GUCCI VS PUCCI: The Italian War Is On (Part 3)

4) Night Gown

Similarities: Diamond cleavage. Round neck to hold it together. Black.

Differences: The Gucci dress is completely made of vaporous fabric, with feather details. The Pucci dress possesses a sold fabric and is open right in the vertical middle of the skirt.

So, what do you think? Pretty easy, huh? Gucci is more romantic while Pucci is super sophisticated. I personally prefer Pucci because it’s simpler and you know what they say: “less is more”. Nevertheless, Gucci’s pieces are also a work of art, just a little more nostalgic. It all depends on your style, which would prevail in your closet?

I hope you enjoyed spotting the differences as much as I did, have a wonderful day! And what will you say the next time someone calls you ignorant about something? Exactly: “You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between Gucci and Pucci!”

Shine all over and dream on, crazy diamonds! Take Care. Lotta Love. Ciao!

Write to you later!

A.C.

P.S. Previous posts-

Part 1- http://wp.me/p2X2CO-a7

Part 2 – http://wp.me/p2X2CO-ab

P.S.2. Feel free to comment, we’d love to hear from you! : )

P.S.3.  All the photos were taken from Vogue.fr.

Pucci-http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/automne-hiver-2012-2013-milan-emilio-pucci-1/6160/diaporama/defile-1520/8838/pag

Gucci-http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/automne-hiver-2012-2013-milan-gucci-2/6145/diaporama/defile-1505/8810/pag

P.S.4 Twitter: @alanandall

GUCCI VS PUCCI: The Italian War Is On (Part 2)

Let’s start, shall we?

1) Skirt & Chemise

Similarities: The skirts belong to the same style. The chemises have transparencies and turtlenecks. The two mannequins are covered in black.

Differences: The Gucci skirt is made in velvet and has got some kind of belt made of the same textile, while the Pucci one is made of leather and has an aperture on the left side. The Gucci chemise has puffed sleeves and the transparencies are covered with lace, while the sleeves of the Pucci one stick to the arms and the transparencies on the chemise are very clean, small and simple.

2) Slacks & Chemise

Similarities: Vaporous fabric for the chemise.

Differences: Where do we start? The Gucci slacks go all the way to the floor, are super loose and start on the hips, while the Pucci ones start on the waist, have no drawings on them and finish around 15 cm before they get to the ankles. The Gucci chemise has velvet details, puffed sleeves and ties, while the Pucci one appears to be completely plane. I love the sweater on the Pucci look, btw.

3) Cocktail Dress

Similarities: The length of the skirt. Vaporous fabrics. Adjusted at the waist. Black.

Differences: The Gucci dress has got a V cleavage covered in frills, lace and puffed sleeves. The Pucci dress has got a halter cleavage and a v-neck combined, an aperture in the vertical middle of the skirt, and sleeves that work as a second skin. It is also very plain and the details are on the seams, which give the illusion of geometry.

Continue reading at: http://wp.me/p2X2CO-ai

P.S.1. Previous posts-

Part 1- http://wp.me/p2X2CO-a7

P.S.2. Feel free to comment, we’d love to hear from you! : )

P.S.3.  All the photos were taken from Vogue.fr.

Pucci-http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/automne-hiver-2012-2013-milan-emilio-pucci-1/6160/diaporama/defile-1520/8838/pag

Gucci-http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/automne-hiver-2012-2013-milan-gucci-2/6145/diaporama/defile-1505/8810/pag

P.S.4 Twitter: @alanandall

GUCCI VS PUCCI: The Italian War Is On (Part 1)

Whenever any friend of mine tells me off because I don’t happen to know a certain song, haven’t seen a certain movie or never heard of certain book, I throw at their faces the following sentence: “Oh, really? Well, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between Gucci and Pucci!”

My sister’s answer to this statement was by far the most reasonable: “Gucci is written with ‘g’ and Pucci with ‘p’” The funny thing is that it takes just a letter, it only takes one letter to go from a luxury brand to haute couture. Another fun fact: they’re both Italian.

