#Audrey Tautou as 'Gabrielle Coco Chanel' | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

pompadourpink · 6 years

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Audrey Tautou’s movies

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Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2001

Amélie Poulain is born in June 1974 and raised by eccentric parents. To cope with her loneliness, Amélie develops an active imagination and a mischievous personality. On 31 August 1997, she drops a perfume-stopper which dislodges a wall tile and accidentally reveals an old metal box of childhood memorabilia hidden by a boy who lived in her apartment decades earlier. Amélie resolves to track down the boy and return the box to him. She promises herself that if it makes him happy, she will devote her life to bringing happiness to others.

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Un long dimanche de fiançailles, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2004

Five French soldiers are convicted of self-mutilation in order to escape military service during WWI. They are condemned to face near certain death in the no man's land between the French and German trench lines. It appears that all of them were killed in a subsequent battle, but Mathilde, the fiancée of one of the soldiers, refuses to give up hope and begins to uncover clues as to what actually took place on the battlefield.

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Da Vinci code, Ron Howard, 2006

Jacques Saunière, the Louvre's curator, is pursued through the Great Gallery by an albino Catholic monk named Silas, who demands the location of the Priory's "keystone" to find and destroy the Holy Grail. Saunière gives him a false lead and is murdered. When the police arrive, they find his body posed like Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. Police Captain Bezu Fache summons American symbologist Robert Langdon to examine Saunière's body and shows him a Polaroid of the body while he signs autographs at one of his public talks. Langdon then discovers a secret message only readable by blacklight that contains an out-of-order Fibonacci sequence.

(Contains lots of bits of paris and horrible French accent, if it’s your jam)

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Coco avant Chanel, Anne Fontaine, 2009

Several years after leaving the orphanage where her father abandoned her, a young Gabrielle Chanel finds herself working in a provincial bar. She is both a seamstress for the performers and a singer, earning the nickname 'Coco' from the song she sings nightly with her sister. A liaison with the charismatic Baron Balsan gives her an entry into French high society, and a chance to develop her gift for designing increasingly popular hats.

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L’auberge Espagnole + Les Poupées Russes + Casse-tête Chinois, Cédric Clapisch

AE: Xavier, a 24-year-old French student, attends the ERASMUS programme in Barcelona as part of his professional pursuits against the wishes of his girlfriend Martine. On the flight there, he meets a French doctor and his wife, who let him stay in their home while he searches for an apartment.

PR: Xavier becomes a writer for pulp romantic novels and a ghostwriter. His now ex Martine criticizes his pulp novel work as being unrealistic and corny. Despite agreeing with this, Xavier only replies that he earns good money. When Xavier's grandfather asks about Xavier's fiancée, he asks lesbian friend Isabelle to pose as his fiancée.

CTC: Xavier is 40 years old and divorced from Wendy. When she decides to move to New York with their two children, he wants to remain part of their lives and so moves to the city as well.

#movies #cinema #hear #practice #audrey tautou

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fashion-show · 6 years

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French film about the early life of famed French fashion designer Coco Chanel: Coco Before Chanel (July 31, 2009) Director: Anne Fontaine Cast: Audrey Tautou, Benoît Poelvoorde, Alessandro Nivola, Marie Gillain, Emmanuelle Devos Audrey Tautou (The Da Vinci Code) plays the legendary "Coco" Chanel in an enthralling exploration of her early life before she rose to worldwide fame as the most celebrated fashion designer of the 20th Century. We meet the young Gabrielle Chanel, illegitimate daughter of a traveling salesman who learns to sew in a Catholic orphanage before following her singing ambitions lead her to a cabaret club. It is here where Chanel earns the nickname Coco and also where she catches the eye of several high society gentlemen who would ignite her passion and become instrumental in the development of her remarkable career. From director Anne Fontaine Coco Before Chanel is the fascinating untold story of how one woman rose from humble beginnings to become one of coutures most important icons.

