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Fashion

Has Luxury Fashion Come To This?

At the end of 2024, the Luxury Fashion Industry finds itself in a major predicament of its own making. Consumers have caught onto the game, now brands are bracing for the backlash. Buyers are no longer charmed by the “expensive” handbag and other accessories with sky high price tag.

The recent headlines report shopper fatigue for luxury goods. When a major newspaper reads “Death Spiral of Luxury Fashion” there is a big problem. In lock corporate step, houses evolved in Overpriced Zaras, neglecting quality for quantity, big fast profit over long term customer loyalty. Speaking to a colleague concerning these issues, he told a story of buyer’s remorse of people complaining about a certain top tier brand’s handbag coming apart at the seams after a few months of carriage.

It will be an interesting 2025 to see if the Luxury Fashion can regain its footing or continue on# a downward spiral. Only time will tell.

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Fashion

The Fashion Musical Chair

The Fashion Musical Chairs Contest continue.  In one week, three brands made big changes.  Thankfully, I have a chalkboard to help keep up with who is where, just erase then add a new name.

When John Galliano took over as Creative Head of Martin Margiela, the British designer had come in from the cold after being ousted from Dior.  Ten years later the partnership has ended.  After months of rumors, Mr. Galliano announced his resignation from the Paris House.  Admittedly sad news, the 64-year-old brought a creative romanticism to the label.  The runway shows were fantasy run from surreal to vintage sumptuous fantasy of diverse materials.  There was no announcement on where John Galliano will go.  Perhaps, his own label or retire, we have to wait and see.

Margiela

Chanel finally announced a new head six months after Virginie Viard’s exit.  The uber luxury brand named Matthieu Blazy as the new creative head.  Coming from Bottega Veneta, Bailey will be in charge of ten collections a year.  I see a lot of energy drinks in the Belgium born designer’s future.  Chanel is more than a brand but a cultural tentpole for fashion and style.  How will Blazy interrupt the classic Tweed Jacket?   Recently, the Chanel runway shows have lacked the grand pageantry typical under Lagerfeld, possibly, the dull period in the Grand Palais is over.

As one designer leaves, another enters, Bottega Veneta placed Louise Trotter as Matthieu Blazy’s replacement.  Coming from Carven, a brand known for oversized looks and exaggeration, Trotter’s view with Italian Tailoring should be interesting. 

Fashion is about change.

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Fashion

On Change in Fashion

Change is inevitable, in the fashion business, change is often.  The news from New York took the industry by surprise.  Calvin Klein announced the appointment of Veronica Leoni as creative head, the female to lead he label.  The brand plans to return to the runway schedule.  Why this change of strategy?   Parent company owner PVH withdrew the fifty-six-year-old designer brand from the ready-to-wear runway shows, instead focusing on the label’s core sellers, underwear and jeans.

Little is known about Leoni other than the Italian designer worked for Celine and Jil Sander.  Calvin Klein was once the crown of the fashion world with is minimal sensuality built around youth.  Can Veronica Leoni bring the buzz back to an once New York Fashion Week marque? Curious choices are interesting. 

Veronica Leoni from Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein’s Veronica Leoni

The other news of the day report came from Paris.  The Grand Dame of fashion labels released a statement stating Virginie Viard would resign as head of the Paris based house. After five years at the position inherited from Karl Lagerfeld.  After 30 years with the brand Virginie’s stay comes to an end. What was the reason?  Chanel plays its hand close to its chest. There were no rumors of strife or lower sales.  The company recently paid big dividends to its owners. 

However, Viard has some big shoes to fill.  The larger-than-life Lagerfeld left his mark on the prestigious womenswear line. His magnificent shows, the sardonic wit filled pages of fashion reports.  While The headline adverse French born designer was competent the grandiose excitement seemed missing.  The airport runway sets or the multimillion-dollar celebrity commercials disappeared after 2019.  After all, Chanel is really about classy sensations.

It is only halfway through 2024.

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Fashion

Get Over Yourself

There was a “protest” at the last Paris Fashion Week. Marie Benoliel crashed the stage. The YouTuber confronted Hadid at the Grand Palais. The stunt was boring. Her excuse: “Fashion makes people unhappy”. Get over yourself Marie!

Fashion makes me happy. If I were unhappy with the state of it I would not protest on the Chanel Runway. The big houses are machines with bottom line pressures. The world works, the way the world works. Secondly, Chanel is an iconic brand with a classic aesthetic.

I support smaller brands. Independent labels where creativity has a chance to blossom into success. Traveling to Milan or Paris, I make it a point to attend the trade fairs as well as presentations. It gives me the chance to meet designers and go over their pieces. Fashion creators with genuine enthusiasm are infectious. They explain the vision behind the collections. I get a sense of their story; the past, present, and future.

When a person goes to a big fashion to protest. It is more about themselves getting attention than a matter of making a statement. Next time, someone should tell Marie instead of making a grandstanding nuisance of herself, why not post a picture of an unknown designer you like on your Instagram account?

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Fashion

Cruise

Chanel unveiled its first post Lagerfeld collection.  Virginie Viard takes control of the storied French brand.  The setting at the Grand Palais turned into a romantic train station fit the mood.  The looks were soft and feminine.  

Ms. Viard has the full backing of brand head Bruno Pavlovsky.  The company posted profits of $2.7.

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Fashion

Remembering Karl Lagerfeld

From France 24, remembering a legend of fashion, Karl Lagerfeld.

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Fashion

All Aboard Chanel

The fashion world is buzzing about the Chanel Cruise Collection from Paris. Yes! It was confident, alive! Once again Mr. Lagerfeld has proven why he is a maestro of fashion and showmanship. All Aboard! In the Grand Palais, if you can sell a collection based on the location, get the credit cards ready, the setting was noting short of breathtaking with a replica of an ocean liner built to show his latest feminine looks. Hats, quilting, tweed and sliced denim, and sailor looks were abound.

Chanel has always been a brand about a woman with class, certain status in life. But that has not stopped the Parisian brand from being modern, elegant evolution. Wherever this ship is sailing, make sure to book a ticket.

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Fashion

Don’t Walk, Look Fabulous!

Indulgence can be a good thing.  These boots are not meant for walking but for looking FABULOUS!  While in Paris I walked past the Chanel Boutique, saw them in window and said, “WOW!”

Categories
Beauty

FABULOSITY

New Year’s celebrations means letting out your inner FABULOSITY!

This is a time to use color to express your optimism for the New Year.

Chanel

Dior

All of these items are available in stores worldwide.

Categories
Beauty

Black and Paper Christmas List 2016

You Can Never Go Wrong with a Gift by Chanel

For Her

pa2016_01_0014An out-and-out classic, Chanel No.5 is a cultural seedbed for woman’s fragrance. “What do I wear to bed? Why, Chanel No. 5 of course.”   Chanel has always been associated with glamour and fabulousness, attributed to the women who wear it.  So rear is a scent with qualities that inspire a wearer.

For Him

pa2016_27_0007Allure Homme Sport from Chanel is a citrus based contemporary scent for men with touches of amber and cedar.  What I like about this cologne is the fact it compliments without overpowering the wearer.   Allure Homme Sport is a man’s fragrance for activity, a dash but no smelling like he is in rush, a winner.

Chanel is available in fine stores worldwide.