Introduction of a Stranger

Hi Fashionlovers,


My name is Simon, I'm 17 and I was lucky enough to be asked by the amazing author of this blog to join her and  to contribute to this great blog. I'll start by explaining why Fashion (with capital F!) is so important to me. First of all, it's a true form of art and expression that has a purpose beyond being decorative. It's basically wearable craftmanship and innovation. Furthermore, Fashion mirrors the ideas and atmosphere of the era it was made in, so it's historically very interesting. And last but not least, life is simply too short to wear ugly or boring clothes.

What can you expect from me? 


I will try to voice my opinion about the latest Fashion shows and trends, as well as some journeys back in time. Taste is ofcourse different for everyone, I hope you like what I like and if you don't, feel free to let me know why! (feel free to say something if you do agree as well ;))


Things to come:

Thom Browne Fall 2012 RTW NY

VPL Fall 2012 RTW NY

Jeremy Scott Fall 2012 FTW NY

My favorites of the Fashion Weeks so far! Lots and lots more to come (with commentaries), so stay tuned!


Fashionable Greetings, Simon

Wedding outfit dilemma

I might have told you guys that I love weddings: the music, the dancing (I don't dance, I only watch people dance), the wedding gown, the joy, the outfit criticizing. I mean lots of stuff I like about weddings but there's always one dilemma: my own outfit. Because you see: the Turkish weddings I go to do not have a dress code or actually they do but it's an unwritten one. The more glitter, the sexier, the showier and the better of course. Or that's what counts in my family. Blue, red, pink and lots of body glitter can turn this wedding into an unforgettable happening. It actually kind of looks like prom: all those people wearing colourful ball gowns with sparkles, layers and feathers. And volume, oh lord, lots of volume. It becomes a game actually. Who looks the most ridiculous? A game I don't dare to play because there's a huge risk at failing. So that's why I want to keep it 'simple' and very moi. I want to wear something I really like, something that defines me. I like prints. Stars ( praise Dolce & Gabbana), polkadots, stripes, birds, palm trees ( praise Maarten van der Horst), galaxy (Oh C. Kane, I love you) and last but most definitely not least, flower power! I have been obsessed with this print last summer. I went for the sweet farm girl edition and this print was just everywhere. I've worn it, breathed it and eaten it. This winter though I was sick of it. I mean I had seen it all or that was what I thought until Dries van Noten walked in to the room with a new version of this divine print. He combines big, bold florals with graphic prints of trees and other characters that belong to Mother nature. He is just so innovative. I loved it but before I saw his creations though I had to walk in H&M's to buy myself a dress for that wedding. And guess what I bought? A dress with a floral print and that happened on the same day when I openly stated my disgrace about this summery print. Ah, the world is such a small place. And I was happy with this dress until I saw a great pair of pants in the same shop a few weeks later and a very sweet dress at Zara's. Then the hesitating started. So I kind of want to hear your opinion on this one.

So, this is the dress I bought. And I really love its fabric (satin like) and it's fitting because it's really straight. And also the print of course because it's big and looks a little retro.

Then I saw this dress at Zara's and I like this one because it just looks so sweet. The birds look so romantic and the round black collar is just incredible with the yellow fabric.

After a while I thought why not wearing an amazing pair of pants? And that's how I found these at H&M's. The florals are just big and it looks like an amazing painting. Feminine but not too much if you keep your top simple. Maybe simple see through in white?

As you can see: I'm against overdressing. A great print can create miracles. Of course the shoes and other accessories are important too but I will show you those when I've made a decision (pants or dress?).

Love, Neslihan D.



Disastrous comeback and its disastrous consequences

I warn you for the amount of 'drama' that is on its way. Let's start with dissecting this title for instance. I have been off the blogosphere for quite some time right now. And I had my reasons. There were moments during which I just had a writer's block and there were also moments during which I had tons and tons of inspiration but I just didn't know how to write it down. And just when I had lots of ideas and topics to write about my computer crashed. And since I'm a little superstitious I thought this was a sign from above. The fashion gods just don't want me to write about 'la mode'. Now, I'm thinking: screw you! I'll write whenerver I want and what I want to write about! So here I am, making a 'comeback'. What a dreadful word. It just makes me nautious. I also have some surprises for you. I'm not going to reveal what these surprises are, you just have to follow this beacon of -let's hope- inspiration. Okey, I'll give you a hint: it involves this 'fashion friend' of mine. Curious? Stay tuned.

