SANTORINI - A DESTINATION WEDDING

OUR DREAM WEDDING IN SANTORINI . . .

Our amazing wedding trailer and short film by Phosart Cinematography!

Music by Kendrick Lamar

Music by Ex Makina

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Carmel by the Sea. A weekend at the Hofsas House

My fiance and I recently had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful town of Carmel by the Sea. Crazy to think, as Bay Area natives, we've been to Monterey several times but never had a chance to visit Carmel, and we couldn't be more thankful that we finally did! It's definitely an underestimated gem so close to home and we'll definitely be heading back!

Carmel by the Sea is a beautiful European inspired town in Monterey County, minutes walking distance to a gorgeous beach, filled with art galleries and wineries. They bring a rich history and this year they are celebrating their 100 year anniversary. Its a charming place that welcomes visitors with a friendly attitude and offers a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of the over crowded and over commercialized city.

The town has so many unique quirks I find of great value in our day when technology rules all. For one thing, addresses do not exist in Carmel by the Sea. I thought this was crazy! If you try to look up an address you'll merely get the closest intersection. All residents/businesses have a PO box and have to physically go to the post office to get their mail but at the same time promoting a strong sense of community and allowing you to get to know you neighbors. Now that, I do like. On top of that, every single sign in town must be a wooden one. How cool is that?! Here, you won't find a single Starbucks or Lulu Lemon. (Not that I have anything against either of these brands). The town is all about supporting small businesses and bringing things back to a simple idea of getting out on your feet to discover uniqueness and quality. And that alone is had me smitten by this adorable town of Carmel by the Sea.

One of my favorite things when traveling is strolling through the local streets and allowing myself to get lost and discover the beauty in each new place. Carmel by the Sea was made for just this, with something beautiful and intriguing around every corner. Carmel offers a refreshing art scene including sculpture, paint and photography alike. Shops offer one of a kind products that you can find in the typical department store.

We had the pleasure of staying at the charming Hofsas House Hotel, a super cute boutique hotel with a killer location and amazing service in the heart of Carmel by the Sea. A family owned hotel, with 60 years of history in the gorgeous town. Its dusty pink walls give a nostalgic retro vibe and the Bavarian inspired ambiance introduces a European charm to its visitors.

Just a short 2 and a half hour drive outside San Francisco, we arrived just before sunset to catch the gorgeous view from our room overlooking the water.

We had an amazingly comfortable stay. Carmel is THE perfect weekend getaway to unwind. It was such a refreshing break from all the overly trendy and routine bustle of San Francisco.

Literally just a few blocks away to the many choices of restaurants, wineries, galleries and shops we were eager to explore the town the moment we arrived.

One of Hofsas House's newest packages includes the Wine Walk Passport. Trust me when I say it's worth every single penny. In the passport you receive 9 vouchers that can each be redeemed for a full flight at several of the tasting rooms all located within just a few blocks of each other. The best thing is it's on your own schedule and they don't expire so if you have any left over you can come back and use them again or gift them to friends! We wandered into the Vino Napoli, Caraccioli Cellars, Dawn's Dream and Sheid tasting rooms, took home a couple bottles and even joined Sheid's wine club . . . and we still had vouchers left over!

And after a lovely night of great food and wine tasting, winding down in our room at Hofsas House with this incredible antique fireplace next to our bed was heavenly! Seriously, why don't all bedrooms have this?! They need to! This was my absolute favorite thing the entire weekend! AH il dolce far niente.

We were a bit obsessed with these Dutch doors!

Carrie, the owner of Hofsas House runs a lovely hotel with top notch service as a priority. Murals from artist Maxine Albro, including the iconic piece that greets its guests at the front of the hotel, bring character to the the place. Paired with pretty antiques in your room, you truly do feel at home at Hofsas House. It's not the Hilton, and its not trying to be anything like that, and that's exactly what makes this place so beautiful and special. Good old warm hospitality and sincere character never go out of style. These are the places that you remember and want to come back to . . .

The Hofsas House coat of arms reads . . .

" Otium cum dignitate"

meaning, "Leisure with dignity" in Latin.

And it gave us just that!

