Meet Anh from tha.darlinh

It was the Show of Franziska Michael during the Berlin Fashion Week this summer when I've met Anh. I've noticed her because she is also Vietnamese and my first impression was right: Anh is really kind and open-minded. She started her blog tha.Darlinh in 2011 and since then she's writing about her personal style, DIYs and events in the fashion world. Additionally she's a fashion design student at Esmod-International Fashion School, works part-time for the WALD-Store and just started her Stylist career with LeanOn-Styling.

Why I've wanted to talk to her? Anh has a unique style and I love how versatile this girl is. She's a very young talent, really down-to-earth and very impressing. Let's talk to her:

How and when did you start blogging?
A friend of mine is totally into photography and always wanted to take pictures of me. We started shooting around town then and one day she came up with the idea of a blog. That's when we've started blogging together until she had to move away. We were blogging seperately then and that was the moment when tha.darlinh was born. I've also started with photography but soon it became more and more a fashionblog only.

What's interesting for you in fashion?
I think it's interesting because it's so different and versatile. Different in our everyday or professional life, it's also different how one respond to it. There are so many opportunities, which I like about fashion.

How would you describe your own style?
Oh, very good question. My style is always changing depending on my mood, but in general I'd say: sporty, and I like to wear casual stuff like skinny jeans, a t-shirt and a cool jacket. Casual and sporty.

So, what did you do in your gap year between high school and college?
First, I was in Vietnam for about a month and  took a drawing class as a preparation for college and then I spend a lot of time with my blog. In the meantime I've also attended the London Fashion Week in February and right afterwards I've applied for my studies. Fortunately they accepted me and therefore I had time to do an internship, it was part-time at the WALD Berlin Store and part-time at Dana Roski as stylist. After my internship, they still wanted to keep me and now I'm running their online-shop as a side job because school started.

Do you have any style tips?
Well, the most important tip is to always stay true to yourself. Just wear something in which you feel well because if not it won't be authentic when you're trying to dress yourself up.

Second & Other Stories-Opening in Berlin

This weekend I could spend some days off with friends in Berlin again and of course I've did some window shopping. I've checked out the new & Other Stories in Berlin Mitte and pretty much liked it, compared to the one at Ku'damm, I've liked this one more because it seems like there's more space. In the front window they have an installation made out of paper bags. When I first came in, I've noticed that there are not many shoes and accessories, but wait! Walk into the basement, there you'll find a large room full of handbags, shoes and beauty essentials. So, whenever you're in Berlin, you definitely have to check out this Swedish house of chic clothing with high quality materials.

Second-hand Object Jumper.

Pieces Treggings.

& Other Stories Ankle Boots.

Dreams by OFF COLOR

Dreams is the title of the 3rd issue of the urban online magazine called 'Off Color'. The featured artists from music, film, fashion, art and architecture talk about their hopes, aspirations but as well about their fears and doubts. Dreams is about believing in oneself and working hard to achieve these dreams. Whether you're a daydreamer or not:

Everything you can imagine is real. Picasso

Off Color is running by the sisters Kristina and Katrin Schmidt. Inspired by sleepless nights in wonderful NYC the girls started gathering together all their ideas and put it into their 'blogazine', which was launched in March 2011. 

Off Color focuses on anything creative, be it fashion, music, lifestyle or interviews. The girls love being in big cities, not only that, they have a passion for HipHop, RnB, Kanye West and Photography. 

It was Katrin who came up to me and asked me to be part of their current issue. After strolling through their last issues Urban Rebl, La Bonita and the concept of this one, I was excited to be in this project :)

What I love about Off Color: the blogazine is so down-to-earth. I like how they illustrate small and newcomer artists like Urban Germany or Efkan NY, but also show artists who work behind the scenes like photographer Nabil Elderkin and fashion designer Katie Eary. Additionally they give event and city tips, style advice and recommendations for current art exhibitions. The writing of the sisters is very appealing and it's hard not to read the whole thing at once :) Oh and did I mention that I love the quotes throughout the mag? Check out this incredible work and let them inspire you to dream. 

Mindful Monday: Shopping and its impact on us

A very dear friend once said:

'Do not follow loud goals, listen to your inner self.' 

