interesting)
15h30 : Junko Shimada / 13 rue Saint-Florentin, Paris 8e
16h30 : Paco Rabanne / Voir invitation
17h30 : Shiatzy Chen / Jeu de Paume, 1 place de la Concorde, Paris 8e
18h30 : Paul & Joe / Palais de Chaillot, 1 place du Trocadéro, Paris 16e (Girly)
19h30 : Alexander McQueen / Jeu de Paume (interesting)

Mercredi 5 Octobre 2011

10h : Louis Vuitton / voir invitation (Attractive and Fashionista)  
11h : Talbot Runhof / The Westin Paris, 3 rue de Castiglione, Paris 1er
12h : Arzu Kaprol / Couvent des Cordeliers, 15 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine, Paris 6e
13h : Alena Akhmadullina / Intercontinental Le Grand Hôtel Paris, 2 rue Scribe,Paris 9e
14h : Miu Miu / voir invitation
15h : Agnès B. / Paquebot, escale Solférino - Musée d’Orsay, Paris 7e
16h30 : Elie Saab / Espace Ephémère Tuileries, jardin des Tuileries, Paris 1er (classy)
17h30 : Impasse de la Défense / Gare d’Austerlitz, 85 quai d’Austerlitz, Paris 13e

I will manage to attend these highlighted fashion shows. However, regarding my Master of Financial classes schedule, not skipping classes is impossible hahahaha. Université Paris Dauphine will rock Paris Fashion Week street style :))

We ♥ Paris

Cooking in style ♥ and relieve your mind ^^

I found this interesting video on the Internet. I’m pretty sure that it is called Molecular Cuisine which is currently a bomb-buster in many restaurants in Europe and also USA. I tried it once in Paris but, to be honest, I don’t really like the main dish because it tastes plain and bizarre -__- even though it looks really nice and stylish. In contrast, I believe that you must try desserts or jelly or something sweet made in Molecular Cuisine’s way, you will be probably convinced. I give it 10/10 for presentation and 8/10 for taste (I don’t love jelly that much).

 I tried recipes from this website:

http://www.moleculargastronomynetwork.com/accueil.html

And what I've done ^^

Tartare 

Fruit Salad with Jelly Sauce

There are a few restaurants in this new gastronomic style. We have 3 4 in Paris (Pierre Gagnaire: he is one of the first French Chefs who attempt with this Molecular Cuisine but the prices of his menu is too far too high ) and not over 40 around the world. People usually consider it the Gastronomy of Future... 

Molecular Cuisine's main ingredients are: Agar Agar, Sodium Alginate, Natural emulsifiers... (Shopping online for ingredients ). It makes sense to call it Cooking Science. I was totally impressed when I watch others make those fabulous plates 

Here come some pictures and videos from other Chefs. 

Bompas and Parr 

Bompas & Parr designs spectacular food experiences often working on an architectural scale with cutting edge technology.

Too bad, I would like to taste it so much ~__~ it looks so delicious and reminds me of my childhood. I loved Strawberry Jelly so much that I could eat a whole package in 1 day

Link to video

Roma: And then we all love Roman(ce)s

Rome is one of the most favorite place for travel in Europe, especially for those who want to discover Antic history, culture and music. 

Here you are the link to download Frommer's Rome guide 

Frommer's Rome 2008 

Follow my itinerary, I came visit Colosseum and Forum Romano first. Colosseum's construction was a marvel of engineering since its enormous weight rested in a swamp (Nero’s former lake) on artificial supports. The completed stadium was dedicated by Titus in a.d. 80. Covered with marble, it could hold 80,000 spectators who watched games that nearly rendered extinct many species of animals from the Roman Empire. The first impression when stepping inside: frightening and startling by each step. I can't help myself from imagining what happened in the past when a slave had to face with a cruel animal, fighting for his life. I admire this site because it is colossal and historical but, don't life it because it is too violent. Big doesn't always mean great or lovely and impressive. 

