MarbellaStyle

Marc Jacobs made us popular last weekend!

marbellastyle — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:53:00 GMT

Our readership hit the roof this weekend by a whopping one hundred more! Thanks a lot to fabsugar.com for featuring us (for the second time!) as one of its best weekend links. MarbellaStyle is now full-fledge fab. Big, big, besos from España!!!

In case you've missed, we have been featured as well last month!

Besos and this really made our week.

NOW HERE'S THE ARTICLE WE WROTE ABOUT LOUIS VUITTON WHICH MADE US POPULAR AROUND THE GLOBE LAST WEEKEND:

THE OTHER MURAKAMI

When I heard about Marc Jacobs collaboration with a certain Murakami for it's latest collection, I thought "wow, Marc actually reads japanese literature". The idea of putting the magic of words into Louis Vuitton design is out of this world but knowing how great of a designer Jacobs is, I knew it wouldn't be impossible.

Of course I wrong. He did not collaborate (and the idea remains impossible) with the Murakami that I love, the japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, but with "Japan's Andy Warhol", Takashi Murakami.

Having read some of Haruki Murakami's masterpieces like Dance, Dance, Dance and the Elephant Vanishes (I should get a new copy as I have traded mine with a friend when I went to Paris in 2004 for a copy of Irvine Welsh's PORNO which was the sequel to Trainspotting) , I became an instant fan of the famous Japanese contemporary writer. For those of you who are still clueless of his works, I suggest you get yourself acquainted with his bizarre world---lost elephants, sheep men, clairvoyants, lots of surrealism, weird sense of humour and poignant nostalgia.

So, it wasn't the Murakami that I thought it was. Nevertheless, the idea of haute couture infused with manga, anime and cartoon characters is as bizarre and odd as any Haruki Murakami novels I've read. It sounds exciting though but I think it is also a big risk for Mr. Jacobs since the brand has always been niched for the upper class whose taste is far more than cartoonish. I can't imagine the likes of Hilary Clinton or Madam Carla Bruni ( think I can with Carla, actually) sporting an LV speedy bag engraved with a mickey mouse like character on it in a certain international convention or something. However, when I saw some of the designs, I was relieved.
Not bad at all, aren't they? Imagine Carrie Bradshaw or Cameron Diaz sporting them. Perfect.

This one though is just plain no-no for me:

The classic monogram background and the colourful patches just don't work at all.

Haruki Murakami / Takashi Murakami

I love Japanese art. When I was living in Asia, I had my daily dose of manga and animé on tv (dubbed in English of course) and I swear, once you get the hang of it, you'll get hooked. It's a totally different, twisted, amazing, universe much more darker than any of your Disney favourites. Some of Takashi Murakami's works

I have mixed feelings about this whole collaboration with Marc Jacobs and Takashi but I always keep reminding myself that these two are both masters of their crafts. Just like some of Murakami's (the novelist) protagonists, they are both dreamy, brainy, creative introverts embarking on some outlandish conspiracies (read "A Wild Sheep Chase," "Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World") like this recent project.

Let's just hope this story will not end up a tragedy.

Besos!

Miss J.

www.marbellastyle.blogspot.com

NEXT now delivers to Spain

marbellastyle — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Finally.

For those of you who love and miss NEXT so much that you want to shed a tear just thinking about it (okay I'm exaggerating), cry no more as they now deliver their goods right on your doorsteps here in Spain! I've checked out the site and as always, there are hits and misses with their designs etc, but in general it's ok. Home delivery is €15.00 per order and will be despatched within 7 - 10 working days, subject to availability of the products you have ordered . Most of the things you could see in their website you can easily see in Topshop, H&M or ZARA but hey, if you are loyal to the brand, go for it. It's always nice to get something from back home, isn't it?

I wonder if Marks and Spencers would do the same soon. Now, that is something I look forward to, with excitement.

Visit their site and tell me what you think: www.nextdirectory.eu

Besos!

The only thing missing is Jake...

marbellastyle — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:57:00 GMT

The Only Thing Missing is Jake...

Design Public's new covers and pillows make me think that I should get more sleep than usual. You see, even if I count loads and loads of sheep every night my body conspires to shut off all it's senses at exactly two in the morning. Maybe it's the excessive caffeine intake, maybe its too much mind exercise (a.k.a. thinking) but whatever it is, sleep is just so evasive to me these days unless I lull myself to sleep with an Ian Mcewan novel, a Vanessa Paradis album or counting the immense amount of sheep in Brokeback Mountain which always end up with very naughty images of Jake Gyllenhall in my head.

Anyway.

This month Design Public (DP) has lined up some very refreshing designs reminiscent of the wonderful scenery of that Ang Lee film. Silhouettes of bamboos, leaves and shrubs in shades of earth colours, these will definitely give your bedroom a light and relax feel of a botanical garden.

Designed by Amenity’s Nicole Chiala and Kristina de Corpo, The stunning bedroom must haves also come with wall arts and are available in all the same designs as their bedding.

For more info and shipping details check out DP's website. They offer a lot of fabulous home ideas and products, very chic and affordable.

Now ladies, tell your Jake Gyllenhalls to give you these wonderful pieces if they want to be more comfortable with you in these cold Spring nights:

Amenity Birdseye Pillows in cream, copper and other shades.

Amity Cove Large Wall Print--Cream and Cocoa

Amenity River Wall Prints---Cream and Moss

I want. I want!

Besos!

Face Off: DEEPER’s Zaina S. and Philippe Michel

marbellastyle — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:22:00 GMT

Following the recent success of DEEPER's Inauguration party in ICON last month, we decided to ask a couple of questions to Philippe Michel and Zaina S., the brains behind the company to know more about themselves. Here's their view on music, life, screaming fans and why they think Marbella can never be the Next Ibiza.

Why DEEPER?
We thought it was time for something different. Every time we went out we were hearing the same old commercial funky house being played everywhere. We were totally bored of vocals and sax players, so we decided to do something about it and that's when DEEPER was born. The name accurately reflects how feel about house music... deep and underground!

Describe DEEPER’s sound
A subtle fusion of deep house, tech house, tribal and techno, all with an underground twist. It really blends well together. You just don't tap your foot to this stuff... this is proper house music for dancing your *** off to.

How and when did you start to become a DJ?
I first picked it up back in 1991 at The London Pub in Fuengirola. House music was just starting to take off in Spain. My love for the music always kept me interested in becoming a DJ, but I spent most of the nineties being a clubber instead of a DJ. In 2004, Mario Zarate gave me an opportunity to play in public for the first time at the Z-Bar in Las Chapas. I had spent about 3 or 4 years prior to that with John Dixon and a few mates couped up in John's studio every weekend practicing. Not long after my first gig at Z-Bar, I landed a residency with Hed Kandi on the Coast and it just took off from there.

Who have been your biggest influences?
I grew up with jazz, funk, soul and disco. Zaina with hard rock, punk, rap and ska. But the first time we heard house music, we thought this is our music, this is us. Many DJs and producers have influenced us... among the bigger names: Frankie Knuckles, Erick Morillo, The Timewriter, Terry Lee Brown Junior, Angel Molina, there's just so many amazing artists out there, too many to list.

What’s playing in your car stereo at the moment
Some proper techno... André Galluzzi, Andomat 3000, Antoine Clamaran, Radio Slave... true masters of the underground scene.

What images and emotions do you want your music to invoke in the listener?
We don't want people to listen at DEEPER... we want them to feel the music. Anybody who is a true clubber and loves house music knows exactly what we're talking about. It's that feeling that makes you rush when the DJ flawlessly mixes track after track together or that monster build-up that just sends you jumping up and down with your arms in the air... house creates euphoria. I always said reality is an illusion caused by a serious lack of house music.

What do you look for in a beat?
A sound that goes right through you... puts the hairs up on your arms and back of your neck.

How do you see the scene locally, and where do you see it going?
There's so much great talent on the Coast as far as DJs are concerned. One of the main objectives of DEEPER is to showcase that talent. There's some very good local promoters as well. Between us, we keep parties going virtually throughout the year. The big promoters only come down here during the summer, as that's when the big money is to be made. I would love to see more support for local promoters. There seem to be many people who just wait for the summer to come round so they can go to nights that the big commercial brands put on. In many cases, what local promoters manage to do is far better that what the big boys can muster anyway. And most of the ime they make virtually no money... they do it because they love the music with a passion. The public should try things that aren't so mainstream once in a while and give these promoters more of a chance. You won't be disappointed.

Who would you like to work with in the future?
I would love to go back-to-back with The Timewriter. He's my all-time favourite DJ and producer. We actually enquired a couple of months ago to find out how much it would be to bring him over. Suffice to say it's a two with many zeros behind it. We're not quite there yet, but we're working on it.

When you are up there do you have a play list or do you read the crowd?
Neither. I honestly don't decide what I'm going to play until I step into the DJ booth and open my CD case. It's all totally improvised and comes from within. I play for the music and for myself. It may sound selfish, but it's my journey and everybody is welcome to come along for the ride. When the crowd connects with what the DJ is doing, that's when the magic happens. When I used to go clubbing, I went to listen to the DJ, not to what the crowd wanted to hear.

