Tag: style tips

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Layers of luxury with Princess goes Hollywood

It seems that the winter weather in Switzerland is getting glacial to say the least! I was up in Verbier over Christmas and when I returned to Geneva the temperature just dropped. There was such a gorgeous layer of snow over the city this morning. This is extremely pretty but in terms of fashion, it can be quite a challenge to stay stylish. Layers of sumptuous cashmere sweaters have been helping me survive the biting cold at the moment. This is why I wanted to share with you a couple of looks to keep warm and cozy.

What’s more, I always feel rather flat after Christmas and New Year’s are over. So I wanted to share some fun fashion looks to keep your spirits up even when the weather is not on its best behavior.

Firstly let’s face it, in Geneva and most of Europe, chances are your winter outfit is made up of mostly all-black. But there is a way to keep that part of your winter wardrobe and still switch it up a bit. I’m talking of course of duo-tone looks. For example, mix up your mostly black looks with a bit of navy blue, dark red, silver-grey, or a touch of green. It still looks pulled together and you can continue to wear your usual black. With this in mind, let’s look at my first outfit…

Double Trouble: Burgundy & Black

I am absolutely in love with this two-toned velvet pleated skirt from Princess Goes Hollywood. It can be dressed down or up depending on the occasion, as I also styled it for a party look in this post here.

For a casual day look, I layered the long skirt under a black knitted cardigan also from Princess Goes Hollywood. It’s like a bit of a sexy grandma look as cardigans always have that connotation. So adding heels is a must. I chose some with a bit of a patent crocodile to contrast with the soft and comfy aspect of the top half of the look. Punctuating the look with a luxury Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Pochette Métis (borrowed from the stylish fashionista and friend, Miss Xenia).

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The next tip I want to share with you is for more adventurous fashion daredevils. The idea is to mix and juxtapose your evening accessories with everyday outfits. A soft, cozy sweater paired with statement earrings. Or else a pair of everyday jeans and stiletto heels. A sweatshirt with a luxury, monogrammed brooch pinned on it. You get the idea. The options are endless and ever so fun!

Cast a Wide Knit: Day meets Night

Here I played with proportions and mixed daywear with evening accessories. Flared jeans and an oversized fluffy jumper from Princess Goes Hollywood that had a definite retro vibe to them. Making sure to keep it modern by pairing the wide pants and a cozy sweater with a sleek updo. I selected quite a statement accessories that would traditionally be worn for an evening look, including my very much loved silver Bulgari Forever Serpenti bag and bold, gold earrings from Stein Kult. I was so pleased because the stones exactly matched the colors of my sweater, so that was a happy style accident. I love these earrings from Stein Kult as they look very luxurious. The brand itself is a Swiss one. They had amazing quality jewels, like the earrings and ring I’m wearing here. What I love as well is that the designer creates capsule collections based on her travels.

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So there you have it, a little style inspiration to start 2021 off.

For more fashion and Swiss-style tips, click here.

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3 holiday party outfits

It’s officially the Christmas season! Which means, that aside from stocking up on Christmas gifts, it’s time to get dressed up and shimmy your way into the new year. I love the holiday season because I love to dress up. I enjoy doing my hair and makeup whilst blasting a bubbly music playlist in the back.

1. Velvet Muse

So with Christmas fast approaching I wanted to share with you three different holiday party looks. From sequins to all black ensembles, here are my favorite party options for the festive season…

Pair a long pleated skirt with a tight sweater embellished with jewels. Soft, dreamy and elegant. This is an easy way to look ladylike and festive at the same time. I contrasted the madame aspect of the Princess Goes Hollywood velvet skirt with some snake earrings from APM Monaco and my silver Bulgari Serpenti Forever bag.

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2. Black on Gold

An iconic combination that goes hand in hand with the holiday season, black and gold is such an easy and chic look. So why not exude instant classiness with an all black look offset with accents of gold jewelry. Below I combined a Princess Goes Hollywood festive black dress with gold necklaces from In Bloom, pearl hoops from Lov & Lav and a statement ring from Stein Kult. Topping off the look with a camel coat from Maje Paris.

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3. Glitter Galore

Amp up the glam with sequins and sparkles. This is if you’re going all out, and by goodness with the year we’ve had you should. Glam up and add as much sparkle to your outfit as you can. Below I have shared with you two different looks to show you how to wear glitter by night and by day. Either with this super Elisabetta Franchi dress or with a simple sequined t-shirt dress. The sequined T-shirt dress is a look I love wearing when I want to go from day to night. As it looks pulled together and is flattering if you are worried about looking a little bloated from eating too much at Christmas dinner!

Dress: Elisabetta Franchi

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Winter Warmers

5 ways to beat the winter chills in style.

With the first snow flakes falling this week in Switzerland, I wanted to share some helpful fashion hacks on how to stay stylish even when it’s freezing cold outside.