#audrey tautou #fashion #coco chanel #chanel #fashion designer

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sunshineshop116 · 4 years

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Chanel

Chanel hiện là một công ty tư nhân của Pháp thuộc sở hữu của Alain Wertheimer và Gérard Wertheimer, cháu trai của Pierre Wertheimer, một đối tác kinh doanh ban đầu của Couturière Coco Chanel. Chanel S.A là một nhà mốt cao cấp chuyên về thời trang cao cấp và quần áo may sẵn, hàng xa xỉ và phụ kiện thời trang. Khi còn trẻ, Gabrielle Chanel có được biệt danh Coco từ thời còn là một nữ ca sĩ. Là một nhà thiết kế thời trang, Coco Chanel phục vụ cho sở thích của phụ nữ về sự thanh lịch trong trang phục, với áo cánh và bộ vét, quần và váy, và đồ trang sức (đá quý và đồ trang sức) có thiết kế đơn giản, thay thế cho quần áo và phụ kiện sang trọng của thời trang thế kỷ 19.

Các thương hiệu sản phẩm Chanel đã được các người mẫu thời trang nam nữ, nữ diễn viên, bao gồm Inès de La Fressange, Catherine Deneuve, Carole bouquet, Vanessa Paradis, Nicole Kidman, Anna Mouglalis, Audrey Tautou, Keira Knightley, Kristen Stewart, Phira , Cara Delevigne và Marilyn Monroe ưa thích.

Coco Chanel

Nhà thiết kế thời trang Coco Chanel, sinh năm 1883, tại Pháp, nổi tiếng với những thiết kế vượt thời gian, bộ đồ thương hiệu và những chiếc váy đen nhỏ. Chanel được nuôi dưỡng trong một trại trẻ mồ côi và được dạy may. Bà có một thời gian ngắn làm ca sĩ trước khi mở cửa hàng quần áo đầu tiên vào năm 1910. Vào những năm 1920, bà đã cho ra mắt loại nước hoa đầu tiên của mình và cuối cùng giới thiệu bộ đồ Chanel và chiếc váy đen nhỏ, với trọng tâm là làm cho quần áo thoải mái hơn cho phụ nữ. Bản thân bà đã trở thành một biểu tượng phong cách được nhiều người biết đến với những bộ trang phục đơn giản nhưng tinh tế được kết hợp với các phụ kiện tuyệt vời, chẳng hạn như vài chuỗi ngọc trai.

Như Chanel đã từng nói “Sang trọng thì phải thoải mái, nếu không thì không phải là xa xỉ”.

Nhà mốt Chanel (Chanel S.A.) bắt nguồn từ năm 1909 khi Gabrielle Chanel mở một cửa hàng kinh doanh tại 160 Boulevard Malesherbes, tầng trệt căn hộ ở Paris của một doanh nhân dệt may Étienne Balsan. Căn hộ Balsan là nơi của giới thượng lưu Pháp gặp gỡ và giải trí, Chanel có cơ hội gặp gỡ họ, những người phụ nữ của thời trang, những người đàn ông thể hiện sự giàu có của họ qua những bộ quần áo, trang sức và mũ trang trí công phu.

Coco Chanel từ đó có thể bán cho họ những chiếc mũ do bà thiết kế và làm ra. Bà kiếm sống độc lập với nhà tài trợ tài chính của mình.

Năm 1921, để bổ sung cho bộ quần áo, Coco Chanel đã giao cho chuyên gia nước hoa Ernest Beaux tạo ra một loại nước hoa cho House of Chanel. Nước hoa của ông bao gồm nước hoa số 5, được đặt tên theo số mẫu mà Chanel thích nhất. Nguyên bản là chai số 5, một món quà cho khách hàng của Chanel. Sự phổ biến của nước hoa đã thúc đẩy House of Chanel chào bán nó vào năm 1922.

Về phương diện làm đẹp, tất cả bắt đầu với Chanel No5. Nó là loại nước hoa bán chạy nhất trên thế giới. Rất nhiều người đi xung quanh có mùi giống nhau. Được tạo ra cùng với nước hoa dành cho Sa hoàng, Ernest Beaux, bà đã chọn mẫu thứ năm. Đó là lần đầu tiên một nhà mốt tạo ra một loại nước hoa và nó nhanh chóng trở thành một cú sốc lớn. Đồng thời, Chanel bắt đầu mở rộng và ra mắt toàn cầu một dòng mỹ phẩm vào năm 1924 và một loạt các sản phẩm chăm sóc da vào năm 1929.

