FORMAL BALL: WHAT DO I WEAR?

Hi, guys! The past two days I wasn't able to post anything because I'm very busy at the moment revising for my make up exams, which I finish on Tuesday. Then I'll be able to start updating every day again.

I know it's not usual, but you migh be surprised getting an invite for a formal ball. On this occasions, there's a few golden rules you have to follow:

- Try to look better than anybody else. No matter who.

- Wear a long dress, a clutch bag and high heels. Flats, totes or mini-skirts are totally forbidden.

- The best thing to do is to wear a simple long dress with exaggerated accesories. You know I really hate minimalism, so I'll go for something bright.

Here's an example of what I would call a perfect formal ball outfit:



Alexander McQueen gown.

Alexander McQueen gown (1975 €): It's a very nice gown made in silk-crepe and draped all over the place. It's very elegant and fashionable, I adore the pink color!







 



WOW!

Giuseppe Zanotti Embelished Shoes (1250 €): They are one of the most amazing items I've seen recently! Don't you just LOVE them? I think they are major and go perfectly with the dress.



A very nice clutch!

Christian Louboutin Clutch (839 €): Color-block has been a trend for a quite long time now, but I still love it. This clutch is very nice worn with the dress and the shoes together, it creates a very interesting contrast! I love the look, and I think you'll look amazing wearing something like this.

xxx Miguel Mateos xxx

NEW DESIGNERS TO WATCH: AINHOA SALCEDO COUTURE

Rococo is a period that has had a great impact on fashion nowadays. Even new designers, such as my good friend Ainhoa Salcedo, get this influence and try to give it a modern twist. She's a young girl from Castilla y León who has been around for a few years, but with the opening of her couture warehouse, she's taken it to a whole new level.


Her collections are very extravagant, sexy and marvelous. She really understands the need of her costumers and her wedding dresses are just amazing. The fact that everything is completely hand-made and that the fabrics used are the best in the market makes her designs pieces of art. I'll talk about her a lot in this blog, and I want to send her a big kiss! 

One of her romantic wedding dresses. I love it, very nice!

I love this baroque-inspired gown! Don't you thinks it's cool for a red carpet?

This is another wedding dress... Very unusual, but beautiful!

This dress is amazing, I love it!

Despite that I don't like the girl's pose (very vulgar)... The bathing suit is major!

Very nice dress for the Summer!

An incredible cocktail dress! Very much of my taste!! 

BEST STREET STYLE OF FALL/WINTER 2011/2012: VICTORIA BECKHAM

When I think of street style, a few names come to my mind: Miranda Kerr, the Olsen twins, Nati Abascal, Sara Carbonero, Anna dello Russo... this names truly represent what street style is about: looking good at every single moment of the day. All of them always look stylish, but there's one woman that is beyond that. She used to look a bit tacky, but lately she's developed a style that has taken her from "fashion victim" to "fashion icon". Elegance, simplicity, chic... are adjectives that go perfectly with Victoria Beckham's style. She is exactly what I've been looking for as a fashion lover for a while. 

Her favourite item: tube dresses that embrace her amazing figure, mainly in dark colors.

Her favourite brand: Victoria Beckham Collection (she's the best ambassor of her own designs).

Her favourite accesory: Daffodile pumps by Christian Louboutin and of course... Baby Harper! (possibly the most stylish baby ever).

She looks very chic in this babydoll dress and a bag from her own collection. I love this look!

She looks very sophisticated in this dress from her own collection and the  Daffodile pumps by Louboutin.

This Roland Mourent number is easily one of the most stylish looks I've ever seen.

This Marc Jacobs outfit is very cool, and I find baby Harper adorable.

She looks incredible in this kind of babydoll dresses.

Don't you think her handbag is major?

I love this look, from head to toe. It's major!

This Prada outfit is incredibly glamourous!

How to look like Victoria Beckham?

1 - Try your best to look super-feminine, with tight tube dresses or skirts and very high heels.

2 - Never wear flat shoes, high heels make your legs look better, longer and thiner. They also make the way you walk more elegant.

3 - Carry big bags for the day and no bag for the night (not even a clutch).

4 - Only huge sunglasses are allowed. 

5 - Your make up must be soft and fresh in order not to look like a transvestite.

6 - Keep your outfits simple but taking certain risks.

7 - The attitude is VERY important: you have to be very feminine (not only LOOK feminine) and sophisticated. You need to be confident and powerfull as well.

STYLE HELP: FIRST HOLY COMMUNION LOOK.

Any woman who is attending a First Holy Communion has to make sure that she follows this step:

- Never look over dressed. This kind of ceremony has nothing to do with a wedding, so forget about hats, headpieces and excessive jewelry.

- Wear a church-appropriate dress. Remember that in church you need to show some respect, so don't even think about wearing a mini dress or a sexy neckline.

- Pants are allowed, but remember that a dress is always better for this occasions.

Here's a look that I would love to see on a First Holy Communion:

Victoria Beckham Navy Blue Dress (2200 €): this dress is just a major piece! I love the neckline, the fit and the colour. Very nice indeed. What do you think about it?

Jimmy Choo Zebra Print Sandals (1300 €): the most amazing shoes I've seen in a long time! Aren't they nice? And I think they go perfectly with the dress. I love them.

Bottega Veneta Classic Black Clutch (950): this kind of Bottega Veneta clutches will never go out of fashion, they've become a classic piece. For this look, I love the black version, made in one of the most amazing leathers that you can find out there.

STYLE ICON: NATI ABASCAL

Nati Abascal is the most stylish Spanish woman by far. She's nearly 70, she looks amazing, and her fashion sense is just major. We must be proud of her, because she's the number one at the International Best Dressed List. She truly represents what Spanish style is about, and that's why I love her. She is a former top model, Valentino's muse and Andy Warhol's friend. We can usually see her at the front row in Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris, next to international celebrities. She's known to be good friends with Oscar de la Renta, Donatella Versace, Victoria Beckham, Giambattista Valli... among others.

She looked incredible at her son's wedding, wearing  a Valentino gown specially designed for the occasion.

Wearing Oscar de la Renta.

Even her street style is really sophisticated.

The color of this Armani coat is amazing, and I love the contrast with the gloves.

I have no words to describe this look. The gown is a vintage Balenciaga and the shawl is by Elena Benarroch

Nati wearing an Oscar de la Renta dress.

Amazing look. She's wearing Lacroix Couture.

This is my favourite look by her. It's a Dolce&Gabbana dress.

Don't you think this vintage Elio Berhanyer dress is just major?

I think this Dior Couture suit is the best wedding look I've ever seen.

FALL WINTER 2012/2013 FASHION AWARDS.

There was a bit of darkness in the Fall/Winter collections that we saw the past few weeks. The reason might be the financial crysis that the world is leaving, and certainly there was a bit of sadness on the runaway... And I'm pleased about it! It's been the best season in a while, with so many interesting shows to point out. I would like to give credit to Lanvin, Yves Saint Laurent, Dries van Noten, Versace, Alexander McQueen, Paco Rabanne and Gucci. They did an amazing work, but I can only give a few awards.


Best Collection in London: Mary Katrantzou.
As usual, Mary Katrantzou played with psychedelic prints and different shapes, making her fashion show incredibly versatile. I know  from her since Anna dello Russo wore one of her dresses, and I find her amazing. I love every single collection, she'll be a star in the future.

Mary Katrantzou Fall/Winter 2012/2013.

Best Collection in Paris: Balmain.

Paris had some amazing shows going on this season! We saw a huge quantity of fantastic collections, but I would like to poin out Balmain's succesful attempt to make their clothing more wearable without taking the baroque vibe away. It was a major collection.

Balmain Fall/Winter 2012/2013.

Best Collection in Milan: Roberto Cavalli.
This was, with no doubt, the best Cavalli collection we've seen in years. He introduced some amazing fabrics and new structures, without forgetting the importance that printing has on his designs. Despite the bad image that he has, this show was major.

Roberto Cavalli Fall/Winter 2012/2013

Best Collection in New York: Marchesa.

Once again, Marchesa threw on the runway a lot of romantic dresses that were just fantastic. Any woman would dream of wearing one of their pieces to any important event.  It's just incredible the way they play with fabrics, texture and embelishments. 

Marchesa Fall/Winter 2012/2013

Best Collection of the Season: Dolce&Gabbana.

Just as usual, I was completely blown away by Dolce's woman collection. It was something so big that I can't find the adjectives to describe it. I have to love it, it's so artistic... I have nothing else to say.

Dolce&Gabbana Fall/Winter 2012/2013

Most Improved Award: Victoria Beckham.

Posh Spice is taking big steps in her fashion career. Her Spring/Summmer Collection was interesting, but what we saw for Fall/Winter was just major. I loved everything about it: the pieces, the styling, the accesories, the fit of the garments, the color... It actually reminded me of Gianni Versace in a way, but adding a sporty vibe. Lady Victoria must be satisfied.

Victoria Beckham Fall/Winter 2012/2013

Most Disapointing Award: Dior.

The absence of John Galliano was again an important factor in the Dior show. I really miss the way he understood fashion and I think it's a bit unfair the way he was treated. There were no images to prove that he actually said that, but press is cruel. I want him back.

Dior Fall/Winter 2012/2013

Best Style at the Front Row: Anna dello Russo.

Apparently, since she's a celebrity, she's been behaving like a miserable bitch in every single show she's gone to. Despite this, nobody can deny her incredible taste, as baroque as always. She looks amazing, she plays with fashion and she doesn't take things to seriously. That's why I love her.

ADR wearing a "total look" by Gucci.

ADR wearing a Dolce&Gabbana dress, Michael Kors shoes and Alan Journo headpiece

ADR wearing a Worth Couture dress and Yves Saint Laurent shoes.

ADR wearing a Dolce&Gabbana dress, Dolce&Gabbana clutch and Balmain shoes.

ADR wearing a Balmain dress, Roberto Cavalli bag and Alaïa shoes.

ADR wearing a Nina Ricci dress and a Prada clutch

Best Accesories Award: Louis Vuitton.

Despite the fact that I really disliked the collection, I have to say that the accesories were really nice. I specially loved the hats, they were gorgeous and I'm dying to see someone wearing them. Dolce&Gabbana's  accesories also deserve a mention.

Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2012/2013 Accesories