The spring breeze of changes.

It all gets better. When you see ‘March’ on your phone screen, it becomes easier to make new decisions kick in, smiles appear on your face and love warm your heart. When you finally get a vibe to take your fancy shoes and dresses out of your closet and take your Ugg boots off. I weirdly want to put my heels on tomorrow, no matter that it’s still pretty cold and snowy. It’s Saturday, it’s the first SPRING Saturday of the year and I want to go all beautiful tomorrow. Light and different, spring textures – a leather jacket or a silk blouse – from now on, day by day. The winter is over! Is’t it the best thing in the world – this year-round season change? I know exactly how funny it is for my Cali friends to read these lines. People who have been wearing bikinis throughout the whole winter won’t get how AWESOME it is to switch from your winter closet to a spring/summer collection. It’s not just a different style that is in. It’s nothing about a new line from your favorite designer. I can actually FEEL this breeze of changes. Outfit changes. Style changes. Life changes. It’s like you are born again, young and beautiful. It’s like every dress is so new, cause you haven’t worn it for a while. Since… Last year!

Love is in!

I feel like there can be nothing more tender than to read a fairy tale for a person you love. It's more intimate than seduction, it's less stressful than chatting. It's the easiest way to say "I love you, noone sees us right now and you can be completely opened with me". Murmuring a fairytale is like singing a lullaby, but even better, cause you can always choose the right one. Cheerful when your soulmate is down, tender when you want to show your feelings. There is always a story to teach and learn. There is always a cahnce to become a little happier. Cooler than fashion - love. It's always in.

One of my favourites - about a baby bear and a hedgehog, These two were cleaning stars every night cause they got filthy. It's a wonderful story of friendship and understanding each other in any circumstances.

Как ёжик с медвежонком протирали звезды

Вот уже целый месяц Ежик каждую ночь лазил на сосну и протирал звезды.

"Если я не буду протирать звезды каждый вечер - думал он - они обязательно потускнеют".

И с утра выходил на крыльцо, наламывал свежий веник, чтобы сбивать сначала со звезд пыль, и стирал тряпочку. Тряпочка у него была одна, и поэтому он каждое утро мыл ее и вешал на сосну сушить.

Покончив с приготовлениями. Ежик обедал и ложился спать. Просыпался он, когда уже выпадала роса. Поужинав, брал тряпочку в одну лапу, а веник в другую и потихонечку, с сучка на сучок, подымался на самую верхушку сосны. Здесь начиналось самое главное. Сначала звезды надо было обстукать веником, да так осторожно, чтобы случайно не сбить с неба. Потом веник переложить в левую лапу, а тряпочку взять в правую и протирать звезды до блеска. Работа была кропотливая, и на нее уходила вся ночь.

"А как же иначе? - ворчал Ежик, беседуя сам с собой на верхушке сосны.- Если Медвежонок не протрет звезды, если я не протру звезды, то кто же протрет звезды?.."

Медвежонок в это время тоже сидел на верхушке сосны над своим домом, протирал звезды и думал:

"Удивительно, как это Ежику в голову пришла такая счастливая мысль! Ведь если бы Ежик не придумал чистить звезды, их бы давно уже никто не видел. Вон какая пыльная!.." - И он дунул на звезду и потер тряпочкой...

Медвежонок очень старался, но у него не всегда получалось, как у Ежика. И если с неба падала звезда, все в лесу знали, что это ее нечаянно столкнул Медвежонок.

Let's talk about cars

A fashion obsession means that it is everywhere. Labels on clothes, shoes, even cars. Designers usually pick little ones and put logos on. Girls loooooove them cause they are so cute, and tiny and Gucci. Like a little striped Fiat. They can be so YSL, like this little Citroen. So French, so Italian. Aww!

No matter how much I love these brands, little cars by them are funny to me. I still believe that cars should be out of fashion – power should be in. Doesn't mean that they shouldn't be stylish of course. But power is the main thing to be everywhere, in every detail, in the engine, in the exterior, in the design itself.

 Fashion is light – it changes every now and then. Dresses and scarves are made out of cotton and silk. Cars are made out of metal and leather. Can anything like that be light?

