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Yay, just what I've been waiting for! I am so anxious to see all the different clothes by the different designers for S/S 09 (S/S=Spring Summer) in my favorite city New York. I hope to see lots of Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn on the runways (and Tanya D). Hopefully this time there will be more diversity on the catwalks and that it if it does happen that it won't be for just one season.

Shows I am looking forward to seeing:

• Dolce & Gabbana
• D&G
• DKNY
• Marc Jacobs
• Erin Fetherston
• Carolina Herrera
• Betsey Johnson
• 3.1 Phillip Lim
• BCBG Max Azria
• Diane Von Furstenberg
• Jill Stuart
• Michael Kors
• My lover, Ralph Lauren
• Vera Wang
• My secret boyfriend, Zac Posen

For more info click here

(source: http://i.realone.com/assets/rt/ap/fb44d862-fce9-4707-8c17-d297a8d311c4.jpg )

Só eles mesmo... Gosto muito também...

Sei que to mudando o foco, mas é que hoje to impossivel!!!

Espero que gostem Dolce & Gabbana Underwear Commercial

Beijos

Warum darf Lily Allen eigentlich dieses Kleid tragen? Das Dolce & Gabbana Kleid aus der aktuellen Herbst/Winter Saison mit einem Pelz-Aufdruck auf Chiffon. Das Kleid ist ein Traum, aber nicht an Keith Allens Tocher, die zwar schon als Backgroundsängerin bei Robbie Williams Album Rudebox mitwirkte, vor zwei Jahren ihre Debutsingle "Smile" veröffentlichte und seit Anfang des Jahres eine Talkshow moderiert, aber leider nicht classy ist. Dieses Key-Piece-Kleid hätte ich mir halt für eine außergewöhnliche Schönheit gewünscht. Für Charlize Theron, zum Beispiel.

Foto: Dolce & Gabbana (2. September, GQ-Awards London)

Undercover-Black wool coat

Rick Owens-Black down-filled Coat

Dolce & Gabbana-Single-Breasted Cashmere Coat

Ruffo-Belted leather Coat

Rick Owens-Long Leather Coat

Nude-Wool Duffle coat

Ann Demeulemeester-Double lapel Wool coat

Nude-Long hooded jacket

The models here are not wearing the coats very modest, but these warm, colorful coats that can be worn over wide legged jeans or skirts. Get the classic, but trendy look with a matching turkish silk scarf.

All these gorgeous scarves are from Hijab Planet (just so you know, they are having a Ramadan sale with 15% off everything).

Minus the visible hair, this is (almost) how you can try to work it. Liking it or leaving it????

This would be a foolish purchase for many reasons: not, as a surprising amount of people are saying, because it is silly to buy a high-priced t-shirt (all the money you spend will be returned to you in quality of make and of fabric) but because it is silly for Lulu to buy anything when she will very soon need to buy bundles and bundles of overpriced school books (which, she guesses, will not have the same redeeming qualities of couture t-shirts). Also, Lulu really shouldn't buy things off the internet; she has often received wrong-sized garments in the mail, and it's far too difficult to return things she has purchased on the web.

Ohhh, Lulu cried to dream again when she was snapped from her sleepwalking state back into the Land of Sensible Decisions. She really, really wants one of those t-shirts. Ah, well. Go admire them for a while and join Lulu in her sadness.

Lulu's scanner is flipping out; when it has regained its composure, she will upload a lovely illustration to decorate this post.

Dolce & Gabbana, McQueen, Ralph Lauren, Chanel and Vivienne Westwood are just some of the big names putting plaid back in the limelight, using it for everything from elegant tailored coats and jackets, to shift and maxi dresses, trousers and even tights.

For a neat way of acknowledging this trend in your Autumn wardrobe how about this cute little check skirt from the KM New Country collection, launched this week?

This woollen pleated skating skirt comes in brown or burgundy, and would look great teamed with a biker jacket and some killer boots.

Buy it online here

Una calle del Village neoyorquino. Un revuelo de cuerpos jóvenes y guapos conquistando el escaparate. Ricos orgullosos de ser ricos. ¡Gracias Dolce & Gabbana, por habernos liberado!

Gracias por dejarnos ser barrocos y llevar larguísimas melenas cayendo sobre nuestros hombros, lánguidas como esta tarde que no se acaba nunca... Hablaremos hasta la madrugada de lo mucho que nos gustamos, con indolencia y estilo, susurrando nuestros nombres también larguísimos al borde de una copa de champán.

Y ahora dime, ¿quién quiere ser una percha de Armani pudiendo ser rico y además decirlo?

W parku rozrywki "Magic planet" znadziecie kręgielnie, samochody obijane, basen, bilard i wiele innych rozrywek pasujące dla całej rodziny.

To co mi się najbardziej podoba w Mall of the Emirates to Ski Dubai. Ski Dubai to śnieżny park rozrywki w centrum handlowym. Można tam stać na nartach, na snowboardzie, albo się po prostu bawić w śniegu. 

W samym centrum handlowym mozna znaleść aż 400 sklepów, niektóre z nich są nam całkiem nieznane, takie jak Al Bait Al Bahraini i Hanayen Trading. Jest tam dużo znanych sklepów w których było się nie raz. Bershka, Camaieu, Diesel, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Esprit, H&M, Levi's, Marc Jacobs, Lacoste, Pull & Bear, River Island, Stradivarius, Vero Moda, Versace, YSL, Zara i wiele innych. 

Pozostaje tylko kupić sobie bilet lotniczny do Dubaiu i iść na wielkie zakupowe szaleństwo.

I want to help the girls that make the WRONG decisions when it comes to buying shoes. I have chosen some shoes that i love because of various reasons.

Safety Shoes

If you have the money problem, no need to buy the newest fashion shoes that kinda look like the once in the magazines and on tv but you found them in a cheap store where they make the shoes out of plastic and bad quality. The result of that is that they dont last long, they are not nice to wear, you will start avoiding them or keep on torturing yourself. There is another way to go though. Dont buy the newest fashion shoes, go classic. The model that will never be out of fashion. That way you can buy a fairly unexpensive shoe that is comfortable, solid, in fashion all-around-shoe that you can keep for a long time and wear in all occasions. But of course, one shoe doesn´t cover it all, this is just the one you have to have in your closet as a safety shoe.

These are two of my "Safety Shoes"

Shoes like these you can wear to jeans, short-to-knee skirts, shorts, the classic "Breakfast at Tiffanys dresses" pretty much everything and they can be very professional looking at work too, because they are discrete.

Dress to impress

Who doesnt love to party now! It is a lifestyle for many under 35 and over 16. The once under 15 with the home partys and kids throwing up in the sink is not the fun kind. It is the "WOHOHOHOO IM DRUNK!!" kind and where is the fun in that..? What i like to do before i party is to have pre drink, dress up in something i have never worn before, do my makeup and hair and sit down and choose shoes! This is the time to bring out the bling shoe, the one that catches the eye, makes your head pierce the clouds and knock over 5 models on your way to the VIP area. This is the time for the shoe that makes you the ruler of the clubs if you know how to use them.

The Dress to impress shoe

If your party shoe is a real attention stealer, dont use a too wooahooie dress because that can take it over the top. Either use an amazing dress and the safety shoe, or the dress to impress shoe and your hardcore charm and attitude. These shoes dont have to be as expensive if you want to save money because they are not made to last for years only one or two seasons and you are not suppose to wear them everytime either, try using different shoes every time. Even if people dont know that you wear different shoes it still makes you feel more confident if someone actually does notice, for example maybe your friends. They are not just for partys though, they can be worn at anytime but it isn't always easy if they are 4 inches high.

Party Shoes

I found some very eye catching shoes that are really "Dress to Impress"

Click for larger image

All of these shoes are great for a night out, but as i said before, they are usable for much more than that.

Solid   Classy   Expensive  Comfortable  Notisable - Every day shoes that last.

click for larger image

Shoes that you can wear all day long and not kill your feet in. The reason behind them being so comfortable is the thick sole that makes your feet kind of roll when you walk and you dont feel when there are small pebbles on the ground or other just an uneven sidewalk.

