Shopping
Christian Dior’s Australian flagship boutique : wrought iron design
Dior opens its doors
A little piece of Paris has come to Sydney with the opening of Christian Dior’s first Australian flagship boutique.
BY GENEVRA LEEK
Guests could be forgiven for thinking they had wandered onto Avenue Montaigne yesterday as Christian Dior revealed a flagship boutique inspired by that very luxury strip in Paris, also known as the birthplace of the brand.
The highly anticipated launch occurred on the corner of Castlereagh and King Streets in the Sydney CBD, where the multi-level store draws on the codes of the house of Dior in an impressive design by architect Peter Marino.
Creative director Raf Simons’s latest designs are showcased against Monsieur Dior’s favourite shades of grey, with silk carpeting, mirrored French windows and Louis XVI medallion chairs creating an atmosphere more Parisian apartment than retail space.
Wrought-iron balustrades wind up from ground-floor leather goods and La Collection Privée fragrances to first floor ready-to-wear and a dedicated shoe salon, while metallic fabrics pressed behind glass line the walls of the fine jewellery and timepiece salon, borrowing from Dior’s couture legacy.
For those who prefer to shop by appointment, a lift illuminated with orchids transports valued customers up to an intimate private suite in the heavens, while a sleek subterranean space houses a dedicated Dior Homme boutique offering the complete men’s collection.
Dior officially opens today with two limited-edition pieces designed exclusively for the store: the iconic Lady Dior in a decidedly Dior shade of pink, and a duchesse satin dress strewn with roses. A little trip to Paris might be in order this weekend. J’adore.
from vogue.com.au
Wrought iron and Shrek for “A Country Christmas”
Bucket List Adventure: ‘Shrek’ the halls at Opryland this Christmas
Breaking bread with an ogre or sluicing down a 20-foot chute of solid ice may not be on your holiday bucket list – but you can bet it’s on your kids’ and grandkids’ wish list, along with the chance to earn Honorary Ogre cred and hobnob with their favorite green swamp dweller.
Gaylord Opryland’s “A Country Christmas” event has returned to Nashville for the 29th year, bringing with it Shrek, Princess Fiona and the whole cast from the swamp in the kingdom of Far Far Away. There’ll be dancin’ in the streets, feasting with the world’s most famous ogre and lots of other “green” themed holiday fun. Also back is the Gaylord’s jaw-dropping world of ICE!, a magical frozen playland carved from 2 million pounds of ice. This year, for the first time, ICE! is all about DreamWorks’ “Shrek the Halls,” and is it ever impressive.
It’s hard to believe these frozen tableaux – where the temps hover at a brisk 9 degrees and visitors must snap themselves into oompa-loompa type parkas for the journey – are mere steps from the tropical warmth within Opryland’s lushly planted atriums. Here, the dense green foliage, compliments of thousands of ornamental plants, get a seasonal pop of color from a profusion of deep red poinsettias and creamy white anthuriums, along with thousands upon thousands of twinkle lights, miles of beribboned and be-wreathed garland and a ceiling-scraping Christmas tree dazzling with shiny packages, baubles and stuffed teddy bears.
As irresistible as kids will find the hotel for its “Shrektacular” amenities, their parents will love it for its crisp and comfy guestrooms and suites (nearly 3,000 of them), many with black wrought iron balconies overlooking the gardens, fountains, waterfalls and river that flows through the nine acres of gardens. This, plus an array of restaurants – burgers-and-fries casual, “outdoor” cafes meandering beneath the glassed rooftop, an upscale steak house tucked into an antebellum mansion and more – please the big people in the party.
And the activities? Inexhaustible. The list includes everything from retail shops, ice cream parlor and coffee klatches to the chummy Library Lounge perched on Delta Island – for ordering up martinis, not checking out books – to the spa and fitness center to the roaring fireplaces in the Magnolia lobby where musicians entertain to the seasonal shows that overtake the hotel like an out-of-control snowball.
from examiner.com
Vintage wrought iron crib for sale
Vintage Wrought Iron Crib
Bring back the heyday of responsible child-rearing: the Victorian Era!
By Matthew Hampton
Is your child sleeping TOO soundly at night? If so, it might be interesting to yank that racecar bed out from under them and start forcing them to slumber in this vintage crib/child prison.
Admittedly, you don’t have to buy this thing for a child. It could just as easily be an unsettling piece in a Miss Havisham-style personal museum of lost youth that you’ve cobbled together in a dusty wing of your mansion. Or, as the Craigslist poster describes, “a terrace couch.”
Abu Dhabi wrought iron design for the Lanvin new boutique
Lanvin Inaugurates their New Boutique at ‘the Avenue’ at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Towers
Renowned French fashion house Lanvin celebrates the inauguration of their new women’s boutique at ‘The Avenue’ in Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Towers. A contemporary mix of angular and linear patterns, the boutique is juxtaposed against rustic wrought iron display cabinets. The black and white checkered floor gives the boutique a modern edge, while exotic zebra skins add to the authenticity and is complemented by the bright pop colors of the brand’s collection of accessories which are displayed elegantly within mirrored box shelves.
Included is Lanvin Petite for the aspiring fashion-focused youth of the region. With a selection of intricately stitched dresses for ages 4 to 12, and patent colored ballerinas, both mother and daughter can look elegant in Lanvin. The boutique, which is situated on the lower level of the new shopping haven, devotes a corner to the beautiful Blanche collection. With a mix of delicate dresses and demure accessories, the radiant selection of romantic ensembles caters to any bride’s taste.
Teaming up with Avenue at Etihad Towers, the opening of the boutique was celebrated in typical Lanvin style. Running alongside the grand opening event at the Avenue at Etihad Towers, the brand presented the best of the Fall Winter collection in a luxury fashion show. While guests explored the newly opened stores, Lanvin celebrations were in full swing with animated and lively decorations displayed, inspired by the 10 year anniversary celebrations of Alber Elbaz at Lanvin. Brightly colored balloons, dancing mannequins and a vibrant window display attracted guests, while an in-store artist entertained them with Lanvin style portraits. Guests could chose a dress from the Fall Winter collection, along with accessories from the store, while the artist drew them in full Lanvin glory.
from hauteliving.com
Wrought iron staircase for the vintage clothing store REmix
REmix Vintage shop boasts a unique and eclectic collection
By Sara Rebelo
REmix is a vintage clothing store that occupies the second floor of a retail building on Queen Street West. The wrought iron staircase that leads to an overwhelmingly packed flat, where scarves and shoes surround customers like overgrown ivy, is only the beginning of a unique shopping experience.
REmix boasts an impressive collection of exquisitely crafted vintage pieces, making it difficult to focus your attention on any individual piece for long. The store’s merchandise includes strappy Celine sandals, classic Alexander Wang bags, and even a studded, cheetah print UNIF motorcycle jacket. It’s an eclectic collection, but one that seems completely cohesive at the same time.
Although the designer pieces at REmix can be steeply priced, everything from the jeweled necklaces to the leather jackets have been individually selected by a discerning buyer. And for the fashion-savvy shopper, these items are quality pieces that are definitely worth splurging on.
from thevarsity.ca
