Couture Wrap-Up

[L-R] Jean-Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Elie Saab, Chanel, Armani Prive

One reason why fashion designers are a constant source of fascination, apart from their outrageous personal attire and controversial remarks about plus-sized models (yes, we are talking about you, Mr Lagerfeld), is their ability to transform everyday references into walking pieces of art. 

This is no more apparent than during the showing of the Haute Couture collections in Paris. A dwindling number of houses dared to venture into fashion's most priciest realm this past week but for those who did, the results were staggering...

The house of Dior is the grand dame of Haute Couture, and the Fall 2010 collection ensured it lived up to its reputation with an extravagant bouquet of vibrant blooms.

Riccardo Tisci opted out of a tradition runway show in favour of an intimate showcase, allowing editors to get up close and personal with his intricate designs of Chantilly lace, appliqued leather and ostrich feathers for Givenchy. Inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead Festival, one garment alone represented 1600 hours of craftsmanship. 

Off The Wall

Being married to an architect is sometimes cause for great amusement - walls suddenly share a 'dialogue' with each other and you spend a lot of time patiently waiting while your other half takes photographs of seemingly trivial things, like pavement and fences. 
My husband is obsessed with texture - stone, wood, pebbles, recycled brick, even trees. It's the sole reason why these wall tiles by ceramist Heather Knight, of the Element Clay Studio, caught my attention. Don't you just want to touch them? 

Apple of My Eye

Many a fashionista will tell you that accessories maketh the outfit. It's a relatively inexpensive way of adding individual flair to an otherwise cookie-cutter trend. 
Recently I stumbled across the online store Madison Honey Vintage and fell in love with this piece of Apple Delight selling for a budget-friendly $US22 - shipping included. 
And as to whether you should make these earrings your own, the answer is simple: "Yes! Yes!".

High Fidelity Hijinks

Today I want to introduce a regular Friday feature to The Matryoshka Files, a bit of fun to end the workday week. It's inspired by the fabulous movie High Fidelity, with John Cusack and Jack Black, who play characters obsessed with compiling their ultimate 'Top 5' lists for various life scenarios. If you haven't seen the movie (you really should, it has a killer soundtrack) here's what I mean...





It's a game I've played with all sorts of friends and creates a great debate at a dinner party or wiles away the hours in a doctor's waiting room/airport terminal/traffic jam with your other half. So each week I'll provide my own list according to a set topic but would love to hear your own versions too. After all my comments box is feeling a little neglected!

Lee McQueen - Tribute Book

When you're the owner of some serious curves, it's often difficult to find designer labels that cater to your extra va-va-voom. Thankfully, Alexander McQueen could always be relied upon to produce an impeccably cut dress.


A gritty Londoner who trained on Savile Row, he caught the attention of the legendary Isabella Blow with his graduation collection and became known as a rebel amongst the fashion elite. Sadly, he took his life earlier this year after a long battle with depression.

I never fulfilled a long-held dream of reporting from one of McQueen's Paris runway shows but I was lucky enough to acquire a few key pieces that will never be parted from my wardrobe. Given my devotion to McQueen, I was pleased to discover that Visionaire have just released pre-orders for its gorgeous tribute book - Spirit - with an impressive list of contributors including Steven Meisel, Mario Testino and Lady Gaga.  Visit their website here to sign-up for your copy and also to check out the stunning video that captures the essence of the McQueen legacy.


The book is no small investment at $US295 but just like the designer's own work, it's a piece of art.

Where To Buy This Tiffany Bracelet for .68 Cents

Think I am joking? This sensational headline is just a trick to grab your attention? Well, you're in for a pleasant surprise if you haven't already come across Ohh I Love 
 
A designer lover's dream, this auction house sells major luxury items at a fraction of the price. We're talking Louis Vuitton's classic Speedy Bag, Marc Jacob's hobos, Tiffany pearl earrings and quilted Chanel wallets.  

What's the catch? It's a little akin to gambling. Each member has to buy a bidding pack, the cheapest being a pack of 30 bids for $29.99. The next step is to search for your must-have item and begin clicking away. Keep in mind that Ooh I Love recoup their costs by charging you $1 each time you bid while also raising the total price of the auction by 2 cents. Every bid also resets the auction clock.

So even though you may REALLY, REALLY want that Fendi clutch, exercise some restraint as there is no guarantee of winning!

My first experience was with a beginner's auction and that's what I would recommend for anyone eager to give it a try as it's your best chance of actually winning. I won the Tiffany Toggle bracelet (pictured) for .68 cents but actually paid $13.58 at checkout when the cost of all of my bids plus the shipping fee was factored in - and that's excluding the initial purchase of the bid pack.

I will state that I had some hiccups following the purchase and had to be pro-active in contacting the customer service support staff to ensure delivery. To their credit, they did respond to my emails promptly and I couldn't have been happier when the little blue box did finally arrive.

Some tricks for new players; watch the 'How It Works' video to ensure you understand the process thoroughly, wait to bid in the very last few seconds of the auction, don't participate in auctions during peak periods like weekends or lunch hours, don't bid too early, the website provides all statistics on previous winners so do your research beforehand and finally, stick to your limit!  

What am I eyeing next?  This Louis Vuitton Neverfull. 

SATC 2 - The REAL Story

There have been very few times I've wanted to walk out of a film that I've paid good money to watch, but Sex & The City's latest big screen offering was one such occasion.  This post may be late as no doubt many of you have already seen the sequel but I've been longing to share my thoughts as someone who lived and worked in the United Arab Emirates and has a little inside information on what really went on. Intrigued?...