the new New Look

Last Friday I attended the breakfast event for the New Look flagship store opening in London. The first thing that struck me was how spacious the shop is inside —never judge a store by it's entrance. You walk into a seemingly regular shop with some accessories and clothes and tills but as soon as you begin to ascend to the first, second and third floors more and more space opens up. But there were three aspects about the shop that really made me begin to love it. 1. It has a Starbucks —in my book any place with a Starbucks is a good place 2. Menswear is neither at the bottom nor at the top floor but on the second floor so boyfriends can have a break after floors G and 1 but right before the grand finale. 3. This grand finale consists on a massive SHOE floor where anything from pumps to flats to brogues find their place. Even I felt slightly taken-aback by this last floor both by the size of it and by the huge selection of shoes. These below are soVIPzone's New Look must-buys for the season.

[Click here to get your pair]

[Click here to get your pair]

And, of course, I had to get a few pieces for myself. Only for testing purposes, you know. I chose all four items because they have character but they work in many different ways too. I am specially excited about wearing the checked jacket —possibly as part of a Sartorial Ensemble for LFW. And I'm wearing the tweed waistcoat today, woop!

[Picture credit: Net-a-Porter.com, MatchesFashion.com, MyTheresa.com, Liberty.co.uk]

I'm off.

Charlace Theron & the curious case of Jennifer Hudson

Every season I tend to develop attachments for a specific item or two in the womenswear section. Last season it was this beige and black Proenza Schouler jacket and a very particular Lanvin necklace. SS10 is yet to hit the stores but so far I keep going back to Stella McCartney's lace pieces (just like an ex). So I was ecstatic when I woke up this morning and I saw a very chic Charlize walking out of Mr. Chow (how I love that restaurant) in Beverly Hills.

[Picture credits: Celebrity-Gossip.net, Stella McCartney jacket @ Net-a-Porter]

The Curious Case of Jennifer Hudson should really be a story covered by all the main papers. How can somebody that looked like a stuffed sausage in anything can look so sexy and alluring just by losing a few pounds? I beseech your help, I want to know the story. And she really rocked that now signature Victoria Beckham (how weird does that sound?) at the Grammy's.

[Picture credits: Style.com, Victoria Beckham dress @ Net-a-Porter]

I'm off.

Saturday splendour

I have been holding on to these pictures on my iPhoto (where I only keep my fashion imagery) trying to decide whether I had chosen them because they're sort of a chic version of pin-up or because Anne Hathaway looks ridiculously beautiful and hot in them. In any case I really like the fact that it is just about her —the wonders of GQ— and her body, which has this amazing combination of curvaceous and skinny that I very much like.
It seems Saturday morning is all about good-looking people. I don't know if any of you has ever heard of Brooklyn Decker. She is known for her swimsuit shoots on Sports Illustrated, which is very much a shame considering those unbelievable legs could do wonders for Victoria Secret! I think she lookes stunning in such a simple way —plus and I have a thing for blondes— and I'm really digging that sort of Anna Paquin-esque air she has too.

[Picture credits: Celebrity-Gossip.net, JustJared]

Remember to check out soVIPzone's 3rd birthday post!

I'm off.

soVIP 3rd birthday

Such day as today, three years ago, I made my first post on soVIPzone. It feels like an age ago when I first wrote about Anna Wintour and the Oscars and accompanied the text with rather poorly edited images. A lot has changed since then —a new layout, more diversity in content and, most importantly, my new contributor and friend Giulia. And so, to celebrate my three years as a blogger I am giving you, the people who keep visiting and supporting soVIPzone, a look inside our rooms and wardrobes. Our very own fashion shrines where inspiration comes and goes and where all that you read here is written.

My room in Bermondsey —you can see Tower Bridge and the Gherkin from my bedroom window— is still a long way from being finished (please don't judge my shoe disorganisation) but everything from my inspiration wall to the order of my blazers and my trousers follow very strict arrangements. Also, I took a picture of my favourite daily shoes (clockwise from the grey suede ones: Cos, Lanvin, Acne, Cos, All Saints and Zara) and of my massive collection of blazers that takes up half of my wardrobe (each hanger has at least two and has anything from H&M and Zara to Hugo Boss and vintage pieces).

Giulia's room in Marylebone is the perfect space to dress up —high ceilings and plenty of white space. It gives her select assortment of statement jewellery an understated touch while it makes her jumbo Chanel, her Miu Miu array and her vintage Alaïa totally pop out even just on their hangers. Contrary to me, her shoes are perfectly organised in boxes —where you'll find anything from Zara and Stella McCartney to Louboutins and Dolce & Gabbana. It's her home-made portion of Heaven!