Gucci’s whole name is “House of Gucci”, and its creative director is Frida Giannini. Even though Gucci is VERY recognized in the fashion world, it is not couture; it’s a luxury brand like, for example, Louis Vuitton. Pucci is the abbreviation for Emilio Pucci, and it is qualified as haute couture (even though here I’ll show their prêt-à-porter); its chief designer is Peter Dundas.

So, those where two dissimilarities between Pucci and Gucci (the letter and the classification), but hey! What about the style? That’s the real thing, because its what makes you tell a Gucci from a Pucci just by sight. In order to define the approaches of Pucci & Gucci I’ll compare eight looks (four each) from their collections of Fall-Winter 2012-2013. For all the comparisons, I took two looks that, even when using the same elements, were also defending their signature.

Are you ready? Continue reading at: http://wp.me/p2X2CO-ab

P.S.1. Feel free to comment, we’d love to hear from you! : )

P.S.2 Twitter: @alanandall

Paco Rabanne: A Touch of Midas for New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is coming! Do you know what you’ll wear already? They say wearing golden brings economical prosperity, and I don’t know you guys, but I might take a shot! The thing is, golden outfits? Where can I get them? I know of a certain someone whose specialty is making outfits touched by Midas: Paco Rabanne.

If I could describe Paco Rabanne in one word, it would be “originality”. I mean, let’s be honest, this guy really has got creativity! Don’t believe me? You’ll see it in a bit. Another reason I chose Rabanne for this week’s post is that he’s a great designer and most people only have heard of him because of his perfumes: “One Million” and “Lady One Million”; not fair at all.

In order to expose & analyze Rabanne’s works of art, I picked my favorite looks of the Fall- Winter 2012-2013 collection. Are you ready? Here you go! My top three:

1) Look A.  The third place goes to this black & golden suit. I love the longitude of the blazer, the golden details on the side, and how it opens in the end. Especially the design on the bottom edges of the blazer caught my attention, because it adds a beautiful motion, resembling to the frailty of a butterflies wings. The pants are average black but the belt does add a certain something, plus, do you see what he did with the belt and the blazer’s edges? He’s framing the blouse the… metallic blouse! I mean, those look like coins, right? Who else would have thought of doing such a thing? And in such a striking way? Nobody, nobody, nobody…

2) Look B.  The second place goes to this leather & metal black blouse and skirt (although it looks like a little black dress, right?). I love the shreds, I just love how they hang all over and the glow of the plastic look they have. The thing about this look is that it uses very conservative patterns but turns them all around! Take a look at the skirt, for example; see the buttons on both sides of it? That’s a classic, but we’re used to it in its regular making, made on regular fabrics. Also, see the neckline detail? That’s the one most of us used as little girls but, oh, wait! It’s made of leather and framed with a super thin metal chain.

3) Look C.  The first place goes to this black, gray and blue dress. Now, the real question here is, what is it made of? It looks like chips, like those used on board games and casinos. Well, I think it’s a brilliant idea to do something like this: it’s futuristic, it’s unique and reminds me of the dresses used for Charleston. The long V neckline is ideal for stylizing the upper part of the body and the division right at the hips is truly clever because it means any woman would look great in that dress (Yes, any).

So? Midas for New Year’s Eve? And what do you think? Next time you hear “Paco Rabanne”, will you go beyond “One Million”? If you do, my work here is done.

Have a wonderful day (morning, noon, afternoon, evening, night) and remember, shine all over and dream on, crazy diamonds!  Take care. Lotta love. Ciao!

A.C.

