Céline Selection

December 23, 2017December 22, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

Since Céline opened its on-line store, it’s worth checking out their site from time to time. Even if you can’t afford one of those perfects coats or knits with foulard inserts, the brand will treat you with some very. very lovely visuals (probably taken by Juergen Teller). I’m enchanted with Charlee Fraser and the bangles shot, just like with the entire resort 2018 collection. Enjoy!

P.s. It’s official – Phoebe Philo leaves Céline. A huge, tribute post is coming up. But let’s feel the festive mood for now and leave the sorrows for later…

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

Paris. Sonia Rykiel Pre-Fall 2018

December 22, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

I’ve been quite absent for the last week, because of a really nasty flu – but this doesn’t mean I wasn’t peeking at the splash of pre-fall collections. Well, that already seems like a dull season, to be honest. But one label really did caught my eye.

Julie de Libran‘s take on Sonia Rykiel has fluctuating results – sometimes, her collections can be described as just ‘basic’, with no depth or any braver concept. However, as in case of pre-fall 2018, there are the right shots. “It’s just a sweater, a skirt, and a good boot,” she might have said modestly. Still, those look more than ‘just good’. And how Parisian (sorry for the cliché, but it’s a fact!). The leather coat-dress in ecru is gorgeous, just like the semi-sheer jacquard gowns in red and navy. Seems like a perfect New Year’s Eve go-to wardrobe, if only it came early enough to the stores… After more than three years of creative direction, it feels that de Libran and Rykiel brand built a strong bond. The designer revealed that she recently became a shareholder and partner in Sonia Rykiel. “I’m part of the family now”. With such great collections coming, Julie proves she succesfully continues the legacy of the late, Left Bank Parisienne.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

Night Dressing. Paco Rabanne SS18

December 3, 2017December 3, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

Sometimes, you fall in love with a collection since the very first moment you’ve seen it. But sometimes, you need some time to get the point behind it. This is what I felt with Julien Dossena‘s Paco Rabanne spring-summer 2018 fashion show. It’s difficult to revive the most ‘contemporary’ brand of 20th century in 21th century, especially in 2017, where defining anything is quite a struggle. However, Dossena understands well what a today’s woman wants and enjoys in fashion – just like Paco did in the 60s. “It was sort of disco boogie-nights,” Julien said backstage of his show, “but then we cleaned it up. I wanted something a little over the top, but precise and refined.” The brand’s cult chain-mail was intriguingly mixed with paisley print, pastel-pink transparency and athleisure-fit, elastic fabrics. But all that very Parisian glow and this chic ‘party’ attitude is what looks like a great way for dressing to celebrate the upcoming festive season. Whether you style it Space Age, Barbarella-mod or more Françoise Hardy, the New Year’s Eve in Paco might be it.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.

Alaia in 1986

November 24, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

This still feels like a nightmare. But it’s the sad reality. Will anyone ever do chic again. Models in Azzedine Alaïa‘ dresses outside one of the designer’s show in 1986. Joy, confidence, love.

Au Revoir, Azzedine.

November 18, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

The artist, the couturier, the artist. He was and forever will be a remarkable technician of cut, a great explorer of materials, more than dress sculptor than a ready-to-wear designer. He didn’t care about the hectic fashion week schedule; trends; conventions behind leading a luxury fashion brand. The father to supermodels, friend of real musicians. A Tunisian who bewitched Paris forever. I feel so blessed that I saw him, even for those two seconds, at his studio / boutique on rue de Moussy, few years ago. With him, fashion is not clothes – it’s emotions.

That’s Azzedine Alaïa. Forever in my heart.