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This time I am announcing this event ahead of time, so you can go there sometime tomorrow and get a feel of this unique cafe fashion showroom! I hope you like it! See ya all there!
Next,one of the young and up and coming Croatian designers Igor Galaš won a award for an iD emerging designer in Dunedin, New Zealand. By winning this award Igor got the invite to prestigious Mittelmoda contest in Milan expected to start at the beginning of April.
Igor will also participate at Dove fashion.hr Croatian fashion event where he will present his Fall 2010. Collection.
This was the first time he entered this competition and he won! Igor's collection is full of hand made wollen pieces, it took him a week to knit each of the garments. They are soft and voluminous yet wearable, floaty and impeccably designed.
Bellow you can see the winning collection:
"Galas' range consisted of woollen headgear with long woven dreadlocks hanging almost to the ground, and ruched backs, similar to dinosaur ridges.
Many of the ranges were reminiscent of the 80s, with pipe-leg pants, exaggerated shoulder pads, jodhpur pants, riding boots and lots of black and white.
Neutral colours were also prominent, with the exception of several fluorescent red and pink mini dresses.
There was greater diversity of individual garments and designers showed a lot of creativity, using buttons, can tear-tabs, curtain rings and doilies."
I am excited to see more of Igor's work soon!
"My weakness ... is architecture. I think of my work as ephemeral architecture, dedicated to the beauty of the female body."
~Christian Dior~
Xoxo,
Kat
Yesterday I traveled to Split for a press conference for one of the charity projects my company closed with handing over the purchased donations to different child care institutions. The event was held in local orphanage where we used the donation money to build little playing houses on their playground - this is what kids requested at the start of this campaign.
Children prepared a surprise theater play for my company, our client donors and the media - I was surprised how professional and dedicated they were in acting, the message they were trying to send with their performance was that material things are not what they need the most - mothers love, hug, kiss, kind word, human touch and some one-on-one attention is what they were craving for. The play was really emotional for us all, company directors, looking serious in their suits were visibly shaken by kids performance.
The catering was served and kids were shy to eat, they were just kind of walking around checking us all out. While directors were giving statements to media, I sat down to check gazillion messages on my phone received during the play. My pink iPhone cover attracted the little girl -Ana Marija. She asked me to see the phone, she tapped on it couple of times and found the game of dress ups on it. In first couple of minutes she broke my record (and she was 9, which was kind of depressing for me). I could notice the lack of trust towards people in her eyes. I asked her if she would like me to bring her something to eat, she nodded - no.
My motherly instinct kicked in, so I went to get a plate and put together some protein, veggies and carbs - a spoon full of each and offered it to her. She eyed me suspiciously and asked me to restart the game for her - I said I will if she eats something, so she did.
Seconds later a boy - Ivica ( skinny, dark hair, blue eyed 6 grader) approached me and asked me what's my name. I introduced myself. He asked if I am a singer, am I from Zagreb, how old I am and if I have a boyfriend. I said I am not a singer and laughed ( I though to myself - trust me hon, you do not want to hear me sing). I said I was 25 and he smiled and said - OK, thats just 12 years difference :) He said he played basketball and that he would love at least for once in his life visit Zagreb. Ivica sat down couple of chairs away and kept coming back next to me once he though of a new question to ask me.
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In less than an hour I totally fell in love with these kids. When I was leaving Ana Marija was crying, she gave me a hug and shoot me with disappointed look. Ivica played it cool and quietly walked upstairs where their bedrooms are. I walked out to make some final arrangements with the agency and the media. As I was walking towards the car, somebody called my name - I looked up and Ivica was waiving through the window. A foot beneath him Ana Marija sticked her little pink nose from crying and her little two palms to the window glass.
This pushed me over the edge. I was crying during the whole trip home like a baby, as I remembered some recent personal challenges and a painful breakup.
"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller,
home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for."
home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for."
As one of my new years resolution was to get reacquainted and reintroduced with my hometown - Zagreb, as a young adult who traveled a lot, lived overseas "got to know the world" and finally came back home - semi-matured. I decided to be proactive and I started working on it. This way I can for once check off something on my new years resolution list (FYI - going to the gym daily is still on, keep your fingers crossed for me to continue and I shall be the tight butt bomb this summer on the beach - unless mum's evilly good cooking prevails).
