It’s good to go home from time to time … sort of. If you can tear yourself away from the warm embrace (read: smothering grasp) of your family to venture out into the real world, it’s nice to reconnect with the people and places that once shaped and nurtured you. In between two legs of my last vacation, I did just that when I touched down briefly in Montreal, one of my former “homes”.

For those of you unfamiliar with Canada’s most effortlessly stylish city (sorry Toronto), Montreal is a rare hybrid of Gallic style and sensibility combined with Anglo-saxon efficiency. The food is exquisite and varied, the people are friendly, the shopping is good and plentiful and the vibe is cool and laid back. OK, I’m not exactly objective but still, it’s hard not to like Montreal. 

I left Montreal a number of years ago to pursue professional opportunities and have since lived all over. When I occasionally return to my former home, I’m always curious to re-visit old haunts and make mental notes of what has changed and what remains the same. On this most recent trip, I couldn’t help but notice the unmistakable effects of globalization.

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Lanvin’s S/S08 collection was one of my favourite S/S08 shows. I liked the vibrant colours, the ruffles, the way the silk dresses seemed to flow around the models -everything was just so gorgeous. Unfortunately, Lanvin’s not exactly the most accessable brand -its designs are admired by the fashion crowd but they don’t get copied too much by highstreet stores (compared to other brands like Balenciaga and Miu Miu,) and of course, most people can’t afford Lanvin clothes -maybe some people can afford the accessories.

The huge ruffles was one of the main features. It came as part of a one-sided top and dress. (more…)

The other day when I was at the hair salon flicking through Vogue, I came across what they claimed to be the new “it” shoe this season- these Etro sandals below.
The term “it” shoes is apt. Cousin IT shoes that is. First Prada had these fringe things all over the place SS07, and now these shoes. Gladiator sandals with fringe piled on, I really don’t see the attraction. They kind of look like sandals pretending to be boots or the other way around. Just not quite right.
No matter how they matched it on the Etro runway, there MUST be other better footwear out there to match these cute printed outfits. More simpler sandals perhaps? Heels? Barefoot??? Just when I thought perhaps it was just a one off random thing, I see the exact likeness on the Zara display window. For a moment I worried that this will become a prominent feature in daily fashion (it IS Zara after all). However, HG has convinced me that this is just one of those fashion items that are picked to featured to look cool (I don’t know where they get these ideas from) but not really meant for mass consumption- or so I hope. Fingers crossed!

I mean, would YOU wear this????

Image Source: Elle.com