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Beauty: Introducing GABRIELLE CHANEL

6 September, 2017 Nelia


For the first time in 15 years (!!!), the House of Chanel has released a brand new fragrance – GABRIELLE CHANEL, named, of course, after the the inimitable Gabrielle Coco Chanel. Created by Olivier Polge, GABRIELLE is a fresh floral fragrance with warm notes of Jasmine, fruity scent of Ylang-Ylang, fresh essence of Orange Blossom, and a finishing touch of Grasse Tuberose. This feminine fragrance is an instant classic, and the streamlined yet striking square bottle only reinforces its timelessness.

To celebrate the new fragrance, a beautiful mini film starring Kristen Stewart and directed by Ringan Ledwidge was released, capturing the essence of the rebellious spirit of Gabrielle Chanel. If you’re still not familiar with the designer’s history of breaking the rules and reinventing herself, make sure to watch the Inside CHANEL videos linked below. They offer a fascinating glimpse at Coco Chanel’s life and of course the history of CHANEL.


As for me, I am smitten with GABRIELLE CHANEL. I’ve been lucky enough to wear it for a few weeks now and it’s my current go-to perfume – can’t get enough! The new fragrance is now available at all CHANEL Beauty counters in Canada, so make sure to stop by and try it for yourself.


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More after the jump!
[Read more…]

Beauty, Celebrity Fashion, Organic Style, Shopping, What I Wore Beauty, Chanel, CHANEL 2.55, CHANEL Bags, CHANEL Beauty, CHANEL Perfume, coco chanel, Discover CHANEL, Fragrances, Gabrielle Chanel, GABRIELLE CHANEL PERFUME, Kristen Stewart, Mendocino, Organic Style, Shopping, The Broadview Hotel Toronto, Valentino, Valentino Rockstud, What I Wore

You Are Invited: Mademoiselle Privé CHANEL Exhibition in London

28 September, 2015 Nelia


If you’re a hardcore CHANEL fan like me, fascinated by Coco Chanel, and have always dreamed about getting a behind-the-scenes look at the brand’s origins and craftsmanship, then you MUST visit the upcoming Mademoiselle Privé CHANEL Exhibit in London! To be held at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery from October 13th – November 1st, this event promises to deliver an intimate and fascinating journey for all CHANEL obsessives.

The exhibition will “highlight the Haute Couture, the re-editions of the High Jewellery “Bijoux de Diamants” collection created in 1932 and CHANEL No5. Opening the doors to reveal a dazzling experience and immersion into the origins of CHANEL’s creations, “Mademoiselle Privé” will capture the charismatic personality and irreverent spirit of Mademoiselle Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld.” With complimentary workshops four times a day, visitors will learn about Lesage embroidery, Maison Lemarié feather and flower creations, as well as the iconic CHANEL No5 perfume and its ingredients. Tickets to these workshops can be reserved in advance, starting October 7th, so mark that date on your calendars.


Even the setup of the exhibition sounds magical – starting with a contemporary English garden, that will lead into the gallery reminiscent of Gabrielle Chanel’s apartment, and several rooms, each representing symbolic places, such as 31 rue Cambon and the Place Vendôme in Paris. The “Mademoiselle Privé” exhibition will end with a ‘Jardin à la Française’ – 18th century garden, inspired by the interlocking C’s that Mademoiselle first saw in the stained-glass windows at Aubazine orphanage. This garden will combine “the symbols of Mademoiselle’s childhood, the enigma and the mystery of her years at the orphanage, with Karl Lagerfeld’s knowledge and passion for the French 18th century garden.”

More after the jump! [Read more…]

Celebrity Fashion, Events, Fashion coco chanel, Coco Chanel's Apartment, Events, Gabrielle Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, London, Mademoiselle Prive, Mademoiselle Privé CHANEL, Mademoiselle Privé CHANEL Exhibit, Mademoiselle Privé CHANEL Exhibit London, Saatchi Gallery, You Are Invited

Rewind 2014: A Year in Photos

2 January, 2015 Nelia

style-blog-2014
It’s official…2014 is out, 2015 is in! But before we move on to all things new and exciting, I wanted to do a little revisiting, in part to look back on the wonderful year that 2014 was, and in part to have this post for posterity, and in case I ever need a reminder of some awesome things I did last year. If you hate those “me, me, me” posts, then this one may not be for you. Sorry (not really).