Sunset in Carmel Beach by Christel Gellidon

* This is a sponsored post however all opinions and photos are my own.

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Diary of a Destination Bride: Part 1 Santorini

Diary of a Destination Bride – Meet Christel & Daniel!

“We’re best friends and we both still cannot believe how one phone call turned into over a decade of being in each other’s lives.”

A Love Affair with Dubrovnik

From the moment we arrived in Dubrovnik, I knew I was in love. I heard Croatia and the whole Dalmatian coast was beautiful and it lived up to the hype and more.

We stayed in an amazing suite at the Hilton Imperial Hotel, located right in the heart of Dubrovnik, truly minutes walking distance from the old city. Martina, the head of guest services, was a lovely hostess who greeted us warmly and quickly made us feel at home. The view from our balcony was breathtaking. The rooms were spacious, modern and beautiful. The location couldn't have been more ideal. I would absolutely stay here again.

View from our suite at The Hilton Imperial Hotel. Photo by Christel Gellidon

Suite View from Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik. Photo by Christel Gellidon

Thanks to jet lag, I found myself waking up early to catch the sunrise from my balcony amidst a thunderstorm. My bare feet were soaked and I was deprived of sleep but I was warm in my robe and completely hypnotized by the sound of the rain and thunder as I watched the sunrise. A priceless moment I'll never forget.

Breakfast View from Hilton Imperial Executive Lounge Photo by Christel Gellidon

Croatia, once part of what was known as Yugoslavia, only recently gained their independence in 1991. Hard to imagine this beautiful country was torn in bloodshed just decades ago. Dubrovnik is in southern Croatia, referred to as "The Pearl of the Adriatic" offers its seaport charm and medieval architecture behind its famed city walls. The city port is still lined with beautiful boats both old and new. It's turquoise coast line rivals those of Italy and those along the Mediterranean. Once the arch rival of beautiful Venice as the battled over command of the Adriatic Sea.

Because of its prime coastal location, the seafood coming from Dubrovnik is truly exceptional. I'm an oyster fanatic, and I found the Croatian oysters tasty and unique from those we have in California, offering a naturally saltier taste. The smells of calamari call to me as I walked through the small streets of Old Dubrovnik. And the Croatian truffles. OH MY. Little did I know this was merely our first stop at truffle overload in Croatia. And I'm not mad about that one bit.

During our visit we had an exquisite dinner at Nautika, one of Dubrovnik's most famous and renowned restaurants. I read amazing reviews on the restaurant prior to our visit and even when making our reservations from overseas, I received a prompt and welcoming response. They secured us one of the best tables with a view of Kings Landing. And the quality of the of the food matched the amazing ambiance. They even provided blankets once the wind picked up.

Their steak melted in my mouth and man they sure don't skimp on the truffles in Croatia! The olive oil alone was worth it. Our meal was perfection. A gorgeous venue, delicious cuisine and outstanding service.

Our dinner view at Nautika. Photo by Christel Gellidon

As if the medieval walls and castles over looking the Adriatic weren't enough, it was a moment within the old city walls that stole my heart. As I walked along the cobble streets, passing the narrow allies with staircases full of crowds, I felt the amazing energy this city was booming with. Alive and full of character, a rich history but not a pretentious vibe in the least. It was a place where people both young and old, local and tourist could enjoy. My friends and I allowed ourselves to get lost within the small winding streets, discovering more of Dubrovnik's charm with each turn.

Everywhere I turned was a gorgeous view that rivaled the one before. I enjoyed learning about the port city's history and trying their delicious seafood. No to mention I'm a huge Game of Thrones fan, so walking within Kings Landing itself was a moment of pure awe. Live music pouring from the streets and the beautiful, warm people of Dubrovnik sealed the deal in making it one of my favorite destinations thus far.

Dubrovnik, I fell in love with you. I will definitely be back.

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Wanderlust on the Runways of Fashion Week

Designers clearly had travel on their minds creating this year's fashion week collections all over the world. From Karl Lagerfeld's first class show of Chanel Airlines to Dolce & Gabbana's destination decked pieces, the spirit of travel was oozing off the runways.