In the last several years my shopping habit has changed a bit, maybe you saw this transition yourself, too. Three years ago, I used to buy clothes and accessories excessively, working as a waitress by the side made it possible to buy anything every time you received your tip. Then, being in the U.S. clothes were super cheap and yes, I have to admit, I bought stuff I didn't even touch there because I thought 'Well, I buy them here, but will wear them in Germany.' Did I then? No, not at all, being back here I had a total different style and wasn't as colourful as in the U.S. anymore. 

Now, this year and especially after my internship I look for quality than for quantity, but have to admit, you start looking for designer brands, as well. My personal project of 'I want less. Here and now.' concerns shopping as one of the most important issues and I'm trying. I'm trying to stay away from cheap clothing because I think. I think that it cannot be that I pay 3€ for a t-shirt and it cannot be that there is so much stuff on sale whenever the season is changing. 

A few weeks ago I've just attended an information event of the Clean Clothes Campaign which showed me that most of the produced clothes end up in developing countries, in which they try to sell them, but these will actually find their way to landfills. Furthermore I don't have to say that many seamstresses in Bangladesh etc. live in poverty and can hardly afford their homes, food and education for their children. 

My call is: Just be aware of what you buy and don't consume clothes blindly, look and inform yourself. For example, this is a very good German documentary of the British retailer Primark who sell super cheap clothes and I have to say: has super bad quality (from my own experience). There are more negative reputation about H&M, Zara and so on, just google it.

Back to the quote: sometimes I find myself wanting something because others want it and not because I've wanted it myself. So, other people voice out their thoughts and needs and I would be like: hmmm.. Yes, I want shoes and bags and stuff, whether I need it or not. Same thing happens when I stroll through blogs, magazines and shopping sites. If I listen to my inner self, it would be like: No, I really do not need all that and be honest, don't find excuses to need and want them. Just stick to your own ideal and you already know that material things won't make you happy. 

Shopping is like a vicious circle, if you feed your closet or room, you won't be able to stop it. You always want more and then, at some point you'll try to find happiness through materialistic things. Let's altogether think about what we buy and why we have to consume so much nowadays. I would love to hear from you, did you already cut back on your shopping habits? :)

Documentary-Tip: 'Gift auf unserer Haut by ZDF, unfortunately in Germany, but totally worth seeing, it's about the leather industry and how its produced in bad conditions in Bangladesh. Stay aware!

New In: Kenzo Scarf and Object Jumper

These days I was looking for a plaid scarf and found the one from Zara very appealing. The ongoing grunge and punk trend this autumn is really cool but I wouldn't buy a whole new wardrobe full of plaid stuff. I didn't find the perfect plaid shirt, so I've decided to go for a scarf. Zara it was... until.. I saw the very first girl sitting in one of my classes wearing the particular one. Okay, hold on: Do I care? Haha, one would say: No, why would you care if someone wears the same clothes?

Doesn't matter anymore because I have found the perfect one for ME :) Yes!!! Where? Last wednesday I happen to go into two vintage stores close to Uni for the first time and one of my friends found it: a Kenzo plaid scarf. Red, green, white, that's all I've wanted in the scarf I was looking for. Not too punky, but still edgy and perfectly fine with christmas time :)

Additionally I've found the perfect comfy sweater I was looking for years, no ages now!!! An Object Sweater made its way into my wardrobe. Great length and superduper fluffy, love the relaxed oversized fit :)

Yes, this was a super shopping spree and I can warmly recommend you: Check out Vintage Stores and Flea Markets every now and then, you will find lovely and unique clothes. Another reason to support 2nd-hand, vintage and flea markets is that it has a better impact on our environment and I am way happier to find pieces 2nd hand rather than new. It also adds up to my process of 'I want less. Here and Now.'.

Have fun shopping ;-)

Bomber Jacket x Black Panther Sweater

This cold and groggy weather calls out for: All your sweaters! Pull them out of your closet because we already had to say 'ByeBye Summer, see you next year!' I've bought this Black Panther Sweater back in Berlin and immediately fell in love with it :) I liked the shape and the print, but hey how do you like my Bomber Leather Jacket from Zara?

