Fashion – Page 8 – Nicole Ballardini

IN BRUSSELS WITH ISKO™

Written by nickyinsideout on June 10, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 15 Comments on IN BRUSSELS WITH ISKO™

Last week I’ve been to Brussels for a very fun and interesting project with ISKO™. For the ones who never heard of this company, ISKO™ is the world’s most innovative denim manufacturer and its fabrics awarded the Nordic Swan and EU Ecolabel.

Nowadays we put so much attention on the origin of the products we eat and drink, on the testing of our beauty products.. but what about the items we wear?.. the denim we wear every day in this case, is it sustainable?

As a big denim lover, getting to know better how denim is normally produced made me change the way I wear and understand my jeans, this thanks to ISKO™, championing an awareness in conscious production in the denim industry. They produce jeans fabric for most of the denim brands I love and normally wear. Knowing that behind my denim and fashion addiction there is a company committed to helping the environment, makes me feel so much better and actually loving my jeans even more!

So, are you curious to know what we did in Brussels?

When I arrived in Brussels I met the loveliest girls who were on board on the project with me, Ella Grace Denton and her right hand, Jemma. First things first, we had lunch in one of the prettiest spots in Brussels, the CHYL, a healthy cafe and sustainable shop, before the kick off of our day with the ISKO™ team. The main focus of the day was the question ‘Is our denim sustainable?’.. Together with the girls, we shopped in the prettiest jeans stores of Brussels city centre exploring if the jeans we wear is not only the latest trend, but also good for the environment!”

If a denim brand selects ISKO™ as a supplier, it means that is sustainable at all means. They decide to work with the only denim mill producer in the world to hold an EU certified label, awarded for their level of sustainable practice.

I hope you guys enjoyed to know a little more about ISKO™ and what this company is doing to help our planet earth. Also, I hope you agree with me that fashion, and in this case denim, is even better when we know it’s coming from a safe source for our environment! You can take a look at more pictures and adventures with ISKO™ looking up on Instagram for #deniminside #EUecolabel #EUGreenWeek

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Inside Out the Look (outfits my own, not sponsored by ISKO™)

Dark denim combo jeans and jacket: Baum ind Pferdgarten | White top: Alexander Wang |

Light wash cut off jeans: Wrangler | Sweater: Baum und Pferdgarten | Denim dress: Chloe | Bag: A.P.C |

Sunglasses: Celine | White bag: Charles & Keith | Shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood

Created in collaboration with ISKO™. Story and styling my own, photography and creative direction ISKO™.

TOP 5 PINK SS17 PIECES FROM SOMEONE WHO HARDLY WEARS PINK

Written by nickyinsideout on May 15, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 23 Comments on TOP 5 PINK SS17 PIECES FROM SOMEONE WHO HARDLY WEARS PINK

We’ve almost made it to summer (yayy!), and so it’s time to think what we will be wearing on holiday and those long summer days. You know I hardly wear colours but this SS17 got me to love some pink splashes here and there.

I thought of rounding up for you the 5 top pink accessories I am loving at the moment.. by someone who hardly, or I can say never, wears girly pieces and bright colours.

SEE BY CHLOE POLLY MINI BAG: One of my latest addition to my bags collection and wearing it in this post. It’s a little pop on pink in my spring/summer looks and loving the trendy metal rings and tassels at the front. I got mine from Shopbop.
GANNI LINFIELD TEE: Already on my wish list and can’t wait to wear it with denim shorts on those hot beach days. The pink faded peach print adds charm and cool touch to the simplest look!
ACNE STUDIOS AMINA NAPPA SLIDES: These flats would be mine already but couldn’t find them in my size yet! The style is so minimalistic that actually allow the pink colour and still makes you not too girlie! Loving the fold-over heel cap that can be worn up or down.
RIVER ISLAND FAUX FUR SNAFFLE BACKLESS LOAFERS: I was wearing these in one of my latest blog post (here) and still going strong!
MUSTANG PINK SUNGLASSES: this is a style I love seeing on other girls but unfortunately doesn’t work with my hair and skin colours.. you have to try them on and hopefully they work on you because they’re really cool!!

3 SPRING’S BIGGEST DENIM TRENDS WE NEED RIGHT NOW

Written by nickyinsideout on April 20, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 18 Comments on 3 SPRING’S BIGGEST DENIM TRENDS WE NEED RIGHT NOW

Without a doubt, denim is my sartorial best friend. Every season I continue to add my collection new washes and cuts. This spring, it’s all about the high waist with details: frayed hem and embroidery taking it to the next level. Today, I am showing you two denim looks – one more chic and one more casual – I have created in collaboration with River Island which include the three spring’s biggest trends of the season.

