France 24 interviews master of shoe designer Christian Louboutin. A new exhibition on his designs opened in Paris.
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Tag: luxury fashion
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Quick Milan Impressions
When I arrived in Milan at the Malpensa Airport terminal I did not expect a scene from the “X-Files”. Global headlines have caught up to me. From head to toe wearing Hazmats, health officials were testing for the Coronavirus with digital thermometers. Welcome to Fashion Week. The week got even more interesting. My journey on the subway and trams. I suspected something was off when I got a seat on the subway. Sadly, the last two days of the fashion, the feeling became grim. Trade-fare visitors were sparse. Many exhibitors seemed more rejected lonely hearts club guests.
On the 23rdall Milan Fashion Week events were cancelled due to an outbreak north of Milan.
Fast Highlights 1
On Via Manzoni, Antonio Croce presented a collection based on the Southern California Sunset. What inspiration! I loved the strong sensuality. Sun drenched coats and suits and print coats filled the space.
When a fashion show opens up with the Italian Version of Lou Reed’s 1973 classic song “Walk on the Wild Side”. I should count on 70′ interpretations. I am a fan of Bea Arthur’s sitcom “Maude”. Her Finley character wore floor length vests. Cividini had a look in his collection inspired by this decade staple piece.
I do not associate Kiton with strong women’s looks. It is a brand known for suits and classic wears. The brand’s new bag has a BIG K on the opening clasp. A comment I heard, “Those who buy Kiton may not like such blatant monogramming items designed for social media. The sales will see. But there was one look I really liked for a Red Carpet styling, a two piece white pleated dress with sleeveless top.
A come back kid in the making could be Untied Colors of Benetton. The once household RTW brand has been knocked about over many years. With Jean Charles Castelbajac at the creative helm it looks there are some better more social media smart moves happening.
For sheer impressive theater, Fratelli Rossetti really went out the way to give an extra mile. At the Visconti Palace with models dressed in white on stage and trampolines with an added Piano Concert. PS, I want a pair of the embroided Brea shoes.
Stay Tuned for more coverage on Milan Fashion Week.
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Viva Juana!
Using an impressive location in Paris, the Spanish Embassy, Juana Martin made her debut at Haute Couture Week 2020. Her collection, “Les Cours De Ma Maison”, reflected an Andalusian background influenced by Flamenco dancing and dress. The Cordoba native gave the audience generous looks of embroidery, shawls, and headpieces. I would call the collection “Personal”. A reflection of a person who loves her “Tierra”.
Designer Martin and actress de Palma take a bow.
Spanish Actress Rossy De Palma showed up at the end for a touch of authentic flamenco. I have been a fan of hers since “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown”. But you will have to wait for that video.
Stay Tuned for more coverage.
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Paris Impressions
Tension
Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture is over. This season, a strange feeling hovered over the French Capital. Numerous strikes have paralysedFrance. President Macron’s reform policies have not gone down well the citizens. I am not familiar with Gaul politics and economy but Paris was a city filled with tension. How many strikes occur in Paris on a weekly basis? I knew this would be a different fashion week when my flight was delayed. When I arrived at Charles De Gaulle airport, the first announcement I heard, “Due to industrial action,,,”. “Welcome!”
Secondly, Paris was really cold and gray. One day the temperature hit -4. Not pleasant weather for running around from show to show or standing outside for an extra 30 or 40 minutes. This fashion week events never start on time.
All shows had extra security on hand. The entire city has been on alert for threats.
Is This Worth It?
My problem with fashion has been the democratization has been haphazard at best. I am beginning to wonder if it is worth attending a fashion week. Standing in lines, Fighting crowds, the expenses, the ROI seems to diminish. Has Instagram and social media has been a blessing or a curse? A lot of invites, a lot of attendees, but why? The agencies cannot keep up with the requests. The crowd control situation is the same as a South American Bus Station. However, strangely, many shows were not at full capacity.
At one show, I saw how exasperated the staff became. All of the sudden there are so many stylists, photographers, and influencers. HUH? I asked a few to show me their work. An Instagram Selfie is now an editorial. Then, there are those who borrow or buy clothes (later returned) for a fashion show appearance. The people who really work during fashion week cannot dress as if their are attending the Red Carpet Met Gala. I can spot them a front row seat away.
Thankfully, I do not have the need to be seen at every fashion show. If I sit five rows back, I ususally say, “send me the pictures”.
GoodBye
The big news from Paris Haute Couture Week, sadly, the last show for Jean Paul Gaultier. Sexual, imaginative, and ahead of the gender curve designer bowed out after 50 years on the scene. Gaultier stopped making Ready to Wear designs years ago, now, no more Couture looks. The star studded show was packed with his friends walking the runway. His classic breton stripes interpretations and ethnic chic influences, his frivolity will be missed.
