The One Hundred: A guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own

Almost one year later I visited bookshop at Triennale, Milan's design museum, and found another book from Nina (doesn't that sound like we're friends, eh?). This time it's:

The One Hundred: A guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia
This time a silver book, thicker in width, and deeper in content. The little black book was like an introduction to style, so this book is the perfect sequence to getting into the 'details'.

Khunnais, how often do you admire your closet? Be honest. And have you ever wondered whether you've got everything necessary? Maybe it's good to check up with this "One Hundred". It was so rewarding when you come across the ones in the list that you, too, regard of important things a girl must own and you yourself own in large quantity (in my case, A-Line Dress, Ballet Flat, Belts, Bikini, Black Opague Tights, Boyfriend cardigan, Cashmere sweater..let me stop at C). It was also enjoying to see the ones that is out of your style boundary (if you are the type of person that's already established your style). It triggers you to think that maybe you can also add that to your already large list of things to buy.

I would never thought of buying Animal Print, Aviator sunglasses, Converse, Charm bracelet, Man's white shirt, for example.

She also gives you the "how" to wear each piece, and some tips of how the craze of that piece started. So, khunnais, you will also get to learn some history of fashion, or in the bigger picture, pop culture.

Let me tell you which piece of the One Hundred triggered me to buy it. It was the piece # 40. Investment Bag. She says,

This is the bag that you can spend a few weeks' salary on and not feel guilty (or you shouldn't, anyway). It is going to last you a lifetime, will never go out of style, and will only get better with age. I always say that there are only a handful that are worth your money.

1. The Chanel 2.55
2. LV speedy
3. The Jackie O
4. The Birkin

These four bags are the staple items in every khunnai-to-be wish list. I've been dreaming of the Chanel 2.55 for about two years now, and still couldn't pull together buying a bag worth almost 2k. But I know I will buy it some day. I'm just waiting for the moment. I will have to blog about this one on its own.
The book again comes with pretty illustrations by Ruben Toledo, so it's the book you enjoy reading & looking. It also comes with links to related websites and so on. All in all a good book to refer to fashion-wise.

Oh did I tell you how delighted I was that I discovered Castaner on my own (with a little help from P' Fah, the Bangkokian style icon I know and love) and it happened to be also the chosen brand espadrilles (the ultimate summer shoe to wear with sundress) on this book. I bought 2 pairs this summer at my favorite shoe shop Luca on Via corso Vercelli.



To end the blog, I'll quote the piece # 68: Polo Shirt, which I found hilarious.

...It found its way into the urban jungle when the fashionistas began embracing all things prep and geek. Of course, to give it a fashion look, the prepster/geek uniform should not be copied too literally: it should be stepped up into an entirely new fashion level. (Note: No uniform should never be copied to literally -- everything has to be stepped up and made unique. Everything.)

I happen to have 6 classic polo shirts and unaccountable adaptations of those classics. That's all...

The Little Black Book of Style

Khunnais,

Who says khunnais do not read books? We do. Once in a while when we are free of socializing events, fashion weeks, day-long shopping adventure, weekend getaway to 10-course eating trips, etc etc. That's when we have time to sit down and read something.

And when we read, we read something worthy.

Something written by a role model of our time like Nina Garcia, a former fashion editor of Elle Magazine, and the poshest commentator from the fabulous show Project Runway.
I read two of her books so far. One is:
The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia
A book, small one, dressed in black, full of principles of how to dress in style and why that matters. This book talks about dressing up at a conceptual level. She's not saying that you have to follow every season of fashion. She's saying that how you dress defines who you are, and gives you some guidance if you want to really dress in style.

I like her writing, because it is not forceful. She is not trying to reprimand you. She just uses her experience to give you some tips, if you allow her so. And so that's exactly how you shld take this book, not as a bible, but as an easy read to reassure your sense of style. Within the book, she would quote something smart like:

What you wear is how you presents yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.

MIUCCIA PRADA

Then she adds something like..

A style icon knows
- How to edit.
- To invest in "the bones" (the classic trench, the little black dress, cashmere cardigans or turtleneck..).
- To buy with drama. If she falls in love, she takes it home.
- The utmost importance of shoes. Lots of shoes.
- The power of accessories.
- A good tailor.
- How not to be the fashion victim.
- It is not about the money.
- How to mix it up.
- How to be imperfect.

And who could argue her with that?

I stood at the book shop browsing thru it for 5 mins and I knew that this lady knows what she's talking about. Btw, the illustrations are very style-appropriate. So the book itself is also stylish, and very fun to read in toilets, in airplane, or during bad dates. I will write about her other book in the next blog. And will end with her lasting words from this book:

...you will find that style comes from adoring yourself enough to dress up for you and you alone. Because, in the end you are the only judge that really matters. Style is a matter of finding out who you are are and who you want to be in the world. I hope you choose to be fabulous, daring, fun, inspired, and yourself.

...and a quote.

If a girl looks swell when she meets you, who gives a damn if she's late? Nobody.

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE