A summer experience with a touch of France !

Not just another French label, but one that is truly “précieux” 

Summer is on our doorstep and the Anne Fontaine collection truly epitomizes the beauty of summer. A lovely collection full of artistic elements and created with couture in mind.

Let’s start with the “Essentials”. Mainly white and black shirts made with top quality hand-picked cotton from Peru, meaning it is the worlds finest quality and free from impurities. Most shirts are combined with cotton-stretch for ultra comfort. The super-fine viscose shirts and polyester tops are definite must-haves and all the classic shirts can be combined with a jacket, whether casual or for business.

Then there are the more playful shirts and tops with details such as florals, ruffles, leaves etc. “Manhatten flowers” is a small collection of floral printed silk shirts and a scarf. Looking lovely when combined with white or colorful jeans.

    

“Jungle City” consists of pieces with animal prints which can be stylishly combined with lovely beige colored linen designs, such as jackets, trousers, skirts and waistcoats. The linen waistcoats are equipped with super-fine mother-of-pearl buttons. In this collection you will find artistically made roses on animal prints, rouching on skirts and many more ultra-feminine elements. Combine the pieces with black and you will ad an even more dramatic touch.

     

Then there are the lovely tunics, tops and a dress with butterfly lace. In white for a more summer-like feel and in black for a smart cocktail ! “New York Gallery” consists of black and white pieces, dresses and tops with ruffles, floral motives or black & white mixed. These pieces simply say; “pizazz” !

     

Anne Fontaine has also ventured into colors after many years of white & black. This collection is called  ”Sweet Country”, because of the soft colors and the sweet look of the designs. Soft blues, rose, pink, denim blue and tartan prints. Some dominant features include ruffles, bows, embroidery, “fertiges”, stripes, florals, detail on pockets, double cuffs and collars. A very cute look which looks good with white jeans or leggings.

The “Précieux” collection is simply stunning, telling a story of a great devotion! Each piece is like a work of art, individual and made with the greatest precision. This is a cocktail/evening collection, but with amazing, precious detail. Embroidery, Swarovski crystals, lovely silks to name only a few features. Wearing these designs will truly make you look and feel like a princess.

         

Accessoires – “fatto a mano en Italia”

Stunning accessories, like belts, bags, cufflinks with Swarovski crystals, wallets, clutch bags and sunglasses (hand-made in France). On many of the bags you will find beautifully made flowers, hand-made in Italy and each piece being unique and the small collection of costume jewelry can be combined beautifully with the shirts. Bags and small leather goods are mostly made of calfs leather and goatskin.

     

Anne Fontaine

In February 2012, Anne Fontaine opened their doors to a new store in Zürich. Being next to the Hotel Savoy at Paradeplatz, Anne Fontaine is beautifully nestled in one of the best areas in Zürich. It’s the first store in Zürich and the 3rd in Switzerland, with branches in Lausanne and Genève. 

The brand is produced in France and the accessories (belts and wallets)as well as handbags and sunglasses are made in Italy. Many pieces are handmade of the best quality leather and the design is really magnificent. Anne Fontaine also has a few exclusive pieces of jewelry and a small collection of cuff-links.

At first (22 years ago), Anne Fontaine started out with white blouses. Today there are white & black blouses in a basic collection, linen wear, scarfs, cocktail and event-wear, printed and colorful pieces as well as a stunning collection of collars. These collars are so beautiful ! Some are like pieces of jewelry, beautifully designed and decorated with sequence or Swarovski crystals.

The fabrics are mostly Pima cotton from Peru, often combined with Pima stretch, as well as linen, viscose, or silk. Needless to say, very comfortable to wear. At Anne Fontaine everyone will find something lovely, whether you are the more classic type, more feminine or more artistic. The detail in the Anne Fontaine designs are truly amazing. She plays with flowers, “vertiges” (rouching), double collars, double cuff-links, butterfly motives in “lace-like” fabrics, floral silks, leopard prints. Her range of separate collars will uplift any classic shirt. By adding one of these dramatic pieces you can change the look of a shirt, top or a plain cocktail dress within seconds.

Collars

What I find really neat, is the fact that most of the time the accessories has more than one use. For instance a necklace can also be used as an elegant belt, or an evening bag with a sling can be used as a clutch as well as a wallet and the sling becomes a lovely necklace ! This comes from the designers concern of the environment. Last year she also started the Anne Fontaine Foundation with a shopping bag made of PET bottles. A very durable bag and for each bag which you buy, 10 trees will be planted in the Brazilian rainforest. Preserving the rainforest – what a great idea !

