My week on Instagram

This is what I have been sharing on Instagram lately!

Belgian model Ine Neefs for Valentino

Fireworks in my village

Outfit shoot in my hometown, i'm so in love with my new Karen Millen dress!

Can't wait to check out the Osbournes collection for Mac

A documentary about Tiffany & Co is coming up!

pizza "on fire" at Kiwi in Maastricht

preparing for a night out with Veuve Clicquot 

vegetarian pasta at Padam in Bilzen

amazing dress from Christian Dior haute couture spring 2014 collection

Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2014

Karl Lagerfeld had  a futuristic nightclub in mind while designing this collection. Once again Chanel succeeded in creating a dream world at the Grand Palais; a circular space with sparkly walls, a giant staircase with Sebastian Teller's orchestra.

If this collection is a look in the  future, we'll soon all be going out in sneakers. I can hear you thinking: "What was Karl Lagerfeld thinking?". But let me reassure you, the dresses were amazing as usual with lots of lace and tulle.

Here are some of my favourite looks. What do you think about this collection?

The invitation

the decor

Cara Delevigne in the bridal dress

Models descenting the staircase

Anna Dello Russo, one of the attendents, showing her plexi Chanel bag

Christian Dior Spring 2014 Couture

To start this article I will give you a quick summary of what Haute Couture exactly is. Most people mistake it to be the very expensive, yet still commercial brands. The real meaning of Haute Couture couldn't be further away from that. Haute Couture is for a very VERY selected audience. From each design only a couple of pieces are made and are adapted to the potential buyer.

Clothes are only haute couture if they are handmade and with the demanded techniques. Only a handful of fashion houses can call themselves haute couturier, a title given by the " Chambre Syndicale de la Couture". A designer needs to fulfill the following conditions:

- Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings.

- Have a workshop (atelier) in Paris that employs at least fifteen staff members full-time.

- Must have twenty, full-time technical people in at least one workshop (atelier).

- Every season, present a collection of at least fifty original designs to the public, both day and evening 

   garments.

So knowing all this, you can only imagine that working for an haute couturier, or being one yourself, is the highest possible goal for a designer. Being a Belgian myself, I couldn't be more proud on Raf Simons working for Dior. I can't help but feeling like Dior is an it-brand since Simons became head designer. A lot of famous actresses such as Nathalie Portman and Jennifer Lawrence not only are seen in Dior's publicity campaigns but have been wearing Dior numerous times on the red carpet. 

Although Raf Simons ideas are obviously incorporated in this collection, he also wanted to honor the hard working people at the atelier who make this impossible collection possible. They put hundred hours of work into 3D floral sequins and organza. 

Raf Simons succeeded in making haute couture wearable for those who can actually afford it. On the other hand I'm sure that more than one actress will be wearing one of these designs. I would describe the collection as light and with lot of attitude. I want to share some of my favourite looks with you. What do you think?

Pre-Fall 2014

As you all know, life goes fast in the fashion world. While we try to find the IT winter coat for this season, the big fashion houses are already looking into the future. The last couple of weeks some brands presented their Pre-Fall 2014 collections. Of course we, normal human beings, are always a bit behind, but Hollywood has already picked up these trends. Sandra Bullock for example wore a Prabal Gurung dress from their Pre-Fall 2014 collection. While we may not have the same access to these clothes, we can already let our next outfits be inspired by these trends

In the following overview I will show some of my favourite collections.

The Dsquared² girl is mostly known as a party girl but this season she's growing up. While most designers put their focus on creating a commercial hit, Dsquared² picked a real theme for this collection; sixties equestrian silhouettes.

This collection is about two themes. The first theme puts the spotlight on Escada's heritage: leopard spots. The leopard spots are on items such as tuxedos, trench coats and dresses. The other theme was inspired by James Turrell's Led exhibitions. The brand combined some bold jewel tones such as red and purple. 

Hervé Léger's trademark, the bandage dress, was off course the main attraction in this show. While most Hervé Léger dresses are usely quite the same, there were some different silhouettes and fabrication techniques. The designers used hand-dyed strips, incorporated panels of soft chenille mesh or embroidered gold chains.

What can I say about this collection but that I absolutely love it? This collection combines two of my favourite kind of looks. First there is the playful kind of look. The look that reminds us of summer. Strapless dresses with lots of bright colors, a last grasp of summer before the winter starts. The other looks are more chic ensembles with gemstone colors.

Whenever I think of McQ Alexander McQueen, I think about space like outfits. This season is no different. Sarah Burton designed some great 3D like dresses and blouses.

M Missoni is the younger line from the Missoni house. Unlike lots of fashion houses, the second line from Missoni shows real difference with the first more adult line. Angela Missoni incorporated several signature prints giving them an Art Deco touch. Other outfits had a more retro appeal. Surprisingly Missoni used a lot of leather as well.

With Jeremy Scott being head designer for Moschino now, it seems like the old glorious years of the brand have returned. I remember my mom wearing this eye-catching Moschino belt and who would have thought that anno 2014 this item would be totally back in style. I love this collection, it's really a playful version of Chanel.

Nina Ricci is known for their slip dresses but a woman needs more than just that. Head designer Peter Copping understands that very well and created a whole new collection. There were some urban and sporty items. But the rest of the collection had the usual touch: floral and playful knits.

Philipp Plein remained faithful to their style; lots of gold, lots of sexy and punkie looks. I love the match between the neoclassical backdrop and the football gear. Philipp Plein knows how to choose a theme and stick to it: helmets, shoulder pads, black streaks under the model's eyes and dark lips. As if all of this wasn't enough, we didn't talk about  the clothes yet. Some amazing wrap dresses, baseball like shirts, leather and fur jackets and all of this with lots of photo-realistic prints. This collection shows that sometimes more is more.

Emilio Pucci released a real Pucci collection. Lots of prints, knitwear and basics in playful colours. I really love the basics such as the blazer, the pants and the evening bags.

Rachel Zoe does what she does best: releasing a whole line of seventies looks. Although a bit of a change up wouldn't hurt her. This collection gives me a sense of déjà-vu; slim trousers, tailored blazers and maxi gowns.

According to Ralph Lauren we should stick to pearl and taupe come next Fall. Mix these colors with the classic designs from Ralph Lauren and you have the perfect fancy office look. The brand used a lot of warm fabrics such as suede and cashmere. The big golden belts gave some of the looks an extra touch.

I have mixed feelings about the collection from Reem Acra. On one hand I'm a real sucker for pretty colourful and sexy dresses, on the other hand it felt like Reem Acra designed just one  dress and readapted it a bit to create different looks. Most of the dresses had jewel tones covered with black lace. I'm quite sure we'll see some of these looks during this award season.

Roland Mouret said this collection is one for real women. A Mouret woman loves to wear bright colors, tight dresses and over the top outerwear. I adore the fuchsia dress with draping on the back.

This season's collection from Valentino exists of streamlined silhouettes Lots of clothes had motives such as an owl or butterfly. Everyone woman will definitely find a coat or cape to her liking.

Versace is without a doubt the brand of the moment, with Lady Gaga starring in their most recent campaign. All of this must make Donatella Versace a bit softer, how else to explain the pastel colors in this collection. Of course Versace wouldn't be Versace without some golden punk pieces as well.

Which is your favourite collection of this season?