Travel has always been a major influence in fashion. Whether it be a recent vacation or a longing for their homeland, designers are inspired by the very same things that capture our own hearts when we travel. Gorgeous landscapes, vibrant colors, unique architecture and mostly the people of distant lands captivate us and designers alike.

I am personally OBSESSED with the air travel Chanel inspired collection for Spring 2016. Pastels mixed with neutral shades and the ever iconic Chanel tweed textures. My personal favorites from the collection were the accessories. Statement bags in bold shapes and prints. I want, I need, I must have something from this line. Oh, please let's bring back the days of glamorous travel!

CHANEL SP16 - PFW (Photos from WWD)

“Karl’s quite the fantasist — he can dream up a world in which air travel is glamorous.”

— WWD

Dolce & Gabbana - Milan Fashion Week (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)

I adore how they are able to translate this feeling and share the beauty of travelling the world. Being mindful of the fine line between inspiration and cultural appropriation, collections like this spark the same wonder in its audience that the designer felt during their travels. Hopefully leaving them wanting to learn more about the origins of its inspiration.

“Their inspiration boards were pasted with printouts of vintage posters advertising the attractions of Capri, Venice, Rome, and Florence; movie stills of Italian stars; and pictures of all kinds of handmade, homemade souvenir embroideries. This summer, the designers have moved on from exploring Sicilian history to seeing Italy’s glories through the eyes of the foreign tourists who began to flood into the country after World War II. “This is where the first boutiques came from,” explained Gabbana. “We think it was the beginning of Italian fashion. And it was because foreigners saw it and liked it! “”

— Vogue.com

The runways at fashion week were screaming travel inspiration.

Anna Sui's Spring line was inspired by a 50's vintage take on her visions of a Tahiti/French Polynesia, while Ralph Lauren's collection shows the glamour of the French Riviera.

Naeem Kahn's collection was inspired by Frida Khalo's Mexico and Mediterranean florals, while Reem Acra drew from her Lebanese roots and highlighted the beauty of Middle Eastern details.

After a devastating earthquake earlier this year, in addition to raising awareness and donations for his homeland of Nepal, Prabal Gurung used Nepal as his muse for his RTW collection.

Naeem Kahn SP16 NYFW- Inspired by Mexico and the Mediterranean (Photos from WWD)

Ralph Lauren SP16 - NYFW - Inspired by the French Riviera (Photos from WWD)

Anna Sui SP16- NYFW -Inspired by Tahiti & French Polynesia (Photos from WWD)

Reem Acra SP16 - NYFW - Inspired by Lebanon & the Middle East (Photos from WWD)

Prabal Gurung SP16 - Inspired by Nepal (Photos from Vogue.com)

Whether it be a particular destination or the glamour of The Art of Travel itself, the collections this year couldn't have better summed up my love for where fashion and travel intersect.

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What does a fashion student in Italy do? Visit leather factories and learn from the experts of course!

The perks of being a fashion student in Italy is that you get to learn first hand from the leading experts and most well know fashion houses of the industry. And what are the Italians certainly experts in? LEATHER, of course! One of the many hands on, out of the classroom experiences my program offered were visits to local leather factories and authentic leather workshops. One of these was a visit to Piero Tucci in Florence, Italy.

Here we learned about several parts of the leather product cycle, from understanding different levels of quality, hide selection, prepping, inking, embossing, and even the cut and sew process of assembling hand made products. While reading about these processes can be informative, authentic hands on learning from the experts is priceless.

There is nothing like seeing the process of raw material being transformed into a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. Italians are all about quality, down to the last detail. And walking through the process in which quality is chosen and then elevated to art is a truly unique experience.

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How Getting Laid Off Was The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

My first day in my new apartment in Florence. Photo by Christel Gellidon

Fresh out of college, I was lucky enough to land a corporate buying job with Macy's West. I was driven and eager to get my career off the ground. Like most new grads I was hungry for success and couldn't see any obstacles on my road to success.

