Sophisticated Spectra

Serge Lutens: Photographer, Filmmaker, Designer, and Perfumer Transforming Aesthetics

June 30, 2023 in Photography & Visuals by Charlotte Sinclair

Serge Lutens, the French photographer, filmmaker, designer, and perfumer, has an artistic career marked by innovation and transformation. He is celebrated for his eponymous perfume brand and for creating an iconic advertising campaign for the Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido during the 1980s.

Paul-Albert Besnard: An Emblematic Figure of French Symbolism

June 30, 2023 in Arts & Culture by Julian Everett

Paul-Albert Besnard (1849-1934) was a French painter and printmaker known for his contributions to the Symbolist movement. His work spanned a variety of styles and subjects, including portraiture, landscapes, and allegorical works, and his innovative use of color and light showed the influence of Impressionism.

Chapal and Kelton unveil their joint creation - The 1972 Hand-wound Chronograph

June 30, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Charlotte Sinclair

French manufacturers Chapal and Kelton have unveiled a jointly created hand-wound chronograph named 1972. The watch is equipped with the Seagull St 1901 calibre, a movement with an interesting history. In the 1940s, the Swiss company Venus developed calibre 175. However, in the mid-1950s, the equipment was sold to the Chinese, who were keen to produce quality watches for pilots. The Chinese company was named Tianjin Watch Factory, and in 1974 it was renamed Seagull. The majority of their production was quartz mechanisms, but with the resurgence of interest in mechanical watches and their own heritage, the factory revived the Venus 175 calibre, renaming it Seagull St 1901.

Arterton's Spy-Like Foldable Umbrella, Minus the Poison Dart

June 30, 2023 in Design & Décor by Julian Everett

Unleashing a piece of practical luxury, Arterton, a London-based brand, has introduced a compact, foldable umbrella that seems straight out of a spy movie. Priced at £345, the umbrella features a unique construction that allows the handle and tip to be collapsed, making it easy to fit into a suitcase. This elegant and versatile accessory is perfect for those on-the-go, offering a convenient solution to stay dry in style.

Oliver Rousteing's Balmain Pre-Fall Collection: A Dialogue with History

July 1, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Julian Everett

At just 36 years old, Olivier Rousteing is already 12 years into his tenure as creative director of Balmain, making him the fourth longest-serving creative director in luxury fashion. His youthful vitality allows him to continually reinvent his designs to avoid becoming repetitive.

The Evolution of the Little Black Dress Explored in a New Exhibition in Edinburgh

July 2, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Julian Everett

The color black, now synonymous with chic sophistication, wasn't always seen in such a fashionable light. Until the fashion revolution sparked by Coco Chanel in 1926 with her iconic little black dress, black attire was primarily worn by servants. Chanel cleverly dubbed this shift "fashionable poverty," creating her stylish black dresses from luxurious silks, forever changing the landscape of fashion.

Alicia Vikander Honored at Karlovy Vary Film Festival in Louis Vuitton

July 2, 2023 in Models & Actresses Photos by Charlotte Sinclair

Alicia Vikander, the award-winning actress known for her roles in films like "The Danish Girl" and "Ex Machina", recently attended the opening ceremony of the International Film Festival in Karlovy Vary. The actress was honored with the Festival President's Award for her significant contributions to cinema.

Patou SS24 Collection Brings Disco Vibes to Paris Fashion Week

July 2, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Charlotte Sinclair

The recent Patou SS24 show in Paris sparked a disco fever with its "Dancing Diaries" collection. Designer Guillaume Henry, known for his knack for blending the old with the new, delivered a buoyant collection of party-ready ensembles that echoed the high-energy, free-spirited vibe of the disco era.

Toogood: Crafting A New Uniform for Every Professional Fantasy

July 3, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Charlotte Sinclair

The brand name "Toogood" is also the surname of its creators, sisters Erica and Faye Toogood. Today, it's a multidisciplinary studio where furniture, ceramics, and clothing are created. "We wanted to sculpt a new uniform for the professional you imagine yourself to be," says Erica. The influence of work uniforms is indeed evident in the collection: jacket or pants models are named after professions like skipper, bookbinder, packer, baker, fisherman... But despite their utilitarian nature, they are also quite beautiful everyday items with no gender attachment. Looking at them, I wouldn't mind trying on several professions for myself.

