Panties OUT!

The time period when Bridget Jones felt ridiculous because she was wearing some kind of huge panties in front of Hugh Grant is definitly over.

It actualy seems like it inspired lots of designers, and they brought that pantie in front of the stage (or the runway). I already mentioned it two years ago, when I had written about how panties became real part of the outfits. But it was especially concerning Lady Gaga, and that lady wears so many crazy things, I don’t even know where the fashion statements are anymore.

When we look back in time though, we can learn that the panties (either male or female) have been worn under and OVER the clothes. Maybe it explains it? Maybe we always wanted to expose our panties?

I can recall Britney Spears, in her clip “I’m a slave 4 U” wearing what looked like a pantie over her jeans! Oooh Britney, such a fashion pioneer.

Today, designers made these panties a real part of the outfit. Is is just the shorts that became shorter or the panties bigger?

I first spotted of few intriguing panties during the press days last november

These are not all panties, but you know, it got the Bridget Jones spirit.

A month later, when I paid a little more attention to the runways of Spring/Summer 2013, there they were again! Proundly walking down the runways, the panties were (most of the time) a part of the outfit itself.

Cacharel – DKNY – Isabel Marant

Dsquared2 – Matthew Williamson – Veronique Leroy

Right now, I guess your question is: is it really possible to wear it in real life? And my answer we be simply: YES.

I made a first try, in 2011, more party inspired (thank you Lady Gaga)

Since it’s clearly presented on the runways as something to wear during the day, I made my own version of it

Don’t take my picture, I’m just randomly goint to work, ya know?

Wearing: ESSENTIEL tee – MARNIxH&M bathing suit – necklace from Thailand – JEROME DREYFUSS bag – ZARA blazer – ESSENTIEL sandals – RAYBAN sunglasses

So, how awesome is it? Should I hit the streets of Brussels with this new trend as soon as the weather allows me to? And how about you?

If you are so very ready but want to wear a sexier pantie than Bridget Jones did, here is a fun selection (bathing suits/bikinis work too of course)

Asos 16£ – Asos 28£ – Asos 11£ – Asos 16£

H&M – Topshop 26€ – Topshop 16€

CIAO!

 

Golden Globe Awards 2013 – Red Carpet

So this is a usual, and honestly, I never get tired of it.

So here we go, with the best and the worst of this year’s Golden Globe red carpet

The WORST

Halle Berry in Atelier Versace
Halle, why on hearth would you choose that dress? The design is pretty good, but please, what is that fabric! Kind of hideous if you ask me. And what the hell are you trying to do with your leg? Going all Angelina style or what?

Helena Bonham Carter in Dolce&Gabbana
Dear Helena, the Harry Potter movies are over for a while now. Since then, you do not have to dress like Bellatrix Lestrange anymore. Thank you

Jessica Chastain in Calvin Klein
First of all, this hairdo looks like there is some real hair problem on the top of her head. Or am I the only who sees it? And the front is this dress is everything but flattering her figure. BIG no

Jo Andres
« HELP! LOOKS LIKE SOME CRAZY FAN JUMP ON THE RED CARPET. SHE LOOKS EXTREMELY WIERD, WEARING SOME KIND OF NIGHTGOWN WITH A NAPKIN ON TOP OF IT. OVER »

Jodie Foster in Giorgio Armani
Jodie Foster, I honestly really like you and admire your talent. But for heaven’s sake, hire a new stylist. You look like a mermaid that got lost and found her way on the red carpet.

Tina Fey in L’Wren Scott
That dress. EW. Vomit.

Lena Dunham in Zac Posen
Lena, why, WHY! You do not have the best figure, you know it, and you’re pretty funny about it in Girls. But you can DEFINITLY do better than this!

The BEST

Hayden Panettiere in Roberto Cavalli
Hayden don’t get me wrong, your dress is beautiful. But why on earth do you look like a 45 years old women who used way too much bottox!?

Eva Longoria in Emilio Pucci
Eva going all Angelina like, just like Halle Berry. Can’t decide if I do like her dress or not, but I do believe it belongs in the best ones.

