BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FRENCH music in a vintage-type setting, including stage curtains, gave citizens and residents on St. Kitts a glimpse and feel of the famous French Coco Chanel Fashion era during an event dubbed ‘Hommage A Mademoiselle Coco Chanel’ in the Ballroom of the St. Kitts Marriott Resort on Saturday evening (Mar. 16).
The event, the first of its kind in the Federation, was presented by the Alliance Française de St. Kitts et Nevis in collaboration with Movado Model Agency.
An impressive audience was in attendance, notably mostly females, all of whom were fashionably dressed for the occasion in celebration and appreciation of the late internationally-acclaimed Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Bonheur Chanel who once said “Everyday is a fashion show and the world is the runway”.
Ten female models strutted their stuff on the runway with the style and grace of a 1940s beauty in the spotlight donning 23 replicas of Coco Chanel pieces.
Seating arrangement for the audience was aligned horizontally on opposite sides of the room and the models showcased the Coco Chanel-inspired clothing up and down the fashion aisle.
Designers who took part in the fashion show were Hollie D Forest from Canada and nationals Karen Mathews of Gems and Lynette Bonaparte.
Four segments were showcased: Working Suits, Cocktail Dresses, Little Black Dress and Bridal Wear.
Hollie D Forest did the matrimony attire section.
Patrons were given an opportunity to sample the aroma of Chanel No. 5 Perfume from a showcase table that was established for that purpose.
SKNVibes spoke with the event’s coordinator and model chorographer, Jason Amory, the founder of Movado Model Agency.
He pointed out that the models were taught how to walk like those models of the 1940s.
When asked to explain the difference between the modern style of modelling and that of the 1940s, Amory said, “It was totally different! You know, we like a lot of handwork and posing but in the 1940s it used to be a lot of straight modelling and a lot of footwork, and it was well done by the models.”
Hommage A Mademoiselle Coco Chanel was hosted by WINN FM’s Toni Frederick and Principal of the Basseterre High School Carlene Morton.
The Director of Alliance Française, Karine Lenox, told SKNVibes that the event was a success based on the “clapping” from the audience and comments from patrons.
President and Director of the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, Steven G. Hites was impressed by what he saw at the event.
He praised the “profession” and “poise of the models” as well as the “informative” chemistry between the two commentators during a review on the show.
Hites lauded Coco Chanel for having had a “smashing effect” upon the fashion industry, noting that “no other singular individual made such a huge effect in her time.”
According to him, Coco Chanel had a “vision which was far ahead of her time”.
He spoke highly about her “timeless sense of fashion”.
Information about Coco Chanel can be found at www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/coco-chanel.html.
According to the site, “During the 1920s, Coco Chanel became the first designer to create loose women's jersey, traditionally used for men's underwear, creating a relaxed style for women ignoring the stiff corseted look of the time. They soon became very popular with clients, a post-war generation of women for whom the corseted restricted clothing seemed old-fashioned and impractical.
“By the 1920s, Maison Chanel was established at 31, rue Cambon in Paris (which remains its headquarters to this day) and become a fashion force to be reckoned with. Chanel became a style icon herself with her striking bob haircut and tan placing her at the cutting edge of modern style.
“In 1922, she launched the fragrance Chanel No. 5, which remains popular to this day. Two years later, Pierre Wertheimer became her business partner (taking on 70% of the fragrance business), and reputedly her lover. The Wertheimers continue to control the perfume company today.
“In 1925, Chanel launched her signature cardigan jacket, and the following year matched its success with her little black dress. Both items continue to be a staple part of every Chanel collection.”
Reportedly, when she returned to Paris in 1954, “she took on Christian Dior's overtly feminine New Look. She expanded the signature style with the introduction of pea jackets and bell-bottoms for women. Her new collection, panned by the press in Europe, was a hit in the United States”.