L'officiel Paris February 2012- Editorial/ Review
I couldn't help but post these pictures of this month's L'officiel Paris. It was a very special edition indeed. You'd almost think that it was L'officiel Afrique. What an amazing concept. On the cover Afro-American delight, Chanel Iman, starring in a fashion shoot with two other black beauties. The three models were posing in the prettiest outfits (spring/summer 2012) of huge brands like Dries van Noten, Prada and Chanel. There was also another fantastic photoshoot called 'Belleville-Bamako'. The model, Egle (never heard of her before), was white and that created an amazing contrast between the set, the colourful prints and the make-up, which was kept simple: red lips and a great skin. Tulbands, shades of brown and orange and African prints made this photoshoot super powerful. There was also a lot of hotness and sensuality in this edition and that was because of the 'Riviera Revival' photoshoot, which remembered the glorious times of the riviera during the 50's. That was a bit about this month's L'officiel Paris, if you still do not own this great piece of art: get your fat ass to your newsagent and buy it!
The cover

'Town chic' 

'Belleville-Bamako'

'Reviera Revival'

Love,Neslihan D.

Mag news

Elle News | Watch The Full-length Gaga Video | Elleuk.com

There are a few magazines I want this December. The magazine I'm absofreakin'lutely buying is Vogue Paris. I mean come on! Doesn't Kate Moss look divine as Mr. David Bowie? The colours they've used for the cover are just amazing. I'm in love! Another magazine I will be buying is Elle U.K.! I was introduced to the new cover by a fashion friend. He's just so lovely! January's cover girl is Lady Gaga. There are two covers, a blue'ish one and then one in orange, on which she's wearing McQueen! I'm becoming a fan. This woman is a fashion miracle.

Love N.D.

The women

En ja hoor, het is weer Wereldvrouwendag! De dag waarop het vrouw zijn zogezegd gevierd wordt. De dag waarop de aandacht naar alle vrouwen in de wereld gaat. Zelf vind ik dit natuurlijk dikke zever. De term 'Wereldvrouwendag' klinkt gewoon ook fout in m'n oren. Alsof alleen maar dan aan de vrouw gedacht moet worden, alsof het feit dat je een vrouw bent dan pas tot je door dringt. Alsof het enkel maar op die dag 'feest' is. Nu is daar natuurlijk niets aan te doen, het is Wereldvrouwendag en daar kan je natuurlijk ook gebruik van maken en jouw vrouwelijke helden herdenken. Dat is ook uiteraard hetgeen dat ik zal doen.
English translation: It's International World's Women's day. A day during which being a woman is celebrated. A day during which all the attention goes to all the women out there. I think this is bullshit because it just sounds like you only think of women during this day. It also sounds like this day is the only day on which being a woman is celebrated. I can't change the fact that today is a 'special day' for all the ladies out there, so I'm going to take advantage of this 'special date' and honor my female heroes.

Audrey Hepburn

Ze is het toonbeeld van schoonheid en elegantie en  beschikte boven alles over een  prachtig staaltje acteertalent.  Ze was charmant en -hoe choquerend dit ook mag klinken in 2011- ze was een natuurlijke schone.
Eng.: She's the example of beauty and elegance and had above all this an amzing talent for acting. She was incredibly charming and classy and I know this might sound pretty shocking in 2011 but she was all natural.

Lara Stone

Ze staat altijd practig op foto's en heeft een karakteristieke mond. Ze  heeft bovendien niet het typische modellenlichaam. Neen, deze dame bezit borsten,, billen en heupen. Ze is een van mijn favoriete modellen.
Eng.: She shoots the most amazing pictures and has a mouth to die for. She doesn't have the typical model's body because she really has breasts, bottom and hips to kill for. One of my all time favourites.