Best DJ experience?

Third Wednesday in August 2004 around 05:00 in the morning. Hed Kandi's Destination Funkytown at Coyote Dance in Fuengirola. The club was packed with about 700 people. There was a green laser shining on a massive mirror ball. I was about halfway through my set. I looked up and all I could see was loads of green reflections from the laser everywhere in the club and everybody with their hands in the air. It was awesome... still makes me rush thinking about it now.

"I play for myself. If you want to hear your own music, stay at home with your Ipod."

You think Marbella can be the next IBIZA when it comes to clubbing experience?

Definitely not. The authorities down here would never allow it. Ibiza is a 24-hour party island. Down here, the cops show up if the club stays open five minutes past its licensed time limit. In addition, I don't believe there's enough club owners with vision down here... some of them certainly don't have the passion for the music. I think the club owners need to be into the music as much as the promoter and the DJs are. That's when great things can happen. Often the club owners are only looking after their own interests. A good friend of mine describes it as "fast food entertainment"... if it doesn't work straight away, they move onto something else. Unfortunately, good things take time.

On a fashion note: Why do you think t-shirt and jeans seem like the “uniform” for DJs. Can’t you guys wear anything more glam?

DJs should be judged for what they do, not for what they wear. It's not a fashion contest. When I play I want to be as comfortable as possible. I actually played in a club wearing shorts and trainers once. Clothes are a secondary concern for me when I'm in the booth.

MarbellaStyle: Lol on fashion contest. Chill, man. just asking.

DEEPER: I prefer looking at Zaina... she always looks absolutely stunning every time we go out. She's the glam-conscious one.

M.S.: I agree.

Being a dj, do you get a lot of “propositions” from the ladies?

Most of the "propositions" come in the form of requests for songs. I'm not very accommodating as far as requests are concerned. Like I said, I play for myself. If you want to hear your own music, stay at home with your Ipod.

What can we expect from DEEPER this summer?

God willing, we'll carry on with some superb parties at various fantastic venues along the Coast. We've got quite a few suprises up our sleeve this year. One of our objectives at DEEPER has always been to grow the night bit by bit. Good clubnights need time to develop. 2008 will be a continuation of this philosophy. Zaina and I have also just signed a recording contract with Ultimate Orange Records. As such, we'll be spending quite a bit of time in the studio this year working on our first original productions as well as some great remix projects. It certainly is gonna be a very busy and exciting year for us.

The one thing you love about Marbella

It has to be the weather. Ultimately, I believe that is the main reason we live here.

One thing you hate about Marbella

The time it takes to get things done sometimes. I've been on the Coast 26 years and Zaina 13 years. Things have come a long way in this time. But once in a while, the 'mañana' syndrome still gets to us.

Any last words for Marbella Clubbers?

To those that support us, a big thank you. To those that haven't been to DEEPER yet, come and check it out. And to everybody else... keep clubbing and keep feeling it... house music is alive and well.

Check out DEEPER's website: www.deeper.es for party schedules, DJ profiles, party photos and more. Next event: THIS FRIDAY AT MAX BEACH!

BESOS!

Into Deep with the DEEPER Inauguration party

marbellastyle — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:04:00 GMT

I was wishing for a perfect tan in the beach before everybody else does but what I got was bad a sprain nine hours before the DEEPER party kicked off in ICON, 21st of March. Good thing our friend, the gorgeous Rani agreed to attend the party on our behalf while I sat home, blaming my right foot for all the fun and excitement that I missed.

Before hitting Icon, Rani and Happykaff were able to meet up with Yourmarbella's Christian, Rich, Vicks and Annalisa in El Jardin Restaurant. It was quite surreal to meet the real persons behind the profiles but Rani was not disappointed at all. "They are very nice in person! Very warm and great to talk to", she said. Having exchanged pm's with Annalisa days before the event, I was looking forward to meet them all but the foot got in the way. It would have been nice to have a little chat with the boys to ask what they're up to lately and what's instore for YM in the coming days especially the summer season. As for the girls, a night-long girl-talk session could have been fun and I would have definitely got into details on their beauty and hair (!) tips. Oh well, there will be another time, I'm sure.

As the night went on, they finally moved to ICON although Rich wasn't feeling so well and had to give it a miss.

At ICON, things were heating up and the atmosphere got more intense with a drag-tastic performance. Yup, the towering queen was one of the highlights of the night as well as the hot male and female go-go dancers who made everyone's adrenalin rushed to to the roof.

As for the music, Philippe Michel gave a brilliant performance accompanied by percussions. A subtle fusion of deep house, tech house, tribal and techno dominated the air; something that you can't find from the more commercialized techno music which seem to be infecting the club scene lately. MarbellaStyle has prepared a little interview with Philippe and will be published here in YM this week as a part 2 of the DEEPER party chronicle so stay tune for that. In the meantime, here are random photos from the party that I missed---something I will blame my right foot for as long as I live.

(all photos by RANI. Check out her profile for more. Thanks girl!)

Philippe Michel rocking the night away

Who's prettier, the drag queen or the go-go-girl?

Rich and Christian

Rich, Vicks, Annalisa and Christian

YM's gorgeous girls: Annalisa, Kaff, Rani and Vicks

Stylish girls at the party

Yellow pants never looked this good.

I would have loved to get one of those balloons.

Lovely pic by Rani

Besos to everyone and don't forget to check out the next DEEPER party at Max Beach!

www.marbellastyle.blogspot.com

xxx

The Sartorialist soon The Designer.

marbellastyle — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 13:46:00 GMT

Seems like Spain's national paper, EL PAIS, is in love with fashion bloggers. Two of the grand names in fashion blogging were featured in the paper's Sunday supplement for two consecutive weeks. First was the sartorialist himself, Scott Shuman and a week after, it was the the high priestess of fashion blogging, Diane Pernet of A Shaded View of Fashion.

My Spanish is not yet perfect and Google translation is not much of a help either but I've tried my best to translate it the best I could so here it is, let's do Mr. Schuman first and tomorrow, Mr. Pernet.

10 Questions for The Sartorialist:

The elegant man has come back. Where has he been all this time?

The media has been fixated with the young for years and years now. They have ignored the matured gentlemen and with more style. The kind of persons I am looking for. Elegance can come out young and cool.

How can you define what you do?
I take photographs of people with style on the streets. Men, particularly; big small, fat, handsome, ugly. I don't care as long as it tickles my imagination. The result---my blog which is my way to help the people.

Why did you decide to do it in the streets?
Hobby. I like street photographs of street fashion. But I didn't feel that I can identify with the things that I was doing before. (taking pictures of ) People in the clubs, at night, dressed like Papagayos (a certain kind of bird). My option is to portray people in their real lives.

When did you find out that you have turned into something important?
I don't remember. I started receiving emails saying that my work was something significant. Today, my blog receives between 55,000 to 60, 0000 visits a day.

Obviously, you think that the manner of dressing is an act of self-expression...
Of course. I, for example when I go out in the morning for breakfast, I wear a hat, jeans and a sweatshirt by Jill Sander, sending a message to the world.

Do you live in a perfect world like what your photos suggest?
Absolutely not. I am a portrait of a distinct person. I don't judge anyone.

How do you react when you see someone whose way of dressing you consider boring?
I try not to look. if not, I'm gonna get crazy. There's a lot of photographers who like to dwell on the negative aspect, I stay with the positive. I don't give lessons, I only look for inspirations.

Are you thinking of designing clothes as well? I will. A certain company is interested for me to do so. It is still early to talk about it.

Is there anything that you wouldn't wear?
Cowboy boots.

I wouldn't be surprise if Mr. Schuman will become a very good designer in the future. His intensive background in fashion, business and photography makes him a complete package to build an empire that would challenge today's best names in the industry.

Here's my favourite pics recently from the Sartorialist website:

We are looking forward to see Mr. Schuman's design to hit the high streets. I just hope it's gonna be affordable so that we, mortals can actually buy it.

The Sartorialist, Spain always waits for you.

Besos!

Back to Fashion Blogging: Deflowering Spring

marbellastyle — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:56:00 GMT

Because I'm sick and tired of Flowers...

...I've opted for patterns for this spring.

Even the grand dame of fashion journalism, Suzy Menkes believes that there's just a lot of blossoming floral patterns for this spring. From Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Missoni to Rodarte, Prada and Cavalli. Just too much, I'm having an allergy right now and I'd rather happily put my printed frocks splashed with different colours which is a must, must, must this season.

I love specifically the crazy but elegant patterns from Dries Van Noten (left), Vera Wang, Chaiken, Badgley Mischka and Pollini which is totally different from the religious use (or mis-use) of flowers whenever spring season comes along.

"There were so many flowery, sweet-tooth patterns, from hibiscus to rose, in the new season’s clothes that even I — raised on the herbaceous prettiness of an English country garden — longed to reduce the sugar quotient." ---Suzy Menkes on This year's Spring Collection.

We all know it's spring and we don't have to be reminded of flowers same as in the summer, we don't have to be reminded of the sun.

Besos!

Yohji Yamamoto

Vera Wang

Pollini

Chaiken
Badgley Mischka
Pollini
Alexander McQueen

Alexander MacQueen

www.marbellastyle.blogspot.com

Emotional Weather Report

marbellastyle — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:43:00 GMT

Warning: This entry has nothing to do with the weather at all (we leave that to the weathermen) however emotional it might have been in the last few weeks. Hey, weather make up your mind. Sunny but windy but cold? This entry is about gratitude to all the people who have supported MarbellaStyle as we reach our first 10,000 hits (300 more to go we reckon we can get this before this week ends) since it started in August of last year. And no, this is not an attempt to any shameless publicity stunt but rather a simple way of saying "thanks" to the city that we now call home. Most importantly, this is a long entry so if you don't have the patience nor the time, proceed to the next blog featured in this site.

It must have been the best decision I made in my entire twenty nine years of existence to move to the coast of Spain about 4 years now. I can remember the night I arrived in the Malaga Airport the summer of 2004---everything was bleak and dark on my way to Benalmadena Costa where my family lives and I was horrified that I couldn't see a trace of 7-11 store anywhere for a pack of ciggie that ungodly hour of the morning. I came from a bustling city in the Far East where everything was accessibleanytime; where you can go to the cinema, last full show at one in the morning.

Everything was suddenly different for me and waking up the next day to the sound of someone outside my apartment who was howling on the top his lungs accompanied by clapping (obviously it was flamenco) didn't help me either to adjust---something that I stupidly thought was easy.

Just like any other "new arrivals" in the coast, I discovered that finding a job here is not a walk in the park either. I battled my way through mountains of paperworks--empadronamiento, residencia, NIE number--- you know the works, and queuing every single day at the police station or the ayuntamiento was not the kind of exercise I could imagine myself getting into but nevertheless did, for the lack of choice. Being able to legally work is one thing, finding work is another. I was faced with tough competition from people around the globe and the confidence of having to speak English to get a proper job melted easily like a cheap ice cream under the hot Spanish sun. My first job in the kitchen of a chiringuito was not something I could rave about to my friends back home but looking at it now in a more mature perspective, It was something I was proud of as it was my learning ground to practice the language and adapt to the culture I had no idea about. There I learned a lot of things about the country and its people---a race blessed with powerful lungs. My first Spanish employers' communication skills always brought me to tears as I thought she was mad at me with her shouts and shrieks accompanied by exaggerated hand gestures. It took me three long months to realize that that was just how and the majority of her countrymen talks. She was not mad at all. It is just the way the Spanish speaks.

I could go on and on with horror stories of my first two years in this country but despite everything, I learned to love my adoptive home. Especially Marbella. However small it may seem, the city is so cosmopolitan and it continues to bring together people from around the globe whose background, ethnicity and cultures have been significant in making it a vibrant and a bustling tourist destination that it is today. There are lots of things to see and discover in this part of town and if you are enthusiastic enough to learn and observe, you will definitely find out. For us at MarbellaStyle, we are in our continuous search local talents who are finding their way to be known for their craft. People, places and events which rightfully deserve to be known and have a taste of their 5 minutes of fame (as it is the average reading time for blogs) in the Internet and the blogosphere.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have supported our humble blog which , from 20 visits when it started in August of 2007 , now receives a whopping 150-200 visits daily from around the world and still growing. We have been featured in several websites in the U.S. as a "must read" of the day and we are now linked to different major fashion websites from different countries. In view of this, we are encouraging everyone---designers, photographers, models, writers, artists and everyone, basically everyone, who have something to say in the field of design, fashion, style and art to get in touch with us if you want to be seen or heard in our blog here in yourmarbella.com and our blogger address.

Thanks to Rich and Christian for allowing me to have a space here in this social networking site. Having our first 10,000 hits might be a small step for some, but definitely a giant leap for MarbellaStyle.

Oh I feel like giving a speech in the Oscars sans the trophy, the gown and the swag but yeah, I feel emotionally overwhelmed by this development.

So guys, bring on the fun and I hope the summer will bring us not only perfect tans and happy spirits but more success with work and endeavours. MarbellaStyle will continue to reach its goal to keep everyone posted on what's happening on the coast's fashion/design/party department (less party more fashion related invitation please, people!) so again, if you have something to share, please keep in touch at info@marbellastyle.net.

This has been Miss J. ending your very highly emotional report.

