Indulge in fashion gossip – Chanel is throwing No 5 perfume a party with a huge modern art exhibition in Paris, a top model is caught in a drug scandal and the ultimate gift guide for new mums is revealed…
It’s the most iconic scent in the world – Coco Chanel commissioned it in memory of her dead partner, Arthur ‘Boy’ Capel, in 1921, and Marilyn Monroe famously wore it and nothing else in bed.
Now Chanel No 5 is at the centre of a major modern art exhibition in Paris.
The exhibition takes on the history of Chanel, Coco herself and fashion and scent in the 20th century, using No 5 as a guide. And, because nothing organised under the auspices of Karl Lagerfeld is done by halves, it also includes a custom-constructed garden of scent, by one of the most famous garden designers in the world: Piet Oudolf.
Even if you’ve never heard of him, you’ll know his work – he designed the High Line in New York, and is turning the Olympic Park in London into a huge field of wildflowers.
Why was No 5 revolutionary? Chanel claims it was the first ‘abstract’ scent – the first that didn’t try to imitate scents from flowers or life, but tried to replicate ‘the scent of a woman’, as Coco demanded at the time.
No 5 has had a star-studded history – Nicole Kidman starred in what was at the time the most expensive ad in history for it, and most recently Brad Pitt has starred in a major (and controversial) campaign talking seductively to his perfume bottle, the first man to do so.
And now the Palais du Tokyo in Paris will be overtaken by fans of the perfume. Would you like a glimpse into the curated history and inspirations of No 5?
Image: Chanel No 5 held by Marilyn herself.
She’s the It model of the moment, landing on most best-dressed lists at this year’s Met Ball for her studded, deep V-neck gown.
But Cara Delevingne is in the middle of a media storm after she dropped a packet of white powder in front of paparazzi while trying to find her keys.
The suspicious packet, and pictures of her trying to conceal it under her sneakers, have been splashed over the internet, and now apparently investigations are underway at her agency, Storm Models.
More problematic? H&M, which famously has a total no-tolerance approach to drugs, says it’s reviewing the pictures, and if it decides the substance is illegal it won’t work with Delevingne again. She was the face of an H&M line this year.
Delevingne is a massive fashion favourite, ranked 17th in the world by Models.com, and has covered British Vogue, Vogue China, Interview and Love Magazine – and was named the British Fashion Awards’ breakthrough award in 2012.
She’s famous for her dressed-down style when off-duty, frequently appearing in bizarre onesies, sneakers and no make-up. The question is now whether her high-profile contracts with Burberry, Saint Laurent and Pepe Jeans are going to be endangered, just like Kate Moss’s career suffered a severe blip after her own cocaine scandal.
However, Moss bounced back better than ever – so Cara can take heart.
Image: Cara Delevingne with the packet of white powder.
Lara Stone, one of the top models in the world, has just given birth – Mazel Tov! – and it’s got us at Rescu. thinking: what do you buy a new mum who still has hold of her fashionable side?
It’s a question the famously pregnant must wonder about too. What can you get for a Kim Kardashian or Duchess Kate once the baby is born and they need some pampering?
Here’s our answer – the ultimate fashionable new mum gift guide.
Un Petit Bateau is one of the chicest lines for babies in the world – they sell personalised, gorgeous toys for the budding Harper Seven or Moroccan Cannon – so if you want to outfit their tot in the best onesies in the world, get scrolling. We’re loving the very French bodysuits.
No new mum likes feeling that she’s lost her mojo – but Elle Macpherson Intimates has actually created the miraculous, an incredibly sexy nursing bra. The Cloud Swing bra, which comes in delicate pink and pretty blue, is made of stretch-cotton jersey and lace, and manages to combine beautiful design with practicality.
Being form-flattering after a baby is tricky, mostly because beauty magazines insist mums should ‘snap back’ immediately. Nope. Gift her with a glorious, empire-line, clean and easy piece of kit like the Sofie D’hoore white cotton dress at Farfetch.com, so that she can be graceful instead of just sleepless. Worn with some easy-clean flats – we love Burberry and I Love Billy for those – they’re the height of chic.
Getting up in the middle of the night for feeds takes its toll, so indulge her with a snuggly, glorious robe. We particularly love Donna Karan‘s grey robe lined with faux fur – dark so it won’t show stains – and Missoni Home‘s huge terry-cloth versions, perfect for soaking up anything that comes along.
Carrying the many, many aspects of a baby’s life everywhere with you is not particularly fashionable if you don’t have a nanny or an oversize Birkin, but Anorak’s are actually super-stylish. They aren’t covered in nauseating frills – instead, they rock 60s-ish prints of rabbits or stags, and are in the massively on-trend satchel style.
And nothing suits a sleep-deprived new mum like some serious sunnies to keep her looking high-fashion. Opt for popping coloured frames from Prada or Sheriff & Cherry, pair with a gift of red lipstick, and you’ve got a seriously happy friend.
Image: New mum gift guide.
