CHOCOHOLIC

Chocolate is one of my favourite things & I thought well why not write a post where fashion is influenced by luxurious chocolate! 

Chocolate has progressed from a simple £1 bar to extravagant cakes with a price tag that no chocoholic can resist. Chocolate has associations of children, easter eggs & willy wonka however it  now has a sense of maturity and grandeur which is imposed by chocolate developing into the upper market. Similar to fashion, there are mainstream companies such as thorntons where scrumptious chocolates are available to all and couture brands such as Birghton based business, Choccywoccydoodah where price tags can reach an infinite high. 

The result in the maturity of chocolate has led it to benefit the economies of the exporting countries. Fairtrade's chocolate, Divine has become one of the most popular brands where the company "is the only Fairtrade chocolate company which is 45% owned by the farmers" (Divine website) so therefore the farmers can have their equal share of the profit. In fashion today Vivenne Westwood has created her autumn/winter 2011-12 Ethical Fashion Africa collection where she has employed "7000 local women to use their skills to produce bags for her company - and earn a fair wage in return." (Vogue UK)

So, where does chocolate come apparent in fashion collections & ideas today? Well the influence of chocolate has always been apparent in one particular brand. The subtle, smooth and delicate texture of chocolate is inspired from leather along with the deep marron colour. Louis Vuittion's one of a kind leather goods are a prime example of chocolate leather heaven. The inspiration behind LV's A/W'11 campaign is the exploration of India. Note that India is one of the countries that exports coco beans which is the ingredient used to make chocolate. Maybe I am being idealistic and jumping to conclusions but there is a connection that chocolate does influence fashion Häuser, be it from the texture, colour or the moral obligation that fairtrade is rightfully achieving. Chocolate does play an important part artistically and economically in the world today. It proves that everyone can have a little taste of heaven. 

THE KIMONO

The Kimono. With its connotations of a geisha or just a silk night gown it has expanded into the realm of the ever wanting fashion parade. Lingerie brands are turning into the next right of kin with victoria secret rampaging the US & companies such as bravissimo only specializing in larger breasted women. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley recently stated in an interview that she always wears stunning lingerie in order to feel sexy all the time. Well why not expand the evolution of feeling fantastic under our clothes to under our duvet, after all, the majority of us spend 8-10 hours in our bed a day. 


The Kimono is a Japanese traditional garment worn by women, men & children and the term "Kimono" literally means "a thing to wear". The traditional Kimono is worn usually for a special occasion and it is made from one piece of fabric known as a "tan". The organic silk & ornate patterns have evolved into luxury and high street fashion retailers' collections. French lingerie couture brand Carine Gilson has showcased how to give the kimono a luxury boudoir satisfaction. In the above image she has designed an ornate and seductive black silk chiffon kimono with a delicate lace trim to add to the over empowerment of femininity. It retails at a price of £820. Truly expensive and truly seductive.

CARINE GILSON

Frou Frou silk-chiffon kimono: http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/107893