So boy did I get a reality check when after almost 2 years of hard work, just a month shy of promotion, did I and over a thousand other Macy's employees get the shocking news that the entire Macy's West San Francisco Office was being laid off. It was 2009 and the economy was still struggling to recover from the recession. In one of the nation's largest layoffs in a single day Macy's laid off a total of 7000 employees nationwide, 1400 of which were from San Francisco.

Macy's Cutting 1400 Jobs in San Francisco - SFGATE

Working in the heart of downtown SF, we passed many homeless individuals on a day to day. That day, they herded us all into a hotel ballroom to tell us the news. As we all walked out with our heads down and our spirits even lower, news crews were already outside covering the story.

I'll never forget that very moment, when a homeless man I had walked past every morning shouted "Don't worry guys! We'll get through this!". Ain't that life for ya. One day you're rushing to your 9 to 5 the next you are unsure about tomorrow.

The in next months that passed, I saw all my colleagues scrambling to update resumes and tirelessly apply for jobs. Retail fashion opportunities were already scarce in the Bay Area and now an entire corporate headquarters full of people were all competing for whatever jobs were open. It was at this moment I decided to go against the grain.

Everyone is applying for every buying opening in San Francisco. I think I'll go the opposite direction.

Florence at Sunset. Photo by Christel Gellidon

I had long dreamed of living abroad. The adventure of travel had always been a deep passion and the thought of living in a foreign land was mesmerizing. After some research I found a Master's program in Fashion Merchandising offered at a prestigious fashion school in Florence, Italy. Without a thought in the world, I went ahead and applied and before I knew it a month later I had my bags packed with a one way ticket to Italy. I left my boyfriend, family, friends and whole life at home, on nothing but faith that this was the right path for me. Was I crazy?!

Firenze at Night. Photo by Christel Gellidon

YES. I sure was crazy. But I always considered that a compliment.

The next 7 months flew by in a whirlwind of adventure, learning and unforgettable memories. In those months I developed the most amazing friendships with my class of women from around the world. 15 women, studying fashion, each from a different corner of globe, all here together to exchange ideas. From visiting leather factories in Florence, to attending Milan Fashion Week, together we were bonded in this once in a lifetime experience. It would forever leave a mark on us all. And since then we have maintained our friendships, and further nurtured our shared love for travel and adventure by reuniting each year in a different country.

Polimoda Master in Fashion Merchandising & Management Class of 2009

From weddings in India, to New Year's Eve in Brazil to holidays in Dubai, the friendships I developed in Florence, keeps me exploring the true meaning of “The Fashion World”

All of which would have never happened if I had never been laid off from my corporate job. Taking a heartbreaking event, and refusing to surrender to the idea of defeat, I used that very same moment of "failure" to push me towards an ever greater path of success. A true testament to the idea of a "blessing in disguise" getting laid off was truly the best things that ever happened to me. It forever changed my life, and I couldn't be happier to have let it done so.

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Colors of Brazil - Adriana Barra

During a trip to Sao Paulo, a local friend took me to visit a lovely boutique by Brazilian designer, Adriana Barra.

www.adrianabarra.com.br

I was immediately blown away by the vibrant patterns and colors.

Her mix of stark black and white with splashes of color was unique.

Every piece was full of life.

Her collections convey the positive energy, fun and freedom of the Brazilian lifestyle.

A breath of fresh air among many muted and simplistic designs trending. It was like walking through one life-size, colorful piece of art.

With a background in several creative mediums including, fashion design, interior design and photography, she left no detail untouched.

From the interior decor, to the rolls of raw fabric, the entire shop displayed her clever knack for visual art. I was delighted to learn she also studied in Florence, Italy as I did.

A truly unique and memorable visit in Brazil. Adriana's vision kept me wanting more.

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Style Profile: Michelle de Matheu

"I show that clothes are a vehicle, a SECRET LANGUAGE. It expresses your personality, thoughts and feelings. "

Style Icons - Streets of India by Christel Gellidon

Photos by Christel Gellidon

Traveling to India was truly an inspiration overload. I could not stop clicking my camera. Everywhere I turned was a moment to capture. Vibrant colors, captivating emotions. A culture shock, and a great one. While the poverty was indeed saddening, I was moved by the overpowering kind and warm spirit of the Indian people.