Colosseum 

The Roman Forum was the literal heart of ancient Rome, a center for trade, religion, and politics. However, what I saw remained is ruins and I could hardly imagine how it was in millenniums ago…

Forum Romano

Other attractive sites are: Pantheon, Trevi's Fountain, Vatican, and Spanish steps. As they are classic places and you may easily find information from other sources, I will make it fast.

Trevi Fountain 

Trevi's Fountain is an iconic place since it has appeared in many movies such as: Three Coins in the Fountain, La Dolca Vita, Eat Pray Love... A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. An interpretation is that two coins will lead to a new romance and three will ensure either a marriage or divorce. Another version of this legend is that it is lucky to throw three coins with one's right hand over one's left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain. So let try if you got there. To be honest, I threw 2 coins in the fountain in this way and wished my dream come true. However, after 1 year, nothing has happened. I'm still waiting and begin to regret 1EUR... -___-

Vatican city: a must in Rome. 

 St Peter Square view from above 

St Peter square panoramic view 

There must be something absolutely attractive in this site. On my arriving at 10AM, there is a 500m queue of people who want to enter inside the Basilica. >"< Well, after more than 2h waiting, I could enter inside. No photos allowed. The interior was great I think but I'm not fan of such an architecture.

Then we walk along the streets heading to Spanish step: Via Condotti, Via Frattini and Via Borgognona. These streets are full of Italian brand names' flagship stores. I love it so much that and can help myself from getting inside the stores to take a look on their latest arrivals. I found Via Condotti a little bit strange since all luxury stores are behinds a very old, yellow and uncleaned wall. It made the stores look cheaper and affordable, which attract more visitors and sightseers.

Another place that I would like to recommend you to go to contemplate a beautiful sunset in Rome is Castel Sant'Angelo and take nice photos on Ponte Vittoria Emannuele II where many beautiful sculptures are displayed.

 Sparkling bride on Ponte V.E II 

Castel Sant'Angelo and Ponte VE II 

Then it comes time for diner... Pasta is a perfecto main dish. Tiramisù, Duomo cheesecake, Profiteroles and Gelato are classic choices for desserts. Find a cafe at summer twilight and watch the shades of pink turn to gold and copper, until night finally falls. That’s when a new Rome comes alive, and when its restaurants and cafes grow more animated and more fun, especially if you’ve found one on an antique piazza or along a narrow alley deep in Trastevere. After dinner you can stroll by the fountains, or through Piazza Navona, have a gelato (or an espresso in winter), and the night is yours.

This time I want to introduce something more interesting to you.

We chose Antica Pesa for diner. Appetizer is skipped... Here are the main dishes 

 Homemade pasta (it has a name but I can't remember...) 

 Gnocchi with crème fraiche and seafood 

Then my friend suggested that we have to try something special. We went to Trattoria, Via del Pozzo delle Cornacchie, 25 to enjoy something sweet. I swear, I have never known that such kind of dessert presentation exist ^^ The chef of this restaurant was granted the prize of Creative design recipe in a Contest in Canada, according to my friend. I don't know but the desserts are presented in an incredible way

 Witch's cup: A creative version of White Chocolate mousse 

Cheesecake presented differently 

I forget to mention Gelato above, it is my fault haha. To be honest, I'm a big big fan of Gelato and I can eat that all day long, no need for other meal ^^. There are 2 addresses you must go checking when you are a big fan of this sweet thing like me: Giolitti  (via Uffici del Vicario 40, 00186 Roma) and Gelato della Palma (Via della Maddalena, 20, Rome)

Giolitti - dated from 1900s

Gelato

Gelato della Palma 

Rome is a city of images, sounds and vivid colors. All these things combined to make a kind of Sinfona Urbana which is uniquely Roman. Fulfilled with contradictions, this simultaneously strident, romantic and sensual city has forever altered the European cultures and religion art and politic. Romans still manage to live a relatively relaxed way of life. Along with their southern cousins in Naples, they are specialists in arte di arrangiarsi, the ability to cope and survive with style.