Anne Hathaway in Chanel
Just flawless! And that hair cut looks just MAGNIFICENT on her. 15/10

Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum being her beautiful, usual self.

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murhad
For once, JLO doesn’t do too much, not too over the top. And it fits her, looking good guurrrl

Kristen Bell in Jenny Packham
Dear Kristen, you look lovely, don’t get me wrong. But are you pregnant? If you are, congratulations. If you’re not, go straight to your stylist and kill her, right now. But again, I DO love the dress

Lea Michele in Elie Saab
As usual, Lea looking really cute and beautiful

Marion Cotillard in Dior
Well, I believe that’s a first! Marion Cotillard in my best! And again, I disagree with the usual critics. I read people didn’t like her outfit, but I love it. She looks just perfect. Not over the top princess like she usually does. Chic and simple, yet stylish and fresh. Lovely hair do by the way

Michelle Dockery in Alexandre Vauthier
Pretty lady, I do not know who you are, but I do love your dress

Nicole Richie in Naeem Kahn
Cute

Rachel Weisz in Louis Vuitton
Plain beauty. Very chic, yet a little sexy. Very appropriate. I simply love it! The retro hairdo couldn’t have been a better match

Rosario Dawson
Simplicity is sometimes all we need. Rosario’s dress fits her like a glove, and even though it’s simple, I find her very sexy. Good job

Robert Pattinson
Probably because he was the best accessory to match any dress. And I do not understand why nobody thought of it! He then had to go all by himself. Poor little cutie. Come to mama

Happy 2013!

Dear followers, I want to wish you a wonderful New Year of 2013!

I know this is probably more Thanksgiving appropriate, but still I wanted to give a few thanks to some guys (and gals) out there.

2013 will mark the third year of « life » of Lulufashioncoach, and it could have never been so if:

• I didn’t have amazing readers such as you guys. Always present, from Belgium, but also all parts of the world, and I’m frankly really thankfull for that. I enjoy sharing with you and also knowing your feedback and your points of view trough the comments here on the blog, on the facebook page or on instagram.
• My fellow belgian bloggers, it is always so much fun to run into you, meet you for tea, lunch or dinner. Have fun with you at various events, Press Days, drinks, and all the other fun things we’re brought to do.
• The PRESS ANGENCIES, and of course all the PR agent. You guys make such great work, make great opportunities for us, are always really nice and in such great moods when we know how stressfull your job can be. I find it always enjoyable to discuss with you, either it’s about fashion, or other stuff. Some of you guys are becoming more than « colleagues », close to friends, and that’s so much fun.
• The Brands, for the amazing gifts, opportunities, collaborations and super cool events.
• My friends, for accepting me running around like a mad lady when I have too much going on, taking my outfit pictures, for not being mad at me when I arrive late to a dinner party after an event, for sharing my articles when I don’t even ask them to, for being supportive no matter what. For being the best friends EVER
• My roommate for being the best roommate on this planet
• Fred, for helping me on all technical and geeky stuff about the blog. And for taking the most amazing outfit pictures of all times.
• To my dad, who allows me sometimes to skip work, take longer lunches so I’m able to make it to some events
• To my mom for being the best, and always supporting me (and for taking me to THAILAND!)

Thanks you all,

Love you!

Lulu

Ps: see ya tomorrow for a recaps of the looks of 2012. What better way to start the new year, right?

Books

Hello guys!

I’m really into books lately: cooking books, fashion related, or novels. I find it enjoyable to read, confortably sitted in your coach while it’s cold and snowy outside.

I’ll share with you what I have read and received lately, I hope you’ll enjoy. (It can also be great christmas gift ideas!)

Une vie de Pintade à Bruxelles

I have LOVED this book, that basically relates the life stories of girls living in Brussels. Where they shop, eat, dance, drink, meet guys, hang out with friends, put their kids to school, buy their houses, take care of themselves,… It’s written by Elisabeth Claus, a journalist at ELLE Belgique. She has a great point of view, as a french living in Brussels, and loving every single part of what this city has to offer. Her writing is great, and her sense of humour makes this book really awesome.

