Lisa Dengler
Anna Le
Samantha Mariko
Izzy Bea
Robbie W
Models present creations during the Kyrgyz Fashion Week in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, on March 21, 2010. The six-day Kyrgyz Fashion Week concluded here on Sunday.
Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands have been keeping several fashion gems to themselves. Laurèl and Strenesse have long been furnishing stylish Germans with enchanting eveningwear while Scapa is Belgium’s answer to Polo Ralph Lauren. But have you heard of them? You have now. Sarah Pacini and Rue Blanche offer their own Belgian take on casual feminine elegance. Kipling is an Antwerp luggage brand gone global and Leonidas Belgian chocolates are now famous worldwide. All these and many more niche European brands can now be found at Maasmechelen Village – around just 60 minutes from Brussels, Antwerp and Cologne – with over 95 designer outlet boutiques selling previous seasons’ collections with savings of 30% to 60%*, all year round. So it’s time for a European voyage of discovery with exceptional value at the forefront of the experience. This is a “breakthrough” in European shopping, says Travel + Leisure China, and is the shopping destination for high-profile visitors. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Louis Michel, Belgian top model & famous TV personality Phaedra Hoste, former Miss Belgium Virginie Claes, Dutch Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen and former Belgian No.1 female tennis player Kim Clijsters have all shopped at the Village.
Apart from the local heroes, you can travel the fashion globe at Maasmechelen Village via Italy’s iconic Versace and the Italian Fornarina and Furla, the Dutch Marlies Dekkers, the Swedish Björn Borg, America’s Calvin Klein Jeans and Levi’s, Scotland’s patrician Pringle of Scotland and France’s Marithé + François Girbaud. You will also find at Maasmechelen Village the ultra-chic Belgian Olivier Strelli, Chine and Essentiel, who have chosen to open their only outlet – in the world – here, so no one need know that you paid half price for your hot new wardrobe. The Belgian contingent includes also Bellerose and urban trendy Mer du Nord for women and their junior equivalents.
Maasmechelen Village has five eateries of its own, serving for example, Belgian specialities at Brasserie Musette, wood-fired pizzas at Gastronomia Cellini, and juices and healthy snacks at Bodum. But if you’re wishing upon one of those Michelin stars, then Alex Clevers’ Hostellerie Vivendum, in Dilsen-Stokkem, is only a short bike ride away. This chef has a passion for re-invigorating vegetarian cuisine and, considering the star and all the other awards he keeps winning, it’s not at all expensive.
The Village sits at the heart of canal country; you can even moor your boat at a nearby jetty and rent a bike on site (perhaps pick up a cut-price Barbour; this is an investment – they last forever) and take a turn around the picturesque towpaths. The refurbished Hotel Amigo in the very heart of Brussels will provide a restful indulgence after your exertion in the region. Part of the Rocco Forte collection, it has been touched by the design genius of Olga Polizzi making it the sleekest choice with many of the original antiques still in situ. If you like what you see at the Amigo, then you should try not to miss the Sunday antique market at Tongeren where over 300 treasure-filled stalls will vie for your euro. You might want to snap up a hard Samsonite suitcase from Maasmechelen Village to ensure that your treasures don’t get broken on the flight home.
All in all, a weekend in this compelling pocket of Europe – effortless to reach thanks to the direct Eurostar service to Brussels from London, Paris and Lille – is a big old bundle of beautiful bargains. It’s a melting hotchpotch of collectables, design, constellations of Michelin stars, grand historical architecture, and – at Maasmechelen Village – you can value your time and money, without trading down on style or quality.
Question: Do you prefer art, architecture, food or beaches? Answer: It doesn’t matter. Because, if you take a trip to Barcelona, with its rich tapestry of culture, then you can indulge any or all of your passions. If fashion and lifestyle are your passion, you can visit La Roca Village, only 40 minutes from Barcelona, and pick up some of the biggest and best luxury bargains available anywhere in Spain. (The Sagalés bus departs from Fabra i Puig bus station in Barcelona for a return journey to La Roca Village.)
La Roca Village is a shopping street lined with the smartest designer boutiques – Catalan, Spanish and international brands – and pleasingly designed to echo the atmosphere of a traditional Catalan market town for a truly regional experience. This is fashion at its finest, and all sold at prices reduced by up to 60%*, all year round. Smart shoppers like smart savings on smart brands and, as visiting shoppers – such as top model Laura Ponte, Diana Ross, actress
Ursula Andress, graphic designer Jordi Labanda and Spanish fashion icon Purificación Garcia – will know, La Roca Village delivers.
