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Saturday 21 December 2013

CHANEL - Metiers D'Art Show


I keep saying I'm going to wind the blog down for a week or so over the coming festive period but I couldn't resist bringing you a look at the recent Chanel Autumn Winter Ready to Wear- Metiers D'Art Show and have a little chit chat about how much I loved it and how I will definitely be copying some of the genius styling tricks over the coming festive period.
Ok so set the scene.. A coach load of texas socialites mixing with British It girls and various other Fashion royalty. Throw in some old convertibles, a mechanical bull, superior french craftsmanship and you have the Chanel’s Métiers d’Art show in Dallas, Texas.

Karl Lagerfeld staged an Americana spectacle in the city’s Fair Park that left even the most flamboyant of  social juggernauts shocked to her southern, designer cores. 

Guests included actresses Geraldine Chaplin, Lily Collins, Dakota Fanning, Lauren Hutton, Zoë Kravitz and Twilight star Kristen Stewart, who was unveiled as the new face of Chanel. Personally I would rather see Lauren Hutton have the job, I'm not really enamoured with her lai sai faire attitude to fashion. I know she has her fans but I'm just not one of them, sorry.  Stick to Balenciaga Stewart. 

Also in attendance was the first lady herself Anna Wintour in Chanel SS2014 and the lovely Atlanta de Cadenet who I thought looked classic, I loved the simple black ribbon tied at the neck of her Chanel yolk front blouse. 
The Dallas event kicked off with a 1950s-style drive-in and the premiere of Lagerfeld’s film The Return. The film starred Geraldine Chaplin as Gabrielle Chanel (Coco’s birth name), it depicts the designer’s 1954 comeback, which was panned by the French but embraced in the US. “It explains the importance of America to Chanel’s career,” said Bruno Pavlovsky, president of fashion at Chanel.

Guests snapped selfies (my hasn't 2013 been the year of the selfie!) behind the wheels of the 1950's cars, and arranged themselves in car seats to find their place to watch the film.

Then came the show. 

The models in Chanel jackets with western saddle-like shoulders, furry arm chaps (AMAZING) tights with cowboy boot trompe-l’oeil, and what some fashion press referred to as controversial native American headdresses, paraded down a straw-lined runway hung with red, white and blue bunting, Texan and French flags, and banners bearing Chanel’s double-C logo. 

Lets face it, all very Karl but also very Dallas. What can we say the man knows his audience and knows how to put on a catwalk show, whether its couture or ready to wear.

The show was enormous so here are my favourite looks.

I love the way this sublimely cosy blanket scarf has been draped and belted around this long, leather overcoat. This look could be achieved with any long dark winter coat. 
Hello lovely bag, will you be mine.  
I'm loving the Mongolian fur detail and how the model is wearing it almost like a semi muff! 
I'm sad that winter is half past as these fur arm chaps are the most perfect thing I've seen this season, the epitome of winter luxe.  I'm thinking a new year DIY project may have to be considered! 
The layering was just Amazing!
Then came the evening wear and these couple of looks were my favourite. I adore the skirt and petite jacket below, the detailing is amazing and I love how the skirt blends from jewelled gorgeousness to a sheer delicate slip, genius.
I think the shirt above will be be very popular with the current, young, social superstars over the upcoming months and will spawn a million high street copies if not soon but next season.

The dress below is simply gorgeous.

I'll also go online and say that I don't see how these two last looks are seen as offencive to anyone.  I just see them as beautiful clothes and art. I understand that some of the Native American community see the use of sacred Indian costume in current day fashion as degrading but I don't. 

I think when a designer has influences of a certain race or civilisations national dress in their collections, is this not a homage to the race itself? Surely the designer has to admire and respect the costume in the first place in order to be inspired by it?  Its just my opinion, I'm not saying its right but I think the Native American Community should see the positive in the situation and take it as a complement to their forefathers way of life. 

But as I say just a thought.