Here are a few inspirations from the streets of India.

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Going Gaga in the Gold Souk : Dubai

I had been reading about the legendary gold souks of Dubai long before my trip. The souks, or markets of Dubai are located in the older part of town in Deira.

When I finally visited this market of my dreams, the tantalizing array of gold and jewels far exceeded anything I envisioned. It was more than my senses could take!

A born and bread lover of opulence, I was in sheer awe at the extravagance and intricacy of the art being sold at the gold souk.

While Dubai is well known for its wealth and unmatched luxuries, I had never seen jewelry, or masterpieces rather, so breathtaking.

A necklace seems to be an understatement for the massive gold bibs as I will call them, that lined the windows of every shop. These things were pure gold, some encrusted with precious stones that stretched from the neck to the waist. Each with a unique design, down to the most intricate detail. Our guide informed me these beautiful pieces were traditional wedding jewelry for Arabic women.

I had the pleasure of trying on one of these beautiful pieces.

18k pure Italian gold. A mere $55,000.

That thing was heavy I tell you! But I still didn't want to take it off.

Difficult not to feel like a Sheikah in such royal jewelry. A girl could get used to this kind of bling!

Thank you to Hussein and his team at the Al-Romaizan shop for allowing me to try on, a such a high roller piece of merchandise, when it's generally not allowed. This was just one of their many amazing pieces of jewelry.

One day I vow to return to these halls of wonder and buy a gold bib!

She will be mine. Oh YES. She will be MINE.

But until then the glitz and glimmer of my memory will have to do.

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A Birthday at the Taj Mahal

Never in my life, did I expect to visit this world wonder. And here I was, spending my 26th birthday at the Taj Mahal as the sun sets. BLESSED.

Punto de Vista Villa - Paradise in Costa Rica

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being a guest at the gorgeous Punto de Vista Villa in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. A guest among 20 well traveled individuals in town to attend the wedding of our dear friends, Vanessa and Darryl Grant, we were the lucky group to have the added bonus of staying in the villa.

I cannot say it any simpler but the Villa and it's staff took our breath away.

The view alone is ridiculously gorgeous. The kind that makes you turn to the person next to you and ask "Is this real life?!" From every room on the estate is a breathtaking view of the Manuel Antonio Beach or the lush jungle that surrounds. I saw impressive photos before booking and took beautiful ones during the trip and even those do the villa no justice. Seriously. It's paradise.

From the moment you first walk in its hard not to be in awe. A welcome mimosa surprise toast led by the soon to be newlyweds only added to the feeling.

The architecture and design detail throughout the villa is truly an artistic story. David did an exceptional job creating a harmonious flow accented by chic details. Here I found that intersection between fashion and travel that I live for. Natural local wood accents, open air dining, floor to ceiling windows that allowed every bit of nature's beauty into your rooms. And who doesn't love a rooftop hot tub overlooking the beach? Not to mention the unique and romantic "seating" in the showers! And THE SHEETS. OMG THE SHEETS! An afterthought in most vacation rentals, but the the bedding at this villa was like butter! I don't know if those were some 50,000 thread count egyptian whatever but that sh*t alone reminded you that you were in a luxury villa.

There were so many amazing amenities to the villa. Too many to name.

The food was delicious. This coming from a lifetime foodie. Costa Rican breakfast with bottomless mimosas with fresh tropical juices! And chef prepared private dinners?! DELISH and left you feeling like rock stars!

I will say that having a PRIVATE luxury villa at only your group's disposal 24/7 was a life changing experience, nothing less.

Okay, Location. Beautiful. Design. Exquisite.

The icing on the cake was the impeccable service. I've stayed in several beautiful hotels around the world but never had a 24 hour butler service before. Boy can I get used to being spoiled like that! Olivier and Jossue were not only helpful but FUN as well! They both showed us what hospitality means. From an on-call 4x4 ride straight to the beach, complete with boogie boards and a stocked cooler. To late night bartending and snacks while we lounged in the pool.

The cater to you service was what defined our stay as luxurious.

