Instant Wonder Stores: Marvel at Swarovski’s Colorful Designs
Swarovski Jewelry and crystal has designed and rebranded with the Instant Wonder stores. The genius behind the creative direction is Giovanna Batagglia Englebert, an Italian powerhouse of fashion for Swarovski, in modeling and editorial work. They will open 28 Instant Wonder Stores. The first, in Milan at the Vittoria Emanuele Galleria, Paris’s Champs Elyseé, Rockefeller Center and Broadway in Soho, NYC. Recent openings in Mexico City, São Paulo and Singapore. The concept is a celebration of nature merged with the “instant wonder” of color and bold, monochromatic, ombre and a waterfall of colored gems. It is collection number 1 which represents harmony, light and intrigue. Instant Wonder shows jewels, watches, drop earrings, bolder cocktail rings, geometric and bright colored rings, necklaces and figurines which are cased in hexagonal shelves of pink, green and yellow. Metallic figurines, in matching colors, are used to demonstrate this new age of the merchandise. Swarovski is a family company, founded in Wattens, Austria, in the late 1800’s. There is the iconic swan logo, classic collection, accessories, themes from movies such as; Star Wars and Wonder Woman and atelier pieces. Wonder about Instant Wonder, new Swarovski branding, welcoming in the digital and post pandemic era.
Eye cream, a ritual in most people’s skin routine. Clarins, a prestige cosmetics line based out of Paris, makes am eye lift concentrate which helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles as well as help clear up dark circles. The under eye skin is 7 times more sensitive than the rest of your skin, why not choose a product such as : Clarin’s Total Eye Lift to brighten and tone your eye area. The red bottle has a dispenser top which lets you put a dab of the cream around your eye orbit and penetrate the skin during the day or night. This concentrate is powered by two plant ingredients, Organic Harungana extract and Cassie Flower Wax. It can provide an immediate lifting and smoothing effect. Clarins states the the eye cream has 94 % ingredients of natural origin. It has a blend of horse chestnut escin, albizia extract organic guarana, plant based caffeine and shea butter are a combine of elements which help to diminish circles, smooth eye skin and reduce puffiness. It is a lightweight formula and has an ultra balm texture, blending right into the skin. It is easy to then apply eye makeup. The slogan; “Good For The Skin, Good For The Planet”. Clarins has a fair trade partnership Jardins du Monde which enables the purchase of Organic Harungana to improve the local communities who harvest the plant. Their headquarters are in Paris and Neuily-sur-Seine and the customer relations is in NYC.. Clarins promise; to see major results within a month, but it will refresh and brighten the eye area, giving skin a glow, immediately. Applying the concentrate from temple to temple and watch the video as to how to accurately apply.
The annual Métiers d’ Art spring/summer 2019/2020 runway show was held in Paris. Coco Chanel or Gabrielle’s House of Chanel, is a French atelier and one of the most well recognized haute couture brands in the world. Chanel is legendary and has a distinctive heritage and legacy. As it is July 14th, Bastille Day, what better way to celebrate than to buy a Chanel tweed suit, layers of mode pearls, a black and white dress or chainlink accessory. Métier means craft in French and the workmanship and the designs have been perfected and adapted to the times. Artistic director, Virgine Viard, worked with Chanel and the Maison D’ Art to produce the fashion show. This year, Sophia Coppola, film producer, captures the behind the scenes of a runway show, the styles, Parisian chic, the models and the excitement around a new collection. The film was shot at The Grand Palais and scenes took place at 31 Rue de Cambon, Chanel’s Paris flagship store and her former apartment.
31 Rue de Cambon address is a piece of Chanel’s life and has been incorporated into the clothier’s label. One often sees the name emblazoned on cosmetic products, perfumes, makeup and clothing. It is synonymous with the the Chanel name. This season one can see the street name stitched into a black top with Chanel pearls and the signature flower, a camellia. Black and white dresses are a part of this collection in which the contrasting colors represent black as evening and a white silhouette, a more innocent color. Pink hues, from bright to pale, are a pop of color which are seen in dresses. It is a good color for the spring and summer season as well as feminine and chic. Chanel prides itself on detail and this can be seen throughout the runway show. The classic style “male” tweed has been updated with a modern twist, showing the fabric used in a cropped jacket and low waisted skirt. The tweed and fringe make their way down the aisle, showing models and ladies who lunch wearing the famous Chanel tweed fringe suits. The quilted pattern is a staple and is used for their leather bags, shoes and wallets. Sophia Coppola envisions a chic Parisian woman descending down Chanel’s spiraling staircase and attending a soiree or spending an evening at La Coupoule. Coppola and Viard work together and use the Chanel codes to bring out the brand’s traditional looks. A white camellia flower symbol is used on item such as; clothing, compacts and haute joaillerie. The floral look is feminine and one can spot the white flower on a black Chanel shopping bag with the stark white lettering. Chanel #5 and Rouge Chanel, in red, are the epitome of Chanel beauté.
The gold interlocking double C’s represent Coco Chanel’s signature name and are printed on everything from makeup cases and lipstick to shoes, bags and apparel. It is a status symbol and heritage, but carries the name of the icon, Coco Chanel. Another element which is incorporated into the show is wheat. Gabrielle Chanel commissioned goldsmith, Robert Goosens, to create an ageless base of lustrous wheat for an apartment table. The glowing golden color is embroidered by the House of Lesage and is pictured on a strapless dress and tulle skirt, representing a golden touch and whimsical aura. Bows are frequent on the runway which are playful and reminiscent of a school girl’s bow. Mixed with golden chain links, there is a creation of a sensual and proper lady like style. The famous pearls Chanel preferred are a milky white and and this year are seen as chokers, on cuff bracelets and a piaston necklace. Coco prided herself on a golden birdcage which she owned and it is seen on a minaudière clutch. The Hose of LaMaire uses flowers and embroidery to create clothes with ruffles and pleats, creating a dynamic look for their spring season. Check out the Chanel s/s 2019/2020 Métier d’Art Show and see the film.
Christian Louboutin is one of the most creative and prestigious French artisans of haute couture shoes and bags. Louboutin is known for his famous red soles in a variety of shoe styles ranging from traditional pumps, brightly colored sandals, studs, and a fantasy theme. The Palais de La Port Doree, translates to the palace of the gold door, is holding a retrospective of the designer’s shoes in Paris; Loubotuin World. It will be open from February 26 to July 26, 2020. The Palais was formerly the Musee d’ Art Afrique et d’Oceanie which banned shoes. Louboutin has become a household name and has worldwide boutiques and stores which carry selections of his shoes as well as hand bags and makeup. The makeup is unique, with lipsticks and nail colors, designed in the shape of a stiletto. The bags are a nice addition and pair with the shoes or compliment the look for day and evening attire. The opening night party was filled with fashionistas and stars in attendance such as ; DVF, Dita von Tesse, Arielle Dombasle and Derek Blasberg. Orchestre Lamoreux played music from favorite movie scores and the exterior of the palais was bathed in symbolic red light. When one enters, people see walls with black and red French graffiti. The catchy phrases enhance the brand’s message, identity and history. There are many exhibit rooms such as; The Nudes which feature a collection of mannequins and rows of flesh/beige shoes. Some of the decor is done by artists who collaborated with the artiste/designer himself. The Fetish Room is a collaboration of lace, eroticism and mesh shoes, not made for walking. It is a project presented with filmmaker and photographer, David Lynch. The Treasure Room has a red floral pattern with gold and was decorated by Pakistani artist, Imran Qureshi. One can view the Bhutan Theater Room which has bamboo influenced Asian decor with carved columns. The Biography Room is done by New Zealand artist, Lisa Reihana, she retraces Louboutin’s life, moments and reflections through a digital hypnotic fresco. Shoes from Louboutin’s early career, show the humble start of shoe designs and what was then in vogue. He began drawing at the age of thirteen and used this talent to become a designer who illustrates feminine power through heels. Some rooms show shoes with spiked heels, colorful displays, exotic materials and tassel designs. The exhibition is provocative and sensual, providing an in depth look at Louboutin. The Palais features the company and man’s personification, the accessory world which he has created. The Christian Louboutin Paris Fashion Week Show was February, 25th at The Ecole des Beaux Arts. They showed colorful and neutral styles, from pumps to flats, as well as their bag collection. The theme and music for the show was retro games with a symbolic Loubi character. “God Save My Shoes” is a documentary with appearances by; Christian Louboutin, Dr. Jayme Albin, psychologist, Dita Von Teese and Manolo Blahnik, in which shoes and high heels play a role in fashion, designer influence, power, the economy, femininity, sexuality and fetish throughout history and in the present. Christian Louboutin is a shoe designer who epitomizes intricate design and a well crafted heel. Creating stilettos, boots, and flats with red heels are a prototype for the modern women’s journey to feel and be beautiful, playful , alluring, adding height to compete with the taller man. One often sees burlesque features in Louboutin designs such as; the solid colored pink pump, lace designs and ankle straps which create allure and bring a teetering balance between heel height. Dominance versus subordination is a common theme in the 40 billion dollar women’s shoe industry. One must see the Parisian exhibition and buy a pair or two of Louboutin’s in order to partake in the shoe experience.
The Cosmopolitan Compact 