I've just bought it a few weeks ago after having seen it in their online-shop. First, I really wasn't sure to keep it or not, but everyone said: Yes, except from my mum =D who doesn't like my style anyways. Now, I think it fits me very well since I was looking for a new, more elegant leather jacket and I really do like the pattern of it. This one for example is more sporty with its hoodie.

 

Sweater from Pull & Bear.

 Pieces black treggings.

These beloved Blowfish boots.

Bomber Leather Jacket from Zara.

Z Spoke Handbag,

jewelry by & Other Stories and Snash Jewelry.

Changing Seasons: Autumn is here.

Well, have you noticed that the season has changed? I didn't yet, here in the south the weather is pretty nice and I don't feel like wearing huge sweaters and scarves yet. So, the other day I finished working out and had the lust of wearing my leather shorts from Topshop to school. My friends were like: Oh no, you definitely need to wear some tights with it, it will be freezing outside. I've checked the weather forecast, it said sunny and up to 22°C (70°F), furthermore I was like: No, just go with the shorts, you will regret wearing long pants later that day.

There you go, me, the only one wearing shorts, was happy without tight, long pants and the sun was shining bright on my bare skin. Loved it! Whenever your guts tell you something, just do it and don't care what others will say or think. We should show more skin when it's still warm out, especially when we're lacking so much sun and Vitamin D. In addition I think that, when the 'big people' wear short skirts and dresses to the Fashion Weeks right now, we could also be more brave with our everyday styling :)

I've loved my season's changing outfit: I've paired the Topshop leather pants with a grey sweater from Zara, black sneakers from Deichmann and a light blazer from H&M. The tote is from the Funky Summer Longboard Shop, the two-tone necklace with the black ring on my thumb are from & Other Stories, the small rings are from Snash Jewelry, on the right hand there's the golden COS ring, a natural one from Brazil and the bracelet from my dad. What do you guys wear when the season is changing?

Fall Essentials 2013 #3: Black Boots

I bought these boots last fall from Zara and haven't worn them very often. I felt like the boots were too chunky and heavy on my outfits, but this season I'm totally in! The Grunge-and-Punk trend this fall gives us the chance to be more edgy, black and rough. Usually I'm super picky with clothes because I really want golden zippers, buttons, studs and so on, since the embellishment is not that big, I can overlook it: Whatever right? =D I'm just all into everything golden, although punk and grunge work better with silver.

My shopping-tip: I bought them in the kids section and they were way cheaper than in the normal women's section. How come? My friend found out, that the kids sizes goes up to 38 EU or 8 US :) Save some money!

Want to find some similar ones?

 1-Leather Boots from H&M.

2-Flat Ankle Boots from Asos.

3-Boots from H&M.

4-Leather Boots from Zara.

Beloved all-seasons boots by Blowfish

Like these? Well, these shoes were my first shopping spree after arriving in the U.S. in 2011 and I have to tell you, I instantly fell in love, got them and wore them so many times. I don't know how many miles I've walked in these boots out of fabric, but I can tell you: MANY! Up and down the city like a bazillion times, they were with me travelling through the U.S: Florida, Puerto Rico, the Westcoast and then back in Germany, as well.

Two years, many walks, a bike accident which scratched them badly and special weather conditions later.. they are almost saying goodbye to me. Should I cry? Don't know, but I'm close to.. of course, Century 21 do not have them anymore and the brand Blowfish doesn't sell them on their online page. What to do? Super desperate, super frustrated, how am I going to find boots that nice again?

I wore them to skinny jeans, always!, to skirts to get a more street-used-look and almost to every occasion, yes, also to work. People have asked me where I've got them from and I was always lucky to say: Well, from the states :)

Now they are having huge wholes in the sole, so whenever it's raining, it's getting wet in there and a few stones got stuck already, too =D The fabric is not sticking to the sole anymore and now I'm thinking of duct-taping the inside but I'm not sure if it really makes sense to keep them. So, guys, what do you think? What do you do with those kind of clothes, the ones you love so badly, like really bad and then, actually YOU have to say goodbye. Do you really do it? Getting rid of them, do you try to get a new pair (similar though) or repair it?

Recap: How would you style to a Longboard Contest?

