We All Live in a Dizzyingly Digitised World Now, So It’s No Wonder That Tangibility Has Become So Prized. In Our Constant Virtual Whirl, Meticulous Artisanal Finesse Brings Both Beauty and Ballast. Even as the Pace of Modern Life Builds to a Frenzy, the Practitioners of Luxury Craftsmanship Cleave to Their Own Time-honoured Rhythms. The Most Steadfast Purveyors of Style Also Know That Ubiquity May Win Popularity Contests, but It’s Rarity That Keeps the Discerning Connoisseur Faithful. Slip Behind the Scenes With Singapore Tatler, as We Take an Exclusive Look at How the World’s Ateliers Create True Luxury.
The instagram it girls were out in full force at the Chanel haute couture spring/summer 2017 show in Paris’ Grand Palais. Lily-Rose Depp (2.5 million followers), the teen daughter of Hollywood star Johnny Depp and French model Vanessa Paradis, was the blushing Chanel bride clad in exuberant ruffles; Bella Hadid (10.6 million followers), younger sister of Gigi and recently spurned ex of pop’s bad boy The Weeknd, smouldered in a sleek black gown; and Kendall Jenner (74.2 million followers) of the Kardashian clan strutted her stuff in a silver number.
Social media cachet is by no means a frivolous asset in the world of high fashion. Many industry players now view a model’s Instagram following as a number that’s more important than her weight—any figure less than 10,000 may well constrain one’s chances of getting cast in a runway show or advertising campaign. Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld, always alert to the necessity of staying relevant, has expertly wedded the contemporary glamour of these Internet darlings to the label’s renowned craftsmanship.
Even as the models on its runway have become virtuosos of the virtual world, the impeccable mastery of metiers d’art remains at the heart of Chanel’s creations. Consider this dress, for instance, and ponder these numbers—the organza for the bustier is embroidered with 3,000 beads, stones, rhinestones and tulle ribbons in cream, pink and silver tones, and the completion of this embroidery required 193 hours of work in the Montex ateliers. Founded in 1939, Montex is famed for its skills in embroidery, lacework and beading.
This story is from the March 2017 edition of Singapore Tatler.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2017 edition of Singapore Tatler.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Old-World CHARM
Professional photographer and content creator Zipeng Lee takes off to Switzerland to experience some of the country’s most storied heritage hotels
THE World ACCORDING TO Redzepi
Renowned Noma chef René Redzepi and executive producer Matt Goulding unpack Apple TV's new eight-part docuseries, Omnivore, and its exploration of humanity through food
COURAGE OF CONVICTION
Tatler speaks to Bing Chen, Prabal Gurung and Kevin Lin to discuss how their non-profit Gold House is changing the future of the Asian diaspora
INDUSTRIALI
Exploring the important sustainability efforts taking place beyond obvious industries
THE BALL'S INHER COURT
China's most celebrated tennis star Li Na opens up about her career, influencing young athletes and her continuous learning journey
Love Story
Set in Paris, Graff's new bridal campaign marries the timelessness of love and diamonds
Over the Rainbow
The inspirations behind Hermés creative director for jewellery Pierre Hardy's latest and gorgeously colourful high jewellery collection surprise and delight
Twist and Turn
Bvlgari's debut Tubogas jewellery collection reimagines a classic technique with 16 stunning creations
Game On
From diamond‑set carabiner‑inspired clasps to a carbon fibre cuff, Chanel knocks it out of the park with Sport, an audacious and innovative high jewellery collection unlike any other
The Wrist Taker
Shipping scion and basketball team owner Hendi Widodo unlocks his vault of rarefied timepieces