My Favourite Designers - by Donna

1.   Christian Dior:   Above sketch by Christian Dior.  See footnotes at bottom of page for copyright information.

When I think of the word glamorous I think of Christian Dior,  one of my all time favourite designers.   What makes the Dior name even more special to me is I actually once had a genuinely magical moment when I 'accidentally' tried on a Dior dress. (see upcoming article...My encounter with Dior)  Dior's history goes way back when he initially became famous after world war two when he introduced the concept of the hour glass silhouette.    Then Dior's first haute couture show in 1947,  solidified his standing in the fashion industry and selling his designs to famous American actresses followed.

Dior's collections include everything from his fashions of course,  to his line of cosmetics and accessories.   I love this quote that was published ten days after the untimely death of Christian Dior "The French newspaper Le Monde hailed him as a man who was “identified with good taste, the art of living and refined culture that epitomises Paris to the outside world”.     That quote pretty much sums up in one sentence,  the essence of who Dior really was.   Using his exquisite designs,  Dior shared everything he surrounded himself with in Paris to women who wanted to experience a little glimpse of that life themselves.   His powerful presence was evident then,  and still today several decades following his death it is still evident.   High end department stores and cosmetic boutiques all over the world,  daily welcome clients who stop in to purchase Dior items. 


I think it would be so interesting to use white and grey,  Christian Dior's favourite colours as a design concept for a wedding.   It would require just the right elements and if done in true Dior style the outcome would be ultra chic.

If you want to read further on the life of this extremely talented and fascinating designer please follow this link.
http://www.dior.com/prehomeFlash.htm
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2.  Yves Saint Laurent.   Above sketch by Yves Saint Laurent.  See bottom of page for copyright information.

Another of my favourite fashion designers Yves Saint Laurent became the head designer at Christian Dior,  following Dior's death in 1957.   Mr. Saint Laurent was only twenty one years old at the time.    His amazing career spanned several decades and included his inventing pant suits,  bolero jackets and the women's tuxedo jacket just to name a few of his designs.   One of his biggest accomplishments was making ready to wear fashions acceptable.   The great thing about his designs is they always reflected the changing times.    And during the latter part of his career he became the first haute couture designer to broadcast a live fashion show on the internet.   The way he incorporated art in his designs and the huge amount of respect he had for women were just two reason why he gained fans in so many walks of life.  "Saint Laurent also played a huge role in changing how women dressed. He created the first tuxedo for women. Giving women a look that was traditionally associated with men was a statement for Saint Laurent in showing a power shift in gender. But being a "powerful" woman meant more to Saint Laurent than putting a woman into a man's suit. His sleek evening gowns emphasize the beauty of the female form."


Reading up on the life and exceptional career of Yves Saint Laurent made for some very interesting discoveries.   One of the most impressive things I learned was he had the rare ability to know what women wanted,  before they even knew it themselves.   That alone is an exceptional talent and one of the many reasons that I believe empowered him to stay around for as long as he did.


For more information on Yves Saint Laurent visit the website below.
http://ysl.com/us/en/index.aspx
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3.  Chanel  - sketch by Karl Lagerfel for Chanel

As far back as I can remember the name Chanel has always been of great interest to me.   It all started when I was 14 years old and our local pharmacy gave out the tiniest little bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume with any purchase.   It was the first real perfume I ever owned and that little bottle lasted me all through my high school years.   Still in my early teens I would buy an issue of Vogue,  and any ad or mention of the name Chanel would make my purchase all the more worth while.

The life of Coco Chanel is a fascinating and intriguing story.   It is truly a remarkable story that Chanel went from spending her childhood years as an orphan,  to becoming one of the most famous designers and business women of all time.     Not only was Coco Chanel known for her incredible designs,  it went much deeper than that.   She actually had a profound impact on changing the way women dressed.   Chanel was a leader in the movement of change and made it acceptable for women to leave behind the confining designs of the Edwardian period.   From her classic custom suits to her little black dress design everything with the Chanel label was highly valued in her time,  and still is to this day.   I don't think there is a person alive,  regardless of their interest in fashion or not,  that doesn't recognize the name Chanel.

If I could only own one piece of designer clothing it would be a Chanel suit.   For now I do consider it a privilege to own a pair of Chanel sunglasses,  my first ever real designer purchase.   I am currently searching for a Chanel bag and look forward to finding just the right one.

For information on Chanel, see the following website.
http://www.chanel.com/
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4.   Oscar de la Renta:  Above sketch by Oscar de la Renta

I love the above sketch of a wedding dress from Oscar de la Renta's new bridal capsule collection.   The design is a perfect representation of Mr. de la Renta's concept of brides which he describes in the following quote.  "The bride has a common dream - she wants to look her very best,  the most feminine, the most romantic and the most memorable."   Who wouldn't want a wedding dress designed by Oscar de la Renta.   His fashion shows are for obvious reasons hugely successful,  but it's his wedding dresses that usually steal the show.