Melanie Golz from Cologne,  1st in the Women's category of the Eurodance. Washed Jeans, T-Shirt, skated-off sneakers: 

Perfect way!

Guleed Yussuf from the Netherlands, awesome style in skating and fashion! How to describe in one word?

Unique.

 Lotfi Lamaali from France and Esther Suave from Berlin, being serious and childish! What's that? 

Authentic and skaters by heart.

 Are you ready for Peter Markgraf from Berlin, 

the skate-pirate? Arrrr :)

Just don't give a fuck and have fun =D OR go all into it and create your own style, be it sporty or extraordinary. Found these shots from the Eurpean Longboard Dance Contest 2013 back in August, maybe I can do some more style shots at future contests, would interest me how 'longboarders' style themselves ;-)

Recap: Black Summerdress

Back in summer, back in Berlin. Actually the outfit to the interview with Susie from Stylebubble. Oh yes, black works in summer ;-)

Leather jacket from H&M-years ago.

Sheer dress from Forever 21-somewhen last year.

Shoes from Deichmann.

Vintage Handbag from Coach.

Necklace from a friend.

Bracelets from a street vendor in NYC.

Ring from Brazil.

Best of Berlin: Fashion

In brief: I've had my internship at Les Mads Berlin, had an interview with Susie Bubble, went to the Opening Show of Hien Le at Berlin Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014, bought my very first designer handbag by Zac Posen, had an unbelievable party night at the fashion week party by Les Mads, met up with Thuy Duong Nguyen, designer of ThuThu at her Sample Sale and bought this unique short, went to the Opening of the first Topshop store in Germany and had a few outfit posts with friends and me.

What wonderful three months full of fashion, food and more to come :)

Fall Essentials 2013 #2: Boxy Sweater

For this fall I'm also looking for a boxy sweater á la Elin Kling, she's wearing the one from McQ by Alexander McQueen and yes, it's quite pricey. Looking for a boxy sweater from retailers like Zara, H&M, Topshop, Asos and so on can be hard, why? Well, try to find a perfect boxy sweater, which has that square shape, is more robust and please in the colours black, grey or white. Yes, the weather is super groggy and I'm all into black again, shame on me, but I just love everything black :) and having a big slouchy sweater on is the best bet for fall! I would love to combine it with black skinny jeans then or my Topshop leather pants, the perfect outfit for the season's changing. 

Of course, I've made some research and found some fair pieces, click to get your own boxy sweater and read my German article for my most wanted sweater this fall at OK COOL.

Fall Essentials 2013 #1: Plaid Shirts

This season everyone's going back to Punk and Grunge, we'll see a lot of plaid shirts, leather goods, black heavy boots and everything punkish. I'll try to sum up my fall essentials for the new season and hope you guys like it!

Right now I'm looking for the perfect plaid shirt, in German you'd call it a 'Holzfällerhemd' translated into lumberjack shirt, but I prefer plaid shirt. It's pretty hard to find the perfect one since I want it to be cool and grunge, also in the colours red, blue, black and you really have to be careful so it won't look like the Hollister/Abercrombie & Fitch colours!

A few weeks ago, I saw two girls rocking some colourful plaid shirts in green and yellow, it was kind of oversize and really really laid-back, super cool I've thought! Paired with denim pants and sneakers, a go-to-outfit for summer. In fall instead I'd go for leather skirts, black skinny pants or denim. Oh and do you know what I like the most about button-up shirts? Just wear it as a cardigan and if it's getting too warm, in fall? Yes! Maybe you're at a party or something, just tie it around your waist and be the perfect grunge gal! :)

Click for details of this selection.

Opening of first Topshop 'Section' in Germany

Last friday I had the chance to go to the Opening of the first Topshop section in Germany. I call it section because they did not open up a store but rather a small section in a department chain. It opened up in Berlin in the KaDeWe, a huge store full of well known brands. The female section is located on the second floor and on the first floor you'll find the male brand Topman. 

Finally!!! We were waiting like forever to have the british retailer here in Germany, but before, there was the option of ordering the high-street clothes in their online-store. Still, it did not satisfy our passion for shopping because when I shop, I want to go in the store, see the clothes, touch them, try them on and just decide immediately.  Now it's possible in Berlin, stores in Düsseldorf, Munich and Hamburg will follow as well. 

