BERLIN

31.5.12

THE OLYMPIA LE-TAN IT-BAG

We all know fashion's it-bags, varying from Chanel's 2.55 to Hermès' Birkin. All-time classics which will be stylish till the end of time. On my list of it-bags I recently added a designer. Not just a newbie, but Olympia Le-Tan. This - London born and Paris raised - Mademoiselle knows how to make minaudières to die for. Le-Tan makes minaudières inspired by vibrant and old book covers. Every single item she designs is handmade with love, all original and all in very limited edition.


Olympia Le-Tan is a self-taught fashion designer. She started her career at the prestigious fashion house of Chanel as the assistant-designer of Monsieur Karl Lagerfeld himself. After Chanel, Le-Tan worked for Balmain closely with Gilles Dufour, who later on started his own brand with Olympia by his side.




After working for Balmain and Chanel, Le-Tan wanted to start her own label. A label based on Olympia's two obsessions: literature and embroidery. Both she got from her family: her passion for literature comes from her father (French illustrator Pierre Le-Tan) and she inherited her embroidery-talent from her grandmother. In September 2009 Olympia Le-Tan launched her eponymous accessory label and so the story goes.


Handmade in France, the bags are sold in over 30 panache high-end boutiques around the globe. For example Olympia Le-Tan is sold at Podium in Russia, Opening Ceremony in NYC, Colette in Paris and Land Of Tomorrow in Tokyo. As you can see, thé fashion stores of the world know about Olympia's amazingness.






Celebrities are discovering Le-Tan as well. Some of them are really crazy about Olympia's designs including Jessica Hart, Chloë Sevigny, Clemence Poesy, Michelle Williams  and Louise Bourgoin. One of my favourite actresses, Nathalie Portman, even wore a Le-Tan minaudière at the premiere of award-winning movie 'The Black Swan', in which Nathalie herself played the main character.








A book clutch by Olympia Le-Tan is one of the things on top of my wish-list for some time now. Yes, men can wear clutches easily as well. Stand out and bear a Le-Tan with plenty of elan. I'm absolutely in love with every item that comes out of Olympia's hands. Her clutches are classy fun perfections. It's goody-goody meets style and nerdy meets class. Let's make it clear, I so want that minaudière!


Visit Olympia Le-Tan online by clicking here.

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23.5.12

THE 20 FEAT. AMB

Twenty questions, inspired by music, about fashion, style and livin' the elan life. All asked to panache people, working fashion, with outstanding enthusiasm and passion for what they do.

This issue: the 20 featuring Amber Myhre Bosch.

Amber Myhre Bosch is a freelance fashion stylist based in Amsterdam. She styles among others musicians Sabrina Starke, Miss Montreal, DJ Tiësto and Alain Clark, works for magazines Glamcult, Elegance, LINDA. and more and is the Fashion Director of (amazing) Prestage magazine. Assisted by her Alexander Wang bag and silver-blond curls, she flourishes around town, shopping and styling for new projects whit tons of enthusiasm, a big smile and – I have to say – a bit of hysteria. This woman definitely knows how to style and her work always tells a story.
When did your love for fashion started out? “I've always had love for architecture, design and art. After studying I knew I wanted to work in the creative sector and if possible to do something with those three I love. After assisting different stylists for a period of time, my love for styling started growing. After a while I started to create my own fashion stories. Along the way I found out that architecture, design and art are my guidelines when I'm creating a fashion story and therefore the three combined are my styling strengths.”

“It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing.”
What's your favourite song? “I know it's terribly corny and so, so wrong, but at this particular moment it's...” (Amber started singing: "Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na hot right now, turn it up right now! Ejo-ejo.") “... I think it's called 'Hot Right Now'.” 

What's your favourite movie? “That should be 'Something's Gotta Give'. It's the perfect romantic comedy with lots of awkward moments. I just can't stop laughing while watching it!”

In what piece of clothing do you feel yourself most fabulous at the moment? “In my super tight high waist American Apparel trousers. I feel damn sexy in them!”

What really motivates you at the moment? “Myself. The best motivation comes from within and there is no one more critical about my work than me, myself and I. I keep on pushing myself. The sky is the limit.”


Who's your favourite model? “That varies from time to time, but at this moment it's new face Anna from VDM Models. I just did a shoot with her for Prestage and I really love her pureness.”
What's you favourite drink for a night-out? (She said this witihin the glimpse of an eye) “Vodka red-bull! Cheers.”

What's you favourite city in the world?Amsterdam. I just love everything about Amsterdam. I was born and raised with clogs on, so everything in Amsterdam still amazes me: from the canals and the architecture to the amazing 9 Streets.”

“It's got me addicted, does more than any dick did.”
Everybody’s got one. What's your addiction
(With an 'everybody knows' face) “Red-bull and sigarettes. I'm such a healthy person!”

“Nasty put some clothes on, I told ya.”
What's the worst fashion gaffe you could think of? “Oh my, oh my! I absolutely hate those sheepy UGG boots. I know they are really comfy, but they are so damn ugly. Not flattering at all! Through them away if you wanna be fabulous.”
 
