Businesslike

Two more days of work and then I'm off to Berlin for the new year's celebration. A mini vacation is in place since they made me come to work during these "in between days". I don't really see the point when my email box is screaming of emptiness...

Speaking of work, someone once asked me to post about my work clothing and tips about how to look chic in the boring office environment. The trick I've learned, is to keep it simple with the basics but to also add something that makes the outfit pop, such as an interesting detail or accessory. The topic allows me to introduce something my lovely boyfriend got me for my birthday: a blazer/cardigan designed by our talented friend, Richard Söderberg. Richard's brand Obscur is a menswear label but the smaller sizes seem to fit me fine (you can get his clothes at least here, here and here). I've worn this number on several occasions since it's suitable for both office and free time wear. The piece looks professional, though it has that special "twist" which makes it look more interesting than those basic blazers or cardigans people would normally wear to an office. I kept the rest of the outfit simple with basic peg leg trousers, the only additional detail being on front of the white top. You can even add platform ankle boots to this outfit and no one would make a big deal because the cardigan is the true show stopper here. In a delicate way, of course.

I hope you all are enjoying the holidays, I'll be back next year!

Blazer/cardigan: Obscur
Trousers: Asos
Top: Zara
Ankle boots: Fendi

Facelift

As you might have noticed my banner has had a little face lift, and I'm finally happy with the layout of this blog. You might wonder who is behind the banner drawing, and in fact, there is a nice little story behind it.

About one month ago, I organized a birthday competition for my blog's first anniversary, giving away this amazing silver bracelet from Funky Marie Design's shop. The competition was won by a Brazilian reader of mine, a fashion design student called Nathália Nunes. As a thank you for winning the competition, she send me this cute color drawing that she had quickly drafted of me. I could see that she had real talent there, so we started exchanging emails and thoughts about fashion design, and she also let me see a glimpse of her past collection.

Thereby, I asked her to draw another picture of me (featuring one of my all time favorite outfits) to use on my blog's banner, and here we are. I'm really happy with it, thank you so much Nathália! As a result of our discussions, she has also started a blog called Out of the Blue that will feature fashion and her up and coming designs. I wish all the best for her and her career!

Drawings by Nathalia Nunes

Laitinen - The next big thing from Finland

The Finnish designer duo Laitinen have managed to keep a pretty low profile but from time to time the name pops up on fashion magazines such as Vogue and Elle. For most people they are still quite unknown, even though their collection was presented at the Milan fashion week last year and they been awarded at the Hyeres Festival in 2006. These siblings (sister and brother Anna and Tuomas Laitinen) have the kind of aestethics that appeal to my minimalist and androgyne taste: odd cuts, dark colors, timeless designs, and an unisex look - something more designers should definitely pursue towards in the future.

Whereas most young Finnish designers make quite playful and funny clothing, Laitinen's desings are more mature and high fashion. It's a pity they are anti-commercial; they lack an official website and their clothes are not advertised or sold anywhere online, only in selected boutiques. The quality should be outstanding, as the production still happens in Finland.

I can't wait what will become of Laitinen since they have all the needed elements to make it big one day. I guess we just have to wait and see. In the meanwhile we can admire these beautiful images of their designs from the past collections.

The images, more about Laitinen and the full collections can be found from here.