What Makes Love True

New York City; a metropolis of sky-scraping blocks with the avenue of adventure and where the possibility of success reigns supreme - The City That Never Sleeps. As a woman in her element when surrounded by all the hussle and bustle a city can offer, the thought of being in The Big Apple takes me into a daydream of hailing down yellow cabs, having coffee over the New York Times and trotting around in Manolo Blahniks with a packed diary fit for a high-class city socialite! So I may well be slipping into Carries shoes from Sex in the City, but I reserve the right to remain blindly hopeful that one day my big American Dream can become an oh-so perfect reality. 

As independent as us City creatures are, what women also dream of is romance, and nothing helps more that the ideal setting. Tiffany and Co is already acclaimed as a first stop for any declaration of love - diamonds really are a girls best friend - but now they have announced themselves as romance experts too. Their site, www.whatmakeslovetrue.com, offers a guide to NYs most romantic hideaways off the beaten track, as well as a music & film recommendations, true love stories and 'Tiffany Tips' to love by. 

I hope to see Tiffany start to include other Cities in this soon, namely London! Until then, I'm just going to have to make note of all the beautiful NY escapes and wait 'till the day I can cross the stream...I have a dream.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Roof Garden

1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028

Italian Wine Merchants

108 E. 16th Street, New York, NY 10003

The Conservatory Garden in Central Park

104th Street at Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029

New Nude

We all remember the notorious 'naked dress' from Sex and the City worn by Carrie - a simple nude coloured slip dress that, in the words of Miranda, made her "look like sex". Well ladies, here's a treat, for spring/summer 2011 we have every excuse to go out and get our very own sassy number as nude is the new neutral to be seen in.

© crushable

Nude was awash the runway for SS11. Chloe brought through the soft knife pleats emerging this season in the form of a sheer silk dress that is so delicate and light. It's asymmetrical neckline and skinny waist belt are also SS11 trends to keep your eyes peeled for. Similarly, Max Mara embraced the return of the 70's silhouette in the form of wide legged trousers and boat neck lycra jersey - all very streamlined and understated.

© Chloe / © Max Mara

Lanvin played with drape with a knee-length dress that wrapped around the neck creating an asymmetrical, almost wind-swept, creation while Versace chose a body-con silhouette with panelled features and fish-scale textures.

© Lanvin / © Versace 

To see how the high-street have started to translate this trend, I turned to leading brand Topshop. Going top to bottom: 

1. Buttermilk Mesh Cape Shirt, £30.

2. Premium Sand Suede Pleat Shorts, £66.

3. GAZELLE Nude Nubuck Cut Out Shoe Boots, £68

4. Nude Frame Leather Clutch Bag, £28

5. Nails in Mannequin, £5

6. Snake Seam Back Tights, £8.50

7. Coffee Sheer Sleeve Shift Dress, £50

© Topshop

McQueen Memorial

It was one of those moments in time you will always remember. Of when and how you heard the news. The death of Alexander McQueen.

Whether or not you are a fond follower of the fashion world like myself, his creations couldn't have gone amiss. Each encapsulated a uniqueness and edge that many designers seem too narrow-minded and conscious to attempt with any amount of matched vigour and passion. McQueen was able to translate his visions through his garments, that when showed on the runway, became much more than your ordinary parade. He would put on a show in which he would create a world that expressed the nature of the collection, down to the very characters that modelled them. Without doubt, an Alexander McQueen show was the one to watch with each being so unique, controversial and unpredictable.  

 

© backseatcuddler

On Monday 20th September, while I was busying about Somerset House, some took a brake from London Fashion Week to remember this fashion visionary. Located at St Paul's Cathedral, 1200 adorned in black took their seats to pay their respects to the late Alexander McQueen who took this own life in February of this year.

"He taught us that the runway was a place where dreams become reality" - Anna Wintour

"He was an artist who just happened to be working with clothing" - Suzy Menkes, fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune 

In honour of McQueen's Scottish heritage and love for tartan plaid, bagpipers led the mourners back onto the steps of the cathedral once the service had ended. A truly royal and touching farewell for such a great name.

© thefirstpost

Anna Wintour, one of the most powerful women in fashion, arriving in an Alexander McQueen coat embroidered in gold blossom flowers.

© backseatcuddler

English model, Kate Moss, attended wearing a black leather skirt and blazer - simple and classic.

© backseatcuddler

Not perhaps your ordinary pick for a memorial, but the late designer sure had his impact on those who attended.

© thefirstpost

Also sporting an Alexander McQueen ensemble was one of his dearest friends, Sarah Jessica Parker.

"He was one of a kind. The service was bitter-sweet. Perfect." - Sarah Jessica Parker.

© thefirstpost

Manolo's New Shoes

© Amazon

As part of my 21st birthday gift from the family, I received this beautiful collection of Manolo Blahnik sketches. Designing since 1971, Blahnik is synonymous for exceptionally crafted shoes that are unique and objects of pure desire. Each design starts with these colourful sketches, that have become as sought after as the shoes themselves. 

Homing in on his current inspirations and desires, the volume is organised under such titles as 'Africa', 'Architecture' and 'Botany'. It really is intriguing to see how such a talent translates outside influences into their work, and it is something that I would love to pursue. 

For anyone who appreciates art and fashion, this really is a gorgeous book to own. 

© freakdelux

Of course, to see the best of Manolo, we only need to turn our attention to the Sex and the City girls. I really do need to train myself to last in heels. Second to that, I think I need to go shopping!

© twistedphysics.typepad