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10 luxury fashion essentials

We all know that fashion is an expression of who we are and what we want to project to the world, and we all know that it can be expensive. But we also know that it’s not always possible to hop on to all the hottest fashion trends each season and nab the latest Prada bag. If you’re like me, and love the quality of hardworking fashion staples, you might want to invest in these ten luxury fashion essentials that will make you look like a million bucks without the hefty price tag.

10 luxury fashion essentials

10 fashion essentials that will make this season your best one yet.

  1. A timeless, leather bag
  2. A pair of hardworking shoes
  3. A well-cut dress for all occasions
  4. Jewelry that you never have to take off
  5. A designer scarf
  6. A statement hat
  7. A leather belt
  8. A structured jacket
  9. A Swiss made watch
  10. Designer sunglasses

Presentation is everything and in this day and age we are all constantly striving to look our best, it’s no surprise that fashion is a booming industry. There are a number of items that are a must have for a fashionable wardrobe, and they can be found in any price range. In the world of fashion, luxury is all about quality and exclusivity. Whether it’s a high-end designer, a vintage find, or a rare designer piece, these pieces are the perfect luxury fashion essentials.

Here are 10 luxury fashion essentials that are sure to have you looking your best.

1. A timeless bag 

A designer handbag: A woman can never have too many designer handbags. They’re a great way to accessorize any outfit and my personal favourites are structured classic ones such as the iconic Hermès Kelly Bag, Hermès Birkin Bag, the Classic Flap bag and the Louis Vuitton monogramed bag.

2. A pair of chic shoes

You can’t have a closet full of clothes without the perfect shoes to go with them. From the perfect pair of heels for a fancy event to the perfect sandal for a day at the beach; there’s no such thing as too many shoes. I personally love wearing Chelsea boots and in winter and opt for white sneakers, loafers and ballet flats in Spring.

3. A perfect fitting dress  

The perfect fitting dress is a staple in any woman’s wardrobe. You can never go wrong with a little black dress. You can wear it to work, for a date, to a party, or to an interview. Personally, I love my Ganni dress which is the perfect choice for any occasion. The fit is impeccable and the fabric is luxurious and has been with me for almost 15 years. I actually loved the fit and cut so much I bought it in two colours (classic black and a bold blue).

4. Jewelry

It’s not just about the clothes you wear, but the jewelry you wear to complement the clothes. The right necklace can make or break an outfit. A bracelet can be the perfect accent to a dress, or the perfect accessory to a suit. Earrings are the finishing touch to a perfect look. From diamonds to gold, you can find jewelry items in every style and price point. Luxury fashion essentials like jewelry that I love the most are ones that become part of you. You never remove them, like my diamond necklace and Cartier bracelet.

5. A scarf

Cashmere, silk, and alpaca wool are my go-to. A high-end designer scarf can instantly elevate your outfit. My personal favourites are the classic Hermès silk scarfs and the classic House-Check cashmere scarf from Burberry.

6. A structured hat

This is a simple way to add a little edge to your daily looks. You can completely transform your outfit by topping it off with a trendy Prada bucket hat, a casual cashmere baseball cap, or a wide-brimmed Maison Michel felt hat which each all have a completely different aesthetic.

7. A leather belt

A Hermès Belt is one of the most versatile fashion accessories you can own. It can be worn with almost any outfit, from casual wear to evening wear. It can be worn with a dress, jeans, or a skirt. It can be worn with a dress shirt or a t-shirt to add dimension to your silhouette.

8. A Chanel Jacket

They are expensive, but worth the investment. Chanel is one of the most well-known fashion houses in the world. The company has been around for over 100 years and has always been on the forefront of the fashion industry. They are known for their designs and high-quality products. One of their most popular products is their classic Chanel jacket. There are many different styles to choose from, but the classic Chanel jacket in tweed is the most popular. It is the ultimate in luxury fashion, and is a must-have for any woman.

9. A Swiss Made Watch

A luxury fashion essential, a Swiss Made Watch is a must have. The Swiss Made Watch is a timeless symbol of status and timeless class for both men and women. It is the perfect accessory for any occasion as well as being the perfect gift for any occasion. They have a timeless elegance that never goes out of style. A Swiss Made Watch is a great investment as it will last for many years to come. For example, A Patek Philippe watch is a luxury fashion accessory that is timeless, elegant, and versatile. The Swiss-made watches are known for their accuracy, precision, and their ability to last for generations.

