Noah Mills and the Smile that can heal the World.

Noah Mills, August Man (May 2012)

I do indulge myself and lust over cute male models from time to time, but my taste does vary depending on my heat levels. At the moment, I am totally crushing on the gorgeous, boy-next-door-meets-rugged-cool Noah Mills. The first time I saw him was when the Dolce & Gabbana Fragrance Anthology came out and have been a fan since, but it completely went over my head that he played Kat Dennings' cheating boyfriend in the first episode of 2 Broke Girls. *knocks head* durr! He ticks all the boxes of course; hot bod, beautifully chiselled features, but if anything, it's that smile that gets me. Before anybody says anything, can I just say- he is not a poor man's Adam Levine. In fact, Adam Levine makes for a poor man's Noah. Mills is the man to Levine's primped primadonna. Truth! Anyway, I just love his cheeky smile. It's the perfect combination of 50's teen idol and homegrown charm. It so infectious, it can probably cure cancer. Here's a Noah cocktail. Enjoy!

Andrew H.Walker, Getty Images

Mills, with Jourdan Dunn for Banana Republic A/W 2012

Tommy Hilfiger A/W 2012, Craig McDean

Men's Health December 2012, Edu Garcia

*screaming like a fangirl*

Inside The Czar's Closet: The Blazer

Outerwear is an integral part of my style blueprint. Part of the reason why I hate summer is because the weather is too hot to allow  for jackets and blazers (or maybe I'm simply just too fat that I just roast quicker than the average human being). Now that Autumn is on the horizon, my heart flutters at the thought of being able to wear my favourite wardrobe item once again- in fact my shoulders are yearning for thy shoulder pads! I got to sifting through my wardrobe yesterday to see what I can rock this season and it dawned on me that the blazer : everything else ratio is significantly unbalanced. I have nearly as many blazers as Chandler has vests.

Here are some of my favourite pieces- from 80s YSL to vintage St. Michael.

The first time I wore a blazer was when I moved to England in 2004. I guess you could say I was a late bloomer. It was by school uniform code and I've never worn them before so at first it was weird, but I grew to love the preppy feel of it. Schools in the Philippines didn't include jackets for obvious reasons of climate (unless they've changed within the last seven years or so), so it possessed a genuinely quintessential European appeal. I don't have broad shoulders and I had some serious body issues back then, so whenever I wore blazers, my shoulders were nice and square and the tailored jacket hung right that it improved my silhouette. If there was ever a time when I clung hard to a piece of clothing as an armour- a go-to article to hide flaws, create a flattering illusion and boost my self esteem, this was it. Much like the ladies finding solace in a new pair of heels or a new addition to their wide handbag collection, the blazer became my guilty pleasure. I don't really see them the way I did when I was sixteen anymore, but as far as having some great tailored pieces in my wardrobe, I just can't seem to get enough of them. They add a pinch of chic to any ensemble, and I love the flexibility and versatility it brings. Personally, I like it simple and clean in terms of structure but I like a good shoulder. When it comes to texture however, I adore luxe fabrics- my velvet ones are treasured pieces. 

Blazers! by czarventurawaldorf on Polyvore

Also if the fashion gods were willing to swing some goodwill my way, can I have this amazing Dolce and Gabbana one please?

That is all. That's not too much to ask is it?

Do you have a favourite wardrobe staple?
Love,



[image: Showstudio]

Milan Menswear S/S13: Dolce and Gabbana

It was a family affair at Dolce and Gabbana last week- or at least, that's how it felt looking at those Sicilian boys rock the runway. Ranging from little boys to age refined men, the sun-kissed models marched down the runway looking like Don Corleone's brood. After an a couple of gilded seasons, the Italian duo decided to go back to basics which as reported, seems to have been Domenico's roots. The clothes were definitely vintage in tone, in fact the whole collection evokes a sepia-toned, old photograph from the late 30s. The silhouette was loose, relaxed and rustic, a complete opposite to what we've seen from the duo for the last two seasons. The printed shirts were fun and evocative, and when teamed with relaxed high-waisted pleated trousers, the look implies an effortless take on honest to goodness workwear. No glitterati fops allowed here! 

[images: NOWFASHION via Showstudio]

Milan Fashion Week: Dolce and Gabbana A/W12 Menswear

Now that my exams are out of the way, I finally get the time to really savour the collections for menswear. Visually that is. Nevertheless, I have chosen some favourites from all of the collections shown in Milan, and the first is Dolce and Gabbana's A/W12 Menswear showcase. Earlier last year it's been reported that the label has been suffering from the current financial turmoil within the industry and unfortunately as a result, they have closed down their D&G label. After this debacle one would think that the Italian duo would resort to clinical measures, ensuring a consumer-friendly collection to boost the company's mojo back in place, but true to form, Stefano and Dominico staged a collection that was the epitome of masculine sartorial excess to the sound of Verdi's La Traviata. Their fall collection was operatic and romantic; full of luxe fabrics from wool voile to velvet which literally dripped with ostentatious Gold bullion embroidery. The tailoring was sleek and close to the body, while silk and woolen pyjama trousers juxtaposed the look with a degree of foppish loucheness. The suits were sharp, with velvet accents while the coats were fit for a Romanov; capes and collars were trimmed in fur or astrakhan. The award for the most overhyped, yet probably most coveted piece of clothing however, goes to the grey woolen socks which boasted decadent bullion. Of course! Although the Dolce and Gabbana gentleman this fall may prove a bit too much for the everyday, average Joe but like Alex Fury of Showstudio concludes, "perhaps it is their antidote to harsh reality".

Top Picks: Spring 2012 Campaigns

Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld