FIFTYFABULOUS, Stylecuratrix: Chanel

Showing posts with label Chanel. Show all posts

Wednesday, 6 August 2014

MERCEDES BENZ CAPE TOWN FASHION WEEK- WHAT I WORE

The beauty of Fashion Week is that you can be a little bold, or wear anything creative, hence my decision to sport bright mustard yellow tights with an otherwise monochrome outfit. Monochrome is always chic and elegant, but sometimes you have to bend the trend a little further to give the look a creative edge, hence my decision to ad some spunk to my bold window pane print and mismatched skirt, yet still blending harmoniously. I call this harmoniously mismatched. I am smitten with the trend, and in spite of not enslaving myself to trends but rather to dance to my own tune, I welcome this phenomenon with open arms. One can ad any striking colour with a single accessory to break up the monotony of single colours, and still preserve the carefully matched look. With the addition of my over the knee boots, I felt like a true musketeer.

Coat - Tesco

Skirt - Peter Pilotto, modified to make it longer!

Boots- Kelsy Dagger

Handbag - Chanel

Tuesday, 1 April 2014

GEOMETRY AND FASHION

Mathematics has never been my favourite subject, but it doesn't mean that I have to dislike geometry. My fondness for this print is encouraged by the fact that heavy winter textiles allow you to go a little bold. The design of the coat was spurred on by the fact that the particular fabric was intended for upholstery, and not for garments. Much to the horror of Belle Epoque's principal designer, she succumbed to my request, and skilfully created this beautifully constructed over sized coat, giving it an edge with plain Black cuffs, in the softest faux suede imaginable. If you have the ability to assemble your own clothes, don't shy away from curtaining or upholstery material for winter, as the sheer weight of the heavier cloth gives architectural structure to winter coats. Be a little daring by adding a third colour and don't let the cold deprive you entirely of summer's joyful kaleidoscope. How do you wear geometric print?

Coat - Belle Epoque

Skirt - Studio W

Turtle neck - Primark

Lace print tights - Primark

Over the knee boots - Witchery

Gloves- Prague street market

Sunglasses - Prada

Bag- Boy Chanel

Sunday, 30 March 2014

TRANSITION

The transition from summer to winter has caused me to suffer lack of inspiration with a serious bout of writers block, however, I have not completely disappeared of the blogasphere. I am engulfed with fixing up my wardrobe, turning it upside down. With the launch of a new stand alone store by Witchery at the V & A in Cape Town, and working in the CBD for the last week, I found myself doing some serious shopping for winter, perking up my style with some retail therapy. Here is just a glimpse of what's to come..... monochrome rules! After much deliberation, I finally succumbed to the over the knee boot, in spite of my self induced fear of it looking like stripper boots. After following Olivia Palermo's style for a considerable period of time, I knew I would not get through the blizzard in winter without proper cover up, so finally, I surrendered to the trend. The leather skirt and patterned coat is from Asos, with a high low seam giving it quite an edge.

Oversized coat by Belle Epoque

Bag - Boy Chanel

Boots- Kelsi Dagger

Suede over the knee boots by Witchery

Saturday, 8 February 2014

HIGH ON HEELS

There is nothing that gives you a quicker lift than stepping into high heels.....and doing it in Black & White. I literally elevate myself into the height of a statuesque performance when I feel under dressed, by simply changing the shoes. The power of heels gives instant confidence, no matter how shabby or chic the rest. Today's outfit focuses not only on the elegance of heels, but concentrates on how simple and basic items can be turned into a statement look. The concept of monochrome is a trend that never dates, and which can be achieved with relative ease. We all possess something in Black & White, and all you have to do is to assemble it as if it was made to match. The beauty of dressing in monochrome tones is that you can virtually add anything in the same colour combination, adding up to the potency of the look. I just about unpacked everything in two tones, assembled it together on a flat surface, and voila, a whole new look. You need not spend a fortune on current trends to create this look either, now go on, start a monochrome challenge and let me know what you've made of it........