Once my iPhone "used to think its cool, now annoying" melody rang - Wakeeeee upppppp!!!Why wontttt youuuu waaaaake upppp!!! I jumped out of the bed, opened the window to see that it is super sunny outside and the huge amount of snow that fell during last few days is finally melting.
I called a friend and we decided to hit the Zagreb's Saturday morning "wanna be seen and photographed in my best clothes" rush hour, and explore the city to find a café we haven't been in yet. First I went to get the British Vogue's March edition with fabulous Alexa Chung on the cover wearing all Ralph Lauren Spring 2010 RTW ( notice the fabulous beaded denim jeans bellow).
The most beautiful part you can see bellow my dears....
Thats right darlings...these are not Bergdorf Goodman Christmas edition windows your are looking at, in the NYC. Ouu noooo, these are windows of the Café de Flores - in the tiny street in Zagreb.
Here you can buy the most elite French perfumes or scented candles and have a warm home brewed coffee with cream in a heart shape and soft fresh cookie on a side, served by a cute waiter, all in an artistic and luxurious yet small and intimate environment while you are reading a March edition of British Vogue in a good company. Ahh...splendid Saturday morning....
Whats up New York? You better step it up!
Xoxo,
Kat
So many things happened since past September, yet it feels like it was just yesterday. I still feel the excitment of the fashion buzz surounding the Bryant Park during the last couple of days before the opening night, the adrenalin rush from my fifth cup of 100 cal Caffe Misto, the shooting pain coming from the tip of my toes after wearing the nude color stilettoes all day and the cold autumn breeze on my bear arms and legs.
This vivid memory evokes two completely different emotions in me. The rush and the energy the streets of the City give you which just make you want to continuously move and never stop - which I loved. Other is the emptiness and hopeless feeling of never working hard enough and the question of purpose of it all - this feeling came after I realized that even the rush giving New York in all of its fabulousness cannot cure the broken heart.
This year I am able to still be in the center of it all while still on safe emotional distance and no fear of getting hurt. Many of the shows will be broadcasted live through livestraming so go on ladies prepare some fat free cupcakes, invite your girlfriends and give yourself a nice recession friendly gift of luxury and watch NY Fashion Week shows from the best seat possible - your comfy chair at home. Check out the complete schedule of shows live straming here.
This year is the last time New York Fashion Week (2/11 -02/18) is organized in Bryant Parks tent, from next season its new home is going to be Lincoln Center. Due to the way designers are following new technologies (Ex.Alex McQueen started last season) and utilizing new ways of showing their collections, Lincoln Centar is indeed more suitable location.
I am really looking forward to see all of the shows. For fabulous minute to minute coverage be in the front row daily.
At the end I leave you with words of mama Fashion herself:
"Bryant Park became the beacon of what New York fashion stands for - an industry that's fearless, tireless, and always moving forward."
~Anna Wintour~
xoxo,
Kat
Last couple of days I have been hungrier than usual and due to lack of time, lack of culinary talent and some other excuses I can make on spot, I have started to eat out more and used this opportunity to socialize more with my friends who I have neglected much since I joined the new company.
Since I moved back to Croatia I have been slowly but surely nesting in Zagreb and I tried to find ways to enjoy my city as a different person I am now versus a little girl I was when I left.
When I left to study and to live in US I have grown and matured a lot, my interests changed and while I was away Zagreb has grown and matured as well. He changed. Currently we are trying to develop a brand new relationship, more serious one than before. I think I have started to fall for him all over again, this time I think it might be for life.
Last week my friends Tomislav and Matija and his girlfriend went for a dinner at the city center to fancy Italian restaurant called Stefano located in the historic palace from the beginning of 20ct. the atmosphere was warm and intimate and the service was helpful but discreet.
Other than amazing wine and buffalo stake my male friends loved, I enjoyed a smoked octopus salad with parmesan cheese and ricola and home made bread, I also loved panna cotta with berries I had for dessert. I definitely recommend it for first dates, to all the guys who want to impress the girls with amazing food and still would like to get to know her better and chat in this intimate environment.
