UPDATE: Halloween photo diary

If Katie Weissel is dead, she won't be needing that jacket. 'Cuz I kinda do.

Trick or Cheating: Henry Holland

I haven’t celebrated Halloween for a few years. Before, it would be one of my favourite festivities – dressing up, frightening people, playing games. Mostly dressing up. Yeah.

This year around I got to celebrate Halloween twice (I guess to make up for the years I’ve underperformed). The first party was the celebrity-packed Virgin Media’s TiVO Trick or Cheat event where I came as myself, only dead. It was a brilliant quiz night – needless to say that the table I was at won. We knew our serial killers from psychos really well. The highlight of the event? Dancing like crazy to TLC’s – No Scrubs.

While Trick or Cheating I wore a lace face mask, All Saints Skull tee, Helmut Lang maxi cut-out skirt (you might recognise it from Grunging) , Christian Dior beige jacket, Jasper Conran clutch (you might know it from Sequins and 1902) and tons of silver jewellery which is a mix of my own investments, stolen heirlooms and presents from the boyf.

Me as the Black Swan. It's ok, my mother didn't recognise me either.

There was yet another party and this one I was co-hosting at my friend’s house. It was absolutely amazing – I came as the Black Swan and was joined by Kim Kardashian, the sexy secretary, the crazy surgeon, the red riding hood, a couple of cute cats, the hot devil and an amazing spin on the serial killer costume – the CEREAL killer – get it, get it?

I wore too much make up, and a feather tutu and corset from a treasure chest called eBay, a lovely seller named Buffies, a Swarovski necklace, white tights and nude Schuh pumps.

Whoever said Halloween was once a year obviously did not look at my schedule.

The Black Swan Halloween outfit was featured on the Guardian!

Edita as the Black Swan on the Guardian

Richmond

Being fanatical about Richmond, I did not waste an opportunity to show off the area to my visiting friend. Although October is slowly running towards the end, the weather was uncharacteristically warm – eating outside in sunglasses warm. Speaking of food, I could not let Blondie leave without nom nom noming on a true British meal – fish and chips. Duh.

I wore a pale yellow top by Ralph Lauren, vintage oversized blazer by Armani, jeans by Twenty8Twelve, ASOS sandals (which you might remember from the 70s), leather bag (brandless in fact – got it from a leather craftsman back in Lithuania), Gucci sunglasses, silver and turquoise jewellery that the boyf got me from Alexandria.

This was a day before we randomly bumped into Patti Dahlstrom on our way to Tower Bridge.

Alas, it seems as my favourite Blondie leaves the country, so it does the sunshine this cold Tuesday morning, and I already miss both.

Grunging like it’s still the 90s

A friend of mine, who was actually born in London told me quite a few times that I must have been around the city, in more places than she has. This is probably true. I have been a guide to an array of friends, my mother even.

This time I was showing off the city to a person I refer to as my favourite Blondie. Looking fresh as ever (with minimum make up I might add), she has been having fun taking pictures of London and well, me, the outfit of whose lacked only one accessory – Nirvana blasting in my ears. Rocking grunge like it was the 90s I was.

I was wearing: Twenty8Twelve oversized jumper, Helmut Lang asymmetric maxi cut-out skirt, Zara leather jacket, DKNY biker boots, Frank Usher studded bag and gold jewellery that has been passed on as heirlooms in our family.

Regarding the last image, yes, I am aware that I should be a character in a manga comic book.

Fetish fresh

Listening to some atmospheric movie soundtracks this morning on my way to work led me to google some of my favourite directors and I was delighted by what I found.

I have already voiced my love for David Lynch. I mean, I can watch his movies over and over again and discover something new every time. The man inspired me to look for that perfect blue velvet dress.

Of course only good things would come out as a result of a collaboration made in heaven: Lynch and Louboutin. It’s even in the alliteration.

The Ls teamed up for a photoshoot which was displayed a few years ago during the Fetish exhibition at Design Art London.

Louboutin said at the time:

“The models wore these unwearable shoes with natural grace. Their very white skin, very dark eyes and bright mouths melded with Lynch’s aesthetics. As is his habit, David Lynch made it into a décor populated with shadows.”

