Kris Van Assche

Kris Van Assche took advantage of Paris Fashion Week to present his new women’s collection for his own label under the name “happening”. The designer blurs the lines between masculinity and femininity by using heavy materials like wool and flannel for elegant trouser suits contrasting with tops and dresses in silk. Neutral colours around grey, black and white for a collection of couture details and full of charm.

Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto

The duo Eley Kishimoto has treated winter 08/09 lightly. The models appear from a blue velvet curtain in straight skirts and bare arms. The jackets and coats mostly have three quarter length sleeves. The designers present us with a fantasy world where rabbits and horses gallivant on dresses and women dare to wear bow ties and white gloves like Mickey Mouse. Prints of feathers and stripes are at the heart of this Pop Art collection. This English-Japanese marriage has produced many hybrid styles; the large Claudine collared coat is a known mix of English style and Japanese “kawai” style, inspired by manga.

Festival of African

The international festival of African fashion has ended in Niger, offering the continent's designers a chance to get international exposure for their work.

Lou Doillon

Lou Doillon launches herself this time into clothing. She has just signed a contract of 3 years with Lee Cooper, the denim brand of English origin, to create her own collections. Her first line has just come out and for the occasion a fashion show has even been put on at the prêt-à-porter fair in Paris. From high waisted jeans to second skins, swallow-tailed jackets to extra-large tops, Lou Doillon has produced a fashion in her image, cool and sensual. Interview with Lou Doillon.

brand Eric Bompard

The brand Eric Bompard (cashmere specialist) has celebrated, with several celebrities, a completely new boutique situated on the most beautiful avenue in the world, the Champs Elysées… A space of 600m² on 3 levels conceived by architect Christophe Delcourt, displays all the collections of the label from Men’s to Children’s and from Women’s to Home, as well as the range of coats, jackets and car coats presented under the label “Street Number 2”.

Chanel Jewellery

18 Place Vendôme in Paris is the new place for Chanel Jewellery. The space, entirely rethought by architect Peter Marino, has reopened its doors this week. Little art deco-style salons strongly inspired by the private apartments of Gabriel Chanel are set around a cascade of bronze and rock crystal. And to celebrate this opening Chanel has launched the “18 Place Vendôme” collection of the best quality jewellery made from diamonds as well as a limited edition version of the J12 watch.

Athens

Over the last few years Athens has become increasingly trendy and fashionable in terms of shopping. Not to miss: Kolonaki, a sort of Avenue Montaigne in the centre of the Greek capital, is becoming the area of the chic shops. The Sotris boutique, 41 Voukourestiou street, is making its name by presenting the last collections of the big fashion houses. Bettina, has the beautiful task of designers of Greek origin like John Varvatos, as for Enni di Monaco, this place takes and supports fashion designers like Zac Posen, Antonio Berardi, Hussein Chalayan…