IMG_7708 (1)
2014 started out pretty well for me, unlike 2013 (credit card fraud galore!), I kicked off the year with a brand new video segment I created in partnership with Yorkdale and Max Kopanygin, called Styled By Nelia. Since January, we shot 9 segments, with 9 amazing retailers, and plan to shoot lots more in 2015. Since I truly hate to be on video, this was a huge challenge for me, but I got more and more comfortable with every episode we shot…and hope to get a little better with each video going forward.

eluxe-nelia-belkova-spring-lookbook-2014
In February, I had the pleasure of participating in a photoshoot for eLUXE’s Spring 2014 lookbook, featuring Canadian bloggers. And as I will find out later, this will not be the last collab with eLUXE that I would shoot in 2014.


At the beginning of 2014, I also go to test out the Olay Regenerist Luminous skincare line, with beautiful results. Freckles, be gone!
More after the jump!
[Read more…]

Beauty, Celebrity Fashion, Events, Fashion, Fashion Week, La Vie, Organic Style, Travel, What I Wore Chanel, Coca Cola, coco chanel, Coco Rocha, eLUXE, Holt Renfrew, Lucille Javier, Mark Ruffalo, Miami, Minnie Mouse, MoroccanOil, Nice, Olay, Paris, Retrospective, Smythe, Styled By Nelia, The Room, Thom Browne, TIFF, TIFF 2014, Travel, Vogue Italia, Yorkdale, Zac Posen

Inside Coco Chanel’s 31 Rue Cambon Apartment

31 July, 2014 Nelia

coco-chanel-apartment-31-rue-cambon-staircase-4

Coco Chanel – designer, muse, visionary – was one of the world’s most complex and enigmatic fashion powerhouses. One whose life and life’s work still transfix and inspire hordes of fashion lovers (myself included) decades after her passing. So when I received an invitation to sneak a rare glimpse at Mademoiselle’s private apartment on rue Cambon in Paris, I may or may not have done a few cartwheels around my living room to celebrate.

On the morning of my appointment, I stopped to enjoy the anticipation of the big moment by grabbing a coffee and some viennoiserie at the nearby café, watching the rushing passerby, completely oblivious of my big day. The enormous grin on my face did nothing to conceal my joy.

Upon arriving at 31 rue Cambon, I was treated to a private walkthrough of the Parisian flagship boutique, where one could find an impressively extensive selection of Chanel pieces. Looking for that rare bag? Boutiques on rue Cambon and rue Montaigne are your two best bets. However, word to the wise – it’s ridiculously easy to get distracted from your original mission and end up overspending. It’s all just too tempting, and as I mentioned, the selection is amazing. Proceed at your own risk.

After having the boutique all to myself (crazy, I know), I was warmly welcomed and taken up the winding mirrored staircase on the chicest tour of my life.

chanel-couture-salon-4

On the second floor above the Rue Cambon boutique, I was guided into the Haute Couture salon floor with its large sitting room, several salons, and piece-de-resistance – the haute couture closet. Hanging inside was the spring 2014 Haute Couture collection, worn by the likes of Keira Knightley, Diane Kruger, and Rihanna. And since those exquisite pieces are one-of-a-kind, I actually got to touch the exact outfits that those beautiful celebs got to wear. Don’t be fooled by Rihanna’s seemingly curvy bod, that purple dress she wore to the fall 2014 show was definitely an XS or smaller.

Seeing the actual haute couture pieces inside the closet was pretty surreal. I got to see just how intricate every detail is on each and every single piece, and how dazzling haute couture is in real life. Oh, to one day be able to wear one of those dresses…what a dream!

Before I could embarrass myself by asking to try on one of the dreamy haute couture gowns, I decided that it was time for the main event – The Apartment. One more flight of stairs later, I found myself sitting on the exact step Coco used to favour while her collections were presented below, silently observing reactions of the attendees – the mirrors weren’t there for aesthetics alone. After several photos on said step, we proceeded to the entrance door, ready to walk into the heart and soul of Chanel.

coco-chanel-apartment-31-rue-cambon-paris-4

Right away, I was transfixed by the abundance of patterns, textures, and colours –  ornate lacquered Chinese screens attached to walls like super fancy (and expensive) wallpaper, golden baroque mirror in the shape of both Place Vendome and the infamous Chanel no. 5 bottle stopper, a pair of Venetian Blackamoors (Coco’s “friends”) welcoming all guests, mixed with decidedly modern sand-coloured carpet. “I take refuge in beige because it is natural, and red because it is the colour of blood”, Chanel said once, and that’s precisely what I remembered, standing in that entrance hall.

coco-chanel-apartment-31-rue-cambon-paris

Highly superstitious, fond of crystals, camellias, stars, lions (she was a Leo after all), and other animals (always in pairs), Chanel filled her apartment with a myriad of knick-knacks – symbolic treasures that she collected over the years, and that inspired her. She designed the crystal chandelier in her living room, also full of important Chanel symbols – interlocking Cs, W for Westminster, number 5, camellia flowers (makes for a fun game of I Spy!). And that suede beige sofa that could easily belong in a modern living room – also Chanel’s custom design – one that inspired the iconic quilted bags.

