Tag Archives: Chanel

Currently Craving: French Fashion

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I looove French Fashion- Chanel, YSL, Balenciaga, Hermes, the list goes on and on. Being in Paris, I am surrounded by all these stores and more, and I can’t help from wanting everything! One of my favorite French companies is Carven- I love how girly, young, and fun the clothes are. I especially love the  Cotton Dress with Ruching (1) and the Biker Style Cotton Jacket (2) which is perfect for summer since its lightweight. You simply can’t be French without something Hermes, and the classic lacquered H bracelet in white (3) is super summery and therefore perfect. If you buy no other white, buy the Celine Cabas in Python White (4), need I say more? It’s Celine, it’s Python.

The Louis Vuitton Yellow Pouchette (5) and sunglasses (6) literally couldn’t be cuter, and the YSL Arty Ring (7) in that light turquoise/mint is so perfect for the summer. A Carven blouse (8) comes next- how cool is that print? and then we have the most amazing Lanvin iPhone case (9). I mean, come on. Alber Elbaz is just too cute.


It’s been rainy here quite a bit in Paris, so the Etoile Isabel Marant Skinny Jeans (10) would be fabulous to own. (side note- I also love Isabel Marant- her latest collection was too good). Repetto Flats (11) are pricey but amazing, and oohing says summer like a bubblegum pink YSL Clutch (12). (ok, maybe a lot of other things do, but let’s just pretend). Another great French brand is Sandro, and the color of this Shirt (13) is so light and pretty. Chloe sandals (14) and a Chanel Bike (15) are obvious essentials for Paris in the summer. Because who doesn’t need a Chanel bike?

Lesage, Paris

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If the name Lesage doesn’t get your heart beating, please leave now. This legendary house, started in 1924, when the embroiderer Michonet sold his house to Marie-Louise and Albert Lesage, is one of six remaining embroidery houses in Paris. The Metiers d’art, or craftsmen, are the ones responsible for the couture you see every season. The costume jewelers, feather workers, milliners, bookmakers, glove makers, fabric pleaters, and embroiderers are the ones who make the exquisite pieces you see on the couture runways (under the designers direction, of course).

 Chanel Sketches

Lesage is perhaps the most famous because of it’s work with Chanel. Yes, it is the house that embroiders Chanel. But Lesage has worked with many other legendary designers, Yves Saint Laurent and Elsa Schiaparelli being two (they still have samples from Elsa-all the way back to the 1930’s!)

They also work with new and emerging designers, Mary Katrantzou being the most notable. As a side note, I am obsessed with her, and was almost more excited to see a garden-print dress being embellished than a tweed being made.

Lesage has over 60 tons of materials, and only 60 employees. Everything is stored beautifully, right down to the color-coded thread in antique shelves. They also have an incredible archive- every time they make a sample it is put into their archive, so they have amassed quite the collection after almost 90 years.

One of the best parts was learning about how the designers collaborate with the craftspeople- designers will come and give the theme, and then the craftsperson will create samples based on the theme and what they think the designer is looking for. The designer will then pick their favorite, and a series of drawings and patterns and samples are made. Once the embroidery is complete, the pieces go back to their respective fashion houses and are assembled there. Pretty cool, right?

Couture Fall 2012 Roundup, Day 2

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Christian Dior
Well, really now, what is there left to say? Everyone else in the Fashion World has pretty much covered it. I found it to be magnificent, truly splendid. The clothes could not be farther from Galliano’s version of Dior- there were no grand flower ball gowns, there were no over the top theatrics. But what there was was beautiful tailoring, silhouettes that looked back to Dior’s New Look, and the definite Raf Simmons presence. He is taking Dior in a whole new direction, but a modern and beautiful one.
LOVE the dye!
Giambattista Valli
Giambattista Valli may be the only person in existence who can mix red and green without conjuring up even the slightest notion of Christmastime. In his biggest and best foray into prints (read: florals) Valli excelled. His collection, inspired by fairies in dreamy woodlands was gorgeous, modern, and romantic, without being stuffy. A magical job indeed.
Chanel
I think the Chanel show was fine. I normally have and rave and rave and rave to anyone who will listen about Chanel Couture, Chanel Shoes, Chanel Bags, Karl and his cat, any Chanel thing, really. But I didn’t rave this time (about the couture. I still talk about the shoes, the nail polish, the tweed, etc.) I liked everything in the show, as I always do, but I wasn’t really blown away, and I also usually am. I did, however, love the fuchsia tweed suit, I am a sucker for Pink, any shade. I also loved the long, lean silhouette created by both drapey pants, long skirts, and longer jackets. I also liked the nubby knits, the soft color pallet, and the patch-work-like tweed. I could have done without some of the sequins, and definitely the silver tights.