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Love Lida

What I’m wearing (look 1):

• Suit by The Wrights (last seen Apr. 18’10)
• Necklace by Swarovski
• Heels by Pierre Hardy
• Tank top from H&M

(look 2)

• Chiffon blouse by Prada
• Pencil skirt by Alberta Ferretti
• Silk camisole by Marciano
• Clutch by Steven
• Heels by Pierre Hardy

What I’m wearing:

What I’m wearing:

• Silk blouse by Vince (last seen in Dec. 4’09)
• Silk skirt by Pencey
• Shoes by Pierre Hardy
• Men’s watch (last seen in Sep. 23’10)
• Gold bracelet
• Vintage belt by Gucci (last seen in May 23’10)

For my Russian Readers:

В субботу я решила отдохнуть от учебы и пройтись по магазинам для приобретения всякой мелочи. Это был самый измученный угрызением совести шоппинг в моей жизни. Все, о чем я могла  думать-это об учебе. Пожалуй, посещение магазинов прийдётся отложить  до зимних каникул…вот вам пример самодисциплины .

* Look at this pancake breakfast my mom made me on my first day back – talk about a sweet welcome home! Actually it was more of a collaboration because my dad made the latte. Making gourmet coffee drinks is yet another one of my dad’s hobbies (or obsessions) and he is definitely reaching the stage of perfection with this one. He gets so into roasting beans and brewing that he looks like a mad scientist with a coffee grinder. (Lol) It’s like a coffee shop at my parents’ house.

Tell us a little about yourself, your blog and where you’re from…

I was born in Moldova and moved to Canada with my family when I was 12. I’ve always loved to dress up, take pictures, and talk about fashion, so creating a blog like Fashionista Talk seemed like a natural development.

What are you studying and hope to get into later in life?

In September, I’m starting Law School in California where I hope to practice it in the future.

When did you first realize your flair for fashion?

I think that moment of realization came to me sometime in my early childhood. Growing up in Moldova, in the years of perestroika, there was a significant shortage of options in clothing (or pretty much anything for that matter). And I think that for some, these limitations sort of imposed a heightened sense of creativity because if you had a vision for an outfit you had to make it yourself. This is one of the areas in which I watched my mom and aunt really apply themselves. When everyone was wearing minis, because that’s what was available, they were in gypsy maxis. I watched them and I waited…for my turn.

How would you describe your personal fashion sense and how has it changed over the years, if at all?

I love to experiment and play, but on the whole I tend to gravitate towards the feminine. My fashion sense experienced most instability in my high-school years. I went from sexy, to preppy, to somewhere in between. By the time I hit University (or it hit me) my current style was probably in the last stages of manifestation. And by the time I graduated, I began to gain appreciation for high-fashion, couture stuff.

Any specific style icons?

One of my biggest style icons is Evelina Khromchenko, who is the Editor-in-Chief of L’Officiel Russia. She is the strongest voice of Russian fashion right now, and let me tell you, that voice is “pretty.”

Where is the one place in the world that you would love to spend the rest of your days and why?

For me, that’s a pretty difficult question to answer because there are a lot more cities I’d like to see before I commit. Out of all the places I’ve visited so far, I can definitely see myself living in San Francisco or Manhattan. I just know that the city would have to be big, diverse, and dynamic.

What is the one thing in your closet you couldn’t live without?

I couldn’t live without my Inhabit cashmere cardigan. It’s by far one of the most useful items in my closet and we’ve been through a lot together.

What are your favorite designers and places to shop?

Some of my favorite designers are: Consuelo Castiglioni (MARNI), Stella McCartney, Alberta Ferretti, Pierre Hardy, Giambattista Valli, Lanvin, Miu Miu, and Guillaume Hinfray. I shop anywhere that makes affording these brands possible to a student.

How do you decide when to splurge and when to save on certain items?

Considering that I hardly ever truly ‘need’ a piece of clothing or accessory, I go by the value principle. I almost never pay full price for anything, but if I come across a vintage Prada dress that fits me well and is somewhat reasonably priced, I’ll splurge.

What advice would you give to someone looking to define their style?

Experiment and stay conscious of how your choices make you feel. When you begin to feel comfortable with your own style, you will exude a certain confidence that will intensify its effect on others. The way you carry yourself frames people’s perception of your outfit, so wear what makes you feel good and with time your style will define itself.

Next item you MUST purchase.

A pair of those black nerdy frames for my next prescription glasses. I plan to hit law school in style.

In your opinion, what makes the world go round?

I left this answer for last because it’s a serious toughie. To answer “money” would be too pessimistic and “love” too naive. So I’ll go with the sun’s gravitational pull.

You’re stuck in an elevator with your favorite Beatle, who is it and what do you ask him?

Paul McCartney.

Realistically speaking I’d probably be too shy or nervous, or both, to ask anything of substance.

On a serious side note, tell us, whose style have you been eyeing on Weardrobe lately and why?

I really like Rachel’s looks (Studio Swag). She always looks so well put together and her pictures are interesting and dynamic.