Besos!
www.marbellastyle.blogspot.com

Intimacies at KLubber's Day @ICON

marbellastyle — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 01:23:00 GMT

It must be surreal to have a good DJ playing the whole night just for yourself. Unless you’re a celebrity or someone who’s got five financial advisers to take care of all your money, the chances of having the likes of DJ Tiesto or Carl Cox spinning the records in the comfort of your living room would be snowballs in hell.

That’s why we’re very lucky to have been at Klubber's Day in ICON, Puente Romano at the strike of midnight, the 8^th of March where one of the coast’s finest DJs, Christiaan Kouijer played a mind blowing session in an intimate atmosphere.

Christiaan may not be Tiesto or Cox but strip off the layers of hype and celebrity status that wrap them and more or less you’ll get the same amount of talent and creativity with him. (oh, Christiaan get an easier screen name will yah? Lol). His repertoire ranges from “tuff house to deep and tribal house” as it says on his YM profile but we can say it is a crazy fusion of chill and hardcore house. Can’t imagine how it goes? Check out his MySpace account to hear it for yourself. As for us, we were lucky to have our swag for the night---Christiaan’s promotional CD by Faxside Records which currently makes our car stereo burn (in a good way, of course) and makes us awake on our morning journey to work.

Klubbers’ Day was a double celebration for us as we also met up with LOVE JEANS’ moderator, RANI, for the group’s first ever “meet up” event. For everyone who’s wondering how Rani is in person, let me tell you one thing---her pictures don’t give her any justice at all. She is just so much lovelier in person! And very nice too! We had a blast getting pictures of people in their favorite jeans while getting hammered with vodka tonic (okay, the Vodka thinggie was me). I just hope we had more time to talk but obviously, the music was just too good to waste. My friend Connie and I hit the dancefloor right in front of the gorgeous DJ Christiaan (he’s got a gorgeous brother too named Ben. To the women reading this entry: I tell you, the Kouijer brothers are hot!) and while the crowd started to flow in, we decided to call it a night. We had Christiaan’s music all for ourselves and even though I didn’t get to bring home any of the brothers at all, the CD would suffice. Darn it.

As usual, photos galore:

V.I.P.

Yup, That's Rani!

Roar! I just saw the ad it's D&G in case you're wondering.

Getting Crazy, dahlin?

Christiaan's brother, Ben with the most stylish girl of the night.

                                                                                            Miss Colombia, Daniella.

                                                                                                         Connee

                                                                                              Rani and HappyKaff

                                                                                                             yeah!

Besos Everyone!

P.S.

FXS is opening up a new club in Fuengirola on the 19th of this month called SUONO (sound in Italian) in front of Miramar shopping centre. Check out the forum page for info. You can see more of Christiaan there.

Sweet Dreams In DREAMERS

marbellastyle — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:51:00 GMT

Sweet Dreams in DREAMERS

Skipping our usual office lunch hours my friend Connie and I headed off to DREAMERS last Wednesday to take a first look and get a first hand info from owner Michael and designer Ali, on what’s happening and what to look forward to as the mythical club re-open its doors once more to receive the fabulous Costa De Sol.

Welcome back, DREAMERS!

I thought it was more of PACHA in IBIZA while my friend said it was more of New York. Ali, Dreamer’s interior designer said it was actually a fusion of the club culture and style that he has acquired from his
globetrotting. From the biggest club scenes in NY, Paris, London to the party islands of Greece, St. Tropez and Ibiza to name a few, Ali has definitely acquired a taste for club style which seemed like cocktail of elegance and class without losing the fun factor.

The interiors were breathtaking (and we are talking here on daylight where nothing was still draped by colorful strobe lights) from the entrance, you will be greeted with a massive dancefloor which is expected to be packed especially come summertime. Ushered by Michael, DREAMERS’ owner, we were toured on VIP lounges which were all sponsored by topclass spirits like Moet Chardon, among others. I personally love how they thought of putting pink matte sofa on the second floor instead of the usual boring black furniture. Ali raved about the lights and the priceless sound system they used for this season and oh, how can we miss the fabulous DJ booth---the gigantic half-cut disco ball! It reminded me of Madonna's dramatic entrance on her Confessions tour last year. Very cool.
(from l to r: Michael,Ali and Norma. Owner and organizers of the event)

The Party

We expected it to be busy but we didn't expected it to be massive! Press people and collaborators filled the skylounge and the booze flowed for free til about two in the morning. Downstairs, the dancefloor was heating up as one of Spain's best Djs , Wally Lopez, prepared himself to the beautiful havoc that was expected of him. Soon enough, he spanned the discs and everybody's jumping all over like mad! His repertoire was brilliant and as the disco ball booth captured and flashed the lights through we joined the crowd in an endless gyration.

