Fashion fades, only style remains the same – Coco Chanel
Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma
God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style, He just goes on trying other things – Pablo Picasso
Comments below taken from REUTERS reporters…..
at the GLOBAL LUXURY and FASHION SUMMITin fashion capitals ranging from Paris to New York. Here are some memorable quotes from the summit (like being a fly on the wall – we can Yvesdrop a little):
CARVEN CEO HENRI SEBAOUN: On DESIGNERS’ CREATIVITY –
“There has been a big gap between what was done in the studio and clients’ expectations, but a new generation of designers is now trying to reconcile creativity and clients’ needs.”
SOCIETE DES BAINS DE MER CEO BERNARD LAMBERT: ON PROVIDING GOOD SERVICE:
“It’s a smile at reception, calling the guest by their name, serving breakfast on time, not making any mistakes with the bill.”
PARMIGIANI FLEURIER CEO JEAN-MARC JACOT: ASKED ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF HIRING GOOD STAFF –
“There’s experience and there’s conscientiousness. Conscientiousness is harder and harder to find. It’s the culture of constant channel-hopping.”
FASHION DESIGNER DIANE VON FURSTENBERG: ON FASHION DESIGNER JOHN GALLIANO (previously with Dior) –
“It’s very unfortunate what happened, the state he was in, the stupidity that came out of his mouth, the fall. But it’s not just in fashion that you fall. Strauss-Kahn had a bigger fall.”
“I wanted to be an independent woman and I wanted to be in control. I became that woman through fashion … Everything about my life is all about the same thing. It’s about empowering women.” my side note:I met DVF one night at a nightclub in New York – many eons ago. The friends she sat with offered me some champagne and a seat beside them. She was once on the cover of “TIME” Magazine with her famous wrap dress. One I tried very unsuccessfully to copy in a sewing class. A testament to things that look simple but are not. ALL women look good in THAT DRESS.
LE PRINTEMPS CEO PAOLO DE CESARE: ON CUSTOMER LOYALTY – “Higher-end customers don’t want to trade down. Maybe they delay the purchase a little, but they stay with the brand. Even if times are tougher, they stay with the brand.”
“Russians are coming back. There is a clear correlation between the oil price and the number of Russians coming to our stores.”
BARBARA BUI (BBUI.PA) DEPUTY CEO JEAN-MICHEL LAGARDE – “I have the impression that many brands are re-centering their production in Europe. Many people tried to make shoes in China and it didn’t work.”
YOOX (YOOX.MI) CEO FEDERICO MARCHETTI – “Russia will be a very promising market, probably faster than many other markets like India. I think Russia is probably around the corner, while India is a few miles far from being a really interesting market for luxury goods.”
“Opening in China was a big challenge. We had to check 103 to-do-list items. From big issues to small issues. It’s definitely not an easy job to localize in China.”
Fashion is something that comes after style – John Fairchild quote
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….
Because I always thought that great Style has No Size. Go Figure – you don’t have to be Twiggy to be stylish.
I think attitude has a lot to do with it too. Kate Moss might say “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” but I think it should be “nothing feels as good as feeling good about yourself.” Let’s have a look at some stunningly SEXY….smallish PLUS sized ladies comfortable in their own skin who can give any of us a run for our money in the style “with attitude” department.
I would curtsy to the “Queen” herself. Photo from Images.
Of course there’s a PLUS side to being thin in the advantage that clothes drape well on smaller sized bodies. That’s why almost every model you see strutting down the runway is stick thin (except for Giselle who has an amazingly toned body). But that doesn’t make you a stylish person. It makes you a fashion(able) person.
Amazing Adele – rocking a beautiful dress at the Grammys.
So could skinny finally be on its way out? Realistically, no.
Even Supermodel Lara Stone who is, by normal standards, very slim, admitted: “A lot of people say it’s nice to see someone who won’t break in half when you touch them. But I am still a woman and a person, and if you’re compared and confronted with your colleagues and they’re half you size you think, “F***, I’m really fat!”’
But is seems that the fashion world is slowly making progress by beginning to accept more varied body shapes (it’s about time – women come in all shapes & sizes), and that there remains plenty of opportunity to embrace women that really look like women.
It’s a print pattern that dates back to ancient times, appearing on fabrics all around the world.
The Beatles popularized it as psychedelic on their 1968 pilgrimage to India, where it was everywhere, but in fact paisley derives from the “town of Paisley”, in central Scotland, a centre for textiles where paisley designs first were produced.
