Notebook pages

Here are my latest finds and news from style, fashion, film, photography and beautiful living.

You may have heard of the Canadian clothing brand Obakki. It was founded in 2005 by Treana Peake, an avid traveller and dedicated humanitarian, who names her trips as big part of the inspiration for her collections: simple, feminine and comfortable to wear. But there is something else I want to talk about today. The Obakki Foundation, the brand’s philanthropic counterpart, which focuses on providing clean water and education in Africa. Peake has provided over 400 water wells and built 12 schools in South Sudan and Cameroon, and her work has positively impacted the lives of over 500,000 people. And the wonderful part is that any of us can be a part of their notable mission, by shopping consciously. Whether it’s their fashion collection pieces, the foundation merchandise (the cinder candle would be my first choice) or their set of striking photographs, knowing that your money will help a good cause will make you feel ten times better about wearing a clothing item or having a photograph on your wall.
 
 
• This week’s New Film recommendation: To The Wonder (2012), directed by Terrence Malick. It’s different, and it’s not for everyone, but I loved it. It’s so powerful visually that it might have very well been silent. In fact, the characters’ lines, which are more like monologues, are always somewhere in the background. Light, colour, and the gestures and expressions of the characters do more than words ever could. Fine performances from Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Javier Bardem, but the most pleasant surprise was Olga Kurylenko’s role.
• Diane von Furstenberg is always an inspiration.
• I enjoyed reading this Q&A with Daria Werbowy.
• If you live in or travel to Paris in the following months, the Henri Cartier-Bresson Exhibition at Centre Pompidou is worth seeing. Until June 9th.
• There is a new exhibition in London, as well: The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014, at Victoria & Albert Museum, April 4th-July 27th.
• One of the most ingenious and coolest ideas I’ve heard of lately: a flower shop on the go.

photos: Treana Peake, via  Obakki Foundation