Thursday 19 December 2013

A Gift Guide, with a little help from Liverpool One.


The lovely guys over at Liverpool One and Think Publicity sent me a fabulous email a couple of weeks ago, asking me if I would like to pop over to the shopping Mecca and experience a full day of shopping, winter fun, sumptuous food and did I say shopping?  

And in return for my day of sartorial joyousness you ask? 

I have to deliver a gift guide, and a fabulous gift guide at that.
If you're still on the look out for last minute gifts for your nearest and dearest then read on and pay them a visit.  
Liverpool One has got everything you could possibly need for your loved ones and its Winter Wonderland is just the place to kindle that Christmas spirit, whether you're 5 or 55!  

Obviously I have shopped in Liverpool One since its opening in 2008 (I know it doesn't seem that long but trust me it is!) and I already knew it was a haven of fashion and beauty retailers, with a plethora of both designer and high street stores to choose from, but this was the first time I had actually dedicated a full day to just Liverpool One alone. As well as visiting my usual Liverpool One staples and favourites, I visited some stores I haven't tried before and I discovered some real surprises and gorgeous gift ideas for Christmas 2013 and beyond.
When I first arrived I just walked around for a while reminding myself how pretty the architecture is. I love the way the lines of the buildings, stairs and platforms have been carefully designed to be aesthetically appealing from all angles. In its own, modern way its really beautifully designed.

This years festive decorations are also really pretty and they certainly got me into the Christmas spirit.  

I mean who doesn't love a giant reindeer?
The winter wonderland situated on the top floor has an ice rink, Santa's workshop and a traditional helter skelter for the mini fashionistas and the fabulous Apres Cafe and Ice Bar (whose opening we featured earlier on in the month) is perfect for the older fashion bunnies who want to enjoy a winter cocktail or maybe just a delicious hot chocolate to warm them up after a long day Christmas shopping. 

All the Winter attractions are there until January. 
After a wander around the sights I started the research for my gift guide at one of my favourite high street stores, ZARA.  

Zara is always one of the first places I look for gifts at Christmas and it has provided me with many a perfect solution for family gift conundrums, both male and female in the past! 
Oh and I bumped into this lovely lady in there.  Her vintage sheepskin, that she customised herself and her gorgeous bamboo handle bag just jumped out at me, I had to capture them on camera. Gorgeous.
I love this necklace from Zara's TRF range, it has been released for a while and its no longer available on their website but it is still available in the Liverpool One store and at £29.99 its a perfectly priced present for one of your gorgeous friends or maybe yourself!  It would be perfect perched on the collar of a crisp white shirt on Christmas day.
And seen as though the 90's trend is definitely hanging around I couldn't resist featuring this flared slip.  I love it, it reminds me of something a 90's Kate Moss would have shimmied around in. 

I love this dress for the evening or just worn casually in the daytime over a t-shirt with an oversized cardigan, biker boots and a beanie, a voila... Marc Jacobs for Perry Ellis.  
My hunt for the perfect gift also took me into the Harvey Nichols pop up food market where I purchased a little gift for my friends over in Think PR for inviting me to all their lovely events this year.


The store is a foodies dream and has lots of scrumptious gifts for those loved ones with a discerning palette.  They also have an exclusive offering of premium alcohol, from Crystal Head Vodka to Isake Classic Sake for those in your life who love a good tipple. 
Then it was on to Dr Martins were I was amazed by not only their classic accessories but also their wide selection of clothes! I loved these DAI boots below and matching satchel for £155.
The LS pink mohair sweater is bang on trend and a perfect gift at £85. 

My favourites however were the studded coats, I had to feature both the long and the short versions because I couldn't choose between the two they were that cool! The long version is £300 and the biker was £255.
The store is really well designed and the lovely staff make it a pleasure to be in. 

Pay it a visit, even if it is just to see their yellow submarine boots! 
The beauty bar was as usual full of gorgeous lotions and potions to please the most choosy of beautyholics.  

