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Wishlist: CHANEL Fall 2017 Bags and Accessories

29 March, 2017 Nelia 2 Comments

Leave it to Karl Lagerfeld to put a rocket ship in the middle of the Grand Palais and still make it about fashion. With space as inspiration, the CHANEL Fall 2017 collection certainly left me star-struck. Astronaut, planet and constellation prints, moon and star jewelry, iridescent tweeds, and even textures imitating planetary surfaces were all part of the dreamy “Ground Control” collection. And while the majority of the pieces were created in a classic palette of black, silver and white, the dreamy midnight blue tweeds studded with beads and pearls (and reminiscent of starry skies), as well as metallic green leather pieces added the exciting pops of colour to the collection.

For me, the standout accessories included the adorable rocket minaudiere, the beautiful CHANEL SPACE constellation clutch, and the star and moon brooches and necklaces. It seems that backpacks are also firmly back as part of CHANEL’s regular offering, as several styles of backpacks were shown on the runway – larger and sportier than the classic quilted leather ones of prior seasons, so perfect for interstellar exploring or the more mundane air travel. Most models rocked various versions of the square-toed glitter boots on the runway, paired with the embellished wool headbands and Brigitte Bardot-inspired hairstyles – lending the show retro 60’s vibes…and perhaps a cheeky nod to the 60’s Space Race.

Scroll through the gallery below and let me know which pieces caught your eye, and whether you loved the stellar CHANEL Fall 2017 collection as much as I did.

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Wishlist: CHANEL Spring 2017 Collection

6 October, 2016 Nelia Leave a Comment

As a huge fan of CHANEL and all things colourful, I really loved Data Center CHANEL Spring 2017 collection. With vibrant tweeds and prints aplenty, this collection made me wish we could skip winter and just get to spring again. But alas, at least we have something beautiful to look forward to.

CHANEL Spring 2017 collection was inspired by technology and all things digital. Models dressed as robots walked the wired-up runway, wearing clothes in a variety of electric prints like colour bursts and pixels. Some handbags had embedded LED displays with animated customized messages, while the signature minaudiere from the Spring 2017 collection was shaped as the cutest robot ever – these bags will surely become collectors’ items as soon as they arrive at boutiques (and sell out immediately).

And while I won’t be wearing a sideways cap any time soon, I am more than happy to embrace the underwear as outerwear trend that CHANEL and Karl Lagerfeld seem to be on board with for spring. Lace slips and silk PJ bottoms – garments that are usually relegated to the bedroom, or worn discreetly under our clothes – were on full display, and I’m totally into it. It seems that I’ll be getting lots more wear from my camisole dresses after all.

What did you think of the CHANEL Spring 2017 collection? Share in the comments.

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H&M Studio Fall 2016 Collection Lookbook

18 August, 2016 Nelia 2 Comments

Back in March, I wrote about the H&M Studio Fall 2016 collection presented during Paris Fashion Week. The eclectic collection definitely caught my eye, what with the abundance of embellishments, textures, and prints. Well, the wait is almost over, as H&M Studio Fall 2016 collection will hit the stores on September 8th, and until then, we have this beautiful lookbook and photos of the entire collection to feast our eyes on. Personally, I’ll be on the hunt for this tiger-print dress, a couple of velvet pieces, jacket with chain details, rose earrings, and that gorgeous navy striped pantsuit.

What about you? Are you excited about H&M Studio Fall 2016? Share your faves in the comments.

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Paris Fashion Week: CHANEL Fall 2016 Collection

8 March, 2016 Nelia 5 Comments

CHANEL Fall 2016 collection was presented at the Grand Palais this morning in Paris, and everyone in attendance got a really good look at the garments thanks to the “Front Row Only” set up reminiscent of the way couture houses showed collections in the good old days. But while the usual over-the-top decor may have been missing this season, Karl Lagerfeld and his design team more than made up for it with cat emojis, oversized bowler hats, and pearls galore. Leave it to Karl to make emojis chic. I don’t know about you, but I am obsessed with the bejeweled cat emoji bracelets, cat emoji bags, and cat emoji skirts. I’m going to need at least one of those in my life…and the sooner, the better! We can probably thank Choupette for this prominent display of feline love, and I’m definitely not complaining.

The rest of the collection was classic CHANEL – signature tweed jackets with touches of denim, an abundance of drool-worthy bags in tweed and leather, models dripping with pearls, quilted anoraks, elegant long coats, and ruffles on ethereal gowns. Instead of transforming the venue into yet another extravagant set, this season, the focus was squarely on the CHANEL Fall 2016 collection – on the beautiful clothes and accessories, without distractions and unnecessary bells and whistles. It was a refreshing change, although I’m sure next season will have a fantastical new direction (after all, Karl does not like to repeat himself).

What do you think about the CHANEL Fall 2016 collection? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Paris Fashion Week: H&M Studio Fall 2016 Collection

3 March, 2016 Nelia 1 Comment

After taking a break from Paris Fashion Week runway presentations, H&M was back in full force this season, throwing a grand runway show at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris to preview the H&M Studio Fall 2016 collection. With celeb guests like Emma Roberts, Ciara and Kate Mara, and notable models that included Amber Valletta, Jourdan Dunn, Freja Beha Erichsen, Ashley Graham, and Soo Joo Park strutting their stuff on the runway, this was definitely one of the hottest tickets of Paris Fashion Week.

“This collection is about the strength and beauty of women, and how we express that power through our style. I love the contrast of strong tailoring with handicraft touches of Swedish heritage and folklore,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s creative advisor. Being a bit of a magpie, I was drawn to the more eclectic pieces like the chain-embellished velvet gown that closed the show, beautiful striped blue velvet, as well as folklore-inspired embroidered pieces. But even if you’re not so into velvet and chains, there were plenty of classic garments that would enhance any modern woman’s wardrobe – from the beautifully-tailored coats, to masculine pantsuits. The collection will hit the stores on September 8th and will be available in 200 stores worldwide.

What do you think of H&M Studio Fall 2016 collection? Share in the comments.

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Sneak Peek of H&M Studio Spring 2016 Collection

9 October, 2015 Nelia 3 Comments

Paris Fashion Week came and went, and I just realized that there was no H&M Studio fashion show this season. But don’t fret, I found some sneak peek photos of the H&M Studio Spring 2016 collection instead, and the pieces are pretty awesome. Think vibrant colours, exciting prints, modern silhouettes, and a whole lot of sweet vacation vibes. Yes, please!

“H&M Studio for spring/summer 2016 is an adventure in style. Our girl is always exploring, whether she’s on the city streets or on the trip of a lifetime. She mixes function with femininity, sportswear with pieces for a party, and whatever she wears she always looks effortless,” says Pernilla Wohlfarth, H&M’s head of design. And I couldn’t agree more! From the looks of it, I’ll be picking up a few pieces come spring, to take on a few adventures of my own…and I can’t wait!

The collection will be in stores and online from February 25th, 2016.

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CHANEL Airlines Spring 2016 Collection

6 October, 2015 Nelia 2 Comments

If all airports were as chic as the one created at the Grand Palais for the CHANEL Spring 2016 show, people would certainly choose to fly more often. And if all airport attire was as chic, the world would be a much prettier place. Those were my thoughts as I was scrolling through photos of the CHANEL Airlines collection, dreamed up by Karl Lagerfeld, and presented in Paris this morning. Models strutted around the Paris-Cambon Airport, some stopping in to check-in and drop off their luggage. Speaking of those gorgeous luggage sets… There was a variety of travel bags presented – pristine white leather rolling suitcases (ummm…a bit impractical, perhaps?), printed nylon ones, and my fave – black quilted leather with white trim and yellow accents. I would probably have to sell my firstborn in order to get my hands on one of those, but if you travel enough, it may be worth it…priorities, people!

From those covet-worthy luggage sets, to the quirky airplane brooches, to light-up sandals – the Spring 2016 collection was not short of statement pieces, au contraire – there was so much to look at and so many details to take in, that it was a bit overwhelming. The collection itself was great – iconic tweeds, ethereal watercolour prints, origami-like details, and of course, airplanes everywhere from brooches to knitwear. Being a colour-lover that I am, I was drawn to the more vibrant pieces from the collection – pink and yellow tweed jumpsuit, multicoloured tweed bag, and most of the white dresses with floral detailing were all calling my name, but realistically speaking, I will probably be on the hunt for one of those fun airplane brooches once the collection hits the stores.

What did you think of CHANEL Airlines collection? Are you a fan? Share your fave pieces in the comments.

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What I Wore: Something Borrowed, Something CHANEL

25 March, 2015 Nelia 1 Comment

When CHANEL offered to dress me for their Fall 2015 runway show, I couldn’t believe my luck. Feeling like Cinderella for the day, I picked out this stunning tweed and lace blazer, paired with a patent red cross-body bag, matching pearl cuffs, and of course, my recent fave CHANEL ankle booties. There were lots more options at our fitting, but sadly, as someone who’s no longer a size 2, fitting into samples presented a bit of a challenge. Where is the fairy godmother to shrink one a size or three, when you really need her?!

But no matter, I still loved the outfit I ended up choosing, and happily wore it to the show, to visit Coco Chanel’s apartment, at Cafe Marly, and back at the rue Cambon boutique, giddily running around Paris in CHANEL. I paired the blazer with my fave top from the Canadian brand Pink Tartan, because even during Paris Fashion Week, it felt right to #WearCanada.

At the end of the three-day Discover CHANEL program, I had to hand over the borrowed things, feeling a little sad to say good-bye to the beautiful pieces I had a chance to wear. Regardless, I was still so happy that I got to have a bit of a celeb experience…on a much smaller scale, of course, but still…borrowed clothes or not, the memories are forever.

I Wore: Jacket, Bag, Shoes, Cuffs, Earrings – CHANEL; Top – Pink Tartan; Pants – Zara; Sunglasses – Dior

Paris Fashion Week: H&M Studio Fall 2015 Runway Collection

5 March, 2015 Nelia 1 Comment

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Paris Fashion Week is upon us, and as in the past few years, my fave fast-fashion brand H&M presented their Fall 2015 Studio collection in Paris. With a studded front row, that included Audrey Tautou, Solange Knowles, Mark Ronson, and Olga Kurylenko, and a slew of the most in-demand models strutting their stuff on the runway, this was definitely one of the hottest tickets of the season.

Once again, I tuned in to watch the show live online, while making my wishlist for next fall. After all, even though this was a Paris Fashion Week runway show, the major appeal is that the clothes shown will be affordable. No need to break the bank.

Unlike in the past, however, this year’s wishlist was shorter than I had expected. There were several standouts like the psychedelic sequinned top that my closet seriously needs, the green chevron-printed tunic that I’d happily wear as a dress, a couple of patent leather jackets perfect for fall, an orange beaded sweater of my dreams, and a furry topper that I fell in love with. But the rest of it just wasn’t my cup of tea. Perhaps because I don’t love wide trousers, or because the colours weren’t vibrant enough for this magpie…but most looks from the collection left me a little underwhelmed. Hopefully when the pieces hit the stores, I’ll feel differently, but even if I don’t, there are plenty of looks from this collection that I’m going to be coveting next fall.

H&M Studio is H&M’s limited-edition collection of key seasonal pieces, with its own dedicated design team. The Fall 2015 collection will be available in 200 stores worldwide, as well as online (sadly not in Canada), from September 10. So tell me, did you love H&M Fall 2015 Studio Collection? Share your faves in the comments.

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Paris Fashion Week: Chanel Grocery Store Chic Fall 2014

5 March, 2014 Nelia 2 Comments

Leave it to Karl to transform the magnificent Grand Palais into something so seemingly ordinary as a grocery store for a fashion show. But when all of the groceries, shopping carts and baskets bear the iconic CHANEL logo, the “store” and the fashion show become anything but ordinary. As someone who’s fairly obsessed with all things whimsical and kitsch, I would’ve been all over those CHANEL-branded goodies. After the show, the lucky attendees were allowed to ~~loot~~ peruse the quirky “store” offerings, and the luckiest ones walked away with CHANEL Spaghetti, door mats, rubber gloves, Tweed Cola, and lots more. Best grocery store ever?!

The Fall 2014 collection itself was appropriately fun, what with “Lait de Coco” bags, colourful outerwear, tweed sunglasses, and pop-art faux (?) fur bags – all of it covetable, but definitely not for those that prefer their fashion nice and serious. The people that would be most into this collection are the ones that can appreciate a bit of humour in their daily dressing…so needless to say, I was really INTO.IT!

So what do you think about Karl Lagerfeld’s latest collection? Would you like a tall glass of “Lait de Coco” in your life? Share in the comments!