Category: Designer

Heritage, luxury design and quality.

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Ways to wear it: Denim with 10.11 Studios

10.11 Studios • About the Brand

Luxury with a conscience: Timeless, sophisticated and sustainable jeans. Meet 10.11 Studios created by Monica Caleya in Barcelona. Their denim range has a classic cool feel. This new, contemporary brand has a distinctive European edge. I had the opportunity to discover some of the key pieces from their Fall/Winter 2020-2021 collection. One thing is for sure the quality of the fabric is apparent at the first touch! What is more 10.11 is a sustainable brand. They use organic and recycled cotton blends in their designs. There designs are exclusively available in Switzerland at Bongenie Grieder and at Le Bon Marché in Paris.

As the designer so eloquently puts it, “10.11 Studios’ collections are uniquely inspired by the union of the Mediterranean lifestyle with the sophistication of European simplicity. Blending a relaxed beach sensibility with soft, comfortable, high-end fabrics, subtle washes and only minimal abrasion to create a true premium denim look. 10.11 jeans are made for women who radiate a natural confidence and strength with fits that underline femininity & natural beauty. ”

Denim Daze • Timeless Pieces

10.11 Studios Wardrobe Staples: Denim Must-Haves

This Fall/Winter 2020-2021 trends included an endless array of flared jeans, cropped denim jackets to high-waisted skinny jeans. Denim is truly versatile as they look good with pretty much everything in ones closest.

Indeed, denim is a key part of almost everyone’s wardrobe. A timeless piece that is definitely worth investing in.

This said, with so many endless options available, it’s easy to feel confused as to which cuts and colours will suit best! So here I created some fun denim looks that are easy to wear during the winter season. A simple denim guide for 3 classic jean cuts: skinny, cropped and flared.

STYLE GUIDE: How to style your denim

3 Ways To Wear Jeans with 10.11 Studios

Check out my denim guide with 10.11 Studios below, featuring the best jeans styles and styling tips.

Look 1: 70s Chic

Seventies-inspired styles were a huge inspiration this season. With high-waisted, wide-leg, and bell-bottom jeans dominating the runways.

Wide leg jeans are without a doubt super on trend this year. Indeed the cut in itself is extremely flattering, especially if you want to create the illusion of added height.

I paired these 10.11 Studios flared, high waisted “Rose Sleepless” jeans with a white bodysuit. Layering several golden APM Monaco necklaces, platform boots and a white leather bag to amp up that boho chic 70s vibe.

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Look 2: Cool & Cozy

One of the thickest materials for the colder months is a hardworking pair of jeans. I survived most of my university years up in chilly Scotland by wearing thick high-waisted Mom jeans tucked into two cashmeres! For extra warmth you can also add a pair of tights underneath.

Sustainably dyed a dark-gray, these “Elsa Moon” jeans are stonewashed grey with distressed hems. Making them ideal for an everyday off-duty look. Designed to sit high on the waist, they fall to straight legs with cropped hems. I styled it a chunky black sweater and a pair of burgundy boots for a comfy yet cool look.

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Look 3: Double Trouble

The easiest way to master this high-impact look is by opting for two slightly different shades to ensure there is a monochrome yet stylish edge to your double denim look.

Here I channeled my inner Kate Moss rock chic by pairing the 10.11 Studio “Pia Stealth” skinny charcoal trousers with the cropped “Elena” jacket with flared sleeves. Adding a touch of glam with a sheer sequined top.

So there you have it, 3 easy looks to wear denim. I hope you enjoyed it!

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An Afternoon at Boucheron

Earlier this month I was invited to discover the jewelry creations of Boucheron in their Geneva boutique. From the Bohème Serpent to the Plume de Paon, the classic Quatre to the playful Jack de Boucheron, the creations where a spectacular array of luxurious and elegant designs. Encompassing the 3 brand pillars of Boucheron: Nature, Architecture and Haute Couture.