Meryl Streep

'The Devil wears Prada' heeft indertijd geheel onterecht een Rasberry Award  (de Oscar voor slechte films) gekregen. Ik vond immers dat Meryl Streep met zo'n briljantie had geacteerd en ze kwam enorm geloofwaardig over. Door de jaren heen heeft deze klassedame van de filmindustrie bewezen dat ze verscheidene rollen aankan. En dat is wat ik zo geniaal vind aan haar.
Eng.: A couple years ago 'The Devil wears Prada' received a Rasberry Award (the Oscar for bad movies) which I thought was injustice because Meryl Streep was unforgettable as Miranda Priestly, she was very credible as well. This classy lady has showed that she capable for lots of different roles and that is just amazing.

Carine Roitfeld/ Anna Wintour

Carine Roitfeld en Anna  Wintour mogen als vanzefsprekend niet ontbreken in dit lijstje. Carine omdat ze goed oog heeft voor styling en ze weet als geen ander hoe ze het traditionele moet combineren met het nieuwe, het jeugdige, het stoere. Ze heeft ook een goed oog voor jong talent die ze dan uitgebreid tentoonstelde in haar toenmalige Vogue. Anna is altijd al van die personen geweest die me bleef inspireren. Ik ben niet zo'n fan van de covers van nu, maar waarvoor zij allemaal wel niet gezorgd heeft in de mode-industrie, ongelofelijk!
Eng.: Carine Roitfeld and Anna Wintour really had to be present in this list. Carine has an incredible sense of style and an eye for young talents. She knows how to mix traditions with moderenity and edginess. Anna is someone who kept inspiring me throughout these years. I'm nota fan of the current Vogue covers but the things she has already done in the fashion industry are truly great! I also love her perseverance.

Jane Birkin

Ik hou van die naturelle sex appeal die Jane uitstraalde. Zij was een van de toonzetters van de  Franse sex. Ze was/is zo mooi. Dat kapsel en die glimlach waren twee van haar handelsmerken. Het feit dat ze destijds een koppel vormde met Serge Gainsbourg zat daar ook voor iets tussen.
Eng.: I love her natural sex appeal. She was all about le sexe français. She was/is just so beautiful. Her hairdo and her smile made her famous all over the world. Oh, and the fact that she was together with Serge Gainsbourg of course. 

Frida Kahlo

Kahlo was een doorzetter. Ze wist wat ze wou en ging ervoor. Ze was bovendien ook erg eigenwijs. Laten we vooral niet vergeten dat ze een begaafde artieste was.
Eng.: Kahlo knew what she wanted and went for it. Her life hasn't been easy but she stayed strong, even though there were a lot of things that really tried to break her. Let's please not forget that she was a gifted artist.

Benazir Bhutto

Ik hou van vrouwen die grenzen verleggen. Ook wanneer ze te maken krijgen met hardnekkige oppositie en dat is waar  Benazir voor stond. Ze werd de eerste vrouwelijke premier in een islamitisch land. Ze heeft het wel met haar leven moeten bekostigen...
Eng.: I love women who push their boundaries and those of others. Even though there are a lot of people are trying to stop 'em. That's waht benazir stands for. She was the first female prime minister of an islamic country. She has even got killed for it.

N.D.

Things I'm currently in love with: part one

I know the fact that I keep switching languages can get quite annoying but I just cannot help it. When I see something and get inspired I start thinking in the language that has or nothing to do with it or is connected to it. Pretty logical. Anyways I will be posting in English consistently or at least try to do so. The reason of this post is explained in the title. I have lots of pictures that I kept saving on my computer and I think it's time to share those with you.

1) Detail picture of Dolce & Gabbana RTW fall/winter 2011-2012: Okey, can we all stop nagging about the fact that it's fall? This counts for me as well! Look at those great fall/winter collections. Look and fall in love! I'm currently in love with false and tasty blingbling and yes, tasty blingbling exists. It's kitsch but I like!

2) I have a gitter obsession! I don't know whether it's healthy but my nails love it! My nails are screaming for more because less isn't more when it comes to sparkles! You may say that it's childish and proves bad taste but I do certainly not share your opinion. It's the best feeling of nostalgia I get. (These aren't my nails.)