To enjoy this book I think you must love Brussels, or really looking into discovering more about your city (which I did, so many great little stories)

After each chapter (food, shopping or party related (and much more topics of course) there is a few pages with the city’s best adresses. Awesome, indeed!

New York, les Recettes Cultes

I absolutely LOVE this book! I got it a few weeks back, for my birthday, and I’m obsessed with it. Most of you know that I lived in the USA, and since then, I have missed US food more than EVER! I have lived on the East Coast (Hamden CT, and Washington DC), so I can definitly relate to NY recipes.

I haven’t had the time to try any of its recipe yet, but I’m definitly planing on doing so during the holiday vacations! Number 1 on the list?The pancackes of course! (little dedication to my favourite hostmom on the planet, Maureen! I miss you guys) And number two my garden omelette and hash browns! yum yum

As you can see, the pictures are SO GREAT, and they make you hungry as soon as you open the book!

Mon Cours de Cuisine: les Basiques d’Asie

As you probably figured out, I LOVE asian food! And this book is soo perfect when it comes to learn how to make a recipe. It tells you how to do it, from scratch to finish, how to proceed with every step in pictures.

I find it very easy to use, and it’s a very different way to make a cooking book. It’s very clear, and sometimes, very usefull.

Les Plus Grands Créateurs de Mode

I love how this book gives the entire story of a designer, who inspired him, and how was inspired by him. You’ll find in it the biggest designers that made fashion. It’s presented as a timeline. 

You learn a lot about the designers. I was just a little disappointed not to find DVF (that I love so much!)

So this was my selection, but I also wanted to share with you the selection that Axelle, from Styleplayground, made, which I found pretty interesting.

It’s part of her Christmas countdown videos, which are, for most of them very fun to watch (since I’ve been sick for two days, I’ve tried to get busy as much as I can haha)

And, as for my book wishlist, I had two books. Sadly, for whatever reason, I just can’t remember one of them (even though I had it in mind for SO long, and I just forgot all at once, and can’t seem to remember it. SO anoying!) The second one is Fifthy shades of grey.

How about you, any great book to recommend? I’ll need ideas, I’m leaving for Thailand in a few weeks!

xx

Not just a Purse…

Saturday, me and me loved one were finally reunited. Yes, I am talking about a purse. But not just any purse. THE purse. The one that matches me, my everyday life, easy to wear with any kind of outfit, can follow me in any adventure, is pretty, is edgy, is different and original and unique,… I mean, it’s perfect.

I had almost figured out all of its qualities even before buying it and bringing it back home.

Then I realised it had even more of them than the ones I knew about…

He’s really good at becoming a new piece of fourniture/decoration

Clearly big enough to be a shopping bag

Or even a pillow case… a rough pillow case, but a pillow case anyway! You did not expect that one did you? Well I know, this purse likes the unexpected

Or it can simply be… my super duper multi talking purse!

Jerome Dreyfuss purse found at No Concept

Big big thanks again to all of my friends AND my grandma AND my great grandma for making this love story happen

ESPRIT

To be completely honest, I never liked the brand.

It was too blend, too conventional, too basic for me. It was boring, or at least it was for me, the girl who always hated to look like everyone else.

Then, one day, I got distracted by an add, by Gisele Bundchen and by what looked like to be very good looking clothes… Am I reading this right? Is it ESPRIT?

I was in AWE staring at these adds, especially this last one. It seemed that Esprit made a drastic change, and to celebrate that took the most beautiful model on earth, which definitly made their clothes stand out even more. And it worked! I stepped in one of their store for the second time of my life (I had done it once, many years before and that’s it!). I was sooo curious and excited to see the clothes.

They continued to do an amazing job this summer, but I have to say, their strong point is the winter collection.

In doubt? Take a look at what they got for us this fall/winter

I adooore a suit for a woman! And the styling is great, it looks amazing paired with a denim shirt

Velvet, strong point of this winter. Also great accessories, look at that bag!

Super cute jumper, and I WANT that coat (even though I do feel you have to be super duper tall to wear it!)

This little blazer is, I think, my number one favorite piece of the entire collection. And this is probably my favorite look. Those little botties look pretty awesome

Not my style so much, but I love the jacket with the two different fabrics, I think it looks pretty cool.

