FINE APPAREL & ACCESSORIES FOR WOMEN
1. Former members of Jefferson Airplane and the legendary Charlie Musselwhite play the blues (more here).
2. Sheep to Shawl Family Farm Day (more here).
3. Many many many many prayers to Japan this weekend - yours will, unfortunately, be a lot less comfortable, but you will get through it.....
4. If you haven't caught Black Swan yet (do you live under a rock?) - (More here).
[slideshow id=3]
Our last day of buying in Paris consisted of going to the Premiere Classe show and visiting my all time favorite Italian designers Franco and Antonio from none other than the Fabulous Delle Cose. You can expect nothing short of spectacular when it comes to these men, they really do have a way with leather! Their combinations of recycled postal fabric and leathers make their bags not only futuristic and elegant, but also stand apart as both original and playful. With an astounding selection of postal fabric, or horse, camel, and calf leathers there is something for everyone in this 2011 fall collection. Franco and Antonio's knack for luxury which is not only apparent in this collection but is what the designers have become perhaps most known for over the years.
[nggallery id=2]
Today was our first day at the Tranoi show where we saw one of our hottest new lines, Sonia Speciale. Sonia is an Italian designer who works with the best production house in Italy, one which sources and produces leather for some of the most exquisite fashion houses in Europe, including Gucci. Sonia Speciale 2011 fall collection is both futuristic and feminine. Only a superb designer like Sonia can make a predominantly black collection so feminine, functional, elegant and easy to wear.
After visiting the Tranoi show we stopped over at one of the master minds of leather and one of France's most celebrated designers, Isaac Sellam, to view his new collection inside his very own studio. To be able to go inside and behind the scene and see for myself his "leather research laboratory" where his stunning leather jackets have been manufactured to a perfection, was truly an experience of a lifetime. Isaac works closely with only the very best tanneries to produce new materials and garments. His creativity and innovations are evident in his work and can be clearly seen in each of his jackets. His technical nature, inspiration, and creativity are what sets him ahead of any other designer in his industry. For over fifteen years Isaac has dedicated his career to leather. In 2002 he created what is referred to as the Isaac Sellam Experience, his workshop/ leather laboratory where he personally washes, dies, and stitches his newest creations.
[slideshow id=1]
Pinch me please... this is too good to be true!!
Today we woke up early and hit the streets, it was our first full day of buying for Blanc's fall fashion and we were itching to get started. We met with the reps and the designers from three if our hottest European collections; Lost and Found, Blayde, and Marsell.
Our very first appointment was at the Lost and Found showroom in the Marais, where we met with the most talented artistic and eclectic designer, Ria Dun, to view her fall 2011 collection. The showroom is located on a small side street called Rue Quincampoix in the heart of the Marais. Upon entering the showroom you are met with the most magnificent atmosphere that screams art, individuality, and self expression in perhaps one it's purest of forms. From wall to wall large painted sheets line and drape down from the ceiling to floor without leaving but one square inch of the walls are exposed. The cloths hung carefully on each rack seem to fit neatly in this environment as if a celebration of their own creativity. Some of my favorite pieces in her collection included pieces which were those that were incredibly unique devised with elaborate construction. Such as a jacket which unzips down the front left side of the jacket leaving an approximately four or five inch opening which can then be pulled up and across the chest and used as an arm hole creating the illusion of a fantastic collar and draping across the front. Another piece I loved in the collection was a black stretch shearling motorcycle jacket, which too had a brilliant construction that hugs the silhouette oh your body the designer used what looked like separate pieces of shearling strips sewn together to get this very sliming and stunning effect.
After a couple hours of carefully selecting our fall order my mother and I continued just a little ways down into the Marais into place des Vosges onto our next appointment at Blayde, to look sweaters for fall. The Blayde showroom is inside an old 17th century courtyard, by far one of the most incredible and unique locations for a showroom yet. The sweaters in this collection were fantastic; the Cashmere simply doesnt get any finned in quality. The combinations of materials -such as wool, cashmere, and plaid made the sweaters incredible and unusual with a fresh new spin on fall. The fabric hand of these sweaters is what makes them so spectacular, light and fluffy and wonderful to the touch. Cashmere simply doesnt get any finned in quality. The wrapping yourself up in one is heaven!
Our next appointment was no other than the famous shoe designer Marsell, by far one of the most talented and might I add handsome designers in all of Paris. He is known for his hand made shoes, with hand carved wooden heals, and unbeatable Italian leather. Some of our picks for fall included a beautiful chocolate brow boot with a hand carved wooden wedge, a black brushed/ suede supple leather ankle bootie, a lace up the front bracket high heal, and one of Marsells well loved and famous flats in brown.
Natalie reporting for Blanc Boutique from Paris, France
Bottom: view from the apartment
No, There is never a dull moment in Paris.
My mom and I awake jet lagged as hell the next morning, in fact i even appear to be seeing double. Never the less we manage to pull ourselves from our beds put on a pot of coffee, cut some of the worlds freshest cheese, explore the area. Today was a dedicated full day to shopping and enjoyment, no work just shopping. One of our very first stops was at L'Eclaireur, one of my moms all time favorite high end and avant gard shops in Paris. Upon entering the shop it feels as though you are in some sort of modern art installation this store is by far one of the most unique and brilliant displays of fashion I've seen yet. Our next stop was just up the street in a store quite quaint which could be easily missed if it wasn't for it's large rack of vintage furs sitting in front. Like two bees to honey we were drawn into this fabulous shop called "Retro Chic." Never had I fell in love with so many beautiful vintage pieces, each a treasure of it's own dating back to the 1930's through 70's. You walk in and you know you have hit a jackpot. There are beautiful mink jackets, tortoise purses, snake skin boots. I was in love. After what seemed like several hours trying on coats and purses in the worlds tiniest boutique, I walked out with some of the amazing pieces. Including a genuine python clutch and fabulous Leather boots each for only fifty euros not to mention a genuine stunning vintage fur coat for only 100 euros! Happy and hungry from shopping we decided to sit and have lunch just across from the store front in this sunny little plaza.
For the rest of the afternoon we leisurely explored and shopped in perhaps one of the most alive and beautiful places in Paris, which would be our neighborhood for nearly one week, the Marais.
Retro Chic & the Owner
Wearing vintage genuine leather boots holding tortoise purse
Nancy wearing a vintage 1970's fur
Here we are in Paris. Nancy inside the beautiful Maison Larnicol candy store. An our beautiful little apartment in Paris.
Paris March 1st
After a 13 hour plane ride and forty five minute taxi ride my mother and I arrived in the Marais to do the buying for Blancs fall fashion. Dead tired and dazed from our our long journey here we unpack and nap for several hours hours. After what seemed like the worlds longest nap we awoke and decide to peruse the streets of Paris to find a quality dinner. Which might I add wasn't too hard. We searched for our favorite little Thai restaurant, au peti Thai, which although isn't typical Parisian cuisine is simply fantastic!! As we walked along the Rue's of the Marais we stopped in at some of the most beautiful places. One of our first stops but of course was none other than the Maison Larnicol candy store, know for it's intricate chocolate sculptures and scrumptious macaroons. Our second stop happened to be at the Cotelac store front which is right down the street from out apartment and is of course one of the lines we will be buying for fall.
Coming soon, new Italian designer Giovanni Grilotti, as worn by Charlize Theron.
This is just a teaser - more photos of styles to come of the Hache spring collection. Some unbelievably beautiful, flattering pieces...
Hanno WESSEL is born in 1965 in the North of Germany.....After studies at the « Ecole de la chambre syndicale de la couture Parisienne », he first works in the Haute Couture House Lecoanet-Hemant for 3 years. He is then head of studio for the designer Etienne Brunel and finally launches his own brand HANNOH in 1994.....His collection has immediate success with buyers and press and the brand’s first collection is sold in to shops such as Maria Luisa Paris, Galeries Lafayette, Henri Bendel NY, Chiarivari NY, IF in Soho.....In 2006 Hanno Wessel wins the “Paris Capital of Creation” price for his a/winter collection.In November 2006, Hanno is invited to hold a conference at the Monterrey Design week with fellow designers and architects such as André Putman, Zaha Hadid, Masaki Matsushima, Inga Sempé and others.