Farrutx and Loewe are two of Spain’s iconic leather brand investments, subtle and beautifully crafted. Camper footwear epitomises the effortless, casual elegance at which the Spanish excel, while Hoss Intropia, a lively Spanish label, is suddenly to be found on red carpets all over the world because the clothes offer super-flattering, easy glamour. A splash of vibrant colour, Custo Barcelona’s collections for men and women are inspired by American psychedelia, whilst Adolfo Dominguez’s hallmark verges more towards Spanish restraint.
The Italian phenomena that are Versace, Ermenegildo Zegna and La Perla are here, along with the German designer Hugo Boss. For casual sassy dressers Diesel is the place, while Tommy Hilfiger is the biggest noise in American cruisewear. Burberry is the great British brand that never goes out of fashion and Petit Bateau sells hard-working but cute clothes for small shoppers at small prices.
Talking of small shoppers, La Roca Village has its own play area to perk them up or wear them out, whichever works for you. And Barcelona’s culture of gastronomy extends to La Roca Village where visitors can enjoy typically delicious Catalan cuisine.
Barcelona itself boasts an embarrassment of riches. Really this is a city that should be tackled on foot (stock up on Timberlands or Nike at La Roca Village to spare yourself blisters) but, if that sounds too much like hard work for a holiday, take the helicopter with BCN Sky Tours and survey Gaudi’s spires, parks and surrealist genius from above or head straight to the smart end of the Costa Brava around 70 kilometres from Barcelona and 50 kilometres from La Roca Village.
The restaurants don’t really start to buzz until 9 o’clock at the earliest so there is plenty of time to stroll through Las Ramblas, a kilometre stretch of bars, street entertainers, markets stalls and restaurants serving every type of tapas imaginable while La Boqueria is the largest food market in Europe and performs a proper assault on the senses.
El Quim de la Boqueria is a famous family-run tapas stall where there is always a queue for the superlative Catalan dishes.
“A new breed of discount mall brings glamour to the frugal,” says Condé Nast Traveller. And right now saving money is the hottest trend of them all.
Girls Aloud ensure their shoes don't fall off when they are dancing by wrapping elastic bands around their feet.
Girls Aloud keep their shoes on with elastic bands.
The 'No Good Advice' hitmakers - Kimberley Walsh, Cheryl Cole, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Nadine Coyle - worry about losing their footwear when performing tricky dance routines on stage, so have learned to secure them to prevent accidents.
Kimberley revealed: "My best kept fashion secret is that when Girls Aloud are on tour we have see-through elastic bands that wrap around our feet so that our shoes don't fall off while dancing."
Kimberley's favourite fashion purchases are shoes and she is particularly pleased that she and her bandmate Nicola take the same size as they can swap.
She added: "Nicola has the most interesting and extravagant wardrobe. She also has a really good shoe collection. We're both a size five, so I know they'd all fit me."
Stylish, Aristocratic, Classy, Trendy and Durable – Fossil's leather collection will prove to be an absolute delight for all the fashion mongers out there.
This summer, the brand has in the offering an all new range of exciting accessories for both men & women.
Travel Bags: Travel in style…
Perfect for an official day or a weekend break, these travel bags from Fossil are Stylish yet trendy. Made from fine genuine leather these Fossil travel kits comprise of Duffels, Messengers and Shave kit.
The Jackson EW Messenger is a modern alternative to the older generation office briefcase. Made from fine genuine leather, it has beautiful glazed and antiqued hardware which are specifically designed to conveniently carry laptops, important documents, and other daily essentials.
This leatherwear is perfect to be carried everywhere!These are available across all leading departmental stores.
Ladies Leather accessories:
Classic yet contemporary, Simple yet detailed. The concept of modern vintage design represents the defining aesthetics for all the Fossil leather products for women.
Belts:
Fossil ladies belts are distinct because of their causal construction and authenticity. In its purest form, it's a mixture of the best of what's old and what's new. Designed with modern styling and made of smooth genuine leather, the array of belts feature silver-tone buckle with embossed logo plate, metallic detailed patchwork with floral-shaped studs and a variety of piece-y patchwork of summer colors.These belts are available across all leading departmental stores.
Wallets and Clutches:
Defined by clean lines, soft shapes and natural materials, the Fossil wallets and clutches look chic and simple. Contrast color stitching and pop-stitching gives the exterior a versatile and stylish look. The collection has been designed with refinement keeping in minds the needs and comfort of today's young women. Multiple features of spacious dual compartments, card slots, a bill compartment, & a zip pocket all ensure the lady is organized and has ease of accessibility. With a youthful touch to the collection, the effervescence lies in the array colors one can choose from. These are available across all leading departmental stores.
Victoria Beckham wants to grow as a designer, but believes she has finally become an established name in the fashion world.
Victoria Beckham is glad she has had to "prove" herself.
The singer-turned-designer was delighted to see a number of famous names - including Demi Moore and Cameron Diaz - wearing her dresses at pre- and post-Oscar parties earlier this month and thinks she has finally been accepted by the fashion world.
