The New Look; To Be Adored Spring 2013

Loyal TBA fans after past two collections from the label were probably wondering where all those Peter Pan collars disappeared. Binbin McNiven, designer at TBA, over the past few years has created label that was synonym for sweet, but very refined and casual fashion. Label’s pretty frocks adorned with collars over the years have been on the lust list of various IT girls and style icons. (Think of Miss Chung.) 

Although TBA in past collections did offered very clean lines for such a cute ensembles, it’s obvious that new collections have more of this ascetic, Scandinavian vibe. Binbin might had replaced sweetness with sensuality, but some things such as refined detailing, proper tailoring and excellent fabrics haven’t changed. 

The new slouchy silhouette of TBA ensembles, doesn’t exclude hand embroidered motifs, sheer inserts and panels.
One more novelty at TBA is quirkiness so except of polka dot garments there are cream items featuring bold collage print, and along with star appliqués  designer added funny pacmans to lace dresses. 

We forgave Binbin the collars, but we truly appreciate she stayed faithful to organza. To be adored over the years has taught us that organza is most perfect summer fabric. When it’s used properly, of course. And Binbin knows this best.

See/ Shop Collection here

edwardian summer with TBA

TBA garments during these years really had reflected enchanting optimism of new generation that is in fond of sweet fashion. Binbin McNiven always had a crush on Edwardian memories of the past, so like our ancestors she has great appreciation for details. Every time Binbin amuses us with her visions projected into to be adored, she always leaves us breathless. While in the autumn collection there was more playing with edgy vibe of her sophisticated girl, for spring and summer she took us again to the great romance. It’s true that never was a label that connects in this way the romance of lost time with 1960s sparkling time. This romance is never boring; it is adventurous party of love for dressing up. Ensembles that look ideal for summer garden party, irresistibly remind of pages from Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, written by hand and illustrated by British artist and teacher Edith Holden at the beginning of the last century. This summer, TBA delightful frocks came to life again with the help of the silk, organza and lace. As her signature, little Peter Pan collar is still here and made of pearls on orange skater Amelie and white Dawn. Except for the collars, Binbin is extremely popular among her fans with all her scalloped playing (trimmings, hems and necklines) so she created awfully perfect white dress for summer time; sheer in combination with scalloped organza insertions on the front. Like in the last good time of upper class, when Binbin creates a blouse (this time lilac April and cream Bethan blouse) you cannot settle down for cheaper solution from high street. It really bothers you. Not to mention pale pink Simone and olive Odette dresses. Really can’t think of nothing else and your mind is truly bedazzled. And all you want to do is live in the past time, read books on the tea parties and talk with the birds. 

Spring 2012 is on sale now at to be adored shop

PHOTOS IN COLLAGE VIA TBA, FROM COUNTRY DIARY OF AN EDWARDIAN LADY,  SECOND IMAGE IN FIRST ROW VIA KNITTING THE WIND

pretty frocks on sale

Nadinoo Fleur's Blue Spinning teacup dress, made from Liberty tana lawn cotton, from last season's collection. This is probably my favorite Liberty print since I am so obsessed with blue-white vintage looking prints; here
Rachel Antonoff  silky cream Tenn Tom dress  with three bows in a row reminds a bit on RA's so loved Tennessee dress; here
To be adored Sam silk tunic dress was one of my favorite pieces from last collection, floral print in blue with spots of red and organza collar are just too lovely; here
Kelsey Genna Picnic dress is reduced to half price because of the small blue mark on the back of it; here

Can you hear the melody? 
p.s.  If my paypal account wasn't empty, I wouldn't share this:) selfish, I know

black bottoms

Life can be tricky sometimes. A year ago when I was inspecting stuff in local charity shop, I found a pair of black Levi’s jeans. Not too gray, not too bleached, just right to cut them into shorts. And I didn’t buy them. Since I found the shop closed next time I came back to pick them, that makes me a loser. The fact I still haven’t found these, makes me even bigger. So I seek and look, and inspecting dusty clothes at thrift stores, but nothing to find. I didn’t want to buy these online because I wanted to try them on first, but seems I’ll have to. So now I am waiting for my size to appear on good old Etsy. What can I say….I am a black bottoms biggest fan.

