Comme Des Garcons+Nails Nails Nails!!!+Fall Inspiration

 

Nail Art inspired by Comme Des Garcons-O.P.I. Limited Edition "Mad As A Hatter" nail color

ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE "CHIC"MAS

As many of you know, the holiday season is upon us. This usually means plane tickets, shopping for gifts, quality time with loved ones and tons of delectable foods and desserts. It also usually means PARTIES. Plenty of PARTIES. Parties that may potentially bring you face to face with an old beau or potential new one. It's best to be prepared. As my gift to you, I have compiled a few of my favorite looks of the season. Be inspired, Be admired, Be whimsical, Be a Decadent you.

 

shop, love, browse or hate these looks at netaporter, ssense, style.com

My Interview with Couture Designer Etienne Jeanson 2012

                      (L) C.O.T.U. Owner Maiya Milan Gitryte and French Designer Etienne Jeanson

     I first noticed Etienne Jeanson at the Funkshion fashion week media reception here in Miami. His hair, a delicate shade of blond, was a mass of soft and slightly unruly curls; more reminiscent of a rock star than of Shirley Temple. I was immediately curious about this dapper gentlemen and his “Beatles” appeal but I was preoccupied with other conversations. Nonetheless, Etienne and I did eventually meet and somewhere between picture posing and small talk about his upcoming runway show, he agreed to be interviewed by yours truly. Putting a face to a name had me more excited than usual to see his collection.

     The day of I arrived at the venue two hours early, (a daring feat for any fashion lover) and perused the venue. The 743 Studio was the perfect backdrop for a fashion show; possessing both the creative energy of a New York City warehouse and the sex appeal of South Beach. The production staff was still in the process of setting things up and Etienne was busily applying final touches. I wanted to say hello but didn’t wish to disturb him before show time. In being too comfortable with my own physical comfort (I wore denim and flats) I was late in reserving my seat before the show began. I stood near the end of the runway and thanked GOD that I was not wearing high heels for once. Once the lights dimmed and the music commenced, I was whisked away to another dimension. Etienne Jeanson’s collection was beautiful. The models floated down the runway in pieces well suited for a princess on vacation. Delicate, intricate, thoughtful and feminine; the fabrics and ornate detailing urged me to play dress-up. One of my favorites was a pair of fitted pants paired with a matching flared mini in British flag print and sheer floral train. I was as equally smitten with two of his dresses, one mini and one floor length, that featured deep and daring V backs and large feathered shoulders. For the sake of all things wonderful, I was pleased that I would have something of brilliance to discuss with this fashion aficionado on that coming Saturday.

     Saturday marked the first official day of Etienne’s Miami vacation. With the sun high and a plethora of tourists out to enjoy a day of sightseeing, Etienne and I met on Collins Avenue in South Beach and decided to walk along the ocean and take in the breeze. He’d brought along a gentleman I remembered seeing with him at the runway show who turns out to be his best friend. We all exchanged cheek kisses, friendly “how are yous” and began to walk.  In a skirt and closed toe boots, I hadn’t dressed for what could be considered a proper beach day but I was comfortable none the less.  We walked over to Ocean Drive and headed towards the sand. “so… Etienne began “what do you want to know? I am young….I am French” I laugh.

     Our conversation began with a focus on Thursday’s runway show. I was shocked and surprised when he mentioned to me that Thursday was his first show. Ever. This was also his first visit to Miami. He’d also designed and created all of the pieces by hand within a month’s time. Pieces directly inspired by Baroque, Classicism, Magic and Wizardry.  Raised in Lille, France but a graduate of the prestigious (EDIT: Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne)  in Paris (Valentino and Oscar de La Renta are alumni Etienne says), Etienne has worked with some of the industry’s most phenomenal couture houses; including Yves Saint Laurent. His time at Yves Saint Laurent is recalled fondly and Etienne credits the house for inspiring him to design his own collection. When asked whether or not he’s always wanted to be a clothing designer, Etienne mentions Automobile design and architecture as previous aspirations.

 

     As the wind whipped sand against our calves, the conversation turned to music and muses. I asked Etienne if there were any artists that he would like to work with as his muse or any artists he felt exemplified what his collection is about. “does she exist?” he chimed with a charming smirk. I laugh and ask him about his music tastes. He has a preference for Madonna over Rihanna, as Etienne believes that Madonna is the original pop icon. He listens to a lot of the older classics by artists before his time; many of them foreign to the states. I tell him that I will have to research them further later. His favorite color? Red, though he mentions that he has never worked with the color in design creations. I ask him why. He tells me that Red is such a statement color that it is difficult to control; you can be classy in red or trashy in red. His favorite food? Nutella. My mouth dropped in exaggerated shock at that answer. “Over everything else?!” I exclaim. “And it doesn’t taste the same here as it does in France” he says. “I had a bit here and ugh” He makes an “icky” face. I giggle.

 

     Twenty minutes later and we have reached the end of the beach and are standing by the pier. Etienne politely asks what exactly it is called. As something out of the pages of a travel magazine, the water beat softly against the rocks. We stood along the walkway by the water and looked at the residences and businesses on the other side. Etienne presents his camera. As he takes photos, I stand and appreciate the beauty of my city. Etienne asks for a photo of us together. I oblige. We spend a few more moments admiring the view before beginning our walk back towards our starting point. We pass the infamous “Nikki Beach” club which according to Etienne resembles the one in St. Tropez, France. I enviously mention that I’ve never been and would love to go. Once we reach the grassy and shaded area separating the beach from ocean drive, more pictures. With most of the interview complete, we walk over to the endless array of shops, restaurants and lounges in search of mojitos. I suggest “The Clevelander; a long time favorite of tourists and Floridians alike, part hotel, part outdoor pool/dance club. We get seated and Etienne orders a Mojito pitcher and chocolate cake. Once the drinks are poured and the cake is nearly gone, I ask my final questions: How much does an Etienne Jeanson Couture piece costs? And how long does a piece take to make?  “anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000” Etienne claims “depending on the actual piece” “orders can take 2 to 6 weeks for construction and delivery” not bad for couture, I think.

In constant creation mode, Etienne is already thinking of his next collection. When asked about the details, he gives me a gentle laugh and tells me that I will have to wait and see.

 For someone so gifted, Etienne possesses the demeanor of a first year college kid; intrigued and curious about all things. He interacts in a warm and relaxed way and appears to not take himself too seriously. Spending time with him felt familiar. I jokingly tell them that they are not at all how I expected the French to be; a little snobbish. Etienne’s friend and business partner answers with a punch line of his own “that’s the Parisians, we don’t like them”.  

www.etiennejeanson.com