Tag Archives: Chanel

Parisian Chic – My Ultimate Wish List

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A few months ago I announced on Twitter that I will be living in the South of France, in the luxe city of Nice, to study abroad for the first half of 2013. I am ecstatic to say the least!

Before I start practicing my french, I thought it would be fun to conjure up a fabulous wish list of things I would love to have during my time in France – all created by the most exquisite French designers, of course.

As a student, it’s probably not feasible for me to buy most  any of these luxury pieces in the next five months, but at least I can dream of owning them.

And so, my ultimate wish list begins:

Celine Tote Bag

I love everything about the Celine tote bag – the stitching, the structure, the simplicity and the rich colours they come in. Retails for $3000+ 

Hermès Collier De Chien

A perfect cuff to wear every day. I love the chunky gold hardware, especially when contrasted with black leather. Retails for $1200+

Chanel Caviar Lambskin Jumbo Classic 2.55 Bag

The handbag of all handbags. Retails for $4500+

Christian Louboutin Pumps

The world’s sexiest black leather pumps. Retails for $800+

Hermès Birkin Bag

Structured and classic, a handbag to invest in. Retails for $7000+

Tweed Chanel Blazer

There is something so elegant about a tweed Chanel blazer, which was often worn by Coco Chanel herself. Retails for $4000+ 

Louis Vuitton Luggage

I would love to travel around Europe in style with pieces made by one of the world’s first luggage companies. Retails for $2500+

Louis Vuttion

I realize I have ridiculously expensive taste, but it’s nice to dream of owning such fabulous french things.

Is there anything you would add to this wish list if you were going to France?

Always chic,

L.

What Rachel Zoe Has Taught Me

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It was just last August when I discovered who my fashion icon was.

I was bored on the flight home from Florida to Toronto, and came across a marathon of The Rachel Zoe Project on TV. Before that day, I had never heard of Rachel Zoe. By the time the plane landed, I became enamored with all things Rachel Zoe – her  style, Zoe-isms, family and brand – and could not wait to go home and watch every season of the show.

Before Rachel Zoe, I never really had a true fashion icon. I had always admired Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn – but their style did not inspire me to the extent that Rachel’s has.

For those of you who do not know, Rachel Zoe is a celebrity stylist for A-list celebrities like Demi Moore and Anne Hathaway. She is the founder of The Zoe Report – an online fashion and beauty newsletter for the thousands of fans who can’t get enough of her. Just last year, she launched her self-titled clothing label which can be purchased in high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

But most importantly, Rachel Zoe has wicked style!

Here is what she has taught me so far:

More is More.

Unlike Coco Chanel, who said things like “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory” and “Less is always more”, Rachel Zoe says “More is more.”

Rachel is all about chunky accessories - statement necklaces, cocktail rings, and arm parties. Thanks to her, I have a ridiculous amount of jewellery (she wouldn’t think so) and continue to build my collection.

Be Fur-rocious.

Before watching The Rachel Zoe Project, I hated fur. It’s amazing how quickly that changed. Rachel Zoe knows how to rock the most over-the-top fur garments. She inspired me to purchase a ‘beginner’ fur collar this past winter. A few days later, I had the confidence to purchase my first fur vest. Fur is practically her trademark – their is no shortage of fabulous fur pieces in her FW2012 collection.

It’s possible to be pregnant in heels.

Rachel Zoe is proof that pregnancy is no excuse to leave fashion out of your wardrobe, and that includes heels. While pregnant, she was always spotted wearing 6 inch heels – even in her last weeks of pregnancy. Practical? No. Admirable? Definitely!

Vintage Chanel is everything.

Rachel has the most lust-worthy collection of vintage Chanel. In almost every episode of The Rachel Zoe Project, you’ll see her going on dreamy shopping sprees at vintage stores, picking out the most spectacular Chanel evening gowns, jewellery, and bags. She justifies it by saying Chanel is an investment, and she’s creating her own atelier.

I had to write this post because I am going through RZ withdrawal – I miss having my weekly dose of style inspiration! I am hoping, for my sanity, that she records a new season of the show soon.

Has Rachel Zoe inspired your style?

Always chic,

L.

From Coco to Givenchy : The Evolving Little Black Dress

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Ah, the little black dress. Fashion staple number one, a must-have in every woman’s closet, and the most widely recognized symbol of elegant-yet-sexy fashion.

Chanel's artistic rendering of the little black dress, which appeared in American Vogue in 1926

The little black dress made its first appearance in 1926- and who else but Coco Chanel could have brought us such taste and sophistication? Although it may be hard to believe today, what with the LBD known for its chic and classic style, Chanel took a risk when creating the dress. In 1926, black was still reserved for mourning clothes, while bright colours, prints, and embroideries were all the rage. Choosing to design a completely black dress was a dance with fashion destiny, but, luckily for us, it paid off for Chanel. The LBD became known as the “Ford Dress” because, like the Model T car made by Ford at that time, it was black and an affordable design, which kept it popular during the thirties and forties.

The practicality of Chanel’s little black dress didn’t make it any less an item of haute couture, and many other designers created their own versions of her masterpiece. In fact, Hubert de Givenchy can be credited with catapulting the dress from simply being a fashion trend to a fashion icon with his famous take on the LBD in 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

1960’s: Audrey Hepburn, Tiffany's, and Givenchy. We only have one word: unforgettable.

The little black dress has morphed along with the style changes of the decades, but remains a necessity in every woman’s closet to this day. So why do we love it so much?

Well, what is not to love, really? It’s timeless. It’s black, which means a whole lot of advantageous things, not the least of which is slimming. It’s versatile- wear it under a blazer with practical pumps to work, class it up with a single strand of pearls, or add some colourful jewellery and brilliant stilettos for a night on the town. Simply put, it’s ingenious.

Forever classy.

M.