Leather painted pleasures

I saw it and I knew I had to have it right away – it had my name written all over it – thanks god it was TOPSHOP!

I am talking about this incredibly gorgeous leather painted dress, which basically is like a sleeveless skater dress with wonderful phantasy story print, telling the story of a fox,a bird and a magical wood. I would love to have more fashion like that,please! Painted leather to me personally exudes luxury – just think of personalized Louis Vuitton bags – the leather is being painted. Usually, when browsing for leather jackets or skirts we would find a lot of black and brown and now with more colourful trends many other colours as well – but not so much painted leather. I wonder why? This is just such a brilliant way of adding uniqueness to a piece of clothing and would give so many more options of designs, which again means so much more fun. I will try to  find out how to paint on leather appropriately – that will be very interesting! I teamed my beautiful dress with the only other  leather painted piece I own: a Vintage belt that is hand painted with tropical scenes and with black and red Chelsea ankle boots by ASOS Action, which are simply superb – I love rocking them. I would absolutely say this outfit is Fashion Week material. I made up that term – It means that a dress is dazzling and makes an impression, exciting enough to be worn at any Fashion Week, whether that would be here in Vienna, in London, Copenhagen or elsewhere.

I am wearing:

TOPSHOP leather painted  dress

(there is also a skirt with same print – here)

ASOS ACTION black and red Chelsea ankle boots

vintage belt

Multicoloured definitely is my colour – have you discovered yours? And what would be painted on the back of your leather jacket?

xox, the Flamboyante

Out of Africa

Today I spent a magnificent day at the African days festival, the Afrika Tage,  in my hometown Vienna.

This festival style event is annually taking place on the Donauinsel offering anything from music to food, to fashion and beautiful, unique handicraft from the African community in Austria. I’ve been going there for the past three years and it certainly is a magical event, taking place late July until mid August. I love going there and I know that plenty of people from all over Austria come for the event, wether it be young or old, it offers something for everyone.

There certainly is something like a deeper reason why I am drawn to African life style and music, and also foods, even fashion – it is not just the joie de vivre that traders and exhibitors, the people there exude, or the truly wonderful ware you could possibly buy… With one part of my parents being from Egypt, I think I can say I have some African blood running through those veins. I am half European and half African so to speak, I grew up here in Austria.

What is special about me going to the event this year, is that this year I am ultimately doing it in style!

I never shop impulsively, I don’t even shop in stores unless for accessories. So usually no biiig shopping spreads in H&M and Zara, but updating my wish lists on the web sites (every true fashionista knows…) constantly, waiting for the perfect moment (price drops) to buy the piece I’ve been longing for so long…

However the choice and quality you get at Zara, Mango, H&M these days is eclectic and of a high fashion level, I think these days a lot of effort and creativity goes into designs and patterns. We shot a lot of details and I felt so comfortable and just – myself, besides I love wearing wide legged trousers from soft fabrics like silk or linen in summer, they are so airy and perfectly stylish.

This outfit has so many lovely details, the tiger print shirt and scarf pattern trousers are both from Zara. I bought the belt last year here  on the festival, with the gold and black wooden pearls it completed the outfit perfectly. My clutch is by BCBMAXAZRIA, my earrings and brass rings are MADE for Africa. The big African bracelet is a family gift, the blue thin bracelet Isabel Marant , the other silver love necklace by Tiffany. This big cocktail ring is by Kenneth Jay Lane, I believe that I bought this statement necklace years ago in Paris, during my training there. I am wearing another fabulous thing: some Vintage Gucci suede sandals!

I am also wearing Deborah Lippmann Billionaire nail polish ( 🙂 ) – it is like a dark and rich moss tone. My lipstick is Chanel rouge noir. (In case you didn’t know, you can win a Deborah Lippmann nail lacquer here together with a fabulous By Terry  skin care product.)

We took so many lovely photos today, it was more than thirty  pictures I wanted to share with you. So I decided to give you the coverage of the event, with impressions of music, shopping and eating at the Afrika Tage – the African days here in Vienna in my next post.

When I started my blog I didn’t actually want to buy an outfit just for an event-but make use of what I already have in my closet. I ended up buying these two very fashionable pieces, that can be combined separately in many various ways. What do you think? Mixing two strong patterns, is this a bold choice? Are these trends you love and are picking up on at the moment?

Can’t wait to get to talk fashion with you all!

xox, the Flamboyante

Photo Nostalgia: Mike Davis photography

It’s end of April and it’s freezing in Vienna. So what are the options? Going outside and taking some more pictures of rainy Vienna and me shivering from the cold, or – staying at home where it’s cosy and warm. Maybe flicking trough some old photographs of mine. Since I met Mike Davis- male model and photographer – last thursday at the designer awards, I thought I’d show a little appreciation for him. In spring 2009 we shot a couple of photos with the designs of Austrian retailer and designer Rieger as well as a designer called Renee Karger. This is also an opportunity for me to show you some Austrian designers.

Let me start with the designs of Rieger, I love the feminine vintage feel of these clothes:

Renee Karger has more of an ethnic feel to her designs, which I absolutely love as well:

Mike Davis is not only a very lovely person, but a talented photographer as well. To me he is like an angel – …so let me give a little credit, before I’m leaving you with this:

Mike

The colourful dresses and elegant bra tops (especially the lace-y one!) instantly got me dreaming of summer, laughter and joy.

And you? What are you dreaming of at the moment?

xox, the Flamboyante

Home is where the heart-shaped clutch is….

Today I felt this flaming desire to go on a journey. I chose the most exotic place for me to explore: home.

Who are the faces and names that I’ll have to link to fashion, what do their creations look like and who are the wonderful people wearing true Austrian design?

When I stepped into  showroom|project today I stepped into a whole new world…

There was everything the heart of a true Austrian fashionista could wish for…

Zigi told me the designers were Marcel Ostertag, Elfenkleid, Callisti and Elke Freytag, just to name a few. She showed me this wonderful heart-shaped clutch. Does it make your heart sing?

And then these Austrian maiden showed me what they’d crave for. Remember: fashion is philosophy. The art of oneself….

But it was time to go….

Zigi told me about this vintage flea market. I had a new destination….

…so I traveled through time…

I hope I inspired you today.

Now it is time for you to go. Staying at home is not an option – there is a whole new different home out there waiting for you to explore it…

xox, the Flamboyante