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Jack de Boucheron

One of my favorites was the Jack de Boucheron. Playful yet elegant in its design, this fine jewelry collection reinvents the way in which we wear jewelry. The pieces are transformable and can be worn in many alternative ways. This flexibility honors women’s freedom. The name “Jack de Boucheron” comes from the creative link to jack cables which are a key inspiration behind the design. The clasp when undone even resembles one, yet when connected the jewel is more reminiscent of the iconic architectural lines of the Place de Vendôme. Which is where Boucheron first opened the Maison in Paris.

Here I am wearing my favourite pieces from the “Jack de Boucheron” collection. Launched in 2019, this collection can be assembled, extended, connected and transformed. A necklace becomes a bracelet, an earring turns into a brooch. As the CEO of Boucheron, Helene Poulit Duquesne puts it, “The Jack de Boucheron collection is the absolute essence of our brand DNA; it is the emblem of free spirit, as jewellery which celebrates the art of ‘multi-wearing.’ Its ultra-graphic clasp is inspired by a jack cable, a connection element which allows the pieces to connect to each other in a multitude of ways, offering any number of possibilities.”

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Serpent Bohème

Whilst the Serpent Bohème collection is dedicated to Boucheron’s iconic serpent. Initially created by Frédéric Boucheron for his wife, the serpent is a sign of protection, luck and eternal love. This iconic piece has been reinterpreted many times by Boucheron over the years – from the teardrops shaped like snake heads to the entertaining gold bracelets, twisting like two gold snakes. The collection evokes the flowing shapes of a serpent. The Serpent Bohème collection also represents free spirit and femininity.

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The Plume de Paon

One of the most impressive collections, in terms of workmanship was that of The Plume de Paon collection. It is one of the Maison’s most iconic ones as well. Inspired by a peacock feather, Frédéric Boucheron, in collaboration with the head of his atelier Paul Legrand created some of the most mesmerizing designs. Using a technique exclusive to the Boucheron, specific assembly of diamonds which replicates the supple movements of an actual feather. So that the actual jewel moves delicately.

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The Story behind The Delilah Necklace.

A key part of the Haute Couture Collection, this iconic diamond-set, 18K yellow-gold scarf has been woven as a very fine cloth to mimic the softness of fabric. The width is only 0.2mm and the thickness 0.1mm!

This is one of Boucheron’s most magnificent creations. It was initially designed for the Grand-Duc Wladimir. The story behind the golden scarf begins when Duc met his wife during a ball. She dropped her scarf, and he picked it up for her. This encounter inspired him to ask Boucheron to recreate the scarf in gold and jewels. Since then, the Maison continues to work gold to create fabric-like creations fashioned from fine strands of gold and tasseled with pearls.

It was a truly remarkable experience and I want to thank the Boucheron team in Geneva for making my visit truly unforgettable.

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5 Fall Fashion Trends

What are this season’s five most wearable fall fashion trends?

With the drastic drop in temperature, there is no denying that we are in full seasonal change. So here are five of the very best fall fashion trends for FW20.

1. Sleek Leather

Leather is somewhat a staple of the seasonal shift into the colder days. When it comes to fall fashion trends in 2020, the question is no longer if, but how leather will be styled. Sleek silhouettes are effortlessly achievable in leather boots as well as matching, matte leather suit separates.

2. The Comeback of the Cardigans

This autumn’s trustee item to ride or die with is the cardigan. Classics are classics for a reason and you can’t go wrong with a style staple like the cardigan.

Fashion Fun Fact: Did you know that these iconic knits were first made popular by no other than the one and only Miss Coco Chanel? Coco was tired of putting on men’s sweaters and messing up her hairstyle in the process so her solution for this was the one and only cardigan.

Be it a collegiate look or a cosy cashmere, you’ll be wanting to wrap up in one of these.

My current 4 favorite cardigans for fall are:

  • NOTSHY’s cashmere waterfall wrap cardigan in caramel.
  • Sandro’s cute college girl cardigans with varsity style monograms and pearl finishes.
  • Maje’s chic preppy, tweed knits with adorable engraved buttons and contrasting bands.
  • Princess Goes to Hollywood’s super soft longline open cardigan in heather grey.