Styling | Amber Myhre Bosch
Wendelien Daan | Prestage Magazine

What's on top of your wish-list? “A Martin Margiela jacket designed by Margiela himself. Something I will never get and really regret I didn't buy it. I've tried those amazing jackets on a thousand times, without buying one. I will never get one the way I want it, because Margiela himself isn't Martin Margiela's designer anymore. Maybe, if I'm really lucky, I'll find one one day in a vintage designer store.”

 “You got soul, you got class. You got style, with your bad ass!”
Who's you favourite designer at the moment? “I'm really crazy about ACNE. Their designs are wearable but eccentric. They use lovely fabrics and their fashion is original.”
What's your best stylish buy ever? “My Alexander Wang bag and a vintage red Chanel jacket.”

Styling | Amber Myhre Bosch
Meinke Klein | Glamcult

Who's got some real swagger in fashion at this moment? “Karen Langley. She's a stylist and the Fashion Editor of Dazed & Confused. Her work is simply perfect.”

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Found out what it means to me.”
Who do you really respect working in fashion? “I don't respect one person in particular, but I really respect people who do an make fantastic, creative and wonderful things, but who always stay down to earth and who are true to who they really are.”

What's your favourite hot spot at the moment? (Laughing) “I love 'Koopman'. A tiny sandwich and fine meat shop located at the Elandsgracht in the Jordaan. They have the best meat-ball sandwich in the whole wide world!

Styling | Amber Myhre Bosch
Meinke Klein | Arnhem Mode Biennale

“Arm through the window of the city I maneuver slow.”
What's the 'best-dressed' city in the world? “Tokyo. Nothing's too much and everybody’s dressed-to-impress all day long, but it still looks effortless.”

“My persuasion can built a nation.”
Who's your all-time fashion icon? “Fashion designer Pierre Cardin. I love him. He a true inspiration and precursor of shapes and silhouettes in fashion. Still, there are a lot of designers that look at his shapes when they are designing a new collection.”

“I wish those days could come back once more.”
What's the most fabulous fashion moment you've ever experienced? I'm still getting there. I've experienced some amazing fashion moments, but I definitely know my most fabulous fashion moment still has to come.”

“Cause we're ordinary people. We don't know which way to go.”
Where do you see yourself in five years? “The future may take turns that you would never think of. I believe in jinxing so I won't say a thing about things that could happen. I will work hard, never expect, will love and be loved and simply see what the future has in store for me.”

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19.5.12

A LABEL TO WATCH: CHRISTIAN PELLIZZARI

Our yellow diamond is breaking through. It took a while, but I think summer is finally on our side. Time for some fresh Italian tailored summer style. Style from one to watch: Christian Pellizzari. He is bringing us some urban dandyness with a cultural twist. Damn, I likey like his spring/summer 2012 collection.


Christian Pellizzari was born in Treviso near Venice, Italy. Pellizzari started designing at a young age and he simply knew he had some real talent. Treviso was to small for this elan uomo, so at the age of 20 he decided to move to Florence to study at Polimoda, the international institute for fashion design and marketing. After graduating he worked for Tonello and nourished his love for formal tailored jackets. He moved to Paris to find the perfect mix between the French panache and the Italian passion.

Worked for Vionett and Jay Ahr in Paris, Christian started his own men's label in January 2011, named after the man himself: ChristianPellizzari. Shackles of my feet so I can dance. Gosh, I'm crazy about his label!




For spring/summer 2012 Pellizzari was inspired by the cities of Istanbul, Venice and Paris. He designed a collection for a contemporary Italian dandy, but with an urban twist. The colour palette is predominated by cloudy grays, sands and dark blues. With some uplifting ocher accents, the overall looks fresh and clean. He added some really nice details and patterns to spice it all up, which led to amazingness.




The colours of Istanbul, combined with the Parisian panache and some Venice passion make this look original. The blazer takes the center stage in his collection. A thing I love, because I'm a jacket kinda guy. On top of all Christian Pellizzari is a textile virtuoso: the jackets range from wool and tweed to silk and leather. I'm crazy about the fit as well: he mashed some classic jackets with loose, but well-fitted pants. The collection features smokings and more easy-going looks, but all chic and dashing.



Christian Pellizzari is absolutely one to put on your 'brands-to-watch-list'. His mixes of different fashion cultures make his style fresh and new. Classic tailored, but all with some swaggy elegance. I can't wait to see more. Bring it on Pellizzari!


To visit Christian Pellizzari online click here.

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13.5.12

MET BALL MADNESS

The MET Ball: The annual gala that celebrates the annual opening of New York's Metropolitan Museum's fashion exhibit at the Costume Institute. This is the 'night of the nights' in fashion hosted by VOGUE and the invitees dress-to-impress at this red carpet event. This year the gala was there to celebrate Prada and Schiaparelli's 'Impossible Conversations' exhibition.

I picked the outfits that caught my style hunting eye. The divine ones and the kinda 'funny' ones. 'Funny' as in... Well, you know what I mean.


