The History of the Trench Coat – From The Trenches to the Streets

Fashion show goers wearing a timeless staple, the trench coat.

What do Hollywood’s Humphrey Bogart, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, Audrey Hepburn, Kate Moss and the British military officers have in common? The timeless trench coat; fashion’s most iconic and enduring classic. Although the quintessential British garment is synonymous with chicness and sophistication today, it first became famous over a hundred years ago in … Read more

The Wertheimers, the family behind luxury brand Chanel

collage models on Chanel SS22 runway show in Paris Fashion Week

The name Coco Chanel is well-known worldwide, but have you ever heard of the Wertheimers, the owners of Chanel and who’s had the majority stake in Les Perfumes Chanel, since its beginning in 1924 with No.5? Don’t feel bad if you haven’t; almost nobody has. There is no doubt that Coco Chanel is an icon, … Read more

Masters of the Air: The History of the Bomber Jacket

vintage photo featuring actress Marylin Monroe visiting American Troops and wearing a leather bomber Jacket

Masters of the Air, the captivating series available on Apple TV+ since January 26, 2024, does more than recount the valiant stories of World War II’s bomber boys. It also throws the spotlight on the iconic bomber jackets that became synonymous with the American airmen’s uniforms and now symbolizes timeless style and valour. So let’s … Read more

The Story Behind the Slave Bracelets – From Slavery to Freedom.

Arms wearing several slave bracelets.

From slave trade money to a symbol of freedom Slave bracelets are bangles in copper, silver or gold. They have been worn for centuries around the world, usually several at the same time. Besides being beautiful and making a lovely clinging sound when you move, they are also a symbol of wealth and status, which … Read more

Understanding the stitches of your fisherman sweater 

Fisherman sweater and a rolex

The King-of-Cool Steve McQueen, President John F. Kennedy, Elvis Presley, Robert Pattinson, Captain America‘s Chris Evans and most stylish men all have one thing in common: The fisherman sweater. Also known as an Aran sweater, the hand-stitched pullover is famous for its intricate patterns. Did you know that behind the stitches of your fisherman sweater, … Read more

How to sound like a true fashionista From A to Z.

Fashionista Dictionary from A to Z.

Here are some keywords and expressions to impress your audience as a true fashionista. A- Apparel: Any kind of clothing. B- Baggy: loose-fitting coats, shirts /wide-legged jeans etc. C- Contemporary: mid-priced but trend-focused clothes, more affordable than designer brands. D- Dress for the occasion: to wear the right clothes for each specific occasion. For example: … Read more

Fashion Heritage – 8 Exceptional Haute Couture Ateliers

Kaia Gerber opening the Haute Couture Fall Winter 2023 for Valentino, wearing a white shirt and a oversized earrings

Haute couture is a realm of fashion with boundless imagination, where everything that stems from dreams can be brought to fruition. Behind this luxurious and exclusive affair, eight exceptional Haute Couture ateliers tirelessly toil day and night. These ateliers are the backbone of the high fashion industry, the artisans who transform sketches and musings into … Read more

8 Fashion trends and pieces inspired by the charm of Latin women Bold and fun.

Woman wearing a Carolina Herrera dress with frills and polka dots.

As someone with Spanish and Italian roots who grew up in Brazil, I’ve asked myself, why is it that Latin women are such a lively bunch? Of course, it is true; we indeed love parties, bright colours, bold prints, feminine silhouettes, and luxurious fabrics like lace and devoré. If you go to a wedding in … Read more

Wanda Ferragamo, the woman power behind Salvatore Ferragamo

Wanda Ferragamo in the Salvatore Ferragamo's office.

The new must-see exhibition “Women in Balance” in Florence honours Wanda Ferragamo. Discover the powerful woman who helped turn her husband’s shoe workshop into the iconic Italian luxury fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo.

6 gorgeous outfit ideas to visit 6 museums In Vienna, Munich and Berlin.

Collage with six paintings museums in VIenna, Munich and Berlin.

Museums are a great opportunity to immerse your soul in beauty and culture. And considering that tourism is still less than two years ago, this is the perfect moment to stroll in your city and enjoy the museums that are usually crowded. But you want to do it in style, of course. So here are … Read more

Everybody loves Fashion Designer Halston: Netflix x Amazon Prime

Ewan McGregor playing American fashion designer, Halston, on Netflix, who was a close friend of Liza Minnelli

Fashionistas, rejoice, there are new TV shows about fashion to binge-watch! And the Netflix series and Amazon Prime documentary about the American fashion designer Halston will take you to the glamorous world of the fashion legend in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Ewan McGregor plays the Iowa-born, Indiana-raised Roy Halston Frowick in the 5-episode Netflix series … Read more

Tribute to Alber Elbaz: His 10 best quotes 

Fashion designer Alber Elbaz became known for his work at the luxury house Lanvin, where he spent 14 years as creative director. Born in Morocco and educated in Israel, Alber Elbaz died on April 24, aged 59, due to complications caused by Covid-19. In January 2021, Elbaz made a triumphant return to the fashion world, … Read more

Why spring calls for Breton shirts (again) and what’s new now S/S 21.