Thành công của nước hoa số 5 đã khuyến khích Coco Chanel mở rộng doanh số bán nước hoa ngoài Pháp và châu Âu và phát triển các loại nước hoa khác – mà bà cần vốn đầu tư, sự nhạy bén trong kinh doanh và tiếp cận thị trường Bắc Mỹ. Cuối cùng, doanh nhân Théophile Bader (người sáng lập Galeries Lafayette) đã giới thiệu nhà đầu tư mạo hiểm Pierre Wertheimer cho Coco Chanel. Hợp đồng kinh doanh của họ đã thành lập công ty Parfums Chanel, một công ty trong đó Wertheimer sở hữu 70%, Bader sở hữu 20% và Chanel sở hữu 10%.

Trải qua thế chiến II Pierre Wertheimer đã giải quyết cuộc tranh cãi về quyền kinh doanh và thương mại với Chanel, và vào tháng 5 năm 1947, họ đã đàm phán lại hợp đồng năm 1924 đã thành lập Parfums Chanel. Chanel giao quyền thương mại hạn chế để bán “nước hoa Chanel” của bà tại Thụy Sĩ và được cấp một khoản trợ cấp hàng tháng liên tục trả tất cả các chi phí của bà. Đổi lại, Gabrielle Chanel đóng cửa doanh nghiệp bán hàng Thụy Sĩ của mình và bán cho Parfums Chanel toàn quyền đối với cái tên “Coco Chanel“

Mang nét thanh lịch, đơn giản và sự quyến rũ vượt thời gian của những năm 1920, bộ sưu tập kính mắt Chanel đã trở thành một biểu tượng của cả sự tinh tế và trao quyền cho phụ nữ. Ra mắt từ ngón tay của một cô gái mồ côi, thương hiệu mang tính biểu tượng đã phát triển thành một thế lực thời trang toàn cầu xoay quanh chính những người phụ nữ mà nó tạo ra. Tuy nhiên, bất chấp lịch sử phong phú của thương hiệu, tinh thần sáng tạo của nó được thể hiện qua mọi thiết kế.

Phong cách hai tông màu của cảm hứng hoài cổ và thiết kế hướng về phía trước đã khiến cho kính Chanel trở thành một trong những sản phẩm được săn lùng nhiều nhất trong giới thượng lưu thời trang thế giới. Những ngôi sao bao gồm Lily-Rose Depp, Willow Smith và Kristen Stewart đã dẫn đầu các chiến dịch kính mắt quyến rũ của Chanel, trong những năm gần đây – minh chứng cho cam kết của thương hiệu này luôn đi đầu trong thời trang nữ.

Gabrielle Chanel đã qua đời năm 1971, nhưng tinh thần sáng tạo của bà vẫn vững vàng của nhà mốt thời trang và năm 1999 Chanel hợp tác với công ty sản xuất kính mắt khổng lồ Luxottica ra mắt bộ sưu tập kính mắt và kính râm Chanel đầu tiên ở Anh.

#lichsu

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hellothismustbetheplace · 5 years

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Just Pinned to 1 Chanel: Audrey Tautou (The Da Vinci Code, Amélie) shines in this intriguing portrait of the early life of Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, the orphan who would build a fashion empire and be known universally by her nickname, Coco. http://bit.ly/2XjzGUb

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carriegfcltdt18fan · 6 years

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#coco chanel #gabrielle chanel #coco avant chanel #audrey tautou

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beautifulfaaces · 7 years

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Audrey Tautou

Facts

9 August 1976

French actress and model

Filmography

Marie [The Jesus rolls: 2019]

Valentine [Éternité: 2016]

Martine [ Casse-tête chinois: 2013]

Gabrielle [ Coco avant Chanel: 2009]

Amélie [ Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain: 2001]

Léa [Bébés Boum: 1998]

Appearance

brunette/ black hair

brown eyes

1.60m

Roleplay

playable: young adult, adult

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eecmoda · 6 years

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TV Y MODA

No solo de revistas vive un fashionista, si no que existe mucho material sobre moda en documentales, series y películas que son interesantes, otros conmovedores, algunos ridículamente entretenidos, desvariantes, etc. un sinfín de material.

