Oo la la !

I sincerely apologise for my lack of posts. Especially with the fact that I am new to this fabulous blog. However, the reason is about to become abundantly clear through this little snippet.

I have begun to start my final year coursework (I can't believe I'll be done with comprehensive school in a year!) and of course that means a lot of work, especially in my case with my desperate need to have perfection. In my beloved Fashion & Textiles class we have been told to pick from a dozen briefs and personalise it in the best way possible. I decided on the one which gave me the chance to experiment and be inspired with different cultures. Me being me, was drawn to France.


Parisian culture, specifically, drew me to the task. While reading through the brief I thought about an infinite number of films, a few being; Paris When It Sizzles, Funny Face and not an oldie but a goodie, Priceless. Then I began to think about the designers, oh the designers. Chanel, Lanvin, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior, only to name a few. After this I wanted to answer the ever so important question "What is French culture?". I thought food, the delicacy, the passion, the love put into each mouthful; and how geography distinguishes food and more importantly style. Image and appearance is so important and is respected so highly throughout the country. It exudes so much sophistication, an air of elegance and class. It inspires not only my work, but my everyday life.

I adore France and though, surprisingly it may seem, I have not seen Paris, however, I know I would love to live there. My mind seems to be so focused around the fabulous place, with Sex and the City episodes constantly playing in the background, piles of French Vogue, tutor sessions, 300 macaroons, photo archives and books being delivered everyday ; my room feels like a mini step into the world of the fabulous city.

Stripes, simplicity, style.

R

Sweet new thing.

With Alice in Wonderland having recently been released on DVD, i thought it was fitting that I should do a post about this fabulous collection created by a 'soon to be' LCF undergraduate. 

Pictures below show the inspiration behind each garment. Personnal favourite? Cheshire Cat.

H.

And another thing...

As much as I hate to admit it, I found myself liking, even wanting, part of Diana Vicker's outfit from last night. The top bun was a bit much, but hello there neo ethnic pendant, where did you come from?

After a quick online shop this monring, I found my more affordable versions of her necklace (left) , that like many desired things, will go on the mental shopping list.  Check out Urban Outfitters and Accessorize..

And while I'm on the subject of necklace's, just how simular was Fearne Cotton's clover to SJP's - and theres us thinking she had her own style...

H.

Glamour Awards '10

While I usually like reading about the 'best and worst' dressed after the 'big award ceremonies' such as the Glamour Awards, I normally find myself disagreeing with their definition of 'good' and 'bad'.


Now, while black on many women is supposed to convey elegance and sophistication, I for one, fail to see this when I glance at either Lily or Pixie's outfits.

Now I'm sure they were trying their best to be different, to stand out, but they must have had a hell of a lot of money to pay the (unamed as I don't want to shame them) website for putting them both on the 'hit' list. Not only did said website claim that Lily's (what can only be described as a 'witches frock') was 'sultry', but christened Pixie, as an 'it girl'.

Forgive me for being out of touch, but since when has an 'it girl' come to an awards ceremony in that?

However.

We did agree on one 'hit'...

Florence Welch's Jasmine Di Milo dress, teamed with pillar box lipstick connotes the 'glamour' that the awards stood for. 

Recount for Cheryl Cole's place as women of the year? 

H.

Whoever said you have to conform?

I have forever been grateful to Princess Diana, for the day she decided to break all royal conventions and wear 'that black dress' to a formal event other than a funeral. Why was I grateful? It resulted in the then 'graduate design team' that are now the Elizabeth and David Emanuel being placed firmly on the fashion map.

So, excited was I when I heard about it being sold at no less than £192 000 at auction today. It reminded me of one of my many aspirations -which is to become a royal bride, so I too can wear Elizabeth Emanuel on my wedding day. If this desire becomes a little far fetched in time, I will settle for marrying a civilian, as long as they can provide me with one of her below dresses.

I too, don't feel the desire to conform.

H.

Let me introduce myself

No I am not the infamous Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel. However I only saw it fit that when introducing myself, I talk about my interests and that leads me to talk about my icons, hence Madame Chanel. I am Rebekah Kulidzan and have quite flatteringly been asked to be a part of this delightful blog. 


The photo above, as mentioned before, is of a magnificent woman, who, if I could go back in time; the tardis my choice of travel, I would chose to meet. She is so inspiring and her story is one that will stick with me forever. When reading Edmonde Charles-Roux's Chanel: Her Life, Her World, and the Woman Behind the Legend, my eyes were flooded with tears, heart filled with warmth and compassion and mind completely engrossed in her life that to the day my friends are shot with constant "Did you know?"'s about the remarkable woman behind the remarkable brand, the remarkable [fashion] revolution. Not too long after, I heard about the soon to be released film "Coco avant Chanel", which I'm sure you've all seen, which was based on the book and centred around her life, in fact about it. I reserved my seat straight away and on the 31st July I was sitting there in the audience watching the film. 


It's scary to think this was but a year ago. 


For the past year I have engrossed myself in biographies, Chanel's being the epicentre of my obsession, of people who I find quite marvellous and straight after I finish Dior by Dior, quite soon, I have only a few pages to go, I will be finishing this extra-literary year as I started it, a biography about Coco Chanel: 'By Axel Madsen,  Coco Chanel: A biography.'




I think I should finish by saying, among my obsession and overwhelming love for Chanel, I adore fashion, Vogue's articles are the songs to my life. I adore photography, and appreciate a good camera. I love macaroons, my friend's mum, or rather my adopted; Mumma Ghee's coconut ones. 




Au revoir pour l'instant 


R x

obsession of the month - Katharine Hamnett

Whilst browsing in Selfridges a few months ago I came across Katharine Hamnett's 'save the sea' slogan tee and decided to add it to my mental wish list of summer spends. Then, blow me down, on friday I see (thanks to Vogue daily), that it is now in tote form too, being branded 'the bag of the summer'. I think this revelation has to be the best excuse for me breaking into those hard earned savings and to go and grab that tee - before it becomes a bit too fashionable for my own good.

Below are some of my other favourite Hamnett slogan tees - who would have thought 'ethical fashion' could be cool..

H.

http://www.katharinehamnett.com/