Bags & Accessories

Worldwide Anne Fontaine has almost 90 branches and Zürich is one of the flagship stores. In Paris (Rue Saint Honoré) there is a lovely spa which you definitely need to visit. A special treatment is the four-hand massage and needless to say all products are natural. On the 8th of March we will have a small event to celebrate Women’s Day and to introduce our new Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

Men’s Spring/Summer 2012

Milan / Paris / London

For all the fashionable men who are in a mood for Summer shopping ! There is something for everyone for sure.

L O N D O N

Paul Smith – Sportswear being incarnated in tangerine, denim blue and lilac. Stripes are still in, just broader and epaulettes on the shoulders or patches on the knees were also still fashionable. Ankle length turn-ups and jackets which appeared to be inside-out.

Westwood - Beautifully tailored sportswear, dedicated to the hosting of the Olympic Games and inspired by “the gentleman sportsman”. Grays, blues, nice bags and sandals, a lot of color. Really something for everyone in this collection.

Burberry Prorsum - Colorful, leather jackets, tight pants, striped jumpers & pom-pom hats. Just very London ! The retro bags were catchy and so were the brightly patterned jerseys. Some cool looking oversized trench coats.

M I L A N O 

Mc Queen - Stripes, black & white, bright red & yellow. Vibrant, brilliant colors, but still elegant. V-Neck sweaters well tailored suits. Fresh and interesting color and style combinations.

Versace - Blue and beige Summer suits. Double-breasted jackets and two-tone shoes. Black leather is a favourite again and some really bright pieces, like a fuchsia jacket with a “matching” pair of orange trousers. Apple green sandals, a pink suit and bright red trousers were also incorporated.

Ermenegildo Zegna - Altogether lovely soft earthy, almost pastel tones. Lovely tailored suits and soft looking scarfs. Some casual wear – jerseys, leather jackets, but all with top notch tailoring. Simply a stunning Italian label !

P A R I S

Dior Homme - A minimalist approach. High waisted trousers, double-breasted blazers, button-down shirts. Mostly black and white, with some shades of  beige & some blues. White suits and classic black shoes.

Louis Vuitton - C’est tres preppy ! Bomber & varsity style jackets. Pinstriped suits, white trousers, navy jackets, classic shoes & bags, very French ! Button-down cardigans and knee-lenght trousers, skinny, but stylish trousers, plain T’s and sweaters. Sailor and Safari looks. One of my favourites this year.

Victor & Rolf - High waisted trousers in cornflower blue, layered shirts over T’, cosy looking blazers, shades of yellow, from pastel to lemon. Dolphin motive on T’s & a jumper. Some earthy tones, some evening wear (very bright) and the use of really nice fabrics.

Paris St Honorè

Shopping in St-Honorè Paris is simply a wonderful experience. I find it a little sad that the Bahnhofstrasse in Zürich just doesn’t have quite as much glam as it used to have. Not only are the shops in St-Honorè absolutely spectacular, but the service is friendly. Another plus is certainly the fact that there are so many more international labels ! Shop till you drop…

I’ve spend a few days in Paris lately and here’s some visual material, which I really loved. Beautiful windows & great fashion.

A few store windows, decorated in a very cool manner

Lagerfeldt

Some of the most impressive buildings are probably the Place Vendôme & the Palais-Royal. Of course the Opera & the Louvre are not very far from here ! Back to shopping. If you have a comfortable budget you can find lovely pieces in every store and it’s not so much about the name of the store, but simply about the availability of …let’s just say, elegance. Whether you are the type who loves clothing in monotone colors, florals or rather the type for patterns or bright colored shoes, here is where you will find it. And it doesn’t matter what age you have either, there is truly something for every women and every man.

Fabulous elegance for day & night

Jimmy Choo – The colors are seriously 80′s

A balancing act !

Trendy young fashion with a vintage touch at a very affordable price – stores in St-Honorè & Galerie Lafayette.

Simply breathtaking dresses !

Azzaro

And if you want to be Cinderella or a movie star for one night, this could be an option – or maybe you just want to impress someone special.

Last, but not least, this amazing, master-piece of a wedding dress. The only thing I would change is the necklace, but love the floral lace & the style. C’est magnifique ! For luxury and choice visit St-Honorè on your next visit to Paris !

Happy New Year !
Ronelle B