Cannes, Nice, St. Tropez, Monaco – I adore all of you!
I’ve been to the Côte d’Azur (all the above) just once – but that was enough to make me want to feel like I’m there a lot MORE.
Of course wearing clothing like that from the riviera is a start. That’s why I wear stripes so often. I love the casual elegance of a sophisticated but laid-back sea side town with no rules and lovely yachts. And the nicest gambling casino I’ve ever been to where dressing up is part of the game.
Okay, I’m going on a bit too much – this post is really about the style of the French Riviera – particulary St.Tropez. We’ll leave bathing suits for another time.
Category: STYLE
What you need to know is that “real style” is timeless so we cover classics mostly, but also runway fashion, fads and trends
is a champagne carryall – the Louis Vuitton iconic Noé bucket bag which has just been re-released in various shades of leather and monogram canvas.
In 1932, a Champagne vintner commissioned Louis Vuitton to design a carryall for his precious wares and voilà – the original Noé bag was born. The result – a simple leather bucket bag that safely and stylishly housed five bottles of champagne – four upright and a fifth place upside down in the middle. Now I know why I always loved this bag!
The bag came to represent the free-spirited, effervescent lifestyle of liberated women.
Now, 81 years later, and available starting this month you can find the pint size version – the Noé BB, more suited to the bare essentials – and room enough for a Veuve Clicquot mini or Sofia Coppola blanc de blanc, possibly both.
As seen in marie claire magazine.
More and more women are choosing gorgeous underwear as one of life’s little luxuries. Need is debatable, it’s about enjoyment.
Name me one woman who doesn’t love lace? For every one who does not, there are 1,000 more who do. It’s been in fashion forever. It’s so pretty and feminine that it’s no wonder season after season, lace is featured on catwalks from New York to Paris.
While these exquisite lingerie sets are not your typical everyday wear (but why not?) for most, wearing them brings you up a notch in the glamor department or at least it makes you feel that way which is the most important.
Chantilly handmade lace is known for its fine ground, outlined pattern and abundant detail. Today’s resurgence in fashion for all things bedecked with ribbons and bows have hip lingerie designers turning to vintage details for their divine INspiration.
From the jesus fernandez (made in Buenos Aires) RETRO collection – *french sizing. Available in very limited supply at http://www.intrigueimports.com
*Make sure to check the sizing chart on website for the equivalent North American sizes.
We’re celebrating GLOBAL STYLE with elegant ethnic prints. They were everywhere to be found on the Spring/Summer 2013 runways but they mostly remain constant.
The world just got bigger. Remember when you bought that exotic colorful dress and jewelry on one of your faraway travels? Remember once home you couldn’t wait to wear them only to feel they just kind of looked out of place? Now in fashion you can incorporate almost any fabric into your look and not feel too out of touch. Have a look at some recent trends….
So, how do you like all the choices? I personally love to incorporate a little something African, Hispanic, Indian or Asian inspired – it makes for an interesting mix and makes the world go round.50 Shades or more. Okay, so I’m just one more person making a play on words of “that” book and I haven’t even read it. But the title did get me thinking of all the glorious variations on this timeless hue. Grey is classic like black and white –a wardrobe staple that never goes out of season. A neutral (never boring) shade that can be worn with almost every color and dressed up with accessories. It suits almost every skin tone too. It’s a great basic to any outfit.
Some name dropping: Feather, Heather, Dove, Gunmetal, Charcoal, Pebble, Pewter, Platinum, Oyster, Pearl, Cement, Ash, Nickel, Mica, Iron, Hematite…..any more that you can think of?
Interesting facts about some of the most popular luxury fashion houses:
1) Hermès:
The majority of Hermès is still family-owned (71% is family; 29% is public shares), which means it has the luxury of taking risks when it wants to and staying the course when it doesn’t. The length of thread necessary to make 1,000 Hermès scarves is equal to the distance between the earth and the moon. One silk moth yields one scarf.
The Kelly bag (named after Grace Kelly and the second most sought after bag after the Birkin) is made with 36 pieces of leather and 680 hand stitches.
Hermès start in fine jewelry came from working with silver to trim saddlery – so the house’s first clients were horses!
2) Louis Vuitton: The Louis Vuitton brand is not just one of the most popular brands in the world, but also one of the most valuable. Focus on its heritage as a travel brand helps it to retain its core customer–the jet setter. What you probably don’t know is the fact that every single one of the Louis Vuitton handbags is handmade and this is definitely something that justifies the high price some of their items have. But it gives you a great feeling knowing that what you wear has been created especially for you by a person with passion for design.
Automobile collectors probably know this, but what most women don’t know is the fact that there is an event called Louis Vuitton Classic that is sponsored by the brand and concerns automobile collectors. They also sponsor events that deal with sailing such as The Louis Vuitton Cup, an event that regards international yachting. I bet you never thought about that when you were dreaming of that beautiful Louis Vuitton bag.
3) Chanel: It is no secret to anyone who calls themselves a lover of fashion that Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel is thought to be one of the most influential figures in fashion history. She has been credited as the person that gave the “little black dress” its fame. But there is also talk that she started the trend that made sun tanning popular. Rumor has it that in 1923 she was on a cruise bound for the Cannes and by mishap got a bad case of sun burn. She was able to somehow make a bad tan look fabulous, thus starting a trend in favor of sun kissed skin.
Marilyn Monroe’s favorite scent was Chanel No 5. which led her to become the official face of the fragrance. This is arguably one of the first records of a celebrity endorsement.
As everyone knows, Karl Lagerfeld is the current Head Designer and Creative Director of Chanel and a legend in his own right. He is considered one of the most acclaimed fashion designers in the world. Known for his bold designs and constant reinvention, he’s been hailed in Vogue magazine as the “unparalleled interpreter of the mood of the moment.”
4) Gucci: 
In the grand Italian fashion, Gucci as long been known for its leather goods, and 2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the house’s iconic loafer. Over the years the preppy staple has been loved by such boldfaced names as Sophia Loren, Jodie Foster, and Jane Birkin (Hermès named their most popular bag after her) who famously wore the shoes with wide-legged white pants and a barely there lace crop top. The brand is celebrating in style by issuing new versions of the classic, including patent leather in a full spectrum of colors, including orange, coral, blue, green, yellow and red. Long live the loafer!
5) Dior: J’adore!
Christian Dior had a love for architecture and this is one of the features that inspired him to make clothes that showed the female body’s ethereal appearance. He designed clothes that showed the width of the hips and gave importance to the bust area.
Christian Dior believed in luck. In fact, he believed that the most important feature that kept him going and made him successful was good luck. It worked. But he was also known to be very superstitious and he never began a couture show without having consulted his tarot card reader.
In 1949, Dior was the first couturier to arrange licensed production of his designs. Having realized the importance of the complete look – and that the New Look could not be successfully achieved without the correct Dior shoes, gloves and hat.
On February 12, 1947, Dior showed his debut collection, presenting 90 different looks. The opulence of his designs contrasted with the grim post-war reality of Europe, and helped re-establish Paris as the joyful fashion capital it had once been. The house was inundated with orders and world-famous stars such as Rita Hayworth and Margot Fonteyn bought and wore pieces, raising Dior’s profile significantly. Dior was even invited to stage a private presentation of the collection for the British royal family – although King George V reportedly forbade the young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, from wearing the New Look in case it set a bad example at a time when rationing was still in force.
In 1955, a 19-year-old Yves Saint Laurent (does that name sound familiar?) became Dior’s design assistant. Of course the rest is history. Recently after long speculation on who would finally replace John Galliano ( who got fired from the job) at Dior, the word had finally gotten out – it’s Belgian designer Raf Simons who made the cut as the new Artistic Director of women’s Haute Couture for the house of Dior.
Don’t you just love fashion!
I can’t imagine a world without Wolford! I’ve never enjoyed wearing stockings so much and they’ve made it difficult to go back to basics. Wolford is a remarkable brand onto themselves. A stunning range of fashion tights & hosiery incomparable to anything else on the current market. Basically no other stocking can compare. They make a fashion statement on their own. Instead of putting your stockings on last, you put these on first and then find something to go along. Most likely people won’t be able to take their eyes off your legs so you can stick on the plainest dress or skirt overtop and it will look great.
