ALDO opens at Baystreet!

ALDO Shoes have opened a new outlet in Baystreet Shopping Complex St. Julian's and what better way to celebrate than with a cocktail bar and a crowd of beautiful people enjoying the new collection of on trend shoes, bags, and accessories?!

For this Spring/Summer season, ALDO is proposing a palette of nudes, metallics. graphic prints and embroidery and classic blacks as well as the ubiquitous tan and mustard shades. I always love walking into an ALDO Shoes store as everything is perfectly displayed and I just generally love their collections. I would love to see smaller sizes though as with my small feet I struggle to find shoes that are not too big for me. Having said, I still managed to walk out with a bag and earrings just in time for this year's edition of Malta Fashion Week and Awards!

Head down to ALDO at Baystreet for the latest trends in shoes, bags and accessories for both men and women!

Unboxing Gianvito Rossi Plexi Pumps

A few days ago I posted a teaser picture of the Gianvito Rossi shoe box which had just landed on my doorstep. The contents? Well, I can finally say I am the proud owner of a pair of Gianvito Rossi Plexi Pumps!

It is my first pair of designer shoes and it took me quite some time to decide which pair would initate my collection and after seeing the Gianvito Rossi plexi pumps on a YouTube video, I immediately fell in love with them and began saving up.

In the meantime, I kept looking up reviews to make sure I was going for a good pair that would last me for a good number of years. Well I was pleased to know that many YouTubers claim that the shoes are very comfortable and the plastic doesn't cut into the skin. This was going to be the birthday and Christmas gift from me to me. To cut a long story short, after failing to buy the shoes in both Munich and Milan, as my size wasn't in stock, I resorted to buying the shoes online from the Gianvito Rossi website and after just two days, the shoes were on my doorstep!

The box they come in has luxury written all over it with an embossed stripe texture and the Gianvito Rossi brand logo stamped on the lid and the sides. The shoes come with a 'thank you' note and the order invoice (in separate envelopes) and a little card with care instructions. They also come with a dust bag and a little bag with two heel tabs.

I already wore the shoes and I can confirm they are very comfortable and they are a very classy alternative to the classic black pump. I chose the black suede variety for I think they are timeless and I already own a pair of patent black heels.

The shoes don't come cheap at €590 (+ €15 shipping fees) but well I guess it was a well deserved present to treat myself to :) I have a ton of outfits planned around these beauties so I guess the cost per wear will be justified soon enough :)

MANOLO BLAHNÍK THE ART OF SHOES | An Exhibition at Palazzo Morando, Milan

Hello my lovelies, last Monday I landed back in Malta after an amazing weekend getaway in the charming city of Milan, Italy. I must admit I fell in love with the Italian fashion capital - from the food to people watching and sight seeing and the designer shop windows, this city has it all! 

On our second day which we dedicated to sightseeing, upon leaving the beautiful church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (which also houses Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper), I spotted a poster advertising an exhibition by Manolo Blahnik. Being the shoe fanatic that I am, I checked the dates and place where the exhibition was being held and...bam! It had only opened two days before! I immediately turned a pair of puppy eyes toward my boyfriend who, with a hint of irritation in his voice, said yes to visiting it (I said many times that I have the best one and I still stand by it)! 

In this post I wanted to share with you snippets from the exhibition displaying 212 shoes and 80 drawings covering 45 years of Mr. Blahník's work. The exhibition is housed at Palazzo Morando, a very antique, artistic palace located right in the heart of the Quadrilatero della Moda (fashion district in Milan). Of course, many would agree with me that there couldn't be a more appropriate place to house such a prestigious exhibition from one of fashion's iconic coutouriers! 

The entrance to Palazzo Morando

Mr. Manolo Blahník

Manolo Blahník's works vary shoes that were inspired from his travels and nature to other more opulent collections and the more wearable styles. Unarguably, they are all the embodiment of artistic style, exploring different colours, fabrics and textures which have now become cult objects. Here are a few of my favourites:

As I stated before, 80 shoe drawings are also being exhibited. Mr. Blahník inherited his talent for drawing from his mother. One thing to note is that he never uses a computer to draw but he trusts his own hands and eyes to execute the masterpieces. Here is a selection of such drawings.

Of course, I am not including all of the exhibits in this post, otherwise it would take forever to read. Just in case you're in Milan anytime soon, the exhibition is open till the 9th of April 2017 and it is advisable to book in advance as queues are very long. Here is all the information regarding opening times and ticket prices.

I highly recommend this exhibition to lovers of fashion, beauty and art (my boyfriend spent the most part of the time at the exhibition gazing at the richly painted ceilings and lush crystal chandeliers dangling from them).  Finally, I would of course recommend you get the accompanying book which costs €38 from the palace bookshop as a memento of your visit :)

Brand Spotlight | DESIREE

The name DESIREE is swiftly gaining ground within the local fashion industry; and with good reason! I had blogged about Desiree and her designs on shoes and bags after I was introduced to her work during this year's edition of the Mercedes-Benz Malta Fashion Week & Awards. You can check out that post here.

Some of the work DESIREE exhibited during the 2016 edition of the Mercedes-Benz Malta Fashion Week & Fashion Awars
Cushions are also hand painted by the designer

Fast forward a few months, and the extremely talented interior-designer-turned-fashion-designer has opened a shop on St.Mary's Street in Sliema. I had the pleasure of visiting the bubbly Desiree with my friend Marija from Pocalocca and we were head over heels in love with her new collection of clutch bags as soon as we stepped inside her shop!

Myself, Marija and Desiree :)

First things first - the shop is a haven for interior design aficionados which is understandable as Deisree is an interior designer by profession. The mix of old and modern features along with Desiree's own personal touch really give the little shop a warm feel :)

Her latest collection, it consists of clutch bags adorned with hand-painted paisley prints as well as 4 one-off lip shaped handbags with powerful motivational slogans. My favourite pieces have got to be the black satin bag with turquoise paisley print, the transparent acrylic ones and the 'One Life Live It!' slogan lip bag.

All of Desiree's designs are of course hand painted, which is in fact what makes every piece unique and besides her own collection of shoe and bag designs, she is also open to customer requests for customisation. I especially love her cushion designs and look forward to having a couple in my own place!

Desiree also stocks floral tiaras designed by La Fleur which will make lovely statement pieces to complement your outfits :)

Here I am wearing one of La Fleur's tiaras :)
Apparently I was in the mood for turquoise on the day!

Desiree has also just showcased her latest collection at Serbia Fashion Week 2016 thanks to a collaboration with Malta Fashion Week. I truly wish this gorgeous human being the best of luck with her work and owning a piece or two will definitely take your love for shoes and bags to whole other level!

Desiree is located at St.Mary's Street in Sliema (just down the road from Soap Cafe'), do pay her a visit, I promise you won't regret it ;)