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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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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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Layers of luxury with Princess goes Hollywood

It seems that the winter weather in Switzerland is getting glacial to say the least! I was up in Verbier over Christmas and when I returned to Geneva the temperature just dropped. There was such a gorgeous layer of snow over the city this morning. This is extremely pretty but in terms of fashion, it can be quite a challenge to stay stylish. Layers of sumptuous cashmere sweaters have been helping me survive the biting cold at the moment. This is why I wanted to share with you a couple of looks to keep warm and cozy.

What’s more, I always feel rather flat after Christmas and New Year’s are over. So I wanted to share some fun fashion looks to keep your spirits up even when the weather is not on its best behavior.

Firstly let’s face it, in Geneva and most of Europe, chances are your winter outfit is made up of mostly all-black. But there is a way to keep that part of your winter wardrobe and still switch it up a bit. I’m talking of course of duo-tone looks. For example, mix up your mostly black looks with a bit of navy blue, dark red, silver-grey, or a touch of green. It still looks pulled together and you can continue to wear your usual black. With this in mind, let’s look at my first outfit…

Double Trouble: Burgundy & Black

I am absolutely in love with this two-toned velvet pleated skirt from Princess Goes Hollywood. It can be dressed down or up depending on the occasion, as I also styled it for a party look in this post here.

For a casual day look, I layered the long skirt under a black knitted cardigan also from Princess Goes Hollywood. It’s like a bit of a sexy grandma look as cardigans always have that connotation. So adding heels is a must. I chose some with a bit of a patent crocodile to contrast with the soft and comfy aspect of the top half of the look. Punctuating the look with a luxury Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Pochette Métis (borrowed from the stylish fashionista and friend, Miss Xenia).

SHOP THE LOOK

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The next tip I want to share with you is for more adventurous fashion daredevils. The idea is to mix and juxtapose your evening accessories with everyday outfits. A soft, cozy sweater paired with statement earrings. Or else a pair of everyday jeans and stiletto heels. A sweatshirt with a luxury, monogrammed brooch pinned on it. You get the idea. The options are endless and ever so fun!

Cast a Wide Knit: Day meets Night

Here I played with proportions and mixed daywear with evening accessories. Flared jeans and an oversized fluffy jumper from Princess Goes Hollywood that had a definite retro vibe to them. Making sure to keep it modern by pairing the wide pants and a cozy sweater with a sleek updo. I selected quite a statement accessories that would traditionally be worn for an evening look, including my very much loved silver Bulgari Forever Serpenti bag and bold, gold earrings from Stein Kult. I was so pleased because the stones exactly matched the colors of my sweater, so that was a happy style accident. I love these earrings from Stein Kult as they look very luxurious. The brand itself is a Swiss one. They had amazing quality jewels, like the earrings and ring I’m wearing here. What I love as well is that the designer creates capsule collections based on her travels.

SHOP THE LOOK

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So there you have it, a little style inspiration to start 2021 off.

For more fashion and Swiss-style tips, click here.

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How to Shop for Luxury – A Millennial Guide

A Millennial Approach to Luxury

When it comes to sustainable fashion in luxury it has become more than a buzzword; it has become a conscious necessity. In particular for millennial and Generation Z consumers.

In fashion, there has been a paradigm shift linked directly to the fact that these generations are exposed to the internet and social networks. Making them aware of social and economic issues linked to the way we consume and wanting to take action. Millennials are mindful consumers. It’s no longer sufficient to use the best quality leather for your designer handbag. Millennial consumers want the product to be made of ethically sourced raw materials that respect fair trade and use sustainable production practices.

So how are millennials are transforming the luxury market? And more importantly: how can we stay chic and sustainable at the same time?

Digital natives with a conscious, millennials like myself care about what and how we consume. 14% of consumers from the ages 18 to 24 complete their first luxury purchase online. What is more, today although millennials only represent 32% of spending in the luxury market, come 2025, millennials are expected to make up 50% of the luxury market (FORBES, 2019). Meaning that we have a direct impact on the luxury market as future consumers with a substantial purchasing power. Luxury brands aware of this are upping their green game. Conscious that luxury sustainability will become synonymous with our way of consuming fashion.

“Sustainability will continue to advance in importance,” Sarah Willersdorf, partner and managing director at BCG and Global Head of Luxury explains. “It will feed both the secondary-luxury market as well as give a lift to limited-run collaborations which show a brand’s respect for not flooding the market with too much merchandise.”

Some luxury fashion brands such as Stella McCartney are already way ahead of the game. In 2018, Gucci also eradicated fur from their collections in an effort towards ethical manufacturing their creations.

Purchase decisions are shifting and the luxury landscape with it. For example 56% of true-luxury consumers are attuned to luxury brands’ stance on social responsibility. 62% choose to do business with a brand that supports sustainability over a brand that does not, compared with 50% in 2013. Interestingly, sustainable luxury consumers are primarily concerned with the environment (37%), animal care (27%) and ethical manufacturing (21%). Whilst millennials top priorities are on the environment (42%) and animal treatment (26%), versus Boomers whose primary concern is ethical manufacturing (32%). (FORBES, 2019)

The characteristics of millennial behavior are seeping into older generations— which accounted for 73% of luxury purchases in 2016. (Bain & Company)

The stigma of second-hand luxury fashion goods is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.

“Second-hand luxury is rapidly becoming mainstream,” Willersdorf says. “And it is not just the lower price that attracts these true-luxury consumers. It is often the only way they can buy scarce, limited-edition, special sold-out collaborations missed the first time or vintage items.”

Breathing a second life into your wardrobe – traditionally considered less impressive than getting a new shiny item – is now the cool thing to do. Lending, renting and buying clothes second hand luxury goods is an eco-friendly trend in 2020 that is here to stay.

Unsurprisingly handbags make up 40% of all pre-owned purchases. The most popular and purchased pre-owned brands are the big players such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Dior. With Vestiaire Collective at the forefront (BCG, 2019). I can honestly say that my first purchase was indeed a pre-loved Balenciaga City Bag bought with my first paycheck. The reasons for this? Firstly, it was a classic in Balenciaga’s permanent collection and bound to stay in style for years to come. Second, I happened to have spotted the exact same petrol blue bag on the arm of my favorite fashion blogger Chiara Ferrangi. And lastly, it was a little treat from me to me without breaking the bank but still investing in a quality, luxury item that I still have, wear and love. Timeless style, the product’s qualify and prestige are all key factors Millennials take into account when purchasing a luxury good such as a handbag.

Moreover, Millennials (myself included) are known to spend time, endlessly exploring and comparing their retail options, both online and in-store. My favorite luxury resale websites include The RealReal, Ruelala and of course Vestiare Collective. Also if you are looking for a hard go find piece Lyst is amazing. Whilst Swiss equivalents include LuxuryLove and Reawake in Zurich and Vintage Garderobe and Downtown Uptown in Geneva.