I’m extremely excited about today’s post because I want to share a very unique, and memorable experience I had with all of you. I was extremely fortunate, and extremely lucky, to receive a personal invitation to come and experience the CHANEL’s Spring 2015 Haute Couture Collection.
I braved the cold weather of NYC, made my way to their building on 57th street and got an up close and personal look at about 50 pieces of some of the most stunning clothing I’ve ever seen. We were welcomed by the CHANEL team which included a few people from NYC, but also several others that flew in from Paris specifically to teach the attendees all the details about the collection. The colors were striking and the details were unbelievably elaborate; the whole time I was just hoping my camera was doing a sufficient job of capturing everything. The designs were bold, daring, and unexpected. The collection itself seemed almost futuristic in a way.
When I asked about the inspiration behind this collection, I was told Karl Lagerfeld said he came up with the main concepts from a “flash” in some sort dream he had. Ironically, I felt like I was in a dream the entire afternoon. It really is fascinating learning about the process of what goes into creating these pieces. Every piece is handmade and takes thousand of hours to craft. So much happens after the initial creative process. It involves months of intense labor and the most precise measurements and tailoring in order to construct the clothes. Not to mention the countless meetings and logistical planning needed to organize all of the showings.
Have you ever wondered how you go about buying one of these pieces? It’s nothing like going to a store, trying the piece on and buying it right away. If you’re fortunate enough to have the chance to view the collection, and then decide you want to purchase a piece, it will take months before you actually even get to wear it. First, you go to an initial fitting in Paris, then, there are two or three follow up fittings to ensure the clothing fits absolutely flawlessly. The entire process can take up to 3 to 4 months before you get the piece delivered to your house. It’s a lengthy process, but you don’t buy couture to just grab something off the shelf last minute before a cocktail party. You’re not just paying for the clothes, you’re also paying for the experience.
The bared midriffs were one of the main looks of this collection. Something that doesn’t typically characterize CHANEL, but that they were totally able to reinvent. The beanies and elaborate hats were also some of the most striking pieces I’ve ever seen. Every single detail was made to perfection. The flat sock-booties (which where used for all the looks that walked down the runway) where also shown at the presentation.
The decor that you see surrounding the garments, was flown in directly from Paris to adorn the beautiful walls of the showroom.
I could sit here and write for hours, but before I sign off I want to give a huge thanks to the CHANEL team in Panama, New York and Paris for having me.
As always, thanks for reading!
