Boutiques in Zurich visited with my Jopo

Remember when I introduced you to some cafés in Zurich in August? It was part of a collaboration with the Urban Bike Store, the only place in Switzerland that sells the oh so pretty Jopo bikes. Last week I grabbed my Jopo and rode to two exceptional boutiques in Zurich I would like to introduce to you. They are gems to locals as well as to out of towners, both with a very distinct flair.

When I’ve heard about the opening of Myracle I was really excited to finally have the chance to visit this fairly new boutique, mostly because I’ve always loved the shopping experience in Istanbul and couldn’t wait to see how the owner Meryem Yalcinöz managed to put the unique feeling this eclectic and stylish city evokes into her boutique.

In my fantasy, the customers would also be served a cup of Turkish coffee… In reality, the coffee had to wait but I was oohing and aahing over every little detail I found in there. Istanbul themed magazines, coffee trays and Turkish brands you couldn’t find anywhere else in Zurich (or dare I say in Switzerland): Machka, Ipekyol, Koton and many more.

Chatting with Meryem about how she runs her boutique and chooses the items she deems worthy to be sold in her boutique was just as interesting and fun as trying on clothes from the summer and fall selections. This boutique definitely offers a variety that was missing in Zurich and I can totally recommend it to you.

address:

Myracle - The Boutique
Istanbul Fashion Wonders
Freyastrasse 21
8004 Zurich

The second shop I would like to talk about is one I’ve passed a couple of times and the many mannequins lined up next to each other on a wall, all in black bikinis, always caught my attention. That day I finally gave in and went in to see what it was all about.

Noelie & Loulou is a concept store with a focus on handmade design. The pristine all white interior is above all the perfect canvas for the treasures that are waiting to be found. Interior accessories such as patchwork blankets, cushions and scented candles as well as hand-knitted scarfes and baby shoes are amongst the things that can be found at Noelie & Loulou. The bikinis on the wall? The lovely owner explained to me that you can personally choose the design of a bikini, mix and match the tops and bottoms and choose from a variety of colors, not just black as displayed on the big wall. They will then be handmade in Costa Rica and available 3 weeks after an order. I know where I will get my bikini for next summer... and in the meantime I'm burning the exquisite Quince & Heliotrope Petals candle from Joya, of course entirely hand-crafted and available at Noelie & Loulou.

address:

Noelie & Loulou
Bauhallengasse 7
8004 Zurich

Hush Hush - Gossip Couture - Italian Pre-War Elegance..

Out of the Past and into the NOW!

When I received the invitation from Mauricio Alpizar for the Gossip Couture AW 2012 parade with a picture of I think the Andrews Sisters seated, all three in profile with those fabulous 1940s blouses and hairstyles; I immediately wanted to be there! But this was never going to be a show about that Golden period of the USA; no, it was about a far more European, luxurious and decadent period and place, the card was quite simply a teaser! Mauricio has drawn his inspiration from pre-war Italy; and if my cinema going experiences are anything to go by; it was very decadent indeed.

This collection has all the retro style and elegance I had hoped for, and although looking-back for inspiration it moves inexorably forward to a new modernity. This ability to move forward (while taking inspiration from the past), is to my mind one of the greatest hurdles for any designer to clear if they are going to make a success of New-Retro designs without simply being a mimic of the past.

The show opened with what seems to be a peek behind the curtain into a rather exclusive and luxurious Men's Club or was it the fantacy of a gilmpse into an exotic 1940s Italian Bordello? Who cares, the stage was set - Decadence Full Seam Ahead! Lace dresses with gold silk slips, silk dresses, silk and wool blends, "turquoise and gold satin jackets with the softest of gold silk lining, little black dresses with the most intricate of beading," and menswear too...

But what is beautiful and desirable that can't be made even more so by the select addition of a few lovely jewels; Necks, Wrists, Fingers and Lobes where dressed by Tancredi Jewellers creating that final luxurious touch.























"for men, this time offering the lads cashmere and wool knits in vivid hues of jet red, gold and emerald, epiletted trenches of wool blend with highly detailed check lining, and gangster pants with intricate detail pockets front and back".

