Chanel SS14 Haute-Couture: Would you trade in your Manolo's for trainers on your wedding day?

There is no denying that we have all dreamt about who will design our wedding dress one day, be it Marchesa, Vera Wang, Alice Temperley, or one of my favourites, Elie Saab; but when it comes down to the shoes, I am sure most of us would opt for a pair of Manolo Blahnik 'Manolo's', glitzy Jimmy Choo's or even a cheeky pair of Louboutin's. So what happened when Cara Delevigne took to the Catwalk in Chanel's Spring 2014 Haute Couture show wearing a wedding dress and....well.....TRAINERS?!



 

Karl Lagerfeld taking to the catwalk with his Grandson and Cara Delevigne in one of Chanel's Haute Couture Bridal dresses

Aside to the artful, couturier strength shown throughout the show, I can't help but wonder whether I would be willing to trade in my Manolo's for a pair of trainers on my wedding day, Chanel or not. Unfortunately Karl, the answer is no...However when I did a bit of soul-searching on the matter, I discovered that it is in fact popular for some people to wear trainers under their wedding dress whilst actually discovering that one lady wore UGGS! Is this what the future holds for our younger generations to come?

 

Cara Delevigne with Karl Lagerfeld's Grandson



The concept showcased within the colossal interior of Paris's Grand Palais by Chanel suggests that urban, fashion-forward model, Cara Delevigne is influencing fashion mastermind, Karl Lagerfeld to start entertaining a much younger audience, such as the 21 year old herself. As Karl lures to turn around Chanel's image, in some light it portrays a fanciful yet absurd future where the 'Chanel Woman' is more youthful and whilst I don't think we will be seeing Trucker/Flat caps take to the Catwalk any time soon, we can see that as times are changing, the younger generation are becoming a huge part in boosting the sales of the most non-chalant and timeless Parisian brand in the world. Chanel is renowned for upholding its status of being the greatest couturier in the world.

Karl Lagerfeld left us unaware of what is to come in the future for Chanel, but as always Karl ensured that the iconic Chanel suit made its righteous appearance in cool pastel colours with metallic threads. Colours such as blush pink, subtle violet and pale green complemented white and ivory with black peeping out here and there. Is white the new black..I believe so!

Whilst Dior have also interpreted the two-piece look with their Haute-Couture SS14 dresses by creating a cropped layer of identical material over their high necked dresses to fake a top/skirt combo; Chanel have 'faked' the midriff by showing there is no need to bare one, by using delicate lace and mesh cut on the bias to divide A-Line skirts from cropped jackets as this season's 'Iconic Suit'. Other looks included bedazzled knee and elbow protectors of which would be sought after by the roller-blading elite, if you're going to opt for a pair of these you clearly don't shop in Lilliwhites!!

 

 



Bea {x}

 

Couture Fashion Week 2014: CHANEL Colour Splash!

Fashion fiends take to Couture Fashion Week in Paris as the looks for Spring 2014 are unveiled on the catwalk. As this season unfolds we can expect to see a variation of colours with Christian Dior and Chanel showcasing soft and neutral pastel colours, with bright white and dusty pink sweeping the catwalk.

 

 

 

 

However, Karl Lagerfeld, yet again surprised us all with a unique look, one to stand out from the classic tweeds and dense block colours. This time a splash watercolours. The print consists of what appears to the eye as a colour testing palette; full of bright and vibrant colours of the rainbow, all blending in to change colour. Forest green blends into lime green with shades of purple creeping into browns. Catching to the eye; Lagerfeld has created accessories to match with another creation of the Chanel classic - the quilted fold over bag. Chanel's nonchalant and timeless design for a handbag never ceases to amaze, with it being showcased and sold in hundreds of different varieties over the years, and yet still, it remains the most popular and yearned-for accessory, no matter the season.

 

 

The 'Lego' bag has evolved over time with its angular shape and eye catching style. This season we see bold colour, again with the repetition of the colour blending mechanism used to blend all sorts of eye-catching colour. Whilst arguably the Lego bag above clashes, the burst of endless colour all blends well in an unusual style. Whilst these looks are 'Couture' I could actually see myself parading around Tokyo in one of these looks...

 

Bea {x}

Brooooooching with Chanel

It's pretty obvious that I bloody love a Peter Pan collar and a shirt, and I am forever finding new accessories to place bang in the middle of the collar; be it a ribbon tied in a bow, a rose brooch or a chunky necklace. However, I have always wanted a Chanel brooch to place there and well... I got what I wanted ohhhhh yaaaaaarrrrrrr!!!! Love Love my latest addition..

Bea {x} 

The Power of the Clutch

Evening bags are better off being minimal in size, yet still remaining a statement piece. We all know how frustrating it is queuing for the cloakroom at a venue, and of course, the endless queue at the end of the evening is far more ridiculous. The whole 'oh I need my lipgloss, it's in my bag' is a situation proven easy to resolve. Whereas men have pockets...we have CLUTCHES. 

A great accompaniment to any evening dress, the clutch is small and able to hold most of a woman's many necessities. We call these necessities but really they're just items of vanity which we cannot live without. Inside my clutch you will find my lipstick and often two lip glosses (depending on which one I feel like wearing), Iphone, mints, money (I usually put this in the zip pocket as my purse is more or less the same size as a clutch), 50ml Jean Paul Gaulthier - Classique eau de toilette, a comb and possibly some contents of my make up bag. Most of these items contribute to my appearance, yes, but it is all I need and therefore the power of the clutch bag succeeds on a night-out far beyond the handbag. 

This season is all about the citrus-brights, my love being lime yellow, heavy metallics and bold statement pieces. 

My Top 10 Clutches this season are:

1) Jimmy Choo £475, 2) Jimmy Choo £825, 3) Anya Hindmarch £795, 4) Nancy Gonzalez £1,103, 5&6) Chanel £1000+, 7) Anya Hindmarch £795, 8) Nancy Gonzalez £1,103, 9) Chanel £1000+, 10) Anya Hindmarch £350