I had the pleasure of visiting their Karidis Medi Spa for their popular Hydra facial and it was outrageously good! I would highly recommend a visit, my skin felt amazing.  Their vouchers are currently half price too so pop down there to grab some while the offer is still on!

Then it was on to Flannels and didn't I have a ball! Zanotti's, Gucci and Dolce Oh My!
They have a huge selection of bags to choose from including these gorgeous Gucci Sohos below.
This season Dolce and Gabbana and McQ
The Paul Smith store attached was beautiful and featured a wide selection of gifts for that special man in your life it is also gorgeously decorated and the lovely men's manager Dylan has the perfect gifts for even the most fussy of smart Scouse gentlemen.
Then it was back to the main store where I spotted these divine Prada Boots.  I mean what fashionista wouldn't want these in her closet.  Cough Cough Wink Wink. 

My word Prada do equestrian chic so well! 
They also stock the very popular Valentino Rockstudd collection. The red clutch and matching shoes are divine and perfectly festive. I would like them all on my wish list! 
I love Sophie Hulmes bags and Flannels have a wide selection including this gorgeous hot pink envelope clutch for £255.
Oh and lets talk about the Prada AW13 collection, in all its glory perched at the back of the shop. If any of this was in my stocking on Christmas morning I would be one very very happy gal! We featured the collection back in the summer when it was released and flannels are stocking quite a bit of it! If one of your loved ones loves 1950s Hollywood glamour then a piece of this collection would be perfection!
Finally these Marcus Lupfer Hats and Jumpers make perfect gifts and the jewelled beanies are a big trend this season and at £145 not too expensive to indulge in.
After my jaunt around flannels I needed a pick me up so indulged in an espresso from Jamie's Kitchen to help me get round the rest of the shops!  I enjoyed sitting on their terrace in the winter sun watching the street style flutter by!
Then it was on to Tessuti who have a massive selection of gifts for the boys this year including a massive selection of Canada Goose coats and gillets. I even picked up a little something for my other half while I was there! I couldn't resist!
Oh and what a shock awaited me upstairs, I didn't know they had a Women's department.  It was fantastic! They had the biggest selection of Micheal Kors Bags and accessories I have seen in Liverpool as well as Vivienne Westwood clothes and accessories and the most gorgeous Juicy Couture necklaces!

Next was the old faithful TopShop.  There are so many gifts to feature in TopShop I could do a dedicated post just for them but these are my top three favourite Christmas gifts from there this year.
       Alligator look metal bar clutch - £45
 Knitted Cashmere Polo Jumper - £90
Wide Brim Fedora - £28
Just as I thought the day couldn't get any better I bumped into Calvin Fox from MTVs Beauty School Kop Out and his gorgeous friend who have both featured on the blog before. Calvin was wearing his amazing BITE ME CLOTHING jacket made for him by our good friend Lolly! 

Remember BITE ME is now available on ASOS Market Place as well as Resurrection. We shot their full collection and featured it on the blog back in the summer.
Last but not least was American Apparel who are definitely a good place for Christmas gifts stocking everything from disco pants to hoodies. If you want a funky backpack, classic American clothing or a colourful fedora then this is the place for you! 
I had actually forgot how mega this shop is!
I loved this fashion students ensemble she well and truly nailed winter chic. I especially loved her fluffy cuffs!
Finally to top the day off the fab team at Liverpool One treated myself and my gorgeous niece to a delicious lunch at Byron Burger. I had the pleasure of being the first person to sample their new festive burger and it was scrummy! The staff were really lovely and they provided a brilliant finish to what had been a tremendous day!  

Liverpool One has extended hours over the festive period so get down there for all those last minute Christmas needs! 
It really was a fabulous day and I hope my gift guide can help you with any last minute Christmas Gift needs! 

Merry Christmas Fashion Bunnies!