What I find so interesting about Oscar de la Renta is the rich and varied history behind this man.  Born in the Dominican Republic to a woman who was from there and to a father who was Puerto Rican.   At eighteen years of age he moved to Spain where he studied art.   He soon realized his passion was actually in fashion and not long after he started sketching for fashion houses in Spain.   Not surprisingly he moved to Paris as a couture assistant.

In 1963 Oscar de la Renta moved to New York City,  already very famous by this time.   He continued working his way up to the top of the fashion industry and having his own label.   He is most famous for his ready to wear line.  "Launching his own line in 1965, he was the first designer to give American women couture quality off the rack. He's said he designs clothes for wearing, not for museums."   Oscar de la Renta designs everything from clothes, accessories for both women and men,  perfume and also has a line of furniture inspired from his homes in the Dominican Republic and America.


One of the many things I like about Oscar de la Renta is regardless of what style of clothes he designs he puts just as much passion into it.   For example his casual clothes are just that ..items such as denim pants and tank tops and then his next design can be his exquisite line of evening clothes that are very detailed and elaborately designed.   I admire that Mr. de la Renta wants every piece he designs to be as important as the next.   For more information on Oscar de la Renta and his line of fashions see the following website.
http://www.oscardelarenta.com/
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Bridal inspirations with fashions from the above designers.


*Dior

Brides can get inspiration for their own dress by studying designs that aren't necessarily created as a wedding gown.   For example there are elements from the above couture dresses by Dior that would be  so glamourous for a wedding dress....in both the design style and use of the gorgeous fabric.




*Yves Saint Laurent

The above dresses from Yves Saint Laurent's 2002 Couture runway would be 
stunning for a formal wedding.  The elegant violet and plum gowns are great
inspirations for bridesmaid's dresses.
The pink gown I can visualize for the mother of the bride (with a little tailoring
so the cut is not quite as low).  
I am still searching for just the right bride's dress to go with this combination.




*Chanel

I love this white ruffled dress design by Chanel,  (dress in photo above silver dress) and think it would make a cute wedding dress for the right bride and the right wedding.  (minus the big hair bow).  And the above dress (again minus the hair bow) would be perfect for the mother of the bride,  for the same wedding. 




*Oscar de la Renta

Although the three gowns above all by Oscar de la Renta,  are not part of his bridal collection I think they would make fabulous wedding dresses.   I wonder if there will come a day where wearing wedding dresses in colours other than white will be popular?    Although there is nothing wrong with wearing white if that is what you want,  there is also nothing wrong with wearing a wedding dress that isn't white.   My daughter choose a pink dress for her wedding dress and I give her so much credit for stepping outside of the box and wearing something that she felt suited her.   And after seeing the way
my daughter looked in the gorgeous pink dress she choose for her wedding,  I can't imagine her in
anything else.

Footnotes to above images and quotes.

Image 1 and Quote:  http://designmuseum.org/design/christian-dior

Image 2:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7430568.stm

Quote re: Yves Saint Laurent

http://specialartgalleryexhibits.suite101.com/article.cfm/yves_saint_laurent_retrospective_at_de_young

Image 3:
Image 4 and Quote:   http://www.stylelist.com/2010/01/17/oscar-de-la-renta-tells-stylelist-about-his-exclusive-new-weddin/
Quote 2 Oscar de la Renta:  http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/style/gloss/6936637.html
Photo credits:
*All bridal inspirations photographs from style.com

Top ten items no house should be without. - by Donna

There are a few items that every house should have,  mostly because they will make your life so much easier.   And the majority of the items on the list will pretty much last forever,  so you won't ever have to replace them.

Portable Radio.

Most homes have a computer,  television,  stereo with a radio and all the other modern day conveniences.    The thing is though if the power ever goes off none of those item will be of any use to you.  However if you have a battery operated portable radio,  you will still be able to get the weather report and any other important news announcements.

Battery Powered Lantern.

A few years ago we purchased a good sized battery powered lantern,  and I am surprised how many times we have had the opportunity to use it.   A few times we used it when the power went off,  and a couple of times when a light burned out it a room it came in handy,  until we replaced the bulb.  You can even buy styles now that are quite attractive,  but the main thing is to have one,  as it will be much appreciated when you really need it. 

Portable Coat Rack.

Many condos,  apartments and houses have a limited amount of space for storing coats.   Having a portable coat rack will come in handy for both your family and visitors.   If the entrance has a spot for a coat rack then you can stick it in a corner in that space.   And they have improved in appearance so much over the years that some coat racks are nice enough to be placed in other rooms as well,  they don't need to be limited to the entrance way.  You can pick them up at most home decorating stores and they come in a number of colours and materials,  so you can purchase one that best suits your decor.

Stacking Tables.

I don't think there is anyone that will not at some point or the other need a set of stacking tables.   And the neat thing is they come in a variety of styles from the casual to the more elegant,  so you can fit them into your decorating style.   The uses for stacking tables are endless,  and they are especially useful when you have guests.   Now with the amount of entertaining that goes on they can be placed strategically in any room you are having guests in,  and they can be used for glasses,  snacks and so forth.

