New Haute Couture Blog!! www.glimpsecreations.com

I would like to thank all of my follows and everyone who enjoys reading my blog. After spending over two years in Paris studying Haute Couture, I have started another blog that highlights the couture industry and those that create the beautiful one of a kind pieces. From behind the scenes at the ateliers, to front row at Couture Week, I will bring you the latest in world of Haute Couture. Glimpse can be found at www.glimpsecreations.com

Glimpse is a website dedicated to showcasing craft, and the age old techniques used in couture fashion. Craft is a dying trade, and this website aims to bring light upon handmade items and the artisans who make them. Haute Couture fashion brings together many of the remaining Parisian atelier houses that still use the same craft techniques as when they first opened their doors. Many of these craft houses have been around for over 100 years, but are being threatened by retiring workers, a younger generation unwilling to learn the work, and cheaper work being available overseas. I intend to bring light on this little known world of artists and creators and give readers an inside view of the atelier houses that support the Couture industry. From beading and embroidery to millinery and shoe making, this website will showcase artists and ateliers and even share some DIY ideas.

The DIY section will offer patterns and projects for handmade items that range from beginner to advanced. Below is an example of a project that is on the site that you can find in the Crafts DIY section on the website.

I will continue to write this blog about my adventures in Paris, but you can now also find the same stories under "A Glimpse of Paris" on my new blog. I would really appreciate it if you took a minute to check out the new site and let me know what you think! It is still in start up phase, but I will be adding projects and articles daily!

January Eye Candy

After spending Christmas in Canada, I am now back in Paris and enjoying my window shopping once again! I couldn't resist taking a stroll along Rue Saint-Honoré and taking a few photos of the fashions and jewelry in the windows of some of my favorite shops.
My first stop was Miu Miu where these sparkling heels caught my attention.

I also fell in love with the bags in the window!

I couldn't resist stopping by Place Vendome to see the left over decorations from the holidays. The white trees placed all around the area were beautiful, and the lights above the shops sparkled brightly.

Of course, my favorite shop windows are always the ones showing sparkling jewelry like Chopard and Pasquale Bruni. Hanging jewels and diamond watches were accompanied by huge cocktail rings with beautiful gemstones.

2011 Remembered

As 2012 starts, I am filled with memories of the year past. I feel extremely lucky to be able to live the life that I have experienced over the past year. Starting out the year in Canada and being featured on CHCH Morning Live TV show was quite an adventure! You can see my "behind the scenes" video here!

After returning to Paris, Fashion Week was next on my timeline. I got invited to my first fashion shows and even found myself sitting front row at some of the venues! I got to mingle with celebrities, fashion writers and editors and loved every minute of it!

Spring time was filled with small trips in and around Paris. Monet's house in Giverny was one of the places I visited, and won't soon forget. It was beautiful and filled with spring flowers.

I spent my birthday eating cake at Laduree with my parents, then shopping in Chanel with my boyfriend!

The summer went by quickly spending 3 weeks in England, and small vacations to Venice and Ibiza with my boyfriend.

I wrote a series of articles for Canadian magazine, "A Needle Pulling Thread," and continued to make and sell jewelry from my website www.glimpsebeads.com

Before I knew it, Paris Fashion Week was here again and I was invited to some of the Spring/Summer 2012 collections. I was thrilled to be going to shows again, and enjoyed every minute of seeing the clothes come down the runway. I also love getting to see celebrities and famous editors at the shows! I photographed celebrities such as Uma Thurman, Jessica Biel, Leighton Meester and Jared Leto!

Attending fashion week, I was lucky to be featured in the Hamilton Spectator newspaper along with my jewelry inspired by the runway looks! During fashion week, I was also able to meet a couple of fashion icons! Anna Dello Russo and Rachel Zoe were kind enough to stop and talk and take a couple of pictures with me!

I spent Christmas in Canada with my family, but made it back in time for New Years Eve at the Eiffel Tower! It has been such a wonderful, adventure packed year! I can only hope that 2012 will be just as exciting!

New Years Eve

Happy New Year from Paris! I rang in the New Year watching the lights sparkle on the Eiffel Tower! How did you spend yours!?

Karl Lagerfeld Windows

Parisian department store, Printemps, unveiled their Christmas window display last week with Karl Lagerfeld showing his wonderfully designed, Chanel themed displays. Once I heard that there were Chanel windows on display, naturally I had to go! Karl designed the windows consisting of marionette puppets that moved around. What could be better than mini-Karl puppets complete with his signature glasses and fingerless gloves!
I took some photos to share with those who cannot be in Paris to see these wonderful windows in person. Be sure to click on the videos to see the puppets move and dance around!

Another one of the Karl designed windows had a Russian Ballet with puppets that danced and twirled.

Wouldn't you want to fly with Chanel airlines!

Art Nouveau Apartment

While wandering around Paris a couple of weeks ago, I came across this fabulous Art Nouveau building on Avenue Rapp, no. 29. I just love the look of this architecture and the character that it gives the building. Designed by Jules Lavirotte, this building was described by Salvador Dali as "the most erotic facade of Paris." Every inch of the facade is tiled with ceramic by Alexandre Bigot which adds to the unique look of the structure. Wouldn't it be fun to live in this building!?

"A Needle Pulling Thread" Article Part 3 of 3

Pick up a copy of "A Needle Pulling Thread" to read all about my jewelry! This month's magazine features a two page article with many photos of my work. This is the 3rd article in a series that I wrote about my life in Paris, and Couture embroidery. Pick up your copy today!

Christian Lacroix

This morning I couldn't resist but go back to the Marche Puces Porte Vanves antique market. Last week I came across a lady who had bought up a lot of supplies from the Christian Lacroix atelier when it closed. I had to go back this week and have a better look through all her boxes of treasures! I must have spend about half an hour going though all of the beads, sequins, buttons, threads and metal pieces. I ended up purchasing a few pieces to incorporate into my jewelry designs! Each piece I got is stamped with the Christan Lacroix logo. I really liked how the butterfly and dragonfly each feature one beautiful hand painted ceramic wing. I can't wait to get designing!! If you are interested in a piece of jewelry incorporating any of these Christian Lacroix pieces, please contact me at glimpsecreations@yahoo.com or visit my website at www.glimpsebeads.com

Christian Lacroix is a french designer who was well known for his Haute Couture line which sadly closed in 2009. Personally I loved Christian Lacroix's Haute Couture designs. They were bold, fantasy creations, which is what Haute Couture is really all about! He was known for his theatrical style which came from his work while in the theater. Lacroix was also a great supporter of Paris atelier houses including Lesage who did many embroideries for the couture line. Below are some images from Christian Lacroix's collections from throughout his career.