Back in Paris!

Well, it has been a while since I last wrote so I though I give an update on what has kept me so quiet. After spending a few months in Canada, I am now back in France! My boyfriend and I have actually moved just outside of Paris in a small village called Rambouillet. It is nice and quiet and a nice change from being in the middle of the city. There is a large Chateau across the street where Napoleon used to stay while on hunting vacations and Marie Antoinette would vacation. It has a lake surrounded by beautiful gardens and a huge forest with biking and walking trails throughout.

Last weekend, our village held a festival called St.Lubin. Saturday morning we came outside of our apartment and had a great surprise to find the street covered in straw with cows and horses along the side of street. It was like being transported back in time to medieval times. There were tables set up to eat food outside city hall where you would sit on hay stacks, and stalls along the street selling handmade goods. Everyone was dressed in costume from medieval times! It was a great event and something I will never forget!

This past week was Paris Fashion Week, so I have been busy taking the train into Paris and running from show to show. Being invited to the shows is beyond exciting, and seeing the celebrities attending the shows makes me realize how lucky I am to be one of the few who get to attend. While at Fashion Week, I gather inspiration for my jewelry and embroidery line. I will take the colors, textures or even the overall themes of the show and work it into my creations. To see my jewelry line please visit my website at www.glimpsebeads.com At some of the shows during Fashion Week, I am also lucky enough to meet and photograph celebrities! Some of those I saw this time were Taylor Swift, Stylist Rachel Zoe and Photographer Mario Testino!

I have also been keeping busy updating my other blog at www.glimpsecreations.com Here you will find detailed updates about Paris Fashion Week, Fashion and Crafting News and DIY projects and tutorials. Please make sure to follow this blog to receive updates! In the next few weeks, I will be busy working on my line of pop up cards for Christmas! These cards are great if you want to send a little something extra special this holiday season. I will be sure to post some photos when they are done and they will be on my site for sale! I will also be busy working on some new jewelry designs based on this past Paris Fashion Week, and I will also be going to England for a week! So, please keep on an eye on the other blog www.glimpsecreations.com for lots of Fashion and DIY news! I will keep updating this blog occasionally, but most of my posts will be on the new blog.

Paris Photo Cards

It has been so long since I wrote on "A Glimpse of Paris," it seems like an old friend that I have found again! Since my last post, I have been busy working on my new blog all about Haute Couture and the Fashion world. If you haven't checked it out yet, you can click here to take a look! Since I have been back in Canada for a few months, I have been able to design some new jewelry pieces inspired by what I have seen on the runways of Paris. You can see my jewelry on my website www.glimpsebeads.com

I now also carry a new line of Paris Photo Cards! Available in my Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/GlimpseCards After moving to Paris in 2009 to study couture embroidery, I found that I also had an interest in photographing the beautiful sights around the city. After receiving numerous requests for my photographs, I have decided to create a line of photo cards that best represent my life in Paris! All cards consist of a 4×6 photo printed on premium professional photography paper. They measure 5″ x 7″ and are left blank inside for your personal message. Each card comes with a luxe shimmering envelope and is packaged in a protective clear plastic holder.

I will be heading back to Paris in a few weeks just in time for Paris Fashion Week! I am looking forward to getting back into my fashion routine of running from show to show getting a first glimpse of the season's finest designs. Please check back often to see my photos from inside Paris Fashion Week!!

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!

Georges Hobeika Couture S/S 2012

Haute Couture in Paris means beautiful handcrafted clothes, and Georges Hobeika went above and beyond this at his Spring 2012 Couture show. I was one of the lucky few who got an invitation to the show at the beautiful Le Meurice hotel. Flowing chiffon dresses and soft pastel colors showed femininity and sensuality throughout the collection. A creative touch was created with beautiful intricate embroidery and beadwork meant to reference the beauty and grace of an orchid. I was so lucky to be sitting front row at this show as I was able to see the beadwork and embroidery up close. The amount of beads used on the pieces and the workmanship was incredible. The collection showed unique embroidery and beadwork techniques, that adorned the pieces around the neck, on the shoulders and even trailing down the front.

This was one of my favorite shows for the S/S 2012 Couture collection this season. The elegant and feminine pieces were beautiful and easy to wear. I hope we see some of these pieces walking down a red carpet sometime soon! This designer knows how to create an old fashion glamor with a modern approach.

The flowing pieces created with chiffon and silk organza were beautiful, and some pieces had ripped and feathered pieces of fabric to create the illusion of real feathers. Folded and pleated fabrics had a sculptural feel, yet still remained soft and feminine. The pastel mint green color was stunning, and the pale yellow was flattering and a nice hue that anyone could wear.

Overall, this show was one of my all time favorites. It was full of feminine, beautiful pieces with fabulous beadwork and embroidery. It ended with a stunning wedding gown that was fully embroidered from top to bottom with beads and flowers. It was the perfect ending to a perfect collection.

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!