As many of you know, being a full time writer is a privilege granted to very few. I'm not one of them. So, to make hands meet, I have other projects such as this one.

A while ago I wrote about the exhibition artist Sebastian Errazuriz made for Arte Basel in Miami entitled "12 Shoes for 12 Lovers". It was a collaboration with shoe brand Melissa in which the artist portrayed his ex-girlfriends in the form of shoes. The exhibit had such success that a very limited edition of the shoes was made and sold exclusively at Melissa's gallery/store in São Paulo, London, and New York.
At the time I felt envy, I must confess. Envy for those who were able to buy the fabulous and exclusive shoes I could only dream of.
Until one of these days I was passing by a Melissa store in Lisbon and something very familiar caught my eye. I thought I was dreaming, but no. There they were: a more commercial version of 3 of the 12 shoes. A special edition that anyone can afford. Well, not everyone, because two of the models cost more than 400 euros. But the flat version of "Hot Bitch" is only 75.
So yes, I bought them. I had the perfect excuse, as I was looking for some red shoes for some while. And now, not only have I a new pair of red shoes but above all, I have a piece of Sebastian's art on my feet. And I'm in love with it!

This is Carlota. At the time the video was made she was 19 monts old.
Proving that genetics really have an influence on each human being, she loves walking in high heels, just like her mom.
Yes, she's my daughter and yes, I know her teenage years will grow lots of grey hair in my head...

As a true fashionista, every year I wait in anticipation to see the Red Carpet looks at the Oscars. To me it's the most important Haute Couture moment after the Met gala. Yes I also like the films, yes I always have my favourites in each category, but there's nothing like the red carpet.
And to me, this years winners are:

What's not to love? Connratulations to all the designers, stylists and these stilish women who wear this works of art like nobody else.

I've been a very good girl this year.
In case you need some inspiration here's my favourites of the season

Everyone knows I'm a shoe addict. Well, if you didn't know, now you do.
I slob before each awesome collection by world class designers such as Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Roger Vivier, Jimmy Choo or Giuseppe Zanotti. But there's a Portuguese name which can (and should) be among those geniuses. Luís Onofre.
His work is amazing and I've been following it since the beginning, long before he opened his flagship store in the most exclusive street of Lisbon. I can't wait to see what he does next.

Check his website: http://luisonofre.com

Seems like Dolce & Gabanna read my essay The importance of a wardrobe makeover before creating their last Fall collection, thus showing a super romantic and glamorous vision of motherhood.
It's not the first time the designers call upon the big Italian family imagery on their ad campaigns. But this time they went a few steps further, creating a collection that praises the mother figure, with breathtaking dresses embroidered with phrases such as "I love you mama" or " You're the most beautiful mother in the world". Plus, on the fashion show, models were invited to bring their kids to the runway (even the unborn ones) and on the print ads mothers are the absolute stars.
What can I say? In two words: LOVE IT!
And now I'm going to slob over the images of this beautiful collection. Bye, bye!

Have I ever mentioned SKOG Eyewear in this blog? No? Shame on me!
Well, SKOG Eyewear is a Portuguese brand of wooden and bamboo sunglasses, which has everything I love: good design, high quality and sustainability.

But just when I thought it couldn't get any better, SKOG presents a special limited edition, designed by one of my favourite Portuguese street artists Vanessa Teodoro, (aka The Super Van).

The artist was invited to pick one of the classic SKOG models and create without limits, so she chose to crave her signature drawings with laser cut. The result is awesome and limited to 50 units. You can order your pair here and start walking around with an art piece on you.

The festival, curated by Alicia Adams, Vice President of International Programming and Dance, includes dozens of performances by some of the world's best contemporary music, dance, and theater artists, many who are making their U.S. or D.C. debuts. Visual arts are highlighted in exhibitions and installations around the building, and additional events focus on literature, film, cuisine, and more.

Here's a bit of what you can see from the "Portuguese team":

Installation “The Stone Raft” by the Portuguese, Pritzker Prize winners, architects Souto Moura and Siza Vieira.
The installation “The Stone Raft”, made of Portuguese stone, is based on Jose Saramago’s book with the same title and will be in exhibition at the exterior front of the Kennedy Center.

Installation – Hall of homage to Fernando Pessoa - “A journey of Imagination”
A real size cork tram, which symbolizes the power of the books and literature in transporting us to journeys of our imagination, basically alluding to Lisbon and Fernando Pessoa as well. The tram conveys Fernado Pessoa’s message, used as Arte Institute’s motto since the beginning, “the man has the size of his dream”. With this installation Arte Institute also intends to show the American public a way of employ a traditional Portuguese material, as cork, but giving it a modern and contemporary usage.
In that hall, there will be a cork station with panels from the artist Manuela Pimentel who works the idea of Azulejo (painted, tin-glazed tile work) in a contemporary way. The artist also has an installation where we can listen to Fernando Pessoa’s poems and Portuguese popular sayings.

Installation: So Blue So White--Fashions Centuries in the Making
This installation relates the fascinating tale of how Portuguese trading ships brought Chinese porcelain to Europe, where it became extraordinarily popular and widely imitated, eventually by manufacturers such as Royal Delft. The international passion for blue-and-white porcelain that began in the 16th century continues to this day, influencing leading fashion designers throughout the world. A selection of their exquisite creations, inspired by blue-and-white porcelain and ceramic tiles, comes together in a dazzling display in the Hall of States. Highlights include two whimsical gowns created by Portugal's Storytailors atelier, both commissioned especially for this festival.

Free Concerts:
Rodrigo Leão. António Zambujo. The Gift. Sofia Ribeiro. Luisa Sobral

The play “Ode Marítima” by Diogo Infante is also part of the program and will be played both in DC and New York.

But there is so much more!!!

In 2012, Raf Simons substituted the best designer of Dior since Monsieur Christian himself. Galliano stepped down after a scandal involving alcohol abuse and Nazi jokes, putting an end to a reign of romantic and elegant ready-to-wear and dreamy and lush haute-couture collections. Unfortunately, his substitute made a point of doing something completely different.
 
It’s only normal that Simons wanted to distance himself from Galliano’s heritage since it would be impossible to level to his outstanding style. But he didn’t have to mischaracterize Dior! At the haute-couture collection AW2014, recently showed in Paris, he presented a woman with loose hair, baggy pants, jumpsuits, oversized jackets and dresses far away from the classic Dior silhouette.
 
When I opened Dior’s newsletter, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It looked like a Jil Sander collection (where Simons worked before, by the way), which it’s not a bad thing, but simply a parallel universe form Dior’s style codes. The fans don’t want to see an Avant-garde collection, nor simple and efficient clothes. They don’t want Couture to resemble ready-to-wear collections. A Dior couture piece has to be a masterpiece, something unique that makes us dream of fairy tales. It can’t be something modern and minimal, which can be found elsewhere.
 
Fashion editors may stand for Simons, may give him standing ovations, and may agree on his “disrupt conventions” approach. But fans will keep on being outraged and write thing like “Simons stabs The House of Dior every six months”. Here are a few images from the Belgium disaster. Please, bring Galliano back.