coco-chanel-apartment-31-rue-cambon-paris-3

As the tour went on, I learned many fascinating tidbits from Chanel’s life, about her childhood, her lovers, her friends, her work…nearly every piece in that apartment had a story to tell. Virtually untouched, the east-meets-west apartment still serves as a place of inspiration for Chanel’s designers and staff, and no wonder – even though she’s been gone for over three decades now, Mademoiselle’s presence is still felt inside the ornately decorated rooms. And every bit and bob from the apartment could pop up unexpectedly in a bag, a clasp, a garment print, or even influence an entire collection, as some have in the past.

At the end of the tour, standing in the now familiar entrance hall, I was invited to sit down in the infamous Horst chair. I tried to look pensive as Chanel had in the iconic photo, but all my face could do was smile…awed and happy.

coco-chanel-apartment-31-rue-cambon-paris-22

And while the apartment may not be open to the public, I recently learned that Sam Taylor-Johnson’s photographic exhibition of the private apartment of Mademoiselle Chanel, “Second Floor”, will open at Saatchi Gallery in London this September. The series of 45 photographs captures the private rooms of Mademoiselle Chanel at 31 rue Cambon in Paris, giving visitors a glimpse at Coco’s fascinating life. “Shooting at Coco Chanel’s apartment was an unexpectedly absorbing experience,” says Taylor-Johnson. “The essence of Chanel is firmly rooted there in all of her possessions and I truly believe that her spirit and soul still inhabit the second floor.” I couldn’t agree more.

“Second Floor” Exhibit
Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ King’s Road
Friday September 12th, 2014 until Monday September 22nd, 2014
London, SW3 4RY
Free admission

More photos after the jump!

[Read more…]

Fashion, Travel 31 Rue Cambon, Chanel, Chanel Apartment, Chanel Apartment Paris, Chanel Flat, Chanel Haute Couture, Chanel Rue Cambon Apartment, coco chanel, Coco Chanel Apartment, Coco Chanel Flat, Coco Chanel's Apartment, Discover CHANEL, France, Haute Couture, Paris, Rue Cambon, Saatchi, Sam Taylor-Johnson, Second Floor, Travel

Wishlist: Chanel Whimsy

11 May, 2010 Nelia

If you know me, chances are you know that I like all things red and “heart-y”. I always end up buying quirky pieces that feature red lips, red hearts, fun shapes and prints. Lately, though, I’ve been trying to go for more grown-up jewels – something worth passing down to my kids or grandkids. But, when I saw some of these pieces over at Some Kind of Style, from Chanel Spring 2010 pre-collection and Cruise 09/10, my heart fluttered.

I still don’t know whether I love them enough to make a leap, or if I should stick to grown-up pieces…perhaps these are too fun, and maybe even designed specifically for celebutots like Shiloh and Suri? I don’t know, but they definitely caught my eye, so I thought I’d share them with you!

What do you think? Are these worth the Chanel pricetag or should I forget about it?

Photo Credits: Chanel

Fashion, Shopping Chanel, coco chanel, jewelry, Shopping, Spring 2010, Wishlist

Heart to Heart

9 June, 2009 Nelia

Ok, so how do you know when your style has become predictable? For one, it’s when your friends instantaneously think of you when they see an item that looks like something you already own and know that you are going to love it. Instead of thinking that you already own a similar thing, you run to the store and buy it!

I’d already confessed my love for dresses, I love them and wear them religiously. Other 2 things that I adore are red hearts and stripes. Stripes are probably more dangerous than the hearts, because surprisingly there aren’t many designers that go for the heart pattern in their clothing (Marc Jacobs did go there last season, but it was way too expensive). Striped shirts though, are everywhere. Wearing a white tee with black/navy stripes reminds me of Coco Chanel and evokes the effortless chic-ness that she exuded. As cliché as it is, I always bring a striped shirt to Paris every time I go and can never resist buying yet another one to add to my ever-growing collection.

cocoboatneck_main
Audrey Tautou as Coco Chanel

[Read more…]

Fashion, La Vie, Shopping Audrey Tautou, coco chanel, dresses, Fashion, Topshop

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WHO IS NELIA?

Nelia Belkova is a Toronto-based fashion and lifestyle blogger by night and a financial analyst by day. She loves to travel, read gossip sites, eat sweets, and cuddle up to her husband and her cat on the couch. Read More…

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