Iris Van Herpen Showcases Tech Couture at a Blooming Parisian Garden

July 3, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Charlotte Sinclair

After a break last season, Iris Van Herpen has returned to showcasing their collection in offline format — and look how a Parisian garden bloomed alongside the lily, waterlily, and butterfly dresses. The models, adorned with trending double arrows on their eyelids (similar to those we saw on Lily-Rose Depp in "The Idol"), strode in 3D-printed boots. As demonstrated by the show's attendee, Maisie Williams, this tech couture looks just as impressive when paired with regular rough boots. Nonetheless, these combat boots would even better complement another part of the house's collection — the one with armors.

The Melancholic Theatre of Thom Browne Haute Couture

July 3, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Julian Everett

Thom Browne Haute Couture's latest show was an orchestration of sounds, styles, and stories. The setting was both intriguing and melancholic, featuring a giant metallic dome that chimed at intervals throughout the show, an abandoned pile of luggage, and a somber musical narrative that ranged from choral arrangements to electronic sounds and cinematic audio effects.

Bvlgari Celebrates 75 Years of Serpenti Collection with Exclusive Artistic Collaboration

July 4, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Charlotte Sinclair

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of its iconic Serpenti Collection, Bvlgari has pulled back the curtains on a truly special endeavor. The renowned luxury brand commissioned three contemporary artists - Sunwu Kim, Zhou Li, and Sophie Kitching - to lend their creative vision and unique craftsmanship to six exclusive handbags.

YANINA Couture FW23/24: A Fairy Tale Enchantment Brought to Life at Paris Fashion Week

July 4, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Julian Everett

The clock is ticking as Julia Yanina is about to unveil her new YANINA Couture FW23/24 collection at Paris Fashion Week, and we're thrilled to share a sneak peek with you.

A Moment of Love for Food Designer Marie Méon: Crafting a Delightful Feast for Pomellato

July 4, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Charlotte Sinclair

If you've ever marveled at a dish that's too beautiful to eat, you've experienced the allure of food design. And if you were at the recent Pomellato cocktail event in Paris, you would have been treated to such a feast for the senses, all thanks to food designer Marie Méon.

Dennis Wojtkiewicz: A Symphony of Fruits and Flowers in Art

July 5, 2023 in Arts & Culture by Charlotte Sinclair

In the world of contemporary art, few can rival the proficiency and dedication of Bowling Green-based artist, Dennis Wojtkiewicz. His specialty? A unique focus on fruits, flowers, and berries, meticulously painted to reflect their essence and subtleties.

Dries Van Noten Opens its First Beauty-Focused Store

July 5, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Julian Everett

Fashion powerhouse Dries Van Noten has unveiled its first store devoted entirely to its burgeoning beauty line. This new retail experience is nestled on the Right Bank of the Seine in the district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, within a historic building dating back to 1625.

A New Day, A New Branded Beach: Fendi Transforms Puente Romano in Marbella

July 5, 2023 in Travel & Destinations by Charlotte Sinclair

Another day brings another branded beach. This time, luxury fashion house Fendi has left its mark on the sun loungers and umbrellas at a restaurant within the opulent Puente Romano hotel in Marbella. While I'm not the biggest fan of the resort, I must admit that the result is more than commendable.

Scotland's Own Coronation: A Second Crowning for King Charles III

July 5, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Julian Everett

While we spent our day in Paris, a significant event took place in Scotland: the second coronation of King Charles III. This tradition stems from the country's unique history, which saw Scotland ruled by monarchs distinct from the British royal family until 1603. Out of respect for this history and the traditions that come with it, Scotland continues to host its own, albeit more modest, coronation ceremony.

Stephane Rolland FW 23/24: The Most Beautiful Collection at Paris Fashion Week

July 5, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Julian Everett

Paris Fashion Week has always been a stage for the spectacular, and this season was no exception. Amongst a lineup of impressive showcases, Stephane Rolland's FW 23/24 collection stood out as the most beautiful. Set in the Opera Garnier, the presentation featured a grand finale staged on a staircase adorned with white flowers, resulting in an atmosphere of refined luxury.

Valentino Couture: Elegance for Everyday Life

July 6, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Julian Everett

This season's couture collection from Valentino, under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli, is best described as "couture for life". Emphasizing simplicity and comfort, Piccioli designs each piece to be both stunningly beautiful and surprisingly practical.

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