Olympia Le-Tan » The Backseat Stylers | Toronto Fashion & Style Blog

A Peek in the Backseat: Charlotte Olympia x Olympia Le-Tan Book Clutch

by The Backseat Stylers | January 31st, 2013

Back in September, mere days before Fashion’s Night Out, news of a collaboration between accessories designers Charlotte Olympia and Olympia Le-Tan broke. The two had teamed up on a Charlotte’s Web-themed collection that included shoes and a clutch. Having been a huge fan of the book as a child, I knew I had to get my hands on the limited edition, hand-stitched book clutch.

This would turn out to be a feat easier said than done, since the mini collection was being sold exclusively at the Charlotte Olympia boutiques in New York and London. Yours truly was nowhere near either of those cities, though I refused to let that fact get in the way of me getting my hands on that clutch.

Because some shopping secrets are better left unshared, suffice to say that with a little determination and luck the mission was accomplished. The whimsical clutch arrived on my doorstep shortly after the collection launched, and I became the owner of #8 out of only 16 created. I daresay that Charlotte and Wilbur would be proud.

xx, S

Street Style

Stylin’ from the Backseat: For the Love of Peplum

by The Backseat Stylers | January 22nd, 2013

A move to a new home and the launch of a new blog series, A Peek in the Backseat, have had me digging into the deepest, darkest corners of my closet of late. I’ve found all sorts of gems I’d forgotten about, including this 3.1 Phillip Lim peplum dress I purchased over three years ago.

I took it out for its inaugural spin recently and fell in love with the ladylike frock all over again. Here I thought I was all peplum’d out thanks to the biggest fashion trend of 2012, but it turns out I’ve always been partial to peplums, and always will be.

What wardrobe treasures have you rediscovered lately?

3.1 Phillip Lim dress / Charlotte Olympia x Olympia Le-Tan clutch / YSL shoes / MAKE UP FOR EVER makeup

xx, S

Fashion News

Charlotte Olympia x Olympia Le-Tan Limited Edition Charlotte’s Web Collection

by The Backseat Stylers | September 4th, 2012

News of freshly-hatched collaborations arrive in my inbox weekly it seems, but I have never been as excited as I am for the one announced today: Charlotte Olympia x Olympia Le-Tan. Charlotte Olympia is my favourite shoe designer right now, hands down. Olympia Le-Tan currently has no presence in my closet, but I’ve been waiting patiently for the book clutch designer to choose a book cover that would have special meaning to me. It took teaming up with Charlotte Dellal, but it’s finally happened.

The two designers have created a limited edition mini collection inspired by my most beloved childhood book and one that I’ve been reading to my son of late, E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. In addition to an embroidered book clutch, Charlotte Olympia’s signature ‘Dolly’ shoe has been produced with Charlotte’s Web-themed inscriptions like ‘Terrific’ and ‘Radiant’ and dubbed the ‘Miracle Dolly’. My 6-year old self is overjoyed and, quite frankly, so is the slightly older present-day version.

The designs will be sold exclusively at the Charlotte Olympia boutiques in New York and London on Fashion’s Night Out on September 6, with 10% of the proceeds being donated to FNO’s official charity, Refuge. I won’t be anywhere near either of those cities, but I will find a way to get my hands on my very own Charlotte’s Web book clutch if it’s the last thing I do!

xx, S

Images via L’Officiel

Red Carpet

Admiring from the Backseat: Cannes Film Festival 2012 Edition

by The Backseat Stylers | May 28th, 2012

Diane Kruger in Chanel Resort 2013

After 12 days of nonstop celebrity red carpet fashions, the 2012 edition of the Cannes Film Festival sadly came to an end yesterday. Because we’re obviously already in withdrawal, we thought we’d relive our favourite sartorial moments with – what else? – a best dressed list.

Leading the pack with a perfect run at Cannes this year was Diane Kruger, who wore three of our most memorable looks. She donned an ethereal mint green Giambattista Valli couture gown on opening night and continued to blow us away throughout the festival. Her Nina Ricci dress at the “Killing Them Softly” premiere was divine, while her Chanel frock at the amFAR Gala was quite possibly our favourite look of hers ever. Her hair, make-up and accessories were impeccable too.

Models Liya Kebede and Natasha Poly looked nothing short of fabulous in a sharp Roberto Cavalli suit and head-to-toe Gucci respectively. Actress Bérénice Bejo was a lovely surprise in a printed Giambattista Valli dress with Olympia Le-Tan book clutch in hand, while Paz Vega looked fierce in a feathered Stephane Rolland couture creation.

Vogue Nippon Editor-at-Large Anna Dello Russo stunned in white Alberta Ferretti, Chinese actress Yao Xingtong looked gorgeous in blue Elie Saab couture, and Kirsten Dunst was picture perfect in a to-die-for Dolce & Gabbana dress and Charlotte Olympia shoe pairing.

There you have it – our 10 best dressed at the 65th Festival de Cannes. Who made your list?

Liya Kebede in Roberto Cavalli