Rue Royale

Princess Diana

"People think that at the end of the day a man is the only answer. Actually, a fulfilling job is better for me."


No other royalty can compare to Princess Diana.  She's a woman I've always looked up to as a child; a true queen of humanitarianism who was sincerely interested in the suffering of people.  She raised money by selling her most beautiful gowns and gentleman at balls that would donate 7,000 pounds just to dance with her for a few minutes.  She was a patroness or president at over 100 charitable organizations and social institutions.  She would hold the hands of people that were sick, embrace them constantly, and console them.  She would raise awareness by walking through areas of land mines and in her later life devoted most of her time to raising awareness for AIDS.

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A ballet dancer is infected with HIV. His death is just a question of time. Diana got to know him through her work with the AIDS-Help. She accompanied him on his difficult way with the illness, and asked him to phone her when he was reaching the end. For two days and three nights she held the hand of the AIDS sufferer, until he breathed his last breath. (From www.princess-diana.com)

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bamslynette.wordpress.com

Her sense of fashion and changes in personal style entranced many people.  She had popularized the Lady Dior quilted bag.  Even after her tragic passing, she continues to be one of the top 100 influence people in fashion.

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"Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you." ~ Princess Diana

beMUSE

Audrey Hepburn

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

She continues to be an icon to many young women today, was the muse of Hubert de Givenchy and ranked the third greatest female screen legend.  Most known for her role in Breakfast at Tiffany's, Audrey Hepburn played the guitar and loved to dance.  Surprisingly, she never saw herself as an icon.


What made her such a muse?  Simple, clean lines and silhouettes that flatter her figure with large, bold accessories.

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Audrey Hepburn in a Givenchy lace dress

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Hepburn dedicated most of her later life to UNICEF and humanitarian work.  She contributed in Africa, Asia and South America.  She was also a Goodwill UNICEF Ambassador and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  Hepburn mainly focused on helping impoverished children and was so passionate about it due to her war-time experiences.  She raised awareness about children in need and was given a special Academy Award called The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award posthumously.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/fred_baby

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fred_baby 

"I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person." 

~ Audrey Hepburn

L'Histoire

Marie Antoinette

"I have seen all, I have heard all, I have forgotten all."

Ignore the movies and read Queen of Fashion by Caroline Weber to understand the true story of Marie Antoinette.  Born with pressure to unite France and Austria, Marie Antoinette was not the most loved Queen in history.  However, she did win over the hearts of the French during her earlier years as Delphine.  She used fashion and her porcelain beauty to win over the citizens and created new trends during her life in Versailles such was wearing men's riding habits, the plouf, and less restricted garments such as the chemisette in her Petit Trianon.

After visiting Versaille earlier this year, I felt tremendously inspired and giddy after visiting Marie Antoinette's chambers.  Ostrich plumes, crystal chandeliers, gilded trimmings, and hand embroidered fabrics tickled my fancy.  Maybe Sophia Coppola felt the same way after visting the palace.

Here are a few pictures taken during my trip -

Sarah Loves...

Coco Chanel

" Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman."

Such a simple logo of interlocking C's is now synonymous with the ultimate luxury.  Girls flock for jumbo flap bags, pearl necklaces, and tweed dresses.  A handful of movies have been made to tell the story of Gabrielle Chanel, a woman who started as a singer, surrounded herself with rich men, and changed fashion forever.

She believed in comfortable luxury inspired by menswear and the fishermen of Deauville.  Who would have dared made clothes for women out of cotton jersey?

The famous Chanel chain came from the use of chains to add weight to the bottom of the hems.

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She believed women should not be confined by corsets or any other type of restricting garment.  She took the somber color black and made the Little Black Dress.  She made clothes for women functional, unstructured and loose.  And that tweed suit....oh the tweed suit!  Introduced in 1925, the collarless jacket tweed suit is still being worn today by powerful women everywhere.

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vintage-paris.blogspot.com

"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different." ~ Coco Chanel

Inspired by....

Jackie Kennedy

A classic black and white outfit with strands of pearls and oversized frames to reflect Jackie Kennedy's iconic look

Charles Anastase Octagonal Sunglasses $355

Equipment silk-chiffon shirt $160

Christian Louboutin Very Prive $795

Moschino Cheap & Chic Boucle Skirt $422

Fendi Oversized Lapel Crepe Jacket $575