Spring Essential #1: Boyfriend-Blazer

To be perfectly honest, I gave blazers a wide berth in the past. They were just formal wear for me, kind of restricting and way too stuffy. But last summer I was at the stage, where I dare to wear them. I was in quest of an alternative to my summery jeans jacket and I found it at Zara. It was love at first sight: A pink waisted blazer made of pure cotton which upgrades almost every outfit (see above). So of course I had to buy it and I still have no regrets about that purchase. Ever since, I wore that blazer in every condition of life – at parties, university or just in everyday life - and I have to admit that it always fit perfectly. 

For quite some time now, there is a new version of the renowned models: Boyfriend-Blazers. These jackets were initially in vogue in the last century, most of them with shoulder pads and in a very boyish look. Not my favorite. But this year, many designers pay homage to the 80’s and 90’s by rebranding the outdated looks and giving them a modern image – and it seems that I begin to take a fancy to it. For that reason, I browsed the web to present you a little range of my favorite blazers, including Zara, Topshop and Cos. 

SS/XIII: Fanny Lyckman for Estradeur

As luck would have it I stumbled upon Fanny Lyckman's latest collection for Estradeur. It was purely coincidental that I chanced upon Nelly's this afternoon. The last time I seeked the retailer was at christmas since I totally fell in love with this sequin low back dress and I just had to own it. So it's ages that I visited the online store. Today, it was more like serendipity that I took notice of the collection as Nelly's newsletter cought my eye. I usually delete them as they're a bit of a bind. But this time Lyckman's impressive photos attracted my intention. What's more, I need to update my wardrobe, so it was an advantageous moment to take a gander at the latest looks.

To avoid any misunderstanding: Nope, I would never wear these freaky platform shoes. They're exorbitant and totally unwearable not to mention the fact that I would be a giant if I wear them. Apart from that, the collection turned out well although the garment is quite 90's. The shooting took place at Lily's burger restaurant in Stockholm which seems to be the perfect location due to the carefree atmosphere. The designs have lots of attitude and the cropped tops combined with those high waist shorts cut quite a figur. It's definitely a good pennyworth for girls who live their life to the full. And the one or other piece will surely be doing well in my closet.

Steal the scene in Victoria's Secret

Ever since the first sunrays lit up my face last week, I am totally in mood for summer. Although the wheater is anything but fine and it's brass monkeys out there, I am aching for sunning myself and being on easy street. For that reason, I decided to have a glance at the latest swim wear collections. This year, I am thoroughly taken by Victoria's Secret who just released the second issue of 2013's swim catalogue. Shot by fashion photographer Russel James on the beaches on Turks, Caicos and Miami, the collection is inspired by old Hollywood, glamorous starlets and their chic escapes to the most luxurious destinations in the world.

The catalogue is covered by Candice Swanepoel who rocks one of Victoria's Secret's new lines for 2013 - the very sexy bandeau top. "I love it. It's so sexy and gives me amazing cleavage", she told People Magazine. Besides that, this year's collection includes novelty fabrics, neon colours, mix and match pieces and seductive prints. As I really felt in love with the new looks, I need to scramble up some money to afford one of these loveable bikinis. I am mainly fond of these neon pink bandeau tops and I am sure that this swimwear will be a safe investment for a wonderful summer. Read more to see all of my favourite looks for sunny days and buy them here if you have found your look.

Oscars fashion: The red carpet verdict

The Oscars are one of the scarce moments when stars are champing at the bit to get dolled up and slap on their prettiest smile. It goes without saying that the awarding is the highlight of the evening but the cameras shift their lenses primarily on the beautiful gowns which parade on the red carpet. This year, it was like an Oscar flashback with all the Armani gowns, Veronica Lake waves and Harry Winston bling. Nevertheless, it was Jennifer Lawrence who casted a spell on me: She wore a strapless pale pink-and-white Dior bustier ball gown combined with a delicate Chopard necklace down her back which topped off the ensemble. Therewith she was a total vision of delight! But also Kerry Washington, who made her Oscar debut, amazed me with her coral Miu Miu dress. 