Then there was THE WEDDING. I don't know how they did it but they fit about 70 guests for the ceremony and dinner without feeling cramped at all! They complimented the touching ceremony with a seamless transition to cocktails to dinner to dancing!

This villa was truly a luxurious and unique experience that will make staying at even 5 star hotels a difficult reality to go back to.

www.villapuntodevista.com

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China: Through the Looking Glass

This Spring the Anna Wintour Costume Center at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute brings us CHINA: Through the Looking Glass, a unique look at traditional Chinese fashion and art.

The collection will feature over 130 fashion pieces drawn from the Chinese culture' inspiration. The tone of the collection is accompanied by film clips depicting the influence of Chinese culture on the cinema industry.

“NEW YORK — Combining fashion and film, the spring exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute will be “China: Through the Looking Glass.””

— www.washingtonpost.com

Anna Wintour visited Beijing early this month to promote the upcoming collection., meeting with local designers from the country.

A major landmark at the intersection between fashion and travel, collections such as these not only emphasize the artistic design of the garments but more importantly celebrates the culture that inspires such masterpieces.

As wearable art, fashion draws inspiration from all corners of life. One of the most genuine of those is drawing from one's own cultural roots and reinventing the ideas as their own.

“We have a good tradition of going to the appropriate cities to launch these events…it’s a gesture of support and respect for whatever the subject matter of the exhibition might be,”

- Anna Wintour for WWD

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Golden Globe Favorites 2015

Here are my top 3 favorites from this year's Golden Globe Awards. I mean really the single look I'm obsessed with is Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad. One of the most talked about looks yet, JLO is always on the top of my fave list. I love that she is never afraid to go after that wow factor. She embodies the idea of a movie star/ rockstar. Okay, yes fine I've had a girl crush on her since Selena but who wouldn't! She's gorgeous and always keeps the red carpet interesting.

Overall the color palette varied quite a bit. Everything from neutrals, to pastels, metallics to clean black on black. There was a a lit of sparkle detail and also several opted for the nude and blush tones. The mermaid train is one of my all time favorites so happy to see tons of it this year.

Jennifer Lopez, in Zuhair Murad Haute Couture

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Ralph Lauren Channels Arabian Inspiration for SS15

Ralph Lauren channels some Arabian Inspiration with camels gracing his Spring Summer 2015 ads alongside new comer Sanne Vloet, looking ever so chic in the desert.

The safari influence is in full effect making the collection's neutral shades and sleek lines give new meaning to the Desert Safari.

Spot on timing for this trend inspiration was my own safari inspirations from my recent trip to Dubai this November. An unforgettable first visit to the middle east.

I spent one evening dune bashing my way through the Dubai desert. Which I must say was incredible fun and exhilarating ride! Riding camels through the desert, a traditional Arabic mean under the stars, followed by dance performance by a dervish and a belly dancer.

Here are some of my own photos from this amazing experience.

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EMILIO PUCCI - Cities of the World Limited Collection Scarves

This Fall, the fashion house Emilio Pucci launched a very special collection of exclusive scarves, call the Cities of the World. These beautifully designed pieces, showcase six of the most amazing international cities across the world: Paris, New York, Shanghai, Florence, Rome and Hong Kong. Each design is a a special hand drawn print that highlights the unique culture and style of these iconic cities, while incorporating the signature vibrancy of colors well known to the Pucci brand.

These gorgeous scarves are only available in limited quantities and can only be purchased exclusively at the Emilio Pucci Boutiques or online store.

Check out these beautiful works of art HERE

I SO want one of these super chic scarves, of course my eye is on the Florence piece as Firenze will always have a special place in my heart.

A truly unique piece for any travel and fashion enthusiast.

The Cities of the World Collection is just THE accessory must have for all those living at the intersection of Fashion and Travel, like myself.

A girl can only hope the House of Pucci will expand the collection to feature even more amazing cities across the world. How great would it be to collect these to celebrate all the memorable cities you have traveled to?! And one for your home town too of course!

Dear Mr. Peter Dundas, a San Francisco backdrop would be nothing short of gorgeous with one of your colorful designs!

Sincerely, Stelavie, Where Fashion and Travel Intersect