Anja Rubic dares and looks fabulous. Trashy? No way. She should have thought 'Angelina Jolie times 10; what she does, I can do better'. Where's the underwear? Never mind. Endless long legs all the way to her ears in this Anthony Vaccarello dress. Work that leg, show them what you got Anja. Sexiness all over. Hi there, you endless long leggy. Let's stand a thousand feet tall!


I'mma, I'mma a diva. Fresh mamma Beyoncé looks divine in this eye-catching chic Givenchy gown. The lace, the black and purple feathers, the simple hair and make-up: it's panache. I have to say the dress does not perfectly fit her figure, but this woman just gave birth. Maybe that's the thing. Nevertheless, she works it out with tons of class. I adore her!


Yellow, it's bananas. Solange Knowles looks amazing in this yellow Rachel Roy peplum dress. It simply makes me wanna go on a vaca. It's tropical classiness. This dress perfectly fits her figure and the colour looks beautiful on her caramelized brown skin. It's peplum banana heaven.


Another gorgeous peplum dress, worn by Elizabeth Banks. This time some cool patterns. The Mary Katrantzou dress got class. I really adore the fit and double pepluming. The pattern makes the dress modern and special.


Powdery supremacy. Camilla Belle looks to die for in Ralph Lauren Collection. The metallic sequins and fabric in powdery tones combined with the dark make-up and fifties hair give this look fresh vintage mysteriousness.


Okay, let's see. How will I put this one. It's 'golden' riding hood meets Cleopatra in Dubai. It's like Luther Vandross once sang: 'Never too much, never too much'. Well, I'm a follower of the thought an outfit can almost never be too much. When you are at a fabulous party you're never overdressed, the other invitees are underdressed. I love sequins, I lover capes, I love gold, I love Dolce & Gabbana and I love a bit of hysteria, but it's the combination of all of these which is wrong. Tell me Bianca Brandolini d'Adda, out of which dress-up box did you get this thingy?

Yes. Not the positive 'yes', more the sarcastic one. Florence got some style, but with this dress for the MET Ball she missed the point entirely. She looks like a humongous pale mermaid who just gave birth. Don't get me wrong: I love mermaids, I absolutely love Florence and a combination of those is heaven, but not in a dress kinda way for a MET Gala evening. The Alexander McQueen dress would be exquisite for an exhibition, because it's amazingly well-made and pure craftsmanship. This dress is just too arty for a night like this.


The top of the iceberg. This is fun. Lots of fun. Why didn't somebody tell Donald his face looks like an orange? And why didn't somebody tell misses Trump the overall look is too pointy? Pointy shoulders, pointy pumps, pointy eyes. The look is complete with the eyes though: sowed to her crown, it makes her expression the one of a vicious cat.

All the attention goes to the woman on a night like this. Too bad, because men could be a bit more creative too in my opinion. When the invitation says 'black tie', you can be a bit naughty and add a dashing bow-tie to your outfit or a detailed scarf under the collar of your smoking-jacket. If you wanna go all the way, put on a full coloured smoking. It's maybe not allowed according to the etiquette, but – hell yeah – it's a fashion event, so make that smoking look panache and flaunt it with elan.

4.5.12

TOKYO'S SKY HIGH & FLY PARK HYATT

Alrighty, so she has been around the block, but Tokyo's Park Hyatt still is one of world's most classy hotels. And – hi there – it's situated in one of world's coolest cities: Tokyo. The hotel counts 3 restaurants, 2 bars, a spa, a rooftop pool and 177 rooms. All exquisite! It isn't by accident why Academy Award-winning and nominated movie 'Lost In Translation' was almost exclusively shot at this rocking sky high hotel.



The hotel starts at the 40st floor of Shinjuku's Park Tower building, where you can find the grand lobby and drink your coffee at The Peak Lounge surrounded by glass and bamboo. The rooms are spread from the 41st up to the 51st floor and at the 47th floor you can find the Club On The Park spa and the hotel's divine pool overlooking Tokyo. As if that isn't enough, you'll find the world-famous New York Bar and Grill at the 52nd top level with an exquisite metropolitan view over the vibrant city. This hotel simply breaths panache.




Park Hyatt Tokyo's pale and powdery colour palette sets a relaxing vibe and the service cuts the mustard. The subdued lighting is perfection, which gives the hotel some sexy edge. I love the hotel's cosmopolitan art: it ranges from black and white photographs depicting European cafe life to grand pop-art inspired paintings. The hotel gives you the feeling of a private club that feeds you with luxuriousness and elan.






The wines and cocktails at the sky-touchin' New York Bar are sublime, but most special is the bar's view: it's Tokyo's best. On a clear day you can see all the way to Mount Fujiyama. The bar is known for its live jazz-music performed by various international jazz stars.



This hotel is world-class. Your eyes and definitely your ears, starting at 40st floor, will pop while being a guest at Tokyo's Park Hyatt. Tokyo is already amazing, but staying at this hotel will give your Tokyo-experience an extra dimension.

Visit Park Hyatt Tokyo by clicking here.