Thanks once more for keep checking back, leaving your comments and, generally, showing some love.

All the best,

Iñaki & Giulia x

[Picture credits: soVIPzone, excuse the bad technique!]

the Liberty of summer

I can't think of anything more essential in any women's summer wardrobe than prints, prints and more prints. However, finding the right tasteful one that works in different occasions is never the easiest endeavour. This summer Liberty of London has associated with the legendary 10 Corso Como to produce a collection of items in Liberty's "anthe" print. What I love most about Liberty's prints is that they keep reinventing what's in their archives rather than tossing out classics —something that gives them character, if you ask me. In addition, the pastel palette of the print makes it relevant this season in such a classic way that no matter how trends shift you will always be able to wear it. They have also produced a darker version of the print but I personally prefer this one. It looks great on the bikini or on the beach canvas bag, giving your outfits a bit of a chic ethnic touch.

All the items from the collection, which is coming out this month, will be exclusively sold at Liberty of London and 10 Corso Como in Milan and Seoul.

I'm off.

Britishness flash

I know for a fact that if I said I am not big on celebrity Vogue covers many people would give me their nods in agreement. But this is not such time. I saw Alexa Chung on the cover of the March issue of British Vogue and I somehow could not come up with a consistent complaint or any obvious flaws. On the contrary, her casual coolness (or reality chic, as Vogue likes to call it) brings in a freshness that we haven't seen in many months by injecting a more contemporaneous feel that escapes the tacky pastel covers. (Also, check her out on the Pepe Jeans ads, where she looks freakishly like Anja Rubik's evil twin).

Following the like of fashionable Britishness, I was glad to read (also on British Vogue —they were on fire today) that many LFW shows will be streamed live. Woop! Click here for the whole fashion week schedule and get your pens ready for some heavy reviewing. Giulia and I are still trying to be the physically but nothing is yet confirmed. I am pretty excited about Bailey this season, don't ask me why. I can't wait for the 23rd!

[Pictures credit: Vogue.com]

I'm off.

capital words

I finally found Vogue Paris yesterday. It seems astonishing to me how even London has to wait for weeks until we get the French edition of the bible sent over. But it was worthwhile. Ignoring the fact that Daria looks dazzling in SS10 Prada, the most significant feature in the magazine is, by far, that about Tom Ford. Not only the article sounds beautiful in French, but Ford's thoughts on the life of an artist really had an impact on me. But while I wait for Tom's call to meet him for a chat at Claridge's, my three favourite things about A Single man and the film's creator.

[Pictures credit: TheFirstPost.co.uk, Idmb,LBC.co.uk]

"I think most intelligent people are depressed. It is very difficult to be intelligent and not question the point of life, not being aware of death, wander why one suffers, what we're doing on earth"

- Tom Ford on Vogue Paris (February 2010)

I'm off.

PS. Congratulations to Colin Firth for his nomination to the Oscars!

cuire Haute Couture

The recipe for Valentino FW10 Haute Couture:

1. Chop up some vintage Balenciaga. Two parts of FW08 and one of SS09. Stir fry for a couple of minutes.

2. Add a whole Hervé Léger FW08 collection and cook until it's nude.

3. Season with Rodarte SS09 and Stella McCartney SS10 to taste.

4. Decorate with a dash of Valentino SS10 (RTW) for an odd after taste.

Serve on a Parisian plate and ready!

[Picture credit: Style.com]

Would you ever eat this?

I'm off.

pastel greatness

I finally bought The Great Gatsby on DVD last week, which means I can now watch it and watch it until I know the lines as well as The Devil Wears Prada's. This time, though, I was particularly fond of how SS10 the costume design (all by Ralph Lauren, may I note) is. I unsuccessfully tried to screen capture my favourite shots, so it will have to do with a few not-very-amazing pictures I found online and one of those randomly put together youtube fan videos.
If you haven't seen the film but read the brilliant masterpiece by Fitzgerald (my second favourite book ever) you will know that the story takes place in a hot summer in Long Island. The fashion peak of the film starts when Robert Redford (Jay Gatsby) slips into his first white suit and finalises with the ultimate pink pastel suit. All dextrously accessorised with contrasting-coloured ties, pocket squares and (my personal favourite) the collar pin.

[All dresses from Net-a-Porter.com]

Of course, after the 138 minute mode-frenzy I had to find some pastel dresses you dear readers could wear this season. The best thing is that, unlike most major trends, this one is applicable to womens and menswear. I already have in mind a handful of buys to get ready for this Spring —starting with these beautiful pair of beige and grey shoes I acquired on Saturday. Are you in?

I'm off.