Chanel Pre-Fall Collection. Shanghai.

Earlier this month, the fashion fabulous flew to Shanghai to see Chanel's Pre-Fall Collection, in all its uber-Chinoiserie glory. Not me however, but I have been drooling after the collection on Style.com. The oriental, meets futuristic collection contained piece after piece of elegant day and evening looks ranging from long military inspired overcoats, to luxe evening gowns. Whilst the Collection was predominantly on the black spectrum, flashes of red, yellow and blue were seen throughout, accessorized with big bold necklaces, tassles, thigh boots and orient inspired hair sticks and hats. There were so many looks that I just loved, I found it very hard to limit them down to these, so hence why there are so many. I strongly recommend going to view the whole collection on Style.com, it will be well worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos from Style.com

Vintage grey metal clutch

Another vintage find from Revolver in Albuquerque (see earlier post), is this metal, gray, sort of chain-mail clutch from the early 80s. I was attracted to the colour as whilst you often see them in black (in fact my mother used to have one years and years ago) you don't (or at least I haven't) see them in many other colours. The metal chain strap is detachable, so it can be worn on the shoulder or (as is my preferred method), carried as a clutch.

Prada Soho NY, and a Christmas gift to myself.

Ok, so everyone knows how cool the NY Soho Prada on Broadway is. Despite being there since 2001, however, this was in fact my first visit to the store, and it was visually even better in person, than in the pictures I had previously seen in architecture and design magazines. Please excuse my pictures therefore for not doing it justice, I was trying to be discreet and not to look too touristy.

The central feature of the store is a zebra wood wave that undulates through the store from the street level to the basement level. There are also, motorized hanging display cases that can be moved across tracks in the ceiling, and a flip-out stage for in-store events and parties. I also loved the giant trunks used as display cases downstairs in the women's shoe department, and the amazing luggage selection which was displayed as you entered the store. Designed by Rem Koolhaas/OMA the store also features an annually-changing block-length wall completely covered in a specially designed wallpaper.

Whilst in the store, apart from all the beautiful clothes, I found myself lusting after the large hat boxes, wishing that the money fairies would deliver me enough $ (or any other currency) so I could get my paws on one. My purchases however were restricted to a pair of shoes (not for me, but for my significant other), and as I had been meaning to get a copy of the Prada book, I thought now was a good time, to treat myself, what with it being Christmas (nearly) and all.

The book, whilst rather expensive, is well worth the money. It covers everything from the history of the brand, collaborations with artists, the future of the label, and pictures of collections and ad campaigns from previous seasons up to 2009. Here are a few of my favorite shots of inside the book, which again, do not do justice to the real thing.

Shoes glorious shoes!

designs under construction

nude dress S/S 2005

Fall 1991

Clutches Fall 2007

Pink Shoes S/S 2006

 See-through trench Fall 2002

 Fall 2002

S/S 1991

Happy Christmas to me!

Gareth Pugh SHOWstudio dress and feathered helmet

Looking through the SHOWstudio shop, to see the completed dress made by Gareth Pugh live at SHOWstudio (see earlier blog post), I was looking through other items in the shop, and saw this amazing feathered helmet, which he created for s/s 2010. Yours for the bargain price of 4,000 GBP.

Anyway, onto the dress itself........

Personally handcrafted by Pugh himself, you can see all the work that has gone into it. I'd love to have this piece and just display it in my home, although sadly i believe its already been snapped up by some lucky bidder. Oh well...

Also in SHOWstudio in the run up to Christmas has been Fred Butler, who has been decorating the studio's Christmas Tree. Butler has decorated/accesorised the tree using hand-made accessories, ranging from hair slides, brooches & bracelets, in varying textures and colours. I love the kind of cellophane-esque texture of them, they remind me of opening a tin of Quality Street.

 

(above images from SHOWstudio.com)

P.S Whilst blogging earlier this month about designer Christmas Trees, for some ridiculous reason, I neglected to include Gareth Pugh's 2008 tree for Topshop. So...here it is;

In true Gareth Pugh style the tree tree comprises simply of 60 neon tubes attached to a free standing metal frame. Definitely on my Christmas list.

Jonathan Adler Christmas Poodle

As demonstrated by John Galliano and others (see earlier post), Christmas Trees don't necessarily have to mean stereotypical glitter baubles and santas/snowmen/reindeer. Not that there's anything wrong with the traditional christmas characters, but sometimes its nice to be a bit non-traditional and throw in some surprise elements. Potter/interior design genius Jonathan Adler, has a delightful range of white ceramic tree ornaments such as the Poodle (above) and elephant (below) which add a nice element of his 'happy chic' style to the tree.

Aldo Swarovski Neon necklace

Aldo has teamed up with Swarovski to create some interesting contemporary takes on costume jewelry. Whilst some pieces are a bit bland and predictable, this can definitely not be said for the 'Huzzard' necklace above. This piece is a traditional crystal bib necklace, entwined and tangled in neon cord, which adds a coulourful, punk-ish twist. With 528 crystals, the necklace is not short on the 'bling' factor, and is sure to bring some festive sparkle to any outfit.

John Galliano for Claridges, and other designer christmas trees

Being a huge fan of Christmas, nothing gets me going more than the sight of the good ol' Christmas tree. Shame then, that I'm not in London today for the big unveiling of the John Galliano christmas tree at Claridges. Naturally, the tree is not your run-of-the-mill tinsel and shiny bauble extravaganza, but more of an icy blue and white frozen tropical tree (see above photos and initial design sketch below). Erected overnight, the 20ft tree is constructed out of papier mache, polystyrene and paper, and featured amongst the branches are a handmade leopard, some parrots and a dragonfly.
Like my own (not nearly as impressive ) christmas tree, it will be on display until the twelfth night (January 6th).

Other designer christmas trees will be on display in Paris from December 8th-14th at

'cite de l'architechture' as part of the city's annual 'Les Sapins de Noel des Createur' event. Designers ranging from Paul Smith, Hermes, Gaultier, and Louis Vuitton (to name but a few) will be designing one-off trees which will be auctioned off to raise money for the charity 'Sol en Si' (Solidarite en SIDA) which helps young people affected by AIDS. Last year, 44 stunning creations raised a total of 101,000 Euros for the charity, so hopefully this year will also bring much festive cheer and charitable proceeds. Just because its December 1st, here's a few shots from last year's trees to kick start the Christmas Spirit.

Gaultier

Louis Vuitton

Gucci

Norman Foster

Chanel

Christian LaCroix

Valentino