He aquí un pequeño listado de algunas cintas que podrían comenzar a ver, con el fin de insertarte en este mundo maravilloso que es la belleza, la elegancia, extravagancia y locura de cosas lindas que disfrutamos día a día.

Así que ahora acomódate, enciende la tv y disfruta:

1.- THE TRUE COST (2015. Drama/Documental) Dirigido por Andrew Morgan.

Es un documental muy interesante y conmovedor, te muestra la otra cara de la moda. Está dirigida por Andrew Morgan. En donde nos indica que la moda hay que tomársela en serio en todos los sentidos.

Dura 1 hora 32 minutos que lo valen. Ya que muestra el impacto que tiene la industria de la moda en el planeta. Una perspectiva distinta que refleja una realidad que no podemos dejar de enfrentar.

2.- DESAYUNO EN TIFFANY´S (1961. Drama/Comedia. 1 hora 55 min) Dirigida por Blake Edwars.

Después de habernos puestos serios, nos relajamos con un clásico del cine, la cual te sacará de la curiosidad de donde salió ese vestidito negro que tanto hablan y que todas debemos tener en nuestro closet.

Película protagonizada por Audrey Hepburn, y cuenta la historia de una chica que ama la libertad así como la tienda Tiffany´s, y siempre que puede desayuna frente a sus vitrinas admirando sus bellezas. Siempre vistiendo y viviendo elegantemente, aunque sus recursos son relativamente escasos.

3.- THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE. (La edición de septiembre)

2009. Dirigida por R.J. Cutler. Documental 1 hora 30 min.)

Protagonizado ni más ni menos que por Anna Wintour, quien junto a su equipo está en proceso de la creación de ejemplar de septiembre de 2007.

La revista de septiembre es la más importante en el diseño de modas, ya que muestra las próximas tendencias, así que el trabajo es arduo. Con Anna a la cabeza de la biblia de la moda llamada Vogue, es todo muy arduo y el glamour se olvida ya que es sudor y lágrimas.

4.- COCO ANTES DE CHANEL. (2009. Drama/Románce. 1 hora 51 minutos) Dirigida por Anna Fontaine.

Otra adaptación cinematográfica de la vida de Chanel, esta vez protagonizada por Audrey Tautou, que lo hace excelente.

Gabrielle (Coco) y su hermana Adrienne fueron criadas en un orfanato, y al cumplir la edad suficiente salen a ganarse la vida como cantantes de cabaret y costureras. En el cabaret conoce a un rico heredero que la convierte en su amante y consejera de modas. Una película con amor, desamor y como fue construyendo su imperio.

5.- SEXO EN NUEVA YORK. ( serie de 6 temporadas y 2 películas)

Una de las mejores series de tipo comedia fashionista. Una constante pasarela que es un deleite a la vista.

Cuenta la historia de 4 amigas, muy diferentes las una de la otra. Que viven sus experiencias amorosas vestidas con lo último y más exclusivo de la moda.

Y por último puedo mencionar, a la ganadora del premio Oscar 2018 a mejor diseño de vestuario:

6.- EL HILO INVISIBLE. (2017. Drama. 2 horas 10 minutos) Dirigida por Pail Thomas Anderson.

Reynolds Woodcock es un reconocido diseñador, vive en Inglaterra junto a su hermana quien es su persona de confianza. Pero un día cualquiera conoce a Alma, una camarera, que se transforma en su musa. El vestuario estuvo a cargo de Mark Bridges y es toda elegancia, inspirada en el estilo lady.

Muy corta la lista? Sí, lo sé.

Existe una infinidad de películas y documentales interesantes, y esta es una muy breve lista con la cual puedes comenzar.

Saludos y éxito lind@s fashionist@s

Jackie O. Diplomada en Historia y Estética del Cine. @cineyestilo

Material de apoyo: Google, Nexflit, YouTube y revisión de películas de colección personal.

