Balenciaga Elegance

 During the week, I had the privilege to view Holt Renfrew's special Exhibit, Balenciaga's Opening Night which started from February 10 until 16. These are twelve dresses worn by famous actresses and models from Selma Hayek, Kristen Stewart, Cate Blanchett, Jessica Chastain and even supermodel Kate Moss among others. This Exhibit is the first time ever in North America. These dresses are available for special order with choices of different colours and fabrics in the store. Balenciaga is one of my favourite luxury Fashion House. Their designs as shown here are so elegant, simple, full of class with an edgy and modern silhouette. These dresses will definitely stand out in the Red Carpet and at the same time show the beauty of the Woman wearing it not overpower it. Which dress is your favourite choice?

This silver gown was worn by Jessica Chastain. 

The pale blue gown worn by actress Jodie Foster is one of my favourites in the Exhibit. 

This Pink dress is so modern which can be worn for this coming Spring and Summer.

Notice the sexy back of the Electric Blue gown which is so modern. 

The white gown was worn by Selma Hayek and the red gown was worn by Cate Blanchett.

The White gown was worn by Actress Kristen Stewart and the red gown was worn by French Actress Maiwenn Besco.

The Brocade dress with a cape was worn by Supermodel Kate Moss. 

One of my favourite is this pink gown which was worn by Japanese Actress Rin Takanashi.

The white gown was worn by Jodie Foster and the Electric Blue gown was worn by French Actress Marina Fois. 

I admire the cut, simple and elegant style of these gowns by Balenciaga.

Visit the Exhibit this weekend at Holts Bloor.
View these famous Women wearing these Balenciaga Gowns.

May you all have a weekend full of style and elegance!

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Fall Style: Pink & Black

For this coming Fall, there are lots of Pink and Black on the Runway Collections and Accessories especially on Bags and Shoes. Pink is a great alternative for Red or Black. During Fall, we tend to wear darker colours because of the gloomy weather but there is an alternative now by wearing Pink. Will you wear Pink for Fall? Why not give it a try and add some colour and joy to your Fall Wardrobe. 

Balenciaga bags in Pink and Black. 

Valentino Rockstud flats in Hot Pink and Black.

Actress Carice Van Houten wearing a Dior gown in Pink and Black during the Premiere of the movie, The Fifth Estate at this week's Toronto International Film Festival. (Photo credit: Hello Magazine Canada).

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In Style Mini-Bags

Balenciaga Mini City Bags.

On the runways and on Street Style this year,  there is a return to Mini-Bags which is defined as the smaller or mini version of their more popular and regular sized Bags. Some of the ones I am featuring here are from Holt Renfrew Mini Bags collection that are available here in Toronto. Of course, every Luxury Fashion Brands from NYC, Paris, London and Milan have their own versions of the Mini-bag. For me, the mini-bags are a transitional bag from Day to Evening, from  carrying a Work week Regular sized bag to a Mini-bag for the weekend where we have to carry less.

Here are the Mini-Bags in their Spring colours. Are you excited for Spring? Do you think these mini-bags will be functional and useful to your style and lifestyle? Which one from this feature will you carry? 

Mini Balenciaga.
One common feature when carrying a Mini-Bag is that it has a long shoulder strap that allows us to carry the bag across the body or on the shoulder. Their Regular sized bag counterpart are usually hand held or have a shorter shoulder strap. 

Celine Mini Box Bags.

Givenchy Mini-Nightingale.

Reed Krakoff Bags. 

 Transitional bags from the Work week to the Weekend. 

Clockwise: Celine Nano Bag, Reed Krakoff Blue Mini-Boxer, Mulberry Mini-Alexa in Pink (both available at Mytheresa.com) and the Prada Mini Saffiano Bag in Spring Orange from Neiman Marcus.

This Prada Mini-bag has a long shoulder strap. The Regular sized Prada Saffiano Bag is hand held.

Remember that less is more.

May you all have a fantastic week ahead.

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PFW 2013: Paris Blues

Although not in Paris, Anthoropometrie sans titre (ANT 84), 1960, Yves Klein, painted in Blue that closely resembled the Lapis Lazuli, now famously called the International Klein Blue (IKB). I saw this painting exhibited at the Musee D'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain (MAMAC) in Nice. Yves Klein was born in Nice, France and became one of the famous French contemporary artist in the World after the post Impressionism period. 

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy cover in the January 2013 Paris Vogue.

Blue is my favourite colour. I am just attracted to anything Blue. When I look into my closet, all I see are different shades of blue in my clothes, bags and shoes. Even when I shop, I unconsciously buy something blue first before I pick another colour. It was just right timing that the Turner Classic Movies Channel presented the other day the Classic 1961 American Film Paris Blues starring Paul Newman and Sidney Poitier. Both Paul Newman and Sidney Poitier played the part of expat American Musicians who fell in love with two visiting American women in Paris. The film also starred famous musician Louis Armstrong and the musical score was composed by Duke Ellington.  The movie was a combination of love story, Jazz/Blues music and of course the charms of Paris. It is a great movie to watch. For now, here are some inspiring Blues from the Paris Collections. Paris Fashion Week For Fall 2013 begins this week.

