Memoirs of a Geisha

Dress - Bernie Dexter - on sale at the moment, get it here!
Shoes - Betts
Parasol - gift

When I bought this beautiful dress last year I was hoping to save it for a future trip to Japan - and while that probably won't be happening for a long time yet, one day I would love to wear this dress in Kyoto and meet real Geisha. I have always been enthralled by the beauty and grace that Geisha possess and their intricate hair and makeup. I think the Geisha on this dress are just as stunning as their real life counterparts, with heavenly vibrant kimonos and cherry blossoms in their hair.

China Town

Cheongsam - Hong Kong
Parasol - gift
Sunglasses - Asos
Shoes (not pictured) Forever New

I love to wear cheongsams because I find them both comfortable and flattering. I like the sleek cut and the beautiful patterns that they come in. I also like to carry a parasol in summer because I have sensitive skin that reacts badly to sunscreen. Incidentally, I find oriental style parasols to be the most beautiful and practical.

I can't help what I like and I don't think its particularly terrible to want to wear something that comes from another culture. After all, how boring fashion would be if we were weren't inspired by other cultures! Something that I love about vintage styles is the way many of the fashions in the 50s and 60s were inspired by Hawaiian, Mexican and Asian cultures. I don't believe this is appropriation, but rather, a celebration of diversity and the beauty of the world's different cultures.

Chinese New Year at New Shanghai

To celebrate Chinese New Year which ends this weekend, we went to New Shanghai - my favorite Chinese restaurant. I love all dumplings from Russian pelmeni, to Japanese gyoza, but Chinese dumplings are by far my most favorite and they just so happen to be the specialty at New Shanghai where they are made fresh on the spot. I never need an excuse to come here for their delicious pan fried pork dumplings, and Chinese New Year turned out to be the perfect occasion to go again!