PATUNA Fw 16/17 Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week

"When I thought of my inspiration for this collection, I thought of the greatness of French art, architecture and creativity, which influenced humankind to her foundation." PATUNA

For nearly three thousand years, one may not separate wine as an integral part of French civilization ingrained in French culture at every level.  As art, creativity, and genius are woven into the fabric of what is France, naturally, the French made winemaking an art.  From this natural flow of thought came PATUNA's inspiration for the French art of winemaking and was inspired to express this muse through the colors of grapes, wine, and the shapes of the grapevine.  

The French vineyard is a place of serenity and history; serenity from nature; history from fact.  Just as one can't look at a picture of the Eiffel Tower and not think ‘France’! One may also not look at a vineyard anywhere in the world and not think, ‘France’!  One may not be separated from the other in the psychic of man.  Through a French vineyard well-manicured fields, one may see a variety of textures and a beautiful palette of colors such as red, purple, white, and green.

For PATUNA, touching the textile is like touching a grape or a grape-leaf. The grape is strong in texture, beautiful in color and soft in feel.  French wine is volume, prestige, and variety style through the variety of grapes.  Volume, prestige, quality and variety are four inherent ingredients of my couture.  The vineyard’s beauty in uniformity and structure; strength, natural character, and flow of her vines; deepness of her roots; softness and color of her grapes cast against a blue sky inspire me.  

As the grapevine’s natural character and flow are uninhibited, PATUNA does not use zippers or buttons as they can easily inhibit the natural character and flow of fabric. Just as the grapevine of a French vineyard flows naturally and with volume through the field, PATUNA's creations flow uninhibitedly with volume and style to fit naturally so as not to detract from the fabric’s natural architecture. The grapevine does not infringe upon the beauty of the grape but compliments that beauty.  

This collection consists primarily of silks , guipure, velvet & chiffons , and incorporates shapes and looks that are smooth like a grape leaf; strong and structured like the grapevine; and incorporates touches of complex draping like the ripening grapes on the vine. This collection also incorporates arch forms from the vine with lines imitating the long, straight rows of the vineyards. All paintings and volume accessories , such as grape-leaves are hand-made.

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Video Exclusive: Jeffrey Fashion Cares Interview with Jeffrey Kalinsky

Jeffrey Fashion Cares 2014

The 22nd Annual Jeffrey Fashion Cares in Atlanta was one for the record books. I don't know how they do it, but this event gets bigger and better every year. Its founder, veteran retailer, Jeffrey Kalinsky, sheds some light and insight on what I call the best ticket in town, Jeffrey Fashion Cares. Video also includes runway highlights. Watch Now!

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Balmain MEN Spring 2014

So French. So very French is the Balmain Menswear Spring Collection for 2014. There's a touch of Chanel in some of the jackets and the quilted leathers. The blue and white stripes and the appliqués suggest a nautical influence. The collection pays tribute to renown French singer Serge Gainsbourg though I detect a hint of James Dean within some of the styling. Either way, still very French and très chic. VIEW Collection: 























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TERRE D' HERMÈS

What's your scent?

Mine is TERRE D'HERMÈS. I've been faithfully spraying the fragrance for three years and love it as much today as I did from the first whiff. The woodsy scent lingers yet never overpowers me. I receive endless compliments from women and men alike, as well as longer-than-usual hugs! And yes, I wear it year around.

Last week, my friend Sue inspired me with the idea that this was my scent. She said, "People should have a scent that's associated with them." Well, I won't argue that, especially if it's chic and so French!

All this made me question,

how do you find your scent?

I've concluded that it must be a combination of three factors: 1. You love the fragrance; 2. Others love the fragrance on you; 3. The scent suits your personality and style.

So... What's you scent?

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DIOR Couture Fall 2010

John Galliano, once again, goes over the top with his tremendous talent for Christian Dior as the Fall 2010 Haute Couture collection blossomed on its Parisian runway. Galliano is, undoubtedly, a creative and theatrical genius. Season after season, the Dior show is one of the most anticipated.

Living, breathing, human bouquets wrapped in silk organza that seduced your eyes with the richest, most vibrant of hues is what he gave us this time.

Galliano studied and researched flowers, specifically parrot tulips. Their color and texture were inspiration.

Though the garments are blatantly referential, they really work. Galliano, seamlessly combined the form of a flower with the female silhouette. The result: a stunning collection of human flowers made of luxurious textiles complete with plastic floral wrapping.

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