Hi Guys
Today’s style diary post is for the ever so Parisian chic hat brand, Maison Michel. Couture Milner Maison Michel created the brand in 1936, which is now owned by Chanel. The photographs of the models on his website were shot by Karl Lagerfeld himself. They are super poised yet fun – something Karl has mastered very well. The brand itself covers fanciful hats (one of which I’m wearing in & around London), elegant straw structured fedoras and petal-fine laced headbands. In 1980, the brand started creating its signature, wide-brimmed straw hats especially for the haute couture and pret-a-porter collections of fashion houses such as Chanel, Givenchy, Nina Ricci, Laroche, Lanvin and Christian Lacroix. 1996 saw Chanel take over the brand.
I love the exclusivity of this brand and their clientele, strictly refined fashionistas and a growing celebrity crowd, using their hats to look super sophisticated on a casual day, or even using the hat to hide from paparazzi. Consistent users of the hats include Victoria Beckham, Kourtney Kardashian, Beyonce, Rosie Huntington Whitely and many more that would take a while to name. The famous quote by Chanel, ‘Before you walk out the door everyday take one thing off ‘ certainly doesn’t apply to the Maison Michel hat. This hat can transform a dull outfit and the last accessory piece which gives the perfect touch. The hats are great for city life, especially in fashion-savvy ones and cool climates, including New York, London and (obviously) Paris. Great if you are having a bad hair day or if you love minimalism.
The hat I’m wearing retails for £415 pounds. Prices can range from this up to £700-800 pounds. The style is the ‘Henrietta’ in black and comes in other colours. I chose generic black because I wanted the most use of it and thus to match with everything. The blush pink would be another colour I will definitely purchase, as I’m obsessed with pastel shades, which I bang on about all the time. The hats come in many styles, my other favourite styles would include the ‘Kate’ and the ‘Virginie’, these were the most feminine in shape which I found very flattering, some of the others are too boyish in style, this particularly includes the ‘Andre’. The only available store in the UK is in Burlington Avenue, Mayfair, though I have seen some now being stocked inside Selfridges. I strongly suggest trying them on to see what shape suits you best before purchasing, only because refunds and exchanges are always tricky with luxury items. The nearest boutique to London, is Rue Cambon Paris (Aka the best road in Paris) so head over to St Pancreas and book the Eurostar for some fun with your girlfriends.
Jacket @Zara
Dress @Topshop
Boots (Luxury Range) @H&M
Bag @Valentino
Carpe Diem Mermaids & Mermen
Love Sasha
