Prada Primavera - Estate 2002

Imagine having a grandpa´s pyjama as a starting point to develop a whole Spring Summer collection, well then, thanks to Miuccia Prada it is not only possible, but it looks extremely good too. One of my favourite collections of this brainy Milanese pationate woman, Miuccia executed a flawless wardrobe of Seventies geometric prints combined with cashmere cardigans and lavish jacquards for a modern and contemporary take on workwear meets sleepwear. I was studying in London at the time and I remember when the collection arrived on the shop floors I was desperate to grab first digs on it, obviously my bank account grabbed it too! I still wear the collection´s signature silky pyjama shorts and shirts with contrast pipping, and believe me, it still looks as fresh as the first time ever worn. To embodice this quirky collection a wave of new Belgian models(Anouck Leperè and Hannelore Knuts) met up with Brit sensation Jacquetta Wheeler and Ohio beauty Jessica, a mix as explosive as visually stunning! Our daily uniform has never been so cozy...Grazie mille Miuccia!

Marchesa Casati

Marchesa Luisa Casati was the first muse of all times, inspiring artists, philosophers, designers and writers with her beauty, overwhelming personality and an over the top and extravagant lifestyle. The most popular hostess in the whole continent of Europe was born in Milan in 1881 under a wealthy family of cotton entrepreneurs. Brought up with quite an engaging education for arts and crafts, her unusual physique and her spellbound Bette Davies eyes where key to a succesfull life commissioning young and unknown artists her charming and addicted charisma to be portrayed under their vision. She gained a collection of her self -imaged portraits thanks to the help of the likes of Man Ray, Cecil Beaton or Vittorio Matteo Corcos. But the most interesting chapter of her life is the pationate and lunatic things she did in her daily routine. Walking her cheetah pets with diamond cluttered leashes wearing only mink over a bare body, or organizing enchanting mascarades with gold leaf splattered naked waiters, or inviting guests to an absurd tea party with life size bizarre mannequins on both sides of the table were just a few of her favourite things to do! Obviously a life of splurge and decadence comes to an end, when her debt left her without a thing and her precious collection of portraits and sculptures were confiscated and put up for auction for bidders like Coco Chanel or Jean Conteau, her lifestyle tried to remained the same over in 32 Beaufort Gardens, London. She died at the age of seventy six in 1957, on her grave the inmortal words of Shakespeare´s Anthony and Cleopatra: "Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety" Nowadays, the marchesa keeps inspiring designers and artists all over the world. Romantic souls like John Galliano, who have used her as a starting point for Haute Couture collections or personal scented parfums . Oh Luisa, if we could only have you now showing us how to live  life well and fully on the pages of gossip magazines!

Hermes

La maison Française would be my first choice when it comes to register for my wedding list. It is an outstanding company where artisanal products made in the maximum quality possible extends to every aspect of your personal lifestyle. Anything ranging from a Citröen V4 to a Leica custom made camera to a range of gorgeous cabin baggage made in untreated vaccheta or a set of travel games such as backgammon or playing cards, all under the philosophy of the company, understated luxury. Porcelain with intricate equestrian patterns like my favourite one¨"Le Cheval d´Orient" or parfums with unusual and complex ingridients of citric notes and wooden influences, Hermès is not only an outstanding house of fashion, but a profitable one too. Its growth annually is just the proof that you can be an independent house without the backing up of big conglomerates like LVMH to survive in times where luxury as such, is overrated! Besides who else could have such a tangerine colour as their brand corporative identity...I swear for Hermès!

Iradj Moini

The Persian designer who once worked as head costume jeweller for Oscar de la Renta is, without a doubt, my favourite jeweller of all times. His pieces are all handcrafted and he uses a variety of semiprecious and precious stones with old school constructions, where each piece has its own tecnique of setting the stones and moulding it within the human anatomy. His creations had not only been in the major glossy fashion magazines, but also showcased in museums like the Met in New York or Tate Gallery in London. There is no wonder that his bijoux scratches on the notion of art, because of his domain of handcraftmenship and sculptural dimentions. Iradj, discovering you is like entering in Ali Baba´s cave!

De Vera

Francisco De Vera´s jewel box in the heart of Soho, is one of my favorite stores in the world. Dense black wall and flooring wood serves as container of a great selection of one of a kind bizarre ornaments and art pieces. Over the top and eclectic it is an obligated visit while in Manhattan, but just an advice, try to have a healthy bank statement or an idillic credit card relationship, because this beauties are pricey. I would justify this outter world price tags on the mere fact of the uniqueness of the objects, as well as the eras where they are rescued from(Edwardian, Victorian, Pre Raphaellites etc...) The jewelry selection is as incredible as the bejewelled crow resting on the far right ceiling corner of the store. Thank God De Vera exists!

David Bowie

Way before Lady Gaga there was David Bowie. Born in London in 1947, David Robert Jones made an impact, not only in the world of music, but also in my life. When I first saw him I was completely and utterly in love with an androginous figure in Martian like attire and bizarre song lyrics, that explained the life under planetarian influence. Of course when you are me, once you see this you only want to be like him, not better, but just like him. Then the glam was overated and he was both ,extremely misunderstood and missjudged, just like the pattern that miss Gaga is following. A freak show for most that in my own eyes was a pleasurable experience and a musical delight. David, you are defenitevely my starman!

Bow ties

Before they were in fashion, bow ties were one of my favourite accesories to carry around all year around. I do have a great collection of freaky numbers, that includes the ones pictured above, and it means a great deal to me since they are unique pieces with a hint of humour. I do wear them sometimes when I feel like a dapper and garish gent, but nowadays is not the mood that pops into my mind so often!...  So for those of you who do not own one yet or the only one you have is from your father´s old tux, I suggest you to run to your nearest vintage store/flea market in search of the perfect bow tie. And remember, indulge yourself in more than one style, the more the merrier!

Daria Werbowy

What can I say about Daria...! She is a superlative creature whom I admire, not only because of her outstanding looks and Nature blessed beauty, but also because of her sense of comfort and an effortless humble perspective about herself and the crazy, frivolous world that surrounds her. The Polish native and Canadian adopted Daria, has conquered the world of fashion, being one of the most mediatic and popular faces that the world has seen since the supermodels wave(remember Linda, Naomi or Christy!). Miuccia Prada was the first one who laid eyes on her, signing her up for the Prada campaigns, for a record of four consecutive season, plus naming her ambassador of the Prada parfum. In 1995 she signed the dream contract in every model´s mind, being the face of a cosmetic house, in her case  L`ancôme, who chose her to be the queen of their domain, surely a safety bet when it comes to crowning beauty. If I could choose one women to look alike, she would be the first one on my list...Who could blame, no?

Peau d`âne

The classic fairytale written by Charles Perrault came to life thanks to the imaginative vision of French director Jacques Demy, worldly known for his nouvelle vague films like "une femme c`est une femme", in an impulse of giving the children´s story a musical context and a visually stunning setting for the tale to fleurish. Catherine Deneuve embodies the perfect princess who disguises herself in an old donkey skin to avoid the marriage with her father. With the help of her fairy Godmother and the crazy, almost insane love of the red Prince, she manages to solve her life and live happily ever after...! If only real life could be like this!

Francis Bacon

My favourite expressionist artist, Francis Bacon was born in Dublin (Ireland) in 1909. He conquered the world of art thanks to his torn vision of reality and his master domain of colour. He started his foundation at Central Saint Martins studying life drawing and moved onto a journey discovering Paris and Berlin and its unique art scenes. His homosexuality was subdued by his contemporary coleague Andy Warhol, who followed a much more flamboyant lifestyle. Although many tried hard to compare his style with artists such as Munch, Van Gogh or Goya, his taste and uncanny eye led him to a league of his own. He died in Madrid, where he passed his latest stage of life in 1992, leaving his legacy to his young hubbie John Edwards, who donated most of his work to several museums around the globe. If I could only own one piece of that work given away...!

Coco Publicité

In 1992, Jean Paul Goude, photographer with an imaginative vision and wizard of proportions and exaggerated escales, was given the fabulous job of thinking out a storyboard for the tv ad and publishing campaign of Chanel´s perfume Coco. The star of this fairy like Tweety inspired tale was Vanessa Paradis, a young French chanteusse who, at that time, was considered a modern time Lolita. I remember the first time I saw the ad on tv, I was mesmerized by the awkward features of Vanessa and her cabaret like costume, almost inspired by Lido in Paris. If to that you ad an Ines de la Fressange as Mademoiselle Coco at the ending part of the video, with a perfect stormy night view over la Place Vendome, my favourite ad was born. Vive Jean Paul and vive Coco!

Catherine Baba

A rare bird of paradaise that hails from Australia, Catherine Baba is a stylist based in Paris whose decadence and retro clinical eye illuminates the pages of the most coveted fashion publications. An excellent confident for fashion designers like Haider Ackerman or Steffano Pilatti, her savoire faire and joie de vivre is a constant in her routinary fashionable life. Miss Baba is the object of desire of bloggers like Tommy Ton of Jak and Jil or Garance of Garance Doré, she is a celebrity in all the bistrots around the Rue de Vielle de Temple, where she hangs out smoking her glamour away at the shocking stare of passing by Parisiens and tourists. If you would like to check her portfolio or know a little bit more about this bold gem with strange features and statement style, check her website http://catherinebaba.com/ and you would not be dissapointted, as she herself would  say: "Oui, j´adore ca mon chéri!"

The Virgin Suicides

The tragic story of the Lisbon girls narrated by the neigbours all boys club, is one of my favourite movies and also one of my favourite sountracks of all time. Filled with seventies memorabilia and nostalgic photographic direction, Sofia Coppola manages, once again, to transport us into the complex world of tennagers and their dream land. The beauty of it all is how sometimes, something so pure, precious and pretty could end up with their lives, no matter what and without taking a minute to value of how harmful the repercussion could be. As the first virgin, Cecilia Lisbon said to Danny de Vito (after suggesting that she has no reason to commit suicide because of her young age): "obviously Doctor, you´ve never been a thirteen year old girl"