Well, I am OBSESSED with cars. Sometimes I am not sure what I love more – purses or these huge awesome metal creatures. Of course I love my car. My Nissan baby boy, my important guy who drives me around and makes my life so much easier. Of course, looking at other cars makes me shaky inside. Every Monday and Wednesday, when my yoga classes finish late in the evening and the roads are empty the time of car industry comes. The night time, when drivers can show how powerful they and their cars are. Noone will see if the jacket is LV or Zara but there is no doubt your BMW is noticeable enough. You may wear Dior and take a train every morning cause it’s faster and whatnot. You can wear whatever you like but the leather on your seats will compliment any outfit, for sure. The Racing power in big cities like Moscow is definitely as big as the Fashion power. Wonderfully combining these two automatically make you win the battle for this wild city pride.

Guess who is skipping yoga tonight?

Business mysteries

I’ve recently done some research about brand stores in Moscow and it is crazy how this business sphere lives out here. I am not sure what is going on in the world but fashion and business is definitely a weird combo.

Of course, we all know, there isn’t such a word as sale for luxury brands like LV, Brioni, Gucci and many others. They sell every single item of each new collection? Pretty doubtful, right? Well, there are three big companies that own all the high-end boutiques in Moscow, and also have department stores, where the stuff is mixed together. Mercury means total luxury – Mr. Fridlyand and Mr Strunin founded their company in 1994 and since then they’ve been exclusive dealers of Rolex, Tiffany’s and a lot of wonderful car brands like Lamborghini, Bentley and  Maseratti.  Bosco di Ciliegi works with less expensive brands (D&G, Emporio Armani, Jean Paul Gaultier, Moschino, Casadei). Djamil ko’s owner from what I’ve heard is a a very expressive and greedy person (even thou his is a millionaire). He deals with Hermes, Christian Dior, Yohji Yamamoto etc.

First of all, all unsold items (50-70%) are sent to huge stocks where (if you are close enough to the owner) you can buy stuff with a 95% discount and then just destroyed. All beautiful designer dresses and purses aew burnt and torn cause they weren't sold for their regular price! It’s also almost impossible to import clothes, shoes and accessories legally. The fees and taxes are so high that the items become priceless after the customs. The price already doubles, not even talking about other expenses – salaries, rent, ads. So pretty much all three of Russian Fashion Monsters are using different schemes to pay less and earn more. For instance, according to the documents, no clothes are being imported but fabrique, second-hand items or even tights and socks for charity organizations. Crazy, isn’t it? Another “option” is to deal with offshores and import luxury goods thru the third country/organization. The cost of a D&G dress is $15 in covering documents. 15! Can you imagine that? The Chanel purse is $12. You understand how much it lowers the customs fees – quite enough to help minimizing expenses no matter if it’s legal or not.

I’ve read enough to understand that fashion business is a business first of all. No matter what you sell – gas, stationery or brand purses, you have fees and taxes due. You have to import goods, paying as little as you can. You have people working in your stores and contracts and many more economic details that make fashion an industry like any other, a little cooler but money-oriented as well.  Will we still love our favorite designers and their creative ideas and outfits they present? Yep. 

we all love Christmas!

No matter what. Our truly Russian  parents and grandparents have always celebrated Christmas on Jan 7. They’ve never known what an awesome holiday vibe you can get in Europe/States in December. Getting Christmas presents, decorating houses (which doesn’t only mean interior. Exterior decorations are as important - they make you want to spend time outdoors, celebrate with your neighbors, all your friends, make snowmen, catch snowflakes and do the funny winter stuff). Sales start in every single store after the 25^th  - it’s the most exciting part! You can always find your ideal dress for the New Year’s Eve cheaper. It’s a fun time for shopping, but not for the stores though. Malls are not only packed and messed up all the time, but sales associates are sadly doing pretty much one thing – returns. People have been buying all December so that they could return whatever their mums, daughters, friends didn’t like, right after. Except for this little detail, Christmas is awesome for everybody.

Where can you find the Christmas spirit in Moscow? Starbucks. Its drinks and cups make miracles happen. From the very first sip, the holiday vibe fills your mouth, your heart, your whole body. You want to share it, brew the Christmas blend coffee at home and get a morning latte special every day – to get away from the work craziness and relationship issues and whatever else bothers you.

