Fashion, my love

There are always times in life when I can't help but feeling that I'm way too ambitious and that I dream too high. I'm always self conscious about the way people see me because probably I tend to fall into the 'frivolous' category in everybody's eyes, having so many goals and promises kept to myself others misunderstand me easily, so I'm aware that most of my friends believe I've tried too hard in life; even my best friend keeps repeating 'jokingly' that I should go back to my 'homeland' once I'm done with school next year. Of course I know she has no bad intentions telling me so but honestly I can't help but feeling a little bit uneasy whenever she mentions it in a playful way -don't blame me, after all, people say that there's some truth behind every 'innocent' joke-, usually my only reaction is brushing her off with a 'nice weather today' kind of remark but I've noticed that lately I've started to worry about my friends avoiding me deliberately. Sometimes I hate myself for thinking in such a way about the people 'who cares about me' but they seem to believe I have the stereotypical kind of Parisian life -which is definitely not the case- and they tend to consider my problems less important or just pointless.

My friends believe that my biggest concerns fall into banality, one of them made fun of me the other day saying -and I quote it- "What kind of problem would you have living in Paris? being unable to decide if you'll have mint or burgundy as main color in your collection? Not having idea if you'll buy a Phillip Lim bag or a Carven coat instead?" To be honest I feel bad knowing that my friends are convinced that I hate my country and that's why I've decided to pursue my studies elsewhere. I love them just as if they were my family so I don't get really hurt by such comments but there's an obnoxious incomprensible feeling about this, I also miss home and although this entry has taken the 'complain' direction the real reason why I'm writing this is because they seem to forget I'm here studying and not in some kind of vacation. I'm probably venting my frustrations in the wrong place but I wanted to make some remarks so my brothers and sisters -as I always address to my friends- remember that we're both creating our own paths and that living in Paris is not as different than living in Quito -which for me after all these years wandering around various places is still the best city- or just in general, any other city.

I'd  even dare to say that Quito is just as beautiful as Paris -I don't forget  that my city was in fact the first city declared as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO-.

My city is beautiful, isn't it?

Unluckily, fashion is the love of my life and... unfortunately and pitifully while fashion shows in Paris look like this...

Fashion shows in Ecuador are -I can't even look at this more than 10 seconds, it's just so embarrassing!-...

 And while models in Paris look like...

Models in Ecuador be like...

& Lastly, people attending Paris Fashion Week...

People attending to Ecuador Fashion Week...

I'm totally sure I go to school better dressed after waking up 30 minutes before my class starts.

So guys, do you understand me now?

Mister Print and Miss Zadig & Voltaire

By this time of the school year I’m usually stressed out and extremely worried, this year however, -being my last- I promised myself I’d have a more relaxed and calm attitude  which is not exactly easy, being the perfectionist I am. However I recently re-found the pleasure of watching dramas. Of course KOREAN dramas. To put it understandable for those of you who are not  familiar with Korean stuff, they are the Korean counterpart of the Latin American telenovela. Some clichés, typical plots, handsome chaebols –conglomerates owners- and in most cases some comedic relief through silly characters. Well I was first introduced to Korean culture around 12 years ago through a hit drama of that time so I’m quite used to the repetitive ideas, but surprisingly I keep watching them because although there are clear formulas producers seem to follow devoutly, the final product is always different.

To be honest the only reason why I decided to watch the drama I'm currently following was the cast -filled with well known names in the Korean scene- including one my favorite actors –a former model- and the best drummer in the Korean Idol factory –ok, forget that last part, it's a lie, I’m just being biased-. Sincerely, I wasn't expecting much of it and that’s probably the reason why I’m liking it so far. My best friend described it as a ‘Gossip Girl’ kind of drama after reading the synopsis, of course that's not entirely correct but at some point she’s right. Heirs –the title of the drama- revolves around a group of young heirs and heiresses of powerful families; the story depicts their love lives, friendship, enmities and the pressure they endure being always forced to behave as society expects from the next generation of chaebols.

I’m unsure whether I’d recommend it or not /to my picky friends/ but it’s overall good, not brilliant, just a light drama I enjoy watching weekly to pour away my frustrations and most importantly -and the main reason why I stop my tight schedule 2 hours per week- an awesome styling work worthy of my praises!

Commonly the peak of this kind of productions –in any other part of the world- would be the pretty young heiresses' style and stylists would devote their efforts to enhance them, however Korean dramas are quite distinct and they tend put emphasis on the male characters’ appearance 'cause well, who are the main target of these dramas? Right! WOMEN! 

I have to remind people that the characters are supposed to be still in high school so they commonly go for a preppy clean style -that I simply adore- everything it's quite basic but yet so fashionable and trendy -although I wouldn't mind if they stopped wearing shirts+sweaters all the time!-.
Since the drama has a wide variety of characters I might end by dedicating one entry to each of them cause it's impossible to put it all together without killing you of boredom. 

I'll start with Kim Tan, the main character, who clearly -as you'll see- has a thing for patterns and prints, he's stuck being casually trendy -I mean, the guy even wears Kenzo to chill at home!-. His wardrobe is basically filled up with slim trousers, a thousand of shirts, his good share of sweatshirts and the occasional suits. I like his style, just look at him! he's '18' years old and the modern version of Prince Charming, we'd still look fine wearing a 5 euros t-shirt with an old pair of jeans, which hopefully he won't do -because patterns and prints fit him quite well- or that's my guess based on the style he's been pursuing:

Kim Tan, the main character has a thing for patterns, he's usually spotted wearing brands like Kenzo, Marc Jacobs, Alexander Mc Queen and why not? he even chills at home wearing brand clothing worthy of 600 euros... but well, what else can be expected from the son of the president of a large conglomerate? 

If I had to choose my favorite outfit, though,  I'd totally choose the one Tan wore for his awaited comeback to Korea -keep in mind this story is truly a huge mess-. 
Dries Van Noten coat + Viktor & Rolf shirt + Philipp Plein pants and Gucci bag just to keep it 'simple' and 'classy'? This is what Koreans call 'a great airport fashion'.

Ugh, no, I had almost forgotten the 'beautiful' sneakers complementing such a perfect set! This is what I call 'the most ridiculous way to ruin the mood'. Let's keep this one as the biggest fashion fail in the drama! 

Next it's the simple and poor -but not so simple and poor- damsel in distress also known as Cha Eun Sang, the female lead who happens to be the daughter of the housekeeper of Tan's mansion -ugh, complicated storyline here!-. The girl is supposed to be plain, simple and regular because well she's poor but I don't think we'll ever see our housekeeper's family wearing Zadig and Voltaire sweaters 300 euros worth. Anyhow the girl seems to be the embassador of Z&V in this drama because she pretty much only wears the brand, along Fred Perry stuff and... oh yeah! Vanessa Bruno too -I thought she said she was poor! maybe she's addicted to French brands! ahem... now we know why she has no money... ha!-. 

Eun Sang is so standard that I've started to call her the 'plaid and stripes girl' because that's the furthest she goes in terms of style, not to mention that the girl apparently has no other option than wearing her shirts as outwear most of the time. But hey! don't pity her, she's won the heart of two handsome rich men so far, not to mention she has a cutie as best friend.