Middle Eastern Magic :: Chanel Cruise Collection 2014/15

Posted in Fashion by lyalseba

A show that I’ve found truly inspirational is Chanel’s decadent 2014/15 Cruise collection. In the tomorrowland of Dubai, built up from scratch on a remote manmade island, models walked through a lounge of lattice work and towering artificial palmtrees, with princesses and sheikhs among the audience on low lying couches. Overall it was an ethereal show, from the beautiful fabrics, stunning location, glittering accessories and detailing. The double interlocking C Chanel logos revealed themselves in the lattice work of the location and popped up again in the vintage jewel hair pieces and accessories. Lagerfeld is truly a master when it comes to attention to detail. There was something transcendental about the way that a vintage 70s bohemian quality was perfectly balanced by luxurious middle eastern touches of accessories and gold leaf. Lagerfeld’s thoughts? “This is my idea of a romantic, modern Orient, a new One Thousand and One Nights.” Watch the behind the scenes video showing beautiful details such as the application of gold leaf to the models’ eyes, the shimmering sea of accessories and guests including Tilda Swinton and Dakota Fanning being ferried to the island on boats. A magic carpet ride of opulence.

Kate Moss in Stella McCartney Campaign

Posted in Fashion by lyalseba

Old time celebrity besties, Kate Moss and Stella McCartney, have teamed up again for Stella McCartney’s latest Fall/Winter 2014 campaign. Set in intergalactic zip portals against stars, forests and glaciers, Moss is yet again McCartney’s muse for the seventh time. From star spangled platforms to dip dye techniques resembling amethyst, her range is inspired by the environment and natural world of wonder, and echoes her drive towards sustainability in her ranges and label philosophy. Set for release in September, the campaign is accompanied by a short film called Kate Dreams.

For more on her collection visit http://www.stellamccartney.com/

22Jul2014

Not a Wallflower

Posted in Fashion by lyalseba

Florals never really seem to go out of fashion. They may take a momentary break from the spotlight just to come back in even fuller force than before. Come Spring and Summer, we see designers giving new spins on florals in bursting colourful prints, innovative fabrications and even physically bringing bouquets and landscaping into their shows, such as the Dior Spring Summer 2014 show that was a wonderland of hanging floral vines. Recently, in a bizarre twist of events, guys have even been threading flowers through their beards. Resort 2015 is full of the new take on nature’s most popular print. Oh, and Boho is also on the cards for 2015, so awaken the flower child within.

Above from left: Mary Katrantzou Resort 2015, Open Ceremony Resort 2015, Thakoon Resort 2015, floral beard trend here, Etro Resort 2015.

Dior Spring Summer 2014 show

16Jul2014

Colour & Texture

Posted in Decor, Fashion, Lifestyle by lyalseba

Inspired by colour and texture, here are a few local Cape Town artisans who use these elements holistically in their designs.

LOOK3-Perfect-Solitude2 http://skinnylaminx.com/

http://ladymacaron.wordpress.com/

10006064_622429084510739_4639280564979100242_o https://www.facebook.com/IndaloDecor

10486666_823053371047501_1171794932816951060_n https://www.facebook.com/WolfandMaiden

2Jul2014

Mary Katrantzou x Adidas Originals

Posted in Fashion by lyalseba

After the recent successful print parade collaboration between Farm and Adidas, and the collaboration with Rita Ora set to be released in August, it’s clear that print and Adidas are on a roll. Now in another exciting collaboration, the queen of print and one of my favourite designers, Mary Katrantzou, is set to release her new range for Adidas Originals in November 2014.

Katrantzou, a Greek designer working in London, is best known for her designs consisting of geometric kaleidoscopic style print on well constructed fabrics and shapely silhouettes. With a background focus on textile design and print, it’s no wonder she’s making a huge mark on global fashion, especially at a time where print is currently boss. In an interview on her site, Katrantzou says that her everyday work is so niche and luxury, and because of this she’s excited to be able to translate her work into a product that a wider audience can enjoy through the Adidas collaboration.

Save the date for possibly one of the most kingpin Adidas collaborations yet!

For more on her thoughts about the collaboration, read Katrantzou’s interview here.

All images are from Katrantzou’s Resort 2014 range

1Jul2014

Craft Crush :: The Ceramic Factory

Posted in Decor, Lifestyle by lyalseba

Walking down Kloof street, I was visually pulled into The Ceramic Factory. With an attractive ordered colour palate of mint, citron, white and grey, these designs are the perfect balance of contemporary retro, available in a multitude of quirky shapes with an “original Boland flair”. From ceramic horn wall mounts and wall hanging clocks to retro robot dogs, deers, skulls, dinosaurs, binoculars, African busts and retro cameras, they really do have something for everyone. I found it very clever how they cast vintage pieces like crystal cut jugs, ashtrays, book ends, wall clocks, paper weights and baking moulds into ceramics. They also have a range of well thought out horse shapes, horse chess pieces and riding helmets to commemorate 2014 being the year of the horse in the Chinese Zodiac.

If you want to get a decorative and practical use out of your purchase there is also a wide selection of ceramic platters and plates on display. Besides ceramics there are also some interesting art pieces, woodwork pieces and stationery from Love Supreme that fully round off the artisan collection. Roast Re:public, a coffee brand with a conscience, is also available here. When you buy a pack of coffee, a percentage of the funds goes through World Vision International to school children in rural South Africa. A very worthwhile initiative to support.

The Ceramic Factory is well worth a visit for trendy and timeless works of art.

www.ceramicfactory.co.za

Ceramic Factory, 103 Kloof Street, Cape Town

Tel: +27 (0) 21 839 2103