Spring is supposedly just around the corner, but judging by the big freeze in Paris (not to mention the incredible snow storm that dropped on the South of France this week), it still seems a long way off. But rather than moan and groan about the arctic chill that’s spread across France, why don’t we instead imagine ourselves chic and toasty, wrapped in layers of silk, satin and snugly (faux, s’il vous plait) fur- all ready for a late-winter wedding in Paris?
tulle and french lace top, tulle scarf skirt, high-collared taffeta jacket, by cymbeline. gloves and scarf, georges morand.
silk and lace dress with tulle mini-cape, manon pascual. leather and fur muff, georges morand.
mikado de soie and lace tulle dress, by stéphane saunier. white jacket, milady. gloves, georges morand.
pleated organza silk hooded blouse and moroccan crepe de soie pants, c.a. docquin. jacquard de soie corset, estelle cloann for c.a. docquin
all photos © olivia frémineau for oui magazine
Nothing says “chic Parisian party” like the LBD- the Little Black Dress, and no one knows that better than Crystallized Swarovski Elements, who has teamed with 22 of today’s leading fashion pioneers in a new traveling exhibit which premiered here in Paris this past week. The designers were asked to reinvent the little black dress using Swarovski crystals, and the results are nothing less than spectacular. From the all-over-beaded mini-dress by Alexis Mabille to Valentino’s silk shift with it’s Crystal Yarn webbed collar, the “Ways to Say Black” exhibit not only pays a sparkling tribute to the perennial staple of every party girl’s wardrobe, it also will pay tribute to a good cause. The collection of dresses will be sold at auction in New York this September, and all proceeds from both the sale and the hard-bound coffee table book of the show will go to the American Cancer Society and La Ligue contre le Cancer. I had an opportunity to view the exhibit at the Hotel Pozzo di Borgo (Karl Lagerfeld’s former digs) in the 7th arrondissement earlier this week. Here are a few of my favorite souvenirs:

hotel pozzo di borgo, paris

crystallized "way to say black" paris, france

gianfranco ferre, swarovski little black dress

missoni & fendi, LBD paris

alexis mabille, little black dress, paris

valentino, crystallized swarovski elements, paris

alberta ferretti, little black dress, paris

swarovski crystallized LBD, paris
Hot off les presses- Metal Flaque, the Parisian wedding dress and evening wear “Concept Store” which opened last year in the 1st arrondissement, is hosting a Jenny Packham Trunk show from February 5th - 13th. For your chance for an up-close-and-personal peek at the Jenny Packham 2010 collection, or to schedule an appointment to try on a selection of other fabulous wedding gowns in Paris, be sure to sign up soon at www.metalflaque.fr.

jenny packham trunk show, metal flaque, paris