Beauty lies in the eyes...

 The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. Audrey Hepburn

Many times the eyes have been seen as a window to the soul, and this symbolism was equally present in various periods of time in history as well as different religions and cultures. You have the all seeing eye, the evil eye, the eye of Horus (protection and life), and in short, the symbolism of the eye refers to clarity, intelligence, observation, opening, awareness etc.

The eye has however been also a means of attraction, a vital part of the love game. Women (and men) from old times used make-up, eye-lining colour in order to emphasize on their eyes, as a look can sometime say more than 1000 words...

Inspired by the ball gowns of Christian Dior and his love for lavish parties, but wanting to emphasize on a woman's beauty, the Limited Edition Dior Grand Bal False Eyelashes was introduced at Fashion's Night Out NYC 2012. The set will cost around 28$ and is planned to be launched in the US nationwide in November. These are adorned with golden Swarovski crystals along the lashline and guarantee to offer a sparkling view on the world. I am sure parties which will have women wearing these will see some of the most beautiful and attractive "looking" eyes.

 

(Picture source: http://www.extravaganzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Dior-Grand-Bal-False-Eyelashes-600x245.jpg)

“The soul, fortunately, has an interpreter - often an unconscious but still a faithful interpreter - in the eye.” Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre

Chinese New Year - China's Top Luxury Gifts

(Picture Source: http://www.learnthailanguage.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Chinese-New-Year-2012-Dragon-288x300.jpg)

We all know that the Chinese New Year is one of the biggest migrations there is, but it is also a time when commerce flourishes for some, because gifting is very important in the Chinese culture. The colour red has to be somehow included in the gift, and this year very valued are the Dragons, but what are the top brands to give gifts from for the Chinese?

According to the Hurun Report, these are the brands that get the most bought from the luxury industry:
1. Louis Vuitton 14,9%
2. Cartier 10,3%
3. Hermes 8%
4. Chanel 6,2%
5. Moutai 5,9%
6. Apple 5,7%
7. Dior 4,6%
8. Prada 3,9%
9. Rolex 3,6%
10. Armani 3,4%

Trendwatch 2011: Mustard Colour

(Picture source: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/10/12/1286875893912/Mustard-006.jpg)

One of the trends of 2011, about which I have been wanting to write for oh - so much time - is MUSTARD, and what attracts me to this trend is that it unites some aspects which I am passionate about: gastronomy and colour in a season which most of the times sees greys and browns and blacks as main focus.

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"Used mainly as a condiment, mustard is made from ground mustard seeds and may be mild or peppery-hot, smooth or grainy. It is available either as powder for mixing into paste with water, or ready-made, blended with vinegar or wine and other flavourings." (Food Encyclopedia - Good Housekeeping Institute)

It is not with certainty, but mustard probably originated from the Mediterranean basin, where it was used to feed the horses. It was also seen at first as a medicinal plant rather than a culinary one. Pythagoras used mustard as a remedy for scorpion stings, Hippocrates used the plant in a variety of medicinal cures.

The Romans were probably the firs who discovered its culinary qualities and spread the seeds all over the Roman Empire. The original name also derives from two latin words "mustum" - fresh grape juice and "ardere" - to burn. The original method of mustard processing was mixing grinded seeds with wine into a paste at a high temperature.

(Picture source: http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRvXAZBazRARdwO1dzpS69gYwvTV-J0TaoO4dch-JDRQtw_scX8Ww)

That is all very interesting, and more than that, mustard has been seen lately not only as a condiment, but it has become part of the runway. I consider the colour a very calming one and still inspiring some dynamism, so I looked up some other aspect of life besides fashion that one could have "mustard" in and, being inspired by a friend who's on the point of moving into a new flat, I found some really nice furniture pieces and also some interior decoration. Check them out below:

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(Picture source: http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/hbx0610-outdoor-yellow-chairs-larette-de-79444699.jpg)

(Picture source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTM6rT8d7EQemOkwWB36PgG4WwYGiFqB9n1NymlYllUFyiqIwxccm2XVqQ3CVNxnC0PJBS-ZbPVfZNx-4MD6YE0rmLl8dR8pzkQ7Q0AOwoPvhBGn_2VpWTCCNkocm2JgVWt62g_O3gmnRY/s400/living-room67.jpg)

See what I mean by calm yet energetic? It is the exact reflection of the spice's attributes onto the colour it owns and onto the environment it touches.

