Chanel showcased their Pre-Fall collection at their annual event, with an India-themed luxury show.

The collection was premiered in the Galerie Courbe at Paris’s Grand Palais on 6^th December. Models were bejewelled with accessories including turbans, head jewellery and jewel-encrusted Chanel bags – male models included.

The guests sat at banquet tables which outlined the runway and set the luxury mood with chandeliers and candlesticks. They also dined using gold-plated cutlery and were served by waiters throughout the show, a definite upgrade from the usual champagne and canapés at fashion shows.

The Metiers d’Art Show was launched in 2003 as a homage to French craftsmanship and Chanel’s seven workshops and despite the high prices, the Metiers d’Art lines are always a success amidst the economic crisis.

Previous shows have followed themes including Paris-Byzance, Paris-Shanghai and Paris Moscow, and the Paris-Bombay collection will be available in Chanel boutiques from May 2012.

Read full post

Luberon, basking underneath a perfect Mediterranean climate, which, for centuries, has kept both its cultural and natural assets, is an idyllic region of Provence –perfectly intact. In fact so immaculate and picturesque is the Luberon area in this highly revered region of Provence that since 1977 it has been a listed Parc Naturel Regional.

There have however been criticisms made by locals of the Luberon area, that the Italian-born fashion designer Pierre Cardin has turned the unspoilt area of Provence into one of the most expensive places in France.

In recent years the world famous fashion designer has bought 23 properties in the area, including a splendid castle that aristocrat and writer Marquis de Sade once owned.

In buying so many homes in villages such as Lacoste, the so-called medieval gem of the Luberon and home of the castle which used to belong to the notorious Marquis de Sade, locals are accusing Cardin of turning their one rural village retreat into an enclave for the rich and famous, and having made house prices soar in the area.

Although surely if one owns a property in an area, one would be grateful to anyone or anything that resulted in the value of their property being increased? A family home in the Luberon typically cost well over £1 million and £4 million villas are common.

The 89-year-old fashion designer has also converted several of his properties in Lacoste into art galleries, an act that has led to many locals believing that Cardin is transformed the Luberon from ‘traditional’ to ‘trendy’.

Read full post

20 years after Christian Louboutin took the fashion world by storm with his red-soled shoes, the French designer is releasing a book that documents his most striking designs to date.

The book offers a comprehensive guide to the Louboutin label, which is a favourite amongst celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Victoria Beckham and the Kardashian sisters. Various celebrities are snapped wearing the shoes everywhere, from running errands at the shops, to prestigious red carpet events.

The pink faux leather exterior and the gold gilded pages make the book as much of a masterpiece as the shoes themselves. It also features a 5 piece fold out cover.

Shoe enthusiasts can expect to admire the beautiful craftsmanship of Louboutin’s one-of-a-kind creations, including the “Dita Cabaret” crystal-studded shoes that were designed especially for burlesque star, Dita Von Teese.

The book is also divided into 6 chapters. The first is a biography of Christian Louboutin, the second shows various interior shots of the brand’s international stores, the third charts 20 years of Louboutin design, number 4 takes an intimate look at the designer’s homes in Paris and Egypt, whist 5 and 6 explore his collaboration with director, David Lynch.

Read full post

The rap superstar is planning to debut his first clothing collection at the upcoming New York Fashion Week.

He has been busy honing his designing skills by taking up internships with Fendi and designing footwear with Louis Vuitton since 2008. He has also been taking notes from his fashion peers as he is regularly spotted on the front row of fashion week events around the world.

West began working on his own line earlier this year, and is said to have enlisted the help of British knitwear designer, Louise Goldin for guidance on how to break into the Womenswear market.

He has is also working with Louise Wilson – a professor at the top fashion college Central Saint Martins, who’s alumni include Alexander McQueen and John Galliano. Kanye was also seen visiting the prestigious college in London, causing the university to deny reports that he was planning to study with them.

Kanye attracted global media attention after he took to the stage at the Coachella festival in April, wearing a women’s shirt by French designer Celine. A move that has caused people to speculate whether he was channelling inspiration for his own collection.

All of the work towards unveiling the line is reportedly being done at West’s design studios in London and New York, and the aim is to have the collection ready for September to be shown on the runway at New York Fashion Week.

Read full post