The New Oxford Dictionary defines paisley as ‘a distinctive intricate pattern of curved, feather-shaped figures based on a pine cone design from India‘ .
While many people may dislike paisley, the new look of this pattern with different style and color combinations works winningly for everyone. The current paisley is vibrant and epitomizes spring with its lush colors.
Whatever its origin, wearing curlicued teardrops makes a woman or man stand out wherever they go.
It’s nice to know some things never change….or maybe change if only slightly.
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:
Details, details – jungle love
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.
Angelina Jolie for Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas
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.
Kim Kardashian
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:
The loafer
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!
Charlize Theron in DiorDior Saddle Bag
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.
IRIS Apfel is a New York Society Style Maven and the chicest ninety something we know. Below is a condensed version from her interview with Jennifer Alfano for Bazaar’s
From a MAC cosmetics Ad. Oh, Great Bangles.
“Fabulous at Any Age” issue. This goes to prove that you can be amazing at any age if you take care of yourself, have a sense of humour and don’t take life too seriously.
What’s wrong with fashion today: Since I became a geriatric starlet, women are always asking me, “What should I wear?” Honestly, women today take dressing way too seriously. Fashion shouldn’t get to a point where it makes you unhappy. Because when you’re unhappy, you look older. I do not intellectualize what I wear. I just put on what I feel like. People see me and say “Ooooh,” but I think it’s a crock.
Looks good no matter what your age: If your hair is properly done and you have on good shoes, you can get away with anything. That and having a good attitude – try to keep yourself on an even keel. All the plastic surgery in the world isn’t going to help if you’re unhappy.
Style is: Knowing who you are. Someone told me a good definition recently. They said, “Real style is having a deep curiosity about yourself.” And attitude, attitude, attitude!
I never leave home without: My eyeglasses, because I would probably fall down the stairs. But eyeglasses have become very high fashion these days. You can really change up your look with them.
My Uniform: For day, I live in jeans. I have so many, from the lowliest to the most fabulous. I think I was one of the first women to wear jeans; I had to fight to buy them once at an army-navy store. Jeans are very basic, so you can be creative with the rest of what you wear. I also have the most spectacular black-tie jeans. I like very simple, dramatic clothes. A little sense of drama is good.
Most proud of: I’m proud that I’ve been able to do so many different careers, and at 91, I’m still doing new things: I have a collection of eyeglasses for Eyebobs and a line of handbags, shoes and jewelry for HSN. I’m always trying to help women be themselves and teach them not to roll up in a little ball when they are a certain age. And this March, my husband and I will have been married for 65 years.
Favorite show: I just became addicted to Downtown Abbey.
Most overrated: Don’t get me started! I think the over stressing of technology is dehumanizing. People are always pressing too many buttons.
Signature dance: I like cheek-to-cheek dancing. My husband and I used to dance the rumba. Sometimes I put on jazz records and dance by myself.
Iris was on the cover of Dazed and Confused Magazine.
The French luxury house of Céline has always been synonymous with class and quality. Then I came across this ad in “W” from the spring 2013 collection.
While we always wish for designers to make shoes that are both fashionable and comfortable, has Phoebe Philo (designer for the house) taken things too far?
For a fashion show which entertains fun, shock and presentation to get the brands basic message across, I can understand these furry Birkenstock like sandals and slingbacks. However they look like hippie shoes with furry blue and white trim. Sure, they are probably heaven for our feet, but would you ever actually wear them?
And, while the spring pumps are a more traditional silhouette, who will buy these shoes? *I cannot imagine where I’d wear them – maybe by the pool if I had one.
Hmm…but they do look comfy.
Here’s someone else’s take: If Big Bird and Elmo were cross-dressers and were looking for shoes to match their feathers and fur – perfection! Hey Céline, I’m still a fan but I’ll pass on the shoes for now. The bags…now that’s another story!
*Says the same girl who recently purchased these sensible “go with anything” turquoise suede shoes.
It’s Modernism week in Palm Springs. I think they invented Mid Century Modern.
It’s so opposite of my current home style but because it’s so different I kind of like it. Maybe I’ll even consider it for my next place – especially if that place is in Palm Springs.
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.
Sexy Shapewear
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.
Poster with Wolford bodysuit & stockings
Vancouver Location is at 753 Burrard St. (between Robson & Alberni).
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.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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