Blazer - Oasis

Pants - Studio W at Woolworths

Shoes - Topshop

Handbag - Chanel Boy Bag

Sunglasses - Prada

Shirt - H & M

Monday, 26 August 2013

WHAT I WORE CAPE TOWN FASHION WEEK

The beauty of an event like Fashion Week, is that it poses a creative challenge, and allows you the opportunity to wear something perhaps a little more flamboyant than usual. One has to bear in mind that it is a creative platform, and being to "dressy" might render you looking like the mother of the bride, which is not exactly what I wanted to achieve. I have seen many artistic creations and a multitude of full skirts worn with jersey tops and loud shoes, with the bottoms making the statement. The full skirt seemed to have stolen the show of the front row being a popular trend that attracted much attention. I gravitated towards the reliable Black ensemble since it was in the evening. However, I could have added more colour to break up the monotony of Black, or perhaps have worn more bold accessories, making the look more trendy. I decided not to veer away to far from my comfort zone, so I only added a geometric print top to break the "cocktail" appearance of the all Black ensemble. I added a pair of Gold tipped shoes to brighten up the look. The feathers was my own addition which I had carefully stitched onto the seams of the jacket, the latter being made of a very fine taffeta. In conclusion, I would say that you do not have to shy away from flamboyancy at Fashion Week, as it is mostly clashing colours and mixed prints that received the envy and turned the heads!

If I wasn't going the get "snapped by the paparazzi, at least I got noticed when my feathers started shedding, creating much laughter every time I left my seat!

Photograph-courtesy Roger February who represented www.spree.co.za

With the charming Dana,(left) a reporter from Nairobi wearing a full skirt from Kluk CGDT, and Juliana Roux,(middle) captured by www.sdr.co.za

Jacket - Reserved Clothing

Bag - Chanel 2.55

Shoes - Dorothy Perkins

Earrings & Spectacles - Vintage

Friday, 12 April 2013

DAY TO NIGHT

Not having posted anything for a few days and being occupied with travelling in Europe, I am beginning to feel the symptoms of not visiting my favourite blogs. So I decided to just let you know that I am still here, although a little scarce! When a friend recently asked me how to style an outfit from day to night, and not having to much time to go shopping, I sent her straight to Zara, where all her shopping could be done under one roof, including accessories. This is what I proposed to her, a trendy yet classic look allowing her to move from the office into a cocktail party and evening office function. By simply changing the top, shoes and bag, it takes the entire outfit to another level! This jacket has just hit our shelves- perhaps a little over exposed to those in other parts of the world where the summer season already sees another range of clothes, but down here it is very sought after, and very African! The entire ensemble was styled and sourced in Polyvore....

Monday, 7 January 2013

CHANEL IN TRANSIT

It was at the airport on my way to Siem Reap, Cambodia, whilst being in transit during our summer break that I came across a supplement to a Singapore newspaper featuring the luxury of Chanel jewellery, with very beautiful and captive photographs in Black and White, depicting both glamour and allure. Never being completely "blogger off duty", the first thing that came to my mind, was to share this beautiful issue with my fellow bloggers.

To all my blogger friends, I sincerely hope you had a joyful Christmas and that the year ahead will be one of significance! I spent the last few days of our break with my darling husband on a remote part of an island in the Andaman sea, basking in the sun, snorkeling and taking in some vitamin D from the heat, and reminiscing about the inspirational and adventurous trip we had to Angkor Watt.

I couldn't stop thinking what a spectacular scene for a fashion shoot it would be, apart from the overwhelming beauty and rich history, deserving of a far more detailed discussion, perhaps on a travel blog. I came across many Buddhist monks paying a visit to the shrines, and the deep Turmeric colour of the their gowns inspired me to re-introduce Saffron tones to my palette in winter..... more about this when the leaves start to fall......

Friday, 7 December 2012

HOW TO WEAR YELLOW

Although I prefer creating my own style and to be original, I often glean from others. I was specifically inspired by this outfit worn by Olivia Palermo. The mood created by Yellow is very energetic, and understood to stimulate creative brain activity! Hence the addition of a new item on my shopping list, a Yellow jacket. Worn with Black, it creates an instant statement, and adding a little snakeskin, the outfit is suddenly on trend! I specifically styled it with the eternally beautiful quilted bag by Chanel, a must have in your classic collection. Turtlenecks are just so comfy and versatile, contrary to doomsayers canvassing the idea of it being outdated!

I openly canvass the idea that you do not have to enslave yourself to fashion or to succumb to every trend in order to be stylish or chic, as it may not always suit your body type or skin tone, nor is it always flattering, but should fashion be used as a guideline. When I wear my yellow coat, I will most certainly ad some gloves, perhaps in Black leather.......

Compare and hold different tones of Yellow to your skin in front of a mirror before deciding on a purchase, as some tones tend to make one look washed out, while others warm up your skin tone. Ochre Yellow, like the peacoat styled below, is suited to most skin tones.