The Italian Job
From Pucci to Gucci via Versace - this holy trinity of designers is a match made in fashion heaven
In collaboration with Isabella's Wardrobe, Glasgow
For as long as I can remember Italian designers have had my heart. Poring over the pages of Vogue as a young teen, or thumbing the editorials in Elle and Harpers Bazaar, more often than not, it was the Italians, with their command of cut, colour and sex appeal that would catch my impressionable teenage attention. Growing up through the Tom Ford Gucci years, Gianni Versace's super-model era and the creation of the Italian Centre in Glasgow's Merchant City, it wasn't long before I was lustily saving my birthday cheques for a Versace catsuit or Cavalli sample sale sweater.
I've been lucky to snap up several pairs of Gucci and Prada shoes over the years, before their prices rocketed into the stratosphere! But save for one, beautiful, silk scarf, Pucci pieces have always eluded my greedy grasp. Along with the rainbow knits of Missoni, their prints have always coloured my fashion dreams and crept onto my all-time must-have, lust list... So you can imagine my delight when I had the chance to style 3 Italian treasures for this post! Of course, I just had to pick out 2 of my very own Italian designer pieces with which to style them!
One Pucci Bag, 3 Ways!
Is it a clutch? Is it a tote? Is it a cross-body bag? In fact it's all three-in-one! This vibrant blue, aqua and purple colour-way reminds me of the clear, blue-green waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Whether carried as a tote, folded over as a clutch or turned into a cross-body / shoulder bag with the addition of the strap, this versatile Pucci-print beauty will take you to any summer event - and did I mention it's BRAND NEW with tags? When packing for air travel, many a gorgeous bag must be left behind due to baggage restrictions... Inevitably, the carry-all wins the day, but with this shape-shifter, you're guaranteed a pretty option for every occasion - shoulder strap for daytime sightseeing, tote for a trip to the shops and clutch for after sundown!
The Versace Trousers
Trousers have made a remarkable return to fashion of late, and I for one, couldn't be happier! These beautiful, blue Versace trousers are the most flattering of cuts. With the smooth front and side zip/button detail, any concern about projecting buttons and unflattering tummy-lines are eradicated. The slight stretch fabric hugs and skims in all the right places and the straight-leg breaks perfectly on the foot for wearing with a low heel, flatforms or sneakers. Obviously this depends on height, so they can easily be tailored to fit you and your preferred shoe choice (I'm 5' 8.5" wearing a kitten heel).
The Versace Blazer
There's something about a smart blazer that elevates any outfit. This purple Versace jacket is a beautiful option to style with jeans and a t-shirt at weekends or to wear over a dress for a summer wedding. From the subtly raised shoulder line to the classic 'Medusa Head' motif on the buttons, this jacket has everything a Versace piece should. I love the waist-cinching cut and, of course, this most regal of colours is simply stunning!
~ Style Notes ~
Slick hair back à la Giovanna Battalgia and if it's long enough tie in a low chignon for the ultimate in timeless chic. Lilac sweater, Versace (old, also bought this and love this pale one). Gucci shoes (old, this year's kitten heels here), earrings have sapphire-blue and diamanté stones (costume only, similar here and beautiful semi-precious ones here and here). Italian women do outsized power-sunglasses like no other, so make like Sophia Loren and grab yourself a pair of mine at Sojos Vision.
With a riot of colour in my outfit, I've kept my makeup muted and natural. I'm wearing Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate lipstick in numbers 45 and 40, with a brown pencil, blended to create an ombré effect; my foundation is Almost Powder by Clinique in number 2; and my cream blusher is Blushed Rose by Bobbi Brown.