Having a Starbucks drink in your hand, your Wonderful Boyfriend on the phone and a warm sweater on makes the December Holidays World go round. Indeed.

Adidas Originals: has there ever been sport?

I’ve always separated my work/life/going out/dates/whatever else closet with my sportswear. My Nike shoes are still only for running. My Victoria Secret’s Sexy Sport Bra is never worn anywhere but gym. My Reebok training shorts keep my ass covered on my yoga classes. But even these brands are not only about sport any more. Adidas Originals is, moreover, nothing about sport.

Sunday is a busy day in the life of a huge shopping mall in Moscow. Dressed up ladies and gentlemen (they would rather leave lipstick on every item they try on then show their natural/actual (?) face) are wandering around the mall and buying stuff. No matter what - the trendiest purses and shoes, the hottest dresses, the cheapest sale items – they buy everything. What about sports goods? Initially they are functional, not fashionable. Your sneakers are old –you but a new pair. Period. People who are into sports are not into fashion. And here is the question: how to sell, how to make people but more sneakers than they actually need, how to get as much turnover as Mango and Zara. Correct, make it trendy! Adidas starts a new line – Originals. Twice as expensive as the sports line, twice as popular. They make sport in, they convince young people that it’s hot, and bright, and cool.

I walk in, and surpeisingly find nothing I would actually wear to the gym – it’s just comfy stuff I’d wear for a walk or when I am too lazy to dress up and put hills on. I am trying a jacket on and the girl helping me says: “Oh, it will be perfect for snowboarding!”  I am telling her that I have nothing in common with it and start taking it off. She laughs:” Hey, even drugged and fucked up kids buy Originals! They don’t even know what snowboarding  is . It’s fashion!”  I buy a couple things which I would never consider buying in this store and go running as soon as I get home. Wearing my regular sports stuff.  I have more than one pair of my favorite Nike’s btw – and I don’t  buy a new pair only when my old shoes break. I want my outfit to be perfect no matter if I am on the treadmill or at the party. 

Choosing what to wear when you go to the gym is as important as choosing a party outfit – for those who loooove dressing up. But thanks to the Originals for making sport fashionable! (not worn WHILE doing sports lol)

(headband - Vix, shirt - Benetton, vest - Adidas Origianls, purse - Michael Kors, shorts - Billabong, stockings - Calzedonia, boots - Burberry)

The theatre chicks

When I was a little lady, my dad has always been telling me that theatre is a special place, where all girls wear out all their fancy clothes and jewelry, all guys – suits and shoes. That different people gather to enjoy the Art, comedy or drama, ballet and opera.  Back in the days my mum always put the best of my dresses on me, and I had a feeling of a holiday, of the wonderful celebration of Life every time my family Went Out to the Theatre. 

Well, a lot has changed and every time I go to the theatre I am shocked by how different it is form what my parents have been teaching me. More LV, Gucci, Hermes and other exclusive brands I don’t even see in the best clubs and lounges of Moscow. December in Moscow remember? You won’t see anything warmer than shoes, even open-toe! Light blouses, wonderful dresses – everyone super dressed up. It seems so beautiful from the first sight. And then, surprisingly, you see Ipads. Why would you take a gadget to a place like that? Girls think it’s cool that you carry it around with you even here? I wonder if they post in Twitter:” I am in the theatre bathroom, checking my make-up. I am at home, having sex with my husband. I am feeding his cat, which I hate”. Theatre outfits have always been fashionable, but it never - label show-off, more of a chic, classic fashion. It has never been anything close to the club/glitter/street look. It’s sad that girls want to show how successful they are, how much money they’ve got even here. I was hoping it would stay within other spheres of Moscow evening/night life. Nope.


 I had a theatre look – a little black dress on, black suede high heels and a little clutch. Apparently I should have taken one of my Louis, the bigger the better, according to these ladies. I should have put on a glitter skirt, the shorter the cooler. Or take an awesome gadget? And check my mail during the performance? It’s not style or fashion – it’s the lack of education, not even the fashion, but the regular one. I should start a special “How to behave in places like that” course – and will probably become famous.