Sascha & The Boys

Despite this title, a recent Dior campaign, where the fashion house gifted scores of influencers a re-issued saddle bag made it clear that an IT bag is alive and well. The bag promptly sold out and the photos of it flooded Instagram. Couple of years ago I would consider buying it. These days, I shudder at the thought of owning an an IT item of the season.

My bag collection is very small. I own a vintage Chanel 2.55, which I bought 11 years ago and two Celine bags, with no logo or hardware and only tiny, gold embossed letters. Blink and you miss them. As I know myself more and more, my taste takes me on a journey towards absolute simplicity- austerity almost. I cannot imagine myself wearing Ralph Lauren blazer with the brand’s recognisable logo. By the same token, Michael Kors bags are utterly lost on me.

My grandmother told me once that the ultimate luxury is only recognisable to a knowing eye. I now know what she meant and it has become my style motto.

I don’t buy anything these days because all my cash goes into development of my brand. But one day, when have disposable income again, I will buy two bags, which I love for their utter simplicity and elegance.

Zofia Chylak is a Polish brand who makes incredibly stylish yet utterly inconspicuous handbags. I owned some of her first creations and loved them. Granted, these days the waiting list for most of her bags is longer than from here to next week, yet because of lack of hardware and stunning elegance, they don’t feel like a coveted IT item of the season. There is no shiny logo dangling from a strap. A “crocodile” embossed small handbag which I have my eye on has a charm of a vintage Kelly, yet is totally contemporary. The other bag I’m coveting is Roma is by a British luxury brand, L.O.N.B. Again, it’s so elegant yet so discreet. It’s the opposite of being you face yet you would do a double take if you saw it on the street. Both are items I can easily see gifting my granddaughter one day, long after the excitement of Dior saddle bag had vanished.

It was very exciting and very, very nerve wracking. As I was waiting for Ana, our sample maker, anxiety was taking my brain hostage.  Has she understood my vision? And if so- will others believe my vision enough to want to be dressed by me?

Ana finally arrived and when she took out all three samples from her bag, I relaxed. Things were good. Samples she produced were exactly what I imagined. Yes, there are things to change but this was obvious- after all this was our first fitting.  Sleeves will be more t-shirt like rather than cap sleeves, and waist in two dresses will go slightly up. Sleeves in a third dress (not on the photo) will be little more dramatic. A lining under a skirt will create a slightly exaggerated, yet still wearable shape.

I wanted to create a small collection of desk to dinner dresses with clean, strong lines. Dresses for women who don’t wear frills or flowers. A woman on Instagram said she loved calmness of my line. I loved the comment so much-  for me it meant the she understood what I set out to create.

There is still a way to go for me. I’m waiting for a delivery of bamboo silk for final samples. I need to organise production, a website, packaging, promotion…But things are moving forward and it makes me very happy.

I have a conundrum every time I try on a shirt I’d like to buy. Do I leave the third button undone and have my breasts fully on show or do I do it up and look like a secretary on the way to the office?  I swear that not many brands actually consider where they place a third button. Mostly, I get that run of the mill, same cut, same old, sam old  which I don’t like because doing up the third button makes me look a little frumpy. I have one perfect shirt from St Lauren where the button in placed slightly lower and it creates that sexy, nonchalant look I covet on Instagram- and it’s actually wearable IRL (and I’m able to skirt the bra, too!).  It feels such a small but significant detail to attend to. Does anyone else have this problem or am I just being picky?

You’ve been thinking what to wear to this party for the past two weeks. It’s a big one, the one who got away is going to be there and you want to look your best.  Your outfit from Net a Porter arrived on Friday and your friends all agreed you are going to look just fabulous. On the day you get a blow dry and manicure. You spend an hour priming and contouring until you have Kate Moss cheekbones. You know you are looking gorgeous and you are discreetly surveying the crowd, checking if your ex has noticed you yet when suddenly you see her…

She is leaning casually against the piano,  holding a glass of champagne. She is wearing a tuxedo jacket, her hair look as if she’d lost her hairbrush three months ago and her red lipstick goes a dream with a subtle, golden tan. You spy a single ring on her finger. She looks like she has someplace better to go afterwards and you suddenly wish you could swap places with her.

What do do if you find yourself overdressed at an event or simply want to look more effortless (not casual)? There are three things you can do immediately:

1. Take off your make up. I mean, sure you want to leave the foundation and perhaps swipe a bit of bronzer on your cheekbones but I would leave Kardashian inspired make up well alone. A red lippy and maybe a tiny bit of bronzer is all you need.
2. Muss up your hair. Glossy, bouncy blow dry a la Kate Middleton says “I’ve been getting ready for the past 8 hours”. Batiste dry shampoo from your corner drug store is your friend- gives your hair volume and texture, and that bedhead, nonchalant look.
3. Swap your stilettos for flats. Whether they are sneakers, ballet pumps or Hermes flats (especially Hermes flats), they have the ability to make your outfit look  little more nonchalant and carefree than a pair of killer heels.

And if you can, grab your man’s jacket and roll up the sleeves. Ready to party? 🙂