Here are some of the pics we've taken during the party. I was on the look out for the most stylish people but as usual, the vodka tonic impaired my visuals.

Best dressed of the night--Norma and friend.

Winners of MarbellaStyle's invites raffle

Connie and friend

Dj Tiesto! Carl Cox! Eric Morillo! They've all been here!

Cristal, not meth.

This guy was dancing in front of me. Bulges in all the right places.Picture perfect. :)

Cute Kimono Girl

Love the red tie

My favorite character of the night: The Disco Ball Man! Ohhh, he was so lovely. I'm thinking of wearing one of those in Halloween.

DREAMERS is back in town. With the summer season just a few months ahead, tourists and residents will be served with some heavenly clubbing time once more. This is the place to dream...a sweet one.

Besos!

P.S.

Special thanks to Julia Giraudo, DREAMERS' admin dept. for the invitation. Cheers, girl!

www.marbellastyle.blogspot.com

A Different Tone for Bryan Adams

marbellastyle — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:56:00 GMT

A Different Tone for Bryan Adams

Artists shifting gears into something quite different always receive mix reviews and acceptance from the public. Take , for example, Irish Musician Glen Hansard whose film debut garnered him an Oscar for Best Song while Mariah Carey’s Glitter didn’t glitter at all in the box office but instead marked a long lasting eclipse in her attempt to invade the big screen.
Arnold Schwarzenegger switched from terminator to governor while actors struggling to become accomplished directors like Antonio Banderas still have got to make a massive hit to be able to be in the ranks of Spielberg and Lucas.

The list of this artist trying to make a mark in a totally different facet of art is endless. Some of them succeed, a lot of them don’t. That’s why we are just so happy to know that Bryan Adams, yes, the 90’s heartthrob whose songs, in one way, or another melted our hearts, is doing well in his shift from doing musical tones, to color tones.

Proof that he is doing well is his latest project, the GUESS campaign which is obviously a homage to Sophia Lauren ( I wonder why didn't get Penelope Cruz to do the campaign. Everyone is saying that she is the new Sophia Lauren, she even posed for Pirelli calendar with her to boot. I guess because she models and designs :( for MANGO).

Bryan's strength in my view is his genius use of light and shade. His ability to use these two brilliantly shows in every black and white photos which for me are better than his coloured ones. This doesn't lessen his talent as a photographer though. His celebrity shots in colours are equally astounding including my favourite photographs of Lindsay Lohan, Tilda Swinton, Amy Winehouse amongst others.

feast your eyes for a moment:

Lindsay Lohan

Tilda Swinton
Kate Moss
Victoria Beckham
Amy Winehouse

every photographer's dream subject/model: The Queen.

If you think that bryan only does celebrity and fashion shots, think again. He also dabbles into photojournalism and the results are intriguingly interesting.

To view Bryan Adams' complete portfolio, click HERE.

I've been thinking of switching careers lately as well but I figured out being a diva is enough.

Besos!

Miss J.

www.marbellastyle.blogspot.com

Manolo Blahnik, Model.

marbellastyle — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:17:00 GMT

To interview an icon must be difficult for any journalist. One should choose the right questions, calculate the tone, and articulate himself in a way that would not sound intimidating or submissive to the interviewee. As a journalist myself in my heydays, I confronted different kinds of people above and under social hierarchies and believe me sweating palms, manic heartbeats and loss of concentration are the last things that you want to suffer with especially when you are faced with the famous and sometimes, the infamous.

That is why, hats off to Vogue España’s Sara Fernandez Castro who--- having faced with two prominent figures in the country, one of which is an icon and a myth--- has delivered a fantastic interview in this month’s edition on Maribel Verdú, one of Spain’s top actresses, and The Manolo Blahnik.

Ms. Verdú, beautifully dressed and accessorized with some of the best names you can think of---Chanel, Bvlgari, Cartier, Gucci, Cavalli, Dior and Dolce and Gabbana amongst others---shares her triumph in the recently concluded GOYA awards (Spain’s version of The Oscars) having bagged the Best Actress Category For Siete Mesas del Billar Francés (Seven French Billard Tables). For non-Spanish moviegoers, you must have seen her in award winning films like Y tu Mamá Tambien with Gael Garcia Bernal and Mexico’s official entry for Best Foreign Film in last year’s Oscars, Pan’s Labyrinth (Laberinto Del Fauno).