Oh, and if you were wondering, NOP the collection does not ONLY fit super skinny, super tall girls like Gisele, it also looks great on you, and me. Take a look on what Dorothydancing tried on, it looks amazing!

So, I think I’m now convince by the brand, how about you?

Luc.Duchêne: Clap de fin

A few days ago, Monday September 10th to be precise, the news blew out from everywhere (my mailbox, facebook, the media, the bloggers,…): Luc.Duchêne is over.

It came as a really sad news, and let’s face it, it is. It feels really sad to see someone who made such a big impact in the world of Belgian’s fashion, having to stop. I mean, has it ever happen to you to feel so proud when you hear about someone actually MAKING IT out of our little country? Or hear about someone while you’re abroad and realize that person is from little Belgium, and you want to scream it so everybody knows? I mean, let me tell you, I feel that way.

And I felt that way when, only two months ago, back when I was in NYC, randomly walking the streets of big apple, checking out the pretty stores on Madison Ave, I walked into Intermix and saw that

Let me tell you, I was very close to dance around like a mad lady, holding those pants and screaming it was from my country – little Belgium. Then I decided not to, but instead, I took a picture.

Then, when you think about it, if Luc Duchêne couldn’t make it in this economy, can I? I’m far from wanting to start my own brand but anyway, that kind of questions crosses through my mind. (Still, when you look at his daughter, Emilie, rocking it with her brand Théa, you have hope again)

Now, this is the part where I’m going to be really honest: I never understood the brand Luc.Duchêne. I never found the clothes to be neither pretty or original, it looked pretty bland to my eyes. TO MY EYES, you know I need some weirdness to the clothes I see/want/wear. BUT, I have to admit that their leather pants were perfect, really perfect. And the accessory selection was amazing (the SHOES!)

The « problem » I had with the brand was that it wasn’t recognizable. Their dresses could have come from pretty much anywhere… which brings me to my final point. That’s where we see the difference with Luc Duchêne’s previous brand: Chine Collection.

There is probably a thousand good reasons in this great business man’s head, and it was, I am sure, a long time decision to make and to think about, but I do not understand why on earth they stopped Chine. Maybe Chine wasn’t working so well anymore, I sincerely have no idea (and I’m no one to judge as well, just giving my point of view).

I do feel like Chine had their very faithful customers, and the brand was very different from anything else we can see in any other brands. It was sooo beautiful, very feminine, very delicate, and made of beautiful materials. My mom is part of those faithful customers, and she brought me with her a few times when I was little, and I can remember how I felt being in that Chine store. It felt magical.

And even today, my Mom is still a big fan and goes to second hand shops to find Chine items (Lady Dandy usually has tons of them).

So of course, I am questioning why that brand that felt so magical, so different (I’ve NEVER seen any other brand quite like it), had to stop and changed for something that looked so commonplace?

If it was still Chine Collection, would it still be running? Just wondering…

Luc Duchêne’s letter:

Bruxelles, le 10 septembre 2012

Alors que prend place dans les vitrines la collection probablement la plus aboutie de la griffe que j’ai créée il y a deux ans; alors que Kate Moss s’affiche en couverture duElle, sublime en Luc.Duchene, j’ai aujourd’hui eu à prendre une décision des plus difficiles : à savoir annoncer officiellement l’arrêt de la marque Luc.Duchene.

Les résultats obtenus et les perspectives dans un marché en crise et en profonde métamorphose ne suffisent plus à assurer la pérennité de la marque.

Ceci n’est pas une faillite, mais une ‘mise en liquidation d’une des branches d’activité du groupe’. Ce qui signifie que nous ferons face à toutes nos obligations légales;  d’abord et avant tout vis-à-vis du personnel concerné, mais aussi vis à vis de tous nos partenaires et fournisseurs.

Très concrètement : dans le courant du mois d’octobre, les boutiques Luc.Duchene, conformément à la loi, afficheront une liquidation totale et les collections seront écoulées.

