Tag: Swiss Fashion Magazine

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Sweet satin slip dresses for Spring

Spring Fashion Outfit Ideas with NA-KD.

Firstly, Happy First Day of Spring! So it finally the sun is out and the flowers are beginning to bloom which makes me so happy. I caught the nasty flu after traveling to Paris for Fashion Week and completely lost my voice. So I was extremely happy when I became healthy again to see that the season change was in full swing here in Geneva.

About NA-KD Fashion

With the shift into spring, I usually take time to do my Spring Cleaning and look for fashionable staples that I can wear through spring into late summer. Which is why I want to share with you may latest spring shopping haul from NA-KD. With the temperatures rising it means that it’s time to bring out those traditional transitional pieces such as classic trench coats and lighter layers. So today I wanted to share with you how I combine them with three Spring looks I styled from the Scandinavian brand NA-KD.

NA-KD is one of my favorite fashion brands when it comes to shopping online. They always have super cool collaborations with big Danish and Dutch fashion bloggers and influencers such as Claire Rose Cilteur, Hanna Schönberg, Josefine H. J., and even the ever so stylish former Victoria Secret model, Romee Strijd. What’s more, I have a discount code for -20% off the whole NA-KD website: AnnaSwissMermaid (valid for 48 hours as of today).

  1. Baby Blues: I love the cut of this blue slip dress in satin from NA-KD’s new spring collection. The waterfall neckline is so flattering and easy to wear in the warmer months. What’s more, the back is open with very thin straps that crisscross into a bow and are adjustable. This is a detail I find so pretty and feminine as well as being very practical. I really like the of cornflower blue with the tiny printed white flowers. It reminds me of classic Norwegian textiles in blue and white. I paired it with white boots, my Vivienne Westwood pearl necklace, and an oversized cashmere coat in blue from Maje. Which was an easy, fresh weekend look. Ideal for grabbing a mocha at my favorite local coffee shop and strolling around in the sunshine.
  2. Satin cream: Then there is this luscious lace-up slip dress in off-white with a small blue floral print all over it . It reminded me so much of the English Rose, Cottage Core Aesthetic, and the Netflix series Bridgerton, with the puffy sleeves, romantic empire waist, and soft cream color. I love the slit leg detail as well which is very practical for walking with ease. It feels like the perfect picnic dress for spring. I styled it with a pair of white leather high-top converse shoes and a light cream-colored suede coat.
  3. Pink Paradise: Lastly, I opted for a satin pink printed skirt. This is actually part of a set. I will probably get the matching top as I love Co-ord sets so much. The pink and purple circles are so cute and girly, and I like that there is a bit of white and black in the print so you can combine the skirt with either color. For this final outfit, I went for a simple white top to make sure the satin pink skirt remained the focal point and paired it with my white Chuck Taylor’s and super 90’s square shaped black sunnies.

So there you have it, three easy spring looks for the weekend with NA-KD fashion.

If you’re looking to update your wardrobe, I definitely recommend checking out their website as they have super stylish springtime looks, from uber-trendy styles to timeless wardrobe staples. Also if you do find something you absolutely love from the website don’t forget you an enjoy -20% off the whole NA-KD website with my discount code AnnaSwissMermaid (valid for 48 hours as of today). Wishing you a wonderful start to the new season.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CbWHObKIwdi/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CbVrVnplSJM/

ABOUT NAKD CIRCLE

Another great thing about NA-KD is that they have free climate-compensated shipping and returns. The fashion brand has a large variety of sustainably sourced clothing. To top it off, customers can sell their old clothes directly on NA-KD.com by clicking the “pre-loved” menu at the top of the website. Integrating the circular fashion economy. This is a marketplace for pre-loved fashion. On part of the NA-KD website you can find all available second hand items. I find this super cool because sometimes there are pieces from older collections that you wish you had gotten and NA-KD circle ensures you don’t get shopping FOMO. Plus the way it is set up, you just shop as usual. Simply put the item in your basket and check out just as easy as buying new products. How cool is that?

Click here to read more about how to style loungewear with NA-KD.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Silver Leather & Half-Moons: Paris Fashion Week Day 3 with Marine Serre and Barbara Bui in Le Marais

The edgy insiders of Paris Fashion Week

Our last fashion presentations at Paris Fashion Week were all in Le Marais. This is a very hip area of Paris – a neighborhood filled with free-spirited artists, where the cool cats of the city reside.

The last day in Paris was absolutely freezing with an icy wind cutting through the streets. We would be out and about most of the day so I forfeited heels and opted for my almond-colored Hogan sneakers. I paired them with forest green palazzo trousers, a silk green shirt, and my trusted bottle green trench coat. Topping off the look with a black bucket hat. After seeing just how cold it was outside I decided to add an extra layer under the coat – a checkered blazer from Coster Copenhagen. This said, I actually ended up purchasing an oversized green hoodie in Uniqulo from the menswear halfway through the day because I was absolutely frozen. The art of layering on another level here as I had 2 jackets on, a hoodie and a silk blouse. My fashion freezing solutions aside, let’s talk about the last day’s presentations and designers.

About the Marine Serre Hard Drive Exhibition

First, we headed to the Marine Serre’s Hard Drive exhibition with Lafayette Anticipations (which is the Foundation Galleries Lafayette’s contemporary art center). For those who don’t know, the Galleries Lafayette is one of France’s most prestigious fashion department stores.