3. Combat Boots

Unless you have been living under a fashion deprived rock you will have noticed that chunky, thick soled leather boots are back in style. Utilitarian chic, the most popular styles being that of Prada and Bottega Veneta (Tire and BV Lug boots). These ultra cool kicks are easy to style and are actually surprisingly flattering as the platforms give you added height.

4. Topped up to Pearl-fection

Iridescent, pearls instantly brightening your appearance and they are a major trend for Fall Winter 2020. Be it a pearl embellished hair clips, hoop earrings or pearl bracelets – pearls accents look fantastic against super soft knits whilst perfectly offsetting trendier textures such as leather or denim.

Head-to-Toe Tasty Neutrals

Nudes, beiges, sumptuous shades of chocolate browns and layers of cocooning knitwear is the most aesthetic trend this autumn. Creams, cappuccinos and caramels combined together look stylish, elegant and expensive. This neutral toned trend dominated the runways in head-to-toe looks notably at Fendi, Balmain and Chloé.

High-quality knits, cashmere cardigans, pearls and neutral tones punctuated with leather combat boots are the five fashion trends thats I am looking forward to this season.

For more fashion trends and to keep up on what to wear – get the latest news on luxury style click here!

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Vacheron Constantin Afterwork

Swiss luxury watch brand Vacheron Constantin’s Afterwork event in Geneva.

This August, I was invited to the beautifully renovated Vacheron Constantin store in the heart of Geneva on Place Longemalle to discover their new collection of luxury Swiss watches.

Vacheron Constantin is a historically iconic Swiss brand as it is actually the world’s oldest watch manufacture. Founded in 1755 in Geneva, their heritage is deeply rooted in Helvetic quality, watchmaking precision and phenomenal craftsmanship. Vacheron Constantin has a rich heritage and record-breaking ability to create complicated watches. Along with Patek Phillipe and Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin is part of The Big Three or The Holy Trinity of Luxury watches. Which refers to the top three most luxurious grandes maisons of watchmaking in Switzerland.

Vacheron Constantin’s five most iconic watches include the Overseas, the Triple Calendar the FiftySix, the Patrimony Ultra-Thin Calibre 1731 and the Harmony Chronograph. Not to mention the Reference 57260, also known as the world’s most complicated watch ever made. The 57260 has 57 complications, 2,826 individual components, 242 jewels, 957 grams, 10 patents, 31 hands, 85 different prototypes, 16 kg of drawings, eight years all for one client!

At the recent digital Watches&Wonders show (formally called SIHH), the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie 2020, Vacheron Constantin unveiled their ten exquisite new watches as part of Watches&Wonders Novelty 2020. Which where then presented in the Geneva boutique and I had the pleasure of discovering them up close during the private Afterwork event hosted by Vacheron Constantin. Here are some of the highlights from the evening…

The intimate gathering had a live DJ set playing, delicious on-demand cocktails and drinks. The ambience was both elegant and inviting. The newly renovated store had beautiful details that echoed the brand. Even the glass cabinets formed the Vacheron Constantin Maltese cross logo.

The five new Vacheron Constantin models presented beautifully with intricate art pieces on the second floor where the following watches:

1. Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin in pink gold.

2. Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton in pink gold.

3. Traditionnelle Tourbillon in 18K pink gold.

4. FiftySix Complete Calendar in pink gold and sepia.

5. FiftySix Self-Winding in pink gold and sepia.

Each one has its own personality and paid hommage to a particular aspect of the luxury watch brand.

In the spirit of casual elegance, the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin and Ultra-Thin Skeleton are sports watches. The Overseas the functions includes hours, minutes, perpetual calendar and moon phases. Timeless yet contemporary, the new Overseas convey the spirit of travel.

Whilst the two Traditionnelle Tourbillons for the Ladies echo the poetic nature of time. On the front, the bar of the open worked tourbillon carriage is inspired by the logo of Vacheron Constantin. This Maltese cross is entirely hand-bevelled. Imbued with elegance and femininity, it is the very first Vacheron Constantin self-winding tourbillon in a lady’s watch.

Whilst the two new watches from the Fiftysix Collection are deeply connected to music. In particular jazz, the saxophone and piano where each projected inside the cabinets illustrated by delicate paper decoupages. Which is a form of traditional Swiss folk art. Their Retro silhouettes are inspired by an iconic 1956 watch.

Overall this was a remarkable collection and I was honored to attend the Vacheron Constantin Afterwork event.

For the occasion I wore a mint green suit set, a silky silver top paired with my silver Bulgari Serpenti Forever bag.

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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Hermès

Hermès: From family legacy to the story behind the iconic orange packaging. Here are five fashion facts about the iconic French luxury brand.

Often regarded as a status symbol, the epitope of style and success – Hermès stands proudly between Chanel and Patek Phillipe on the Rue du Rhône overlooking the Lac Léman in Geneva, Switzerland.

Known for the unparalleled quality, craft and precision, their iconic luxury handbags include the Kelly, the Birkin and the Constance.
So if you’re fashion fanatic, here are 5 little known facts about Hermès.

1. The Stores

Throughout the world, each Hermès boutique houses a unique concept window that showcases an intwined connection between the brand with the location. What’s more the Hermès store on rue de Sèvres has a café and bookstore inside of the store. The Paris store is also the only Petit h dedicated space.

2. The Iconic Orange Boxes

In total there are 188 sizes of the Hermès boxes. But did you know that orange was not the original color of the Hermès packing? They were originally cream colored with gilded mustard edging. It was only in the Second World War that the iconic orange packaging was introduced due to shortages in supplies. This happy accident went on to win the packaging Oscar in 1994.

3. The Color counts

Did you know that pink, blue and red handbags achieve the highest values at auction? Notable shades include Rose Azalée, Rose Sakura, Bleu Saphir and Rouge H.

4. Hermès The So-Black

Today, one of the most desirable ones on the market was by Jean Paul Gautier in 2010. It is The So-Black collection which features PVD coating so that the padlocks, strap brackets, swivel clasps, keys and base studs – are all a dense, shiny black.

5. The Collectors Intel

Lastly, when an Hermès bag is emblazoned with a horseshoe stamp, it means that the bag was a special order. A rare collection piece, especially for those who can immediately identify an Hermès simply by its shade or leather.

There you have it, five fun fashion facts about the luxury French brand, Hermès. For more luxury facts click here.

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Dior des Lices in St Tropez

A gourmet garden when fashion meets food.
Situated in the heart of Saint Tropez, the street is lined with luxury boutiques from Saint Laurent to Gucci. The Dior des Lices café is a little oasis for fashion lovers in need of a quick pick me up. Created by the multi-Michelin French chef Yanick Alléno of the Pavillon Le Doyen in Paris, and LVHM (backed 1948 at the Cheval Blanc in Courchevel), the Dior café is light and elegant.

The café echos the aesthetic of haute couture. Located in a beautiful garden of the Christian Dior flagship store, (designed by Peter Wirtz). It was previously only open and accessible to the fashion elite who can afford something more than just an éclair.

For me, having written my thesis on Dior couture and the renowned fashion illustrator René Gruau (also know as the the Count Renato Zavagli Ricciardelli della Caminate), it was like stepping into a fairytale garden. Everything down to the silverware was branded by Dior. Even the waiters were decked in Breton tops, light chinos and white sneakers from Dior. It was without a doubt one of the most fashionable breakfasts I’ve ever had. Dior des Lices truly knows how to pamper their well dressed clients.

We enjoyed their breakfast which begins everyday at 10 am. I had a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, a Dior stamped cappuccino coffee and eggs. As of 11 am they also serve the famous Dior choux pastries. My personal favorite was the green pistachio with praline.

For the occasion I wore a white lace eyelet dress, armfuls of bracelets and orange heels to add a pop of color.

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