 Pour moi, c’est un échec, bien sûr, parce que faire vivre une nouvelle marque de luxe en Belgique est un défi que j’ai voulu relever, sans pouvoir y parvenir. Lancer une marque en 2009, en plein marasme économique, était-ce une folie ? Un caprice de l’égo ? Peut-être, mais fort des success story qui ont jalonné mon parcours, j’ai voulu aussi réaliser ce rêve-là.

J’ai envie de croire que dans un autre contexte économique et avec un peu plus de temps, nous aurions pu faire de cette griffe une magnifique marque de luxe belge.

Mais force est de constater que travailler avec les plus belles matières, vouloir une coupe impeccable, privilégier les petits ateliers de confection en Europe, cela engendre des coûts qui doivent se répercuter dans le prix de vente des vêtements… Luc.Duchene était aussi une marque dessinée pour l’export, or les marchés internationaux aujourd’hui restent frileux devant les nouvelles marques. Le luxe rassure quand il est certifié, installé, reconnu et seules les griffes les plus exposées sont plébiscitées. J’ai sincèrement pensé qu’associer mon expérience, ma vision de la mode au talent de Tim van Steenbergen constituait une garantie.

 J’avais aujourd’hui le choix entre sacrifier du temps et de l’énergie à faire émerger coûte que coûte une nouvelle griffe dans un paysage dévasté ; ou rester un chef d’entreprise réaliste en concentrant mon ambition sur une marque qui, elle, est solidement ancrée dans le paysage de la mode belge et d’en assurer la longévité.

 Car il s’agit bien de cela : Mer du Nord est une marque forte, elle présentera bientôt sa 50^e collection. Je suis conscient des défis que les marques comme celle-ci doivent relever.

La fast-fashion ne nous fera pas renoncer à nos valeurs fondamentales, mais elle nous oblige à nous adapter aux changements de comportement des acheteurs et à nous démarquer, à leur offrir toujours davantage. C’est un challenge passionnant et, pour moi, cette cinquantième collection sera assurément plus forte, plus belle, …

 Je ne veux pas terminer sans avoir remercié du fond du cœur tous mes collaborateurs et tous ceux qui ont cru en nous.

Une page se tourne.

 

Luc Duchêne

 

Shopping the winter trends: the SHOES

Hello guys!

I thought about giving you advices on the trends for this winter, for a fresh new start after this summer. September is coming forward pretty quickly, and we want to be ready. This post will be slightly different from the others, because today I focused on Zara.

Indeed, this winter Zara did a really great job on adapting the trends seen on the runways (I have to admit that the spring/summer collection was already really impressive). This time, I believe Zara did a amazing job, especially on the shoes.

Let’s start with the inspired Chloé Susanna boots (that we’ve seen last season already)

The Chloé’s are worth 905€ on NET-A-PORTER and the ZARA at 119€

Let’s continue with the Givenchy inspired boots. It’s not exactly the same ones (I do like the fact that on the Givenchy’s the leather covers the shoes entirely), but they look a lot alike.

The Givenchy are on NET- A-PORTER at 1,395€ and the ZARA are at 119€

And now, let’s finish with the inspired Isabel Marant. Zara got inspired by two different models of boots from Isabel Marant. First of all, the ones that we’ve seen now for a few years, the Dicker suede boots. Easy to wear, very simple yet stylish, and copied by a lot of brands.

The original design

Being sold on NET-A-PORTER for 335€

And the ones from ZARA (TRF)

Being sold at 69.95€
The copy isn’t amazing, but the idea of the shoes is there, and I’m sure it will look just as cute.

Now, let’s get to the serious part of this article… the western boots.

Isabel Marant created these boots for this coming fall/winter. I have to admit I wasn’t seduced at all at first. Then, when thinking about it, and seen how it was styled on the runway, I kind of started thinking it was pretty cool. I mean, check this out

After seeing those looks, you CAN NOT ignore their amazing potential, right? And especially this model

And now you’re thinking « damn I would die for these beauties » – and I’m like « I know the feeling honey« 

The sad part is that I would probably have to sell more than a kidney to be able to afford these. Then the miracle Zara happend

I know, they’re not as pretty, but they’re pretty hot, don’t you think? I mean, for 119€…

You like the western spirit, but not the bling bling? Don’t worry, Zara hasn’t forget you!

