From The ELLE Show

Back in town, from the ELLE Show and the TFI Gala, after a long 5hours ride. I enjoyed most of it. The Carlu was definitely a great venue choice; grandiose, chic and very BCBG, a real change from last year Industrial Look.




My business partner and arrived around noon, registered at the Media booth and finally entered the ELLE world located on the 7th floor, where a distinguished crowd of women mingled while shopping around, checking out the many exhibitors’ booths, from accessories to beauty products and enjoying some wine, martinis and other cocktails.

We made our way in, walking among all the exhibitors’ booths. Accessories, jewellery, skin care, make-up, perfumes and much more, but not so much clothing designers I found. The overwhelming amount of jewellery exhibitors’ booths made it almost uninspiring to look around with genuine interest, most of them resembling the next - no offence to the Designers.

Besides that, few exhibitors stood out from the mass, with their one of kind creations.

The beautiful and feminine headbands by Le Catogan, was one of them. Danielle the Designer has been doing this for years - even though I just discovered the label - and certainly knows a thing or two about women likes and wants. It was love at first sight the second I laid my eyes on them.

There was also the always eccentric and playful jewellery line by Laborde Designs , Kristen the Designer showed new pieces I had not seen at the L’Oreal Fashion Week, what a breeze of freshness it was. Her pieces speak volume; they are powerful and colourful, fun and original, worth the investment.

And interesting discovery was Lissabjewelled by Jewellery Designer Lissa Brunet, who's unconventional and creative approach to creating jewellery made a clear statement. I liked the fact that she mixes unexpected techniques such as knitting, weaving, or braiding sterling silver and gold chains to obtain outstanding results. Her pieces have their very own look and feel, true originality is always a plus for any designer.

One that took me a while to warm up to was Clair de Plume, by Designer Anne-Catherine, because I found her scarves boring and regular at first, until I stopped by and ask few questions. And I am glad I did, because her hand made scarves turned out to be these versatile embellished items that one can wear as belts, ponchos or headbands, depending on the mood, look or character, plus they have an organic feel to them.

Talking about organic, there was a lot of chocolate involved, from the Green&Black’s delicious organic chocolate brand offering tasting samples – yes to the milk & Almonds and Dark and Orange - , to the Cadbury Couture Collection pieces in delicious display in the exhibitors’ space and the runway environment.

I followed the chocolate trail and ended in the Runway environment, where the creations were exposed for all to see and taste, maybe…I didn’t taste them but was very tempted, can you blame me?

As far as I am concerned, it was a pleasant experience, and I reserve you the best in posts to come, with my reviews on the Project Runway Showcases and of course the TFI New Labels Competition.

Stay tuned!

Pictures source: Miss SLY!