Accessoires : Alerte rouge !

Au Feminin Mode (France), confirmed that

red is definitely the colour of choice in accessories this year.

Within my exquisite latest collection ARIEGE, the beauty of

this colour is well represented in the stunning CORINNE

handbag!

Ce sac est un nouveau symbole d'élégance!

Marcela

Parisian Fashion 1940–1944

As I often do when I first arrive at one of my showrooms, I open my personal mailbox. Amongst the many messages and mails that I receive, I know that my usual report and news from Fashion Office (Europe), will bring interesting insights about the world of fashion. With great delight I will share the following with you.

As far as Couture goes, the Paris of the 1940's saw perhaps its darkest moment. This was a most difficult time, and many houses had to close their doors for good while others had to struggle to stay afloat. The House of Calvet with their famous Callot label managed to remain open during these difficult times; but adaptation was the name of the game, and thus it had to adapt to the challenges of war-time. Read on.

Accessories and Artifacts: Women's Lives in Paris 1940-1944

This was the era of the sling bag and platform shoes with wooden soles; of such imitation fabrics as rayon and viscose; of unconventional materials like newspaper and wood; and of used car tyres and offcuts of fabric and leather. The exhibited hats, bags, shoes and other artifacts from the occupied Paris are put into context with photos, fashion magazines, newsreels and sheet music for popular songs.

Fashion accessories played a major role in terms both of function and the uses they were put to. A scarf bearing Pétain's portrait served as Vichy propaganda, while the Resistance hid leaflets in bags with false bottoms and trick linings. So fashion remained a part of everyday life for Parisiennes, from moments of tragedy to the explosion of joy that came with the Liberation.

During wartime the restrictions turned fashion designers, tradesmen, manufacturers, and women into experts in the art and craft of recycling and substitution.

Now, from 20 May to 15 November 2009 the Parisian Mémorial-Musée exhibits in association with the Galliera City of Paris Fashion Museum 300 fashion items, especially accessories, from the years of occupation (1940-44).

In my opinion this is a must-see exhibition. Hope to see you there!

Marcela

Stylish Cities

The new year has begun and I can only say

"THANK YOU" to our loyal clients for a

wonderful 2008.  Let's agree that 2009 will

be filled with great chic collections all of

which our seasoned clients as well as our new

Marcela Calvet fashionistas will appreciate!

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Today, I would like to feature a sample of the 

fashion sense in accessories of some of the

world's most stylish cities.

To start of course, I've chosen Paris and

Buenos Aires.

These grand cities are similar in more than

one respect; and when it comes to fashion sense,

they are true sisters.

In these cities which I know very well, both

women and men do like to dress; and they do

so with superb style and panache.

One of their favourite accessories amongst

the under 30 crowd  is the scarf: the oversized,

knitted type.

Neutral colours of black and gray are specially

favoured as they can be easily combined with so

many outfits, handbags and shoes in the case of

women, and briefcases and shoes in the

case of men.

Most women in both cities adore silk scarves in

different and varied motifs; which they wear with

finesse and elegance.  When not around their

necks, they carefully sport them by attaching them

to their ever so chic handbag.   That is why, at

Marcela Calvet we always gift our clients with

one of our exquisite scarves!

Fortunately for us, scarves are once again gaining

popularity; and that is wonderful news.

Let's bring chic back to fashion by selecting a beautiful

scarf in wool or silk, because after all, it is one of the

most versatile fashion accessories one can ever

get to wear.