Hi, everyone!
A few weeks ago I attended a StyleCollective blogger event, with some Pop-Up shops.I was pleasantly surprised when I saw among other participant brands, one particular French fashion brand I’ve known all my life: Cacharel. Agathe Bousquet, founder of the online shop The Under Tropic was in charge of presenting the brand to all of us as well as selling it. Agathe is the niece of Cacharel’s founder Jean Bousquet, and she’s also in charge of the brand’s sales & marketing in the US. She was also surprised by how thrilled I was when I saw Cacharel clothing pieces again.
Honestly, I had not seen Cacharel clothes for quite a while, and I was excited to see that both its spirit and quality have endured.
I bought this Liberty print sleeveless top I’m wearing in the photos, not just because I liked it but it reminded me a short I had when I was 11 years old and lived in Madrid. Seeing Cacharel after a while, brought back many memories from my childhood since I remember my mom and my two sisters wearing Jean Cacharel blouses and other things.
The Cacharel brand also brought back to my mind my first trip to France. I spent the summer of 67 on the French Riviera and then I went to my Aunt Alicia’s home in Paris with my cousins. That first trip to France was quite special to me for many personal reasons, as well as for the amazing experience that was living in Europe for the first time in my life for three months. It was so amazing that 50 years later I still perfectly picture my Aunt Alicia’s house in Castellaras, as well as those short trips to Saint Paul de Vence, Cannes beach, Montecarlo, Eze and Saint Tropez.
Cacharel is the type of ready-to-wear brand conceived for everyday life, it speaks to women, and encompasses that unique French romantic spirit that never goes out of style. The best of Cacharel designs is that they are modern but timeless at the same time.
Photo @Edsmitter
Cacharel was founded in 1958, the year I was born
I guess most people today think of Cacharel famous perfumes such as Anaïs Anaïs or Amour Amour. Nevertheless, Jean Bousquet founded Cacharel as a ready-to-wear clothing line in 1958, the year I was born. My mom and my two sisters had several Cacharel blouses in vivid colors such as pink, turquoise, pale pink, green or white with mother pearl buttons. One of the things that made those shirts unique was the cotton crepe. In the late 60’s Cacharel started to make blouses in Liberty prints and those became quite popular when I was a teenager in the 70’s.
Many famous French designers such as Agnès B, Azzedine AlaÏa, Lolita Lempicka and Cedric Charlier, had created collections for Cacharel.
This Liberty print sleeveless top is pure Cacharel and is perfect for the Miami weather
As soon as I saw the top, I immediately pictured several things I already had in my closet to pair it with, such as this Zara coral skirt. Also this silk pants I bought recently at Pool Lab Show, were a perfect match for my new top. On the other hand, this cotton top is perfect for the Miami hot summer. I must confess I hate synthetic fabrics, except a very good quality viscose, I only buy clothes made from cotton, linen, silk or wool when it’s cold.
Photo Edson Smitter @Edsmitter
Photo @edsmitter
This striped silk pant is from Mes Demoiselles, another French brand I love. Founded by Anita Radovanovic in 2006, with a traveler spirit that invites its customers to travel with the brand season after season. This brand only uses pure fibers in all its collections to bring to the customer, light, comfortable and sensual clothes. For me, these pants have been a great investment because they work from day to night seamlessly. Here, in Miami, you can find this brand at Pool Lab Show, (one of my favorite Miami boutiques) or now buy from them online, not only Mes Demoiselles but some of their great selection of Spanish and European fashion brands.
Photo Edson Smitter @edsmitter[/caption]
I really enjoy to pair new things I just bought with some that I’ve kept in my closet for some time
I guess one of the things women in our 50 always do, is keeping certain accessories or clothing, which are worth keeping just to wear them again when the trend is back. I bought the straw belt I’m wearing in Anthropologie at least 12 years ago, and when planning my photo shoot I loved how well it paired with these two looks. On the other hand, these kind of accessories might be just the right unique detail that completes your own individual style. Don’t you agree? Now that belts are having a comeback I’m glad I’ve kept it.
Photo @edsmitter
I also wanted to have photos wearing my new hoop earrings from Colombian super talented designer Mercedes Salazar. I’m in love with the tiny straw fruits that reminded me of Latin American typical crafts. Even though I prefer to wear them with solid tops, they worked well with this look. Why not mixing flowers and fruits? If life has taught me something is that if you feel great wearing something, everyone else that looks at you will see a stylish woman. Your attitude is all.
Mercedes Salazar Fruit Hoop Earrings- Photo Edson Smitter @edsmitter
Photo Edson Smitter @edsmitter
Photo Edson Smitter @edsmitter
You can pair this Cacharel top with anything. It works great with any skirt, jeans, khaki pants, or shorts.
After this pleasant reunion with Cacharel, a brand I’ve loved all my life….
Other great re-encounters had happened! But that is the subject of another post which I’ll dedicate to my all time friends!
Tell me, did you like these two looks? Is there a particular brand that has that same effect on you?