The interview on the Spanish actress was just the tip of the iceberg though; in a five course meal, the appetizer. The real star of the feature (which he rightfully deserve anyway), was Manolo himself. The rare interview shows another face of the mythical designer that I’m sure Carrie Bradshaw doesn’t know about. He candidly talks about his love and respect for fellow artists such as Galliano among others and his passion for Spanish films, well, the film industry and its stars, as I may say.. He talks about Greta Garbo (which he described as very Swedish, very dry) and his surreal encounter with her in New York over breakfast and croissants. He also shares his admiration to French film actress Anouk Aimee and Italian diva, Claudia Cardinale, both of which have been screen goddesses in their years and hailed as icons in their own respective countries.

Having worked with Sophia Copolla in the screen adaptation of Marie Antoinette’s life (the film was a total disappointment by the way) Mr. Blahnik was pleased to know that the Spanish actress Verdu is currently doing a film for the older Copolla. He only had good words for the family and quite excited to see Verdu's appearance on the said project.

Here are some of the shots In Vogue España's March issue shot at The Gore Hotel in London:

“ I like to collaborate with people like Galliano or Christopher Kane; they have passion, fire and we speak the same language.”

Speaking of THE Blahnik, his latest collection is as a kaleidoscopic fierceness and I'm sure Carrie Bradshaw will be pleased to know that the shoes, as always, boast glam, more straps and buttons and yes, more and more inches to boot. Here are the sketches of the collection from his website, www.manoloblahnik.com

My take on the shoes: The fierceness and the sophistication is truly fit for the red carpet and because the shoes range from a thousand dollars and up, only a fitting star or starlet can get these coveted gems. We can only dream...and I want a purple strappy to cuddle with.

Besos!

Love Jeans Meet Up Party at Klubber's Day!

marbellastyle — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 22:08:00 GMT

The Fabulous Rani of LOVE JEANS and MarbellaStyle have cooked up something special for everyone:

LOVE JEANS MEET UP PARTY AT KLUBBER'S DAY!

Calling all members of LOVE JEANS group and my friends: Get your most favourite pair of jeans and get ready to party on the 8th of March at ICON Puente Romano!

The first ever get-to-know party will be held in conjunction with Klubber's day which is promoted by Faxside records with Christian Kouijzer as the featured DJ of the night.

Come in your best put together outfit and get ready to be photographed....well that's optional really...promise!!!!

So mark the date: 8th of March at ICON Puente Romano 12 midnight onwards!

RSVP...pm RANI to be on the guestlist.

Not a member? Then go and join now or turn up anyway!

From Lanvin to Carine

marbellastyle — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:08:00 GMT

So you've seen the gorgeous LANVIN ads for women this season, now feast your eyes on Mr. Elbaz's ad campaign for men for summer 2008.

Gentlemen, this is how you do it.

The collection is described as a "connection between city and sport, mixing influences with chic", using the most lightweight fabrics that move with the wind, taking shapes in the slightest motion. A lot of layering were also used and lots of washed mineral tones.The brand's 2008 fall collection is undoubtedly fabulous with its mixture of that 20's style which reminds me of Hitchcock films.
men.style.com

For the ladies who want a dash of masculinity without losing that grace and style Lanvin's suit collection for women is just as astounding as that of men's. I love it and I cannot wait to see Carine Roitfeld looking slick as ever in one of those power suits. Speaking of Carine, it seems like her rivalry with the queen bee of American Vogue is getting more and more intense.

In a recent interview with the New York Magazine entitled "The Anti-Anna" she relates her feelings about over exposure with some Anna Wintour metaphors :

“It’s very difficult not to become a puppet,” she says of it all. “Like Anna, she becomes so iconic that she becomes like a puppet. I don’t want to be like that, I don’t want to wear this uniform, I don’t want to be just an envelope.”

The interview was amazingly interesting and candid recounting in a thousand words or so Carine's life, children, work, style and of course, Anna.

And oh, about fat people in Thailand too. (ouch!) To read her full interview, please click here:

Anyway, to celebrate my love for Lanvin, here's my latest acquisition:

Arpége Pour Homme by LANVIN.
Heart Notes: Nutmeg-Orris
Jasmine-Mate
Base notes: Australian Sandalwood
Vanilla-TonkaBean.

Arpége is quite strong but can be worn by both men and women, and I just love it. Perfect for the winter (although would just be too much for summer) season.

This perfume is the nearest thing I can get to a LANVIN and definitely makes me smell as good as Carine.

Besos!

www.marbellastyle.blogspot.com

LANVIN STORE IN MARBELLA:

Address: Muelle Rivera, Edificio Levante, 1B, Puerto Banus, 29660, Marbella, Málaga, Spain

Phone: +34 952 81 00 99

Pictures from Style.com, men.style.com,nymag.com, lanvin.com