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The History of Cashmere

The History of Cashmere

Cashmere has a long history going back many hundreds of years. The origins of this natural fibre comes from the cold, mountainous regions of China, Mongolia, India, Turkey and Afghanistan. For centuries, local people sought the hircus goats for the fibres of their coats that were long, silky soft and warm to help the animals survive the harsh conditions of winter. The fibres were combed off the goats and made into blankets that were prized for their superb warming ability. Early written accounts in the 15th century, describe the high quality of fibre from the kashmir goats of the Kashmir region. Thus the name Kashmir stuck and for many years Kashmir yarn was traded within the region. Fast forward to the 18th century and the rise of the Imperial powers. Traders brought kashmir items back along the Silk Road from China to Europe and the Americas bringing much excitement. Initially kashmir was available exclusively to royalty and the elite members of society. It was considered the height of luxury and cashmere shawls or ‘pashminas’ particularly were a symbol of status and the pinnacle of a fashionable aristocratic woman. Even Napoleon was reputed to gift his wife Empress Josephine pashminas leading to a large and famous collection of pashminas. The story of cashmere was advanced ...
by Les 100 Ciels Team on November 05, 2019
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Winter Style

Winter Style

Sometimes when the weather is grey and freezing cold, the last thing on your mind is looking fashionable. It may seems a better idea to stay indoors hiding under a blanket and if you have to go out, you contemplate taking the blanket with you! Winter style doesn’t have to be an oxymoron. We’ve got a few tips to see you through the winter months looking your best. Our number one tip is to invest in warm  jumpers. With the arrival of fast fashion, lots of cute and cheap styles are available but while they might be nice to look at, they probably won’t last the winter and they definitely won’t help keep off the winter chill. Instead, invest in high quality fibres which are known to be warming like wool and cashmere. These are made of long natural fibres which work to retain the heat close to the body. We also recommend going for some classic colours such as grey, navy or black. These can act as the foundation of your wardrobe and be easily matched with other items of clothing. Our next tip is thermals. You would be forgiven if thermals bring to mind 1940s men wearing longjohns- not the most ...
by Les 100 Ciels Team on October 25, 2019
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Autumn Winter 2019 Fashion Trends

Autumn Winter 2019 Fashion Trends

As we near the end of summer, it’s that time when we start thinking about the arrival of the new season and inevitably our wardrobe. Today we’re highlighting some of the most exciting fashion trends for the Autumn/ Winter 2019 period so you’ll be ready and in the know once the season begins! 1. Utilitywear Yes , it is back again! Utility wear is one of those trends that comes back again and again. It is reminder that you can never go wrong with some utility inspired clothing in your wardrobe. For the coming season, try the trend in a neutral palette such as head to toe tones of brown and beige or go for the statement utility wear jacket or coat that you will last for years to come.     2. Floral Noir Florals, a summer favourite, have been appropriated for the colder months this season. All florals will be big this coming season, but unlike summer flowers, the trend leans towards a brooding, romantic style- think deepest-red roses stumbled upon in a forgotten garden in the dead of night. We love this trend as there is lots of room to transition from the summer months. 3. Neon Brights ...
by Les 100 Ciels Team on August 23, 2019
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Style icons through the decades

Style icons through the decades

Over the years, there have been a few key female figures who have firmly held the title- style icon. These women were true trailblazers in fashion during their times, setting trends and creating movements. The true marker of a style icon is their lasting inspiration to women of all ages and periods. We have selected a few of our favourite style icons over the decades. Katherine Hepburn 1930s An actress who shunned the press in favour of staying out of the spotlight, Katherine Hepburn was the original wearer of androgynous clothing. While her peers wore sequins, curve hugging clothing, Hepburn chose wide leg trousers and loose, crisp shirts. Her style was one of comfort and practicality and fashion houses followed her embrace of traditional menswear with designs for the modern woman. Her style is still referenced year on year on fashion catwalks around the world. Ava Gardner 1940s An actress renowned for her beauty, Ava Gardner lit up television screens effortlessly. She was famous for making the neckerchief popular as well as the belted waist for a cinched in look. Her style was all about the glamour of Hollywood and her dresses and love of blue hues were immortalised in fashion history. ...
by Les 100 Ciels Team on July 30, 2019
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Your Fashion & Interiors Style

Your Fashion & Interiors Style

There is so much inspiration to be found for home decoration when browsing online.  The problem is, how do you decide what style to go with for your home?  To make the process of beautifying home interiors in a style reflective of who we are and what we want to express, we’ve turned to fashion. Style is such a personal thing. It doesn’t always follow trends (although it can definitely be influenced by it) and it doesn’t always make sense to others. There are many parallels between how one’s sense of fashion can inform choices for interior design. Both are hugely influenced by what you are drawn to in daily life and both take on board the function, mood, colour and a balance of proportion and details. So whether you’re a home decor veteran or someone just starting on an exploration of taste and style, here are our 3 tips on how to draw from your fashion style to truly express yourself at home.   1. Think about your lifestyle and personality Do you prefer to be dressed in a comfortable and relaxed way or do you usually prefer to dress up and be more pulled together? Are you an extrovert – happy to be the ...
by Les 100 Ciels Team on July 19, 2019
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A History of Linen

A History of Linen

How one of the oldest fabrics in the world became the must-have fabric of summer Linen is a firm favourite for summer, loved for its simple and elegant qualities. It is well known to wick moisture away from the body and keep you cool, while being iron-free and highly durable.. what’s not to love!? This summer, linen has gained huge momentum, appearing in store after store in beautiful designs and colours. Most snapping up the trend do not realise the long and fascinating history behind the fibre, so let’s dive in and take a closer look at linen’s journey through the centuries.        Linen, made from the fibres of the flax plant, is one of the oldest textiles in the world. Historians believe the flax plant was first domesticated in ancient Mesopotamia and discoveries of linen fabric have been found dating back many thousands of years.  The process of turning flax fibres into linen is a difficult and laborious one. The plant is temperamental and requires a great deal of attention during its growth and once ready for harvest it is a long process to extract the fibre from the stalk. In addition, flax fibres are not elastic, and therefore it is difficult ...
by Les 100 Ciels Team on June 28, 2019
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