Perhaps the shoot is something Helmut Newton would have appreciated too.

I personally am not sure why, but seeing red curtains in Lynch’s movies or indeed photographs somehow sucks me straight into the frames, as if I too am one of the mysterious characters.

I am not crazy, but I’d love to try any of these on. Just try though. Or dare I say – own?

All eyes on Bhutan

The fresh Queen of Bhutan, Ashi Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, looks amazing in traditional attire.

And lest we forget, traditional clothing is not very forgiving to many people.

However, simply by looking at the wife of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, I want to jump into some national Bhutanese kiras, wonjus and toegos.

As a quick reminder, Armani took inspiration from the Far East his for his Autumn-Winter 2011-2012 couture collection.

I believe I am not alone when I say that when it comes to national outfits this part of the world is truly magical: think Japan or China.

I am also convinced that Bhutan too will not go off the fashion radar any time soon.

(Images: Go Runway and ?)

Stick lips

Here’s a riddle for you. I came to work the other day looking very office-appropriate, so to speak.

That very same evening I had to attend an evening event.

No, I did not bring an extra outfit with me.

I changed one thing and one thing only and it transformed my look from day to evening.

Yes, I put some lipstick on. In my case it was a deep shade of purple. Genius, I know.

In fact, we all have to collectively thank Ancient Mesopotamian women who were pioneering lipstick use. What they did back then was crush semi precious stones (think tourmaline or lapis lazuli) into powder and applied that to their lips.

In all honesty, I might rock yellow lipstick at some point in my life, just to say that I’ve done it. However I am not so sure about Mary Katrantzou’s shade of blue. Won’t I have that anyway… when I am dead?

Just an interesting fact – here’s a short list of how do you say lipstick in various languages. Thanks, Wiki!

Arabic – أحمر الشفاه
Bulgarian – червило – Chervilo
Catalan – Pintallavis
Chinese – 口红 – Kǒuhóng (lit. red mouth)
Croatian – Ruž
Czech – Rtěnka
Danish – Læbestift
Dutch – Lippenstift
European Portuguese – Batom
Finnish – Huulipuna
French – Rouge à lèvres
German – Lippenstift
Greek – Κραγιόν – Kragión
Hebrew – שפתון
Hungarian – Ajakrúzs
Icelandic – Varalitur
Indonesian – Lipstik
Italian – Rossetto
Japanese – 口紅 – Kuchibeni (lit. red mouth), リップスティック – Rippusutikku
Korean – 입술 연지 – Ibsul yeonji (lit. rouge lips), 립스틱 – Libseutig
Latin Spanish – Pintalabios, Lápiz de labios
Norwegian – Leppestift
Polish – Szminka
Portuguese – Batom
Russian – Губная помада – ( read as Gubnaya pomada)
Swedish – Läppstift
Spanish – Lápiz labial
Thai – ชาดแต้มปาก – Chād tæm pāk, ลิปสติก
Turkish – Ruj
Vietnamese – Cây son

I’ll just add that in Lithuanian it’s lūpų dažai. Now you don’t have an excuse to NOT wear it when abroad.

Tuesday’s Inspiration: Marlene Dietrich

Ah, Marlene. I have been a big fan of this woman, I have even written her short bio for an online glossy.

Marlene’s films have always been a source of style inspiration for me. She would wear the most outrageous of outfits or indeed the most wearable down-to-earth clothes which can easily be worn today, and they are.

The Dietrich trousers, for instance, are like white and navy stripes – always in fashion and can be worn no matter how old you are. I remember wearing this wide-fitting pant style when I was ten even and I wouldn’t need to think twice to wear them today.

Those who want some fashion inspiration should watch Marlene in The Devil is a Woman (1935). The outfits she wears as Concha Perez are definitely bonkers for her era. In fact, the clothes that she sported in most of her movies make Lady Gaga look like Lady BlahBlah.

Can I choose a single favourite film by Marlene? No. Why would I settle for a starter if I can have a whole three course meal?

But if I had to choose a single must see, I’d say Morocco (1930) in all its glory.

Here’s a cocktail of her style, should be served cool, shaken not stirred.

Last time pret-a-reporter was inspired by Evelina Khromchenko.

(Images:?)