The section includes a range of fall looks with a lot of punk and grunge options like plaid pants, blouses, coats, as well as bomber jackets, fur vests and leather pants. In the male section one will find printed shirts, suits and also accessories like backpacks. 

The Topshop section in the department store might not be that big or versatile as we hoped but nevertheless, we can now enjoy the real shopping experience of the british brand. In secret we're having our fingers crossed for an extension of the selection and maybe one day there will be an independent store. 

I'm wishing you lots of fun topshopping and yes, I admit it, I did buy myself something, 

not sure if I keep it or not, but for now, click through more pictures. What do you think?

P.S.: Read this for the German version at LesMads. 

Black x Gold Fever

Not only do I love love love golden jewelry, I love the mixture of black and gold, especially in jewelry and leather goods, look at my first designer bag Z Spoke by Zac Posen. When I saw the new lookbook of the autumn/winter 2013 collection of & Other stories, I just had to get these!!! The box-chain necklace, the bracelet and these rings. Love the two tones, right now, I just adore everything edgy and black :) Maybe it's because it's getting pretty cold here in Germany.

Additionally the other day I saw a girl with this purse in the elevator, I did ask her where she got it from. It was H&M and on the onlineshop it was just sold out! Super funny! In a couple of days, this minimalistic purse with the imprint LOVE was just sold out. I've got lucky and found it on my satuday shopping spree in a shop and couldn't decide whether I should go for red or black. Decided for classic black then ;-)

I did more shopping this weekend because the first TOPSHOP just made its way to Germany and it was the weekend before leaving Berlin for college. Going back to school I guess, yep, my internship is almost over but I'll show you more of my purchases in a couple of days.

Stay tuned and happy monday :)

Featured on Andy Sparkles

The wonderful Andy Sparkles did an interview with me and has asked me about my internship at the German fashion blog Les Mads, she also asked me about this blog, my must-haves for autumn/winter 2013/14 and what my future plans are.

How come that I know of her? Funny story, though. Back in 2011 I think, we both won a trip to Berlin due to a Glamour magazine hair model contest. We were there to find out who of the hairstylists is getting into the CULT team of Sebastian Professional. We met up there and then I've found out that she was just doing some modeling jobs, too. And now, two years later she has been doing great with modeling and it's so funny whenever I see her on magazines like Neon I'd be like: Hey guys, I know her!!! :) 

This year, she also started blogging and on her personal blog Andy Sparkles, she's showing a lot of outfit posts, but as well as beauty product reviews, her beloved cat and anything what inspires her. The pictures of her outfit posts are taken by her sister Christine, which I like the most because combining the pieces with each other are really striking.

Below are the pictures taken from the CULT style night back in 2011, each with our hair stylists :) .

Unfortunately the interview is in German, but let's see if I'll manage it to translate the whole thing to you ;-) So, to all German readers, follow this link here to read the rest of it! Thank you Andrea for this lovely feature on your personal blog, I hope to see you soon, wish you all the best, much health and many hugs.

Love,

Minh.

Breaking Out of your Style Ruts

Do you also have some very comfortable clothes? The ones you'd always wear, every single day? I think everyone does. So, for example, when I'm really busy and do not know what to wear, I'd always go with everything black. Yep! Why? Just because it always fits and it always works, right?

Sometimes it occurs that you'd see me three times a week with all black everything and it wouldn't bother me, of course not the same ones ;-)  but it's so easy to yes, also in fashion, to fall into a routine. Maybe I need some spice up! Refinery 29 calls this a style rut and senior global editor Connie Wang gives us some advice how to break out of these! What's your rut?

Mine is definitely the black rut, so I'll try to add some colour here and there ;-) And yeah, I have to say, back in the U.S. being in New Jersey on weekdays, my fashion rut was the gym-all-over-look :) Furthermore I honestly think that there are a lot of gals out there who would just like to change up their style. You can do this by just adding a bit of colour, a bit of jewelry or even just the shoes! Click through the gallery designed by Ammiel Mendoza and check out the other outfit options.