Holidays Shopping : Queen of the Night

Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth (2007)

 To end the week in beauty, I will promise you the moon and the stars ... In this 4th part of my shopping for the holidays, you will be the Queen of the night, all in gilt, silver, arabesque, paisley and luxury ... At least, you will imagine you could be.
This theme is inspired by the majesty of British actress Cate Blanchett and her almost divine appearance. It is also directly influenced by the successful resumption of the brand Alexander McQueen by the talented Sarah Burton, clearly the Queen of the year. Two women, two atypical physique, but one taste for precious clothes. I have to admit that it was quite difficult to find affordable dresses for this theme, one point of gold and the prices are soaring. But, I think I have found enough gifts for your eyes to be forgiven ...

Alexander McQueen - H&M £19,99

 Craving for McQueen but having a really low budget ? The genius of the industry, H&M, has got the solution : for less than £20, you can imitate the abounding golden leaves of this expensive piece of the master. Plus, the shape of the bustier dress is sexier and more appropriate for the long nights of holidays. I wonder how the world would be turning without H&M ? It is quite a mystery.

Kinder Aggugini at Young British Designers £650

 This piece is only for the pleasure of the eyes, because, hey ! It is just £200 cheaper than a real McQueen ! I like the designs offered by Young British Designers but they could definitely make an effort on the prices ... Okay for helping young designers, but who is helping us ? Maybe one day, we will buy this dress, when Anna Wintour will stop saying that we need to get fired and will give us a job instead ...

Juicy Couture $378,00

 The prices are lowering and we are breathing easy. Let's forget that we are (still) poor and let's admire the charms of this Juicy Couture dress with its delicate flounces and golden adornements. Yes, I know, you would still need a bank robbery, but in our dreams, we can wear what we want, can't we ?

Corey P at Sears $29,99

 Finally, a friendly price ! But of course, you have noticed the absence of gold ... "The Silver Age" instead of "The Golden Age" : it is a consolation prize, but at least, someone is thinking about us. Corey P, for example, and Sears, who are offering us this delicious paisley V-neck dress for less than $30.

Marc by Marc Jacobs £140,00

My pick of the week is quite a surprise : I first thought that the price was wrong but I double-checked and I am very pleased to point out this gorgeous and reasonnable dress from genius Marc Jacobs. The royal laces print give it a touch of elegance and the shape is very rock'n'roll, perfect for a successful party and night.

Talented designers for a lower price : this dress is the evidence that something else is possible. Maybe the Industry needs to take us, humble customers, in consideration, and stop to sell us cotton at the price of gold. Because we are no queens, no duchesses. We are women dealing with the crisis, the unemployement, the raise of the rent, families, health issues ... Yes, we are not rich enough, but our opinion is counting. We could actually  be the decision-maker of tomorrow ... So, we need to be handled carefully. Like the princess and the pea ...

Holidays Shopping : Lucy in the night sky with diamonds

Tilda Swinton

 The ones who know my other blog "Midnight Blue Hawk" might have guessed my love for dark blue. Indeed, it is my favourite colour, so I have decided to devote the 3rd part of my Holidays Shopping list to navy blue dresses. To my mind, the person who embodies and celebrates the most this colour is independant actress and filmmaker Tilda Swinton. Mysterious, intense, this particular shade of blue that is at the same time elegant, unique and stunning, really reflects the singularity of the Scottish muse. It also reminds me of a painting of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and there again, the woman is seductive and cold at the same time. Add Kate Middleton to the list, and you will be convinced of the power of dark blue ... So, if you want to add a little bit of enigma and fantasy to your holidays, here are some excellent dresses ...

Project D £290,00

 Let's start by the most expensive. Not really if you consider its beauty and quality. This delighting Grecian dress will emphasize any silhouette with its sensual lenght and its naked shoulder. The sober and delicate ornaments are very tasty and fabulously enhance the colour. Project D produces gorgeous formal dresses, and you will find real treasures for reasonable prices. £290 at Harvey Nichols.