Mom jeans. This cut is my absolute favourite denim for several reasons and has completely replaced the beloved skinnies in my closet. I love this River Island model because the mid wash blue reminds me of a vintage look and the light colour is perfect for any summer styling. The relaxed fit goes with all my casual chic daily outfits and the distressed detailing is always a cool detail to have in our closet.

Embroidery. Sure you have noticed embroidery denim is everywhere these days! My favourite is the ones really subtle, with only a little bit of detail like these gold roses on the side.

The good news is, this week you can get your denim embroidered at the River Island Kalverstraat store until April the 23rd! Throughout the Amsterdam Denim days weekend River Island gives you the chance of making your jeans your own! You can customise selected denim styles purchased in-store with bespoke RI x UncoverLab laser tattooing or hand stitched personalised embroidery.

Patchwork and frayed hem. This denim mini skirt will be my most worn skirt from now until the end of summer! I love it because it embraces two of the biggest denim trend of the moment. The patchwork design adds personality and dimension to a regular denim mini skirt staple. I am loving the contrasting blue panels in large squares of this River Island one and it’s the perfect detail to be added to any summer weekend casual look!

Finally, the good news is not over! Don’t forget to enter the competition on my Instagram. You have to chance to win one of mine my River Island outfits and participating have never been that easy! Take a look here!

Created in collaboration with River Island. Story, styling, photograpy and creative direction my own.

CLOSET CLEAN OUT: WHAT GOES AND WHAT COMES IN!

Written by nickyinsideout on April 17, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 7 Comments on CLOSET CLEAN OUT: WHAT GOES AND WHAT COMES IN!

Normally Easter period means to me going through my closet and do a big closet clean out to decide what to toss from the previous seasons. Obviously to make space for new summer clothes!

It can be difficult to let go of pretty things that once made our heart flutter.. Am I right?!

Let’s be realistic, this is not always an exciting task. There are better ways of spending a spring day off than being overwhelmed by our closet clean out. First step for a ‘successful operation’? Having clear in mind what we want to be wearing the coming season. Especially what we don’t want to be wearing any longer!

The main thing I will be tossing this season is skinny jeans! As a jeans obsessed person as I am – I wear jeans 7 days a week! – denim is literally my life partner. At the moment I am all about high waisted, straight and wide fits like these white denim culottes from Opus. I’ve been wearing culottes since they first came out and it was one of those love-at-first-sight trend which became part of my personal style, especially over the warm months.

My current passion for loose shapes extends to the tops too! Besides a big passion for statement t-shirts, I am going to make space in my closet for light coloured off and cold shoulders, bell sleeves, ruffles and loose shirts like this one, also from Opus, I am wearing today. Specifically this is very versatile and I wear it both boat neck and off shoulder. It’s the perfect piece to pack for summer holidays!

Finally, the verdict of my seasonal closet clean out is going to be all about ‘out’ the tight and skinny shapes to make room for soft and loose pieces. I just find them much more chic and flattering.

What about you? I am curious to hear what’s going to be your favourite summer style.. Leave me your comments!

Inside Out the Look:

Created in collaboration with Opus. Story, styling, photograpy and creative direction my own.

SHOPBOP SPRING SALE: WHAT TO BUY

Written by nickyinsideout on April 14, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 11 Comments on SHOPBOP SPRING SALE: WHAT TO BUY

Happy weekend from Italy! April so far it’s been all about travelling! After the most amazing week in Tenerife we just stayed a couple of days in Amsterdam and flew to Italy to spend my birthday and Easter holidays with my family. The weather is every day warm and sunny, Emma is having a blast playing outdoor in the garden and I am having some well deserved relaxing time meeting up friends and beloved ones. Yes, I am having a great time but today I also have some great news for you guys!

I have the great Shopbop spring sale to share with you!

Shopbop, one of my favourite online stores, where I recently got these amazing Acne Studios pink heels, is having their biggest sale of the season and it will continue through the weekend! To take advantage of the Shopbop spring sale you can use the code EVENT17, which includes both full-price and sales items! 20% off orders under $500 and 25% off orders of 500$ or more! Sales end at 11:59pm Pacific time on Sunday 16th of April!

It’s no secret I love me some shopping, especially when it comes to shoes and bags! Here are my finds on the sales I’ve just ordered:

MINI ST TROPEZ TOTE FROM KAYU: beach season is actually already started in Italy and this summer straw bags are a must for city life too!
POLLY CROSS BODY FROM SEE BY CHLOE: Loving the ring details and the spring colour!
RING POUCH FROM OTAAT/MYERS COLLECTIVE: Again, the round metal handle is an absolute must have of the season!

I would love to hear what you end up picking for yourself!