She said: "I have had to prove myself. But that's a good thing: everybody has to prove themselves, not just me... I want to grow as a designer, I want to learn the techniques and do more and more.
"I feel more confident in myself because I feel fulfilled, creatively and professionally. I've still got a long way to go, but I feel very happy. I'm in a good place in my life. And I don't feel I have to prove myself as much as I used to have to."
Victoria - who has been widely criticised for her slender frame - is particularly happy that her creations have been endorsed by so many stars of different physiques.
She added: "The support has been fantastic. And it's been great that it's been on lots of different body shapes as well. There have been tiny people wearing the dresses, such as Madonna, and then Jennifer Hudson wore one at the Golden Globes. The way the dresses have been constructed means that they are really flattering."
Models show creationsduring the seventh Athens Xclusive Designers Week in Athens, Greece, March 20, 2010. The four-day fashion week kicked off here on Saturday as 25 designers will present their latest trend for autumn and winter 2010/2011.
Models present creations by Russian designer Valentin Yudashkin at the Volvo Fashion Week in Moscow, capital of Russia, March 20, 2010. The Volvo Fashion Week kicked off here on Saturday.
After the modern leisure view changes, those functional casual clothes which illustrate men’s strong desire to make breakthrough put the temperament of “tough guy” on men in big cities. Nowadays, Camel Active initiates special functions used in the casual clothes, such as anti-electromagnetic wave, anti-UV, moisture absorption and good ventilation property. All those functions meet needs of people’s daily life and travels.
Camel Active is the world first casual clothes brand with anti-electromagnetic wave function. Its clothes can block 95% of the mobile phone electromagnetic radiation because the cell phone pockets of jackets and vests are made of anti-electromagnetic wave cloth added gold fibers.
Another innovation is that Camel Active’s clothing can absorb, reflect and disperse 80% ultraviolet radiation. As a result, its clothes can help its wearers avoid damage caused by the ultraviolet radiation. In Camel Active’s spring and summer collection, most of its T-shirts are made of functional fabric. They can help to volatilize heat produced by human body quickly due to its excellent ventilation property and moisture absorption.
The SS10 Pepe Jeans Ladies fashion collection provides a comprehensive yet versatile package that can be worn with the denim pieces at the heart of our brand, from early spring through to high summer.
Spring – CUTE and 80’s
CUTE continues the fresh girly feel of the AW09 range, mixing contemporary style and retro nautical influences. Colour denim retro kick flares or Riviera style slim cigarette pants can be styled with clean cute T-shirts with whimsical hand drawn graphics. Florals, dots and stripes are printed on light weight cotton woven bases, knits and jerseys, all of which can easily be worn with the denim pieces within the wardrobe.
80’s is a story that plays with key trends from the decade in a young and modern way. A cropped biker jacket can be worn with acid washed boyfriend jeans or a super tight mini, for casual or sexy look. Jersey tops and dresses are central to the story in a wide range of oversized shapes to be worn with jeans or leggings. New twists on classic 80’s tones of fuchsia electric blue and turquoise are complimented by white, black, peach and clean grey.
Summer – SUMMER DAYS and EXOTIC
Summer Days. Airy and light solid colour, floral or checked cotton tops, camisoles and mini dresses can be styled perfectly with vintage look loose fit jeans and shorts. Crinkled jersey vests and t-shirts can be worn with paper bag waist pants in the lightest cotton and linen, or with washed down shorts in soft summer checks or stripes. All pieces have a hand finished look, with intricate interior and exterior details to continue the homespun spirit. Fabrics are washed down, over dyed and to give a lived in authentic jeanswear look and soft touch.
Exotic is a rich, sexy and glamorous story for high summer. Multicolour prints are central to the story on tactile, fluid, fabrics, in floor length maxi dresses, all in ones, and sexy open tops that can be thrown over bikinis and worn easily with denim shorts. Arabesque volumes and safari details add to the well traveled high summer mood. Graphic print inspiration is taken from tropical flora and fauna.
Portobello Collection by Pepe Jeans London
This is our youngest range aimed at the fashion conscious teenager. Influences are taken from Tokyo, street wear and summer surf and beach styling and are translated into a young, trendy, free spirited collection that is uncomplicated, desirable and easy to wear. Bright stretch sateen jeans can be worn with a pop graphic t-shirt and a zippy nylon jacket. Printed leggings can be worn under colourful dresses and mini all in ones with a graphic hooded sweatshirt. The young poppy feel continues with bright plastic beading, graphic pin badges and contrast details. Graphics are young and fun, all carrying the Portobello by Pepe Jeans name. Summery bright tones of raspberry, fuchsia, turquoise and yellow are complimented by soft clean pastel shades and neutral greys.
