The Luxe Chronicles

Luxury: At Least We Can Laugh About It

Sigmund Freud theorized that gallows humour reflects "the ego's refusal to be distressed by the provocations of reality (...)." As the effects of the recession take hold throughout the fashion and luxury industries and bad news continues to trickle in, I must admit that I do find comfort in the emergence of a certain dark humour as evidenced by the appropriation of the famous "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters of WWII. I find it infinitely preferable to the denial that dominated the chatter in the early days of the recession or the doom & gloom that followed thereafter. I choose to see this as a sign of recovery.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Fashion: It's Time to Take Resort Collections Seriously

It used to be known as "cruise". Eventually, it began to be referred to as "resort" and now, many editors refer to it simply as "pre-collection". Originally intended for wealthy American customers who migrated to warmer climates during the winter months, cruise collections have now come into their own and offer consumers everywhere infinitely more selection than mere beach cover-ups and vacation wardrobes. Regardless of what you call the clothing that hits the stores twice per year (November and May), pre-collections often provide more wearable or less extreme versions than a designer's main runway collection and therefore make welcome additions to your wardrobe.

Luxury: Eau de Amy Winehouse? Oh Dear!

Amy Winehouse has inspired many things in her brief career: admiration for her tremendous talent, sympathy for her struggle with addiction, a fashion spread in Paris Vogue and this very funny billboard which was posted in my London neighborhood around the time when Coca Cola released a television commercial featuring rival songstress Duffy. But a perfume?!?

Travel: Something Else to Worry About

One of my favorite "activities" to do on Saturday mornings is to lye in bed with my coffee and the weekend Financial Times. I normally look forward to reading Tyler Brûlé's column The Fast Lane but this weekend, Mr. Brûlé's column entitled "An air of confidence" left me feeling somewhat uneasy as it touches on the effects of the recession on airline safety.

Luxury: A Luxury Hotel Owner with a Big Heart

The week is finally over and I would like to leave you with a piece of heart-warming news from the world of luxury. Jeanne Augier, owner and chairman of the luxurious Hotel Negresco in Nice, has re-written her will leaving the hotel's profits upon her death to a charity to help homeless people and rescue unwanted animals. The privately-owned hotel is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and boasts the renowned Chantecler restaurant. The Luxe Chronicles salutes you Madame Augier! A lovely weekend to all.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Fashion: Street Fashion Chronicling the Street Fashion Chronicler

Don't you just love it when the tables are turned? Here is a "street fashion" shot of fashion blogger/photographer Garance Doré by Tommy Ton of Jak and Jil Blog. Photographers are often very shy about being photographed themselves. I wonder how it feels to be the subject for once. I think she looks great.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Fashion: CFDA's Newest Inductees Include the Olsen Twins

Yes, those Olsen twins.(Source) Who next? Peaches Geldof? Victoria Beckham?

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Fashion: Introducing Roger Vivier's 'Carlalala' Bag

Yes, that Carla . It was only a matter of time, wasn't it?

Of course it was.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Luxury: A White Knight for Christian Lacroix?

Christian Lacroix may have found his "White Knight". Bernard Krief Consulting (BKC) has announced plans to file a take over bid with the tribunal de commerce de Paris as early as next week. The plan would reportedly cover all the fashion house's operations including the haute couture division.

Luxury: Don't Get Taken In by Fake Louboutins

Christian Louboutin shoes at bargain-basement prices ... we've all seen the ubiquitous ads on various blogs and websites including the New York Times. 'Too good to be true' you may ask? Well, yes actually. As most things in life, if something seems too good to be true, it most likely is. The shoes are fakes, counterfeits, knock-offs, schlock. Manolo's Shoe Blog has posted a detailed diagram identifying the tell-tale signs of a fake Louboutin shoe. I encourage you to take a look.