If there was one lady in the clothes business that has absolutely changed the meaning of design, then it would be no apart from Coco Chanel. Her vision and her ideas have changed the way girls dress and her sense of style has stayed thru decades and generations. Much known for her easy yet highly classy designs, Chanels presence is still much felt in present day couture.

The famous small, black dress
To many girls, a wardrobe isn’t complete along with that famous tiny black dress. What many girls also don’t understand is that this classic has been in existence for at least a century. This dress was introduced in a point in time when bright colors and prints, as well as heavy embroideries ruled the fashion scene. Black was considered to be the colour of mourning back then. When Vogue, in 1926, released the easy, long-sleeved black dress in its fashion pages, the clothing business went horrified with what they saw prompting designer Paul Poiret to remark, What has Chanel invented? De luxe poverty.

What they didnt know was this design would eventually face up to the tests of time and become reinvented in years ahead. Sleeveless, shortened, collaredthese are the many fluctuations that have popped up in the years that have followed. But all the same, the tiny black dress exudes a style renowned for its simplicity and class.

Other fashion designs by Chanel
Apart from the small black dress, Coco Chanel was in a position to introduce to women designs that are just about part of every womans collection. Pea coats as well as bell-bottom pants are designs that were conceptualized by Coco. Puff suits, pleated skirts and the use of triangular headscarfs were parts of the innovative ideas that have come from this famous fashion designer. Other ideas e. G the use of knit jersey for fabric as well as the use of pretend pearls were made famous by her too.

Taking it a step further
As her designs became more and more popular, she ultimately diverted her fashion house into other ventures. The ever omnipresent Chanel no.5 is a scent that’s really familiar to women of all ages. Concocted in 1926, the famous perfume gained its name after being picked by Coco Chanel among the five smells presented to her by chemist Ernest Beaux, no. 5 being the last smell among the 5. Renowned for its classic square bottle, Chanel no.5 has been the major money earner for Chanel. Up to the present, Chanel no.5 is yet to be the worlds top-selling scent.

The production of a makeup line in addition has been a successful venture for Chanel as it has its continuing demand even in todays market.

Coco Chanel had the knack and instinct for choosing designs which were at the center of every womans sense of style. She in a way, thru her designs, have liberated women and enabled them to go past the dictates of rules associated with fashion back then. Obviously, her inspiration will always remain as robust as it ever was.
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For over 250 years Blancpain has been developing and manufacturing high class Swiss Watches that have been tested and proved to encompass time and space. That is why every Blancpain watch is embedded with rich heritage and tradition that is passed on to future generations of watch connoisseurs. As time passes by, Blancpain never ceases to create avant-garde styles that will match the taste of the modern times. Thus the release of the Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph proved that Blancpain has evolved not only into better watch making techniques but also adapted to the trends of sport utility watches

The Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph with reference number 5785F.11D03.63 is made up of brushed steel with Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating that matches perfectly with its carbon fiber dial. The Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph is the first among Blancpain chronographs to utilize a tachymeter scale. The sporty appearance of the Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph is further enhanced by its stealthy black design. The monotony is broken by its illuminated orange roman Arabic numeral hour indicators and rotating bezel that are also matched with the orange stitches on its stealthy black strap.

This Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph houses a self-winding F185 movement that is comprised of 308 handmade components that were perfected by the tradition and expertise of Blancpain watchmakers. This Caliber F185 when fully wound, will be able to run for approximately 40 hours. Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph is boasting a flyback function that allows non-stop rapid timing sequences. The chronograph function has a 12 & 30 minute hour counter and a continuously running small second display.

A perfectly crafted mechanical interior is not the only reason why the Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph with reference number 5785F.11D03.63 should be an essential-watch for any serious watch aficionado’s collection. The mixture of both magnificent engineering and work of art makes the Blancpain Speed Command Chronograph an astonishing luxury piece for any lucky owner’s wrist.

 

The economy, needless to say, still does not look very promising but that doesn’t mean holidays should be postponed. People may have to tighten their belts a bit this year (and the years to come, hopefully not) especially on the non-essentials but some do entitle themselves to some form of indulgence no matter how prohibitive the cost maybe. Some people find comfort in designer brands; it’s one of those things that they’d spend money on in a heartbeat.

As a matter of fact, according to the Financial Times, luxury and designer brands are flourishing in terms of profits and high-end brands are eyeing more retail space across the US despite the recession. Further, NPD Group, the marketing research company, said that perfumes priced at one hundred dollars and more increased by 7 percent. Linda Rahme, Bond No 9′s president, added that the global wholesale business has increased 25 percent in the prior year whereas Paris-based Creed was able to double its sales in the past decade. Does this mean that the perfume industry is recession-proof?

There have been a significant growth in luxury fragrances over the past year. They range from bejeweled perfumes such as Love Ralph Lauren with an amethyst cap ($2,200), Bond No 9’s All-Star Swarovski embellished with 5,000 Swarovski stone in each bottle ($650), Limited edition Guerlain Mitsouko decorated with real jade and pearls ($7,000) and more fragrances that are priced over a hundred dollars a piece, bejeweled or not.

Having said so, is it worth every dollar considering it’s the holiday season?

The answer really depends on the person’s budget. But let’s say, money is not an issue, what perfumes would make it purchase-worthy? The classic and niche perfumes category are a good place to start.

 

Chanel

Perfumer Jacques Polge recreated the original Chanel and transformed it into a lighter and more luminous version. Chanel Cristalle Eau Verte Eau de Toilette is touted as the modern expression of the classic beauty of floral bouquet.

 

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection Extraordinaire

Paris-based jewelry house pays tribute to the beauty of nature with this Collection Extraordinaire featuring six fragrances: Gardenia Petale, Muguet Blanc, Orchidee Vanille, Bois d’Iris, Cologne Noire and Lys Carmin.

 

La Prairie Threads

Luxury skin-care brand La Prairie pays tribute to the story of a woman’s life from her youthful days to the culminating years of her life. These moments are captured in three fragrances: Silver, Gold and Platinum.

 

Creed

Creed has been around since 1760. Over the years, the fragrance house has mastered the art of handcrafted fragrances using traditional methods. Green Irish Tweed, Millesime Imperial and Acqua Florentina are some of the popular Creed perfumes.

 

Guerlain

Mitsouko, Shalimar, Jicky, L’Heure Bleue – the classics. A perfume aficionado knows that these classic scents from the house of Guerlain goes beyond time. These perfumes evolved with time and despite the influx of mass-market fragrances, Guerlain never lost its following.

The price tag of these perfumes are above one hundred dollars each. Everybody deserves a little treat this holiday season, right?

Learn more about the classics and designer perfumes at discount perfume online retailer, scentiments.com.