Viva Frida Kahlo

By Neslihan

There has been written a lot about Frida Kahlo. Whether it's about her dramatic life story or her art, there's always something to tell about Kahlo. Not to mention her joyful and flamboyant style. She'd go for vibrant colours and not only in her paintings. Frida was a living painting herself. She'd wear long skirts or dresses combined with colourful scarves and enormous flowers on her head. Her way of accessorizing was also very striking: big earrings and traditional necklaces would top things off. I'm also a huge fan of her paintings: they're all inspired by a traumatic tram accident she had been through earlier in her life. Therefore you'll see lots of self-portaits. Her work is classified as surrealistic art. Painfully real and macabre but yet full of life because of the colours she uses. That's of course my impression and that's the fun thing about art: everyone can have a different opinion because it's so personal. 

But let's return to the fashion side. Frida Kahlo's style is being copied all over the world. Not all of it of course; you can leave that full monobrow and moustache behind you. Instead we're going to focus on details. Such as skulls, florals and traditional embroidery.

Ali Gulec  has already appeared on this blog because of an illustration I had used as background. I can see similarities between his and Kahlo's work: skulls in te most striking colours creating a macabre fantasy.

Bra/top with aztec print @Topshop (£25)

Image from Armando Mafud's spring (2009) collection. Look at the typical Mexican embroidery.

Edun pants 

Great summery tee (EUR 14.95) @H&M

Maybe it's still too hot to wear a thick jumper but I definitely appeciate Isabel Marant's reference to Mexico.

How perfect is this skirt? @Mango (EUR 29.99)

Let's not forget Tavi's DIY crowns!

Who needs therapy when there's Prada?

By Neslihan

So, this is what happens when 4 (FOUR!) legends get together. Prada didn't go for 1 but for 3 living legends for its next campaign film. At one hand we've got the great Roman Polanski, who's -évidemment- the director of this short film and at the other hand we've got the energetic Helena Bonham-Bellatrix- Carter and the amazing Ben Kingsley. Since this film's called 'A Therapy', there's of course a patient (Helena) and a therapist (Ben). I've started appreciating Ben when I saw him in 'Ghandi'. He was just memorable. And Helena is the coolest actress ever, not to mention the shoes she's wearing in this court métrage. Do watch it!

"Let them eat cake"

By Neslihan
How obvious can your references to the 18th century be? That's what I asked myself when looking at Karl Lagerfeld's 72 amazing looks for Chanel Crosière. Will this man ever get tired of reinventing himself every season and every inter-season? Seriously, his last collection was all about the wonders of the ocean, letting Florence Welch be the upper mermaid who lead all the others to the catlwalk. Shells, scales and shimmery fabrics captured everyone's attention.
Ever since he has woken up Chanel's spirit in the early 80's, he has managed to surprise everyone and yet stayed true to the brand and himself. Even though everyone deeply adores the things he does, he says he's never satisfied and when people ask him about his favourite collection. He answers: "The one that I'll draw next." He says: "Satisfaction leads to complacency and when you got the impression that you cannot outdo yourself, it's time to quit." He is such a talented human being. He's not only a designer but also a photographer, artist and 24/7 realist. "I'm not a dreamer. I create dreams."
I've always been intruiged by his mysterious and perfect look. He's the ultimate billboard for his brand: powder white hair, black 'suit', black leather gloves, crispy white high collar shirt and the black shades. He calls the last one his "burqa". He doesn't care about what others think of him. He says he knows what goes on behind those glasses. He also doesn't care about the reviews he gets for his collections because "there comes a time that people stop being critical and start loving everyting you do." And he cannot stand that fact.
Let's talk about his last Chanel Crosière Collection though because it would be a shame not to. You know that hysterical moment you see something/someone you instantly adore and you want to scream at the top of your lungs you love it/him/her? You know, lust at first sight. Oh dear, I just wanted to write this whole post in CAPS. (woops) I had to calm myself down first because well, that wouldn't look good, would it? The whole collection was an ode to Marie Antoinette. Lagerfeld doesn't really care about conformism. He is such a delightful rebel, yet he knows to stay classy. The models wore cotton candy wigs or they went for an Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction look. And of course the show was held in the gardens of Versaille. A true fashionable history lesson. He made his models wear dresses that were inspired by 18th century underwear. Frills, bows, shiny broches, pearls, lace: everything screamed le XVIIIe siècle. The colours reminded me of soft macarons, yet it wasn't all about purple puke and pastel, because Karl wouldn't be Karl if there wasn't a tat of rock 'n' rolla. And we got some rock. Think of silver/gold creepers (I'd sell my lungs to buy those), leather studded outfits, edgy bathing suits and the crazy chanel sign tattooed on the girls' faces. J'adore!


WARNING:
1)It was so hard not to select all 72 looks and I nearly fainted when I had to pick 1/2 (read 20) of the total but I made it.
2)You will die when looking at the pictures, make sure no one is in the room when you're screaming, crying or dancing.
3)Thou shalt love it!

Sources: Weekend Knack March 2012
              ID Spring 2012
Pictures: Vogue Paris
Click to get a closer look of the make up.

Sleepless nights

By Neslihan
So, I'm heading a sleepless night and have all those questions in my head. Some people lose a sense of reality and start to live through their fantasies. They only dream and are afraid of the truth. They hide instead. They hide of the those who might be better or stronger than them. They wish but aren't strong enough to fulfil their own wishes. Too tired of disappointments, too tired of competition, too tired of abandonment. Too tired of everything. And I can see this as I'm still one of those optimistic teenagers. I'm not one of those youngsters who thinks she can change the world. Maybe I'm a tat too realistic for that but that doesn't mean I'm pessimistic about the future or my abilities. It's just that being a 24/7 idealist isn't realistic. And sometimes I wished that I didn't have to work for some things, that they'd just fall into my lap, you know. That I'd wake up one day and realise that I'm travelling for a living. That I'm discovering all those amazing cultures and having the most interesting talks with the locals. That I'm having lunch with Karl Lagerfeld or Frida Kahlo. And that I'm married to Joseph Gordon Levitt or Penn Badgley. You know stuff like that. Dreaming is for free and it's easy. People should do that once in awhile. It makes you happy too. Unless you're dreaming all the time and have lost touch with reality. You can't be in that decadent stage of laziness. You have to get out of your coach and undertake some action because I can't see myself sitting in front of my computer for the rest of my days. I'm not sure what I'm doing right now. Maybe this is a monologue intérieur or some kind of peptalk to myself. I don't know really. I think too much, which isn't a bad thing.

This song is one of the best things that happened to me. Lana Del Rey really is a magician. The lyrics are pure literature. How she discribes reality kind of makes your body float to some higher universe.

Pictures belong to ID's Spring 2012 idssue.

Photoshoot: "Being a princess ain't all it's  cracked up to be"

Model: Marte Mei van Haaster

In love with Jil Sander's paisley prints (second picture) and the Nike trainers. The colour is so sweet! Loved this photoshoot because it has that sporty feel to it. It's still so sensual and edgy. One of my favourite photoshoots of this issue. It's also the first issue I've ever bought.

Scare me

By Neslihan

Watching horror movies is always such a dilemma. I mean to watch or not to watch because you see, I'm one of the biggest cowards when it comes to horror movies. I brag about the fact that I love scary movies, that I'm an addict when it comes to watching serial killers chase girls in white sleepwear. (such a clché) The thing is though, I cannot sleep for several nights after seeing such a movie. I become paranoid when I hear freaky sounds when I'm home alone and my brain starts to go in overdrive. Might it be Freddy Krueger of Leather Face? "You're just imagening things, Neslihan. It's only your mind", I tell myself. I try to focus on other things. "Think about bees and flowers, Neslihan. Think about pretty stuff", I advice myself. And of course the best part of all this is that I have to go to the toilet at night. My blatter becomes stressed but I try to ignore that fact. Hey you, I've just watched a horror movie. I'm so not going to the restroom, there's where the freakiest things happen. I press every switch I find to light up every room I pass by. I'm a hygienic person, you see? So I always wash my hands after this little visit. We have this huge mirror in front of the sink so I try not to look at myself when washing my hands, afraid of seeing misformed creatures in the mirror. (The Amityville Horror) I've got this vivid sense for fantasy, as you can read. It never stops me though from watching those films because it's such a rush. It's bigger than life, it's exciting, it breaks the monotony of an ordinary day and it's not exhausting. Relax, grab a scary movie and let the party begin.

