FashionCamp Milano 2011 Part Four: Isabella Zocchi's Shoe Kingdom

On the second day of FashionCamp Milano, I discovered hidden treasures at the MAYLILY booth. The guest designer Isabella Zocchi approached me warm-heartedly yet professionally with her candy-coloured shoes along with a detailed explanation of her designs, from where she seeks inspiration to the materials used and the production process. Isabella, do you know that your beautiful smiles as bright as summer sunshine can become your signature, which would allow you to make an emotional connection with your customers, thus building brand loyalty? I always have problems buying shoes in Asia; it is due to either the quality issue or too much ordinary stuff not worth the money filling the market. After meeting Isabella at the camp, I know where to buy high-quality wearable footwear of exceptional style with exquisite details. Each pair of Isabella's shoes is handmade using the best quality vegetable tanned leather constructed by an Italian expert artisan. You will surely agree that Italian footwear and the finest Italian leather are a national treasure after reading this post. Are you ready to go on a treasure hunt?

Alice's Land – The Rich Garden Series: Isabella Zocchi Collezioni launched two lines, “Alice's Land” for the girls who are romantic, sweet and sexy and “Eva in the Desert” for the tasteful and stylish working women. Girls like pink. In the designer's own words: “I aim to wow my young customers with the attractive candy colours making them as excited as a little girl in a candy store.” On top of that, glossy patent leather is the main trend this season. I reckon this pair of pink grapefruit patent leather decollete shoes is a summer must-have.

Alice's Land – The Rich Garden Series: Acid green patent leather slingback high heels go perfect with a slinky and elegant skirt or casual capris.

Alice's Land – The Rich Garden Series: This pair of mandarin patent leather Mary Jane shoes is amazingly adorable and timeless.

Eva in the Desert – Maculato Series: Black patent leather Eva wedge pumps and stingray giraffe print inserts which are a luxury design feature suit for women of taste and style.

Isabella Zocchi the talented Italian couture fashion accessory designer

If you can't get enough of Isabella's designs, click to see the whole collection here http://collezioni.isabellazocchi.com/index.html. Handbags are also available in Isabella Zocchi Collezioni. Watch out! You will get obsessed like me.

Styling: Mari Land
Jewellery by Erica La Starza's MAYLILY

FashionCamp Milano 2011 Part Three: Evelyn La Starza the Vintage Queen for MAYLILY

When I first stepped into the camp venue, I was amazed at the variety of participating brands there was. I looked among them and chose which brand to visit first. My eyes fell on the MAYLILY booth which exuded an aura of romance and nostalgia. Since 2004, when MAYLILY handmade jewellery was founded, the gorgeous designer Evelyn La Starza has meticulously designed and handcrafted each jewellery piece with vintage lace, fabrics, antiqued brass chain, pearls, Swarovski crystals, etc. in Italy. If you love the vintage and retro style as much as I do, MAYLILY's “Vintage Lover” collection will be going straight to the top of your jewellery box wish list. I will show you Evelyn's stunning vintage designs in a bit. In addition to the romantic setting of the booth that caught my eye, having a chance of being photo shooted wearing the jewellery items which were well-matched with my clothes as advised by the stylist made me enjoy myself there. Modeling is something that I never ever thought I could do. Well, a nice try I reckon. What do you think?

Large Vintage Lucite Filigree: The signature round flower cutout earrings and fan shaped retro cut earrings with tiny Swarovski crystals made of Lucite the lightweight transparent plastic are available in an extensive colour palette—lime, olive, tangerine, lavender, saffron—you name it. The 1960s glamorous vintage style combined with a contemporary sensibility created unique pieces which can only be found at MAYLILY and nowhere else.

I've got my own pair of purple violet vintage filigree earrings from Evelyn which went perfectly well with my scarf in the same colour tone. Thanks Evelyn!