Selma schönburg, editor-in-chief of Notorious mag wearing striped pullover and holding many striped t-shirts

Have you ever wondered why is it that as soon as spring arrives we have an urge to wear stripes? What is it with Breton t-shirts and sunny days? And why do we feel so chic in the timeless striped print? For spring/summer 21, fashion houses like Céline, Miu Miu, Jason Wu and Awake Mode … Read more

How Queen Victoria set the wedding gown tradition Why wear white?

Portrait of Queen Victoria on her wedding day when she started the white gown tradition.

At just 18 years old, Queen Victoria inherited the throne of Great Britain. Besides being the longest-reigning monarch from that time, she also changed the wedding gown fashion forever, starting a new tradition. The Queen developed a great sense of style throughout the years, and much like most women of her time, she let men … Read more

History of fashion: how clothes helped create social distancing.

The most popular words you are repeatedly reading in the news are masks, washing hands, and social distancing. Indeed these are the three pillars of getting the pandemic under control. Fair enough to stress these ideas. The effects of the pandemic will be among us for a while. But we are almost there, and patience is … Read more

Get to know Rayne shoes, Queen Elizabeth’s footwear choice It's in our wish-list.

Tamu McPherson wearing pink Rayne flat pumps for a cool chic style.

Truly luxurious, Rayne shoes is a British brand that flies under the mainstream radar even though some of the most iconic women of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries have worn and still wear them, as for example, the Queen. Royal Warrant Rayne was founded in 1885 by Henry and Mary Rayne. After a 25-year hiatus, … Read more

RIP Kenzo Takada: the man who introduced Japanese fashion to the world.

The Japanese fashion designer Kenzo Takana.

The fashion world has taken social media to express sadness and pay tribute to the Japanese fashion designer Kenzo Takada who passed away on Sunday in Paris due to Coronavirus related complications. With the death of the 81-year-old designer in the midst of Paris Fashion Week, we see Paris as, indeed, the capital of fashion … Read more

Prada Tools of Memory: are you ready for this iconic auction?

Tools of Memory campaign showing Kaia Gerber fitting photograph that is part of Prada and Sotheby's auction.

“Fashion has a duty not only to reflect its times but to help shape them”, stated the Italian fashion house, Prada. And to do so in these COVID-19 times, Prada has launched its Fall/Winter 2020 collection, Tools of Memory, in collaboration with Sotheby’s auction house. You may be asking yourself, can a luxury fashion label … Read more

Kim Jones appointed as Fendi creative director Replacing Karl Largefeld.

fashion designer Kim Jones appointed as artistic director at Fendi

Yes, you read correctly; Kim Jones at Fendi. Since Lagerfeld’s death last year, Silvia Venturini has been the head of Fendi women’s collections. But today, the legendary Italian luxury house announced Kim Jones as the house’s womenswear artistic director. Silvia will return to her position as director of men’s collection and accessories. Kim Jones at … Read more

Studying fashion in Vienna: from school to MQ VIENNA FASHION WEEK Best courses in Austria

As the Austrian capital hosts the MQ VIENNA FASHION WEEK until the 12th September, fashion topics are hotter than ever in Vienna, especially among those who dream studying fashion. Recently, Notorious had a giveaway promotion with tickets for MQ VIENNA FASHION WEEK.20. We were delighted with the high response and feedback we received. The success … Read more

Films and fashion: 8 times Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn inspired us Welcome, Matthew Williams.

As Matthew Williams becomes the new Creative Director of the French couture house Givenchy after Clare Waight Keller, we celebrate the close relationship of Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn, his muse, and the fabulous looks he created for her movies. How it all began The Count Hubert Taffin de Givenchy first met Audrey Hepburn … Read more

Ozwald Boateng, Ghanaian heritage on Savile Row Bold, colourful tailoring.

Fashion designer Ozwald Boateng adjusting his tie.

I remember when I was living in London in the ’90s, and suddenly, everyone was talking about Ozwald Boateng, this handsome tailor who made incredibly well-cut suits with bright-coloured lining. Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Boateng was the youngest tailor to open a shop on the prestigious Savile Row. It was impressive to see … Read more

Peace and love style: patchwork is back And we love it.

Miu Miu Pre Fall 2020 campaign featuring a patchwork dress.

A trend that’s appeared on the runways and quickly made its way to the wardrobe of the most stylish editors, models and fashion-enthusiasts this year is patchwork. With sustainability becoming a major cultural trend, it is only natural that patchwork is back. Besides being sustainable, the ‘70s-style quilts are the kind of blanket dressing we … Read more