When I was growing up in Moldova, we had very few choices when it came to clothes and fashion. Most people had so few clothes that I could remember them by their token garments. For example, there were some girls in my class who would literally wear the same skirt or dress everyday, so seeing that floral burgundy dress in motion from a distance meant that Mila was coming. This might sound crazy but it was just the norm. Anyway, despite obvious shortages in the clothing department, people had pretty strong opinions about how clothes should be paired and what colour combinations are no-nos. When I was a kid, this list seemed so extensive that the idea of combining colour became almost scary. But a few things were clear though: red/black, blue/white, pink/pink where considered untouchable so that’s mostly what you saw. How contrived is that?

Needless to say, there are no limits whatsoever when it comes to colour. If you think the tones work together, then pair them. Enjoy that postmodernist fruit – it’s sweet and juicy.

What I’m wearing:

• Silk dress by “Stella McCartney”
• 2 barbed wire, large bangle by “Luc Kieffer”
• Mirror long necklace by “Marc by Marc Jacobs” (last seen in Mar. 29’10)
• Satin heels by “Pierre Hardy”

I wore this outfit for a sushi-lunch (on Queen St.) with a friend that I hadn’t seen in years.

p.s. Thank you for the sweet emails. Your support means a lot to me.

What I’m wearing;

• Jeans by “Denim Birds” (as seen in Jan. 1′10, Nov. 10, Dec. 11, Dec. 24, Dec. 28′09, Feb. 15’10)
• Cashmere sweater by “Julie & Jack” (as seen in Jan. 13′10, Nov. 25′09, Feb. 15’10)
• Patent leather jacket by “Elie Tahari” (as seen in Gloves, Let it Rain (Rain Clothes))
• Patent leather boots by “Pierre Hardy” (as seen in Jan. 20’10)
• Bag by “Renato Angi Venezia” (as seen in Nov. 10, Nov. 21, Dec. 3,Dec. 4′09, Jan. 8′10, Feb. 22’10)
• Crystal heart long necklace by “Cristal de Sèvres” (as seen in Jan. 8′10, Jan. 16’10)
• Patent leather gloves by “Fownes”(as seen in Gloves)

Today’s look-of-the-day is of a tuxedo blazer paired with a large Giorgio Armani brooch. This blazer was the last addition to my little couture collection (purchased last Thursday while shopping with my mom). I wanted to soften some of its strictness by adding a funky jewellery piece to it. After considering a few necklace options, I decided to fold over the satin collar and pin the horn-shaped brooch over the folded part. I like that the brooch preserves a lot of the elegance of the blazer and it’s not overpowering or overly flashy. In retrospect, the look turned out a little more conservative than I planned even with the introduction of the gold accents (shoes and purse), but I think there is still something to it.

What I’m wearing:

• Little black dress by “Marciano” (as seen in Nov. 26’09)
• Brooch by “Georgio Armani” (as seen in Jan. 7’10)
• Tuxedo blazer by “Wayne Clark”
• Shoes by “Pierre Hardy” (as seen in Feb. 14′10, Feb. 20’10)
• Tights
• Purse by “Chloe” (as seen in Jan. 26′10, Feb. 14’10)

What I’m wearing:

• Jumpsuit by “Club Monaco”
• Sequin necklace by “MARNI”
• Shoes by “Pierre Hardy” (as seen in Feb. 14’10)
• Nude tights

I wanted to wear something special for my Valentine’s dinner at Au Pied de Cochon; preferably something I’ve never worn before. I first opted for a red Marc Jacobs dress, that has been hanging in my closet for half a year now without getting any lovin,’ but it requires double-sided tape and minor-alteration so I went with this Donna Karan skirt instead. It was so tight that I had to take the tiniest steps to move around. Fitted skirts that restrict your range of motion (such as this one) are exclusively dinner garments. I can imagine trying to dance in it… – a recipe for disaster.

Have an amazing Valentine’s Day everyone!

Love Lida

What I’m wearing:

• Skirt by “Donna Karan”
• Top by “Single”
• Shoes by “Pierre Hardy”
• Nude tights by “Expression”
• Crystal Nepal Ceylan Topaz ring by “Swarovski” (as seen in Jan. 3’10, Dec. 18′09, Dec. 13′09, Dec. 7′09,  Nov. 30′09, Sequin Dresses)
• Gold heart necklace
• Gold link bracelet (as seen in Jan. 25’10, Jan. 17’10, Jan. 5’10, Nov. 30’09)
• Purse by “Chloe” (as seen in Jan. 26’10)
• Cashmere cardigan by “Inhabit” (as seen in Nov. 25, Jan. 23’10)
• Fur coat by “AlixK” (as seen in Jan. 22′10, Jan. 30’10)

What I’m wearing:

• Silk dress by “Giorgio Armani”
• Opaque tights by “Holt Renfrew”
• Shoes by “Pierre Hardy” (as seen in Dec. 2’09, Nov. 25’09)
• Clutch by “Murval”
• Necklace by “Kenneth Jay Lane” (as seen in Royal-inspired Necklaces)
• Chunky crystal ring