Day two of Paris Fashion Week Couture, here are four we like.
Stay tuned for more coverage on the designs, designers and collections.
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Tag: style report
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Couture Week Paris-4
Highlights from the first day of Paris Haute Couture Week. Over the next few days check back for more details. But meanwhile, sit back and enjoy the creative power of these looks.
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Milan MFWM Fall 21
Milan Fashion kicked off in the virtual mode this season. We the world under some form of lockdown, buyers and press are unable to travel. The Italian fashion capital put its best foot forward but going direct to the point. Filming closed runway shows instead of Calvin Klein Commercials. I want to say “Thank You”.
It’s easy to spot the trend this season: staying home. All is casual. For Italian designers this could be a blessing in disguise. Comfort took center stage. Using quality fabrics and relaxed looks that could transition from home office to going out for a stroll worked on many levels. It felt a bit as if the designers are under less pressure with some reinvention in their minds. Is a new classic emerging?
ZEGNA
Fendi
Eleventy
David Catalan
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Pierre Cardin Remembered
French Italian fashion designer Pierre Cardin passed away yesterday. France 24 remembers the groundbreaking designer known for his futuristic styles using shapes and materials. A true pioneer in the fashion world had a sixty year career in fashion working for Christian Dior. Cardin created styles for luminaries as The Beatles and Elizabeth Taylor.
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Elegantly Radical
I asked Bocheron Creative Head Claire Choisne about a new piece from the Contemplation Collection. The statement Arrow Earring Piece struck me as gender free elegance with a tinge of radical from the historic jewellery brand.
The Arrow Earpiece, I saw it was worn by a man. Is this a gender free piece?
It was actually the first time we chose a man in our campaign. When the model tried the earring, it was so cool, even cooler on a male. I don’t know why men are not wearing jewelry because we also design pieces for them. High Jewelry should not be only for women. When I saw the man with the earring, I felt it was perfect and the right person to wear it. I am so happy if you notice that.
Stay tuned for all the episodes.
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OOTD on a Budget
I went to the Ingolstadt Outlet Center outside of Ingolstadt Germany. The 110 store center had pretty much all I wanted as a Bargain Hunter, designer stores with some very good prices. As a habitual shopper with less cash but a lot of ambition designer outlets are heaven sent. I have to stretch my “fabu budget” anyway I can.
Covid 19, health and safety concerns come first. Located at each main entrance there is a guard to take temperatures as well as body temperature scanners. Each store allows only so many people in at a time. At the better known brands there were lines, so be prepared to wait a few minutes. I had to skip the Calvin Klein Underwear shop because of the long waiting time.
Plan First
40% Off 
Diesel 
Only 100 but too big
As the shopping conditions were different, I needed to make a plan. Get the layout in my head. Find my favorite brands, get a cafe while planning the logistics and visits Simple, start from one end, work my way around. Easier said than done. I got distracted by the Bally Store. There was no line plus, I am a fan. The markdown was too good to pass up. The service was also good. I got a pair of shoes and belt for good prices. Continuing to work to end, Prada Store but busy, happily they told me to comback or make an appointment. I did the latter
Surprisingly there was no line to get in Versace. The sales guy was wonderful. My find of the day, I got a scarf for 15 euros.
Back to Prada. Sneakers on last mark down for 100 euros. I wanted them, but sadly, too large. Life is cruel.
Covid Test Point 
Tod’s 
Michael Kors
There is something for everyone. I admit a few brands could have been more generous with the markdowns. 50% off is my minimal point. Anything less makes me feel unwanted.
During these days many of the stores now have phone in and WhatsApp service. Call and ask what for the latest outlet offerings. They will even send pictures and arrange for package delivery.
Shop at Ingolstadt Outlet Centre year round near Ingolstadt Germany.
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From Milan With LOVE Pt#3
Black and Paper presents From Milan With Love by Flora Marcella Cusi with Gabi Thiam wearing Borsalino Hats and Colmar Outerwear.
On the Street 
The Right Look.
Stay Tuned for more from the series.