The absolute favorite all around shoe! 

Have these shoes or die trying

Is Rolex the king of the watch industry, like many people (want to) believe? Or, did Rolex crown itself as the king of the watch industry, and therefore have a crown as their logo?

Like many people, I always wondered what watch brand was the absolute number 1. But who and what defines the number one? As a small child, I always believed the one that produced the largest quantity of watches, is the number one. Since I was infected with the Swatch virus, that started in 1983 (I was four and had a Swatch on my wrist - I couldn't even read time), I believed Swatch was the number one. As I grew older, Swatch grew to be a huge international hype. When I grew even older and started to understand the value of money and recognize the diversity of the many brands, I believed Rolex was the number one. Not only because it seemed everybody who spoke about watches, spoke about Rolex; but also because it seemed the ultimate watch brand for many.

When I started high school and started to work in the family business during holidays, I learned there were so many more brands out there. Many of them weren't even sold in The Netherlands and I started to fall in love with Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Philippe and Audermars Piguet. Now that I am working in this industry for more than 10 years, I have the greatest respect and appreciation for the geniuses that are still alive and create amazing, innovative movements (like: FP Journe, Richard Mille, Grubel & Forsey, Renaud & Papi, etc). But also people, like Kurt Klaus, who work for the major brands (I had the honour to have met him on many different occasions and even drove him from one side of The Netherlands to the other - the poor guy, I drilled him for the complete two hours).

At the end of this post I will share my opinion of whom I believe is the king, but first let's define some means to measure the greatness of a brand. First and foremost, people will always define quantity. But this is tricky, since some Japanese or Chinese manufacturers most probably produce more pieces annually than the complete Swiss watch industry. So, we need to narrow this down. The second definition that pops into my mind is exclusiveness and that is immediately linked to luxury. And, to measure exclusivity one can use recommended retail prices and therefore crown the most profitable watch brand as the king of the watch industry?! But, what about values at auctions? Let's propose historic and/or market prices as a third definition.
As a fourth definition we could consider is independence as a parameter... We all know "money makes money" and with enough marketing budgets, one can 'buy' exclusiveness, market shares, brand awareness and raise auction priceses (Antiquorum Scandal and remember the Omegamania auction?!). So, independent brands should be considered more successful, if they excel in a market that is dominated by huge globalized public listed companies (Swatch Group, Richemont, LVMH and others). And, last but certainly not least, perception is a parameter I want to consider. For my bachelor thesis I did research about brand identity versus brand image of watch brands. This is a very interesting and timeless subject: The self-perception of almost anyone (persons and companies) is different if compared to how we are perceived (but then again, the truth is in the eye of the beholder ;) ).

If we look at these five parameter to define who is the king of the watch industry, we have to analyze each paramter:

1. Quantity
As discussed already, some single Asian brands produce annually more watches than the complete Swiss industry, so we need to narrow it down. In the trade we generalize and split the market in to three segments: Low-end (up to EUR 1.000), mid-range (between EUR 1.000 and EUR 3.000 - some say EUR 5.000) and high-end (a.k.a. Haute Horlogerie - from EUR 3.000 or EUR 5.000) and up. And in the high-end there are many sub-segmentations possible, but we will neglect those for now. In the low-end, Seiko is the king of quantities. In the mid-range, I find it very difficult to quantify, but I personally believe it is Tissot (please share if you have any statistics - I couldn't find any now). And, in the high end it is indisputably Rolex! Although Rolex does not publicize any figures, there are rough estimates that Rolex manufactures about 1 million watches a year. We can conclude this by the figures the COSC publicizes.

2. Exclusivity/Profitability
Many watch brand nowadays compete for the title to have created the most exclusive watches. Some say the most expensive watch is the most exclusive (I believe that today this is still the Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon). Others say that this is not only one of the most expensive watches, but also a watch that has been produced in a limited series... Of course, a piece unique should win this title... lately people say it is the replica of the Breguet Marie-Antoinette. But let's not forget the IWC Grand Complication Il destriero scafusia, Vacheron Constantin Tour de I'lle and Blancpain Le Brassus 1735 Grande Complication. Of course there are a few more that belong in this list. But measured overall, Patek Philippe is the brand that creates and manufactures the most exclusive watches in the market (you'll rarely find discounts on these watches - many models will be sold with a premium). Their aim was from the start to create the best watches in the market and even today they live by this promise. Linked to this, I dare to say it is the most profitable company, if measured by market price divided by quantity sold annually (no numbers know, so this is pure my personal hunch).

