It’s not technically a frock, but this is the ‘most dressed’ outfit from the Chateau L’amour bridal lingerie shoot that I recently helped out on – and this skirt is too divine not to share. You can see the whole series of snaps by 35mm photography at Polka Dot Bride. Many thanks to Sarah from Style Melbourne for having me along on the shoot!
If I was on death row because I committed some kind of hideous crime, like wearing leggings as pants, my last wish would be to attend a Chanel fashion show. The amazingness, theatrics and sheer scale of the Chanel fashions shows, staged in Paris, are second to none and inspire the kind of return to fashion as an art form rather than a throwaway trend.
Chanel FW12 – image thanks to Peter Stigter
Chanel Fashion Show 2006
When I studied fashion history, and learnt of the incredible lengths Coco Chanel went to in order to create her brand, it’s easy to see why the label has lasted as it has. Even today, the dedication of Karl Lagerfeld in maintaining that aesthetic is one of the main reasons why the Chanel brand is as widely known and coveted the world over as it is.
The promotional material is treasured as much as the items themselves – invitations are worth framing and look books akin to coffee table works of art, with most of the divine photography being taken by Karl himself. Is there nothing that man can not do? The videography is simply stunning; short films of such beauty, you can watch them again and again.
At Chanel Rue Cambon, Paris, in 2010
On my first visit to Paris, and my first trip to the original Rue Cambon store, I was quite overwhelmed with the awesomeness of it all. My first purchase – the classic interlocking C’s earrings – are still treasured and worn everywhere, from breakfast dates to formal affairs.
There is something Chanel for everyone, from lipsticks and nail polishes, through to sunglasses, or for the more high earning among us, shoes and clothing and jewellery and bags that are passed down to children and grandchildren.
The new Chanel store in Melbourne, corner Flinders Lane and Russell Street
Tonight, I am honoured (thrilled, excited, crazy looking forward to) to be attending the Chanel store party as a guest of Sarah Willcocks from Style Melbourne. The new Melbourne store is said to evoke the spirit of Paris and if I never get invited to anything else, ever again, it won’t matter. This is just about as close as I’ll ever get to a Chanel fashion show, and I’m so happy to be experiencing it with good friends, at my ‘local’ store.
As an amusing aside, while searching for my old posts about Chanel, I discovered one I wrote four years ago, promising I was going to buy myself a Chanel 2.55 bag for my 30th birthday – isn’t it funny the things you say (and record for prosperity!!) I’ll be 30 in less than 3 months – better start saving!!!
You know how you can buy the little trees that hang from your rearview mirror in the scent of ‘new car’ smell’? That’s about as close to a new car as I’d ever been until I was picked up last week in the new Renault Clio and whisked off to a seriously stylish soiree at The Blackman Hotel in Melbourne.
My poor bruised RAV4 sat in the street while doors were opened for me and I zoomed off in the oyster grey Clio for a night of fashion and fun with fellow Melbourne bloggers.
Driver Gil (who, poor soul, didn’t know what a blogger was!) whisked us off and explained to me some of the very cool features of the car while we waited at the lights. Had I noticed the back door handles were missing? (Note, not actually missing, cleverly disguised so it looks like a two door!) Or perhaps I’d like to test the stereo, which can be customized to sound like a V6, a motorbike, an old style car OR EVEN A SPACESHIP!!
Arriving at The Blackman, and heading straight for the Penthouse, we sipped Jack Rabbit sparking (I was VERY grateful for a driver!) and munched on adorable canapés, overlooking Albert Park Lake and the coast.
MC Em Rusciano regaled us with how in love with the Clio she was before launching the Renault Clio Pose Off – a competition where an ugly selfie could win you a car!
How you ask? Simply take a pic of yourself looking less than perfect, upload it to the Renault Clio Pose Off Facebook page and take seriously stylish to a whole new level. Viola!
Love this shot from Lady Melbourne of the Melbourne Bloggers who were in attendance. L-R: Lauren Brain, Phoebe Montague, Sarah Willcocks, Me!, Erica Moloney, Cheryl Lin and Emily Collie.
And if you are too vain to pose and just want to buy one of these babies, they come in at under $20k, have a stack of features you can design yourself, don’t do badly in the safety or environmental stakes and look AWESOME.
