Fenyang Road, French Concession
Archive for April, 2011
I love this! Cropped pants, loafers, a baggy sweater and a light jacket are all things I can definitely get behind. Coordinated but not too match-y (a major pet peeve of mine), and very appropriate for the approaching (well, pretty much here) Spring.
Ankle-baring slim pants are so great. Was browsing the internet the other day, though, and saw Gwyneth Paltrow in cropped trousers on Chelsea Handler. Apparently not everyone loves the look, and one commenter said “Capris are the last resort of the 40-something who knows her legs are beginning to go”. Not true, says I. There’s something very fresh and young but also timeless about them – and you know we love classic things on VainLane (it’s why we love vintage!).
I say great job. Plus those moccasins look really comfortable, and now I want them.
It’s hard not to love American Apparel (despite the terrible creepiness of their CEO, Dov Charney). Not only do they have everything – men’s and women’s, t-shirts and sweatshirts, skirts and pants, etc. etc. etc. – but they have everything in every color. I can’t say that American Apparel has caught on in China the way H&M, Zara and even Gap have, but they did move their Shanghai retail outlet from the boons to Huaihai Rd., which is a good start. Saw someone at a BBQ over the weekend wearing one of AA’s super comfortable shirt dresses (in pale pale pink, to match the Easter festivities) and it reminded me that I should get my butt over there. If only they didn’t have to hike up the prices in China…but their products do last for years.
Also, love her espadrilles and tiny brown belt.
- American Apparel on Huaihai Lu
- This is actually one of the less offensive things that Dov Charney has done
- Pretty great flat espadrilles at Target (if I find any in China I’ll update)
Spring is here!! And with that, we finally see light scarves, bare legs and flats, sans socks. I adore her shoes and mix of textures with the fuchsia cardigan, jersey nautical dress, woven leather flats, and leopard print scarf.
So with the changing season, of course my mom sends me a list of the best home remedies for combatting Spring’s bff, Allergy.
- Green Tea: green tea is a natural antihistamine and should give you some relief from your symptoms.
- Ginger: crush some ginger root into boiling water and drink like tea. This will act a natural decongestant.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: dilute a bit of this with water and drink twice a day to combat allergy symptoms.
- Fluids: the best way to keep your body at its best (and able to fight allergies) is to drink lots and lots of fluids.
Apple Cider Vinegar is better then windex for every fix. My brother, Erwin, takes it for every symptom he has. Barf, flu, throat ache, food poisoning, breaking up with a girlfriend, it all ends with a chug of apple cider vinegar and he seems to be good as new. Good thing I just ordered a new bottle, along with my grade B maple syrup in preparation of my spring cleaning, known as detox.
Additionals:
Detox Diet
The new Windex
I prefer a not so literal Nautical
Not as cute as her woven flats, but lots to chose from
Why Green Tea should be part of your life
It is amazing what difference a year makes. Pleasantly surprised by the quick and miraculous improvement the streets of Shanghai have made, it is still leap years away from the real fashion capitals of the world such as Milan, London, Tokyo and NYC. But it doesn’t hurt my eyes as much to open them in the day light. The main streets of Shanghai with the highest percentage of running into someone that looks decent enough are Donghu Lu that turns into Fenyang Lu, Julu Lu near Source by Fumin and Xangyang, and the new Changle Lu near Chongqing Lu. Where it is much harder to find fashionistas are places that are self-proclaimed fashionable like Tienzifang and Xintiendi.
One of the most difficult areas to find good street fashion is at People’s Square. Forced to spend an afternoon there due to showing some out of towners around, we spent a day wandering the streets in a never-ending quest for some goodies. Then we came upon this. Not exactly my usual outfit, but I have to give her an up top for the unconventional attire in a very conventional world that is Shanghai.
Meet Silvia Longhi. Young, beautiful, smart, talented, and, mostly, happy. She is Milan-ese currently living slash working in one of my favorite cities in the world, London. She is an amateur photographer but you wouldn’t know it by her work. It is her kind of “escapism.” With music in tow, she walks around taking photos of people and the city around her. When photographing people, in particular though, she finds intimacy with total strangers, if only for a moment. Quicker then you can say EV, she gets a slight glimpse into someone else’s life. And it no longer is about one’s self.
This is what I like most about Longhi though. Upon meeting so many folks with expensive cameras hung around their necks who claim they are passionate about photography, when prompted with inquires of who their favorite photographers are, the usual answer is a Scooby Scooby Doo, where are you, question mark above crown, head tilt.
Longhi immediately has a few in mind. She is most infatuated with social commentator, ordinary people photographer, Theo Frey, is inspired by reportage photographers Steve McCurry and Helmet Newton, and is in love with the optimistic and carefree stylings of the uninhibited Felix Larher, fashion photographer.
About fashion and living in London? She says she could go outside wearing flip flops, but hasn’t had the courage to do so just yet. Such a difference in cultures, from my casual, west coast, pacific beach upbringing where sandals are a staple. My husband use to go to elementary school in bare feet and didn’t wear shoes till university, when he moved to the east coast. But I think I like that about Europe. Come on America! No more of those cargo pants matched with that old free T-shirt…the one with the hole in the armpit. You know which one I’m talking about. (My father-in-law is not going to be happy with that comment.) I actually like that Longhi is waiting for that courageous day to wear flip flops outside. And I am very sure she will have that camera with her when it happens.
All in all, I would say her aperture seems very bright.
Additionals:
Longhi is a graphic designer by trade.
Steven McCurry’s most famous photo
The significance of Theo Frey
The “widely imitated” Helmut Newton
Fashion photographer, Felix Larher
