Hello darling '99ers!
Last time we caught up 'Fashion Month' had just finished and I was telling you my favourite picks of the collections, and wow a lot has happened since then!
But, as the year draws closer to an end and Christmas is replaced by Easter and Christmas again, I wanted to share with you the highlights of Paris '99 in 2013!
It started with a gorgeous NYE celebration at the beach, and almost the next day my dear friend Cecilia and I viewed the startling 'The Eye Has To Travel'; simply the most divine documentary about the larger than life Diana Vreeland. It almost brought me to tears of happiness; the ideas and scope and vision of Vreeland was truly inspiring, from Bazaar to Vogue to the Met exhibitions and Ball, DiiViinnn!
2013 was the year of few but specific musical interludes; groups that I had never had a chance but always wanted to see. On a wonderfully temperate February evening at the Myer Music Bowl I had the incredible experience of seeing Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds perform a spectacular two part set. As luck would have it, on a whirlwind trip for my cousin's wedding I saw Depeche Mode open their Delta Machine tour in Tel Aviv, definitely a top 4 concert of my entire life, the energy, the atmosphere, amazing! Frank Ocean at the O2 Brixton was soulful, intense, sexy and unmissable, and even sweeter as he seems to have a tendency to cancel concerts in Australia :S.
In March as part of the then LMFF L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival Cultural Program I hosted a series of events entitled 'The Highest End Of Green', discussing and story-telling about my commitment to sustainable luxury fashion both in my own work and relating to the re-invigoration of gorgeous designer clothes in a luxe salon setting (ie Paris '99!). I was completely floored and flattered at the response, as what was intended to be a one night event became 4 nights of interested Melbourne fashion loving folk!
This set my own designing back on track, and I went back to the horde of beautiful fabrics that I have collected over the years, wonderful wools, silks, linens and cottons (no synthetics here sir!). Many a late night design/drape/sewing sessions resulted in a number of one off Yahav Ron capsule pieces being hung around the salon among my ever changing collection of international designer yummies.
Just after my birthday I had the privilege of meeting and hosting at Paris '99 one of my teenage dreams and favourite actresses, now one of my favourite people, the fabulous Rose McGowan. Rose is super awesome, short, sharp, witty, smart and a fellow lover of beautiful fashion! Through her and that same night I met Greg Cipes, actor, surfer, musician multi-tasking cool dude with whom a strong bond creative bond formed and remains to this moment, thank you G for all the love and looking forward to more collaboration!
The fabulous birthday party of my fabulous friend Nathan saw Paris '99s first fashion show presentation. At the eccentric House Of Pan in Brighton we planned and staged an entertaining and exhilarating runway for both Yahav Ron Originals and designer resale goodies to acclaimed applause and it was a roaring good party to follow.
Of course just like America in 2012, the return to Europe this year was nothing short of incredible! My beautiful friend Maria was the perfect company through Paris, where we wined and dined our way through the arrondisements and monuments. The Haute Couture Paris exhibition, Atelier Martin Grant, where we were graciously greeted by Martin himself and enjoying our own Sex and The City moment at the Galleries of the Plaza Athenee, with a cameo from Gina Rinehart in a white kaftan amongst all the Louboutins and black croc Birkin bags were simplement unforgettable.
In order to spread the Paris '99 fashion love in Sydney I visited the Harbour City twice this year, and it was just wonderful fun! Seeing old friends and meeting lovely new ladies to introduce the concept of the roaming salon of course meant copious amounts of Champagne, Fromage and a new addition to the alcoholic arsenal, Hendrick's Gin, now a lasting favourite! Sydney girls, there is plenty more fun to be had and I am truly excited to be heading back to say hello soon in the new year, hooray!
Speaking of Hendrick's and Scotland, a big highlight came in the form of Lara Reynolds! The organiser of the wonderful Spring Fashion Lunch which this year was held at the incredible KPMG Banking Chambers. Lara invited me to assist on the runway show and we had a ball doing the run throughs, pulling pieces, organising and laughing all the way. The event came together to a tee with beautiful clothing, delicious food and wonderful entertainment, can't wait for next year my dear!
I of course have to thank all of you that have supported the salon in 2013, the writers, the press, the people of influence; I am grateful for having you behind me spreading the message that amazing fashion is available in a long gone luxury setting, where privacy, discretion and comfort are key. Lastly and certainly mostly, thank you to all my glorious visitors, each and every one of you know how much fun we have together and how wonderfully lucky I am that you let me share my love of fashion and amazing, fantastic clothes with you all. Here's to our little couture secret!
Looking forward immensely to sharing the fun of 2014, fabulous new designer goodies to enjoy for sure, not to mention more experimental arrangements on the marble board! May all your different denominational holidays be wonderful, have a fabulous New Year, and remember that the Paris '99 balcony is now open for drinks throughout summer time and I can't wait to see you all tres soon indeed!!
xxx
Yahav
Oh and thank you to all of you who have let me nab your photos for this post, Paper Doll and Elenie Zahariou.
