Dreaming of Chanel (Again)

If you know me well you will appreciate that I do not like parting

with hard-earned cash for just anything.

I do not subscribe to high-end labels because of some sort of status-anxiety either.

I love Chanel's couture and ready-to-wear clothing and accessories because of the artisan quality.

The seamstresses are well looked after and remunerated.
They have ateliers for all sorts of aspects of design and spend hundreds of hours making.

What is not to love about this separately stitched in place hand-dyed feather ruffles and those little flowers

(as above) that were once a layer of wet paint, dried, rolled extra-smooth and then cut out?

Hand-beading comes next.

So, you can imagine my surprise when my friend C,

who has been one of Flora's muses for many a year invited me to a Spring/Summer 2015 Show.

Just fourteen of us, and Chanel staff in a beautiful fine-dining restaurant.

With lovely models parading the 'looks' before dinner.
Crème brulee.

Cheese platter.

Pinch me.

Wrestling with that satin and wire inspired camellia was worth it.

What a reward.

Thank you, dear Coco.

Were you watching me? I did not think you would mind.

Here's C and me in situ at Chanel's lovely table.



 C's painted pearly CC bag.

 Colour was certainly key.

 Coco's signature orchids were part of the décor.

 At the risk of sounding like my mother; even the bathrooms were accessorised.

 I didn't wear Chanel.
I don't own anything.

I trotted out my Akira Isogawa full-length shroud-like Japan inspired gown.
Chanel would have approved.

Hand-beaded, and with a nod to Chanel accessory-wise with a cuff and brooch.

Just so you know, Akira's left Australian shores and is in Paris as we speak.

 I turned off the studio lights and went out and had the time of my life.

 The Spring/Summer 2015 Show in Paris for Fashion Week was all about women's rights and standing up for yourself.

There was all sorts of hand-painted protest signs including peace signs.

Not sure what the signs really stood for; if you know tell me, thanks.

Good on you, Karl. Vote Coco.

Just in time for International Women's Day this Sunday March 8.

 That's the strap of a satchel that looks like some vandal graffitied it with a nikko pen.

 The hand-painted then digital treated silk looks were stunning.

Jackets and capes are lined in tweed for a bit of juxtaposition.

 Chanel makes shopping easy because you just buy 'the numbered look'.

Yes, thanks. The whole ensemble.

 Sequins over digital printed silks.

Here's Look 74.

I am nothing if not predictable.

This ensemble was paraded and my heart skipped a beat.

Black and white.

There was also this natty little cuff with a map of Paris on it.

Go straight to Place Coco if you get lost, just off rue Cambon.

Coco aside.

What are you up to for International Women's Day?

Tell me.

I will celebrate next week with the workers with a lunch and we have

Queensland Senator Larissa Waters as our special guest speaker.

Bit excited.

I'll leave you with some of my Chanel inspired Flora corsages.

 

 

 

 









Fierce, even a little Barbaric

 I have lots of lovely comments on the blog.

Can I just find a moment to thank you.

But, one of my favourite comments was from a lovely

young thing who just commented with, 'Fierce'.

I liked it. This is a little bit fierce, even a little barbaric.

Do not be afraid.

 I have been shaping and glitter coating found quills.

Ethically sourced from the road-way.

Lightly wired and arranged on a fabric covered band.

Gilded with glitter.

 Studded with some black beads.

 A lovely match for the Akira Isogawa.

 You either get Akira's aesthetic or you don't.

That's fine.

I am a number one fan.

This bias cut gown was half-price.

I went giddy.

 I popped the feather piece on my tonsure to see these fabulous things

Shonen Knife.

All girl band. A kind of Japanese style Ramones.

They were fierce, although they don't look it!

 Here's the venue at the Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane.

Up Late for Gallery Viewing of Future Beauty: 30 years of Japanese Fashion.

Have you been yet? Get cracking because it bumps out on Sunday 15th February.

 Sorry, the photos aren't much chop.

But here's R from Paris Rendezvous in her kimono.
I would be lying if I said I didn't love her style.

 What are you up to?

Have you taken any sartorial risks lately?

 

 



Almost A List.

It's fair to say that I have had some A list invitations of late.

 I've been away from the blog viewing Future Beauty:

30 Years of Japanese Fashion.
Frocks from the Kyoto Costume Institute.
Taking its turn at the Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane.

It is as incredible as you would imagine.

If you have ever wrestled with a Vogue Issey Miyake sewing pattern in the 1990s,

you will know exactly what I mean.

I went on invitation from one of 50 of Queensland's Most Stylish people, lovely D from The Hat Box.

She wore a fabulous black feather sculptural headpiece from Hatmaker.

A.k.a Johnathon Ward.

I've also got this Show to look forward to:

 Starr's Wanderlust.

 If you have been paying attention, you will remember Starr taking some photographic inspiration

around the House of Flora.

 



Here's the painterly result:

 

I trotted out in Akira Isogawa to Future Beauty.

It's a challenging thing to wear.

But not as vexed as the number the Audi promotion girls had to wear in

that past photo.

I frankly paid a small fortune for a piece of embellished tulle.

And, I am not sorry. 

 The ubiquitous Harajuki girls were there to greet.

There was not a thing I wouldn't wear myself.

 

 

 Akira Isogawa has one lovely piece in the Show.

He also designed the huge chrysanthemum inspired feature wall.

 

 

 I've got my frock hanging up for Starr's Show this weekend.

I am sorted with an old H&M Lanvin number that

(miraculously) was available in my size at a H&M in Paris,

when I was en vancances a few years back.

 Stay B+++, or even A if you can get it.
And, get a long to Future Beauty.