10. Sunglasses

It is always important to have a luxury fashion item that will never go out of style. A pair of designer sunglasses is the perfect choice to keep you looking chic and stylish. My personal favourites are black or brown frames and in terms of designer shades, I adore Celine, Christian Dior and Chanel. In terms of style, as I have soft features I prefer square and sharp rectangle frames – although cat-eye suits almost all face shapes and is a go-to.

So there you have it, 10 luxury essentials to stay stylish and fashionable.

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful! If you want to learn more about luxury fashion styling, why not take a look at my guide to creating a capsule wardrobe.

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The Woodward: Geneva’s most luxurious hotel

New: The Woodward Geneva- luxury suites & 2 Michelin star restaurants

Discovering the newly opened luxury hotel in Geneva: The Woodward Suites.

This 5-star hotel is part of the Oetker Collection. It is comprised of a total of 26 exclusive luxury suites & 2 Michelin star restaurants as well as the biggest indoor pool in all of Geneva.

Along with Bella Zofia, I had the pleasure of discovering this beautiful hotel in late December. We started with a tour of the Spa, pool, and gym. Before heading to our bespoke beauty treatments from Guerlain. As you know, I am a big fan of Guerlain beauty so I was very excited about this experience. The treatment was hands down the most wonderful experience I have had at a hotel spa. It stated with a beauty questionnaire so that the beautician could have a background on the areas you wished to focus on. Then I went into a private room complete with en-suite shower, locker room and of course Guerlain cosmetics and the fluffiest bathrobe I have ever used. Once I had been tucked into the ultra cozy SPA bed I did a personalised consultation to decide what would be the best treatment to have. Then we did a scent test where I was asked to choose the perfume that I found most relaxing. This scent was then integrated into the treatment. After the hour facial and beauty treatment the beautician applied Guerlain makeup for me and led me into the Guerlain makeup room. It was like being led into a candy store for someone who is as obsessed with beauty as myself! I then did my makeup before heading up to Le Jardiner with Bella.

We lunched at the new restaurant called Le Jardiner by Michelin-starred Chef Alain Verzeroli and assisted by the chef Olivier Jean. It is a truly unique restaurant in Geneva, serving up dishes that celebrate the finest local ingredients. There are 2 sections to the restaurant each with a slightly different decoration (coté Lausanne where we ate for lunch, & coté Genève which is also featured here). There is also have a private meeting room right next to the restaurant that is ideal for business meetings. The primarily plant-based concept was launched in 2019 in New York by Joël Robuchon and Alain Verzeroli. This is.their first European edition of the concept. All the ingredients on the menu are locally sourced (maximum I50 km from the hotel. The Jardiner focuses primarily on vegetables in each of their dishes, meat and fish are almost incorporated as accompaniments.

To top it off we enjoyed their delicious pastries and had the pleasure to meet famous in-house pastry chef Titouan Clauder.

Lastly, we were given a private tour of the Woodward hotel and I was truly spellbound but their Royal Suite which was splendid, to say the least, and even had a private elevator for maximum privacy.

Designed Pierre-Yves Rochon (Pyr design), the entire hotel was incredibly refined with a quiet luxury appeal that so suits Geneva city.

I very much recommend the Woodward hotel if you visit Geneva. It is an absolutely wonderful place and the Guerlain SPA treatment was certainly one of the best treatments I have had in Switzerland.

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Coeur De Megève: A magnificent mountain destination for Chalet-chic seekers

Just before Christmas, I had the pleasure of discovering the Hotel Coeur de Megève with Bella Zofia. Megève shines at the top of the list of the most beautiful ski resorts in France. We went up to is the famous ski resort village, which I was very excited about, as it was the first time I was venturing to this Jet Set ski location. We arrived at midday at the charming boutique hotel located in the center of the village and headed inside to discover the Cœur de Megève.

ABOUT THE HOTEL

Nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc, in the jet-set winter destination, the Coeur de Megève is a boutique hotel located in the center of the village of a Megève. Right next to the Ladurée tea shop. The hotel had a beautiful wooden exterior. The interior was decorated with warm oak brown tones and oranges, punctuated with soft alpine accents like soft white throws.

The festive spirit was in full swing in the mountain village, decked with Christmas lights and trees. The snowy roofed scenery, horse-drawn carriages, and blazing log fires definitely added to the ambiance. Situated on Rue Charles Feige, near the emblematic church of the ski resort, and was rebranded as a brand new boutique hotel, decorated in understated luxury, and it continues to be the rendezvous of regulars and welcomes new clients from all over.

Owned by the same family for three generations, the iconic hotel in the center of Megève has been taken over by Martine Kampf and her sons Jean Bastien and Maxence Dussart. While keeping the family and friendly character of the old house and preserving its poetic name “Coeur de Megève”, it has undergone a complete renovation led by the interior designer Sybille de Margerie. She is a prestigious interior designer who has created, among others, the Mandarin Oriental in Paris and Geneva, the Cheval Blanc in Courchevel, and the brand new Barthélémy in Saint Barth.

The hotel has 39 rooms, which are each styled with warm fabrics and walnut wood, and vintage chalet touches. There are 8 room categories available, ranging from Cosy, Comfort, Superior, Superior with Terrace, Duplex Junior Suite, Junior Suite, Family Suite, and Suite. All the rooms have a safe, a tea and coffee machine, bathrobes and towels, Grown Alchemist bath amenities (which smell amazing!).

The hotel also has a restaurant, Tata Harper SPA, a cocktail bar, a cozy lounge, and a super mulled wine and hot chocolate station just outside the hotel.

We received a warm welcome from Nicholas Granger, the General Manager of the Hotel Cœur de Megève. Who ensured we were well taken care of during our stay.

THE ROOM

We headed up to our room which I discovered had a glorious, sunlit terrace that looked over the bell tower and the river. It was absolutely beautiful.

Inside the room, we discovered a beautiful handwritten welcome note and gifts to welcome us from the hotel. The room itself was decorated with paneled wood with soft sage green and deep red notes, offset with copper accents. Matching the style we had seen throughout the hotel, the interior decoration truly added to the concept of a warm heart beating in the center of the village. A cocoon of welcoming warmth sharply contrasting with the bitter cold outside.

The room also had an en-suite bathroom that was very spacious with a double washbasin, an enormous bath(!) and was fully equipped with Grown Alchemist beauty products. This is part of their eco-responsible hotel initiative. These products are free from parabens and artificial colorings. The organic cosmetics brand Grown Alchemist in the bathrooms, can be found throughout the hotel and even the Spa partner, Tata Harper reflects this conscious decision for eco-responsibility.

After unpacking, we enjoyed a light lunch in the restaurant Le Cœur. What was great about the restaurant is that the hotel chooses only seasonal products, and also favors local producers. I opted for their Pumpkin soup with chestnut cream and parmesan crumble. After lunch, we headed out to explore the snowy town.

TATA HARPER SPA

At 4 pm I had a SPA treatment booked back at the hotel. I was very much looking forward to it as the Cœur de Megève Hotel Spa was by the famous American beauty brand Tata Harper. Pioneers in luxury skincare and known for their unique high-quality products made of condensed, pure active ingredients, free from any synthetic components. I chose one of the cocooning rituals for the body, which was very relaxing. The Spa also included a Finnish sauna and a sensory shower.

DINNER & DRINKS

Then we got ready for our aperitif at 6 pm, for this, I wore a soft velvet jumpsuit and a silver Maje jacket with black velvet trim and my Le Chiquito black Jacquemus bag. Decked out in French fashion brands I was Chalet chic and ready for an après-ski evening. We headed down the brushed walnut wood floors and over to the Terrace – a heated and covered bar area outside where we sank down into thick leather armchairs and ordered some light snacks and a cocktail. The ambiance was cozy and chic, with a dusky red light that added warmth to the terrace.

After dinner, we sat by the fire in the Lounge areas to round up the evening with some festive songs like Santa Baby before bundling ourselves up and getting ready for a brisk evening walk. This was a great decision as we got to see the mountain village by night. And as it was a couple of days before Christmas everything was lit up and we even came across “The Love Keepers” – a triptych of monumental sculptures sunken into the snow in downtown Megève, created by the artist Chinikov. After our walk, I ran myself a big bubble bath before sliding into my super soft velvet and satin night set from Etam and tucking in for the night.

BREAKFAST IN BED

In the morning we had the most splendid weather. Sunshine was blazing across the terrace and we took the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely breakfast in bed. That included fresh juices, French croissants, eggs Benedict, fruits and lots of coffee.

FINAL THOUGHTS & THANKS

A huge thank you to all the staff at the Cœur de Megève, especially Mr. Granger, for a truly warm welcome and wonderful stay. As well as PR & Co, and Virginie, for making this possible.

Then we headed up the mountain for a quick tour before making our way back to Geneva.