I am still going over the looks from Haute Couture Week, please stay tuned. A lot of reviews coming soon.
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Paris Fashion Week Couture
BONJOUR!
Sorry, I have not been posting. A bit busy on this end playing catch up. Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture felt a bit overwhelming. Covering the event for the firs time started from the moment I arrived at the hotel. I dropped the bags at the hotel in the center of Paris then raced off. My first appointment was in the Vendome. HOT! The only word describe the scene, 32 degrees in a city lacking green spaces. Loud? Yes. Big cities are not places for medidating at 11am.
Rush! Rush! I wore comfortable shoes to get into the rhythm of the French Capital during PFW.
Unlike other fashionweeks Couture week is more exclusive. A smaller crowd of editors, buyers, and clients for one of kind creations.
I got invites from production houses Shout out to Mephistopheles, public relations agencies, and designers. The Couture Jewelry collection presentation events were also scheduled as well as showroom visits. Four full days were on my calendar.
Paris is not only a walking city, but also for running. Seeing fit Frenchmen jogging in skimpy shorts in the Tuileries Garden may seem like a Samantha Jones inspired fantasy but crisscrossing it during the day to make an appointment, well, I could not sit down to admire the sights, too much dust and lack of time.
HOT!
Too Darn Hot!
Did I mention it was HOT in Paris during PFW? The metro was opened for free rides. Thankfully, many shows and presentation were in walking distance or 3 metro stops away.
Wearing Black was the summer look, not for me. This is a mixture of shameless product placement, sponsorship, and fashion practicality. Cividini loaned me a few silk and cotton polo shirts. Breathable materials saved my life.
Expecting brands tomeet a timetable would ask too much but starting 45 minutes to 1 hour late made keeping a timetable impossible. I missed 3 shows. Happily, I arranged for re-see’s.
I cannot wait until the next Couture Week.
Video and images made with Canon Camera. Sponsored by #canondeu
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Bonjour Paris
Black and Paper countdown to Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture starting June 30th. The City of Lights is our destination to the fashion week of fashion weeks. Couture is the ultimate in craftsmanship. One of a kind looks created by designers to showcase their skills as technique masters.
An understatement would be the word “Thrilled”. The adjective “Excited” comes in second. This came about because of an email located in our Junk File. The only option available, “yes”, feeling like the lead character Maggie Prescott from the 1957 film “Funny Face”. We may break out singing a Gershwin Song, “S Wonderful”.
Stay Tuned for all the coverage.
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Enchanted Luxury
Sponsored by Canon Germany
Luxury brand Serapian invited me to their presentation during Milan Fashion Week. The setting impressed me. I wondered if a certain Hollywood actress would come down the marble stair case.
A quick look at the Serapian collection.
These are classic pieces that will be in style for a long time.
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Fanny Pack,,Not!
The fanny pack has become a luxury brand staple. An accessory once regulated to streetwear to brands like Nike and Puma. Luxury makers have recently picked on the trend by introducing their own versions. Louis Vuitton’s 1500 euro item sets the standard in the fashionista category. My opinion: I will never own one. Do not get me wrong, , except for jogging around the park. Using one for every day use is my style. I don’t wonder how a sportswear piece graduated to the luxury leagues. Fashion has moved in every direction. Items once not a part of a brand’s DNA are now key drivers of collections.
Never could I imagine wearing a fanny pack as a fashion piece. Especially, one emblazoned with a designer logo protruding from my waist. The feel is tacky, gimmicky, a here and now item that will become a dated fad.
I use bags because I carry around a PC, camera, cards, and everything needed for business. A small, overpriced piece of leather does me no good. I recommend getting a full size bag that will last with time.
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Stars in Bulgari
Why not a GLAM, GLAM night out on the town? The Berlinale has rolled into the city. Stars, filmmakers, celebrities descend on the capital for work and fun.
DJ & Actor Lars Eidinger 
Cheers with Moet Chandon
Luxury brand BVLGARI’s annual party is always a high point on the festival nightlife calendar. This year at The Secret Garden, an old theater in the Mitte District, the atmosphere felt electric, a good time for all. Many female attendees used the occasion to show off their Bvlgari bags while checking out the room. The chit chat centers around cinema and the offerings of the festival. Get togethers like this are occasions to meet new contacts but also a ways to renew old ones, a moment to catch up.
Never argue with an event that continues to serve Moet Chandon Champagne is my policy. If a bartender offers to pour, have good manners to say “yes”.
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France 24 on Couture
TV channel France 24 gives a quick run down of the Couture collections from Paris.