A watch is a statement piece for every mood, for everyday. A style expression of how what the wearer wants to say: Feeling good, wear a colourful style. Feeling serious, go with a classic style.
Affordable watch maker The Camden Watch Company of London produces a big range of watches, a style fit for every occasion. Located in the trendy Camden Market District, the brand’s stores cater to a mix of time piece enthusiasts, casual buyers, and celebrities.
Co-Founder Anneke Short talks to Black and Paper
Why did you decide to produce watches?
I’ve always been in watches since the very start of my career. I studied Jewellery making and design in Switzerland and followed that with an internship with a famous watch and jewellery designer. I started on the jewellery team but was switched to the watch team for a special project and I was hooked.
Jerome Robert, my husband and Co-Founder, is Swiss, it’s a cliché but it’s true – watches are in his blood!
7 Styles for 7 Days
No.29 Type II Steel Navy and Brown 
No.29 Type II Steel White Dial Brown Leather Strap
No.29 Type II Black Steel Black Dial and Black Leather STrap
What is the difference between producing pieces in Japan rather than China?
We use Japanese movements in the majority of our watches (some of our movements are Swiss) simply because of the quality. The majority of Chinese watch movements just don’t have the reliability or level of finish as the Japanese movements do. The Japanese movements that we use provide great quality at a good price point, which is the same ethos as us here at Camden Watch Co.
STEEL CASE WITH ROSE GOLD AND SILVER DIAL AND TAN ITALIAN LEATHER STRAP. 
Victorian Camden Meets Punk Rock Camden
A Swiss Touch
There is a Swiss component in the Camden Watch Brand, can you elaborate?
Certainly. Jerome, the co-founder is Swiss, born and raised in La Chaux-de-Fonds which really is the watchmaking capital of Switzerland. I studied in Switzerland (also in La Chaux-de-Fonds) and it’s where I began my career as a designer. Having that Swiss background gave us a great understanding of the watch world, especially the high-end, luxury market, and it’s that Swiss knowledge and experience mixed with British flair that makes Camden Watch Co. what it is. We also have Swiss Quartz movements in our GMT timepieces.
The Camden Watch Company No.24 Mesh, Black and Steel 
The Camden Watch Company
No. 27 GMT Rose Gold and Black
Camden, not an area with a classic reputation, more alternative, does this reflect in the watch styling?
Absolutely. We never wanted to create yet another classic watch brand, they’re ten a penny and boring to boot. We wanted to create a brand with soul, that was inspired by something we love, Camden. A brand that had a personality. Our watches are inspired by the industrial, Victorian heritage of Camden but infused with the modern, alternative Camden of today.
31 Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8AH
Also
The Camden Watch Company – Shoreditch
Unit 8, Boxpark Shoreditch, 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY and
Greenwich Market
2 Greenwich Market, London, SE10 9HZ
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Raf Meets Prada
Eagerly awaited, yet, what happened? In February there was an announcement of a collaboration. Raf Simons’ first collection at Prada with Miuccia Prada. Looking back, were my expectations too high? Taking into account the circumstances, an audience free presentation during a social distancing fashion week in Milan. Perhaps the lockdown combined with the global somber mood took its toll on creative energy of the Belgium Designer. The debut collection resembled alien lifeforms uniforms straight from a “Star Trek The Next Generation” episode. The fast recap: The Enterprise comes across another space vessel manned by a society practicing an unusual fashion caste system.
I found nothing uplifting or inspiring from the 40 looks. The Spring 21 work comes across as a rush job. Downbeat! If there was central collective focus, I missed it cause my mouth fell open.
The Prada logo, front and centre on the neck for the fashionista selfie to alert everyone what she is wearing. Awkward! The prints, cut outs, and outerwear, and clutch jackets, minimalistic styles. All these elements combined gave off a sense of several ideals too many.
I have no clue how they collaborated, either in person or via Zoom. However, for a debut collection of two heavy hitters in the fashion world, this was let down in some ways. My question: Is this a case study of how two strong chefs can spoil a soup?