The “Vintage Lover” collection is full of highly interesting pieces. You can possibly trace the history of a certain item through vintage materials such as from the 1970s from which it was made. I especially like the antique brass cuff and the cream coloured “Sophie” bib necklace handmade with delicate vintage lace, fabrics and pearls. I truly felt privileged wearing them as each piece is individually handcrafted with vintage components, so that no two pieces are exactly the same. I felt like an elegant European lady of the last century while trying on these favourite exceptional pieces.


Flowers Fascinator: The beautiful one of a kind flowers fascinators made from satin roses, fabric flowers, Swarovski crystals and beads from the “La Vie En Rose” collection surely win the heart of any classy women who are fascinated by exquisite craftsmanship and luxurious quality.

The talented and beautiful designer Evelyn looked fabulous modeling her red flowers fascinator for the photo shoot with friends, Erica (right) and Sonia (left).


I had a model shot for the lilac “Colette” necklace made from antiqued brass chain, vintage lace, grosgrain ribbon and Swarovski crystals, and I absolutely love it.

Did these baby pink and white feathers fascinators remind you of the sensual style of 1920s cabaret costumes?

If you want to dress down at weekends, these printed fabrics bangles are a must-have for creating the casual chic street style.






When I first saw this “Madeleine” necklace at MAYLILY on the first day of FashionCamp Milano, I couldn't help but getting it. It's unique, classic and beautiful. What impressed me the most about it were the 1970s vintage lace and velvet and the vintage resin cameo which attracted people's eyes when I wore it to match my crochet knit dress.



MAYLILY is holding a contest on facebook till the 28th August. €200 cash voucher will be given to the model in his/her best shot receiving the most “likes.” Now show your support by clicking MAYLILY Contest@FashionCamp 2011 and start to vote! Oh, did I mention I'm a contestant?

Summer Sale: Spice up your summer wardrobe for less!

Looking for unique ways to spice up your summer wardrobe for less? Check out the Summer Sale at www.artistspringboard.com and get up to 50% off high quality designer items. Here are a few pieces everyone is grabbing!

All Things Pretty is offering a 15% discount on their selected handmade jewelry. Check out this stunning handmade bracelet adorned with brown round wooden beads, black, silver and blue Kashmiri beads and a silver “Made with love heart” charm and antique silver plated starfish charm! This sale is only for a brief time, so shop quick!


Have you been thinking about getting a new handbag but don’t want to pay the high prices? Look for this Oversized Clutch Bag which acts as the perfect frame for our Orchid origami artwork. The Darkest Star brand is known for incorporating seasonal pop colours and creating one of a kind handbags. It’s all about the details with this Orchid Origami Clutch.

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and this Diamond Printed Silk Top by CCKUO shows off this very idea. For £140.00, originally £280.00 it reflects the wearer's personality; it is precious and special. These characteristics of the brand will emphasize your modern elegance.

Elephtheria is offering a Limited edition bell skirt with wide stretch waist band and cute pink vintage style flowers and duck egg printed cotton fabric for only £22.00.

Visit www.artistspringboard.com for all the great deals! These are trends you just can't miss in women's wear and accessories!

Daniella Monet's Got Good Taste!

The American actress and singer Daniella Monet best known for most recently starring as Trina Vega in the Nickelodeon sitcom “Victorious” has fine taste in jewellery. She was spotted wearing Bita's “Machine Meets Nature” necklace. Yes it's she, Bita Pourtavoosi the New York fashion handmade jewellery designer for whose latest catalogue I wrote an article two months ago in which I recommended the must have Machine and Chain Necklace. Today, two months later, I'm thrilled to know that I share a similar fashion taste to a young celebrity. The gold glitter of the necklace worked perfectly well with Daniella's tanned complexion. The simple and modern design surely enhanced her chic look.



If you want to have a taste of celebrity, come and buy the irresistible jewellery pieces by Bita at artistspringboard boutique. We have a wide range of items available that suits any occasions.