3. Timelessness/Market Values
Although recommended retail prices could indicate how exclusive a timepiece is, but wouldn't market prices be an even more important tool to classify the exclusiveness of watches? As discussed in the previous paragraph, there are only a few watches that actually sell above the asking price. The first watch that comes to mind is the Rolex Daytona in stainless steel for a watch that is still in production and on auctions almost all vintage Patek Philippe watches break records (In the top 10 of The Most Important Vintage Wristwatches (made before 1990), all 10 watches are by Patek Philippe!). Therefore I believe Patek Philippe is the undisputed king of timelessness and holding its value. Or even more important, proving to be a good investment: It will only go up in price. On top of that, nowadays, almost every new launched Patek Philippe watch sells for a higher price than the recommended list price! But ofcourse the also produces models that make many of us wonder what the designers where thinking while creating these pieces.

4. Market size: Independents vs. Groups
After the quartz-crisis in the 1970s, not many watch companies survived and most of them that survived joint forces. Nowadays, we can conclude that the luxury goods sector is dominated by corporations. And this also counts for the watch industry. Many international watch brands (mostly haute horlogerie brands) are now part of a large consolidated corporation selling watches, jewelry, leather goods, hunting weapons and writing instruments. Although Swatch Group is the only luxury corporation that focuses on the watch industry, it is by far not the largest group, measured in turn over. The top 10 of luxury good companies that manufacture watches is (in 2006 in billion USD):

1. LVMH (Zenith, TAG Heuer, Hublot, Dior, etc.) = 20,2
2. Richemont (Cartier, Mont Blanc, IWC, Panerai, etc.) = 6,3
3. PPR (Gucci, Bedat, Sowind, etc.) = 4,7
4. Chanel = 4,6
5. Swatch Group (Omega, Breguet, Blancpain, Longines, etc.) = 4,2
6. Valentino (Valentino, Hugo Boss, etc.) = 2,6
7. Hermes = 2
8. Giorgo Armani = 2
9. Dolce & Gabbana = 1,4
10. Bulgari = 1,3

Unfortunately all these groups do not publicize the individual figures of the subsidiaries and therefore we can't analyze and compare individual watch brands. On top of that the individual watch brands also do not publicize their turnovers and profit margins, so therefore we have no clue who is the 'largest' watch company by turnover. But if we have to guess what group is the largest, based on their turnover generated by pure watch sales, Richemont is definitely the largest! Although LVMH is more than three times larger, their watch sales most probably do not surpass those of Richemont! We have no clue how profitable Patek Philippe and Audermars Piguet exactly are, but everybody in the watch industry indisputably assumes that Rolex is the largest and most profitable individual watch brand/company. There is no manufacture that produces around 1 million quality watches annually with an average price of approx. USD 8.000! And then we do not even take Tudor in to account, but that is probably pocket change for Rolex S.A.?!

5. Perception
This is a difficult one! As written before, I have written my bachelor dissertation about Brand Identity versus Brand Image. They only way to quantify this is to do a large-scale poll. In this poll one should assess the identity of a brand and compare it with the perception of its consumers. So litteraly compare the image of the consumers with the identity a brand. Again I emphasize that this post is my personal opinion and I am heavily generalizing here. My purpose is to provoke responses, so please do share your opinion. If I have to guess, I believe that Rolex believes they are the king of the watch industry (therefore have a crown in their logo). On the other hand if you ask the majority of the population and ask them what the best watch brand is, probably 80% will say Rolex! Rolex ranks number 72 of the Top 100 Best Global Brands (Newsweek), so that is not very strange. The funny things is two years ago the Swatch Group publicly attacked Rolex (the subject of my next post), by claiming that in three years time Omega will be bigger than Rolex, measured in turn over. So, in 2006 Nick Hayek Jr. claimed that by 2009-2010 Omega will be bigger than Rolex (therefore admitting Rolex is the king) and aiming to be the king of the watch industry.

