I’m an architect. By default (or not) I’m interested in how I show “things”. When I think of a building I always say that we are telling a story and that we have to define how we want to tell it. What we show, when we show and in what form; What we see from one side or another; What matter and texture, what light, what scale and proportion.

In fashion I end up using the same rule. If it is a killing dress the accessories are sober and the shoes will also be. If I choose a stunning jewel everything else is quieter. In both cases (fashion and architecture) I usually say that if everything is screaming very loud I don’t hear what story they want to tell me.
I must say that there can be several “heroes”, pieces that make themselves heard, as long as they work well as a team and there is a balance!

This is my approach, it’s what works for me. And if this is so important in the choice we make when we introduce ourselves to the world, this choice amplifies when it is a brand to show the world its product.

This leads me to invite you to walk by Hermés. I work in Chiado, in Lisbon and don´t walk in Chiado as many times as I would like, but I don´t miss a Hermes window. The care and story that tells each new season is an example of design that goes beyond the common exhibition of pieces in shop windows. From the praise of the 5 senses, to collections “under water”, to the incredible world of insects, the array of suggestions is always enriching and always surprising.

When I go to the store I keep thinking: what will it be this time?
If a normal window calls us by the characteristics of the pieces, here besides the pieces that are stunning, also the works on the window takes us to another world.

I couldn’t finish this article without congratulating the author of some of these creations, Joana Astolfi. It seems that her connection to this house was marked by her irreverence. One day he enters the store and shows her intention to collaborate with the brand.
Pure coincidence: her name is Joana as the founder and editor of Chic Every Week and architect like me! Fun coincidence and undoubtedly a name to follow!
Look at the images that I leave you and when you come to Chiado don´t forget to stop and be delighted by the windows of Hermes!

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About The Autor

Carolina Segurado Fernandes

Carolina is an architect in Portugal, and a mother of two beautiful  girls. She´s also the founder of the solidary platform MU.BU, that she created with the goal of challenging everyone anywhere to help a cause, because she believes that we can all make a difference in someone’s life.

It was very thoughtful of Chic Every Week to ask me to write a post about fashion.
I feel that I know nothing about fashion; however, I do like to feel comfortable with the way I look.
I am definitely inspired by the current tendencies but why do I feel great sometimes while others I leave home feeling like a rag?
And it’s so good to feel good! I have double the energy (even if I didn’t get a good night sleep), I wish the day will never end and I would risk to say that I am even a better professional when I do feel good about myself!

In my case, having the perfect look doesn’t necessarily mean high heels. As an agronomist, I do have to go into the fields sometimes and I like to feel good but that requires being dressed for the occasion!

At the gym, sweat can actually look sexy if upon the right sweater.

The flat shoes that I use to go to the supermarket can look flattering with the right shirt and trousers.
Playing in the park with my children plays an important role in my life but my jeans and sneakers don’t necessarily have to make me look like another child.
Taking care of the children at home can be greater if I take a glance in the mirror and feel good with what I see.
Doing the laundry can be a gratifying task when wearing the right clothes, even if there is no one around to see.
In short, looking good is motivating and dignifying for me!

So what is the trigger for putting on the right look?
Feeling good on the inside.
In my case, the look is a direct reflection of my state of mind, so if I feel good on the inside, I will look good on the outside…there are no tricks for me. Looking good (or bad) is a straight consequence of what I feel. My transparency goes on to that!
So, dear Chic Every Week, next time you think that I look awesome, that’s the way I feel!

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About The Autor

Joana Lopes Aleixo Cumbre

Joana is an agronomist in Portugal, and a mother of two beautiful and full of life girls. When she´s not working, usually during the weekends you can spot her at her countryside family home in Alentejo, her special place, where with her husband and daughters they rest and relax to recharge batteries. 

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Sometimes we all need something or someone to inspire us and to remind us that we can do it! So with this in mind we round up some powerful quotes that will help you to get ready for 2017 (if you are not ready just yet) and to help you make your resolution list.

If you never wrote a resolution list, you have to try this year. Believe us, it feels so good when you realize that you achieve most of your goals. Set goals that you know you want to accomplish, some will be more easy and some will be more difficult to achieve, but the important thing is ending the year with most of your goals achieved, goals that you and only you want to accomplish. Happy New Year, and hope that all your goals come real! You can do it!

1 – There is always something to be grateful for.

2 – This year I just wanna go on more adventures, be around good energy, connect with people, learn new things, grow.

3 – You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream. C. S. Lewis

4 – This is the beginning of anything you want.

5 – Make it happen.

6 – A lot can happen in a year.

7 – If you never try you will never know.

8 – The new year means nothing if you still in love with your comfort zone. Rachel Wolchin

9 – This year I´ll be unstoppable.

10 – The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on build the new. Socrates

11 – Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.

12 – If your dreams don´t scare you they´re not big enough.

13 – Work until you don´t have to introduce yourself.

14 – Some people dream of success, others are awake to achieve it.

15 – Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have.

During our weekend in London to attend the Vogue Festival, we have stayed in the ME Hotel, and we are overwhelmed by this killing cool Hotel. The service is TOP! It really is, the staff was so friendly, helpful and kind, and the minute they knew we were from Portugal, they introduced us to Leandro, a very kind and friendly man that happens to speak Portuguese as he is Brazilian. I just remember the name of Leandro, but the other staff members were also very nice and very polite with us. Thank you all for making us feel at home.

I don´t get very excited when I see super modern Hotels, because for me a Hotel has to be as comfortable as my home, or even better. Most of the times super modern interior design, makes the Hotels not so cozy. But at the same time I´m not a vintage girl, at least when it comes to chose a Hotel, so what I usually look for in a Hotel, was what ME Hotel in London gave us. A avant-garde hotel with innovative design, cosmopolitan atmosphere and contemporary music, with a modern and different architecture designed by the world famous architects Foster and Partners. But the rooms were cozy, comfortable and at the same time with a clean and modern design.

This time, because we were not in London just to visit the city, we needed our clothes impeccably ironed, so as you can imagine when we unpacked the suitcases, most of the clothes were a mess. Not a problem! Leandro fixed it in minutes 😉 Here I have to say, it´s better than home 😉

ME Hotel is also one of the few hotels on the famous Conde Nast Traveller Hotlist 2013, very well situated just a few minutes from Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Houses of Parliament and St. Paul’s Cathedral, near the theaters, shopping areas, fashionable hot spots and trendiest night clubs. The day we arrived we walked to convent garden, where we found the restaurant Shake Shack, which was a big surprise, because we love these hamburgers and we thought they only existed in New York, so we ate a quick and delicious meal but not very light 😉

We loved to go during our stay to the Bar Marconi Lounge in the hotel lobby, where you can enjoy a great choice of drinks in the most relaxed and chic ambience.

ME Hotel is also known for it´s sleek roof top lounge bar – RADIO, that wows the guests with stunning panoramic views of London‘s landmarks including the Oxo Tower, The Shard, St Paul‘s Cathedral, the London Eye, into Somerset House, the BT Tower and beyond. On a Friday and Saturday evenings it´s always crowded, with a DJ making a really nice vibe. It´s not very easy to reserve a table in this cosmopolitan rooftop, but because we were guests at the Hotel, we easily got a reservation. Radio is definitely worth a visit!

If you´re planing to go to London, ME Hotel is definitely a “must have” in your visit to this amazing city. But since the weather is getting warmer and we are all screaming for sun, sand and bikinis, you can find this Hotel in other warmer cities, I don´t know them just yet, but I think it would be a win-win option 😉