P.S. Feel free to comment, I’d love to hear from you ; )

P.S.2 All the photos were taken from Vogue.fr:

http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/automne-hiver-2012-2013-paris-paco-rabanne/6247/diaporama/defile-1606/9014/pag

P.S.3. Twitter: @Alanandall

Isabel Marant: Westerns are back… in Paris (Part 2)

2) Look B. More western! I’m in love with the white silk chemise. The pattern made out of applications is elegant and stylizes the figure, how? Well, see how it sort of outlines the upper part of the chest? There’s a sort of cleavage included, and remember what I always say, division lines on your outfit make you look taller and thinner. Also, the line that divides the torso helps us to look fitter. The black leather skinny pants help your legs look longer and much more defined. This, as well the skirt on the previous look and the golden belt on this one, is easy to find at any mall if you know where to look for it.

3) Look C. The Western Queen. So far we had observed only daytime outfits, but what do you think about this alternative version of “the little black dress”? I say, “Yes, please”. It’s got some golden embroidery and applications that make a faux cleavage that elongates our torso. The high of the skirt makes the model’s legs look longer and makes her look even taller. Just remember! When wearing something this short, please don’t wear heels! It might look distasteful and that’s a big “No! No!”

I think what I really like about Isabel Marant is that her looks aren’t complicated at all, and for all the fashionistas on training, it is an easy style to follow, since she uses pretty simple clothes. What do you think? Will you bring the Western back to your closet? I’m already on it!

Shine all over and dream on, crazy diamonds! Have a wonderful day! (I will). Take Care. Lotta Love. Ciao!

A.

Previous post: http://wp.me/p2X2CO-9k

P.S. Feel free to comment, we’d love to hear from you! : )

P.S.2. Photos taken from Vogue ES:

http://www.vogue.es/desfiles/otono-invierno-2012-2013-paris-isabel-marant/7341

Isabel Marant: Westerns are back… in Paris (Part 1)

Honestly speaking, I’ve never been a fan of westerns, probably because to me they’re foreign and I take them as part of the folklore of another country. Say for example, when someone says the word “Western” what comes to my mind are cowboys, so that’s pretty much why I chose this title for today’s post. Isabel Marant’s Fall-Winter 2012-2013 takes us back to those characteristic landscapes where duels took place and checked chemises and boots ruled the place.

Isabel Marant is relatively new in the business, and it’s a little bit more relaxed than the rest of the designers, mainly because she doesn’t work with haute couture; even though this is prêt-à-porter, it can be considered as way too relaxed compared to other maisons.

Anyway, we don’t always have to be all fancied, we could also wear more comfortable clothes and still look super fashionable. Wait! Comfortable and fashionable? Well, yes, it is possible. Don’t believe me? Take a look to Isabel Maran’ts top three!

1) Look A. Didn’t I tell you? Totally western. This look, composed by a white blouse, a white skirt and a blue & gold patterned belt is super simple and super comfy. Advantages? You can wear this almost anywhere in daytime! At school, at Starbucks, at SoHo… The embroidering on the blouse is beautiful (don’t you love the heart in the middle of it), and of course, the star of this season’s prêt-à-porter: transparencies. The skirt is actually very casual and the design isn’t complicated, the special thing about THIS skirt is that it is made of silk, which makes it compliment our movement, making us look more graceful.

To be continued.

P.S. Feel free to comment, we’d love to hear from you! : )

P.S.2. Photos taken from Vogue ES:

http://www.vogue.es/desfiles/otono-invierno-2012-2013-paris-isabel-marant/7341

Michael Kors: The Fatal Temptation (Part 2)

2) Look B. The skirt is genius, because it looks like a sort of poncho, which increases the ethnical look that the pattern already gives. The sweater is cool, just a little bit too average and I rarely like knitted stuff, especially when the linen is so thick. The belt is a good touch. The shoes are super nice, they make the legs look longer and the feet look thinner.

3) Look C. This one’s my favorite! The leather blouse is absolutely beautiful! The baggy beginning of the sleeves and the tight end make the arms look thinner, and the pleats on the neckline help the blouse get puffed, which makes the body look slimmer. The trousers are super low rise though shorter (If you’re short don’t wear this kind of trousers unless they’re super low rise and you’re wearing high heels) and the fabric is a great choice because it makes them look more léger. The black Mary Janes are really cute.

