Winter Parisienne Chic: Black, Gray, & Mustard

It's funny how as we age, our taste in color changes. I was never attracted to the color mustard yellow until a couple of years ago when I figured out that it is a color that I should wear.
So often, when shopping for clothing, I find myself debating over colors that make my heart melt and colors that actually suit me.

_{Not a mustard yellow fan? Use this image as a springboard for inspiration. Substitute the yellow for fuschia, emerald green, or crimson or pumpkin/russet (as suggested by Elena)...}

And as we all know les vraies parisienne's do just that. They select clothing that actually flatters their skin tones.
Now that mustard yellow and I have become friends, I find it to be a quite striking and versatile color to work with in my wardrobe. {And aren't these images of mustard yellow quite charming??}
But I must say...whether blush, winter white, and aqua flatter me or not, I'm going to wear them anyway~~

_{source for both images-Pinterest}

Winter parisienne chic: classic noir

Here's a little classique parisienne fashion inspiration for you.

If you are like me, you may have a bit of winter shopping to do, and I always like to look around for inspiring ideas before I make my new purchases.

This year, one thing I plan to purchase is a vintage black hat to wear with my black pea coat.

I love this entire outfit above-le chapeau chic, la robe noire, the tights, the feminine black shoes, and the over-sized bag with a sophisticated hint of Grace Kelly.

A classic black and white striped blouse layered with a black jacket/blazer and a colorful scarf is a classic parisienne winter look.

Selecting a blazer can be a bit tricky. Personally, I prefer tailored styles over slouchy, loose styles.

Tights are a great accessory for a fall/winter wardrobe. They have many advantages: they don't take up a lot of space; they are affordable; and they can change the feel of an entire outfit.

I have a fixation for winter coats, and I love a tailored coat with flattering seams.

This coat exudes femininity; it creates an hourglass figure with its over-sized collar, ultra skinny belt (notice the buckle moved over to the side), and an A line shape at the hips- and look at those fancy seams! The ruffled cuffs at the sleeves show the importance of detail on a nice winter coat.

Makes me want to do a little shopping!

What does your winter wardrobe look like? (classic blacks? winter whites? charcoals/grays?)

_{image sources: un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq}

Dior-inspired Flower Girl {Basket}

Remember this Dior ensemble?
Whose color palette inspired the upcoming wedding of a young bride-to-be?

Remember the post about this Dior-inspired ring pillow?

Well, a few months after that post, she contacted me again requesting a flower girl basket.
So, I sent her an image of the handmade fabric flower cone my flower girl carried in my wedding (made by my mom) and proposed a Dior-inspired version:
~Black double-faced satin ribbon handles
~blushy nude brocade for the body
~ruffled vintage noir swiss dot fabric topped with a thin black velvet ribbon
~adorned with a handmade Parisienne petal flower pin
~lined in soft brushed satin in a creamy latte hue

Quite a decadent flower girl "basket" I would say!

_{a romantic Dior color palette: nude, champagne, a hint of blush and noir}

I know I have said this before, but this flower girl cone is my favorite thing I've made so far. I felt inspired to make another one for myself. I also couldn't help but imagine the little flower girl's dress? What color is the dress? What style? I can only imagine!

To view more pictures/details of this handmade flower girl cone,

visit Weddings à la parisienne.


<sub>We will be busy with lots of summer activities including a little vacation, the rest of this month, so you may not see much of me or hear from me for a couple of weeks, but I'll be back soon!

images by à la parisienne - Runway image in collage source unknown</sub>

Vintage Noir~Weddings à la parisienne

Several months ago I was commissioned by a sweet Etsy customer to create six black velvet and nude fabric flowers for her champagne, cappuccino, and black Fall 2011 wedding-Sounds lavishly rich doesn't it? These flowers were fashioned to accessorize her wedding cake.

Velvet flowers on a wedding cake?

This is going to be some kind of wedding!

Many of my long-time followers may remember the post I wrote over a year ago about this lovely Dior-inspired flower.

After she received the fabric flowers for her wedding cake, she requested a custom-made ring pillow. For a brief moment after reading her email, I panicked. That meant getting out the sewing machine and sewing something all.by.myself.

Sure, I've sewn a few things. Heck, my mom is a seamstress, and I grew up watching her sew wedding dresses, pillows, prom dresses, doll clothes...but this time I had to do it, and someone would be paying me!

I wasn't going to wuss out on this one. It's a ring pillow, right?

_{My first Parisienne Ring Pillow}

One piece of advice that my sister-in-law gave me when I started my business was:

"Never turn down a custom job, even if it means making something you've never tried. You never know what it will turn into."

I've remembered these words so many times when customers request things I've never made, and you know what, those custom orders have been some of the best things I've ever made-not to mention the most enjoyable to make.

_{seven handmade noir chiffon flower pins by à la parisienne}

Here's another recent custom order for seven bridesmaids.

Black seems to be à la mode for weddings now days.

How I wish I could see the professional photos of these weddings and maybe catch a glimpse of an item that I made gracing such a beautiful day.

_{images by à la parisienne}

La Mode de l'automne-Noir

Dior - Haute Couture

I just wanted to share a few quick images that I've collected from the Fall 2009 Haute Couture Runways! These ensembles are so incredibly classy, feminine with a vintage appeal.

I just love this black swiss dot blouse over this nude colored chiffon dress. And the black feathers and ebony pearls~~divine!!!

Is there anyone else out there who would love for women and men to wear hats more frequently as a part of their attire??? It seems like people buy hats but never have the nerve to wear them!

And I'm not talking about baseball caps or winter caps either!

Oscar de la Renta

The gray fur collar with the gray satin ribbon is the perfect accessory for staying warm!

Oscar de la Renta

I love these straight-legged pants; they really make a woman's legs look longer and leaner, and especially with a pair of pointed heels!

Chanel ~ Haute Couture
Oh la la! Regardez cette robe de Chanel~ C'est magique!

Chanel ~ Haute Couture

Chanel has done it again with this beautiful black lace gown. Superbe!

Well, most of us can only dream of wearing haute couture, but that doesn't mean we can't look and feel lovely in the clothes we are wearing!

I would love to know the three main colors you love to wear in the fall. If you would like to share your answers, please take part in the survey at the top of my sidebar.

A la prochaine!