Thank you Mauricio for a wonderful evening and an even more wonderful viewing. And a thank you to my friend Katerina who assisted as a second set of eyes as I worked the camera making sure that no detail would be missed.

www.mauricioalpizar.com.au
www.tancredijewellers.com
www.theartlounge.com.au

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It's always there

Mint silken blouse - Mango, Blazer - Zara, Boots - H&M, Bag & Scarf - from South Korea, Earclip - fleamarket

Neslihan took these pictures right before heading to the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel to have a special dinner. More on that later...

♥

Date night on vacation

I'm not sure if I should call it even "date night" because on vacation, every night is date night and I fully took advantage of it and wore some dresses that otherwise rarely get out of my closet. There could have been so many more outfit posts but blame the Italian-style dining... meaning very late! When the sun sets and the stars come out you don't want to bother with a camera* but just go out and enjoy yourself...

This is an outfit from the last couple of days of our vacation at the seaside. After 5 exhilarating days in Rome it was the perfect ending, including lazy days at the beach, cocktails on the roof top of our hotel and fresh fish for dinner.

Dress: Asos Belt: Zara Slingbacks: Bata

* of course besides the mandatory twitpic ^^

That was all from my summer vacation... Hope you enjoyed reading about it!

Bespoke Fashion Sydney - William Street Laneway Festival 2011

William St Paddington is Sydney's Fashion Street. I have been coming here for years and years often with a friend or stylist in tow.. These first portraits below are from the William Street Ateliers, yes - fashion made right here, made for you, designed-checked-fitted, and made right here in William Street. Neil Grigg and hats that set mens hearts racing on the head of their favourite filly. Andrew McDonald's fabulous and creatively designed leather shoes and bags; the moment you walk through the door you can smell all that real leather. Sylvia Chan, who (unless you have some kind of magical power of persuasion) only makes a dress once, because why would you do the same thing twice. Can you say Couturier... And I think we can all see what is happening at Matthew Lawrence Bespoke..

That of course is not the end of the handmade on William Street Paddington but if you are in a bit more of a rush, there is no shortage of designers and labels to take your pick from. I'm not going to go crazy trying to describe which-what-wear; you can choose. I do wonder though; even with the sun playing hide-and-seek all day Saturday, if opening up the street to pedestrian traffic in a more full time manner might not be a good idea. Perhaps even if it were simply from 9 till 5... No doubt that will stir the pot a bit; with pros & cons, of dropping things to the door...

And while as with any (or is that every) fashion event there were some DJs DJing. STOP. Listen. There was also the beautiful strains of the Bach Cello Suites floating down and following you along, being played on the street by the equally beautiful Markela Panegyres, who apparently comes all the way from Perth. What are they putting in the water over there.. So here it all is; Lingerie and Shoes, the Casual to what-we-wear when-we-go-out; boutique and bespoke; it's all here. The only real Fashion Street; William Street Paddington in Sydney? Take a trip, take your time; you decide.





















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William Street Paddington

www.sylviachan.com.au
www.neilgriggmillinery.com
andrewmcdonald.com.au

www.jacandjack.com
www.whitesuede.com
www.dportfolio.com.au
www.thecornershop.com.au
www.nudiejeans.com
www.samiandsita.com
www.dearwood.com.au

Markela Panegyres Cello


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The Russian Standard / Shop Til You Drop + Vodka = 30 Daze of Fashion..

You know I think I really have been being a little spoiled of late. And while its true that I was not gifted a huge fat complimentary Shop Til You Drop - World Square gift voucher to go shopping with.. I had my gaily coloured pink wrist band on, I was in the VIP enclosure (or corral as I have been calling them lately) I was surrounded by a bevvy of beauties; not least the lovely ladies from Russian Standard Vodka and their mesmerizing smiles.

As luck would have it I ran into a friend of recent acquaintanceship, fellow Miss Universe Australia judge Peter Sereno and together we saw our way through some Nandos Chicken Pita Pockets (say that fast with a mouth full) and a few responsibly served Russian Standard Vodka drinks. There was superb DJing from DJ Duo 'Rogers' from the stairs above our heads, a catwalk out in front with; mid way, the beautiful Sarah Stephens, MCing the event for fashionistas one and all.

But it all seemed a little like Zeno's Paradox; I was moving forward but getting no closer to the finish line, or not close enough to cross over to break the ribbon. Perhaps it had something to do with that other shopping night out. However if you are simply wondering what the night looked like; scroll down because it looked something like this...























Thanks to World Square, Shop Til You Drop, Nandos Chicken Pita Pockets & Russian Standard Vodka.