I truly loved everything about my first stay in Megève at the hotel cœur de Megève and highly recommend it if you plan a trip to the alps.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Hôtel le Coeur de Megève
44 rue Charles Feige
74120 Megève
+33 (0)4 50 21 25 30
hello@coeurdemegeve.com

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A LUXURY ESCAPE IN PARIS at Le Dokhan’s boutique hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower

Le Dokhan’s, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Paris is the perfect place to stay during Paris Fashion Week.

I visited Le Dokhan’s a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in October, during famous Paris Fashion Week and I couldn’t recommend this luxury hotel enough…

About Le Dokhan’s Boutique Hotel in Paris

The hotel itself is situated in my favorite area of Paris: the iconic 16eme arrondissement, located across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower in the southwest corner of Paris. This prestigious area is home to many foreign embassies and renowned museums, including the Fondation Louis Vuitton and the Palais de Tokyo which was one of the major hubs during this year’s SS21 Fashion Week. So it was an ideal location for Marzena, Bella and I, as the hotel was within walking distance from several of the main fashion week events we went to. It was so amazing as we were close to everything. Although we were not so lucky with the weather, Paris in the rain is dreamy and poetic in its own way. What’s more, the hotel was well stocked with big sturdy umbrellas at the entrance for hotel guests which was super practical.

This Parisian boutique hotel dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. Le Dokhan’s offers 45 chic guest rooms, including 4 suites, that are accessible by a famous Louis Vuitton elevator created from old Louis Vuitton trunks. The hotel is highlighted by authentic works of art by Matisse and Picasso and the delicate scent of their custom-made fragrance.

It is a truly elegant hotel reminiscent of Belle Époque that is part of the Marriott Bonvoy. Indeed every element of the hotel is thoughtfully considered and utterly original including the parquet floors and wainscoting from a 17th-century château. Each of their guest rooms is individually decorated by the famous French interior decorator Frédéric Méchiche in a neoclassical style.

About Our Room: The Eiffel Tower Suite

The Eiffel suite we stayed in had the most breathtaking view of the iconic Parisian landmark. Equipped with a walk-in closet to accommodate all our Paris Fashion Week outfits and a jacuzzi bath to relax in after a hectic day filled with fashion shows and presentations.

This double room was ideal for Marzena, Bella, and I during fashion week as it had two full double beds, a Nespresso coffee machine and plenty of storage space.

The room details were all carefully considered, even the coffee table books including one from Veuve Cliquot, were on brand. Another amazing aspect of our room was that it had so many full-length mirrors which were great as we were three girls that needed to change a fair few times between the fashion shows. What I also loved about our room was the large marble bathroom that had a wonderful skylight window which was perfect for doing makeup. Stocked with fluffy bathrobes, hotel slippers, and premium Carita amenities.

The first champagne bar in Paris

A truly unique part of Le Dokhan’s a Tribute Portfolio Hotel was their champagne bar. In fact, Le Dokhan, is the first champagne bar in Paris, where Sommelier Matthias Breton created the city’s largest champagne menu with 240 choices including well-known names including Dom Pérignon and Moët-Hennessy as well as family estates little-known to the general public.

They also offer daily champagne-tasting events in the evenings, which we had the pleasure of discovering on our first evening of Paris Fashion Week. It was such an elegant and glamorous setting with candle lighting dancing around the room. It was the perfect way to start our evening. The hotel concierge kindly made a restaurant reservation for us that was just a stone’s throw away from the hotel which was super considerate and convenient.

What is more, the champagne bar transforms into the hotel breakfast room in the morning. Breakfast a la carte is served daily from 7.00 am until 10.30 am (and 11.00 am on weekends).

Breakfast with an unforgettable view of Paris

The room had beautiful views of the Parisian skyline, punctuated by the Eiffel Tower. So on our last day in Paris, we started the morning in style and enjoyed breakfast in bed whilst looking at the beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower from our hotel room. We had lots of delicious coffee, poached eggs, and fresh orange juice and the staff was so attentive about our food preferences providing us with gluten-free options and milk alternatives as well. I must say the hotel staff all went above and beyond in terms of hospitality and made sure we were comfortable and well tended to.

