World Catwalk: Destination Sao Paulo, Brasil

It was my first time in Sao Paulo, first time in Brasil and first time in South America altogether, so last week I was supremely excited to get myself out of bed, and into a brand new city to explore.

As with most first-time destinations, my ideas of Brasil were clouded with stereotypes. From music videos, magazines and the like, you get the idea that the girls are going to be beautiful, and the people are going to be dancing on the street wearing green, yellow and blue. From newspapers and movies, you imagine that on every turn your life will transform into a Denzel Washington ‘Man on Fire’-style kidnap thriller. 
In an interview regarding Sao Paulo, artist Tracey Emin recently said of the city’s crime-rate issues, “you can’t wear a f*&king watch”. And I’d have to agree. I mean, I literally had to scope the place out every time I wanted to whip out my camera for a quick shot. I deliberately dressed down and my mobile phone stayed out of sight for the entire trip having been pre-warned of venturing alone by hotel staff, crew, locals… so, pretty much everyone then.

The constant apprehension of one’s own safety somewhat tarnishes what is an otherwise pleasant place with people who seem to hold no airs and graces, and who are refreshingly down-to-earth compared to Dubai.

Getting into town involved a train/metro connection and then I was slap-bang in the middle of Republica (pronounced Hepublica, apparently). I found myself mixing with market shoppers, rasta-style Marley fans and tons of post-high-school types discovering themselves with the help of too much sun and Cachaça.

Whilst doing what sightseeing I could, I tried to soak up some of the atmosphere and style of the city, without looking like a complete tourist. The half Lebanese-half Scottish mix helps but my hilarious attempts at Portuguese might have betrayed my true identity – “tudo bem!”

The somehow continental feel of the streets was splashed with sticky sun and old/new architecture combines the city’s history alongside its recent developments. A Miami-like palm-lined approach leads to the Sao Paulo Cathedral Sé Metropolitana. It stands majestically in front of a square filled with a cocktail of cultures and calamities; beggars, Brasilians and tourists alike flock to say their prayers.

I scanned said square, hoping to find some blogworthy street style a la Sao Paulo, but I found myself struggling somewhat. There was way too much lycra, lots of 90s throwback tributees and too-tight t-shirts were pressing their way around too many tanned Paulistas. Colour was everywhere, but not in that cool I'm-a-hot-blooded-Latino way I was hoping for. It was more of a brightest-thing-in-my-wardrobe-caught-my-eye-this-morning look.

Despite my slight disappointment, I kept a lookout for any surprises that might just be waiting to feature in The Trolley Dolly’s World Catwalk… and then I bumped into Sabrina with her lovely friend Rodrigo (pronounced Hodrigo) and with the help of Rodrigo’s translation, I got to know that there definitely is some street style in Sao Paulo, but of course I was in the wrong area for it. Oh well, there’s always next time.

Sabrina’s outfit caught my eye with its accessorised simplicity. In contrast with the world’s recent fashion weeks, I love her ready-to-wear realness – printed tee tucked into a belted maxi skirt. It’s a look I really should work harder to pull off as it’s perfect for Dubai. Add to that bright red nails, lots of eyeliner and quirky accessories. Don’t you just love it? I do.

World Catwalk: Sydney Jan 2013

I’ve learned so much from my constant travelling in all the corners of the world. I’ve seen so many beautiful sights, I know my way around the major airports with my eyes shut, I can (usually) find a yummy meal wherever I land, and I can say hello and thank you in over 15 languages.

But of all the lessons learned, possibly the most valuable is realising my self-confidence is the most important travel companion I could ever take with me.

I find this particularly true when I set off along the city streets in search of stylish ladies for The Trolley Dolly’s World Catwalk street style feature. Without my self-confidence, I would falter at the thought of approaching the tres fashionable, explaining my little blogging project and taking pictures in the middle of busy streets in some of the world’s biggest cities.

As I stomped Sydney’s sidewalks in the baking Aussie sun, I felt that self-confidence replaced by an irritating nervousness that sometimes creeps up on me. Enter my silly fear of chatting to people I don't know and the shyness I feel asking to take their picture for a blog called The Trolley Dolly.

But, like a passing cloud of smoke, I wafted the apprehension away, replaced it with a somewhat forced self-confidence and carried on regardless.

I’m so glad I did, as I went on to meet three of the nicest and friendliest of my World Catwalkers.

First of all I spotted sisters Amanda and Carol from Brazil. The two put me to shame in their bright, summery outfits (compared to my black trouser/white vest/black All Stars combo).