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4)

1) The Bride Of Frankenstein necklace
2) Freddy Krueger necklace
3) The Mummy neckalce
4) A Clochwork Orange earrings

Everything is available on Etsy's website.

Grown-ups play too

By Neslihan

Of course they do, dear. Every year famous cosmopolitans play dress-up during the most-promising fashion game in the intire world: MET Costume Institute Gala. It's about actresses, singers, fashion designers,  editors, socialites hiring the best stylist, getting the most breathtaking dress and wearing the craziest accessories. This year though there was a variety of prints, lengths and colours. Elmo's feathers were in sale, some singers splintered disco balls to apply the shiny pieces to their dresses, actresses got promotion on their fabric ( buy 1 metre, get 5 metre free) and some others truly were trying too hard to show us some leg. Luckily though there were also A-listers who showed that they were worth their invitation. Let's take a look.

Mellow Yellow

January- Mad Men- Jones looked perfect in her Versace dress. The hair, the accessories everthing was in balance. She looked like a mermaid with super powers.

Coco Rocha went for a vintage Givenchy suit. It's not a normal suit though because this trouser suit belonged to Elizabeth Taylor. Pairing the yellow up with pinks was definitely the right decision. Look at that fabulous hair! And her dusty pink shoes are just to kill for.

All that glitter is not gold

I don't remember one signle day on which I thought: Ieks, Camilla Belle looks ridiculous. She always pulls off the most amazing combinations and doesn't even have a sylist. Here she's wearing a royal Ralph Lauren dress that really is made for her body. Going for a dress like this requires the right accessories and Camilla knew where to stop. Thumbs up!

When I saw Carey Mulligan I immediately thought Paco Rabanne! But I've mistaken because this crazy dress is nothing less than Prada. Wearing glitters or shiny dresses is not easy but how she's managed to keep it classy!

Hated by some, praised by others, Lana Del Rey knows how to be noticed. Her music fills you with sweet melancholy and her style just turns you green of jealousy. During this gala Del Rey looked like the dark version of Little Red Riding Hood. Bet she and Camilla have shared their lipstick. Lana's wearing Altuzarra.

Chloe Sevigny's mirror dress looked amazing! This Miu Miu dress though can't be worn by everyone. You've got to have the attitude, the guts and the body to wear it.

RED Carpet

While some were showing some skin, others hid every square of leg or arm. Kirsten Dunst's choice for a skirt suit was interesting. She looked as if she had escaped a German 40's movie. Kirsten looked great in her Rodarte suit.

I don't really know Mia Wasikowska's personal style but she looks like a shy girl. So, spotting her in this Prada dress wasn't a surprise but that doesn't mean that I don't like it.

Emma Stone's known for her bubbly personality and this dress was a great way to frame her quirkiness. She wore Lanvin.

Shaded pastels

 Dakota is a fantastic actress but what's up with the dress? Sure, Marc Jacobs is brilliant and sure, Louis Vuitton is off the hook but what the hell is up with this dress? Dakota Fanning could've worn something more outstanding or spicy because she's doomed to be forgotten between the other stunning ladies. 

Sarah Jessica Parker has played Carrie bradshaw for 6 whole seasons and you'd think she has learned something about fashion but she has truly let me down this time. I love florals and Valentino but a floor length ode to spring was maybe a lill' too much, don't you think?

Anja Rubik litterally looked shaded. I know this blog post starts to look like some style page from a gossip magazine but I cannot help it. That hip bone is scary and -surprise surprise- she looks anorexic. This dress is by the Belgian Anthony Vaccarello.

Back to black

The Olsen twins are known for their impeccable style. They try everything and aren't afraid of failing but this time I had the impression that Mary kate Olsen wanted to look like some kind of nun. And picking Einstein as inspiration for your hairdo is not ok.

Giovanna Battaglia from L'Uomo Vogue Italia and Carine Roitfeld's son (former editor-in-chief Vogue Paris), Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld attended this gala too. They looked so chic together. She wore D&G and looked like Russian royalty and he like a Parisian gentleman,.

Rosie Huntington Whiteley would look great as the next Bond girl. She shone like an Oscar award in her Burberry dress.

Praise the Lord, Marc Jacobs was the edgy note to this party. How awesome can one be?

Images: vogue.com.tr