FashionCamp Milano 2011 Part Two: Art For Art's Sake Aestheticism

Throughout the two-day fashion BarCamp, I had visited quite a few exciting and inspiring exhibitions and workshops among which I reckon ART-Sharing's paper clothing workshop was one of the most worth mentioning art and design workshops. ART-Sharing is a company which aims to foster a close link between business and art. I called this workshop art for art's sake corner. The fashion students were encouraged to use paper to tailor clothes. Though the paper outfits can't be worn in everyday life, it is the belief of art for art's sake aestheticism and the spirit of creativity that count.

The paper clothes were custom made according to an individual's unique body shape.

This looked so much like a runway showpiece.

Paper installation

FashionCamp Milano 2011 Part One: The Most Blessed Fashion Event

Event: FashionCamp Milano 2011
Venue: Spazio A Ex-Ansaldo, Via Tortona n.54, Milano
Date: 10th - 11th June

“My summer is being thankful to God” － this was the statement I made for
Quiksilver's “My summer is....” campaign at FashionCamp Milano 2011. Indeed, without God's blessings, I wouldn't have been able to make it to Milan in spite of having planned for the trip for nearly a year. It was definitely the most blessed and inspiring fashion trip I have ever had. The Italian fashionistas I met at the camp are some fabulous people who have opened up my eyes to the intriguing and magnificant world of fashion.



The two-day annual fashion BarCamp took place from the 10th to 11th June at Zona Tortona, Milan's infamous creative hub with a lot of designers and photographers. Historically this neighbourhood was an industrial area filled with factories and warehouses until the early 80s, when it was transformed into a space for creativity. Today, Zona Tortona is well known to the world as an art and design district and is universally recognized for events and exhibits held at Milan Design Week and during Milan's annual furniture fair. I was extremely thrilled to have this chance to catch the artistic spirit of Tortona.

FashionCamp Milano 2011 was taking place at Spazio A Ex-Ansaldo in Via Tortona.





There were so many things going on at the camp － seminars, workshops, artistic installations and exhibitions featuring the latest creations with points of difference in design or special expertise in detailing by the participating designers. Designers, photographers, trade visitors, editors, bloggers, stylehunters and many more all got together to share and learn in an open “non-conference.” Discussions and interaction among attendees and exhibitors were happening throughout the event. I reckon true democracy was there and no where else.



SEMINAR
Each speaker was asked to put a post-it note on the board to choose a time-slot for their presentation which content was solely decided by the speaker himself/herself. On behalf of GV Miao fashion blog, I gave a short speech entitled “A Brief Scrutiny of the Macro and Micro Environments of the Fashion Industry.” I was probably the only speaker who conducted the presentation in English, though not in Italian. I didn't scare the audience away. You may want to check out my presentation script here http://lamode-gvmiao.blogspot.com/search/label/FashionCamp%20-%20Milano%202011





This speaker gave an eye-opening and insightful presentation on the connection between fashion and Feng Shui at the seminar, incredible!



WORKSHOP
The high-end casual wear brand Quiksilver set up a tee design workshop for the visitors to create a t-shirt with their own unique signature style that matched their personality perfectly. Everyone could have fun to express their fashion statement through drawing and with art. Drawing at Quiksilver has become one of my many favourite memories from the camp.







This five year old girl came on the second day of the camp. The workshop also served an important purpose in exploring children's creative potential and cultivating their imagination and innovation through art projects of this kind.



“I draw, therefore I am.” The Jesus Loves You Forever t-shirt was drawn by me. What do you think?





ARTISTIC INSTALLATION
Blue denim is this season's key trend. This denim installation entitled “Denim Arbor” surely stylized the camp venue. I especially like the denim tree which exuded a sense of poeticness and tranquility.





That's all for now. Feel like knowing more? My experience at the fashion camp was far more wonderful than you can possibly imagine. Keep an eye on more upcoming posts on FashionCamp Milano 2011 which will bring you some extraordinary Italian designers I met. So stay tuned.