in collage

owl print top, MODCLOTH; Marc Jacobs black denim shorts; star neklace, MODCLOTH; navy suede t-bar ballet flats, MARAIS; Tba lilac blouse, BONA DRAG; Skinny black jeans, NET-A-PORTER; satchel, CAMBRIDGE SATCHEL; blush wedges, MARAIS; floral scarf, LIBERTY;

do and love

I was recently interviewed by lovely Maria for her super pretty blog Avenue M.

For this she asked me to make a collage so I put all of my favorite things

and what I do together. Collage is above, read entire post here

Friends of mine & TBA spring summer 2011

Cibelle, Isabel, Moon, Natalie, Juju, Juju B, Sam, Tabitha, Mira...this is not another girl crush. It’s even the bigger crush. The crush you began to adore. That is To Be Adored. It’s pretty easy to be alive in the springtime with light fabrics, pastel colors and beautiful patterns from TBA. And when the clothing items have names as Cibelle or Juju is easy to become crazy about them. So who are these friends and those girls?

Cibelle is pleated pinafore style dress. Her bodice is embellished with lace and neckline with Peter Pan collar. She is a kinda of friend that I would take for summer walks. Isabel is polished; she has long sleeves with white cuffs and sheer Peter Pan collar. She is hopelessly romantic and charming with that little pocket. Moon is Isabel look-alike but is more indulgent. I’ve heard she is already Alexa Chung’s best friend. Sam and Tabitha are perfect and nice, just like easygoing companions that I adore to have in my life. Sam is floral, has white collar with red button while I am utterly mad about polka dots Tabitha with ruffles! Mira is a silk ballerina in yellow with a swing skirt. Silky Natalie is a blouse. I’d like to hang out with her on days when I wear denim trousers. Juju is a floral blazer and Juju B. nude one and they could be nice travel escorts.

All the girls are very playful and girly but also have a boyish vibe. You may want to become friends with them? Here are addresses where you might find them; TBA SHOP, PIXIE MARKET, MAXIMILLIA(AU), ASOS and UO

Queen, King and The Velvet

The rich, luxurious fabrics like velvet is, once upon the time was intended just for royalty. You must remember from the history lessons, images of kings and queens in the velvet cloaks trimmed with fur or embroidered with brocade. In the moments when I wasn’t sleeping in the class, I was amused by velvet tunics with puff sleeves and tights on gentleman and enchanted by renaissance lace-up velvet gowns on ladies.
In the time when non-blue-blood riffraff discovered it as something that can be very sensual and romantic but also glamorous, it became very popular. It was often used as appliqué and not just on gowns in manner of Vionnet, but also moved from clothes to décor in our homes. Luckily, we don’t have to fashionably survive like Miss Scarlett O’Hara that ripped mother’s curtains to make a green velvet dress. We can choose, and most often between Eighties inspired dresses and those with softer shape like tunic dresses. Velvet is very warm material, so that makes it perfect for winter fashion. Finally designers gave up of using summer materials and sewing swimsuits in the winter! In case of the fall runaway, velvet fabric was omnipresent star, no matter are we talking about fashion houses with tradition like Halston and Vionnet or about those newly founded.
In case of TBA, British label TBA, that is all about adoring, velvet dress is very romantically bohemian. Designer Binbin McNiven could be a new age royal dressmaker because she found a perfect mix of tenderness and luxury, combining velvet with delicate collars. So, the swinging sixties mood brilliantly met up with Victorian romance. Casual shape allows it to be a regular daily dress and also a party dress. Who says we wouldn’t know how to reign in dresses like these.



VISIT TO BE ADORED, GREEN AND ORANGE DRESS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT ASOS, ALSO THERE IS ONE MODEL IN NAVY, AT URBAN OUTFITTERS