Love Moschino at Yoox $195,00

 This one is in sale at Yoox, so you'd better hurry up if you like it. I'm always found of Moschino's designs and this cute retro dress doesn't fall short of the brand's reputation. I really like the narrowed waist and the gold details. Classic yes, but the elegance is timeless. And the price, for Moschino, is really great.

Rare Opulence at Topshop £95,00

 If you wish something a bit more festal and dazzling, you will certainly crush on that marvel as I did. Obviously, the brand Rare Opulence have decided to make our dreams come true. There is everything in that dress : it is sexy, fashionable, smart and sophisticated. Or to make it shorter : WOW ... It is a real starry sky, and you will be the star of the party for sure. What did I say in the last article ? Oh yes, God saves Topshop. Allow me to insist ...

Vero Moda 29,00 euros

 For smaller budgets, Danish ( yes I know, the name doesn't sound Danish but it is ) brand Vero Moda offers a very cute dress for a wonderfully low price. I really like the fact that the waistline is set off by these delicate lines of silver. The petticoat is also very attractive, and, once again, reminds of a constellation. It is simple yet gracious, and for less than £25,00. You can find this pearl in online retailers. If you don't find it, you can buy other beautiful ( dark blue ) dresses on Vero Moda online shop.

Motel £39,00

And, finally, my traditional pick of the day ... This time, it is this gorgeous dress from brand Motel. The alliance between the blue and the golden floral details is perfect. In other colours, the dress is unremarkable, but with dark blue, it turns into a very sexy and elegant party dress. The price is great too, so, let's go !

By the way, if you would like more gold, more luxury, I am sure you will be soon ecstatic : my next article is coming soon, with a lot more marvels to buy, to cherish and to dream about ... Wait and see !

Holidays Shopping : Swan Lake

Natalie Portman in Black Swan (2010)

 Part 2 of my "Fashionista's Advent Calendar" ... Fiendish, with an aestheticism which mixes the codes of contemporary art, of animality and a bit of Star Wars' make-up art ( take a look at the poster ), Black Swan, of Holywood's next master Darren Aronofsky, stars that fashion-enigma that is Natalie Portman, a girl who seems to have always a leg up ( which seems appropriate for a movie about dancers ... ). So, to stay in the mood of ambiguity, grace and theatricality, here are some tips for fierce "Nutcracker" Holidays ...

Betsey Johnson $214,00

 The theme's colours are black and old rose for a successful mix of rock and romanticism ( "rockmanticism" in sum ). This Betsey Johnson dress is a good example with her classic corset and lace petticoat, at the same time ballerina and victorian waitress. Wear it with a warm shawl or a fur jacket for a bit of decadence, and dare the leather perfecto for a more informal look. Avaible in shops and many online retailers for $214,00. Yes, pricey, but it is the disadvantage of renown labels.

Pixie Lott for Lipsy £75,00

 If you have decided to go for a real Black Swan theme, choose the dark version of this Lipsy dress, created with British It girl and singer Pixie Lott. For only £75, you will have a party dress of quality ( I own many Lipsy clothes and I was never deceived ) which combines elegance and goth. I advise grey pearls and ballerina's shoes to turn into the new Grace Kelly. But if you have liked my article on Vanitas, you can push the dark side all the way and team it with skull jewels.

Rare Opulence at Topshop £165,00

 We are not afraid of the pastry effect and we rush on Topshop.com to buy this astounding masterpiece. This Rare Opulence dress needs to be worn alone, as a statement, barefooted is even better for a baroque Cinderella's manner. I'm joking for the bare feet, don't do that in Winter, darlings ... There is a mix of Lily Allen and Isabella Blow in this tulle. A hat will give it a touch of aristocracy ( 100% British and deviant ), think Philip Tracy and you will have all good. And all that for £165, it's really reasonable. God save Topshop.

Naf Naf 199 euros

 Manet's ballerina would blush of this dress of princess, she who is wearing the same dress since her creation ... I quote the painter and sculptor for a little trip to France : Naf Naf created this piece for its Fairy Tale collection, and it looks really magical. The skirt seems full, nearly "flamenco-esque", and it looks fresh and sweet. Sadly, it is only avaible for France and Belgium.

Sandro 245 euros

 Sandro is also a French brand, but you can easily find shops in Europe ( plus a lot of retailers such as Selfridges and Harrods in UK, and some online fashion websites ). This dress is hot on the heels of my limit of price (250) but I couldn't resist the crossover top combined with nearly transparent flounces and that gorgeous jewelled belt ... Expensive, yes, but it's not Christmas and New Year's Eve everyday ... Or we can decide it is !

Mango top £59,90 and skirt £99,90

Finally, here's my top choice : if the tulle reminds you too much the ballet classes you had in your childhood, opt for the feathers. If you are going for the swan, at least take its appearance ... Or do you want to be an angel ? The combination of the Mango top and skirt makes a perfect dress ( or you can buy a real dress with the same idea ), incredibly romantic and enchanting ... Avaible at mango.com and in brand's shops for £59,90 and £99,90, or £134,90 for the dress version ( without the feathers on the shoulders ).

Too pink, too wise for you ? Maybe you will find your happiness in the next part of my shopping tips ... Yes, much more to come ! Don't miss it, follow !

Holidays Shopping : The Little Red Dress ( Revisited )

Marion Cotillard as 30s gangster's doll Billie Frechette in Public Enemies (2009)

 Mid-November, time to think about the Holidays if we don't want to be pushed for time. There are the gifts to buy for the family, with the annual nightmare of "what am I gonna buy for Dad this year ? And cousin Georgia who thinks that the 80s are still in vogue ?", the parties, the food we are going to regret soon after, etc. And we are starting to wonder if the holidays are as great as everyone think. One point to convince you : they are a great alibi to buy new clothes, especially gorgeous princesses dresses ... What we need here are some pieces of advice, some appetizers ... I've decided to start with the classic red dress, as red is the traditional colour of Holidays ( Santa, mistletoe ... ). Drop your Santa's hat, this year, you are going to rock in a retro dress, inspired by the elegance back from the 30s to the 60s.

Prada - Modcloth dress $79,99

 This trend of the retro have been brought back into fashion by Louis Vuitton and Prada. Talking of the Italian label, we are all aware that we can't afford one of their dresses. But, I have found for you a less expensive twin of the season's star : this retro dress is avaible on the American website Modcloth.com. A striking resemblance, isn't it ? And this one is only $79,99 !

Corey P at Kohl's $80,00

 If you don't like to copy, I have many other suggestions, under 350 dollars. The American chain of stores Kohl's offers a lot of retro dresses from brand Corey P. This crimson, wise and elegant dress will give you a look similar as Angelina Jolie in The Good Sheperd (2006).

Bebe Addiction $139,00

 But if you wish to channel a more femme fatale Angelina, this Bebe Addiction dress is for you : velvet is the height of trend this winter, and in red, it is at the same time luxurious and insolent. Avaible on Bebe.com and on shops, for $139,00.

H&M £9,99

 For the smaller budgets, here is the inspensable of the holidays ! For only £9,99, you have no excuse if you don't purchase this cute and shiny H&M dress. I guess the quality will be less interesting, but the fabric would at least look good for one night. Remember, you can buy online in some countries ( UK, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Holland, Norway and Sweden ); for the others, you will have to rush to the nearest store.

Hoss Intropia 317 euros

Finally, let me introduce you to my fashion crush of the moment : albeit expensive, this retro Chinese dress by Hoss Intropia is absolutely exquisite and will transform your holidays parties into a movie of Wong Kar-Wai. There is so much romanticism, passion and elegance in this dress I can't resist sharing it with you.

I know there are plenty of other gorgeous red dresses, these are just my picks for the pleasure of your eyes ( and perhaps of your wallet ). Until Christmas, I will add more finds to shop or to admire. Stay tuned and don't forget to follow !