We Love: LALA Land

Photography by roz alcazar

Today we are in love with...Camile Walala. 

Born and bread in the UK, this East Londoner is hot stuff in the creative scene at the moment. Or at least I think so, cause everywhere I look around, I found one of her signature pieces. 

My love for Walala started a couple of years ago, when I first discovered her prints at a building nearby Old St station. WOWZA! I thought to myself. I haven't seen that much colour in London for a very long time at the time. So obvs, first thing I did was to research who did such funky work and Walala's name came up. 

Since then, and specially most recently, she's had her very-own digital print labyrinth at NOW Gallery in North Greenwhich and has also been part of London's Design Festival with more and more stripes and fun by Exchange in Moorgate/ Liverpool St.  

Her influences come from a variety of art across the globe, including the Memphis Movement, the Ndebele tribe and Optical Art master Vasarely alongside the simple desire to put a smile on people’s faces, as she cites on her site. To me, her pop style evokes so much energy it definitely puts me in a happy place. 

Walala is also branching out and providing us with not only great architecture/ digital print desings but also little snippets of her designs into everydayitems such as phone cases. How KEWWWWL?

Have look around, I'm sure you'll find a Walala soon.

TCB xx

WEARING:

Rarely T-shirt campaigning against STDs
Striped Jeans
Nike Air Force One
Maria Pascual Jewellery

THE Collaboration: Supreme x LV

It finally arrived. We waited for long, but it's finally here. Supreme x Louis Vuitton is up for grabs.

Only few had been able to grab some of these goodies, while the rest of humans wait or pay extortionate amounts through re-sale sites like ebay. And taking into account the face value of the most-coveted Supreme tee was €390, you can expect how much it will be as a re-sale.

For those who are unaware of what I am talking about (how could you?!)...Supreme is a NY brand aimed at skater peeps, however it has quickly escalated to be one of the most demanded brands in the fashion industry. Anybody who's somebody has THE supreme logo t-shirt. And if you disagree, then you just can't get it or can't afford it, my friend. As for Louis Vuitton...well, I don't think that an explanation? If you do, then you are probably at the wrong page.

Now imagine a combination of the two brands together. High end + the cool kid in town = KA-CHING! The LVMH Group has increased its sales thanks to the collab, which is only re-stocking in three of its flagship stores in Japan.

Items from the collaboration include everything from baseball jackets and parkas to denim outerwear, baseball jerseys, PJs, tees, jeans, track pants, and a tone of accessories, also including homeware such as blankets, pillows and more. Cause, who wouldn't have that?

In any case, if you are one of the lottery winners, I am slightly jeals. For the rest of mortals, see below some of my favorite pieces from the collection.

TCB xx

Vintage Addiction à Paris

Paris is such a great source of fashion inspiration, at least if 'chic' is what you are after. After attending few of the PFW shows I entered into a roller-coaster of emotions and my crazy self started wondering whether I had enough outfits to wear for the next shows. AS IF! Of course I did, but I told myself I didn't. Hence, I had to go shopping...

If there is something I love about Paris shopping is their vintage. Don't get me wrong, there's a paramount of shops where to buy new and delicate clothing, very chic and on trend, but I am a vintage lover, and the quality-price you get in Paris, you get nowhere else. And I thought you needed to know! 

• If big names such as Chanel, Saint Laurent or Givenchy is what you are after, then Thank God I'm a VIP near Republique will be your sanctuary. I stopped there on my lunch break the other day and I had difficulties to leave. There's so much stuff, and all items are SO DAMN GOOD. I finally compromised on a cutie little cashmere cardigan from Chanel that I ended up wearing for the Masha Ma show! It was a blast.

Another area to do great vintage shopping is Le Marais (my favourite!). Here you can find maaaany options, but I would probably highlight the following:

• Tilt Vintage, for a more chilled and upscale experience. Here you'll find a great range of sportswear and outerwear, among other things. The shearling jacket I am wearing is from them!
• Free'p'Star, an old time classic, is a bit more chaotic. However, you could find real bargains and super cute dresses.
• Vintage Desir, in an old Coiffeur shop, is for dapper looks (including lots of hats)

If you are out and about in the city of love, you should definitely check them out. 

TCB xx

WHAT I WORE:

Tilt Vintage Shearling Leather Jacket
Thank God I'm a Vip Chanel Cashmere Cardigan
H&M Jeans (old)
ZARA Mary Janes (instore only)
Gucci Dyonisus Bag
Ray-Ban Gold Frame Round Glasses
PDPaola Jewelry

SS17, Re-New Wardrobe?

