By Marlene | Published: 13. February 2012
Sure, it might’ve been more sensible to look for a pair of boots in the sale, considering it’s still freezing in Berlin and will be for a while. But when I saw these sandals at Closed, I couldn’t stop myself. It was only when I took them out of their box at home that I asked myself: Neon green? Really? What’ll I wear with that? Maybe white jeans and a denim shirt. Or grey jeans and a nude shirt. Or maybe olive trousers with a grey tee. And, hang on, my new white dress will go perfectly with these. Or…
While I keep searching my closet for more clothes to wear with neon, you can see some of the other things on my wishlist for warmer days in today’s style column. Only four more months until summer!
By Marlene | Published: 11. February 2012
*This is the TOR lipstick from Uslu Airlines – developed by 11 straight guys wanting to find the perfect lipstick colour for women. Which, first of all, is pretty sweet of them to try. Secondly: they succeeded. That colour really is perfect. I love wearing it. James likes seeing it. Thanks, guys!
*I adore Gucci Westman’s apartment on T magazine‘s “Profile in Style”. I also wouldn’t mind her top to toe Céline look.
*”The lady makes Joan Collins look like a backpacker.” Jess Cartner-Morley on Victoria Beckham in the Guardian. Love.
*If there’s a better picture of Anna Wintour out there, I don’t even want to know about it: A brief history of the front row on Nymag.
*”The I-got-drunk-at-a-Caribbean-party corsage.” Of course, no analysis into how we talk about fashion would be complete without the indispensable wisdoms of Michael Kors.
*New York! No, Paris. No, New York. Or maybe Paris? All I know is that I want the “Paris versus New York” book of illustrations.
*Have you seen this? HAVE YOU SEEN THIS? I must’ve watched this video a dozen times last week and it just keeps getting better: Emmanuelle Alt and Mademoiselle Agnès lipsynching to Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”. It’s two parts ridiculous, one part fabulous and altogether the best thing you can watch when you need a pick-me-up. Oh, and the newly launched Paris Vogue‘s website, which the video was made to promote, looks pretty great too. I might have to watch that video again now…
Have a great weekend!
By Marlene | Published: 9. February 2012
“Big girls need big diamonds.”
So perhaps Liz Taylor was talking about actual diamonds. But since my budget doesn’t currently allow for a visit to the jewellers, I got the next best thing: the BIG Diamond Lights bulb by Eric Therner. It’s so beautiful I don’t want to cover it with a lampshade. Instead, I’m planning to hang it next to the bed as a reading lamp. And today I finally bought a beautiful cord to hang it from. Excuse me, a beautiful cord? Yes. Because this kind of diamond needs to be presented properly. If you’re in Berlin: I found the cord at Jean et Lili on Torstraße, a great little place for decorating needs. And if you’re not in Berlin: They have on online store, too.
Damn, now I want to watch “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”.
By Marlene | Published: 8. February 2012
After I had spent the fourth consecutive day hiding at home in my sweatpants last week, I realised even in my winter-induced stupor: Enough! This has got to stop. I need get up on a pair of heels again. And why not right now for my breakfast date with Lexi?
Bad idea. While I hobbled the last meters to the café in my boots feeling like Bambi on ice, Lexi happily skipped towards me. Normally she wouldn’t have worn sneakers on a day with fresh snow. But she did for me, because I wanted to see them. Et voilà: les Bettys de Isabel Marant. Aren’t they amazing? Sneakers with a hidden heel. Or, like Lexi calls them, her Tom Cruise shoes. I could’ve used those when I was 15, pretending to be a skater girl. In fact, I could use them now, for all those days when I feel I should be wearing heels, look a bit cooler and, yes, feel a bit taller – but still want to be able to walk down the street.
By Marlene | Published: 6. February 2012
Time for new style column – that isn’t about style at all.
It was last Wednesday. Might’ve been Thursday. I was sitting on the couch, reading a magazine. “Slimming fashion” was the headline. I ate the last bite of my sandwich while I was looking at trousers that supposedly make you drop a dress size instantly. Then I put the magazine away, went to the bedroom and put on a pair of sweatpants. I did not instantly drop a dress size. I just looked like I felt: overworked, tired, unmotivated.
My reflection, that cow, said: This is really not ideal, darling. Don’t you want to make at least a little bit of an effort? No, I replied. Not today. Today, I don’t want to dress better than I feel. Today, you can shove your constant self-improvement. Don’t care, if my thighs would look thinner in a different pair of trousers. Or if sweatpants are “on trend” this season. I mean, have you looked outside lately? It’s storming, it’s snowing, it minus 10. I’m not in the mood for fashion. Not in the mood to consider, if pink or mint jeans will feel right this spring. And which exact length these jeans should be. Which red liptsick I should buy that best compliments my complexion. Or if I need a new model of glasses. The only question that concerns me right now: Why is cheese always better grated than sliced?
Today is Sunday. I’m still wearing my sweatpants. Except not with a tatty sweater, but with a denim shirt, high heels and my favourite red lipstick, “Lady Danger” from Mac. I needed a break. So that I could remember that I don’t really care, if “Lady Danger” is right for my complexion. I just like it. And it’ll go well with my new pink jeans. Or maybe a pair in mint? I might go and make another sandwich while I think about it…
By James | Published: 6. February 2012
*If there is a positive to all the cold weather, it would have to be that at least there aren’t too many distractions getting in the way of work. When you have as much to do as I do at the moment the absence of a desire to go out really is a good thing. Locked up in the studio I have got a surprising amount done, including finding some time to sketch this new idea for a women’s jacket. But when I do need a break, there is always the internet. This is what I’ve been reading this week:
*Justin Saunders of the great jjjjound will be posting a monthly mood board on GQ.com. The best part: this month includes one of Marlene’s images from Paris!
*The beautiful portraits on Industry of One.
*Next up for an H&M collaboration is Marni, in stores March 8. The Campaign Video – directed by Sofia Coppola! – looks fantastic.
*I know I’m a couple of weeks late with this but, I can’t stop looking at Jonathan Saunders debut full menswear collection. He’s just been announced the winner of the BFC/Vogue designer fund so it’s obviously not just me.
*I have always loved tweed and I found this outfit on Stockholm Street Style really inspiring. Now I just need to know where to find camouflage trousers…
By Marlene | Published: 3. February 2012
Three reasons why this picture makes me happy:
1. Damn, that dress.
2. Grey and soft pink.
3. Her name is Stevie Dance. Stevie Dance!
Okay, four reasons.
4. Don’t they make a good-looking pair? This is couple-dressing without even the slighest whiff of matching parkas.
By Marlene | Published: 2. February 2012
I was at Zara last week, looking at a simple, knee-length dress in emerald green. I hung it back on the rail, because I didn’t have the time it takes to go to the changing room in winter (roughly two hours, including having a hot spell, peeling off all the layers of clothes and experiencing a mild nervous breakdown over the state of my “winter legs”). But now, looking at this picture from last summer, I wish I’d just bought the dress. I love the impact one bold colour can have. Also: any outfit that requires only putting on a single piece of clothing is a good outfit in my eyes. I might have to go back and get that dress after all…