{FASHION NEWS} | “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez – Louis Vuitton”

Every fashion girl and guy knows the name Louis Vuitton! It is synonymous with everything classic and luxurious. Since 1854, the house has provided the world with beautiful, unique designs; combining innovation, quality and comfort with style.

Photograph : PATRICK DEMARCHELIER

This year, Louis Vuitton celebrates “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez – Louis Vuitton” in a carefully curated exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris.

Photograph : JULIA HETTA

The exhibition is put together by Olivier Saillard, and retraces Louis Vuitton’s great journey from 1854 till today, through depictions of the Maison’s founding members and those who create the Louis Vuitton of tomorrow.

The Grand Palais, constructed in 1900, holds great history with Louis Vuitton. George Vuitton was in charge of the "Travel & Leather goods” section during the spectacular Universal Exhibitions in Paris which welcomed 48 milllion visitors. The Louis Vuitton booth, shaped like a merry-go-round, boasted inventive luggage and elegant handbags and was the centre of attention.

©ARCHIVES LOUIS VUITTON MALLETIER

This year, the magical journey through the exhibition was conceived and designed by Robert Carsen and follows nine chapters. At the very beginning is the absolute symbol of Louis Vuitton: an antique malle. This modern design is the epitome of Louis Vuitton’s daring spirit, still felt in the Maison until today. The exhibition also presents entities and documents from Louis Vuitton’s Patrimony as well as a selection of pieces lent by Palais Galliera, Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. The exhibition closes with a section dedicated to craftsmanship.

©LOUIS VUITTON MALLETIER

The exhibition opens this Friday. If you are in Paris between 4th December 2015 and 21st February 2016 I highly recommend you take the time out to visit. Entrance is free and it is a once in a lifetime experience. It’s easy to just wear fashion and look pretty and stylish. To love and appreciate every detail, every piece of history and everything that made a brand what it is; that is what is special to me!

I don’t know where I will be for the next few months but my heart will be in Paris!

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{OOTD} | French Fried

 Sleeveless Coat – MrP Project | T-shirt – Soda Bloc | Leggings – Woolworths | Boots – ZARA | Quilted Bag – Chinatown | Necklace – 32 Clothing | Sunglasses – ZARA

Hi lovelies! As you can see, today I took my Furfrou out for a walk ;) Furfrou is a Pokemon based on a huge French poodle. If you manage to catch one, you can take it and have it styled in many different ways. They’re usually quite large in size, sometimes bigger than the trainer!

The transitioning of seasons is my favourite dress up time of the year. Unfortunately this year we went straight from icy Winter to scorching Summer. That didn’t stop me from wearing the clothes though and this is one of pre-summer looks.

As you probably already know, I love monochrome. It’s really chic and it works for any season but it is especially perfect for the in between.

Because of this adorable t-shirt I decided to go a little bit French with the outfit. The tee is from Soda Bloc which is new store by the Foschini Group. They actually cater for teens but they have the cutest pieces and the size 30 or 32 fits me perfectly. Statement tees are fun and quirky and you can work them on their own or under cardigans and jackets too.

Leggings and boots are also key pieces for the seasonal transition. These boots have really gotten some great wear over Winter and I think they’re going to be on my feet until the very last cool day.

Sleeveless coats like this one are really in right now and they’re perfect if you just aren’t ready to bare your shoulders yet. It’s also a really chic piece to finish off an outfit.

Add some statement sunnies, a pretty quilted bag and your straight out of the grooming parlour Furfrou and you are good to go! ;)

Until next time

“Bad days are best forgotten over French fries” - Unknown

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{Royal Obsessions} | 1701 Nougat

Hi lovelies! Today I’m starting a new little piece called Royal Obsessions. In this piece I will tell you about all the things I am currently obsessed with.

My latest obsession is 1701 nougat because nougat is one of my favourite sweet treats. Although nougat is commonly known as a French confection, it actually originated in Cremona, Italy at the wedding feast of Bianca Maria Visconti and Francesco Sforza! Further research even suggests that it could have originated in the Middle East where it is still eaten and given as a gift. Fine nougat is made with roasted seeds or nuts which are folded into a paste of honey, sugar and egg whites. Despite the use of two sweet ingredients, the candy should not be excessively sweet. It should be pleasant with a delicate honey flavour. The texture must be soft and almost like a marshmallow but should still hold together.

Image by Layla Shaik Photography x Princess of Jozi

The name 1701 relates to the year that nougat became famous in Montelimar, France. The business began in 2009 by owner Nick’s mother Lianne. It was a gingerbread-man for Lianne Scher's little daughter’s lunch box that culminated in her having an own label of ginger biscuits, chocolate chip cookies, shortbread, Florentines and crunchies and then nougat. Once Nick graduated with a BA in Brand Building and Management he decided to build a brand around his mother’s nougat. 1701 prides itself on being “handmade the French way”. The brand sticks to the basic French recipe, using fresh egg whites, good quality honey and roasted nuts. There are no added stabilizers, preservatives, thickeners or gelatine. This process means that the sweets don’t look uniform but for me this just adds to the charm of the brand. The nougat comes in 2 variants; roasted macadamia and roasted almond.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m extremely fussy about my nougat. I can confidently say that 1701 nougat is heavenly! It’s really soft and melty, the nuts are perfectly roasted and it has that distinct honey flavour with just the right amount of sweetness. The sweets are light and airy and don’t make you feel too guilty after eating more than a few ;) Another thing that impresses me about 1701 is the attention to detail when it comes to packaging. The boxes are pastel and gold and are so pretty! They make the perfect gifts! (My birthday is next month! *hint)

You can find 1701 products online at www.1701.co.za or at the following stockists.

- Broadacres Super Spar

- Hobart Road Super Spar

- Ferndale Super Spar

- Country Meat Fourways & Bryanston

- The Jungle (Jan Smuts Avenue)

- Cottage Flowers Hyde Park Shopping Centre

- Three Mary’s (44 Stanley Avenue)

- Galleon Pharmacy Hyde Park Shopping Centre

- Craighall Spar

- Monument Park Super Spar

- Thrupps

I will update the list as it grows.

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox