Spending time in Europe this summer was amazing fun yet educational at the same time. Paris, particularly, was just a joy to visit. The city was more beautiful than ever, even under the gray skies that were hanging over our heads during the entire trip.
This is a year of celebrations for Paris Haute Couture: Christian Dior’s Maison de Couture is celebrating its 60th anniversary, while its designer, John Galliano, celebrated his 10th year with Dior by putting on a splashy show in L’Orangerie at Versailles. And the inimitable Karl Lagerfeld presented his 50th collection with no celebration, of course, other than creating yet another beautiful collection with more rounded shoulders, using palettes of black, white, brown, red and navy blue. Christian Lacroix was also celebrating his label’s birth 20 years ago. And last, but certainly not least, the ever elegant Valentino is celebrating his 45th year in Haute Couture.
It was a perfect time to be in Paris. The fall collections had already made their way into the stores and, fortunately, some choice summer items were still on sale. Armed with my clients’ long wish lists, I brought back some great bargains as well as great fall “must haves.” Between looking for items on my clients’ lists, and navigating my way around the maisons de couture as well as the little and big shops, there was a lot of fashion ground to cover. It seemed there was far too little time to get everything in. But happily, my mission or rather missions were accomplished!
As I write this column, I am thinking about my clients’ fall wardrobes. Keeping in mind what I saw in Paris, I will peruse my favorite fashion magazines, search online galleries and designers’ catalogues to find the looks, styles and resources to fit my clients’ profiles, needs and budgets. When I have gathered all I need, I will build a fall wardrobe portfolio for each of my clients and provide them with my recommendations.
Having been an Image Consultant for many years, with a particular focus on European designs, I have seen many styles come and go so I am always looking for basic pieces that are timeless. Items that we always seem to need and grab and can update with interesting accessories. These are the pieces that survive through the years and are the ones we cannot live without.
There were a couple of these potentially classic pieces that really caught my eye while in Paris. One was a fabulous red vinyl coat that was in the Dolce & Gabbana store. Too bad it was already sold out in my size! Vinyl was everywhere. I noticed a black vinyl coat at Max Mara lined with wool. And Prada has created the most feminine and smartest satchel I have ever seen. DKNY’s cashmere oversized chunky cardigan may not be a classic but this sweater-coat is a definite “must have.”
I also liked the little everyday stretch dress with a twist front that Donna Karen created for this fall. And finally, I loved the beautiful Elie Tahari white coat made of the softest leather imaginable and which weighs less than a feather. It is a true classic that will last forever.
Fall 2007 is going to be “un vrai bonheur”, which loosely translated means “absolute pleasure!”
