The French Riviera

Dressed in what I would think Coco Chanel would wear today, I felt so ready to board a plane to the glamorous streets of Cannes, France!

I love the shape and style of this blouse; it’s so feminine and highlights just the right spots: neckline, waist and arms. Perfect for a chic summer evening. These high-waisted trousers are made out of the most comfortable and forgiving fabric, making them perfect for travel. No more low-rise for this girl, I’m officially converted! Accessories make the look, so I’ve topped my outfit with a vintage snakeskin purse, Grace Kelly-esque sunnies, a large diamante ring (similar to the style of the Chanel camellia), and a pair of prized Chanel platforms. A simple chignon and a slick of dark pink gloss complete my look. Exetera blouse and Frank Lyman pants both from Bellissima.

You still have two days to catch an exclusive Frank Lymann Trunk Shows at one of our Vancouver Locations. Tonight we are at South Granville, tomorrow we will be at Park Royall Mall from 4-8pm and again on Thursday at Serena Willowbrook Mall. Hope to see you all there! 

Olivia

Traveling in Style

As the weather warms, you begin to feel that familiar yearning to pack a bag and take off for a weekend. There is something so glamorous about immersing yourself in a foreign environment, clad in your favorite pieces and toting a very chic bag around. And naturally when you are on vacation you are entitled to a drink (perhaps a Cosmopolitan, extra limes please), in fact you have earned it. Cheers to leisure! 

So when you do have that special trip booked, here are a few things that are necessary to pack:

1. A light scarf or Pashmina – perfect for wrapping yourself in when the car or plane ride gets chilly (check out our gift ideas post on Pashminas: CLICK HERE)

2. A chic passport cover

3. Comfortable walking shoes

4. Fabulous evening shoes

5. A neutral, light jacket that will work with all possible weather conditions like this one at left. Notice the gorgeous rouching on the sleeves and the collar detail (love).

Boy Voyage!

The New Must-Have Look: The Editrix

Image Source: http://www.facebook.com/katelanphear

It all started with Anna Wintour and those dark, shady glasses. That fierce, tight-lipped expression and her ice cold demeanor. With Anna, an obsession with the women behind the pages of our favorite glossies was born. As of the past few years, thanks to social media and the rise of fashion blogs, we are now privy to the daily musings of the world’s most elite fashion editors, like one of my personal favorites, Elle Magazine’s Kate Lanphear. 

Sitting front row from left to right: Elle Magazine Style Director Kate Lanphear, Elle Magazine Market Director Joann Pailey and Creative Director of Elle Magazine Joe Zee. Image Source: zimbio.com

Image Source: http://www.facebook.com/katelanphear

Kate exudes a coolness that seems untouchable, likely to do with all that leather and those tough spiked bracelets. This look really isn’t as hard to pull of as it looks, all you need are a good pair of leather pants and a leather jacket, a few spike-adorned bracelets, a dark pair of Ray Bans and of course high heels, and you’re set. I mean fierce! 

Check out this look from Bellissima:

These pieces hit all the right notes; they’re fitted and figure flattering, a little tough looking and oh-so versatile when worked in with other pieces. The jacket would be fantastic over a simple white tank and boot cut jeans, or pair the pants with a loose silk blouse for a more casual day or evening style. Just be sure to finish off your look with a little attitude – confidence is key. So is a good strut. 

Wishing you much fierce-ness,

Olivia

Summer Weddings are Just Around the Corner

The scenario: That dear friend’s daughter’s wedding has just crept up and you’ve completely forgotten about what to wear. Naturally, you have a beautiful card picked out and a gift neatly wrapped lying ready to be given, but no dress for yourself.

I’ve been in that situation before, and it is not fun. (The last time it happened to me I was in such a state of frustration over the lack of wedding-appropriate attire, I ended up wearing a rather fitted, fire-engine-red number. Completely inappropriate for a wedding – I stood out, but not quite in the way I had intended.) Better luck this summer, I suppose. But we here at Bellissima will not let that happen to you!

I present to you a beautiful dress option that can take you from weddings to dinners out to work functions (perhaps with a little cardigan over top).

This dress is perfect for a few reasons:

1- The flattering neckline, shaped by those well-placed straps that are wide enough to conceal bra straps. (That’s actually two reasons.)

2- The length. No matter what age, I think a knee-length dress is very feminine and appropriate, not to mention flattering.

3- Notice the rouching around the hips, incredibly flattering, particularly for the tummy, hip and bottom areas.

And how fabulous is the colour? Who doesn’t look good in cobalt blue? Oooh, and the accessorizing options… The joys of being a woman!

Happy wedding season!

A Charade of Fashion

Image Source: Fab Audrey

I would argue that one of the best movies made, from a fashion-lovers’ point of view, is the 1960s murder-mystery-romance classic Charade starring the gorgeously witty Cary Grant and ever so stylish Audrey Hepburn. This film features a Givenchy-clad Hepburn (think leopard pill-box hats, red wool coats and slender sheaths), as she parades around Paris. That in itself is reason enough to spend a couple hours curled up on the couch, popcorn in hand, in front of the TV. For when the weather does turn up, I adore the style of this LBD, a look right from the film. 

The clean, fitted silhouette, feminine neckline detail and modest hem length all contribute to the Audrey factor. Pair with a lovely light pink lipstick, an easy up-do and your favorite neutral pumps and voila! Style a la Hepburn! (Oh, and don’t forget the most important accessory: that charmer Cary Grant. * Sigh *, if only we could all have one of those!)

Olivia

Olivia on Olivia and the Tweed Jacket

Hello fashion lovers! Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Olivia Lovenmark and I am a fashion (obsessed) blogger writing to you from the gorgeous city of Vancouver. I will be a contributing writer for the Bellisima blog and I hope to bring you a fresh and witty take on style, making it approachable and fun. (Where else have I heard a line like that? Oh yeah, that’s what all fashion writers say. But it really is my mandate to provide a take on fashion that is easy and delivers a smile!)

I know, I know, less talk, more fashion. 

An aspect of dressing that majorly appeals to me: the ability to balance a sartorially fresh look with class and modesty. I think for women this is much harder done than said. One woman who gets it right every time is Olivia Palermo, the much talked-about New York City socialite who could make a paper bag look chic. Featured below is her take on the tweed jacket - a fashion staple that continues to stand the test of time and trends. 

photo source: the vogue diaries

I’ve been coveting such a jacket for some time now with no luck finding just the right one, until I discovered this fabulous version from Bellisima:

Dress it up with an LBD (little black dress), or down with jeans like the model has here. Personally, I think I’d throw it over a loose, silk blouse and a pair of wide-leg jeans. Add a pair of killer platform heels and a long chain necklace and you have it, the recipe for 'fabulosity'. 

For more of Olivia, check out her blog, www.stylestruck.ca or follow her on twitter @StyleStruck