#cultura #moda y cine #fashion and films #eecmoda #eecmodaproducciones #articulos #best blogger #fashion culture

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shadyluminaryinfluencer · 7 years

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Hello Fashionista’s,

The next must have item in our capsule closet has to be the little black dress also known as L.B.D. In fact I would go so far as categorically stating that no modern women’s wardrobe can be considered complete if it does not have one of them. The popularity of this must have item has by Fashion Historians been ascribed to the 1920’s designs of Coco Chanel.

Double layered shirred bodycon dress

Lets pay homage to this incredible women by finding out a little bit more about them. Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel was born on the 19th August 1883 in Saumur, Maine-et-Loire, France to Eugenie Jeanne Devolle (who went by the name of Jeanne) her Mother who was unmarried and her father, Albert Chanel. Her mother was a laundrywoman who spent her days working at a charity hospital which was run by the Sisters of Providence. This was a government run facility which took care of and gave support to the very needy in society. Coco had an older sister called Julia who was born less than a year earlier.

Her father made a living peddling work clothes and undergarments traveling to and from market towns to do so. After being persuaded to marry her by her family the couple wed in 1884. When she was born, Coco’s name was entered into the official registry as “Chasnel”,her mother Jeanne was to unwell to attend the registration. With both parents absent, the infants’s name was misspelled – suspicion being that it was a clerical mistake. The couple had three other children, another girl and two boys. Growing up was extremely cramped as they resided in a one-room lodging in the town of Brive-la-Gallarde, France.

Tragically her mother died of Tuberculosis when she was 12, her mother perishing at the young age of 32. Her brothers were sent to work as farm labourers and her father sent his three daughters to a convent called Aubazine in Correze which is about 10 km’s away from Brive-la-Gallarde. The orphanage , was “founded to care for the poor and rejected, including running homes for abandoned and orphaned girls”. Life in the orphanage was stark, sparse and the nuns demanded strict discipline. Historians agree that despite the tragic circumstances which landed her in the orphanage, it was here where she learned to sew. When she turned eighteen, she went to live in a boarding house for Catholic girls in the town of Moulins. Interestingly it is widely reported that Chanel would tell a somewhat different version of her own childhood when she was older often telling people that after her mother died, her father sailed to America to persue his fortune. Or that she was sent to live with her Aunts. It seems she regailed a far more glamorous childhood than the tragic one afforded to her which saw her loose her mother at such a young age and her being sent to grow up in an institution.

Her name Coco arose from a somewhat different earlier career she enjoyed as a singer – albeit a brief one. She would sing at various clubs in Vichy and Moulins in France. Chanel herself is quoted as saying the name is a “shortened version of cocotte, the French word for ‘kept woman’”. It soon became apparent that a stage career was not for her.

A young Gabrielle Chanel

Coco Chanel and her Aunt, Adrienne outside her first store in Deauville

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in her youth

The young Coco Chanel

An association with Etienne Balson when she was twenty years old prompted her early foray into fashion when he assisted her in starting a millinery business in Paris. When she met Arthur “Boy” Capel – an even wealthier associate of Etienne’s she promptly dumped him. The stylish Arthur was an impeccably dressed man and his influence is widely associated with Chanel’s concept look. Her first boutique was opened in 1913 in Deauville with Arthur’s financial assistance. The store introduced the world to her range of casual and sportswear. It marked the start of future success. By 1915 a second boutique opened its doors in Biarritz. The establishment of her Maison de couture at 31 rue Cambon took place in 1919.

Coco Chanel introduced the world to the Little Black Dress in the 1920’s. Her intention being that the dress be affordable and easy-to-wear this being in stark contrast to the restrictive fashion of the time which included constrictive corsets which were used an essential piece of underwear forcing a women’s waist thinner. She will remain forever enshrined in the fashion worlds hall of fame for freeing women of corsets, daring them to wear short skirts – short enough for their ankles to be shown in public. It is for this and her elegant, comfortable and practical approach to women’s fashion that revolutionized the world of women’s fashion forever.