Pretty damn cool right? And these only cost 89.95€!

If you’re still not convinced, I found the little western flats to be really cute

59.95€

So, what do you think of these trends? Ready to rock the cowboy/western boots?
LET’S GO DO SOME SQUARE DANCING!

xx

Confidence is not for sale

Having confidence in ourselves is an issue for more people than we think. And I do get that, growing up I had close to no confidence at all. I felt fat, I felt ugly or stupid. With years, most of those fears disappeared. Of course, I was still not 100% confident in myself. I always felt like I was different, in the ways I thought, acted or dressed (especially the way I dressed to be honest).

This screwed up with my mind a few times. Then one day, I realized. WHAT IF… What if my differences made me stronger? Made me stand out more? Made me fight for what I want even more? Which I did. Thanks to that, I have reached the goals I had in mind, which definitely helped with my self-confidence. Today, what I thought was some weaknesses, are some of the best things that made me the woman I am today. And the process of fighting, and be a stronger person is something I’m working on on an everyday basis.

I want to give a small example that automatically speaks to me because I definitely recognize myself in her. Leandra Medine, best known as the Man Repeller, created a blog to expose her way of dressing up, which are trends that usually repel men (her friends use to tell her that maybe, she couldn’t find a guy because of the way she was dressing up – gosh, how many times my friends told me that!). She took something that could have made her sad, unconfident, and made it to something big. Something huge.

I think most women should learn from that. Learn that they should accept what and who they are, and also accept their weaknesses. And make their weaknesses their strengths.

I took a sentence in the mail Vila sent me “The sensation you get when you’re wearing a look that feels like a natural extension of the style you want.” This spoke to me A LOT.

Even with what I just explained to you, I still have moments, just like everyone else, when I feel like shit. It can come from various reasons: not getting a job, the end of a relationship, failing a test,… When I feel that way, instead of crying/staying by myself feeling like shit, I dress up, either fancy, or crazy, something that I’ll feel EXTATIC about (especially with accessories… even if it’s wierd and unexpected), and either go walk around town, or go for drinks with my friends. The feeling won’t last for days, but at least for one night, I know I will feel great and confident.

Yes, I love crowns… a lot! You can call me Princess Lulu

I think Vila wants to give the same message for the women out there. When they asked me to talk about it, I was very excited to do so because I hope it could help a few girls out there. This is also part of the reason why I decided to become a fashion coach. The look in the eyes of a girl, looking at herself in the mirror, and see the new confidence with her new look, is something priceless.

Vila also made a short movie of models falling down runways, but they keep smiling. This is it guys, even when you fall, doesn’t matter how low, keep your head up high, and especially, keep fighting for what you want and who YOU are.

 

Life isn’t always a piece of cake…

Today is about personal stuff.

This blog is definitly not the place to do so, or at least I wouldn’t think so most of the time. But today it’s different.

My life is about to change a lot in the following weeks, and it’s not going to be easy. Having this blog has made me so happy and gratefull for the past months, and I know it will be one of the main thing to help me keep my head up. Sharing my passion, talk about it, and having your feedback and your support is priceless. There are no actual word to describe this connection or this relation with you, but it’s definitly there.

And it’s because of that, that I decided I would share this private part of my life.

For more than a year I have shared my life with one of the most wonderful person I have ever met. As from last week, this person isn’t a part of my life anymore, or at least not as it used to be. This means there is going to be so much change in my life, including moving to a new place, and create a new home for myself. Life will feel very different, but I guess change is good sometimes… and maybe for the best?

I will, and want this blog to keep on going, just like always, but there will be times when I won’t have time for it, or will have an hard time putting my mind into it. I also know that this blog, and you guys will help me face this period of time of my life that won’t be easy to go through.

Oh, and remember when I mentioned in my post How to make a successful blog? the fact that having a boyfriend that takes great pictures is definitly a plus? Well, I guess you won’t see as many great pics as you have seen in the past.

However, if you’re a great photographer, and want to take pictures of me jumping around in questionable outfit combination, call me (maybe?)

xx