Modern Romance

Arrete de m'envoyer des fleurs. Kidnappe-moi, idiot.
Stop sending me flowers. Kidnap me, idiot. 

In the wake of the Royal Wedding, and the arrival of springtime, there is no denying that love is in the air at the moment. I recently stumbled across this wonderful ad campaign in L'Officiel by French design company Loft, who have also set up the lovewall. Their manifesto:

"There are encounters that are more significant than others. There are people who make our heart beat. There is the lovewall to tell them or find them".

Check it out and see for yourself. Gorgeous. Love is:

http://www.lovewall.fr/en/about-the-lovewall

The Red Shoes

The clocks have changed, so it is time to spring forward and add a dash of colour to your rock chick ensemble with these red ankle boots by Sandro. Super-fun fast fashion fix. J'adore.

Paris Fashion Week - Anthony Vaccarello

Anthony Vaccarello is definitely going to be one to watch in future Paris fashion weeks. His collection for Autumn Winter 2011 was all black (so frenchy) with fluid lines, sheer panels and elegant feminine silhouettes: it made me think of romantic trysts, Paris and long, louche, cocktail-fuelled soirees. 

French Fancy Number 6: Delphine Delafon

A recent discovery of mine from a weekend trip to Paris: these perfect summer bags by designer Delphine Delafon. Combining the nonchalant elegance of a luxe-rucksack with something more special: each bag is made to measure by the designer and you can personalise your bag by choosing the materials you want for the bag and the chain. Loves it! 

C'est Chaud!!!

Soon to open in London: super hip Parisien concept store, The Kooples. Part of their mission statement: a cloakroom for two; and they have entirely promoted the brand using images of real life, beautiful couples. I am definitely without a doubt going to blog more about The Kooples as I L.O.V.E the whole aesthetic but for now I am going to take a look at some of the most stylish couples (in my opinion) ever!

Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger

Anita Pallenberg and Keith Richards

Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin

Brigitte Bardot and Marcello Mastroianni

John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Mark Ronson and Josephine de la Baume

Kate Moss and Pete Doherty

Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis

Bonnie and Clyde

French Fancy Number 5: Valentine Gauthier

Alors, I know that this is already my 5th 'French Fancy' in as many months but I simply cannot deny my penchant for the Gallic grace.

Please allow me to introduce you, my readers, to the Parisian designer Valentine Gauthier, whose eco-friendly ethical designs have already been causing waves across the Channel. Valentine trained with Maison Martin Margiela and Rochas before branching out on her own and in 2009 she opened up her first boutique in the Marais.

The latest collection for Autumn/Winter 2010 was aptly entitled 'Feathered Fawn', and a bucolic palette of rich, russety browns with interjections of teal blues and leaf greens conjured up thoughts of woodland fairytale fantasies. Feminine touches were subtle: tonal floral prints on skirts, elbow length, flesh coloured arm warmers and pretty hats, which also provided the touch of eclecticism that is Gauthier's signature. These more delicate flourishes were offset with military gold buttons and strong silhouettes, which added an extra dimension and further layer of interest to the theme of the collection. Unfortunately the brand is not yet available to buy in London just yet but hopefully this will change in the near future, or there will be some tres expensive trips to make on the Eurostar!

'Feather Fawn' and previous collections can be viewed at http://www.valentinegauthier.com/.

French Fancy Number 4

Good Morning, Upper East Siders, and welcome to the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite. Only, this season (for two episodes only), Manhattan's elite are in Paris, and it has me seriously yearning for some bourgeois boheme Left Bank chic.

So here is my pick from my favourite oh-so-secret and not-so-secret labels from St Germain.

Wear with insouciance.

Bises!


1. Claudie Pierlot

Channel your inner Amelie with Claudie Pierlot's designs for Autumn/Winter 10. Her star is set to rise, thanks to the recent investment by luxury conglomerate LVMH. Check out the divine new collection showcased by French top model Audrey Marnay.

2. Maje

Maje and sister label Sandro have been whipping up something of a sartorial storm since the recession opened a gap in the mid-luxury market (where one door closes, another opens, n'est ce pas?) Maje is my go-to label for sexy-but-slouchy, I just threw this on but still look super chic.

3. Sandro

Sandro is Maje's slightly edgier sister. Think Clemence Poesy or Lou Doillon's intimidating brand of Parisienne cool, made accessible to mere mortals.


4. Ba&sh

If there was a label that made the perfect clothes for first dates, when you want to look as though you have made an effort in the subtlest way, head to Ba&sh. The label specialises in understated luxury; but do not under estimate the impact it will have.


(Pictures, from top: Claudie Pierlot scarf and beret; Maje dress; Sandro jumpsuit)

Superchic: Heimstone

If I had to pick one designer to dress me this summer, it would be Alix Petit, the creative director of French label Heimstone. Heimstone was created in 2007 but suprisingly has remained fairly under the radar. The Spring/Summer 2010 collection is a wonderful mix of pretty dresses in rich earthy tones worn with wooden accessories: perfect for channelling your inner woodland nymph. The clothes are deliberately oversized and worn insouciantly throughout the campaign as though the gamine model (Lolita Jacobs) has smuggled them out of her cool older sister's wardrobe. The overall feel of the collection is extremely free-spirited: these are outfits to have adventures in.

www.heimstone.com/collection

French Fancy Number 3 - White Hot

Oh to have been in Paris last night.......

Every year in June, one midsummer's evening is chosen for the renowned 'Diner en Blanc', where, at an appointed time, 1000s of people clad head to toe in white simultaneously descend upon a given location in the city centre to enjoy what can only be described as a picnic with an extremely unusual twist.

The event has to be planned with absolute military attention to detail. For starters, it is entirely illegal so it is kept a total secret until the very last minute to avoid alerting the authorities in advance. Only a handful of people are privy to the information about when and where the actual event will take place before the night itself. Otherwise you have to be invited by word of mouth and wait to receive your instructions about where to be via text or e mail on the night itself.

Like any picnic, the guests bring their own food, (white) wine or champagne and a table to be covered with a white tablecloth.

The event originated about 23 years ago among a handul of aristocratic friends and has increased in size every year. Nowadays it is less haute-society; more bourgeois boheme but the spirit of magic, mystery and bonhomie still pervades. Last night's spectacle took place between the Louvre and the Tuileries. As well as being part of what is essentially an super stylish dinner party on an enormous scale, guests also enjoy a variety of musical performances and at 11 pm when it gets dark all the attendees light sparklers to enhance the fairy-tale quality of the evening and to mimic the twinkling lights of the stars.

A chic pique-nique indeed!!

French Fancy Number 2

When I was last in Paris, I stumbled across Claudie Pierlot in the Allison boutique (near Odeon metro). This collection defines insouciance and that is what I loved most about it. My particular favourite piece was the super flirty mini dress (pictured above) which I bought in the flesh-rose colour and which looks fantastic paired with nude open toed high heeled ankle boots.

French Fancy Number 1

Karl's 'beautiful' muse Baptiste Giabiconi