Wolford is known mainly for glamorous legwear but they’ve grown to include an international premium brand of ready-to-wear, lingerie, swimwear and accessories. The company whose head office is located in Austria, spans over 60 years and fulfills their claim of being both unique and unmistakable. For instance their sought after bodysuits do not have any seams. 
In the late 1990s, the company’s advertising campaign was shot by the photographer Helmut Newton.
Rachel D. from Los Angeles, Ca has this to say: The gentleman who gave me my first pair of Wolford tights sparked a serious and expensive addiction. These beautiful patterned tights are warm, cozy and totally sexy. I went back and bought a pair of twenties-style fishnets that make me feel like a million bucks. Sexy legs deserve the best in hosiery. Wolford is the only way to go!
Luz C. from Brooklyn, N.Y. writes: Once you go Wolford, you’ll never go back. I’ve had some pairs for years and washed them many, many times without ever seeing a degradation in quality or durability. I would say if you can swing it price-wise, they are one hundred percent worth the cost. I would always prefer to pay more for something of good quality that will last a long time than pay a low price for something of poor quality that I’m going to have to replace ten times.
Vancouver Location is at 753 Burrard St. (between Robson & Alberni).
Let me introduce to you Fala Chien 
Fala is a fashion designer with her own line, a friend and someone I worked with at 4th Ave. Boutique. She’s a quadruple threat….young, smart, talented and beautiful. Fala currently spends her time jetting between New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai & Taiwan. She recently showcased her newest collection at New York Fashion week where she garnered attention from the media and was named new up and coming designer. You go girl!
Fala’s signature: simple, playful garments, each with its own unique personality like dresses that can be worn inside out, dress and jacket alter-egos with adjustable sleeves and other adaptable combinations. As Fala says, “fashion should be fun and playful.”
ABOUT FALA CHIEN – As a professional woman and a fashion designer, Fala understands the difficulty of balancing strength and femininity. This is the reason Fala is inspired to design clothing that make women feel both sexy and powerful at the same time. Her aim is to present clothing with “multi-wear” functionality that can be worn from morning until night. Simple yet Detailed. After ten years of working in various areas of the fashion industry, Fala debued her brand during Vancouver Fashion Week in 2008. Since then, she has been featured in several prestigious international fashion shows, and has often appeared in fashion magazines and newspapers worldwide. In addition, “Fala” by Fala Chien has become the brand of choice for many celebrities when they attend movie premieres and fashion events. From New York to Hong Kong, one can detect the newest collection from “Fala” by Fala Chien in many local prestigious boutiques & shops. I’m so proud of you Fala & I love my clothes made by you.
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2012 FALA DESIGN CO., LTD ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
I want to be in the “MILITARY”………JACKET!
Garbe Military Jacket – It’s all in the details.
Two way front zipper, hidden hood and raw seams are just a few of the details on this feminine impeccably tailored jacket.
We have yet to come across a more attractive looking military style jacket.
Available in two styles: Cotton Canvas/Organic Cotton Lining in classic Army Green as seen above.
OR;
European cotton blend in lightweight soft chintz fabric/cotton lining in Coal (see below).
For buying details please refer to our online sales website at http://www.intrigueimports.com
I love not having to think about that to wear with a top or pants ensemble. Dresses can be dressed up with jewellery, a nice throw & wedge sandals or down with flip flops, a jean vest or jacket. A good basic dress won’t go out of style so you can wear them year after year.
Three classic styles (aka little black dress equivalents):
A nice neutral is never boring because you can wear bright jewellery or scarves with it.
Leopard is a true classic – has been for years and will be for years to come.
Keep this one simple. You can still wear it for Fall with leggings & a cardigan.
Stripes don’t go out of style & are oh…so French (See more photos below). You can take advantage of many sales right now for next year. The great thing is that they take up less space in our closets & are easy to pack for travelling.
I’ve had mine over several years & never tire of them as they are put away every fall, forgotton for many months to come and then…… voila!..……seems like new when summer shows up again. Where have you bought one lately?
PICTURE THIS: Stars’n Stripes
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