Honesty

Hello guys!

Since it’s really important to me to be honest with you, and I’ve learn that you enjoy my honesty as well, I thought I’d share something with you today.

I hate when after following a blog for a while, you see ads popping up everywhere. I’ve recently decided to do so as well, but it was important to me to explain the reasons why with you. Money is certainly not the goal of this blog, but with the time and work putted into it, it feels a little rewarding to earn some money out of it.

The beauty and the consistency is very important to me though, so the ads that may appear around here will always be fashion related, or beauty, or things that I find appealing. Website, products or brands that could interest you as well*.

And don’t worry, we’re not talking 10 different ads popping up in your face like a Las Vegas sign would. Just one or two.

I do hope this won’t change the way you look at my blog, or at me.

Enjoy your day and see you tomorrow for an outfit post**!

*About that, feel free to order for thousands of euros on those website, those ads will be worth it. Just kidding.
** The outfit post was planned for today but of course I forgot to add the pictures into my dropbox

Les Bonnes Adresses de… Lulu

Hey guys!

I’m starting a new series of article on Cityplug.be, which is called « Les Bonnes Adresses de… » The point is to ask a few questions to « famous » belgian people: designers, artists, owners of restaurants or bars, actors, musicians, and so on…

To introduce you to this new series of articles, I thought I’d share my favourite places of the city with you guys!

Who are you?
A 24 years old living in Brussels. I work in Cinema and I’m passionate about fashion since I can remember. I’m also a food lover, and I love to discover new places in my own city.

What does Brussels/Belgium represents for you?
A happy place, even though we have shitty weather. People are nice, joyful and funny.

A good breakfast to start the day? (brunch, coffee,…)
I really enjoy taking my breakfast at Café de la Presse. For brunch there are a lots of places but I think my favorites are Oma and Balmoral.

Your best shopping spots, the ones that make you pretty?
Lady Dandy is probably my favorite clothing store. I also love No Concept, Glory Box to enjoy Filles a Papa (one of my FAVOURITE brand EVER) or bigger chains like Forever21, Zara and H&M.

Your favourite place to eat?
Pudding Rock and Nordzee for lunch. For dinner I enjoy La Piola, Kokuban, l’Amour Fou and Indochine.

Drinks with friends?
Franz, l’Unique, Stoefer or Barabar. Probably later on at Jeux d’Hiver.

Sun and 25°, where can we find you in the city?
Au Suisse for lunch, enjoying to sun while looking at the crowd passing by on the boulevard, and Plasch Brugmann to enjoy drinks with friends on the terrace.

Where would you go for your culture?
To the cinema. It’s part of my job, and really enjoy to see a good movie. I either go to UGC Toison d’Or, or when I can, the Welligton in Waterloo, I love that cinema. Very quiet and never crowded.

Your favourite italian in Brussels?
La Piola for sure! Best Aperol Spritz and best team! But I can’t wait to try Caffe Al Dente, I heard it’s amazing.

Good place to seduce a man?
I don’t do that. But if I did, I’d take him to my place. It’s closer to my bedroom… Wait. WHAT?

Now let’s start the show on Cityplug with the beautiful Emilie Duchêne!

Oh, and just in case you missed this, my facebook page just reached a 1000 likes

If you don’t want to miss the next happy dances, I’d advise you to follow me on facebook

Blog Anniversary: GIVEWAY!

Hey there!

To celebrate the two years of Lulufashioncoach, I decided to do a giveway.

But you know me, it had to be something special, original and unique.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine launched her brand of jewelry. Her work is delicate and beautiful, and there, I knew it would be a SUPER great present for this giveway.

The brand is called Célestine by Zoé (and HOW CUTE is that name?), and here are my favorite pieces:

And today, you guys are so very lucky because you can win a necklace, one of my favorites!

To participate:

- Like Célestine by Zoé on Facebook

- Like Lucie Fashion Coach on Facebook

- Send me an email with your name and address to luciefashioncoach@gmail.com

The giveway is worldwide and will end October 25th.

Good luck!

xx

2 years!

Happy happy me, happy happy you my beloved readers!

This has been going on for 2 years, and I’d say it’s working pretty well.

To thank you and to celebrate this, there will be a SUPER COOL giveway on the blog monday.

See you then

xx

Luc.Duchêne: Clap de fin

A few days ago, Monday September 10th to be precise, the news blew out from everywhere (my mailbox, facebook, the media, the bloggers,…): Luc.Duchêne is over.

It came as a really sad news, and let’s face it, it is. It feels really sad to see someone who made such a big impact in the world of Belgian’s fashion, having to stop. I mean, has it ever happen to you to feel so proud when you hear about someone actually MAKING IT out of our little country? Or hear about someone while you’re abroad and realize that person is from little Belgium, and you want to scream it so everybody knows? I mean, let me tell you, I feel that way.

And I felt that way when, only two months ago, back when I was in NYC, randomly walking the streets of big apple, checking out the pretty stores on Madison Ave, I walked into Intermix and saw that

Let me tell you, I was very close to dance around like a mad lady, holding those pants and screaming it was from my country – little Belgium. Then I decided not to, but instead, I took a picture.

Then, when you think about it, if Luc Duchêne couldn’t make it in this economy, can I? I’m far from wanting to start my own brand but anyway, that kind of questions crosses through my mind. (Still, when you look at his daughter, Emilie, rocking it with her brand Théa, you have hope again)

Now, this is the part where I’m going to be really honest: I never understood the brand Luc.Duchêne. I never found the clothes to be neither pretty or original, it looked pretty bland to my eyes. TO MY EYES, you know I need some weirdness to the clothes I see/want/wear. BUT, I have to admit that their leather pants were perfect, really perfect. And the accessory selection was amazing (the SHOES!)

The « problem » I had with the brand was that it wasn’t recognizable. Their dresses could have come from pretty much anywhere… which brings me to my final point. That’s where we see the difference with Luc Duchêne’s previous brand: Chine Collection.

There is probably a thousand good reasons in this great business man’s head, and it was, I am sure, a long time decision to make and to think about, but I do not understand why on earth they stopped Chine. Maybe Chine wasn’t working so well anymore, I sincerely have no idea (and I’m no one to judge as well, just giving my point of view).

I do feel like Chine had their very faithful customers, and the brand was very different from anything else we can see in any other brands. It was sooo beautiful, very feminine, very delicate, and made of beautiful materials. My mom is part of those faithful customers, and she brought me with her a few times when I was little, and I can remember how I felt being in that Chine store. It felt magical.

And even today, my Mom is still a big fan and goes to second hand shops to find Chine items (Lady Dandy usually has tons of them).

So of course, I am questioning why that brand that felt so magical, so different (I’ve NEVER seen any other brand quite like it), had to stop and changed for something that looked so commonplace?

If it was still Chine Collection, would it still be running? Just wondering…

Luc Duchêne’s letter:

Bruxelles, le 10 septembre 2012

Alors que prend place dans les vitrines la collection probablement la plus aboutie de la griffe que j’ai créée il y a deux ans; alors que Kate Moss s’affiche en couverture duElle, sublime en Luc.Duchene, j’ai aujourd’hui eu à prendre une décision des plus difficiles : à savoir annoncer officiellement l’arrêt de la marque Luc.Duchene.

Les résultats obtenus et les perspectives dans un marché en crise et en profonde métamorphose ne suffisent plus à assurer la pérennité de la marque.

Ceci n’est pas une faillite, mais une ‘mise en liquidation d’une des branches d’activité du groupe’. Ce qui signifie que nous ferons face à toutes nos obligations légales;  d’abord et avant tout vis-à-vis du personnel concerné, mais aussi vis à vis de tous nos partenaires et fournisseurs.

Très concrètement : dans le courant du mois d’octobre, les boutiques Luc.Duchene, conformément à la loi, afficheront une liquidation totale et les collections seront écoulées.

 Pour moi, c’est un échec, bien sûr, parce que faire vivre une nouvelle marque de luxe en Belgique est un défi que j’ai voulu relever, sans pouvoir y parvenir. Lancer une marque en 2009, en plein marasme économique, était-ce une folie ? Un caprice de l’égo ? Peut-être, mais fort des success story qui ont jalonné mon parcours, j’ai voulu aussi réaliser ce rêve-là.

J’ai envie de croire que dans un autre contexte économique et avec un peu plus de temps, nous aurions pu faire de cette griffe une magnifique marque de luxe belge.

Mais force est de constater que travailler avec les plus belles matières, vouloir une coupe impeccable, privilégier les petits ateliers de confection en Europe, cela engendre des coûts qui doivent se répercuter dans le prix de vente des vêtements… Luc.Duchene était aussi une marque dessinée pour l’export, or les marchés internationaux aujourd’hui restent frileux devant les nouvelles marques. Le luxe rassure quand il est certifié, installé, reconnu et seules les griffes les plus exposées sont plébiscitées. J’ai sincèrement pensé qu’associer mon expérience, ma vision de la mode au talent de Tim van Steenbergen constituait une garantie.