(Picture source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IanZ6MDKvAg5MxriLo1MAZuyzjjY7NCv0zIhroejP9Pz9ywvqWZ54WvqSL6lxycGGk9oBTfzQILaLsiDV-7ABYSoePCMMTi1LAFTVbA3Cgkon2ft0Y7Z2Sp0Ll8q5Ztv9-P16Xm695Q/s1600/Mustard+yellow+coiuches.jpg)

(Picture source: http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQxxdzsXSYjGIYWPx1JbQMQYpyKmEJk0SOzoFV1NjR4kd8xBnibCw)

But of course, I could not have finished this entry without showing what exactly mustard has done this season to our wardrobe - made it more yellow-ish. Here's a selection of bags, starting with my favourite Longchamp brand.

(Picture Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlHc4peQrazAfCOTw_pGfbU2O2oqvowzPFxWrSaKnAI08qgPYIF4Mwy2kuUcJvjl9sJs1K1ljZi-kpiPT0WfuKddpLVK9Jg6fxBiVzZFLvIWxvhXcZUu0yhWxxJQpow1R1-2B5h4z3yg/s400/longchamp1.jpg)

Longchamp

(Picture Source: http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQBKldGEwP1-5IfwmsGSHZOk7SNz3WzsXHOlvJtoRLs6iV3MwEoGw)
Dior

(Picture Source: http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRo2d4KcDtqk1Lm0CLrcEBS4uDYEGuAPlO9Qyy5_qP80tJ2JNqCLw)
Chanel


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Burberry


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Balenciaga

I consider that, even if there are so many varieties of mustard, such as American, German, Bordeaux, Flavoured, Irish, Chinese, Whole Grain British, Dijon etc. ...one thing is clear - it is widely used all over the world and widely appreciated - probably due to one reason: it fits in many situations, most of them.

This is exactly how I see mustard in fashion: it goes with so many skin types easily, but also fits on so many textures. Be it silk, fur, wool, leather, velvet etc., it all fits - and to prove this opinion of mine, here's a selection of some runway pictures from various designers:

(Picture Source: http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTBM_DUQoeCJlky8hLDVi9B37ia_lIyj4-enTsHddrRAuwACB7asw)
Dior

(Picture Source: http://www.fashioncatalogtrend.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Gucci-Mustard-Jackets-And-Fur.jpg)

Gucci

(Picture Source: http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQDVzIPvtZYXYv_fllnRBqf1MASwAhC0Kl1oE_1TsaQyfnCuW20yA)
Gucci

(Picture Source: http://www.nwsource.com/files/imagecache/f200/files/lanvin_mustard_VIVIAN-HSU-F.jpg)
Lanvin

(Picture Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqO6cCmIaFg9-V6UcYKDd8gG5DBGxUz5jmHLgFo0Q1Z_PeXtC_i7lJVvVVEJ6mswV7jyduMmbaeSoKT4Gt9AdCQzmPUnDlvm7AY3D1TOVi8puTDsPIEzA7DoXEo_nM1O1oDLbr6rNodiQ/s400/acne_fall2011_x3.jpg)
Acne

(Picture Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeS1D3dV-ov780Zz8EDyJ9bT6Um5TjhYeXCEYsqnVyDf16C04CO_kmJMJTy-Uu7ToEGtJobO0CEVbjEyr-_2BPGqc9TXKuzo-ZwVN-_Gvo9mEkKl5aMzCb9GDcDHHR2G4L9gfrsc_mVLwV/s400/fendi_fall2011x3.jpg)
Fendi

(Picture Source: http://www.luxury-insider.com/uploads/features/2011/09/michael-kors09.jpg)
Michael Kors

(Picture Source: http://www.thereel.net/files/upload_fck/mustard%20colour%202.jpg)

To end this story of gastronomic and fashion mustard on a funny note, there is still a difference between the real mustard and the mustard fashion trend: the intake of high quantities of the real mustard can cause nausea and vomiting, which, fortunately the trend cannot.