The Ladybug and a summer outfit to say “Goodbye Milan”

When I look at these pictures it appears so clear to me that they are taken in Milan: the beautiful buildings of the city center (near the Statale University) are so Milanese that the photographs couldn’t be taken anywhere else!

These were my goodbye pictures to Milan, before leaving it for my summer holidays. For this reason I wanted a special outfit, all beautifully handmade by Madame Ilary, from the lovely Madame tee (with an original design made by Ilaria) to the light denim Marlene trousers, with their retro style made with a vintage denim fabric that we found on Etsy as we wanted this exact denim color that is so hard to find nowadays!

Also the turban is a special piece: made with a fabric that reminds me of Spanish islands and Aztec prints at the same time and with an original vintage embroidery to add “time” to the turban, I couldn’t love it more!

I added two special pieces to the outfit: first of all a pair of thrifted orange Ash patent sandals that were offered to me by the lovely A bag of chips, a lovely Ebay store with incredible thrifted and vintage shoes at very affordable prices often in mint conditions. I loved these shoes and even if I was a bit skeptical concerning the color, I realized that they went with almost everything! They are also super comfortable and I wore them almost all summer!

Second piece, one of my favorite statement earrings ever: a pair of brass hoops handmade from Metalica Creazioni especially made for me! Aren’t they beautiful?

This is another example of completely sustainable outfit: 90% handmade with love in Italy (and yes, I know who made my clothes and jewels, Ilaria and Francesca, two amazing friends and crafters!), 10% thrifted, meaning recycled/reused instead of thrown away! If you try going sustainable with your clothes and with what you wear, you will probably get this feeling of peace and uniqueness: not only you help the planet by recycling clothes, you can also say that no human being was exploited to make your clothes. And your style is absolutely unique, 100% you!

The Ladybug’s personality in one (vintage) dress!

I still remember the exact moment when I fell in love with this dress: it was a lazy sunny Sunday morning, I just woke up and I was bed playing with my phone: my last Instagram updates, checking emails, a quick look at my Etsy, Vintag and Depop apps and then I found it! Federica from Maison Retrò (you know already that she is one of my favorite vintage providers online!) just posted it on Depop. It was just perfect: vintage, earth colors, African style…I immediately asked if it would fit me! While I was waiting for her answer Ilaria was sending me a message on Facebook saying that Federica was selling the perfect dress for me…it was the same dress! It was definitely meant for me!

When I saw it for real I liked it even more and I started wearing it all the time! Friends and colleagues were telling me how perfect it was for me and how it really suited my style. And I must admit that it is true, that’s exactly my style!

Here I wore it on a Saturday morning with Ilaria pairing it with a big brown belt from Mango and one of her amazing turbans handmade with the fabric and trims that I brought from Amman!

Brass earrings are handmade from Metalica Creazioni and flat sandals are from Clarks (probably not the best choice but my feet were hurting that day so I needed a pair of uber comfy shoes!).

The Ladybug and the Dashiki print, a true African love!

Dashiki pattern, a true African love. But what is Dashiki? The name comes from the Yoruba language spoken in West Africa, especially in Nigeria, and it means shirt. The iconic pattern that we now define as Dashiki is the Angelina print, created by a Vlisco textile designer and it was inspired by a printed tunic worn in Ethiopia by noblewomen  at the beginning of the 19th century. The print was widely worn in West Africa but it became very popular by the end of the 60s when Jason Benning started producing the modern Dashiki (he also invented the word) in Harlem. Black people started using it as a sign of love for the Mother Africa, especially during the cultural event related to Africa. It was also widely worn in the late 60s by African-Americans embracing their African heritage and promoting Black Pride.

Nowadays it is often worn by celebrities and it is used as a fabric from many fashion designers from all over the world to create dresses, jackets, skirts with this beautiful pattern.

It is a pattern that I love so much, in every shade and design, and I have been dreaming of a perfect vintage Dashiki tunic for ages. It is easy to find cheap versions of this tunic, but I really wanted to have the real one, from the 60s/70s. Not easy to find it, especially in my size (mostly are men sizes) and with colors and patterns that I loved. It took months until I found this green one from Matmonit Vintage on Etsy. Matmonit is an Israeli vintage shop, specialized also in ethnic and folk vintage clothes that I love very much, where I always find amazing pieces from the past!

I wore my Dashiki tunic with other African pieces: a handmade wax turban from Madame Ilary (I bought the fabric in Senegal!) and a Senegalese orange leather necklace that I got from Seyeyaram African Made in Milan.

Vintage jeans are Levi’s and tan flat sandals are from Clarks.

The Ladybug is an uncomfortable Arab Queen in Milan

One of my best sources for shopping clothing and homeware is traveling. I buy a lot when I am abroad, especially local handcrafted pieces and if possible vintage shopping. I also prepare a sort of tailored “shopping list” depending on the country before leaving and I cherish these pieces that are for me the most tangible memories: prints, jewels, fabrics, rugs, pillows, typical local clothing are on top of my list!

