i like my surroundings simple. i don’t know why but i always keep going back to black and white. a play on fuzziness.

around the middle of the nineteenth century, austrian furniture manufacturer michael thonet devised new techniques which made the fabrication of the so-called ‘wiener geflecht’ possible. best known from the famous bentwood thonet chairs, it has become a classic in cafés all over the world.

chair from a viennese fleamarket cost 5€ and came with a plushy pink velvet cushion.

Budapest is my absolute all time favourite city hands down. Everytime I go, I fall a bit more in love with it. There is so much creativity to soak up and inspiration abound, although for me it’s mostly the rough contrasts and general great atmosphere that make me come back. I’ll spare you touristy pictures, to be true, I don’t even take them anymore. It’s always the best to explore a city off the beaten track.

So, tell me a bit about you! I’m curious, what’s your favourite city?

Been getting into fall mode recently. I found these booties for dirt cheap at the fleamarket, I love their 70ies vibe but they’re still a bit chunky which makes them perfect for my favourite season! Wore them with my favourite pleated skirt, also a thrift find, and a thick Zara cardigan because I caught a bit of a summer cold. The black bars have to do with my being not-so-photogenic.

Here’s a close-up of the shoes, I haven’t been to fond of brown up until now, but they give me lots of inspiration to dress for Fall.

I am always fascinated by artists who are able to use a certain material, completely run with it  and make it appear completely different. It’s a sign of true craftmanship, I think. When my friend showed me these photos of Le Creative Sweatshop -consisting of french artists Mathieu Missiaen and Julien Morin- for WAD Magazine, I couldn’t quite believe they where actually made from paper since they rather look like plastic. But that’s the point here, turning a so very fragile material into something sturdy and beautiful which appears to actually be wearable. I’d love to feel them up in reality and wish I knew which technique Missiaen and Morin used.

all images taken by Matthieu Deluc, via today and tommorow, see Le Creative Sweatshop for the complete editorial

Since it’s opening last year, Vienna’s Pratersauna has established itself as one of the hottest spots in the club scene. Additionally, there’s a plenty of day-activities awaiting the inclined partygoer  such as BBQs next to the outdoor pool or the annual Backyard Sale, which is going into the 2nd round next weekend. Aside from private sellers, there will be a range of local shops and designers selling, with Wood Wood, Wendy&Jim, Polyklamott, Common People and American Apparel being just a few of them. Unless this won’t get you going, there will also be an artshow by the Levin Gatzer Foundation, DJs all day and a BBQ!

Drop by on the 19th or 20th June 2010 between 13:00 and 24:00 o’clock and get yourself some bargains! See you there!

Found this shirt a few weeks ago at the fleamarket for a little more than nothing and have been giving it much love since. Remember last year, when my mint-obsession started? Well, that was just the beginning I guess…

And it goes on, bought lots of this very pastelly mint jersey on a whim, it has been sitting around waiting to be made into something. I just love the colour, it’s a little more intense which didn’t come out properly.

Same goes for these powdery fabrics, the one on the left has this great sleak texture which reminds me of paper bags, while the other two are more shiny. Will show you some results soon!

I’m usually not much of a nailpolish-girl (or even make-up) but since there are so many beautiful shades available right now I had to cave. You know, when your favourite colours are on trend you have to stock up for bad times haha. It’s from H&M and called ‘Latte 2 Go’ which may or may not be the most ridiculous name for a colour ever.

My hair’s a bit of a mess but I just can’t be bothered to cut it  now that I’ve grown it out for such a long time. So putting it into a slightly dishevelled braid is my favourite quick fix.

What are your favourite bits for summer at the moment?

This maybe short notice, but if you happen to be in Vienna, I highly recommend checking out photographer Zoe Leonard’s exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. Entitled ‘Photographs’, this exhibition is the first to outline her work internationally and was installed by the artist herself in perspective of the premises at MUMOK. Leonard has a great eye for the small things, you will be amazed at how much there is to discover in every picture. It is on until the 7th of March, click here for further information.

photos via mumok

I’ll be the first to say that I am -and have been for a while- most inspired by ‘the guys section’. Even though, or especially, as the colour palette is often muted and limited to a few, designers are playing around with textures and shapes, contrasting or matching them. Here are some of my favourites from the FW 2010 shows:

from left to right: costume national, dior homme, raf simons

Right now, I am totally hooked on rich, shimmering wools, seen combined with roughened at Costume National and in different hues at Dior Homme. I like how Raf Simon’s trenchcoat looks like a highwaisted skirt and blouse at first, but actually isn’t.

maison margiela, louis vuitton, viktor&rolf

Subtly used pattern at Margiela and Viktor&Rolf, and again, wool contrasted by silky flowing materials and sturdy leather at Louis Vuitton.

The german label Prose Studio is not an unfamiliar name, the Schorndorf-based designers Miriam Lehle and Sabine Egler caused quite the stir at the Festival de Hyères 2008; the collection, titled ‘Golden Decay’ displayed dresses in dark, muted tones adorned with beautifully melted and draped golden cobwebs, which were actually heated and reformed synthetics. These images sure stuck in my head, but I didn’t come across them again until today. However,  I will follow them way more attentive from now on, as I’ve become completely fascinated by their special edition project ‘Crumpled Paper‘. Just as the title suggests, the leitmotif is very clear: crumpled, torn paper in all its variations. Dresses that look like they’re actually made of paper, silk pants and dresses screen printed with crumpled paper. All in soft hues with a little black thrown in, with simple, flowing cuts make for a perfectly delicate and light contrast to the rough material of paper itself.

Gorgeously put into focus by photographer Rafael Krötz.