“There’s something beautiful about keeping certain aspects of your life hidden. Maybe people and clouds are beautiful because you can’t see everything.”
— Kamenashi Kazuya
with love.
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Joan Smalls // i-D Magazine
Balenciaga Resort 2015
Truth be told, I liked this collection a lot more than I thought I would. There was a lot of nodding, ‘oohing’ and subsequent ‘aahhing’ going on as I browsed Alexander Wang’s Resort 2015 Collection for the almighty house of Balenciaga.
Firstly, there was enough tough outerwear that makes my soul sing. Wang also blended apparent maritime influences so well with dollops of French chic that well… one would hardly compare the collection to any blue and white stripe clad navy. The tones of navy and black worked wonders, paired with muted tones and stark whites. Wang’s genius was again seen in the black leather pieces which were perfectly tailored and turned up at the corners to reveal a snippet of deep blue.
The black netting which imprinted onto jacket and skirt combo was mighty impressive, matching the bags made entirely out of netting. If we’re talking influence’s, there is no doubt that those black boots were taken from Wang’s nautical reference- yet somehow they look incredibly chic and edgy.
I can’t help but draw comparisons with Wang’s asymmetric cut to that of Raf’s for Dior (Resort 2014) Collection, as well as those strapless numbers. None the less, the asymmetric cuts of this Balenciaga collection were dream-like, working heavenly with their trailing hems and undisputed sophistication. They brought a sort of fluidity and airy softness to the tough, sailor ensembles. This may sound strange, but I have found this collection relatively easier to digest in comparison to some of Wang’s work in the past. Most likely due to it residing more in my comfort zone with the plethora of leather, black and neutrals.
How delightful.
OOTD
a. Victoria Beckham Denim “New Boyfriend oversized jersey T-shirt”
b. Illesteva “Leonard round-frame tortoiseshell sunglasses”
c. Proenza Schouler “Crepe skirt”
d. Balenciaga “Le Dix Cartable M leather tote”
with love.
Inspiration
Eleonora Baumann
Fix My Skin (Please)
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
I feel like this is the era of skincare for me. I have always been one to spend no more than the bare minimum on skincare, I am now on the quest to find the best potions and lotions for my temperamental skin type.
a. Perricone MD “Blue Plasma”
b. Perricone MD “Nourishing Mousturiser”
c. Mario Badescu “Special Cleansing Lotion O”
d. Mario Badescu “AHA Botanical Body Soap”
Click through to read what I think of the products…
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Home away from home
There’s something ever so decadent about the hotel lifestyle.
The beds are always freshly made, food is delivered to your door, and, most importantly, you don’t have to deal with the weird idiosyncrasies of housemates (shared bathrooms, no thank you). For those days when you wish you had a team of people catering to your every whim, here’s a list of the world’s most stylish establishments.
Le Meurice: a stay at Le Meurice in Paris is probably the closest you’ll get to feeling like Kirsten Dunst in Marie Antoinette. The hotel features silk curtains, extravagant pastries, and spacious walk-in wardrobes, conveniently located near the Louvre and rue St-Honore.
The Mark: this is where the A-listers stay when they’re in New York. Sleep in Italian linen, bathe in marble baths, admire Central Park from your window, and know you’ve made it big time. Highlights include the black truffle and brie cheeseburger from the Mark Restaurant and 24 hour access to Bergdorf Goodman – they’ll deliver to your door, free of charge. 
The Whitepod: for the more adventurous of us, the Whitepod is an eco-hotel located in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Stay in igloo-like, luxurious ‘pods’, with easy access to saunas, a massage parlour, and fondue (yum). If you like skiing, this is the most stylish way to do it. 
Claska: tucked away in the district of Meguro, Tokyo, Claska is the place to go for cool, cutting-edge Japanese design. The space is marked by minimalist style, whimsical decor and tireless attention to detail; it almost feels more like a gallery than a hotel.
The Grand Budapest: technically, this isn’t a real hotel, but we’d pay anything to stay a night in Wes Anderson’s masterpiece. The Grand Budapest is a magnificent layer cake of a building, a fantastical place where service is always exceptional, the clientele are impossibly wealthy, and Herr Mendel’s pastry shop is only a short cable car ride away – just watch out for Madame D’s murderous relatives.
This piece was written by our contributing writer Holly, see more of her work here.
with love.
THE AFFAIR 