I became a denim shirt convert after spying Amanda’s clever layering trick and if I thought I could pull off a little tropical jumpsuit, I would be considering that too!

Love the sparkly shoes!

World Catwalk: Destination Manila

Weekend shopping in Robinsons Galleria Mall, Manila, seems to demand a uniform of the giggling Filipinas. The uniform goes a little something like this: colourful t-shirt, shorts/leggings, flat pumps. And so I set about finding those who wore it best...

One of my favourite outfits came from Jean Pedreno, who did biker on the bottom with simple black shorts and boots, then switched it up with girly sunglasses and a blast of pink on top. Filipinas (from my observations in Manila, and in Dubai) tend to dress simply, keeping accessories to a minimum and applying Coco Chanel's tactic of taking one thing off before leaving the house. Jean proves that the latest arm-party craze isn’t a must and opts for sunnies and a watch instead…

World Catwalk: Destination Copenhagen

I confess that I didn’t do my research before I set off for Copenhagen (nothing new there then). I had a rough plan to visit the famous Tivoli Gardens, the world's second oldest amusement park (apparently), and, quite frankly, that was about it.

To be honest, sometimes it’s nice to enter a city with no preconceptions, no expectations and then be pleasantly surprised (I had a similar experience in Hong Kong – read about it here…). Copenhagen achieves the impossible in its ability to be beautiful, even in the rain. The falling drops simply bring out a moody, almost magical atmosphere in this calm Scandinavian haven.

As far as my World Catwalk is concerned, I was intrigued by the street fashion in Copenhagen because it seemed to be a little different from most other cities. Like the odd wacky-fashion kid in class, or that one in the office (face it, you know who I'm talking about), she’s the one who shocks you by stepping in with interesting combinations that are unexpected and a tad weird, but on the whole, enviably cool.

On my first walk around the city, I took in the sights of the Tivoli Gardens, and for the most part I didn’t spot too many stylistas amongst all the touristas. What I did notice though, was a recurring theme of very yummy mummies! I’m sorry, but I draw the line at tearing Mother away from Baby whilst I snap their style but I will report that the streets of Copenhagen were full of svelte, stylish, poised mums, pushing prams in heeled boots and swishing big bouncy blonde hair around – making me feel a bit frumpy yet simultaneously inspired. Hats off to glam mums everywhere – I’m sure it’s not as easy as you all make it look!

I stopped for dinner in the superb Nimb Brasserie, a restaurant on the border of Tivoli Gardens. It was there I spied Seul Ki, from Korea, who was looking perfectly quirky in her printed tea dress with dainty collar and plimsolls. I’m not sure how anyone achieves skin as luminous and perfectly porcelain as Seul Ki’s, but regardless of the mechanics as to how, this amazing combination of flawless skin and floral print, is refreshingly simple yet stylish.

World Catwalk: Destination Ghana

Ghana is like a painting.

One of those paintings where you can’t quite figure out what it’s supposed to be, but you like it anyway… its many colours, textures and fabulous patterns draw you in and make you forget that you’re supposed to be figuring it out in the first place.

Just a brief walk along the dusty streets is an experience in itself here in the country’s capital.

Buses whiz past packed with people squeezing their bodies out of the windows to catch the breeze.

Women in bright, patterned clothes carry everything and anything on their heads and talk / chat / run / argue / carry children at the same time.

Stalls selling barbequed plantain serve up this delicious cross between potato and banana and wrap it in pages torn from a jotter, so you don’t burn your fingers…

People laugh loudly, talk loudly, and love to make jokes.

People make things, make music, make fun…

It really is a jolly place from where I’m standing. But then that’s perhaps a silly statement, as most places seem pretty jolly from where I’m standing in my little red hat, with my manicured nails as The Trolley Dolly!

I was reading a pro-tourism publication here in Accra, Ghana and I was inspired by what was said of the nation’s unfailing belief that ‘tomorrow will be better than today’. I like love this hopeful, resilient sentiment.

As you pass all the brightness of the city’s building success, you see the real meaning of this statement when your pretty picture is scratched by the image of real poverty. One man leads his blind mother amongst the heaving smoky traffic, another sits in a wheelchair at a traffic signal, with a big smile, missing his legs. And children with no shoes come to the windows of your car, putting their hands to their mouths, asking for any spare Cedis (Ghanaian currency).