As you could see, the favorite colors of Michael Kors are red and black, and even though I love the combination because they’re both very strong colors, they remind me of the flag people use for strikes; maybe when wearing them we’re actually protesting, protesting against looking like everyone else and not standing out; we all deserve to stand out.  Also, they’re very dark colors, a warning of their sinister power to seduce us: try on under your own risk.

Well, that was it for the Fall-Winter 2012/13 Collection; want to check out the Prefall 2013 one? Wait it out!

Continue reading: http://wp.me/p2X2CO-8J

P.S. Previous post: http://wp.me/p2X2CO-8x

P.S.1. Feel free to comment, your opinions make us better : )

P.S.2. Photos taken from Vogue ES:

http://www.vogue.es/desfiles/otono-invierno-2012-2013-nueva-york-michael-kors/7214/galeria/pasarela-5578/13414

P.S.3. Follow me on Twitter at @alanandall

Michael Kors: The Fatal Temptation (Part 1)

Last summer I got a job at New York, two hours from what’s better known as “The City”, and I’d go there on every single chance I had, even when it meant waking up at six a.m. and arriving to the little town I was staying at around 12:30 a.m. From the moment I got there, I fell in love with New York City, so I decided to spend my last two days at the U.S. in this wonderful place. During the morning previous to the one I was leaving, I walking around Madison Avenue at my beautiful Manhattan when suddenly, something made me turn my head immediately, any guesses? Well, no, it wasn’t any superstar or gorgeous model; it was a Michael Kors work of art.

I was about, like really about, to give my unconditional love to Michael Kors instead of to my favorite, my one and only, the maison CHANEL (I know, shame on me; but hey! We all have low points!). Then I remembered why it’s called unconditional love, so I decided to stay faithful to La Grande Mademoiselle. Anyway, I remembered the amazement this dress made me feel, so I decided to write about Michael Kors’s Fall-Winter 2012-2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection and, in addition, about the Prefall 2013 Collection too because well, they’re beautiful. Ready for the Top 3? Go!

1) Look A. Finally! Somebody designs something that looks like it belongs to the Fall-Winter season! I love the coat; that Scottish pattern makes me feel like Christmas! And the fur unequally distributed makes it look arty but chic. The style is definitely the one of a New Yorker; I could be using that to go to an exhibit to the MoMA. The leather is a basic to Kors, who totally loves to boost the clothing with it, though I’m really hoping those are leather pants and not leather leggings, because there’s nothing more distasteful than using leggings with a blouse instead of grabbing pants, DON’T EVER! The T-Strap pumps are nice, though almost any shoe would do. I know the chemise doesn’t show very well, but it’s got a long V-shaped neckline that matches perfectly the leather and the Scottish pattern.

Continue reading: http://wp.me/p2X2CO-8A

P.S. Feel free to comment, your opinions make us better : )

P.S.2. Photos taken from Vogue ES:

http://www.vogue.es/desfiles/otono-invierno-2012-2013-nueva-york-michael-kors/7214/galeria/pasarela-5578/13414

P.S.3. Follow me on Twitter at @alanandall

Valentino: Prêt-à-porter? Prêt –à- aimer!

For today, I’ve chosen my dear Valentino, and let me tell you that even though his couture is genius, the prêt-à-porter is totally breathtaking. Valentino is simply the best, I mean, if you had a million different ceremonies and parties to attend and you only had a Valentino Boutique nearby, you could totally rock it in all the events with the help of the Italian creations. Don’t buy it? Check this out!

In 60 looks, the designer shows us how amazing clothes that even wearing when walking down the streets or buying something at the 7/11, would make us feel like we’re on the runway. The colours Valentino uses in this collection are beige, black, gray, red and white, with pinches of green. He uses mostly leather and silk, along with recurring transparencies and embroidery; in other words: stylish eclectic.

Being honest, what I love the most about this collection is that it doesn’t look just wearable during fall or winter; it also would be super chic during spring or summer; it’s killing combo: versatility and flexibility, is a huge plus nobody should ignore. But enough with the talking! Lets check the Top Three, shall we?

1) Look A. Black and white never die! This is the proof that classics will always be classics. The skirt up to the waist ending at the knees makes the body look longer. The hood is gorgeous and it’s perfect for any kind of body, because due to its shape, it will always look as if the part of the body underneath is slimmer. The leather is super sophisticated and the game between the collars of both, the chemise and the hood, make the neck look longer. Hello, high fashion heroines!

2) Look B. This coat has to be like the coolest thing ever. The patterns are beyond beautiful. The collar is perfect for giving the illusion of a longer neck and, due to the divisions (the upper part of the coat and the squares at the lower), it makes the model look taller. The division at the upper part is super smart, because it’s just below the ribs and it’s sort of the new waist. A perfect piece, five stars.

3) Look C. Ever since I looked at this dress, I wasn’t able to take it out of my head, I mean, could you? The flowers! The flowers! It is also in leather. The division of the body is right at the waist and again, the collar makes the neck look longer. I must admit that the detail on the shoulders isn’t my thing, but in this dress it just seems like it belongs there. Whenever using this kind of detail at the shoulders, make sure they start like in this Valentino dress: right at the edge, more in the arms than in the shoulders. It’s could be inside Lady Gaga’s wardrobe, an elegant Lady Gaga, and I LOVE Lady Gaga.

So? What do you think? Valentino for Christmas? Please, please, Santa, please.

Shine all over and dream on, crazy diamonds! Take Care. Lotta Love. Ciao!

A.

P.S. Feel free to comment, your opinions make us better : )

P.S.2 Photos taken from Vogue FR:

http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/automne-hiver-2012-2013-paris-valentino/6246/diaporama/defile-1605/9011/pag

P.S.3. Follow me on Twitter: @alanandall

Jean Paul Gaultier- L’Enfant Terrible is here to steal the spotlight

Why Jean Paul Gaultier? The real question is: why did I wait until now for Jean Paul Gaultier?! This grand couturier has dressed personalities such as Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard and Lady Gaga, and I must admit the last celebrity is the actual reason I dedicated this week’s post to l’enfant terrible.

You see, last Sunday I was watching E! and some TV show comparing Gaga’s and Madonna’s styles popped up. Towards the ending, they showed Gaga in a beautiful JPG gown, all black with a gorgeous collar with golden details and huge feathers framing Gaga’s face. It was outstanding, you know why? Because it was classy yet risky and gothic at the same time. I really believe it has been the best outfit Gaga has come out with ever, and believe me, I’m a huge fan of hers and, of course, of clothing. Anyway, then I remembered when I was checking out the new prêt-à-porter fall-winter 2012-2013 at Vogue.fr, the first post was dedicated to him, which I totally should have interpreted as a sign to write about him ASAP!

But oh, well! No more “What ifs”! Let’s cut the blah blah blah and start with what we all care about: The Top Three.

1) Look A. Is that a dress? No! It’s a black velvet jumpsuit with a faux heart neckline that’s got covered the rest of the chest up to the neck and most of the arms with an extraordinarily vaporous fabric. Don’t you love the effect? It makes the femme fatale outfit actually pretty classy! It gives a sort of black wings to the model. Gaultier is an expert on making glam black angels. Jumpsuits are generally pretty good on making you look taller and slimmer, no mention the little black vest reduces the amount of clothing seen underneath and makes you look thinner still (if you have a little waist; if not, use a longer vest, one that finishes right at the hips). See the big necklace? Stay away of those unless you have a long neck, otherwise it will disappear, and c’mon! The neck is one of the most beautiful characteristics of human beings.

Continue reading: http://wp.me/p2X2CO-6w

P.S.1. Feel free to comment, your opinions make us change for the better : )

P.S.2. Photos taken from Vogue FR.

http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/automne-hiver-2012-2013-paris-jean-paul-gaultier-2/6483/diaporama/defile-1807/9327/pag

P.S.3 Follow me on twitter: @alanandall