PFW: Chanel SS'14

Karl Lagerfeld’s transformed the stark, white-walled Grand Palais into an art gallery setting for his SS’14 Chanel collection during Paris Fashion Week.  As well as exhibiting several installations and sculptures, such as an awesome Chanel No 5 robot, artists including Kandinsky, Pollock, Oldenberg and Duchamp also heavily influenced the ninety-odd designs that still managed to remain identifiably Chanel.  

The headphone’esq pearl bauble necklaces really caught my attention, as did the model’s themed, artistic eye make up.  The  monochrome socked patent court shoes(below) were almost certainly chic on the day, but the practicality of this footwear is clearly questionable!  Right... I'm off to buy a peroxide wig. 

Below (L-R) Clockwise:  I do sooo love a Chanel FROW!!  Lou Dillon, Vanessa Paradis, Poppy Delevigne, Leigh Lezark, Laura Bailey and Caroline Sieber. 

Alexa Chung - The New Face of Maje A'W'12

Alexa Chung, my favourite fashionista, has been announced as the face of chic French fashion label Maje’s A/W’12 campaign.  Maje is well known for it’s romantic, bohemian collections and since opening in 2004 their collections have been worn by all the coolest of French belles, including Vanessa Paradis and Marion Cotillard.  With Maje stores popping up all around London, this label has become a fashion favourite here also.

Above:  Photographer Gien Luchford took these beautiful, dreamy black and white images of Alexa Chung at Paris' Porte des Lilas metro station.  The campaign pictures show an incredible likeness to the 1960’s British-born beauty, Jane Birkin.

Left: A young Jane Birkin and a recent photograph of Alexa coincidentally (?) wearing a Bella Freud, 'Je t'aime Jane' jumper.

Maje released a statement last week saying, "between dream and reality, evoking a cinema-like aesthetic, Alexa embodies a modern heroine with style and charm. Elegant yet edgy, her attitude reflects a personality that is both glamorous and rock’n’roll."  

Alexa also revealed, "I am thrilled to be the face of Maje for their autumn/winter 2012-13 campaign, it's a brand I love and wear, so to be asked was a huge compliment."  

I wonder if there will be an Alexa/Maje collection revealed next?  Fingers X.

Above:  Beautiful cult-actress, singer, fashion muse and activist Jane Birkin in the 1960's
(also pictured, Jane with her great love, Serge Gainsbourg.)

Below:  Now 65 years old, Jane Birkin remains as stylish as ever – and still with her namesake Hermès Birkin bag faithfully by her side!

Gianni's Muses

Ditte Reffstrup, the creative director of Danish label Gianni (founded in 2000 and launched in the UK last year) has revealed that the label is inspired by four style icons in particular; Audrey Hepburn in ‘Funny Face,’ Jean Seberg in ‘A Bout De Souffle,’ Vanessa Paradis in ‘Be My Baby’ and Kristen Dunst in ‘The Virgin Suicides.’ Ok, you have my attention…

"That's a lot of different influences all in one, but it's what makes it fun to work with," says Ditte Reffstrup "It's also what makes it possible to dress in Ganni from top to bottom without looking like you're only wearing one label.”

Ditte Reffstrup explains that the Gianni look aims at mixing “the best of past icons but tweaked for the modern everyday girls of today,” and the result is simple femininity; floral skirts, slouchy jumpers, well cut trenches paired and Parisian stripey tops...

Gianni will launch a standalone shop in London later this year.