As I walked amongst this bizarre network, it didn’t really cross my mind that this might pose as a backdrop for one of my World Catwalk features. Even if I wanted to take a few pictures, most of the women here are suspicious of the camera and I’m not about to start a row in the middle of downtown Accra. Would you?!

To my surprise, as I went in search of a restaurant, two stylish ladies walked onto my World Catwalk radar. 

Without thinking, I casually walked ran over and introduced The Trolley Dolly, explaining that their cool style had caught my eye. To my further surprise, they were from London, and yes, they wouldn’t mind me featuring their outfits in World Catwalk… job done.

Natalie was keeping up with the bright theme that skips through Accra by teaming a multicoloured print tee with super fresh turquoise skinny jeans, rolled up to reveal a bright beaded anklet. Top marks for the Raybans and sweet pink lipstick. And the holiday hat is the cherry on the cake!

World Catwalk: Destination Bangkok

Despite Bangkok regularly cropping up on my schedule, it has taken me several months to gear myself up for a ‘World Catwalk Bangkok’. Partly due to the fact that when I imagine explaining my little blog to anyone whose English isn’t close to perfect, I give myself a migraine, and also partly (read mostly) because most of my time there is spent on a massage couch.

This time I ‘sacrificed’ some of my massage time and went sightseeing - shock!
I took in the little streets that line the higgledy-piggledy edges of the Chao Phraya river, hopped on a boat to take a short cruise and marvelled at the beauty and shimmering detail involved in The Grand Palace. I had a fabulous day exploring the well-tromped tourist trail.

Not only did I exhaust my poor camera with all the wonderful sights en route, but I also had the chance to catch some very stylish daytrippers. I can’t really judge the style of the Bangkok fashion pack from this kind of outing so in future I will try to make it to Siam Square (apparently the place to be for fashionable-people-spotting) and report back on my observations...
In the meantime, these three street styles stood out in the crowded capital.

First on my camera roll was the beautifully chic, perfectly put-together Praewpilin who was taking a walk with her man. And to be honest I can’t think of a better outfit for a day soaking up Bangkok’s history and culture with your other half.
By choosing a simple white tee, Praewpilin starts with a blank canvas for her striped ankle-skimmimg flares and sleek grey bag. Minimal accessories allow shiny hair to take centre stage and she’s even achieved the unachievable – a panama hat that doesn’t look try-hard. Perfection!

The next stylish street walker to cross my radar was the delightful Guo Junyao from China.

World Catwalk: Destination London

To describe London's style is as if to ask Kim Kardashian to stop taking pictures of herself and posting them all over the internet. That is to say, it's entirely impossible.
There are a truck-load of perfectly-fitting adjectives that spring to mind and with London being home to so many nationalities, backgrounds and cultural sects, you really do have a whole world of fashion contained within one citysphere.

London's answer to Burj Khalifa...?

The capital city lives, breathes, perspires style. The 'London Look' (as coined by Rimmel/Kate Moss) is unique. Daring. Chic. Futuristic. Eclectic. Punk. Classy. Multicultural. Traditional. Evolving. Retrospective. Exciting. Involved. So many contradicting terms, so many individual takes on the meaning of what it is to be fashionable.
That is why this post is likely to be the first of many World Catwalk features from London... Every time I visit (on average, once a month), I always see so many well-dressed candidates for the World Catwalk crown so you can expect more of the below. Hope you enjoy!

Gushing complete... The real reason I came to London was in fact to lunch with my dear friend Helly (who also happens to feature below, she is one of THE most stylish people I know), and I had no intention of (read: no time for) doing shots for my regular 'World Catwalk' post. However, upon getting lost somewhere between London Bridge Station and Bermondsey Street, these street style darlings crossed my radar...

Sairah's outfit was the first thing I saw upon stepping onto the train platform. The floral scarf caught my eye with its playful fringing and summery splashes of coral and turquoise. With a (clearly very on trend) denim jacket and flowing maxi dress, this is an example of modest hijab worn with both pride and panache. Sairah, your style is simply gorgeous!

Gorgeous colours, and amazing skin - great combination!

World Catwalk: Destination Sydney [PART 3] and THANK YOU!

I never like to start anything with an apology, but... Sorry this is a day late.
I've been busy studying and training for a new chapter in my lovely airhead, sorry, of course I mean, airhostess career... Business class awaits!
Currently my brain is close to melting point, so full of posh cheeses, wines and cocktails I feel like my grey matter is equivalent to a rather tipsy afternoon tea. And my poor hands are tired from taking notes on chauffeur driven transfers, fabulous seats and possibly the most amazing lounge service I can imagine. If only it was all for me... Oh well. One can dream! And what better way to start today's post than with a dream. For me, it's a little dream of luxury, and the finer things (read: better salary!). Even though sometimes, the roughest diamonds are the most beautiful and true happiness can stem from the most unexpected sources. Amen.

Now that that's out of the way, let's get shallow! The above really has not much to do with the following outfits. In saying that, these street style posts are providing me some happiness from some unexpected sources so I guess there's the tenuous link...

Before I do any more fashion rambling, I'd just like to say a huge thank you to my lovely little group of followers.
As a blogger who is new to the scene, it's so nice to see genuine interest from other talented bloggers from all over the globe, and I didn't realise my writing could lead to an exciting network of hopefully will-be friends. You guys are the best - thanks!

And now, to the rambling.
This is the last post in my trilogy of World Catwalk: Destination Sydney street styles. I hope you have enjoyed the previous entries and if you're intrigued or missed out, you can click on the 'World Catwalk' tab at the top of this page, or simply click HERE for Part 1 or HERE for Part 2.

Today starts with Amel, originally French-Algerian, who is sporting one of my favourite looks of the year. The colour blocked blazer. These things aren't called blazers for nothing - I like the fact the word 'blaze' is in there because that's exactly what this hot peppery pink does. It shines! And makes an otherwise understated outfit something modern and exciting. I also love Amel's luxurious jewellery statements which are not too bling for a daytime get-up, but shiny enough to show a bit of it-girl cool. Trés jolie, ma cherie!

What a blazer... what a backdrop! I love Sydney's amazing architecture... and the handbag too!

World Catwalk: Destination Sydney [PART 2]

So I'm hoping you all thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's instalment in my little World Catwalk Sydney series!

As I mentioned HERE my day of street style hunting was a lot more fun than I thought it might be despite the rain, and I discovered so many stylish girls, hence why this is the first World Catwalk post I've split up to allow full street style digestion. Oh yes.

To continue with showcasing some of said looks, here are the lovely ladies who allowed me to snap them for The Trolley Dolly, this lovely little creative space blog of mine...

On the lower ground floor of Westfield shopping centre, there lies a scattering of painfully cool vintage stalls, boutiques and find-weird-stuff-here businesses that sell one-off wardrobe updates, interesting interiors and generally too much stuff for me to ship home in my suitcase. Booo.
However, it's not all bad... the place was so full of stylish people I genuinely didn't have time to snap them all! Two of these stylish people were Michelle and Julie.
I chose to feature Michelle (LEFT) and Julie (RIGHT) because this pair of shopping friends looked so relaxed and comfortable in their outfits that it added an extra element to the look.
Blazer, platforms, velvet, studs, socks-with-shoes, knits... these girls cleared out the fashion cupboard with their list of trends and then they go and act all surprised when I stop to tell them how great they look! Modesty, too?! That's not very Anna Wintour now is it? It really was a pleasure chatting to these lovely girls!
Michelle's blazer is so stylish the way the colour is slightly masculine with the shorts. I also love the combination of grey socks and purple shoes. Genius!
Julie's eye-catching blue velvet skirt reminded me of the Olsens and their/my love for nods to distant decades. I on the other hand, am not quite smart enough to imagine it with a striped knit (original thinking points go to Julie).

Style with a smile... Michelle (left) and Julie (right) look great!

Enjoying the winter colour combo

World Catwalk: Destination Sydney [PART 1]

So this is the weather I was expecting... (which came a day later!)

And this was the day World Catwalk happened - umbrellas at the ready!

I had almost given up on the idea of walking around Sydney, camera tucked away in my little baggie, and umbrella clutched close. I really was another raindrop-in-my-eye away from turning around and just marching right back down Pitt Street. Back to the cosy Marriott bed with all its varieties of pillow, fluffy duvet appeal and hot tea (with lots of sugar please).

After a 9 hour overnight flight from Bangkok, I really had to use all the power of my tired little mind to force myself onto the high street on the hunt for stylish Sydneyettes.

I performed my old trick of assuming things about a city. Assuming that, as it is a rainy day, no-one will have bothered their behinds to dress stylishly or perhaps even have bothered to venture out at all… I personally can think of many more exciting things to do than slosh my way round sodden streets on a Sunday morning… Really must stop thinking about those Marriott pillows – this is not healthy!

And once again, my assumptions were proved wrong by hoards of shoppers all piling in and out of the collection of shopping centres and department stores that busy one end of Pitt Street in central Sydney. These little retreats from the rain provided the perfect backdrop for my World Catwalk activity. And I’ve never had such an easy day of it!

Could I stick my neck out and say that Sydney is home to some of the world’s best street style? Well, according to The Trolley Dolly that is… and I’ve not yet set Mr Nikon (yes, I have named my camera) free in London, Paris or New York. But really, this was an individualist fashion-fest with some of the coolest girls I’ve seen.

You know, I didn’t get the feeling that these girls were wearing their clothes by way of grabbing attention/scoring points. The general vibe was more, “hey, I pulled this cool skirt out of my closet this morning, and I teamed it with the next thing that I happened to lay my hands on.”

Relaxed, cool, upbeat and friendly – Sydney girls.

Unleashing my inner geek, I took some notes whilst taking my snaps. Just a jumbled scribble of popular themes, micro-trends if you will, that popped up most commonly. So here’s my example of perfect handwriting. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I was tired... is that a good enough excuse for 'INDIVIDUAL' and 'INDIVIDUALIST'?

And so to the part I always take longest to get to (sorry folks) – the stylish people!

I’ve actually decided to split this story over a couple of blog posts as there are quite a few to show you all!

World Catwalk - Scotland Special!

This time, World Catwalk has taken a trip to Scotland… one of my two homes (the other being Beirut) and a place of many different looks.

I figured it would be a fun experiment to chronicle Scottish style through my stylish friends.
Generally speaking, I love and I loathe Scottish (and British) style in equal measure as we can get it so right, and then round the next corner, so wrong.
I know that can be said for any nation. But what I’m talking about isn’t the no-clue-no-care getting it wrong, but in fact the trying-so-hard-to-get-it-right-I-got-it-wrong, getting it wrong.

Did that make any sense?
Well, it did to me.

I am not, nor have ever claimed to be, a stylist or fashion knowitall. I do, however, realise my own sense of ‘cringe’ upon seeing a nice pair of shorts teamed with the wrong tights/sandals/sequins combination (in the middle of the pouring rain no less), or a horribly neon tracksuit with equally horrible matching neon trainers/headband/handbag look (seen it). In all fairness, I am also the first to point to the stylish girl on the other side of the street and say how brilliantly put-together her outfit is, or how cute her boots are (more often than not). I think I am developing a rather if not altogether unhealthy obsession with other people’s boots. Hey ho.

The average Scottish girl’s style is, dare I say it, largely magazine fed, celebrity-inspired, cunningly created on the high street with online shopping buys adding a little individualist flare to each outfit. From the hair to the nails, to the enterprising use of leggings, these girls read magazines and they know how to work a bit of Vivienne Westwood into their H&M/Urban Outfitters collab. Glasgow is also clearly home to the world’s largest collection of painfully-cool Korean, Chinese and Japanese students, who know how to don quirky shoes, amazing skirts and where-on-earth-did-you-get-those accessories.

Hats off to my Scottish girls though, as I would say they are some of the world’s best at effortlessly dressing up skinny jeans and despite (or perhaps because of) the weather, religiously maintaining their fake tanning regime! Yeah!

On to my World Catwalk ladies, starting with...

World Catwalk: Destination Madrid

Beautiful Madrid...

Spanish girls use their smile as an accessory.

It sounds simple (and I admit, pretty cheesy), but it seems to me to be an extremely effective way of making any outfit look cuter, funner (yes, I know that’s not in the dictionary), quirkier, even trendier.

The confidence that underlies the posture and expression of the Spanish girls I saw in the streets of Madrid, was fun to watch!

I strolled along Grand Via (pronounced Grand 'Bia' by the Spaniards, which, along with their lisping really threw me off) and the little streets leading to it, noticing that the girls seemed to have fun bouncing in and out of the different shops, deciding what to buy next.

Note: The same cannot be said of the staff inside said shops. I was disappointed, but not altogether surprised by the attitude that came steaming off Zara’s assistants like fumes… well, have you ever been into Zara and not  been looked up and down like you just landed at Paris Hilton’s birthday party in your pyjamas?

Oops, sorry. Personal rant over, promise.

Back to the sunny Spanish girls who inspired me with their street style!

The first was the beautiful Arlim (actually from Peru), who shyly showed us a very pulled-together look with her aviator sunglasses, cool scarf and to-die-for boots. I loved everything about this outfit – absolutely everything!

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...

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.