Emilio Pucci, the Marchese di Barsento, scion of an old aristocratic Tuscan family, was the godfather of colourful prints and lightweight non-crushable dresses in the fifties and sixties. His designs changed the world of fashion dethroning the dull and heavy fabrics of the previous post-war era.
Today, original Pucci prints from his early creative years are highly collectible items. Especially his “palazzo pyjamas” in wrinkle-free silk jersey captured the psychedelic mood of the 1960s and became the jet-set uniform worn by many celebrities like Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor.
It all started on the slopes of St.Moritz in 1948 when the highly gifted skier Pucci was spotted by a Harper`s Bazaar editor in his own designs and was featured later in the fashion magazine. In 1951 he established his own company in his Palazzo Pucci in Florence and remained head designer until his death in 1992.
Christian Lacroix and Matthew Williamson were among several designers taking over the brand`s legacy until in 2008 the Norwegian Peter Dundas started to bring the Italian label to new heights.
Since today, the brand has never been relegated to history and continues to be an integral component of every fashionista`s closet.
Here are some news for my Swiss based readers: The stylish S/S 2010 collection could have been admired at the trunk show hosted by Ruth Reinger last week at her store Designer am See located in Kilchberg/ Lake Zurich.
The printed silk dresses are skyrocketing bestsellers. Those outfits are perfect for your summer vacation in the South of France or Sardinia. Dozens of them could be packed in one single bag, they are comfortable and great for partying.
This multicoloured PVC coated beach bag was the generous give-away at the trunk show. My compliments to Ruth Reinger! It was a great event.
If you are interested, Designer am See carries Pucci exclusively in Zurich, have a look for yourself!
LoL, Sandra
For my Swiss and German based readers: The second Weltwoche Style Edition is out now featuring again 5 pages of my must-haves plus a very interesting cover story that I wrote about Prada with beautiful pictures and some facts that you might not know yet. So get your issue now.
LoL, Sandra
Tatjana Hoffmann with me to the left
Meet the jewelry designer Tatjana Hoffmann and her beautiful collection Jewels by Tatjana Hoffmann. The stunning tall blonde creates outstanding pieces with the right amount of glamour and individuality. The designs are statement pieces that can accentuate your look perfectly. Her experiences as a model and her various journeys to many different places in the world have served her as inspirational sources. I love especially her chunky cocktail rings.
If you are interested and have your own imaginations or special wishes concerning gemstones, colours etc., please feel free to contact the Munich based designer.
LoL, Sandra
The shape of the first Vanitas took inspiration from a Louis XV chair bought by Gianni Versace from a French antique dealer for his house in Miami. It was launched in February 1994 and has since then been an ongoing bestseller of the Versace Home collection. Available in silver or gold-foil wood structure and several lacquered colours, it can be combined with the upholstery in all the textiles from the Home collection. The extremly vibrant colours and baroque prints that are Versace`s signature give this piece of furniture an outstanding decorative power.
The magic alchemy of contrasts can be found in the “New” Vanitas (please see the photo to the right) perfectly that presents itself in a new contemporary way without loosing its Maison`s DNA. The sharp-cut remodeled version will be exhibited at the Salone del Mobile 2010 in Milano this week.
My suggestion would be to have one or two of those chairs as an eyecatcher in a rather modern room but not to go over the top with a complete baroque-style ambience. It is like dressing yourself, you don`t want to look disguised and neither wants your home to appear like a museum. Remember: It is all about that special unexpected twist!
LoL, Sandra
In the last two weeks, after the release of the Weltwoche Style edition, I have received so many lovely e-mails from my Swiss readers asking me about the black leather jacket that I am wearing in the photo.
It is from Balmain`s last F/W 2009 collection and definitely one of my favourite pieces in my closet. The sleek cut is divine and emphasises all the good parts of the body. The metal chain adorning one sleeve gives it a rock-chic appearance and can also be removed. Stylists around the world love this motorcycle jacket in supersoft leather as you can see above.
But no worries if you missed that one, Christophe Decarnin designed two other interesting variations for this summer. The cut has remained the same, but colours and materials follow the newest trends: military and denim. I can recommend both as those are the perfect stylish addition to your wardrobe.
Beyoncé was seen recently at a basketball game wearing Balmain`s canvas version in olive green paired with a pair of Balmain`s camouflage jeans and some rivet suede pumps by Brian Atwood. This military jacket is one of the season`s It-pieces. But be aware, there is no chance to hide in this stunning look !
Style icon Kate Moss was spotted several times in Balmain`s denim jacket that she combined with her beloved Superfine Blondie skinny jeans and her Kate Moss for Longchamp zebra print bag that she created in collaboration with the French house.
The Balmain pieces are available through www.net-a-porter.com or for the Swiss fashionistas at Trois Pommes and Designer am See.
LoL, Sandra
Chanel`s new lipstick Rouge Coco is based on Gabrielle Chanel`s first lipstick designs in the Fifties. It is replacing the exisiting Rouge Hydrabase and comes in 30 shades, each named after an influential time in Coco`s life like “Camelia” (a deep rose), “Paris” (a bright red) or my favourite colour “Mademoiselle“ (a soft pink). I combine it with the lip pencil “Tulip” for a lighter look during the day and with the deeper tone “Griotte” for a nice pout at night. You can see the new bestselling shade in action on Vanessa Paradis who is the face of the campaign.
Peter Philipps (Chanel`s art director of make-up) made an interesting point as he has intended to bring the lipstick back into the lipgloss generation`s life. I am very happy with the new formula that provides softness along with the right amount of colour.
What I totally adore that you get a Chanel button with each lipstick`s purchase. You can collect or combine them with others. Pinned on a denim jacket, sweater or like I did on a black little bag, you have a trendy Eighties look with almost no money.
For my Zurich based readers, Jelmoli has some nice ones left. Hurry up!
LoL, Sandra
