Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Tout sweet on the Paris catwalk with chocolate-inspired fashion show

As any Fashion Week regular will testify, food and fashion rarely cross paths. But last night's fashion show at the Paris chocolate show proved the combination was as visually stunning as it was mouthwatering.

There were not just chocolate buttons, but hats, jackets and even crinoline skirts at the event to launch the 15th annual Salon du Chocolat in the French capital.

A host of French celebrities took to the catwalk, modelling creations inspired by and embellished with  the decadent sweet treat.

Model Laetitia Rey at the 15th Salon du Chocolat
French TV journalist Laurie Cholewa

Tout sweet: Model Laetitia Rey in a chocolate corset and crinoline; Carole Brana in an Aztec-inspired creation

Model Laetitia Rey, who wore a chocolate-studded ensemble by lingerie designer Eva Racheline and chocolate manufacturer Magnum, looked like a treat that had been unwrapped for the occasion thanks to a silver and gold foil train.

In a corset, suspenders and crinoline skirt, a chocolate disc balanced atop her head completed the look.

An Aztec-inspired creation, worn by actress Carole Brana appeared to be a tribute to the origins of chocolate. With a colourful Red Indian headdress, a sheer bodysuit was studded with chocolate squares and finished with a chocolate feather tutu.

 

Corinne Touzet wore her heart, well, everywhere in a romantic red, white and chocolate ensemble by the fashion designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada. The actress even carried a chocolate handbag from chocolatier La Maison Bonnat.

Looks also counted a warrior-inspired outfit, worn by television presenter Virginie de Clausade, and an amazing ancient Roman creation modelled by singer Dominique Magloire.

French actress Corine Touzet
French TV host Daniela Lumbroso

Just desserts: Corinne Touzet shows her love of chocolate in a heart-themed outfit by designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada; French television presenter Daniela Lumbroso holds an intricate chocolate mask

French singer Dominique Magloire
French TV host Virginie de Clausade

Choc tactics: Singer Dominique Magloire's chocolate-studded gown featured Roman-style masks, while a warrior-inspired outfit was worn by television presenter Virginie de Clausade

French actress Julie Ferrier

I should cocoa: Julie Ferrier on the arms of two male models in a dress studded with chocolate buttons

The catwalk show, which launched the exhibition, also saw actress Julie Ferrier step out on the arms of two Adonis-like male models dressed in chocolate-coloured togas. Wearing a dress studded with chocolate buttons, her hat seemed to be a choice selection from a chocolate box.

Faustine Bollaert looked glamorous as she blew a kiss to the front row, while fellow television presenter Valerie Damidot lent a sense of humour to proceedings, running across the stage in a chef's hat and apron as if running off with a chocolate cake.

The highlight of the show however, didn't feature any clothes at all. Actress Armelle Lesniak posed nude in a chocolate frame in a life-size version of the Manet painting Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe, created with legendary chocolatier Pierre Marcolini.

The annual event, which runs from October 14-18 at the Paris Expo centre, will see over 400 chocolatiers present their latest innovations to industry professionals.

This year's operatic theme will see Belgian chocolate company Leonidas join forces with Swarovski crystal to build a scaled-down version of the Paris Opera out of chocolate, while patissier Dalloyau will be making a large-scale version of their trademark Opera cake.

French TV host Faustine Bollaert
French TV host Valerie Damidot

Sugar rush: Faustine Bollaert blew a kiss to the front row, while fellow television presenter Valerie Damidot  ran across the stage in a chef's hat and apron as if escaping with a chocolate cake

French actress Armelle Lesniak

Highlight: Actress Armelle Lesniak posed nude in a chocolate frame for a life-size version of the Manet painting Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe, created with legendary chocolatier Pierre Marcolini.



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