Couple of days earlier when I went for a girls night out of dancing with two of my very close friends and before which I stopped by for a huge nutella, coconut and cherries crape they make on the street corners in a cute little window service restaurants.
We went for a late night sandwich at the very well known sandwich bar called Pingvin, it is located at one of the theatre's entrances and after a great night of dancing in clubs everybody rushes their for an amazing sandwich, they are all made fresh on the spot. My favorite one was a grilled vegetable sandwich in a pocket like bread which the fill with grilled veggies, tartar sauce and fresh salad.
A week before that when planning this fashion project I am working on, the organizer took me to great Japanese restaurant called Takenoko. As I am very familiar with Japanese food having Japanese roommates during college, I think I can freely say their Misoshiro soup and tofu wok were great. I definitely recommend it for business lunches/dinners.
Another great place I was absolutely delighted with was Hellas. A friend took me there to cheer me up and he definitely did, we had so much fun as this place as people who work in Hellas are full of positive energy and very pleasant, we ate a lot and stayed there talking for hours.
Hellas is an authentic Greek restaurant located close to the old church, where there is always a lot of people, atmosphere is fantastic and the food is amazing, the place is decorated to look very authentic and it takes you straight to Greece, there is an open fireplace in the wine basement and two more floors of the restaurant area. I absolutely adore their Kokino soup, an amazing home made bread with olives, Roca Tiri salad and of course their Baklava.
I leave you with the picture of some dishes:
Bon appetit! :)xoxo,
Kat
November 5th, 09'
Have you ever wondered which hurts the most: saying something and wishing you had not, or saying nothing, and wishing you had?
Somehow I always go with the first.
One person recently told me I always go after what I want to aggresivly. He said he feels intimidated by me and the fact is, he believes I am better than him.
How ironic I thought, this whole time I was looking just for peace, security, love and life to share and home to call my own, and somehow I ended up having to prove myself over and over again that I am good enough for him, to a person who was insecure himself. I ended up trying to make myself a women I thought he wanted and ended up loosing the real me. The whole time while listening to him talk I just wanted to scream : Let me be myself, let me be me!
I almost laughed at the irony of it all, the whole time, since the very begining I was exactly the person he always said he wanted, I am focused on family, I have my priorities straight, I do just want normal and balanced life as booring as it may sound, but I also want to keep the creative, fashionable, wacky and childish side of myself that I love! I will never be the stepford wife or a perfect mother.
I want to have a modern wedding on the beach, travel with a husband I will adore and continue to have an amazing sex life. I want to work as well and have a life outside of the house.
I will jump the pudles on the rain and play soccer with my son one day and dance around the house in balerina costume with my daughter. I will bake cookies of different color with my kids and invest every second of my life to make my children and my husband happy and my home fun,warm and safe place to be.This is all me! I can't be tailored into a motheroid or wiferoid who will obey and fullfil her husbands expectations.
Funny the way it is...you date somebody and go through many rough and many wonderful times with this person and after this longer relationship you give up and eventually you meet another person under more calm conditons, or even as a rebound. This person shows just a bit of interest, listens to you complaining and seems not to have any troubles in the world.
You don't know this person, so she/he seems somhow so light and easy to get a long with. You start dating this person, everything stays superficial and light, easy life, you think.
Than, you marry this person after short time of dating you are thinking this is it and than life hits you. Later under the different circumstances you realize that you made a mistake and there is no going back.
One day you walk down the street and see her, the women you went through good and bad, and who you loved happy with somebody else.
xoxo,
~Kat~
"We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."
Economize
Dictionary: e·con·o·mize (ĭ-kŏn'ə-mīz')
1.To practice economy, as by avoiding waste or reducing expenditures.
2.To make economical use of something
Right, Webster was a really smart fellow. I am not so sure that he was a fine dresser. Anyhow, one thing is for sure, recession is hitting us on all fields, so is the case with dressing and shopping. Does this mean we should stop spending money on clothes, shoes and make up?
Of course NOT!!! It is very important to continue to stimulate economy by continuous input of fresh cash. In short, by spending, you are actually helping general bad state of the economy.However, the key is, spend less than what you earn. It does sound simple, but it is the hardest thing for people to learn. I am the prime example.
Now, the current state in retail is seemingly very beneficial for the consumer, right? Sales everywhere! This however encourages you to shop for things that are cheap, not those that you necessarily need or are of a good quality. Basically with the economic situation as it is, you simply cannot afford to buy cheap stuff. You are looking for good quality pieces that are timeless and fit your personality.
So we could have seen on Paris, New York and Milan Fashion Weeks for Fall 2009. your timeless dark and light grays, blacks, browns, beiges all were spiced up with zippers, shoulder pads, big chunky statement industrial jewelry , tie high boots, lather pants, sequins, men shoes, interesting head pieces etc. Designers could not afford to make cheap and weak collections.
Cost saving was definitely noticeable, but not in a bad way. In contrary, many designers showed their strength by going back to their roots and covering basics.
Gareth Pugh did a video fashion show which showed fashion pieces and fabrics in a whole new dimension.
Botega Veneta did many feminine value added pieces: white coats, great detailing, low back dresses.
Marni focused on investment pieces as well, he did great fur coats and peacoats, short skirts, huge chunky jewelry and line chain necklaces.
Angelo Missioni had a vision of ice princess who wore layered cardigans, light and delicate lace pieces in pale pink and baby blue armored with huge chunky knits.
My favorites were:
Zac Posen - Zac's story happened in Paris in 1920's Patty Smith era, he did gorgeous silk dresses and suites in pale pink and gold. His message to women was to create their goddess existence.
Ana Sui did not disappoint, her collection was of course colorful, hippy, feminine and gothic-cool, she used feathers and designed some great head pieces.
I loved Alex Wang's rock and roll minimalistic look. Alex did leather pants and tailored jackets, great texture and finishing in black and white, beading with bras-nickel metals, beautiful purple dresses and great sequin hoods and hats.
I also loved Oscar de la Renta's gowns, smokey eyes, duchess hair puffs kind of look and wool-fur combinations in red, orange, blue and purple.
Donna Karan created gorgeous gowns and skirts by cutting and draping, these easy and flexible pieces came in purple, red, burgundy and blue.
Of the chart were my top favorites "beyond fashion" designers:
Galliano for Dior - with Ukrainian virgin bride muse who wore coin necklaces, gray, silver green and red pieces - see-through silk pants and wide and long sleeve dresses with gorgeous beading.
Ana McGibons made a great collection for Chloe, great capes, rolled up pants, black velvet overalls, military colors, tall shorts, oversized coats and a special beige sleeveless dress with high neck.
McQueen did a very strong collection - colorful tights, long skirts and coats, great hats, all in red, white and black, very fetish, fierce and gothic.
While Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel did super cool retro hats, deep V front tops in black, white, jade green and pale pink, body suites, high neck and half sleeve.
In conclusion, try to pull the inspiration out of next seasons designer pieces, pay attention to details and invest in timeless pieces which are always in style.
Luckily, many spring items are still in, like harem pants which just got sequin detailing for fall, chunky jewelry and zippers are back, red lips and high tie boots are still in-style from last fall. Please note that shoulder pads are optional trend worth of passing.
Let the recession inspire you to recreate, reuse, shop for vintage pieces, go through your grandma's closet or simply organize a little yard sale or trade among your girlfriends with stuff you grew out of or were given and it doesn’t fit your personality.
If you are a designer wearing girl, you can now get the designer jewelry for less: Erickson Beamon did jewelry collection for Target, in Croatia Leonarda Boban did a cute jewelry collection for Kozmo drug stores, so there is something there for every budget.
Get inspired!
xoxo
" If you love somebody and he doesn't love you back, just love the fact that he is somewhere, with someone , and that he is happy. "
I think I'll have to do just that. I am so so tired of fighting for something that doesn't seem to exist any longer, I am moving on with whatever pride I have left after a long and paintful fight, full of scars, moving on.
Everybody saids I should move on, give other guy a chance, that I deserve much better. This time I shall listen.
I took my neckless of today, for the first time in 5 months. Soulmates,ha? Nothing will pull us apart?
~You were clear today. Thank you.
Kat
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