Yesterday, with sinuses swollen like two bagpipes and bags under my eyes the size of Louis Vuitton trunks, I dragged my drugged up self out of bed and started Dressing with a capital D. Its still fashion week and yesterday was the Chanel show at the Grand Palais. I was going to the spectacle even if it meant calling in medical reinforcements.
a sneak peek
Since following Paris Fashion Week, I’ve learned to arrive on time. Never early and there is no point in being late. But this was Chanel and I was expecting something different, so I went an hour early, camping out at a nearby café nursing a mint tea. Sitting there with my personal fan, Jane, we were surrounded by the crème de la crème of the fashion world, everyone proudly sporting their black and blue plaid, glossy invitation. Of course, I didn’t have one (sniff, sniff)
This lady showed up at our café on foot, and then had the limo drive her the 50 yrds to the backstage entrance!
Earlier than usual limos started to arrive and we started following the crowd, literally falling into the International press and the elbow of a super aggressive Japanese photographer as they waited for celebrities arriving by the back door. Photographers screamed for the attention of each fashionista as she poured out of a limo. I recognized no one and all the jostling had my instincts looking for the nearest shin to kick and I was afraid it would awake my inner parisienne like the full moon brings out the werewolves. It was time to move to the entrance
.
Good move, because that is where the party was full on. Aspiring, young designers from across the globe were wearing their most outrageous outfits, hoping to be discovered. Fashionista bloggers were in full outrageous mode, with same dream. And the fashion world started to arrive, the true professionals heart breakingly elegant and simply beautiful. Gala was handing out roses, American Apparel giving freebies and Les Echos had a Karl inspired magazine for everyone. And the shoes. OMG the shoes. Simply orgasmic. I got dizzy shooting all the amazing shoes walking in every direction, like watching a meteorite shower under the desert sky in August.
Don't know who it is, but the skirt is pure Alaïa
The man in the bordeaux cardigan is Bill Cunningham, my idol!!!
Half an hour after the show was supposed to begin, the doors opened and soon, the vibrant, pulsing music began. 20 minutes later it was over.
20 minutes is long for a fashion show in this part of the world. Karl was giving the crowd a generous fix. They poured out of the enormous hall looking happy and relaxed, which is another anomaly for fashion week. Pure magic.
Thanks for hauling yourself out of bed and taking us to the Chanel fashion show. Before the next one, I suggest that you get a pair of shoes like the woman in the first photo and use the spikes to ward off aggressive photographers! But wait – photographers are going to be taking your pic at the Elie Saab show because you’re going to be with all the fashionistas inside! I’m so excited for you!!!
Since you dressed with a capital “D”, I’ve gotta ask – what did you wear?
I wore a creme cashmere v-neck with beaded brown velour skirt by Essentiel and my Frye boots. Kept the heels low given my somewhat delirious state and always opt for a generic bag when haunting the shows (20 year old Brave Brown Bag from Montreal). Had a Burberry trench with a silk Cambodian scarf to keep warm. It’s a chic scarf… so chic that one of the fashionistas woming out of the show was wearing the same, and, there is only woman in the world who makes them, so I felt très “in”.
To be honest i was somewhat surprised the ELLE team didn’t stop me and have me pose for next month’s issue. haha.
It was the highlight of this trip and I will be happy to remain your personal fan! Hope the show today was fab!!