What about the 20% that doesn't believe that Rolex is the king... Many people who have decided to by a good watch, go out there without analyzing the large selection of watches available and buy a Rolex. They buy a Rolex, because they believe they bought 'THE' best watch out there. But, often they are disgusted by the fact that 'everyone' has a Rolex (or Lolex - or any other look-a-like). If their passion for mechanical movements grow, they are obliged to look into other brands. If you want a chronograph (and have a Daytona or can't get one) you are obliged to look at other brands. If you want a watch that is even more complicated, you definitely have to look elsewhere. So, for lovers of mechanical movements and complications, I believe Patek Philippe is the undisputed king, and I simply base this notion on the fact of the auction results! But even the true WatchFreaks often love Rolex watches too! Rolex has made and still makes iconic/minimalistic/qualitative movements and watches! Personally I have loved Rolex, then the love passed, it come back again and now turned into a love-hate relationship.... Yes, I know: Love is complicated ;) Maybe a nice topic for another post! 

Personally I believe that the King of the watch industry is a watch brand that finds a balance between heritage, innovation, quality and timelessness (read: is of will be a legend). Personally, I believe Patek Philippe is the king of the industry, because:

- Like many other watch brands, has an amazing heritage. It is still a family company (but not the Patek or Philippe family - but still independent).

- It is one of the most innovative watch manufacturers out there. I believe Patek was the first one to create silicium spare parts in their movement. But to be honest, Audemars Piguet and Ulysee Nardin are as innovative. But it underlines again that the independents invest more in the long term, versus the short term profit strategy of many groups.

- I believe innovation and quality go hand in hand, but when Patek Philippe was founded their aim was to produce the best movements and watches out there. This is proven by the results on auctions. Today they also produce one of the best watch movements and watches, this is underlined by the huge waiting lists for models and the premiums people are willing to pay for the new watches!

- In the battle of who produces the largest watches, Patek still sticks to the 'old-fashioned' small and thin movements. I believe that is very daring, but then again, that shows vision and faith in their own identity and strategy!

- Last, but not least: Exclusivity/Distribution. Even though Rolex doesn't really have many retailers compared to other brands, Patek is truly exclusive. It only has a handful retailers and they only work with the best retailers in every city/country! No concessions to quality and service! 

The funny thing is, I believe that Patek is the King of the watch industry, I still do not have the urge to run out and get one particular Patek at this very moment. I do love the 5960p, but still I love my Portuguese Chrono more (sorry!). And I always loved the Nautilus (am a huge fan of Gerald Genta - AP Royal Oak is my favourite), but even though the new 5711/1 grew to a good size of a 43mm, I find the watch thin (case and bracelet)! But what an amazing movement and what a finish on every single detail! 

Yes, when I am a bit older and have a lot more grey hair, I definitely want a Perpetual Calendar in white gold (5140G). But still, 37mm is very small. My wrist is not to big and therefore I don't wear watches over 44mm, where 42mm is ideal for me. 39mm is really the minimum for me, but just for the love for the brand and this model it is a dream to wear the 5140! But first I want the IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar (IW502218).

I am very curious who you believe is the king of the watch industry!

A mechanical greeting,

Alon

P.S. Rolex was founded in 1905 and the Crown-logo was registered in 1925.

So I was putzing around a duty-free shop in the Beijing airport and I serendipitously discovered this fantastic perfume: Un Jardin Sur Le Nil by Hermes. It might just be my new signature scent (a position previously occupied by Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue). According to Amazon.com, Hermes launched the scent in 2005, and it possesses "a blend of lotus, green mango, grapefruit, calamus, sycamore, and incense". I find it intoxicating. Not too strong, lots of complexity, and very sophisticated.

That being said.

I really, really, really, really want this purse masterpiece.

P.S. Bonus: 4 quarters of Italian has certainly paid off, as I can actually understand what the D&G website says!