3) This isn't something that happened currently. I had a thing for Nicole long before she got married. She has this natural grungy, bohemian style going on which I absolutely adore. These days she looks a little more ladylike though but there's nothing that wouldn't look good on her.

4) People who follow me on tumblr already know this but since Burberry has come up with this jacket I've been hit in a really hard way by its awesomeness. Thank god H&M has this too but only cheaper!

5) People who have been following me on my old blog already know this but I have a galaxy print addiction as well. This doesn't mean that I'm over my flowerpower period. It simply means I've one more print addiction. These scarfs belong to Emmanual Bousset and they're made of 100% silk.

6) Well, I do not only love her latest music video but also some of her hair styles. Right now I'm obsessed with her short hair from a while ago. I'd like to have this hairdo but the thing is I do not have the patience to grow it again. So it's still one big questionmark.

7) I just love the inspiration it provides me! Really! Follow me on: http://fashionmaniaatlarge.tumblr.com/! 

N.D.

Het succesverhaal achter Sanemiko

Tijdens het surfen op het internet kom je heel wat rotzooi tegen. Rotzooi in de vorm van slechte (mode)blogs. En dat is ook wat ik grotendeels tegengekomen ben die beruchte, saaie zondag. Wonder boven wonder kom je soms, heel uitzonderlijk op een inspirerende site terecht. Die site of beter de persoon achter die site heeft dan bijzonder inspirerende dingen te vertellen. Dat is dan ook wat mij overkomen is
Sanem Sevgen
Ontmoet Sanem Sevgen, een 24-jarige jongedame die gebeten is door schoenen en handtassen. Ze studeerde af aan de afdeling 'Radio Cinema Televisie' aan het Yeditepe-unief in Istanbul. Je zou denken: fijn, ze gaat een carrière in de media beginnen. Niets is minder waar, na haar universitaire loopbaan besluit ze dat dit toch niet hetgeen is dat ze wil. Ze is niet gelukkig. Sanem heeft ondertussen al veel geprobeerd: ballet, musicals, zang... Zelf zegt ze: "Ik zocht m'n geluk op aarde en in de hemel om het dan te vinden in een kleurrijk verfpalet."
Geluk bij een ongeluk
Haar fantasievol avontuur begon met het vinden van haar moeders-ik citeer- 'lelijk paspoortboekje'. Ze besloot om deze op te fleuren met de nodige kleuren en tekeningen. Het bleef hier uiteraard niet bij. Ze viel alle lelijke, saaie, kleurloze objecten aan met haar verfborstel en verfpalet. Ze kreeg positeive commentaren en toverde heel wat glimlachjes op gezichten. Dat is haar motvatie om verder te doen met hetgeen waarmee ze bezig is.
'Le Petit Prince' en co
Op de een of andere manier komt ze bij schoenen terecht. Ze beschildert witte, zwarte en grijze pumps tot prachtige fantasiebeelden die rechtstreeks uit onze jeugd lijken ontsnapt te zijn. Haar schoenen zijn uniek en met de hand geschilderd, waardoor je nooit iemand in exact dezelfde schoenen zal zien lopen. 'Le Petit Prince', 'Eeyore' van 'Winnie the Pooh', de skyline van Istanbul: niets is haar te vreemd en alles kan als inspiratie dienen.
Just married
Er zijn geen grenzen voor Sanem, want ze ontwerpt ook bruidsschoenen. Een bruidsjurk is immers niets zonder de bijbehorende pumps. En Sanem weet hoe ze spectaculair schoeisel creëert. Ze smukt witte en grijze pumps op met parels, strikjes en schattige cartoons. Uiteraard ontbreken de namen van de bruid en bruidegom niet.
Zo begint ze ook haar site Sanemiko waarop ze haar creaties deelt en waarop de schoenen aan de voeten van de bruid prijken. De schoenen spelen uiteraard de hoofdrol in dit wondermooi sprookje, maar de bruid moet vooral tevreden zijn. Dat is essentieel. Het zijn schoenen die echt een glimlach op je gezicht toveren. Volgens mij kunnen we wel stellen dat iedereen nog lang en gelukkig leefde, in Sanems geval alleszins wel.

N.D.