Be Hot in the Heat

Summer is around the corner... almost. I mean, it is far enough to bring our curves back in shape (in case you had too many chocolate bunnies this Easter), but still close enough to start thinking (read: dreaming) about so-much-deserved vacations. As I trust, that you keep TESSfully rocking the gym and stonily wearing down your snickers on a treadmill or in the nearest park, let's talk about vacation then.

The latter one clearly starts off with a new bikini: hot, gorgeous, TESSful. You know what I mean: a bikini, that makes all men on the beach turn their heads on you and only you. Mmmm!... And  so I found it! It is a beautiful set from Moeva, a luxury and designer swimwear brand from London. 

Love their model Lucille a LOT: check the delicious color, soft shimmer, innovative cut:

Model: bikini LUCILLE

Below are TOP 5 TESSful pics from the Moeva Spring/Summer 2014 Collection dedicated to embracing powerful femininity:

Model: one piece GIA

Model: bikini JUNE

Model: one piece ARIELLE

Model: bikini JEANNE

Model: one piece CAMILLA
All Images are courtesy of Moeva

*** So, ARE YOU all SET for the coming SWIMMING SEASON? ***

In case you need some gym inspiration, check it HERE,-) 

Keep TESS: Taste.Elegance.Sophistication.Style!

Your Tess

      

Sick Pumps

My pumps just got sick... 

Seriously, they got a cold, a sore throat or, maybe, a runny nose, 'cause otherwise I don't see a point of wrapping them up in scarves.

I was a bit confused by this 'innovation' from Loriblu, a one of the most leading Italian shoe brands for women and men. Established in the early 70s, Loriblu traditionally signed-off only the most TESSful, gorgeous, sexiest female 'heels': pumps, scarpins, platforms - you name it. But these ones... are kind of 'special'. There is a term in marketing that perfectly describes launches like this: 'the idea was great, but execution failed'. Obviously, shoes are stunning, little silk foulards are fab, but paired together they suck. These shoes give me a feeling of covered throat to prevent angina:

Image are courtesy of Loriblu

In terms of styling, this 'fancy silk feature' doesn't make our lives easier either. The thick band wrapped around an ankle will visually cut the height, so these shoes will most probably work only for tall girls or those who prefer a relatively short outfits; otherwise, they will kill a look rather than heal it. So, a bit of a challenge from Loriblu (and for Loriblu!) this season. Let's see where the creativity brings them next.

***Do SILK SCARVES heal or kill these SHOES? ***

Keep TESS: Taste.Elegance.Sophistication.Style!

Your Tess

      

Sparkly Eyes

I am pretty much sure you all have seen this image from the Michael Kors Spring/Summer 2014 Campaign. ...But I am not sure if you got that much addicted to it as I did. (Frankly, it even forced me to get back to my blog, that I haven't done for a while).

The image is courtesy of Michael Kors

What can I say...? Beautiful photo-work by Mario Testino. It explains it all - you want to have it, own it, buy it, wear it, possess it. It gives you a spirit of relaxing vacation in St. Tropez or Monaco. Healthy tan, high-contrast white dress, massive gold accessories and...enigmatic, mesmerizing blue sunglasses! I think, that's exactly the answer why I love this print so much - I was mes-me-ri-zed. 

In other words, if I can be more figurative, if these gorgeous sunglasses would be a guy (obviously, a handsome one), I would definitely marry him! Totally! Without a second thought! And so I am trying to do. Yes, I am trying to find a good pair of sunglasses with a reflective optical coating 'to marry' them once and forever (or at least for this summer). 

If you want the result - well, I am still on the hunt... but I think that eventually I will get back to my favorite 'Kors-ies'. They were almost the only sunglasses that didn't make me (and not only me) look like a flying insect (yuck!). Seriously, dragonFly, butterFly, whateverFly, but clearly not a TESSfly. Yet, we all must be the one!

*** So, GO or NO GO for the MIRRORED SUNGLASSES this summer? ***

Keep TESS: Taste.Elegance.Sophistication.Style!

Your Tess

      

Name behind the Frame

Year ago, at about the same time, I started a nice tradition of sharing with you 'names and frames' of my favorite fashion photographers. Back then it all started with a brilliant Christopher Anderson, as I am insanely fascinated by the work he does: richness of colors, complexity of shapes, sophistication of a story - you better check it by yourself! So stunning!

My TESSful WOW of today goes to another uber-talented cameraman - Kevin Tachman. You can see his work quite regularly in Vogue, Tmagazine, TheDailyBeast, GQ; however, my favorite source of his inspiration is a web-site, called www.BackstageAT.com. Kevin launched this photoblog in September 2009 to share a collection of behind-the-scene moments from different fashion weeks and shows.

 Get inspired by the unseen side of catwalks, as TESSfuly spotted by Kevin Tachman:

NY Fashion Week Backstage, Spring 2012

Dior Haute Couture, Spring 2012

Jason Wu, Spring 2012

Alexander McQueen, Spring 2012

Jason Wu, Spring 2012

Images are courtesy of Kevin Tachman

*** By the way, WHO is a FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY GURU for you? ***

Keep TESS: Taste.Elegance.Sophistication.Style!

Your Tess

      

Mind your Business

Time is up, my dear TESSies... 2013 is almost showing its tail! 

But before we leave our office desks and go on so-much-deserved winter break, there will be multiple end-of-the-year meetings: for business and for fun. Make sure you look sharp, sleek, TESSful and professional - even if you simply need to queue for a lunch or a reward bonus (I am sure you will get one :) And then as I say, work hard - shop even harder!

Clothes: Black Bow Shirt Dolce&Gabbana, €659 (TESS), Dégradé Satin Skirt Milly Karina, €380 (TESS)
Shoes: Ankle Booties Sergio Rossi, €625 (TESSfully sold out), Black Diamond Tights Gerbe Parisienne, €33 (TESS) 
Accessories: 'Medusa' earrings Gianni Versace Vintage, €275 (TESS),Butterfly Watch Olivia Burton, €98 (TESS)
Cosmetics: Viva La Juicy Noir Eau de Parfum Juicy Couture, €65 (TESS), Eyeliner Stila Cosmetics, €15 (TESS) 

*** So, how will YOU PAMPER YOURSELF this CHRISTMAS? ***

(Keep your DREAMS COLORFUL)

Keep TESS: Taste.Elegance.Sophistication.Style!

Your Tess

      

Valentino F/W 2013 Ad Campaign

Valentino F/W 2013 Campaign is a real boon for the art lovers! 

Influenced by the Baroque paintings of the Dutch Golden Age (roughly spans the 17th century), Valentino's designers - Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli - sourced their inspiration from the far-famed portrait works of Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer. Both artists were known for the subtle colors and dark backgrounds of their masterpieces. They tended to portrait people in a real modest way without any swagger and excessive pomposity, sometimes using props (flowers, fruits, dead animals etc.). 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' by Johannes Vermeer can be a clear illustration to this tendency. In fact, this painting brought the most profound influence on the Valentino's collection, giving it a graceful and exquisite touch. 

In thiss TESSful F/W 2013 campaign Valentino's models are shown as 'a real-life paintings' surrounded with accessories as an alternative props. 

All Images are courtesy of VALENTINO

Campaign features mostly fresh faces: Magdalena Jasek (Polish), Laura Kampman (Dutch), Irina Kravchenko (Ukraininan), Erika Labanauskaite (Lithuanian), Sasha Luss (Russian), Kati Nescher (Russian / German), Sam Rollinson (British), Nouk Torsing (Dutch), Tamara Weijenberg (Dutch) and Maud Welzen (Dutch) and was TESSfully photographed by the world-known Dutch duo Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin. 

*** So, do YOU SEARCH for INSPIRATION in ART? *** 

Keep TESS: Taste.Elegance.Sophistication.Style!

Your Tess

      

Cultural Sunday

I love museums - I guess I have never mentioned it before - but I surely do! I believe it is one of the easiest, fastest and cheapest ways to ensure your constant growth and personal development. Not to mention, that it is also a great place to meet strongly intelligent people and make new friends. 

This has been said, I always treat my 'cultural' looks with the same diligence and attention to the details as I usually do for my 'office' or 'leisure' outfits. They all must be TESSful:-) (as you might have guessed).

For the last 'museums-check' in Paris I picked a splendid place dedicated to the French architecture: Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine. If you appreciate a good architectural design as I do, then don't miss this wonderful site with its 8,000 m² of permanent exhibit space! 

Without revealing a content of the museum (...you will check it by yourself!), I better reveal to you my 'museum' look: TESSfully simple and cozy, yet elegant and refined! 

Well, wait :-) ...before you actually start questioning... or even making fun of me... this and the following two pics were NOT taken on the floor at the museum, but the last one - was (not on the floor though:). I just wanted to capture this look in all its TESSful beauty to share with you:)

So, TESS of the day: 

Dress, Jacket - BCBGMAXAZRIA, 

Necklace - BCBGeneration, 

Bracelet - Banana Republic, 

Glasses - Max Mara,

Handbag, Key ring - Louis Vuitton,

Bottillons - Jimmy Choo. 

Don't forget to check out some other stories I brought for you from museums:-) 

***So, what do YOU usually WEAR TO MUSEUMS?***

Keep TESS: Taste.Elegance.Sophistication.Style!

Your Tess