Shoes – Emma Cook for Topshop, Sweater & cut black jeans & black Outerwear Sweater – Zara, Bumbag – ASOS, Coat – Kappahl

I’ve had this post draft open by my bedside for about 30 hours – I have the flu equivalent of a death sentence in the 17th Century, or at least that’s what I like telling everyone around me to evoke sympathy and donations. (Le boyfriend keeps asking if he can have my DVD collection once I die) But when you’re 1) horizontal in bed and 2) 39 degrees and steamin’ from the ears, coherent sentences don’t come together, especially not for a blog entry. As I was drifting in and out of sleep the photos above started to merge into one dream and in a state of semi-high I somehow managed to relive this day trip I took to Oxford visiting Jen with Jill and Kit. Of course, this being a dream the trees were broccoli and Harry Potter was frolicking in the field with the cows (bits of HP were shot in Oxford)… but what an awesome way to re-experience a wonderful day in a beautiful city.

BTW, remember to get your annual flu shot, because as cool as it sounds to stay in bed the whole day and pick your own dream subject (should’ve watched Avatar…) to feel like you’re going to DIE is not very pleasant.

Shots of moi by Jen, thank you!

A few weeks ago I made this small day trip to Paris – some might’ve heard the racket outside your window, that was me twittering on my way to the airport in the morning, so early you’d have mistaken it for a night alley cat giggling. Vente Privee so kindly invited me for a tour of their headquarters in Paris, with the whole trip packaged like a secret mission which I was to fulfil as an agent. The small box I received at the briefing contained a miniature plane, so to the airport it was. Vente Privee, a brand probably most familiar to my French readers, is apparently the pioneer and leader of online sales events, first before everyone decided to open member-exclusive sales for discounted luxury brands for a limited time. Well, here’s a few snaps from my visit! (Feel free to skip this post if you’re not much for a scrolling marathon – again, here’s an exit link)

Atmosphere

Huge, correction: humongous HQ building with major contemporary art pieces (including the King Kong sculpture by David Mach and portraits of the Queen & Kate Moss [not of together, duh]) hogging every corner. Not uploading any for the sake of not getting sued over copyright blablas. Legals terms I know not. In the hallways there were hangers and hangers of product to be photographed, yet these weren’t just clothes – BBQ machines, school stationery and even Jacuzzi’s… apparently they even sold cars and apartments in the past. I’d like to say that to someone someday: I bought this flat at an online sale.

Sound Studios

Talk about DIY – Vente-Privee do all sound, motion, concept design for the products that go on sale in the site. Each sale is individually photographed – editorial and product pics; a 3 minute-long trailer is also made in-house to suit the sale. All sounds are created in the 6 studios managed by Jean-Reol Bonnerave.

Motion Design Team

3D, animation, cartoon, film editing, CG… everything motion, treated in the Motion Design studios. (Above: Marielle Devoyon, manager)

The Photoshoot Village

My favourite part, naturally. The photo department was in a whole other building – housing nearly 40 photo studios and one very sexy room full of big cameras and studio equipments – all the photoshoots for the products happen here. Everything that goes on the website is shot and edited in the premises, which I found was very clever as it does keep a solid consistency in quality. (Above: Keelin Tassy, manager)

Webdesign Team

The most familiar setting for me, the WebDesign studios. They deal with the aesthetics of the site, including the site’s ‘door’ theme that changes every month. Right now I believe they have polarbears in Central Park NY…? Always lighthearted and featuring an animal of some sort! (Above: Emilie Veillon, manager)

Jacket – Courtesy of H! by Henry Holland, Sweater – Topshop, Shirt as Dress – AA, Riding Pants – AA, Shoes – Zara, Bag, Belt – Jin Yoo 103684

Overall I must say I was immensely impressed by the work atmosphere and how so many talents are housed under one roof. It’s a bit like that one loft building in Shoreditch where all the artists, actors and designers supposedly live, flat next to another… a bit more purple lighting in this case. It really does make a huge difference seeing what happens behind the scenes in a company, makes you realize how much work is put in for the things we always take for granted.

Apologies for the long post – if you made it down here you deserve a pot roast, or a BIG TASTY carrot for the vegetarians. Thank you always for reading what I’m up to. xx

Thank you Vente Privee for having me over and Simona Saccà for taking me around the entire day!

Jacket – Quiksilver, Sweater – Gmarket, Necklace – Courtesy of Jennifer Loiselle, Sheer tunic – Zara, Leather pants – ASOS, Shoes – H&M

Jennifer Loiselle (Photos from her etsy store)

It seems that only when I’m literally walking out the door I’m able to catch the postman before he scribbles a We Missed You card and vanishes… he really can’t miss me enough to wait 30 damn seconds for the power-sprint from door phone to the door. If this was a relationship I’d be researching numbers for a freelance assassin, I tell you. The package was such a pleasant surprise though, containing two of Jennifer Loiselle‘s perspex necklace/headband designs that I’d seen in Susie’s post not a year ago. The designs are right up my alley – bold necklace that doesn’t require any intuitive jewellery layering skills (that I haz not), and can be worn on head or neck. Apart from the fact that the spikey number is a bit lethal and I’m a little afraid to mount it on my head, they’re a perfect addition to the family (Cow says hi). Thank you Jennifer!

On a separate note, I’m pretty sure in a few more weeks of this slush snow London will be looking to purchase a giant bottle of Head & Shoulders for dandruff control. Oh yes, I remember, last year they had to buy emergency salt from Spain because of said ‘snow’. Krakow has knee-high snow, I hear, and life goes on. LEARN, LONDON.

Thank you Kit for the photos!

Jacket – Courtesy of H! by Henry Holland for Debenhams, Black shirt with back-hole – ASOS, Orange top – La Moxie, Scarf – FCUK, Jeans – Uniqlo, Boots – Zara

Leave it to my brother to book things way early in advance – he’s got paranoia-duty in my family and is infamous for backup plans ranging from B-Z and travelling with one too many papers to prove that he is indeed who he is. Alright, I guess he’s not that bad since we both found ourselves severely broke this month, but he’d bought a pair of tickets to the Tennis ATP Finals live at the O2 area a few months ago, along with his weekend ticket to London (erasmus in Spain at the moment). I’ve never experienced anything like that, to tell the truth, it was exhilarating walking into the arena – full to the brim with thousands and thousands. Thankfully, the gentlemanly nature of tennis seems to plant a somewhat civilized behaviour in the said army of onlookers and apart from the occasional GO ANDY (Roddick) I LOVE YOU it was such a pleasant crowd experience. Who knew a tennis match would rekindle my (lost?) hope for civil manners? A roar of clapping never sounded so gentle and encouraging.

Coat – ASOS White, Scarf – Gifted, Top – Courtesy of AA, Jeans – Courtesy of Levi’s, Shoes – Zara, Bag – Jin Yoo 103684

Thanks Leonie for the photos!

One

problem with posting often is that, sure, at times there’s just naturally something to share – usually a somewhat cavalier commentary on other people’s jobs and practices, but there are times where you can’t even remember what you did that day or why the particular outfit. I personally call it the post-grub epoch, where everything is in slow motion and there is a gleaming bed in the horizon with… …wow I just fell asleep, sorry. OK let me cheat and describe something practical from the outfit: The Zara shoes are surprisingly comfortable, they’re good for about the first five hours, and after that it feels like you’re walking on dominos pieces. The coat is LETHAL when going down the stairs at the tube station, the wrinkles in the fifth pic is evidence to how much I scrunch it up to save my dear life. Last but not least, a silk scarf in 3° Celsius is the stupidest idea.