 J’avais aujourd’hui le choix entre sacrifier du temps et de l’énergie à faire émerger coûte que coûte une nouvelle griffe dans un paysage dévasté ; ou rester un chef d’entreprise réaliste en concentrant mon ambition sur une marque qui, elle, est solidement ancrée dans le paysage de la mode belge et d’en assurer la longévité.

 Car il s’agit bien de cela : Mer du Nord est une marque forte, elle présentera bientôt sa 50^e collection. Je suis conscient des défis que les marques comme celle-ci doivent relever.

La fast-fashion ne nous fera pas renoncer à nos valeurs fondamentales, mais elle nous oblige à nous adapter aux changements de comportement des acheteurs et à nous démarquer, à leur offrir toujours davantage. C’est un challenge passionnant et, pour moi, cette cinquantième collection sera assurément plus forte, plus belle, …

 Je ne veux pas terminer sans avoir remercié du fond du cœur tous mes collaborateurs et tous ceux qui ont cru en nous.

Une page se tourne.

 

Luc Duchêne

 

Femme d’Aujourd’hui

Hello guys!

You might have seen it already, but I was in the Femme d’Aujourd’hui magazine n°35. It came out August 30th.

I did a shooting for them with Dorothydancing, and we had SO MUCH FUN. Here is the final result

I also want to share with you another picture from that shoot that I find really great

And now some backstage picture

Looking at my best!

xx

How about food?

Hey guys!

This article to welcome something new I’m experimenting, FOOD. But not only.

I’ve always love food, but I’ve come to enjoy cooking and making new recipes more and more. And share it with you.

The thing is that I do not want this blog to become a food blog, it HAS to stay fashion focused (especially because fashion is still my main priority). I’ve realized that I was posting more and more food related articles or recipes.

I have then decided to create a food blog. I really hope you guys will follow it, or at least the one who could be interested, and enjoyed the several recipes I have shown on this blog.

Here it is: Lulu’s Cooking

See you there?

Hair dresser Jean-Charles

Hello guys! How are you?

How was your weekend? Are you ecstatic looking at this bright blue sky and the sunlight? I AM!

For the ones following me on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter you probably know that I wanted to do something different with my hair, make some changes. I had to be able to see the difference, but staying subtle because you can’t really have a « cut » with my crazy curls, and I’m really happy in blond (I’ve been through darker blond, dark brown, red head,…)

I received the offer to try out the hair salon « Jean-Charles », and even though I’m faithfull to my hair dresser since 10 years, I wanted to have a different point of view. He gave me his ideas and we finally agreed on a cut/color.

We met friday afternoon, and I stayed there for about 3 hours (really worth it though), take a look at the pictures I took.

Just arrived at the salon

Waiting, and waiting, and waiting…

Can’t wait to see the result…? 3-2-1… HERE WE GO

What did we do? More highlights, a color to make everything lighter, cuted about 2 or 3cm and TA-DA!

Like it? LOVE IT?

I am very glad, it’s exactly what I was looking for! Did I mention Jean-Charles is super duper adorable? Because he really is!

You can find the hair salon Jean-Charles in the Louise Gallery.

Hair dresser Jean-Charles
22, Galerie Louise 
1050 Ixelles
02-502.80.27 

SUMMER SALES 2012

Hello guys!

Don’t have much time lately to post on the blog (moving out from my appartement this weekend)

Today I will just share with you my tips and tricks for the summer sales 2012 (which are starting TOMORROW)

You will find my article HERE

Have a great weekend, and see you tonight at Apéros Urbains at Bois de la Cambre.

xx

Lulu Fashion Coach & Apéros Urbains 2012

Hello guys!

Tonight is the first Apéro Urbain of the season 2012!
Alright, you probably know that as you’re reading this, I’m actually on the plane for NYC, but anyway, I wanted to share something very exciting with you.

I’ve been working at the Apéros Urbains since a few years, behind the bar. But this year, I wanted to do something different, something more me. Spending evening behind my bar looking at everyone, I realized that a lot people were so well put together, great styles.

That’s how we got the idea to do a Streetstyle at the Apéros Urbains every friday, but not only.  I will also give you my tips on what to wear the following friday, depending on the weather and the location. Just like I did last year, but on my blog, remember?

You will find the Streetstyle pictures and the outfit tips on the Apéros Urbains Blog

Here are a few great looks I spotted during the last season of the Apéros Urbains

Can’t wait to spot all of you looking fabulous!

By the way, even though I’m not there the first two friday’s, my eyes will be!

xx