Although I traveled twice this year to an Arab country (Morocco and Jordan) I couldn’t find a good embroidered tunic: most of them were cheap and made for tourists, while I was looking for more authentic ones. Funny thing is that I found what I was looking for in Budapest, in a lovely vintage shop called Jajcica where I bought two vintage Arab tunics, beautifully embroidered and apparently authentic as they both have tags written in Arabic!

One of them is the olive green pictured here that I wore on a Saturday morning in Milan: although I mixed it with modern “more European” pieces I was shocked to realize how people stared at me in the streets or on public transportation. Seriously, is an Arab tunic that scary? What’s strange if I like other cultures’ clothes and traditions and I’m not afraid to wear them? Honestly I really cannot stand when people try to make me feel uncomfortable with their looks when I am just being myself and no one can blame me for that!

Anyway, I matched it with a beautiful handmade turban from Madame Ilary and I made a contrast with my thrifted Golden Goose Texan ankle boots.

I also added brass handmade jewelry from Italian crafters Metalica Creazioni (earrings and ring) and Meraviglioz (dragonfly necklace).

It was also fun to take pictures in front of this tiny wooden door as I realized later that if you see the picture and you don’t know that I am in Milan, you can easily think that I am in the streets of Marrakech!

The Ladybug’s vintage outfit for the Naviglio Grande Antiques Market

Every last Sunday of the month, the Navigli area of Milan is full of vintage stalls selling almost everything vintage: homeware, clothing, accessories, collectable etc. It is the biggest Antiques market in town and since I live here I try to go there every now and then (not too much because I would buy too many things!) just to walk, have a look and feel the vintage vibe.

I am sharing the outfit of my last visit two months ago now, where I enjoyed a lovely vintage stroll with Ilaria and bought a couple of things, of course! (A wonderful 40’s vintage brooch from my adored Déjàvu Vintage and a fabulous ethnic golden embroidered tunic that I fell in love with at very first sight!).

Usually I totally play dressed-up to visit the Naviglio Grande Antiques Market but this day I was more “down-to-earth” as I had a couple of things to do after the market. So I put a pair of Vans at my feet but the rest of the outfit is completely vintage: starting from this beautiful 70s ice-white coat that I found at Humana Vintage during my 70s coats hunt last autumn. I don’t usually wear such clear colors but I liked the shape too much and it was just 15 euros so I went for it. The good thing is that it goes almost with everything and it was perfect with my greyish 80s shirt with colored toucans that I found in Budapest in May at Retrock (possibly my favorite vintage shop in town with Jajcica!).

Mum jeans are vintage inspired from Topshop, I found them in Edinburgh when I was searching for the perfect vintage mum jeans but I couldn’t find one that I liked until I saw this one in high street. It is not vintage but I like it a lot and I have been using it so much!

My turban is handmade from Madame Ilary, of course, and it was created with a fabric and an embroidery that I found in Amman, at the textile Souq where they sold the most beautiful Syrian fabrics and Jordan embroidery for ridiculous prices (a real paradise on earth!). I couldn’t resist that much and I bought so many things for me and for Ilaria!

Hoop earrings are from Gogo Philip, canvas tote from Marina Abramovic exhibit in Florence official merchandise (I got two beautiful canvas bags and the poster of the exhibit when we were there in February).

The Ladybug and a secret passion for vintage overalls

When I announced that I wanted to buy a vintage blue overall, you know this type of men workwear that is used by people working in the garages (mostly mechanics) my friends stared at me as if I was announcing that I was pregnant! “What the hell are you going to do with that?” – they asked.

Well, just wear them; my style of course!

I was tempted to buy one in Japan where they are very trendy not only in the vintage shops but also new and in lovely colors (like baby blue or pink) but I was at the end of my trip and I already had two full suitcases to bring home, so I decided to wait a bit until I found my vintage perfect overall.

This happened not longtime ago on Depop where I found out that Tiziana, the owner of the beautiful shop Vintage Afro Picks has the same passion for overalls. She had a few in her shop (including a couple of new ones that she brought from Japan!) and my perfect one was just there, waiting for me: dark blue, with a long front zip, oversize and…discounted!!  I was a bit worried about the size because even if I got the measurements I wasn’t sure how it would fit but when I received it I was super happy because it was just perfect!!

Here I am wearing it with a vintage inspired Mango denim jacket, handmade denim-like headband from Madame Ilary, vintage 70s bag from Lady Fusetti and baby blue New Balance sneakers.

Silver earrings are vintage from my grandma, silver rings are vintage Berber pieces that I found in Marrakech during my last trip.

What do you think of my vintage blue overall style? Yay or nay?

The Ladybug handmade choice of the day

If you follow me on my social media and on this blog you may know already about my mission on getting more and more sustainable especially when it comes to fashion.

If wearing vintage is a conscious and sustainable choice itself, I’m progressively trying to add more handmade and slow fashion pieces to my wardrobe and abandoning fast unethical fashion to a more conscious way of dressing. It is like what I am doing with food. But it is almost impossible to change this in a day, you need a path and follow it day by day making little steps to get there.