I love how central the hotel is and the staff was so helpful, kind, and professional. If you’re planning your next stay in Paris, then definitely try to get one of the rooms that face the Eiffel Tower. You won’t ever want to wake up any other way…

A Stylish Story

Your luxury lifestyle blogger from Geneva

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5 Facts about the Chanel SS22 Fashion Show

PFW: CHANEL Spring Summer 2022 Womenswear Collection

Before the show, several short fashion video teasers were released. Directed the iconic fashion duo Inez & Vinoodh. Shot in black and white, they featured the beautiful fashion models (and Chanel brand ambassadors) Lily-Rose Depp, Rebecca Dayan, Quannah Chasinghorse-Potts, Alma Jodorowsk and Vivienne Rohner. Each of them personified key roles in a fantasy world of fashion, imagined by Chanel’s creative director Virginie Viard.

A blast from the past

PFW: CHANEL Spring Summer 2022 Womenswear Collection

Virginie Viard recreated the glamour from the Eighties catwalk during the Spring Summer 2022 Chanel collection.

Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin’s short series set the scene for the SS22 Chanel Fashion Show that took place on the 5th of October 2021 during Paris Fashion Week.

The videos all had a retro 80s and early 90s sax playing which set the tone for the new Chanel SS22 collection inspired by that era.

Indeed Karl Lagerfeld used to photograph the Chanel campaigns himself.

So for all you fashion fanatics and Coco Chanel lovers, here are 5 facts about the SS22 Chanel Fashion Show.

  1. The Location: The Chanel fashion show traditionally always takes place in the Grand Palais, however this year, it took place at the Grand Palais Éphémère on Place Joffre (a 15-minute walk from the usual venue the Grand Palais that is currently being revamped).
  2. The Chanel Show was an homage to Fashion Photography: The creative director Virginie Viard asserted that she wished to pay tribute to fashion photographers. Calling upon Inez and Vinoodh for the teaser videos and editorials.
  3. Recreating the epic fashion show experience of the 80s: The models were smiling and winking at the crowd! As part of the early 80s / early 90s inspiration, Chanel’s creative director Virginie Viard made sure that the models including Luna Bijl and Edie Campbell who walked the Chanel SS22 show interacted with the audience. She wanted to recapture that fun aspect of the shows. She explained: “I used to love the sound of flashbulbs going off at shows in the Eighties when the models were on a raised runway. I wanted to recapture some of that emotion.” It felt like George Michael’s Freedom music video had teamed up Mariah Carey’s Butterfly Album and come to life.
  4. All the classic emblems of the iconic French luxury house were integrated into the new SS22 collection. With a playful twist, Chanel suits, classic Chanel shoes, tweed twinsets, thick gold chains and quilted leather handbags were a nod to the iconic elements of the brand’s heritage.
  5. Future Nostalgia: Early 90s monochrome, butterfly prints, plastic pink Chanel CC logo earrings, Chanel’s Mary Jane sandals, double-C monograms and square necklines were key to the collection, a nod to the past.

As always, the show did not disappoint and I can’t wait for the new Spring Summer 2022 Chanel collection to arrive in Switzerland.

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A Stylish Story

Your luxury fashion blogger from Geneva

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3 things you didn’t know about Harry Winston

Known as the “King of Diamonds” and the Jeweler to the Stars”, Harry Winston is one of the most eminent jewelry designers of the 20th century. He was the first to leverage celebrity status, draping draped actress Jennifer Jones in mega diamonds for the 1943 Academy awards. Today this is common practice for the red carpet, but at the time it was a revolutionary marketing technique. So today I wanted to share with you 3 little known facts about Harry Winston:

  1. Harry Winston was very discreet. Despite decking heads of state, royal dignitaries and movie stars in his dazzling creations, the man himself was very private. He even had a tiny concealed private elevator in his office so he and his VIP clients could discreetly slip in and out without being noticed.
  2. Indeed there was actually an ironclad clause in his business insurance policy that forbade him from showing his face publicly. Harry Winston was only photographed in the shadows or from a distance. Very few people ever even saw his face until his portrait appeared in his 1978 New York Timed obituary.
  3. Did you know that The Hope Diamond (which is one of the top 5 most expensive diamond in the world) was purchased by Harry Winston in 1949. The stone is rumored to be cursed due to the misfortune and tragedy that many of its previous owners experienced. The Hope diamond is believed to have been discovered in India in the 1600s. It is a 45.52 carat Fancy Dark Gray-Blue antique cushion cut diamond. The Hope Diamond is one of the most famous jewels in the world, with ownership records that go back almost four centuries. Its much-admired rare blue color and displays unusual luminescence because of the tiny impurities, due to trace amounts of boron atoms. After purchasing it, Mr Winston then donated it to the Smithsonian Institution. Winston never believed in any of the tales about the curse; and he donated the diamond with the hope that it would help the United States “establish a gem collection.”

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