Folding Chairs.

Who hasn't been stuck at the last minute borrowing chairs for a dinner,  you are just about to serve.   Like everything else folding chairs have come a long way,  and you can now buy folding chairs that look quite good.   You can also find them in all different types of materials,  colours and price ranges.   The main thing is having a few on hand at all times will be one of the handiest accessories you will have.

Serving Tray.

A few years ago I picked up a serving tray because I liked the way it looked.   I found it had a number of uses so I have since picked up a few more.   Obviously they can be used for serving drinks and o'rderves,  and when they are not being used they look lovely set at the end of a kitchen or dining room table.   Everyone will find their own uses for serving trays and once you have one or two you will wonder what you did before you had them.

Butler Table.

If you have a coffee table then you aren't necessarily going to go out and purchase a butler's table.   When you do need a new coffee table I would highly recommend making it a butler's table.    We bought one over 25 years ago and it still looks current,  and I think we will probably have it forever.    I would suggest buying the style that has sides that fold up and down,  that way you can adjust the size of your table according to the amount of space you want from it.

Reading Lamp.

Every home needs to have at least one good reading lamp.   I find that a floor lamp works best,  that way it can be easily moved around from place to place without requiring a table to set it on.  Another suggestion is to get a reading lamp that has an adjustable base,  that way it can be raised and lowered according to which height you want it to be.   The cost of floor lamps has really dropped over the last few years,  and you can purchase a good one for a relatively inexpensive price.

Magazine Rack.

I admit I have a thing for magazine racks (which stems from having a thing for magazines) and we probably have at least one magazine rack in every room.    Obviously there use is pretty much only for storing magazines.   But the added bonus is there are so many different and interesting styles available,  that they can actually look quite nice in a room and add interest to the space.   But their main requirement to basically store your daily newspaper and any magazines,  will help keep your living space tidy.

Desk.

I think it would be difficult to not have some form of desk in a home.    Especially today when just about everyone has a computer.   Also it will give you an area to pay your bills and store any important papers you have.    One of the things I have noticed lately in decorating books is people are starting to put desks in their family room or even living room.   Because they are available in decorative as well as functional styles,  this concept actually looks quite lovely.

The above are just a few examples of the types of decorative trays,  magazine racks and reading lamps etc. that are available.


If anyone has any suggestions for other items that no home should be without,  please feel free to send them into the comments section below.

Black and White - by Donna

Black

 and

White

     

I think everyone's wardrobe should have at least one black and one white outfit.   Regardless if you are dressing for a  formal event or casual party,  black and white will always work.   And you can use accessories to dress the outfit up or down.   It goes without saying that black has always been a popular colour.  But it used to be an unwritten fashion rule that white could only be worn in summer months.   Thankfully that concept is long gone,  and white is now accepted in any season.    Although I have always realized how popular white and black are,  I was quite surprised while researching for this article just to what extent all the top designers incorporate both black and white into their collections.   Black and white will always be in style,  which makes investing in a good quality piece of clothing in both colours well worth it.   

All the above fashions are by Yves Saint Laurent.  

The above fashions by Oscar de la Renta are examples of a more casual use of black and white.   You can see the way jackets,  shoes,  belts and other accessories can influence the outcome of the look.   And the other great benefit is you can mix and match pretty much any black or white jacket with slacks,  skirts and even dresses.

                                                            

The above styles are all from different Chanel fashion shows.    Actually there are not many Chanel collections that do not use black and white to some degree.   And some of my favorite Chanel shows are shows that have a focus on white  and to some extent black,  like their spring 2009 couture line. Notice how the use of the black stockings dress up the traditional (or as traditional as a  Chanel design can be) suit.   The white winter coat  paired with the short white dress makes a polished outfit,  and picture the same coat over a black dress and it would totally turn it into an elegant outfit.   Although some of the above looks are over the top,  you can take  inspirations from specific elements that appeal to you and incorporate them into your own wardrobe.

Black dress with white coat: Christian Dior


There are a number of ways you can add black and white to your own collection,  using designer's fashions to inspire.   If you like the look of a certain designer piece and don't want to spend a huge amount of money,  there are a number of options.    You can have a seamstress or tailor make something similar.    Or you can buy an inexpensive basic item such as black slacks or a black skirt and spend more on a good quality white blouse or sweater.   A few years ago I purchased a white and a black cardigan,  and when I travel I always bring both with me.   They are the best investments I have ever made for so many reasons.    To start with either sweater can be worn with any colour you are wearing.    The sweater can be worn with a dress,  with a skirt and top,  with  slacks or jeans that are worn with a blouse or top.    You can also pair the sweater with a skirt or slacks and wear a camisole under,  then do all the buttons up so the sweater is your top.    I noticed this year when I was shopping for a bathing suit that you can now even purchase sweaters to go over swimwear.   The uses really are endless, and when you are going out you can always throw one over your shoulders and then put it on if it gets cool.

*All photographs on this page from www.style.com