New Year, New Season. Looking for a wardrobe renewal always put me in a great place, and after a lot of research on what’s coming next (which these days is more likely to be “what are we bringing back”), I’ve chosen 4 themes that I am going to be embracing this new term, and so should you.

The Gingham Club

Part of this Fun Club since the 90s, gingham is back on for another’s season play. And I wouldn’t limit this to gingham only, really. Over winter, Prince of Wales and other checked fabrics are seen in a lot of power suits and blazers; over summer, gingham is probably the winner, so we’ve got pattern for days!

Pretty in Pink

Oh là là, as if this is something new in my life. And if it is in yours, seriously, what happened? Pink is so much fun, and it doesn’t matter whether you are blonde or brunette, I personally think is a colour that suits everybody (though you’ll probably look more Barbie if you are blonde, tbh).

EMBRACE THE COLOUR LIFE! It is certified that wearing colourful clothes (or using color in any sense) makes people powerful, courageous, with a more positive attitude towards life, so surely that’s enough reason to try it?

Statement Sleeves

Probably the biggest trend in 2017, the statement sleeves have appeared in most of the SS17 catwalks across Milano, Paris, New York and London.

Flared, ruffled, embellished or overly long, the options are endless. But I suggest you take your inner Shakespeare for a dramatic day out in the city and break the monotony of boring everyday work clothes! You know I always say there’s no need to dress boring just because you because you are a business woman…

Over-the-top Jewellery

Basically, we are pulling off a Samantha here. Remember those flashy Chanel earrings she rocked up for lunch? Or every single piece of jewellery she wore on the SATC The Movie? I certainly do. I’ve always been an advocate of maximizing jewellery on your everyday outfits; whether it is a combination of jumbo colourful collars a la Iris Apfel, or plenty gold chainz as if we are coming from the hood, jewels are out for play, and I love games. 

SHOES: Lady Camilla

She's been out and about for a while now but Camilla Elphick has definitely revolutionized the foowear world. You know how much I love a splash of colour  in my clothes and accessories and she definitely provides that.

I think you can tell she's the British protégée of shoe designers Sophia Webster and Charlotte Olympia. Her style comes along the lines of the icon's playful and quirky collections. I mean, who would have thought of integrating such a childhood icon like Pez candy as a heel?

#MUCHOLOVE baby. 

TREND ALERT: GrungeWave

Image by Adam Katz Sinding

As High Snobiety once called it, grungewave (rock'n'rolla tees) is ON. You may or may not like it, but when big retailers like UO or H&M start producing them to the big public, it means it is hot. Which could make you rethink your choices if you don´t like to follow the mainstream. Nevertheless, fact is, I like it. 

I´ve had this thing with t-shirts since I was a little kid. Wherever I would go, I needed to get a tee to remember that place. Not the "I went to NY and all I got you was this lousy t-shirt" but rather something that I liked that later on reminded me of the good times spent there. 

That also extrapolates to music tops. I love wearing t-shirts that remind me of a great concert, or a singer I look up to. But No Way Jose would I wear some t-shirt of a dude I've never listened to or I don´t know about just cause it's on trend. 

Having said that, I am enjoying very much this look. Perfect for a sunday stroll or if you want to embrace the more dark, boyish look; which you all know I am all about these days (see a great example right here!). 

If you are as big of a fan of this trend as I am, here are some of the options you can easily get:

Of course, if you want the big deal, I´d rather look up for original merchandise from your fave band or singer, or look up for customised versions of it via esty and ebay. I´ve found some real gems there. 

Stay tuned, 

TCB xx

Louis Vuitton Series 3

Quite an interesting and controversial evening last night as Harper Bazaar UK hosted a private viewing and talk regarding Louis Vuitton Series 3 Exhibit at The Strand. 

The evening started with a cocktail reception with lots of Veuve Clicquot and canapes, although I must say I barely saw any of the latter. Bazaar's editor-in-chief Justine Picardie and Fashion Director Avril May joined us for a talk about Luxury in the Digital Era. 

Considering we leave in a world ruled by the internet Ms Picardie didn't fail to surprise me as she continued to detract social media. I understand her point of view when shay says that 'digital cannot replace real experience' but then again can we obviate the fact that most of us get to live unattainable experiences thanks to the internet? If it wasn't because of it most of the public could not experience a catwalk show, for example.

Street Style was also taken to discussion. Ms Picardie highlighted Anna dello Russo as the queen of street style and I think we all agree on that one. However, she also pointed out that street style is no longer a reality but rather a commercial transaction. 'You see these girls pretending to be on their phone, parading before the show's entrance until they get photographed and then you see them sitting on the 5th row of a catwalk'. Ok, streetstyle has become indeed something very different from what it used to be. But did we create that or did the industry do it? Photographers only shot celebrities or big influencers these days and therefore your only chance to be noticeable is to be as creative as possible. More over, does it matter where you sit on a catwalk show? We go to shows because we want to experience what it's like and because we want to see what will be coming up next season. We you sit should not matter. Of course we would all love to sit first row but sadly that only happens to the renown people. That is why I could understand why those 5th-rowers would like at least to get some Hollywood-fame before the show. All in all very tricky topics that left many people with more questions rather than answers!

The event continued with a private viewing of #LVSeries3, a psychedelic experience that took us through the process and thought towards Nicholas Ghesquiere's AW15 Collection. 

Five rooms showing the history of Louis Vuitton from 150 years ago until last AW15 collection. A beautiful story about how the house works from design creation to production and until the clothes are on the catwalk and later on in your wardrobe.  

THE MAGIC MALLE ROOM
let us explore LV designer’s mind from a full-length screen: muses, memories and new shapes form around, with the heritage trunk at the core of it all. Watch out, you might get a bit dizzy if you stay too long!

FUN FACT:
The famous LV monogram was created among dinner table.

 THE INFINITE SHOW ROOM
showcased the catwalk show that took place at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris last march. 

 THE SCIENCE OF SAVOIR-FARE ROOM
showed us how the creativity of the designer becomes a reality through the artisan's touch and the precision of the laser. Actual french artisans where set at the exhibition to provide us with a real experience of how a clutch gets made at LV.

FUN FACT:
It takes 13 hours to make one single clutch!

THE ACCESSORIES GALLERY
aka 'blinding room' where the LV key pieces from previous collections as well as AW15 stand out from a complete blank space; and the walk-in-wardrobe, where you could see how the piece beautiful garments would look on a women's closet.

A stunning exhibit that transported you to the luxurious style of the Louis Vuitton house. Don't miss it!

TCB x

WEARING:

Bimba & Lola Total Look
TopShop bag (old, similar here & here)

Anya's Service Station

Hey there, fashion lovers! Fancy washing up your car in style? You may not be able to do so at Anya´s Service Station but you'll certainly score a great bag instead. 

London Fashion Week is around the corner, therefore every fashion house is playing their part to be noticeable. Anya Hindmarch, the funkiest british designer I know accessories-wise, has teamed up with Selfridges to showcase her new Diversion* Runway collection for this AW15. 

Located at the Department´s Store car park, Anya´s Pop Up recreates an M25 Service Station and presents a limited-edition collection of service station essentials such as a winkey car freshener, bumper stickers, condoms, nodding dogs (my fave) and a personalised hi-vis jacket, among her ongoing AW15 collection. All and all very exclusive, of course.

I love how Hindmarch´s designs come across as British, humurous, and personalised, as she recalls. Personally, my accessories need to have a soul, to stand out and hers certainly do that. And hey, with the return of show off fashion she´s game. 

The Service Station also has little treats for their clients, such as sweets doggie bags by Little Chef and a fantastic carwash photobooth with model mechanics in it for you to snap a picture.

The Pop Up just launched last Friday (two weeks before she presents her new SS16 collection during LFW) and will be running for four weeks only. Make sure you don´t miss it!

TCB x

*FUN FACT: "Diversion" in Spanish means "fun", so if you ever see somebody laughing at one of these signs, you know why now ;) 

WE LOVE: Mr. Drawbertson brings back Pop Art

If you are indeed a fashionista you must already know about Mr. Donald Robertson, the Head of Creative Development at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and the genius artist that has been on the spotlight over ther last year. 

Donald Robertson's (aka Drawbertson) artworks are like an eye candy: funky, colorful and so much fun! It sometimes reminds me to the pop-art movement.  It amazes me how he can draw, tape, build, or doodle on practically anything! I'm definitely saving up to score on of his pieces home. 

Summer Whites

WE LOVE: Spanish Folkore

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

— Marcus Garvey

You can't deny your roots, they are part of who you are! I am very proud to be Spanish. I love the culture and how different it is whether you leave in a big city like Madrid or Barcelona or your leave in the South or the North of Spain. The variety of offerings it's what makes it so special! That translate in so many levels, not only culture but also fashion. 

Take a look at these inspiring portraits by Pilar Hormaechea, showcasing the traditional style of the Spanish culture. 

STYLING by Closet 42
CLOTHING by Teresa Palazuelo, Ignacio Valdes (two of my icons in Spanish Fashion) and Traka Barraka