As we were staying in the 16th Arrondissement, and all our appointments that day were in the 3th or 4th arrondissement, it was a little too far to go on foot – so we hopped in a cab and headed to our first appointment in Le Marais. The Marine Serre Hard Drive exhibit was an exclusive 2-day exhibition that took place on our last day of Paris Fashion Week. Tucked away in the streets of Le Marais in Paris, the two-day exhibition was spread across 3 sprawling warehouse floors. Each of the floors had a specific theme linked intrinsically to the brand Marine Serre.

The first floor focused on Marine Serre’s pioneering production methods for their collections. With on-site team members creating the pieces from up-cycled textiles such as denim and tartan into unique pieces. It was really nice as we were able to speak with the team and understand their process for the different pieces.

Then you could head up to the second floor which presented the pieces an immersive environment. By that, I mean to say that multiple mannequins were placed in instillations pieces and fully dressed in the new Marine Serre collection. This reflected the different elements that make up the crux of the collection.

There were walls lined with wooden desks mounted with glass that also showed the process of upcycling for the Marine Serre jewelry pieces. Taking a single fork and moulding it into a unique piece of jewelry.

The new Marine Serre AW22 collection was made from up-cycled materials to create edgy ready-to-wear pieces for both men and women. The fashion collection featured the brand’s iconic half moon with panels of tartan, denim and Toile de Jouy. Contrasting classic fabrics with sharp silhouettes and punk elements.

Last but not least, there was a staircase that led up to the third floor. This was the final room of the Hard Drive exhibition. It showcased a series of Marine Serre’s original artwork paintings that reinterpreted iconic 15th and 16th-century Dutch oil paintings, incorporating the AW22 pieces that we had just seen on the floors before.

When exiting the Marine Serre Hard Drive exhibition, you could go to their Pop Up store. Here you could purchase fashion pieces from the fashion designer. Another extremely creative and unique aspect of thr pop-up was that Marine Serre offered visitors the opportunity to reinvent their own favorite items (anything fabric-based) with a screen print of the brand‘s signature half-moon logo. The line was very long for this unique opportunity and whilst waiting one could admire the beautiful selection of Marine Sere’s ready-to-wear & accessories available as well as a curated selection of books, vinyls, and objects.

Barbara Bui: The Epitome of the French Rock Chic

We stopped for a spot of lunch and then we headed to our next presentation: Barbara Bui. This is a purely Parisian fashion brand that totally captures the essence of the rock chic in each of their pieces. I first discovered the brand when I was in my early 20s, whilst working at Bongenie Grieder as their Art Director and Social Media Coordinator. It was THE bestseller at the Swiss luxury department store when it came to leather jackets. And of course, the piece which stole my heart this season was a stunning silver cropped leather motorcycle jacket. The collection’s key colors were bright and bold: sunflower yellow, royal purple, and blue.

Conclusion

The last day of Paris Fashion Week included edgier, cool girl brands such as the rock chic icon Barbara Bui and the urban aesthetic niche of Marine Serre.

Overall the whole trip was an amazing experience and I absolutely adored it. I cannot wait to head back this September for the Spring Summer 2023 collections.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Purple Rain at Paris Fashion Week SS22 Street Style

PARIS FASHION WEEK Started the 28th of September and came to a close today, the 6th of October 2021. Despite the ever-present rain during our stay in Paris, it was a magical time. Bringing back wonderful memories of when I was a fashion illustration student at Parsons Paris and would run around the beautiful city and get endlessly inspired by the beauty of it. Paris Fashion Week (PFW) is one of the most important fashion events of the year when official membres of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) show their new designs. It is the final destination of fashion month for buyers, fashion bloggers and the press.

What’s so exciting about Paris Fashion Week is the prestige of the fashion shows and designer brands showing their new collections. For the brands that were born in the city of lights such as Dior, Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Hermès, Givenchy and Chanel it really is an amazing moment. The fashion houses all have such fascinating and rich heritage that is deeply rooted in Paris, their creations are real works of art and impact the whole fashion industry. These collections will set the trends and the tone for Summer Spring 2022.

The past nine days clearly demonstrated how the fashion industry is now embracing technology. Fashion Weeks are back with a bang one might say, adapting to the post-pandemic era. Although many key designers remained digital during this particular fashion season, most will be back with full-blown fashion shows by the next one.

So here we go with this look that I wore during Paris Fashion Week. I played with the contrast of modern and vintage. Bold chic statement and rock grunge. Pairing a bright purple vintage Albert Nipon tailored blazer with grey stonewashed jeans and my tiny Le Chiquito handbag from Jacquemus. Whilst my dear friend Bella paired a canary yellow Chanel tweed coat with dark rinse denim.

This is actually a very “Parisian” fashion style. Unexpected twists on traditional combinations such as a beautifully tailored blazer combined with a pair of relaxed jeans. I remember I initially learned about these style tips from Ines de La Fressage’s book, “La Parisienne” (“Parisian Chic” in English). The author of the book (Ines de la Fressange) is a fashion icon and symbol of Parisian style. Indeed she was the late Karl Lagerfeld‘s muse and she is chosen as the ambassador for the House of Chanel and is the first model to sign an exclusive contract with a luxury brand. So if you are a fan of Chanel and the effortlessly chic look that Parisian girls all intuitively have, I definitely recommend picking up that book!

A Stylish Story

Your luxury fashion blogger from Geneva

Posted on by — Leave a comment

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).

SHOP THE LOOK

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”4333477″]

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.

SHOP THE LOOK

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”4333543″]

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

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

Posted on by — Leave a comment

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.