There are three crucial elements to getting dressed when the temperature drops to subzero. First things first, choose your textiles wisely. Opt for HeatTech thermals, cashmeres, silks and wool to be sure your as warm as can be. Next be sure to layer like no other. Last but not least, use accessories to your advantage. Hats, scarves and gloves are not to be overlooked when winter sets in. They are great assets that can elevate any look whilst keeping you warm and toasty at the same time.

So with that said, I wanted to share with you my winter style hacks. So here are 5 essential that I like to keep on rotate during the bitterly cold days of the year:

1. Leather

Leather leggings, leather jackets, leather caps, leather boots… the list goes on! What I can say is that this autumn I made sure to stock up on leather leggings in taupe, stone grey and of course, black. Let me tell you they have been absolute lifesavers this season. Especially as leather looks so good when paired with softer textiles like a fluffy jumper or super soft cashmere.

2. Velvet

This is another textile that I love wearing during the winter months. It’s so soft, warm and comfortable. I love wearing velvet dresses as they feel so festive and velvet co-ords are great when travelling. Instantly injecting a bit of luxe into any look.

3. Cashmere

If you haven’t already guessed, I am a huge advocate of cashmere. I even dedicated an entire post to cashmere and how to style your sweaters. Cashmere is the ultimate, luxury basic which looks and feels fantastic. I love opting for neutral shades like oatmeal, black, beige and white. However, once in a while it’s nice to add a bit of color. A statement, bold blue or a deep orange cashmere can brighten up a dreary winter evening instantly. In fact, I have both these shades of cashmere that I bought in Paris from Maje. I love wearing them on a night out for example to brighten an all-black ensemble. Otherwise I opt for a tone on tone look. All grey or all beige which always looks polished and put together.

4. Faux fur

This can be tricky to get right. I firmly believe that you have to touch and feel the quality of the faux fur before anything else. It has to be soft and fluffy like a cuddly toy, otherwise it will look and feel cheap (which one should avoid at all costs!). My favorite faux fur coats are actually from a Geneva-based brand called Kattard Genève. They have the absolute best range of faux fur coats. The cuts are flattering and they have a very useful hood which is great if you forget to take your hat with you. What’s more they are machine washable. So you can really keep them for season after season. I bought three, that’s how much I love them!

5. Uniqlo’s HeatTech

These thermals were my life line when I was in London in the middle of a bitterly cold January a few years back. I bought one in nude, black and white so that I could layer them under everything I wore. They even have different necklines. Uniqlo teamed up with global textile maker Toray to create this unique HeatTech fabric. It’s ultra light, yet keeps you warm. Basically the synthetic fibers trap warm air the way heavy wool would, but they are lightweight instead of bulky. The texture is super soft and comfortable unlike some thick, itchy wools. Indeed so as to make this synthetic insulation fabric soft, Uniqlo treats the HeatTech fibers with milk proteins and amino acids. They also have a version which is double HeatTech for those extra icy days.

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4 ways to wear cashmere this winter

Anna Swiss mermaid cashmere fashion guide

It’s winter’s most luxurious basic. Cashmere is a cold weather go-to classic. Be it a super soft cardigan or a rib-knit turtleneck, cashmere sweaters are an effortless way to stay in style this winter.

If you’re looking for high quality, cashmeres with cool, contemporary designs then Princess Goes Hollywood is the brand for you. This Swiss fashion brand is famous for their luxuriously cool cashmeres. Their collections feature a modern take on luxurious textiles featuring playful details such as pearl beads and crystal embellishments.

Cashmere is a textile that transcend seasons and will always be in style. Making it a winter wardrobe must-have. In fact, my love for cashmere stems from my years studying in Scotland. It was the first thing I purchased as a student, frozen by the highland winds I ran into the first store selected a soft, nude cable knit which became my faithful companion throughout university. What I love about cashmere is that it is incredibly soft and lightweight. You don’t need to have tons of layers to stay warm, just a good quality cashmere. Snuggly yet stylish, these sweaters will keep you warm all winter!

So let’s take a look at 4 classic winter knits and how to wear them.

Looking for timeless, winter-closet staples? Here are the 4 must-have sweaters for this season:

1. The cashmere cardigan

I am a huge fan of cashmere cardigans, they are amazing loungewear luxe pieces. They look effortlessly chic when thrown over a silk camisole in the evening or else paired with a graphic tee on the weekend. I love this plush, oatmeal colored cardigan that ties at the waist. Here I chose to play with textures a bit by layering this Princess Goes Hollywood cashmere cardigan with a black leather skirt, sheer tights and tall crocodile print, pointed boots.

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2. The black turtleneck

This is one of my wardrobe staples when the temperature drops. I love wearing turtlenecks and I pretty much own one in every colour. They are so easy to wear, warm and oh so effortlessly elegant. You can layer them or play with proportions like it did here. Pairing my black Princess Goes Hollywood turtleneck with one of their beautiful, beaded black tulle skirts. To glam up the look, I added a dash of red lipstick and a huge pair of Topshop earrings.