One of the biggest trends of the night were icy pale shades like Lawrence's Dior Haute Couture gown. Many of the dresses were of the frothy, fairy-tale variety, namely Octavia Spencer's one-shoulder Tadashi Shoji cream puff creation or Amy Adam's frayed oraganza Oscar de la Renta princess dress. All of them were gorgeous and I'd give my right arm to wear them only one night. That'll be the day.

Like every season, fashion critics have been laser-focused on wardrobe malfunctions. This time it was Anne Hathaway who came close to having one in her icy pink duchesse Prada column gown. Although she looked stunning wearing those Tiffany Diamonds, it would have been better if she'd worn another layer underneath her dress to keep things from "popping up". As everyone on Twitter notices, her nipples were pointing out at us like daggers which is why they immediately got their own twitter account. Quite hilarious. But enough talk: What's your favorite Oscar dress??

Trend du jour: Mirrored sunglasses

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? Though sunglasses of all styles are fair, mirrored sunglasses are fashion's fairest right now! Besides my love for retro sunnies and brightly colored frames, I noticed this new eyewear trend at the forefront this spring: specs with shiny, reflective surfaces - a super dope trend from the 80's which are now back in in full force this season. 

I know, the beginning of February isn't usually the month for sunglasses as people are wrapped tightly in coats, wear rainproof shoes and warming woolen caps. But as trends spare nothing, it doesn't surprise that polarized sunglasses find their way into our winterly wardrobe. Thanks to Giovanna Battiglia and Garance Doré, the "reflectors" are already hyped in Milan or Paris, where fashionistas prefer the handcrafted sunglasses by Spektre. Unfortunately, they're like gold dust which is why you should shift your attention on Oakley's Frogskin. These babies are totally edgy, custom-made and nonbreakable or so says Oakley. In this regard, they're are a really though companion for summer. Read more if you want information where to buy them.

Paule Ka: "I am perfect... perhaps"

Although all eyes are focused on the upcoming fashion weeks, the fashion world still revolves. Hence, I wanna take a glance at the staggering advertising campaign of French label Paule Ka, who takes us to sun-kissed Florida and makes me longing for a decent summer. 

The retro campaign featuring American beauty Hilary Rhoda was photographed by returning photographer Venetia Scott who doesn't belie our expectations at all. Art-directed by Paula Ka's designer Serge Cajfinger, Rhoda wears some beautiful 1960's inspired dresses and outings in the glamour set of Palm Beach, California. Under the slogan "I am perfect...perhaps", the campaign contains figure-accentuating dresses, classy white blouses and a patterned satin coat in blazing colors. Fortunately, the stylists dispensed with high heels and rocks altogether which gives a special grace to Rhoda. And although the scenery may look a bit hokey as Hilary poses in these stereotyped backdrops, this is exactly the way I expect the American dream to look like.

Yvan Rodic: The man behind the camera

As I am fed up with learning, I devoted my spare time to flip through some fashion magazines. Needless to say, the magazines are bulging with information about Berlin Fashion Week which dictates us the latest trends for this year. But instead of only taking a gander at the catwalks, the cameras pointed at the various street styles as well. Bloggers and fashionistas lined the streets off the beaten track, each competing to catch the best performance. But only few were favored by fortune and got photographed by Yvan Rodic who entered the fashion fray last week, too.  

When French Elle published an article on "How to Become Hip in 15 Steps", there was no doubt about the first step: "Get photographed by Face Hunter". Face Hunter is the alias of Yvan Rodic, a 32-year old Swiss who established himself as one of the best-known street style photographers in the world. He is at the forefront of the current fashion revolution as he travels the globe, snapping the most stylish looks in the streets and discovering fashionable individualists in over 30 countries. Rodic, who is part Scandinavian minimalist, part British dandy, began his career in an advertising agency before founding one of the most innovative fashion blogs on the internet. "I didn’t have any background in photography or fashion,” the photographer said to New York Magazine. “I just moved to Paris and started making friends in fashion, and I thought it would be interesting to share what I see”.

A few months later, GQ Magazine drew attention on the European guy and asked if he was interested in covering New York's Fashion Week. And of course he was. Collecting hundreds of photos, he then initiated his blog facehunter.blogspot.com which generates more than a million hits a month by now and largely influences the fashion scene: Until recently, fashion trends were created by designers, celebrity models and fashion editors from the top down. Now they trickle up from the street to the runway, sometimes bypassing the fashion industry entirely.