Celine

Celine Luggage Phantom in Croc Cobalt Blue available at Holt Renfrew.

Celine Trapeze Bag.
(Photo credit: Phil Oh)

Celine Coats in Blue. 

Celine Envelope Bag.

(Photo credit: Phil Oh)

Dior

Dior Spring 2013 Print Campaign.
The Dior Spring 2013 Collection is now designed by Raf Simons. I find the Dior Collections now so pure, has a clean silhouette, more focused on the clothes and wearable. The ideas and talent of Raf Simons are evident in their Print Campaigns which are just so inspiring and beautiful.

Oscar Winner for Best Actress, Jennifer Lawrence for Miss Dior.
(Photo Credit: Hello Magazine UK)

My Blue Dior Gaucho shoulder bag designed by John Galliano for Dior.

Saint Laurent Paris

My friend's ChYc bag.

Balenciaga

I am so attracted to this Blue City Bag.

Chanel

Chanel Blues from Chanel Spring 2013 Collection.

 

I am loving this Blue shade and those Chanel Blue sandals! 

Photo Credit: Vogue. com

May you have an inspiring week!

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Holt Renfrew: Happy Christmas Shopping!

Holt Renfrew is my favourite Department store here in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the only high end Department Store here in Canada where one can find the major Designer brands.  There are several stores here in Toronto, the Flagship store at Bloor Street,  one at Yorkdale Mall and  another store in Sherway Gardens. There are also stores in Montreal, Quebec City, Calgary, Edmonton,  Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver.  Every year, the Store displays  fantastic and whimsical Christmas windows! It makes my  day just to walk pass these windows. Holt Renfrew chose the "Happy" theme for Christmas and featured the 12 Days of Christmas  for their Window display.

Presenting  some of the Christmas Windows featured in the Holt Renfrew - Bloor St, Toronto store:

12 Drummers Drumming.

Holt Renfrew offers major Designer Brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Fendi, Gucci, Roger Vivier, Burberry, Michael Kors and Tory Burch, among others.

11 Pipers piping... carrying Prada, Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs bags!

5 Golden Rings

The Making of the Windows:

Window: The 12 Days of Christmas

Video by Holt Renfrew

 6 Geese a laying and 7 Swans a swimming.

8 Maids a Milking.

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Inside the Holt Renfrew Store:

It is always pleasure to shop at Holt Renfrew. I love their personal service. I admire how they wrap the goods I purchased in their famous gray and white striped tissue and place it in their Magenta coloured Holts shopping bag. They take pride and care in the products that they sell and present it to their customers exceptionally well.  I also get to know some of the Sales Associates in the store which makes  it  easier to obtain information and assistance about some of their products and events.

"Happy" Shopper!

For the Holt Renfrew Christmas Gift Guide:www.holtrenfrew.com

Anyone for Glitter striped Fuchsia and Black Prada bag or a Gold glitter Valentino bag for a Happy Christmas?

Glitter Gold Valentino Bag and Striped Glitter Fuchsia and Black Prada Bag.

Holt Renfrew Bag and small accessories section. Offers many Designer brands including Tom Ford, VBH-Victoria Beckham, Celine, Lanvin, Marni, Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Mulberry and Balenciaga,among others.

Happy Christmas at Holt Renfrew Designer Gowns and Clothing including some Lingerie too.

To view the new Holt Renfrew Blog: www.holtsmuse.com

Besides the Designer Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Accessories and Cosmetics, one of the shopping pleasures at Holt Renfrew is the Happy Sweet Shoppe. They offer complimentary sweets like chocolates, cookies  and candies. Also some  complimentary refreshments like Water and Hot chocolate for the shoppers!

The Food section at Holt Renfrew has chocolates  from Charbonnel Et Walker from England, also teas and goodies from Fortnum & Mason UK and Fauchon from France.

The 2011 Holt Renfrew Christmas Bear.  There are also candies and goodies from Dylan's Candy Bar which is the famous Candy store in New York City owned by Dylan Lauren, Ralph Lauren's daughter.

The Holt Renfrew 2011 Christmas Bear Tree.

To win $3,000 Shopping Gift card from Holt Renfrew: https://microsite.holtsstyle.com/en/subscribe/contests.html

Happy Christmas! As Holt Renfrew  shares  "Happiness" to their customers. I hope you will enjoy your Christmas shopping! Remember it is always the thought that counts.  Sharing and loving are the most important during the Christmas season.

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