In 1921 Coco introduced the world to her first fragrance – named after her as – Chanel No. Five. The Number Five was included as Chanel had been told it was her lucky number by a fortune teller. This floral scent was created by Ernest Beaux and he was briefed by Chanel to create a perfume that ‘smelled like a women”. She did not want it to smell like a rose or lily of valley but rather as a floral composition. The original scent has been adapted since then by Henri Robert and Jacques Polge

‘I am told that when Mlle Chanel met Ernest Beaux she asked him to create ‘a perfume that will make even the perfumers jealous’. She said he could use the richest products available, and so he used the best he had – jasmine from Grasse, May rose, a special quality of ylang-ylang – and, at the end, he added some aldehydes to let all that richness fly a little,’ Polge said.

Chanel No. 5 was adored by Marilyn Monroe who family said she wears Chanel No. 5 and nothing else to bed. The perfume remains on the best selling perfumes in the world – adored by celebrities and man across the world.

During the World War II, she was accused of being a Nazi spy. At the end of the war in 1945 Chanel moved to Switzerland. She remained there for nine years eventually returning to Paris in 1954, this marked the re-opening of her couture houses. Chanel, aged 71 is reportedly to have told the famous actress Marlene Dietrich that it was because she was “dying of boredom”. Her new collection wasn’t well received by Parisians as the taint of being a Nazi spy continued to haunt her. However, her designs were well regarded and endorsed by the British and the Americans.

Another iconic Chanel piece is undoubtedly the Chanel Handbag which was created in 1955. Owning one of these incredible handbags is akin to being accepted into an exclusive sorority. For decades the classic flap has been incredibly sought after. The 2.55 Reissued helped revive the style of this icon in the mid 2000’s. The redesign appealed to a modern looking new generation of customers who didn’t want to be seen wearing their mothers handbags.

Many other designers and retailers from Urban Outfitters to Marc Jacobs has been accused of stealing from Chanel’s signature bag, and there’s a good reason for that – it’s timeless, iconic and still as relevant to luxury customers today as it was back in the 1950s. Chain straps and quilted leather have become nearly synonymous with the idea of the designer handbag, and the Chanel flap may even be more well-known across the world than the illustrious handbag holy grail, the Hermes Birkin. Its pricey at about $ 3,000 but then again you would be buying one of the most sought after handbags in the world and you would own a legend.

On 10 January 1971 Chanel died at the hotel Ritz in Paris at the age of 87. It is widely reported that she uttered her last words to her maid Celine were, “You see, this is how you die.” A recent biography written by Lisa Chaney called “Coco Chanel: An Intimate Life” lays claim that she frequently used opiates and considered the use of morphine as a simple sedative. All of which surfaced with discovered love letters and other archives which go on to claim her bisexuality. Chanel’s funeral was organized at eglise de Madeleine. She rests in peace in the Bois-de-Vaux Cemetery, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Her life has been captured on two films both released in 2009: Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky starring Anna Mouglalis and based on a novel of the same name, and Coco before Chanel starring Audrey Tautou.

No matter what is portrayed of her posthumously, her influence on the fashion world is unmistakable and her legacy will remain forever. When a women today puts on a pair of trouser she can credit Chanel that she no longer needs to be squeezed into a corset. Jackie Kennedy was wearing one of her pink suits on the day JFK was assassinated in Dallas in 1963. In the 1980’s Karl Lagerfield took over as head of design and he is much credited with appealing to a younger more modern women. The company owns 100 boutiques around the world and is still one of the most recognized names in fashion and perfume.

In his book, Chanel: A Woman of Her Own, Axel Madsen says, “Coco was the Pied Piper who led women away from complicated, uncomfortable clothes to a simple, uncluttered, and casual look that is still synonymous with her name. It conveys prestige, quality, taste, and unmistakable style.”

Today her namesake company continues to thrive. Although it is privately held, it is believed to generate hundreds of millions in sales each year.

When I think of a black dress I fondly remember my first trip to the far east in 2007. A shopping trip to the famous Xiushui Street in Beijing. The Market is in the extension line of Chang’an Street, near to International CBD Commercial Area, so it enjoys convenient location and transport.