This outfit is an example of this path: I realized only later that everything that I am wearing here is made ethically, without human exploitation. I am very proud that I am getting there, I visit Mango and Zara every now and then but I am not obsessive like I was some years ago. I am gradually selling all my fast fashion pieces to give them new life and when I look at my wardrobe I mostly see vintage and handmade which makes me super proud.

We can all do something for the planet and for the people living on it, starting from very little choices that we make every day.

I am wearing here handmade Madame Ilary military green Marlene trousers that I love so much for the African twist of this pattern and the softness of the fabric. Marlene pants are definitely among my favorite shapes from Madame Ilary as they have a 40s vibe that I adore and I have them in so many colors and patterns right now!! Also my turban comes from her talented hands, it’s a wonderful piece made with vintage lace and golden embroidery.

European made are also two other pieces that I am wearing: Ilove2love fringed leather jacket (British design) and L’Arianna yellow velvet flat shoes, Italian brand that I love for the great quality of their shoes and incredible customer service.

Also my beautiful dragonfly brass necklace is handmade by the lovely Italian designer Meraviglioz (it is a piece that she created for me!)  and my earrings come from Genny Pi in Milan (I love this shop because she works with Italian handcrafters and when you like a piece she tells you the story of the label and of the people who work on your handmade jewelry). By the way, all my rings are vintage or handmade by local crafters around the world!

The Ladybug brainstorming moments with Madame Ilary

This is the easiest blog post ever: everything I wear is handmade with love by Madame Ilary, from head to toe! The embellished black turban, the silky black pants with belt and the amazing green top with silver Chinese decoration and embellished collar.

Almost every weekend I meet Ilaria for lunch and for a brainstorming session in her showroom in Milan: we talk about the ideas that we had during the week and how to make them come true, we share ideas on our jobs, we discuss fashion, fabrics, vintage and travels, we make new project and we take a lot of pictures!

I love to wear her new pieces just to see how they look like on me and sometimes I even buy them like I did for these black trousers that I love and I wear very often because I find them stylish and super comfortable at the same time!

I like the like-minded connection that we have and I love everything she does so I also share our outfits on my social media and blog!

As for my earrings they are handmade with love too but by Metalica Creazioni, from the magical hands of Francesca!

The Ladybug’s oldies but goodies

I know that it is super hot outside and that we are in summer but every now and then I find unpublished pictures that I want to share even if they are quite old and I am wearing a winter coat on them! Don’t hate me for that! Especially because my coat is vintage and because it is a sunny day of a few months ago during my first Milan Design Week full day.

I have shared already my 2019 Milan Design Week experience but we didn’t discuss about this mixed vintage outfit that I loved a lot because of the focus on one of my favorite color: dark fuchsia!

It is not a coincidence that I can match three pieces of the same color in one outfit: a handmade silk turban from Madame Ilary, a pair of Zara ankle boots and my adored Marc by Marc Jacobs creamy lipstick!

I wore this outfit for Antonio Marras exhibit at his showroom and for the opening of the second Milanese Humana Vintage shop in via De Amicis.

I also wore two of my favorite vintage pieces here: this beautiful “Sherlock Holmes cape” that I bought in Madrid last winter in the wonderful hipster and vintage neighborhood of Malasaña in a super cute shop called Le Freak Olé for a ridiculous price; and this AMAZING vintage wooden brooch from Déjà Vu that I found at the Naviglio Antiques Market in Milan!

Last but not least, I added my beautiful Bayside 84 vintage leather bag that you can wear both as a handbag and as a backpack.

Do you still hate me for that?! 

The Ladybug latest vintage fashion taboo broken!

When I look back at my old fashion style I realize – as everybody I guess – that my sense of fashion has changed over the years (even if some things always stay the same!). But also some of my fashion habits and credo has changed. An example of this is the vintage jeans: I have been convinced for years that vintage jeans wouldn’t fit me, that I preferred to buy modern ones etc. To make long story short I haven’t bought a vintage jeans for ages (it was a sort of fashion taboo!) until I realized (in a vintage shop in Barcelona last year) that vintage jeans are great on me and that they have shapes (depending on the eras) that suit my curvy body way better that the new ones.

I started with an 80s mom jeans then moved to vintage Levi’s, now I fell in love with a 90s designer boyfriend jeans from Jean Paul Gautier that I found on Opherty & Ciocci site!

I loved the style but I tried to “work it my way” by wearing a vintage 80s blazer from Humana Vintage in Milan and a lovely printed tee by La Bigotta (she is an amazing tattoo artist and she created a clothing line with her most famous drawings; in particular I love these series that my friend Simona got for me in a vintage and handmade market in Rome!).

Final touch the ultra-feminine golden and black Baroque style turban handmade by Madame Ilary paired with a pair of huge hoop earrings from Gogo Philip. Snake-print ankle boots are from Zara.

Photo Credit: Milena Molinari