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3. The white cable knit

This chunky cable-knit is a classic preppy piece which looks great in the winter. Soft, light and amazingly warm this Princess Goes Hollywood ivory knit is a made of 100% Merino Wool and makes a wonderful wardrobe staple. What’s more I am a huge fan of the “all white outfits” which are currently trending so I couldn’t resist trying it out myself. Although I did break up the all white with my snakeskin Zadig et Voltaire ankle boots.

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4. The neutral knit

Crew neck with embellishments, this Princess Goes Hollywood cashmere sweater is the perfect piece for any occasion. Be it for a weekend walk, a laid back dinner with friends or an end of the year party – the subtle sparkles add a little luxe to this truly timeless piece. I opted for a tonal look here. Adding a pair of coffee colored leather pants and chestnut red ankle boots to compliment the accents of crystals

So there you have it, 4 winter ready ways to wear your favourite snuggly sweaters.

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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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How to Shop for Luxury – A Millennial Guide

A Millennial Approach to Luxury

When it comes to sustainable fashion in luxury it has become more than a buzzword; it has become a conscious necessity. In particular for millennial and Generation Z consumers.

In fashion, there has been a paradigm shift linked directly to the fact that these generations are exposed to the internet and social networks. Making them aware of social and economic issues linked to the way we consume and wanting to take action. Millennials are mindful consumers. It’s no longer sufficient to use the best quality leather for your designer handbag. Millennial consumers want the product to be made of ethically sourced raw materials that respect fair trade and use sustainable production practices.

So how are millennials are transforming the luxury market? And more importantly: how can we stay chic and sustainable at the same time?

Digital natives with a conscious, millennials like myself care about what and how we consume. 14% of consumers from the ages 18 to 24 complete their first luxury purchase online. What is more, today although millennials only represent 32% of spending in the luxury market, come 2025, millennials are expected to make up 50% of the luxury market (FORBES, 2019). Meaning that we have a direct impact on the luxury market as future consumers with a substantial purchasing power. Luxury brands aware of this are upping their green game. Conscious that luxury sustainability will become synonymous with our way of consuming fashion.

“Sustainability will continue to advance in importance,” Sarah Willersdorf, partner and managing director at BCG and Global Head of Luxury explains. “It will feed both the secondary-luxury market as well as give a lift to limited-run collaborations which show a brand’s respect for not flooding the market with too much merchandise.”

Some luxury fashion brands such as Stella McCartney are already way ahead of the game. In 2018, Gucci also eradicated fur from their collections in an effort towards ethical manufacturing their creations.

Purchase decisions are shifting and the luxury landscape with it. For example 56% of true-luxury consumers are attuned to luxury brands’ stance on social responsibility. 62% choose to do business with a brand that supports sustainability over a brand that does not, compared with 50% in 2013. Interestingly, sustainable luxury consumers are primarily concerned with the environment (37%), animal care (27%) and ethical manufacturing (21%). Whilst millennials top priorities are on the environment (42%) and animal treatment (26%), versus Boomers whose primary concern is ethical manufacturing (32%). (FORBES, 2019)

The characteristics of millennial behavior are seeping into older generations— which accounted for 73% of luxury purchases in 2016. (Bain & Company)

The stigma of second-hand luxury fashion goods is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.

“Second-hand luxury is rapidly becoming mainstream,” Willersdorf says. “And it is not just the lower price that attracts these true-luxury consumers. It is often the only way they can buy scarce, limited-edition, special sold-out collaborations missed the first time or vintage items.”

Breathing a second life into your wardrobe – traditionally considered less impressive than getting a new shiny item – is now the cool thing to do. Lending, renting and buying clothes second hand luxury goods is an eco-friendly trend in 2020 that is here to stay.

Unsurprisingly handbags make up 40% of all pre-owned purchases. The most popular and purchased pre-owned brands are the big players such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Dior. With Vestiaire Collective at the forefront (BCG, 2019). I can honestly say that my first purchase was indeed a pre-loved Balenciaga City Bag bought with my first paycheck. The reasons for this? Firstly, it was a classic in Balenciaga’s permanent collection and bound to stay in style for years to come. Second, I happened to have spotted the exact same petrol blue bag on the arm of my favorite fashion blogger Chiara Ferrangi. And lastly, it was a little treat from me to me without breaking the bank but still investing in a quality, luxury item that I still have, wear and love. Timeless style, the product’s qualify and prestige are all key factors Millennials take into account when purchasing a luxury good such as a handbag.

Moreover, Millennials (myself included) are known to spend time, endlessly exploring and comparing their retail options, both online and in-store. My favorite luxury resale websites include The RealReal, Ruelala and of course Vestiare Collective. Also if you are looking for a hard go find piece Lyst is amazing. Whilst Swiss equivalents include LuxuryLove and Reawake in Zurich and Vintage Garderobe and Downtown Uptown in Geneva.