Among the extensive variety of goods on offer ranging from branded clothes, shoes, bags, leather goods, sportswear, handicrafts, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy, clocks, watches and glasses to name a few I came across a black dress which caught my eye. We were a bit weary after making our way through the maze of people selling their goods. The reason for our weariness stemming from the sellers clutching on to you and whinging that you must by their goods and having to be quite abrupt and stern with them to get rid of them. It quickly dawned on me to avoid making an eye contact with any sellers as this was an invitation for a sale…I can distinctly remember the sound of “best price” and “only so many $’s” as clear as if it were yesterday.

The black dress was an exquisite Chloe black dress – complete with a mandarin collar and ruffled detail on the bodice. The pleated skirt was pure perfection with a ribbon belt which perfectly accentuated the waist. IT WAS PERFECT and then I tried it on…EVEN MORE PERFECT that it was hanging up in all its splendid glory. Then I heard the price which was a little more than I was budgeting on spending but I thought surely I can haggle down the price. So I began in earnest with a price which was immediately cut down – No the price remained. According to my colleague Amanda who was on hand to assist with the translation who also attempted (in Mandarin I might add) to negotiate better terms – the dress was the actual one the real deal and not a knock off. Hence the price was justified and not negotiable. With a heavy heart I exercised restraint and walked away. Everything else in the market after seeing that glorious dress was boring, plain and to me at least uninteresting. As our visit to the market was drawing to its inevitable conclusion my head filled with horror that I might never get a chance to wear that dress. I simply could not leave without that dress – it was haunting me. No matter which way we tried the seller was not budging – not even an inch – not even when we argued that if she was a licensed agent she would have to give me a warranty something she was unwilling to do. So I handed over the cash and the dress looked similar to this one:

I am pleased to report that the dress still hangs in my closet (although I fear it might not fit at the moment as I am carrying some Winter weight which I need to shed). Equally pleased to report that the dress has attended important events, weddings and sadly a few funerals. It has been there for girlfriends who have equally needed a Little Black Dress for an occasion – in fact it forms part of a travelling wardrobe between the girlfriends.

It must be said that the dress – with its classic feminine style – has been worth every cent. The dress wears beautifully, launders well and remains in perfect shape. Whilst I may not have acquired it from a licensed Chloe Store or Agent it’s longevity has been curious to me as to its true origins.

Or perhaps it is simply the nostalgia of remembering those items you buy when you are visiting foreign lands. They unlock memories, smells, sights and sounds with them of that trip. We have a standing joke at home that my husband only shops when he is abroad – cause oh boy can he shop! It is like the minute he gets to a foreign land he becomes a true shopper. I will never forget the look of sheer delight and enjoyment when we entered an Abercrombie and Finch store in Singapore. Oh and they smell great – whatever they use to scent their stores with.

Regrettably for us mere mortals, travels to foreign lands to acquire your full wardrobe is not quite realistic at this stage. However, with the incredible technology at our fingertips today we can order anything, from anywhere, pay for it and have it delivered. It is truly amazing and astounding.

So no matter what the event is you going to be it a funeral, dinner, dance or even a wedding a little black dress will work. It remains chic, modern and relevant even after all these years. One of the most iconic and stylish women of our times, Diana was often seen wearing a stylish Little Black Dress. I have recently listened to the Audiobook “Diana: In her own Words” by Andrew Morton which is a series of the Icon’s own insights recorded during “Morton tapes,” of secret interviews recorded by the princess and sent to the journalist. The one story which I recall is during the early years, Charles admonished Diana for wearing black to an event and she simply ignored his “oh no wearing black is for a funeral comment” and wore that Little Black Dress. By the way if you are a massive fan of her then you simply have to listen to the audio book which strikes a deep chord as it is her voice, her thoughts, her fears, her delights and her love of the boys which is so unscripted and real. Well worth a listen. You will really admire those royal heirs even more…

So as is immortalized in Coco Chanel and Diana to name a few the Little Black Dress is really worthy of its status as a staple piece and building block of any women’s wardrobe.

So here are some of my investment Little Black Dresses that I would recommend:

I hope you have enjoyed this as much as I have putting together its roots and giving the Little Black Dress an insight into its illustrious history which is continuing to evolve among each and everyone of us.

xxx

Hello Fashionista’s, The next must have item in our capsule closet has to be the little black dress also known as L.B.D.

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