Zara green heels and my so desired Alexander McQueen leggings

Zara green heels and my so desired Alexander McQueen leggings.

We love Maxi, don't we?!

Roberto Cavalli fur boots from outlet in Florence.



My new favorites- Zara minimalistic heels, Mango and H&M subglasses, Love Moschino wallet, flower pen
 and calculator

Bright nail polish from H&M and Christian Dior, with an YSL foundation and my new absolute favorite
 Chanel No.5.

These are the things I bought in Italy during holidays. I love every single one of them, and want to show you
all of them in action as soon as possible.

Blake Lively at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala celebrating "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty"

 

What she wore:
Dress: Chanel Couture Fall 2009
Shoes: Christian Louboutin Anna Sandals

{ SALAD } AROUND MILAN IN GOOD COMPANY

Yesterday was one of those days started with the wrong foot and that I would have loved to spend with movies, Matilda and friends to joke with. I woke up instead, dressed up, combed my hair (actually no, I prefered to keep my hair natural) and I started the day with Katja and Christine who followed and filmed me around Milan for a project I'll soon talk to you about. I don't need to say the program was perfect for my mood :)

Ieri era una di quelle giornate partita con il piede sbagliato e che avrei passato volentieri circondata da telefilm, Matilda ed amici con cui scherzare. Mi sono invece alzata, vestita, pettinata (anzi quello no, mi piacevano i capelli cosi al naturale) e ho cominciato la giornata insieme a Katja e Christine, che mi hanno seguita e filmata in giro per Milano per un progetto di cui presto vi parlerò. Inutile dire che che il programma si è rivelato ottimo per il mio umore :)

The Royal Wedding: The Maid of Honour (More Pics)

Pippa! We want a friend named Pippa.

Click here for full post.

The Royal Wedding: The Bride

What? You thought these two queens were going to skip it?

Click here for full post.

Alexander McQueen - Savage Beauty

Flower box.

Click here for full post.

Got Milk?

Apart from those vegan or intolerant, pretty much the whole world drinks milk. But how many people wear it? We don’t know the answer to that one! But the Ghana-born ethical designer Pamela Atepke can help you out.

Pamela is the creative brains behind ethical label Nyonyo & Yayra which stands out for the homogeneous nature of its womenswear.

The 34-year-old is a product of the prestigious Central St Martin's College in London. Her fellow alumni include the likes of Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan and even the infamous John Galliano. Here's what she told Afro Boudoir recently.


Afro Boudoir: Why did you choose to become a fashion designer?

Pamela: My sister jokes that as a child I was sure I was going to be an actress or a designer. I remember during a school speech day being told by the Ugandan parent of one of my younger schoolmates that if I didn't pursue fashion she would somehow haunt me. But I like to think that being a creative is something you are and not something you choose to do.

AB: What attracted you to sustainable fashion?


Pamela: Growing up in Ghana and I think most Africans will agree that we grow up being sustainable. Take for instance yam, there are so many ways of making it. I also grew up wearing hand-me-downs from my elder siblings and passing them down to cousins and the like if they were not right for me. 

As a small brand it actually makes no sense to not be. The challenge is making it such a part of your work ethic that as you grow you just get better at being sustainable not just in fashion, but in all aspects of your life. 

AB: What sort of fabrics do you use?

Pamela: I use the ends of rolls which mean it varies from cotton - blue/black waxed cotton, wool, silk pique, cashmere and milk.

AB: How are fabrics made from milk?

Pamela: The milk fabric and my organic fabric mixes at the moment all come from one source in Italy - Euromaglia. They are made of either 100% semi-skimmed milk or an organic cotton/milk mix. 

"The milk fibre is made from casein, which is the main protein in milk, and it has long-term emissions of negative ions. It is thus beneficial for air quality, for the stimulation of blood circulation, it is a natural antibacterial agent and it is sterile. Milk amino acids which are transferred to the fibre are a perfect daily treatment for the skin. Fabric produced with this yarn allows skin to breathe and humidity to be absorbed."

AB: Which of your designs are made of the milk fabric?

Pamela: I use it for the basic pieces like the vests, tops which at the moment seem to be the natural coloured pieces.  But in the spring/summer collection, a pair of trousers and a jacket (see photo to the left) were made out of 100% milk twill fabric.















AB: How have to tapped into Ghanaian culture in your clothes?


Pamela: I use waxed cotton. The blue/black is mainly used by Ghanaians. One of my uncles pointed out to me my colour choices actually inform people of my tribal group. 

I grew up covered in waxed cotton - either as blankets or dresses. However it is the blue/black which fascinates me. When it is worn, everyone is celebrating a life. Even though everyone is dressed in the same colour, the difference within the person wearing it is more obvious without it being too obvious. The more research I do, the more I realise that your cultural influences are so deeply ingrained that you tap into it without realising.

AB: How would you describe the clothes you design?

Pamela: The five words I use are duality, directional, detailed, quirky and enigmatic.

AB: How did you come up with the name Nyonyo & Yayra?
Pamela: They come from my tribal language in Ghana, Ewe. The Ewes live mainly in the Volta Region of Ghana and in neighbouring Togo. The names are, in general, unisex and loosely translated mean 'Goodness & Blessing'. The name is a way of both acknowledging where I come from as well as thanking someone who means a lot to me. Ironically the unisex nature of the names seems to appear in different aspects of the label.

You can find out more about Nyonyo & Yayra at www.nyonyoandyayra.com or email info@nyonyoandyayra.com.

Shop her Style: Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian proves curvy girls can wear busy prints as she rocks an Alexander McQueen Samurai dress at a Prince concert in New York last month.

Kim Kardashian in Alexander McQueen

The dress is available online at Selfridges.

£570

Variations of the dress can be found here:

Helmut Lang, £205

Warehouse, £65

Michael van der Meide, £189

Alexander McQueen Butterfly Shoes

These are Alexander McQueen Butterfly shoes for spring/summer 2011. They were designed by McQueen's successor as the label's creative director, Sarah Burton, and are priced at £2,300 per pair. I wish they made prints of these shoes so I could buy them to decorate my dressing room.

Photos: luxuryculture.com

Michelle Obama Scores Fashion and Political Points

Firstly yes - there is more to Mrs Obama than her wardrobe. But we aren’t writing for The Economist, so we’re going to stick to what we know!

She cut quite the dash in an Alexander McQueen Resort 2011 red petal print silk organza gown at a State dinner for the People’s Republic of China at the White House. 

Mrs Obama in Alexander McQueen

The original dress

Guests included Anna Wintour and Vera Wang so we’re sure she thought long and hard about what she’d wear that evening. Red is the colour of happiness and prosperity in China; we doubt she chose a dress this colour by accident!

Similar looks by the label go for over £5,000 but unfortunately, our pockets are not as deep.

We're rather fond of these though:

Stella McCartney. £2,245

Love this. Can't afford it, but do love it!

Notte by Marchesa. £648.

Silk crepe organza dress. Now we need to be invited somewhere fitting, to justify our spending this much.