NYC Fashion Week Jewelry

Since launching my website www.glimpsebeads.com filled with my new Paris Inspired Jewelry yesterday, I have finally had some time to check out what is new for Fall 2010. The runways were full of glittering beads, baubles and chains at New York Fashion week. It seems like statement jewelry is definitely here to stay! These big chunky necklaces are still on trend for fall 2010, so expect to see lots more from designers. Here are some of the looks that I liked from NYC fashion week...
Badgley Mischka

Lela Rose

Melandrino

Vera Wang

"Paris Collection" www.glimpsebeads.com

As many of you know, I have been designing jewellery for over 10 years. Since living in Paris, I have developed a new design sense have created many new pieces which incorporate this new chunky style.
Please drop by www.glimpsebeads.com and have a look! I am offering free shipping on all orders for a limited time!
My new designs are bold, chunky and fun. Trends in Paris for the coming season are chunky layered jewellery. So, why not express yourself with a funky piece from Glimpse Creations!!!
New pieces will be added daily so check back regularly!

I know these shoes are old news, but I love them so much that I must add them to my blog. Christian Louboutin partnered with the famed French embroidery house Lesage to create a very limited shoe inspired by Marie Antoinette. Since I just spent 3 months learning couture embroidery at Lesage, I think I should own a pair of these. Who else would appreciate the craftsmanship of these shoes better than myself!? ...ohhh... but, they are around 6,000 euros and only 36 pairs of them were made. So, I guess I will just have to keep daydreaming about them!

L'aiguille en Fete

Today I braved the cold weather and headed up to La Villette for L'aiguille en Fete. This International trade show is for needlecraft enthusiasts. You will find everything here from quilting and knitting to embroidery. The show was 12 euros to get in, but it was well worth it. The booths were filled with threads, buttons and fabrics. I could have easily spend A LOT of money on cross stitch kits, and fancy threads. I did splurge and bought some metallic thread, sequins and buttons. I also bought some ceramic heart pendants made in France. I can't wait to make a new necklace with them!

The show was full of inspiration from freehand embroidery to beautiful quilts made from cross stitch patterns. I have come away from the show with a renewed passion for my embroidery. My favourite pieces that I saw at the show were beautiful embroidered scenes of gardens full of flowers. From far away, they looked like photographs but close up they were a wonderful mixture of french knots and beads.
I totally recommend this show to anyone interested in fiber arts of any kind.
I usually attend these types of shows with my mom in Toronto, so the only thing that could have made this show better would be if she were here with me.
Below are some photos from the exhibition of costumes from theaters and operas that were on display at the show.

La Droguerie

Yesterday, I finally made it out to a shop that I had been wanting to check out for a while now. Le Droguerie on rue du Jour is a busy little shop located just on the edge of Les Halles. Once a butcher shop, this boutique is now filled with luscious wools, beautiful buttons and thousands of beads. Looking through the window, I immediately noticed rolls of ribbon stacked from floor to ceiling. As I stood gazing through the window, a steady stream of crafters were piling into the shop. I thought I better get in before it get any busier!

Once inside you are greeted by skeins of wool hanging from old butchers hooks. Along with the impressive wool collection, you will find many kits for sale for knitting everything from sweaters to baby booties. Past the wool, you find yourself in button land. A whole wall of tiny draws filled with buttons behind a desk. Just like an old haberdashery, you must ask the sales assistant behind the desk for your button of choice.
On the back wall, you will find all of your findings, swarovski, and feathers. Impressive drawers and boxes hold all of these small goodies behind another desk with a sales assistant. There are binders on the desk filled with all the findings that are for sale.

Into the other side of the shop, you will find floor to ceiling shelves of glass jars filled with beads. Everything from wooden to plastic to glass. The selection is quite an amazing sight. There are assistants there to help you plan out your jewellery creations, and show you how to assemble them.

Beyond the beads, is the wall of ribbon that I had earlier been drooling at from outside the window. If you need a certain type of ribbon, you are sure to find it here. With the ribbon is a selection of small flowers and leaves made from silks, felt and velvets.
I am glad I braved the winter snow day to travel to this little shop in the city. It offers a definite destination for those seeking a creative outlet for crafting supplies.

Interviews at Fashion Week

Check out this video of Hilary Alexander showing a little bit of Chanel Couture Fashion show!

Bead Heaven

For those of you who know me, you know that I could spend hours shopping in bead stores. Back in Canada, me and my mom were regularly bead shopping along Queen St. in Toronto. We would even visit The Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee a couple of times.
When I first moved to Paris, I was having bead withdrawal. I didn't know any bead stores, and I didn't even know if there were any in the city! Soon enough, I found a couple of bead shops which made me happy. They were not very big, and didn't have a huge selection, but at least they had something.
Imagine my surprise when I realized there was a whole street right near my apartment that was home to numerous amounts of bead stores! Rue de Temple is a beading haven! If you are a beader visiting Paris, you must not miss this street. While some of the shops are wholesale, if you are willing to pay the minimum, some will let you shop there without a business licence. Most shops are not open Saturdays, so make sure to go on a weekday.

I took this picture through a shop window while I was out with my "beading friends." last weekend. We couldn't go in since it was closed, but I plan on going back to shop really soon. We did however go to Matiere Premiere on Rue de Sévigné and La Perlerie 22 on Rue de Temple.

I bought some great Chinese crystal beads and a black cabochon swarovski crystal to make myself a big sparkly ring!
Overall, I am glad I have friends to talk beading and go shopping with! I am now back in bead heaven!

Fabulous Fashion at Paris Couture Week

Couture Fashion week is officially over, and my life is now getting back to reality after all the excitement. Here are some street fashions caught at various venues throughout the week.
































...and another photo of Karl at the Chanel show