World Catwalk: Destination Moscow

Let me ask you, what springs to mind when you hear the words "Russian” and “fashion"?
For me, it's all giant fur hats, military boots and overbearing overcoats. Well, given their climate, that's not an unreasonable guess, is it?
When it comes to the men of Moscow, my ideas are pretty much spot on, but their overcoats aren't so much overbearing as they are snugly fitting and apparently comfortable.
For the ladies however, my guess really couldn't be further from the mark. Allow me to recall my encounter with style a la Moscow...

Kenyan Cuddles

A little hand clasps mine...

Tiny shared shoes belong to tiny abandoned feet

Not long ago, on a trip to Nairobi, Kenya, I spent a little time visiting a home for abandoned babies and children of imprisoned women.
The Nest (click HERE for the website) made for a very interesting day in my travels.

World Catwalk: Destination Milano

Sitting on the train from Malpensa airport, bound for Stazione Cadorna, I psyched myself up for a very fashion-focused day of trend-spotting in one of the style capitals of the world. We always hear the hype about London, Paris, Milan, New York… so I really was expecting the ladies of this beautiful city to blow me away with their Monica Bellucci-esque Italian glamour.

Perhaps it was to do with it being an overcast Thursday which started with drizzle and dullness, or maybe it was due to the fact I was on the hunt for stylish folks too early in the afternoon, but there was a distinct lack of glam, and an abundance of casual converse! My Monica Bellucci had turned into Avril Lavigne.

I decided I needed to see more of Milan’s unique street style. And so I walked. I walked through the small back streets and office areas, strolled past cafés queued out the door at lunchtime, meandered around the tourist-thronged Duomo, and into the shopping areas past boutiques stuffed full of beautiful clothes and wonderful, wonderful shoes. All the while, scanning for this stereotypical chic, Italian style.

KonichiWOW

There is something about Japan.
Its pride.
Its people.
Its beautiful landscape.
Its quirky little obsession with manga and all-things-cartoon.
Its beautiful ladies who paint their faces so prettily.

I could keep going, as the land of the rising sun has impressed me on countless occasions, but I wanted to cut to the chase, here are my "Top 5 Reasons Why I Love Japan".

Reason 1: The Japanese ARE the politest people on earth (see also Reason 3).I love the fact that in everything the Japanese do, manners and etiquette are involved.

Slippers off at the door, please

The Great Es-Cape...

Prior to my trip to Cape Town, I'd heard great things about the place, and the flight there...
"It's beautiful" said one.
"The food is amazing", cooed another.
"The flight is easy" added one more.

I was excited to see for myself if what had been said was true, so here's my account of a journey that proved all of the above to be understatements.