September is a very important month in fashion. It acts as a seasonal reset, it marks the end of Spring/Summer and the transition into Fall/Winter fashion. It is the month of fashion week in New York, London, Paris and Milan.

1."Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams" Exhibition:

After 2 years of lockdown, Brooklyn Museum in New York unveiled a major Dior exhibition; "Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams". The exhibition includes a vast array of over 200 haute couture gowns, photographs, sketches, vintage perfumes..

2."A Lexicon of Fashion"– the 2021 Met Gala theme:

Also, the Metropolitan Museum of Arts opens its fall show: In America: A Lexicon of Fashion – the 2021 Met Gala theme. The exhibit will be a homage to young and emerging American designers; those who are interacting with ideas around identity, self and power.

2.A First in Fashion "Fendace":

Fendi and Versace have teamed up for a design experiment, introducing Fendace aka Fendi by Versace or Versace by Fendi."Luxury collaborating with itself".

So for the first time in fashion, the artistic director of the brands design at other houses and the show the results on the runway. It's not a collaboration nor a competition, it's like collections for shows are created by a different guest designer.

4.September Fashion Weeks:

With NY, London and Milan fashion week done, now is the turn for Paris fashion week for Spring/Summer 2022 Collections. Life is returning to the runway  after 2 seasons of virtual shows due to the pandemic. Most shows took place outdoors and all guest and participants must be vaccinated. 

Some designers have mixed feelings about the situation and some didn't present runway shows this year.

5.Balanciaga x Fortnite:

Balanciaga teamed up with the famous video game "Fortnite" to create virtual clothes, accessories and a destination. In addition to a physical line of products. The collection will be marketed on billboards and in the game itself.

6. Fashion Group "Kering" is Going Fur Free:

This week, French luxury conglomerate "Kering" made a commitment to go entirely fur-free. They will ban this material across all of its labels (Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, ...) in an effort to build a more sustainable fashion industry. 

"Fur has no place in luxury" Kering's CEO announced.

* Photos are not mine. They are sourced from various sites.

With life going back to normal, and fashion weeks booming again, let's welcome the new season and this fashion month with the trends for Fall/Winter 2021 . With Yellow, orange, and pink being the three It shades of Fall/Winter 2021.

1.Après-Ski:

With ski-sweaters as a key piece for comfort and cozy dressing, you can embrace that ski-life fashion without actually hitting the slopes. This trend was seen by brands like: Chanel, Etro, Rag and Bone..

2.Sequins:

This trend is 1920s meets 1980s. However, this season it's about covered up pieces with sequins, not your typical short sequined dress. This trend was seen by brands like: Paco Rabanne, Valentino, Loewe...

3.Midi-Length:

The midi skirt dominated the look books for fall 2021. Some are box pleated, others are knife pleated and some are A-line shaped. This trend was seen by brands like: Christian Dior, Erdem, The Row, Max Mara..

4. Tailoring:

Designers are going all out with tailoring; from button-downs to vests, jackets, long coats, trousers, ties and so on. It's all about the classic look this season. This trend was seen by brands like: Gucci, Brunello Cucinelli, The Row, Peter Do, Valentino...

5.Black is Back:

Although it never left, this season ,however it's about the short and fitted mini dress. This trend was seen by brands like: Tom Ford, Versace, Carolina Herrera..

6.Knitting:

Today, people will always choose to be comfortable. This trend is about being cozy yet remaining polished and stylish with body-aware, flattering silhouettes. This trend was seen by brands like: Fendi, Cloe, Rick Owens..

7.Puffer Jackets:

Not any typical puffer jacket, more like dramatic high-fashion pieces that can make an entrance. This trend was seen by brands like: Rick Owens, Miu Miu, Marni, Louis Vuitton...

8.Wild Prints:

Wild, bold and bright are what this season's print are about. No shying away from colors, more like breaking free from greys and neutrals and adding vibrancy into the runways. This trend was seen by brands like: Moschino, Victoria Beckham, Dior..

*Photos source: Vogue.com
Collages are made by me via Canva

 Gabrielle Chanel was a rebel at heart. She dressed like no other woman. No wonder she is a well-known figure till this day, and truly an influential one. From what I have read, I can tell you Gabrielle Chanel is very different, she believes in being authentic, sincere and natural. "Desire to look like nobody else" she said! All she does and designs have some kind of a cause and a reference or a story behind it

A Bit of History

The French Couturier was an orphan who was raised by the nuns. Her surroundings influenced her designs later in life. She learned how to sew and used to sing at night. The name "Coco" was inspired from a song she used to sing. She began her career by designing simple and chic hats unlike what was worn at that days. She then designed custom jewelry, bags, ready-to-wear pieces and beauty. The World Wars I and II made her close her boutique, but she always came back stronger than ever.

The Legend of No.5

The house of Chanel recently celebrated 100 years of  No.5. It was called so simply because it was the fifth sample given to her by perfumer Ernest Beaux , as she requested " A woman's fragrance with a woman's scent". Also number 5 was Chanel's luck number. 

  The design of its bottle has been an important part of the product's allure. The bottle cap is inspired by the geometry of the Place Vendome in Paris.

  At the liberation of Paris, American soldiers would purchase this perfume from Rue Cambon as a souvenir for their wives and fiancées waiting back at home.

  Not until 2012, that they discovered an unpublished interview for Marlin Monroe where she was asked what she wears to bed, and she answered " A few Drops of Chanel No.5" 

The Colors

Black, white, gold, beige and red are the main colors of Chanel. But like everything else, nothing goes without a reason or a cause. Black is the color of elegance, it reveals women's radiance and creates depth. "Black trumps all" as she said. 

  White captures light. It reminds Chanel of the cornets of the nuns from her childhood. And of a dress given to her by her father before he left.

  Beige is warm, simple and natural. It's the color of the outdoors and the color of a healthy skin.

  Gold refers to the byzantine empire and the baroque art she used to be surrounded by back in her days at the orphanage.

  Red is the color of life. She used it in the lining of her bags and as the color of her lipstick.

 Why The Camellia?

   At age of 13, young Coco Chanel was deeply moved by the performance of Sarah Bernhardt "The Lady of the Camellia"

   Dandy men would wear camellia pinned to their jackets as a sign of refinement, unity and ambiguity. Chanel took the camellia from the men's jacket and put it on the belt and pinned it to her chiffon dresses.

   One day a lady asked her what she was having for breakfast and Chanel answered "a camellia".

Behind the Inspiration

She was always inspired by masculine clothes. She took their jacket, their military bag and their jersey tops and re-interpreted them into women's clothing. 

 Her childhood surroundings influenced her design. From the opulence of religious garments and ceremonial objects, to the baroque and byzantine art.

  The geometry of her perfume bottles and their caps are inspired by the shape of the Place Vendome in Paris.

"To Choose , To Desire and To Be.." _CC

Aren't we all feeling the January blues? Personally, I am really looking forward to Spring and Spring Fashion. So I've collected from all over the internet SS19 Main Trends and decided to post them on my blog. These are the trends you'll be seeing all over the high street in the coming period of time and I'm exited to see how we will incorporate them into our everyday wardrobe.

1. Living Coral:

This is the color of the year officially announced by Pantone. A fun, bright, neon-like coral that will add a fresh mood for spring and summer. 

2.Ruffles:

A feminine trend to add an elegant and girly touch. This trend keeps coming back and this season it is going nowhere. 

3.Cargo Pants:

I think we'll be seeing this trend worn by many influencers. It is very cool and perfect for Street Style. A nice trend that will keep us cool and comfortable throughout the warmer months. 

4.Bleached Denim:

A nice way to switch from the same old jeans. 

5.Neutrals/Earthy Tones:

You may think this is a Fall/Winter trend, but again there's no "Rules" in fashion. This trend is really elegant and timeless, and I think of it as a wardrobe staple rather than a trend that will come and go.

6.Biker Shorts:

It became normal to add sportswear to our look, it really adds a modern twist. I started to see this trend in the past months, but this season it will be all over our Instagrams. It is very new and suitable for Street Style lovers. Plus this more of a warmer months trend and people will be able to wear it more.

7.Colored Suits:

Very fun and elegant. A nice way to switch from the normal black suits.

 8.Fringes:

A cool element to add to a look. I think we'll see it a lot on bags, accessories and some jacket which is the most wearable way of this trend.

9.Lace:

Another feminine trend that I am excited to see how the high street will recreate it.

Xo, Ghinwa 

*SS stands for Spring Summer. RTW stands for Ready To Wear.

*Photos are sourced from Pinterest through various accounts. 

*Designers are listed on the photos.

January is the month where most brands do crazy sales. So I wanted to share some of the things I bought throughout the sale. I didn't go crazy though.

Forever21:

I bought this super cute mask though it wasn't on sale but it was at a good price.Click here to buy

This sandals and top were crazy cheap and I thought they would be perfect for the upcoming summer.

Lace up sandals(10$)/Top(5$)

H&M:

I found this cutest leopard headband at H&M(in fact I'm wearing it now) and it was on sale for around 3$.

I've never tried H&M  hair products and I thought now is a great chance to buy and try them. So I bought the Nurturing Conditioner(5$) and Get It Straight Smoothing Balm(5$). I like H&M beauty products and accessories more than their cloth. I've done a review last year on their makeup here.

Bath and Body Works:

I bought 2 things from there Paris collection, the Bonjour Paris body spray and lotion.They smell of vanilla, and I've been using them daily. You can say I love Paris!

The Body Shop:

At The Body Shop I bought the Grape seed Glossing Serum for hair, wide tooth wooden comb and Vitamin E face moisturizer.

American Eagle Outfitters:

Found this really soft tank top in dark grey.

ZARA:

Click Here to buy

I thought this jacket was really elegant and I loved the golden details.

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I bought these casual t-shirts with frilled sleeves.Click here to buy. Also this long sleeve blouse I really like.(Here)