The Luxe Chronicles

Luxury: Much More than Meets the Eye at Van Cleef & Arpels

When it comes to the luxury industry, there are some brands where what you see is essentially what you get. Then, there are others that are so multi-faceted, so rich in history and tradition that exploring them is not unlike peeling back the layers of an onion, only much sweeter smelling and infinitely more exciting. I was given the opportunity to discover this for myself recently on a recent jaunt to Paris as a guest of legendary fine jeweler Van Cleef and Arpels.

Luxury: Spotlight on Craftsmanship

If someone were to ask you what a plumassier does for a living, unless you're somehow involved in haute couture or are a hard-core follower of fashion, chances are you would draw a blank. This is why I was excited to read in today's WWD a short piece mentioning Maison Lemarié, one of the oldest remaining plumassiers in Paris and probably in the world. The focus of the article is the costume designed by Karl Lagerfeld for Elena Glurdjidze, a senior principal dancer with the English National Ballet but I would rather draw your attention to this increasingly rare craft.

Fashion: Insights Into Alaia

 

There's a wonderful interview of designer Azzedine Alaia (one of my all time favorites) by Stephanie Seymour Brant posted on Interview Magazine's website. Alaia briefly recounts his beginnings in fashion, his arrival in Paris from his native Tunisia and shares anecdotes about his family and close friends. The interview is accompanied by a gorgeous series of photographs by Craig McDean featuring Gisele Bundchen.

Inside The Studio: Giles Deacon - Chapter III

As promised, here is the third and final installment of Imran Amed's interview with Giles Deacon: "The Surprise of Collaboration...". Enjoy!

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Citroen 'DS': No, No, No! Say It Ain't So!

 

Last week, I gleefully posted a brief post about French car maker Citroen's intention to introduce an updated version of the iconic 'DS'. The idea sounds so good on paper. Right? You take an iconic car, update the technology, tweak it's design just a bit and craft an advertising campaign that taps into the nostalgia we have for good design from times of yore. There is ample precedent for it: The 'mini Cooper', the Volkswagen 'Beetle', the Fiat 'Cinquecento'. What could possibly go wrong? Alas, a reader very kindly referred me to a site posting leaked images of the car in question. Now, I ask you, is the car pictured above worthy of the 'DS' brand? Is this a car worthy of French presidents and the glitterati? I can only hope that these leaked pictures are a terrible Internet hoax.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Inside the Studio - Giles Deacon - Chapter II

As promised, here is the second installment of Imran Amed's interview with Giles Deacon: "Creative Process - A Designer Who Has Always Drawn…". Enjoy!

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Citroen to Bring Back the 'DS'

No one will ever accuse me of being a car enthusiast, luxury or otherwise, but the news that French car manufacturer Citroen plans to introduce an updated version of the classic 'DS' fills me with excitement nonetheless. While some consider the car's design quirky or weird even, I find it compellingly sexy, sleek and stylish. Perhaps its just that I can totally imagine myself stepping out of one dressed to kill and ready for a night on the town.

Inside the Studio - Giles Deacon - Chapter 1

Here it is! The first part of Imran Amed's interview with British designer Giles Deacon (Chapter 1: Foundation "Unstructured Exploration…"). Enjoy!

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Fashion: Imran Amed's 'Inside the Studio' - Required Viewing for All Followers of Fashion

It's always nice when good things happen to someone whom you know and respect. This is especially true when you know just how hard they work and the level of dedication and professionalism they bring to their work. This is precisely why I'm so pleased to tell you about 'Inside the Studio', the newest project launched by Imran Amed with the support of Swarovski.

Luxury: Roger Vivier's Flight of Fancy

Monsieur Frisoni, vous me donnez des ailes!

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles