‘Be Stupid’ Cafe

During the summers, I had been to one of these career fairs (Futurising) at Liverpool Street, London. Amidst the chaos of getting part-time jobs and placements, Diesel, one of the sponsors, had set up this amazing ‘BE STUPID CAFE’. Set up in the centre of all those old factory buildings and warehouses, the place which factory workers used as car park was turned into a pop-up shop set up in 70’s theme with fake green lawn,  caravan selling pastries, croissants, cold coffees – foldable chairs with big umbrellas where people can relax and read magazines. This was an amazing way to utilise space giving new look to an old setting – kind of takes the whole place back to the bright and pop-coloured 70’s. The colourful and vibrant Diesel Cafe sought the attention of the youngsters prowling the vicinity.

I love the big fringed umbrella, the colourful paper strings attached on the bus and the colourful flower pot as well. Notice the girl relaxing on the foldable chair – long tunic, leggings, curly hair, shades on the eyes and gold-chained bag with gladiator slippers. Like I said, I am being drifted back to the 70’s glam!!!

The colourful indoors of the ‘BE STUPID CAFE’ had beautifully brocaded armchairs where one can have a sip of coffee, read their book or magazine, listen to the amazing music being played and enjoy the Summer!!! To promote Diesel’s latest campaign ‘Be Stupid’, they were giving out freebies – Diesel catalogues, ‘Dazed & Confused’ magazine, ‘Diesel’ cotton bags to brochures!!!

But nevertheless, it was just an absolutely amazing place to spend a relaxed afternoon!!!! (Yawn).. I miss the summers now!!

French Sailor Chic in London!!!

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Over the summers, I captured a lot of coastal inspired stories. Amidst all that, I totally forgot about this beautiful snapshot that I had taken on 14th of July, 2010  celebrated as Bastille’s Day. Bastille Day, formally called La Fête Nationale (The National Celebration) and commonly le quatorze juillet (the fourteenth of July), commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. The anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution.

The Borough Market in London was having a celebration of Bastille’s Day. This vibrantly dressed group of people were singing and dancing, playing the accordion, drums and guitar, dressed in absolute French Sailor Chic style. The guy playing the accordion in the background with his beret and turned-up hem trousers and the printed scarf around his neck, looks absolutely French. The styling resembles the new Lanvin for H&M men look sans the pencil moustache. The red scarf on the guy playing the drums totally accentuates his black outfit and black beret.

The girls are dressed in ‘stripe T-shirt’, a typical of sailor look’ with a scarf elegantly tied around the neck. The red-buttoned cardigan with the red lipstick totally completes the French look. Not to forget the white culottes with black leggings and red shoes that complement the whole look.

The stripe t-shirt with the red scarf and the high waisted pants with the red belt, all typical of a sailor chic look. To read more about the coastal story and the reign of ‘stripes’ , click here. This is the video which I took on Bastille’s Day. Although, the girls seem to be missing from the picture.

Have a look at more of the French chic look with the likes of Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn and Alexa Chung, courtesy The Wall Street Journal.

And to add to this, I found this interesting video on how to dress up ‘French Chic‘!!! Enjoy!!

Lanvin for H&M

Gosh!!! I couldn’t wait to write about H&M’s collaboration with Parisian luxuxy house Lanvin!!! Yes, its finally here today!!! I happened to have a glance at the new store window at H&M and I was totally flabbergasted!!! Not to mention, the website too is amazingly done!!! I love the graphic illustrations and the new look on the mannequins that flows right onto the collection, the t-shirt graphics, the packaging, window display and onto the digital world!!!

With all the excitement and hosh posh going to womenswear, I decided – why not have a look at the menswear collection!!! Not to mention if you are going to shop for  menswear collection at the H&M store, today, early morning you don’t have to wear a shopping bracelet or shop under just 10 minutes per section!!! WOW!! Lucky men!!!

‘Lanvin for H&M’ offers men a daytime relaxed-fit tuxedo jacket with matching jogging pants!!! I must say… quite comfy there!! Its great… it’s all about dressing up, it’s all about an individual style statement, mixing it up in your own fashion!!

Designed by Lucas Ossendrijver, the menswear collection includes a nylon trench jacket (who doesn’t want one now – it’s so in vogue), trousers with ruched cummerband for men, double-breated navy wool coat with gold buttons, navy seeksucker blazers and Alber Elbaz’s trademark ‘bowtie’. Love the whole 1920’s look with mouthbrow (thin pencil moustache ) and slicked back hair!!! This so reminds me of John Waters!!!

Vintage at London’s Portobello

I am always in awe at the stuff that pops up at Portobello market. Vintage!!! Vintage!!! Vintage!!  I love the vintage collection at Portobello market.  These old grandfather clocks remind me of the nursery rhymes that I learnt at school – Hickory Dickory Dock… and of the the time pieces that my grandfather had in his house. The vintage suitcases remind you of the Globetrotter suitcases that people carried in the mid50’s, 60’s – such beautiful, handcrafted suitcases. My mum owns one of these suitcases with a beautiful pink lining on the inside. These brown leather bags are so in trend right now, but it always feels nice to own a vintage piece.

The cream suitcases with light brown leather piping on the edge and the gold coated metal straps are so elegant to look at. Very Regal!! Guess, I know where I am going to get my brown vintage bag from.. What about you?