An eye for Parisian fashion

Each time Paris based Annie Carmona is about to come to Manila, her friends get really excited about her visit. They know that “La Parisienne,” as they fondly call her, will be bringing them their gorgeous gowns and other stylish outfits from Paris that they have been waiting for. Amazingly, she knows their taste so well that she knows exactly what to buy for them.

Annie is friendly with some up-and-coming couturiers in Paris, who make original, one-of-a-kind creations at very reasonable prices. A graduate of ESMOD (Ecole Superieure des Arts et Technique de la Mode) International School of Fashion Design in Paris, Annie has lived in the City of Lights since the mid-’70s, when elegance was in vogue. Gone was the grungy, hippie look of the ’60s. During Fashion Week in Paris, her friends in the fashion world would invite her to view the collections of the big designers — Yves Saint Laurent, Emanuel Ungaro, Valentino, Emilio Pucci, Jean Patou, Christian Dior and the like. This further developed her keen eye for fashion, which she carries to this day. When she notices a fashion trend, her sharp eye right away senses what will click with her fashionista friends.

For the holiday gowns of her friends, she went to George Mak, a young, talented, up-and-coming fashion designer in Paris. She favors him because his designs are trendy, dramatic, daring, elegant and, most importantly, they are original and one of a kind.

During a recent wedding celebration, I took note of some of the ladies who stood out in their gowns and to my surprise, all their gowns came from Paris, brought in for them by Annie C. I could not resist but book them for a fashion shoot, and they excitedly obliged me.

One beautiful lady, Linda Ley, brought three gowns to the shoot and asked me to choose the best one. They were all so gorgeous that I had to choose all of them. When I asked her where and what occasions she had worn them to, she replied, “Annie’s gowns make me feel so beautiful so even when there is no occasion, I create one so I can wear her gown. Like when I feel like singing my karaoke, I pretend I am some star singing to an audience, composed of my husband and my kids!” She got my vote for Miss Joie de Vivre right there!

Here are some of the fashionable gowns that “La Parisienne” has chosen for her friends. I am sure you will agree that they are indeed tres chic!